White Sox | The Baseball Zealot

4/19/07: BACK TO THE CELL

No sense crying over spilled beer My sister-in-law asked me, what it was like to miss seeing Buehrle’s no-hitter. “Was it like missing a really big sale at Nordstrom’s?”, she asked. “No, bigger”, I replied. “How about if I didn’t really have tickets to see Oprah?”, “No, bigger!” I then felt my eyes starting to … Continue reading “4/19/07: BACK TO THE CELL”

No sense crying over spilled beer

My sister-in-law asked me, what it was like to miss seeing Buehrle’s no-hitter. “Was it like missing a really big sale at Nordstrom’s?”, she asked. “No, bigger”, I replied. “How about if I didn’t really have tickets to see Oprah?”, “No, bigger!” I then felt my eyes starting to get watery. That’s when it hit me, I’m a guy! Guys don’t talk about their feelings. We just bury them under beer. So I wasn’t gonna cry over spilled beer. I went out to the Cell to watch some baseball. Who knows, maybe I’d catch another no-hitter, the very next night.

It was a good game, wish the Sox fans would leave the booing of Sammy to the Cub fans. Joe Crede busted up a three-three tie with an RBI single, Rob Mackowiak hit a two run shot, and Bobby Jenks closed it out for a 6-4 winner over Texas. Scott Feldman the losing pitcher for the Rangers serves up alot of meatballs, don’t grab him for your Fantasy Team.

4/18/07 LINESCORE OF THE DAY: MARK BUEHRLE

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle, W (1-0), 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 2.08 ERA

As a White Sox fan and a HUGE Mark Buehrle fan, where was I??? I was at 40+ Sox games last year, including a series in Pittsburgh and a series at Kansas City. I’ve been a Sox fan since I was 12 years old back in 1968. In 2005 I was fortunate enough to go to Anaheim to see the Sox beat the Angels, winning the A.L. Penant. My favorite Sox hurler has always been Tommy John, being a lefthanded thrower myself, I’ve always had a soft spot for southpaws. The only player’s White Sox tee shirt I own is Mark Buehrle.

My sister-in-law Lisa and friend Debbie were in town, they had tickets to see Oprah, so after they returned from downtown shopping, we all went to my FAVORITE restaurant, Rose Angelis. In retrospect I should have known something was up when NickyV called my cell as we pulled up to the restaurant, NickyV was at the game, but I was on the phone with my brother, and he didn’t leave a message. After filling up on pasta, merlot, bread, and tiramisu, it was time to head home. When I came in the door, Mom asked, “Did you hear about the Sox game?” I said, “No. Don’t tell me anything. I’ve got the game on Tivo”. She said, “Everybody’s been calling you”. So I kinda knew something was up, but had no idea what it was.

I jumped into bed, flipped on the TV, and played the game back on semi-fast-forward, at least between pitches. It was only 1-0, on a Jim Thome solo blast, for a long time, nobody was really doing anything with the bat, but Mark Buehrle was really on his game. Buehrle almost allowed a homer to right, but Jermaine Dye caught the ball as his back was pressed against the wall. Then there was the great flat-footed throw by Juan Uribe to nip a guy at first. Mark walked Sammy Sosa, but then promptly picked him off, his 48th career pickoff. Dye sent a close line screaming meanie over the leftfield wall with the bases loaded after fouling off a ton of 3-2 pitches to give the Sox some breathing room and Thome hit another solo blast late in the contest.

The only time the no-hitter was in doubt was in the 3rd inning when Jerry Hairston, Jr. hit a hard hit grounder, Joe Crede dove to his right, landing on the base, he got up quickly & fired, just getting a head first sliding Hairston at 1st. Jerry argued he was safe, threw his helmut as he entered the dugout, and was tossed.

All of Buehrle’s pitches were working all night long, from his cutter to his change, mixed in with a few curves. Mark challenged Texas’ hitters from start to finish and his control was right there. Everybody was so happy for the popular lefty, who struggled last season. It was kinda funny cuz he mock pointed to the sky with a grin on his face after leaving the mound after retiring the Rangers on nine pitches in the first inning.

It was the first White Sox no-hitter since Wilson Alvarez tossed one against the Orioles in Baltimore in 1991. And it was the first no-hitter thrown in Chicago by a Sox hurler since Joel Horlen in 1967, one year before I became a Sox fan.

