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#9 – Magglio Ordonez

Name: Magglio Ordonez

Rank: 9

Position: RF

Years With White Sox: 1997-2004

Signed by the White Sox as an amateur free agent in 1991.  Starting in 1992, he worked his way up the ladder, making his major league debut on August 29, 1997, going 2-3 in the interleague victory against the Astros at Comiskey Park.  Appearing in 21 games down the stretch, Ordonez hit .319 with 4 home runs and 11 RBIs.

Ordonez made the White Sox roster out of spring training in 1998.  He appeared in 145 games, and finished the year with a .282 average, 14 home runs, and 65 RBIs.  Those totals were good enough for him to finish in 5th place in AL Rookie of the Year voting, behind winner Ben Grieve and teammate Mike Caruso.

1999 was a breakout year for Ordonez.  Earning his first All Star selection, he went 0-1 in the AL’s victory at Fenway Park.  He finished the year hitting .301 with 30 home runs, 117 RBIs, and an OPS of .858.

Ordonez’s hot streak continued in to 2000.  In his second straight All Star game, he doubled and hit a sacrifice fly in his 2 plate appearances, driving in one run.  When the season ended, he had a .315 average with 32 home runs and 126 RBIs.  With the White Sox winning their first division title since 1993, Ordonez hit .182 in the ALDS against the Mariners, joining his teammates in not hitting at all during the 3 game sweep.  After the season, Ordonez won the Silver Slugger award and finished 12th in MVP voting.

While the White Sox failed to replicate their success in 2001, Ordonez kept up his end of the bargain.  He earned his third straight All Star nod, going 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored at Safeco Field.  Missing only 2 games, Ordonez ended up hitting .305 with 31 home runs, 113 RBIs, and a .914 OPS.

Ordonez saw his streak of All Star appearances snapped in 2002, mostly due to his .320 average, career high 38 home runs, 135 RBIs, and a .978 OPS.  Following the season, he came in 8th place for MVP voting and earned his second Silver Slugger award.

2003 was another excellent year for Ordonez.  He was named to his fourth All Star team, going 0-1 in his home stadium of US Cellular Field.  He hit .317 with 29 home runs and 99 RBIs, his lowest totals since his rookie year.  Even with that, he finished 18th in MVP voting.  During the off-season, Ordonez was nearly traded to the Red Sox, contingent on the Red Sox acquiring Alex Rodriguez from the Rangers for outfielder Manny Ramirez.  The Red Sox would then send Nomar Garciaparra to the White Sox for Ordonez.  When the Rodriguez-for-Ramirez trade fell through, the Ordonez deal was off as well, and he remained with the White Sox.

Ordonez’s 2004 season was on track to match his career norms when, during the May 19 game against the Indians, he collided with second baseman Willie Harris on Omar Vizquel’s popup to right field.  Two trips to the disabled list and two surgeries on his left knee later, his season was over after only 52 games.  Following the season, he became a free agent and his White Sox career came to an end.

Ordonez’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:

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Midseason Review – Thursdays

old-tv-set1We wrap up our look back at the new fall season’s offerings with Thursday night, traditionally the busiest night of the week for my television viewing habits.

7:00

Grey’s Anatomy – The medical drama enters its 15th season.  A few departures at the end of last season means there will be some new (and one old) face coming to the hospital this season.

For reasons, I’ve only seen the season premiere so far.  I’ll need to catch up sooner rather than later.

The Big Bang Theory – With the NFL moving on to other networks, the show returns to Thursdays for its 12th, and final, season.

Nothing really more to say at this point, as we wind down towards the end.

The Good Place – I haven’t watched the show since the middle of season 2, so who knows if I’ll even come back to it.

I’m guessing this was a cut and paste error, since I most certainly have been watching the show.  With the 3rd season wrapped up and a new status quo on deck for next year, I’m looking forward to see where it goes next.

8:00

Station 19 – I never got around to watching the Grey’s spin-off last spring, but still have most of the episodes on the DVR.  If I find the time, maybe I’ll go back.

Yep, still haven’t seen it.

8:30

Murphy Brown – The gang, led by Candice Bergen, return to see if they can recapture the magic from the show’s original run.

No, they cannot capture the magic.  It’s almost like these shows came to an end for a reason back in the day.

9:00

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Midseason Review – Wednesdays

old-tv-set1We are on the back half of our look back at the offerings for the new fall season.  Here’s what Wednesdays had on tap for the fall.

7:00

Riverdale – The sexy version of the Archie comics returns for its third season, assuming I ever catch up on the end of the second.

Well, I haven’t caught up yet.

8:00

Modern Family – The comedy, entering its tenth season, is really starting to show its age.  It’s still fun, but the plots are starting to get a little out there.

Looks like we are starting to wind down, with the show renewed for an 11th and final season earlier this month.

SEAL Team – David Boreanaz returns for a second season of the procedural, after their deployment to the Middle East.

This really isn’t a good show.

9:00

Criminal Minds – Season 14 of the show picks up where last season ended, with Reid and Penelope captured.

Another mainstay on its way out, after being renewed earlier this month for a shortened 15th and final season.

