Monday, August 28, 2007

Today’s Lineup

Owens, CF; Fields, LF; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; AJ, C; Dye, RF; Uribe, SS; Richar, 2B; Gonzalez, 3B.  Contreras pitching.

Hang in there, Sox fans.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Today’s Lineup

Owens, CF; Fields, LF; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; AJ, C; Dye, RF; Uribe, SS; Richar, 2B; Gonzalez, 3B.  Vazquez pitching.

Note the debut of Josh Fields in LF.  We want to see how Josh fares the rest of this season to help plan for 2008 and the return of Joe Crede.  The last Sox 3B to switch to LF worked out pretty well … Carlos Lee.

"We got hit harder than a pinata on Cinco de Mayo," quote from an anonymous White Sox manager about the first three games of this series.

Pitching Notes

Jose Contreras pitches tomorrow in the day game makeup against the DRays, while Gavin Floyd starts Tuesday in the series opener at Texas.

What a Difference a Year Makes

Javier Vazquez is 11-6 with a 3.66 ERA, 147 strikeouts and a .237 opposing batting average through 25 starts this season, compared to 11-8 with a 5.11 ERA, 123 strikeouts and a .268 opponents average at the same stage of 2006.   He has gone 8-1 with a 2.94 ERA in his last 12 starts.

Team Meeting

Following yesterday’s loss, manager Ozzie Guillen spoke to the team, reinforcing the fact that they cannot give up on themselves.

"I’ve been on teams that have done that," Guillen said.  "You come to the park expecting to lose.  We can’t think that way or it’s going to be a long September around here.  We need to make sure we believe in one another."

Blog Night

Reminder … for tickets to the second annual Blog Night on Sept. 27, call Dustin at 312-674-5186.  In addition to the game, your $31 ticket allows you to attend a special pregame event (currently scheduled to attend … me, and whatever friends I still have in the organization on Sept. 27).

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Today’s Lineup

Owens, CF; Fields, 3B; AJ, C; PK, DH; Erstad, 1B; Dye, RF; Uribe, SS; Richar, 2B; Gonzalez, LF.  Buehrle pitching.

Random Items

Good for all of Chicago to finally see the sun today … yesterday was certainly no fun … the Little League World Series was on the televisions in the clubhouse today before the game … when the storms hit on Thursday, several Sox players ran to their cell phones to check on wives, children and family in the SW suburbs … today, Mark Buehrle is attempting to reach double figures in victories for the seventh consecutive season … Buehrle is in line to join Joe Horlen (1963-69), Bill Pierce (1955-61), Ted Lyons (1924-30), Eddie Cicotte (1913-20), Doc White (1903-13) and Ed Walsh (1906-12) as the only pitchers to accomplish the feat.

Rookie Power

Despite playing in just 71 games, Josh Fields leads all AL rookies with 16 home runs and ranks second in RBI (48) and slugging (.464).  Fields ranks fifth in the AL after the All-Star Break with 11 home runs and tied for 11th with 30 RBI.

Projected over 162 games, Fields would hit 37 home runs and drive in 110.

Who Else Is Hot

Jermaine Dye is hitting .302 with 12 home runs and 25 RBI since the ASB.  His 12 home runs rank second and he is fifth with a .617 slugging percentage.

Javier Vazquez is 8-1 with a 2.94 ERA over his last 12 starts.  Ryan Buckvich owns a 1.93 ERA over his last 27 games, and Ehren Wassermann owns a 1.38 ERA over his last 15.  Right-handers are hitting .119 against the sidearmer.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Lineup For Game 2

Owens, CF; Fields, 3B; Erstad, DH; PK, 1B; Dye, RF; Uribe, SS; Richar, 2B; Gonzalez, LF; Hall, C.  John Danks starting.

Keep your fingers crossed for no rain …

Friday, August 24, 2007

Today’s Lineup for Game 1

Owens, CF; Fields, 3B; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; AJ, C; Dye, RF; Erstad, LF; Uribe, SS; Richar, 2B.  Garland pitching.

Tickets

Fans with tickets to last night’s rained-out game may use those tickets today or exchange them for an upper level ticket to any remaining home game (based on availability.  The reason the exchanges are for upper level seats is because many of our seats in the lower bowl are already sold for games left this season.

