southsideirish

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 07:40 PM) Yeah, ARod's American. He's also Dominican. That's kinda what dual citizenship means. It's not like he heard there was going to be a WBC and ran out and got his Dominican citizenship. It's hilarious that some people think ARod of the quarter billion dollar contract, NYY savior, saw this crappy little tournament that half the players are opting out of and said, Boy, now here's a chance for some big publicity! And the best way to do it is to join the lineup that's already loaded with stars! What a joke. And, to clarify, I think there are many people in ethnic areas that love the US and wouldn't put anything above it. And I think there are also a lot of people who live in the US, are appreciative of the opportunities, but still have primary loyalty to their first country. And growing up in that area, with people coming back and forth between the US and some other place, with little or no English heard anywhere and all the news from overseas, along with all the extended family, may lead someone to think of him/herself as Dominican, or Chinese, or what have you. That seems pretty natural, and I don't have any problem with it. How long before this gets moved?... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I really have no idea what you mean by your second paragraph. Primary loyalty to their first country? Their first country meaning what? Their country they were born in? The country they lived in their entire life? The country they lived in until they were four? The country they moved back to when they were 8? Or is their first country mean the country they lived in from a period of time when they were 4 years old until they were 8 years old? The point you bring up of being in a part of this country where "people are coming back and forth between the US and some other place, with little or no English heard anywhere and all the news from overseas, along with all the extended family, may lead someone to think of him/herself as Dominican, or Chinese, or what have you" Is something that is so great about this country. The fact that we can have tons of different people living here with so many different traditions and such. The fact is A-Rod lived in the Dominican for 4 years. He does not do anything for the Dominican Republic. He played on the Junior US Olympic team. He started playing organized baseball here. He donates a lot of money to American charities. His boyhood hero is an American named Cal Ripken Jr. He is an American, just as I am. He is also Dominican, just as I am Irish. And before you start asking about comparisons, yes my Parents were born in Ireland, were married there, and moved here. I would much rather play and represent the United States than Ireland. I have a lot of respect for the Irish culture and heritage, but this is where I was born. This is my country. This is where my parents wanted to be and wanted to raise me. This is where they felt, as a family, we would have a greater future. I would much rather represent the United States and honor the United States for those opportunities that I would most likely would have never had in Ireland. I feel A-Rod should do the same. He can be proud of his culture and heritage, but he should also realize that his parents obviously wanted him to be in this country and not the Dominican. They did what was best for their family. This country gave him and his parents a greater opportunity.

Here is some further information on A-Rod. Look them over and you tell me if he is an American or Dominican. I don't see him spending any time there, donating any money there, or having a boyhood idol from there. He also played for the US Junior Olympic Baseball Team. He is as Dominican as I am Irish. However, we are both truly Americans. Alex started playing Khoury League baseball, sponsored by the Boys Club in Coconut Grove (Miami). A league which he still keeps in touch with, "I've always been close with the league, and I recently donated $25,000 to it. I have fond memories, and I think back about those days all the time," said Rodriguez. Alex was a tall, lanky kid who played his favorite position -- shortstop. He worked hard on his defense and became great at playing that position, but he was a horrible hitter. He didn't have much bat speed or power so the coach always batted him eighth or ninth, so he started lifting weights and took extra batting practice. Alex started hitting with power and became a prolific hitter, so much that as a sophomore in high school he participated in the U.S. Junior Olympic baseball team. That was a huge boost of confidence for Alex as competing at an international level was a significant part of his early baseball years. Alex finished high school baseball career with a .419 batting average with 17 homers, 70 RBIs, and 90 steals in 100 games. "This is a dream come true playing in New York where I was born," said Rodríguez at his NYC press conference. "I feel overjoyed to play for a great manager like Joe Torre and for such a great team like the Yankees." In 1998, he founded the Alex Rodriguez Foundation which works extensively with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami, hosting an annual dinner to raise money for that organization. He lives in Miami in the off-season and has two dogs (one was given to him by Jose Canseco), one in each of his homes. His idol is Cal Ripkin Jr. and he likes playing basketball and golf in the off-season. In November 2002, A-Rod married his longtime girlfriend, Cynthia Scurtis in a private wedding in Dallas. A reception was conducted at his home in Highland Park, an upscale Dallas suburb. Among the guests were former Baltimore star Cal Ripken Jr., Rodriguez's boyhood idol.

