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Chicago Blackhawks: The Best Defense in the NHL

Posted: 8th November 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in NHL
WeÆre now a quarter of the way through the 2009-10 season, and the ChicagoáBlackhawks are establishing themselves as the best defensive team in the entire NHL. It might be a historically football-based cliche, but if ôdefense wins championshipsö then this could be another special year on ChicagoÆs west side. Even with Brent Seabrook missing four games with a concussion, and Cristobal Huet struggling for the first few weeks of the season, ...

Tommie Harris: What Should the Chicago Bears Do?

Posted: 8th November 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in NFL
At what point does a team cut its losses? On Sunday, Tommie Harris was ejected 54 seconds into the Bears' loss to the Cardinals for punching a lineman in the facemask. After the game, coach Lovie Smith was pretty blunt about his displeasure with Harris, using the word "stupid" when speaking about Harris' "mistake." This comes two weeks after Harris was a healthy scratch from the Bears game in Cincinnati, also a ...

Top 20 All Time Chicago Blackhawks

Posted: 7th November 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in NHL
An Original Six franchise. So much history, prestige and commitment to the Indian head sweater has come and gone through the years, it's hard to pick a Top 20 from a list full of Hall of Famers. There are two Honorable Mentions in the midst of these great Hawks players, so watch out for the almost-greats as well. For those current die-hard fans, I apologize up front for Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews or ...

Chicago Blackhawks Fall to Avalanche In Denver

Posted: 7th November 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in NHL
The momentum of Friday nightÆs game between the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks ábounced back and forth like a pinball, and the Hawksáfought hard to win a point against the best home team in hockeyáwithout some key players. Chicago got the scoring started with a rocket from Dustin Byfuglien on the power play, which appeared to finally get the Hawks back in the saddle with a man advantage. The Hawks' power ...

Chicago Bulls Tyrus Thomas Out 4-6 Weeks. What’s Next?

Posted: 6th November 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in NBA
On Friday afternoon the Chicago Bulls announced that Tyrus Thomas will undergo surgery Saturday to repair a fractured radius in his left forearm. He apparently fractured the forearm while doing chinups at practice. Now we canáformally label his leftáarm a bust...what about the rest of him? Thomas came out of LSU after just one year with all of the athletic ability you could imagine. He was a high-flying dunk machine that was ...

Should the Chicago Cubs Consider Brett Myers?

Posted: 6th November 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in MLB
Reports out of Philadelphia Friday are that the National League Champion Phillies will not pursue an extension with Brett Myers. Myers, once the top of the Philadelphia rotation, fell out of favor over the last couple years because of injuries and off-the-field issues. He spent some time as the Phillies closer before Brad Lidge was acquired as well. Myers, 29, appeared in 18 games for the Phillies in 2009, starting 10 games ...

Should the Chicago Cubs Consider Jermaine Dye?

Posted: 6th November 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in MLB
On Friday morning, the Chicago White Sox continued moving their roster pieces around before free agency begins by buying out right fielder Jermaine Dye . Should Chicago's other team consider adding the 2005 World Series MVP? The Cubs are in an awkward situation with their outfield right now. They have Kosuke Fukduome, and Alfonso Soriano likely to be back, and Milton Bradley under contract but on the chopping block. The Cubs are also ...

Minnesota Twins Deal Carlos Gomez to Milwaukee

Posted: 6th November 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in MLB
On Friday morning, the Milwaukee Brewers traded shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Carlos Gomez. Gomez likely has the inside track to replace free agent Mike Cameron in center field for Milwaukee and doesn't turn 24 until December. He batted only .229 last year but is one of the fastest players in all of baseball. Hardy, 27, also batted just .229 in 2009 for the Brewers and spent some ...

He Gone! Jermaine Dye Bought Out by White Sox, Becomes Free Agent

Posted: 6th November 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in MLB
The Chicago White Sox bought out their mutual option with outfielder Jermaine Dye for $950,000 on Friday morning, making the 2005 World Series MVP a free agent. This news comes one day after rumors swirled that the White Sox had made the first intriguing move of the winter, trading young second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman Josh Fields to their division rival Kansas City Royals in exchange for utility stud ...

Mark Teahen Traded to Chicago White Sox

Posted: 5th November 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in MLB
Mark Teahen has reportedly been traded to the Chicago White Sox. The Kansas City Royals will receive second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman Josh Fields. Getz stole 25 bases in only 107 games in 2009, while Fields hit 23 home runs in only 100 games in 2007. Both players are currently 26 years old. Teahen hit 12 home runs and drove in 50 while hitting .271 last year. He split time ...