Sox Record: 30-34; The Sox have a -27 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Third place and 4 behind the Tigers.
Where I get on my Soapbox: I know this is a White Sox blog that usually has some random Chicago or US soccer thought at the bottom but... I'm flabbergasted and pissed off at the moment.
Back in March, when Donte Stallworth killed a man while driving drunk, I figured his career was over. He had played his last snap in the NFL and he'd be put in jail for the next ten years or more. It was a sad, preventable event for all parties. I assumed justice would be served and honestly, didn't think that much more about it.
That was until this morning when I read the details of the Stallworth plea agreement. Thirty days in jail (which will only be 24 days), two years of house arrest, and eight years on probation. Thankfully he has a lifetime driver's license suspension (but something tells me this only applies for Florida). The NFL will probably suspend him for somewhere between two and eight games but we won't know for another month or so. The legal matter is over and done with. This is the justice that Stallworth has been given.
I have a few issues here:
-- We live in a society that values dogs lives more than a human life. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Michael Vick fights dogs and gets 18 months in jail plus at least two years away from the NFL. He becomes public enemy #2 in the process. Vick is eventually cut by the Falcons because of his off the field actions and today, teams don't want to sign Vick because of the PR circus it will entail. Meanwhile, Stallworth killed a man while driving drunk, spends a few days in jail, probably miss a few NFL games, and keep his job with the Cleveland Browns. Now, I know there are people out there that say a dog's life is equal to that of a human. And others will say that Vick knowingly fought dogs while Stallworth accidently ran a man over (though if he wasn't drunk, I think it's safe to assume that the tragic 'accident' would not have happened). But me? I think what Stallworth did was much worse than Vick's actions.
Michael Vick isn't a saint, and I'm not going to defend what he did. But isn't there something wrong with our society and culture when Vick is vilified by society and then spends more time in jail for not harming a human being? Shouldn't we reevaluate our mores? Should we also take a long hard look at our laws?
-- Drunk driving laws in America are total crap. Why even have them if you can plea your way down to three weeks in jail for killing another human being? Another way to think about this: if Stallworth had shot Mario Reyes with a gun, he'd be in jail for 30 years or more. Why is killing someone while driving drunk less of a crime?
Because white people drive drunk. A lot, or enough to make the laws what they are. And white people are the majority in America. I don't want to go on an anti-democracy rant out of fear of being labeled anti-American, but drunk driving laws (like crack and cocaine laws) in America show the ugly side of democracy. So for people who say we live in a post-racial society because we elected a black man as President--we don't. Our laws are still unjust and they still favor the majority. This is one of the cons of living in a democracy, there is a lot of inconsistency in our laws. Drunk driving laws being one of the more glaring in America.
-- Donte Stallworth, I'd never ever thought I'd have to say this, but you've been added to my "I'll Never Own You In Fantasy Football List". So welcome to the club which includes Jerramy Stevens, Pacman Jones, Leonard Little, and T.O.
/steps off Soapbox... thanks JT, waits for the Cubs/Sox game to begin.
Sox Record: 30-34; The Sox have a -27 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Third place and 4.5 behind the Tigers.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Still Josh Fields.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Ozzie... because he called Wrigley what it is: a dump. Fans treat Wrigley like a dump. For all the bullshit about how it's a "national landmark" and the "treasure" the truth is that the same fans that say it's the greatest place on Earth also treat the park like shit. If Cub fans actually respected Wrigley would they actually stand for the behavior that takes place there? And that behavior is some sort of combination of drinking, puking, pissing, yelling like a moron, not watching the game, and then crying after they lose... again. And again. And again.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: Okay, Cubs preview. I'm not sure how to break this down other than just to start rambling. I promise to put away my hyperbole fingers and think with my Milton Freeman Rational Cap.
1) Sox fans do not like Cub fans. There are a billion reasons as to why this is... one is that Cub fans are completely and totally insane. They haven't won the World Series in 100 years, yet fans convince themselves EVERY YEAR that they are going to win the World Series. They're delusional, totally delusional. Reality does not exist at Wrigley Field. TheRiot's game winning hit on Sunday? To the casual baseball fan, the park exploded as if the Cubs had just won the N.L. Pennate. Of course all that happened was that the Cubs broke a four game losing streak and managed to get their asses back to .500.
2) Cub fans don't really care about Sox fans... but then the Sox won the World Series in 2005 and now half of the Cub fans that exist sort of hate and resent us. They'll claim they were happy for us, and I'm sure that was true, but now it sort of grates at them. The other half, the other half that doesn't hate Sox fans? These people are NOT Cub fans. They're MidwestCollegeTransplants (MCT). MCTs went to a Big Ten, a MAC, or Ohio Valley School. They grew up in places like Columbus, Grosse Pointe, Edwardsville, or Middle'O'Nowhere, Iowa. They probably grew up either as casual Red, Indian, Tiger, Brave or Brewer fans. They have since switched allegiance and go to Wrigley to get drunk, puke, yell like a moron, not watch the game, and then cry when the Cubs lose again... and again... and again.
3) The most underrated Cub fan is the 73 year old grandma who goes to the local tavern and drinks High Life while watching the Cubs. These ladies freak me out if only because they don't act like nice little old ladies and can lose all rationality while watching the Cubs. Plus seeing a 71 year old, white haired lady, drinking a High Life at the bar is weird.
5) Both teams come into this series in a state of confusion. The Sox are probably a tad worse than people thought, but I can't call them underachievers. Meanwhile, the Cubs have sucked the first 60 odd games of the year. Their offense has let them down, and the bullpen is a problem again. Their starting pitching has been their saving grace, however, they still lack a #1 pitcher or someone who can go out there and battle no matter what. The closest the Cubs come to that 'ace' is Ted Lilly -- but people are still pissed about Lilly's suck ass performance in the 2007 playoffs. Meanwhile, Zambrano continues to be totally, utterly insane and teams can still rattle him and get inside his head. Rich Harden has been a bust imo and further proof that you cannot trust any Canadian that does not play hockey full time. Between injuries and walking everyone in sight, I'm not sure he actually helps the Cubs since he can't seem to get past the fifth most starts. Ryan Dempster is also a Canadian and also proof that you cannot trust Canadians who do not play hockey as a profession.
6) Speaking of Dempster, he started the now infamous Game One of the 2008 NLDS which does not get enough media attention. The Cubs, who were the best National League team in the regular season, and their fans were pumped for this game. If you remember, Dempster was walking everyone in site.
7) If you want my opinion on why the Cubs are struggling and will not win this year here it is:
Soriano leading off takes their best bat away from the middle of the line up. If Soriano hit fourth, the Cubs line up would be pretty sick and much more difficult to pitch to. But Soriano's instance to lead off hurts this team... instead of going Lee, Soriano, Bradley (and eventually Ramirez) the Cubs stick Fukudome in the three hole. And we all know the Fukudome may be the most hated Cub in some time. The Cubs need Soriano's power down in the order, I think that's the easiest and best way to fix the Cubs. They can't unsign Bradley (who they should NEVER have signed in the first place), and unless they can deal for Chase Utley, there's little chance they they can find an upgrade at any position on the trade market. Moving Soriano is really the only option they have in 2009. Not that I want them to win... but it would be fun to watch them lose to the Phillies or Dodgers in the playoffs.
8) The Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908. They haven't played in the World Series since 1945. Wrigley was built in 1912.
9) Prediction? I'll say the Sox take two of three. The pitching match ups probably slightly favor the Cubs, but the Cubs pen figures to blow one of the games.
The Most Hated American in America: George W. Bush gets the day off because... Giuseppe Rossi appeared! Under normal circumstances scoring two goals to lead Italy to a 3-1 victory of the U!S!A! in soccer would lead Rossi to be disliked by a the 100,000 soccer fans in the US. But Rossi was born and raised in... New Jersey and thus is an American citizen (I wonder if Rossi voted in 2008?). However, Rossi decided to play for Italy internationally because, well, he's good enough, probably would like to win a trophy that isn't the Gold Cup, and his father is Italian (which gives him Italian citizenship). Rossi spent the first 13 years here in the USA and probably orders heroes from the place catty corner from wooder plant while listening to Bon Jovi. I'm sure he fits in with these guys...
I didn't see the game. It sounded like the US got a bogus red card, went up 1-0, then got taken apart in the second half. Now they have their work cut out for them to advance to the next round of the Confederations Cup.
As for Rossi... until he starts doing American Apparel ads, I can't hate on the kid. Sure it'd be nice if he'd play for the country he was born in and lived in, but it's within his right to play for Italy. You win some (Freddy Adu) and you lose some (Rossi and the Serbian kid, Neven Subotic). However, with the US dying for an American born soccer star... wouldn't it be in some young kids interest to play for the USA? Seeing how much press Adu got when he was a teenager and how much money Beckham got, wouldn't being the first American soccer star be a lot of money in the bank? Rossi won't be endorsing anything here in the U.S.A. because he decided to play for Italy. But with his talent... wouldn't he have a ton of offers if he did play for the USA? Or is this wishful thinking on my part?
Sox Record: 30-34; The Sox have a -27 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Third place and 4.5 behind the Tigers.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Still Josh Fields.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: You hit a home and keep the Sox in the game on the mound, you become my favorite player for the moment. Come on down, Mark Buehrle! Yesterday's game was crazy... featuring a pitcher who scored the winning run as a pitch runner.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: Okay, I was way off. Konerko won't be out for a while. Missing only Friday's game, Konerko was back in the line up on Saturday and also played Sunday. The Sox had one big inning on Saturday and a great pitching performance from Contreras leading to an easy win. Then yesterday enough went right for them to pull out a win. Add a bad weekend for the Tigers and the Sox are all of a sudden 4.5 out with 98 to play. So... do the Sox have a chance?
Let's do some easy math. Last year, the Sox won the AL Central with 89 wins. In order for the Sox to win 89 games this year... well they have to go 59-39 (.602). And seeing how this team has played thus far I don't think that's going to happen. The run differential alone says that this team isn't going to get it done unless the offense finds another run a game. And in order for that to happen St. Carlos has to get healthy, Pods has to keep it up, Beckham has to keep hitting like he hit this weekend, and probably get someone else (Anderson? Nix? Getz? Fields?) to start hitting much better than they are. I'm not holding my breath.
HOWEVER, the Tigers are on pace to win 87 games and that means the Sox only need to go 57-41 (.582). Oh wait, that would still require the Sox offense to turn things around and Carlos... Pods... Beckham... Someone else...
In other words, one weekend set against the Brewers isn't changing my opinion about the Sox. I still think they're an 80 win team.
But it's also nice to take two or three from the Brewers--former rials turned now sort of Great Hopes for Sox fans who want the Cubs to lose. I'm not sure what to make of the Brewers now a days. They've been out of the American League for over ten years now and in that time my dislike of them has abated. But I still find it hard for me to root for them... let's go Reds... maybe one of these days I'll be able to get behind the team that represents the fine people of Wisconsin.
Sox Record: 28-33; The Sox have a -29 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Third place and 5.5 behind the Tigers.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: I am openly rooting forJosh Fields to strike out every time he steps to the plate. I'm not sure I've ever rooted against a Sox player like I've started rooting against Fields. I want him to fail... which is really weird considering he's going to be playing first base a lot over the next month with Konerko hurt.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Pods. Seriously, I can't get enough of Pods right now. I said it and it feels good. I have no clue where he came from or why he's good, but he is and I love it. I love it like a high school crush or a spring song.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: The Sox went the inverse of what they needed to do on their longest home stand of the season (4-8) and in the process loss St. Carlos of Quinten and Konerko for the next month. They weren't scoring runs before and they'll probably be scoring less in the next month. So what to do?
If nothing else, for the first time since early May, I'm sort of excited about the Sox again. Weird, but true... so why am I pumped about a Sox team that's going to lose more than it wins from here on out?
Because it's the Sox are going to reload. The 2005 team will be a distant memory by April of 2010. Dye and Thome should start telling Kenny where they want to play the last two or three months of the season. Bobby Jenks could easy be dealt assuming he stops blowing saves. Dotel is all but gone at this point. If Jose Contreras has a few more good starts, I could see a team taking a flyer on him come July.
The only two guys I can't see the Sox trading are Konerko and AJ. AJ stays because they don't have anyone else who can catch four or five times a week this year or next year. Plus AJ's the kind of guy who's more valuable to the Sox than he is to any other team. Konerko isn't going any where because he's a 5 and 10 guy (meaning he has to okay any deal) and the Sox can't take the PR hit of trading away a fan favorite.
