Is there something higher than Cloud Nine?  Cuz that's where I still am at times.  I say "at times" because from the middle of January until about Valentine's Day, I get really depressed.  Partly because it's still winter and I hate winter.  Partly because baseball is STILL too far away.  And partly because I'm always single on Valentine's Day.  Which is a stupid excuse for a holiday.  But that's another topic for a different kind of blog.

Prior to this year, there was only one year where this depression was worse than every other year.  That was 2008.  What happened in 2008?  My first SoxFest.  I got a taste of baseball, I got to meet my favorite player, and once it was over, I got so incredibly sad.  Now here we are in 2010, and this year is worse than 2008 because SoxFest was better this year.  (I can hear you judging me over there...stop it.)  It was easier in 2008 because I was in school, and since I had homework to do, classes to go to, exams to study for, and a part-time job, I didn't think about how sad I was all the time.  Now it's 2010, and I'm not in school since master's in journalism programs in Chicago only start in the fall, I have no job because my seasonal employment ended, and I have nothing to occupy my time with.  So I think about how sad I am all the time.  Luckily I know this basically ends when pitchers and catchers report.  And I always get through this state of mind.  It's never something I want people to worry about.

Now for something less depressing...

Back on the 15th, the Latest Leaders for all of 2009 was posted.  As you may be aware, I was number 15, and I couldn't be happier.  However, I noticed there are a lot of blogs I like reading that aren't on the list and a lot of blogs that are never updated that are.  And I know some of those bloggers are disappointed.

It reminded me that a little over a year ago, Tommy of Rocky Mountain Way featured me in his Timeout at the Plate series.  A week later, I debuted in the Latest Leaders and haven't left.  I'd like to think that Tommy helped me get on that list.  Since I see a bunch of blogs not getting recognized with traffic, I'm wanna help y'all out like Tommy helped me.  But differently.

Timeout at the Plate was basically a mini-interview.  I wanna do it differently.  I wanna feature a blog every week or bi-weekly (I haven't decided yet).  I've got a couple in mind already, but I want you guys to tell me what blogs you think don't get the recognition they deserve.  Feel free to nominate your own blog.  I'd totally do that with my blog hahaha!

I haven't quite decided how I'm gonna feature your blogs yet, but I'll make a decision soon.  So nominate some blogs either in the comment section of this entry or email me at jennifer.l.jezierski@gmail.com and please include the link so I don't have to aimlessly search the Blogosphere!

Until you debut on the Latest Leaders, don't beat yourselves up over it.  I've been asked how to get on the list, and I don't really have a set way to do it.  Blog as often as you can, comment on as many blogs as you can, post links to your entries on Facebook/Twitter/anywhere else you frequent.  The more people that see your link, the more hits you'll get.  Commenting on the blogs of the people at the top of the Latest Leaders will get you noticed too.  Yeah, it gives them more traffic, but why else are they that high up on the list?  Because people frequent there.

Keep doing what you're doing, and look for your blog on here in the future.  Just don't knock me down on your way to the top.  ;)  Kidding of course.

PS: Bonus points if you know where the title of this blog came from.  :)

I am normally a very happy person.  But I have never been as happy as I was this weekend.

The White Sox did not fail to disappoint.  When I went in 2008, I had a blast.  All the players I met were nice, and the lines were relatively smooth.  SoxFest 2010 was waaaaaaay better.

Initially, I didn't like the idea of having wristbands for photo booths, but the idea grew on me since I was guaranteed a picture with these guys.  And considering the money I spent in order to get these autographs and pictures, it was a good idea.

Friday night was just for hotel guests.  Which is why Rachel and I spent $400+ on a hotel room and SoxFest passes.  We got to the hotel at 2 and checked in.  We were downstairs and in line by 2:30.  Doors opened and we ran up to the fourth floor and got our wristbands for the AJ Pierzynski and John Danks signing.  I wasn't sure which jersey I was gonna wear because I wanted to wear AJ's jersey for his autograph and John's jersey for his autograph.  Since they were together, I couldn't.  So I decided on wearing John's since he had just signed a contract.

I got all antsy in line because...well, they're my favorites.  They came in from the opening ceremony celebration, and I basically died of happiness.  We went through the line, and we were actually interviewed by someone for some morning show I've never heard of.  At one point, she said something like, "John Danks...he's hot, isn't he?"  And my immediate response was, "Incredibly."  I'm awesome.  So we got up to the front and John signed Rachel's baseball.  Then he signed my picture.  I was calm, cool, and collected and asked him how his finger was.  He said it was great and checked out fine.  Good to know!  I moved down the table to AJ.  What I was gonna say was something to the effect of, "Hi AJ.  How are you?  *wait for response*  *something related to the Gators, as they're my college football team of choice*  Thank you!"  What came out was, "Hi AJ.  How are you?  *awkward pause as I stared, starstruck again*  Thank you!"  I was ready.  I was ready for this when I was talking to John.  I was ready to hold a conversation with AJ.  And I didn't.  Again.  *sigh*

After John and AJ signed, Rachel and I went downstairs to get a picture with Mark Teahen.  When we got downstairs, we found out that they still had a BUNCH of wristbands for Mark Buehrle.  Which was unexpected.  So I got to meet Mark Buehrle and take a picture with him.  So nice, so sweet.  :)  We finished there and got back in line for Mark Teahen.  We were first in line which was sweeeeet.  When Mark came up, he asked one of the SoxFest workers to record some of the photo sessions.  So I'm on a video for Mark Teahen.  That was totally awesome.  And Teahen is incredibly nice and super adorable.

After the photo booths, we went to get Mark Kotsay and Jayson Nix's autograph.  Mark signed for Rachel and I, and Jayson signed my ball.  Rachel had a stuffed dog wearing a White Sox hoodie, and Jayson signed that.  And took a picture with it hahaha.  So Friday night was an overwhelming success.  We crawled into bed around 11:45 for our ridiculously early wakeup call.

At 3:45am.

We made it downstairs by 5:30 and were promptly greeted with a relatively big line.  Apparently people slept in the lobby to be, like, the first people in line.  Some were in line as we were waking up.  I mean, I'm dedicated and all, but if I'm paying $120-something a night at this hotel, I'm sleeping in a bed, not a chair in the lobby.  And I'm taking a shower too.

When we first started planning on Wednesday, Rachel and I wanted Buehrle.  But after careful consideration, we decided not to try since eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeveryone was gonna want his autograph because of the perfect game.  We then decided we wanted Jake Peavy.  That didn't work out well, so we went to take pictures with Gordon Beckham and were the first in line.  That poor kid (I can call him that since I'm two months older than he is).  He came in, and you could tell he was hungover hahaha.  But he was so nice and so sweet.
After those pictures came the picture I've been waiting six years to get.  We got in line for a picture with AJ.  I got up there and said, "Hi AJ.  How are you?"  He said he was good and we took the picture.  Then I asked him for a hug.  And he was sweet enough to say "sure!"  I then proceeded to tell him he made my life, to which he laughed a little.  Rachel got her picture and proceeded to tell him that I've been his biggest fan for the past six years.  He was flattered and grateful that I was such a fan.

And on the offchance AJ will ever see this...

You're welcome, AJ.  You got me back into baseball, and I love you for it.  You play the game the way I love seeing it played.  You've been my favorite for six years, and you'll be my favorite until the day I die.  Thank you for being so nice and so sweet to me this weekend.  You really have no idea how much it means to me.
After we left AJ's picture line, we went downstairs for a picture with John Danks.  We got in line, but before John came down at noon, Scott Linebrink took pictures.  There were, like, five people who voluntarily came down to get his picture.  I felt kinda bad for him.  Other people in the Danks picture line did too, so we asked the people controlling the lines if we could leave our stuff and take a picture with Scott.  I think they felt bad for him too, so they totally let us.  You can tell I'm not ridiculously excited like I am in every other picture I took, but Scott's a really nice guy.  Everyone says he's got great stuff, but for whatever reason, he doesn't have it come game time.  I hope he does this season.

We got back in line and waited for John Danks to come for pictures.  John was awesome and actually came about 10 minutes early to start pictures.  So I walked up for my picture and wow.  He smelled amazing.  There are three possibilities as to why he smelled so good.  One, he has awesome cologne.  Two, he has awesome deodorant.  Three, he naturally smells amazing.  I dunno what it was, but this is what happened next.  What I was gonna say was, "Hi John!  How are you?  *wait for response*  *take picture for FanFoto* *take picture on my camera*  Congrats on going six months without tobacco.  That's awesome."  What I said was, "Hi John!  How are you?  *take picture for FanFoto* *take picture on my camera*  I dunno what you're wearing, but you smell AMAZING!"  He laughed and said he wasn't really wearing anything.

