The 108 Interview Series – Bond-ing with Matt Bond.

A year ago when we started up this blog, we had a a few people that started following us right away.  One of those loyal followers (and a guy who responds to our tweets) is Matt Bond.  Today, we celebrate Mr. Bond, Matt Bond (cause that’s original).

Several times while reading through his responses to my questions, I LOL’d and said to myself, “Yep, this is why he follows us.” Enjoy Bond-ing with Matt!

Likes

Favorite Game That You Were At – Seeing Tyler Flowers’s walk-off in September 2014 home vs Oakland. My aunt got us free tickets from her lawyer. They were front row seats along 3^rd base dugout. We were on TV the entire game behind the on-deck circle. Many people we grew up with saw us on TV. It was hilarious. My friend wore his Bane bask to the game which was in Batman.

Favorite All Time Player That Doesn’t Have a Statue On the Concourse – Scott Podsednik

Favorite Drink and Dinner at the Park – Guinness and Helmet Nachos.

Favorite Place to Sit – Section 162 , the left-center bleachers.

Favorite Uniform –  1959 Home White Sox Jersey.

Favorite Giveaway –  1976 White Sox jersey (even though I didn’t get one!).

Favorite Theme Night – Half-Way to St. Patrick’s day.

 

Dislikes

What irks you the most about White Sox fans? Negativity and pessimism and only coming to park when they win.

What is the worst part of being a Sox fan? Being a fan of the minority team in Chicago.

In park Food and drink?  Can’t think of any.

Worst part of the game day experience? How can it be changed? Small crowds. SHOW UP!

What really grinds your gears? They got rid of the curly fries at the park!

Anything else? Limited media attention and lack of respect of franchise’s history.

Game Day

Game Day Experience – Getting out of UIC and parking my car in my buddy’s driveway in Bridgeport and then walking to park. Meet my friends there coming from work. Then I enjoy a brew and probably hit up Ricobene’s.

Most memorable experience as a White Sox fan – Finding out the Sox swept Boston in the ALDS when I was at a carnival. Me and my buddy were die-hards in 7^th grade and asked a security dude. We started jumping up and down hugging each other like girls. Who cares though. It was awesome doing that amongst Cubs fans on the northside.

Things the White Sox front office do well – Being frugal and resourceful with money.

Things the White Sox front office need to improve – Drafting and scouting better.

Ballpark experience, how could it be better? Need bars in the Bridgeport neighborhood, pregame and post game.

Intro? Love it. Need to maybe get somebody else besides Chance though.

Best Sox Park hack? Buying cheap tickets, parking for free near IIT, sneaking down to 100 level with small crowd.

What brings you back for every game? The pride of being a Sox fan and passing down what my grandfather, a southside native, passed down to me.

Feelings on the wave? It’s fun. The kids love it. The families love it. Drunk people love it.
 
Feelings on MGD? It’s good. I like all beer except IPAs some crafts.

Feelings on not being able to get pizza slices delivered to your seat? Get it yourself. This is why America is fat.

Baseball Stuff

What’s your greatest fear about the “rebuild”? Our top prospects turn into busts.

What is there about this team that excites you the most?  Pressure will be off. Kids will get a chance to play. It will be all about development, having fun, and giving the unproven players looks.

Downside of the 2017 White Sox? Not expecting to contend.

Upside of the 2017 White Sox? There is nothing to lose and no expectations.

Thoughts on Coaching staff? Front office? Rick Renteria will have them ready to play. I like Hahn. Don’t really like Kenny Williams or Jerry Reinsdorf.

Section 108 Questions

What is your favorite baseball word? “Filth”

What is your least favorite baseball word? Cubs.

What get’s you excited about the White Sox? Being an underdog.

What makes you sad about the White Sox? Lack of attendance.

What sound or noise at the ballpark do you love? Gene Honda.

 
What sound or noise at the ballpark do you hate? Noise-meter.

What is your favorite Hawk curse word? Dad-gomn-it.

What position would you like to attempt for the White Sox (front office or field)? GM.

What position would you not like to do for the White Sox (front office or field)? There is none.

If heaven exists, what would you like to hear Minnie Minoso say when you arrive at the pearly gates? The Sox will rise again.

Happy Ending

What Other Chicago Teams Do You Enjoy – Hawks, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Bulls & Bears.

Favorite Chicago Sports History Moment – 2005 White Sox World Series.

How Often Do You Tweet – At least a dozen times a day.

Favorite Twitter Account (Besides @fromthe108) – Dom @WhiteSoxDom

What do you like best about @fromthe108 – Sarcasm and sense of humor.

Favorite Sox Broadcaster – Jason Bennetti

Do You Collect Any Sox Stuff – Hats

Any Stories About Running Into or Meeting White Sox Players? Other Chicago Athletes? I played with Ozzie Guillen’s kids on a men’s baseball league team. I talked to him briefly. He would go to a handful of games. I was at the plate. In his accent, Ozzie would say…” Let’s go Three-Three!” Met more guys at Sox Fest. Saw Gene Honda at a Greek Restaurant. Followed the Stanley Cup bar crawl in 2013 when the Blackhawks won it all. I saw all the players on that team.

Favorite Band? Oasis.

How Early Do You Get To Games? 30 minutes- 1 hour.

What Do You Bring To Games? My presence.

How Many Games Do You Go To Each Year? 18

Season Ticket Holder? No

Favorite Color? Blue

Married or Single? Looking for a GF? Single. Not looking. Letting it happen.

Do you remember your first Sox game? Yes. 1999. We beat the World Champion Yankees in 103 degrees. I was 6 years old.

What Player had the greatest impact on you? Scott Podsednik

What was the happiest day watching the Sox? 2008 blackout tie-breaker winner.

What was the saddest day watching the Sox? Texas Rangers May 2016, blowing that lead.

What do you do for work? If you could be or do anything else – what? I am a civil engineer working as a cost segregation consultant doing cost estimates on buildings so people can get tax write-offs on their property. If I could do anything else, it would be a public address announcer in a ballpark…hands down.

If you could live in any other time, when might that be? 1920s

If you could have dinner with five White Sox Players, past and present, who would they be?

Shoeless Joe Jackson, Nellie Fox, Billy Pierce, Mark Buerhle, Paul Konerko

What one word would you use to describe yourself? Balanced.

What one word would your friends use to describe you? Chill.

If you could change one thing in your past, what might that be? Worry less.

What are you most proud of? Graduating college with an engineering degree.

How would you like to be remembered? Being fair with everyone.

What’s the one thing about you few people know? I like alone time despite being social.

What do you dislike most about yourself? Feeling obligated to go out and blow money at bar on weekends.

What do you dislike most in others? Pessimism.

What were your best/worst subjects in school? History was the best. Science was the worst. Ironically I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering. Go figure. Gotta follow the money.

What do you like doing in your spare time? Keeping up to date with sports on Twitter.

Who is your celebrity crush? Jen Lada, ESPN reporter.

What is your favourite movie? School of Rock.

What is your biggest/weirdest fear? Coming off as creepy to a girl.

What would be your one super power? Mind-reading.

What would you change your name to? Jeremy

What pet would you love to have? Dog

What’s your one biggest pet peeve? Laziness

What’s your one annoying habit? Scratching throat

Who is your inspiration? My grandfather.

What other languages do you speak? None.

What would be a good theme song for your life? “How You Like Me Now” – The Heavy

What is your favourite song? “Rita Mae Young”- The Record Company

What ballpark would you like to visit? Old Comiskey

If you weren’t a Sox Fan, what would you be up to right now? Watching TV

Big thanks to Matt!  You can follow Matt on Twitter @bonderman92