Wheel In The Sky

Just because the Sox season is over, doesn't mean there isn't any baseball to talk about.

The Arizona Fall League is in full swing, and the Peoria Saguaros - a Sox affiliate, along with the Red Sox, Pirates, Blue Jays and Nationals, are 6-17 with 10 games to go...

Here's how some of the Sox prospects are coming along:
Robert Valido - 13 games, .317,/.383/.283 (OPB, SLG, AVG),
Josh Fields - 15 games, .319/.532/.274, 4 HRs, 13 RBIs
Chris Young - 17 games, .364/.464/.286
Corwin Malone - 9.88 ERA is 13 2/3rds IP17 Ks, 11 walks
Paulino Reynoso - 8.56 ERA in 13 and 2/3rds IP, 12 Ks, 11 walks
Sean Tracey - 8.76 ERA in 12 and 1/3rd IP, 9 Ks, 4 walks.

And going even further south...

Venezuelan League

Sox knuckleballing prospect Charles Haeger has a sick 1.95 ERA in 27 and 2/3rds IP. He's stuck out 12. Former Sox prospect also on La Guaira, Eduardo Villacis has a 1.80 ERA in 5 IP.

Sunday Papers

"You can read all about it
In the sunday papers"
--Joe Jackson

The Sox have (finally) been getting a lot of notable attention in the national media. I wanted to point out a few interesting articles in the past week or so. Hopefully, you saw them. If not, go to the library and track them down:

--Wall Street Journal weekend edition from Oct 22 had Ozzie on the cover. Inside, the article talks about the 'new' face of baseball - mainly minorities in the league and how the 2005 Sox were such a good representation of that.
--Chicago Tribune From Oct 23 . Good article on the increase in real estate prices in and around Sox Park.
--WSJ Oct 28. Page 3 has two articles on the Sox. First, there is a good one on Kenny Williams. There is also a smaller one that notes the secret to the Sox success was their pitching. Duh!
--Chicago Tribune Oct. 28. Good article from Eric Zorn, who puts the city's least favorite editorialist to the fire. Go search for the link yourself if your really want to read it...

Afterglow

Afterglow

World Champion Chicago White Sox

The last time that could be said was 1917, when America was fighting World War I - the supposed 'war to end all wars.' Its been a long 88 years - generations.

2005 - this is the championship to end all championships.

Basking in the afterglow of last night's amazing Sox victory in the World Series, it still hasn't sunk in. I've been a Chicago baseball fan for over 30 years, and had just accepted losing. I was honestly uncertain that a championship would happen in my lifetime. To paraphrase Marty Burns from CNN/SI, baseball championships were something reserved for the likes of the Yankess, the Reds, the Dodgers (and their fans)... For me, the only sports championship memory that compares to the 05 Sox is the 1985 Bears victory in Super Bowl XX. And I was 16 when that occurred.

After last night's victory, I wish I could've been roaming the streets of Bridgeport, or at a bar in Beverly... but I was at home. After the many years of emotional energy spent rooting for losing teams, this was more of a private moment for me. But 'from the churches to the jails' joy - to some degree - overcame the city.

I thought about how my parents had taken me to first Sox game back in 1980, an early April affair, where it was so cold that my mom, no teetoadler, had to go down to the bar behind home plate at old Comiskey and get a shot or two of whiskey to warm up. Since 1984, the Sox have been the 2nd team in this town. Its the kind of slight that draws an international comparison to European cities with multiple football clubs - a Manchester City or Munich 1860 fan would understand. The national media was biased, and that was unbearably magnified even more so in the past year - when such a big deal was made over the Red Sox World Series victory in 2004, and the lack of attention paid to the White Sox during the 2005 regular season and, to some, degree, in the post season as well. even after leading wire-to-wire and winning 99 games, few baseball "experts" considered them a serious threat to the like of the Yankess, the Red Sox, the Angels... even the Cardinals. Now, Peter Gammons finally jumps on the bandwagon, gushing that the 05 Sox are one of the two most dominant teams of the past 25 years. Fuck you Gammons. And I still have yet to find any talking head expert who was actually crazy enough or smart enough to pick the Sox to win it all before the 2005 season began. Blog as serious media or not, I did pick the Sox to win it all in this very space back on April 3 (though I had the NL opponent wrong). But I'll admit, that was more that more crazy optimism than intelligence. Though I knew that if they had some luck go their way, the definately had the talent. Spring training made that crystal clear to me.