Fun Chart

Here’s an interesting list of Sox Rookie Home Run Leaders:

Kittle, 1983 … 35

Bonura, 1934 … 27

Melton, 1969 … 23

Agee, 1966 … 22

Ward, 1963 … 22

May, 1969 … 18

Singleton, 1999 … 17

Jolley, 1930 … 16

Lee, 1999 … 16

Fields, 2007 … 15

Iguchi, 2005 … 15

Later Tonight

Our second game begins at 7:11 pm (weather permitting).

Best Laid Plans

We were trying to take our annual team photo yesterday.  With all of the photo equipment and bleachers set up on the infield for the 3:45 pm shoot, everyone needed to scramble as dark clouds and strong winds kicked up at 3:40 pm.  The photo was quickly scratched as Roger, his crew and front office employees moved the photo set up and pulled the tarp over the infield just in time.

The team photo will be re-scheduled.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Today’s Lineup

Owens, CF; Fields, 3B; Thome, DH; Konerko, 1B; Erstad, LF; Dye, RF; Uribe, SS; Richar, 2B; Hall, C.  Contreras pitching.

Moving Up

Jim Thome hit his 493rd career home run last night, tying Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for 23rd all-time.  Thome is attempting to become the 23rd player in major-league history to hit 500 home runs.  Among the active players approaching the mark are Manny Ramirez (489) and Gary Sheffield (479).

From the Training Room

Joe Crede is home in Missouri continuing his back program without problems.  He hopes to begin Phase II of his rehab process in early September, which entails a more aggressive and extensive workout regimen.

Pablo Ozuna is progressing well (he shagged fly balls during BP yesterday), with his focus on restoring the range of motion in his lower leg.  He has been jogging and is working toward running.  Ozuna took flips in the cage on Tuesday as well.

Luis Terrero is progressing well.  He hopes to begin a minor league rehab assignment within the next week to play in two or three games before rejoining the Sox in early September.

Big Bobby

Bobby Jenks has now retired 47 of the last 48 batters faced since 7/17 at Cleveland.

AL Central

The Sox are now 5-1-1 in their last seven series against division foes.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Tonight’s Lineup

Owens, CF; Fields, 3B; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; AJ, C; Dye, RF; Pods, LF; Uribe, SS; Richar, 2B.  Vazquez pitching.

Last Night

The groan was audible last night with Gathright’s ball scooted into left field.  You could feel how badly everyone wanted that record for Bobby.

Good to see Danny Richar, Jerry Owens and Josh Fields lead us to victory.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Tonight’s Lineup

Owens, CF; Fields, 3B; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; AJ, C; Dye, RF; Pods, LF; Uribe, SS; Richar, 2B.  Buehrle pitching.

Good Mark Hunting

No one better than Mark to snap this streak.  He is 16-6 with a 3.36 ERA in 32 games lifetime against the Royals.

We have lost eight straight for the first time since 5/15-23/01 and are looking to avoid our first nine-game losing streak since 8/19-28/91.  As painful as that was to write (and I assume to read), the fact that I was one month into my White Sox career in August 1991 just makes me feel old.

Welcome

I welcomed Mike Myers in the clubhouse today.  He was 3-0 with a 2.66 ERA in 55 games with the Yankees this season before being designated.  Andy Gonzalez was optioned down to make room for the lefty reliever.

Bobby

Although he did not pitch on this last trip, Bobby Jenks remains tied with Jim Barr (SF, 1972) with 41 consecutive batters retired.  That’s the longest streak in MLB history.

During the streak, which began on 7/17 at Cleveland, Jenks retired 16 batters on ground outs, 13 in the air and 12 on strikeouts.  Righthanders are 0-31 and lefties 0-10.  Jenks faced six of the top seven teams in the AL during the streak (excluding the Angels).

Happy Anniversary

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Bob Keegan’s no-hitter in the White Sox 6-0 victory over Washington at Comiskey Park.

Moose

Moose Skowron walked past me headed out to the parking lot to meet and greet a group.

"Moose," I said.  "Do you have an umbrella?"

