[SouthSide Bars ...]

Yes, I know it now, it's out near Lindy's.

 

there are a few of them. one is closer, by like Archview.

 

I usually go there with a friend of mine, who's Mexican, because I never see non-Mexican other then myself. Plus, the workers speak very very little english. that's kinda why it isn't as popular as a Panchos Pistollas, at least in my opinion. Panchos is more for neighborhood people.

[SouthSide Bars ...]

Is that the place on 31st St. near the currency exchange at 31st and Wallace?

 

it's on Archer ... not sure of the exact address.

[SouthSide Bars ...]

Very glad you posted this.

 

Just goes to show, things can be different from nite to nite.  I will cautiously give Catchers Inn another try, maybe before a game this time.

 

Agree totally on Chinatown.  If a person walks around and isn't afraid to be a little adventurous, there are fantastic places there.  I loved King Wah at 2225 S. Wentworth, it has now changed names.  The chef is still the same but the owner is different.  Tons of very good places in Chinatown.

 

I am not much of a Connies Pizza guy but that is also a renowned spot on Archer Ave. but there isn't much of a bar in there.  If people like to get something quick and cheap and don't mind fried shrimp/fish ... The Chicago Shrimp Co. at 31st and roughly Parnell, and Lawrence Fisheries right at the Chicago River and Canal Street.  Lawrence Fisheries is dirt cheap and they've been around for at least 50 years.

 

There's a decent Chinese place at 32nd and Halsted on the east side of the street called Ed's Potsticker House, it's open very late and they serve drinks in there.  Also, Three Happiness has opened a place down the block (south) from Ed's, I have not eaten there yet but word around the neighborhood is it's pretty good.

 

One more ... an Italian sandwich pizza/sandwich place at the corner of 26th and Wallace ... it keeps changing names, I think it's Punky's now.  That's an excellent place to pick up a few sandwiches and then go over to the lots and tailgate.

 

The article mentioned La Milanese at 32nd and May, about 1.5 miles west of the ballpark ... they are only open weekdays and there were rumors they were planning to close, don't know the current status.

 

Punky's is still Punky's. There was a place there years ago, I knew the owners, that was pretty good, but they closed down and since it's jumped a few times from owner to owner. Now, I believe the business is pretty stable.

 

La Milanese is still around. They were going to close it down because the parents were going to retire, but the son decided to keep it open. They aren't open all-year round ... they don't really need to be.

 

As far as Mexican food ... Panchos Pistollas is pretty good, nice atmosphere clean, but I go to Los Commales (spelling?) ... it's not as popular within bridgeport, but I personally think it's better than the other two.

 

Gio's, which is located where my family's old place used to be (we retired and gave the business to them), is good. Prices are a bit high, but the food is good. It's always packed.

 

I'm not a bar guy ... don't drink or any of that stuff so I can't comment on bars.

[Santana signs with Twins, 4 years, 40 million]

the deal isn't that great. as good as Santana has been for a year and a half, I'm not sure he's worth a deal like this just yet.

 

don't get me wrong, he has all the ability in the world to go and repeat this past season ... I just have my doubts.

[*Official* Steroid Thread]

I do think Canseco is just trying to sell his book and is just giving a big "f*** you" to everyone, those are his intentions, but just because he's bitter and looking to take certain guys down, doesn't mean what he's saying is false. He's just letting it out because he doesn't care.

 

His intentions are wrong, but right or wrong, there is a steriod problem in the game and he would know about it more than most. Those two points together makes me think there is truth to what he's saying.

[Article on Cubs, Sox off-seasons]

Chris Sprow, my foot.  Nice article, Hawk! 

 

Seriously, that's a good article.  After seeing all the local papers swarm to the middle of the Sammy watch and his pending departure and ESPN picking up on the story, it makes me as a fan appreciate that KW addressed needs on this team and filled them.  Whether or not they fully work out remains to be seen, but like the article said, the Sox weren't handcuffed this time to one player.  When they knew the Mags relationship was over, they quickly cut ties and brought in a replacement.  And even though ESPN has fallen victim to that "Yankee" philosophy that the only way you can win is by bringing in the biggest name, it doesn't always fit the need.  To be able to acquire speed with Posednik & Iguchi, more bullpen help with Hermanson & Vizcaino, & more starting pitching with El Duque at the expense of one player (El Caballo) is quite the feat, even though those aren't big names in the minds of ESPN and the like.

