Pedro Martinez

Despite taking the loss in game two of the World Series, Pedro Martinez has looked great for the Phillies. He has gone 5-1 for the Phillies with a 3.36 ERA this season for the Phils and I would like to remind everyone that he could have been doing that for the White Sox (or any other team willing to sign him) this season. In the end Freddy Garcia worked out as the fifth starter, but just think of what could have been if we could have had Martinez for half the season? Or even the full season?

(EX)White Sox in the World Series

Ozzie will only get to watch three former White Sox players, one of which he didn't even coach, this year in the World Series. Nick Swisher, Damaso Marte and Scott Eyre are the only players left that used to be a part of the White Sox organization, and with Jerry Hairston replacing Swisher in the Yankee lineup, they all will spend the majority of series watching. Well at least Swisher is still on the team, the same can't be said for the player the Sox received for Swisher, Wilson Betemit.

2010 World Series

As many of you know White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is a part of the Fox broadcasting crew for this year's World Series. Scott Reifert (vice presdient of communications for the White Sox organization) asked Ozzie to comment on a few aspects of his broadcasting job this season and here's what Ozzie had to say:

"Don't worry. We have a bet. I'm going to win a lot of money." Ozzie said about the possiblity of cursing on the air. "I only curse and say bad stuff about my team," Ozzie added.

"This could be one of the best. Both teams have speed, power and pitching," Ozzie about the World Series matchup between the Yankees and the Phillies.

Finally, Ozzie said this about instant replay in Major League Baseball, "I think you have to trust the umps. I don't think we need to move anything right now."

My All Time Nine

Seeing the MLB's All Time Nine got me thinking about who would be on my All Time White Sox team. This is a little different from the MLB's All Time Nine because I only started really following the Sox in the mid nineties. With that in mind, here's a look at who I would have for my All Time favorite (not necessarily the best) White Sox of from that time until now:

Starting Pitcher: Mark Buehrle. Of course I'm going to choose Buehrle. He's established himself as the Sox number one starter. He's won a World Series, a perfect game and he just seems like a fun guy. He is working his way to become the best starting pitcher in White Sox history, and I would say that he isn't far from that goal.

Catcher: A.J. Pierzynski. Another easy one here. I love the way A.J. plays, he has to be one of the smartest (baseball knowledge wise) players in baseball. No matter what happens it always seems like A.J. is at the center of controversy and we won the World Series with him calling the pitches. Plus Carlton Fisk was just a bit before my time, so who else would I pick? Ron Karkovice?

First Base: Paul Konerko. I had to choose Paulie. I've seen Paulie at his best and his worst. He's the team captain and has been a cornerstone for the team since I have been a fan. He's a good hitter and a very underrated first basemen. I don't know how many errors he's saved our infielders over the years.

Second Base: Ray Durham. I loved Durham and almost cried when the Sox traded him in 2002. Durham played eight solid years for the Sox. He was a fine second baseman and an even better hitter, usually hitting around .280. He could hit from both sides of the plate, and had no problems stealing bases for the Sox.

Third Base: Robin Ventura. Gordon Beckham is well on his way to passing Ventura, but I'm going to need to see more than just one year. Becks has some big shoes to fill as well because Ventura was great in his ten years with the Sox. The left handed hitting Ventura generally batted around .260+ and played a great third base. Plus he wasn't afraid of anyone...or to take a beating. Just ask the great Nolan Ryan. (Number one on the list) http://www.metacafe.com/watch/133074/top_ten_baseball_fights/
Joe Crede was a thought for this position, seeing as we did win a World Series with him and he did have some clutch late inning hits, but as soon as he signed with the Twins he lost this spot for sure.

