This collection of entries is from the Category "White Sox".
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Why do they sign has beens? The White Sox agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent RHP Bartolo Colon.
Monday, September 29, 2008
White Sox 8 - Tigers 2posted at 10:30 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, September 28, 2008
White Sox 5 - Indians 1posted at 04:10 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, September 27, 2008
White Sox 6 - Indians 12posted at 10:00 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, September 06, 2008
White Sox 7 - Angels 6posted at 11:25 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, August 23, 2008
White Sox 3 - Rays 5posted at 08:05 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Monday, February 11, 2008
STH secret presale...w00T! Single game tickets went on sale this morning for the White Sox for Season Ticket Holders (not he general public. I love having the opportunity to get at tickets ahead of everyone else) . We grabbed-up tickets to opening day (since our package doesn't include it) and grabbed tickets for Elvis night in August.
I'm feeling better - it's feeling more like spring again... except for that snow and below zero temperatures...
posted at 11:04 AM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, September 30, 2007
White Sox 3 - Tigers 13
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The sun was low... shadows stretched across the entire playing field... children were running the bases... Nancy Faust was playing Auld Lang Syne ...
That was my last memory of U.S. Cellular Field as baseball season ended on the South Side of Chicago.
Many fans would - and did - say "Thank God THAT's over".
The Sox ended the season 72-90 - 24 games behind the division leading Cleveland Indians in 4th place.
One year ago, we ended the season 90-72. Interesting symmetry. (and then there was 2005 when we finished 99-63... and WON THE WORLD SERIES...)
Such a PAINFUL season... seams like it was just yesterday, but it was about 25½ weeks ago, when the season started, starting the same pitcher as today - Jose Contreras... who lost that Opening Day 12-5 against the Indians... seamed a fitting way to "bookend" the Season - 5-12 & 13-3.
What a disaster. A season that started with pundits claiming we may have the best bullpen in the majors, only to find out we didn't have starters that were ready to play, we didn't have ANY bullpen... and NO ONE was hitting to provide run support for the lousy pitching.
And here it is... the end of the baseball season... the time where I have always said in this blog, that the clock that I measure my life against stops... and doesn't start again until spring...
...and here, in the City of Chicago, where we won over many of the hearts of baseball fans just two short years ago by bringing a world championship to the city... all of those fans we won over... all of the goodwill that we had made...
IS GONE
... all because the Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc. has made it to the post season... and dreams of winning the first World Series in 99 years swirl through their heads...
All I can think of are all of those fans that spewed their HATRED of White Sox fans, in the vilest of comments, even as we made it through the playoffs .. .and to the World Series.. AND WON THE DAMN THING... when the city should just rejoice and celebrate, those fans did not... as they spat upon the ticker tape parade... those who didn't have the sense of mind to just SHUT THE HELL UP because your team did NOTHING that year... it was THEN that I realized that I would NEVER support THAT team...
To them, I will live my life through the post season as they had lived through ours in 2005.
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posted at 04:57 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, September 29, 2007
White Sox 3 - Tigers 2
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It wasn't until the past MONDAY that Fox decided NOT to broadcast today's game, so the team moved the game to 6:05pm... which allowed United Airlines to sponsor the final fireworks night of the year.
What an odd game... first, as one of our runners was advancing to 2nd (i think on a bunt) the 2nd base umpire falls down and blocks the bag from the second baseman, so he couldn't get near the runner to tag him out (which caused manager Jim Leyland to go nuts and gets thrown out)... and then on a hit to right, the Tigers' Right Fielder Ryan Raburn... who overruns the ball... and as it goes through his legs, our runner scores and we win the game.
One other what I would consider funny story, this time before the game started:
On the left field scoreboard, they we showing the standings for each division... and usually just showing the top 2 teams, showing their won-loss record as well as how many games behind the teams were behind each leader...
...So... when in came time to show the National League Central standings, apparently the scoreboard staff just couldn't get themselves to do it, because all that was shown was "NL Central Standings" and the W L and GB column headings... the rest of the data was BLANK.
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posted at 01:57 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Thursday, August 02, 2007
A city full of tiesMy world is crumbling in front of me...
My team, the Chicago White Sox are tied for last place in the AL Central Division (13 games out with the Kansas City Royals).
And... there's that "other" team... the Chicago Cubs are tied for first in the NL Central Division with the Milwaukee Brewers (6 games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals).
I feel ill.
And, with the Cubs up for sale, I have to admit that there's a noble campaign going on: a group of Chicagoans working to facilitate a fan-owned buyout of the Chicago Cubs and restore the voice of the fans within baseball - 4FansSake.com
posted at 08:19 AM | Link | Baseball | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, July 29, 2007
White Sox 1 - Blue Jays 4
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Uuugghh...
Well, 2-out-of-3.
At least we got to see Thumbelina before the game.
Another fast game - 2:21. Guess that happens when nobody scores for 7 innings. I seem to have a problem with Javier Vazquez. Now, I know he's a really hot pitcher right now, but I've been feeling that he just can't go long anymore... he feels like he just falls apart, and is very inconsistent. Ozzie came out to the mound for a visit in the 8th... and when I saw Ozzie leave, I said that was a mistake. Sure enough, 4 runs later (well, 2 were earned, and one scored when Bukvich came in, another pitcher I'd rather not see again).
Oh, and I have to say... it was nice to see Frank Thomas again... and it was nice to have the crowd give him a warm welcome... 503 homeruns in his career so far (448 with the White Sox over 16 seasons)
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posted at 04:43 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, July 28, 2007
White Sox 2 - Blue Jays 0
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In a season that is just the crappiest baseball season that I could remember in years... decades perhaps... tonight was a game that was really quite enjoyable.
First the weather - it's seems like ages since we've been to a game and actually sat in our seats... a great night, cloudless, mid-70's.. OK, a little breezy, but a good night.
To add to that - a great pitching matchup: Roy Halladay against our Mark Buehrle.
It was just a low scoring, fast paced game... pretty well played, I think (yes there were errors on both sides) and.. yes.. we left 9 guys on base. But, hey, it was just nice to really enjoy a good baseball game.
Somehow I felt we were owed that.
Now... if you could call this a negative, and normally I would never do that, the game was short: 2:07.
Now WHY OH WHY would that be a negative? It's fireworks night... hard to enjoy fireworks when the sky is still light.
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posted at 09:34 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, July 08, 2007
White Sox 6 - Twins 3
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Gametime temperature - 90... I think that was a lie, only because we saw a thermometer on the way home that said 100. MUCH windier today, too
Still hot upstairs... went back down to the Rain Room for two passes today.
So... we won again today, and wound up actually splitting the 4 game series! I NEVER would have thought that possible after Friday night.
Javier Vasquez threw another complete game. Three homeruns by Mackowiak, Thome and Konerko.
After the last out, we see camera shots of Mark Buehrle, out of the dugout, waving to the fans. Of course, the Stadium Club people in charge of the audio/video feed to the room SUCK BIG TIME, and we couldn't hear what was going on, but in the light of the trade rumors, the rumors about an impasse in his contract talks... it was hard to interpret what was going on... was he waving goodbye to the Chicago fans? was he waving saying "well thanks for the support on the first half... hope to see ya in the second half"?
The scoreboard in left field finally displayed the announcement, that apparently Gene Honda was reading of the stadium P.A. :
MARK BUEHRLE AND THE CHICAGO
WHITE SOX HAVE AGREED ON
A FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT
EXTENSION THIS AFTERNOON THAT
WILL KEEP MARK
IN A SOX UNIFORM
So, here we are at the All-Star break - 36-47 (.453), 13 games behind 1st place Detroit (Cleveland is in 2nd, just a game back, and Minnesota - that we just split with - is ahead of us 8 games back... oh... and Kansas City is in last behind us, 2 games back from us)
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posted at 06:05 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, July 07, 2007
White Sox 3 - Twins 1
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VERY HARD to get excited about going to the game today. VERY HARD. I'll start first by saying that the weather is going to be bad this weekend, and it should have been in the 90's for the start of the game (though the boxscore says gametime was 85 degrees). It was going to be miserable, so we made reservations for the Stadium Club Bar, on the glass for great views. Both days, since tomorrow would be even hotter.
Well... let's talk about the other reason(s) why making the pilgrimage to the park is difficult. We're 37-47 coming into today - 10 games under .500 - a stark difference from the World Series year, or even being in contention last year. In 4th place in the division, 13 games behind the leader.
To add insult to injury, the team played two games yesterday, the first being a makeup from a freeze-out in early April. Talking about frozen... the score of the first game yesterday? 20-14. You didn't read that wrong - it was 2 runs shy of tying the American League record for Total Runs in a Game at 36. Normally, 14 runs is enough to kill your opponent - not yesterday. It got out of hand when starting pitcher Jon Garland only made it through 3 1/3 innings throwing 90 pitches to 25 batters, giving up 11 earned runs (12 total), 2 homeruns, 3 walks and not a single strikeout. Oh, the team not only gave up 20 runs but 21 hits, 8 walks (ooooo! 1 strikeout!) and 5 errors. And we still scored 14 runs, and had the bases loaded in the 9th.
So, you would think: put that behind you the second game will be different. We lose the second game 12-0. NO RUNS... 5 hits.
Between two games, we lost 32-14.
And you wonder why we didn't want to go to the game today? The Stadium Club was warm, and there was no air circulation against the glass where we were... we just kept drinking water, having the server bring us glasses of ice. During the course of the game I went downstairs and took a quick dash through the Rain Room to get wet and cool off. I noticed, however, when I was downstairs that it really didn't feel all that bad... I mean, it was hot, but there was a slight breeze... and just having the air move made it feel better...
Speaking of feeling better, the Sox WON the game 3-1. Mark Buehrle had a solid outing. We won, but it felt bittersweet as Buehrle has been the subject of MANY rumors about his contract negotiotions... and with him being the pitching star of the team, and the team doing so poorly, It would be hard to not deal him to get something back to put this tam back together.
But we WON... today.
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posted at 08:05 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, April 29, 2007
White Sox 2 - Angels 5posted at 04:57 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, April 28, 2007
White Sox 0 - Angels 3
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This is already pretty far into the season, but today is the first day we are at the ballpark and actually sitting in our seats. These actual seats have been replaced since last year, and are the new forest green color, with a vented back (makes it look slats like an old-time seat), matching the other seats that were replaced last year. Now, the whole park is forest green - a wonderful look, something I've wanted for years. They also have another feature - the old blue seats faced directly straight out from the rows. The old seats actually faced the outfield from where we sit (down the 1st base line, out past first base, but before where the right-fielder would normally stand). The new seats, while still in rows facing outward (parallel to the concrete rows), are actually "canted" about 22 degrees toward the plate, giving a better view!
Be careful what you wish for - the seats are a smidge narrower to accommodate the tilt, and also there is slightly less leg room (which for us short people, isn't really a big deal).
Nice crowd tonight, too - 38,208, though a bit... strange. not paying attention, slow walking, stopping, not paying attention to people around them.
Too bad we lost again.
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posted at 10:52 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Thursday, October 26, 2006
One year ago today...What happened a year ago tonight?
The Chicago White Sox won the World Series.
It's now time to crown a new champion... and we become.. nothing. Losers. Not even in the playoffs when we should have been.
I'm rooting for St. Louis.. I don't want want the Detroit Tigers to win... that way, in my twisted head, the White Sox will still be the last American League winner of the World Series...
Twisted...
posted at 06:42 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Thursday, October 12, 2006
White Sox + 7-Eleven = 7:11Oh, crap... more ways to get corporate sponsorship (and revenue) at a ball game: White Sox enter partnership with 7-Eleven. Now, guess what times Night Games will start at U.S. Cellular Field during the week during 2007?
Yep. 7:11 pm. For the next three years.
Now... how about even more expensive seats at the park? They're MOVING the Press Box behind Home Plate. The old Press Box on the mezzanine level of the ball park is being converted into a new club lounge featuring 220 premium seats, with a lounge and restaurant-type food service. The new seating area will retain the movable windows of the press box. The seats will cost $250 each and will be available only in a full season-ticket plan, and went on sale Monday. The press gets to move to the 400 Level of the stadium along the first-base side.
The team's only other off-season renovation will be the continued replacement of blue seats to green seats throughout the park. About damn time! We'll finally get our new seats... and rumor has it that they will actually be pitched/turned/twisted to face more toward the plate.
posted at 01:18 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Adding Insult to InjuryLess than 24 hours after being eliminated from play-off contention, guess what I got in a DHL Express packet today?
Yep.
My playoff tickets.
Bastards.
posted at 08:28 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Monday, September 25, 2006
Officially OverThe White Sox played Cleveland tonight - Lost 14-1.
The team was officially eliminated from the playoffs.
I knew it was coming... it doesn't diminish the hurt that I feel about a team that played so far under their potential.
No ALDS. No ALCS. No World Series.
Crap... I enjoyed them so much last year.. I got used to them.
As far as I am concerned, he season is over. They are dead to me now.
posted at 10:28 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, September 24, 2006
White Sox 12 - Mariners 7
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Well, her ewe were.
The last home game of the season.. this God awful season...
That makes it Fan Appreciation Day. Whoopee. I'm not feeling so appreciated.
So.. unlike the past few days... the clouds parted before the game.. replaced by cloudless blue sky.
5 homreuns, 2 by Paul Konerko, includes a Grand Slam by Juan Uribe... and still with a cushion like that, the relievers almost gave up the game.
But.. it's over. No postseason. And... talking to our friends and fans around us, there is almost a sense of physical hurt, Maybe it's withdrawal pains... we had a taste of postseason... and it tasted so good, we wanted more.. and it was snatched away from us by poor play.
My season is over... that time in my lfe each year that excites me and somewhow makes me whole. I have to wait for Aoril 2, 2007 now.
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posted at 04:15 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, September 23, 2006
White Sox 11 - Mariners 7
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Thought we dodged the bullet with the rain yesterday...
The damn team was losing 7-2.. it started pouring in the top of the 6th (figures.. the game was official at that point). The sky opened-up... but the umpires took their damn time before they ground crew came out. The rain came down SO hard, that it started to puddle to the left of 1st base. It was bad. Then the crew pulled the tarp onto the field crooked, exposing the top of the diamond between 1st & 2nd. The tarp filled with rain and became too heavy to move. The actual rain part of the delay was under an hour.
It took 45 minutes alone, after the tarp was pulled, to fix the infield dirt, the mound, and around the plate.. the used something like a heavy roller pulled by a John Deer to "squeegee" the puddles in the dirt. Every time they threw an entire bag of the drying compound, it just soaked up the water and was wet again.
It was terrible. it was dangerous.
But... Carol and I had a prior commitment (dinner at B&B for their 25th anniversary), so we actually (gasp!) left the game just as the Sox were taking the field...
So we didn't see the team actually come back from a 7-2 deficit to WIN THE GAME 11-7.
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posted at 05:13 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, September 10, 2006
White Sox 2 - Indians 5posted at 04:13 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, September 09, 2006
White Sox 10 - Indians 8posted at 11:08 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, August 27, 2006
White Sox 6 - Twins 1posted at 04:30 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, August 26, 2006
White Sox 7 - Twins 8 - 11 Innings
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It's been a while since we had one of these - a rain delay. Before the game started, the skies opened and it rained these huge friggin' drops. It completely soaked anybody not protected in just seconds. It wasn't a lot of rain, just huge friggin' drops. I... ummm... actually enjoyed it. I had brought my rain slicker with me to the park, anticipating this happening. Sure enough, it did. And I thought it was cool.
OK, I have named my Official Whipping Boy of the team. I knew when I saw the lineup that this would b a problem. Sure enough it was. culprit (in my estimation?) Rob Mackowiak. He defense is a detriment to the team. He continues to mis-play balls, not being able to judge a ball coming off the bat, which has him breaking late for a ball, having most of them sailing over his head or falling in front of him.
Sorry. Get rid of him. He better not be with the club next year.
Jermaine Dye had a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game, but we lost the game in the 11th by one run. one stinking run.
We should have had this game. If it weren't for Mackowiak's playing, we may have been able to stop them from getting a foothold in the first place.
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posted at 11:48 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
How dare youSo, after a WONDERFUL weekend of sweeping the Detroit Tigers, and LOSING to the Kansas City Royals (UPDATE: We lost EVEN WORSE tonight!). what come in the mail today?
THE INVOICE FOR POSTSEASON TICKETS.
Damn you!
Have our seat assignments.. still downstairs but out toward the right field foul pole. Included - parking for all ticketed events, seats to all 3 (possible) American League Division Series, Home Game 2 of the American League Championship Series and Home Game 2 of the World Series.
Excited? Well... yes... if the team would just PLAY a little better..
posted at 05:13 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, August 13, 2006
White Sox 7 - Tigers 3
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The weather is almost as good as yesterday, but not quite...
There wasn't as many Detroit fans Friday night as Elvis fans.. in fact, I think the Elvis fans may have locked-out the Detroit fans from getting tickets. MANY Detroit yesterday, very vocal... today, not as many, but still there. There had to be more fights in the stands than during the Cubs series.
I don't like seeing people tempt fate by bringing brooms to the park on the last day of a series. The guy next to Carol had a tiny wheat broom in the adjustable band in the back of his basebal hat, and that seemed acceptable.
Freddie Garcia had a good outing with 6 strikouts, but giving up all three runs. And this time Detroit had onl 1 error.
SWEEP SWEEP SWEEP
NEVER thought we'd do that... that's a 3-game swing, chipping away at Detroit's lead...
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posted at 05:59 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, August 12, 2006
White Sox 4 - Tigers 3
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What a great day for a game... THIS was the day... high 70's... blue sky... clean air... nice breeze, oh baby... Best Weather.
Mark Buehrle. 7 strikeouts, no walks, but 3 runs and no decision. Bleh. But, Detroit has 3 errors (2 errors last night as well..) and we struggle and play small ball and get back on top and win by one.
Oh, man... two in a row... against Detroit.. can't get too cocky... it's giong to be hell ltomorrow...
(Boxscore)
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posted at 04:57 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Friday, August 11, 2006
White Sox 5 - Tigers 0
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Central |
DET |
76 |
38 |
.667 |
--- |
SOX |
67 |
46 |
.593 |
8½ |
MIN |
67 |
47 |
.588 |
9 |
CLE |
49 |
64 |
.434 |
26½ |
KAN |
41 |
73 |
.360 |
35 |
That's the standings as of this morning. Doesn't look anything like last year. And we're playing Detroit at home for three games.
Oh, and baby - It's Elvis Night.
Yes, it's time for the annual pilgrimage. We're not even Elvis fans... we just love this night at the park. On the way in, we met my cousin Jane, her husband Richard, her Dad, my Uncle Jim, and her neice (and our goddaughter) Sam, as the stood in line waiting to get in when the gates opened. We stayed outside for a while to see some of the acts in preshow concerts on stages outside the park. In the past few years, we had as the headliner, a great guy called Shawn Klush. This year, we have a young newcomer named Jamie Aaron Kelley. He would be classified as a really young Elvis. He had the stage outside before the game, the National Anthem, and the post game concert inside the park. (His claim to fame is he is the very first person in history to memorize every song that Elvis EVER recorded in his career and then sing them all in public to prove it (and there's a LOT of songs)). I have to admit... bring back Shawn... met-up with my friend and former cowerker Peggy, whose family is always at this event... (she had 18 people in her group this year... sitting behind the plate!)... man I miss her.. she's just great to talk to...
Now, let's get back to the game. This series is SOOOooo critical. And I had NO IDEA that Jose Contreras would pitch the game he did. First career complete game shutout. 101 pitches, 3 hits, 5 strikeouts. Detroit helps with 2 errors... Yes, let's start something...
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posted at 11:52 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Not a winner0 – 7 – 2 – 8 – 3 – 1
0 – 1 – 5 – 6 – 2 – 3
0 – 2 – 0 – 8 – 6 – 7
Chicago White Sox Charities 2005 World Series Ring Raffle. 3 fans get a REAL World Series Ring... with their name on it.
Nuts. Didn't win.
posted at 07:14 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Grinder BashThe White Sox threw a party for season ticket holders today (actually, on Thursday and Friday, too). They used to do this almost every year. They suspended this or a few years, because the park had renovations being done, almost year long. Now, that the season ticket base has grown so dramatically, the team decided to throw another party.
I LOVE these things. There's something special about being in the park - when the team isn't there playing ball. I took my buddy Barry to share this unusual event.
read more of this entry »
We're in the middle of this god awful heat spell, so the first thing we did was get wristbands to be allowed out onto the field. HUH? Yes, we were allowed to walk out onto the field...
You know how special it is to walk out onto center field of a major league ballpark? Feel the unbelievable grass at your feet.. level... no holes... no weeds... look around and get an idea on how much room a centerfielder has to cover..
We strolled around the field... went into the Sox bullpen, both the dugout and mounds... then off to the Sox dugout... the phones were live.. if you opened-up the box and pulled the phone off-hook, the opposite phone (bullpen-Dugout) would ring automatically... we walked to the visitor's dugout... watched people playing catch in the outfield... we stopped to watch a woman throwing to.. her husband? no arc to her throws, good mechanics, zip on the ball.. she's played... we lapped the field... and we went inside to get something cold to drink in the patio area...we made a mistake by not getting any of the free food (chicken, ribs, dogs, burgers, potato salad, cole slaw)... we walked the tunnel underneath the stands and visited the Visitor's Clubhouse.. looked at the lockers, and ALL OF THE SNACKS AND DRINKS... we walked across the tunnel to the Conference Center, the big conference room still setup for a Post-Game Press Conference... and then we checked out the Scout Seats food and beverage café (REALLY nice)... then we went out of the tunnel, walked up a ramp, onto the main concourse of the park, where we waited.. and waited.. and waited in the heat (no breeze, but no sun either) to look at and get our pictures taken with the World Series Trophy.
That was long and draining for me.. let alone barry, who is still not up to 100% healthy. We walked the outfield concourse.. and got to Fundamentals, which was open. Barry didn't feel comfortable climbing all of those stars, so I went up alone, and saw the batting cages, pitching cages, training field, and the Scott Podsedik Run.
I came back down, we walked into the Patio area for lunch and.. NO FOOD. They had shutdown for the day... we were able to get a cold drink..
It really felt special to be there again. I miss the park. I know I'm there each weekend, but this is sooo much more special.
It makes you feel special.
So.. we left the park.. hungry.. with nothing to do.. so.. we went to Horseshoe to gamble for a couple of hours! « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 07:03 PM | Link | Mundane | § |
Sunday, July 23, 2006
White Sox 5 - Rangers 0
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Yes, today s a gorgeous day for baseball, finally coming out of the oppressive heat we've had...
And the day starts before the game started, as the White Sox unveiled two new status out on the centerfield concourse, around the Fan Deck in a pre-game ceremony.
The statues were of Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox, posed as if working together on a double play (Fox flipping a baseball to Aparicio, who was depicted with his glove outstretched, waiting to catch the baseball.).
The statues were unveiled simultaneously, by Aparicio and Joanne Fox, Nellie's widow. I actually broke down sobbing behind my sunglases as I watched Joanne pull the black cloth from off her husbands statue.. because the first thing she did upon seeing it.. was reach out and carress his cheek with her open hand... so sweet. That's five statues out there - following Charles Comiskey, Minnie Minoso and Carlton Fisk.
Aparicio threw out the first pitch to Ozzie Guilen - 2 All-Star Venezuelan shortstops.
The Sox wore throwback uniforms representing the 1908 World Series champions, which, if i remember correctly, didn't go over very well last time.
The game was SOOOooo much better than the last few, ending our 4-game losing streak. Jon Garland is finally coming around.
Unfortunately, after Alex Cintron was drilled by the pitcher Vicente Padilla in the bottom of the third, we all knew that Garland would be instructed to go after somebody (n his last outing against the Sox, Padilla hit A.J. Pierzynski twice in a way that Ozzie thought was intentional). Sure enough, i nthe top of the 4th, threw behind Ian Kinsler. Throwing behind is not the same as drilling someone, so Ozzie came out and was yelling at Garland on the mound. After the inning, Ozzie layed into garland in the dougout, throwing water bottles. (We couldn't see that from our seats, but it looked bad on TV).
Scot Podesdnik gets a homer, his 3rd of the season.. already surpassing last year's count of zero.
With the win, we are still 6½ games behind Detroit.. which sucks.
Afer the game, the Sox designated backup catcher Chris Widger for assignment... wonder what's up?
Update: The Sox get Sandy Alomar Jr. from the Dodgers for his third stint with the team.
(Boxscore)
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posted at 04:25 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, July 22, 2006
White Sox 3 - Rangers 1
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Weird day at the park. Weird.
And I'm sure it had nothing to do with Better Than Ezra performing an acoustic set before the game (including "Juicy").
Or that tonight was the first Saturday Fireworks Night since May 6 (Fox kept rescheduling our games for their benefit.. such is the life of a fan of a World Series champion).
Weird vibe. Weird people in the park. Lot's of kids. Lot's of people that don't seem to be belong there... like they weren't fans, they were there to party... certainly not to watch the ballgame... (this must be what a Cubs game is like)
Only highlight? Paul Konerko's solo homerun in the 6th.
We lose our 4th game in a row... while Detroit loses! We could have made up ground!
Oh... and to top it off? It rained during the game. OK, not hard, but it sure was annoying.
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posted at 10:32 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, July 09, 2006
White Sox 6 - Red Sox 5 - 19 INNINGS
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A RECORD for U.S. Cellular Field: LONGEST GAME EVER.
SIX HOURS AND NINETEEN MINUTES. 19 innings. (Also, the longest game the White Sox have played in since 1991 and the longest timed game in the Major Leagues since August 2001)
It started out with the hope of a grand pitcher's duel: Jose Contreras vs Curt Schilling. Both only lasted 6 innings of the marathon leaving with Boston up 3-2.
Jermaine Dye hit a homer with 2-out in the bottom of the 9th, letting the strangeness begin.
We expected the game to be over in 1 or 2 innings. We had no idea what an extended game is really like.
Think about this: the concession stands stop preparing food after the 9th inning. You can get anything that didn't involve cooking: bag of potato chips, bag of peanuts, candy. That's it. It's also the last game before the All-Star break. Since, you don't know how long the game will take, you don't need cooked hot dogs or pizza that will go to waste because you'll have to throw it out after an inning of play. The other place that had food was the nacho stands - you don't cook nachos, you just pour them out of bags.
Beer sales stopped after the 7th. But, non-alcohol drinks were purchasable.
The game goes on...
In the 11th, each team scores 2 runs, and the madness continues... The trading of runs pushes some of the people of the edge. We realized that everybody that was going to leave the game, had left. Everyone that's left are the FANS, and they're staying for the duration.. whatever it is..
Gene Honda invites us to stand for The 14th Inning Stretch, and everybody is laughing their asses off...
Things turn worse... a sign hangs outside a suite on the 3rd base side: "PLEASE SEND FOOD"
In the 16th, we hear from somebody that bought nachos that the stands have run out of bottled water...
We start thinking about The 21st Inning Stretch...
Boston has brought in its 8th pitcher. Our 8th is still in the bullpen, and he's PISSED, because he knows that he's still out there because everyone thinks he'll lose the game. He's trowing his glove around the little dugout area in the bullpen. It's Cliff Politte.
It's the top of the 19th. Brandon McCarthy has pitched 4 innings and he has to go. So... you bring in... Politte. You can hear the audible groans of the crowd. many begin to pack-up...
Cliff gets a strikeout, line-out and fly-out - three up, three down.
Bottom of the 19th:
Joe Crede fouls out on a popup. Alex Cintron singles on a line drive to center. Rob Mackowiak singles on a soft ground ball to third. Scott Podsednik singles on a soft line drive to left...
Tadahito Iguchi singles on a ground ball to left scoring Alex Cintron...
And the madness is over.. after 540 pitches....
(Boxscore)
Top 1ST B:4 S:2 O:0
Kevin Youkilis walks.
Top 1ST B:1 S:2 O:0
With Mark Loretta batting, wild pitch by Jose Contreras, Kevin Youkilis to 2nd.
Top 1ST B:1 S:3 O:1
Mark Loretta strikes out swinging.
Top 1ST B:1 S:2 O:1
David Ortiz singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik. Kevin Youkilis scores.
Top 1ST B:0 S:2 O:2
Manny Ramirez grounds into a force out, shortstop Juan Uribe to second baseman Tadahito Iguchi. David Ortiz out at 2nd. Manny Ramirez to 1st.
Top 1ST B:0 S:0 O:3
Trot Nixon grounds out sharply, second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to first baseman Paul Konerko.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 1ST
Bottom 1ST B:0 S:1 O:1
Scott Podsednik pops out to shortstop Alex Gonzalez.
Bottom 1ST B:1 S:3 O:2
Tadahito Iguchi strikes out swinging.
Bottom 1ST B:1 S:0 O:3
Jim Thome pops out to third baseman Mike Lowell.
--------------------------- END 1ST
Top 2ND B:2 S:3 O:1
Jason Varitek strikes out swinging.
Top 2ND B:1 S:3 O:2
Mike Lowell strikes out swinging.
Top 2ND B:4 S:1 O:2
Coco Crisp walks.
Top 2ND B:0 S:1 O:2
With Alex Gonzalez batting, Coco Crisp steals (8) 2nd base.
Top 2ND B:2 S:1 O:3
Alex Gonzalez pops out to first baseman Paul Konerko.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 2ND
Bottom 2ND B:2 S:2 O:1
Paul Konerko grounds out, third baseman Mike Lowell to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 2ND B:0 S:0 O:2
Jermaine Dye flies out to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 2ND B:1 S:0 O:2
A. J. Pierzynski singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 2ND B:2 S:3 O:3
Joe Crede strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 2ND
Top 3RD B:1 S:3 O:1
Kevin Youkilis strikes out swinging.
Top 3RD B:3 S:2 O:2
Mark Loretta flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 3RD B:4 S:2 O:2
David Ortiz walks.
Top 3RD B:1 S:0 O:3
Manny Ramirez grounds into a force out, third baseman Joe Crede to second baseman Tadahito Iguchi. David Ortiz out at 2nd.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 3RD
Bottom 3RD B:3 S:2 O:1
Juan Uribe grounds out, pitcher Curt Schilling to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 3RD B:1 S:2 O:1
Brian Anderson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Manny Ramirez.
Bottom 3RD B:3 S:3 O:3
Scott Podsednik strikes out swinging and Brian Anderson caught stealing 2nd, catcher Jason Varitek to shortstop Alex Gonzalez.
--------------------------- END 3RD
Top 4TH B:0 S:3 O:1
Trot Nixon strikes out swinging.
Top 4TH B:1 S:2 O:2
Jason Varitek lines out to pitcher Jose Contreras.
Top 4TH B:0 S:1 O:2
Mike Lowell homers (11) on a fly ball to left center field.
Top 4TH B:4 S:1 O:2
Coco Crisp walks.
Top 4TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Alex Gonzalez singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik. Coco Crisp to 2nd.
Top 4TH B:1 S:0 O:2
With Kevin Youkilis batting, wild pitch by Jose Contreras, Coco Crisp to 3rd. Alex Gonzalez to 2nd.
Top 4TH B:4 S:1 O:2
Kevin Youkilis walks.
Top 4TH B:0 S:2 O:2
Mark Loretta hit by pitch. Coco Crisp scores. Alex Gonzalez to 3rd. Kevin Youkilis to 2nd.
Top 4TH B:3 S:0 O:3
David Ortiz flies out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 4TH
Bottom 4TH B:3 S:1 O:0
Tadahito Iguchi homers (10) on a fly ball to center field.
Bottom 4TH B:1 S:3 O:1
Jim Thome strikes out swinging.
Bottom 4TH B:1 S:1 O:2
Paul Konerko flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 4TH B:1 S:2 O:3
Jermaine Dye grounds out, third baseman Mike Lowell to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 4TH
Top 5TH B:3 S:2 O:1
Manny Ramirez flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 5TH B:2 S:0 O:2
Trot Nixon lines out sharply to second baseman Tadahito Iguchi.
Top 5TH B:0 S:0 O:3
Jason Varitek flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 5TH
Bottom 5TH B:0 S:3 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski strikes out swinging, catcher Jason Varitek to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 5TH B:1 S:2 O:2
Joe Crede flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 5TH B:1 S:1 O:3
Juan Uribe grounds out softly, second baseman Mark Loretta to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 5TH
Top 6TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Mike Lowell singles on a soft pop up to catcher A. J. Pierzynski.
Top 6TH B:1 S:3 O:1
Coco Crisp called out on strikes.
Top 6TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Alex Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 6TH B:1 S:0 O:3
Kevin Youkilis flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 6TH
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:1 O:0
Brian Anderson doubles (9) on a line drive to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Scott Podsednik bunt pops out to first baseman Kevin Youkilis in foul territory.
Bottom 6TH B:4 S:1 O:1
Tadahito Iguchi walks.
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Jim Thome singles on a line drive to center fielder Coco Crisp. Brian Anderson scores. Tadahito Iguchi to 3rd.
Bottom 6TH B:1 S:1 O:2
Paul Konerko flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 6TH B:2 S:3 O:3
Jermaine Dye strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 6TH
Top 7TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Neal Cotts replaces Jose Contreras.
Top 7TH B:0 S:1 O:1
Mark Loretta grounds out, third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Paul Konerko.
Top 7TH B:2 S:3 O:2
David Ortiz strikes out swinging.
Top 7TH B:2 S:2 O:2
Manny Ramirez doubles (16) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 7TH B:3 S:3 O:3
Trot Nixon called out on strikes.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 7TH
Bottom 7TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Manny Delcarmen replaces Curt Schilling.
Bottom 7TH B:1 S:0 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski lines out to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 7TH B:0 S:1 O:2
Joe Crede grounds out, third baseman Mike Lowell to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 7TH B:2 S:3 O:3
Juan Uribe strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 7TH
Top 8TH B:1 S:3 O:1
Jason Varitek strikes out swinging.
Top 8TH B:2 S:1 O:2
Mike Lowell grounds out, third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Paul Konerko.
Top 8TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Coco Crisp doubles (7) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik.
Top 8TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Pitcher Change: David Riske replaces Neal Cotts.
Top 8TH B:1 S:1 O:3
Alex Gonzalez lines out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 8TH
Bottom 8TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Brian Anderson lines out to second baseman Mark Loretta.
Bottom 8TH B:0 S:3 O:2
Scott Podsednik strikes out swinging.
Bottom 8TH B:3 S:2 O:3
Tadahito Iguchi grounds out softly, shortstop Alex Gonzalez to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 8TH
Top 9TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Bobby Jenks replaces David Riske.
Top 9TH B:4 S:0 O:0
Kevin Youkilis walks.
Top 9TH B:0 S:2 O:1
Mark Loretta flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 9TH B:0 S:0 O:3
David Ortiz grounds into double play, third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Paul Konerko. Kevin Youkilis out at 2nd.
--------------------------- END 9TH
Top 10TH B:0 S:3 O:1
Manny Ramirez called out on strikes.
Top 10TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Trot Nixon grounds out, second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to first baseman Paul Konerko.
Top 10TH B:0 S:1 O:3
Jason Varitek grounds out, second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to first baseman Paul Konerko.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 10TH
Bottom 10TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Alex Cintron replaces Juan Uribe.
Bottom 10TH B:1 S:1 O:1
Alex Cintron grounds out sharply, second baseman Mark Loretta to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 10TH B:1 S:3 O:2
Brian Anderson called out on strikes.
Bottom 10TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Scott Podsednik singles on a fly ball to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 10TH B:1 S:1 O:3
Tadahito Iguchi grounds out, third baseman Mike Lowell to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 10TH
Top 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Alex Cintron remains in the game as the shortstop.
