SB Nation User Blog: Midwest Sports Fans

Online Petition to Show Jake Peavy the Windy City Love

Midwest Sports Fans — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:03:22 -0000

Hey all...like every other die-hard White Sox fan, I was quite enthralled with the breaking news this morning that the Sox and Padres were nearing a deal that would send Jake Peavy to Chicago. I was even more enthralled when I heard that a deal have been agreed upon in principle. But I was a little less enthralled after reading that Peavy would have to waive his no-trade clause and might be unwilling to do so.

As some schmuck with a website, there isn't much I can do but I figured I'd whatever I could. So, I create an online petition where Sox fans everywhere can sign up and show Jake Peavy some Windy City love. Who knows if it could have any effect (perhaps not) but it can't hurt for him to know that the fan base he could go to will be welcoming him with open arms. Here is the link to the petition. Go there and sign up, then come right back here to SSS:

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/peavywhitesox/

I'll do my part to help promote, but obviously the more signatures the better, and the more likely it is that Jake Peavy might actually glance at it.

(Note: Not trying to promote my own cause here Cheat, only the White Sox's. And staring at a 20-1 final from today, it looks like we need Jake Peavy more than ever to defend our Central crown.)

Why Are Plaxico Burress and Marvin Harrison Treated Differently?

Midwest Sports Fans — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:06:33 -0000

We just posted a new item over at Midwest Sports Fans talking about the Plaxico Burress case and comparing it to the shooting investigation involving Marvin Harrison from earlier this year. And the basic question is why has there been such a drastic treatment of the two men?

Obviously there are many differences in the case:

--Marvin has not been charged criminally

--Marvin does not have the history of being a bad teammate like Plaxico

etc.

But there are also differences that seem a lot worse in the Harrison case, like the fact that the alleged act hurt someone other than himself.

I am wondering if anyone has heard anything recently on the Harrison case. I have not, nor could I find anything online since October when the civil suit was announced. It seems strange that everything has gone so quiet, when the last update was that the criminal investigation was still open -- and the evidence certainly looked pretty damning for Marvin, even in the best case scenario (which is that he didn't pull the trigger but someone else used his gun).

I think it is only fair as so many people throw stones at Plaxico to remember that he is not the only wide receiver getting into trouble with guns. It does seem, however, that the differences in their reputations and locker room demeanor are creating the difference in how these cases are viewed. And maybe more will come out about the Harrison case later, and it will become a big issue again. But I do find the relative treatment of the two cases to be interesting.

I'd love to get your feedback, from a Colts perspective. And I would certainly love an update if I have simply been out of the loop or missed a new development.

In Ken I Trust: A Vote in Favor of the Swisher Trade

Midwest Sports Fans — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:11:57 -0000

This does not appear to be the prevailing opinion this morning here at South Side Sox, but after reading some of the stories across the web, and reviewing Ken Williams' track record, I am in favor of the Nick Swisher trade to the Yankees.

We posted about it over at Midwest Sports Fans, which you are free to view if you wish:

Analysis: Nick Swisher Traded to New York Yankees - Good Move Ken

Look, I had high hopes for Swish when we got him. And we had to give up a really good pitcher in Gio Gonzalez to do so. But sometimes certain players and personalities are not good fits under certain leadership styles and in certain clubhouses.

Reading a lot of the stories about Swisher becoming a malcontent during the end of the season, and not being receptive to coaching despite his horrific struggles at the plate, it appears that the relationship between the White Sox and Nick Swisher was somewhat doomed.

One thing I've always liked about Ken Williams is that he will not stubbornly hold onto a player in hopes of proving that he was right in making a move. If Ken Williams was leading with his ego, he would try to make the Swisher deal work. As it is, the experiment was, overall, a failure for 2008 -- and in the mind of Ken Williams, who knows the clubhouse better than any of us do, the best thing was to move Swish and get something of value in return.

Betemit is not going to knock anyone's socks off, but he does provide a valuable SS-3B utility player with a little bit of pop as we transition to Alexei at short and who knows who playing 3B. Having a solid backup is good though. And that is what Swisher was by season's end -- just a backup utility guy. We have enough power-hitting OFs who can't cover ground. Why not trade him if we can fill a position of need in the process

And Jeff Marquez does have potential, though he struggled in his first stint in AAA last year. For his minor league career, he has numbers that project him to be a decent 3rd or 4th starter. With Buehrle-Floyd-Danks seeming to be our 1-2-3 for the foreseeable future, we need arms to fill the back end of the rotation. Marquez was a former first round pick who, reportedly, has a mature approach and should start to come into his own as he gets to the 25-27 age range when a lot of pitchers start to hit their stride.