 

I'm happy with the makeup of this team, and for once, I could actually care less that the Cubbies are dominating the headlines again.  Our team is ready to go, and April 4 can't get here soon enough. B)

 

well, I admit I swormed to the Sosa story as well, of course mine was critical of the Cubs; revolving around my belief that Sosa was used by the Cubs.

[Article on Cubs, Sox off-seasons]

Any outlets in Beverly?

 

no, none that I know of. I don't think we've gotten out there yet.

[Article on Cubs, Sox off-seasons]

Thanks.

 

Where can I get this pub?  I'm not too familiar with it (weekly, monthly?).

 

it's a monthly magazine distributed throughout downtown and in a few of the surrounding neighborhoods ... 700 places or so, 30,000 copies. it's anywhere from 18-24 pages. it's mostly story/feature oriented; for example there are sports book reviews, a story on people like Jim DiDomenico, an Illinois skier, and then a couple months ago there was something on Ben Wilson, who was a top high school basketball player in the 80s who was tragically killed. with that we'll some interviews with Chicago sports guys, whether it's Ozzie Guillen or a sportswriter.

 

February's issue should be out by the end of the week

[Article on Cubs, Sox off-seasons]

Where is this from?

 

Chicago Sports Review ... it's a magazine I'm an editor at. this was just something another editor wrote.

[Article on Cubs, Sox off-seasons]

hey, just figured I'd toss this to you guys this piece written by a guy at the mag seeing it's about the Cubs and Sox's off-season and how the Cubs, the big market team, have done nothing compared to KW and the Sox....

 

Cubs' Resources, White Sox's Savvy Lead to Different Results

 

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

 

By Chris Sprow

 

Now who was the "small-market" team?

 

Two days after the Cubs formally decided to take a (boiling) $12.5 million bath, essentially being scalded by Sammy Sosa’s contract just so they could unload him, rumors have begun swirling, many pointing towards Jeromy Burnitz as a fill for the power void left in the corners of the Wrigley outfield.

 

Which, economically speaking, should leave the Cubs and fans gagging, realizing that to sign Burnitz to play right means they will have spent their entire off-season figuring a way to depart with Sosa, and will still end up paying close to $17 million total ($12.5 million going to Sosa) for a right fielder that will strike out 120-plus times and hopefully hit 30-plus home runs. And that’s if he’s healthy.

 

So, in the order of off-season objectives, the Cubs list might have looked like this:

 

1. Unload Sammy; pray for any value in return

2. Solve the closer position and a generally shaky bullpen

3. Get a sound lead-off hitter, or some speed

4. Re-sign Nomar, Michael Barrett, Todd Walker

5. Save some dough to re-sign Ramirez, Prior, Wood and Zambrano next year.

 

If only the bottom two were the top two. Before the acquisition of Jerry Hairston in the Sosa deal, even No. 3 looked like a waste. Sorry to say it, but Henry Blanco won’t be leading off. And while stolen bases alone don’t make a leadoff hitter, Hairston’s top season in the majors in that category (2001), produced 29. Corey Patterson had (gulp) 32 last year. So, Cubs fans, you got a lead-off hitter, but perhaps by default. Meaning this: Where the hell else were you going to hit him?

 

Meanwhile, across town, Kenny Williams was quietly having one of the more under-discussed and underrated off-seasons in baseball that didn’t involve a blockbuster trade or contract. Frankly, the White Sox don’t have blockbuster bucks, or players, and thus this scenario was a foregone conclusion. Oh, but it was active. It addressed things.

 

Like actual needs.

 

And Williams and the Sox spent money. It was just Sox money, not Cubs or Yankees or Boston money. But it was money, and it changed the look of a team. Williams acted as though there was a plan, and certainly wasn’t held hostage by a single player or deal for over four months. (Would the Yankees, or Boston be held hostage by a player? Well, Boston was by A-Rod, but that seemed to work out.)

 

The fighting Hawk Harrelson's quietly signed Jermaine Dye, Dustin Hermanson, Orlando “El Duque” Hernadez, Japanese star Tadahito Iguchi, A.J. Pierzynski, and added Scott Podsednik and reliever Luis Visciano to the tune of nearly $30 million. They also kept around Ben Davis, Carl Everett, Shingo Takatsu and Frank Thomas. A pair of three-year deals was also agreed upon with Aaron Rowand and Juan Uribe.