Top 11TH B:1 S:0 O:0
Mike Lowell singles on a line drive to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Willie Harris replaces Mike Lowell.
Top 11TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Coco Crisp out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Paul Konerko to second baseman Tadahito Iguchi. Willie Harris to 2nd.
Top 11TH B:0 S:3 O:2
Alex Gonzalez strikes out swinging. Willie Harris steals (6) 3rd base.
Top 11TH B:4 S:2 O:2
Kevin Youkilis walks.
Top 11TH B:1 S:1 O:2
With Mark Loretta batting, Kevin Youkilis steals (5) 2nd base.
Top 11TH B:1 S:1 O:2
Mark Loretta singles on a line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik. Willie Harris scores. Kevin Youkilis scores. Mark Loretta to 2nd on the throw.
Top 11TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Pitcher Change: Javier Vazquez replaces Bobby Jenks.
Top 11TH B:4 S:0 O:2
Javier Vazquez intentionally walks David Ortiz.
Top 11TH B:3 S:3 O:3
Manny Ramirez called out on strikes.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 11TH
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Alex Cora replaces third baseman Mike Lowell, batting 7th.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Javier Lopez replaces Jonathan Papelbon.
Bottom 11TH B:2 S:1 O:0
Jim Thome doubles (12) on a fly ball to left fielder Manny Ramirez.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Mike Timlin replaces Javier Lopez.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Paul Konerko singles on a line drive to left fielder Manny Ramirez. Jim Thome to 3rd.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Ross Gload replaces Paul Konerko.
Bottom 11TH B:1 S:2 O:0
Jermaine Dye doubles (15) on a fly ball to right fielder Trot Nixon. Jim Thome scores. Ross Gload to 3rd.
Bottom 11TH B:4 S:0 O:0
Mike Timlin intentionally walks A. J. Pierzynski.
Bottom 11TH B:1 S:2 O:1
Joe Crede lines out to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:1 O:2
Alex Cintron grounds into a force out, second baseman Mark Loretta to shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Ross Gload scores. Jermaine Dye to 3rd. A. Pierzynski out at 2nd. Alex Cintron to 1st.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Rob Mackowiak replaces Brian Anderson.
Bottom 11TH B:1 S:1 O:2
With Rob Mackowiak batting, Alex Cintron advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.
Bottom 11TH B:1 S:3 O:3
Rob Mackowiak strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 11TH
Top 12TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Ross Gload remains in the game as the first baseman.
Top 12TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Rob Mackowiak remains in the game as the center fielder.
Top 12TH B:1 S:0 O:1
Trot Nixon flies out softly to center fielder Rob Mackowiak.
Top 12TH B:4 S:2 O:1
Jason Varitek walks.
Top 12TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Alex Cora flies out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.
Top 12TH B:2 S:2 O:2
With Coco Crisp batting, wild pitch by Javier Vazquez, Jason Varitek to 2nd.
Top 12TH B:3 S:2 O:3
Coco Crisp flies out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 12TH
Bottom 12TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Craig Hansen replaces Mike Timlin.
Bottom 12TH B:1 S:1 O:0
Scott Podsednik singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Manny Ramirez.
Bottom 12TH B:2 S:3 O:1
Tadahito Iguchi strikes out on foul tip.
Bottom 12TH B:2 S:0 O:2
Jim Thome flies out to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 12TH B:1 S:1 O:2
With Ross Gload batting, Scott Podsednik steals (29) 2nd base.
Bottom 12TH B:3 S:3 O:3
Ross Gload strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 12TH
Top 13TH B:3 S:2 O:0
Alex Gonzalez doubles (13) on a fly ball to center fielder Rob Mackowiak.
Top 13TH B:0 S:3 O:1
Kevin Youkilis strikes out swinging.
Top 13TH B:1 S:0 O:1
Mark Loretta hit by pitch.
Top 13TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Pitcher Change: Matt Thornton replaces Javier Vazquez.
Top 13TH B:0 S:0 O:2
David Ortiz grounds out, second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to first baseman Ross Gload. Alex Gonzalez to 3rd. Mark Loretta to 2nd.
Top 13TH B:4 S:0 O:2
Matt Thornton intentionally walks Manny Ramirez.
Top 13TH B:0 S:3 O:3
Trot Nixon strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 13TH
Bottom 13TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Julian Tavarez replaces Craig Hansen.
Bottom 13TH B:2 S:3 O:1
Jermaine Dye strikes out swinging.
Bottom 13TH B:0 S:0 O:2
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out softly, pitcher Julian Tavarez to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 13TH B:3 S:1 O:3
Joe Crede grounds out, shortstop Alex Gonzalez to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 13TH
Top 14TH B:1 S:3 O:1
Jason Varitek strikes out swinging.
Top 14TH B:0 S:3 O:2
Alex Cora strikes out swinging.
Top 14TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Coco Crisp doubles (8) on a line drive to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
Top 14TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Pitcher Change: Brandon McCarthy replaces Matt Thornton.
Top 14TH B:1 S:3 O:3
Alex Gonzalez strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 14TH
Top 15TH B:2 S:1 O:1
Kevin Youkilis flies out to center fielder Rob Mackowiak.
Top 15TH B:0 S:2 O:2
Mark Loretta grounds out, pitcher Brandon McCarthy to first baseman Ross Gload.
Top 15TH B:1 S:1 O:3
David Ortiz lines out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 15TH
Bottom 15TH B:4 S:1 O:0
Tadahito Iguchi walks.
Bottom 15TH B:2 S:1 O:1
Jim Thome grounds into a force out, first baseman Kevin Youkilis to third baseman Alex Cora. Tadahito Iguchi out at 2nd. Jim Thome to 1st.
Bottom 15TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Pablo Ozuna replaces Jim Thome.
Bottom 15TH B:0 S:1 O:3
Ross Gload grounds into double play, second baseman Mark Loretta to shortstop Alex Gonzalez to first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Pablo Ozuna out at 2nd.
--------------------------- END 15TH
Top 16TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive switch from designated hitter to designated hitter for Pablo Ozuna.
Top 16TH B:1 S:0 O:1
Manny Ramirez flies out to center fielder Rob Mackowiak.
Top 16TH B:2 S:0 O:2
Trot Nixon grounds out, third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Ross Gload.
Top 16TH B:0 S:0 O:3
Jason Varitek grounds out, second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to first baseman Ross Gload.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 16TH
Bottom 16TH B:2 S:3 O:1
Jermaine Dye strikes out swinging.
Bottom 16TH B:1 S:0 O:2
A. J. Pierzynski flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 16TH B:2 S:0 O:2
Joe Crede doubles (18) on a line drive to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 16TH B:1 S:0 O:3
Alex Cintron grounds out to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 16TH
Top 17TH B:1 S:2 O:1
Alex Cora pops out to shortstop Alex Cintron.
Top 17TH B:2 S:1 O:2
Coco Crisp pops out to shortstop Alex Cintron.
Top 17TH B:4 S:2 O:2
Alex Gonzalez walks.
Top 17TH B:2 S:2 O:3
Kevin Youkilis lines out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 17TH
Bottom 17TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Rudy Seanez replaces Julian Tavarez.
Bottom 17TH B:0 S:1 O:0
Rob Mackowiak singles on a ground ball to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 17TH B:4 S:0 O:0
Scott Podsednik walks. Rob Mackowiak to 2nd.
Bottom 17TH B:2 S:2 O:1
Tadahito Iguchi lines out to pitcher Rudy Seanez.
Bottom 17TH B:0 S:1 O:3
Pablo Ozuna grounds into double play, third baseman Alex Cora to first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Rob Mackowiak out at 3rd.
--------------------------- END 17TH
Top 18TH B:1 S:2 O:0
Mark Loretta singles on a ground ball to left fielder Scott Podsednik.
Top 18TH B:2 S:0 O:2
David Ortiz grounds into double play, pitcher Brandon McCarthy to third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Ross Gload. Mark Loretta out at 2nd.
Top 18TH B:3 S:2 O:3
Manny Ramirez lines out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 18TH
Bottom 18TH B:1 S:2 O:1
Ross Gload grounds out to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 18TH B:0 S:1 O:2
Jermaine Dye flies out to right fielder Trot Nixon in foul territory.
Bottom 18TH B:1 S:3 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski called out on strikes.
--------------------------- END 18TH
Top 19TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Cliff Politte replaces Brandon McCarthy.
Top 19TH B:2 S:3 O:1
Trot Nixon strikes out swinging.
Top 19TH B:1 S:2 O:2
Jason Varitek lines out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
Top 19TH B:0 S:0 O:3
Alex Cora flies out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 19TH
Bottom 19TH B:1 S:1 O:1
Joe Crede pops out to first baseman Kevin Youkilis in foul territory.
Bottom 19TH B:0 S:1 O:1
Alex Cintron singles on a line drive to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 19TH B:1 S:1 O:1
Rob Mackowiak singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Alex Cora. Alex Cintron to 2nd.
Bottom 19TH B:2 S:0 O:1
Scott Podsednik singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Manny Ramirez. Alex Cintron to 3rd. Rob Mackowiak to 2nd.
Bottom 19TH B:2 S:2 O:1
Tadahito Iguchi singles on a ground ball to left fielder Manny Ramirez. Alex Cintron scores. Rob Mackowiak to 3rd. Scott Podsednik to 2nd. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:34 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, July 08, 2006
White Sox 6 - Red Sox 9
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Can't talk much about the game - the sun and heat got to me. I was just too uncomfortable.. and I don't deal with it too well. Walking up the aisle to get to the main concourse, by the time I'm at the top, I'm getting tunnel vision, a little tingly... yeah, the heat is BAD. probably didn't hydrate very well.
We had two girls next to us that flew in from Boston for today's game. This series has been a big series for Boston fans to show up here and root for their team. LOTS of them.
Every single one of them are nice people, following their team...
Rather have 10 of these people in seats around me for this series than have ONE Cub fan for the Cubs series. Totally different type of fans. Bostonians are SOOooo much classier..
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:32 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, June 25, 2006
White Sox 10 - Astros 9 - 13 Innings
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Well, the weather is certainly NOT as nice as yesterday...
And, oh God, the game wasn't a good as yesterday (for 7 innings)...
And, oh God why, we had MORE idiots sitting near us. This time it's 4 long-hairs across the aisle from us. LOUD and DRUNK... I got beer spilled on me as the guy on the aisle let his buddies out to get more beers and threw his beer at one of them.
They weren't swearing like the guys yesterday - they're just loud and obnoxious, not paying attention to the game... like yesterday... the guy on the aisle, who has a stack of 6 empty beer cups in his hand stands up and proclaims "And I'm driving these guys home!". They ogle and heckle the women that walk and down the aisles, but not as bad as the guys were yesterday, who were falling out of their seats looking at the girl's asses as they walked up the aisle.
Great.
So, I wander over to Customer Service - only tonight they take the info but didn't act on it.
The game? We're losing 9-2 after the 7th. Javier Vazquez gave up all 9, all earned. Oh, and it started to rain. Drunk guys are heckling the people leaving. In the middle of the 8th... and after two days of crappy fans and now rain along with getting our asses handed to us by Houston... Carol and I just looked at each other and...we left.
As we walked to the car in Lot A, we heard the crowd.. who had been cranked-up since we left. We looked across the street and saw the fireworks being launched from the scaffolding in the player's lot. Iguchi had hit a 3 run homer... and we ran to the car to put the radio on... We listened to the game all the way home... Iguchi hits a grand slam and all of a sudden, the score is tied. TIED. We came back from a 7-run deficit and in two innings TIE the game.
We got home in no time... and watched the rest of the game in HD from ESPN... and it took 13 innings for McCarthy to give up a triple and a single... and we didn't come back.
What a series! Unbelievable playing going on!
(Boxscore)
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:58 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, June 24, 2006
White Sox 6 - Astros 5 - 10 Innings
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What a GORGEOUS DAY today. Yes THIS is the best weather we've had for a game this year.
And what a game it was...
First off - this Interleague game was being billed as a rematch for the World Series. We had beaten Houston 4-0 in the series becoming World Champions and here we are again.
Jon Garland had another bad outing and we were losing 5-1 in the 7th. Then in the bottom of the 7th:
Alex Cintron strikes out swinging. Jim Thome walks. Paul Konerko singles on a line drive to left field (Jim Thome to 2nd). Jermaine Dye singles on a soft fly ball to right field (Jim Thome to 3rd, Paul Konerko to 2nd).
And here's where a strange coincidence happens: Chad Qualls comes in replacing starter Taylor Buchholz.
Chad Qualls.
Flashback to last October...
World series game 2... Astros are winning 4-2... Bottom of the 7th... bases loaded... Chad Qualls is brought in to relieve Dan Wheeler...
One pitch is thrown to Paul Konerko - Grand Slam.
Flash forward to today:
One pitch is thrown to Joe Crede - Grand Slam.
We win the game in the bottom of the 10th and it's the best comeback finish I've seen in a while.
Unfortunately for Carol and I, it was one of the worst games we have attended, because of two ass***** the were sitting in front of us, drinking beer they smuggled in (in cans), drinking tequila (was wondering why they were SO anxious to see the margarita vendor) heckled/whistled/drooled over every single young female walking up or down the aisle, "prank calling" vendors (yell for the vendor when their back is turned and pretend they didn't call), swearing, (with a row of kids behind me where the oldest looked 6)... I couldn't take it anymore and went to Customer Service and had security called. They issued a warning to them, took away empty beer cans. All I heard was bitching between the two of them when I got back to my seat, with the asswipes talking loud enough in conversation to make sure I heard, branding me as a "Narc" instead of talking to their face, etc. they get up and leave... only to have the audacity to come back a few innings later and start-up again with the talking. Louder than before. And now, they start talking about fat chicks referring to Carol - even to the point of calling "Soooooey" and that was it... I leaned into them and got in their face. They tried to have a comeback, but just got up and left, never to return.
The security detail was great - I had talked to them at the top of the stairs while they were still dealing with the guys after I had them called (security was already there by the time I got back to my section after I went to customer service). Nice guys. Found out later from one of them that the had their identification and that a letter would go to the season ticketholder of those seats telling them not to sell tickets to to them for any future games.
It still got me pissed and angry. And, even though it was a great game, it was IMPOSSIBLE to get past the issues and enjoy the game.
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posted at 04:51 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Annual Yard SaleGet up early (for a Saturday) and hit the road for the South Side...
It's that time again... time for the White Sox Annual Yard Sale at the park (U.S. Cellular Field).
The line was long when we got there, but it was awfully spread out, with lots of people bringing chairs to sit in while they wait.
The best thing about the event is that all the proceeds go to White Sox Charities.
With that in mind, we went looking for clothing.. we had bought jackets here in the past (yes, authentic, player-worn jackets), and they didn't have ANY this year! They really brought out the odd stuff... banners used around the city for "Rally Monday", the rally downtown before the World Series, empty bottles of Champagne from each of the locker room celebrations during the playoffs ($60-$100), full sheet World Series Tickets (un-printed with seat info). I wanted some bunting that was displayed at the park (MLB authenticated), but that was $50 each and the bunting was small.
They had the regular selection of things - used hats, bats, helmets, an AWFUL lot of catcher's gear this year compared to last, lots of equipment bags, helmet bags... and of course what everybody goes after - jerseys. The real deal.
We weren't even close to being the first one's in line, and back in January, at Sox Fest, they always set up a "Garage Sale" room that people must have rifled through, because the jersey selection - though large - didn't have a lot of jerseys by the somewhat major players, let alone the major players. If you wanted a jersey of a pitcher that was barely in the majors for a few weeks, there were a ton of them (including ones for the World Series complete with World Series patch on the sleeve). There were prior years players that they haven't got rid of yet. Lot's of BP windshirts and "tops" (wouldn't call them jerseys).
The surprising pieces to me were at the extreme left of the left rack in the row of racks.
Here were the jerseys of Major players now gone. Jerseys you would have NEVER seen in any rack in any year. These were put aside as special and if you were lucky, you could ask to get one. The one that caught my eye? FRANK THOMAS. NEVER would have been in the rack. Now that he's gone, he's there. Now granted, it was REALLY expensive (I think $1,000), but it was still in the rack. I knew that I had hit the right part in the rack... they guys that are gone... tons of Carl Everett jerseys... Shingo Takatsu... guys who were good and made a difference. But the one guy I thought that made a difference and we hated to see him go, was the one I was after. I snatched it up and walked away from the racks quickly. The Jersey? Aaron Rowand.
That's all we bought this year... nothing else caught our eye... the great thing is that THIS year at checkout, you got a form to fill out stating that the items you bought were to benefit a charity, thus ding..ding..ding..ding..ding Tax Writeoff.
I just love going to the park for special events, like this one, when there isn't a game. It's just feels special. There was another event going on that you had to pay to participate - playing catch in the outfield. It's reall typical for Dads to bring their youngsters, with their mitt and balls, and you're allowed onto the field for an hour to play catch. the day before Father's Day. How cool is that?
posted at 01:16 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, June 11, 2006
White Sox 8 - Indians 10
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Weather: sucked
People sitting around us: sucked
Freddie Garcia: sucked
Yes, we sucked on National Television (the game was moved to 7pm to be ESPN's Sunday Night game).
Freddie Garcia was terrible. 5 2/3 innings, 9 hits, 8 earned runs, 4 walks, 3 homeruns.
The groans and booing of the crowd was spectacular. UNTIL...
Bottom of the 9th. We're losing 10-2. The park had emptied out, inning by inning, until a handful of people are left in our section. I said yesterday that I hadn't felt this excited at a game for a while. Forget it - this ninth inning was unbelievable, and yet I felt myself believing! In a nut shell - 6 runs in the 9th including a 3-run homer by Brian Anderson, but we didn't make it as Pablo Ozuna - the potential tying run - flies out.
Wow. Excitement. Drama. Desperation. The boys didn't give up. they just didn't make it.
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posted at 10:51 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, June 10, 2006
White Sox 4 - Indians 3 - 11 Innings
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I feel that this year we hit the White Sox Weather Curse. This happened a few years ago - if the White Sox were in town for the weekend, the weather for said weekend is going to suck.
Welcome to the White Sox Weather Curse.
It rained for about 10 hours over night, and the skies were still dark, cold, and dreary by the time we hit the road for the early-start game (Fox game - 12:15pm start). The giveaway promotion was beach towels (Sponsored by Hawaiian Tropic and Walgreen's). The customer service people wore leis. They must have had some big plans for Beach Day. We went to the Stadium club to avoid the weather. But, by the time we got upstairs, you could see blue skies in the distance. We wound up taking our seats and watching the game downstairs (AFTER having lunch in the Stadium Club bar).
The team struggled through the game, down 1-0 since the first. They go up 2-0 in the 6th. We get on the board in the 6th, scoring on a double play. We tie the game in the 8th, and now we go into extra innings. Top of the 11th, Cleveland takes the lead on a homer by Victor Martinez. Well, you get this feeling that that's it - we're not coming back.
Wrong.
It's all solid hits, moving guys around, tyeing the game, and eventually, scoring the winning run.
I haven't felt this great at a game in a long time - cheering on the team, going nuts with each hit. It didn't matter that the weather sucked.
It's supposed to get better tomorrow.
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posted at 04:47 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, June 04, 2006
White Sox 2 - Rangers 10
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Wow! This must be THE BEST day that we had for a baseball game this year! Gorgeous! Sunny - 70's, light breeze.... wonderful!!
The game sucked.
We're in such a crappy slump, and now watching these idiots out in the field... I don't even want to talk about the game...
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posted at 09:13 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, May 21, 2006
White Sox 4 - Cubs 7
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Well... at least we took the series... The weather was crap... low 50's in the sun and a cold breeze, so when the shade moved over the section, it was hell...
We played poorly today, and I blame the defense. Jose Contreras came off the DL and pitched, but he gave up 4 runs (2 were inherited by Neal Cotts, who got tagged with a Blown Save and the Loss), and things just imploded. We had two errors and the key play should have been scored as the 3rd error but wasn't when Uribe threw to Konerko to end a double play in the 8th and threw too low, skipping past Paulie. We would have been out of the inning and on our way to a sweep. And all I wanted to see is for our boys to get into Carlos Zambrano's head and mess with him, and they sort of did, thanks to A.J. (again - talk about a lightning rod...)
The team wore 1906 "throw back" uniforms - the year of the White Sox - Cubs World Series. I think, if I remember correctly, "throw back" uniforms are bad luck for this team...
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posted at 04:24 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, May 20, 2006
White Sox 7 - Cubs 0
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Goegeous day for baseball.
Gorgeous day for a fight, as well.
Bottom of the 2nd, no score, 1 out, bases loaded. Brian Anderson hits into a fly-out in Left Field. A.J. Piersinski, on third base, tags up and rnd home. Cubs catcher Michael Barret blocks the plate - without having the ball - and A.J. bowls him over. They both go flying. A.J. rolls over, slaps the plate and gets up. Now, here where it get's odd. Barret gets up. A.J. says he going after his helmet that's laying behind the plate and sort of turn his back to Barret as he passes. Barret bear-hugs him, says "I didn't have the ball, bitch, hauls off and punches A.J. in the chin.
Benches cleared. Bullpens cleared. Anderson after running to first, is now by the plate, taking out John Mabry, the Cubs' first baseman. Bodies everywhere. Barret, Anderson, Mabry and - for some reason A.J. - are all ejected.
Game back on - Rich Hill walks te bases loaded. Tadahito Iguchi - Grand Slam.
We now have 5 runs on 2 hits.
After all of these years, we finally have a fight between these two teams.
And - according to the analysts, it's all Barret's fault. We're waiting for fines/suspensions from the league.
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posted at 03:53 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, May 07, 2006
White Sox 3 - Royals 2
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OK, I think we've figured out the parking situation for us newbie Red Coupon people. It seems like the preferable lot is Lot A which is where the Bus Parking is, which is the advantage. After the game, instead of going out the way you came in, you use the Bus Entrance/Exit in the "front" of the lot and you get dumped out onto one-way south Wentworth, before 35th Street - perfect for making a left onto 35th to go over the bridge and get right on the Dan Ryan.
The weather was about the same as last night - of course we were sitting in the direct sun until about 2:10. The temperature at game time was 64°, much better than last night. It was also the sixth sell-out of the season (38,870). We're still not getting used to all of these people around us. There used to be a time where we could "stretch out" a bit during a game. Now, it's shoulder to shoulder, every row filled. No room to stretch your legs, put your arm on the seat next to you. Ah, those were the days... The Price of Success....
Mark Buehrle threw way too many pitches. He threw 22 in the first, and was having trouble with location, with everything staying "up". (He wound up going through 6 innings, throwing 114 pitches (71 strikes) with 4 strikeouts, but 2 runs on 7 hits.
Joe Crede was involved in two odd plays: 1) In the forth, he hits a drive deep to left-center. The centerfielder (Kerry Robinson) totally misplays the ball and jumps at the wall. The second base umpire sees the ball go over the wall, and calls a home run (the fireworks guy, quick on the trigger, sets-off the scoreboard fireworks). I just happen to be on the center field deck, below the Fan Deck. The guy standing next to me says it's not a homerun. Sure enough, what had happened, is that the ball actually hit the warning track and bounced over the wall. Nobody saw the ball hit the track, everybody was watching Robinson hit the wall and the ball going over. After a long umpire discussion, they called Crede back out of the dugout to take his place on Second, because they changed their call to a Ground Rule Double (the correct call). 2) It's the bottom of the 8th, the game is tied 2-2. Jim Thome is on first (after a flyball to center was dropped in a diving attempt by Kerry Robinson). Paul Konerko is intentionally walked to get to Crede. Crede waited for his pitch and blooped a single to left, scoring Thome as the go-ahead run that was the game-winning run.
Our record now goes to 22-9, best record in all of baseball, first in the AL West and 2½ games in front of the Detroit Tigers (who have tailed us must of this young season).
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posted at 04:51 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, May 06, 2006
White Sox 9 - Royals 2
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Another crappy weather night - it was 52º at gametime, windy, and it just went down from there. A bit uncomfortable.
What a game, though. Javier Vazquez had No-Hitter through 5. In his last start, he no-hit the Royals through 7.
Jim Thome had another homerun, his 13th. I love being at the game to watch the ball fly. You don't get a sense of the speed on TV. They get out in a hurry, hardly without an arc to its flight.
The 7-8-9 spots of the order need some individual hitting instruction: Ross Gload - .167 (OK, what he really needs is playing time - this is with 18 at bats), Juan Uribe - 161, Brian Anderson - .160 (even though Anderson was 2-for-4 with his 3rd homerun).
Another "sellout" - 38,593 (though I don't know what a sellout really is at the park anymore. I keep hearing the word "sellout" and the attendance would vary by 100-200. And of course, that's paid. I wish they would go back to the days of "turnstile".
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posted at 10:49 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, April 23, 2006
White Sox 7 - Twins 3
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OK, yeah, great game. We sweep the series from the Twins. Nancy Faust is back. The weather is great. Everything's right with the world.
Let's start at the top.
Carol and I are absolutely pissed-off at today's promotional item. It was listed as a Miniature stadium. What it was was a cardboard display stand from the Chicago Sun-Times. A poor cardboard replica of U.S. Cellular Field, that has spots to collect miniature baseballs that have pictures of the players on them. Collect? Why, yes - you have to purchase a Sun-Times and each day they have a coupon that you use to go to White Hen or some other store and pay $2.99 for the player/ball of the day. Since when does the team foist a "promotion" where you have to pay money - a lot by the time you get all the balls - to promote a newspaper? Normally, the promotion is a giveaway, and not something you have to pay for to enjoy. When I heard "Miniature Ballpark" I thought it was like a cheap version of the miniature sculpted ballparks that are collectibles. But cardboard? that is a poor replica and purchase stuff to put in it? This is crazy. Carol & I decide to "boycott" and not accept the promotional item at the gate.
Traffic was fine and we got there in good time.
The sun is out, and we're wearing our sunglasses. We go from sunlight into the darkness of the gate area. We go into Gate 5, and I'm first through the turnstile. I say "no thanks" when offered the "miniature ballpark" and the customer service rep thinks I'm nuts. I turnaround and see Carol go through the turnstile.
In the "dark" she turns and trips over two stacked boxes of cardboard promotions, and hits the concrete ground hard on her right knee.
Now - I hadn't mentioned this earlier, but when Carol was cleaning the "Second Bedroom" earlier this week, she tripped over some cables and - you guessed it - hit the floor hard with her right knee. It's hurt her all week. The bruises had just popped-up over the leg, from knee down to the side of her foot.
So, here she is on the ground behind the turnstiles of Gate 5 after injuring the same knee. She stayed there for a while. We finally heard that First Aid was called. She felt the need to get up and move and un-block the turnstile so people can get through. A customer service rep says there a bench right around the corner that she can sit at. What we find out is that it's a series of picnic tables more than 200 feet away. We hobble over there and Caro sits down. Another customer service rep comes over to admonish us "You know you weren't supposed to move, you were supposed to stay there". We let her know 1) don't yell at us, and 2) another rep told us to come out here to relax. A minute or so later a guy in white trots up from the Medical Staff, followed by a golf cart with two other guys. One guy asks me for her information, the other talks to Carol about the fall and her pain.
Carol decide to go to First Aid to get ice. She decides to go by herself (admittedly, there's no room in the golf cart for me) so she takes her ticket and gives my all her stuff. She takes off in the cart, I go up the escalator and go to our seats. She eventually shows up at the end of the first inning. All she had was ice on the knew - no Advil or Tylenol, and not feeling like she was really taken care of by the medical staff.
She's going to have to get this looked at tomorrow.
Nice way to try and watch a game when people have been actually showing up and sitting around us! We're not used to this and we've been able to spread out a little and relax. Now, when Carol need to stretch out a bit, she can't.
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posted at 09:39 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, April 22, 2006
White Sox 9 - Twins 2
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What a great day for our first night game! It was a little on the cool side (low 60's) and a slight breeze, but it felt great.
Traffic was horrendous - there was an accident on the Kennedy that blocked the right 3 lanes but apparently the traffic people didn't tell us what was going on, so I stayed on the Kennedy, thinking it would eventually free-up. Well it did when we passed the accident site at Kimbal - and didn't find a trace of this alleged accident. We flew the rest of the way to the park.
Not only is this our first night game, but this is our first game that started after 3:05. The significance of that? That would mean that this is our first game without organist Nancy Faust. It was weird. Before the game the Stadium crew just played more music, almost right from the JACK FM playlist. But there was these silent, almost awkward gaps when the visiting team was at bat. There was no music where there used to be, and that made me miss Nancy. I didn't believe how much she has become part of the experience of the game at U.S. Cellular Field... they played a recording of her for the 7th Inning Stretch, and no one seemed to notice... except for that empty booth behind the plate.
Another great game, another great win (we need to store those up in case we need them like last year). I almost feel that I don't want to talk about the game itself because everyone did well, You could always lookup the Boxscore.
The fireworks after the game were... the fireworks after the game. Nothing new. Tonight, they used music that was played all last season for things on the scoreboard video or just stuff heard around the park (like "Go Go White Sox", etc).
Getting out of the parking lot was a nightmare. the Dan Ryan was terrible, so we took a scenic route through downtown and caught-up with the Kennedy at Ontario.
Nice night.
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posted at 11:34 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Thursday, April 20, 2006
White Sox Ticket SalesHad to write something here for the White Sox fans out there...
... as of yesterday, the Sox have now passed last year's season total for tickets sold.
April 19. Not bad for advance sales. Hopefully we can live up to expectations...
posted at 12:40 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, April 16, 2006
White Sox 6 - Blue Jays 4
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Wow. As gorgeous as it was yesterday was as lousy as it was today.
We planned to spend the game in the Stadium Club because it was supposed to rain today.
And rain it did.
The game started on time. We had a good first inning - Scott Podsednik had a triple to the right field corner (it's cool when you're high above the right field corner in the Stadium Club and you see that ball coming toward you, hoping it would - as Hawk would say - "stretch" and make it over the wall). Jermaine Dye had a homer later in the inning. Jim Thome had a homer later in the 2nd (damn, he really DOES hit those balls a mile!) Freddie Garcia did much better job, even in the rain.
Yes it rained. Hard. Oh, God, hard. The first delay was in the top of the third and was 42 minutes long.
Carol and I had to get going to pickup my Mom and drive to Orland Park to my cousin Jane's for our annual family Easter get-together, so we left about 10-to-3, so we didn't see the rest of the game. We were winning and you can tell in the 5th that the umpires were stretching things quite a bit to try to get a regulation game. Apparently, though we couldn't see it because we were in the car, the field actually became unplayable. Freddie had given up 4 runs and 4 walks on 45 pitches in the top of the 5th. Thank God we had the lead.
During the game - during the first delay - I took a trip downstairs and bought another ticket for the authentic World Series Ring raffle. Found out that the winners of the raffle will get their rings in an on-field ceremony. Way cool. Could you imagine? Getting a Championship World Series ring, complete with your name engraved on it, just like a member of the team in an on-field ceremony, but as a fan?
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posted at 04:46 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, April 15, 2006
White Sox 4 - Blue Jays 2
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What a wonderful, gorgeous day for a ballgame. I've been looking for this kind of a day for a long time.
It started off pretty rough, though. The Blue Jays have only 2 guys in their lineup batting under .300. 8 pitches from Mark Buehrle in the first, and we're losing 2-0. Fortunately, Jim Thome walked and Paul Konerko hit a 2-run homer and we tied it 2-2 in the bottom of the first, and then it made everything all square and we had a ballgame again. (Thome has reached base and scored in each of the 11 games this season.) It was Paulie again in the 5th with another 2-run home run and got us the lead for good. Buehrle pitched 8 innings and retired the last 8. Bobby Jenks pitched the 9th and he earned a good save and didn't really screw up (except for a single - big deal).
The American League Championship Trophy and THE World Series Trophy are now in the window of the gift shop behind Home Plate - you can't get near the place because of all of the people trying to take pictures of the themselves with the trophy. Too bad it's behind glass that's reflecting the field or reflecting the flash of the cameras, because I didn't see a single picture that looked good.
Another big deal at the park is the raffle tickets. No the Sox Split Charity Raffle.
These are for a World Series Ring. Your own real, honest to goodness authentic World Series Players' Ring. Engraved with your name on it, even, just like everyone else. The Sox are raffling-off 3 of them (100,000 tickets at $20 each - proceeds go to White Sox Charities).
How cool would it be to have your own World Series Championship Ring for being a fan?
I guess the only other "odd" thing at the park was that guy on the outfield concourse in a speedo...
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posted at 04:43 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
White Sox 2 - Indians 8
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What a wonderful day.
What a crappy game.
Carol left the house at 9am and got to the park at 5 to 10, before the parking lots opened. We weren't the only ones. I've never seen lines so long before the gates opened to the park, even during the World Series - All because people wanted a Replica Championship Ring, given out to the first 20,000 fans. We must have been - at most - 100th in line to get into the Stadium Club entrance. The ran out of Rings right after us and a near riot almost started.
I can't tell you how comfortable it felt to walk back into the park again. And the park looked great. Even though our section of seats are still the old blue seats (they're that way from the dugouts to the outfield), seeing the rest of the park in dark green seats really makes the park look great.
Before the game, members of the Front Office, dressed in tuxedos (with tails) and gloves, carried onto the field the Championship Rings on silver platters. One by one, coaches, then players, were called to the center of the field to receive their rings from Commissioner Bud Selig, Owner Jerry Reinsdorf and General Manager Kenny Williams. Guys that are now playing for other teams flew in, just to receive their rings. the most memorable - Aaron Rowand. He got a huge ovation from the fans, who let him know he's missed. If anyone on that field had tears in their eyes, it was him - not to mention tears in the stands when he took the field.
The whole ceremony was so special to watch and to be there to be part of. Almost made up for not getting tickets to opening Night. Almost.
Marty Casey and the Lovehammers, fresh from touring with INXS, got a chance to play one song before the game started. Guess which one it was? Yep, "Trees".
We found a brand new food being sold at the park - it's only from a stand behind the plate - freshly made caramel corn and cheese corn (complete with mixes of both). WONDERFUL!
The game itself was terrible. Sure, Jim Thome hit another home run, but Freddie Garcia had nothing on his pitches and got rocked. He looked terrible. Our defense was poor and - at times - felt Keystone Cop-like.
It was painful to sit through and watch.
On top of it all, Gene Honda wasn't there - Tom Shaer did P.A. duties, and Nancy Faust had brought her old organ to the patk, and it sounded totally different compared to what she's sounded like in the past.
Also, we have new parking passes this year, which make us park in the lots north (A, B, C, & G) of the park instead of south (E, F & L). Well, it actually took us an hour to get out of the neighborhood. We're going to have to pay attention to traffic patterns around the park after the game.
Speaking of after the game, we went over to Janie & Gary's for a wonderful dinner.
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posted at 10:53 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Monday, April 03, 2006
Still in Fist PlaceI woke up and felt the need to see if the White Sox were still playing.
Sure enough, they were.
They got themselves into a 3-3 tie in the top of the 4th when the rains came. No, DELUGE.
Total Rain Delay time: 2 hours 57 minutes.
Sox won 10-4 around 1:10 in the morning.
posted at 01:19 AM | Link | White Sox | § |
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Game On!YEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!
Sitting at my desk and listening to baseball on the radio!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, it's preseaon.
OK, it's a different station covering the games.
OK, it's a different broadcast team covering the games.
But, it's baseball!!!!
posted at 02:04 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, February 27, 2006
The IdiotI've never been a fan of Frank Thomas.