The White Sox victory is far more impressive and overdue than that of the Red Sox in 04. For one thing, since their WS victory in 1918, the Red Sox had been in 4 WS, and they had been a contender for as long as I can remember. For the White Sox, since 1917, just 2 WS appearances, and one of those was the scandal-tainted 1919 series. But few noticed, and the Sox toiled away on the southside in obscurity. And had it not been for Bill Veeck buying the team in 1960 (and again in 1975) and saving them from moving to Seattle, I wouldn't be writing this now - the Sox would never have even existsed in my lifetime. Nor would I be wrtitng this had then Governor Jim Thompson not stood up as the Illinois Legislative session came to a close in 1988 and worked out a 12th-hour deal to dramtically saved the Sox from moving to St. Petersburg. They had already been given up for dead when Reinsdorf and Einhorn held the city, the state and the fans hostage for a new park. Didya forget about that one? WS victory or not, those two guys are still assholes in my book for what they nearly did to us all.

And for me, the Sox WS victory was not as deep - or at least not as immediately meaningful - as the Ohio U victory over Pitt just 8 weeks ago - a victory that reduced me to a blubbering pile of goo.... for 2 days.

The truth is, I grew up a Cub fan. During the mid-1970s, coming home from kindergarten and turning on the TV, I discovered a wonderful alternative to afternoon cartoons like Woody Woodpecker and Tom & Jerry. There was beauitiful Wrigley Field in all its glory, and the soothing voices of Jack Brickhouse, Lou Boudreau and Vince Lloyd to teach me about the wonderful game. In the early 1980s, I was going to about 10-20 Cub games a year, and sitting in the bleachers. But I was also attending about 5-8 Sox games a year as well. While I was in the bleachers at Wrigley for the first real night game on 8/9/88 (the one on 8/8/88 was rained out), I've attended more important games with the White Sox, most notably the last game in old Comiskey, and the biggest one of them all - the 1983 AL West Pennant clicher. As I moved off to college, and moved away from Chicago, I started going to Wrigley Field much less. After 1984, the fan base changed dramatically, much like the once middle-class, blue collar, diverse neighborhood that surrounded it, the Cub fan base had changed. By the time the 80s were over, I was done with bleacher culture. After the 1994 strike, I didn't warm back up to any baseball until 2000. Since then, I've come back as more of a Sox fan. Its not impossible. Unlike New York, in Chicago, I really believe you can be a fan of both teams. The Sox front office would agree with me - they've always marketed themselves not to the soutside, but as the entire city's American League team. The Cubs don't have to market like that. I also became a Sox fan because tickets were simply more accessable - and less expensive. The "fan" culture that has infected Wrigley Field is one that's more about show than substance, more about who you know than what you know. To be sure, there are knowledge fans of both teams. And and equal number of drunken buffoons as well. The differences, real or perceived, exist.

And I've lived equally in both places - a few years in both Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park, and some in Back of the Yards and Hyde Park. Despite being born in the city proper, I have spent most of my life in the SW burbs. Geography is moot.

I spent a decade as a member of the Chicago media, most of that time involved with sports. Seeing the whole business from the other side really changes your perspective... and that's one reason I got out (that and the low pay). While I don't reget my time behind the mic (or the board), I'm glad I left when I did.

I'll continue to root for both. And I love baseball. It's a great sport. The numbers, the stats, they make sense, and tell a compelling story. But the stats fail to tell the whole story - they leave out the emotional element that characterizes humanity itself. The Bill Jamesians might argue that the stats actually measure the ability of that human element. But the Sox won this year, and no one number tells the story of how that happened - underdogs who were ignored by the baseball world but refused to give up.

For now, I need to take some time off from this blog, reflect, and decide if I'm going to continue it. Ending on the highest note would be sweet. Truth be told, sometime back in August, updating this blog every morning at 4 am, and all the minor league stuff that goes with it, became more of a chore than the fun exercise it was intended to be. I'd like to continue on, but not sure if its worth the time and effort in my increasingly complex life. I don't want to do it I can't do it well and offer up something the few other regular Sox blogs out there miss. Seeing my words published here, regardless of whether or not anyone bothers to read them, is satisfying enough for me.

Would anyone miss this blog if it was gone (HINT - if so, now is the time to tell me).

