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The Chicago Bears defeated the New York Giants 20-17 Friday night (Aug. 24) in an NFL exhibition game in New Jersey. The most meaningful analysis and conclusions to be drawn from the contest? You didn’t even have to watch the game for that: The regular season is a day closer. Once it is time for the season opener, then we might have an idea of what quarterback Jay Cutler can do with a new offense that includes a familiar target in receiver Brandon Marshall and an idea of what the defense can do.
Adult actress Sara Jay is something of a big sports fan.
* High school football’s opening weekend in the Chicago area has begun — for those who care about such things. The Chicago Sun-Times apparently thinks there is some interest because it has a “PICK’EM CHALLENGE” contest with a $100 prize for weekly winners. To enter, one must be 18 or older. Seems a little unfair to high school kids, no? Then again, the appeal is less to high school kids and more to gamblers. Good to see the focus is in its proper place.
* Speaking of the Sun-Times (your humble correspondent’s former employer before being laid off in August 2011 — so some may view this as sour gripes/grapes, which it really is not because I did offer criticism of the paper in my 30-plus years there), the sports section devotes a page every day to a ceremonial first pitch. Far greater minds obviously make such brilliant decisions, so maybe someone can explain that apparent waste of space (if the paper had the feature supported by advertising, then it might might sense). What was really curious was Friday’s paper when the White Sox and Cubs had the day off Thursday. Pictured was Olympic Games U.S. gymnastics standout Gabby Douglas throwing out a first pitch — at a Mets game in New York.
* Speaking of school, attendance at Wrigley Field for the Cubs’ 5-3 victory vs. the Colorado Rockies: 31,255 (75.9 percent of capacity). Attendance at U.S. Cellular Field for the White Sox’ 9-8 victory vs. the Seattle Mariners: 25,058 (61.7 percent of capacity). Wonder what those number will be when tourists and students no longer trek to Wrigleyville. Which might be some comfort to Sox fans (although the guess here is that it isn’t).
* For anyone — other than bean-counters, marketing mavens and the like — to be concerned about attendance numbers is silly. The purpose of the exercise of playing games is to win — on the field. Winning, of course, is no guarantee of success at the gate — as the Tampa Bay Rays demonstrate so well. But for players, coaches and managers to worry about such matters means they aren’t focusing on what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a World Series. Make it to the postseason — when ticket prices are higher than for a series against the New York Yankees — and you’ll have a full house. Which might be some comfort to Sox fans (although once again the guess here is that it isn’t).
* Speaking of numbers, merchandise sales reportedly increased Friday at the Lance Armstrong Foundation, one day after the cyclist announced he would not defend himself against charges he used performance-enhancing drugs. What will be his legacy? At the very least, some might begrudgingly concede he was the best of cycling’s cheaters with seven Tour de France titles. As for merchandising possibilities, who knows what all this brings. His foundation always could change those yellow Livestrong bracelets to Liestrong.
From the fine folks at Playboy.com comes this video, which doesn’t have much of a sports connection. For those who object, let the record show that the complaint department at elliottharris.com is not open on Saturdays. In fact, at last check, the complaint department is not onpen on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays either. Oh, well. Enjoy the video. Or don’t. It’s up to you:
We shift from bootleg moonshine (as if there’s another type of moonshine????) to wine, if that’s OK with you (and even if it isn’t):
From the elliottharris.com better-late-than-never department comes this video from Exxxotica Chicago 2012 that was held in July at the Stephens Convetion Center in Rosemont, Ill. Today we have adult actress Sara Jay talking about the Miami Heat winning the NBA championship, among other topics — some of which might not be suitable for folks with certain sensibilities. If that’s not an inducement for some of the audience in cyberspace to watch, it’s unclear what would be. Anyway, here you go with the video:
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