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Friday, October 21, 2005
‘Sub Rosa Series’ could be compelling
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
CHICAGO — Remember the Subway Series? This is the Sub Rosa Series.
For those without a Funk and Wagnall’s handy, “sub rosa” is a Latin phrase that means “in secret,” a definition that surely fits this Fall Classic. The White Sox are the No. 2 team by some distance in what used to be known as the Second City. The Houston Astros are the baseball pride of a state famous for its football.
Some World Series pairings — Dodgers-Yankees, for example, or even Red Sox-Cardinals — occupy whole shelves of baseball lore. The 2005 installment is the ultimate blank slate. The Astros haven’t been here before. The White Sox haven’t been since 1959, haven’t won since 1917. The Red Sox and Cubs became nationwide darlings because of their long histories of futility and curses and whatnot, but the White Sox can’t even lay claim to being cuddly. The White Sox, also known as the Pale Hose, are essentially beige.
Said the cab driver carrying a visiting correspondent to U.S. Cellular Field, the impersonal home of the South Side Sox: “I’m a Cubs’ fan… . Being here just isn’t like being on the North Side.”
The White Sox feel the same way about the Cubs that the school on Atlanta’s North Avenue feels about Georgia’s state university. The White Sox believe the Cubs are the favorites not just of the populace but also of the local press. (The Cubs and the Chicago Tribune, as it happens, are owned by the same conglomerate.) As Paul Konerko, the best everyday player among the White Sox, told the assembled media Friday: “I always look at it as a positive because we get to play in a big-time sports city, but there’s a lot of stuff those Cubs’ players have to deal with that we don’t… . We kind of fly under the radar.”
Statistical evidence: The Cubs won 20 fewer games than the White Sox this season but averaged roughly 10,000 more paying customers a game. Konerko again: “As long as Wrigley [Field] is up and running, it’s going to be a Cubs’ town. They’re going to draw the sell-out crowds whether they’re in last place or whatever.”
When Paul Konerko is the biggest name on the favored team, you have the makings of a faceless World Series. The biggest name here is Roger Clemens, who’ll start Game 1 against Jose Contreras Saturday, but Clemens has pitched in so many of these that he’s beginning to seem not just old but old hat. Indeed, the guy who figures to be the breakout star of this Series won’t swing a bat or throw a pitch. Ozzie Guillen, who served as a utility Brave in 1997 and 1998, manages the White Sox and is beloved by the media both in this country and in his native Venezuela. His briefings this postseason have been rather more entertaining than a Harriet Miers Q&A.
This from Friday’s session: “I’m different between being on the field and being in the house. On the field you see me talking to everybody. When I get home I don’t want to say anything — I’m just tired.”
Then, asked if he’ll make good on his preseason promise to retire as manager and run for mayor if the White Sox win the Series: “The main thing to me is winning here, and [then] I will make up my mind. But I don’t know if I can handle my family for the rest of my life without baseball. I’m already tired seeing them, and we had three days off [after the ALCS]. It’s not fun.”
Against the odds, this Series could wind up being tons of fun. Yes, it will draw terrible TV ratings — no Yankees, no Red Sox, no viewers — but the baseball figures to be compelling. Both teams can really pitch. Ozzie Guillen can really talk. Both teams play the game the right way. This might be the Sub Rosa Series, but it shouldn’t be substandard in any way.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Mark Bradley
Weekend Predictions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
We here at Weekend Predictions Inc., NFL Sunday and Lingerie Division, understand how your spirits might be down ever since learning recently that Atlanta failed again to win a Super Bowl bid.
But take comfort, because we still hold strong influence in the league in at least one area: Strippers!
Yes, it’s true. The investigation into the Minnesota Vikings’ Lust Boat cruise has revealed that strippers were flown in from three cities, including Atlanta, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
It’s not known how this information will be taken by NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who seems to prefer all extra-curricular activities somehow be channeled through businesses in warm-weather climates, specifically Miami and Tampa. But it would explain Friday’s announcement by the Atlanta Sports Council that all future Super Bowl bids will be handled by the newly formed committee of Trixi, Bambi, Candi, Cyndi, Serenity, Passion and Joy. (I didn’t phone Gary Stokan of the Sports Council to confirm this, but they don’t make anything public anyway. So I’m going with it.)
