Dick Allen Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 (edited) People on this site have made a big deal about the White Sox White House appearance. I don't know if teams visited the White House back in 1917 so this is a big deal to the organization, and Ozzie, especially considering he is the manager, should go. It wouldn't kill him to fly out of the DR into DC that morning and return to the DR that evening or even the next day. He is with his family, especially his sons all season and off season long. I think the excuse of wanting to spend vacation time with his family is weak, although I agree that it isn't that necessary he attend. The snub that concerns me is Jenks. Supposedly a death in the family is what kept him away from Soxfest, and now a personal matter has him not attending this. Most likely its nothing, but his past history, and the fact that he is now the toast of the town wherever he is at gets me wondering if he has fallen off the wagon. Edited February 11, 2006 by Dick Allen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Feb 11, 2006 -> 08:25 AM) People on this site have made a big deal about the White Sox White House appearance. I don't know if teams visited the White House back in 1917 so this is a big deal to the organization, and Ozzie, especially considering he is the manager, should go. It wouldn't kill him to fly out of the DR into DC that morning and return to the DR that evening or even the next day. He is with his family, especially his sons all season and off season long. I think the excuse of wanting to spend vacation time with his family is weak, although I agree that it isn't that necessary he attend. The snub that concerns me is Jenks. Supposedly a death in the family is what kept him away from Soxfest, and now a personal matter has him not attending this. Most likely its nothing, but his past history, and the fact that he is now the toast of the town wherever he is at gets me wondering if he has fallen off the wagon. If the date of the visit hadn't been changed twice, I'd be more inclined to agree. It wouldn't have killed Bush to schedule it earlier, either. If I understand what I've read, Ozzie delayed his vacation plans before to attend, only to have the date changed. Now it's only one week before he'll be away from his family a lot for a good portion of the next 8 months, so I have no problem with him skipping it. Being on the road for work with your family isn't the same as spending a relaxing time with them, so I think Ozzie's reason is perfectly vaild. I actually have no problem with anyone skipping it for any reason they choose. Just because you or I may think it's a big deal doesn't mean everyone has to share that opinion. I personally think it's a basically meaningless photo opportunity, and I believe I'd skip it if I were involved, especially this close to Spring Training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pants Rowland Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Feb 11, 2006 -> 02:44 AM) The fact that the main person b****ing about this was the ignorant ass racist Mike North tells me all I need to know about what side of the argument Ozzie is on here. If he wants to skip leaving his family for what is nothing more than a photo-op, more power to him. Well said. I was looking forward to some baseball talk on the radio this morning but instead I had to listen to a bunch of flag-waving stooges (in particular North and the jokers on after him) pontificate about Ozzie's duty, honor for country, politcial statements and anything else that would rile up listeners. I was amazed at the number of callers who were offended at Ozzie's actions and acted like this was a huge PR debacle for the White Sox. Some tried to point out that Ozzie was recently made a citizen and owes it to his new country to show respect for the White House. They are acting like Ozzie hangs out with Hugo Chavez all off-season plotting the end of US imperialism. Ozzie has taken the majority of the short offseason to be an ambassador for the White Sox. To me that is his real duty. He has been unwavering since taking the reins that family comes first. That goes for his players as well (remember Willie Harris this year?). I do not know why he is obligated to interrupt at least 2 vacation days with his wife and kids to spend 20 minutes with W, who has cancelled this visit on several occassions. People don't realize that a trip to and from the D.R. is not the same as a trip to Atlanta on Southwest Airlines. I say he should enjoy his vacation and get ready for his other obilgation (other than family) which is to win another championship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevHead0881 Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 You summed it up for me Beltin' Bill. I've been surprised at some of the negative feedback, at least on the radio. I originally thought that most of those who are supposedly "offended" by this are just Cub fans who have been waiting for a time to rip into Ozzie and the Sox without sounding like sore losers. But who knows. Maybe there really are that many flag waving yahoos out there. I personally don't know why a trip to the White House is treated like some sort of religious experience. Its a nice thing to do that I wouldn't mind doing someday, but its not that big of a deal. Its a tour and a photo-op. How it is your "duty as an American citizen" to participate in something like this is beyond me. If a 10 minute chat with the Prez about baseball is somehow more important than spending time with my family, then I guess I've got to get my priorities straight. Consider me un-American. :headshake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomsonmi Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 They must really be desperate for something to talk about in Chicago because this is a nothing story. Would Mike North be this outraged if the President was Bill Clinton? My guess is no. I heard someone on The Score this morning say this was the biggest reward a team gets as part of a