CHGO Digest: Counsell returns, Cubs & Sox sputtering, Angel embracing Chicago Way

Happy Tuesday, friends!

I’ve got good news and bad news.

Bad news: I’m not sure we’ll see the Cubs or White Sox win a game ever again.

Good news: Bears training camp begins in 53 days.

It was one of those weekends for Chicago’s baseball clubs. Pedro Grifol lashed out at his offense to the media, and Craig Counsell was mercilessly booed by the same fanbase that had considered him family until last year.

— Patrick Norton

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Counsell returns to Milwaukee, Cubs offense struggles to click

Brewers fans welcomed Craig Counsell back to American Family Field with substantial jeers for the club’s former manager.

Being the hometown hero, playing parts of six seasons for the Brewers, and managing the club to five postseason appearances in nine years doesn’t really matter when you skip town for the organization’s biggest rival just 90 miles down I-94.

Counsell laughed off the boos from the dugout, but it was the Brewers that got the last laugh, defeating the Cubs, 5-1, despite Justin Steele’s brilliance.

• Steele completed 7.0 IP of shutout baseball in just 93 pitches but left the game with a no-decision thanks to the Cubs’ offensive offensive performance. It’s Steele’s best start of the season, and a tremendous sign for the team’s ace given his struggles since returning from the 15-day IL on May 6.
  
• Since May 13, the Cubs are scoring 2.54 runs/game with three wins in the 13-game stretch. In the same timeframe, the club ranks last in batting average (.190), slugging (.223), wRC+ (61), and WAR (-1.1).
  

📖 READ | CHGO’s Ryan Herrera breaks down Counsell’s return to Milwaukee and the offense’s recent funk.

⚾ TONIGHT | Cubs at Brewers — 6:40 on Marquee Sports Network

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Join CHGO for the Crosstown Series!

Come hang out with the CHGO Cubs Crew and other diehards as the Cubs take on the White Sox at Wrigley on June 4! There are limited tickets available so grab yours today!

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Angel Reese attaining star status, embracing Chicago culture

Angel Reese is quickly becoming a favorite target for opponents, but Sun forward Alyssa Thomas took things to a whole new level when she put Reese on the ground by her neck under the guise of a sloppy rebound attempt. After a quick review, officials assessed Thomas a flagrant 2, ejecting her from the action.

Reese took the high road following the Sky’s loss to Connecticut in Saturday night’s home opener, but the No. 7 overall pick is quickly becoming the truest embodiment of “Chicago Tough”.

• Reese didn’t believe Thomas’ actions to be deliberate, but said, “I mean, it was going to be a tough game, and that’s what I’m built for. And my teammates had my back throughout the whole game, so I was prepared for it.”
  
• “They’re not supposed to be nice to me. I hope y’all know that. They’re not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I’m Angel Reese or because I’m a rookie,” Reese continued. “Like, thank you, AT, for sending the message to me, because I got back up, and I kept going and kept pushing.”
  

Sean Connery’s delivery of “That’s the Chicago way!” in 1987’s The Untouchables rings in my ears when thinking of Reese’s attitude: get back up, keep going, keep pushing.

🏀 TONIGHT | Sky vs. Storm — 7:00 on The U

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Hit the links with CHGO!

Join ALLCITY’s Big Drive Energy and your favorite CHGO personalities on the golf course. The Cookout Classic tees off in West Chicago on July 22 — book as an individual, twosome, or foursome today!

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White Sox’s latest skid could spell trouble for Grifol

It would be unusual for the team with the worst record in baseball to look like a well-oiled machine, but dysfunction is reaching new levels for the Southsiders, and Pedro Grifol’s latest attempt to rally the troops has many asking how much longer he’ll be Chicago’s skipper.

• Following a four-game sweep at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles, Grifol called the team’s performance “f—ing flat”. The club was no-hit through seven innings on Sunday before a Danny Mendick home run broke up the bid.
  
• Instead of agreeing with his manager, White Sox catcher Korey Lee offered a differing view, saying “He’s going to feel that way, and obviously we have a different feeling.”
  

Special shoutout and thank you to the Diehards and friends who made it out to Turtle’s and Guaranteed Rate Field as part of Monday’s CHGO White Sox Takeover!

We had a blast at today’s takeover! pic.twitter.com/mufaiqHNDa

— CHGO White Sox (@CHGO_WhiteSox) May 27, 2024

📖 READ | CHGO’s Vinnie Duber expands on Lee’s comments and details the rest of the clubhouse’s reaction to Grifol’s statement.

⚾ TONIGHT | White Sox vs. Blue Jays — 6:40 on NBC Sports Chicago

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Will you be watching Justin Fields in 2024?

On Thursday’s CHGO Digest, we asked if Justin Fields’ inevitable starts with the Steelers next season should be appointment television for Bears fans. Here’s what you said!

• “No emotional ties to Justin. This is the NFL, and he didn’t bring wins. While all of that may not be his doing — and he certainly had his dynamic moments — it’s win or move on.” — Chuck W.
  
• “The Bears have never had a top-tier NFL QB. Even in successful seasons, it was NEVER the QB. The Bears should have stuck with Fields, an NFL caliber, talented, capable QB … Just like when Kane came back to Chicago and scored the OT GWG, I hope Fields gets a similar moment.”  — Alan K.
  
• “I think I will always quietly root for Justin Fields throughout his career … Who will ever forget the image of him sliding in the flooded Soldier Field following the 49ers win. It is up there with the Fog Bowl and Tom Brady’s 4th down gaffe. With that said, Onward with Caleb!” — Matthew D.
  

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Roundup: Lonzo Ball’s return, Blackhawks trade up

• Lonzo Ball is (almost) back! When asked if the point guard believes he will play for the Bulls in the 2024-25 season on his What An Experience podcast, Ball said, “Yes. I firmly believe that. That’s the plan that I’m on and I haven’t had any setbacks. I expect to play the first game.” Ball exercised his player option at the beginning of the offseason, but has not played in a game since January 2022 due to a lingering knee injury.
  
• The Blackhawks struck a deal with the New York Islanders on Friday to move up in the first and second rounds of the 2024 NHL Draft. Chicago sent picks No. 20, No. 54 (2nd) , and No. 61 (2nd) for picks No. 18 and No. 50 (2nd). The team also owns the No. 2 overall pick in next month’s draft.
  

More on CHGO!

• The CHGO Bears crew broke down the offense’s struggles at last week’s OTAs and why this is actually good for Caleb Williams.
  
• Friday 1:20 Club this week! Join Cody Delmendo and Greg Braggs Jr. at Murphy’s Bleachers before heading to Wrigley’s bleachers when the Cubs take on the Reds!