Illinois

Due to the convergence of various external factors in my schedule, it turned out that, of the three Sox home games this past week against Texas, I chose Wednesday night's game to attend. It is safe to say I'm glad it worked out that way.

Manager Lou Piniella made nice with the media prior to Tuesday's game with Milwaukee after blowing off his post-game press conference the night before to scold his players for dropping another extra inning heart-breaker.

The White Sox would seemingly be happy about their weekend series against Detroit. Despite trailing early in all three games, the Sox were able to come back, losing only the series finale. Despite promising play from the club, Manager Ozzie Guillen was not happy after Sunday's game, when without being asked, he called Tiger outfielder Magglio Ordonez a "Venezuelan piece of [expletive deleted]. I curse the ground he walks on."

I'm sick of it becoming a media event every time I talk about what I've bet on. So let's get it all out of the way. While managing the Reds, I bet on baseball, junior high softball games, cock fights, who shot JR, two-week old Chinese food, the Oscars, high school elections, hobo fights, where Marge Schott's dog would deuce next, players' STD test results and the drinking games at local fraternities. Actually, the only thing I won't bet on is the stock market. My bookie offers the only retirement plan I need. Let's gamble!

It was a wild and weird weekend at Wrigley, as the hated Cardinals visited the North Side to take on the Cubs. All three games featured entertainment for fans of both teams, with the boys in blue showcasing a new way to lose in the first game of the series.

Despite watching his team ride stellar efforts from Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Ben Wallace to a 96-91 game one victory over the Miami Heat at the United Center on Saturday, coach Scott Skiles was upset. Some might even say he was "Steven Segal- pissed" the way the vein in his forehead was beating.

Two White Sox players got their first home runs of the year in a 6-4 win over the visiting Rangers Thursday night, earning their team a much-needed series victory.