Month: December 2006

Big Ten Hardball

College baseball fansites are far and few between and ones dedicated to the Big Ten are even rarer. So that’s why I was happy to run across Big Ten Hardball. It’s been since January 2005 covering diamond news for the Big Ten conference. To be honest, I found out about it because they linked to … Continue reading “Big Ten Hardball”

College baseball fansites are far and few between and ones dedicated to the Big Ten are even rarer. So that’s why I was happy to run across Big Ten Hardball. It’s been since January 2005 covering diamond news for the Big Ten conference.

To be honest, I found out about it because they linked to Baseball Zealot Radio’s interview of Illini shortstop Shawn Roof. If you haven’t heard it yet, take a listen.

By the way, Brian the blogger for BTH, also puts out Beyond Boxscores, a sports blog with a Detroit bent.

BRANDON McCARTHY, HE GONE!!!

Nick Masset

First off I’m a Sox fan! I know my baseball and believe in GM Kenny Williams’ ability to evaluate talent and build a ballclub. He’s the guy who put together a championship team a couple of years ago and a 90 win team one last season.

So I’m not going to go into panic mode just because we traded Freddy Garcia, Neal Cotts, Ross Gload, & Brandon McCarthy. The White Sox strength from their championship ballclub was the starting rotation, which consisted of quality arms from one to five. Last year the arms were there, but the results were shakey. Although Garcia had a solid year, his velocity wasn’t there. So he was dealt for Gavin Floyd & Gio Gonzalez, I have no problem with that. Then we sent Cotts to the Northside of town in exchange for hardthrowing Dave Aardsma, Neal lost his confidence with the Sox and was resembling departed lefty Damaso Marte, Aardsma throws smoke & looks to be the righthanded compliment of Matt Thornton. Then you add the 6’10” lefty Andrew Sisco stolen from the Royals for Ross Gload. But Kenny wasn’t done there, sending Brandon McCarthy to the Rangers for pitching prospects John Danks, Nick Masset, & Jacob Rasner. Williams likened Masset to closer Bobby Jenks in velocity, which isn’t a bad thing. Not sure where all these arms are going to fit in, but it’s a nice problem to have. Not to mention 22 year old knuckleballer Charlie Haeger appears to be ready. It looks like the 2007 bullpen will be a strength rather than a problem.

I also like that Toby Hall will backup AJ Pierzynski behind the plate. Now all we have to do is get centerfield figured out, we’ll have to see what Kenny has up his sleeve.

Happy Holidays!!

This will be my last posting before Christmas so I wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays! If you’ve got the holiday blues and you’re missing some real baseball rather than everyone just TALKING about it, don’t forget: Pitchers and catchers report in 53 days First Illinois game in 62 days First Spring Training game in … Continue reading “Happy Holidays!!”

This will be my last posting before Christmas so I wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays!

If you’ve got the holiday blues and you’re missing some real baseball rather than everyone just TALKING about it, don’t forget:

Pitchers and catchers report in 53 days

First Illinois game in 62 days

First Spring Training game in 65 days

First Illinois home game in 94 days

First Cubs game in 100 days

and first Cubs home game in 107 days.

take heart, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Merry Christmas!

-TBZ

Cubs Christmas

Christmas came early for The Baseball Zealot. I got my Cubs Convention tickets in the mail. Of course, I didn’t get them through the normal channels. Try as I might, the tickets sold out in 12 minutes the day they went on sale. No, I bought these on Ebay. Luckily, I didn’t pay too much … Continue reading “Cubs Christmas”

cubsconv1

Christmas came early for The Baseball Zealot. I got my Cubs Convention tickets in the mail.

Of course, I didn’t get them through the normal channels. Try as I might, the tickets sold out in 12 minutes the day they went on sale. No, I bought these on Ebay. Luckily, I didn’t pay too much over retail price.

Didn’t they have a good photo of Piniella with a Cubs hat on yet? Then why cut him off at the forehead hiding the team logo? That’s my theory.

Update: I’ve been asked who exactly will be at the Cubs Convention this year. According to Cubs beat reporter Carrie Muskat, they won’t announce that till the Sunday before the convention.

 

 

SOX & THE CITY

Sox and the City is a book I picked up for my friend CLuke’s 50th birthday, but being a good Sox fan, he already had it. So I had to keep it for myself. It’s a quick read, written by Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times and Ebert & Roeper, nothing against Roeper, but I … Continue reading “SOX & THE CITY”

Sox and the City is a book I picked up for my friend CLuke’s 50th birthday, but being a good Sox fan, he already had it. So I had to keep it for myself. It’s a quick read, written by Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times and Ebert & Roeper, nothing against Roeper, but I miss Siskel. Gene Siskel used to sit by me from time to time at the Bulls games, he was a great guy! I’d highly recommend this book as a Christmas present for any White Sox fan you might have on your shopping list.

The book brought me back to the old Comiskey Park. I could almost smell the place (a strange combination of stale beer & whatever else that lingered in the bowels of the ballpark) as I leafed through the pages. Many of the memories that stuck in Roeper’s mind were not his alone, in fact he struck common ground when he said, he remembered some of those games in his childhood better than the 2005 World Series.

