Sense of Urgency?

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

With the Minnesota Twins having trouble winning games and just coming off a horribly long road trip, anyone would have guessed the White Sox would be up in the division by at least 6-7 games.  Wrong.  The Sox hold a miniscual one game lead and were just beaten up by the Toronto Blue Jays.  I know alot of other teams have been recently beaten by the Jays, but this is a first place team with it’s sights set on another World Series.  It is time to feel that sense of urgency, rally the troops, give everything you got, WIN ONE FOR THE GIPPER!  I don’t know anything more to say to get this team moving other than they should have a weird feeling on their backside- Ozzie’s foot! 

I know about the injuries to Konerko and Quentin.  But this only opens up opportunities for Nick Swisher, Brian Anderson, Jerry Owens, and Josh Fields to step up.  I know Kenny Williams failed yet once again at the trade deadline.  But even though we don’t have a fifth starter (where are you Jon Garland?!) our current starters have to buckle up and get ready to go on 3 days rest.  Pitch and hit like there is no tomorrow.  Go Go White Sox!

My Favorite Season: Part II- The Fight

Mike Steadman, Sox Super Fan

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

Saturday, April 22, 2000 dawned with the young, unheralded White Sox riding a three game winning streak and holding a one game lead in the American League Central. Jim Parque took the hill against the Tigers’ Jeff Weaver in front of 16,000 plus at Comiskey Park that afternoon. The Sox spotted Detroit a 1-0 lead but rallied to put up three runs in the fourth keyed by two RBI’s from surprising rookie centerfielder (and future Sox broadcaster) Chris Singleton. Trouble began to brew in the sixth when Weaver plunked Carlos Lee immediately before getting pulled from the game by Detroit manager Phil Gardner. Unpleasant words were exchanged between Lee and Weaver as Carlos made his way to first base.

Now cruising with a seven run lead Jim Parque hit Dean Palmer of the Tigers in the arm with the first pitch of the seventh inning. Next all heck broke loose. Palmer charged Parque and threw his helmet at the diminutive Sox hurler on the way. Both benches and bullpens cleared in an unusually violent baseball brawl. I’d instruct you to check it out yourselves but the very uncool folks at Major League Baseball had it taken off YouTube. One lowlight of the incident was three Tigers players repeatedly punching Sox closer Keith Foulke in the face. Foulke was alone in the outfield and had little ability to defend himself. Some Sox fans will remember Tigers backup catcher Robert Fick screaming at the outfield crowd on his return to the visiting bullpen and getting completely doused with beer and/or other beverages. Detroit first-base coach Juan Samuel threw himself into the melee…his wild punches ultimately leading to the longest suspension (15 games) of any player or manager involved.

The Pale Hose went on to win the baseball game by a score of 14-6. But the impact of this brawl wasn’t truly felt until the suspensions were handed down by Major League Baseball six days later. Manager Jerry Manuel was ordered to sit out eight games and Jim Parque three. These suspensions presumably indicated that MLB believed Parque hit Palmer on purpose. I believe they were correct on that belief. Emerging stars Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Lee were suspended for five and three games respectively for their roles in the altercation. Sox Pitchers Keith Foulk, Bobby Howry, and Tanyon Sturtze were lost for three games apiece.

Following the announcement of the suspensions the Sox lost nine of their next twelve ballgames. This stretch led to a 13-14 record for May; which would stand as their only month under .500 that season. Following the fight I recall fan sentiment over Miller Lites generally expressing belief that the brawl would “bring the team together” and would ultimately be a beneficial experience for the young club. May proved otherwise as the team may have missed the steady hand of Jerry Manuel but certainly missed the services of its suspended front-players.

At risk of over-emphasis however, this fan believes that the 2000 Sox showed some mettle through this experience. Jim Parque never had outstanding stuff and certainly never had much velocity to his fastball. His career following 2000 was short but he proved to be an old-fashioned pitcher who believed in sticking up for his teammates. Whether Carlos Lee was hit on purpose or not by Jeff Weaver Parque made sure by plunking Palmer that the Sox would not be mistaken for a team that could be easily intimated. Its debatable what, if any, effect the melee had on the team as a whole. After a difficult May during the suspensions the Sox rebounded quite nicely. But that game-turned-streetfight certainly became one of the more memorable moments in a special season.

Thanks to CNN/SI.com for archiving their reports of both the game and the announcement of the suspensions. Each installment of this series would not be possible without the game reports and statistics found on www.baseball-reference.com

Watching the Ships go By

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

The Sox have been needing starting pitching for longer than they lost Jose Contreras- he was lame way before the latest season ending injury.  In the meantime, the Cubs, Brewers, and Phillies picked up starting rotation help.  Now, the latest in a stream of rare and normally unavailable starting pitching talent, Greg Maddux, has been snatched up- this time off waivers. 

Kenny Williams has known for quite some time the Sox needed starting help.  I have known ever since he traded two time 18 game winner Jon Garland the Sox would need help.  And now our playoff hopes, our chance of winning every 5th start, comes down to rookie Clayton Richard.  If only Williams would hinge his career on the success or failure of Richard.  He has not staked his rep on the farm system or lack of or bad trades.  Time for some accountability.

Maddux sure would have looked good in Southside pinstripes.

Where have I been?

Cait Higgins, Sox Superfan

So sorry about the lack of updates from yours truly. I have been very busy with my full time job, working retail for the Blackhawks. Also just moved in to my new place. Since I am finally getting a wireless signal from some random free wi-fi hub, I felt that this would be a great time to talk about everything that’s been going down with our team. Not having my cable hooked up let me enjoy the sweet sounds of Ed Farmer and Steve Stone celebrating another awesome Sox victory! The beginning of the night looked dismal as a brain cramp lead to 3 runs in the first. But, we battled back to stay on top. Oh yeah… hey Twins, welcome back to second place. You guys should stay there; it looks good on you.

