Of course I used that line to pique your curiosity.
He is from Cartagena, Bolivar, Columbia, and he was born the same year as my wife, 1974. November 2.
He is listed at 5'9", 185 pounds, and like many gifted Latinos is a short stop.
He broke into the majors 11 years ago with Montreal, playing 16 games in 1997.
He got four hits in 18 at bats. Knocked in two runs and struck out three times.
To date (end of May 2008), he has played in 1460 games, been at the plate 5,498 times, scored over 700 runs and almost has 1500 hits.
I always find the number of strike outs in comparison to runs batted in compelling.
Not sure why.
He has 638 RBIs (100 HRs even) to 517 SOs. 393 BBs with only a .320 OBP.
Nothing outstanding. But productive.
Lifetime .979 FLD%, which I don't know the exact meaning of but it signifies his fielding.
He's good.
His first 7 major league season he played with the Montreal Expos, and switched mid season in 2004 and was a part of the historical Bambino curse busting Red Sox.
Then he played with the Anaheim Angels the next three years, and this year is playing with the Chicago White Sox.
It happened yesterday, Friday the 6th of July, 2007.
It was a dark and broody club house.
The team was already on edge due to underperforming, ready to trade their ace Mark Buehrle or their former World Series MVP Jermaine Dye...
Ozzie Guillen and that Williams guy were ruminating trades, changes, and then:
THE LIGHTS WENT OUT.
Garland gave up 12 runs in the first of the the two games against the Minnesota twins. And the "relief" only gave up 8 more the rest of the merciless six remaining innings...Prior to massacre number two.
Oh, the White Sox did score 14.
When I first saw the score on my Internet scoreboard yesterday, I thought it was a Broncos/Raiders score. Nope, just a nutty baseball game.
LET'S PLAY TWO! (Ernie Banks was a Cub, but the ghosts of Chicago are kind and/or cruel across the lakeshores).
I followed a lot of the second game online. The glogger said that the new pitcher, a rookie first timer?, was pitching well EXCEPT for the home runs...Cuddyer, 3 run shot, Morneau has a 3 HR day between the two games, etcetera.
So the novice only gave up 4 homers. His ERA was about 40.5 when I checked it early on. Maybe it is down to twenty or so now. I need to check.
So, the Pale Hose have dropped down to this darkest day against their rival Twinkies, meanwhile Detroit and Cleveland are running away with the division that was a close race last year and obviously the White Sox's to take back in 2005.
The sun rises high on certain organizations, kind of like an Arctic summer, and then disappears for months at a time.
I will continue to watch the struggling White Sox this year, and witness the Cubbies get their Brew Crew thrillies, but I wanted all of you to know that my favorite baseball team is playing its way out of Nome, Alaska and we are some time in mid-January.
It's a dark time, indeed.
20-14.
12-0.
If only they had busted out the bats the second game, the White Sox would have finished 1-1 yesterday, and still have a Yankees shot in heck of getting back into a race of some kind.
But like I said, it is a dark time in the realms of the Southside.
And up here in Alaska, for sure.
Other places on our great planet, I do enjoy the fact that the Red Sox may have another day in the sun, as well as a really cool NL East division. Mets, Phillies and Braves, oh my!
There is always the Southern Hemisphere for summer days of light and joy, folks.
1. BYU must needs layeth waste to WAC Champ Tulsa...
2. IU must doeth the same against David Letterman U.
3. The White Sox wear green? See below>...
Man! My editing skills are nasty!~ I mostly wanted to show that the Pale Hose went green yesterday and trail the Tigs by 4.5 games. Sorry for the mess.
4.And lastly today, all the other games, including the showdown in Austin (1 vs 2) PSU vs ND, and Roddick and Federer in Flushing Meadows...
OKAY, I'll stop now while I'm behind. (Big-10 and MWC reports upcoming in the next day or two).
CHICAGO -- Bobby Jenks blew a save and gave up the lead in a span of seven pitches. Then A.J. Pierzynski bailed him out and gave the Chicago White Sox one of their most dramatic wins this season.
Pierzynski hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning after Jenks gave up four straight doubles in the top half, and the White Sox rallied for a 7-6 win over the Cleveland Indians on Friday night.
"It's amazing how you can go from four straight doubles, being down a run, to a hit and a home run and we're winning," said Pierzynski, who pumped his fist while rounding the bases and then flipped off his helmet before he was mobbed by teammates at the plate.
