chicagotribune--2020-01-19--Yu Darvish wonders if Brewers star Christian Yelich has forgiven him for their Twitter beef: ‘I thin

Yu Darvish wonders if Brewers star Christian Yelich has forgiven him for their Twitter beef: ‘I think he’s still mad’

No apology was necessary , though the need to use an interpreter was puzzling to those who regularly cover Darvish @ @ @ @ @ 2018 last season and conducted interviews with the media in English .
Darvish not only @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s regarded as one of the funnier and most interesting Cubs players .

Yu Darvish apologized Friday night for answering a question in Japanese and letting a Cubs employee interpret it to the media.
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“I lost all my English,” he explained. “I haven’t used it in a couple months.”
No apology was necessary, though the need to use an interpreter was puzzling to those who regularly cover Darvish. He ditched his from 2018 last season and conducted interviews with the media in English. Darvish not only speaks the language well, he’s regarded as one of the funnier and most interesting Cubs players.
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But Darvish wanted to make sure his thoughts weren’t misinterpreted, and for good reason. He suddenly has become the unofficial spokesman for the 2017 Dodgers, a team some believe was robbed in the World Series by the sign-stealing Astros.
That Fall Classic featured an epic fail by Darvish, which is why he was sought out by so many reporters this weekend at the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. Thanks to MLB’s investigation exposing the Astros’ scheme, Darvish has become the rare player who can rewrite the narrative about his World Series performance a couple of years after the fact.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 74 Kris Bryant is introduced. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Instead of being the poor guy who tipped his pitches in the biggest games of his life, he’s now the poor guy whose pitch selection might have been delivered illegally to hitters via technological skulduggery.
The results might have been the same, but Darvish and the Dodgers are off the hook and forever will wonder if the Astros’ scheme affected their chance to win a championship.
Does that make it a little better for Darvish?
“It doesn’t make me feel better yet because we don’t know exactly whether it was tipping or if technology was the reason I got beat,” he said through an interpreter. “It’s still the same.”
The sign-stealing saga didn’t end with the investigation or firings, “mutual” or otherwise, of three managers and a general manager. Its tentacles could stretch for years with retired players revealing stories of alleged cheating, such as Jack McDowell’s “whistle-blowing” of similar acts of sign stealing by Hall of Fame manager Tony LaRussa and the White Sox.
Darvish inadvertently started a controversy in November, engaging in a Twitter beef with Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich, and no doubt will hear about it when the Cubs travel to Miller Park for the season opener in March.
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Darvish reiterated Friday that he doesn’t think the Brewers stole signs via technology. The saga began after he responded to a Bleacher Nation video showing him stepping off the mound against Yelich, the 2018 National League MVP, in a game in Milwaukee last summer. The implication was Yelich’s eye movement led Darvish to believe he was looking for the sign and thus stepped off the rubber.
Here's the video - it happens very quickly, and just before Yu steps off. Yelich is locked on Darvish, eyes flick toward left center, then back to Darvish. Yu steps off. pic.twitter.com/hqOSvGMGEh — Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) November 15, 2019
“Be better than this," Yelich tweeted at Darvish. “Nobody needs help facing you.”
Be better than this. Nobody needs help facing you https://t.co/DlUDwjJn4X — Christian Yelich (@ChristianYelich) November 15, 2019
Darvish responded that he didn’t think the Brewers were stealing signs. But it was too late.
“I tweeted him back, but he didn’t tweet me back,” Darvish said Friday. "I posted two tweets. The first one I was saying like his eyes were moving. The second one I tweeted that doesn’t mean Milwaukee is stealing signs. I think he didn’t see the second one and he took it the wrong way.”
But that's not mean Brewers stealing signs. — ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) November 15, 2019
Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson, then a free agent, joined the fray by joking to Yelich on Twitter: “I could use some help off him whatcha got?”
💀 I could use some help off him whatcha got? — Josh Donaldson (@BringerOfRain20) November 15, 2019
Yelich didn’t respond, and he and Darvish moved on. Twitter means never having to say you’re sorry.
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Darvish said he never had spoken with Yelich or conversed with him on Twitter, so he’s not sure how he’ll react the next time they see each other.
“I don’t know him,” he said. “I think he’s still mad.”
Will Darvish try to explain himself in spring training? He wasn’t sure it was necessary.
“I’m using more English now, so I can talk to him,” he said.
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This story is to be continued. But one thing we know if when you employ as much sarcasm in your tweet game as Darvish does, you’re bound to cause a stir once in a while. We joked about it Friday after I advised him in a column last week to stop tweeting at his media critics.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 84 Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish watches the flight of a solo home run by the Marlins' Garrett Cooper in the seventh inning of Game 2 of a wild-card series Oct. 2, 2020, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
Darvish gets it, and said he doesn’t mind the criticism. If you dish it out on Twitter, you have to be able to take it.
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After a brilliant second half in 2019, Darvish is expected to put together a solid six-month season — and hopefully more — in his third year of a six-year, $126 million deal. He’s still only 7-11 with the Cubs, which isn’t what they bargained for two years ago when the deal was announce with great fanfare.
With the Cubs not making any big moves this offseason, Darvish’s importance to their postseason chances in 2020 has become magnified.
When a reporter asked Darvish why fans should believe the Cubs will be vastly improved with mostly the same team from last year, he paused before answering.
“Stealing signs?” he said.
Yu just can’t help himself.


chicagotribune--2020-01-18--Cubs fans boo Tom Ricketts when he brings up Marquee Sports Network: ‘I’m not sure I was being booed

Cubs fans boo Tom Ricketts when he brings up Marquee Sports Network: ‘I’m not sure I was being booed’

“ People have to realize the correlation between what you spend and how much you win isn ’ t nearly @ @ @ @ @ d like it to be , particularly for a large-market team , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ last year ( the Red Sox and Cubs ) didn ’ t make the playoffs @ @ @ @ @ in the playoffs combined ( the A ’ s and Rays ) that have less @ @ @ @ @ ) .
So it ’ s really not just about money we put out there @ @

Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts on Saturday defended the team’s offseason inactivity and hinted at an eventual breakup of the core who won the 2016 World Series.
In an interview with WSCR-AM 670 on Day 2 of the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, Ricketts said avoiding luxury-tax penalties was a “factor” in the team’s lack of spending, which has tempered enthusiasm from the fan base following an 84-win season.
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“It’s not the only factor, but it’s certainly something that got put into the last collective bargaining agreement, and we have to work with it,” Ricketts told the Score’s David Haugh and Bruce Levine.
With Kris Bryant on the trade market all winter and team President Theo Epstein trying to stay under the $208 million luxury-tax threshold, this convention has been much more subdued than in past years.
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While die-hard fans have seldom booed players at the annual event since Sammy Sosa left, they booed Ricketts at the opening of the convention. They also booed after Ricketts mentioned the Marquee Sports Network — the team’s new TV outlet set to launch next month —on stage.
“I’m not sure I was being booed,” Ricketts said Saturday, though video of the booing spread Friday night on Twitter.
Sammy Sosa was booed before at the Cubs Convention. But until last night never heard a network booed at the Cubs Convention. https://t.co/XcHuFr80Vw — Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) January 18, 2020
Ricketts theorized Saturday that fans were booing Marquee because they were “worried about change." He added that a “good percentage” of cable companies have signed on to carry the network and he was “confident” a deal with Comcast’s Xfinity, by far the area’s largest carrier, will get done.
The traditional panel discussion headed by the Ricketts siblings was absent for the second straight convention, and Ricketts called it “played out.” He insisted he was “very, very accessible," calling the controversy “kind of a tempest in a teapot.”
Ricketts didn’t talk specifically about failed contract negotiations with Bryant, though he confirmed “some guys haven’t thought it was the right time to do an extension.” The Cubs have tried to get long-term deals done with several players, including Bryant and Javier Baez.
“There’s nothing I can do about how players’ salaries escalate as they get further along in their careers,” Ricketts said.
Ricketts said fans loved the 1969 Cubs because they were together a long time.
“You have a lot of time to get to know Ernie (Banks) and Fergie (Jenkins) and Glenn Beckert and all these guys," he said, “That’s fabulous, and I wish that was still the case."
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Bryant and Baez control their futures, and their market value continues to rise. Both are scheduled to be free agents after 2021, unless Bryant wins a grievance and is granted free agency after this season.
Asked about the extension talks with Baez, Ricketts deferred to Epstein but then pivoted back to payroll concerns.
“It would be awesome to keep everyone together,” he said. “That would be great. But the reality is the way players work their way toward free agency makes it difficult.”
Ricketts called the Cubs the top-spending organization in baseball in 2019. They finished second in payroll, but Ricketts claimed expenditures “in other parts of the organization” put them over the top. He said spending doesn’t always translate to winning.
“People have to realize the correlation between what you spend and how much you win isn’t nearly as perfect as you’d like it to be, particularly for a large-market team,” he said. “The top-two payrolls last year (the Red Sox and Cubs) didn’t make the playoffs. There were two teams in the playoffs combined (the A’s and Rays) that have less payroll (than the Cubs). So it’s really not just about money we put out there.”
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Ricketts said rookie manager David Ross will “bring new energy” to the Cubs, and fans “can trust Theo and Jed (Hoyer).” He advised everyone to “take a deep breath” and remember the team still has many core players on the roster.
“I’m sorry we don’t have a prize free agent or something sexier to talk about right now,” he said.


chicagotribune--2020-01-17--Theo Epstein and the Cubs are still at a crossroads with Kris Bryant: ‘We’re not sure what the outco

Theo Epstein and the Cubs are still at a crossroads with Kris Bryant: ‘We’re not sure what the outcome is going to be’

“ We expect that ( Bryant ) would be our third baseman , but we ’ ve been open and @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll talk about all our players this year , ” Epstein said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ have to be more mindful of building a successful future — post-2021 for this group @ @ @ @ @ close to that point where a lot of our best players will be in a @ @ @ @ @ ’ d get nothing in return .

