greg775

Let's face it, if Jimmy were far away from us, like in Toronto we wouldn't mind this so much. But he's in Minnesota ready to try to burn us again. I'd rather have Dunn. Hopefully Thome will start to show age. He was pretty f***ing good last year. I'm sick of the Twins. At some point won't the magic leave Minnesota? Their domination of us last year was really annoying.

As far as greatest Sox defensive plays I ever saw, you may laugh, but Chet Lemon made a diving catch one time that was f***ing unbelievable. The game was on TV and there was a blast in the gap, more of a deep liner than a fly ball. He went from leftcenter to rightcenter, or vice versa, I forget, and dove full out and made the catch. He wasn't even in the picture or close to being in the picture and laid full out to make that unreal catch. Our teams weren't all that great back then, but Chet Lemon made some remarkable catches. One time I met him and in a non fanatical way asked him about his favorite defensive plays. I mentioned the one I'm talking about and he described it better than I am now. I remember getting into a near fight in the stands one time with some guy who didn't like Chet for uh, let's say, racial reasons.

QUOTE (Tex @ Jan 9, 2011 -> 09:36 PM) One of the goals of the off season is getting people excited about the team. Mission accomplished /awaits the rain on the parade folks I agree with you 100 percent. Nice observation. The Sox should be able to sell a lot of tickets cause of what you astutely pointed out. To make this offseason perfect for me, personally, however, it would be replacing Juan Pierre with anybody else. But I do admit I like the way Juan approaches the game. I just don't like what he brings to the table, much at all.

The key is to be like greg, the best, most loved poster in humanity. Sorry for the waste of space reply here. I couldn't resist, however, to post something to break the seriousness.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jan 4, 2011 -> 07:19 AM) This post makes my head hurt. For every negative you post, the exact opposite could happen. And everyone needs to take into account the source of this article. QUOTE (J.Reedfan8 @ Jan 4, 2011 -> 07:37 AM) I honestly couldn't believe you posted this. (which is actually a pretty good post) It's like someone else did it for you or something... Two points. I agree the opposite could happen; I'm just trying to say our team is no lock to win squat. Once we take the field are you confident we're going to win any given game just because we added Dunn/Crain? Our team was utterly dysfunctional last year. The second post from Reed ... What are you talking about? I guess you think most of my posts are simplistic pieces of crap. I think I know the Sox as well as anybody on here since I've been a fan forever. Though I don't get to see as many games as I'd like. Yes I go by the eye test more than the sabes people.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 3, 2011 -> 04:25 PM) I don't think you can call them a heavy anything with the pitching they have as of today. What's so different about the Twins from last year? A few bullpen guys? I'd like to think they are ready to regress, but them winning series after series the second half of last season with a batch of no names makes me think they are still gonna be dangerous. Not to mention the Sox can't beat them head to head. They have our number. It's time to change that.

Six weeks. Wow. We still got some brutal weather ahead but six weeks is nothin. Just think if you were a big league player and you knew you were to go to camp in six weeks. It's time for them to start gettin in shape.

