The Critic

QUOTE(upnorthsox @ May 9, 2005 -> 09:04 AM) But it didn't start that way with the scrub fans, most were going there to boo him. Now with the Sox en fuego and the Cubs El joke-o some of those jeers will to to cheers. Here's hoping they have little to cheer about. Funny how a sub-.500 start will make Cub fans start to forget what a prick Sosa is...of course, if I was getting the cooling breeze from Burnitz's bat 3 times per game maybe my memory gets cloudy as well....

QUOTE(trexer @ May 9, 2005 -> 08:07 AM) We already have 3 proven closers on the team as it is. There is no need to trade for another one. I'd agree with this. It would be a real luxury to deal for another closer, but I'd actually prefer a veteran long-relief/setup guy. When the Sox got Hermanson I thought he might be that guy, but he's doing so well in his role that you don't dare use him for anything else. If you obtain Mesa, then IMO only closer option you can realistically move to long/setup is Vizcaino, and he's basically doing the 7th inning stuff now.

Gary Miller ( who I think is very good ) was talking to Todd Wright about baseball in general and of course, you HAVE to talk about the best team in baseball at some point. ( ) So Gary, who's a local guy, was very complimentary about the Sox and then he cracked me up with this line: "We're not going to be able to keep them off our airwaves if they keep playing this well!" He said it the same way I would've said it - it was a nice little tongue-in-cheek dig at the network.

QUOTE(WilliamTell @ May 8, 2005 -> 09:03 PM) If we get to the ALCS, I hope the Twins aren't there. If they get to the ALCS, I don't care who they're facing! I think they'd be psyched to face the Twinks in any playoff series.

Ozzie just seems insane, he actually has a solid idea behind what he does. ....except when ex-Sox players make comments about him....

QUOTE(rangercal @ May 9, 2005 -> 12:11 AM) I guess that's why we picked up El Duque. I would feel good with him pitching a game 1 for us. I think Mark or Freddy would be a little too anxious. While I like the idea of Duke throwing Game 1, should it come to pass, I would feel equally confident in Mark pitching any game of any series. I don't see him getting jittery. He's grown into a mature, confident, calm professional.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ May 8, 2005 -> 09:41 PM) The MLB isn't even investigating Bonds the IRS is. MLB is starting their own investigation in conjunction with the IRS investigation.

He said Uh-Oh for Uribe's blast too. That Offense - Instant line was after the Uh-Oh. .....I'm actually starting to like the Uh-Oh.....

Heard on SportsCenter this morning that MLB is opening an internal investigation on Barry Bonds, following a federal investigation regarding possible tax evasion/tax fraud charges. Seems that there's serious concern that Bonds could actually face jail time if charged/convicted. "Hey Barry, how'd you do last season?" "Led the league in homers." "Really?? Which league?" "....California Penal....."

I thought I saw some kids at a recent game with some sort of sign that said "Pod's Pals" or something like that. My choice would be "The Pod Squad".

Man Soo gave my daughter an autographed ball last year during the Silver & Black Pack on-field parade. He's a great public-relations asset for the Sox, and a geniunely nice man as well. YOU DA MAN SOO!

QUOTE(Yoda @ May 7, 2005 -> 07:00 PM) Dusty Baker should not be the only one getting the fault for all of this. One cannot forget the general manager: Jim Hendry. Truth. He put all his "closer eggs" in the fluke basket of Joe Borowski, and did NOTHING to address the bullpen this offseason. Still, that team should be better than they are, but they have NO fear of failing. Dusty the Substitute Teacher holds no one accountable for anything. At this point, I doubt a new manager could turn the ship around this year. Those players have become accustomed to doing anything they want without retribution, and they'd resist any attempt to return them to professionalism. Again, I repeat: Dusty is a horrible manager, may he NEVER be fired....

