superdad

If you were tired of seeing the new York Yankees sweeping the Mets most likely you were watching the most entertaining inter-league series of the past weekend.  The White Sox and Cubs played a great series in which two of the three games were decided by less than one run.

On Friday Jose Contreras pitched well but gave up a big three run homerun to Geovani Soto in the 6th inning to put the Cubs ahead 5 to 2.  It was a lead that did shrink to 5 to 4 when the White Sox got two runs back in the 8th however they left the bases loaded with less than two outs when pinch hitter AJ Pierzynski grounded into a double play that ended the threat of any larger inning.  In the ninth the SOX did put men in scoring position but Scott Podsednik struck out and the Cubs claimed a narrow victory.

On Saturday Mark Buehrle battled all day as did Ryan Dempster but neither where a factor for a win as both teams traded the lead back and forth.  The Sox started the scoring leading 2 to 0 but the Cubs came right back and eventually took the lead at 3 to 2.  The Sox would tie the game with a home run from Scott Podsednik who was on fire going 4 for 4 for the day.  Scott was a triple away from the cycle but the real hero was newcomer and rookie Gordon Beckham.  As the game moved on both teams continued to score and bounce each other out of the lead and you just started to believe that this game would be decided in the 9th inning.  Beckham tied the game in the 7th inning but the Cubs had one more answer as the Cubs went ahead again in the 8th.  Alexi Ramirez tied the game with a two out single in the bottom of the 8th and in the 9th with the score tied, two men out and with two outs Beckham delivered a game winning double that gave the Southsiders a walk off 8 t0 7 celebration that resembled a playoff atmosphere.

On Sunday after a well fought game the day before the Cubs came out sputtering and John Danks had another excellent throwing performance against the Cubs out dueling Carlos Zambrano.  Danks only allowed 4 hits all day to the Cubs as for Zambrano he gave the Sox an early lead with a two run homerun by Alexi Ramirez.  The Sox would add four more runs later and the Cubs never responded as the Sox took the rubber game 6 to 0 giving the Sox a five hundred record for the first time since the opening of the season.

For now we wait as there is still one game left in this cross town rivalry. For now White Sox fans can lift there heads high as they lead the season series by one game as a make up game for a rained out first game at Wrigley Field will be scheduled in September.   Lastly as a proud participant on Saturday’s game that was another classic game in this cross town classic that at the very least was one of the most memorable moments of 2009 so far.  Even if that game was the last Cubs and Sox games I ever saw live I’m good for a long time now.

In response to a story yesterday and continuing today that Chris Chelios announcing today that he will not be back for the Detroit Red Wings.  Tuning 47 Chelios had been a minor part of the Detroit Red Wings success this year as he only played a half dozen playoff games and in comparison the relatively same ratio of games during the season.  Chelios was the fill in guy this year and had a very small role but one has to wonder while his peers Brian Leetch, Brett Hull, Luc Robitalle and Steve Yzerman are getting elected into the NHL Hall of Fame he is still wanting to play. Chelios did announce his participation in the US men’s hockey team for the winter Olympics this year at age 47, however much can he really give a NHL team next year?

My response to this is why not the Chicago Blackhawks go get Chelios for old times sake.  What a reunion it would be as even thou Chelios has been a Red Wing since his departure from Chicago why not bring him back for one more time as the Blackhawks will be a threat in the Western Conference next year.  Chicago has always been Chelios’s second home away from home unless he feels like he wants to get back to his Montreal roots.  Chicago makes senses as long as the team and general manager feel that at age 47 Chelios is not just taking up someone else ice time.  I thinks a majority of Hawk fans would strongly approve that deal but the reality is that Chelios may be just prolonging a retirement that is destined to happen.

Today who know’s he may want to retire after Detroit has ended a lengthy career that included two Stanley Cups.  One Cup in Detroit and one Cup way early on as a youngster in Montreal.  The one Cup missing from Chelios’s resume is the Chicago one and with the youth of talent surrounding the Hawks why not throw the old guy in there one more time to see if Chelios can collect his third Stanly Cup with the one team that truly admired him the most.

