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Chicago Tribune
33 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Afternoon Briefing: Trial opens in slaying of Chicago police officer
Good afternoon, Chicago. On the day he was killed, prosecutors said, Chicago police Officer Andres Vásquez Lasso woke up early in the morning in the home he bought in the same district he worked in. He said goodbye to his wife, a flight attendant, who had a full day of flights ahead of her. Later that afternoon, Vásquez Lasso began his final shift, prosecutors said, during which he was shot and killed while responding to a domestic call on March 1, 2023. 'Andres Vásquez Lasso was living the American Dream,' said Assistant State's Attorney Katie Siefert. 'Andres cared so much for the community he patrolled, he moved into the 8th District and bought his home there.' Attorneys delivered opening statements to the jury today at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in front of a courtroom packed with police officers and family members. Here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History Restoring the world Robert Francis Prevost grew up in and around Dolton is not possible. The village has evolved, and many of the boyhood haunts that he and children his age may have frequented are now empty buildings and photos in history books. Read more here. More top news stories: An argument that city elections workers should not be allowed to unionize because doing so would constitute 'political activity' did not pass muster with a judge for the state's labor board. Read more here. More top business stories: This year's Midsummer Classic is fascinating for many reasons, including the introduction of Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong on the big stage, the starting matchup between Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, the mashing of catcher Cal Raleigh and the continued dominance of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, the best players of their era. Read more here. More top sports stories: Brookfield Zoo Chicago opened its new Tropical Forests primate habitat, featuring an expanded space for the zoo's first troop of bachelor gorillas and endangered black-handed spider monkeys rescued from wildlife trafficking. Read more here. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: Two people in New Jersey were killed after their vehicle was swept up in floodwaters during a storm that moved across the U.S. Northeast overnight, authorities said. Read more here. More top stories from around the world:
Fox Sports
35 minutes ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Hamptons to Cape Cod to 'Absolutely Nothing': How All-Stars Saw Their Plans Change
ATLANTA - Initially, Jacob Misiorowski was planning on doing "absolutely nothing" this week. Despite a dazzling five-start sample to begin his big-league career, the 23-year-old flame-throwing rookie didn't think there was any possibility he'd be an All-Star. "I was going to sit in Milwaukee," Misiorowski said, "and order in Chinese food." Luckily, those plans were easy to change when he found out Saturday that he would be named a replacement for Cubs starter Matthew Boyd. By the end of last week, 16 different players were told that they would be filling in as All-Star replacements. Many of them did not find out until the middle or end of last week, after a host of pitchers bowed out of the competition to avoid throwing on short rest. That meant a lot of gleeful postponements and cancellations from the newly-named All-Stars, who had to change their plans for the break. Rays starter Drew Rasmussen, for instance, is no longer going on his family trip to Cape Cod. The Rays finished out the first half in Boston, so he thought it made sense to stay in the area to relax for a few days. Instead, he was named an All-Star replacement for Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi on Friday. "This is definitely a little bit more special," said Rasmussen, who now plans to head right back to Tampa to get a bit of rest after the All-Star Game before the Rays start the second half at home. For Tigers starter Casey Mize, meanwhile, an All-Star nod meant canceling a trip to Tampa, where he calls home. Mize's wife is pregnant with their first child, who is due this fall, and he had planned to accompany her for a check-up. "Luckily, it wasn't the biggest appointment ever, and she was able to reschedule," Mize said. Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia was also planning a trip to Florida after getting snubbed. He did not find out he was going to replace the injured Brandon Lowe until Friday, just a few days ago, at which point he had already planned a trip to Miami. (He was still able to get his money back, he said.) Another American League third baseman had arrangements on the other side of the country. The Tigers' Zach McKinstry was going to stay in a cabin and enjoy some time in the sun on a boat in Washington. Those Pacific Northwest plans have changed. An injury to Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena cleared the path for McKinstry to go to Atlanta, where he will be an All-Star for the first time. Mets starting pitcher David Peterson, meanwhile, is still keeping his initial plans, just pushing them back a couple of days. He is splitting a house with a teammate in the Hamptons. "They're there, getting to use it," Peterson said. "They told us it's great, so I'm looking forward to having a little downtime once all this is wrapped up." After the initial list of All-Star pitchers were unveiled, Peterson still thought there was a chance he could make it after logging a 3.06 ERA in the first half. He was ultimately named a replacement for Giants starter Robbie Ray on Thursday. "When the selections came out, I kind of put it out of my mind, like if it happens, it happens," Peterson said. "But I still had a couple starts to go, and I needed to focus on those. So, I tried to put my head down and continue helping the Mets win ballgames and see where we end up." Other replacements, meanwhile, put nothing on the books this week even after being left off the initial vote. "I actually held out hope," said Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott. "I thought I deserved to be here off the start, but obviously everybody here is deserving." Among National League pitchers who've thrown at least 90 innings this year, Abbott has the second-lowest ERA (2.07) behind only All-Star Game starter Paul Skenes (2.01). The Virginia native decided he was going to stay out in Cincinnati rather than go back home, hoping he would eventually get the call. He was named an All-Star last Tuesday as a replacement for Yoshinobu Yamamoto. "I hoped I was on the short list of replacements, but there was no communication like, 'Oh, you're No. 1 or No. 3,'" Abbott said. Last season, Trevor Megill had a 2.05 ERA and was 18-for-20 in save chances before the break while filling in for the injured Devin Williams, but he wasn't named an All-Star. This year, after taking over the closing role in Milwaukee full-time, he made it a goal to get to Atlanta. That objective remained even after he was left off the initial vote by the players. Megill, who has the second-most saves in the National League, was either going to get the nod eventually or sit at home in Milwaukee, much like his teammate Misiorowski. "I planned on being here from the beginning of the season," said Megill, who found out Wednesday that he would be replacing teammate Freddy Peralta. "Last year I was within arm's reach of being here and things just didn't fall the way I wanted to. It was all or nothing here this year." Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on Twitter at @RowanKavner . recommended Item 1 of 1 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB All-Star Game: Pete Crow-Armstrong, baseball's most electrifying newcomer, remains calm and comfortable even when the lights are brightest
ATLANTA — As the Cubs' center fielder jogged out to his position on July 3, he couldn't help but notice the 19 shirtless fans screaming his name. Just above the iconic Wrigley Field ivy, a chain of high schoolers from suburban Chicago roared in response to the arrival of their favorite player. They also came with a silent, albeit even more unmistakable message. Emblazoned on their chests in blue paint: PETE CROW-ARMSTRONG. Seventeen letters on seventeen canvases. One kid had an unpainted front to indicate the space between PETE and CROW. The hyphen made it 19. Advertisement According to Cubs sideline reporter Taylor McGregor, the pals passionately argued over who got to be the dash. After much negotiation, the hyphen was awarded to the fastest member of the group, a youngster identified only as 'Ribs.' During their interview, as a routine fly ball landed lazily in Crow-Armstrong's glove, his cheering section erupted: 'PETE, PETE, PETE.' Crow-Armstrong, cool as an Icelandic cucumber, nodded in acknowledgement before sauntering back to his position. The absurd spectacle was yet another memorable moment in what has been an emphatic breakout season for the 23-year-old. As the Cubs make a strong push toward their first postseason appearance since 2020, Crow-Armstrong has emerged as a main character — crucial to the team's imposing offense, its run-prevention unit and the overall reinvigorated atmosphere at the national landmark on the north side of Chicago. On a team full of notable characters and productive players, he's the reason you turn on the television. Advertisement In 95 games, PCA has