Midwest

Mark Prior got a 12th opinion on his ailing right shoulder Tuesday, this time by well-known orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala. Prior's tour of doctors--which began two weeks ago in the Los Angeles medical office of Dr.. Lewis Yocum--took him through 14 states and covered nearly 3,200 miles in his daddy's Escalade limousine.

For the 23,097 fans at the sold-out United Center Tuesday night, a close win by the Bulls would have sufficed. After all, the Heat are the defending champs and have one of the most prolific scoring duos in the NBA.

Following a tough, extra-inning loss Sunday, the White Sox were able to take out frustrations on annual bottom-dwellers Kansas City, winning 7-3 Monday night. Sox players agreed a trip to Kauffman Stadium is just what a team needs after a loss.

Just when Cubs fans thought it couldn't get any worse, there was Monday night--a gut-wrenching 12-inning, 5-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley. The game was a microcosm of everything that is flawed about the 2007 version of the Chicago Cubs.

Due to the convergence of various external factors in my schedule, it turned out that, of the three Sox home games this past week against Texas, I chose Wednesday night's game to attend. It is safe to say I'm glad it worked out that way.

Manager Lou Piniella made nice with the media prior to Tuesday's game with Milwaukee after blowing off his post-game press conference the night before to scold his players for dropping another extra inning heart-breaker.

The White Sox would seemingly be happy about their weekend series against Detroit. Despite trailing early in all three games, the Sox were able to come back, losing only the series finale. Despite promising play from the club, Manager Ozzie Guillen was not happy after Sunday's game, when without being asked, he called Tiger outfielder Magglio Ordonez a "Venezuelan piece of [expletive deleted]. I curse the ground he walks on."