Where was all the drama? Was it always this easy to win a World Series? These are after all my Chicago White Sox. A team that teases, not delivers. The White Sox had four 8 game winning streaks during the regular season, but the 8 game winning streak they had in the postseason is the one that has the "experts" comparing them to the greatest teams of all time. They can't be talking about my White Sox can they?
It has been 3 days since Wednesday night when Juan Uribe gunned (having seen Uribe throw all season there is no word that better describes that rifle he calls a right arm) down pinch hitter Orlando Palmeiro by a half step. What that throw did still has not sunken in for this lifelong White Sox fan. I had started watching Game 4 at Murphy's in Forest Park with friends. We were there until the 4th inning. The bar's TV's had an annoying delay with the sound that was driving us all crazy. We ran over to Brian's house a few blocks away to watch the rest on his big screen. I have never been as nervous in my life as I was watching that game. Even when Jermaine Dye hit a single to score Willie Harris and finally give the White Sox a 1-0 lead, it only made me more nervous. The White Sox were six outs away from being World Champions.
Finally we were in the bottom of the 9th inning. Stud closer/Cult hero Bobby Jenks was in the game after throwing 50 pitches the night before in the marathon known as Game 3. I of course, was nervous. Jason Lane led the inning off with a single. Terrific. Brad Ausmus then bunted Lane over to second base, one out. Nervous. Then a play happened that released all tension from my body. After I had been pacing back and forth behind all my friends watching the game Chris Burke hit a pop up that was drifting towards the seats. There was Juan Uribe(there is that name again) running as fast as he could to get to it. He lunged into the seats, and then the ball landed in his glove. At that moment I was a 7 year old boy again. "He caught it!! He caught it!! He caught it!!!!!" I screamed while jumping up and down in the air, knees hitting my chin. What a trememdous play. There was still one out to go. Orlando Palmeiro then hit that chopper up the middle of the infield and it began.
White Sox players begin to mob Bobby Jenks after the final out of Game 4
The celebration in Brian's living room was just beginning too. I picked Kevin up in a huge bear hug amidst the celebration, and we were tackled by Joe. It wasn't long until all 8 of us (Kevin, Joe, Marty, Brian, Mike, Sarah, Saranya, and I.) were on the ground in a big pile. I'm also not ashamed to admit I was crying a bit. I've loved baseball since I was a toddler, and this was a long time coming to me. Shortly after that we were all outside. Kevin, Joe and I were popping open bottles of champagne in the street and spraying them all over the place. Brian was setting off fireworks ("If we start any fires, it's okay. I'm a fireman." he said.)
Kevin (right) and I outside shortly after Game 4
Of course the White Sox at the time were in the middle of their clubhouse celebrations. Luckily I was recording all of this at home so I didn't miss any of it. Getting to see my favorite players celebrate meant just as much to me as my celebration. This team worked hard all year to get where they were, and they deserve everything they get.
Paul Konerko celebrates in White Sox clubhouse
Aaron Rowand had talked earlier in the season about when he was a boy and saw the parade in Chicago for the 85 Bears. He talked about how he wanted to win a World Series so bad in this city so he could be a part of it. The buses, and ticker tape falling from the sky. Millions of fans lining the streets of downtown Chicago cheering them on. An entire part of the city completely shutting itself down for them. Well on Friday October 28th Aaron got his wish. This city I've grown up in and loved doesn't win much, but when we do, we know how to throw a party.
Ozzie Guillen waving to the crowd during the ticker tape parade
It really is sad to see all this end. This team will never be together again. Sure most of the names will be the same, but they will lose a guy here and there. (I pray Paul Konerko is NOT one of those guys we lose.) Also maybe it's a little too early, but what's to say this team doesn't do it again next year? They have a young team, a dominant pitching staff, a dominant closer, and an offense that always gets the job done. The season has been over for 3 days, and I'm already dying for Spring Training.
