hsnterprize
06-26-2004, 09:48 PM
All I can say is...WOW!!!!!!!!! A packed house, homers galore, a guy looking like Bartman in the press box, Shingomania, and a White Sox Winner...who could ask for anything more?
Once I got to the ballpark and got my pass, I immedately went on the field. By the time I got there, the Cubs were taking batting practice. Sammy was in the cage, and admittedly, he, along with Todd Hollandsworth, Derrek Lee, Moises Alou, and a couple of other north siders were smacking the ball like heavyweights. I talked to Dusty Baker, and told him I remember talking to him when he went to Wrigley as the Giants' manager. I recalled a conversation we had when he said all the bars and stuff close at 2 AM in SF, and there was nothing to do. Needless to say, even though he's the manager of the "enemy", he likes it here. He also likes the rivalry between the Cubs and Sox, and said our rivalry here makes the Oakland/San Francisco rivalry look like absolutely nothing. He sees fights in the stands, people approaching him saying the Cubs must beat the Sox, and the players getting a little more jacked up than for other games. Make no mistake about it, folks. Even though he did say he's treating this like "another game", he, his team, and his organization KNOW there's something more to these weekend series than he's letting on.
Funny thing happened on the way to my chair. There's a small cafe' behind the press tables, and I saw a guy who looked a lot like fellow reporter, Rory Spears (no relation to Britney...thank goodness). Anyway, when I said, "How are ya' Rory?", I looked closer to him, and realized I made a big gaff. The guy was actually Cubs' president Andy MacPhail. Once I apologized for the mistake, he was cordial. He said Jim Hendry is always looking to improve his ballclub, and his team is concerned about getting everyone healthy. In regards to the rowdiness in and around Wrigley Field, he says even though there are more people going there day after day, the crowds have been relatively under control. Now...those are HIS words, not mine.
Also before the game, I talked briefly with coach Kevin Hickey and GM Kenny Williams. I told Hickey about how I enjoyed watching him play back in '83. When I talked to KW, I told him I appreciated his passion to bring a winner to the south side, and I asked about reports about him talking to the Braves. He told me he's talking to anyone and everyone about making deals, and that he "likes to be under the radar" when negotiating. He didn't like the reports about him talking to the Braves getting out. I also tried to ask him about the comparisons to the Cubs' moves before the season started, but I couldn't get my question out right. He said after I clarified myself, "maybe we didn't need those guys"...considering the team's in contention without all the hype the Cubs got. He has a strong handshake, and he's got good taste in clothing. Hopefully, he'll keep circling the wagons and do something to make our team that much better.
As you would expect, families were at the ballpark with divided loyalties. I saw a couple that's been married for 27 years...he's a Cub fan, she's a SOx fan. I asked them how to they survive. She said, "We argue a lot." Obviously, when you've been married for 27 years, you've done something right. I just told the husband that I can relate to his standing up for himself in arguments, but when it comes to baseball, "listen to the wife." Also, there was one group I saw with all but 2 people wearing Sox gear. The dad was holding a sign saying "We felt your pain, and we liked it." or something like that. On the other side, were newspaper clippings of the Cubs choke vs. Florida last year. The 2 Cubs fans were young boys...one a teenager, the other slightly younger. Believe it or not, the older child was a rare Cubs fan...he actually likes the TEAM rather than being in love with the park. The younger guy started to talk smack about Sox park, but I put him in his place. I asked the both of them it Wrigley were to be torn down today, would they still love the Cubs? The older one said "Without question...yes."...the younger said something would be missing from his experience at Wrigley Field. However, he did admit he like the Cell. I then shook his hand, and told him to wash it since I shook Alou's.
Once the game got started, it was an interesting time in the box. Just about every A-list Chicago sports reporter was there...and Mariotti too. I even talked to him...mostly small talk. I didn't get into the "why'd you say this" of "why'd you write that" stuff like I wanted to...he always looks like he has an attitude about something, and I didn't want to set him off. We worked together at One on One Sports (now Sporting News Radio), and he said that network was "minor league" compared to ESPN Radio on a national level. He also said Chicagoans were too "regionalized" when it comes to national sports. He cited ratings numbers from the Masters when Phil Mickleson won. Out of 35 markets that showed the tournament, Chicago rated "dead last". Simple put...great effort by Phil, but not too many people in Chicagoland cared.