Until that day of reckoning comes, I'm going to let this championship victory sink in, and try to learn what it feels like to be the fan of a winning ball team. I hope to get that feeling at the parade tomorrow.

FOUR

Finally!

2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox.

The Southside goes up for grabs!

THREE

I'm not going to go in-depth and analyze the epic struggle that was game 3 - I'm too tired.

I thought Ozzie and the guys did a fantastic job. Blum - a guy who did nothing all year - the unlikely hero. The Sox had a call go against them for once, but also caught some small breaks as well. The Astros were given every chance to win this game, but the Sox refused to give up. I'm finally a believer in Aaron Rowand's rhetoric. Garland, Uribe and the bullpen were alternately bad and good. And it was Crede again - this time not in the clutch, but who quietly got it all rolling in the 5th...

The part of game 3 that rubbed me wrong was in the pre-game ceremonies, when we were forced to sit thru Wynonia Judd, Michael McDonald, and 2 nameless assholes singing some lame tune called "America Rocks" or "America Is So Great" or "America! Fuck Yeah" or some such nonesense. It ended with Wynonia waving a rhinestone-encrusted American flag.. Things aren't necessarily bigger in Texas, but they are tackier! It was a tasteless display of misguided patriotism that we've all become so used to these past few years - the kind used to numb the masses into passive indifference. But they do things differently in the red states...

The real tragedy is my favorite - Pablo Ozuna - did not get a chance to showcase his fine skills.

One win away... It could be just a few hours from now... The city goes up for grabs...

TWO

Not much you can write about Game 2. It was one for the ages, a thrilling classic that has no equal in recent Sox history.

sPods went from goat to hero in less than an inning. His throw home on Vizcaino's double should've been dead on. But it was to the first base side, and AJ had reach for it, then come back with the tag, just enough to allow to the runner to make a great slide and score.

But that homer.. man...

Onto Houston.

ONE

Can I be next?

Photo stolen from M. Spencer Green (AP). With a name like 'M. Spencer Green' he deserves to be fuckin robbed. "Katy Lyznicki, right, helps Megan Sherman, left, with her makeup as Christina Lyznicki looks on at U.S. Cellular Field before Game 1 of the World Series between the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005. "

I would like Katy, Megan and Christina - if, of course, they are at least 18 years of age, and, therefore able to legally perform consenusal sexual acts of erotic pleasure with an adult - to come over to my love shack, drink a lot of tequila, remove their clothes, apply the Sox body paint to their bare skin, then start kissing each other and beg me in join in.

Game One impressions:

--Since us po' folk with part time jobs in the food service industry had to work, I listened to the first few innings on radio. Farmer and Rooney were outstanding. I especially enjoyed Rooney's Milo Hamilton impression (which was dead on) and their discussion of how Bernie Mac apparently sat in the wrong seat.

--I've been talking up Joe Crede since last year. A lot of 'know-it-all, armchair quaterbacks' around the water cooler dis Crede's hitting, and have all year. My arguement has always been, sure, he may hit .250, but he hits clutch homers, and is stellar on defense. That is all you can ask from your third baseman. He's a great one, and in Game one, he showed the nation...

--speaking of Crede, his post game comments were by far the most intruging of anyone who talked in the media room. He had a lot of praise for Jason Dellaero, a former teamate of Joe's, who played shortstop in the Sox minor league system a few years back. Crede noted Dallaero's defense.. as did Bill Melton, reacting to Crede's comments. I'm not sure excatly what happened to this guy. After he left the Sox orginzation, he was with the KC Royals farm system, and at the beginning of 2005, was with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays AA affilitate in the Southern League, the Montgonery Biscuits. In April, the Biscuits sent him all the way down to Husdon Valley in the short season NY-Penn League, but I can't find any info that suggests he accepted that assignment...

--I have to give Liz Phair credit. Her version of "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch was spectacular. Honestly, I thought it was great. Plus, she is a smokin hot MILF. I just wanna phuck her brains out, even her new album does suck.

--Jermaine Dye decided to show up today!

--Bobby Jenks might be among the best stories in baseball in a long time. Cast aside by the Angels, at this time last year, he was in rehab in Arizona, and his future was questionable at best. As late as July, he was toiling away in obsurity in the AA Southern League. Now here he is, center stage at the biggest sports showcase on the planet.