Life is Good, and thats the way I see it.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Thursday, October 20, 2005
The White Sox and the World Series
You know, I had been waiting until I saw who the White Sox would be playing in the World Series before I wrote this. I have been a White Sox fan every day of my life. When Casey Kotchman of the Angels hit a ground ball to Paul Konerko last Sunday night, Konerko stepped on first base to send the White Sox to the World Series for the first time since 1959. The feeling that was sent through my body is something that I could never describe. A joy like nothing else seemed to fill me instantaneously. Watching Konerko and Jose Contreras run towards each other, Konerko leaping into Contreras' arms, tears started to form in my eyes.
Konerko and Jose Contreras celebrate the White Sox World Series berth.
Obviously for me it hasn't been as long as 46 years. I was born in 1980. For so many years though I have watched this team. I have been there when they were just plain bad, and when they were good. I was too young to really feel the pain in 1983 when the White Sox ran away with their division and the American League. Only to be beaten in the ALCS by the Baltimore Orioles. I do remember 1993 though. The White Sox had homefield advantage over the Toronto Blue Jays. They lost both games 1 and 2 at home. It felt like it was over before it began. Then we went to Toronto and won a couple of games there, but it was only a tease. The Blue Jays would beat us in 6 and go on to beat the Philadelphia Phillies. Joe Carter hitting the famous walk of home run against Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams. I remember watching that game and thinking about how that should be Frank Thomas hopping around those bases with glee.
In 1994 the White Sox were off to a red hot start. Then the strike came. So many White Sox fans felt then and still do today that 1994 would have been our year. So while the strike was painful for all real baseball fans that year, it hurt twice as much for us White Sox fans.
Then came 2000. The White Sox finished the season with the best record in the American League. They then went on and got swept by the Seattle Mariners in the Division Series.
Then 2003 came. The hated crosstown rival Chicago Cubs had made the playoffs. As if that wasn't bad enough, they beat the Atlanta Braves in the Divisional Series. My Cub fan friends seemed so excited and happy. I wanted to know what it felt like so bad. Next thing we knew the Cubs were up 3 -1 on the Florida Marlins and one win away from the World Series. The buzz in the city of Chicago was amazing. I was doing my best to not let anyone know how badly it was bothering me, but inside I was a mess. I was so incredibly jealous. I wanted to know that joy I was seeing in their faces. Well we all know how that Cubs/Marlins series ended. I didn't revel in the Cubs defeat, or their fans pain. After all I happen to be very good friends with some of those fans. Inside though, I felt relief. I had been saved from the god awful abuse I was certain to recieve by my Cub fan friends.
In 2004 Ozzie Guillen(After finishing his job as the 3rd Base Coach for those Florida Marlins that beat the Cubs.) was brought in as manager of the White Sox. There was an energy about the team that was just not there in the previous years. In his first year here we did not make the playoffs, but you got the sense things were moving in the right direction. Then in the offseason the team let Magglio Ordonez go. One of my favorite players had been given away for free essentially. Then on top of losing Magglio's production we traded our other slugger Carlos Lee to Milwaukee for some skinny white guy who ran fast, Scott Podsednik. I knew the reasoning behind this deal, but to say I wasn't just a little skeptical would be an outright lie.
The White Sox got off to a great start this year and I was hooked from the get go. I had bought a season ticket plan with my friends Kevin and Marty, along with Kevins co-worker Brian. I was going to games and the White Sox were winning them. There was the game against the Cubs in which the Sox just dominated the North Siders. A game against Seattle with Mark Buerhle on the mound. We got to our seats about 20 minutes after first pitch and it was already the top of the third inning!!! The game would go on to end in an hour and a half for another White Sox victory. There had been many a season around here where the Sox would jump off to a hot start only to fade come the summer months. I wasn't skeptical this season though. Something about the way this team never stopped fighting. They scrap for every run, they hustle to make every out. They just never give up on a play, PERIOD. I knew this year we would hold on.
During August and September things got scary. There was a couple of days where I began to wonder what was going to happen. The Cleveland Indians were just playing white hot baseball and had closed the gap to 2 games. There was all this talk of the White Sox choking. I never felt that way though. The Sox weren't playing horribly, the Indians were just playing amazing baseball. During the last week of the season though the Sox would find their stride again while the Indians just couldn't maintain their pace. We had clinched our division and home field in the playoffs.
