Chicago Sports and Poker Updates

Chicago Cubs

Stick a fork in them -- they're done? Geez -- many people think so. Sweet Lou just doesn't seem so sweet to people anymore. The calls for Lou Piniella's head seem to be coming more frequently and louder. GM Jim Hendry should really shoulder most of the blame for moves that didn't work out -- getting rid of Mark DeRosa (and now the Cards have him -- great!), signing Milton Bradley (many people wanted the Cubbies to get Adam Dunn), yadda, yada, yadda. I didn't understand why the Cubs didn't bring Jim Edmonds back.

Anyway, the Cardinals, a first class baseball organization, have been making excellent personnel moves and are pulling games out in the last innings -- similar to the Cubs success from last year. It is hard to see the Cubs overtaking the Cards. Most likely they will be fighting for a wild card playoff spot. And they have some real competition this year. Things don't look good.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are a mystery. They are a combination of youngsters and grey beards and are only consistant in their inconsistancy. However, they are not positioned too badly. Although they are only three games over .500, they are only two games behind the Detroit Tigers. They need to win their division as currently four other non-division leading teams are ahead of them for the wild card spot.

The Sox can do it. Will they? I don't know. I hope so. They have the starting pitching to make the playoffs and even surprise some other teams. But ... their bullpen has been terrible lately. They will be interesting to watch.

Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane has not explained what happened the night of his altercation with a Buffalo cabbie. I think most people are assuming that it was a case of alcohol-induced bravado and young guys -- a dangerous mixture. The funny thing is that Kane has this reputation of being a mama's boy and being fragile. No one expected a story like this to break.

The Blackhawks want to win the Stanley Cup so badly next year. Rocky Wirtz really turned the franchise around. They are serious about winning and are making cutthroat personnel decisions to do so. Out with coach Savvy at the beginning of last season. Out with Dale Tallon, pretty much the face of the Hawks for the past several years. But ... they seem to be having one public relations faux pas after another this summer. The Hawks players had better produce right from the start of the new season. If not ... things will get very interesting.

Poker Content?

I got second place in The Mookie last night. I lucked out when my shortie shove with Q-Q was called by BuddyDank, who had K-K. I spiked a Queen on the flop. Yesss. However, I did make a terrible move when heads up against JOELPOKERGOD. The move cost me a chance for me third Mookie title since BBT4. Ah well ...