Yossarian

Socially, culturally, intellectually the world is a much worse place than it was in my youth. That being said Texsox makes many fine points. It is a complicated multifaceted situation. I tell my kids the "good old days" were just that in many ways. In so many other ways they were not. Time marches on, waits for no one and the world is not the least bit sentimental. As for me I find most of the "improvements" to be in the technological sphere. I find the quality of just about everything else a little bit worse every year. I realize that this is more than likely a minority opinion.

Penny just didn't have it, you could see it from the first inning. I want to know are Wood and Prior going to continue like this?

The Cubs success has depressed me more than words can say. I think the Chicago White Sox are in the same position that the Chicago Cardinals were in the late 1950's. I don't trust current ownership to take the necessary steps to make the franchise competitive for the long haul. I think that unless things change drastically the Sox days in Chicago are numbered, lease or no lease. Basically I'm just real about the whole deal.

Warning. This may turn out to be a long one. I find the Reagan Presidency very difficult to assess. I know the usual blather. If you are conservative, whatever in the hell that is these days, then Reagan and the Bushes are your heroes and Clinton and Gore are the devil incarnates and if you are liberal or whatever in the hell that is these days, then the opposite is true. Anyway, the year Reagan took office the economy went into the worst downturn since the Great Depression. I saw it described as "The Great Recession." Official unemployment went into double digits for the first time since the 1930's. Especially hard hit was Rust Belt and the Farm Belt. Since Illinois lies in both it was one of the hardest hit states in the country. For two years the national economy was really in the s***ter (Fall of 1981 to about the summer of 83), and Reagans Presidency was in serious trouble. But the economy came back strong in 84 and the Dems nominated Mondale who would have lost even if unemployment had stayed in double digits. The economy did not go into recession any more during the reign of Reagan, and despite Iran Contra and the fact that the aged Reagan was more than likely on the cusp of senility he probably could have had a third term if it was legally permissible. The Reagan economy was described as "Bi Coastal" by USA today in the mid 80's. Many areas of the country did well while the previously mentioned Rust Belts and Farm Belts never did quite recover, although they did improve. Ironically some of the most liberal areas of the country like NY,NE and NCal did smashingly well during the Reagan years. The Reagan years set up Silicon Valley for a second boom in the mid and late 90's. Reagan tax cuts and supply side economics worked. Unfortunately, like I said previously the growth was uneven and not shared by the entire country. Why did the economy tank so badly at the beginning of Reagans term? In 1974-75 the economy also suffered a very serious recession. Unemployment reached highs not seen since the 30's and unemployment was extended to 65 weeks in many states. The economy came back strong in 76, but inflation was high all throughout the 70's peaking in the late 70's and early 80's. This as much as anything doomed Jimmy Carters bid for reelection in 1980. Chairman of the Fed Paul Volcker pursued policies that brought down inflation but wrecked the economy in the process. You think this post is long already? I could write a 20 page paper off the top of my head on why I think Volcker is one of the biggest villians in American history. But any way there you have it IMO. The seeds of our shaky economy today were planted by actions of the Fed responding to the 74-75 recession and the subsequent hyper inflation that followed. They slew the inflation dragon but killed the American Industrial economy in the process. The carnage continues in this latest recession. When it comes to the economy the Chariman of the Fed trumps the President hands down. Southsider why do you think a return of inflation might happen? I think a return of 30's style deflation is much more likely, particularly in real estate. I admit I have no degree in business, finance, economics or the like.

My fellow Sox fans I know you see how Wrigley Field is rockin tonite. It looks like the crowd outside of the old ballyard is just as big as the crowd inside. The Sox have really put themselves behind the eight ball. Is JR paying attention? Right now I'm upset. The Sox are starting to look more and more like the mid and late 50's football Cardinals. Think it can't happen? Think again.