Each year, at the annual White Sox outing at Cog Hill, Moose, Bob Grim, Don Brown and I are a foursome.  This year, Moose had to pay at the end of the round, so he’s still giving me a hard time … like he refused to shake my hand today.  He did take my umbrella, though.  We’ll see if he brings it back.

Weary

How many of you also feel like this season has gone on for eight months … how long ago was it that Mark threw that no-hitter?  Seems like years.

But again, he’s the right guy to have on the mound tonight.  Despite the weather (reports are we will get it in), pre-sale for all of the games on this homestand have been very strong.  How about a nice victory tonight for Mark with Bobby retiring the side in the ninth for the record and win?

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Today’s Lineup

Owens, CF; Fields, 3B; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; AJ, C; Dye, RF; Pods, LF; Uribe, SS; Cintron, 2B.  Danks pitching.

Essay Results

Thanks to everyone who responded to my call for essays from suburban moms who enjoy bringing the family to U.S. Cellular.  I asked for essays describing your experiences at the ballpark.  The response was great, with so many good stories, that it was difficult to pick one.  In the end, we selected Marie McDowell’s submission as the one we would feature in the final edition of the program.  But the rest were so good, and so personal, that I thought I should run them here over the next week or so.

So, here is another story of a trip to the ballpark:

By Lainie Novak

The only things that get me through the tough times of driving (slowly) down I-55 to U.S. Cellular Field are the countless White Sox hats and jerseys I see in cars next to us and blasting Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” as our pre-game ritual.

We are fortunate enough to have friends who live the White Sox fan’s dream – living two blocks from the park – so parking is a breeze.

Then we back track a little to get to The Grandstand.

When I picture Heaven, I think of a combination between The Grandstand, with all of the White Sox apparel and U.S. Cellular Field *cough: Comisky*. We spend at least a half hour browsing The Grandstand in search of the perfect item. After all, I have to maintain my status as having THE MOST White Sox gear of all my husband’s friends.

After our purchases were made, we headed over toward Gate 3. Up the escalator we went, anticipation mounting. The smell of hot dogs permeated the air. Lines started forming at the bathrooms.

We immediately found our seats to see what our view would be and who would be sitting around us. When the White Sox are taking BP, we stand and watch, trying to catch the eye of one of our heroes. When the visitors are batting, we take the opportunity to get some nachos and a Pepsi. After all, we don’t want to miss a second of the game!

The instrumental music began, signaling the start of the game drawing near. I perched myself on the front of my seat, slapping my legs to the beat I’ve heard numerous times before. Then the magical words: WHITE SOX FANS: ON YOUR FEEEEET! The crowd stood in anticipation of the White Sox taking the field.

Throughout the game, we went back and forth, cheering and then shaking our heads, wondering what our boys were doing. When the bullpen took over, we knew the game was over. We left the park in the 8th inning, weariness had set in along with the extra 2 Tiger runs.

A 20 minute drive back to the suburbs listening to Ed Farmer and Chris Singleton on The Score told us of our fate. Although still in last place, we were reminded of the true heart of baseball when Billy Pierce was recognized and his statue was unveiled.

Thoughts and Sympathies

Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the friends and family of Richard ("****") Hackett, who passed away yesterday in Chicago.  Hackett worked for the White Sox from 1959-70 before joining the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970.  With the Brewers, Hacket served as VP of Marketing and VP of Governmental Affairs before his retirement.

"**** knew everyone in baseball," said his brother, Robert, who called us this morning to inform us of ****’s passing.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Tonight’s Lineup

Owens, CF; Fields, 3B; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; AJ, C; Dye, RF; Erstad, LF; Uribe, SS; Richar, 2B.  Buehrle pitching tonight.

Should be a quick one … let’s hope.

Baseball

Ya gotta love this game …

Two nights ago, AJ ends the game with a line out to second base.  Last night, his home run extends what turns out to be a White Sox victory.

Last night, Juan Uribe commits two errors, including one that allows the lead run to score.  Then he comes through with a game-winning home run.

Interesting to note that both Ed Farmer and Steve Stone called the Uribe game ender.

I would love to hear from fans what they think of the Stone-Hawk Harrelson pairing in the booth while DJ is with his wife and new daughter.  LEt me hear your thoughts.