Summer is finally here, and baseball shifts into a higher gear, on this its very first day.  Oregon State, without pitching ace Luke Heimlich, has easily won its first two games of the College World Series.  Heimlich wisely “maneuvered”  himself away from the team to avoid any distractions over his child molestation conviction.   Heimlich, who was originally targeted by some as the number one pick of the draft was not selected by anyone.  I think that pretty much says it all!

The College World Series is a first sign of summer.  It’s when teams need to win or go home.  Oregon State has accomplished their second 22-game win streak this season and are on target to have the highest winning percentage in college baseball history.  The Boys play the winner of Florida State and LSU on Friday for a chance to move into the finals.   I’ll be watching.

The Cubs continue to play sluggish baseball.  The good news is that Addison Russell’s only accusation of Battery today was a lost bat into the stands.  (See post #132) He struck out and so did the Cubs, although Ian Happ continues to hit the long ball despite my early taunts of frustration. (see post #123).  The Mighty Schwarber (post #119) was only Casey-like, grounding out to end the game, and leaving the joyless Wrigleyville fans with an “L” as in Kyle.  They did win this home series against the Padres, but the disappointing sweep in California, the Cubs still have a losing record against the worst team in baseball.  Happ hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 4th, but his team could not hold on, as Anthony Rizzo’s 13-game hitting streak also came to an end.  The defending World Champion Cubbies are just one game over .500 and a game behind the Brewers in the National League Central.  They are also 8 games out of a possible Wildcard slot, as the Dodgers and Diamondbacks continue to play winning baseball.

At least there were no scandals today and Rizzo didn’t try to run over the opposing catcher (maybe because he didn’t even get on base.)   It was a beautiful day at Wrigley, especially after Happ’s 403 foot drive that fell into the right center field basket.  There was a touching moment of pure joy, as a Cubs fan rescued the ball and got a big hug.  You could see the smiles on both of their faces, as hope for a Cubs sweep was in literally in their hands.

The White Sox are 7 games below .500, as if I see any possible hope for a cross-town World Series rematch.  After all, it hasn’t happened in 111 years.  I plan to see the White Sox play the Yankees next week at Guaranteed Rate Park.  I’ve already seen games there when it was Old Comiskey Park, New Comiskey Park, and U.S. Cellular Park.  The Cubs are on the road, so I’m looking forward to seeing Aaron Judge strike out in Chicago.   Hopefully, it’s not like the last White Sox vs. Yankees game that I saw back in 1960.  White Sox owner, Bill Veeck, had just unveiled his “exploding scoreboard,” and my Dad and I were anxious to see some home-run fireworks.  Unfortunately, the only home runs were hit by the Yankees, and Manager Casey Stengel lit sparklers to taunt us Chicago fans.  It’s only one reason why I hate the Yankees!