clubbed 25 home runs and swiped 27 bags, becoming only the third player in MLB history with 25/25 before the All-Star break. In the field, he has been even more exhilarating, posting the best defensive metrics of any big-league outfielder. Altogether, Crow-Armstrong has been worth 4.9 FanGraphs WAR. By that metric, only Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh have been more valuable in 2025. But Crow-Armstrong is much, much more than his statistical output. His burgeoning superstardom is equally a product of his magnetic personality. PCA is the epitome of California cool with a dollop of Gen-Z, a delightfully affable and effortlessly funny guy. He is a hand-shaker, a name-rememberer, a question-asker. He appears to float through life like he floats across a ballfield — the type of person that people want to be around. The results for this All-Star Game resoundingly affirmed his newfound popularity. Advertisement After the first round of fan voting, Crow-Armstrong led all National League outfielders with a 3,021,265 total that ranked sixth league-wide. The only players ahead of PCA were Judge, Raleigh and a trio of Los Angeles Dodgers (Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith and Freddie Freeman). During the All-Star festivities here in Atlanta, Crow-Armstrong has been a hot commodity. On the field at pre-Derby batting practice, he was swarmed by media, reporters, celebrities, retired players and assorted lookie-loos. He is particularly adored by youngsters, who are drawn to his energetic play and zippy vibe — your favorite player's kid's favorite player. 'Pete gets it. I think that's the coolest thing — he truly gets it,' teammate and fellow All-Star Matt Boyd said Monday. 'It's not too big for him. Like, you can tell he really embraces the stage.' And the stage embraces him. Advertisement The 23-year-old dynamo is wonderfully easy to enjoy. He bounces across the diamond like a jackrabbit on a trampoline. On the basepaths, he's a highlight reel waiting to happen, a speed demon with a high baseball IQ, ready and eager to push the envelope. At the dish, where he has taken the biggest, most important strides, Crow-Armstrong has become a legitimate offensive force and power threat. But where PCA shines brightest is in center field. His defensive exploits are thrilling. He makes the difficult look routine, the impossible look sensational. In the grass, he is a supercharged Roomba, capable of snatching nearly any batted ball that comes his way. That aspect of PCA's game is what put him on the map as an amateur, and by this point, old concerns about whether he would grow into meaningful big-league power have been entirely put to bed. Most MLB fans didn't know of Pete Crow-Armstrong before this season began. They do now. (Stefan Milic/Yahoo Sports) (Stefan Milic/Yahoo Sports) Beneath all the exuberant energy, Crow-Armstrong's ability to stay calm and grounded has been a crucial part of his ascension. That process begins the moment he wakes and continues until he steps to the plate. Advertisement 'I've done things a little bit differently this year,' he told Yahoo Sports during All-Star media availability. 'Like, I've taken more control over how I want my days to look. I think that really contributes to it as well.' Crow-Armstrong has utilized the breathwork practices of Thich Nhat Hanh, a world-renowned Vietnamese monk, known lovingly as the 'Father of Mindfulness.' Whereas most players seek to pump themselves up before and during games, Crow-Armstrong takes a different approach, opting for slow-paced playlists and walk-up songs that keep him calm. 'I bring a lot of energy in a game that doesn't always need it. So I think it's important for me to center myself,' he told Genius in April 2024 when explaining why he was walking up to Bob Marley's 'Sun is Shining.' 'He's got this perfect blend of, like, he believes in his ability, but he's got gratitude in where he's at,' Boyd observed. Advertisement That sense of gratitude, for Crow-Armstrong, appears to stem from his constant pursuit of simplicity. In many ways, his life has grown frantic, complicated, uncontrollable. But in dark script written on the outside of his right forearm, PCA has a tattoo that serves as something of a daily roadmap. 'Stay close to anything that makes you glad you are alive.' The quote is attributed to Hafez, a 14th-century Persian poet. Crow-Armstrong, like many of his counterparts, is forever seeking emotional equilibrium. Playing every day necessitates a certain even-keeled approach, an internal tranquility. That's true even for a lightning bolt such as Crow-Armstrong, who provides a reminder that infectious, unfettered joy can spring from grounded calm But then, when the lights are brightest, he comes alive. Crow-Armstrong plays like he's glad to be alive — and everyone watching him feels the same.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Cubs Linked To Massive Trade For Pair Of Twins Star Pitchers