Shockingly, even if the Sox unload all those guys... they should be in good shape in 2010. Beckham will move over to second at some point (I pray). Hopefully, Cuban#3 (Dayan Viciedo) can take over third next year. Alexei stays at short and Konerko at first. And with so much money coming off the books, the Sox can make a run at an outfielder (Holiday? Jason Bay? Carl Crawford if he some how hits the open market? ChoneFiggens?) to replace Dye next year. And the starting pitching is pretty much in place (they'll need to find a fifth, but that shouldn't be too hard to fill). Plus who knows what the Sox will pick up from the Thome/Dye/Dotel/Jenks?/Contreras? deals.
Of all the guys the Sox have to deal, Dye probably has the most value since he's a hell of a player and can hit. He makes too much sense for the Red Sox or the Mets. And if you're the Rays, don't you take a look at Thome? Same goes for the Angels and Rangers.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out... I'm sure I'll have more thoughts as time goes on...
Sox Record: 27-32; The Sox have a -29 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Third place and 5.5 behind the Tigers.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Josh Fields, who sucks but is upset that the White Sox brought up Beckham to replace him at third. Some advise for Josh Fields: if you could hit and field and this wouldn't be a problem. But Fields has been absolutely atrocious. The best you can say about his play this year is that he's been sort of getting on base. But everything else has been fat bellow major league quality. He hasn't hit for power or average and he can't field at third base. His error on Monday ended up costing the Sox the game [more on that in a second]. That Fields went public with the Sox calling up Beckham only means one thing... I can't wait until they cut/trade/sent him down to the minors again. If Josh Fields never plays for the White Sox again I'd be happy.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Jared Mitchell! The Sox first round pick yesterday is an outfielder with LSU who the scouts say has a ton of 'raw' 'talent'. Apparently fast and eventually will have some pop and should be able to play center in the majors. However, since Mitchell played football at LSU also (back up wide out) he isn't as far along as most college players. If Mitchell pans out, I wouldn't expect him to reach the Sox until 2012 because he has such a long way to go.
Also big ups to the White Sox's next Great Jewish Hope: Aaron Poreda who was called up yesterday. The world found out via his Facebook status... is this the first time somebody's Facebook status made news? I know Twitter has already done so... but Facebook?
Rhetorical Question of the Day: I sad the Sox had to go 8-4 over this home stand. Right now they're 3-7. This home stand has been a disaster. And to top it off, they should have taken the first three games from the Tigers in this all important five game set. But of course, they blew the first game and lost a heart breaker last night. On Monday, in the first part of a double header, the Sox come back to tie the game only to lose it thanks to Josh Fields inability to play baseball. Last night, they score three in the ninth only to lose in part because:
1) In the bottom of the ninth, down 2, Konerko doubles down the left field line. Pods and Alexei score with ease. Wise, who was on first, is thrown out at the plate by a hair... if he was out at all. Just an absolute killer to not win the game there.
2) To lead off the 10th, Cabrera hit a solo shot off Linebrink to give the Tigers a 7-6 lead. Sox can't do anything in the 10th... game over. As South Side Sox put it, bad teams find ways to lose to okay teams.
I don't know where the Sox go from here. Even if they win today and tomorrow they stand 3.5 out and three under .500. The Sox run differential isn't very good. Even with Pods and Alexei sort of saving the season over the last three weeks, the pitching hasn't been enough and the bottom of the order blows. I don't know where the Sox go from here in 2009.
They get a steady diet of the National League over the next few weeks. This is a good thing. But the Tigers, Twins, and Indians also get to face the NL over the next few weeks. Odds are the Sox, who also have the tougher of the interleague schedules due to the Money Making Series also known as playing the Cubs twice, won't pick up that much (if any) ground. So July comes around and the Sox are within striking distance, but probably have a negative/barely positive run differential and are floating around .500. So sure, they could lie to themselves and hope that this old Tiger team who is getting some career years out of guys to flounder. And then hope the Twins don't make any moves and the Tribes pitching continues to suck... But that's hopelessly hoping.
I'm about ready to bail on 2009... but hey if Pods can turn into a borderline All-Star, then why can't Gordon Beckham start hitting, AJ starts driving in runs, and the Sox find a second baseman?
Sox Record: 25-27; The Sox have a -17 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Third place and 3.5 behind the Tigers.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: The White Sox cannot hit pitchers the first time they see them. They turn bad AAA prospects into Randy Johnson. So after back to back games against a pitcher they've never seen and who isn't very good... and the Sox losing both games... I hate the entire lineup. Well not Dye, because he hits these guys, but everyone else.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: GORDON BECKHAM!!!! He has arrived! He's in Chicago! He's going to start this afternoon! He might be one of the three or four things in this AL Central race that may tip it. If Beckham hits, the Sox line up is vastly improved. If he doesn't... well he isn't not going to hit, so why even think that way.
Beckham is the best prospect since... geeze... I don't know. Carlos Lee 11 years ago? Jon Rauch even though he sucked, was up there in the early part of the decade same can be said for Kip Wells. Joe Borchard was given a ton of press way back when... but he never did enough in the minors to make me think, 'I can't wait until Borchard gets to the bigs'. He just didn't have it.
Beckham is different. He's been an ace in the whole since the team broke camp back in March. He's been the guy who every Sox fan had in the back of their mind -- well if Getz doesn't work out at second, Beckham will be up in July to solve second base. (Of course, Beckham is up in June to solve third base). Beckham's been that guy that the Twins and Indians always have -- the mid year hot prospect that can come up and tip the division. And this year, the White Sox have that guy.
Second and third were always going to be THE positions that determined the Sox season this year. Getz has been good enough to not get upset about his lack of production. Fields has been a total disaster. He can't field and he can't hit. I'm not sure what happened to 2007 Josh Fields, but he's not in Chicago right now. The guy can't hit a 90 mhp fast ball [enter David Ortiz joke here]. In other words, I'm not disappointed to see Fields lose playing time.
Let the Gordon Beckham Era begin.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: Coming into this 12 game home stand, I figured the Sox needed to go 8-4. After a 1-2 start things just got a lot tougher, but a win today means a split with the A's, which isn't the end of the world. Two of three from the Tribe, then the suddenly kind of big five game set with the Tigers. We'll see how the weekend plays out and where the Sox and Tigers are come Monday morning, but until then, let's go out and win the game today and hopefully Beckham will hit a home run today.
Sox Record: 24-25; The Sox have a -14 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Some how the Sox are in second and four games back of the Tigers.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: The Sox are playing well, so it's hard to be that annoyed with anyone other than National League pitchers who refuse to pitch for the White Sox for reasons I can't figure out. The Sox are a good team, good/great organization, they win games, they win World Series, it's a good market in a great town... if it's for family reasons, then I can't say these guys are making mistakes, but if it's to protect their stats... well fuck 'em.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Pods, who apparently thinks it's the first half of 2005... he's getting on base and scoring runs. And it's lead to the Sox playing really really really well. Seriously, this is the most amazing come back in my White Sox lifetime. Even if it only lasts a few more weeks, he's been just what the doctor ordered, and then some, for the White Sox. I can't believe I'm typing this. At no point in March or April did I ever think I would be writing about Scott Podsednik playing well and being just want the Sox needed. If for no other reason than HE WASN'T EVEN ON THE TEAM.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: Sunday's game, which I was looking forward to because of the Danks/Greinke pitching match up, turned out not to be much of a pitching match up. Danks struggled and didn't really have it. However, he fought and battled and if it wasn't for Alexei totally misplaying a pop up behind second, things wouldn't have been as bad. But after Alexei's drop/miss, the Sox were down 4-1 to the Royals and the best pitcher in the majors during the first two months of the season. But the Sox battled, Josh Fields! got a huge two out, two strike single to make it 4-3 in the 3rd. Then Pods reached and scored on a Dye blooper. Tie game 4-4 going to the bottom of the 4th. And better yet, Greinke had thrown 90 odd pitches though the first four innings. Of course the Sox then managed to see all of 12 pitches in the next three innings.
I'm not sure what happened to this team a few weeks ago, but something happened. They're no longer lifeless. It's helped that Alexei has been much better than he was the first six weeks of the season. And Konerko/Dye/Thome has gotten the job done as St. Carlos of Quentin struggles with a foot injury. But it's been, again I can't believe I'm typing this, Scott Podsednik's ability to get on base at the top of the order that's been a huge difference. It's impossible to win with out good pitching. It's hard to win with out a middle of the order OR a good lead off guy. Now, I know that Pods can't keep this up, but this is just amazing. Four years after Pods gets on, Iguchi takes a few pitches as Pods seals second, then Iguchi gets him to third and Konerko/Dye find a way to get Pods home for a 1-0 Sox lead... it's happening all over again! Now if we can figure out second/third (I assume Gordon Beckham will take over one of those positions in July), this team has a shot. Because we all know Kenny is going to land some more pitching by July 31st...
In Other News: The lady survived the Titanic, lived for 97 years, and still never saw the Cubs win the World Series. RIP Millvina Dean.
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:
Blackhawks - I never rapped up the Hawks season. And what can I say. The Red Wings are really good. They were better than the Hawks, end of story.
That said, what a great year for the Hawks. I loved this team and it was the most fun I had watching a team since the 2005 White Sox. So kudos to the Blackhawks... I can't wait until October.
Sox Record: 20-24; The Sox have a -28 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Fourth and 5 and a half out.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Bobby Jenks. The only reason why the Sox aren't 21-23 and on a 6 out of 7 run.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Pods, who had like four hits (maybe three) yesterday proving that he doesn't always suck.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: Since we're past Memorial Day, it's time to look at the standings and figuring out who's real and who isn't. Today the AL East:
Boston is in first, but I'm not sure how they score runs. Then again, it's only Ortiz that has been bad. But you have to wonder if they can keep this up. I'm not a fan of their line up and it seems to me that they're hitting out of their minds. They need to get more from Ortiz (duh), and just about everyone else on that team to not drop off all that much. I don't see anyone in this line up, other than Ortiz, that Boston can expect to be better. Jason Bay may be having a career year, but odds are he's going to come back to Earth. All this means the pitching has to continue to be good. And the bad news... the bullpen has been amazing (best in the majors so far). The starting pitching? Not so hot. While they can expect Beckett to pitch better, and Dice-K should be better too, the starting pitching should worry every Red Sox fan. Overall this team is playing a bit over it's head; and in a division with little to no room for error, I don't think they're going to be in first or second in September unless other teams get really banged up. Unless of course, you believe that the bullpen will continue to be amazing and the starting pitching rights itself... I don't.
The Yankees have been hotter than LeBron over the last few weeks. While the numbers say they're playing over their heads, I think we have to remember that A-Rod missed all of April. And he's hitting the shit out of the ball and there is no reason he won't continue to do so. While they have a few bats that are going to cool off (Damon and Posada), it's actually sort of amazing that if the Yankees do make the playoffs by a game or two, they'll have Nick Swisher to thank because of his out of this world April. There is still a lot of dead weight in this line up, but with A-Rod and Tex; then Jeter playing like we all know (and are supposed to love), with Nady coming back and the rest of those guys they should continue to score runs. As for the pitching, it is what it is. Burnett should pitch a bit better if he stays healthy. But everyone else is what you'd expect. Which doesn't bode that well considering their team ERA is way too high, but the bullpen should be better as the season goes on. The starters are the only reason to be worried because there doesn't seem to be a ton of room for improvement, and I still can't believe they didn't trade for Santana. Phil Hughes just isn't that good. Anyway, none of this matters as long as Tex, CC, A-Rod, and Jeter all avoid the DL. If they all do, then playoffs comes back to the Bronx.
The Blue Jays have been in first most of the year thus far, but now stand 1.5 back. Number wise, their success isn't that surprising (as a team). But they've got some totally bizarre individual performances. Overbay and Scutaro are hitting way above their heads. But Rios and Wells are well bellow what anyone would expect. For the Jays sake, maybe Overbay and Scuraro's fall to the mean will be cancelled out by Rios and Wells finally starting to realize they're Rios and Wells. I'd also like to introduce Canada to Adam Lind who will probably keep this up. The key to their season might be Aaron Hill keeping up his All-Star numbers. But that's not likely. The bad news is that it looks like the bats are starting to cool off since a four game sweep of the White Sox. The other part of the bad news for Toronto? There is almost no way they're going to continue to get the pitching they've gotten. Okay, so DocHalladay has been great and will continue to be so (he's on his way to another Cy Young). But injuries have destroyed this rotation, but some how, some way, with a bunch of no names, they've been good enough to win games. That will end soon. But they also hope to get some guys back who have been injured, so who knows. But unless either Hill or Scutaro keep hitting like he has and Wells and Rios turn it up, I can't see them finishing in the top two in this division.