Chelios, a three time Norris Trophy winner as the best defensiveman in the NHL, should be able to go anywhere, but age 47 how many teams are willing to give him a shot? Today he is quoted saying “He would like a stop in the Eastern Conference because of the travel concerns of the Western Conference as he still wants to reside in Detroit.”  However reading between the lines you know Chicago may open a hand for a return to the one team that did not give him a title.

Sure there may not be a lot of ice time for Chelios as the Chicago Blackhawks have a strong foundation for defense but he would add that experience that maybe the Hawks could have used in the series against Detroit in the Western Conference Finals this year.  It just seems wrong that Detroit is just letting this guy go so quietly when he may go down as one of the best defensemen ever in the NHL. If Detroit offers Chelios nothing for his service especially a coaching or upper management role then I do believe it is the responsibility of another team giving this guy the right ending to a unbelievable career.  “It just seems wrong to me is all I have to say!”

“quotes taken from his announcement re posted on espn.com and yahoo sports”

Did you really expect anything different form this year’s teams?  On Wednesday the Sox and John Danks pitched a gem and the Cubs had no answer.  While on Thursday Carlos Zambrano was good but beatable and despite the Sox winning 5 to 1 in the 8th inning the bullpen for the Sox blows the lead and the Cubs win in the ninth as once again the total series between these teams is tied again at 34.  Yes that is correct 34 times the Sox won and 34 times the Cubs won in the Crosstown Classic.

For now we wait until next weekend where the series will move to the southside.  For the White Sox they will go to Cincinnati for this weekend come back and face the LA Dodgers at home and end up with the Cubs. While the Cubs will entertain the the Cleveland Indians where an old friend from last year Mark Dersosa makes his return.  Then the Cubs make up a rain cancelled game in Atlanta and then it is three against Detroit in Mo’town.  I really enjoy the Cubs will get tested from two other teams from the AL central it gives us Sox fans satisfaction that there are some good teams in the AL central and the Cubs are about to witness a rude awakening.

The White Sox are an enigma this year much like they were last year.  Last year the team was in first but still struggled to be a consistent team.  Now this year it is much of the same but now we are trailing the division.  It shows us once again that the AL central is a better division than a year ago and the Sox will have a harder time repeating as division champs if they continue to play this kind of ball.  If the Sox have any shot in the second half they will have to be more consistent.  In the last ten games the Sox are 5 and 5, not good enough ,if you want to be catching your division foes.

As for the Chicago Cubs well I will give them a fighters chance but still believe their NL central division is as well better than a year before.  Cincinnati is better St Louis is much better and the Milwaukee Brewers the main threat to the Cubs a year ago are just as good and really one pitcher away from being the top contender in the division.  The Cubs still may have the edge in overall pitching over the rest of the division but offensively they need to be better if the Cubs want to repeat as NL central champs.

Overall next weekend may very well be this cities best chance for a crosstown world series.  Last year was the year and both teams fell out early in the playoffs and it is very difficult to repeat that same feet two years in a row.  I want to be optimistic just like all the others out there who are hopeful for the renewal of this ancient rivalry in the biggest stage but as of right now and the way these two team play currently next weekend is big and once again bragging rights are on the line for the real baseball king of Chicago.

Alright it’s time to reflect on what has happened the last week in Sports plus, a little bit of preview of what’s coming soon.

First off Phil Jackson is the man and the coach with the most championship rings and is possibly the best of all time coach.  Sure he had Michael for six, Shaq for three plus Kobe for four of them but Phil still deserves credit for harnessing two of the greatest offensive forces ever in the NBA. Michael and Kobe are only as good as long as the rest of the cast is good enough to keep up.  Phil is the best and until someone else comes and wins 10 titles he can stay there in “Zen” all he wants.

