chicagotribune--2020-04-23--Mark Grace is waiting for his next at-bat with Marquee Sports Network and the Chicago Cubs: ‘Who kno

Mark Grace is waiting for his next at-bat with Marquee Sports Network and the Chicago Cubs: ‘Who knows what’s going to happen?’

“ First , I ’ m a big ( Rizzo ) fan , ” Grace said .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ once a few years ago .
I ’ m a fan of the way he @ @ @ @ @ of the ball .
That ’ s where the respect comes in , especially with @ @ @ @ @ the position .

Mark Grace remembers his final at-bat of the strike-shortened 1994 season.
“I struck out against Rod Beck,” Grace said this week.
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That moment capped a 5-2 loss to the Giants and preceded a 232-day players strike. Grace hopes he doesn’t have to wait that long to resume his duties with the new Marquee Sports Network and the Cubs organization he parted ways with after the 2000 season.
“This job came out of nowhere,” Grace said. “All of a sudden it became a dream job.”
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Grace, 55, remains extremely popular with fans and media members who covered him during his 13 seasons with the Cubs, a run that included four Gold Glove awards and three National League All-Star selections.
And Grace warmed quickly to his assignments, which included a hands-on demonstration with Anthony Rizzo on the art of playing first base and a three-inning stint as a guest analyst with play-by-play announcer Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies during a Cactus League game.
Grace said he was scheduled to serve as analyst for a Cubs-Dodgers game at Sloan Park on March 12 — the same day Major League Baseball suspended spring training amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Who knows what’s going to happen?” Grace said.
But he looks forward to a return to Wrigley Field with an organization that he left on chilly terms before signing with the Diamondbacks, with whom he won a World Series ring in his first season in 2001.
Grace has served as a pre- and postgame analyst for selected Diamondbacks games since 2017, but he works as an independent contractor. That arrangement allows him plenty of flexibility, including the possibility to return to Wrigley with more frequency with the Cubs.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 21 Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
“I think when I go to Chicago, it will sink in,” Grace said.
Grace’s segment with Rizzo whetted his appetite for performing more assignments with the network.
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“First, I’m a big (Rizzo) fan,” Grace said. “I’ve only been around him once a few years ago. I’m a fan of the way he beats you on both sides of the ball. That’s where the respect comes in, especially with the athleticism he brings to the position.
“We didn’t talk about normal things. We talked about positioning against certain hitters and holding runners on. I enjoyed it.”
On a Deep Dish Podcast last April, Grace told the Tribune that “in a lot of ways baseball has become boring.” He said the emphasis on home runs, launch angles and exit velocity took away from the art of sacrifice bunts and hit-and-run plays that he was familiar with during his playing days from 1988 to 2003.
But in a recent interview, Grace reminisced about how he and his fellow players were told to stay idle during the 1994 strike, and he took note of the upgrades in training facilities that entice current players to remain in shape year-round.
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“Donald Fehr (former executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association) told us, ‘Let us settle (the strike),’ “ Grace recalled. “When we walked out, everyone knew the season was pretty much over.”
Grace returned to Southern California once the strike started, but he admitted he would be inclined to stay closer to his team’s spring training facility if he were a current player during the offseason.
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“If I wanted to go to HoHoKam Park (the Cubs’ former spring training home), it would be locked,” Grace said. "If somebody was there, they’d tell you go to home.
“Now, these complexes are so incredible, how could you not use them year-round? You can lift weights and have access to physical therapists and even nutritionists. I might have hit a few more home runs, looking back. The Cubs were smart in having their own facility.
“My thing was as soon as the Rose Bowl game ended, then I’d get back in shape.”
For now, Grace is resigned to waiting at his Phoenix-area home for baseball to be cleared to resume, with some freedom.
“The golf courses are still open,” Grace said. “We’re not worried about cabin fever.”


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--15 players who could be a fit for the Chicago Bears in the second round of the NFL draft

“ It was very strict , ” he said .
“ I didn ’ t really get to do too @ @ @ @ @ t really get to go out .
Only got to focus on sports and school @ @ @ @ @ as my way to get out of the house .
… I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ resented my parents , resented them keeping me in the house so much , but @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m able to separate myself so easily , I ’ m able @ @ @ @ @ I was so focused back then .
”