Now, he may be destined for the Hall of Fame. He really did contribute for years for the Chicago White Sox. He was a big deal.
Was.
He also could have had this city wrapped around his little finger. If he would just shut-up, or say a few things a certain way. Maybe even actually do a few charity things. No. He squandered what he had. He got hurt. He stopped producing meaningful numbers. He wasn't a go-to guy, he was a goat.
His time had come a long time ago, passed, and yet he lingered a bit too long. When the team finally gets together and wins the World Series for the first time in 88 years, his 35 games/109 At-Bats/.219 average barely contributes.
And now he's in Oakland.
Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams called former slugger Frank Thomas" an idiot'' over the weekend, because Frank continues to whine about the way he was treated. A selfish man, who refused to play first base, who hadn't played a full season since 2003, didn't like the way he was treated.
Yeah, we treated him well. Too well. He should have been gone years ago under that "diminished skills'' clause of his contract.
Idiot. Shut-up and play for your new team. You're showing your whining to your new team now, and I hope they're listening. No "I" in "team", my friend.
posted at 01:40 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, February 17, 2006
Less tickets on sale todayThe White Sox put up tickets for sale to the general public today. They also said that - for the first time on franchise history - they have sold 2 Million Tickets before Opening Day.
We already have sell outs:
All games available except Sunday, April 2 vs. Cleveland Tuesday, April 4 vs. Cleveland Saturday, May 6 vs. Kansas City Friday, May 19 vs. Cubs Saturday, May 20 vs. Cubs Sunday, May 21 vs. Cubs Friday, July 7 vs. Boston Saturday, July 8 vs. Boston Sunday, July 9 vs. Boston Thursday, August 10 vs. New York, which are sold out.
posted at 09:24 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
WE DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE A SEASON TICKET HOLDER...I'm full of all kinds of emotions right now, the major ones are anger and hurt.
For the first time since becoming a Split Season Ticket Holder for the White Sox since January of 1996, Carol and I will be missing Opening Day.
Why?
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Because the White Sox all of a sudden are HOT in Chicago, and season ticket sales have skyrocketed, to the point of having a standby list (if you want Post Season tickets as well). There are too many people for the seats available.
Since we're split-season, we don't get all of the games, in particular opening day. We have a Split Season plan that is just weekends only (a friggin' WONDERFUL package for watching baseball). Since Opening Day is traditionally a weekday game, we never got tickets for that game, but at some point in the pre-season, before the public could buy tickets, we got the option of buying tickets for Opening Day.
This year, Opening Day is Opening Night, Sunday night April 2, and is the actual kick-off of the baseball season - it will be the first game played anywhere, broadcast on ESPN that night.
Let's ignore the fact that this game is a SUNDAY (meaning a WEEKEND game) because this game was actually on Monday the 3rd, and ESPN and MLB asked to have it changed to Sunday. (So, because it was originally a Monday game, it doesn't qualify as a "Weekend" game for us weekend-only people).
Because of the bloat of season tickets, the White Sox did not offer us the ability to get any tickets to that game.
Today, all Season Ticket holders were able to buy single game seats for any game. We were to be emailed a special password to get into Ticketmaster website to purchase tickets after 10am. The public doesn't buy tickets until the 17th.
I logged on early and noticed that the Suite and Scout Seat Season ticket holders got an hour before we did to purchase tickets. I waited for my Password email to show up - and it NEVER did. Instead, about 10:25 I received and email from someone at the White Sox about a bogus link that was mailed-out but the passwords we were given were still OK to use.
That's when I knew i was in trouble. I immediately replied to the person on the email and got a somewhat prompt reply saying that the password was my account number.
Too late. It was an hour into our session, 2 hours after tickets were being sold this morning.
I didn't have a .
I wonder how many season ticket holders bought additional seats because they could when the rest of us schlubs never had a chance?
And if you aren't a season ticket holder? FORGET ABOUT IT. AIN'T NOTHING LEFT TO BUY.
I've been so damn excited and giddy about the team winning the World Series, especially in such convincing fashion.
But, as they say, "be careful what you wish for."
I feel that, even though I am a Season Ticket Holder, I am not being treated like one because I'm a Slit-Season guy and not a Full Season guy.
We have been treated fine for the past 10 years - but not now. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:25 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, January 27, 2006
Fest-lessJust got off the phone with our pal Janie. None of us is going to SoxFest, which starts in under an hour. Of all years to not pay attention to when tickets were on sale, the year in which the World Series should not be one of them. It would have been a great night... or weekend, but I screwed-up. We screwed-up. Nuts.
Came home to find the invoice to sign-up for the Stadium Club for the year. For a split-season ticket package it went up over $100 to $550. It's worth it for the beginning of the season when it's cold & rainy. It's worth it for those 90 degree summer days. And boy is it worth it in post-season. We split it with Janie & Gary and it works out. Pretty upset the price went up, though...
posted at 04:11 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Changes at TPFKAC™Hearing rumors about some of the changes going on at Comiskey... "The Joan"... "The Cell"... US Cellular Field... whatever. (Still pissed-off about the name of the place and it's been three years).
Went looking through WhiteSoxInteractive and found some disturbing stories.
I've been waiting years to change the color of the seating from that pool blue to green, the way ballparks should look. I got all excited when they made the announcement that it was going to happen. So it started last year, and it was supposed to progress through last season. Never did. This off-season, they've gone through, starting upstairs, and ripped out all the seats and replaced them (as of this writing, they're not complete - the last two sections are to done - somehow they received the wrong seats). The started working downstairs - but only up to the dugouts. that's right, my section WON'T be getting new seats this season for the second year in a row. there's no explanation why. Here's where the rumor and speculation come in: in the majority of "modern" ballparks, the seats in these areas are specially built so they are canted toward the infield, sort of like setting the seats at a 12 degree angle while keeping the whole row straight. Now, if that's what they're doing, then I'll shutup and relish in the canted seat next year. If that's not what happening, and they're just stalling again, then I'm going to be pissed, because who sits in these seats? The Partial Season Ticket Holders, who are slowly starting to feel screwed by the team (the possible inability to get Opening Night tickets was the beginning of the mistreatment).
On a different subject, what may be the most disturbing news for me.
Nancy Faust will not be playing organ at all of the games in 2006. In fact, she's only playing day games. Nancy says it's her idea. Perhaps it's the beginning of a retirement after what will be 37 years of playing the organ.
I know that people want to hear something more modern, like the clips that are played for the home players when they come up to bat. (Nancy plays pieces for the visiting teams batters).
It's baseball. You've got to have organ music.
You gotta have Nancy.
posted at 11:17 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
20,000 and climbingThe White Sox announced that Season Ticket sales have passed 20,000, the highest in franchise history. This is allowing General Manager Ken Williams to raise the payroll to $95 million, certainly something that can't hurt the team. The downside? Because of the way MLB handles postseason tickets, anybody buying a full Season Ticket after January 15 (or Partial after January 9) will NOT get any options to buy Postseason tickets. A waiting list has been created for people that want to get the postseason options. WAITING LIST. The Sox have a WAITING LIST for Season Tickets (soft of). I NEVER thought this would happen in this town. There's also a RUMOR floating around (it's just a rumor) that - because of the number of Season Tickets being sold - the popular Dog Day promotion may be canceled because there will be too many Season Ticket Holders that will need to be displaced when the bleachers are vacated to make room for the dogs and their owners. Another rumor going around - due to the new City of Chicago Smoking Ordinance, U.S. Cellular Field will now be smoke-free. (As a non-smoker, all I can say is "YES!")
posted at 11:22 AM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
How much change is good change?Here's were it's all going to start for the 2006 White Sox - the first player movements.
read more of this entry »
The big positive move - picking up the option on Cliff Politte for $1.2 million
The team declined the 2006 option on designated hitter Carl Everett, buying him out at $500,000 instead of his $5 million option. So he's the first guaranteed to go (and, you know, I'm OK with that).
The first Free Agent move was actually Paul Konerko last Thursday (the Sox have exclusive financial negotiating rights to Konerko through Nov. 10, but you know he's going to test the waters and God knows what kind of offers he's going to get. PRIORITY, people, let's get ready to handle getting this guy back), but another happened quietly - Geoff Blum. Both guys have said they want to return to the Sox.
Frank Thomas exercised his $10 million player option for 2006 (but the team has five days to elect to give him a $3.5 million buyout and people believe that's going to happen because of his ankle fractures).
We've got arbitration coming up for Jon Garland, A.J. Pierzynski , and Joe Crede so there's going to be more money there.
Oh, then we have the incentive bonuses: Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle can earn at least $60,000 if they finished no lower than fifth in the American League Cy Young Award voting (to be announced Nov. 8).
Oh, let's bring up something that caught my attention: The Curse of 1906
This is a Chicago-wide baseball curse. Chicago has not celebrated a postseason baseball series championship of any kind on its own soil. Didn't happen this year (ALDS was won in Boston, ALCS in Anaheim and the World Series in Houston). In 2003 the Cubs won the NLDS in Atlanta.
In 1906 it HAD to be a Chicago team: the Sox topped the Cubs at South Side Park in Game 6 of the World Series.
Great, just what the city needs, another curse. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:10 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, October 28, 2005
Wearing the Championship
Carol left me in charge of getting our World Series championship apparel, so I went over to Dick's Sporting Goods after work. Last time I was there they didn't have anything with any playoff logo on it. Guess that all changes when a team becomes World Champions - they carved-out a really good sized area in front of the store and loaded it with merchandise. Apparently this is going on all over town - sporting goods storing opening hours earlier than normal and the merchandise is just being scooped-up.
posted at 04:06 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Streaming Video is a good thingLocal TV stations in Chicago started their coverage of the White Sox celebration (a celebratory motorcade from the park though the neighborhoods to the Board of Exchange, followed by a "Ticker Tape Parade" down La Salle street (like they still use ticker tape... I heard they're using shredded-up Chicago Sun-Times newspapers... in my opinion a good use of the Sun-Times, but that's gotta look crappy) and a rally in the midle of La Salle and Wacker, right at the river.
Anyway, some of the local stations (Channels 2, 5, 7, and 9) are streaming their coverage over the web so I'll be able to watch from my desk!
Update: Sign in the crowd downtown: JOE CREDE I WANT TO GO TO THIRD BASE WITH YOU
posted at 11:03 AM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Water CanonsI guess the White Sox just landed at Midway and the cool thing was that their plane (looked like an American Airlines 757) was welcomed with a traditional Fire Department Water Canon salute (it's where the fire department water canon trucks will setup opposite each other off of a taxiway and shoot a curtain of water into the air over the taxiway that the plane taxi's underneath). It's cool to watch because that's something that only done on very special occasions and I've never seen it done at a Chicago airport.
posted at 03:31 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONSCHICAGO WHITE SOX - 2005- WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
Not much to say here... I'm kinda overwhelmed and overcome with emotions, I guess.
To follow one team all your life and finally see them win the championship.
Priceless.
read more of this entry »
(Boxscore)
Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere
A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people, living just to find emotion
Hiding, somewhere in the night
Working hard to get my fill,
everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anything to roll the dice,
just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on
(chorus)
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlight people
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:05 AM | Link | White Sox § |
That's 3Damn it. Fell asleep in the friggin' chair watching the game. Woke up when the local Fox news was on after the game. Checked TiVo, but it stopped after Uribe's at bat in the 14th, right after Blum's homerun. (have been TiVo-ing all of the games and copying them off to DVD... just for "posterity")
14 innings (The only other World Series game that lasted 14 innings was on Oct. 9, 1916, when the Boston Red Sox beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 2) Five hours and 41 minutes. (longest (time) in World Series history). 482 pitches. 17 pitchers (the previous high of was 13 for a World Series game). Most walks in a World Series game - 21. Most walks by one team was a record, too, for the Sox - 12. Most players used in a World Series game - 43. The 30 men left on base, 15 by each team, were the most in a World Series game. Most combined Double Plays - 6. Scott Podsednik became the first player to have eight official at-bats in a Series game. First World Series game played in the state of Texas.
I knew it was going to be a rough game. If the Sox didn't win, I wasn't too concerned thinking that the Astros and fans would be pretty pumped. They were but everyone sure fell silent ion the 5th when we scored 5 runs to take the lead after being down 4-0 (especially off their "superstar" pitcher Roy Oswalt, who everybody was raving about, to the point of giving him a win for the game handily without him even throwing a pitch - like he was predestined and nobody could touch him).
Hope I can stay up and watch the game tonight!
read more of this entry »
posted at 01:47 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, October 22, 2005
World Series ShoppingWe're having company over tonight - a perfect time to get out of the house to let Carol clean it without ME being around.
Besides, I've got places I need to go and see.
After all, the World Series is in town for the first time in 47 years.
read more of this entry »
I drove down to U.S. Cellular Field. Note to self: don't take the tollway. Though the oasis is a plus for drinks and snacks, but the construction at the River Road Toll Plaza to start the conversion to Open Road Tolling is going to screw things up - cost me over 15 minutes today, can't imagine what it'll do tomorrow.
There's no traffic around the park, but there's sure a lot of people out and about. I stop and take a picture of a huge banner that's covering the ramps at Gate 6. It's a Grinder Rules ad:
GRINDER BALL RULE #162:
CRYING IN BASEBALL --
ONLY ACCEPTABLE IF CHAMPAGNE BURNS YOUR EYES
Priceless.
I take a right onto 35th. I hadn't planned on stopping at the park to take pictures, but there's just too much happening. I notice that there's a group in the southwest corner of Lot B. Us Flags, City Flags - What's going on? I pull into the lot and walk over - only to miss the end of a Press Conference by Mayor Daley, talking about the Ceremonial Bet of Lou Malnatti's Pizza, Eli's Cheesecake, Atomic Fireballs and Tootsie Rolls. There's a fiberglass cow painted/decorated in Sox colors. And, of course, what everybody in the city has been looking for - Ozzie Guillen cardboard masks. Everybody is taking their own Eli's cheesecakes, and pizza's. Took pictures of the mayor and cow. I walk toward the park and find out that the grounds crew took the World Series stencil that's used on the field and painted a duplicate on a piece of grass outside the park so people can get their picture taken on it. (which I did, thanks to an elderly lady that decided - on her own, mind you - to stand on a bus stop bench to get a better shot (she was right!). Walked around the property and found all of the exterior souvenir stands open and busy, both with customers and with stocking the shelves with new product. After gathering a few things, I walked back to the car and drove just a few blocks west to Grandstand, the world's best White Sox souvenir stand on the face of the planet.
Grandstand had a huge line formed outside the building, running down Wallace. It took me 45 minutes to get into the building - and then I felt like the proverbial "kid in a candy store" and ran around just grabbing those things that I just wanted. Hundreds of dollars later, I escaped the building.
The day wasn't over, however. I heard about what the city was doing with the well known statuaries around town, so I drove over to Michigan Avenue and went to the Art Institute. I parked my car on Columbus and walked along the front of the building.Took pictures of the huge lions that flank the entrance to the building - with large White Sox hats on their heads. Walked to Daley Plaza and took pictures of the Picasso Statue, also with a Sox head on top of its... "head"? Walked back to the car and headed home... and accidentally found the third statue involved on Congress: The Bowman and The Spearman is a statue of an Indian on a horse... that's wearing white socks with White Sox logos on them.
Everybody I saw all day had White Sox stuff on. I saw maybe two people with Cubs stuff (obvious psychopaths).
This is really friggin' cool... « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 02:43 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, October 21, 2005
If the sky's gonna fall, at least let's make the place look good...The Picasso statue in Daley Plaza is wearing a Sox hat.
The two lions in front of the Art Institute are being fitted for hats and will be wearing them shortly.
(I don't know this statue) the hoofs of a downtown sculpture titled "The Bowman and The Spearman" are to outfitted with white socks in time for tomorrow night's Game One against the Houston Astros.
The mayor's office is distributing 20,000 Ozzie Guillen masks. (That's supposed to make the place look better?)
posted at 02:07 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Today has become "The Sky Is Falling" dayToday, the White Sox and the media are laying it on thick. The World Series is coming to town, but if you don't have a ticket, don't bother getting anywhere close.
The first game starts tomorrow night. The police & FBI are blocking of the streets for a block around the park. Nobody without a ticket gets inside the area. On top of that, there will be random car searches. I remember 2 years ago the searches they were doing around the park prior to the All-Star Game. The real unnerving part? They had guys with Geiger counters checking for radiation coming from the cars... makes you wonder if they heard"chatter" about a "threat". And, jeez, the World Series is a pretty big public event... Great...
read more of this entry »
World Series opens Saturday at U.S. Cellular Field 10/20/2005 11:29 AM ET MLB.com
CHICAGO -- The American League Champion Chicago White Sox will host the National League Champion Houston Astros for Game 1 of the World Series on Saturday, October 22 at U.S. Cellular Field.
The White Sox are making the following recommendations to fans attending World Series games:
• Game 1 will begin Saturday at 6:30 p.m.; Game 2 begins at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 23. Games 6 and 7, if necessary, are scheduled for Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m.
• World Series tickets are sold out. Fans without tickets should not come to the ballpark. No standing room tickets will be sold.
• For the entire World Series, the Bullpen Sports Bar, the outdoor seating adjacent to the Bullpen Sports Bar, the Pontiac Fundamentals Area and the center field Fan Deck are sold out. These areas were sold as regular ticketed areas and will not be available to the public.
• Fans should arrive early to avoid traffic. Gates to the ballpark open at 4:00 p.m. on both days.
• The White Sox strongly recommend that fans utilize public transportation. The CTA Red Line stops near the ballpark at 35th Street and the Green Line is two blocks further east.
• Fans driving to the ballpark with reserved parking coupons should follow the directions on the coupon back to reach their assigned parking area. Parking coupons should be displayed prominently as fans approach the ballpark. All cars are subject to inspection.
• Cash parking will be very limited, and fans intending to drive and pay for cash parking should follow directional signs to available lots. Additional parking will be directed to IIT, Michael Reese Hospital and McCormick Place, where free shuttle service will be available each day.
• Tailgating is permitted, and parking lots will open at 3:00 p.m. Tailgating during and after games is prohibited.
• As is the policy throughout the regular season, fans holding tickets for the upper level will not be able to access other levels of the ballpark. This policy ensures that fans safely and comfortably enjoy the game with access to the areas of the ballpark where they bought tickets.
• Finally, the White Sox ask fans attending games to be respectful of the neighborhood and homes surrounding the ballpark before and after games.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
World Series Road Games 4 and 5 to be broadcast at the United Center 10/21/2005 11:48 AM ET MLB.com
CHICAGO -- The American League Champion Chicago White Sox have announced that World Series Games 4 and 5, being played Wednesday, October 26 and Thursday, October 27 in Houston, can be viewed by fans at the United Center, the home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks.
Tickets for the World Series viewing party are $15, with proceeds being split equally among the official charities of the White Sox, Blackhawks and Bulls. Both games begin at 7:30 p.m. CDT, and gates to the United Center will open at 6:30. Seating will be general admission.
The event will feature the White Sox famous opening introductions, scoreboard video montages and all of the promotions fans would experience at a White Sox home game. It will be the closest thing to being at U.S. Cellular Field.
"The World Series is the pinnacle of this exciting White Sox baseball season, and we knew our fans would want to watch the games together in an energized stadium atmosphere," said White Sox vice president of marketing Brooks Boyer. "We anticipate the possibility of inclement weather, so we were thrilled to work out a partnership with the Blackhawks and Bulls that ultimately will end up supporting worthwhile causes. We think our fans will feel good about that."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:39 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Houston, eh?So we finally find out what opponent we have for the World Series:
Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros
It's going to be a long, well fought series.
posted at 10:50 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Tickets? HA!World Series tickets went on sale at noon today.
Gone in 18 minutes.
Thank God we have ours already. There weren't a lot of tickets available anyway - I've heard 2,00-4,000.
Still don't know who we're playing.
Update: Well, it's Houston.
Update: Here's the word on tickets from the Inside The White Sox blog, written by Scott Reifert, their Vice President of Communications: I've gotten quite a few questions about how the tickets are distributed. The White Sox get our allotment for STH, etc. Then MLB takes a big chunk for the following: MLB sponsors, licensees, broadcasting partners, the media, all other 28 teams, every MLB player, umpire, etc.
What's left goes on sale to the public, which was just over 10,000 tickets available to the general public for the four games. If you figure there were 140,000 people trying to get 2,500 opportunities (since each could buy four tickets), you can determine how tough the odds are and how many fans were disappointed.
Update: This should put us in our place. 10,000 tickets in 18 minutes? How about Tickets for Wrestlemania 22, to be held in Chicago on April 2nd of next year at the Allstate Arena, were put on sale last week -- and sold out in less than two minutes. And that was 15,000 tickets.
posted at 06:15 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, October 16, 2005
OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODCHICAGO WHITE SOX - AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS - 2005 I didn't think we'd win 4 straight and actually go to the World Series! 4 straight games of complete game pitching?
This is unheard of.
Paul Konerko gets the ALCS MVP trophy.
No World Series appearance since 1959. 46 years. 16,825 days between qualifications.
No World Series win since 1917. 88 years. (let's not get ahead of ourselves)
I wish I could explain to you the feeling of following a team all your life and the team finally makes it to the championship. It's unbelievable.
Yes, there's tears. Tears of joy. I can't explain it. Relief. Pride. Excitement.
(Boxscore)
posted at 10:41 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, October 07, 2005
Sweep? Sweep? SWEEP!
read more of this entry »
First playoff series win since 1917
First playoff sweep in team history
We advance to the AL Championship series for the first time since 1993.
WE SWEPT BOSTON - how did that happen?
OH! Picture this - Damaso Marte (who I STILL don't understand why the HELL he's on our playoff roster) LOADS THE BASES WITH NO OUTS in the bottom of the 6th. 4-3 White Sox. It looks like it's over.
Ozzie - pissed at home plate umpire Mark Wegner's ball-strike calls - brings in former starter El Duque, Orlando Hernandez - who gets out of the inning with a foul out, a pop fly, and finally a strikeout (a Full-count check-swing by Johnny Damon was ruled that he actually went through the check).
After that, El Duque had two scoreless innings while allowing only a two-out single to John Olerud in the eighth.
Sox Win. WHITE Sox Win. And Advance.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 07:33 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, October 02, 2005
OK, now that the season's over...For the first time in a while (actually, only 5 years but it's long enough) it's time to get ready for post-season baseball.
But it took until today to figure out what was going on. We swept the Cleveland Indians (which I was surprised/shocked about).
We end the season TIED for the best record in all of baseball (best in the AL at least - we tied with the ST. Louis Cardinals) - 99-63. I think that's an OK comeback from our little "slide". (The Cardinals had the best record in baseball at 100-62. We came pretty damn close after losing our best record to them in August)
So, here's how the AL plays out for the ALDS First Round:
read more of this entry »
Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox
Gm 1 BOS @ CWS Tue Oct. 4 4:00 pm ESPN
Gm 2 BOS @ CWS Wed Oct. 5 7:00 pm ESPN
Gm 3 CWS @ BOS Fri Oct. 7 4:00 pm ESPN2
Gm 4* CWS @ BOS Sat Oct. 8 TBD
Gm 5* BOS @ CWS Sun Oct. 9 TBD
* - if necessary
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels
Gm 1 NYY @ LAA Tue Oct. 4 8:00 pm FOX
Gm 2 NYY @ LAA Wed Oct. 5 10:00 pm ESPN
Gm 3 LAA @ NYY Fri Oct. 7 8:00 pm ESPN
Gm 4* LAA @ NYY Sat Oct. 8 TBD
Gm 5* NYY @ LAA Sun Oct. 9 TBD
* - if necessary
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 03:42 PM | Link | White Sox | 2 comments § |
Thursday, September 29, 2005
As John Rooney would say... "Another White Sox Winner!"
MAGIC NUMBER 1 but it doesn't matter...
CHICAGO WHITE SOX - AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPIONS - 2005
Chicago's victory reduced its magic number to one, clinching a tie for the American League Central title. But even if the Indians were to sweep the three-game set at Jacobs Field this weekend, thus clinching a playoff berth, the White Sox would win the tiebreaker for the AL Central crown with an 11-8 edge in head-to-head play.
The reason the White Sox and Indians wouldn't play a one-game playoff is because, with the Red Sox and Yankees playing each other this weekend, one team would be guaranteed to finish out of the playoffs if the Indians swept the White Sox. And in instances in which two teams from the same division are guaranteed to make the playoffs, MLB does not use a one-game playoff, instead relying on head-to-head records to break the tie.
Alight, this is pretty damn exciting. I feel great. MY team is number one, and the Chicago National League Baseball Club is nowhere to be seen this year. We've taken all the crap you North Siders have dished out, and this particular year you've got nothing. Your team didn't even get to .500. So shut the hell up this year - next year, we're on again. This year - SHUT UP.
However, I will graciously extend my arm to help out anybody willing to jump on the bandwagon to see how far we can ride it this year.
I realize I live in Chicago. I realize we don't have the greatest history when it comes to championships with any professional team in the city. We may get no further than this round. This is OK. Like I said, come 2006 it's "Game On" all over again.
Here's two seemingly opposite stats that bring the whole year in focus as a great start and a sickening slide at the end: Only the 10th team in history to be in first place every day of the season, and the only team in history to have a 15-game lead drop below three games, And we still won it with 3 games to spare.
It sure is nice feeling being on top. Again.
I'm just excited that we get to raise a flag on Opening Day next year. I just wonder what it will say?
(White Sox 4 - Tigers 2 - Boxscore)
read more of this entry »
And as for my little rant above, here's a piece from today's Chicago Tribune:
Q: If a Cubs fan living in Chicago pulls against the White Sox, does it indicate he or she might be mentally unbalanced?
A: "If the teams are not directly competing against each other, the idea of a Cubs fan rooting against the White Sox becomes a little pathological," says Dr. Robert Burton, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Northwestern University. "Technically, it probably stems from some unresolved sibling rivalry kind of thing. Otherwise, you have to wonder what a Cubs fan has to gain by pulling against the White Sox. Not too much, really, unless it's to feel better about himself. If the White Sox lose, then they're both in the doghouse.
"A resolved sibling rivalry would let you enjoy the success of your neighbor, or whomever, and root against each other only when you're going head-to-head. Any kind of sibling rivalry is commonly referred to as arrested development. Then, you get history and other issues layered on top of everything, and it can compound things. I personally pay more attention to whichever team is succeeding."
-- Mike Conklin « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 02:26 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Magic Number 2 1 2Oh, crap... I don't know how my body is going to survive the stress.
One more game against Detroit.
3 final games against our nemesis Cleveland.
Magic Number is reduced with each White Sox win or Cleveland loss.
Magic Number to clinch the division.
Update: Magic numbers are so confusing... If we want to limp-in, the Magic Number is 1.
BUT - If we win tomorrow, and Cleveland wins the rest of 3-game series against them, WE TIE for the AL Central. But then, the White Sox would win the tiebreaker for the American League Central by an 11-8 record in head-to-head competition.
Oh, and let's muddy the water with a coin-toss: If we limp-in with a Wild Card spot, The Sox won a coin toss to host a possible one-game Wild Card playoff contest against either the Yankees or Red Sox on Monday (because the Yankees or the Red Sox are guaranteed 2 losses this weekend - they 're playing a 3-game series against each other)
posted at 09:07 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 25, 2005
White Sox 4 - Twins 1
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90 minute rain delay. It really came down. I sat out in the rain - alone - with my rain slicker on, siting in my assigned seat. The tarp on the field was upside-down - I wonder if the sponsor printed on the front didn't re-up for the full season. When the tarp was pulled and the field was readied, the ceremonial first pitch was John Rooney throwing to Ed Farmer. He broadcasted his last home game today after 17 years with the team. This was a great broadcast team - Rooney & Farmer have been rated second behind Vin Scully as best broadcast team (and, obviously first in the AL). And now, after the contract with AM-1000 MVP (The ESPN Flagship station) is over and the broadcasts go to The Score WSCR 670, a MUCH smaller station with a much more powerful signal) Rooney can't get the money he wants, doesn't like the way he Sox treated and leaves the organization (this sounds exactly like any long-time White Sox Player when he hits the end of his contract and the Sox just don't want to pay). I can't imagine what the radio broadcasts will be like without him.
Another screamer of a game - Mark Buehrle worked fast again - the game lasted 1:53.
A very cool thing happened during the game: It was obvious that EVERYONE was doing scoreboard watching. The whole place erupted in cheers, applause, and just all-out noise... just as Buehrle was getting ready to pitch to Luis Rivas, with one out, nobody on base and the White Sox leading, 1-0. Kansas City beat the Indians in the bottom of the 9th (The Indians had won 17 of their last 19 and 38 of their last 50! WE CAN'T SHAKE THEM!). THANK YOU ROYALS! The players had no idea what was going on - neither did the broadcasters. Oh, but we did.
Today was the annual end-of-season Fan Appreciation Day (alas, once again, we weren't appreciated).
But we had to leave the game early... and you know I DON'T leave a game EARLY...
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posted at 05:05 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 24, 2005
White Sox 8 - Twins 1
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Another great night for a ballgame.
And the ceremonial first pitch is tossed out by... Robin Leach? WTF? I guess he's here for some Illinois Lottery thing - there are people dressed-up as lottery balls all over the park causing havoc.
Would you believe a single-season record 18th sellout of the season at U.S. Cellular Field? In a way, I'm ecstatic, in another way, I'm embarrassed - only 18 in a season?
I can feel it - the team is turning around. Yes, it's the Twins that we're playing and we seem to have the number of every team in the AL Central, so maybe the scheduling was good. Maybe by winning we can pull ourselves out of this funk.
And, oh what a way to pull out - a 6-run 3rd inning. Small ball, long ball, smart ball.. I'm going to cheat here and just include a piece from MLB.com on the recap of the inning: Scott Podsednik opened the third with a double to right, followed by Tadahito Iguchi's perfectly placed bunt. It was Iguchi's second of four hits on the night, matching a career high previously set on May 3 against Kansas City. A.J. Pierzynski followed with a run-scoring double, marking his first RBI against his old team in 52 at-bats, and Paul Konerko drove in a second run with a single to right.
Dye capped the rally with a three-run blast to right on a 2-2 pitch from Mays, increasing his home-run lead among all Major League right fielders, and producing his second blast in as many nights. Joe Crede added his 21st home run off Matt Guerrier in the frame, equaling a career high.
After the game, before the fireworks, the Illinois Lottery brought out 20 winners of some contest that -as a second chance to a losing lottery ticket - people won brand new cars (Road to Riches). So 20 cars paraded out onto the track all around the field. (This whole thing was MC'ed by Robin Leach and whoever it is that's in charge of the Lottery... oh, I didn't mention it, but just as I had suspected, Leach can't throw a baseball. That ceremonial first pitch was pretty poor). The cars all stopped and the owners got out. In the trunks were signs that showed how much additional money they had won - up to $25,000. 3 of them had Lottery Logo signs. Those 3 people walked to Center Field and chose one of three huge Scratch-off cards sitting on easels. They were given what looked like a snow/ice scraper to scrape off the covering of the cards. It was obvious from the start that no one at the Lottery actually tested these scratch-off cards. The covering wasn't coming off. After many minutes, the contestants were given what looked like credit cards to try and get a better edge to scrape off the covering. No Dice. Finally, someone gave one of them a bottle opener - probably from the Bullpen Sports Bar. Well, that guy was finally able to scrape off the ticket - and he was the Grand Prize winner. In addition to his car he also won $1 million! The other 2 each won $100,000.
this was supposed to have been the largest single lottery event in the nation (with the dollar amount of the prizes given). It was going fine until the scratch cards (or as we like to call them, the scratch-and-sniff cards). Pretty embarrassing for the Lottery. And then it was time for the final fireworks of the season, but the left the cars on the track until afterward (looked pretty cool if you got one of the Pontiac Crossfire convertibles and you can sit in your brand new car, on the field, and watch the fireworks).
First back-to-back wins for the Sox since Sept. 6-7. Let this nightmare be over! Still only 1½ games ahead of Cleveland (They're relentless! They won't leave us alone!) MAGIC NUMBER: 7 (For the AL Central Championship, 6 just to get into the playoffs)
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posted at 10:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, September 23, 2005
Great. Taunt me.
So, guess what came in the mail yesterday.
My playoff and World Series tickets.
I think that stabbing pain I had yesterday (which hasn't gone away, it's just "significantly muted") was to show me what a Cub Fan feels like.
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Let's look back at August 1st...
The White Sox are solidly in First Place of the AL Central, 15 games ahead of Cleveland, and owners of the best record in all of baseball - 69-35.
This morning, still in first, but only by 1½ games over Cleveland. It's the Sox' smallest lead since April 30. They have a record of 91-61, still best in all of the American League but no longer best in all of baseball. We were the first team to 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 wins. Not to 80 and not to 90. There's 10 games left in the season. Their magic number is 9.
The last three games of the season is against Cleveland. We lost to Minnesota last night. The White Sox have lost 10 of 14. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 08:49 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 11, 2005
White Sox 1 - Angels 6
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Hotter today than yesterday. This time we came better prepared by bringing wet frozen hand towels (in ziploc bags) in Carol's bag the she brings to every game. Can keep drinks cold (or at least much cooler) or use on your face, neck, hands, and head to cool down.
However, we started the day by picking up our friend Janie and having Sunday Brunch at the Stadium Club restaurant. we hadn't had a sit-down meal at the club all season, so we thought we should do that while we could.
Well, the great El Duque - Orlando Herndandez - was crap today. He gave up 4 runs in two innings . He was pulled for our new guy, Brandon McCarthy, whom I like a lot. He lasted 5 2/3 innings and only gave up 2 runs.
Our offense has virtually disappeared. we don't score until the bottom of the 9th, and it was only 1 run.
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posted at 09:45 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 10, 2005
White Sox 5 - Angels 10
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I wasn't ready for the heat and humidity today, and got to the ballpark ill-prepared.
It's a 12:15 game - Fox picked up the broadcast. Was supposed to be a 6pm game, so that's why the place is half empty (but will still have a decent attendence number because they count tickets sold - paid attendance - and how many people really knew about the time change. And here it is - a battle of two first place teams.
Hey! Bill Wennington (former chicago Bull) threw out the first pitch! (But so did Leon Spinx... big contrast there)
If this is a possible post-season matchup, we'rein trouble. The game was a mess. Even though, we're first to score and lead 2-0 through 2, Jon Garland gives up 7 runs in 6 innings. Call-up David Sanders comes in at the top of the 7th. ONE PITCH - Chone Figgins homered to left. FOUR PICHES - Orlando Cabrera walked. Garret Anderson looks at a strike, hits one foul, and on his THIRD PITCH doubled to deep right, scoring Orlando Cabrera. Vladimir Guerrero on frst pitch hit sacrifice fly to center, Garret Anderson scored.
Let's see... 1 + 4 + 3 + 1 = 9 pitches = 3 runs.
Ozzie actually throws in the towel, and starts substituting players (5 of them) during our half of the 7th, and we put 3 more runs on the board.
Not enough.
(Boxscore)
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posted at 04:59 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 04, 2005
White Sox 2 - Tigers 0
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Kind of a funky day - great temp, but cloudy/hazy.
Today was a Kid's Day and, for the first time ever, the starters were not available to sign autographs. (Found out that Ozzie "was trying to give them as much rest as he could given the schedule of the next few days").
The Ameriquest Blimp flew over the park again today (it was here for the whole series - except yesterday. Did Comcast pay for it? It was WGN yesterday...)
Jon Garland threw a complete in game in 2:07, better than Mark Buehrle 's time yesterday, and went to 17-8.
The team needed this series to start to get that winning feeling back. They're doing it with everything - pitching, hitting, defense, long ball, small ball, smart ball.
