Here we are, back at the Allstate Arena in what just seems too early for the hockey season to begin. The Wolves are celebrating their 10th season as a team. It's not bad to be around only 10 years and have 3 championships, all of which were under the same head coach John Anderson, who is starting his 7th season. There's been only one player that has been with the team since the beginning: Steve Maltais. The team has a new "lower" affiliate - the Gwinnett Gladiators in the ECHL. There was a looong pre-game ceremony for the 10th Season celebration.
Then there was a video tribute to former Wolves teammate Dan Snyder who died in that horrific car crash. He was buried yesterday up in his hometown of Elmira, Ontario. The Thrasher's had their tribute before their opener on Thursday - tonight was our turn. Not a dry eye in the house. The Wolves painted his Wolves jersey number (19) on the ice behind each net, where it will remain for the season. They're wearing "19" stickers on their helmets. There were posters and banners everywhere in the stands. He was a good guy with a great life still ahead of him. He's going to be missed by the fans here in Chicago.
It was nice seeing familiar faces again, both in the stands and on the ice. Most of the team is back. Our main goaltender, Norm Maracle, is now playing in Russia (if I understand this correctly, he replaced a goaltender that was found dead, presumably a hit from the Russian mob... go figure...). That being said, we had Frederic Cassivi in net tonight. The team had a pretty slow start, but there was something a bit different - there's a hint of aggression, of attacking and not just sitting back. We were down 2-0 at the end of 2. It didn't look too good (we could score on a 5-on-3), but there still was this more aggressive intensity there. In the third, we tied it up and out-shot the Griffins 12-6. Unfortunately, it only took 1:02 in overtime for the Griffins to score, and we lose the season opener 3-2.
Still, I didn't mind what I saw. I saw them play much worse last year, and this was just opening night. Let's see how the year progresses.
If you would like to see the tribute to Dan Snyder from the Allstate Arena, including the National Anthem, I have it right here as a Windows Media file (.wmv) - it's 720 x 480, 5:38, 15fps, and it's huge - 67.3Mb.
If you would like to see just the Wolves video tribute to Dan Snyder, I have it right here as a Windows Media file (.wmv) - it's 720 x 480, 1:53, 15fps, 22.5Mb.
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Back at "The Joan"... no, I think I'm going to change it again... I went from TPFKAC™ to "The Joan" and now I have heard still another name that I may throw my support behind - "The Cell".
We're still recovering from our trip to Orlando, though I'm still happy to be at a ballgame. The park is full (this series is always a sellout). The Security Detail is much larger (more guest service reps and security personnel). The Sox fans are pumped with the possibility of a sweep of the "Chicago National League Ball Club". Unfortunately, there's not much to talk about as the Sox lose, but have won the season series against the Cubs and that all that really counts.
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So, how do you celebrate Fathers Day? Why, you go to "The Joan" for Willy Wonka Kid's Day! (Hey, at least it made more sense than yesterday!) Now, today is finally a really nice day. This is baseball weather and it only took us until the middle of June to get there.
But is was another forgetful, painful game. Jon Garland pitched a 3-hitter and lost. Why? Run support, my friend. In a nutshell - 7 hits (including 2 lead-off doubles in the 4th & 5th), but we stranded 9 baserunners. Ordonez had one of the doubles - it was his 200th of his career. Garland threw a good game. He deserved better.
Oh, and Frank Thomas? He DH'ed today and was 0 for 3 with a walk. Now, do you think we would have won the game if he played First Base with all of those opportunities?
Here's some more pain - former Cub Rod Beck (who joined the Padres just two weeks ago after winning his release from a minor-league contract with the Cubs), earned his first save since Sept. 20, 2001.
Thanks.
Here's an interesting stat for you - The Sox have used 60 different lineups in 68 games, and they have not used the same starting lineup in consecutive games all season. Consistency? Not here.
I can't wait for tomorrow when the Red Sox are in town and Pedro Martinez pitches against this team. Who do we have on the mound? That would be our "ace" - Mark Buehrle who is 0-9 in his last 12 starts (2-10 total in 15 starts, 5.18 ERA). What a great year this guy is having...
