Hangar18

QUOTE(elrockinMT @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 01:03 PM) I listened on XM radio Friday nd Sunday and saw the game on WGN Saturday. It reminded me of the series in Denver last year whne I got to go and see the Sox take on the Rockies. There were more Sox fans in the ballpark those games than Rockie fans and I think the Rockie crowd started rooting for the Sox too. I had a couple friends at that series also, and they said exactly the same thing. They said they saw the ENTIRE sox team at a bar afterwards (they were to board their charter next day) and said the SOX players noticed all the fans at Coors Field and they really appreciated it, because if you remember, they had a surprising "start" and were just starting to get noticed by the national media ...........

QUOTE(JimH @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 02:50 PM) Please explain how a media bias exists, and how you've proven a media bias, based on your data. Thanks. My numbers made more "sense" back in 03, 04, and 05, when the numbers werent as "close" as they are now ............ If I had to make a comment on the data (Im smart enough to know making a case based on just this years numbers would be subject to change once I compared to other years) Id have to say that the SOX winning it all last year has had a dramatic effect on media coverage, but still not enough for them to dominate the cubs, as they did us back in 03, 04 and midway thru 05.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 02:31 PM) Ok, Here is June's breakdown which is all that is on this board. June 1st - June 19th, excluding weekends. Chi-town Media Watch June Totals Chicago Tribune: 49 Cubs stories 44 Sox stories Chicago SunTimes: 54 Sox stories 52 Cubs stories Just what I suspected. The Trib is going to put in more Cubs articles because that sells more tickets, which makes them more money. So it is not really a media bias, just a Trib bias, which will never change as long as they own the team. Those totals are pretty close to the totals if you project them out. The Sox hold the edge in the Times, and the Cubs get about 53-54% of the articles in the Trib, which is lower than I expected. And looks like in June, the numbers are pretty even ............. with the Cubs getting a slight edge. the Cubs are still by nearly 100, so it seems that with the Cubs becoming horrifically bad, that the numbers have become EVEN. I wonder what will happen should the Cubs start a 3 game winning streak?

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 01:33 PM) So are there no updates from Saturday's and Sunday's? There were a couple of guys who wanted to help out and be the "weekend" guys for the weekend counts, but they were a bit afraid of the moderators, so I just went with weekdays. They tend to average out however. As for Jims request about further breakdowns, sure QUOTE(JimH @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 01:37 PM) I think there is hangar, just ask one of your friends who joined over here to search their archives. Well, lets put it out there. I will ask a few people who are currently now "dual" members for their help. this could be pretty interesting to break down the data ive got already .........

QUOTE(zach23 @ Jun 16, 2006 -> 10:14 AM) Just my opinion, but I would say that this is due to the big dollars involved in baseball currently and the fact that the league believes that fans want to see nothing but the long ball. In the old days teams didn't make as much money, now they rake in billions from TV and advertising. So now if a team's star player takes one off the face and has to miss a ton of games, it could affect a team's marketing of that player. The league has fallen in love with the long ball and seems to be doing everything possible to give the hitters the advantage. The strike zone has shrunk down and all the warnings take away the inside of the plate from pitchers. If they make a mistake, they could get warned or tossed from the game. Unlike the old days, hitters have no fear of standing right on top of the plate. I think if the warnings went away and the umps went back to letting the players police this part of the game, you would see a steady decline in the amount of HRs as more pitchers brush guys back off the plate. And that I beleive is something the league doesn't want at all. Their view is that HRs bring fans and fans bring advertisers and advertisers mean dollars. When I said WOW to this previously, I shouldve also said this was a very Good Post and theres a lot to be said about Zachs comments here, which are all pretty much true, let the players police themselves, which is what Hawk has been commenting on for a while now every time this happens

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 01:22 PM) Are these numbers just for this season? When was the starting point to get to the current numbers? Opening Day? Jan 1st? What you could do is just start it from now on. Just add the totals in parentheses: Chicago Tribune: 5 cub stories (20) 4 sox stories (16) Chicago SunTimes: 3 cub stories (12) 4 sox stories (16) It would probably be too much work to go back and count the previous numbers, but there is a good chance that the current numbers will be close enough to see any trends. I started at the beginning of Spring Training 2006. If you would like to help out and further count my numbers (I count the overall numbers/you breakdown those numbers) that would be great

QUOTE(Cuck the Fubs @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 12:56 AM) If AJ really said that, tell him not to complain if the Sox finish w/in 3 games of the Tigers on October 1. Well to take another angle on that comment, if the SOX were hoping for the Cubs (of all teams) to help them, then you know your in trouble. Fact is, the SOX gave away at least 5 maddening games in April/May that I said back then ............ are the kinds of games that add up later in the year. We should be LEADING the division by 4 or 5 games, not be behind 1.5 games like we are. Losing 2 of 3 to KC, and 2 of 3 to Tampa early on is killing us right now. We needed the Tigers to stumble a bit so we could overtake them, but then the SOX also decided to stumble at the same time.

