Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks waits as San Diego Padres’ Jurickson Profar runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in San Diego. Denis Poroy/AP Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks crossed the outfield grass Wednesday afternoon toward the Wrigley Field bullpen, with a yellow connection ball tucked under his arm. The training tool is something he uses to correct his arm path. And though he landed on the injured list with what the Cubs called a strained lower back this week, he’s still working to correct t ..read more

Gov. J.B. Pritzker (center), Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (left) and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (right) are not quite sold on the new Bears stadium proposal. Blue Room Stream Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren’s glitzy new lakefront stadium proposal was met with a resounding no by the state’s top Democrats on Wednesday. At least for now. Noticeably absent from the Bears unveiling, Gov. J.B. Pritzker echoed previous public statements and again brushed aside the latest proposal — which includes more than $2 billion in private funds from the Bears but still requi ..read more

The Sky’s no. 7 overall pick, Angel Reese and No. 13 overall pick Brynna Maxwell were introduced to the media Wednesday at the team’s practice facility in Deerfield. Paul Beaty/For the Sun-Times Angel Reese made her descent from the heavens — the luxuries of playing for 2023 NCAA champion LSU — into her new reality: playing for a WNBA championship-winning franchise. However, the tinsel that comes with a title at the pro level is a lot different than in college — at least, it is in Chicago. Prior to her introduction, Reese shared her candid thoughts on being ready to start back at square ..read more

USC quarterback Caleb Williams reacts after a throw during an NFL Football Play Football Prospect Clinic with Special Olympics athletes, Wednesday, April 24, 2024 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) ORG XMIT: MICO114 Carlos Osorio/AP Photos DETROIT — The Bears’ next quarterback stood on a makeshift football field at the former site of Tiger Stadium on Wednesday and extended his right pinkie, which he painted silver. He said it will match his navy suit — which has silver accents — and the dress his girlfriend wears to Thursday night’s NFL draft. Painting his nails helps Caleb Williams re ..read more

Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams throws during the NCAA college football team’s NFL Pro Day, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun) ORG XMIT: CARS111 Ryan Sun/AP Photos The first round of the NFL Draft looks fairly predictable at the top, where the Bears have long been expected to draft USC star quarterback Caleb Williams, but it could get crazy after that. The Vikings are poised for an aggressive move to get a quarterback because they could package the Nos. 11 and 23 picks to trade up, and the Broncos, Raiders, Saints and Seahawks all could be tempt ..read more

Chicago Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger struggles to catch a fly ball from Houston Astros’ Yainer Diaz as it bounces off the ivy during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Chicago. Erin Hooley/AP Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger sustained fractures in two ribs on his right side, manager Craig Counsell revealed Wednesday. Bellinger will be going on the 10-day injured list, and in a corresponding move, the team is recalling top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong. Bellinger hurt his ribs jumping into the brick outfield wall Tuesday in the Cubs’ 7-2 win against the As ..read more

Media members enter the NFL Draft theater Wednesday in Detroit, where workers continue to set up for the event Thursday. Paul Sancya/AP The Bears had best be ready for their close-up Thursday night in Detroit, because for at least the first hour and a half of the NFL Draft, they will be in the spotlight. The traditional TV broadcasts that will air on ESPN and NFL Network will be heavy on the Bears, who own the first and ninth picks of the first round. They’ll be on the clock at 7 p.m. “Bears fans should get very excited because there’s gonna be a lot, a lot, a lot of time dedicated to th ..read more

Kristi Yamaguchi shows Mattel’s new Barbie doll based on the champion figure skater herself, as part of the company’s “Inspiring Women Series.” Yamaguchi became the first Asian American to win an individual gold medal for figure skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics. Mattel via AP Like many little girls, a young Kristi Yamaguchi loved playing with Barbie. With a schedule packed with ice skating practices, her Barbie dolls became her “best friends.” So, it's surreal for the decorated Olympian figure skater to now be a Barbie girl herself. “It’s a huge, huge honor. I think a lot of pride com ..read more

Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze runs a play during a Play Football Prospect Clinic with Special Olympics athletes in Detroit. Carlos Osorio/AP DETROIT — Caleb Williams held a throwing session last week with two of his future teammates. Maybe three. In anticipation of being drafted No. 1 overall Thursday night, the USC quarterback threw passes to the Bears’ best two wideouts, DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, in Los Angeles. They were joined by Washington receiver Rome Odunze, who could be available when the Bears pick ninth. NFL Draft NFL Draft at a glance What: 256 selections over seven ..read more

The Bears are expected to take USC quarterback Caleb Williams (13, celebrating a touchdown against Oregon with tight end Carson Tabaracci) with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night in Detroit. Andy Nelson, AP Photos With the No. 1 overall pick in a draft with a quarterback as the consensus No. 1 prospect, this draft isn’t so much about Ryan Poles’ evaluation skills but his intuition. Anybody who evaluates Williams’ tape can see his extraordinary skills. But there’s much more to it than that. And that’s why the Bears’ general manager gets paid the big bucks. It’s ..read more