I was at the Cell the day before the no-hitter and will be there the day after, who knows what might happen. I might even see a no-hitter.

4/17/07: RED LINE DOUBLEHEADER

Chicago L Red Line The day before the BIG doubleheader I checked out the schedules and realized this was doable. I was “only” going to see the White Sox at night at the Cell, but when I heard Greg Maddux was pitching for the Padres, I decided to see both games. I left my house … Continue reading “4/17/07: RED LINE DOUBLEHEADER”

Chicago L Red Line

The day before the BIG doubleheader I checked out the schedules and realized this was doable. I was “only” going to see the White Sox at night at the Cell, but when I heard Greg Maddux was pitching for the Padres, I decided to see both games.

I left my house at 10:15 AM, hopped on the CTA bus, and soon was standing at Clark & Addison. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and I was very excited to be able to see TWO GAMES! As soon as I took my position in the Bleachers, after downing a piece of Connie’s Pizza, washed down with a large Mountain Dew, it became overcast, and began to drizzle.

Things got even better when I saw Felix Pie would be making his major league debut. Felix got a double off Maddux and made a terrific throw to nail Russell Branyan at the plate. Greg allowed three runs on the day, but two were as a result of centerfielder Mike Cameron losing a flyball in the sun, which resulted in an RBI double to Derrek Lee, and then Lee scored on a two out hit.

The game remained tied until Geoff Blum knocked in what proved to be the game winner in the top of the 14th at 5:30 PM. By that time the sun had broken threw, was quickly setting, and it was time for me to hustle on down to the Cell.

Boarded the Red Line at Addison, got off at Sox 35th, picked up a ticket at the window, and I was on my way. After eating some Elotes with everything, a Gardenburger with cheese, it was time to grab my spot next to Nancy’s organ behind home plate.

The only Sox scoring would be as result of a Jim Thome longball to straight away centerfield. It was Sammy Sosa’s homecoming, Sox manager Ozzie Guillen pleaded with fans to be nice to Sammy cuz he was good for Chicago baseball, but that request fell on deaf ears.

The game really began at 7:32 PM when Sosa stepped to the plate to the sound of thunderous boos, that turned to cheers when he went down singing at 7:33 PM. But when Sammy knocked a three run blast over the wall to put the Rangers up 8-1, it was time for me to fly.

I bounded along blustery 35th street to my Red Line chariot waiting to take me home, I walked in my door at 10:15 PM, a twelve hour adventure. Even though both Chicago teams lost, it was fun. My next Red Line Doubleheader will be 4/25.

Getting a little testy at the home team

This got me chuckling this morning. The normally mild-mannered George Heidkamp of Soxcast.com expresses his displeasure at the Sox’ error-laden game on Sunday in the title of his latest podcast.

WAIST NOT, WANT NOT

Mike MacDougal After watching the Cubbies lose at Wrigley and watching the Bulls humiliate the Knicks & Isiah Thomas at the UC, it was time to turn on the TV and watch my White Sox do battle with the A’s in Oakland. Ever since the dynasty years of the A’s it has never been a … Continue reading “WAIST NOT, WANT NOT”

Mike MacDougal

After watching the Cubbies lose at Wrigley and watching the Bulls humiliate the Knicks & Isiah Thomas at the UC, it was time to turn on the TV and watch my White Sox do battle with the A’s in Oakland. Ever since the dynasty years of the A’s it has never been a good experience playing in Oakland, not better here, truth be told. So I don’t know what I was expecting, there was some doubt, but after the night before’s grinder-like win, who knows.

Chad Gaudin & Jon Garland were locked in a pitcher’s dual. Just as I pulled into my driveway Chris Singleton was describing how Juan Uribe hit it, just like it was pitched, in delivering his RBI basehit past Nick Swisher. Then when I got inside the house I saw Garland strand a leadoff triple, and things were looking good. It looked like the Sox were going to add to their lead when the laid back Alex Cintron hit a popfly off Mark Ellis’ glove, the ball bounded away, and remarkably Cintron was on 3rd with nobody out, but he was stranded there, so much for little ball.

Garland was really on his game, surrendering three hits over seven scoreless innings, before giving way to Mike MacDougal. MacDougal worked a perfect 8th, before BIG BAD BOBBY JENKS entered the game to close it down in the 9th, or not.