I'm sure statheads are banging their heads against the wall trying to figure out how the Rays are a game under .500. They should be about four games better than they are, but at only five games back, they're in this race. Can Longoria keep this up? There is no reason why he shouldn't, but he hasn't done it yet. However, Jason Bartlett won't keep hitting like he has, and his fall back down to Earth isn't going to be pretty. Zobrist, who's going to get a lot of playing time now that Iwamura is out for the year, should regress a bit, but no reason to think that he's going to hit a lot worse than he has. So the good news is that everyone else: Pena and Gross should be fine, while Crawford, Burrell, and my man crush, B.J. Upton, should only be better. While Crawford is never going to hit for power, I'd expect him to hit better, Burrell only has one season where he was this bad, so while that might be a reason for concern, he's also hitting in a loaded line up so he's going to see good pitches. Finally, B.J. Upton who really can't be any worse, so eventually he's going to figure this out and play like he did in October where he was the best player in baseball. What's really scary is that their pitching is only going to get better (well, starting pitching). Price replacing Sonnanstine should have happened back in March (or will happen when Kazmir, who's been brutal, comes back from the DL). Assuming Kazmir puts it back together, there's little concern reason for concern on this team... well other than losing Iwamura for the year (eh, he can be replaced and just means that Zobrist and Gross will play every day). So if the bullpen can keep it up or even get better, the Rays SHOULD make a run and that run should help them leap frog the Red Sox. I expect them to join the Yankees in the postseason.
Finally, the hapless, but fun, Baltimore Orioles. They don't have any pitching, but they do have a sweet outfield that's going to be really good for years to come. They need to fight another corner outfielder because Felix Pie isn't going to be a major league player, but Adam Jones is. I also don't know what they do with that infield in years to come, but I think the O's have a loaded minor league system so that should sort itself out in the next two years. Seriously, they don't have any pitching... they'll end up having the highest ERA in baseball and have an outside chance at giving up 1,000 runs this year which is always fun to follow. But the pieces are starting to fall into place for the good people of West Baltimore.
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:
Blackhawks - The Hawks looked and played like crap on Sunday. Now they have to win three in a row against the Anti-Fun Machine known as the Detroit Red Wings. It could happen. But it won't. Until their dead, I'll hang on to hope. But all I really want now is Tomas Holmstrom's no talent face being rubbed into the ice. At least the other funless, Nordic no fun machine Wings are talented so you tip your had to them. But Holmstrom? He doesn't do anything. He sits in front of the fucking net and does nothing at all. Of course you can't push him over because that'd be a penalty. So he just sits there and does nothing but block the goaltender. That's not hockey. That's bullshit.
Sox Record: 17-23; The Sox have a -193,392,847 run differential. I think the Twins scored again. My Lord that was embarrassing.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Fourth and 6 and a half out. The Tigers can't lose! GM is going bankrupt! The Wings are two wins from the Cup Finals! Most American cars are made in Canada! I love Detroit!
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Wilson Betemit who apparently can't throw and whose error in the second lead to about 800 unearned runs.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: When you lose 20-1, no one gets love. But Kenny Williams for pulling off the Peavy deal gets props.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: Jane Peavy said no to the White Sox yesterday... which shouldn't shock us. Peavy's reasons were something about him wanting to hit, the fact that he wants to keep his ERA low because he plays in the biggest stadium in the majors, and because he's scared of the American League which, as we'll see over the next month, is a lot better than the National League.
Jane, I wish you the best of luck as you attempt to lose even more games on a very bad Padres team that can't hit. I wish you the best of luck if/when you get traded to the Cubs and you approve that deal, which will send everyone into a tizzy, sports journalists will say things like "There's no difference between the Cubs and White Sox! Why did he say okay now! What a loser!" and "If he wanted to win, why did he okay a trade the Cubs who haven't won a World Series in over a hundred years? Plus the weather is better in San Diego!"
But the real story will be "Will Jake Peavy be attacked by Sox fans" if he's traded to the Cubs. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT put this past us. Personally, I would never because if Peavy does get traded to the Cubs he'll blow out his arm or something within a year. BUT there are plenty of Sox fans who are totally nuts on a the Radiers/Jets/Browns/SEC/Ohio State scale. I mean, I could easy see a Sox fan seeing Peavy walking down the street and punching him in the face. Sox fans will go to Wrigley just to boo Peavy. I could see a Sox fan rushing the field with a nine iron and going for Jane's right shoulder. None of this would shock me. In other words, Jake Peavy better hope is NOT traded to the Cubs.
Crazy Stat I Dug Up: Interleague play couldn't come soon enough for the Sox after the last two weeks and yesterday's beat down. The Sox have been great in interleague three of the last four years and the suck ass Pirates come into town for three. But get this about the Pirates. We all know they haven't had a winning season since 1992... Over those 16 seasons the Pirates are 1104-1419. That's a .437 winning percentage. That's 315 games bellow .500. But get this... the Pirate franchise is still over 200 games over .500! So the Pirates can pretty much continue to suck for the next 13 years and they'd still be a .500 franchise.
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:
Blackhawks - Let's beat the Nortic Commies tonight! Come on team Canada plus Kane, Big Buff, Marty, and Khabi! Beat the Commie Nortic bastards!
Sox Record: 17-22; The Sox have a -28 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Fourth and 5 and a half out. The Tigers have caught a bit of fire... I'll take a look at them in a few days. I'm just happy the Royals are doing what I told you they'd be doing. Losing. But it's amazing what a two game winning streak can do.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Gavin Floyd -- he has sucked even if he's tipping his pitches.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Paul Konerko who seems somewhat dead set to save this season. Konerko, Dye, and Buehrle are the only bright spots this year and the only reason why the Sox aren't in fifth. I've also got love for Brian Anderson because that means Brent "I'm not a Major League Player" Lillibridge isn't in the majors at the moment.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: So the big news is that the Sox have reached a deal for Jake Peavy. The deal is done so all that we're waiting for is Peavy to give it the okay. Since Gordon Beckham isn't part of this deal, I really really really really really want Peavy to say yes. I want Jake Peavy to be a White Sox for the next three or four years. However, until it happens, I'm going to hold off on the baseball stuff... [that said assuming Peavy says yes today I expect Peavy to start on Saturday against Pittsburgh. Jake is schedule to start on Friday for the Padres and Richard is schedule to go for the Sox on Saturday].
All this said... there are two reasons I want Peavy to say yes:
1) Because it makes the White Sox better in the short and long term. He's only 27 and has been pretty durable.
2) It would be the most awesome fuck you to Cub fans since those glorious days in October of 2005 (also known as the Month Jesus Came Back To Chicago).
Cub fans have been going around for months as if they are entitled to Jake Peavy even though their farm system is worse than the Nationals. To most Cub fans, the thinking was that it was only a matter of time before the Padres gave in and traded Peavy to the Cubs for nothing. Peavy would be wearing Loser Blue, it was going to happen. It was fact in their minds.
But here comes Kenny Williams getting a deal done for Peavy right under the Cubs nose. It's glorious. If Peavy accepts, he becomes a hero to Sox fans for this reason alone. If he turns down the Sox and ends up with the Cubs, he will then have to fear for the health of his right shoulder. Us Sox fans are crazy bunch. Disliking or hating the Cubs is a necessity... Jake should consider that... would he rather pitch for the White Sox and be loved on the South Side because he IS NOT a Cub or would he rather fear for the safety of his right elbow every day he lives in Chicago? Because if he does ever make it up to the North Side, there will be a lot of Sox fans in Daniel Plainview clothing.
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:
Blackhawks - Down 2-0 after losing an absolute heartbreaker on Tuesday night. The Hawks played with and maybe even better than the Wings, but a mistake by Campbell in OT lead to a 3 on 1 Nordic rush... Barker and Khabibulin had no shot at stopping the break. Great passing from the Wings, and everyone heads back to Chicago tomorrow with the Hawks down 2-0.
Is it over? No. But it doesn't look good. The good news is that the Hawks didn't play over their heads on Monday. They can easily come out there tomorrow and play better. The Wings don't have this series rapped up just yet. Let's hope the Hawks come out flying with the energy from the crowd which is going to be loud. Really loud.
But the Wings are also like the older, bigger, faster older brother... the Hawks always get close, but the Wings all end up winning. It's so frustrating. It makes me hate sports. But if we were to beat the Wings... it would feel so good... and that's why I keep coming back for more.
Sox Record: 15-19; The Sox have a -27 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Fourth and three games out. This season is fading fast.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: All the bums.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: No one. Let's just get to the Hawks...
Rhetorical Question of the Day: I'm at a Marriott in Trumbull, CT at the moment. The Business Center is next to a 'Starbucks' that isn't a Starbucks, they just have Starbucks coffee. People are NOT happy about this. They want their 5 dollar drinks and they want them now.
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever: Blackhawks - So the Hawks face off against the Red Wings starting tomorrow. There's been a lot written about it. Some of it good. Some of it long and trying just a little too hard. Some of it just stupid. And I'm not going to add anything from the hockey side of things... so go check out those sites if you want a break down of Hawks/Wings (hey look, Canadians are still writting about the NHL!!)
Nicklas Lidstrom is old. He's 39. And he's still better than every Blue Liner in the game. If he played baseball, we'd all just assume that he 'roided up. Just sayin'.
But moving on... this is Chicago/Detroit. This is the city rivalry that I know as a child of the late 80s and 90s. The Bears/Lions have never produced. I can't think of one memorable Lions/Bears game in my life time. Sure there were some fun ones, but none of them really mattered. It has to be one of the most disappointing, long time, division rivalries.
However, who can forget Bulls/Pistons? Then as the Pistons bowed out, Blackhawks/Wings had a few years of heartbreak (for Hawk fans) until the late 90s when the Hawks began to suck like only the Pittsburgh Pirates could ever manage. And as a Sox fan, the Tigers get little love from me.
So with that in mind... my five most hated Detroit players ever: 5) Vladimir Konstantinov - Thankfully, he lived after his horrible accident in 1997. Prior to that, he probably would have cracked the top 2. And for the record, I was not happy when his career ended, but at the age of 15, I'm not sure I was sad either. If that makes me a cold hearted 15 year old and you are going to judge me... well I pity that you forgot how fucked up you were when you were 15. Anyway, I hated that Russian/Soviet line that the Wings would throw out there against the Hawks in the mid-90s. That line always seemed to kill the Hawks and to this day, those five Russians/Soviets--Vyacheslav Fetisov and Konstantinov on the blue line, then Igor Larionov with Sergei Fedorov and Slava Kozlov between him--scared me more than any professional athelete(s) has ever before or since. The five of them struck the fear of God in me, they were like 1970 Brazil mixed with having to pitch to Barry Bonds and a dash of Barry Sanders. (Note: I never had to root against Jordan and I assume that he was the ultimate fear of God player ever; instead with MJ I always KNEW the Bulls where going to win. It was never a question. It was fact. [post beating the Pistons in 1991]).
4) Phil Garner - If there was ever a bigger asshole as manager, I'd love to know. Garner's tenure in Detroit was short, but man-oh-man did he make me dislike the Tigers as they returned to the AL Central, just like he built a lifelong loathing of the Brewers. He was the King of bullshit managing crap baseball... cheap shots, throwing at heads, spikes up, starting brawls just to start them. He managed the game as if he wanted his team to be labeled as the biggest pricks to walk this Earth. Even though he never played in Detroit, just his three years as manager gets him on this list.
