First comment! Anyway, I was on the edge of my chair THE ENTIRE WEEKEND. Friday's game was pure gold. Saturday's game was just as good. I was at the State Fair today, so I missed today's game. Too bad we lost. I do agree, however, that it was totally expected. I mean, c'mon. You can't expect us to sweep the ChiSox TWICE at home. At least we took the series. I SO want a pirahna t-shirt when they come out.

I am in Massachusettes and have been having to watch the games on the gameday. It's so much more stressfull!!!! Last night I was yelling and muttering until my room mate got scared...

And I want a pirahnta shirt. i am thinking about making one.

Also, that graphic of the pirahnta's made my day.

Finally, a question: why, whenever i see a picture of lew ford, does he look completely ridiculous? is that really his active state?

I'm thinking so.

Wise and funny words, Batgirl. I've come to expect nothing less.

One question: what do we do about The Jackyl? Aside from giving LNP an opportunity to favor us with song, sending him out every 5th day just doesn't seem to be working out.

I agree. Maybe he needs some shock therapy, like the rest of us? And what now, with Bradke REALLY falling apart???

The AJ / Neshek duel is what about put me in cardiac arrest!

My favorite moment of the game (besides being able to actually watch it on TV)? The Good Doctor rolling his eyes at his own foul tip into the stands in the third inning. My second-favorite moment? AJ saying his favorite word just after Neshie struck him out.

I was referring to Saturday's game, of course. Silly me.

If the high-tension baseball this weekend wasn't enough to kill me, the caption for that first picture certainly is enough to finish me off.

*dies laughing*

And I don't get all the angst in Sox fandom either. Are they that fickle in Chicago that half a game is enough for them to all but throw in the towel?

Sox fandom is full of angst, that's their trademark.

Better baseball I have not seen in a loooooong time.

Amazing weekend. I am driving everyone nuts with my baseball talk. And it's not going to end anytime soon, because baseball this time of year is sweet like MN sweet corn. It's joyous, intense, and still feels like summer, when fall is knocking on the door.

I, too, am a Jermaine Dye fan. And, I'm glad he's still playing MVP caliber ball after that unfortunate 2001 ALCS foul ball/broken leg thing.
I just wish he was still doing these MVP-like things for the A's.

Twins baseball this weekend "goes to eleven."

what i wouldn't give to be cuddyer in that pic

and that one of neshek??? that made my day. really, truly, it had me in stitches

I want the "Smell Em" shirts that the guys got yesterday. I think I saw a Twins fan wearing one in the stands today.

Oh and what's the deal with throwing out the MN fan after he threw (I believe) Konerko's homerun ball back onto the field? I've never seen them do it at the Dome (remove the fan, that is). I think it only upset me because the Bitchsox fans were heckling the people on their way out. That irked me.

With apologies, in advance, to all of the remaining AJ lovers in Twindom (and I still like the guy too, but he's starting to wear on me), my favorite point in Sunday's game was the big conference on the mound with men on second and third and 1 out... followed immediately by Carlos drilling AJ in the ass. Yeah I know he got his revenge with another HR later, but that didn't matter. The intentional drilling, clearly sending a message that the current group of Twins is tired of his schtik, was pricesless. And hitting him in the ass? How appropriate can you get?

JC

yes, they do that in the Dome - maybe not always - but I have seen. I have never understood the desire to do it just because it's an opponent's ball because I know you risk getting escorted out of your seat. And from what I have heard of other places, that is pretty much standard procedure.

That being said, this weekend has taken 5 years from my lifespan. I couldn't even talk for half of Saturday after Friday night's game and then Saturdays game.. yeah, I actually needed assistance to sleep. And today... I couldn't stay awake because I was physically WORN OUT.

So many moments to put in the mental scrapbook. THIS is what we dream of during the off-season.

Is it me, or do Sunday afternoons seem to be the most difficult day for the Twins to win?

is anyone else tired of espn and the other major media sources giving the twins any lack of credit or respect. today was a good example, the twins win two out of three, yet you wouldnt have known that with the airplace sportscenter gave to the white sox only win of the weekend. "dont worry folks, the white sox scored more runs and hit more home runs than the twins this weekend, and the twins had to score half their runs with two outs. oh and by the way, the white sox are a half game behind the twins." thanks espn, bastards. one other side note, with anthony (tony) filling in for dick this past week along with hearing clay matvik's voice for the vikes games, it makes me miss him more and more. come home clay, come home.

