Will's Fifth Quarter Sports Talk
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By: Will Farlow Baseball is the type of game where anything can happen. Teams can go all the way to win a World Series regardless of how good they begin a season. The moments in history of a team are filled with highs and lows. The Chicago White Sox headed into tonights game in Oakland with a 21 game losing streak and a 27-88 record on the year. The Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum set the 20 game win streak record back in 2002. Tonight at that same ballpark 22 years later the Chicago White Sox did something that is a well needed positive. The Chicago White Sox defeated the Oakland Athletics 5 to 1 tonight to break their 21 game losing streak. The team all together showed good effort as a group tonight to get the victory. I see how the players struggled through this losing streak as it impacts them emotionally and mentally. Johnathon Cannon is a talented rookie pitcher in my view. Since I saw his major league debut back in April I had a feeling this kid can pitch well. Cannon spoke postgame just a bit ago saying he felt tonight was one of his best starts. Andrew Benintendi hit the two run homer and got the final catch to seal the win. Benintendi in my opinion is a decent baseball player just not the player the White Sox paid for entirely. The bullpen has had serious issues this season, but I enjoyed their success tonight as Brebbia closed the ninth inning for Chicago. The Chicago White Sox have young talent that will continue to be joining the major league club by opening day next year. These young men need to have guys like Luis Robert to teach them how to play well. The need for a new manager will come to fruition after this season. I take tonight’s win as another sign of hope for this young team . Baseball as I said is hard to predict each year, and the White Sox could be a much better team next season. Fans need to take tonight’s win as a sign of hope for the future.
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By: Will Farlow
Baseball is a special game for both fans and athletes. Opening Day is a time for all to celebrate the beginning of a new Major League Baseball Season. The Chicago White Sox are beginning a new season with hopes for future success. Earlier this afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field, the SouthSiders made a pitching choice most fans did not expect. Left handed pitcher Garrett Crochet became the first Chicago White Sox pitcher since 1901 to make his first career MLB start on Opening Day.
Crochet showed great promise during the spring training in preparation to become a Major League starting pitcher. I was impressed by how well he did during the game early on in the first inning. Crochet did a great job striking out batters he faced as he finished the start with eight strikeouts. The Detroit Tigers offense put up a good fight against the White Sox starter. Javier Baez showed smart baseball intelligence when he got on base , and later following a stolen base scored the lone run in the game. I think Crochet showed the promise of a future ace for the Chicago White Sox.
The question is how the next few starts will go for Crochet moving forward this season. Hitters may figure him out as they watch film. Crochet will need to adjust to be able to continue the strong performance he showed in his first start. Fans can be confident Crochet will continue to show consistency and hard work on the mound. I admire his confidence in his pitches , and the trust of his teammates. Crochet has good traits of control and command on the pitching mound as a starter. The White Sox after trading a former team ace may have found the next future ace of their team. Time will tell if that is the case, but Crochet’s first start is a historic moment White Sox fans will never forget.
3/11/2024 0 Comments Bears Make Swift Move at RBBy: Will Farlow The Chicago Bears are historically well known for their running backs . Average Bears offensive schemes feature a good amount of running the football. The Bears are rumored to be considering taking a QB in Caleb Williams with the first pick. The team has needed more offensive improvement for future success. Sources reported for weeks that the Bears were looking at a significant upgrade at running back. Fans did not expect that would come today as the free agent negotiation period began. The Chicago Bears earlier this afternoon signed running back D'Andre Swift to a 3 year 24 million-dollar contract. Swift is a good pass catching running back I think will fit in well in Chicago. The former Eagles RB brings his speed and smart play to a team that needed an upgrade at running back. I like his fit behind the improved Chicago Bears offensive line. Rookie quarterbacks need a good offensive line and weapons for success . Swift can assist a Caleb Williams led offense that gives Chicago excitement for years to come. Shane Waldron features the type of running backs like D'Andre Swift. I like his ability to run well in between the tackles with consistency. Swift needs to work on his pass protection , but that can be fixed during the offseason. The question now remains how the rest of the offense will look in Chicago next season. Many offensive free agents the Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles can sign. The upcoming draft brings the biggest draft in Bears history. Signing D'Andre Swift early today in free agency shows fans that the Bears are ready to be consistent contenders again beginning next season. I think the Bears are on the verge of becoming a contender for many years under this front office. Today’s signing of Swift is the start of many moves to come in the next few months. Welcome to Chicago D'Andre Swift , and the home of successful NFL RBs. Strap your seatbelts Bears fans as this will be an interesting off-season.
