Rooftop Shots

OK Here we go. (Sorry to all Sox fans for taking up space, but if you want to read a moving story........Read On) I used to know an old man who had golden box Sox tics right on top of the first base about 20 rows up. He would sell me any 4 dates that I wanted. My friend Rick, who I met at my job, got some bad raps in life. When he was a kid, his brother accidently poked his eye out with a halloween mask. Later, part of his thumb got blown off with a quick-wicked cherry-bomb. About 7 years after he got his job with me in a box factory, he acquired Kron's and Addisons disease. Through losing so much time because of his illnesses, he lost his job. This guy was in the hospital soooooooooooooo much with many operations and countless bodyparts removed(intestine,colon stc....) During his colon operation the doctor tied down his legs in stirrups too long and too tight, permanently damaging the nerves in his legs so he wasn't able to walk more than 5 minutes at a time because of the intense pain. Sued.........and through lawyer wordability,and craftiness, he LOST the case!!! Had to give you the background to get to the point. 2 years in a row we could not go to a game together because each time (4 each year) he wound up in the hospital before each game. (I had a parking pass for each one so as to aid in his walking problem.) Finally next year comes. I get my 4 games and tell Rick. 2 weeks before the Detroit game, Rick says he feels well. Looks like we are going to make it. The day before the game, Rick is feeling Great! I said "Praise God!!!!" Now it's Game day!!!! It is POURING OUT IMMENSELY. From the time I woke up for work, all the way until 3:00pm when I get off, with NO LETTING UP. I sat on my couch, turned on channel 7,5 and the weather channel. All said same thing. Continuous rain throughout the evening. I sat down and almost cried!!! Even though I fail through example sometimes, I am a born-again Christian, and I didn't know what else to do than to call to God. I said" Lord, I don't mean for you to stop the world for one guy, but if anyone deserves a break, Rick does. He really has been through hell in his life. If you don't answer this, I will accept Your will, though it will be hard, and no doubt, it will hurt. I don't care about losing the money for the tickets, I just would like for Rick to be able to get out of the house and have a nice time!!! If You could see it to happen, I ask for Your help with this rain problem, (regardless of what the weathermen said)! I call Rick who is Extremely Bummed. After talking for a while, I said"What the heck Rick, let's go anyway. Maybe we can grab a couple of "tube-Steaks" and a coke, yak for a while, and hopefully a drizzle will come, and somehow the game will go on. If not, at least we can spend some time together and have a few laughs" We go and on the way there.....it starts raining even harder. We get to Comiskey about 5:30. We have our hotdogs, and yak. It is now 6:50. "well Rick.... let's what's happeneing". As we are walking out from the tunnel and to our seats, I get blown away!!!!!!!!!!!"IT STOPS RAINING!!!!" Thank------ You------ Lord!!!! Game starts! Third inning, foul ball comes toward us. I dive into the vacant seats for it. Couldn't find it!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHH!!! 4th inning.... Get this......Ron Karkovice tries to steal second!!! Try and picture that if you can!!!!It was so ridiculous!!! Rick was laughing so hard, he was crying. Man, what a sight watching him trying to steal second. 6th inning, another foul ball in the same place as the last, "4 ROWS DOWN FROM US!!!!!!:" I fly down after it, COULDN"T FIND IT AGAIN!!!!! Double AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!! Crowd walks away. Now I am furiously dissapointed! That changes IMMEDIATELY!!!! Why? As I WALK UP to my seat, Rick has the ball in his hand!!!! "How the heck did you get that when it was 4 rows down???" Tom..... it was wierd, the ball got knocked up the stairs, hit a chair leg and rolled right to me. All I did was bend over and pick it up!!!" I looked up into the sky, and the hairs on my arms stood on end as I was definately in awe!!! I felt a presence of God with thankfulness toward Him that I still cannot explain. Rick said, "Tom, if you want the ball that bad , youi can have it!" I said, "Believe me Rick, it's not the ball!!!" I told him about my request to God, and how awesruck I was at not only the rain situation that was taken care of, but the added bonuses of the ball and Karko's steal as well. (For all who read this, No I don't think of God as some sort of servant magician to cater to me whatever I bring to Him. I do serve and worship Him no matter what...good, bad, answered prayer, as well as silence from Him. We are called to pray, not only for requests, but to show thanks and praise as well. Why he answers sometimes, and then sometimes not, I still haven't figured it out. Maybe because He not only knows what is for our good, but also, if we only love someone because they give us what we want anytime we want it, does that mean we really love them?) Anyway, the game went 13 innings and NOT ONE DROP OF RAIN! When Rick passed away, I told his parents about that day, and they were saddened with joy. I was hoping to get the ball in commemoration of that day, but it never worked out. Through all of Ricks illnesses and trials, he had a great sense of humor, and was fun to be with. In case you're wondering, Rick also accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and I know in my heart of hearts, that that is who he is with now eternally!!! I hope that all who read this may do the same and someday secure your place in heaven as well! I have many stories relating to my times at old Comiskey, but nothing tops this one. Now you all know a small history of me as well as why I wrote what I did on my sig. Sorry for the length of this! Hope it was worth your time to read it. Man, how I loved Old Comiskey!!! The memories are "PRICELESS!!!!" By the way, maybe I'm not supposed to, but yes, I still hate the Cubs, and forever probably will!!!)

