Oh man, wouldn’t everyone want to be Buehrle’s shoes? EVERYONE wants to be in this dear man’s shoes. I mean just look at this guy. He has a gorgeous wife, won a World Series not too long ago, and hell, he threw a no-hitter in 2007.

But he just did something that topped them all (expect maybe the wife part), throwing a perfect game on this very date of July 23rd, and in the year of 2009.

He was the 18th pitcher to do such a feat, and nobody expected it. There are so many big names to do this, but it seems a guy named Mark Buehrle does not belong in that list. No doubt, Buehrle has to be the most underrated pitcher, if not player, in Major League Baseball.

You know, I think the Philadelphia Phillies would rather trade for Buehrle than Roy Halladay, am I right? Maybe not.

Buehrle also joins another group of members that have six people, a player who has thrown a no-hitter and a perfect game. He joins a valued group of players like Sandy Koufax, Cy Young, and Randy Johnson, as ESPN reported.

So, how do you feel about this Mark?

“I don’t know how to explain it,” he said. “I never thought I’d throw a no-hitter.”

Neither did many of us baseball fans. Nobody expected you to do any of this, coming from this observer. Also, look, Buehrle was guy selected in like the 40th round of the MLB amateur draft way back in 1998. Being drafted in like the 40th round, hell, nobody expects anyone to accomplish so many feats like Buehrle did.

But it wasn’t all Buehrle during that game. You have to give the props to Dewayne Wise, who unbelievably made an amazing catch that prevented a home run, and most importantly, perfection for Buehrle. Wise will always have taken a big part there.

Hell, if it weren’t for him, nobody will be talking about this perfect game.

Gabe Kapler was the man who almost ended Buehrle’s run. The 105th pitch of the game will always be remembered by true baseball fans. And true baseball fans will always remember the play Dewayne Wise made, to give Buehrle the perfect game.

So that makes it two for Wise. I bet he’ll be telling his kids that he saved Buehrle’s game. And what I meant by “that makes it two for Wise,” I meant that Wise has been a part of two perfect games.

Remember the perfect game The Big Unit had back  in 2004? Wise was part of that, but on the other end of the deal as he was the opponent. But it’s great to be on the same team as a pitcher for a perfect game.

Let’s see what the perfect-game hero said:

“I was with the Braves in ‘04 and I was there when Arizona’s Randy Johnson pitched a perfect game. So I’ve been on both sides of it,” he said. “It was probably the best catch I’ve ever made because of the circumstances.

“It was kind of crazy, man, because when I jumped, the ball hit my glove at the same time I was hitting the wall. So I didn’t realize I had caught it until I fell down and the ball was coming out of my glove, so I reached out and grabbed it.”

Also, props to Ozzie Guillen for switching in Wise.

“I guess that’s our job,” Guillen said.

Barrack Obama is a White Sox fan, who congratulated Buehrle as well. He said that many people will remember this forever. We all know Barrack will.

A big congrats to Mark Buehrle. Sometimes perfection can be bad, but when it comes to baseball and especially Mark Buehrle…sometimes baseball can actually be good.

Quotes were provided by ESPN.com

Dye was ejected for arguing after being called out with the bases loaded and two outs, and I don’t know why Guillen was ejected, because he didn’t start arguing on the field until after he was ejected.

Here are some photos:

Here’s where Ozzie gets ejected after leading Dye off the field:

Now Ozzie argues his ejection:

I have written a profile on watching Indians games at Progressive Field and on that game specifically in more detail for EventChaser, which can be read here.

SCOTT JACOBS

Goodbye laughingstock, hello final four.

If there was ever a doubt that the Tampa Bay Rays were for real, even as we entered the post-season, those doubts have been put to bed. If there was ever a wonder if these baby Rays could hang with the big dogs, those questions were put to rest. If anyone thought this team was a mirage, guess what? They’re still here. The Tampa Bay Rays once upon a time were the team that could only dream of playing post-season baseball. Now, they’re one Red Sox win away from hosting the ALCS.

After an impressive, scrappy series win over the home run happy White Sox, the Rays proved once and for all that they’re for real. And they’ve got another huge thing going for them. They’re from Florida. Once just a crazy efficient stat, there’s now something to this whole Florida teams in the playoffs thing.

Seven for seven.

Florida teams don’t lose in the post-season.

The Marlins christened both of their trips to the postseason with World Series titles, and the Rays look like they may be on their way to keeping that crazy string of Sunshine State success going.

Something in the water or something. Kind of astonishing if you think about it. No state, no pair of franchises has been more successful percentage wise in winning post-season series. Okay, so the Rays are still drinking from the sipee cup considering this is their first go around, but whatever they’re feeding those guys keep it up.

O and there’s this: maybe the Rays are just really good, and that their 97 wins were the true story. They survived a tough AL East to secure the second best record in the AL, and now their young guns are psyching themselves up for the ALCS. 9=’d 8, but today, 9=4, and maybe, just maybe, it equals 1.

