AllStar Snubs, Break, and 1st Place

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

We made it to mid-season Sox fans and the Good Guys are in 1st.  I applaud the players, coaches, Ozzie, and Kenny Williams.  They put together a very good team and have tried to harness their potential to turn it into another championship.  The pitchers have demonstrated great ability while the hitters have shown how good they can be. 

As far as the AllStar Game goes, I know we as fans were snubbed worse than any other team.  Pierzynski deserves the Catcher spot while Dye should be in the outfield.  And for the team with the 2nd lowest team ERA in baseball not to have a single pitcher on is the biggest insult of all.  John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Bobby Jenks, and Linebrink all have a case for being on the squad.  But like Dan McNeil from ESPN 1000 says “Rest, rest, rest”.  Our Sox can use the break to get ready for the stretch run and playoffs.  I am sure the fans and players will take the championship rather than the whole team being AllStar.

Just a bit of criticism as usual- let’s up those batting averages- especially Swisher and Konerko.  We need those clutch hits to come through.  I would love to see Kenny add a speedster like Juan Pierre if the Dodgers are willing to pick up partial salary.  Also would like to see a splash at pitcher ala Brewers/Cubs.  Let’s grab one of these ace dumps that are going on as I could see someone fitting in nicely instead of Contreras.  Not only do the players need to work, so do the management!

My Favorite Season: April

Mike Steadman, Sox Super Fan

First in an occasional series on the 2000 White Sox; what they meant to one fan and what impact that season had on the franchise.

Let’s all hop in the DeLorean and re-visit the year 2000.  Our nation was recovering from the horror of the Y2K computer panic.  Boy bands and swing dancing were all the rage.  Cordless cellular telephones were a new and frightening technology.  It sure was a confusing world for a young man recently thrust from the comfort of four years of university.

If you haven’t already guessed that young my was myself and I can say without question that the 2000 White Sox was and is my favorite season of baseball.  No, they weren’t the best Sox team of my lifetime; that honor of course falls to the 2005 champions.  Overall I would also say the 1993 and ‘94 editions were stronger.  But even though the 2000 campaign ultimately landed with a thud it was one fun ride for those of us on board.  Nothing was expected from that ballclub.  The franchise was still reeling from the aborted 1994 season.  The previous year’s “Kids Can Play” team only managed 75 wins and the addition of the likes of Jose Valentin, Cal Eldred, and Herbert Perry did little to generate optimism from an increasingly apathetic fanbase.  Full season ticket packages had fallen to under 10,000 sold.

Yet when the season began a funny thing happened.  This young, unproven team became unbeatable.  After opening the season with consecutive losses the Sox tore through the rest of April winning 17 out of 23.  The unheralded rotation of Mike Sirotka, Kip Wells, Jim Parque, James Balwin, and Cal Eldred were all up to the task.  And being home from college allowed me to attend my first home opener in a bunch of years.  For inexplicable reasons the 2000 Opening Day was in fact Opening Night and the Sox came home with a 6-4 record and to a rare full house.  I sat in the outfield that evening and watched a 9-4 Sox winner highlighed by a diving, over the shoulder catch made by Ray Durham running full bore into right field.  I spent many more nights at Sox Park that year and saw many more outstanding games…usually with something far less than 38,000 of my closest friends.

I was, and remain, a huge fan of James Baldwin.  Although J.B. had been a member of the Sox rotation since ‘96 he hadn’t had a ton of success.  His previous season high for wins was 13 in 1998; the only prior year he had been over .500.  But the #4 man in the 2000 rotation was just short of unhittable that April.  He won all four of his April starts which eventually propelled him to a career-best season and the honor of being the starting pitcher on the American League All-Star team that summer.  He was just an entertaining guy to watch.  His demeanor on the mound managed to be intimidating and fun at the same time.  He wore his hat low over his eyes and had a small gold medallion of his number “37″.  After a third out he would walk off the mound so slow it was surprising he maintained forward momentum.  Many times Magglio Ordonez would beat him back to the third base dugout from right field.  After any of his stellar outings that season he would acknowledge standing ovations by very slowly coming off the mound and every so subtly tipping his hat to the crowd.

