Cubs walk past Brewers 2-1 in 10 innings
Pitching and defense win games, as the Cubs proved Friday in a 2-1 walk-off victory in 10 innings, their second straight win to open a crucial series against the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. But manager Lou Piniella is tired of missing the hitting.

Federer nears 15th slam
Rising, rising, rising, high above the most famous patch of grass in tennis, Roger Federer channeled Pete Sampras on match point in the Wimbledon semifinals Friday, tucking both feet back beneath his body and uncorking an overhead smash. And now, after years of chasing Sampras, Federer is poised to surpass him.

Hawks taking it from the top
It might seem like the Blackhawks did a lot in these early days of the free-agent signing period. Getting winger Marian Hossa was a huge deal, one that could push the team a step closer to the Stanley Cup. ''We made a long-term [12 years] commitment to a great athlete,'' Hawks general manager Dale Tallon said. ''It's going to be fun.''

The World Series of martial arts
Tony Fay felt something was missing from his life. Fay, who will be a sophomore at Naperville North when school resumes next month, remembers the days of playing football when he suddenly realized that particular sport wasn't the right fit for him. Fay decided to turn to karate and, over the course of the past few years, he has made the most of his newfound hobby.

Cubs slugger playing in Kane County
A turning point in this bizarre Cubs season could come tonight in Geneva, some 48 miles away from Wrigley Field. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez, recovering from a dislocated left shoulder, is expected to begin a three-game rehab assignment with the Peoria Chiefs.

Magazine touts two local players as top performers
Here are two names to file away for next spring, courtesy of Prep Baseball Report: Naperville North first baseman Andrew Arenson and Neuqua Valley catcher Jeff Samuel.

Bulls staring at task of replacing Gordon's 20 ppg
John Jackson: Whether you consider Ben Gordon's departure from the Bulls unfortunate or necessary -- or a combination of the two -- nearly everyone can agree on at least this much: Replacing Gordon's 20 points a game will be a challenge during the upcoming season. Sure, Gordon was one-dimensional and no better than mediocre at any aspect of the game other than scoring.

Career night for D-Lee as Cubs blitz Brewers 9-5
Benched leadoff hitter Alfonso Soriano had the best seat in the house for Derrek Lee's monster game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night as Lee drove in a career-high seven runs with a grand slam and three-run homer in the Cubs' 9-5 victory.

No regrets for Havlat, Khabibulin, now former Hawks
Martin Havlat and Nikolai Khabibulin had voiced their desire to remain with the Blackhawks. However, general manager Dale Tallon didn't retain either when the NHL's free-agent signing period opened, and both stars were quick to express satisfaction with their new teams Thursday.

Fourth of July spectacle: Manny's return to Dodgers
Manny Ramirez will be back in big leagues on Friday night after a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy. His return should be nothing short of a spectacle.

Shaq Show: O'Neal wants a ring for the King
Shaquille O'Neal and his oversized persona debuted in Cleveland on Thursday with a stated goal for next season. His friend LeBron James craves a championship, and O'Neal is here to serve. "My motto is very simple," O'Neal said. " 'Win a Ring for the King.' "

WIMBLEDON: Williamses hone sister act

WIMBLEDON, England -- Richard Williams refuses to watch his daughters Venus and Serena play each other. Says he simply can't bear to see it, no matter the setting, no matter the stage.

>Local briefs: Former Sox joins staff at training academy

Roadrunners end spring with state title
The Downers Grove Roadrunners 92/93 U-16 boys soccer team recently completed a very successful spring season of soccer by winning the U. S. Club State Cup Soccer Championship for Illinois.

Cubs get infielder Jeff Baker from Rockies

The Chicago Cubs have acquired infielder Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies for minor league right-handed pitcher Al Alburquerque and designated infielder Ryan Freel for assignment.

Putting players 'on the radar'
In a quiet corner of Wheaton, behind Carl Sandburg Elementary school, the mid-afternoon practice was broken by a cacophony of teenage voices. "Sticks up . . . Box-and-1, Box-and-1 ... 4-man ... Run it!" This was more than a simple Wednesday practice. It was the sound of a sea change in Illinois youth lacrosse.

Two brothers on a mission
Levelle Brown wakes up in the middle of the night with ideas. He has to write them down. On a Saturday afternoon, Brown might be driving around and stop the car. He'll send himself a text message. The Naperville North graduate doesn't want to forget something that could work for the Next Level Foundation, the organization he founded with his brother Chris, a running back with the Houston Texans.

Taking a run at running
My entrance into the running world started simply. Five years ago, I remember carrying my son Brendan up a flight of stairs and barely being able to make it to the top without gasping for air. I was overweight and out of shape. The next day, I enrolled at a gym, got on a treadmill and ran one mile in 11 minutes.

Chris Brown making progress in back injury recovery
Chris Brown's path to the NFL took him from Northwestern to Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College to Colorado. So the 6-foot-3-inch, 220-pound running back out of Naperville North has dealt with adversity before.

Success under his belt
Just over a year ago, Kevin Streelman was trying to get his feet under him as a first-year professional on the PGA Tour. Trying to balance travel, the media and countless endorsement opportunities was almost a full-time job in itself, let alone trying to play.

Ben Gordon agrees to five-year deal with Pistons
The courtship was short. The contract was sweet. Ben Gordon's whirlwind trip to Detroit on Wednesday ended with the now former Bulls star verbally agreeing to a five-year, $55 million deal with the Pistons. Gordon, who led the Bulls in scoring each of the last four seasons, was wooed by Pistons president Joe Dumars when the two met throughout the day at the team's practice facility in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Hossa keeps his eyes on the prize
Neil Hayes: He was being pushed around the ice, the Memorial Cup balanced on his lap, his left knee throbbing. That's how much the moment meant to him. That's how much he meant to his teammates. It happened 11 years ago when Marian Hossa was playing for the Portland (Ore.) Winter Hawks in the Western Hockey League.

White Sox beat Indians 6-2, sweep series
Just under two weeks ago, manager Ozzie Guillen gathered his team for a quick meeting, delivering a very simple, but honest, message. ''I told them, 'Hey man, play whatever games we have left [before the All-Star break] like champs, because I don't want the general manager [Ken Williams] to break this team apart because we think we don't have a chance to win the division,' '' Guillen confessed, hours before the 6-2 win over Cleveland on Wednesday.

Sam Fuld fills in, sparks 4-1 win over Pirates
How might history have changed if Wally Pipp had a $136 million contract? We'll probably never know. Meanwhile, rookie Sam Fuld filled in for slumping leadoff hitter/left fielder Alfonso Soriano by reaching base three times, making a sliding catch to end the fourth and throwing out a runner at the plate to end Pittsburgh's last scoring threat in the fifth as the Cubs beat the Pirates 4-1 for just their second road series win in two months.

Briefs: Parker rejoins Sparks after giving birth
Candace Parker has returned to practice with the Los Angeles Sparks 1˝ months after giving birth to her first child.

Plenty of ways to enjoy running
My entrance into the running world started simply. Five years ago, I remember carrying my son Brendan up a flight of stairs and barely being able to make it to the top without gasping for air. I was overweight and out of shape. The next day, I enrolled at a gym, got on a treadmill and ran one mile in 11 minutes.

Mankus' club carreer gets 'fairytale ending'
It was fitting that Ariana Mankus' club volleyball career ended on a magical visit to Walt Disneyworld. The outside hitter was named MVP and her Sports Performance "18 White" team won the 18 Club Division gold medal at the AAU National Championships last month in Orlando.

Hawks sign Hossa, lose Khabibulin to the Oilers
The Blackhawks confirmed they have signed Marian Hossa, the veteran forward who scored 40 goals for the Detroit Red Wings last season. Canada's TSN reported that Hossa signed a 12-year contract that will pay him $5.2 million per season. The Hawks also signed Red Wings free agent Tomas Kopecky, a 27-year-old center, to a two-year contract.

Roadrunners end spring with state title
The Downers Grove Roadrunners 92/93 U-16 boys soccer team recently completed a very successful spring season of soccer by winning the U. S. Club State Cup Soccer Championship for Illinois.

Silver Cross Field site for baseball dreamers
Silver Cross Field will be the site of a unique fall baseball camp. Super Independent Baseball will run a tryout camp for 88 college players from Sept. 20 to Oct. 11. The Herald News previously reported arrangements were being made to possibly hold the event in Joliet, and the plans have since been finalized.

