Is Wrigley Field a dump?

• The Tribune's own Rick Morrissey calls Wrigley Field a dump this morning. He actually did this once before in 2004, when the field was suffering from "falling concrete" syndrome. He really makes some good points - the Wrigleyville neighborhood is what makes the field special. Well, maybe that and the scoreboard.
• Chris De Luca does some real in-depth research and determines that Ozzie Guillen is not on the hot seat. Um... duh!
• Richard Roeper, also from the Sun-Times, weighs in to let everyone know that the Cubs are a very successful business. Yes, when a sports team focuses on the bottom line and couldn't care less about winning, they can make money.
• The Daily Herald and Scot Gregor found some positives in Monday's Sox loss, namely Ozuna and Erstad. I'm not going to get excited about the strong performances by the bench players, because you can't get too excited about anything in a blow out loss.

The start of a bizarre season indeed

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers makes a few interesting points regarding the beginning of what should be quite an interesting season for the White Sox.

I know it's only one game, and I actually feel somewhat stupid for analyzing it at all, but if the pitching staff doesn't get it together this year, expect quite a bit of column inches devoted to questioning GM Kenny Williams and his direction.

And these won't be innocent hints, like in the Rogers piece. These will be more along the lines of "hit you over the head repeatedly until you won't want to work in this city anymore."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the town, Sun-Times' Chris De Luca allows Cubs manager Lou Piniella to all but excuse his team's horrendous game due to the circumstances stemming from the Tribune Co. announcement.

If I was ever allowed to run a baseball team, you can guarantee I wouldn't provide any excuses for my team of professionals. And if, God forbid, I ever get a press pass, you can be sure that I wouldn't let comments like that slide from a manger as high regarded as Piniella.

Game Time

Well, here we go - Opening Day. Stay right here during today's games for live updates from the guy sitting on the couch flipping the channels.

12:55 - Well, I have to give some credit to the Reds' field announcer, as he's getting really psyched about his future 4th place team.

The Sox are on commercial meanwhile.

1:06 - Sox game is about to start. I'd send you the starting lineups, but that's too much work. You're in the internet, look it up yourself.

1:07 - Home Run on the second pitch by Sizemore. Nicely done Contreras.

1-0 Indians.

1:11 - Contreras has given up 3 hits in a row now, all hard line drives. I think he's in some trouble right now. Might be time to switch over to the Cubbies.

1:15 - 2-0 Indians on the 4th hit in a row. I'd switch over to the other game but i don't wanna miss anything spectacular like a grand slam or something.

1:17 - First out of the season for the Sox!! Yay!

And so it's only 5 batter into the game and we're already talking about something other than baseball. I'm going to look up why they call it a pickle.

1:20 - Meanwhile the Cubs go quietly in the 1st. D Lee tried to steal a base... always a good idea.

Switching back to the Sox, and another run scores on a base hit to right. The bullpen should be getting up in about 5 min. I don't think that's a good sign for your club, when your opening day starter struggles to get out of the first inning.

1:23 - a double to right-center scores another 2, and it's 5-0 Indians in the first inning.

1:26 - Contreras gets the final out, and we switch games just in time for Adam Dunn to jack a 2 run homer. 2-0 Reds. Zambrano is dancing around all pissed on the mound, acting like he cares.

1:30 - A message from my Cubs fan buddy: "Is it possible to be depressed 2 innings into the season?"

1:33 - Darin Erstad takes a mighty cut in his first AB with the Sox and slams a 2 run HR. There's life for the Sox yet. This has all the makings of a 14-13 barnburner today...

1:37 - After 1 full inning, the city of Chicago is down 7-2. Way to be fellas.

1:43 - After a couple more hits, Ozzie makes his first trip to the mound for the season. He's not too happy about it either.

1:46 - 2 runs score on an errant throw by Uribe, and Ozzie is back, taking Contreras out of the game... we'll have his final line for you in a few minutes, after NASA calculates his ERA for us.