By: Will Farlow
The Kansas City Chiefs winning Super Bowl 58 cements their early dynasty in the NFL. After each Super Bowl comes the offseason where other NFL teams try to fix their team toward winning the next Super Bowl. There are many teams that try to emulate teams like the Chiefs that show consistent winning. The Chicago Bears currently are no stranger to this connection. Chicago's General Manager is a former Chiefs front office member , and was a part of drafting Patrick Mahomes in 2017. The Chicago Bears hold the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft this coming April. The Monsters of the Midway have a chance to take generational QB in Caleb Williams. I think the result of Super Bowl 58 shows that Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles needs to select Caleb Williams at Pick 1 on draft night.
The Chicago Bears for many years in their history have had struggles finding a true franchise quarterback. Since Sid Luckman and Jim McMahon Chicago has not had a true consistent QB on their team. The Bears recent QB1 Justin Fields has been viewed by most as the next franchise QB in the Windy City. However, inconsistency in game situations and last years draft trade with Carolina has led the Bears to Caleb Williams. Caleb Williams is a quarterback that has a strong throwing arm, can read defenses, and has excellent decision making in game situations. Williams has similar qualities to Patrick Mahomes. The Bears in the next few months have a very tough decision ahead of them.
Chicago Bears fans in my opinion supporting Fields staying at QB1 is settling for mediocrity. Fields has talent , but is not worth the upcoming almost 20+ million-dollar deal he will receive. Restart the QB clock with Caleb Williams, and the Bears can develop him properly with their new offensive coaching staff. Williams is a chance for Chicago’s young roster to possibly get a playoff appearance next season at best. Williams will need more weapons in the receiving and running back positions for success if he lands in Chicago. The Bears already made a mistake not taking Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ryan Poles is a smart general manager , and the right one to notice how a great QB can take a team to success. Avoiding repeating that 2017 draft mistake I vital for the Bears to have any success in future seasons. The time is now for Bears fans to get set for a new QB in town I think will be USC QB Caleb Williams.
By: Will Farlow
The realm of sports presents many positives for fans and others connected to it. Players receive honors during their careers. Small amounts of athletes are named to a special Hall of Fame each sport has to acknowledge special athletes. Earlier this evening, three former Chicago Bears players each received a special honor no one will ever forget. Former Chicago Bears players Julius Peppers , Devin Hester , and Steve McMichael will be named to the NFL Hall of Fame 2024 class.
I am very happy each of these individuals has been named to the Hall of Fame. Julius Peppers was a reliable defensive player in the league during his career. During his four seasons in Chicago, Peppers helped the Monsters of the Midway make opposing offenses nervous to their presence. Peppers spent most of his career being a dominant player for the Carolina Panthers. Peppers in my view is well deserving of this honor. Peppers during his career had the fourth most defensive sacks in NFL history.
Growing up as a Chicago Bears fan , I watched Devin Hester play as a receiver and return specialist for the Chicago Bears. Bears fans will never forget his opening kick return touchdown in Florida during the 2006 Super Bowl game against the Indianapolis Colts. Hester set the standard for greatness of a kick returner on special teams in the NFL. The former Chicago Bear’s historic career play led to future rule changes connected to players returning a kick or punt return. Hester holds the records for most kick return, punt return , and total return touchdowns. I believe his records will last in history for a long time. Hester has done good things on and off the field for the Chicago Bears organization and the sport of football. Hester during this year’s voting has third time being the charm as he is now a Hall of Fame member.
My father has told me stories of the 1985 Chicago Bears and the great Steve McMichael. McMichael was a well known defensive tackle for the Bears during the days of great defense featuring Dick Butkus and Dan Hampton. McMichael was a part of the great 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears team. The former Chicago Bears defensive end since his time as a player has been a great person to fans and others showing good representation of the Chicago Bears organization. McMichael is facing a serious disease called ALS which has impacted his life. Fans around Chicago and elsewhere have shown great support to the player Bears fans know as Mongo. I feel very happy for Steve and his family as he finally receives this Hall of Fame honor. The addition of McMichael of the Hall of Fame is a good choice, and representation of character to those involved within the league in the selection process.
