So Full Of It

I want to hate the White Sox, I really do.

After all, they're the Not Cubs. They're that other team in Chicago, the one I don't root, root, root for. They're the World Series champions, and my Cubs are not.

But damn it all to hell, I love Ozzie Guillen.

The man truly does not give one singular rat's ass what you think of him. And if he has an opinion, you will hear it. (Refreshing in this day and age, when everyone has to walk on broken glass to keep from offending anyone at all.)

My latest reason for loving Oz comes from a recent Sports Illustrated interview, where Guillen blasts Alex Rodriguez for being so damned wishy-washy about his participation in the World Baseball Classic. The greatest amount of ire comes when Alex aligns himself with the Dominican Republic.

"I hate hypocrites: He's full of shit. The Dominican team doesn't need his ass. It's the same with [Nomar] Garciaparra playing for Mexico. Garciaparra only knows Cancun because he went to visit."

Brava, Ozzie. Brava.

Don't let the doorknob hit ya on the way out!

"Sammy Sosa effectively called it quits Wednesday, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. Sosa didn't formally retire, but his agent said Sosa's career is clearly done -- 12 homers shy of 600."

While 588 homers is a great feat. 2,194 strikeouts in 8,401 at bats isn't. That's 26%. That is also number 2 all-time behind Reggie Jackson. Who also had a 26% strikeout ratio with a staggering 2,597 strikeouts in 9,864 at bats.

If Sammy Sosa makes it to the Hall of Fame it will be for the power numbers and not much else. I lost respect for him on two occasions. Once when testifying before Congress on the steroid issue, he acted as if he couldn't speak English and brought an interpretor. He may speak in broken English but he isn't that stupid. Nice act. The other occured when he was still in Chicago. It was the last game of the 2004 season and he had already packed his stuff and didn't dress out for the game. Now that is a class act.

He, like many power hitters, was very overrated. Give me a guy with a great average with runner's in scoring position that is a real team player. Even on the last day of the season.

Baseball Pimpadelic

Pitchers and catchers report tomorrow. TOMORROW! Glee.

You folks are, for the next moment, a highly-focused target audience. Lemme use that to my advantage.

What would you want to hear from a podcast focused on your favorite team and sport?

Interviews with your team's general manager?
Manager?
Players?
Media?
Fans?
Historians?

Would you want analysis of upcoming games? A breakdown of your division?

Would you want to be able to submit questions in advance?

Yes, I have a specific reason for this, and you can pretty much suss out what it is. So, lemme know what you want. I know what I would want to hear (see: all of the above), but prioritizing it is hard for me. Your input is invaluable.

Tomorrow!