We Even Look Bad When We Win

I am out of town again this week, but I was able to follow the first game of the Tampa Bay series on the internet. While I was happy to see us win the game 5-4 over another “powerful” AL team, I am still unimpressed with their performance. Yes – we finally got 12 hits, but none after the first 6 innings. And even with those 12 hits, with some walks and errors thrown in, we were still only able to score 5 runs. One inning we had the bases loaded, and needed a walk to score a run. We left tons of men on base again (11, I think). 4 of the hits (1/3 of the total) came from one guy (Gonzalez), to bring his average up to a whopping .235 or something like that. So why should I get excited?

Our man, Jim Thome, struck out 4 times, 3 of them with men on base. His only hit came with no one on base. His RBI was a ground out. At one point, their pitchers struck out 5 Sox in a row. They retired the last 10 Sox in a row, or something like that. I’m sorry, but I was not impressed by this offensive performance.

And then we had Ozzie’s parade of pitchers. One pitcher per inning for the last 4 innings. For once it worked, but I still disagree with it. But that’s the problem – Ozzie will point to this game and say, “that’s why I play the lefty/righty percentages.” But what about all the other times that it has failed? The ERA’s of our relief staff prove my point.

When the Sox score more than 5 runs per game and hit double-digits in hits on a consistent basis, I will get excited. But last night does not count. This was against Tampa Bay, who do not have any “Cy Youngs” on their staff. But to the White Sox, every pitcher is a “Cy Young.”

Once again, I’ll say it. GET RID OF WALKER – HE’S WORTHLESS.

The way it really is….

Dave Wegrzyn, Cubs Superfan

The first thing I will do is disagree with both a cubs and a sox fan in this blog. Until 2005, the sox were just as worthless as the cubs. You do have a World Series title and for that, I have to finally admit that the sox were the best team in 2005. But this is one of the common misconceptions that some sox fans have about Wrigley field. Yes, it sells the most beer, yes, there are a ton of idiots out there, but not all of them are Cubs fans. For the cubs blogger, sit in the bleachers for a few games and you will see that your “99%” statement is way off base. I would say that at least 45% of the “residents” in the bleachers are “poor” cub’s fans who just go out to drink and be seen. But the real common misconception by both of those bloggers is that everyone at the games are Cubs fans. A bunch of people who are at the games are from out of town either following their team or just wanting to see a game at Wrigley. I was at “the Cell” this weekend, and it has been improved leaps and bounds from when it was opened, but no one comes to Chicago and says, let’s go see the cell. People plan their vacations around a trip to Wrigley when their teams are in town. Look, I happen to agree with you that A) cubs management went out and spent WAY to much money on guys that should not have gotten paid that much. They knew they were going to be sold and wanted to put a better product on the field to help raise the bidding prices. B) The time is now for the sox to gut this team and start over. They had their chance last year to repeat and blew it. Now they have way too many players who are at the end of their prime or had break out years during the World Series run and have never repeated those numbers. Believe me when I say that I respect Ken Williams way more then Jim Hendry, who has wasted way too much money on guys like prior and wood. But the real problem is that a lot of teams are not going to offer much of anything to the sox when they know that half those players will be free agents at the end of the season. Unless they have a legit shot at winning the World Series, they will not give up very much to rent those players.

As far as the division goes, I will point you to the twins and what they did last year with one stud pitcher and a bunch of “4th starters”. Point is, any team can get hot, especially when they play in a division as bad as the Cubs. The Brewers may win this division, but they will not be 10 games over .500 at the end of the season. They are simply not that good of a team. There are around 86 games to be played by both teams. 7 games between them. This upcoming weekend will be huge for both teams. The goal for the cubs is to take 2 of 3 and pick up one game in the standings. As simple as that. Keep winning and you never know what will happen.

Look, this is the way it is. Sox fans are as passionate about their team as we are. We both have our fair share of idiots. All I have to say is William Ligue Jr. and I am pretty certain most people in Chicago know what I am talking about. And let’s stop complaining about poor behavior, because it happens at Wrigley the same as it happens at the Cell. As always, a small group creates a bad name for everyone. Blame security, because if they allow that crap, then they are not doing their job. Hell, we are all Bears fans so we have that in common. And please do not tell me that in 2005, you got a ton of band wagon fans for the sox. I know one by the name of Lawrence who’s last name will go unnamed but he happens to work for the company that employees this blogger.