A Gordon balancing act
After months of positioning and planning, teams will begin to find out today whether their hopes can be turned into reality, and players will discover exactly what their worth is on the open market. The NBA's free-agent period started at midnight, and now teams can begin negotiating with players whose contracts have expired. The deals struck in the coming days and weeks could affect the balance of power for the upcoming season.

'Untouchables' close in on final

WIMBLEDON, England -- Her 19th consecutive victory at the All England Club already wrapped up, Venus Williams grabbed a seat and watched younger sister Serena win easily to reach the semifinals, too.

Johnson adds many positives to Bulls' framework
Chicago, meet your James Johnson. His pedigree is more sociologically exotic than street. He appears more mobile than menacing. It is his feet of fury rather than his fists that interest the Rose-rage Bulls and their re-energized fandom now.

Solheim Cup to pump up the volume
When Jerry Rich got word from the LPGA several years ago that his Rich Harvest Farms course had been chosen from among three finalists to host the 2009 Solheim Cup, he said it felt "like reaching the top of Mount Everest."

Bears camp influences next generation
Campers had to contend with 90-degree conditions outside Franklin Middle School but they were glad to be there nonetheless. June 24's morning session of the Chicago Bears youth football camp featured an appearance by former Bears defensive back Allan Ellis (1973-80).

Floyd, White Sox look for real
Ozzie Guillen was already fooled once this season. After weeks of managing what he suspected was a dead baseball team, he thought he'd found water in late May after the White Sox went on a 10-3 run. It was nothing more than a mirage before the Sox fell back into their old ways.

Harden steers Cubs back on track with win over Pirates
The Cubs finally discovered the missing piece to their wayward season: Pittsburgh. Having already traveled to St. Louis and Milwaukee twice each and Houston three times, the Cubs opened their first series of the season in Pittsburgh against a team they've spent the last five years thrashing. They almost casually beat the Pirates 3-1 on Monday night at PNC Park behind Rich Harden's best performance of the season.

Blackhawks' focus turns to free agency
Making selections in the NHL entry draft that concluded Saturday was an easy task for Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon compared to what awaits him in the next few days. Martin Havlat, Nikolai Khabibulin, Sammy Pahlsson and Matt Walker are unrestricted free agents. They're free to sign with any other team when the free-agent signing period begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Was this Geneva man once the fastest in the world?
Groaning against the brake, the giant steel Chicago & North Western Railway engine from Geneva docked into Union Station. Arch Richards exited a passenger car and traded change for a newspaper before heading off to LaSalle Street. The commute was routine at this point for the young bond trader in the summer of 1912.

Who to gets to play at Solheim?
The rosters for the U.S. and European teams will be unveiled by the captains (Beth Daniel and Alison Nicholas, respectively) Aug. 2, immediately after the Women's British Open concludes.

Huskies set for summer football slate
Bolingbrook has become a hub for offseason football activities. In an e-mail, former Raiders coach Phil Acton indicated that what started out 30 years ago as an event for eight teams has grown to the point where he usually has to turn down 15-20 schools.

Getting into the game, safely
Approximately 150 young athletes, ages 5 to 14, gathered at Frontier Park near Neuqua Valley High School Friday for the final day of a youth flag football camp and a cheerleading camp. Their parents were also there with their cameras, taking pictures of what their children had been working on all week. What couldn't be photographed was what else the athletes learned and what the camp stressed the most -- safety.

Danks fills in the blanks
More often than not, the crosstown series has been a crossroads series in the seasons of the Cubs and White Sox. The direction each takes now after another clash Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field could be as important as the Sox' 3-2 edge in the '09 series, with one game still remaining Sept. 3 at Wrigley Field.

Cubs off the Mark again
As if Cubs teammates and fans weren't still mourning last winter's trade of Mark DeRosa to Cleveland, now they'll have to beat the popular run producer if they want to win the National League Central again -- this after passing on a chance to reacquire him earlier this month.

Danks calls it 'baseball' when he nails Freel
Of the 110 pitches starter John Danks threw Sunday in the White Sox' 6-0 victory against the Cubs, one stood out in particular. The Sox were up five runs in the seventh inning -- the game all but over -- when Danks pelted Cubs third baseman Ryan Freel with a pitch. Just call it a response to a wild sixth inning in which Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano plunked Dewayne Wise after Chris Getz stole home on a suicide-squeeze play.

ASC squad rolls through tourney

The America's Soccer Club Eagles U-12 girls soccer team won the River City Soccer Classic in Peoria, held June 20 to 21

Brazil's second-half blitz buries U.S.
Brazil's "Beautiful Game" came alive in the second half Sunday with three comeback goals in a 3-2 win over the United States in the Confederations Cup final.

Perry sets record in Travelers win
Kenny Perry has set a goal of winning 20 times before he leaves the PGA Tour. The 48-year-old earned No. 14 on Sunday at the Travelers Championship, shooting a 63 to finish with a tournament-record 258, three strokes better than Paul Goydos and David Toms, two other 40-something golfers.

Suit settled in player's death
The family of a former Rice University football player who died during a workout has settled its lawsuit with the school and the NCAA.

Danks, White Sox shut down Cubs in series finale
WHITE SOX 6, CUBS 0 | John Danks pitched seven shutout innings, Chris Getz stole home against Carlos Zambrano and the White Sox got another run on a bases-loaded infield fly rule Sunday to beat the Cubs 6-0. Danks (6-6) allowed four hits and reliever Scott Linebrink completed the shutout as the White Sox won two of three before sellout crowds at U.S. Cellular Field. The teams split two games at Wrigley Field last week and still have a makeup game to play from a rainout in that earlier series.

Central's Kaminska is Baseball Player of the Year
Pat Kaminska followed the offseason training manuals given to pitching prospects in the Florida Marlins organization, information he wouldn't have access to if his older brother Kyle wasn't in the Marlins' minor league system.

Area coaches speak well of MLB top draft pick
Patrick Mooney: Stephen Strasburg didn't always throw 103 mph. Before he threatened to tear down an industry's economic structure, he was an overweight high school pitcher. This summer Mark Viramontes is living in a dorm on Benedictine University's Lisle campus. The DuPage Dragons manager has worked the Cape Cod League and scouted inner-city Los Angeles for the Cincinnati Reds, trying to build his resume. Here's one line that will stand out -- assistant coach at the University of San Diego.

The Sun's 2009 All-City Baseball Team
The Naperville Sun makes its selection for the 2009 All-City prep basball team headed by its Player of The Year, senior pitcher and outfielder Pat Kaminska.

Area baseball stat leaders
Find out who led the area in prep baseball.

Sox get win to pie for
Sometimes it's all about redemption. For the White Sox on Saturday, that meant not only coming back with an 8-7 victory against the Cubs, it meant Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez bouncing back, too.

Ozzie has Lou's back in Bradley brouhaha
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen had no problem with the way Cubs manager Lou Piniella handled the Milton Bradley drama Friday. As a matter of fact, he applauded it. Guillen's problem? There should have been 24 others who policed it beforehand, rather than it escalating to the point it did with the Cubs' skipper.

Blackhawks select six centers on day 2 of draft
The Blackhawks have had trouble finding centers in recent seasons, but that shouldn't be a problem much longer. They drafted six of them in the second day of the NHL draft Saturday in Montreal. ''We identified some needs, and we went after it,'' general manager Dale Tallon said. ''We want to be strong up the middle.''

At age 17, Oudin takes giant step forward, ousts Jankovic

WIMBLEDON, England -- As a tyke growing up in Marietta, Ga., Melanie Oudin would watch Venus and Serena Williams on TV and tell anyone who would listen that she was going to play at Wimbledon, too, one day.

Going, going, gone
The talk that Cubs manager Lou Piniella had lost his fire can go up in smoke now.

First-round forwards wake-up call for Tyrus?
A day after the draft, the consensus was the Bulls did well with their two first-round picks, choosing Wake Forest forward James Johnson and USC forward Taj Gibson. Others saw the Bulls trying to rectify the damage done in 2006 draft, in which they took LaMarcus Aldridge with the second overall pick and traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers for Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa.

Hawks draft defenseman

The Blackhawks stuck with their No. 28 position in Friday's first round of the NHL draft, using the pick to choose defenseman Dylan Olsen who played for Camrose in Canada Junior A League last season.