None of this necessarily leads me to the Falcons game, but as we like to say, transitions are for wimps.
On Monday night, in the national spotlight, with nary a buck-naked cruise director in sight, the Falcons play host to the New York Jets. The Falcons can run — they just can’t stop it.
Sometimes they can pass, but they can’t stop that either.
But somehow, they win. Against the Jets, they’ll do it again. But 7? Don’t think so. Falcons win but sail with the Jets and the points.
4 BAGS
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati: The Bengals think they’re pretty good and the pecking order in the AFC Central is about to change. They’re half right. Carson Palmer and Ben Roethlisberger may be a push but there’s one thing the Steelers can do that the Bengals can’t: stop the run. Make that 10 straight on the road for the ‘burgh. Take Steelers and the point.
3 BAGS
San Diego at Philadelphia: Actual factual: The Eagles’ pass-to-run ratio is nearly 4-to-1, which explains running back Brian Westbrook venting this week. And if you’re into conspiracy theories: Westbrook is looking for a long-term deal but doesn’t have any stats to bring to the table, which must mean … nah. Take the Chargers and four — and in a straight upset.
Denver at N.Y. Giants: The Broncos have won five straight. They won 13 straight in 1998, then lost in Jersey. If they can’t beat Danny Kannell, how will they beat Eli Manning? Giants cover 2.
2 BAGS
Green Bay at Minnesota: Vikes ex-owner Red McCombs on criticism from current owner Zygi Wilf: “I don’t know what Mr. Wilf has been smoking. I know that I turned over to him one of the better sports organizations in the country.” Which country? Bolivia? Packers cover 2.
Tennessee at Arizona: Denny Green won’t divulge Arizona’s starting QB. So: Kurt Warner is 0-3 with zero TDs in those starts. Josh McCown is 1-1 with four TDs and 689 yards in those starts. OK, Denny. Don’t tell us. Cards cover 3 1/2.
Dallas at Seattle: Peerless Price steps in for the injured Patrick Crayton, assuming he can get someone to take his shift at Sonic. Seahawks cover a field goal.
Buffalo at Oakland: Is it just me or was Randy Moss a lot better when he was running over meter maids? Now he’s injured. Imagine if the Raiders do better without him. Oakland covers 3.
6-0 at 0-5: Indy is allowing 9.5 points per game. The Texans allow that on weekdays. So now that I’ve swung you to one side, try this: Colts win but take Houston and 16.
LET’S PLANT PANSIES
Money Grubbers Bowl: If New Orleans owner Tom Benson needs advice on how to hijack a team from a city, he can ask Rams owner Georgia Frontiere today. She’ll be on the speaker phone. From her yacht. Rams cover 3.
Baltimore at Chicago: It’s Ray Lewis vs. Brian Urlacher. Sort of. This game has viewing issues. Ravens win, 4-3. (Take the point.)
Detroit at Cleveland: The Lions have lost seven straight road games and now they have to decide between Joey Harrington and Jeff Garcia. Arsenic, take six. Browns win, but take Lions and 3.
San Francisco at Washington: The Phoney Niners traded quarterback Tim Rattay, thereby throwing Alex Smith to the T-Rexes. Is comic relief a draft-order tiebreaker? Skins win but take Niners and 12 1/2.
GET YOUR SCORECARDS
Sign up now and receive a copy of Michael Jordan’s new book of rationalizations, including this whopper: “I don’t have a gambling problem. I’m just really competitive.” (Just so you know, most drug addicts actually hate drugs. They just really like the buzz.)
Straight up: 12-2 last week, 47-26 overall.
Against the line: 10-4 last week, 39-33-1 overall.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Jeff Schultz
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