Al Lopez Ghost (old)

I'm guessing there's plenty of places there for Rowand to ride his bike off a mountain.

Realistic? Well, not this part. Just because you put together 3 pieces of crap together, it doesn't mean they get more attractive to other clubs. I hope Borchard lives up to his potential too, but at the moment, nobody will give you a player like Nic Johnson for these guys.

From Sat's Southtown: USCF's 40 million makeover calls for turning Chicago's ugliest ballpark into a baseball palace by opening 2005. To rid the stadium of its parking garage-like feel, a "homerun landing" will be added, along with new balconies on the lower sky boxes, a tiered viewing area atop the center filed fan deck and more seats around the last ring of the lower deck and behind home plate, according to an Illinois Sports Facilities Authority memo obtained by the Daily Southtown. Next season, fans will be greeted by a smaller, friendlier upper deck... The upper level's openair concourse will be enclosed, fashioned with decorative bricks similar to the lower deck walkways and concession areas. A new roof canopy and light system similar to those found in the original Comiskey park will be installed, offficials said. The plans obtained by the Southtown also show new amenities designed to provide fans a better view of the game from the elevated fan deck. "It's a very popular feature...but if someone is standing in front of you, you can't see. We're looking for a way to tier that," said Jerry Blakemore, the exec director of the ISFA.... Other renovations being completed this offseason include building new Sox offices, a TV truck building and storage area and new signs inside the stadium. ISFA...also is seeking cost estimates for a new sound system for the upper deck canopy and outfield seats, according to the 9/12 memo. Next year, balcony seating will be added to the lower suite sky boxes, giving those fans a chance to sit closer to the action. "We're adding the ability to have a party in a terrace room and have the option of sitting outside and watch the game in all the noise, or having a club level-like setting. Also during next year's offseason, the Sox and IFSA are considering stadium additions that include - building a home run landing. While the memo is unclear on the dimensions of this feature, sources indicate it would be a section of upper deck seats in right field; -filling in the umpire's tunnel behind home plate with new seats and adding a club for fans behind home plate; -converting unused suites into "activity areas"; -adding seating in the last row of the lower level. Sox spokesman Scott Reiffert cautioned that plans have not been finalized and could drastically change before it's time for construction work to begin....He said the Sox are planning a news conference later this month to formally announce this year's planned renovations.

If they made a decision affecting payroll based on the fans' feelings, it would be neither smart, nor sly. It would be a first.

The reason Guillen came in on Friday is that KW mistakenly had Ozzie Smith come in for the first interview.

They might offer Gordon arbitration, knowing that he'll turn it down in favor of a multiyear contract somewhere, since arbitration only results in one year contracts. Even if he accepted arbitration, it's unlikely he'll get a break the bank salary, and KW may think Koch is movable.

The sad thing is that there are teams that look at Olivo as a servicable backup!

Did you know that when they go on road trips the players get something like $150 a day meal money? That always has made me laugh.

that is GREAT to hear. So basically, if we lose Colon, Alomar, Alomar, and Gordon we will get FOUR compensatory picks in the early rounds of the draft, right? They have to be offered arbitration first. Which basically means that we will get draft picks for Colon, Gordon and I guess Sandy Alomar although I can't believe he was a Type A player. I'm gonna assume that was a typo so I'm gonna say Colon and Gordon cause both will be gone and both should be offered arbitration which means if I understand correctly the Sox will get two first rounders. One would be the team who signs them first rounder and then a sandwich pick. If the team that signs him is above the 15th pick (I think) then you get two comp picks. In Jose's case you get a Comp B pick, which I think is the 2nd or 3rd round. I think the Sox are gonna sign Sandy Alomar.

Would have been somewhat easier without the 6 million we're going to owe a "Twilight" Frank Thomas. With this news, if the Sox are going to make any significant moves this offseason, they will have to shop around PK. Or Magglio, right? Wouldn't that seem more likely, given his salary, production, and the fact that it's his walkaway year?

A salary cap could only happen after a brutally long, crippling strike, and the owners have never had the balls to endure one.

Maybe we can get Mike Maddux.

