When I visited ESPNChicago.com tonight I saw an interview with Milton Bradley and as a Sox fan I am finding this whole situation amusing. Here's the interview:
While I enjoy a good ripping of the Cubs, I for one don't enjoy someone criticizing the city of Chicago or the people of Chicago. Bradley is quickly becoming a baby who can't handle a little bit of pressure. He says no African American player can play in Chicago unless they're Superman. Really Milton? Do you perhaps remember a man by the name of Jermaine Dye? A man who White Sox fans love to this day even when he started struggling down the stretch last season, if I remember correctly, he is African American.
You also say that people don't like it when someone doesn't perform "miracles" when they're paid a lot of money. Now you were brought into the Cubs organization to hit for power similar to what you did in Texas the year before, you didn't accomplish that, and in fact you hardly came close to any of your numbers the previous season. The Cub fans weren't asking for you to perform miracles, just to hit for a little bit of power. You also say people don't want to see a guy who is cocky get paid a lot of money, really? Michael Jordan is one of the cockiest athletes to ever play a sport and the man is worshiped in Chicago and he was paid a ton of money (he reportedly laid down $25 million cash to purchase the Bobcats).
Bradley says he received a lot of hate mail while with the Cubs similar to Jacque Jones and LaTroy Hawkins (it hurts to see these names doesn't it Cub fans?). What he also mentions is that he received hate mail in Oakland and LA also. So when does this become an issue about you and not the fans for the teams you play for?
If you think you were a prisoner in your own home, well that's your own fault. You're a professional athlete, scrutiny is sure to follow you wherever you go. You need to be the bigger man and own up to your lack of productivity. Jay Cutler struggled in his first season in Chicago and he owned up to his mistakes and took the blame when it was necessary for him to blame.
I understand that wherever you go as an African American you're likely to face some sort of racism, but to paint the entire city of Chicago as racist is just ignorant on your part, enjoy Seattle where it rains all the time and good luck dealing with more fans who are expecting a power hitter and won't get it.
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Top Ten Athletes from the 2000s in Chicago Sports
It's not hard to argue that Chicago is full of the most die hard sports fans in America. Wherever you go, you can count on some sort of conversation about the latest news a Chicago sports team is making. The stress and expectations can drive some athletes out of the city (Milton Bradley), but it can also lead to other sport figures to be celebrated long after they retire (Coach Ditka (Why are we so blessed?)). With the first decade of the 2000s coming to a close in a mere 10 days, I thought it was time to take a look at the next crop of athletes who might be as celebrated as Da Coach is when they retire.
10. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews: When I told Tom that I was thinking about making this list and decided that Kane and Toews have tied for the 10th spot, he said I had to choose one of them. The thing is that as long as Kane and Toews are playing in Chicago together, they will be mentioned together for the rest of their careers. They have both been dynamic players and have played an equally major role in bringing the sport of hockey back into the forefront of Chicago. Kane is a superstar in the making while Toews is developing into a true leader and everything you want in a Captain of your hockey team to be. They are only at #10 because of their short amount of time playing in Chicago.
9. Devin Hester: Remember the days when Hester would be waiting for a kick or a punt and everyone would stop what they were doing? Well that threat and ability that Hester once showed is the reason he is at #9. With 11 returns for TDs, he is only two away from tying the all-time record, and maybe, just maybe, he can reach that record if a certain coach puts him back where he belongs, returning kicks.
8. Sammy Sosa: Sosa finished playing in Chicago in 2004, so he was only in Chicago for a portion of the past decade but he was a huge force while in the Cubs lineup. Besides being an absolute monster with the bat, he provided many interesting moments from his corked bat, to injuring himself while sneezing. Sosa played a major role on the Cubs team that almost reached the World Series in 2003.
7. Frank Thomas: The Big Hurt saw a decline in his numbers as his time on the South Side ran up. But that doesn't discount what he did in 2000 when he hit 43 home runs and drove in 143 runs while finishing second in MVP voting, (he should be given the award after Jason Giambi admitted to steroid use, but that is another rant for another day). He played a major role in the 2000 division title for the Sox, and contributed slightly in 2005 with a surge of power during the Summer before being shut down due to injury.
6. Jermaine Dye: World Series MVP for a Chicago baseball team, that alone should warrant a spot in the top ten. However, Dye was also mightily productive throughout his entire time with the White Sox. He averaged 33 home runs and 92 RBI in his five seasons and was a leader on the field and off. He left all he had on the field day in and day out, and always wanted to be out there whether or not he was hurt.