The National Football League Hall of Fame shows over the years the greats that have played the game of football. When someone visits the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio they learn the stories of these men. Tonight fans in Chicago can feel joy for their three former players of their favorite team joining that select group of men. Truly wonderful that football fans can someday go to Canton to learn about these three great football players. Congratulations to Julius Peppers, Devin Hester, and Steve McMichael on being named to this year’s induction class into the NFL Hall of Fame.
By: Will Farlow Good evening and Happy Thursday Will’s Fifth Quarter Special fans! This is host and creator Will Farlow bringing you the newest Will’s Weekly Sports Quote. The Chicago Bulls have faced a positive style of play while star guard Zach Lavine is injured. The team is playing more in sync , but still needs to address future trades involving Lavine, Derozan, and other players not fitting the future. Which leads us as the mics and recording devices of media officials go off. Arturas, Marc, and Billy leave the room to talk about more continuity. Here comes the fifth quarter with your newest Will’s Weekly Sports Quote! Cody Westerlund of 670thescore.com quotes Colby White saying this to the media. “I feel like now we’re just starting to hit our stride and everybody as a collective, we’re starting to make shots. We’re starting to trust each other. Like I always said, we believe in each other and we give each other confidence each and every day.” Time to dissect this quote now, Will’s Fifth Quarter Special fans! The quote from Colby White is a positive sign to Chicago Bulls fans. White has grown into a young leader on this veteran led Bulls team. The Bulls have played well with White’s increased role on the court. I like how he is being more realistic and honest to the public with his words. We have heard stars like Zach Lavine just say what people want to hear at times and not make sense. There is clear, valid words from a player that can become a valuable long term piece for the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls are in a rough place still facing trade rumors to their star players that have not played well together as a group. The hope is that Colby White grows from this current role on the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls are hoping to retool into a younger team that can still compete in the Eastern Conference. White needs to continue playing well consistently to earn more minutes in key game situations. Fans can see his effort on the court , and this brings optimism to the future of the organization. Colby White following a possible Zach Lavine trade can take over as a starting two guard , and this can be something the team prepares for now. Be on the lookout Will’s Fifth Quarter Special fans for future Will’s Weekly Sports Quotes whether episode, live stream , or blog we have you covered. When the fourth quarter buzzer sounds you turn to us for your fifth quarter sports talk. I’m Will Farlow saying so long from this edition of Will’s Weekly Sports Quote.
12/9/2023 0 Comments White Sox Trade for Max Stassi
By: Will Farlow
The Chicago White Sox are currently retooling their team this offseason. New GM Chris Getz is optimistic the team can compete next season in a winnable division. The Southsiders have made smart and affordable moves this offseason. The White Sox have now made a second trade with the Atlanta Braves. Earlier this evening the Chicago White Sox acquired veteran catcher Max Stassi and cash from the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named later or cash.
Stassi is an interesting veteran for Chicago to acquire. The now former Braves catcher missed last season due to injury during the 2023 season. The White Sox can now take their new catcher as support for their young catcher Korey Lee. I like this move for the White Sox given the low risk in the trade itself. Stassi fills a need the team has at catcher, and this allows the White Sox to continue filling the holes on their roster.
The Chicago White Sox made a move that can hopefully have a positive impact this upcoming season. The Atlanta Braves paying a portion of Stassi’s salary this coming season is another positive. Stassi has a decent bat and defensive presence behind the plate. I think he can help a young White Sox pitching staff and Korey Lee this season. Smart trade for Chris Getz as the White Sox now welcome new catcher Max Stassi to the Southside of Chicago.
By: Will Farlow
The Chicago Cubs finished the 2023 season with a rough finish to the regular season halting their postseason hopes. The Northsiders have a good farm system with talent at the major league level. David Ross did a phenomenal job developing this young Cubs team to where it currently is in the 2023-2024 offseason. The Cubs ownership and front office sees the team can try to get back to the World Series in the near future. I feel this is why the Cubs yesterday made a move early in their offseason that fans will never forget. Late Monday afternoon the Chicago Cubs fired manager David Ross to hire former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell.