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace is nothing if not patient. Sometimes, perhaps, to a fault. Still, that patience promises to be tested during the NFL draft.
The Bears began the event with seven selections. But for the second consecutive year, they did not make a pick on Night 1. And barring any trades, the Bears will also be sitting out Rounds 3 and 4 on Friday night and Saturday morning, respectively.
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The Bears’ first two picks are scheduled to come in the middle of the second round, at Nos. 43 and 50, on Friday night. That means Pace and his staff have had to remain patient as several waves of this draft’s best players have come off the board.
[ Brad Biggs’ final NFL mock draft, from pick No. 1 to No. 50 ]
After picking at No. 50? Without a trade, the Bears would have to wait for more than 100 other prospects to be selected before they get a swing at No. 163 in Round 5.
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Just to be clear, forecasting whom the Bears will select with their second-round picks is little more than a needle-in-a-haystack guessing game. Still, to help set the stage, the Tribune assembled a cloud of 15 players who could fit well with what the Bears need.
(Five of those players — Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell, TCU receiver Jalen Reagor, Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz, Auburn cornerback Noah Igbinoghene and TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney — were selected in the first round Thursday.)
Still available
Denzel Mims, Baylor receiver
Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims runs a drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Feb. 27, 2020. (Michael Conroy/AP)
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 207 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: Mims is a speed threat with the overall athleticism to give the Bears offense more downfield potency. He had 66 catches for 1,020 yards with 12 touchdowns last season and boasts an eye-catching combination of size, strength and speed. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at the combine and has an ability to stretch opposing defenses vertically.
Why they’d stay away: Mims will need to become much more detailed and show more concentration as a route runner at the next level. Some of his critics also want him to display more competitive fire to realize his full potential.
Extra point: Kiper is curious to see how Mims adjusts to the demands of becoming an NFL route runner. “The Baylor offense, obviously, is something people question as far as route running,” Kiper said. “Senior Bowl week certainly helped him in that regard. And then he goes and has a phenomenal combine week where he did everything spectacularly well. He’s 6-foot-3, 207. Ran (the 40) in under 4.4. His vertical was almost 40 inches and he ran a great three-cone (drill).”
Michael Pittman Jr., USC receiver
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Southern California wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. dives into the end zone to score a touchdown after pulling in a pass in front of Colorado safety Mikial Onu during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Boulder, Colo. Pittman was selected to The Associated Press All-Pac 12 Conference team, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 223 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: Pittman’s quickness could give the Bears’ passing attack more juice. He ran the 40-yard dash at the combine in 4.52 seconds, a strong time for a receiver of his size. He has impressive ball skills and reliable hands, making him a constant threat on contested catches.
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Why they’d stay away: Pittman isn’t a consistent run-after-catch threat and will need to learn how to create separation at the next level. His explosion off the snap is ordinary.
Extra point: Pittman totaled 101 catches for 1,275 yards with 11 touchdowns in his senior season at USC. Throughout the pre-draft process, he has pushed to sell teams on his strong hands and body control. And he prides himself on his confidence as a playmaker. “I always tell my team, ‘Hey guys, I’m gonna make this play,’” Pittman said at the combine. “Just hold up. (The quarterback will) throw a good ball and I’ll take care of the rest.’”
Cole Kmet, Notre Dame tight end
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 14 Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 262 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: With Trey Burton’s release and questions about what Jimmy Graham still has left, the Bears still could use another playmaking tight end to add to their room of nine. Kmet is some analysts’ top prospect at the position after he had 43 catches for 515 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.
“If you’re saying, ‘OK, who looks like Gronk and who kind of has that physicality to them?’ It would be Kmet,” Jeremiah said. “Now he’s not nearly as athletic as Gronk, but he’s somebody with that big catch radius. He’s tough to tackle. Big, physical and strong. He’s good in the run game. He can create some movement there and help you.”
Why they’d stay away: Kmet was also a baseball player at Notre Dame, and some analysts say there’s still some development for him to do as he turns his focus solely to football. Kmet noted at the combine that his blocking technique is one of the biggest areas he wants to improve.
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Extra point: Kmet is from Lake Barrington, Ill., grew up a Bears fan and played football and baseball at St. Viator. His dad, Frank Kmet, was a Bills fourth-round draft pick, and his uncle, Jeff Zgonina, played 17 seasons in the NFL. He said he knew for a while he was coming to a fork in the road with his baseball career and decided to leave school early and skip his junior baseball season — which since has been canceled — because “football was where my heart was.”
“It was a tough decision in January after the bowl game,” Kmet said. “But I felt like this is what I wanted to do my whole life, and that’s why I took the opportunity.”
Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic tight end
Florida Atlantic tight end Harrison Bryant runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine on Feb. 27, 2020. (Michael Conroy/AP)
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 243 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: As a senior at FAU, Bryant was a first-team All-American and won the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end. He recorded 65 catches for 1,004 yards with seven touchdowns, showcasing his combination of speed, fluidity and savvy. He is exactly the kind of chess piece Matt Nagy desires to use as a tight end in his offense.
Why they’d stay away: Bryant may need to add size and strength to hold up in the NFL and isn’t known as an accomplished blocker. His athleticism, while decent, won’t ever be elite. He might be considered a reach pick in the middle of Round 2.
Extra point: At the combine, Bryant expressed his admiration for the tight-end friendly offensive systems run by the Chiefs and Eagles and has noticed the production that Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz have given those passing attacks. He believes he’d quickly fit into a system such as those. For the record, Matt Nagy’s offense is a branch from that same tree and in need of a playmaking tight end who can create favorable matchups.
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Jacob Eason, Washington quarterback
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 23 Quarterback Jacob Eason of the Washington Huskies looks to pass against the Boise State Broncos during 2019 the Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl. (David Becker/Getty Images)
Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 231 pounds.
Why the Bears should draft him: Along with Jake Fromm and Jalen Hurts, Eason is one of a few potential second-round quarterback prospects that could interest the Bears. Jeremiah said Eason has become “a polarizing figure” during the draft process, with his supporters touting imposing size, excellent arm strength and exciting flashes as he threw for 3,132 yards and 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions in his lone season as Washington’s starter.
Why they’d stay away: Inconsistency within games and a lack of playmaking late in some instances concerned Kiper. And Jeremiah pointed to Eason’s issues with handling opposing defenses’ pressure. “He’s got some bad habits that he’s got to clean up in terms of trying to spin out of pressure,” Jeremiah said. “He takes a lot of bad sacks. He forces throws. He locks on. The touch is an area that needs to be improved.”
Extra point: During his combine media session, Eason wasn’t afraid to talk about what he needs to improve, including his pocket awareness and footwork, and what he needed to prove to interested teams during the lead-up to the draft.
“It’s everything from football IQ to proving I’m a passionate player and that I love this game,” Eason said. “I’m going to work hard to be the best I can be. Arm strength can only get you so far. Obviously I can rely on that in a lot of situations on Saturday, and it can allow me to do some pretty cool things with the ball, but I’ve been working on all the other things that go along with that to make me a more complete player.”
Jonathan Greenard, Florida edge rusher
Florida defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard runs a drill at the NFL scouting combine on Feb. 29, 2020. (Michael Conroy/AP)
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 263 pounds
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Why the Bears should draft him: Even after signing Robert Quinn to ignite the pass rush and take some pressure off Khalil Mack, the Bears could still use more firepower and depth at outside linebacker. Greenard led the SEC last season in sacks (9½) and tackles for loss (15) and was a first-team all-conference selection. He has the athleticism, agility and feel to be a legitimate pass rusher at the NFL level.
Why they’d stay away: It might be a bit of a reach to grab Greenard on Day 2. A wrist injury cost him all but one series of his 2018 season at Louisville and questions about that setback linger. Greenard will also need some time to diversify his pass-rushing repertoire.
Extra point: Jeremiah identifies Greenard as “a real smooth, fluid rusher.” “He can really bend at the top of his rush,” the NFL Network draft analyst said. “… I was a little disappointed he didn’t run better (in the 40-yard dash at the combine.) I thought he played faster than the 4.87 he ran. But he’s real slippery and can bend at the top of his rush, which you like to see.”
Ezra Cleveland, Boise State offensive tackle
Boise State offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland (76) is shown during the first half against Hawaii on Oct. 12, 2019. (Steve Conner/AP)
Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 311 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: Cleveland started 40 games at Boise State and was twice a first-team All-Mountain West selection at left tackle. His athleticism makes him an asset as a run blocker. The Bears have to start looking well beyond 2020 as they stabilize the tackle position.
Why they’d stay away: Cleveland will need to add size and strength to hold up at the next level. He has had difficulty at times controlling more athletic pass rushers and may not develop into more than a reserve swing tackle option.
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Extra point: Cleveland enters the draft with the dreaded “short arms” label aftermeasuring at 33 3/8 inches at the combine. He also fought through a nagging turf toe injury last season, missing significant practice time but no games.
Brandon Jones, Texas safety
Height, weight: 5-foot-11, 198 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: If the Bears are seeking a true strong safety to play alongside Eddie Jackson, Jones fits the mold. He has an aggressive mentality and a thirst to hit. He’s a strong communicator and has played all over the defensive backfield. He was a three-year starter at Texas and a team captain as a senior.
Why they’d stay away: Jones does not possess extraordinary instincts and lacks prototypical NFL size. He also underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder shortly after the Longhorns’ Alamo Bowl appearance.
Extra point: Shortly after having surgery on his shoulder, Jones replaced the standard combine/pro day training with an intense study regimen. He began watching film of all 32 teams and created a thick binder to detail each defense’s tendencies and safety responsibilities. “I am super competitive,” Jones said at the combine, “and I knew I wanted to build my game any way possible. I didn’t want to just rehab and not do anything (else). I wanted to do the most beneficial thing for me.”
Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois safety
Southern Illinois defensive back Jeremy Chinn runs a drill at the NFL scouting combine on March 1, 2020. (Michael Conroy/AP)
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 221 pounds
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Why the Bears should draft him: Chinn, an FCS All-American, had 243 tackles, 13 interceptions, 31 passes defended and six forced fumbles in his four-year SIU career. That included four picks as a senior. Chinn grew up in Fishers, Ind., as a running back and cornerback before he moved to safety at SIU, and analysts like his ball skills, size, range, speed and versatility, with several ranking him among the top four safeties in this class.
Why they’d stay away: Chinn piled up his stats at the FCS level, so he wasn’t playing against top competition. NFL.com and The Athletic cite a need for improving his football instincts.
Extra point: Chinn, the nephew of Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater, believes his versatility is his big weapon. He said he tries to model his game after Tyrann Mathieu, Derwin James and Jamal Adams.
"One, (I like Mathieu’s) versatility,” he said at the combine. “You see him all over the field, playing safety, playing slot corner, playing outside corner, linebacker at times. He blitzes. My past years, I did a lot of those things as well, as far as blitzing, playing down in the box, playing up high, guarding the slot. And also just his play-making ability, his natural instincts. I feel like I have that as well."
Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota defensive back
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 16 Hunter Johnson of the Northwestern Wildcats is sacked by Antoine Winfield Jr. of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Ryan Field. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Height, weight: 5-foot-9, 203 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: Bears fans certainly remember Antoine Winfield Sr., who played 15 seasons for the Bills and Vikings and was selected to three Pro Bowls. The younger Winfield has similar instincts and an obvious competitive edge. His versatility should catch Ryan Pace’s eyes. Winfield was a first-team All-American safety last season and recorded 88 tackles, seven interceptions and two forced fumbles.
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Why they’d stay away: Winfield is undersized. And his skills as a safety may not be the right complement to Eddie Jackson. Winfield also missed a total of 17 games in 2017 and 2018 with hamstring and foot injuries.
Extra point: NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah loves what Winfield brings to the table.
“I keep coming back to this one play that stood out to me at the end of the Fresno State game where you see his instincts,” Jeremiah said. “He kind of baits the quarterback, wheels around and picks off the ball to finish it. His ability to play in the slot gives him some versatility there, as well. … Overall I think he’s a really, really solid player.”
Off the board
A.J. Terrell, Clemson cornerback
Clemson's A.J. Terrell stands during the first half of a game against North Carolina on Sept. 28, 2019. (Chris Seward/AP)
Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 195 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: After cutting Prince Amukamara in February, the Bears still need a second starting cornerback opposite Kyle Fuller. Like Amukamara, Terrell has good length and is aggressive in press-man coverage. The Clemson standout may not be available deep into Round 2. But if he is, the Bears should be ready.
Why they’d stay away: Terrell needs improvement as a tackler and may not be a ready-made Week 1 starter as a rookie. He will need to polish his technique and improve his overall feel.
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Extra point: Terrell had six interceptions and 20 pass break-ups during his college career but struggled significantly in Clemson’s 42-25 national championship game loss to LSU. Will that high-profile hiccup stick in the back of some teams’ minds? Said ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr: “One game can’t determine a players’ fate. Everybody has a disappointing game here or there. … He’s very athletic and has good recovery ability. And when you have decent arm length and can also recover, you can bat down and break up passes that other guys couldn’t.”
Day 1 update: Terrell came off the board at No. 16 overall, selected by the Falcons.
Jalen Reagor, TCU receiver
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 17 TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Height, weight: 5-foot-11, 206 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: Analysts noted Reagor was a tougher evaluation because TCU’s quarterback play didn’t allow him to play to his potential. But Herbstreit said it still is evident he is a “super explosive player” with “an electrifying skillset,” including a 42-inch vertical leap. He’s a playmaker who can beat defenders one-on-one and get up to reel in contested catches. He also had two punt-return touchdowns in 2019.
Why they’d stay away: His production dropped significantly in his junior season, when he totaled 43 catches for 611 yards and five touchdowns. That was down from 72 catches for 1,061 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018. Some of that was due to the erratic quarterback play, but he also had some drops that could cause concern. Herbstreit noted he has been able to rely so much on being a gifted athlete that his route running still needs to develop.
Extra point: Reagor, whose father, Montae, was a defensive lineman for nine NFL seasons, said at the combine he compares himself to Deebo Samuel, Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill. “Big play waiting to happen,” he said. “Very versatile. I can make something happen in situations that you might not think I can. I’m coming to make an immediate impact wherever I go.”
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Day 1 update: Reagor came off the board at No. 21 overall, selected by the Eagles.
Cesar Ruiz, Michigan center/guard
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh greets Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz (51) off the field in the third quarter of an NCAA football game against Army in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. Michigan won 24-21 in double-overtime. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 307 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: Several analysts predict Ruiz could become an NFL starter early in his career after he was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree at Michigan. He has versatility to play guard or center after starting five games at right guard as a freshman before starting 26 at center over the next two seasons. Pro Football Focus named him the best pass-blocking center in the country in 2019, with eight pressures allowed in 447 snaps in pass protection.
Why they’d stay away: There’s a possibility Ruiz comes off the board before the Bears pick, with some mock drafts predicting a climb into the first round. Jeremiah, while high on Ruiz, notes a lack of elite foot quickness.
Extra point: Jeremiah lists Ruiz as his top center in the draft and his 37th-best player. He said Ruiz reminds him of former Cowboys Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick when he was coming out of college.
“He’s just firm and strong,” Jeremiah said. “He’s consistent each and every game. He plays with great awareness. He’s not the quickest afoot, but he does a nice job of latching on and running his feet on contact. And he’s good on combo blocks.”
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Day 1 update: Ruiz came off the board at No. 24 overall, selected by the Saints.
Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn cornerback
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 19 Noah Igbinoghene of the Auburn Tigers returns a kick in the first half against the UCF Knights during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Height, weight: 5-foot-10, 198 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said Igbinoghene “has a chance to really surprise a lot of people and be a big-time player.” Also a sprinter and jumper for Auburn’s track team, Igbinoghene has what Jeremiah dubbed “first-round athleticism” and “toughness that you love.” He was a two-year starter for the Tigers at cornerback and also returned kicks.
Why they’d stay away: After joining Auburn as a wide receiver and playing there as a freshman, Igbinoghene converted to cornerback in 2018. Several analysts suggest he is still raw at the position. He didn’t put up huge numbers in his two years as starter, totaling 19 passes defended and one interception.
Extra point: Igbinoghene is the son of two world-class Nigerian track athletes, Festus and Faith. His mother was a part of the Nigerian 400-meter relay team that won a bronze medal in the 1992 Olympics. He said at the combine that it was “kind of rough” growing up in his household.
“It was very strict,” he said. “I didn’t really get to do too much stuff, didn’t really get to go out. Only got to focus on sports and school, so I used sports as my way to get out of the house. … I’m not going to lie, I resented my parents, resented them keeping me in the house so much, but looking back at it now, I’m able to separate myself so easily, I’m able to focus so easily because I was so focused back then.”
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Day 1 update: Igbinoghene came off the board at No. 30, selected by the Dolphins.
Jeff Gladney, TCU cornerback
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney in action as TCU played Purdue in an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Height, weight: 5-foot-10, 191 pounds
Why the Bears should draft him: NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared Gladney to Browns cornerback Denzel Ward and said he would be “a slam-dunk first rounder” if he were just a little taller. He called him quick, feisty, fluid, tough, and a willing, physical tackler, while Kiper praised his coverage skills, his feet and his awareness. Gladney was a four-year starter at TCU, where he had five career interceptions and 43 passes defended.
Why they’d stay away: His height and lack of bulk raise concerns about how he will fare against bigger wide receivers. Kiper noted his tendency to “get a little handsy at times,” resulting in penalties. Gladney also was ejected for targeting against Texas Tech in November. He is coming off March meniscus surgery after playing through the injury in his senior season.
Extra point: At the combine, Gladney called himself “a physical speed demon” who likes to “stick my nose in everything.” “(My team is) going to get a competitive and durable guy,” he said. “I’m smart. Very coachable. So I think they’ll like what they get.”
Day 1 update: Gladney was selected with the No. 31 pick by the Vikings.