Okay first we had record breaking deals in baseball with Alex Rodriguex and Manny Ramirez now we got fubol’s ex Manchester United 2008 World Player of the Year Christiano Ronaldo taking the bank as Real Madrid pays over a 130 million for the transfer rights to Mr Ronaldo.  I guess Real Madrid is the real deal after all as Ronaldo sails off to the Spanish Premiera League and the now the English Premier league will have to find the next big thing.  It’s okay Liverpool still has “el nino” as in Fernando Torres.

Lord Stanley’s Cup returns to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania for the first time since 1992.  Chicago fans might not want to re remember that series as the Blackhawks fell to the champs that year and this year the Hawks almost re created the re match in the Finals.  However in a bit of a twist the Hawks most hated rival the Red Wings had to repeat beating the Pens as they did last year but failed as “Sid the Kid” and the Pens despite going down 2 games early in the series came back to win in Detroit in 7.  As one of my childhood’s most beloved teams it was nice, despite living in Chicago and a big Hawks fan, seeing the Penguins take one away from the Red Wings.

In baseball inter-league play has already begun and been around the league already for a couple weeks despite the biggest series of them all the SOX and CUBS just starting today.  Both teams have been less than a year ago at this time as both were in first at the time.  Now both teams are treading water and looking for this series as maybe the spark plug that launches either team.  The Sox have been just beating themselves lately as the Cubs have just been beat up for most of the year.  It could get pretty ugly before it gets better but as we all know in Chicago standings and record mean nothing as long as you beat the crosstown rival then all is good until they meet again.

One more note about baseball this year.  How about the Red Sox taking eight in a row over the Yankees.  The Yankees have been playing better but despite all that the Red Sox still own this team and it just seems that ever since that blown sereis against the Sox in the playoffs years ago has changed the tide for this rivalry.  Even though the Rays were the team of last year watch out as the Red Sox are looking dangerous once again in 2009 despite David Ortiz looking less like “Big Pappi” and more like “oh pappi”

Back to the NBA.  Shaq to possible team up with LeBron James.  Even though this might not be a long term deal that gets LeBron drueling to stay in Cleveland as he will be a free agent after next season you still got to like the possible dream match up next year in the Finals.  The Lakers despite possible losing Phil Jackson as the retired rumors still are alive and well will still be the best of the West and with Shaq that could be the missing piece that LeBron needs for a title in Cleveland.  It reminds me of when in Rocky III Rocky and Apollo team up to take out MR T.  Kobe is Mr T as well you know the rest.

The US OPEN golf tournament is upon us again as we all remember that gritty performance that Tiger pulled off to win last year.  A year later and a new knee and Tiger coming off a recent victory at the Memorial, Tiger once again is the targeted favorite.  However as with all US Opens someone from no where likes to take stage and this year should be no different as the field will and always gives Tiger a run for his money.

For those tennis admirers Roger Federer takes the French Open as his rival Rafael Nadal is unable to meet Roger in the Final.  Unitl Wimbledon we shall see if these two meet again as this tennis rivalry has re ignited Tennis enthusiasts around the world.  Hopefully in England the security will be a lot better than in France as Roger Federer had a bit of a scare as a looney fan jumped out on the court during the French Open.  Wimbledon is usually more accustomed to these types of court offenders but after the French you probably have better luck trying that again maybe somewhere else.

Oh and even thou no one watched the US lose to Italy in the Confederation Cup yesterday did you really think they had a chance against the Italians.  The US men’s soccer team has had no luck beating any good European team within the last ten years.  Well twenty actually I mean I have had enough.  That is why I have my two toddlers playing soccer first instead of any other sport because I’m tired of losing in soccer.  My boys are going to be the next big thing in soccer and in twenty years the US will be a threat against anyone who faces them.