 

The Sox played a little sabermetrics, and changed the face of a lineup that was all bash and no dash for years. They addressed a pitching staff; if Buehrle, Garcia, Conteras, Hernandez, and Garland can walk out every fifth day, with his payroll, Williams can at least say he’s got names.

 

If healthy, the front end of the Cubs staff is the envy of any staff outside of New York when you want to get into a “stuff” discussion. But the White Sox don’t have a St. Louis Cardinals in their division, and instead must merely deal with a growing Indians squad, and the same Twins team that calls any off-season when it can keep people in town a success. What's the over-under on a 15 year marriage with Johan Santana and that town?

 

Kenny Williams addressed every part of his team with little room to hike the payroll, and arguably improved each of them. Lineup, starters, bullpen, defense.

 

The Cubs finally addressed their one-man-mess of a clubhouse, but still have plenty of unanswered questions, and instead look like a team with more hope than answers.

 

So here’s the question: Which of these teams was 9 games out of first place, and which was 16 out? It was the Sox and Cubs - in that order.

 

Perhaps Jim Hendry just did it too well the last few years. Perhaps his moves to get Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee were just too slick. Perhaps he has gained a status like Pat Gillick had, where people are just naturally leery of his brilliance, and fear dealing with him. I doubt it. Like Billy Beane in Oakland over the last few years, his success is still based around the development of a few pitchers in Wood, Prior, and Zambrano that were not his own.

 

He doesn’t deserve serious questioning, but his legacy here is still tied to successes not of his own making. You wonder if the Cubs success will be because of Hendry and his hired hand Dusty Baker, or in spite of them. This is a major market team, with major market dollars, and a major talent inherited to front their starting rotation. Why should they not be successful?

 

Across town, not blessed with the inborn talent, or cash-flow, the White Sox quietly displayed to their fans a willingness to make moves, to cut ties with a failed recent past, and to tactically experiment with the future.

 

Based on objective handling of their franchises and immense, or scant resources, one team succeeded, another failed, a Jeromy Burnitz signing notwithstanding.

 

Regarding that move, as Chris Farley would say, "Whoopdeyfrickindoo!"

 

When fans line up for tickets soon, though you won't be surprised at who has greater demand, you should wonder who's done more to earn it. If the demand to see Sammy was worth something before, hopefully the void will hold some value now.

 

His absence is all that's been gained.

[Everett a fit for the Cubs?]

you don't trade Everett for a reliever right now ... we have seven already and need a bat like Everett much more than an eighth reliever. The only way you trade Everett is if you get a good utility middle infielder in return, and possibly a minor leaguers, depending how much money the Sox get freed of.

[Maggs Update; Tigers are Close]

if true, the Tigers will be Maggs second team, but far away from his last. I have a feeling he'll end up traveling around the U.S. for the rest of his career, from team to team.

[Harris: 'I'm not ruling myself out']

It sounds like Harris has had a chance to think things over and seems to be taking the right attitude now.  Is it just so much BS?  We'll have to see.  Maybe the Iguchi signing was a b****slap that got Willie's attention. 

 

Noteworthy:  They mentioned the possibility of Iguchi sliding over to SS.  We'll have to see if that is an option.

 

no different than what he said in the Southtown article ... he's a bit upset with the signing, hopes he gets a chance to compete for a job, and will bust his butt to try to get it.

[Willie Harris Article]

Does Harris have an attitude problem? I'm sure that's possible.

 

Did Harris show his attitude problem in this article? No, he actually did the opposite. Saying he would like a chance to COMPETE for the starting job.

 

Was Harris screwed big time last year when it came to his playing time? Yes, there is no doubt about that. Harris caught fire on a few occassions last season, all of which ended with him getting benched.

 

Now, here is the big thing ... Harris was playing good, but was benched because of his attitude. A lot of people here are talking about how Harris was continually getting replaced. That could be because A. the White Sox don't think much of him or B. he has an attitude problem.

 

If it's A. it's bulls*** because why keep him on the team and put him in situations where he can only fail. Better off trading him while he was producing down in AAA.

 

If it's B. it's also bulls*** because if you have a guy who has an attitude problem at AAA, you bring him up and he still has an attitude problem, why keep him? Why jerk him around and make him think he has a job but then pull it away from him?

