I No Longer Fear Satan's Wrath

Well, what can I say? My worst fear has been realized. The Chicago White Sox are in the World Series. To Sox nation I offer my congratulations. I hope you realize just how sacred and special this is. I also will hope beyond hope that they take this time to enjoy it and not use it to bash the Cubs. I am hoping that they will exhibit class and use this as a showcase for what a great baseball town this can be. Somehow, I think I will be disappointed.

As for my own personal feelings, yes, I am in hell. Listen, I realize that good teams make their own luck and when a break arises they take advantage of them. However, the breaks this team is getting go beyond words. Let’s list them all.

Game 2 of the ALDS – A ground ball that in my littlie league years I could have fielded goes between the legs of ex-Sox second baseman Tony (why is this guy starting) Grafininno. Of course this leads to a 5 run inning, which propels the White Sox to a victory. If the Red Sox hold on and win that game it is a whole new series.

Game 3 of the ALDS – Sorry, I’ve seen numerous replays, Damon did not swing. In the bottom of the 6^th the Red Sox had the bases loaded and no one out needing only one run to tie the game. The next two hitters popped up when Damon came to the plate. On a 3-2 pitch he clearly checked his swing. However, the umpire rang him up. Again, another huge break and again it could have been a whole new series if not for that call.

Game 2 of the ALCS – They scored their first run thanks to a two base throwing error on the pitcher. Then the worst call I’ve ever seen took place. I’ve been watching baseball for thirty years. In all of that time I’ve never seen a play like I saw at the end of the game. That umpire quite simply blew that call. Let’s forget the whole did he catch the ball or did it hit the dirt. The ump signaled the out sign meaning the batter is out. His lame “that is my strike three call” bullshit is just that. He choked pure and simple. If the White Sox go down 0-2 it is a whole new ballgame.

Game 4 of the ALCS – Again Pierzynski is at the center of controversy, as he was not called for catcher’s interference. The Umps blew that one. It would have caused a run to score for the Angels and it’s a whole new game. Then, later Podsednik was out on a pick off, again the ump missed the call. So, then when he steals second every replay shows he is out. Of course, the ump blew the call and called him safe. He later comes around to score. If those calls are made correctly it is a whole new game and who knows who wins.

Game 5 of the ALCS – It’s the top of the 8^th The Sox have runners on first and second. Up steps Joe Crede with Rodriguez on the mound. The count is 2-2 and Rodriguez throws a knee bending perfect curveball that fooled not only the hitter, but also the ump. He calls it a ball and of course with the count 3-2 the runners get a head start. On the next pitch Crede hits a 15-hop ground ball up the middle that somehow scores the winning run.

Sox fans can say all they want, however, if these calls had gone against them their tune would be a whole lot different. I am going to look this up, but I have to wonder when the last team without a .300 hitter or a 20-game winner got to the World Series? If this sounds like a bitter rant, well, it is. I admit I am jealous. I am jealous that they get to have all the fun of the World Series. I wish all the players on the Sox no ill will. I also am happy for all the good Sox fans that have lived and died with this team over the years. However, to the other “fans” who never support this team, that barely average 20,000 on weeknights, that sit and openly and viciously rooted against my Cubs in 2003 and to Jerry Residorf, to them, I say eat me. The more I think about it wasn’t an all-bad weekend, at least Norte Dame lost.