QUOTE(The Critic @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 01:12 PM) I think the "5-tool" thing is over-rated. Give me a ballplayer with good skills and above-average baseball instincts. Obviously, tools are important to a degree, but most players don't have "5 tools" and you see a lot of hyped 5-tool guys who never pan out. If anything, the 5-tool tag is extra pressure for a kid to try to live up to. That might be, it does seem to be a very "hip" word to use, however, I do think 5 tool can also be interchanged with "game-changing" ability .............

I hate to count out the Indians just yet, though the more the Tigers keep winning also, the more likely this is just going to be a 2 team race ...........

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 01:06 PM) Hangar, Do you have the breakdown of Tribune totals and Sun-Times totals for each team? I am curious to see how the overall numbers would break down in each paper. Trib (Sox ? - Cubs ?) Times (Sox ? - Cubs ?) Total (Sox 506, Cubs 598) I bet that the entire media disparity has more to do with the Trib owning the Cubs than any other factor. I dont have a breakdown, but it would be easily available since I already broke them down the last couple of years, would have to go back and add them up I guess. That would mean having to go to the other website to get the numbers. I wonder if theres a way to get all of my old numbers and download them some way so I wouldnt have to venture over there to get them in the future?

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 12:47 PM) If you're going by these five tools: 1) hitting for average, 2) hitting for power, 3) running speed, 4) arm strength and 5) fielding ability He's got the last 3 down. He's not ungodly fast, but he's fast enough. There's absoultely no questioning the fielding ability, and he hasn't had much of an opportunity to showcase his arm. Ive seen 4 & 5, and only glimpses of 2. What I saw friday nite, was #3, which I wasnt expecting, as well as #1, which is whats making me excited about this guy. He has a chance to be the SOX' first 5 tool player (I hate predictions) in a long long time. Shoot, in fact, I cant remember the last legitimate SOX player who could be considered 5 Tools. Dick Allen maybe? but he wasnt even drafted by the SOX so he doesnt count either

QUOTE(The Critic @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 12:53 PM) Did they mention the color of the seats? Heh heh. Its funny, Im not as big a proponent of Green Seats as some SOX fans are, I cared more about the angle. Again, there are guys who HATE the whole blueseat thing, didnt matter all that much to me. Funny that Cincy has all red seats there

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 12:41 PM) My cousin used to own a house 2 doors away from Billy Corgan on Greenview not far from the Urinal. I met him a couple of times. About 4 years ago, I had to pick up my sister's dog on Halloween, and she was made up as the devil. I was walking her back to my sister's place in Streeterville when a guy asked me if he could take a picture of the dog. It was Geddy Lee. I saw him with Rush the night before. Geddy Lee? hahahaahha, thats excellent. When you met Corgan a couple of times, did you tell him to stop dissing the SOX heh heh

Was watching the game on Saturday, right at the beginning of the game, the camera is doing a Wide Pan of the park, from right to left. DJ and Hawk were commenting on the park, when DJ says its a very pretty ballpark, one of the nicer ones hes seen. Hawk mentions something about all the fans (as if to CUE the WGN cameras to find a SOX fan to focus on-they didnt) when DJ mentions that he loves how the seats down the lines, are "angled towards the pitchers mound and the infield as opposed towards the outfield" and that he really liked that, Hawked simply nodded in agreement.

QUOTE(Hangar18 @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 09:46 AM) Anyone notice anything familiar about that piece he played on the Piano last nite? Cmon somebody! I know there are a few pretty talented musician types here, someone will know this ...

