Random Shots: Roger Bossard Could Kick Jim Cantote's Butt.
Random shots while wondering whatever happened to Ken Frailing:
- Roger Bossard is so good at monitoring weather that the White Sox called off their game two hours before it was to start, resulting in a split doubleheader today (gotta get that gate.) This is going to screw mightily with the Sox pitching rotation. It's always a comfort with twenty games left and another team breathing down your neck for the division title to start a rookie or a weary armed veteran on short rest.
- Sox manager Ozzie Guillen says he's thinking Carlos Quentin is done for the year. While that may not be true, Ozzie assumes the worst because he lives in reality. Truth be told, even if Q can come back for the playoffs, his timing and strength in his wrist would probably prohibit him from playing like an MVP and hitting more like Jerry Owens.
- Don Gutteridge, a man, who as White Sox manager in 1969 and 1970 made Terry Bevington look like Joe Torre, has passed away at 96. Given the opportunity after Al Lopez became ill early in the 1969 season, Gutteridge piloted the White Sox to a 60-85 record in 1969 and a 49-87 mark in 1970. Gutteridge mercifully was dismissed and replaced with Chuck Tanner with sixteen games left in the 1970 season (the Sox lost 106 games that year) It would have been really easy for a nine year-old kid living in the Cub heavy northwest suburbs of Chicago to jump ship, but I didn't. I can tell you though, Luis Alverado and Bee Bee Richard were as painful as it gets.
- In early returns, Matt Forte sounds like a guy who appreciates where he is and will work hard to stay there. Similar to some other guy named Walter. Don't get me wrong, I don't know or can I predict Forte will come anywhere near Payton's greatness, but he's off to a good start and he's probably the most impressive drafted running back the Bears have had since Neil Anderson.
- Looks like the Angels found someone to take their post White Sox aggression out on.
- Two teams that should make the playoffs are sputtering toward the finish line. The Tampa Rays will make the playoffs either as division champion or the wild card, but lately, it looks like it might be as the wild card (which is bad news for the White Sox if they make it.) Meanwhile, the Cubs have given the Brewers a chance to get back in the hunt and the Brewers continue to shoot themselves in the foot. To compound things even more, the Brew Crew's lead in the wild card standings is 3 games over the Phillies. The Brewers and Phillies play four games in Philly beginning Thursday. A Brewers collapse for the second straight year will definitely send manager Ned Yost to the unemployment line. Besides, given the free agents the Brewers will be giving up after this year (C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets) and the acrimony surrounding contract negotiations with Prince Fielder, this may the Milwaukee's last chance to make the playoffs for a while. They haven't been their since 1982 and their fans are hungry for them to get there.
- After one game, Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson looks like a genius. Aaron Rodgers was in a no win situation: His first start at Lambeau against a tough divisional opponent. If that wasn't enough pressure, the kid had, through no fault of his own, usurped a legend. Rodgers was cool, calm, collected and coldly efficient. As much as I despise the Packers, I'm pulling for this kid.
- Basketball legend Don Haskins has passed away at 78. Haskins should be remembered most for having the guts to field an all African-American starting team at a southern school at a time where that wasn't done. Then, he and his team took out Kentucky and one of the most intolerant coaches of all time, Adolph Rupp to win the championship. The victory sent a message to a lot of schools and opened the door for diversity in college athletics at a time when it was sorely needed.
- If NASCAR is committed to this "Chase for the Cup" stupidity, why don't they send the other thirty drivers home and just let the guys who are in the chase compete. How do you legitimately compete for a championship in a playoff format if you have to worry about running into Michael Waltrip, Johnny Sauter or some other stiff who has no business being out on the track during a playoff?
- The New England Patriots may be decidedly weaker without Tom Brady, but don't discount Bill Belichick. Great coaches have the ability to rise to occasion when backed into a corner. Even without hidden cameras.
- Ty Willingham can cry victim all he wants, but it still doesn't excuse the fact Washington couldn't convert the PAT. If they had, this whole conversation would be a moot point.
- Today's list: The Best College Mascots
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