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So, how do you celebrate Flag Day? Why, you go to "The Joan" for Caribbean Night! (yes, I know, don't try to make any sense out of it). I knew it was going to be an odd game when we walked through the parking lot and saw two guys - one dressed in a parrot costume and another dressed in a shark costume. It's been 3 weeks since we've been to a game, and it's still not warm with that wind off the lake! We're at the trailing end of the Interleague games (or, as Carol calls them, "cross-pollination"). We finish-up with the San Diego Padres.
The game wasn't memorable. It was up and down, give and take for the whole game. It was a struggle. Three home runs tonight (Ordonez, Lee & Thomas), though. And Danny Wright didn't get a decision for his seventh straight start. "Jose Friggin' Valentin" (as our friend Janie likes to call him) got stupid again and was thrown out by about 40 feet when he tried stretching a double into a triple in the 3rd inning. Am I a happy Sox fan? Not in the least. The boys have failed me this year, for absolutely no explainable reason.
They, quite frankly, suck.
Let me vent on one specific issue: Frank Thomas. This arrogant bastard has just about downright refused to play first base, wanting to focus on being a DH. Two issues: this year; he's been crap as a DH. Then on top of that, statistically, he performs better if he's playing first base. It's like his head is actually in the game with each pitch and he involved, instead of being isolated in the dugout, maybe taking a few swings in the cage under the stands, and eventually going up to the plate and usually popping-out. Great. It makes me question where his loyalty really is - to the team or himself.
When we last saw Frank three weeks ago, he was batting .253, 18 RBI, 9 HR's 34 walks, 32 strikeouts. His slugging % was .487 and his on-base % was .403. Yeah, this is a good DH.
Jerry Manuel started playing him at first base a few games before and throughout Interleague play. Since then, he's hit in 15 of his last 16 games, going 22-for-57 (.386) with 17 RBI, 6 doubles, 7 HR's, drew 10 walks - his on-base % was .485 and his slugging % was .860. Just because his head is in the friggin' game. Thanks for contributing to the crappiness of our season. Any side bets that he doesn't remember any of this when he's back DH-ing and his stats slide again?
Anyway, tonight was Caribbean Night, sponsored by Jose Cuervo, who gave away White Sox beach towels and handled the fireworks. Lots of Caribbean music, everyone is dressed up (or I guess dressed down is more appropriate) and every one is a lot mellower. It's a Jimmy Buffet night. In fact, they're selling parrot hats at the souvenir stands, that I just had to buy for Carol. I don't think she was all that appreciative. (Check it out in this video (4.74 Mb AVI File - 320x240 15fps 18 seconds)) We had a calypso band concert after the game with the local Parrothead Fan Club supplying the dancers in the background. Odd, but fun.
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]]>Back again at "The Joan", this time a bit earlier than normal. Carol and I had to drive into the city to pick up my mom on the way to the park. We're spending the rest of today and tomorrow at my sister's house in Michigan. Sort of a family thing. The main reason for getting to the park early was so that I could go on the field before the game to take some pictures. Today was Fuji Film Photo Day and the first 3,000 fans got to go on the field and take pictures of the players. We all just stand out on the warning track and the coaches and players go by and you get to take pictures of them (but, please, no autographs - slows the line down too much). Hey, I'll take any excuse to get onto the field legally. If you want to see them, are are my pictures from Fuji Film Photo Day. There were two guys that I noticed that were missing: Bartolo Colon who is serving a 5-game suspension, and Carlos Lee who got hit in the head last night.
Back in my seat before the game I had noticed that Carlos Lee was actually in the lineup! The game itself started out pretty well for Danny Wright, but in the top of the 4th he allowed home runs to Kevin Witt and Eric Munson on consecutive pitches in the fourth inning and it just felt like the nightmare was going to continue. Bottom of the 5th, and we're losing 3-0. Then Joe Crede gets hit by a pitch, Joe Borchard singles to right and D'Angelo Jimenez walks. With a 2-1 count against him, Carlos Lee launches a 439foot homerun deep into the stands in left, his second Grand Slam of the year (not bad for getting beaned in the head the night before!). Kelly Wunsch came in at the top of the 8th. He must have had too much fun during Photo Day, because he proceeds to give up a double, hit a guy, walk the next guy, strike out the next guy, but gives up a sac fly to right center scoring two of the runners. Tom Gordon comes in, gives up a single and the game is tied 5-5.