And now the new entry coming later this spring:

Jane The Virgin – The final season wraps up the telenovela.

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Midseason Review – Tuesdays

old-tv-set1Today we hit the midway point in our look back at the offerings for the new fall season.

7:00

The Conners – Following last spring’s Twitter meltdown by Roseanne Barr and the cancellation of the reboot of Roseanne, the show moves on without her.  Will it be worth watching?  I’m honestly not sure.

You know, if this were a new show debuting in the here and now, I’m not sure I’d be watching.

The Flash – The gang returns for the fifth season.

Bringing Jessica Kennedy Parker onboard has given Barry and Iris a child without the problems that usually entails.

The Gifted – The series about Marvel’s mutants returns for a second season.  I still need to finish the first.

Yeah, I don’t know if or when I’ll get back to this.

8:00

Black-ish – For its fifth season, the show moves on without creator Kenya Barris.

The show is hanging on, but is starting to show signs of wear.

FBI – Missy Peregrym and Jeremy Sisto are FBI agents trying to keep New York safe.

I made it through a couple of episodes, but I didn’t see anything special here.

This Is Us – The emotionally manipulative hit is back for a third season, assuming I ever go back and finish the previous one.

I still need to catch up on this one.

Black Lightning – The Pierce family returns for their second season, which I will be happy to watch once I get done with season one.

This one too

8:30

Splitting Up Together – After a successful run last spring, the show, starring Oliver Hudson and Jenna Fischer, returns for another go-around.

It is amusing, mostly due to Fischer, but nothing particularly special.

9:00

The Rookie – Castle alum Nathan Fillion re-teams with his former EP for this tale about the oldest rookie police officer in the LAPD.

I haven’t gotten around to watching this yet, but the episodes are piling up on the DVR.

Now for some new entries coming this spring:

Roswell, New Mexico – The CW brings back another reboot of a WB show, making Liz and the aliens adults this time around.  I watched the first episode and didn’t see much of a need to continue.

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Midseason Review – Mondays

old-tv-set1We continue our annual look back at the new fall season with Monday night’s offerings.

7:00

Arrow – Season 7 starts with Oliver Queen in jail after being outed as the Green Arrow.

Following the Lost approach of replacing flashbacks with flashforwards.  I imagine the end will be coming sooner rather than later.

The Neighborhood – Max Greenfield and Beth Behrs return as a white family who move into a black neighborhood in LA.

I made it through 2 or 3 episodes before deciding that I had better uses of my time.

8:00

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow – The Legends return for their 4th season, one I’m sure to enjoy once I go back and watch season 3.

Thanks to Netflix, I was able to catch up on season 3 and then stay current this season.  It has stopped taking itself seriously in any way, shape, or form, and the show is better off for it.

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Midseason Review – Sundays

We continue our annual look back at my thoughts on the new fall season plus any new offering coming soon on Sunday night.

7:00

God Friended Me – What if you took last season’s Kevin (Probably) Saves The World and add in social media?  Then you probably get this show.

I am a sucker for this type of show and Brandon Michael Hall and Violett Beane have tremendous chemistry.

Supergirl – The CW expands to a new night, and moves one of their DC hits to kick off the festivities.

A season-long story on xenophobia that echoes the feelings of the current administration.

8:00

Charmed – A reboot of the old WB hit, replacing the Halliwell sisters with a new collection of witches.

I watched the first episode and felt like I didn’t need to go back for more.

Shameless – Season 9 of the show started a few weeks back.

The show premiered while I was in Europe last fall and I’ve yet to catch up.

Ray Donovan – The show returns for its sixth season at the end of October.

Yeah, I haven’t watched this yet either.

Doctor Who – The 11th season kicks off with a new show runner and a new Doctor, Jodie Whitaker.

The new doctor finished her first series of adventures, which I think was a success.

9:00

Camping – Jennifer Garner and David Tennant team up for this adaptation of the British comedy.

Eh, a decent enough way to spend a half hour.

New entries that will be hitting the screen this winter include: Continue reading →

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#10 – Ozzie Guillen

Name: Ozzie Guillen

Rank: 10

Position: SS

Years With White Sox: 1985-1997

Acquired by the White Sox, along with Tim Lollar, Bill Long, and Luis Salazar, on December 6, 1984 from the Padres for Kevin Kristan, Todd Simmons, and LaMarr Hoyt, Ozzie Guillen made his major league debut on Opening Day 1985, leading off against the Brewers and going 1-5 in the 4-2 victory at County Stadium.  Settling in as the everyday shortstop, Guillen finished the year with a .273 average, 21 doubles, and 9 triples.  Those totals were good enough to score Guillen the 1985 AL Rookie of the Year trophy.

Guillen saw a slight drop off in his sophomore season.  His average dropped to .250 and he managed 19 doubles and 4 triples.  Defensively, he led the American League in Defensive WAR.

1987 was a nice bounce back for Guillen.  He raised his average back up to .279 with a .656 OPS.  For the second straight year, he led the AL, and all of baseball, in Defensive WAR.

Guillen earned his first All Star nod in 1988, though he didn’t get in to the game.  By the end of the season, he once again led all of baseball in Defensive WAR, while seeing his average drop to .261 with 7 triples, the fifth highest total in the AL.

