I'm wondering: Why don't the broadcasters (or league) come up with a plausible story about the White Sox curse? If they're supposed to handily win this series—and even if they're not—the league should be hyping the handy, compelling story that dates back to 1919 and features Shoeless Joe Jackson, a player who has already appeared as a ghost, in the new modern classic, Field of Dreams (1989).
I think you underestimate the moralism of the American people. The league really can't hype the curse. Anyway, these things have to be more or less organic to be effective. No one in Chicago talks about the curse of the Black Sox (or cares about the White Sox, for that matter).
But you underestimate how truly, truly boring this Series is going to be, and how badly the league needs to come up with a narrative. The league apparently underestimates that, too.
Look, I agree that the series is going to be boring, but I don't see what choice the league has. To make the Black Sox narrative compelling, they'd really have to explain, in detail, what happened. Cheating! Betrayal! Gambling!
What's worse, not having a curse story or having a lame one? The Red Sox curse story is just plain stupid - it involves an apocryphally pissy Babe Ruth and "No No Nanette." The Cubs have that idiot thing with the goat. Better to just shrug and say "yeah, we suck" than have a curse that's just dumb.
I was amazed at how much the announcers during the Sox-Sox series went on about the inspiring story of the Red Sox, and how crushed they seemed when they lost. I mean, how tragic is it that the defending champions get knocked out early in the playoffs? I'm sure folks in Boston care, but for the rest of us it makes no sense. Barely a word about the Curse of Shoeless Joe, either.
Of course, I was watching with some White Sox fans, so my perspective may have been skewed.
Watching the game, I find myself rooting for the Angels, even though, based on my usual system for determining who to side with when I don't have a rooting interest, I should be going for the White Sox. It must be some leftover affection from watching them beat the MFYs lastnight.
As an Oakland As fan transplanted these many years to NYC, I don't really have any good options. Root for the now-bested Yankees, and I'm a traitor; root for the Angels, and I'm a traitor. The White Sox seems a nice, non-confrontational team to root for. I agree that they need to work on their curse, though. Every baseball franchise needs a curse to justify the taxpayer expense, after all.
Babe Ruth's leaving the Red Sox had nothing to do with "No, No, Nanette," that's an urban legend. And MLB might be able to get away with an historical discussion of the Black Sox (they could even have noted Cub fan John Cusack do it) if it weren't for more recent memories of Pete Rose.
Babe Ruth's leaving the Red Sox had nothing to do with "No, No, Nanette,"
The "Curse of the Bambino" is still pretty stupid, whether you include the musical or not. As a fat, goofy-looking guy in a silly uniform, Babe Ruth does not make a compelling curse character. The Cubs' goat story works better because weird old men with goats are creepy, but is still undeniably stupid. I mean, Jesus, it's just a dumb goat.
The Black Sox make for a real juicy curse story - you have seedy conspiracy, betrayal, and game-rigging. I can't imagine why it hasn't been adopted, but for the fact that White Sox fans are great big fucking pansies. Go back to your fat men and your goats.
Think of it this way: once I move in, you and wettam don't have to worry about being hosts to your lady-guests and can blog without care. I'll be providing a service.
I tend to find that many fans have a tendency to display a fairly pathetic desire to in some way be a part of the game. Witness the noise do-hickies.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 7:34 PM
I'm wondering: Why don't the broadcasters (or league) come up with a plausible story about the White Sox curse? If they're supposed to handily win this series—and even if they're not—the league should be hyping the handy, compelling story that dates back to 1919 and features Shoeless Joe Jackson, a player who has already appeared as a ghost, in the new modern classic, Field of Dreams (1989).
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 7:46 PM
I imagine that, even at this remove, the league isn't keen to recall its darkest episode (racial issues aside).
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 7:50 PM
Witthelm thinks that's studid, he says. I don't know what's wrong with his fingers.
What's worse for the league: some bad news from eighty years ago, or an unwatched Series?
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 7:54 PM
It's Wehttam, damnit!
Posted by Wehttam Saiselgy | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 7:57 PM
Are you guys in the same room right now?
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 7:59 PM
Even I know about the Black Sox.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 7:59 PM
We're watching the game and aching for a better Sox Curse storyline. And commenting on blogs. Previously, we cooked chicken. It's a fascinating life.
Posted by Wehttam Saiselgy | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:03 PM
I think you underestimate the moralism of the American people. The league really can't hype the curse. Anyway, these things have to be more or less organic to be effective. No one in Chicago talks about the curse of the Black Sox (or cares about the White Sox, for that matter).
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:07 PM
But you underestimate how truly, truly boring this Series is going to be, and how badly the league needs to come up with a narrative. The league apparently underestimates that, too.
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:10 PM
or cares about the White Sox, for that matter
You're from the northern suburbs, correct?
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:13 PM
I have no idea why you'd ask that, Weiner.
Look, I agree that the series is going to be boring, but I don't see what choice the league has. To make the Black Sox narrative compelling, they'd really have to explain, in detail, what happened. Cheating! Betrayal! Gambling!
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:19 PM
What's worse, not having a curse story or having a lame one? The Red Sox curse story is just plain stupid - it involves an apocryphally pissy Babe Ruth and "No No Nanette." The Cubs have that idiot thing with the goat. Better to just shrug and say "yeah, we suck" than have a curse that's just dumb.
Posted by Isle of Toads | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:19 PM
I was amazed at how much the announcers during the Sox-Sox series went on about the inspiring story of the Red Sox, and how crushed they seemed when they lost. I mean, how tragic is it that the defending champions get knocked out early in the playoffs? I'm sure folks in Boston care, but for the rest of us it makes no sense. Barely a word about the Curse of Shoeless Joe, either.
