Sports Friday, January 17, 2025 | | |
| | | | | Good morning, Chicago. Sammy Sosa is back. The slugger’s return to the organization will physically manifest this weekend with Sosa’s appearance at the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. Sosa, who issued a public apology last month for “mistakes” he made during his career, is part of the Cubs alumni expected to appear at the 38th event, a group that notably includes Baseball Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg, Billy
Williams and Lee Smith, as well as Kerry Wood, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Shawon Dunston, among others. The festivities begin Friday night with the opening ceremony, during which the Cubs Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be revealed. Ian Happ announced Sosa will be joining his podcast, “The Compound,” at the convention on Saturday. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins are among the panels Saturday, as well as one with manager Craig Counsell, another with Cubs hitters and the always popular Kids Only Press Conference. Stay connected with us all day: Sign up for our alerts and newsletters to get the latest news in your inbox. And you can follow us on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Bluesky.
Not a Tribune subscriber? Here's our latest offer. | | | | Professional women’s basketball returns Friday as the Unrivaled league kicks off its inaugural season — and Chicago Sky star Angel Reese will be at the center of it. | | | | | Lonzo Ball’s triumphant return with the Chicago Bulls highlights the need for the NBA to reintroduce a Comeback Player of the Year award. | | | | | The Chicago Bears are again spectators for the NFL’s playoff party. But as the team’s coaching search continues, this weekend’s divisional-round games still carry plenty of intrigue. | | | | | The Chicago Cubs and slugger Kyle Tucker on Thursday agreed on a $16.5 million salary for 2025 to avoid arbitration. The 27-year-old outfielder was acquired in a Dec. 13 trade. | | | | | Chicago White Sox radio announcer Len Kasper described Bob Uecker as “literally the funniest human being I’ve ever met.” Uecker, aka “Mr. Baseball,” died Thursday at 90. | | | | | Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball” and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90. | | | | | The 38th Cubs Convention takes place this weekend at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. Sammy Sosa and a handful of Baseball Hall of Famers are scheduled to appear. | | | | | Nick Martinelli made a baseline jumper just before the overtime buzzer to help Northwestern snap a three-game losing streak with a 76-74 victory over Maryland on Thursday night. | | | |
