Chicago Sun-Times :: Sports ::

Damned if they don't, defense must rise up

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Brad Biggs: The quarterback derby. Brian Urlacher's contract. Devin Hester's holdout-turned-into-a-contract. Chris Williams' achy, breaky back.

It's as easy as 1-2-3

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Lou Piniella put a rookie in right field, scrapped his preference for two lefties in the lineup and then promised more changes if the team didn't start hitting and the losses didn't stop raining on the Cubs' season. ''Let me tell you, when it rains, it pours,'' he said Saturday afternoon. ''Well, it's pouring right now, I can tell you.''

Thome has a blast

BY TONI GINNETTI tginnetti@suntimes.com — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

No team in baseball is in as envious a position as the Los Angeles Angels, likely only days away from clinching the first playoff spot of the 2008 season. ''Who couldn't manage that club,'' White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Saturday of the team guided by Mike Scioscia, a manager Guillen in fact respects.

Notre Dame wins, but fails to impress

BY NEIL HAYES nhayes@suntimes.com — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

If Notre Dame's performance against San Diego State is as much improvement as we can expect the Irish to make from one season to the next, it might take 100 years for Charlie Weis to rebuild his program into a national championship contender.

Furyk fires sizzling 62 at BMW

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

When his marathon 36-hole Saturday finally ended at the BMW Championship in St. Louis, Jim Furyk found himself atop the leaderboard for the first time all year.

Our Hot Fan contest is heating up!

FROM SUN-TIMES STAFF REPORTS — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

It may be getting a little cooler outside, but our fan galleries for the Cubs and White Sox remain hot! Check out our newest additions. Bears and Hawks fans, don't be left out. E-mail your photos to webphotos@chicagosuntimes.com. We've had more than 8 million page views and over 50,000 votes on our poll at suntimes.com/sports.

The rock star: Freddie Lindstrom

BY NEIL HAYES nhayes@suntimes.com — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

He could be remembered for hitting .379 in 1930, for being perhaps the best third baseman of his generation or for batting cleanup for a team that included the great Mel Ott. He was one of the finest players Chicago ever produced, and he burst onto the game's greatest stage en route to the Hall of Fame.

On the air today

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

>Time Sport TV/radio

'Scramble' selections: Batista, Hardy, Henry

BY BLACKJACK BROWN — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

The SummerSlam aftermath continues tonight at the Unforgiven pay-per-view with three matches in the new and revolutionary ''Championship Scramble'' format. As the announcers on all WWE brands have been saying for the last two weeks, this type of match almost guarantees multiple title changes. Two wrestlers will start each 20-minute battle for their brand's title, with another wrestler joining the fray every five minutes. Whoever wins the last fall before the time limit expires will leave as the champ.

US Open: Victorious Federer plays like...Federer

BY HOWARD FENDRICH — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

NEW YORK -- With ominous clouds overhead and the sort of hard court that troubled him this season underfoot, Roger Federer still sensed something Saturday he hadn't in quite a while.

It's as easy as 1-2-3

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Thome has a blast

BY TONI GINNETTI tginnetti@suntimes.com — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Tigers turn on the power, sink Twins

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Curtis Granderson and Magglio Ordonez each hit two-run homers in the eighth inning, and the Detroit Tigers battered Minnesota's struggling bullpen to rally for a 6-4 win over the Twins on Saturday before a Metrodome crowd of 42,606.

Sheets, Brewers shut down Padres

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Ben Sheets bested Jake Peavy in a pitchers' duel before 42,667 at Miller Park on Saturday night as the Milwaukee Brewers downed the San Diego Padres 1-0.

Damned if they don't, defense must rise up

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Brad Biggs: The quarterback derby. Brian Urlacher's contract. Devin Hester's holdout-turned-into-a-contract. Chris Williams' achy, breaky back.

Star has never been hotter

BY TOM WITHERS — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

CLEVELAND -- They're more ''American Idol'' than America's Team these days. From T.O. to Romo to Jerry Jones to Jessica Simpson to Pacman (sorry, make that Adam), the Cowboys can dazzle on the red carpet or in the red zone.

