1. Things are heating up for the Cubs.
The Cubs are sitting pretty as they head into the All-Star Break. The Cubbies are not only leading their division but are carrying the best record in the National League. Leading the division by 2.5 games with a record of 55-38, this team is only one win off from the 2016 World Series Championship team at this point two years ago. Could we be seeing another Cubs World Series trip?
It's an exciting time for one particular Cubs player as well, second baseman, Javier Baez, is favored to be the National League MVP. The frontrunner leads the Cubs in WAR as well as almost every offensive category including but not limited to OPS, hits, stolen bases, RBIs, and slugging percentage. He's also on par to become the first Cubs player since Sammy Sosa in 2001 to rack up 125 runs in a season. And if that accomplishment isn't impressive enough, it's looking to be a 30-30 season for Baez, something that's only been accomplished by Sosa in 1995.
2. Congratulations to THEE sports power couple.
LA Clippers forward, Sam Dekker and ESPN sideline reporter, Olivia Harlan, tied the knot this past weekend. The two welcomed friends and family to Door County for an outdoor Wisconsin wedding. Dekker grew up only a couple hours from Door County and Harlan has deep family roots there as her grandfather, Bob Harlan was the Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer of the Green Bay Packers.
Instead of asking for traditional wedding gifts the couple requested that guests donate to the Children’s Cancer Family Foundation of Northeast Wisconsin. Though during the summers the pair spends the majority of their time in Wisconsin, they reside in Los Angeles, California.
3. Condolences to the Emery family.
The NHL community was shaken yesterday morning after former Blackhawks goalie, Ray Emery passed away in a tragic drowning incident. The goalie played 11 seasons in the NHL two of which he spent with the Blackhawks including 2013 when he became a Stanley Cup Champion. In 2013, Corey Crawford and Emery received the William Jennings Trophy following their 2013 Stanley Cup win. The award is given to the goalie, or in this case, goalies, who produce the lowest GAA during the regular season. Social media has blown up over the past day with former teammates and coaches reflecting on this devastating loss. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Emery family.