What do YOU the fan look to get out of the final 20-some-odd games remaining this season?
Maybe you haven’t been to a game yet this year. You’ve waited all summer and now you need to get to one….? Perhaps you have a birthday coming up and you thought attending a late-September game on your hey-day would make perfect sense … because after all, the Sox were “supposed” to be in the thick of things and repeat as division champs. Why not?
Let’s not focus on the fact that the Sox have all but eliminated themselves from the playoff hunt. (8 games out w/ 23 or 24 games remaining… you do the math. I am not happy about it either). Let’s take a look at the brighter side of things. Like the match-up on Labor Day. Hey, you still get to see two aces, Josh Beckett and Mark Buehrle duke it out. It’s not like the Sox won’t play competitive baseball the final month of the season.
You never know what form of epic-Cubs or Mets type of collapse the Tigers might encounter. Aside from many misfortunes on the field this year defensively, or on the basepaths, and whatever falters the bullpen has had … it just might not be the Sox’ year.
They looked the best they have all season in this recent, brief four-game winning streak. We the fans should appreciate that. Great pitching, error-free defense, timely hitting – and FINALLY making Joe Nathan feel miserable . Isn’t that what we’ve been waiting for all year? The unfortunate truth, they gained absolutely no ground on the Tigers. If you win, and the guy in front of you wins … what else can you do? The Brewers in 2008 did the best thing they could do to win by bringing in C.C Sabbathia … making it to the playoffs … but being eliminated in the first round. ‘ Hey, you tried! ‘. It depends on what your level of success and failure is. Looking back, I am positive the Milwaukee fans are grateful to have made the playoffs after an un-Godly, horrifying absence.
There are two things I remember (and fans will probably remember only two things) about the 2007 season. Know what they are? First, Mark Buehrle’s no-hitter in mid-April. I mean, that was awesome. Secondly, on Sept. 16th – Jim Thome’s 500th career HR. (I was there).I look back now and hold no grudges that they were horrible that year. I look back and enjoy … now those are key moments in White Sox history.
Already this year, we’ve had a roster that looks like the sole of someone’s running shoe. Wilson Betemit – Triple-A’d, Brent Lillibridge – up/down, Brian Anderson – wah wah, “I’ve had every opportunity in the universe to hit the little white baseball, but I’m too cocky to try “… gone. We’ve seen some young players on this team flourish and develop, all the while, still being in contention for a division. Kenny’s plan has worked, believe it or not. Let’s not forget about the perfect game…. OK – most teams in the cellar every year (Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Washington to name a few) do not get those kind of memories to look back on. So let’s not get so worked up now that the season may be over in a playoff sense.
Acquiring Alex Rios off waivers from Toronto, (albeit his average is awful) a good pickup for this year … a great one for 2010. Jake Peavy, a nail-biter for this year … a manicure for next year. Give the guy a winter to do nothing but rest his elbow… and the Sox have a good foundation to build on with the pieces in place. I won’t get into roster analysis on my first blog. I had every intention of making this one short. Ooops.
What do we have left? Well, the final month will tell us. Take a look at some of your favorite Sox players now, because they may not be here next year.
Get to the ballpark if you can and see for yourself and have fun!
Go Sox …
Dan McGuinness 