Thursday, April 21, 2011
CSNChicago.com
Canucks brass seek shelter
Reports surfaced earlier this week that some vocal Blackhawks fans seated near Vancouver execs at the United Center were showering some of the Canucks brass with taunts and foul language. Now, in response, said executives are requesting seats in a protected area of the United Center if the series should go to a sixth game and travel back to Chicago.
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We shouldnt be sitting there to begin with, Vancouver GM Mike Gillis said when asked about the incident. You can only take so much abuse for so long, and I took it longer than I normally would.
(The Toronto Globe and Mail)
Bears work at Halas Hall practice field
Well, kind of. Because of the NFL Lockout the Bears weren't able to begin their voluntary workout program as scheduled, but work is still being done at Halas Hall - by landscapers. The natural grass practice fields have been ripped up and a crew is now working to install a new surface. (ChicagoBreakingSports)
Less black players in MLB
Major League Baseball is still recognized as the most racially integrated professional sport in the United States. However, despite the diversity of the sport, the percentage of black players dropped to 8.5 percent on opening day this season. That's down from 10 percent at the beginning of last season - the lowest percentage since 2007.
MLB also admits it needs to hire more women into professional positions within the league.
"MLB has made great strides with diversity in who runs the game, and today is one of the best in sports," said Richard Lapchick of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports at the University of Central Florida.. "However, there is clearly room for improvement, especially regarding hiring more women into professional positions." (Associated Press)
Rose a mini-LeBron?
The praise for the Bulls' young point guard, Derrick Rose, continues to grow. He has been called the league MVP by everyone from Charles Barkley to LeBron James. Now, he's even being compared to the latter of those two.
NBA TV analyst Greg Anthony told the Indianapolis Star that Rose is comparable to James - and even Shaquille O'Neal - because of one thing...
"I've likened (Rose) to (Shaquille O'Neal) in his prime and LeBron James in that he physically intimidates his opponents," Anthony said. "Physically, he's as gifted as anybody we've ever had play the position of point guard. He also adds a tremendous skill-set to go along with it." (Indianapolis Star)
Prior back to the DL
After being promoted from single-A to triple-A in the Yankees farm system, things appeared to be looking up for former Cubs phenom Mark Prior. Unfortunately, he now finds himself back on the disabled list; this time for a strained groin muscle. The good news here is that the injury is not in his arm and the Yankees expect he will quickly recover from the pulled groin. If he does, there's a good chance he could see the big leagues this season as a part of the Yankees bullpen. (Hardball Talk)