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--What will tonight’s virtual NFL draft be like? Go inside how teams will make their picks, what the B

What will tonight’s virtual NFL draft be like? Go inside how teams will make their picks, what the Bears’ setup is — and how you can still boo Roger Goodell.

“ That is something we can ’ t replicate — what Nashville had last year or all of the years @ @ @ @ @ ) the reactions of the fans , ” ESPN vice president of production Seth Markman @ @ @ @ @ we can do a great job analyzing the players , telling you where they fit @ @ @ @ @ whether it ’ s a good or bad pick .
But the energy of the @ @ @ @ @ re never going to be able to replicate .
”

The NFL will hold a draft unlike any other Thursday through Saturday as executives, coaches and scouts work from their homes because of the coronavirus pandemic.
After the league canceled the public draft events in Las Vegas and mandated that everyone work separately to ensure safety and competitive fairness, all parties have spent the last several weeks ironing out technical details of what ESPN and NFL Network executives called the most complicated event they’ve been a part of.
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“I’ve been involved in Super Bowls, NBA Finals, Olympics, you name it,” said Mark Quenzel, NFL Network’s senior vice president of programming and production. “There’s nothing that even comes close to this (in complexity).”
From NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reading the picks in his basement to Bears general manager Ryan Pace working at his dining room table — hopefully without vacuum interference — here’s what we know about how the first virtual NFL draft will operate.
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[ Your virtual NFL draft party guide ]
How is the NFL ensuring teams get their picks in smoothly?
Much of the pageantry that has become a part of the draft won’t be possible this year.
Gone are the 32 tables in Selection Square, where team representatives wait for the name of the selected player to write on a card they will turn in to the league. The players’ walk to the stage to hug Roger Goodell and receive their new jerseys as thousands of fans scream will not happen.
Instead, NFL vice president of player personnel Ken Fiore will wait in his home in Garden City, N.Y., for each team’s representative, typically the general manager, to submit the pick via one of several channels.
Happy Draft Day, NFL fans. Good luck to every team. A quick tour of my basement where I’ll be announcing picks for the 2020 #NFLDraft.
See you tonight! pic.twitter.com/ZtepCqPYz5 — Roger Goodell (@nflcommish) April 23, 2020
Teams will be connected to the league through Microsoft Teams to make picks and communicate, according to Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president of events and club business development. The Athletic reported that Webex also will be used. Teams will be on a conference call the entire time with the ability to unmute their lines to speak. And if all else fails with those lines of communication, there’s always email and phone calls.
The league conducted a test run Monday for teams.
“You have multiple layers to share information as well as a very clear process for trades,” O’Reilly said. “At the end of the day, it’s actually not that different in terms of the flow of information into Ken Fiore and the player personnel side and the NFL side.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh was among those who raised concerns about what the league and teams are doing to prevent hacking.
[ Brad Biggs’ final NFL mock draft, from pick No. 1 to No. 50 ]
O’Reilly didn’t get into details, but he said the NFL’s security team, along with team IT employees, have protections in place and protocols ready so they can move quickly if something happens.
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Once the pick is in, Goodell will announce it — from the basement of his house in Westchester County, N.Y., according to NBC Sports — and O’Reilly suggested Goodell might congratulate the players via video call. The NFL will have video feeds on 58 prospects, and New Era sent those players 32 ballcaps so they can put on the correct one when their names are called.
What will the Bears setup be like?
Ryan Pace did his pre-draft video conference call Tuesday from his draft setup space — in his dining room, just steps from his kitchen, where he could hear his daughter, Cardyn, doing her e-learning.
He had the Bears IT team come in a week ago to get his house ready. He said he has seven monitors at his disposal, has increased the bandwidth at his home and has a cord running from his router upstairs to his setup downstairs to ensure his internet continues to run smoothly.
The cord was necessary because previously Pace would be on video conferences with players and could tell by the WiFi strength when his daughter was on her iPad. He also had a hiccup one day when his wife, Stephanie, was vacuuming and accidentally unplugged his monitors.
“There will be a lot of fun stories to tell when this is all said and done,” Pace said. “It’s been a really unique circumstance, but (my family) has been awesome through the whole process and I’m just very thankful for them.”
[ Should the Bears pick a quarterback in the 2020 NFL draft? Here are some options for them at No. 43, No. 50 — and on Day 3. ]
Not to worry, Bears fans: All went smoothly on the Bears’ end during the NFL’s mock draft, and Pace has often complimented his IT staff.
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He said he already has touched base with numerous teams about potential trades, and he has a phone with every GM on speed dial — the same as he would have in the normal draft room — should anyone want to make one.
A unique pre-draft press conference for a unique 2020 NFL Draft.
Watch Ryan Pace's full presser from earlier today: https://t.co/ziZ2vZYDvk @Hyundai | #BearsDraft pic.twitter.com/c6te2GZ3vL — Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 21, 2020
“Everything’s efficient,” he said. “Leaning on the continuity of our staff, I don’t have any concerns about us pulling off trades or being aggressive in that nature if we need to be.”
What will the broadcasts look like?
ESPN and NFL Network are combining forces to do one broadcast over all three days with host Trey Wingo in studio and reporter Suzy Kolber conducting remote interviews from the studio.
The rest of the talent will be working from home, and because of the joint effort, it’s possible, for example, for ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah to be on screen at the same time.
ABC’s broadcast, on Thursday and Friday only, will have Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and Maria Taylor in studio.
[ Subscriber Exclusive: Sign up to text directly with our Chicago Bears beat writers ]
The networks will have cameras on every team’s general manager and head coach, the 58 prospects and dozens of reporters and analysts. So while the draft war room shots of teams reacting to their picks won’t be available, they will be replaced by team leaders reacting in their home offices. There are, of course, limitations to what the networks can show from those offices.
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The reaction shots of fans won’t be quite the same, either, and the networks are cognizant of that. They have solicited fan videos that might be incorporated.
“That is something we can’t replicate — what Nashville had last year or all of the years of Radio City (with) the reactions of the fans,” ESPN vice president of production Seth Markman said. “We know we can do a great job analyzing the players, telling you where they fit into their teams, debating whether it’s a good or bad pick. But the energy of the fans is something we’re never going to be able to replicate.”
Markman said the NFL combine, held before coronavirus restrictions were in place, helped them produce vignettes of more than 70 players, and those will be used to tell the players’ stories. The ABC broadcast again will be more focused on such stories.
What are the biggest obstacles for the broadcasts?
One of the most challenging aspects for ESPN and NFL Network is coordinating video feeds from as many as 180 sources.
The feeds will be grouped by category and run through a video call center, which will send them in small batches to ESPN to make them more manageable.
“The number of potential things to do at any given moment, the number of assets and sources you have, is mind-boggling,” NFL Network’s Mark Quenzel said. “So we’re trying to be sure we streamline that into ESPN, into Bristol.”
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[ Hits, misses and busts: Grading all of Ryan Pace’s 32 draft picks as the Chicago Bears GM ]
The NFL sent out kits with hardware and instructions with the idea the prospects and others would be able to install their video setups themselves, with technical support over the phone if needed. That limited the number of IT staffs they had to send out to houses.
The number of people in studio also will be limited as a safety precaution.
A typical control room for a broadcast might have 15 to 20 people in it, but for this one, seven people will be in each of two control rooms, spread out by more than 6 feet. Except for the on-air talent, employees have been asked to wear masks, which can make communication challenging.
How will the league and networks address the coronavirus pandemic?
NFL Network’s Mark Quenzel and ESPN’s Seth Markman spoke multiple times about setting the “right tone” for the broadcast given the pandemic. They talked about providing joy and an escape for NFL fans while also acknowledging all that’s happening in the world.
“It’s about drafting players, but even more clearly, it’s about setting the tone that we understand there is something much larger than us going on in the world,” Quenzel said. “How do we set that tone first thing on Thursday night, and how do we continue to maintain it throughout the draft?”
The league recently announced a “Draft-a-thon” fundraiser for COVID-19 relief efforts.
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Hosted by Rich Eisen and Deion Sanders and featuring athletes, actors and musicians, it will be featured on NFL social media and digital platforms and also will play a part in the live draft broadcasts. It will benefit the American Red Cross, the CDC Foundation’s All of Us: Combat Coronavirus Campaign, Feeding America, Meals on Wheels America, Salvation Army and United Way. The fundraiser’s home is at NFL.com/relief.
“It’s not just going to be a solicitation for money,” Quenzel said. “Part of Draft-a-thon is saluting the medical first responders, the people in grocery stores. … (It’s) making sure we’re giving a proper salute and proper thank you to all of the people who are not staying home every day and are keeping not just people alive but food on the table, that type of thing. That’s part of Draft-a-thon as much as the money is.”
How can fans get involved in the draft without being present?
The NFL has its usual array of interactive activities on social media and digital platforms, including partnerships with SnapChat, Spotify and TikTok.
Along with ESPN calling for fan videos, Bud Light is asking fans to submit their boos so they can carry on the “important tradition” of booing Goodell. For each #BooTheCommish post, Bud Light will donate $1 to the Draft-a-thon, up to $500,000.
The NFL Draft will be without an important tradition. And we just can't let that stand. Record your boos then post & tag @budlight and #BooTheCommish. We’ll deliver the boos to the Draft, and for each #BootheCommish thru April 25, we’ll donate $1 to NFL Draft-a-Thon up to $500K. pic.twitter.com/fnvcYDpZPW — Bud Light Seltzer (@budlight) April 20, 2020
And for gambling types, fans can not only bet on when players will be drafted, but also make wacky prop bets with a quarantine theme. That includes the over/under for number of people in the same room, whether a team won’t get a pick in on time, if the draft will be hacked and whether any draftee will experience technical difficulties or put on the wrong hat.
Not yet found: a bet for whether a vacuum will disrupt a GM’s pick.
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2020 NFL draft
Thursday-Saturday, ABC-7, ESPN, NFL Network
Round 1: 7 p.m. Thursday
Rounds 2-3: 6 p.m. Friday
Rounds 4-7: 11 a.m. Saturday
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chicagotribune--2020-04-22--A commercial that aired during ESPN documentary ‘The Last Dance’ hints at advertising’s deepfake fut

