Pun of a Kind

PDF / PUZ Hello hello! What a difference a couple of weeks make - the Cubbies are in a brutal stretch right now, after getting swept by the brutal Milwaukee Brewers (who I'm not a fan of - but they completely trounced us at Wrigley, so I'll tip my cap). Let's see if we can turn it around soon! --- Puzzle #176 answer: NEW YORK LIBERTY Correct entries: 67 Shortest explanation: Five current WNBA players' surnames start each of the themers, minus a letter. (Happy to find ONES CUP OF TEA for Ionescu!). The missing letters spell ELLIE, the effervescent mascot to the NEW YORK LIBERTY , the answer to the meta. --- Posting a day early to avoid a MGWCC double-post. This is a solid Level 3 , and your time to beat is 6 minutes (if you want to beat Jangler, that is!). Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is a 4-letter word.  

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! The Cubs are rocking it now, and I'm trying to bottle up all these good feelings inside when we face some tough stretches later in the season. Something incredible is happening on the North Side, and I will always root for the South Siders as well (except against us!), so I'm glad the White Sox are in the mix once again (being at nearly .500 after a historically cataclysmic season is  an accomplishment). --- Puzzle #175 answer:  ELLA FITZGERALD Correct entries:  64 Shortest explanation: There were a bevy of clues, 15 of them!, which involved only the letters A - G of the alphabet (see graphic), which are the typical notes in the musical alphabet. The initial letters of these clues' entries spell FIRST LADY OF SONG, the well-deserved accolade given to Ella Fitzgerald, whose birthday was on the Saturday of this puzzle's release! --- This one is a bit of a vanity project, but I think it's solveable. The late, great Bob Lodge of GAMES  ...