championship. Uh --- no. The parade in the home town and the trophy at the park for eternity are the biggest rewards. Enjoy your family Ozzie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Another point to consider is that Ozzie did the White House thing as 3B coach of the 2003 World Champion Marlins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beast Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 I think this whole thing about Ozzie not being able to attend is being made into a huge deal by the media. I think that in its ownself is very pointless and stupid. The man had a committment, so let everyone deal with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosMediasBlancas Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Feb 11, 2006 -> 09:25 AM) People on this site have made a big deal about the White Sox White House appearance. I don't know if teams visited the White House back in 1917 so this is a big deal to the organization, and Ozzie, especially considering he is the manager, should go. It wouldn't kill him to fly out of the DR into DC that morning and return to the DR that evening or even the next day. He is with his family, especially his sons all season and off season long. I think the excuse of wanting to spend vacation time with his family is weak, although I agree that it isn't that necessary he attend. The snub that concerns me is Jenks. Supposedly a death in the family is what kept him away from Soxfest, and now a personal matter has him not attending this. Most likely its nothing, but his past history, and the fact that he is now the toast of the town wherever he is at gets me wondering if he has fallen off the wagon. Good call on Jenks. I know he's had issues in the past, but was he totally on the wagon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxin' Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 QUOTE(Beastly @ Feb 11, 2006 -> 05:40 PM) I think this whole thing about Ozzie not being able to attend is being made into a huge deal by the media. I think that in its ownself is very pointless and stupid. The man had a committment, so let everyone deal with it. He has also changed his family's plans twice already because the White House kept switching the day that this was going to be hosted. That is what Wilbon said on PTI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Feb 11, 2006 -> 05:23 PM) Good call on Jenks. I know he's had issues in the past, but was he totally on the wagon? Good call my ass. It's pure speculation based on nothing. Jenks had something in his personal life to deal with. Can't we allow him that without question what that issue was or speculating that he's binge drinking or something? Damn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosMediasBlancas Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 11, 2006 -> 08:21 PM) Good call my ass. It's pure speculation based on nothing. Jenks had something in his personal life to deal with. Can't we allow him that without question what that issue was or speculating that he's binge drinking or something? Damn. Why don't you put the whistle down and read his post again? "The snub that concerns me is Jenks. Supposedly a death in the family is what kept him away from Soxfest, and now a personal matter has him not attending this. Most likely its nothing, but his past history, and the fact that he is now the toast of the town wherever he is at gets me wondering if he has fallen off the wagon." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Jenks's mental makeup going into next year is one of my main concerns as well. I don't think it's reaching too far YAS to still question this guy as far as his mental stability. There was an excellent piece recently in USA Today Sports Weekly talking about Bobby. Even documented some of his childhood life, where reportedly his parents beat him up a lot and he doesn't even speak to them now. Also he refuses to talk about the ESPN the Magazine story and there is some information about what exactly led to the Angels getting rid of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthsideNorthsideFan Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Is Ozzie making a statement? I'd believe it. Missing this solely due to his family...or vacation...I'd less likely believe that. Is it a big deal? hell No!.... So few made a big deal when Jordan snubbed Bush Sr., then showed up during the Clinton years. And Jordan was more the face of the Bulls than Ozzie is of the Sox IMO (although represented by Ozzie, they were the ultimate team)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Feb 10, 2006 -> 05:07 AM) Any guesses as to what Ozzie's response might be? I think the whole visit to the WH thing is tired. I wonder how many athletes really WANT to go as opposed to feeling like they have to. Most of the time the Pres has no idea who anyone on the team is and that's ok, the Pres should not have enough time to follow that Timo is not on the team any more. I can tell you only from my personal perspective, but I'd love to be able to meet the president in a more personal setting. Obviously there will be the photo op, but the players will still get to talk to the president. Thats regardless from my feelings cause if Clinton was president I still would have been honored to be invited to the White House and get to talk to the big cheese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 11, 2006 -> 05:21 PM) Good call my ass. It's pure speculation based on nothing. Jenks had something in his personal life to deal with. Can't we allow him that without question what that issue was or speculating that he's binge drinking or something? Damn. I agree. Obviously Jenks has had prior issues, but in his year with the Sox I have heard nothing but good things about his work ethic and attitude. Supposedly when he missed that final year with the Angels and got married to his wife he started to calm down and make sense of things. Obviously something could have came off and he could have fallen off the wagon, but I'm not about to speculate