Chicago Sports Exchange: As “Independent Review” Launches, Hawks’ Reputation Is On Firing Line
Nearly two months after claiming a former player’s sexual assault allegations lacked merit, the Chicago Blackhawks hired a former federal prosecutor to conduct his own investigation and “to follow the facts wherever they lead.”
If the finish line looks anything like the starting point, heads will roll.
And rightfully so.
The accusations against the team’s former video coach Bradley Aldrich are disgusting enough. But if then-team president John McDonagh, general manager Stan Bowman, senior vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac, and mental skills coach James Gary were, in fact, made aware of Aldrich sexually assaulting at least two players during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoff run and chose to sit on their hands…
Well, that would be unforgivable.
HOLD — Dip In Sox’s Schedule Could Take The Sting Out Of Recent Slump, Abreu Injury
For a White Sox team that’s managed to keep its head (neck, shoulders, and torso too) above water as misfortune has poked holes in its master plan, losing José Abreu for an extended period of time would’ve been a tidal wave.
That the pitch that landed on Abreu’s left knee Sunday left little more than a bruise in its wake was a sigh of relief. Or, better yet, a show of mercy from a season that’s already clipped Eloy Jiménez, Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal.
Not for nothing but closing in on the All-Star break with 13 games against the Twins, Tigers and Orioles—whom the Sox have a combined record of 14-3 against— feels like a gesture of good faith in its own right. Especially with Cleveland, the team at their back in the American League Central, having to grapple with Tampa Bay and Houston in the next two weeks.
To this point, the Sox have feasted on lesser competition. This next course of games serves as a chance for them to get even fatter and happier.
HOLD — Cubs End Tough Stretch With NL Central Lead In Precarious Position
Together, the Reds, Phillies and Cardinals look like the light at the end of the tunnel.
To get there though, to the other side of a trying June, the Cubs must first cross paths with a Milwaukee team that pulled ahead of them for the rights to the National League Central.
It’s a fitting finale to a month that’s tested the mind (Javy Báez’s base-running gaffe), body (the injured list became home to a quarter of the 40-man roster, to say nothing of the lower back issues that continue to plague Anthony Rizzo) and soul (the five best pitching staffs in baseball bore down on Cubs hitters) of this ball club.
At 12–13 in the first Summer month, the Cubs have done well just to tread water. Taking two of three from the Brewers—something they haven’t done in three tries this season—would be the springboard toward a cushier July.
HOLD — Bulls’ Lottery Results Cement Sour (Early) Returns of Vučević Trade
For the moment, Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley are holding the short end of the stick.
Not only did the deal they swung for two-time All-Star Nikola Vučević not help yield a playoff—or play-in tournament—berth, but, thanks to some rotten lottery luck Tuesday, they had to fork over the eighth pick in next month’s draft too. It’s the kind of misfortune that only the washing away of a four-year playoff drought next season can cure.
That starts with Karnišovas and Eversley. With limited resources to improve a roster in need of more fresh paint, they’ll have their work cut out for them.
BUY — Parker, Sky Take First Loss Together
Welp, there goes Candace Parker’s bid for a perfect season.
Dating back to the season-opener, the Sky hadn’t lost a game with Parker in uniform. But a bitter shooting touch put an end to a franchise-best seven-game win streak Sunday and marked the first time in nine games that Parker walked off the court in defeat.
With three games to go before a break for the Olympic Games, the Sky (9-8) own the fourth-best record in the WNBA and are two games below the top of the Eastern Conference.
SELL — Fire Snap Skid, But Smoggy Outlook Remains Intact
After three consecutive shutout losses, the Fire played Philadelphia to a draw Saturday and showed some long-overdue pluckiness at that.
Maybe the combination of boos and chants calling for second-year manager Raphael Wicky’s job in the closing moments of their previous match did the trick.
Even so, the Fire (1-7-2), who are tethered with Toronto at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, are a long ways away from playoff contention—and giving a portion of outspoken fans good reason to change their tune.
HOLD — Red Stars’ Woes Are Downright Offensive
Defense might win championships, but scoring is still a must.
That’s why the Red Stars mustering just five goals through their first eight matches while being on the receiving end of a trio of shutouts this season is concerning.
What Rory Dames called the most disappointing loss in his 10 years at the helm—a 3-0 defeat to Racing Louisville FC Saturday—marked the second time his team has been held scoreless in as many games. It also dropped them to eighth-place in the standings, two spots outside of playoff contention.
With Tierna Davidson, Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, and Casey Krueger now on leave for Olympic duty, the Red Stars (2-4-2) will have both their resolve and depth tested in the weeks ahead. Drew Stevens is a Senior Writer for WARR Media, he lives and works in Chicago