Kritik und Anregungen » -a-kind reporter who embodied the spirit of

CHICAGO -- It was a step back in time for Chicago Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist.Before a recent game, he hopped on his bike in his uniform, with his glove in hand and wearing black P.F. Flyers, and rode to Wrigley Field.I just wanted to get that feeling, he said. Its that feeling of youre riding to the sandlot like a kid. This place makes you feel like a kid.Zobrists ride a few weeks ago became an internet sensation after his singer-songwriter wife, Julianna, posted video and a picture of him on a bike ready to leave on her Instagram account . It also fit the life-is-fun theme preached by manager Joe Maddon that has included onesie-wearing plane rides and zoo animal visits for a team that has rolled into the postseason.Living near the workplace is one of the unique attractions of playing in a vibrant neighborhood like Wrigleyville. For the players and staff who take advantage, it means almost nonexistent commutes, more time with family and a chance to mingle with the surroundings in a way that might not be possible in other cities. For residents, well, you might have a Cub living next door.In a sense, it puts a different spin on the term friendly confines. Zobrist, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta all live in the neighborhood. So does president of baseball operations Theo Epstein. And general manager Jed Hoyer is just a few minutes drive away, in Lincoln Park.I think guys love that, Hoyer said. I think the neighborhood feel is great. The families like it. They can walk with their kids to the ballpark. The lifestyle stuff definitely sells a little bit.For Zobrist, it was a big selling point when he signed with the Cubs in the offseason. The native of central Illinois and his family live about a mile from Wrigley in a home with a miniature basketball court and play area outside for their three young children.Zobrist often takes his bike to the ballpark, though that ride in uniform was a first. But the biggest benefit is the extra time at home. When he played in other cities he had to leave around 2 p.m. for a night game. Now? Sometimes as late as 4.Its just a special thing, Zobrist said. Theyre never going to make another venue like this in professional sports where its basically in a neighborhood. And because of that, it has such a unique feel. I mean, its honestly baseball heaven on earth.For Lester, calling the neighborhood home was not the plan.He lived near Fenway Park for a few years when he played for the Red Sox before buying a house about a half hour away in Newton. When he signed with the Cubs before the 2015 season, he was seeking some separation from home and work so he looked in the suburbs.But he balked at the idea of sitting in traffic and eventually found a house about a mile from Wrigley. Sometimes his wife will walk to the ballpark, though he drives.I love being closer, Lester said. Its nice, especially when you get in from late road trips and youre two minutes from home.Hendricks and his fiancee enjoy hitting the shops and restaurants along the Southport corridor a few blocks from the ballpark. This time last year, he could walk the streets without any recognition. But thats starting to change thanks to a breakout season in which he -- like Lester -- is in the running for the NL Cy Young Award.Most of the time, its middle-aged people coming up wanting to shake your hand, maybe take a picture, said Hendricks, who lived downtown when he came up to the Cubs in 2014. Shake your hand and really just talk to you for a second -- how well the seasons going, how much theyre enjoying all this time. Thats something that you notice is a little different than other places you go, where you find many more autograph seekers.The neighborhood around Wrigley Field has experienced its share of ups and downs ever since Charles Weeghmans Chicago Whales of the Federal League moved to the ballpark in 1914. It became known as Wrigleyville in the 1980s when real estate agents renamed the area to capitalize on the Cubs popularity, and it is undergoing another transformation thanks to a multiyear renovation to the ballpark and its surroundings by the Ricketts family.Video boards, new bleacher sections and a state-of-the-art home clubhouse have already been added. An office building is being constructed outside the ballpark and a hotel is going up across the street.For all the bars and restaurants and construction and game-day crowds, there still are plenty of quiet tree-lined streets nearby for a small-town feel in a bustling metropolis.Its something longtime Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster noticed when he joined the team in 2004 and moved into the neighborhood. He could walk home after a game, see people playing cornhole in their yard and stop to have a beer with them.Theres something really special about being a Chicago Cub and to be in the neighborhood and see the passion behind all the people, from bar owners to a coffee shop to whatever it is -- they really support their team and love their team, said Dempster, who works in the front office. And theres a mutual feeling. I felt the same way about the people in the neighborhood, the businesses. The environment was great. Nike Odyssey React Clearance . 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Longtime Turner Sports broadcaster Craig Sager has died at the age of 65, the network confirmed in a statement.Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us, Turner president David Levy said in a statement. There will never be another Craig Sager. His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports.While he will be remembered fondly for his colorful attire and the TNT sideline interviews he conducted with NBA coaches and players, its the determination, grace and will to live he displayed during his battle with cancer that will be his lasting impact. Our thoughts and prayers are with Craigs wife, Stacy, and the entire Sager family during this difficult time. We will forever be Sager Strong.Known for his colorful and distinctive suits during his more than 40-year career, the legendary sideline reporter battled acute myeloid leukemia since he was first diagnosed in 2014.Sager was admitted back into the hospital in late November 2016.In a statement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said teams will observe a moment of silence in Sagers memory.I -- along with the entire NBA family -- am deeply saddened by