1989 was a tough year for Guillen.  He posted his worst offensive numbers since 1986 and, on the base paths, he fell victim to the hidden ball trick.  Twice. On June 23, against the Brewers, first baseman Greg Brock held the ball after a pickoff attempt and when Guillen took his hand off the base to stand up, Brock tagged him out.  Less than 2 months later, on August 5 against the Tigers, Dave Bergman made the same play.  He finished the year with .253 average and, despite his adventures on pick off attempts, a career high 36 stolen bases.

As the surprising White Sox challenged for the AL West title while saying goodbye to Comiskey Park, Guillen put in one of the finest seasons of his career.  He was named to his second All Star team, going 0-2, finished in 17th place in MVP voting, and earned his first, and only, Gold Glove.  He raised his average back up to .279 and knocked in a career high 58 RBIs.

Expectations were high for the White Sox as they moved across the street to the new Comiskey Park in 1991.  Guillen earned his third, and final, All Star nod, getting a sacrifice in his only plate appearance.  He ended the year with a .273 average and set a career high with 3 home runs.

Guillen’s 1992 season came to an early end when, on April 21 during a loss against the Yankees, a collision with outfielder Tim Raines ended in a severe knee injury.  Appearing in only 20 games, he hit a career low .200 in only 40 at bats.

Guillen recovered in 1993, though he appeared in only 134 games, his lowest total to date.  However, it was his most productive season offensively, posting a .280 batting average, and career highs with 4 home runs and a .666 OPS, as the White Sox won their first division title in a decade.  He hit .273 and scored 4 runs in a losing effort, as the White Sox were defeated in 6 games by the Blue Jays in the ALCS.

1994 looked to be the year that the White Sox finally broke through.  Guillen was up to the challenge, hitting a career high .288 with a .659 OPS.  Unfortunately, the year ended early when players went on strike on August 12 with the White Sox in first place in the newly created AL Central.

The 1995 season got off to a late start and had an abbreviated schedule due to the long work stoppage.  The success of the White Sox, and for Guillen himself, didn’t survive the long layoff.  Guillen saw his average drop to .248, his lowest over a “full” season in his career to this point.  His OPS dropped to its lowest total, excepting 1992, since 1989.

1996 saw a slight improvement for Guillen.  He appeared in 150 games, his highest total since his knee injury in 1992.  He raised his average back to .263 and tied his career high with 4 home runs.

1997 was easily the worst season of Guillen’s White Sox career.  He had the lowest average of his career, coming in at .245, though he did once again tie his career high with 4 home runs.  Following the season, Guillen became a free agent and his playing career with the White Sox came to an end.

Guillen returned to the White Sox organization for the 2004 season as manager.  In 2005, he led the team to their first American League pennant since 1959 and their first World Series title in 88 years.  Ongoing personal difficulties with General Manager Kenny Williams led to his leaving with 2 games left in the 2011 season as the third winningest manager in franchise history.

Guillen’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:

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Midseason Review – Fridays

old-tv-set1With the advent of winter premieres, the start of the premium cable network shows, and with February sweeps around the corner, it’s time to revisit my thoughts from the beginning of the season and look ahead at what’s to come for Sunday nights.

7:00

Blindspot – The show returns for a shocking fourth season.

I have yet to watch any of this season, so I can’t really comment on it.

8:00

Hawaii Five-0 – The ninth season of the show corresponds with the 50th anniversary of the original.

After 9 years, I’m not sure there’s anything new I can say about the show at this point.

9:00

Blue Bloods – A change in family dynamics looks to shake things up for the first family of the NYPD as they return for their ninth season.

The changes between Jamie and Eddie, both in the work place and in their personal lives, has given a little new breath to the show.  Not much, but a little.

Now, for new entries that will be hitting the screen this winter:

The Blacklist – James Spader and Megan Boone return for the sixth season.

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Book 4 (of 52) – Just The Funny Parts

Just The Funny Parts: …And A Few Hard Truths About Sneaking Into The Hollywood Boys’ Club – Nell Scovell

Television writer and producer Nell Scovell looks back at her career in this funny and biting memoir.  She tells the story of her career, starting in magazines, moving to television and movies, and teaming with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg on her book Lean In.  Usually one of the only women in the writing room, Scovell was only the second female writer hired by Late Night with David Letterman and, following Letterman’s 2009 admission of improper “relationships” with female staffers, she wrote an essay in Vanity Fair calling his show a “hostile work environment” for women.  Besides Late Night, Scovell has written for The Simpsons, The Wilton North Report, Coach, Monk, Murphy Brown, Charmed, Newhart, The Critic, NCIS, and Space Ghost Coast to Coast, amongst others.  She also created Sabrina The Teenage Witch, adapting the Archie Comics character for ABC.

Odds are good that you have seen a program written by Scovell at some point over the last 3 decades.  She tales a serious subject, the roadblocks to a writing/directing/producing career in Hollywood for women, and wrapped it in funny anecdotes of her time bringing beloved characters to life.  Hopefully this work opens more opportunities for her, and others like her.