At the end of the day, Ken Williams is the best GM the White Sox have had since I can remember. He hit the mark with TCQ and Alexei, but the Swish and Cabrera experiments failed. Instead of stubbornly moving forward with those two, he seems to be cutting his losses and adding value where he can.

A true assessment can't be made until we see what Marquez becomes, but Ken Williams has earned my faith so I vote in favor of the Swisher trade.

Poll

Do you agree with the Swisher trade?

Yes

50 votes

No

70 votes

120 votes | Poll has closed

Stomach Punch Loss

Midwest Sports Fans — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:00:38 -0000

Is it Bill Simmons that defined the "stomach punch loss" in his Levels of Losing?

I don't even know what to say. For a while, our D was keeping us in games and we couldn't score. Now, we can score and our D can't hold anyone. And yet, we've still had late leads. And not small leads. Double digit leads! And no wins to show for it.

I don't even know what to say.

The only positive was that Brady Quinn looked good. We are not going to be a vertical passing team with Quinn, and I can see Braylon eventually getting frustrated, but he will keep the chains moving. That is his strength. And he just looks confident. I honestly thought he was going to lead a TD drive at the end of the game. With some better play calling (2nd and 1!!! Just get the first down!!!) that drive stays alive and the 4th down drop doesn't happen (at least, not until later).

Ugh, I can't write anymore. I seriously feel sick to my stomach.

Poll

Brady Quinn's performance...

...means nothing. We lost.

2 votes

...is at least a positive that can be taken from this game.

8 votes

...overshadows the loss because know we have a QB.

1 votes

...are you serious? It was one game, against a bad defense. Who the hell knows.

13 votes

...was blurry by the 4th quarter because I was already hammered, in anticipation of the blown lead.

1 votes

25 votes | Poll has closed

Finally - True Support for the White Sox with Obama

Midwest Sports Fans — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:32:50 -0000

With yesterday's election result, the Chicago White Sox officially become the First Team of America. Eat it Cubbies!

Seriously, congratulations to Barack Obama on his win. Regardless of your politics, I don't know how you can't be excited about the hope and optimism that Barack Obama brings.

Speaking strictly as a White Sox fan, it is also nice to know that the White Sox will officially have some top-level support in this country. For too long, baseball in American has been defined by its blind and unnecessary devotion to the Chicago Cubs. A fascination bred out of pity more than anything else.

Obviously not a whole lot will change. Barack Obama can't dictate that WGN show all Sox games so fans across the country can always seen them (unless maybe he can! Do it Barack!), and just because Barack wears a White Sox hat does not mean that millions of Americans will suddenly wake up and realize they are foolishly cheering for the wrong Chicago team.

However, Barack Obama does have some interesting ideas for how we can go about making the country a more rational one from a sports and baseball perspective. They are detailed in this exclusive interview, given just after last night's acceptance speech:

Interview with Barack Obama - White Sox Fan and Cubs Hater

Note: Of course it's fake, but hopefully you all can take some joy in it. Either way, I'm pumped for a lot of reasons, and the fact that Barack is a White Sox die-hard certainly doesn't hurt.

Forget Rex - The Defense is the key

Midwest Sports Fans — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:25:21 -0000

Everyone is focusing on Orton's injury and how Rex will play, but the defense will determine the Bears' success.

The truth of the matter this season is that the defense has fallen short in the Bears' losses. Obviously our offense is functioning better with Orton in the game, but Rex should play better with a solid running game behind him. Remember, we had Thomas Jones running well during the Super Bowl year and Rex played decent (sometimes) during that season.

He'll be good, he'll be bad -- but the defense needs to be good consistently. The Bears' D is giving up way to many passing yards and is predicated solely on coming up with turnovers. A lot of good offenses are on the horizon, and Lovie must get the D playing more consistently if the Bears are to stay atop the NFC North.

Lovie Smith, Bears D will be the key for the rest of 2008

Poll

What is more important to the Bears' success over the next month?

Rex's play

6 votes

The Defense

18 votes

24 votes | Poll has closed

Trent Dilfer Rips Browns Decision to Start Brady Quinn

Midwest Sports Fans — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:46:35 -0000

On the radio today, former Browns QB Trent Dilfer ripped the organization's decision to start Brady Quinn.

As far as Dilfer is concerned, the organization caved into the demands of the fans in benching starting QB Derek Anderson in favor of the fan favorite and Ohio native Quinn.