Chicago Tribune: 5 cub stories 4 sox stories Chicago SunTimes: 3 cub stories 4 sox stories Standings as of Monday June 19th, 2006 Priviledged, Media Owned, Media Favored, 5th place-16 games under .500, 1 game out of 6th Cubs 598 Underdog, Media Igonred, Media Maligned, WsChamps-19 games over .500, 1.5 gms out of 1st Sox 506 Rick Morrissey makes sure in his column to tell you today to "bless" the 39,000 who showed up to watch yesterdays game. From my accounts, seems there were a ton of Tigger fans there, and Saturday too. Morrissey says Cub fans were "gonna have none of it". Hmmmm, not sure what he was implying or where he was going, but Tiger fans seemed to run wild in Wrigley all weekend. Buddy of mine went to the game Saturday said the bleachers may have been 1/2 Tigers, esp where he was (dead center) and they were loud. Toni Ginetti is basically the only writer to admit that there were a ton of Tiger fans up north. Morrissey says otherwise. Neither paper today mentions the huge contigent of SOX fans in Cincinnati this weekend, which to me may be just as big a story as the sweep itself. Sox fortunes indeed do seem to be changing, with Ozzie on Sat morning saying he couldnt believe the numbers he saw downtown and at their hotel. Kudos to Ch.5 sportscaster last nite referring to cub fans as "sheep", heh heh, ive been calling them that for years .................. The Tribune, had a bit more room in todays papers, so they inserted a quick blurb from Sundays Pittsburgh Gazette, in which the writer rips Ozzie over the Sean Tracey incident. Nice.

Well, the freaking Cubs got swept, and swept CONVINCINGLY. The Tigers just outclassed them all the way around, and the usually Fluffy Cloudesque Santo and Hughes had no choice but to commend the Tigers on how good they really are. There was really interesting chatter between the two announcers comparing the Tigers and White Sox, and Santo, who Ive maligned quite freqently, did his homework and made some interesting comparisons and had some good and lucid thoughts on the two teams. Cheers to Santo for being interesting, always nice to hear good baseball banter.

QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 09:47 AM) BA has much more "natural" talent than Aron Rowand. He's a superb athlete, and has good baseball instincts as well. I almost feel like a good comp is Mike Cameron. In his prime, that guy was one of the best CF'ers in baseball. He hit for power, a decent average, and held down CF with amazing range and a solid arm. Please feel free to rip me, as I'm mostly talking out of my ass here. Not at all. That one play, that I described here, had me WOW'ing about BAnderson the rest of the nite. Were talking about game-changing ability, the SOX scouts obviously saw this in him and he is raw, but man, I hope he continues to develop. Im ready to get the guys jersey, heh heh

Did anyone watch the Paul McCartney special last nite on WTTW-11? Recorded at Abbey Road studios, they had a small group of people watching, and he showed the people how they recorded most of their songs and played some songs for the crowd also, it was pretty cool. McCartney, for some reason that I cant explain, was always my favorite Beatle also. I play bass guitar and Im left handed (as he is) and I also play upside down ( as he first learned, but plays bothways now) and always wondered if that didnt subliminally influence me musically. Anyone notice anything familiar about that piece he played on the Piano last nite?

thats too bad .......... RIP

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 09:14 AM) Of all of the things we have questioned about Brian, I think his baseball instincts and IQ are not one of them. He really seems to get the game. You never see him making a play he should not make. Brian has even gotten much smarter about showing off his arm, and makes sure he hits the cut off man when he is supposed to. BA is a smart kid, and once his bat comes around, people are going to LOVE this guy. I saw a glimmer this weekend, and YES, the sneak-peek hes given us, Im going to like this guy a ton

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Jun 19, 2006 -> 08:21 AM) Hearing chants of 'Let's Go White Sox' and 'Paulie, Paulie' was just awesome. Cheers to all that made it a home away from home. I watched at a local watering hole in Naperville, and people started asking "are they chanting for the SOX?" that was AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is being mentioned on the radio and on tv as a matter of fact, the SOX fans that went to Cincy, you were noticed (mostly) so good for you. A buddy of mine who went, said SOX fans took over Cincy, and that Red fans were very cordial and polite and a lot of them were cheering for the SOX also?! wow.

The American League is the PREMIER LEAGUE. Nice that NL fans get to see it first hand

Watched the game friday nite, and his first AB, he lined a drive to CF, Griffey bobbled the ball (but still had control of the situation) when Anderson, who was rounding First, saw the bobble and Turned the Jets on and motored to 2nd. The play was close, and I was astounded at that burst of speed from Anderson, and the fact he USED HIS INSTINCTS as part of his game ................. I was really impressed, and for the first time, I can see now why the SOX are very high on him. I really liked what I saw of him this weekend and hope hes finally turning the corner ......

I had a ton of car trouble this weekend, so I didnt make it to Cincy, but let me tell you .................. KUDOS to SOX fans - ever hit you could HEAR LOUDLY the fans. Every time the cameras followed a foul ball, the camera "accidentally" would catch SOX fans in every camera shot. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - to WGN & partner-in-crime COMCAST, they about did as much as they could to NOT show the huge numbers of SOX Fans in the park, the area, the town. Despite their efforts to NOT gratuitiously show SOX fans on camera, I saw at least 4 of you guys down there!! heh hehe, pretty funny