because it’s humorous…

Best media moment: A Sun-Times columnist asking security staffers Saturday to safeguard him from one of his colleagues, who asked for a conversation. Request denied.

It apparenly happened Saturday because this note was included in the Trib’s liveblog

Jay Mariotti asked for a security presence to safeguard him from his colleagues. UPDATE: Mariotti is cornered in the lunchroom with his cell glued to his ear, whining to his bosses about the inconsiderate behavior of his Sun-Times peeps, who apparently don’t like him.

You let me post whatever I want no matter how shite the quality out of sheer faith in the goodness of Sox fans and then completely negate the value of a three game series with our “rivals”. Evidence further that you navigate the complexities of blogdom brilliantly. Thanks again for the respite and the space to express myself. How you stay nearly without ego in a pursuit that’s so egotisic I won’t know.

/asskissing but what the fuck ever

I know I don’t post on this site very often but I am a bigger Sox fan than I let on. I watch as many games as I can and though I do not let it consume my life I do my best to catch up every day when I do not have a chance to watch the game. Part of my nightly routine is to spend at least 20 to 30 minutes reading this blog depending on the degree of interest the posts provoke on any particular night. One of the reasons I go here instead of any of the countless other places where I can get my sox news from is that, unlike most other places, when I come here I am always certain to find what you (Cheat) were referring to as perspective.

I know I can always come here and see the whole picture. For every person who is screaming that the season is over there is a voice of optimism whispering in the background. For every person preaching on ignorant hope there is a voice of realism ready to bring them back to earth. And for every weekend when there just aren’t enough words to really make sense of what happened, there is Cheat, offering us perspective.

I don’t always agree with everything that is said here, and I certainly don’t get as fanatic as some of you here but I love baseball and I love my Sox just like the rest of you. I am grateful to be able to come here everyday and this post only reminded me why. Thanks Cheat!

I was looking forward to this series more for the fact that the Sox were going to get a chance to show what they had against one of baseball’s best. Not that a three game set out of 162 is something you can draw a whole lot from, min you, but it was still a series I was certainly looking forward to. I don’t want to completely discount the “Crosstown Classic” factor - my dad is a Cubs fan and at Marquette I know a lot more people who root for the boys in red and blue than I know Sox fans - but it’s certainly lessened over the years (I’m sort of sidetracking here).

I’m just disappointed because we didn’t see the good or even average Sox team. Outside of a handful of guys (Dye, Danks, Quentin… some other guys had a non-terrible but nothing noteworthy series, too), we saw a poor weekend from our guys. Whether it was Contreras throwing BP on Saturday, Vazquez suddenly (or maybe not so suddenly—he’s been shaky his past several starts, although I expect him to rebound. He’s battling his command right now, that happens.) having no inkling on where the strike zone is, Crede not hitting the ball hard…

I don’t know… I’m sorry if this reads as more of a ramble. This weekend was tough, but it’s times like this that I’m glad I’ve completely weened myself off of ESPN “analysis” and other mainstream media output. This has become my sole outlet for talking Sox, as it’s generally a great balance of passion and reason minded-ness.

I agree with the above posters and have only one thing to add:

An SSH-free day is like when the lifeguard at the public pool blows his whistle to signal “adult swim”.
Thx for that too.

My second (and last) experience in the bleachers at Wrigley.

The heckling in the bleachers was pretty brutal.

The Sox’ play was also brutal.

But as I contemplated after the game whilst getting my drink on, the only thing that really upset me about this game is the Sox only being 1 1/2 games in 1st. Ultimately, I could give a rats patootie about how the Sox play the Cubs; any Cubs fan heckling really has no bite because you can end any argument with “talk to me when you win a World Series in your lifetime.”

Vazquez was poor today, in fact, I’ve got a terrible record watching the Sox in person this season – 0-3 and only 2 runs scored over all 3 games. But still, it’s just one weekend against an opponent that is not in our division. If the Twins had lost today I wouldn’t have really cared that much.

This may not be a great team, but I still think they are a good team. They just didn’t show it today at all.

on the old Comiskey site (yes, it’s a parking lot) and has 2 actual seats from 2005 sitting in my garage. That being said, I don’t live and die with each win/loss, but rather frequent this site because of the diverity of opinion and the interesting ways those opinions are present. It’s fun.

That being said, it hasn’t been as much fun this past weekend, so thanks, Cheat, for allowing (perhaps) some fresh air to permeate. Everyone needs a break once in awhile.

is I was unable to watch most of Saturday and all of Sunday. Brutal. Should I be concerned about Javy? Did he look that bad (wild) or is he just going thru “that” period most go thru at some point in the season.

and why is today a free day?

regards

This sight is awesome.