QUOTE (lord chas @ Jan 3, 2011 -> 07:00 AM) are we already dismissing the twins? havent we learned our lesson that they just always seem to reload It's the offseason where no games are played and we fans can dream big. The reality is when we take the field we are still a flawed team that could win the division, but could also faceplant against Central teams as we have the last season and a half. I think Minnie is the heavy favorite to repeat, however.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jan 3, 2011 -> 03:36 AM) On paper the Twins aren't even in our league. Doesn't mean we're a lock for anything because we certainly aren't but we're definitely the paper champions of this division. And yes, adding Adam Dunn over Mark f***in Kotsay is a huge upgrade and I couldn't care less that we have no "proven" closer, our closer was hot garbage last season and there's no way that our committee or Sale or Matt or whoever is going to be worse. I just disagree about Minn. vs. Chicago. They won almost all the games they played against us last year and still return the core of the team. I don't know why you think our starting pitching is title caliber and the bullpen. This team could fall apart and it wouldn't be Oz's fault. It also could win big.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 2, 2011 -> 06:19 AM) I think Garcia is going to cost about $5 mill, and he still brings in considerable durability issues. That'd be about $13 million, and really, is the upgrade in the bullpen going to be worth the additional $5 mill plus the downgrade in the rotation? Five million? If he's that highly thought of, why hasn't somebody in need gobbled him up? I have a feeling he isn't going to get much of an offer at all and he'd return for a rate similar to last year.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 1, 2011 -> 09:03 PM) Everyone still think that baseball players dont care what happened and that Oney is irrelevant? If this is a big deal and KW thinks it's a big deal, he should just fire Ozzie now. I can't believe this is a big deal, but if it is a big deal to KW, then fire Ozzie now and bring in Buddy Bell. Some of you should love the plastic type manager who doesn't say anything interesting ever. This should be cut and dried. If people think this is an important thing that's happened with Oney, just let Oz go now. If it's not a big deal, just let big Bobby rejuvenate his career in Boston, which he figures to do. And the Sox hopefully will win big time with Thornton as the closer.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jan 2, 2011 -> 01:46 AM) It better be. You don't spend $120 million+ and lose the division. I can't believe the intelligent people on here think we are a lock to win anything and if we don't Ozzie should be canned. First of all it was a miracle winning as many games as the Sox did last year. Secondly, I could easily see this team sucking. Just because Dunn has been added and Crain? That doesn't mean s*** except we are returning to the days we had another major league hitter (Dye before the second half collapse in his final season here; Thome before he was let loose n signed by the Twins) in the lineup instead of the abysmal Kotsay and mediocre Jones duo. We have no proven closer. Our starting pitchers were good at times last year, horses*** at times. Peavy is a major question mark. Our third base and second base are question marks (as much as I love Gordon's potential). Paulie could easily drop in production after that great great season of his. We still have a powderpuff hitter in left who arguably is not a good leadoff hitter and has no arm. Rios is no superstar. In fact, despite his nice season, he still has much to prove. After bouncing back last year, does he feel he has anything to prove? Will he regress? AJ had an average season last year. Some might say until the last six weeks or so he sucked. He's not getting any younger. And this team has shown no ability to beat Minnesota and even dominate the lowly teams in the division. Just because we added Dunn and Crain we are locks to win the division? We are locks to dominate KC, Cleveland and Detroit when we haven't dominated them the past two seasons at all, just because of Crain and Dunn? I dunno about that. This team isn't a lock to win s*** and if it doesn't it isn't necessarily Ozzie's fault. That said, if I were Ozzie and thought I had enough money in the bank/investments, I would ask for an extension now in an ultimatum ploy. If he doesn't get one, he should resign. He can be a bench coach next year somewhere in the NL, then get a managing job again, likely in Florida. He's a fool to go into the year with a one-year deal; a fool. Managers with a WS title under their belt have more leverage than one year deals. As much as people think the White Sox should win it all every year, the reality is the city of Chicago has one WS title in the last 10,000 years. That title was with Ozzie at the helm. Ozzie's contractual situation will be a major distraction all season. How can it not be? Ozzie doesn't stifle on matters like this. With Ozzie's mouth, the reporters will be able to bait him so easily. If the Sox are winning early, they'll be asking him about the extension and doesn't he deserve one NOW; if the Sox are losing, they'll be asking about him about likely not getting an extension. He'll say his old s*** of, 'If they don't like Ozzie, fire him now!' It will be a HUGE mess with him unsigned past next year. Should be crazy to watch it all explode. p.s. After reading Rogers' article, it's pretty obvious Ozzie will be Florida's manager after next season. This isn't going to work with him on a one-year deal. No way. Not with his ego. There will be sooo many fireworks. Might as well get it over now.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jan 1, 2011 -> 05:33 AM) I'm just teasing you. Happy new year brother! Oh, OK. No problem. Happy NY to you as well! Drink up!

A few points.... • I wonder if twitter would go away if the media didn't keep quoting things people say on twitter. How many people actually use the thing? • I don't see why anybody would give a f*** what Oney Guillen tweets. What does he have to do with anything? If he wants to reveal Bobby's problems, I guess somebody could ask Bobby to comment on what Oney is saying, but it's pretty irresponsible for anybody to quote a nobody like Oney Guillen's twitter posts. Who cares what Oney Guillen has to say on twitter? • I don't see how this involves Ozzie or your feelings about Ozzie at all. This is his kid. He has nothing to do with another grown human being over 21 years old. Why anybody thinks any of this reflects badly on Ozzie is beyond me. • Paul Konerko and AJP are back with the Sox; we just added Adam Dunn and Crain. If anybody thinks Ozzie is unbelievably difficult to play for or is a complete buffoon ... then why in the hell would these two veterans return (life is too short) and why would ANY free agents who could go anywhere sign with us? Believe me, if a veteran like Konerko thought Ozzie hurt his performance at all, he'd be outta here. And if AJ thought Ozzie was incapable of leading us to a WS title, he'd have gone elsewhere. Oh wait, he HAS already led us to a WS title. Just my two cents on NY's Rockin Eve.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 30, 2010 -> 07:17 PM) lol. Oh my goodness. Will somebody show me where in the 10 commandments that it's forbidden to get drunk during the day? I'm off from work, bored as hell and I had some Whiskey. Big deal. It's not forbidden, but it's early afternoon. What you gonna do all night? Most people need to sleep 8 hours after being drunk. Are you able to stay up all afternoon n night now? No worries, though. Party on, Garth. It's almost NY's Eve baby.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 30, 2010 -> 04:17 PM) It was a sample of 100 random players. The question was who you'd LEAST like to play for and he came in first. LINK That's cause they actually thought of his name and put it down. You think these lazy ballplayers even know who all the managers are? There are a few managers out in the public eye and Ozzie is one of em. At least you took off your fire Ozzie sig through Christmas. Now it's back. Over this??

