chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--Bears QB Nick Foles gets his last (and possibly best) chance to be a starter

Bears QB Nick Foles gets his last ( and possibly best ) chance to be a starter The Bears have @ @ @ @ @ a Foles-friendly coaching staff and a defense that provides him ample margin .
But Foles @ @ @ @ @ table , too , with a history of big performances in big games .

Nick Foles’ magic shows up in the most unexpected places.
It circulated through the Super Bowl when he threw three touchdown passes and caught another to topple Tom Brady. It rattled the stadium like an earthquake as he unleashed an NFL-record seven touchdown passes in just his ninth career start. It even drifted in through the north end zone at Soldier Field as the double-doink gave him yet another playoff win.
It surged yet again Sunday, when the Bears were spiraling toward rock bottom and plummeted to within an inch of defeat before Foles bolted in from the sideline to rescue them with three touchdown passes in the final seven minutes. He finished the comeback with a touchdown to Anthony Miller, and the throw looked so impossible that magic actually might be the most plausible explanation.
“Really composed, unflappable under pressure — I just think Nick is a really unique player in that regard,” said Colts coach Frank Reich, who was Foles’ offensive coordinator when he led the Eagles to a championship. “A lot of quarterbacks in the NFL have that composure; I just think Nick’s is maybe at another level. Part of that is, I just think he’s fearless.”
Whatever it is that suddenly transforms Foles from journeyman to juggernaut, the Bears hope he has enough of it left to make something special of this season — and maybe beyond. He’ll get his first start Sunday against the Colts.
What coach Matt Nagy wants more than anything from Foles is proficiency. The Bears believe their offense will be run more smoothly than it was with Mitch Trubisky, who was benched for Foles in Atlanta. They’re pivoting from a quarterback-in-training to a nine-year veteran.
It was less than a month ago that Nagy decided Trubisky was the better choice, a puzzling conclusion considering he said he would weigh their head-to-head performance in practice and their history. In the latter, Foles’ accomplishments are undeniable.
That Super Bowl, when he lit up the Patriots for 373 yards (the most allowed by the Pats that season) and posted a 106.1 passer rating, was hardly his only big-time performance in a big-time game. In the NFC Championship Game two weeks earlier, he shredded the Vikings to the tune of 26-for-33, 352 yards (the most the Vikings allowed all season), three touchdowns and a 141.6 rating.
Foles has a 98.8 rating over six playoff games, going back to a last-second loss to the Saints in his second season. He had just given his upstart Eagles the lead on a touchdown pass with five minutes left before New Orleans nipped them at the end.
In 2018, he led the Eagles to the playoffs by winning the last three games of the regular season, posting a 108.4 rating in that stretch. He got them in the postseason in 2013, too, by hanging 54 points on the Bears (the second-most they’ve allowed in 101 seasons) in Week 16 and knocking down the Cowboys the next week in a win-or-go-home finale.
“In the big moments, the calmness, being cool, collected — all that, that’s a strength of his,” Nagy said.
Trubisky hasn’t shown the same trait. All of his big games in 2018 were against teams in the bottom 12 of the league, he has a passer rating of 80 against the Packers and fizzled in his only playoff appearance.
Foles’ success in high-pressure, high-stakes games contrasted with his inability to stick long-term as a starter gives him arguably the most confusing résumé in NFL history:
† Super Bowl MVP
† Pro Bowl player
† A sub-80 passer rating in one-third of his games
† Traded or cut four times
“Every player goes through ups and downs,” Reich said, “so I don’t think what he’s gone through has been that unique.”
Wait, what? Not that unique?
Foles wouldn’t put it that way. He knows how unusual his ride has been and believes some of those lows, including bottoming out so badly with the Rams that “my love for the game was pretty much circling the drain,” he wrote in his autobiography, have refined him.
One of the best things about Foles is that he doesn’t dwell on failures. He doesn’t think about them on the sideline, or anywhere else for that matter. Even from play to play, his mind is “a blank chalkboard,” Bears quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo said.
“I ultimately knew through those times that God was doing something inside me that was more than the game of football,” Foles said. “A huge part of my life and career is not holding tight to those things — like I don’t hold tight to the Lombardi Trophy. I want the success to be a byproduct of the little things each and every day.
“I can step on the field and be a lot more free than if I put everything on a pedestal. There’s been more of a peace at going to work.”
It’s not totally clear what Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace had in mind when they traded a fourth-round pick for Foles and signed him to a three-year contract worth between $21 million and $24 million. It’s essentially fully guaranteed aside from Foles having an opt-out each year.
They said it was to compete with Trubisky for the job this season, and now with Trubisky probably headed out the door, Pace and Nagy must figure out what’s next. Foles would theoretically be an ideal bridge quarterback to another first-rounder as the Bears’ search for a franchise quarterback continues, but their 3-0 start already makes it unlikely they’ll have a high draft pick in 2021.
That leaves them wondering whether Foles, 31, might be their answer for a while. There are seven NFL starters 35 or older this season. Six are Hall of Fame candidates, including the Bears’ opponent this week, Philip Rivers. The other is fellow career nomad Ryan Fitzpatrick.
“You see it now, the age of these quarterbacks that are taking such great care of their bodies, and Nick is one of those guys,” Nagy said. “Being 31 is by no means old.”
It’ll be clear by the end of the season whether Foles is a smart bet for the Bears.
If they go at least 7-6 the rest of the way, they’re a near-lock for the playoffs. Foles is in an ideal situation with a coaching staff he knows well, a talented cast of skill players and one of the NFL’s best defenses providing him ample margin.
It’s his last chance to find a home — and it might be his best one.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--2 teens shot in Marquette Park

2 teens shot in Marquette Park

Two teenage boys were wounded by gunfire Saturday in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side .
They were in a @ @ @ @ @ in the 7000 block of South California Avenue when someone fired shots from the sidewalk @ @ @ @ @ .
A 17-year-old boy was shot in the back while a 16-year-old was grazed on @ @ @ @ @ said .
They were driven to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where both @ @ @ @ @ No one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate .
Read more on crime @ @ @ @ @ ’ s homicides .

Two teenage boys were wounded by gunfire Saturday in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.
They were in a southbound vehicle about 3 a.m. in the 7000 block of South California Avenue when someone fired shots from the sidewalk, according to Chicago police.
A 17-year-old boy was shot in the back while a 16-year-old was grazed on his right arm, police said. They were driven to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where both were in good condition.
No one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--Thank you, Mike Madigan, for showing me when it’s time to abandon ship on party loyalty

While reading the paper today , I realized how grateful I am to Mike Madigan .
It is due only to his character , his behavior , and his attitudes about governance that I am able to know without any doubt that I care more about my city , my state , and our democracy than I do about adherence to my party .
I formerly believed — but could not know for sure — that I would do what I advise others to do : Abandon your party ’ s candidate when that candidate is manifestly unsuitable for office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that for many years now but have largely been unable to do so , sacrificing their humanity and their honor on the altar of party loyalty .
Today I realized that I could and would swiftly break the bonds that hold me to the Democratic Party in order to vote against Mike Madigan .
Although I am unable to do so , any Democrat who can but does not , who continues to tolerate bullying , illegality , and other outrageous offenses out of either misplaced party loyalty or fear , is clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power than about making the right moral choice .
Let me send huge kudos to whomever authored the brilliant , warm , inviting and truly lovely Wisconsin editorial .
It is the stuff we ’ ve been so desperately lacking in our conversations for the past 3 years .
Thank you very , very much .
Illinois has a new hero , the only person with enough guts to run against Mike Madigan for Illinois House speaker , and her name is Stephanie Kifowit .
“ Many of my colleagues are fearful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only Speaker Madigan but also his allies , ” said the four-term state representative and former Marine .
She ’ s got my vote !
!
But wait , we don ’ t get to vote .
Only the corrupt , spineless shills in Springfield get to do that .
Doesn ’ t seem fair does it ?
We have learned since 2017 how much our governmental and electoral systems have operated on an honor system .
We know , now , that repairs to them are needed because an honorless scoundrel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws , and , essentially say “ Whad ’ ya gon na do about it ?
” because he controls much of the means of enforcement .
While we still have a democracy to preserve , Republicans at the national level must be defeated .
As long as they are in power , especially as long as they hold the presidency , they will see reform as an erosion of their power .
They know that they do not have the votes to maintain power if everything is on the level .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a limitation on their opponents .
It is left to those of us who value our democracy to put them into that position .