A commercial that aired during ESPN documentary ‘The Last Dance’ hints at advertising’s deepfake future

“ This is the kind of stuff that ESPN will eventually make a documentary about , ” Mayne says .
@ @ @ @ @ it something like ‘ The Last Dance.
’ They ’ ll make it a 10-part @ @ @ @ @ the year 2020 .
It ’ s going to be lit .
You don ’ @ @ @ @ @ means yet.
” As a vintage State Farm logo appears in the background , he @ @ @ @ @ clip will be used to promote the documentary in a State Farm commercial .
”

Unable to film new commercials during the coronavirus pandemic, advertising agencies are turning to technologies that can seamlessly alter old footage, sometimes putting viewers in a position of doubting what they are seeing.
During Sunday’s episodes of “The Last Dance,” the ESPN documentary series about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, State Farm ran a commercial featuring expertly doctored footage of longtime “SportsCenter” anchor Kenny Mayne.
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In the ad, a much younger Mayne is seated at the “SportsCenter” desk in 1998. He reports on the Bulls’ sixth championship title — before taking a turn toward the prophetic.
“This is the kind of stuff that ESPN will eventually make a documentary about,” Mayne says. “They’ll call it something like ‘The Last Dance.’ They’ll make it a 10-part series and release it in the year 2020. It’s going to be lit. You don’t even know what that means yet.” As a vintage State Farm logo appears in the background, he adds, “And this clip will be used to promote the documentary in a State Farm commercial.”
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The producers made the commercial by layering video of Mayne’s 60-year-old mouth onto footage of his 38-year-old face. To many viewers, the stunt provided a welcome moment of levity in depressing times. Others were made uneasy by the smoothness of the patch, describing it as a type of deepfake.
“We tried to make the joke clear enough so that we weren’t tricking anyone,” said Carrie Brzezinski-Hsu, the head of ESPN CreativeWorks, which created the commercial with the ad agencies Optimum Sports and Translation.
Brzezinski-Hsu said manipulated footage was likely to appear in future ESPN ads. And executives at several major advertising agencies said they had discussed making similar commercials with their clients in recent weeks.
“We’re so restricted in how we can generate content,” said Kerry Hill, production director for the ad agency FCB in North America. “Anything that can be computer generated is something we’re going to explore.”
Husani Oakley, chief technology officer of the ad firm Deutsch, said digitally altered ads should somehow clue viewers into the fact that what they are seeing is not completely real.
“The technology is here, and it’s only going to get better and better, and we have to get used to it,” he added. “We’re exploring ways to have fun with it.”
The ad industry had started to show interest in digital manipulation before the pandemic. In 2018, the ad agency Wieden & Kennedy London collaborated with artist Gillian Wearing on a deepfake film featuring people whose facial features were blended with Wearing’s.
This year, the ad firm Goodby Silverstein & Partners worked on an app that allowed users to appear to be doing the dance moves pulled off by Lil Nas X in a Doritos commercial. Executives described the experience as turning “deepfake into dancefake.”
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As face-swapping and voice-generating technologies have become more refined and accessible, people on video calls have superimposed Elon Musk’s face over their own as they chat.
While the blurring of the real and the fake can be amusing on Zoom or in the promotion of snack foods, it presents thorny ethical issues around consent and disinformation. Pornographic deepfake videos, with real-seeming political figures and celebrities in central roles, have circulated on Reddit. A recent doctored video appeared to show Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès of Belgium linking the coronavirus pandemic to climate change. Before the 2020 vote, Facebook and Twitter have said they are closely monitoring manipulated videos.
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On Monday, President Donald Trump promoted a digitally altered commercial promoting his candidacy on his Twitter account. The video relied on doctored footage taken from an Allstate Insurance commercial featuring the company’s pitchman, actor Dennis Haysbert.
In place of Haysbert’s head, there is the head of former President Barack Obama. He is seated in a living room with a group of men watching a TV commercial for Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. The commercial-within-the-commercial uses audio from a 2017 event during which Biden talked about having worked as a lifeguard at a swimming pool. “I loved kids jumping on my lap,” the candidate says, as Obama’s companions shoot him disapproving looks.
The video, which has gotten more than 14 million views, ends with the Trump-Pence logo. It does not include Trump offering a statement approving the commercial. The Trump campaign and Allstate did not reply to requests for comment.
The grafting of Obama’s head onto Haysbert’s body was too crude to fool viewers, but as the ESPN-State Farm ad made clear, the tech is advanced enough to make many people doubt what they are seeing.
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Oakley, the chief technology officer at Deutsch, said that social media platforms might need to eventually develop algorithms to help viewers distinguish ads with real humans from those that have been digitally altered.
“We won’t be able to tell the difference,” he said. “We’ll have to rely on the machines to tell us that the videos were made by machines.”
c.2020 The New York Times Company


chicagotribune--2020-04-24--Travis Scott’s trippy ‘Fortnite’ invasion: Welcome to the coronavirus era of live music

And it 's one with power .
`` Fortnite 's '' Marshmello concert reportedly attracted more than 10 million people @ @ @ @ @ will no doubt continue to turn to games to explore the potential benefits of their @ @ @ @ @ there was any confusion as to why Scott was appearing in `` Fortnite , '' @ @ @ @ @ , Cactus Jack/Epic/Wicked Awesome , sent a press release detailing that the new single , @ @ @ @ @ '' -branded Scott action figure and NERF gun , would be available this evening .

