ST PATTYS DAY IN TUCSON

Headed to Tucson to see the White Sox host the Rangers. It would be the first time seeing my boys in person since beating the Angels last fall in Anaheim. Mark Buehrle was rocked as the Rangers scored seven times (four earned) off the Sox ace in five innings, ripping nine base hits. Josh Fields … Continue reading “ST PATTYS DAY IN TUCSON”

Headed to Tucson to see the White Sox host the Rangers. It would be the first time seeing my boys in person since beating the Angels last fall in Anaheim. Mark Buehrle was rocked as the Rangers scored seven times (four earned) off the Sox ace in five innings, ripping nine base hits. Josh Fields put Chicago up 8-7 with an RBI double in the 8th, but the White Sox surrendered the lead when the Rangers Laynce Nix ripped a two run shot off Agustin Montero (who punched his minor league ticket), Texas added another to make it 10-8. The Sox put one on the board in the 9th to make the final 10-9 Rangers. After the ballgame we went over to a sports bar named Famous Sam’s to watch a little NCAA Tournament Basketball. Famous Sam’s had about 15 TVs all tuned to the same game. When we asked if they could get more games on, we were told, “they’re all on the same channel”, to which we questioned, “don’t you have the package?”, to which they responded, “the package?” Good thing there was beer to drink!

MARCH 16TH NITE COL @ SD

Headed over to Peoria after the game in Tempe. Peoria has the best food selection among spring training fare. Had a delicious veggie bean burrito washed down with a Mountain Dew. Watched this game from right behind home plate, which was very cool. Got a chance to see E-4 Eric Young play for the Pads … Continue reading “MARCH 16TH NITE COL @ SD”

Headed over to Peoria after the game in Tempe. Peoria has the best food selection among spring training fare. Had a delicious veggie bean burrito washed down with a Mountain Dew. Watched this game from right behind home plate, which was very cool. Got a chance to see E-4 Eric Young play for the Pads versus E-4 Eric Young, Jr. for the Rockies. Late in the game Junior got a chance to showoff his speed as he was cutdown on a bang-bang play at first, this kid can flat out fly. It also looks like he inherited his inability to field groundball gene from his father, however he did range into the outfield to make a nice catch on a popup. Mike Piazza blasted a ball over the right centerfield fence for San Diego. Although he has no place to go with Todd Helton holding down first base for the Rocks, Joseph Koshansky put on quite a show clearing the bases with a double and clearing the wall with a home run. The Rockies beat the Padres 5-3. My seat was quite sore after this long day of baseball.

MARCH 16TH CUBS @ LAA

Arrived in Arizona late night on the 15th and was ready for a little baseball on the 16th. Nothing like jumping right into the action as I was scheduled to see a day/night doubleheader. First on the docket was the Chicago Cubs against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim South of San Francisco & North … Continue reading “MARCH 16TH CUBS @ LAA”

Arrived in Arizona late night on the 15th and was ready for a little baseball on the 16th. Nothing like jumping right into the action as I was scheduled to see a day/night doubleheader. First on the docket was the Chicago Cubs against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim South of San Francisco & North of San Diego. You probably know I’m not a Cub fan, but the Cubs were playing the dreaded Angels who tried to stop my White Sox from advancing to the World Series. Despite the fact that Cub fans travel the globe like nomads in search of the ever illusive Championship (see the Southside of Chicago), there was a sea of red at Tempe Diablo Stadium as Angel fans packed the house. My Greg Maddux t-shirt looked totally out of place both in the ballpark and on my back. I felt right at home as this was exactly how it was when last I watched a Major League game that counted. Only this time Chicago was sending their B Team to kick a little California Plastic Butt. Then the Cubs brought back deja vu all over again as they jumped out to a 4-0 first inning lead en route to a 7-6 victory over the Halos. Jeff Weaver was roughed up for five runs & nine hits over four innings of work.

