The Critic

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Feb 24, 2007 -> 03:16 AM) Ok, I'll say it, when the Cubs are having a bad season, yeah Wrigley is a beer garden. BUT when the Cubs are playing well, it is an intense place to watch a game. The fans sit on every pitch, every game. I can't say the same for the Cell. Sorry. Were you at any of the games in September 2005, particularly the Indians series? That was the most intensity I've ever felt from any fans at any sporting event.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Feb 24, 2007 -> 04:01 AM) Mike Northing is being fired? I hope not, I actually enjoy listening to his show every now and than. You and not enough of you. His ratings have always been dismal, and the Score's ad rates aren't high enough to justify his salary. He's been living on borrowed time for years. I personally think he's unlistenable. Every once in a while I fall asleep with the Hawks on (or, I have the Hawks on so I fall asleep - it's a chicken/egg thing ), and a couple times I woke up to the awful sounds of the Mike North Morning Disaster. Yuck.

QUOTE(retro1983hat @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 01:24 PM) It was just reported that Britney left rehab this morning. I think she and Lindsey Lohan feel rehab is like hotel. Come and go and room service. "Y'know what would be great, y'aaaaaaaall? Drive-thru rehab places!!!"

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 10:29 AM) I think you absolutely nailed how it'll go down. ...and it doesn't even take any thought. Sad, isn't it? QUOTE(Brian @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 08:17 AM) I find it disappointing that Estrada isn't in that picture. Not even in the background looking over everyones shoulder with that wide mouthed laugh look. I'm also disappointed, but not even 1% surprised. If AAE was a brainless fake-chested bimbo that Vince could shuttle off to Playboy, (s)he'd never leave your TV screen.

QUOTE(T R U @ Feb 20, 2007 -> 11:04 PM) Lashley?? why!! So it doesn't step on any toes when Austin stunners Umaga to gain the win for Trump/Lashley. And then stunners Vince to get him in the barber chair. And then stunners the entire "creative" team for putting everyone through this.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 20, 2007 -> 05:14 PM) Musically I don't care but it is a great party when they hit the stage and this is my favorite VH lineup. Much better than Van Haggar Dave + Eddie + Alex + 15-year-old Wolfgang Van Halen on bass is your favorite VH lineup? Mine would be Dave + Eddie + Alex + Michael Anthony ...but maybe that's just me...

courtesy of pollstar.com: Van Halen On Hold Updated 12:38 PST Tue, Feb 20 2007 It's true. The Van Halen tour that was never officially announced is now officially postponed indefinitely, sources told Pollstar. The rumored tour took on an air of reality after a trade magazine announced that original singer David Lee Roth was about to sign on the dotted line, and that was soon followed by a press release via Eddie Van Halen’s spokeswoman-slash-girlfriend. Unfortunately, the worldwide frenzy of a VH reunion was too good to be true, at least for the present day. However, there was a lot of paper getting inked and Pollstar understands that a tour announcement might not have been far off. I wonder if this is a bump in the road or a dive over the cliff?

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Feb 20, 2007 -> 12:59 AM) I'm not as worried as some, but there are some reasons. Freddy was bad for much of last year, but Gavin Floyd was worse. I am concerned about this. Now, you don't need a 5th starter with a 4 era, 170 k, etc. But a 7 era (Floyd's current career average) will not get it done. Obviously this is based on a small sample, but it's not as if he's recently pitched well in the minors, either. He hasn't pitched well at any level since 2004, in AA and a small stint in the majors. I am also one of those who believes Coop is a mere mortal. So, we'll see. I've heard in response to this that our fifth starters weren't world-beaters in 2005, and that's true. But, they were probably just a bit below league average, not miles below, as Floyd HAS been. And the rest of the staff and the pen was just sick. We aren't likely to see that level again, and we certainly can't count on it. Our fifth starter(s -- oh, please, not too plural) will get almost as many starts as any other slot. It's not a small piece of the puzzle. Who knows what Buehrle will look like? The guy was beyond awful in the second half. And like every Sox fan, I thought he'd break out of it every single turn. I think he'll break out of it now -- but obviously I was wrong for months, before. I'm a big fan of the bullpen, so I won't quibble there. Though I'd be much happier if Sisco starts in the minors, both for his development and because I'm a little leery of a 7+ era in the pen. The outfield is a big concern. Two unproductive china dolls are set to get much of the time there. Anderson HAS to hit better. Even though I think he can, I really doubt that he'll get the chance. All that given, I will give KW the benefit of the doubt. He's outguessed me with his pitcher deals more often than not. But I don't think it's hard to understand why someone would be concerned. These are some of my concerns. I have others: The rotation doesn't have any wiggle room to absorb any regression or "off-years" from anyone. In fact, the Sox are counting on improvements from Buerhle, Vazquez and whoever lands the 5th slot. The rotation candidates in the minors are unproven and there's no rail-thin savior waiting in the wings anymore. The offense seems even more bash-reliant than ever if Podsednik and his base-stealing potential are out for any length of time. Erstad, Uribe, and Anderson are all question marks offensively going into the season. Any sort of injury time lost by Thome or Dye can be devastating, and they both have some degree of injury history. The bullpen is young, largely unproven and fairly similar in style. I also happen to agree that they'll be better than last year, but it's hardly a given. I don't want to seem TOO down on a team that has the talent level the White Sox have, but to not recognize the concerns seems a little "Santo-ish" to me.

Update on Mike Awesome - it just gets sadder: "Dave Meltzer reports that Mike Awesome was found on Saturday night around 10:30 PM. Friends had arrived at his home to pick up him up, and he never answered the door. Awesome was found hanging in his home, and it is believed his death was due to suicide pending results of the autopsy."