Neuqua's Gaul is Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Some people regret certain aspects of their high school experience. Neuqua Valley's Alexa Gaul did not want to be one of those people. After some nudging from teammates, Gaul decided to make up for lost time when she participated in girls soccer tryouts in March.

Wunderlich is Softball Player of the Year
When Naperville Central graduate Natalie Wunderlich arrived on the varsity softball team as a freshman, it was hard to put the goals of her career into perspective. But after being the ace of the staff as a junior and playing with the elite Orland Park Sparks in the summer leading up to her senior year, her goals came into view.

Celebrating the Paralympic spirit
As the clock ticks until the International Olympic Committee decides Chicago's fate in its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, this weekend may provide a glimpse of the support the city could offer as a Paralympic host city.

2009 Girls Soccer All-City Team
The final stats:

Direction for Bulls: Forward with picks Johnson, Gibson
The Bulls tested the waters Thursday in efforts to move up in the NBA draft but wound up settling for a double dose of depth at power forward.

White Sox bounce NL's top team again
No Carlos Quentin for the last month and counting, a bunch of youngsters trying just to survive at the big-league level, a defense that can betray its pitcher and an offense that only seems to show up on the road. But there were the White Sox after a 6-5, 13-inning victory Thursday over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the best team in the National League, with the first-place Detroit Tigers still in their sight at six games back.

Wins, not foes, perk up Lou
Chris De Luca: Lou Piniella said all the right things on the eve of another Cubs-White Sox showdown. But deep down, you could tell his heart just wasn't in it. ''I enjoy the series with the White Sox, I really do,'' Piniella said with all the enthusiasm usually reserved for a traveler resigned to a flight delay. ''It's fun. The fans are really into it. It's a big deal back in Chicago. And it gets a little crazy at times, but that's OK.''

Bradley left out

DETROIT -- Turns out, manager Lou Piniella didn't pull the names out of a hat when deciding the Cubs' lineup Thursday against the Detroit Tigers. He put plenty of thought into the matter -- starting with the benching of right fielder Milton Bradley.

Cubs catcher Geovany Soto sorry about pot 'mistake'
Cubs catcher Geovany Soto has known since April he tested positive for marijuana during the World Baseball Classic in March, and the knowledge that this would become public had caused many sleepless nights for the reigning National League rookie of the year who got off to a horrible start this season. ''He would never make excuses, that's the kind of guy he is,'' Cubs assistant general manager Randy Bush said, ''but I think it has been bothering him.''

Draft night winners and losers
WINNERS

Williams advances, Hewitt in 'upset' at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England -- Five-time champion Venus Williams and No. 1 seed Dinara Safina reached the third round at Wimbledon with straight-set victories Thursday. Andy Murray and 2002 winner Lleyton Hewitt advanced in the men's draw.

Tallon: We'll get good player with 28th pick

The Blackhawks' much-improved season has one drawback: General manager Dale Tallon won't have the high draft picks he has been used to getting when the NHL entry draft is held today and Saturday in Montreal.

2009 boys track MVP
In the words of his coach: This was an incredible season for Neuqua Valley. We knew that when we started the season we had a special group of athletes that was determined and willing to make sacrifices to achieve their goals. One of the goals that our team had was to take home a state trophy (Neuqua went on to take second place in Class 3A).

Michael Jordan's son quits Illini hoops
Maybe the acorn falls farther from the tree than we think. What was surprising about the announcement Wednesday that Jeff Jordan won't return to an on-the-rise Illinois basketball program was that Michael Jordan's oldest son seemingly had proved himself last season.

2009 girls water polo MVP
In her own words: It's a chain reaction, between our coaches, our cheering section and our teammates, the motivation is always there. Once one person shows the dedication and the desire for a successful season, game or even practice, everybody just follows suit. This season didn't only mean a lot to the 2009 Naperville Central girls water polo team but also to all of the previous teams that have gone through Naperville Central and the ones that are still to come.

2 great getaways
As I stood on the tee box of the 14th hole of The General course at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa in Galena, I honestly couldn't believe that I was still in this state. Standing 180 feet above the fairway, I could see Iowa and Wisconsin, not to mention the tops of all the beautiful trees and rock walls across the resort.

Red Eleven make it look easy
Wednesday night's W-League game pitted a team with playoff fever against a team with the namesake "Fever." Beyond that coincidence, the teams shared few similarities. Forward Michelle O'Brien scored in the fourth minute for the only goal the Chicago Red Eleven needed in their easy 3-0 home victory over the Ft. Wayne Fever.

Briefs: Spear Named CCIW Woman of the Year
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) has selected Naperville Central graduate and Illinois Wesleyan golfer Nicole Spear as its 2009 CCIW Woman of the Year.

A road swing & miss as Tigers beat Cubs 5-3
fter an unusually long wait, manager Lou Piniella, who would later pull a page out of White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's book, allowed reporters into the Cubs' clubhouse Wednesday night to discuss a frustrating 5-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers. As the crowd formed around his desk, Piniella looked at a Detroit radio reporter who got under his skin the night before.

White Sox crack 6 HRs in 10-7 pounding of Dodgers
Considering the way Josh Fields put it, finding a solution to the White Sox’ woes at home seemed simple enough. ‘‘Hitting,’’ Fields said before Wednesday night’s game. ‘‘For some reason, I don’t know what it is, if it’s mental blocks or something. We go on the road and play amazing, come back here and struggle."

Jackson's mock NBA draft
Normally, there are about four or five picks in an NBA draft that are givens. They're a godsend to anyone compiling a mock draft because at least you can't look like a complete idiot with a few correct selections. There's no such safety net this year. The only given in the draft is Blake Griffin at No. 1. After that, things could get muddled very quickly starting with the second pick.

Where to get away
Places to golf and point standings for the Solheim Cup.

SPORTS WIRE: Ex-champ Sharapova ousted at Wimbledon

Maria Sharapova suffered a setback in her comeback from shoulder surgery, losing to Gisela Dulko 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the second round Wednesday at Wimbledon.

Tigers hook 'Horns, earn 6th title

OMAHA, Neb. -- LSU, which two years ago wasn't good enough to qualify for the Southeastern Conference tournament, is the best team in college baseball again.

Cougars' ace looks sharp
Kenny Smalley has come a long way in a short time. After starting the season in the bullpen manning long relief, the Kane County Cougars' right-hander moved into the starting rotation on May 8, and Tuesday was the starter for the Western Division squad in the Midwest League All-Star Game at Alliant Energy Field.

2009 boys volleyball MVP: Rob Bauer, Neuqua Valley
Neuqua Valley coach Erich Mendoza: Rob is the consummate team player. He lets his play on the court speak for itself. He makes the game look easy, which is a testament to how good he is. He's one of the best and the most versatile hitters in the state and excels in all aspects of the game. Rob averages double figures in kills even though everyone on the other team knows the ball is going to him.

2009 boys tennis MVPs
Neuqua Valley tennis coach Trudy Bennorth: Chase and Skeeter were a good combination both on and off the court and you can't go wrong with that. They work so hard and their games complement each other so well. It's hard to find doubles players who just close on the net as well as they do. They both have the full game.

Some suggestions for cleaning up drug use in sports
Here we are again with more revelations about performance-enhancing drugs. In January, 2008, I wrote that the "Link between drugs & sports runs deep." (Go to sportsdoctorradio.com and click on newspaper articles." In the 18 months since, it's been amazing what we've seen: Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez, etc.

Cubs feeling the pinch
Cubs closer Kevin Gregg sat in front of his locker, face buried in his hands, rewinding in his mind the final pitch he threw Tuesday. ''Geez, I could have hit that ball out of the park,'' Gregg said of pinch hitter Ryan Raburn's walk-off, two-run home run with one out in the ninth inning that gave the Detroit Tigers a 5-4 victory. ''That slipped out of my hand. Kind of one of those ones you just hope he pops it up. He popped it up right over the fence. It sucks.''

Guillen ejected as Dodgers dominate inoffensive Sox
The White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers are spring-training neighbors, sharing a new facility in Glendale, Ariz. Sox manager Ozzie Guillen liked what he saw even then. ''To me, the main thing about this Dodgers ballclub is they're pretty good athletes,'' Guillen said. ''Good pitching and good defense give you a chance to win as many games as you can, and they do that.''