A bout of the flu sent Kris Bryant to the doctor’s office Friday, preventing the slugger from addressing his uncertain status before the opening ceremony at Day 1 of the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.
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But team President Theo Epstein, overseeing a roster without a guaranteed free-agent signing this winter and no financial flexibility, reiterated his faith while the Cubs await an arbitrator’s decision on Bryant’s service-time grievance and potentially not signing any of his young, prized players to extensions before spring training.
“There’s significant upside with this group of players,” Epstein said before introductions. "We’re not going to whistle past the graveyard.”
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But Epstein, who wasn’t afraid to trade All-Stars such as Nomar Garciaparra and Manny Ramirez during his time with the Red Sox, recognizes the uncertainty regardless of whether he trades Bryant or is eventually signs All-Star shortstop Javier Baez to a long-term contract before he’s eligible for free agency after 2021.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 74 Kris Bryant is introduced. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
“It’s clear we’re going to carry more risk into this year than we want to, more risk into this year than we have in the past, and it’s our job to operate our way around it,” Epstein said.
“Last year there was tremendous risk in the bullpen, and we knew we had to have our guys step up to save us.”
Rowan Wick, Kyle Ryan and Brad Wieck — who all started the 2019 season in the minors — emerged as potential staples of a bullpen that lost veterans Pedro Strop, Steve Cishek and Brandon Kintzler to free agency.
“We’re going to carry risk in the pen this year, and we must have a repeat where we find value in guys and guys improve and step up,” Epstein said.
Theo on players coping with trade rumors pic.twitter.com/NgKJ74c8eZ — Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 17, 2020
Epstein also acknowledged the rotation doesn’t have the depth he prefers, as well as depth questions at a couple of other positions.
“If things don’t break our way, we could have holes out there, and that’s on us,” he said.
The last two offseasons, Epstein tried to sign Bryant, Baez, Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras to long-term contracts that would buy them out of free agency and give the Cubs cost certainty. But only pitcher Kyle Hendricks signed a long-term deal (through 2024), and Epstein paused before assessing progress on negotiations this winter.
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“I’d say we moved the ball forward, but it’s a long process,” Epstein said. “So we’re not sure what the outcome is going to be. We’ve had some productive talks but not to the point we got anything done yet.”
Epstein praised Bryant for his contributions but reiterated about listening to deals for all his players — including Bryant, the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year, 2016 NL MVP and three-time All-Star.
Baez on his future with Cubs pic.twitter.com/C8eUHmii0Y — Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 18, 2020
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“We expect that (Bryant) would be our third baseman, but we’ve been open and transparent about the fact we’ll talk about all our players this year,” Epstein said. “We have to. We have to be more mindful of building a successful future — post-2021 for this group. We’re running close to that point where a lot of our best players will be in a position to leave and we’d get nothing in return.
“Because of that, we’re in a position where we’re going to listen to everybody. We value Kris. We respect everything he’s done. We appreciate everything he’s done. We look forward to many great days ahead and we hope he’s part of it.”
Moving Bryant’s $18.6 million salary would hurt the Cubs offense but would give them financial flexibility to address areas of need, such as a leadoff hitter. The Braves, who lost slugger Josh Donaldson to the Twins in free agency, could use Bryant and have young pitching that would suit the Cubs’ long-term needs.
Baez, meanwhile, declined to comment on negotiations on an extension, saying he agreed to a $10 million contract last week.
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“It’s up to (the Cubs),” Baez said. “When the right deal comes, we’ll be ready for it.”
Baez on Cubs’ lack of moves pic.twitter.com/qtbcUYKQZX — Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 18, 2020
Baez was confident in leaving negotiations to his representatives, adding he would feel no pressure if he and the Cubs can’t reach an extension before the season.
And if someone gets traded, “I think Theo and the front office know what they’re doing for this team,” Baez said.


chicagotribune--2020-01-17--Health care experts want kids to get flu vaccine but shots can be tough to find. Here’s why.

As the flu season gears up to be a tough one for children , parents may wonder why they are @ @ @ @ @ take their kids can get a flu shot .
Pharmacies throughout the state offer flu @ @ @ @ @ older children , teens , and adults .

As the flu season gears up to be a tough one for children, parents may wonder why they are limited in where they can take their kids to get a flu shot. Pharmacies throughout the state offer flu shots, but only to older children, teens, and adults.
That’s because under the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act, pharmacists can only give the flu shot to children age 10 and older.
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Pharmacists say there is no health or medical reason for preventing them from vaccinating young children, although several other states also have age restrictions.
But Anita Chandra-Puri, a national spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics and a pediatrician at Northwestern Medicine, said primary care physicians are better equipped at providing the vaccine to children.
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“It’s not just as simple as giving someone a shot. ... There is a lot of reaction variation that goes into administering a vaccine. A pediatrician is experienced with injections. They are the ones who have a patient’s background records,” Chandra-Puri said.
Up until recently, kids had to be at least 14 to get a flu shot from pharmacists in Illinois.
“Illinois is very restrictive when it comes to flu vaccines,” said Garth Reynolds, executive director for the Illinois Pharmacists Association.
The H1N1 swine flu pandemic caused Illinois lawmakers to loosen the restriction, Reynolds said. In 2012, state legislators lowered the age restriction to 10 from 14.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each season, regardless of where they obtain them.
According to the CDC, about 45% of children didn’t get a flu shot in Illinois during the 2017-2018 flu season, the most recent period for which data is available. Some 180 kids died from the flu that season nationwide.
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“We do recommend parents get their children vaccinated before Halloween. We tell them wherever it’s easy for them to get it,” said Scott Goldstein, a pediatrician at Northwestern Children’s Practice in the Gold Coast. "The point is to give the kids the flu shot.”
While Walgreens and CVS Health stores in Illinois can only give flu shots to children who are at least age 10, CVS MinuteClinics can administer the vaccine to anyone 18 months and older because nurse practitioners are on hand to administer the shots.
“Pharmacists have the training and capability to administer flu shots. There is no reason to restrict when they can get it from a qualified, trained and educated health care provider," Reynolds said.
abjimenez@chicagotribune.com
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Twitter @abdel1019


chicagotribune--2020-01-20--Robberies up sharply in Chicago’s swanky Near North Side, raising residents’ concerns

“ When the commanders are saying , ‘ We ’ re doing our best and we ’ ve identified a @ @ @ @ @ ’ s great , '' he said in a telephone interview days after the meeting @ @ @ @ @ ’ t there more police dispatched into this neighborhood to be able to roam the @ @ @ @ @ on bicycle , on horseback , on scooter , whatever it is , so that @ @ @ @ @ have going on ?
This is a neighborhood that is not used to it .
@

A few hundred concerned citizens huddled in a gymnasium in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood hoping for answers from police about a recent spate of robberies in the downtown area and other parts of the Near North Side.
Police sought to bring a sense of calm while appealing for help from the standing room-only crowd that overflowed into the lobby of the Lake Shore Park field house.
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“We are having people sitting in their cars targeting people and drive around. You see the same car drive around four or five times. That is something that we need to know,” Chicago police Cmdr. Daniel O’Shea, who heads the Near North patrol district, said in a raised voice. “Please do not hesitate to call 911.”
Several recent robberies — some of them within a block of one another near Water Tower Place — continued a worrisome trend for those at the community meeting.
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Robberies have more than doubled in the last five years in this swath of Chicago’s central business district and some of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods, including Gold Coast, Streeterville, Magnificent Mile, River North and several others.
Last year, robberies totaled 416 in those neighborhoods, just two more than in 2017 but more than double from 204 in 2015, according to city crime data.
Chicago police officers talk with a man on Chicago Avenue near Rush Street in Chicago on Jan. 10, 2020. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
In 2019, the entire Near North patrol district, which also includes the Lincoln Park area, recorded 509 robberies, its most in at least 10 years, the official police statistics show.
While that pales by comparison to certain pockets of the city’s South and West sides that struggle with violent crime and poverty — the West Side’s Harrison District, for instance, saw at least 720 robberies last year — residents as well as tourists expect better for an area boasting the highest real estate values in the city.
O’Shea told the Chicago Tribune that robbers often target unsuspecting pedestrians talking on their cellphones while oblivious to their surroundings, snatching their phones away. In other cases, they demand money or other valuables without displaying a weapon but threatening harm. In the worst incidents, they resort to violence, beating up the victim.
[ Emergency room medical resident, 34, shot while walking dog on North Side ]
One 59-year-old man, for instance, was tackled from behind as he walked in the 200 block of East Pearson Street on Dec. 30 and repeatedly punched on the head by an attacker who then rummaged through his pockets, police said.
The rash of robberies has continued into 2020 with 23 for the entire Near North patrol district in the first 12 days of January, the most over the last five years for that period, the police statistics show. Some happened within a block of each other in the tony Gold Coast, home to luxury condominiums, lavish shops and department stores, and iconic landmarks such as the Drake Hotel and the former John Hancock Center.
Some of the recent incidents involved as many as two or three suspects in their late teens or 20s teaming up on the robberies before fleeing in a white SUV or white sedan, police said.
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Just last Thursday, a robber struck in broad daylight in the 800 block of North Dewitt Place near Lake Shore Park, pushing a 70-year-old woman, grabbing her purse and fleeing in a car east toward Lake Shore Drive.
In recent years, particularly during the summer, police had to deal with large groups of teens who traveled mostly on the CTA to the Magnificent Mile and other high-end spots on the Near North Side, creating disturbances and, in some cases, robbing passersby.
Officers stand along North Michigan Avenue on Jan. 13, 2020, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
But police said that in the latest spate of robberies, suspects typically drive to the posh area by car, often stolen, before jumping out, holding up a passerby and then quickly driving off.
“One of the challenges that we are facing is that (the area) is right off Lake Shore Drive,” O’Shea told the crowd at the community meeting earlier this month. “These people are coming in stolen cars and getting off the drive. They are attacking people, and they’re getting right on Lake Shore Drive and going southbound.”
Police presence around the Gold Coast, Magnificent Mile and Streeterville areas has been beefed up because of the spike in robberies, O’Shea said. In addition to plainclothes tactical officers, O’Shea has used undercover cops as well as officers used to saturate hot spots in parts of the city seeing upticks in crime. The department also regularly assigns officers to overtime shifts along North Michigan Avenue.
Police offered practical tips on being more vigilant. Walk in well-lit areas. Don’t travel alone. Wear your purse under your coat. And don’t be preoccupied with that cellphone as you walk about.
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“He’s trying to size you up,” Near North District Officer Theresa Kelly warned the crowd in a booming voice. “To him, you’re just an unaware, vulnerable victim.”
Victims should try their best to remember a suspect’s description. Accurately recalling three features would be better than 10 vague ones, police said.
Kelly suggested some consider buying a personal alarm, a small noise-making device that fits in the palm of your hand.
“She’s got five of them,” the officer said of one of attendees, drawing laughter from the crowd.
O’Shea explained how police have to weigh the risk of pursuing fleeing robbery suspects in police cars with the inherent danger to the public.
Still, he said, criminals are too brazen to care about any of that.
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“They have no fear of the police,” he told the crowd. “No fear of prosecution.”
Some at the meeting voiced concerns about whether police and the Cook County state’s attorney’s office were doing enough to deal with the problem.
One man talked about calling 911 after spotting a crime in progress yet no officers showed up. Others groaned when police talked about how prosecutors must approve before felony charges can be filed.
After the meeting, one woman who’s lived in the Gold Coast/Streeterville area for 16 years told a Tribune reporter that she can’t walk outdoors without feeling uneasy.
Most of the recent spate of Gold Coast robberies occurred near Gary Osifchin’s condo building. Before moving downtown last month, he had lived in New York City for 15 years and said he never felt unsafe.
A marketing executive by trade, Osifchin was caught off guard by the robbery spree and disappointed at how vigilant he needs to be in what he thought was one Chicago’s safest neighborhoods. He said he’s even purchased a personal alarm that blares as loud as 130 decibels with flashing lights.
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“I came home Saturday night from being out with friends, and I made sure that I just took an Uber right to my door, that I didn’t take the subway and walk over," Osifchin, who attended the community meeting, said in a later telephone interview. "So I mean it’s already changing my behavior.”
Realtor Stephen DiPadua, a Gold Coast resident for seven years, said he worries about criminals who “will approach anyone at anytime.”
He wants a more robust police presence in the area.
“When the commanders are saying, ‘We’re doing our best and we’ve identified a white vehicle,’ that’s great," he said in a telephone interview days after the meeting. "But why aren’t there more police dispatched into this neighborhood to be able to roam the neighborhood either on foot, on bicycle, on horseback, on scooter, whatever it is, so that we can eradicate what we have going on? This is a neighborhood that is not used to it.”
jgorner@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-01-19--Ask Amy: Online bully embarrasses family