Saw something new (thanks to the "Grinder Rules" radio commercials): when Scott Podsednik is on base, the crowd starts to chant "Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!". It messes with the pitchers. Works pretty well, too. (Well, except Scotty got a Caught Steeling third).
So, where are we?
No longer the best record in baseball (St. Louis 87-50), but best in the AL at 84-51. Not the First team to reach 80 Wins (St. Louis, again). First Place in the AL Central, 9½ games ahead of Cleveland, 12½ in front of Minnesota. Magic Number? 18 , I believe.
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posted at 05:44 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 03, 2005
White Sox 6 - Tigers 2
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Gorgeous night at the park. Actually, there's a few thousand more people here than I expected (30,509). We have never experienced a night like this with the amount of foul balls that came our way, either right at us or within a section. Unbelievable.
Great effort tonight. Mark Buehrle got his 15th win (I don't think he can make 20 this year), and we had homers by Rowand and Dye.
The most unsettling and unsatisfying thing happened outside the game, when the White Sox announce that broadcaster John Rooney wouldn't be coming back to the broadcast booth after 18 seasons - a SHAME and a GREAT LOSS.
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posted at 09:12 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, August 21, 2005
White Sox 6 - Yankees 2
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A WHITE SOX WINNER!!!
The streak is over!!! (for now, anyway)
What a gorgeous day for baseball - perhaps the best yet. No clouds in the sky, the humidity has dropped from yesterday. Gametime temperature 78 degrees.
No Goodyear Blimp today... so we had a B-1B High speed pass over the park after the National Anthem! (No Thunderbirds today - they actually had a mid-air incident during yesterday's show where two planes touched, dislodging the missile rail on one jet's wing, sending it fluttering (carbon composite?) into Lake Michigan).
We had a pre-game concert by somebody named Michael Tolcher. Odd.
The big deal in this game is the 4th inning against Randy Johnson.
Everything happened so quickly - at least it felt like it. Would you believe 4 home runs in the inning? THREE in a row?
And a few singles, too.
The crowd really let loose. I guess it was just that streak that got to all of us (not to mention the players). It was such a relief. I've included details of the inning below from MLB.com:
Pitch 1 - Foul Bunt
Pitch 2 - Foul
Pitch 3 - Ball
Pitch 4 - Foul
Pitch 5 - Foul
Pitch 6 - In play, out(s) recorded
Pablo Ozuna grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Tino Martinez.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - Ball
Pitch 2 - Ball
Pitch 3 - In play, run-scoring play
Tadahito Iguchi homers (12) on a fly ball to right field.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - Swinging Strike
Pitch 2 - Ball
Pitch 3 - Ball
Pitch 4 - Called Strike
Pitch 5 - Foul
Pitch 6 - In play, run-scoring play
Aaron Rowand homers (11) on a fly ball to right center field.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - Called Strike
Pitch 2 - Swinging Strike
Pitch 3 - In play, run-scoring play
Paul Konerko homers (32) on a fly ball to left field.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - In play, no out recorded
Jermaine Dye singles on a line drive to left fielder Hideki Matsui.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - In play, no out recorded
Juan Uribe singles on a line drive to right fielder Tony Womack. Jermaine Dye to 3rd.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - Pickoff Attempt 1B
Pitch 2 - Pickoff Attempt 1B
Pitch 3 - Ball
Pitch 4 - Swinging Strike
Pitch 5 - Foul
Pitch 6 - In play, run-scoring play
Chris Widger homers (4) on a fly ball to left field. Jermaine Dye scores. Juan Uribe scores.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - In play, out(s) recorded
Brian Anderson pops out to third baseman Alex Rodriguez in foul territory.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - Ball
Pitch 2 - Ball
Pitch 3 - Ball
Pitch 4 - Called Strike
Pitch 5 - In play, out(s) recorded
Geoff Blum lines out sharply to shortstop Derek Jeter.
------------------------------
"The ball that Widger hit was literally shoulder-high," added Johnson, who had allowed 12 home runs in 116 1/3 previous career innings against the White Sox. "It wasn't meant to be a strike, it wasn't a strike, and had he not hit it, it would have probably gone to the backstop. In the fourth inning, all [heck] broke loose. I don't have an explanation for it."
During all of this, there was a kid is a Kerry Woods Cubs jersey and Yankees hat walking up and down the aisle giving the thumbs down on all of this, trying to shut-up the Sox fans. (like that was going to happen.) As a note: Worst fans at a Sox game: 1) Cub fans 2) Yankees fans. Somehow, the Boston fans seen so much nicer than either of these two groups. At least we can co-exist and have a good time. Not so with Cubs and Yankees fans.
Anyway, here's to hoping that the upcoming 10-game road trip is successful now that the streak is off their backs. We need to turn this around.
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posted at 09:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 20, 2005
White Sox 0 - Yankees 5
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SEVEN STRAIGHT LOSSES
SEVEN
The white Sox haven't lost 7 straight all season. They haven't lost 6 straight all season. They haven't lost 5 straight all season.
SEVEN
No one is hitting. No one is running. Pitching is suspect. Defense is falling apart - no one is paying attention, getting in the moment.
They're frustrated.
Even worse - it looks like they're burned out. Best record in Major League Baseball. GONE. 15 game lead? Down to 8½ games. You don't want to get to the end of the season on a slump - you want to "find yourselves" and get the team turned around and start winning again and start on the upward climb as you approach post-season.
Weather was crappy today - 79 degrees but the most humidity we've ever had - almost the most uncomfortable game of the year. I sat down after my usual walks around the park and placed my arms in my lap. A couple of outs later I picked them up and my pants were soaked through where my arms were. Never happened to me before. Weird.
Today was Beatle Tribute Day - the Beatles played at old Comiskey Park 40 years ago today. Good music and tribute bands around the park. After the game, a concert - at Gate 5 - the location of Old Comiskey Park (quite fitting). (Pete Best actually threw out the first pitch.)
Today was also the Chicago Air and Water show. We usually see some planes flying over, but not today - we had the Goodyear Blimp today (Fox 12:15 game) (as well as at last night's game - no idea why) and planes can't fly near here if the blimp is here. Very disappointing.
Just a very disappointing day.
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posted at 04:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Invoice - $995I came home from work today and there it was in my mailbox.
An invoice.
For Post Season tickets.
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Since we're partial season ticket holders, we're not entitled to all of the games - we get all 3 Divisional Series ($55 each), we get 1 ALCS game ($100 each) and 1 World Series game ($185 each), as well as parking for all of the games. Major League Baseball also does not allow the team to honor the season ticket holder seats, so we're in a near or adjacent section. Cost - $995.
I'm happy and giddy and scared all at the same time - I giddy about the possibility of post-season games... but we're playing pretty poorly out there right now. Like we're burned out.
And burned out isn't a good place to be with only 45 games left in the season « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:37 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Stupid Yankee Fan
Carol and I were watching the Sox game tonight when something really bizarre happened.
It was the bottom of the eighth - the Sox were winning against the Yankees in New York.
All of a sudden, you hear the fans get riled-up. The TV crew takes to a shot of - some fan that fell out of the upper deck and is now laying in the net attached to the backstop! Holy crap!
Update: There are reports that the kid jumped. 18-year-old Scott Harper of Armonk, N.Y. told three friends he was sitting with that he was going to test whether the net would hold his weight -- and then he jumped, police said.
Harper was arrested and police expect to charge him with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
Idiot.
I do like these comments, though:
"I've never seen anything like that before," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I think that's New York, you know, anything can happen."
"That was the only exciting thing that happened today," Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said.
posted at 08:55 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, August 07, 2005
White Sox 3 - Mariners 1
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I got to the park with less than an hour and a half before gametime - and I was still later than I wanted to be there.
Today was a special day - today is Carton Fisk Tribute Day. The White Sox were unveiling a bronze statue to Carlton Fisk on the outfield concourse (they're building a whole monument area out there over the coming years of all of the players that impacted the franchise - probably specifically the players that have their numbers retired by the team.) I couldn't get a good spot - obviously there are more fans of Pudge than there were of Minnie Minoso's on his day. I wound up standing behind the area. Everything "in front" was taken, even the staircase going up to the Fan Deck was full. So, I walked up to the fence and stood next to... Moose Skowron. The security guys kept coming over, inviting Moose to come "inside" the ceremonial area, and he kept refusing - he forgot his wearable credentials today, he didn't play with him, etc. Eventually, the 6-time All-Star, 5-time World Series winner accepted the invite. Roland Hemond was there - the GM that brought-in Pudge. Jerry Reinsdorf and Kenny Williams (with left arm in a sling after blowing a bicep muscle) were there. Ron Kittle was there (I saw him Friday night at Elvis night, making the rounds around the main concourse. Tom Shaer was the MC of the event - and as the event started, with Carlton and his entire family present (wife, son, two daughters, four grandchildren and parents), teammates Ozzie Guillen, Harold Baines and Greg walker - in uniform for the game - came up to join in the festivities. Then, sneaking in later, Jack McDowell showed-up.
The statue is really good - it's Fisk to a "T". It's really something to see. It's by Chicago artist Lou Cella, who also did the Harry Caray statue outside Wrigley Field, as well as statues for the Detroit Tigers (which is what this area is starting to turn into).
Carlton had a bunch of things to say, things that just seemed very poignant. He referred to joining the team as "back then when I changed my Sox".
Here's a guy who's in the Hall Of Fame, that says:
"This is the most spectacular and significant recognition that I've probably ever had in my whole life"
and
"I wanted to play forever. Now I'm going to stand here forever."
After the ceremony, Pudge threw out the first pitch - to Jack McDowell.
In a totally karmic moment, the Sox won today - it is win 72 of the season - the same as Carton Fisk's uniform number with the White Sox - 72.
In the game - (other than putting-up with the Mascots from the Chicago teams throwing out t-shirts into the crowd between innings) was a SCARY but wonderful catch by Aaron Rowand who hit the centerfield wall at full speed and held on to the ball when he collapsed face forward to the ground.
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posted at 09:51 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 06, 2005
White Sox 4 - Mariners 2
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I picked-up Barry at about 4:30, worked our way around the blocked-streets taken-up by the Northalsted Market Days, and high-tailed it down LSD (Lake Shore Drive for you non-Chicagoans) to the South Side. I was lucky enough to have Barry as my guest to the game tonight (substituting for Carol). I think I enjoy a game with somebody that likes baseball than going alone. And, I swear to God, I didn't know it was Japanese American Night...
We had our traditional "Sausages Around the World" dinner of a Polish (with grilled onions) and a Brat (with sauerkraut) - Barry seemed disappointed that - with the new permanent vending stands - the "top secret sauerkraut drawer" was gone. (A few years ago, when they were using portable carts, when you would ask for a brat with kraut, it was almost as if you were whispering to the vendor "with kraut" because it wasn't anywhere to be seen. The vendor then would open a drawer underneath the grill to access the private stash to put the kraut in the bun.)
Maybe it was that we were paying attention to the game, but we seemed to play better tonight (a homering by Konerko and more stolen bases - 2 by Podsednik and 1 by Iguchi). It was a game of manufactured runs - 4 runs on 4 hits with only 3 walks and only 2 left on base.
We took a quick walk around the park, since Barry hadn't been there in a few years. We stopped on stood in the doorway of Nancy Faust's booth to watch her play the 7th inning stretch (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you go to a game at the park - Nancy always has her door open and there's something timeless yet tinged with potential fear of knowing that someday you may never again experience Take Me Out To The Ball Game played by a stadium organist). I had to show Barry the outfield concourse which has tuned into Party Central on weekends. Here is where the action is - people meet, drink, smoke, and socialize out on the concourse. I've got a feeling that if I was 20-25 years younger and didn't care too much for the game, that's where I would be. Barry commented on how much it smelled like a saloon out there - beer and smoke everywhere.
The fire works were great, as usual and the drive back to Barry's house was a hell of a lot better than this afternoon's drive up the drive to his house.
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posted at 10:19 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, August 05, 2005
White Sox 2 - Mariners 4
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The annual Elvis Night at U. S. Cellular Field. Starting outside the park, everything is just about the same as every year - impersonators on stages performing to the crowd. The crowd every year is what changes. I'm convinced that this year, everything is just tweaked-up a notch. There just seems like more people are "dressing" the part, whether they went the full jumpsuit approach, with hair and glasses, or just partially participating by wearing the aviator sunglasses with fake sideburns hanging from the frames. There are more kids dressing up, too. You know, 6-9 year olds. Odd. Then there's always the people that - you can just tell - are the real Elvis fans, still basking in the glow of the King, even when the King is fake. Poor Shawn Klush had equipment problems outside and the CD player with his background music kept cutting out.
Inside, the park was a sell-out. It's the 11th Sell-Out of the year - and is a franchise record. I fell embarrassed knowing that 11 sellouts in a year is a franchise record.
The E-Team flew in the flag during the National Anthem (sung by Shawn Klush) and had did their lighted-jump after the game in the dark. The Steppin' Out Dads did their little routines after the game and Shawn Klush headlined the post-game concert and then we had the best Elvis-night fireworks that I've seen.
Didn't win the Sox Split Charity Raffle this year (It was over $6,300) - the dry spell continues to three years.
Somehow, by going to the game alone, I didn't pay attention to the game play itself, and only knew that we lost the game, and it was Freddie Garcia pitching against his old team. Our only 2 runs were solo homeruns by Rowand and Pierzynski.
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posted at 11:46 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, July 24, 2005
White Sox 6 - Red Sox 4
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GAME TIME TEMPERATURE: 100 DEGREES
37,168 showed-up on a day that the mercury hit 102 degrees.
As for us - we IMMMDIATELY headed for the Stadium Club and got seats along the upper rail.
I can't tell you much about the game - Gary called the final score before the first pitch as Sox winning 9-2 and we totally dismissed him. He was a lot closer than we thought he was.
During the game I went out onto the outfield concourse to see what was going on. The sun was unbearable. I saw two different triage areas being run by medical staffs that had people holding 25lbs bags of ice on there heads while sitting on chairs as the await wheelchairs to get themselves hauled out to someplace to cool down. The line for the Rain Room was the longest I have ever seen, and it was slow moving as no one wanted to leave the cold water.
New Magic Number: 53.
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posted at 10:32 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 23, 2005
White Sox 0 - Red Sox 3
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We somehow dodged still another horrendous weather day by getting the tail of a storm come through before the game/ It never made the 90's today because of the cloud cover - game time was 81 degrees.
Tough, tough game. El Duque actually pitched OK. Orlando Hernandez had 2 runs and 4 hits in 6 2/3 innings, with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts...
Second base umpire Paul Nauert blew 2 obvious calls for the White Sox. When you see calls like this, you can't help but wonder if this guy was paid-off.
This is showing the character if the team - we're coming-up short on offense, the pitching has been... adequate. We've lost 3 games in our leas against the 2nd place Twins, and are now not 13 games ahead but 10 (whoops 10 1/2, the Twins split a bouble-header today). New Magic Number: 54.
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posted at 10:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, July 18, 2005
Magic Number61
I don't get it. The Chicago Tribune is posting the Magic Number for the Chicago White Sox. It's just days after the All-Star Game. This is Chicago. Nobody goes out on a limb like this when it comes to sports teams in town.
But here we are - the Sox still have the best record in all of baseball, again the first team to 60 wins. As of this morning, they're 12 games ahead of the 2nd place team (Twins). I'm not expecting to retain the "best record in baseball" title much longer - the St. Louis Cardinals are just 2 games behind in the win column and they have been stronger than the Sox.
And now the media have started noticing the local team that's actually in First Place and I'm getting that "jinxed" feeling, when you don't say certain things even when they're right in front of you, so you don't jinx the situation and have it change.
And there it is - Magic Number 61 - the number of White Sox wins and 2nd place team losses needed to win the division.
It's only July and they're calculating and publishing a Magic Number.
Scary.
posted at 05:22 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, July 10, 2005
White Sox 8 - Athletics 9 (11 innings)
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Another hot, sunny one.
It was a battle all game, though. We actually had a lead... once.
Man, Oakland has our number. I just wanted the game to be over. and they swept us. It just seamed like a struggle every single damn game and going into the All Star Break with a 3-game loosing streak can't be good. The real pressure is coming up. All of September are division opponents. It's when we hit Boston and New York in August that it'll really show where we are.
I hope we don't fade.
But here we are - we STILL have the best record in all of baseball (been that way all first half), and we're still in First Place, nine games ahead of the Twins.
Nice place to be - how long can we stay?
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posted at 10:39 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 09, 2005
White Sox 1 - Athletics 10
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audblog audio post
So, yes, I was in the booth with organist Nancy Faust for the 7th Inning Stretch! She actually invited me in when I was standing outside, just watching!
What an absolutely gorgeous night for baseball. Unfortunately, we have a team that really has our number - the Oakland Athletics. Our two All Star Pitchers - Garland and Buehrle couldn't do a thing to stop[ them, and we couldn't do a thing against their pitching.
This might just turn into a suck-it-up and move on type of weekend series.
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posted at 10:06 PM | Link | White Sox | 2 comments § |
Sunday, June 26, 2005
White Sox 0 - Cubs 2
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Hotter today than yesterday. In the sun longer, too.
This much I will say: pitchers' duel. It was a great display.
Other than that, THANK GOD THIS IS OVER and we can concentrate on teams that matter.
Hated - absolutely hated - all of those fans that don't know where the hell they're driving going to the parks, don't know where their walking along the concourse, and don't know when to shut the hell up.
We still have the best record in baseball.
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posted at 07:15 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 25, 2005
White Sox 2 - Cubs 6
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We prepared for the worst weather-wise, but even though it was in the 90's, there was a breeze directly off the lake, allowing us to survive the afternoon from the weather.
We were talking to Victor before the game, and we had all come to the same conclusion. We hate going to these games. We hate the people that show up. We hate the Cub fans at the Cell. We're better off selling our tickets and watching the game in the comfort and safety of our homes.
Jose Contreras sucks and sucked. Gave up a grand slam in the 1st and that just tainted the whole damn game from there. I mean, he hit 3 batters, had 2 wild pitches, 105 pitches - 61 were strikes. He was just all over the place. Carl Everett and Jermaine Dye had back to back homers. Whoopee.
So much for that winning streak, dead after 8 games straight.
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posted at 07:12 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, June 24, 2005
HedgingLet me go on the record here, before anything gets started this weekend.
It has nothing to do with NextFest at Navy Pier, or the wonderful gastronomical Taste Of Chicago that kicks off today.
No, it has to do with baseball, interleague play, and the damn Cubs-Sox series.
I hate this event. Just hate it. I just can't stand the people that show up at the park, get plastered, and start shouting asinine comments at people and just looking for a damn fight. It's both sides of the aisle, both sides are guilty. I just hate the environment. Makes it quite difficult to try and enjoy the game.
We're in the middle of a pretty damn intense heat wave. Temps today are supposed to be around 96, with a Heat Index of 105.
Things happen in an environment like that.
Now, that being said, I don't have a good feeling about the outcome of these games either.
The Sox start the series 9 1/2 games in First Place in the AL Central, with a record of 49-22, the best in all of baseball.
Means nothing in this series. It's all about the outcome of these three games. And even though we lead the series 2-1 so far, I'm not sure we''ll come out winning this series. There's something in the back of my head that feels we can't do it right now. We've won the last 7 games - can we continue it? It seems like a longshot to come out on top for the weekend.
I don't know, it's just a feeling.
That's it. Go about your business.
UPDATE: Score of today's game: Sox 12 - Cubs 2
posted at 08:52 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, June 19, 2005
White Sox 4 - Dodgers 3
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This game had failure written all over it before it even started. Let's see, ESPN National Game. Bad news - Sox don't do well on National TV. Game 3 of the series that we're winning 2-0 - Sox don't sweep. They just never seem to get there. Jose Contreras pitching - catcher A.J. Pierzynski has said that sometime even he doesn't know what Contreras is going to throw.
The crowd was down from yesterday - 27,350 - but it's probably because it's Sunday Night instead of a day game, like normal. But they were really into the game. This series has just been exciting - and it just doesn't seem we're out of it.
It was the 21st White Sox comeback victory this season along with the club's fifth three-game sweep. Cliff Politte - a reliever - is now 5-0! And Dustin Hermanson closed - something we haven't seen in well over a week - for his 16th save.
And here it is - 23 days away from the All-Star Game, and we're 7 1/2 games in First Place, with still the best record in all of baseball (46-22).
It was a wonderful, electrifying experience to be at these games.
And yet, after all that, I still don't have a good feeling about the games this weekend against the Cubs...
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posted at 11:34 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 18, 2005
White Sox 5 - Dodgers 3
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Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap, holy crap... I haven't felt this alive and this excited at a ballgame in a long, long time...
Today was "Turn Back The Clock" day for the Sox, as we "re-live" the 1959 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. They have not been back to Comiskey Park since the World Series (OK, it's not the same Comiskey Park, and the new place is not even called Comiskey Park anymore...)
Before the game they introduced 10 players from the 1959 team (hardly any first-stringers - I don't think they're alive or ambulatory).
The Sox wore 1959-style uniforms. This is my favorite uniform of this team. (Yes, they've had 51 different uniforms since 1901). These were cream-colored pinstripes. The Sox logo in the chest actually was piped in red. So were the numbers. I remember having a Sox uniform when I was a kid. It was so cool. I remember wearing it one night to Comiskey to see a twi-night doubleheader (I think it was against the Athletics... the Kansas City Athletics).
So, the team tonight wore the bulky, wool uniforms, and showing respect for the uni, they all bloused their trousers so you could see their socks. Cool look.
During the game, all of the graphics on the scoreboard were done in the same colors and typeface of the programs and scorecards from 1959. Again, a good touch. They even played a song that was popular at that time (Let's Go Go Go White Sox! by Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers).
No matter what, I cannot do justice writing about what it was like to be at this game tonight.
First off, Freddie Garcia threw 40 pitches in the first inning. I hate seeing stuff like that.
We were losing 3-1 in the bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, with only 3 hits under our belt. We get 2 runs on a walk, some good baserunning and a few hits. The game is tied. Then, with a 3-2 count on him, A.J. Pierzynski homers and we win 5-3.
The place went up all 36,067 of them. The team went nuts. It was loud, It was electric. I can not describe the feeling and do it justice. I can't. It felt like a playoff... or even better. It was wild. People were actually singing that damn Let's Go Go Go White Sox song. Everyone is pumped.
Wow.
Electric.
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posted at 10:16 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Sunday, June 05, 2005
White Sox 4 - Indians 6 (12 innings)
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Seems like every time I write about going to a baseball game, I'm complaining about the weather. Guess what? Yes, I'm complaining again. It's like I'm never satisfied. Today it's because it's sunny, upper 80's (normally, I wouldn't complain about that one iota) but excessive humidity. Oppressive humidity. The kind that sucks the breath, and yea, even the life out of you. My body doesn't tolerate this mix very well at all. Walking up the stairs to the concourse from our seats leaves me light-headed and weak-kneed. The high humidity - high temperature in front of a cold front coming through is stirring-up the atmosphere. Though it never really "rained" at the park, there were tornado warnings south of us.
We were hoping that Mark Buehrle would have one of his usual quick games. Yes, that would make everything right.
Wrong. He gave up 3 runs over 6 and a third. The game got real sluggish (maybe it was just me getting sluggish). Anyway, Tadahito Iguchi - after absolutely screwing-up a double play possibility in the 4th by touching 2nd and running-off the field, only to have made Out Number 2 and not 3 to end the inning - hit a 2-run homer in the 7th and tied the game. Considering the double-overtime last night, and the fact that Carol hasn't felt good since Thursday, and I was feeling funky from the heat, we left in the 8th. The game went 12 innings and we lost, thank you normally solid Dustin Hermanson, walking 2 and getting a throwing error to let the winning run in.
Hey - Frank Thomas FINALLY got productive with his first home run in the 10th. It didn't help - that just tied it up again (we were down one at the time).
We still left 11 on base.
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posted at 06:25 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, May 30, 2005
White Sox 5 - Angels 4
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Today was actually a gorgeous day - sunny, not a cloud in the sky, temp s just under 70 degrees. Before the game, there was a video tribute to former White Sox shortstop Chico Carrasquel who died this past week. They played the Venezuelan National Anthem (which feels a lot longer than ours). The Great Lakes Naval Band played our National Anthem, and then Challenger - a bald eagle - flew into the stadium and landed on his handler who was standing on the pitching mound. It turns out, we saw challenger before the game just flying around the park. We thought it was a hawk at first, but it just didn't look right. It was bigger.
Today marked the return of Frank Thomas, who hasn't played since last July. He went 0-for-2 and got hurt - strained hip flexor. I didn't feel he was ready to come back - now I'm positive. He's not helping the team.
Mark Buerhle pitched a decent game, all the way into the 9th. Unfortunately, Damaso Marte came in, blew a save opportunity, blew the lead. I really didn't think we'd get out of it. But we did. And we NEEDED it.
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posted at 07:32 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, May 15, 2005
White Sox 2 - Orioles 6
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It was a cold, blustery day today, so it was another game in the Stadium Club.
The White Sox's streak of consecutive games led ended at 37. Now, granted, I had never heard of this stat before this season, but it was a cool one.
100 pitches for Jose Contreras, but he gets the loss and is 1-1 (great record, eh?).
Snakebit? I'll tell you how our mojo was going during the game:
Jay Gibbons hits a screamer right down the Right Field line. It never makes it to the wall - a SECURITY GUY picks up the ball. THE SECURITY GUY, not some drunk or out-of-touch fan, reaching over the rail. NO. It had to be THE GUY THAT STOPS THE OTHER PEOPLE FROM TOUCHING THE BALL OR GOING ON THE FIELD. Did HE get thrown out? Oh, no. He sat on his little stool - facing away from the plate - for the rest of the game.
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posted at 09:34 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 14, 2005
White Sox 6 - Orioles 9
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Well, I knew the Baltimore Orioles were going to be a good test to see how we're doing. They've got the second-best record in baseball, behind us.
We get 6 runs and that's not enough? Pitching, my friends. Pitching. The entire staff still isn't doing well. Freddie Garcia is now 3-3 - what the hell was he still doing in the game at 112 pitches? Giving up 7 earned runs with 2 homers, that's what. TOO LONG. You can't keep him in that long yet. I thought Ozzie was going to keep a tight rein on him?
Pretty windy tonight - gusts up to 31 mph, so it's a bit uncomfortable.
Actually went to customer service tonight to file a compliment, not a complaint. Why? We always purchase parking coupons with our season tickets. It's just easier and more convenient. I've always felt, though, by purchasing these coupons that you should get some sort of preferential treatment somehow. Like, maybe, and entire lot that is coupon only - no cash, and it would be right next to the park. Since it was going to be almost a sellout, we got to the park just a few minutes earlier than usual. We noticed that "our lot" (Lot E) was only half-full, but there were no cars pulling in. When we got to the gate, we found out what was going on - they were accepting coupons only! Yes! This is the way it should be!
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posted at 10:17 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Sox Yard Sale
Time for my annual commute to the White Sox Yard Sale (formerly Garage Sale) at U.S. Cellular Field. Again, this year it was held in the Patio area while Family Day was held out on the field itself, where the outfield was covered with families running around playing catch. How cool it is to watch these families - dads and sons and daughters just playing catch in the outfield of a major league ballpark. It really is special. Sort of a weird passing of the torch, inspiring the young ones to get involved in baseball.
Anyway, there weren't many racks of game-worn jerseys this year - I think there was only 3 or 4. The "deals" in jerseys would be the most recently traded or released players - this year, that would be Carlos Lee and Jose Valentin - both players had at least half a dozen jerseys on the rack that went quickly. This year, I picked up a jacket for Carol (a gray "Away-Style" version) and one for me (the standard black "Home-Style" version). at $75 each, they were a steal. I can't find any ID in Carol's jacket, but I found a "46" in mine - I guess that would be Neal Cotts.
Good turnout. I don't know why people buy player's hats. Just don't want to wear something that sweaty. And bats? Most of them were cracked, but some were still in good shape. Had some catchers gear, too. Actually the best deal is the Media Guides from all of the MLB teams for 25 cents each.
Odd things? Bricks from old Comiskey, Parking Lot signs, and very worn On-Deck circles (pads).
posted at 11:13 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, May 01, 2005
White Sox 8 - Tigers 0
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Jon Garland - first pitcher this year to 5 wins (5-0), second straight shutout (first time for a White Sox pitcher since Jack McDowell in 1991), 23 consecutive scoreless innings. WHO IS THIS GUY?
It was too cold to watch from our seats (47 degrees, winds 16mph), so we spent the game on the glass in the Stadium Club.
The team held a lead for the 25th straight game to begin the season, tying a Major League record set by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955. Oh, and in those 25 games, the Sox have had 12 batters hit by pitches (some of the batters still haven't returned to the lineup because of their injuries), 8 times in the last 9 games, 4 times in just the last 3 games. Wilfredo Ledezma (1-2) hit Paul Konerko in the third, so Jon Garland threw behind Rondell White's head in the forth, and both benches emptied, but nothing eventually happened.
Now, I have to tell you, I missed a few innings of the game. I went downstairs to grab a bottle of water and see how bad it was downstairs. I walked off the Stadium Club elevator and walked up to the doors to walk out onto the main stadium concourse. They are glass doors with a large "button" the width of the door and about 6 inches wide that you push like a crash-bar to open the door. Instead, I mashed the button...
... but my right index finger had found out that the plastic end cap that covers the end of this large "button" was missing, so my finger slid inside this thing just as I mashed it open...
After hitting the door with my head, sending my White Sox cap flying, I screamed in pain and pulled my finger out of the now open door mechanism. I was in excruciating pain... but there wasn't any blood. I had just slammed the finger tip pretty bad. So, instead of a quick trip for a bottle of water, I went to the First Aid station under the stands to get a bag of ice and just have it checked-out to make sure I didn't do anything really bad. The fingernail is all purple and is real sensitive to the touch, not helped at all by the bag of ice (except to keep down the swelling).
But, the boys won the game and are now 18-7, still the best record in all of baseball.
I don't know how long this will last, but I'm enjoying every minute of it while I can!
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posted at 05:35 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Saturday, April 30, 2005
White Sox 4 - Tigers 3
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We're back to seasonable weather, with the gametime temperature at 5 degrees. It's the first game where Carol got cold (me - not so much, but it wasn't pleasant). It was also "Motown Night", which, quite frankly, was a bust. I was expecting something like Elvis night, but it not even close.
The Sox had bee non a 3-game losing streak. Last night, against the same club, we left 16 runners on base! Tonight's start looked like it was going to be another of those nights. El Duque had thrown 49 pitches in the first 2 innings. I never thought that game was going to end at that point (it lasted 2:50). We struggled, did the whole "small ball" thing, and actually won another one-run game. LOB tonight: 6. 30,189 saw the game - better than the 18,313 last night that for some reason was headline news in the paper for lack of fans showing-up for the return to town of the first place team.
Guy I'm liking right now? Dustin Hermanson. Guy I'm not happy with right now? Jermaine Dye.
Fireworks? - standard.
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posted at 10:33 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
That's more like I'm used to...A strong start, a blown lead, 2 hit batsmen, a battle back, let them in a bit, somebody that played shortstop who never played there in their career, and a loss, with 14 hits 3 errors.
Yeah, that's more like it...
posted at 06:55 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
First time in how long?The White Sox are scaring me. Still on the best start ever - 16-4, 8 straight wins, they're 10-2 on the road, and they're on the West Coast which - historically - has killed us (Oakland won seven of nine against the White Sox last season). And last night was against Barry Zito and we still get a win. Not only that, our catcher (Chris Widger) - who played last season with the Camden Riversharks in the independent Atlantic League before he showed-up at spring training as a non-roster invitee - gets his first homerun in the majors since April 9, 2000!!! (A.J. Pierzynski was able to get the ball from the fan to give to Widger.)
posted at 07:06 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Best start ever?This is getting pretty dam scary... The White Sox improved to 14-4, the best 18-game start to a season in their 104-year franchise history. Almost all of these games are against AL Central rivals.
I'm just happy having them win each series they're in.
posted at 08:03 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, April 17, 2005
White Sox 4 - Mariners 5
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One of the best promotional days around in all of baseball - Dog Day!
After so many years, we've got somebody we know in the parade! It's Janie & Gary with their Dalmatian (mix) Tallie. Janie made an outfit for her - except it was camouflaged! It was a spotted hide material with a big Sox logo on the back, but the black & white spots really blended-in well. The parade was really long again - the dogs were still on the field during the National Anthem.
And what a gorgeous day - 74 degrees at gametime, just a slight breeze. Sunny. This is April baseball in Chicago?????
Forget about the game itself. We didn't get a sweep, which I think is just asking way too much from a team at this point in the season. In fact, why do we need sweeps? (OK, sweeps other than the Cubs?) If you continually win each series, who needs a sweep?
Anyway - Freddy Garcia is 9-0 in day games. Not any more. But, you know, the team was never out of it - one of the best aspects of the team this year. They never quit. But then again, it's "early".
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posted at 05:55 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, April 16, 2005
White Sox 2 - Mariners 1
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99 MINUTES
That was the length on today's game!
Mark Buehrle pitched a complete game (his 16th in his career), giving up only 3 hits (and one run) with 12 strikeouts. I know people thought the game was boring, but damn it was quick and and there was some great pitching. Paul Konerko had two homeruns and now leads the league with 6. (This could become a problem, though - he's 5-for-29 in his last at-bats, with all five hits coming on home runs.)
It was our first game back with our season tickets. Everybody was back in their places - except us who moved-up 2 rows. Victor & Michelle and Chloe were back with a surprise - Michelle is pregnant! (due in October).
I guess E.R. was shooting in town again - because Noah Wyle threw out the first pitch!
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posted at 05:53 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, April 04, 2005
OPENING DAY - White Sox 1 - Indians 0
YES!!!! It's Opening Day!!!! All is right with the world!!!
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There's always great anticipation going to the park for the first time in a season, especially TPFKAC™, now known As U.S.Cellular Field.
Outside, the parking lots are jammed with people tailgating before the gates open. Near the gates, there are bands playing. A great festive atmosphere. Inside the park, it still has that same familiar feel, but things are changing. The biggest noticeable change is the huge multistory Fundamentals kids training facility in left field. Unfortunately, I couldn't go in to check it out - an adult needs to be escorted by a kid! Now, I don't have a kid to bring to the place, but I'm all for the rule - it'll help keep the rowdy drunks out of there during a game and spoiling it for the kids.
The next change is the new seating area behind the plate called "Scout Seats" (sponsored by United). These are large upholstered seats with small side tables that cost at least $190 for the privilege to sit in. I wrote about this last year. The area looks gorgeous. Around the Scout Seats, where they had to pour new concrete for the area, they replaced some of the old "pool blue" seats with brand new green seats. YESSSSSS!!!!!! The park is turning green!!!! But, it was a clear case of "be careful of what you wish for..." as I decided to sit one for a test drive... they're narrower! Bastards! There's another small problem around the Scout Seats - the new concrete has stairs of differing heights, which is going to make for some bad navigating by drunken fans. Anyway, the entire Club level has the new green seats, this patchy area around the Scout Seats, and they replaced the bleachers in left-center with green bleachers.
The Weather - for the season opener being at home for the first time in a long time - was really quite pleasant - sunny and 64 degrees. Our seats were in the 10th row, way down the 1st base line. In fact, we were sitting one section closer to the plate than when we first go our season tickets almost 10 years ago. We've only moved 6 sections, but there's a big difference in visibility.
