I really try not to get into the whole Cubs/Sox debate, I am a Cubs fan but growing up I did not cheer against the Sox. The first baseball game I attended was a Sox game at the old park and I enjoyed watching games sitting in the upper deck in the late '90s when bashing the then Comiskey Park was the "in" thing to do. But after listening to Ozzie Guillen and Kenny Williams constantly offer their opinions about all things Cubs, I have really started to root against the Sox because of these two blowhards.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball ... 19.article

Quote Kenny Williams
Early in his career as GM, talks of budget constraints would creep up. So hours before the Sox played the Pittsburgh Pirates, Williams was asked -- if the opportunity presented itself -- if he could imagine ever being GM of the deep-pocketed, throw-money-at-every-hole Cubs.

''That would be a betrayal,'' Williams said before a long pause. ''God, I would really, really have to need the job. Oh, wow, really need the job.''


What? The Sox payroll is about the same as the Cubs. It's not like the Cubs vs. Marlins payroll. The sox were after Fukodome, Torri Hunter in the offseason. But the cubs are throw-money-at-every-hole?

And another thought by Williams on Cubs fans.

''The unfortunate thing for me is it's a shame that a certain segment of Chicago refused to enjoy a baseball championship being brought to their city. The only thing I can say is, 'Happy anniversary.'''

Yeah, I am sure that Sox fans would love to see Cub fans celebrate a Sox championship. When the Sox won the World Series, my Sox fan brother watched the game at my place. I congratulated him as he went off to party and i went to bed. I am not going to celebrate because the Sox aren't my team. If Kenny Williams can't understand that then he is not too bright.

When was the last time Hendry or Piniella, or Dusty Baker said something that could be taken as a shot toward the Sox? i guess I expect a little more decorum from management (then again there is also Hank Steinbrenner so maybe I expect too much). There has been talk about meatballs on this board on both sides of town. I guess this should include Kenny.

What's wrong with this comment? He is absolutely correct. There are people out there that refuse to enjoy the Sox 2005 championship - Heck, I am sure there are people on this board that it burned their ass when it happened. If they refuse to enjoy/acknowledge it, that's their choice.

There's plenty of blowhards that root for the northsiders too, which makes me smile when the Cubs lose so I can see those dolts suffer and squirm. Check elmhurt steve's and mrs chris in joilet's posts for prime examples.

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Why is it a shame if I didn't enjoy the Sox bringing a championship to the city? I am not a Sox fan. If Iowa St somehow wins the NCAA basketball championship, will Iowa fans celebrate.

I acknowledge that the Sox won the WS. It did not burn my ass, I have family and friends who are Sox fans and I was happy for them. It wasn't tainted, they played extremely well that year. But the Sox winning the WS has no special meaning to me. Yes it is my choice and i am fine with it.

Part of a GM's job is to promote games in order to maximize attendance and exposure. This is nothing different than The Crusher being interviewed by Mean Gene Okerland in advance of a big match at the armory and calling the opponent a pencil necked geek.

By the way, is you want to make money next weekend at the Cell, print up a bunch of shirts that say Happy Anniversary. Those things would sell like hotcakes.

The Sox's payroll, I believe, is higher than the Cubs' this season. The Sun-Times just wants to portray Jerry as being a penny pincher, probably because he's Joooish and they're anti-semetic.

And Cubs fans don't have to celebrate a Sox championship, just as I wouldn't expect Sox fans to have to celebrate a Cubs championship.
enigma makes a great point there.

Kenny Williams just needs to stay out of Cubs' fans business!

Yeah Dolphin, cuz without Williams comments the Cubs/Sox games wouldn't sell out. Nobody would watch them either. C'mon Dolphin.

He said it to tweak Cubs fans. No other reason.

That would be a miracle. Iowa State winning a national title in any sport (sans wrestling) is a stretch.

But I would say when Iowa State does well, the typical response from hawkeye fans is 'Good for those Iowa kids' It's a different environment.

I doubt that any college rivals would be that nonchalant about their rivals. But right now, Iowa is probably more worried about drying off.

I dont have a problem with this. The Happy Anniversery shot was a little unncessary, but KW was asked about the Cubs, and he answered the question. To say he is constantly offering his opinion of all things Cubs is disingenuine.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

I think White Sox GM Kenny Williams was being honest when he was asked about ever generally managing the Cubs. I also think he's right when he said "a certain segment of Chicago refused to enjoy a baseball championship being brought to their city". It's hard not to argue with the fact the Sox brought home a World Series title in 2005 and the Cubs haven't won squat in a century and counting. I had no problem with what he said.

Well as I said in an earlier thread some of his opinions aren't grounded in fact, i.e the whole payroll thing.

Kenny and Ozzie do make more comments regarding the Cubs than Piniella or Hendry do about the sox.

Ozzie and Kenny seem to like to take little shots at the Cubs and their fans.

Well this is something that I remembered from spring training quote Kenny

• Williams on the pecking order in Chicago: "Our fans don't care about injuries and other things that happened last season. It's all about what you do on the field. There's only one sports team in Chicago that will get a pass. I won't name them. But it ain't us.''