QUOTE(Drew @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 10:34 AM) Not entirely. I for one thought that A-Rod's flip-flopping over who to play for if at all was total media posturing. The guy is a damn moth, he gets off on this sort of thing. If you don't if you want to play or who to play for, say you're still deciding. Don't make a decision, re-nig, beg off, and then change position. In the end I knew he'd side with the Dominicans, but as a dual citizen it's his prerogative. But don't try and tell me that he changed his mind because it's honoring his parents. Bulls***. He'd rather play with all the star power that the Dominicans have. And if the Americans had Guerrero, Ortiz, Martinez, Tejada, and all the rest you better believe that he'd want to honor his homeland by playing for the Americans. He's a spineless piece of s*** is what he is. If you want to go where the money is, just say so. If you think the grass is greener in the Bronx and what you want is a World Series ring, then just say so. Don't feed us a fabricaated web of bulls*** so you can come out smelling like a rose after your trip up the moral high road. The only thing I won't take away from him is that he's a hell of a ballplayer, although David Ortiz IMO was more valuable to the Red Sox than A-Rod to the Yankees during the '05 campaign. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> He is playing for the States, not the Dominican. I guess he would rather play with all the star power of the American team with Jeter, Chipper Jones, Texiera, Damon, Griffey Jr, Vernon Wells, Clemens and all the rest.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 01:35 AM) If Ozzie really wants to b****, he could complain about the real jokes of the WBC, like Mark Mulder and Dan Haren being listed for the Netherlands, or Piazza being listed for Italy. (I mean, Mulder was born in South Holland, after all...) Ripping on a guy who lived his whole life in a Dominican community, lived for a long time in DR, and holds (I believe) dual citizenship is ridiculous. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Could any of those players make the United States team? Mulder maybe, but he would have a hard time making it. At least he was born in South Holland and is playing for Holland (the Netherlands). Living in a Dominican community in the United States is not the same as living in the Dominican Republic. I am not sure what your point is by stating that. Like the people living in Chinatown that were born here and have never been to China have any idea what it is like to live in China, right? He only spent 4 years in the Dominican, from the ages of 4 - 8. He was born in New York and lived there until he was 4, moved to the Dominican, came back to the states and stayed in Miami. Yes, he started playing baseball real young, so it just so happened to be in the Dominican. However from the age of 8, when mini mite little league starts, on up he played in the states. He is an American. Nomar is an American.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Feb 16, 2006 -> 09:45 PM) Perfect lineup. And I don't think Anderson bats 8th for whoever thinks that. I don't see a reason why he would. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Supposedly so Crede could protect him. I am not agreeing with that. I am just stating as to what has been said as to why he would.

QUOTE(Chisoxrd5 @ Feb 16, 2006 -> 08:41 PM) Yeah this is quite a far cry from the last decade or so. It's very weird being the the favorite son all of a sudden. I would estimate that we will be at about 2.6-2.7 million in attendance. Which is pretty insane. The only thing that worries me is I have no idea exactly how many of the tickets that are sold are currently in the hands of the fans. I would imagine scalpers have jumped in and hold a large amount of those 2 million tickets. Kinda sad but I guess that is a nature of the beast. And Jim make sure you post the week that u decide to take a trip out here..I'm sure some of the season ticket holders on here would be more than willing to help you find some tickets. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My guess is 2,934,155 and they will set a new Chicago White Sox attendance record.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Feb 16, 2006 -> 04:48 PM) nope. Born in America, Miami I believe. Its ridiculous but no more than Piazza playing for Italy and there are a few other examples. A-Rod catches the heat because of two things: He's an easier target and high profile, and because the DR is a legitimate threat to win it all whereas Italy would not be <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Another reason may be because Piazza wouldn't even make the American team. Look at team Italy, there are a ton of players on there that are representing Italy just becuase they couldn't make their birth countries team. Jason Grilli made Italy's team? Just one example.

