greg775

QUOTE (Reddy @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 07:48 PM) don't you think that pitcher might have had an EASIER TIME of getting the out if he were facing the weaker of the two hitters? Ozzie could have made the pitcher MORE LIKELY to succeed, but instead he did the opposite. Respond. I guess. I get tired of the lefty/righty crap, though. For instance I liked Robin a lot more when he was letting relievers pitch full innings.

QUOTE (CyAcosta41 @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 08:53 PM) Greg ... While I disagree with you on many BASEBALL issues (in particular you wanting to give Ozzie a life-time pass for 2005; me and so many others giving him part of the credit, which leads to some additional benefit of the doubt and a little more rope ... but, he lost that benefit of the doubt and ran out of rope with his increasingly aberrant behavior between 2007-2011), ultimately, I could care less about disagreements. We're all Sox fans; there is room for differences of opinion; and healthy debate is great. However, I personally cringe when you and anyone else brings up this attendance issue! It's not baseball; it's not fandom; it's an economics and ownership issue. Do you own the team? I don't. So many people, particularly Cubs fans, grasp on to the Sox attendance woes as if it measures anything particularly significant. The historical circumstances that led to Comiskey Park built had long since changed by 1990. Had all other things been equal, there was no way that Sox ownership would have rebuilt a park at that same location. However, all other things weren't equal. Sox ownership (which included dozens of the top real estate and business minds in the Chicago community) fought hard for the sweetheart deal of the century. They won the lottery with all sorts of public concessions, allowing them to easily make solid profits year after year while their equity investment in the team skyrocketed. But ownership can't have it both ways. I've got plenty of South Sider family and friends, but the current location is far from ideal for many fans, for business ticket holders, and for tourists. The Cubs have such a huge advantage over the Sox in each of these three things. It's why comparing their attendance to the Sox attendance is so ridiculous. I wish I could somehow get a breakdown, but I'd bet the number of actual dedicated Sox fans buying tickets for games at the Cell is close to if not more than the number of actual dedicated Cubs fans buying tickets for games at the Urinal (err ... the Shrine). The difference is business ticket holders and tourists. And that's not all -- the Sox could easily draw more, lots more, if they wanted. Others with greater knowledge have discussed it far more eloquently than I could, but the Sox ticket prices, dynamic pricing, parking prices, and so forth, follow their self-professed goals of maximizing revenue (without regard to the pure number of fannies in the seat) instead of maximizing attendance. Stripping all of that down to the basics -- ownership really doesn't care for regular 30,000+ turn-outs as long as they're maximizing profits at some lower attendance figure. If they don't care, why should I? Why should you? Sure, the players might like more people in the stands, but if they have a problem, take it up with ownership, not with the fans. Ownership created this mess. Good points, sir. I took a potshot at our fans which I regret.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 08:36 PM) Lol at Bell blasting anyone. Agreed.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 07:21 PM) Heath Bell supposedly just blasted Ozzie in an interview, saying he doesn't respect him, that he doesn't tell the truth, and won't say anything to your face. That is awesome. Is Bell the one who gave up the home run walkoff they are talking about in the thread? If so, bad timing. I won't stand up for Ozzie here, but I would suspect Bell will not have the sympathy of many, not after that episode on the TV show where he seemed like a goof talking to Ozzie in the office. s***, Bell is lying cause in that episode Ozzie talked to him about his closer's role. Heath Bell sounds like he has as big an ego as Ozz. I just saw the story. I doubt Heath Bell is going to get Ozzie fired. Remember, Loria wanted Bell replaced before Ozzie replaced him as closer. This might make it easier to keep Ozzie. Loria will look like he's caving in to Heath Bell of all people if he cans Ozzie. Now if Buehrle goes after Oz, I guess Oz is finished. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8420672/...r-ozzie-guillen

I'd leave it up to Cooper. He probably knows Humber better than anybody.