Who else was there? Bruce Levine, a couple of SPorting News Radio reporters, Les Grobstein, Len Ackerman of Satellite Radio News, some print beat writers I know, Moronotti, Megan Mawicke of CBS 2, Peggy Kuzinski of NBC 5, Brad Palmer of ABC 7, ESPN Radio's Chris Boden (he told me he wants to get back in TV), a reporter for WBBM Radio (don't know his name), and a whole lot more. The box was filled overflowing today, and I'm glad I got there when I did, or else I wouldn't have gotten a seat. There was one guy sitting in a corner of the box that looked so much like Steve Bartman, that I went near his area and told Len, "Tell Bartman to keep his hands off the ball". That got a laught, but it may have made Grobstein mad. Oh well...didn't get a chance to talk to him. I did, however, talk to one of the Sporting News Radio reporters who has a pretty interesting perspective on U.S. Cellular Field. He did say that the ballpark got an undeserved bad rap mainly because "it's not Wrigley." I told him about the whole Cubs/Sox feud thing, and he agreed with me that the Cell is a lot better than people make it out to be and give it credit for. And guess what...he's from Milwaukee, home to Miller Park. He said the "honeymoon" period for that place was about a year and a half. Even though the Brewers and playing good baseball now, the park, in his words, looks like a "spaceship."
The game was pretty neat to see, and the homers were also fun to watch. I didn't see any fights in the stands, although I did see some schlep in a Greg Maddux jersey try to rile up the crowd in the left field bleachers. The only violence I saw was after the game. As I was walking to the press room, security officers stopped me and others walking down some stairs to see other officers walking some Cubs fans to the security room. The man and the woman were handcuffed, and were being escorted to the room. I didn't stay to find out if there were any Sox fans going along with them, but according to other officers, the fights in the seats were minimal.
I like the "Thunderstruck" intros the Sox use to get the players on teh field. My only beef...when Gene Honda tells Sox fans to get "on your feet." I think that's tacky because I don't like being told when to cheer...kinda like the fan-o-meter. But, it was fun to hear the place getting louder and louder as the players took their positions. "Shingomania'' is also in full swing. When he took the mound in the top of the 8th, the place went completely nuts. Shingo said in the post-game press conference he was too focused on "getting the batter out" than hearing the super-loud crowd and seeing his "entrance video" featuring gongs, "Mr Zero" in Japanese on the screen, countless highlights, and loud Japanese-style techno music. But what was really more enjoyable was watching Shingo make Sammy Sosa look completely stupid. I really wanted Shingo to strike him out...that would've made the place erupt.
After the game, everyone who talked to the press had something to say about Shingo. Sandy Alomar said hitters said "What the heck was that" when they saw his speed drop dramatically pitch after pitch. Ozzie said he's the closer "unless you can bring in Mariano Rivera." Even Dusty Baker couldn't believe how Shingo was throwing. And Shingo said himself that despite critics who say the league will eventually figure him out, the throwing style you see is what you get. He isn't the all-time saves leader in Japan for nothing, you know.
Overall, it was fun to be at the ballpark today. Hope for the same tomorrow even though I won't be there. It's amazing how the Cubbie lovers who were there are all quiet, and the Cubbie lovers in the press aren't crowing so much right now.
Once I got to the ballpark and got my pass, I immedately went on the field. By the time I got there, the Cubs were taking batting practice. Sammy was in the cage, and admittedly, he, along with Todd Hollandsworth, Derrek Lee, Moises Alou, and a couple of other north siders were smacking the ball like heavyweights. I talked to Dusty Baker, and told him I remember talking to him when he went to Wrigley as the Giants' manager. I recalled a conversation we had when he said all the bars and stuff close at 2 AM in SF, and there was nothing to do. Needless to say, even though he's the manager of the "enemy", he likes it here. He also likes the rivalry between the Cubs and Sox, and said our rivalry here makes the Oakland/San Francisco rivalry look like absolutely nothing. He sees fights in the stands, people approaching him saying the Cubs must beat the Sox, and the players getting a little more jacked up than for other games. Make no mistake about it, folks. Even though he did say he's treating this like "another game", he, his team, and his organization KNOW there's something more to these weekend series than he's letting on.
Funny thing happened on the way to my chair. There's a small cafe' behind the press tables, and I saw a guy who looked a lot like fellow reporter, Rory Spears (no relation to Britney...thank goodness). Anyway, when I said, "How are ya' Rory?", I looked closer to him, and realized I made a big gaff. The guy was actually Cubs' president Andy MacPhail. Once I apologized for the mistake, he was cordial. He said Jim Hendry is always looking to improve his ballclub, and his team is concerned about getting everyone healthy. In regards to the rowdiness in and around Wrigley Field, he says even though there are more people going there day after day, the crowds have been relatively under control. Now...those are HIS words, not mine.
Also before the game, I talked briefly with coach Kevin Hickey and GM Kenny Williams. I told Hickey about how I enjoyed watching him play back in '83. When I talked to KW, I told him I appreciated his passion to bring a winner to the south side, and I asked about reports about him talking to the Braves. He told me he's talking to anyone and everyone about making deals, and that he "likes to be under the radar" when negotiating. He didn't like the reports about him talking to the Braves getting out. I also tried to ask him about the comparisons to the Cubs' moves before the season started, but I couldn't get my question out right. He said after I clarified myself, "maybe we didn't need those guys"...considering the team's in contention without all the hype the Cubs got. He has a strong handshake, and he's got good taste in clothing. Hopefully, he'll keep circling the wagons and do something to make our team that much better.