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 Chicago Cubs have been solid over the last few years, but they haven't been anything special. This offseason, it seemed like the Cubs front office was committing to going all in to win this year. The Cubs swung trades for stars like Ryan Pressly and Kyle Tucker. They even reportedly pursued Alex Bregman in free agency. Now, Chicago will likely be quite aggressive ahead of the trade deadline. If they can land the right players, the Cubs could be the World Series favorites by August. Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently reported the Cubs were showing strong interest in a trade for star relievers Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran of the Minnesota Twins. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JULY 09: Jhoan Duran #59 (L) and Ryan Jeffers #27 of the Minnesota Twins celebrate the win against the Chicago Cubs after the game at Target Field on July 09, 2025 in... MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JULY 09: Jhoan Duran #59 (L) and Ryan Jeffers #27 of the Minnesota Twins celebrate the win against the Chicago Cubs after the game at Target Field on July 09, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Cubs 4-2. More"The Philadelphia Phillies have been extensively scouting Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins, hoping to acquire at least one of them," Nightengale wrote. "The Twins also are drawing strong interest from the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cincinnati Reds." Chicago is no stranger to spending prospect capital to land the players it wants. The Cubs have top prospects like James Triantos, Kevin Alcántara, and a few others who are seemingly blocked by big league talent. Using these prospects as trade bait in a deal to land Jax, Duran, or both would be the best-case scenario for the team. The Cubs' bullpen and pitching staff have been weak points for the team. Adding one or two star pitchers with multiple years of team control would patch one of these holes in a huge way. This idea makes perfect sense for the Cubs. It wouldn't be shocking if these rumors continued throughout July. More MLB: Red Sox Starter 'Will Be Sacrificed' Following $200 Million Alex Bregman Update
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB insider proposes Cubs-Pirates 5-player blockbuster involving $77M hurler
The Chicago Cubs should be among the biggest movers and shakers at this year's Major League Baseball trade deadline. Chicago has been one of the best teams in the league all year, arriving at the All-Star break with the National League's second-best record. Unfortunately, the team with the third-best record is the Milwaukee Brewers, who have caught fire and sit only one game back of the Cubs for first place in the NL Central. Advertisement The Cubs could realistically use a couple of starting pitchers, a new third baseman, and some bullpen help to maximize their chances of fending off the red-hot Brewers. One MLB insider thinks there's a trade to be had with the Pittsburgh Pirates that could address every need for Chicago. On Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post pitched a blockbuster trade in which Chicago would acquire Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller, third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, and closer David Bednar for third baseman Matt Shaw and top outfield prospect Owen Caissie. "The Cubs are scouting the Pirates (as are most contenders). Keller will be one of the better starters available and Hayes is a great defender who needs a change of scenery. The Pirates seek and need young guys who can hit," Heyman wrote. Advertisement Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp Keller is a valuable starter (on a $77 million extension) who the penny-pinching Pirates would surely love to stop paying, and Bednar is a worthy inclusion for a playoff bullpen, possibly as a closer, possibly as an eighth-inning guy. But it's Hayes who feels like the red herring here. For some reason, all the offensive progress Hayes seemed to make in 2023 has gone by the wayside. He's got a .578 OPS in his last 185 games, and even though he plays Gold Glove-caliber defense, a contending team can't have that in their lineup. Replacing Shaw with Hayes would be a major gamble for Chicago, in the immediate future and especially long-term. It's just not clear yet whether or not president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer wants to make that gamble. More MLB: Phillies would land trio of Orioles All-Stars in MLB insider's huge trade proposal
