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Midweek musings: The Chicago Sky has found a local television outlet for 24 of its 34 2013 WNBA games. The place to view: WCIU, The U and The U Too. Those outlets are part of Weigel Broadcasting Co. ESPN will air the Sky’s season opener May 27 and the Sept. 11 game — both against the Phoenix Mercury with No. 1 overall pick Britney Griner (Mercury) and the No. 2 overall pick Elena Delle Donne (Sky). Games also will be available on WNBA LiveAccess at www.chicagosky.net. Lisa Byington (play-by-play) and Brooke Weisbrod t(color commentator) will be the broadcast duo. No doubt those two will be more than adequate, but with the Weigel Broadcasting connection, it is a bit disappointing that somehow Svengoolie couldn’t be part of the telecasts. Wait till next year?
Lisa Byington will be part of the Chicago Sky broadcast crew …
* Chicago White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana pitched 6 2/3 no-hit innings in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory vs. the visiting Boston Red Sox. And there’s talk of Quintana possibly going to the bullpen when John Danks returns? Really? Apparently based on his ability to pitch out of the bullpen rather than based on overall pitching performance. Or maybe Hector Santiago is the guy headed to the bullpen. Along with his 2.78 earned-run average, second among the team’s starters to Chris Sale’s 2.53.
* Speaking of Santiago and Sale, the team said Sale will skip his scheduled start Wednesday because of left shoulder tendinitis and Santiago will start. Well, that’s reassuring. As if Sox fans can’t create enough angst on their own.
* Not sure which was more impressive: Right-hander Matt Garza pitching five scoreless innings in his first start in 10 months or his two-run double. And for all those who assure us that the designated hitter is coming to the National League, perhaps it is. But big-league baseball will be losing something if/when that occurs. Managing with the DH is much more a push-button job than the NL’s pinch-hitting, double switches and other strategems.
… as will color commentator Brooke Weisbrod.
* If it’s any consolation to the Chicago Blackhawks and their fans (and the guess here is that it is not), the defending Stanley CUp champion Los Angeles Kings lost Tuesday to the San Jose Sharks to tie their best-of-seven series 2-2. SO a Hawks victory Thursday at Detroit would tie their series 2-2, too. Leaving the Hawks in the same spot as the Kings with both teams heading home with home-ice advantage intact.
* Speaking of Los Angeles, the did not renew the contract of coach Vinny Del Negro The former Bulls coach had a 128-102 record with the Clippers. Included was a 17-game winning streak this season. The job opening — coupled with the Clippers having some star talent in Blake Griffin and pending free agent Chris Paul — might be enough to pique another former Bulls coach into investigating the job. A guy who is familiar with the L.A. market. No, not former USC coach Tim Floyd. How about former Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Something says Jackson is unlikely to even consider the Clippers but just might put himself out there as a candidate to have a little fun with Lakers ownership. Something also says Jackson’s book tour for 11 Rings will be more than enough travel for him for a while — even if he is going only to New York, Chicago and L.A.
This is now Ticha Penicheiro’s attire for WNBA games.
* The NBA held its ping-pong ball draft lottery event Tuesday with the Cleveland Cavaliers gaining the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft. Meaning the Cavs have won the draft lottery in the last two years. Also making one (or more) wonder whether the Cavs would be better off playing ping-pong or PowerBall rather than basketball.
Speaking of the WNBA (well, we were to begin today’s effort), former Sky guard Ticha Penicheiro was at the team’s exhibition game May 15 against the New York Liberty at Chicago State. A 15-year veteran of the WNBA, Penicheiro retired after her one season with the Sky in 2012. The native of Portugal and former Old Dominion University standout ended her WNBA career as the league’s career leader in assists (2,599) and No. 2 all-time in steals (764).
Among the players whom Penicheiro represents is Brooklyn Pope, the Sky’s second-round pick who was cut recently. Penicheiro’s experience as a player in the WNBA and abroad should help her provide perspective for her clients and prospective clients.
Penicheiro was gracious enough to take some time after the Sky’s exhibition game to chat with your humble correspondent and talk about the next chapter in her pro basketball life:
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