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Moron
Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005 - Posted by Rich Miller When the facts contradict the legend, print the legend. This Sports Illustrated writer/blogger is absolutely clueless. The White Sox were “number 1″ on his recent list of the “Top five worst teams to root for.” Though they haven’t won the World Series since 1917, the Sox can’t win for losing. The Cubs, who have been title-less almost as long, are lovable, the Sox are overlooked. The Cubs have Wrigley, the Sox have a character-less barn. The Cubs had Harry Caray, the Sox have Ken Harrelson. This journalistic cretin is living in the past. The Cubs aren’t “lovable.” They’ve so jumped the shark. You can only play people for chumps for so long, and last year was the worst yet. Good idea forcing Steve Stone out just because he told the truth about what a bunch of pathetic losers that team was last year. The team’s fan base is mostly comprised of suburban tourists who go to the stadium for the “experience.” The truth is, Wrigley Field is a crumbling dump that ought to be bulldozed into Lake Michigan before somebody gets hurt. Sox Park is spacious and clean, and the ownership has done a good job lately of remodeling what was admittedly a drab stadium (apparently, SI has no travel budget). And Harry Caray is dead. I liked him, too, but he’s gone to that great press box in the sky. What do they have now? A couple of colorless nobodies who can’t speak their minds because of what happened to their predecessors last year (although the team’s radio play-by-play guy is the best in the business). Hawk has his problems, sure, but he’s a living legend, not a dead one. Has this sports writer actually watched a White Sox game this year? They are, right now, one of the most exciting teams in baseball. What an idiot. (PS: I don’t really hate the Cubs or Wrigley that much. “Most hyperbole inserted for effect.” I do, however, absolutely despise hack writers who refuse to notice when the world changes.)
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- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 12:40 pm:
The really entertaining thing about White Sox fans is how wound up they get about everything. You’re all excited about getting no respect from the media. You’re all excited about your stadium getting dissed. And you’re all excited about your team’s fast start - which, when the inevitable collapse arrives, will only make the Schadenfreude more delicious for the rest of us!
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 1:23 pm:
I usually stay out of these discussions, but did the last blogger acutally talk about an “inevitable collapse” for the White Sox? This coming from a Cub’s fan? And for the “wound up” comment, I have never seen anything more pathetic than Cub’s fans getting so wound up and blaming Steve Bartman for their collapse in the NL playoffs. Get a grip dude…
- Sammy Esposito - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 1:56 pm:
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
- Sammy Esposito - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 1:56 pm:
Did the SI writer mention that Harry Caray developed his persona (Take Me Out to the Ball Game, “Mayor of Rush Street,” ect.) as the White Sox announcer and moved to the Cubs after he was past his prime?
If I were a Cubs fan, I’d never mention the word “Schadenfreude” because no person, place or thing in the history of the universe has provided more Schadenfreude than the Chicago Cubs.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 2:00 pm:
I’m anon. #1 - and who said anything about the Cubs? Go Twins!
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 2:34 pm:
As a Tigers fan, it’s always comforting to know I only have to go back 20 years to see success, unlike Chicago fans who have to go back to Lincoln’s days.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 3:42 pm:
SI writer smust suck at math, too. Last i checked, 1906 came before 1917, so it’s wrong to say the cubbies haven’t won a title in “almost as long.”
- BuckTurgidson - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 4:40 pm:
Kudos to Sammy - who wrote exactly what I wrote about Harry (but blogger was too fouled to publish). Don’t forget the shower.
And let’s talk about getting wound up over small things. How many Sox fans fly “W” flags on their cheesy apartment balconies when their team wins (here’s a hint — those flags should last you a few years without too much wear).
WE GOT WOOD! IN DUSTY WE TRUSTY! Those two are the epitome of the Chicago Cubs. Way overrated.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 6:01 pm:
I’m with “anon. #1!!” Johan Santana hasn’t lost a game since July 17th of LAST year and is second on the Consecutive Wins list - with 17 - only to Clemmons (who has 20). It’s nice to see the Sox doing well. I like Ozzie. Enjoy, ‘cuz it won’t last… Rich, I’ll take your order for a Homer Hanky in September.
- Doug Miller - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 6:55 pm:
The Sox suck….plain and simple. And Jerry is an idiot. Their stadium has no character at all. Their fans are horrible (lets go beat up a Royals coach while we show off our biceps and mulets)
Puuuulllleeeeeeezeeeee.
At least since you are moving back to Springfield, start rooting for the Cardinals, they have a little bit of class.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 9:04 pm:
Rich,
I was with you most of the way and enjoyed some of the tongue-in-cheek shots at my beloved but hapless cubbies.
However, you lost me with:
“however, absolutely despise hack writers who refuse to notice when the world changes.”
This from the same writer who tore his hair out over the suicide of Hunter S. Thompson, a writer hopelessly trapped in the early 1970s.
I don’t mind someone slammy the Cubs, they’re an easy target. However, I do mind when it comes from a writer who refuses to notice much of the world has changed.
Please note I avoided the name calling you used on the SI reporter while reminding the rest of us to keep our comments on a civil level.
Keep up the good work, Rich. I enjoy your site.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 9:37 pm:
People from outside Chicago ask me the difference between rooting for the Cubs and the White Sox. I tell them it’s like the difference between self-pity and self-hatred. (The Red Sox, by comparison, used to be both.) I live on the north side, but I prefer self-hatred, so my sympathies are with the Sox.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 28, 05 @ 3:10 am:
I gotta find a way to stop that Twins fan from posting here so much. lol
- Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 28, 05 @ 7:20 am:
Doug, I have a few questions for you. By lack of charecter do you mean, ably to watch a baseball game surrounded by people who know the sport? Do you mean views with no obstructions?
Also, thanks for reminding me of why I hate cub fans, and not the cubs.
You say things like sox fans run on the field and beat up Royals. Have you ever sat in the bleachers at Wrigley? The have had a security guard in every aisle for 15 years! The also installed thh basket so that drunk fan CAN’T get on the field. If they could, your drunk, preppie, Know-nothing -about-baseball fans would be hopping that fence all day. Instead they just SHOOT people outside the game (I hope you remeber that one from last year, at the corner of Addison and Clark).
Anyway, I hope that you enjoy you are enjoying your .500% season.
- Doug Miller - Thursday, Apr 28, 05 @ 9:46 pm:
Oh, please, when was the last time you saw a Cubs or Rangers fan run out on the field and physically assault a coach?
And you think Sox fans are knowledgable about baseball? Come on.
http://images.usatoday.com/sports/_sphotos/2002-09-20-gamboa-inside.jpg
William Ligue Jr. and his 15 year old son were sure knowledgable baseball fans.
Baseball is entertainment. The Cubs put on a great product in a storied venue. Yes, some of it is hype, but you gotta believe.
I’ve been to the New Comiskey twice. What a horrible place to watch a ballgame. What a horrible crowd. Bunch of old people and white trash.
- Tom Hart - Wednesday, May 11, 05 @ 2:37 pm:
Doug Miller… obviously you don’t know jack about baseball. Ligue Jr. and his son were pieces of trash and Ligue was recently arrested for vehicle burglary. Don’t forget that Eric Dybas (the guy who charged Laz Diaz, the umpire, at Comiskey) was a Cubs fan. Also, please don’t forget that more people have been murdered outside of Wrigley than Comiskey. I’d rather watch a ballgame at Comiskey with knowledgable fans, instead of with a bunch of uninformed tourists and yuppies.