Those temperpedic matresses that are supposed to be good for 10 years are really nice. They have them in different styles, too, firm and softer. If you go in the store, the salespeople seem to know what they are talking about and can fit your needs. My back was bothering me and I got one of those and the back discomfort was gone immediately. It was pretty expensive but has worked out great.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 07:52 PM) Nor do I. What I find hilarious is not realism. QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 07:56 PM) Or the reality is that the horses*** Tigers team just lost 2 of 3 at home to a team the Sox swept on the road. There are a lot of strange "reality" statements this season. None of us doom and gloomers are failing to realize Detroit also sucks. Those of us who are negative are simply pissed that the Sox have had a zillion opportunities to be 4-6 games up right now. Yes, we realize Detroit has been equally s***ty. Yes we realize it's not over by any means.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 07:52 PM) You call everyone haters when it comes to Ozzie, yes. And you dont concern me enough for me to hate you. For me hate requires effort and energy towards someone who deserves it. You are far too amusing for that. You post more stuff about me than any other poster. Define "energy." True it doesn't take much effort or energy to post sentences, but you definitely have more posts specifically about me than any other poster by far. Thanks for the compliment. I have thought about being a stand-up comic so "amusing" is a great compliment to me.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Sep 23, 2012 -> 09:12 PM) I just got back from watching the manager of the year lose in walkoff fashion. 2 on, 2 out, bottom of the 9th. He chooses to walk Fred Lewis and his, .300 OPS to bring up Ruben Tejada and his .700 OPS. Guess what happend? A-mazing. Ozzie is terrible. So obviously is whatever pitcher served up the home run ball. it goes both ways as we've seen in some decision by Robin this year as well. Players got to do the job.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 03:41 PM) This is Ozzie, circling the drain. I almost wonder if he is trying to get fired at this point, or he doesn't realize that this owner won't cover for his ass like JR. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,7056717.story Some of you pointed out how crazy Loria was. You guys were right. Ozzie was better off with his situation in Chicago. At least in Chicago he never had to talk to Jerry, who is hands off and he never had to talk to Kenny. It's not a good situation when you have to regularly speak to a clueless owner. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 05:47 PM) Looks like we are going to see the third Marlins fire sale this winter... No wonder Ozzie wants to get fired. It should be pretty soon he starts complaining about an extension or something. We should do everything we can to get Buehrle back. I wouldn't give them much for him, but they should take two minor leaguers for Mark. Mark can replace Peavy. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/24/3017...a-comments.html

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 07:42 PM) So says the guy that loves to call the entire board "haters" What are you talking about? I'm pretty sure the only mention of the word "hate" on here by me is regarding posters hating me and hating Ozzie. Your hatred of me is plain to see but where else have I called people haters? Hatred of me and Ozzie? Yes.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 06:03 PM) Because really, the gloom is hilarious. Some of you people are posting wild, disproportionately pessimistic bulls*** with no basis in reality. Yes, the Sox got swept over the weekend. As long as they came home still in first place I was fine with whatever this weekend's result was - and they did, without even having to share it. There's no reason to act as though the sky is falling. If Detroit had swept the Twins and we had won 2/3 in LAA, it would have been exactly the same result, and people would've been saying "Detroit GONNA GET HAWT" instead of "SOX SUCK AND EVERYTHING ELSE SUX TOO" I'll take my chances with 7 of the last 10 at home against these two teams. If they don't win the division in this position with 10 games left - yes they choked. Yes, it would be a tremendously disappointing end to an otherwise very exciting, awesome season. Yes, they will miss out on some much needed playoff revenue, national visibility and an attendance bump. However, what's amazing to me is that the first 145 games of this season bought this team exactly ZERO equity with its fanbase in terms of believing in it for ONE MORE WEEK - and you're the poster child for exactly what I mean by that. Well, you are just a better fan than me. I just think the White Sox have responded to this pennant race in horrible fashion. Horrible.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 03:27 PM) It is such a split decision for me. Personally I look at a team that is just beat to s***. The pitching staff, especially the starters, look like toast right now. The main guys out of the pen have been ridden hard to try to make it to this point. At least half of our line up is nursing, or recovering from injuries (Dunn, Konkero, De Aza, Youk). The thing that keeps me optimistic is Detroit is in as bad or, or worse, shape than we are. Plus they can't catch the ball to save their lives. Great post. Great. QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 03:43 PM) Considering that the Tigers lost both games, the gloom around here is downright hilarious. The Sox have lost 4 games in a row since thursday and lost exactly 1 game in the standings, all while detroit was at home playing mostly the easiest games left on its schedule. Hibbard, how can you say the gloom is "hilarious?" Some of us want the White Sox to step up and win a division not rely on Detroit to lose every one of its games while we do the same (though that would be nice). Southsider is right. There are a ton of reasons for this team to not make it, but if the team can somehow make the playoffs anything could happen. But the doom and gloom is totally justified. Sox have been pathetic of late.

QUOTE (Noonskadoodle @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 06:35 AM) WINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Hey doomers & gloomers.... we are STILL in FIRST haha. Pls stop calling us doom and gloomers. The team has lost 5 games in a row and is completely in the tank entering the final few series. If the Sox won a game here and there we might not be so gloomy. To add to the gloom, do you think the Sox will have more than 18,000 fans for any of the games in this important series?

QUOTE (bucket-of-suck @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 04:17 AM) This is what will happen: SOX: 5-5 Lose 2 of 3 with Cleveland Win 2 of 4 with Rays Win 2 of 3 in Cleveland TIGERS: 4-6 Win 2 of 4 with Royals Lose 2 of 3 at Twins Lose 2 of 3 at Royals Sox win Central Division It pains me to be so pessimistic. Maybe next year I'll be back to my old self. But I have to finish this season saying the Royals are destined to f*** us, folks. They are going to get killed by Detroit. It's just this year's destiny.