While reading the paper today, I realized how grateful I am to Mike Madigan.
It is due only to his character, his behavior, and his attitudes about governance that I am able to know without any doubt that I care more about my city, my state, and our democracy than I do about adherence to my party.
I formerly believed — but could not know for sure — that I would do what I advise others to do: Abandon your party’s candidate when that candidate is manifestly unsuitable for office. Republicans have needed to do exactly that for many years now but have largely been unable to do so, sacrificing their humanity and their honor on the altar of party loyalty.
Today I realized that I could and would swiftly break the bonds that hold me to the Democratic Party in order to vote against Mike Madigan. Although I am unable to do so, any Democrat who can but does not, who continues to tolerate bullying, illegality, and other outrageous offenses out of either misplaced party loyalty or fear, is clearly more concerned about his/her own grasp on power than about making the right moral choice.
Jan Gleiter, West Ravenswood
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be 350 words or less.
A letter to Wisconsin
Let me send huge kudos to whomever authored the brilliant, warm, inviting and truly lovely Wisconsin editorial. It is the stuff we’ve been so desperately lacking in our conversations for the past 3 years.
Thank you very, very much.
Rosemarie Sulek, Wildwood
Kifowit gets my vote
Illinois has a new hero, the only person with enough guts to run against Mike Madigan for Illinois House speaker, and her name is Stephanie Kifowit. “Many of my colleagues are fearful of retaliation, coercion, intimidation, from not only Speaker Madigan but also his allies,” said the four-term state representative and former Marine.
She’s got my vote!! But wait, we don’t get to vote. Only the corrupt, spineless shills in Springfield get to do that. Doesn’t seem fair does it?
Scot Sinclair, Third Lake
Preserve democracy, not power
We have learned since 2017 how much our governmental and electoral systems have operated on an honor system. We know, now, that repairs to them are needed because an honorless scoundrel can ignore previous norms, even violate laws, and, essentially say “Whad’ya gonna do about it?” because he controls much of the means of enforcement.
While we still have a democracy to preserve, Republicans at the national level must be defeated. As long as they are in power, especially as long as they hold the presidency, they will see reform as an erosion of their power. They know that they do not have the votes to maintain power if everything is on the level.
They will only cooperate when they see reform as a limitation on their opponents. It is left to those of us who value our democracy to put them into that position.
Curt Fredrikson, Mokena


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--Man rescued from West Rogers Park fire

Man rescued from West Rogers Park fire

Firefighters rescued a man from a fire Saturday in West Rogers Park on the North Side .
The blaze was @ @ @ @ @ at a home in the 6300 block of North Francisco Avenue , according to the @ @ @ @ @ crews brought one man out of the home , fire officials said .
He was @ @ @ @ @ be treated for smoke inhalation .
The fire was out within a half hour of @ @ @ @ @ injuries were reported , the fire department said .

Firefighters rescued a man from a fire Saturday in West Rogers Park on the North Side.
The blaze was reported shortly after 1 a.m. at a home in the 6300 block of North Francisco Avenue, according to the Chicago Fire Department.
Responding crews brought one man out of the home, fire officials said. He was taken to Swedish Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire was out within a half hour of firefighters arriving and no other injuries were reported, the fire department said.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--Family of Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake hold Evanston rally and encourage people to vote

A day after a Kentucky court released recordings from grand jury proceedings in the Breonna Taylor case , family members of Taylor and Jacob Blake hosted a rally Saturday afternoon in Evanston to call for justice and encourage people to hit the polls .
Taylor ’ s aunt , Briana Austin , linked arms with Blake ’ s father , Jacob Blake Sr. , as they led a group of about 200 people on a half-mile march on Emerson Street in the north suburb .
“ These people need to start being held accountable for killing our kids , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Austin told attendees during her speech while wearing her niece ’ s emergency medicine technician jacket .
“ So , we ’ re gon na demand change and we need y ’ all to vote .
And we need you to come out here and stand with us , and fight these people because we can ’ t do it by ourselves.
” Before the march , volunteers helped attendees register to vote as they gathered outside Jacob Blake Manor , which provides housing for low-income seniors and is named after Blake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesse Jackson Sr. , Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Bobby Rush , D-Ill. , were among the attendees at the event .
All three voiced support of the Taylor and Blake families and called on people to vote .
“ We ’ re not going to give up , we ’ re going to fight , ” Jackson said .
“ We ’ re going to vote [ and turn our ] pain to passion.
” The rally came just one day after Kentucky ’ s attorney general released recordings of a Louisville grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case and eight days after a grand jury indicted one of the three officers involved in the botched drug raid that led to the death of Taylor .
Fired Louisville Police Officer Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in connection to the police raid of Taylor ’ s home on the night of March 13 .
Jacob Blake ’ s uncle , Justin Blake , stressed that voting in November could lead to change , and said it was “ foolishness ” to say that a person ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Every vote counts , every vote matters , we don ’ t just need people to register , we need them to go vote , ” Justin Blake said .
“ This is about us standing up for what is right .
This isn ’ t about Black or white , Democrat or Republican .
This is about human rights , and we ’ re going to drive that point home today.
” Demonstrators chanted and carried signs down Emerson Street before stopping outside Ebenezer-Primm Towers , another site for low-income senior housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Along the route , people came out of their homes and businesses to cheer them on .
Jacob Blake Sr. got emotional when he provided an update on his son , who ’ s been paralyzed from the waist down since Kenosha police officers shot him seven times in August .
Jacob Blake Sr. said his son goes to physical therapy at least three times a day and said is still in “ incredible ” pain .
“ Stand for my son because he can not stand , walk for my son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we need to change laws , ” Blake Sr. said .
“ Will that evil away because love will show you the way .
Love is what we need , we don ’ t need hatred… We ’ re tired ; this is enough .
Enough is enough .
”

A day after a Kentucky court released recordings from grand jury proceedings in the Breonna Taylor case, family members of Taylor and Jacob Blake hosted a rally Saturday afternoon in Evanston to call for justice and encourage people to hit the polls.
Taylor’s aunt, Bianca Austin, linked arms with Blake’s father, Jacob Blake Sr., as they led a group of about 200 people on a half-mile march on Emerson Street in the north suburb.
“These people need to start being held accountable for killing our kids, and we’re sick of it,” Austin told attendees during her speech while wearing her niece’s emergency medicine technician jacket. “So, we’re gonna demand change and we need y’all to vote. And we need you to come out here and stand with us, and fight these people because we can’t do it by ourselves.”
Breonna Taylor’s aunt, Bianca Austin, attends a rally for racial justice Saturday in Evanston. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Before the march, volunteers helped attendees register to vote as they gathered outside Jacob Blake Manor, which provides housing for low-income seniors and is named after Blake’s grandfather.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Bobby Rush, D-Ill., were among the attendees at the event. All three voiced support of the Taylor and Blake families and called on people to vote.
“We’re not going to give up, we’re going to fight,” Jackson said. “We’re going to vote [and turn our] pain to passion.”
The rally came just one day after Kentucky’s attorney general released recordings of a Louisville grand jury’s proceedings in the Taylor case and eight days after a grand jury indicted one of the three officers involved in the botched drug raid that led to the death of Taylor.
Fired Louisville Police Officer Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in connection to the police raid of Taylor’s home on the night of March 13.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (left); Breonna Taylor’s aunt, Bianca Austin; and the Rev. Jesse Jackson (right) attend a rally for racial justice and equality where hundreds called for justice for Jacob Blake and Breonna Taylor Saturday in Evanston. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Jacob Blake’s uncle, Justin Blake, stressed that voting in November could lead to change, and said it was “foolishness” to say that a person’s vote doesn’t matter.
“Every vote counts, every vote matters, we don’t just need people to register, we need them to go vote,” Justin Blake said. “This is about us standing up for what is right. This isn’t about Black or white, Democrat or Republican. This is about human rights, and we’re going to drive that point home today.”
Demonstrators chanted and carried signs down Emerson Street before stopping outside Ebenezer-Primm Towers, another site for low-income senior housing founded by Jacob Blake’s grandfather. Along the route, people came out of their homes and businesses to cheer them on.
Jacob Blake Sr. got emotional when he provided an update on his son, who’s been paralyzed from the waist down since Kenosha police officers shot him seven times in August. Jacob Blake Sr. said his son goes to physical therapy at least three times a day and said is still in “incredible” pain.
“Stand for my son because he cannot stand, walk for my son because he cannot walk — understand that we need to change laws,” Blake Sr. said. “Will that evil away because love will show you the way. Love is what we need, we don’t need hatred… We’re tired; this is enough. Enough is enough.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--Source: NFL fines Bears DT Akiem Hicks, DE Mario Edwards

The NFL fined two Bears for penalties in their 30-26 win over the Falcons last week , a source said .
Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was hit with the biggest fine , a $ 15,000 penalty , for committing roughing the passer on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan .
Hicks rushed Ryan early in the third quarter .
He began his approach as Ryan looked to throw and hit him in the chest a split-second after he released the ball .
Ryan completed the pass to wide receiver Brandon Powell for 2 yards .
“ You can ’ t be upset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve got to take it because everybody ’ s going to get a call that they ’ re not in favor of during the course of the game .
“ But that ’ s a tough one , man .
I ’ m just playing football .
There ’ s no ill will towards anybody .
I am trying to be physical , but there ’ s no ill will or bad intention.
” Hicks also argued that quarterbacks getting hit is good for the game and the viewing experience .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people that watch the game , and they want to see people get hit , ” he said .
“ They want to see the quarterback roughed up a little bit .
You don ’ t want him to stand in the pocket and go on vacation .
You want him to feel you around him .
“ So I accept the call for what it is , but I would hope that we would look at that sometime maybe in the offseason and say , ‘ Hey , let ’ s let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” Anyway the league also fined Bears defensive end Mario Edwards $ 9,412 for his roughing-the-passer violation against Ryan in the second quarter .
Three Falcons players were not fined for their significant penalties : LaRoy Reynolds ( facemask on Allen Robinson ) , Jaylinn Hawkins ( unnecessary roughness on David Montgomery ) and Keith Smith ( unnecessary roughness on Anthony Miller ) .

