leatherguts

You must use the same Metra station I do. I wish they'd run all those people off.

They have no choice but to reduce payroll. Brown, Williams, Matsui, Sierra and some overpaid BP guys will all be off the books. I'm expecting a relatively idle year for the Yanks, considering how many starting pitchers they have on contract. They may add Damon or trade for a CF, but otherwise they won't be in bad shape next year if their pitching can stay healthy.

I usually try to be objective about baseball, but I have to agree with the majority here. Die-hards aren't going to be lining up to buy Konerko jerseys, and rightfully so. There is a line; that said a White Sox championship would probably be very good for the Cubs in the long run (assuming of course there is some pride to be found in the organization).

It's [expletive] inexcusable is what it is. I don't agree with Mariotti about much of anything, but when he wrote about the Cubs FO committing the biggest case of fan-fraud in sports history he wasn't off the mark. The team needs to be sold, ASAP.

After watching the last few games, can anyone imagine what a travesty a Padres-Red Sox WS would be? Two of the sloppiest, most disspirited teams I can remember being in the postseason in a long time.

You could just read it with a sense of humor. I'd be fine with it if it was funny. But it looks like something you might find on the redsox.com message board.

co-signed

I'm indifferent towards most of the playoff teams, but if both the Yankees and Boston lose in the first round (preferably in embarrassing fashion) I'll be happy.

My initial reaction was not because of the content of the article, but the spite and hatefulness behind it. I have a few friends that moved from NY to Boston, and every time they get carded and the bouncer/doorman/bartender sees they're from NY they have to listen to "Yankees Suck!" even though they care little and know nothing of baseball. It's just typical Boston obnoxious behavior, and if they were ever to meet the Cubs in the postseason these types of articles would be flying out of there at a record pace.

...read this crap: ####://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=105434 Beantown blows away Windy City By Sean L. McCarthy Tuesday, October 4, 2005 - Updated: 01:16 PM EST Our Sox are better than their Sox. And here's why: FAITHFUL FANS Red Sox: Loyal international fan base bought out all 81 home games before the season began, and sometimes even outnumbered the other team's fans at away games. White Sox: Can't even get loyalty in its own city, where the Chicago Cubs are the A-list team. FAMOUS FANS Red Sox: Author Stephen King, actors Ben Affleck (and new wife Jennifer Garner), Matt Damon, Denis Leary, even Robert Redford. White Sox: Every Chicago celeb we can think of roots for the Cubbies. Except Dennis DeYoung of Styx. Does that count? FRIENDLY FANS Red Sox: Fathers teach their kids to love the game, hate the Yankees and ``wave'' at right fielder Gary Sheffield. White Sox: Fathers teach their kids how to take off their shirts, jump the fence and attack the opposing first-base coach. ESSENTIAL MOVIE Red Sox: ``Fever Pitch'' shows how an obsessed Red Sox fan can find true love and a happy ending as the team wins the Series. White Sox: ``Eight Men Out'' shows how a cheap owner forces his players to take bribes, throw the Series in Black Sox scandal. HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE Red Sox: Fenway Park, home since 1912, made even better by new seats above the Green Monster and a right-field rooftop plaza. White Sox: New Comiskey Park, which replaced classic Comiskey Park in 1991 and was renamed U.S. Cellular Field in 2003. Main attraction is Pontiac FUNdamentals area for kids bored by the home team. OUR WEINERS ARE BETTER THAN YOURS Red Sox: The Fenway Frank – plain, plumped perfection. White Sox: Chicago-style dog buries the meat with tomato slices, banana peppers, dill pickle spears, neon green relish, onions, celery salt and mustard on a poppy seed bun. No wonder ``ER'' is set there. OUTSIDE THE BALLPARK Red Sox: Yawkey Way is a carnival for ticketholders on game days. Lansdowne Street is a club mecca. White Sox: Why, are you looking for trouble? CURSE? Red Sox: Reversed. White Sox: Haven't won a postseason series since 1917. --- Directed at the White Sox, sure, but the whole thing is a huge swipe at Chicago. How could anyone get paid to write such drivel?