Bulls have some options in 'pretty deep' draft
Unlike like a year ago, when the Bulls had the No. 1 pick and selected point guard Derrick Rose, the NBA draft Thursday doesn't figure to be a defining moment in the team's rebuilding process. With two picks in the second half of the first round (Nos. 16 and 26), it's unlikely there will be any franchise centerpieces on the board when the Bulls' turn comes up roughly an hour and a half into the proceedings.

The best and worst Bulls' draft picks
The Berto Center was as alive as any windowless gym on a beautiful summer morning could be Monday. New Bulls general manager Gar Forman was conducting his final media briefing before the 2009 NBA draft. His team is scheduled to have the 16th and 26th picks in the first round Thursday night. Patti Blagojevich preparing more tropical-bug souffles in Central America might command a more engaged audience. Forman was wide-eyed and well-spoken.

SPORTS WIRE: Slip only a blip on Venus' radar

Five points into her opening match at Wimbledon, Venus Williams slipped and went sprawling on the grass she loves. The five-time champion recovered from her stumble at the start Tuesday and defeated Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-2.

NATA guidelines
Following are the NATA guidelines.

Central's Kelley is boys water polo MVP
In the words of his coach: I cannot say enough good things about Tyler. He was the anchor of our defense, and that led to our counter attack-driven offense. We relied on TK to stop the ball, and we usually had players going to the other way when they saw a shooter. Tyler would stop the ball and more often than not, had a wide-open player to throw it to, for a quick score. He will be missed. ..."

Waubonsie coach puts the spotlight elsewhere
Fresh off her college career as a goalkeeper at Northern Illinois University at the turn of the century, Julie Bergstrom took over as Waubonsie Valley's girls soccer coach. What has transpired in the ensuing nine years has been nothing short of remarkable. With state titles in 2007 and 2008 and a career record of 166-43-14, Bergstrom has made the most of her chance.

Extra points: North Central's Youel is man of year
North Central wrestler Ben Youel was named the 2009 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Man of the Year on Monday.

A gold glover tops field

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Lucas Glover steadied his hands for a 3-foot par putt on the 18th hole, an anticlimactic finish to five dreary days at a U.S. Open filled with more delays than drama.

From empty to overflowing
The first Solheim Cup practice for prospective members of the United States team at Rich Harvest Farms took place June 15, hours after many of the eight players finished competing in the LPGA Tour's second major of the year.

Cubs' road woes persist
Maybe it's the trials and endless miles of the road that has made this season so hard, so far, for these Cubs. Maybe it's the hotel food or bumpy plane rides or lumpy pillows. Or maybe that's just what it seems like in comparison all that seems right with the comforts of home for this team.

Sox rookie Beckham makes strides, not waves
On one side of the couch in the Reds' visiting clubhouse sat Josh Fields, who was supposed to replace Joe Crede at third base. Just next to him sat Gordon Beckham, who has replaced Fields. Talking, laughing -- not one sign of animosity in what should be the most uncomfortable situation in the clubhouse.

Raw Clark heads mediocre group
Though there is talent available at the position, it wouldn't be a surprise if the first half of the draft passed without a small forward being selected. Earl Clark of Louisville is widely considered the best prospect, but some insiders believe his stock is slipping a bit. A hamstring injury -- which caused him to pull out of his scheduled workout with the Bulls over the weekend -- doesn't help, either.

Burress worth the risk for Bears
Neil Hayes: Trading for Jay Cutler was simple. Whether the Bears would benefit from acquiring talented and troubled Plaxico Burress is more complicated. The one thing Jerry Angelo shouldn't have to concern himself with as he mulls the potential ramifications is public opinion. Just because off-the-field issues prompted Angelo to cut ties with Tank Johnson and Cedric Benson doesn't make the Bears' general manager hypocritical for pursuing Burress.

Lucas Glover outlasts Mickelson, wins U.S. Open
Phil Mickelson made a valiant charge on Championship Monday at the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, but in the end, Lucas Glover had just enough game to win a tough day on a tough course for his first Open title.

North's Yndestad earns fishing MVP honor
In his own words ... What an experience! Who knew that bass fishing would become a varsity sport? It was exciting to be involved in the first year of a new high school sport. As president of the Naperville North Outdoors Club, it was an awesome experience to be involved in the inaugural year of the IHSA adopting bass fishing as a high school sport.

Another one of Illinois' best
Youth sports: The Naperville Soccer Association Premier Fury U-15 girls soccer team recently won the Illinois State Cup. For the players that make up the squad, it's their second straight state title. The team is comprised of mostly Naperville residents, many of whom have played together since they were 8 years old.

'Iowa Cubs' come through in 6-2 win over Indians
The sight of Randy Wells getting soaked with beer and shaving cream Sunday after his first major-league victory was a long time coming. But as the Cubs completed a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians with a 6-2 victory, manager Lou Piniella was savoring another sight that could become a key for his team: Jake Fox in the lineup. Wells has been proving himself since being recalled from Class AAA Iowa on May 8, when Carlos Zambrano was put on the disabled list.

Buehrle gets 7th win as Sox beat Reds 4-1
At some point, a decision will have to be made -- maybe the toughest decision the duo of general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen have had to make since making the White Sox relevant again. And while Sunday's 4-1 victory over Cincinnati plays into the decision-making process -- every win does -- it inevitably will come down to one thing: ''Your heart and your gut feeling will tell you exactly what kind of ballclub you have,'' Guillen said.

Emotions run deep for Federer
Tennis: Roger Federer is building something of a reputation as an on-court crier, and he remembers well the first time he wept after winning a match. It was July 2, 2001, at Wimbledon, the tournament that means more to him than any other. Federer was 19, up-and-coming and making his Centre Court debut in the fourth round when he stunned Pete Sampras, who was 29, seeded No. 1 and seeking an eighth Wimbledon title.

North's Moon will report to West Point
Patrick Mooney: Today is Devon Moon's 18th birthday and it falls during his final week at home. He's going to bed early, trying to wake up by 8 a.m., hoping to trick his body into believing what's coming next. If Moon didn't receive or accept this appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, he knows he'd regret it.

Long-shot Barnes shoots record score
U.S. Open: Ricky Barnes, who took six years to reach the big leagues, is now in the record book with the lowest 36-hole score in the 109 years of the U.S. Open. He knocked in a 45-foot birdie putt on his 17th hole Saturday, completed a bogey-free 65 in his second round and reached the tournament's halfway point at 8-under 132.

Making fast work
College baseball: Two years after failing to even qualify for the Southeastern Conference postseason tournament, LSU is playing for a national championship in baseball again. aul Mainieri has rebuilt the Tigers in the image of Skip Bertman's powerful teams of the 1990s, with dominant pitching and hitting carrying LSU into the best-of-three College World Series finals against No. 1 national seed Texas starting Monday.

Central doubles duo earns Sun MVP honors
Badminton: In her own words... When we first started our badminton careers as short and eager seventh graders, we constantly fantasized about one day playing in the state finals.Six short years later, we were still the same height and just as enthusiastic. But one thing changed. We no longer daydreamed mindlessly about competing in the finals -- that became our goal.

Waubonsie's Pinnick earns Sun MVP honors
Girls track and field: In her own words ... This year's season was an interesting and successful one. Since the beginning we were hoping to do well as a team at state, especially during the outdoor season. We had many girls that could contribute, including incoming freshmen, along with the returning sprinters so it was exciting to know we could do very well.

Wood's wild pitch gives Cubs 6-5 win over Indians
Maybe there was no way Cleveland Indians closer Kerry Wood could put into words what happened to him Saturday at Wrigley Field -- again. After all, the Cubs' three walk-off victories in the last three days have left a lot of people speechless. Wood had nothing to say after being victimized for a second consecutive day by a Cubs comeback. The Cubs scored twice against him in the 13th inning, with the winning run in their 6-5 victory crossing the plate on his wild pitch.

White Sox hit 4 home runs to rally past Reds 10-8
Hours before slipping into the powder-blue 1964 replica uniform for the Civil Rights Game, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was shaking hands with Bill Cosby and Muhammad Ali and listening to speakers Hank Aaron and Bill Clinton at the MLB Beacon Awards luncheon.

