Sox Beat Twins - Finally

It's one of the enduring mysteries of the American League Central. Why can't the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota (f***in') Twins? Take a look at the stats:

Last ten: Sox 1 - Twins 9

Last 35: Sox 7 - Twins 28

That includes today's win, where Mark Buehrle (who, shockingly, has a winning career record versus the Twins) went eight strong and still had to get bailed out by Alexei "Cuban Missile" Ramirez's ninth-inning RBI single. Jesse Crain (former Twin) vultured the win with a solid 9th.

So, I gotta ask. Is this a style thing? (AJ can't throw anyone out, and the Twins know it) Is it a management thing, and does Ron Gardenhire just have Ozzie's number? Is it just one of baseball's innumerable numerical anomalies? Say that six times fast. And then hope that it is, and that the South Siders will dominate the next fifty matchups.

Anyway, it's frustrating because this Sox team is not that far out of a playoff spot (three or four games, depending on the day), but they can't win against one team they play nineteen times a year, and they aren't a whole lot better against the other three (Tigers, Royals, Indians).

If Konerko and Co. played the NL all year long, they'd be a playoff lock. Once again, they dominated their interleague schedule this year. I'm not going to look it up, but I believe the number stands at twenty straight AL-NL series won. Yeah, playing the Cubs twice a year helps with that, but still.

Unfortunately it seems as though the Sox just can't be a dominant force in their own division. This makes it extremely difficult to gain ground in a playoff push. At this point, I'd almost prefer for them to play against the beastly AL East - it seems like every Red Sox/Yankees/Rays series is at least more entertaining than the beatings regularly handed out by the Twins.

I don't have any answers for this problem. But something's gotta change, and I doubt it's going to involve the Pale Hose changing leagues. Hopefully the win today is the start of something better.

PS - Pauly and Carlos Quentin in the All-Star Game. Good times!

PPS - Sox catching prospect Tyler Flowers is coming up to the majors, since backup catcher Ramon Castro broke his hand today. Hope springs eternal.

Ozzie on E:60

Chicago Becoming a White Sox Town?

Is Chicago becoming a White Sox town? I don't think so, don't think it ever will, but that is the point Gene Wojo tries to make on ESPN Chicago. I can understand where one might think the White Sox are making up ground in the city. Going back to the 2003 NLCS, the Cubs have lost 9 straight post season games while the White Sox are 12-4. If the White Sox make the playoffs this year it will be three times in 6 years, which is 1 more then the Cubs over that stretch. So based on performance, I can see why one would make that argumnet.

I also can understand how Cubs fans have mixed emotions about Tom Ricketts. It doesn't appear he has a vision for the team, but he keeps making changes to Wrigley. Cubs fans want a winner, and the verdict is still out on if Ricketts is going to spend to get a winner, or treat the Cubs as a business he plans to make money off of?

For these reason, I get why some people might say the White Sox could over take them, but I don't see it happening. Cubs games are an expierence, and people who don't love baseball will almost always choose the Cubs over the Sox for that expierence.

Chicago Sports Power Rankings

Our fine city by the Lake has gone through some tough times in the last decade in sports. Without exception, every single team representing the Chi has absolutely stunk at one time or another. The Sox winning it all in 2005 and the Bears' Super Bowl in '06 were high points, but other than that, the mid-2000s were a bit of a struggle for Superfans.

Now that we're in the offseason for the NHL, NBA, and NFL, and in the stretch run for baseball, it's a good time to see which organizations are doing well, and which ones are flailing.

1. Chicago Blackhawks - They just won the Stanley Cup, and have an excellent young group of stars to build around. New management has turned around fanhood with more accessible games on TV, and hey, everyone likes to back a winner. The 'Hawks bandwagon has never been more full.

On the downside, all of the cost-cutting moves this offseason, while necessary, have left something of a bad taste in fan's mouths. Losing Niemi and Byfuglien reminds me of the Sox having to dump Rowand after the World Series. Still, things are looking good for the Blackhawks going forward.

2. Chicago Bulls - Despite losing out on LeBron James and the rest of Miami Thrice, the Bulls have a new coach, lots of fresh blood, and emerging superstars in Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.

Top to bottom, this might be the best roster in the NBA (at worst, it's still Top 10), and Tom Thibodeau knows what to do with good depth. (DEFEND! PRESS!) Also, the Bulls have made the playoffs the last two seasons in a row, and fan support barely even wavered during the crappy years.

I expect the Bulls to be a fast-breaking, fiercely aggressive team this year, a joy to watch even if they don't get to the Finals.

3. Chicago White Sox - Ozzie Guillen is the best coach in Chicago, and with his seven years' experience, the dean of Windy City coaching. He has his team, once again, in position to battle it out down the stretch with the Twins for the AL Central crown.

