Can the Southsiders Go Any Further South?

In case I haven't made it clear over the course of writing this blog, let me clear this up now: I am a White Sox fan. So if you've taken a look at the MLB standings lately you may notice that it hasn't been fun times for me this season. 

It was this time a year ago that the White Sox were in the discussion for the AL Central pennant. But after finishing the 2012 campaign with a 4-11 record over their last 15 games, it's been downhill. Chicago AL's bats have essentially had a power outage for much of the season. As of this writing, their .250 batting average is the 12th worst in the majors. Their .303 on-base percentage in the 4th worst. These numbers have rendered a lot of decent performances from the pitching staff - including Jake Peavy and Chris Sale - moot. Not that the pitching staff has been perfect either. Their 4.00 team ERA is only good for 19th in MLB. 

Now, the team stands at 39-57, and the big question is "Where do they go from here?" 

There are a lot of question marks on the horizon. With almost everyone on the trading block, who will actually be on there way out with two weeks remaining before the trade deadline? Guys like Alex Rios and Peavy, among others, have been talked about on rumor mills, but will Rick Hahn actually press the button on any deals? With 37 year-old Paul Konerko just coming off of an injury, are his days in black-and-white - or in baseball period - numbered? Rookie Josh Phegley is off to a nice start (.278 avg, 3 HRs). How does he figure into the team's long term plans? Personally, I am kind of excited to see how it all unfolds.

As a Chicago sports fan, I have experienced a lot of ups and downs with my teams, so some down years aren't going to to dampen my spirit. I feel that some bad times may be necessary before the team can make their way to the top again. Considering that the veteran talent and big contracts aren't producing, they may have to make way for young talent that will need time to develop. I am okay with that.

But ultimately, it falls on the front office to figure out which way they want to go. What will it take to make this team a contender again? Will it take big free agent signings? Minor league development? Maybe they stand pat and hope things get better. There are several ways the White Sox could go. But as they figure it out, it looks like things may get worse before they get better.

NBA 13: The Show Part 9 (The Finals, Game 7)

Thursday, June 20, 2013, 7:05 PM PDT at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, New York

Line Score

Angels: 3, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0; 4 Runs, 8 Hits, 1 Error

Yankees: 1, 0, 0, 0, 3, 0, 1, 0, X; 5 Runs, 13 Hits, 1 Error

Win: Joba Chamberlain Loss: Scott Downs Save: Mariano Rivera

Home Runs

Angels: Mark Trumbo

Yankees: Derek Jeter

So the Yankees, as proxies for the New York Knicks, have won NBA 13: The Show.

It was another come-from-behind victory, but not quite in the same vein as Game 6. Things got going almost immediately with Mark Trumbo hitting a three-run home run into center field to put the Angels up 3-0 in the top of the 1st. The Yankees could only answer back wit a Derek Jeter solo shot to make it 3-1 after 1. In the 5th the Angels added on a run off of a Mike Trout sac fly that brought in Chris Iannetta. But in the bottom half of the fifth the Yankees were able to level things. First came Mark Teixeira's double to right, bringing in Derek Jeter to make it 4-2. Then Curtis Granderson grounded to right for a 2 RBI single that brought in Alex Rodriguez and Teixeira to make it 4-4. With things even again, it was just a matter of which pitching staff would fold first. The Angels' staff was the one to break, as they gave up a run in the bottom of the 7th. Derek Jeter came in to score as Mark Teixeira grounded into a double play. David Aardsma was able to hold off the Angels' batters, and Mariano Rivera came in the 9th inning to close things out.

For the Yankees, starting pitcher Andy Pettitte went 6 innings, giving up 6 hits, 4 runs (all earned), and one strikeout with a 6.00 ERA. Derek Jeter finished 3-4 with a home run and an RBI.

For the Angels, starting pitcher Jason Vegas went 5 innings, giving up 11 hits, 4 runs (all earned), and threw 3 strikeouts, finishing with a 7.20 ERA. Mark Trumbo went 3-4 with a homer and three RBIs. Mike Trout went 2-3 with an RBI.

Random NBA Player of the Week: Marcus Liberty

Marcus Liberty is a 6'8" forward from Chicago. In high school, he was legendary. His freshman year he led Crane High School to a frosh-soph title. He then transferred to King College Prep for the rest of his high school career, where he led them to a title in 1986 and a second-place finish in 1987. His 143 points in the '87 tourney set an Illinois Class AA record. In '87 Liberty was an McDonald's All-American, Illinois Mr. Basketball, and Parade Magazine Player of the Year. This illustrious high school career led him to being voted one of the "100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament" in 2007.

After high school Liberty moved on to the University of Illinois. He was ineligible his first year, but his sophomore year he was a part of the 1988-89 "Flyin' Illini" squad that made it to the Final Four. After three years in Champaign-Urbana, Marcus entered the draft. He went 42nd overall in the 1990 NBA Draft to the Denver Nuggets.

Liberty was a role player for a 1991 Nuggets team that was known for scoring a lot of points (league-best 119.9 ppg) as well as giving up a lot of them (league-worst 130.8 ppg). Marcus would average 6.7 in his first year in 76 appearances. His productivity would go up his second year, as he averaged 9.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He even recorded five double-doubles, though they all came in losses. While Marcus saw improvement, his team did not. In two seasons the Nuggets went 44-120. Year 3 saw a new coach for the Nuggets: Dan Issel. The team - as well as Marcus - showed promise. Denver went 36-46 while Liberty average 8.1 points and 4.3 boards a game. Heading into 93-94, one would expect both the Nuggets and Liberty to continue the upward trajectory.

