Twelve takeaways from the summer of love and soccer.
1. History lesson
Cubs President Jed Hoyer has never seen a rash of pitching injuries like the 2026 team has suffered.
“This clustering has been something I haven’t really experienced, especially different injuries: a couple elbows, a couple hamstrings, a neck, a knee,” Hoyer said.
Someone get Hoyer a Cubs history book.
In 1985, the entire Cubs rotation went down with injuries: Rick Sutcliffe (hamstring tear and strained adductor), Dick Ruthven (broken toe), Steve Trout (elbow inflammation), Dennis Eckersley (shoulder soreness) and Scott Sanderson (elbow).
At one point, Tribune columnist Bernie Lincicome wrote the Cubs staff could “no longer walk upright or bend over smiling or cross its legs without help.”
When Sutcliffe went on the disabled list for the third time on July 29, GM Dallas Green said: “Nobody is going to deal with us to help us now. They’ve got us down, and they’re going to kick you. Besides, you’ve got that threat of a work stoppage, and people are afraid to deal.”
Funny how history repeats itself.
The ’85 Cubs, by the way, went from division winners to 77-85.
Meanwhile, there’s no truth to the rumor Hoyer acquired struggling Mets starter David Peterson while in New York to save on roaming charges.
2. Hosts with the most
The world’s Yelp reviews on America are in, and we’re getting four-star ratings from everywhere. The invading army of World Cup tourists love our hospitality, barbeque, ranch dressing, bars, superstores, fast food and our all-around coolness. The Scots have turned our cities into giant parties, and the Norwegians have made conga lines in our ballparks.
It’s heartening to know we’re not all hated after all. The only impression some of them had about the U.S. comes from news stories about the Hater-in-Chief and his arrogant world view. Americans have shown the world we’re much better than our leaders. Hopefully it’s a lasting impression.
3. Channeling the Bears
Looking forward to the Bears’ Hallmark Channel movie, which was revealed this week by coach Ben Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland. President and CEO Kevin Warren said teaming up with Hallmark Media will “provide our club and our fans with the opportunity to grow together by creating a special, meaningful movie.”
No word on the plot yet, but don’t be surprised if it’s about a young couple who falls in love looking at the Christmas lights on State Street and winds up building their dream house on a slag heap in northwest Indiana.
4. Fist of fury
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark continues to get knocked around in the WNBA, including getting a fist in the throat from Phoenix Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas, who only received a one-game suspension and fine. The WNBA doesn’t seem to care about how many fans Clark brings to the league, and its lack of serious action invites more nonsense.
“The fist in the throat is crazy,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “It’s dangerous. When you have these things continue to happen time and time and time again, eventually it gets frustrating.”
Clark probably needs to read “The Jordan Rules,” Sam Smith’s classic book on Michael Jordan and how he handled similar rough treatment by Detroit Pistons goons Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn.
“When Detroit started knocking me on my ass, everyone started playing me that way, so I’m not allowed the creativity in the half court game as much,” Jordan said at the start of camp in 1990.
Jordan bulked up that offseason, and coach Phil Jackson installed the triangle offense. The Bulls went on to beat the Pistons in the ’91 playoffs on their way to their first title and never looked back.
5. Time for an audible?
Having failed to secure a trademark for “Iceman,” Bears quarterback Caleb Williams should just try to patent “Ice Machine,” “Wizard of Ice,” or “Ice, Ice, Baby.” Don’t give up, Caleb.
6. Party planning committee
When I asked Commissioner Rod Manfred last year if there was any contingency plan for the 2027 All-Star Game at Wrigley Field in case of a lockout, he smugly replied: “My contingency plan is to make an agreement with the players and play the ’27 season.”
But MLB owners’ ludicrous demands show how little interest there is among them to try and avoid a lockout. That means the Rickettses shouldn’t bother planning any parties around an All-Star Game at Wrigley that could be postponed for a few years.
7. Can the White Sox shock the world?
If the Sox are serious about contending, they should become a prominent bidder for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal instead of calling up prospects and employing bullpen days, as they’ve done so far.
Skubal was last seen yelling profanities at magic wander Mike Vasil but would nevertheless fit in well in the Sox clubhouse and give Sox fans reason to believe this team can do something in October.
The Sox have some quality prospects to include in a deal, and Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has to realize he’s not getting any younger. If not now, when?
8. Location, location, location
The arch the Cubs are constructing to honor the 2016 champions, and their other World Series winners, is nice. But the Champions Gate should’ve been placed at an entrance to the actual ballpark and not to Gallagher Way, which is basically used as an area for fans to bring kids who are too restless to sit and watch an entire game.
The bleacher entrance at Waveland and Sheffield Avenues would’ve been a more appropriate place for a welcoming gate.
9. Sox Park doppelgangers
Watching Marshmello playing Friday night at Rate Field made me wonder: Whatever happened to Lance Lynn anyway?
10. Time for a change in All-Star voting
Pete Crow-Armstrong will no doubt make the National League All-Star team as a reserve. But finishing 10th in NL All-Star outfield voting, despite leading all position players with a 5.1 WAR, suggests the voting method is flawed.
Fan voting should be conducted from mid-June to the Fourth of July without a separate phase for the finalists. Crow-Armstrong’s poor offensive start doomed his chance to start, while the bad national publicity stemming from a viral video of his profane reaction to a harassing female White Sox fan probably didn’t help matters.
In the end he’ll probably be there, albeit not as a starter, where he belongs.
11. Clean machine
If we’ve learned anything from the World Cup, it’s that the simple act of bringing trash bags and cleaning up your garbage after games should be replicated in every stadium of every sports team in North America. Thanks, Japan, for showing us the way.
12. What to give the pope who has everything?
Presenting the ball from the final out of Game 1 of the 2005 World Series to Pope Leo XIV was a most generous gift from former Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski. For what it’s worth, I have access to a drain cover from old Comiskey Park — “borrowed” by a celebrating fan during Disco Demolition Night — I’d be willing to offer the pontiff for his growing collection of Sox memorabilia.
DM me, Pope Leo.
