Closer to home

The Mackmen

For reasons I can't explain, I've been lusting after the above pictured 1950 Philadelphia A's home jersey from Mitchell &Ness. the problem, of course -- it costs $250.

Been too busy to post the past few days. I did watch some CONCACAF 2006 World Cup Qualifying and drank a lot of Old Style. I missed the big US loss at Mexico on sunday, but I caught the entire US/Guatemala match last night. The US cruised 2-0, but it wasn't that close. After the high altitude training for the Mexico game, the US looked fast against the overmatched Guatemaleans. The win puts the Americans in a solid position to qualify with their toughest test (at Mexico) behind them. Still not a sure thing, but close.

Cactus League Update: do you really want me to summarize the games from the last 3 days? The only real news was that Buehrle threw for 5 pain-free innings, 87 pitches allowing 2 ER and striking out 3.


The Sox have made some moves over the past few days.
-Brandon McCarthy has been (temporarily) reassigned to minor league training camp, along with Burke (which means Widger has won the back-up catcher job...for now). Once one of the old Cubans goes down, McCarthy will be in Chicago faster than you can say "alto!".
-The odd men out - Borchard, Davis and Adkins, were optioned to Charlotte. They'll also be up to the southside at some point in 2005.
-Felix Diaz was put on the 15-day DL with a right latisimus strain (I dunno, check yer freakin anatomy books, smart guy!).
-Valdez was released and picked up by the Met.
-Dustin Hermanson's suspension leftover from last season was reduced from 3 games to 1.
-Frank Thomas will rehab for "100 at bats" in Charlotte in April and May.

These moves leaves the roster at 27. It looks like Kevin Walker will be out, but its anyone's guess who unlucky #26 will be. I hope for Timo, but probably Gload or Harris.

The Sox get a bit closer to home tomorrow - taking on the Brewers at Miller Park in Milwaukee. There's a saturday night game as well. Both on TV. The weather looks like it should cooperate saturday, so maybe it will be a "roofless" game.

Baseball phrase of the day: scrub nine n. a team of rookies and/or substitute players.

Olde Tyme Movie Review : Moscow On the Hudson (1984). Dated but excellent Cold War-era comedy that has Robin Williams as a Russian saxophone player performing with the Moscow Circus who, while visiting the US and wdesiring to indulge inits decadence, defects in the cosmetics section of Bloomingdale's. Chaos ensues, and includes a very sexy performance from Maria Conchita Alonso

Today's music selection; the iPod shuffled in a laid back mode today; High Llamas Hawaii, The Church's Starfish, Cary Hudson The Phoenix, Del Amitri Waking Hours, and Wynton Marsalis Standard Time Vol 3.

Computer blue

Computer blue

So horny I'm jumping out of my skin! Must be a full moon. Thank heaven for internet porn. Certainly not as good as the real thing, but it will have to do in a pinch.

I'm a bit hungover and behind from last night.

Cactus League Update: today, Sox beat the A's 12-8. Everett and Borchard each homer. Iguchi and Dye each go 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Widger doubles and knocks in 2 runs. Sox show some speed with stolen bases from Ozuna, Pods, Harris and Uribe. Still concerned about the pitching - Garland gives up 5 ER in 6 IP, striking out only 2. Marte continues to struggle - 2 ER in one IP. Takatsu gives up a homer for 1 ER in one inning of work.

Yesterday, the Mariners beat the Sox 15-9. Rowand, Konerko, Ozuna and Perez each get two hits. Iguchi drives in 3, but makes an error. Dye gets a stolen base. Borchard strikes out twice. Contreas gives up 6 ER in 4 and 2/3rds, and hits two batters, though he strikes out 4. Politte gives up 4 ER in 1 and 1/3rd IP, Yotsu gives up 2 ER but strikes out 2 in one inning of work.

Baseball phrase of the day; Mackmen n. nickname for the Philadelphia Athletics during the years that Connie Mack was in charge (1901-1950).

Last installment of James T. Farrell's My Baseball Diary:

Boyhood memories from a simplier time:

"For two summers we played ball almost every day at Washington Park. We would have one to two games in the morning, and then one or two more in the afternoon. Sometimes, we chose sides. Then for a brief period, we formed two teams and played a world series. We counted the number of home runs we hit over the back fence. The summers passed. Going home at the end of the day, there were lemonade and sandwiches waiting for me. And there were thoughts of the games played, and hopes and expectations of the games to be played the nexxt day. The biggest of worries was the threat of rain. Running, hitting, diving for balls, hitting one over the short picket fence, quarreling, throwing oneself fully into each play - this was all part of some very good boyhood days."

On a success from the neighborhood:

"Of the thousands of boys who played baseball in Washington Park and dreamed or hoped to be discovered and rise to the rank of big league star, Fred Linstrom, to my knowledge, was the only one who succeeded. In Lindstrom and his life story, there is a touch, and element of many of these boys."

Hope springs eternal, huh, James?

A great read. Highly recommended.

And on the 3rd day...

.. he drank cheap ass Merlot from Trader Joes.

I'm too drunk to post much today.

But did you know Joe Crede had a cousin who pitched for the Sox? Its true! Dennis Higgins 1966-7.

Talk amongst yerselves.

The Case For Ozuna

Photo courtsey of the Scranton Times Tribune/Linda Morgan

Cactus League Update: With the financial markets closed on friday, that meant no work for me, and I watched the game on a cold snowy afternoon in Chicago whilst drinking some tasty Special Export beer. The Sox suffer their worst loss of the spring, losing 11-0 to Milwaukee. Garcia did a good job - 3 IP, 3 Ks, no ER - and pitched himself out of a jam in the 3rd. Otherwise, he didn't look all that overwhelming to me, though I'm sure I'd have a much different opinion if I had been batting against him instead of armchair quarterbacking it from 2000 miles away. Vizcaino also looked good in one scoreless inning of work. Marte blew it in the 5th - 5 ER in just 2/3rds of an inning. Both Renyoso and Smith stuck out 3. No real offensive hightlights. Harris and Rowand both made errors. In Harris' case, it cost some runs. Piezyrski threw out at least one Brewer trying to steal second. Ozuna was 1 for 3 and...

I think the obvious - Pablo Ozuna has really made a case that he should be brought north with the Sox in April, instead of Wilson Valdez (or possibly Willie Harris at this point). Take a look at this:

Last season with Scranton Wilkes-Barre (AAA Internaional League) in 126 games, 472 AB, .307/.415/.344. 76 RBIs, 31 SB in 43 attempts. He also had 27 doubles, 3 triples, 6 homers 22 walks, 77 runs, 196 TB. He struck out 43 times and committed 15 errors splitting his time evenly between 2B and SS.