Football on TV

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

BEARS AT COLTS7:15 p.m. | Ch. 5 | Colts by 9�

Tough first test for young Chiefs

BY HOWARD ULMAN — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- It's hardly a surprise that Tom Brady will start in the New England Patriots' season opener today.

O'Sullivan taking Warner's trail

BY GREG BEACHAM — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

SAN FRANCISCO -- Although Kurt Warner credits Mike Martz for many of his lofty achievements, the Arizona quarterback knows his former coach's new project might feel about 2 feet tall heading into his first NFL start.

Rivers charged up over respect

BY BERNIE WILSON — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

SAN DIEGO -- One week he was considered a pop-off, a mouth from the South who yapped at everyone from the home crowd to fans on the road and even an opposing quarterback.

This time, QB Russell's prepared

BY JOSH DUBOW — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The goal in JaMarcus Russell's NFL debut for the Oakland Raiders against Denver nine months ago was survival.

Wild opener for Titans, Jaguars

BY TERESA M. WALKER — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Call it jumping into the deep end of the NFL pool.

Holmgren eyes start of big finish

BY JOHN WAWROW — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- In kicking off his final season as Seahawks coach, Mike Holmgren is not looking for a do-over.

Healthy Rams have Eagles wary

BY ROB MAADDI — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

PHILADELPHIA -- Perhaps the schedule-makers knew the Eagles haven't had much success in season openers when they booked the St. Louis Rams for a visit to Philadelphia this week.

Illinois kindergarten golfer has ace

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

BELLEVILLE, Ill.---- Look out Tiger Woods, 5-year-old Drew Gray's got game.

Boating, for the pure joy of it

WITH DALE BOWMAN — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Boat builders want to spread the joy of boating -- and sell some boats along the way while selling the boating lifestyle.

Super 25

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

1 MOUNT CARMEL (2-0)

Wilson, Sauter step up for Naperville North

BY PHIL BROZYNSKI — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Before each match, a teammate draws a fake tattoo on the right shoulder of Naperville North volleyball player Audrey Wilson. It doesn't say ''Mom.''

Illini on recruiting rise

BY TAYLOR BELL — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Talent and rankings are in the eyes of the beholder, whether you are selecting the top 100 seniors in the nation or the top 10 recruiting classes. Tally five analysts and you'll get five different evaluations.

McKinney's day: 196 yards, 5 TDs

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

LaSteven McKinney's stock just went way up.

Frison comes up huge for Giants

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Cortney Frison rushed for 207 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries and threw for another as Highland Park rallied for a 35-21 victory over host Minooka in a nonconference matchup Saturday.

Ruske (187 yards) is rambling man

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Loyola and quarterback Lucas Ruske were off and running again Saturday in Wilmette.

Greyhounds spoil Kits' party

BY TAYLOR BELL — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

Hubbard's William Taylor was switched from quarterback to running back this season. That is his true position, he insists. To be certain he stays there, he calls his successor, 14-year-old freshman Quincy Skanes, every day ''to make sure his head is in the game.''

High school results

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

FOOTBALL

Stars of the week

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

* Sam Chwarzynski, DB, Maine South: Two interceptions in 35-21 win over Warren on Friday.

Americans make do on Dempsey's goal

BY WILL WEISSERT — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

HAVANA -- With few fans in the stands and little light on the field, the United States hung on to win its first soccer game in Cuba since 1947, beating the hosts 1-0 in a sloppy, sleepy World Cup qualifier Saturday night.

The Blue Line returns

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:01 CST

The Blackhawks are back, and so is The Blue Line. The popular alternative program, which was sold outside the United Center at Hawks games during most of the 1990s, will return with a one-time special issue at the home opener Oct. 13. Co-publisher Mark Weinberg, a longtime critic of late Hawks chairman Bill Wirtz, gave us the scoop on what to expect.