Then you have Ozzie commenting on the fact that for the first time both the Cubs and Sox will meet as first place teams Didn't Ozzie say something to the effect of blame the Cubs and not us.

Of course you have the annual Wrigley is a dump, locker rooms are too small etc, complaints from Sox players and Ozzie.

Before you accuse me of being paranoid even Dave Van Dyke on Mully and Hanley said that the Sox like to make these veiled comments while Hendry bites his lip. Fine, Kenny and Ozzie like to give their opinions about other teams but when the spotlight light is on them, it "Stay out of White Sox business."

I think you are going out of your way to make something out of nothing. KW was right about one team in Chicago always getting a free pass. The Cubs sellout every year regardless of if they win 70 games or 90 games. Alot of Cubs fans brag about that. I guess its a matter of perspective.

Ozzie never said "Blame the Cubs." He said that no matter what the Sox do, or how many titles they win, they will always be considered 2nd best in this town. Thats also true, and if I was a Cubs fan, I would like the fact that is true.

Also in the article KW doesnt mention payroll at all. So I dont get why you are bringing that up and trying to say that he did.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

After reading the article again I see that KW didn't mention payroll. But we don't know how the question was phrased and if payroll was somehow part of the question.

Yeah overall it's not a big deal but I sometimes get tired of hearing the opinions of Ozzie and Kenny about the Cubs, their fan base etc.

Well, people shouldn't ask them about the Cubs then. This will probably happen next week too. This series brings out the meatball fans, and the meatball questions from the reporters. One thing about both those guys, they don't mince words. We know how Ozzie can spout off, but KW says some brazen things as well. If somebody asks them about something-- be it trades, the Cubs, sports media, whatever-- they're going to get an honest answer.

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I'm a Cubs fan and watching the Sox win the world series was the same as watching any other team win, the only difference was the people who were fans of the winning team were closer to me and more numerous.

The only thing I thought was one more year that the Cubs didn't win it.

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America wasn't founded so that we could all be better. America was founded so we could all be anything we damned well pleased. -P.J. O'rourke

Agreed.

with that, I am done with this topic.

A warm and fuzzy Happy Anniversary to you.

Anyone know which game is Barney Day this weekend?

The reason Kenny is saying this is as Mac pointed out-to curry favor with Sox fans. He needs to, so when he fails to get anyone at the trade deadline that other teams will add instead, he will need all the good will he can muster. He could have used some when he was failing to get Fukadome, Hunter and Rowand. He was getting ripped pretty bad then, as he couldnt get the okay to sign guys for the money other teams were willing to pay them. That same type situation will rear its head again, when they are unwilling to take on bigger contracts and they don't have the minor league talent to swing deals.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Not surprisingly you are wrong again. Sox never had a shot at Fukudome because he wouldnt sign with a team unless he was the first Japanese player on the team. Also Rowand and Hunter are over 30 and overpaid. Kenny Williams did a fantastic job this offseason. The Garland trade has worked out so far, we didnt need him. Danks and Floyd have worked out. Swisher is starting to hit and continually raise his average. Alexei Ramirez has worked out so far. Carlos Quentin was another great move. He improved the bullpen from the worst in the league to one of the best.

Sox fans are not and will not be upset with KW this year, even if he fails to add another bat or arm at the deadline, although you are probably wrong and I think he will add someone, since he has historically shown the willingness to do so when they are contenders, which they are this season. Dont speak for us, since you are bad enough speaking for Cubs fans.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

It's been 15 years since the last one. Guess they needed some new chairs and books.

Like he added someone in 05? Yeah your right he made all the right deadline deals in 06 too? Whoops.

I love how you give me more publicity then I could ever ask for. Hey where can I buy a CD from your shitty cover band? Oh and learn to fucking SPELLCHECK

Yeah, he didn't add anyone worth while on 2005...

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You sure you want to use rape in a sporting contest?

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Stupidity irritates the crap outta me... and yes, I irritate myself far too often.

He added AJ in the begining of the season. Not a deadline deal. Do I have to explain everything to you?

what was that final score of the game today, again?

I didnt even fucking respond to your dumbass comment. My point was Kenny did a good job in the offseason. Thats indisputable moron. Do I have to explain everything to you?

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Kenny has a ring and this team is in first, so he has done a good job. I dont hate everything White Sox, I just dont understand why Kenny found it necessary to run his trap, but it doesnt matter much to me. I actually agree with Ozzie about wrigley, once you are in the seat, its a great place to watch a game, but the other then that, Wrigley is a shit hole, that comment might get my kicked out of cub nation, but people who look at the field in a realistic way, know they need to tear it down and rebuild.

I lied about on thing though, I said I was going to ignore these games, but I couldnt help myself today. Came away impressed with Danks, adding a cutter has made him solid, but as always, happy the cubs won. Sorta drifted here a bit, but I am downing my 4th molson ice and watching parts of the game I missed.