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Ex-White Sox Pitcher Kevin Hickey Passes Away At 56

2012-05-16T17:00:15Z

Chicago White Sox batting practice pitcher Kevin Hickey was found unresponsive in his hotel room on April 5 prior to the team's opening day game vs. the Texas Rangers, and today he passed away at the age of 56.

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our teammate and colleague Kevin Hickey.RIP Kevin
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 16, 2012

Hickey was a one-time softball and semi-pro baseball player in the 1970s in Chicago when he was offered a contract by the the White Sox after the team held an open tryout at Comiskey Park. He would go on to pitch three seasons for the Southsiders from 1981-1983 before returning to the majors with the Baltimore Orioles, where he would pitch for three more seasons from 1989-1991.

Hickey posted a career ERA of 3.91 in 232.2 innings pitched in his career, picking up nine wins and 17 saves.

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White Sox Vs. Angels Preview: Gavin Floyd To Face Slumping Halos

2012-05-16T16:42:48Z

The Chicago White Sox will travel to start a two-game series on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Chicago White Sox blew a 6-0 lead by allowing eight runs to the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning on Tuesday at U.S. Cellular Field. On Wednesday, the South Siders jet out to California for a two-game series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim before a weekend set against the Cubs at Wrigley.

Gavin Floyd takes the mound for Chicago on Wednesday. The 29-year old righty has been very good for Chicago this season. Floyd enters at 3-3 with a 2.53 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. He'll be opposed by the Angels' Jerome Williams. Williams, a 30-year old righty, comes into the game at 3-1 with a 4.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.

Game Date & Time: Wednesday, May 16, 2012; 9:05 p.m.

Location: Angel Stadium of Anaheim; Anaheim, CA

TV: CSN+

Bears Roster 2012: Chris Williams Officially Moving To Tackle, According To Source

2012-05-16T16:29:43Z

What was once rumor is now fact, according to ESPN Chicago's Michael C. Wright. The Chicago Bears are officially moving ex-first round pick Chris Williams back to tackle after starting him at left guard for each of the past two seasons.

Williams is expected to compete for the team's starting left tackle spot along with incumbent starter J'Marcus Webb and possibly right tackle Gabe Carimi. Chicago's offensive line has been a sore spot for years running, but the new Bears brain trust, led by first year general Phil Emery, did not decide to address the team's pass protection in this year's draft.

Per Wright, Williams hasn't started a game at tackle since Week 2 of the 2010 season against the Dallas Cowboys, a game in which Williams injured his hamstring on the opening drive. His final start prior to that was in the opener against the Detroit Lions, in which the Bears infamously gave up four sacks.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears, be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. And drop by SB Nation NFL news hub for more updates and commentary from around the league.

Randy Wells Does Not Like The Minor Leagues

2012-05-16T16:03:15Z

Erstwhile Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Randy Wells is understandably unhappy about being in Triple-A. Wells, who was once a fixture of Chicago's rotation, did not make the major league team out of Spring Training, and has only been up for two starts this year, in which he posted an ERA over six. Wells knows that the only way he can make it out of the minors again is to pitch well while there, but according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Chris De Luca, his disdain is still palpable.

‘‘It sucks, but it’s part of the game,’’ Wells said. ‘‘Hanging your head and being upset with it isn’t going to do you any good. If you come down here and don’t pitch well, you’re pretty much burying yourself.’’

(via Chicago Sun-Times)

Making things worse for Wells is that he hasn't been any good in Triple-A this year, posting a 2-2 record and an ERA of 7.71. With Chris Volstad continuing to struggle, the door is certainly open for Chicago's minor league starters, but if a change is made anytime soon, it seems unlikely that Wells will get the call.

For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at Beyond the Box Score. Also, check out the team blog Bleed Cubbie Blue .

Phillies Vs. Cubs: Chicago Looks To Get Best Of Philadelphia Once Again

2012-05-16T15:48:43Z

The Chicago Cubs take on the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.