Well, the team did, eventually making it to the playoffs in '94 as an eighth seed and knocking off the top seeded Seattle Sonics. However, Marcus was traded at the beginning of the season, unable to enjoy the team's fortune. He went along with Mark Macon to Detroit for Alvin Robertson and a conditional 2nd round draft pick that was never used. Marcus would only play 35 games for the Pistons, averaging 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds.

Liberty wouldn't make it back to the NBA after '94, instead embarking on a whirlwind eight years that saw him in the CBA, Greece, Turkey, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Japan, the old IBL, the Philippines, the IBA, the Dominican Republic, and Chile. Marcus Liberty ended his basketball career in 1992.

NBA 13: The Show Part 8 (The Finals, Game 6)

Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 7:05 PM PDT at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, New York

Line Score

Angels: 0, 0, 1, 0, 2, 1, 0, 3, 0; 7 Runs, 10 Hit, 0 Errors

Yankees: 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 2, 0, 2; 8 Runs, 16 Hits, 0 Errors

Win: Clay Rapada Loss: Ryan Madson

Home Runs

Angels: Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton

Yankees: Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez

...and we'll see you Thursday night!

A roller-coaster ride ends with a walkoff 2-run RBI single that ties the series up at three games apiece and sets the stage for Game 7 in the Bronx.

The fireworks started early with Robinson Cano blasting a two-run homer to right in the bottom of the 1st, making it 2-0. It seemed like starting pitcher CJ Wilson would be in for a tough day. However, he would go on to post four scoreless innings before allowing two more in the 6th.

In the meantime, the Angels spent their next five innings clawing back into the lead. Mike Trout was the one to put the team on the map. First, things got going in the 3rd when he hit a line single to right, bringing in Alberto Callaspo and putting LAA on the board. He then came back up in the 5th and notched a two run homer, giving the Angels the lead. Josh Hamilton then came in the next inning and hit a solo shot of his own to make it 4-2 after 5 1/2 innings.

However, the Yankees bats knew what time it was a promptly responded. In the bottom of the 6th Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer to right to level the score at 4. The next half-inning Derek Jeter hit an RBI double to bring in Kevin Youkilis and Ichiro and give the Yankees back, 6-4.

But the Angels just wouldn't go away. Pujols hit an equalizing home run to left field. Two batters later, Howie Kendrick grounded into a double play, giving Josh Hamilton time to advance home from 3rd base. Heading into the bottom of the 8th, the Angels had the lead back, and seemed to be on their way to winning the NBA 13: The Show Championship.

But the Yankees had just enough offense left in them in the bottom of the 9th. After a Brett Gardner groundout, Francisco Cervelli (who would be replaced by pinch runner Edgar Nunez), Ichiro, and Jeter were able to loaded the bases. Tasked with bringing in at least the tying run, Robinson Cano swung away. But he was unsuccessful, striking out while chasing a 1-2 low changeup. The Yankees were down to their last out, Alex Rodriguez. Down to his last strike, he hit a grounder that was just fair down the 3rd base line. This allowed Nunez to come in for the tying run and Ichiro to come in for the winning run.

Instant Classic.

For the Yankees, A-Rod finished 3-5 with a home run, 4 RBIs, and a strikeout. Derek Jeter went 4-4 with a walk, a double, a stolen base, and 2 RBIs. Starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda with five innings allowing six hits, 4 runs (all earned), a walk, posting 4 strikeouts, and finishing with a 7.20 ERA.

For the Angels, Mike Trout went 2-4 with a walk, a strikeout, a homer run, and 3 RBIs. Erick Aybar went 3-5. Starting pitcher C.J. Wilson went six innings, giving up 8 hits, 4 runs (all earned), a walk, and 4 strikeouts. He finished with a 6.00 ERA.

So there will be a Game 7 Thursday in the Bronx. Andy Pettitte and Jason Vargas will face for to determine which team will be the NBA 13: The Show champion.

NBA 13: The Show Part 7 (The Finals, Game 5)

Sunday, June 15, 2013, 6:05 PM PDT at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California

Line Score

Yankees: 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0; 1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

Angels: 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 2, X; 4 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors

Win: Jered Weaver Loss: C.C. Sabathia

Home Runs

Yankees: Mark Teixeira

Angels: Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Chris Iannetta

After allowing the Yankees to get back into the series with two wins in Anaheim, the Angels were able to regain control with a complete game pitching performance by Jered Weaver. In 9 innings, Weaver gave up only one run on one hit; a Mark Teixeira home run in the 5th inning.

For the Yankees, C.C. Sabathia put up a decent performance, but it wasn't enough in comparison to Weaver's mastery. C.C. went six innings, giving up two runs on three hits. Two of those three hits were homers. Chris Iannetta was the first to strike, knocking a solo shot in the 3rd. Albert Pujols took his own personal trip around the bases the next inning. Joba Chamberlain came in the 7th in relief, but provided none when Mike Trout hit a two-run home run in the 8th inning. David Aardsma was immediately brought in to close out the half-inning.

The Angels now have a 3-2 lead in the series, with a chance to close things out in the Bronx on Tuesday. CJ Wilson will face off against Hiroki Kuroda. When these two took the mound in Game 2, both pitchers were able to shut down the offense as only one run was scored between both teams. However, that one run was scored by the Angels.