Next thing I knew I was at U.S. Cellular Field for Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series. We were hosting the defending champion Boston Red Sox. A lot of the media, and fans weren't giving the White Sox much of a chance. I knew though. These weren't the same Red Sox we saw last year. Yes, Manny and David Ortiz were still in the middle of that lineup, but our pitching staff would take care of that. The buzz in that stadium leading up to the first pitch was electric. The ovation would not die either. The White Sox jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning (Led by A.J. Peirszynski's three-run homer)and the postseason had begun.
The White Sox would go on to win 14-2.
AJ's teammates congratulate him after a 1st inning 3-run homer
Then it was Game 3 and Boston had the bases loaded with no outs and a chance to take the lead, and momentum back from us. That is until Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez came in from the bullpen and shut down the Red Sox lineup without relinguishing a run. It was the most exciting baseball inning I think I have ever seen.
Orlando Hernandez lets out a yell after escaping a bases loaded no out jam
The Sox would dispose of the defending champs shortly after. After a few days off the White Sox were back at home to play the Anaheim Angels. The Angels had traveled from New York, to Anaheim, to Chicago in 3 days, but it was the White Sox who appeared tired. The Angels would win 3-2. Then came Game 2 and the third strike. Whether that pitch hit the ground or not, it definetly changed the way this series was heading.
The White Sox would be ignited and go on to finish off the Angels in 5 games. Including 4 consecutive complete games from their starting pitchers. In what was supposed to be a classic series the White Sox just disposed of Anaheim as if they were a mere bump in the road.
Now I sit here and my White Sox will be playing in their first World Series in 46 years in 45 hours. They are facing a team that is almost a perfect clone. A team that has a dominant pitching staff, and can scrape together enough runs to get the job done. The Houston Astros are in their first World Series in the history of the franchise. What year did they join MLB? 1960, the year after the White Sox last World Series appearance. I can't guarantee that my White Sox will win. I can guarantee that I will be there for every single pitch. Living and dying with each one. It's going to be an amazing World Series. I just hope it's even more amazing for me than it is for Astro fans.
Konerko and Jose Contreras celebrate the White Sox World Series berth.
Obviously for me it hasn't been as long as 46 years. I was born in 1980. For so many years though I have watched this team. I have been there when they were just plain bad, and when they were good. I was too young to really feel the pain in 1983 when the White Sox ran away with their division and the American League. Only to be beaten in the ALCS by the Baltimore Orioles. I do remember 1993 though. The White Sox had homefield advantage over the Toronto Blue Jays. They lost both games 1 and 2 at home. It felt like it was over before it began. Then we went to Toronto and won a couple of games there, but it was only a tease. The Blue Jays would beat us in 6 and go on to beat the Philadelphia Phillies. Joe Carter hitting the famous walk of home run against Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams. I remember watching that game and thinking about how that should be Frank Thomas hopping around those bases with glee.
In 1994 the White Sox were off to a red hot start. Then the strike came. So many White Sox fans felt then and still do today that 1994 would have been our year. So while the strike was painful for all real baseball fans that year, it hurt twice as much for us White Sox fans.
Then came 2000. The White Sox finished the season with the best record in the American League. They then went on and got swept by the Seattle Mariners in the Division Series.
Then 2003 came. The hated crosstown rival Chicago Cubs had made the playoffs. As if that wasn't bad enough, they beat the Atlanta Braves in the Divisional Series. My Cub fan friends seemed so excited and happy. I wanted to know what it felt like so bad. Next thing we knew the Cubs were up 3 -1 on the Florida Marlins and one win away from the World Series. The buzz in the city of Chicago was amazing. I was doing my best to not let anyone know how badly it was bothering me, but inside I was a mess. I was so incredibly jealous. I wanted to know that joy I was seeing in their faces. Well we all know how that Cubs/Marlins series ended. I didn't revel in the Cubs defeat, or their fans pain. After all I happen to be very good friends with some of those fans. Inside though, I felt relief. I had been saved from the god awful abuse I was certain to recieve by my Cub fan friends.