I am so excited that our offense has begun to destroy other teams’ pitching. If we could only do this when John Danks is on the mound! It was great to see the teamwork that went in to getting Buehrle his win tonight. I felt so proud of my boys. Thanks to Swish, Alexei, Cabrera and THE CARLOS QUENTIN, we were able to stay on top of the AL in Homers. Quentin has been such a godsend for this team with the 35 HRs and 96 rbis. Thank you. Also, some great clutch hitting, patience at the plate, and batting around in the 5th really helped out too! Keep it up, boys. Only 1/3 of the season left!!!

Anyway, I am trying to get back in the swing of things. I wouldn’t abandon my beloved team and my beloved blog.

Loving the Milwaukee win tonight!!! Go Brewers and Go Reds tomorrow!

Until next time, Sox fans!!

The Ghost of MissedTrades Past

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

Hello again fellow Sox fans.  If you have not noticed by now, I am a glass half empty kinda guy.  Our Sox are still in first, we have been putting a beatdown on Detroit, and the Griffey lovefest has just begun.  But I cannot help but think about the missed opportunities and the Jekyll and Hyde GM that is Kenny Williams.

Kenny can thrill us with players and moves.  Contreras and Garcia solidified a championship pitching staff.  Podsednik gave us a speedy leadoff guy and along with Geoff Blum some World Series game winning homers.  Big Bobby Jenks was a scrap heap claim from the Angels.  Floyd and Danks have dazzled this year fresh off trade steals.  Alexei Ramirez is the best Cuban I’ve seen since I smoked a Punch in Mexico.  All this and I cannot help but think…

Nick Swisher.  Very disappointing with the Sox- would we be better off with Ryan Sweeney, plus, Gio Gonzalez makes his awaited MLB debut this week.  Orlando Cabrera.  Another disappointment, and I would prefer Jon Garland, especially with a hurting and reeling starting staff.  Thome was a nice piece but has not really had the wanted effect and Rowand has been sorely missed.  The farm system is depleted and draft picks have been wasted.  Anyone remember Billy Koch and Todd Richie?

It is still more disappointing to see the trades that never happened as opposed to those that did.  The Sox need starting and relief pitching and did nothing while the Brewers, sCrUBS, and Phillies went out and got help.  Would’nt Rich Harden look good in Sox stripes?  The Sox also needed speed and that was not addressed either. 

I think the Good Guys have what it takes to get to October and beyond, but only time will tell.  Let’s enjoy the ride!

What Did I Miss?

Mike Steadman, Sox Super Fan

Well folks it sure it nice to be back chatting with you all.  My sabbatical has ended and I have returned rested and ready to provide the world with my essential insights on the wide world of White Sox baseball.

Let’s see, I don’t think there’s much to catch up on.  The All-Star Game was thrilling (as I predicted), the Sox are still clinging to first place, and there was apparently only one minor trade before the deadline.  Ho-hum and boring times in Sox Land.

If you haven’t guessed I sure am not typing with a straight face.  I’ve said it before but its very true- its never boring following this team.  With no build-up or rumor-mongering Ken Williams decides to go out and pick up one the best players in baseball history for the rest of the season.  Now Ken Griffey Jr. today is far inferior to the earlier model but its still one splashy acquisition.  Its going to be tons of fun to watch to see what Jr. has left in the tank; and to see if moving to a contending team will put a spark into his play.

Yesterday was a perfect example of why I enjoy watching this team.  Sure they coughed one up in that inflatable warehouse also known as the HHH Metrodome.  But it was entertaining.  So in the seventh inning Twin Denard Span (cool name) gets hit by a John Danks pitch but was denied first base as the umpire ruled he attempted a bunt and a strike was called.  I suspect that AJ Pierzynski had something to do with that call being made.  He always seems to be in the thick of it doesn’t he?  It was a bad call…Span pulled the bat back and was hit.  Well Ron Gardenhire went nuts and the Twins fans thought they were at Wrigley and began throwing debris on the field.  Ozzie Guillen runs on the field and orders his team to the dugout until order is restored.  Then the camera catches Ozzie in a heated exchange with some Twin fans seated near the field.   I would have really, really, liked to be in on that little conversation.

So hang on to your hats Sox fans, win or lose its going to be a wild ride.

Trade DEADline

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

I am not sure what most fans were hoping for but with the Sox in a position to take the Central and get into the playoffs, I am sure expectations were high.  The starting staff is hurting with only four healthy pitchers, the bullpen seems a bit overused and probably could use some new life- especially with Linebrink hurt, and team speed is lacking.  So what does Kenny Williams do?  Trade a bullpen/spot-starter and speedy 2B for an old and slow slugger.  Make sense?  Not to this fan.

It seems that Jose Contreras is injured and has been ineffective for some time before the injury so unless the Sox are planning on switching to a 4 man rotation this early, some starting pitching is needed.  I hate to play armchair GM, but there were some pitchers to be had like Rich Harden (who the sCrUBS got pretty cheap), Greg Maddux, AJ Burnett, and Bronson Arroyo (who could’ve probably been had cheap if you pick up his salary), among others.  Lots of pitching help was out there. 

So we picked up a left handed bat, who probably is only qualified to play a corner outfield spot or DH, and all three of those positions are filled!  Plus center field is not only full with Swisher, Wise, and Anderson, but Griffey is much too old and slow to fit that slot.  Where are we putting this guy?  With Quentin (bad D) and Dye (slow) out there already that could make the worst defensive outfield in the majors.  Thanks for the addition of Griffey- about ten years too late!

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!