A day next to Dorothy

Baseball season is under way and I’m excited to be able to spend a few days each season at Wrigley Field, which is truly my very favorite place. The second I step through the gates, the rest of the world melts away and for three hours I feel so relaxed and free. I guess that’s because it tak…

Hawkins’ 10th team still 3 short of MLB record

CHICAGO | LaTroy Hawkins put his arm this year where his mouth was in 2012.

Cubs chairman threatens to move team from Wrigley

CHICAGO | The owner of the Chicago Cubs for the first time publicly threatened to move the team out of Wrigley Field if his plans for a big, new video screen are blocked, saying Wednesday he needs new advertising revenue to help bankroll a $500 million renovation of the storied ballpark.

Big Hurt plans full-time return to big city

Las Vegas somehow just didn’t seem Frank Thomas’ style, even after years of raising his second family just off of The Strip.

Cubs done in by tough 1st inning

MILWAUKEE | A lack of timely hitting and a crucial first inning error cost the Cubs Friday night in a game that produced a memorable piece of baserunning by Milwaukee's Jean Segura.

Shaving heads for cancer research

On Saturday, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer charity that aims to eliminate childhood cancer through research, is hosting a local event to raise money for the cause.

Ill wind blows for the Cubs in home-opening loss to Brewers

CHICAGO | The fickle winds of Wrigley Field giveth and they taketh away.

Area Cubs fans can't believe it's been 10 years since 'The Bartman Game'

It was a beautiful autumn eve on the north side of Chicago. Dave Pishkur and his son, Ryne, were taking it all in. The buzz in the air was intense, historic.

Cubs take Ozzy, Vanna out of the ball game

In this June 11, 1997, file photo, Chicago Cubs announcer Harry Caray leads fans in singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch at a Cubs game at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Since Caray's death in 1998, celebrities have taken the booth and sung the song handled so …

Cubs take Ozzy, Vanna out of the ball game

CHICAGO | Maybe it was race driver Jeff Gordon's shout out to the fans at "Wrigley Stadium." Or Ozzy Osbourne, who decided the lyrics of "Take Me Out to The Ball Game" were not nearly as interesting as the mostly unintelligible words he'd picked out for himself. Or perhaps it was actress Den…

Samardzija, Cubs win home spring opener

MESA, Ariz. | Valparaiso native Jeff Samardzija made a strong spring debut and the Cubs scored four unearned runs in the first inning against San Francisco Giants ace Matt Cain, then held on for a 4-3 victory Sunday at HoHoKam Stadium.

No looking back to last season for Cubs

MESA, Ariz. | Cubs manager Dale Sveum knows exactly what he'll say about last year's 101-loss season when he meets with his team for the first time this spring.

Former all-star Morandini hopes to return to big leagues

MUNSTER | If former major league all-star second baseman Mickey Morandini ever makes it back to the "bigs," the second journey is already longer than the first.

Samardzija says Cubs management on right path

CHICAGO | Jeff Samardzija can see the big picture coming into focus for the Cubs.

OFFBEAT: Readers have Chicago radio questions about big changes

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Rangers add C Pierzynski, say he will be starter

ARLINGTON, Texas | A.J. Pierzynski can joke with Texas manager Ron Washington about last season's All-Star snub now that he's the starting catcher for the Rangers.

Keppinger could be Sox's first choice to hit in No. 2 spot

Jeff Keppinger may not possess one-for-one the career persona of Kevin Youkilis, the man he’s replacing at third base for the White Sox.

GEORGE CASTLE: Youkilis would be good for Cubs, Sox – yet doesn’t fit anymore

The one convergence for our baseball teams is a goateed former OBP guru who was a folk hero with his last two teams and would be once again if he played in Wrigley Field.

Blackhawks are only bystanders as lockout damages their franchise, NHL

CHICAGO | Patrick Kane revels in October, almost as much as he did for the month of June two years ago, when his tough-angle overtime goal in Philadelphia snared an uncommon pro sports championship for his adapted city.