Slim chance of hope

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

The funny thing about hope is that both sides of town have it- for different reasons. Southside fans have much to be hopeful for with most of it lying in the future. Northside fans, on the other hand, are in their 98th year of hoping for and foolishly thinking they can contend for a championship.

Most White Sox fans are realists. We know most times when we have the potential to win and know when it is time to wait until next year. We know when our organization has and has not performed up to its own potential in regards to transactions, negotiations, and scouting. We know the joy of victory and the agony of defeat(I leave Comiskey elated or angry). We will support a hard working rugged team or a youthful enthusiastic squad. We will not stand for a lethargic mix of slow aging vets and overwhelmed rookies. I still have hope in a management which helped build a champion to take our core players and build around them with some transactions. I have hope in Ozzie because he managed a champion. I have hope in our core because they helped win a championship. But all of this hope is for next season.

Now for the Northsiders. They are dreamers. They believe their shady corporate owners will provide a winner. They see a silver lining in all of their players and management. They will support their team when they have no chance. They willingly hand over their $ to an entity which laughs behind their drunken backs(Yes, Cubs are tops in MLB in beer sales). They sponsor the world’s largest beer garden. They leave Wrigley always happy because they have willingly learned to accept defeat as commonplace. They place new blue caps on their children and shove them in front of WGN TV to start a new generation of dreamers, drunks, and losers.

Now onto the 2007 installment of your loser Cubs. A team getting ready to enter July at four games under .500 and over seven games out of first place. A team with a psycho ace pitcher, two #4 starter free agent pickups, a brutal bullpen, no catcher, and an old washed up manager. Not a wise way to spend MLB’s #8 highest payroll. I will enjoy watching the Brewers win that division and the Cardinals taking 2nd place.

Lastly I want to say to all keep your hope in whatever manner you hold it- it is emotionally uplifting. And to all the Cub fans- it sure is a GREAT thing to actually be alive when your team is a WORLD SERIES CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!!

Why can’t we all be friends?

Jakki Persak, Cubs Superfan

Let me start out by saying that you guys had some great starting pitching. It was three well pitched games.

With that being said I would really like to clear up a few misconceptions that the southside fans have about us northside fans:

1. We are all not “Wrigley Field” fans. True, there are some people who go because they’re going to Wrigley Field but 99% of cub fans are TRUE cub fans. They don’t just go the games because of the “atmosphere”. We are very knowledgable baseball fans who want a championship brought to the north side.

2. I know that cub games are usually sold out. People say we shouldn’t support our team until they bring us a championship. That’s the one difference between the two sides – we stick by our team through thick and thin. When the sox won the world series in 2005 so many people came crawling out of the woodwork that you really had to wonder who were the true fans and who was hoping on the bandwagon. Remember – being a true fan is sticking by your team through thick and thin – not deserting your team at the first sign of trouble. At least I know that when the cubs win it the fans in Wrigley will be the ones who have been with the team through the worst and deserve a celebration.

3. Yes – cub fans are all aware of the fact that you won the World Series in 2005 (how could we forget) but remember it took you 97 years to do it. You guys make it sound like this is a regular thing that happens to the south side. After a long drought for both teams you guys won it first but what’s the difference between 97 and 99 years – not much.

4. I’m sure there were cub fans being a bit on the rude side over the weekend – don’t judge all cub fans by this. However, you guys aren’t exactly saints when you come to our park so the moral of the story is – don’t through rocks unless you live in a glass house.

5. Cub fans are going to enjoy the overall season series win! We earned bragging rights for the year so unfortunately you will all have to deal with it as we know if the tables were turned we’d hear the same thing!

Now that I’ve said my peace it’s time to go back to blogging on my site!

Drained

Cait Higgins, Sox Superfan

This weekend has left me physically and emotionally drained. I know we did not play quality baseball, but that was the least of my problems this weekend. What other problems could I face trying to have an enjoyable time at my home away from home with my family and my friends- other White Sox fans? CUBS FANS of course! I never wanted to say it, but I can tell you that I hate the Cubs 100%. I thought I hated them after some of the things that were pulled last year, but let me tell you: that was Sesame Street gestures and language compared to what I had to endure these last two days. I wasn’t going to write because I am so upset, but I really feel that I need to voice my opinion.

