THE CONSOLATIONS OF A WHITE SOX FAN.

THE CONSOLATIONS OF A WHITE SOX FAN. The wheels came off for the White Sox some time ago, and I have already returned to a familiar way of enjoying the games. Since each year, as a matter of arithmetic, a number of teams are out of the pennant race, a large percentage of fans around the country must be enjoying games the same way. I have turned my attention to the rookies in the line up. I am thinking in terms of a familiar goal: finishing above .500. Since there is no pennant race, each game stands on its own. I can turn off a game when the White Sox bullpen comes in the game, just as I leave the room when a TV program shows scenes of graphic violence. And the current lack of offense—when the opponent scores first it feels like falling behind in a World Cup soccer game— brings back memories from 1967, when the White Sox contended until the last week of the season even though their leading hitter (Al Weis) only hit .243.