Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Open thread

Posted in:

Illinois

* Was tracking down some quotes this morning and got one back just as I finished up the subscriber edition. So, I’m busily rewriting. Keep it local and keep it polite, please. Find somewhere else to talk about national politics. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:09 am

Comments

Will there still be baseball being played on the shores of Lake Michigan this Saturday?

Or more lyrically…

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy-covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the National League

Told his friends “You know the law of averages says:
Anything will happen that can”
That’s what it says
“But the last time the Cubs won a National League pennant
Was the year we dropped the bomb on Japan”
The Cubs made me a criminal
Sent me down a wayward path
They stole my youth from me
(that’s the truth)
I’d forsake my teachers
To go sit in the bleachers
In flagrant truancy

and then one thing led to another
and soon I’d discovered alcohol, gambling, dope
football, hockey, lacrosse, tennis
But what do you expect,
When you raise up a young boy’s hopes
And then just crush ‘em like so many paper beer cups.

Year after year after year
after year, after year, after year, after year, after year
‘Til those hopes are just so much popcorn
for the pigeons beneath the ‘L’ tracks to eat
He said, “You know I’ll never see Wrigley Field, anymore before my eternal rest
So if you have your pencils and your score cards ready,
and I’ll read you my last request
He said, “Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field
On some sunny weekend day (no lights)
Have the organ play the “National Anthem”
and then a little ‘na, na, na, na, hey hey, hey, Goodbye’
Make six bullpen pitchers, carry my coffin
and six ground keepers clear my path
Have the umpires bark me out at every base
In all their holy wrath
Its a beautiful day for a funeral, Hey Ernie lets play two!
Somebody go get Jack Brickhouse to come back,
and conduct just one more interview
Have the Cubbies run right out into the middle of the field,
Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly
Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt
And I’ll be ready to die

Comment by ChicagoBars Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:17 am
Trying to keep perspective on White Sox season. In my mind, the Sox achieved what they should have and are on schedule. A month or so ago, one could have argued the Sox were ahead of schedule on the rebuild, but given the last month, I think they fell back to “on target.” The debate about Ricky as the manager to take them to the World Series is totally fair and hoping a “Joe Madden” like option comes along this winter. I just dont think he’s the manager to get the Sox to and win the World Series.

Comment by Red Ranger Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:20 am
It’s getting interesting watching the IL house race in the 97th district.

Looks like the incumbent is getting a little worried, based on the flurry of ads and bottom-scraping endorsements coming out.

Someone might have to actually work for a living soon.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:22 am
Hard to understand the logic in emptying out the bullpen as quickly as Renteria did yesterday. I understand that you’re in a win or go home scenario, but putting pitchers in a situation that they’re rarely if ever in during the regular season rarely pays off.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:23 am
Sorry to see the Sox get eliminated, but glad they made the playoffs and hope they take the right steps to get to the next level.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:38 am
For those upset about the rainout that didn’t actually get rained out, I live close enough to that ballpark to understand why the game was called. It really looked like it was going to open up and pour for most of the afternoon.

Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:41 am
When the Chicago Bulls fired head coach Doug Collins and hired Phil Jackson to replace him, a lot of people wondered why in the world they would do that, since Collins had just lead the team to the Eastern Conference Finals. The explanation was that Doug Collins was a good A to B coach, but not a good B to C coach. Basically he was good at getting the best out of young players and castoffs from other teams, but he couldn’t make a good team a championship team. Not many believed it at the time but Phil Jackson did turn out to be a great B to C coach, and this theory was proven by the 6 titles the Bulls won with Jackson as head coach (and the titles he later won coaching Shaq and Kobe in LA).

Is Ricky Renteria just baseball Doug Collins?

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:41 am
I was also surprised when they called the Cubs game yesterday, it was sunny in the western suburbs. But had periods of showers/storms. No doubt also helps that now there will be games today and possibly tomorrow for the networks.

Comment by Lunchbox Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:43 am
Did it frost last night? It felt pretty chilly while I was sitting by the grill cooking (normally I sit a bit farther away but it was chilly). I took in my Rosemary since that didn’t seem like nice weather for it. I got her through last winter with artificial lighting, I’m hoping I can get it through this one too.

Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:51 am
I love baseball, it’s my heart.

The 2020 White Sox were a real treat to watch, a heck of a ball club, the playoffs will be less without them.

Look out for the 2021 White Sox.

The Cardinals, my goodness, that game was one that seemed to never end, 20 runs, should make their elimination game even more interesting.

I have zero expectations for the Cubs today, but thrilled Darvish is on the bump for an elimination game, arguably the best pitcher on the Senior Circuit this truncated season.

All of this, I readily admit, I’m still amazed baseball is still being played and Illinois is lucky 3 ball clubs followed here got a taste of playoff baseball for fans like me needing distraction.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:51 am
I wrote a comment that didn’t go through- basically, I was saying that on most teams, I don’t think Ricky Renteria would be back next year but the White Sox tend to move glacially slow on deciding a manager isn’t a good fit.
His decision making on relief pitching (particularly over the past two weeks) has been at best, bizarre and at worst, cost them their division, a higher playoff seed and advancing in the playoffs.
All of that aside, this was the most exciting Sox season in years and I can’t wait to see what the next few years bring. I’m happy for the A’s and I hope the Cubs do well.

Comment by Father Ted Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 9:57 am
I’m done with baseball for the season. It could have gone either way yesterday for the Sox and they put up a fight. Losing Eloy as the DH almost right out of the box may well have been the difference on Thursday’s outcome. Ricky needed a third starting pitcher and when Dallas K could not get it done Wednesday I was already leery that we would be able to go farther into the postseason. I’m sad but overall proud of the guys.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 10:09 am
Looks like the suit against the IHSA is being dropped.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 10:09 am
Sometimes players can’t handle the pressure, sometimes it is the manager.

Comment by SSL Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 10:21 am
Seven restaurants in DeKalb County, most of them in City of DeKalb, are suing Governor Pritzker and Dr. Ezike for closing indoor dining in Region One. They are arguing that DeKalb County should be considered by itself.

Daily Chronicle: https://tinyurl.com/yxj6dguk

The owners claim they are following all the rules but you can see in the photo that one of them is wearing his mask under his nose while serving customers.

Comment by yinn Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 10:33 am
Oops, regarding 10:33 a.m. there are seven restaurant owners representing eight restaurants.

Comment by yinn Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 10:38 am
Great Sox season. still hoping Abreu wins the MVP. wondering about manager, but please, not smug Joe Maddon. wondering more about pitching and that coach. hoping Kopech’s arm is ok, and that Rodon gets better. what a home run from Luis Robert yesterday.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 10:44 am
Because of Renteria’s hyper paranoid pitching changes yesterday’s game was painful to watch.

Interestingly in reading Steve Stone’s Twitter feed, every time someone questions Renteria’s decisions Stone basically replies “no comment or Ricky’s choice” which itself says that Stone does not think much of Renteria.

Comment by Big Jer Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 11:10 am
I am truly sorry for the Sox exit, Rich. There is a really solid foundation there & I love all the younger players, even if some of those goodies came from the Cubs…

Comment by LoyalVirus Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 12:42 pm
Was told that employees at Early Voting location in McDonough County courthouse were behind a plexiglass shield but not wearing masks. The shield should be used as an extra safety measure and not as the primary safety measure.

Comment by Skeptical Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 2:49 pm