Bridgeport_Joe

Also, given that Minnesota has played the easiest schedule in baseball by a significant margin to date (the Sox have had a slightly-easier-than-average schedule), I have a hard time feeling sorry for the Twins. The Twins will almost certainly end the year with an overall lower SOS than the Sox.

FYI-- Baseball Prospectus looked at this last year in a pretty extensive study. They were completely unable to find any evidence that a catcher's game calling ability affects starting pitchers' ERA by more than a couple hundreths of a run.

Seriously, though, anyone know what the story with Reed is?

Frank's "team first" approach is to be commended, but I'm not sure I agree with him hitting behind Magglio. While both have nearly identical OBPs, Frank's is primarily due to high walk numbers, whereas Maggs's is due to his high BA. Given two guys that get on base 38% of the time, with one batting .265 and the other batting .320, I want the high average hitter behind the high walk hitter. A walk will only advance runners one base (if that)--a single will, on average, advance runners 1.5 bases or so.

I'm making at least 10 times what I made in 2000. Of course, I was only working during the summer then, and I've got a full time gig now...

How can you eat at Shaller's without having the hash browns??? Also, if you go on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the prime rib is only $10, give or take a dollar. The only down side about the place is that it usually is closed for food by 9:00, and given my work schedule, I'm usually unavailable for dinner until then.

Yes. It's actually delicious. Basically, it's mostly stews and stewed-type vegetables, with very distinct spices (not hot, but very complex). Then, it's served with these spongy tortilla things (called injera) that you use to pick up the food. They're slightly sour, like a combination of tortillas, pancakes, and a splach of vinegar. There typically will not be cutlery in the entire restaurant--you eat with your fingers and the injera.

Unfortunately, Chinese and Thai curries bear little resemblance to Indian curries. Not that they're any worse (though I like Indian curries better)--they're just different. As for Chinese food, a Chinese friend (as in she just came over from Beijing three years ago) turned me on to a place called Szechuan in Chinatown. Very, very spicy. But their rabbit and tofu dishes are excellent. I'd definitely give it a shot, but only if you like REALLY spicy food. Seriously, I cannot stress enough how spicy the food is.

Unfortunately, no. Several years ago, when we first moved to Bridgeport, I had a craving for some Indian food. I went into Shinnick's and asked if there was one within a five mile drive. The bartender (one of the younger Shinnick grandchildren) looked at me kind of funny and asked "Is that like Chinese food?" Needless to say, I quickly learned how to do my own curries.

I would say more snobby than lazy or racist. Face it--your average Chicago media type comes from an educated, upper middle class background (as do I, by the way). They know what they like, or liked--meat market places like HiTops or the Cubby Bear. They certainly don't (or didn't) like cheap greasy spoon places or quiet neighborhood watering holes. Thus, because those are what dominate the southside, they don't get covered very well. It's actually kind of ironic--I NEVER go to the type of places that they like on the northside.* If I want Mexican, I do Pilsen or Bridgeport. If I want Chinese, I'll go to Chinatown. Italian? Little Italy. Indian? West Devon. Steaks? I'll go to a good butcher and grill my own. * One exception--there is a good Ethiopian place on Clark, just down the street from Wrigley. I'll go there.

Ah, talking about the nieghborhood digs. Pancho's is good--the carne asada is the best steak on the southside. The waitresses are very cute, too--there is some sort of Latvian pipeline where they come to the UIC for a year and all work at Pancho's. Seeing the endless streak of tall, attractive 21 year olds has bumped the Baltic republics way up on my "to visit" list. I'd avoid the margaritas. For breakfast, there is a great Mexican place on 35th (I forget the name), a block west of Halstead. It's right next door to the Bridgeport Cafe (hint: DON'T GO THERE--WORST FOOD EVER.) Get the migas. Another good breakfast place is the Ramova Grill on Halstead between 35th and 37th. Nice 50s-style diner. It's a favorite of the artists around the southside, so expect a surprisingly trendy crowd. For something fancier, Franco's on 31st (just west of the Dan Ryan) has decent high end Italian. It's more of a northern place, though, so don't expect your typical spaghetti. Also, it's not cheap--but the wine list is pretty reasonably priced. Obviously, go to Morrie's if you can. It's on 35th and Union. The hot dogs are only so-so, but everything else is pretty good. As for bars, for a real taste of Bridgeport, try Shinnick's on 38th and Union. It's the epitome of a Bridgeport hangout. Just park on the right side of the street, because if you park on the left, you'll probably be taking my space. Also, say hello to the black and white dog in the window of the house next door. She's friendly and enjoys the company.

Actually, a Val-Rowand platoon in RF would absolutely rake--it wouldn't replace Ordonez's production, but it would come reasonably close. Look at the respective players' stats against LHP and RHP.

Could be that Everett unsuccessfully gambled that the Sox would offer him arbitration. But this is probably just a silly rumor.

If the Mariners want Valentin, it's almost certainly to platoon him at third with Cirillo and to spell Vizquel when he's hurt.

Knowing Reinsdorf's reluctance to part with $25K, I'd be somewhat surprised if Grilli wasn't on the 25 man all year long. Unless he's DL'd again. Speaking of which, does anybody know the rules about DLing Rule 5 draftees?