Golfers need to qualify
Local briefs: The McGladrey Team Championship is an amateur golf tournament conducted by The PGA of America, which culminates in a national championship event at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.

Scores lower as course dries out
U.S. Open: Phil Mickelson lumbered along the rain-softened turf of Bethpage Black for 29 holes. Lucas Glover had it even worse, taking nine hours to play 31 holes Friday in a U.S. Open that felt like a marathon. Their only regret was they couldn't play more. Sunshine made a cameo on Long Island, enough to dry the fairways and keep the greens as soft as a sponge.

Post-Cubs letdown? White Sox fall 4-3 to Reds
White Sox captain Paul Konerko spoke of it last season: the hangover that can affect a team staggering out of the Sox-Cubs series. ''You've seen it where one team has kind of taken off and used the momentum to do good things, and you've seen the flip side where one team has had kind of an emotional letdown that carries over,'' Konerko said then.

Lee sizzles as Cubs roar back to beat Indians 8-7
Those dark clouds that hung over the Cubs only a week ago? Replaced now by a sunny clubhouse and a team that's starting to believe it can believe in itself again. Only the storm clouds above Wrigley Field on Friday dampened the surroundings after another celebration over a walkoff victory that came in the 10th against the Cleveland Indians -- the third walkoff win in a week and second in two days.

Yankees bench slumping A-Rod for two games
National briefs: Alex Rodriguez's homecoming will have to wait a little longer. Following a tumultuous month at the plate, the slumping third baseman was benched Friday for two games by the New York Yankees for what he and the team called "fatigue."

Cubs better late than never
Rick Telander: If the Cubs had lost this one, it would have been bad. Real bad.

New ways announced to play it cool
In hopes of preventing future heat-related fatalities, the National Athletic Trainers' Association released new preseason training guidelines for high school athletes Thursday. While the announcement did not specify particular sports, most of the new guidelines deal with conditions involving football.

Red Eleven unbeaten streak extended to six contests
Thursday night's Chicago Red Eleven versus Minnesota Lightning game provided one of the best showcases of talent for W-League Midwest Division fans. The opponents began play with one loss and two ties combined prior to their meeting at Benedictine University. Chicago sat in first place in the division with 13 points before Thursday's kickoff. Minnesota was third behind F.C. Indiana (11) with seven points. The Red Eleven won 2-0 to run their record to 5-1-1. Minnesota dropped to 2-1-1.

They've got skateboarding game
From the classic scene in "Back to the Future" to the beginning of every episode of "The Simpsons," skateboarding has been portrayed as a fun means of transportation for young kids.

Despite iffy shoulders, Bears CB Charles Tillman hopes he's a healthy camper

The plan is for the Bears to have everyone ready for training camp, which begins six weeks from today. But five months removed from reconstructive shoulder surgery, cornerback Charles Tillman didn't close out the offseason program Wednesday.

Dudley steps down; Jackets goalie tops Versteeg for Calder Trophy

Rick Dudley, a former Buffalo Sabres player and coach, resigned Thursday as Blackhawks assistant general manager.

First-day leader: Rainfall
Already played on a long course, the U.S. Open suddenly turned into a long week. Tiger Woods began his title defense Thursday on soggy Bethpage Black by having his caddie hold an umbrella until it was time to hit his opening drive. Facing a 15-foot birdie putt on the second hole, Woods stepped away so workers could mop up the green with a squeegee.

Crosstown Comeback: Soriano lifts Cubs past Sox
CUBS 6   |  WHITE SOX 5    Alfonso Soriano's day was looking like a stinker. He had beer spilled on him by the left-field bleacher bums wearing Cubs and White Sox jerseys and boos aimed at him from all directions by the time he stepped from the dugout for a ninth-inning at-bat with the score tied Thursday.

A game within a game
The handful of LPGA Tour players that played Rich Harvest Farms Monday for an informal United States team practice were asked essentially the same question over and again by the awaiting media -- was the layout a good one for match play? To a player, they all agreed that it would be a great match play venue as its length and narrow fairways presented different challenges while its design forced forethought and shot-making.

Crowds get behind Mickelson
The U.S. Open might have one tough act to follow. Tiger Woods was pure theater at Torrey Pines last year, playing on a left leg so badly injured that the U.S. Open turned out to be his last event of the year. He made two eagles on the final six holes in prime time Saturday to take the lead, forced a playoff with a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole Sunday, then battled Rocco Mediate over 19 holes to capture his 14th career major.

Score one big moment for normal-sized guys
Rick Telander: This seems like a perfect time to celebrate small ball. In the wake of the Sammy Sosa failed-drug-test news and lingering, dubious images of monstrous home runs hit by monstrous people, we have normal-sized Scott Podsednik and normal-sized Chris Getz providing us with fine drama in the White Sox 4-1 win over the Cubs.

Unfriendly confines
Neil Hayes: The way it's perched on a catwalk above the concourse where hot dogs and souvenirs are hawked makes it seem more like a treehouse than a clubhouse. Players making their first trip to Wrigley Field might believe they're getting close to the visitors' dugout when they reach the bottom step. Veterans know better.

Sammy gets my vote
Chris De Luca: Mark me down as never being a fan of Sammy Sosa. It was nauseating to watch him ham for the WGN dugout cameras after all those home runs, listen to his ear-splitting music in the clubhouse and see his me-first circus play out 24-7. Sosa seemed to forget there were 24 other Cubs on the team during his reign.

Cutler at front of Bears' changes, receiver question open
Third-round draft pick Juaquin Iglesias ran under a bomb from Caleb Hanie in the two-minute drill to score a touchdown on the final play of the Bears' offseason training activities Wednesday at Halas Hall. There might not have been a more fitting conclusion to the voluntary offseason program for a team that has remade itself since stumbling at Houston last season, a loss that prevented it from reaching the playoffs for the second straight year.

Briefs: Congress to look into Sosa testimony
A congressional committee will look into former baseball slugger Sammy Sosa's denial that he used illegal performance-enhancing drugs in light of a report that he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003.

Book takes a look at Chicago baseball
The best of us never get over our first baseball game. We never escape the compulsion to fill out a scorecard and never stop breaking in our glove. We still remember our first autograph and know way too much information about our favorite player. John O'Donnell is one of those guys. Since his first game on June 30, 1964, the Aurora resident and Benet Academy English teacher has been hooked on baseball.

Report: Sammy Sosa failed drug test in 2003
Sammy Sosa returned to center stage Tuesday at Wrigley Field as two of his former teams waited out a rain delay. This time, Sosa was in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. And in the wake of a New York Times report revealing Sosa tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in the same controversial 2003 survey that netted superstar Alex Rodriguez before spring training, Chicago's outspoken managers agreed on one thing: It's time to unveil all 104 names on that list that was supposed to remain a secret.

After four days, U.S. claims top prize
The Illinois Junior Golf Club and the Bolingbrook Golf Club partnered to host the World Youth Team Challenge the last four days, and it turned out to be a world-class event.

Local Briefs: Daniels skips Houston minicamp
On Monday, tight end Owen Daniels did not report to for the Houston Texans mandatory minicamp despite signing his restricted free agent tender. Daniels missed last week's organized team activities because he is unhappy with his contract status.

Finch pitches perfect game for Bandits
With two down in the top of the seventh, Philadelphia Force (1-5) second baseman Emily Friedman worked Bandits' pitcher Jennie Finch to a 3-0 count. With her perfect game on the line, Finch buckled down in the circle to force Friedman into a ground out at third base for the final out of the game.

Sosa goes from hero to zero after testing positive
Rick Telander: In the rain-soaked visitor's dugout at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen shook his head as he pondered the report from the New York Times stating that former Cubs star Sosa (once a White Sox, too) tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug back in 2003.

Sosa's ex-teammates sad but not surprised
Former Cubs teammates of Sammy Sosa are unanimous about one thing when it comes to Tuesday's revelations about the former slugger's positive juice test in 2003. ''I'll tell you what I wasn't: I wasn't surprised. I wasn't shocked,'' said former Cubs outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, now a Comcast analyst. ''There's always been speculation around him.''

Sox' Carlos Quentin cautious about rushing back from injury
Carlos Quentin is walking a finer line than most think. Opening up about his left-foot injury Tuesday, the White Sox outfielder said that in addition to suffering from plantar fasciitis, he is concerned that he is one bad step away from rupturing the tendon in his foot even further. And if that happens? ''If that happens, well, then you'll have to talk to me next year,'' Quentin said.