My immediate family continues to feel mortified by his behavior and this has led to some awkward family gatherings .
@ @ @ @ @ father 's social media account on my husband 's phone , which I immediately regretted @ @ @ @ @ to have gotten even worse .
I 'm afraid to discuss this directly with him @ @ @ @ @ temper and the high likelihood that he will share our conversation publicly on social media @ @ @ @ @ our family matters private .

Dear Amy: My father is a stubborn man. He has a lot of energy and many strong opinions. We do not have a close relationship. He has recently retired, and now spends much of his time on social media, posting long-winded political rants, and engaging in emotional arguments with anyone who dares to comment on his posts.
These "conversations," unsurprisingly, often devolve into name-calling and petty insults.
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I am disgusted by this highly public airing of false information and closed-minded views. It was getting to the point that merely opening the social media app was giving me anxiety, with the anticipation of a new bigoted diatribe from my father.
I deactivated my account, and I've never felt better!
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My immediate family continues to feel mortified by his behavior and this has led to some awkward family gatherings. I recently looked at my father's social media account on my husband's phone, which I immediately regretted, as his behavior seems to have gotten even worse. I'm afraid to discuss this directly with him, due to his short temper and the high likelihood that he will share our conversation publicly on social media. I want to keep our family matters private.
What should I do? Is there a way to make it clear to my extended family that his closed-minded beliefs do not align with my own, without descending into the drama myself? How can I bring myself to spend time with a person who causes me so much embarrassment?
— Embarrassed
Dear Embarrassed: I applaud you for deactivating your social media account in order to avoid being triggered by your father's (and others') abusive online behavior.
You could have "unfollowed" or blocked him and perhaps experienced the same relief, but -- I wholeheartedly endorse stepping away altogether for your mental and emotional health.
Now that you are removed from your father's noxious postings, you are going to have to learn to trust other people. Your family members know him -- and they also know you. You should trust that they understand and can differentiate between the two of you.
I don't think it is useful to issue blanket or public apologies for someone else's behavior. Your father embarrasses himself, but you should not give him the important role -- and the power -- to embarrass you.
Your father sounds like a bully. You should not trust him to keep anything private. All the same, you might feel better if you stood up to him: "Dad, I wish you would find a different hobby. Your online ranting is quite disturbing."
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It would be wise for him to get a mental health screening. Being a bigoted bully does not necessarily indicate mental decline, but because your father's behavior seems to be getting worse, there is reason to wonder.
Dear Amy: My son just gave us the great news that he's getting married.
Our daughter is in a serious, five-year relationship with a young man, "James." We expect they will be engaged in the near future (within the next two years).
We have met James' parents several times.
Should we invite James' parents to our son's wedding?
— Wondering
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Dear Wondering: Does your son know James' parents? Does his future bride know these people? This marrying couple may want to have some say over who attends their nuptials.
Traditionally, with larger weddings the marrying couple will get half of the total guest list to invite those close to them, while each set of parents will get one-fourth of the guest total to invite people from their own list (colleagues or childhood friends, for instance).
If you have been granted a number of seats to fill at will at this wedding, and if you have developed a friendship with your daughter's boyfriend's parents, then by all means invite them. However, you are not socially obligated to issue this invitation.
Dear Readers: I've received many positive responses to my annual giving column. Since that column was published, the world has become aware of the devastation caused by wildfires sweeping through parts of Australia. As of this writing, 20 people, including three firefighters, have died. The heartbreaking toll on the unique wildlife of Australia is almost incalculable: Millions of animals have perished -- some estimates bring the toll as high as 1 billion animals.
Please do not send food or material goods -- transporting goods brings on more hazards.
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 >
Here are some ways to give money:
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Helping fire victims: St. Vincent DePaul Society: donate.vinnies.org.au.
Helping "firies" (firefighters): Rural Fire Service, New South Wales: rfs.nsw.gov.au.
Helping wildlife: RSPCA of Australia: rspcansw.org.au.
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
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chicagotribune--2020-01-19--4 takeaways from the Blackhawks’ 5-2 win over the Jets, including who orchestrated the bench-clearin

4 takeaways from the Blackhawks’ 5-2 win over the Jets, including who orchestrated the bench-clearing celebration of Patrick Kane’s 1,000th career point

“ It ’ s a chance to honor Joel , ” Colliton said .
`` It ’ s a big @ @ @ @ @ and he was great to me so I want to honor him too because it @ @ @ @ @ of the reason why I came here to begin with is because he was here @ @ @ @ @ beat him because they ’ re two big points for our team , and we @ @ @ @ @ to sit on that game for a bunch of days ( because the All-Star break @ @ @

Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane acknowledges the crowd after a win over the Jets. Kane scored his 1,000th career point in the third period. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
The inevitably of Patrick Kane’s 1,000th career point has been clear for years even if the anticipation of the milestone began to build in earnest over the last few days.
Every time Kane touched the puck Sunday, a wave of excitement surged through the crowd of 21,487 at the United Center, so in that sense it was like every other game over the last 13 seasons.
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But this was a chance to witness history, and as he has done so often through his brilliant career, Kane delivered.
His pass from behind the Jets’ net to Ryan Carpenter was sent over to Brandon Saad, who slid it into an open net. And with that assist late in the third period of a 5-2 win over the Jets, Kane became the 90th player in NHL history to record 1,000 points.
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The fans erupted, his teammates jumped the bench in an orchestrated response to mob Kane, and a few minutes later Kane was back in the Hawks locker room talking about the memorable moment.
Patrick Kane becomes the youngest American-born player to reach 1,000 points 🙌#PK1K pic.twitter.com/Tc1h0WgX5R — BlackhaWWWWWks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) January 20, 2020
“I knew I had two games here where I had a chance to get it,” he said. "I was hoping to get it done here at home before we went on a long break. The team is rolling right now, too, so there’s a lot of good things happening. We’re playing well. It’s nice to get it here at home in front of the crowd, get a win in front of the crowd and to have it come in a win.
"It’s a pretty special day."
Here are four takeaways from Kane’s 1,000th career point and an important victory for the Hawks:
1. The bench-clearing lovefest was a Jonathan Toews production.
Moments after it was clear that Kane had registered his 1,000th point, he was mobbed by the four linemates on the ice with him: Saad, Carpenter, Erik Gustafsson and Connor Murphy.
But in something that Kane never saw coming — and which coach Jeremy Colliton later revealed was planned by team captain Jonathan Toews — every player on the bench jumped the boards to in a show of friendship, joy and appreciation for their teammate.
“I don’t know who orchestrated that or what that was about, but I’m sure ‘Tazer’ probably had something to do with that,” Kane said. “That’s a special moment. Obviously, there’s great leadership in this room.”
Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane, No. 88, celebrates with teammates after scoring his 1,000th career point on an assist against the Jets on Jan. 19, 2020, at the United Center. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision by Toews. He had cleared it with the referees during Saturday’s game against the Maple Leafs, and also cleared it with the officials on Sunday. He wanted to make sure Kane had his moment without the team getting an unsportsmanlike penalty.
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“What a moment, obviously, with everyone coming onto the ice and sharing that moment with me,” Kane said. “You see some faces in that pile that have been a big part of a lot of those points, whether it’s been Tazer or ‘Duncs’ (Duncan Keith) or (Alex) DeBrincat recently, ‘Saader’ (Brandon Saad) to finish it off I think was pretty cool.”
2. Kane’s parents weren’t able to be at the United Center.
Patrick Kane Sr. famously tries to make it to all of his son’s games at the United Center. Last season, he made it to all 41 home games.
But in a cruel twist of fate, neither of Kane’s parents were able to get to Chicago after their hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., was socked by snowstorms and they couldn’t get out.
Patrick Kane Sr. doesn’t like to fly, his son said, and they weren’t able to make the drive to Chicago. The weather was bad enough that they weren’t able to make the roughly two-hour drive from Buffalo to Toronto on Saturday to see their son score his 999th point against the Maple Leafs.
"It’s tough not having them here," Kane said. "They’ve been a big part of my career. I’m sure I’ll talk to them after this and hopefully there will be some better moments in the future that they’ll be here for."
3. Well, that didn’t take long.
It took 952 games for Kane to reach 999 points. It took him 103 minutes, 12 seconds of playing time to go from there to 1,000.
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Kane scored the 999th point of his career with eight minutes, 58 seconds left in the first period of Saturday's 6-2 win over the Maple Leafs. He picked up his 1,000th point with 5:46 left in the third period against the Jets.
Asked if it was nice to get the 1,000th point over with, he was unequivocal that it was. Not because it was a drain on him but because the Hawks have more important things to think about.
“I think I’ve been playing OK lately, but I think I can play a little bit better,” Kane said. "It’s nice to have it out of the way. Now I can just kind of focus on my game and where I can improve and help this team out.
“Our team has been playing great. We have a lot of timely depth scoring right now and that’s been helping us get these wins and kind of get on a roll here, so we’re in a good spot. We have one more game here before the (NHL All-Star) break, so it would be nice to get a win and enjoy the time off.”
4. In other news, the Blackhawks won a huge game.
If the Hawks were distracted by Kane going for his 1,000th point, they sure didn't play like it.
Their season-high fifth straight win was similar to the previous four in that they were in control most of the way, played with a confidence that hadn’t been seen earlier in the season and came really close to playing a complete game.
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There were some blemishes. Drake Caggiula taking four minor penalties, including one for unsportsmanlike conduct, was a noticeable one. But other than that they stuck to a familiar script.
The penalty kill was perfect, the offensive production was spread around and goalie Robin Lehner was nearly impenetrable with 36 saves, including all 13 shots he saw on the power play. Alex Nylander had a goal and an assist, Kirby Dach picked up his second point in his last 29 games and David Kampf had his sixth goal of the season.
Blackhawks left wing Alex Nylander, left, celebrates with teammate Matthew Highmore after scoring a goal against the Jets during the first period Jan. 19, 2020, at the United Center. Nylander had a goal and an assist in the Hawks' 5-2 win. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
One game remains before the All-Star break — Tuesday’s game against the Panthers and Joel Quenneville in what should be an emotional reunion — and Jeremy Colliton wants to keep this streak going.
“We’ve had trouble in a couple of these situations early in the year where we started playing better and then we take a step back,” Colliton said. “And there will be a step back at some point, but the best teams they find a way to ride the wave when they’re playing well and build momentum, and then when you do take that inevitable step back, turn it on as quick as you can.”
The timing of Quenneville’s return should make for an exciting game and another memorable evening. The Panthers have won four straight — they play at the Wild on Monday — and are also in need of every point they can get as they try to nail down a playoff berth.
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For Colliton, it can't hurt that he has the Hawks firing on all cylinders right now and may not have to hear boos from the same crowd that is likely to give Quenneville a standing ovation.
“It’s a chance to honor Joel,” Colliton said. "It’s a big night for the organization, and he was great to me so I want to honor him too because it’s a big part of the reason why I came here to begin with is because he was here. Obviously we want to beat him because they’re two big points for our team, and we’re going to have to sit on that game for a bunch of days (because the All-Star break follows).
“We’re going to have to prepare with all the detail and excitement that we can muster, and then I’m sure there will be a lot of energy in the building and we’ve got to use it in the right way.”
Here is coverage from Sunday’s win:
Patrick Kane became the fourth player to score 1,000 points in a Blackhawks uniform when he hit the milestone in the third period of the Blackhawks’ 5-2 victory — their fifth straight — over the Jets on Sunday night at the United Center.
Kane, 31, had an assist on Brandon Saad’s goal to join Hall of Famers Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull and Denis Savard.
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Kane, who is the 90th player in NHL history to hit the 1,000-point mark, did it in the 953rd game of his career. He is the seventh active player to reach 1,000 points along with Joe Thornton, Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Marleau, Evgeni Malkin and Eric Staal.
According to the NHL, Kane is the youngest U.S. player to reach the milestone. Kane, 31 years, 61 days old, eclipsed former Blackhawk Jeremy Roenick, who was 32 years, 13 days old when he did it.
The Hawks improved to 24-20-6 and pulled to within three points of the Coyotes for the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Robin Lehner had 36 saves for his sixth win in his last seven starts.
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The Blackhawks took a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the game on Alex Nylander’s sixth goal of the season and first in his last 11 games.
Nylander took a pass from Erik Gustafsson as he was skating through the slot and moved around goalie Connor Hellebuyck before deftly putting a backhander just inside the far goal post.
Gustafsson scored his sixth of the season and the first in his last 10 games on a wrist shot from near the top of the left faceoff circle to make it 2-0.
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Drake Caggiula took four minor penalties in the first two periods, including a double-minor that gave the Jets a four-minute power play, but Lehner stopped 13 shots while the Hawks were down a man to keep the Jets off the scoreboard. The Hawks penalty kill has allowed just three goals in the last 39 opportunities over their last 16 games.
The Jets finally beat Lehner with 1:55 left in the second on Mark Scheifele’s rebound goal to pull within 2-1.
David Kampf scored his seventh goal of the season midway through the period to restore the Hawks’ two-goal lead. Kirby Dach picked up his second point and first assist in his last 29 games.
Dominik Kubalik sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, his 21st of the season.


chicagotribune--2020-01-19--Chicago man dies nearly a decade after being shot; medical examiner rules it a homicide

Marco Rainge , of the 3400 block of W. Van Buren St. in the West Garfield Park neighborhood , was @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , the medical examiner office said .
His death was determined to be a @ @

A 41-year-old man died early Tuesday due to complications of multiple gunshot wounds from a shooting that occurred almost 10 years ago, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Marco Rainge, of the 3400 block of West Van Buren Street, in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, was pronounced dead at 1:43 a.m. Tuesday, the medical examiner’s office said. His death was ruled a homicide.
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Rainge was shot Oct. 12, 2010, in the 1200 block of North Kildare Avenue, in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood on the West Side, according to Chicago police.
Police records indicate the shooting took place about 9:55 a.m. that day, on the street, and police and court records indicate that there have been no arrests in the shooting.
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As of Sunday night, the shooting incident was not labeled as a homicide investigation, police said.
pfry@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-01-19--Raheem Mostert’s 4 rushing TDs lift the 49ers past the Packers 37-20 in the NFC championship game

`` You know , honestly , I just woke up like it was any other game , '' Mostert said @ @ @ @ @ of those things where hey , once we all get in a groove , we @ @ @ @ @ it riding , keep it going and that 's what we did . ''

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — From No. 2 pick in the draft to one of the last two teams standing.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Super Bowl-bound San Francisco 49ers.
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Raheem Mostert rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns to make quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo mostly a spectator, Nick Bosa harassed Aaron Rodgers from the start and the 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers 37-20 for the NFC championship Sunday.
The 49ers (15-3) advanced to their first Super Bowl in seven years and will play the Kansas City Chiefs in two weeks in Miami for the championship.
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"Our team, it's incredible to be a part of," Garoppolo said. "We can win so many different ways. Raheem, those guys up front, the tight ends obviously were just dominating tonight. It was fun."
The Niners won just 10 games in the first two seasons under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, going 4-12 last season after Garoppolo went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 3.
Now, San Francisco is one of two teams remaining after delivering a second thorough beating of the season to Rodgers and the Packers (14-4). The 49ers are the third team to make it to the Super Bowl a year after winning four or fewer games, joining Cincinnati (1988) and the Rams (1999).
Bosa, the prize for last year's rough season as the No. 2 overall pick, helped set the tone when he ended Green Bay's second drive of the game with a 13-yard sack of Rodgers.
Mostert, a former special teams standout, did much of the rest in a remarkable redemption story for a former surfer who was cut seven times and carried the ball only eight times in his first three seasons in the NFL. He played his high school football for New Smyrna Beach on Florida’s east coast.
But he has become a key part of the NFC's top team this year, leading the Niners with 772 yards rushing in the regular season and delivering a performance for the ages in the NFC title game.
He had the second-most yards rushing in a playoff game to Eric Dickerson's 248 for the Rams on Jan. 4, 1986, and was the first player to rush for at least four TDs and 200 yards in a playoff game.
“You know, honestly, I just woke up like it was any other game,” Mostert said. “It was one of those things where hey, once we all get in a groove, we’re just going to keep it riding, keep it going and that’s what we did.”
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An #NFLPlayoffs performance for the ages!
Raheem Mostert's FOURTH TD of the game! #GoNiners @RMos_8Ball
📺: #GBvsSF on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/jti8uZSrIn pic.twitter.com/TJa1YcTfB5 — NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2020
He got started when he burst 36 yards on a third-and-8 trap play to open the scoring on San Francisco's second drive and kept ripping off long runs behind impressive blocking.
He added TD runs of 9 and 18 yards in the second quarter and had 160 yards rushing at the half, becoming the only player in NFL history to rush for at least 150 yards and three TDs in the first half of a playoff game.
Mostert added a 22-yard TD run in the third quarter.
"It was working," Shanahan said of the run-heavy approach. "If it's working, you stay with it. Our guys are running so hard, our O-line coming off the ball, our backs, all 11 of our guys, as they've been all year. The guys fought hard as heck, we were going to put it all in their hands."
Rodgers and the Packers were unable to match that performance as they got overwhelmed by San Francisco's dominant front for a second time this season.
Rodgers had a career-low 3.15 yards per attempt in a 37-8 loss here back in November and wasn't much better in the first half of the rematch.
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He lost a snap from center to end Green Bay’s only promising drive of the half, threw an interception to Emmanuel Moseley late in the half and didn’t convert his first third down of the season against the Niners until connecting on a 6-yard pass to Aaron Jones on the opening drive of the second quarter for his first third-down conversion in 18 attempts this season against the Niners.
Rodgers capped that drive with a 9-yard TD pass to Jones, but the game was too far out of hand by that point.
He led Green Bay to two more TDs and finished with 326 yards passing, but it wasn’t nearly enough as the Packers lost the NFC title game for the third time since their last Super Bowl trip following the 2010 season.