My mind drifted to days gone by when Ken Berry roamed centerfield, Wilbur Wood was on the mound everyday as a starting pitcher (or so it seemed), Dick Allen hit two inside the park homers against Minnesota (Bobby Darwin was the Twins centerfielder), and the beloved South Side Hitmen of 1977. And I’ll never forget Sox announcer Bob Waller criticizing lack of hustle after a particularly long season. Nor can I forget the Sox short pants uniforms! Oh and those rabbit ears, trying to fine tune UHF and rid Comiskey of snow on my black & white TV set. I’d write more, but I wanna get back to reading this delightful book.

Baseball Zealot Radio chats with Shawn Roof, Illini shortstop

In the dugout, Illini shortstop Shawn Roof can never stop talking. Fortunately for us, the same was true when Baseball Zealot Radio interviewed him for our latest show. Shawn had plenty to say. Shawn talked about the Illini’s chances for 2007 and what it was like growing up around ballplayers as the son of professional … Continue reading “Baseball Zealot Radio chats with Shawn Roof, Illini shortstop”

Shawn Roof

In the dugout, Illini shortstop Shawn Roof can never stop talking. Fortunately for us, the same was true when Baseball Zealot Radio interviewed him for our latest show. Shawn had plenty to say.

Shawn talked about the Illini’s chances for 2007 and what it was like growing up around ballplayers as the son of professional baseball coach Gene Roof. He talked about his hopes and aspirations for Illini and beyond.

By the way, the family involvement doesn’t stop with him and his father, either. Well, there’s his uncle Phil Roof. But you would have guessed that. He has two brothers as well though. One plays for Michigan State and the other just signed a letter of intent with Michigan State as well. I’m definitely not missing THAT series.

Check out the show. It’s a good one. Todd and I yak a bit about Matsuzaka and the Pirates for the first half then we get down to business with the interview of Shawn.

History of Wrigley Field

On Baseball History Podcast, Bob Wright gives a detailed history of Wrigley Field. And he goes wayyy back, elaborating on the environment which contributed to Wrigley being bulit. I know I learned something. The Baseball History Podcast is just the thing for baseball history buffs. Taking a look at the subject matter, he seems to … Continue reading “History of Wrigley Field”

On Baseball History Podcast, Bob Wright gives a detailed history of Wrigley Field. And he goes wayyy back, elaborating on the environment which contributed to Wrigley being bulit.

I know I learned something.

The Baseball History Podcast is just the thing for baseball history buffs. Taking a look at the subject matter, he seems to cover the gamut from pre-1900 to the 1980’s.

And he has such a soothing voice, too.

Take a listen.

Joel Zumaya, Guitar Hero

Steriods,Schmeriods… kids, the real sports-related danger out there lurks at your local Best Buy. The latest news out is that Detroit reliever Joel Zumaya’s injuries were caused by excessive playing of Guitar Hero, a popular video game the kiddos are playing these days. Supposedly, that caused him to miss 3 games of the ALCS. I’ve … Continue reading “Joel Zumaya, Guitar Hero”

Guitar Hero

Steriods,Schmeriods… kids, the real sports-related danger out there lurks at your local Best Buy.

The latest news out is that Detroit reliever Joel Zumaya’s injuries were caused by excessive playing of Guitar Hero, a popular video game the kiddos are playing these days. Supposedly, that caused him to miss 3 games of the ALCS.

I’ve seen the game. My kids like to play the demo when we go to Best Buy. I personally don’t see the attraction. Frankly, I think it would be more fun to pick up a REAL guitar and create your OWN music rather than emulate some digitally created image on the screen.

If you were into that kind of thing.

Moderation is the key there, Joel.

Crosby signs letter of intent with Illini

The University of Illinois baseball team got a boost when Casey Crosby signed a letter of intent with them. Crosby, a pitcher from Elburn, IL, was ranked #1 in the state by the Truth Prep Baseball Report. “I’m extremely excited by the addition of Casey Crosby to our 2007 recruiting class,” Hartleb said. “Casey is … Continue reading “Crosby signs letter of intent with Illini”

The University of Illinois baseball team got a boost when Casey Crosby signed a letter of intent with them. Crosby, a pitcher from Elburn, IL, was ranked #1 in the state by the Truth Prep Baseball Report.

“I’m extremely excited by the addition of Casey Crosby to our 2007 recruiting class,” Hartleb said. “Casey is ranked by many publications as the No. 1 player in the state of Illinois, bringing great athleticism as well as a much-needed left-handed arm to our pitching staff. He also has the physical and mental abilities to be an impact player early in his career.

This is big for the Illini who lost some starting pitchers (including Brian Blomquist) to graduation last year. Crosby will join the team in the fall semester of 2007.

Crosby went 2-1 with a 1.40 ERA in his junior year and hit .405. His brother Patrick has been drafted by the Yankees. He’s a tall fellow. He’s 6’4″.

Other Illini news: Chicago White Sox Executive Advisor to the General Manager Roland Hemond has been slated to be the keynote speaker at the 2007 Hot Stove Banquet sponsored by the U of I Baseball team.