In 2004 Ozzie Guillen(After finishing his job as the 3rd Base Coach for those Florida Marlins that beat the Cubs.) was brought in as manager of the White Sox. There was an energy about the team that was just not there in the previous years. In his first year here we did not make the playoffs, but you got the sense things were moving in the right direction. Then in the offseason the team let Magglio Ordonez go. One of my favorite players had been given away for free essentially. Then on top of losing Magglio's production we traded our other slugger Carlos Lee to Milwaukee for some skinny white guy who ran fast, Scott Podsednik. I knew the reasoning behind this deal, but to say I wasn't just a little skeptical would be an outright lie.
The White Sox got off to a great start this year and I was hooked from the get go. I had bought a season ticket plan with my friends Kevin and Marty, along with Kevins co-worker Brian. I was going to games and the White Sox were winning them. There was the game against the Cubs in which the Sox just dominated the North Siders. A game against Seattle with Mark Buerhle on the mound. We got to our seats about 20 minutes after first pitch and it was already the top of the third inning!!! The game would go on to end in an hour and a half for another White Sox victory. There had been many a season around here where the Sox would jump off to a hot start only to fade come the summer months. I wasn't skeptical this season though. Something about the way this team never stopped fighting. They scrap for every run, they hustle to make every out. They just never give up on a play, PERIOD. I knew this year we would hold on.
During August and September things got scary. There was a couple of days where I began to wonder what was going to happen. The Cleveland Indians were just playing white hot baseball and had closed the gap to 2 games. There was all this talk of the White Sox choking. I never felt that way though. The Sox weren't playing horribly, the Indians were just playing amazing baseball. During the last week of the season though the Sox would find their stride again while the Indians just couldn't maintain their pace. We had clinched our division and home field in the playoffs.
Next thing I knew I was at U.S. Cellular Field for Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series. We were hosting the defending champion Boston Red Sox. A lot of the media, and fans weren't giving the White Sox much of a chance. I knew though. These weren't the same Red Sox we saw last year. Yes, Manny and David Ortiz were still in the middle of that lineup, but our pitching staff would take care of that. The buzz in that stadium leading up to the first pitch was electric. The ovation would not die either. The White Sox jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning (Led by A.J. Peirszynski's three-run homer)and the postseason had begun.
The White Sox would go on to win 14-2.
AJ's teammates congratulate him after a 1st inning 3-run homer
Then it was Game 3 and Boston had the bases loaded with no outs and a chance to take the lead, and momentum back from us. That is until Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez came in from the bullpen and shut down the Red Sox lineup without relinguishing a run. It was the most exciting baseball inning I think I have ever seen.
Orlando Hernandez lets out a yell after escaping a bases loaded no out jam
The Sox would dispose of the defending champs shortly after. After a few days off the White Sox were back at home to play the Anaheim Angels. The Angels had traveled from New York, to Anaheim, to Chicago in 3 days, but it was the White Sox who appeared tired. The Angels would win 3-2. Then came Game 2 and the third strike. Whether that pitch hit the ground or not, it definetly changed the way this series was heading.
The White Sox would be ignited and go on to finish off the Angels in 5 games. Including 4 consecutive complete games from their starting pitchers. In what was supposed to be a classic series the White Sox just disposed of Anaheim as if they were a mere bump in the road.
Now I sit here and my White Sox will be playing in their first World Series in 46 years in 45 hours. They are facing a team that is almost a perfect clone. A team that has a dominant pitching staff, and can scrape together enough runs to get the job done. The Houston Astros are in their first World Series in the history of the franchise. What year did they join MLB? 1960, the year after the White Sox last World Series appearance. I can't guarantee that my White Sox will win. I can guarantee that I will be there for every single pitch. Living and dying with each one. It's going to be an amazing World Series. I just hope it's even more amazing for me than it is for Astro fans.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Reggie Bush's "Push" For the Heisman
South Bend, Indiana played host to a football game that is sure to be another cornerstone in the lore that is the Notre Dame-USC rivalry. In a game earmarked for ESPN Classic, two weeks of hype and planning finally came to an end and the game began.
