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There was Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o being interviewed — off camera — by ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap. Te’o’s imaginary girlfriend was nowhere to be seen. There was part 2 of Lance Armstrong’s interview with Oprah Winfrey. There was the Chicago Bulls’ overtime victory against the host Boston Celtics. Plenty of happenings Friday (Jan. 18).
Kerry and Sarah Wood attend Woody’s Winter Warm-Up on Jan. 18, 2013, at Harry Caray’s Navy Pier.
For some of us, however, there was an escape from the day’s events. There was the first day of the Cubs Convention. And better tham that, there was the second annual Woody’s Winter Warm-Up that benefits the Wood Family Foundation.
And so it was that your humble correspondent traveled to the Sheraton Chicago Towers & Hotel for Cubs Convention and Harry Caray’s Navy Pier for the two events that featured Cubs past, present and future. Along with assorted other celebrities who also took turns serving as bartenders at Wood’s festivities.
For the Cubs hopefuls not yet 21, they handled duties of doling out Homer’s ice cream outside the Navy Pier restaurant. Hey, it’s always good to have career options just in case this baseball thing doesn’t work out.
A good time was had by all. And that’s saying something considering the size of the crowd of party-goers.
Speaking of Chicago baseball and good times, the Pitch and Hit Club will hold its 67th annual awards banquet on Jan. 27 at the Carlisle Banquet Hall in Lombard (435 E. Butterfield Road). Hall of Fame pitcher Goose Gossage and future Hal of Fame manager Tony La Russa are among the featured guests
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for autographs, a memorabilia show and pre-dinner hospitality. Dinner is at 6. Tickets ($75 for club members and $100 for non-members) are available by emailing B. Venturi at bventuri@aol.com or by calling club president Ken Miller at (815) 354-4517. Ticket will not be sold at the door. Tom Shaer will emcee the event with organist Nancy Faust providing music. For more information and a list of the award winners, you can click here.
Speaking of award banquets, the 25th annual Comcast SportsNet Sports Awards dinner will be Thursday (Jan. 24) at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. A 5 p.m. reception precedes dinner at 6 with the awards ceremony to begin at 7:30. Proceeds benefit the March of Dimes. David Kaplan is to emcee the event.
The honorees:
* Richard “Rip” Hamilton (Bull of the Year)
* Bob Love (Bulls Legend)
* Dave Bolland (Blackhawk of the Year)
* Eddie Olczyk (Blackhawks Legend)
* Darwin Barney (Cub of the Year)
* Ernie Banks (Cubs Legend)
* Chris Sale (White Sox of the Year)
* Frank Thomas (White Sox Legend)
* Roberto Garza (Bear of the Year)
* Otis Wilson (Bears Legend)
* Patrick Nyarko (Fire of the Year)
* Frank Klopas (Fire Legend)
* Connor McHugh (Inspirational Athlete Award)
Tickets are $400 per person and available by phoning Shannon McCahill at (312) 596-4716 or going online to CSNChicago.com/sportsawards25.
There’s always a time and a place for non-gratuitous videos. This would appear to be exactly that.
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