Why is the foul pole called the foul pole if it’s in fair territory?

How can Barry Bonds’ head be twice the size it was 10 years ago because of his ‘arthritic cream’ and not because of steroids?

Why is US Cellular Field sometimes still half empty even after the White Sox won the World Series?

Why, if the Bears had the 2^nd best defense in the league last year, would they spend all but two of their draft picks on defensive players?

Why do you have to like either the Cubs or Sox and not be a both-fan?

How come it seems like the only hockey team in Chicago is the Wolves?

Why would the Bears draft a player whose name is Danieal (pronounced Danielle)?

Why do Cub fans waste more energy cheering against the White Sox than they do cheering against the Cardinals?

Why do people want Pete Rose (who admitted to wrong doing) in the Hall of Fame and not Shoeless Joe Jackson (who was found not guilty by a jury)?

How can people not consider Secretariat an athlete?

Why, if the Cubs have so much money, can’t they ever hold on to star players? (See Rafael Palmeiro, Greg Maddux, Lou Brock)

Why, as of the time I’m writing this column, have the Cubs yet to find a player who can hit with Derrek Lee injured?

Why can’t they check in girls’ lacrosse?

Why, even after the Sox won the World Series, did Sports Authority have only Cubs merchandise?

How come everyone blames Steve Bartman for the NLCS demise when he had nothing to do with losing game 7?  Or the error by Alex Gonzales, for that matter.

Why can’t you turn on SportsCenter without seeing an update on the Duke Lacrosse scandal?  Or Barry Bonds’ home run count?

Why is there a commercial after the touchdown and also after the kickoff?

A couple months ago I wrote about the top 5 sports days in a given year.  I even listed a few more that just missed my top 5.  However, after this weekend, I'd like to apologize for a big omission.  Some comments were posted regarding my omission of the NFL draft and, now, I agree, the NFL Draft weekend should seriously be considered as one of the most exciting sports weekends of the year.  I should have made a log of my time watching the draft, but since I didn't, I'll try and just write all my random thoughts throughout the draft.

I'll begin with Friday night, I was at a friend's house when my cell phone rang.  "The Texans signed Mario Williams!" yelled my friend Charlie.  I knew Williams was a possibility, but I figured it'd be impossible to pass up Reggie Bush.  I firmly believe Bush was not only the best player in the draft but will be the best player in the NFL.  What is great, however, about the draft is guys like Mario Williams--who only die hard college fans have heard of pre-draft, dominate the headlines.

I yelled at my TV as each team in the top 10 passed over Matt Leinart.  I really didn't understand it.  So one guy said he doesn't have an 'NFL arm.'  I'd take Leinart over Cutler any day, and I'm glad the Cardinals did.  Yes, Leinart had a great supporting cast, but he also played in more pressure-packed games and situations than any player in the draft.

Then as the 1st round came to an end, the fun for us Chicago Bears fans began.  For those of you unfamiliar with the Bears, let me give you some 1st round picks of theirs: Cade McNown, Curtis Enis, David Terrell, Anthony Thomas (1 year wonder), Michael Haynes, Mark Columbo.  I think they speak for themselves to show why I was a little nervous with the 26th pick looming.  I was hoping for tight end Mercedes Lewis, because the Bears have a terrible offense and with a short=passing offense style, they could use a solid tight end.  But, I guess to avoid making another first round bust, the Bears traded their pick.  Ok, they make good picks in the later rounds, so they'll just get some steals, right? Like Nate Vasher in the 4th round or Alex Brown in the 4th round.  Well, my friend and I were speechless as we saw "Danieale Manning/ Abeliene Christian" flash across the ESPN bottomline.  Who the hell is Danieale MAnning was my first reaction.  Clearly ESPN didn't know either becuase they didn't even say anything about him.  Ok, fine, so I guess we want a returner.  So with the 57th pick I'm all excited again because LEonard Pope, tight end out of Georgia, is miraculously still available.  Cmon, the Bears can't screw this up.  It's clear they need a tight end.  He's still available, they're sure to take him.  But, once again, only the Bears.  Only the Bears would take Devin Hester, who don't get me wrong--I'm a big fan, but they could have taken him instead of Manning then taken Pope with the 57th.  And the mind games Jerry Angelo plays with his fans continues.  The 3rd round continues and we watch as teams are still passing over Leonard Pope and my friends and I get excited that he'll be available.  Cardinals on the clock with the 72nd pick, we're next.  Well, the Cardinals don't want another offensive player, right? Well, wrong again. 

So it took until day 2 for the Bears to finally take an offensive player--a fullback from Oklahoma.  Looks like we really do want to make our Defense our Offense.  The Bears will be the only team in the league that will punt on 3rd down if they feel they could pin the other team far back enough. 

Day 2 is fun for me becuase I'm a die-hard Northwestern fan so I'm waiting for their seniors to get drafted.  Luckily, 3 (Barry Cofield, Zach Strief, and Tim McGarigle) were drafted on day 2.  However, my favorite college player of all time, Brett Basanez, who I think was one of the top 15 quarterbacks in this draft class, wasn't drafted.  Who knows, maybe he'll be the next Jake Delhomme.

Well, I'll just have to wait until next draft to see how the Bears make all their fans crazy next year.

Until then, i'll be hoping for many 3-0 victories.

Before I give some Chicago sports-angled predictions for the upcoming year, I'd like to tell a quick story about a recent DePaul basketball game I attended.  It was New Year's Eve and the team looked very sluggish against a weak, injured Florida International team.  We won the game and the players who excelled were Sammy Mejia, Draelon Burns, and Cliff Clinkscales.  But what made it an inspiring game for me to watch as a fan was the game by Marlon Brumfield, the 6'8 senior center.  Most DePaul fans know the story of Brum, he worked his butt off after being a backup to Andre Brown and earned a starting job last season but was ####ed up frequently.  He is always considered the hardest working player on the team by coaches.  This season Brum has been ####ed up and his minutes have been limited.  In the game on Friday, Brum had 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals.  But he was so fun to watch.  He got his hand on many balls fed to the post on defense and induced turnovers and bad shots.  All of Florida International's points came from their guards it seemed because of Brum's inside defense, not to mention his constant battle under the basket that led to offensive rebounds by him (2) and other Blue Demons.  When Brum exited, my Dad and I stood to congratulate his game, but few others realized his impact.  Brum is one of those players that makes sports so joyful because he's a feel-good story that makes you feel even better when he does well.

Now some predicitons for 2006, once again with a Chicago angle:

Bulls: Will get the 8 seed, get swept in the first round, but make a great run at the end of the season to make the playoffs that makes most fans forget about their early exit.

Illini: They'll get a 2 seed and get upset in the 2nd round.  Sorry orange crush, but Dee can only do so much.

DePaul: They'll have a couple fun upsets in the Big East and just miss making the big dance after an early Big East Tournament exit.  They'll win a game or two in the NIT.

Northwestern: Bold prediction: The Wildcats make the NCAA tournament for the first time in history after winning the big ten tournament with Vedran Vukusic averaging 40 points per game.

Bears: They'll make the NFC Championship, i obvoiusly want them to win the Super Bowl but it seems like it's the Seahawks year, with a healthy Rex next year things may be different.

Cubs: If they trade Prior: They'll finish 3rd in the NL Central and Miguel Tejada will have many arguments in the already tumultuous clubhouse.

If they keep Prior: they'll get the Wild Card and lose first round.

White Sox: Can anyone say back-to-back?

And last but not least, the Blackhawks prediction...Wait, there's a hockey team in Chicago?