SB Nation User Blog: homesickalien

America's Best Baseball Schools

homesickalien — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:32:00 -0000

America's Best Baseball Schools

"Baseball is the hardest sport to prognosticate," says former Louisiana State coach Skip Bertman, who led LSU's baseball team to five College World Series titles. "In football, I watch the scouts come in and run seven or eight tests for each kid -- vertical jump, bench press, 40-yard dash -- and when you put all those scores together, you know their athleticism. In baseball, you don't have to have a 40-inch vertical; you don't even have to run real fast. But you do have to be real smart and know how to deal with failure."

And then I flew away.......1st SSS Outing Recap!

homesickalien — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:16:26 -0000

Although e-gus perfectly and concisely summarized the night, I naturally feel compelled to do a more in-depth recap of the first SSS outing. I will undoubtedly exceed far more than 75 words, but I will try to keep the sentimentality at a minimum.

The game on the 22nd was fun beyond expectations. And that says quite a bit, since I can’t remember anticipating something (other than my entire trip) so much in a long time. When you get that excited for something, it is rare that the actual event lives up to your hopes. The opportunity for failure and disappointment is never greater.

I flew in a week before the outing, to a thunderstorming Chicago. And all I could think, the whole week, was please don’t let it rain on Friday, please don’t let it rain on Friday…

Well, it didn’t rain again my entire trip and I got to enjoy two perfect evenings at Comiskular; first with Buehrle’s win over the Twins on Tuesday, and then Floyd’s shut-out on Friday, with the SSS crew. Both were magical evenings.

Because Chiburb is, as you all know, a crotchety OPOS, he did not want to come out to the game. Instead, to show appreciation to some of the contributors, he hosted a few of us at Miller’s Pub before the game. I got there first to hold down the Bill Veeck section with my dad. But by the time I came back from the bathroom, there was another OPOS sitting there: winningugly.

From there, we all sat watching the door. And one-by-one, they arrived. First, The Actual el Guapo, who was immediately identified by WU and my dad, for the fact that he practically had a sign around his neck saying, "I’m a big Jew." You know WU can spot one a mile away… Oh, and in case you wondered, Guapo is as fucking hilarious as we thought he was…it’s not just a fancy internet façade.

Then came the night’s special guest, Carl Skanberg.

A week or two prior to the game, we had a drop-out (BustedFlush, who understandably had an out-of-town family engagement for the holiday weekend, and who did not seek out reimbursement) and subsequently an extra ticket. I offered it to Carl, as a big thank you for all he's created. As a scarce lurker on SSS, Carl was hesitant to be thrown into the mixture of strangers and inside jokes…but once initial nerves had passed, Carl (not surprisingly) fit right in with the rest of us.

Upon inviting him, I told him he was going to be a surprise to the rest of the group and he laughed at me and told me it would be my "lame funeral." Little did Carl realize that he is practically a deity to the Pale Hose fans. Even Cheat was taken aback and had a little twinkle in his eye when he met him at Miller's… My lame funeral, be damned!

When thecip arrived, the creative circle was complete. Guapo, in all of his hilarious glory; thecip and his endlessly impressive photoshopping magic; and Skanberg, a talented artist and humorist…looking at them all standing together, I could only imagine what these three could create if left alone. Throw Colin in the room, and larry behind camera and Cheat directing, and you've got a hilarious multi-cultural gay porn waiting to happen. It was remarkable.

Almost as remarkable as Colin’s hair. Oh, the thick locks of ginger that flow from that kid’s scalp…it was enough to make Chiburb (and others, I’m sure) green with envy.

Larry walked in and the recognition of his infamous noodle arms was immediate. When he sat down, he was promptly grilled about the wedding ring on his finger ("Is that real?" and "So what the fuck exactly is wrong with her?") and whether he was actually a lawyer; which he defended by holding up his leather briefcase (as though that somehow distinguishes him from any other profession, including organized terrorist).

We thought for sure that the briefcase was stocked with porn, and tried to prove it when larry got up to get a beer…but the fucker was a step ahead of us and had that case locked up good. I guess we’ll never know… other than it did not blow up at the game.