ESPN is annoying. Looks like the homers only won them 1 game of the series. Look at the record of the Bitch Sox after the all star break. The long ball has helped them play below .500 baseball. Let ESPN and Bitch Sox take consolation in winning the HR total we will enjoy taking 2 of 3 and being ahead of the Sox in the WC race which we did not have coming into the series.

ESPN has long ceased to be intelligent on most of their baseball commentary-who can take Kruk or Jeff "Slow Blinking" Brantley seriously?

Anyway, I was at the Cell today and actually was treated pretty well. Annoyed as hell that the game I went to had Silva pitching. He was ok until deciding with 2 outs in the 5th to start the BP. Then Gardy of course trots him out in the 6th for more. Still no Bitch Sox fans had anything bad to say to me directly at least.

Has anyone ever noticed that the Twins can get 2 outs in an inning quickly often, but then have a hard time getting the 3rd out? Just seems like I see this is a lot.

I don't care if it's immature -- AJ getting pegged in the ass was my favorite moment all weekend.

Oh man, that was something this weekend...I gave up on the friday game after 4 1/2 innings, it being 4 am-ish overhere and Vasquez looking in control. Should have know of course, MR-I-can't-figure-out-how-to-avoid-a-big-sixth-inning...so when I opened up MLB.com the next morning and saw the final score, that pretty much made my day. Saturdaynight was a no brainer naturally, with El Presidente on the mount and an 'early' 1 AM start in the weekend...what's that? Rain delay? 11 innings? 5:30AM ending? 10AM wake up call? Time well spend on not sleeping is what I call that..:)
Too bad the sweep didn't work out, but hey, 2 out of 3 ain't bad (cue Meatloaf)...

Great summary, thanks. When Joe gave up that homer on Saturday, I was wishing I hadn't been drinking beer.

Let's Rock the Dome this week.

BG and assorted Twinkie fans-

First, what an awesome series. Didn't go as planned, but still, what great baseball. You guys never cease to amaze me - it just doesn't seem like the talent level is there, but you keep winning, and winning and winning. Kind of like the Sox last year. Makes me a little sad.

JonR- That's pretty much it. Angst is our thing. Comes from being 2nd team for so long. But then, the way things are going, maybe not for much longer. Not sure what that angst will be replaced by.

BG- As usual, love your stuff on the site. Mucho entertaining. Someone asked a few days ago in here, is there a BatGirl equivalent on the South Side? No. Sadly, there is not.

BG again- Finally, to answer to your point about blogdom... I've looked at sites for lots of teams, and I have never seen so many people constantly on the ledge as on the Sox sites. Its sort of bizarre. And I don't think it will ever change. I recommend Soxtalk.com, but WSI is also sometimes entertaining.

Oh, and, yeah. ESPN (Eastern Seaboard Propoganda Network) sucks on baseball.

As for ESPN, getting into the post season will be all the more sweet... I looooove proving critics wrong. People like rooting for the underdogs don't they?

To: Batgirl
Re: Days Of Miracle And Wonder

Dear Batgirl,

Don't I know you from the cinematographer's party?

Sincerely,
KenK

Sox Matt: Eastern Seaboard Propaganda Network (LOVE THAT) never heard that before--ESPN doesnt just suck at baseball--they suck at soccer too and then theres Dukie v the worst announcers in history--French announcers (I was there for two weeks) were much better even though I only understood parts of it.

Missed AJ getting plunked in the ass (:-( would have made Sunday's loss better but two out of three at US Smellular is FANTASTIC.

Heard Hawk and DJ for the last few innings--never heard Hawk as down as he was yesterday even though the Sox were winning. They were overpraising the Twins and said they wanted the games more than the Sox. Also they said--winning games solely on power (like ESPN guys talk about) means no playoffs.

DAM

Great weekend of baseball over all, but losing to the soul-less one always hurts.

AJ's act is old and these aren't the Twins he played with. I don't see any reason why the current Twins team should treat him any different. It really seems like AJ is at home with the Bitch Sox so he can be as annoying as he wants. One last thing on AJ, Hey AJ how's it feel knowing your teamates are just fine with you getting hit on your ass?

As for Silva. I for one think he might screw it all up for the Twins. I think if the Twins make the playoffs they have to put him in the pen or consider not bringing him along at all. I know we don't have any other options but I'm hoping Cisco and El Presidente can do their magic with Radke and get the Twins in the post season.

