The Joy of Sox
I can't believe my favorite team is on the verge of winning the World Series.
I've been a Sox fan since Harry Caray was calling the games with Jimmy Piersall on a fuzzy, pre-cable Channel 44.
I was 11 years old when the "Winning Ugly" team rolled through the rest of the league, only to have it all come crashing down with Jerry Dybzynski's horrible baserunning and Tito Landrum's moon shot off of Britt Burns in the LCS. Everyone thought that '83 was just the beginning of a great run, but what followed instead was a long stretch of injuries, poor management decisions, and generally shitty teams on the South Side. When one of the only notable team highlights is Steve Lyons dropping his pants at first base, you know you're going through some lean years.
Comiskey Park was in such poor condition that the owners threatened to pack up and move if the state didn't build them a new stadium. A deal with St. Petersburg was struck, but Illinois lawmakers refused to work on a counter offer. Governor Thompson pushed the vote through at the stroke of midnight in order to keep them from becoming the Tampa Bay White Sox.
They put together some great teams in the early 90s, only to have the '94 lockout end their best chance at a title. The White Flag trade in '97 and the sweep by the Mariners in the 2000 LDS just added to the disappointment.
But now here we are. It's been a long time coming. This is our year. I can't believe this is happening.
I've been a Sox fan since Harry Caray was calling the games with Jimmy Piersall on a fuzzy, pre-cable Channel 44.
I was 11 years old when the "Winning Ugly" team rolled through the rest of the league, only to have it all come crashing down with Jerry Dybzynski's horrible baserunning and Tito Landrum's moon shot off of Britt Burns in the LCS. Everyone thought that '83 was just the beginning of a great run, but what followed instead was a long stretch of injuries, poor management decisions, and generally shitty teams on the South Side. When one of the only notable team highlights is Steve Lyons dropping his pants at first base, you know you're going through some lean years.
Comiskey Park was in such poor condition that the owners threatened to pack up and move if the state didn't build them a new stadium. A deal with St. Petersburg was struck, but Illinois lawmakers refused to work on a counter offer. Governor Thompson pushed the vote through at the stroke of midnight in order to keep them from becoming the Tampa Bay White Sox.
They put together some great teams in the early 90s, only to have the '94 lockout end their best chance at a title. The White Flag trade in '97 and the sweep by the Mariners in the 2000 LDS just added to the disappointment.
But now here we are. It's been a long time coming. This is our year. I can't believe this is happening.
posted by Brian at 10:25 AM
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