Hodgepodge

Congrats to Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, who pitched a perfect game today against the reigning American League champion Tampa Bay Rays.

Buehrle retired all 27 batters he faced to achieve something only 17 other pitchers have done in the history of the game. The last was Randy Johnson in 2004.

This gem comes just two seasons after he pitched a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers.

As is often the case, a spectacular play saved saved the perfection. The first hitter in the ninth hit one to left-center field and Dwayne Wise (who was put in the game in the top of the ninth for defensive purposes) leaped and caught the ball before it went over the wall for a home run. He hit the wall so hard it jarred the ball loose but he caught it with his bare hand.

This is why the game of baseball is the most exciting for me.

Way to go Mark!

Even though I knew someday this would happen, I am sad and disappointed.

Baseball is the most traditional of all sports and the umpires are more a part of the game than officials in any sport, and to take some of their input away is sad.

I know the DNC is the big game going right now, some great speeches being made BTW - but I am spinning in joy as I wake to find that the evil Minnesota Twins have lost 2 in a row to the lowly Seattle Mariners and thus the White Sox are 2 games in first place!

All you non-baseball people can walk away now - I see you shaking your head jgaleckas - but you Southsiders may join me.

Go White Sox!

There is only one to say about this story - disgusting.

If the kid had been hitting batters and causing injuries, I could see not allowing him to pitch but this is just plain BS and adults getting their fur up for all the wrong reasons.

Just let the kids play for crying out loud.

Miles: 448 Driving Time 7hr 20 min

We left Green River early and about a half hour out of there we ran across the San Rafael Swell. The easiest way to describe it is that it is a bump pushed up about 1000 feet above the rest of the plateau. This cause very interesting rock formations an d colors of rock. A veritable geologists dream. As we left the area we drove through a lot more wonderful rock formation and then as we approached I-15 the hills parted and we drove through a valley that was well-irrigated and supported a variety of crops.

We then sliced through a bit of Arizona that was also nice especially the Virgin river gorge which was about 7 miles or winding road with sheer cliffs rising at least 1000 feet into the air. Similar to the Glenwood Canyon drive back in Colorado.

After that the drive across eastern Nevada was very deserty - lots of sand, few plants. Coming in from the east is quite different inasmuch as that is the industrial/commercial side of Vegas. The strip is the strip - except that since I was here last 15 years ago there are WAY more casinos and they are all huge with two or three towers sometimes - and at least a half dozen going up. Business must be good.

The highlight was the Penn and Teller show at the Rio. This is the second time we have seen them and they are the best magic act going. Not just because the magic is excellent (it is), not because Penn's patter is very entertaining (it is) but they don't try to mysticize the magic. It's a craft and they are good at it and they show you that. Even when they show how a trick is done they still fool you. Teller is hands dozens the best sleight of hand magician I have ever seen. The act ended with the magic bullets and I still don't know exactly how they do it. And after the great show, they both come out afterward to sign autographs and have their pictures taken and stay until everyone gets a chance. Top shelf people and if you get to Vegas see these guys.

On the gambling front I made a little on the blackjack tables and a little more on sports book - both the Chicago teams came through for me.

After three days of casino crawling in the 110 degree heat I am tired and fried. Friday we head for The Grand Canyon and the Glass sky bridge which is the one thing Tamara wants to do the most. That is an adventure that I will try to post on Saturday morning.

Miles: 420 Driving Time: 7hr 33 min

This was the typically drive to the farm we do every couples weeks, although the traffic was heavier than usual. It was also very warm and very humid. Every time we got out of the van our glasses fogged up.

All was well here at the farm except that the neighbors cows feasted on the corn plot in the garden so all we have left are the stalks. Note to self: next year fencing around the whole garden.

The most interesting thing to occur was my wild hair idea to go to the White Sox game in KC Sunday. Means an early start a day earlier than planned but what the heck - it is the Sox after all.

For a different take on that - see jgaleckas post here.

On a whim, jgaleckas and I went to U.S. Cellular to see the White Sox play. It was a beautiful summer evening and we had not been to a Sox game since the 2005 championship season.

Two observations:

1. The renovations made over the last three years are great. The park is now a fantastic venue and much more cozy than the original version.

2. The increased police presence before and after the game kept the riff raff down. No more wading through hawkers, vendors and scalpers on the way from the "L" station to the park. And the over-served were less rowdy after the game as well. The two uniformed officers on the Green Line platform was an added bonus. Yeah I know it shouldn't be needed but humans are human right?

Oh and the Sox won 9-7 on two Nick Swisher home runs - one his second grand slam in less than a week. Thome also hit a three run dinger and Gavin Floyd struggled a bit but struck out 10 in 6 innings.

I am basking in the glow this morning because the White Sox swept the Cubs this weekend at the Cell. For those of you who don't follow baseball or the Chicago teams in particular, last weekend the Cubs swept the Sox at Wrigley, which while embarrassing for the Sox also sliced their lead to 1.5 games in the American League Central because the Twins were on a roll, eventually winning 10 in a row before finally losing Saturday.

