Sox/Cubs on a quiet Saturday

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Anybody Out There

How about a White Sox vs. Cubs game with no broadcasts?  No TV, no radio, nothing.  I’m surprised.  I arrived here assuming today’s game was on TV or radio somewhere, but no … so glad I am here (not to mention the 80 degree day).

This is one of five times the two teams meet this spring.  Prior to the game, Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was asked about the increase in meetings.

“Now, it’s just a regular spring training game,” he said.  “Before, it was showtime!”

Easy

So in my last post I wrote about actually winning two games in a row, in Tucson, over the Rockies and Dbacks.  I think I called it historic. 

So, today, I checked with Pat O’Connell of our media relations staff, to see just how historic.

“When was the last time we did that?” I asked.

“Last year,” he replied. 

Sure enough, we won three straight last spring to improve to 3-1 in early May.

I’m getting old and my memory is fading.

Ozzie was upbeat about the two victories, especially with the way the young players acquitted themselves.

“Very impressed, very happy, very pleased,” he said.  “Not because we won a couple of games but because of the way we played the game.  You win with pitching and defense.”

Tomorrow

The White Sox and Dodgers open their brand-spanking new ballpark, Camelback Ranch — Glendale, with a 1:05 p.m. contest (shown in Chicago on CSN, nationally on MLB Network and heard on WSCR Radio).

“It will be a special day for the White Sox organization,” Guillen said.  “We will enjoy it the best we can.

“I was the first on the field in Sarasota and at U.S, Cellular Field.  It’s the 50th anniversary of the 1959 World Series, and it’s a great, great complex.  You’re always pleased when baseball gets better and better with newer and newer facilities.”

Awesome

After pitching today, left-hander Matt Thornton boards a plane to join Team USA for the WBC.

When asked by a Sox TV crew what it will feel like to take the mound with guys like Derek Jeter behind him, Thornton said, “It’s going to be like playing in a video game where I got to pick the team.”