Of course, I was watching with some White Sox fans, so my perspective may have been skewed.
Posted by teofilo | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:20 PM
White Sox fans, eh? Must not be from Chicago.
(Take that, Weiner.)
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:21 PM
Baseball has been a dreary, dreary sport for about two decades now.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:22 PM
This guy cares about the White Sox.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:22 PM
God, we're getting our ass kicked in the battle of the catchers.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:23 PM
I like the Sox too, but I'm not admitting it officially until this thread is exhausted.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:24 PM
I can't watch baseball or sumo sober.
Posted by Isle of Toads | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:24 PM
If they manage to find one hot woman in the stands, I'll post nude pictures of Labs.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:24 PM
Small ball, big boys, bottled beer?
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:26 PM
Sometimes a cigar is just a cock on fire.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:27 PM
Well, I'm rooting for the Sox, since they felled my team, but mostly I'm glad that the demon Yankees aren't in the ALCS.
Posted by Bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:29 PM
How can we not like baseball at the Mineshaft?
(via LGM.)
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:34 PM
Baseball has been a dreary, dreary sport for about two decades now.
Apo, will you have my baby?
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:37 PM
To 25, I think that the BUW should become a new standard unit of measurement. ATM, that is.
Posted by bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:40 PM
Apo, will you have my baby?
No, but he'll nurse it.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:42 PM
I'm ashamed that I've looked closely enough to need to ask this, but...is his nipple inverted in some way?
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:44 PM
Looks
just like it does in real lifenormal to me.Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:45 PM
Watching the game, I find myself rooting for the Angels, even though, based on my usual system for determining who to side with when I don't have a rooting interest, I should be going for the White Sox. It must be some leftover affection from watching them beat the MFYs lastnight.
Posted by pjs | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:47 PM
It's an outie, Tim.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:56 PM
I'm seen an inverted nipple before. 'S awesome.
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 8:59 PM
As an Oakland As fan transplanted these many years to NYC, I don't really have any good options. Root for the now-bested Yankees, and I'm a traitor; root for the Angels, and I'm a traitor. The White Sox seems a nice, non-confrontational team to root for. I agree that they need to work on their curse, though. Every baseball franchise needs a curse to justify the taxpayer expense, after all.
Posted by Jackmormon | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 9:12 PM
We're watching the game and aching for a better Sox Curse storyline. And commenting on blogs. Previously, we cooked chicken. It's a fascinating life.
Sounds awesome. Let me know when you need another roommate. (Pluses: I will not make fun of your spelling.)
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 10:33 PM
If you can clean, you're in.
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 10:42 PM
Awesome. I'll get my things.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 10:45 PM
Sorry, we're full up on things.
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 10:50 PM
How unfortunate.....Are you particularly attatched to your things? I mean, if you're not, room could be made.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 10:54 PM
Babe Ruth's leaving the Red Sox had nothing to do with "No, No, Nanette," that's an urban legend. And MLB might be able to get away with an historical discussion of the Black Sox (they could even have noted Cub fan John Cusack do it) if it weren't for more recent memories of Pete Rose.
Posted by washerdreyer | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:02 PM
I guess you've got a point—damn. "Ladies, Michael says you need to leave to make room for him."
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:21 PM
Babe Ruth's leaving the Red Sox had nothing to do with "No, No, Nanette,"
The "Curse of the Bambino" is still pretty stupid, whether you include the musical or not. As a fat, goofy-looking guy in a silly uniform, Babe Ruth does not make a compelling curse character. The Cubs' goat story works better because weird old men with goats are creepy, but is still undeniably stupid. I mean, Jesus, it's just a dumb goat.
The Black Sox make for a real juicy curse story - you have seedy conspiracy, betrayal, and game-rigging. I can't imagine why it hasn't been adopted, but for the fact that White Sox fans are great big fucking pansies. Go back to your fat men and your goats.
Posted by Isle of Toads | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:29 PM
41: Wait, y'all are sitting around the appartment full up with ladies, and all of y'all are reading blogs?
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:34 PM
That's just how they roll, bitch.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:35 PM
We were, before you made me kick them out.
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:36 PM
Well, I feel appreciated, even if I am now less certain about the healthiness of your priorities. But I can stay for free, right?
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:39 PM
You have to sleep with the women.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:44 PM
Really, someone ought to.
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:48 PM
If I must.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:49 PM
You have to sleep with the women.
And that's not a euphemism.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:49 PM
That's settled. If only someone else were available to pleasure them!
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:53 PM
I have the power of Southern Charm.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:56 PM
So long as it's not Southern Comfort.
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-11-05 11:57 PM
I can provide "Southern Comfort," IYKWIMAITYD.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-12-05 12:02 AM
Think of it this way: once I move in, you and wettam don't have to worry about being hosts to your lady-guests and can blog without care. I'll be providing a service.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-12-05 12:04 AM
IYKWIMAITYD.
Not the bourbon?
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10-12-05 12:09 AM
Right. I in fact was not referring to the whisky.
True story: I am reading a book about procrastination right now.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-12-05 12:12 AM
If I paid attention to baseball, I surely would have realized that the enitre moniker, "Randy Johnson: the Big Unit," is just one big cock joke.
I nominated him for the official baseballer of Unfogged.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-12-05 8:36 AM
The DH rule must go, if only because it keeps Randy Johnson from swinging his bat.
Posted by Standpipe Bridgeplate | Link to this comment | 10-12-05 9:04 AM
I know not why that "d" is there after "nominate."
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10-12-05 9:05 AM
I know not why that "d" is there after "nominate."
Duh, it's to indicate the past tense.
What, is wolfson on holiday or something?
Posted by Mitch Mills | Link to this comment | 10-12-05 1:01 PM