Is this a dominant team? No, but quality pitching and steady leadership (not just Oz, but also Buehrle, Don Cooper, Paul Konerko) make being a Sox fan easy these days. Also, US Cellular has the best food in town, ballpark-wise.

4. Chicago Bears - No doubt, this is OUR team, the team that every sports fan in Chicago really cares about. So why No. 4? Well, they were 7-9 last year. Lovie Smith is gone if they don't make the playoffs. Key players, like Brian Urlacher and Olin Kreutz, but including many others, are getting old.

This is a make-or-break year for the Bears. Succeed, and reclaim the top spot in Chicago fan's hearts. Fail, and we know we're in for a rough 2010-2020 at Soldier Field.

5. Chicago Cubs - Yes, it warms the cockles of my evil lil' heart putting the Cubs down here. Seriously though, they are overpaid and terrible, and Lou Pinella is on his way out.

On the bright side, Wrigley still fills up for games, Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin look like they'll be good, and new ownership is willing to spend.

6. Chicago Rush - In case you hadn't heard, they just got eliminated from the playoffs. You hadn't? Oh. Right.

7. Chicago Wolves - I'll be honest. I have no clue how the Wolves did this year, or are doing. But I do know they signed Chelios for a minute there, so that counts for something. And they've always been a decent AHL/IHL team.

8. Chicago Fire - Technically they play in Naperville, so that's Strike One. Also, they have a losing record this season and are scuffling in their international league. Strike Two. I'm not ready to give up on the Fire yet, but with solid soccer teams emerging in LA, New York, and even Salt Lake City, it looks as if the Fire may be stuck in reverse.

9. Chicago Sky - We have a WNBA team? Yes, and they stink.

Did I miss anything? Lacrosse? Rugby?

08/10/10

White Sox Magic Number




White Sox choked away the series against the O's. Well maybe not as much as a choke as unforunatly playing against a hot team. This is a bad O's team that are now 6-1 under Buck Showalter. Bad timing for the White Sox to play them. The White Sox had a lot of opportunites to score and blow this series wide open but left way to many men on base. Because of that, the White Sox are now tied with the Twins who are in town for a three game series.

This Twins series is the most important series of the season for the White Sox. I am not saying it's a must win Series, but haveing a one game lead after the series is over would be nice. Last time these two teams met, the Twins swept them at Targer Field in Minnesota.

Today could be the last day for the magic number. If the Sox win, the number is 49. If they lose, then the magic number is 49 for the Twins.


Days Until College Football

08/05/10 Numbers

White Sox Magic Number





Days Until College Football

White Sox on ESPN tonight

The only reason I am making note of this is because of what ESPN normally shows. If you turn on ESPN to watch a baseball game, 98% of the time (completely made up stat) the game will feature one or both of these teams; Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, Dodgers, Cubs. Maybe you hadn't noticed but those six teams get more air time then any other team. I know ESPN is in the business of making money and those six teams move the ratings needle which means more money for Disney. That's why I think it's good tonight to see an important game played between two teams that weren't mentioned before.

Anyway, go White Sox and good luck to Edwin Jackson in his White Sox Debut

Two Important Numbers

Armchair Superstar is going to begin the countdown of two major numbers


White Sox Magic Number




Days until College Football starts

Vote for Pauliewood

The Captain of the White Sox is sitting third behind Youkils and Swisher (suprise suprise the Red Sox and Yankees players).

click here to vote for Paulie

England's Non Goal vs Germany

Whenever I see a controversial play like the England non-goal goal against Germany, I can’t help but think of one play in particular.


I immediately think of the AJ Pierzynski dropped third strike in the 2005 ALCS against the Angels. I think, these plays are surprisingly similar. In both situations the player had no idea what happened, but since they didn’t hear a whistle or feel the catcher tag them out, they realized that the play was still alive. The German goalie, Manuel Neuer, claims he did see the ball go well over the goal line. He did the logical thing and picked up the ball and sent it down field. The NY Times reported Neuer’s post game comments,

“I tried not to react to the referee and just concentrate on what was happening,” Neuer said on Sunday in remarks quoted in the British press. “I realized it was over the line and I think the way I carried on so quickly fooled the referee into thinking it was not over.
“Then I saw it on the television in the doping control office and saw what actually happened,” Neuer said of the goal that would have tied the Germany-England game at 2-2 in the first half. “And, yes, it was over. It should have been a goal for England. Probably about two meters.”

Now, I know what most of you out there are thinking. That was a dirty play, he should have stopped play and allowed the goal to score. While this is the case, his decision was also a smart one. He put the ref in the spot to make the call. If the ref saw it correctly and awarded England the goal, the result would have been the same as it would have been if he stopped playing. However, because of his actions the ref had to make a call, and incorrectly called in favor of the Germans.