The NFL fined two Bears for penalties in their 30-26 win over the Falcons last week, a source said. Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was hit with the biggest fine, a $15,000 penalty, for committing roughing the passer on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
Hicks rushed Ryan early in the third quarter. He began his approach as Ryan looked to throw and hit him in the chest a split-second after he released the ball. Ryan completed the pass to wide receiver Brandon Powell for 2 yards.
“You can’t be upset,” Hicks said. “You’ve got to take it because everybody’s going to get a call that they’re not in favor of during the course of the game.
“But that’s a tough one, man. I’m just playing football. There’s no ill will towards anybody. I am trying to be physical, but there’s no ill will or bad intention.”
Hicks also argued that quarterbacks getting hit is good for the game and the viewing experience.
“I think I could speak for the people that watch the game, and they want to see people get hit,” he said. “They want to see the quarterback roughed up a little bit. You don’t want him to stand in the pocket and go on vacation. You want him to feel you around him.
“So I accept the call for what it is, but I would hope that we would look at that sometime maybe in the offseason and say, ‘Hey, let’s let them hit the quarterback for a second.’”
That’s unlikely.
Anyway the league also fined Bears defensive end Mario Edwards $9,412 for his roughing-the-passer violation against Ryan in the second quarter.
Three Falcons players were not fined for their significant penalties: LaRoy Reynolds (facemask on Allen Robinson), Jaylinn Hawkins (unnecessary roughness on David Montgomery) and Keith Smith (unnecessary roughness on Anthony Miller).


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--Chris Christie hospitalized with ‘mild’ virus symptoms

Former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie tweeted Saturday that he ’ s checked himself into a hospital , hours after he announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus .
Christie said that after consulting with his doctors , he went to Morristown Medical Center on Saturday afternoon .
He said he ’ s only experiencing mild symptoms .
“ Due to my history of asthma , we decided this is an important precautionary measure , ” he tweeted .
Christie , who has publicly struggled with his weight , is the latest in a string of virus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inner circle .
Trump ’ s former 2016 rival told The Associated Press on Friday that the last time he was with the president was Tuesday in Cleveland during preparations for his debate with former Vice President Joe Biden .
Christie had tweeted Friday morning that he had last tested negative ahead of Tuesday ’ s debate and was not having any symptoms then .
In 2013 , during Christie ’ s first term as New Jersey governor , he underwent lap-band surgery and lost a significant amount of weight .
Two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulty breathing .
The 58-year-old uses an inhaler .
He once called himself “ the healthiest fat guy you ’ ve ever seen.
” In addition to Trump and first lady Melania Trump , multiple people who have traveled with the president or attended events with him over the last several days have contracted the virus .

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie tweeted Saturday that he’s checked himself into a hospital, hours after he announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Christie said that after consulting with his doctors, he went to Morristown Medical Center on Saturday afternoon. He said he’s only experiencing mild symptoms.
“Due to my history of asthma, we decided this is an important precautionary measure,” he tweeted.
Christie, who has publicly struggled with his weight, is the latest in a string of virus cases connected to President Donald Trump’s inner circle.
Trump’s former 2016 rival told The Associated Press on Friday that the last time he was with the president was Tuesday in Cleveland during preparations for his debate with former Vice President Joe Biden. Christie had tweeted Friday morning that he had last tested negative ahead of Tuesday’s debate and was not having any symptoms then.
In 2013, during Christie’s first term as New Jersey governor, he underwent lap-band surgery and lost a significant amount of weight. Two years before that, he was hospitalized for difficulty breathing. The 58-year-old uses an inhaler.
He once called himself “the healthiest fat guy you’ve ever seen.”
Text messages were left seeking comment from Christie early Saturday evening.
In addition to Trump and first lady Melania Trump, multiple people who have traveled with the president or attended events with him over the last several days have contracted the virus.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--This You Gotta See: Bears host Colts, Bucs about 100 hours apart. What could go wrong?

We ’ ve never played in the NFL , but it makes our joints cry out in agony just to think about getting knocked around on the field on a Sunday only to have to get knocked around a bunch more on a Thursday .
But that ’ s what the Bears are up against this week .
Make that “ weeks ” — as in Weeks 4 and 5 of the season — with games against the Colts and Buccaneers at Soldier Field .
Their recovery time shrunk , too , when Sunday ’ s kickoff was moved from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus-related postponement of the Patriots-Chiefs game .
Kind of a raw deal , isn ’ t it ?
It ’ s probably best for the Bears ’ chances , though , if they don ’ t follow our lead by whining like a bunch of babies .
First , the Bears will try to get to 4-0 for the first time since their Super Bowl season of 2006 .
Win that one , and they ’ ll have a chance to get to 5-0 for the first time since … hang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up … their Super Bowl season of 2006 .
What if they do get to 5-0 ?
Will they suddenly be the talk of the league ?
Will people start putting them in the Super Bowl conversation ?
Did anybody get the license-plate number of that truck that just sped off with our brains ?
On the other hand , the Bears are in danger of losing twice in , like , 100 hours .
That doesn ’ t sound like much fun at all .
Breanna Stewart had 37 points , 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s WNBA Finals-opening victory .
There ’ s no truth to the rumor Las Vegas coach Bill Laimbeer is plotting to don a uniform and give her a cheap shot .
Does Nick Foles have any chance at all against Indy ’ s intimidating , terrifying , totally awesome , best-in-the-league defense ?
That was a passive-aggressive challenge to Khalil Mack , Akiem Hicks and Eddie Jackson , in case you were wondering .
Will big man Bam Adebayo be able to overcome the pain in his neck ?
No , we aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miami starters Adebayo and Goran Dragic missed Game 2 with injuries .
Philly coach Doug Peterson probably should thank Foles about 100 more times for the whole Super Bowl thing .
Did we mention Carson Wentz has the lowest quarterback rating in the NFL ?
Whom are we supposed to root for , baseball ’ s most notorious cheaters since the 1919 White Sox or the heartless sons of guns who ended the season of the 2020 White Sox ?
The benches cleared the last time these teams met , furthering the narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other .
Are we bad people if that ’ s our favorite narrative ?
Is it crazy to think the winless visitors just might take it to their unbeaten hosts ?
Until the visitors gag in the fourth quarter , needless to say , but that ’ s a separate issue .
How perfectly 2020 is it that these teams are playing in Arlington , Texas , while the American League series unfold in San Diego and Los Angeles ?
What player we ’ ve never heard of will take a star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they still have that Miguel Cabrera kid ?
The Blackhawks own the 17th pick in this draft , which was supposed to take place back in June .
Some of these prospects may even have started shaving since then .
You just get the feeling that nothing is going to stop the great LeBron James from winning his fourth championship .
Sorry , did somebody say something about LeBron losing six more times in the Finals than Michael Jordan did ?
Alex DeBrincat and Brandon Saad were second-round picks by the Hawks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You never know when the next Shaw will come out of nowhere and try to take your head off .
Who is Tampa ’ s quarterback again ?
Oh , yeah , it ’ s that Tom Brady fella .
He ’ s so old , he has Super Bowl rings he probably doesn ’ t even remember winning .
Yep , we know : Sick burn .
An American hasn ’ t won at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015 , and most tennis experts we know doubt that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine , we don ’ t know any tennis experts .
Some of us are old enough to remember when the mighty Seminoles coming to town would wake up all the echoes .
Sadly , the mighty Seminoles stink now .
Is Miami really back ?
There ’ s no better way to find out than by paying a visit to Death Valley .
And by “ better ” we mean worse .

We’ve never played in the NFL, but it makes our joints cry out in agony just to think about getting knocked around on the field on a Sunday only to have to get knocked around a bunch more on a Thursday.
But that’s what the Bears are up against this week. Make that “weeks” — as in Weeks 4 and 5 of the season — with games against the Colts and Buccaneers at Soldier Field.
Their recovery time shrunk, too, when Sunday’s kickoff was moved from noon to 3:25 p.m. as a result of the coronavirus-related postponement of the Patriots-Chiefs game. Kind of a raw deal, isn’t it?
It’s probably best for the Bears’ chances, though, if they don’t follow our lead by whining like a bunch of babies.
First, the Bears will try to get to 4-0 for the first time since their Super Bowl season of 2006. Win that one, and they’ll have a chance to get to 5-0 for the first time since … hang on, have to look this one up … their Super Bowl season of 2006.
What if they do get to 5-0? Will they suddenly be the talk of the league? Will people start putting them in the Super Bowl conversation? Did anybody get the license-plate number of that truck that just sped off with our brains?
On the other hand, the Bears are in danger of losing twice in, like, 100 hours. That doesn’t sound like much fun at all.
Here’s what’s happening:
SUN 4
Storm vs. Aces, Game 2 (2 p.m., Ch. 7)
Breanna Stewart had 37 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in Seattle’s WNBA Finals-opening victory. There’s no truth to the rumor Las Vegas coach Bill Laimbeer is plotting to don a uniform and give her a cheap shot.
Colts at Bears (3:25 p.m., Ch. 2)
Does Nick Foles have any chance at all against Indy’s intimidating, terrifying, totally awesome, best-in-the-league defense? That was a passive-aggressive challenge to Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks and Eddie Jackson, in case you were wondering.
Lakers vs. Heat, Game 3 (6:30 p.m., Ch. 7)
Will big man Bam Adebayo be able to overcome the pain in his neck? No, we aren’t referring to Anthony Davis. Miami starters Adebayo and Goran Dragic missed Game 2 with injuries.
Eagles at 49ers (7:20 p.m., Ch. 5)
Philly coach Doug Pederson probably should thank Foles about 100 more times for the whole Super Bowl thing. Did we mention Carson Wentz has the lowest quarterback rating in the NFL?
MON 5
Astros vs. Athletics, Game 1 (3:07 p.m., TBS)
Whom are we supposed to root for, baseball’s most notorious cheaters since the 1919 White Sox or the heartless sons of guns who ended the season of the 2020 White Sox?
Yankees vs. Rays, Game 1 (7:07 p.m., TBS)
The benches cleared the last time these teams met, furthering the narrative that the division rivals pretty much hate each other. Are we bad people if that’s our favorite narrative?
Falcons at Packers (7:15 p.m., ESPN)
Is it crazy to think the winless visitors just might take it to their unbeaten hosts? Until the visitors gag in the fourth quarter, needless to say, but that’s a separate issue.
TUE 6
Padres vs. Dodgers, Game 1 (TBD)
How perfectly 2020 is it that these teams are playing in Arlington, Texas, while the American League series unfold in San Diego and Los Angeles?
Marlins vs. Braves, Game 1 (TBD)
What player we’ve never heard of will take a star turn for the Marlins next? Do they still have that Miguel Cabrera kid?
NHL draft, Round 1 (6 p.m., NBCSN)
The Blackhawks own the 17th pick in this draft, which was supposed to take place back in June. Some of these prospects may even have started shaving since then.
Lakers vs. Heat, Game 4 (8 p.m., Ch. 7)
You just get the feeling that nothing is going to stop the great LeBron James from winning his fourth championship. Sorry, did somebody say something about LeBron losing six more times in the Finals than Michael Jordan did?
WED 7
NHL draft, Rounds 2-7 (10:30 a.m., NHLN)
Alex DeBrincat and Brandon Saad were second-round picks by the Hawks. Heck, Andrew Shaw was a fifth-rounder. You never know when the next Shaw will come out of nowhere and try to take your head off.
THU 8
Buccaneers at Bears (7:20 p.m., Fox-32, NFLN)
Who is Tampa’s quarterback again? Oh, yeah, it’s that Tom Brady fella. He’s so old, he has Super Bowl rings he probably doesn’t even remember winning. Yep, we know: Sick burn.
SAT 10
French Open women’s final (8 a.m., Ch. 5)
An American hasn’t won at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015, and most tennis experts we know doubt that’ll change this year. OK, fine, we don’t know any tennis experts.
Florida State at Notre Dame (6:30 p.m., Ch. 5)
Some of us are old enough to remember when the mighty Seminoles coming to town would wake up all the echoes. Sadly, the mighty Seminoles stink now.
Miami at Clemson (6:30 p.m., Ch. 7)
Is Miami really back? There’s no better way to find out than by paying a visit to Death Valley. And by “better” we mean worse.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--Coronavirus live blog, Oct. 3, 2020: Illinois coronavirus case tally surpasses 300K