MARCH 1ST RAYS @ JAYS

Before heading back to Chicago after spending one week in Florida I caught a Grapefruit League preseason baseball game between the Tampa Bay Devil Rays vs the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, FL. I was staying without a car about 1/2 an hour north of the ballpark at the Tahitian Resort in Holiday, FL. So … Continue reading “MARCH 1ST RAYS @ JAYS”

Before heading back to Chicago after spending one week in Florida I caught a Grapefruit League preseason baseball game between the Tampa Bay Devil Rays vs the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, FL. I was staying without a car about 1/2 an hour north of the ballpark at the Tahitian Resort in Holiday, FL. So I made arrangements with Danny’s Limo to have him drive me to Casa Del Tina’s for a nice Mexican meal, then to the ballpark, and on to Tampa International for my flight home. I couldn’t believe the awesome seat I had down the RF line, but in the front row. All the photographers were stationed right by where I was sitting. They were all very friendly, especially a guy named Dave from Baseball America who’d tried to take some pictures of the Yankees in Tampa, but found it too crowded and came over to Dunedin.

Roy Halladay allowed four unearned runs in the first inning as the Jays were sloppy to say the least. Toronto made four errors on the day. You might say, “get it out of your system”, but I’d say, “money doesn’t solve your problems”. The Blue Jays went heavily into the free agent market in the off season bringing in A.J. Burnett, B.J. Ryan, Benjie Molina, & Troy Glaus. On this day it was the lowly D*Rays who dominated play winning the game 9-5.

SPRING TRAINING GRAPEFRUIT STYLE

Just got back from watching some spring training baseball on the west coast of Florida. The first team I saw was the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater. It was the first day Jimmy Rollins showed up for work. While I didn’t see JRoll in action, I did see why he’s so popular. Jimmy signed autographs from … Continue reading “SPRING TRAINING GRAPEFRUIT STYLE”

Just got back from watching some spring training baseball on the west coast of Florida. The first team I saw was the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater. It was the first day Jimmy Rollins showed up for work. While I didn’t see JRoll in action, I did see why he’s so popular. Jimmy signed autographs from home plate all the way to the leftfield foul pole. The BIG MAN Ryan Howard did the same thing. It’s nice to see Ryan still has his feet on the ground after winning the ROY award last year. The next camp I saw was the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. Got a chance to see the pitchers, including newcomer AJ Burnett going through their drills. Also said hello to Frank Catalanatto, he looks to be in mid-seaseon form both with the bat and with a positive attitude. Next I visited St. Pete to see the Devil Rays. I was particularly interested in seeing Scott Kazmir, BJ Upton, Delmon Young, & Rocco Baldelli. Kazmir looked like a veteran out on the mound, very smooth. Upton looked shakey in the field, but was ripping shots through the infield when at the dish. I couldn’t see the outfielders who must’ve been working out elsewhere on the complex, when I decided to use the facilities. Just as I was about to step to the plate, so to speak, I heard the urgent steps of cleats entering the john, I quickly stepped aside to let Delmon in ahead of me. Young said, “Thanks man! I’ve had to go for the last 1/2 hour out there.” Baldelli looked as fresh as ever, despite missing all of last year, he was banging balls all over the yard. Before returning to Chicago I got to Clearwater again to see the Phils. Ryan Howard was recovering from the flu and looked it as his bat had no life in it (note: he’s recovered nicely, already hitting three spring homers thus far). Rollins was driving balls through the infield, getting ready to resume his hitting streak, as he goes after Joe D’s mark. On the day I was flying to Chicago I asked my limo driver to drop me off at Knology Field in Dunedin to see the Jays host the Rays. Roy Halladay was roughed up and the Jays looked sloppy in the field as the Rays clobbered Toronto. Two players looked smooth trying out new positions for their repective ballclubs, Eric Hinske in RF & Aubrey Huff at 3B. Also it was good to see Russell Branyan out there raking for the Rays. One week from today I head out to Arizona to catch a little Cactus League action.