I think the consensus among historians is that FDR was the greatest President. My pick is Washington. I think Polk is the most underrated. Cleveland the most honest. Grant the worst. It's hard for me to say that about Grant, but because of actions and inactions during his term 100 years of second class citizenship was assured for African Americans. The assassination of Lincoln was the greatest single tragedy in our history IMO. LBJ the most tragic Presidency. He had a date with destiny and greatness but Viet Nam did him in. Nixon the most misunderstood. Clinton the worst human being. I know that'll go over big but I find the Clintons to be thoroughly excreable human beings. You want "fairness and balance." Adlai Stevenson and George McGovern. They lost their elections but they were two principled liberals. Barry Goldwater and George McGovern were two of the most principled Presidential candidates ever. Neither one wavered and both got slaughtered at the polls. Oh well the Sox are out of it, the Bears stink, the Hawks don't look much better and I don't care to get involved in anything else at the moment. Sure do like history though.

That whole idea is cheap. Back in 1908 you actually had to win a pennant to get into the post season. The post season was the WS period. Now the playoffs are cheapened and 8 teams make it. The "post season" doesn't have the same meaning it used to. I'm still hoping it won't go any further for the Cubs, but if its does you ain't seen nuthin yet.

Don't want either of them.

Too bad we had a team of chokers and an inept manager. I think the White Sox could have put a serious hurting on the Yankees if they had one iota of killer instinct in any of them. I do too. We matched up and played well against them. It's always a kick for Sox fans to beat the Yanks. If they could have gone 4-3 against the Twins and just won another game against the Tigers they would have had the chance. to the Sox for closing out the year the way they did. I've watched many lesser Sox teams scratch and claw for every win. Not this team.

This goes against conventional baseball wisdom but I agree with you. In any case, too bad for Keith. Overall his record is very good but he does seem to have his meltdowns at the worst possible times. I could see he didn't have his good stuff. The Red Sox were teeing off on him, even the outs were hit real hard. I was yelling for Macha to take him out, all the while knowing it wouldn't happen. He needs to close game 5 or it will be a long winter for him.

That is wild! In any case, no steroids for Roberto, just all heart and talent. What an arm! There were many outfielders in that era with great arms but Clementes was the best. Dwight Evans came close. He was still going strong when he died heroically. Yes Roberto was the real deal both as a man and a ballplayer.

That's who I immediately thought of. If you never had an opportunity to see him play you missed a rare treat. He is much too forgotten and far too underrated IMO. Strapped the team on his back and basically carried them in the 71WS.

Double Serves me right for believing a politician.

In the 80's Jesse Jackson called NYC "Hymietown". Boy did he ever suffer for it. Al Campanis and Jimmy the Greek made their ill chosen remarks that decade also and were crucified for it. I don't like Rush for a variety of reason which includes the lack of real debate on his radio show. I'm sure many are enjoying his troubles now, but his "firing" is another victory for the PC Police. Does anyone here seriously doubt that Dusty would have survived his verbal gaffe if he were white? His career would be down the toilet like Al and Jimmy.

If the Sox make the playoffs next year and Rod B dons a Sox hat I'll post an oops I was wrong on this board.

Like Hillary Clinton in her Yankees hat while running for the Senate in NY. By the way, I don't believe for a minute that Gov B would don a Sox cap if they were in the playoffs. He's made clear where his sentiments lie. Screw his team but more power to him for sticking up for them.

Authors have written long books and you have distilled it all in one short paragraph. I'm with you on this, baseball is truly the greatest sport ever invented. Let me add one thing. The ghosts and legends are always with us. In 50 years kids will talk about the great Barry Bonds. Baseball has history like no other sport.

I try to mind my own business but since you asked this is my advice. Your sister needs to ditch this guy pronto. Based on my life experience, all the warning bells are going off. It will only get worse, more than likely much worse.

If they cut payroll by $15M like it was suggested here elsewhere then forget about the 04 playoffs.

I don't.

It would not surprise me if the Twins make it to the WS.

Agreed. Wouldn't surprise me if there are major changes this time.

That's a very sharp observation. You don't have to be a screamer to have a sense of urgency and to make sure the players have it too.

I agree with you. Williams already said that the Sox would only have a slight increase in payroll next year. That's just great. Konerko might be on the way out but where's the dough for Maggs, Buerhle, Lee, Everett, let alone Bartolo? Now is not the time to cut back or tread water. Unless you're looking to forever be the unwanted stepchild of Chicago baseball. Or go the way of the football Cardinals and basketball Zephyrs.

For what its worth The link didn't work as well as I would have liked. Click on Royals and then scroll down to Royals News. Find the Gamboa story.