The condition of President Donald Trump , who is in Walter Reed Medical Center with COVID-19 , was of great concern .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Trump went through a “ very concerning ” period Friday and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care .
Here ’ s what happened today in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago , the state and the nation .
Illinois ’ pandemic case total eclipsed 300,000 on Saturday as public health officials announced an additional 2,442 people have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been confirmed to carry the deadly virus in Illinois — nearly 2.4 % of the state ’ s population .
That ’ s an average of about 1,450 new cases added per day as the pandemic enters its seventh month .
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here .
Two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have tested positive for the coronavirus , raising questions about the timing of Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett and whether additional senators may have been exposed .
Senate Majority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going “ full steam ahead.
” North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Utah Sen. Mike Lee both said Friday that they had tested positive for the virus .
Both had attended a ceremony for Barrett at the White House on Sept. 25 with President Donald Trump , who announced Friday that he had tested positive and was later hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
11 a.m. White House source : Trump “ not on a clear path yet on a recovery , ” contradicts news conference A person familiar with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says some of his vital signs over the past 24 hours were “ very concerning ” but they ’ ve improved since he was admitted to a military hospital in suburban Washington .
The person has knowledge of the president ’ s medical condition but was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity .
9:15 a.m. She got her coronavirus miracle , surviving 3 weeks in a coma .
Then came the hard part .
When Karla Taylor-Bauman went home after 54 days in hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an induced coma , she called her survival from coronavirus a miracle .
But miracles don ’ t come easy , the Lake Villa woman has found .
Four months later , she isn ’ t fully back to normal .
She tires easily , can ’ t climb more than a handful of stairs and , still needing continued care , hasn ’ t been able to go back to her job as a financial adviser .
Having been so sick — after she got out , her doctor , Dennis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been “ as close to brain dead as you get without being brain dead ” — she knew recovery would take time .
Read the full story by Stefano Esposito here .
8:05 a.m. Gas tax hikes pile up : States become desperate for road repair revenue as COVID-19 reduces driving Americans who want to stay socially distant during the COVID-19 pandemic now have another reason to think twice before going out for gas .
Several states have increased gas taxes in recent months to make up for sudden shortfalls in revenue devoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less during the pandemic , due partly to social distancing and remote work arrangements , gasoline demand has fallen .
That ’ s one key factor triggering the tax increases as lawmakers seek to limit the impact of lower revenue on road repair budgets .
7:15 a.m. Trump gets experimental drug aimed at curbing severe illness The experimental antibody drug given to President Donald Trump has been called one of the most promising approaches to preventing serious illness from a COVID-19 infection .
Its maker , Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. , said the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given through an IV , for Trump at the request of his physician under “ compassionate use ” provisions , when an experimental medicine is provided on a case-by-case emergency basis , while studies of it continue .
The new drug is in late-stage testing and its safety and effectiveness are not yet known .
No treatment has yet proved able to prevent serious illness after a coronavirus infection .
6:15 a.m. Trump walks to Marine One , gives thumbs up on way to military hospital after testing positive for coronavirus President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time since being stricken by COVID-19 , boarding his Marine One helicopter for a flight to a military hospital as the virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans spread to the highest reaches of the U.S. government .
The White House said the visit of “ a few days ” to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was precautionary and that Trump would continue to work from the hospital ’ s presidential suite , which is equipped to allow him to keep up his official duties .
Trump walked out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thumbs-up but did not speak .
Members of the aircrew , Secret Service agents and White House staff wore face coverings to protect themselves from the president onboard the helicopter .
• These government officials have all tested positive for coronavirus : President Trump , First Lady Melania Trump , senior adviser to the president Hope Hicks .
• Coronavirus claims 47 more lives in Illinois , highest daily death toll in three months • Notre Dame president tests positive for COVID-19 days after not wearing mask at White House ceremony • Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 outbreak .
9:18 a.m. Cover ‘ Trump gets COVID ’ on your Disaster Bingo card Even when you have good health insurance and the best medical care .
Even when you ’ re the president of the United States .
Even when contracting this particular illness reeks of karma , of payback , of divine justice , the way it does for President Donald Trump and his wife , Melania , who announced early Friday they have tested positive for COVID-19 , the novel coronavirus that has killed a million people worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no doubt be a certain amount of gloating , of snide “ thoughts and prayers ” chortling .
Guess that hydroxychloroquine didn ’ t do the trick after all , huh ?
I can see why .
Only Tuesday Trump was in full bore bullying mode at the first presidential debate in Cleveland , speaking over his opponent , former Vice President Joe Biden , insulting him and the rest of us .
But the quality that ties one hand behind the back of Democrats in this fight is our ability to empathize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And in truth I have always felt sorry for Trump , clearly a broken man , his ego so damaged it must be constantly stroked .
Living proof that you can be rich , famous , powerful and still a pathetic excuse for a human being who just can ’ t stop talking , mostly about himself .