The game itself was a bit boring, if you mean a pitcher duel as both teams only had 2 hits each up until the 7th. Mark Buehrle pitched a good game - and quick, as usual: 1:51. The attendance was a sell-out - 38,141 - but I really don't have a clue any more on what capacity is for this place (they've made so many seating changes to it, it's hard to tell... I'm going to have to look it up in the Media Guide. The only other problem: anarchy in the men's rest rooms. Lines for the women's rest rooms? Non-existent. The men's? Long. Brutal. People giving up and going in the exit door, screwing it up for the rest of us. Bring back the trough!
After the game we had dinner at Janie & Gary's condo.
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posted at 09:08 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, March 14, 2005
Getting closer...Watched baseball over the weekend. Watched baseball. Comcast is broadcasting 20 pre-season games! No one's done that around here before... and it just gets you cranked-up for next month when the season actually starts... Oh, and the Sox beat the Cubs this afternoon, and things feel better than I thought...
posted at 04:51 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
11 days until Spring...... and not only that, my life had started again during my "blogging hiatus". Yes, baseball spring training had started last week. I have a small radio that I take to the hockey and baseball games that I keep in my backpack, so I'm lucky to hear a game being broadcast over ESPN 1000 (even though the interference from all of the damn electronics around here - depending on where you sit/stand - isn't all that bad). What's even better, though I haven't seen one yet, is that Comcast Sports is actually broadcasting 20 pre-season games. I can't wait to sit down and watch.
And you know what came in the mail yesterday? Yes! Our Season Tickets. We were shocked to find out that our seats moved! Our ticket rep moved us up 2 rows from 16 to 14, and we're still in seats 1 & 2. Up side: closer to the field. Down side: we've moved away from Victor! Damn!
We got our Stadium Club passes a week ago - we are splitting the cost this year with our pals Janie & Gary. We'll finally have a place to go (again) when the weather turns crappy at the beginning of the season.
It's too bad that I'm not feeling all that good about the team this year, and so far this spring isn't helping matters.
posted at 12:18 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Green
I've got an early Christmas present! It's something I've wanted for years. I thought I would never get it, because it costs an awful lot of money and the person in charge doesn't like to spend the money.
I've always wanted a green Comiskey Park. Since it opened in 1991, I've HATED those damn blue seats. It's just another thing that made the place... uninviting for baseball. Now, slowly, over the past couple of years I've seen it - the slow change. When the scoreboard was rebuilt, the facing was changed from blue to green. Some signage around the park changed from blue to green. The padding on the walls around the field changed from blue to green.
And now, they've started replacing over 40,000 seats! YESSSS!!!!! No more swimming pool blue - we'll be sitting on forest green seats, like a real ball park of old.
Unfortunately, they're being phased-in, with the lower deck (where we sit) being last.
But at least it's being done!
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12/21/2004 12:41 PM ET
U.S. Cellular Field goes green
CHICAGO -- New green seats will be installed at U.S. Cellular Field over the next calendar year, changing the color of the 14-year-old ballpark's seating area from blue to forest green, the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) and the Chicago White Sox jointly announced today.
The installation of new seats takes place in addition to Phase V renovations currently underway. Those changes include a multilevel interactive FUNdamentals skills deck in left field and a Scout Seating area located behind home plate.
"Opening Day 2005 marks the fifth year of ballpark renovations. Each year, our goal has been to make U.S. Cellular Field an even better place to watch White Sox baseball," said Terry Savarise, White Sox senior vice president of stadium operations. "All of our upgrades, from adding seating closer to the action to the re-design of the upper deck, have been in response to feedback from our fans, and each has improved the feeling of intimacy in the ballpark. Now, ISFA has been able to work with us to change the color of the ballpark's seats to forest green."
New green seats first will be installed in the Club Level, Scout Seats and bleachers before Opening Day 2005. The remaining seats, beginning with the upper deck, will be replaced as weather allows during the 2005 season and 2005-2006 offseason. Full installation is scheduled to be completed by Opening Day 2006. Aisle seats in each row will feature one of the club's historical logos.
"We think it will be a unique experience for fans to witness the transformation throughout the season," said Dan Polvere, director of development and facilities for ISFA. "The gradual replacement of the seats coincides with scheduled expansion joint maintenance for the ballpark. Since the upper deck was caulked last season, ISFA can replace those seats, section by section, during the season. The last phase will be to caulk and replace seating in the lower level as time and weather allow."
U.S. Cellular Field's current seats were installed when the ballpark opened in 1991. Exposure to Chicago's harsh weather contributed to the need for their replacement.
White Sox 2005 ticket packages now are available, including the 9-game Minnie Plan and the 13-game Ozzie Plan. Individual-game tickets will go on sale Friday, Jan. 14, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:45 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, October 03, 2004
Season OverWell, the baseball season is officially over for me. I mention this every year because this is the official time when I slip into a funk until pitchers and catchers report to camp next year. My team - the Chicago White Sox - finished 83-79, 2nd in their division 9 games behind the Twins and out of the Wild Card race by 15 games. To be blunt, they had been out for at least a month and realistically even longer than that. We had the first half of the season and just crumbled in the second half. Everyone did - offense, pitching, even defense. But still, it was a good year.
Baseball is life and mine is in suspension until next year.
*sigh*
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Injuries to Ordonez, Thomas cost White Sox big NANCY ARMOUR Associated Press
CHICAGO - When Torii Hunter leveled catcher Jamie Burke with a shoulder block at the plate the last week of July, it appeared to be the final, crushing blow to the Chicago White Sox's playoff chances.
But really, Chicago's season had ended weeks earlier, when Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez went down with what would be season-ending injuries.
"We had some key injuries, it hurt us big," right-hander Jon Garland said. "But we can't say that's the cause of why we lost. We still had to go out and play baseball, and there were times when we didn't do it."
The White Sox ended the year 83-79, the fifth straight season they finished .500 or better. But that's three games less than they won last year, a finish that cost Jerry Manuel his job. Worse, it left Chicago nine games behind scrappy Minnesota in the AL Central, a bitter disappointment for a team many picked to win the division coming out of spring training.
The White Sox led the division as late as July 24 but lost 11 of their next 13 - including a three-game sweep by the Twins - to plummet out of the race.
"When your goal is to win the division and you don't win it, then there is no silver lining," Paul Konerko said. "That's the way I look at it."
The White Sox do have things to build on. New manager Ozzie Guillen's enthusiasm was infectious, and players and fans alike responded to it. Konerko rebounded from his slump last season to hit career-highs with 41 homers and 117 RBIs. Carlos Lee hit .305 with 31 homers and 99 RBIs, and showed he can be equally dangerous defensively, finishing as the only qualifying outfielder in the major leagues to have a perfect fielding percentage.
Center fielder Aaron Rowand made the most of getting the chance to play every day, hitting .310 with 69 RBIs. And Juan Uribe emerged as a pleasant surprise, showing the consistency he'd lacked in Colorado by hitting .283 and driving in 74 runs.
But without Thomas and Ordonez, the White Sox had little chance of winning their division. Ordonez was hitting .311 with eight homers and 34 RBIs when he had surgery June 5 to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. He came back July 8, but played in only 10 games before a fluid problem forced him back on the disabled list.
Thomas was hitting .271 with 18 homers and 49 RBIs, and leading the American League with 64 walks and a .434 on-base percentage, when he went on the disabled list July 10 with a stress fracture in his ankle.
"When you see Aaron Rowand coming up and then you get Carlos Lee, Paul Konerko, Magglio Ordonez, Frank Thomas - that sits in the back of your mind," Garland said. "I don't care if they're not hitting the ball well, that still sits in the back of your mind. You might not want to fall behind a guy, you might not want to go around a guy to get to somebody else."
"But things happen," Garland added. "That's just the way the game goes."
While Thomas has promised to be back next year, there's no guarantee about Ordonez. He's a free agent this offseason, and contract talks broke off earlier this year with the two sides believed to be far apart. Ordonez made $14 million this year and was looking for a deal similar to the $70 million, five-year contract Vladimir Guerrero got from Anaheim last winter.
The White Sox also have to shore up their pitching. Mark Buehrle was his usual solid self, and Freddy Garcia was 8-4 after being acquired from Seattle. After them, though, the rotation is somewhat shaky.
They traded 21-game winner Esteban Loaiza to the Yankees, getting Jose Contreras in return. Contreras flirted with a no-hitter Sunday, but it was his first win since Aug. 28. Garland finally had his first winning season in the majors, but he was 12-11 with a 4.89 ERA. As for the fifth starter, the White Sox have tried several options with limited success.
The bullpen needs work, too. Shingo Takatsu showed he can close games in the United States as well as Japan, converting 19 of 20 saves. But the White Sox could use another setup man.
"I don't think I'll be able to watch a full playoff game," third baseman Joe Crede said. "It drives me up a wall thinking we should be out there. But it makes you want to get the next season started. It makes you hunger for it more the next year." « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 03:44 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 26, 2004
White Sox 5 - Royals 1 - Final Home Game
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The last visit of the year to "The Cell". I always hate this game - no matter the outcome. This game signifies the end of the season for me. Most people would think of the last game of the season, or the last game of the World Series, but to me - this is the game. Why? There are no more games for me to go to. Everything else will happen away from Chicago. Oh, then there's the realization that another year has passed without a playoff game, let alone a World Series game. Today, I am filled with melancholy.
The weather is gorgeous, but on the chilly side. It's fan appreciation day (though Carol & I were not officially "Appreciated" as we didn't win any giveaways). The crowd is pretty thin - 18,949.
The game was interesting. Jon Garland pitched one of his better games this year - by the end of the 8th, he had only thrown 88 pitches. Unfortunately, when he came out to start the 9th, he didn't have it any longer and Damaso Marte had to finish (and finish he did - FOR A CHANGE). We had 4 homeruns (by Ross Gload, Wilson Valdez (his first one), Jose Valentin (his last in a Sox uniform at home?), and whipping-boy Joe Borchard).
The team ends the season 46-35 at home with 145 homers at U.S. Cellular Field, short of the record set by the Colorado Rockies in 1996. The team fell short of drawing 2,000,000 fans this season, but we had 10 sellouts, the most in the 14-year history of U.S. Cellular Field.
After the game, we sat and watched Ozzie's news conference on the big screen and then quietly left the park.
See you next year - you will be missed.
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posted at 05:51 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 25, 2004
White Sox 5 - Royals 1
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Our last Night Game and Fireworks of the year.
Janie commented about the night: "It feels like I went to a circus and a baseball game broke out." She was referring to all of the people sitting around us. Our first group is all of the people that showed-up severely under-dressed, usually all with t-shirts and shorts. Gametime temps were 68° and going down with a 13mph wind. Clearly, they didn't listen to the weather reports and the famous phrase "cooler near the lake". Then we have the Group Sales idiots who are in the section next to us, closer to the plate than us Partial Season Ticket Holders. All they want to do is drink and socialize, usually standing up and blocking our view of the pitcher, the plate, or both. Then we have The Yellers. yes, these are the idiots that think any given player on the field can hear them, no matter how far away they are, no matter that there's a total of 20,625 people trying to say something as well. It doesn't matter, they want to yell, they need to yell. And the crap they yell - at times - makes no sense. Let's take Mr. "Throw The Ball!" who yells this while Mark Buehrle is on the mound. Buehrle, is the fastest no-nonsense pitcher on the Sox, and throws a Complete Game tonight, earning him his 15th win, all within 2 hours and 13 minutes. Then we have the females that show up wearing things that nobody "that size" should ever wear (What the HELL is it with the bare midriff and hip hugger jeans craze when the person has so much friggin' flab hanging over the front of the jeans - let alone the sides - that you just want to either laugh in her face or just puke?) Then we have the normal groups of drunks, some loud, some just stumbling and bumbling. Nothing unusual, but they're just adding to the carnival atmosphere tonight. The one that takes the cake that's driving us nuts is the girl a few rows down in front of us. She looks 14-16. She has a baby that's maybe 4 months old. First, the kid looks cold. Second, every break in-between innings she grabs the kid from a car carrier, puts the kid up in the air next to her, trying to get one of the stadium cameras to put the two of them on screen in the scoreboard. When that's over, she's literally flinging the kid around to wrap her in a pink blanket. Arms and legs are flailing as she flops her back into the car seat. The baby never says a peep. And she's damn cute, too. Too bad she looked like a rag doll as her mom was throwing her around as she yanks her from her seat or wraps her up and drops her back into the seat.
Now, through all this, we were still somewhat able to watch the game. Buehrle looked really good for a change - he's struggled over the last month or so. Jose Valentin finally is productive and gets a homerun (his 28th) along with still another error (his 20th of the year). Carols Lee got his 29th homer of the year as well. I think it might be his 150th career homerun as well.
Last Fireworks of the year as well. Tomorrow - our last day of the year at the park.
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posted at 09:47 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 19, 2004
White Sox 6 - Tigers 1
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Today is Minnie Minoso day in Chicago. No, really, the mayor proclaimed it so. The White Sox held a ceremony on the left-field concourse to unveil a statue of Minnie. Minnie is a goodwill ambassador for the team - I see him all the time around the park, signing autographs for people that remember. This statue is supposed to be the first of 5 over the next five years that will be unveiled at the park (no idea who the next 4 will be). The ceremony was really moving, with Minnie and his family around him. In fact, there were so many family members, they weren't allowed into the small area for the unveiling - they stood outside with the schlubs like me. Some snapshot items: Minnie was the first Black Ballplayer for the Sox, he played in 5 different decades in Major League Baseball, and then pushed it into another decade by playing for the St. Paul Saints in the independent Northern League June 30, 1993 (... doesn't Bill Veek's son own the team?) He was a seven-time American League All-Star and a three-time Gold Glove outfielder.
Minnie threw out the first pitch to fellow Cuban Jose Contreras. We've always joked that it seemed that every time you turned around, you saw Minnie. It was like he never left the park. Now, it will be true.
On the way back to my seat after the ceremony, I saw a gentleman walking by that looked really familiar. Sure enough, it was Vince Galloro, the author of a great White Sox blog that I read with regularity called Exile in Wrigleyville. If you're a Sox fan, please read his take on the team as well as his experiences. He's a good writer, someone that I consider has a fair view on the team. Go - visit his blog. (BTW - the only way I recognized him is because he had some pictures posted at his blog recently that he happened to be in - and he happened to be wearing the same black jersey and Sox hat, so he just stood out). However, I just realized that I never introduced myself, so I'm going to have to fire-off a quick email.
The game was again a good outing, nibbling away at Detroit. Freddy Garcia lasted 7 1/3 innings and gave up only 1 run with 8 strikeouts.
And even though it was another Kid's Day, with autographs and running the bases after the game, the fair weather fans have indeed turned their backs on the Sox - the attendance was only 19,269.
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posted at 10:20 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 18, 2004
White Sox 9 - Tigers 8 - 12 innings
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So much about this game is familiar - the attendance is back down (23,533), the weather is cool again (73 degrees at first pitch and I had to put on my jacket by the end of the game), ups and downs and ups and downs and ups.
The game lasted 4:05, the longest I've been to without a rain delay in some time. It hurt to watch. It was disgusting and exhilarating.
Jose Contreras is pitching an erratic game, not nearly as bad as his last few outings but no where near his potential. The entire pitching staff makes me anxious with every single damn pitch lately - I mean, you really don't know who is showing-up at the mound at what the ball is going to do when they release it. It's scary, not to mention the entire damn offensive staff when you just don't know who you can count on regularly for a hit, a sacrifice to move somebody over. Hell, you don't know if anybody can get on base...
The game is tied 4-4 in the 6th, and we go into extra innings tied. Neal Cotts pitched OK in the 8th and 9th and gets 2 strikeouts in the 10th, but the next thing you know, he gives up 2 2-run homers. We're losing 8-4 in the 10th and it's looking like an extension of last night (We lost 11-10 in 10 innings).
Wilson Valdezcomes in for Jose Valentin and gets a pinch hit single, Ben Davis flies out to center, and my whipping-boy Joe Borchard homers (he's still batting .158). OK, we're halfway there... Timo Perez comes in for Joe Crede and doubles to right (I love those hits - they're right in front of our section as they scream down the line) and Aaron Rowand homers to left. TIED! The substitutions worked, but that's as far as we get, and we go further into the night...
In the bottom of the 12th, Ben Davis grounds-out 1-3, my boy Joe Borchard walks, Jamie Burke grounds out 5-3 and Borchard goes to 2nd.
Aaron Rowand hits a slow grounder to 3rd and is running his ass off. Borchard gets a good jump and is running his ass off. Rowand beats the throw for a single, Borchard scores - game over and WE WIN!
BEST FINISH TO A GAME THAT I'VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME...
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posted at 11:28 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 05, 2004
White Sox 6 - Mariners 2
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Sweep? SWEEP!!! I'd never thought I'd see that and say that considering how this team had been playing. Perhaps it was the Mariners that the Sox really needed to play against to get them back in the grove.
I actually had my hopes up after last night's game and after hearing that Jamie Moyer was 0-6 in day games.
Highlights? Homers by Konerko and my whipping-boy Joe Borchard.
Things going on around the park: Today was Teamster Day, so they were all over the place, mostly standing around the outfield concourse drinking smoking and talking, but not moving one bit.
It was also the MDA's Jerseys Off Their Backs promotion. For a $5 scratch card (donation) you could win a chance to go onto the field after the game and have a White Sox player actually take off his jersey, sign it, and give it to you (*ew*). The players were part of the charity ticket thing, while the coaches were involved with a silent auction that also included a signed 8x10 and a signed baseball. Last time I looked, Ozzie was going for $300 and bullpen catcher Man Soon Lee was $100.
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posted at 10:13 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 04, 2004
White Sox 8 - Mariners 7
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Back at the park on Labor Day weekend, and I can finally say the weather is perfect for baseball - 81° and winds that are 15mph, but are actually warm for a change.
Seattle started Ryan Franklin who was 3-13 for the year. It was easy to take him, something we desperately needed to stroke our ego and get us going. Pour guy gave up 4 homeruns (out of 5 total) in 3 2/3 innings (and 86 pitches in 3 2/3 innings isn't that good either) and struckout only 1. He also had a throwing error, one of 4 for the team.
On our side of the card, we had 5 homeruns including Willie Harris's first one of the year. Paul Konerko had 2 homeruns and now has 34. We had a look at reliever Jeff Bajenaru, who got called-up when Cliff Politte had an emergency appendectomy this week. He gave up 3 hits in a third of an inning, all of which eventually scored. Shingo Takatsu had to come in and cleanup (he allowed 2 of those 3 runs). It's nice to see that they stadium crew slightly changed "Shingo Time" so that the gong doesn't sound like a Chinese gong, but sounds more like a Buddhist temple bell. Timo Perez was the guy that won us the game with a throw from right field to third baseman Juan Uribe, who tagged out Bret Boone.
Let me get on my anti-Joe Borchard horse again. Ozzie had him bat 9th as the designated Hitter. How embarrassing is it to have a DH that's batting .154 (.150 by the end of the evening)? I'm tired of the Borchard Experiment. It's time to move on.
The man of the night, however, was Ichiro Suzuki. He's focused on breaking the hit record for a season by going 5 for 5 in tonight's game, earning him a standing ovation from the White Sox fans. He is now batting .379 with 223 hits. (The single-season record for most hits in a season is 257, set by Hall of Famer George Sisler of the St. Louis Browns in 1920. He also has 34 more hits to go to set a record for the most hits during a four-year span, a record currently held by Bill Terry, who had 918 hits from 1929-32.)
Mark Buehrle got the win and improved to 13-8.
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posted at 10:07 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, September 03, 2004
Japanese advertising
I'm watching the white Sox-Seattle game on Fox Sports Net from U.S. Cellular Field and I just noticed that the rolling advertizing sign behind the plate has Japanese advertising in it!
I'd like to think it's because of Shingo Takatsu, but I'm sure it's because of Ichiro Suzuki. Or perhaps, both.
I've NEVER seen that before in the park.
On a side note, I read today that there a rumor that the Cubs will apply to the Historical Commission to be able to put a rolling advertizing sign on the brick behind the plate at Wrigley Field. Ha! Join the ranks of ugly advertising inside the park, dear Cub fans...
posted at 09:46 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, August 30, 2004
How'd he do that?I didn't watch the ballgame this afternoon. The Sox were playing Philadelphia in a makeup game. I'm just having trouble getting behind the team right now, as everything and everybody has been sliding downhill. One of these guys is Joe Borchard. We've been hearing about this guy for years and years that he's the future for the outfield - in 2001 he was named by Baseball America as the No. 1 Prospect in the White Sox organization, No. 2 Outfielder in the minor leagues. He played 16 games in 2002 and 16 in 2003, and 34 this year. His batting average was .222 in 2002, .184 in 2003 and is .163 for this year (.139 over the last 10 games). In 30 games in the outfield this year, he's made 2 errors and has a fielding percentage of .957 (worse than Jose Valentin, another one of our defensive geniuses). It's easy to see why I'm questioning why the hell we have somebody like this in the lineup.
In the 2nd in today's game, with a man on base and one out, he does something that has been pissing me off just like so many others on this team - he swings on the first pitch.
This time, though, he hits a HUGE 504 foot homerun to right-center that easily cleared the bleachers and landed halfway up the concourse. It's the longest ever at U.S. Cellular Field. Ever. (Before that was 495' from Frank Thomas July 23, 2003 against Minnesota off of Johan Santana. Barry Bonds had one at 475' on June 10, 2003 off of Jon Garland)
Oh, what did he do the other 3 at-bats? Struck out each time.
posted at 05:01 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, August 26, 2004
White Sox Scout Seats?
I just got an email from my White Sox ticket rep.
They're building a new seating area behind the plate with all kinds of new amenities.
If you want the front row, the cost of the seat is $200. Otherwise, it's $170.
After a season like this one where I felt the team just folded and collapsed, I guess all I can say is "Good luck to you selling those seats!"
What do you get for that price?
Premium reserved parking outside of Gate 3 Premium buffet in the 5,000+ square foot private restaurant/lounge with all beverages included Private access to seat location Wait service at the seats for food and beverages Comfortable, wide seats Self-service island featuring popcorn, ice cream, peanuts, soda, water, etc. One of the best seats in the house, some of which are closer to home plate than the pitcher!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, August 26, 2004
NEW ALL-INCLUSIVE 'SCOUT' SEATING AREA
AMONG CHANGES TO U.S. CELLULAR FIELD FOR 2005
CHICAGO - A brand new "Scout" seating area for fans - located directly behind home plate and featuring behind-the-scenes views, pre and postgame access to a premium club offering Levy-catered dining, in-seat wait staff during the game and special parking next to the ballpark - is planned for U.S. Cellular Field in 2005.
This new 314-seat area will be built behind home plate, replacing the current field access tunnel and some existing seating. Fans with tickets to this area will have access to a 5,000-square-foot private restaurant and lounge located inside the ballpark at Gate 3 and will enjoy behind-the-scenes views of the ballpark's inner workings. These seats will feature personal wait service from Levy staff, as well as reserved parking just outside Gate 3. Please see the attached renderings.
"These will literally be the best seats in the house," said Brooks Boyer, White Sox vice president of marketing. "We are offering fans a unique ballpark experience that will come as close as possible to actually being a member of the team. Fans will park right near the ballpark, spend pre and post game in a premium club with a first-class Levy dining experience, walk to their seats past the visiting clubhouse and then sit right behind home plate with personal wait service throughout the game. All of this will be available for one price - parking, the cost of the ticket, food and beverage - which we think makes this a very well-priced option when compared against other professional sports facilities in Chicago and across the country."
Scout Seat tickets are being offered in season packages, first to existing White Sox season ticket customers. Prices are $200 for seats in the first row of the special section and $170 for all other seats.
"You see the popularity of these exclusive seating options throughout sports and in all of the new ballparks and venues," Boyer said. "And we think the amenities provided with this experience will be unmatched for fans in this area."
Phase V renovations, which are scheduled to be completed by Opening Day 2005, also include a new, multilevel baseball and softball skills area called "FUNdamentals." The ballpark's Phase V renovations, designed by sports architectural firm HKS of Dallas, Texas, were made possible by the 2003 naming rights agreement with U.S. Cellular.
FUNdamentals, a 15,000-square-foot baseball and softball skills instruction area, will be relocated on the left field concourse and will feature a youth-sized baseball diamond for coaching clinics, batting and pitching cages and areas for baserunning and skills instruction, in addition to a kid-friendly concession and novelty stand.
-30-
© 2004 Chicago White Sox
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posted at 05:02 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Sunday, August 22, 2004
White Sox 5 - Red Sox 6
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Still another game to attend that's been mucked-up. We had Elvis Friday night, Fox moved our normal Saturday night game to 12:15pm. Today, our 2:05 kids day game was moved to 7pm so ESPN could cover this debacle nationally. SO, since it's Kid's Day (they were giving out book bags as a promotion), they were having the autograph sessions before the game. Saw a group of people dressed up in Yakult Swallows gear to get Shingo Takashi's autograph, and there was a group of people sitting a couple of rows back with their bento boxes and sushi... I'm actually happy about this. I'd like to see us jump on the Japan bandwagon and ride this for as long as Shingo is here.
The other big thing is that ESPN's Baseball Tonight is setup on the field and is being done live before the game. I went over to check it out, but it was difficult to follow anything that's going on, since most of the talk was voice-overs of videotape of the afternoon games. A crewman came over and shared a plate of desserts with the fans (which, to my shock, didn't storm the guy). Had a great fudge brownie.
The game... sucked again. We actually got into the lead for the first time this series. Freddy Garcia, who has thrown about 117 pitches, comes out in the 8th and on the first pitch, Manny Ramirez hits a homer to tie the game. Ozzie brings out Damaso Marte who throws one pitch to Ortiz who hits a homer putting them in the lead.
That's it. That just sucked the life right out of me. I'm angry, I'm disappointed, I'm shocked, I'm disappointed, I'm despondent, I'm disgusted, I'm tired, I'm sick.
We were in First Place for a good part of the year. If we weren't, we're just a few games out.
We're in 3rd, 8 games out. Everything has failed - hitting, pitching, defense - everything.
To top it all off, there were a TON of Boston fans at each of these three game. Where the hell are these people coming from? Are there that many displaced Bostonians in Chicago? Are people actually traveling here to see them? Even on a Sunday Night?
However - Props to those fans. They were THE BEST fans for the visiting team I've ever seen. Cub Fans should take lessons from these guys.
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posted at 11:07 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 21, 2004
White Sox 7 - Red Sox 10
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Today's game was moved up to 12:15 so that Fox could broadcast it. We got to the park really early just to get... an Esteban Loaiza bobblehead doll. Yes, even though he got traded to the Yankees, they got to get rid of them, and for the second day in a row, it's a sell out.
And for the second day in a row, the game starts poorly and I can feel myself disconnecting from the game. It's also the first day of the Chicago Air and Water show, so I switched my radio over to listen to that as I kept my eyes on the skies to see if we could see anything from the south side. (We saw a little).
It was still better than watching the game, which sucked again.
On the way home, we're going down the Dan Ryan when The Blue Angels, in the middle of their routine in the air show, came roaring toward us on a very low high speed pass and turn. You could see everyone slam on their brakes and stop and cheer and yell and applaud. Wild.
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posted at 08:05 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, August 20, 2004
White Sox 1 - Red Sox 10 - ELVIS NIGHT!
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I honestly couldn't tell you a thing about tonight's game. I went to the game - I shut it out. We were losing 6-0 in the 2nd and that was enough for me to give up. Hell, it was Curt Schilling.
Oh, it was Elvis night again. Saw the performers, saw my old friend Peg and spent quite a few innings talking to her and her husband Rob about the state of the team, played the Sox Spilt Raffle, (but didn't do as well as two years ago).
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posted at 11:23 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, August 08, 2004
White Sox 3 - Indians 2
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The day starts off well - it's the annual Fuji Film Photo Day where. if you show up early enough, you can go out on the field and take pictures of the team. Always very cool. I took between 80 - 90 shots.
Jose Contreras pitched a very good game - 9 innings, 9 strikeouts, only 1 run - but he had 108 pitches, so he didn't come out in the 9th to defend our 2-1 lead.
Instead, Damaso Marte comes out in relief. I HAD LOST ALL HOPE for this guy. I cringe every time he comes to the mound. I think he's lost "it". But, since there were left-handers coming up and that's what Shingo failed against last night, Ozzie sends Marte in instead.
Marte strikes out the first batter - and then promptly gives up a homerun, tyeing the game.
All those crappy feelings from yesterday - and almost every game in the the last 2 dozen - come back again.
Shingo comes in and retires the side.
In the bottom of the 9th, Timo Perez singles to center. Timo is jumping all around first, forcing Rafael Betancourt to keep throwing to first while Ben Davis is up. Davis, goes through 9 pitches as well, keeping the inning alive. Eventually, he hits a gapper to right center and Timo comes all the way around and scores, winning the game.
FINALLY.
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posted at 10:04 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 07, 2004
White Sox 5 - Indians 6
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A boot to the head.
A kick to the groin.
Watching another White Sox loss.
It looked bad from the beginning. We were losing 3-0 until the 6th, when Roberto Alomar got a 3-run homer, followed by a 2-run homer by Juan Uribe.
The game was sewn-up. I mean, Shingo Takatsu came in to save the game in the 9th - when Mr. Zero gave up 2 singles followed by a homerun, thus losing the game.
I'm sick to my stomach.
The boys are now 7 games back, in 3rd place, behind Cleveland.
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posted at 10:03 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Baseball despairOne week ago, I was at a ballgame for my favorite team - The Chicago White Sox. Everything was right with the world.
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They had won that night on a walk off homer. The team was in First Place by half a game.
Flash forward one week.
The Sox lost tonight for the 7th straight game. They lost the game tonight the same as yesterday - getting into pitching trouble, loading the bases, and walking-in the winning run.
They're now 5 games out of first place, 4½ games out of the Wild Card Race. They're batting .227, the worst in the majors.
More misery: Today is the Trading Deadline. The Sox trade away 2-time All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza to the Yankees for pitcher Jose Contreras.
WTF???? « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:59 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, July 25, 2004
White Sox 2 - Tigers 9
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Well, it's not much warmer out, but there isn't a cloud in the sky. So I as the new Lobster Boy from my lengthy pool time on Friday had to make sure every part of my body is covered in clothing or sunscreen.
In the big picture, however: it was a waste coming to the game. It ran long (3:08) and we left early as it was too painfull. We got killed. Garland couldn't get it together, and neither did the bullpen. Nothing to talk about - we sucked.
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posted at 09:32 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 24, 2004
White Sox 7 - Tigers 6
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So, the zombies shuffle-off to the park for a baseball game. As has been our luck all damn year, it's late in July and the temperature is 68 degrees and it's windy. In other words, cold and uncomfortable.
I don't feel great about Schoeneweis as a starter. I still don't think he's as solid as we need. His 6 innings of work had 3 walks, only one strikeout, 8 hits and 5 runs. The tigers had this in their pocket by the 4th. It was 6-2 in the top of the 7th, but it was 6-5 at the bottom, and we tied it up in the 8th.
In the 9th, Joe Crede hits a walk-off homerun, something I didn't think we'd see tonight. The crowd of 38,055 - another sellout - went nuts.
Tigers - 4 homers, 10 hits
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posted at 10:23 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, July 11, 2004
White Sox 4 - Mariners 3
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Wow, that was warm today (It's about time - it's mid July!) Well, so far I'm still not sure about the Freddy Garcia trade. I sure don't feel like he won the game today - he was just the pitcher of record when we took the lead. For today's 6 2/3 innings: 3 Earned Runs, 1 homerun, 1 walk but 7 strikeouts. And we had another great close today. For the third day in a row, it was "Shingo Time"! There were a lot of Japanese media types all over the place (probably due to Ichiro Suzuki playing today - he was off yesterday) and they were around Shingo during the autograph session before the game today. Hopefully they have good things to say about how nuts the place gets when you hear those gongs play and Takatsu comes out of the bullpen.
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posted at 09:38 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 10, 2004
White Sox 3 - Mariners 2
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I've got to say that we didn't think 37,405 would show up for this game. It was startling.
It was Matt Thornton's first major league start for the Mariners and for a while, it looked like he would give us some problems. Well, until the 5th when he walked 4 batters, forcing-in 2 runs. Mark Buehrle allowed two runs on nine hits in eight innings. Then in the 9th, the gong was sounded and in came Shingo Takatsu. They're really playing up his entrance now. There are signs of "It's Shingo Time!" and that incessant gong (which I'm not sure is appropriate for someone from Japan for some reason when I hear a gong I think Chinese). Anyway, the place goes absolutely nuts when he comes out and stays that way as he retires the side with ease. Boy, I like this guy.
Problem: Buehrle is known for his short games. The game lasted only 2:13, so at 8:20 the sky wasn't exactly dark enough for fireworks after the show. Let's just say it was uninspiring.
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posted at 10:27 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Sunday, June 27, 2004
White Sox 9 - Cubs 4
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Well, there seems to be a lot less tailgating today. No idea why. While standing outside Gate 3, there seems to be more Cub fans today than yesterday. Also, there seems to be more people looking for tickets, though I never saw a single person selling.
The pitching matchup was going to be thrilling: Esteban Loaiza vs. Greg Maddux. The game starts with Timo Perez running out to his position in right, doing a Sammy Sosa impression. In the 1st, Loaiza throws 7 pitches, Maddux throws 35 pitches and gives up 2 runs. That's how the day is going to go, back and forth, each pitcher having their own problems. In the 2nd, Sosa has a 454-foot homerun to dead center, hitting the ivy in the batter's eye. Sammy has another homer in the 3rd. Timo Perez has a homer in the third, and as he cross the plate he points to the sky. Sure enough, as he goes in the dugout, he's doing another Sammy Sosa impression, the whole two-fingered salute and kiss. Wooo boy. The Sox take the lead and stay that way the rest of the game. The boys win at home on a Sunday to keep that record going - 6-0.
Getting out of the park, the parking lots, and onto the Dan Ryan was miserable. It was offset by hearing the news about "the trade". Miguel Olivo (who caught the game and left after his at-bat in the 7th) was traded to the Seattle Mariners along with minor league outfielder Jeremy Reed and infielder Michael Morse to get pitcher Freddy Garcia and catcher Ben Davis. I guess Olivo took it hard. He's going to be miised. But... Garcia? Does this mean we've got a complete rotation now?
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:09 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 26, 2004
White Sox 6 - Cubs 3
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Well, the game doesn't go at all like I had thought... Felix Diaz doesn't last just one or two innings - he goes six innings, gives up 3 runs (including a homerun), but the Sox give him run support with homeruns from Konerko, Crede and Valentin. I think more than anything, the Sox went after Carlos Zambrano and just messed with his head. He wasn't getting his calls and we knew that gets to him, and then we just fed on that to try and rattle him. He gave up a 3-run homer to Konerko and then Timo Perez got on first. Timo just taunted Zambrano and forced him to throw to first quite a few times before he finally pitched to Crede - who hit another homer. The crowd of 39,553 was pretty well split Sox/Cubs, though it just felt there were more Cub fans. It was odd - everytime the Cubs did something, it seemed like the whole place was up and cheering. Then when the Sox did something, it seemed like the whole place was up and cheering. Weird. I do have to say, however, that the buzz had gone out of the Cub fans as the game progressed. In general, I saw no fighting and no severe taunting that I've seen in prior years.
The most electrifying moments? Every pitch by Shingo Takatsu. They really played-up his intro and in the 9th everyone was on their feet and cheering every single pitch. How can we have a "closer by committee"??? Give him the job already!!!
Let's see how the game goes tomorrow...