--the above is kinda too bad for Neal Cotts, whose great performance was overshadowed by Jenks and his 100 mph fastball. Cotts is a rock, and has been for a long long time.

I was in the burbs tonight. Any firsthand reports from the southside? Was Jimbo's just outta control?

Game two tomorrow. DUH!

Baseball Econ 102

The Weekend Section of today's Wall Street Journal has a nice article on trickle down economics of baseball, using Sox Clubhouse manager Vince Fresso as an example. If the Sox win it all, Fresso stands to pocket over $300K CASH! That's on top of a salary that's already near, if not in the $100K range, not including the cash tips, etc he makes during the regular season. Damn - I'm in the wrong business. though I guess I really don't have much of a burning desire to wash Juan Uribe's jock, download Styx tunes to AJ's iPod, or fetch big baby cheeseburgers for Crede.

The WSJ has had a lot of good baseball articles recently. One earlier this week focused on state laws in Illinois that have recently been removed that help scaplers get even more money for World Series tickets.. . Another one last week talked about the Molina brothers and how much they fight for their mommy's love. But overall, the coverage this week still slants against the Sox. Reading further into today's weekend section, there's an article focusing on Houston's three great starting pitchers. There was also an interesting article earlier this week about stats innovator, MIT grad, and eccentric Indiana resident, Jeff Sagarin, and his view of the state's wacked out time zone issues. If you think the time zones in Indiana are screwed up now, beginning next year, it may be possible to drive straight south from Gary to Evansville and change time zones 4 times!

Commuting into work on the train this morning, I sat next to girl who was a dead ringer for Kate Moss, other than the having her nose buried in a mountain of cocaine. She was all tan and thin and trim, in jeans and a lil half shirt. Then she proceed to spend 20 minutes applying her make up. I've been around enough beauitiful women in my life to know that, general, they just don't wake up looking like that, most have to work at it (the MILF is an exception - a real natural beauty). But 20 minutes. C'mon. Total turn off.

Un-Phair

hit a home run, Liz

Self-proclaimed indie rocker Liz Phair (in reality, just another rich chick from the North shore with a degree from Oberlin) will apparently attempt to sing something during the 7th inning stretch of game 1 of the World Series.

I like Phair, and her come-hiter gazes, sexy soccer mom pouts, and slutty image as much as any guy. However, I'm not real sure what she does is "sing." Generally, she hides behind a wall of wailing guitars and feedback (her first two albums), or mounds of production (her last two). Something tells me she'll be crooning something other than "Hot White Cum" to the crowd at the ballpark and the millions of fans watching at home. But was that the best the Sox could do? Was Koko Taylor busy that night?

All I have to say to Phair and her phans is "babybabybabybabybabybabybabybabybaby
babybabybabybabybabybabybabybabybabybabybabybabybaby

Sox release surprising series roster

Minnie Minoso

This is so unbelieveable, I'm just going to copy the story as it came off the wire.

CHICAGO (AP) - The American League Champion Chicago White Sox shocked the sports world today when they announced their team roster for the World Series will include 83-year old Minnie Minoso. Minoso, a long time fan favorite, became one of only two players (along with Nick Altrock) to play pro baseball in 5 different decades, and last appeared as a pinch hitter for the Sox in 1980, at age 58, going 0 for 2. Minoso will be used as a situational hitter off the bench.

REACTIION MIXED

"This is a disgrace to the game," said Roger Clemens of the recently crowned National League Champion Houston Astros, who will play the Sox in the Series beginning saturday night in Chicago. "The poor old guy might get hurt really bad."

From Milwaukee, Comissioner Bud Selig promised not to endorse the roster, saying the Sox had made "a mockery of the national pastime."

Even the nation's #1 baseball fan, President George Bush had something to say on the subject. When told of Minoso's activation during a scripted press conference on the White House lawn, Bush reacted by saying, "Mr. Minoso is a fine man, a good American, and we support him in his endeavor to defeat the tyranny of evil dictators and terrorists who oppose freedom."

In Minoso's home country of Cuba, Fidel Castro, when told the news, launched into a 5-hour rant on the "Traitor Comrade Minoso" and vowed life in prision should he ever return to the island.

White Sox Owner Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf was more sympathic, noting, "We believe Minnie's experience will really help the team reach a whole new level."

