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Weekend wondering: When was the last time that Paul Konerko had an infield hit, the Chicago White Sox had 17 hits, had a four-run inning and a five-run inning in accumulating nine runs (including the first four in the contest) and had a four-game winning streak — all in the same game — and lost? Ah, yes. That would be Saturday (May 18) against the Los Angeles Angels. A 12-9 loss.
Wondering whether there is another NBA dancer named Walesska other than this one on the Indiana Pacers squad? OK, not really wondering.
* When was the last time the Sox had an all-Hector battery? That also would be Saturday when left-hander Hector Santiago started and Hector Gimenez was the catcher?
* When was the last time Gimenez had four hits in a game? That, too, would be Saturday when he went 4-for-5 with three runs batted in. The time before that would have to be another season. He entered the game with three hits in 24 at-bats. Meaning he raised his batting average from .125 to .241 in an afternoon.
* When was the last time the Blackhawks lost three-of-five games (something the Detroit Red Wings have to accomplish to win their second-round NHL playoff series)? That would be the last five games of the regular season, which is far different from the postseason. Any Hawks fans who have gone from supreme confidence to finding themselves now on a ledge of uncertainty are urged to remain calm and rejoin the bandwagon — despite a 4-1 Wings victory at the United Center that tied the best-of-seven series 1-1.
* Speaking of uncertainty, how happy are the bookies of the world that 3-5 favorite Orb finished out of the money in Saturday’s Preakness?
Wondering if there is another NBA dancer named Travasha other than this one on the Indiana Pacers squad. OK, not really wondering.
* Speaking of the Preakness, does winner Oxbow become anything more than a footnote (or is that hoofnote?) in racing history if neither he nor Orb wins the Belmont Stakes?
* Speaking of Kentucky Derby champion Orb, when will media types learn not to hype the possibility of a Triple Crown winner until after winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown?
* Speaking of odds (which we were generally in regard to Orb), what are the odds that the Cubs win their third consecutive series of the season with a victory Sunday against the New York Mets at Wrigley Field? Reasonably good. Based on the observation that the Mets appear about as good (or bad) as the Cubs and that the Mets last won a series at Wrigley in 2007.
* When was the last time a Cubs pitcher started the season with nine quality starts? No clue. But left-hander Travis Wood, who is scheduled to pitch vs. the Mets in the series finale, has eight quality starts in eight starts this season.
* Are there any conspiracy theorists left who follow basketball and think the NBA wanted the Indiana Pacers to eliminate the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals? Or do such theorists believe the league wants the Pacers to play the defending champions so that the conference finals will go at least six games (meaning more money coming in than there would be if the Heat beat the Knicks in four or five games)?
* Is there any truth to the rumor (started numerous places) that Bulls guard Derrick Rose will be ready to play by Game 6 of the Blackhawks series?
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