Friday, I left home in the morning in the same car I had been driving for the past 8 1/2 years. I came home in a brand new Tesla Model S. This technological marvel, which I had been thinking about for well over a year, was ridiculously expensive for a car, but the hope is that, with the amount of miles I drive every day, the luxury and self-driving abilities will enhance my mood considerably. It will be odd to never have to visit a gas station again, but it is a trade-off I am willing to make.
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Declaring Independence
As we approach Independence Day, we celebrate the start of the second half of the year with Angelina and Danny sharing a hug last year after Danny’s confirmation.
Farewell, Old Friend
On November 22, 2008, I stumbled in to Planet Toyota with a falling apart 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, with 187,864 miles, and left with a brand spanking new Prius. 8 1/2 years, and 247,500 miles, later, it is time to say goodbye. Later on today, I will be selling the Prius and coming home with a new Tesla Model S.
Aside from 8 years of going back and forth to work and local baseball games, this car took me to West Lafayette, Detroit, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Toronto, and Cooperstown. I’ve shed tears and had wonderful times in the car. We’ve been through a lot together, but it is time to move on. I’d hoped to pass the 250,000 mile mark before shopping for a new car, but the lure of the Tesla, and the 1.49% interest rate, were too much to ignore. I hope someone else continues the car’s journey and that they have as much luck with it as I did.
Post Mortem – The Meltdown With Jonah And Kumail
What do you get when you host a comedy show in the back room of a comic book store and then put it on TV? You get The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, which aired for 3 seasons on Comedy Central before coming to an end last November. Hosted by Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani, the show was a victim of its own success, as both hosts have seen their profile rise considerably since the show started in 2014. Jonah recently starred in the re-booted MST3K, while Kumail has been part of the Silicon Valley cast since the beginning and has just starred in his first feature film.
While I’ll miss the show, and the up and coming comedians it featured, I know that Jonah and Kumail will continue to be entertaining for years to come.
That Escalated Quickly
Yesterday was a rough day for Miguel Montero. The Cub catcher was on the hot seat after the Nationals stole 7 bases during their 6-1 victory Tuesday night, leaving him at 0-31 at nabbing would-be base stealers for the season. When questioned after the game, Montero placed the blame squarely on starting pitcher Jake Arrieta, saying, “It really sucks because the stolen bases go on me. When you really look at it, the pitcher doesn’t give me any time. It’s just like: ‘Yeah, OK, Miggy can’t throw nobody out.’ Yeah, but my pitchers don’t hold anybody on. It’s tough, because it doesn’t matter how much work I put in. If I don’t get a chance to throw, that’s the reason why they were running left and right today, because they know he was slow to the plate. Simple as that. It’s a shame that it’s my fault because I didn’t throw anybody out.”
Those comments did not go over well in Cub-land. Anthony Rizzo, unofficial team captain, appeared on ESPN 1000 this morning and called out Montero as being selfish, noting that Willson Contreras has no issues throwing runners out. A few hours later, Montero’s time with the Cubs had come to an end, having been designated for assignment. Given the $7 million he is owed for the remainder of the season, a trade seems unlikely.
Montero had a few highlights in his 2 1/2 years on the North side, including his Game One grand slam in the NLCS last year against the Dodgers to give the Cubs the win. Will he catch on somewhere else? Or is this the end of the road for the former all star catcher? We’ll likely find out over the next few weeks.
Montero’s numbers in a Cub uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:
Fitbit III: Week 21
An up and down week, with 2 below goal days wiped out thanks to one tremendous day. The week got off to a slow start on Sunday, where, for the third week in a row, I failed to reach my daily goal to start the week off. Monday and Tuesday did little to make up the difference, as both days just eked by the 6500 step total. Wednesday turned things around, as a day of work followed up by a 2 hour walk to Starbucks and back gave me my 6th highest total ever, with 18,290 steps. Thursday continued the good times with just over 8000 steps, thanks to a post-work trip to the Glen for dinner with Val. Friday was the second below-goal day of the week. Saturday just surpassed the 6500 step goal thanks to a trip to Guaranteed Rate Field to see Mark Buehrle’s jersey retirement.
Total steps: 55,761
Daily average: 7965.9
56 Forever
On Saturday, the White Sox retired Mark Buehrle’s #56, making him the 12th player (including Jackie Robinson) to receive the honor. Buehrle first came up during the 2000 season, working out of the bullpen for the eventual division champions. He moved into the rotation the following season, and stayed there for the next 11 seasons. During that time, there were numerous memorable appearances, many of which I was privileged to see in person.