The fans that were around me for the last two days acted like absolute animals. What good does it do you to constantly antagonize people? Because of how the ignorant fans around me were handled, or rather, MISHANDLED, makes me say for the first time in my entire life that I would rather stay at home and watch a game so I would not be constantly harassed by people who either don’t watch the game or know less about their team than I do. Every four letter word was used against me because of a sign that I made. Maybe later or some other time I could give some further explanation. However, it was deemed “offensive” by the people around me. So, they decided to verbally threaten me and threaten me with physical violence and call me a “bitch.” I think that’s a little more offensive than making fun of the part of the city in which the Cubs play. I would give all the rough details, but I’m not sure I could provide a good enough explanation in the blog. ANYWAY, I am not embarassed to be a White Sox fan. I love my team and I will love my team whether they are repeating the World Series or in last place in the league. I would be embarassed if I was a Cubs fan and had to witness the verbal abuse that was going on the entire game. I’ve been to other parks, and I can tell you first hand that NO other baseball fans act the way Cubs fans do. I just figured it was good manners to not bombard fans of the home team with obscenities and verbal abuse. Whatever. I hope you’re all happy with yourselves. You don’t offend me, you just make me never want to associate with you. I feel embarassed FOR you.

All I could say was that I went to Game 2 of the World Series, my team has a ring and a trophy, and you can never take that away from me… also, none of you remember ever seeing a World Series.

I’ll blog about the games themselves soon. I am also praying we get back on track.
PLEASE KENNY, DON’T TRADE BUEHRLE.
Don’t stop believin’, Sox Fans.

Kenny – It’s Tiime for You to Leave

Stu Weiner, Sox Superfan

Way to go Kenny!!!! The only positive thing we can point to this year is our starting pitching, yet now you are going to trade the best one, and a fan favorite for many years. You are indeed a FOOL and you need to be fired. You give a .500 pitcher a 4-year contract, but you cannot give Buehrle the contract he has earned. So once again, you will make a one-sided trade (for the other side) and “give Mark away” for some “can’t miss” prospects. Where have we heard that before???

With all the free agents you are going to lose at the end of the year (Dye, Iguchi, Crede), why not use the money to sign Mark? For the life of me, I don’t understand the way your thinking works. You could have traded McCarthy before last year and received a lot in return. Instead, you waste him away in the bullpen for a year, then trade him for “prospects.” I understand that he is not doing well this year, but that is NOT my point. YOU could have traded him for a lot more than you received if you had any brains. But you are a FOOL, and you need to be fired.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. In the business world, when a manager fails to do his job, he is fired. It is up to him (or her) to “right the ship.” If he does not perform, he is fired. Baseball is a business, but you probably don’t know that because you are a FOOL and you should be fired. YOU have failed. OZZIE has failed. WALKER has failed. COOPER has failed. I don’t care about 2005 anymroe than I care about 1917. That is history. What have you done for me lately, you FOOL!

Your job over the winter was to fix the bullpen. NICE JOB! You managed to make it worse. You were given one major task – and you failed. You are a FOOL, and you need to be fired.

You let Magglio go a few years ago because in your opinion, he was “washed up” and would not be able to play with a bad back. The last time I checked, Magglio has better stats than anyone on the Sox. After last year, you let Riske go, and now he is doing great things for KC in the bullpen. You let Big Frank go, and he has done well. I challenge you to tell me the last good trade you made? Go ahead, tell me!!! And don’t say Thome for Rowand, because between the two, I’d rather have Rowand. Which reminds me – you traded Rowand because you had another “can’t miss” prospect in Anderson. You are a FOOL, and you should be fired.

NOW is the time to do something about the future. Sox fans are not patient like Cub fans. We WILL desert you because you are a FOOL!!! We have had a taste of the good life, and we want it again. We don’t want to wait another 50 years to win. But you are such a FOOL, that you will probably hold on to these “bums” we have now, and then trade them at the end of the year for more “can’t miss” prospects. You are a FOOL, and you should be fired.

Ozzie won’t fire Walker. You won’t fire Ozzie. So that means that Jerry has to fire YOU. That is the way it works in the business world, but again, you don’t realize it because you are a FOOL. GET OUT OF HERE!!!!!!

JERRY – Please get rid of him before he trades Buehrle. And then, SHOW MARK THE MONEY!!!!!

Bragging Rights are on the Line

Jakki Persak, Cubs Superfan

Right now what’s on the line for either team is bragging rights. With both teams being under .500 there hasn’t been much to cheer about lately. I usually look forward to the two series between these teams because there is so much hype and excitement (trash talking) but it seems like things have been pretty low key this time around. Could it be that the fans have no idea which offense, defense, or pitching staff their team will showcase during the series? Hopefully by gametime today I’ll be a little more excited.

