Next Stop Tampa

This Blackout worked.

The Chicago White Sox are the AL Central Champions after an improbable run. After being swept by the Twins and losing the division lead less than a week ago, Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox looked to be headed down the same path as the NY Mets.

However, Guillen and the White Sox regrouped and became the first team in MLB history to win the final three games of the season against 3 different opponents.

The White Sox are indeed the AL Central Champs, basically being placed in a one game playoff against 3 different AL Central opponents-the Indians, Tigers and finally knocking off the first place Twins 1-0.

John Danks put in an epic performance, throwing 8 shutout innings on 3 days rest. Jim Thome drove in the only run of the game with a solo homerun in the seventh inning.

And Ken Griffey Jr. showed he still is a gamer, throwing out Michael Cuddyer at the plate on a sacrifice fly in the fifth. This is Griffey's first post season since 1997 when he was still with Seattle.

Some may argue the one game playoff because the Twins won the regular season series against Chicago 10-8. Does the regular season not matter? What's even worse, Chicago was awarded home field on a coin flip! I can see why Minnesota fans are crying "bloody murder!"

So for the first time since 1906, both the White Sox and Cubs are in the post season together. The White Sox went on to beat the Cubs in the last "Second City Series."

Now for the White Sox, on to Tampa.

Ken Griffey Jr. Career Highlight Reel

Again, congratulations to the best smile and sweetest swing in baseball.



I'll still never forget Griffey against the Yankees sliding into home with the winning run in Game 5 of the 1995 ALDS.

That was Don Mattingly's first and only time in the playoffs.

I still don't know if I can forgive you Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr. 600 Home Runs

Junior finally did it!

At one time Griffey was the face of baseball. At the time, he was the youngest ever to 400 home runs, Junior was a for sure bet to break Hank Aaron's all home run record.

Funny how Griffey decided to go home and play for the Cincinnati Reds was also the time the leg injuries became an annual occurrence and his Hall of Fame career seemed to fall apart.

Growing up in the middle of the steroid era, Junior was one of the few to say no.
Griffey is the first person in our generation reach the 600 home run plateau without any controversy. No performance enhancing drugs. No corked bat. Just raw talent and guts. And who could ever forget one of the sweetest swings in all of baseball.

Congratulations Junior! You truly deserve it.





Fastest players to hit 600 home runs in the major leagues with name and number of games:

Babe Ruth, 2,044
Sammy Sosa, 2,302
Barry Bonds, 2,394
Ken Griffey Jr., 2,439
Willie Mays, 2,557
Hank Aaron, 2,592

All-Time Home Run Leaders
Barry Bonds 762
Hank Aaron 755
Babe Ruth 714
Willie Mays 660
Sammy Sosa 609
Ken Griffey Jr. 600

What The Deuce!

This morning I was watching ESPN and saw on the bottom line that Seattle had beat Boston 1-0. My first question, who were the starting pitchers? And who on the Mariners had shut out one of the best lineups in baseball?

Don't know because the final score was immediately followed by: M. Ramirez 1-3, 499 career homeruns. No shit Manny didn't homer last night! The Red Sox didn't score a run!

Since when does a players attempt for 500 home runs warrant their own bottom line?

How come ESPN's bottom line doesn't inform us that Ken Griffey Jr. has 598 home runs? The last I checked, 600 home runs is more impressive than 500.

By the way, Erik Bedard showed signs of his old self and the reason why Seattle paid so much for him by pitching 7 scoreless innings allowing only two hits.
Off and on again Tim Wakefield had his knuckleball motionless pitching 8 strong innings allowing 1 run and 5 hits in the losing cause.