Sports newsletter
Is it time for the Cubs to retire the 'celebrity performer' routine for the seventh-inning stretch?
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Sports

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Good morning, Chicago.

A year ago, Matas Buzelis was a teenager stumbling through the new jargon of a professional team during the lengthy days of summer league practices. Just months ago, he still was carrying out his rookie duties during Bulls road trips.

But as the most experienced player on this year's summer league roster, Buzelis is taking his new role as a standard bearer seriously. That begins with rookie Noa Essengue, the French teenager whom the Bulls drafted at No. 12.

Read more about the first steps of Buzelis and Essengue laying a new foundation for the team.

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Chicago Bears rookie outlook: How quickly can Colston Loveland build a rapport with Caleb Williams?

Chicago Bears first-round pick Colston Loveland missed the spring practice period as he recovered from shoulder surgery. Here’s what he needs to prove in training camp.

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Column: Chalk up another ‘L’ for Chicago Cubs with a brutal 7th-inning stretch performance

Celebrity podcaster Alex Cooper’s seventh-inning stretch performance Sunday led to loud booing and a debate over whether the “guest singer” idea has run its course.

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Chicago Bulls youngsters Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue prepare to lay a foundation in summer league

Matas Buzelis is embracing his new role as a young leader for the Chicago Bulls — even if it just lasts for the short duration of the NBA Summer League.

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Chicago White Sox GM Chris Getz on Colson Montgomery’s 1st days in the majors: ‘He looked very comfortable’

Chicago White Sox GM Chris Getz discussed shortstop Colson Montgomery’s recent arrival to the majors, pitcher Shane Smith’s path to becoming an All-Star and reflects on his time as Bobby Jenks’ teammate.

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Chicago Bulls rookie Noa Essengue weighs in on the Michael Jordan GOAT debate: ‘Basketball changed with MJ’

“It’s one of the best franchises ever,” Noa Essengue said of the Chicago Bulls. “They’ve got six rings. Some big legends from here, the GOAT is from here.”

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Lonzo Ball is excited for a fresh start with the Cleveland Cavaliers after trade from the Chicago Bulls

Chicago and Cleveland agreed to the trade for Lonzo Ball on June 28, but it didn’t become official until the start of the new league year.

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Chicago White Sox starter Sean Burke surrenders 3 home runs in 8-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays

Chicago White Sox starter Sean Burke surrendered back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning and a two-run home run in the sixth in an 8-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

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Behind the scenes, crew members keep NASCAR Chicago Street Race running smoothly

The work isn’t always glamorous, but pit crews and other support staff play an important role in pulling off successful races.

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