3) Isiah Thomas - Honestly, it's only because he was a classesless son of a bitch after the Bulls beat the Pistons in 1991. Leaving the court with about 8 seconds to play and refusing the shake the Bulls hands after years of battles is about as W.Bush League as you can get. We should not be shocked that he's been horrible at everything he's done since this moment in life. Karma is a bitch. But really, from this point on, Thomas' career has been a disaster. He wasn't allowed on the Dream Team because Jordan hated him so much. The Pistons would never smell the NBA Finals after this moment. Eventually Thomas would tear his Achilles ending his playing career. He was a brutal GM of the Raptors. Brutal coach for the Pacers. The worst GM in the last 20 years while with the Knicks. He ran the CBA into the ground. Sexual harassment lawsuits. Then throwing his daughter under the bus claiming it was she, not he, who ODed. Thomas has been running from his own life ever since he left the court in the spring of 1991.
2) Bill Laimbeer - Hated by Chicago fans. Hated by Boston fans. Hated by Philly fans. Hated by Cleveland fans. Probably the most hated NBA player of the last 25 years, if not ever. And to top it off? HE WENT TO NOTRE DAME! In a way, Laimbeer is like the perfect storm of a hated player--big, annoying, white, cheap shot artist, flopper, tough, would not back down from anyone, always managed to pick a fight with the best player on your team, and he went to Notre Dame. Can you imagine if he ever did post-grad work at Duke? Yikes. Anyway, do not think for a second that the entire Eastern Conference of NBA fans love the fact that he is the coach of an WNBA team. Even if he's the most successful coach in the history of the WNBA. In fact, that's funny, like a punchline sort of... you know in the "is being the best WNBA coach of all time sort of like being the smartest person in West Virgina or the least arrogant person in Manhattan?"
1) Slava Kozlov - In the mid-90s, I developed at hatred for Slava Kozlov for reasons I couldn't even tell you. But let's put it this way... it's one of the all time irrational dislikes in the history of irrational dislikes. There were times when I would punch pillows in the basement and pretend that it was Slava Kozlov's face. The dislike was that great. Die Slava, die.
Sox Record: 15-18; The Sox have a -22 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Fourth but only 2 out of first.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: There comes and time and place to rip a guy for sucking. Even if it's not his fault that he's playing, injuries have destroyed this team in center field, but Brent Lillibridge flat out sucks. He stinks. He is not a major league player. And even though there are few situations where he would ever play every day and it's not his fault that Anderson and Wise got hurt... but I'm sorry, I don't have any more patients in my heart. Lillibridge sucks.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: HI MY NAME IS JI
(This was more for Tuesday two home run performance).
Rhetorical Question of the Day: Only the Mariners are scoring runs at a slower pace than the Chicago White Sox in the American League this year. This means one of two things:
1) The Sox O isn't that good.
2) The Sox O is under achieving.
Let's look at reason #2 first.
Thome is a bit bellow last years numbers, but he's been trending down for a few seasons because he's getting old. But he isn't hurting the Sox at the moment. Jermaine Dye is having yet another Jermaine Dye season. St. Carlos of Quentin has fallen off from last year, but again, not a huge drop off and still a productive player. I'd like to see some more power form Konerko, but he's been good this year. And A.J. is hitting better than you'd expect, but nothing out of the ordinary. So the Sox 3-7 hitters have done what they've needed to do. There should be a slight improvement over the next 130 odd games.
Well we all know what comes next... the Sox #1, #2, #8, and #9 hitters are not getting it done. And the stats back it up. Fields has been getting on base but has shown almost none of the power he gave us in 2007. Alexei Ramirez has been so bad, that I think most AAA short stops would be better. Brad Lillibridge, who is only playing because of injuries to Wise and Anderson, has made me long for the days of Andy Gonzalez AND ANDY GONZALEZ WAS THE WORST BASEBALL PLAYER I'VE EVER SEEN IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES! THAT IS HOW BAD LILLIBRIDGE HAS BEEN. YET OZZIE KEEPS PLAYING HIM!!! I find it impossible to believe that the Sox don't have a better option than a guy with an OPS under .500. I could give the White Sox an OPS under .500. By all means, play Pods every day because he can't be worse than Lillibridge. It's nearly impossible.
And finally, I hate to pile on Getz, but he isn't getting on base enough. I know he's being asked a lot, but with the other guys on this team playing so poorly,
The season isn't lost. Anderson will hopefully be back soon, if for no other reason than to knock Lillibridge/Pods out of the line up. Nix looks like a ball player (more on him another day), so let's give him a week at second. And let's hope and pray Alexei Ramirez stops sucking this weekend in Canada.
People will point out that the Sox, at this point last year, had the same record. But the Sox also had a +12 run differential. They had been a bit unlucky at that point in the season. This year? The Sox record pretty accurately reflects how they've played. If they want to 'come back' this year, they need Floyd to stop pretending he's in Philly. And they need to get healthy at the plate... and again, pray that Alexei Ramirez stops sucking and Fields starts to show a little power.
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:
Blackhawks - More on the Hawks later... but let's just say, bring on the Dead Wings. Bring on the Commie Bastards even if they're all Swedish now and everyone loves the Swedes...
Sox Record: 14-16; The Sox have a -16 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Fourth and they just lost 2 of 3 at home to the Texas Rangers.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Alexei Ramirez... here's some advise... go back to Cuba.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Mark Buehrle and his inability to suck.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: I really really really hate this team. It isn't fun. It isn't interesting. They stink. They can't score runs, then they can score runs. The Pen is okay, then the pen sucks. They can pitch one day and can't the next. It's maddening. I could see them getting how for a few weeks, but then what? I don't now what the point of this team is and it is May 11th. I have nothing to say about these bums right now.
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:
Blackhawks - Let's close out this series tonight and get ready for the Wings.
Sox Record: 13-14; The Sox have a -5 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: They're in third. Everything about the White Sox after almost 30 games screams 80-82 wins, their run differential, their run production, their pitching... there is no reason for anyone on Earth to think other wise. Stats, observation, whatever... but yet, they're in the most average division in baseball history. The Royals are off to a great start, but they're pitching is going to come back to the mean. Greinke may win the Cy Young, but his ERA is going to increase at least two runs over the next five months. There is NO CHANCE that Brian Bannister pitches at this level. None. There's a better chance that W. will be nominated by Obama to replace Souter than Bannister has an ERA under 4.00. Oh and how the fuck is this team averaging 4.9 runs a game? Let's just say that the Royals have had a really good month, and no they aren't going to go away, but this team isn't a 90 win team.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: It's still Alexei Ramirez. I'm very, very, very mad at him.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: How about A.J. Pierzynski who is the third best catcher in the AL after a month? Where did this come from? And what the hell is going on with AL catchers hitting the shit out of the ball?
Rhetorical Question of the Day: This is when I say something about Manny... look everyone was doing 'roids. We should be surprised about anyone testing positive or coming out and saying that they did the juice. Other than Frank Thomas, Griffey, Curt Schilling, and maybe Jeter, why even both acting like we're shocked and disappointed and mad? Guess what, rock stars do drugs, movie stars do coke, and athletes do steroids. FACT.
BTW, how did ESPN not blow up this week? Within 48 hours we had Favre is coming back and then not, Manny tested positive for 'roids, and A-Rod returning to the line up. Yet ESPN is still here. How? Would Bonds saying he used 'roids along with Tom Brady retiring put it over the top?
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:
Blackhawks - So I make my way over with The CJ to some Loop bar because we were at some fund raiser at Millennium Park. [I know, a Little at Millennium Park! Who could have guessed it! Every time I think about that park it makes me think of Daley and I get sick to my stomach. But hey, Daley's a Sox fan so I can't get too upset.] ANYWAYS, so we make it over to a bar and it's the second period, half way though, and the Hawks are down 1-0. And for the next 26 minutes, I watch some of themost frustrating and boring hockey on Earth . To say Vancouver was happy with a 1-0 lead would be like saying those people in Coors Light commercials are kind of happy. They packed it in as if they were playing Barca at the Camp Nou (yay footie reference!).
Well that blew up in the 'Nucks face when three of 'em chased a puck along the boards, Ladd got it out to Marty, he had more room than someone with Swine Flu at a Hypochondriac convention. He buried the shot, ties the game, and even though the Hawks blue liners tried to give the game away, the 'Nucks couldn't. The Hawks go on to win in OT as Ladd deflects the puck into the net. Series tied 2-2 and the Canucks need to figure out a better plan of stopping or slowing the Hawks. It's clear the Hawks are a more talented team, but the Canucks have the better goaltender. If the Hawks ever decide to score first in any of these games, how are the Canucks going to come back? But if the Hawks don't score first, Lord knows they have trouble beating the Canucks-Five-Behind-The-Blue-Line game plan. It ain't pretty that's for sure. So for the sake of all things hockey, let the Blackhawks get out to a 1-0 lead one of these days.
Sox Record: 12-14; The Sox have a -11 run differential.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: They suck
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: That's it. I'm done with Alexei Ramirez. Sent him back to Cuba. He's hitting .210, he doesn't walk, and doesn't score runs. He's a disaster after a month of the season. A complete and utter disaster. We're at the point where if Brent "I shouldn't be in the majors" Lillibridge took over at short, it wouldn't even be a drop off from Alexei. Go back to Cuba, Alexei... or start hitting.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: I've been anti-Konerko for two years now, but I've got to give the guy some props, he doesn't suck this year, he isn't killing the team, and is one of the few 'bright' spots because of this. He's still over paid and the Sox probably couldn't give him away at this point, but he's had a nice start to the season.
I also much hate for Greg Norton during his time with the Sox about ten years ago now. Norton air mailed more throws from third in his few seasons than I've seen in my entire life. This is a sad story , but also one of perseverance, about Norton (now with the Braves) and his family. Big ups to Norton and my thoughts go out to him.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: I hate to get all over the top, but that loss last night is a killer. Yeah, we're 26 games into the season and the Sox are only 3.5 out of first and the Royals are about as daunting as Ross from friends, but it would have been really nice to not have lost two games to the Royals. I'm not scared of the Royals, I'm not that scared of the Twins or Tigers... and the Indians slow start looks like it will be a summer long thing. But you can't let the division get away from you. And after two disastrous games in KC, the division could slip away if the Sox aren't careful.
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:
Blackhawks - Wow... one of the more boring hockey games you'll ever seen. Vancouver was more than willing to not go forward unless the Hawks allowed them. The Hawks could never get going, including one of the worst power plays you'll ever see with about 6 minutes left in the third. Brian Campbell, for my money, was the best Blackhawk on the ice last night.
Lunongo played well and didn't give up too many big rebounds which was really the difference in the game. Hawks need to come out and take it to the Canucks tomorrow night. They cannot go down two goals, in other words, they cannot play like they have in the first three games. I know Lunongo is the best goalie in the world and all that crap, but it would be nice if Khabibulin at least played as well as Lunongo one of these games. I'm not blaming him, but a 'stand on his head' performance wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Fourth and falling
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Everyone. I hate the White Sox right now. They stink. Everyone good is hurt. Jose Contreras shouldn't have come back. They have scrubs at second, third, right, and in center. Alexei Ramirez may single handily change my policy position on Cuba (i.e. keep the embargo). Brent Lillibridge is not a major league player and I don't need 50 more at bats to prove me right.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: No one. I hate this team right now.
Number of awkward moments between Hawk and Stone: If the White Sox ever hit a home run ever again, it will be odd since Hawk will be the only guy yelling "You can put it on the board... YES!"
Rhetorical Question of the Day: The Sox have a -10 run differential.
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:
Bulls - I'll have more on them another day, but what a nice run they made int he playoffs. Major bummer they didn't win, but I couldn't have been more unexcited about the Bulls/Celtics series. Then I watched Game One and I was hooked. The next six games were can't miss TV, delivering only one bad game (Game 3) and five great to unbelieveable games. Considering I was at about a 13 with the Hawks, the fact that the Bulls got to 14 is probably the most mind blowing thing this year after learning that Kelly McGillis is gay.
Blackhawks - I missed most of Game One in Vancouver, but the come back only to see them give up one of the worst 3-1 odd man rushes that the Canucks capitalized on to win the game. I then didn't see a second of Game Two...
So Game Three is tonight. I'll have more on the Hawks tomorrow.
Sox Record: 11-10 (in the process of writing this they won today)
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Third I'm pretty sure. Is there anything worse than third place? In first, awesome. Second, come on guys! Fourth, bums. Fifth, fucking losers. Third? Meh. I hate third. I could careless about the White Sox right now.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Ozzie or who ever decided that carrying five hundred pitchers this year would be a good idea. Because yesterday during the double header the Sox didn't have anyone on the bench with Thome and Getz hurt. And if I spelled Getz wrong, I don't care because he's the type of player who plays when you're in third place.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Obama. Still.