It is in my future plans to obtain that video. Wife recently lost her job, have a huge mortgage, so it will be on hold for a while. Last year on E-bay, I did purchase a home video made by someone who took his camera and went all over, inside and out around Old Comiskey and narrated it as he went along. Also has footage of Old Comiskey being torn down, and new one being built. The visual History that you mentioned "WILL" be in my library in the near future!!! Thanks!!!! Man..................I Miss That Place!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that he will have. If you go back a while, the problem didn't exactly start the beginning of last year. It started after the allstar break the year before. Konerko was one who when hitting well would "drive" the ball. When he got admitted to the homerun derby, his swing changed. His concentration also went to hitting HR's on National Tv, and it changed what he did best, and did normal. The beginning of this year, he came to realize that, and is no longer thinking about "the fence", but rather, back to just doing what comes natural to him...................... just making contact,hitting it hard, and driving it. Paul is going to be just fine this year........... fast start or not!

Boy, am I looking forward to this season. 3 reasons. 1) Cubs on SI cover to win it all 2) Gammons picks Cubs to win it all 3) Gammons "DOES NOT" pick Sox to win it all. Can you think of 3 reasons to be more excited about this year? Between The SI cover, and clueless Gammons, this years anticipation is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hiya doin CWSOX! First of all, hate to sound like a no-brainer, but not quite sure who Jean Shepherd is. As far as the sig quote goes, I wrote that not to sound like Mr. Rogers or anything, but because I have some really unique and incredible stories of some memories and mind-blowing incidences that took place that were built for me in the Old Comiskey. One that I wish I had time to share was with a friend who was handicapped and passed away a couple of years ago due to Kron's disease at 40 years old. I still haven't figured out why The Lord chooses to answer some prayers and not others, but I have a real mind-blower of a Definate and direct answer to one that happened with my friend at old Comiskey, one year before he passed away. If you're interested, I'll post it, but it is rather long which is why I haven't written it now. Also, my dad and I did not have a very good relationship, but the one place where we were a real father and son was at Old Comiskey, before he passed away 7 years ago. We had some great times and "cherished memories" that we always shared while he was still here. Sorry if my sig sounds rather "Ozzie & Harriet-ness" but it is a fact, a lot of my best times and friendships and memories started and were built in The Old Comiskey. As a Die Hard Sox fan, I count it a real blessing for that to happen in such a great place at where I enjoyed being the most. As the Old Comiskey meaning so much to me, that's why I thought long and hard before putting that sig on the postings. I have die-hard Sox roots ingrained in me, and if I am to be a part of this board, I want to show that I belong, and that when it comes to ALL THE SOX FANS that post..................... I am one of you!!!!!!!

Yeah!! I know one that made it all the way to 4th. Only problem was that he spent 7 years there. I guess that that's all the IQ and intelligence that is required to be a Cub fan. As much as that sCUmB has the audacity to not only come on our board, but to ridicule one of our own Sox-Bro's who is grieving, I would hope that any of us going to the Sox/Cubs game would not stoop down to his level and get our trash-talking down on any "Personal or Family" encounters. Let us be the ones who show and prove that we are the ones with "REAL CLASS!!!!!" and let our team do our talking for us!! I hate The Cubs with a passion, but personal attacks and senseless vulgarity aimed with cruelty with the intent of hurting just don't belong!!!

Hey Playahatin' Thank you also for the info. That issue is a must to have!! Also, Donkeykongerko, thanks also for the info story on the history of S.I covers. I was just talking today to a guy at work on how I would be able to find out some information on how it all started. You must have heard me. Gotta get up "EARLY" for work tomorrow. Will look at your links "A LOT MORE" closely and print it out tomorrow. Thanks again to all for getting your shovels out and digging for the references that I needed. You guys rock!!!

Your queastion....."Why don't they do it to Cub fans?"" Answer: A prank is sometimes played on someone to ridicule, outfox someone's mind, and maybe even pick at the brain in a hurtful way (in some cases). Think about it......... Isn't it already ridiculing,and hurtful to be a Cub fan? This prank outfoxed some of us for one day. Cub fans have been outfoxed their whole lives. The bad part is they still believe that what they are doing in following the Cubs is a good thing to do. For someone to make you believe that following The Cubs is great, and then to believe in it your whole life........and then continue in it on a daily basis................. Now that, my friend, is the ultimate hurtful prank. Yes!!! We've been "Duped" today! Better one day..............than a whole friggin' lifetime!!!