The condition of President Donald Trump, who is in Walter Reed Medical Center with COVID-19, was of great concern. White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Trump went through a “very concerning” period Friday and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care.
Here’s what happened today in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago, the state and the nation.
News
5 p.m. Illinois coronavirus case tally surpasses 300K
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Illinois’ pandemic case total eclipsed 300,000 on Saturday as public health officials announced an additional 2,442 people have tested positive for COVID-19.
Since early March, at least 300,088 people have been confirmed to carry the deadly virus in Illinois — nearly 2.4% of the state’s population.
That’s an average of about 1,450 new cases added per day as the pandemic enters its seventh month.
1 p.m. Coronavirus spreads on panel handling Supreme Court nomination
Two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have tested positive for the coronavirus, raising questions about the timing of Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett and whether additional senators may have been exposed. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared the confirmation process was going “full steam ahead.”
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Utah Sen. Mike Lee both said Friday that they had tested positive for the virus. Both had attended a ceremony for Barrett at the White House on Sept. 25 with President Donald Trump, who announced Friday that he had tested positive and was later hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Read the full story here.
11 a.m. White House source: Trump “not on a clear path yet on a recovery,” contradicts news conference
A person familiar with President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 illness says some of his vital signs over the past 24 hours were “very concerning” but they’ve improved since he was admitted to a military hospital in suburban Washington.
The person has knowledge of the president’s medical condition but was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Read the full story here.
9:15 a.m. She got her coronavirus miracle, surviving 3 weeks in a coma. Then came the hard part.
When Karla Taylor-Bauman went home after 54 days in hospitals, including 21 days on a ventilator in an induced coma, she called her survival from coronavirus a miracle.
But miracles don’t come easy, the Lake Villa woman has found.
Four months later, she isn’t fully back to normal. She tires easily, can’t climb more than a handful of stairs and, still needing continued care, hasn’t been able to go back to her job as a financial adviser.
Having been so sick — after she got out, her doctor, Dennis McCreary, described her condition as having been “as close to brain dead as you get without being brain dead” — she knew recovery would take time.
Read the full story by Stefano Esposito here.
8:05 a.m. Gas tax hikes pile up: States become desperate for road repair revenue as COVID-19 reduces driving
Americans who want to stay socially distant during the COVID-19 pandemic now have another reason to think twice before going out for gas.
Several states have increased gas taxes in recent months to make up for sudden shortfalls in revenue devoted to road repairs.
As Americans drive less during the pandemic, due partly to social distancing and remote work arrangements, gasoline demand has fallen. That’s one key factor triggering the tax increases as lawmakers seek to limit the impact of lower revenue on road repair budgets.
Read the full story here.
7:15 a.m. Trump gets experimental drug aimed at curbing severe illness
The experimental antibody drug given to President Donald Trump has been called one of the most promising approaches to preventing serious illness from a COVID-19 infection.
Its maker, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., said the company agreed to supply a single dose, given through an IV, for Trump at the request of his physician under “compassionate use” provisions, when an experimental medicine is provided on a case-by-case emergency basis, while studies of it continue.
The new drug is in late-stage testing and its safety and effectiveness are not yet known. No treatment has yet proved able to prevent serious illness after a coronavirus infection.
Read the full story here.
6:15 a.m. Trump walks to Marine One, gives thumbs up on way to military hospital after testing positive for coronavirus
President Donald Trump appeared in public Friday evening for the first time since being stricken by COVID-19, boarding his Marine One helicopter for a flight to a military hospital as the virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans spread to the highest reaches of the U.S. government.
The White House said the visit of “a few days” to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was precautionary and that Trump would continue to work from the hospital’s presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to keep up his official duties.
Trump walked out of the White House and gave a thumbs-up but did not speak. Members of the aircrew, Secret Service agents and White House staff wore face coverings to protect themselves from the president onboard the helicopter.
Read the full story here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
9:18 a.m. Cover ‘Trump gets COVID’ on your Disaster Bingo card
It’s terrible to be sick.
Even when you have good health insurance and the best medical care. Even when you’re the president of the United States. Even when contracting this particular illness reeks of karma, of payback, of divine justice, the way it does for President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, who announced early Friday they have tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that has killed a million people worldwide, including 206,000 Americans.
There will no doubt be a certain amount of gloating, of snide “thoughts and prayers” chortling. Guess that hydroxychloroquine didn’t do the trick after all, huh?
I can see why. Only Tuesday Trump was in full bore bullying mode at the first presidential debate in Cleveland, speaking over his opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, insulting him and the rest of us.
But the quality that ties one hand behind the back of Democrats in this fight is our ability to empathize with other people, even bad people. And in truth I have always felt sorry for Trump, clearly a broken man, his ego so damaged it must be constantly stroked. Living proof that you can be rich, famous, powerful and still a pathetic excuse for a human being who just can’t stop talking, mostly about himself.
Read Neil Steinberg’s full column here.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--That’s entertainment! White Sox were fun to watch and turned a corner in 2020

The White Sox were great , inexpensive entertainment in 2020 .
For the cost of cable or the device that put their games into your home or palm of your hand , fans watched Luis Robert show up like a future superstar and Eloy Jimenez cement himself as a dangerous cleanup type hitter for years to come .
They saw Lucas Giolito throw a no-hitter as he followed up his remarkable turnaround All-Star turnaround season with another that solidified his status as bona fide ace , and watched Tim Anderson thrust himself into Most Valuable Player conversations as an encore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
And speaking of MVP talk , Jose Abreu – ignited by the joy of playing for a winner for the first time in his seven-year career — ripped through every game of the shortened 60-game season like his pony-tailed beard was on fire , refusing to take a day off , delivering one clutch hit after another and putting up numbers that very well could garner him the award .
So what an enjoyable show that was .
For the fan , the only thing better than watching a team win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that point where such a moment seems possible , and that ’ s where the Sox went in 2020 in the fourth year of their rebuild , finishing 35-25 .
Was air taken out by a 4-14 finish ?
No doubt .
A 3-12 slide into the regular season after the Sox clinched their first postseason appearance 2008 preceded a one win , two loss showing against the A ’ s in the wild card series , but here ’ s hoping it served the meaningful purpose of showing the front office exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offseason .
General manager Rick Hahn should offer some hints about what the offseason will bring when he signs off on the fun yet challenging , pandemic-maligned 2020 season on a media Zoom this week .
It was Hahn ’ s first winning year as a GM , and his team is built for more to follow .
In the meantime , let ’ s look back at some of the achievements and moments that made it so fun : The Sox led the AL with 96 home runs , a franchise record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 ) , Jimenez ( 14 ) , Robert ( 11 , plus a 487-foot playoff bomb ) and Anderson and Edwin Encarnacion ( 10 each ) .
The Sox hit five or more homers in one game five times , the most in the majors , and hit four in a row against Cardinals rookie Roel Mamirez on Aug. 16 with Yoan Moncada , Yasmani Grandal , Abreu and Jimenez turning the trick to tie a Major League record .
Against the Cubs at Wrigley Field seven days later , Abreu tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his fourth straight homer in his first at-bat on a Sunday morning against Yu Darvish .
The night before , Abreu homered in his last three at-bats in a 7-4 win .
The Sox would go on to lead the AL in slugging percentage ( .453 ) and run differential ( +60 ) and were second in runs ( 306 ) , average ( .261 ) and OPS ( .779 ) .
On the pitching side , Giolito threw a masterful 13-strikeout , one-walk no-hitter against the Pirates on Aug. 25 at Guaranteed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the seventh inning of Game 1 against the A ’ s .
The Sox ranked sixth in the major leagues with a 3.81 ERA , their lowest mark since a 3.61 mark in 2005 , and the starting rotation ranked eighth in the majors with a 3.85 ERA , also its lowest mark since 2005 ( 3.75 ) .
The bullpen , featuring rookies Codi Heuer , Matt Foster and Garrett Crochet working in high leverage roles , emerged as a strength , finishing fifth in opponents slugging ( .366 ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-base percentage ( .308 ) .
It all added up to a .136 increase in winning percentage , the third best in the majors behind the Padres ( .185 ) and Marlins ( .165 ) in the National League .
The Sox were 72-89 a year ago .
“ It ’ s a tough one to swallow , but we ’ ve got to keep going , ” Anderson said minutes after the season came to a close .
“ It ’ s just the start of something that could be great .
@

The White Sox were great, inexpensive entertainment in 2020. For the cost of cable or the device that put their games into your home or palm of your hand, fans watched Luis Robert show up like a future superstar and Eloy Jimenez cement himself as a dangerous cleanup-type hitter for years to come.
They saw Lucas Giolito throw a no-hitter as he followed up his turnaround All-Star season with another that solidified his status as bona fide ace and watched Tim Anderson thrust himself into Most Valuable Player conversations as an encore to winning a batting title the season before.
And speaking of MVP talk, Jose Abreu — ignited by the joy of playing for a winner for the first time in his seven-year career — ripped through every game of the shortened 60-game season like his pony-tailed beard was on fire, refusing to take a day off, delivering one clutch hit after another and putting up numbers that very well could win him the award.
So what an enjoyable show that was. For the fan, the only thing better than watching a team win it all is seeing it ascend to that point where such a moment seems possible, and that’s where the Sox went in 2020 in the fourth year of their rebuild, finishing 35-25.
Was air taken out by a 4-14 finish? No doubt. A 3-12 slide in the regular season after the Sox clinched their first postseason appearance since 2008 preceded a one-win, two-loss showing against the Athletics in the wild-card series, but here’s hoping it served the meaningful purpose of showing the front office exactly who the Sox are going into the offseason.
General manager Rick Hahn should offer some hints about what the offseason will bring when he signs off on the fun yet challenging, pandemic-maligned 2020 season on a media Zoom conference this week. It was Hahn’s first winning year as a GM, and his team is built for more to follow.
In the meantime, let’s look back at some of the achievements and moments that made it so fun:
The Sox led the AL with 96 home runs, a franchise record through 60 games led by Abreu (19), Jimenez (14), Robert (11, plus a 487-foot playoff bomb), Anderson (10) and Edwin Encarnacion (10).
The Sox hit five or more homers in a game five times, the most in the majors, and hit four in a row against Cardinals rookie Roel Ramirez on Aug. 16 with Yoan Moncada, Yasmani Grandal, Abreu and Jimenez turning the trick to tie a major-league record.
Against the Cubs at Wrigley Field seven days later, Abreu tied a major-league record when he hit his fourth straight homer in his first at-bat on a Sunday morning against Yu Darvish. The night before, Abreu homered in his last three at-bats in a 7-4 victory.
The Sox would go on to lead the AL in slugging percentage (.453) and run differential (+60) and were second in runs (306), batting average (.261) and OPS (.779).
On the pitching side, Giolito threw a masterful 13-strikeout, one-walk no-hitter against the Pirates on Aug. 25 at Guaranteed Rate Field and took a perfect game into the seventh inning of Game 1 against the A’s. The Sox ranked sixth in the major leagues with a 3.81 ERA, their lowest since a 3.61 mark in 2005, and the starting rotation ranked eighth in the majors with a 3.85 ERA, also the team’s lowest mark since 2005 (3.75).
The bullpen, featuring rookies Codi Heuer, Matt Foster and Garrett Crochet working in high-leverage roles, emerged as a strength, finishing fifth in opponents’ slugging (.366) and seventh in ERA (3.76) and on-base percentage (.308).
It all added up to a .136 increase in winning percentage, the third-best in the majors behind the Padres (.185) and Marlins (.165) from the National League. The Sox were 72-89 a year ago.
“It’s a tough one to swallow, but we’ve got to keep going,” Anderson said minutes after the season came to a close. “It’s just the start of something that could be great.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--Coronavirus spreads on panel handling Supreme Court nomination