And on the offchance John will ever see this...

I swear I'm not normally that awkward and weird.  OK, I may be weird, but not THAT weird.  I'm an adorable weird.  But an amazing-smelling man is rather distracting.  And that was the first thing that came out of my mouth.  I was gonna ask for a hug too, but I got distracted by whatever made you smell amazing.
Since John was awesome enough to get there early for pictures, Rachel and I were able to go downstairs and get a picture with Jayson Nix.  Afterwards, we went and bought some of the pictures we took and went back to get a Carlos Quentin wristband.  However, they were all gone.  The lady who was working was being a real b*tch all weekend.  She was telling us 40 different things and copping an attitude.  Why the attitude?  We're just trying to figure out where we're going.  No one was being mean; no one was being rude.  But she was a horrible person.

We went upstairs and Rachel passed out for, like, three hours.  I slept for a bit but woke up to answer my phone and couldn't fall asleep again.  Because I started thinking about the day thus far.  And my emotions got the best of me.  For two hours, I cried.  I thought about how nice and humble Gordon Beckham was.  I thought about how I looked like an idiot in front of John Danks but he didn't look at me like I was a complete fool.  And I thought about how what I wanted finally happened, how AJ Pierzynski made me so ridiculously happy in a one-to-two-minute span of time.  And how I didn't want the weekend to end.

I've seriously never been so happy in my whole life.  And it all came flooding on me at once.  I had to let it out, and the only way I could do that was by crying for two hours.  I'm so happy I have the memories I do.  But three days is so short.  I got spoiled by seeing John Danks every day for three days.  I got spoiled by having players seem genuinely happy to see me.  And I thought about if and when this would ever happen again.  If it does, it won't be soon (probably).  I didn't wanna leave.  I wanted SoxFest to last forever.

After Rachel woke up, we ordered food.  The delivery driver wouldn't bring it upstairs (WTF?), so in our PJs, we walked to the lobby.  We saw Freddy Garcia in the bar, and...well, for Freddy's sake, I'll leave it at that.  Let's just say the man probably needed a big bottle of Tylenol in the morning.  :)  We decided to go down after we ate, and the only people down there were Ron Kittle and Bill Melton.  So we went back upstairs, and I passed out.  Another 3:45am wakeup call was coming.

We were downstairs by 5:30 again on Sunday, and we ran, with many other people, up to the sixth floor to get Gordon Beckham's autograph.  After finally getting a wristband, we were told to leave the floor for a while and come back.  So we went down to the Twitter booth.  Someone actually recognized me from my tweets.  I was utterly shocked.  And flattered that I'm recognizable.  We went back up and made some friends in line.

We got our autographs.  I didn't say anything awkward or stupid, so that's always a plus.  Rachel asked how his hair always manages to stay perfect.  He said it has a mind of its own.  He's adorable.  For reals.  We attempted to get a Quentin picture, but those wristbands were gone again.  So we went to seminars.  I recorded the Around the Bases seminar with Darrin Jackson, Jeff Cox, Juan Pierre, and Gordon Beckham.  I also recorded the White Sox Pitching seminar with Ed Farmer, Juan Nieves, Matt Thornton, JJ Putz, and John Danks.  Each of the videos are 45 minutes long, so I'm not posting them anywhere.  If you wanna see either of them, let me know in a comment and I'll email it to you.

During the weekend, we invested in some stuff.  Because we follow Scott Reifert on Twitter, we got an AJ Pierzynski bobblehead (which doesn't look like him, but I don't care) and a Mark Buehrle no-hitter poster.  I almost got a baseball for knowing Mark Teahen's dogs' names (Espy and Ribi, if you're wondering), but a little kid got there before me.  I also bought a t-shirt that I customized.  And I couldn't pass up a replica 2005 World Series jersey that AJ signed for $100.  And I bought two mystery bags.  On Friday, mine had a book, some foam Shedd Aquarium thing, a pencil, a Thome postcard type thing...not super exciting.  What was exciting in that bag was a ladies' Frank Thomas jersey.  The tag was still on it, and it cost $55.  I paid $20 for the bag.  Niiiiiice.  However, the Sunday back was more exciting.  I got basically the same tschotskes, but I got a baseball in the bag.  It was a signed baseball.  By Jim Thome.  A JIM THOME AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALL!  And since it was Sunday, I only paid $10.  WIN!

This was the best weekend of my entire life.  I don't think anything will be able to top it until the day I get married.  People may think I'm insane (I think Joe Cowley of the Sun Times does, as he posted a tweet saying something to the effect of "if you're crying because SoxFest is over, see Dr. Drew cuz you need help"), but I never have the kind of luck to get to meet players at a game, outside of a game, ever.  And I'm broke as a joke normally, so I don't get to go to a lot of games.  This is my chance at seeing players and interacting with them.  So don't judge me because this makes me happy.  I don't judge you for what makes you happy.

Thank you again, White Sox, for making this weekend so memorable.
All photos courtesy of me, Rachel Hassard, and FanFoto employees.

In my last entry, we were still waiting to hear about any kind of contract for John Danks.  On Tuesday, he signed a one-year contract worth $3.45 million.  It wasn't the long-term contract I was hoping for, but he's definitely worth what he's getting this year.  Hopefully he'll get a long-term contract since he had his finger checked out today.  I'd like to think that's what was keeping the Sox from giving him the long-term on Tuesday.

But here's why I'm epically excited.  On Tuesday after the signing was announced, I went to check and see if there was a SoxFest schedule posted.  There wasn't, but lo and behold, John Danks is now added to the list of players attending.  MY THREE FAVORITE CURRENT PLAYERS ARE GONNA BE THERE!!!  YES!

The schedule was released today, and Rachel and I have planned out our weekend.  We may be dead by the time it's over, but I know it'll be well worth it, especially since AJ and John are signing Friday night at the SAME TABLE.  BAM!  Two favorites at one table.  Holler at my luck.  Either that or the Sox are trying to kill me with epic happiness on Day One.  Saturday I get pictures with AJ and John, and Sunday will be Gordon Beckham.  I'll be able to die happy.  Yay.  And there will be pictures.  Holy crap will there be pictures.  Stay tuned for a blog on Monday.

As I'm sure you've noticed, I'm still slacking when it comes to writing in this blog.  I was gonna write a pre-SoxFest entry when I came to the MLBlogs homepage and noticed the 2009 Latest Leaders were posted.  Imagine my surprise when I clicked the link and saw that The Diatribe was number fifteen!  I was surprised I was that high considering I wrote, like, 15 entries between August and the end of the year.  Yet you all kept coming back and reading the few entries I posted.  So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.  You have no idea how much this means to me.  Especially now that I'm waiting on acceptance or rejection letters from journalism schools.

Sox Contracts
In the past week, the Sox have signed players to new contracts.  They had four aribitration-eligible players (John Danks, Carlos Quentin, Bobby Jenks, and Tony Pena), and three have contracts for 2010.

The last time the Sox went to arbitration hearings was in 2001, so they're looking to keep that streak going.  So far, so good.  On Saturday, the Sox signed Bobby Jenks and Carlos Quentin to one-year deals.  Bobby got $7.5 million, an upgrade from last year's $5.6 million.  Carlos, in his first year of arbitration eligibility, got a $3.2 million deal.

Bobby had a bit of a down year last season with a 3-4 record, a 3.71 ERA, and 29 saves in 35 chances.  But everyone has a down year, and Bobby's usually pretty reliable.  A lot of people blamed it on his weight, but most of the issues seemed to me to be unfortunate injuries and health problems.  I think Bobby's gonna bounce back and be well worth the money he's getting this year.

Carlos DEFINITELY had a down year last season.  In 2008, he probably would have been AL MVP had he not broken his wrist and missed the last month of the season.  He was an All Star, he won the Silver Slugger, he had an amazing season.  2009 was rough for Carlos, as he only batted .236 with 21 homers since he spent almost two months on the disabled list die to plantar fasciitis.  If the plantar fasciitis doesn't bother him, I can see Carlos returning to 2008 form and having a monster season.