What I do know is that both teams desperately need a series win to hopefully get back on track – I just hope it’s the Cubs!

Trade Bait

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

A hearty congratulations goes out to Mark Buerhle for pitching a great game against the Pirates tonight. Not only was it great to see a White Sox victory but I can now imagine MLB scouts salivating for the chance to grab Buerhle before the trade deadline. We can replenish our minor leagues and gain some future stars by trading him, Dye, and Iguchi.

We also had a chance to see our current youngsters perform. Josh Fields had an excellent performance, raising his BA and hitting his first homer. Ryan Bukvich pitched a perfect ninth lowering his ERA. Jerry Owens performed well in center but is still having problems at the plate. I do believe these players will all gain valuable experience and hope that will amount to an eventual display of their true potential.

Some last comments to a few local sports media personalities. I would first like to tell Harry Teinowitz of AM1000 Mac-Jurko-Harry show to reserve his Cubs glee and posturing. He believes Sox fans are done for ‘07 and should pick up a torch for the Cubs since they are in a much better situation. Considering both teams are well under .500 and well out of first I think that is a premature and unrealistic idea. I have believed the Cubs to be done in ‘07 before spring training so maybe they should just start rooting for the Sox to turn it around. Secondly I would like to tell Jay Mariotti of Sun-Times fame to stuff his Sox/Ozzie hating. He continuously refers to our ‘05 Champs as being “lucky” and can’t stop ripping Ozzie. The White Sox were not “lucky” as they were in first place for the entire season and wiped the surging Indians off the map in the final series that year and carried that momentum with them into the post season. Unbelievable pitching and depth helped them dominate the rest of the teams. As far as Ozzie bashing, I believe he still deserves a pass for his past success, but that only carries you so far. He will eventually have to prove that he is the right guy to guide our soon to be rebuilding young team. Don’t hate him because he questioned your manhood Jay!

Almost Unworthy

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

Watching the ‘07 White Sox is becoming the equalivalent of playing with a cheese grater- slightly amusing but mostly painful. A team that scores runs one at a time, gives up runs in chunks, has constant bullpen implosions, ineptitude on offense, and has zero ability to come from behind qualifies as no fun. This product is not only a disgrace to the many individuals who paid hard earned $ to purchase tickets and season plans, but it is just plain unworthy and almost unwatchable- I will give my reasons for watching further in this blog.

The latest sweep by the Phillies is a huge red alert to management that this ship is sinking. With this team in fourth place, banged up, and not showing any sign of life, it is approaching the point of white flag time. If they continue at this pace there should be some interesting trades as the time has come to blow up our prior Championship winning ballclub.

I believe we can add some great young talent by parting with some of our beloved but aging Championship veterans. Trade Dye to L.A., Buerhle to the Mets, and Iguchi to any taker. Too bad Crede was hurt or we could have gained Most teams are currently dangling prospects in front of Kenny Williams so it is close to the time to take the best offer. This is my best reason for watching the Sox.

Another great reason to continue watching- we get a chance to watch our young players. Even though they continue to lose it is great to see if our youngsters can make some progress. Terrero and Fields are showing only small signs of their potential at the moment but it is better than watching some aging underachieving player we are going to end up trading anyway.

My last reason for continuing to watch is the coaching staff and management. I want to see if Kenny Williams is capable of rebuilding this team by doing some in depth scouting and shrewd trading for legitimate prospects. I want to see if Ozzie, Coop, and Walker are capable of taking on a young team and molding them into a Championship contender. By grouping young players with rugged veterans like Konerko, Garland, and Jenks maybe we can make something good out of a bad product. I am unable to foresee whether this staff, which is used to being surrounded by veterans, is able to take on youth but I hope they can.

I have enjoyed Ozzie and crew being in charge but they must be able to nurture and instruct future winners.

Don’t Stop Believin’…. really.

Cait Higgins, Sox Superfan

Wow. I think that that is all I can say about the last 20 games. I have been watching the games; I think I’ve only missed two in the last couple of weeks. I just haven’t been able to bring myself to write anything about the team. To paraphrase a Hawkism from earlier this season, “If we didn’t have bad luck, we wouldn’t have any luck at all.” Not saying that is an excuse, but the injuries that have plagued our team as of late aren’t helping anyone. I am trying to look on the brightside though. I am predicting a tear when Scott and Darin return from the DL. I’m really upset about Crede. I think our lineup will suffer because of him being out for the season. Josh Fields is a good player, but if it comes down to it, I am picking Crede any day.