WIN TWINS

I was at US Smellular on Sunday; the first words I heard were from a Bitches fan, greeting me with, "Hey - F**k you, Twins!" Then they suggested I should just leave, in less than cordial tones. It was a treat. And then to watch the Jackal throw BP...that was painful as well. Fear not, though, Cal - we won't need Silva to start in the playoffs, I don't think.

Two more cogent points. First, for anyone who wondered why AJ deserves to be booed lustily every time he steps to the plate against the Twins, I hope the past two series have made the reasons clear (though, as someone said before, indifference would surely devastate him). I wish Silva had hit him every time he came up; his teammates obviously wouldn't have retaliated. (In fact, they're probably jealous that they don't get to hit him. His act has to get old after a while, even if he's a "gamer" and all that other claptrap.) And second, I hope y'all noted Lohse's line from yesterday - now that's the Lyle we knew and loathed. Sorry, Reds fans.

In the spirit of last night, we present the award for "Most humerous use of jargon in a sentence."

And the award goes to...
*fumbling with envelope*
*rip*

adidasman, for "all that other claptrap"

*applause*

YankeeFan

Sideshow Pat on striking out AJ:

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/baseball/15377576.htm

adidasman, sorry you were in the section will all the Sox fans who forgot that the Twins had already won the series and would still have the WC lead. I am still pretty amazed nothing was directly shouted at me, but you know maybe I was lucky.

Its really sad to go to a game and have to hear personal attacks on fans based on who they cheer for. I usually see the Twins mainly on the road (since I used to live in WI and now will see them in Chicago) and I am never am obnoxious to a home team fan. I cheer for the Twins and do so in a polite manner. But it seems like over the past 10-15 years it gets worse and worse when I go. And to think kids are hearing this stuff!

Oh, that photo of Neshek cracked me UP!

Adidasman, I admit, I was not a boo-er of AJ until he mocked the smell-em bit.

Anyone who knows anything about me will tell you that I am loyal beyond all rational reason (I still harbor very fond feelings for Doug Mientkiewicz, in spite of his big fat yap), but AJ is 100% dead to me now. Count me woleheartedly on the booing bandwagon.

When my sweetie wondered out loud why AJ's posterior plunking was never retaliated by a Sox pitcher yesterday, I said, "They don't like him either!"

Duh.

Oh the BitchSox fans aren't just obnoxious at home. I was walking across the street to the Dome last Sunday for the finale of the Sox series in Minnesota when 3 people in BitchSox jersey's emerged from a cab and the biggest bozo of the group immediately started up with "make way, World Champion coming through!" and kept it up the whole way to the ticket gate. Wonder if he was just as obnoxious after the loss that day. Ah well... some people are just born losers.

As for AJ, as I've said, I REALLY enjoyed him getting hit in the ass by Silva, even though I'm still one of the few whe like the guy overall. The quotes in the papers today about the whole deal sort of demonstrate why. Essentially he was saying, "yes I knew I was going to get hit eventually and I'm glad they took care of it the way they did, on the field." He certainly enjoyed coming back with the HR on his next AB, but then who wouldn't?

He'a abrasive and combative and he's always looking for an edge and a way to get in to your head to his advantage. I guess I just don't see what's wrong with that and I think every team can benefit from having someone like that around. That said, you can't let him get in to your head so much that it affects your team's chances to win and I think the Twins are relatively immune to him. He showed up a pitcher early in the series. He deserved to get hit in retaliation and he knew he did. Silva enforced matters (and I have no doubt that Anderson came out just to make sure he knew what was expected of him) and it was all settled without the nonsense of a brawl or any whining on anyone's part. That's baseball as I learned to play it.

JC, I also liked the comments from Konerko talking about how the Sox weren't going to retaliate. I think that speaks volumes about some White Sox players' feelings about AJ.

TwinsGoddess, I agree. I've always supported our former Twins -- including AJ -- but his actions this past weekend kind of put me over the edge. And, regarding Dougie, yes, he does have a big fat yap. However, I don't remember him ever saying (or doing) anything mean-spirited.

Sporto

Hey Shaun,

I feel your pain, Living out in the left coast I only get to be the visitor and never the home team and it's gotten so bad at Oakland that the wife won't go with me anymore.

I would say its Raiders fan but its everywhere. I know someone that has just moved to the Milwaukee area and he and his son went to see the Giants play the Brewers. It got so bad he had to just bring his kid home.

