The Critic

I enjoy a fight here and there, but I don't like it when the game goons its way out of control. I am, after all, there to see HOCKEY. If all I wanted to see was punching, I'd go to a boxing match ( although at a heavyweight fight, you're more likely to see hugging than punching ). I do like seeing a fight build up - you see the goons bump each other around a little, you see them jawing at each other, and you just KNOW they're gonna go. Then they give each other that look, and IT'S ON!

Agreed. All of the above. Since I had to choose one, I'm going with goaltending. I was always a fan of the goalies as a kid ( Tony Esposito, Gerry Cheevers, Ken Dryden, Bernie Parent, Gump Worsley, Cesare Maniago ), and a fantastic save is more exciting to me than a great goal or hard hit.

You mean to say you're not singing "Be a man Hulk" to your youngster Critic? HOW DARE YOU!!!!! No, I keep it pure for the young'un! Somehow, I think that singin my line "Hogan, you're a dick, you're a big fat dick" to my daughter MIGHT NOT go over all that well with Mrs. Critic!!! The Macho impression frightens the kid anyway...

Regarding JosE6 Valentin, I like to refer to an old quote I heard from Jim Ross ( WWF announcer ): "I'd like to buy him for what he's worth and sell him for what he THINKS he's worth!" I don't know if there's ever been a player who overestimates his value more than Valentin. A mouthy, subpar fielder, low average hitter who can't recognize or address his obvious weaknesses ( such as RH batting ). I hope he's gone for good. I won't miss him.

Re: the Marlins, I am all for the name change. I don't like the idea of naming a team after a state. Gives the impression that they can jump all over the state if they get a better deal. Although I did like the sound of "the California Angels". ...and every team in Minnesota uses the state name, even though they all seem to play in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

I have a feeling, based on some REALLY bad outings last year, that the bottom is about to fall out on Greg Maddux. I don't want to see that on the Sox roster. He has had a great career, but just to see him do a Tom Seaver and win #300 here is not enough to justify spending that much money on him.

The Beatles were definitely one of the more influential and innovative acts in pop or rock music. They were the first to intentionally incorporate feedback into popular music, they had a lot of symphonic elements in their later work, and they stretched the limits of "pop music" further than anyone before them had. To suggest that they were not influential is incorrect, IMHO. Another appreciation I have for the Beatles now that I didn't have before is that the early stuff is GREAT to sing with your kids! Poppy...yes. Simple...yes. Catchy...yes.

well, to be fair, the water's been turned off on that shower-head for a while. when's the last time any of the BeatleKids tried to sell us anything? I worry about relating to my daughter in any meaningful way when she grows up, and we had her when I was only 37! Imagine how strained their relationship will be if Paul lives into the kid's teenage years? GrampaDad....ugh...

...my lawn is REALLY getting out of hand...20 bucks in it for ya if you wash the picture window too...

My guess at their starting five: Mussina Colon Pettitte Lieber Contreras Not too shabby, if Lieber can come anywhere near his pre-injury self.

In my mind, JR could definitely spend the money if he chose to. He's lived in a basically rent-free ballpark for the better part of a decade. He's cried poor for as long as I can remember. You have to spend money to make money. That said, I'm certain that he's pointing at the Angels and Marlins as the reason NOT to spend one dime more than he decides is necessary. Which would be fine, IF they hadn't tied so much money into so few players. Expect a few second or third-tier FA signings, but NO socks to be knocked off.

I'd be mildly surprised if Frank even took a whiff of free agency. I'd be absolutely FLOORED if anyone offered him more than he stands to make with the Sox. By the way, all, the REAL Jeff Hanneman is the weakest member of Slayer, a rudimentary guitarist who relies on tweedling guitar solos to mask the fact that he cannot play all that well, just really basic stuff really fast. The troll JeffHanneman is the weakest poster on Soxtalk, a special ed student who relies on basic insults to mask the fact that he has nothing to say and doesn't even say his nothing very clearly.

No, that means a good place. What it means is a place NONE of you will ever visit!!! ...Steff doesn't GET that drunk.... :finger :finger :finger

This is now a different conversation. I don't recall if anyone had previously suggested that Magglio restructure his contract. It was just a "trade Magglio for pitching" discussion. If Ordonez is asked to, and refuses, then the discussion is entirely different. The restructuring option is a lot better of an idea than just saying "get rid of him for pitching".

Nice, first, impression, JeffHanneman, English, Major. , ,

agreed - I'd rather trade prospects who may or may not develop than a guy you can rely on for consistently good production. Ordonez is solid, and while I realize that most people here are not anxious to trade him, only exploring possibilities, I really would rather the Sox hang onto Ordonez if at all possible.

that is a KILLER list! How could I forget NR??? I saw them 3 or 4 times too. At one show some random girl wrote "I Want Your Sex" on my Gang Green t-shirt ( yeah, I know, but she was hhhhhhHOT! ) Never did hook up with her, though, and my shirt was poisoned with a George Michael lyric forever.....DAMMIT. And at the Anthrax show at the Aragon, some jackoff was kicking people in the pit, so I snuck behind him and swept his other foot out when he kicked. He took MUCH physical abuse when he fell......heh heh hehhhhhhhh.....

non-union, of course...

Thomas and Konerko will almost certainly both be back. No new blood at 1B or DH. Unless a trade occurs, which I'd have to think is unlikely, given the limitations and salaries of FT and PK.

That's what the off-season is for!! Sox fans fantasizing about managers, sCrUB fans fantasizing about not choking in the playoffs, Spankee fans fantasizing about blowing up a team that went to the World Series....that's the Hot Stove, BABEEEEEE!!!!

No surprise whatsoever. No market out there for DH's. Seattle can plug their DH hole for less than what Thomas would want. I just hope he comes into camp with his head on straight and in shape. Remember...."some people were BORN to hit"...... .260.......

No, that means a good place. What it means is a place NONE of you will ever visit!!! ...Steff doesn't GET that drunk....

Could it be that he had to file for FA by some deadline, to keep his options open? If that's the case, he'd be stupid to limit his opportunities. I hope the Sox offer is still in play, but I don't think the Sox should offer any more money or years, given Bart's "David Wells-like" physical fitness plan. Colon's shape ( round ) does not bode well for the 4th year of any deal.

That would be a very nice pickup for manager. VERY nice. Unfortunately, my eternal pessimism makes me doubt that it would happen. I WANNA BE WRONG, JR and KW!! PLEASE!!!

Yep, saw Dice back in the Angry Comedy era. My buddies asked me earlier this year if I wanted to see him again, and I just laughed and said, "What year is this???"