In an alternate version of 2020, hip-hop artist Travis Scott would have finished his second performance atop the bill at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this past weekend. Yet in a sign of our stay-at-home times, the Houston artist instead essentially just headlined "Fortnite," the competitive video game-turned-brand platform that is as much a social network as it is a way to get shot with virtual bullets by strangers.
The battle royal game has never been this psychedelic. Moments before the event began Thursday evening our digital guns disappeared. Instead, players could suddenly wield a flaming microphone stand and hoist it above our heads as we danced.
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Welcome to the coronavirus era of live music events.
Scott's invasion of "Fortnite" was essentially an interactive music video, one the artist used to premiere "The Scotts," a new song with Kid Cudi. While Scott's concerts can be over-the-top spectacles involving amusement park rides, in "Fortnite," the artist and Epic Games focused on the trippier side of his work. Throughout the roughly 10-minute experience, players were constantly disorientated, teleported around the "Fortnite" map while an extremely buff holographic version of Scott (at least until he took on more of a cyborg form) stomped throughout an interactive universe.
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While some of "Fortnite's" other high-profile pop culture events — the premiere of a clip from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" or concert from electronic artist Marshmello — felt relatively loose and free-form, Scott and the North Carolina-based Epic Games concocted a communal event that had ambitions to transcend its promotional nature.
While quickly touching on hits such as "Sicko Mode" and "Goosebumps," players were constantly thrown around the world. Every few seconds the screen would flash as we were tossed from "Fortnite's" beachside towns to outer space, and at one point we were completely submerged under water, attempting to float toward an astronaut.
While players swirled around and away from Scott, the event, dubbed "Astronomical," constantly aimed to toy with our perceptions. If there's a party-amid-the-flames aspect to Scott's increasingly languid soundscapes, "Astronomical" was hedonism at its most disorienting, largely giving a makeover to "Fortnite's" exaggerated and simplistic design.
When shot to an area filled with palm trees, with Scott the Giant and a neon light shower towering above us, "Astronomical" had something of an '80s-inspired, "Miami Vice" aesthetic. But that was short lived; soon star fields glistened and the ground below our avatars morphed into neon-green dance floors.
While much of the iconography was pulled from art stemming from Scott's 2018 album "Astroworld," including the cover that turns Scott's head into a golden entryway into an amusement park, there were surprises, such as the mechanical planet-like structure filled with carnival rides that gradually fell apart as we flew closer. It came to an end as we flew through a space into a flashing butterfly light, a callback to an earlier "Fortnite" event.
The event built to the premiere of the new song — "Fortnite" centered on moments from "The Scotts" that appeared to feature slower, melancholic synths — and then ended abruptly. A flash of light, and suddenly we were no longer in what seemed to be the video game of Scott's dreams and back to "Fortnite," where the digital bullets could then inflict harm on our virtual characters.
If there's a shortcoming to "Fortnite" becoming a rival to, say, Facebook or YouTube, it's that it comes with its own language, requiring users to essentially puppeteer avatars around the world to experience content.
But while "Fortnite" can be intimidating to the uninitiated — this world isn't as friendly as that of, say, "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" — it is versatile. It can house the Avengers, and also construct its own pop-up amusement park outside of arenas. As it evolves, at times "Fortnite" feels less like a game and more an experiment to test the waters on where interactive entertainment can go.
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And it's one with power. "Fortnite's" Marshmello concert reportedly attracted more than 10 million people, so artists and brands will no doubt continue to turn to games to explore the potential benefits of their outlandish virtual stages. Lest there was any confusion as to why Scott was appearing in "Fortnite," moments later his record label, Cactus Jack/Epic/Wicked Awesome, sent a press release detailing that the new single, as well as "Fortnite"-branded Scott action figure and NERF gun, would be available this evening.
“Astronomical” will repeat four more times through Saturday, with staggered times aimed at various time zones around the globe. Arrive about 30 minutes early to get a lay of the game’s map and to navigate to the show. You’ll want time to play with that flaming microphone stand.


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--Looking ahead to the Chicago Bears’ second-round draft picks: 6 cornerbacks and 6 wide receivers com

Looking ahead to the Chicago Bears’ second-round draft picks: 6 cornerbacks and 6 wide receivers come off the board in Round 1

Wide receiver is another Bears position of need , and six were taken in the first round .
That started @ @ @ @ @ Bears target Jalen Reagor of TCU , who went to the Eagles at No .
@ @ @ @ @ of receivers is widely regarded as deep , and USC ’ s Michael Pittman Jr. @ @ @ @ @ Mims are among those on the board .

General managers and coaches, many with their children at their sides, settled on their draft picks Thursday night from their living rooms and home offices.
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin prepared to pick LSU quarterback Joe Burrow first overall with family members in the kitchen next to his setup. Dolphins coach Brian Flores put his kids on the phone with Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after Miami took him fifth overall.
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Burrow received the news on his couch with only his mom and dad next to him. Tagovailoa wore a suit in his living room for the occasion, while Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III celebrated his draft call from the Raiders in a robe.
Those will be the enduring images of the first round of the NFL’s first "virtual" draft, held at home rather than in its planned location in Las Vegas because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The video from the Bears’ homes, however, will wait until Friday night.
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The Bears didn’t have a first-round pick Thursday after dealing it to the Raiders for Khalil Mack in 2018. With a dearth of picks this year, general manager Ryan Pace held firm and didn’t trade up into the first round, so the Bears instead will be on the clock for the first time with the Nos. 43 and 50 selections Friday.
“Having two 2s, I keep on going back to it, that’s big,” Pace said earlier this week. “(Not having a first-rounder) puts it on us as evaluators and scouts and coaches to maximize the draft picks we have. Fortunately, we have two 2s and it is a deep draft, and we’ve just got to capitalize at that point.”
In 2019, Pace played Mack highlights in the draft room when the Raiders used one of the two first-round picks they acquired in the trade. The Bears’ Twitter account posted Mack highlights Thursday night when the Raiders were on the clock for the other, which they used to take Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette at No. 19.
Cornerback is a position of need for the Bears, and Arnette was one of six taken in the first round. The Lions took Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah third overall, after Burrow and Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, who went to the Redskins.
One potential Bears target, Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell, went to the Falcons at No. 16. Auburn’s Noah Igbinoghene went to the Dolphins at No. 30, and TCU’s Jeff Gladney went to the Vikings at No. 31. But Alabama’s Trevon Diggs and LSU’s Kristian Fulton are among the highly rated corners still left.
“When I look at corner, for me it’s really no different than pass rusher, you cannot have enough of those guys,” Pace said. “So I think it’s something we’re always looking at improving.”
Wide receiver is another Bears position of need, and six were taken in the first round. That started with Ruggs and included potential Bears target Jalen Reagor of TCU, who went to the Eagles at No. 21. But this class of receivers is widely regarded as deep, and USC’s Michael Pittman Jr. and Baylor’s Denzel Mims are among those on the board.
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USC receiver Michael Pittman Jr. might be a target for the Chicago Bears in the second round of the NFL draft. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
The Bears also need offensive linemen, tight ends and safeties. Michigan center Cesar Ruiz went to the Saints at No. 24, but no player from the latter two position groups was taken.
There were no huge surprises in the top 10, which proceeded without a trade for the first time since 2015. Three quarterbacks went in the top six picks, and four were drafted in the first round. The Chargers took Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert sixth, while the Packers took Utah State quarterback Jordan Love 26th.
The NFL tried to set a subdued tone given the world is struggling with a pandemic, as Commissioner Roger Goodell asked for a moment of silence to open the night. Harry Connick Jr. sang the national anthem as a montage of essential workers played on the screen.
The joint ESPN/NFL Network broadcast, which was expected to involve as many as 180 video feeds, unfolded without many visible glitches.
Goodell fumbled an announcement that Las Vegas was being awarded the 2022 draft, though the NFL sent out a statement a short time later to clarify. There were a handful of delays as lone studio host Trey Wingo interacted with reporters from their homes. And Raiders coach Jon Gruden may or may not have live-streamed his draft board.
Otherwise, everything appeared to run smoothly.
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Now they just have to do it for six more rounds. The draft continues with the second and third rounds at 6 p.m. Friday on ESPN, NFL Network and ABC.


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--Ask Amy: Aunt wants to reunite with long-lost family

You all need to understand that contacting these long-lost children does NOT guarantee a happy outcome .
They might not @ @ @ @ @ say you do n't know the reason they did n't have any contact with their @ @ @ @ @ have been safe with her ) .
If they were raised by their father , @ @ @ @ @ narrative in their household that does not favor reconciliation .

Dear Amy: My older sister's first marriage ended badly. Her husband cheated on her multiple times and stole money from our folks.
When they divorced, he took the kids.
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I was still in high school and was not privy to the reasons.
No one from our side of the family has seen my sister's children for over 20 years. I never forgot about them. With the advance of social media, I was finally able to find them.
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My sister has since remarried and has a son who is 10 years younger than his half-siblings. I'm very close to this nephew. He mentioned that he sometimes wishes he wasn't an only child and that he often felt lonely.
I almost spilled the beans right then and there that he has two half-siblings, but I was able to hold my tongue.
My sister has health issues now and is going blind. I want for our family to reconnect with my niece and nephew, and I want my sister to see her kids while she still can.
I told my mom about my discovery. She told me that this may be too stressful for my sister, given her health. She asked me not to mention it to her.
I'm so torn. I think my sister would love to see her long-lost kids, but at the same time she might feel ashamed and heartbroken for all the years she wasn't there for them.
My husband thinks I should just leave this alone, as it is not my story to find the ending to, but I just can't seem to do so.
I truly loved those kids and wish to see them and have a relationship with them. I think my younger nephew deserves to know that he has siblings. What should I do?
— Sad Family Situation
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Dear Sad: Despite your mother's protective advice, I think you should take this to your sister. Let her decide what she wants to do. If she wants to try to reconcile, you could offer to help make the connection.
You should accept it as a given that nobody in your family wants your sister to feel hurt or upset, but - this might have been weighing heavily on her mind and heart. You can hope that - with your support -- she would feel brave enough to attempt a reconciliation.
You all need to understand that contacting these long-lost children does NOT guarantee a happy outcome. They might not want to reconnect. You say you don't know the reason they didn't have any contact with their mother (they might not have been safe with her). If they were raised by their father, he might have created a narrative in their household that does not favor reconciliation.
You should not take this information to your young nephew. You don't mention his age, but he should not be put in charge of this challenging dilemma until he is emotionally old enough to make his own choices -- and handle the consequences.
Dear Amy: The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a mental health crisis for some people. Please remind your readers that talk therapy is useful and can be lifesaving. Therapists and social workers have quickly adopted "telehealth" virtual tools for seeing clients. Websites such as Teladoc, Amwell, MdLive, Doctor on Demand, and Psychology Today offer directories of therapists and specialties. Many insurers are temporarily waiving co-pays.
— Clinician
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Dear Clinician: Thank you so much for offering this information. I would add that Crisis Text Line is very easy to use and could be a valuable first stop for someone in crisis. Simply text 741-741 and a volunteer social worker and crisis counselor will respond very quickly via text. This service is free and available 24/7.
Dear Amy: I just read your response to "Wondering Wife," who had the insight that her husband might have Aspergers.
I have been married to a wonderful man for almost 50 years. When the show "Big Bang Theory" first came out, I said, "I know people like that - in fact, I am married to one!"
Thank you for writing that Aspergers (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is "not an illness or disease. It is simply a unique way of thinking, seeing, and interacting."
Ask Amy Daily No-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >
I gave up "wondering" about my husband years ago.
One needs to look past their actions and supposed "shortcomings" to what's in their heart.
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— CS
Dear CS: Learning more about how people with ASD perceive and react to the world, and having a label that fits - can help.
Get the latest no-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning with our Ask Amy newsletter. Sign up here.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
Copyright 2019 by Amy Dickinson
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--10 players still available who could be a fit for the Chicago Bears in the second round of the NFL d