After rallying the troops and finishing larry’s beer for him (he’s a lightweight), we all kissed Chiburb goodbye and took off for the El to the stadium. A short ride later, we were at the park, headed for the arranged meeting gate. I made a crappy sign to round up the group of strangers (one side: "SSS", the other: "IN THE MOUT!!"), but realized it was not necessary when we approached the gate and there was a group of people standing around drinking Schlitz and Hamm’s (classy). The second I saw them, I knew it was the rest of our clan. Cheers erupted from both sides. I had a cold Schlitz in hand before I could even reach the gate. That's love, folks.

And that’s when I met LT-Sox-fan, king of the smiles and good times. He ran up to me laughing hysterically…apparently he expected the 400-lb, sausage-fingered HSA…the fact that I was not, kept him laughing and high-fiving all night. He was a trip.

The game passed much too quickly. Figuring we had Floyd on the mound, I was sure we’d be there for hours, or at least have a 90-minute 5th inning. But no, Floyd pitched Buehrle-esque and kept the game under 2 hours, a bit to my (our?) dismay. Like e-gus said, we were all really enjoying and getting to know each other by the time Bobby was closing the game and the fireworks show was starting… Heck, despite seat-shuffling all night, I still didn't get to talk one-on-one at length with everyone.

From there, we went back to Diablo’s truck and had some more beers, played some bean bags, and fired up the grill. It didn’t take too long for the lot to clear out and the security golf carts to piss on our parade, but we made the most of our short time together anyway.

We all dissipated to our respective cars, or to Skanberg's, who apparently became the designated driver. Cheat, Trooper and I (along with my oldest and dearest buddy, Mike) went to the Red Line, drinking beers along the way (Cheat was obviously feeling healthier after a beer or two…he started the night by drinking water and claiming he was sick). Even the Chicago police officer at the El stop didn’t give two shits about our public alcohol consumption directly next to a deadly electrical current. I love Chicago.

Above: Trooper, waiting for the el....excellent pose, Troop...we can tell you've had plenty of pole experiences before.

Overall, this was a night that will be long etched in all our memories (etch-a-sketched in LT’s, the drunken buffoon! :)). I certainly had my hesitations and my reservations going into the event…some people called me crazy and warned me as I embarked into an evening with about 20 strangers, mostly men. But no matter how rationally I perceived and approached the situation, I simply knew it was going to be a success. I felt no fear, nor did I ever feel insecure for my safety and well-being. I simply trusted you fools. And had the reassurance of larry as a bodyguard.

One very fleeting concern of mine, was that people would be different in real life and we wouldn’t be able to hold real conversations with one another. The comfort of being faceless on the internet gone, how would we interact? Truth be told, everyone was exactly how they are on SSS. We made each other laugh all the same, we celebrated and embraced one another when Che sent one out of the park, we made fun of Colin and Lar-bear and called WU an OPOS... My dad and WU got to compare notes on ex-wives and the rules of turning 50. And thecip really IS in love with Q, by the way. I've never seen such a man-crush before. It's real. Every time he appears...

Honestly, the game went by in a blink and not only because of the low score. As Kermit T. Frog would say, "Time’s fun when you’re having flies."

I could have stayed and shot the shit with you jackasses for hours longer (I guess that's kinda what we do every damn day, heheheh) and I certainly plan to organize another game next season. I probably won’t be back to Chicago by the time this season ends (unless the Sox see some unlikely post-season love), but this should definitely be an annual event. And I’d be happy to take the task of organizing under my wing again (especially if I am showered with ‘thank you’ beers practically every inning) because you all made it pretty painless for me by paying and showing up on time (even I was late, though I blame larry and his slow, effeminate beer-sipping for that. I practically had to pry the beer from his hands - which was not hard to do - and chug it just so we could get to the train).

I’ve spoken before about how we all come to SSS for different reasons, but under the same basic purpose: we love the Sox. Friday night practically marked my anniversary as an active commenter, despite having read and known of the site for years before that.

Moving across country and removing myself from the culture that is my home baseball team – especially in a city like Chicago, where the sports culture is rich and embedded in the lives of its fans – caused a certain void in me. SSS has become my community and outlet for discussing and learning all things about my team, and I am ever-grateful for stumbling upon this place and meeting the intelligent and hilarious people who frequent here. While we share the common ground of White Sox baseball, we inevitably learn much more about one another through daily discourse.