Because of family commitments, we leave the game after the bottom of the 9th and start our trip up to Michigan. We, of course, listen to the game on the way.
In the bottom of the 12th, Graffanino gets a hit, Konerko walks, and Joe Crede has a walk-off home-run, and the Sox avoid a sweep 8-5.
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Back at "The Joan" on a blustery night. The temperature was tolerable out in the parking lot, but inside the park the wind is swirling and has a bite to it. This is the friggin' Memorial Day Weekend and I'm still freezing my ass off at this park! There's a good crowd - (if you call 27,535 a good crowd) - mostly here for the fireworks after the game and the free Wilson Fielder's Gloves for kids. The night starts as a pitching duel between Gary Knotts and Esteban Loaiza. What nobody expected was the Sox losing in a 1-0 shutout. To the Detroit Tigers. A one-run-loss for the second night in a row. This team is in serious trouble. The Sox were held to 3 hits. 3 hits and 5 left on base. (Nice to see that new hitting coach Greg Walker is working out so well - nobody on the team is now hitting over .286.) Carlos Lee got beaned in the helmet in the 7th (and went down hard - he was in pain) and even that didn't spark the team. Loaiza gave up 4 hits, only 1 run on 5 strikeouts - but had 4 walks - and his ERA goes down in the loss (to 1.92). Hitting? Forget it. Joe Borchard (called-up on Thursday and the 5th starting center fielder for the team) walked in 8th, and Jerry Manuel lets Frank Thomas (who was sitting out) hit for Miguel Olivo. Oooooo. Like that is going to help. Wrong - it's the 2003 version of Frank Thomas. He strikes out. And that summarizes the play of the team. The crowd was pretty upset from the 6th inning on, booing the end of the inning and getting louder each inning.
You know things are bad when, after the last out in the 9th (a double play thanks to my favorite player (not) Brian Daubach (.185) (why the hell is he on this team???)) a kid throws his fielder's glove out onto the field. A kid.
The fans are pissed. This is the friggin' Detroit Tigers. If the Jerry Manuel watch hasn't started yet, I thought I heard a stopwatch ticking after this loss. I know people are saying Fire Sale - I believe in the players. I know what they can do. I know what they're capable of - we've seen it in the past. I I just don't understand why they're not performing.
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The team was up to the challenge. At the end of the first period, it's a scoreless tie. OK, we're not losing. At the end of the second period, it's a scoreless tie. OK, we're still not losing. It's a tough fight. The, with 1:57 left in the third, the Griffins score. We pull the goalie for the extra attacker, and the Giffins score and empty-netter.
The Wolves lose. The season is over. The Calder Cup leaves our hands for destination unknown. It was nice having it.
And now, we bid adeau to our friends at the Allstate Arena. Until next year.
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What and absolutely gorgeous day for baseball. It's the first Willy Wonka Kids Day of the year, so during the Twins' batting practice, the entire White Sox team was out on the field signing autographs. New this year - autographs for kids 13 and under only - no adults. That pissed-off some autograph seekers. We were at our seats, way before the start of the game, when our friend Teri came over! She and Mark and Joey and Danielle got company tickets for today's game (they were 3 sections over and 10 rows up). Teri looks great. We haven't seen her in a while (since the Wolves game). We have to get together again soon. The game started out with a rare occurrence: Jerry Manuel got thrown-out of the game for arguing a call at first base. Estaban Loaiza is still coming up as the surprise of the pitching staff - 7 innings, 6 hits, but only 1 run. He's 5-0 with a 1.25 ERA. And in another rarity - Brian Daubach stole home on a double steal - first time since '96 for the Sox. Sox win the series, so that's a good thing... though they're still 4½ behind Kansas City...
