he Stephen Strasburg hype, that is.
Now that phenom is making his first of what should be many trips to the DL, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper explains here why that thought will prove to be true.

Or Fantasy Football?
I'm not.

But in case you were wondering where to rank Robbie Gould on your draft board, you can click here.

Loser.

is that they're debatable.
That's why we in sports journalism continually make them.
It's also why I wanted to highlight a recent lsit put together by my Chicago colleague Mark Potash - Kenny Williams' 10 best moves since becoming the general manager of the White Sox in November of 2001
But - he had this caveat - "Williams' 10 best deals involving prospects."

Here are Kenny's best trades, period (in no particular order):

Damaso Marte: March 27, 2002: Acquired from Pittsburgh for Matt Guerrier
In four years with the Sox, Marte posted a 2.78 ERA & 9.8 strikeouts per 9 innings in 259 innings. He also picked up 31 saves with 14 wins. He also won a game in the 2005 World Series.

Esteban Loiaza: January 24, 2003: He signed as a free agent. Loiaza went on to go 30-14 with an All-Star appearance in 2003 and part of 2004 until....
he was traded on July 31, 2004 to the New York Yankees for Jose Contreras and cash.

Contreras then went on to go 55-56 in six seasons, but in 2005 and 2006 "Grandpa" went 28-16 and at one point was the best pitcher in baseball. He was also an All-Star (2006) and went 3-1 in the '05 postseason.

Freddy Garcia: June 27, 2004: Acquired (along with Ben Davis) from Seattle for Mike Morse, Miguel Olivo and Jeremy Reed.
"Sweaty Freddy" went 40-21 from '04 to '06 and went 3-0 in the 2005 postseason....
Kenny then dealt him to Philadelphia for
Gavin Floyd: December 6, 2006: (along with Gio Gonzalez). Floyd is 35-32 with an era around 4 since joining the Sox's staff but went 17-8 in 2008 in leading the Sox to the playoffs.

Scott Podsednik: December 13, 2004: Acquired (along with Luis Vizcaino) from Milwaukee for Carlos Lee.
From 2005-2007 "Scotty Pods" was an All-Star, stole 111 bases and hit .270. But in the 2005 post season, he won a World Series game while hitting .286 with a .948 OPS.

Carl Everett (the second time): July 18, 2004: Acquired from Montreal for Gary Majewski and Jon Rauch. In 178 games with the Sox from 04-05 "Jurassic Carl" hit .255, drove in 108 runs and had 55 extra base hits. Hit .300 in the '05 postseason with 3 RBI.

Jim Thome: November 25, 2005: Acquired from Philadelphia for Daniel Haigwood, Aaron Rowand and Gio Gonzalez.
From 2006 until Aug., 2009 when he was sent to L.A., "Big Jim" hit .265 with 134 HR & 369 RBI while posting a .391 OBP. He helped the Sox get into the 2008 playoffs with a game-winning homer in the famous "Blackout" game against the Twins, but hit just .125 with a .176 OBP against Tampa in the ALDS that year.

Matt Thornton: March 20, 2006: Acquired from Seattle for Joe Borchard.
So far, Thornton has been an All-Star, posted a 3.20 ERA with 10 K/9 inn. with a record of 23-16 along with 14 saves in over 280 innings.

John Danks: December 23, 2006: Acquired from Texas Rangers (along with Jacob Rasner and Nick Masset) David Paisano and Brandon McCarthy.
"Johnny Sac" has shown front of the rotation stuff and won the "Blackout Game" over Minnesota - a 1-0, 8-inning masterpiece. He has so far posted an ERA under 4 while going 42-40.

Some names not on this list: Carlos "TCQ" Quentin, Jake Peavy and Sergio Santos. We just haven't seen enough consistency yet from these players to say that they belong on the "great" side of the ledger for Williams.

Why this never happened to Nicky the Swish (Tommy Bahama!) during his one painful year on the Southside...

I do feel bad for this TV reporter - he is clearly flustered and not sure what to do or how to get some of these skater kids to talk to him... but this was a terrible, terrible idea.
It turned it out to be hilarious, of course

I can't get enough of this shot.
It was about the most interesting thing that happened over four days at St. Andrews, unfortunately.

Check out today's Beacon News to catch up on Waubonsie Valley alumnus Michael Bowden and his recent move to the bullpen.

Here's what he had to say about it:
I'm also excited because in my short time in the bullpen last year I enjoyed it a lot. When he told me he thought I was going to be disappointed but I was actually excited because I enjoy the bullpen, I like pitching a couple times a week whereas starting is once every five days. It's fun because you get to go out there every day and prepare. It's fun going to the ballpark every day.

The Chicago White Sox's Matt Thornton wore it today after walking Chicago Cub Marlon Byrd before allowing what turned out to be the game-winning hit by the Atlanta Braves' Brian McCann.

While Thornton returns to the hottest team in baseball and Byrd returns to one of the worst, no doubt the meat heads will be loving this...

to Aurora.
.
Mike Ditka will be at Rosary this Sunday for a speaking engagement.
You can check out the details and participate by clicking here

In the Quad Cities at the John Deere Classic.

It's a great event run by great people, and they were rewarded with a fantastic day of golf.
Paul Goydos shot a historic 59 on at the TPC at Deere Run, and that was followed up by defending champion Steve Stricker's 60.

