The Final Homestand….@Nakedbiker, Marlins Man, The M&M Guy and Moar

This was the final White Sox homestand of 2017, ergo, it would be the final homestand for the 108ers.  @mysoxsummer and @mrdelicious determined that it would be their duty to attend all 7 games of the final homestand to get that final flavor of the White Sox season.

The final game that all the boys were together.  We did it right.  Like really right.  Baderbrau provided the beers that we crushed pre-game and that set the mood off right.  It was a fun night and a hell of a cap on the end of the season.  Slumpbuster and Biguns were early, and we talked tons of shit.  Slumpbuster came outta the gate strong, he showed up to the tailgate half in the bag from a day of golfing, brought a carton of cigs for the crew to share (only two people would even entertain having a cigarette) and was spraying fist bumps to all fields…..and this was BEFORE we got to the ballpark.  Once we were there and rounds of brews were flowing, Biguns commented that he was on pace to break the Guinness Book of World Records high for Fist Bumps in a 9 inning game.  While still on pace, he took off and disappeared for an inning and a half……..when he resurfaces, he has an entire Beggars Pizza in his mitts to share with the crew.  Always a generous gent that Slumpbuster.  Truth be told that slice for each one of the fellas prolly saved us as the booze rolled fast and furious and half the 108ers claim they don’t even remember the climax of the game (so to speak).  Plans to meet up in the offseason were made. It’s a sad night, but it always starts again come spring.

Sox won in spectacular fashion, a game ending double play.  Avi Garcia slips picking up a single to RF, then throws out Whit Merrifield at the plate.  Omar Narvaez then has the presence of mind to whip around and throw to the bases where the Sox cut down Lorenzo Cain for a double play and a White Sox winner.  Of course the loser Royals ask for a stupid replay, so we have to delay our gratification for 97 seconds.  That’s dumb.  But guess what, we got to celebrate TWICE!!!  We even took, quite possibly, the drunkest picture we have ever taken.  It was Hispanic Heritage night, so MSS donned his 100% Soxican shirt to fit in with the brothers.  Despite the lack of a good tan, he pulled it off.  It was like 107 out, so we were sans sombreros, maybe next year.  Friday night set the tone for the weekend…..

If you don’t follow us on Twitter, what the fuck man?  We have great content from time to time and you, yes you, should be following us.  If you aren’t, just fucking do it.  So, as Chorizy was recording a sure to be top 10 album with his band Barren Plains, ‘Loaf and MSS were left with some extra tickets to the game. Including 2 patio party passes for the season ticket holder event.  So we decided, what the hell, let’s invite some randos from Twitter to the game and hope for the best.  So we held a contest, had 15 people enter, and we selected our Twitter follower, @misterfox.

Contact was made on Friday morning as MSS got a little too drunk at Baderbrau the night before, helping out on the Chicago Tonight shoot.  Helping out is code for pounding beers and eating that delish mac and cheese waffle. Saturday was confirmed and we were nervous like a whore in church.

What didn’t help was it was 100+ out that day and both ‘Loaf and MSS decided that black was the best color to wear.  We decided that pregaming before the pregame was excessive, so we walked to the park, sober as fuck, and waiting for our guests.  There are two ways this could end right?  Either really awesome or shitty as fuck with us (or them) ditching us after a few innings.  ‘Loaf is a sensitive guy, the second option would not have gone over well.  But guess what?

THEY FUCKING ROCKED.  Yep, they were awesome.  @misterfox and his lovely wife were cool as fuck.  They even didn’t give MSS that much shit for walking in and out of the line like 7 times to get extra soccer jerseys for the slack jaws that didn’t make it to the game.  While MSS was doing his thing, ‘Loaf entertained the twosome the only way he knows how, telling stories and drinking beer like a pro.

MSS was “shook” upon entry learning that no food had been eaten, but he joined in the drinks and they were flowing.  Mrs. Fox kept getting beers for everyone, including herself, and that was simply amazing.  Mr. Fox was presented with a 108 OG shirt and 108 OG hat, he seemed rather thrilled with the swag.  We ate a shitload of chicken, drank a shitload of beer and headed to the seats.  #WallyMoney was up there, chillin’ and shit, and he swore he wasn’t drinking.  3 seconds later he swore he was only gonna have 1 Corona.  Then he told us how much he loved Corona as he drank multiples at a frantic pace.  Classic #WallyMoney.

The game was almost over as soon as it started, at least it felt like it.  Lotta stories were shared and beers were drank.  We got surprise visits from alot of the Twitter elite which was pretty awesome when we had our dates there trying to be all impressive and shit.  But then, outta nowhere, the man, the myth, the 1983 ROY showed up the in the 108.  Yep @nakedbiker (Ron Kittle) himself sat down for an inning with the 108 crew.  If you have read our blog since Jan, you will know that MSS usually has breakfast with Ron and Harold Baines during SoxFest.  We are also good friends with his good friends @petehand and @msox12 which has been great to get to know all of them this year.  @msox12 LOVES the Sunday Soak, so much so she has even offered up her pool if we ever need it.  We know it sounds like a classic story from Penthouse Forum, but we think she is on the up and up.

