Al Lopez Ghost (old)

ESPN News crawl reports Esty to the Nationals, one year contract.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 17, 2005 -> 04:32 PM) Good info, thank your friend for us. Reinsdorf in the hospital today ... angioplasty. You sure he's not having a heart implant? Sorry.

This is combined from Monday's Tribune and Southtown: When fans at Soxfest brought up the Torii Hunter play, Guillen said the Sox had a chance to retaliate about 2 weeks later, when a Sox player hit a ground ball with a runner on first during a gave vs. Twins. "This guy went into second like his wife was trying to turn a double play. That's why we kicked his butt out of here." The Southtown says "While Guillen didn't name the player, speculation was that he likely was referring to Carlos Lee." The Tribune says Guillen was "referring to former Sox left fielder Carlos Lee, who was forced at second in the ninth inning. Guillen added that the Sox had "shipped" out the player."

This is from Saturday's Daily Herald: "Rowand, who lives near Thomas during the offseason, put the injured slugger in touch with his personal trainer, Tim Soder. "Frank is out there busting his hump" Rowand said. "He's working out 5 days a week and he's got a gym in his house now. I was just there." Late last month, Thomas had his cast removed and he's now wearing a walking boot. While there is a chance he'll be ready to go by Opening Day, Ozzie Guillen still isn't planning on seeing Thomas in the lineup until June. "I don't want to say Frank's gonna be ready for Opening Day and then not have him" Guillen said. "That's why I've been saying June. But hopefully, he'll be ready as soon as possible. I haven't seen Frank or talked to the doctors or Herm. Right now he's not in my lineup." Rowand said "I don't know if he'll be ready for the start of the season but h e'll definitely be back. A lot of people arae counting him out, but I think he really wants to come back and let everybody know he's still around."

At 2:00 pm they reported Aaron signed a 2 year plus mutual option for a total of 8 milllion. Congrats to a guy who worked every step of the way and deserves his success.

QUOTE(Southside hitmen @ Jan 14, 2005 -> 12:58 PM) Speaking of the world series who does everyone think the Sox will play this year in the series I think it is going to be the San Diego Padres I hate to say it, but I think the Bravos return to the fall-winter classic.

QUOTE(Southside hitmen @ Jan 14, 2005 -> 12:55 PM) I agree game one of both series were the highpoints but it sure is great to see the old time ballplayers Especially for me - an old time fan! But I still want to kill Tony Cuccinello (3rd base coach for all you kids out there) for sending Sherm, yes that is a piano on my back, Lollar home, and the Dybber for his baserunning disaster. Oh well, maybe 2005 will make up for our past shortcomings.

QUOTE(Southside hitmen @ Jan 14, 2005 -> 12:51 PM) I like to watch old Sox games like the 59 Series and the 83 playoffs to name a few... Does anyone else watch old tapes I suggest watching them in reverse order - game one of both series were sort of the highpoints!

On that subject, Nancy will be given an award at the Pitch and Hit Club Annual Dinner this Sunday afternoon and evening. Also there that night are going to be Ozzie, Aaron Rowand, Cotts, and Borchard. John Rooney will be emceeing. The dinner is at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, and there is a Pitch and Hit Club website, www.pitchandhitclub.com, with details. Autographs at 4:00, cocktails at 4:30, then the dinner. Nancy will be back at the Cell this year, in the second year of her two year contract.

QUOTE(knightni @ Jan 11, 2005 -> 11:19 AM) Who is Steve Boras? Steve Boros played 7 years for the Tigers, Cubs and Reds, good field, no hit. Retired in 1965. Last seen coaching third base for KC. Only we old timers remember Steve Boros. Back of my mind he's been involved in some dustups with the Sox over the years. Now back to relevant news.

QUOTE(striker62704 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 11:49 AM) Interesting comparisons for Willie Harris nay sayers. 1st year stats: G AB R H HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP AVG Durham 1995 CHW 125 471 68 121 7 51 31 83 18 5 . 309 .257 Harris 2004 CHW 129 409 68 107 2 27 51 79 19 7 .343 .262 We might as well stick with Harris one more year and see what he can give us. But there's a significant difference: Ray was 23, and Willie was 26. Ray hadn't gotten anywhere near his full performance level, Willie.....

AJ was also on the Score at about 4:40, and he said something I haven't heard before. He will still be arbitration eligible after the 2005 season, so if the Sox like him, he can't go anywhere as a free agent. Also, a beat reporter from SF is on the Score now, and he's saying he didn't put much stock in the rumors about AJ's bad attitude. He criticized AJ for not taking walks, hitting into DPs, and said AJ was poor defensively - blocking balls in particularly.

Zelig, it was definitely Hibbard, and you're right he did have a no hitter going for about 5 innings. His line for the day was 7 innings, 4 hits, no walks. BTW Barry Jones got the win, raising his record to 10-1. And the final was 4-0, as Jim H corrected me earlier.

The 83 All-Star game was special, but the game that I will never forget happened on July 1, 1990. The park opened on 7/1/1910, so this was its 80th and last birthday. Andy Hawkins threw a no-hitter against the Sox, and the Sox beat the Yankees 3-0. 1990 was my favorite year because that team really refused to stay beat, and that day was just surreal.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 10:02 AM) With Tim Raines Jr. as the 1st base coach, the SB numbers would at least probably go up. Oh no, Kenny signed the wrong Tim Raines!!!

In today's Tribune and Sun-Times the Sox ran ads for the Guillen and Minoso ticket plans. The Minoso 9 game plan ad has a picture of Shingo, and the text is Game 1: You show up to see him toss up his elusive Frisbee pitch. Game 3: You show up to see him strikeout the cleanup hitter on a 58 mph "fastball". Game 7: You show up to see him post his 30th save. Game 9: You show up in his jersey. The Guillen 13 game plan add has a picture of four guys tailgating in the parking lot, and the text is: Game 1-4: You'll talk about the game. Game 5-8: You'll talk about the game and beer. Game 8-12: You'll talk about the game, beer and women. Game 13: You'll talk about the game, beer and women who talk about the game and beer. That Guillen plan ad sounds like it's pitched to casual Wrigley-types to me.

Not much range, but what he gets to, he catches.

In a related note, Jay Mariotti is accepting a radio gig in Tampa. But seriously, this is the first any mention of this has appeared. I hope it's not true, but if it is true, I hope he takes DJ with him.

I thought he threw out only 30% of the stolen base attempts against him. That's pretty bad. I'd still take him, because I think the stolen base is a small factor in today's game, and AJ can help you a lot of other ways, as you pointed out.

Bo also hit the home run that won the game in which we clinched the division that year - the highest homerun I have ever seen. Hawk had about 20 seconds to decide the ball was gonna carry over the fence.

The Associated Press is reporting that Kevin Millwood is going to Cleveland for a physical and is negotiating a one year contract with the Indidans, in the 7 million dollar neighborhood (the article also says it's a still a 50-50 chance of happening).

You couldn't have brought A-Rod or Posada with you? Another thing you need to remember: When it comes to baseball I have two favorite clubs, The Chicago White Sox, and whoever is playing the Cubs.

Cannot hit lefties. Cannot Cannot Cannot. Won't steal. He may have attitude problems - there seems to be a lot of implied criticism of him along those lines. But, we could live with him as a strictly platoon guy, but that's all.

HEY! YOU'RE BREAKING UNDER THE RADAR SILENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A real 5 man rotation, just like the good clubs have. Now get the extremely grindy Eck, to help us scratch out a few runs, cause offensively we're gonna be spotty, and we have a chance to play in mid-October.