Major League Baseball (MLB) continues to prove that teams are tied closer to .500 than in other sports and that teams go from losing streaks to winning streaks rather easily. The Chicago Cubs defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-2, Tuesday afternoon this week to jump ahead of the Bucs in the standings by one-half game. The victory by the Cubs was the sixth consecutive. Prior to the all-star game Tuesday, July 19, the Cubs had lost 10 games in a row.
Rule of thumb that teams which stay healthy in September and October and play well can excel in the postseason, if they keep their heads above water prior to Labor Day. Often, as soon as hopes rise, reality changes the outlook. On the other hand, the neversaydie attitude can be a blessing. The Cubs have played hard and kept a positive outlook. The 40-57 record through Tuesday this week should not offer hopes for a .500 finish or better, however….
The Chicago White Sox have been at or near .500 nearly all season and if the pitching continues to improve….Well, the Sox at the beginning of the week were 48-48 and four games behind Minnesota and one-half game behind Cleveland. If the Sox can stay the course, get sound pitching, and believe…. It is every team’s expectation when hopes are high at the beginning of the season….
Notes and hopes abound:
• Marmion Academy in Aurora recently released information the school hired two new head coaches for the all-boys school. Glenn Brown was named head varsity swim coach. Aaron Nieckula was named the head baseball coach. Brown had been the assistant swim coach at the school the last nine years. He coached Rosary High School in Aurora the last eight years, Brown is an assistant coach with the Academy Bullets Swim Club in Aurora. His primary responsibility has been with the 11-14 year-old swimmers who have won 14 State championships. Nieckula played baseball at the University of Illinois in the Big Ten Conference for Hall of Fame coach Richard “Itch” Jones. He played five minor league baseball seasons and reached the Triple-A level, the highest in minor leagues.
• Phillips Park golf course in Aurora has installed two indoor course simulators. See the photo on page 13. The grand opening was held in golf pro shop recently. In attendance were course operations manager Jeff Schmidt, Aurora mayor Richard Irvin, and aldermen Juany Garza, Ward 2, Ted Mesiacos, Ward 3, Carl Franco, Ward 5, and Shweta Baid, Ward 10. Simulator players can choose from a set of world-famous golf courses, weather conditions, and video-games scenarios to practice putting and form. Simulator’s booking charge is $40. per hour.
• Springbrook Golf Course in Naperville will be closed August 1 for renovations. The driving range, clubhouse, practice areas, and patio will remain open. The Golf Course has been open for nearly 50 years. Contractors will completely rebuild all tees and bunkers, complete drainage work that began in 2021, update green surrounds, and add new bridges and cart paths. Work is expected to be completed in the late Fall and the course will be open in the late Spring or early summer 2023. Areas available will open daily at 7 a.m..
• The American Hockey League honored Chicago Wolves’ forward Stefan Noesen for overall excellence.