O’Donnell: Hollow ’05 White Sox reunion merely an elegy for the aged
WAS IT RICK NELSON OR FORMER WHITE SOX GM KENNY WILLIAMS who sang, “If memories are all I have, I'd rather drive a truck?”
The answer is “A.” But the sentiment was totally applicable to the White Sox' 20th reunion of their 2005 World Series champs this past weekend.
The proof is in the partyin', and multiple attendees reported there was very little of the organic variety of that at southern-crossed Rate Field.
WILLIAMS — WHO WAS FIRED TWO YEARS AGO — wasn't there.
Mark Buehrle, the star fireballer, was, in fact to witness the unveiling of a statue honoring his heroics. But he made it clear to media that he'd rather be just about anywhere else.
Anyone who wanted to be emotionally moved by memories of that championship season had ample opportunity to be so moved.
It recalled one shining moment for a franchise that has devolved into both civic embarrassment and ceaseless taxpayer drain.
TRAFFIC ON WEST 35TH STREET was no problem for any of the four games vs. the Guardians. The Sox reported attendances of 12,869 (Friday afternoon), 25,084 (Friday night), 21,785 (Saturday) and 24,680 (Sunday).
That left plenty of empty seats to salute on mute a one-off gang of South Side ghostbusters.
Somewhere, Ted Kluszewski — the bulging bicep Pole of the '59 Sox — undoubtedly flexed.
THE EVENT WAS SAD TESTAMENT to so much of what center stage sports in Chicago has devolved into.
Some fresh calls were noted, suggesting that the uniform number of championship manager Ozzie Guillen should be retired.
Maybe so, maybe not.
That would be No. 13.
NO SUCH SHOUTS FOR ANYTHING honoring chairman Jerry Reinsdorf — now age 89 — were reported.
That's a shame, because there is a sweepingly appropriate designation that would memorialize his reign.
Just make it a simple “$$$.”
STREET-BEATIN':
With news of those Bears' fan surveys still wafting in the air — thank you, Chris Placek, Daily Herald bulldog — season-ticket holders are bracing for astronomical hikes in prices wherever and whenever a new stadium is built. Some long-timers expect to be priced out of renewals. (Too bad they can't be charged by the win.) …
Someone on the sports desk of the New York Post must have been all over the Yankees vs. the Cubs this past weekend. Lament line in the red Gotham tabloid: “Breaking Sad — Bombers stumble with 2nd straight lifeless loss before All-Star hiatus.” (From the other dugout, the increasingly efficient Matthew Boyd is solidly in a whole lot of Cy Young chatter.) …
Do ESPN planners know something Blackhawks fans don't? Connor Bedard and the up-skating crew will open the network's 2025-26 NHL coverage with a late-afternoon matinee at Florida Tuesday, Oct. 7. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers will be raising their latest title banner with newly minted co-ace Sam Bennett (8 years, $64M) leading the golden skates. …
Dan Patrick told the podcasters on “Pardon My Take” that he turned down opportunities to host both “The Price Is Right” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” (Patrick is as intelligent a sports talker as there is, but the “Inquiry/Clarification” sign is posted on this one. And hopefully he's changed agents; “Price” has turned into a point-by-numbers annuity for Drew Carey.) …
Final Nielsens for NASCAR's recent Chicago Street Race suggested “event spin out.” The 2025 presentation — relegated to cable's Turner/truTV after the first two aired on NBC — averaged only 2.1M viewers. That's down from 4.6M (2023) and 3.9M (2024). Euro-step aviator Italo Balbo drew as much attention when he landed his seaplanes on the lakefront for 1933's Century of Progress. …
Naperville native Janelle Finch is immersed in nothing but congratulations over her first Heartland Emmy nomination at KUSA-TV in Denver. Proud papa Tom Finch was the most colorful marketing director in the history of Arlington Park (and masterful keeper of wrestling's Victor the Bear.) …
Golf moon birds will sky gaze when The Open tees off at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland Thursday. American TV starts, CDT: Thursday & Friday — 12:30 a.m. (Peacock), 4 a.m. (USA Network); Saturday — 4 a.m. (USA); Sunday — 3 a.m. (USA). NBC Big kicks in Saturday and Sunday at 6 a.m. County Antrim favorites: Scottie Scheffler (9-2), homie Rory McIlroy (7-1) and Jon Rahm (12-1). …
And Bill Adee, distinguished past sports chief at both the Sun-Times and Tribune, on the current “gap” week facing toy department media: “There are no slow sports days, just slow sports editors.”
Jim O'Donnell's Sports and Media column appears each week on Sunday and Wednesday. Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com. All communications may be considered for publication.