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 06:16 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Sox Yard Sale
Went to the White Sox Yard Sale at the park. Normally it's usually around the 2nd week of March, but because of the extensive construction around the park, they postponed it until today. And instead of being a Garage Sale, it was billed as a Yard Sale held in the Patio area. It seemed like the number of jerseys available has finally gone down after a couple of years, so it was getting hard to find a "good" one, though they were there for a price. The regular jerseys were about $150, but the "good" ones are at least $350. It didn't matter - I didn't have any "good" money with me, even to purchase a cheapo jersey. I was there to pick up any All-Star Game tchochkies that was still still left over. i was able to get an All-Star Media Guide which I wanted - for 25 cents. Spent a few more bucks on some All-Star Bobble Heads (miniatures of the ones that were deployed around Chicago to celebrate the All-Star game last year).
The odd items this year? Parking lot and stadium signage, seat parts, players luggage (huge, hard-sided Samsonite), bricks (from where?), and scoreboard modulator pieces (no idea which scoreboard).
While this was going on, there was Family Day in the Park in the outfield, where families can go (for a price - $20/adult $10/child) to play catch in the outfield for an hour. We've done this every year as part of season ticketholder parties, but it's never been done with the public. The place was packed. But there was something I had never seen before - it wasn't fathers bringing their young kids to play catch. The people that stood out were the 20- and 30-somethings that brought their fathers to play catch. An early Father's Day present that could really be something precious to have.
posted at 11:35 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, June 13, 2004
White Sox 10 - Braves 3
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Odd, day at the ballpark. Odd. It's Interleague Play time. That's only a little odd. Then today is Spiderman 2 today in Major League Baseball. All kids get a Spiderman paper mask and a foam hand. At least MLB backed-off having the logo on the bases during the game. It's Kids Day, so there's autographs before the game.
Then came the oddest part of the day. It made me angry. It made me mad. It made me ... embarrassed.
The new marketing guy (Brooks Boyer), who came from the Bulls, is still tweaking everything. First, the player introductions are much more elaborate, lasting almost 5 minutes. (Every time I hear AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" I always think of the Wolves). We also now have a small team of people that slingshot & throw T-Shirts into the crowd in-between one of the innings.
But before the game today, marketing took one more step forward and it's one step too far.
Before the game, in center field, they unveiled... a new mascot. Oh, cripes, WHY do we need a mascot??? It's some kind of indescribable thing called Southpaw. I couldn't find him during the game to get a picture of him. Maybe we'll see him again at another game <*blech*>
The game itself was strong and was a very good win. Carlos Lee now has a 27-game hitting streak, tyeing the franchise record with Luke Appling and Albert Belle (what a group).
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 05:23 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 12, 2004
White Sox 10 - Braves 8
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Great night at the ballpark. Finally, I'm sitting in my seat at a night game in short sleeves and no jacket. It took us this long to get good weather. The place is packed, too (34,719, second largest this season). The Draw? The Braves. It's cross-pollination time and this is their first visit to the South Side.
The new marketing director is slowly making his changes - the player introductions are getting longer and bigger, there's a group of people that come out between innings (OK, just one inning) and slingshot T-shirts into the crowd (Very Bulls-like - after all that's where the marketing guy is from).
Esteban Loaiza got roughed-up for 6 runs and 2 homeruns. Nobody could figure out the strike zone of home plate umpire Gerry Davis. Pitches directly over the center of the plate weren't getting called. Eventually, in the 6th, we see Davis yelling into the Sox dugout. Ozzie emerged and put his hand out as if to say, "hey, I'm coming out here to discuss, not argue." Well, that lasted about 30 seconds and Ozzie got tossed. That set him off and he started yelling for at least 3 minutes. We were all wondering if the umpire understood a single word Ozzie said in his tirade... Welcome to management, Ozzie - you just got your first ejection...
It was a battle, where the Sox scored in every inning except the 1st. Carlos Lee extended is hitting streak to 26 games, going 3-5. Frank Thomas, who actually played 1st base in anticipation of National League parks during interleague play, had two homeruns in the game, adding more fuel to the "statistically, he hits better when he actually plays a position during the game instead of DH" debate.
Speaking of debates, we were smack dab in the middle of another one - who was going to close? There was only a 2 run lead (which has proved to be not enough is some situations - thank you, Billy Koch). The answer was Shingo Takatsu, who threw 7 pitches, 6 for strikes to retire the side in the 9th, while the crowd the whole time was on their feet chanting "Shin-go! Shin-go! Shin-go!" He's got a 1.16 ERA now. Just let the guy close already, will ya? He's the Japanese all-time saves leader, don't you think he can do this?
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:11 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
New FUNdamentals at USCF
I was going to comment on this last week, but never got around to it...
The White Sox have this great area for kids called FUNdamentals, with batting cages, pitching cages and base running areas, all staffed by White Sox instructors. A lot of people may not even know it exists - it's by gate 3, so if you don't go in that gate, you may never see it.
The Sox announced that as part of the proposed rehabs of TPFKAC™ (U.S. Cellular Field) for next year, they are going to rebuild FUNdamentals and put it over the left field concourse.
It looks like a great location (it also looks like you just might be able to watch the game from up there) and will definitely give the area more exposure and better access.
posted at 10:48 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, May 30, 2004
White Sox 11 - Angels 2
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Today was the annual Photo Day. WAS. Some pretty good storms rolled through town during the morning. In fact, due to some driving, we wound up experiencing the same severe storm cell three different times. We got to the park early enough for the event, but I was only in line less than 10 minutes before they canceled it.
The game was delayed over half an hour, but it was worth it. In the traditional feast-or-famine approach this year, the boys score in the double digits to beat the Angels. Their pitcher - John Lackey - threw 45 pitches in the first inning alone, and left the game after 3 innings and 85 pitches.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:21 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 29, 2004
White Sox 1 - Angels 5
DOG DAY!
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It's Carol's most favorite White Sox game of the year - not for the actual game, mind you, it's because it's Dog Day! The left field bleachers are set aside for owners and their dogs (maximum 500 dogs that have to be pre-cleared with medical releases, so you just can't show up with a dog). We always get there early to watch the dogs arrive and then go into the park and watch the parade around the field before the game.
The game itself sucks. Ozzie Guillen is in Florida for his son's high school graduation, so Harold Baines is the substitute manager for the day. Ozzie had already made out the lineup, so he just had to manage the game. The game itself feels odd, like there's something missing, some spark, some energy.
The game is doomed anyway. It's time for our rotating-nonexistent 5th starter to pitch. We don't have a 5th, so we keep trying out people. We're not very successful, as the "5th Starter" has an 0-6 record this season while the other 4 starters are 20-8 with a 3.68 ERA in 40 starts.
Today's lucky guy is Jon Rauch, whom we haven't seen since 2002 due to injury. (Side note: he's the tallest pitcher in MLB history - yes, taller than Randy Johnson - at 6' 11").
Things are OK until the top of the 4th, which lasts about 15-20 minutes. Rauch gets into trouble and is left in a batter or two too long. We're down 5-0 by the time he gets pulled.
Then Rauch leaves. No, I mean he leaves. He knew he was just called-up for this one game, so he decides to get a jump on traffic for the trip back "home" so he leaves the park while the game is still going on. GM Kenny Williams goes down to the clubhouse to talk to him and finds out he's gone, a major MAJOR faux pax in baseball, and Kenny immediately decries that Rauch will never play for the White Sox again. (Rauch hears about all of this during the ESPN post-game show and calls-in to explain his side of the story - that it was a big misunderstanding and in no way was he dissing the team. He also called pitching coach Don Cooper to explain. Cooper, BTW, says that Rauch was all the way to Indianapolis by the time he called. Who knows what's going to happen...)
So, other than Paul Konerko's solo homerun (for which there were no fireworks so the dogs wouldn't get scared), there is nothing to talk about. The team lost some fire - does Ozzie motivate that well?
(Boxscore)
After the game we went over to Janie & Gary's new condo - yes, they're moving again. They're doing some rehabbing before they move in, so we saw the "before" look of the place. After the condo we went to the South City Tavern for dinner.
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:28 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, May 16, 2004
White Sox 11 - Twins 0
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OK, the sun's out and it's almost 10 degrees warmer today than yesterday (though it's only 63 degrees at gametime). I'm excited about the game and angry at the same time - it's Feast Or Famine with this team. We lose yesterday but win today 11-zip.
Oh, and I'm tired of Jose Friggin' Valentin, too. He may be have been 3 for 5 in the game with a 3-run homer, but he also had 2 errors. THIS is the guy that should be the team's DH.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 06:06 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 15, 2004
White Sox 1 - Twins 4
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You know... I'm getting really tired of my underachieving teams...
Another friggin' cold night at TPFKAC™. It was in the 80's on Thursday, but tonight it's 53 degrees with winds from the northeast at 9 and it just feels like almost the coldest night yet. The weekdays are fine, but when the weekend comes and we got a game to go to, the weather gods just screw with us.
And speaking of screwing with us, why the hell can't the Sox beat the Twins? It just pisses me off. They're in 1st and every game we lose, we fall behind. This is a very critical series...
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:02 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, May 13, 2004
White Sox 0 - Orioles 1 - Game 1 - White Sox 6 - Orioles 5 - Game 2
Oh crap... do we feel STUPID...
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Every year with our Weekend Season Ticket package, we get one game during the week, usually a holiday. Last year - no holiday, but it was a Monday and that was OK. This year it's a Thursday. And it's Carol's Birthday to boot.
The lovely weather this week rained-out the game last night, so today is going to be a doubleheader. (They had to do that as we don't play the Orioles again this year). The the first game is at 1:05.
We were STUPID. We NEVER checked the tickets. We ASSUMED today's game was a 7:05 game, and with the double header, we thought it would be a a split day-night double header and today's scheduled game would be at 7:05 and yesterday's game would be at 1:05.
We were wrong. Thursday is typically "Get Away Day" and games are usually scheduled early. Carol called me from work at about 1:30. The scheduled showed today's game at 1:05. Sure enough, the tickets say 1:05!
We're screwed! WE HAVE NEVER had this happen before.
Well, Carol left work right away and came home. We changed and we were out the door at 2:20. We got to the park at about 3:50, just at the end of the first game. I'm glad we missed it - we lost.
There aren't a lot of people at the game. The weather is keeping them away. And then it starts to rain. Not hard, more or less a drizzle. It's going to be miserable. We start the game strong and lead 3-0, but we eventually go down 5-3. The sky gets even more threatening - we can hear static while listening to our AM radios. I realize that we need to get on top quick and get out of there. So, out loud, I say "How about a home run, we take the lead, the rain comes in and the game gets called and we win?" I say this just as Erik Bedard releases his pitch to Paul Konerko who proceeds to hit a homer into the left field seats (with 2 guys on base). As Paulee circles the bases, the skies open-up. The Ground Crew comes out and covers the field with the Sox up 6-5.
The torrential rain hits the park. People scramble for dry seats (very few in this park). Take a look at this short video of the Rain Delay.
The Rain Delay lasts an hour and 42 minutes. There aren't a lot of people left for the rest of the game. Anyway, there were no more runs and the Sox win.
We will NEVER let this happen again... how embarassing...
(Boxscore - Game 1 - Boxscore - Game 2) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:58 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, May 02, 2004
White Sox 3 - Blue Jays 2
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Yeah! The sun's out! Not a cloud in the sky!
It was terrible! Worse than yesterday! Damn Chicago weather decided to choose "wind" to screw up our day. It was bearable while we were still in the sun, but the wind was a bit brisk. Then the sun ducked behind the stands, and it was terrible.
The only thing that saved us was these damn hand warmers that I talked about yesterday. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Worth $1!
I was distracted by having to walk around the park too many times to 1) keep warm and 2) stop my legs from twitching. The few things that stood out: bunting. I can honestly say that I haven't seen this much bunting by this team since we've had season tickets. Love the agressive base running, except Uribe got caught stealing by a mile.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 08:29 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 01, 2004
White Sox 4 - Blue Jays 3 (Game 1) - White Sox 6 - Blue Jays 10 (Game 2)
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Oh boy, this was lousy. Cloudy, cold, windy, rainy.
Oh, and long. We didn't rush out the door to get to the first game of the doubleheader, since we knew that we would be there a while. We got there just after 3pm, only to find out that there's been a rain delay, so the game won't start for about half an hour. The game just seems slower because of the weather. I took a quick break and went down to the Bullpen Sports Bar to watch the Kentucky Derby. It was a nice respit from the weather, but then I needed to get back upstairs. However, while I was downstairs, the Jays get a run and tie then game. Then just to add insult to injury staying out in this weather, the first game goes into extra innings. At least we win. (Did you know that Joe Crede has had 3 last at-bat wins so far?)
They've started the All-Star Game balloting. The home opener wasn't even 3 weeks ago - how can anybody make a wise choice in the balloting instead of just stuffing the box with favorites? Based on how he started the season, do you honestly think Derek jeter should be there? Oh, and since the game is in Houston this year, there's no DH. Frank Thomas is on th ballot for 1B. Puh-lease. I'd rather see Paul Konerko, the real 1B for the Sox on that ballot. That's a slap in his face by not including him.
The second game was worse and Danny Wright (who scares the hell out of me) doesn't look good at all.
Oh! Let me tell you about something that we found that helped with the cold!!! At Home Depot, in impulse-buy stuff in the checkot lanes, we found these chemical hand warmers. They were only 97 cents for a pair. They're two fabric pouches filled with dry chemicals. You open the packages and shake the pouches. Within 15 minutes you have over 110 degrees of heat for almost 10 hours! Just stick them in your jacket pockets and keep your hands in there - they're wonderful!
It's one thing to stay behind your team in the cold/wet/wind when they're in the lead or even in the hunt. It's another thing to watch a game in the cold/wet/wind when they're not playing well. Then add-in the fatigue from enduring this for hours.
After 6 hours of this, Carol threw in the towel. She was just too uncomfortable and we left in the 7th. I don't like leaving the game, but this was just a torture to stay there. So much for the first Fireworks Night of the year...
We left, and the boys just went down the toilet and lost the second game.
(Boxscore - Game 1 - Boxscore - Game 2) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Doubleheader???
Oh, great. The Sox got rained-out last night. Since Toronto is in the East, we only play them once a year, so they have to make-up yesterday's game today.
So like I said earlier in the week, the weather is going to suck. Let's see... what is it outside now? 46 degrees. Wind is about 10mph. Wind chill = 41. Oh, and that infamous cooler near the lake. It was going to be crappy sitting out in this to watch a night game, what the hell is this going to be like for two freakin' games???
We may have to discuss this...
posted at 10:05 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, April 25, 2004
White Sox 6 - Devil Rays 5
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OK, it's our first Sunday game, a Kid's Day game, and still another change for this year: Sunday starts are an hour later now, at 2:05 PM. We hate it - it just throws-off your whole day.
The weather is only slightly better than yesterday - it's about 10 degrees warmer, but the winds are 10 mph stronger with higher gusts. Oh, and drizzle. Twice during the game.
We were losing throughout the game and I wasn't impressed with our play again. And before you know it, we're at the end of the game. Then something weird happened - the sun came out. As soon as that happened, the crowd livened-up, the players woke up, and we won the game in the bottom of the 9th. No, wait, we didn't win - they lost. I mean they loaded the bases and walked-in the winning run. Ugly.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 05:54 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, April 24, 2004
White Sox 1 - Devil Rays 4
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What a lousy day for baseball... we were back at The Cell for our first regular Season Ticket game. It's cloudy, windy, and cold - it was 52 degrees at gametime and had gone down to 45 degrees by the end of the game. There were only 17,062 paid for the game and less in attendance. I took a quick trip around the park to look at the "new stuff". My first trip was to the upper deck to see the changes. The concourse area, though somewhat enclosed now, is actually not much different to the eye. The concession stands were rehabbed last year, so all that's different is the enclosure screens, some heavy iron cross members (since they cut-off eight rows of seats, the structure had to be shored-up). I went up to the last row of seats behind the plate. Yes, I love the roof, even with the obstructed views (reminds me of the old park). But, damn it, the climb up to those seats sucks. There is a new statue erected in the right field concourse dedicated to Charles A. Comiskey, the founder of the White Sox. Why do I have a feeling that this has something to do with the stadium naming rights going to U. S. Cellular? They also replaced something that's been missing for a year or so, something that I thought they would have taken of last year for the All-Star Game - the list of retired jerseys. Instead of being on the Club Level facade, now their on the left-center outfield wall. I don't like it - the graphics are a little crappy - a bit too stylized.
I just loved what the Daily Herald said about the game: Saturday's pitching matchup at U.S. Cellular Field featured a guy who hadn't won a game in his last 17 starts against a guy making just his sixth major-league start after compiling a middling 30-35 record in the minors. Great. I just never feel good about Danny Wright. He was "fine" through 3 and 2/3's, but he just couldn't shut them down. Frank Thomas got plunked in the 6th (after a solo homer in the 4th). The benches sort-of emptied and the bullpens sort-of emptied (the pitchers never made it to the infield). Typical baseball - no fights.
I don't know, I wasn't happy. the weather was bad, the play was bad.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:47 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Home Opener - White Sox 12 - Royals 5
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Yes! It's time to get the season started. It's time for the Home Opener for the White Sox. The drive top the park was the best we've had for any opener. The weather just sucked, though. It was a hazy sunny, but it was 43 degrees - not exactly baseball weather. Oh, and it was worse: 22 mph winds from the northeast. Miserable.
The park looked great. The new upper deck rehab actually really does change the look of the park (believe me - I was skeptical). I need to get up there and check it out sometime. The new Fan Deck seating area is a nice change too. Looks like a great place to watch the game. The item that really got me, though, was the outfield wall and all the padding around the field. It's green. I've wanted this for a long time - The Greening of Comiskey (er, "The Cell"... whatever...). It's just a matter of time when those godawful swimming pool blue seats get ripped-out and replace with dark green. I can feel it... it's coming. It will totally change the look of the park.
The game was better than expected. After the poor Cubbies lost their Home Opener 13-2 (and put them in the cellar of their division), I just wanted a win.
Exciting? Well, would you believe that after starter Esteban Loaiza gives up not one but four home runs and only one strikeout, and 2B Juan Uribe commits two stupid errors, we still trounce the Royals 12-5 with homeruns by Uribe and Konerko
(Boxscore)
After the game we went over to Janie & Gary's for dinner. Of course, most of the time we were looking through the windows at the views or actually going out on the balcony to watch the boats (and trains) go by.
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 08:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, April 10, 2004
Two in a row...
Sorry... not much going on in my life, so watching baseball is key.
Two wins in a row against the Yankees.
I like it.
Sorry, Erin.
posted at 02:58 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Friday, April 09, 2004
That's better...
So the Sox and Cubs start the day even - both with 1-2 records and in 4th place in each of our divisions (OK, tied for 3rd actually). I feel good about that. <snicker>
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I had to give the game yesterday to the Yankees. I mean, home opener. 80th season in Yankee Stadium. Lots of payroll. I thought losing 3-1 wasn't bad... considering who we were playing.
So, today I was able - due to my unemployment - to watch the game on TV. Oooooooo it was nice to watch. In the 9th, though, I thought I was going to watch a replay of that damn season opener against the Royals. But, going up 9-1 on the Yankees? Do you know how happy that makes me feel? I don't know who I hate more - the Cubs or the Yankees (sorry, Erin, I gotta say that... I'm just not a fan of them...). So, we trounce the Yankers 9-3. Jon Garland pitched 8 innings and gave up 4 hits and 1 run, but walked 7. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 06:20 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, April 05, 2004
Oh, so this is how it's going to be...
How the hell can this happen?
The White Sox are in Kansas City and lead them 7-3 going into the bottom of the 9th.
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Seven batters and three pitchers later (Thank You Cliff Politte for the 2 runs and 13.50 ERA, Billy Koch for his 10 pitches - 7 were strikes - but none the less one hit and one run in one third of an inning giving a wonderful 27.00 ER, and Damaso Marte whose Blown Save and Loss come from 17 pitches to 3 batters that produced 2 homeruns) The Sox lose 9-7. (It's the biggest Opening Day 9th Inning comeback since 1901)
What the hell happened???? How can you start the season this way!!!??? « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:55 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Ducats
Well, after a very long day at work and a long drive home, I find that we've received one of my most favorite packages of the year...
Our White Sox Season Tickets! Same old box, no new information, same seats, nothing I'm really looking forward to this season... just another season of baseball and hope...
posted at 07:05 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
The Cell's not doneSaw on the Channel 7 News tonight that it looks like the upper deck renovations at The Cell seem to be way behind schedule for the home opener on April 13th. Take a peek at the story.
posted at 04:53 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, March 14, 2004
You can put it on your TV.... YES!!!!
Yes! Chicago White Sox Spring Training on WGN!!!
Yes!!! My life's clock is ticking!!!! Yes!!!
(I'm ignoring the fact the the Sox were on yesterday, because they played the Cubs in Mesa, so the telecast was a Cubs telecast and I hate Chip Carey so much, that it was impossible to watch...)
posted at 02:09 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, February 16, 2004
The "new lid" at "The Cell"
Since I was on the South Side today, I swung by Comiskey (sorry, I will probably always call it Comiskey) to see how the upper deck rennovations were going. The place is a ness. 35th Street is down to two lanes to accomodate the cranes. It's not done and they still have a ways to go. I'm not sure if I like it, but at least it's something to try to fix the park.
posted at 06:06 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, November 03, 2003
Familiar face
Well, the Sox made a decision - one that a few people find surprising - former shortstop Ozzie Guillen was named Manager of the White Sox. A few things I remember about watching him play - he has heart, intensity, he never wanted to walk (I always saw him go after pitches - and make contact - that were all over the place), and had this odd little "goofball" side of him, always working hard but having fun in the process. The downside? No management experience - though he was Third Base Coach for the Champion Florida Marlins this year. I hope this works out...
posted at 06:19 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
The Cell gets a trim
Carol left part of the Metro section of the Chicago Tribune on my Aeron chair by the computer this morning. There it was - a picture of seats being ripped out of the upper deck at "The Cell" a.k.a. U.S. Cellular Field, "The Joan", and my TPFKAC™. It said that they were pulling the seats "in preparation for decreasing the upper deck's size for the '04 White Sox season." Well, it's a start - I'd rather see them just take the whole frickin' upper deck off (which, structurally, looks like they could do it) and just rebuild the thing with a better pitch and maybe a new "roof". The only issue may be trying to cover the concession areas below the seating.
Hell, I was just happy to see something that said "White Sox" in the paper after all this damn Cub Fever crap gong on in town...
Bitter? Hell, yes...
posted at 10:20 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, September 29, 2003
Jerry's gone
Not surprised. Not surprised at all.
White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams relieved manager Jerry Manuel of his duties today.
My life clock has stopped. My baseball season has come to an end. My team is now without a manager and who knows who will still be part of the team when they report to Spring Training in less than 5 months.
*sigh*
posted at 02:10 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 21, 2003
White Sox 4 - Royals 10
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Oh, my God, does this team suck...
I just can't describe the feelings running through me. Disappointment, yes, but also disgust. Jon Garland only went 2-2/3 innings giving up 7 earned runs on 6 hits, one walk, one strikeout. Scott Schoeneweis came in and pitched 3-1/3 with 2 runs but none earned. Why? We had three errors, two on Tony Graffanino (not like him to do that) and Jose Valentin (seems like it wouldn't be a game without him making an error). Cripes. Jon Adkins finished the game with 3 innings of work. By the time the 8th inning came around, it was time to throw in the towel. Manuel put in the youngsters to get some work - Graffanino moved to short (from 2nd), Aaron Rowand moved from center to right, Aaron Miles was in at 2nd, Armando Rios in left, Willie Harris in center, and Jamie Burke at 1st (I thought he was a catcher?) At least Aaron Rowand got a homer after that, but we were just so far gone that it barely made a dent in the score.
So this was our last Season Ticket game of the year. I may have been giddy about getting an invoice for playoff tickets, but there's no way in hell we'll be here in October.
And thoughts already turn to next April... who on the team will still be there next year???
Damn, I'm upset...
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posted at 05:24 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 20, 2003
White Sox 1 - Royals 7
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Last weeks giddiness, excitement and hope have been replaced by misery and despair. The Sox were swept by the Twins and have fallen 3½ game behind them. It's impossible to catch them as they have an extremely easy schedule to finish the season. I fear hope is lost.
We go to "The Cell" anyway, as it's our last weekend games with the boys. The game started well with Frank Thomas's 41st HR of the year and his 93rd career first-inning HR. But that was all we'd come up with for the game. The offense wasn't there, the defense wasn't there, the pitching wasn't there. Esteban Loaiza, for the 3rd time, misses his chance on getting his 20th win and instead gets his 9th loss in 6 innings of work. We went through 4 pitchers in the 7th. The fans were restless and vocal, booing Billy Koch when he came in. Everyone didn't believe what they were seeing.
I'm disgusted and distraught. I fear that it's over. We're now 4½ games out.
Damn.
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posted at 09:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, September 11, 2003
White Sox 2 - Twins 5
There is ONE thing in my life that makes me feel American - Baseball. If you know me, you know that baseball is truly intertwined in my life, and there's nothing more American - to me - than baseball. So, I drove to Riverside, picked up Janie & Gary and we went to a ball game.
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It was really hazy today. It was in the low 80's and breezy. We all had a moment of silence - the quietest the park has been in a while. It was all reverent and poignant. I needed to be here.
Alas, the day should have been better. Esteban Loaiza was trying for his 20th win. Frank Thomas got his 40th homer of the season in the first, but our defense just flew apart in the third when Carl Everett had a throwing error that eventually allowed 2 then a third run to score when we actually had two runners trapped between the bases if someone was paying attention, and we're down 4-1. In the 4th, A.J. Pierzynski grounds to Brian Daubach at first who throws to second to get the lead runner Torii Hunter and Jose Valentin attempts to complete the double play by throwing back to first... only nobody is there. Daubach never went back to the bag and Loaiza was trying to get there... it was Valentin's 16th error of the season. Loaiza was never getting strikes over the outside corner of the plate for left-handed batters. It was frustrating him. In the meantime the Sox could never seem to get back into it. By the 8th, it starts to feel like Manuel is throwing in the towel... fresh off the DL and rehab, he brings in Billy Koch - who actually strikes out 2 and gives up a hit. Really, that's not bad. Manuel also brings in Jamie Burke to catch and Aaron Miles pinch hits. Jose Valentin hits what is barely a homerun in the 9th with 2 out, but we never get back in. It's over. Brad Radke pitched a complete game.
The Magic Number is still 17 - we are tied with the Twins for first. It should have been so much better...
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posted at 04:51 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Magic Number: 17
OK, folks, look... you have no idea how exciting this is to Chicago baseball fans... New York - you've had your subway series. Big friggin' deal. It's not like the Yankees or Mets have been out of contention for decades, so screw you right now...
The last time the White Sox and the Cubs have both been in First Place in September was...
1906
That's when the Sox beat the Cubs in the World Series. The third World Series.
The last time the Cubs won the World series was 1908. Since then, both clubs have finished behind the league winners by under 10 games together only twice.
Since 1940, both teams had winning records at the end of the season only five times.
This is a big deal!
So, here it is September 10.
White Sox Magic Number: 17
Cubs Magic Number: 19 (or, as the t-shirts say around "The Cell" - 911)
posted at 08:43 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
Magic Number: 19
I was reading the sports section of USA Today and saw something that I had forgotten about:
Magic Number: 19
Wow. It's actually there in print. Normally, the Magic Number is something we always chased, but there it was.
It's September.
We're in First Place.
And we have a Magic Number...
posted at 09:10 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 07, 2003
White Sox 7 - Indians 3
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Can you say sweep? Yes, in what seems to be a rarity, the Sox swept the Indians. It was still scary, though. Danny Wright started the game. I'm not a fan of his. He hasn't impressed me as a starter and I wish that we went down to a 4-man rotation than stay at a 5-man with him in the mix. If he's in, he's only going to last a few innings. Today, he lasted 5 giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk, but had 4 strikeouts. We went through 5 other pitchers after that. Scott Schoeneweis wound up with the win when he came in after Scott Sullivan gave up a single, double and a run on a sacrifice fly in the 7th (Kelly Wunsch had the 6th and was flawless. He had more in him and Manuel should have left him in just one more inning.) Frank Thomas smashed a game-winning three-run homer with two outs in the seventh (his 39th).
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posted at 10:29 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 06, 2003
White Sox 8 - Indians 5
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We're back at "The Cell" for an early (12:15pm) game against the Indians. What a gorgeous day for baseball - sunny, winds light and variable, around 70 degrees. This weekend the club is celebrating the team of the 1983 "Winning Ugly" White Sox that won the American League West title. Most of the 1983 team was there to throw out the first pitch (actually 1983 Cy Young winner Lamarr Hoyt threw out the first pitch to Carlton Fisk. Way cool.) The 2003 team wore those ugly 1983 uniforms and some of those people didn't look too good!
We started off strong with 4 runs in the 1st. We eventually gave up 5 runs by the 4th, but eventually got back into it, winning 8-5. Esteban Loaiza had 10 strikeouts and got his 19th win. We had homers by Carl Everett and Paul Konerko. Frank Thomas was 0-for-5 with 3 strikeouts leaving 4 on base. Ouch.
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posted at 04:44 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, September 01, 2003
September BaseballIt's September. It's Chicago. Historically, this has been a bad month for baseball for us. The Cubs, even if they've shown hope and promise earlier in the season have usually faded by now, or are in the process of fading. The White Sox, if they haven't been contending in the first half of the season, are nowhere to be found, usually prompting fire sales or "white flag" trades.
Welcome to 2003.
As I write this, The Cubs are in third, 1½ games behind division-leading St. Louis and Houston. However, they're at home with only a .500 record at home, and are in the middle of a 5-game series playing St. Louis, so there could be some movement this week. In contention? Possibly.
The White Sox, having the day off, are now in first by 2 games, ahead of both Minnesota & Kansas City. The Sox have 25 games in 27 days coming up, playing 7 against Kansas City and 7 against the Twins, not to mention 5 against the Red Sox and 3 against the Yankees. Hopefully their 43-23 home record will help. In contention? Possibly.
This is rare, folks. If neither team makes it into the post-season, fans will be pissed but they'll eventually chalk it up to the state of baseball in Chicago.
If one of the teams make it, there will be some very ungracious slamming of the other team, their management, and their fans.
If both teams make it, all hell will break loose in this city and God help us all.
I'm giddy....
posted at 08:25 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Sunday, August 24, 2003
White Sox 0 - Rangers 5
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Three gorgeous days for baseball at "The Cell". But, alas, the streak is over. We got our hats handed to us today by John Thomson, who threw a complete game shutout with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts. Jon Garland had 10 strikeouts and 2 walks, but gave up 3 runs. Not much else to talk about. Nice weather, though. Disappointing outcome.
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posted at 04:04 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 23, 2003
White Sox 13 - Rangers 2
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Second day straight of gorgeous weather, and we get to spend it at a ballgame. "the Cell" was not as crowded as last night, but still pretty full. Still, a great night for baseball.
We knew Mark Buehrle wouldn't last long when he threw 17 pitches to Rafael Palmiero in the first, only to strike him out looking. A Rod was on first and was breaking to second on each of the last dozen pitches. He was getting winded!
It turned into another rout - 5 homeruns. Last night, Jose Valentin had 2, tonight he had one but Frank Thomas had 2. We also had homers from Joe Crede and Carlos Lee.
When the lights came up after fireworks tonight, we noticed that some damned friggin' idiot had run out onto the field and had 2 or three security guys on top of him. At least there weren't any players on the field. No matter what, this idiot should get fined and tossed in jail. I'm tired of that crap.
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posted at 09:40 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Playoff InvoiceGuess what I got in the mail today from the Chicago White Sox?
An invoice.
For playoff tickets!
Holy crap, I sort of didn't expect it. Since we're only Weekend Season Ticketholders, we don't get a full set of tickets. We get 3 AL Division Series games, 1 AL Championship Series game and 1 World Series game. World Series game! Oh, and parking, too.
I'm giddy. Now, I'm a realist. I'm not expecting to actually get to the World Series. But... how cool is this!!!!
Now all we have to do is scrounge around for the money.
PLAYOFF TICKETS!!! I must remember to not count my chickens...
posted at 03:08 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, August 22, 2003
White Sox 7 - Rangers 1
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Tonight is Elvis Night at "The Cell". We don't normally go on a weknight, but it's Elvis Night at "The Cell"! What an absolute gorgeous night for baseball. There were the usual inpersonators outside everywhere on stages singing to the crowd.
The E Team jumped-in the American Flag during the National Anthem (performed by impersonator Ryan Pelton, dressed as Army-era Elvis). (Hey! I have a Windows Media Video of this for you here - 2.4Mb). After the game we had the Steppin' Out Dads and Shawn Klush with a mini-concert. The E Team did a night jump (complete with light-up jump suits), and then fireworks. Odd, crazy, fun night.
So, i guess this has become a little "ritual" with us. Carol hates Elvis, but we keep going. We had to go this year beacuse we were hoping to reclaim our same fortunes of last year, when we won the Sox Split Charity Raffle for $3,585. This year the pot was up to $5,496. (Attendance was 36, 311 this year compared to 27,988 last year.) Alas, we didn't win. Not even close. I blame it on Peggy, who was supposed to be at the game but I was unable to find her. Carol & I felt that she and Rob were our "Good Luck Charms" and we looked everywhere for them. (I suppose it would have helped if I knew what section, row and seat they were in.) I did however, run into my cousin Jane and her husband Richard, but (no offense) they weren't our Good Luck charms.
*sigh*
The ballgame itself wasn't that great. It was a battle of the "newbies" - Neal Cotts (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 8 IP, 2 G, 8 BB, 7 SO 7 H 6 ER) against Juan Dominguez (0-1 8.31 ERA 8.2 IP, 2 G, 2 BB, 9 SO 11 H 8 ER). BORING. White Sox get 7 runs on 5 hits. Ouch. Dominguez pitches a 5 2/3 inning 3-hitter on 87 pitches, with 5 runs (4 earned), 6 walks and 2 homeruns (Jose Valentin in the 2nd with 2 on & no outs and Frank Thomas in the 3rd inning with nobody on and 1 out). Sox still had two more homers (another by Valentin in the 8th off Joaquin Benoit, a solo with 2 out and Carl Everett also a solo off Benoit with one out). We got our first look at a new reliver that we just got in a Reds fire sale: Scott Sullivan. I didn't know he was a sidearm guy. He looked a little nervous at first but struck out A Rod and Palmiero (both swinging. Sweet.)
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posted at 11:45 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, August 10, 2003
White Sox 5 - Athletics 1
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We're back at "The Cell" this afternoon and I have a Public Service Announcement: This is addressed to all those people out there that will be singing The National Anthem before a sporting event:
THIS IS NOT A FRIGGIN' AUDITION FOR AMERICAN IDOL!!! SING THE DAMN SONG!!!!!!
The anthem has a certain "pace" to it. Though difficult to sing, it does NOT need further embellishment. Sing it straight" and in the correct tempo!!!! The fans would be appreciative and I believe it shows more respect to the The Anthem, Flag, and Country.
Thank you.
We now return to the regular sports drivel... A much better game today. Oakland started rookie sensation Rich Harden. We saw him last month as the starter for the World team at the 2003 Futures Game during All-Star Week. We started Esteban Loaiza, who lasted 8 innings giving up only 1 run and 4 hits striking-out 6. Harden only lasted 4 innings giving up 2 runs and 6 hits striking out 8. We had 4½ inning of scoreless baseball and it was a real pitcher's duel. It was great and it was fun. Konerko & Everett had homers in the game.
Unfortunately, KC won so we're still ½ game behind them in second place.
