Lost Causes? Not in Spring Training

March 1, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

One of the joys of spring training is being able to focus on the good and ignore the bad that happens to your team. Magnify the positives and minimize the negatives.

Rock Star Bikini 2014 winner Alexis Young is flanked by runner-up Alaina Ravens (right) and third-place finisher Samantha Hasting. Around here, we think of running this photo as a public service.

* Kris Bryant hit a home run in his first exhibition at-bat for the Cubs. His seventh-inning blast came in a 15-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 draft, Bryant drove in Albert Almora, who had doubled. Meaning both players are in strong contention for Cactus League rookie of the year. Well, they might be if there was such an award.

* First baseman Jose Abreu went 0-for-2 in his White Sox debut, a 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It is too early for Sox fans to panic. OK, it’s never too early for that to occur, but it’s totally unnecessary after one spring-training game.

* White Sox left-hander Chris Sale struck out four in 2 2/3 scoreless innings. It is not too early for Sox fans to start hyperventilating about his chances to win the American League Cy Young Award.

* Chicago did have a winning team Friday with the Bulls defeating the host Dallas Mavericks 100-91. The Bulls are 20-8 since January 1. That is the best record in the Eastern Conference and second-best in the league in 2014. As usual, defense was key to the Bulls’ result. The Mavs were 6-for-25 from the field in the fourth quarter when the Bulls outscored them 27-15. Vince Carter went 0-for-6 from the field in the fourth quarter for Dallas. Then again, Carter is almost eligible for Social Security, isn’t he? OK, so he’s a mere 37. But he was playing when Michael Jordan still was in the NBA and playing for the Bulls.

* At 32-26, the Bulls are six games over .500 for the first time this season. Meaning coach Tom Thibodeau was in good spirits after the victory. Good enough to say with a smile: “We are an offensive juggernaut.” Well, maybe naught. But good enough to win eight of their last nine games.

***

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