Middle Buffalo

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Oct 24, 2005 -> 10:23 AM) As opposed to Ed Farmer on the radio explaining that the Astros should have used Lidge into the last game against the Cardinals to try and get him a positive experience instead of having his last game be the Pujols walk-off. Almost right away after that, Pods went yard. To me it was the epitomy of a good announcer vs a bad one. Farmio was offering excellent insight in the mentality, and what your thinking process should be after a tramatic loss, vs Buck and McCarver who were just whining after the fact. I get that, but why would the announcers be pro-Houston/anti-Sox? I would think that the Sox are the bigger story.

QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ Oct 24, 2005 -> 10:08 AM) It seems even in the WS we can't have an unbiased announce team. The worst thing was when Lidge gave up the homer and McCarver said, "Why do things like this happen?" Now, I'm pretty sure he was just feeling bad for Lidge being a goat in two consecutive appearances, but that's crap analysis. How about the other side? Anyone have any theories as to why the announcers would be biased? I'm not certain they are. I'm guessing Astros fans probably think the announcers favor the Sox.

QUOTE(Balance @ Oct 24, 2005 -> 07:09 AM) I usually like Greenberg and Golic on ESPN 1000 in the morning, but I just couldn't stand the way Greenie was harping on the Jermaine Dye HBP call. To hear him say it, that one call was the reason the Sox won the game. I've had enough of it. We're in a position to call him on it. Let's nominate Greenie for his own "Just Shut Up" award on ESPN 1000 tomorrow morning. I get where you're coming from here, but I'm kind of tired of hearing Sox fans portrayed in a negative light by the national media (Greenberg, DPatrick, Rome, ESPN BBTN crew). Sending this email will just play into their hands and make the Sox fans look bad. The Sox have a very small fraction of fans I'd rather not see become the focus of the media. I'd suggest we leave it alone. Let Houston fans do the complaining.

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Oct 24, 2005 -> 08:44 AM) That shot of Lidge slumped over in defeat on the mound as the Sox jump around at home plate in the background captured it so well. Great shot. I saw that today, too. That's "the thrill of victory" vs. "the agony of defeat" personified.

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Oct 24, 2005 -> 08:50 AM) I miss Johnny B. so damn much it isn't funny. If he were to come back, with Buzz...man, I would be THRILLED! He was on in California until just recently. I went to Disneyland this summer, and I was looking forward to listening to him on the drive to the park every morning. About a week before I went, the station switched to that Jack format. If I ever meet Jack, one of us is going to end up sharing a cell with Cumswalla. Re: Dahl. You get used to the pauses. It takes some time, but there is some quality talk there - even if it's not always funny. Ususally it's interesting and unique. This from a former Dahl agnostic. I found him post-Heavy Fuel Crew - pre-MJH.

QUOTE(Controlled Chaos @ Oct 24, 2005 -> 08:45 AM) Idiot!!!!! Kevin Millar copyrighted all uses of this word during Playoff and World Series play. You owe him.

Could have been worse. Just ask "Huge" Bill Simonsen.

Montreal, for years, had good players come through their system, only to lose them because they couldn't afford to keep them. Now, I'm not sure Montreal was a great place for a MLB team, but imagine being a fan of theirs and knowing that Larry Walker was going to cost too much, Pedro Martinez, etc. It's kind of hard to follow a team like that and be fanatic about them. The part about wasting money on guys like Lima is where the Yankees have a decided advantage over other teams. Take Kevin Brown. Horrible move for the Yankees in every way. Unlike other teams, though, the Yankees are unaffected by his contract. They keep signing big names, and they are in the hunt for every big name guy who is available every offseason. Last year, RJohnson (trade - but had to give him $$$ and more years), Pavano, and Wright. Plus, they were after Beltran and talked to Pedro. I'm not saying these moves worked out, but other teams wouldn't even think of pursuing these guys after signings like Brown, Giambi, et al. Them being in the hunt for FA players also drives up the price of the players (whether the Yankees get the guy or not), and ultimately, fans pay more.