So Ron is sitting with us, telling stories that only Ron can tell (we’ll tell you in person, but not something that we need to share here), and our guests are impressed.  Mrs. Fox is still matching the boys beer for beer, which is just goddamn impressive.  Sox Side Pride bought many a beers for us too, which is always appreciated, but never necessary.  We asked Ron a bunch of questions, he told us about his new project ideas, just an all around awesome dude.  He left, promised to return next year, and that was that.  Thanks again Ron, we really appreciate your candor and willingness to sit between MSS and ‘Loaf for an inning.

By this time we are all “shook” and the drinks continue to flow freely. At least half of us have no idea a game is actually going on as @dirrty862 and her crew straight invade the 108.  We love this crew as they drink EVEN MORE THAN WE DO. It is straight insane.  By the 7th the Sox are cooked.  Also showing up shortly thereafter was friend of the 108 and HOST of the “South Side Sox Podcast” Josh Nelson (@sss_joshnelson), who stopped by with his lovely girlfriend to take in the last couple of innings with us.  He arrived by grabbing BeefLoaf by the collar and yelling at him about how bad David Holmberg sucks!!  Ha!  If you aren’t listening to the “South Side Sox Podcast” then FUCK YOU!!  We chatted primarily White Sox (mostly 2018) and puppies, as you might imagine.  It always thrills me when the people you listen to on the internet talk about your favorite team are just as nice and fun in person as you imagined them.

We socialize, we drink, we roll.  Upon our exit, we are walking and ‘Loaf says “Hey, isn’t that the Marlins Guy?”  A drunk MSS responds “Yep.  Let’s go get a fucking picture.” And we fucking did. What a nightcap.

Thanks again to Mr. & Mrs. Fox for being down as fuck with the 108.  You guys are always welcome and we hope to see you at some off season events too.  It was a great time had by all.

After the game….our signature segment, #SundaySoak (sponsored by @baderbrau)

Monday games are usually pretty “meh” on the game scale, but wtf, we only have 4 games left for the season AND we get to see Mike Trout.  Why not go to the ballpark, throw back a few brews and enjoy a game.  MySoxSummer and Papa Loren hit the ChiSox Bar early for some apps and then the BeefLoaf met up with them a tad later.  Inside the park, we went and hit up the White Sox social lounge for some Twitter prizes

MySoxSummer, as he’s want to do, went for the #SoxSocial twitter machine and low and behold he scored a printed and signed picture of Bob Howry.  Bob Howry was last in a White Sox uniform in 2002 and last good in a White Sox uniform…..ehh…well, anyway, it was a very odd prize with a retail value of $0.00.

The game went great, despite Mike Trout crushing a homer off of Big Game James, Shields returned to his old form throwing 7 quality innings and getting help from the bullpen to hold it down.  Sox win 4-2 behind Shields and excellent bat stuffs from Nicky “Steaks” Delmonico.

WE. ARE. BACK.  We started off Tuesday night once again at the ChiSox Bar and Grill, except this time, we got jobbed on our free appetizer coupons.  Just another example of ChiSox Bar and Grill nickel and diming the patron, cutting off its nose to spite its face.  We are no business experts, but we thinks that you DO have to honor coupons regardless of how you might have changed your mind.  What is hilarious to us is that the day before, we had no issue using them with a waitress.  Hell, we used 2.  And ya know what, she got tipped like a mofo.  Our wing consumption went way down this year mostly due to not knowing if we would get served if we came in and how quickly they would shut down the kitchen.  It hurts your chances to get regular customers, but maybe that isn’t the goal.

It’s no worries, as there are new establishments that have popped up and are continuing to pop up around the ballpark that will make this place unnecessary.  Once in the ballpark, MSS and ‘Loaf headed back to the White Sox social lounge for more fun and prizes.  MSS was so damn geeked about his Bob Howry signed postcard that we just had to go back.  Upon getting a Tim Raines SLU (Starting Line Up) the Twitter machine was deemed a failure by MSS.  But it’s free, so thanks?  Our good buddy Justin showed up and crushed beers with us and he was very interested in the SLU, so it was gifted to him.

The game….what game?  Behind Volstad a 6 run 2nd kinda did the deed.  We will need some pitching next year and this game proved that.  So let’s get on that Rick, you pimp ass mofo you.

$1 HOT DOGS!!! And the triumphant return of one Chorizy-E, who’s last appearance was on Friday night when the band was back together, of course he shows for $1 Lips and Assholes night!!

