FUN FACTS:
RAYS VS. WHITE SOX

Joe Maddon looks a little like Tina Fey, sure. But Ozzie Guillen isn't afraid to swing a chair at someone.

Getty Images

Elite company for Sir Maddon.

Interesting start to the MLB playoffs: our boss is happy, with the Red Sox taking it to the Angels once again. Our friend on the left coast is happy as the Dodgers rely on the long ball and stun the Cubs at Wrigley. (Side note: this is a really good article on SoCal baseball at this moment.) Today, the Rays (!!!) make their postseason debut against the White Sox, who have been here before. Let's learn more about the organizations, shall we? Start here. Now you're ready.

(1) As noted in the picture, other famous wearers of Joe Maddon-esque glasses include Elvis Costello, Tina Fey, Woody Allen and Clark Kent. You should read this article. It's very informative as to the Rays' skipper.

(2) Did you read that article yet? Good. If you did, you'll know Maddon is an oenophile. So too, apparently, is today's White Sox starter Javier Vasquez.

(3) Today's starter for the Rays, James Shields, is the first cousin of San Francisco Giants OF Aaron Rowand (but is not related to the Angels' Scot Shields). He also shares a name with the only person to ever serve as a U.S. Senator from three different states.

(4) Ozzie Guillen isn't afraid to hit pro wrestlers with chairs.

(5) The Rays are acutely environmentally aware, which is refreshing for a pro sports franchise.

(6) The White Sox's home, U.S. Cellular Field, has been a stand-in for other ballparks in movies. In Little Big League, it pretended to be Yankee Stadium. (Blasphemy!) In Rookie of the Year, it pretended to be Dodger Stadium. Seriously, what is Thomas Ian Nicholas doing these days?

(7) Best Wikipedia subhead ever: "Tropicana Field - Drab Interior Environment."

(8) Richard Roeper thinks Ozzie is a better fit for the White Sox right now than say, Crash Davis.

(9) Why baseball in the Tampa area is important is a good thing to understand.

(10) Because we like YouTube a lot, this old White Sox clip seemed appropriate. More can be found here and here.

BONUS: If you type 'Chicago White Sox' into YouTube and search by View Count, this video is hit No. 2. Odd.

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