Jenks hasn’t hit above 92 MPH on the radar gun this year, and although neither Hawk nor (his sidekick Charlie McCarthy) DJ will admit it’s a problem, it is. When Jenks is throwing 100 mile an hour fastballs, it’s intimidating, when he’s not, he’s very hittable. Milton Bradley drove a single up the middle, Mike Piazza followed with a basehit to left, but then Jenks bounced back to fan Eric Chavez & Nick Swisher. Then old nemisis Todd Walker, the former Minnesota Twin, pinch-hit for Bobby Crosby, and came through with a game tying base knock to left. Scott Podsednik charged the ball, threw home, but really had no chance to get the runner at the plate. Both Marco Scutaro (who was running for Piazza) and Walker moved up on the throw. Travis Buck was walked intentionally, setting up Mark Ellis’ game winning drive off the leftfield fence. In 2/3 of an inning Jenks allowed four hits, walked one (intentionally), struckout one, and let up two runs (all they needed to win).

I said this to anyone who would listen as I watched Bobby struggle in spring training, Jenks will be out as the Sox closer before 40 games this season. The only way for this big guy to be effective is to blow people away with his 100 MPH heat, 92 just doesn’t cut it. Mike MacDougal, who has closed for KC in the past (27 saves in 2003 & 21 saves in 2005), should be able to step in and get the job done. The sooner, the better, in my opinion.

SOX WIN IN NICK OF TIME

A.J. Pierzynski I was in Waupaca, WI for the White Sox home opener. Although the weather was nice, that was about the only thing nice about the opener as the Indians scalped the White Sox 12-5. The weather wasn’t nearly as nice for the 2nd & 3rd games of the season, but a friend had … Continue reading “SOX WIN IN NICK OF TIME”

A.J. Pierzynski

I was in Waupaca, WI for the White Sox home opener. Although the weather was nice, that was about the only thing nice about the opener as the Indians scalped the White Sox 12-5. The weather wasn’t nearly as nice for the 2nd & 3rd games of the season, but a friend had a ticket for me, so down to the Cell I would go.

After getting up at the crack of dawn, driving four hours into the city (listening on the radio for a possible postponement, that never came), it was time to board the Red Line (a familiar route) to Sox 35th. I picked up my ticket at Will Call and headed to the Stadium Club, the temperature was in the low 30s so watching from the comforts of the SC wouldn’t be bad at all. But all the good spots were taken or reserved long ago, turns out you need to reserve your spot two weeks in advance was what we were told, the reality is, we just weren’t big enough fish. I should have pulled rank by saying I was with the Baseball Zealot, but didn’t. So it was time to join my usual post next to Nancy Faust, behind home plate. Lots of friends were waiting for me, it was good to be back home again.

Thanks to Jim Thome’s early three run blast the Good Guys were up, but that wouldn’t last as Grady Sizemore ripped a two run homer off reliever Matt Thornton to give the Tribe a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The Sox Gooched up a chance to play small ball, when Tadahito Iguchi popped up a bunt attempt to move A.J. to 3rd after Pierzynski’s double, and then PHer Alex Cintron & Scott Podsednik didn’t come through. Still we had a chance when Joe Crede hit a ball to the leftfield track with two on & two out in the 9th inning, but Jason Michaels made a stumbling grab as he fell to his backside. He hung onto the ball and the Sox were down 0-2 on the new year. Walking to the car my hands were so cold that I was actually almost crying as I got to the car at 31st, my hands were frostbit as a kid. We still managed to get to Bertucci’s on 24th and were able to drown our sorrows in pasta.

We were kidding, saying we were gonna keep coming out there until the Sox won. I was REALLY hoping not to be at the Cell on Easter! Mark Buehrle was on the bump for the Southsiders and I was expecting a quicker game in the sunshine of a mid 30 degree day, less wind too, it’s something what perception will do. Before I was able to get my garden burger to my station by Nancy, Grady Sizemore hit a leadoff homer off Buehrle (here we go again, oh, did I say that out loud?), Sizemore was on a pace with three homers in three games to hit 162 for the season, which ain’t bad. Then Garko lined a ball off Buehrle’s forearm and Nick Massett was brought on to pitch some long relief.

After 8 1/2 innings of play the game was all tied up. The Sox loaded the bases with nobody out against Roberto Hernandez, who nicked A.J. on the elbow with an inside pitch to force in the winning tally. Truth be told Pierzynski might have turned into the inside pitch, he might not have even been hit with the pitch, but he sold it to the umpire, and the White Sox had their first W.