Craig Counsell becoming the manager for the Chicago Cubs is a very smart, aggressive move by the Chicago Cubs front office. Counsell is in line to be the National League Manager of the Year for 2023. The Cubs signed their new manager to a five year 40 million-dollar-deal which is the largest manager contract in MLB history. I like this move for a young Cubs team that now has its fanbase in the cold Chicago months ahead dreaming of another World Series push in 2024. The Cubs already have strong talent around the baseball diamond and the pitching staff. Prospects like Pete Crowe Armstrong and youngsters like Christopher Morel give the fans hope for the future. The Cubs needed a manager also to make better in game decisions , and Counsell brings his experience to the Northside of Chicago. I also heard form analysts on Twitter that the Cubs manager job was a dream choice for Counsell.
The Cubs also just found stronger NL Central rivalry grow with the Milwaukee Brewers following their new manager hire. The Brewers owner spoke saying the new Cubs manager is no longer welcome by his organization and the community in Milwaukee. Brewers fans will sure be circling matchups in the future with the Cubs and their new manager. Congratulations to a talented Chicago Cubs team being aggressive early by bringing in the right manager to take them back to a possible World Series in the near future. Good luck to the new Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell. I personally think the Cubs made in the first day of free agency the biggest free agent signing of the year. Fans of other Major League Baseball teams should take notice of this team that calls historic Wrigley Field home. Chances are this will not be the only aggressive offseason move by the Cubs, but I give them props for a smart hire in their new manager Craig Counsell.
By: Will Farlow
The Chicago White Sox are one of Major League Baseball’s disappointing teams since 2021. The Southsiders entered this offseason with some tough decisions to make to improve their future. Tim Anderson has been a strong player since his first White Sox game in 2016. Anderson since then played his worst career major league season in 2023. Disrespect to other players, injury, and inconsistent play led to a shocking decision for GM Chris Getz. The White Sox earlier this afternoon declined the 14 million-dollar player option on Tim Anderson making him a free agent.
Anderson showed strong, consistent hitting during his career as a shortstop. The former first round pick hit well , but still needed to improve his defense. I admired his ability to try to change the game with his famous bat flip. Anderson will also be in baseball history for his walkout homer in the White Sox win in the first MLB Field of Dreams game in 2021. Tim in my opinion did good things on and off the field , but poor personal choices clouded his reputation in the eyes of fans. The altercation of Anderson fighting Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez tipped the scale of his view in the eyes of owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Tim showed poor representation of White Sox baseball by inconsistency at the plate. The White Sox letting the star shortstop go sends a message to fans.
Chicago White Sox players need to take this as a sign that things can continue to change during the offseason. Chris Getz did not sign these players on the major league club. Tim Anderson’s current departure leaves the position open to top prospect Colson Montgomery in 2024. I see this as a step to the White Sox retool a positive for the team playing better moving forward. Fans will miss the times Anderson wore a White Sox uniform , but something had to be done to fix this team. Thank you Tim Anderson for the great memories , but its time to move on to a new player at shortstop. The former first round pick just got a shocking bat flip of his own from the White Sox. Good luck Tim Anderson you might need it this offseason.
By: Will Farlow
The Chicago Bears have had a glaring need in their defensive line. Defensive ends show key importance to the strength of an NFL team’s defensive success. The bears made smart moves drafting and signing good defensive pieces . The Monsters of the Midway made a smart trade deadline move acquiring Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders. Earlier this afternoon Sweat received a four year 98 million extension.
The extension was a smart move by Ryan Poles . I feel this cements a key piece for the Bears defense moving forward. Sweat is a great talent that can help ignite a young Bears defense. I feel seeing his experience that this new Chicago Bear will be a smart move to positively help the team. The extension means there is less need at defensive end in the upcoming offseason , and one less target in the draft.
The question still is how Sweat will play in his first game as a Bear on Sunday. Time is a factor for new players fitting in with their new teammates. Sweat in his introductory press conference seems confident he can fit in well. The extension overall gives Bears fans relief that the team is continuing to improve. However, more still needs to be done to make that reality. The Montez Sweat extension is no more than just a step toward that direction.
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