Paul Sullivan

Paul Sullivan is the Chicago Tribune's In the Wake of News columnist and baseball writer, covering the Cubs, White Sox and national news. A 44-year Tribune veteran, Sullivan was named Illinois Sportswriter of the Year in 2015, '16 and '19 and earned the Ring Lardner Award for excellence in sports journalism in 2018.

Outfielders Ian Happ, from left, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Tyrone Taylor celebrate after the Cubs beat the Cardinals 3-0 on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Michael Reaves/Getty)

Column: Arrival of dog days brings out the best in Chicago Cubs, who blank rivals amid the Wrigley Field buzz

August 14, 2026 at 5:44 p.m.

The Chicago Cubs enter the dog days in a very good place, with a 72-51 record after Friday's 3-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

White Sox starter Davis Martin is held back by an umpire after hitting Reds first baseman Sal Stewart with a pitch in the third inning Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at Rate Field. Martin was ejected from the game. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Fiery brouhaha and series loss send Chicago White Sox staggering into Detroit for showdown

August 13, 2026 at 6:23 p.m.

The Chicago White Sox saw their lead in the AL Central drop to 2½ games Thursday after losing the series finale to the Cincinnati Reds 9-8, wrapping up a 3-3...

Joe Laclede, Judy Beckerdite, Natalie Laclede, Laura Laclede and Andrew Laclede pose for a photograph while wearing their pope hats before a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds at Rate Field in Chicago on Aug. 11, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Chicago White Sox’s Pope Hat Night makes believers out of everyone

August 11, 2026 at 11:53 p.m.

It was 1:40 a.m. at the Vatican when the Chicago White Sox game began, so we're not sure if Pope Leo was tuning into the game and chuckling at the...

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong steals third base on his way to scoring on a throwing error by Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela for a 3-2 win in 11 innings Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Can Pete Crow-Armstrong outduel Shohei Ohtani in the MVP race? Does the pope wear a big hat?

August 10, 2026 at 3:38 p.m.

A classic NL MVP race, Pope Hat Day arrives for the Chicago White Sox and Mark Buehrle on his Hall of Fame candidacy.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami hits a solo home run in the sixth inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field in Chicago on Aug. 8, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Chicago White Sox shake off their freaky Friday with a 6-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians

August 8, 2026 at 11:58 p.m.

The Chicago White Sox rallied with a five-run sixth inning to snap a four-game losing streak, moving three games ahead in the American League Central.

Former Chicago White Sox shortstop and manager Ozzie Guillén has a laugh during his jersey retirement ceremony prior to a game between the Sox and the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field in Chicago on Aug. 8, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Column: After a lifetime of laughs, Chicago White Sox legend Ozzie Guillén gets emotional at number retirement

August 8, 2026 at 11:50 p.m.

The city of Chicago adopted Ozzie Guillén 41 years ago, and he's been our native son ever since. The Chicago White Sox retired his number on Saturday.

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, center right, celebrates with first baseman Michael Busch after scoring on a throwing error by Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela for a 3-2 win in 11 innings Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Chicago Cubs cap manic homestand with a ‘sick’ comeback for a dramatic 3-2, 11-inning victory

August 6, 2026 at 7:07 p.m.

Down to their last strike, the Chicago Cubs pulled off an improbable rally to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 in 11 innings Thursday at Wrigley Field.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell talks with shortstop Dansby Swanson before a game against the Blue Jays at Wrigley Field on Aug. 6, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

How will Craig Counsell manage a Chicago Cubs rotation that went from a shortage to an overflow?

August 6, 2026 at 2:54 p.m.

The Chicago Cubs went from not having enough starters to maybe having too many, a dilemma that can only be a problem if the pitchers don't buy in.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) celebrates after closing out the Chicago Cubs in the first inning of a game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Tarik Skubal tries to shut out the noise before losing his Los Angeles Dodgers debut at Wrigley Field

August 4, 2026 at 11:45 p.m.

Tarik Skubal, the talk of baseball all week, made his Los Angeles Dodgers' debut Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in a 5-1 loss.

Chicago Cubs President Jed Hoyer speaks to members of the media less than an hour after the trade deadline, before a Monday night game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Aug. 3, 2026 at Wrigley Field. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune)

Column: In one of Chicago’s busiest MLB trade deadlines, the Cubs and White Sox made things happen

August 3, 2026 at 7:37 p.m.

Chicago Cubs president Jed Hoyer and White Sox general manager Chris Getz checked off all the items on their to-do lists by Monday's MLB trade deadline.

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