Today the Sox signed Tony Pena to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million.  I've been back and forth about Pena since we acquired him in July.  Sometimes he's good, sometimes he's bad.  Since he flip flopped a lot, I always get nervous when he comes into a game.  That said, he needs to prove to me that he's worth $1.2 million this year.  Especially since I'm still peeved that DJ Carrasco was non-tendered and is now a Pirate.  I hope Tony is worth the money.

Prior to signing any arb-eligible players, the Sox agreed to terms with Ramon Castro.  He has a one-year contract for $800,000 which includes a club option for 2011.  Ramon wasn't a bad backup to AJ.  He was probably one of the better ones we've had in a while, actually.  This gives Tyler Flowers more time to develop in the minors before he's either a backup or the starting catcher.

The Sox have one arbitration-eligible player left to sign.  Of course, he's the one player I've wanted to hear about all off-season: John Danks.  John is ridiculously awesome.  He pitched 200+ innings for the first time in his young career, he won a career-high 13 games last season, and he threw his first complete game.  He had an AMAZING season, and he's only been getting better since his debut in 2007.  He missed a start last season, due to a circulation problem in his finger, which seems to no longer be a problem.  At that time, he quit chewing tobacco and has remaind snuff-free for the past six months.  (Which makes me happy because that sh*t's bad for you.)

I'm anxious to see what kind of contract he'll get.  I'd like a long-term contract rather than a one-year deal since we all know he's worth it.  And he's said on numerous occasions that he wants a long-term contract with the Sox.  He exchanges numbers with the Sox tomorrow, so we'll see how close to a deal he is tomorrow.  John, we want you here as much as you wanna stay.  Trust me on this.  You're phenomenal, and our starting rotation is better with you in it.

SoxFest
You knew this section was coming hahaha!  SoxFest starts this Friday.  In four days.  I'm ecstatic.  Knowing I get to see a lot of my boys makes me so happy.  If you follow me on Twitter, you'll get to see some pictures before I post them in a blog.  Namely the one I'd better be getting with AJ Pierzynski.  You know, the one that will forever and ever be my blog picture.  :)

A schedule has yet to be released, so I'm REALLY hoping one will be up soon.  Much planning goes into where to be and when.  Especially when you're going with another person.

Photo credits: Sox photographer on my camera; Getty images

Happy New Year, Blogosphere!  I hope you all had an enjoyable New Year celebration.  As you may recall, I went to San Antonio for my aunt Kim's wedding.  I love San Antonio, and I'm highly considering a move to Texas when I'm financially able to.  The hard part would be leaving my family, my friends, and my White Sox.  But I might be able to do it.  Anyway here's the link to the Facebook album of pictures: Yay Wedding!

Back on the 21st, Scott Reifert asked us on Twitter to send him our Top 10 White Sox moments from the past decade.  He's posting his moments every day, leading up to the new year.  I sent him mine, but I figured why just tell Scott and any mutual followers?  Why not share them with all of you?  So I will.

I can only give my Top 10 moments from when I started watching baseball on the regular.  So from the end of 2004.  Meaning my moments are all from 2005 through the present.  Here we go!

Number Ten
Joe Crede's return to the South Side as a Minnesota Twin.

If you've ever read my blog, you know how much I love and adore Joe Crede.  He was part of the Three Stooges in 2005 (Joe, Row, and Po), and I've adored him since I started watching baseball regularly in August 2004.  I watched him come through in clutch situations.  I watched him make amazing plays at third base.  I watched him help my Sox to a World Series title in 2005.  I also watched as his back began to give him problems.  And I watched the White Sox let him go after the 2008 season.

As much as it hurt me, I knew someone would give Joe a place to play.  What I never expected was Joe going to a division rival.  Joe going to the Twins is different than Chris Getz and Josh Fields going to the Royals.  The Sox traded Chris and Josh to KC.  We didn't trade Joe to the Twins.  Joe going to the Twins was like Johnny Damon going from the Red Sox to the Yankees.  It just wasn't right.  So I was dreading Joe's return to Chicago.

Luckily it was early in the season, so I didn't have to think about it for too long.  On April 10, 2009, Joe Crede was the first Twins batter up in the second inning and was greeted with Air Supply's "All Out of Love" over the speakers.  When I saw Joe at third in the bottom of the first, I was sniffly because it hurt to see him wearing the Twins uniform.  But as soon as the camera showed him in the batter's box with that song playing, I lost it completely.  I was in my apartment in San Diego, watching on MLB.TV, bawling like a baby.  And on a 2-0 pitch from Jose Contreras, Joe Crede launched a homer to left field.  Through my tears, I was laughing because it was fitting.  And as soon as I heard Sox fans booing him as he rounded the bases, my tears stopped and I yelled at my computer, "WE DO NOT BOO JOE CREDE, EVEN IF WE HATE WHAT HE JUST DID!!!"  Maybe it was just me not booing.  But I can't boo most of the former Sox players I watched, especially when they're in my top five favorite players.

Number Nine
Mark Buehrle's No-Hitter in 2007

April 18, 2007 is one of the best sporting days of my life.  I was a junior in college, and I was still highly bitter over Super Bowl XLI two months earlier.  My Bears lost to the Indianapolis Colts.  To be completely honest, it's December of 2009 and I'm still bitter.  But baseball soothes the savage Jen, and I was looking for my White Sox to go back to the postseason.

The Sox performed pretty well in 2006 but sadly missed the playoffs.  So 2007 was another year and I hoped they were going back.  I would be sadly disappointed, but let's not dwell on that.

Looking back at the box score brings back some memories.  Darin Erstad was in center that night.  Tadahito Iguchi was at second, Joe Crede was at third, Rob Mackowiak and subsequently Brian Anderson were in left, and Juan Uribe was at short.  This was also back in the day when Sammy Sosa was still playing and Mark Teixeira wasn't earning 40 billion dollars as a Yankee.

The Sox hit very well that night.  Jim Thome hit two home runs, and Jermaine Dye hit a grand slam.  Rob Mackowiak and Tadahito Iguchi each stole a base that night as well.  But the star of the game was Mark Buehrle.

Mark was dealing that night.  Batter after batter after batter was retired until Mark walked Sammy Sosa in the fifth inning.  However, he promptly picked him off and faced the minimum number of batters that night.

Number Eight
Dewayne Wise's Perfect Catch

In case April 18, 2007 wasn't enough for me, Mark Buehrle delivered again.  But in order for Mark to deliver, he needed a little help.  That came in the glove of Dewayne Wise.

Ozzie decided to take out Carlos Quentin, move Scott Podsednik from center to left, and put Dewayne Wise in center in the top of the ninth inning.  Dewayne came out and made the greatest play I have ever seen.  Taking away all my team bias, that's still the greatest play I have ever seen.

Gabe Kapler came up to bat.  On a 2-2 pitch, he hits the ball to deep center field.  The ball looks like it's out of the park, breaking up the perfect game.  However, Dewayne runs to his right, watching the ball and knowing the distance between him and the wall.  He times his jump perfectly, catches the ball, bobbles it, and secures it in his throwing hand to record the first out, preserving perfection.

I love Scott Podsednik, I really do.  However, I don't think Scottie could have made that play.  I don't know who else could have made that play.  Thankfully, Dewayne was there to help Mark make history.  Mark became only the sixth player to throw a perfect game and a no-hitter.

Number Seven
Michael Barrett Punching AJ Pierzynski

Usually when I hear about this incident, it's a Cubs fan making fun of the fact that AJ got punched.  That's what everyone remembers: AJ getting punched.  I actually remember this incident a little differently.

This is what happened: AJ was at third base, Joe Crede was at second, Juan Uribe was at first, and Brian Anderson was up to bat.  Brian hit a sacrifice fly to Matt Murton in left field, and AJ came home to score.  Murton threw the ball to catcher Michael Barrett, blocking the plate, and AJ ran him over.  AJ smacked home plate, got up, and Barrett punched him in the jaw.

That's usually where people stop remembering the incident other than the bases emptied and play stopped for about 15 minutes.  But I remember a little more.  I remember Scott Podsednik tackling Barrett to the ground.  Full on tackled him.  Little Pods TACKLED Michael Barrett.  That was totally sweet.  I also remember Brian Anderson punching John Mabry.  I have no idea why.  But they punched each other and were ejected as well.

This wasn't a season changing incident or anything.  But it's part of my top ten because it solidified AJ as a complete bad*ss to me.  And remembering Pods tackling Barrett makes me laugh like no other.