And for me that's what's wrong with AJ's act. If the players are going to rude and uncivil, how much more the fans?

Finally JC, I love fans who say "World Champs coming through here" b/c they spent 70.00 on a replica Bitch Sox jersey. Last I checked if you weren't on the team then you didn't win shit.

Boy that kind of stuff really pisses me off. Sorry :(

GO TWINS!

Wow. Are we still "dumbfounded" trying to figure out why we boo AJ?
From Strib:

Friday night he homered and flipped his bat high, in front of the Twins dugout. Saturday, when Jermaine Dye homered, Pierzynski jumped to the top step of the dugout and screamed obscenities at his former team.

Which brings us to Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field. With runners on second and third and one out in the third, A.J. came up against Twins pitcher Carlos Silva, who promptly drilled him in the hip.

Pierzynski took his base. In his next at-bat, he hit a two-run homer off Silva, carried the bat halfway down the first base line, then flipped it with the skill of a drum major.

Please stop sticking up for this jerk.

cal, I agree. Generally those are people who've never won so much as a 5th place pinewood derby ribbon in their lives so because they've jumped on the bandwagon of a professional (or college) team that's won something for the first time in 80 years, they're now a "champion" themselves. Kinda humorous in a pitiful sort of way, which is why all I could do is laugh at him.

ovie, I don't think it's "sticking up" for AJ so much as simply saying that what he does is nothing to get worked up over. I've played with and against guys like that at every level of ball since I was 13 (which, coincidentally, is also the age at which my father/coach taught me the importance of the intentional Hit-By-Pitch). Just ain't no big thang and it was handled appropriately, imo, on the field by all parties. It's over and there won't be anything more done about it the next time the teams meet unless a new event takes place then or in the mean time.

please stop sticking up for him?
HA!
silva had every right to plunk AJ and AJ had every right to flip the bat. its good, old-fashioned bantering between rivals and the only people it seems to be upsetting are the 40 year old bloggers who havent played baseball since 10th grade. if gardenhire doesnt care, and the twins dont care, and if the whitesox didnt hit someone, why the hell should anyone else care? AJ does what he does. Hell, do you really care if he yells at the Twins dugout? Your not on the Twins, so you really shouldnt. If they care, let them say it.

I really wanted to land a knockout punch on Sunday, to slip that gloved right hand in under their guard and find the glass chin. After big wins on Friday and Saturday, we had them on the ropes, their knees were buckling, their eyes were glazed over, and it looked like the Sox might be kissing the canvas after another sweep. But it was not to be. And how could it be, when it's the defending World Champions, when there's still a full month of the season to play, and another series with the Sox, and one more with Detroit, and a big showdown with the Bombers coming up? No, this story is much too good, much too entertaining, and it must go on as long as the calendar will carry it. There must be more dragons to slay, more overwhelming enemies to vanquish, and heroes - both expected and unlikely - to step up when all looks lost and save the day. There must be hand-wringing and nail-biting, soul-crushing anguish and glorious celebration. There simply must. And we'll be watching. Oh, will we ever be watching....

This AJ conversation seems to be in danger of becoming disrespectful, which is, of course, expressly forbidden. You may disagree, but please do so with a calm spirit and a generous heart.

Don't mind me... just typing a response to erik... then reading the boss-girl's comment... and erasing my typing and giving BG my best "50 years old (not 40) and played baseball til I was well past 40 (not 10th grade) smile. :)

JC

Adidiasman,
Very sorry you had to put up with nonsense on Sunday. Ish.

I'm really amused by ESPN (great acronym, DAM!) as well. They seem more thrilled by one White Sox win than 2 (spectacular) Twins wins. Last time I checked, winning one out of three to avoid being swept was not something to write home about. Fine. We're used to being dismissed by ESPN. We actually like it better that way. Since they don't really pay attention to us all season, every time they do say anything about us, half of it is obvious stuff we already know and the rest is incorrect.

I with everyone who, at one point, loved A.J. and now is wondering how they ever could have done so. I'm thinking it has something to do with the tone of the clubhouse. Gardy's clubhouse is fun and spirited, but it doesn't get out of hand. Ozzie Guillen? We all know about Ozzie Guillen. A personality like A.J. in his clubhouse? Well, it's no wonder the jackassery from A.J. has reached a crescendo. Just a theory.

I'll be at the Fair tomorrow, in my new shirt. Hell yes.