Number of awkward moments between Hawk and Stone: I haven't watched much of the last four or five games because of other Chicago sport teams and the fact that this Sox team is boring three weeks in.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: Let's get to the other Chicago sports suddenly becoming more exciting than where will the Swine Flu hit next drinking game.
Bulls - First and foremost, the Bulls should have won the game. Up ten with eight left (or something like that) the Celtics cut it to three with five left and Ray Allen then he fouls out... Bulls should win the game. I'm sorry. But that said...
Rajon Rondo is a dirty player. There's no other way to say it or slice it or look at it or hear it or use any other of one's senses. He's dirty. He's a punk. And he looks like a transvestite*. But Rondo is dirty. He clearly tripped Hinrich in the third quarter when Kirk went flying by him (this shouldn't be a shock, Rondo might be a worse defender than Derrick Rose... and speaking of Rose has Rondo ever not fouled him as he went to the hoop?). ANYWAYS, Hinrich ends up needing to leave to the game because he's got a cut above his eye thanks to Rondo sticking out his leg and tripping him instead of taking getting burned by a white boy from Iowa with grace. This I might add, totally changed the course of the game because Henrick was never the same for some reason.
And then Rondo went head hunting on Miller after he decided not to cover him on the last play of the game. It was obvious, it was dirty, and he admitted that he tried to decapitate Miller after the game. I'll let Simmons defend Rondo. I'll let everyone else point out that Rondo should join the Bruins (insert Rondo being the long lost black Hanson Brother joke here).
As for me, welcome to the Ninny Club Rajon Rondo. I hope Brad Miller punches you in the face tomorrow.
Oh, and as for the officiating. I don't know what to say. It's bad. Calls don't make any sense and the refs are still probably fixing games for either Vegas or TV ratings. I was so close to quitting the NBA last year... but then the Bulls ended up with the #1 pick (probably fixed, but I'll take it) and I'm back. Shoot me in the elbow.
NOTE: Favorite subplot of the series? Ben Gordon taking shots that even college players wouldn't take. My Lord, Ben is putting the NBA back eight years with his performance of chucking up absolute shit. And he was not a good player in Game Five, I'm sorry. He took bad shots, missed 70% of them, and didn't play defense. For most of the night he was the worst Bull on the court. Everyone lived though the Allen Iverson Era in the late 90s and early 00s. It didn't work then, and Iverson was a much better player, and there is no reason to think that it would work now. I can't wait until he's a free agent.
Blackhawks - A few thoughts on the Hawks closing out the Flames.
Game Five was awesome. The Flames were never ever in that game. Hawks dominated. Nothing else to say.
Game Six was even better. Why? Because even though the Hawks were out played, they some how won. This never ever happened to the mid-1990s Blackhawks. Those teams would always lost in the second OT to the Wings getting out shot 392-13 in the process and the only person you couldn't even blame one bit was Eddie Belfour. But this Hawks team? It has a little bit of everything, but I agree with the guys at the Fifth Feather, the D was very good in the first round against the Flames and to see Brent Seabrook come into his own is just an added bonus (btw, for my money, I always notice Seabrook on the ice before I notice Keith).
Back to the Hawks winning a game that they never won when I was a kid... it is a weird experience to see a team not act or play how you remember them to do so. This is in part due to selective memories and all that crap. But at the same time, it's kind of cool to be watching a game and as the thoughts of all those heartbreaks/disappointments past come rushing to your head yet have the confidence that the team will pull it out. Sure it helps having a lead. But at some point, that swagger (Also know as the "we have Jordan swagger") is so dominate that the idea of losing is preposterous.
I don't have that swagger with the Bulls (well I did in Game One believe it or not). I've had that swagger with the Hawks in every game this series. Even game four... which they then proved us all right at the Chip Inn by coming back and tying that game up. I'm not 1998 Bulls or 2005 White Sox confident in the Hawks, but having a 2008 White Sox confidence about a team isn't a bad thing.
* Not that I have anything against transvestites. But Rondo looks like someone John Mark Karr would be scoping out in Southeast Asia.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Second? Tied for first? Did the Royals lose? Did the Indians score a lot of runs again? Oh yeah, the Tigers are doing okay too. I should start caring soon...
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: The Forkball that Jose Contreras used to throw. I miss that forkball. It used to get batters out. Now it Contreras doesn't even throw it and that leads to the other team scoring a lot of runs. The Sox are 0-3 when Contreras starts, 7-3 when he doesn't.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Octavio Dotel who asked President Obama for a hug at the White House yesterday. Cute or something along those lines. But more importantly, how cool is it that Obama is a White Sox fan? This has to give the Sox nearly as much cred as when they switched to black in the early '90s and became the hat of choice for WestCoastRappers and the amazing "Good Guys Wear Black" ad campaign (I'm still waiting for Wade to break out a "Good Guys Wear Black" shirt).
Number of awkward moments between Hawk and Stone: All I want to know is if Hawk met Obama.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: It took years, but one of the worst relieve pitchers in White Sox history is now, probably, gone forever. Mike MacDougal was all but released today . You have to figure some team will sign up if for no other reason than he can throw a baseball very very fast. MacDougal's greatest contribution to the White Sox was his nick name given to him by fans: The Arsonist. Ozzie wouldn't bring Mike in to put out fires, he'd put him in to start 'em.
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever: Much has been said about Saturday being the greatest day in Chicago sports history , and honestly it was the greatest non-championship day in Chicago sports in my lifetime (the Cubs winning prevents it from entering the Greatest Day Ever conversation). I caught parts of all four games. The Sox looked the best, the Cubs the worst on Saturday. But let's break it down:
Bulls - On Sunday morning, Rev. Cleophus James asked his West Side congregation if they saw the light. And for the first time in over ten years, the congregation yelled back, "YES!" And the light was Derrick Rose.
I don't care what anyone says, that was the greatest rookie performance in the playoffs ever. No hyperbole. It was. End of discussion. Boston couldn't stop him and every time the Celtics looked like the would get the fans back in the game, Rose would score in .4 seconds to shut them up. He wasn't good. He was great.
I was at about an 8 for the Derrick Rose Era on Friday night. Now I'm at a 10. I'm excited just thinking about Wade, Rose, Thomas, and Deng out there, bustin' their butts, driving to the hoop, blockin' shots, all that good stuff 18 months from now. Even if the Bulls loses this series, and at this point Celtic fans have to be worried, I'm beyond pumped for the Rose Era.
Cubs - Honestly, how did the Cards not win this game? I watched more of this one than I wanted and every time it looked like the Cards would blow it up, the Cubs would some how put a stop to the bleeding and come back to tie it. And yes, I dropped a few F-bombs directed at members of the St. Louis Cardinals during the afternoon.
The Sox - The after thought of the day, they were up big and never really looked back. I was more interested in the Blackhawks game.
Blackhawks - Falling in love with a player is a magical thing. As a child I loved Carlton Fisk even attempting to mimic his insane on deck circle routine. I fell for El Duque in New Haven, CT. My love for St. Carlos began after I saw him swing a bat in the second game of the season. With Buehrle it's been a steady love... with all that said, after his second goal I told Jonathan Toews that I loved him. He responded as I thought he would, very serious look on his face as he went back to the bench.
I'm not sure how the Hawks won on Saturday. They were out played in the first. And then all of a sudden they cut the lead in half with Toews' first goal of the game seconds into the second period. Then the Hawks tied it up. Then they took the lead when Toews put home his second later in the period. AND THERE WAS MUSIC AND WONDERFUL ROSES THEY TELL ME... I mean I'm at the point with Toews that I went over to iTunes* and downloaded Chuck Berry's "Go Johnny Go." Yes, Toews and I are at that point in our relationship. It's beautiful I tell you. I love how he plays, he's not big, but he goes to the net like a racists on his/her way to a tea party. It's beautiful to watch and it only makes me love the kid from the 'Peg more.
*Does anyone else think that Bush once kicked around the idea of renaming Iraq to... iRack?
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: They were tied for first. I think they still might be after Farnsworth sucked it up again for the Royals yesterday.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Since no one is going to miss Dewayne Wise or Mike McDougal, I can't pick them (though Wise doesn't bother me. He is what he is).
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: John Danks, if for no other reason than I'm going to make an irrational trade in my AL Only League for him.
Number of awkward moments between Hawk and Stone: Going back to Thursday night: Between viewings of "30 Rock" and the Hawks first playoff game since Bill Clinton was President (the 2002 season didn't really count), Jenks loaded the bases and you could tell that Hawks was worried. Then when Gross grounded weakly to Konerko on a 3-1 pitch (figure that one out), Hawk let loose one of the most rediciously OV-AR! ever. How the hell is this booth is supposed to work? I don't know... but a clown and the best color guy in the game in the same booth just gets more and more bizarre every game. And it's only been nine games. What the hell will be going on if the Sox are in this thing (and it looks like they will be) come July?
Rhetorical Question of the Day: It is weird but all the teams in my life that I watch with any regularity (the Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, Badger football, and U.S. soccer) no long fit the description that I'd use for them five years ago. EXAMPLE: To sit here and say something like "the Sox usually lose a game like last (Thursday) night" (they stranded 35 runners last night, got a great pitching performance, and the bullpen nearly gave the game away) would be bogus. Sure the 2003 White Sox lose that game. The 1957 White Sox lose that game if they're playing the Yankees. But the 2005-2009 White Sox don't lose that game. I can't tell you why. But the team that I fell in love with, the team that would have lost 4-3 and broken my heart and ruined the rest of my night... they're gone.
This also applies to the Bears (I assume) because they have a quarterback for the first time in my life (I just missed the JimmyMac days). The Blackhawks aren't a grind 'em out team that they were in the 90s; they're young, can skate, and have loads of talent. And if the U.S. doesn't win in Central America, then it's a disappointment. Really it's only the Badgers, who got good during my youth sports days, that I could ever say something like "they usually lose a game like that" because they've regressed to that point.
My point in all this is that the teams I grew up with and fell in love with are no longer what they used to be. They've changed. There is no pain or heart ache in being a White Sox fan at this point. Sure it's hip and we're all apart of a 'secrete' society and we all have that knowledge that while we might not be the classiest fans in the world, we aren't Cub fans.
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever: They yet to play a good first period, but some how the Hawks are up 2-0 on the Flames. The Flames go home down 2-0 and have to feel bummed out... if they win tonight (the Flames) this thing is going six or seven. If the Hawks pull it out, they're going to have a lot of time off before the second round starts. I wish I had more to say about the first two games, but honestly, other than saying it's been fun I don't know what to say. It's been a lot of fun watching those two games.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: They're behind the Royals. More importantly, the Tribe is(are?) now 2-7. The A.L. Central is gonna be wide open unless someone goes on a 10-1 stretch.
Most annoying person in the Sox organization: No one is annoying me at the moment. Ozzie is pushing it with his "lets have guys who can't hit or walk lead off!" revolving door. And Konerko's non-sucky start has me not disliking him. And Brian Anderson only annoys me because Sox fans think he's the second coming of Micky Mantle (I was going to say Willie Mays be we all know you cannot compare black players to white players in baseball, basketball, or quarterbacks).
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Jermaine Dye. Congrats to him on his 300th home run. He also set the record for the most consecutive times an outfielder hits the cutoff man with his 1,439th successful to the cutoff man from right field. Seriously, this is the most over looked aspect of Dye's game and just one of the 472 reasons why it's a joy to watch him play baseball. He never seems to miss the cut off man. And after watching Carlos Lee and Magglio in the early part of the decade miss the cutoff man at least once a game, Dye's job in right field over the last four plus years has been an absolute joy.
Number of awkward moments between Hawk and Stone: None that I've caught. I think this booth will some how work if only because Stone used to work with Harry Carey, and I don't care if you're the biggest Hawk hater in the world (and I'm up there), Carey was a 100 times worse those last few years he was on air. And Stonie didn't kill him, so Hawk has that going for him.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: With the Blackhawks, probably the #2 team in my heart*, starting the playoffs tomorrow; I'm going to start a new section here on this fine little White Sox blog...
Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever: No not the Connie's Pizza race (they changed it after fifteen years of the stoned sausage pizza running in a race against a strung out cheese pizza and happy to be there pepperoni pizza). It started last year when for reasons that no one can explain, the Hawks had a promo between innings at Sox games. The beauty of this promo was it started with a Thome home run, which turned into Towes and Kane finding a baseball at the UC, they shoot the ball!?!, and all of a sudden Nick Swisher is making a fake catch at the wall robbing them of a home run? It really made no sense, but the best part was the game they had where fans had to shoot a baseball using a hockey stick five feet into a net while some poor college intern had to dress in a goalie uniform and cheer them on. But here was the best part of the promo... no one EVER made it. Seriously, it at the 20 or so games I went to, not once did the fan score a goal. Apparently this is the hardest thing to do in life.
So with that in mind, from here on out, comments on the Hawks will go here. And I'm pumped for tomorrow.
* Despite me not really ever thinking about the Bears during down time, I seem to get quite emtional during Bears games. Fist pumps, jumming up and down and other cliche things that you see guys do in Best Buy commercials. I have no clue what my physical reactions will be as the Hawks start the playoffs against the Flames.
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Not sure... the Tribe was 0-5 on Sunday morning that made me happy. However, they won yesterday which is a bummer.
Person with the Sox player I hate the most at the moment: No one at the moment. A two game winning steak will do that.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: I shouldn't say this out loud, but Brent Lillibridge. I was at the game on Saturday, and he walked to lead off the game. This was a shocking development because other than the 3-6 hitters, no one on the Sox are allowed to walk. But there was Lillibridge walking to lead off the game. Then he didn't suck at second base. Then he walked again. And stole a base. And I was like, woah, this guy seems like he's a decent ballplayer, you know one of those guys that you can hide in your line up at the 9 spot or something. Of course, it was at this point that I saw on SouthSideSox that Lillibridge stinks, doesn't hit, doesn't walk, and enjoys striking out . So even though I shouldn't like Brent Lillibridge and his two walk performance on Saturday will probably be his last two walk day with the Sox, I love him at the moment.
Rhetorical Question of the Day: Today is Cubs opening day. Not that I care, but it's always a silly day because half of Chicago takes the day off work and acts like it is New Years Eve/St. Patrick's Day. I call it MoronFest. Not that Cub fans are morons, there are a lot of very smart, good baseball fans that root for the Cubs. But sadly for them, the Trib turned Wrigley Field into a Frat Bar in the 80s and things have gone down hill for the good Cub fans ever since. Now if the team stinks, 40,000 tickets have been sold even if no one shows up in September. And if the team is good it's hard to get tickets and root for the team you like... thus the stadium is filled with annoying late 20s Big Ten graduates. But it's raining today, so Cubs Opening Day appears that it will be moved back a day.
The Sox are in Detroit (there may be more Tiger fans at Wrigley than Detroit tomorrow btw) playing this afternoon. I assume it's opening day for the Tigers, but I'm not sure and I don't feel like looking it up. All I know is that Floyd is on the mound for the Sox and even after 35 good Floyd starts, I don't trust him. And I'm a trustful person. However, the rain here in Chicago has me worried that the Sox won't play today, which sort of bums me out.
We are three games in to the White Sox season and I haven't written a word. I've been thinking about just running turning this blog into a "Year in the life of a White Sox fan" blog. And seeing that I could talk about the Sox for about twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week... as every good Chicagoan asks them self, "Why not?".
So this blog has new life. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. I'm not sure how it will look. It might die in three weeks. It might be more fun than reading South Side Sox and e-mailing other insane Sox fans about the Sox. I'm going to take it easy. And if it lives, then I'll turn it into something cool. Maybe.
Currently it is just short of 3p.m. And thanks to my wonderful work situation, I am able to take it the day game/rubber match between the Sox and the Royals. At this moment I hate the Chicago White Sox. This is a common emotion in my life. And to be more specific, I hate myself for letting the Sox rule my mood more than I hate the White Sox. It's a 0-0 game, they've scored a total of 4 runs in 25 innings, and there is nothing I dislike more than teams that don't even have base runners.
But more on the Sox as the season goes along. For now, I'll have a running template that I'll fill out whenever I throw one of these up.
Be well.
Sox Record: 1-1
Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Who cares.
Person with the Sox player I hate the most at the moment: Mike MacDougal (however, this is like saying I don't like the Ayatollah), so I'll take Carlos "Oh fer de season" Quintin. This is fair, but they way baseball works.
Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Matt Thornton
Rhetorical Question of the Day: Does Paul Konerko even have warning track power at this point?
Investigators added that during his last year the 19-year-old player suffered from myocarditis, a condition where not enough blood gets to the heart, and should not have been playing professional hockey.
Okay this is hockey. This isn't baseball. Hockey. If hockey players are using PEDs then every NFL player is probably doing PEDs right? I mean, hockey! HOCKEY! You really have to wonder if there is any athlete out there who ISN'T injecting HGH or 'roids of some sort.
4:01 p.m. central -- You are reading LIVE from Hyde Park here in Chicago! We figure since we aren't going to the game we'll live blog this sucker. Sure it didn't work out in Game One, but we weren't wearing black! Today, we're in full black out gear and the Cubs hadn't finished off one of the biggest flops in playoff history. Plus our soul attention was on the game, today? We've got a paper from Nobel Prize Economic James Heckman and a few articles to read, we've got work stuff to do, some laundry to fold, and we're going to try and make beef stew! What could possibly go wrong?
4:07 -- I'm fairly confident about the Sox bringing home a victory today. Why? Gaven Floyd. Everyone from Philly is laughing at that name, but he's a new man in Chicago. It's rare that a pitcher could suck so much in one place and the pitch so well in another. He's a completely different pitching on the South Side, i.e. he doesn't suck any more.
4:09 -- B.J. Upton homers to left, to make it 1-0. Harold Reynolds informs us that B.J. Upton is the only Ray ever to face Floyd... in high school.
4:13 -- I'm sort of hoping this is the first ever live blog of a sporting event that links to James Heckman. I'm also sort of hoping that Floyd doesn't think he's in Philly right now... Evan Longoria may be the most confident rookie ever. I say that because after a called strike he shakes his head in "I could see that being a strike, only I'm not going to swing at that and ground out" kind of way. This pissed off the baseball gods and he struck out on the next pitch.
4:16 -- Things that are more difficult that stealing a base on the White Sox this season: driving a car on a Sunday morning, making frozen pizza, Paris Hilton... Crawford grounds out and the first inning is over, 1-0 Rays and you know what that means!!! Our first Frank TV commercial! He's Donald Trump in this one!
4:21 -- The nation doesn't fully understand what the Cubs choke/collapse/flop/'word that hasn't been coined yet' means to Chicago. Cub fans were positive they were going to win, there wasn't any doubt in their mind. And they sang "Go Cubs Go" every other minute of the day from July on. And then they went out there and played like the Pirates. And Cub fans no are opening hating on the Cubs. It's amazing. I've never seen anything like it. If a member of the Cubs is murdered in the next month I won't be surprised at all—just sad.
4:32 -- Gabe Gross made a nice catch to maybe rob A.J. of a home run. And not much else... on to the bottom of the second, 1-0 Rays.
4:38 -- The reader is always right here at LOAB! So here is the annoying effing song that I thought was dead and gone forever in 2002. And then after the 2005 season the Cub fans, feeling left out brought this song back. In the '80s as a kid, I sort of liked it. Now? Watching drunk white entitled frat boys sing this song on the street is takes an redeeming quality away the song.
4:44 --I should mention that the Rays starting pitcher is Andy Sonnanstine who reminds me of Andy Samberg for some reason. South Side Sox might have put it best: Sonnanstine -- (SAHN-un-styne) -verb 1. to shut down an opponent through use of the following method; throw strikes, change speeds and arm angles, all while possessing less than spectacular "stuff" 2. see Marcum or Mussina
4:52 -- B.J. Upton just hit his second home run of the game. 2-0 Rays. He tried to bunt earlier in the at bat.
5:02 -- Sox go down 1, 2, 3 in the bottom of the 3rd. And the bats look bad thus far. 2-0 Rays after three.
5:10 -- Something needs to happen in this game, and B.J. Upton home runs is not something. The crowd isn't really into the game, the Sox bats look bad, and Floyd hasn't been bad, but he hasn't been good (save when he faces Upton).
5:12 -- Comedy of Errors. With Floyd up and a full count, Crawford takes off, Floyd lines one to the left field corner, Crawford scores and on the throw home, it gets away from A.J. and Floyd ends up at third. 3-0... and then Navarro singles 4-0 Rays.
5:14 -- Floyd's day is done. This game has been a disaster thus far. This must be what it felt like to root for the Cubs last week. Richard comes on for Floyd.
5:25 -- The Sox have life... Konerko with a solo shot to make it 4-1.
5:28 -- Sorry we were making our stew. It is now in the oven. We're very excited about this. Anyway, Griffey is up. I keep waiting for him to say, "I want to make it to the ALCS and hopefully the World Series, I will lead by example." Thus far, while Griffey has hit pretty well in the ALDS, he hasn't hit for power. And he just struck out on a bad pitch. Ugh.
5:32 -- I would like to note that the Chicago White Sox season is now in the hands of Clayton Richard.
5:35 -- The White Sox have gotten B.J. Upton out! The White Sox have gotten B.J. Upton out!
5:37 -- Only to give up a single to Pena. Iwamura scores to make it 5-1. I am dejected.
5:39 -- Richard picks off Pena to end the inning. It is 5-1 Rays half way though the game. Are the Sox out of it? No. But other than Konerko, they've looked bad at the plate. The pitching hasn't held. And the defense has been bellow average. The Sox need to get up, work the count, and wait for Sonnanstine to make a mistake. If they get a few runs here, they can put the pressure back on the Rays. But the Sox need to have a good fifth or sixth inning.
5:44 -- So what do the Sox do? They maybe see ten pitches, or was it seven?, going down in order. Juan Uribe sucks again. Just thought I should add that.
5:55 -- Crawford leads off with a walk, but it doesn't hurt the Sox even though he steals second and third. 5-1 Rays, on to the bottom of the 6th. This is the key inning for the Sox.
6:00 -- Dye goes yard! But it's a solo shot and it's 5-2 Rays. This was after two fly outs and me thinking, "if I was at the game I would consider leaving." And now Maddon makes a weird decision... he's pulling Sonnanstine who has been awesome so far. I can understand wanting to bring a lefty in to face Thome... but I don't. The Sox haven't touched Sonnanstine save Konerko and Dye right there. Maddon giving the Sox hope.
6:03 -- Mint Oreo's are really, really, really good. Howell on for the Rays. Crowd back in the game. Why did Maddon take out Sonnastine? If Thome gets on, this move will be questioned for years to come in Tampa Bay...
6:05 -- Oh wait, we're talking about Tampa Bay! No one will ever talk about Maddon pulling Sonnastine in Tampa! Thome grounds out to short (playing second with the shift on) and Maddon may have made the right move. I'm still not sold—I like the Sox chances against the Rays bullpen over the next three innings.
6:17 -- Dotel gave up a double, now Thornton is on and gets Iwamura to strike out. Again, weird decision by Maddon and Harold agrees with me. Iwamura didn't even try to move Bartlett over to third. And now the Sox are walking Upton. Situation: First and second, one out, lefty (Thornton) vs. lefty (Pena).
6:21 -- To say the strike zone today has been consistent would be inconsistent. The crowd is fired up.
6:24 -- And that folks, is probably the season. Pena singles to right, Barlett comes home to score as Dye's throw is up the line. The Cell is silent. And Ozzie is going to have words with the home plate umpire... he thought Pena struck out, but the Sox didn't get the call. It was a borderline pitch... tough call either way.
6:28 -- With Upton looking like he might steal home, Crawford hits one to second. Alexei Ramirez makes a nice play to get the third out of the inning. 6-2 Rays and the Sox only have nine outs to work with... the good news is that the Rays pen is the weakest link to their team. Crossing my fingers...
6:34 -- Beef stew update: we're putting the potatoes in for the last hour in the oven. Risky I know, but I figure it's at worst, a better decision that Maddon pulling Sonnanstine. Konerko leads the inning off with a broken bat fly out to short left center.
6:43 -- Griffey strikes out. Alexei Ramirez singles. Swisher comes on to hit for Wise and, as the fans attempt to will the Sox to a come back, Swisher looks at strike two, only it was ball three... he then pops out to second to end the inning. You can blame the ump, but let's face it, the Sox bats have sucked.
