👋 Good morning!
Nothing puts a bow on a sporting event quite like Luther Vandross’ rendition of One Shining Moment after the finale of the NCAA Tournament.
I know plenty of folks had their gripes with the tournament. I certainly didn’t love my Jayhawks being eliminated in the first round.
But I’m a sucker for watching the best basketball possible, and in my opinion, the Final Four delivered.
I feel like Bill Hader’s “Stefon” when I say that San Antonio’s hottest basketball tournament had everything: A Duke choke, a Bruce Pearl meltdown (I-L-L), and one of the most awkward endings to a championship game you’ll ever see.
How does Houston not get a shot off?!
One-and-done?
Kyle Tucker is mashing for the Cubs through the first 13 games of his first year in Chicago. But the slugger is a free agent after the season. Is he really going to be a one-and-done in the royal blue pinstripes?
Why am I rehashing this? Because Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. inked a monstrous 14-year, $500 million extension late on Sunday night that’ll keep him in Toronto possibly for the rest of his career.
Some think that’s a benchmark or any prospective deal for Tucker, which would smash the Cubs’ largest contract in franchise history in both length and total value (Jason Heyward’s eight-year, $184 million still reigns supreme).
On Monday, when asked how Guerrero’s deal could impact his future in Chicago, Tucker said: “It’s what he wanted to do. I’m sure he loves playing in Toronto. That’s great for him. Everyone is a little different. Right now, I’m here to play this year and play for the Cubs.”
If you listen closely, you might be able to hear Cubs fans hyperventilating after reading that quote. Can’t say I blame ‘em.
Tucker was also named NL Player of the Week on Monday after a six-game stretch with three homers and eight runs batted in, lifting Chicago to a 5-1 week.
He’s as important of a player to this team as anybody. There’s a reason that when we predicted a team MVP on the CHGO Cubs podcast a couple of weeks ago, Tucker was excluded from the conversation as the obvious top choice.
While it might seem a little silly to read too in-depth into a clubhouse media scrum two weeks into the season, it’s the topic that’ll loom over Cubs fans’ heads all season.
Shoutout to my friend Brendan in Kansas, who shared an extremely level-headed thought about the Tucker saga:
“Honestly, I’m finding peace in the certainty [that Tucker leaves]. This summer should be plenty of fun. May as well have fun while we have the chance.”
I love that. I don’t think it’s an unpopular sentiment, either. I’m sure Cubs fans just wish the club would at least have a seat at the table if/when the superstar hits the market this offseason.
And Brendan’s right; this should be a fun summer on the north side. After all, the Cubs are 8-5 and playing really solid ball in the early stages of the season.
GO DEEPER: The CHGO Cubs podcast discussed Tucker’s comments after Chicago’s 7-0 win on Monday night.
Quick Hits
The Bears have reported for their first offseason program under new head coach Ben Johnson! Teams with new head coaches are allowed to get a head start up to two weeks earlier than the rest of the league.
Adam Hoge and I will be bringing you coverage from inside Halas Hall tomorrow, where a few players are slated to speak to the media in the morning. Follow along @CHGO_Bears for the latest from Bears Land!
Houston. Didn’t. Even. Get. A. Shot. Off. 🤯
What a way for that one to end.
— #Jared Wyllys (#@jwyllys)
3:12 AM • Apr 8, 2025
Today!
📺 CHGO Bears - 12:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Fire - 1:45 on YouTube
⚾️ White Sox @ Guardians - 3:10 on CHSN+
📺 CHGO Blackhawks - 5:30 on YouTube
📺 CHGO Bulls - 5:30 on YouTube
🥅 Blackhawks @ Penguins - 6:00 on WCIU
🏀 Blackhawks @ Penguins - 6:00 on WCIU
📺 CHGO White Sox POSTGAME on YouTube
⚾️ Cubs vs. Rangers - 6:40 on Marquee
📺 CHGO Blackhawks POSTGAME on YouTube
📺 CHGO Bulls POSTGAME on YouTube
📺 CHGO Cubs POSTGAME on CHGO Cubs YT