10 players still available who could be a fit for the Chicago Bears in the second round of the NFL draft


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--Man accused of trying to carjack off-duty Chicago outside South Loop hotel where first responders gi

Man accused of trying to carjack off-duty Chicago outside South Loop hotel where first responders given shelter

Isaias Saucedo-Ugalde , 21 , of the 4400 Block of S. Fairfield Avenue , was charged with attempted robbery , @ @ @ @ @ expected to appear in bond court for a hearing on Friday afternoon at the Leighton @ @ @ @

The off-duty Chicago police officer was walking to his car in a South Loop parking garage Thursday evening when a man followed him into the elevator, tucked his hand into his sweatshirt and demanded his keys.
“I have a gun and I will shoot you," the man yelled as the elevator headed to the third level of the garage in the 700 block of South Wabash Avenue, according to a police report.
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Isaias Saucedo-Ugalde is charged with attempted robbery after trying to carjack an off-duty Chicago police officer on Thursday, April 23, 2020. (Chicago Police Department)
“Are you serious?" the officer asked.
“I will shoot you," the man threatened again.
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So the officer did as he was asked, tossing the keys to the man. “While the offender was temporarily distracted, the off-duty police officer performed an emergency takedown," the report states. He held the man, later identified as Isaias Saucedo-Ugalde, 21, until officers arrived.
The garage is near the Hotel Essex, where the officer and other first responders have been staying after their shifts during the coronavirus outbreak.
Saucedo-Ugalde, of the 4400 block of South Fairfield Avenue, was charged with attempted robbery. He was scheduled to appear at a bond hearing Friday afternoon at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
rsobol@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--Illinois golf courses have the green light to reopen May 1, but they await the state’s ‘strict safet

Illinois golf courses have the green light to reopen May 1, but they await the state’s ‘strict safety guidelines’ amid COVID-19

“ We are thankful that the governor ’ s office has reintroduced golf , ” said Carrie Williams , executive @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Golf can be part of the solution for people seeking physical activity and @ @ @ @ @ While we want golf to be as accessible as possible , we are adamant that @ @ @ @ @ .
We trust and will enforce the governor ’ s directive .
”

Like finding a ball that was thought to be lost off the tee, Illinois golfers got some good news Thursday: Courses may open May 1 under “strict safety guidelines.”
What are those guidelines? They had not been spelled out as of 8 p.m. Thursday.
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Course operators continually refreshed their browsers in hopes of learning what Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity had in mind.
They were curious if the regulations would be identical to those of neighboring states such as Indiana and Iowa, which kept courses open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and Wisconsin and Minnesota, which recently rescinded their bans.
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Up for discussion: Would carts be permitted? And if so, would they be single-rider or would those who live in the same residence be permitted to ride side-by-side?
Would courses be required to spread out tee times in 15-minute intervals, up from the standard 9 to 10 minutes? Or would that be merely a suggestion?
And with clubhouses closed, would all transactions need to be made online?
Not up for discussion: New customs that make golf essentially a touch-free sport — no rakes for the bunkers, no ballwashers, and flagsticks are not to be handled. Courses have inserted foam into cups so that golfers can retrieve balls without reaching down. And golf course officials have stressed the need for players to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet.
Whatever the fine print, golfers and golf organizations are happy with the big picture.
“We are thankful that the governor’s office has reintroduced golf,” said Carrie Williams, executive director of the Illinois PGA. “Golf can be part of the solution for people seeking physical activity and a relief from stress. While we want golf to be as accessible as possible, we are adamant that it has to be safe. We trust and will enforce the governor’s directive.”
Roughly half of America’s courses are open for play.
Locals flocked to courses such as the Village Links of Glen Ellyn on March 25 during a two-day reprieve. A reversal by the governor’s office sent Illinois golfers back inside after it was determined that recreational sports businesses — including golf courses — are “not considered essential businesses” amid the shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Since then, Illinois residents have been crossing state lines to support an industry that provides 50,466 jobs and $1.5 billion in annual wages in Illinois, according to WeAreGolf.org.
Now that revenue will remain in-state.


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--Roger Goodell asked for boos at the virtual NFL draft. So here are the best #BooTheCommish tweets.

If the NFL and Bud Light hadn ’ t solicited fans to take to social media to # BooTheCommish during @ @ @ @ @ 2020 draft , one wonders if the boo-birds would ’ ve come up with the @ @ @

If the NFL and Bud Light hadn’t solicited fans to take to social media to #BooTheCommish during the first night of the NFL/2020/ draft, one wonders if the boo-birds would’ve come up with the idea anyway.
We’ll never know, but we wouldn’t have bet against it — so ingrained is the tradition and natural yearning to heckle /NFL commissioner/ Roger Goodell after he announces every draft pick.
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Since fans can’t assemble in Las Vegas to boo Goodell in person because of thenear-nationwide coronavirus quarantine, the NFL and Bud Light encouraged fans to send videos of themselves booing Goodell with each video Anheuser-Busch pledging $1 per video (up to $500,000) toward COVID-19 relief.
Fans didn’t waste any time, with one Twitter user uploading video of himself and his family jeering Goodell as he gave opening remarks on their TV screen.
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Edit Info
Even better, another user posed video reminiscent of the spontaneous sing-alongs from quarantined residents that has become popular — only this time the video panning cityscapes was set to a chorus of boos for Goodell.
Edit Info
It was a neat trick for one family to get their dog to howl along with their boos, or perhaps the mere sight and sound of Goodell triggers some animal instinct.
Edit Info
Credit @Ballgame1981 for addressing the elephant in the room: Goodell encouraging the #BooTheCommish campaign, which raises money for COVID-19 relief, diminishes the very act.
Edit Infof the NFL and Bud Light hadn’t solicited fans to take to social media to #BooTheCommish during the first night of the 2020 draft, one wonders if the boo-birds would’ve come up with the idea anyway.
We’ll never know, but we wouldn’t have bet against it — so ingrained is the tradition and natural yearning to heckle NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he announces every draft pick.
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Since fans can’t assemble in Las Vegas to boo Goodell in person because of the coronavirus quarantine, the NFL and Bud Light encouraged fans to send videos of themselves booing Goodell with Anheuser-Busch pledging $1 per video (up to $500,000) toward COVID-19 relief.
Fans didn’t waste any time, with one Twitter user uploading video of his family jeering Goodell as he gave opening remarks on their TV screen.
We ain’t letting Goodell get away with one cause there’s nobody at his house #BooTheCommish pic.twitter.com/aPYMU9kjAa — Tre Garcia (@TreGarcia4) April 24, 2020
Even better, another user posed video reminiscent of the spontaneous sing-alongs from quarantined residents that has become popular — only this time the video panning cityscapes was set to a chorus of boos for Goodell.
A beautiful moment as football fans across the country take to their windows and balconies to #BooTheCommish Roger Goodell as the NFL Draft commences virtually due to the coronavirus outbreak 🙌🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/PCYG3Ylqgk — Bryan Bronchik (@BryanBronchik) April 24, 2020
It was a neat trick for one family to get their dog to howl along with their boos, or perhaps the mere sight and sound of Goodell triggers some animal instinct.
Credit @Ballgame1981 for addressing the elephant in the room: Goodell encouraging the #BooTheCommish campaign, which raises money for COVID-19 relief, diminishes the very act.


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--Bart Johnson, a former White Sox pitcher and longtime scout with the organization, dies at 70

The Sox drafted Johnson in the first round in 1968 .
He played for the team from 1969-74 and 1976-77 @ @ @ @ @ a 3.94 ERA and 17 saves in 185 career games ( 97 starts ) .
@ @ @ @ @ 14 saves in 1971 and finished third on the team with 153 strikeouts .

Bart Johnson, who played eight seasons with the White Sox and later was a longtime scout for the organization, died Wednesday. He was 70. The cause of death was not disclosed.
The White Sox extend condolences to the family and friends of former pitcher Bart Johnson, who passed away yesterday.
Johnson was a first-round pick of the Sox in 1968 and played his entire eight-year career (1969-74, ’76-77) in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/buPqDPJw6I — Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 24, 2020
The Sox drafted Johnson in the first round in 1968. He played for the team from 1969-74 and 1976-77. Johnson went 43-51 with a 3.94 ERA and 17 saves in 185 career games (97 starts). He led the Sox with 14 saves in 1971 and finished third on the team with 153 strikeouts.
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Johnson served as a Sox scout from 1980-97.
Sad day for the White Sox organization. A teammate of mine passed away. Bart Johnson’s journey is over. He was a wonderful athlete who played basketball as well as he played baseball. His arm was as good as Goose Gossage’s arm. He was a great baseball scout and a fine human being — Steve Stone (@stevestone) April 24, 2020
Johnson was also a scout for the Rays and Nationals and worked with the gold medal-winning 2000 U.S. Olympic baseball team.


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--Prosecutors: Man fleeing police caused violent crash in West Garfield Park that killed passenger

In court , prosecutors said the collision was so horrific that the engine from Moore ’ s car was torn @ @ @ @ @ on the street .
Prosecutors said the incident began when Moore , who was driving @ @ @ @ @ with two passengers , cut off an unmarked police SUV as he exited the parking @ @ @ @ @ liquor store .
The SUV followed Moore ’ s car and tried to curb it @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors said .

