Random thoughts while wondering how impactful a blown call has to be before Major League Baseball enters the late 20th century to take advantage of technology and implement a more encompassing replay program:
* Not that it mattered, but another umpire made another incorrect decision in a postseason game Monday (Oct. 15). The call did not affect the outcome of the San Francisco Giants’ 7-1 Game 2 victory vs. the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League Championship Series. But that’s not the point. Maybe if more money was bet on baseball, MLB would be more interested in making sure umpires got the call right.
* Former Cubs outfielder Angel Pagan had a leadoff homer and former Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot had a two-run single for the Giants in the Game 2 victory. Which is about as close to the postseason as Cubs fans will come this postseason.
* How many San Diego Chargers fans turned off the television for other activities after their team took a 24-0 halftime lead against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football? And then found out later the Broncos won 35-24, as Denver quarterback Peyton Manning looked like the Manning of old rather than an old Manning.
* Speaking of football, Joe Ziemba — author of When Football Was Football: The Chicago Cardinals and the Birth of the NFL – will be take a look at the oldest rivalry in the National Football League (the Bears and Cardinals) at a program Thursday (Oct. 18) at the Orland Park (Ill.) Public Library at 7 p.m. The library’s address is 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. The library’s phone number is (708) 428-5100.
* For those going through hockey withdrawal while the NHL is locking out players, there is an event with a couple of former Chicago Blackhawks goalies coming up. Tony Esposito and Murray Bannerman will be signing autographs from 1-3 on Saturday (Oct. 20) at Yorktown Center, 203 Yorktown, Lombard, Ill. Bannerman autographs will be $15 for any item. Tickets for autographs are available by calling (708) 837-9760 or at www.csac.biz. Esposito autographs are $30-50 depending on the items. Esposito autograph tickets are available at (630) 294-4207, (630) 627-1975 or www.sportsnewsshows.com.
A behind-the-scenes video of Derrick Rose’s most recent adidas commercial chronicling his comeback from anterior-cruciate ligament surgery:
Speaking of the Bulls and videos, here is some video from media day (OK, so we haven’t run everything since that gathering at the beginning of the month) with Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah. And for those wishing to brush up on their French, one of the interviews is in French — and, yes, this is about as close to educational and/or cultural as we get around here:
Speaking of video (and as promised), here is more video from the Chicago Soul launch party Sunday (Oct. 14) for the new Major Indoor Soccer League team at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates:
A little more cheerleading video never hurt anybody:
And there’s always room for this:
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