6:59 -- I was talking fantasy trades... sorry about that. Nothing is happening, which is bad news for the White Sox. A.J. on first with two outs in the bottom of the 8th.
7:03 -- Dye strikes out and the 8th is over. Sox are all but done... sigh. And the ad with the cover of "Space Oddity" may be one of the worst covers ever.
7:12 -- Rays continue to be pesky, but don't score in the top of the 9th. Sox have three outs to get four runs... if they don't the season is over.
7:20 -- Griffey steps in with two outs, and he strikes out to end the game... and the season for the Chicago White Sox. The Rays win the ALDS in four games.
Were they the better team? That's fairly apparent. The Sox had their chances in Game Two, and were unable to get it done. While they showed life in Game Three, they looked bad in Game Four today falling three games to one.
Fans cheer the Sox as the Rays celebrate a bit on the field. A fun year for the Sox, St. Carlos Quentin's injury really did the Sox in. A healthy Quentin and I think the Sox take the Rays out in the ALDS.
3:07 -- The Sox ran themselves out of the last inning... sigh. But I've got to say, I'm loving the return of Harold Reynolds. He's doing a great job as the color guy. ESPN was stupid for firing him considering what goes on over there.
3:15 -- Reynolds is telling us that Vazquez's body language sucks right now... and Longoria, with the help of astroturf, is killing the White Sox. Longoria singles, thanks in part to the infield being faster than shit, Upton comes around to score and it's 5-3. Longoria is 3-3, two home runs, and three RBIs.
3:17 -- Vazquez's day is done. Clayton Richard comes in. If Richard can get out of this with no more damage, the Sox have a chance.
3:20 -- Crawford singles up the middle, Aybar comes into score. 6-3. This game is getting away from the White Sox.
3:25 -- Richard gets the next two guys to strike out and the inning is over. That could have been so much worse. The Sox need to do something here as we head to the top of the sixth.
3:35 -- The Sox look horrible at the plate... I hate domes... I can't think of anything interesting to say. Sorry, this probably reads dryer than a Provo restaurant.
3:39 -- I wish I was making this up. On the plus side, these guys actually know a thing or two about the South Side.
3:44 -- I am now 50 pages into Chuck Klosterman's "Downtown Owl" and I am still not sure what I think. I think I like it, but I can't say that I do. I think it's boring, but I sort of want to read it. I think Chuck has a thesis, but so far all I can tell is that small town Midwestern life is kind of interesting in a everything is the same and boring and meaningless kind of way. (And if I sound like Klosterman there, sorry). Oh, the game? Top of seven... Konerko just singled.
3:49 -- I'm not sure what's up with this game but I can't get into it. Maybe because I figured the Sox would lose before the game even started? Sox do now have first and second with one out... In other news, this is pretty awesome, funny, and every other adjective you can think in your little head of funny jokes:
I love how it’s all about loving America and being proud of our country, but 75% of the preview makes our country look like it’s in the middle of a raging ethnic war. Anyway, maybe if they had stuffed one or two more stereotypes into the preview more people would have gone to see it. The guitar riff under the title graphic is so “America F*ck Yeah” but it’s serious.
3:54 -- I am pretending that the bases aren't loaded and there isn't one out. I'm pretending that this isn't happening right now. Grant Balfour is now in the game... and no he is not a goalie for the Lightning! He's a baseball pitcher! He only sounds like he's from Canada! But he's really from Australia!
3:57 -- Uribe strikes out. XFM. Let's go Orlando... and people are yelling at each other (Cabrera and Balfour)... that was really weird. Balfour missed far outside, Cabrera then shoved dirt across the plate with his foot, and the two of them started jawing at each other. I'll take the Aussie in that fight, however I think Cabrera is crazy so who knows.
3:59 -- Cabrera strikes out. Balfour pumps his fist at Orlando and tells him to sit down. The Sox inning is over... and this game appears to not be far behind.
4:08 -- Really, Orlando, way to not back up talking trash. Awesome job. I've got to hand it to you it's hard to look as stupid as you do right now. Kudos... In the mean time, Clayton Richard should have started this game. He's looked great and the Rays haven't touched him—2.2 innings, one hit, five strike outs, and looking confident out there on top of it. Game Four starter?
4:13 -- Every Sox fan I know wants more Brian Anderson. So what does Brian Anderson do when he gets a shot? He looks at strike three. Shoot me.
4:18 -- Well on the plus side, the White Sox can't play any worse tomorrow. Bottom of the 8th, 6-3 Rays.
4:28 -- All of a sudden the bases are loaded with two outs in the 8th. Ozzie goes out there and gets Richard. Great effort from Richard... Sox still have a shot if they can get B.J. Upton here.
4:32 -- Dotel gets out of it... down 2-0 to Upton, he comes back with three strikes getting a backwards K for his efforts. On to the 9th. The Sox need three to tie. 6-3 Rays after 8.
4:39 -- Down 0-2, Konerko battles back to 3-2, but on ball three takes off his shin guard and walks to first. Only everyone tells him he's not allowed to do that yet. Baseball gods probably not happy.
4:41 -- But the baseball gods are not unhappy! They reward Konerko for an honest mistake! PAULIE!!! After fouling off three pitches with a full count, Paulie goes big yard, keeping the ball just fair and making the game 6-4 in the 9th with no outs. YES!!!!
4:42 -- Junior hits a lazy, can of corn fly ball to left. One out.
4:47 -- Alexei Ramirez has dug himself a hole here, 1-2 count. On the plus side, the Sox are making Wheeler work and as Reynolds points out, Wheeler doesn't have a pitch to put the Sox hitters away. Let's hope that means the Sox can tie this baby up... Every baseball media type loves Alexei Ramirez... who then strikes out. Two away. Sox down to their last out.
4:49 -- A.J. steps to the plate... Swisher is on deck if A.J. gets on... strike one... ball one... fly ball to center, Upton is under it, and the Rays win 6-4.
4:51 -- Not a good game for the Sox. They had their chances at the plate but couldn't get it done; bases loaded one out, and can't get a run across. On the pitching side... Vazquez wasn't very good, Richard was. The defense didn't help out Vazquez however—the triple to center probably would have been caught by a good center fielder, but Griffey can't play center any more; Vazquez also got a double play ball in the 5th, but Alexei couldn't get the ball out of his glove... a few cheap Astroturf singles later, the Rays blow the game open.
Longoria is your player of the game.
If you had the under on the FrankTV ads, you WIN! I think the final count was 9.
Okay, I'm done here. Enjoy the rest of the games today.
We're going to 'live blog' this game. That's right... live it. Love it.
1:34p.m. cst -- We are coming to you LIVE from our parents basement on the near west side of Chicago! Why the parents basement... they have HDTV. I have to say, I like the Sox chances in this series, but I don't like the Sox chances today. Let's just say John McCain and Republican political consultants are more confident in Sarah Palin nailing the debate tonight than Sox fans are in Javier Vazquez getting to the sixth inning. Seriously, five innings and three runs would be considered a great start for Vazquez.
1:37 -- First pitch is a strike on the outside corner... and eventually flies out to Gabe Gross. I'll say this about the Rays—they are a good team. But their line up isn't all that scary. Gabe Gross? Really?
1:41 -- Sox go 1, 2, 3 and it brings us our first Frank Caliendo of the day! I'm going to set the over/under of Frank TV commercials at 13.5 for today's game.
1:48 -- Vazquez strikes out Pena to end the first. Wow. He looked good that inning.
1:55 -- TBS' camera work is making me dizzy. They keep changing the camera on air—fan, manager, fan, outside shot of stadium, fan, fan, fans, batter, batter from another angle, pitch, fan, fans cheering—STOP IT. Junior strikes out and after nine batters, we've had nine outs.
1:58 -- Evan Longoria goes deep with the first pitch of the second inning. 1-0 Rays. Hope is all gone. Vazquez sucks.
2:00 -- Cliff Floyd *just* misses a home run down the right field line. To a normal pitcher, that's a long strike, to Javier Vazquez it means another moon shot is coming. Ozzie should seriously consider getting Adam Russell up in the pen.
2:05 -- The TV guys (Don Orsillo and Harold Reynolds) are discussing 9 = 8, which I have to say is one of the dumber sayings/rallying cries in sports history because it makes no sense and when someone tries to explain it, it takes far too long. Thankfully, Navarro pops one out to left field to break up the explanation of 9 = 8. Sadly, no one on the White Sox called for the ball and it falls in between Wise and Cabrera for a double that should have been the third out. Thankfully, Vazquez straps on a pair for once and gets Gross to end the inning. That could have been a disaster.
2:08 -- HAHA! LOL! This Applebee's ad is FANTASTIC. Someone asks a rhetorical question: What's are some of your favorite baseball playoff memories. And the first person to answer the question? Mitch Williams! They Wild Thing! The Guy who game up a World Series winning home run in 1993! Was Dennis Eckersley busy the day of shooting? LOL! That was great.
2:12 -- First break for the White Sox. Pena is out of the game and Willie Aybar is now playing first... And you can cancel the post game show. The Cuban Missile singles to lead off the third. A.J. is then greeted by a chorus of boos from the Tampa crowd... these fans have a chance! Booing A.J. is a sign you actually know something about baseball. Kudos Tampa, Kudos. A.J. singles... Sox have something going here.
2:18 -- After Uribe martyrs himself to move Alexei and A.J. over to third and second Carbrera pops out to second. DeWAYNE WISE FOLLOWS WITH A THREE RUN HOME RUN WITH TWO STRIKES!!!! 3-1 WHITE SOX!!!! YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD...... YES!!!
2:19 -- Dye nails a ball to center for a double. You could argue that B.J. Upton was playing shallow way too shallow. And you might be right. Would have been a tough ball to get too... but weird positioning.
2:27 -- A see eye single, then a long drive to center by Iwamura... only Ken Griffey Jr. is playing center field, so a long fly out turns into a triple. 3-2 White Sox. Shoot me.
2:31 -- Who knew DeWayne Wise had a great arm? He almost throws out Iwamura tagging up on a line out to left. Iwamura (rolls off the tongue doesn't it?) beats the throw barely and it's a tie game.
2:31 and 45 seconds -- Vazquez has thrown two pitches to Evan Longoria and both of those pitches have been killed. 4-3 Rays. Vazquez sucks.
2:39 -- Pena is out of the game because he scratched his eye around the house last night and now has blurry vision. Translation: Pena got drunk and ran into a cabinet while chasing his cats around the house.
2:48 -- The baseball gods do not like it when you swing at a 3-0 pitch... and that's what Cliff Floyd did. He hit the ball 450 feet and foul, but he did. And then struck out. Lesson: When it's 3-0, do not swing at the next pitch or the baseball gods will punish you.
2:55 -- An uneventful 4th inning. No one does much. 4-3 Rays going onto the fifth. And I'm going to start a new post...
Sal Paolantonio wrote a book called "How Football Explains America" and I didn't read it. I don't plan on reading it. But someone in the United Kingdom read it.
The actual chapters of How Football Explains America are all but unreadable. Paolantonio rehashes a game or a heartwarming football-related anecdote with the gusto of the true bore. Then he explains why this explains how football explains the battle of Midway. Or Davy Crockett. Or manifest destiny. Each chapter more tedious than the last.
Seeing how I know how to use Google, I did just that to see if there was anything else.
I first heard of the legend of Tito Landrum in late 1987 as a six year old White Sox freak who would watch a VHS tape of the history of the White Sox every so often. Landrum, who hit 13 home runs in 9 seasons, hit a top of the 10th home run in Game 4 of the 1983 ALCS. The home run would win the game, and the pennant, for the Baltimore Orioles.
White Sox starter, Britt Burns, pitched the game of his life. Nine innings, no runs. Sadly the Sox could not scratch out a run. And then with one out in the 10th, with Burns still on the mound, Tito happened. If the Sox win Game 4, they had LaMarr going in Game Five—a slam dunk win—and then they'd beat a not very good Phillies team in the World Series. But alas, Tito effin' Landrum happened.
Last night, in the mist of a black out, looking at the scoreboard from the first base line in the 6th inning I saw Jon Danks and his five innings, one hit line. As Danks wheeled and dealed in the 6th, all I could think was BRITT BURNS. I don't remember ever seeing Britt Burns pitch... but his name was all I could think. "Jon Danks is the 21st century Britt Burns. This cannot happen again."