QUOTE(CluelessJoe1919 @ Feb 14, 2006 -> 04:30 AM) That's funny, but nobody hates Rush Limbaugh more than I do...However, he was right on this one...McNabb will be out of football in three years. He's benefited from being on a solid team. What was it, two seasons ago when he went out with about four games remaining in the regular season? Everyone was like, "Philly's done." Well, two backup QBs led Philly to about five or six straight wins, including one or two in the playoffs. McNabb came back and Philly dropped the title game. Some of us can spot a terribly overrated QB quickly. You'll all come around. Many already are. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I would love to make that bet. McNabb is out of football in 3 years? Why don't we exchange email addresses and make a bet. PM me. That is an easy win for me. Out of the league in 3 years? Kordell Stewart is still in the league and has been for 11 years. Tony Banks is still in the league and has been for 10 years. McNabb is going to be out of the league in his 10th year at 33 or 34 years old? McNabb has had nothing at WR except for 1 full year of TO. He has averaged 3080 passing yards, 21 passing TDs, 10 INTs, 3.5 rushing TDs, and 367 rushing yards, and he has a 59% completion percentage in the 6 seasons that he was the starting QB at the beginning of the year. He has a record of 65-31 in those 6 seasons. That is counting 13 missed games. That is almost another whole season right there. He has made it to the NFC Championship game 4 out of 6 seasons. He has been to the Super Bowl once. He has been to the playoffs in every season except last season. In the post season he has 12 games played, 2630 yards passing, 18 passing TDs, 12 INTs, 3 Rushing TDs, 362 Rushing Yards, and a 59% completion percentage. His interceptions are a little high, but other than that it looks pretty damn good. His leading receivers have been Chad Lewis, James Thrash, Todd Pinkston, and Terrell Owens. Isn't that a great group of WRs? So now how is he overrated and who is rating him if he is overrated? What else do you want from him? He is without a doubt a top 5 QB in the NFL. What the hell is wrong with you?