GRAPEFRUIT BASEBALL, HERE I COME

It’s below zero here in Chicago, but tomorrow I’ll be on my way to the Sunshine State to watch preseason baseball. My yearly pilgrimage will be as always to the Tahitian Resort in Holiday, Florida. The Tahitian is at best a fixer upper with the traditional painting of pink & turquoise cementing its exterior somewhere … Continue reading “GRAPEFRUIT BASEBALL, HERE I COME”

It’s below zero here in Chicago, but tomorrow I’ll be on my way to the Sunshine State to watch preseason baseball. My yearly pilgrimage will be as always to the Tahitian Resort in Holiday, Florida. The Tahitian is at best a fixer upper with the traditional painting of pink & turquoise cementing its exterior somewhere in the 60s. Just down the road from the Tahitian is the best Greek food to be found in Tarpon Springs. Tarpon Springs got on the map when sponge divers came over from the Greek Islands in search of sponges. Although the sponge divers still do their thing today, Tarpon Springs is better known for its tourist shops and delicious Greek cuisine, my personal favorite is Costa’s Restaurant. As you travel further down Highway 19 you’ll come upon Clearwater, where the Phillies train. It’s strange to see the Phillie faithful in a sunshine backdrop. New Jerseyese is widely spoken with alot of deese, does, & dem. Somehow the sunshine even brings out optimism out of the people from the City of Brotherly Love. A couple of years ago I watched as Jim Thome launched a couple of bombs over the fence and out onto the highway. I’ll have to check out new hope Ryan Howard and also checkin on Jimmy JRoll Rollins as he prepares to go after the most sacred record in baseball Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak. The only game I’ll be able to see before heading back to the frigid north of the Windy City will be on March 2nd when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays take on the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, FL. Dunedin is a Scottish town with the quantist shops you’ll ever see, but the highlight of Dunedin has to be Casa Del Tina’s. Tina’s has the freshest & tastiest Mexican food you’re ever gonna experience, and the Margaritas! I’m eager to see young Rays Delmon Young & BJ Upton. Other teams that train in the area are the Devil Rays who train in St. Pete and the Yankees who own Tampa. My talk of my trip to Florida wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention the German Restaurant. I’m German and this place makes my mouth water just thinking about eating there. Germans are usually stoic and serious, but nothing could be further from the truth when dining there as owners Uwe & Dagmar Kasper always make me feel at home when I come to visit. Hey, was this an article about baseball or food?

WHITE SOX IN THE WORLD SERIES – GAME #4

Freddy Garcia locked horns with Brandon Backe through seven innings of shutout ball. Perhaps the scoreless tie should have been broken earlier in the game when Joe Crede launched a two out double off the leftfield wall, but Aaron Rowand lost track of the number of outs and stopped at 2nd after losing sight of … Continue reading “WHITE SOX IN THE WORLD SERIES – GAME #4”

Freddy Garcia locked horns with Brandon Backe through seven innings of shutout ball. Perhaps the scoreless tie should have been broken earlier in the game when Joe Crede launched a two out double off the leftfield wall, but Aaron Rowand lost track of the number of outs and stopped at 2nd after losing sight of the ball. The bullpens were brought on in the eighth, finally Houston had found a bridge to Lidge, but the bridge was washed out when the White Sox scored the only run of the game in the top of the 8th. Garcia was lifted for pinch-hitter Willie Harris who lined a single to left, was advanced to second on a bunt by Scott Podsednik, Carl Everett batted for Tadahito Iguchi and grounded him to 3rd. The stage was set for World Series MVP Jermaine Dye to work his magic with an RBI single up the middle.

Bobby Jenks was brought on to close out the Astros & the series in the 9th. Here’s how the 9th went for the Stros. There was a blooper of a single in front of Rowand and then there was a sac bunt. After that was the Juan Uribe Show. Uribe raced into foul territory and dove into the stands, snagging a foul pop. Then Juan got to show off his arm on a slow roller up the middle, Uribe grabbed the ball and fired the batter out on a bang-bang play at 1st.

THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX WON THE WORLD SERIES!!! CLEAN SWEEP!!!