Lastly rumors are starting to fly that Plaxico Burress will be allowed to play in the NFL next year after his shooting trial has been pushed after the next NFL season.  Legally Plaxico can play and the Bears are a team possibly looking at the wide receiver as a big target for newly acquired Jay Cutler.  Someone pinch me if the Bears sign both a quarterback and a top notch receiver in the same off season because I am dreaming.  I have never seen this in Chicago as the Bears might actually have an offense next year if they can find a way to steal a very good player.  Despite all of the baggage he may bring I guarantee Burress will win someone a game next year, so why not the Bears!

“Hey superdad fans I will add some pics to this post, send me some and I will add them too it.  Or I am sure some advertiser will probably have a link on here to some blogg pics but send them anyway.” I’ll take UTUBE, anything pertaining to these topics”  

A few bad decisions lately by notable sports stars are the latest, as this blog now reaches it’s 100th post.  First off, Le Bron James no handshake to the Magic after dropping game six and the Dream Match up of LeBron and Kobe has now stopped.   “The only way these guys are matching up is on your latest version of NBA Live on your video  game counsel.”

How about Rookie of the Year and Bulls future Derrick Rose under some ugly allegations while at Memphis?  No wonder why Calipari got out and went for Kentucky but now is his legacy at Memphis tarnished a little more now considering this occurred under his watch?  “I guess coaches are no longer about academics and more about winning at any cost.”  “Rose I know you spent only a year in college but even you one and done players still have to do the right thing in college because that will carry with you for the rest of your life, not just your NBA career.”

Did anyone actually believe the Detroit Red Wings would lose to the Chicago Blackhawks?  I mean I fell for it as well, but Detroit showed us again and now in the Finals this team is showing the world once again that this team is a well oiled machine that just gets better with age.  Just like a classic muscle car that might not look luxurious and flashy today, but can out run anything you put up against it.  Don’t worry  next year the Blackhawks will overcome but for now the Red Wings are the kings of the ice.

After watching the UEFA Champions League Final where Barcelona defeated heavily favored Manchester United 2 to nil, super star and last year’s world player of the year Christiano Ronaldo showed some poor class.  The man was lucky not to get a red card in this match as he had some really bad tackles on Barcelona players.  “At least he saved himself a little, not becoming the latest Zinadine Zadane who head butted his way out of a World Cup Final against Italy a few years back.”

Roger Clemens.  “Well! I let you decide on that one?”

While on the topic of baseball I’ve never commented on Manny Ramirez’’s 50 game suspension for a failed banned substance.  I guess it really doesn’t matter as he is still is the fourth highest getter in votes for National League outfielder for the All Star game this year. If you really want Bud Selig to feel great, just punch “yes” for Manny and show MLB baseball again that you may have stiffer penalties but steroids and performance enhancing drugs still is an issue.  Maybe a salary cap would help in baseball as we are giving millions of dollars to these players just to hear later they failed a drug test.  Sure sports agents are the vessel driving these crazy salaries but baseball is still allowing money + drugs = bigger checks for BUD.  Oh wait! The New York Yankees seat prices just went up again and hot dogs are now the price of four new tires at Goodyear!

Don’t even get me started on sports agents, that is a whole other blog post for later, but one NFL player taking a stand is Anquan Bolden from the Arizona Cardinals who fired big time agent Drew Rosenhouse.  Scott Borris must be giving away free Ashton Martins for the next 1oo athletes that sign with him.

These were just a few examples of athletes not using their head, but hey they have millions and we do not so I guess that is what makes these guys tick as long as that check keeps clearing that is all that matters.  Lastly I am not a hater of athletes because there are far greater better examples that are positive and inspiring that still keep us wanting more.  In contrast when you are handed the keys to a Ferrari with no worries about cost then you may think like these guys as well.  Money seems to save you in the present but will that carry with you after all is said and done.  Everyone loves money but remember from one average Joe to another we can’t take it with us when we cash our last check.

Thank you to all of the visitors of superdad, you have kept me going and maybe the 200th post will be about the Chicago Blackhawks winning the Stanly Cup or maybe just maybe the Cubs will win the World Series! Wait when that happens I might be supergrandpa! HA HA