Well, what do you know. Game 1 of the World Series ends with right-hander Ryan Dempster on the mound to close out a winning effort Wednesday. Just the way Chicago Cubs fans envisioned a few seasons ago. Of course, Cubs fans envisioned Dempster pitching for their team rather than for the Boston Red Sox.
* If it’s any consolation to Cubs fans and/or Dempster fans and/or detractors, he did allow the only run St. Louis scored on Matt Holliday’s homer in an 8-1 outcome.
* You didn’t have to be a delusional Cubs fan watching the World Series opener to say to yourself — or anyone else who might be willing to listen: “When did the Cubs start wearing uniforms with a bird on the bat?” Yes, that’s what happens when your No. 1 pitcher gives up five runs in the first two innings and you end up with your team having more errors (3) than runs scored (1).
* Because of injuries, center Joakim Noah (groin) and reserve guard Kirk Hinrich (concussion) were held out of the Chicago Bulls’ 104-95 victory vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder in Wichita, Kansas. The triumph improved the Bulls’ record to 7-0. Of course, if the game had been for the actual NBA preseason championship, Noah likely would have been in the starting lineup and Hinrich might have come off the bench to ensure the Bulls capture the title. Very shrewd moved by Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau to save the players for the preseason title game. There is a preseason title game, no? Oh.
* Speaking of the Bulls, guard Derrick Rose had 26 points — 13 in the fourth quarter — in 35 minutes. Meaning he is maintaining his pace to capture preseason MVP honors. There is a preseason MVP award, no? Oh.
* A sports-themed musical interlude — World Series edition:
If today is Thursday (and the odds seem overwhelming that it is (provided that you are reading this on Oct. 24, 2013, or a subsequent Thursday), then it is time for another edition of “Sports & Torts” on Talkzone.com at noon Central time with co-hosts David Spada and Elliott Harris.
The highly acclaimed show (well, it is held in such regard in the Spada and Harris households, not to mention reportedly elsewhere) is happy to have one of its favorites females on the Oct. 24 program. Lovely Lariyah Daniels — a woman of many talents — will talk about her endeavors as a singer with the music group Hessler, an artist (Blood Stained Canvas) a bikini competitor, personal trainer, model and more.
Here is a short video with Lariyah. For those wanting the “Sports & Torts” version and unable to tune in to the show, the program will become available later in the day Thursday via podcast at Talkzone.com. Also appearing on the show will be Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham, the former Pittsburgh Steelers great.
Here is where to go for non-gratuitous video (thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the editorial and video departments at elliottharris.com):
Advertising opportunities are available on ElliottHarris.com. For information and rates, contact sales@elliottharris.com.