"Everything stays the same and we pick up a game on Detroit. It's amazing how it goes up and down, back and forth."
The wild victory kept the White Sox a half-game behind Minnesota in the AL wild-card race and moved third-place Chicago within 4½ games of the AL Central-leading Tigers.
Paul Konerko singled for his fourth hit to start the ninth. After failing to get a bunt down on the first pitch, Pierzynski connected to right-center on an 0-2 pitch from reliever Tom Mastny (0-1).
"I feel good now I didn't get the bunt down," Pierzynski said. "I was pretty sure it had a chance to go, but with Grady (Sizemore) out there you never know. He can make some incredible catches and I saw him turn and jump on the wall and saw he wasn't going to get it. It was a great feeling."
Advertisement
Pinch-hitter Casey Blake, Andy Marte, Sizemore and Jason Michaels hit consecutive doubles off Jenks as the Indians quickly turned a 5-3 deficit into a 6-5 lead in the ninth.
"We got him early, got some guys on and just tried to do what we did," Sizemore said. "It's a tough way to lose a game. We fought hard, we came back and they did a good job of getting us in the ninth."
Alex Cintron's RBI single in the eighth put Chicago ahead 5-3, and the White Sox turned the game over to Jenks, who had an MRI on his sore hip Tuesday after blowing a save Monday night in Boston. The test revealed no structural damage.
Marte made it 5-4 with a drive to right-center and Sizemore tied the game with a blooper down the left-field line. Michaels hit a hard grounder down the first-base line for Cleveland's fourth straight double and Jenks was replaced by Matt Thornton (5-2), who finally ended the rally.
"I made some good pitches and they got some quick hits," Jenks said.
Pierzynski said Jenks' pitches lacked their usual velocity.
"The radar gun was saying 96 (mph), but it wasn't the 96 he usually has," Pierzynski said. "A little less. But it was the first game back after a few, and with the hip thing going on, it's tough. He'll be fine and we'll need him down the stretch."
It was Jenks' fourth blown save in 43 chances.
Juan Uribe, in an 0-for-21 skid, homered and had two hits for the White Sox. His 17th homer leading off the fifth tied the score at 2. Konerko delivered a two-out single in the inning to put the White Sox ahead 3-2.
Uribe started another rally in the sixth with a two-out single, stole second and scored when Scott Podsednik -- in a 3-for-26 slump -- hit an RBI single for a 4-2 lead to finish Indians starter Paul Byrd.
The Indians cut the lead to one in the seventh when Victor Martinez hit a two-out RBI single off Mike MacDougal.
Chicago starter Freddy Garcia gave up six hits, three runs with four walks and a season-high eight strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
In the fifth, Sizemore walked, went to second on Garcia's errant pickoff attempt and stole third. After Michaels walked, Martinez hit a hard shot to first that Konerko knocked down from his knees. He tagged the bag as Sizemore scored for a 2-1 lead.
Byrd gave up nine hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings. He gave up consecutive singles to Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome, Konerko and Pierzynski that tied the score at 1 in the fourth.
Sizemore tripled to start the third and, after a one-out walk to Martinez, Ryan Garko singled in the game's first run.
Notes
Sizemore's triple was his 10th of the season, giving him double figures in doubles, triples, homers and stolen bases for a second straight year.
The White Sox donned green hats and jerseys with green lettering and numbers for a "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" promotion.
Indians DH Travis Hafner missed his seventh straight game after being hit by a pitch a week ago.
White Sox 3B Joe Crede was out a second straight night with a sore back but is expected back Saturday.
AP NEWS The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2005-2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved You're not seeing things -- A.J. Pierzynski jumps into a pile of green-clad White Sox after his
It has recently been brought to my attention that promoting one's own blog/current post may be in poor taste or a turn off, especially if the commenter "dropping" said promos is not adding any valid commentary to the post on which they are supposedly "commenting".
Example: I (suppose it is yours truly) read an article on the NFL, "X" story/subject and all I comment is:
How much do you know about your home state? Can you talk about the sports in its top ten cities?
I try it in my current blog post.
(This is a real example of what I did today to promote my "edclinch" blog and post about the top ten cities of Indiana and their sports, according to me...)
And then, hypothetically,nothing more is mentioned related to the other (original) post of the co-blogger.
I agree, that would be egregious, rude, and wantonly pandering. I admit that this is wrong and in poor taste .
Point taken and a very good one.
