Time Passes Differently for Sox, Cubs

Two Tribune stories published on the same day: One story says the Cubs have plenty of time left to determine their fifth starter. The other argues that the White Sox should have selected their fifth starter by now! First, Dave van Dyck, poking the White Sox in the eye:

TUCSON, Ariz. -- This is not going according to the spring schedule.

By now, the White Sox had hoped to anoint Gavin Floyd as their fifth starter, thus explaining the trades of Freddy Garcia to the Phillies and Brandon McCarthy to the Rangers. It's just that Floyd—and none of the others who has been given a chance at the vacancy—are cooperating.

Now here's Paul Sullivan patting his Cubbies on the bottom:

MESA, Ariz. -- With one start down and five to go, Wade Miller is the front-runner in his bid to capture the fifth spot in the Cubs rotation.

Just don't tell Miller. "I've only had one outing," he said.

The Cubs and White Sox are in the same Spring league, so how can it be that the White Sox are behind schedule but the Cubs have plenty of time? It's obviously just a matter of perception, and the Tribune is dedicated to perceiving the White Sox as darkly as possible while perceiving their precious Cubbies with Disney-like cheer. At least as long as tickets are on sale.

Worse, van Dyck, who has been known to stretch the truth, attributes his statements to the White Sox, but neither Ken Williams nor Ozzie Guillen nor Don Cooper have been quoted saying they should have chosen their fifth starter by now. In fact, Ozzie contradicts van Dyck's statement in the very same story. Ozzie says, "Everyone is throwing the ball good," and, "We have to wait and see what we are going to do."

Wait and see. Isn't that what the Cubs have plenty of time to do?

Since those stories were published, Wade Miller pitched again for the Cubs, allowing eight of the 13 batters he faced to reach base. In his story today, Paul Sullivan emphasizes "the silver lining" in that performance. Wow. It must be great to be a Cub. You've got endless time to ponder your silver lining.

The Tribune is trying mightily to locate a pitching crisis on the South Side, where the White Sox have an overabundance of young talent, rather than on the North Side, where the Cubs spent $300 million this off-season without assembling the kind of pitching staff that can see a team through the playoffs. Fortunately, there's no sign that anyone outside of the Tower buys into any of the rubbish they print on the Sports page. Chicago knows better.

p.s. A good sentence for grammarians (and copy editors) to study: "It's just that Floyd—and none of the others who has been given a chance at the vacancy—are cooperating."

Thanks to Cubune Watcher Brett Ballantini for spotting the slant.