chicagotribune--2020-01-19--Patrick Mahomes uses his arm — and feet — to propel the Chiefs to the Super Bowl in a 35-24 win over

Patrick Mahomes uses his arm — and feet — to propel the Chiefs to the Super Bowl in a 35-24 win over the Titans

The Chiefs lost in 1967 in the first AFL-NFL Championship Game — nope , it was n't called the Super @ @ @ @ @ Lombardi Packers 35-10 .
Three years later , one year after the New York Jets @ @ @ @ @ to the AFL being equal to the long-established NFL , Kansas City was back .
@ @ @ @ @ known as the Super Bowl — indeed , Lamar Hunt is credited with coming up @ @ @ @ @ his Chiefs hammered Minnesota 23-7 with the typical Wild West offensive flair and a staunch @ @ @ @ @ that helped carry KC this season .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Arrowhead Stadium rocked to Whitney Houston’s "I Want To Dance With Somebody.” Kansas City fans’ half-century wait to boogie in the Super Bowl is over — in great part due to their quarterback’s magical feet, not to mention his majestic arm.
With his best imitation of a tightrope walker, Patrick Mahomes high-wired the Chiefs into their first Super Bowl since 1970.
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Oh sure, Mahomes did his usual superb job passing, but it was his 27-yard tap dance down the left sideline late in the first half that gave the Chiefs their first lead. From there, they outran the run-oriented Titans and star back Derrick Henry for a 35-24 victory Sunday in the AFC championship.
At last, for the third time overall, the Chiefs (14-4) are Super Bowl bound.
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Patrick Mahomes with the RUN OF HIS CAREER! pic.twitter.com/0MkGBulSwb — NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) January 19, 2020
In two weeks in Miami, they will play the 49ers.
"I mean, it's amazing. It really is," Mahomes said. "To be here, to be a part of Chiefs Kingdom and to be able to do it here at Arrowhead, these people deserve it. And, we're not done yet."
Adding to the joy of the achievement, coach Andy Reid and owner Clark Hunt accepted the Lamar Hunt Trophy — named after his father — emblematic of the AFC title. It was handed over to them by Chiefs Hall of Famer Bobby Bell, with Mahomes and safety Tyrann Mathieu jumping for joy on the makeshift stage.
Next up: chasing the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
"Chiefs Kingdom, we are going to the Super Bowl,'' Hunt said.
The Chiefs lost in 1967 in the first AFL-NFL Championship Game — nope, it wasn't called the Super Bowl yet — to the Lombardi Packers 35-10. Three years later, one year after the New York Jets shocked Baltimore to lay claim to the AFL being equal to the long-established NFL, Kansas City was back. This time, it was known as the Super Bowl — indeed, Lamar Hunt is credited with coming up with the name — and his Chiefs hammered Minnesota 23-7 with the typical Wild West offensive flair and a staunch defense. Those are characteristics that helped carry KC this season.
[ Why did the Bears draft Mitch Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson? ]
Reid isn't as animated as Hall of Famer Hank Stram, who famously urged the Chiefs team to "keep matriculating the ball down the field, boys." Caught up in the moment Sunday, Reid said, "It's awesome,'' before asking the crowd to chant "How about those Chiefs?''
Moments later, standout tight end Travis Kelce proclaimed, "You gotta fight for your right to party.''
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There will be plenty of partying on South Beach for Chiefs Kingdom heading into the championship matchup.
"Fired up to go to Miami, got to get on a diet so I can fit into my clothes," Reid said. "Very proud."
As they had done in their past three "elimination'' games, the sixth-seeded Titans (11-8) got started quickly. The difference at Arrowhead as opposed to Houston, New England and Baltimore was that the Chiefs had Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Damien Williams on offense, and a vastly upgraded defense from when they lost in last year’s AFC title game. Henry was held to 7 yards rushing in the second half.
"They were doubling all these guys,'' Mahomes said of his spectacular TD run on which he barely stayed in bounds. "I just ran it and got some good blocking at the end and found a way to get in the end zone.''
A week after they overcame a 24-0 deficit against Houston, the Chiefs had to rally again.
Down 10-0 and 17-7, Kansas City didn't flinch, building a 35-17 lead while controlling the clock with a strong ground game. Naturally, Mahomes complemented that with sharp passing, spreading the ball on short and deep throws. The dagger came with a 60-yard completion to Watkins for the Chiefs' 28th straight point midway in the final period.
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Mahomes thrust both arms in the air as the crowd sang “I Want To Dance With Somebody.”
That somebody will be the 49ers in two weeks.
After taking a 3-0 lead on Greg Joseph's first field goal — with Tennessee's penchant for scoring in the red zone, he hadn't been called upon in his previous four games with the team — the Titans got a huge break. Bashaud Breeland appeared to make a diving interception, but replay review showed the ball hitting the ground.
Helped by consecutive offside penalties and a a fourth-down pass to Adam Humphries for his first career playoff reception, the Titans converted on, what else, Henry's 4-yard run.
Then the Chiefs got rolling, scoring on three successive series. Hill took it in on a shovel pass, later beat top Titans cornerback Logan Ryan for a 20-yard reception, and Mahomes finished the half with his brilliant jaunt down the left sideline with half the Tennessee defense seemingly expecting him to step out of bounds.
That gave the Chiefs a 21-17 lead. It went to 28-17 on Williams' 3-yard run to cap a seven-minute drive. Then Watkins toasted Logan for the clinching long pass.
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Henry was held to 69 yards on 19 carries after rushing for 588 yards in the past three games as an unstoppable force.
"That's what we were able to do coming in," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said of his team's running game entering the AFC title game.
"We weren't (able to do that against KC). I felt we competed all the way there until the end. ... You don't prepare these types of speeches to talk to the team about at the end of the season or to talk to you guys (reporters) about the end of the season. That's where we're at."
The Chiefs easily outrushed the Titans on Sunday. Mahomes led the way with 53 of those yards and also was 23 for 35 for 294 yards passing.


chicagotribune--2020-01-19--Blackhawks getting contributions from all over the lineup, including unsung defenseman Slater Koekko

Blackhawks getting contributions from all over the lineup, including unsung defenseman Slater Koekkoek: ‘He’s made it impossible for us to take him out’

“ We kind of talked with him ( earlier in the season ) like , ‘ You ’ re still @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re doing a good job , you ’ re on the right path @ @ @ @ @ is focus on being good every time you get in , ’ ” Colliton said @ @ @ @ @ opportunity that he ’ s had , he ’ s found another level to his @ @ @ @ @ made it impossible for us to take him out .

Slater Koekkoek began to list some of the Blackhawks' unsung players, one after another, describing their growing roles and explaining how the Hawks have started to thrive on the backs of their stars as well as lesser-known contributors.
He mentioned Ryan Carpenter, whose work on the penalty kill has helped transform the Hawks into one of the league's best units this season after being one of the worst in league history last season.
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Koekkoek brought up Zack Smith, who had two goals Wednesday against the Canadiens, and Dominik Kubalik, who has nine goals in his last seven games and is probably in the final days of anonymity.
And he also mentioned his new defensive partner, Olli Maatta, who won a pair of Stanley Cups with the Penguins but has fought through some healthy scratches to the point where coach Jeremy Colliton wouldn’t dream of taking him out of the lineup.
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But Koekkoek forgot someone — himself.
He could have mentioned that he played a season-high 20 minutes, 16 seconds against the Senators. Or that he had an assist in each game of the Hawks’ perfect road trip against the Senators, Canadiens and Maple Leafs.
Koekkoek laughed and acknowledged his strong stretch of six straight starts, including Sunday’s game against the Jets.
Blackhawks players John Quenneville, left, and Slater Koekkoek, right, mob teammate Jonathan Toews after Toews scored a goal on Jan. 11, 2020. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
“It feels good,” Koekkeok said. “It was nice because I had my family in Toronto and Ottawa. They couldn’t get to Montreal because of the snowstorm. It was great. It’s too bad Chicago only goes up to Ottawa once, but it was nice to have them there.”
It’s typical of hockey players that even those who rarely garner publicity still tend to shy away from it. But Koekkoek deserves to be mentioned for helping to solidify the Hawks’ third defensive pairing after the losses of Calvin de Haan and Brent Seabrook led to a restructuring of the defense.
Koekkoek had a hard time getting in the lineup consistently during the first half of the season despite injuries to several defensemen. Rookies Adam Boqvist and Dennis Gilbert began to get starts ahead of Koekkoek, but when he did play Colliton was happy with his performance, and told him so.
Koekkoek, a left-handed shot, had never played a game on the right side until a preseason game against the Red Wings this season, but he has been playing on that side with Maatta and feeling extremely comfortable.
“We kind of talked with him (earlier in the season) like, ‘You’re still in and out, but you’re doing a good job, you’re on the right path. All you can do is focus on being good every time you get in,’” Colliton said. "And this latest opportunity that he’s had, he’s found another level to his performance and he’s made it impossible for us to take him out.
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“Him and Maatta, since they’ve been reinserted they’ve been great and I think really added some depth to our group and a big part of why we’re having success lately.”
Patrick Kane is on the verge of his 1,000th career point and is on pace for a second straight 100-point season. Jonathan Toews has been on an incredible run with 12 points in his last five games entering Sunday. But the Hawks also are getting contributions from Carpenter, Smith, Kubalik, Drake Caggiula and others, and that’s a big reason they won 10 of their last 14 going into Sunday’s game.
“There’s a buzz in the room around those guys,” Koekkoek said. “Whenever there’s a third- or fourth-line guy that’s getting hot or scoring goals it’s a different feeling than when the superstars are going. Both are equally important, but it’s a nice feeling.”
Like Koekkoek, Caggiula was acquired by general manager Stan Bowman a little over a year ago in a midseason trade that didn't seem like it would pay dividends. But as the Hawks enter the stretch run, both are proving to be very useful depth players.
Caggiula, who missed nearly two months with a concussion before returning on Jan. 9, grew up near Toronto as a Hawks fan, so it has been a particular pleasure for him to watch Kane chase his 1,000th point and Toews the 800th of his career.
Those are daunting figures for Caggiula, who has 69 career points after posting a goal and an assist in each of the Hawks’ last two wins of their road trip.
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“I’ve got a lot of work to do (to catch Kane and Toews),” Caggiula said with a big laugh. “It’s incredible. Being able to be a part of it and play alongside these two players that I idolized growing up, it’s a pretty special thing.”


chicagotribune--2020-01-19--Judge chastises, denies bail for man accused in Brown Line iPhone robbery

As the train approached the Southport station , prosecutors said Jackson grabbed a 55-year-old rider ’ s iPhone 11 and @ @ @ @ @ a still at-large accomplice grabbed the victim from behind and pulled him backward .
That @ @ @ @ @ with the phone that retails between $ 700 and $ 1,100 , prosecutors said .
@ @ @ @ @ seriously injured , according to an arrest report .