Number Six
Paul Konerko's World Series Grand Slam

The 2005 World Series were the greatest four games that season.  Since I'm a Sox fan, that should have been obvious.  But in Game Two, I was a little nervous.  The Astros were up 4-2 in the middle of the seventh inning.  Joe Crede popped out to third, Juan Uribe doubled to center, and Scott Podsednik struck out.  Two out, one on.  Dan Wheeler, who relieved Andy Pettitte, walked Tadahito Iguchi and then hit Jermaine Dye.  Chad Qualls replaced Dan Wheeler, and on the first pitch he threw, Paul Konerko hit a grand slam to left field, putting the Sox up 6-4.

Paulie was the hero.  He said it was the second best feeling of the week (he became a father that week as well).  His grand slam was the 18th in World Series history, and the lead gave Sox fans something to cheer about.  Until Bobby Jenks blew the save.  Then the heroics went to...

Number Five
Scott Podsednik's World Series Walkoff Homer

...Scott Podsednik.  How many home runs did Scott Podsednik hit during the regular season in 2005?

Bobby Jenks didn't perform very well in the ninth inning of Game Two.  He gave up a single to Jeff Bagwell, struck out Jason Lane, and walked Chris Burke.  Brad Ausmus grounded out to advance the runners, and pinch hitter Jose Vizcaino singled home both runners, tying the game.  Neal Cotts replaced Bobby and retired Mike Lamb for the last out of the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Sox needed one run to win it.  Juan Uribe flied out to center, so it was up to Scottie Pods.  On a 2-1 pitch, Scottie...Scottie my Pods hits a walkoff homer to right center.  He hit a beautiful walkoff home run.  Sox win 7-6.

And to answer that question, Scottie hit zero home runs in the regular season.  That walkoff was his second of the postseason.

Number Four
AJ Pierzynski's Dropped Third Strike

You expected only ONE AJ-related moment?  Ha!  You must not read my blog very often.  :)

In Game Two of the ALCS agains the Angels, the teams were tied in the bottom of the ninth.  AJ Pierzynski was up to bat, and there were two outs.  If you read my blog, you know how much I hate extra innings.  And on a full count, AJ swung and missed.  The Angels started jogging back to their dugout, but AJ ran to first base.  When he got there, Doug Eddings ruled him safe, stating that Angels catcher Josh Paul dropped the strike and didn't tag AJ out.

Mike Scioscia came out to argue.  Angels players were p*ssed.  And AJ was still standing on first base.  Once everything was sorted out and the call stood, Ozzie replaced AJ with pinch runner Pablo Ozuna.  Joe Crede came up to bat, and Ozuna promptly stole second base.  Joe then hit a single and Ozuna came home to score the winning run, tying the series at 1 game apiece.

I'm inclined to believe it was this incident that made people REALLY hate AJ.  But honestly, it's just smart baserunning,  AJ didn't know if the ball was dropped.  Eddings didn't call him out.  Josh Paul didn't tag him.  So what do you do?  You run to first.

Number Three
The Blackout Game

While games in the playoffs are memorable, sometimes the ones that get you there are even more memorable.  Take Game 163, for example.

For Padres fans, Rockies fans, Twins fans, and Tigers fans, Game 163 is not the same game.  In 2007, the Rockies beat the Padres in a Game 163, which eventually led the Rockies to the World Series against the Red Sox.  In 2009, the Twins beat the Tigers in epic fashion in a Game 163, only to be swept by the eventual World Series champion Yankees.  But for White Sox fans, Game 163 has been more commonly called the Blackout Game.

In 2009, the rules for determining where a tie-breaker game were changed, probably because of the 2008 Game 163.  The Twins had beaten the White Sox more during the season, yet the game was played in Chicago because the Sox won a coin toss.  Which led to the loving nickname of the Blackout Game.

White Sox PR put the word out to Sox fans to show up wearing black.  Nothing but black.  And they listened.  The entire stadium, including standing room was decked out in black for a night game.  White towels were given out to fans, and I personally feel that made the atmosphere even more intimidating.  Seeing white towels on this huge screen of fans clad in black looked absolutely brilliant on TV.  And it was one h*ll of a game.

It became very apparent that this would be a pitchers' duel, and boy was it.  Both John Danks and Nick Blackburn pitched brilliantly.  They got out of jams, they threw strikeouts, and it was epic.  The only mistake either pitcher made was Blackburn allowed a solo home run to Jim Thome, which was the only run of the game for a White Sox victory.  Thome's home run was one play I remember vividly.  The other one involved...well, you should know.

Michael Cuddyer was on third base.  There was one out.  {Twins player} came up and hit a fly ball to center, where Ken Griffey Jr. made the second out.  Cuddyer tried to run on Griffey's arm.  Which he soon learned at the plate wasn't such a great idea.  Griffey threw perfectly to catcher AJ Pierzynski, who caught the ball, made the tag, and was bowled over at the plate by Cuddyer.  He was called out, inning over, still no score.  I have a huge picture of that play which I'm having AJ sign at SoxFest.  I need to find a way to meet Cuddyer and have him sign it, as that was one awesome play by everyone involved.

John Danks pitched through the eighth inning, and that was probably the best game I've ever seen him pitch.  It was fabulous, and I wish I was watching it with Sox fans rather than alone in my apartment.  Although I did call Rachel right after Brian Anderson made a diving catch for the last out.  And I was in sobbing hysterics because I was so happy.  It was such an amazing game.

Number Two
Mark Buehrle's Perfect Game

I didn't actually see this game until it recorded on my DVR at Thanksgiving.  Because I was in Nevada or something, moving from San Diego back to Chicago.  Then all of a sudden I was bombarded with text messages and tweets about a Mark Buehrle perfect game.

I was sitting in my brother's Navigator with my jaw in my lap, tears streaming down my face.  Tears for two reasons: 1) Mark Buehrle threw a PERFECT GAME!  PERFECT!!! 2) I MISSED IT!!!  Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!

My brother is not a sports fan.  He likes drag racing.  That's it.  He didn't understand how hard this was to do.  He didn't understand how epic this was.  How amazingly wonderful this was.  And I couldn't figure out a way to explain how monumental this event I missed was.

I still haven't figured out a way to explain it to a non-sports fan.  How do you tell someone who doesn't know or care about baseball how important it is that my pitcher did something that has only been done eighteen times before?  How do you explain that in addition to throwing a perfect game, Mark Buehrle was only the sixth player to throw a no-hitter AND a perfect game?

How do you explain how monumental 27 up, 27 down with no walks and no errors is?  I still can't do it.  But the perfect game is still on my DVR until I figure out how to work my DVR burner.  Then I can show this epic game to my children.  Hopefully by then I can explain effectively how amazing that game was.

Number One
October 26, 2005

I was a sophomore at Loyola in the fall of 2005.  I lived with two theatre majors, Claire and Elyse, who were both juniors and basically BFFs.  Elyse didn't care too much for sports.  Claire is a Cubs fan.  Because it was baseball awesomeness, Claire and I watched the postseason.  Well, I watched it for my Sox.

Claire celebrated with me when my Sox swept the Red Sox in the ALDS.  And she celebrated with me when the Sox beat the Angels in the ALCS.  When it came time for the World Series, Claire watched with me.  And Elyse did too.  We watched Game One and cheered.  We watched Game Two with Paulie's slam and Scottie's walkoff homer.  We watched the epically long Game Three, even though we all had to be up incredibly early for class the next day.  And we watched the 1-0 White Sox win in Game Four.

When I heard, "Palmeiro, over the head of Jenks...Uribe charges, throws...OUT!  And the White Sox have won the World Series!" I started to cry.  While jumping around like a kid on Christmas morning.  And there were my two roommates, celebrating this with me.  Even though neither was a Sox fan.

That memory is more vivid than the actual final out.  While a World Series championship was the greatest thing that team could have ever given me, the moments I shared with my non-Sox fan roommates are just as special as that beautiful trophy.

Now I make everyone who needs a bottle opener listen to John Rooney's final out call.  I get to relive that final out all the time.  Hearing this never gets old: "A ground ball past Jenks up the middle of the infield.  Uribe has it.  He throws.  OUT, OUT!!!  A White Sox winner and a World Championship!!!  The White Sox have won the World Series, and they're mobbing each other on the field!!!"

Thank you, 2005 White Sox, for bringing me a championship but also for bringing me a roomie love moment I'll never forget.
My Other Favorite Moments From the Past Decade
A top 20 list is way too long, so here are other favorite Sox moments from 2004 until the present.