1:48 - Nick Masset comes into the game, making his debut with a firm "go get 'em" from DJ in the booth. Kind of embarassing that the cheerleader announcers have to make an appearance in the 2nd inning of the FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON! My buddy was on to something. I'm depressed and the second inning isn't even over yet!

1:53 - 9-2 Indians, not sure what happened (i was on teh Cubs game). But there are definitely some high-fiving going on around home plate for the Indians. I'm gonna go throw up, be back in a few minutes.

1:54 - Hawk sums it up "After an inning and a half, not good."

1:57 - Doesn't look a whole lot better for the North Siders... Adam Dunn hits his second HR of the game. 3-0 Cinci.

2:05 - There's a real NASA astronaut in the booth with Hawk and DJ, and I think DJ is hitting on her. Yup, he's definitely working on her. And now Hawk said something creepy about watching her while she was talking. And DJ said he had the feeling he was with a special person. This is so creepy and awkward. Gotta love blowouts in baseball.

2:14 - 11-2 Indians. I don't even want to watch this anymore. Too bad the Cubs game is boring as hell. Still 3-0 in the 4th inning now. I'm waiting for Zambrano to do something exciting. Or at least hit someone in the head and start a brawl. Either would work right now.

2:35 - And the Cubs are on the board following a Murton check swing half bunt didn't mean to do that single and a Derrik Lee single followed by "the baseball equivalent of a no-look pass" from Freel in center that ended up in the third row of the stands. 3-1 in the 5th.

2:50 - Took a few minutes off to read the Sports Guy's column from Friday. Nothing too exciting, yes, we all were pumped for this weekend's sporting events, although I'm leaving teh weekend somewhat unfulfilled.

Meanwhile, Zambrano walked in a run, and allowed another to score on a sac fly. I'm not sure if he's still pitching.

And I'm afraid to switch back to the Sox game.

2:54 - WGN is showing footage from the break of Zambrano yelling and screaming in the dugout. He better be pissed at himself, because he's walked 5 guys in 5 innings and has no right to be yelling at anyone right now. In fact, if I was Lou, I'd just walk over and kick him in the balls right about now.

3:08 - Sox threaten with bases loaded and 1 out, but fail to score. Just not their day today. Still 11-3 Indians. Konerko hit a dinger earlier in the game. I think we missed it while I was throwing up from Contreras' outing.

3:23 - They made a sequal to "Are We There Yet??!?!" Really? I better get my screenplay together, because apparently Hollywood has officially run out of movies to make.

3:26 - Score update: Chicago 4, Other Guys 16.

3:35 - Josh Hamilton is coming into the game to hit for Cinci. Great story with this guy. Let's hope he's got his shit together now, and can finally concentrate on his game. GL to him.

3:46 - Cubs game's over, 5-1 victory for the Reds. Thank God that's over.

4:00 - Sox game's over. Don't even worry about the final score.

All in all, a real crappy opening day for Chicago. Let's hope this is not a sign of things to come. If I was a starting pitcher in the minors for either of these clubs, I would be pretty excited right now.

It's finally here...

Opening day is finally upon us. The White Sox open up at home against Cleveland, a fashionable pick to take the central this year, first pitch at 1:05. The Cubs are in Cincinnati, with game time set for 1:10.

Because we're so awesome, we'll be doing live updates from both games, posting right here on the Bullpen Sports Bar.

Additionally, expect full posts in the near future regarding our predictions this year for both Chicago teams.

Stay tuned...

High-five Mr. Danks

Newly-aquired White Sox pitcher John Danks has seperated himself from the pack and been named the 5th starter. Knuckleballing wonder-kid Charlie Haeger has been reassigned to Triple-A while Gavin Floyd is continuing to fight for a spot in the bullpen.