However, if I make a short comment like,
"Very nice. Enjoyed it." or "I don't necessarily agree with x, y, z, etc.." or "Wow. I like Marshall Faulk a ton! What about Todd Watkins with Leinart in Phoenix?"
In that case, hopefully it shows that I cared enough to read or at least that I perused the post! Do I have to write a follow up essay or complete paragraph to show more courtesy or continue with some of my own agenda?
What do you think, Foxsports Blogland?
I think it is courteous to minimally post a small comment, at the least, and I actually think it is cool and fun to drop promos. Not always, of course.
And clearly, if anybody knows me as a blogger, I can and do go on for a while on certain subjects. Check your post comments. You know who you are...
Another example from today, please weigh in bantam weights... Or even feathers...
I read a NASCAR post.
I write, more or less, on that blog:
"I don't necessarily like racing, but I just wrote a post that includes Indy and the Speedway. Here is my promo for it:
Sorry if you don't like promos, but ...
How much do you know about your home state? Can you talk about the sports in its top ten cities?
I try it in my current blog post.
Okay, am I presenting this clearly and fair enough?
Is this ethical and cool with most of you?
I truly hope so. I see nothing wrong with "dropping paste-promos" (may I add, one at a time: not exactly a speedy endeavor) on people's comments, as long as you acknowledge that you have paid attention to what that blogger has written...
All right, that is my question/dilemma/point, and I'm sticking to it, for now.
Peace in the Middle East, and back here harmony and growth...
Sox win tonight; score 13 runs. Minnesota trying to rally on Detroit with two outs in the ninth...
Good Sunday, my fellow bloggers. This post is dedicated to Demonicume (whatever that means), and is partially inspired by his very well written blog post yesterday about corporate greed and overburdening the regular consumer. (That is my summary of your excellent post paraphrased DemonC, correct me if I am off.)
That explicated, allow me to delve into a few questions that I would like some feedback on...
Do sports help or hinder the poor?
I am going to number my points for lack of a better system. This might be more organized, clear, or easily referenced for future use. (24 in all-yes, a tad long...)
1. Here is a telling joke I heard in my last term of grad school, while observing a class in Urban Planning (aka Urban Studies) in order to try and get a job lead from the professor.
What is the difference between a social work major, a urban planning major, and a public policy major?
The social worker studies the poor and learns how to help them.
The urban planner studies the poor but doesn't help them.
The public policy maker does not know there are poor people.
Cue to laugh. Insert canned laughter.
This writer is none of the above, but as a Masters Graduate of Latin American Studies with an interdisciplinary focus on geography, political science and economics, I get it: we have to help the poor. By so doing we help all of us in the long run, and the short.
2. And also, something very profound: poverty is relative. Poor to me is rich to you, rich to her is poor to him, and poor for most Americans is stinking blessed for much of the known world. A lot of people think that obesity is a sure sign of wealth. You know: "fat and happy, living high on the hog"?
3.I honestly believe as long as one person goes to bed hungry or malnourished on this planet because of lack of resources, ALL of us are poor. Does that make sense to anyone else?
4.And so, what impact can sports do to alleviate hunger or promote healthy economies and governments?
You tell me, gentle reader.
5. Do some American poor put so much mental effort and physical sacrifices in time and energy towards athletics that they deprive themselves of better opportunities that would actually improve themselves and their lots/stations in life?
6. Do middle class income earners lose out on opportunities to do better by similar distractions. Do the rich? (Rich is a relative term, granted...)
7. Do big power politicians, owners,financial mavericks, movers and shakers et al always profit from the ignorance of those they tax and benefit from?
8. Do sports owners, managers and those who make big money from athletics(players, agents, corporate sponsors, etc.)think they are helping the poor in any way? Do you know of which ones do?
9. Does the aforementioned group of economically prosperous people break down into demographics as widely ranged as philanthropists to misers?
10. What percent of your annual budget do you spend on sports? (Pay per view, tickets, paraphanalia, etc.)
11. What percent of your day do you spend (timewise) on sports? Which SportsCenter do you usually catch, or is it all Internet? Magazines and periodicals?
How much time in your typical week (not in March, okay...)? Your average month? Year?
12. How much money do sports generate? Compared to the US GDP of approximately 11 trillion dollars (annually, c. 2006)?
13. How high do you get when your team wins? How low when they lose? Do you "drink it off"? Or get abusive? Financially?
14. Do sports make you more comabtive and less likable? Do they prevent you from being close to significant others or family?
15. Do people get alienated by you because of sports?
16. Do questions 10-15 affect your income or potential income in any way? Do they affect things more important than your yearly earnings? (Fill in the blank what would be more vital to you...)