Minoso's spot on the roster came at the expense of utility infielder Geoff Blum, who was given his unconditional release by the Sox today. As he left Comiskey Park, Blum said, "What the fuck? Are you really shitting me? I've been replaced by some dude in his 80s? Fuck that shit." When it was noted that Blum, hit just .200 in 31 games for the Sox, and that despite his age, Minoso might actually do better, Blum reacted by saying "The Sox are gonna get their asses kicked. While you're at it, why not bring back Wilbur Wood."

When told of Blum's comments, Reinsdorf said, "That's crazy. We can't bring back Wood. He's dead! Isn't he?"

Long suffering Sox fans had a generally positive reaction. Gary Wyzoski, a 47 year old Sox fan from south suburban Alsip said, "Its like a dream come true. Da Sox in da Series. Minnie's back. Da Southside. Brats. Dis is da year, my friend."

Minoso, who was at his usual afternoon location - tending the grill at Sluggers sports bar near Wrigley Field on Chicago's north side, said he was "thrilled" to be back, and added, "I'm so blessed to have another chance to win the Series for the White Sox. Beisbol been a very very good to me!"

Clubhouse leader Paul Konerko was stunned by the news saying, "Can he go to the bathroom by himself? I don't wanna have to clean up some old guy's bag."

In the end, Sox manager Ozzie Guillen summed up the situation by noting, "We gots to play wit the hand we dealt, ya know? Sometimes.. dese situations, youknow, dey happen and we gonna make de best of it. Dis team is no quitter, and I know Minnie, and I know dat, in spite his age, he's a no quitter. So, we gonna try a real hard to bring a World Series championship to Chicago."

Day of rest part II

a day of rest II

One thing nice about these off days - rest...

So its the 'stros, eh? Fuck those assholes from Texas!

With the Sox taking a break, I took some time out to watch a movie I've always wanted to see - "Athens, GA; Inside Out" from 1987. I like REM as much as the next guy, but I always thought most of the music coming out of Athens was weird and wimpy. This film didn't change my opinion of that viewpoint. From that era, I preferred Minneapolis and the likes of the Replacements, Husker Du, Soul Aslyum and Ween. This film, however, has some good stuff on Howard Finster, the B-52s, Dreams So Real (after all these years, they still suck), and of course REM. Before the White Stripes, there was the Flat Duo Jets. And the big trend these days in rock towards intrumentals was done long ago by the likes of Love Tractor. My favorite part was the interview with the "MB" from Walter's BBQ. If I ate meat, I would totally go there.

Day of rest

After a recovery day on monday, I'm not sure what, if anything, the Sox did today. Who cares, they're AL Champs!

I went after World Series tickets today. You can guess what happened....

I've had better luck with my magic 8 ball this season. Back on April 3rd, I made some predictions.

Lets see how I did:

1--Sox have one of their best years ever in attendance (top 4) Yep. 3rd.

2--one of the old Cubans (probably Contreras) is injuried before May is done, and McCarthy gets the call up. Wins 12. Partial credit. El Duque was injured and hasn't been the same since. McCarthy did get the call up, but only won 2.

3--Pablo Ozuna starts strong but fades after the All Star break. OK - way off on this one.

4--Aaron Rowand makes the AL All Star team. Not quite.

5--either Marte or Politte are gone by August. Marte almost... but not quite.

6--housing prices in Bridgeport rise by less than 10%. Sure...

7--the Cub finish the season below .500. YES!

8--the Sox win the World Series. Defeating the San Diego Padres (or NY Mets) 4 games to 2. (Hey, there is no glory in picking the favorites!).. to be determined. I may have had the NL team wrong, but I challenge you to show me any other blog or media outlet that picked the Sox. You can't, cause there weren't any. I stand alone here.

.500. 50%. 3 and 1/2 out of 7 with the biggest one to be decided by the end of the month.

GO SOX!

FINALLY!

Photo stolen from Jeff Robinson/AP

Its late... I'm tired... A little tipsy.. and the sun will be up in just a few hours on the Southside, home of the 2005 American League Champion Chicago White Sox. Bridgeport is no longer the baseball backwater it has been for the past 46 years.

Do I really need to analyze the game? Contreras goes the distance, and Crede hits in the clutch. The umps make some good calls, and the Sox still win.