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Back at TPFKAC™ for our first official night game with fireworks. The fireworks, instead of being assembled on the asphalt in the player's parking lot, are now on top of scaffolding, about 5 or 6 sections high. The fire marshall allowed them to do that so the Sox could keep the outfield seats open (they had to "evacuate" and close them for the fireworks over the last few years). The game is moving along OK. Jon Garland is actually pitching OK after quite a few horrible starts. Yesterday, a few guys got hit. In the bottom of the 5th, Ordonez gets hit in the back (after getting hit in the 9th last night) after hitting a home run in the 4th. (BTW, Frank Thomas homered before Maggs, and had a homer yesterday. go, Frank!) When the top of the 6th comes around, Garland hits Doug Mientkiewicz, and gets immediately ejected - without warning. Well, that sent coaches running out of the Sox dugout, followed by the rest of the players, which was followed by the Twins dugout, and before you know it, the bullpens empty... no fighting, just a lot of yelling and posturing... but Garland gets thrown out as well as center fielder Armando Rios as well as the Twins' reliever Latroy Hawkins. haven't seen that many players on the field since the Detroit debacle a few years ago. Anyway, Garland did well - struck-out 5 guys on 4 hits (OK, 2 were home runs), so he was performing well for a change. This meant that we had to get someone from the bullpen, even though no one was warming-up. They brought out Tom "Flash" Gordon. You know this is a problem when a security guy on the field lays his head back and rolls his eyes when they announce Gordon. Well, he came out and pitched 2 1/3 1-hit 3-strikeout innings. A very nice performance. Then the closer - Koch - comes in for the 9th and gives up a 2-out 2-run homer from pinch hitter Cuddyer. He may be good, but damn this guy is scary.
the fireworks, well they're not as good. You can tell they're further away, and it just feels "bare" without any fireworks inside the park. I don't know, I just don't like it. The new sound system is a plus, but it's just the same old fireworks all from one location that feels further away.
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]]>Ouch. Back at TPFKAC™, and in the first inning, our ace Mark Buehrle gives-up back-to-back home runs. I wonder if he's ever done that before? Well, I don't panic yet since it's only in the first. He hasn't given up more than two runs in any of his first four starts. Maybe he just needs to settle down. Well, he doesn't. He gives up 7 runs in 4 1/3, and his ERA goes from 1.57 to 3.27. Today was the day I wanted pitch count - and it's not on the scoreboard! The pitch speed is back. (I need to talk to somebody about this...) Our offense wasn't that stellar either, considering their pitcher Jason Davis had an ERA well over 8.00. Well, now it's down to 6.97. Ordonez now has a 16-game hitting streak, and Carlos Lee hit another homerun - he's hit one in his last 4 games. You can see it in his swing that he's got that mindset that he's going for the fence. 14,975 paid - was emptier than that for an Easter Sunday. We've never been to the park on Easter, but it does call to mind the opening of Bull Durham and The Church of Baseball:
I believe in the Church of Baseball. I've tried all the major religions, and most of the minor ones. I've worshiped Buddha, Allah, Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, trees, mushrooms, and Isadora Duncan. I know things. For instance, there are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I heard that, I gave Jesus a chance. But it just didn't work out between us. The Lord laid too much guilt on me. I prefer metaphysics to theology. You see, there's no guilt in baseball, and it's never boring... which makes it like sex. There's never been a ballplayer slept with me who didn't have the best year of his career. Making love is like hitting a baseball: you just gotta relax and concentrate. Besides, I'd never sleep with a player hitting under .250... not unless he had a lot of RBIs and was a great glove man up the middle. You see, there's a certain amount of life wisdom I give these boys. I can expand their minds. Sometimes when I've got a ballplayer alone, I'll just read Emily Dickinson or Walt Whitman to him, and the guys are so sweet, they always stay and listen. 'Course, a guy'll listen to anything if he thinks it's foreplay. I make them feel confident, and they make me feel safe, and pretty. 'Course, what I give them lasts a lifetime; what they give me lasts 142 games. Sometimes it seems like a bad trade. But bad trades are part of baseball -- now who can forget Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas, for God's sake? It's a long season and you gotta trust. I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
Back at TPFKAC™. We get to the park way early, but that's OK. Today is Dog Day, so we head over to Gate 1 to watch everyone arriving with their dogs. Carol just loves this stuff - she gets to see dogs, pet them, guess what they are (She's good) After an hour, we went inside. It's our first time in our seats, since it was so frggin' cold the last time we were here. We didn't know what to expect today, so we over-dressed a lot - it was 71 at gametime. The parade of dogs before the game was a blast. (Here's a quick video - it's a 13-second 3.91Mb AVI.) We got to experience another new item at the park - a new sound system. Louder, clearer, wider frequency response. Much better. During the game, we notice something else - a spot on the scoreboards in the corners for pitch count! Unfortunately, it replaced pitch speed (no more radar gun), and it's just a total pitch count - no totals for balls or strikes. Well, at least it's something. I want it all (total, balls, strikes, and speed).