Shortstop: Juan Uribe. Tough pick here. As long as I have been a fan the Sox haven't had that Derek Jeter type shortstop that I'm looking for. I thought about picking Ozzie but I only saw him in his final years with the team, plus I need him to be my manager for this bunch. Alexi Ramirez could be the guy, but I need to see more from him. I thought about putting in Jose Valentine because I liked the way he played and he did hit for the cycle with us. But instead, I chose the guy who we won a World Series with, Juan Uribe. Uribe wasn't the greatest hitter or the greatest fielder, but he put things together in 2005. He established himself in White Sox history with the catch he made leaping into the stands in the World Series. Plus I need a guy with a great belly on the team.

Right Field: Jermaine Dye. This would have been a much more difficult pick if Magglio Ordonez would have gone and played for a National League team, but I decided to cut all ties with Mags after he signed with Detroit. That made Jermaine the easy pick. He was the World Series MVP, played a solid right field and seemed like a great guy to have in the club house. I wish him luck next season, whether it's with the Sox or not, unless it's with a division rival.

Center Field: Aaron Rowand. I miss Rowand. We have been searching for a replacement ever since we sent him to Philadelphia. Rowand was a gritty, hardnosed, team focused guy that could hit for average and play the outfield well. Hopefully Alex Rios can make me forget about Rowan next season, but I'm not holding my breath.

Left Field: Scott Podsednik. Pods was our catalyst in 2005, 2009 and hopefully in 2010. He can steal bases, get on base and basically just cause all sorts of problems for opposing teams. I thought about sliding Carlos Lee in here, but Pods has had much more of an impact.

DH: Frank Thomas. Any list of All Time Great White Sox has got to have The Big Hurt on it. Thomas was great for the White Sox and I wish things could have ended better between him and the club. I thought about adding in Harold Baines here, but the two time AL MVP Thomas gets the nod.

Closer: Bobby Jenks. It may seem like I'm just throwing in all of the players from the 2005 World Championship team, but Jenks is the best close that I can remember ever playing for the Sox. If anyone has someone else in mind I would love to know who they are.

Iowa City West Girls BB Preview

The Iowa City West girls basketball team brings back nine seniors and playoff experience as they look to improve on their 16-6 record from a year ago.

Head Coach B.J. Mayer hopes that experiencing the playoffs will be a motivating factor for this year’s team and that they play with a “chip on their shoulder,” so this could be the year that West High girls basketball makes their first state tournament berth.

Mayer admitted that the offense could suffer after losing their top two scorers from last season, in Emma Krieger Kittle and Madison Sadecky, but he thinks that seniors Mackenzie Reed, Kristin Fomon and Courtney Fritz can replace last season’s scoring leaders.

Mayer also said that he plans to implement a new, up-tempo offense, with an emphasis on the three-point shot. That new offense should help to make up for losing last year’s top scorers as well as the lack of size on this year’s team. Mayer said Fomon will be a key component to this year’s offense, as the team’s best three-point shooter.

Mayer’s biggest concern is defending in the low post. He hopes to use a platoon of about ten players this season, running kids in and out to wear his opponents down and create “chaos” on defense. Mayer expects sophomore Tatum Klein, after playing varsity as a freshman, to lead his defense this season. Mayer is also excited about the rest of his sophomore group, as they should see a lot of varsity action this season.

West begins their season November 24, at Fairfield. Their first home game is against North Scott on November 28, before they begin their conference schedule, a conference that Mayer believes is the best in the state. December 18 highlights the conference schedule because West hosts in-town rival City High, a team that returns everyone from last season and is traditionally one of the most intense games of the year.

John Vincent Reading

1. Vincent examines how female athletes are covered compared to male athletes by the media. He mostly seems to focus on how the field of print journalism covers the athletes. He looks at everything involved with a paper and compares a number of different aspects of the paper including; headlines, cover stories, where the articles are located and a few others aspects about where and how female athletes are represented in the papers.
He also mentions explanations for why this happens. According to feminist scholars, female athletes are "marginalized and exploited" when it comes to their interaction with the media. Cultural scholars believe that the media plays an important part in telling their audience what to read and in this case how important female athletics are. Political economy scholars think that the media is just doing what their audience wants, so they can make money and sell their product. Out of the three of these theories I would have to agree with this one the most. I don't believe the media is trying to exclude women from their coverage, or make them less important than male sports, but the consumers are simply more interested in male sports than female sports.