WASHINGTON — Two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have tested positive for the coronavirus , raising questions about the timing of Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett and whether additional senators may have been exposed .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared the confirmation process was going “ full steam ahead.
” North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Utah Sen. Mike Lee both said Friday that they had tested positive for the virus .
Both had attended a ceremony for Barrett at the White House on Sept. 25 with President Donald Trump , who announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was later hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
Lee , who did not wear a mask at the White House event , said he had “ symptoms consistent with longtime allergies.
” Tillis , who did wear a mask during the public portion of the event , said he had no symptoms .
Both said they would quarantine for 10 days — ending just before Barrett ’ s confirmation hearings begin on Oct. 12 .
The positive tests come as Senate Republicans are pushing to quickly confirm Barrett in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 election .
There is little cushion in the schedule set out by Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham and McConnell , who want to put a third Trump nominee on the court immediately in case they lose any of their power in the election .
Democrats , many of whom have been critical of Barrett , seized on the virus announcements to call for a delay in the hearings .
“ We now have two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who have tested positive for COVID , and there may be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schumer .
“ I wish my colleagues well .
It is irresponsible and dangerous to move forward with a hearing , and there is absolutely no good reason to do so.
” Several other members of the Judiciary panel attended the White House ceremony , including Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley , Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse , Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo .
Blackburn said she tested negative after the event .
Crapo said he “ recently ” had a negative test and a spokeswoman said he would be getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be arranged .
A spokeswoman for Hawley said he was being tested Saturday .
Sasse tested negative , but said in a statement that he would work remotely from his home state and undergo further testing due to his “ close interaction with multiple infected individuals , ” his office said .
He said he planned to to return to Washington in time for the confirmation hearing .
Graham was not at the White House on Saturday but sees Trump frequently .
He said Friday that he had taken a test after interacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confirmation hearings for Barrett , who would replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , are scheduled to last for four days .
McConnell on Saturday announced that he would seek to delay floor action for the next two weeks but that the hearings would proceed .
At an event in Kentucky on Friday , he said he thought remote hearings could work if some senators couldn ’ t attend .
Graham also suggested the possibility of remote hearings , saying on Twitter that “ any senator who wants to participate virtually will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement Saturday , Graham said there would be “ no change ” in the hearings even if Senate floor votes were delayed .
It is not unusual for committees to meet when there is no action on the floor .
Senators can not vote virtually , however , so Republicans would need a full slate of committee members to approve the nomination shortly after the hearings and all of their senators on the floor for a final confirmation vote , which they hope will happen the last week of October .
Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday that he tested positive for the virus and would not return until he was cleared by his doctor .
He is not on the Judiciary panel , but his presence would likely be needed for a floor vote .
Tillis is in a competitive reelection race against Democrat Cal Cunningham , and the two debated Thursday evening .
On Twitter , Cunningham said he wished Tillis a quick recovery and said he would also get tested .
Barrett , who was with Trump and many others on Saturday and met with Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judiciary panel this week , tested negative , the White House said Friday .
It was confirmed that she had a mild case of COVID earlier this year and has now recovered .
Trump , who has consistently downplayed the virus and often discouraged the use of masks , was flown to Walter Reed on Friday evening after experiencing symptoms .
The president tweeted Saturday that he was “ feeling well , ” though White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said the next 48 hours would be critical in terms of his @ @

WASHINGTON — Two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have tested positive for the coronavirus, raising questions about the timing of Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett and whether additional senators may have been exposed. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared the confirmation process was going “full steam ahead.”
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Utah Sen. Mike Lee both said Friday that they had tested positive for the virus. Both had attended a ceremony for Barrett at the White House on Sept. 25 with President Donald Trump, who announced Friday that he had tested positive and was later hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Lee, who did not wear a mask at the White House event, said he had “symptoms consistent with longtime allergies.” Tillis, who did wear a mask during the public portion of the event, said he had no symptoms. Both said they would quarantine for 10 days — ending just before Barrett’s confirmation hearings begin on Oct. 12.
The positive tests come as Senate Republicans are pushing to quickly confirm Barrett in the few weeks they have before the Nov. 3 election. There is little cushion in the schedule set out by Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham and McConnell, who want to put a third Trump nominee on the court immediately in case they lose any of their power in the election.
Democrats, many of whom have been critical of Barrett, seized on the virus announcements to call for a delay in the hearings.
“We now have two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who have tested positive for COVID, and there may be more,” tweeted Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. “I wish my colleagues well. It is irresponsible and dangerous to move forward with a hearing, and there is absolutely no good reason to do so.”
Several other members of the Judiciary panel attended the White House ceremony, including Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo. Blackburn said she tested negative after the event. Crapo said he “recently” had a negative test and a spokeswoman said he would be getting another one as soon as it could be arranged. A spokeswoman for Hawley said he was being tested Saturday.
Sasse tested negative, but said in a statement that he would work remotely from his home state and undergo further testing due to his “close interaction with multiple infected individuals,” his office said. He said he planned to to return to Washington in time for the confirmation hearing.
Graham was not at the White House on Saturday but sees Trump frequently. He said Friday that he had taken a test after interacting with Lee and it was negative.
Confirmation hearings for Barrett, who would replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, are scheduled to last for four days. McConnell on Saturday announced that he would seek to delay floor action for the next two weeks but that the hearings would proceed. At an event in Kentucky on Friday, he said he thought remote hearings could work if some senators couldn’t attend.
Graham also suggested the possibility of remote hearings, saying on Twitter that “any senator who wants to participate virtually will be allowed to do so.” In a statement Saturday, Graham said there would be “no change” in the hearings even if Senate floor votes were delayed. It is not unusual for committees to meet when there is no action on the floor.
Senators cannot vote virtually, however, so Republicans would need a full slate of committee members to approve the nomination shortly after the hearings and all of their senators on the floor for a final confirmation vote, which they hope will happen the last week of October.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., also announced Saturday that he tested positive for the virus and would not return until he was cleared by his doctor. He is not on the Judiciary panel, but his presence would likely be needed for a floor vote.
Tillis is in a competitive reelection race against Democrat Cal Cunningham, and the two debated Thursday evening. On Twitter, Cunningham said he wished Tillis a quick recovery and said he would also get tested.
Barrett, who was with Trump and many others on Saturday and met with Lee, Tillis and other members of the Judiciary panel this week, tested negative, the White House said Friday. It was confirmed that she had a mild case of COVID earlier this year and has now recovered.
Trump, who has consistently downplayed the virus and often discouraged the use of masks, was flown to Walter Reed on Friday evening after experiencing symptoms.
The president tweeted Saturday that he was “feeling well,” though White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said the next 48 hours would be critical in terms of his care.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--Bears promote QB Tyler Bray to active roster

The Bears promoted third-string quarterback Tyler Bray to the active roster for Sunday ’ s game against the Colts .
@ @ @ @ @ not portend a status change for either starter Nick Foles or backup Mitch Trubisky , @ @ @ @ @ .
The move takes advantage of a new rule — that all NFL teams can @ @ @ @ @ squad players to their active roster each Sunday without having to demote someone to create @ @ @ @ @ on the Bears ’ practice squad protection list , meaning teams could not poach him @ @ @ @ @ active roster spot .
The Bears promoted Foles to starting quarterback on Monday after he @ @ @ @ @ fourth-quarter touchdowns in the fourth quarter of last week ’ s win in Atlanta .
@ @ @ @ @ that they believe Trubisky can ably serve as a second-stringer , given his team-first mentality @ @ @ @ @ day in three years that a healthy Trubisky won ’ t start .
He sat @ @ @ @ @ of his career before eventually replacing Mike Glennon .

The Bears promoted third-string quarterback Tyler Bray to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Colts.
Sources said the move did not portend a status change for either starter Nick Foles or backup Mitch Trubisky, both of whom remain healthy. The move takes advantage of a new rule — that all NFL teams can promote up to two practice squad players to their active roster each Sunday without having to demote someone to create room.
Bray was already on the Bears’ practice squad protection list, meaning teams could not poach him with the promise of an active roster spot.
The Bears promoted Foles to starting quarterback on Monday after he led the team to three fourth-quarter touchdowns in the fourth quarter of last week’s win in Atlanta.
Bears coaches said this week that they believe Trubisky can ably serve as a second-stringer, given his team-first mentality. Sunday marks the first day in three years that a healthy Trubisky won’t start. He sat for the first four games of his career before eventually replacing Mike Glennon.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--Report: Theo Epstein to meet with Tom Ricketts to discuss future

Change is likely for the Cubs ’ roster following their swift elimination from the postseason by the Marlins , but @ @ @ @ @ coming on the North Side .
Cubs president Theo Epstein will meet with chairman Tom @ @ @ @ @ the long-term plan for the baseball operations department , according to a report by NBC @ @ @ @ @ Kaplan .
According to Kaplan , Epstein will likely leave after his contract expires next @ @ @ @ @ his role as soon as this year with the team finding a new head of @ @ @ @ @ who is entering the final year of a five-year deal , is scheduled to meet @ @ @ @ @ for his season-ending press conference .
Epstein has been president of baseball operations since signing @ @ @ @ @ October 2011 and has been in charge of the organization ’ s overhaul , becoming @ @ @ @ @ most innovative and respected front offices in Major League Baseball .

