Between the Circles
Q says he needs more from Seabrook
DETROIT - Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said the team needs more from defenseman Brent Seabrook starting in Game 4 tonight at Joe Louis Arena.
Seabrook played less than 18 minutes in the Hawks' Game 3 loss and was minus-1. He let Gustav Nyquist go around him on Detroit's first goal.
"We're looking for more," Quenneville said after Thursday's morning skate.
"Whether it's a matchup or the way the game is being played, how we're playing, how he's playing, I think reflects that," Quenneville said of Seabrook's reduced ice time in Game 3. "I think our defense has been pretty solid throughout most of the season, but we need everybody to be strong and we have to be comfortable with everybody against anybody."
Chicago's Inside Pitch
Cubs put Camp on DL; brass visits pitcher Gray
There might have been good reason for Cubs reliever Shawn Camp’s continued ineffectiveness this season. The Cubs today placed Camp on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right big toe. They recalled right-handed reliever Rafael Dolis from Class AAA Iowa. The Cubs also said their top executives are meeting today with top draft prospect Jonathan Gray, a pitcher at the University of Oklahoma. More on that in a bit.
Just Monday, the Cubs designated right-handed reliever Michael Bowden for assignment. Hours later, Camp went out and suffered his third blown save of the season, as he gave up a go-ahead grand slam to Pirates pinch hitter Travis Snider in the sixth inning of a game Pittsburgh won 5-4.
Suburban Political Recount
Rob Komosa's legacy
"I am tearful and happy for Rob Komosa."
That's part of a post on Facebook this week by Don Grossnickle, a longtime friend of Rob Komosa. Komosa died earlier this year following years of paralysis from a 1999 Rolling Meadows High School football accident.
Grossnickle's tears are because lawmakers sent to Gov. Pat Quinn legislation requiring high schools to carry insurance to cover accidents like Komosa's. Quinn is expected to sign it into law.
Grossnickle started an organization to spearhead the longtime fight for schools to carry insurance in the future.
Chicago's Inside Pitch
Sale scratched from Wednesday's start with shoulder issue
We’re in the second inning here at U.S. Cellular Field, and the White Sox and Red Sox are scoreless.
But the big news of the night came a few minutes ago, when White Sox media relations director Bob Beghtol announced ace left-hander Chris Sale has been scratched from Wednesday night’s start vs. Boston with a “mild case” of tendinitis in his posterior throwing shoulder.
That doesn’t sound good, but the Sox also announced Sale will make his next scheduled start, Tuesday vs. the Cubs at the Cell.
Hector Santiago will start in place of Sale Wednesday vs. Red Sox ace Clay Buchholz (6-0, 1.78 ERA).
Sale is scheduled to talk to reporters after tonight’s game.
Chicago's Inside Pitch
Cubs activate Garza, DFA Bowden
One could argue that pitcher Michael Bowden got a raw deal and that the Cubs should have cut loose reliever Shawn Camp, but that’s not what happened today. The Cubs activated pitcher Matt Garza to start tonight’s game in Pittsburgh. To make room they designated Bowden for assignment.
The Cubs also claimed right-handed reliever Eduardo Sanchez off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Bowden, a resident of Oswego and a graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School, was 1-2 with a 3.78 ERA and a WHIP of 1.14. He had 1 blown save. Camp is 1-1 with a 7.31 ERA and a WHIP of 1.75 and 2 blown saves.
Sanchez, 24, will be assigned to Class AAA Iowa. He was 0-0 with 1 save and a 3.72 ERA (4 ER/9.2 IP) in 9 relief appearances for Class AAA Memphis this season.
Suburban Political Recount
Fate of gambling plan in different hands
Last week, we told you that state Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat and longtime gambling supporter, wanted to change the Illinois Senate's big expansion plan.
As the photo above shows, it's not in his hands anymore.
Control of the legislation has been transferred to state Rep. Bob Rita, a Democrat from Blue Island in the south suburbs.
Rita will likely have to still negotiate with Gov. Pat Quinn if he wants to come up with a gambling expansion plan the governor will sign. The move is a surprising one because Lang has been working on this for a very long time.
Suburban Political Recount
Garrett joins good government board
Former state Sen. Susan Garrett has joined the board of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, probably the state's foremost good government group.
The Lake Forest Democrat is known in Springfield for taking up ethics causes, so the new gig makes sense. Garrett didn't run for re-election in 2012 after 14 years in office.
"Oversight, accountability and transparency should be essential components of Illinois government," Garrett said in a statement. "I will be working with ICPR to ensure that these principles are emphasized and embraced."
Chicago's Inside Pitch
Hahn: Still too early to start selling
New White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has taken a page out of predecessor Kenny Williams’ book.
Before the first game of every homestand, Hahn has made his way to the dugout after manager Robin Ventura finished talking to reporters and fielded questions.
It’s a good policy that helps keep fans in the loop. This afternoon, Hahn made it clear he’s not even remotely thinking about breaking up a Sox team that’s off to a wobbly 19-23 start.
Between the Circles
Another honor for Toews
DETROIT - Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson and Kings captain Dustin Brown are the three finalists for the 2012-13 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone.
The Messier award goes to "the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season."
Mark Messier solicits suggestions from club and league personnel and NHL fans to compile a list of potential candidates. However, the selection of the three finalists and ultimate winner is Messier's alone.
Chicago's Inside Pitch
Sunday brunch blog: Wood looks to keep quality going
We’re blogging all over the place today, so we might get a little bit full with all we have to do on our Sunday brunch blog. I’m a guest today on WGN-TV’s Leadoff Man show, with Len Kasper. Len was nice enough to invite me to be a guest blogger on WGN’s Stats Sunday blog.

