Brandon Marsh's RBI double
It's just about time to get ready to rumble for a good cause on the city's South Side. Dan Letz is the owner and operator of Letz Box Chicago—a pugilistic palace in Mount Greenwood. For the last several months, he's been training a good-hearted, fleet-footed field of warriors who are fighting to help find a cure for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), which is a brain tumor that can develop in the brainstem. "It's horrific. It affects mainly children," Katie Gaskin said. "It's a tumor that grows within the brain stem, specifically in the ponds, and when a child is diagnosed with this, right now, they're really only given radiation as a treatment option and usually eight to 12 months to live." Gaskin's son, Anthony, was 7 years old when he died from DIPG, just 19 months after his diagnosis. In memory of Anthony, who Gaskin described as an old soul who loved the Chicago Cubs, she started the Anthony's Avengers DIPG Foundation. Letz and Gaskin have partnered to host an event on Friday, June 13 at Saint Rita of Cascia High School in benefit of Anthony's Avengers and their mission to find a cure. Starting at 7 p.m., the St. Rita Mustang's football field will be transformed into a boxing ring under the Friday night lights of a different sort. WGN's Pat Elwood brings you the story. For more info on Anthony's Avengers and the fight to find a cure, visit their website: https://anthonysavengers.org/
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Chicago Tribune
10 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Still time for Chicago Cubs to recover from Jed Hoyer's painful swing-and-miss at trade deadline
Jed Hoyer's season has basically mirrored the team he runs. A great start that led to accolades and a contract extension from Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts three days before the trade deadline has been followed by a late summer drought that threatens to spoil a dreamlike season. The Cubs now trail the Milwaukee Brewers by four games after leading them by 6½ on June 18. Hoyer's lost gamble on Michael Soroka's health at the trade deadline puts the rotation in another bind. So the damage is done. But there's still time for the Cubs to get back on course, starting Friday in St. Louis, where they open a six-game trip against the Cardinals and red-hot Toronto Blue Jays. Whether Hoyer will recover from the Soroka mess might depend on whether the Cubs make the postseason. They began Thursday with a 97.2% chance, according to FanGraphs, though their odds of taking the division had plummeted to 32.5%. Cubs fans are understandably upset with Hoyer, who made a lot of noise about acquiring a starting pitcher for the stretch run and then settled on the Washington Nationals' Soroka, citing a 'tight market' and unreasonable asking prices for frontline starters. The Cubs kept their top prospects, which seemed to be Hoyer's most important goal, even at the risk of a better shot at postseason success. As Hoyer explained his decision-making to the media at the team's office building next to Wrigley Field, a siren blared from the Waveland Avenue firehouse, increasing in volume as he spoke. You can't make this stuff up. Whether Hoyer heard the alarm bells is unknown. Soroka's injury history, however, was well-known, and his recent numbers with the Nationals weren't impressive: an 0-5 record with a 4.87 ERA over his last nine starts. But he had 52 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings in that span, and the Cubs needed a swing-and-miss guy out of the bullpen, which was probably where Soroka was headed once Jameson Taillon returned. Hoyer had tried to sign Soroka in the offseason, despite an 0-10 record and 4.74 ERA with the 2024 White Sox. But the Nationals surprised almost everyone with a one-year, $9 million offer that was too pricey for Hoyer. He smartly changed course and wound up signing the more affordable Colin Rea a month later for a guaranteed $5 million with a $6 million option for 2026. Though Rea competed for a starting job in spring training, he lost out to Ben Brown and wound up in the bullpen until Justin Steele's season-ending elbow injury in April forced him back into the rotation. Soroka's velocity was trending down with the Nationals, from a 94.9 mph fastball average on June 22 to a 90.9 average on July 23. He underwent an MRI 'for my peace of mind' before his last start with the Nationals, and the Cubs were aware of the test results. When he reported to work at Wrigley, Soroka told the media Sunday the drop in velocity was not a big concern. 'Going through stuff, things we worked through (in Washington),' he said. 'We talked to the Cubs when that happened and they were aware. I think that's something we can move through pretty quickly and get going with. 'Obviously we deal with struggles, whether it be physical or mechanical or whatever it is. Got to keep competing. I've found I can compete with a couple less miles an hour, though it's nice to have 96-97 in the back pocket. We can make it work for now. I have confidence it will be back before long.' But Soroka's four-seam fastball never got above 91 mph in a 31-pitch debut against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, and he was removed after two innings and placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. Cubs fans were apoplectic. From appearances, it looked as though the Cubs received damaged goods. But Hoyer knew the risk and admitted as much when he spoke to the media Tuesday, saying, 'Right now, it's not looking like a good bet.' Executives take gambles on players with injury histories all the time, and manager Craig Counsell pointed out Hoyer also took one on Matthew Boyd, who turned into an All-Star and one of the game's top starters this year. But Boyd had been effective after returning last August with the Cleveland Guardians, who gambled on him by signing him in June 2024 while he rehabbed from a year off after Tommy John surgery. Soroka, meanwhile, was average at best this season for the Nationals, even without the velocity question. The timing of the injury could not have been worse, with the Cubs losing ground in the division to the Brewers and Hoyer having just agreed to an extension. The move was reminiscent of a six-player offseason deal between the White Sox and Blue Jays in January 2001 that sent starter David Wells and reliever Matt DeWitt to Chicago in return for starter Mike Sirotka and three other players. Sirotka passed a physical, but a second exam revealed a possible torn labrum. The Blue Jays asked the league for compensation when Sirotka was deemed damaged goods with the labrum and rotator cuff injuries in a controversy dubbed 'Shouldergate.' 