2. According to Vincent's study media coverage of women lacks in comparison with media coverage of men. He mentions that women's sport has grown, yet it only receives about 10% percent of the print coverage. He also mentioned that when women's sport is mentioned, it usually involves socially constructed sex roles and heterosexuality contexts. He also mentioned that athletes competing in "gender appropriate" sports generally receive more coverage than athletes competing in "gender-inappropriate" sports. Finally he mentioned that African American female athletes are generally associated with "race appropriate" sports.

3. I think in a perfect world his recommendations would be perfect. Unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world, so I don't think his recommendations could work in today's world. Fair or not, consumers usually do not care about female athletics. I'm not saying that they need to be completely left out of the sport sections, but I think that the most important thing to the reader should be the biggest story and journalists should spend the most time on that story. That being said, I do think it is important to eliminate the use of heterosexual contexts in stories regarding female athletes. I think that reporters need to take the same type of approach when working on a story about females as they would when working on a story about male athletes.

All Time Nine

Sox fans can vote for the best nine White Sox (one at each position) of all time. Sox fans can pick virtually any player from Luis Aparicio to Harold Baines at http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/fan_forum/all_time_nine/index.jsp?c_id=cws. Here Sox fans can not only vote for formers stars but also give some love to same current Sox standouts and members of the 2005 Championship team. Check it out to see who is in the lead and to let your opinion be known.

Gordon Beckham wins TSN Rookie Honors

The Sporting News has named third baseman Gordon Beckham their AL Rookie of the Year. Beckham was one of the few bright spots for the 2009 White Sox team that came up short in the pursuit of their championship aspirations. Beckham obviously impressed not just the White Sox organization, but other players in the league as this award was voted on by a panel 338 Major League players. Beckham hit .270 with 14 homers and 63 RBIs for the Sox this season in just 103 games. He did this just one year removed from playing college baseball and while learning to play a new position, as he played shortstop the majority of his baseball career. The future is bright for Beckham and he will need to continue to improve if the White Sox are going to contend next year. Becks is the ninth White Sox to win the award and the first since his manager Ozzie Guillen did it in 1985. Hopefully the former Rookie of the Year can find time between his busy broadcasting schedule to help show Beckham how he can cut down on his 14 errors from last year.

Keep Ozzie

Lately there has been talk of the Chicago White Sox ditching their manager Ozzie Guillen. Just the fact that I need to comment on this seems preposterous to me. Ozzie Guillen was not the reason the White Sox underachieved this season, his players were. Ozzie began the season without a leadoff hitter, a solid fifth starter or centerfielder and a host of other questions. All of these questions were a recipe for failure, its a wonder the Sox didn't finish worse than just two games below .500. Another reason the Sox struggled could have been the fact that Guillen had two rookies in his infield, which already had two players playing entirely different positions from their previous season, which no doubt had something to do with 113 errors.

I will admit that Ozzie Guillen has a tendancy to go on barely understandable rants and call out his players if he sees something he doesn't like. But isn't that a good thing? Ozzie's rants seem to take the focus off his players and put it squarely on his shoulders. As for when he calls out players, don't you think that it should make them wake up. These guys are professional athletes, not little leaguers that need coddling. I would think that Ozzie's honesty is something his players would appreciate...and fear, again which I believe is a good thing, so his athletes aren't taking their roles for granted.

I will also admit that baseball, and sports in general (Bobby Bowden comes to mind) is a what have you done for me lately type of society. With that in mind Ozzie hasn't won the World Series since 2005, but neither has 27 other skippers in the Majors.