Before the Chicago Cubs can begin a three-game series this weekend against the crosstown rival Chicago White Sox, Dale Sveum's team must host a quick two-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Cubs will be looking to halt Philadelphia's three-game winning streak. Matt Garza takes the mound for the North Siders on Wednesday. He'll be opposed by Kyle Kendrick of the Phillies.

Garza enters at 2-1 with a 2.56 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. The 28-year old righty schooled the Phillies on April 29 by striking out 10 Philadelphia hitters in seven innings without allowing a run.

Kendrick was a reliever earlier in the year, and hasn't been particularly successful as a starter. The 27-year old righty enters at 0-3 wit a 7.32 ERA and a 2.03 WHIP.

Game Date & Time: Wednesday, May 16, 7:05 p.m.

Location: Wrigley Field

TV: CSN

For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at Beyond the Box Score. Also, check out the team blog Bleed Cubbie Blue .

Anthony Davis Added To Team USA Olympic Pool

2012-05-16T14:30:07Z

Chicago native Anthony Davis had quite the freshman year at Kentucky. The power forward garnered a host of accolades including the Wooden Award and helped the Wildcats win the national championship. Davis is projected by everyone to be the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. But a month before he shakes David Stern's hand, Davis received another fine honor: this week, he was named to the 18-man pool which will make up Team USA in the 2012 Olympics.

Cuts are still to be made, but Davis' dominating defensive presence has to make him an appealing candidate to Coach K. Team USA has plenty of scorers, and pairing Davis with New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler would give the Americans an unparalleled defensive front line.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more coverage of the NBA as the draft approaches, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls GM Isn't Counting On Rose's Return Next Season

2012-05-16T13:31:30Z

The Chicago Bulls have no choice but to forge ahead without Derrick Rose, but his recovery and eventual return will loom large over the franchise until he finally steps back onto an NBA floor. But, according to Chicago general manager Gar Forman, the Bulls aren't planning on that being next season, confirming that it's a longshot that Rose will see the court before the fall of 2013.

"We're hopeful at some point he'll be back," Forman said. "I'm not sure we'll make plans as if he will be, but we're optimistic he will be at some point."

(via Chicago Sun-Times)

That said, Dr. Brian Cole told Neil Hayes of the Sun-Times that he won't unilaterally hold Rose out of game action next season. If Rose's rehab progresses quickly, Cole said that he could see the floor if only to boost his confidence and to remind himself that his surgically repaired knee is stable and healthy. According to Cole, the mental aspect of rehab can for some players be as difficult as the physical.

Cole also outlined a rough schedule for how Rose's rehab might progress: running, light basketball activities (i.e. shooting) in up to four months, then cutting and absorbing contact, which could happen by January. At that point, Rose could be cleared to return to practice with the Bulls.

For more on the Bulls, stick with SB Nation Chicago and make time to read Blog a Bull. For more news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft Rumors: Meyers Leonard Projected At No. 17 To Dallas Mavericks By NBADraft.Net

2012-05-16T13:10:06Z

Former Illinois Fighting Illini center Meyers Leonard is projected to anywhere from pick No. 10 to pick No. 20 in the 2012 NBA Draft, and a recent mock draft by NBADraft.net has him in that exact area. Leonard is selected with pick No. 17 by the Dallas Mavericks in the mock, three spots after the end of the lottery.

Given that big men are always at a premium on draft night, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Leonard sneak into the lottery. He's as athletic as any pure center in the class.

The Mavericks would present a nice landing spot for Leonard. After Dallas let Tyson Chandler leave via free agency last offseason, the Mavericks desperately missed a dominating physical presence inside. While it remains to be seen if Leonard can ever turn into that, he certainly has the physical gifts to tempt some team into a taking a flyer on him.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of Illini basketball, head over to Hail to the Orange. And for more from around the world of college hoops, check out SB Nation's NCAA basketball news hub.