A Pill Hill man wanted on a traffic offense sped away from Chicago police in February, leading to a violent high-speed crash that killed one of his passengers and injured three others, including himself, prosecutors said Thursday.
The Feb. 5 crash in the 3800 block of West Lake Street left Mackelin Moore, 49, with a torn aorta in addition to killing Ezell Ricky Island, 54.
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Moore, of the 9100 block of South Chappel Avenue, who underwent surgery to repair his heart valve, faced a judge at the Leighton Criminal Court Building for class 3 reckless homicide.
In court, prosecutors said the collision was so horrific that the engine from Moore’s car was torn from the vehicle and landed on the street. Prosecutors said the incident began when Moore, who was driving his blue 2009 Ford Focus with two passengers, cut off an unmarked police SUV as he exited the parking lot of a West Side liquor store. The SUV followed Moore’s car and tried to curb it for a traffic infraction, prosecutors said.
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But Moore, who had an outstanding warrant for aggravated DUI, sped away north on Hamlin Avenue, speeding just over 76 mph in a 30-mph zone, authorities said. Moore then sped through a red light on Lake Street and hit a CTA railroad pillar before striking a Dodge Journey, according to prosecutors.
Chicago Fire Department crews had to extricate the victims from Moore’s car. The female front seat passenger suffered a fractured leg, partially amputated ear and numerous other fractures that required a two-week hospitalization, authorities said.
The back seat passenger, Island, suffered a neck injury so severe that it was described as “internal decapitation,” prosecutors said. The driver of the Journey also suffered a dislocated shoulder.
Moore had prior felony and misdemeanor convictions for fleeing and eluding police, as well as convictions for aggravated battery to a police officer and drug possession.
Moore was ordered held on $250,000 bail and scheduled for a hearing May 13.
wlee@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @MidNoirCowboy


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--‘The Chi’ actor Jason Mitchell arrested on drug, weapons charges on the Coast

An actor from New Orleans featured in a starring role on the Academy Award-nominated movie “ Straight Outta Compton ” @ @ @ @ @ “ The Chi ” is jailed in Harrison County on drugs and weapons charges , @ @ @ @ @ said in a press release .

An actor from New Orleans featured in a starring role on the Academy Award-nominated movie “Straight Outta Compton” and had a role in “The Chi” is jailed in Harrison County on drugs and weapons charges, Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson said in a press release.
Jason Antonio Mitchell, who portrayed rapper Eazy-E in the movie, was picked up in an Interstate 10 traffic stop Wednesday, a release said.
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Mitchell was taken into custody shortly after an interdiction officer stopped his GMC Yukon on I-10 in Gulfport, just west of the Lorraine Road intersection.
The deputies searched Mitchell's SUV and found about two pounds of marijuana in individually wrapped packages along with a bag consisting of 1,300 dosage units of the club drug, ecstasy, or MDMA.
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Jason Mitchell as Brandon in "The Chi". (Matt Dinerstein/HANDOUT)
The sheriff said it appeared Mitchell was involved in a mid-level drug operation based on the amount of drugs deputies seized.
In addition, authorities seized a 9 mm glock pistol with extended magazine and an AK-47.
A background check showed Mitchell had a previous felony conviction, resulting in his arrest on an additional charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Mitchell was taken to the Harrison County jail, where Justice Court Judge Albert Fountain set his bond at $150,000.


chicagotribune--2020-04-23--District 212 tabs Dominic Manola as next East Leyden High School principal

“ Dominic stood out from the other candidates because he has existing relationships with and knowledge of Leyden , ” @ @ @ @ @ “ In addition , he brings with him the expertise of having served as an @ @ @ @ @ another school district .
We are excited to bring him back home to his Leyden @ @ @

District 212 announced Dominic Manola has been named the new principal of East Leyden High School, a role he will assume on July 1. (Leyden High School District 212)
District 212 officials announced Dominic Manola has been named the next principal of East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, a role he will assume on July 1.
Manola replaces current principal Jason Markey, who was recently named new principal of Glenbrook North High School.
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Manola began his career at East Leyden High School in 2008 as a teacher in the social studies department. He also served as the director of student activities and director of community outreach.
“I am extremely excited to return to a place I have always considered home,” Manola said. “In many ways, Leyden has served as a foundation for my educational beliefs and passions. I’m humbled to be a part of the Leyden family once again.”
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In 2014, Manola left Leyden to become the director of student activities at Lake Park High School in Roselle. He was eventually promoted to assistant principal for instructional innovation in 2016, and principal in 2019.
After earning an undergraduate degree in social studies education from Benedictine University, Manola earned two masters degrees from Olivet Nazarene University. He earned one masters in curriculum and instruction and another masters in school improvement leadership.
Last year, Manola completed his doctorate in educational leadership at National Louis University.
“Dominic stood out from the other candidates because he has existing relationships with and knowledge of Leyden,” superintendent Nick Polyak said. “In addition, he brings with him the expertise of having served as an assistant principal and principal in another school district. We are excited to bring him back home to his Leyden family.”
Manola said he is eager to again serve the district and the community.
“I am looking forward to coming home and being part of the family whose goal it is to do what’s best for the students,” Manola said.
Manola and his spouse Lauren are the parents of three young children. The family resides in Palatine.
sschering@pioneerlocal.com
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Twitter: @steveschering


chicagotribune--2020-04-07--Man charged in death of alleged accomplice in brazen daytime home invasion, Arlington Heights police

Man charged in death of alleged accomplice in brazen daytime home invasion, Arlington Heights police say

While in the master bedroom , Brodacz hit the man in the back of the head with some kind of @ @ @ @ @ told police he thought was a gun .
The two struggled and the male homeowner @ @ @ @ @ gun but didn ’ t hit Brodacz , police said .

A Tennessee man is facing murder charges in connection with a brazen daytime Arlington Heights home invasion that left the suspect’s accomplice shot dead by the homeowner, authorities said Tuesday.
Bradley J. Finnan, 38, of Chattanooga, Tenn., was charged Tuesday with felony murder and home invasion after allegedly being one of two armed men who tricked their way into a home Saturday afternoon in the 2400 block of North Evergreen Avenue, a house authorities said the pair had targeted.
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Finnan was ordered held in Cook County Jail without bail following a bond hearing Tuesday at the courthouse in Rolling Meadows.
Bradley J. Finnan, 38, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was charged with murder on April 6, 2020, in connection with a home invasion in Arlington Heights, that left the other suspect dead of a gunshot wound. (Arlington Heights Police / Pioneer Press)
Police said Finnan and an accomplice, Larry D. Brodacz, 58, of Buffalo Grove, who was shot to death by a male resident during the home invasion, intended to rob the homeowners at gunpoint in what investigators said was a planned crime and not a random act of violence.
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According to court records obtained from the Cook County state’s attorney’s office, Brodacz and Finnan’s crime scheme was hatched in part to coincide with the state’s stay-at-home order issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last month to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Brodacz and Finnan, who had met through their work as car salesmen, arrived at the Arlington Heights home in Brodacz’s 2016 Lexus, walking up to the front door wearing baseball hats, gloves and surgical-type face masks, according to the court documents.
From the moment the two approached the stately, two-story home, the crime was recorded by the residents’ home surveillance video camera, with the video later posted anonymously on a website known for its sensational content, authorities said.
As the pair approached the house, which was was occupied by a 50-year-old man, his 48-year-old wife and their two children, ages 11 and 14, the home’s Ring doorbell video camera shows Finnan holding a bag later found to contain zip ties and a blowtorch, court records show.
After Brodacz tries the doorknob, knocks and sees the Ring camera, he can be heard telling Finnan not to look at the camera, before ringing the bell, court documents show.
Warning: Graphic language. Home surveillance video shows a home invasion incident in Arlington Heights on April 4, 2020. (Arlington Heights Police Department) (Chicago Tribune Handout)
The homeowner allegedly told police he heard a knock at the door and the doorbell ring, and, believing it was his landscapers, he opened the door, authorities said. Then, Brodacz and Finnan pushed their way inside, according to authorities.
Telling the man they were police officers, Brodacz and Finnan then allegedly pulled weapons from their pockets, prompting a struggle between the male homeowner and Finnan, with the fight ending in the front of the home, before Finnan fled the scene, according to authorities.
The wife told police she heard screaming and saw two men with guns in her foyer, according to authorities. She ran upstairs to the home’s second floor, with Brodacz chasing her, authorities said.
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Reaching the bedroom where her children were, Brodacz broke through the closed door, grabbed the couple’s son and daughter, pushed them down on a bed and pointed his gun at them, police said.
When their mother tried to intervene, police said Brodacz pointed his gun at her and pushed her to the floor, where she pleaded with him not to shoot them.
Brodacz left the room when he heard the man calling out his wife’s name inside of the home, according to authorities. Meanwhile, the man had gotten his wife’s gun from the master bedroom, police said.
While in the master bedroom, Brodacz hit the man in the back of the head with some kind of blunt object, one he told police he thought was a gun. The two struggled and the male homeowner fired his wife’s gun but didn’t hit Brodacz, police said.
At some point during the struggle, Brodacz lost his gun but pulled a knife from his waistband, the man told police.
Authorities said that as Brodacz advanced on the man, armed with the knife, the man used his wife’s gun to shoot Brodacz in the abdomen. Police said the couple’s 14-year-old called 911.
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Brodacz was pronounced dead at the scene and the Cook County medical examiner’s office later ruled the death a homicide.
Arlington Heights police arrived shortly after Finnan fled, and found the wife in front of the family’s home, screaming that her husband was fighting someone with a gun inside of the house.
The quiet neighborhood on the north side of the village was soon teaming with law enforcement, including a SWAT team, and officers with the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System and the Major Case Assistance Team.
Arlington Heights police officers found in the home’s master bedroom two 9mm cartridge cases, a knife, a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with seven, .25 caliber rounds, and the wife’s 9mm handgun.
Finnan, who had left te home in Brodacz’s Lexus, was found by police early Sunday morning at his mother’s home in Rockford.
Finnan allegedly told police he knew Brodacz through previous employment at a car dealership, and after Brodacz told him about the plan to rob the house, he boarded a bus in Tennessee and headed to Buffalo Grove.
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According to police, Finnan said Brodacz — who authorities said had previously been charged with crimes including home invasions dating back to the 1980s — claimed to have seen about $200,000 in cash in boxes in the man’s home around 20 years ago and thought money might still be there.
Under Illinois’ felony murder law, homicide charges can be filed when someone is killed during the course of a crime even if the death was caused by someone else and the person charged with murder did not intend for the person to die.
kcullotta@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @kcullotta


chicagotribune--2020-03-30--25 of the best Amazon Prime original series to binge-watch while stuck at home