It may sound sad or desperate or ridiculous to an outsider (or even some of you insiders) who does not experience the daily interactions of us SSS'ers and our camaraderie…but some of you guys have really become great friends of mine in the year that I have known you. I enjoy conversing more with most of you people, than any of the folks I’ve met in Seattle in two years of living here. That is the truth, Ruth. I know that part of the great chemistry we have is due to that special fabric of a Chicagoan – the most ruthless and vicious people to a degree, but also the kindest, funniest, and most passionate people you’ll find anywhere.

And while it's easy to assume we are all deformed and ugly and why else would we spend so much time on a blog, etc....maybe some of us just enjoy the even plain that the internet allows. No prejudice until your mouth opens. :)

I spent a full brilliant week in my home city, with all the loved ones I’ve known since childhood. And I finished my trip with 20 relative strangers, on the highest note possible. I flew back to Seattle at 8 AM Saturday, with a heavy heart, but a gigantic smile for all the irreplaceable experiences that this trip provided me. Especially the outing that will live in infamy. Not all internet meetings go as smoothly... or so I've heard…

Thanks to everyone involved and all of you who couldn’t make it to the outing, but still fill my days with laughter and knowledge. Big thanks to Diablo and others for organizing the tailgating. Excellent work! It was pleasure to throw together such a wonderful memory for us all.

A White Sox winnahhh!

Above: Our fearless leader, enjoying the fireworks and a win.

Above: Thumbs up! No major deformities!

The Final Palehose 9

homesickalien — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:02:54 -0000

The Final Palehose 9

This is a sad day.

It's A New Day...And We're All Here To See It.

homesickalien — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:02:59 -0000

I'll preface this by saying I started writing this in a comment box in the Adenhart fanshot, but quickly got too involved to leave it at that. Apologies to the folks who do not enjoy lengthier writings. You've been warned.

Last evening, I was absorbing the magnificent Northwest sky and reflecting heavily on Adenhart's death, as well as the other young lives taken so quickly and unfairly in the accident yesterday morning. The thin clouds veiling the setting sun cast a silver glow across the sky. The image was stunning and I felt grateful to be witness to it.

There are days around here that many of us go for the throats. At the end of last season, when the Sox blew that series in Minnesota and lost first place, this place was volatile. Understandably.

I haven't seen us get like that since then - and I certainly didn't think we'd be there three games into the season....but yesterday was a special circumstance. It's obvious that when negative events occur, just like any group of people, we react and deal differently from one another. Even if our emotions are relatively mutual, nerves are inevitably struck in different ways.

I came to a couple conclusions yesterday.

First of all, like I told WU in an email last night, we must really love each other around here, because we fight like family when something sensitive arises. We all seem to agree that this accident was horrible and unfair and devastating, yet we still spent the day bickering with one another.

When you put everything into perspective - from Adenhart's death, to each of our personal lives outside of this virtual community and all the tragedy we each have seen in our own days - it seems silly to fight pettily on the same day that there is something so poignant and larger worth acknowledging. (I was not exempt from the pettiness).

There is not one ideal suggestion for being at peace when something so devastating occurs, but there are lessons to be learned and perspectives to gain. When young lives are undeservingly taken, it is our job as the privileged living, to improve or alter something within ourselves. To be affected and inspired in some way makes their deaths less in vain. I view it as a way of paying respect.

I've spent many hours of my young life contemplating death from all angles. Not morbidly (okay, sometimes morbidly) or in fear – but mostly with curiosity and wonder.

There is one singular (although science is trying to create more) way to enter this world, yet infinite ways in which you can be taken out of it.

A tree grows for a hundred years, and is chopped down in seconds.

A house or building is built by the hands of men over months or years, filled with events and memories…and then demolished with a little dynamite.

Parents spend a lifetime raising children, protecting them, teaching them how to be independent, showing them how to love and find happiness and how to make goals and follow dreams; and all it takes is some irresponsible asshole to undo it, to take it all away in a flash. All it takes is hitting your head in the wrong spot, or being stopped behind the wrong bus – basically just being in the wrong spot at the right time.*

It’s a lot of work to stay alive and see your days played out. Even when you are doing everything in your power, looking both ways before crossing, taking a right turn out of your way instead of going left across four lanes of traffic, everything your parents taught you to be safe, you are still living very delicately in proximity to people who are not. This fact of life will never be fair.