Watching the coverage of the post game celebration, here a few moments that stuck in my head:
--lotsa drunks at 115 Bourbon. Some hot female ones among them.
--Corey McFerrin breaking down to the verge of tears
--thought I saw Minnie Minoso wandering around the field in Anaheim
--Vlosta the Polka Queen was interviewed from Berwyn. Apparently, she's written a new polka rally tune.
--KW not only apologing to the fans that it took so long, but also saying "thanks."

Oh yeah, and the Bears beat Minnesota 28-3, too.

Is this real... or is it a dream?

Sooooo close

so close.. I can taste it...

One important thing the remember; the 2005 Sox are not the 2003 (or 1984) Cubs.

Game 4 was great. Again, the Sox jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The starting pitching was fantastic. Garcia. Wow. By now you've heard this was the first back-to-back-to-back complete game pitching effort since the 1973 NLCS. To me, that stat proves again just how special this year is for the Sox.

On the downside, the Sox did strand some runner in scoring position, some with none out. That bad habit needs to be corrected. The final was 8-2, but it could've been much higher. And the bullpen didn't get any work again. I hope they're throwing against live batters in practice.

And there were some more blown calls by the umps. AJ's interference being the key one last night. A potential Angel rally was squashed, and the life sucked out of Anaheim.

Tonight could be the night. For the 3rd time in my life, a Chicago baseball team is tantalizingly close to a World Series - one win away. I'll be watching at home. If I wasn't, where would be the best place to watch? Jimbo's?

Big big SOX win

Coming home from the Big A, she takes off her pants...

Young Fresh Fellows? Anybody?

The fans in Anaheim that created the sea of red in the ballpark probably couldn't hear the screaming all the way from the area around 33rd and Princeton, but I can confirm there was a great roar when the Sox won, 5-2, and took a 2-1 lead in the ALCS.

Who would've thunk it?

Me, for one, when I predicted the Sox to win it all back in March. I'm no baseball genius, there is just no glory in ever picking the favorite. I'm not going to jinx it by saying anything else.

Garland pitched great. Period. No need to analyize it. Iguchi made a great play back in the 2nd (?). And say what you will, sPods looked good in left to me tonight.

There were some bad moments. The Sox left too many men on base. The situation that comes to mind is when Dye reached 3rd with none out in the 8th, but his teammates failed to get him home. Uribe looked bad striking out in the 7th.

Once again, tomorrow is the biggest game of the year for the Sox. There is no one else I'd rather have on the hill than Senior Garcia.

World Series tickets (all 5000 of them) go on sale tuesday at noon. Since the Ticketmaster system will likely fail us Joe Sixpacks (again) and benefit the brokers (again), I've made a list of about 10 potential sources for tickets. The list varies from a contact in the front office of another MLB team, old media contacts, scalpers, season ticket holders, and the CEO of a division one of the world's largest corporations who can get tickets to anything and who happens to be married to one of my cousins. If worse comes to worse, and price is no object, there's always margin accounts or a loan against my fat ass 401K.

Life in LA LA Land

swimmin pools, movie stars

Here we come motherfucker!

Go west

There's not much to analyze from the first two games of this series. They are what they are. The Sox pitching and defense keeps them close. They're not hitting. If he can't hit, can't get on base, and can no longer steal, I wonder what sPods future with the Sox is... Why is he even on the roster? Why not give Ozuna a shot?

Talk on the train and around the water cooler at the salt mines had every drone giving their unqualified opinion on last night's controversial call. My cousin, a southside native, called me from Oakland today. He had a discussion with an Angels fan who was bellyachin about it all day. Lucky? Fuck that shit. Try being a Chicago baseball fan for 30 years then tell me about luck. Here's a new angle on last night's game: luck or no luck, THE SOX DESERVED IT! I don't care how they win, just fuckin win. Steal cheat lie kill. Do whatever it takes to bring a World Series to Chicago. As Chicago baseball fans, we've all invested a lot of our time and money, and expended a lot of emotional energy, in these losing teams over the decades. Goddamn it, just do it once, just once! (I guess if the world ends tomorrow, at least I'll always have memories of the 85 Bears.).

I'm nearly done with the Studs Lonigan Trilogy. Studs is a hopeless character, and Farrell does a not-so-good job of foreshadowing the ending (gee, I wonder what's going to happen? Is Studs gonna die?). A big difference from Bellow's Augie March character. Makes me want to reread that all over again. Farrell's got a lot of good stuff in here. Next time I'm in Hyde Park, I want to go down to the corner of 58th and Indiana and see Studs old 'hood. I have a feeling I'll just be driving thru and not stopping and walking around.

