Neil Milbert

Neil Milbert is a freelance writer who covered harness racing and other sports during his 40-year career with the Chicago Tribune.

Charles Bidwill Jr., left, their mother, Violet Bidwill Wolfner, center, and Billy Bidwill, all look happy at the new Chicago Cardinal setup, which makes Charles, 23, president; Mrs. Wolfner, chairman of the board of directors; and Billy, 19, vice president, circa July 1951. The reorganization followed the resignation of Ray Bennigsen. Charles, also known as Stormy, was the youngest president in the National Football League. His father and Violet’s husband, Charles “Blue Shirt Charlie” Bidwill Sr., was one of the most loved sports executives. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

Stormy Bidwill, former Sportsman’s Park president and co-owner of NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals, dies at 97

November 7, 2025 at 5:21 p.m.

Starting in the 1960s and continuing through the mid-1990s, Stormy Bidwill’s profile as an influential sports owner was comparable to that of George Halas and Arthur and Bill Wirtz.

Blackhawks great Stan Mikita dies at 78: ‘He was hard-working. He was unselfish. He was a superstar.’

August 18, 2019 at 7:49 p.m.

Stan Mikita, arguably the greatest player in Blackhawks history, died Tuesday after a long illness. He was 78. “There are no words to describe our sadness over Stan’s passing,” the...

Tryster favorite over defending Million champion The Pizza Man

June 1, 2019 at 9:25 a.m.

It didn't faze The Pizza Man's owner-breeder, Rich Papiese, to see his defending champion projected as a 10-1 outsider when the morning line came out Wednesday for Saturday's 34th running...

The Pizza Man delivers Arlington Million’s 1st Illinois-bred winner

August 23, 2019 at 11:28 p.m.

Financially devastated Illinois racing has deteriorated into the Greece of the thoroughbred world, but The Pizza Man returned it to the glory days of yesteryear Saturday when he defeated a...

Stablemates Big Blue Kitten, Slumber set to duel again in Arlington Million

August 23, 2019 at 11:25 p.m.

The 13-horse lineup for Saturday's Arlington Million XXXIII was announced Wednesday, and the scouting report says trainer Chad Brown will have the two heaviest hitters at the betting windows. Big...

‘Hope’ is high for Hanshin Cup at Arlington

August 22, 2019 at 10:17 a.m.

Trainer Mike Stidham has hope that when Gleam of Hope runs in Saturday's Grade III Hanshin Cup, the 5-year-old gelding will do what his more accomplished stablemate, Workin for Hops,...

Once a giant in women’s basketball, Immaculata copes with obscurity

October 23, 2018 at 6:21 p.m.

Once it seemed that tiny Immaculata was destined to become the women's version of UCLA, the college basketball dynasty by which all others are measured. Instead, the picturesque Pennsylvania college...

Computer glitch sits horse players in losing saddle

October 24, 2018 at 11:41 a.m.

CHICAGO -- Burton Kozak is learning the hard way that it doesn't take long to go from being a winner to a loser in the Electronic Age. A jubilant Kozak,...

Indiana wary of Fla. St. Seminoles have matured in ACC TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES

October 25, 2018 at 2:52 a.m.

ALBUQUERQUE -- Putting it in a Chicago perspective, Florida State's move from the Metro Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference is sort of like going from a modest bungalow in...

Navratilova admits record bothered her

October 25, 2018 at 6:42 a.m.

CHICAGO -- Martina Navratilova made history yesterday and made it seem like mythology. Playing before a crowd of 8,341 in a Pavilion match that was masterpiece theater from beginning to...

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