What was even more interesting was that the three games were somewhat similar - one blowout, one comfortable and one close game won by a late inning solo homer.

So all you Cub fans who were feeling very proud of themselves after last weekend, you can now return to normalcy. I support the Cubs as long as they aren't playing the White Sox. And this is the best chance since I can remember to actually have both teams in the post season. The second half will be interesting.

After a very successful road trip (7-3) the Sox came home last night to face The Cleveland Indians and C.C. Sabathia. AT the start of the game The Indians and the Twins were tied for second 1.5 games behind the Sox. This was the game I thought the Sox would lose in the series since C.C. had a 16-3 record against the Sox. They won 4-1 for their sixth victory in a row.

They only got two solo homers off Sabathia, but Jose Contreras was just a little better and the bullpen once again shone and the Sox didn't need the two runs they got in the eighth.

After the six in a row they lost to the Twins and the Blue Jays a couple weeks back I was very concerned, the pitching was great but the bats died. There are still a lot of guys in the lineup who are struggling, but some are starting to pull out and hopefully the rest will come alive and start giving these great pitching performances some run support.

Both Cleveland and Minnesota are going to be in rear view mirror all season so these early games are key to keeping them there come September.

The Sox returned to the Cell tonight to start a three game series against the evil Twins, and it was a sweet homecoming. After losing all six on their recent road trip to Minn and Toronto, despite some stellar pitching performances, they got the bats going tonight and win 7-1.

Those seven runs are only two short of the 9 runs they scored in the six games total of the last week. J.D started it with a clutch single in the first and followed it up with a solo homer int eh seventh. Uribe had a couple hits and a clutch RBI and Joe Crede had a couple hits as well.

And did I mention that Gavin Floyd had a no hitter into the ninth? Oh yeah. He got the first hitter on a K but Joe Mauer sliced a double right between a running Carlos Quentin and a diving Nick Swisher to break it up. Bobby Jenks closed it out for the very satisfying win. What was encouraging was the aggressive way the Sox hitters were swinging. They hit the ball sharply and with confidence. Could be the start of a winning streak.

I am sitting here watching the Cubs ( the Sox already lost a tough one to Toronto) and the Cubs had a chance to tie the game with Alphonso - I never saw a pitch in the dirt I didn't like - Soriano at bat. The count gets to 2-2 and he swings at a 58 footer and the inning ends. m

How long are they going to play this guy? He's hitting way under the Mendoza line and I his outfield play has been unspectacular. I don't care what he did last year or much money the Cubs are paying him. He is a black hole in the lineup and should be warming the bench with his ass until he shows something.

This just in - he just muffed a pop-up in short left to put runners on first and second with no outs in a one run game.

Oh Yay!

For my birthday yesterday, jgaleckas surprised my by taking my to see a Kane County Cougars game. The Cougars are the A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.We have talked about going to a game there for the last few years but never got around to actually going.

Her daughter Tamara arrived at about 10 AM and we left the house with the warning I needed to dress warmly as we would be sitting outside all day. At first I thought she had gotten tickets for the Cubs (the Sox are out of town) but then I realized we wouldn't drive to Wrigley( the "L" is much better) and I was pretty sure they were playing at night.

As we headed out west on I-88 I began to suspect where we were going and knew when we exited the expressway.

A good time was had by all. The park is very nice, our seats were third row behind the dugout and with that type if intimacy, even Janice (who is NOT a baseball fan) enjoyed the game. There were thousands of school kids there for a reading promotion (a cool thing) which added to the atmosphere. The Lord blessed us with a sunny and mild day so we just sat back and enjoyed. We didn't care who won (we did root for the Cougars even though they got trounced). It was very relaxing.

After the game we visited Janice's son to see his new motorcycle, his broken ankle (from a fall on said motorcycle) and his 'due any day' now wife. We didn't stay long, came home and watched The Water Horse on DVD. (a two hanky ending)

A very nice birthday indeed!

Miguel Tejada admits he's 2 years older than he said he was. So what?

Is this worthy of a news item? People lie about their age most of the time and in this case it had no real legal ramification. OTOH why am I bothering to blog on this?

My beloved Sox let one slip by last night to the Orioles in 10 innings. They had a 5-3 lead going into the ninth and the up-to-now perfect Bobby Jenks threw a couple of pitches over the plate and two runs scored.

In the tenth the Sox got a two out single but could nothing with it and Boone Logan came in in the bottom of the tenth. He got ahead of the first two hitters but ended up walking them. An out and a double later, the O's won.

It's hard to fault the bullpen so far this season, they have been pretty good. Last night was one of those games that will happen in a 162 game season. My only concern was Boone's failure to throw strikes.

On the offense this Carlos Quentin guy is really making a case for staying in the lineup when Owens comes off the DL - two homers last night!

And hey - KC lost so the Sox are still in first!

