The Beast

QUOTE (greg775 @ Apr 11, 2010 -> 03:01 PM) I don't know why Sabermetrics has to rule everything. I'm sure the right thing to do was not let Mark pitch the eighth and he got out of it fine. There's got to be some stat somewhere that indicates Mark after 95 pitches sucks or something like that. Or most pitchers suck after 95. My eyes give me Pods over Juan. Agreed - my eyes prove that KW dropped the ball yet again. Too bad if I asked a question at SoxFest about it, he'd give me some stupid answer given to him by the PR department. And then I'd reply with a nice f-bomb directed at him. And then a woman in the crowd would say, "Oh no, won't somebody please think of the children?!"

If any of the seven internships I applied for (ESPN Radio 1000, 670 the Score (2 positions), Finishline, Bulls/Sox academy, UIC sports information department, Loyola sports information department), I would definitely work for free because I'm one of the few lucky ones who can financially afford to do so. In a way, it is possible, based on the hours that you intern to work part-time and gain experience throughout the week. The only other option that I would suggest to anyone is to just find a job related to something you are interested in doing on campus. For example, I work as an assistant for the sports information department and provide game recaps/record live statistics for the home baseball and softball games. Will I do this as a job? No, it is just something I have done to show to an employer, so that they know I have writing skills even though I am a business major. My point is that there are ways to get away with experience without having an internship on your record.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Apr 10, 2010 -> 05:38 PM) It's one of those long connections: dad's best friend's brother-in-law is the agent/lawyer (he works full-time as an attorney with the sports agent stuff on the side). So once my dad told his friend that I was going to U. Illinois for law school, his friend told his brother-in-law and said I should send me resume because I wanted to use my law degree to work in sports. My undergrad was in journalism ironically from U. of Missouri, but I was thinking about a Master's in education somewhere. Northwestern said that the two biggest keys for acceptance are academic record (undergrad grades) and previous work experience in sports, whether that be full-time or internship. All in all, the application wasn't that bad, but I am kinda putting my eggs in one basket here with Northwestern b/c they don't require the GRE, so I haven't tried applying anywhere else where they might need the GRE. NIU has a sports management program, though they do require the GRE and aren't nearly as prestigious as NU. Mizzou is excellent for journalism and probably would allow you to bypass the rural areas and land you a great job. But who knows.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Apr 9, 2010 -> 09:46 PM) It's called Kaufmann Sports Management Group and it was because of Illinois law connection at first because both agents went there. I am applying to Northwestern for the Sports Admin program with an emphasis on sports marketing/public relations, so I am hopeful that I will get accepted. I realized I couldn't be happy as a lawyer since I am big into working out and working crappy hours for something I wasn't passionate about was not going to work, so I had to switch career goals pretty quick. It's been a whirldwind past two months going from graduating college, planning on law school, then not knowing what I wanted to do, thinking maybe high school English teacher, then settling on sports marketing, and now trying for the Masters. How did you network with these people? What was your undergraduate degree in? I'll assume English because you need that qualification to teach high school English. What does it take to get accepted? I know that it is NU, and I'm not looking to go there. And I agree with you on working in something you aren't passionate about for long hours (and with journalism, it's low pay). Good luck with your Master's degree.

Fail.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 10, 2010 -> 02:11 PM) Worth noting...the Twins key player/MVP was a #2 draft pick, and I don't remember the last time we drafted that highly. I don't understand how the draft works; why do the Sox get the number pick that they do? Is it based off of record like the other major leagues?

Podsednik > Pierre any day of the week. I don't care what anyone says. Come to think of it, have the White Sox ever thought of utilizing the Twins model of scouting and building up the farm system to build a decent team? It seems like Beckham is the only decent homegrown guy we've produced in the last five years.

QUOTE (Capn12 @ Apr 10, 2010 -> 01:59 PM) Jesus christ people, quit picking apart everything I say. Freddy, OUR 5th starter, pitched perfectly well, for OUR Chicago White Sox, where he is OUR 5th starter, and we didn't know what to expect. There, that defined well enough for you all? I expect f***ing winning baseball. What I am seeing right now is losing baseball - this "offense" that Guillen has a hard on for obviously isn't working. It seems like the Sox are still going to need to rely on the long ball to win. I can only hope that they dig up JD from his vacation spot and insert him into this sterile "offense."

Maggsmaggs, how did you get into working with the sports marketing firm? What is it called? Are you going to get a Master's in sport management or even a certificate from somewhere in sport management for your job?

I've heard from a few people that UPS pays your tuition if you work there for a certain amount of time in a co-op program. Not sure if that is true or not. Yesterday, I read this too and thought about how great it would be, making $74,000 doing this kind of work. But honestly I'd rather just get my degree and stumble into a career. Though that is something I wonder - what is the difference between a job and a career in soxtalk.com's viewpoint? You could also never get me to be a lawyer, but I would consider being a paralegal. Any job that consumes your life where you are working long hours for virtually nothing in return but money doesn't fit me. Similarly, long hours for $20K doesn't fit me either. Is there a happy medium between the two?

