greg775

1.) Zack Collins proves worthy of being a No. 10 overall pick. (It sure would be nice if he got off to a nice start. I'm rooting for him. Glad he made the team). 2.) Sox pitching staff actually fares very well and Tony masterfully figures roles in the bullpen quickly. 3.) Jose Abreu shows slight decline from last year but still produces well. Should be at the stage of his career he's the veteran face of the franchise and people forgive a slight decline. 4.) Anderson/Moncada/Robert carry the team hitting-wise. 5.) Loss of Eloy which really saddens me actually improves Sox defense considerably. As much as I hate to say it, he's a mess out in left field. This last injury proves when he comes back he either moves to first base or is DH forever. If he won't DH it may require a trade of either Eloy or my fave, Abreu. I don't think Jose wants to DH either.

Interesting take on bad trades in Sox lore. The Rutherford deal doesn't get talked about much. .... This isn't about trades but I'm intrigued by the guy I've blasted on here in the past, Jake Burger. I assume he's headed to Double A to start this season.

That about sums it up. I tried to sign up today and there are no spots in Lawrence. Weird how they have the shot in Topeka in full supply but not Lawrence. I want to get the shots here. I will get the shots. I will say this. Out of all the people I know, except for crazy family types, nobody has had any hesitancy at all. I'm the only one. And I haven't really expressed concern to anybody I talk to in real life.

I thought of Beckham today when Carson Fulmer and Nicky Delmonico entered the game for the Reds. Baseball is one, cruel game. It ain't easy to play the game of baseball on the MLB level. Can't believe Beckham's career wound up being so blah. At least he made some good money and gets the pension.

Not taking a pot shot at Eloy. It's a true pleasure to watch him hit. But I don't know if I've ever seen a taller, bigger injury-waiting-to-happen than Eloy out there in the field. This could be construed as one of those "stuff happens" moments in him trying to jump so high and put his arm in a weird spot in spring training game. Or it could be an error by our coaching staff not having some sitdowns with Eloy discussing outfield play. It's very disappointing news that he's out so long. I know Sox and Sox fans want to get another year out of Vaughn, but I'd make sure his bat is in the opening day lineup now that Eloy is gone. I will conclude by saying I'm not mad at Eloy for trying to make the catch, just sad that he's out this long. Stoney had an interesting call on the play.

You make good points. I figure as much time as these guys have on their hands in the offseason they could learn to beat the shift in the offseason with half swings and bunts. But it isn't meant to be. Some people are OK with everything that naturally happens to the great game of baseball. I guess the shifts don't bother the vast majority of fans, 80 percent or more, but I don't like them. So far the things I hate about baseball haven't made me want to give up my fandom or anything.

The shift is effective because hitters won't try to beat it. Probably not macho. Can't flip down a bunt to the left side when there's one guy stationed at the traditional SS position. It's either not macho or against the unwritten rules to beat the shift with a bunt. Or maybe even the organization's manager and advanced stat people don't wanna see that bunt. I realize most managers/stat analysts for teams prefer the all (HR) or nothing (K) method of hitting. Once in a while somebody like Moustakas will beat the shift with a bunt, but he's about it. Of course the shift is an effective defense. Players are always hitting right into the extra defender. I'm just saying for me personally it's ruining baseball. A lefty power hitter plops a bunt or half swing in the direction of third base, far enuf away from the pitcher, guess what ... it's a hit every time. Problems "for me" in the game of baseball: a.) the shift. b.) umps still won't call a belt high fastball a strike. c.) players stepping out of the box to do the Konerko velcro flip of the batting glove. d.) Not letting starters work 6 2/3 innings minimum. e.) playing the lefty/righty reliever matchup game as early as the fifth inning. f.) games that last over 3 hours. You might tell me I just don't like baseball and go away. I do like baseball. I don't like the things mentioned. Anything baseball can do to speed up the game, give the umps less power and not anger me by having one infielder on the left side with lefty hitters making no attempt to get a hit that way (flip flop it for righty hitters), would please me. I realize I could be in the deep minority, just saying what I don't like about baseball today. I'm sure 90 percent of fans disagree with me.

Also makes sense. Thanks. Glad you didn't even have a sore arm.

Makes sense. Thanks.

I'm just against lift and pull and this would be a way to combat it. ... I know a lot of things in sports and politics both don't make a lot of sense to me but it drives me insane that 'most' hitters wont bunt or just tap a grounder the other way to beat the shift. To me it's elementary. You get on base anyway you can and if you are a lefty hitter and there's one guy on the left side of the infield standing on shortstop, you bunt to the left side and reach base with a single. Instead most hitters either hit the home run to right or ground out to rightfield or strike out. It's one of the things ruining baseball for me personally.