A Cook County judge on Sunday expressed surprise at the criminal background of a 19-year-old man accused of participating in a robbery aboard the CTA Brown Line last week.
Meleh Jackson, 19, faces aggravated battery and robbery charges for allegedly stealing an iPhone and engaging in a physical struggle aboard the northbound train Thursday evening, authorities said.
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As the train approached the Southport station, prosecutors said Jackson grabbed a 55-year-old rider’s iPhone 11 and struggled with the man until a still at-large accomplice grabbed the victim from behind and pulled him backward. That allowed the teen to escape with the phone that retails between $700 and $1,100, prosecutors said. The victim wasn’t seriously injured, according to an arrest report.
Jackson, of the 700 block of North Dearborn Street, was later arrested Saturday afternoon in the lobby of an apartment building after investigators identified and named him as the robbery suspect, court documents stated.
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At the time of the robbery, Jackson was on GPS monitoring for a pending domestic battery case at the Domestic Violence Courthouse and on probation for a misdemeanor theft case that had been pleaded down from felony robbery, prosecutors said. He also had a prior theft case.
Circuit Judge David R. Navarro noted that at 19, Jackson’s criminal background was more appropriate for “someone older,” and that he couldn’t think of a set of conditions that would ensure his compliance with court orders.
As Jackson’s parents watched from the gallery, his mother’s fingertips covering her mouth, Navarro denied bail and barred him from contacting the victim. Jackson will have seven days to have another judge reconsider his bond denial.
Authorities have struggled with a number of violent robberies and attacks aboard "L" trains and facilities in recent months.
Interim police Superintendent Charlie Beck recently increased police patrols on the Red Line after the CTA saw a 24% jump in reported criminal incidents on CTA buses and trains between Thanksgiving and Christmas over the same time period in 2018.
wlee@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-01-19--4 takeaways from Cubs Convention, including Lee Smith’s return to the organization

“ I think you ’ re seeing these specialized athletes at a young age that don ’ t or haven @ @ @ @ @ to fail in other sports , ” Dorey said .
“ What that teaches young @ @ @ @ @ a part of a different team , where they might not be the best player @ @ @ @ @ are learned like being the sixth man on a basketball team , coming off the @ @ @ @ @ spots on the football field , or playing lacrosse .

Here are four takeaways from this weekend’s Cubs Convention.
1. Lee Smith is back home with the Cubs and has plenty to say.
After serving as a roving minor-league pitching coach for the Giants for 20 seasons, Smith rejoined the Cubs, the team with which he embarked on a Hall of Fame career as a closer.
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Smith, 62, will serve as an ambassador.
“What the hell does that mean?” Smith quipped. “When Mr. (Tom) Ricketts calls and says do something, I’m going, yes.
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“I said in my Hall of Fame speech (in 2019) it’s (always) good to be back home. I’m really loving it. I’ll get a chance to see my old buddies in the fire department (adjacent to Wrigley Field) again.”
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 10 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Lee Smith speaks during an induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on July 21, 2019, in Cooperstown, N.Y. (Hans Pennink / AP)
He also weighed in on the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.
“They’ve probably been doing it for years,” Smith said. “But the thing about it is, you’re going to say they won the World Series only because they were stealing signs? I think that’s bull. You’ve got to pitch and play, go on the road and all that.
“When I was in Chicago, I remember the guys saying, ‘Oh, man, they’ve got something going on in the (Wrigley Field) center-field clock.’ You do know we lost 96 (darn) games last year?
“Hey, man, somebody ain’t doing it right then.”
Smith said he approves of baseball’s new rule that relievers must face at least three batters. He believes it will be beneficial to their development.
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“I like the idea of having that (rule),” Smith said. "You can see and learn how to pitch by facing hitters. If you go out and face one guy, you can make a bad pitch and a guy still makes an out. You learn how to pitch by seeing (more hitters).”
2. The Cubs’ Matt Dorey encourages kids to play multiple sports.
Matt Dorey, Cubs senior director of player development, encourages children to avoid specialization for more than just health reasons.
“I think you’re seeing these specialized athletes at a young age that don’t or haven’t had the opportunity to fail in other sports,” Dorey said. “What that teaches young people is how to be a part of a different team, where they might not be the best player. And the lessons that are learned like being the sixth man on a basketball team, coming off the bench, or play multiple spots on the football field, or playing lacrosse.
“Learning to compete, fail, dealing with adversity is as important in development as developing a high-level skill.”
3. The team is high on top catching prospect Miguel Amaya.
Miguel Amaya, the Cubs’ top catching prospect, will participate in his first major-league spring training before likely starting the season at Double-A Tennessee, where a better offensive environment might enhance his growth.
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Miguel Amaya is introduced during the opening ceremony of the Cubs Convention on Jan. 17. 2020. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
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“We were really pleased with his progress offensively as well as defensively,” said Bobby Basham, director of player development.
Amaya, 20, hit 11 home runs and drove in 57 runs with a .351 on-base percentage but batted only .235 in 99 games at Class A Myrtle Beach last year.
First baseman Jerrick Suiter, who was selected from the Pirates in the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 draft, will convert to pitcher. The Cubs were impressed with Suiter’s potential after their research and development staff obtained data from two scoreless outings Suiter pitched for Double-A Altoona.
4. The Cubs may boost pay for their minor leaguers.
The Cubs may follow the path of the Blue Jays in paying their minor-league players more money in an effort to provide them with more security.
“I can tell you it got our attention,” President Theo Epstein said, adding that Chairman Tom Ricketts took notice. “Stay tuned, because it’s something that’s important to Tom and something we’re working on it.”
Class A players around organized baseball are paid as little as $1,200 a month before taxes and dues.
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“We agree with you,” Epstein told a fan on Saturday. “It’s not fair.”


chicagotribune--2020-01-19--Bruce Springsteen brings out the hits for first ‘Light of Day’ performance in 5 years

Bruce Springsteen brought back an Asbury Park tradition on Saturday night , taking the stage at the Paramount Theater for @ @ @ @ @ of Day ’ s Winterfest .
It had been five years since the “ real @ @ @ @ @ ” as Springsteen was introduced , attended the annual event , a week-long musical celebration @ @ @ @ @ Parkinson ’ s Disease and other related illnesses .
This 20th year milestone also doubled @ @ @ @ @ the organization and its founder Bob Benjamin .

Bruce Springsteen brought back an Asbury Park tradition on Saturday night, taking the stage at the Paramount Theater for the big finale of Light of Day’s Winterfest. It had been five years since the “real governor of New Jersey,” as Springsteen was introduced, attended the annual event, a week-long musical celebration which raises money to fight Parkinson’s Disease and other related illnesses. This 20th year milestone also doubled as a birthday celebration for the organization and its founder Bob Benjamin.
Springsteen appeared early in the night, joining rocker Jesse Malin for a pair of songs. “I’m going to bring out a guy, older guy,” Malin said from the stage. “He sings pretty good.” Springsteen lent his vocals for a duet of “Broken Radio” and added guitar licks to “Meet Me at the End of the World” from Malin’s new album, “Sunset Kids.”
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The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was just warming up, later joining New York rocker Willie Nile for the stomper, "One Guitar," again adding tasty licks and texture to complement Nile's pristine vocals.
He completed his hat trick joining Pittsburgh rocker Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers for a ten-song set that included such favorites as “The Promised Land,” “Atlantic City,” “Darkness on the Edge of Town” and a rollicking “Light of Day,” the song the foundation is named after.
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Songs from Grushecky's catalog got their due as well, kicking off with "Talking To The King" and the gritty "Pumping Iron, Sweating Steel."
Dressed in black jeans, a plaid checkered shirt and a cap, Springsteen got Boardwalk randy with a playful “Pink Cadillac,” delivering the lyrics in a comical cadence -- with guest harmonica player and photographer Danny Clinch adding to the laughs. The good vibes continued with “Saving Up,” which Springsteen joked was about the cost of living, and closed the show with a poignant, acoustic version of “Thunder Road” followed by a birthday singalong for Light of Day’s Benjamin, who is suffering from Parkinson’s.


chicagotribune--2020-01-17--Yu Darvish now wonders: Was he tipping pitches for the Dodgers against the Astros in the 2017 World

Yu Darvish now wonders: Was he tipping pitches for the Dodgers against the Astros in the 2017 World Series — or were they cheating?