This Winter - In the Dominican League with Estrellas Del Oriente (which roughly translates to "Stars of the Orient"), he played in all 46 games, batted .344/.470/.378, was 24 for 24 in stolen bases, 3 homers, 3 triples, 18 RBIs in the regular season. In the post season, he played all 18 games, and had 18 hits, .254/.324/.284, 3 SB, 7 RBIs.

Kinda makes ya wonder how this guys has quietly slipped thru the cracks.

This Spring - with the Sox, thru thursday, he's hitting .553 in 38 AB, and is the team leader with 21 hits. Just a week ago he was hitting .462! Only 1 SB in 4 attempts, but his speed suggests he'll improve. He's also got 27 TB, 6 RBIs, a triple, 4 doubles and 8 runs scored.

What a workhorse. Does he ever take a month off? Oddly, these stats suggest he is getting better the more he plays. If this trend continues, I predict that by August, he'll have grown into a 30 foot giant and shatter every hitting record in major league history. OK, maybe not, but I bet he'll out hit Timo Perez and Alverez.

I didn't quote the stats for Alverez or Harris in the above comparison, because they're not even close. Plus, Ozuna can play just about any position. Hear that KW and Ozzie? Barring a collaspe in the final week Ozuna needs to be on that roster when the Sox return to 35th and Shields on April 4.

Baseball pharse of the day: swish 1. n. a hard swing of the bat that makes no contact with the ball. 2. v. To swing hard and miss.

AL Central preview

OK, as promised, here it is, finally...

AL Central Preview

Predictions:
1. Chicago
2. Minnesota
3. Cleveland
4. Detroit
5. Kansas City

Chicago White Sox
C: AJ Pierzynski
1B: Paul Konerko
2B: Tadahito Iguchi
3B: Joe Crede
SS: Juan Uribe
LF: Aaron Rowand
CF: Scott Podsednik
RF: Jermaine Dye
DH: Frank Thomas/Carl Everett
Rotation: Mark Buehrle (L), Freddy Garcia (R), Orlando Hernandez (R) , Jose Contreras (R), Jon Garland (R),
Bullpen: Shingo Takatsu, Dustin Hermanson (R), Damaso Marte (L), Luis Vizcaino (R), Cliff Politte (R), Neal Cotts (L), Jon Adkins (R)
Bench: WIllie Harris (IF), Timo Perez (OF), Ross Gload (1B-OF), Wilson Valdez (IF), Ben Davis (C), Jamie Burke (C, 3B), Pablo Ozuna (IF)

On paper, the Sox appear to be a much better team in 2005 than they were last season. The most notable improvement, appears to be the starting pitching. While fans on the south side would've probably preferred that GM Kenny Williams obtain a top of the line #1 starter, or a bona fide #3, like Matt Clement, the acquisition of Orlando "EL Duque" Hernandez could pay big dividends. Both Buehrle and Garcia have the potential to win 18+ games, and if El Duque and Contreas can play off each other and not lose control, the Sox have a solid front 4. Even Jon Garland is good for another 15-15 year, solid for a #5.

The already strong bullpen also looks improved, with the addition of both Hermanson and Vizquel. The middle relief goes deep, though they may have to look to the minors should one of the 5 starters go down with a serious injury. Hermanson can fill in, but hopefully they won't look to Brandon McCarthy just yet. Marte will continue to be the primary set up man for the wildly popular Takatsu.

The departure of Magglio Ordonez, Jose Valentin and Carlos Lee (and the Alomars) may suggest a loss of power, and therefore runs, but the players added represent a more balanced approached to winning games. No more will the Sox win 13-4, or lose 10-6. Look for closer games. Key additions include new speedy leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik, who's BA and OBP may be the keys to the Sox entire season, catcher AJ Pierzynski, who will have to put a bad year in SF behind him, and emerge as a leader on the Sox, and control the pitcers, in his return to the AL central, and 2B Iguchi, a question mark from Japan. The Sox also added Jermaine Dye, who hits in steaks, but has some power, some speed and a great arm. That said, the Sox, who hit a franchise record HRs last season and led the AL, still have a lot of power returning, namely Rowand and Konerko, but the others can hit well too. Look for Frank Thomas to come back strong as he hits the home stretch in his bid for the Hall of Fame.

The Sox are strong off the bench, and the postion players go deep. KW took some big gambles in the off-season. It remains to be seen if they will be the team to beat in the AL. Like the Twins and the Indians, if the Sox stay healthy, they will certainly contend in the AL Central again this season.

Minnesota Twins
C: Joe Mauer
1B: Justin Morneau
2B: Luis Rivas
3B: Mike Cuddyer
SS: Jason Bartlett
LF: Lew Ford
CF: Torii Hunter
RF: Jacque Jones
DH: Shannon Stewart
Rotation: Johan Santana(L), Brad Radke (R), Carlos Silva (R), Kyle Lohse (R), Joe Mays(R)
Bullpen: Joe Nathan, Juan Rincon (R), Jesse Crain (R), JC Romero (L), Grant Balfour (R), Terry Mulholland (L), CJ Nitkowski (L)
Bench: Mike Redmond (C), Juan Castro (IF), Mike Restovich (OF), Nick Punto (IF), Matt LeCroy

Do the Twins have what it takes to win this "weak" division...again? Like last year, they have a lot of young, talented players. The starting pitching is their strength, and they key difference from 2004 is that this year these guys have more experience under their belts. Rincon and Nathan are great closers, but beyond those two, there is not much depth out of the pen. The Twins pitching could be unhittable, but will they put up the runs? The offensive starters need to stay healthy, and someone - Hunter, Stewart or Mauer - must come forward and really hit. There is not much depth overall here, so an injury or two, some bad luck and bad steaks could sink Minnesota for the first time in years.

Cleveland Indians
C: Victor Martinez
1B: Ben Broussard
2B: Ronnie Belliard
3B: Aaron Boone
SS: Jhonny Peralta
LF: Casey Blake
CF: Coco Crisp
RF: Juan Gonzales
DH: Travis Hafner
Rotation: CC Sabathia (L), Kevin Millwood (R), Jake Westbrook (R), Cliff Lee (L), Scott Elarton (R)
Bullpen: Bob Wickman, David Riske (R), Scott Sauerbeck (L), Arthur Rhodes (L), Jason Davis (R), Rafael Betancourt (R), Bob Howry (R), Matt Miller (R), Kaz Tadano (R), Paul Shuey (R)
Bench: Jose Hernandez (IF), Josh Bard (C), Mike Kinkade (UT), Jeff Liefer (OF), Alex Cora (IF)


The Tribe has some question marks, but have a good shot to improve on their strong 3rd place finish last year. The starting pitching is promising, but not very deep. The offense, on the other hand is very deep and looks potentially potent. Health and consistency will be the keys to Cleveland's season. Coco Crisp has the opportunity to shine his way to superstardom this year, and CC Sabathia, Bob Wickman, Juan Gonzales and Travis Hafner must be at their best for the full haul. They'll score a lot of runs and if the pitching holds up, the Tribe have a more than a good shot at the top spot in the AL Central and beyond.