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Apr 4, 2010 -> 09:13 PM) I always heard it was a terrible idea to move because of a girl (or guy, I imagine). Worst decision that I have ever made. I'm sure the sex was better with the girls I missed out on my freshman year.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 4, 2010 -> 02:21 PM) Ross, just calm down and live in the moment. If you are just meeting a girl, you have no idea what is going to happen between you two. Calm down and enjoy yourself. Quit worrying about the future so much. Employment doesn't bring happiness, forcing yourself into a relationship won't bring happiness, and just following societies expectations of you won't bring happiness either. Do what makes you happy. Smoke a giant metaphorical joint, sit back, and watch the f***ing sunset as you relax. Everything will work itself out in the future (I know it's cliche, and I know you need some type of work, but seriously, you'll be fine). Go out and have fun and don't worry about dating girls. And honestly, if you get a little shy or scared or over-the-top affectionate because a girl is too hot, go for a 7 out of 10 rather than a 9 or 10 out of 10. I never had the self-confidence to approach a great looking girl when I was getting into the game, and I would make an ass out of myself somehow or another (I have a famous quote in freshman year when I was drunk...I was talking to a hot girl at a party, and she mentioned that she was single, and I said something along the lines of "oh you're single? Wanna date?" and I was dead serious). I always had a little crush on my current one, but how I actually met her was getting drunk and talking to her...we did that for like 2-3 straight weekends, and we eventually started hanging out sober, and then she gave me a massage, and then I told her I liked her and she told me she liked me, and then we kissed, and then we partied together, and we went on a walk and started making out, and we went back to my room and clothes started to come off...it goes on and on from there, but I eventually lose my virginity and get to the point I'm at. Just go out, have a good time, go to an afterbar with some friends, chill, relax, and be yourself. Have a good time, relax, be yourself, and live in the moment. What brings happiness? "Do what makes you happy." Too bad no major or career has made me happy. Ever since life has changed significantly, I have kind of just felt like something is missing. When I found out that my initial majors weren't what I expected, I really got worried and felt like I had no purpose in life. That all I had worked for wasn't for anything. And now I'm trying to use my gifts of being compassionate towards others or follow my passion of baseball and football by obtaining that degree towards business. If it doesn't work, then I want to help high school juniors and seniors make the right choices while they still have time to make the right decision. I love helping people, so that's my next plan, a Master's in School Psychology/Counseling Education. I think what would is to be able to live the life that I want, which is to come back to Chicago and be employed or live down there so that I can soak up the city and sports teams that I love while meeting someone and settling down there when the time comes. That is what I'm working towards because THAT is what will make me happy. Sure I go to school in the quad cities but I have a desire to come back home and work my way toward Chicago after graduation. I have gone out and "had fun" and absolutely can't stand the bars and I find that the things I do like going out to include sports. Maybe that will change when I have another semester at SAU under my belt and I can concentrate less on studies and more on the people there. At the moment, I'm working on a few, one that goes to Lewis and the other one that is down in Peoria. We'll see what happens. Once I find what "is a good time" to me and not just a blanket statement that applies to everyone, then I'll live in the moment. Till then, I think it is important to keep searching, keep searching and FIND IT. EDIT: Thoughts on "living in the moment." Surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself. (I'm getting there, not sure if the feeling is mutual all of the time.) Keep your eye on the prize – visualize the kind of life you want and never lose sight of it. (Yep, check, want to come back to the city.) Laugh every chance you possibly can – even if you have to fake it at first, until you remember how great it can feel. (I'm trying, it isn't always easy.)

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 4, 2010 -> 12:45 PM) Just a few years ago you couldnt wait to get out of high school to get into college with more mature people where you can get your degree etc. Now you cant wait to get out of college and get a job and "find happiness". Whats the big hurry? Why do you have to skip straight from meeting someone out, directly to discussing what you want to do with your entire life with the girl you are just meeting out? If you would slow yourself down just a bit an look around, you would realize things arent nearly as bad as you think they are, and you wouldnt want to GTFO so bad. I don't believe that I was excited to go to college. I just wanted out of my high school because I didn't have a fun high school career. It has gotten better now but I still have the fear of failure in the back of my mind. Sometimes I wonder if I just love the city too much and just miss that atmosphere, too bad the schools are expensive. I discussed that with that one girl that one evening to get rid of her. I didn't have an interest in the friend I was passed over to. But anyway, go wite, go for it!

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 4, 2010 -> 12:18 PM) When you GTFO, you will soon realize that its easier in college. What is easier? Landing a girl or passing your classes to get a "job?" I guess my issue is this: "Hi, my name is...I can tell you right up front that I don't want to work in sales. I'm a closeted introvert and would hate cold calling, it would probably give me ulcers. I'm doing this major to get a degree in management. I don't know what I want to do other than to be an account executive in health care or sports. I'd like to work in PR but who knows. Here's what I did in school. Here's where I went to school. Here is what I'm capable of. I'm not an idiot. Want to hire me? Great, thanks for your time. It's time to go to grad school, try to get a master's in guidance counseling and help others find the right career or college path. And if I fail at that, then I'll go amongst the happily or unhappily unemployed."