“ Easy changes in the middle of an inning , changing them every inning in the dugout with your catcher @ @ @ @ @ definitely take more precautions and just be on top of that , I guess , @ @ @ @ @ that “ MLB ’ s just going to have to be more on top of @ @ @ @ @ got guys in our video rooms anyway and throughout the clubhouse so I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ ) just more security and more monitoring of teams .
”

Yu Darvish had a nightmare of a World Series in 2017. Pitching for the Dodgers, he allowed eight runs in two starts, lasting only 3⅓ innings in the two losses, which were instrumental in the Astros’ 4-3 series win.
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For two years, the story was that Darvish, now with the Cubs, was tipping his pitches and the Astros took advantage. Now Darvish isn’t so sure.
Earlier this week, Major League Baseball fined the Astros $5 million and took away their first- and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021 as punishment for an electronic sign-stealing scheme. Astros replay-review staff trained a camera on the opposing catcher and relayed signs to batters through teammates in the dugout. The Astros fired manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow, both of whom were suspended one year by MLB, after the punishments were announced.
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On Friday at the Cubs Convention, Darvish wondered about the true cause of his World Series meltdown. He signed as a free agent with the Cubs — whom he shut down in Game 3 of the NLCS that season — in February 2018.
“That’s what I want to know,” Darvish said. “A couple of Astros players told me that I was tipping pitches 100%. But then it came out they’re stealing signs. That’s why I want to know, (if) the World Series came from stealing signs or tipping pitches.”
“Game 3 was (a) maybe," Darvish added. "After that the Dodgers started checking (whether I was) tipping pitches or whatever. But they couldn’t find it, especially Game 7. But Astros players (later) told me I was tipping 100% in Game 7. So it’s like …”
Darvish trailed off. Does he still believe those players’ claims in light of recent revelations that the Astros used technology to cheat that season?
“Not sure, no.”
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 74 Kris Bryant is introduced. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Still, Darvish said he took lessons from that World Series experience that proved invaluable later. Darvish had a disappointing first season with the Cubs but rebounded in 2019, especially after the All-Star break when he had a 2.76 ERA and 0.81 WHIP with 118 strikeouts and seven walks in 81⅔ innings.
“If I didn’t have that World Series, I can’t pitch like last year in that second half,” he said. “That came from that thing; I was fired up. I have to take that the right way.”
However, he said, “It’s crazy but I can’t say anything about (the) Astros because, just like, I know they steal signs, but at the same time I was not good in the World Series, too. I can’t say anything.”
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Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks sympathizes with Darvish being embroiled in a controversy not of his own making.
“I feel for him. He was in the middle of that in ’17,” Hendricks said. “You can’t go back and change that; you have to move on. I guess now that it’s come out and everyone realizes it maybe it’s a good thing for him. But it definitely has to be tough.”
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Like Darvish, Hendricks welcomed the stiff sanctions MLB handed the Astros.
“It definitely sent the message that it’s not going to be tolerated,” Hendricks said. “Hopefully it will even the playing field back out and we won’t see that anymore in the game, just the normal sign steals from second base.”
Hendricks said he was surprised sign-stealing went beyond the “old-school way of doing it” and up to the level of using technology, adding he hadn’t heard any rumors about it.
Kyle Schwarber expressed similar sentiments, but as a hitter, he had a slightly different perspective.
If a runner is at second base, and “a pitcher or catcher wants to give you an easy way to do something like that, you want to take advantage of that.
“Even when you do that, that’s not 100% right. … It’s not a 100% guarantee you’re going to get a pitch right,” Schwarber said. However, “if you’re getting it from a camera — that people are sitting there studying (it) and telling you this is 100% right — that is, in my mind, complete B.S. and shouldn’t be allowed in this game. I’m happy that these punishments are getting dished out.”
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The Astros aren’t the only team tainted by the scandal. The Red Sox won the World Series in 2018, their first year with former Astros bench coach Alex Cora as manager. Cora was implicated as one of the ringleaders in the Astros clubhouse, and the Red Sox fired him Tuesday.
Darvish and Brewers slugger Christian Yelich got into a Twitter spat in November after Darvish seemed to imply Yelich was looking off to steal a sign during an at bat against Darvish, to which Yelich replied, “Nobody needs help facing you.”
Hendricks said some teams are well-known for stealing signs — the conventional way — and he typically goes into those starts with extra signs he and his catcher can use as alternates.
He said it will be up to battery mates this season to take even more measures to guard against sign-stealing.
“Easy changes in the middle of an inning, changing them every inning in the dugout with your catcher, you just have to definitely take more precautions and just be on top of that, I guess,” said Hendricks, adding that “MLB’s just going to have to be more on top of it. They’ve got guys in our video rooms anyway and throughout the clubhouse so I’m sure (there will be) just more security and more monitoring of teams.”
Schwarber said he knows for “100% fact” the Cubs stick to the rules. “We play our way straight. We’re not doing anything of that sort.”
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Team President Theo Epstein said the Cubs are “really clear about what the rules are” and talk every spring training about integrity and fair play.
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“I was proud that Anthony Rizzo said yesterday that he can say with 100% certainty that we play within the rules and I echo those thoughts. I know that,” he said.
Epstein said he’s not going to look back at individual games against that involved the Astros or any other team to examine whether sign-stealing was going on.
“There’s been rumors throughout the history of baseball; there’s been rumors and accusations throughout the last few years,” he said. “MLB proactively built a robust and powerful Department of Investigations that was needed in order to look into issues like this and be able to come to some conclusions, dole out some discipline to preserve the integrity of the game, so we applaud those efforts.”
For his part, Darvish sounded ready to move on, hoping to improve on last season’s resurgent performance.
He said through an interpreter, “I’m afraid that if that (slump) comes back in the first half … again, I’m going to be worried about it, but other than that (I’m) fine.”
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Darvish said he hopes the attention being paid to sign-stealing swings the advantage back to pitchers. Other changes concern him just as much, however.
“I feel like as a pitcher the strike zone’s getting smaller, they want me to do more quickly or whatever, and then the hitter is stealing signs,” Darvish said. “It’s tough to pitch. Everybody wants to pitch more easily. But I’m not frustrated.”


chicagotribune--2020-01-20--Dozens of doughnuts spill onto roadway, and video shows Wheaton cops shoveling 'em up. ‘The humor’s

Dozens of doughnuts spill onto roadway, and video shows Wheaton cops shoveling 'em up. ‘The humor’s not lost on us either,’ deputy chief says.

Police don ’ t know how the doughnuts ended up in the street .
They may have fallen from a @ @ @ @ @ been left on top of a person ’ s vehicle before he or she drove @ @ @ @ @

Sometimes in the course of an average day you happen onto something that, without question, must be chronicled on video. For example, the sight of police officers responding to a call involving dozens of doughnuts.
Matt Topic came upon such a scene Sunday in Wheaton, and his video post of Wheaton police officers shoveling up smashed doughnuts off a roadway drew laughs on Twitter, including from the Wheaton Police Department itself.
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“The humor’s not lost on us either,” Deputy Chief P.J. Youker said Monday.
Topic, who is a lawyer, declined to comment on the scene he saw on Naperville Road between the Danada Square East and West shopping centers.
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A thing I saw yesterday in Wheaton. pic.twitter.com/qfdyT36JhE — Matt Topic (@mvtopic) January 20, 2020
Youker said police got a call about 10 a.m. reporting a roadway hazard, and officers found about six dozen doughnuts strewed about the street. Setting aside the potential for danger — “It could have been a trap,” Youker joked — officers temporarily blocked off a lane of traffic and quickly collected the crushed crullers.
In a scene that would break the heart of Homer Simpson himself, the video showed officers dumping a shovelful of doughnuts into big metal buckets and then stomping them down to make space for the remainder.
Police don’t know how the doughnuts ended up in the street. They may have fallen from a delivery vehicle or may have been left on top of a person’s vehicle before he or she drove off, Youker guessed.
Youker said the traditional association between cops and doughnuts remains, and Wheaton police have participated in past fundraisers for Special Olympics with Dunkin’ Donuts. Yes, he said, cops still like doughnuts, though there are limits.
“Who doesn’t like a good doughnut?” Youker said. “But not one that’s been run over 100 times on Naperville Road.”
Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.


chicagotribune--2020-01-20--Lakers reportedly express trade interest in Derrick Rose

Rose , aware of the Pistons ’ rash of injuries , recently asked the team for increased minutes , Haynes @ @ @ @ @ receive that playing time elsewhere as the Pistons continue to shrink from the playoff picture @ @ @ @ @ are also on the hunt for point guard help down the stretch of the NBA @ @ @ @ @

Pistons guard Derrick Rose could be on the move soon, as the Lakers and 76ers have expressed interest in acquiring him before the February trade deadline, Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reports. The Clippers could also be an option.
Rose has grabbed the attention of teams around the NBA with a productive start to the season, averaging 18.3 points and 5.9 assists in 37 games for the Pistons. He has been a rare bright spot for the Pistons, a team that lost Blake Griffin indefinitely because of knee surgery.
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Rose, aware of the Pistons’ rash of injuries, recently asked the team for increased minutes, Haynes reports. But he could receive that playing time elsewhere as the Pistons continue to shrink from the playoff picture. The Lakers and 76ers are also on the hunt for point guard help down the stretch of the NBA season, Haynes reports.
Rose, who has one more year and $7.6 million left on his contract, is happy with the Pistons and does not want to be traded, according to Haynes.


chicagotribune--2020-01-20--Joliet officer faces drunken driving charge after Berwyn officer who was her passenger dies in I-55

Joliet officer faces drunken driving charge after Berwyn officer who was her passenger dies in I-55 crash

Illinois state troopers were called to the crash scene on southbound Interstate 55 just north of U.S. Route 30 , @ @ @ @ @ Dodge Durango sent the SUV into the rear of a 2008 Hino box truck that @ @ @ @ @ two right lanes because of an earlier crash with a pickup truck , according to @ @ @ @ @ crash also resulted in one of the drivers being arrested on drunken-driving charges , officials @ @

