MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[John Gleich]

How about this?  It may simply be semantics, but...

The pitching staff of the 2005 Chicago White Sox gave one of the best performances in World Series and playoff history.

That now says nothing about the particular men (and says nothing of their careers, outside of their performance in the games during three weeks in October, 2005).  It says nothing of the longevity of their careers or their ability to deliver their team to the post season year after year).

But it does note that these guys pitched really freaking well in their last 17 games (winning 16 of them).

I, for one, am a Chicago fan.  I tend to root for the Cubs more than the Sox, but I love and support all the teams from the city.  Also, I was really pulling for the Sox in this post season because my grandfather, who would have turned 100 on October 18th, died on October 17th, 6 1/2 hours short of his birthday.  He grew up in Bridgeport, at 31st and Union, in the shadow of old Comiskey (and it will always be Comisky) and was a diehard Sox fan his entire life.  He watched part of the game on the 15th, the night the Sox clinched, and I'd like to think he knew they were going to the World Series.  Personally, I think he just wanted better seats, but...

He actually remembered the 1917 series.  I've heard people say they remembered 1959, but to remember 1917... wow.


The thing that I loved about this Sox team was the way they played like a team.  It was true team ball, players giving themselves up for the team with sacrifices, and a recurring theme throughout the playoffs was how much these guys enjoyed each other and enjoyed playing with each other. 

It's funny, because the same things that lead to winning baseball lead to winning basketball as well.  Teams who play smart, give themselves up, play good, smart defense, listen to their coaches...  It makes for great team chemistry and it leads to a team that really buys in and believes, rather than simply playing for their own motives.

GS made a comment about the White Sox not being tremendous from a statistical point of view... but they were the best road team in baseball.  They lead the majors in sacrifices.  They lead the majors in wins in one run games.  They believed in their teammates and trusted that the other guys could get it done, and they did.  You didn't see guys swinging for the fences with no outs and a guy on second down one run, you saw him bunting the runner over.  It was great, it was a guard passing up a good shot to get a great one 10 seconds later in the shot clock.  I loved it.

And I can't wait until this season finally gets under way!

[True Basketball Fan]

Augiedad person,

I meant to say NPU will win as many games as the Chicago White Sox will LOSE in the playoffs.

Hey, they surprised not only me, but many others across the country.  They definitely deserved it.

Back to hoops,  who's has the toughest schedule of the Top 25 teams that were just posted earlier?

[Gregory Sager]

I, for one, am a Chicago fan.  I tend to root for the Cubs more than the Sox, but I love and support all the teams from the city.

Dennis and Rob and Mark and Mr. B and I and all of the other NPU posters on CCIW Chat will hold you to that, PS, and we will expect you to be wearing blue and gold every day that North Park has a game this winter.

Sorry to hear about your grandfather, but I suppose that the White Sox WS win was a nice bit of poetic justice for him.

I can't believe I am actually typing these words, but right now my focus is on soccer more than baseball or basketball. North Park's 3-0 win Thursday afternoon at previously unbeaten Elmhurst gives the Vikings the CCIW regular season championship and the right to host the conference tournament.

What a strange turn my life has taken that I should actually care this much about soccer. You can teach an old dog new tricks, I guess.

[Ralph Turner]

Point special, did your Granddad throw "papes" covering the 1917 Series?

Kind of a "Field of Dreams" moment!

The last phone call I made to my father was during the 1990 World Series... It lasted about 35 secs long as we admired the way a second baseman (his position at McMurry) turned a double play.

"Yeah, that was beautiful!"

"Runner couldn't take him out either!"

"Luv ya Dad!  Good night!"

One general piece of advice to all readers...

Always make sure that the last words your father hears from you is that you love him!

Then you are covered!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Not to rain on the parade for all you Sox fans, but this was like the most gawd-awfully boring World Series of my lifetime.  I think you need to get all your due for winning and everything, but to even try and mention that there was some "greatest" attached to this is a bit over the top.

The four complete games was monumental, but honestly, the Astros got lost somewhere between St. Louis and Chicago.  As good as that White Sox team has played (I won't say 'is' for another three seasons at least, if they prove themselves), they were basically handed the title by Houston.

You can say that the lack of hitting was because of good pitching, but if you watched the games, you know it wasn't.  In game three, the Astros has extacly one hit between the 4th and 14th innings, but they got walked 10 times.  They lost the game because they sucked, not because the Sox stopped them.

And who doesn't bunt with they tying (or winning) run on third and only one out?  Garner decided against it in two consecutive games!!  I'msuprised Nolan Ryan didn't come out of the stands and put him in a headlock until he gave in.

That being said, the White Sox won the World Series and their is no reason to deride them for anything.  I'd just ask that we hold off on he 'greatest' comments because, well you haven't won a world series in almost 90 years--don't get greedy.

[Knightstalker]

I have to admit that the Sox post-season performance was just as impressive as the Yankees 96, 98, 99 and 2000 teams.  They just dominated their opponents when they had to.  Ozzie Guillen actually reminds me of Billy Martin in his managing style, he goes with his gut, sometimes against established moves that almost everyone uses.  The pitching staff had a great performance, I never figured why the Yankees let El Duque go, he just comes up big when asked to.  I am still reserving judgement on Contreras, he had a great season.  He just had no consistency while in NY, I want to see another strong season before I am convinced he is better than what I saw.