"Strick" nearly holed out his approach on 18 for his own 59.

The people out there really support that tournament and love golf, and it was great to see some really good players put on a show.

What can they possibly do tomorrow to live up to today!?

All that said - shame on the Golf Channel for leading with the JDC today on its Golf Central telecast.
The U.S. Women's Open is being played at Oakmont and not only is it a major championship, it is our national championship. That should be the lead story, not buried until 15 minutes into the broadcast.

The Aurora City Tournament begins this weekend (Saturday at Fox Valley Club & Sunday at Phillips Park) and will conclude next weekend.

Jason Frantzen (pictured) returns looking for a three-peat but there is a strong field this year.

Here are the tee times & pairings for both Saturday at Fox Valley & Sunday at Phillips Park.

7:20 a.m.:
Joe Sells
Jon Price
James Kwak
Tony Hopp

7:30: Kyle Singelton Jim Boettger Charles Gasser Tim Weber

7:40:
Kent Duffy
Bruce Nolte
Carl Tirevold
Arthur Couch

7:50:
Blake Kauffmann
Joe Kauffmann
Brett Koskinen
Jeff Koskinen

8:00:
Brian Overheidt
Martin Dolye
Craig Thurston
Bruce Churches

8:10:
Jay Demarco
Tony Jenkins
James Japlon
Dave Richert

8:20:
Adam Johnson
Rob Wallers
Juan Rivera
Aldo Alba

8:30:
Mark Gunn
J.D. Handel
Jim Lefaver
Mike Ponce

8:40:
Tim Brennan
Brian Sordyl
Richard Stepanik
David Newland

8:50:
Kim Hunley
Jason Frantzen
Kyle Calkington
Charles Whitley

9:00:
Andrew Borneman
Tim Swanson
Hamilton White
Chris Patrick

9:10:
Taylor Nelson
Joe Manzari
Jason Snart
Tim Penson

9:20:
Justin Crable
Brendon Dreps
Mike Jenkins
Mike Collins

9:30:
Brentley Lofek
Noel Maria
Richard Schwartz
Duane Olsson

9:40:
Guy Sickler
Bob Kramer
Ronnie Sickler
Terry Heap

9:50:
Perry Resnick
Tom Rau
Steven Lewis
Bill Erickson

10:00:
Khiem Le
Van Nguyen
Paul Wick
Derek Dearborn

10:10:
James Byrd
Nackoo Stewart
Jeff Kurr
Hanif Malik

10:20:
Wally Cotton
Ken McCradic
Alex Kline-Wedeen (pictured)
Mike Connell

10:30:
Frank Guzauskas
Paul Wedeen
Steve Lash
Brian Kirfhofer

10:40:
Evan Kline-Wedeen
Brandon Vicory
Cameron Wisniowicz
Kyle McCradic

can be found here, by Peter Kostis.

While it is fun to see the world's best play different venues every year, I do like this idea on a lot of levels.
As a fan of classic golf course design, it is disheartening to see many of those venues taken so far away from what they once were.

well, Michael Bowden's been passed over again.

After a horrific start to the season as he adjusted to new mechanics, the big right-hander has been on fire. He is currently 4-3 with a 3.77 ERA.

He was 2-1 in June with a 2.35 ERA and has started off July with a win, giving up just one run in 7 2/3 innings.

Yet he can't get a call up to the big club, even though the Red Sox have been beset by injuries.

Bowden has been the subject of trade talks for the better part of his career, and you wonder just how long the Red Sox will continue to keep him in the minor leagues.

EDIT: This breaking news out of the East says Bowden has been moved to the bullpen in Pawtucket. He was willing to make this move on the big league level, but not sure how he feels about it as a minor leaguer. Perhaps this will get him back to Boston quicker...

It's never too early for football!

From Oswego Panthers head coach Dave Keely:
Senior linebacker John Hugunin was named the "PITBULL" Award winner at the Illinois State University Brock Spack Team Camp this past week. The award is for the player who went 100% on every play and was "Relentless".

The award was voted on by the Illinois State University Football Staff and John was selected from a group of 600 campers. He had an outstanding camp.

Senior offensive lineman Clay Boese was the Runner-Up for the "Outstanding Lineman" Award.

DEKALB -- More than half the Northern Illinois Univeristy football team's games will be carried on television this season.

Comcast SportsNet Chicago announced Friday it will air the season opener at Iowa State on Thursday, Sept. 2, picking up the Fox Sports Net broadcast of the game that kicks off at 7 p.m.

It means at least seven of the Huskies' 12 games will be televised.

CSN Chicago will also carry NIU's home contest with defending Mid-American Conference champion Central Michigan on Oct. 23 at 2:30 p.m. (CST). The Huskies' games at Illinois (Sept. 18) and at Minnesota (Sept. 25) will be carried on the Big Ten Network, ESPN Regional will syndicate the Temple (Oct. 9) and Western Michigan (Oct. 30) games, while the NIU-Toledo game (Nov. 9) will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The team's season-ending game at Eastern Michigan (Nov. 26) also could be picked up by ESPNU.

It boosts NIU's total to 60 games televised over the past six seasons (2005-10).