So I was all geared up to see Becketty-Boo pitch tonight, and despite the TORNADOES all around Chicago today, and the GALE-FORCE WINDS that ripped up buildings all around Wrigleyville today (anyone remember that building next to Wrigley that used to be a car wash and bike check on game days? yep- that roof blew away and the building collapsed)... I was all about riding the El down to the South Side for the Red Sox- White Sox game. How could I not? It's Beckett!

But Mother Nature was not cooperative.

When I got to the Cell and the tarp was still on, that was not a good sign. We all chilled in the downpour, drinking beer and waiting for it to clear. At about 7:45, the Sox put a notice up on the scoreboard that the rain was supposed to clear within the hour. And since they kept serving beer, we kept hanging around. Even after one whole deck of lights went out, and the big gigundo lights on the top of the field flickered ominously a few times.

About 8:30-ish the rain magically stopped, and the first one on the field within SECONDS of it stopping was Beckett. He ran a few laps and started his stretches, all before another single soul got out on the grass- including the grounds crew. Tek came out about 15 minutes afterwards, and the two of them started their normal pregame ritual.

And then the rain started again. And then it turned into a downpour. And then the lightning and thunder returned. And then Ozzie walked around the White Sox dugout doing the old throat-slitting gesture that is universal for "it's over, baby."

So it's a doubleheader tomorrow for me- let's just hope the rain holds out long enough to get two games in. At least I hope we can get Beckett out on the mound.