 

If Harris has been a selfish asshole all this time, why is he still on the team three plus years after he was brought in? Why haven't they gotten rid of him? If a guy is arrogant in AAA, arrogant as a bench player, he will only get worse as as a starter, I would think. And by giving him the starting role and taking it away from him, you are obviously just making him feel like he's getting screwed some more.

[Willie Harris Article]

am I the only one who read this article and didn't take it as Harris b****ing and whinning? I thought he was straightfoward, honest, and dead on based on the quotes. The tone he used and how he said it is another matter, but I don't see how what he said in this article is whinny or b****y or selfish. He may be that in real life, but nothing in this article really indicates that.

 

with that said, I'd like Harris to stick around for Spring Training, just because I have SERIOUS doubts about Iguchi coming in and producing. So, I would let Harris go to Spring Training and put him on the roster as a backup 2B/CF for a while just to make sure Iguchi can play.

 

However, if Harris gives any problems during this period, dump him and take your chance with Iguchi and whatever backup we get (or Valdez).

[National Compliment Day]

Jeckle is a good poster plus he likes Wee Willie and Arow, which is a major plus!!!!

 

Jason is someone who I have a great amount of respect for, and not just on this board as a poster.

[Why does everybody want Willie gone so bad?]

I'd like to keep Harris on the team, simply because I don't think Iguchi is any more proven than him. So if Iguchi struggles, at least we have Harris. So, for the start of the season, with Thomas out, go with 11 pitchers and keep Harris, Valdez, Gload, Perez and Burke on the bench. When Thomas returns, the verdict should be out on both Iguchi and Harris. You can then decide if you want to keep Perez or Harris on the roster.

 

Keep Harris as a backup 2B/CF.

[the future of the southside]

That's a good point, but those places will be bought out for big loot.  They'll just take the loot and set up elsewhere.

 

when you are dealing with small businesses, it's easier said than done.

 

or if you are dealing with imminent domain, which is too common in Chicago.

[the future of the southside]

You can find brand new, 2 bedroom condos that are going up on the west side, kinda near the United Center in the 200K range.  Yes, the neighborhood is still rough, it's a bad idea if you have kids. BUT, if you're single or a young couple and are looking for a gold mine investment, do it. The homes and parking are secure, so you don't really have to hang out in the neighborhood.  In less than a year or that same condo will go for 275-300K. A friend of mine did that, he made 150K profit in a year. Took the cash and moved to a home in a great neighborhood. It's easy cash if you can stick it out a year or two.

 

yeah, just go to a booming area, like Bridgeport, and then look for stuff in the surrounding areas, because most likely it will spread that way. For instance, in Bridgeport, west of Halsted. At least that's my opinion.

[the future of the southside]

the bad thing is that a lot of companies and small businesses are getting/will get forced out of the area for stores like Starbucks and Home Depot.

 

From the White Sox perspective though, this development is a big win.

[the future of the southside]

living in Bridgeport, it's definitely changing. property cost is rising by the day, bigger houses and condos are being built, trucking and meat companies are slowly moving out of the Back of the Yards and Pershing area, and Halsted will eventually be a strip of stores like Starbucks and the likes.

 

The area round the Cell won't ever be a party haven, but within a few years, it's going to be MUCH different in terms of the way people look at it. With the renovations to the Cell, things can only get better for the White Sox on the financial end.

[Has anyone heard this RUMOR?]

#1-Hunter isn't that good outside of defense, so who cares.

 

#2-Considering the money he's getting and the fact that they have suitable replacements (their outfield will be Stewart/Ford/Jones), trading him would be a pretty good idea.

[Hey Mario!!!]

He's a major reason why your posting on this board right now sir... get to know him he's a great guy.. and cute to boot

 

you tell that SOB, MARK!

 

doesn't know who I am....

 

BTW, I learned how to use GREEN for the first time!

[Hey Mario!!!]

We are freaks, there is no denying that.

 

But hey, as long as we aren't breaking the law, who cares.  

 

here you guys go with the nug jokes already ... how long before it gets out of your system?

 

I guess as long as you guys don't say where you got it from, it's cool, because the source of the joke is a joke himself.

[JG on the Score]

So how long do we get to use the excuse that he is young?

I never said we should keep him because he is young and will break out.

 

we should keep him because he's worth what he's getting and is a solid pitcher. is he young? yes. does he have potential? you bet, but that isn't the reason to keep. perhaps incentive, but not the sole reason.