17. Do sports help you bond with others and understand things that edify and uplift? Or outrage and beget greater intellectual curiosity?
18. Are these questions too deep, intractable or too off the point of the actual purpose and escapist release of the enjoyment of organized athletics?
19. Does this sound like some nutty blogger therapy session?
20. Can we really help the poor with athletic programs and humanitarian projects helped by the focus of sports?
21. Could we help Africa and third world areas survive and then thrive through more sports related efforts and initiatives?
22. Can we do more, individually and collectively, to help the poor?
23. Am I poor? Is that relevant? Am I rich? Does that matter?
What matters, my friends? (24)
This was my Sunday "sermon" and deep sports questions, and I do expect a lot of feedback. Indulge! I have been blogging for 6 months now, and just like a player who feels like they might be in a "zone", I feel good about this one.
PS: Congrats, Tiger. Making your dad proud...again. Classy.
PPS: The Detroit Tigers cannot be stopped, only slowed down! 110 wins? Yeesh. I'm beginning to wonder about any losing series from them till October... And my Pale Hose are paler by the day...A losing month?
These are the teams I would want to win this fall in the AL (2006):
1. White Sox. Die hard fan since 1992.
2. Oakland. Thomas is a cool one.
3. Texas/Seattle. Both are supreme underdogs. What a breathe of fresh air it would be. Especially for the NFL depressed...
4. Yankees? NO! Angels? Maybe, but... 2002 was cool for at least a decade. Twins? 1987 and 1991 were a lot for that market! What about Kansas City? Why can't they field talent like the Twin Cities?
It just occurred to me: i can dedicate (whoops, paging cuzzifer!) this blog to the American League and the "edclinch" blog (my alter ego, as penned by Norcal or SoCal or NSF, all three of whom I respect highly) "edclinch" to the NL.
My split blogality is making more sense all the time!
Go Nats! More on the other league on my other blog later!
And what about the geography of the minors? Should I create a third blog?
Of course not, two is enough!
Bo Sox? Okay, that is acceptable now that Damon left... Toronto? Hmmmm...Detroit? Okay, but only if they beat the Pale Hose...
Am I too namby pamby in allegiance here?
OKAY, good night all!
Working a lot...
PS: My most rambling post yet? Maybe.
But I swear, I don't do drugs. I don't even curse (out loud). I swear. No, I don't!
I wanted to post the two team's schedules side by side, and I need to sharpen my copying, posting and pasting skills. I also am having technical difficulties with my color palettes, and I wish I had a better feel for these tools... But damn the torpedos, I will make something from this...
As you can see, the White Sox will play the Tigers 13 more times this season. 6 at Cellular and 7 away. Both clubs win at home very well, so far 28-14 (DET) and 33-14 (CHI), the higher number having been played already by the Pale Hose pre All Star break, indicating that the Tigers have an easier row to #### these last 72 games. Last night was a case in point, Chicago coming up short in a rally to the Yanks in the Bronx and Detroit was victorious in their rally to the spunky Royals in Motown, 2006.
How are the other remaining series? (Counting last night, July 14)
Chicago (Home/Away) Detroit (Home/Away)
NYY 3---------3 NYY 0----------3
TEX 3---------0 TEX 5----------0
MINN 6---------6 MINN 3----------7
BALT 0----------3 BALT 3----------1
KC 4----------6 KC 3----------3
TOR 0----------3 TOR 3----------0
LAA 1----------3 LAA 3-----------0
TBAY 3----------0 TBAY 0-----------4
BOS 0----------3 BOS 0-----------3
CLE 4---------3 CLE 3-----------6
OAK 0----------3 OAK 3-----------0
SEA 4---------0 SEA 3-----------0
I think that is it. I will re-count this list. This was fun (but difficult) for me to do. But it reminds me a lot of what I used to do on paper with newspapers many years ago, when I didn't even like the AL.
So: I will post this now and I will add a little comparison and contrast of the upcoming teams that they must play, for both teams as this Saturday progresses...
Comments for now...Not much...The Sox must rally against the Yanks, today the 16th. Likewise Los Tigres contra los Reales...
Swept by the Yanks? Ouch, four back of the Tigers. At least Detroit lost today, also, getting 1 game on the Sox, staying at 62 wins...
Chicago vs. Cleveland 
You're not seeing things -- A.J. Pierzynski jumps into a pile of green-clad White Sox after his