Vacation to Ozzie to Landon Donovan…That’s right!
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Sorry it has been a while since I have last blogged, but I was in California for a week, and I have been extremely busy catching up on work.
Going to Redondo Beach is a vacation that I look forward to EVERY year! Golfing, going to the beach and just relaxing makes the trip so worthwhile. Not to mention GREAT WEATHER!The trip was a random one this year to say the least. One day involved golfing for the Make A Wish Foundation and that same evening involved going to Hugh Heffner’s mansion for the Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. I always say I am down to help charity, but that was a no brainer.
Later in the trip, my sister’s in-laws and I went golfing near Orange County. I was working on my swing on the driving range when a group of guys came up to my left. I took a long stare at one of them because of a possible resemblance I thought he had of someone. Sure enough, it was Landon Donovan of the LA Galaxy and US Men’s World Cup Soccer Team.
At any rate, I started reading some newspapers today, and see that Ozzie claims this could be his last year because he is fed up with everything…Ozzie, seriously!!!!
Grow up, and take criticism and just do your job.
Picture posted is my brother and I on the Red Carpet at the Mansion!
Finally—I made it to a game!
Comments (0)What a beautiful day last night for baseball!
The Yankees in town and great weather in April—what else can you ask for?Big props to my buddy Pete for heading to the game with me. Pretty much all of my other friends are Cubbie fans and hate making the trip to the South Side. Pete–I owe you one.
I got to the game late, because the baseball team I coach had a BIG win against their biggest conference rival! Even so, I asked for the best available seats and they were in section 155 down the left field line–made it hard to believe there couldn’t be something better OR that they cost $50.00.
Unfortunately, the White Sox bats just couldn’t get to Mike Mussina, who has always been a pitcher who keeps hitters off balance with his change of speed.
Joe Crede continued his hot hitting by dropping a monster bomb down the left field line. It was absolutely a no doubter, and a ball that landed not too far from us.
I was able to move to really good seats for the last couple innings…sadly just in time to see Mariano Rivera close the game. It was the first time I saw him up close. The guy has ridiculous stuff. His ball just jumps off his hand.
Couple Comiskey points:
1. $7.00 Heinekens made me think I was on State Street (That one beer could had been SEVEN at Kincades)
2. I made it to the ballpark in 25 minutes from Belmont and Pulaski–couldn’t believe it was that quick
White Sox 2005 History
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So back in 2005, I was lucky enough to be a Sports Editing Assistant at the Chicago Tribune, and one of the few bonuses of being one meant the ability to get free newspapers.
This is something, THANK GOD, that I took advantage of during the 2005 playoff and World Series run.
I started to go through my parents’ garage to see what exactly I had collected and how many newspapers I actually have. Turns out that I have EVERY single sports section from the entire 2005 playoffs and NUMEROUS World Series newspapers.
Since my old man has been a journalist for quite some time, I have seen how “evil” or probably more appropriate how “naive” a wife can be. What do I mean by that??? Well, my mother has tossed out tons of old newspapers that my father had collected throughout his career. Obviously, most would be hard to find at any collector’s store.
At any rate, I hope to get my framed as soon as possible so that it would be IMPOSSIBLE for a friend, a future wife or even a dog to destroy them.
Pictured are some of the front pages from the 2005 World Series Tribune Archives.
Sox “Moving Along”
Comments (0)So the first two weeks of baseball are in the books, and the White Sox are in first place–long way too go!
I just saw on ESPN this morning that the Tigers literally have the worst statistics in almost every offensive and pitching category. Unbelivable for a team that was to compete for a World Series. Again, though, long season ahead of us.
Joe Crede continues to stay red hot at the plate and leades the MLB with 15 RBIs. My prediction is that if Crede can stay healthy, the White Sox should be atop the VERY competitive AL Central. To me, his glove and bat are critical to White Sox success this year.
So my first game of the year got postponed til June. Not sure if that is a good sign or a bad one.
Friends with better work schedules
So three of my really good friends all have work off today (two of which either don’t have jobs or are about to start a new one)…kinda makes me jealous and realize I might be better off in a better profession. Dave, good luck on the new job…
New lounge discovery
I am normally not a huge fan of fancy places, but I grabbed some drinks at Pops for Champagne on State Street, and I must say the place was pretty fun last Saturday night. What type of place do I normally go to, well…it’s been a couple of years, but I went to the Billy Goat on Friday night!
