Mike McGraw

Chicago

Cubs/Bulls beat writer for Daily Herald in Suburban Chicago ... Econ major, Pitt dad ... How many people were at both Disco Demolition & Fog Bowl?

Articles

Buzelis’ strong finish gives Bulls a chance to advance past play-in

1 week ago | dailyherald.com | Mike McGraw

Bulls forward Matas Buzelis prepares to dunk during a game last month. AP The Bulls are promoting Matas Buzelis for the NBA's all-rookie team. Maybe the first step to that process should be using a time machine to tell coach Billy Donovan to give the Bulls' first-round draft pick more minutes early in the season. Since Feb. 4, roughly the final 32 games, Buzelis is clearly one of the NBA's top five rookies.
Giddey expects to play against Miami despite hand injury

1 week ago | dailyherald.com | Mike McGraw

The Bulls' Josh Giddey, right, celebrates with teammates Nikola Vucevic center, and Coby White left, after making the winning basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in a game last month in Chicago. AP Josh Giddey missed the Bulls' final two regular season games with an injury to his right hand, but said he's good to go for Wednesday's play-in date with Miami. “I'll be able to play through it,” Giddey said after Tuesday's practice at the Advocate Center. “I hope it's at a high level.
White Sox ruin Crochet’s no-hit bid, but can’t sweep Boston

1 week ago | dailyherald.com | Mike McGraw

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet throws against the White Sox during Sunday’s game in Chicago. AP Boston manager Alex Cora admitted to rooting against Garrett Crochet throwing a no-hitter against the White Sox on Sunday afternoon. He got his wish when Chase Meidroth, one of the players acquired in the Crochet trade, bounced a single into left field with one out in the eighth inning.
Retiring Hawks offer words of wisdom for younger teammates

1 week ago | dailyherald.com | Mike McGraw

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Patrick Maroon (77), left, and defenseman Alec Martinez (25) embrace each other after what was their final NHL hockey game Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) AP The Blackhawks home season ended with a handshake line. It wasn't the playoff kind, but still a nice gesture by the Winnipeg Jets, who stayed on the ice to greet and congratulate the two retiring Blackhawks, Pat Maroon and Alec Martinez.
Meidroth walks White Sox into skid-busting win over Boston

1 week ago | dailyherald.com | Mike McGraw

Chicago White Sox's Chase Meidroth (10) runs the bases on a double from Jacob Amaya during the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) AP Talk about a player living up to the hype. Second baseman Chase Meidroth joined the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade with a reputation for patience at the plate. Last year at Triple-A Worcester, the Southern California native drew 105 walks, compared to 71 strikeouts.
Crochet returns wearing new Sox: ‘Not very hard to move on’

1 week ago | dailyherald.com | Mike McGraw

Former White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet meets the Chicago media Friday night before his new team, the Red Sox, played the White Sox. Mike McGraw/[email protected] White Sox general manager Chris Getz was asked Friday about the six-year, $170 million contract extension Boston gave former South Side left-hander Garrett Crochet. “That's a lot of money,” Getz said. “I'm happy for him, I really am. I'm happy for the White Sox too.
Local roundup: Baseball America is nuts about suburban native Ryan Sloan

2 weeks ago | dailyherald.com | Mike McGraw

Temperatures have reached 40 degrees, so it must be baseball season in Chicago. With that in mind, here's a rundown of where some former local stars will be playing this season, whether it's majors or minors. This is far from a complete list, with more to come at a later date. The first player from Illinois chosen in last year's draft was hard-throwing right-hander Ryan Sloan from York High School. He went No. 55 overall to the Seattle Mariners.
This season has been a true running of the Bulls

2 weeks ago | dailyherald.com | Mike McGraw

Chicago Bulls guard Kevin Huerter (13) celebrates with guard Coby White after scoring a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in Chicago, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) AP Given the current state of Chicago sports, the Bulls' victory over Miami on Wednesday counts as a big deal. It went a long way toward clinching home court in next week's 9 vs. 10 play-in game.
Cubs refuse to hibernate in cold, beat Texas again

2 weeks ago | dailyherald.com | Mike McGraw

Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson tags out the Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien at second base during the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game Chicago. AP The crowds were relatively small, but the past two nights at Wrigley Field should have been the ultimate homefield advantage for the Cubs — a dome team from the South playing in 30-degree weather. These past two nights were two of the three coldest games in Texas Rangers history.
Helped by a contract comp, Cubs re-signing Tucker seems realistic

2 weeks ago | dailyherald.com | Mike McGraw

The Cubs' Kyle Tucker watches his single as he runs to first base during Monday’s win over the Texas Rangers in Chicago. AP These are interesting economic times, not only for baseball, but the entire country. On Monday, after watching their 401Ks plummet in the stock market decline, fans were invited to drive through the gauntlet of Chicago speeding cameras to spend $13 per beer at Wrigley Field, and watch the fourth-coldest game in Cubs history.