southsider2k5 Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Now my question is, why couldn't Steff plug Soxtalk while she was at it? We would have been famous Today Teddy Greenstein borrows from our resident trouble maker for a Frank Thomas article Something odd transpired over the weekend at SoxFest: Frank Thomas became a sympathetic figure to White Sox fans. A multimillionaire who stands 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 275 pounds, Thomas suddenly has common folk watching his back. Chalk it up to a turbulent off-season in which Thomas, fresh off a 42-homer campaign, took body blows from new manager Ozzie Guillen and then had his manners scrutinized by general manager Ken Williams, who disclosed that Thomas had not been returning his phone calls. Although Thomas blew off SoxFest this year, he was very much on the minds of some fans who showed up. During Friday's question-and-answer session with members of the front office, a woman took the microphone and began lecturing Williams. Although the woman acknowledged she'd be in big trouble if she didn't return calls from her boss, she said: "It's not appropriate to broadcast your issues with Frank Thomas. That's none of our business, and it puts him in a bad light." Williams responded that he was simply trying to be straight with the media. "When I look at the presidential candidates," he said, "I look for honesty, someone who will give it to me straight." An admirable stance, to be sure. But then again, Williams didn't have to tell us about Thomas' voice-mail issues. The question came up on Jan. 23 after Shingo Takatsu's introductory press conference. That's when Williams was asked if he had been in contact with Thomas. Williams simply could have said, "No, I'll see him in a few weeks at spring training." Instead Williams mentioned the phone calls, adding, "I think it's on Frank at this point to reach out to us because we've made the overtures." Guillen, too, tried to contact Thomas repeatedly. Thomas didn't get back to him either. Perhaps it had something to do with what Guillen said after he was named manager on Nov. 3: "I have no problem with Frank as long as he plays the game right. When he does stuff on the field to disrespect the team, he's not respecting himself. If he hits a fly ball and doesn't run the bases, Frank won't get another at-bat. ... I'm not talking about just Frank. I'm talking about everyone." Guillen has tried to distance himself from those sentiments by stressing the final part: His rules apply to everyone. Guillen also said only four people need to return his calls--his wife and three kids. "Frank and I are friends," Guillen said. Guillen tried to prove that during Friday's session after a young fan asked everyone on the panel to name his favorite Sox player. After Darrin Jackson said he was pulling for Jon Garland and Hawk Harrelson picked Carlos Lee, Williams declined to answer. Then it was Guillen's turn. Rowdy fans began screaming, "Frank! Frank! Frank!" Guillen, who can play a crowd like P.T. Barnum, obliged the masses by picking Thomas and saying, "Believe me, he'll have an MVP year." A nice thought, but maybe Guillen and Williams should have stuck with their original plan. After another fan complained to Williams on Saturday about his decision to air Thomas' "dirty laundry," Harrelson jumped in. "Let's hope this keeps up," he said, "because Frank's a better player when he has an edge on him." So maybe an angry Frank is a productive Frank. Some of Thomas' teammates have been critical of him. Others are supportive. All are perplexed by the attention he receives. Jose Valentin told reporters Friday that Thomas "has to straighten some things up. He has to be a man on the field, off the field and in the clubhouse. He has to understand that the back of his jersey says `Thomas,' but it says `White Sox' on the front. We all play for the same team. When we win, we'll all get to wear the same kind of ring." But later Valentin said: "I've been here for five years, and every year it's, `Frank this, Frank that.' You just have to leave him alone." Mark Buehrle ran into Thomas recently in Las Vegas, but Thomas was gambling at the Palms Casino and Buehrle didn't want to interrupt. Buehrle said it was "kind of rude" that Thomas hadn't returned his bosses' phone calls, but he didn't believe Thomas' reticence was meant as an insult. Buehrle is the rare athlete who likes to give an honest answer, rather than one that simply sounds good. Williams would have to admire that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Oh Christ.. now I was "lecturing him"..? And I'm quoted incorrectly. Nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Oh Christ.. now I was "lecturing him"..? And I'm quoted incorrectly. Nice. What was the correct quote? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Oh Christ.. now I was "lecturing him"..? And I'm quoted incorrectly. Nice. Welcome to the world of celebrity, Steff. Just don't punch any Paparazzi... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 "I think it's innaproprate to talk about these things in the media", "In my opinion that stuff should be left between you all and not shared with the fans because when you go on Mac, Jerk, and Harry and make comments about Frank not calling you back it makes Frank look bad to us". I think leaving out the "think" and the "IMO" is misleading (again) to the tone of my comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Welcome to the world of celebrity, Steff. Just don't punch any Paparazzi... Ya know what... I'm taking a new approach here. I have no idea of any of this. I didn't even make a comment at the Q&A. I have no idea who this female fan is.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JimH Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 "I think it's innaproprate to talk about these things in the media", "In my opinion that stuff should be left between you all and not shared with the fans because when you go on Mac, Jerk, and Harry and make comments about Frank not calling you back it makes Frank look bad to us". I think leaving out the "think" and the "IMO" is misleading (again) to the tone of my comments. How you say it here is exactly as I remember it, word for word. I specifically remember you saying "in my opinion". Her use of the word "lecturing" isn't totally off base in my opinion. That's what those forums are for, though. If you can't scold or make a point or lecture or however one wishes to describe it in that setting, there really is no other setting, other than one-on-one. There was lots of give and take there. Fans gave it to the panel, the panel gave it back in certain instances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Steff, Fred Hubner on The Score just referred to you as "Belligerent" He was referring to a woman near him yelling at Kenny Williams about Frank. Wow...You're a star!