Richard Roeper Blog

Some snapshots from Sunday night’s game/celebration at Wrigley Field..

As a lifelong Chicago area resident and a major sports fan, it’s been my privilege to witness some of the greatest moments in Chicago sports history. As a fan and/or a member of the media, I covered the Bulls in the 1990s, I’ve seen about 90 percent of the postseason games involving the Cubs and Sox over the last quarter-century, I’ve witnessed the Bears’ playoff games–and I’ve been in the Stadium and then in the United  Center for a number of Blackhawks games.

The Sox will always be first in my heart, and nothing will ever top the experience of being on the field just before Game 1 of the World Series in 2005, not to mention Jermaine Dye’s homer off Roger Clemens in the first inning of Game 1, Paul Konerko’s grand slam and Scott Podsenik’s game-winning home run in Game 2, Geoff Blum’s homer and Mark Buehrle’s save in Game 3, the 1-0 finale of Game 4…

That said, you can mark the date and the locale: June 13, 2010, Wrigley Field. Even though the Sox and the Cubs are underachieving this year and both squads would kill to hit the .500 mark by the All-Star break, it was one of the most memorable nights in Chicago sports history.

That “team picture” of the Cubs, Sox and Blackhawks was a thing of beauty. Jim Cornelison belting out his operatic version of the National Anthem as 40,000-plus fans roared–chills all around. Ozzie Guillen hoisting the Cup as Cubs fans booed–hilarious.

The game itself was a throwback, with Gavin Floyd and Ted Lilly hooking up in a classic pitchers duel, with neither pitcher giving up a hit through the first two-thirds of the game.

The last time two pitchers had no-hitters going into the seventh was 1997.

Kevin Brown\’s 1997 no-hitter

Finally, Alfonso Soriano cracked a double down the left-field line with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. I figured Ozzie Guillen would bring in a lefty to face Chad Tracy–but nobody was warming up, nobody was coming in, and Tracy singled home Soriano, giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead.

Even with raindrops occasionally falling and fans craning their necks to get a glimpse of the Cup up in the booth, even with the madness of the best “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” ever, with Blackhawks players throwing their caps and jerseys into the crowd (thank God that one guy in the first row of the upper deck didn’t take a tumble as he grabbed a jersey), Lilly remained focused on the gem at hand, holding the Sox hitless until the top of the 9th, when pinch-hitter Juan Pierre led off with a clean single up the middle. Eventually Carlos Marmol worked out of a bases loaded jam, and the Cubs avoided the sweep.

Can you imagine if Lilly had thrown a no-hitter against the Sox on the night of the Stanley Cup celebration at Wrigley Field? For Cubs fans, it still wouldn’t be nearly as sweet as a World Series win, but wow. As it was, all who were in attendance Sunday night will be telling stories about it forever.

Lilly\’s gem

Is it social media marketing–or an attempt to keep critics away from a piece of junkola?

The Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew Girls put some…ice in our drinks.

Here’s the montage I was talking about WLS-AM…

On May 13 former Chicago Bear player Jerry Azumah hosted nearly 400 guests at his Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament and Casino Night Event as a fundraiser for his non-profit organization ASAP (Azumah Student Assistance Program). All proceeds raised from the event went to ASAP’s scholarship program, which serves youth specifically at San Miguel Schools Chicago. Horseshoe Casino served as one of ASAP’s most generous supporters for the Inaugural Event.

During the event, benefactors received an opportunity to intermingle with some of the most well-known celebrities, tastemakers and everyday consumers in a relaxed and casual environment showcasing newly introduced and some of our favorite products and brands. Suites, retreats and exclusive bars were offered to some of our benefactors for private and interactive branding opportunities.