All tied up

all tied up

It wasn't pretty, but we'll take it... A 2-1 Sox victory in game 2. Buehrle pitched an incredible game. When you only give up one run, you need your team to hit and score at least 2, c'mon...

The replay of the strikeout is inconclusive - you could make a case either way. The ump definately called a strike, but not an out. Josh Paul should've put the tag on, but didn't. A great heads up play by AJ. And don't forget AFTER that...

--Ozuna steals 2nd
--'.250' Crede gets a big hit.

The dramatic win also covers up the goof by Sox 3rd base coach Joey Cora back in the 2nd inning, when he sent Aaron Rowand HOME with none out on a 2-base throwing error. The score wasn't a sure thing, and Cora shouldn't have sent him. Did he forget there was NO ONE OUT??? Did he know the runner was Aaron "Ron Cey" Rowand? I've complained all year that Cora is far too aggressive as a base coach, and its cost the Sox runs in the past. I just knew it was gonna bite us in the ass during a big game, and it almost did... Cora needs to get his shit together and remember that not everyone is Vince Coleman.

Off day, then at LA friday, saturday night, and sunday afternoon. I'll be listening to all three on radio.

The MILF bought some knew thigh-high boots with spikey heels yesterday. She wore them while we fucked last night - hard core pound fucking and we're paying for it today - both sore and tired. Can't wait to dress her up in those boots, a short skit, take her out, and do it again.

Good news for Sox fans

Hockey is back!

I guess I'd watch the NHL if it was full of naked 18 year old babes instead of gross Russian dudes.

OK OK - well, there's always football...

I'd post a preview of game 2, but that would be pointless. The only thing that I can predict about tonight is that I'm gonna drink some beer.

Missed opportunities

When Contreras only gives up 3 runs, you need to score 4 and win the fuckin game. I know the Sox give a lot of lip service to the fans like "We won't give up" and "Win or die trying", but we didn't see that last night. Aaron Rowand couldn't get a bunt down, sPods is invisible, and who knows what is on Dye's mind.

The Sox are playing like they were before that Detroit series, and looking at "4 and out" here against the Angels. Its lookin a lot like 1983 on the Southside - I don't mean the aicd wash jeans, mullets and AC DC t-shirts.

Contreras had good stuff, he just let one get away from him. Crede did what he's done all year, hit a long ball when they need it (though it wasn't enough). I thought Iguchi played OK. Uribe looked incredible on D. The crowd didn't seem to be too into the game, but that's what happens when you chage $200 per seat- the joint gets filled with cake eaters.

I thought about getting tickets tonight, then the financial reality caught up with me. Apparently, they were going for face around the park at game time. With more crappy weather in store for this evening, and the Angels back again tonight instead of the Yankees, expect that economic trend to continue.

Its a busy time for me at work, and at home, so I'll continue to update this spot when I can.

One thing that has me completely baffled, about a week ago, the number of daily hits on this blog jumped from the usual 200 a day to over 10,000 a day to 20,000. What gives? Either my blog is infected with some adware or there are a lot of baseball fans searching for Sox info (and sex stories... from the southside)? Did I get a mention in Wonkette? WTF? But if that's the case, I might actually have to spice things up a bit around here. I have been getting some good sex lately, I spose I could kiss n tell... either that or discuss more of Farrell's Studs Lonigan, of which I'm now almost done reading.

Was that great or what?

How sweet it is

Photo stolen from Charles Krupa (AP).

Did I call it? 3 and out for the Sox... wrong Sox, though...

The White Sox have indeed turned on the juice these past few games. And last night ranks up there with the greatest moments in Chicago sports history- the Sox first post season series win since 1917. WOW.

No need to recap the game, since you saw it. That 6th inning lasted so long I was beginning to wonder if the game had turned into a cricket match. Marte just blew. El Duque was nothing short of astonishing - middle relief may be his future (at least, immediate future). Everyone hit and made plays in the field - a balanced effort. Bring on the Yankess (I hope) or the LA Angeles...

And if the World Series comes to the Southside, I will be there. I've been saving up for this my whole life.

A little voice inside my head

"...after the boys of summer have gone..."