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 2, 2004 Author Share Posted February 2, 2004 "I think it's innaproprate to talk about these things in the media", "In my opinion that stuff should be left between you all and not shared with the fans because when you go on Mac, Jerk, and Harry and make comments about Frank not calling you back it makes Frank look bad to us". I think leaving out the "think" and the "IMO" is misleading (again) to the tone of my comments. It is very misleading, and it isn't even Kotex Boy writing the article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Cool.. I'm getting more press than Janet's boob. I'm going to write a note to all these dingbats. Can someone post the emails for me..? I bet ya Jay says something positive about me.. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Ya know what... I'm taking a new approach here. I have no idea of any of this. I didn't even make a comment at the Q&A. I have no idea who this female fan is.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzietheairedale Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 I have to take KW's side on this one, (and that's not easy - I think the guy has the people skills of a doorknob). He was asked, directly, if he had contacted Frank this off season. He was in a no win situation. If he says he hadn't contacted him, he would have looked like he didn't care about Frank's mindset for the upcoming season. If he says he tried to contact him, he's either going to have to lie and say they spoke or he's going to have to say what he said - the truth. Frank simply had to act like a man and return his or Ozzie's phone calls. The fact that he didn't says alot about Frank Thomas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 I have to take KW's side on this one, (and that's not easy - I think the guy has the people skills of a doorknob). He was asked, directly, if he had contacted Frank this off season. He was in a no win situation. If he says he hadn't contacted him, he would have looked like he didn't care about Frank's mindset for the upcoming season. If he says he tried to contact him, he's either going to have to lie and say they spoke or he's going to have to say what he said - the truth. Frank simply had to act like a man and return his or Ozzie's phone calls. The fact that he didn't says alot about Frank Thomas. Actually... he was asked if he was upset that Frank didn't return Ozzie's calls, and replied "No, I'm upset he hasn't returned MY calls". I take Kenny's side in being upset also. What I DON'T agree with is telling us about it. Listen... my boss would be ticked if I didn't call him back either. What he would NOT do is announce that anger in the employee meetings. That's all the issue was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 2, 2004 Author Share Posted February 2, 2004 Ya know what... I'm taking a new approach here. I have no idea of any of this. I didn't even make a comment at the Q&A. I have no idea who this female fan is.... My only question is, can I be your agent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 My only question is, can I be your agent? Most definitely. Take care of scheduling the interviews for me.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 2, 2004 Author Share Posted February 2, 2004 Most definitely. Take care of scheduling the interviews for me.. OK first off I have to say this NO MORE QUESTIONS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Steff, Fred Hubner on The Score just referred to you as "Belligerent" He was referring to a woman near him yelling at Kenny Williams about Frank. Wow...You're a star!! Was I yelling...?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 2, 2004 Author Share Posted February 2, 2004 Was I yelling...?? I said NO MORE QUESTIONS! Ms Steff wasn't yelling. She was merely resonding to the astounding rudeness of Mr Williams, and was trying to finish her thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 I said NO MORE QUESTIONS! Ms Steff wasn't yelling. She was merely resonding to the astounding rudeness of Mr Williams, and was trying to finish her thought. LOL... you are too funny Mike. Honestly, talking into the microphone gives a sensation of not being loud. But I was concious that the mic would get the words out there and I was actually trying to talk softer. The only time I think I might have escalated my tone is when I gave Kenny the " " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 This is fascinating. It's a first-hand look at how something can get contorted and blown out of proportion. I don't know about YOU guys, but when an athlete says "My quote was taken out of context", I'm going to remember this little episode and think twice......AHHHHHH, who am I kidding??? I'm STILL not gonna believe the athlete!!! See what you started, Steff, you belligerent ruffian, you??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 This is fascinating. It's a first-hand look at how something can get contorted and blown out of proportion. I don't know about YOU guys, but when an athlete says "My quote was taken out of context", I'm going to remember this little episode and think twice......AHHHHHH, who am I kidding??? I'm STILL not gonna believe the athlete!!! See what you started, Steff, you belligerent ruffian, you??? Yep.. Nothing but trouble I am. :headshake What I really want to know is why they didn't quote me as "The belligerant FAT ASSED woman..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 2, 2004 Author Share Posted February 2, 2004 Yep.. Nothing but trouble I am. :headshake What I really want to know is why they didn't quote me as "The belligerant FAT ASSED woman..." In the PC age that should be "horizontal challenged in the rear areas". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 In the PC age that should be "horizontal challenged in the rear areas". ...or "weighted down in back"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Haha, way to go Steff!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Haha, way to go Steff!!! Thanks Steve.. Unfortunately, this was so far blown out of proportion.. I called the Score.. identified myself. They would not let me address the comments made about me this morning. Take that for what it's worth.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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