Aside from having some of the most fantastic, versatile and well-known guests, benefactors and supporters, the event was just fun. The ASAP Foundation wanted to provide our guests with an excellently executed and intimate event in which attendees were able to leave their cares behind so we could share the ASAP mission and goals and have an enjoyable time with the most influential people in the city. Guests walked away with prizes from some of the best retailers in the city as well as Super Bowl Tickets, trips to Las Vegas provided by Horseshoe Casino, condos in both Vail, Colorado and Miami as well as TVs and trips to our favorite getaways in the surrounding states. The process of creating awareness of the ASAP Foundation and the San Miguel Schools Chicago appeared to be trouble-free and simple because of the support and passion on which the event was built. With the help of our guests, supporters and benefactors as well as potential partners and additional attendees, we at the ASAP Foundation look forward to being able to produce this event and raising money for young impressionable minds for years to come. For more info and updates, visit www.asapfoundation.com or call 312.842.1042. Thank you to everyone who supported the ASAP Foundation’s Inaugural Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament!

To check out photos of the event, go to the ASAP Foundation website, and click “Fund raiser Event.”

Additional benefactors and supporters included: Gold Coast Bentley, the Gorman family, Impact 365, Skybox on Sheffield, Holm Audio, Gibson’s Restaurant’s, Custom Companies, Inc., David Barton Gym, PLP Studios and Solemates Chicago.

Celebrity attendees included: Antoine Walker (NBA Champion), Adewale Ogunleye (Pro Bowler and Chicago Bear), Richard Dent (former Chicago Bear and Super Bowl MVP), Bobby Simmons (NBA Player), Malik Yusef (Poet/Artist), Tom Thayer (Super Bowl Champion/Sports Analyst), David Kaplan (CTL Host), Israel Idonije (Chicago Bear), Rashied Davis (Chicago Bear), Ryan Baker (CBS Sports), Jenn Patterson (Comcast Personality), Richard Roeper (Chicago Sun Times Columnist), Robin Robinson (Fox News Chicago), Natalie Martinez (NBC Personality), Lance Briggs (Chicago Bear), Tiffany (Reality TV Star), Kelli Zink (CelebTV.com), Susanna Homan (Editor in Chief, Michigan Avenue Magazine), Tone and Shag (Power 92 Personalities), Nawledge (Emcee).

About Jerry Azumah
Jerry Azumah – Born to West African immigrant parents and raised in Worcester, Mass., Jerry Azumah has had a fortunate life attributing it to the support he has received throughout his life, especially in his younger academic years. In 1991, Azumah enrolled at St. Peter Marian High School, a private school in Worcester where he began to fulfill his classroom and athletic potential. Without the assistance of a local Worcester donor, he would not have been able to attend the prestigious institution. Equipped with a remarkable early education, a BA from University of New Hampshire and a successful and admirable 7-year football career with the Chicago Bears (going All Pro in 2004), Jerry has been able to retire, maintain a healthy lifestyle and embark on new endeavors, all by the age of 30. In addition to his philanthropic and entrepreneurial happenings, he joined Cellular Bears Post Game Live for his first season as studio analyst for Comcast SportsNet in 2007.

About ASAP Foundation
ASAP (Azumah Student Assistance Program) Foundation.  With an inception in 2004, ASAP’s (License Number: Processing) primary goal is to provide scholarships for disadvantaged students in Massachusetts, Illinois and beyond. The Foundation’s first fundraising event, a golf outing, took place in Massachusetts and received remarkable attention and encouragement. The generous support Azumah received early in his life tailored his choices and outlook, his community, and his charitable activities. This support also serves as his founding inspiration to utilize his own personal and professional accomplishments to students in need. This year’s ASAP event is being used to support to San Miguel Schools, Chicago. More information on ASAP can be found at www.asapfoundation.com.

You’ll probably go your whole life without hearing someone tell you with great urgency to “GET OUT OF THERE!!!!!!” but it happens in the movies.

All the time.

Ellen DeGeneres and Denis Leary have been booked for quite some time for the second annual Chicago Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, now Mike Ditka has been scheduled for an appearance as well.  He will be alongside the former “Saturday Night Live” Super Fans at the festival.  The show will be called, “Da Bears Movie Dat Wasn’t” and will feature Ditka, George Wendt, Joe Mantegna, Robert Smigel, Bob Odenkirk, and Richard Roeper. Tickets for the show go on sale on Saturday.