it. He's in the spotlight the entire season as are all players and I have zero problem with them staying out of it in the off-season. Hell, I'd prefer it cause usually spotlight in the off-season is a bad thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo's Drinker Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Feb 11, 2006 -> 09:34 PM) I agree. Obviously Jenks has had prior issues, but in his year with the Sox I have heard nothing but good things about his work ethic and attitude. Supposedly when he missed that final year with the Angels and got married to his wife he started to calm down and make sense of things. Obviously something could have came off and he could have fallen off the wagon, but I'm not about to speculate it. He's in the spotlight the entire season as are all players and I have zero problem with them staying out of it in the off-season. Hell, I'd prefer it cause usually spotlight in the off-season is a bad thing. If he can handle the pressure and spotlight of the playoffs, he can handle the regular season, i think his life changed around when he met his wife. Just keep rockin that heat, big bobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbojones Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Good for Ozzie! Not sure if it was a political statement or not. If he wanted to spend some time with his family, good. Latino families are alot more closer than they are in this country, IMHO. And if he didn't want to give the prez the satisfaction of a photo op after all the crap he's done in the world, then I love Ozzie even more. I just got done with five years in the military(non-combat) not too long ago, and I wouldn't even bother to go to the White to kick him in the balls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Feb 11, 2006 -> 09:34 PM) I agree. Obviously Jenks has had prior issues, but in his year with the Sox I have heard nothing but good things about his work ethic and attitude. Supposedly when he missed that final year with the Angels and got married to his wife he started to calm down and make sense of things. Obviously something could have came off and he could have fallen off the wagon, but I'm not about to speculate it. He's in the spotlight the entire season as are all players and I have zero problem with them staying out of it in the off-season. Hell, I'd prefer it cause usually spotlight in the off-season is a bad thing. Exactly. I hate ignorant speculation based on nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 QUOTE(aboz56 @ Feb 12, 2006 -> 02:37 AM) Also he refuses to talk about the ESPN the Magazine story and there is some information about what exactly led to the Angels getting rid of him. Didn't ESPN magazine write a very negative piece on him a year or two back? If so, I could see why he wouldn't talk to them after he's had some success Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 QUOTE(beck72 @ Feb 12, 2006 -> 06:19 AM) Didn't ESPN magazine write a very negative piece on him a year or two back? If so, I could see why he wouldn't talk to them after he's had some success It may have been negative but it was also true. It was a sad story and he had a rough childhood and a really rough go round with the Angels, but for the most part it was his fault (although his parents sure as hell didn't help him out and they probably were the cause of the whole fiasco, but somewhere the blame still lies on Bobby because he wasn't a kid anymore). That said everyone in baseball knew if he could ever straighten his head (and of course stay healthy) the kid had everything it took to be special. The Angels finally got sick of him and Kenny wisely picked him up and took the shot. I have no idea whether the Sox realized that Jenks started to get his head on straight after meeting his wife or if they just dumb lucked into it. My guess is they probably more made the move simply because they knew the type of upside the kid could have. Not many guys have the breaking pitches he has as well as the heater he has. Of course command, health and being mentally strong are the other requirements necessary to be a great pitcher and it looks like maybe he's figured those out. I sure hope he has cause he has a shot to have a very very very special career. That said it could all blow up with an arm injury or anything else, but that could happen to anyone. I'm sure pulling for the kid though, he's gone through some really tough times in life and seems to have pulled out of them for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Middle Buffalo Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 QUOTE(BurlyMan56 @ Feb 10, 2006 -> 11:33 AM) Crazy Carl Everett where are you????? I don't think he left on the worst of terms?? Am I missing something? The White House isn't mentioned in the Bible. Oddly enough, Dick Cheney is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinningUgly85 Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 (edited) Is this because of Frank Thomas' attitude right now, or is it because he could not make it to the event? Edited February 13, 2006 by WinningUgly85 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 He turned it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 QUOTE(WinningUgly85 @ Feb 12, 2006 -> 08:09 PM) Is this because of Frank Thomas' attitude right now, or is it because he could not make it to the event? If he would have skipped the parade, like he said he would have, then there was no way he was taking part in this. Too bad he can't put the separation aside and just enjoy the Series win. Then again, I believe his ego is bruised by the fact that the Sox won it without him, for the most part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxfan101 Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 The dumbass morning show host on the Score is beating the dead horse yet again today. Ugh, for the love of God I can't wait for this to be over and people to shut up about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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