Tag: White Sox

BILLY PIERCE – THE FORGOTTEN MAN

The White Sox Interactive Website (WSI link here) is currently featuring a baseball card of Billy Pierce because he was named starting pitcher for the AL in the 1959 All Star Game. Jon Garland was named the starting pitcher for the 2005 All Star Game. The website mentions what a magical season 1959 turned out to be and how it would be cool if this year’s Sox could go all the way.What it doesn’t mention is that the winningest pitcher in White Sox history didn’t get to start a game against the Dodgers in the 1959 World Series. Al Lopez is in failing health and seems to be the only one who knows for sure. But here is an interesting article about it that appeared last month (link here).Teddy Ballgame

The White Sox Interactive Website is currently featuring a baseball card of Billy Pierce because he was named starting pitcher for the AL in the 1959 All Star Game. Jon Garland was named the starting pitcher for the 2005 All Star Game. The website mentions what a magical season 1959 turned out to be and how it would be cool if this year’s Sox could go all the way. What it doesn’t mention is that the winningest pitcher in White Sox history didn’t get to start a game against the Dodgers in the 1959 World Series. Al Lopez is in failing health and seems to be the only one who knows for sure.

Here is an interesting article about it that appeared last month.

BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND

What a BEAUTIFUL weekend, especially if you’re a White Sox fan! The Sox were given the opportunity to avenge the 1959 World Series loss to the Dodgers sweeping them three straight. Hey at least the 1959 World Series was still in my lifetime (barely, I was born in 1956). Does anybody know why Al Lopez … Continue reading “BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND”

What a BEAUTIFUL weekend, especially if you’re a White Sox fan! The Sox were given the opportunity to avenge the 1959 World Series loss to the Dodgers sweeping them three straight. Hey at least the 1959 World Series was still in my lifetime (barely, I was born in 1956). Does anybody know why Al Lopez chose not to start Billy Pierce in the 59 Fall Classic?

The BEAUTIFUL weekend started with a 6-0 Friday and featured thrilling come from behind victories on Saturday & Sunday. Los Angeles was one strike away from a win on Saturday. Carl Everett lined an 0-2 Yhency Brazoban pitch into rightfield for an RBI single cutting the deficit to 3-2. Pinch runner Willie Harris stole second base, more like a gimme as there wasn’t even a throw. Then Aaron Rowand bounced one up the middle plating Harris to tie the score. And then A.J. Pierzynski fouled off a few before launching a walk off shot over the centerfield wall. Small ball at its finest!

Sunday’s comeback pails in comparison, but it was a comeback win none the less. Trailing by one in the bottom of the eighth the Ozzie Guillen sent up Frank Thomas to bat for Juan Uribe. Pablo Ozuna was sent in to run for the Big Hurt who drew a base on balls. Scott Podsednik laid a bunt down in front of home plate which catcher Jason Phillips threw to first was in the dirt. Secondbaseman Jeff Kent dug it out, but the umpire ruled Kent’s foot was off the bag (even though replays showed otherwise). The Sox had two on with nobody out. Willie Harris bunted perfectly moving both runners into scoring position. Mr. Clutch Aaron Rowand ripped a single scoring both runners. Dustin Hermanson walked the leadoff batter in the 9th, but induced a 6-4-3 DP and got the last guy for the save.

While this drama was taking place on the Southside of Chicago the Northsiders were getting broomed by the Bronx Bombers in a three game sweep 9-6, 8-1, & 6-3. Oh what a BEAUTIFUL weekend!

Crede- Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde

I picked up Joe Crede in the off-season in the Illowa APBA League. He was sort of a throw-in as part of larger deal so I didn’t think much of it. I even shopped him around for a reliever but to mild surprise no one was interested especially considering the number of White Sox fans … Continue reading “Crede- Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde”

I picked up Joe Crede in the off-season in the Illowa APBA League. He was sort of a throw-in as part of larger deal so I didn’t think much of it. I even shopped him around for a reliever but to mild surprise no one was interested especially considering the number of White Sox fans in the league.

Then Crede started out hitting like gang-busters for the Sox. By April 25, he was hitting .324 and slugging .500. I started to wonder if I stumbled on to something.

But since then, Crede has gone downhill. Since that date, he’s gone 15 for 93 (.161) with a .248 OBP and a pathetic .247 slg pct. He’s hit 2 homers in this period.

As good as he is in the field, Crede is not known for being consistent at the plate. Last year, he hit .184 in May, .329 in June, and .198 and July.

Rumors earlier this year, were he didn’t plan on changing too much regarding his approach at the plate this year in favor of sticking with one batting stance.

He offered this cryptic outlook on his hitting:

“I believe I am a .280, .290 hitter, but I will believe it when I actually do it.”

Sox, Garland Continue Winning Streaks

Jon Garland ended his scoreless inning streak but I’m sure it’s ok with him. The White Sox still won 10-7 over the Jays and he managed to still get the win. The Sox have now won seven straight. The win makes Garland 6-0 tied with Dontrelle Willis for the MLB lead. Garland can thank Paul … Continue reading “Sox, Garland Continue Winning Streaks”

Jon Garland ended his scoreless inning streak but I’m sure it’s ok with him. The White Sox still won 10-7 over the Jays and he managed to still get the win. The Sox have now won seven straight. The win makes Garland 6-0 tied with Dontrelle Willis for the MLB lead.

Garland can thank Paul Konerko who broke a streak of his own. Paulie was 0 for his last 26 at-bats entering this game. He hit 2 homers and drove in five runs.

Life is Good

Just got back from the Cell where the White Sox completed a sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 2-1 win. While the Northsiders lost another heartbreaker to the Milwaukee Brewers which completed their series in which they were swept. Ozzie Guillen, the Town Clown, as some baseball “experts” refer to him, didn’t panic … Continue reading “Life is Good”

Just got back from the Cell where the White Sox completed a sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 2-1 win. While the Northsiders lost another heartbreaker to the Milwaukee Brewers which completed their series in which they were swept. Ozzie Guillen, the Town Clown, as some baseball “experts” refer to him, didn’t panic when his team couldn’t get anything going against young phenom Zack Greinke. He stuck with his team, which has had the lead in every game this year, and watched KC young relievers walk in the tying & go ahead runs. And then stayed with his closer Shingo Takatsu, who was shaky, but got the job done in the 9th. While Dusty Baker, baseball genius, not in my book, couldn’t stay awake long enough to motion for his pitcher to put Carlos Lee on with first base open and the winning run on 2nd. Of course Lee singled home the game winner. I don’t know which is sweeter, the White Sox winning, the Cubs losing, or the babes at the Cell on a hot hot hot Cinco de Mayo. HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO BABY!!!

Sox fans missing Mags

I have a friend who attended the White Sox/Mariners game on Sunday. Here’s his take on Sox fans’ appraisal of their right field situation. I was sitting in RF yesterday, 6th row to see Jermaine Dye drop the ball & give the game away. Needless to say, he was heckled for the rest of the … Continue reading “Sox fans missing Mags”

I have a friend who attended the White Sox/Mariners game on Sunday. Here’s his take on Sox fans’ appraisal of their right field situation.

I was sitting in RF yesterday, 6th row to see Jermaine Dye drop the ball & give the game away. Needless to say, he was heckled for the rest of the game. Sox fans are understandable ticked off that Magglio Ordonez is gone.

Give ’em time. Sox fans are known for being hard asses who can’t let go of a grudge forgiving fans who are willing to give someone a second chance.