I never played sports growing up, never followed any team, never rooted for any athlete. Sports in general just never interested me. I've taken a lot of flack for it, but I didn't care. I would much rather read a book or watch a movie than tune into any sort of sporting event. It's just not my thing.
When I started dating my fiance, however, I quickly realized that I couldn't hide from sports anymore. He's a big Chicago White Sox fan, and he enjoys watching and following various other sports, although the Sox are his favorite. When it became clear last year that the Sox would be a top contender for the world championship (which, of course, they eventually earned), I was subjected to game after game, night after night, on TV.
I don't mind attending live games, because there's a lot going on besides baseball, and the food is fantastic. I'd happily watch paint dry if it meant I'd get nachos and a kosher hot dog. And as a bonus, they give you those cards when you enter the stadium that say if your team scores so many points you get a free donut or if your pizza wins the race, you get a $3 coupon, making the whole sports food experience even more wonderful.
To watch games on TV just isn't the same. I get bored. Sure, last year, I got caught up in the excitement of the hometown team going all the way, but I think I could have been satisfied with, "did they win last night?" "Yeah." "Cool."
Still, I had several friends who were die-hard Sox fans, so I figured I ought to give the team a chance to win me over as a baseball fan. They had the best chance of anyone; they were my hometown team, they were doing really well and their ballpark has great food.
But that wasn't enough to fully hook me, and try as I might, I couldn't even remember who many of the players were. So to get myself interested, occupied and educated, I used the only thing I knew would keep my attention.
The food.
I began to imagine what the White Sox would be like on my turf. If I had a backyard barbecue and invited the Chicago White Sox, what would each person bring? Who would be doing what? Who would have the most fun, and who would leave early?
After that, I felt like I knew the White Sox a whole lot better. When this season began, there were some new players, so the list had to be tweaked, but I am still mighty proud of the lineup.
So now, I present Erika's 2006 Chicago White Sox Backyard Barbecue.
A.J. Pierzynski -- grillmaster, second year running.
Freddy Garcia -- marinates steaks and surprises everyone by doing a very tender vegetable kebab as well.
Jermaine Dye -- keeps the beer cooler stocked
Scott Podsednik -- makes sure all the ladies perpetually have a drink
Jim Thome -- the babysitter, keeps the kids occupied. This position belonged to Frank Thomas last year, but I don't think Frank's coming to this year's party.
Bobby Jenks -- ice cream -- Breyers neapolitan. Also brings Hershey's syrup.
Brandon McCarthy -- barbecue chips
Ross Gload -- red-skinned potato salad, made by his wife/girlfriend, who insisted they bring something.
Rob Makowiac -- pasta salad with tri-color pasta and black olives
Tadahito Iguchi -- Diet Pepsi. I read somewhere that he likes to drink it.
Alex Cintron -- volunteers to bring the napkins and plastic silverware but forgets them on the counter at home
Neal Cotts -- hamburger and hot dog buns
Mark Buehrle -- cups and ice. Also brings a marker so people can write their names on their cups.
Paul Konerko -- keeps writing silly nicknames on all the cups.
Juan Uribe -- comes for a drink and a burger but has somewhere else to go that day.
Joe Crede -- brings fireworks and almost blows up a tree setting them off.
Sure, it's only part of the team, but I'm glad at least these guys could make it.
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