• Jim Thome's 500th home run (September 16, 2007)
• Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye hitting their 300th home runs in consecutive at-bats (April 13, 2009)
• Bobby Jenks tying the record for consecutive batters retired and Mark Buehrle later passing it for the new record
• AJ's game-winning homer against the Dodgers in June 2005 in the awesome throwbacks
• Geoff Blum's game-winning homer in the 14th inning of Game 3 of the World Series
• Alexei Ramirez's grand slam to beat the Tigers to force the Blackout game (also his fourth grand slam, a new rookie record)
• Barack Obama wearing his Sox gear to throw out the first pitch at the All-Star Game in St. Louis
• Gordon Beckham's debut
• Jake Peavy joining the White Sox
• My first Sox game in 2006 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best and Worst of the Decade
Before I left for San Antonio, I was linked to More Hardball's lists of the best and worst batters and pitchers of the decade.  Some of these are not surprising.  Others are.  For the batters, they needed to have a minimum of 3000 plate appearances over the past ten years.  Albert Pujols had the best batting average (.334), followed by Ichiro (.333) and Todd Helton (.331).  Brandon Inge had the worst average (.236), Tony Bautista had a .244, and Brad Ausmus both Alex Gonzalezes and Nick Swisher had a .245.

But I'd rather talk about the amusing and/or surprising people on these lists.  Or ones that I didn't expect.  And any White Sox, current and former.

Now, I know Todd Helton is good, but I didn't know he hit 431 doubles this past decade, which leads all players.  Jim Thome is second on the list of most home runs with 368.  Nick Swisher sucked it up by recording the least number of hits with 639.  Frank Thomas only hit two triples and Paul Konerko hit three.  Having watched those two, I hope this isn't surprising.  What's surprising is that Konerko actually hit THREE triples.  How did that happen?  I love Paulie, but what the hell happened that allowed him to hit three triples?

New White Sox member Juan Pierre hit the fewest home runs with 13, but he stole the most bases with 459.  Good to know.  Scott Podsednik had the third fewest RBIs with 249, and Jim Thome was tied for third with three stolen bases.  I love Thome, but HE stole THREE bases?!  How is this possible?  I'm serious!

As far as pitching, Andy Pettitte has the most wins with 149, but I was surprised to see Jamie Moyer with the third most wins (140).  I don't know why that surprises me, but it does.  Mark Buehrle has the third most innings pitched with 2061, and former Sox Javier Vazquez has the second most strikeouts with 2163.  Roy Halladay has the most complete games (47) and shutouts (14).  Mariano Rivera has the most saves (397) and Pedro Martinez has the best ERA and WHIP, minimum 1000 innings with 3.01 and 1.036 respectively.

And for the worst pitching stats (in at least 250 games pitched)...

Barry Zito has 826 walks.  Ted Lilly has 25 balks.  That's just sad, especially considering the second-most balks is Randy Johnson with 12.  Livan Hernandez has 124 losses, and Javier Vazquez has 116.  These really are crappy stats.  I mean, 25 balks?!  Seriously?!  Holy crap!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
On that note, Blogosphere, I will end my first entry of 2010.  My hope is that I can continue blogging regularly enough to keep you coming back.  It'll be better than the second half of the season, I know that much.  It may not be every day like it was before, but we'll see.  Until then, I bid y'all adieu.  And happy New Year again!

Last year, I wrote two Christmas blogs.  One was what I wanted for Christmas from the White Sox, and one was about who I'd like to have as Christmas guests.  I've made a decision to combine them into one entry and rewrite them every year.  And since Christmas Eve is in three days, now is as good a time as any to write this year's Christmas blog.

What I Want For Christmas
Last year I asked Kenny Williams for a team that's capable of winning the World Series.  We didn't make it to .500, but Kenny got many of the pieces needed.  He traded Nick Swisher and Javier Vazquez.  The return from the Swisher trade was kinda...not good, and the return from the Vazquez trade was so-so, being that Brent Lillibridge is not really on the good side, and Tyler Flowers is still developing.  Mid-season he got us Jake Peavy and Alex Rios.  In the offseason, he traded Chris Getz and Josh Fields for Mark Teahen, got us Juan Pierre as our leadoff hitter, strengthened our bench by re-signing Mark Kotsay and acquiring Omar Vizquel and Andruw Jones, and signed JJ Putz for relief pitching.  Gordon Beckham was called up in June and exploded into a Rookie of the Year candidate.  I think Kenny can make this year's wish come true.

Last year I had several wishes for several players.
AJ Pierzynski
Last year I asked him not to bring back the bleach blonde hair.  He brought it back.  I've learned to deal with it, even though I hate it.  I'm still asking for his natural color back, however.

I also asked that he make the All-Star Game roster again.  Didn't happen.  However, I also asked him to have an amazing season.  That he did do.  He became the first White Sox catcher to hit .300 in a season.  He hit his 100th home run, which was also his 500th RBI, in April.

I have a couple wishes for AJ this season.  First, I'd like him to have a photo booth at SoxFest in January so I can get a picture with him so I can die happy.  That has nothing to do with the season, but I want it, so I'm requesting it.  Please and thank you.  For the season, I want him to have another amazing season.  AJ's contract is up at the end of this season, so if he has another awesome season, the Sox will give him a new contract, right?  Right.  Because I'll need a blog support group if AJ leaves.  Losing Joe Crede to the Twins last season was hard enough on me.  But if I have to lose AJ, OMG it won't be pretty.

Carlos Quentin
I wanted him to have an amazing season last year.  Unfortunately Carlos was plagued with plantar fasciitis, so he was on the DL for a while.  My wish for Carlos is to get back to his 2008 self.  Pre-broken wrist, of course.  :)

Bobby Jenks
I wanted Bobby to get the consecutive batters retired streak last year.  Bobby didn't get it, but Mark Buehrle did.  I also wanted Bobby to recreate the World Series celebration picture with AJ.  Also didn't happen.  My wish for Bobby this season is to perform how we all know he can.  Bobby had a little bit of an off season.  People have been criticizing him about his weight.  Bobby doesn't think it's an issue, other people do.  What I want for you, Bobby, is to perform better.  You can weigh 100 pounds, you can weigh 500 pounds.  As long as you pitch well, I don't care how much you weigh.  If losing some weight means you'll pitch better, I'd prefer it.  I just want you to be Big Bad Bobby Jenks again.  You were missing that last season.

Alexei Ramirez
I wanted Alexei to duplicate his rookie season.  He was second in Rookie of the Year voting, and I wanted that awesomeness again.  Alexei hit decently, but his fielding was horrible.  Moving from second base to shortstop seemed to be a bad idea.  My wish for Alexei is to improve his defense at short.  Hopefully having Omar Vizquel around will help him out.

Josh Fields
Awwwww Joshy my Joshy.  Josh is now a KC Royal, as we traded him with Chris Getz for Mark Teahen.  I wish you nothing but the best, Josh.  I still know you can play.

Gavin Floyd and John Danks
In 2008, Gavin flirted with two no-hitters, and John pitched the most amazing Blackout game against the Twins to put us in the playoffs.  That season, they both pitched brilliantly.  I asked that they have another epic season.  They both listened.  Gavin signed a four-year deal in spring training and pitched beautifully in 2009.  John rejected a deal in spring training but is looking to stay in Chicago for a long time.  He pitched 200 innings for the first time and won 13 games.  They're both still All-Star caliber pitchers, and sooner or later, they'll both be All-Stars, and they both have the talent to win a Cy Young award.

For this season, Gavin and John, I wish you the same thing as last year.  Keep doing what you're doing, and I'll have no complaints whatsoever.  You're both an integral part of what is probably the best starting rotation in the AL Central, and I know you can dominate for years to come.

Gordon Beckham
I obviously didn't have Gordon on here last year.  But I have a Christmas wish for him.  Well, I have two.  Photo booth at SoxFest, please.  And for the actual season, keep getting better.  Gordon was called up to play third base.  Prior to his, like, week at Charlotte, he had never played third.  For someone with so little experience at that position, he played very very well.  With the acquisition of Mark Teahen, Kenny said Gordon will be playing second next season.  Another position he hasn't played really.  So Gordon, keep getting better.  You'll be an All-Star soon.

Jake Peavy
Jake, my dear, I have one request: repeat your 2007 season with us.  All-Star starter, Triple Crown winner, and Cy Young winner in the same season?  Yes please!  The few starts you had as a White Sox last season made me so hopeful for 2010, especially since I lived in San Diego at the beginning of the 2009 season and was able to watch you pitch when you were still a Padre.  I know you're amazing, and I can't wait until you have a full season as a White Sox.

