When perception matters more than reality. Also: Hagen Smith, Angel Reese, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Williams, and Luke Richardson.
Stu’s Notes: Bring Back the Pizza Hut Classic
Guy who just learned about the Pizza Hut Classic becomes obsessed with the Pizza Hut Classic.
Stu’s Notes: Craig Counsell Is Nothing Without Pat Murphy
Why the Brewers stayed the Brewers while the Cubs fell apart.
Joe’s Notes: Why There Will Always Be Another NBA Dynasty
Why Steph Curry’s wrong, and what makes up the NBA’s great gift.
Off the Lake: Learning to Be Angry at the Cubs
Plus the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade.
Off the Lake: The Cubs Need to Sweep the Angels. Here’s the Math.
Anything less than a sweep this weekend and the Cubs’ playoff chances are probably over. Also: Luis Robert Jr.’s gaffe, Angel Reese is an all-star, the Zach LaVine spat, and Cooper Rush as a possible Bear.
Stu’s Notes: Aaron Rodgers Was in Egypt, Not Doing Drugs
Not drugs!
Joe’s Notes: The Splash Brothers Showed How Millennial Athletes Can Thread the Needle
Klay Thompson and Steph Curry managed to be both competitive and cool.
Off the Lake: The Cubs Keep Losing Numbers Games
In catcher’s interference as in life. Also: Zach LaVine is not worth a first-round pick (it’s worse than it sounds).
Off the Lake: How Bad Are the Cubs’ Playoff Chances?
They’re bad, but *how* bad? Also: Matas Buzelis, Connor Bedard, a little Sky, and a little Sox.
Joe’s Notes: Who Are Baseball’s Biggest Stars?
Objectifying the subjective, as much as one can. Then: Rich Paul’s Australia threat, the USMNT’s failure, and Purdue Pharma’s House v. NCAA parallel.
Off the Lake: Shōta Imanaga Is Probably Fine. The Cubs Need Him to Be Great.
Also: Miguel Amaya, Angel Reese, Paul DeJong, a Bulls’ mock draft roundup, and the Bears’ offensive line.
Stu’s Notes: If the Panthers Blow a 3–0 Lead
Don’t bother making fun of Panthers fans. They have you outmatched.
Off the Lake: Ryne Sandberg’s Weekend Arrives at Wrigley
The Cubs prepare to honor an all-time great, and the Bulls traded Alex Caruso for more of the thing they already have.
Stu’s Notes: Remembering Willie Mays
A collection of tributes, memories, and reactions from last night and today.
Off the Lake: The Cubs Are Maddeningly Consistent
Plus: The Sky are not victims, the White Sox already killed Drew Thorpe, and what the Bulls shouldn’t do when it comes to trading up.
Stu’s Notes: The NIT Was Way Better Than the NBA Playoffs
Another triumph by basketball’s greatest tournament.
Stu’s Notes: Where Is Aaron Rodgers This Time?
The Jets have misplaced their quarterback again. Also! Luka Dončić, painkillers, cigarettes, Joey Chestnut, and hockey players hitting each other in the nuts.