Days come and go so quickly that it is truly difficult for us to slow down enough to value each and every one. But when something like this occurs, it seems to put my days in slow motion. I was on edge more than usual driving home yesterday, every car too close for comfort. I saw more beauty in the sky and acknowledged each new blossom on the trees. I closed my eyes and listened to the chorus of frogs in the ravine outside my house, whose din has come to symbolize Spring for me. I filled with gratitude to be alive.

Adenhart’s death, though obviously sad for anyone who hears of it, is almost certainly harder to stomach for baseball fans. We all know what certain players mean to us, or even just the excitement of watching a prospect get to the big game. We love the potential of players, even when they are merely in the minors; we anticipate their futures and how they’ll fill our evenings with delight or dismay, depending on the day.

What has given me the greatest solace over this occurrence, is the report about Adenhart’s dad flying in for the game on Wednesday. Adenhart asked him to fly in for the game because he thought "something special was going to happen."

Something special did happen. A promising young pitcher gave the performance of his lifetime. His father was witness to his son’s biggest accomplishment – his lifelong goal coming to fruition. I cannot imagine that there would be too many moments of Nick Adenhart’s life, in which he was more fulfilled and more proud, than Wednesday night. And he got to do it in front of his dad, and even got a hug from him and looked into his eyes after the game, I would imagine. What Adenhart sensed when he requested his dad's presence will never be known. But his dad was there to see his best and final hoorah and give his kid a prideful pat on the back. That is heartbreakingly special...for both of them.

A person can’t really expect or ask for a better final day on this earth.

Adenhart left the world undoubtedly too soon, but he had just lived, for all intents and purposes, his ultimate day.

That comforts me in a strange way. Few of us will be so lucky to exit on such a high note.

One final thing that I took away from this, is how neat it was yesterday to visit Halos Heaven and skim through the hundreds of comments left for Adenhart. Fans from all around baseball stopped by to pay respects and unify over the tragedy.

Never before in my history, have I been able to actually see the weight of an event like this, directly from the words of so many people so far and wide. We can always imagine the masses of people affected by tragic events, but to actually read people’s words and see their grieving before you, is quite different. This silly blogging thing gave me and everyone else a chance to pay our respects, and read the condolences of virtual strangers all over the world. Pretty amazing stuff.

So if nothing else, we can pay respect to Adenhart and the other people killed yesterday, by allowing ourselves to be filled with gratitude for all we each have; from the roof over our heads, to the friends and family walking beside us, to each day we get to be alive. They are numbered for all of us, and destruction is swift and indiscriminate.

For what it’s worth, I love you fellow meatheds and the community in which we dwell together. Yeah, we’ve all got real lives and things more important than baseball (few as they may be ;)), but I wouldn’t hang out here so damn often if I didn’t feel enriched by a whole lot of you, and what you have to say.

On that note, let’s ruin the Twins this weekend. It’s the first weekend of the baseball season and my spirit is renewed; even more so in the wake of this tragedy.

*As my dearest hero, who passed last year and left me in a devastated stupor, once pointed out: the wrong place at the wrong time would make it the right place…because it’s not a wrong place without the right time to make it a wrong place. ;)

(pre)Gamethread 1 - White Sox vs Royals: Opening Day, Part Deux

homesickalien — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:21:50 -0000

Mark Buehrle (15-12, 3.79 in 2008) vs Gil Meche (14-11, 3.98 in 2008)

Game time: 1:05 CST (11:05 PST ;-) )

Your home opener line-up:

Wise cf

Getz 2b

Quentin lf

Thome dh

Dye rf

Konerko 1b

Pierzynski c

Ramirez ss

Fields 3b

Umps: Who cares. I ain't no U-God.

If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base. ~Dave Barry

SSS Outing '09: Pay me or I'll hunt you down and force you to bow to a Punto effigy in the centre of the towne.

homesickalien — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:03:50 -0000

Hello all. This should be the final fanpost on this topic. I have everyone's emails now, so I'll take the discussion there for follow-up details.