Tirade transparent, but so is firing Cubs' hitting coach
They never peeled the tarp off the diamond at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, but the craziness that comes with any White Sox-Cubs gathering still played on through the rain. As players stayed dry in their cramped clubhouses, talk soon turned to Sammy Sosa, the disgraced slugger who called the North and South Sides home during his power-hitting career.

Road racing to return
While Joliet has been home to NASCAR and Indy racing in recent years, road racing takes place on roads rather than a standard race track. A little more than 41 years after the last road race was held in the Chicago area, racing enthusiasts are gearing up for seven such events to be held at the Autobahn Country Club Grand Prix.

Rich Harvest provides test for the Solheim Cub
Just over two months away from the 2009 Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms, prospective members of the 12-player U.S. team -- along with captain Beth Daniel and assistant captains Meg Mallon and Kelly Robbins -- played a practice round at the private venue on Monday afternoon. Eight of the top 11 point-getters teed up at the Sugar Grove course.

Will crosstown play live up to the billing?
Clutch hitting, solid pitching and a thrilling victory before a long-awaited day off. Life is good for the White Sox and Cubs as they open Round 1 of the city showdown tonight at Wrigley Field.

Briefs: Lysacek set for Sears Center
Reigning World Champion Evan Lysacek, a Neuqua Valley alumnus, and 2009 Pairs World Silver Medalists Ben Agosto and Tanith Belbin are just a few contenders for the upcoming 2010 Winter Games featured in Disson Skating's "Skate for the Heart," with live performances from music stars Jordin Sparks, Charice, Honor Society and KSM.

Lewis, Romeoville hopes to lure Bears
Romeoville Mayor John Noak is part of a contingent headed to Halas Hall Tuesday morning to talk to Bears officials about moving the football team's training camp from Bourbonnais to Romeoville.

Ozzie to sign books in DG
Fans who can't get enough of the White Sox can get another dose of history at a book-signing event next week.

Thomas supports struggling Bradley

Former White Sox star Frank Thomas gave Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley a vote of support Monday and predicted Cubs hitters might ''take a step backward before they move forward'' with new hitting coach Von Joshua, who was Thomas' hitting coach for four seasons on the South Side.

Agent says Burress could play in 2009
Plaxico Burress didn't move any closer to resolving his court case Monday, but his agent ramped up efforts to land a job for the free-agent wide receiver. Burress' trial on gun possession charges was adjourned until Sept. 23, and attorney Benjamin Brafman called it ''inconceivable'' his client could stand trial before 2010, meaning he could be able to play football this season. But the unknown remains how the NFL will handle Burress' case.

Testing their limits
U.S. Women's Triathlon: A wave of bodies hit the water at Centennial Beach early Sunday morning beginning the U.S. Women's Triathlon Series. Naperville was the first of three stops for the USWTS, and great weather helped the host city provide a picture-perfect course for the approximately 2,200 competitors.

Finishing on top among the elite
Youth sports: The Galaxy Girls U12 Blue team won the Armed Forces Day Cup recently. The tournament, located in the Quad Cities, drew teams from all over the Midwest with top teams from Iowa and St. Louis in attendance. The Galaxy girls went 4-0 while scoring 22 goals and allowing none to win the top girls U12 division.

Presto! Lakers clinch 15th title
NBA Finals: Kobe Bryant has the NBA title he needed most -- the one without Shaq. Bryant's seven-year chase of a coveted championship is over. He's got his fourth, and Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson his record 10th, a ring for each finger. One year after failing in the finals, Bryant and the Lakers have redemption, and all the rewards that go with it.

Lee's play in ninth helps Cubs end four-game skid
Last season, the Cubs took first place in the National League Central on May 11 and never gave it up. But even during their best season in decades, general manager Jim Hendry made a significant midseason trade, acquiring starting pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics.

Buehrle, Richard contribute homer, winning run
Mark it down as one of those ''whatever it takes'' victories. If that meant getting the lone home run of the day off the bat of starting pitcher Mark Buehrle, so be it. If that meant using Clayton Richard as a pinch runner and having the left-handed starter represent the game-winning run in the ninth inning, who cares?

Chemistry key subject on Jay's rapport card
Mike Mulligan: There's no way for the Bears to simulate game conditions in offseason practices. Nonetheless, the team is doing what it can to hasten a rapport between Jay Cutler and his assortment of offensive weapons. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner says at least two of the Bears' top four receivers are on the field every time Cutler throws a pass.

'Take out the first inning, we're great'
State prep softball: For the second straight game a bad first inning cost Naperville Central. Fremd scored three runs in the bottom of the first and held on to defeat the Redhawks 3-2 Saturday in the Class 4A third-place game at EastSide Centre. Central (31-8) still takes home a fourth-place trophy, its first since finishing second in Class AA in 1989. Fremd (33-5) also took home its second state trophy, the previous was a fourth-place finish in 2000.

Bates' college choice couldn't be better
Patrick Mooney: The modern prep baseball prospect is shuttled from one showcase to the next. Colin Bates can let all the scouts come to him. The Naperville Central graduate cut through the clutter as soon as he put on a Tar Heels jersey. Last week six of Bates' North Carolina teammates were chosen in the first-year player draft, including two within the first 15 picks.

Red Eleven extends unbeaten streak to five
Red Eleven: When looking at the beginning of the Red Eleven's transition to Benedictine University, one may think things have been rough in the early going. First off, moving to Lisle for their first season of W-League play is a difficult transition, more off the field than on it when it comes to things like establishing operations, marketing, ticket sales -- all that comes with running a professional team.

Just like old times
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen knew he would see Jose Contreras again this season. Guillen just didn't think he would see the Contreras who dominated major-league hitters back in the second half of 2005 and the first half of '06 again. Ever. That's why Guillen only can call what's going on with his right-hander ''special.''

No 'ffense for Cubs
If only Cubs manager Lou Piniella could keep the conversation centered on pitching. So many good things could be said about that subject, including a fine return from the disabled list Saturday by Rich Harden (4-3), who allowed two runs and five hits and struck out nine in six innings. But another shutout loss can make good pitching a painful subject, too, knowing the effort has gone for naught.

Rodriguez, Gaul are all-Americans
Local briefs: Five girls soccer players from Illinois made the 2009 Parade All-America Soccer Team, news officially released today.

Another title within their reach
NBA Finals: Like any couple, they've had their fair share of ups and downs. They've feuded publicly and fought privately. They separated for a year and reunited with an understanding that it was best for both of their careers. They've grown older together.

Central loses pitching duel in state semis
State prep softball: Naperville Central pitcher Natalie Wunderlich entered Friday's state semifinal game with a trio of no-hitters and shared another one this season. Wunderlich and her Redhawks teammates were on the other end of a no-hitter though as Edwardsville senior righty Lauren Francis no-hit Naperville Central 2-0 in the Class 4A semifinals at EastSide Centre.

'Mad Max' laughs last
Stanley Cup Finals: Max Talbot is the jokester in the Pittsburgh Penguins' dressing room, a low-round draft pick on a team filled with first-round big names who doesn't complain when he's shifted to the fourth line or asked to take on a difficult role. How's this one for an assignment of a little-noticed career: The man asked to win Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals for a team that looked to be out of playoff contention four months ago?

Bullpen costs White Sox in 7-2 loss to Brewers
With a 7-2 loss to the Brewers at sold-out Miller Park on Friday night, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is no longer sure what to believe about the makeup of his team. "A lot of people say, 'Do you know your ballclub?'" Guillen said. ''I say, 'I don't even know my ballclub yet because it's so up and down.' One day we play good, one day we play bad. We play a great week, and all of the sudden a week later we're back playing really terrible baseball.''

Bradley brings bloopers in Cubs' 7-4 loss to Twins
Milton Bradley might never again have as awkward a game as he did Friday -- at least that's the hope for the Cubs and their star-crossed free agent. Was he upset about losing a seventh-inning fly ball in the glaring sun in right field? Yes. Was he embarrassed about catching a fly ball the next inning and tossing it into the bleachers when there was still an out to go and a runner was on base? Definitely.

No surprise, Falcons release 'upbeat' Vick
NFL: Less than five years after the Atlanta Falcons signed Michael Vick to a $130 million contract, the suspended quarterback was released in a 98-word statement.