Christmas Guests
My second Christmas blog last year was who my Christmas guest would be.  I had a few.  Everyone expected AJ would be one because I adore him.  He'll always be on my list because of my adoration.

But who else would I invite into my house for Christmas?  Other than the obvious answer of "everyone because I'd have all the White Sox in my house."  My guests would be people I wanted to talk to about baseball and their careers and whatever else comes to mind.  Last year, in addition to AJ, I invited Josh Fields and Jim Thome.  This year, I'd like to spend Christmas with John Danks, Gordon Beckham, and Mark Buehrle.

Now you all know of my growing love and adoration for John Danks, so he'll be a regular Christmas guest with AJ in future Christmas blogs.  But this Christmas I'd love to know about the Blackout game.  What was that like since he pitched so dominantly and since that was such a huge game for the Sox in 2008.  Also how it felt to reach 200 innings pitched last season.  And I wanna hear his thoughts about his Texas Longhorns in the BCS Championship game and Colt McCoy not getting the Heisman.  (See, it's not strictly baseball.  I'd discuss my Florida Gators with AJ.)

With Gordon, I'd wanna know about how his first year in the Majors felt.  Especially coming in playing a position he'd never played before and being pretty good at it.  I also would wanna know how he feels about moving to second base for this season.  And of course I'd wanna hear his uncensored feelings on placing fifth in the Rookie of the Year voting.  Not the pretty much obligatory "the other guy is a great player blah blah blah" stuff he tells the media so as not to seem like a jerk.  I wanna hear what would make him seem like a jerk.  :)  And I'd be nice and not tell you guys since blogs can get leaked to the media, and I wouldn't wanna make Gordon hate me.

And then there's Mark.  I'm sure he's talked the perfecto to death, but I wanna hear about how he felt since I didn't get to see it live.  But I did eventually see it, as it's still on my DVR waiting to be recorded to a DVD so I can have it forever.  :)  I also wanna know if he likes the chopper his wife got for him after the perfecto.  And I'd love to see his kids.  I love kids, and I'm sure his are adorable.


Well, Blogosphere, I hope you all have a great holiday season.  I know Chanukah just ended, so I hope all my Jewish bloggers had a great Chanukah.  Merry early Christmas and happy early Kwanzaa to those who celebrate that.  And happy early Festivus for the rest of us.  :)  I won't blog again until after the new year since I'll be in San Antonio for my aunt's wedding at new year's, so celebrate that safely.

And since I won't blog again until 2010, happy early birthday to my favorite baseball player ever.  :)  AJ's 33rd birthday is on the 30th, and I like wishing my favorites a happy birthday, even though they probably never read my blogs.  So happy early birthday, AJ!
Photo credits: unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, AP, Getty images, unknown

At least the Hot Stove is heating up now.

I wouldn't call the Curtis Granderson trade earlier a blockbuster, but the one that's being rumored but not quite confirmed today is Roy Halladay to the Phillies and Cliff Lee to the Mariners in a three-team trade.  Can I ask, Philly, why you're getting rid of Cliff Lee?  Wouldn't it be more beneficial to have both of them if you can afford it?  And if you can't afford it, I think I'd rather have Cliff Lee.  Not to say Halladay is a bad pitcher.  Because we all know he's NOT a bad pitcher.  But this trade just makes no sense to me whatsoever.

While I could potentially go on and on and on about this, I choose not to because I'm a White Sox fan.  I'll talk about what they did recently.

We tendered contracts to John Danks, Carlos Quentin, Bobby Jenks, and Tony Pena.  We non-tendered DJ Carrasco.  I have two feelings about these sentences: "yay!" and "are you kidding me?!"

The "yay!" part: John Danks and Carlos Quentin.  By now, you probably know how I feel about John Danks.  He's climbing the Favorite Player Ever ladder and has passed Aaron Rowand and Joe Crede.  I'll always and forever love and adore my Three Stooges, but John's moved to my second favorite player ever.  When I say "ever," I mean in my baseball fandom because I can't say a player is my favorite if I never saw him play.  Back to the topic of John Danks.  I'm interested to see what kind of contract they offered him.  Last spring, he was offered the same contract as Gavin Floyd (four years, $15.5 million with a $9.5 million club option in 2013), but John declined, saying his agent felt it wasn't the right time.  I think Gavin Floyd is an excellent pitcher.  He's wonderful.  I'm glad he'll be with us for a while.  But I think John is better, not just because I'm a bit more partial to him.  Since he had an awesome season this year, I would think that contract offer would be bigger.  Seriously, whatever the Sox offer John better be right for him and his agent because the South Side needs John Danks for a long time.  An epically awesome rotation for the next four or so years would make me ever so happy.

Carlos Quentin was also tendered a contract.  I believe he was offered a contract last spring as well that he turned down.  I don't remember how much the contract was or for how long, but Carlos had a down year this year, mostly due to his plantar fasciitis that kept him on the DL for a while.  I wonder what kind of offer he's getting.  I believe he has the talent deserving of a relatively big contract, but he seems to be kinda injury prone.  I could be wrong and pulling that out of my *ss, but he's been injured quite a bit.  If he can get back to how he was in 2008 when he probably would have won the MVP if he hadn't broken his wrist, then I'm all for offering him a good-sized contract.

The "are you kidding?!" reaction is for offering Tony Pena a contract but non-tendering DJ Carrasco.  DJ has saved our butts so many times this past season.  He's absolutely wonderful.  Tony Pena was not so wonderful.  But here we are with Tony Pena coming back and DJ Carrasco as a free agent.  Initially, I was confused as to why we would do this, but some wonderful people on Twitter helped clear up my confusion.  With DJ having a great season last year, he would probably be getting A LOT more money this year.  And I guess the White Sox don't have enough money to give DJ what he's worth with the contracts they plan on giving Danks, Quentin, and Bobby Jenks.  There's also the $11 million or so we're giving Scott Linebrink over the next two seasons.  That makes signing a reliever like DJ a liiiiiiittle difficult.  And I don't think there's any team out there stupid enough to take Linebrink and his extremely-high-for-his-current-level-of-talent contract off our hands.  So we get to keep Linebrink and Pena, and some other lucky team will get Carrasco.  On that note, best of luck to you, DJ.  Whoever you sign with will be lucky to have you.  And thank you for being my first spring training autograph and being genuinely excited that you were my first spring training autograph.  It made my day.  I'll miss you.

The Sox also signed JJ Putz to a one-year, $3 million contract.  So losing DJ isn't a drastic loss to our bullpen.  While I'm concerned that he had elbow surgery during the season, the Sox have apparently been watching his rehab progress, and he'll have no restrictions when he reports for spring training.  If he gets back to the stellar closer he was in 2006 and 2007, that would be totally sweet.  However, if he's at least an adequate Octavio Dotel replacement, then I'm totally fine with that.

In other news, I haven't updated you on more players coming to SoxFest.  In case it wasn't clear in a prior entry, I'm SUPER stoked to be going this year because AJ Pierzynski will be there.  Now I'm EVEN MORE EXCITED because Gordon Beckham, Mark Buehrle, Paul Konerko, Andruw Jones, and Ozzie Guillen will be there.  Somehow, some way, I WILL get Mark Buehrle's autograph because I have an unnecessarily large picture of the last pitch of the perfect game.  And I wanna frame that baby and put it up on my bedroom wall!  I wish the "roster" of people going was complete so I could get a schedule and start planning where Rachel and I will be going for these autographs and pictures and seminar-type things.

My baby blog is a year old today!

Oh, Diatribe.  You've gone through so many changes.  My first entry was three short paragraphs about how the Winter Meetings make my head explode.  My second entry was about Scott Boras and was also short.

As you grew, my entries got longer and involved more baseball-like substance.  My entries showed this community what kind of person I am and what kind of writer I am.  In June, my dear blog, your identity changed a little.  You went from a law student blog to a journalism student blog.  And MLBlogs still showed you love, despite the name change.

Now that these entries go further in depth, I'm looking forward to another bit of identity change for you.  When I start my master's program in the fall, my blogging will be even more sporadic than it is now, but the entries I churn out will be more journalistic without losing the feeling that this is a blog and not an article.

Thank you, MLBlogs community, for embracing me and my baby diatribe.  I'll keep writing if you keep coming back.

To celebrate a year of being in existence, I've decided to go through all my blogs and pick my favorite for each month of its existence.  The title of each blog links back to that entry if you wanna re-read it.