Wow! You usually only see these kinds of polarized feelings about politicians and talk show hosts, but I guess that's AJ for ya.

I heard Phillips last night still picking the BitchSox to win the wild card. As long as he's still picking against the Twins, I feel pretty good. The man has proven over and over he has no business anywhere near a ballpark, nevermind providing analysis, so if he's picking against you, your chances of success remain pretty good.

JC, you're right on the money. What was his reasoning--that the stacked White Sox lineup can make up for their pitching?

And am I the only one who's not only annoyed, but kind of embarressed about John Kruk? The complete and utter obviousness of everything he says makes me wince.

Not only their offense, Carmen, but I think he remains certain that their pitching will magically revert to last year's performance levels.

As for Kruk and others on Baseball Tonight, all I can say is that regardless of what inappropriate behavior caused Harold Reynolds' dismissal, his absence left a huge hole in that program. Was he great? No, but you don't realize how much he brought to the program until you're left with Kruk, Phillips and Brantley.

One would think that a network with ESPN's resources could find 2-3 guys with at least a little analysis talent. Maybe all the best analysts are working TV and radio gigs for the various MLB teams and this is the best ESPN can do.

Carmen, I'm pretty sure John Kruk is the John Madden of baseball. Obvious is putting it mildly. Now if only we had someone who was the Dennis Miller of baseball, then NOTHING would make sense!

On a totally unrelated and (I think) positive note... Jeff Reardon has been spared a jail sentence by being found not guilty, by reason of insanity, of charges related to an inexplicable jewelry store robbery last December. I'm hoping the guy, who provided a lot of excitement for me and other Twins fans, gets the help he needs to overcome his problems.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/08/28/bc.bbo.reardonarrested.ap/index.html (or just click my nick)

Being the only Sox fan in this thread, I feel the need to add my thoughts on AJ.

First, the "smell" incident didn't exist. Never happened. The video, to me, clearly shows that there was no gesture whatsoever, beyond wiping something off his nose. I'm sorry but I just don't see it.

But, on the other hand, AJ does indeed bring a certain level of jerkiness to the club. As someone said, there is something good about having THAT guy on your team in any case. His act does get a bit old at times though, and he cheeses it up more than he needs to.

On a final note, someone earlier said that they took Paulie's quote (no need to retaliate) as a reflection of the team's feelings about AJ. I strongly disagree. Frankly, I think the reason there was no retaliation is because the whole series was conducted just the way a great baseball series should be. A guy flipped a bat, a guy got hit in the rear, etc. All sounds like great baseball to me. No need to go Padilla and ruin all of it. Those guys in the clubhouse all like AJ just find, I'd bet. They just know how to play the game properly - much like your Twins do.

I would point out to those incensed by AJs actions that getting angry simply feeds into his behavior. Best response for what can only be described as adolescent behavior is either ignoring it or doing the baseball approved thing which is plunking him in a noninjurious fashion and moving on.

Personally I think he secretly likes the booing at the Dome also so I refrain from it.

The Twins website has made available the 'top play archives' from '04, '05, and '06. Kinda fun to see some of them again.

sld, I also enjoy watching past plays, like Barty's three-run homerun against the ChiSox.

While Ozzie is trying to model his team after the Twins, the team he truly loves, it is near impossible to take the Bitch out of the Bitch Sox. Its been a part of their identity for so long that is reflected in their announcers, fans, etc.
Now Twins fans, we are just like our team. Tough, tenacious, able to overcome tall obstacles in a single bound. We like our fish with teeth, our Ribeye's medium rare, and when we dislike someone we do it in a calm, respectful manner. We plunk 'em in the ass.

Mr. Crikket, that is exactly what I was thinking when I saw the story on Reardon. Now he can get to work in dealing with his personal issues.

I thought of something else I don't like about AJ: the way he runs. He bends his elbows and doesn't pump his arms. It's weird. He also has a weird neck/chin. I don't know what it is but it bothers me. Plus, he's a prick. So no points for AJ.

PJStP-

The Bitches went out the door when Ozzie and KW cleaned house before the 2005 season.

Hate AJ for his snide grin, hate Ozzie for his offensively foul mouth, hate the team for having all the talent, and hate the fans for being more angst-ridden than all the songs Nirvana ever played... but these Sox don't bitch. They snap at the media, they are often arrogant, they even seem to lack heart at times (my biggest problem with them). But complainers are scant.

Maybe you need to find a new nickname.

