Opening statement

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View In Browser March 29, 2018 chicagotribune.com Inside Slant ADVERTISEMENT Play ball! Thursday, Mar 29 1 pitch, 1 home run. Ian Happ homered on the 1st pitch of the 2018 season and the Cubs beat the Marlins 8-4 at Marlins Park. Well, that was easy. Happ's home run — the 1st by a leadoff hitter since 1986 — also caused a local sportswriter to jump into Lake Michigan (filed under: when Twitter bets go wrong). Before the opener, the Cubs donned Stoneman Douglas T-shirts and Anthony Rizzo sharpened his tone on gun control: "It's just unbelievable how an entire nation is rallying around Stoneman Douglas High School." Also before the opener, the Cubs set their 25-man roster — 13 pitchers, 2 catchers, 6 infielders and 4 outfielders — and reliever Eddie Butler made the cut. 1 regular-season game down, 161 more to go. Read More » For starters Jose Abreu & Co. are currently in progress vs. the Royals. It was the 8th career opening-day start for 36-year-old James Shields: "I feel pretty good." And we feel good about Ozzie Guillen being back on Chicago TV. Read More » ADVERTISEMENT Tell us! Our Brad Biggs sat down with Bears GM Ryan Pace to chat about free agency, Leonard Floyd and … the surface at Soldier Field: "I didn't know how big of a topic it was until I got this job." Oh, you have no idea. #SodTwitter Read More » Oh, kids today Porter Moser's house is covered in toilet paper. But it doesn't bother the Loyola coach: "I can tell you unequivocally that I'm so happy that I'm going to prepare and compete." The Ramblers' "Band of Wolves" are ready too. Read More » ADVERTISEMENT UC report Away from the United Center tonight, the Bulls will face the Heat (6:30 p.m., WGN). Dwyane Wade might play, but Zach LaVine won't. And at United Center, the Hawks are getting older by the minute (7:30 p.m., NBCSCH). Read More » Etc. Quickly around sports … There's a new NFL helmet-hitting rule, but will it have the desired effect? … The way to a Michigan man's heart is through his stomach … and Michael Phelps is stepping up to help Olympians in pain. Read More » advertisement Unsubscribe   |   Newsletters   |   Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Service Copyright © 2018 | Chicago Tribune | 435 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 ABOUT THIS EMAIL You received this email because you are following the Inside Slant newsletter.