QUOTE(CluelessJoe1919 @ Feb 14, 2006 -> 03:31 AM) I'm just wondering, how do you explain McNabb's woeful performance in the Super Bowl two bowls ago? He threw two dreadful interceptions and should have had a third in the first half alone, but it was called off for an unrelated penalty. What was that he had, some sort of a flu that came on during the game? Could it be the Choke Flu? I take it the most overrated was Joe Namath? Hardly. Are you old enough to remember him? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> He is not the only one to think this way. Here is a little article from a national sports network. I think they go by ESPN or something like that. I wonder if any of them were old enough to see Namath play. His stats that are listed sound like he was pretty overrated to me. Most Overrated 1. Joe Namath I'm a Joe Namath fan from way back, so it pains me to say this, but Namath was a great quarterback for only a few seasons. He's been properly credited for leading the Jets to a Super Bowl III win (and a few bonus points for being cool enough to know he didn't have to pass to beat the Colts). Namath was an icon, a product of his times, and he played the New York tune in perfect key, fur coat and all. But as a player ... there have been dozens of better QBs in modern times. Some surprisingly lousy career stats to consider: 173 TD passes, 220 INTs, completion percentage of 50.1. 2. Phil Rizzuto Rizzuto was a fine shortstop who had one truly great season -- his MVP year of 1950. His admittance into the HOF in 1994, nearly 40 years after his playing career ended, was clearly a product of the New York media machine, Yankee aura and HOF voting politics. 3. Lynn Swann Hmmm. In nine seasons, he was a Pro Bowler only three times. Averaged less than 40 catches per season. A couple of great playoff performances, but lots of so-so ones. In terms of career stats, you can't get more straightforward than the footballreference.com summary: "Lynn Swann is not in the all-time top 50 in any major category." So why is he in the Hall of Fame? 4. Jose Canseco Wow. We knew Canseco was overrated, and he's especially unlikable these days, but just checking out his stats in an objective fashion, you'd be less than impressed. A .266 BA and just six 100+ RBI seasons in an offensive era, a so-so .353 OBP. Terrible in the postseason -- a .184 batting average and .398 slugging percentage when the stakes were highest. 5. Deion Sanders Spectacular to watch in his prime, dominant on pass defense (although a notoriously weak tackler), but he asked for too much money, and undeservedly got it. ESPN the Mag's Tom Friend summed up Sanders' career well, calling Sanders the "Greatest selfish player of all-time, best-bandannaed player of all time, (who) killed wide receivers and salary caps." Oh, and he was a mediocre baseball player, despite the hype and two Sports Illustrated covers (only one less than Barry Bonds!). 6. Pete Maravich Pistol Pete, perhaps the most spectacular college player ever, was a very good, but not great, NBA player. A marginal Hall of Famer if you look at his pro stats, and shouldn't have made the list of the NBA's top 50 players of all time. 7. Nolan Ryan If you wanted to go see a game with lots of K's, lots of walks, and not much in-between, Ryan was your man. In his long career, he racked up some spectacular achievements -- for example, 5,714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters. Other spectacular marks included 2,795 walks and 292 career losses, which put him, with a 324-292 record, not far above .500. Granted, he pitched most of his career for mediocre teams, but he never won the Cy Young Award (Steve Carlton, his contemporary and also a strikeout pitcher, won four Cy Youngs). A great hurler, but not, as many fans believe, the greatest in baseball history. 8. Pete Rose He's got the most hits in baseball history, but that doesn't make him the greatest hitter in baseball history, as many casual fans believe. Rose kept himself in the game for five years after he should have retired, and he hurt the Reds as a player his last couple of years. Don't get me wrong: Rose was great, and he worked his tail off, but his his hits record is greatly overplayed. He didn't even come close to Ty Cobb at the plate: Rose: BA: .303; OBP: .375; SLG: .409, career high of 82 RBI, 198 SB Cobb: BA: .366; OBP: .433; SLG: .512, seven seasons of 100+ RBI, 892 SB 9. O.J. Simpson Simpson had one incredible year, and two other great ones. But if you check out his career stats, what you'll find is five fine seasons and six so-so ones in which he gained less than 700 yards on the ground. Not much of a receiver, either -- in his 2000-yard season, Simpson caught a grand total of six passes. 10. Apolo Ohno Ohno already deserves a spot in SI's "Where are they now?" issue. A couple of questions: Why was he an SI cover boy last year when he was in a minor sport that had only been in the Winter Games since 1992? We could think of a dozen winter Olympians more deserving of that slot. Anything intriguing about him? Nah ... he's no Barry Zito. As my esteemed colleague Jim Caple put it, "It was his name and Nike that got him cred, not talent."

QUOTE(DonkeyKongerko @ Feb 13, 2006 -> 09:51 PM) I thought maybe there was some connection between Church's Chicken and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Instead, it turns out Church's Chicken (and Caribou Coffee) is owned by Arcapita, formerly known as the First Islamic Investment Bank. I didn't even know there were still Church's Chickens around, I haven't seen one in at least 10 years. Sorry to hear about the kid though. I just wish there was some better way of making drivers stop than flashing red lights and a little stop arm. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> There are a bunch on the southside. Where have you been the last 10 years?

QUOTE(Goldmember @ Feb 11, 2006 -> 05:59 PM) http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stor...ED?OpenDocument (wtf?) was of course added by me. why in the hell would you write that in the story? very sad story. that person needs to rot in jail. hopefully people see the story and use it as an example to their kids to be that much more careful... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Because Church's Chicken good God Damnit.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 13, 2006 -> 10:20 PM) Am I the only one who thinks doing that to this kid (clearly the parent knew what was coming) was just plain mean? No way I could do that. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That's why it is so funny.

Adrian Beltre and Milton Bradley. Bradley could have one hell of an awesome year in Oakland. Neither one of those pitchers seem like keeper material to me. Sorry. Shawn Green in a keeper league? No thank you. Giles and Tracy for the other one. That seems like a no brainer to me.

