respect in October is a lot better than June

[Fenway]

The 2005 White Sox are doing what none of the playoff teams since 1959 could....win respect on the national level.

John Harper in the NY Daily News calls KW the Al Davis of baseball


You look around at our team," GM Ken Williams said yesterday, "and it's tough to find a guy who hasn't been doubted or criticized in some way. They all have that as a common denominator, and it becomes part of your personality as a team."


It hasn't happened by accident, either. Williams himself has a cockiness about him that shows up in the moves he has made putting this team together. In fact, he smiles at the notion that he is creating something of a baseball version of the old Oakland Raiders.

"I grew up a Raiders fan," said Williams. "I've seen it work."

He remembers the Raiders winning Super Bowls as the NFL's renegade team, and while he laughed off any notion that he is becoming the Al Davis of baseball, he didn't deny that he is willing to take more chances than other GMs.

Specifically he believes in taking on players who have something to prove. "But if I do take a chance on a guy who has had a problem somewhere," Williams said, "it's because I know I've got a manager and a coaching staff who will not allow a situation to get out of hand. And they know I've got their back."



A sample from the Northeast

Garland star of Tinseltown
He was the odd man out when October started, his brilliant season treated almost as an aberration when the White Sox began lining up a postseason pitching rotation. Jon Garland may have led the staff with 18 wins, but he was slotted fourth of four starters when the playoffs kicked off 12 days ago. He's not an afterthought anymore.
FULL STORY (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/story/355984p-303456c.html)

Definitely not frail Hose
John Harper: A.J. Pierzynski was warming up his starting pitcher in the bullpen when he was introduced with the rest of the White Sox last night. So it would have been relatively easy for him to ignore the boos that rained down from the crowd that was still angry about the great Chicago caper the other night.
FULL STORY (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/story/355983p-303455c.html)

White Sox were
in replay's camp
After two days of serious hubbub about The Strikeout That Wasn't, would anyone believe that the White Sox are one of the few teams that has supported the use of instant replay in major league games?
FULL STORY (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/story/355973p-303451c.html)

No drama for Chicago (http://redsox.bostonherald.com/otherMLB/view.bg?articleid=107147)
By Jeff Horrigan
This time, the Los Angeles Angels couldn't blame a ball that might have struck the dirt, simply the ones that hit the outfield grass or the backs of seats beyond the outfield fence and the ones Jon Garland blew by them. After losing Game 2... [more (http://redsox.bostonherald.com/otherMLB/view.bg?articleid=107147)]

White Sox put whammy on Angels sluggers (http://redsox.bostonherald.com/otherMLB/view.bg?articleid=107146)
By Jeff Horrigan/ ALCS NotebookThe Chicago White Sox have completely ripped the heart out of the Angels' batting order in the first three games of the American League Championship Series. Last... [more (http://redsox.bostonherald.com/otherMLB/view.bg?articleid=107146)]

WHITE SOX 5, ANGELS 2: White Sox edge ahead (http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2005/10/15/white_sox_edge_ahead)
BOB RYAN: Thunder gone in a flash (http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2005/10/15/thunder_gone_in_a_flash)

[Deuce]

On this team, with this attack, Vladimir Guerrero has to be both David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.

Right now he's Kevin Millar.

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn! That's a burn!

[Fenway]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn! That's a burn!

ya he should have called him A-Rod :D:

[Kevin]

Scioscia insists Vladi has been victimized by the Baseball Gods to at least some degree. Guerrero was robbed of a hit by White Sox shortstop Jose Uribe




Et tu, Bob Ryan?

[Soxzilla]

Et tu, Bob Ryan?

At least they are consistent at being wrong. /sig

[FielderJones]

But in truth, the tone for the night was set by Pierzynski. He is the villain here now after helping steal Game 2 from the Angels by running to first on that controversial third strike the other night, and he responded with defiance when the crowd booed him.

I still don't get this steal meme. It implies that the Angels were somehow destined to win game 2. Based on what -- their brilliant defense or their brilliant offense? Can we get a writer to pull his head out of his ass and simply state that the Sox took advantage of mistakes, and that's how baseball games are won? Too much work, I guess.

[joejacksonsdad]

I don't want to be negative at this time of year, but the lack of respect for this team has galled me since spring training. The day they signed Iguchi I called my dad on the phone and told him this could be our year. He's still shaking his head in disbelief. Many things didn't work out the way I thought, but everything seemed to fall into place. Now they're back to playing the way they played in the first half, score first, dominate with pitching and defense, and capitilize on any chance they're given. Hats off to Kenny, Ozzie, and the gang.