Massett pitched well in relief. BIG BAD Bobby Jenks got the win. And Mark Buehrle is not expected to miss a start.

4/4/07 Linescore of the Day: Ted Lilly

Ted Lilly: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K

Ok, so I’m showing my colors. Sue me. Lilly showed he has some stuff and maybe silenced the critics. Will he do this every time? Likely not. But this is a good way for Lilly to start 07.

I’m giving special mention to White Sox reliever David Aardsma. He pitched 2 innings allowing one hit and striking out five. What wasn’t reflected in his linescore was that he entered the game in the 8th with the bases loaded and no out. He proceeded to strike out three Indians to retire the side.

The Sox lost anyway.

Aardsma, by the way, was one of the players honored by the Coastal Plain League along with University of Illinois shortstop Shawn Roof. Specifically, he was named to their All-Decade team. You can read more about it here.

HOLEY SOX BATMAN!!!

Hawk Harrelson I know the real season hasn’t started yet, but I know bad when I see it and when I hear it. The Chicago White Sox are bad, or at least that’s the way they’ve been playing in preseason. Every team has its share of youngsters their trying to get a look at and … Continue reading “HOLEY SOX BATMAN!!!”

Hawk Harrelson

I know the real season hasn’t started yet, but I know bad when I see it and when I hear it. The Chicago White Sox are bad, or at least that’s the way they’ve been playing in preseason. Every team has its share of youngsters their trying to get a look at and the veterans are working on things, so it’s hard to get a true evaluation. But thus far the White Sox have been getting their butts handed to them. I watched yesterday’s game between the Sox and the Diamondbacks after watching the Sox lose to the Angels in a previous contest, and it’s not even close.

And those two buffoons in the broadcast booth! Sheesh could they be any more homers than they are! I mean a White Sox hitter will strikeout and Hawk will comment, “Look at the rip he took” and then when an opposing hitter knocks one over the wall he’ll say, “The wind really got a hold of that one”. Well it’s not about the wind, the sun, the light desert air, the youngsters, the veterans, or anything else – it’s about results. I understand these games don’t count, except that they do count in that, they get the team ready for the regular season. And unless I’m missing something, this team is not ready.

Hawk defended Ozzie for playing Toby Hall at firstbase, where he tore his labrum, and will be lost for the season, saying, “Hall has played the position before and will be expected to play it during the season to spell Konerko from time-to-time”. Toby Hall played five innings at firstbase in 2005 and one inning at thirdbase in 2006, other than that, the only position he’s ever played in the majors has been catcher. He was a good catcher behind the plate and sported a .265 career batting average. He was going to be an important piece to this upcoming season before he played(?) firstbase.

Another thing about the Hawk! Does anybody out there other than the Hawk and his sidekick DJ (aka Charlie McCarthy) really believe catchers still call the game? Every major league game I’ve seen in recent memory, the catcher looks into the dugout before every pitch, getting the sign. It is so irritating to hear these two goofballs talk about flashing digits.

Trading Brandon McCarthy was one thing, but trading Freddy Garcia is another. Garcia was our #1 starter, our ACE! We gave him away for Gavin Floyd (the Barber) & Gio Gonzalez. Floyd has been given numerous opportunities to prove he can pitch at the major league level, so far he has not. Again this year he’s being demoted, beaten out by a minor league pitcher who’s never had a winning season in the minors. I guess trading our #1 for Floyd didn’t somehow make him better. We thought so highly of Gio Gonzalez that we gave him to Philly as a throw in, in the Aaron Rowand for Jim Thome trade. Garcia is a gamer! We should have dumped Javier Vazquez.

But these latest roster moves have been the topper! Sending Boone Logan down, beaten out by Andrew Sisco, was ridiculous. Logan hadn’t allowed a run all spring, while Sisco (surprise) was wild. Still we traded Ross Gload for Sisco, so we had to keep Andrew, tough break Boone. Another guy we let go was veteran Eduardo Perez. I was really looking forward to seeing Perez come off our bench in a key spot, in the late innings, with the game on the line, and coming through. Good luck sending Brian Anderson or Gustavo Molina up to the plate in one of those situations. Also Eduardo could’ve spelled Paulie at firstbase from time to time.

