greg775

QUOTE (iamshack @ Apr 27, 2012 -> 12:35 AM) My guess is Santiago might have had something to do with that. You can't fool the fans. They know our lineup is still corps-like, similar to a year ago, cept for Paulie. The team is irrelevant right now. People (except for us diehards) are sick of .500 or floating 1-2 games north or south of .500.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 07:37 PM) Some definite differences in how they handle the pitching staff for sure. Also Ozzie wouldn't pinch hit for veterans late in games. Robin doesn't seem to use the bunt as often early in a game. Good points. The pinch hit thing is definitely different. I can see what you are talking about there. Actually as a fan I like all 3 of those things. Not crazy about the bunt early in games, but situationally it's fine middle to late game. I don't see much difference in the pitching staff handling yet that you see.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 07:30 PM) What has Viciedo done to make anyone think he will be special though? Before last year's slump didn't he have a period where he raked the baseball? That period where everybody was clamoring for Sox to bring him up? Maybe that was 2 seasons ago now. When the Sox just wouldn't call him up and everybody blamed Ozzie cause he loved Juan.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 07:11 PM) It isn't going to happen. When you have a new manager, the tendency is going to be to compare him to the previous guy. It is going to be even more so when a guy goes out like Ozzie did. I guess. As far as in-game strategy, tell me how Ozzie differs from Robin. Not any difference as far as I can tell. There's been the same usual b****ing in the game threads w/out the personal attacks on the manager yet.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 06:04 PM) It was the 14th inning and they had blown through most of the pen already. That game belonged to the closer, no matter who it was out of necessity. That is true. So true.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 11:35 AM) LOL. Everyone but Ozzie, Folks. Except for the credit, that is all Ozzie's Like I said, I've left Ozzie behind and only comment when I get sick of people on here continuing to blast him. Ozzie is gone; I wish people would put him behind except when he's in the news for Castro-like stuff. This team has already had some similar moments to last year making the team look like the .500 team, give or take 5 games either way, it remains. Closer troubles; dropped fly balls like Pierre's in April; some guys not hitting at all and people calling for their benching/demotion. Only thing that's better is Rios had a good month, Dunn has won the Sox some games and the starting pitching has been better. The team still can't move runners, still tries to bunt once in a while. Gee the bunt hasn't magically disappeared cause almost all teams do it when the book calls for it.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 12:53 PM) I get why Santiago. First he doesn't want to move Crain or Thornton who are incredibly good at his job. Second, it doesn't matter if Santiago fails in the long run. The guy came out of no where, and he could also go back to starting if this doesn't work out. Plus that screwball is a big pitch against righties, but it just isn't doing anything right now. They want to make sure Reed is ready. If he fails, it looks much worse, as he is one of their top prospects, and if he doesn't close well, there is some answering to do. I am sure if Santiago can't find the screwball very soon, there will be a change made. Ventura also can't be seen as reactionary. His guys needs to know that they won't be yanked for one or two bad days. QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 01:46 PM) Genius. The same veteran you laud in Thornton shat his pants when given the opportunity last year. 1.) That all makes a lot of sense. 2.) I thought most people on here were blaming Pierre for Thornton's failures at closer. Let him close again. Although I do despise lefty closers. At least when Thornton is on ... wow.

He's definitely having a terrible April and won't take a walk. We'll see if he heats up in May. His defense isn't as horrible as I thought it'd be so might as well ride it out with him and see if he can do anything w/ 500-600 at bats.

So any updates? How is mom taking the "firing?" Is she OK or getting mad or happy they are throwing her the party?

