ChicagoSportsBlogs : Non Compete

I can't really brag about this weekend's sweep of the Royals. Nope! But I can brag about being there on Saturday, live and in person to see the White Sox blow a 2-1 lead and eventually turn it on in the 10th to beat the Royals!

I've got pictures of the ballpark in KC, plus a quick shot of Arrowhead stadium (right next door to the ballpark). I'll post them tonight with a further review of the stadium!

I hope those were tears of joy I saw running down the cheeks of our new #1 draft pick, Cedric Benson. The Texas running back is born and raised from the longhorn state. He is durable, and he is NOT Ricky Williams. It seems this kid has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He didn't enjoy the background checks these past few weeks under the pre-draft microscope. He didn't like the comparisons to Ricky Williams. He is his own man. Football-wise I can only hope this kid turns out to be half of what Ricky Williams was before going on tour with Lenny Kravitz in Tibet. Everyone in Texas knows who this kid is. They know he is a native son who decided to stay and play for the great University of Texas. The city of Chicago is anxious to learn who he is. We have had a number of recent RB drafted that have turned out to be busts. Highly touted running backs in the same vein as Benson.(do I need to remind you of Salaam or Enis?)

Most draft experts like to assign grades to teams after the draft. I have seen the Bears scored anywhere between a B to an A. I want to hold off any further grading of Angelo and company for now. I don't know enough about some of the receivers we drafted. I know plenty about the QB that fell to us in the 4th round. Kyle Orton from Purdue had a rough senior season. If he would have left school last year, he would have been a late 1st round pick if not a second round pick for sure. His recent injuries and a crap senior season caused him to drop heavily in this year's draft. I can say, I have seen Orton play a few times in person. Most recently in Evanston this past Northwestern season where he was benched (or hurt, depending) in the 4th quarter only to see NU take the victory from Purdue. He didn't look like much of a pro level QB that day. Let's hope he comes in healthy and strong. Competition at QB is something I didn't expect at all this year. Perhaps this team has learned from its mistakes.

Back in 5.

The timing of this post by James Steele is amazing. My wife and I just spent last night comparing notes on this craptacular practice. It has manifested itself in every job either of us have ever had. (ok almost every job) It becomes laughable how similar our stories are. They all boil down to this BB factor.

I wonder if real professions have this problem. I'll tell you one thing: It's tiresome. Chose whatever metaphor you like -- but the IT industry has been overrun with dick measuring contests. I'll pass along some free advice that I got when I was a know-it-all 22-year old programmer: Be the first one in the room to admit you don't know. Just admit it. It won't cost you anything. Half the room already thinks you're an idiot anyway. Cut to the chase and see if you can head them off at the pass by NOT yanking the big D out. They'll respect you for it. And trust me -- this is the advice of a former BB'er, it works in the long run.

(Former because I had a mentor who mopped the floor with me one day and taught me the word hubris.)

No one should be surprised that the Bears cut Rex Tucker yesterday. Tucker was injury prone. He missed entire spans of the season in 2002 and 2003(all of it, to be exact) I'm pretty sure that we will be drafting a young guard in the later rounds of this weekend's draft. I can't argue with a rookie over Tucker. Hopefully the next guy who comes in can stay healthy long enough that we want to run him out of town for his play, not the lack of.

This leads me to my pre-draft predictions. I understand the Bears have had a horrible history of drafts these past 10 years. I think we can turn it around this year with an impact player. This is especially true this year over years past because the division has changed drastically. The Vikings finally have rid themselves of Randy Moss. They have the 8th pick in the draft this year .  I wouldn't be surprised to see them draft a WR to replace Moss. The Bears are rumored in the wide-out sweepstakes as well. It would be fitting if we actually drafted the right guy over the Vikings. Michigan's Braylon Edwards and USC's Mike Williams are clearly the two favorites. If you throw in a couple of Auburn running backs you have a strong selection of early offensive players. I would take Williams over Edwards because of history alone. Another Big Ten wide-out? I don't care how much nicer he is than David Terrel. I'd be gun shy.

I am pretty sure we can expect a running back in the second round to compete with Thomas Jones. I don't think Angelo is ready to give up on Jones. He has one year left to prove to everyone that he can be a starting back in this league. The Bears don't want to rattle their prized picks. Specifically, Grossman and Jones. Angelo wants these guys to succeed badly. He can't afford to draft competition and rock the boat. Besides, Lovie has to be given a shot to implement his system with healthy players and a new offensive coordinator. Let's not forget that Muhammad joins this football team as a clear weapon. He should make everyone look good. Angelo, Lovie, Grossman, Jones, and Turner. I don't think a hotshot RB from Auburn, no matter how talented, is going to get a shot here. The safe insurance pick would be to draft running back later in the day. This way we get someone cheap without threatening the established Jones.

The only thing that would surprise me this weekend is this: Angelo trades the pick. He claims he won't do it this time, but I wonder if someone is eying us knowing we get nervous with such high picks. I also would be surprised if we drafted a running back first. For that matter, if we drafted a quarterback at all I would be utterly shocked. I can't wait to see how it shakes out.