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posted at 04:54 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 09, 2003
White Sox 2 - Athletics 7
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Back at "The Cell" tonight. We got there a half-hour early and I'm glad we did - there was 36,151 at the game, a crowd we don't normally see. Even though we felt OK walking to the park through the parking lot, when we got to our seats during Oakland's BP, the wind was whipping around the park and we were cold. We didn't expect that. It was bad enough that Carol had to go to the gift shop and buy some sweatshirts - which I never had to wear because the place seemed to warm up as the people came in.
The game was a disaster starting with the first batter. Scott Hatteberg hit a grounder to Konerko, who booted the ball. Jose Guillen bunted and got an infield single when Konerko juggled the throw. Then (after Chavez lined to short), Miguel Tejada hits one to left and Carlos Lee loses the ball in the setting sun. They went on to score three times in the inning, and one thing you don't let Oakland do is get into the game early. And all of those runs were unearned. Jon Garland had over 50 pitches in the 3rd, so he didn't last all that long - 5 innings with 95 pitches.
We were losing 6-0 in the 5th when we started scoring. We had the bases loaded and one out when we chased their starter Ted Lilly, which means he wouldn't get the win (since he didn't pitch 5 innings). So, they bring in a former Sox - Chad Bradford. When he was with us, I remember him having something like a three-quarter sidearm delivery. He's full underarm now. His knuckles, during delivery, are literally just inches above the ground - he's almost scraping them.
Anyway, we scored twice in the 5th and that was it. Bradford got the win. To add insult to injury, Billy Koch - formerly Oakland's closer - finished the game and gave up another homerun. Then Keith Foulke - formerly the Sox closer - mopped us up just fine. Hindsight is always 20/20, and this trade for this year just didn't work out. Koch: 50 G (48 IP), 5-5, 5.65 ERA, 11 Saves (of 15), 53 hits, 32 runs (30 earned), 10 HR. Foulke: 50 G (60 IP), 8-1, 2.40 ERA 28 Saves (of 32), 43 hits, 17 runs (16 earned) 7 HR.
*sigh*. Our time alone in First Place only lasted a day, and now we're a half game out.
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posted at 10:04 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, July 27, 2003
White Sox 9 - Devil Rays 1
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The drive to "The Cell" was quick, but dark. Dark, low-hanging clouds everywhere. The Dan Ryan looked wet. We got to the park, and forgot that it was a Willy Wonka Kid's Day, so even though we got there early, we had to park in Lot F (at least it's not Lot L). The park looked weird. It's noon, it's dark, and the lights aren't on. We walked around looking for emergency rain ponchos just in case we ran into some weather. The autograph sessions were over, when the rain started. Then it came down HARD. We had fled up the section to sit underneath the Club Level overhang, waiting for te game to start. There was a 36 minute delay, but the game started. The temperature dropped from about 83 degrees to 69 degrees and the wind was gusting up to 31 mph. Bartolo Colon was like the way I saw him on Tuesday. Rocco Baldelli had a solo homer in the first and Colon didn't throw a hit for the next 18 batters. He had 8 strikeouts and no walks. Offensively, the team was just the way I wanted to see them. I just wished we had some of these runs yesterday. We had home runs by Carlos Lee, Frank Thomas, and Aaron Rowand. Tony Graffanino had a brain fart in the fifth when we was playing 2nd - in a double play attempt he sailed his throw into the stands along the 1st base line. Colon took the mound in the 9th, and for some reason, Jerry Manuel pulled him before he could pitch. Jerry got BOOOED. Big Time. The crowd obviously wanted Bartolo to get a complete game. I mean he had a 3-hit, one run game, let him have the whole game. But Kelly Wunsch came in and gave up a hit, but had a strikeout. He hadn't played in a while and I totally agree with getting him some quality time. You know, the bullpen was kind of depleted, so this wasn't a bad move. I mean, some of the guys in the pen I wouldn't trust anyway. Odd coincidence in the game - Jose Valentin played short and batted 8th, while his brother Javier Valentin was the catcher and batted 8th.
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posted at 09:51 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 26, 2003
White Sox 6 - Devil Rays 10
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Back at "The Cell" for tonight's game. We're coming off an 8 game winning streak.... but you can't tell that tonight. Mike Porzio started the game... and lasted only 3 1/3 innings, giving up 4 runs and 2 home runs with only one strikeout. He got sent down after the game (for all we know, he was packed and gone by the time the game ended). I blame the loss on Jerry Manuel. I just feel he-mismanaged the game with the pitching staff. Porzio wasn't cutting it early, Rick White came in and did OK for a while, but ultimately got hung with the loss, giving up 5 runs. Danny Glover was fine, but Billy Koch didn't look all that good, giving up a run and 2 walks. He should never have been put in as a closer tonight - he hasn't earned that position as far as I'm concerned. In general, pitchers were left in too long, as if Jerry wanted them to prove something... and then they didn't and they were still in there. When Koch was failing, no one was up in the bullpen. It made me feel like we were conceding the game. We gave up 15 hits. Oh, and I'm not happy with Joe Crede, who dropped the ball in two different plays at third. I think we'd be better off with Tony Graffanino in the lineup. And Brian Daubach just seems to be a waste of a roster spot. On a night where KC and Minnesota both lost and we could have made-up a game in the standings, we instead are exactly where we were when the day started - 4 games out.
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posted at 10:36 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
White Sox 5 - Indians 2
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The day was just odd. No, I mean ODD. On a day where... Uday and Qusay Hussein are killed in a firefight, dark smoke billows from the top of the Eiffel Tower, and reports of a guy in Vienna who got a tounge transplant...
It was late and the weather was as odd as the day - it's the lattter half of July and it's in the upper 60's and the clouds almost look menacing.
I went to "The Cell" for an afternoon baseball game. My time at uemployment just got me to the park late. In the bottom of the first, I was on Wentworth at 35th, waiting at the stoplight right at the park when Frank Thomas hit his 399th homerun. He's now tied for 36th all-time with Al Kaline, and it was his 23rd of the season, and his 91st career first-inning home run (seventh in 2003). (Want to hear something weird? Houston’s Jeff Bagwell hit his 400th career homer on Sunday at Cincinnati, and Frank is just one away from 400. Thomas and Bagwell both were born on 5/27/68, were 1994 Most Valuable Players and hit two home runs apiece on Sunday! Weird, eh?) By the time I got to the parking lot Maggliio Ordonez hit his 19th of the season. By the time I got into the park, it was the bottom of the 2nd. Bartolo Colon, who has been 0-4 over his last 7 starts, gave up a lead-off double to start the 1st (to the left fielder Coco Crisp - please tell me that's a nickname... oh, good his real name is Covelli L. Crisp) and then retired the next 17 batters. He looked a hell of a lot better than he has been lately. He threw 111 pitches, 107 were fastballs (the others were two changeups, a curveball and a slider). Carlos Lee had a homer in the 6th, and that made 17 over the past 7 games for the team. With the win, the boys are now 50-50 - yes, that's .500. It's about time. We're 5 games out.
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posted at 05:47 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, July 20, 2003
White Sox 10 - Tigers 1
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Back at "The Cell" for an afternoon game. It's in the low 80's, but the humidity is a killer. The game started-off a lot better than others recently. Tony Graffanino had a lead-off stand-up triple in the first. Frank Thomas had a homerun in the first, then got another in in next at bat in the third. He was up in the 4th but didn't get anywhere, so Magglio Ordonez homered for him. The Sox ad 5 home runs in the game (Paul Konerko and Jose Valentin had the others). Esteban Loaiza got the win with 7 innings of work, with 7 strikeouts. Now that is what I expected of this team against the Tigers. We should have been playing better all along... we need to turn the corner and get our act in gear.
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posted at 10:28 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 19, 2003
White Sox 6 - Tigers 2
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After a nice leisurely day, it's back to "The Cell". The remnants of All-Star week are fading: the star mowed into Center Field will be gone in a few more clippings, as well as the painted logos in front of the dugouts. The gift shops are re-stocked, this time with more White Sox trinkets instead of All-Star logo-emblazoned souvenirs.
The game, again, doesn't start well. In fact, Nate Cornejo had a no-hitter through 6 2/3 innings. Then Paul Konerko got a hit and the Sox get 7 consecutive hits. Tony Graffanino had a nice pinch-hit three-run homer. At least we got a good win out of it. The game was only 2:31 long, and the fireworks afterward weren't in the dark. I was home way before 10. I guess that happens when you don't hit.
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posted at 09:51 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, July 01, 2003
Fine tuning the team
After watching the Sox game tonight, I'm starting to see a glimmer of hope with the team. Now, GM Kenny Williams has had a busy day making some trades that could make things interesting...
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Kenny traded minor league pitchers Royce Ring and Edwin Almonte and infielder Andrew Salvo to the Mets for Roberto Alomar, Sandy's brother. he's been described as "underachieving" this year, so, though I'm worried about his future performance this year, he's still a quality guy with a great past.
Now speaking of pasts, the Sox got a great player that, in generalities, could be described as a "head case" - they acquired outfielder-designated hitter Carl Everett from Texas, along with cash considerations, for players to be named later. (Texas will choose from a pool of minor leaguers, and depending on the players selected, they will either get two or three players.)
I'm really worried about team chemistry with this one.
Now, how do you make some room for these guys? The Sox designated both D’Angelo Jimenez and Armando Rios for assignment. The team has 10 days to decide whether to release the pair, trade them or option them to Charlotte, but I had thought I had heard that they were out of options.
Oh, I really want these to work out... « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:58 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, June 29, 2003
White Sox 2 - Cubs 5posted at 04:07 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, June 15, 2003
White Sox 0 - Padres 1
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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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posted at 10:07 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 14, 2003
White Sox 6 - Padres 5
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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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posted at 10:31 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
One down, one to goWilliam Ligue Jr. pleaded guilty to aggravated battery against Kansas City Royals coach Tom Gamboa last September 19th at Comiskey Park (yes, back before "The Joan", at TPFKAC™). Now, lets see what happens to Ump Jumper Eric Dybas.
posted at 04:52 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Sunday, May 25, 2003
White Sox 8 - Tigers 5 - 12 innings
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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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posted at 04:07 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 24, 2003
White Sox 0 - Tigers 1
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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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posted at 09:55 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, May 19, 2003
White Sox 2 - Blue Jays 12
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OK, so you're not feeling well. What do you do? Why you go seek the heeling powers of The Church of Baseball. We went to "The Joan" tonight (OK, this is a stretch - I'm calling TPFKAC™ "The Joan" right now because Joan Cusack is the spokesperson for U.S. Cellular, and I still can't call TPFKAC™ U.S. Cellular Field, so calling it "The Joan" seems twistedly appropriate.)
What a wonderful night! The weather is actually really nice (73 degrees), hardly a breeze. Soooo much better than the last game we were at. Unfortunately, in that last game the Sox lost 12-2. Who would have known that tonight's outcome would be the same! No hitting, no pitching. I have no faith in some of the starters (Dan Wright?), and less faith in the middle relievers (Rick White?). And I'm still trying to understand why we have Brian Daubach on the team (no speed, no arm). For a team that was supposed to take the division, we have nobody batting over .300 (D'Angelo Jimenez is the closest at .299, but Paul Konerko at .214?) So, the Sox fire hitting coach Gary Ward (we were hitting .249 and a paltry .228 with runners in scoring position) and brought up Greg Walker, hitting coach for Triple-A Charlotte the past two years. He's the fourth hitting coach under Jerry Manuel (who, BTW, got thrown out in the 5th for arguing a fair ball call at third, in one of his most animated tirades I've seen out of him - though the last minute and a half you just knew he was looking to get tossed). If Jerry is still here at the end of this series, and we lose the next series (against lowly Detroit), I say he's gone. Another great night night for a baseball game - too bad the team didn't show up to play.
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posted at 10:59 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 03, 2003
White Sox 2 - Mariners 12
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Let me preface this by saying that there was no way in hell I was staying for the whole game. I have never done this. I get there early for BP. I stay until the final out. I love baseball. I was so friggin' uncomfortable at the park, I couldn't stand it. I would have toughed it out, but I'm just too friggin' tired of watching the teams that I follow just roll over and not show up to play. We were losing 6-0 after 2 innings (and one hour of play!). Gametime temperature was 56 degrees and going down, winds blowing in off the lake. It was too damn cold. I just couldn't watch the the boys lose in that weather. Since they gave up, I gave up. I made it home in enough time to watch the 9th on TV at home. Sorry, boys. You sucked tonight. Not only did Seattle get 12 runs, but they also stranded 11 runners. Way too many guys on the bases.
Since tomorrow is the same team, the same weather but windier and rain, and the ESPN Sunday Night Game instead of a day game, I just can't give you my support tomorrow night. I'm skipping the game and trying to rest-up a bit. Hope you have a good game - for a change.
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posted at 09:21 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Fog Delayposted at 07:51 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Sunday, April 27, 2003
White Sox 3 - Twins 1
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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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posted at 04:29 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Saturday, April 26, 2003
White Sox 7 - Twins 4
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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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posted at 09:59 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Field of Morons
Carol told me about this article in last week's Trib that I didn't see, so I had to find it and read it online.
Oh, this so pisses me off... The Skutnik brothers said they did it because they love the game, and only meant to excite the crowd when they partially disrobed, leapt from the stands and raced across the playing field Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
Whaaaat??????? Excite the crowd??? It's illegal, you friggin' moron! "You go to a game to have a good time. You just want to pump up the crowd," he said.
"I love the game. I just wanted to be close to the baseball players," said Tom Skutnik, 20. "The game was awesome. We ran out on to the field, it felt good with everybody rooting us on." Of course, during the interview, they're wearing Cubs jerseys and hats... and the Ump Jumper (Eric J. Dybas, 24, of Bolingbrook) is a Cub fan, too... A close friend and roommate, Tony Consalvo, 21, said he was surprised by the accusations leveled against Dybas, who he said is an avid Cubs fan. Consalvo said Dybas isn't usually the type to cause trouble, especially on Tuesday's night's scale.
"Every once in a while, when he gets a few beers in him, he acts a little bit nutty," Consalvo said. "He's a cool guy. He has a lot of talk in him but he usually doesn't do anything about it." A little bit nutty... well, at least these idiots are banned from the park now...
posted at 10:01 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, April 20, 2003
White Sox 4 - Indians 7
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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.
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posted at 04:15 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, April 19, 2003
White Sox 12 - Indians 3
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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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posted at 05:02 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
Ump Jumper Top 10
Dave just isn't letting it go... again... just like last time. Tonight's Top 10 List:
Top Ten Excuses From The Guy Who Attacked The Umpire
10. "I thought it was 'Attack A Defenseless Umpire Night'"
9. "Let's see you drink 15 beers and not do something stupid"
8. "Look at all the endorsements the shirtless father and son lunatics got"
7. "I wanted to impress Royals shortstop Angel Berroa"
6. "Umpire? I thought he was a vampire"
5. "It was Royals-White Sox game -- somebody's gotta make it exciting"
4. "You never heard of a little thing called 'spring fever'?"
3. "Pete Rose bet me I wouldn't do it"
2. "You're just not yourself when you've got shingles"
1. "From my angle, he looked exactly like Uday Hussein"
posted at 11:07 PM | Link | TV § |
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
No!!!! Not Again!!!
Nooooo!!!!!! Kansas City comes to town to play the White Sox... and another fan jumps out of the stands, this time he attacked first base umpire Laz Diaz. Shades of the Tom Gamboa attack by the shirtless father and son team last September. Know what's the pisser??? This was the fourth time during the game when fans ran out onto the field!!! We are soooo screwed. I wouldn't be surprised if Major League Baseball made a formal complaint, or at least a request, to get the whole security "thing" under control before the All-Star Game rolls into town. This just so pisses me off. These weren't baseball fans. these weren't Sox fans. these were assholes that decided to go to a baseball game and just screw around. Well, buddy, I hope your ass gets thrown in jail for a while. Stay the hell out of my park!
Note: I blame the White Sox for this. Look, I know these kind of "fans" exist at Wrigley, but you don't see this happen nearly as often. Why? The design of the park. The walls are brick, usually a good height, and depending where you are located, your seats may be a bit above the ground, all making it difficult to get onto the field. A few years ago, in their zeal to squeeze more revenue from the fans that actually show up at TPFKAC™, the White Sox added rows of seats down each line. By doing that, they brought the level of the seats down to field level, and put up a rail that - if you stand right next to it - hits you below the knee. That's right - to get onto the field, all you have to do is step over a rail that is only as high as your knee. WTF???? Who the hell's idea was that? Well, guess what? There's more fan incursions now than there used to be - gee, I wonder why??? So, White Sox, what are you going to do about this??? I am sooo pissed...
posted at 10:00 PM | Link | Baseball § |
TPFKAC™Look, I'm going on record here... I can't get myself to call that place US Cellular Field yet. It's still Comiskey to me, so cut me some slack until I "transition". Maybe I should be calling it "The Park Formerly Known As Comiskey™" or TPFKAC™.
posted at 12:43 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
All-Star Game Tickets
I got home from work to find... an invoice from the Chicago White Sox. there it was - my invoice for All-Star Week tickets. Yes, the whole week: Radio Shack All-Star Sunday (All-Star Futures Game and Legends and Celebrity Softball Game), Gatorade All-Star Workout Day (All-Star Batting Practice and Century 21 Homerun Derby), and, of course, the 74th MLB All-Star Game, parking for each day, and tickets for the John Hancock All-Star FanFest at McCormick Place.
Because we've only got weekend season tickets, we won't be in our normal seats (since there's three season ticket packages occupying the same seats), so we will be out in Section 105 - Right Field. Downside: not out normal box seats, a bit further away from the action. Upside: WAY COOL LOCATION for the Homerun Derby!!!!
I've got to get this invoice back to them with some money...
posted at 06:19 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Sunday, April 06, 2003
White Sox 10 - Tigers 2
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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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posted at 04:20 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, April 05, 2003
White Sox 7 - Tigers 0
OK, so would you trade your 37 degrees and cloudy with light rain for 32 degrees and partly sunny?
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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.
(Boxscore)
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. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:20 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, April 04, 2003
White Sox 5 - Tigers 2
OK, this was NOT fun. The traffic was much lighter than I had expected, so we got to the park 1 hour before the 3:05 game time. It's cold, windy, raining.
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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).
(Boxscore)
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). « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:58 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, March 22, 2003
White Sox Open HouseWell, here it is spring, and it's only fitting that Carol & I head down to Comiskey park for a Season Ticket Holder Open House for the team to show-off what they're doing inside the park for renovations.
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Lots of workers are outside, painting the ramps and the backs of the scoreboards. The ramps are all dark gray - the color that they're using for all of the concrete everywhere inside the park, darkening up everything. Speaking of darkening, they're painting the backs of the scoreboards and advertising black, to match the black light towers and black roof over the upper deck. The Open House takes place in the Stadium Club areas, as well as part of Club Level, which is good since we haven't been out there yet. Club Level was rehabbed last year and it's gorgeous. It's all climate controlled now, with doors at each of the aisles, and carpeted. They had one Club Level exit opened, so you could go outside and look at the changes.
The first change you notice, of course, is the main scoreboard. I was shocked! It was dark green! Could somebody have been listening to my lamenting? (I've always hated the blue seats and blue trim everywhere. The blue, with all of that concrete, made the place look like a giant swimming pool. All they needed to do was change everything from blue to green and the place would start looking like a ballpark.) The next thing you notice is the huge jumbotron that replaced the old one as well as the other lighted matrix boards in the main scoreboard. The only thing in that scoreboard now (other than advertising) is the jumbotron.
The next thing you notice is that there's something in front of the scoreboard. Above the Batter's Eye, on what was a large plaza last year, is now a large brick concession stand with a "Fan Deck" (read "Beer Garden") on top. This could be interesting. Looking around the outfield concourse, you notice that all of the changes they made to the main concourse are being extended out there - brick, canopies, new signage and new beer stands that look like they have pergolas on top of them. There are new scoreboards that are on the facade of the upper deck that are supposed to be LED boards that span over 300 feet, to be used for advertising, announcements, and I imagine, scores and statistics. All of the facing concrete had been painted gray. The entire park looked darker, so it's got to be easier on the players now to be able to pick up the ball when it's hit (they've always complained that the ball would get lost in all of the concrete and it was hard to see it - the ball and the concrete were very close in color).
Roger Bossard had come back from Spring Training to get the field into shape. He was running his little steamroller over the infield dirt, getting that ready. The field, quite frankly, didn't look all that great. You can see all of the patching from last season and the repairs from the rolling Stones concert. Oh, and it wasn't green either. How was he going to get it green in 13 days?
The other obvious thing - is what hasn't been done - there's not a single sign that says U.S. Cellular Field. It still says Comiskey Park everywhere. Let's see how they obliterate the name in 13 days.
It happened to me again. I was standing out on the Club Level ramp, just looking at the field, and I could leave. The weather was OK (not stellar - no sun, but hardly any wind), and I was comfortable being out there. But there it was, that damn pull of a ballpark. I just wanted to stay, look at the field, watch Roger tend to the dirt and grass. I don't get it - I just love baseball so much, that I didn't want to leave. Weird. It was just so... comfortable. Like an old robe. It just surrounds you and comforts you. Damn. Weird.
We ran into our buddies Daryl & Karen who brought 3-month old Payton with them. What a bruiser, but what a cutie. It was nice seeing them before opening day. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 01:52 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, March 10, 2003
Tickets!
I got home from work to find a package from 333 W. 35th Street. YES!!! Our White Sox Season Tickets came! Let's see what's new... there's 4 Sunday games with TBA times - meaning we'll have to see if there's interest at the end of the year to be on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. Dog Day is Saturday April 19, Paul Konerko Bobble Head Dolls on Friday July 18, a new night - Rat Pack Night Friday July 25, White Sox Comic Books Sunday August 10, and Elvis Night Friday August 22. We also got tickets to a party in two weeks to see some of the renovations at the park. The season is getting closer!!!!
posted at 06:06 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, March 08, 2003
White Sox Garage SaleTook a drive down to Comiskey Park today to go to the White Sox annual Garage Sale, just to see if there was anything interesting, not to mention to see if there was anything interesting around the park.
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The doors opened at 10. I got there about 10 minutes before. The first thing I noticed around the park were people. Lots of people, still in line for tickets that went on sale at 8am. When I've been to the Garage Sale in the past, the lines would be gone. This was something I wasn't used to. The line to get into the Garage Sale was long, like it usually is. People around me that hadn't been to this thing before had no idea what the wait would be line, and looked totally disgusted when I said it was my experience that it will be well over an hour. I was wrong, by the way. It was an hour and a half by the time I got in. Same old stuff - tons of jerseys, hats, helmets, catchers equipment. It was more of a garage sale this year as they were selling signage from inside the park. It's a great place to get old Media Guides for all the teams in each league. At a steal, too - 25 cents each or 5 for $1. I decided that Carol needed a gift, so I got her a jersey from her absolute favorite pitcher - who is no longer with the Sox - Jim Parque. I walked around outside the park and found exactly what I was looking for - the Gift Shop was open today. That meant going into the park to go the store - something I couldn't resist. I wanted to see what was going on with the cranes and the rumor of a new scoreboard. When I got up to the main concourse, I couldn't roam around at all - but I could see the field. The old scoreboard in left field that had the lineups and other animations on it is gone, replaced by just a blue panel. It looks like it's going to be just another billboard. The main scoreboard in centerfield, however, is gutted. So, we are getting a new scoreboard! Better technology, I hope. Another little note - not a single sign that said U. S. Cellular Field. It was actually a pretty nice day outside. No sun, but in the 40's. A nice drive. When I was driving back home, however, it started raining. then sleeting. The weather went downhill rapidly. Well, at least I scored points with Carol - I think she liked her jersey (though I think she's upset I spent the money for it). « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 02:11 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, February 28, 2003
The sound of the crowd after ash strikes horsehide...I've had an extremely stressfull and crappy day at work... until now. I've brought my little Sony Walkman and I'm listening to Spring Training Baseball - Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks. Ah, baseball...
Update: Ah, the first loss of the year. Sox lose 14-5 (Boxscore)
posted at 02:42 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Saturday, February 01, 2003
Front Page!
There it was - right there. The Chicago Tribune. Not even the Sports section. FRONT PAGE. Above the fold. Comiskey Park benched by Sox By Jim Kirk, Tribune staff reporter. Tribune staff reporters Teddy Greenstein and Gary Washburn contributed to this story. My quote, right there on the front page! "I don't like naming rights," said Northwest Side native Michael Lans, 46. "I don't like the idea. It will always be Comiskey to me. But the revenue is good. It would be nice to see some tweaks." Almost word for word. I mean, Teddy started with me and he was scribbling with his own shorthand on his memo pad, but basically, though I said more, that was what I said last night at SoxFest. I've never seen myself quoted on a front page before. It's a really weird feeling.
posted at 07:39 AM | Link | Mundane § |
Friday, January 31, 2003
SoxFest 2003Carol got off work early, came and picked me up so I could leave early and on an ugly, wet Friday we drove downtown to the Hyatt Regency Chicago to attend SoxFest 2003.
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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. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:50 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, January 25, 2003
Comiskey Park UpdateLast month, when we were on our meat run to Michigan, we were on the Dan Ryan and passed Comiskey Park. That was the first time I noticed it - there was something different about the park. The Upper deck looked the same, so there was no structural change there, but something else was going on. So, since I had nothing else to do today, I drove down to Comiskey to check it out.
read more of this entry »
I had heard some rumors that there would be another round of renovations at the park before this year's All Star Game in July. In the prior years, I've always heard about what was going on through our Season Ticket Rep, but nothing was released this year. I vaguely remember Hawk talking at the end of the season about a new scoreboard. At our last season ticket game and the last home game at the park last year, it was obvious they were doing some testing of paint.
The first thing I noticed on the drive to the park, as I was heading south on the Dan Ryan, just before that big sweeping turn at the Stevenson, you could see a crane inside the park. I didn't look too heavy, but it was definitely taller than the top of the stadium. I drove to the park and parked in the E lot and walked around the park. The sun may have been out, but it was cold out there. Well, there wasn't much I could see from the lot (the angles were all wrong) and I was getting a bit spooked-out by the security cameras panning around, so I got back in the car and drove around the park a few times and in different routes. The upper deck has definitely not changed in size or shape. There are temporary walls on the upper deck concourse. My guess is that they're doing renovations similar to the Main Concourse renovations of last year. The ramps outside the left field corner are now painted dark gray. the other ramps are still bare concrete. The inside of the roof on the upper deck that used to be white is now black. Even though we saw paint tests on the concrete facing of the upper deck at the end of the season, I couldn't get a good angle to see into the park to see if that had been done. All of the truss work above the outfield concourse (that held all of the advertising and the scoreboards) that used to be white is now painted black, or maybe a very dark gray. This includes the light towers as well. The backside of the scoreboards and ads are still white. There was a service door that was open behind the left-field scoreboard, and you could see that the scoreboard was gone - just support girders were left. The crane that can be seen inside the park seems to be positioned by that scoreboard. (I wouldn't mind seeing an upgrade to the scoreboards. The Sony display on the main scoreboard, though only 12 years old, sure isn't the latest technology. And the bulb density of the left field scoreboard could be upgraded a bit.) I'd like to see if they've changed the color scheme inside the park at all (I, for the record, am against the all blue crap used in the park - blue seats, blue scoreboards. blue padding on the outfield walls.) So far, in general, it looks like the park is going to look "darker", which, from a player perspective, is a good thing. You see, the players have always complained at Comiskey that they lose sight of the ball against the color of all the concrete used in the place. My guess is that they're painting the concrete to darken the background for the players. Maybe we'll find out more next weejkend at SoxFest. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 03:38 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Saturday, December 07, 2002
The Big Hurt
So, Frank Thomas returns to the White Sox after he can't find a team to take him. No big surprise. I have mixed feelings about this guy. Yes, he's a great power hitter - but he hasn't been that way recently. There was a time where he led the league in walks because he was so feared. Not any more. He's too moody. He's had some injuries over the last few years, leading to some pretty bad stats. An, even though I'm a White Sox fan and follow the American League, he's now just a Designated Hitter and, well, that's just not right. (Even though, in the past, if he played First Base, his stats went up, though he always denied it.) So, the Sox have actually torn-up his contract and reworked it for a couple of years with both sides getting to exercise "mutual options" for renewal. So, Frank, if you're back, you better start doing something and become the leader of that team - something you have never done in the past 13 years on this team.
posted at 09:30 AM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Thursday, September 26, 2002
Last Home Game
I couldn't help it - I had to go to the White Sox game this afternoon. It was the last game of the season at home, and I felt compelled to go. Got a single ticket in the 11th row behind the plate. When I walked into the park (which was pretty empty at the time), you could tell the work on the upper deck was on it's way - all of the seats on the third base side had been covered in a blue tarp, and some scaffolding had been erected - looks like they're going to strip and paint the roof. Whoopee - new paint (too bad they don't have the money to fix the upper deck, like change the pitch, change the seating...). And speaking of new paint, the paint samples I saw Sunday night aren't the same paint samples that are there today - maybe they've gone from four colors to two in their selection process. I get some sausages (Polish with grilled onions and a Brat with kraut, which later I found out was an Italian Sausage instead) and go to my seat. Just before the game starts, this guy sits down in front of me with a bunch of equipment, and some other people are running an extension cord and some coax cable to his seat. He's working for NESN (the sports network that covers the Boston games) as a radar gun guy. this guy is definitely not a baseball fan, as he really acted like he wanted to be somewhere else all game. He must have got no more that 80% of the pitches on the gun, as he was fidgeting and bored and not paying attention. Oh, and it looked like he had pennies in his earlobes. Anyway, the game was great. Danny Wright held Boston to two hits in seven innings. Magglio Ordonez got a homerun off of first-time starter Josh Hancock. Keith Foulke got his career 100th save. Sox win 3-2. When Frank Thomas came up to bat in the eighth, the fans gave him a standing ovation - it could be his last at bat as a White Sox (because of the "Diminished Skills" clause of his contract (officially referred to as "revised payment rights") may be activated in the off-season). Then, the game was over, the season was over. I walked around the park almost by myself - there was only 12,304 in attendance and there were less people there now than when I was there last month for what could have been the last game before the strike. It was sad. I was sad to leave the place and I can't tell you why. I didn't want to leave. I just wanted to find a seat and just sit there - by myself. Me and the park. Me and Roger Bossard's turf. Me and the crappy blue seats. I felt safe. I felt comfortable. I couldn't stay - I had to go. And as I'm walking down the ramps, my eyes start to water behind my RayBans. Goodbye Comiskey. See you next year.
posted at 05:56 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, September 25, 2002
Shirtless Top 10
Dave just isn't letting it go.... tonight's Top 10 List:
Top Ten Shirtless Father And Son Explanations
10. He was obstructing our view
9. Autographed Tom Gamboa baseball would be worth more if he were dead
8. We're sorry, you'll have to talk to our shirtless lawyer
7. You try staying in your seat during a White Sox-Royals game
6. Dr. Phil says fathers and sons form stronger bonds when they commit senseless acts of violence
5. When two shirtless idiots can't attack anyone they want, the terrorists have won
4. People do crazy things after nine beers
3. For generations our family has proudly beaten first-base coach Tom Gamboa
2. Getting in shape for hockey dad season
1. Couple Mets players gave us some crazy weed, man
posted at 11:05 PM | Link | TV § |
Sunday, September 22, 2002
Birthday cake and ESPN Sunday Night Baseball
Went to my parents house for lunch. My sister Diane was over with Melinda so we could celebrate her birthday (remember, she was out of town on her birthday, though Carol and I already got her a present). Carol is driving this weekend since my car has that damn space-saver spare on it. I'll be getting new tires (yep, a full set) later this week. I think she's upset that she's driving, even though I've been driving to my parents and the ballpark all summer. She's pretty tired and stressed out right now. I didn't see too much of Dad. He didn't talk much, seemed tired and not as energetic as he has been. Hopefully, that was just today. His hospice nurse quit, and he has a new one - hopefully he wasn't the cause!
Hardly anybody in the parking lot when we pulled into Comiskey Park tonight, our last game of the season. The game time was moved to 7:05 just a few weeks ago, so ESPN can broadcast the game. They really bring out the equipment for the broadcast - they added 3 cameras around the plate, all remote control (one on the backstop, one at each dugout), one in straight away center, above the batter's eye for that special Strike Zone analysis shot. Plus three cameras in the regular center field position, a roving camera on the outfield concourse... Parabolic Mics everywhere in the outfield and camera wells - on guy in the camera well next to the White Sox dugout got hit with a ball - it went through the parabolic mic dish! I was looking around the park and noticed that they started test painting the concrete on the upper deck. There's four different colors, all gray. That's part of the off-season rehab. Nothing major - there's not enough money to really fix the upper deck. Did you know it would cost $4 million to replace the blue seats with green ones? It was Fan Appreciation Night - the team gave out gifts to some of the fans. We weren't one of them. The Sox SWEEP the Twins 8-2. It doesn't mean anything, as the Twins already clinched the division, but it was a show of PRIDE. Mark Buehrle got his 19th win (19-11), Frank Thomas, D'Angelo Jimenez, and Magglio Ordonez each had a home run. Afterwards, fireworks and saying goodbye to all of our Season Ticket buddies hoping to see them sitting somewhere around us next year. It was our last season ticket game this year, but I think I'll go to the Thursday afternoon game against the Red Sox, since that is the last home game. I just can't seem to let go of baseball this year...
posted at 11:25 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 21, 2002
White Sox 14 - Twins 4posted at 06:57 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, September 19, 2002
Shirtless thugsposted at 10:05 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 08, 2002
White Sox 7 - Indians 6
Back at Comiskey. The Indians haven't had a 4-game sweep of the Sox since 1948. Great. It could happen today. The weather is hotter and hazier than yesterday. The park is emptier than yesterday - 15,067 paid. The game starts similarly - The Sox lead 2-0, only to go down 4-2, and the next thing you know, we're losing 6-3. Bottom of the 9th, 2 on, 2 out - who comes to the plate? Frank Thomas. This guy has done nothing this year. A DH with a .245 average. I can't remember the last time he's done anything in a clutch situation - strikeouts, ground outs, pop outs. What does he do? 3-run home run to tie it! Magglio Ordonez gets on base, and then Joe Crede - with two strikes against him - singles home Mags. Sox win 7-6! No sweep! And they gain a game on Minnesota
After the game, the Sox released Royce Clayton. So that's why Kenny Williams was hanging around in Jerry Reinsdorf's suite...
posted at 09:45 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 07, 2002
White Sox 2 - Indians 4 (Oh, and Gracie, Greeks and B&B)
Time to pack-up Gracie. She looked a bit confused this morning, almost like she knew something was up but couldn't figure out what it is. But, then again, I think that Gracie's just not wired right. We got her packed up in the car and she just wouldn't settle down. She also didn't seem to recognize the neighborhood around my parents house. Odd. We got there and as soon as we walk into their house, she went nuts. Chelsea and her started wrestling as soon as they saw each other, like they missed it other. We couldn't stay long, since it's a baseball day and Fox has the coverage, so it's an early start.
At Comiskey, it's time to play the Cleveland Indians again. Seems like we just saw them, but that was back at the beginning of July. I mentioned back then how I didn't like their fans, but they didn't show up to cheer their team. This time, nobody showed up to cheer either team. The place was empty - 16,622 paid. It was hot and humid. We had to drink lots of fluids to stay on top of things. The shade didn't get to us until 2 o'clock, which is at least earlier than in June/July when it's 3 o'clock. Anyway, Carlos Lee had a home run, but that was it for the team - Sox lose 4-2. Sad. Jon Garland didn't look too good, not like the complete game shutout I saw him pitch a few weeks ago.