5. Paul Konerko: He has simply been a staple in the White Sox lineup this entire decade. Besides being named the captain of the team, he is in the top five of many of the all-time offensive categories for the White Sox. Konerko's defense is extremely underrated and is a player that could have his jersey retired with the other White Sox greats.
4. Carlos Zambrano: When he's not arguing with umpires or bashing gatorade dispensers, Zambrano has been quite productive with the Cubs. He has a no-hitter to his credit, as well as 10 home runs for a pitcher. His antics shy away from his productivity, and while he's never won more than 14 games in a season, the talent is obviously there and will continue to be there for the Cubs.
3. Aramis Ramirez: He could be a major reason that Jim Hendry still has a job with the Cubs. The acquisition of Ramirez from the Pirates has been nothing short of huge for the Cubs. Ramirez has seemingly gotten better as his time here has grown, and he's become a major force that opposing pitchers have to account for when they take the mound against the North Siders.
2. Brian Urlacher: Urlacher has caught some criticism recently for perhaps being a little overrated. That being said, he has been a remarkable linebacker for the Bears for his entire tenure. The play of the defense really decreases when Urlacher is not on the field. Pro Bowls, Defensive Player of the Years aren't accolades that overrated players get repeatedly. Urlacher has been a great player while in Chicago, he just needs to stay healthy and he will continue to contribute.
1. Mark Buehrle: It really is hard to argue against Buehrle being in this spot. He has the individual accolades, (No-hitter, Perfect Game, Gold Glove) and he also has the greatest accolade one can get from being on a team, (a World Championship). Buehrle has been the ultimate team player in more than just what is seen on the field, and when the time comes for him to retire, I can guarantee one thing, he will not be paying for drinks as long as he is in Chicago.
10. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews: When I told Tom that I was thinking about making this list and decided that Kane and Toews have tied for the 10th spot, he said I had to choose one of them. The thing is that as long as Kane and Toews are playing in Chicago together, they will be mentioned together for the rest of their careers. They have both been dynamic players and have played an equally major role in bringing the sport of hockey back into the forefront of Chicago. Kane is a superstar in the making while Toews is developing into a true leader and everything you want in a Captain of your hockey team to be. They are only at #10 because of their short amount of time playing in Chicago.
9. Devin Hester: Remember the days when Hester would be waiting for a kick or a punt and everyone would stop what they were doing? Well that threat and ability that Hester once showed is the reason he is at #9. With 11 returns for TDs, he is only two away from tying the all-time record, and maybe, just maybe, he can reach that record if a certain coach puts him back where he belongs, returning kicks.
8. Sammy Sosa: Sosa finished playing in Chicago in 2004, so he was only in Chicago for a portion of the past decade but he was a huge force while in the Cubs lineup. Besides being an absolute monster with the bat, he provided many interesting moments from his corked bat, to injuring himself while sneezing. Sosa played a major role on the Cubs team that almost reached the World Series in 2003.
7. Frank Thomas: The Big Hurt saw a decline in his numbers as his time on the South Side ran up. But that doesn't discount what he did in 2000 when he hit 43 home runs and drove in 143 runs while finishing second in MVP voting, (he should be given the award after Jason Giambi admitted to steroid use, but that is another rant for another day). He played a major role in the 2000 division title for the Sox, and contributed slightly in 2005 with a surge of power during the Summer before being shut down due to injury.
6. Jermaine Dye: World Series MVP for a Chicago baseball team, that alone should warrant a spot in the top ten. However, Dye was also mightily productive throughout his entire time with the White Sox. He averaged 33 home runs and 92 RBI in his five seasons and was a leader on the field and off. He left all he had on the field day in and day out, and always wanted to be out there whether or not he was hurt.
5. Paul Konerko: He has simply been a staple in the White Sox lineup this entire decade. Besides being named the captain of the team, he is in the top five of many of the all-time offensive categories for the White Sox. Konerko's defense is extremely underrated and is a player that could have his jersey retired with the other White Sox greats.
4. Carlos Zambrano: When he's not arguing with umpires or bashing gatorade dispensers, Zambrano has been quite productive with the Cubs. He has a no-hitter to his credit, as well as 10 home runs for a pitcher. His antics shy away from his productivity, and while he's never won more than 14 games in a season, the talent is obviously there and will continue to be there for the Cubs.
3. Aramis Ramirez: He could be a major reason that Jim Hendry still has a job with the Cubs. The acquisition of Ramirez from the Pirates has been nothing short of huge for the Cubs. Ramirez has seemingly gotten better as his time here has grown, and he's become a major force that opposing pitchers have to account for when they take the mound against the North Siders.
