New year brings change in the wide world of sports
Matt Libs
Issue date: 1/19/09 Section: Sports
Welcome back sports fans. Hopefully all of you have recovered from another disappointing Bears season. At least they won't be distracting as a new semester starts up this year, but what about the rest of the sports world? There is more to professional sports than the Bears, right?
Burns from the hot stove
That glorious time of the year, also known as baseball season, is just around the corner. While both Chicago clubs managed to make it to the playoffs last year, their postseasons were cut short as the Cubs and Sox were eliminated in the first round.
So far both teams have made off-season deals to hopefully improve their results in 2009.
The Cubs finally let go of closer Kerry Wood, who is now a member of the Indians, but picked up Milton Bradley to patrol right field during the winter meetings. They also agreed on a deal with the Rockies that sent SP Jason Marquis to Colorado for reliever Luis Vizcaino. Although Marmol will likely start the season as the Cubs' closer, Vizcaino provides a solid backup if Marmol can't produce at his new spot.
The White Sox, on the other hand, seemed to be looking to their young players in 2009. That is, until they signed Bartolo Colon. In a move that was more unexpected than the brief Griffey Jr. stint on the south side, the Sox seem to think that the aging starting pitcher still has something left in his tank. The move is far from what the club needs to become a dominating force again, and as long as the Sox keep Bobby Jenks happy with a new contract, then at least the off-season has not been a complete disaster.
On the road again
Who says there's no place like home? For the home teams in this year's NFL playoffs, home field advantage has not been all its cut out to be. Only three home teams have won prior to the semifinal games on Sunday, leaving those road teams exclaiming, "Underdog who?"
I think it is safe to say that at least one of everyone's Super Bowl picks has been eliminated so far. This cannot be good news for the NFL. Not saying that this year's Super Bowl won't draw a big audience, but I'm sure that ratings will be lower than if the Giants were playing the Titans or Colts.
Especially after last year's finish, where the Giants beat the previously undefeated Patriots thanks to one of the best scramble-throw-catch plays in Super Bowl history. How can this year's game possibly be more exciting than that?
We'll have to just wait and see.
The new kids in town
For anyone who has missed out, there is still one Chicago sports team that has been consistently winning in the past month.
The Blackhawks have stepped up into the spotlight thanks to the failures of Chicago's other sports franchises. They've been winning too, a little fact that seems to have slipped past most people this winter.
Sure, the Hawks were center stage on New Year's Day as they hosted the first ever "Winter Classic" at Wrigley Field, but despite their 6-4 loss to the Red Wings in the friendly confines, it's been smooth sailing for the team, whose highlight of the season so far has been a nine-game win streak from Dec. 7 through Dec. 28.
The Blackhawks have many young promising stars, including Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg. Additionally, the Khabibulin/Huet goaltending duo has been surprisingly productive at keeping the puck out of the Hawks' net.
While the Bulls have nearly self-destructed their season away already, the Blackhawks are once again the most exciting Chicago team to watch leading up to spring.
Make sure you catch some of your favorite Hawks players in this year's NHL All-Star Game, as Kane, Toews and Brian Campbell will all represent Chicago on the starting line in Montreal.
Candor Sports Online
It's up. That's right the new Candor web site is online and better than ever. Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or simply want a place to voice your opinion about your team's most recent blowup, there's something on the site for you.
Some of the new features this year include up-to-date team records, downloadable podcasts, weekly polls, additional sports photos and game summaries. Make sure you check out the new Candor sports online for daily updates throughout the semester.
Burns from the hot stove
That glorious time of the year, also known as baseball season, is just around the corner. While both Chicago clubs managed to make it to the playoffs last year, their postseasons were cut short as the Cubs and Sox were eliminated in the first round.
So far both teams have made off-season deals to hopefully improve their results in 2009.
The Cubs finally let go of closer Kerry Wood, who is now a member of the Indians, but picked up Milton Bradley to patrol right field during the winter meetings. They also agreed on a deal with the Rockies that sent SP Jason Marquis to Colorado for reliever Luis Vizcaino. Although Marmol will likely start the season as the Cubs' closer, Vizcaino provides a solid backup if Marmol can't produce at his new spot.
The White Sox, on the other hand, seemed to be looking to their young players in 2009. That is, until they signed Bartolo Colon. In a move that was more unexpected than the brief Griffey Jr. stint on the south side, the Sox seem to think that the aging starting pitcher still has something left in his tank. The move is far from what the club needs to become a dominating force again, and as long as the Sox keep Bobby Jenks happy with a new contract, then at least the off-season has not been a complete disaster.
On the road again
Who says there's no place like home? For the home teams in this year's NFL playoffs, home field advantage has not been all its cut out to be. Only three home teams have won prior to the semifinal games on Sunday, leaving those road teams exclaiming, "Underdog who?"
I think it is safe to say that at least one of everyone's Super Bowl picks has been eliminated so far. This cannot be good news for the NFL. Not saying that this year's Super Bowl won't draw a big audience, but I'm sure that ratings will be lower than if the Giants were playing the Titans or Colts.
Especially after last year's finish, where the Giants beat the previously undefeated Patriots thanks to one of the best scramble-throw-catch plays in Super Bowl history. How can this year's game possibly be more exciting than that?
We'll have to just wait and see.
The new kids in town
For anyone who has missed out, there is still one Chicago sports team that has been consistently winning in the past month.
The Blackhawks have stepped up into the spotlight thanks to the failures of Chicago's other sports franchises. They've been winning too, a little fact that seems to have slipped past most people this winter.
Sure, the Hawks were center stage on New Year's Day as they hosted the first ever "Winter Classic" at Wrigley Field, but despite their 6-4 loss to the Red Wings in the friendly confines, it's been smooth sailing for the team, whose highlight of the season so far has been a nine-game win streak from Dec. 7 through Dec. 28.
The Blackhawks have many young promising stars, including Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg. Additionally, the Khabibulin/Huet goaltending duo has been surprisingly productive at keeping the puck out of the Hawks' net.
While the Bulls have nearly self-destructed their season away already, the Blackhawks are once again the most exciting Chicago team to watch leading up to spring.
Make sure you catch some of your favorite Hawks players in this year's NHL All-Star Game, as Kane, Toews and Brian Campbell will all represent Chicago on the starting line in Montreal.
Candor Sports Online
It's up. That's right the new Candor web site is online and better than ever. Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or simply want a place to voice your opinion about your team's most recent blowup, there's something on the site for you.
Some of the new features this year include up-to-date team records, downloadable podcasts, weekly polls, additional sports photos and game summaries. Make sure you check out the new Candor sports online for daily updates throughout the semester.
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