After the game, we went up Lake Shore Drive to Wrigleyville. I'm not getting used to seeing the construction at Soldier Field. It just doesn't look right. The seating "bowl" is huge. It looks pretty damn awkward, sort of out of place. Anyway, we went to pickup our buddy Barry. We met Buffy up in Evanston to go to the Evanston Century 12 to see My Big Fat Greek Wedding. What an absolute fun flick! A Must see! The other cool thing is that it was only made for about $5 Million, and it was the 2nd highest grossing film this weekend! I didn't know it was filmed in Chicago.
After the movie, we went to the Davis Street Fishmarket. OK, this was a delight (I'm starting to sound like James Lipton...). I really loved this place. Loved the service, loved the food. Our girls got roses on the way in (have no idea why). Need to go back again. Highly recommended. Between the movie and dinner, it was a great evening. When we got home and picked-up the mail, we noticed we got out check from White Sox Charities! Thank ou again, Elvis! Except for the Sox losing, it really was a great day.
posted at 09:39 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 31, 2002
Season Ticket Partyposted at 04:49 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, August 28, 2002
White Sox 8 - Blue Jays 0
What an absolutely gorgeous day for a baseball game. I am so happy that I decided to go. Of course, I look like a lobster right now. At least the sunburn isn't hurting - yet. Not much of a crowd - 12,972. Saw something I have never seen before, but it's probably because I don't normally sit behind the plate - there was a bunch of scouts with radar guns watching Jon Garland and the Toronto relief pitcher Brian Bowles. I know that one of them had a Cubs logo on his polo shirt. Carlos Lee had a home run, and Magglio Ordonez had two home runs. I think I saw former Negro League's pitcher/catcher Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe sitting at the top of my section. I saw him throw out the first pitch on his 100th birthday last month, and I've seen him on TV, sitting in the same location. Anyway, Sox win 8-0. Jon Garland pitched a complete game shutout.
After the game, people didn't leave. They just slowly left, lingering in the seats, lingering on the concourse. These were the people that just didn't belive that this could possibly be the last game of the year if the players strike on Friday. The customer service reps weren't chasing anybody out either. It's as if they understood as well. I just hung out for a while and watch them shut things down. Then I slowly walked down the ramps to my car. I hope the idiots that are negotiating understand what a strike will do to the game. I'm worried.
And like I've said before, it's screwing up my clock.
posted at 05:04 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Blog to goWell, I'm at Comiskey, posting via WAP from my phone. I was able to get a seat behind the plate. Looks like a small crowd, but it's still a half an hour before game time. Will this be the last home game?
posted at 12:29 PM | Link | Blogging § |
Sunday, August 25, 2002
White Sox 8 - Devil Rays 3
Back at Comiskey for what may be our last game of the season (if there's a strike Friday). (Three days watching Tampa Bay was too much, so we gave away our tickets for yesterday). It was one of the Willy Wonka Kid's day promotions. One of the big things is that the entire team is available for half an hour before the game for autographs. Two or three players station themselves at the bottom of a section and people just line-up and get stuff autographed. The team does this about once a month. Oh, and kids 13 and under pay $1 to get in (day of game only) and they can run the bases (weather permitting) after the game. It's a good promotion, and does bring out the families. The game started out shaky. Tony Graffanino went down in the outfield after backup up a play. He heard something "pop", and the game ground to a halt. he was able to walk off the field after a while, but he was put on the DL. Ouch. Sox win 8-3. I know know how lucky I was on Friday to win the Sox Split Charity Raffle. Friday's pot (that I won) was $3,585, yesterday's was $2,146, today's was $1,643.
posted at 09:37 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, August 23, 2002
Thank you. Thank you very much...
THANK YOU ELVIS!!!!!
We were back at Comiskey Park tonight for what is always the strangest promotion night of the year- Elvis Night. Tons of Elvis impersonators - both professional and wanna be. There were three stages outside the park with impersonators performing. At least 5% of the people appear to be wearing Elvis-style sunglasses - with fake sideburns. Before the game, The E-Team - The Elvises of the Sky flew in the American Flag. (I was bummed - the weather was pretty weird and they couldn't jump after the game. They wear electric lighted jumpsuits, just like the Flying Elvises in the movie Honeymoon in Vegas.) The National Anthem was sung by impersonator Rick Saucedo. The only reason that I bring that up is a bit convoluted and "off topic" - over 20 years ago, we went to see a magician (who was a relation to our friend Teri) who was opening for Rick Saucedo. Teri brought her friend Kathy, and we went with my long-time friend Rick. They sort of "hooked-up" that night, got married, had 4 kids, and are still together. And to top it off, Kathy stumbled onto my website this past week (Hi, Kathy!). I'm going to have to find an old picture of us to put with this entry...
Anyway, during the game, there's Elvis trivia on the scoreboard. Some people perform in between some of the innings from on top of the dugouts.
The last time I saw my friend Peggy was two years ago, At Comiskey, on Elvis Night. Tonight, she was back with her husband Rob and daughter Maddie. It was absolutely great seeing them again. I knew they were at the game and went to visit them out in the bleachers. We sat around and talked and ate for an inning or so. Then they came over and visited us (our seats were along the third base side, pretty far down the line).
The weather is oppressive - it's not hot, it's in the low 70's, but the humidity is 94% and there's barely a wind. If feels stifling.
After the game, the Steppin' Out Dads do a little routine, then Shawn Klush ( a good impersonator) does a concert behind home plate. The E-Team was supposed to do their jump but FAA regs wouldn't let them. The night end with fireworks sponsored by Miller Lite.
Now, let's flash back a few innings... the White Sox have a charity raffle called Sox Split during the weekend games. Basically, you buy a ticket. The winner gets half the pot with the other half going to White Sox Charities. We actually won $804 back on June 28, 1998. Carol and I are both gamblers, so we always buy Split tickets when we go to the game. You never know.
Guess what? Yep, WE WON AGAIN. WE WON $3,585 !!!!! Thank you White Sox! Thank you Elvis!
Oh, the game? Sox lost 8-2. Against Tampa Bay. Against Tanyon Sturtze, who was 2-13 before the game and wound up pitching a complete game! We suck. One cool thing - Joe Crede hit the 1,000 home run by a White Sox player in new Comiskey Park (Frank Thomas was the first against Baltimore on April 22, 1991).
posted at 11:27 PM | Link | White Sox | 2 comments § |
Sunday, August 11, 2002
White Sox 6 - Mariners 5posted at 10:16 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 10, 2002
White Sox 3 - Mariners 7
Back at Comiskey again. I hate Fox games - they start earlier and the breaks in between innings for commercials just makes for a long day. The Ichiro bandwagon rolled into town, and the place with crowded, mostly with his fans, not only Japanese-American but Japanese-Japanese! He has a very large and loyal following, and it's very interesting to watch. I've bitched and moaned about other team's fans coming to the park and being arrogant. these fans are nothing like that. Polite but boisterous. You can't help but be respectful of that. It's always something to see. Last year was the first time we witnessed this - and it was just so interesting. It was amazing how many people had come to the park with bento boxes and coolers, eating sushi (which is just something you don't see around Comiskey). It was a night game last year and there were many more Japanese-lettered signed than this year.
Anyway, the game was great... for 6 innings. Jon Garland was fine, with a 3-0 lead in the seventh and then he was left in just a little too long. We wound up losing 7-3. Frank Thomas, as usual, did nothing for us, going 0-4. He can't do anything in a clutch. I'm not happy with him.
After the game, we went over to Janie & Gary's for the annual "Chicken Burn" - the title refers to what Gary does to the food on the grill. It's usually the group of people that sit around us at the game, but due to conflicts, it was just the four of us. Gary didn't burn the chicken, and it was a very nice night, just sitting around and talking.
posted at 10:16 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, July 31, 2002
One less pitcher
The Fire Sale continues... though I didn't see this one coming. The Chicago White Sox have acquired minor league pitchers Frankie Francisco and Byeong Hak An from Boston in exchange for right-hander Bob Howry and cash considerations. They're sending both new guys to Class A Winston-Salem. OK, I don't like this move, but boy we're sure stockpiling pitchers throughout the farm system. Thank God the trade deadline has passed (4pm ET today for players to be traded without going through the waiver process).
posted at 06:48 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, July 29, 2002
One less catcher
Can you say "Fire Sale!!!"??? Thursday, the White Sox traded away Ray Durham to Oakland. Yesterday, they traded away Kenny Lofton to the Giants. Today, the Sox are in Cooperstown to play in the Hall of Fame exhibition game against the Rockies. So, while they were there, they traded Sandy Alomar Jr. to the Rockies for minor league pitcher Enemencio Pacheco. Let's see... three veterans for: RHP Jon Adkins Class Triple-A Sacramento, LHP Ryan Meaux Class A Hagerstown, RHP Felix Diaz Class AA Shreveport, RHP Enemencio Pacheco Class A Salem. We get 2 Class A's, a Class AA, and a Class AAA. Jeez. I heard that Joe Crede is getting called-up, which may mean that they may be trying to move Jose Valentin or Royce Clayton. Great. Josh Paul gets called-up to take Sandy's place.
posted at 03:38 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, July 28, 2002
White Sox 4 - Royals 2posted at 09:42 PM | Link | White Sox | 2 comments § |
Saturday, July 27, 2002
White Sox 9 - Royals 1
Driving to Comiskey today was rough - there was a ton of traffic because of Venetian Night at the lakefront. It was a hot night - game time temperature was 90°, but the official box score said 84°. After the bottom of the first inning, we're sitting in our seats and we head this hearing and applause coming from the top of the next section over. We turn around to see... a bride and groom walking down the aisle! Their whole bridal party was there, parents, everybody. The bride still had her bouquet, but even though the groom was in his tux, it was topped-off with a Sox baseball cap. Then, in true baseball fan form, the groom sat down next to someone in the next section so that he could fill out his scorecard for the plays he missed in the first inning!!! The game wound-up being a blowout - the Sox won 9-1 over the Royals. Magglio Ordonez had 2 homeruns, Tony Graffanino and Aaron Rowand each had a homerun, and Carlos Lee had 2 doubles. It was our first time seeing Willie Harris. He didn't do much tonight (1 for 4 and an error). But ever since he joined the team, they're doing well (they won 10-2 last night). Coincidence?
posted at 11:41 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, July 25, 2002
One less second baseman
Nooooooooo!!!!! The White Sox traded Ray Durham to Oakland (along with cash!) for minor league pitcher Jon Adkins. They called-up Willie Harris to replace Ray-Ray. Damn. Sounds like GM Kenny Williams is starting to throw in the towel. Ray had the second-longest tenure with the Sox.
posted at 08:44 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, July 14, 2002
ROAD TRIP!
Carol and I get up early, drive to Riverside to pickup Janie & Gary, and then it's off to Midway Airport, where we meet Jeff and we're on our way to Detroit. I've never flown on Southwest before, and getting an "A" boarding pass, I'm told, is good, but it doesn't matter - plane is empty. The flight is really short - just barely enough time for the complimentary juice & coffee service. The Detroit airport (DTW) is... well, let's just say, now that Midway has started it's remodeling, this airport is the pits. We get on the Hertz shuttle to get our Crown Vic and drive into the city.
Finding Comerica Park was actually a bit difficult - you can't see it from a distance. Heck, you can't see it a block or two away. It's tucked into a small area downtown. We got to the park pretty early - somehow we lost sight of the fact that the game started at 2:05 (we thought 1:05). So, we slowly walked around the outside of the park to see what it looked like.
We went in as soon as the gates opened, and proceeded to walk around the park. The food selection was a bit pitiful. It wasn't until later did I find the better food at "Big Cat Court", and that made things better, but within the normal stands it was a bit plain & boring (though I had a Kielbasa that was very tasty).
Our seats were 28 rows behind the plate - great view, but in the sun all through the game. This caused a major problem for Carol, who got what seems to be minor heatstroke even before the game started. She had to sit in a different area in the shade and we had to help her out with wet towels, lots of water, and some ice cream to help her cool down. She was better by about the 4th inning, but we kept in the shade for the whole game.
The game itself was OK. It looked like the Sox were going to lose again, but Carlos Lee had two homeruns, and then Jose Valentin hit a triple in the eighth that scored two and then scored himself when the throw to third went wild (sort of an in-the-park homerun, but not really). Sox win 6-4.
After the game, we walked (!) over to Greektown to have dinner at Pegasus. Well, I wasn't hungry after being out there all day, so Jeff and I took a walk through the Greektown Casino while the others ate dinner. It was weird being in Detroit and being in a land-based casino. It was a nice place, two floors - larger than I thought it would be. Sunday afternoon, almost every single table game we saw were $10 tables. I think we saw one $15 table.
Back to the restaurant, the group finished up, and then it was off to the airport. This time we all got "B" boarding passes - not a good omen. Sure enough, the flight home was packed. We got in 10 minutes early, and had to wait 20 minutes for a gate. Then we drove Jeff home, drove Janie & Gary home, and finally drove home ourselves. A very long day. Would we do it again? You bet!
posted at 10:06 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, July 07, 2002
White Sox 3 - Indians 9
Back at Comiskey, and there's something cool before the game. Former Negro League's pitcher/catcher Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe, who was in a wheelchair, was brought out onto the field by Harold Baines. "Double-Duty" stood up, out of his wheelchair, and threw out the first pitch! Today was his 100th Birthday! He threw the pitch to one of the guys he used to manage - Buck O'Neill - who's 90 years old! How cool is that? It turns out, he always goes to Sox games. I need to see if I can find him the next time I'm at Comiskey. I saw a clip about him on TV when I got home - he's still very sharp. I think that it's great to have somebody from that era still around.
Oh, the game? Ew. Sox lost 9-3. Todd Ritchie, who is now 5-11 with a 5.82 ERA in 19 games and 108.1 IP, gave up a grand slam among his 6 earned runs. Yeah, that trade for Ritchie is working real well. Let's see - we got Ritchie for Kip Wells - 9-6 3.41 ERA in 18 games and 108.1 IP, Sean Lowe - 2-2 5.54 ERA in 31 games and 52.0 IP, and Josh Fogg - 9-6 3.56 ERA in 17 games and 103.2 IP. I don't know, but to me it looks like we got the wrong end of that deal for this season.
posted at 05:01 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 06, 2002
White Sox 7 - Indians 3
What a gorgeous day! It never did rain. There were some clouds for a while, but it turned into something pretty nice. Back at Comiskey for a series against the Cleveland Indians. This used to be the one series we used to loathe to go to. When Jacobs Field opened in Cleveland, the games were always sold out. The Sox took out ads in the Cleveland papers to invite people who couldn't get tickets at "The Jake" to come to Comiskey. Well, it filled the place, but God it was awful to sit there with all these Cleveland fans, who just about out-numbered the Sox fans. those days are gone - The Jake is no longer sold out, Cleveland is not in the pennant race and is trading top players, and now Comiskey is not filled with their fans. What a nice day! Game time temperature - 81 degrees. Interesting confluence of promotions today - Kellogg's Kids Week and Extreme Day sponsored by Mountain Dew with rock climbing walls, mechanical bulls, bikes, skateboards... The game was good, too, a nice close give-and-take game (the kind I like). Sox won 7-3.
After the game, we drove up Lake Shore Drive to Barry & Buffy's (another glorious ride up the drive on a gorgeous day). We decided to do a movie and dinner, so we drove back up to Evanston, to the Evanston Century 12 to see The Bourne Identity. Wow. good flick. Great car chase... in a Cooper Mini!!! (I'd love to get one of those cars). After the movie, we walked over to Merle's Smokehouse for some barbecue. Hey, I was surprised - this was good food and we had great service as well. You know, even though I feel like I'm living in my car the last few days, I really enjoyed today.
posted at 10:32 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, June 30, 2002
White Sox 2 - Cubs 9
Back at Comiskey. Hot. No, HOT! Game time temperature - 91°. Heat index 103°. Oh, this is bad. On top of that, we've got too many Sox fans getting cocky and bringing brooms into the park, hoping for a sweep in the series. And now there's way too many Cubs fans here today, and they're the mean, venomous ones that I always hate coming into my ballpark. Sure enough, Sox lose 9-2 (but, I have to hand it to Matt Clement - he pitched a great game). Sure enough, security is very active today and there are fights in the stands at the top of our section. Time to leave early to go to my parents for dinner. Too hot, too ugly.
posted at 08:43 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 29, 2002
White Sox 5 - Cubs 4
Back to Comiskey Park for a weekend series that I always dread - Interleague play against the Chicago Cubs. The game was sold out months ago. It's gong to be hot. It's not going to be fun. I mean, let's face it, both Chicago baseball teams suck right now. Game time is 12:15 for Fox. The parking lot opened 4 hours before game time to accommodate all those tailgaters that can't tailgate at Wrigley since there are no parking lots up there (all the lots that exist are "private"). Gate opened 2 hours before, and that's when we got there. We were successful in avoiding traffic and crowds, but we get inside the park... and there's no batting practice. Great. Nice PR move. get everybody there early and bore them to death. Great. The park fills just before first pitch. It's hot, but fortunately cooler near the lake - 86° at game time (it's going to be hotter tomorrow). The sun is a scorcher. The bottle water vendors are plunging their hands into the ice water that they're carrying and shaking their hands over the crowd to help lure them to buy more water. It's like they're baptizing the fans. Somehow, during the course of the game, there's a healthy give-and-take on the field and even in the stands. The Cubs fans that are here are good, and the Sox fans are on their good behavior around us. It turns out being a great day. It turns out to be the second-highest attendance ever at New Comiskey - 45,942 (yesterday, the first game in the series, was the highest ever - 46,027). Sox Win 5-4. A good day.
After the game, it's off to Barry & Buffy's to have a nice barbecue with Debbie. We leave the park, head east to Lake Shore Drive and head north. What a gorgeous day at the lake. People - believe me when I say this - driving north on Lake Shore Drive today reminds me of how beautiful this town is and why I live here. The new "bowl" is starting to take shape above the south rim of Soldier Field. Buckingham fountain looks great, Grant Park is full of people thanks to Taste of Chicago. Tons of people jogging on the bicycle path or riding their bikes... WAIT!!! HEY!!!... THAT WAS DICK BUTKUS THAT JUST DROVE BY ON HIS BICYCLE!!! OK, This is a great Chicago day! Had a nice dinner with B&B and Debbie - Barry grilled-up some pork chops on the grill. It was a very long day, but it felt like a good day.
posted at 11:28 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 08, 2002
White Sox 1 - Expos 2
Back to Comiskey Park. Tonight, Barry is with me - Carol was at my cousin Jane's surprise Bridal Shower this afternoon at Cog Hill. First thing we did was to go upstairs to the Stadium Club to watch the Belmont Stakes. It was 70-1 long shot Sarava the winner (a record $142.50 for a $2 bet) - War Emblem didn't get the Triple Crown, finishing 8th (but was in first for a while, after stumbling out of the gate).
Anyway, it's Interleague time again, or as Carol calls it - cross-pollination. The first inning starts good - 3 up/3 down. Then we're up. Kenny Lofton triples to right (Vladimir Guerrero dove to his left and didn't come up with the ball, and Kenny just kept chugging). Ray Durham sacrificed to deep right and scores Lofton. OK, Good start. Frank Thomas strikes out - nothing new. Magglio Ordonez singles to right, Jose Valentin singles to right, Carlos Lee walks. BASES LOADED, Jeff Liefer steps to the plate. What the hell is he doing in the game? Where's Paul Konerko? Must be a lefty-righty thing. Sure enough - strike out. That summarizes what the Sox have been doing for the last month. It looked like we would get to Tomo Ohka, but it never happened. Jon Garland looked pretty good - retiring the first 12 batters. Expos tied it in the 5th. Both teams struggle the rest of the game, trying to do anything. Keith Foulke come in to pitch the 9th. First pitch to Vladimir Guerrero - home run. Thank you, Keith Foulke. He's caused more pain than good for the Sox lately. Bottom of the 9th, Frank Thomas flies out then Magglio Ordonez walks on 4 pitches. OK, we have a baserunner. On the first pitch, Jose Valentin hits into a double play. It's over. Ordonez, again, made no attempt to break it up, like I said during the Yankee game.
WE SUCK.
posted at 10:32 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, May 27, 2002
White Sox 6 - Yankees 10
Went to Comiskey today. We suck. The Yankees beat us 10-6 (hey... this is sounding familiar...) OK, let's talk about the positive side of the night - there was a tribute to former White Sox third baseman Robin Ventura (it was his first trip back to Comiskey since 1998 - he's been in the National League playing for the Mets, and this year he plays for the Yankees). Everyone gave him a standing "o" and he came out to acknowledge the crowd. It was great. Oh, and Frank Thomas celebrated his 34th Birthday.
OK, let's talk about the bad side of the evening. We get there an hour & a half before the game - normally enough time. Tonight, the parking lots are full. Tonight's attendance - 43,781. We're not used to people actually being at the park! And the inflation in the attendance was all due to Yankee fans. Not just Yankee fans, those goddam sombitch arrogant friggin' big-mouthed Yankee fans. I hated every single one of those bastards. It's one thing to root for your team, it's another thing to antagonize the people around you, the friggin' bastards. Another way to tell that the increase in attendance wasn't due to White Sox fans? They were doin' the friggin' wave in the upper deck!!! You don't go to a damn baseball game in Chicago (even on the North Side) and do the friggin' wave!!!!!!!! Fights? Oh, sure. I saw a lot of people getting hauled out of the park - something we don't normally see. Screw you, you damn Yankee fans. Get the hell out our ballpark... Oh, and Carol almost attacked some blonde bimbo that was sitting behind us, but that's another story. She did lose it, though. I was a bit concerned. Anyway, Danny Wright gave up 6 runs on 5 hits in the first inning on 39 pitches. That was the game - if it wasn't for the first inning, the outcome would have been different. Jose Valentin twisted his ankle on a grounds crew hose when going after a foul ball. He's day-to-day now. The guy that's bothering me right now is Magglio Ordonez. He's not base running well - he seems to be giving up on double-play balls, making no attempt to get to first (in case someone bobbles the ball, which happened tonight) or at least attempt to take out the shortstop/second baseman. I don't know, it just doesn't feel right. Anyway, we were glad to get the hell out of Comiskey tonight.
posted at 11:06 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, May 26, 2002
White Sox 2 - Tigers 9posted at 11:03 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 18, 2002
White Sox 10 - Angels 4
So it's, what, May 18? It's 48° at game time tonight. Mother Nature is screwing us yet again. Carol and I go to the park and head directly for the Stadium Club and get seats on the rail (not on the glass, but great seats anyway). This is why we spend the money for the Stadium Club - for shelter from cold, rain, and excessive heat. Around the 5th inning I take a trip downstairs and get our buddy Victor (otherwise known as The Diz on WGCI 107.5 FM) (who sits next to us) and Jeff & his date (who sit next to Victor) and rescue them from the cold with the warmth of the Stadium Club. As far as the game, well, Frank Thomas had two home runs, Paul Konerko and Jose Valentin each had a home run as the Sox win 10-4 over the Angels. Pitching was scary again. Gary Glover got the win. Kelly Wunsch made his first appearance after missing almost a year with arm surgery. He faced 3 batters and only threw 9 pitches with one walk and one hit. Rocky Biddle, Damaso Marte, Antonio Osuna and finally Bob Howry all pitched. Sounds and feels a bit excessive.
posted at 10:29 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, May 17, 2002
Wolves 2 - Aeros 1
I really don't know how Pasi Nurminen keeps doing it! The Wolves won 2-1 of the Houston Aeros and now lead the series 3-1. Officiating - crap, as usual for the AHL. Very uneven all season. Tonight, just 1:34 into the first period, Dan Snyder got mauled at center ice behind the play. Referee didn't see it. So Danny goes back, puts his stick between the aggressors' legs, and yanks straight up. Guy hits the ice. Referee didn't see it, but a linesman does. Danny gets a Five Minute Spearing penalty along with a game misconduct, because they think it was with intent to injure. Great, there goes one of out leading scorers, whose scored game winning goals in 4 playoff games. Somehow, we still survive. Pasi stopped 34 shots, and the one he didn't was a weird wrap-around where Pasi was down on the ice on the other side. Just looked weird. Finally had 7,035 people instead of the usual 2,000.
posted at 10:46 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, May 05, 2002
White Sox 2 - Athletics 3posted at 10:09 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 04, 2002
White Sox 10 - Athletics 2posted at 11:12 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Blogging from my seat...Well, here I am at Comiskey Park, actually sitting in my seat, using my cell phone to post this via WAP. Too cool, but really too time consuming keying-in text using the keypad. The Sox are playing Oakland. It's a pitching duel - sort of. Oakland scored in the first... Oh crap! Jose Valentin just hit a triple with the bases loaded! I think I had better stop playing with the phone and watch the game - we're winning 4-1!
posted at 07:21 PM | Link | Blogging § |
Sunday, April 21, 2002
White Sox 11 - Tigers 8
Such a cold, windy, rainy day... let's go to a baseball game! 43°. Thank God we made reservations for a window seat up in the Stadium Club bar at Comiskey. It felt good knowing that we could go to the park and not worry about how to dress for the weather. We got there early and got a good seat. Had a great lunch (the food is always good - the facility is handled by Levy Restaurants).
The game was "iffy" again. Oh, sure, we scored 8 runs in the first inning (Jose Valentin had a home run, and Tigers starter Jose Lima only lasted 2/3 of an inning), but that doesn't mean anything anymore when you have a questionable starting pitcher. Today it was Jon Rauch (who is now officially the tallest player to ever play in the majors at 6' 11"). Well, those 8 runs weren't very secure as Rauch gave up 8 runs in 4 innings. I still don't know how a pitcher can feel the ball and control it in weather situations like this. Finally, in the 7th, Ray Durham came up to pinch hit with the bases loaded (he was out of the lineup with a chest cold - yesterday he had an ingrown toenail dug out. Ew.) and hit a single (which was misplayed by Tigers LF Bobby Higginson) that scored 3 runs and gave us the game. Whew. Watching the game from behind the glass sure made the game more enjoyable.
Went to my parents' house for dinner. I jealous again - my sister is going to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival next weekend. She always goes to great destinations for these great little getaways.
Watched the Wolves on cable TV and they won against Grand Rapids and advance to the Calder Cup Western Conference Semifinals! We never thought they would go further in the playoffs! They now play the Syracuse Crunch (the number 1 seed) in a best-of-7, but we don't know when.
posted at 09:18 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, April 20, 2002
White Sox 12 - Tigers 5
Another weekend at Comiskey Park. Today, other than the game against the Tigers, was Dog Day. People (with advance paperwork) can bring their dogs to the park for the day. There's a pre-game parade, the dogs and owners all sit together in their own section of the bleachers, and the outfield concourse is loaded with tables from local humane and pet organizations. It really is a fun time. For the last few years, it was held in August. There have been days where the temperatures were pretty high, and the dogs didn't fare very well being out in all that concrete in this heat. The Sox decided to change the date this year to April to help with the comfort level.
April is not the correct month to do this.
The day was miserable. Gametime temperature - 45°. Wind - 20 mph. Windchill in the 20's. This is not baseball weather. We got there early to look at the dogs as they entered the park at Gate 1. We went inside and it was pretty empty. The pre-game parade was one of the longer ones that I can remember. I also used to remember a costume judging aspect to all this - they must have stop doing that since we didn't hear anything about the winners.
The game started out a little rough. Jon Garland didn't have the command of his pitches. But then again, how can a pitcher really feel the ball when you're pitching with windchills in the 20's? Again, the Sox offense was unbelievable. Jose Valentin, Frank Thomas, and Magglio Ordonez had home runs and Paul Konerko hit a Grand Slam.
By the end of the 6th inning we had enough of the weather and went upstairs to the Stadium Club to watch the rest of the game and get a quick bite. We made reservations for seats on the glass for tomorrow - the weather is actually supposed to be worse.
The Sox won 12-5. They now have the highest team slugging percentage in all of baseball at .509 and highest team batting average at .316. Pitching, well... 5th in the AL 18th in baseball with a 4.39 ERA., third in the AL in Fielding Percentage but 14th in all of baseball. It's obvious we're all offense. We need the pitching to come around, but that's something we saw during spring training. All I want right now is to either stay tight to the division leader or get on top and get some room between us and the rest of the division.
posted at 05:08 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, April 14, 2002
White Sox 9 - Orioles 4posted at 09:24 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, April 13, 2002
Hey! It's Lisa!posted at 10:37 PM | Link | The Mole § |
White Sox 4 - Orioles 3posted at 10:18 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, April 12, 2002
White Sox 5 - Orioles 2 - Home Opener
Another long day, but baseball started at Comiskey and I felt that "clock" that moves move life start ticking again. We were pretty excited to see what the new renovations looked like at the Park. There was four things that were done over the winter - the first we wouldn't be able to see, and that was the enclosure and rehab of the Club level concourse and concessions. Another renovation was minor, but was put to the test during the game - a new backstop. This one is a much finer mesh and it's just a vertical screen - there is no longer a net to cover the people behind the plate. If there's a foul ball behind the plate, people now must pay attention because the net won't save them!
The other two renovations were hard to miss. The old black aluminum "Batter's Eye" in center field was torn apart and rebuilt to include plantings (bushes and IVY). On top is a large plaza area that had a series of picnic tables. To block any distraction of the fans from the batters, is a large green nylon "screen" that lined the plaza area. It's difficult to see people moving behind the screen, so the batters shouldn't be distracted. The problem is that the screen is pretty hard to see through. You can sort of see the field, but it's almost impossible to see the ball.
The biggest renovation and the one that we were really excited about was the main concourse. Everything was redone in brick and aluminum, with new lighting, signage and new designs for all the concession stands - it totally changed the feel of the park when you were walking around. It was amazing. It's gorgeous, and it's in the right "direction" to change the over all look of the park. And then I heard on the radio the one thing that I've wanted for years that I think will be the biggest change to the look of the park: in the future, the seats and padding on the walls will be changed from blue to dark green! YES!!! You'll see more pictures of the rennovations in the next couple of games. For some reason, they've named most of the concession stands after former White Sox players
So, what about the game?, Oh yeah, the Sox won 5-2 over the Orioles. Mark Buehrle pitched 7 innings of 2-hit ball (he's now 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA). Home runs by Jose Valentin, Sandy Alomar Jr., and Ray Durham. Kenny Lofton was 3-for-3 with a walk. Keith Foulke got another save, but he's still looking shaky - he gave up 2 hits in the 9th, and his ERA is still high at 6.35, which isn't good for a closer. There were a lot of questionable calls from the entire umpiring crew, that almost made it feel like there was a conspiracy against us. Weird. And, in typical White Sox fan fashion - not a sell out, but 41,128 were there. The game lasted only 2:24, which was great. (ESPN Boxscore here)
After the game, we drove out to Riverside to have dinner with our Season Ticket buddies Janie & Gary (who we were sitting with during the game). First we made our flight reservations - we're going to Detroit to see the Sox play the Tigers at Comerica Park on July 14th. Should be fun, and I really enjoy seeing new ballparks. We went out to dinner at a restaurant called the Choo Choo Cafe in Riverside. Now, when I heard the name of this place, I had this thought of old women serving coffee in gingham dresses and aprons to patrons sitting at red & white checkerboarded oil clothed tables. Not so. This is a bit "upscale" and the food was great. Carol & Gary and lamb shanks, Janine had some encrusted chicken thing, & I had a New York Strip that was one of the better pieces of meat that I've had in a while.
Long day but a good day.
posted at 09:12 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, March 28, 2002
PreseasonWatching the White Sox - Cubs preseason game on Fox Sportsnet Chicago (The Sox are winning 16-3 after 5 innings). There's a black cat running on the field. Of course, Chip Caray has to say that he feels good about it since it's on the Sox side of the field. I HATE Chip Caray. HATE him. (Update: Sox won 22-7)
posted at 03:56 PM | Link | Mundane § |
Tuesday, March 05, 2002
Radiation Therapy Chauffeur™ dutyThe last two days have been interesting driving on the tollway & expressway - there have been a lot of trucks that have been sitting outside collecting snow over the weekend. Now, as they barrel down the road at a high rate of speed, the compacted snow is shooting off the tops of the trucks in sheets, causing havoc for anyone following behind. You don't want to be behind these things. I saw another truck that didn't have compacted snow, just light snow on top. It left a blizzard behind it - you couldn't see the traffic in the middle of this snow-cloud.
On the way to pick-up my parents, I saw a huge fire over in Harwood Heights. I think I heard later on the radio that it was some kind of auto body place. It was kind of startling to see - being on the Kennedy expressway, you're sort of in a wide ditch - below ground level, so you don't see what's going on in the neighborhoods around you. Then, when I got off at Nagle, you could see the black smoke in the sky, not very far ahead. It must not have been burning very long.
Ah... baseball on the radio... Sox playing the Cubs... gotta love it... and the Sox won 20-6! And it was a split squad game for the Sox! Update: Of course, bragging too soon, the Sox split-squad lose against Arizona 16-5 tonight...
Hey, did you know that an ostrich's eye is heavier than it's brain? See, the daytime version of the Weakest Link is educational!
Got an invoice from the Chicago Wolves for Calder Cup playoff tickets. Like they're gonna win the cup this year... We reluctantly spend money that we don't have and send in our ticket request (including a 25% deposit for next season's tickets).
posted at 03:16 PM | Link | Family § |
Saturday, February 23, 2002
Conference and Learning Center at Comiskey Parkposted at 01:17 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, February 01, 2002
SoxFest 2002
Well, we left home almost two hours before SoxFest was supposed to begin. We barely got there in time, due to the traffic. We were meeting our friends and season ticket holders Jeff & Doreen, and Janie & Gary at 5pm, when the doors opened. Well, when we got there, we had to go to a different floor because the line was so long. We knew that there was a security bag check before ewe went in, but had no idea what we were in for. We met everyone else while we were standing in line. The line started to move around 5:40pm! We went straight to the first (and only) scheduled seminar - a discussion session with General Manager Kenny Williams and Manager Jerry Manual, hosted by radio broadcaster Ed Farmer. The first thing we hear is something that literally just happened probably minutes before - we get Kenny Lofton as our new Center Fielder!!! Got him as a free agent with a one year deal. This is big deal!
Well, Jeff gets in line to ask a question of Kenny Williams, the General Manager. It's long, involved, loaded with pointed questions. Kenny rolls his eyes and asks Jeff for his cheat-sheet that has the questions on them, so he can answer the whole thing. It was priceless. Kenny signed the questions for Jeff and gave them back. The audience seemed to like it. The thing about SoxFest is that you see management types like this and they don't dodge questions - they answer honestly - how many major league teams of any sport do that???
We went downstairs to the main floor. Jeff & Doreen get into line to get an autograph from Paul Konerko (her favorite), so Carol & I with Janie & Gary go over to the Fox Sports Net stage where they broadcast live from 7-8 tonight. They were interviewing players throughout the show. Pretty cool.
We walked through the exhibitors, picking a few trinkets along the way (hats, pins, signed baseballs, etc).
There was always a White Sox Training Academy clinic going on - we watched a bit of the pitching clinic with pitchers Jim Parque and Jon Garland.
We finally pick up Jeff & Doreen toward the end of the night from their autograph session, take a last walk through the exhibitors and then go to the Hotel lobby (Hyatt Regency Chicago) to hit their coffee shop for dinner. Dinner took almost two fricken hours!!!! Severely understaffed! Kelly Wunsch came in and sat down in a corner by himself for dinner. It was amazing how many people went over to bother him!!! Anyway, it was a great time at SoxFest. It hard to believe that the first pre-season game is 4 weeks from today!
posted at 11:04 PM | Link | White Sox § |
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