Is it time for the Cubs to retire the 'celebrity performer' routine for the seventh-inning stretch?
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. Sign up for Cubs Insider and White Sox Insider to stay up to date. You can also follow us on social media: X, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram. Not a Tribune subscriber? Here's our latest offer. | | | | 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. | | | | | 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. | | | | | 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. | | | | | 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. | | | | | “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.” | | | | | 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. | | | | | 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. | | | | | The work isn’t always glamorous, but pit crews and other support staff play an important role in pulling off successful races. | | | |