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Feb 19, 2007 -> 07:53 AM) I remember that Tiger- White Sox brawl in 2000. Foulke was in the middle of it and recieved a black eye. He had his case of struggles in 2002, but in 2000 and in 2001 he had some pretty damn good performances. Just to think, we got him in the white flag deal. Then we traded him for Billy Koch who was horrible and because of that was replaced by Shingo Takatsu who road a nice wave into 2005, but became horrible and was replaced by Big Bad Bobby Jenks!! Technically, Shingo was replaced by Dustin Hermanson, who did a fantastic job as closer until the back flared up, opening the door for BBBJ.

Another wrestler dies way too young: "According to Dave Meltzer, former ECW world champion Mike Awesome, 42, has passed away. His real name was Mike Alfonso. According to reports, Awesome was found dead on Saturday mornining in the Tampa Area. In addition to working in the U.S., he also worked for FMW in Japan. He will probably be most remembered as the ECW champion that signed with WCW when he still held the title. Tazz was brought in by WWE to take the title from him, as he jumped to WCW. Awesome announced his retirement from wrestling in early 2006."

To be perfectly honest and 100% serious, I basically have no memories of Foulke as a Sox player. It's almost as if he never existed. He never did anything, good or bad, that stuck in my memory. Is that weird?

Very nice article. Thank you for posting it. Gossage seems really likable and down-to-earth. I'm rooting for him to get into the Hall soon.

QUOTE(WhiteSoxfan1986 @ Feb 19, 2007 -> 01:45 AM) I wish there was some way you could bet on WWE, I'd be filthy rich. It's so damn predictable. I don't watch that much, but when was the last time Cena lost? When "The Marine" came out? ...should that be in green?

Yet another close loss for the Hawks. Rangers hang on to win 2-1. Lalime plays well again.

I can understand not wanting to overpay, but to shy away from the process with your own guys is discouraging. I can only hope this is public posturing by KW, although that seems unlikely if he's telling the guys this stuff away from the press.

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Feb 18, 2007 -> 09:10 AM) My "source" said Soldiers Field...he thought...he knew it was a place that nobody has played in a long time. I went along with him figuring it was Soldiers, just due to my knowing there have been shows at Soldiers. I never heard of anybody playing Wrigley...nor did it make any kind of sense at all. Surely they would want Soldiers, as they could sell WAY more tickets, I would think. It may still be Soldier Field, but I've read and heard that the City Council has received requests to hold July 4 and 5 for a possible concert at Wrigley. The Police are in St. Louis on July 2, so the dates make sense for them to be the group in question.

Tallon has several guys who have trade value, it's going to be interesting to see if he can get someone to overpay for any of them.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Feb 18, 2007 -> 08:21 AM) Really. I heard they would be playing in a dump that reeks of urine, and has nets up to protect spectators from falling concrete. That's the rumor. July 4 and/or 5. Chewing Gum Park.

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Feb 18, 2007 -> 12:07 AM) ...ya wuss... You know what they say - If You're Too Old, It's Too Loud! For me, shows are more trouble than they're worth anymore. Unless I've never seen the band before, I'm not going to bother, and I've seen NR 4 times before.

QUOTE(LowerCaseRepublican @ Feb 17, 2007 -> 07:08 PM) Davey and Roddy are the New Remorse Corps. (Buh? -- almost a stupid name as VKM) I can't wait for 2.24 to see Cide/Joe vs Morishima/Nigel and I can't wait to get some extra cash so I can pick up some more ROH DVD's (Glory By Honor V Night 2, Final Battle 2006, Joe v. Kobashi) /off to watch Death Before Dishonor IV yet again... I read that TNA "asked" Joe to discontinue performing with ROH. Something about ROH benefiting from TNA's hype and exposure of Joe to sell DVDs, etc.

I hope TNA has some reason behind this - otherwise, it makes zero sense to pull Mitchell halfway through the angle: "TNA star James Mitchell will not be appearing alongside Abyss during his Late Rites match against Sting at the Destination X pay-per-view. Apparently, Mitchell has been written off TV for the next two months. There is no word on why; neither has there been a storyline filmed in front of fans to explain his absence. Both Sting and Abyss are said to be surprised and disappointed about Mitchell being removed from the storyline. Something may be added in post-production to explain his absence."

QUOTE(beautox @ Feb 17, 2007 -> 10:56 AM) Naked Raygun @ the HOB in Chicago on April 27; whos going? ill be in attendance. It's going to be a great show - NR + The Effigies + The Bollweevils = If I still went to shows, this is one I'd definitely go to. Have a great time!

QUOTE(Middle Buffalo @ Feb 17, 2007 -> 08:51 AM) Tim Hardaway hates Jay Mariotti. Now THAT's a Tim Hardaway opinion I can agree with.... The good news about Hysteriotti being out of the Times til May is obvious (no littering the back page of the paper), but the bad news is he'll have 3+ months to think of stupid nicknames for people and he'll be able to sit back and watch how the early season unfolds for the Sox and Cubs without having to flip-flop all spring.

Wrestling Society ADD has pulled their fourth episode. http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2007/articles/1171677515.php Apparently MTV is concerned that their retarded audience will try to copycat the fireball stunt on that episode. Why don't they just stick a "Kids, Don't Try This At Home" disclaimer at the start of the show, like they did with shows like Jackass? Ironic that the network who helped popularize the phrase "FIRE! FFFFFFFFFFFFIRRRRE!!!!" would be afraid to actually SHOW fire.