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 4, 2010 -> 05:22 AM) Thanks. It's going to be interesting. She has said she wants to move out to Seattle with no strings attached to South Dakota (other than her parents, of course), but over the past week or so has been talking about how she could see herself marrying me. We have about 4 and a half months left together before that date, so we'll just have to see how it plays out. Is this the same girl as before? If so, wow, you turned that around nicely. I wish that I had your talent, then I wouldn't be searching at bars and playing the bulls*** game. Meh, doesn't matter to me as long as I graduate soon and GTFO.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 01:51 PM) Nah, I don't think I've ever dated or had a fling with a Sox fan. Admit it though guys, imagine what it would be like if we were dating a Sox fan who would fulfill this fantasy but wearing White Sox gear instead. I'd be game for that!

Did any of you subscribe if you used match.com? It seems as though you can just post on those sites and if you want to email the girl you have to pay. Maybe there's a way around that, like looking at facebook profiles somehow.

QUOTE (Al Lopez's Ghost @ Mar 21, 2010 -> 08:15 AM) If we were Cub fans..... we'd be drinking beer and ignoring bad baseball. I don't see why all of the discourse about this "story." Do we as a readership need to give a rat's ass about the White Sox manager's son who can't comply with what the employer wants? It comes to a point where I just care about the facts presented in articles and not some writer's opinion about something that is meaningless to a team. Jenks' health is a lot more important than Oney Guillen or Kenny Williams, Jr. I suppose I will never understand what objective and good journalism is. Or what makes something "newsworthy."

If we were Cub fans, this would be a perfect thread to discuss Lou and Hendry's relationship or Bradley and Hendry's relationship. But we're not Cub fans - we're White Sox fans. Thus, this has no relevance to our success this year so I think the thread should be deleted.

I always wondered if any of those website worked. Yahoo! personals looks decent but I never actually tried it. Hmm...is eHarmony.com legit or bull s***?

Probably either: Hoobastank - Crawling in the Dark Godsmack - Straight out of Line Slayer - Reign in Blood Metallica - Enter Sandman

QUOTE (iamshack @ Mar 6, 2010 -> 09:39 PM) What exactly are you suggesting, Ross? Would you rather the commentary you regret making be deleted? I would like some of this commentary to be deleted - what if an employer came on and saw this? That wouldn't look very good for me, now would it?

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Mar 6, 2010 -> 06:33 PM) This will kind of be off the topic of relationships, but good general advice overall. But first of all, it's ridiculous to want to know what you want to do for the rest of your life at 18 when picking school/majors, so don't fret over that. As for a job, you really have to do what you love and not worry about money. If you do something you like, you will work harder at it and be promoted and make a living. For example, with me I have always been worried way too much about money. Up until a month ago, I was dead set on going to U. of I for law school and making $100,000-plus as a 25-year-old. Then I realized (while working at a sports agency at a law firm right now) that no amount of money is worth not doing what you want to do. Law was going to kill my life. I was not going to be able to do the monotonous work of a lawyer and work the crazy hours. So now I am trying to get into sports marketing. You're at a time right now where maybe you should just hold off on worrying about women and just find what you want to do for a career and get a start there. Then you will be in the right mindset to find a girl. Gentlemen - I wanted to start out by saying that I regret some of the posts that I have made in this thread. Not only are they unprofessional and not developed thoughts but they also are distasteful. You may wonder why I'm saying this, but ultimately, I just had someone come talk to me in regards to what I've said. And I've taken that individual's insight to heart. That being said, most of the steps I have taken up to this point in changing majors, switching schools and stuff have been the right choice. While I will admit to not enjoying the life of being a sports journalist or broadcaster, that doesn't mean that the business side of sports doesn't interest me. I am fascinated by things related to sports management and marketing, which includes some aspects of working with an organization or for working behind the scenes in radio doing whatever they tell me to do at 670 the score or at their competitor in AM-1000. I think I might have a plan as to how to get the ball rolling on this but it will take some effort on my part. Most of all, I do believe working on yourself, expanding your fan base (friendships and network) could be the most valuable thing for me right now. I appreciate all of your insight and will continue to read this thread as well as this board. Now, may I suggest parts of this thread belong in another thread entitled, 'Young sports professionals?'

QUOTE (Brian @ Mar 6, 2010 -> 02:12 PM) Had to google her. Yowzas. Some nice pics show up of her. I've got good taste. She's going to replace Buehrle as my new computer wallpaper as soon as I get home.

Finding a job, hanging at home, taking the next step to graduate next May. Maybe playing drinking games. Who knows.