The game itself is crazy. By the end of the first, we're winning 6-0. By the end of the 5th, we're winning 9-1, and only one of those runs are earned. Cleveland has 4 errors. We have one - a throwing error on Stewart, the pitcher, which was not even close to 1st base and went into right. (It was so bad, Konerko, on 1st, never made an attempt to try to catch it.) Carlos Lee looks like he's just swinging for the fences. He's not being patient at all. Of course, in the 8th, he meets Aaron Myette a former White Sox pitcher, and tags him for a 3-run homer.
We used to hate going to the Cleveland series. That was back when they sold out Jacobs Field and people drove from Cleveland to come to the game. Again, loud and extremely obnoxious and arrogant fans. Those days are gone - they don't sell out, they're not that good, and hardly anybody makes the trip any more. Now, if I can never see the prick of a Cub fan sitting in front of me that was obnoxious (who was giving customer service guys grief for having his ticket checked - get used to it asshole, that's the way it's gonna be from now on, thanks to The Ump Jumper), I'll be happy. His buddies were trying to apologize for him, but he just got louder and louder. Bastard.
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Oh, this feels like it's getting old... straight to the Stadium Club again, as we wait to rescue more people from the cold. Janie and Jeff showed up and we rescued them and brought them upstairs for a little buffet, sandwiches, desserts and drinks in the warmth of the club to watch the game. Unfortunately, the end section of the upstairs area is dead - meaning no PA, no TV's. Hopefully, that will get fixed soon. Anyway, what a great start for Josh Stewart. It was his first Major League appearance, and he went 6 2/3 innings. He gave up 7 hits and 2 earned runs, and had only one strikeout, but it was a good start. Now, when he got pulled, it was 1-1, with one man on that scored to give the Tigers the lead. Well, when the bottom of the 8th came around, the Sox scored 9 runs in the inning and won the game 10-2.
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I admit it - I wimped out. We went directly to the Stadium Club once we got to the park, and parked ourselves on some seats with a view to watch the game. Just couldn't do it. Walked around briefly before the game to see all of our buddies in our section and let them know we were here but upstairs. It didn't feel too out there without my coat on, but game time temperature clocked-in at 32 degrees and winds at 15 mph.
I was disturbed yesterday that I didn't hear the usual stadium announcer Gene Honda. When I didn't hear him again today, I just had to go to Customer Service to find out what was happeneing. It turns out that Gene is doing NCAA tournements, so he was unavailable for the weekend. *Whew* - I mean, he's the "voice" of the stadium and not the person who was there that sounds like Tom Schaer (I think it really was Schaer).
The game was great. Mark Buehrle pitched a good game - 8 innings, 3 hits. Rick White cleaned-up in the 9th and we had a shutout - 7-0.
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And it's off to go home and peel-off the layers of clothing we had put on so we can put on our jerseys and go to the Wolves game.
]]>We go up the ramps and walk out onto newly rehabbed outfield concourse, only to find still more cold, wind, and rain. The tarp is still down on the infield. We walked around a bit, checking out the new signage over the aisle entrances, complete with plants in hanging baskets. The rehab looks good - all of the concession stands look better, with brick facade, aluminum counters, awnings and signage. The new Mitsubishi Diamond Vision in the scoreboard looks gorgeous. The even replaced the old matrix scoreboard in left with a new one, which now has a better display of the lineup and inning-by-inning scoreboard.