Killa, this years free agent crop at shortstop is incredibly deep. Edgar Renteria, Cabrerra, Aurilla, Guzman, Eckstein, Jose, Tejada, Matsui. Thats a ton out there. As far as Jose goes, they must of talked to him about a day ago cause he knew about the whole Colon situation and the offer getting pulled and that didn't happen till a day ago. While I think we both agree they won't spend huge bucks at the position, I think that if they are willing to spend 4.5 on Jose then they better be willing to spend something like that on someone like Cabrerra that would be a serious upgrade. What I want to know is why the heck is Jose alwasy going to the media and talking that crap. I think he says almost as many stupid comments as Frank does, but somehow people refuse to bash him for it. I have nothing against jose, but I wish this team in general would shut up when it comes to talking with the media. If they are going to talk about something, talk about themselves and what they are doing in the offseason or talk about the managerial position if you want to, but don't talk about your contract (let your agent do that if he wants to). Keep problems in house cause if you let the media get them, its just gonna blow them way out of proportion and cause more grief towards all. ONce you leave the organization say what you want, but I still say the best thing any player can do is keep their ill will to themselves because if they say something stupid, they could market themselves out of a potential signing one time or another later in their career. While one team may not mean something, when your older and maybe only have one or two teams interested in ya, it means a whole lot. Jose's a grinder, so he may be back. Or look for KW to take the Cubs' Alex Gonzales after they get a real shortstop.

I think this is a very astute point. Some people have thought that Colon with Pedro would be a great fit. Trying to dump Manny's salary likely sends a message to Colon's people. Maybe Colon's options ARE limited.

Even his detractors, and I am one, must admit he's the greatest hitter in Sox history. That's self-evident. It seems that every year there's a soap opera surrounding Frank, and the upcoming year will probably be no different. How the new manager manages Frank, and how Frank reacts to that management, will be fascinating to watch as the months go by. I think good Frank is not enough to carry our team by himself, but bad Frank is enough to torpedo the season.

I totally agree. They had months and months to negotiate with Robin, and waited until the last minute to lowball him. Robin worked his ass off to get back to playing as soon as he could after that horrible injury, he was a team and clubhouse leader and Sox management couldn't have cared less. Reinsdorf said Ventura was one of his favorite players and a guy he'd want his daughter to marry. But they didn't want him. Ventura said when they don't want you around, there isn't much you can do about it. So he left. I think it's wrong to lump Robin into the mountain of players who leap for the next high buck offer.

The Score also is reporting that Thomas is ours, all ours.

I enjoyed it. Now, if the trade rumor with the Mets turns out false, can we look forward too "The Botch is Back"?

One problem: KW may think he's a grinder.

I agree with Cubkilla. If Sox baseball was a restaurant it would have closed a long time ago. Not for nothin, but I decided today to check what our record has been under Reinsdorf. Since opening day, 1981, we are 1849 and 1750, for a winning percentage of .511. Now, this shows several things: Reinsdorf's policy of spending within what he thinks his means are, not winning at all costs, has been splendidly successful at producing mediocre results on the field; Sox fans have been extraordinarily patient with this ownership; I have too much time on my hands. Then why dont you guys just leave? Why to you spend so much time here if this is such a s***ty orginazation in your eyes. Just curious. Because I'm a Sox fan from the day I was born till the day I die. I figure owners come and go (some too slowly) but I don't cheer for owners I cheer for players, as long as they're giving their best. The only thing that would make me turn my back on the Sox is if they had gone to Florida. But you can't stop me from thinking that Reinsdorf is the reason we will never win the World Series. Hell we've only made post season 3 times in his stewardship. If you want sugar coating and rose colored glasses, there's another team (I hear) whose fans specialize in that.

The reason I'm asking about this is that if Frank exercises his option, then KW can trade him to LA. They have a kid named Berry or Barry that I know KW likes. Ken Berry, the guy who replaced Andy Griffith in Mayberry.

I'd go retro. Get a 1988 # 7 - the Kenny Williams shirt.

It was my impression the Score was referring to some on-air personality addition, like a basketball or baseball expert kind of thing. Like the Sammy Sosa show!

I agree with Cubkilla. If Sox baseball was a restaurant it would have closed a long time ago. Not for nothin, but I decided today to check what our record has been under Reinsdorf. Since opening day, 1981, we are 1849 and 1750, for a winning percentage of .511. Now, this shows several things: Reinsdorf's policy of spending within what he thinks his means are, not winning at all costs, has been splendidly successful at producing mediocre results on the field; Sox fans have been extraordinarily patient with this ownership; I have too much time on my hands.

Ask him if there is any set of circumstances that would get the current ownership of the White Sox to sell the club, or restructure their agreement, to rid us of Reinsdorf.