Good job by the Sox, are the Cubs next year or are they waitng for their 100th anniversary?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

You're asking why Steinbrenner made what appears to be an obviously wrong move?  It's not like he hasn't done that about 50 times since 2000.

[Jim Matson]

I'm watching the White Sox rally (yes, I can enjoy it even as a Twins fan) and am thinking that Bob has a strong chance of celebrating 2 championships this year!

Greg, North Park soccer is here to stay and I'm glad you are on board.  They are a strong team that should make the playoffs this year if they just win a few more in the CCIW Tourney.  But I'll admit that in the 4.5 years that we've been posting here, I have never seen but 1 positive comment from regarding my favorite sport!  I'm pleased with the change!

[petemcb]

While we're on a soccer roll, if that's what this is, what does anyone know about the CCIW men's soccer tournament?  After their victory over Elmhurst, I assume  that North Park will be hosting it, but has anyone seen a schedule?  As of this morning, the CCIW website did not have specifics.  I've got a high school sophomore who's determined to play soccer at either Wheaton or North Park.  He's been out to a few Wheaton games, but hasn't been to North Park yet.  This seems like the perfect time.  Congratulations to Vikings fans everywhere, and specifically to Greg for his newly expanded sports horizon.  How do you like the view, Greg?

[tjcummingsfan]

petemcb,

the Covenat Church website (http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item4967.html) has the details as they are now.  Who NP will play is still pending, but #2 Elmhurst will be playing #3 Wheaton.  NP will be playing the winner of the Carthage/Augie.  When was the last time Wheaton wasn't the #1 seed, thats pretty amazing that they dropped to #3 thanks to a second loss to IWU.  As I was telling my boss today I will be a big Elmhurst soccer fan for right now.  As much as it would mean to beat Wheaton for the second year in a row at the Conference tournament, I like NP's chances against Elmhurst alot more, considering they ripped Elmhurst 3-0, and Wheaton they just squeaked by 1-0.  I would kill to be able to see these games, but I can just hope NP puts themselves in the same position next year when I'm on campus again. 

[Gotberg]

North Park is scheduled to play either Carthage or Augustana at 7pm, Wednesday Nov 2nd - at North Park.

[Gregory Sager]

Greg, North Park soccer is here to stay and I'm glad you are on board.  They are a strong team that should make the playoffs this year if they just win a few more in the CCIW Tourney.  But I'll admit that in the 4.5 years that we've been posting here, I have never seen but 1 positive comment from regarding my favorite sport!  I'm pleased with the change!

Jim, I thought we'd see an "I'm pleased" note from Joe Hakes as well ... but I worry every time that I post something about enjoying a soccer game that it might make him keel over from a heart attack.

Of course, if Dennis was to say something about enjoying watching a soccer game, Joe would be hooked up to a heart monitor in the ICU at Mass General within an hour of reading it. 

Congratulations to Vikings fans everywhere, and specifically to Greg for his newly expanded sports horizon.  How do you like the view, Greg?

I'm not used to this altitude, Pete. I'm feeling a little woozy from a lack of oxygen.

[joehakes]

I am still alive and kickin'.  It really is good to see the success that North Park has had in soccer.  When we started the program we were sort of a band of gypsies playing all over the place and practicing in a public park with all kinds of people walking through practice or trying to set up a family picnic on the field.  When we beat Augustana that first year, the program became instantly credible to veteran NP'ers, even Dennis.

We didn't have a stadium in those days to run stairs, so I had my teams just run up Dennis' chins.  We were one of the best conditioned teams around.

Looking forward to a good NCAA DIII soccer tourney, and I will be at the DIII Final Four for both men and women.  Followed by another great CCIW basketball season.

I will also chime in on the White Sox.  Having lived through the reversal of the curse in the Hub of the Universe last year, it is laughable how uninterested the Boston fans became once the Red Sox and Yankees were eliminated.  There are more stories about how low the TV ratings are than the games themselves.  I am a diehard Cub fan, but the White Sox really had put together a great team and deserve every bit of congratulations for winning the World Series.

[Mr. Ypsi]

My, my, who'd a thunk it?!

A soccer conversation, and I wasn't the instigator!

Greg, welcome to 'the beautiful game', what 90% of the world calls 'football'!

And congrats to NP!  But, Hiker, you still haven't filled me in on IWU beating Wheaton!  C'mon people - what is the situation on CCIW soccer, and how is it situated nationally?!  (Or where would I go to find this out myself?)

[Gregory Sager]

"The beautiful game"? Let's not get carried away, Chuck. We aren't Brazilians, after all.

NPU is going to host Carthage in one soccer semifinal, and Elmhurst will host Wheaton in the other. Carthage beat IW today and Augie lost to Millikin, so the Redmen get the fourth slot.

I'm disappointed that I won't be able to catch the semi between Carthage and NPU on Wednesday, as I have a meeting that night. But the turnout at Hedstrand Field should be great; i expect that a sizeable chunk of the NPU resident student population will be there.