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Christmas in Chicago: Just returned to safe haven in Kansas after sort of enjoying three days in Windy City with family. Good food (steak, beef tenderloin, Mustocholi (sp), Chicago's famous Italian beef, cute nieces, nephs, young and older. There's nothing better than watching little loved ones open gifts and talk bout Santa, etc. And dance to Xmas songs with lots of family. Now I have a question on the serious side. If any of you are psychiatrists or have definite opinions, PM me or answer here. Stop reading if you get bored. Thank u in advance. Next Dr. Phil episode (kidding). ... On two consecutive nights, I had to endure my adult sister screaming at the top of her lungs, freaking out, acting maniacal and I want to know if this is dangerous and if she could be bi-polar? Should she be on severe meds, etc? I'll try to make this short. Sister is in 40s, has 3 adult sons, all with good jobs, etc. One of her sons stayed at her house with his wife and 1 1/2 year old child, her grandchild. On Xmas eve morning, her son and daughter in law decided to let their child cry it out rather than pick up the child, etc. He kept crying and she felt at that young age, the child should be held, comforted, not to be allowed to cry loudly for 20 minutes. She decided that was poor parenting and accused the two of being lousy parents basically in not quieting the child and holding him, etc. She stormed out of her own house and refused to attend the Xmas party at my brother's house. I talked her into attending on the phone, saying I'd drive her there. She agreed to this after crying uncontrollably, and ultimately had a good time. After great party, upon returning to her home she freaked out when her son wanted her to apologize to his wife for her behavior. She left her own home and came to my mom's place where she was screaming at the top of her lungs about the situation, etc, before going to bed at my moms place. She was like a devil-woman, possessed. Next day she returns home, won't apologize to her child or daughter in law, but they all agree to come to my mom's house for Xmas Day party. Party was great, everybody had a great time, she played with her grandkid the whole time, smiling, fun, good eats. Then everybody leaves and it's 8 p.m., Xmas night and she starts screaming at the top of her lungs about her daughter in law being cold and yells at one of her kids there. Incredulous, after everybody had such a good time, I finally told her to knock it off and get under control. I said I was leaving but decided to stay when she shut up finally. In a devilish tone she said "let him leave" when I was about to leave since I couldn't take any more yelling. Ultimately she calmed down after my admonition and said she was tired and went back to her house as her son and daughter in law moved on to her mom's house. My question is: Is it healthy for a woman in her 40s to a.) do what she did to her son and daughter in law? b.) to scream at the top of her lungs and cry uncontrollably twice in 2 days and c.) basically tell me to f*** off after not seeing me in a year? Is this a dangerous situation? Should she immediately get medicated? Should I just forget about it now that I've departed the madness? Anyhow, Merry Christmas everyone. Loved going to Xmas Mass in Chicago etc., despite having to endure confusing/scary shouting from a woman (no alcohol involved BTW). If this story offends or bores you, my apologies. Greg the Sox Fan.

I would much rather have gotten this guy than Melky. Coulda signed this guy and somebody like Aoki for cheap.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 06:28 PM) Any good movie recs? Scrooge A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim. It's the one and only good Scrooge movie. Very well done, like many hits not a hit when it came out. It's a Wonderful Life. Yeah, it's good for the season. These two movies if you have an open mind and want to be in the Christmas spirit, they are really good. The WGN Christmas Special: Suzy Snowflake, Hardrock Cocoa and Joe, etc. Good stuff. Christmas Vacation: I laugh at it, sorry. Christmas Story: It's addictive. I get a kick out of the family's goings on.

Forgive my rant in advance. ... So Alex Rios signs with KC for 11 million dollars. Now since he gets to play the Sox 19 times (we know what ex Sox players do to the Sox as in kill them) he might produce a bit. But you've got to be kidding me? Alex Rios hasn't shown the baseball world how INVALUABLE he is by now? I tell you, baseball is one profession you can get paid and not have to produce. After the year he had last year he gets to pocket 11 more million?? And Kendrys Morales gets to pocket 8 million?? The list goes on. I tell you, we'd all be better off if baseball owners just paid these ballplayers pennies and let the customer go to the game for movie-like prices. 10-12 bucks a game. Sad that this elitist sport is run by people who get all that TV money and don't mind giving "players" like Alex Rios 11 million a year when he has PROVEN he's a mediocre to lousy ballplayer. My god.

