A lovely September Sunday produced a perfect storm of sports in Chicago. The PGA tour made its belated stop at Lemont’s Cog Hill for the event once known as the Western Open, while the Indy Racing League pulled into the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet. The U.S. soccer team welcomed defending World Cup champs Brazil for a hastily arranged friendly at Soldier Field. Less exotically, the White Sox continued their series against the Minnesota Twins at Sox Park. And that wasn’t all. The first-place Cubs were away at Pittsburgh, and the Bears opened their season in San Diego. Beautiful weather notwithstanding, I had no choice but to stay indoors and turn on the television.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
Back in Pittsburgh, Chicago center fielder Jacque Jones turned a fly ball into a two-out, bases-loaded triple, and Freddy Sanchez had to be thrown out at the plate to avert an inside-the-park grand slam. That put the Cubs down 6-2, with the tied-for-first Milwaukee Brewers already up 8-1 in Cincinnati, but at least it ended the inning in time for Woods’s birdie putt on the third hole. That left him a shot behind leader Aaron Baddeley, who was wearing scarlet and black himself, but accessorized with a white belt and shoes. The Sox drew first blood on a run-scoring hit by Alex Cintron, but his two-out error led to a game-tying unearned run off Jon Garland.
Steve Stricker went ahead at 19 under at Cog Hill. As the Bears kicked to the Chargers, Kerry Wood came in and gave up three runs as things only got worse for the Cubs. Garland stayed in and things only got worse for the Sox. The Bears’ defense held, but Devin Hester failed to field the punt–no excitement there. Woods and Baddeley also moved to 19 under, Woods pumping his fist. Cars ran around the Chicagoland Speedway, and guys trotted back and forth at Soldier Field.
Woods stuck it seven feet from the pin on 17 but missed the putt to remain two up. The Bears punted and took a 3-0 lead into halftime. The U.S. scored, but Ronaldinho answered, curling in a free kick from just outside the box to make it 3-2 Brazil. Woods drove 355 yards down the middle of the fairway on the final hole. The Indy cars slowed to a Sunday-driver pace under a yellow flag in the final laps. Woods parred in to finish with a 63 at 22 under. When racing resumed, leader Scott Dixon ran out of gas and had to wait for the tow truck as Dario Franchitti cruised in to win. With the Chargers driving, Nathan Vasher was called for roughing the passer. Ronaldinho took the rest of the day off. Vincent Jackson’s catch converted a third down into a San Diego first and goal, even though Mike Brown’s tackle removed his helmet. But Tommie Harris beat the snap across the line and got away with it, forcing a fumble and preserving the lead. Nobody caught Woods, and the Brazilians added another goal to win 4-2.
