Soxwoman Speaks

...and once again, telling us what's on his mind.

“Did the trade surprise me? I don’t know what went on there, but it did surprise me. Sometimes people need to get something done to show they lead the ballclub."

Yep, Ozzie, that's pretty much my take on it, too. In the words of Michael (Theo) Corleone, I lead this family, right or wrong.

I often wonder why I kind of like a loud mouthed guy like Ozzie Guillen, or Bill Lee, while I absolutely loathe others-like Curt Schilling or Alec Baldwin-who suffer from the same malady. I think it all comes down to  motive-I never perceive attention or adulation as the primary driving force behind Ozzie's sometimes bizarre, expletive-laden pronouncements. I take his reactions and comments as genuine, if inappropriate. Schilling, on the other hand, reminds me of the Beaver's best friend, the unctuous troublemaker Eddie Haskell-an oily guy for whom everything is done to curry favor, with an eye to image. While Ozzie may make you roll your eyes and cringe, he doesn't make you want to barf. 

The other thing is, the White Sox, led by the fiery Ozzie and the cranky A.J. Pierzynski, are an interesting team. Our now Manny-less Red Sox, by comparison, are far less compelling. Just look at the field of play most days-a bunch of WASP-ish, pasty-white company guys. The obvious exception, of course, is David Ortiz, who never looks happier than when he's on the basepaths chatting up the opposition's infield. Did you see him holding court with OCab and Juan Uribe after he hit that righteous bases-clearing double last night? If you don't think this stuff matters, I'd seriously suggest reading Howard Bryant's Shut Out. The Red Sox know it, too-how do you think Okajima ended up on the team?

I said the Sox would have to split to keep up with the race, and so far, they have. Friday night's game was more of the same, but Saturday's was inspiring, as it looked like both Ortiz and Ellsbury might be thinking about getting the wheels back on their respective wagons. Mike Lowell, in an until-2007-usual-late-season-slump, also went 2-for-5, which was encouraging. Lots to like about last night's game...but honestly, the best time fun I've had this weekend was watching the 8th inning of the Yankees/Angels game on Fox yesterday. "What do you think? You think it's fun watching that?" Girardi snapped after the game. Yeah, Joe...as a matter of fact, I do.

Clay Buchholz is going to build a bridge and get over it today, I can feel it. Well, maybe that's a teensy-weensy exaggeration, but c'mon, gang...he needs all the positive vibes we can muster.