Detroit Tigers
C: Ivan Rodriguez
1B: Carlos Pena
2B: Omar Infante
3B: Brandon Inge
SS: Carlos Guillen
LF: Rondell White
CF: Craig Monroe
RF: Magglio Ordonez
DH: Dmitri Young
Rotation: Mike Maroth (L), Jeremy Bonderman (R), Jason Johnson (R), Nate Robertson (L), Wil Ledezma(R)
Bullpen: Troy Percival, Ugueth Urbina (R), Kyle Farnsworth (R), Jamie Walker (L), Fernando Rodney (R), Franklyn German (R)
Bench: Bobby Higginson (OF), Ramon Martinez (IF), Vance Wilson (C), Marcus Thames (OF), Nook Logan (OF)

What a difference a year makes. The Tigers bounced back nicely in 2004 after a dismal 2003. This team has a lot of hitting, some good power and some notable speed. The question mark is the pitching. The pitchers are mostly still young and will be prone to mistakes. But if Detroit puts enough runs up on the board, it might not matter. Make no mistake, the Tigers may content in 2005, there is a lot of talent and balance here, but are likely just a year away in this competitive division. Look for a year of more extreme highs and lows that will place them right around the .500 mark.

Kansas City Royals
C: John Buck
1B: Mike Sweeney
2B: Tony Graffinino
3B: Mark Teahen
SS: Angel Berroa
LF: Terrence Long/Eli Marrero
CF: David DeJesus
RF: Aaron Guiel
DH: Ken Harvey/Calvin Pickering
Rotation: Zack Greinke (R), Jose Lima (R), Brian Anderson (L), Runelvys Hernandez(R), Denny Bautista (R)
Bullpen: Jeremy Affeldt, Scott Sullivan (R), Nate Field (R), Jaime Cerda (L), Mike MacDougal (R), Justin Huisman(R), Kyle Snyder(R), Andy Sisco (L), Mike Wood (R)
Bench: Alberto Castillo (C), Denny Hocking (UT)

After a surprsing run at the AL Central title in 2003, in 2004 KC was injury prone and inconsistent, and finished a distant last place. Pena is a good manager - unconventional in some ways and likes to take chances. Like the Twins, the Royals have a lot of young talent - the Royals should be more fun to watch in 2005 than they were in 2004. Unlike the Twins, they are still a few years away from contending. Also unlike the Twins, Pena doesn't seem to focus on fundamentals. And already this spring they have a lot of injuries. Some of the young pitchers should be strong, show their stuff, and keep the Royals in most games. But offense is a big weakness. Without a lot of luck, and an unlikely burst of power, look for another year near the bottom for KC.

As a reminder: I'd really appreciate, that when you leave my site after each visit, you exit by clicking on the ad link below at the right (I'm paid by clicks on the ad from this site). The more revenue I generate, the more high quality FREE content you'll continue to enjoy here on an (almost) daily basis.

Free beer!

According to my Google AdSense account, I've earned $5.62 from this site since I began placing ads on it less than two months ago. That should cover the cost of a nice, big, cold, frosty beer at Comiskey Park this summer. Of course, I must give a tip o' the hat, to you, my loyal readers (both of you) for clicking thru from my site to the advertiser, even if it is usually regarding Cub tickets.

Cactus League Update: SF down the Sox 11-6. The pitching struggled; Adkins 4 IP, 4 ER, Walker 1/3rd IP 2 ER, Politte 1 and 2/3rd IP 2 ER, Ovalles 2/3rds IP 3 ER. Cotts worked one good inning. Rowand's 3rd homer of the spring drives in 2. Konerko was 2 for 3. Dye struck out twice.

Bit today in the Wall Street Journal Weekend section on the AL and the Bill James' Pythagorean Theory (or P-wins), which claims to be able to predict a team's success based on run differential (runs scored vs runs allowed). I reject this notion, and as the WSJ points out, the theory wasn't even close to accurate last year for the Yankees. The WSJ also picks the Twins to win the AL central, with their biggest challenge coming from a young Detroit team. Yeah, we'll see 'bout that.

This is a good lead in to my AL Central preview, which should be posted later today or early saturday. Really, this time I mean it.

Baseball phrase of the day: rock n. a dumb play.

A day late

A memory?

...and a dollar short.

This article about Thillens Stadium stadium closing was all over the local news today. Thillens is apparently on a city-owned lot, but maintained by the Thillens Company, and since 1938 has been used for a lot of little league and charity events. I don't much about this field, but it sounds nice, so its sad to see it close.

Cactus League Update: I'm a day behind. I had a chance to watch a bit of tuesday's game on the Comcast replay. Dye made what has to be one of the best throws I've seen to get an out at second on what looked to be a routine double. Next half inning, he comes up and homers. Superman for a day. Iguchi was 2 for 3 but made a terrible base running mistake. Looks like the Mariners had put a fake on him, so I'm not sure I can blame 3B coach Joey Cora for this one. Sox lose 6-4. Contreas looked better - just 1 ER in 6 IP with 6 K. Walker lost the game for them, 4 ER in just 2/3rds IP.

Wednesday, the Sox killed the Brew Crew 17-9. Crede 4 for 4 with 3 RBI and a homer, Uribe 4 for 6 with 4 RBI and a homer, Rowand 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Pods, Borchard, Ozuna and Widger each had two hits (Pods had another triple). Willie Harris struck out twice. Carlos Lee gets some revenge on his old team with a homer. Marte plunked him and nearly cleared the benches. Jon Garland escapes injury after being hit in the foot. He pitched 2 scorelss innings and strikes out 2. Fields gives up 3 ER in 2 IP, striking out 4. Hermanson gives up 4 ER in his one inning of work.

Baseball phrase of the day: jelly bean n/arch. a raw recruit.

Today's music selection; Art Pepper The Art of the Ballad.

Got to get in their head

if you want in here

Started reading Angela's Ashes today. I can understand why women dig it - its so sad you can weep on every page. Women love that sort of thing. Frank McCourt may have had a tough life, but I bet he gets some... if he was about 40 years younger, he'd have a harem like a rock star.

OK, on to the Southside...

Uh big bad news today for the Sox - Mark Buehrle is out 4-6 weeks with a fracture in his foot. Too bad for a lot of reasons - he was having a good spring, throwing the ball real well, and this could be a big breakout year for him. I guess if there is a silver lining to this cloud, its that Brandon McCarthy just might start the season in Chicago.