Windy Worst Nightmare

And just like that Chicago is wiped right out of the playoffs. The Cubs bowed out quietly to the Dodgers on Saturday in their second consecutive sweep to the NL West winner. The White Sox at least got a win before being punched out by Tampa today. And just like that the dream is dead. South Side. North Side. How about no side? With both teams already out there will be no Chicago party this year. There is however still the possibility of an LA-LAA Fall Classic. When Juiced Sports went to press the Angels had just started game four of their series with the Red Sox.

How about a Dodgers-Phillies NLCS? Well, we’ve got it. The Dodgers hadn’t won a post-season series since 1988, and the Phillies hadn’t done anything in October since 1993, so the NLCS presents a matchup of two playoff success starved teams and it should be a good one. As you may know Philly’s sports teams haven’t won a championship (sorry Arena League doesn’t count) since 1983, a curse commonly known around the city of Brotherly Love as the Curse of William Penn. They haven’t been to the Fall Classic since Joe Carter belted them right into elimination and history in 1993. The Dodgers haven’t been to the Fall Classic in 20 years. Someone’s going to get back there in 2008.

And a Rays-Red Sox ALCS would be bon apetit. It’s about time the Yanks-Sox rivalry takes a back seat. What better matchup then the new rivalry growing between the Sox and Rays. And just sort of a funny fact: if the Red Sox advance to the ALCS, the Rays will have to beat both Sox to make it to the World Series.

Sock it to ‘em Tampa Bay! Beat Sox=Fall Classic? Could be a catchy t-shirt Joe Maddon.

SCOTT JACOBS 

The Rays start their series with the White Sox today, marking the first playoff series ever in the team’s short, albeit mostly pathetic history.  But hey: ditch the Devil, get the rookie, save the cheerleader… o wait, no that’s not what I was meaning to get at.  Ya know what, let’s just move onto the interview.

Read the July 3rd interview here.

Juiced Sports: Tampa Bay Rays: AL East Champions.  Has it sunk in yet that the team that couldn’t get out of its own way for a decade just won the most prolific division in baseball?

R.J. Anderson: Not yet. From previous championship experiences in this town I never really grasp the whole “Oh wow we’re league champs” concept until, um, we’re not league champs anymore.

JSB: What was it like as a Rays blogger, to watch the tight White Sox-Twins game yesterday, knowing that Tampa Bay was resting comfortably at home, awaiting the winner?

RJ: As a fan I just wanted a good game, as a writer who had a preview do, I wanted someone to take a lead.

JSB: Rays fans have waited 10 years for this, and now it’s here.  What’s the atmosphere in the Tampa area right now?  Is it all Rays all the time?

RJ: You see more gear than ever. I never knew my neighbors were Rays fans until yesterday.

JSB: How does this Rays team match-up with the South Siders?  Would they have been better off getting the Twins?

RJ: I think the White Sox are slightly better than the Twins, but not enough to change my outlook. The Rays have the better defense, nearly equal pitching staffs, and a slightly worse offense.

JSB: What is the key to this series for the Rays? Is their inexperience a blessing or a curse?

RJ: Three keys: limiting homeruns, taking advantage of the White Sox free-swingers, and playing matchups; bringing in David Price or J.P. Howell to face Jim Thome instead of Dan Wheeler for instance. I don’t really buy into the experience talk. Just because you’ve been there doesn’t mean you will or have succeeded.

JSB: The Cubs have waited 99 years and counting for a championship, Rays fans are at year 10.  Is there a legitimate hunger for a championship or are people just happy that the Rays are here?

RJ: You aren’t a baseball fan if you don’t have a hunger for the World Series title. Being happy about the accomplishments and being hungry aren’t exclusives.

JSB: How big of a home-field advantage will the Trop offer Tampa Bay in their first playoff series?

RJ: Probably as big as you can get. The roof will be rocking.

JSB: When the Rays draw 30,000 or more they win, and they win some more.  You guys are going to sell out the place right?

RJ: Oh come on, of course the games are sold out and were pretty quickly.

I don’t really buy into the experience talk. Just because you’ve been there doesn’t mean you will or have succeeded.

JSB: Is there a sense that this is a team of destiny?  Or is it more a wait and see approach?

RJ: It’s a team of now. If they do the unthinkable I’m sure all the devil jokes will reappear.

JSB: Can this Rays team win the American League? 

RJ: Yes.

JSB: Will they?

RJ: Yes.

JSB: I wrote today that Scott Kazmir and James Shields will be the best 1-2 punch in this post-season.  Are they good enough to lead the Rays to a world championship?

RJ: Certainly, although I’m not sure they’re the best duo in the league this season.

JSB: What kind of effect will Carl Crawford have on this series?  Is his status doom or boom for the Rays, or is he just another piece for this balanced Rays team?

His defensive value cannot be understated. Offensively he’s been weaker than normal, but anytime you can re-add the best defensive Left Fielder in the game it’s usually not a bad thing.