After the great victory last night, the White Sox hopped on a plane and flew to Boston, taking along the hopes of this great town, and the summer wind... Baseball may not be over yet, but today's chilly weather suggests otherwise. But it was this evening's fiery sunset that reminded me that this is my favorite time of the year...

One thing that sucks, besides Don Henley, is that try as I might, thru phone and the internet, I was unable to obtain tickets to the ALCS. I would've sold them anyways, but that's not really the point. Ticketmaster's system is fucked. What's worse is that the White Sox don't care...Of course, Scott reifert will pay lip service otherwise. But fuck him. Action speaks louder than words, Scott! The real fans get locked out. Unless my pal from the Twins can come thru, I'll be watching the games at home, just like a million other Chicagoians....

Near perfect day

passion is no ordinary word

I had to work today, but beyond that, the day was nearly perfect.

The Sox exciting 5-4 over Boston gave me goosebumps. The White Sox look good and are playing well, right when they need to, which translates into Sox wins. As I was watching it, I knew then as I know now, Uribe's at bat was the most important one of the game (maybe of the season). Down 2 strikes, he had a fire in his eyes, battling Wells, fouling off pitches, finally making contact. The easy roller goes under Graffinio's glove, and what should've been an inning-ending double play becomes 1st and 3rd with one out. Iguchi up next, homers, 5-4 Sox.

Can't wait for friday! Though I'm trying not to get too excitied. Living thru 3 decades as a Chicago sports fan has taught me to be, uh, pessimistic. And I hate to draw another comparison to the 1984 NLCS, but in game 2, the Cubs, behind Steve Trout, won 4-2. Again, we know what happened after that... I know the Sox aren't the Cubs, and don't suffer from the same variety of curse, but, especially against the Red Sox, this series is far from over.

The other half of my evening went even better. The MILF had been teasing me all day and, after the game, post shower, we had a very passionate session.

Its been a great year, both for the Sox and my newly energized sex life.

Hit me

s

No need to recap the Sox game... What can you say about a 14-2 drubbing of the defending World Series Champions? One interesting stat that has been repeated over and over - it was the Sox first post season home victory since the 11-0 win over the LA Dodgers in game 1 of the 1959 World Series.

Here one angle to consider:
As I was watching the White Sox pound Boston like a $50 whore, I kept thinking of how much this game reminded me of Game 1 of the 1984 NLCS. Cast my memory back there, O Lord... A sunny summer-like fall day at an electric Wrigley Field... Bottom of the first, and the light hitting lead off man, Bob Dernier homers, followed immediately by Gary Matthews, who also homers... Next inning the pitcher, Rick Sutcliffe homers.. Final score, Cubs 13 San Diego 0. And we all know what happened after that.

I don't mean to rain on the parade.. I'm just sayin'....

Let the mistakes begin

The Sox released their post season roster today. I have no problem with El Duque in a relief role, but I don't understand who Vizcaino and/or Marte were chosen over Brandon McCarthy. Ok, so Marte's a lefty, but he's been fer shit lately. I'd rather see McCarthy in relief than either of those two bozos.

And G-off Blum over Gload? Are you kidding me?

Shit, if 'experience' is what the Sox want, why not bring in Minnie Minoso and Harold Baines?

Anything less than a World Series, and I'm pointing the finger at you, Ozzie!

So, its over, then

The 2005 regular season has come to a close... and the White Sox have the best record in AL. Hate to say "I told ya so.", but.. I did...

Now comes the fun part.

Game 1 of the divisional series, tuesday afternoon at Comiskey against the Red Sox. Game 2 will be wednesday night, before the series moves back east for games 3 and 4 over the weekend... Game 5, if necessary, would be back on the southside.

Should the White Sox win this initial round, let's hope they face the Yankess, cause the LA Angels scare me.

For complete coverage, I suggest the "South Side Sox" blog - link at right. I'll do my best to update the next week... but my heart is just not into anymore.

Getting closer

The Sox win on Friday night, coupled with the Yankee loss, was significant in that is assured the Sox homefield advantage throughout the entire post season (including the World Series, if it comes to that). I'm not sure its a good thing, as the Sox seem to play much better on the road than on the south side.

I might actually go to the rally on monday, since its near my office. I'm not much about cheering, but I'm all about free shit.

When do AL Championship Series tickets go on sale? I didn't even bother with trying to buy for the first round, but I'll try for the ALCS. And they make it to the World Series, I'll find the money (a loan against my 401K if it comes to that).