'My first thought is that I was hurt when they traded me,' Sirotka said after the deal. 'I don't know if you can blame both sides for either not being truthful or not knowing how serious it was. But the bottom line is, I was hurt before the trade.' But Commissioner Bud Selig upheld the transaction with a 14-page ruling that blamed the Blue Jays for not doing their due diligence. He wrote: 'The 'caveat emptor' rule, as developed in baseball, to which exceptions are exceedingly rare, is meant to decrease the potential for disputes by placing the burden on the acquiring club to seek the media information it feels it needs.' Sirotka never pitched in the majors again, and it was just a small chapter in the career of former Sox general manager Ken Williams. Hopefully Soroka's injury isn't serious enough to merit a 'Shouldergate II' and he'll return to the Cubs after resting the shoulder a few weeks. But if he isn't able to pitch — or struggles when he returns — it would be Hoyer's burden to bear. A prime chance to upgrade the rotation would be considered wasted, and it would be up to Taillon, Brown or Javier Assad to give the Cubs a dependable fourth starter for October to go with Boyd, Shota Imanaga and Cade Horton. That's assuming the Cubs get there, which depends on their streaky offense returning to form. Amazingly, they still ranked second behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in runs scored through Wednesday, despite being tied for 22nd since the All-Star break. That shows how dominant they were for a 3½-month stretch, and it's why Hoyer and Counsell are optimistic they'll rebound. But it's not just one or two players. Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ and Carson Kelly all need to pick up the pace, or else the rotation conundrum won't matter. Is it time for fans to start focusing on the wild-card race and concede the National League Central to the Brewers? Not at all. A five-game showdown Aug. 18-21 at Wrigley looms, and if the Cubs can narrow the gap or take the lead after that series, there's no reason to think they can't win the division and even earn a bye with one of the league's top two records. They're treading water, not collapsing, but with the Brewers streaking, all bets are off. The Cubs' swing-and-miss on landing a top starter at the trade deadline — and then getting an injured one — has tempered expectations from many fans. Most figured Hoyer would go for it with Tucker's future uncertain and a team that looked certain to make some noise in October. The contract extension coincided with a more conservative approach by Hoyer. Only he knows if he would've swung a bigger deal had his own future been on the line.
Boston Globe
2 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Here's how Roman Anthony, even at just 21 years old, has changed the Red Sox since arriving in the big leagues
The Red Sox had staggered through the early part of the schedule when they decided to call up Anthony on June 9. They owned a 32-35 record, placing them fourth in the AL East. They are 32-17 since, best in the American League. Advertisement That's not solely because of Anthony, of course. There have been numerous, massive changes that have reshaped the roster since then. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Still, there's no question Anthony changed the dynamic of the club. Through 47 games entering Friday night's series opener in San Diego, he's hit .276/.392/.417, exhibiting remarkable plate discipline and patience that teammates suggest has had a ripple effect throughout the lineup. He is just the fifth player in the 21st century who, at 21 or younger, posted an OBP of .390 or better through his first 47 career games, joining Fernando Tatís Jr., Juan Soto, Jason Heyward, and Albert Pujols. Related : Anthony also has impressed with his base running and outfield play, grading as an above-average defender in the corners. Overall, he's produced 1.5 WAR in the calculations of FanGraphs. Yet even that marker of production is inadequate to capture who Anthony is and what he's done. Advertisement 'I think [what Anthony has done] is special. I think it's remarkable,' said Breslow. 'And I'm not sure that there's a metric that we should look at uniquely and believe that it perfectly captures the impact that he's had. We can look at his contribution, whether that's WAR or any of those. We could look at our team record. 'But I think that we've talked a lot over the last couple of months about this athletic, dynamic team that we're looking to build, and Roman suits that perfectly.' This isn't the first time the Sox have seen a team elevate its play once Anthony joined it. Raves started pouring in about Anthony as an 18-year-old making his pro debut in the Florida Complex League in 2022, shortly after he'd been drafted in the second round and signed to a $2.5 million bonus. Roman Anthony makes a sliding catch to secure an out against the Rays in his first Major League series. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Even in the FCL, the words 'mature' and 'maturity' were used so often that it was easy to forget Anthony was the youngest player on the team. His reputation only grew across levels, as players and coaches got to appreciate his talent and what mattered to him. Last year, when he was promoted to Triple A Worcester along with Kyle Teel and Marcelo Mayer, the team had a 53-60 record. Down the stretch, as Anthony solidified his case as the top prospect in baseball, the WooSox were 26-11. 'When we had him last year in Worcester, what he did to our team as far as wins and losses from the moment that he came up, we're seeing a copy-paste exactly of what happened when he came up to Worcester,' said Red Sox first base coach José Flores, who was the WooSox' bench coach last year. 