JSB: Joe Maddon is on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated.  Nervous?

RJ: No way. Joe Maddon is too zen for jinxes or curses.

JSB: Tampa Bay is in the playoffs.  The Yankees are not.  For years the Yanks were the only show in Tampa (they play their Spring training there).  Is this officially a Tampa Bay Rays town?

RJ: I think it’s close to becoming that. Amazing how many people “lost” their Yankees gear after one down season.

JSB: Okay, fill in the blank.  When it’s all said and done the Rays will have ____________?

RJ: 108 wins total.

SCOTT JACOBS

Baseball has 162 games, so what’s one game really?  How about a lot.

Especially if you’re the Detroit Tigers.  Your season was over.  Your disappointing, incredibly uninspired season was over.  You were ready to go into hibernation, and ponder what the heck happened to the offensive juggernaut that was supposed to run the AL like a Russian mafia.  But that never came to fruition, and you lost 87 games, stunningly finishing in the AL Central basement, behind the likes of the Kansas City Royals!

But you didn’t officially finish dead last.  Not yet at least.  Because a game assumedly cancelled by rain a few weeks back is now the separating factor between the two best teams in your division: the White Sox and Twins.  Minnesota is a half ahead of the Pale Hose, and you, Detroit, have to go to U.S. Cellular to play one more game, even though the season is already over.  This isn’t a playoff game.  It’s a makeup game.

And you, the Tigers, are forced to play it.

Sure, love of the game this, and let’s spoil their chances that, are supposed to be Detroit’s motivation, but I’d be pissed if I was the Tigers.  After a horrible season, where World Series dreams turned to age and injury nightmares Detroit probably just wants to start their offseason already, and forget that this year ever happened.  But because of a goofy situation, the Tigers are all that stands between the White Sox, and a one game playoff.

Yes, this could be the start of a two game in two days ordeal for the White Sox who know exactly what they have to do: win both.  Think of it as a single elimination tournament in the College World Series, only one team knows they have no chance to advance no matter what they do.

So yeah, Detroit can spoil Chicago’s season, and any possibilities of a Chicago-Chicago Fall Classic.  If they lose, the White Sox play Minnesota in a one game playoff Tuesday.

But what if it rained?  So much so that they couldn’t play the game?  Would that push back everything?  How would that work?

I always pondered how something like that works.  What if the Sox win today, but the weather was horrible tomorrow and they couldn’t play.  Would they play Wednesday before starting the ALDS in Tampa on Thursday?  That would hardly seem fair.

And then there’s this: imagine being a free agent on Detroit. Your season is over.  You’re seeking a nice payday in the offseason.  An injury or any magnitude would be devastating, especially in a game that has no implications whatsoever for you.  How do you play the game?  Do you not try as hard?  Do you play it like an All Star game, by giving half effort?

Or do you go all out and treat it like your World Series?

It’s an intriguing question.  Almost as intriguing as the crazy scenario before us.  If the game ever got rained today, could their potentially be a doubleheader played tommorrow against two different teams?

There is no shortage of crazy possibilities here.  Now we get to wait and see how it all plays out.

On June 29, Tyson Homosexual (otherwise known as Tyson Gay) won the 100 meter Olympic qualifier, and a bunch of Christian news sites referred to him as Tyson Homosexual and ran headlines like “Homosexual Runs Win-Aided 9.86.” (Here’s a link of all the censored headlines if you haven’t already heard about this.)

We at Juiced Sports also feel very much that media has gotten out of control and wish to fight back against the smut in our own way.

I know present to you a clean version of the Chicago ChiSox history:

The Chicago Caucasian Sox are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Caucasian Sox are a member of the Central Division of the American League. From 1991 to the present, the Caucasian Sox have played in the new park, completed at a cost of $167 million, also opened with the Comiskey Park name, but became U.S. Cellular Field in 2003 after U.S. Cellular bought the naming rights at $68 million over 20 years.

They are most prominently nicknamed “the South Siders”, differentiating from the North Side dwelling Chicago Cubs; “the Pale Hose”; and sometimes by the national media as “the ChiSox”, a combination of “Chicago” and “Sox” (as opposed to the BoSox). Other nicknames include “the Go-Go Sox, a reference to 1959 AL Champions, who got that nickname; “the Good Guys”, a reference to the team’s one time motto “Good guys wear African-American”, coined by Ken “Hawk” Harrelson; and “the African-American Sox”, the name attributed to the scandal-tainted 1919 team. Most fans refer to the team as simply “the Sox”. The Spanish language media sometimes refer to the team as Medias Blancas for “Caucasian Stockings”.

One of the American League’s eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Chicago in 1901. Then the Chicago Caucasian Stockings, after the original Caucasian Stockings vacated the name to become the Cubs. At this time, the team inhabited South Side Park. In 1910, the team moved into historic Comiskey Park, which they would inhabit for more than eight decades. It was there that, in 1919, the infamous African-American Sox Scandal occurred.