Ozzie did everything he could shy of breaking out his old glove and bat for the White Sox in 2008. He simply did not have the right peices of the puzzle. A puzzle that Ozzie seems to know very well. One move of his that no one will question now was putting Dewayne Wise in as a defensive replacement for Mark Buehrle's perfect game. Plain and simple: Ozzie knows baseball and he wants to win. Sometimes I feel like he wants to win more than any of his players. Ozzie cares about his guys and expects them to come to play and play the right way.

Hopefully Ozzie, who has just announced he will be in the broadcast booth for Fox this postseason, is not preparing for a new career any time soon. The White Sox will bring back, for the most part, the same core of players as last year, but with another year's experience under their belts. He will also begin the season with a very complete and solid rotation, possibly a leadoff hitter, and no rookies in the infield. I am even willing to say that nobody will be questioning Ozzie's job safety after next season.

What went right and wrong for Steve Rosenbloom

As I was reading about the underachieving 2009 White Sox team, I came across Steve Rosenbloom's blog http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/rosenblog/2009/10/making-a-sox-list.html?obref=obnetwork. He had some great points and was almost dead on with his account of the season, and predictions for next season. However I think he was a little critical on Scott Podsednik, but other than that I would pretty much agree with him.

What went right?

In hopes of adding a little optimism to Sox fans everywhere I would like to remind them what went right in 2009:
1. Buehrle's Perfect Game. The number one thing in my mind was Mark Buehrle's perfect game. Even though Buehrle didn't pitch very well after his gem, the gem alone is something he can hang his hat on for the season. That day in July will always be remembered by Sox fans as well as MLB fans. Buehrle became just the 18th pitcher to throw a perfect game and the first since 1999. Dewayne Wise will also get a mention when this game is discussed because of his miracle catch. Sadly, it seems that will be about all Sox fans will have to remember Wise, but it remains just one of many (and hopefully many more) things Sox fans will have to remember Buehrle.
2. Gordon Beckham. Beckham hit .270 with 14 home runs and 63 RBIs while learning a new position during his first season in the Major Leagues. Need I say more?
3. Scott Podsednik. Pods came back to the Sox after a disappointing stint with Colorado. He filled our 2009 leadoff spot, much like he did in 2005. In fact, he actually had a higher average in 2009 (.303) than he did in 2005 (.290). Hopefully the Sox can work out a deal to bring him back and he can repeat his 2009 performance.
4. Jake Peavy. I will admit that I did not like the trade for Jake Peavy. I thought that Clayton Richard could have been a great pitcher, especially with Mark Buerhle to tutor him. Plus I didn't like the idea of trading for an injured player. However, now I see that the trade wasn't just about 2009, and I am very excited to see what Peavy can do in 2010 after going 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA for the Sox this season.

Ex-Sox in Postseason

Even though the current White Sox players aren't playing in the postseason, they can still cheer on a few of their former teammates. Here's a look at the former White Sox (some were Sox more recently than others) that made it to this year's fall classic.

1. Brian Anderson-Boston Redsox. The Red Sox didn't even use Anderson's great defensive skills during the postseason, as the light hitting center fielder only saw the field as a pinch runner for Mike Lowell. Anderson played four years with the Sox and made his debut with the team in 2005 during their championship season.

2. Orlando Cabrera-Minnesota Twins. Cabrera gave the Twins some postseason experience at the shortstop position, before they were swept by the Yankees. Cabrera gained some of that postseason in his only stint with the Sox last year. Ironically his postseason stats from last year look very similar to the way he ended this season. In 2008 Cabrera had 16 at bats and scored one run off of two hits and had three strike outs in four games. For the Twins this postseason he had 12 at bats, but still scored one run off of two hits and had three strikeouts in just three games.

3. Damaso Marte-New York Yankees. Marte had some of his best years with the White Sox and was a key situational lefty coming out of the bullpen for the White Sox back in 2005. The Yankees are still using him as a situational lefty, but not necessarily with the game on the line. So far this postseason he has played in one game, giving up two hits without recording one out.

