October 12, 2005
Sports Talk With Idiots
Sometimes, I hate talking to idiots. Sure, they can be good for a few laughs at times, but they can also get under your skin. A perfect example of these latter idiots are sports fans who only pay attention to one team, and no one else. And, because they know their team so well, they know all about the sport, and what's going on. I'm one who enjoys speaking with a true fan of the game... I admit that I don't know alot, but I can learn from folks who know. Not "Homers."
Monday evening at Fritz's: I'm watching the Yankees lose to the Angels, and make the comment that I would rather see the White Sox play against the Bombers than Angels. An idiot Yankee fan looks at me and tells me that the Sox would have no chance against the Yankees. "Why not? They split the season with them. Proves that they can at least hang with them." So I'm re-informed that the Sox would have no chance. Oh, I understand now.
I point out that the American League West, whom the Angels play for, has dominated the Sox this year. The only one we beat up on was Seattle, 6-3. I did have to look up some stats, because I thought the Athletics had only lost one game to Chicago. I was wrong... it was two. Oakland, which I feared, bested the Sox 7-2. Texas also beat up on them... 6-3. Angels were a little closer... 6-4 until last night's meeting. No, not all of these stats were quoted, but I knew we suck against the AL West. AL West: 22 games to Chicago's 15.
I then pointed out that we played pretty well against the AL East, of whom the Yankees are a member. I got the "argument" that there was no way... the Sox were good, but they weren't that good. I tell him that I'm not totally sure, but I think only Boston had a winning record against us. After checking, I was right. Boston led the season series 4-3 before Chicago's sweep last week. The Yankees had split, as I mentioned earlier, 3-3. Overall, Chicago beat AL East teams 20 times out of thirty three games.
After the Angels won, bright guy assured me that the Sox now have a good chance to go to the World Series. Why? Because if the Yankees had won, the Sox wouldn't have had a chance. Hmmm... a broken fricking record. "They should take care of the Angels easily... they aren't that good."
"They just beat your team!!!"
"They got lucky."
I was hoping for the Yankees to make it... it would have been a great series, and I could have talked crap with Ogre. Who, I might add, pays attention to more than just his team. I know he's pulling for the Sox now, as they have a minor league team in Charlotte, NC, and he occasionally goes to some of the games.
How's this series started out? Well, the Angels lead, winning the first game 3-2. Paul Byrd pitched well against the Sox, while Jose Contreras, after giving up three runs, pitched an exceptional game. Unfortunately, the Sox offense couldn't bail him out.
Tonight's matchup is Jarrod Washburn for the Angels, and Mark Buerhle for the Sox. GO SOX!!!
Posted by That 1 Guy at October 12, 2005 02:30 PMI had the most disturbing revelation a few weeks ago. My mom and I were girl-talking baseball a few weeks ago and I told her I was feeling a little guilty for going for the Sox in the playoffs; I'd been more partial to the Cubs because Grandma and I used to listen to the games on the radio. Ma looked at me kind of funny, and I said, "Really! I remember Dizzy Dean was the announcer.." and Ma lost it laughing. She told me Dizzy Dean announced for the Cardinals and that Grandma had always been a Cards fan.
Loved my grandma to pieces, but that is so WRONG!
Posted by: Marty at October 12, 2005 03:11 PM"They got lucky."
To steal from Dread Pirate Roberts:
"Truly, you have a dizzying intellect."
Actually, I was thinking that if the Yankees did beat the Angels that they'd be in real trouble against the Sox.
The way the White Sox dominated in the first round and the idea that the Angels were coming in with no sleep, I thought would give the Sox a real advantage. After the Angels won the first one, it looks like we're in for another long series!
Posted by: Ogre at October 13, 2005 06:56 AMI don't follow baseball, but I've had very similar conversations regarding football.
Posted by: Contagion at October 13, 2005 07:33 AMIt will be a Sox vs St Louis world series.
I wish the Yankees would have played the Sox because it would have made for a more interesting series, but the Sox would have won.
Statistically the Sox is the better team out of all the American league teams.
Posted by: Machelle at October 13, 2005 08:45 AMLove reading this stuff... then I understand my husband better when he talks sports. He loves to do fantasy baseball, football and hockey. How he keeps track of all those players just baffles me.
Posted by: vw bug at October 13, 2005 03:18 PM