Like so many members of the 2000 team James Baldwin was at his peak.  April ended with the Sox at 17-8 and two games clear of the rest of the AL Central.    May was a more difficult month caused in large part by a little disagreement between the White Sox and the Detroit Tigers on April 22, 2000.   More on that next time.

Scared of Crosstown blogging

Cait Higgins, Sox Superfan

Since all of the crazy stuff that happened last year, I decided to stay away from the blog during the Crosstown. Since we ended in a 3-3 tie with two sweeps, I decided to write a poem of the 7 games before tonight’s pitchers’ duel.

‘Twas the Night Before The Crosstown

Twas the night before the Crosstown and all through the city.

Baseball fans were buzzing, it was time to get down to the nitty-gritty.

Uniforms were hung in the dugout with care

With the realization that the Northsiders soon would be there

The Sox were nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of retaliation danced in their heads

Myself in a jersey, my brother in his cap

Had gone to the ballpark, feeling this series was a wrap

When out on the field arose such a clatter:

Two runs had scored, Derrek Lee was the batter.

The Cubs fans were happy; the game started off with a smash

I could hear them yelling, “White Sox fans are white trash.”

The bottom of the first, let us start the show

Three runs by the Sox left a startling blow

Then, what do I feel, as my eyes come alive?

Nothing but nervousness; the game is tied at 5.

Near the end of the game, THE Carlos Quentin at the plate

Marmol pitching, all we had to do was wait.

With a crack of the bat, the ball flew high

The Cubs fans booed and let out a collective sigh.

Winning the series against the Cubs sure felt great

But, we had to take them on Sunday to win 3 straight.

Sunday night baseball on ESPN

The Northside nemesis and the Southside Hit Men.

Cubs fans were obnoxious as Buehrle took the mound

You could hear their voices, what an unpleasant sound.

The Sox struck first with one in the 4th

All I could hear was despair from the fans from the North.

Over their heads, Anderson’s ball flew

3 to nothing, the Good Guys in Black over Cubbie Blue.

In the bottom of the 8th, not to be outdone

Jim Thome nailed it in their coffins, with a 2-run home run!

The Cubs left the Cell, their faces covered in frowns

There was redemption on the South Side of town.

Bring on the division, to win our 4th straight.

The Tribe came to town, not a moment too late.

On Monday, gorgeous Gavin Floyd was on the hill

Swisher’s grand slam and homers from both sides of the plate were a great thrill

Gavin was excellent, striking out 10

The game would be over, if not for the ‘pen.

3 in the 9th was scary to watch

However, with our hitting, this game we couldn’t botch.

Tuesday and Wednesday’s extras had us flirting with loss

But great clutch hitting showed the Indians who is boss

Tuesday showed John Danks’ solid start

But the 9th inning had Matt Thornton falling apart.

Alexei’s hit had us out of our seats

A game tying home run is one special feat!

10th inning, Ozzie substituted a couple of guys

Then, a double hit off the bat of DeWayne Wise.

The crack of Cabrera’s bat, Sizemore couldn’t get it in

The 1st place White Sox snag another win!

Wednesday’s game, I wanted to pray

For a great game out of our starter, Jose.

AJ and JD connected in the first

With CC on the mound, we dared them to do their worst

Sizemore’s second home run sent us, again, into extra innings

The bottom of the 10th felt like a whole new beginning.

First batter of the bottom of the 10th, the bat covered in pine tar

AJ had hit a walk off home run, and he was the star!

The Indians tried their hardest, losing close games

All while their pitching staff goes down in flames

The Royals were losing, on thin ice the Tribe would tread

While visions of 4th place danced in their heads

Now they are sad, as back to Cleveland they drive

With the Royals, they are tied for 5.

Now we had won 7, still second to the press

Even after all of the, “You can put it on the board, YES!!!”

Sox fans are happy, and the future is bright

When Hawk signs off with a “So long and good night.”

Now, let’s take 2 from the A’s. Oh yeah, and Go Cardinals.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Until next time, Sox fans!