5. Nick Swisher-New York Yankees. Swisher seems to have figured things out in New York, and it appears as though the Yankees may have gotten the better of the Sox on that trade. He is constantly given credit for changing the atmosphere in the Yankee dugout. His play, although not outstanding, has been much better this season than last year and he seemed to carry the Yankees earlier this season. However, it seems as though he has returned to his 2008 form so far this postseason, batting a lowly .083. He will get more chances though as the Yank's starting right fielder for the American League Championship Series.

6. Jim Thome- Los Angeles Dodgers. Even though things didn't work out the way both parties had hoped, I'm glad Thome has been given a chance to win a ring this season with the Dodgers. Thome did not quite live up to expectations with the White Sox, but he seems to fit in well as a pinch hitter for Joe Torre's Dodgers. That being said, Thome has yet to collect his first hit of this postseason, as he is 0-2, but he does bring quite a bit of October experience to the young Dodger team.

7. Jon Garland- Los Angeles Dodgers. Garland has quitely become one of the most reliable starters in baseball. He isn't a number one starter but he has great stuff for a guy at the back end of any rotation. He played eight years with the Sox and was a key member of the 2005 team. He was also an All-Star that season and has a 2.25 ERA in postseason play. Garland has yet to pitch this postseason, but could be used out of the bullpen or as a starter.

8. Jose Contreas- Colorado Rockies. Contreas is another member of our 2005 pitching staff that has been demoted to the bullpen this postseason. After a roller coaster of a career with the Sox, Contreas was traded to the Rockies this season, giving them a player who knows what it takes to win a World Series.

9. Scott Eyre- Philadelphia Phillies. Eyre began his career with the White Sox in 1997, He played four years with the Sox as a starter and reliever, with mixed results. However the lefty seems to have found the perfect fit in the Phillies's bullpen as he has already appeared in their first two games this postseason and has yet to give up a run.

2010 Outfield

The Chicago White Sox hope to put Scott Podsednik back at the top of their batting order for next season. Podsednik's agent and Sox GM Kenny Williams have agreed to start talks and seem optimistic that a deal can be done. Podsednik hit .304 and stole 30 bases this season for the White Sox. Any Sox fan knows that he already has a part in team history as a pivotal member in the 2005 World Champion team. The White Sox will need him to repeat his success in 2010 if they are going to contend.

Fellow Sox outfielder in 2009, Dewayne Wise appears to be leaving as he opted for free agency instead of accepting an assignment to Triple-A. Wise will best be remembered as the defensive replacement who saved Mark Buerhle's perfect game by robbing a home run in the top of the ninth. The 31-year-old Wise batted just .225 this year with the Sox.

Finally outfielder Carlos Quentin is still recovering from having a pin surgically removed from his wrist. He also recently had a foot doctor look at his foot, which made him miss 2 months of the season due to plantar fasciitis. The foot doctor found no abnormalities and Quentin can start off-season activities as soon as his wrist heals in about 30 days.

The Rabbit Hunter

To begin, I would take out the Faulkner quote. Then I would explain the methaphore of the rabbit hunter. I would explain to the reader that Bobby Knight is too worried about the small, trivial things (the rabbits) that he forgets about the elephants. I would put the passage at the top of 480 first. Then I would put the part about countenances, by transitioning with something like but according to Knight, he says his problem is...and then go to the beginning of the story. The only reason I would keep the part about the countenances is because it goes with the fictitious story about why Knight only has one dimple, and I think it perfectly explains his personality. After that I would switch the order of Older People section the Coaches section. I want to tell the readers about Knight's father sooner in the story to help explain why he used the coaches as a father figure. Instead of a Women section, I want a Nancy section. I want to learn more about how Knight met her and how she can put up with him. I think it would be interesting to hear her thoughts about Knight and more about her role in their relationship, as well as what their relationship is like. I would also leave in the other parts of this section, especially the ones about Knight telling his players that women are obstacles. After that I would put the Players section, and then finish it with the More Rabbits section. However throughout the piece I would relate all of Knight's problems back to the rabbits metaphore. I think this is an excellent metaphore, and seems to legitimately explain Knight's problem. I would also end the peice saying something about Knight hunting rabbits, instead of "It can be a great life. (Someday)." Or after say: it can be a great day, someday, if Knight can forget about the rabbits. Or something to that effect. Also I would like to end with the paragraphs on pages 485-486, starting with "I just love the game of basketball so," and use all of those paragraphs until the end of the coaches section. Then I would add the part about Knight still hunting rabbits. I think this would be a better ending because it reminds the readers how much Knight loved the game of basketball.