No need to rec it to keep it front and center (yet) - I just want to iron out some pesky wrinkles - and the last fanpost has met its 2-week/front page limit anyway.

Payments - almost there.

Keith, we're cool - I'll expect yours Friday (iirc). Furbs - I think WU is going to have to cover you and then you can pay him back either at the game or by mail (talk amongst yourselves). Colin - give your dad my email address and let's get that payment in, okay?

Overall, I am super impressed with everyone's timely responses, payments, and participation. I did not think this would run as smoothly as it has. So thank you to all.

Again, I will not be at the game until 6:30ish; so if you want me to mail your ticket to you, please let me know. I'll probably offer that again in email later, but I cannot stress enough that I don't want to inconvenience anyone by getting there undesirably late.

Friday, May 22nd vs Pirates, 7 PM

x1. HSA

x2. ~~Illini0509~~ Furby

x3. thecip

x4. larry

x5. Trooper

x6. Hazymania

x7. MarketMaker

x8. El Diablo

x9. e-Gus

x10. Mrs. e-Gus

x11. HappyHuman

x12. BustedFlush

x13. colintj

x14. winningugly

x15. The Actual El Guapo

x16. U-God

x17. rangerjae

x18. LT_sox_fan

x19. 815Sox

x20. Christopher Michaels (as Cowley)

x21. T-dogg

x22. CWSKeith

"x" indicates PAIDfer.

I considered throwing up a poll for the scoreboard message, using the suggestions so far.

Instead, I'd rather just ask for more suggestions, or an approval of the apparent leader being: "Armchair GM's for the 21st Century." (Ironically submitted by the biggest d-bag of us all, who won't even be at the outing).

The other suggestions can be found here.

Sounds like Hazy has accepted the task of organizing tailgating details. Look for a future fanpost closer to the game date for that.

Rawk.

SSS Outing 2009: Section's reserved, next steps outlined here...

homesickalien — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:59:37 -0000

Everyone’s favorite topic next to a certain auburn-haired prospect/future HOF’er…

I wanted to create yet another new fanpost for the SSS Outing 2009 because the last one is not only losing its front page glory today, but it was also lardtastic; which made real information pretty difficult to find in there. Kinda like a Cheeto that….okay, I’ll spare you guys that visual again.

I have a list of exactly 22 people now.

You 22 folks have had 2 weeks to change your minds, and are now practically married to this event.

I spoke with a nice fellow at ticket sales today and reserved our 22 seats in a section in RF, which was the poll-winning section from the last thread.

What that means, is the 22 people on the following list need to put their moneys where their mouths is. We need $200 deposit by Friday (which WU or larry have agreed to front in case I can’t collect that much by Friday…) and then the rest of the $636 by mid-April.

For all the non-mathematical minds, that breaks down to $38/person.*******Actual amount is $39.50 - see addendum below*****

I am hoping that everyone who has agreed to this event can get me that money by the end of this month, which is exactly 2 weeks from now. 'Twould also be nice if at least 6 of us could send it by Friday, so WU or larry don't have to spot it.

That said, I set up a paypal account with my email address subterraneanhsa@gmail.com.

For those of you unfamiliar with paypal…hey, me too! I’ve never used it before!

It seems pretty self-explanatory and as far as I can tell, all you’ll need is my email address and a paypal account of your own (someone correct me if you can send money to my paypal without having your own paypal account).

So here is the final roster…if you are canceling, I need to know immediately. If you want to be added, I need to know immediately (new additions - I cannot guarantee that I’ll be able to get you a ticket in our chunk of seats, but probably at least in the same section).

Friday, May 22nd vs Pirates, 7 PM

x1. HSA

2. Illini0509

x3. thecip

4. larry

x5. ~~Ozzie Montana~~ Trooper

x6. Hazymania

x7. MarketMaker

x8. El Diablo

x9. e-Gus

x10. Mrs. e-Gus

x11. HappyHuman

x12. BustedFlush

13. colintj

x14. winningugly

x15. The Actual El Guapo

16. U-God

x17. rangerjae

x18. LT_sox_fan

x19. 815Sox

x20. Christopher Michaels (as Cowley)

x21. T-dogg

22. CWSKeith

"x" indicates PAIDfer.