May's HR lifts Bandits to victory
Chicago Bandits: A trio of timely home runs and a gutty performance in the pitching circle spearheaded the Chicago Bandits' thrilling 4-3 victory in nine innings over the USSSA Pride on Friday night at Judson University.

Vikings prepare to assess Favre
National briefs: The Minnesota Vikings are planning to send a trainer and a coach to Mississippi to work with Brett Favre, ESPN reported Friday.

Raiders fall in semifinals, will play for third
Glenbard South's improbable run back to state hit a roadblock. The Raiders couldn't take advantage of eight Chatham Glenwood errors and fell 4-2 in the Class 3A semifinals Friday afternoon at East Peoria. Glenwood (28-8) advances to the title game for the first time since finishing second in Class AA in 1999. Glenbard South (24-13) will play in the third-place game for the second straight season.

Time healing the hurt for Frank Thomas, White Sox
Carol Slezak: Frank Thomas left town after the White Sox' 2005 World Series championship season in a world of hurt, upset that the Sox no longer wanted him. After 16 remarkable years on the South Side, Thomas was released -- ''dumped,'' he said at the time, via a phone message from general manager Ken Williams. So Thomas had no choice but to move on. But you can't erase 16 years of memories just like that.

Coaching job lured Fire's Prideaux into retirement

It's rare when a professional athlete walks away from the game on his own terms, with concerns over playing time or nagging injuries an afterthought to simply finding a different path in life.

Pitching and defense
For Naperville Central's softball team, advancement to the Class 4A state championship game in East Peoria Saturday will come down to a classic battle of strengths. Will red-hot Redhawks pitcher Natalie Wunderlich continue her amazing stretch of success?

Krol to A's, then Redhawks grad Bates
MLB draft: Three days and 1,521 players later, it finally came to an end. The first-year player draft concluded Thursday after 50 rounds and two compensation rounds. Negotiations loom for San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg -- the first overall pick by the Nationals -- and everyone else down the draft board.

Powers ties for sixth at Blackhawk Trace
Ross Frankenberg, 18, of Barrington, Ill., was victorious at the Midwest Junior Players Championship Thursday after finishing the final round at 6-under-par 210. Stephen Powers of Naperville finished tied for sixth at 217.

4-3 win can't disguise White Sox' homely homestand
Despite a thrilling 4-3 victory Thursday over the Central Division-leading Detroit Tigers, the White Sox' 12-game homestand can only be categorized as an abysmal failure. At 4-8, the Sox blew a big opportunity to make a move.

'It's not that hard,' Piniella howls as Cubs lose 2-1
So much for that soft landing Houston looked ready to provide for the Cubs and their sickly lineup. Their road trip that refused to die finally expired in a sea of zeroes against one of the worst pitching staffs in the National League. The Cubs hope they've hit bottom the last two days in Houston, where the languishing lineup went scoreless in 19 of its final 20 innings of an eight-game trip.

Fisher is three-mendous as Lakers beat Magic

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Kobe Bryant is one victory from an NBA title to call his own.

Ian Krol gets the call from Oakland
Patrick Mooney: As a present for his ninth birthday, Ian Krol threw out the first pitch before a Kane County Cougars game. The 18-year-old could soon be working there. The Cougars are now a Class A affiliate of Oakland, which drafted Krol once he fell into the seventh round on Wednesday.

It's never too early to worry
Mike Mulligan: It's one thing to see Jay Cutler's powerful arm from the sidelines and quite another to match up against it. Just ask Bears cornerback Charles Tillman, who took part in his second consecutive organized team activity practice Wednesday after missing all of the previous offseason workouts following mid-January surgery on his right shoulder.

Cubs' Zambrano's strong; hitters aren't
Carlos Zambrano definitely didn't retire yet. But the Cubs' hitters might have, the way their bats turtled again the day after it looked like they might be ready to finally start stretching their offensive production. ''We've just got to score runs. What can I say?'' manager Lou Piniella said, exasperated again by lack of hitting after a 2-1 loss in Houston on Wednesday night.

White flag time for Sox?
Sox general manager Ken Williams always has a plan. But in the midst of eight losses through the first 11 games in June, some people might not like the latest one. If the downward trend continues -- as it did Wednesday in 2-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers

Bear-bonnais an endangered species? Move pondered

If you've always wanted to see a Bears training-camp practice in Bourbonnais, you'd better not put the trip off much longer.

Cubs' bats finally come alive for easy win
This was the kind of the game the Cubs kept promising was coming from its lineup. It was also in Houston, against the woeful Astros, but a team hitting just .194 in its last 11 road games will take any soft landing it can get as it tries to right its listing offense. And it doesn't get much softer than the Astros pitching staff, especially at Minute Maid Park for the Cubs, who beat the Astros for the eighth time in nine games on the road when they pounced on Houston for 16 hits in a 7-1 victory in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night.

Sox loss to Tigers in 10th features futile rally
Sometime between Ozzie Guillen already checking on return flights to Charlotte for Aaron Poreda (just in case), Josh Fields ruffling some feathers, a youth movement that is being disguised as anything but a youth movement, the amateur draft and A.J. Pierzynski almost starting a bench-clearing brawl, the White Sox managed to find time to get a baseball game in.

With draft, Krol will wait another day
The hype is finally catching up to the impact of the first-year player draft, an event driven by scouts who'd rather not see their names in the paper. As an industry, baseball doesn't have anything approaching college football's marketing empire to promote its talent. The MLB Network broadcast the entire first round on Tuesday night, trying to introduce these unknowns to the rest of the world.

Fleury, Pens push Wings to Game 7
No clincher by the Detroit Red Wings in Pittsburgh, not this time in Game 6. Marc-Andre Fleury wouldn't let it happen as a wildly unpredictable Stanley Cup finals is now going the distance. Third-line teammates Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy gave the Penguins a two-goal lead, and Fleury held off the defending champion Red Wings repeatedly during a frantic third period as Pittsburgh beat Detroit 2-1 on Tuesday to tie the finals at three games.

Magic shoot way back into series with 108-104 win over Lakers
Missing for two games, Orlando found its Magic touch. Making easy shots and tough ones from everywhere, the Magic won their first game in two visits to the NBA finals as Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis scored 21 points apiece in a 108-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 on Tuesday night to pull within 2-1.

Cubs staying afloat, thanks to Fukudome
By the middle of last season, Kosuke Fukudome was the only Cubs hitter in a steady, lengthy slump. By the time the season ended, the Cubs were the top offensive team in the National League, and Fukudome was their biggest disappointment -- a $48 million Japanese All-Star relegated to September bench player.

Contreras pitches gem; saves the day for White Sox
The good and bad all came out in one day for the White Sox on Monday, their split of a doubleheader with Detroit answering one question and leaving plenty of others unanswered. Are the Sox as bad fundamentally as their 5-4 loss in Game 1 made them appear to their fuming manager?

Fields looking for answers from Sox brass

Even after a sit-down meeting with manager Ozzie Guillen, third baseman Josh Fields wants answers from the White Sox organization -- not only answers about his future, but about what he felt was bad timing by the club in calling up highly touted prospect Gordon Beckham to play at his position.

Redhawks stopped short of clutch hit
Naperville Central's profile this postseason suggested it was on the verge of a clutch hit or a big inning. It never happened, and that's why the Redhawks won't be heading to the state finals. Instead they watched O'Fallon celebrate a supersectional title Monday at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Party like it's 1989
In 1989, Naperville Central softball coach Andy Nussbaum led the Redhawks to the state tournament. "I had brown hair, I was thinner and I had one child," Nussbaum said. Now in 2009, Nussbaum has added a few pounds, some gray hair and six more kids, and he's finally headed back to state. The Redhawks toppled Bartlett 2-0 in the Class 4A Benedictine University Super-Sectional on Monday to reach this weekend's state tournament in East Peoria.

Bulls take hard look at Israeli prospect
If at least one NBA mock draft is on the money, Omri Casspi's visit to the Berto Center on Monday won't be his last.

Redhawks offense stays in overdrive
Prep baseball: Anthony Lopez -- the one Naperville Central player who should have known better -- didn't realize where the Class 4A Lockport Sectional fed into when the brackets were released last month. Perhaps it's a sign of how focused this team is heading into today's supersectional at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, where Lopez will play Division III baseball next season.