Sox sign two veteran throwers

The White Sox are planning for Matt Thornton and Freddy Garcia to play significant roles on the pitching staff in 2010. Thornton went 6-3 with a 2.74 ERA this season and was really one of a few brights spots in the White Sox bullpen this season. Many beleive that Thornton is one of, if not the best situational lefties in the game. However Thornton has proven that he can get just about anyone out and could be the closer next season if Bobby Jenks continues to struggle. The 33-year-old had a career high 87 strikeouts in 2009.

Freddy Garcia seems to have a claim on the fifth spot in the starting rotation for 2010. Having Garcia back in the starting rotation brings back memories of 2005 when he played a pivotal role for the Sox's World Series Championship season. Garcia pitched very well in his nine starts with the Sox in 2009, going 3-4 with a 4.34 ERA. Hopefully Garcia will give the Sox the stability in the fifth spot that they couldn't get from Bartolo Colon.

2010 here we come!

The Chicago White Sox ended their 2009 campaign fittingly, with a loss to the Detroit Tigers. The loss somewhat showed what the Sox were lacking all season, offense. They were shut down by Detroit's ace, Justin Verlander, who gave up just three runs in 7.2 innings in what turned into a must-win game for the Tigers to force a playoff game with the Minnesota Twins. John Danks took the loss after he gave up four runs in five innings. Rookies Carolos Torres and Daniel Hudson finished out the game and the season. Hudson went two innings giving up three hits and one run, while striking out two.

Keep in mind that the Sox did win the series after stellar starting pitching from Jake Peavy and Freddy Garcia. Peavy won the series opener going eight strong innings, giving up just two hits. Scott Podsednik and Carlos Quentin were the offensive stars as Pods went 3-4 with a run and Quentin went 2-4 while driving in two. Both players could play prominent roles on next year's team. Freddy Garcia could also play a prominent role next season as he pitched very well in his final audition for the fifth starter spot in the rotation. He went seven innings and gave up just one run. Quentin's bat was also encouraging, as he went 2-3, scoring two runs and driving one in.

Now that the season is finally over, all that Sox fans can do is wait and see what lies in store for their team.

Sox split doubleheader

The White Sox lost the first game of their doubleheader against Cleveland 5-1, meaning that they will finish the season with a losing record. Carlos Torres took the loss, going six innings and giving up five runs. More importantly Torres did not impress in his audition for next year's fifth spot in the rotation. That spot will now likely go to Freddy Garcia or rookie Daniel Hudson.

There was some positive on Wednesday as the Sox took the second game behind a stellar pitching performance by Mark Buehrle. Buehrle went six shut out innings and gained his 13th win of the season when Paul Konerko drove in Dewayne Wise in the bottom of the sixth. Paulie had quite the game as he also managed to pick up his first stolen base of the season, the eighth of his career. Matt Thornton threw a perfect ninth, with two strikeouts, to grab his fourth save of the season.

Sox fans probably won't need to get used to Paulie stealing bases, but they might need to get used to seeing Matt Thornton in the closer role. The lefty has converted all three of his save opportunites since taking over for the injured Bobby Jenks, who has struggled this year.