A Joliet police officer faces drunken driving charges after a Berwyn police officer who was a passenger in her car died in a crash Sunday morning on Interstate 55 in Plainfield Township that happened when her car collided with a vehicle involved in an earlier drunken driving crash, officials said.
Charles “Chuck” Schauer, 33, who died as a result of the crash about 6 a.m., was a 10-year veteran of the Berwyn Police Department, according to a statement from the agency. Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero announced Schauer’s death in a post on social media, referring to his death as a “tragic traffic accident.”
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“Please keep Officer Schauer’s family and friends, as well as all Berwyn police officers in your thoughts and prayers during this time of grief,” he wrote.
Erin Zilka, 35, of Plainfield, faces a charge of driving under the influence and a citation in connection with driving too fast for conditions, according to Illinois State Police. Joliet police released a statement Monday saying that Zilka, “a 12-year veteran, was involved in an off-duty vehicle crash on I-55 near Route 30 where her passenger was tragically killed.”
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Joliet police Officer Erin Zilka (Illinois State Police)
While state police investigate the fatal crash, the statement from Sgt. Christopher Botzum of Joliet said the agency also launched an internal investigation, “and is in the process of collecting all the facts.”
Illinois state troopers were called to the crash scene on southbound Interstate 55 just north of U.S. Route 30, after the driver of a Dodge Durango sent the SUV into the rear of a 2008 Hino box truck that had been stopped in the two right lanes because of an earlier crash with a pickup truck, according to a news release. That crash also resulted in one of the drivers being arrested on drunken-driving charges, officials said.
Berwyn police Officer Charles Schauer (HANDOUT)
Schauer, of Glen Ellyn, was a passenger in the 2019 Durango, which state police said was driven by Zilka. Schauer was pronounced dead at the scene, and Zilka was taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, officials said. The Will County coroner’s office said it expected to conduct Schauer’s autopsy Monday.
Zilka was cited with misdemeanor driving under the influence, said Carole Cheney, a spokeswoman for the Will County state’s attorney’s office.
Although officials initially said Zilka might appear for a bond hearing Monday, a court hearing will be held at a later date, said Zilka’s attorney, Jeff Tomczak. Cheney said the driver of the pickup also was arrested.
Following a probable cause hearing Monday, the driver of the pickup truck, Rodrigo Marin, of Plainfield, was being held on charges including felony aggravated driving under the influence. He also is being held on other charges including misdemeanor driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to render aid, driving on a revoked or suspended license, failure to reduce speed, improper lane usage and driving without insurance. Marin, who the Will County Jail site lists as using numerous aliases, was expected to face arraignment Wednesday.
Tomczak said Zilka and Schauer were friends and said he did not know where they were traveling at the time of the crash.
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“She’s totally devastated,” he said. “I can’t express how distraught she is ... just devastated totally.”
Tomczak said Zilka’s blood testing showed she had a blood alcohol content below the state’s limit of .08, but he declined to say what her result was.
He also said that the box truck had been blocking traffic when Zilka “came upon the accident.”
“I’m not sure she would’ve had the ability to react given my understanding of the accident,” Tomczak said.
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kdouglas@chicagotribune.com
pfry@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @312BreakingNews


chicagotribune--2020-01-20--Extra-alarm fire destroys Roseland church; firefighter slightly injured

The fire was called in just before noon and , minutes later , was elevated to a 2-11 alarm , @ @ @ @ @ to the scene .
The structure ’ s roof collapsed before the flames heavily damaged @ @ @ @ @ .
The remnants of the building would likely be demolished , Hudson said .
Large @ @ @ @ @ be seen around the Far South Side .

An extra-alarm fire on Monday destroyed a two-story church building in the city’s Roseland neighborhood and slightly injured a firefighter, authorities said.
Chicago fire crews battled a little over an hour to gain control of the blaze in the 11000 block of South Michigan Avenue that gutted the Beacon Light Ministries building, fire officials said.
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No major injuries were reported, but a firefighter was taken to an area hospital for a minor cut he suffered to his forehead, said Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Curtis Hudson.
The fire was called in just before noon and, minutes later, was elevated to a 2-11 alarm, which summons additional firefighting staff to the scene. The structure’s roof collapsed before the flames heavily damaged the rest of the building. The remnants of the building would likely be demolished, Hudson said. Large plumes of black smoke could be seen around the Far South Side.
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Firefighters extinguished the fire just after 1 p.m. but remained to douse hot spots, officials said. The cause was under investigation, but early indicators didn’t suggest anything suspicious, authorities said.


chicagotribune--2020-01-20--Chicago man was more than 4 times over legal alcohol limit when he crashed car, critically injuring

Chicago man was more than 4 times over legal alcohol limit when he crashed car, critically injuring 4-year-old daughter, prosecutors say

Kevin Scott , was charged Sunday with a felony count of aggravated driving under the influence in the crash , @ @ @ @ @ Chicago ’ s Englewood neighborhood on the South Side .
He was also charged with @ @ @ @ @ under the influence of alcohol and was cited for failing to reduce speed , operating @ @ @ @ @ child restraint violation .

Kevin Scott, 40, is charged with aggravated driving under the influence after a crash on Jan. 18, 2020, that critically injured his 4-year-old daughter. (Chicago Police Department)
A 40-year-old Chicago man had more than four times the legal limit of alcohol in his system when he crashed his car and seriously injured his 4-year-old daughter, causing her to be placed on a ventilator, Cook County prosecutors alleged during a court hearing Monday afternoon.
Kevin Scott, was charged Sunday with a felony count of aggravated driving under the influence in the crash, which happened Saturday evening in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood on the South Side. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol and was cited for failing to reduce speed, operating an uninsured vehicle and a child restraint violation.
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Cook County Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. issued Scott a $5,000 deposit bond during the hearing Monday and also ordered pretrial supervision.
Scott was driving a Nissan Altima when he lost control of the car just before 6 p.m., hitting a utility box and then a tree in the 5900 block of South Halsted Street, Chicago police said.
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At Monday’s bond hearing, prosecutors alleged that Scott’s daughter was riding in the front passenger seat without a restraint. Rescue crews used the jaws of life to remove the girl from the car, prosecutors said.
She was rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital in critical condition, where she remained on a ventilator Monday, unable to speak, according to prosecutors.
Scott, of the 5400 block of South Honore Street, was in good condition after the accident, and was treated and released from University of Chicago Medical Center. He had a blood alcohol content of .338 after the crash, prosecutors said.
Scott’s public defender told the court that he is employed as a health care worker and is the father of three children.
mabuckley@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-01-20--Column: The Astros need someone to clean up their mess. Dusty Baker is the man for the job.

“ There 's tainting going on in almost everybody 's career and life before it 's over with , ” @ @ @ @ @ was looking at TV today , and Martha Stewart is tainted .
I 've been @ @ @ @ @ someone great who has n't been tainted .
And if you find that person , @ @ @ @ @ a saint .
If there are saints walking around , I 'd definitely like to @ @ @ @ @ I need some cleansing myself .
”

If you’re looking for the perfect manager to deal with the fallout from an embarrassing cheating scandal, Dusty Baker is your man.
Like a well-groomed, sharp-tongued character in a Quentin Tarantino film, he’d be the first guy you’d call on to clean up a mess, restoring order after an untimely disaster.
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Dusty Baker is the fixer the Houston Astros need.
As it stood Monday, Baker was one of several candidates for the job opening created by the firing of A.J. Hinch. The others included fellow veteran managers Buck Showalter and John Gibbons, ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez and Cubs coach Will Venable.
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Most of the candidates have the credentials to succeed in the job, but only one has hands-on experience as a fixer.
There’s no denying the sign-stealing scandal will be a media distraction all season or that the Astros are now a marked team. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired, but many of the culprits from the 2017 team remain in the clubhouse, unpunished and unnamed.
What the Astros need is a new leader proficient at protecting those players, particularly stars like Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, who were accused of wearing buzzers in order to get tipped on pitches shortly after MLB released its report on the sign-stealing scandal.
When Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer tweeted he’d heard about the buzzer “from multiple parties, too,” it ensured the Astros controversy would not soon fade away. MLB said it found no evidence to support the buzzer rumor, absolving the Astros players in public, if not in the Twittersphere.
One of Baker’s greatest strengths as a manager is his ability to deal with controversies, as we learned firsthand on the North Side.
Whether you agreed with his brand of spin or not, there’s no arguing Baker was adept at answering question after question about his players’ alleged wrongdoing, thus allowing those players to do their own thing.
Baker managed Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa during the prime of their alleged PED-fueled careers. He coined the term “steroid McCarthyism” or accusing players of PED usage based on the eye test instead of evidence. He was in the middle of the famous feud between Cubs players and broadcasters Steve Stone and Chip Caray.
This is a man who is battled-tested.
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As manager of the Astros, Baker would be in charge of a clubhouse filled with alleged cheaters — a group that also happens to be one of the best teams in baseball. They need a manager with a proven track record in two distinct areas — winning and having his players’ backs. Baker hates the term “players’ manager,” but that’s what he is.
Though Baker eventually had a falling out with Sosa at the end of the ‘04 season, he came to his star’s defense a number of times before that, including in the summer of ’03 when the Cubs outfielder was caught using a corked bat during a game at Wrigley Field. It was a cheating controversy that made national news, and though Sosa was caught red-handed, Baker insisted it wouldn’t affect his reputation.
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“There's tainting going on in almost everybody's career and life before it's over with,” Baker said. “I was looking at TV today, and Martha Stewart is tainted. I've been tainted. You name me someone great who hasn't been tainted. And if you find that person, then you'll probably have a saint. If there are saints walking around, I'd definitely like to meet that saint, because I need some cleansing myself.”
Sosa eventually received a seven-game suspension from MLB, and though he moved on, like Stewart, he’s now on the outside of baseball and persona non grata with the Cubs. Baker, also no saint, moved on to managerial gigs in Cincinnati and Washington, where he took teams to the postseason five more times but never won the big one and was unceremoniously let go by both teams.
Those experiences helped forge Baker’s hard-earned reputation as an outlaw’s outlaw, always fighting for his players against the Man, whether the Man is the media, the owner, broadcasters or MLB. In Chicago he often mentioned of one of his favorite movie characters, Snake Plissken from “Escape from New York,” a post-apocalyptic thriller by director John Carpenter about a chaotic, lawless society.
“I’m not hitting, I’m not fielding, I’m not throwing," Baker once said. “All I do is think. I’m not the brain in ‘Escape from New York.’ I’m not Snake Plissken.”
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Baker still plays the role of antihero better than most managers and hasn’t slowed down at 70. With Joe Maddon in Anaheim and Baker in Houston, imagine how interesting those Astros-Angels series would be.
Whether Astros owner Jim Crane wants a strong-willed, celebrity manager like Baker is unknown. He may prefer a more boring choice, someone as vanilla as Hinch.
But at least Baker is in the mix, ready to be someone’s fixer again.