The Critic

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 11:57 AM) It will be interesting to see how he handles being the top dog on the biggest stage. There were some whispers that this would be the reason he went back to Houston. Some baseball people apparently believe that he's more comfortable in the background, and might wilt under the glare of being The Man in the largest market in baseball. We shall see, it appears.

I heard Steve Phillips on ESPN Radio specualting that Houston might make a play for Magglio, at a somewhat-less-than-top money offer. Since they lost out on Beltran, the feeling is that they need to go after somebody pretty good to try to lure Clemens back out of retirement mode again. Sad thing is, Magglio has kind of become a forgotten man. Even Phillips mentioned how the Astros "will go after Magglio or someone of that level", implying that he's below Beltran. Last year's playoffs notwithstanding, Magglio at 100% gives you VERY similar production to what Beltran offers, other than basestealing potential.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 09:11 AM) My favorite is the whole thing about "directions and microwaving of poptarts" For me, it's the televised fishing or the peanut butter & jelly bit.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 07:11 AM) That would be Eric Barton. Man o' man was he lucky the J-E-T-S pulled out a win in this one otherwise he would have been screwed. He would have HAD to be traded - the fans and writers in NY would have destroyed him.

Worst song I've heard lately is that "this fire is out of control" song - Franz Ferdinand, maybe? or Modest Mouse? I never hear who it is, because I'm usually in the s***ter puking my guts out 30 seconds after it comes on.

....I love the new ignore feature, by the way....

I know this was a typo, or at the very least a mis-speaking, but I like the phrase "it made me want to kill himself!!"

HICKS Rock Regan Cross Kinison Dennis Miller was very funny in his day, but his day is pretty much long gone. I enjoy Denis Leary a lot, but I wouldn't really put him in my top 5. Chappelle's Show is great, but I don't really enjoy him as a standup. Looking at my own list, I have to ask MYSELF how the cleanest comic alive, Brian Regan, got on my list with those other four??? Answer? Regan makes me giggle like an idiot every time I see him!

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 12:41 PM) Eddy continued his gutsy play last night. He just wanted it. Hopefully Eddy has turned the corner and we see this every night from him. I hope so too. When the fire ignites in him to make him want to prove it every game, he's gonna be a real force. He's his own worst enemy. I'd love to see Tyson's "want-it" in Eddy's body.

Shingo. Marte. Buerhle. I have a feeling AJ is gonna get on my list this year.

QUOTE(winodj @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 12:42 PM) I'm always impressed by the number of people in this board who have very good alt rock, indiekid sensibilities. I always find a couple songs or bands I've never heard of and that are really good here. I personally hate 90% of classic rock and about 98.75% of everything played on Chicago radio, so I'm always scouring the Internet for new and interesting bands. It's a lot tougher since I stopped using p2p programs, but there are plenty of places to get a song or two here and there, and then search out the band's websites for more info on them.

QUOTE(winodj @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 12:54 PM) Ed Farmer's disappearance for the booth would be a blessing for baseball fans everywhere. But a HEARTBREAKER for fans of golf chat, bare feet in sandals and Sammy Sosa lovetalk.

QUOTE(Jeckle2000 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 11:29 AM) Anyone else think this is making the scrubbie fans a little nervous. Here we are filling all of our holes and Hendry is doing nothing but signing the same guys who choked down the stretch last year and giving low ball offers to Beltran. I don't think too many Cub fans are very worried about the Sox, but the ones I know ARE very pissed off at the Cubs creating holes and not filling any. In their opinion left field is now a big problem ( basically going to platoon Hollandsworth and the rookie Dubois ) and they still have no closer and SamME in right field and designated whiner. Factor in ex-Cub Mark Grudzielanek and ace pitcher Mark Mulder joining the Cardinals and this has NOT been a happy offseason for Cub fans. Say it with me.....AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW......