Gillaspie is so inconsistent on defense. He can pluck the spectacular play then look like a Little Leaguer. I'm thinking he is what he is by now. He's going to make his ton of errors. He's definitely below par defensively. He did have a lot of line drive hits last year though. I don't think he's a very valuable player because of his lousy defense. Can he platoon? I guess.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 07:29 AM) Worst blunder by a Chicago baserunner, but not the worst in Chicago baseball history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkle%27s_Boner How could the Dybber be so fricking stupid?? Sox had the pennant won! What is Drysdale doing broadcasting the Sox game?

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 06:31 AM) Thanks! A great trip down memory lane, particularly getting, once again, to hear #53, Don Drsydale, calling the play-by-play, alongside his color analyst at the time, the One, the Only, Ken "Hawk" Harrelson. Double D and Hawk were a terrific broadcasting duo together, and would have been far more popular in Chicago had they not been the pair to replace Harry Caray and Jimmy Piersall. And, of course, had they not been buried on Sportsvision, the Reinsdorf/Einhorn brainchild that...well, a story for another day. If not for Dybber, Sox win World Series that one year. Hoyt would have pitched deciding game of ALCS and he was unstoppable that year, simply unstoppable. Dybber cost the Sox gold rings. Worst baserunning blunder perhaps in Chicago history.

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 15, 2014 -> 10:14 PM) White Sox have been paper champions a lot of years. I'd like this to be the year they take it. BUt we haven't earned being the favorites. The paper's quality is cardboard now. I forgot Lexi in my previous post as well.

QUOTE (spiderman @ Dec 15, 2014 -> 08:49 PM) I was thinking I should have revised my prediction down some from 85-90 to 85 if things go about as expected. My opinion is anybody who says a healthy Sox team is not THE favorite to win the Central is delusional. Folks, our starting rotation is Sale, Shark, Q, Danks and stiff to be named later. The closer is Robertson with suitable setup guys. The lineup has Abreu, Melky, LaRoche, Eaton, Garcia. There are no excuses for Robin. This is a WS roster.

I was reading some negative stuff about the officer who is in trouble over this shooting.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 10:59 PM) This wasn't the question. The question was do you have trouble supporting the Sox because of him. Right now? Yes. But I'll get over it I'm sure. Like somebody said, the other players didn't cheat like Melky did. The vast majority of the players are clean, etc. It does disappoint me, but I'm sure by opening day I'll be able to support the team and not despise Melky. I am now on record, however, as saying he could be a huge bust in terms of imeediate/future production. I'm not a big Melky guy.

It'd be nice to get a catcher for Viciedo. If we can't get a catcher, maybe some more bullpen help.

1.) Bullpen has to be at least average, realistically it has to be above average with today's penchant for yanking starters after six innings on many occasions (it would be GREAT if Sale, Shark and Q could go 7 or 7 1/3 on most nights). 2.) Defense has to be at least average. 3.) The offense must not be offensive. Abreu needs to have the same numbers as last year. I realize it doesn't take 9 guys to all hit the cover off the ball, but we need to hit. Look at our infield, it's Gillaspie, Lexi, Micah and Abreu. Is that a Central division winning foursome? Not if Lexi has an off year, Gillaspie sucks and Micah hits .225. Outfield looks good with Melky, Eaton and Garcia. We probably can count on all of them. LaRoche should be a good DH you would think. Flowers is not an average hitter. I'd take last year's numbers, though. GO SOX! Conclusion: If we have good starting pitching, good bullpen and reasonable defense, we should be fine. Sox should be division favorites right now because of 3 starting pitching studs, excellent closer, reasonable set up guys.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 11:31 PM) I love the signing. Melky will be a huge upgrade in LF. The hate and distaste for the signing because he was caught juicing baffles me unless those expressing the hate can say the same about all of the others who have been caught. Furthermore, if anyone thinks they're weren't juicers on the 2005 World Series championship team, they are deluding themselves. I shake my head in disgust whenever there's a revelation somebody used or uses steroids. QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Dec 15, 2014 -> 03:00 AM) Man the last few pages of this thread have been terrible. Go cry somewhere else. The White Sox upgraded in a big way. I'm going to choose to be excited about that. Nobody seems to be crying. Some of us would rather not sign the guy because of his past. I also don't think he's worth the money, but it's not my money, so I won't lose sleep over that. Isn't this guy getting as much or more than Dunn got from the Sox? Man, salaries are skyrocketing more and more, even since the Dunn signing. Cmon. Melky is not worth that kind of money. Sox overpaid greatly at least as far as what he's worth. Whether you want to believe this or not, Butler MIGHT hit better and produce more runs than Melky this year. Melky ain't no Mickey Mantle. QUOTE (hi8is @ Dec 15, 2014 -> 04:13 AM) It happens with EVERY signing or trade. Go look back at the Abreu thread and there's complaints there about the money / his "ability to hit the inside fastball"... Meh... If they signed Scherzer - there would be complaints. Some of us don't like the signing. No biggie. I'm not going to root for him to fail, or anything like that.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 09:35 PM) MAX/Balta, do you guys not believe in second chances in life? Should we not let convicts back into the workforce once they have served their time? Seems like you guys apply a double standard when it comes to athletes. Melky cheated, got caught, did his time and has a right to continue his career in the majors. You don't have to like him or even cheer for him, but to say it's hard to support your favorite team because of his addition is ridiculous IMO unless you consider PED use an unforgivable offense. It's just slimy of my favorite team to acquire him, if that's the right word. I'll learn to deal with it I'm sure.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 07:22 PM) Sox fans really are a miserable bunch, my god Why? Because some of us despise the idea of having Melky on the team? Just cause I don't want to support Melky doesn't mean I'm a miserable fan. The good news is all the Sox fans who don't think we are contenders have to shut up now and realize we are contenders. This is NOT a rebuilding situation. Sox have reloaded and are planning on contending which means Robin has no excuses. Nobody has any excuses. This is a championship roster even though I hate having Melky around.