Change is likely for the Cubs’ roster after the swift postseason elimination by the Marlins, but the changes might not be limited to the roster.
Cubs president Theo Epstein will meet with chairman Tom Ricketts next week to discuss the long-term plan for the baseball-operations department, according to a report by NBC Sports Chicago.
Epstein likely will leave after his contract expires next season, but he could exit this year with the team finding a new head of baseball operations.
He is scheduled to meet with the media Monday for his season-ending news conference. Former Cubs skipper Joe Maddon managed the last year of his contract without an extension before the sides parted ways at the end of the 2019 season.
Epstein has been president of baseball operations since signing his original deal in October 2011 and has been in charge of the organization’s overhaul, helping to make the Cubs’ front office one of the most innovative and respected in the big leagues.
With three World Series titles and industrywide respect, he would be the top candidate for any job in baseball if the time came for him to leave the organization. Epstein is a firm believer that change is needed after 10 years, and he would reach the end of that timeline after the 2021 season.
Epstein’s skills could make him a perfect fit to run MLB as its next commissioner.
Rob Manfred’s inability to connect with players and fans and his lack of communication skills have become apparent during his tenure as commissioner. Epstein, meanwhile, always has demonstrated a keen ability to gauge the pulse of the game on the field and off.
But with his background and his success as an executive, it would not be a surprise if his next challenge is outside the baseball realm.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-03--Official: Next 48 hours ‘critical’ for Trump in coronavirus fight

BETHESDA , Md .
— President Donald Trump went through a “ very concerning ” period Friday and the next 48 hours “ will be critical ” in his care as he battles the coronavirus at a hospital , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Saturday .
Meadows ’ comments contradicted the rosy assessment of Trump ’ s condition offered by his staff and doctors , who took pains not to reveal the president had received supplemental oxygen at the White House before his hospital admission .
“ We ’ re still not on a clear path yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a weary Meadows .
It was a dramatically different picture than the one painted by the White House staff since Trump revealed his diagnosis as well as by his doctors , who updated the public at a press conference at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
The briefing by Navy Commander Dr. Sean Conley and other doctors raised more questions than it answered as Conley repeatedly refused to say whether the president ever needed supplemental oxygen , despite repeated questioning , and declined to discuss exactly when he fell ill. Conley also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indications ” of COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon , earlier than previously known .
“ Thursday no oxygen .
None at this moment .
And yesterday with the team , while we were all here , he was not on oxygen , ” Conley said .
But according to a person familiar with Trump ’ s condition , Trump was administered oxygen at the White House on Friday before he was transported to the military hospital .
The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms , including a cough and nasal congestion , “ are now resolving and improving , ” and said the president had been fever-free for 24 hours .
But Trump also is taking aspirin , which lowers body temperature and could mask or mitigate that symptom .
“ He ’ s in exceptionally good spirits , ” said another doctor , Sean Dooley .
Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese , putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. White House officials , including Meadows , had insisted Friday that Trump had only “ mild symptoms ” as they tried to project an image of normalcy .
“ President Trump remains in good spirts , has mild symptoms and has been working throughout the day , ” said press secretary Kayleigh McEnany .
She said Trump had only been sent to Walter Reed as a precaution .
Trump ’ s administration has been less than transparent with the public throughout the pandemic , both about the president ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
The first word that a close aide to Trump had been infected came from the media , not the White House .
And aides have repeatedly declined to share basic health information , including a full accounting of the president ’ s symptoms , what tests he ’ s undertaken and the results .
In a memo released late Friday , Conley did report that Trump had been treated at the hospital with remdesivir , an antiviral medication , after taking another experimental drug at the White House .
Conley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been tested before he was confirmed to have COVID-19 late Thursday .
He initially suggested that Trump was 72 hours into the diagnosis — which would mean that he was confirmed infected Wednesday .
Conley later clarified that Trump was administered an accurate test for the virus on Thursday afternoon , after White House aide Hope Hicks was confirmed to be positive and Trump exhibited unspecified “ clinical indications ” of the virus .
The White House said Trump was expected to stay at the hospital for “ a few days ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s presidential suite , which is equipped to allow him to keep up his official duties .
In addition to accessibility to tests and equipment , the decision was made , at least in part , with the understanding that moving him to the hospital later , if he took a turn for the worse , could send a worrying signal .
On Saturday , Conley said Trump ’ s blood oxygen level is 96 % , which is in the normal range .
The two experimental drugs he has received , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some promise against COVID-19 .
On Friday , he was given a single dose of a drug Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. is testing to supply antibodies to help his immune system fight the virus .
Friday night , he began a five-day course of remdesivir , a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients .
The drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus and remdesivir curbs the virus ’ ability to multiply .
“ We ’ re maximizing all aspects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus in multiple ways , Conley said .
“ I didn ’ t want to hold anything back if there was any possibility it would add value to his care.
” At the same time , the White House has been working to trace a flurry of new infections of close Trump aides and allies .
Attention is focused in particular on last Saturday ’ s White House event introducing Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee .
That day , Trump gathered more than 150 people in the Rose Garden , where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmingly without masks .
There were also several indoor receptions , where Trump ’ s Supreme Court pick , Judge Amy Coney Barrett , her family , senators and others spent time in the close quarters of the White House , photographs show .
Among those who attended who have now tested positive : former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , White House counselor Kellyanne Conway , the president of the University of Notre Dame , and at least two Republican lawmakers — Utah Sen. Mike Lee and North Carolina Sen. Thom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president and senior staff from infection , the White House still did not appear to be taking the highly infectious disease as seriously as possible .
Meadows , the chief of staff , accompanied the president to the hospital on Marine One , the kind of small , enclosed space where experts say the virus easily spreads .
And while Vice President Mike Pence is currently off the campaign trail preparing for the coming week ’ s vice presidential debate , he and his staff are operating under a “ business as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still planning to travel to Arizona on Thursday , Indiana on Friday and Florida on Saturday for events instead of isolating himself after potential exposure and to protect himself from contracting the virus anywhere else .

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — President Donald Trump went through a “very concerning” period Friday and faces a “critical” next two days in his fight against COVID-19 at a military hospital, his chief of staff said Saturday — in contrast to a rosier assessment moments earlier by Trump doctors, who took pains not to reveal the president had received supplemental oxygen at the White House before his hospital admission.
Trump offered his own assessment Saturday evening in a video from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, saying he was beginning to feel better and hoped to “be back soon.”
Hours earlier, chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters outside the hospital, “We’re still not on a clear path yet to a full recovery.” In an update on the president Saturday night, his chief doctor expressed cautious optimism but added that the president was “not yet out of the woods.”
The changing, and at times contradictory, accounts created a credibility crisis for the White House at a crucial moment, with the president’s health and the nation’s leadership on the line. With Trump expected to remain hospitalized several more days and the presidential election looming, his condition is being anxiously watched by Americans.
Moreover, the president’s health represents a national security issue of paramount importance not only to the functions of the U.S. government but to countries around the world, friendly and otherwise.
Saturday’s briefing by Navy Commander Dr. Sean Conley and other doctors raised more questions than it answered. Conley repeatedly refused to say whether the president ever needed supplemental oxygen, despite repeated questioning, and declined to share key details including how high a fever Trump had been running before it came back down to a normal range. Conley also revealed that Trump had begun exhibiting “clinical indications” of COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon, earlier than previously known.
Conley spent much of the briefing dodging reporters’ questions, as he was pressed for details.
“Thursday no oxygen. None at this moment. And yesterday with the team, while we were all here, he was not on oxygen,” Conley said.
But according to a person familiar with Trump’s condition, Trump was administered oxygen at the White House on Friday morning, well before he was transported to the military hospital by helicopter that evening. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press only on condition of anonymity,
Conley said that Trump’s symptoms, including a mild cough, nasal congestion and fatigue “are now resolving and improving,” and said the president had been fever-free for 24 hours. But Trump also is taking aspirin, which lowers body temperature and could mask or mitigate that symptom.
“He’s in exceptionally good spirits,” said another doctor, Sean Dooley, who said Trump’s heart, kidney, and liver functions were normal and that he was not having trouble breathing or walking around.
In an evening health update, Conley said Trump had been up and moving around his medical suite without difficulty and conducting business. “While not yet out of the woods, the team remains cautiously optimistic,” he said.
In the hospital video, Trump defended his decision to continue campaigning and holding large events in the midst of a pandemic.
“I had no choice,” said Trump, who refused to abide by basic public health recommendations, including mask-wearing. “I had to be out front ... I can’t be locked up in a room upstairs and totally safe. ... As a leader, you have to confront problems.”
Trump also thanked his medical team and hailed the state-of-the-art treatments he was receiving, comparing them to “miracles coming down from God.” Trump’s medical care is far superior to the average American’s, with around-the-clock attention and experimental treatments.
The president was angry at Meadows’ public assessment of his health and, in an effort to prove his vitality, Trump ordered up the video and authorized longtime confidant Rudy Giuliani to release a statement on his behalf that he was feeling well, according to a Republican close to the White House not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations.
Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide and killed more than 200,000 people in the U.S.
First lady Melania Trump remained at the White House to recover from her own bout with the virus. She was “really handling it very nicely,” Trump said in the video, noting with a touch of humor that she was “just a little tiny bit younger” — in fact, 24 years younger.
Meadows himself had insisted Friday morning that Trump had only “mild symptoms” as the White House tried to project an image of normalcy. It was unclear whether Trump already had received oxygen when Meadows spoke.
“President Trump remains in good spirits, has mild symptoms and has been working throughout the day,” press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said late in the day on Friday. She said Trump had only been sent to Walter Reed as a precaution.
Trump’s administration has been less than transparent with the public throughout the pandemic, both about the president’s health and the virus’ spread inside the White House. The first word that a close aide to Trump had been infected came from the media, not the White House. And aides have repeatedly declined to share basic health information, including a full accounting of the president’s symptoms, what tests he’s undertaken and the results.
In a memo released late Friday, Conley did report that Trump had been treated at the hospital with remdesivir, an antiviral medication, after sharing that he’d taking another experimental drug at the White House.
Conley declined to say when Trump had last been tested before he was confirmed to have COVID-19 late Thursday. He initially suggested that Trump was 72 hours into the diagnosis — which would mean that he was confirmed infected Wednesday. Conley later clarified that Trump was administered an accurate test for the virus on Thursday afternoon, after White House aide Hope Hicks was confirmed to be positive and Trump exhibited “clinical indications” of the virus.
The White House has said Trump was expected to stay at the hospital for “a few days” and would continue to work from its presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to keep up his official duties. In addition to accessibility to tests and equipment, the decision to move to the hospital on Friday was made, at least in part, with the understanding that hurrying there later could send a worrying signal if he took a turn for the worse.
On Saturday, Conley said Trump’s blood oxygen level was 96%, which is in the normal range. The two experimental drugs he has received, given through an IV, have shown some promise against COVID-19. On Friday, he was given a single dose of a drug Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. is testing to supply antibodies to help his immune system fight the virus.
Friday night, he began a five-day course of remdesivir, a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients. The drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus and remdesivir curbs the virus’ ability to multiply.
“We’re maximizing all aspects of his care,” attacking the virus in multiple ways, Conley said. “I didn’t want to hold anything back if there was any possibility it would add value to his care.”
He noted that in many cases, COVID-19 can become more dangerous as the body responds. “The first week of COVID, and in particular day seven to 10, are the most critical in determining the likely course of this illness,” he said.
At the same time, the White House has been working to trace a flurry of new infections of close Trump aides and allies. Attention is focused in particular on the Sept. 26 White House event introducing Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. That day, Trump gathered more than 150 people in the Rose Garden, where they mingled, hugged and shook hands — overwhelmingly without masks. There were also several indoor receptions, where Trump’s Supreme Court pick, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, her family, senators and others spent time in the close quarters of the White House, photographs show.
Among those who attended and have now tested positive: former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, the president of the University of Notre Dame, and at least two Republican lawmakers — Utah Sen. Mike Lee and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis. The president’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, and the head of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel, have also tested positive, though they were not at the event. Another prominent Republican who has tested positive: Sen. Ron Johnson. R-Wis.,
One of the president’s personal assistants, Nick Luna, tested positive after having traveled with Trump several times recently, a White House official said Saturday night. The official wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter by name and requested anonymity.
Despite its failure to protect the president and senior staff from infection, the White House has given no indication that it intends to make any major protocol changes, such as mandating that everyone wears a mask.
Meadows, the chief of staff, accompanied the president to the hospital aboard Marine One, the kind of small, enclosed space where experts say the virus easily spreads. Those aboard did wear masks.
While Vice President Mike Pence is currently off the campaign trail preparing for the coming week’s vice presidential debate, he and his staff are operating under a “business as usual” approach. He’s still planning to travel to Arizona on Thursday, Indiana on Friday and Florida on Saturday for events instead of isolating himself after potential exposure and to protect himself from contracting the virus anywhere else.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-04--Blackhawks’ 1st-round pick possibilities: North American prospects to watch for