AJ’s 2005 play was also very heads up play. AJ did not see where the ball was caught or if it was in fact dropped, but he knew it was low, and he didn’t get tagged, so he ran to first. He put the ump in the position to make the call, and the ump called in favor of AJ. Here are AJ’s comments on the play “I didn't hear him call me out, so I thought, I thought for sure the ball hit the ground. I watched the replay 50 different times and I still don't know. The third strike is in the dirt, you run. Josh didn't tag me, I think he thought he called it, and I just ran, and luckily it worked out.”

I know the haters will be out from England fans, just like the haters came out from the Angels fans five years ago. All I ask is, before you get down to hard on AJ or Neuer if they were playing for your team?

Should the White Sox Play in the National League?

The White Sox are in the middle of a ten game win streak (and 14 of the last 15), which is the longest the franchise has had since the 70s. A bunch of people I have talked to are really excited about this, but I am a little more skeptical.

Why am I so skeptical? Of the last 15 games, 13 have been played against the National League including every one of the past 10 wins. It's not that the wins haven't been impressive, the White Sox did win the game when they played against phenom Strausburg, and the Tigers and Twins haven't been able to beat similar competition.

It's just something about the White Sox, they always play well against the National League. That is why I am proposing the White Sox move to the National League.

Before I delve too much into this, I am aware that when the Diamondbacks and Rays joined the league, the move to the NL Central that was proposed to the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers never reached the White Sox. I am also aware that MLB isn't going to come down from their offices and tell the Pirates that they are switching leagues, as proposed by Tom Verducci earlier this year. I just want to show how well the White Sox play against the National League.

First off, let's take a look at the 2010 team. The White Sox are 6 games under .500 against the American League and 11 games over .500 (13-2) against the National League. The White Sox are 127 and 101 all time against the National League, which is good enough for third place all time.

Now let's look at the team.

Ozzie learned how to manage coming up in the National League while coaching for the Florida Marlins. It has often been said that Ozzie ball, aka small ball, belongs more in the National League then the American League.

Mark Buehrle just set the record for interleague wins at 22 with his victory over the Pirates. Freddy Garcia is third in wins and also ERA.

Three of the top four HR leaders in interleague play have played for the White Sox:

Thome 57
Griffey Jr 55
Delgado 50
Konerko 48

Paulie Konerko is also the active leader in interleague HR against a single team with 15 against the Cubs.

Jake Peavy is a former National League Cy Young Winner. Juan Pierre has played in 3 All-Star games for the NL.

Lastly, numerous White Sox players have grown up or played in the National League (Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin, Juan Pierre, Jake Peavy, AJ Pierzynski...).

This team would thrive in the National League and would be winning pennants year in and year out.

LET'S GO WHITE SOX.

Cubs vs White Sox Part II with a side of World Cup

Big Day for ACSS fans today. Today will be the conclusion of the ACSS World Cup Pool. Up to 4 people can still win in any given scenarios. That action is at 10:00 and 1:30 CST. Then The Cubs will play on the Southside today as they take on the White Sox at 3:05. So busy day in front of the TV.


LET'S GO WHITE SOX

Ozzie's Best Rants

In honor of this week's little Joe West fracas, SI.com has our favorite manager, Ozzie Guillen's, best rants of his Sox career. My favorite might be on Dustin Pedroia, who he called a former Kentucky Derby jockey.

Dear Sox: NOOOOO!

This scares the hell out of me.

Mark Buehrle is nervous that he might be traded?!

"If we don't win and this team gets blown up and gets traded, nothing you can do about it," Buehrle said Tuesday. "As far as the day when I'm a 10-and-5 guy (10 years of service and at least the last five with the same team), I'm looking forward to it." -Tribune

Uh. I'd be upset enough about trading AJ Peezy. Let's not even talk about this possibility, okay, Kenny?

Trivia: 1000 Games Managed by the White Sox

Ozzie Guillien has become just the 4th White Sox manager to manage 1000 games for the club. Can you name the other 3? (Note this is a hard one, I only got one correct)

Cubs and White Sox to play for Crosstown Cup

ESPN Chicago is reporting, starting this year the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox will play for a traveling trophy to be called the crosstown cup. The trophy will be awarded to whichever team wins the season series, or if tied at 3-3 the team that wins the final game.



The cross town cup will join the ranks of the silver boot which is awarded to the winner of the Lone Star Series between the Rangers and the Astros.

I personally kind of like the idea, even though I bet a lot of people out there might find it dumb.

