Special sports events capture attention of the public, whether high school State tournament games, Super Bowl, World Series, or, significant international competition.
The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals later this week will break into international mode with two games in London, England. Automatically, the natural rivals will capture the focus of two games, Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25, in common National League Central Division games.
Both teams are under .500, however, historically capture strong fan bases. Through Monday this week, the Cubs were 34-38, in fourth place in the five-team Central Division, and the Cardinals were 30-43 in fifth place in the Central, and eight games behind leader Cincinnati, 38-35. The Cubs will not play games Thursday and Friday in preparation for two games in London.
The games will be played at London Stadium, built in 2012 for the international Olympic Games and Paraplegic Games. Since then, events at the 60,000-seat stadium have included soccer games, the Rugby World Cup, and rock concerts.
The Cub-Cardinal games will be televised and available at 12:10 p.m. Central Time Saturday on Fox and at 9:10 a.m. Sunday CT on ESPN. There is a six-hour time difference in with games starting in London at 6:10 p.m. Saturday and 3:10 p.m. Sunday. The Cubs will resume games in the United States at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, June 27 at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Over the 10 games through Monday, the Cubs have played well with an 8-2 record and the Cardinals were 4-6. Major League Baseball for most teams is tied to a .500 record over its 162-game season. Through Monday, the Chicago White Sox were 3-7 over 10 games and 31-43 this season and in fourth place in the five-team American League Central Division.
- High school Springs sports have been completed. Fall sports will resume in late August. Here is a list of some of the top teams in the State, sponsored by the Illinois High School Association:
Girls badminton: 1. Stevenson, 2. Neuqua Valley; 3. Fremd; 4. Glenbrook North with Hinsdale South, Hinsdale Central, and York in fifth through seventh.
Boys baseball: in order of finish: Edwardsville, Chicago Brother Rice, New Trier, York.
Boys Gymnastics: Lake Park, Lyons, Hersey, Wheaton Warrenville South.
Girls lacrosse: Loyola Academy, Hinsdale Central, Lake Forest, Sandburg.
Boys lacrosse: Wheaton Academy, St. Viator, Lake Forest, Benet Academy.
Girls soccer: 1A, IC Catholic Prep in fourth place; 2A, Benet Academy, second place, and Crystal Lake Central, third.;
Softball: 3A, Benet, third; 4A, Chicago Marist, Yorkville, Oak Park-River Forest, Barrngton.
More high school Spring elite lists next week.