Cait Higgins, Sox SuperfanI got the pleasure of seeing my beloved White Sox in Las Vegas on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. They played exceptionally well. Best of all, they beat the Cubs both games!!!!!
The Cubs play games in Vegas every year, usually against the Mariners. It was like sitting in the bleachers at Wrigley Field; Cubbie Blue(s) everywhere. AWFUL. It was nice, however, to see a ton of Sox fans showing support for the Southsiders. I stayed in MGM Grand and saw a ton of both Sox and Cubs fans. I must say, it was very cool to be hugged and high-fived by fellow Sox fans and given the side-eye by the Cubs fans! The Cubs fans at the game were as obnoxious as ever, so it was extra pleasant to sweep the series!
I was sad that I did not get to see Carlos Quentin or Alexei Ramierez play, but did get to see some of the other heavy hitters. Ben Broussard is a welcome addition to the team, even if he didn’t have such a great game on Thursday. John Danks started on Wednesday against Jeff Samarsomething and pitched very well through his couple of innings. It was nice to see him back in top form and the lineup actually giving him some run support! It was nice to see some old faces: Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, MVP of the World Series Jermaine Dye, and Josh Fields. I thought Mike Restovich played very well. It will be interesting and great seeing his progress throughout the White Sox organization. I look forward to seeing him start in the next couple of years. I also liked seeing Chris Getz coming in to play on Wednesday and starting on Thursday. I thought he was playing very well last season when he, unfortunately, went down with a broken finger. It will be nice to see a couple of guys fighting for the second base/shortstop/third base spots instead of wondering if Crede will be healthy or if Ramierez can play two positions. Hopefully Josh Fields impresses Ozzie this spring training and will have a good start to the season.
I’m also really excited to see Brian Anderson back in center. I think he is an outstanding fielder. If he could learn how to swing the bat as well as he has shown he can, and continue to be consistent, I think we will have the best outfield in our division. I love the way he plays defense because he reminds me of everything I love about Aaron Rowand. He plays with grit and isn’t afraid to run full speed into the walls to make a great catch. I have given him flack in the past, but I really respect him as a player and am very happy to see him back on the South Side this season. Maybe he will even get his number back, now that Toby Hall is gone!
Wednesday night I was basking in a White Sox winner when some Cubs fan informed me that “the Sox suck.” Oh really? I’m thinking we won a World Series in 2005 and just beat your team in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the 9th. Yeah, sorry, I think you’re talking about the wrong team here. I’m not a Royals fan…. or a Cubs fan.
Lou Piniella managed like a jackass on Thursday afternoon. The Cubs were down 4-0 in the bottom of the ninth. One of our new pitchers walked the first two, and wound up loading the bases. Who does Mr. Piniella put in? Ryan Theriot. That’s the way to do it. Gotta win by all costs against us. Put in a guy who you know is going to make the team and play him against a AA pitcher. They go down 4-3, and Reed Johnson comes in to pinch hit. Reed Johnson, who has been in the MLB for a hundred years, comes in against our already shaken pitcher. However, he had ice water in his veins and shut down Johnson. He strikes out their final batter with a swing and a miss. All amid screams of “Cubs are #1!!!” and “I am guaranteeing a Cubbie Winner!” In Spring training.
I am so excited for baseball to start! 27 days, 21 hours and 44 minutes as I am writing this.
Let’s go WHITE SOX!!!!!