The 2007 no-hitter against the Rangers.
The 2009 perfect game against the Rays.
Winning Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS against the Angels, thanks to AJ Pierzynski’s heads-up baserunning, and starting the streak of 4 straight complete games.
The 1 hour 36 minute game against the Mariners in 2005.
The no look, through his legs flip to Paul Konerko on Opening Day 2010 against the Indians.
And, of course, his performance in the 2005 World Series, starting Game 2, getting a no decision, and coming in to pitch the 14th inning and earning the save in Game 3.
In White Sox annals, Buehrle is currently fifth all-time in strikeouts, sixth in games started, and eighth in wins and innings pitched. More importantly, he is number one in the hearts of an appreciative fan base.
#22 – Bobby Thigpen
Name: Bobby Thigpen
Rank: 22
Position: P
Years With White Sox: 1986-1993
Selected in the fourth round of the 1985 draft, Bobby Thigpen made his major league debut for the White Sox just over a year later, throwing 3 innings of mop-up relief in a 9-0 loss to the Red Sox on August 6 at Fenway Park. He made 20 appearances over the final 2 months of the season, going 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA and 7 saves.
In 1987, Thigpen moved in to the closer role full time, replacing Bob James. In 51 games, Thigpen racked up 16 saves while also putting up a 7-5 record with a 2.73 ERA.
Thigpen broke the White Sox team record for saves in 1988, with 34, while leading the league with 59 games finished. He ended the year with a 5-8 record and a 3.30 ERA. In 1989, he duplicated the effort with another 34 saves, though with a 2-6 record and a 3.76 ERA.
Thigpen’s 1990 season was one for the record books. He earned his first All Star nod while on his way to setting the major league record with 57 saves. He also led the league with 77 games and 73 games finished. He ended the year with a 4-6 record and a 1.83 ERA as the surprising White Sox competed for the division title. On September 30, he earned his 57th save while throwing the final pitch at Comiskey Park. His year earned him 4th place in Cy Young Award voting and 5th place in Most Valuable Player considerations.
After the 1990 season, Thigpen joined other major league all stars on a tour of Japan. Unfortunately, he would suffer a back injury that would plague him for the remainder of his career. In 1991, he still managed to earn 30 saves, but his ERA jumped up to 3.49.
Thigpen struggled in 1992, setting a career high with a 4.75 ERA. He earned only 22 saves, losing his grip on the closer role to both Scott Radinsky and Roberto Hernandez. 1993 was even worse, as his ERA jumped to 5.71 and he managed only 1 save in 25 appearances. On August 10, he was traded to the Phillies for former teammate Jose DeLeon. He left as the franchise’s all time leader with 201 saves, a position he still holds today.
Thigpen rejoined the White Sox organization in 2007, managing and coaching throughout the minor league system. In 2013, he became the bullpen coach for the big league team, a position he held through the 2016 season.
Thigpen’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:
Fitbit III: Week 20
A disappointing week, after last week’s total, though I did manage to surpass my weekly goal. Things got off to a slow start on Sunday, as I didn’t really leave the house and ended up well below 3400 steps. Monday, Thursday, and Friday all just squeaked past the 6500 step mark. Tuesday and Wednesday both picked up the slack from Sunday’s poor showing. Saturday parlayed an afternoon stroll while listening to the White Sox to the biggest day of the week, just over 9000 steps.
Total steps: 47,551
Daily average: 6793
iTunes Top 200 Artists Wrap-Up
Last week, we wrapped up our latest look at the top 200 artists I’ve listened to, according to iTunes, since 2008. Now it’s time to take a final look at those 200 (or 203) artists and the songs that put them on the list. The average number of listens per group was just over 94, with the median number being 45.
Largest Increase
Garbage – 505
Patton Oswalt – 416
George Carlin – 403
The Beatles – 377
Garfunkel and Oates – 367
Smallest Increase
Amy Adams – 0
Jason Segel – 2
The Crystal Method – 4
The Breeders – 6
Ozzy Osbourne – 9
Letters To Cleo – 9
Most Songs
Garbage – 146
George Carlin – 116
The Beatles – 99
Patton Oswalt – 96
Tegan and Sara – 61
Average Listens Per Song
Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers – 173
Steam – 164
Klaus Badelt – 161
The Outfield – 89
Harry Caray – 64.5