It looked like a blowout was starting early in the game when a tipped Brady Quinn (19/35 264 yds 1 TD 1 INT) pass was intercepted by USC at midfield. Two plays later Heisman frontrunner Reggie Bush took of for 36 yards on what would be his first of three touchdowns. The first quarter would finish with the Trojans ahead 14-7.
After the Fighting Irish tied the game at 14, a 60 yard punt return by Safety Tom Zbikowski (zib-uh-kow-skee) catapulted Notre Dame into the lead and stole momentum away from the Trojans making the score Notre Dame 21 USC 14 at halftime.
The back and forth nature of this game would not end in the second half. Reggie Bush ran 45 yards away from all Irish defenders for his second touchdown of the game to tie it at 21. That would be the only score of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the Irish would take the lead back with a field goal before USC marched downfield again to take a 28-24 lead thanks to Reggie Bush's third rushing touchdown.
Then the game got really interesting. Looking every bit like Charlie Weis' old quarterback Tom Brady, Brady Quinn led the Irish downfield unfazed on an 8 play 87 yard drive. He finished it off himself with a 5 yard scamper into the endzone to give the Irish a 31-28 lead as Touchdown Jesus looked on. The only mistake Quinn and the Irish made on the drive was leaving 2:04 on the Game Clock. USC would have it's chance.
It looked like the Irish defense had the Trojan offense stopped when Heisman winner Matt Leinart and his team faced a 4th and 9 on their own 26. Leinart responded under pressure the same way he always has in his Trojan career. He signaled a "hot" route to his wide receiver (and offseason roommate) Dwayne Jarret. The result was a 61 yard pass to the Notre Dame 13 yard line. Then with time running out and no timeouts Leinart scrambled to his left looking for the pylon and the game winning touchdown. He was met by the Irish defense at the 1 yard line where he was hit in mid air and stopped cold. The ball was knocked from Leinarts hands and sent flying out of bounds. This would prove to save USC's day, and bid for another National Championship. The clock had run out and Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, his players, and their fans thought they had won the game. USC head coach Pete Carrol though sprinted down the sideline to point out that since Leinart fumbled out of bounds the clock should be stopped and it should be USC ball. The officials quickly and correctly placed the ball on the half yard line with 7 seconds left on the clock.
"The reaction of the fans being on the field and then seeing how you kind of want it to come out, then seeing the exact opposite all in a matter of minutes," Irish quarterback Brady Quinn said. "People were pretty shocked and devastated."
USC would then line up in a "spike" formation. ( A formation used when a team wants to spike the football after the snap to stop the game clock.) Nobody in South Bend or watching on national television thought the Trojans were actually gonna spike the ball though. After the snap Leinart lunged toward the goal line, and was stopped. He rolled to his left and received a push from his Heisman candidate RB Reggie Bush over the goaline for the Trojan victory.
"I used all 200 pounds of my body to push Matt in," said Bush.
Herein lies the issue. According to NCAA rules what Reggie Bush did was illegal. By rule it is considered a 15 yard personal foul penalty. The officials never called it though. It marks the second time in a matter of days a nationally televised sporting event will end in controversy due to mistakes by an official. (See my post on Game 2 of the ALCS for the other incident.)
The way I see it is yes the officials did miss a call. Pete Carrol being the visiting coach had the option of using instant replay in the game and he declined it. Lucky for him since Weis couldn't challenge the play after. None of this should, however, take away from what a truly magnificent game this was. It was a great Saturday for college football all around the country. While all this was going on in South Bend a few hours away in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Wolverines were scoring a last second touchdown to give Penn State it's first loss of the season. Today was truly a great day to be a college football fan. I only hope that Reggie Bush's "Push for the Heisman" doesn't make the country forget that.
