Sticks and Stones...Chicago Style
Today is June 29th...and Jared is a dumbass. But I think most people already know this. Maybe the following discovery is truly shocking because it's the L series Part II.
I was listening to XM Friday afternoon on my way home home from work (DC area during rush hour is even yucky during the summer...). The Cubs-Sox game was on (an unusual starting time of 4pm EDT) and I thought I heard the announcers mention Steve Stone. This particular broadcast involved the ChiSox announcers, so I thought I was hearing things. Then I hear a familiar voice and it really is Steve Stone, doing the White Sox game. I was really flabbergasted at first, because I really loved Steve Stone as a Cubs announcer on television. What gives??? Why did I not know this, since we are halfway through the season??
For those who may not remember, Steve Stone did not accept a contract extension in 2004 after a season he criticized then manager Dusty Baker's handling of the team. "The truth of this situation is [this is] an extremely talented bunch of guys who want to look at all directions except where they should really look, and kind of make excuses for what happened...This team should have won the wild-card [playoff berth] by six, seven games. No doubt about it." The comments stunned manager Baker, and were a factor in Stone's resignation as a Cub broadcaster the following month. During that 2004 season, there were player confrontations with Stone because of his comments during games. I think nowadays, teams would like their broadcasters to be cheerleaders, as opposed to honest broadcasting. I was really disappointed at the time to hear that Stone would no longer be broadcasting games for the Cubs. I don't like the current team of Len Kasper and Bob Brenly nearly as much.
So Stone popped up here and there and now is on Chicago White Sox broadcasts! I have very mixed feelings because of my loyalty to the Cubs. But I love Stone as a broadcaster/commentator, so I say "Good For you!!". My wife thinks it's a perfect "F You!!" to the Cubs in their handling of the situation back in 2004 (she is a really big Steve Stone fan).
I honestly don't know how the Cubs weigh in on this, or if they really care. I cannot fathom supporting anything White Sox, but isn't it interesting that Stone is on the other side? I hope karma doesn't turn against the Cubs in this manner.....
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