Who will the Blackhawks select with the 17th pick in Tuesday ’ s NHL draft ?
Publicly , the list of possibilities is long .
Internally , it ’ s not .
Scouting director Mark Kelley believes he knows who the first 12 players off the board will be .
That leaves just four uncertain teams before the Hawks come up , knowledge which allows him to narrow the list of options significantly .
Of course , Kelley won ’ t share the top 12 , or who the Hawks are thus considering .
But he will share his thoughts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the North American players plausibly in play at No .
17 , with analyses from Kelley .
Tomorrow ’ s story will spotlight the European players viable at No .
17 .
Mercer ’ s stock fell slightly from a projected top-10 pick over the latter half of his 2019-20 season , which could work out brilliantly for the Hawks .
The 6-foot forward has great hands and playmaking vision , but only average skating .
“ When you watch him play , the first thing that comes out is he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good on both sides of the puck , ” Kelley said .
“ Offensively , he runs numbers , and then defensively , [ he ’ s ] very responsible.
” Holloway , 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds already , scored 17 points in 35 games as a freshman at Wisconsin .
He ’ s a powerful man who skates very well and wins every puck battle , but he ’ s not as dynamic offensively as other first-rounders .
“ We watched him ... right up the road in Madison , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelley said .
“ If you watched Dylan play and you didn ’ t know who he was , you ’ d easily locate him .
He plays with a lot of energy , a lot of power , he likes the puck , he goes hard in corners and hard to the net.
” Brisson was part of one of the most dominant U.S. junior teams in history last season with the Chicago Steel in Geneva .
The son of one of the NHL ’ s most prominent agents , he grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s an offense-all-the-time center with great shooting and passing ability , but he needs to add weight .
One of the few defenseman viable for the Hawks ’ pick , Schneider uses his 6-foot-2 frame and reach very well in his own zone .
He ’ s physical and smart , but he won ’ t contribute much along the offensive blue line .
“ Schneider is almost a little bit of a throwback player , ” Kelley said .
“ He ’ s a good two-way defenseman but has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He plays with an edge.
” Jarvis exploded to score 98 points in 58 games last season , a very impressive total even in the scoring-inflated Canadian junior leagues .
His skating speed is exceptional , and he supplements that singular elite skill with enough decent other attributes that he ’ d be a steal at 17th .
“ [ Jarvis ] probably had as good a year as anyone in junior hockey from November on , ” Kelley said .
“ He ’ s a gamer , another player who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ice.
” The foil to Jarvis in the WHL , Zary ’ s offensive portfolio is loaded with many great skills — shooting , passing , vision , creativity — but he ’ s held back by relatively poor skating .
“ Zary has a lot of similarities with Dawson Mercer , ” Kelley said .
“ [ He ] has a real presence on the ice.
” Center Jack Quinn is projected in the early teens , but would be very enticing if he falls to 17th ... Center Hendrix Lapierre ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues and could be a risky pick at 17th ...
Right wing Jacob Perreault is great offensively but poor defensively ... Kaiden Guhle is a defensive defenseman in the same mold as Braden Schneider .

Who will the Blackhawks select with the 17th pick in Tuesday’s NHL draft?
Publicly, the list of possibilities is long. Internally, it’s not.
Scouting director Mark Kelley believes he knows who the first 12 players off the board will be. That leaves just four uncertain teams before the Hawks come up, knowledge which allows him to narrow the list of options significantly.
Of course, Kelley won’t share the top 12, or who the Hawks are thus considering. But he will share his thoughts when asked about specific players.
Below are the North American players plausibly in play at No. 17, with analyses from Kelley. Click here for the story on European prospects the Hawks may consider.
Dawson Mercer — Center, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Mercer’s stock fell slightly from a projected top-10 pick over the latter half of his 2019-20 season, which could work out brilliantly for the Hawks. The 6-foot forward has great hands and playmaking vision, but only average skating.
“When you watch him play, the first thing that comes out is he has a pro game, he’s good on both sides of the puck,” Kelley said. “Offensively, he runs numbers, and then defensively, [he’s] very responsible.”
Dylan Holloway — Center, Wisconsin (NCAA)
Holloway, 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds already, scored 17 points in 35 games as a freshman at Wisconsin. He’s a powerful man who skates very well and wins every puck battle, but he’s not as dynamic offensively as other first-rounders.
“We watched him...right up the road in Madison, and we have a great pipeline there,” Kelley said. “If you watched Dylan play and you didn’t know who he was, you’d easily locate him. He plays with a lot of energy, a lot of power, he likes the puck, he goes hard in corners and hard to the net.”
Brendan Brisson — Center, Chicago (USHL)
Brisson was part of one of the most dominant U.S. junior teams in history last season with the Chicago Steel in Geneva.
The son of one of the NHL’s most prominent agents, he grew up around the Hawks’ dressing room. He’s an offense-all-the-time center with great shooting and passing ability, but he needs to add weight.
“This year, he made great strides,” Kelley said.
Braden Schneider — Defenseman, Brandon (WHL)
One of the few defenseman viable for the Hawks’ pick, Schneider uses his 6-foot-2 frame and reach very well in his own zone. He’s physical and smart, but he won’t contribute much along the offensive blue line.
“Schneider is almost a little bit of a throwback player,” Kelley said. “He’s a good two-way defenseman but has a great presence in the defensive zone. He plays with an edge.”
Seth Jarvis — Right Wing, Portland (WHL)
Jarvis exploded to score 98 points in 58 games last season, a very impressive total even in the scoring-inflated Canadian junior leagues.
His skating speed is exceptional, and he supplements that singular elite skill with enough decent other attributes that he’d be a steal at 17th.
“[Jarvis] probably had as good a year as anyone in junior hockey from November on,” Kelley said. “He’s a gamer, another player who’s efficient at both ends of the ice.”
Connor Zary — Center, Kamloops (WHL)
The foil to Jarvis in the WHL, Zary’s offensive portfolio is loaded with many great skills — shooting, passing, vision, creativity — but he’s held back by relatively poor skating.
“Zary has a lot of similarities with Dawson Mercer,” Kelley said. “[He] has a real presence on the ice.”
Other possibilities
Center Jack Quinn is projected in the early teens, but would be very enticing if he falls to 17th ... Center Hendrix Lapierre’s stock has dropped due to health issues and could be a risky pick at 17th ... Right wing Jacob Perreault is great offensively but poor defensively... Kaiden Guhle is a defensive defenseman in the same mold as Braden Schneider.
The draft will be broadcast at 6 p.m. Tuesday on NBCSN and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on NHL Network.