Just like it was nearly impossible for the Yankees to lose the ALCS? I bet a trip back to Fenway will revitalize the BoSox. Boston's problem is who can pitch game five. I love it. Now we just need the Angels to do their job.

I actually turned it to WGN hoping to hear Hawk and DJ. This ESPN crew is as bad as it gets.

Based on one playoff start for Hudson (and none for Mulder)? Hudson had a much better regular season. Marcus Giles double! Hudson: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6245 Mulder: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6393 Please explain how Hudson is "much better" and remember he spent time on the DL. Personally I think they both get too much respect.

Looks like the Cards may have got the right "A".

IF the White Sox don't let Ramirez or Ortiz beat them (easier said than done) this game may be more of the same. I think a team that drops as many bunts as the White Sox do are going really frustrate Wells. But he has been Boston's most successful pitcher "in the clutch" so we'll see.

Wells vs. Buehrle ? vs. Garcia

This is why pitching is so important. Just because of Ortiz and the Red Sox hype people were lining up to dismiss it. Some of the articles written about this series (especially in Boston papers) were not only preposterous, but insulting to anyone who knows baseball.

I think both the Braves and Red Sox are going to be embarrassed in the first round. Were it any other team, most people would be throwing out the usual "good pitching beats good hitting" axiom, so it's unfair to give Boston a pass. They're lucky the season didn't go another week. The Astros are very beatable, but Atlanta's youth and bullpen problems should give Houston all the edge it needs. If Mulder and Carpenter pitch like they have most of the season the Cardinals cakewalk to the Series. I'll pick the winner of the LAA-NYY to win it all. Too many holes/inconsistencies on both Sox teams.

If it was more than 0, it's too many. couldnt agree more. i see youre from wheaton, where in wheaton do you live? im in danada north Not really familiar with the area, had to move out here because of a new job in Naperville. I'm close to the little "town" center, not far from the Metra station.

If it was more than 0, it's too many.

That had better be the last time we see Patterson at Wrigley, unless he buys a ticket.

Me too but, as disappointed as we all are with Prior, I believe better days are ahead for him, in fact I wouldn't trade him for 10 Cris Carpenters. I don't know about ten, but I'd trade him for one. Some folks have too much loyalty towards guys just because they wear the blue & white. This team needs a complete makeover, and if trading Prior makes the team better, so be it.

Prior still has time to turn it around. He's not going to be Doc Gooden, but he should be a solid contributor. I agree about Wood being a bust. One more injury and he should just quit.

The loosing streaks had very little to do with pitching and much more to do with the inconsistent offense. In loosing streaks of over 5 games the Cubs have averaged a paltry 2.59 runs per game. The offense hurt, no doubt. I just thought going into the year that with three stoppers in the starting rotation we'd avoid bad streaks. Of course, the three stoppers were only in the starting rotation at the same time for about a week. Not too mention the only thing Prior was able to stop this year was a ball hit up the middle. IMO, shoring up the pitching staff needs to be addressed above all else. The offense would've been much more successful this year if someone had fielded sensible lineups. Patterson and Perez wearing different uniforms next year should help.

If you're suggesting that sports without rivalries wouldn't be much fun, I agree. If you're suggesting there's something wrong with Cubs fans rooting against their rival teams, you've lost me. Of course it's cool to root against the Sox. I don't think the Cubs, Cards, or even the Sox would be the same without the rivalry. I was just trying to give posters here (who I think are mostly very knowledgeable) credit for seeing the long-term effects. I have no respect for the Tribune as a baseball fan. If they knew the Cubs were the only game in town, Christ only knows what type of fan extortion BS we'd be likely to see. I just hope that this season's failure puts an end to their reprehensible ticket scalping operation.