Latest News
Thursday thoughts: Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade put in his two cents’ worth about Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen’s view that NBA players should be paid to participate on the Olympic basketball team. Sound bad, greedy, etc.? He tried to clarify on Twitter:
“What I was referencing is there is a lot of Olympic business that happens that athletes are not a part of – and it’s a complicated issue.
“BUT my love 4 the game & pride 4 USA motivates me more than any $$$ amount. I repped my country in 2004 when we won the bronze medal and stood proudly to receive our gold medal in 2008 in Beijing. It’s always been an honor for me to be a part of the USA Olympic family…and I’m looking forward to doing it again in London this summer.”
Somebody ought to break the news to Allen, Wade and any other NBA player who might compete in the Olympics that taking advantage of athletes (pro or amateur) is about as much a part of the Games as the logo consisting of five rings. It’s a business, pure and simple. OK, not so pure, but you get the idea.
* For those of you who don’t think the Chicago Cubs are a 100-loss team this season, you just might be right. Never underestimate the Cubs. Based on early returns (1-5), they are on pace for 27-135.
* The new Theo Epstein era with the Cubs is off to a start no worse (also no better) than that of the new Boston Red Sox without him. Though that’s probably little consolation to anyone rooting for either team.
* The Chicago White Sox return from a season-opening road trip with a 3-2 record to open their home season against the Detroit Tigers, who lead the American League Central. OK, it’s too early to call it a crucial series — other than possibly from an attendance perspective.
Bikini champion Ashley Kaltwasser's body of work is quite impressive indeed. Credit: Bersano Photography
* Congratulations to Comcast SportsNet Chicago president Jim Corno for being named recipient of the 2012 Sportsman of the Year Award from the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. He will be honored on April 21 at the NIASHF’s annual Awards Gala. Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto is scheduled to receive the Athlete of the Year Award. Former big-league catcher Mike Piazza and Comcast SportsNet’s Sarah Kustok are to emceee the event. Information about the Gala is available at niashf.org or by phone at (312) 226-5566.
* Speaking of noteworthy figures and congratulatory wishes, it is time to say hello to Ashley Kaltwasser. She captured the Rock Star Bikini title March 1 in Columbus, Ohio. She followed that up by winning the Arnold Sports Festival’s Class D and overall amateur bikini titles a couple of days later. Thanks to photographer Don Bersano, your humble correspondent was able to attend a photo session March 4 with Ashley (what Don and I like to think of as work). She was gracious enough to take some time for a video interview. If things go according to plan (and occasionally they do), there will be more video in the next few days from the Rock Star event with Ashley in focus. There might even be another picture or two of the Ohio native. For now, this Bersano photo and the following interview will have to do:
Speaking of Comcast SportsNet (remember we were before Ashley came onto the scene?), it posted the best Blackhawks regular-season ratings average in Chicago regional sports television history: a 3.11 household season average (approximately 108,299 households per game). That number is up 12 percent from last season’s 2.78 and up 28 percent from two years ago (2.44).
Katarina Van Derham will be on the April 12 "Sports & Torts" on talkzone.com. Not in this outfit, however.
For those who read this site faithfully, you are well aware that today is Thursday. Even those who don’t read this site faithfully, well, they might know it’s Thursday, too. And that means it is time once again for another edition of “Sports & Torts” with co-hosts David Spada and Elliott Harris at noon Chicago time on talkzone.com. The guests for April 12 will be former pro golfer and CBS golf analyst Ken Venturi and former St. Pauli Girl Katarina Van Derham, who has brains to go with her beauty. The show also will be available on podcast for those who are unable to tune in noon. And for anyone out there who might be interested in advertising on the show, feel free to contact David Spada at david@injuryinillinois.com.
Advertising opportunities are available on elliottharris.com. For information and rates, contact sales@elliottharis.com.