But let's back track... I was expecting a 7-5 game. Danks and Twins starter Nick Blackburn hadn't pitched all that well recently and Danks was throwing on three days rest. All signs pointed to "oh no...", After going up 1-2 on Denard Span, Danks walked him. "Oh no..." seemed about right. But the Sox got a line out, 5-3 double play, Mauer looked silly striking out, and the first inning was over.
From there the game settled into a fast paced, "somethings going to happen right?" but nothing did happen—until the top of the 5th. Cuddyer—the Sox NEVER lose to the super stars, it's the Cuddyer's, Landrum's, and Teahan's that kill them—doubled and went to third on a sac fly. Harris hit a lazy, short fly to center, I'm thinking there is no way that they'll send Cuddyer... but after Griffey got under the ball, I looked over to third base and Cuddyer took off. Griffey fired a near perfect throw towards home, A.J. caught it, Cuddyer was still a step or two away, and knowing that his only chance was to run A.J. over, he tried just that. But A.J. held on to the ball and as both players picked themselves off the ground, A.J. walked over to Cuddyer and showed him the ball.
He was out.
And the place went crazy. High fives all around, a sea of black started jumping up and down, pandemonium all around. It was like something from a movie.
A few minutes later Britt Burns would enter my mind.
But the Britt Burns thoughts faded when Jim Thome hit a home run that is still traveling south towards the Ohio River. He killed that ball. Before it even landed people we were all looking towards left center the fireworks... only when we saw if finally land, the crowd let out a collective "Holy fucking shit, Jim Thome just hit a ball a million feet! And we have the lead!"
Ozzie sent Danks out there for the eighth—after giving up a single to Harris, Ozzie didn't move. This was Jon Danks' game, and the annoying, pain in the ass, Nick Punto came to the plate. And he grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. We could taste victory.
Bobby Jenks came on for the 9th. Kuble struck out. Span grounded out. Then Ozzie stepped on to the field, the crowd going crazy, waving the outfielders in, only Dye couldn't figure out what the Hell Ozzie wanted. He eventually figured it out, took a few steps in. Casilla sent a duck snort into right center, I'm thinking Ozzie is a genius, Dye's going to get to the ball, only it became apparently Dye wasn't going to get close. The Twins were going to get another annoying, crap, talentless bloop single.
Until Brian Anderson came flying in from left center to make a great diving catch.
The White Sox had won the A.L. Central Division. We were going to Tampa. And we were going to beat the shit out of the Rays.
As myself and a few friends walked west down 35th Street looking for a bar, horns were honked, strangers were slapping five with other strangers. "WHITE SOX!!" The native of Bridgeport came out of their houses down to the corner, cheering on the parading fans and cars. A few people shouted "Let's go Dodgers tomorrow and let's go White Sox on Thursday!" To the cheers of all.
And all I kept thinking was, I hope Britt Burns is at home, on his sofa, drinking a cold beer, enjoying what he came so close to enjoying 25 years ago.
For what they are worth (take to bank, deposit, they are insured by us and the FDIC):
NLDS: Dodgers and Cubs Is this mean? A little bit. Are we bias? Not really. We haven't been impressed with the Cubs all year. They needed the Mets to make the playoffs, the Mets didn't, and now they're stuck with a team that is hotter than shit. Oh and Manny has been hitting like some of the greatest left handed hitters of all time, which makes him preforming better than any right handed hitter ever. The Cubs should walk him ever time. Prediction: Dodgers in Four
Brewers and Phillies We're happy for the Brewers. It should be fun to see the good people of Wisconsin rooting them. But they're playing a really good team. C.C. can only go twice in this series. The Brewers need him to go about four times. Prediction: Phillies in four
ALDS: Red Sox and Angels It's a shame these two teams are facing off in the ALDS and not the ALCS. Two best team in the majors in our opinion. We're not crazy about the Red Sox this year, something just isn't right with them. Angels have gotten every break, but not in a OMG! how did that happen! kind of way. Prediction: Angels in five
ALDS: White Sox and Rays We're bias. The fact that no one is taking the White Sox makes me think the Sox may have an upset up their sleeve. A Sox split in Tampa means the Sox move on. Rays can't hit lefties, the White Sox have lefties. Jon Danks was awesome last night. Prediction: White Sox in four
NLCS: Dodgers and Phillies A better than you'd think NLCS. Phillies love. Prediction: Phillies in seven
ALCS: White Sox and Angels The Sox have played the Angels tough for years now, but this isn't the same Sox team that could do a few things other than hit a home run. God's Soldiers are pretty darn good and we can't see our beloved Sox getting past them. Prediction: Angels in six
World Series: Phillies and Angels The Angels have been the most consistent team in baseball this year. With Tex their lineup has come together. They have the pitching. They have the bullpen. And while the Phillies are a very very good team, however they aren't as good as anyone in the American League save maybe the White Sox (I'm pretty sure the Sox would beat any NL team in the World Series). The 2008 Angels aren't sexy, but they might be the best team since the late '90s Yankees. Prediction: Angels in Six
Maybe you have to live in England for a few months (weeks?) to really appreciate this... or maybe you just need a little bit of a sense of humor, an enjoyment for cheese Brit pop, and some sort of nationalistic pride.
I sort of wish someone had done this for the Olympics with the men's basketball team. Instead we got stuck with the totally awesome, but commercial, Marvin Gaye ad. The Marvin ad was a money making opportunity... it wasn't about American pride or living and dying with the U.S. hoops team... it was about making money. Which of course makes it American just because of that fact.
But why didn't/don't we, as Americans, get into the Men's National Basketball team? It's the closest thing we have—in terms of passion and cultural significance to the general population—to soccer in England and Germany or Argentina etc. U.S. hoops is beautiful to watch: anyone who watched any of those Olympic games were treated to some great basketball—free flowing, athletic, well played games. And this year's Olympics was the perfect storm: the team had been defeated four years before, this was the team where we still believed... where basketball was coming home. But few people seemed to care.
And this is what always bothers me about the Men's National basketball team: here we are in a highly nationalistic country, where the flag transcends symbolism and defending our country is seeing as one of the highest honors, but when it comes to getting behind a Team U.S.A. -- well that support isn't there. Sure for a few days in the winter of 1980 it was there, but other than that, when did people ever care about Team U.S.A.? Yeah the soccer heads have their diehards (yours truly included) and the basketball and baseball teams will get some love, but not at the English level of love. Where it's stop what you're doing, England is on the telly playing ____!!! WE STILL BELIEVE!!!
So what gives? Is it race? Is the sight of 12 black men playing basketball the reason why most of American shrugs it's shoulders and only cares if they lose and then starts calling them selfish thugs? Or do we not care about about Team U.S.A. for some other reason? Do we prefer the story of hardship more than the story of team works? Has the story of the individual been so ingrained into our heads that the idea of the team is sort of ignored?
I'm not sure... these are rhetorical questions but ones to consider of course. I just know that one day, I'd love to watch a catchy, cheesy song on youtube about Team U.S.A.
By now, anyone who follows the NFL has seen the awesome call by Hochuli where he helped the Broncos cover in their game against the San Diego Chargers a week ago. Some people said that Hochuli's early whistle which declared Jay Cutler's fumble to be an incomplete pass was a bad mistake. We think it only adds to the mounting evidence that the NFL and Vegas is just one big conspericy to take all our money and buy sub-prime mortgage futures... but we digress.
Now comes news out of England that our (and Elton John's) favorite footie team, Watford, got screwed when the ref awarded Reading a goal... even though it wasn't a goal. And if you think I'm making this up... the players and coaches at Reading agree!
So take heart, Mr. Hochuli, you are not alone in making bad calls that blatantly change the outcome of the game. The reasoning behind your decision may have been different than young Stuart Atwell's (the ref in the Watford/Reading clash), but at the very least the two of you can vacation together in Keci Buku over Christmas and Boxing Day.
Oh and the game ended in a 2-2 tie if you still care...
The greatest thing to come from Cuba in the last 40 odd years may just be White Sox second baseman Alexei Ramirez (granted his competition isn't too tough since we currently don't allow anything from Cuba to come to the United States).
And what's amazing about Ramirez is that it's starting to look like he's going to hit more home run this year than walks. Currently Ramirez has 19 home runs and only 14 walks, which we figured must be some sort of record (btw, we'll discuss the value of a .300 hitter who never ever ever walks another day but that .320 OBP sucks).
But Ramirez's 'feat' isn't all that special. To our surprise it happens a lot. Like almost once a year.
This is an old Baseball Prospectus article (from 2001), but according to the article it has happened 76 times... which sort of makes sense until we saw that it happened 46 times between 1979 and 2000. Hell, Andre Dawson won an MVP award by hitting more home runs than walking... this is mind boggling in a way (and I'm sure every stathead ever will tell you Jack Clark getting robbed in '87 is almost as criminal as when Albert Belle lost to Mo Vaughn).
Anyway, the article is a good, fun read. And best of luck to Alexei and his fantastic Cuban name in the next week or so. May he not walk.
Guy #1: Hey, we've got our apartment. We ripped up the floors, pipes, wiring, and having everything completely redone.
Guy #2: You're renting, right?
Guy #1: Yeah.
[ image on screen: BAD IDEA ]
Guy #3: Well, he's an ex free-base addict, and he's trying to turn around, and he needs a place to stay for a couple of months.
[ image on screen: BAD IDEA ]
Guy #1: [ tosses bottle to Guy #2 ] Head's up!
Guy #4: Now that I have kids, I feel a lot better having a gun in the house.
[ image on screen: BAD IDEA ]
Guy #3: I thought about it, and even though it's over, I'm going to tell my wife about the afffair.
[ image on screen: BAD IDEA ]
Guy #5: I don't know the guy, but I've got two kidneys and he needs one, so I figured..
[ image on screen: BAD IDEA ]
Guy #2: Normally I wear protection, but then I thought, "When am I gonna make it back to Haiti?"
[ image on screen: BAD IDEA ]
John McCain: I know I'm 72 years old and have had cancer, but I figure, when else am I going to run for President and be able to choose a woman whom I've met twice and has never met any world leader, has less than two years of experience managing anything other than a small town in the middle of no where, has the same policy positions of the most unpopular President since the Second World War, AND doesn't believe in dinosaurs to be my Vice President?
Guy #2: Did you at least vet her?
John McCain: Of course not!
[ image on screen: BAD IDEA ]
Announcer: Bad Idea Jeans.
[ shows a group of tough looking basketball players on the court ]
Guy #1: Hey, you guys ready? Let's bet these guys! A hundred bucks.. make that two hundred! Two hundred bucks!
It was a big deal the moment James Brown interrupted the Jets/Fins game to tell us that Tom Brady had been hurt.
But non-stop coverage? Funeral like tone on the ESPN set? Majority of the time spent on Brady's injury which no one knew anything about?
When did Tom Brady become bigger than Brett Favre or T.O. over at ESPN? Hell, how many people actually care about Tom Brady? He's Tom Brady, that's it. I never knew he was so loved outside of New England that we had to pretty much stop broadcasting anything that had to do with baseball and cut all NFL coverage to 3% of what it normally is.
I like Tom Brady. I hope he gets better. But he's sort of bland... have you ever seen the guy interviewed? Not the most interesting of interviews. He doesn't even smile half the time. He was always just a guy who was pretty good and happened to win three Super Bowls. He was never a five star, stop the presses sort of athlete.
But ESPN is treating it as if he is Favre or T.O. I'm confused, that's all... because Brady was never a media whore like those other two. And therefore, I assume, most people's opinion of Brady was one of somewhat indifference (unless of course you are/were jealous of him).
I guess what I'm saying is that, I never thought of Tom Brady if he wasn't on the football field. And while the injury should be the #1 story... we've already reached Brady-overload. And at 1pm central we never in the world thought we'd feel that this story would be over-reported 24 hours later.
See, ESPN is tricky like that sometimes.
As for the Pats future for the rest of the year... check this out.
This is where I write something like "My take on the White Sox!" or something sort of witty and blogish and snarky. But honestly, it's not going to be like that. This is about following the White Sox day in and day out for 162 games (or about six months). Following a baseball team is unique, it's hard, it's frustrating, but it's totally rewarding when the teams wins. You develop irrational hatred toward some guys, unresponsive love for other guys on the team. That the beauty of baseball and being a fan. The total irrationality of it all... so that's what I'm here for: tracking those ups and downs and crazy moments that make baseball (and the White Sox) so awesome.
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