I am going to get my shot as soon as they accept me. How are your symptoms? I am very nervous about the shots. Any advice on what medications I should have ready as the vaccine takes over the body? Thank u. No lie. I'm nervous about what I've read including the fact 1,200 have died or some similar number. I think some people won't get the vaccine because they think it's an ominous plot of the government. There are others like me who don't like the idea of purposely putting something in the body that could lay me out for 3 days and may cause lasting symptoms. I sure hope I don't mess up body organs or have hair all fall out in six months. Forgive me. This is a big boy message board and some people in America are scared. Nothing more ominous than that. Just fear.

I love the fact four infielders must be in the infield and not on the outfield grass at all times. I despise the shift so much it has almost ruined baseball for me. Players won't bunt to beat the shift. I despise when a lefty slams the ball in the hole between first and second and the outfielder throws him out. I despise when a player rocks what should be a single up the middle but there's an infielder right over second base. Anything please to get rid of shifts. I also hate when a player does the Paul Konerko unflipping the velcro on the batting glove after every pitch. Call me insane and in need of help but I can't take it. Yet I of course loved Konerko. I'm not crazy about Manfred's ruining the playoffs but please please get rid of shifts and please start calling the belt high fastball a strike. I can't take it.

Our minor league teams figure to have some "name" players like Hamilton. Q: I love Matt Reynolds HR today. My question is why sign him though? There's no room for him on the MLB roster in the foreseeable future is there? Yet he's young still. He's a former second rounder. I just wonder why Sox bring in some guys if they stand little to no chance of playing in the bigs. ... BTW as much as I've ripped on Jake Burger in the past I'm rooting for him at Double A and hopefully beyond. Any guy that appears to have gotten his act together physically is OK by me. Are we hoping to trade him someday? Again, doesnt seem to be any room for him on the MLB roster in immediate future.

I hear you. You know, if it wasn't for Tony's awful, unacceptable DUI, I'd really be enthused. I like watching his interviews on whitesox.com. I hope I'm as sharp at him at his age. I personally think we have a smart manager. I'll be interested in reading game threads this year as we second-guess what's going on in game threads.

The way you were treated is what annoys me about the business world and in some respects our country. What did you do to deserve this ire of the "organization head" who wouldn't wish you luck as you left? Was there any reason for he/she to act this way? I don't understand why staying with a company a long time now is sometimes considered a bad thing. Why did they threaten to fire you at the 21 year mark? Sorry for carrying on, I just get mad when the corporate world acts this way. ... as far as Coop, we all know he's grumpy. He made a good buck I'm sure with the Sox; would assume he gets the pension. Coop is 65. He needs to chill out, be happy and if he wants to stay in baseball use his connections. Coop is kind of a curmudgeon.

I wish the Sox would make room for Zack. First rounder, 10th overall pick. Now he's 26. If the scouts think he has it, he should play now. If he doesn't, then do the guy a favor and trade him for some more pitching or something. Don't see how this is debatable. He's a first rounder and he's "ready."

Good. Thanks.

What's this about? I am concerned a little bit more after reading this. Are the darn vaccines safe or not??

That almost has to be the penalty, announced a couple times a game or every inning for the first home stand. If ejection isn't the penalty, the folks drinking heavily will in no way have their masks on.

At the same time, I check the CNN and Fox websites on my phone a couple times a day and if you read some of the stuff on there regarding COVID and other issues, it can make your head spin out of control. That's probably why I change my mind so much (p.s. Br. Rice is 9-0; nice little team with the soph PG).

Good points. I was just growing paranoid after seeing some people say there have been some nasty side effects (probably exaggerated). You are right.

I haven't had the flu in years thanks to the flu shot. I am being a baby, but some of us have become quite soft when not facing adversity for a long while (knock on wood). I'll "suck it up" while hoping those who say there are possible long-term problems are full of bleep.

That's helpful. Good point. I need to hear more points like that. The fact the rich want the vaccine desperately does lessen my concern. The rich know things we non-rich do not know in many instances. I just have started to worry in seeing videos (which could be lies; everybody's telling lies these days) in which people are talking about never having any health problems and now having a ton of health problems after taking the second dose. The people who say the vaccine is dangerous can get to you after a while. I'm the type who likes to hear both sides of an issue and I'd hate to inflict ill health on my body after many many years of good to great health (knock on wood). So there is some concern after a while.

Not a bad idea. Too expensive though. My wallet says don't do that.

Call me a worry wart but yes I'm a little concerned about the two doses and possible side effects and long-term side effects. What's the best way to avoid these feelings? Why are we not reading more about side effects? How can 3 different vaccines all be out at the same time? Has anybody gotten Maderna the first dose then gone in and they've given you Pfizer the second dose? My feeling is I'll do what they say and get all the shots when made available to me (no availability yet) but in 2021 I've gone from wanting badly to get the vaccine to now being a little scared. Yeah I'll admit it while acknowledging I'm probably just a big baby. And this is a guy who loves the flu shot. I get it every year about the same time and love it and trust it.