Danks was the darkhorse candidate for a rotation spot this year, having just come over from Texas in the trade that sent former heir-apparent Brandon McCarthy to the Rangers. It should also be noted that Danks has exactly zero innings experience in in the Big Leagues. The competition was never really that heated, as for the most part nobody seemed to want the job. I hate to be mean, but for the majority of spring training I could have pitched as well as these
"professionals."

It seems, however, that Danks does not want the competition to end...

The rookie who was previouly lauded for his ability to throw strikes walked six batter in barely four innings of work.

Very promising...

It's been 20 days since our last confession

So much has been going on in our collective lives that its been hard to keep this poor attempt at a blog rolling.

But it's spring training and no one cares about spring training. So forgive us.

But here's what we've missed in the world of Chicago baseball:

• Cubs have officially announced that someone who has never played centerfield before will be starting there this year. Which is great because no one ever hits fly balls in Wrigley.
• The Sox have some pitching issues: No one has stepped up to take the 5th starter spot. Not sure if I wrote this before, but I knew as soon as the Garcia and McCarthy trades happened that they'd have trouble finding a 5th starter. Supposedly the talent is there with Danks, Floyd and Haeger, but apparently no one wants it.
• The Sox have some pitching issues II: Closer Bobby I was paid for the McDonalds commercial in cheeseburgers Jenks has been getting roughed up. Worst part is his velocity is down to the low 90's. Let's be honest, he can't throw a breaking ball for a strike, so if he's not throwing 97+ he'll be useless to the Sox. Fantasy players could be picking up MacDougal by the second week of the season.
• Ozzie hasn't announced a starting centerfielder yet, only noting that Erstad has been the best so far. Word from the Chicago Tribune today has Brian Anderson fighting for a spot on the Big League roster. It would really suck to be him right now, going from the heir apparent to fighting for the last spot on the team.

I know we're probably missing a few items, but we'll get to them as we get closer to Opening Day

Umm... Spring Training doesn't matter right?

Only the first spring training game, so there's no real reason to even write any of this. But for those who missed it...

Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland combined to give up 11 runs on 14 hits to the Rockies.

Bobby Jenks left the game without getting an out, after a walk and a hit batsman.

The Sox stranded 11 men on base.

But, again, it doesn't really matter. That's the beauty of spring training - the Sox player could come out wearing gorilla suits and throwing underhanded, and it still wouldn't matter. But, as always, there's someone dumb enough to write about it.

Like me.

One note about Jenks: he's been experiencing stiffness in his shoulder since reporting to camp, and has been having trouble with his mechanics. On the plus size, er, side, he's in better shape than this time last year.

Welcome to your new hangout

What better day to begin than today, when the Chicago White Sox will play the first spring training game of the year. The Cubs begin their spring season tomorrow, so we'll focus on the Sox for the moment.

We can go more in-depth later, but here are a couple key issues to keep in mind as the Sox camp continues.

• 5th Starter - The Sox traded away 2 starters this off season, Freddy Garcia and Brandon McCarthy, leaving a host of question marks as options for the final rotation spot. Gavin Floyd looked to be the front-runner until he rolled his ankle in his first mound appearance. Personally, I'm hoping we start the season with knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, because really, what baseball fan doesn't love a good floater?
• Center Field - Newly aquired Darin Erstad will get the start today (and bat leadoff), but it appears that Brian Anderson will have every opportunity to win the spot again this year. For anyone who wasn't paying attention, his fielding was fantastic last year, but it looked like he stepped up to the plate with a wiffle ball bat half the time.
• Sluggers' health - The Sox have been lucky with the health of their big boppers the last couple years, and everyone's hoping it continues. If Konerko, Thome and Dye can all stay relatively healthy, this could be another record-setting offensive year. At the very least, I wouldn't want to have to be the one getting the bill for all the fireworks they'll need at The Cell.

If you're near a radio in Chicago this afternoon, check out today's game on The Score, 670AM.