It looked like a blowout was starting early in the game when a tipped Brady Quinn (19/35 264 yds 1 TD 1 INT) pass was intercepted by USC at midfield. Two plays later Heisman frontrunner Reggie Bush took of for 36 yards on what would be his first of three touchdowns. The first quarter would finish with the Trojans ahead 14-7.
After the Fighting Irish tied the game at 14, a 60 yard punt return by Safety Tom Zbikowski (zib-uh-kow-skee) catapulted Notre Dame into the lead and stole momentum away from the Trojans making the score Notre Dame 21 USC 14 at halftime.
The back and forth nature of this game would not end in the second half. Reggie Bush ran 45 yards away from all Irish defenders for his second touchdown of the game to tie it at 21. That would be the only score of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the Irish would take the lead back with a field goal before USC marched downfield again to take a 28-24 lead thanks to Reggie Bush's third rushing touchdown.
Then the game got really interesting. Looking every bit like Charlie Weis' old quarterback Tom Brady, Brady Quinn led the Irish downfield unfazed on an 8 play 87 yard drive. He finished it off himself with a 5 yard scamper into the endzone to give the Irish a 31-28 lead as Touchdown Jesus looked on. The only mistake Quinn and the Irish made on the drive was leaving 2:04 on the Game Clock. USC would have it's chance.
It looked like the Irish defense had the Trojan offense stopped when Heisman winner Matt Leinart and his team faced a 4th and 9 on their own 26. Leinart responded under pressure the same way he always has in his Trojan career. He signaled a "hot" route to his wide receiver (and offseason roommate) Dwayne Jarret. The result was a 61 yard pass to the Notre Dame 13 yard line. Then with time running out and no timeouts Leinart scrambled to his left looking for the pylon and the game winning touchdown. He was met by the Irish defense at the 1 yard line where he was hit in mid air and stopped cold. The ball was knocked from Leinarts hands and sent flying out of bounds. This would prove to save USC's day, and bid for another National Championship. The clock had run out and Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, his players, and their fans thought they had won the game. USC head coach Pete Carrol though sprinted down the sideline to point out that since Leinart fumbled out of bounds the clock should be stopped and it should be USC ball. The officials quickly and correctly placed the ball on the half yard line with 7 seconds left on the clock.
"The reaction of the fans being on the field and then seeing how you kind of want it to come out, then seeing the exact opposite all in a matter of minutes," Irish quarterback Brady Quinn said. "People were pretty shocked and devastated."
USC would then line up in a "spike" formation. ( A formation used when a team wants to spike the football after the snap to stop the game clock.) Nobody in South Bend or watching on national television thought the Trojans were actually gonna spike the ball though. After the snap Leinart lunged toward the goal line, and was stopped. He rolled to his left and received a push from his Heisman candidate RB Reggie Bush over the goaline for the Trojan victory.
"I used all 200 pounds of my body to push Matt in," said Bush.
Herein lies the issue. According to NCAA rules what Reggie Bush did was illegal. By rule it is considered a 15 yard personal foul penalty. The officials never called it though. It marks the second time in a matter of days a nationally televised sporting event will end in controversy due to mistakes by an official. (See my post on Game 2 of the ALCS for the other incident.)
The way I see it is yes the officials did miss a call. Pete Carrol being the visiting coach had the option of using instant replay in the game and he declined it. Lucky for him since Weis couldn't challenge the play after. None of this should, however, take away from what a truly magnificent game this was. It was a great Saturday for college football all around the country. While all this was going on in South Bend a few hours away in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Wolverines were scoring a last second touchdown to give Penn State it's first loss of the season. Today was truly a great day to be a college football fan. I only hope that Reggie Bush's "Push for the Heisman" doesn't make the country forget that.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
The Wild Waters of Lake Minnetonka
As if things hadn't been going bad enough for the Minnesota Vikings this year now they have a sex scandal to deal with. After being picked by most "experts" to finish in first in the weak NFC North Division the Vikings are off to a 1-3 start. Many factors from injury, player suspensions, and the loss of Randy Moss have contributed to the rough start. Not to mention that QB Daunte Culpepper has already thrown 10 interceptions in 4 games. (Compare this to last year when he threw 11INT's in 16 games.) No wonder players on this team needed to find a way to relax.
