Month: April 2006

Today is an important day.  Yes, I know yesterday was Opening Day.  But today is the first day we all get to browse to our favorite sports web site and see the full unadulterated list of box scores from the day before (for the record, I prefer USA Today’s site since they will list all box scores on one page. No clicking back and forth).

Today these box scores are full of extreme averages such as Zito’s ERA of 47.25 and Julio Lugo’s batting average of 1.000.  Of course, after a few games, these averages will eventually mellow out (Zito’s may take a while). 

I get to scroll down and see a relative unknown Japanese catcher with HR (1) by his name, his first career hit. 

I look through the box scores, screening them for players on my APBA team or my money draft team.  I see that Glavine allowed just one run in 6 innings and went 2 for 2 (he even was involved in a double play).  Albert Pujols was 2 for 2 with 2 homers (yess!).

And yes, despite a poor performance by Carlos Zambrano, the Cubs scored 16 runs and are in first place with a record of 1-0. 

The best part is that there will be a whole new set of box scores to look at tomorrow.

Freddy Garcia White Sox starter in game #2 versus the Cleveland Indians did his best Barry Zito imitation, Zito let up seven runs in only 1 1/3 innings in the A’s opener against the Yanks yesterday. Freddy allowed seven runs on nine hits, two walks, over 4+ innings of work. Garcia gave way to rookie Boone Logan with two on & nobody out in the 5th, Logan allowed both runners to score. The disturbing fact was that he didn’t have his fastball, which topped out at 89 rather than his usual 93 MPH fastball. Neither Hawk nor DJ brought up the fact in spring games that Garcia was trying something new, but today it was the topic of conversation. It wasn’t like Freddy was hurt or couldn’t throw hard, it was like he was trying to fool hitters rather than blow them away.

Before the game the White Sox received their World Champion rings. It was a nice ceremony. Some guys that were traded away were back to receive their hardware, El Duque, Willie Harris, Timo Perez, & Aaron Rowand all showed up. But Rowand received the biggest ovation and seemed to mist up. Jim Thome, the guy the Sox received for Aaron jacked his 2nd in two days far into the RF stands. Final score 8-2 Bad Guys. I’ll be at the Cell tomorrow.

LET’S GO WHITE SOX!!!

The Chicago White Sox were back on the field for the first time since the rifle arm of SS Juan Uribe cutdown any chances the dillusional Astros might have had in last year’s Fall Classic. Here is a picture of Teddy Ballgame along side the World Series Trophy from spring training and this is what it’s all about. Defending their World Champion status is what the ’06 season is all about. Certainly there are some questions going into the year, but this White Sox team may be better the team that won it all in ’05. People might say, “there goes Teddy Ballgame again off on crack”, and the experts have the Tribe winning the division. But the experts didn’t predict last season’s outcome and they’ve been wrong so often in the past that I pay them no more mind than the weather man. This year’s team has newcomers Jim Thome, Rob Mackowiak, Alex Cintron, & Javier Vazquez. Gone are Carl Everett, Timo Perez, Willie Harris, & El Duque. I’ll take that trade any day of the week. Also gone is the Big Hurt, but enough has been made of that departure already. Replacing Aaron Rowand is rookie Brian Anderson, trusting their own talent. Newly acquired lefty Matt Thornton will take Damaso Marte’s spot in the bullpen. And the good looking youngster Brandon McCarthy takes his talents to the pen. The LARGE MAN Bobby Jenks is again the closer, with Neal Cotts setting him up. But everyone knows the White Sox strength is their starting rotation. In a game where Championships are won with pitching & defense the White Sox can’t be beat. There isn’t a team in baseball that has a stronger five man rotation than the Sox Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland, & Javier Vazquez. And the team’s defense is right up there with the best of them. Chicks may dig the long ball, but baseball people will tell you pitching & defense is what it’s all about. Was at the Cell (US Cellular Field) last night for the Opening Day Ceremonies & the unveiling of the World Championship banners. Got the opportunity to take it all in from 34 rows right behind the dish. Doesn’t get any better than that! There was a LONG rain delay and ended up getting home about 2:00 AM, but our seats were covered so I was warm enough in just a sweatshirt. I know it’s a long season, but last night’s opener did alot to address some of my concerns about this year’s ballclub. Brian Anderson handled centerfield and hit at the plate. Both Brandon McCarthy & Matt Thornton looked sharp out of the pen after rocky springs, Coop seems to have turned Thornton around. Jim Thome launched a 431 foot rocket into the night over the rightfield wall, his eighth homer since last Sunday. Checked out ESPN to see what games were going to be televised today and then remembered I’ve got the MLB package and can pretty much watch whatever I’d like. Don’t bother calling me today cuz I’ll be watching a little baseball. Next games on my schedule are the Sox hosting the Indians Wednesday and then the Cubbies home opener Friday versus the Redbirds. LET’S GO WHITE SOX!!!