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 30, 2010 -> 06:27 PM) I'm not denying that the Oney situation could cause some problems. But many players prefer an open coach to one that doesn't communicate and you have no idea where you stand. Showalter was one of these. when a players is making a decision to sign with a team there are many factors. Usually the top factors are(don't go to extremes and imply I'm saying always) Money, length of contract, geography and chance to win. Think of how players have stated "I don't worry about the business end I leave that for my agent, thast's why I pay him." Again, I'm not saying it isn't a factor but it's way down this prioity list. It doesn't effect your pay, home or family. The answer to this is. Paul Konerko. If he thought playing for Ozzie was a bad or some awful distraction, he'd a been bye bye. Same with AJ. Both had offers to go elsewhere; both stayed. Case closed.

This stuff is kind of boring to me. Bobby: Spoiled millionaire major leaguer (like MOST of them). Oney: Spoiled son of rich former major leaguer and manager (both Oz and Oney are spoiled). What they say: Jibberish bulls***. Who cares? I still like Bobby; I still like Ozzie. Oney is son of Ozzie and meaningless. He can say what he wants but it don't mean squat.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 29, 2010 -> 05:29 AM) I hate to see this come true, but I called this a while ago. If Oney was right and Jenks started drinking again and was having marital issues during the season, it explains the bereavement leave as well as KW and Ozzie said they were disappointed in Jenks on and off the field. There's still a lot more to this story, so Jenks needs to just be quiet. However, Oney is so ignorant for airing this dirty laundry. Good post, fathom.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 27, 2010 -> 12:46 PM) How do u know? Like always, you conveniently gloss over the bad with Bobby Jenks because he had World Series saves. The guy was absolutely brutal last year and cost the Sox some pretty big games, specifically games like versus the Twins in the first series after the All Star Break. You know, where the Twins started their insane run that took the Sox out of first place. Since the board is dead, I have a question off his post. It seems Sox fans throughout the years point to a certain game that killed our season when we know there are so many games in a season that one game probably truthfully doesn't mean squat. I want to ask you all: Are you of the opinion one or two games, like the ones Bobby blew vs. the Twins, sent the Twins on their winning run and doomed us? If so ... then why don't the times we have a walkoff or some dramatic win, and we've had them in seasons since the WS season, do those dramatic wins not propel us to the title? I think Sox fans make too big a deal out of one or two games sending us down the s***ter. Like in our WS season. We were going to hell in September but righted the ship and still won the division.

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 28, 2010 -> 12:04 AM) Jenks hasn't had real heat or control for at least 3 seasons. I'm surprised to hear you say that about his heat. Your standards must be pretty high. You don't think he was popping it during that stretch when he was racking up save after save?? I stand by the fact the Red Sox acquiring him proves I am more correct than the naysayers on Bobby. Bill James is a baseball god and if he recommended the signing, that proves I am not alone in my assessment of Bobby's value. Closers IMO are like quarterbacks. Everybody wants the next guy in line unless the closser's name is Rivera. Serious question: I know there are a lot of Sabes people on here who also are glad to see Bobby gone. Let me ask you? How do you feel about Bill James, Mr. Sabermetrics, thinking Bobby still has years left?? BTW I think Heads 22 has the post of the year. Wow. He is a perceptive person! I love it.

Brian Bannister? Gulp. Maybe? Please no Bruce Chen. I actually think Freddy would be a good option. He's got decent stuff for 4-5 innings.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 27, 2010 -> 12:46 PM) How do u know? Like always, you conveniently gloss over the bad with Bobby Jenks because he had World Series saves. The guy was absolutely brutal last year and cost the Sox some pretty big games, specifically games like versus the Twins in the first series after the All Star Break. You know, where the Twins started their insane run that took the Sox out of first place. Here's the post uh, just five or six posts above his post: The Bobby we had still had 27 saves after 29, 30, 40 and 41 in the previous seasons. I think you guys are going to be surprised that our new closer(s) may have trouble doing as well as Bobby did here. He's only 29. He's 6-4 and fat but he can throw hard. Lots of baseball players are tubby. He's not old. He can still pitch. And I'm not going to pine for Bobby if our new closers suck or actually blow games. Obviously I want the new closers to do well. But I'm just saying I think we may be in for a surprise. Closing isn't automatic in many cases. That's how I know. He's only 29. He's still got the heat. The Red Sox are led by the great Bill James who has faith in Jenks. In my mind, that's 100 percent certain, baby.

QUOTE (since56 @ Dec 22, 2010 -> 09:39 PM) Jenks may do well the Red Sox. He would not have done well with the White Sox. How do u know? He can still pitch for anybody.

Reading your post makes it sound as if Pierre is quite a problem. Sounds like a lousy ballplayer.