Cubs duel Red Sox in ’03 World Series in ‘Alou Makes the Catch’

Times baseball writer George Castle’s 11th book presents 10 “What if’s” in Cubs history. “Alou Makes the Catch: An Alternative History of the Chicago Cubs” plays off real persons and events to show how the star-crossed team’s championship drought might have been broken on several occasions s…

Short memory, focus necessity for Sox stretch drive

CHICAGO| A short memory with a laser focus.

Doubts start to overwhelm the Humber story

CHICAGO |After his last losing start Tuesday, Philip Humber was upbeat and could even get off a humorous line or two.

Sox pitching depth, togetherness tested by Danks’ injury

CHICAGO | Where have you gone, Daniel Hudson?

Konerko shiner’s ugly, but bat’s still pretty

CHICAGO | Paul Konerko’s been so good the past few years he probably could hit with one eye.

Sox risk more red flags by returning Sale to rotation

CHICAGO | The White Sox are performing so many contortions and gyrations about Chris Sale’s health that a knuckleball would be stable and level by comparison.

Comings and goings at Cubs, Sox, Cards all connected

Theo Epstein and his Boston posse, in.

Change finally under way for Cubs in Ricketts' Year 2

The old axiom, "It will get worse before it gets better," was an apt description of the 2011 Cubs.

De Aza escapes Ozzie's tarring, sets himself up for ‘12

CHICAGO | Alejandro De Aza's doing well for himself in late summer 2011 -- and especially on Wednesday.

GEORGE CASTLE: Buehrle deserves to keep going with Sox -- somehow

CHICAGO | The message is as simple and direct as Mark Buehrle's repertoire, but the answer is as complicated as the White Sox's prospects going forward this season in the American League Central.

GEORGE CASTLE: This time, Sox must streak to cushion above .500

CHICAGO | Sixty and sixty.

GEORGE CASTLE: Spectacular Santo statue reminds of HOF's unfinished business

CHICAGO | The impact of Ron Santo's statue outside Wrigley Field goes far beyond sculptor Lou Cella's spectacular three-color depiction of the third baseman, standing on one leg and leaning right, ready to fire the ball cross-body to first in his patented 1960s image.

Rios considers changing swing in off-season workouts

CHICAGO | The surest way to agitate Ozzie Guillen these days is ask a question about Alex Rios' now-rationed playing time.

GEORGE CASTLE: Big boppers in pipeline, but barrier is hitting MLB fastball

The 50th anniversary of the rookie-of-the-year season for Billy Williams, the last home-grown Cubs power hitter, was a good time to ask about any power prospects who combine size, strength and swing.

GEORGE CASTLE: Zero hour finally passes for snakebitten Danks

CHICAGO | By no stretch of the imagination did John Danks want to out-do Anthony Reyes or Thornwood alum Mark Mulder, the only other pitchers since 1961 to sport 0-8 records before June 1.

Cubs Randy Wells interview

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Know baseball trivia? Enter weekly contest

Answer this week's baseball trivia question and become eligible for this week's prize, a copy of George Castle's latest book, "When the Game Changed: An Oral History of Baseball's True Golden Age, 1969-1979." Those who enter the correct answer at www.nwi.com/baseballtrivia will be entered in…

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GEORGE CASTLE: Jenks' thick skin handy for possible final breakup of '05 champs

CHICAGO | Another nagging injury means Bobby Jenks won't have his own final 2010 curtain call of rumbling his 275-pound frame through the left-field bullpen gate as the crowd roars in anticipation of another save.