After seeing what it takes to get the job done, I’ll be surprised if this year’s team has the right stuff. But thankfully for me as a Sox fan, it’s not all about winning championships, if it was I’d have been long gone, since starting my rooting interest in 1968. But still there’s the nagging what if & wasted opportunity that gets to me. Don’t worry I’ll be out at the Cell alot this year trying to cheer my guys on to victory (three games in the first week). Maybe if I yell louder, or drink more beer!

HALL & WOOD OUT

Toby Hall Just when the company line was, “the record doesn’t matter as long as we break camp healthy”, when it happened. I cringed when I saw it from the comfort of my bedroom TV. I don’t know why, but Toby Hall was playing firstbase for the Sox, a ball was hit to his right, … Continue reading “HALL & WOOD OUT”

Toby Hall

Just when the company line was, “the record doesn’t matter as long as we break camp healthy”, when it happened. I cringed when I saw it from the comfort of my bedroom TV. I don’t know why, but Toby Hall was playing firstbase for the Sox, a ball was hit to his right, he dove, and I saw his shoulder extend in an un-natural way. It reminded me of the injury that the Big Hurt suffered a few years back. I knew it was bad. Now it looks like Hall will miss all of 2007 with a torn labrum.

From my very same bedroom TV I was watching Kerry Wood when he allowed three runs in an inning to the LA Angels of Anaheim, including a homer by Kendry Morales on a high inside fastball that the Cuban jerked over the RF wall. After the game it was revealed that the oft injured Cub righthander would be back on the shelf again with a bum shoulder.

So today I called the White Sox and left a message for the White Sox GM Kenny Williams saying he should check out the northside of town to resolve his backup catcher dilemma. When I was in Arizona I couldn’t help but notice the Cubs depth at catcher. I suggested the Southsiders deal an arm (Gavin Floyd) for a backup catcher (Geovany Soto). I wouldn’t mind Jake Fox, but he may be a year or two away from the big leagues. IMHO, Williams has to do something, Gustavo Molina & Wiki Gonzalez are not an option, and without a quality backup catcher the Pale Hose are seven games worse than they’d have been with Toby Hall.

CACTUS LEAGUE REPORT: 3/20 Day & Night

Manny Alexander 3/20 Day: Before we even got our fannies into our seats the White Sox took a 1-0 lead off Rich Harden & the Oakland A’s, Pablo Ozuna got a leadoff double and scored on a two out base hit by Jermaine Dye. With Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger (KevinS has an in with the Sox) … Continue reading “CACTUS LEAGUE REPORT: 3/20 Day & Night”

Manny Alexander

3/20 Day: Before we even got our fannies into our seats the White Sox took a 1-0 lead off Rich Harden & the Oakland A’s, Pablo Ozuna got a leadoff double and scored on a two out base hit by Jermaine Dye. With Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger (KevinS has an in with the Sox) on the bump for the Sox I could taste the dollar coming my way from DonS via our friendly wager on who would surrender more runs, Harden or Haeger. But when Uncle Lou Merloni dropped a three run bomb on an un-knuckleball my dillusions of grandeur vanished. Sox dropped this one, 5-3, Josh Fields got two backward K’s, one with two on & two out to end the game.

3/20 Night: It was Manny Alexander in Peoria, AZ. After somebody who sounded alot like Teddy Ballgame yelled out, “Retire ya bum!” Manny lined an RBI extra inning two out single to mercifully end it, it was gonna end after 10 innings no matter what. Justin Germano, SD’s 2002 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, who was recently claimed off waivers from the Phillies, was the winning pitcher for the Padres. The Angels got a triple play against the Padres in the very first inning when Josh Bard swung & missed strike three, Todd Walker who was on 1st stopped running & was tagged out, and Brian Giles who was on 3rd strayed just far enough to be tagged out. DonS stated, “We eat teams that run the bases like that alive!”, but it wasn’t to be. Although Royce Ring of SD allowed 4 hits & walked in a run in 1/3 of an inning, which put the Halos up 6-3 after 5 1/2. Ervin Santana sat in the dugout far too long, and spit out the lead, surrendering 4 in the bottom of the sixth to put the Padres up a run. Alexander made an error, which woke up the fat guy in the stands, who bellowed, the error produced an unearned run off Trevor Hoffman, which setup Manny’s heroics, 8-7 SD. I pick both teams to win their divisions in 2007.