WHITE SOX IN THE WORLD SERIES – GAME #3

This game was a little different right from the get-go. Of course there was contraversy, the Astros wanted the roof closed on their Juice Box Field, but MLB intervened and forced Houston to play baseball outdoors. Originally the retractable roof was designed to keep games from being called on rain or to keep the fans … Continue reading “WHITE SOX IN THE WORLD SERIES – GAME #3”

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This game was a little different right from the get-go. Of course there was contraversy, the Astros wanted the roof closed on their Juice Box Field, but MLB intervened and forced Houston to play baseball outdoors. Originally the retractable roof was designed to keep games from being called on rain or to keep the fans comfortable during extremely hot weather. But now the Stros want the roof closed because they play better indoors. Anyway, on to baseball. The GREAT Roy Oswalt was on the bump for Houston, while the White Sox had Jon Garland going for them. The Astros jumped out in the first inning when Craig Biggio leadoff with a double to left, Willy Taveras bunted him to third, and scored on a Lance Berkman single. Mr. Ugly Adam Everett opened the 3rd inning with a single, the Sox pitched out, and caught Everett dead. But Juan Uribe’s throw to first nailed Adam allowing him to return to first base safely. Oswalt bunted him up where he scored on a Biggio single to right moments later. Garland struckout Taveras for what should have been the 3rd out of the inning, no runs should have scored. But the inning was still alive. Berkman sent Biggio to third on a base knock to right. Morgan Ensberg put the Stros up 3-0 when he singled to left scoring Biggio. In the 4th inning Jason Lane leadoff with a homer. But wait a minute, replays showed the ball should not have been ruled a homer as it did not clear the yellow line as was originally reported. So the White Sox trailed 4-0 through four innings against the best pitcher in the NL. Seriously though there was no whining about the umpire’s ruling at Robby T’s house, Sox fans have too much class. Besides that, this game was FAR from over! Joe Crede opened the 5th inning taking Oswalt over the rightfield fence. Uribe singled to left, but then Garland couldn’t bunt & struckout. Scott Podsednik singled to right. With runners on 1st & 2nd Tadahito Iguchi scored Juan with a single up the middle. Jermaine Dye worked the count before lining a single to center plating Podsednik. The 2nd out was finally recorded when Paul Konerko flied to Taveras. A.J. Pierzynski doubled home two, putting the Sox up 5-4. Aaron Rowand walked on a 3-2 count, Crede was drilled with a pitch loading the bases. Uribe flied to right ending the inning. All the talk about Oswalt taking the game to Brad Lidge was just talk as Roy threw about 50 pitches in the 5th and was at about 100 for the game. Unheralded Jon Garland turned the lead over to Cliff Politte after allowing two earned runs over seven innings of work. Politte got Taveras & Berkman before Ensberg walked on a full count. Neal Cotts was brought on, but was soon out of there after walking Mike Lamb. Eric Bruntlett came in to run for Lamb. Jason Lane doubled down the leftfield line off Dustin Hermanson scoring Ensberg, tying the game at five. The White Sox caught a HUGE break when Lane’s double hit off the a part of the stands down the line rather than rattling around the left field corner, another run definately would have scored. There were alot of opportunities to win the game for both teams even though the Sox relievers only allowed one hit (Lane’s double), they walked ten and hit a batter. Ozzie Guillen’s well laid out plans for bullpen use in this game drastically changed when Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez had to leave after walking four guys in a little over one inning of work. Chad Qualls pitched brilliantly out of Houston’s pen, working three shutout innings, before giving way to Ezequiel Astacio. I know I’ve called Adam Everett the Ugly Man, but Astacio raises ugly to a whole new level. Ezequiel even makes Seal look pretty, and Seal can sing & I’m sure Seal can pitch better than Astacio. Kim T (Robby T’s daughter) said, “We shouldn’t make fun of the really ugly man.” I told her she’d be in the confessional, telling the priest about making fun of the ugly man, and then he’d say, “Oh, you mean Astacio! He’s even uglier than Everett! He even makes Seal look pretty!” Jose Vizcaino stayed in the game at 2B after pinch-hitting in the bottom of the 13th with Ezequiel Astacio coming in to Craig Biggio’s spot in the batting order. Jermaine Dye led off with a single to right, but was erased on a brilliant doubleplay started by a diving Ensberg who fired a strike to Vizcaino. Paul Konerko’s speed was no match for Jose’s strong arm, Vizcaino avoided a hard sliding Dye to get Paulie at first, Konerko really scorched that ball. It was starting to look like this game would never end, when Geoff Blum lined a 2-0 pitch into the RF seats. Blum was the only guy picked up by GM Kenny Williams at the trading deadline to help the Sox in their stretch run. Everybody was pretty much letdown, thinking we could have gotten Griffey Junior, and ended up with journeyman Geoff Blum. Blum wasn’t all that pleased himself with the deal, his wife had just given birth to triplets in May. The Sox continued with a two out rally that resulted in an insurance run. Aaron Rowand topped a two strike pitch to third on which a hard charging Ensberg had no play, then Crede’s slow grounder was allowed to roll foul, which it didn’t, and Joe was on first after the ball hit third base, Uribe walked on a 3-2 pitch, and then Astacio walked Chris Widger forcing in a run. Wandy Rodriguez was brought on to K Podsednik to end the inning. Going into the bottom of the 14th the Good Guys had a two run lead. But Damaso Marte was still in the game, with no other relievers available. Damaso Marte was terrible throughout the latter part of this season and he was the guy brought in to face the Red Sox in the Divisional Series and loaded the bases before El Duque’s magic act. We even joked about having to be at the games to keep Marte off the field. And that the only reason Damaso made the post season roster was because he speaks Spanish, or that he has naked pictures of Ozzie Guillen. This time though Marte seemed more focused and dtermined, or was it just that he was benefitting from facing NL hitters? Mark Buehrle, Sunday’s starter, was warming up, just in case. When Juan Uribe made his 2nd error of the game putting runners at the corners with two out Ozzie Guillen made the move to bring on Buehrle for the save. Adam Everett popped to Uribe to end the game. It was the longest game in World Series history. The win put the Good Guys up 3-0 with one win to go. LET’S GO WHITE SOX!!!