Very sad day. I'll have a lot of time to get used to this guy being a White Sox and try to get over it. Sad.

Glad the cop who shot a 12 year old boy who had an air gun is in trouble over this senseless death. Renews my faith. Glad the authorities agree you don't shoot down a 12 year old kid who is holding a toy gun. http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/04/justice/clev....html?hpt=hp_c2

QUOTE (Tex @ Dec 3, 2014 -> 01:47 AM) As a teacher of children who are growing up in a digital world, this is serious stuff. The choices when being bullied are to isolate yourself from the rest of your peers and society and stay offline, or face some terrible crap. Amen, Tex. This is serious. My take is if people are going to use "social media" as a forum to bully and act like irresponsible assholes, I hope they get the book thrown at them.

Speaking of Democrats and Obama ... Did anybody see that AWESOME skit on Sat. Night Live a week or so ago where they had that funny cast member, don't know his name, the chubby (fat?) guy as host of a panel discussion. The gist of it was he asks his black guests questions about Obama failures and the guest comments on them and agrees that Obama is a joke, then the host asks the guest, "Does he lose your vote??" The guest immediately says, "No." He repeats it with 3-4 guests and they all say "no," when the host says, "does he lose your vote?" It's really funny and backs what I've said all along that Obama would be president the next 20 years or so if we had no term limits and he could keep running. No matter what he does and how inept he is ... he'd keep winning. It's a big LOL on our entire country. s***, it's like Kansas. Brownback is the worst government official probably in U.S. history (did you see the cuts he announced this week; slashing all sorts of organizations who do good things for citizens; and he'll kill all the programs for the elderly, etc) and what do KANSANS do ... they re-elect him. Shakin my head.

As it stands now, we might need to give Viciedo one more year. I wish he'd turn into at least an average defender, though. It's possible he'll start to emerge as a star now that we on paper have a contending team. Guys like Eaton, LaRoche, Abreu, Lexi might rub off on him. And Shark is a veteran pitcher as well as our new closer.

Three good starting pitchers are enough. If Q, Sale and Shark do well, that's more than enough because Danks is fine for a No. 4. Surely somebody in the organization is good enough to be our righty starter No. 5 because we need at least 2 righties.

Like Beckham, his Sox ship has sailed. He's got to go. I'd suspect Hahn dumps him for very little in return.

It's obvious Micah's presence made the Sox mighty comfortable in getting rid of Semien. So Micah ... fulfill the promise Hawk has for you NOW. Should be nice to have him in there.

Can you imagine if we got Masterson? We might have the best rotation in Sox history, OK modern Sox history. Sale, Q, Samardja, Masterson (if he rebounds), Danks (if he continues to rebound). All those other guys in the bullpen? Robin could have some amazing options.