December 2008
December 10, 2008 was my first entry, but it wasn't the favorite entry of the month.  That came on December 30 and was my first incredibly long entry.  The title?  "Happy Birthday, AJ Pierzynski!"

Favorite part
I actually like my retelling of AJ telling me I was pretty.  But I'm not copy-pasting that entire thing.  So my next favorite part was the last paragraph: "Anthony John Pierzynski, you are amazing.  You are everything I could ever want in a baseball player.  The White Sox have you locked up through 2010, and if they know what's good for them, they'll never let you leave.  My hope is that you stay with the White Sox until the day you retire.  And if anyone wears the number 12 after you, it'll be a travesty.  Happy birthday!"
January 2009
January provided much longer entries.  But my favorite entry was the one I wrote the first time I made the Latest Leaders list.  I wrote it on January 22, and I went from not being on the list to being number 20.  So I called it "TWENTY!!!"  I think part of the reason for that huge jump was due to Tommy's Timeout at the Plate that I did.  Which I'm still thanking him for 11 months later.  (I won't stop, Tommy.  I just won't!)

Favorite part
In keeping with Jimmy's tradition of dedicating the ranking to players, I wrote about Carlos Quentin who currently wears number 20.  So my favorite part was either this quote: "He's a smart guy too because he was on the honor roll and was accepted at Stanford.  (I applied there and DIDN'T get in.  Carlos is smarter than I am.)"  Or this quote: "Carlos made Jeane Goff an incredibly happy woman, as they married in Palo Alto, CA on November 29, 2008.  They're gonna make beautiful children one day."  Or this quote: "One last time, MLBloggers.  Thank you so much for getting me to number 20.  You guys are AMAZING!  THANK YOU!!!!"  You're all still amazing, by the way.
February 2009
I believe February is when I started writing every single day.  But I did pick a favorite entry.  It came on February 9, and it was "Do I Get Rid of My Baseball Identity?"  That day, Curt Schilling said the other 103 names on the steroids list should be revealed after A-Rod was leaked out.

Favorite part
No, it wasn't any part of the Schilling section.  It was in the ESPN.com poll portion.  I love this paragraph: "What do you do if the one player who renewed your love of baseball tested positive for steroids?  The one person who you would follow no matter what team they play for.  The one person who can do no wrong in your eyes.  What if they do wrong?"
March 2009
Spring Training was in full force in March, so there's actual baseball-like substance in all these entries.  But my favorite was called "MY PROJECT!!!!!" and was written March 14.  Rachel flew in to San Diego for her spring break, and we went to see RENT.  The White Sox were playing the Rangers during the show.

Favorite part
The White Sox were losing 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth at RENT's intermission.  Carlos Quentin was on second, and Michael Restovich walked.  Paul Konerko hit a single and was replaced with a pinch runner.  After that, Javier Castillo walked.  Which leads to my favorite part: "RENT finishes, and after I'm done drying my eyes to make sure I don't have mascara and eyeliner dripping down my face (even though I can make that look really sexy...), I pull out my phone and check the score.  Brian Anderson.  Brian f*cking Anderson.  Oh.  My.  God."  He hit a game winning grand slam.
April 2009
Regular season baseball started!  WOOOOO!  I actually had two favorite entries in April.  The first was my Opening Day blog called "It's Time."  That was also my 100th entry.  I don't have a favorite part of that one because the whole thing was epic.  The second one came on April 29 and it's called "Sto."  And my John Danks's birthday one was pretty fabulous too.  :)

Favorite part
My favorite part of "Sto" was the very beginning.  "6'3", 220 pounds.  Drafted in the third round of the 1994 draft by the Minnesota Twins.  Made his Major League debut on September 9, 1998.  First career RBI: September 25, 1998, bottom of the second inning.  Sacrifice fly to left field, Chris Latham scores.  First career home run: September 8, 2000, top of the sixth inning to center field off Paul Abbott.  500th career RBI: April 29, 2009, bottom of the second inning.  Home run to center field.  100th career home run: April 29, 2009, bottom of the second inning to center field off Erik Bedard."  Those were all actually separate paragraphs, but that takes up too much space in this blog.
May 2009
The Sox didn't play super awesome baseball in May, so most of my blogs were frustrating.  So I don't have a favorite blog, but my favorite part of a blog came from the May 22 entry "This Is Ridiculous.  Please Kill Me."  Apparently I started writing this entry at 10:30pm in Chicago and I had been drinking for nine hours at that point.

Favorite part
"Defensively, Wilson Betemit is fired again.  I did it once, but Kenny didn't listen.  He committed both errors today.  Eff that sh*t, man.  He is so full of fail, it's ridiculous.  I have dreams about punching him in the face.  Maybe in those ridiculous goggles.  ZE GOGGLES!  ZEY DO NOTHING!  Fail.  Stupid Betemit."
June 2009
June was a better month for the Sox, but it wasn't for me.  June 5, my diatribe needed a new identity because I got kicked out of law school.  But there were good times because it was also in June when I decided to go be a journalist instead.  My favorite entry in June was the last one on June 28, "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH AWESOME!"  It was a recap of the second part of the Crosstown Classic.

Favorite part
Despite the fact that this was an awesome series, complete with a Carlos Zambrano meltdown, my favorite part was in the More Sadness section: "Billy Mays died this morning.  Condolences to his family.  Who will yell at me to buy unnecessary household items now?  Vince, the ShamWow guy, isn't as cool."
July 2009
July was a fun time.  I got to go to not one but TWO games at PETCO with my awesome geophysicist twin, Kylie.  I wrote my favorite entry on my birthday, July 20.  It was "Epically Long Entry" and it recapped some All-Star stuff, some Sox games, and the super awesome blogger meetup game.

Favorite part
That whole entry was just awesome, including all the awesome nicknames for ushers and the fun story time.  But my favorite quote has to be "I took an unnecessarily huge amount of pictures of Brad Hawpe since he has been chosen as my favorite Rockie since he has a GREAT *ss."  This still holds true.
August 2009
This is when my blogging got ridiculously sporadic.  It's still ridiculously sporadic.  I wrote two blogs in August hahaha!  So the one I wrote on August 1 called "Oh Trade Deadline..." will be the favorite.

Favorite part
The way I wrote this still makes me laugh.  But I know it hurts Kaybee and Hyunyoung.  "I left Loyola at about 3:30.  The trading deadline had passed by about half an hour when I got a text from Rachel: 'Did I just read that Clayton got traded to San Diego for Jake Peavy?!?!?!?'  Well, I had no idea.  I was in my brother's Navigator with a dying cell phone.  But I did my quick research before my phone said 'Jen, I hate you.  I'm dead.'  Yes, Jake Peavy is a White Sox."
September 2009
My dad took me to see the Sox in LA in September.  The recap of the two games was really awesome, but my favorite entry was "♥" on September 16.  However, my favorite quote comes from "Jen Meets LA, Part One."

Favorite part
"Dear Nick,
I have never cried so much over a person I've never met or heard of until the day you died.  When I saw pictures of the accident scene, I was physically ill and cried harder.  You didn't deserve that.  I cried when I saw your agent, coaches, and teammates cry.  I cried for you because you were the same age as me.  I cried because such a promising career was tragically cut short.  I wish I could have seen you pitch.  I hope your family and friends find comfort in knowing the entire baseball world still misses you.  Stay our Angel, Nick.
Love,
Jen Jezierski
White Sox fan"
October 2009
I wrote two entries in October too.  I'm not very good at updating anymore, am I?  But my favorite entry was on October 7, and it was "End-of-the-Season Letter to My White Sox."

Favorite part
"My White Sox, you give me a reason to look forward to the future, even after a season no one really enjoyed.  Opening Day 2010 is 181 days away.  While I won't dwell on how many days away it is because it makes the time pass more slowly, I know there are good things in store for you.  I know you'll make the appropriate moves to complete this team.  Thank you for the memories, and I can't wait to see what memories you'll have in store for me next year."
November 2009
I wrote four entries hahaha.  I got REALLY bad at this game.  But I enjoyed "Hello Goodbye" on November 8.  I declared my projects in that entry, welcomed Mark Teahen to the South Side, and said goodbye to Josh Fields and Chris Getz.

