It’s time for a short blog-cation, a short break from writing because I don’t want to take my laptop with us to Amelia Island. I’ll either be driving, running, eating, sunning, or sleeping so no time for writing. Before I leave, I just want to say good-bye to Anthony Rizzo. I should have known last night when my wife made risotto that a trade was in the works. I did not expect the Yankees but the short right field porch is ideal for a lefty slugger. He’ll join their Italian-American All Star team that also includes the likes of Lazzeri, Crosetti, DiMaggio, Berra, Pepitone, Giambi, Torrre, Girardi, Rizzuto, Pettitte, Martin, etc. It’s been a great ten years in the Windy City, making me a bigger fan of the Cubs. 

I feel especially sorry for my wife’s niece and her husband who named their dog Rizzo. It will be tough to have a Yankee in the house! I’m left with my baseball cards and wine corks from the Rizzo winery that also sadly went out of business. He had a very distinctive swing, but in baseball as in life the rich get richer and the Yankees are in the Wild Card chase despite trailing the Red Sox by 8.5 games while 7 behind the Rays. Tomorrow, I would probably have been writing about Kris Bryant or closer Craig  Kimbrel as the dismantlement of the out-of-contention Cubs continues. Last night I watched them fall to the Reds again.

All these trades will make it easier for me to throw all my allegiance to the White Sox, who also benefited from the Cubs yard sale, adding Ryan Tepera to their relief corps. It will be interesting to follow the rebuilding process of a team that last time took over 100 years to achieve success. Another reliever, Andrew Chafin recently went to the A’s, so Wrigley Field will soon never be the same. Hot-headed, defensive magician, Javy Baez could be next. My favorite, Kyle Schwarber was traded to the Nats before the season started and will now be a Red Sox. You need a scorecard to keep track!

Another sore spot of mine in this whirlwind of player trades is that one of my favorites for the White Sox, Nick Madrigal, is out for the season with an injury. Sadly, he may never now find a place back in the lineup since The White Sox acquired Cesar Hernandez from the Indians (Guardians) to take his place. The game is changing quicker than a Max Scherzer fast ball, who was also sent from the Nats to the Dodgers yesterday. The Yanks and the Dodgers are always in the big trade picture at this point of the season. The Rich get Richer and the Cubs get poorer. Farewell Rizzo!