Terrerro has been providing some pretty good offense. I have been impressed by the home runs he has been hitting. Buehrle got his 100th win, too!

The umpires really have not been helping the cause at all. They are missing calls left and right and it is driving me insane. How can you call a pitch that is inside the batters’ box a strike? Especially if it’s in the OPPOSITE box! Furthermore, how can you call the same pitch a ball on someone else? The game tonight was probably one, if not THE worst umpired games I have ever seen. The hitting is going to come around. As soon as Greg Walker figures out that everyone is swinging for the fences on the first swing, maybe we can change around what we have been doing. Tonight’s game, for instance, we had bases loaded THREE times and could only get in one run. ALSO, we are playing the Pirates. I mean no disrespect, because I’ve written before about how my dad is from Pittsburgh and we root for them in the NL Central, but they historically haven’t been the best team in the league. I thought we could use these three games to get our pitching and hitting up to par.

Our pitching has been so bad, I thought I would write a new paragraph just to talk about how disgusted I am. At the end of last season, I thought it would be a good idea to deal Jose Contreras. I thought that he might have some trade value, considering how well he pitched from ‘05 to the All-Star break ‘06. I never like to see anyone go, but I figured we could use someone better because I could sense a skid on the way… after he got hammered by the Yankees the first game after the All-Star Break. Too bad I’m not Kenny Williams, because Josh Beckett was the first guy I would try to get for Contreras. I’d say Beckett is doing pretty well this season… I was unhappy we dealt Freddy, but apparently it was a pretty good idea since he probably wont ever pitch again. Garland, Danks, Vasquez, and of course Buehrle have been pitching pretty well. Danks has been outstanding… too bad he can’t get any run support behind him. The bullpen has been atrocious, absolutely atrocious. Bobby has been the only pitcher that I would ever like to see come in, even though he’s blown two saves already this season. Matt Thornton has been really hot and cold. I like him half the time he comes in, and the other half he gives up walks, grand slams, home runs, or loads them up for someone completely unreliable. One of the most shocking things is that I actually look forward to Boone Logan coming in, which is something I never thought I’d hear myself say. He was terrrible last season, and this year has REALLY come around. Aardsma. Man, I really thought this guy was going to get it done for us this season. He was hot in Spring Training. Actually, he was hot up until he blew it playing the Cubs! Then it was like he either couldn’t get near the strike zone, or he couldn’t resist throwing a fastball right in the batters’ wheelhouse. Macdougal has been awful. I really liked him last season. I thought having two closers in the ‘pen would do a huge favor to our team because they wouldn’t have to use Bobby every night. Also, to have a really hard throwing relief pitcher is a huge addition to anyone’s bullpen. It’s pretty bad when you’re a closer but can’t get anyone out. An addition that I was really excited about was Andrew Sisco. I thought it was GREAT that we picked up THE set up man for MacDougal in KC. He did pretty well in ST, as far as I could see. Then, he just completely fell apart. Honestly, I’m at the point of saying if I never see him back from AAA Charlotte, I will be happy. The three Minor Leaguers we brought up have been not-so-good, to put it the nicest way I possibly can. Buckvich seems to give up some HUGE hit before he leaves the bullpen and Prinz (sent down to AAA today) has only been able to give up straight walks. Dewan Day has been okay, but now he seems to have back spasms. That seems weird to me, considering he was fine until he threw 8 straight balls to walk two guys and try to lose the game to Houston on Sunday. Maybe he has the same thing all the Cubs pitchers seem to come down with…

Where the heck is Gavin Floyd? Why haven’t we called up Lance Broadway? Just a suggestion.

A couple of things to look forward to: Erstad and Pods should be back around the same time. Pods started his rehab assignment this week, and hopefully should be ready to go sooner than later. I can’t wait to get some of our lineup back!

Anyway, I’m not too proud to point out why my team has been losing. We’re not crying and whining over “fan interferance” (in case you missed the other game today), blaming eachother (Pierzynski and Buehrle hugged on the field after he won his 100th game), or slapping eachother in the dugout.

Don’t stop believin’, Sox fans. As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over!” How about those ‘05 Indians and Astros? Indians were 13 games back in July and came within a half game of us. The Houston papers were counting the Astros out before the All-Star break! What did they do? Came back and took the Wild Card and wound up being NL Champs! I’m not counting us out, I’m counting on the Indians and Tigers falling apart with injuries sooner than later.