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Feb 13, 2006 -> 07:08 PM) No, you're confused. In one thread, you're saying that Tyson Chandler's passion is a bad thing. Meanwhile, he pumps all his teamates up after a thunder dunk and his contributions to team chemistry are immeasurable. He's one of the nicest guys in that locker room. Now you're promoting a guy who alienates all of his teammates, has no friends, and just sucks at life in general. You're an early candidate for "Most Likely To Get Flamed", I'll give you that. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> He is also a fan of Mariotti. His name speaks for itself. So far all of his statements have been clueless.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Feb 13, 2006 -> 07:18 PM) The Bears should forget Randle El and sign Antonio Bryant. He'd be a nice addition for a tema needing a playmaking number two who will get less money than Randle El <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Bryant is a very good player. I would like to have him, but at the moment we are hurting for a speed receiver that will stretch the field. That is what El brings that Bryant doesn't. Are the Browns going to tag him with either the franchise or transition tag? I wouldn't give up a high draft pick for him. That is for sure.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Feb 13, 2006 -> 07:08 PM) Nope sorry, that title belongs to the QB whom made it to the hall of fame based on one game then later in life got drunk and attempted to plant one on my girl Suzy Kolber. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am going to have to disagree with you here. Namath wasn't great and definitely does not belong in the hall of fame. He is also over rated, but I don't think he is the most over rated in NFL history. That distinction goes out to Jason Sehorn. He was never good, NEVER. He was a fast white CB (a position dominated by african american athletes) in New York. That is the only reason he got attention. Some people actually thought he was good. I could not stand him.

QUOTE(CluelessJoe1919 @ Feb 13, 2006 -> 06:11 PM) Mariotti doesn't have an easy job... and he does it quite well... He seems to rile everyone up, which is his job. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Clueless, just clueless. HA HA!!!!!

I have a question. I have been trying to contact the White Sox for my company's group outing this year. I have tried through email at [email protected] and have not received a response yet. I have also tried calling (312) 674-1000 and it is always busy. I have been trying for a month and a half now. Is there another/better way to contact them about this?

I have a question. I have been trying to contact the White Sox for my company's group outing this year. I have tried through email @[email protected] and have not received a response yet. I have also tried calling (312) 674-1000 and it is always busy. I have been trying for a month and a half now. Is there another/better way to contact them about this?

QUOTE(Brian @ Feb 8, 2006 -> 02:49 PM) Mike Tirico, I like him...Thiesmann, eh...and Tony Kornhieser. I'm skeptical on Tony but will give him a shot. I see him as Dennis Miller with football knowledge so that could be a good thing. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser will be part of a three-man booth calling the games on Monday nights next season and Suzy Kolber and Michelle Tafoya will be sideline reporters. I can't stand any of them, not even the sideline reporters. They all suck. This is horrible news to me. I will turn the tv volume all the way down and listen to the game on my Sirius radio.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Feb 6, 2006 -> 10:29 PM) Tracey=Damaso with less control. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Is that possible?

QUOTE(klaus kinski @ Feb 4, 2006 -> 02:54 AM) I'm still not convinced our offense is improved until we see what we got in center, and DH <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Why is that? Whatever we get from Brian Anderson and Jim Thome can not be half as bad as what we got offensively from Aaron Rowand and our DH rotation. Offensively Anderson should be just as good as Rowand and Thome should be much better than anyone we had at DH. But whatever.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 10:04 PM) I dont mind an athlete going out and partying..... but Orton kind of does it a lot it seems... maybe if he spent more time practicing and watching tape he wouldnt of sucked so much. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You really think that practicing and watching tape was the problem?

QUOTE(Steff @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 02:11 PM) She's c***y... Thank you Alexis Stewart. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ha ha!!!! Awesome! I can't believe Howard was kissing ass as much as he did. I can not stand Alexis Stewart and she is no where near as hot as he kept making her out to be. I don't have any idea what that was all about.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 02:47 PM) One of the best examples of how to cheer on the visitors I ever saw was at a Black Hawks game. A guy was sitting in front of me and about 5 minutes before the game turned and said "I'm grew up in Toronto, and have been a Maple Leaf fan for 20 years. I know I will cheer, and I know that may be annoying. I don't want any trouble, so how about this, when the Maple Leafs score, I buy you guys a beer? He would up buying about 10 beers after every goal, thankfully for him there was only 2 or 3. He turned out to be a nice guy, very good hockey fan and even with a little cheering, no one really bothered him. But as any Hawks fan knows, it could have been ugly. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That is the best I have ever heard. That is awesome.