I'm sitting here watching the Sox take care of business against the Mariners. They are up 5-2. Garland was pitching a perfect game. It's good to see the starting rotation put forth such a strong effort. Especially when its this early in the season. I didn't put my beer down to post my comments intra-game -- I did it because my wife pointed out a Japanese banner at the Cell while the Sox where up at bat. The advertising board behind home plate had this Japanese site on it. Can someone tell me what the dealio is what that? I mean, what's this site about? I can't seem to get a good translation. I did notice Richard Gere plastered all over the site. (Click on the image in their header, it looks like a movie)

Someone who has some strong Japanese skills get back to us...curiosity being what it is and all...Go Sox!

[Update: It's the freakin 9th inning, bases loaded. Marte just hit a batter to load the bases. Shingo is coming in with one out and the bases loaded. What a bunch of crap. They better not blow this.]

Another Update: Shingo just got pulled. He doesn't seem to have any control. Ozzie pulled him with the bags full of Mariners and one out. They scored 2 runs on him so its 6-4 now. Winning run on 1st base. What the hell! Hermanson is on his way in from the pen. I have to wonder if Shingo is finished as our closer.

Ok -- it's over. Hermanson got the save. Sox win! He struck the first batter he faced and then watched Uribe use a scary back hand to field a grounder. He made the throw just in time to second base -- and the Sox Win! Party on Sox fans!

 

I'll give you the quick hits on the Bears schedule since its announcement yesterday: Easy at first, tough in the stretch. I haven't seen any deep analysis on this. The real journalists must be mulling over that magical 8-8 mark while debating which side of that record the Bears will land. The Trib reporters all amazingly agree they go 7-9 on this schedule. I won't stick my neck out until after the draft. (yes, I believe it will be an impact draft for us)

The most important things from this year's schedule have nothing to do with the opponents themselves. It's the timing of these games. First, we get no MNF games. Second, we get one Saturday evening game on ESPN. Lastly, don't make any plans for the holidays. We play Christmas Day and New Years! It's going to be interesting

Back in 5!

There is a ton of information I want to blog about this morning. The first item hits my sweet spot between sports and technology. It seems the NCAA doesn't think that Computer Science is a good enough class to count towards your course requirements for eligibility. First, let me say that my high school did not offer a CS class when I was there. They added it after I was long gone. I even hear there is an AP CS class for high school kids. This isn't a “learn to surf the web” course. It's a real intro to programming and data structures class. It has prereqs like Algebra II and Pre-Calc. I guess my old high school must be the exception. I guess I can see how the NCAA feels that closing a loop hole is easiest by following an all or nothing strategy, but this is a bit ridiculous. They could have allowed AP CS. Sheesh.

As far as the 1010 SAT score goes (provided the student athelete hits a whopping 2.00 GPA) I think it's funny. If you are a talented high school baller -- this score is meaningless. Especially since you can schmooze your teachers to sneak up that GPA so that your SAT score can drop to a 700 or below score. I can't tell you how many guys I've met that were just passed and could barely READ. It's sad but it's business.

It's by far the greatest golf shot I have ever seen in my lifetime. Stop over here to see what many are calling the best Nike commercial Nike didn't produce.(or have to)

That's what I call reality TV. Strong work Mr. Jaffe.

I spent the afternoon watching some of the action in this year's Masters Tournament. It is amazing how I have grown accustomed to watching golf on TV. This is especially true if Tiger Woods is in the running to win the tournament. The folks at CBS have to be happy as hell to see this thing go to a playoff. My hat is off to DiMarco. This guy did not shrink in the presence of Woods. He held his own and even had a shot at winning it. Tiger finished with two bogeys at the end of regulation, relinquishing his 2 stroke lead. He missed what looked like an average putt to take the round into a playoff hole. I felt bad for DiMarco at the end. That is, until I Google'd what he has made so far this year. And what second place got last year at the Masters. I wish I could lose a tournament and still walk away with a sizable bag-o-cash.

ESPN Sunday Night baseball just started their season with the beloved White Sox attempt to sweep the Twins. It has been a great first two games for the pale hose. We have had some strong pitching and some very good clutch hitting. Tonight's matchup is Santana versus Berhle. It will be a tough game. Santana is a great pitcher. He went something like 20 games last year without giving up more than 3 runs. That's ridiculous. He earned that Cy Young award last year.

Ozzie started Ozuna in left tonight -- letsee what the kid can do tonight. He is my pick to click in the lead off position. The easier pick would have been Carl Everett who is a monster in the garbage bag.

Sometimes I am glad to have a job during the day. Games like yesterday's collapse in the 9th  are painful to watch via the Internet. Imagine how painful it would have been sitting in the stands. Giving up one homer in the bottom of the ninth is  rough. Giving up a second makes it a tragedy. The third, and game tying solo home run was laughable. I hope these guys can shake it off quickly. There is no time to rest. We visit the Twins tonight for a 3 game series. It will be an early test to see how we handle ourselves. So far, I like the fact our pitching has been strong. My main worry this year was Contreras. I know one game isn't good enough to evaluate his overall contribution to this team, but it was nice to see him settle down early and showcase the stuff we all know he has. His control seemed to be much better than what I saw during the spring training games. I wonder if that early 4 run lead helped him? :)

Let's go into Minnesota and get 2 out of 3. If we can do that, then there might be a chance for us yet.

