Always Bet on Black...
...when Verlander is in town and the Gambler isn't dealing. Verlander's record vs the Sox is now 1-6 and today just wasn't Kenny Rogers' day.
I wish I had more time but I really need to start packing for a business trip this week so here's a quick recap of the weekend.
Friday night was wet and cold and miserable unless you were smart enough to snag a seat underneath an overhang on the lower level. The Sox dedicated the new 2005 WS monument. It's pretty cool. The ceremony though was a bit odd. Whoever thought it'd be a good idea to have a card carrying cub fan there to help dedicate it should probably have their head examined along with the guy who thought bikers want to hear Elton John in concert. WTF?!!??!!!?? Really? Somebody's wearing bad idea jeans if you ask me...and where was Mayor Daley?
On Friday, Sox offense just couldn't get rolling and Thome got kicked out for arguing balls and strikes. Sox lose 2-5. Yeah, Thome got kicked out, only the third time in his career. Can't wait to see the Dugout on that one.
The universe was righted on Saturday as the Sox blanked La Tigre 7-0 and Gavin Floyd missed a no-no by 5 very soggy outs. Sunday was beautiful and dry but again cold as the Sox won 11-0 thanks mostly to two grannys from Paulie and Crede.
Yeah, this was Crede's second slam of the week! Josh who? Seriously, I was SOOOOOO annoyed midweek when someone on the radio was making some noise about all the Sox fans wanting Crede out of town this winter. Um, really? Not this Sox fan and not the majority of Sox fans I know. It infuriates me how the media (local and national) play up stories and then say it's what the fans wanted. No, actually, it's what stupid people who have to fill up time in front of a mike, on camera or on paper say when they don't know what to say. A few dumb people who can't think for themselves may fall prey to their noise but most Sox fans did not want to get rid of Joe Crede out of the gate. A few years ago, yes, a lot of Sox fans wanted Crede out of town but to KW and the coaching staff's credit, they were patient with him and it's paid of with a WS trophy and so far an exciting start to 2008. I thought about it as he took his curtain call this afternoon. I love the guy. I love his defense, I love his presence at the plate (clutch hitting). I clearly remember a handful of years back with each painful at-bat, I was confused. He was starting to make some good defensive plays but then it seemed he couldn't get a hit to save his life, he was the automatic out. I didn't get it. Why was he up in the majors and/or he'd make a good play and I'd think OK, next at bat will be it for him. Nope. I wish he would have had surgery in the 2006 offseason, perhaps 2007 wouldn't have been so bleak but it's done and over and TG so far looks as though this will be a much better year.
I was talking to a co-worker this week. He said, "Sox fans are way too excited..." I can't speak for everyone. I am excited but a lot of it is just that so far AND I KNOW IT'S EARLY it looks like 2007 is over so a lot of my excitement is actually relief. I know I'm sounding like a broken record but it was just plain painful and I'm hesitant to enjoy what I'm seeing, I'm hesitant to watch a game, I'm still nervous with nearly every pitch and at-bat. We appear to have some offense again, some/most of the starting pitching is working, we have been able to get out of the 8th inning, half the starters are not making their Major League debut. Yeah I'm excited and who wouldn't be excited when their team spends the first two weeks proving "the experts" wrong??!!! Now, all that being said, I'm not saving up for my post season ticket deposit. It's April. There is a long road ahead of us but I think there is nothing wrong with once again being excited about the White Sox.