I’m still waiting on emails from most of you…

All I need is an email identifying yourself. I will use your addresses to send out a general email with an overview of details and a reminder (for colin) when the date is getting closer.

We’ll also have to arrange meeting outside the park before the game because all 22 tickets are getting mailed directly to the Evergreen State. If you are a special case and know you have to arrive late, for example, I could probably mail out some tickets directly to people in advance, if needed. Email me if you are special (clap your hands if you know it). :-)

If you want to submit your paypal payment and THEN email me to let me know it’s in there, I’d appreciate that too. I am (obviously) keeping a list of people and will be checking you off once you’ve paid. And since I don’t know many of your real names, I won’t be able to tell who has paid unless you email me to identify yourself.

I will not use your email address for spam, nor share it with my corporate sponsors or business partners.

Organizing an outing like this is no small task, but we are mere inches from solidifying all the significant details, and your cooperation is moving this along quite nicely, so thank you to everyone.

If you need to refer to the last thread for any reason (it’s a good bathroom read, for instance), here is a link to it.

***Addendum: I had to upgrade my paypal account in order to receive more than $500 per month, but now they're charging me to have this "premiere" status (gee thanks). I got a $38 payment that translated to $36.60 to my account. So, please submit your payment for $39.50 instead of the $38 ticket price. Thank you!!!! *******

That other Sox blog took care of business.

homesickalien — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:28:23 -0000

That other Sox blog took care of business.

SSS Meet-Up 2009: Let's REALLY Finalize This

homesickalien — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:55:27 -0000

A few weeks ago, U-God started this discussion and I didn't feel any sense of finality from that Fanpost. We narrowed it down to a couple series, but it was more or less everyone just throwing out yay’s or nay’s or I can't legally drink yet during that series's....

I'd like to attend this outing since I will not be able to make Blog Night and slob Nate Silver’s knob with larry; but as most of you know, this requires me to plan in advance and buy a plane ticket and start losing massive amounts of weight.

That said, I am heavily considering flying home the weekend of May 15th, and rather than making it a quick weekend trip, extending it through the week and scrapping my entire July trip that I had previously mentioned being in the works.

The Sox are home against the Twins May 19-21, and then home against the Pirates for the weekend of the 22nd.

Since most of you are in Chicagoland and have the ability to be flexible on dates, how about we plan for either a game during the Twins’ series, or the Friday night game against the Pirates?

I’m impartial to the Twins series because…well, it’s the fucking Twins. We could sit on the 3rd base line and try to telekinetically kill Punto with Q!'s bat.

I’ll be attending at least one or two games that week regardless of whether any of you dickwads show up, but if we can really organize an outing, I think it would be awesomesauce.

I believe a poll is in order.

Pick a date if you plan on joining.

***Also! Since the discussion of head-count and formally buying "outing" tickets is now underway, please also "comment" if you vote, so we know how many serious people there are. Thanks for cooperating so we can finalize this shit.

Poll

Where to sit, where to sit?

1st base line - Infield - approx $53

0 votes

3rd base line - Infield - approx $53

0 votes

1st base line - Outfield - approx $38

1 votes

3rd base line - Outfield - approx $38

1 votes

Lower reserves - RF - approx $38 (visiting bullpen)

5 votes

Lower reserves - LF - approx $38 (home bullpen)

2 votes

Bleachers - Left Center field - approx $33

2 votes

Upper deck nosebleeds LF or RF - approx $19

1 votes

Upper deck reserved (aka: upper section behind the plate) - approx $23

0 votes

I don't friggin' care, let's just get this done.

4 votes

16 votes | Poll has closed

The Worst Year Ever

homesickalien — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:02:31 -0000

The Worst Year Ever

I know we joke a lot about Seattle sports and the sad state of it out here.
This is a long, but interesting story about Seattle's biggest fan. Not necessarily funny either.
Written last summer, I believe....

You know a city is having a bad year when its biggest fan is forced to draw inspiration from the possibility of watching Jose Vidro, Willie Bloomquist and Richie Sexson play the last-place Washington Nationals.