Tanaka Heading to Wrigley? Well, as a Yankee

January 23, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Thursday thoughts (or what approximates such things around here): Masahiro Tanaka signed a seven-year, $155 million deal with the New York Yankees. Meaning the Chicago Cubs lost out on the Japanese right-hander. As did the Chicago White Sox. As if either team had a chance. Tanaka does have an opt-out clause in his contract after four seasons. Meaning, certainly, the Cubs will be on the cusp of winning (OK, reaching??) a World Series by then, and Tanaka will depart New York for the Cubs. Please, anyone reading this should not hold his or her or anyone’s breath waiting for that scenario to unfold.

Playboy’s January Playmate Roos Van Montfort. You were expecting Masahiro Tanaka?

* If it’s any consolation to Cubs fans (and the guess here is that it won’t be), Tanaka very well could be pitching this season at Wrigley Field — when the Yankees visit the Friendly Confines.

* Speaking of friendly, the Chicago Bulls defeated the host Cleveland Cavaliers 98-87 in their first meeting with Luol Deng since he was traded to the Cavs. The Bulls (21-20) are 7-2 since the trade. Deng went 2-for-11 from the field and had 11 points in 40 minutes vs. his former team. Meaning he had more pregame hugs with coach Tom Thibodeau and other members of the Bulls than he did made field goals.

* Speaking of making field goals, Taj Gibson went 11-for-15 in scoring 26 points in 42 minutes as he started for injury forward Carlos Boozer. The only down side to his play is if he continues to start, he will have no shot at any Sixth Man award consideration. That should be the team’s biggest concern this season.

* Speaking of injuries, guard D.J. Augustin started in place of Kirk Hinrich and had 27 points, including 5-of-8 three-pointers, in 39 minutes. The only down side to his play is if he continues to perform so well, he likely will find a team that will want him as a starter next season.

* The White Sox named Bo Jackson an ambassador to represent the team at various functions. He played 108 (of 694 games in an eight-year career) for the Sox. Most of his career was with the Kansas City Royals, but there’s no question he was a favorite with Sox fans. Nice move by the Sox days before SoxFest.

* If it’s Thursday (and chance are excellent that it is, considering yesterday was Wednesday — provided that you are reading this January 23, 2014, or a subsequent Thursday), then it is time once again for another edition of “Sports & Torts,” the weekly interview show co-hosted by David Spada and Elliott Harris on Talkzone.com. This week’s guests are Pro Football Hall of Famers Tom Mack (the Los Angeles Rams offensive guard) and Dave Wilcox (the San Francisco 49ers linebacker). For those who are unable to tune in for the program (and/or for those who would like an encore of it), the show will be available later on podcast at Talkzone.com.

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Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the energetic efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com):