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ May 8, 2005 -> 12:11 AM) Just to add to what Critic said... The Sox biggest margin of loss was 6 runs, that to Cleveland in the 3rd game of the season, and that was just cuz Vizcaino sucked ass that day. Yep, and those 6 runs came in the 11th inning, so that doesn't really qualify as a blowout in my book. and I would defend Viz - he took one for the team that day, the bullpen was spent so Viz had to stay in there too long and get rocked.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ May 7, 2005 -> 09:28 PM) John Rocker: American Bad Ass IMO, John Rocker: American Dumbass Arrogant, hateful, self-pitying imbecile, blaming anyone and everyone else for the problems that his ignorant mind and diarrhetic mouth have caused for himself.

If they make the playoffs, they'll be the best Sox team since 2000. If they make the ALCS, they'll be the best team since 1983. If they make the World Series, they'll be the best team since 1959. If they win the World Series, they'll be the best team since 1917, and therefore the best Sox team any of us have ever seen. Right now, they're the best Sox team since last year.

QUOTE(Texsox @ May 7, 2005 -> 05:32 PM) When I started the thread and asked the question, I wasn't thinking sports, which is why I placed it in SL&P. People are over rated and under rated in all fields, not just sports. No need to compare one against the other. Oh, okay, then I'll step out of the discussion, because to be honest, I've never heard much talk of over-rated or under-rated outside of sports or entertainment. I don't feel qualified to comment on the topic outside of that realm.

I try to never compare the real world with the world of sports. I wouldn't get 7 tries at my job if I was whacked out on coke, so that removes reality from the sporting world IMO.

Maybe you don't, but many many people here get completely mental about perceived slights by ESPN. Just thought I'd mention a segment dedicated to positive thoughts about our Pale Hose. Although you just critiqued an ESPN compliment, so ESPN apparently can't win either way, so we might as well never mention them on this site again....heh....

QUOTE(Texsox @ May 7, 2005 -> 05:08 PM) OK we agree on the definition. Question: Which manager gets promoted? The under rated manager who is very good, but is thought of as average, or the average manager who is viewed as very good? Depends on WHO is doing the rating. If a manager is considered average by media people but is understood to be very good by his bosses, he is in no danger. A manager who is average but is considered to be very good probably lasts longer than he should as well, just because management probably would be skittish about dumping a guy who is considered to be a good manager unless he loses control of the team or if they're absolutely awful. Joe Torre might find this helpful in keeping his job right now. If either of these guys is seen as "the problem" by their management, probably no one could save them in the end, though. After all, managers are hired to be fired.

Just saw on ESPN that Harold Reynolds thinks that YES, the Sox pitch well enough AND score enough runs to keep up their "surprising start". Bascially complimented every aspect of the Sox game, especially Podsednik, the pitching and even Everett, who he called "a MONSTER"! Also called Juan Uribe "the key to the surge", mentioning his power and defense at short. ....you can exhale now....ESPN LOVES THE SOX!!!!

It means that they're not getting blown out. Which is the thought process behind the "build on pitching and defense" theory. Kinda hard to believe that it hasn't happened to them even once yet. I love it so far, especially since Konerko and Dye are showing signs of life. As long as they're leading at the end of 9, I'm happy!

Darrin Jackson, Gload and Garland

QUOTE(Texsox @ May 7, 2005 -> 04:34 PM) I disagree a little bit. You are who you are. In one case people think you are better and in the other, people don't give you enough credit. What changes is people's opinion, not if you are better or worse. Then you DO agree with me.... I'm saying basically the same thing - the player hasn't changed, but the outside opinion is what rates him, whether over or under. What I'm saying is I'd rather have people think I'm playing over my head than have them expect more than I might be able to deliver.

I thought they were doing that lame-ass "left field sucks - right field sucks" chant they do out there. "Dusty Sucks" is MUCH funnier, because it's true. May he NEVER be fired.....

Never a big fan, so I won't be picking this one up. "Beverly Hills" is kinda catchy, but I got tired of it pretty quickly.