Maybe this weekend motivates the Sox…

Ozzie is great because I think he is just as upset as any of us. Maybe now his earlier plea(s) for a roster move gains some traction? Dewayne Wise was impressive and added some much needed speed in center. Thome can’t even play 1st for 1,2,3 games? Swish struggled at first and at the plate. And whats with this pitchers batting nonsense anyway I like AJ, but his D is lacking and I’m still uneasy about him batting second. CQ can’t do everything the entire year (has a write in ballot allstar ever won MVP?).

All that said we are in 1st. Bring on the Twins, we weren’t going to win it without beating them anyway. Maybe warmer weather will heat up our hitters, which seems to be Ozzie’s new catch phrase to keep himself from expressing a desire for more offensive firepower.

The crowds this weekend had to be the near-loudest many players have experienced, in or out of dome. Interesting to consider the effect on both teams.

It was painful that the Sox as a team seemed to regress through the series to last night’s whimper.

In the end, I think the Sox are more than competitive with the north-side team.

put my very “cranky” weekend in the rearview mirror. Talk about a trainwreck…geez…and on national TV…double geez.

This weekend could set things right with the Sox world again…or make it completely unbearable…who knows?

However, beyond this weekend, on the upside, the Sox schedule isn’t terrible in July with 6 vs. KC, 6 vs. TX, and a smattering of games with Oakland, Detroit and a whopper of a series in Minnesota and the tail end. These are series that SHOULD be won by the Sox if they buck up and get their act together, with pitching and hitting in sync. Hey, it could happen.

Meanwhile, in July, the Twins have many games vs. Cleveland and Detroit (so it will be nice to watch the rest of the division beat each other up), as well as series in Boston and New York.

So do like Steve Perry and…”Don’t stop believin’, hold on to that feelin’”

I was really excited when I found out about Southsidesox.com. A modern look with really knowledgeable analysis and comments. So thank you for keeping this going and writing. Your effort are not getting wasted. Fans like me learn more about the game and about the sox. Some stats you provide I would not be able to dig myself or even know where to start digging for them. Even though I have been on this site for maybe a couple months now I can say I am much more understanding and knowledgeable fan because of reading the posts here.

They all seem very upbeat and interested in sharing their thoughts.

I guess they haven’t met larry yet.

Emailing Rotoworld bulletins about inconsequential players to himself?
Carving a Cubs logo into his arm?
Calling everybody named “Larry” in the phonebook?

Danks, talk about someone who walked the walk. He shut down that potent offense with the wind blowing out in a bandbox. He has really taken a step forward this year.

Jermaine Dye’s power streak.

Carlos Quentin back to taking pitches and hitting the ball.

but still a lot of season left

Quite Orwellian, yet appreciated.

the tigers are 5 games back and playing well?

or my computer.
Friday’s gamethread demonstration was about all I could take – I am nervous to sift through Saturday’s discussion…especially since it warranted a 24-hour banishment for SSH.

But like everyone else said – this site is truly incredible for the discussion it generates through very intelligent and informed members, namely the editors, but also some contributing fans. Cheat and Wiz (Colin and Shaft), you guys dedicate enormous time to allow us fans to have an arena for expression, information, and devotion. And your work is much appreciated.

And thanks for the one good piece of news today. I came to work only to find out that my dearest hero has left this earth – I truly feel like a friend is gone. (And strangely, it’s not SSH).

George Carlin, the acerbic, Grammy-winning comedian whose career spanned more than 50 years, died of heart failure Sunday after being admitted to the hospital complaining of chest pains, a hospital spokesman said. He was 71.

Carlin, who had a history of heart problems, died at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica shortly before 6 p.m., said his publicist Jeff Abraham.

The comedian, who toured college campuses for years and made a name for himself using dirty language and delivering biting social commentaries, had released 22 solo albums and three bestselling books.

He finished a show at The Orleans in Las Vegas last week and was planning to take the month off to relax and work on a new book of essays and musings, Abraham said.

Carlin normally took summers off and was scheduled to begin touring again beginning with a July 20 performance at Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay in San Diego. He had dates lined up through December, Abraham said.

“He was looking forward to it,” Abraham said.

Carlin went to the hospital Sunday afternoon because “his heart just didn’t feel right,” the publicist said.

Carlin starred in a variety of TV and movie roles and gained fame for a routine about the seven dirty words that could not be uttered on television.

“There are three ingredients in my comedy,” he said in a 1991 interview with the Los Angeles Times. “Those three things which wax and wane in importance are English language and wordplay; secondly, mundane, everyday observational comedy—dogs, cats and all that stuff; and thirdly, sociopolitical attitude comedy.”

He earned several gold comedy albums and five Emmy nominations.

Carlin was arrested in 1972 in Milwaukee for using indecent language. In a separate case in 1973, a radio listener complained after a station played part of his album. That case went the Supreme Court, which in 1978 ruled in favor of the Federal Communications Commission, saying the radio station could not broadcast those words at times when children could be listening.

Last year, he said a highlight of his career was a 1992 HBO special titled “Jamming in New York.”

