I just thought I would point out how awesome/frustrating the mid-season race for the american league central has been. I am pretty sure that the twins and sox have been duking it out within 2 games of each other since before the allstar break. Neither team has put together a terribly long string of wins or losses, and any consecutive outcomes have almost always been matched by the other team. There have been tons of extra-inning games, lots of one run wins and a nice spread of blow-outs mixed in as well. It might be easy to say that neither team "wants it" enough, but I honestly don't think that is the case with this one. Both teams are playing some damn scrappy baseball. I just wish the sox were playing better against contending teams.

Hey Pete, here's to scoreboard watching everyday. And may the scrappiest team win.

Labels: Awesomeness, Chicago White Sox, mid-season races, Minnesota Twins

Here it is, friends: the big 10 year reunion is upon us. Yes, it has been--amazingly--10 long years since we last roamed the esteemed halls of North Platte Senior High School. I personally haven't been back for a while, and am looking forward to seeing what a guy who goes around and opens Ruby Tuesday's for a living called "a rough, dirty town." Couldn't have said it better.

*Side note: does anyone know why they called it "North Platte Senior High School?" I mean, it's not like we had a junior high school.

It should be a fun weekend, as it sounds like the attendance is going to be higher than I thought it would be. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

A few quick links...

--The Cubs--fresh off their 31-11 combined score, four-game complete SPANKING of the Brewers, now sit 5 games ahead of second place in the NL Central. In fact, the Cubbies simply need to finish 1 game over .500 the rest of the season to get to 92 wins, which should probably have them win the division, and at the least get the Wild Card. But the way they're playing, the term "Wild Card" only enters my big melon when I'm thinking about the Brewers. The more likely scenario would put them at 9 or 10 games over .500 for the rest of the season, which would have them at the 96-97 win mark, which should comfortably win the division for them. This team is legit, and if Dick Harden stays healthy, they should be the odds-on favorites to win the NL.

--It sounds like the Cubs aren't the only people who have a winning team and are getting unruly. Apparently Twins fans--who I always thought needed a cattle prod shock to wake them up during games--got a little unruly last night en route to beating the White Sox.

--More baseball: a good roundup from Deadspin in regards to how everyone in the media got scooped in regards to the Manny to the Dodgers deal yesterday. Pretty amusing.

--This video is unbelievably awesome: it's Michael Jordan at some recent basketball camp, and let's people know about what he thinks of Kobe. Some kid asks him who would win one-on-one, Jordan vs. Kobe, and he says "in my prime, not even close." He then proceeds to hit a ton of shots in a row, embarrasses white kids one on one, and it's all done to "Homecoming" by Kanye West. So yeah, I'd say this video is right in the ol' wheelhouse.

I've got to run...see some of you tonight.

Labels: Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Michael Jordan, Minnesota Twins, North Platte

Short answer: shit no.

Longer answer follows, from the Goat Riders of the Apocalypse:

While I’m not totally convinced Jim Edmonds isn’t here to destroy us, hitting two homeruns against the hated Sox in a “meaningless” series is sure going to help his popularity around Wrigleyville. In no way do I now “like” Edmonds, I just hate him a little less.

Couldn't have said it better. Hales and I were having this conversation last night, and I know that I've had it with several people, but here's the hypothetical:

Question: What if "Jimmy" Edmonds hit the walk-off homer in Game 7 of the World Series? Would you still hate him.

Answer: Yes. I, and Cub fans all around the world, would owe him a debt of gratitude. And we would all cherish that moment for as long as we lived. But a vag-sac is a vag-sac, no matter how you paint it. You may paint it Cubbies blue and red, but the thing still smells terrible.

All that said, the series sweep was more than enjoyable. It bumped the Cubs up to 13 victories in June (13-7 overall) in possibly the toughest month of the season. Not bad when you consider Soriano breaking his hand, Big Z getting hurt (and pitching like shit the 2 games before being put on the DL), and you haven't had your best pinch hitter in Darryl Ward. Add to the fact that Derrek Lee and--especially--Aramis Ramriez are both heating up considerably, and things look pretty good.

So here we are. It's June 24th, the Cubs are 20 games over .500, and still sitting there with the best record in baseball--by 2 full games, mind you. 4.5 games above the "still hanging around" Cardinals. And still flexin' strong nuts with that incredible +112 run differential. I guess things like this happen when 2 of your biggest question marks going into the season--Kerry Wood switching to closer and former closer Ryan Dempster switching to starter--are both currently #3 and #4 on ESPN's Cy Young Predictor. (I had never seen this page before, by the way. Another bit I picked up from the Goat Riders.)

Finally, I'll get to see this baseball juggernaut in person next weekend at The Cell. I'll be sure to bring some 40 ouncers and used tires that we can burn outside the stadium. Can't wait!

Labels: Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Dominance, Goat Riders of the Apocalypse