Best Chicago Fight Song! Poll

I haven't posted in awhile but I was listening to the Bears fight song and this got me thinking, "What do other people think is the best fight song in Chicago?" Well let's find out. Rank your favorite fight song in order of 1-5 from best to worse. (Note there has been some discrepancy with my choice for the Bulls [Jamie] so if you can come up with a better song then my choice, let me know.


Chicago Bears





Chicago Blackhawks





Chicago Bulls





Chicago Cubs





Chicago White Sox

White Sox Are 1-4: Are You Worried?

I think we all knew going into the season that this Sox team would be defined by excellent starting pitching. Sure enough, every member of the starting five, except Jake Peavy, turned in a more-than-solid effort in their first trip out.

Floyd, Danks, and Garcia all had quality starts, yet lost because, apparently, nobody but Paul Konerko in this lineup can hit in the clutch. Buehrle was a monster on Opening Day, but is getting lit up by the Twins in his second start today.

Juan Pierre hasn't been able to get anything going from the leadoff spot (he's well under the Mendoza Line), and nobody towards the bottom of the order (Alexei, AJ, Teahen, "DH" Kotsay) has been able to make contact either.

I know it's early to freak out about this, and offense often doesn't get going until it warms up a bit anyway, but are the White Sox in trouble? The Twins look awfully good, and the Tigers, Indians, and Royals won't be terrible this year either. Will this lack of scoring punch continue? If it does, no good will come of this season.

Personally, I think the Sox need to find somebody other than Kotsay for the DH spot. You know, somebody that can hit the ball. Why did we get rid of Thome, again?

Some other issues - I'm starting to think that Matt Thornton may end up taking Bobby Jenks' closing role. So far he has struck out six of the eleven batters he has faced, while Bobby hasn't notched a save in two appearances.

Carlos Quentin is actually hitting pretty well (OPS over 1.00). It's too bad Beckham and Pierre haven't managed to get on base in front of him at all.

The Mark Teahen Watch - so far he is hitting .091, while Chris Getz and Josh Fields, who we traded to get him from Kansas City, are contributing for the Royals (well, Fields is on the DL - but he looked good in spring training!). Bad trade? I thought so at the time. It's too early to tell, though.

Buehrle For The Win

What a play. Great way to start the season, a 6-0 whitewash of the Indians with throwback play from Mark Buehrle (7.0 IP, 3H, 3K, shutout) and Paul Konerko and contributions from the new guys, too. JJ Putz, welcome to Chicago. Gordon Beckham, welcome to superstardom.

Now I'm excited for baseball.

Opening Day: White Sox Thoughts & Predictions

Okay, here we are less than two hours away from opening day. I'm going to make some predictions for the season, as well as some for today's game. But first, I gotta say I am so glad baseball season is finally back. Yes it drags on in August and September when your team is not going to make the playoffs (or if your team is so far ahead in the division that they will make the playoffs and you just want the playoffs to come) but its nice that it is here to fill the NFL void that I have. Now on to my predictions:

Todays Game vs. Indians

Final Score: 6-2 White Sox

Pick to Click: Alex Rios 2B, HR, 3 RBI

Buehrle's line: 7 IP 2 ER 5 K 2 BB

Westbrook's line: 6.1 IP 5 ER 6 K 4 BB

Season Predictions:

Pierre: .305 AVG .355 OBP 55 SB 90 R

Beckham: .310 AVG .380 OBP 23 HR 25 SB 50 2B 85 RBI

Quentin: .280 AVG .385 OBP 35 HR 110 RBI

Konerko: .275 AVG .355 OBP 25 HR 80 RBI

Rios: .295 AVG .340 OBP 30 HR 80 RBI 25 SB

Pierzynski: .290 AVG .325 OBP 14 HR 65 RBI

Ramirez: .295 AVG .350 OBP 25 HR 75 RBI

Teahan: .265 AVG .325 OBP 20 HR 60 RBI

Jones: .245 AVG .290 OBP 15 HR 45 RBI

Kotsay: .275 AVG .320 OBP 6 HR 20 RBI

Vizquel: .220 AVG .285 OBP 1 HR 10 RBI

Castro: .230 AVG .290 OBP 15 RBI

Nix: .235 AVG .310 OBP 15 HR 35 RBI

Buerhle: 3.85 ERA 18-7

Peavy: 3.25 ERA 21-5 (Cy Young)

Danks: 3.50 ERA 15-10

Floyd: 3.90 ERA 14-12

Garcia: 4.35 ERA 13-13

Pena: 3.90 ERA

Williams: 5.10 ERA

Thornton: 2.25 ERA

Putz: 2.75 ERA

Linebrink: 3.30 ERA

Santos: 3.75 ERA

Jenks: 3.00 ERA 40 S

White Sox Record: 101-61

Prediction: World Series Champs

Optimistic? Yes, but accurate as well! Let's go go White Sox.