Cactus League Update: Sox lose to the D'Back, 5-4. Garcia gives up 3 ER in 5 IP. Marte gets 2 Ks in his lone inning of work. Ozuna continues to impress, going 2 for 3. Everett goes 2 for 3 with a homer and 2 RBIs. Pods and Uribe also had 2 hits each.

Baseball phrase of the day: drunk adj. said of the bases when they are loaded.

More McCarthy

Not much to write about today without sounding too vain.

Cactus League Update: Sox lose to the Angels 4-3. It was fun to watch McCarthy pitch again. He finally gives up a run - a solo homer to Bengie Molina. 5 IP, 4 Ks. Amazing. His mechanics looked fine and, despite the home run, it looked like he was putting more stuff on the ball the last time. Adkins loses it - giving up 3 ER in 1 1/3 of late-inning relief. Gload, Konerko and PErez each had two hits. Pods gets a SB, but the Sox strand 11 runners.

Baseball Phrase of the Day: putty arm n. bad or weak arm. As in "Despite a fine year in 2003, Mark Prior has a putty arm."

Needs fulfilled

He shoots, he scores!

No help from Senior Cuervo was necessary last night to assist the MILF in getting her freak on. I feel great - its amazing how a good session of hard core pound fucking really helps to put things in perspective.

Cactus League Update: Buehrle was the story - pitching 6 perfect innings, and striking out 7. Takatsu, however, gives up 2 ER in 3 IP. Ozuna continues to impress, he was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run, and took an extra base which set up a Sox score - he came home on the next play, a nice squeeze bunt from Burke. Piezynski goes 1 for 3.

Over the past few days the Sox have made some roster moves that I've failed to mention because they 1) are obvious and 2) aren't carved in stone. The roster stands at about 36 with two weeks left to go in spring training.

I also haven't bothered to mention anything about the steroid hearing on Capital Hill. There is no news in this dog-and-pony show. My opinion is that 1) its fairly obvious that the likes of Canseco, McGwire, Sosa and Bonds may have likely possibly took performance-enhancing drugs that allowed them to elevate their home run prowess to new levels. One only needs to look at Sosa's build with the Rangers or Sox compared to his time with the Cub (or Bonds with Pittsburgh vs SF). I don't think its possible to build muscles like that from working out and drinking protein shakes. 2) Canseco is just trying to sell books 3) Frank Thomas never took roids and 4) baseball officials likely have known about this issue for years, but have never wanted to let the cat out of the bag, for fear of baseball's image losing even more ground to football and basektball (and, ugh, NASCAR. Whatever happen to gentleman's pursuits like croquet and horse racing?). And that the "new testing system" in place is woefully inadequete. I say let McGwire and Bonds' "records" stand sans asterisks, the same way Pete Rose's records stand, and serve as a lesson to those who believe they are bigger than the game. The opinions expressed above are just that - opinions. I have no proof, its just my gut feeling. What the hell do I know, I could be wrong. But one great thing about freedom and democracy is that it allows for speculation like this... Or at least it used to. If there is no new entry here on monday, please tell the Feds to look for me in Bud Selig's basement. This is the last you will hear from me on this issue.

Baseball Phrase of the day: high cheese n. a fastball delivered high in the strike zone.

After my excitment with the MILF, I was charged up and watched some late night TV. I made the mistake of switching over from Public Access and "Glamore Productions Presents Star Performers Showcase Hosted By Rocky Esposito" to VH1's replay of last week's Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductions. I despise the notion of a "rock and roll hall of fame", and watching these multi-millionaires pat each other on the back makes me want to heave. I side with Johnny Rotten on this one - the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductions have just become a place for Springsteen and his pals to jam. Blah. Dinosaurs of rock. Most of the inductees just suck suck suck ass. I give U2 some credit, they sucked for a year less than REM - Bono and the boys stopped making worthwhile music in 1986, while I haven't found a need to pay attention to REM's products since 1985s "Dead Letter Office." And as bad as watching the Pretenders uninspired set was, its worse to watch so-called role models like Bono hob nob with Catherine Zeta Douglas Jones during a version of the stupid "End of the World" song. Hey, Edge, you wanna stop poverty in Africa, sell one of your $100,000 Gibsons. "This song is not a rebel song, this song is 'Amish Paradise'." "Rock and roll is revenge". "Stop the traffic." Shut the fuck up, Bono. Take your money and get lost. We're tired of your stupid fucking "message".

We'll see if the real heroes of the genre, the likes of the Stooges, Husker Du, Motorhead and the Replacements ever make it. Doubtful.

In need...again

some of this would be nice tonight

I'll be on the prowl tonight. So horny I'm climbing the walls... Trouble for the MILF?

Cactus League Update: Sox beat the Cub 11-9 under the Arizona sun yesterday. Iguchi finally comes alive, going 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run. Rowand was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run. Uribe 2 for 2 with 2 RBI. Accoring to the story on the Sox website, Borchard homered, but the box score doesn't reflect that. The pitching continues to struggle, at least on paper- El Duque gives up 5 ER in 5 IP, striking out 5. Garland gets the win in relief, but gives up 4ER in 4 IP, striking out 3. Sox get KC today - the game is on Comcast at 2.

Baseball phrase of the day: hard cheese n. fastball.

My Ohio Univeristy Bobcats made it an exciting one against Florida - rallying from 20 down late in the game to tie it with a few minutes left. Sadly, they fell apart at the very end and make an early, lonely exit from The Big Dance. But just wait til next year!

HALF!

About halfway thru spring training, I think it makes sense to take a look at some of the performances by the numbers thus far. These stats are updated thru the game on Wed March 16.

HITTING:
Lookin good
--Konerko;10 hits, 8 runs, 4 doubles, 2 homers, 20 TB, and a BA of .370
--the surprise that is Pablo Ozuna; 12 hits, 4 of them doubles and a mean .462 BA
--Rowand; 13 hits, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 22 TB, and .520 BA
--Uribe; 9 hits and a .360 BA
--Everett has an amazing 12 RBI, 19 TB, 3 HR, 7 runs and 8 hits and a .348 BA
--Podsednik has 10 hits, 2 of them triples, 4 SB, and a .435 BA
--Dye has 7 hits, 3 of them doubles and a BA of .350
--Pierzynski has 2 homers
--Brian Anderson is hitting .333
--Jamie Burke (remember Jamie Burke?) is quietly htting .571 in 14 AB.

Not lookin so good
--Crede has 25 AB and a .179 BA
--Iguchi is still adjusting to superhighways, Britney Spears, and KFC.
--Lopez is hitting a dismal .125
--Willie Harris is hitting .190
--Sweeney, Rogowski, Gload and Fields have posted no numbers to distinguish themselves this spring, though Rogowski looks good...