Dilfer cited the poor WR play as a primary culprit in Anderson's struggles and doesn't necessarily think that Quinn will do a whole lot better. He also thinks that Phil Savage and the Browns brass have made a habit of giving into whatever the fans want.

It does look a little strange that Romeo said earlier today that DA would be the starter and then work gets out that Brady will start. I'm pretty sure that "word" was not supposed to be leaked because it makes the Browns look a little foolish.

Here's the link if you want to read more:

Trent Dilfer Rips Browns Management for Quinn Decision

Poll

Trent Dilfer is...

Right

9 votes

Wrong

7 votes

a douche bag...so who cares what he says?

58 votes

74 votes | Poll has closed

Is there hope after such a crushing loss?

Midwest Sports Fans — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:43:08 -0000

There is no question that today's loss was the worst of the five the Browns have suffered this year. Just like in the first Ravens loss, I feel like I got run over by a truck.

I just don't understand how in the hell we went from 27-13 up to losing 37-27. I just sat there in disbelief watching the events unfold. You simply cannot give the Ravens D any momentum, because they just feast on it. And when you have a chance to make plays (BRAYLON!!!) you have to make them.

The frustrating thing is, 27 points should be enough to beat the Ravens. The offense did not play well by any means, and the coaches did a terrible job of making adjustments, but thanks to Joshua Cribbs we were able to get 27 points on the board.

The defense really failed us today. We made Joe Flacco-Ray Rice-Derrick Mason look like Troy-Emmit-Irvin today. And that should not happen. BMac and Eric Wright have been really solid all year, but they both got burned badly today.

All in all, there is nothing that can really be said except that was an absolutely crushing loss the Browns suffered today. And I've been as optimistic as anyone, but it is really to see how we can recover from today's loss and still go 6-2 to give ourselves a fighting chance at the playoffs.

I will say one thing though -- Derek Anderson made a very poor decision on the pass that Suggs picked off, but today's loss was definitely not his fault. Braylon's drops, the defensive failures, and the coaches' inability to be creative in establishing some semblance of a running game all contributed to this loss more than Derek. He is awfully inconsistent, and not good enough to win games on his own. But I hope that the boos at the end of the game were for everyone, not just DA.

Poll

What would you rather do?

Watch today's disgusting game again on tape.

10 votes

Get a staph infection.

18 votes

28 votes | Poll has closed

Stories of Colts Demise Premature

Midwest Sports Fans — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:11:48 -0000

Not too many people are giving the Colts much of a chance tonight, but that is a mistake...

The Colts have two HUGE things going for them tonight that often predict victories in the NFL, where the talent is usually pretty even between teams:

They are the more desperate team, and probably will be the more focused team. Emotion + focus usually equal victories, and the Colts are an experienced team that is playing for its playoff life tonight.
They have Peyton Manning. I realize that Peyton has struggled, and that Kerry Collins has adequately managed games this year. But Peyton is capable of willing a team to victory. I think the Colts will probably just forget about running the ball if they struggle to do so early, and just put the game in Peyton's hands. In a matchup between Peyton and Kerry Collins, I'll take Peyton every time.

We all know that the Colts will have to play great to get a win on the road in this one, but I think they will have the focus, and the experienced skill at QB, to get it done.

Drew Rosenhaus is Behind This Somehow

Midwest Sports Fans — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:22:08 -0000

Who knows for sure, but this whole situation with Kellen Winslow sure as heck smells like something Drew Rosenhaus might cook up. He took the "force their hand by any means necessary" approach with TO in Philly and Chad in Cincy, and in neither case did he get the outcome he wanted. Perhaps his ego won't allow him to change and he's already angling to get Kellen out of Cleveland as well (seeing as how he doesn't get paid until Kellen gets a new contract.)

I do feel a little better after reading Kellen's quotes responding to Savage's statement. He seemed to take responsibility for the suspension, although he stuck to his guns about being in the right with what he said on Sunday night.

It's a little too early to tell which direction this is going, at least for the rest of the season. Hopefully Kellen will not play the typical games that Rosenhaus clients play and realize that he will maximize the value of his next contract by proving he is healthy, a team player, and someone that a championship team can be built around.

Hopefully the situation is not too far gone for this to happen this year; and maybe there is a even chance that fences can be mended and a reasonable deal can be struck.

Either way, I know one thing: I'd feel a hell of a lot better about it all if Drew Rosenhaus was not the one giving Kellen advice.