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Thursday thoughts (OK, what passes for thinking around here): With the Chicago White Sox losing to the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers beating the visiting Oakland Athletics Wednesday (Sept. 19), the Sox’ division lead is at two games. The good news for the Sox is that coolstandings.com rates the Sox’ chances for winning the American League Central at 72.8. The bad news is that the site gives the Sox a 2 percent chance of being the wild card.
Playboy Playmate Nikki Leigh (Miss May 2012) may be able to take your mind off White Sox and/or Cubs struggles. Credit: Ryan Astamendi
* As unclear as the AL Central might be, it’s fairly clear that the Sox need to score more than zero runs if they want to win a game. And they will have to score at least four runs if they are going to allow three, as was the case vs. the Royals (these numbers will be reviewed and if there is any change that needs to be made regarding this analysis, we will let you know).
* Anybody giving odds on Sox deisgnated hitter Adam Dunn reaching 100 walks (he has 99) before he reaches 200 strikeouts (he has 198)?
* Anybody giving odds on whether Sox outfielder Alex Rios (.301) ends up with a higher batting average than Sox first basemen Paul Konerko (.305)? Or odds on the team having two .300 hitters (which could be two more than the Chicago Cubs have)?
* Speaking of the Cubs, outfielder Brett Jackson went 0-for-3 with two walks and two strikeouts in the team’s 6-5, 11-inning loss to Cincinnati at Wrigley Field. Jackson has struck out 53 times in 106 at-bats. THe statistical-analysis department at elliottharris.com spent hours calculating and firmly believes those numbers mean he has struck out 50 percent of the time. In trying to figure out why Jackson whiffs so frequently. the stats people around here came up with the conclusion that it might have something to do with Jackson’s middle name: Elliott. The person typing these words and whose name adorns this site would like to think otherwise.
* Speaking of Cubs striking out, rookie Josh Vitters did not Wednesday. Then again, he didn’t get into the game. He is batting .108 (9-of-83). Baseball fans are familiar with the Mendoza line — which means hitting .200. A couple more hitless at-bats and we might be able to establish the Vitters line — which would mean hitting .100.
* Still speaking of Cubs striking out, first baseman Anthony Rizzo whiffed once in the loss to the Reds. He did go 2-for-6 to raise his batting average to a team-best .294. He has 289 at-bats, so he has an outside chance of reaching .300. With 50 strikeouts, he also has an outside chance of catching Jackson in that department. Yes, this is about as good as it’s going to get the rest of the way in statistical analysis of the Cubs.
The Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame had an induction ceremony/dinner on Wednesday at Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney/Cicero. The inductees: Bo Jackson, John Calipari, Paul Hornung, Ira Berkow, Johnny Barrett, Jay Blunk, Mark Donahue, Jennie Finch, Napoleon Harris, Bob Hallberg, Elzie Higginbottom, Sarah Kustok, Bill Madlock, Jack O’Callahan, Jimmy Piersall, Ron Rubenstein, Eric Soderholm, Robert Thomas, Bill Weick and Otis Wilson.
Entertaing speeches, even if the event does take a bit of time. Best speech of the night? Well, consideration has to go to Calipari or Jackson or …. Something says a fair share of folks who remained till the end would vote for Soderholm — either because he delivered a decades-old poem he penned from memory or because it was the evening’s last one.
Here are a few of the acceptance speeches:
The latest video from adidas regarding the rehabilitation of Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose, who had offseason anterior cruciate ligament surgery, is out:
Wynne Lacey
If it’s Thursday (which it is based on the fact that yesterday was Wednesday and tomorrow is Friday — provided that you are reading this on Sept. 20, 2012, or any subsequent Thursday), then it is time for another edition of “Sports & Torts” with co-hosts David Spada and Elliott Harris at noon Chicago time on talkzone.com. The Sept. 20 guests are former football stars Tony Dorsett and Dermontti Dawson and former Chicago Luvabulls dancer Wynne Lacey, director of the Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew and other entertainment squads. Her company, Wynning Teams, helps young women prepare for dance and cheerleading auditions and more.
The show will be available on podcast at talkzone.com later today (provided that today is Thursday, Sept. 20, when you are reading this).
Veteran guard Ticha Penicheiro of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky announced she will retire after the season. She posted on Facebook:
Ticha Penicheiro's WNBA career is near an end.
“I would like to officially announce my retirement from the game I absolutely adore. It has been an AMAZING ride. Basketball has given me more than I could ever imagine. I would like to thank ALL of you: family, friends, teammates, coaches…and fans for always supporting my dream and passion!! I APPRECIATE YOU ALL!! MUCH LOVE…and let the new chapter begin!! 
The Sky, which is trying to reach the postseason for the first time in franchise history, plays the Atlanta Dream on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Allstate Arena in Rosemont and hosts the Washington Mystics on Saturday (Sept. 22) to end its home regular-season schedule.
For Thursday’s game, the Sky will wear pink uniforms as part of Breast Health Awareness Night benefitting Bright Pink. Fans attending the game are urged to wear pink. The pink uniforms are be part of a silent auction during the game.
“Bright Pink is thrilled to partner with the Chicago Sky. Breast Health Awareness night is a great opportunity to encourage young women to be bright with their breast and ovarian health; to take their awareness to action by adapting proactive lifestyle behaviors,” said Lindsay Avner, Bright Pink Founder and CEO.
Random bikini video? Oh, why not:
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