As you would expect, families were at the ballpark with divided loyalties. I saw a couple that's been married for 27 years...he's a Cub fan, she's a SOx fan. I asked them how to they survive. She said, "We argue a lot." Obviously, when you've been married for 27 years, you've done something right. I just told the husband that I can relate to his standing up for himself in arguments, but when it comes to baseball, "listen to the wife." Also, there was one group I saw with all but 2 people wearing Sox gear. The dad was holding a sign saying "We felt your pain, and we liked it." or something like that. On the other side, were newspaper clippings of the Cubs choke vs. Florida last year. The 2 Cubs fans were young boys...one a teenager, the other slightly younger. Believe it or not, the older child was a rare Cubs fan...he actually likes the TEAM rather than being in love with the park. The younger guy started to talk smack about Sox park, but I put him in his place. I asked the both of them it Wrigley were to be torn down today, would they still love the Cubs? The older one said "Without question...yes."...the younger said something would be missing from his experience at Wrigley Field. However, he did admit he like the Cell. I then shook his hand, and told him to wash it since I shook Alou's.
Once the game got started, it was an interesting time in the box. Just about every A-list Chicago sports reporter was there...and Mariotti too. I even talked to him...mostly small talk. I didn't get into the "why'd you say this" of "why'd you write that" stuff like I wanted to...he always looks like he has an attitude about something, and I didn't want to set him off. We worked together at One on One Sports (now Sporting News Radio), and he said that network was "minor league" compared to ESPN Radio on a national level. He also said Chicagoans were too "regionalized" when it comes to national sports. He cited ratings numbers from the Masters when Phil Mickleson won. Out of 35 markets that showed the tournament, Chicago rated "dead last". Simple put...great effort by Phil, but not too many people in Chicagoland cared.
Who else was there? Bruce Levine, a couple of SPorting News Radio reporters, Les Grobstein, Len Ackerman of Satellite Radio News, some print beat writers I know, Moronotti, Megan Mawicke of CBS 2, Peggy Kuzinski of NBC 5, Brad Palmer of ABC 7, ESPN Radio's Chris Boden (he told me he wants to get back in TV), a reporter for WBBM Radio (don't know his name), and a whole lot more. The box was filled overflowing today, and I'm glad I got there when I did, or else I wouldn't have gotten a seat. There was one guy sitting in a corner of the box that looked so much like Steve Bartman, that I went near his area and told Len, "Tell Bartman to keep his hands off the ball". That got a laught, but it may have made Grobstein mad. Oh well...didn't get a chance to talk to him. I did, however, talk to one of the Sporting News Radio reporters who has a pretty interesting perspective on U.S. Cellular Field. He did say that the ballpark got an undeserved bad rap mainly because "it's not Wrigley." I told him about the whole Cubs/Sox feud thing, and he agreed with me that the Cell is a lot better than people make it out to be and give it credit for. And guess what...he's from Milwaukee, home to Miller Park. He said the "honeymoon" period for that place was about a year and a half. Even though the Brewers and playing good baseball now, the park, in his words, looks like a "spaceship."
The game was pretty neat to see, and the homers were also fun to watch. I didn't see any fights in the stands, although I did see some schlep in a Greg Maddux jersey try to rile up the crowd in the left field bleachers. The only violence I saw was after the game. As I was walking to the press room, security officers stopped me and others walking down some stairs to see other officers walking some Cubs fans to the security room. The man and the woman were handcuffed, and were being escorted to the room. I didn't stay to find out if there were any Sox fans going along with them, but according to other officers, the fights in the seats were minimal.
I like the "Thunderstruck" intros the Sox use to get the players on teh field. My only beef...when Gene Honda tells Sox fans to get "on your feet." I think that's tacky because I don't like being told when to cheer...kinda like the fan-o-meter. But, it was fun to hear the place getting louder and louder as the players took their positions. "Shingomania'' is also in full swing. When he took the mound in the top of the 8th, the place went completely nuts. Shingo said in the post-game press conference he was too focused on "getting the batter out" than hearing the super-loud crowd and seeing his "entrance video" featuring gongs, "Mr Zero" in Japanese on the screen, countless highlights, and loud Japanese-style techno music. But what was really more enjoyable was watching Shingo make Sammy Sosa look completely stupid. I really wanted Shingo to strike him out...that would've made the place erupt.
After the game, everyone who talked to the press had something to say about Shingo. Sandy Alomar said hitters said "What the heck was that" when they saw his speed drop dramatically pitch after pitch. Ozzie said he's the closer "unless you can bring in Mariano Rivera." Even Dusty Baker couldn't believe how Shingo was throwing. And Shingo said himself that despite critics who say the league will eventually figure him out, the throwing style you see is what you get. He isn't the all-time saves leader in Japan for nothing, you know.
Overall, it was fun to be at the ballpark today. Hope for the same tomorrow even though I won't be there. It's amazing how the Cubbie lovers who were there are all quiet, and the Cubbie lovers in the press aren't crowing so much right now.