QUOTE(aiko @ Oct 23, 2005 -> 10:55 PM) I've had a bunch of friends complain about bandwagoners lately, but I can't seem to get as angry about them as others. Three reasons why: 1. First off, they bring in money to the club. That's always good. 2. Every Sox fan fell in love with this team at some point in their life. Maybe that love was passed down to you from your parents, maybe it happened on your first trip to Comiskey when you were younger, or maybe it happened the first time you witnessed a Big Hurt dinger on TV. For many people, especially kids, the time that they fell in love with the Sox is going to be this magical season and postseason. That doesn't seem any less valid to me. Will all of these bandwagoners become life-long fans? No. But some will, and that's great. 3. The feeling that you have right now, and the happiness that this team has given you is pretty much directly proportional to how long you've loved them. For me, that's around 15 years... for others -- those who have been with the team 30, or 40, or 60+ years -- that feeling is all the more powerful. If nothing else, you can take comfort in the knowledge that no bandwagoner could possibly enjoy this nearly as much as you. No matter what happens in the next 2-5 games, this has been, by far, the most enjoyable baseball season of my life. I love this year's team, and I will always remember them. I second this motion and ask that it become law.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Oct 23, 2005 -> 09:51 PM) You realize that the Sox and Astros rank something like 13th and 14th in the majors in payroll, yes? Sure. My point had more to do with teams like KC knowing that had absolutely no shot of keeping Beltran. Some teams, including the Sox, operate their team with some kind of budget. This is due attendance, tv contracts, etc. No matter what, a team like KC, TB, or Milwaukee will never have the money available to compete with the Yankees on a yearly basis. No matter how well they draft/cultivate talent, they have a window of opportunity to be successful before their players leave for bigger markets. Just knowing that the Yankees would have no problem spending $250 million to field a winner makes me sick. As a fan, I would love their commitment to winning. I'm just glad they're fantasy roster doesn't quite translate on the field.

Anyone else think Lane is MB's long lost twin?

QUOTE(TLAK @ Oct 23, 2005 -> 07:31 AM) I hate that Yankee fan and media attitude that the rest of the Major Leagues are just farm clubs for them, and they can get anybody they want, any time they want. Totally agree. MLB needs some kind of salary cap that puts teams on an even playing field. I'm so tired of the Yankees. Hope they're enjoying the WS. The argument that the Yankees would make is that they spend their money, other clubs do not. But the fact that they have more money available and leave smaller market teams with dogs***, AAA talent for their fans to come see has to enter into the equation somewhere. Unfortunately, Pud Selig loves having the big market teams dominate because it's good for tv. Kind of odd, considering that he owned Milwaukee.

John Cusack or Ron Santo.

QUOTE(juddling @ Oct 17, 2005 -> 11:22 PM) As voted on by 10,000 member of askmen.com...... Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1990's---- 10. Home Improvement 9. 3rd Rock From the Sun 8. Newsradio 7. Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire 6. Married with Children 5. Rosanne 4. The Drew Carey Show 3. Fraiser 2. Friends 1. Seinfield could have easliy guess the top three though i think Married with children should be at least number 4. I have never seen the humor in 3rd rock (though my mom LOVED that show.) Just throwing it out for discussion....so talk among yourselves. I don't know what's worse, this list, or the list of celebrity sox fans.

Ticketmaster sucks. Just wondering who here got tickets? Which games and how many? I think the people here are the "regular" fans, so I'm just seeing how many will be at the game, as opposed to the number of fans who will need directions just to get to the stadium. Thank God someone invented TV.

My wait time is 4 minutes. I'll think of you all as I'm placing my order.

My word is "outfly". What the hell does that mean?

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Oct 18, 2005 -> 10:18 AM) How long was it stuck on the: "Processing... Please wait while we process your request. We'll ask you for your billing address and credit card information in just a moment. If you refresh this page or hit the back button, you will lose your place in line." ??? I've been waiting for 16 minutes! On this same damn page! I thought I got through but now it froze before I could give my credic card info!!! :( :( :( :( I didn't really get them, I just wanted to see what it felt like to type it. I've now been waiting 20 minutes for the word to appear. About to give up.

QUOTE(Middle Buffalo @ Oct 18, 2005 -> 10:16 AM) Just got 4 for game 1. Not really. Still waiting for the secret word to appear.

Just got 4 for game 1.

QUOTE(THEWOOD @ Oct 18, 2005 -> 10:12 AM) there were no more than 1500 seats available to each game.... Can they reconfigure the upper deck to its original state before Saturday?

QUOTE(Linnwood @ Oct 18, 2005 -> 10:10 AM) Same for me. Thank You TicketMaster! 10 minutes and counting waiting for the word to appear. I guess they're just busy getting my 4 tickets ready for when I place my order.

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Oct 18, 2005 -> 06:00 AM) Look here Mr. Roboto, it's High Time you take a Midnight Ride since you're obviously Born For Adventure and are such a Lonely Child, Babe. Since this is the First Time in a long time (and we may be living on Borrowed Time) that the Sox are in the World Series, and we are just waiting for The Grande Finale, we should get along. But obviously you think you're The Great White Hope and you have to spend your time mocking me. So why don't you and the other Superstars get through this little Cold War? Chris Berman's ghost writer makes himself known to the masses.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 11:19 PM) Thanks! No problem. I'm so glad I found this site (just before the season). It's made an incredible season that much more enjoyable. Lots of cool people. Lots of good discussion. I seriously can't believe this is happening.

I don't know who's responsible, but the banner at the top of the page is excellent! Good work.