Contreras allows one hit in 8 innings, Sox get split
Jose Contreras allowed one hit in eight strong innings in his return to the majors Monday night, getting his first win in nearly a year as the White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 6-1 to earn a split in their day-night doubleheader. Alexei Ramirez, Scott Podsednik and Jim Thome homered for the White Sox in the second game after Detroit won the opener 5-4 as Brandon Inge hit a go-ahead RBI single in the ninth.

Fire Juniors moving up the soccer ladder
Members of the Chicago Fire Juniors Red 11 under-16 squad have all but written their names on the Illinois State Cup, winning the past four years in four different age divisions. A Naperville connection ensured a fifth straight trophy. With their win in the Illinois State Cup Sunday, the Fire Juniors players advance to the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championship for the fifth straight year.

Central faces late-surging Bartlett team
Prep softball: A late-season rush has thrust the Bartlett softball team to the brink of the state finals. The Hawks (22-14) must get past Naperville Central (30-6) in today's Class 4A Benedictine University Super-Sectional.

Ozzie Guillen's out of answers
It's no longer a matter of the White Sox flailing against pitchers they've never seen before. The Sox are flailing, period. And the manager is at his wits' end in search of a remedy. ''I've run out of bullets,'' Ozzie Guillen said after an 8-4 loss Sunday to the Cleveland Indians and starter David Huff (1-2), who recorded his first major-league victory. ''I started thinking from the third inning about when I come to talk to [the media]. I don't have an explanation at all. It's all so disappointing when you play like that. It takes the wind out of you right away.

Cubs embrace day off after beating Reds
The Cubs still aren't hitting much. They're still fighting too many key injuries. And their best relief pitcher still can't seem to throw a strike. But as they collapse into their day off today in Houston, following a 14-inning, 5-hour, 13-minute grinder over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, they have somehow managed to gather three wins in their last four games and seven in their last 11.

Jolly Roger: Federer finishes feat of clay
Roger Federer savored every moment with his first French Open trophy. He raised it over his head. He cradled it in the crook of his elbow. He closed his eyes and kissed it. He examined the names of the other champions etched on its base. Even in a downpour on Court Philippe Chatrier, as heavy, gray clouds blocked any shred of sunlight Sunday, that silver trophy sure seemed to glisten.

WSCR has its eye on FM dial
Within 30 days, sports-talk WSCR-AM (670) expects to be simulcasting on one of adult hits WJMK-FM's (104.3) three HD frequencies, according to CBS Radio Market Manager Rod Zimmerman. Both WSCR, the radio home of the White Sox, and WJMK are CBS Radio properties. The simulcast means WSCR fans who have access to an HD radio receiver will be able to hear the station's programming with a much higher quality sound than that now available on the AM frequency.

Redhawks rally again, win sectional
Prep baseball: Pat Kaminska instantly knew it was gone. The Naperville Central senior raised his right arm rounding first base, and pounded his chest heading into third. Kaminska slammed his red helmet to the ground before diving into a sea of teammates waiting at home plate.

Wunderlich's two-hitter seals sectional
Prep softball: Whether Saturday's Class 4A Neuqua Valley Sectional championship between Lockport and Naperville Central went seven, 12 or 18 innings, the matchup was going to be close.

Powers sounds like a pro
Patrick Mooney: Three days ago, Connor Powers breathed in the thin air of Coors Field, working out in front of the Colorado Rockies organization. On Monday, he's scheduled to hit in Los Angeles for the Dodgers.

Dempster copes with baby daughter's disorder
Ryan Dempster had a bad game in Arizona in April and a rough night in Milwaukee last month. But none of it touches the heartache of being at a hospital holding his 7-pound baby girl and watching her try to cry but unable to make a sound because of the tracheotomy tube in her throat.

Dominant effort has Wings flying
The Detroit Red Wings sure don't look tired now. After watching the Pittsburgh Penguins win back-to-back home games to erase a two-game deficit in the Stanley Cup finals, the defending champion Red Wings returned to the friendly confines of Joe Louis Arena and overwhelmed the Penguins 5-0 in Game 5 on Saturday.

White Sox click early to end scoring drought
Losing is one thing. Giving in is another -- and something White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen won't tolerate. ''I know the players. I know the attitude. I know what they can do and what they can't do,'' Guillen said. ''We're going to address that. There's one thing about losing and another thing about how you lose.''

It's a bird who wins Belmont -- Summer Bird
Horse racing: This was a Belmont for the Birds. It was Summer Bird, not Mine That Bird and jockey Calvin Borel, who came roaring down the long stretch and won the final jewel of the Triple Crown on Saturday.

Sparks open season without MVP Parker
WNBA: Lisa Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks were as good as advertised. Tina Thompson had 18 points, Betty Lennox added 17 points and 10 rebounds and the Sparks easily defeated the defending WNBA champion Detroit Shock 78-58 on Saturday in the WNBA season opener.

Power pitcher: Z does it all
This is why the Cubs tolerate the other stuff, why they gave him $91.5 million despite an already established pattern of tantrums, finger-pointing and blowing off responsibilities. The retirement announcement Friday was a new twist. But the rest of the sideshow that comes with Carlos Zambrano, they accepted as part of the package, and the risk. Because this is how good Zambrano can be.

WW South disrupts Neuqua's attack
Boys volleyball: Wheaton Warrenville South stayed on-track for its third straight state volleyball title because the Tigers were able to disrupt the Neuqua Valley attack throughout Friday's match.

Another empty feeling for White Sox
The White Sox seemed to have come back to life a week ago on the road. Now manager Ozzie Guillen sees a lifeless team that has lost its way at home, losing its last four straight.

Expectations on the rise for Sky
Chicago Sky: After seeing the Chicago Hustle and its Women's Pro Basketball League fail in 1981 after three years in business, and after seeing the Cougars last one year in the American Basketball League before it folded in its third year, women's pro basketball has never been in better shape in Chicago or in the world.

Bandits lose for first time in 2009
Chicago Bandits: It took a dreadful defensive performance to deal the Bandits their first loss of the season on Friday night. The Bandits committed five errors, leading to three unearned runs and fell 5-4 to the Philadelphia Force in eight innings at Judson University.

Sox newcomer Beckham joins city's parade of youth
Neil Hayes: It would be easy to be critical of the White Sox for calling up Gordon Beckham after only 59 minor-league games if the rookie didn't look like he belonged at each brief stop along the way.

With rainout, Z's return pushed to Cubs-Reds opener
After a wait of more than two hours, Carlos Zambrano's anticipated return from his six-game suspension was finally rained out in Atlanta on Thursday night, and Big Z was already dressed and gone by the time the clubhouse reopened to media. He was presumed to be traveling on the team charter to Cincinnati Thursday night, although that was not confirmed by late that night.

Wunderlich leads Redhawks
Prep softball: Naperville Central senior Natalie Wunderlich unleashed a no-hitter in the Redhawks' 1-0 win over Benet Academy during Thursday's sectional semifinal softball game at Neuqua Valley.

Redhawks prevail with efficiency
To keep advancing in the Class 4A state tournament, Naperville Central was going to have to win a game like this. That meant beating a future Division I pitcher and protecting something less than a nine-run lead. The margins were smaller on Thursday night, but the Redhawks still advanced to the sectional final with an efficient 6-2 victory over host Lockport.

It's time to stop kicking yourself
As my poorly executed chip slowly rolled back off the front of the green and right back to my feet, I could've kicked myself. It was the wrong decision as soon as I grabbed my wedge, and I knew it. But I ignored better judgment and tried to hit the shot anyway -- a delicate attempt that needed to just get over a false front to trickle to the hole.

Bryant steps it up, scores 40 in romp against Magic
One step toward redemption, one step toward a ring. Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers began the NBA Finals with power and purpose. Bryant, playing like a man possessed, scored 40 points and the Lakers, who have waited nearly one year for a chance to erase bitter memories of a Boston beatdown and a championship they felt belonged to them, pounded the Orlando Magic 100-75 in Game 1 on Thursday night.

Golf briefs: Fox Bend renovates fifth green
Fox Bend renovated its fifth green, elevated it and added a front left bunker. It is a risk-reward par 5 that big hitters can reach in two, but now there is an added element of danger around the green complex.