WHITE SOX IN THE WORLD SERIES – GAME #2

Went to watch Game #2 with Big Mike at the home of KevinS & DawnS. DonS was invited to come, but chose not to. Before the game we drove down to Greektown, one block from there place, where I got some veggie Mousaka, Saganaki, Greek beer, & Big Mike had a salad. What’s wrong with … Continue reading “WHITE SOX IN THE WORLD SERIES – GAME #2”

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Went to watch Game #2 with Big Mike at the home of KevinS & DawnS. DonS was invited to come, but chose not to. Before the game we drove down to Greektown, one block from there place, where I got some veggie Mousaka, Saganaki, Greek beer, & Big Mike had a salad. What’s wrong with this picture? Big Mike was involved in a Walk-a-thon for the City of Hope, he did one for PAWS recently too. I mistakingly told CLuke Big Mike was involved in a 5K run, to which CLuke was amazed. He kept asking, “Big Mike? Our Big Mike?” When the topic came up later, it was decided the only way Big Mike would be involved in a 5K run would be if the ice cream truck he was pursuing wouldn’t stop. After filling our bellys we walked to see DawnS. KevinS & company were at the Bear game, but it wasn’t bad watching the first place Bears beat the Baltimore Ravens on their 42 inch high definition TV, while it was raining & cold outside. So far, so good, the last place Green Bay Packers had blown a 17-0 lead on the Minnesota Vikings to lose on a 50+ yard Paul Edinger field goal as time ran out. Life was good!