Paul “Moving Along”
So I have all my stuff finally settled into my new place. Couches, t.v., dishes, towels, etc. etc. etc.–it seems like so much STUFF!!! House party soon!
Box seats tonight!
Comments (0)So I have great seats for tonight’s game (thanks to a friend), and I am just praying the weather holds up! My brother, who is a Cubs fan, will be accompanying me. Little did I realize that I will be witnessing history when Jose Contreras faces off against Livan Hernandez–the first all-Cuban starting duel in MLB history.
I will be down the first base line in section 125, and I have a parking pass, AND I have stadium club passes!
I must say that when the White Sox built new Comiskey (I still have trouble saying U.S. Cellular), I had major issues with its design and layout. However, in the years since its conception, I believe the White Sox have done a relatively good job updating and fixing its layout issues.
One thing I always look forward to is the pregame video on the megatron. I seriously get goosebumps every time it plays. It’s really cool to see how the video embodies all the different eras of the White Sox and showcases the current team.
So weather please hold up so that I don’t have to eat soaked hot dogs and watered down beer!
Last night’s game
Danks back to his old self. CREDE hit another bomb last night–he has three on the year and is off to .406 start. I’ve interviewed Crede before, and I love his demeanor and the way he goes about playing the game. This is a guy we need to keep no matter what–regardless of back previous back problems.
What a sweep!
Comments (1)Talk about an interesting start to the year!
Who would have thought the Tigers would start out 0-6.
I thought Mark Buerhle threw about as well as he could have. Ozzie was interviewed by Sunday Night Baseball broadcasters and was asked about the difference between this week’s Buerhle and last week’s, Ozzie said, “He has gone three innings!” That got quite a laugh.
I was really unsure on picking up Nick Swisher, but if he can continue to produce at his current rate, it looks like a genious move by Kenny Williams. Speaking of new players, how about Carlos Quentin? The former Stanford 1st round pick is off to a great start. He has an extremely quick bat, and he can run the bases well. He’s already 5-for-15 with 7 RBIs.
SIDE NOTES:
Swisher and Bobby Jenks’ bleached goatees don’t do much for me, what do you guys think?
I watched my first Sunday Night Baseball game on my brand new 50-inch Sony LCD. High-definition television is LIFE CHANGING!
HOME OPENER
Unfortunately, I had to turn down tickets today (front row behind the White Sox dugout). Brutal!! I know, BUT I coach a youth baseball team, and they are the only ones that I could give that up for.
Sox Opening Day Thoughts…
Comments (0)If you would have told me that the White Sox would score eight runs on Opening Day facing Indians starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia (5 runs off him), I would have said we were on our way to an easy win. I mean with Buerhle on the mound, who I would consider one of the more reliable pitchers, it should have been a given. However, like so many White Sox opening days, we started off on the wrong foot. Speaking of Buerhle, what happened today!!!??? SEVEN earned runs in 1 2/3 of an inning! The positives are that Jim Thome dropped two home runs–last time a White Sox player did that you ask??? Try cork-batted, steroid injecting, club house cancer Sammy Sosa in 1991. Another strong offensive statement was that every player besides CF Alexei Ramirez contributed to 13 hits.Thinking back to Opening Days, I remember in 1991 going to the Grand Opening of the ugliest ballpark ever constructed–then New Comiskey Park–and witnessing a 16-0 massacre. The only nice thing about that day you ask…missing school! So at least the White Sox were respectable today, and I can guarantee you one thing: Mark Buerhle’s 37.80 era will improve. SIDE NOTE: Ozzie Guillen is planning to hold an open forum discussion before every series. Not sure if I am digging this Phil Jackson zen-like approach. What happened to the old Ozzie of him being the dictator?
Milk Chugging like Batboys
Comments (3)When Brad Penny of the Florida Marlins challenged a batboy/clubhouse attendant to do the same for $1,000.00, my Chicago Tribune editors felt the need to see if a journalist on their staff could do it.
Lone and behold, I became a lab rat.
Enjoy the pictures!
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Quick Introduction…
Comments (0)Hey everyone!
Just wanted to give you a quick introduction to my blog on chicagosportstalk.com. If you have any questions about who I am, or why in the world I would be writing this blog, just check my biography.
My main focus of my page will be on baseball, and while I will ridicule the Cubs from time-to-time, writing about the White Sox will be my priority.
So whether you want to talk about certain players, minor league prospects, game experiences or if you just want to rant about how Jimbo’s will be no more….then feel free to do so here.
Fire away!
Paul