Monday, May 20, 2013

Today’s News

Tonight’s Game

White Sox vs. Red Sox at U.S. Cellular Field (7:10 p.m., CT, CSN) in the first of a three-game series. Starters: Dylan Axelrod (1-3) for the Sox, Jon Lester (6-0) for Boston.

Sox Starting Lineup: De Aza, CF; Ramirez, SS; Rios, RF; Konerko, 1B; Dunn, DH; Viciedo, LF; Keppinger, 3B; Flowers, C; Greene, 2B.

The Chairman

Over the years, I was often frustrated by how the public perception of White Sox and Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf didn’t match the man. If you asked most fans to describe him, the characteristics they would have listed were not even close to the person we saw every day at the ballpark. I always thought of it as one of my greatest professional failures … that Jerry’s perception was so far from reality.

Then, something happened. The White Sox won the 2005 World Series. Suddenly, everything was amplified. People read about Jerry’s flying Sox employees to the World Series, they read about his gracious distribution of World Series rings. They began to read and hear about all the community initiatives the Sox and Bulls had done (for years) at his direction.

And something changed. Fans began to see Jerry the way we all see him every day, whether in the hallway, at lunch or in his suite during a game. Ultimately, Jerry is a fan, and I don’t think anyone can ask for much else when it comes to being an owner of a sports team.

This week, many of us are flying to New York where Jerry will be honored Wednesday night by the Sports Business Journal with its fourth Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Don’t deify me,” was his order.

“OK, I’ll do my best,” I laughed.

There will be a video (he doesn’t want to see it in advance which is probably good for me!), an introduction and then a speech. And a lot of pride in a lifetime of being a fan because in the end, isn’t there a 12-year-old inside of all of us?

And for me, there will be a little smile because, finally, the public gets to see and understand the Jerry we all know and respect.

Here’s the link to the SBJ story:

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/05/20/Events-and-Attractions/Reinsdorf.aspx?app_data=%7B%22pi%22%3A%2235762_1369058526_1727287230%22%2C%22pt%22%3A%22twitter%22%7D
#SoxSocial Lounge Makes its Debut Tonight

The first ever of its kind coincides with #SoxSocial No. 2.

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130515&content_id=47605792&vkey=pr_cws&c_id=cws
Quote of the Day

Speaking of Jerry, this is more of an anecdotal story than a conventional quote, but it seems a perfect time and place to share it.

http://www.chicagonow.com/dad-all-day/2013/05/jerry-reinsdorf-and-the-vomit-covered-suit-dad-learns-a-life-lesson/
Play of the Day

Alex Rios, enjoying an All-Star caliber season, has now hit safely in 14 consecutive games as a result of his run-scoring double in yesterday’s game vs. the Angels. In all, he’s hitting .301 with 10 homers, 25 RBI and an OPS of .921.

Tomorrow’s Schedule

White Sox vs. Red Sox at U.S. Cellular Field (7:10 p.m., CT, WCIU). Starters: Jose Quintana (2-1) for the Sox, Felix Doubront (3-1) for Boston.

Did You Know…

…that White Sox pitchers own a .220 opponents average overall at home, the lowest mark in the American League and third-lowest in the major leagues?

Photo of the Day

When thinking about the White Sox-Red Sox rivalry, how can any of us forget Game 3 of the 2005 American League Division Series against Boston. Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez came on in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and no outs and got out of the inning in dramatic fashion without the Bosox scoring. The Sox won the game 5-3 for the three-game sweep and advanced to the A.L. Championship Series vs. the Angels. Shortly thereafter the Sox won the World Series and the El Duque image below is one of those depicted in bronze on the monument outside of the ballpark honoring our ’05 World Champs.