While up in Chicago, I had the great opportunity to attend the White Sox game against the Tigers. Thanks go to my friend, Tyler who secured the ticket and acted as host and guide for the day.
We entered US Celluar Field about 20 minutes before game time and things were looking pretty dreary. It was a bit cool and it was drizzling rain. Tyler and I took cover in the concourse.
Finally, it was 2:05pm, gametime but no sign of the game starting. The grounds crew rolled out the tarp on part of the basepaths between second and third but stopped there as if waiting for further instructions.
Finally, three things happened at once…
Over the PA system, we heard Frank Sinatra’s Chicago- My Kind Of Town.
The Sun came out.
and the crowd broke out into a big roar.
The Tigers never really stood a chance with the way Jon Garland was pitching. He came into the game 4-0 and fresh off a 4-hit shutout against the A’s. He showed no signs of slowing down. He ended up pitching another 4-hit shutout to extend his record to 5-0.
This is Joe Crede up to bat. He drove in the first run of the game with a sac fly.
We were 6 rows up along the line near rightfield. As a result, Timo Perez was a fan favorite of those sitting around us. After he hit his 2-run homer in the 7th, he became even more popular.
“Timo!! Timo!!” Everyone was trying to elicit a reaction from Timo. Finally, between pitches, he raised his hand and acknowledged his fans.
This guy here was a real work of art. When the Sox were up, he spent the whole time riding rightfielder Bobby Higginson and riding him real hard. I mean this guy’s language would make a sailor blush.
It got me to thinking… what if I went to this guy’s workplace and stood right next to him and yelled at him all day. Just saying…
It is interesting that he would be yelling at Bobby Higginson of all players. Higgy was batting .090 with 1 rbi for the year.
Another interesting transpiration of the game was the near brawl that took place. Garland threw a pitch that went behind Rondell White. White took offense at that and took a few steps toward Garland and the benches emptied. No punches were thrown but White was booed quite loudly the next time he was up.
Seems to me that everyone (pitchers,batters, teammates, managers, fans) gets a little too defensive when it comes to the HBP question. Then again, I haven’t had a ball come at me at 80-90mph.
It didn’t rain once the game started (though it was slightly chilly) and the good guys won. US Celluar is a top notch park. The only downside as Tyler noted, is that as good as the Sox are doing, their fan base is just isn’t there. That was noticeable as there were many empty seats. As a Cub fan, I’m not used to that. With the Cubs, first place or last, winning or losing, they always pack Wrigley Field.
Anyway, a good time was had. Thanks again to Tyler!!
-TBZ
So far we’ve played 24 games at the