On Thursday October 6th Vikings players alledgedly threw a sex party on two rented boats. Of apparently 90 guests on 2 boats 17 of these guests were Minnesota Vikings. (Keep in mind 17 is roughly 1/3 of an active NFL Roster.) There are reports that photos were taken but none have surfaced to this point. Also it was leaked that free agent newcomer Fred Smoot was the Viking who organized this entire get together. When asked by reporters about the incident Smoot denied organizing the event and even threatened legal action.
"I'm looking into it. I'm done with the media." stated Smoot.
Should any of these allegations come as a surprise to any NFL fan? No not really. These kinds of things happen with NFL players and other athletes all the time. Hell this is a team who had a Running Back (Onterrio Smith) suspended this season when a prosthetic penis called The Whizzinator was found in his carry on bag in an airport. It's purpose was to help him beat a drug test. The entire team has trouble keeping its penis zipped up and out of the public eye.
The more pertinent question here is what will the damage be? It's no secret that Vikings coach Mike Tice was on a short leash to begin with and this instance is not going to help his case. If anything it might just supply new owner Zygi Wilf the oppurtunity he needs to push Tice out the door. The largest problem is that the Vikings had been working to get a deal in place for a new stadium. When your team is off to a 1-3 start it's hard enough to convince politicians and taxpayers to build you a new place to play, now your players are throwing wild orgies on boats.
Take this quote from Viking season ticket holder Bruce Berneice for example. "My wife and I talked about it, and it's over," Burniece said. "Back in 1985, tickets were $18. Now it's $98. I can deal with that as long as I'm being entertained and I feel the guys are trying and I think they care. I don't think they do. They get their clock cleaned in three of four games and this is what they did on their off-week? If they don't care, I don't care."
Things are ugly for the Minnesota Vikings right now and it doesn't look like times are going to get easier anytime too soon. The Vikings players may have been better off staying on the boats in question. The waters of Lake Minnetonka are probably a lot smoother than the water they will have to sail their Viking boat through now.
The first test will be this Sunday in Chicago against a struggling Bears team. If Mike Tice and the Vikings want to get this story behind them as quickly as possible the best way is to start winning. This Sunday is a good a time to start as any.
(Special thanks to the Minneapolis Star Tribune)
On Thursday October 6th Vikings players alledgedly threw a sex party on two rented boats. Of apparently 90 guests on 2 boats 17 of these guests were Minnesota Vikings. (Keep in mind 17 is roughly 1/3 of an active NFL Roster.) There are reports that photos were taken but none have surfaced to this point. Also it was leaked that free agent newcomer Fred Smoot was the Viking who organized this entire get together. When asked by reporters about the incident Smoot denied organizing the event and even threatened legal action.
"I'm looking into it. I'm done with the media." stated Smoot.
Should any of these allegations come as a surprise to any NFL fan? No not really. These kinds of things happen with NFL players and other athletes all the time. Hell this is a team who had a Running Back (Onterrio Smith) suspended this season when a prosthetic penis called The Whizzinator was found in his carry on bag in an airport. It's purpose was to help him beat a drug test. The entire team has trouble keeping its penis zipped up and out of the public eye.
The more pertinent question here is what will the damage be? It's no secret that Vikings coach Mike Tice was on a short leash to begin with and this instance is not going to help his case. If anything it might just supply new owner Zygi Wilf the oppurtunity he needs to push Tice out the door. The largest problem is that the Vikings had been working to get a deal in place for a new stadium. When your team is off to a 1-3 start it's hard enough to convince politicians and taxpayers to build you a new place to play, now your players are throwing wild orgies on boats.
Take this quote from Viking season ticket holder Bruce Berneice for example. "My wife and I talked about it, and it's over," Burniece said. "Back in 1985, tickets were $18. Now it's $98. I can deal with that as long as I'm being entertained and I feel the guys are trying and I think they care. I don't think they do. They get their clock cleaned in three of four games and this is what they did on their off-week? If they don't care, I don't care."