A couple of southpaws were starting game two, Mark Buehrle for the White Sox and Andy Pettitte for Houston. No wonder the Yankees aren’t in the World Series, ARod’s lack of production in the ALCS aside, three of the four starting pitchers in the first two games of the Series were cut loose by King George Steinbrenner. But the Yankees get enough press when they actually do something, this is about the White Sox! Fox-TV almost missed Morgan Ensberg homer on the first pitch of the 2nd inning for the Stros, putting the Sox down a run. The bottom of the 2nd was kind of strange. Carl Everett struckout, Aaron Rowand singled to left, A.J. Pierzynski lifted a high fly ball to left off the wall which Chris Burke couldn’t catch, but Rowand was going back to first to tag, so he only ended up at 2nd. Joe Crede shot a ball into right, scoring Rowand, and sending A.J. to 3rd. Then Juan Uribe popped to Craig Biggio, the ball went off Biggio’s glove, Jason Lane RF forced Crede at 2nd, and Pierzynski scored giving the Sox a one run lead. In the Astros third the game became tied when Willy Taveras scored on a Lance Berkman sac fly after tripling to right. Houston took a two run lead in the 5th when Brad Ausmus doubled off Crede’s glove, first thing all series that escaped Joe’s D. He stayed there when Adam Everett, ugliest man in baseball, K’d and Biggio grounded out. But then Willy Taveras beat out an infield hit just out of Crede’s reach, putting runners on the corners with two out. Lance Berkman doubled driving in both runners. Eric Bruntlett replaced Craig Biggio at second and Dan Wheeler took over on the hill for Andy Pettitte for Houston as the White Sox stepped in there in the 7th. Crede fouled out, Juan Uribe doubled, Scott Podsednik K’d, Tadahito Iguchi walked on a fullcount, and then Jermaine Dye was hit by a pitch. There was some contraversy as replays showed the ball off Dye’s bat, not his hand. But the call was made. The night before two Astro batters were hit consecutively, but nothing was said, even though I certainly couldn’t see where the second batter was hit, and neither guy tried to get out of the way. Also in the first game Phil Garner setup a doubleplay situation in which A.J. Pierzynski grounded into 3-6-1 DP. Fox-TV said nothing, no replays were shown, but there was no way 2nd base was touched by the Astros on the play. But this HBP was shown, over and over and over again. Chad Qualls was brought on to face Paul Konerko with the bases loaded, two outs, and the game on the line. Paulie always takes a strike, but not this time, as he sent the offering high & deep over the leftfield wall for a grand slam, and a two run Sox lead. Cliff Politte relieved Buehrle and set the Stros down in order in the 8th as Fox-TV replayed A.J. Pierzynski’s drop third strike call again versus the Angles. And showed some more angles of Dye’s HBP off his bat, again it was all about the umpires.

Bobby Jenks was called on in the 9th to close it out for the Sox. Jeff Bagwell fouled off a number of pitches before lining a low heater into centerfield for a leadoff base knock. Jason Lane was burnt by high heat. Jenks walked Chris Burke on four pitches, Brad Ausmus grounded to Paulie unassisted, moving the tying runs to 2nd & 3rd with two outs. We all felt pretty good as Ex-Cub Jose Vizcaino was sent up as the pinch hitter for the ugly man. Both runners scored as Vizcaino lined the first Jenks pitch he saw into leftfield, Burke was only at 3rd when Podsednik picked up the ball in shallow leftfield, but Burke scored anyway on a marvelous slide as Scotty’s throw tailed a little bit toward firstbase, what a letdown. Brad Lidge was brought on to pitch the bottom of the 9th with the game tied. Normally Lidge is brought on to close games out, but Phil Garner wanted to make sure he got another chance to bat. Uribe ripped a hard hit flyball to center. Then Scott Podsednik blasted a 2-1 fastball just over the CF fence for a White Sox winner!!! Podsednik wasn’t sure it was gettting out as he was flying around the bases until the umpire signaled home run. Scotty didn’t hit a single home run in 507 regular season at bats, but did hit one out against the Bosox in the Division Series, and had 12 two years ago for the Brewers. The Fox-TV announcers had just said alot of people thought Garner should have used Lidge in the 6th game against the Redbirds to get the taste of Albert Pujols game winning homer out of his mouth. Then he said, “It seems as though he’s gotten the bad taste out of his mouth”, just as Scott Podsednik’s drive was touching down over the wall, ending the game. Brad Lidge is one of baseball’s premier relief pitchers, but has been stung by game winning homers in his last two post season appearances. It reminded me of when the Yankees knocked Byung-Hyun Kim around in the 2002 Fall Classic, he was never the same again. The Bears are in first, the Packers are in last, the White Sox are two wins away from a World Championship. I never paid much credence to this religious crap, but maybe there is a God. White Sox win! Two more wins to go! LET’S GO WHITE SOX!!!

