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Midweek musings: For those looking for a Chicago Cubs connection in baseball’s postseason, about the best we can do is recently retired former pitcher Ryan Dempster. He was an in-studio analyst Tuesday for MLB Network — to the surprise of no one who encountered Dempster during his playing career. His wit will carry him far in his new career. As for his wardrobe? The ever-outlandishly attired Dempster ultimately will rival Bud Collins and Heywood Hale Broun (for those who remember either of those esteemed journalists) before his new career is over.
Video below of Amanda Latona.
* For White Sox fans waiting for their former catcher A.J. Pierzynski to do something in the National League Championship Series, the chances increased with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Yadier Molina being sidelined by an oblique strain for Game 3 Tuesday in San Francisco. Pierzynski did not incite a riot or come close to it in his hitless afternoon. He did, however, give Giants fans four chances to boo him when he came to bat. A.J., the crowd-pleaser. As a consolation prize (for Cubs fans at least), the Cards lost 5-4 in 10 inning and trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
* Speaking of Sox fans, if it’s any consolation to them (and the guess here is there might be a few fans out there who do find some solace), the Kansas City Royals are one victory away from reaching the World Series after beating visiting Baltimore to take a 3-0 lead in the American League Championship Series. Of course, the downside to all that is the Sox will have to contend once again with the Royals in the AL Central. And K.C. didn’t even win the division.
Video below of Narmin Assria. Also of Narmin and Amanda Latona.
* Pau Gasol sat out Chicago Bulls practice because of a tight back. Meaning he is pretty much in midseason form as far as health-related problems are concerned. And, yes, Bulls fans should be concerned. Especially if his minutes are not managed to allow him to be able to perform at a high level (not speaking height-wise) when the playoffs come many months from now.
* Some Las Vegas sports books have stopped the betting on Notre Dame’s game Saturday night against Florida State because of the uncertainty of whether Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston will play. Which should tell you something about college athletics and gambling. Meanwhile Notre Dame is losing some players because of academic fraud. Something says the university’s definition differs from mine. You want academic fraud. How about first we dismiss the notion that big-time college athletics is about educating students in the classroom? And how about we dismiss the notion that big-time college athletics is about amateur athletics (semi-pro to professional would be closer to the truth)? Big-time college football and basketball are nothing more than an entertainment industry. Not that any of this is earth-shaking news. You want to do away with the hypocrisy that abounds? Give student-athletes the option of receiving the value of their scholarships in cash (with going to class optional at a discounted rate). No school would do that because it would cost them actual money rather than phantom expenditures that don’t cost the athletic departments a dime to have athletes in classrooms.
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