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 12:39 PM) I have said for years I would love to see Stone and Hawk work together. I wish they would have mixed the booths for the Cubs/Sox series's. The one thing that worries me is I don't know if Stone has enough of a sense of humor for Hawk to ride him the way he did DJ and Wimpy. I really think they'd complement each other well. s***, if Stone could work with Chimp, he'd have ZERO problem working with Hawk. I think Hawk would enjoy Stone's knowledge in the booth. Stone's sense of humor is underrated, and I think the reason he was so defensive last year could be becuase he was basically threatened physically on the Cubs' plane by certain players. I don't think the announcers should fly with the team anyway - that leads to too much homerism, IMO. I WANT to see a Hawk/Stoney broadcast team in 2005 - move DJ to the radio booth with Rooney and get Farmer the f*** out of there!!!!

There are a lot of people running next to the Bulls bandwagon right now, getting ready to hop on. They're looking a lot better lately, and getting results too. It's nice to see, actually.

QUOTE(Brian @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 11:21 AM) "Die Dead Enough" by Megadeth I like "Blackmail The Universe" better, but that song is great as well. I really like "The System Has Failed", I think it's a solid Megadeth disc.

Is it crazy to consider AJ for the 2 slot? He hits for a high average, puts the ball in play, being a lefty probably means he puts the ball to the right side fairly often. I don't think he strikes out too much, but I'm not really sure about that. The only downside would appear to be the double play, due to the lack of foot speed. What does everyone think? Should the Sox try AJ hitting 2nd in Spring Training to see how he does?

QUOTE(sox-r-us @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 09:53 PM) Relax guys....it is just Cairo If we do not get Iguchi, I bet KW will get someone MUCH better than Cairo at the trade deadline Chill fellas....geez, the way some of you hyperbole someone like Cairo, it seems like he is Barry Bonds It is ok if we have one hole going into the season. Our division is not that strong to worry about to begin with ...I don't think anyone is confusing Cairo with Bonds.... All I was saying is that in my opinion, Cairo was the best option of the remaining available 2Bs because he has played 3B in the majors before, and would provide a viable option when Crede needs a day off. Right now I'm not sure who would spell Crede - Uribe? WHo plays short then? Dransfeldt? Not excited about that. Burke? Maybe if no one else wants him and he is in Spring Training.

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 08:43 PM) Don't tell me I've been hanging on the inferior board for all this time...have I??? Are you ON the inferior board.....or does the fact that you're on this board make it inferior??? It's kind of a "chicken/egg" thing....

If this report proves true, it's pretty disappointing to lose out on Cairo at that price.

QUOTE(AssHatSoxFan @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 06:59 PM) It just means its going to be an extra large game Well, they always call it "The Big Game" on those commercials that didn't pay for the right to call it the Super Bowl....

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 08:56 PM) Next Saturday you will get the first Riverboat Gamblers. Just got it the other night. Almost as good as the other one, IMO. Larry on the other hand thinks it just as good, if not better. I'm still trying to get the new one. Hey, have you heard "Ichor" by The Black League? It's metal in the vein of Entombed. Pretty good stuff. If you want I can burn you a copy - let me know. Entombed, by the way, is supposedly playing Joe's Bar next month. I found that interesting, since they usually host MUCH lighter music.

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 08:31 PM) Some fine young person on a message board for the next World Series champions posted the link originally! The world needs more fine upstanding folk like that one who did the great service to all by posting such a link! As for songs that are great new songs and songs stuck in the ol' noodle, thanks to the recommendation of the fine poster named The Critic, I am now enjoying the sweet sounds of The Killers and their song "Mr. Brightside". Dang fine tune. Awwww, it was nothin'.... We ain't even CLOSE to even though - I have a LONG way to go to even up for you giving me the Riverboat Gamblers and Honeycrack's "Prozaic". Those discs still won't get the hell out of my player!

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 05:26 PM) When you have a quality hitting left-handed catcher and the backup is a switch-hitter, there is probably virtually no need for three catchers. If Uribe is the backup 3rd baseman in a pinch (assuming Kelly stays in AAA) then hopefully whoever we get to play second-base could fill in a little at third-or be able to play 2nd-3rd. Which is why I still would prefer Miguel Cairo. He can play 3rd, and has done it in the majors before. Excellent point about the switch-hitter reducing the need for 3 catchers, btw...

I really came away from that interview liking AJ. He seems like the kind of guy and player that Sox fans are gonna take to. I realize that he's trying to make a good first impression, but he didn't sound forced or phony to me.