QUOTE (Cali @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 04:24 AM) No you don't. Are you crazy? I don't follow this team 365 days a year for my health. QUOTE (flavum @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 04:32 AM) I'm done predicting. I just want to wake up in first in an awful division every day. Amen brother.

Sox win 2 of 3 vs the Tribe at the Cell, split against the Rays and finish the season winning 2 of 3 at Cleveland. Kittens take 3 of 4 at home vs Royals, lose 2 of 3 at Minny and get swept at KC. ChiSox 87-75 Kittens 84-78 Post your predictions My predictions: Sox 1-2 vs. Cleveland; 1-3 vs. Tampa Bay and 2-1 at Cleveland for a 4-6 record. Minnesota 4-0 vs. KC; 1-2 vs. Minnie, 2-1 at KC for a record of 7-3. Hope I'm wrong. Really really hope I'm wrong. I think KC is really going to lay down for Detroit. KC is our rival; not Detroit's. Royals get up for the Sox like no other team.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 03:13 AM) We will not get swept by Indians. They're not even trying right now. This is another one of those stretches where a Sox victory of any kind is impossible to imagine. I'll have to see it to believe it ... again.

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 03:07 AM) I want us to make it for the sole reason that we'll have a chance to win it all. We may not be a cinch, but the talent is there for us to get hot and win the thing. I'd rather get swept out than miss it, sure, but it's all about that chance at a ring. Getting swept in the playoffs is a horrific feeling. I want to get in but catch lightning in a bottle when we do get in. It's so frustrating to be a Sox fan right now. Even though Rongey says to enjoy the moment, it's difficult when the Sox are playing arguably, their worst baseball of the season. Was it asking too much to win one game against the Angels? If we get swept by Cleveland, do you think Robin will return? Seriously. Not that he'd be fired, but that he would just not want to come back after such a horrible conclusion to the season?

QUOTE (chw42 @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 03:38 AM) Our chance of winning the division just went up 14% to 68%. Does anyone on here actually believe those percentages are even CLOSE to reality? My god. If we were serious about winning anything of note we might have actually uh, won a game against the Angels?

Not to be overly negative, but can you remember a series in which the Sox laid down and died, so to speak, and competed less than this past one? It was like three games of blah which is baffling to say the least. Do these guys even want the postseason or would they rather start fishin' and huntin' in a week?

QUOTE (danman31 @ Sep 23, 2012 -> 06:06 PM) I've been to Gately on a Saturday afternoon before and had no problem. I understand Friday nights are a different animal, but I'm not super worried. Besides, among all the fancy cars the Loyola contingent will be bringing my car will not be labeled as a target. What teams still consider Gately Stadium its home? Why are they playing it there anyway?

QUOTE (Brian26 @ Sep 23, 2012 -> 07:53 PM) A manager has two jobs. There's the "x's and o's" on-field strategy. There is also the behind-the-scenes managing and guidance of the clubhouse, player's egos, player's personalities, and the overall psyche of the team. Guillen dropped the ball on the latter of the two last year, and that was with a very talented team. I think a very good team of players can overcompensate for a bad "x's and o's" manager. I don't think a very good team of players can overcome a bad "clubhouse" manager. All IMHO, of course. Good post. QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Sep 23, 2012 -> 08:07 PM) Greg, you repeatedly said Ozzie was manager of the year. I thought he would be as I thought they'd build on that 23-9 and win the division.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Sep 23, 2012 -> 02:18 PM) Not sure what you're trying to say here, but I really, really hope it's not putting blame on the kid. I didn't take it as he was blaming the kid, but all the others who had him go up there. QUOTE (GoodAsGould @ Sep 23, 2012 -> 02:49 PM) It seemed like he was saying more than just the coach at fault, but I think it is fair the kid knew the conditions as well. It is very sad none the less and definitely gave everyone a negative view of the current ND coach and his staff. Yeah, he was scared going up there from his Tweet on the issue. I wish he would have been physically unable to go up there, throwing up in fear, etc. No reason that life should have been lost. Can you imagine losing a human life over a bad football team needing its practice filmed? And all the lives he'd have helped bring into this world with his future wife? And all the good he could have done had he become a doctor like his mom, etc? Over football? Geez.

OK, it's pretty darn obvious Obama is going to win so let's look ahead. Do you folks see the economy and the employment situation of Americans better or worse in four years. What will the price of gas be? Do you think GOOD jobs will be a thing of the past? Can Obama get this thing going or are we all f***ed? Seriously.