The White Sox 5 game winning streak was snapped tonight at a chilly US Cellular field. Early on I knew this was to be, starter John Danks left his control in the locker room, walking the leadoff hitter and getting behind on just about every batter. Even though a lot of the hits the Twins got were bloops and grounders that just got past Sox infielders, Danks just didn't have it.

The Good
- Konerko, Swisher and Crede all hit home runs. Too bad they were all solo shots.
- Matt Thornton pitched two scoreless innings, striking out 4.
- John Danks picked off Gomez after walking him on four pitches in the first inning.
- Nick Swisher made a super catch to rob that same Gomez guy of a triple.

The Bad
- John Danks only lasted 2 and a third innings.
- Nick Masset loading the bases and throwing a cookie to Kubel which he promptly launched into the right field seats for a grand salami.

The Ugly
- Thome, Cabrera and Uribe are all hitting under the Mendoza line (.200) At least Cabrera did get a hit tonight, but Thome had a chance in the fifth to get the Sox back in it. Crede led off with his dinger to make it 7-3, Uribe walked and Swisher reached on an error.One swing could have made it 7-6 but he passed on a pitch thigh high that he normally jacks. After working the count to 2-2 he popped out and took the fizzle out of the rally.

The main positive tonight is that even down 7-0, the Sox chipped away and had a chance until the 6th inning melt down by Masset. Tomorrow we start a new win streak (if the game doesn't get rained out)

Opening week has come and gone and my feeble brain has thoughts (yeah I know what a surprise)

Cardinals - With all the talent they let go and the injuries in the spring, I figured them to be a .500 club at best this year and they start 5-1.

Tigers - Murderer's Row hasn't found the tunnel yet - 0-6, no team with that poor a start has ever made the playoffs, for all the fans who bought season tickets, they better hope the bengals can make history.

AL East - On top Baltimore, on the bottom NY and Boston. I don't think it will stay that way but hey, you don't see that often.

Nationals - Had the exciting walk off homer to win the opener at the new stadium but then ran into the Cardinals juggernaut. Still, 3-4 is a good start for them.

Mets - 2-3 and Santana one great, one so-so start. With Pedro down, we'll see what they're made of.

Brewers - Tied with STL at 5-1 in the NL central. Probably the most underrated team in the NL.

Cubs - after two in a row they are .500. Pitching still the question on the North Side.

NL Central - only one team under .500 - no not the Pirates but Houston. I see a long season at Minute Maid Park.

Rockies - 1-5 is a surprise for them but not for the Giants. I think the Rockies will be back but could they still be smarting from the World Series?

White Sox - You didn't think I'd leave them off would you? After 4 in a row they are 4-2 and tied for first with (gasp) the Royals. The starting pitching has been solid in the last three starts and the bullpen looks great. Traditional slow starters like AJ are off to a great start. I am starting to see the 2005 team rising up from the ashes of 2007.

The Sox just beat the Tigers to go 3-2 for the season and extend their winning streak to three games. Even though they got 5 runs they only got three hits. Tiger started Dontrell Willis gave up seven walks. Gavin Floyd gave up three runs early then retired seven in a row before yielding to the Bullpen. Logan, Linebrink and Bobby Jenks took it from there.

Watching the last few games I am quite encouraged that this team is looking more like the World Championship team of 2005. Pitching, timely hitting and great defense have been shown early. I hope they can keep this up - a sweep of the Tigers would be a real good way to keep the mo goin'.

What I really find interesting is the total lack of power by the Tigers so far. Everyone has been calling their line-up the new "Murderer's Row". SO far they are the victim rather than the perpetrator. I suspect they will come around, but it may be too late.

Thanks to a great pitching effort by John Danks and good bullpen support, the Sox managed to squeak out a win in the last game of the Cleveland series. Watching this game was very reminiscent of 2005 as this was how they won a lot of their games that year. Long balls by Uribe and Crede were the offense and while disappointing that was all they got, it was what they needed to win.

Now on to Detroit, who was swept by the Royals (watch these guys this year). The Sox have done well against the Tigers in the past and hopefully can keep them down long enough to win a series.

I am a lifelong White Sox fan so I am depressed because they lost their opener on the road to the Indians. I am not surprised by this per se, but I am surprised that Mark Beurhle only went 1.2 innings and gave up 7 freakin' runs!

The good news, the Sox came back to tie it in the seventh but then gave up a three run double in the bottom of the eighth. More good news is the stellar performance of The bullpen except for Dotel. Still more good news is Jim Thome hitting two 2-run homers.

Let us hope Vasquez has a better outing Wednesday.

I am a White Sox fan but since we have property in Missouri and are moving there soon, I have been following the Cardinals for the last few years.

This is just another in a string of players and staff who seem to have abuse problems, Tony LaRussa, Josh Hancock are names that come to mind.

I guess this just shows that athletes are like everyone else, subject to problems, pressures and bad decisions - they just get paid more than we do.