Aug. 13--This is how you get the Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals to put their bitter rivalry aside for one night and hang out together.
The inaugural Jason Motte Chicago Cornhole Challenge takes place Sept. 19 at Wrigley Field following the Cubs-Cardinals game and will bring together Motte's Cubs teammates and his former Cardinals teammates. Motte co-hosted the St. Louis Cornhole Challenge as a member of the Cardinals last year with then-teammate Jon Jay and again in June when the Cubs faced the Cardinals in St. Louis.
"We had Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo playing (cornhole) against Adam Wainwright and Jon Jay," Motte said over the phone Tuesday. "When you get guys in that situation, they're all out there trying to play to win. But there's not crazy trash talk going on. It's a good way to hang out. Our slogan is 'Rivals on the field, teammates in the fight.' We're helping raise awareness for a good cause."
The Jason Motte Foundation was founded in 2011 and raises money and awareness for cancer. The foundation has teamed up with players from all 30 Major League Baseball teams to sell "K Cancer" t-shirts, which can be purchased on 108stitches.com. Motte said the cause is personal as his wife's grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer a month before their wedding.
"It started with the simple question: How can we help give back to those who helped us?" Motte said.
And how did Motte decide on cornhole?
"My wife and I are from Memphis and its kind of the thing you would do while tailgating before a football game," Motte said. "I didn't want to do golf tournament or sit down dinner where everyone gets dressed up. I wanted to do something fun and different."
Big ups: The stars of NBC's "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago P.D." attended Wednesday's White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field to show their support for first responders on Police and Fire Night. "Honored to be here on Fire PD night, honoring two very heroic officers who've risked their lives to save people in this city," "Chicago P.D." star Sophia Bush wrote on Instagram Wednesday. She was joined by co-stars Jon Seda and Laroyce Hawkins and "Chicago Fire" co-stars Taylor Kinney, Eamonn Walker, Monica Raymund and Dora Madison Burge.
Crosstown Classic: This hilarious video of Ike Barinholtz ("The Mindy Project") discussing a near fight he witnessed between Cubs and Sox fans in the Wrigley field bathrooms seemed appropriate with both teams set to face each other this weekend.
On the record: "He denied me access even though I had accreditation. Then I decided to open the gate myself. Then I was pushed by the steward who was there and I pushed him back. You could all see that." -- Ex-Fire player Paulo Wanchope (via BBC Sport), who resigned as the manager of Costa Rica's national team due to an altercation with a security guard.
Heads up: The Fire will host their fifth annual White Party Thursday at MCA Warehouse to benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation. It's one of my favorite parties every year and gives me an excuse to wear my white pants. ... The Cubs' Jon Lester will host his NVRQT Night fundraiser Thursday at Metro. You can check out my interview with Lester about the benefit here.
By the numbers: $2.8 million. Price of ex-Bull Luol Deng's seven bedroom home in Northbrook, which is currently for sale.
700. People who participated in comedian Kevin Hart's Nike+ Run Club-sponsored 5K race outside the Field Museum July 31. Watch my interview with Hart at the race here.
Sightings: Michael Jordan had dinner Sunday and Tuesday at Michael Jordan's Steak House and Wednesday at BellyQ, which he also co-owns. ... Scottie Pippen dined Aug. 4 at RPM Italian. Brian Urlacher was spoted Friday at RPM Italian. ... The Cubs' Anthony Rizzo turned 26 on Saturday and celebrated with teammates Sunday over dinner at Dolce Italian in The Godfrey Hotel, including Bryant, Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Schwarber and Miguel Montero. Rizzo and Bryant dined Friday and Saturday, respectively, at Prime and Provisions. Lester and Bears coach John Fox had brunch, separately, Saturday at Chicago Cut Steakhouseh ... Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg dined Sunday at RPM Steak. ... Hulk Hogan dined July 31 at Harry Caray's in Midway Airport and helped bring out food to guests, according to Harry Caray's CEO Grant DePorter. Fellow WWE legend Bret "The Hitman" Hart had dinner Saturday at Rack House Kitchen and Tavern in Arlginton Heights. ... Sports stars Lawrence Taylor, Pete Rose, Tom Glavine and Rafael Palmeiro dined, separately, Aug. 1 at Gibson's Bar and Steakhouse-Rosemont. The Miami Dolphins' Ndamukong Suh dined Wednesday at Gibson's Bar and Steakhouse-Chicago. ... White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC owner John W. Henry had dinner Tuesday at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House.
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