We set a lofty goal of trying to eat 108 hot dogs.  Not just us, but everyone that follows us on Twitter, FB, ya know the socials, even the fine folks in 135 aka the OG Pride and Passion crew pledged their support in the cause.  Sadly, we didn’t even come close to this goal, but I don’t blame us.  Who do we blame?  THE MFIN’ WHITE SOX. They “ran out” of hot dogs in the 4th.  Seriously?  Magically they showed up for the final game, but the $1 kind ran out.  If you were there you know what was happening, lines, lines, lines.  #Wally$ and MSS sat in line for like 20 minutes just to get 7 dogs.  What a fucking rip.  You can’t offer them for a $1 then not make them available.   We had 0 vendors come to the 108 selling dogs.  0. ZERO.

MSS watched as grills were half filled and one person was working it.  Ugh.

Normally, the staff at these stands can be hit or miss.  Some folks are awesome as hell, but the hierarchy that exists between these folks is fucking insane.  Lotta supervisors, lotta folks assigned to tasks that don’t appear to be needed and doesn’t seem to help make anything faster. We don’t blame the workers, we blame the top.  You can tell which stands have good supervisors, which areas are run well.  MSS had a lady, sitting at a register, drinking a soda, just point to the next register.  No “Sorry, I am not open, you will have to go to the next register.”  Nope, just a point.  That really sets the mood.

The game was a good one, in fact, it went extras.  As the 9th inning commenced, the under dressed and appropriately intoxicated BeefLoaf and Chorizy-E proclaimed they were leaving and going to watch the rest of the game from their respective homes.  The rest of the group followed.  Chorizy and his wife got out ahead of the slower plodding other 108ers, but as MSS and ‘Loaf rolled up to 35th street, we saw the one and only M&M Guy, George Jacobs standing outside of Gate 4, just chatting with folks and taking pictures.  This is twice in the same homestand, but we just had to roll up and get a picture with him.  He couldn’t have been nicer, and for those wondering the M&M jacket smelled quite pleasant.

Back to the game……since we are all friends we stay on the chat or on the text even AFTER we leave the ballpark. MySoxSummer pointed out that George Jacobs was back in his fucking seat for the start of the bottom of the 10th inning.  This guy is a boss at the highest level.  He’s the Mayor of Sox Park.  Anywho, back to the game, no sooner do we get a big chuckle about this, that Nicky “Steaks” Delmonico strikes again, bashing a 2 run walk-off DINGER.  MSS was pissed at the brothers (‘Loaf and Chorizy) for getting the group to leave before extras.  Oh well, I’m sure there will be other thrilling moments for future non-95 loss White Sox teams.

The FINALE, with MSS, ‘Loaf and Chorizy, along with numerous special guest fly bys.  If we miss any of you in this run down, it is simply because we were highly intoxicated and we are finishing this article up 3 weeks after the actual event.

We broke bread (ie, crushed Modelos, chatted about baseball and life and/or yelled loudly and triumphantly for the White Sox) with –

The Man, The Myth, The Legend Mike Turnipseed (and his buddy, his son too!), who’s claim to fame is being part of a renegade group of local surfers (SouthEnd Surf Crew – They made a movie – https://vimeo.com/222429426 )  on Lake Michigan……

@chisox2727 who is a fantastic follow on twitter and a swell guy to sit and talk White Sox with (don’t make any NWI jokes tho’, he don’t take kindly to those)…….

@Simpossible who the 108ers have gotten to know over the 2nd half of the season, another great White Sox fan who thinks critically about the team……..

BeerBungHole and the lovely Mrs. BeerBungHole, long-time friends/family of the 108ers, had some great discussions with them on the finale and we even remember a few of them :)………..

PC Jonny, who is part of our normal crew, but refuses to attend more than 3 games a season when the BeefLoaf is in attendance…….

Mr & Mrs. Fox, our contest winners from Saturday, great to see them, they were finally over being 108’d on Saturday night and were enjoying a great White Sox win with us……

@dirrty862 and her crew including – @cmmarysz – who are always bringing in the funnies to the 108.  Lotta support from these guys all year, maybe next year they will wear the 108 shirts.  Ha.

Last but not least, Aloha Mr. Hand who is a great friend to the 108ers and a great White Sox fan, his suggestions / ideas for 108 offseason stuff had us ROFL.

The game,….oh yea, the game, we were treated to quite the comeback win….Rob Brantly smashed a 2 run shot and then Tim Anderson scored all the way from first base on a single to left field by Rymer Liriano.  It was a terrific piece of base running and one of many examples of how Anderson can be a special player.  Juan Minaya slammed the door shut and we all left happy.  A great cap to a very fun (if not terribly successful in the standings) season.

After the game, the crew was still looking to have a cocktail or two and possibly watch the conclusion of  Bears / Packers.  We headed to Cork and Kerry, where service was a tad spotty to start, but we quickly got into our groove.  The Bears on the other hand, did not, they got thumped by the Packers in embarrassing fashion.  We didn’t give much of a fuck about the Bears as we were going out on a high note, concluding another excellent season of #108ing and having all of you join us for the ride.  Thanks!