'So I'm not surprised at all.'' Advertisement Flores, who was a minor league coordinator with the Cubs from 2013-17, suggested Anthony's impact upon arrival in the big leagues reminded him of Kyle Schwarber's with the Cubs in 2015, when a young team working to establish itself suddenly hit another gear. Anthony is a rookie but is respected as a sage by older teammates. 'You see the quality of at-bats this guy's taking on a daily basis, that's contagious,' said Flores. 'Trevor Story, a guy who's been in the big leagues a long time, seeing this kid, how comfortable he looks in the batter's box, they had conversations, and Trevor may have picked up something that he hadn't been thinking about through the course of the struggles he was having early. Now, all of a sudden, you're seeing a lot more success than struggle.' Related : Anthony's comportment on the field and among his teammates has been jarringly impressive. He's gifted but looks to coaches and teammates for insight on ways he can improve. He does not seek attention but is comfortable with it, and has shown a remarkable ability to handle the media and frame all comments through the prism of team success. He constantly seeks the feedback of veterans, yet already has earned their respect to the point that more experienced teammates turn to him for advice on the field. Advertisement 'I'm not sure I've ever been around a guy who has the type of impact that he has at that age,' said third base coach Kyle Hudson, who recalled his astonishment when Anthony introduced himself in spring training by asking for help to improve his sliding. 'That's the reason why we are where we are right now, and why he is where he is, just because his approach to everybody, and his approach to the game is about winning. That's what it's all about for him. There's not a selfish bone in his body . . . People are drawn to him. People want to talk to him. People want to pick his brain.' After wins, the Red Sox recognize a player of the game, who briefly addresses his teammates. Pitcher Garrett Crochet said he was 'caught off guard' by how mature, poised, and well-spoken Anthony was the first time he received the recognition. 'He's one of the more mature 21-year-olds I think that has ever come through major league baseball,' said Crochet. 'You mix his work ethic with his discipline, and that's kind of what you see on the field. It's been a pro at-bat since Day One. He never seems overwhelmed or overmatched. For me, it's really just the maturity that's the biggest thing.' Teammate Alex Bregman suggested Anthony's at-bats reminded him of Yordan Alvarez when the Astros slugger arrived in the big leagues and instantly became one of the league's best hitters as a 22-year-old in 2019. Pitcher Walker Buehler compared Anthony's presence to that of former Dodgers teammates Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager, both of whom won Rookie of the Year honors and eventually emerged as the MVP (Bellinger) or runner-up (Seager). Advertisement Yet there's also the dimension of how Anthony carries himself ― how he manages to display a 'Jeter gene' in how he fields every question, whether reframing all personal successes by discussing the team or taking the time to appreciate teammates, as when he opened his discussion of a recent back injury by praising Wilyer Abreu's fill-in. 'He wants to win,' said manager Alex Cora. 'He's shown it in the interviews [and] the way he goes about his business.' Indeed, the decision by Anthony to sign underscored and amplified that commitment. 'The main goal is just show up every day and be the best version of myself and get better each and every day and try to help this team win,' Anthony said. 'And obviously, now that this [deal] is done, it's even more [of] a reason to just go out and be the best version of myself and win baseball games.' A fan holds up a custom Roman Anthony sign after the outfielder signed his eight-year contract extension. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff Alex Speier can be reached at
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Newsweek
Roman Anthony Drops 1-Word Message on Social Media After Signing Red Sox Contract
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Boston Red Sox signed Roman Anthony to an eight-year, $130 million deal on Wednesday. According to The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey, it is the largest contract for any player on the team with fewer than 150 at-bats. Anthony was the No. 1 prospect in baseball coming into the season, and now the Red Sox have ensured that he will stay in Boston through at least 2033. Anthony posted a one-word message on Instagram after signing the deal. "Home," Anthony wrote on Instagram, accompanied by a picture of him in his Red Sox uniform. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 6: Roman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox speaks during a press conference announcing his 8-year $130 million contract extension before a game against the Kansas City Royals on August... BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 6: Roman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox speaks during a press conference announcing his 8-year $130 million contract extension before a game against the Kansas City Royals on August 6, 2025 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. More Maddie Malhotra/BostonAnthony is slashing .276/.392/.417 in 47 games with the team. He noted that he wanted to move quickly when presented with an offer. "When the offer came through, it was something that I wanted to move quick on," Anthony said, per McCaffrey. "There was no doubt that this is where I wanted to play baseball for a long time." His deal can reach up to $230.2 million thanks to escalators and a $30 million club option for 2034. Anthony joins Ceddanne Rafaela and Kristian Campbell as part of the Red Sox's young core to sign early extensions. Marcelo Mayer has not signed an extension yet, but signing him would ensure that the long-awaited big three of Campbell, Anthony and Mayer will all remain in Boston for years to come. With the extension now squared away, the Red Sox and Anthony can focus on getting the team into the postseason and trying to make a deep run in October. More MLB: Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt Has 3 Words to Describe David Bednar's Stellar Outing