PITCHING:
Lookin good:
--Brandon McCarthy has stolen the show. 3-0, no ER in 10 IP. 5Ks. After all this, barring an injury to one of the 5 established starters, he'll probably start the year in Charlotte.
--Buehrle is 2-0, 5 ER in 12 and 2/3rds IP. Also 5 Ks.
--El Duque has made progress. 6 ER in 7 IP, but most of that was his bad first outing.
--Marte has 2 ER in 5 IP, leads the team with 8 Ks.
--Adkins appears on his way to earning one of the middle reliever spots; he's 2 Er in 7 IP with 4 K.
--Dustin Hermanson has quietly pitched 6 scorelss innings while striking out 4.
--Politte has 2 ER in 5 and 2/3rds. 4 Ks.
--Cotts has 1 ER in 5 IP.
--Vizcaino has also looked strong; 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 Ks.
--Takatsu is getting his groove. 4IP 1 ER, 3 Ks.
--Reynoso; no runs in 3 and 2/3rd IP
--Stewart has no ER in 3 IP

Not lookin so good
--Contreas and 8 ER, 2 HRs, in 8 and 2/3rds IP
--Garcia and a 6.43 ERA (that will come down)
--Garland (see Garcia above)
--Tracy is 0-2, 7.94 ERA, 6 ER and 2 homers in just 5 2/3 IP
--Mearux, Diaz and Honel. Ugh.

Baseball Phrase of the day: whangdoodle n.obs. A good play or hit (1st use Sporting Life, October 4, 1902)

Part 2; James T. Farrell's My Baseball Diary.

Farrell also talks a lot about his native southside and his beloved White Sox.

in this passage, it sounds like things for White Sox fans haven't changed much since 1913.
"I could only dream of the far-off day when they would win the pennant and the World Series. But each day was unto itself, and if the White Sox won, I was happy. This was especially so when I was at the ballpark."

Lucky for Farrell, he didn't have to wait as long as most of us. On his excuse to the nuns at the Catholic school to attend game one of the 1919 World Series:
"I recall that in this note my uncle remarked that a boy doesn't always get a chance to see a World Series ball game that he will remember all his life. I was excused."

Oh, I lose control...

...when served filet of sole!

HAPPY OFFICIAL ST PATRICK'S DAY!!!

Cactus League Update: Sox lose to KC, 6-3. Takatsu opens the floods gates in the 4th, allowing 2 ER, but also striking out 2. Stewart follows with 4 ER in 2 innings, but also striking out 2, in route to getting the loss. Diaz looked sharp to start, if the box score is any indication - 3 IP no hits, struck out 2. The offense took the day off, Crede was 2 for 3, Willie Harris had a stolen base. Dye strikes out twice. The Sox leave 8 runners stranded.

Baseball Phrase of the Day: carry the mail v/arch. To run swiftly.

Today's Music Selection: The iPod was better behaved and mixed in some jazz with my Robert Johnson... and some old school Pretenders (whom I really don't like), choice cuts from Chris Whitley's Din of Ecstacy, Motorhead, and the Dead Milkmen. I know, I'm all over the board these days...

As I promised last week, I wanted to discuss some of my thoughts on James T. Farrell's My Baseball Diary, which I just finished reading. So, here is Part 1:

Farrell often ponders the question of baseball's popularity, and links it directly to fond memories of childhood. Back at the beginning of the 20th Century, before Playstation, Britney Spears, and "The OC", playing sports, specifically baseball, was often a kid's only distraction from the harsh realities of life in an emerging market economy. Youth then was very different than today - most kids worked to help the family survive, with school being a luxury for many.

Farrell discusses those memories in passages like these:

"The assumption that an interest in baseball is not worthy of a serious adult with presumably more serious interests is both true and false. Some adults think that to watch baseball is to waste one's time in a childish way. But for some of us, there is a peculiar attraction to baseball. It has its own drama. I have always loved the game. I don't care whether of not it is childish. Long before I possessed any capacity to examine myself or the reasons for the game's appeal to me, I loved it."

"There is not only fun and relaxation in baseball for a boy. There is also a poetry about the game. And the poetry of the game constitutes part of its appeal. It becomes a part of ourselves. The spectacle, the movements, the sounds, the crack of the bat, the swift changes from routine dullness to sudden and dramatic excitement, all of this is part of the appeal. But the drama of victory and defeat, the playing out of a boy's unformed sense of grandeur, of hope, is also bound up with this poetry of baseball."

(Visitng the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY)"You cannot remain long in the museum, looking about, watching the other visitors, overhearing chance comments and remarks without sensing that atmosphere is one of sentimentality. Many gray-haired men come and drift about from case to case. As they stare, their faces soften up. The past comes back to them. Boyhood, and young manhood glow in their minds once again. Those baseball in the cases are the balls that many of them never pitched, caught or hit on a big-league diamond. The uniforms are the baseball suits they never wore. The plaques speak of the records they never broke, the lives they never led, and the boyhood dreams they never fulfilled. These are some of the reasons why the museum is very popular."

"Why do many of us love baseball? I have never been able to arrive at an answer to this question which is full and satisfying to myself. But in our liking for the game, there is both fun and compulsion."

"Fans enjoy watching games, rooting, taking sides, shouting and releasing their enthusiasms and aggressions. Also, they have the acquired habits of interest. And since most of them had hoped in boyhood to become ballplayers themselves, they admire those who have been able to do what they couldn't. They admire the skill, ability and precision of players, talents which they themselves lacked."

My Ohio U Bobcats get Florida in the first round of the NCAA tournament on friday morning. I'll be at work, but will try to sneak away to catch the end of what could be a glorious victory for OU. I tell ya, between the basketball team in the Big Dance for the first time since 1994 (and with mostly freshmen - look out for these guys in 2006 and 2007!), and with Frank Solich signed on to coach the football team, we may be approaching an atheletic golden age in Athens, Ohio. Go OU, go Cats! Muck Fiami!

McCarthy and more

A favorite haunt

I've added a new link at the bottom right (and here:http://www.chicagosnapshot.com/cs/) called Chicago Snapshot Photo Blog, full of lovely pictures of our fair city, like the one above.

Cactus League Update: Brandon McCarthy continues to steal the show under the Arizona sun. He had another great outing, 5 IP and struck out 3, though he did give up 6 hits. Burke's error allows two unearned runs. McCarthy is now 3-0 this spring. Hopefully this means we've seen the last of Jason Grilli. The other Sox pitchers looked good on route to an 8-5 win over the newly renamed Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Vizcaino bounces back and strikes out the side in the one inning he pitched. On offense, Dye was 2 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored, Burke 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run, Ozuna 2 for 2 with a run, Everett was 1 for 2 with a run, Uribe had a triple and an RBI, Casanova and Anderson each register a hit and drive in two. Konerko had an RBI, a run and a stolen base. Now that's a balanced offense!