I couldn't agree more, Sox Matt. I love this website, but I can't agree with all of the hatred directed toward your Sox. I found them unbearable from the Black Jack McDowell era through '04, but lately I have grown, do I dare say it, fond of them. Other than AJ, they don't seem like that bad of guys. AJ's an ass, but so what? So am I. I can't forget the playoff HR he hit for us in Oakland. Konerko, Dye, Pods are easy to like. I even like Ozzie. They are good and they play hard. So what's not to like? But I still hope they tank the entire month of September.

I will be in Cleveland on Sept 17th for the Twins game. Anybody been there before? Any advice on the best reasonably priced seats?

I crack myself up. I just made a couple CDs for myself-mostly country, a little hip hop and a little mainstream pop. I called them 'Piranhtas' and 'Little Nicky Punto'. For no reason. I was just thinking about those things and I wrote them down. I'm pretty happy about it. A little music for the drive to school tomorrow, and a little smile and some luck for my Twinks.

Dear Mr. Matt,

The Sox will always be the Bitch Sox to me, but you're right, Ozzie has stopped the bitching and replaced it with actual playing.

Sincerely,
Batgirl

BG. I hope it's OK to recommend books on your space. I am reading 'The Brothers K' by David James Duncan and am enjoying it. Well written and lots of baseball in it. Even a quote by Frank Viola.

When Mr. Souless, you know the guy who "bitched" that the Texas Rangers were using some sort of super color coded lights to cheat and steal signs..

when this giant bitching player who would rather go home early than play in the 1st round of the playoffs..

when he is off the team, then and only then might I consider calling them anything other than the Bitch Sox.

Sorry but that's how I feel. That being said I always feel disappointed that the Sox fans who come here often seem to be nice guys n dolls. Too bad.

WIN TWINS

Mr Matt,
Personally, I don't hate Ozzie, I don't even hate AJ. My point is simply that an identity makeover takes time. 2004 is not yet ancient history.
What Ozzie has done is impressive. And he makes no bones about the fact that he has modeled much of his approach after Gardy and the Twins. While we Twins fans are all a-twitter over his praise of the our team, his intended audience I suspect is his own club. Just imagine if you can for a moment the Sox with a Twins attitude. I'm sure Ozzie can. Today AJ has had nothing but praise for his former teammates for the media. Frankly, perhaps we signed Redmund last week to make sure Ozzie didn't grab him because he'd be the key to one thing that can't quite be bought.

Holy cow, Reardon was on *12* different prescriptions?

I think A. J.'s just sad because nobody throws a contest about his facial hair or sings a song to make him not feel bad when he screws up, much less pull mythicial animals out of an orifice. ;)

Of course, it has to be said that the only thing A.J. truly needs to pull out of an orifice is his head - so I guess I'll say it.

I always like the "there are always guys like A.J." argument, as if that means we're supposed to just accept it and shrug it off. Just because he's not the only jerk in town doesn't mean we have to silently endure his stupidity.

"I will be in Cleveland on Sept 17th for the Twins game. Anybody been there before? Any advice on the best reasonably priced seats?"

Dear sld,

I live in eastern Ohio and go to the Jake pretty often. Without knowing exactly what you would consider "reasonably priced seats", I can say that it's a pretty nice ballpark, and any seats around the infield side of the rim will give you a really good view of the game. I've never sat in the outfield section.

As to pricing, the "View Box" seats just above the infield box seats, are a great place to watch the game, at $26 per. From a viewpoint standpoint, I prefer them to the infield lower box seats, which are $32. The upper box seat area is higher up, but I love the view you get of the whole field, provided you get a section somewhere behind home plate (section 554 or any of the adjoining ones - say, 552-556), are terrific for the price, at $18. (The View Box seats are in front of and below these areas, but numbered the same way in the 400s, so the sections 452-456 would have the same view, i.e., the arc behind home plate.)

There are more expensive seats, of course, down nearer the field, behind the dugouts and so forth, but I interpret "reasonably priced" as meaning "under $30".

If you're planning to stay in Cleveland and don't already have lodgings arranged, there is a Radisson about a block away from the ballpark that I would recommend. And if you're interested in parking areas, or pre- and post-game libation or amusement, let me know and I'll be happy to make some recommendations on that as well. (To keep from cluttering Batgirl's nice blogspot, you can feel free to email me by clicking my namelink.)

