Some days in April I felt like I didn't know what we had and others it seemed that things were starting to take shape (for good). I guess first place, even by a narrow margin, alleviates some of the worry. What I do like, beside the obvious, are the additions of Chris Getz and Josh Fields. Lillibridge still needs some refining but he's got talent (see 4/25). Alexei needs to stop pressing and hanging his head so that he can start hitting (great play --5/1--last night by the way). I also like that Jose had a good start last Sunday vs. TOR. He gave 7 strong innings. Big Bart seems to be coming around too. I think this past week was the week that was the equivalent of time that everyone else had in Spring Training (for Josey and Colon). JD, once again, solid defense and hitting--why doesn't this guy get more attention??!!
Another thing that I like, and sad to say it, is that we no longer have to watch MacDougal flailing around out there. I'm not happy to see someone fail and the story makes me sad but he made me nuts not only because he would single-handedly lose games but also because he has talent but was horrible. He couldn't match his brain to his skill. This was his final contract year and the Sox released him. Yuck, just a sad situation, like I said, I feel bad for being happy but even the Good Doctor couldn't help him.
Speaking of...I love Don Cooper aka COOOP! Thanks to my friend Amanda's bday shenanigans last August, let's just say Coop knows us (first my two friends, both named Amanda and now me too--yea!) We've gone to the last two Score remotes this season at Cork and Kerry and each one is more fun. Last time we were there he gave us a wave while on the air, came over to chat a few times during the breaks and then sat with us for a good 2 hours after the remote was done! We talked about the important things like that "crap on Bobby's face" ("we don't like it", "tell him to get rid of it", "looks horrible"), our favorite commercial this season, he wanted to know our favorite player (we smiled and quickly said in unison "AJ!" he said he "wouldn't hold it against us")--you know, the stuff girls and Major League pitching coaches talk about. ;) I was trying to behave but every once and a while a few things I was *dying* to talk about would sneak out: the fact that even though the Sox lost 3-4 to TOR (Contreras vs. Halliday) that Sunday I actually felt good about it because Josey gave us 7 strong innings; 2005; his work with Thornton, Bobby, Gavin (etc.); what he really thought about Crede being in MIN; Mike North, etc. It was GREAT! He is fun. The magnitude of it hit me the next morning when I was again, listening to the Score, as I drove to work. Mully and Hanley were talking about the game and the significance of Contreras going 7 strong--I had a moment in my car, a minor freak out moment, but it hit me that I had said the SAME THING to Don Cooper last night while he was sitting at my table, I was talking to THE pitching coach for the Chicago White Sox. It wasn't a radio call in show, there weren't producers and call screeners and talk show hosts, we weren't in a huge autograph line where you have to say all you've ever wanted to in 7 seconds or less, COOP was at my table, we were having a lengthy conversation about a lot of things AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My only wish is that I would have asked to wear his ring--next time!
The injury bug has been rearing its ugly head. Thome's heal, BA's right oblique, DWise separated shoulder, Getz's broken finger...all part of baseball. I was about to start whining the other day but then took a look at the list and realized that things could be much worse. Thank you Herm Schneider.
I didn't think BA and DWise being down would lead to Scotty Pods but guess who's back...I still have a puzzled look on my face since the announcement a few weeks ago but in his first game back last night he made it on base, rattled the pitcher and ran across home plate. Not bad, how long before he falls apart?
Happy 100 AJ!