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!