Starring Esme Creed-Miles , Joel Kinnaman and Mireille Enos , this show follows a young girl who was raised in @ @ @ @ @ to evade a CIA agent who has been pursuing her since birth to try to @ @ @ @ @ who she is .
Her father trained her to be a hunter and a killer @ @ @ @ @ to venture away from home .
There are eight episodes , each about 50 minutes @

There’s a lot of programming to choose from on platforms like Amazon Prime Video. We’ve combed through the menu screen so you don’t have to, to find shows worth watching while you’re stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
From comedies and action-packed thrillers to documentaries and kids shows, these are 25 of the best Amazon Prime original series to binge-watch. Our five favorites are at the bottom. For more programming, here’s 20 of the best shows on Netflix to binge-watch.
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25. “Hunters”
Released last month, this drama is inspired by true events. Starring Al Pacino, it follows a group of Nazi Hunters in New York City in 1977 who learn there are hundreds of escaped Nazis living in the U.S. The Hunters aim to bring them to justice and get revenge. They soon learn there’s a conspiracy to create a Fourth Reich in the U.S. There are 10 episodes, each about an hour long.
24. “Agatha Christie: The Pale Horse"
New to Prime Video, this two-episode miniseries is based on the Agatha Christie novel of the same name. Starring Georgina Campbell, Sean Pertwee and Claire Skinner, the show follows the story of Mark Easterbrook. His name mysteriously appears on a list found inside a dead woman’s shoe. Why was his name on the list? How did it get there? Easterbrook conducts an investigation to get to the truth.
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23. “All or Nothing”
Season five of this Emmy Award-winning sports documentary series follows the Philadelphia Eagles one season after their Super Bowl championship. “You win a game or two, all they write is Super Bowl Bound. You lose a game or two, all they write is terrible. But, the best culture wins.” You’ll get up close and personal with the players in this eight episode season.
22. “The Grand Tour”
Now in its fourth season, this Amazon original stars Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May who travel around the world to places like Johannesburg, Rotterdam, Scotland, California, Nashville and Dubai. At each location, the team takes on various challenges. Season 3, episode 1 takes place in Detroit.
21. “ZeroZeroZero”
New to Prime this month, this Amazon original is based on the book of the same name by bestselling author Roberto Saviano. The show goes inside the world of global cocaine trading. You’ll follow a drug shipment around the world starting with a powerful cartel of Italian criminals who decide to buy it. There are eight episodes, each about one hour.
20. “Hanna"
Starring Esme Creed-Miles, Joel Kinnaman and Mireille Enos, this show follows a young girl who was raised in the forest. She tries to evade a CIA agent who has been pursuing her since birth to try to figure out the truth behind who she is. Her father trained her to be a hunter and a killer. Now, she begins to venture away from home. There are eight episodes, each about 50 minutes.
19. “Jessy & Nessy"
This new kids show follows Jessy and her sea monster bestie Nessy. Jessy is very curious and wants answers to just about anything, like how she can balance on her bike without training wheels and how airplanes stay in the sky. Jessy has magic glasses or spectacles which she called “inspectables” allowing her to see a world full of animated characters. There are five episodes, each about 25 minutes.
18. “Modern Love”
This show, starring Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey and Dev Patel follows various stories about the joys and tribulations of love. Each story is inspired by a real-life personal essay from the New York Times column “Modern Love.” There are eight episodes, each about a half hour.
17. “The Expanse”
Now in its fourth season, this show takes place hundreds of years in the future as humans have colonized the solar system. Mars has become an independent military power putting it on the brink of war with Earth. The show follows a detective and a rogue ship’s captain as they come together to investigate the case of a missing woman. They are lead across the solar system and could actually expose the greatest conspiracy in human history.
16. “The Man in the High Castle”
Now in its fourth and final season, this show looks at what life might have been like if the Allied Powers had lost World War 2 and Germany and Japan ruled the United States. The series is loosely based on Philip K. Dick’s novel of the same name. The U.S. is divided into three parts, one area controlled by Japan, another is a Nazi-controlled area and the third is a buffer zone.
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15. “James May: Our Man In Japan”
This show follows journalist James May as he travels by land, sea, air and go-kart, exploring Japan. “A British bloke trying to fit in," literally risking my life to find out just what makes Japan." May journeys through the country’s icy north to its balmy south. He sees the sights, meets the locals and eats the food.
14. “Ted Bundy: Falling For a Killer”
This five episode documentary looks at infamous serial killer Ted Bundy’s crimes from a female perspective. For the first time, Bundy’s long-term girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall, her daughter Molly and other survivors come forward to tell their stories. You’ll also get a look at never-before-seen family photos.
13. “Catastrophe”
There are four seasons of this dramedy follows a Boston ad exec and a London schoolteacher who had a one-week stand that led to an accidental pregnancy. The two try to make things work as a couple after the unexpected news, despite nonstop complications, including the fact that the two don’t know anything about each other.
12. “Mystery City: Just Add Magic”
This kids show is a spinoff to the original series “Just Add Magic.” This time, we follow the magic cookbook as it moves to three new protectors. Each of them brings a unique skill to the table. The cookbook unlocks a centuries-old mystery which takes them on an historical adventure through the city in a race to find a secret recipe. There are 10 episodes, each about 30 minutes.
11. “Carnival Row”
Starring Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne, this suspense drama takes place in a Victorian fantasy world filled with a growing population of mythological immigrant creatures who struggled to coexist with humans. The show follows a human detective and a faerie as they rekindle a dangerous affair amid a string of murders.
10. “Goliath”
Now in its third season, this series stars Billy Bob Thorton, William Hurt and Dennis Quaid. The show follows washed up lawyer Billy McBride (Thorton) who reluctantly agrees to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the huge law firm he helped create. McBride and his team end up uncovering a deadly conspiracy and find themselves in a life-or-death trial against the ultimate Goliath.
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9. “Sneaky Pete”
There are three seasons of this drama starring Giovanni Ribisi. He plays Marius, a con man on the run from a gangster who tries to leave his old life behind by assuming the identity of his cell mate, Pete. Marius hides out with Pete’s estranged family who haven’t seen him in 20 years and have no idea it’s not actually him. But Pete’s family has their own secrets. The show also stars Bryan Cranston.
8. “Good Omens”
They’ve been friends, sort of, for 6,000 years. Michael Sheen and David Tennant star as an angel and a demon who team up to try and save the world from an apocalypse. This show is based on the best-selling novel by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
7. “Homecoming”
This suspense drama, starring Julia Roberts, was nominated for three Golden Globe awards. Heidi Bergman (Roberts) is a caseworker at a facility which helps soldiers transition to civilian life. Years after she left her career to start a new life living with er mother, the Department of Defense questions why she left. Bergman then realizes there’s a lot more going on back at her old job than she ever realized. The show’s 10 episodes are about a half hour each.
6. “The Feed”
This sci-fi thriller takes place in London in the near future where someone has invented a brain implant which lets people share thoughts and emotions. Essentially, you can experience the world through someone else’s eyes. However, when the technology falls into the wrong hands, users start to become murderous putting everyone at risk. There are 10 episodes, each about one hour.
5. “Undone”
This animated sci-fi drama finds 28-year old Alma nearly dying in a car crash. After the accident, she is able to communicate with her dead father and discovers that her consciousness can travel through time. Alma’s father tells her his death was not an accident and he asks for her help in finding out who killed him and maybe prevent it from happening. There are eight episodes each about 20 to 25 minutes long.
4. “Jack Ryan”
John Krasinski stars in this action-thriller as Ryan, an up-and-coming CIA analyst who is forced into a dangerous field assignment for the first time. From author Tom Clancy, this show features two action-packed seasons. The first finds Ryan investigating a string of strange bank transfers being carried out by an Islamic extremist. The second season takes Ryan to Venezuela during a heated presidential election as the country suffers from an economic meltdown.
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3. “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Now in its third season, Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein star in this award winning comedy-drama which takes place in 1958 New York City. The series follows Miriam “Midge” Maisel, who’s married with two young kids living in an elegant Upper West Side apartment. Her life changes when she discovers she’s funny. Very funny. So she decides to go from housewife to stand-up comedian.
2. “The Boys”
This isn’t your ordinary superhero show and these certainly aren’t your ordinary superheroes. Starring Karl Urban, Elisabeth Shue and Anthony Starr, this show takes place in a world where superheroes capitalize on their super fame through marketing and abuse of their powers. A group of vigilantes, known as “The Boys,” aim to take them down and the multibillion-dollar company which manages them and covers up their secrets. There are eight episodes, each about one hour long. Season two is expected to be released sometime later this year.
1. “Fleabag”
She certainly talks to the camera a lot. This fast-paced Emmy Award winning comedy stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The show follows her life in London where she’s dealing with her eventful dating life, struggling cafe and loss of her best friend. But she still has their guinea pig. Or is it a gerbil? This show is based on Waller-Bridge’s 2013 one-woman show of the same name. Both seasons one and two each have six episodes at around a half hour each. There hasn’t been confirmation yet of a possible season three.