How many times have we seen this? A player seems likely headed out of town, and Kenny Williams begins the smear campaign against that player and his agent in order to shift blame. He did so to Magglio Ordonez after the 2004 season. And there were numerous comments suggesting that Mark Buehrle was set on signing with his hometown Cardinals as a free agent, only to see the Sox's Ace sign a longterm extension last season. But had he been traded, that would have made Mark look like the bad guy, right? more ›

Sure, it's still damn cold out. And the snow keeps coming. And coming. But spring is just around the corner. How do we know? Because Spring Training is finally upon us. more ›

Major League Baseball announced the rosters for the July 10 All-Star Game being held in San Francisco. Chicago baseball fans will see at least three of our local guys in the game. Given the White Sox sub par season, it's not surprising that they have only one All-Star this year -- the minimum representation any team gets. Closer Bobby Jenks will be the lone Sox player on the Americal League roster this year. Quite a... more ›

We don't normally run out and buy things just because we see them on commercials. There have been two recent exceptions to that rule (way thumbs up and fairly disappointing), but for the most part, we just wish we had a DVR. more ›

As the world holds its breath, teetering precariously on the cusp of the Super Bowl (well, at least in America), the wheels of the -ists keep on turning. Austinist was in a musical frame of mind as they listened to the new Shins album, updated the SXSW band listings and got called "punk rock" for their efforts by MTV. And an ice storm swept through the area. Bostonist said goodbye to John Kerry's plans... more ›

Chicagoist loves animals. More specifically, we love our dogs (some of which can be seen here), so we were pumped today when we came across 2 dog events and one dog study all in the same day! more ›

After Wired ran a story documenting the GoogleCenter of the United States a bunch of ists jumped on the opportunity to figure out their own middle. Gothamist, Chicagoist, Bostonist and Seattlest all zoomed in on their creamy GoogleCenters. A crack cartography team is hard at work determining the GoogleCenter of the Ist-a-verse as you read this... Austinist read a book about Olympian Bode Miller and liked it. They also took a few pictures of the... more ›

The NFL released its 2005 schedule yesterday, which of course means we learn the Bears' 2005 schedule. Once again, the Bears are denied any Monday Night games. Their only prime time game is their Dec. 18th Sunday night game against Atlanta that will be shown on ESPN. Date Opponent Time 9/11 at Washington Redskins 12:00 p.m. 9/18 Detroit Lions 12:00 p.m. 9/25 Cinncinati Bengals 12:00 p.m. 10/2 Bye   10/9 at Cleveland Browns 12:00 p.m.... more ›

If you're not into celebrating the Cubs home opener all day and all night on Friday, go over to Rotofugi where they'll be having the opening party for their next gallery, Plushtastrophe: The Art of Plush. Just what is Plushtastrophe, you ask? Well in the words of it's creator, Bwana Spoons:

When I feel a plushy in my hands, and hold it close to my heart, I feel warm inside. That is why I must do the Plushtastrophe. The big question is. What is plush? I don’t think there is a clear definition, however…there are a few telltale signs of a good plush. It is usually a bit soft, sometimes furry, maybe has an eye or two, and some kind of appendage. Plushtastrophe is a gathering of a few of my favorite designers, illustrators, and plush makers from places near and far. When all is said and done there will be upwards of 100 fancy fabric critters for your pleasure and mine.

Over the past few days there have been 2 big, local news stories about a basketball shoes, one tragic, one bizzare. And we're not talking about just any basketball shoes.. we mean the kind that will set you back $100+ and that are endorsed by celebrity basketball stars. First the tragic - Yesterday Eduain Foster, a 19-year-old from Minneapolis, and an unidentified 15-year-old from Calumet City were charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery in... more ›

Last night as Mayor Daley was leaving the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame event, a gay activist approached him and asked him to sign a petition. Daley said he'd "sign anything" and scrawled his name. But he didn't read the fine print and didn't realize that the petition demanded that County Clerk David Orr go against state law and "immediately issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples." Just like what happened earlier this year in San Fran. more ›

We're now well into the last week of baseball's regular season, and there are still a whole pack of teams fighting for that lone NL Wild Card playoff spot, with the Cubs thick in the middle. more ›

It's the All Star Break, but our local boys got the shaft. Where are Paul Konerko, Juan Uribe and Aramis Ramirez? Instead, Chicagoist will take a look back at the first half of the baseball season and predict what the second half will bring. more ›