2. Brian Urlacher: Urlacher has caught some criticism recently for perhaps being a little overrated. That being said, he has been a remarkable linebacker for the Bears for his entire tenure. The play of the defense really decreases when Urlacher is not on the field. Pro Bowls, Defensive Player of the Years aren't accolades that overrated players get repeatedly. Urlacher has been a great player while in Chicago, he just needs to stay healthy and he will continue to contribute.
1. Mark Buehrle: It really is hard to argue against Buehrle being in this spot. He has the individual accolades, (No-hitter, Perfect Game, Gold Glove) and he also has the greatest accolade one can get from being on a team, (a World Championship). Buehrle has been the ultimate team player in more than just what is seen on the field, and when the time comes for him to retire, I can guarantee one thing, he will not be paying for drinks as long as he is in Chicago.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
It's great to be a Chicagoan!
What an excellent time to be a Chicago sports fan! We've just received our very own ESPN website, we have two teams in the playoffs of their sport, and three teams off to solid starts in their respective seasons. Then there's the Bears, but let's not talk about them right now.
Today was an especially good day, with 5 teams in action going a combined 4-0-1:
Bulls 105, Celtics 103: The Baby Bulls performed like Veteran Bulls in a thrilling overtime win against the KG-less Celtics in Game 1 of the First Round of the NBA playoffs. The Bulls gained valuable home court advantage. Derrick Rose scored 36 points (with 11 assists) in his playoff debut, while Joakim Noah garnered 17 rebounds.
Blackhawks 3, Flames 2: The Blackhawks erased a 2-0 deficit after the first period with three goals in the second, two from Jonathan Toews, to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Toews' goals sandwiched a Patrick Sharp goal and fittingly, Da Coach dropped the ceremonial first puck.
Cubs 7, Cardinals 5: Aramis Ramirez hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th to give the Cubs a thrilling extra innings win. The victory pulled the Cubs into a first place tie with the Cardinals in the NL Central. The Bears were represented by newly acquired Jay Cutler, who threw out the first pitch and sang (poorly) the seventh inning stretch. I'd like to take this time to say I really miss Kyle Orton.
White Sox 8, Rays 3: Mark Buehrle went six and two-thirds innings, giving up 8 hits and 3 runs with 5 strikeouts in a solid outing for the Sox. Konerko chipped in with a solid 3-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI effort while Scott Kazmir struggled in a 4 inning outing for the Rays. The Sox are now tied with the Tigers for second in the AL Central, one game back of the upstart Royals.
Fire 2, Wizards 2: The Fire took a 2-0 lead to the 78th minute after two early Brian McBride goals, but Josh Wolff scored two goals in the last 12 minutes to give the Wizards a 2-2 tie at Toyota Park. Still, the Fire have not been beaten all year, with a 2-0-3 record, good for first place in the Eastern Conference, a point ahead of the New England Revolution.
Today was an especially good day, with 5 teams in action going a combined 4-0-1:
Bulls 105, Celtics 103: The Baby Bulls performed like Veteran Bulls in a thrilling overtime win against the KG-less Celtics in Game 1 of the First Round of the NBA playoffs. The Bulls gained valuable home court advantage. Derrick Rose scored 36 points (with 11 assists) in his playoff debut, while Joakim Noah garnered 17 rebounds.
Blackhawks 3, Flames 2: The Blackhawks erased a 2-0 deficit after the first period with three goals in the second, two from Jonathan Toews, to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Toews' goals sandwiched a Patrick Sharp goal and fittingly, Da Coach dropped the ceremonial first puck.
Cubs 7, Cardinals 5: Aramis Ramirez hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th to give the Cubs a thrilling extra innings win. The victory pulled the Cubs into a first place tie with the Cardinals in the NL Central. The Bears were represented by newly acquired Jay Cutler, who threw out the first pitch and sang (poorly) the seventh inning stretch. I'd like to take this time to say I really miss Kyle Orton.
White Sox 8, Rays 3: Mark Buehrle went six and two-thirds innings, giving up 8 hits and 3 runs with 5 strikeouts in a solid outing for the Sox. Konerko chipped in with a solid 3-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI effort while Scott Kazmir struggled in a 4 inning outing for the Rays. The Sox are now tied with the Tigers for second in the AL Central, one game back of the upstart Royals.
Fire 2, Wizards 2: The Fire took a 2-0 lead to the 78th minute after two early Brian McBride goals, but Josh Wolff scored two goals in the last 12 minutes to give the Wizards a 2-2 tie at Toyota Park. Still, the Fire have not been beaten all year, with a 2-0-3 record, good for first place in the Eastern Conference, a point ahead of the New England Revolution.
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