Favorite part
It's one of the reasons why you love me and one of the reasons my Asian twin, Emily, and I are the same person.  "The World Series ended on Wednesday, and when I woke up Thursday morning to get ready for a volunteer event, I heard buzzing on Twitter that Kenny had traded Chris Getz and Josh Fields to the Kansas City Royals for Mark Teahen.  Initial reaction: quoi?!  (Yes, many times I think in foreign languages that I don't speak fluently.  It's why you love me.)"
December 2009
Now that my baby blog is a year old, I should get back to writing more blog entries.  Otherwise you'll all leave me.  Which makes me sad even thinking of the possibility.  And I'll start reading and commenting on all your entries again.  And if you wanna be in my sidebar, let me know and leave your blog address or I'll forget to put you there.

Thank you all for making my blog so successful.  Because of this blog and Twitter, I was able to get a DVD review published on WhiteSox.com, I was able to talk to Scott Reifert, the White Sox VP of Communications, on the regular, and I've made some of the best friends I could have asked for.  Here's to another year of more consistent blogging.

Almost a year ago, I started my MLBlog.  My first entry was about Winter Meetings.  It was...quite short.  Now Winter Meetings have rolled back around, and somehow I think the White Sox won't do much, just like last year.

So far, this is what I've learned about the White Sox from a Joe Cowley article, a Scott Merkin article and blog, and a Mark Gonzales article, all linked at the end.  Some info is also from their Twitter accounts.  Included is my own commentary since I know.  Enjoy.

1) The White Sox are still talking to Scott Podsednik, but the Sox work on their own timetable and not his.

Kenny said if Scottie is "sincere about fit and about dollars, then it's time to get serious."  I believe I read that Scottie wants a multi-year deal and the Sox were a little reluctant, but I would love to have Scottie back.  He was very effective this year, and if he stays that way, we have a great leadoff hitter.  And I really like Pods in general, so there's always the "make Jen happy" aspect.  Not like this is considered in contract negotiations, but it's worth mentioning in my blog where I can do what I want.  :)

2) The Sox are potentially linked to Juan Pierre.

I'm really not a fan of this.  But I don't know why.  But per Scott Merkin's Twitter, the Dodgers would want starting pitching in return, and the Sox aren't giving it up.  I don't blame them.  In all honesty, would you give up Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy, John Danks, or Gavin Floyd?  I didn't think so.  I'm super excited for that pitching staff.

Back to Juan Pierre.  Can someone tell me why I don't like this link?  I know I have a good reason for not liking it, but I can't place it right now.  Probably because I have no desire to refresh my memory on Pierre's stats.  Does he suck?  I don't remember, probably because I chose not to.

3) Andruw Jones wants to be an everyday starter, and Ozzie said if he hits, he will be.

OK.  I'm fine with that.  If Andruw can hit, then let him play.  So hit, Andruw, hit.  :)

4) Kenny has "no comment" on Roy Halladay.

Would Hallady be a great addition?  Of course.  But what would we have to give up in order to get him?  I don't think that's worth it.

5) Per Joe Cowley's article, Kenny talked to Jake Peavy a couple weeks ago.  Here's the full quote cuz it makes me happy, and because I need to point out a sliiiight grammatical error.

"I talked to him a couple of weeks ago and he was fired up already. He got my juices going a little bit, and I told him, 'This is way too early for that, so take it easy.' Listen, there's a reason we went out and were as aggressive as we were, and gave up some good ballplayers to get him, and that's because we believe in him. Even though I would have preferred he didn't pitch at the end of the season, he wanted to. And I think it was good for all of our fans to see and for his teammates to see, because there's a different kind of energy behind him and in that dugout when he's pitching. As well as showing what he can do on the field, he's also going to be a positive role model for what we think our guys - like Gavin Floyd and John Danks - that can be No. 1 guys. Mark Buehrle is Mark Buehrle, and he's a No. 1 on any given day. But he goes about his business in a different way and you can't immolate what Mark Buehrle does. For these type of guys that are more high-intensity-type guys, to see that and push the limits of that intensity, but yet have a controlled aggression is something they can learn from Jake Peavy."

Oh Jake Peavy.  I love you for being so pumped already.  Just don't overdo it.  I don't want you to get hurt.  But keep that fire.  I'll see you in about six and a half weeks.

Now for that grammatical error.  I know your job is to be a reporter, so I don't blame you, Joe.  But your copy editor, however.  What's wrong with this sentence from the above quote: "you can't immolate what Mark Buehrle does."  Answer: the wrong word was used, I think.  Unless Kenny Williams is saying you can't sacrific, kill, or destroy by fire what Mark Buehrle does, the word should be "emulate," as in you can't try to equal what Mark Buehrle does.  Although "immolate" is a lot funnier.

6) If the season started today, Ozzie would have Alex Rios in center, Carlos Quentin in right, and Andruw Jones in left with Mark Kotsay on the bench.

Sounds fine to me.  Unless you re-sign Pods.  Then let's see what happens.  As I've said, I'm partial to Pods, but if Andruw does better, than give me Andruw.  I want a winning team, and if a winning team is set up with that outfield, I'm all for it.

7) Ozzie likes Hideki Matsui, but there's only one person he asked Kenny to sign and that was Kotsay.

However, there are people he told Kenny he didn't want at the park.  They weren't mentioned, however.  Back to Matsui.  Ozzie liked what he saw in the World Series, but he wants Matsui to play the outfield for a little while.  Cowley mentioned that the Japanese media say Matsui is looking for $10 million next year.  I think we should pass if that's the case.

8) Presently it seems as though Gordon Beckham would be the leadoff man, although Ozzie would rather have him hit sixth or seventh.

Ozzie likes that Gordon takes a lot of pitches and doesn't panic, but he doesn't think he can steal bases the way the Sox want him to.  However, he said that he doesn't care how many bases you can steal.  He'd rather have his leadoff hitter get on base.  Gordon's pretty good at that, I think.

9) Ozzie would like to go with a lefty-righty alternating batting order, with AJ possibly hitting second.

I believe AJ hit second for a while in 2008.  And he did quite well there.  If it works, then do it.  I want whatever's best for my team.  If AJ in the two-spot is best, then do it!  :)  I'd like a shiny trophy with 30 little flags on it hoisted above my manager's head in 10-ish months.

10) Ozzie kinda likes the DH-by-committee option.

I'm kinda feeling it too.  If it gives us an opportunity to have a lot of good outfielders or bench players or whatever, then do it.  At the same time, if Jim Thome comes back, I'd be OK with that too.  While sometimes I wonder why Kenny does what he does, he's usually right and I trust him.  If Kenny doesn't sign a full-time DH, then so be it.  I trust him.

11) Freddy Garcia's working hard to be the fifth starter.

Go, Freddy, go!  :)  Freddy wasn't too bad when he came back last season.  If he's working to get better again, and he earns the fifth starter position, then that's freaking awesome.  I'm ready for Sweaty Freddy!

12) Tyler Flowers looks to be AJ's backup.

I've heard good things about Flowers.  If he's the backup this season, he'll get more mentoring from AJ, I'd think.  Then when it's time for AJ to retire or when the Sox decide to move on (I'd prefer the first option), Flowers will be ready to take over and not suck at catching.



All that from Day One.  Last year, I said Winter Meetings make my head explode.  That's still pretty much true, but it gets me through the winter.  Usually I can survive the offseason with the Bears, but my football team is full of fail this season.  Luckily I'm learning hockey, and I root for an awesome hockey team in the Blackhawks.  But baseball owns my heart.

No baseball for these few months is like not seeing my friends for a long time.  I talk to most of my friends daily in some way.  Facebook, phone, texts, Twitter, AIM.  But I don't get to see most of them often.  It's similar with baseball.  I talk about baseball on Facebook, via texts, on Twitter, on AIM, and rarely on the phone.  But it's not right there in front of me.  And I hate it.  For a few months, I don't ask myself "when do the Sox play today?"  For a few months, I don't get to see my favorite athletes EVER on a pretty much daily basis.  (No, my desktop picture doesn't count.  It helps, but it doesn't count.)  I have nothing to cheer for.  I have nothing that guarantees a smile on my face on a daily basis.  Even when the Sox lose, something makes me smile.  It's baseball.  How can I not smile?

Pitchers and catchers report in about two months.  While I've always been excited for baseball season to start, this offseason is so much harder to get through for me because of all the wonderful people on MLBlogs and Twitter who talk baseball every day.  It should go faster, but it doesn't.  Luckily, I'm not the only one suffering through it.

Credits
Articles
Joe Cowley
Mark Gonzales
Scott Merkin
Scott Merkin (blog)

Photos
Photobucket
AP
Unknown