Baseball Phrase of the Day: little boo-boo n/arch. Manager's favorite player.

Today's Music Selection: My iPod was on shuffle all day today and the music was all over the place. Some notable stuff included The Clash's great Black Market Clash, Lloyd Cole's oft-overlooked masterpiece Don't Get Weird On Me Babe and Magic Sam Live.

Olde Tyme Movie Review: Spring Beak (1980). Since a lot of folks are on spring break, I figured this was an appropirate review. A classic "slobs-versus-snobs" movie that could only have taken place in the 1980s. Classic quotes like "Please excuse my tardiness, I had to kill a man." and "this plant is leaking all over me" and "We'll have 4 beers. Make it 8." "You know what its like trying to save money in New York? Its like makin it with yer sister- its just not done!" "When you're right you're right, and you are right!" Notable contribution to the soundtrack - NRBQ's "Me & the Boys." Highly recommended.

AL Central preview to come.

As a reminder: I'd really appreciate, that when you leave my site after each visit, you exit by clicking on the ad link below at the right (I'm paid by clicks on the ad from this site). The more revenue I generate, the more high quality FREE content you'll continue to enjoy here on an (almost) daily basis.

Cross Desert Classic

Cactus League Update: The Sox still have plenty of power - big run game to down the Cub, homers from Uribe, Rowand (who had 2), AJ, Borchard, and Konerko. Big wind was blowing out, which helped the offense, but hurt the pitchers - Buehrle gives up 5 ER in 5 2/3 IP. Marte strikes out 2 in one inning of work.

Kiss me, I'm drunk!

Photo coutrsey of Metromix

I posted this nice picture of the scene at the Southside Irish parade, even though I didn't go. I did, however, spend some time at an Irish pub in the west burbs on sunday evening, eating chips and quaffing Guinness.

How bout them Ohio Bobcats? That had to be one of the most exciting events I've ever watched. OU trailed almost the entire game, and was down by as much as 19 points. The victory in OT was a thrilling one - last second tip, the ball sat motionless on the rim for a fraction of a second - that seemed to last forever, gravity could've taken it either way, but moments later, in it dropped and chaos reigned on Court Street!

Cactus League Update: Saturday the Athletics of Oakland defeat the Southsiders from Chicago, 7-6. Contreas throws strikes, striking out 4, but still gives up 4 ER in 3 IP. Sean Tracy gets the loss, giving up 2 ER in 1 and 1/3 IP. On offense, Everett goes 2 for 3, homers, drives in 3 and scores 2 runs. AJ also homers. Gload drove in 2. Pods continued to be hot - 2 for 3 with a stolen base. Iguchi made an error.

Split squad on sunday. In the morning B game, Garland and Cotts both pitched well. Gload had 2 triples. the afternoon game Sunday was on TV and I got to catch a few innings. El Duque pitched pretty good - more speed on his fastball and his offspeed stuff looked fantastic as well. Ozuma had a bunt that DJ seemed to like, but was awful, he didn't square around, popped it up, and only a bad play by the Rockies allowed him to make it to firstbase. Honel looked like crap. Another questionable decision by third base coach Joey Cora to send a runner home to score- thrown out by a mile. I'll give Cora the benefit of the doubt for now, maybe the Sox just want to see how some of their guys run.

Baseball phrase of the day: three decker n. Towering home run capable of landing in the real or imagined third and uppermost deck of a large stadium.

B-Day Bang

Yer gonna get it

Last night I got my B-Day Bang - a present from the MILF. Nothing too notable, though its a real turn on when a woman's nipples get really really erect, like hers were last night. The special occassion sex meant that at the point of climax, I got to spray my seed all over her hot naked body. A nice gift indeed. More tonight?

Cactus League Update: Sox beat San Diego 6-3. Burke goes 2 for 3 with 2 runs, Pods drives in 3 runs, Josh Fields triples and - get this - Casey Rogowski gets a stolen base. Garcia gives up 3 ER in 4 IP but still gets the win. Adkins strikes out 2 in one inning of work. Next TV game is sunday.

I'm not a big basketball fan, but I'll watching ESPN2 at 6 pm tonight, rooting for my Ohio University Bobcats to win the MAC Championship game over Buffalo. If OU wins, it will be their first trip to the big dance since a heartbreaking first round loss to Bobby Knight's Indiana Hoosiers on St. Patrick's Day 1994.

Southside Irish Parade, tomorrow at noon - 103rd and Western.

Baseball phrase of the day: camp under it v. To set up and wait for a pop fly or high bouncing ball to come down.

Looking up

Cactus League Update: Sox beat Texas 7-2. I caught some of the game on the evening replay and here are some of my impressions:
--Good defensive plays by both Josh Fields and Iguchi.
--Both Cotts and Takatsu were throwing hard, both had some control issues, though Takatsu showed some mean off speed stuff.
--Both Takatsu and Brandon McCarthy have two of the strangest deliveries I've ever seen. That's gotta throw the hitters off and one of the reasons why they're both so good.

And by the numbers: Uribe and Roward each go 2 for 3 and drive in 2, Gload and Perez also had two hits each, Perez also scored two runs and had a stolen base. The pitching looks better, though Vizcaino gives up 2 ER in one inning of work.

Brandon McCarthy joined Hawk and DJ in the booth and while his numbers (4 IP, 1 hit, 2Ks) showed he pitched well, he wasn't happy with his performance, noting that his mechanics were off.

Baseball phrase of the day: lug the bunting v. To win the pennant.

Today's music selection: iPod battery was running low today. Downbeat moods from DJ Shadow, Theivery Corp and Massive Attack.

Book Worms

Cactus League Update: F*cking spring training. I can't find a box score for yesterday's game. What I can tell you is that Buehrle threw 4 and 1/3rd shut out innings (inculding 4 perfect innings) and got a win, and 3 Sox homered - Konerko, Everett, and Sweeney - in a 7-3 win over San Diego. Thankfully today's game is on tv live at 2, and as a repeat at 7.

Baseball phrase of the day: matador n. a timid infielder; specifically, one who positions his body like a bullfighter to avoid being hit by the ball when fielding it.

Today's music selection: I had the iPod on shuffle this morning and it played a lot of great stuff - Dinosaur Jr., INXS, World Party, the Clash and Donnie Iris. Later on, I listened to a lot of Montefiori Cocktail.

I just finsihed up James Farrell's My Baseball Diary. What a great book. More on this in the coming days...

I'm one of those people who reads more than one book at one time. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I figured I'd blow thru Angela's Ashes,. since the MILF devoured it just after I gave it to her at Xmas and couldn't stop raving about it. But I'm also reading The Bush Survival Bible, which I got as a gift, Peanuts a great collection put together in a most unique and excellent way by Chip Kidd, and White Sox; The Illustrated History by Richard Wittingham. I gave up on that Napoleon bio after about 150 pages. I'll give it another shot next winter. So that mean's its "springtime for Studs"... Lonigan that is, as I adive into the Studs Lonigan Triology, which is big enough that it should last me most of the summer. What can I say, I'm on a bit of a Farrell kick.