I'm kind of there with ya!! Couple of reasons. Clemmens and Pettite both pitching in their home towns,( no worries of excessive family pressures), both great buds being reunited, both of them away from the pressure of "Georgey-Boy" which will help them be much looser when they pitch, and also.... neither has pitched in National league before. Not as many know them well and haven't faced them much, and also, they hunger for great competition. They have it with the Cubs! I agree, that Clemens tank is running low, but I look for both of them to have terrific years

Hey.... Soxnbears & The Cheat!!!!!! Thanks a lot for the replies and the info!!!! Lookin' forward to obtaining my new "Treasures!!!" By the way!!! To add to it, I still have The Suntimes Sports sections on the last 2 "WONDERFUL" games of last years NLCS!!!

I know this was posted a couple of days ago, but a thought just came to me. Wasn't there a S.I. cover last year that had Wood and Prior on it? By coincidence....aren't they the 2 that blew the final 2 games? My point for bringing this up is................ Can anyone confirm that they were on a cover last year, and if so, any idea which issue? Between that one and the latest one, what "2 GREAT SOUVENIERS" to have around in as a tribute to good memories. If anyone knows which back issue, I'll call S.I. and try to get a hold of one. Thanks!!!!

Let's just hope that they are all in the same day. Even if The Sox win the division,There will probably be a special 10 page pull-out section on The Cubs personal badmitton training camp

Man, it's getting to the point where I'm getting rather fed up with buying the paper anymore. 5 "Friggin' pages about The Scrubbies, and a walloping 1/2 page on The Sox. The season hasn't even started yet and we're getting bombarded with Everything under the sun about the "North-Side camode snorklers!!!" Is this what we have to look forward to all season? The sad part is that it's not even the Cub-owned Tribune, and still we're getting swamped! Thanks to all who read this who have made me feel welcome since I started posting, and for all the updates that are given by everyone on a daily basis. It's a great feeling being able to read as well as yak about The Sox without the constant North-side garbage thrown in your face everywhere you turn!!

I really believe it's a toss-up between Big Frank, and Konerko! Both of them are extremely hungry in different ways. Paul...... not only to start off in a killer fashion to put last seasons beginning behind him, but also to continue like he ended last year. Besides, he's not a hotdog or a head case. He made no excusers for his terrible 1st half. He took it all in a professional manner. He's got a real drive to be the hitter that he know he is! , and Frank..........he's hungry for getting closer to the big "500." I believe that if he doesn't always go for the fence, that his natural swing will get him more HRs from not overpressing or overswinging in order to do so. I look fot these 2 guys and C.Lee to be something special this year!!

mreye!!! Now that's what I call service!!! I ask a historical question about a baseball franchise, and you deliver in full fashion!!! Nice Job!!!!!!

Nice trivia Rex!! But when the heck did the move from Baltimore to NY take place? I thought they were in NY since the caveman days! After they became the Yankees, have any idea how long it was until the Orioles came into franchise again?

To me, I don't even care if they have a mile long convoy of excuses!!! As long as they "FAIL" is satisfaction enough for me.

Steve.... I gotta say it man! You're brutal!!!!!! Couldn't help but laugh........... but man o man, You're brutal!!!! I also hate the Yankees, but my hatred for the Cubs is probably 4 times more brutal than your Yankee description! Gotta say it one more time....................... Whhhhooooooeeeeeeeee, You're brutal, man!!!

Thanks Rex!!!!

Thanks!! Didn't know it was because of Sox request! I thought that big brewha's of MLB made the shedules as they please! !Didn't know we could have an input! I still think that it stinks that when a division comes down to the wire why we are always on the road though!!

I looked back on previous schedules, and I noticed that for the last 5 years The Sox started opening day on the road, and ended the year 3 of the 5 on the road. Maybe I'm wrong, but aren't teams supposed to switch on and off every year as to who starts and ends on the road and at home? It doesn't seem fair why we always start off on road trips and end up on them as well! Anyone have a clue how the "System" works?? Thanks!!!!

I'll also give you an "Amen" to that one bro!!!! By the way.... if you read this, be careful!!! I just hit my 100th posting! You're on the 15,000 mark. I mentioned to "Be Careful" because I might pass you up in a couple of days. Yeah...Right!!!

I could be wrong, but if it boiled down to a choice of only being able to keep one experienced sox helper on the bench, and it was between Nossek and Cooper as to who I would keep, Cooper would win. Don't get me wrong.....losing Nossek was a huge blow, but I feel Coop has the experience, tact, and knowhow, to be able to get the best out our pitchers. It's hard to lose a good benchcoach, especially when you have a new inexperienced manager, but losing a good pitching coach with a not real strong staff and some unproven starters would probably hurt us more. Where we have Experience is where I feel is the most crucial. (Remember, we could still be stuck with "Nardi----walk slowly to the mound----then watch pitcher give up a homerun---Contreras")