Things are ugly for the Minnesota Vikings right now and it doesn't look like times are going to get easier anytime too soon. The Vikings players may have been better off staying on the boats in question. The waters of Lake Minnetonka are probably a lot smoother than the water they will have to sail their Viking boat through now.
The first test will be this Sunday in Chicago against a struggling Bears team. If Mike Tice and the Vikings want to get this story behind them as quickly as possible the best way is to start winning. This Sunday is a good a time to start as any.
(Special thanks to the Minneapolis Star Tribune)
I'm Sorry. Allow Me To Introduce Myself
My name is Tom Fornelli. I am a 25 year old sports fanatic from Chicago, Illinois. I have a lot of things to say about sports. This is where I'm going to say them. You may agree with me, you may think I'm the biggest moron this side of the internet, but as long as you enjoy reading this blog then I'll be satisfied. Also I encourage you all to make comments. I don't wanna just shout off into the ether. I'm all for lively discussion. Hope to see you here again.
Tom Fornelli
Tom Fornelli
ALCS-Game 2
Lot's of things being said about the end to last night's game. I'm a White Sox fan so I may be a bit skewed, but here is how I see it.
Was that ball caught?
Yes. I think that much is obvious.
Can you blame A.J. Pierscynski?
No. What's the worst thing that can happen by running to first? They call you out? Oh well. Head's up play on his part. Whether he thought the ball hit the ground or not.
The truth is the umpire just blew this game. The White Sox took advantage of the umpire's mistake and took a game from the Angels. If you're the Angels you still have to feel good about the first two games. All they really wanted from these 2 games was to split. They get the next three games in Anaheim where the White Sox struggle. They are still firmly in control of this series. As long as their starting pitching can get them to the bullpen with a lead they can win any game.
The White Sox on the other hand have to find the swings they were taking against the Boston Red Sox. It appears the extended weekend off disrupted their rhythmn. The last thing a team wants when it is running well is a day off.
Another big question for the White Sox is how Jon Garland responds after being off for roughly 2 weeks. That is a long time without throwing a game. Will he be a little rusty, or dive right back in? The key will be whether he can get his sinker working early. The White Sox have the best road record in the AL, but are horrible in Anaheim over the last few years. Garland can not afford to get behind the Angels early for the sake of the White Sox confidence. They need to ride the momentum started by last nights crazy ending and win Game 3 to completely even out the series. If the Angels get up 2-1 with Games 4 and 5 in Anaheim the White Sox have a tough road to travel.
As of the day off between Games 2 and 3 I have to say this is the Angels series to lose at this point.
Was that ball caught?
Yes. I think that much is obvious.
Can you blame A.J. Pierscynski?
No. What's the worst thing that can happen by running to first? They call you out? Oh well. Head's up play on his part. Whether he thought the ball hit the ground or not.
The truth is the umpire just blew this game. The White Sox took advantage of the umpire's mistake and took a game from the Angels. If you're the Angels you still have to feel good about the first two games. All they really wanted from these 2 games was to split. They get the next three games in Anaheim where the White Sox struggle. They are still firmly in control of this series. As long as their starting pitching can get them to the bullpen with a lead they can win any game.
The White Sox on the other hand have to find the swings they were taking against the Boston Red Sox. It appears the extended weekend off disrupted their rhythmn. The last thing a team wants when it is running well is a day off.
Another big question for the White Sox is how Jon Garland responds after being off for roughly 2 weeks. That is a long time without throwing a game. Will he be a little rusty, or dive right back in? The key will be whether he can get his sinker working early. The White Sox have the best road record in the AL, but are horrible in Anaheim over the last few years. Garland can not afford to get behind the Angels early for the sake of the White Sox confidence. They need to ride the momentum started by last nights crazy ending and win Game 3 to completely even out the series. If the Angels get up 2-1 with Games 4 and 5 in Anaheim the White Sox have a tough road to travel.
As of the day off between Games 2 and 3 I have to say this is the Angels series to lose at this point.
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