The Louvre of Chicago Baseball

The Tribune and a number of other media outlets have stories today about a rich doctor who is throwing arround some of his own mad dead prez in an effort to open a baseball museum in Chicago. In spite of this city's teams great tradition of losing at the national pastime, I actually support this idea. Beside the Sox and Cubs, it would focus on the Negro Leagues, the Women's League, and the All-Star games played here. It will help bring more tourists, which means more money, and more taxes, and continue to solidify Chicago's reputation as a haven of world class museums. So, why the hell not? I'll plunk down $5 to see exhibits like "The Hall of Relief Pitchers" or a display of Greg Luzinski's dirty underwear.

Cactus League Update: Not much. Owens goes 2 for 3 in an anemic offensive effort, and the Sox lose to the Rockies 6-1. Contreas gives up 2 ER in 3 IP, Garland gives up 2 ER in 4 IP, but strikes out 4. Is the Sox pitching really that bad? Maybe, like Hawk said on the monday broadcast, the pitchers just need to catch up with the hitters.

Baseball phrase of the day: Lowdermilk N./arch. Eponymous term for a pitcher given to wildness. Orgin; from Grover Cleveland Lowdermilk whose lackluster pitching during his career of 1909 to 1920 was characterized by legendary wildness.

I was excited to get my copy of Time Out Chicago in the mail yesterday. I devoured the London and Paris versions of this publication when I lived in Europe. Though it joins an already crowded field covering "hip things to do in Chicago". I'll be keeping a close eye on their baseball coverage to see if it can match the wit the The New City.

...because I sawr it on tv...

...or so the song goes.

Cactus League Update: Today was the first televised game of Sox spring training. I was home from work so I caught some of it. Some impressions; both Konerko and Uribe chose great pitches to hit (though Uribe didn't actually get a hit), Rowand dropping an easy fly ball (maybe lost it in the sun?) and three Sox runners getting thrown out at home (including two back-to-back). Third base coach Joey Cora waved those runners (at least two of them) in situations when he obviously should have held them. Frank Thomas was up in the booth with Hawk and DJ for a half inning and apparently thinks he'll be back much sooner than anticipated.

The numbers? Borchard was 2 for 3 with 2 homers and 3 RBIs, Valdez 2 for 4, Davis 2 for 3, Konerko 2 for 2. Sea nTracy looked terrible - giving up 3 ER in 2 and 1/3rd.

Baseball term of the day: getaway day n. The last day of a long homestand for a team; the day the club gets away for a road trip.

Channel surfing over the weekend, I had the displeasure of stopping for a few moments to view the wreck that is Ashlee Simpson. The is not female empowerment? This is set-up! What has happened to the state of women in popular music? I guess there have always been shallow faces, more product than artist, be it the Supremes, Debbie Boone, Mariah Caray or A. Simpson. There has always been a balance of other artists, like Carole King, Rickie Lee Jones, Joann Armtring, Patti Smith and PJ Harvey. It makes me realize that Tina Turner and Joan Jett have chuncks of "women" like Ashlee Simpson in their stool. Go back to Waco, wacko.

EZ to shop for

What every man wants

Its my birthday is this week, which is usually a good excuse for me to redeem some sympathy points for sex acts.

Let the above serve as a hint - its what every man wants. We are so easy to shop for.

Cactus League Update: Sox lose to the D'Backs again, 8-3. Jermaine Dye finally makes some noise and hits a 2-run homer. Pods is 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Adkins gives up 2 ER over 3 IP. Takatsu gives up a run and 3 hits in just one inning of work. First TV game of spring training this afternoon.

Baseball term of the day: clamshell catch n. style of catch in which a player with wrists flat together, traps the ball between the glove and bare hand.

Mark your calendars

"Ah lass ya do' know a ting bout Ireland!"

Photo courtsey of www.chicago-scene.com

This is just a reminder to mark your calendars - one week from today its the southside Irish parade. Drunk girls from the neighborhood, and plenty of invaders from the north...

Beer n baseball

The Other Winfrey Show..and so much more

I spent part of my lame saturday night watching the best visual media humanity has to offer - public access TV! Call the results proof of evolution. Among my favs are "The Other Winfrey Show" (music, interviews, and.. oh, the fun never stops!) and Glamore Productions Presents "Star Performers Showcase" hosted by Rocky Esposito (basically bad karaoke from society's lowest rung. Must be seen to be appreciated). Its a shame "Chicago Models" is no longer on the air, I really enjoyed the voyeuristic nature of watching the same slow motion ass shot sequence of some random teenage girl from Circuit Club - repeated over and over and over again. . And while everyone reading this has likely seen "Chicago Motor Sports Unlimited", I really can't think of any words to describe how bizarre this freakshow is.. Really, it is beyond description. If you have not yet witnessed this spectacle, don't believe me, see it for yourself:
http://www.msutv.com/
Funny thing about this show, I think its been on the air for some un-Godly amount of time - like 20 years.

Cable access is the best TV there is - you couldn't invent characters and situations this deeply disturbed.

Cactus League Update: I must be a bit out of it. Friday was a split squad game. Beside the 10-9 loss to the D'backs discussed below, the Sox beat the Rockies, 4-3. Pods and Alverez each go 2 for 2 and scored 2 runs. Both of Pods hits are - get this - triples! Spidale gets a hit and a run and Valdez goes 2 for 3. Garland does it with the bat and hits a double. Good thing, as his pitching line is awful - 3 ER in 3 IP. Garcia started and wasn't much better, 2 ER in 3 IP. Villacis gets the win in an inning of scoreless relief.

On saturday, a 7 run 5th inning, which includes a Carl Everett grand slam, propels the southsiders to a 10-0 victory over the D'Backs. Davis and Crede each gets 2 RBIs. Rogo and Alverez each go 1 for 1 with a run scored. The Sox still leave 7 on base. McCarthy pitches 1 and 1/3rd to start and gets the win. Marte bounces back (sort of) - striking out 3 in 2 IP, though he hits two batters. Vizcaino makes his first appearance and strikes out 2 in 2 IP.

One week in, the story in spring training 2005 is Pods great hitting and the awful pitching.

Baseball term of the day: slud v. past tense of the verb "to slide". Phrase attributed to Dizzy Dean during his illustrious broadcast days.

Olde Tyme Movie Review: Summer Lovers (1982). A young Peter Gallagher and an even younger Daryl Hannah star as two wanderlusting Americans who retreat to the gorgeous Greek isle of Santorini for a summer to focus on their work and each other. But things get complex when a beautiful French archeologist catches Gallagher's eye. Mayhem ensues. Made me wish I was back in Greece. Highly recommended.

