While the over privileged, self-entitled, insider trading, Bartman loathing, Old Style swilling yuppies spill out form Ray's Bleachers and the Cubby Bear this morning, there is a smaller, more subdued celebration going on among fans of a team that has won a championship not only in our lifetimes, but in this decade.

That's right, White Sox fans, the Sox win against Detroit coupled with Cleveland's victory over the Royals have assured the Sox fourth place in the AL Central.   The streak of not finishing in last place remains in tact at 18.  Party, whoo!

I know nobody gives a damn, but it means a lot to me.  No one likes to cheer for a last place team.  You do, but you don;t like it.  And, at least since the Sox have won eight of their last twelve, maybe we're seeing a small glimpse of what we can expect next season.  Or, maybe the bottom will drop out again.  But for now, the Sox are number four and the Royals are who we thought they were.

Lightning Round

• I was out driving around last night and picked up some of the Cubs post clinch victory celebration.  Utility wonder boy Mark DeRosa sounds exactly like Jack Nicholson.
• If you think the Milwaukee Brewers gagged, how 'bout them Mets.  The thought of New York not going to the playoffs after leading almost wire to wire must bring a huge smile to the face of Cubs broadcaster Ron Santo.  The Phillies story is a great one if they pull it off.  In April and May, everyone wanted Charlie Manual fired.  But thanks to the patience and beleif of his boss Pat Gillick, Charlie stuck around and the Phillies made a come back.  Good for Charlie, good for Pat and good for all of those with patience who stick with someone when things start out a little slow.
  
• Lance Briggs and Tommie Harris will be game time decisions for the Bearswhich probably means you might see Briggs but don't hold your breath for Harris.
• USF is becoming not only giant killers but America's football darlings.  Last night, #5 West Vrginia fell to the Bulls.  It would be something if you saw USF in a BCS game, wouldn't it?
  
• The Genius will take some time off and talk to his family about coming back to the Cardinals next year.  If not there, where?  There's always his fledgling career as a wine taster.
  
• Cecil Cooper has been named the manager of the Houston Astroseven before they hire a GM.  You'd think they would let him decide that, not Bud Selig.
• In today's lawsuit that will never see the light of day, a Jets fan sues the Patriots for perpetrating fraud. In a related story, Peter King says Jets Coach Eric Mangini is not going to get a whole lot of Christmas cards from other coaches because he broke the What happens in football, stays in football code.
• Banks are starting to treat Michael Vick like they treat me.
• Jimmie Johnson grabs the pole in Kansaswhile Denny Hamlin tries to calm downafter last week's dust up with Kyle Petty.
• The NHL season is upon useven though the opening game is in England. 
  
• Mike Gundy tells an Oklahoma City radio station his side of the story because he's 40 and he's a man.
• All of the major sport leagues control websites and merchandising.  Why should the NHL be any different?  MSG disagrees.
• Dennis Franchione traded secrets for operating capital for his personal website.  It's another reason Texas A&M will be looking for a new coach after this year. 
  
• Today's fellatio of the elderly hillbilly courtesy of Michael David Smith.
• The Stanley Cup Champion Ducks make the right choice for captain.
  
• Hal Steinbrenner will replace his father as head of the Yankees.  His assistant will be named Dave.
• Jack Bauer can outrun the terrorists but not the cops.
• Hillary Clinton, the official candidate of Meathead.
• In Fond Du Loc, Wisconsin, someone is stealing toilet paper.  Mr. Whipple and the cartoon bear who wipes himself in the woods sought as suspects.  The police say, the thief is really on a roll.
  
• Bambi finally gets even!
• Finally, today's list.   In a recent story on the website the realists, guess who finished ah second among the ah  the ah ten worst coaches in ah football?  Deadspin also concurs our findings.  For years, I've dogged him and people have often wondered why.  Now America has finally ended the love affair with Davewood Bumstedt.