“That was the point where I probably became more of a writer who performed his own material.

“The material became more like essays, they became more socially conscious, and it was just a major jump from being what I think of as only an entertainer to being an artist-entertainer,” he said in a 2007 Times interview.

Last year, Carlin released “George Carlin: All My Stuff,” a 14-DVD collection of his HBO specials from 1977 to 2005. He had shown no signs of slowing down.

Just last week, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced Carlin would be awarded the 11th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

The center is scheduled to honor Carlin at a tribute performance by former colleagues on Nov. 10, which will be broadcast later on PBS. Actor and comedian Billy Crystal won last year’s Mark Twain prize.

Carlin was born May 12, 1937, in the Bronx and grew up in New York.

He is survived by wife Sally Wade; daughter Kelly Carlin McCall; son-in-law Bob McCall; older brother Patrick Carlin; sister-in-law Marlene Carlin and longtime manager, business partner and best friend Jerold Hamza. Carlin’s first wife, Brenda, died in 1997.

Thanks for offering up daily (or almost daily) doses of perspective, we can all use some from time to time. Today’s gift is also greatly appreciated, although I think SSH could certainly use some perspective as well, that or tranquilizers.

I watched a grand total of none of the games this weekend (a friend’s bbq complete with Don Q mojitos was just too good to leave yesterday evening), so I’m not all that concerned about the goings on with the Sox. As with a lot of others, I didn’t think the team would be so competitive this year, so it’s nice to see them doing as well as they are. I hope they can make the playoffs, but wouldn’t be destroyed if they didn’t.

One annoying thing about this weekend’s series was getting a text from a sCrUBs fan friend last night asking me where to send the broom. I texted him back that he can keep it to remember last week’s series against the Rays.

but I’m glad I did. Perspective is very important. Cheat, you’re the best. And it’s still nice to be in first place. First place. Come on!!! (Please read “Come on!!!” with best Job impression from Arrested Devlopment).

so he gets BAzzled in his own azzle?

If larry never posts again he has given me the gift of that statement. And I am grateful.

until yesterday. Notified the wife I was off kid duty starting at 7 PM (watched ‘em most of the day). Got a beer, plate of food. Plopped down and Javy throws 8 straight balls. The rest was history. At the end I was thinking that was not fun.

But today is a new day. We’re still in 1st place. I’m going to the game friday. Cubs are below .500 on the road. Life’s good.

1. Re: Perspective. I agree it’s important, but complicated. Example: I turned off the game when Javy walked Fukudome on 4 pitches to lead off the game, and didn’t turn it back on for any extended period until the Sox were down 4 with no shot to come back. It was painful to watch, and I figured, why depress myself? Once they were down 4, it was “safe” to watch again, since there was virtually no shot they would come back, and if they did, it would have been awesome. Is that perspective? I don’t know. I was not depressed, but I was also (some would say, including maybe me) a crappy fan. Perspective in sports is quite the Catch-22—when you’re watching a bunch of strangers with whom you probably have very little in common playing a kids’ game, rooting for clothes, wouldn’t true “perspective” argue for stopping altogether? After all, what’s the point of wasting 3 hours a day doing that if you’re not going to be passionate about it?

2. Re: SSH. I’m hoping today’s absence is mutual - i.e., he decided he needed a break from the site too. There is nothing wrong with pessimism - I suspect that most of us, as Sox fans, are generally pessimistic (otherwise, we’d be Cub fans), and in my experience, thoughtful people tend to be pessimistic. I don’t generally have a problem with SSH—his debates with Larry, Colin and virtually everyone else are usually fun reading and Lincoln-Douglasesque (actually, just exchange the word “slavery” for “Walker”, and it’s practically verbatim). Some of the stuff over the past couple days was more over the line, but hey, it’s Cubs-Sox and it’s the Internetz.

3. Re: The Team. At this time, in this place, the Sox are just not as good as the Cubs. This is not a crime—the Cubs look like the best(est) team in baseball this year, and are just brutal (in the good way) at home. Certainly they have played better against the Sox than anyone else to this point. Thankfully, they are not in our division, and the biggest “threat”, by games behind, has Livan Hernandez for an ace. I agree the Tigers are more of a concern.

/Insanely long post.

can we forget the Twins sweep? :-(

Monday, June 23
Game 1—Fresno State (45-30) vs. No. 8 Georgia (44-23-1), 7 p.m., (ESPN2/ESPN360)

Tuesday, June 24
Game 2—No. 8 Georgia (44-23-1) vs. Fresno State (45-30), 7 p.m., (ESPN/ESPN360)

Wednesday, June 25
Game 3—No. 8 Georgia (44-23-1) vs. Fresno State (45-30) (if nec.), 7 p.m., (ESPN/ESPN360)

Judge Mathis just tore this guy a new one because he called Mathis a “Celebrity Judge”.