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.

The Dodgers' Michael Conforto looks on during a game against the Giants on Sept. 21, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

4 takeaways from Chicago Cubs spring training, including another low-risk signing to bolster the bench

February 23, 2026 at 4:51 p.m.

Michael Conforto will be in the mix for a reserve outfielder job with the Chicago Cubs, a pool that also includes Chas McCormick and Dylan Carlson.

Chicago White Sox second baseman Sam Antonacci (92) runs the bases after hitting a two-run homer in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs during the Cubs and White Sox first spring training game of the year at Sloan Park Friday Feb. 20, 2026 in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Cactus League report: Springfield native makes White Sox impression — and Moisés Ballesteros lands at Cubs camp

February 23, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Springfield native Sam Antonacci blasted a two-run home run for the Chicago White Sox in the second inning of Friday’s Cactus League opener against the Cubs at Sloan Park.

Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman stands at the plate in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox during the Cubs and White Sox first spring training game of the year at Sloan Park on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Column: ‘Weird way to start a game.’ Chicago Cubs run themselves into a triple play on a wacky afternoon.

February 22, 2026 at 5:54 p.m.

The Chicago Cubs made multiple base-running gaffes while running themselves into a wacky triple play in Sunday's Cactus League loss to the San Francisco Giants.

Matt Shaw steps onto the field before the Cubs play the Rangers in a Cactus League game at Sloan Park on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Who’s in right field for the Chicago Cubs? Daunting questions for the team at spring training.

February 21, 2026 at 6:23 p.m.

The Chicago Cubs expect Moisés Ballesteros to arrive at camp as they audition Matt Shaw for right field and players argue against a salary cap.

White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami, left, shakes hands with Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman in the third inning of the Cactus League opener Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Baseball is back as Cubs and White Sox meet in the Cactus League opener. Enjoy it while it lasts.

February 20, 2026 at 6:58 p.m.

No one feels tired when Cactus League games begin, serving as an appetizer for the season ahead. It’s a time for fans to celebrate the sport's return.

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, speaks after the House Ways and Means Committee met on Feb. 19, 2026, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. The committee voted to establish a northwest Indiana stadium authority, empowered to issue bonds to finance, construct and lease a stadium for the Bears near Wolf Lake in Hammond. (Andy Lavalley/For the Post-Tribune)

Column: Like it or not, Bears fans, threatening to move usually works for Chicago’s sports teams

February 20, 2026 at 5:57 a.m.

Sometimes to get what you want, you've got to twist a few arms, as the Chicago Bears are doing so well in their threat to move to Indiana.

Ilia Malinin of the United States falls during the men's free skate program in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Milan. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Column: Ilia Malinin isn’t the 1st star athlete to flop on the big stage — and he can turn it into a positive

February 17, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

It’s hard to watch someone see their dreams crash so hard in front of millions of viewers. But it’s something every sports fan sees multiple times every year.

Chicago Tribune reporter and sports columnist Ring Lardner, circa 1926. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

Column: Ring Lardner’s ‘In the Wake of the News’ columns remain timeless more than a century later

February 15, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

With a slowdown in the sports world, a flashback to 1919 was in order to see how then-Chicago Tribune sports columnist Ring Lardner filled space when there was nothing of...

White Sox general manager Chris Getz, left, and manager Will Venable have a laugh on stage during SoxFest Live on Jan. 30, 2026, at the Ramova Theatre. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Like other Chicago White Sox unforced errors, GM Chris Getz’s ‘switch hitter’ blunder will pass

February 12, 2026 at 4:28 p.m.

When GM Chris Getz mistakenly thought new player Luisangel Acuña was a switch hitter, Chicago White Sox fans vented on social media.

Dozens of baseballs fill a bin before being used for infield grounders during White Sox spring training Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Column: Spring training renews optimism for the Cubs and White Sox — no matter where you’re watching

February 12, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The Chicago Cubs and White Sox are off and running at spring training, renewing optimism back home.

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