Regards,
KenK

Hey Batlings,

I love this site and the next month is shaping up to be one heck of a ride, but I really need to speak out on something. No team, not even the White Sox, have a monopoly on idiotic fan behavior. I had beer dumped on me last Friday by Twins fans in the box seats above me after Hunter's HR. I also had obsenities yelled at me by five *ahem* gentlemen on my way out of the park that night. Someone knocked the Sox hat off of my 60-year-old mother's head at a game at the dome last season. Sports contests, unfortunately, tend to draw the looking-for-a-fight element. Mostly, the Twins fans who were at Sox Park over the weekend were fine, but please don't think your Minnesota guys and gals all wear halos when in other parks and that all Sox fans carry pitchforks and and have cloven hooves in our gym shoes.

SoxMatt, this--> http://palehosesix.blogspot.com/ is the closest thing we have to BatGirl in Soxdom. While not quite in the same league as legovision, I have really quite enjoyed that strip.

Captain Hand (related to Mr. Hand of "Fast Times" fame?), you are absolutely, 100% correct. Morons come in every shape, size, and jersey style. Most of the Sox fans I encountered Sunday were civil and polite - I only mentioned the guys who were abusive because it was just the perfect way for me to be welcomed back to the Smell , not as some kind of gross characterization of all Sox fans. (I do think y'all are being a bit too sensitive, though; I'd guess that the majority of the vitriol aimed at you and your "good guys" on this blog are in jest. Mostly. Well, at least some. One or two of us don't utterly despise you. Maybe.)

I'm with JC on the AJ plunking -- it was hilarious! And I like AJ. It was so funny because A) it came immediately after the huge, long conference with half the roster on the mound and B) after getting hit AJ looked at the mound for a second as if he were going to get pissed, but then just seemed to think to himself, "Eh, I guess I deserved it," and trotted down to first.

Though I have to say, JC, that erik's post seemed to be pretty much in agreement with you on AJ. Anycase, I pretty much agree with what you have said and what erik said about AJ. It's not like he's T.O. or one of the actual, literal (pre-Ozzie) Bitch Sox. I think of him as simply a guy who likes to rile things up -- not as if he's completely full of himself or anything like that. He's just having a little fun and if it agitates the opponent then all the better (for his team). Maybe goes a tad overboard at times, but mostly it's entertaining, and I don't see any reason to be upset about it.

Still, I prefer Neshek's way of getting back at AJ to Silva's. I'd like it if athletes always tried to get back at their rivals by beating them rather than doing things that bend the rules and inflict pain (possibly even injury). Like in my other favorite sport (hockey) I wish guys would get back at the opponent with a punishing (legal) body check or (better yet) by putting the puck in the net rather than by starting a fight. The biggest problem with that kind of retaliation is it can start to escalate quickly.

OK, time to get off my soapbox now. I realize that, in the sporting world, this oppinion is in the minority, so I just deal with it and can laugh at it when it happens and doesn't get out of hand.

Oh ... and I like Ozzie. Hopefully he's learning to do more thinking before speaking, but other than that I have a lot of respect for him.

adidasman--Yah, perhaps a bit too sensitive. However, as a Sox fan one does become a leetle tired of people saying they are afraid for their lives when they come to Sox Park. I represent the grand majority of Sox fans, as has been proven through much research: college educated, white collar job, gobs of baseball knowledge, and no wish to jump onto the field and beat up KC coaches. ;)

Captain Hand is a reference to the comic strip Palehose Six. Ozzie is Captain Hand because he has a hand instead of a hook. Have a look if you have time: www.palehosesix.blogspot.com. You'll enjoy it.

Captain Hand, I took your advice and surfed on over to the Palehose Six and did, indeed, enjoy it. Loved the "Big Battle Freddy" strip, complete with A.J.'s receeding chin. And, somehow the frames of Ozzie/Captain Hand screaming are kinda reminiscent of Calvin, of "Calvin and Hobbes" fame, which was always my favorite strip. As we sail into September, I'll have to check in periodically on the Palehose Six's (hopefully fruitless) quest for the post seas.

-- sporto

adam, Im not going to prolong this discussion or thread any longer than need be by responding to everything you said. I will say, though, just as a point of clarification, that while I recognized that erik was in fact "agreeing" with much of what I said, it was his inference that people 40 years old and/or people with limited on-field experience had no opinions worthy of his consideration that I found extremely offensive.

And, with out of respect for BG and her desire to have everyone play nice here, that's all I'm gonna say about that.

JC