the passing of Craig Sager, Silver said. Craig was as vital to the NBA as the players and coaches. A true original and an essential voice on Turner Sports NBA coverage for 26 seasons, Craig chronicled some of the most memorable moments in league history and was a ubiquitous presence with his splashy suits and equally colorful personality.Craig earned widespread respect for his insightful reporting and inspired so many, most recently with his courage. Our hearts go out to his wife, Stacy; his children, Kacy, Craig Jr., Krista, Riley and Ryan; and his friends and colleagues.After his initial diagnosis, Sager, who worked for Turner for more than 30 years, missed the 2014 and 2015 NBA playoffs and part of the 2014-15 regular season, as well as the 2015 NCAA mens basketball tournament. During the 2014 NBA playoffs, his son Craig Sager Jr. did a sideline interview with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose interviews with Sager had become must-watch television.You did a great job, Popovich said to the younger Sager, but Id rather have your dad standing here. Craig, we miss you, youve been an important part of all of this for a long time doing a great job. We want your fanny back on the court, and I promise Ill be nice.Popovich didnt take questions from reporters prior to Thursday nights game in Phoenix. Instead, he walked out of the visiting locker room and, with a somber tone, spoke only of Sager for close to two minutes.A day like this, basketball has to take a back seat, as we all think about somebody who was very unique, very special, Popovich said. Whether you really knew Craig or not, you got the feeling that he was a very special person in a lot of different ways, and right now I just feel for his family.Sagers passing brought out condolences from every corner of the NBA, and Hall of Famer Larry Bird expressed what many were feeling.He was as identifiable with the NBA as any player or coach, Bird said. The league will not be the same without him.Magic Johnson echoed those sentiments on Twitter.Through a partnership between Turner Sports and ESPN, Sager worked his very first NBA Finals game in June, sideline reporting with ESPNs Doris Burke for Game 6 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, which the Cavaliers won.First of all, let me ask you a question, LeBron James said after the game. How in the hell do you go 30-plus years without getting a Finals game? That dont make no sense.But Im happy to see you, man. Much love and respect. Im happy I was able to witness it in front of these fans. We really appreciate you.Shortly after that, ESPN presented Sager with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2016 ESSPYS.ddddddddddddWhatever I mightve imagined a terminal diagnosis would do to my spirit, Sager said when receiving the award, its summoned quite the opposite -- the greatest appreciation for life itself.So I will never give up. And I will never give in. I will continue to keep fighting, sucking the marrow out of life, as life sucks the marrow out of me. I will live my life full of love and full of fun. Its the only way I know how.Said ESPN president John Skipper: Our thoughts are with the Sager family and our friends at Turner Sports. Craig was a universally respected and beloved reporter and a one-of-a-kind personality. His memorable ESPYS speech demonstrated his exceptional strength and a relentlessly positive energy that inspired millions of us.Sager underwent three bone marrow transplants -- the most recent via an anonymous donor in August 2016 -- and more than 20 chemotherapy cycles, including one that lasted for two weeks, around the clock. He also was hospitalized numerous times for pneumonia, among other ailments. In March 2016, Sager said on HBOs Real Sports that hed been given three to six months to live, without treatment.I go, Well, whatever it takes, lets get doing it, Sager said. Im not going to be that three to six months. Im going to be that five years. I think were going to make medical history.Born June 29, 1951, in Illinois, Sager graduated from Northwestern University in 1973 with a degree in speech -- and with a run as the school mascot, Willie the Wildcat. He first made his name at age 22, when he interviewed Hank Aaron on his way to home plate, moments after Aaron hit his 715th home run to break Babe Ruths record.Sager was in the middle of the scrum as the world tried to congratulate Aaron. When asked years later what Sager thought would have happened if he tried to interview Aaron the same way today, he told Yahoo! Sports, Id be shot.He later worked for CNN, handling the networks first live remote report from the 1980 MLB playoffs. He co-anchored CNN Sports Tonight and anchored College Football Scoreboard in the 1980s.Although Sager covered a wide variety of events, including college football, the NFL, the World Series, the Goodwill Games, the Pan Am Games, World Cup soccer, golf, tennis and the Winter and Summer Olympics, his home was the NBA.Players and fellow broadcasters rallied around Sager during his fight. Reporters began using the hashtag #SidelineForSager and dressing in colorful outfits to show their support. In April 2016, Rockets center Dwight Howard and his D12 Foundation held a blood drive to honor Sager.I know a lot of people deal with a lot of different types of cancers and leukemia, Howard said. Craig is a close friend of mine, family. Hes part of the NBA family. You hate to see anybody who is a part of you go through anything. I just want to do whatever I can to help.The National Basketball Players Association said in a statement that Sager was a one-of-a-kind reporter who embodied the spirit of the game of basketball in a truly colorful fashion. Through his work, he was able to connect players, coaches and fans to the game we all love. The passion and fight he displayed during his battle with cancer is an inspiration to us all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Sager family at this extremely difficult time.After a Final Four loss at the 2016 NCAA tournament, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim told Sager, Im proud of you. Im really proud of you and what youre doing. Youre a fighter. Its something we should all aspire to be, and youre setting an example that we all should be very happy to try and follow.Sager and his wife, Stacy, a former Chicago Bulls dancer, have two children together, Riley and Ryan. Sagers other three children -- Kacy, Krista and Craig Jr. -- are from a previous marriage. ' ' '