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Random thoughts (or close as we come to them around here) while wondering when the Chicago White Sox marketing department will start writing Jose Abreu’s Rookie of the Year award acceptance speech:
For those who care (and even for those who don’t), there is video of Natasha Kizmet below.
* If the Cubs want a blueprint on how to build (or rebuild) a ballclub, they ought to look to the White Sox. Yes, the White Sox who did not feel the need for a five-year plan. Just guessing — based on a small sample size — Abreu will be a bigger star than any current Cubs player or those in waiting in the minor leagues. Even if Abreu’s stardom might be on a smaller stage — well, unless he singlehandedly can convince fans to come out to the ballpark.
* On the bright (?) side for the Cubs, they were rained out Monday in Cincinnati. And Abreu had only one run batted in in the Sox’ 7-3 victory vs. the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. He went 2-for-4 but no home run (he has a major league best 10). Abreu also leads the major leagues with 32 RBI. The top three run producers on the Cubs have combined for 32 — Starlin Castro and Welington Castillo have 11; Anthony Rizzo and Mike Olt have 10. And the Sox’ concern entering the season was offense.
* The Chicago Bulls are one loss away from being out of the NBA playoffs. If it’s any consolation (and the guess here is that it is not), the Indiana Pacers — the top seed in the Eastern Conference — are in the same position.
* Speaking of the Bulls, the playoff series against the Washington Wizards seems to have shown fairly clearly the Bulls are not as athletically gifted. That is not the fault of coach Tom Thibodeau. Yes, the Bulls would be better with Derrick Rose at guard rather than recuperating from surgery. How much better? Maybe everyone finds out next season.
* This is being finely crafted typed before NBA commissioner Adam Silver has his Tuesday press conference about Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and whatever sanctions the league will take about racist remarks that have created an avalanche of negative reaction. Here’s hoping part of his punishment will be to refer to him as Donald Silverplate at the most. Sterling, he is not. Stainless? Far from it as well. Tarnished? Definitely.
* The pressure the NBA feels regarding Sterling is economic with advertisers either departing or suspending their relationships (after the team has pocketed their money). You’d like to think there’s also a compelling moral component. If the NBA and other pro sports leagues were to rid themselves of owners with abhorrent values, how many would be left? Just asking (not claiming they all would be).
* May Jack Ramsay, who died at age 89, rest in peace. He was a great coach and broadcast analyst. As well as a great interview. He appeared on “Sports & Torts” with David Spada and Elliott Harris three years ago. To check it out, click here.
* Ex-Cub of the day: LaTroy Hawkins worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning with a strikeout to post his eight save of the season in the Colorado Rockies’ 8-5 victory at Arizona.
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