I really wish I would have had tickets to this game! It was opening day at Sox Park yesterday and the Southsiders started off the season with a great 1-0 victory over the Indians. Buehrle got the first game this year (surprise!) and he did a great job. 2 hit ball in the new clean-era of baseball! Pauly got 2 of our four hits in this pitcher's duel. The new look White Sox are on their way, right? Let's start with a clean sweep of the Indians to send a message to the rest of the AL central. Strong work to Shingo for getting his first save as well!

 

 

It was a game similar to the previous battle with Arizona. At one point, Illinois found itself down by 15 points. The first half of this game was brutal. Carolina executed flawlessly by scoring off of turnovers and playing good defense. After the game coach Weber admitted his team didn't seem “to go after it” as much as Carolina did in the first half. It showed. The old adage of live by the three, die by the three has never been truer. Illinois went something like 12 out of 40 from the arc. That's a lot of threes. Give credit to Carolina and their coach Roy Williams. He clearly braced his team for the Illini's run in the second half. They were prepared on that final play. They knew Luther Head was going to kick out a pass instead of going up strong. Who could blame him? Sean May was standing there, right?

I think the Illini made some critical mistakes, hindsight being 20/20 and all. Luther Head had the moves and the chance to go to the hole all night. We never put any pressure on them in the paint defensively. It was clear that they could run with us. Their guards are just as good as Illinois'. They shot the same percentage from the arc throughout this tournament as Illinois. Only they did it by taking fewer shots. Championships can't be won without balance. Not in this tournament. Carolina was the better team on many levels. They made less mistakes, capitalized on their opponents failings and had an NBA caliber center in the post. They also played great defense at the end. Those are the characteristics of a team that deserves to cut down the nets. Better luck next year to the Illini. It was a fun run.

Chant it with me boys and girls! The Fighting Illini have accomplished something that has never happened before in the school's history: They have made a final! I am happy to report I have been missing in action these past days because of this amazing run of tourney games. I just haven't had a moment to write about it. If you haven't figured it out yet, my final four this year was: Illinois, Louisville, Florida, and Duke. What a way to pick em, right? I could not repeat last year's successful pick of all four teams. But I did get two of them, and after this evening's game in St. Louis I think I will have the winner too.

Bruce Weber and team have produced some great wins during their run. I can atest to this first hand. I was in the building last Thursday night when the Illini took the Milwaukee team for a ride. It was an exciting game. Especially since the old Horizon is tiny. It was covered in a sea of Orange shirts. I have pictures to post (soon). I was also there to see what Illinois would be up against in an Arizona team that stole it from Oklahoma St. that night. Mr. Stoudamire, of the Arizona Stoudamire line (seriously, if your last name is Stoudamire and you don't go to Arizona write to us) has ICE in his veins. It was an amazing finish to an amazing night. We were all nervous walking out of the building. During the second game, we didn't know who to cheer for. Both of those teams were going to give us a hard time. It turns out it was harder than we could have imagined. That's what makes this final so much more special. With 4 minutes left in last Saturday's game against Arizona I sent a text message to my brother who was at the game.(yea, I know, lucky bastard). The message went like this: THYR DUN.

I sent that message when Arizona's lead peaked at 15 points. It's a good thing that they didn't listen to me. I suggest you all Tivo the game tonight. One last bit of advice to the team: Roy Williams can't win the big one unless Danny Manning steps onto the court again. We all know that ain't happening. Good luck Illinois! Help us erase the memory of Glen Rice!

Baseball is back! Next year has finally arrived again in Chicago and both the Northsiders and the Southsiders are praying for a chance at playoff baseball. The odds are against us, but I too hold out for a chance at some October baseball tickets. Take a look at what the experts predict here. It seems like only one brave soul has the decency to think the White Sox have a chance at winning their division. I'd be pleasantly surprised if that happens.

The White Sox start the 2005 season with many questions. The first is whether or not it was a smart decision to go away from the long ball. After finishing behind the Twins for the majority of my young life (oh, and the Indians too) the Sox have made a foundation rocking change. We're going to run the bases. We're going to hit and run, and move runners into scoring position and we're going to steal. Forget about fireworks at the Cell this year. That is unless we light up sparklers in the stands every time we safely steal a base. The off season brought many changes to the White Sox. Those changes concluded with a 14-18 record in the Cactus league this spring. Not as bad as I would have expected from a team that didn't have Frank in the line up, or Carlos Lee. There was also this guy who played the outfield. What was his name? Ah, Mags. I bet we'll miss Mags this season. Especially if we slip to third or fourth in this division.

How the Kenny Williams experiment will finish is anyone's guess. If our pitching staff can keep the ball in the park, if we keep errors on the field down, and if we can get consistent hitting from Konerko and a healthy Frank Thomas we can win this division. It is going to be very tough this year. The type of baseball we have been accustomed to these past 5 or 6 years is no more. Get ready for the new Sox.