Lock Of The Day: Sox Will Win
Written by Chriso, Monday August 24 2009
This one is dedicated to my Uncle John.
If I had the chance to talk to my Uncle John today, I'm sure he'd be willing to make a bet today. And he'd be betting that the Sox would win tonight. And he'd end up being right.
Uncle John is from Chicago. He's my mom's older brother. Both my parents are from Chicago. But they moved to Boston just before I was born. Neither of my parents were really into baseball. Somehow, I managed to find my way over to Fenway and ended up rooting hard for the Red Sox.
Uncle John lived south of the South side of Chicago. Being young and uninformed, I didn't know that in Chicago you had to choose between the White Sox and the Cubs. I just thought it was cool that the town had two teams, and made me wish the Braves were still in Boston. Uncle John taught me that an unofficial White Sox double header victory was when the White Sox won and the Cubs lost. But Uncle John still took me to both fields when I spent the summer in Chicago in 1985. I remember that they actually brought the beer right to the seats at Comiskey - they never did that in Boston. Uncle John ordered four. I really didn't think I looked that old at 15, but it worked. And I remember there were only certain days that he would bet me and guarantee that the Sox would win.
I made it back to Chicago in the summer of 1993 and visited both parks again. The White Sox had lost their classic stadium for a newer park, built right next to where the original was. They even brought the scoreboard from the old park. The problem? The location wasn't what gave the original park it's charm, and the scoreboard was probably from the 70's or so, not exactly vintage like the old park. Not that things were much better for the Cubs, they had added lights. Sold out to get an All-Star game in prime time.
Early in 2005 I was stuck at the Dallas airport due to a blizzard in Boston. I had to change my route through Chicago and stayed with my cousin PJ. The Red Sox were fresh off their World Series win, and the White Sox were preparing for the season that would become their 2005 victory. In the middle, the two teams would meet in the ALDS. Several months later, PJ and I made a bet. Of course, there was more to it than the Sox would win. The losing team's fan would have to wear the winning team's jersey in the losing team's town. Chicago swept Boston. PJ made shirts that read "Red Sox fans love White Sox baseball". The scores were printed on the back. My niece Caitlin and I had pictures of us all around Boston wearing the shirts. Photoshop may have been used.
Tonight, Jose Contreras and Chicago will face Clay Buchholz and Boston. I'm sure my Uncle John would tell you, the Sox will win tonight. He wouldn't mention if the Sox had dropped 2 out of 3 to the Yankees, or if they had dropped 2 out of 3 to Baltimore. He'd just guarantee the Sox will win tonight. So, I guess I better go now. Time to call my Uncle John.
I think I will take him up on his bet.
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Hey Red Sox Fans - And hey Chris - what is up? Yes, us White Sox fans know baseball, and disappointment, just as you Red Sox fans. I also appreciate Red Sox baseball, their World Series, and their fans (not only due to the Chicago migration). Either way, we are both on the cusp of going either way with the season closing in. We will of course start our test of any perseverance out on the east coast, after splitting miserably with the AL's two worst teams - as Kenny Williams stated, we have underachievers, who also do not have a lot of heart to be playing the game any kid would give their heart for. We will see what is up, and may the best club win. Good luck Bostonians. Now to send this link to my Dad before he hits the hay : )