Pants Rowland

QUOTE (OsweGo-Go Sox @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 09:09 PM) I was 11 in 2000. I'd been closely following the team since the second half of '98, and '00 was so great. I loved that team. I was crushed when we went out with such a whimper. Health of the pitching staff fell apart at the wrong time. That team could mash the ball, though. The last season of the old ballpark was a lot of fun but heartbreaking in its own right, especially now knowing that the A's were led by a couple of cheaters. I am just amazed at how many posters here are actually buying into the whole garbage notion that Cubs fans have suffered the most. If you look at all the franchises in baseball, you will see that out of 100+ world series, the Yankees have represented the AL about a third of the time and won about 25% of the total. The Cardinals are the Yankees of the NL, though a poor man's one at that. The Red Sox dominated early in the 1900s and then finally resurrected the franchise in the past decade or so. After that, not many teams have had any significant number of pennants of note. For the most part, it is stories like the White Sox, Phillies, Indians, Orioles, Reds, Pirates, etc. Periods of fielding very competitive teams, an occasional pennant or title, and some really bad stretches as well. Every one of these franchises can point to a whole host of heartbreaking times where they were so close to a pennant and a player got hurt or the team hit a bad stretch or the Yankees f***ed them like they did so many times to the Sox in the 50s and 60s (with the Indians and Tigers experiencing a lot of the same pain during that stretch). I scoff at the idea that any one of their fan bases has suffered more than the rest.

QUOTE (zenryan @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 03:49 PM) Inner Whalebacks St. Petersburg

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 02:17 PM) Alvin Neapoli

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 12:10 PM) Aurora Arkadelphia

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 18, 2010 -> 06:09 PM) You should have watched the 1984 Olympics in LA without the Soviets or Eastern Bloc countries. Good times for the USA. Free Krusty Burger for every U.S. gold medal.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 30, 2010 -> 08:15 AM) Enos Salonika

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 08:49 PM) You Bet Tripoli

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 03:02 PM) Sad to hear that about Parthenon — another place I really liked. First place I ever tried retsina. I found it to be quite vile way back then, but now that my palate has grown up I need to give it another spin. It is too bad. They used to make the best vegetarian stuffed grape leaves that were oh so delicious. Retsina is an acquired taste but I think if you give it another try you might like it.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 05:52 PM) Truckee Elefsina

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 03:32 PM) Indianapolis Sparta

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 02:47 PM) Eagle's Nest Thessaloniki

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 02:37 PM) I am with you on Harold's, but my favorite is Mickey's on Clark St just south of the CBOT. Zues and Mr Greek are my spots in Greektown. For a burger, hit up Gold Coast for the Char Double Cheddar Bacon Burger, with melted cheddar cheese instead of that sliced crap. They are not bad for late night greasy fare but I have to side with Jim on Greek Islands (not as high on Athena's food, although you can't beat outdoors there in the summertime) for traditional Greek food. On that note, across Halsted, Nine Muses is a great spot for lunch. They make some really good grilled meats and a fantastic iced coffee called a frappe. I have soured on one place a lot in recent years, but for very authentic and flavorful gyros, nothing could beat Parthenon in its day. I can't go in there anymore, though so I couldn't tell you if they still have the touch. The owner's daughter took it over and ruined just about everything that was great about that place.

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 02:19 PM) Okahumpka Appleton

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 02:06 PM) Yuniesky sounds super Russian; is that dude from Cuba? Betancourt?

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 01:35 PM) No Name Elafonissos

Maza Lebanese restaurant on Lincoln (around Wrightwood, I think) is excellent fine dining for a not too high price. The raw kibbe is unbelievable. Also, Tango Sur Argentinian steakhouse on Southport by the Music Box Theatre is a great steak place to go with a date or a group of friends, particularly in the summer time. Margie's on Western and Armitage is a great old ice cream shoppe (not so great on the meal front, though). If you like Mexican, Arturo's across the street from there makes great authentic tacos with solid salsas as well.

QUOTE (hogan873 @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 11:23 AM) Tallahassee Ephesus

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 11:24 PM) Watched it again last year for the first time in forever. What a solid all-around film. Probably my favorite Pacino role after the Godfathers and Dog Day Afternoon. The latter film, if you haven't sought it out, is a life list must-see. Pacino's performances are always very hit or miss for me. I actually am not a huge fan of Scarface and think the goofy Cuban accent has a lot to do with it. To me his performance as Lefty in Donnie Brasco might be his best, particularly since it is such a deviation from the sophisticated hood he was as Michael Corleone.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 28, 2010 -> 05:18 PM) The idea that we'd give up 15% more runs this year than last as a projection is laughable. Weaker bullpen?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 28, 2010 -> 04:11 PM) Raisin Center Rhinelander

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 08:03 PM) You can say pretty much the same thing about the Pirates. That's a team with a storied history that has hardly been relevant in my lifetime, and I turn 23 this year. Those Expos teams up until the strike were always competitive as well and developed some phenomenal talent. They used to give the Cubs a ton of fits, too.

QUOTE (Ranger @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 04:40 PM) Eh. I don't know that it did, because it wasn't confusing like "90% of the game is half mental." I thought what I said was pretty straightforward that if they're good it's because the hitters are good. Shack was just trying to be a d***. Looks like the honeymoon is over Ranger.

QUOTE (smalls2598 @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 05:15 PM) The rumor is Armand's will re-open in EP, but only for carry out pizza. We pretty much only ordered delivery anyway so that would be welcome news. I will keep my finger's crossed. Thanks.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 04:17 PM) Also good. I personally prefer salernos, Mrs T's and Armands. Armand's is great stuff. Too bad the one in Elmwood Park closed. I am still looking for a decent replacement in my area.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Jan 9, 2010 -> 01:17 PM) Fun fact: he's Puerto Rican, but he has naturally orange hair. Is he a ginger or just a daywalker?