Carol & I part ways for a bit, as I want to take some photos in case the game gets called. I meet-up with our buddy Jeff, who's also walking around the outfield concourse. Eventually, we meet the rest of his group and all of us go huddle in the main concourse, waiting for the rain to die down. We wait. And we wait. Jeff & his crew split, and Carol and I finally meet-up with our other buddies Janie & Gary. Again, we go under and wait. We decide to see if we can find Jeff on the other side of the park, so we go over there and wait. And look. And wait. (I think by now, you get the picture.) It's dark outside, the lights aren't on yet, and there's this blinding flash of light and loud crack of thunder - like the lightning strike was just on the other side the park. This goes on for a while. It starts getting lighter outside. The grounds crew pulls the tarp back - just to empty it and puts it back. There is now a huge lake in short centerfield. But Roger Bossard knows how to build a drainage system for a park, and sure enough, within 10 minutes, the tarp comes off permanently, and the game finally starts after two friggin' hours. We're cold and uncomfortable before we even get into our seats in the outfield.
It's cold. At least it's stopped raining. But a two hour rain delay means an additional two hours of drinking for those absolute friggin' idiots of fans that only show up on opening day. You know the type - usually in their 20's, usually male, usually not giving a damn about the game, just having a grand friggin' time drinkin'-swearin'-spittin'-partyin'. I'm sure Cub fans are used to it - we don't see idiots like this at Comiskey... Ooops! Crap. I Mean - U.S. Cellular Field. Yes, their signage is everywhere. They even have a Cellular Store at the Park. Cripes.
Game time temperature was 37 degrees with 22mph winds. Yech. Esteban Loaiza looked really good in his start, giving up only 3 hits in 6 2/3 innings. The team really needed to play Detroit to get the feel back to what it's like to win (They were 0-3 after getting swept by Kansas City). Also Billy Koch gets a nice solid close, striking out the side in the 9th (after his really poor showing in Kansas City).
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After the game, we all went over to Janie & Gary's for dinner and drinks. We get home way too late to start-off our 5-game weekend (Sox-Sox-Wolves-Sox-Wolves).
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We got there a half hour early and made our way to the event. We were in line, about 30 people from the front of the line, when we realized what had happened - there were people in front of us that had been waiting since 7am to get to the Opening Ceremony at 5pm. We were 30 people behind the cutoff to get into the ballroom. Now we had to wait for that entire event to be over and the ballroom to be cleared before they would let the rest of us go in. Now I know why the line was so long last year! We had been standing in line for almost half an hour one a gentleman walked up to me. He was Teddy Greenstein, the White Sox beat reporter for the Chicago Tribune. He came over to get my reaction to an announcement that was just made in the ballroom - Comiskey Park will be no more - it will be called U.S. Cellular Field, thanks to a 23-year naming rights deal that will pay the club for $68 million over 20 years. Oh, crap... NOOOooooo!!! Anyway, I give him a few quotes and then he moved on down the line. Damn. I'm more of a purist, I guess. U.S. Cellular Field? Like that company will be around for the 23 years of the agreement. Well, at about 5:50, we finally get inside. I check my coat and we hang around the front of the ballroom area waiting for our friend Janie, and Jeff and his sister Doreen. After about 10 minutes, Jeff & Do show up, but no Janie - she's home sick. Bummer. We just sort of wander around - checking out some All Star merchandise, and walk the show floor and actually doing some shopping. We get something to drink and we meet-up with some of Jeff's relatives. We kill a little more time and go to the only session that we are always interested in: the panel discussion with management. There were some great acquisitions this year, like Bartolo Colon and Billy Koch. There were a few things that came out in that meeting, one that I was actually hoping to hear. In a discussion on how sometimes you try to make player movements and they don't work, GM Kenny Williams said that the Todd Ritchie trade was a mistake that blew up in his face. Somehow, I needed to hear that. There was an awful lot of talk about the players still waiting to come up. One name never came up anywhere in the discussion, or anywhere else for that matter - Frank Thomas. Everyone is so focused on how good the other players are, it seems like Frank is just another player (they way it should be, in my opinion). We left SoxFest, had a quick dinner at Houlihan's in Illinois Center and made our way home. It was a long friggin' night.