WHITE SOX IN THE WORLD SERIES – GAME #1

Couldn’t get tickets for the White Sox in the World Series in my own home town. A part of me knows if I’d just go down there, I’d get in, especially with my Baseball Zealot connections. But another part of me is quite satisfied sitting in the comfort of a nice warm living room or … Continue reading “WHITE SOX IN THE WORLD SERIES – GAME #1”

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Couldn’t get tickets for the White Sox in the World Series in my own home town. A part of me knows if I’d just go down there, I’d get in, especially with my Baseball Zealot connections. But another part of me is quite satisfied sitting in the comfort of a nice warm living room or a crowded bar with friends, rather than the cold and rainy nights in the elements by myself. Decided to watch game #1 at Big Mike’s place. Thought there might be a gaggle of Sox fans there, but for the most part it was Big Mike, his wife, RobbyT showed up for the middle three innings, and myself. When I got to Big Mike’s place his wife was watching Hogzilla, but luckily it ended just before the first pitch. We had HOT chilli, some guacamole & chips, and some beverages du joir. What could be better? Well maybe a White Sox winner!

Roger Clemens was matched up against Jose Contreras. It was the first time a 300 game winner started game #1 of the World Series since Walter “Big Train” Johnson in 1925. The third batter for the White Sox Jermaine Dye wasted no time jumping on a 3-2 Clemens pitch for a solo home run, putting the Sox up 1-0. In the top of the 2nd Mike Lamb took Contreras over the CF wall to knot things at one. The Pale Hose had runners at 1st & 3rd with nobody out in the bottom of two when Carl Everett & Aaron Rowand got base knocks. A.J. Pierzynski hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring Everett. Joe Crede grounded up A.J, Juan Uribe doubled to center driving in Pierzynski, and Scott Podsednik K’d to end the frame, but the Sox had scored two. That was the end of Rocket Clemens who left after throwing 54 pitches in only two innings of work, he left with a hamstring problem. The Astros tied the game in their next raps in this see-saw affair. Brad Ausmus singled, was forced out by Adam Everett, went to second on Craig Biggio’s single, both runners moved up on Willy Tavares’s sac bunt, and scored on Lance Berkman’s double to right, and the game was tied at three. In the bottom of four Joe Crede rode a Wandy Rodriguez pitch over the centerfield fence to give the Good Guys a one run lead. Jose Contreras let up a leadoff eighth inning double to Willy Taveras before giving way to Neal Cotts. It was kind of funny too as the Fox-TV crew did a promo for WebMD showing a pitcher with a rusty shoulder, illustrating that the White Sox bullpen would be rusty after four straight complete games by the starters. Lance Berkman sent Taveras to third on a single off a slider, before Cotts settled down and went to work. Neal got Morgan Ensberg on strikes and then fanned Mike Lamb, and then gave way to Bobby Jenks. Jenks was called in by an animated Ozzie Guillen, who motioned he wanted the wide, big guy from the pen to face Jeff Bagwell. Bagwell who is still recovering from mid-season shoulder surgery didn’t have a chance against Bobby’s high 100 MPH heat. Threat ended!

The White Sox added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when A.J. Pierzynski singled off Russ Springer and came around to score on a Scott Podsednik triple. Bobby Jenks K’d two more in the 9th to close it out, he only threw one curveball. Final Score 5-3 Good Guys! Three more wins to go!