During my travels out of state on saturday, I picked up a copy of the free publication Michigan Beer Guide, March 2005. Not much here until the last page, when I came across an article by guy named Ted Carrier called "Collector's Corner". This issue, he focuses on 'Baseball & Beer'. Among his memories are the 1976 Cincinnati Reds on cans of Hudepohl. He goes on for a few hundred words about brewery promotional items that are somehow tied into baseball. Interesting stuff, I guess, and I think it is appropriate that I mention it since this blog favors baseball, and I often profess my love of beer (especially the likes of Old Style and Special Export, though as I write this I am drinking a Bergoff Lager. Hmmm). More here:
http://www.michiganbeerguide.com/beerguide.asp

AL Central preview to come. Probably monday. Promise...

As a reminder: I'd really appreciate, that when you leave my site after each visit, you exit by clicking on the ad link below at the right (I'm paid by clicks on the ad from this site). The more revenue I generate, the more high quality FREE content you'll continue to enjoy here on an (almost) daily basis.

A need fulfilled

Yeah yeah

Yesterday I noted I was "in need." That need was fulfilled, in a fairly standard, missionary-style way. But I'm never satisfied, and always looking out for more...and more...

One note about this blog, in case you might be concerned about the content. I'll keep the pictures G- to PG-rated. I know my readers (both of them) occassionally will view this at work, so I'll make sure there is no nudity in the pics. The content will remain R rated for now. I'll try to be less graphic, just in case Big Brother is watching.

Cactus League Update: Sox lose to the D'backs 10-9. On offense, how could the Sox not look good; Everett and Rowand each go 2 for 3 and drive in 3. Iguchi goes 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored. Burke was 1 for 1 with a run scored. The Sox leave 10 men on base. Uribe struck out twice. The pitching looks terrible. El Duque is going to have to do better than 6 earned runs and no Ks in just 3 innings. Contreas wasn't much better, giving up 2 ER on 5 hits in 2 and 2/3rds. Meaux pitches one inning and gives up 2 ER. The pitching highlight? Cotts strikes out 1 in one IP.

Baseball term of the day: ground hog n. a member of the grounds crew. Groundskeeper.

McCuddy's Tavern

A sad day in 1989

There's a chapter in the James Farrell book I'm reading (My Baseball Diary) called "Baseball Players Call Her Ma" about McCuddy's Tavern.

McCuddy's was located in that small strip of buildings on the southside of 35th street, which was razed to make room for the new park. I remember seeing it when I was a kid, but I was too young to go in. After reading this chapter, it adds to my frustration over the building that is "New" Comiskey Park (I still refuse to use the corporate moniker). Why didn't the Sox and the city go with the Armour Square plan instead (for more on this, see the Flying Sox link at right). To tear down that irreplaceable history is just mind-boggling. McCuddy's would've been a HUGE draw. Instead, there's nothing.

Here are some gems from Farrell about McCuddy's, which he penned in the 1950s:

The social history of baseball cannot be told or written without mention of Ma McCuddy and her family. Baseball players called her "Ma" with real afffection because she was for several decades, a mother to many of them. She created a little way station where there was love, kindness, good cheer, fun and understanding. She has meant much to some of these players, and hence to the game itself. It is no exaggeration to characterize her as one of the living legends of baseball.

"Mother," Babe Ruth often used to say to her, "you're the best woman in the world."

Sometimes when Babe was playing in Chicago, he would send a message across the street. "Tell Ma to put six bottles of beer on ice - it's two out in the ninth."

Long Live McCuddy's!

As a reminder:
I'd really appreciate, that when you leave my site after each visit, you exit by clicking on the ad link below at the right (I'm paid by clicks on the ad from this site). The more revenue I generate, the more high quality FREE content you'll continue to enjoy here on an (almost) daily basis

A slow day in Arizona

Photo courtsey of Eric Risberg, AP

Cactus League: Sox lose to the Diamondbacks, 4-3. Buehrle gives up no earned runs, throws 45 pitches and scatters 5 hits over 3 innings. Jamie Burke's error allows the runs. Pods gets an RBI and another stolen base and Ozuna (SS) goes 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Honel strikes out two in the lone inning he pitched. While Munoz walks 3 and gives up a hit in just 1/3rd of frame.

Baseball term of the day: pool table. n. a smooth infield.

Music: Morcheeba's Who Can You Trust, Beastie Boys Ill Communication (namely "Root Down") and The Crystal Method's Vegas. Nuthin but sex music today. I'm "in need".

Play ball!

Play ball indeed!

The Cactus League opened play today, as the Sox lost to Colorado 8-4. Course, in spring training, winning and losing means nothing, its all about how the players perform.

Some of the Sox highlights: Pods bats lead off and goes 3 for 3 with a stolen base, Sweeney was 2 for 2, and Uribe was 2 for 2 with a run scored, Rogowski was 1 for 3 with a run scored. Adkins pitches 2 strong innings as a starter.

The lowlights: Sox leave 12 men on base, and Marte gives up 2 earned runs in one inning, Diaz gives up 4 ER in an inning. The Sox are back at it tomorrow, though the first game isn't on tv until March 7.

Baseball term of the day: foshball. n .Pitch attributed to Mike Bodicker that combines the properties of a change up and a forkball or other breaking pitch.

AL Central preview is forthcoming. Really. Last night I poured over pitching depth charts for the KC Royals. I wouldn't make up something that sad.

Blog Money Blues

Muddy Waters - bluesman, Sox Fan

With my 15 GB iPod on shuffle this morning, trudging to work in the frigid March snow, Muddy Waters coarse voice pierced thru the darkness and made me smile. Not once, not twice, but three times out of the first 10 songs. I think its an omen.

I saw a great PBS documentary over the weekend about legendary South side bluesman. On several occassions, his relatives recalled fondly that Muddy was a Sox Fan. One of his grand kids told of a memory of how Muddy would often spend afternoons lying in the bedroom, making floats with vanilla ice cream and grape Nehi, and watching the Sox on TV.

Great article on page B8 of The Wall Street Journal today that discusses how blogs can be helpful in generating business for small companies. As I noted a while back with "Sex and Moxie" blog, the age of the blog as a business tool is here. I want to make it real clear that this blog is focused on southside culture, not just the White Sox. In fact, I'd encourage all readers to avoid paying retail price for anything Sox - from merchandise (check eBay) to tickets (go on mondays or tuesday, use your connections, use company tickets as opposed to buying your own).

Music I've been listening to: Lloyd Cole's brillant high water mark love hate relationship masterpiece Don't Get Weird On Me, Babe. And despite avoiding all things rock over the past year, Paul Westerberg's amazing return to form - Mono.