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 03:56 AM) You do realize because Ozzie let Oney run wild, that led to the KW-Ozzie feud, right? QUOTE (Kalapse @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 04:06 AM) Hey Greg, one thing about Ozzie's dumbass kid getting WAY too involved in clubhouse matters that you cannot ignore: would he have been there had Ozzie not been his father? You say each individual is responsible for his/her own actions but what if you're only put in that position through nepotism? Is the family member not held responsible for the idiot's actions? I do believe they should be. 1.) Yes I guess that's true. I still think both have runaway egos that would not allow co-existing even w/out Oney. I guess it may have taken longer to come to fruition minus the kid 2.) I forget what Oney's job was with the Sox and why he got to know the players. I guess that's bad to hire the kid, but you know what? Kids are getting hired by company owners all over the place. The Royals' president is David Glass' kid who knows NOTHING about baseball. Also how many private companies have been ruined by the third generation of kid who is a lazy bum who screws up? In answer to your question, yes, I guess Ozzie is big bad Ozzie over hiring his kid or letting him around the players ... but I will forever believe individuals are responsible for their own actions. How many relatives are hired as interns, etc. It's the way of American business. Reward the kid; hire the lazy kid. If the kid is a f***-up, KW should attack the problem with Ozzie and/or the kid himself. Even if daddy hired his kid and put him in the clubhouse, I still blame the kid more than the dad.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 08:47 PM) Before 09, yea, I would agree with that. After he quit on the white sox, let his kid run wild about clubhouse confidential information, and publicly lobbied for a new contract two seasons in a row when his teams were in death spirals...I absolutely disagree that he is a good manager AND good guy, And this doesn't even include his moronic comments about Castro. I thought I was reading somewhere Ozzie is a big supporter of charities and stuff and puts his money where his mouth is. And I heard he's great meeting fans at bars, restrants, etc., and has always been good while at the ballpark where a lot of players are pricks. Hence my support of him being a good guy. The Castro thing was stupid and a byproduct of how much he likes to talk. I really don't care about his kid. I believe each individual is responsible for his/her actions and papa is not responsible for baby bear. The contract thing also doesn't bother me. Bottom line is he and the GM had a severe clash of egos. I truly can't believe Kenny hired Ozzie to begin with. Certainly he had to realize their two egos could not co-exist.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 04:30 AM) So you blame that on KW or Ventura? I would think it was a Robin/Coop decision. My thinking is Coop pretty much runs the pitching staff. Certainly they had mega discussions in ST and no way Robin made the call w/out input from Coop. I don't know why, but I'm thinking it was not KW's call.

I was too depressed about the Sox blowing that game and losing that series to open this thread til now. 10 p.m. However ... Congratulations Paulie! What a great hitter you are.

QUOTE (Jake @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 02:40 AM) I have no idea how anyone can throw an effective screwball. Would take some unbelievable pronating ability that I don't have. Nonetheless, I've seen it look pretty filthy from Santiago. Wasn't there today at all though. I think he would have been okay if he would have relied on his 93-95 fastball though, and he has other pitches. Can't keep getting hurt on the pitch that isn't working. That said, he's going to get the next save opportunity. If it is another disaster, I believe you will see Reed and I believe Reed deserves the next shot. If Santiago is removed from the closer role, I want him starting in AAA. You are probably right. Today was a total screwup, though. If you can't hold a 2-run lead in a day game in Oakland in the 14th inning with no fans there, I don't think you can close any road games. Maybe the home crowd will fire him up and get the screwball moving.

I used to throw a screwball. It was neat to see it curve the other way. It is hittable, though.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 12:34 AM) It just makes very little sense to have your 4th or 5th best reliever being your closer. QUOTE (Jake @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 12:36 AM) I will lose respect for Robin if Santiago is the one player he decides to knee jerk out of his role. There's an argument to be made about whether he should have started there, but he saved 4 in a row and you can't pull players just like that. It'll ruin the clubhouse. QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 12:37 AM) Well, Greg can finally be happy. He got what he predicted about 23 times earlier in this game. QUOTE (Jake @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 12:38 AM) With the way some of you armchair manage, I have to wonder how many posters here have played competitive baseball. 1.) Fathom is right. How can any sane person argue this? That's the post of the year. 2.) Ruin the clubhouse? Cmon. We have a lot of veterans. When closers blow a couple saves and they are not named Rivera they get demoted, at least to closer by committee. 3.) Yeah I wanted us to lose .Get real. 4.) Who cares? What do you mean by "competitive baseball?" At least through high school? I think a lot of us played h.s. ball. College? There are a lot of s***ty college baseball teams out there and small college teams. Is that competitive enough for you?

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 12:51 AM) So like in 2005 they should of gave it to someone else besides Jenks. I loved Jenks. These young guys now are too unreliable IMO. You agree a change must be made NOW don't you? Why not have Crain and Thornton try? This team has enough veteran talent the Sox should try to stay in the race as long as possible. Giving away games with young closers is a recipe for disaster with this club IMO. Today's loss was ridiculous; it's closer by committee time with Thornton/Crain the guys I want.

I think I'd go with Thornton, followed by Crain. These newcomers can't close. They are going to blow WAY too many. Let the veterans do it until they prove they also can't. When you are a .500ish type team, you can't have these closing problems. Just can't. It's hard enough to get in position to win games. Poor Robin. The unreliable bullpen continues. But in answer to your question. I'd go thornton, then crain after Thornton proves he can't. I wouldn't be upset if it were Crain, then Thornton though. GIVE IT TO A VETERAN!

I read some of the thread. You are right. He's got to be done as closer. Case closed. He can't close any more. On to next guy in bullpen by committee.

I just got to work. The Sox actually blew that 2 run lead???? My god.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 12:23 AM) Stoney will never participate with a 'YES' from Hawk. I understand, but it seemed like I heard something.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 12:22 AM) So, how many people want to go through this thread and find proclamations that this game was clearly over and done with? Nobody ever said we were good fans.

Man, Lexi just drilled that pitch. Did Stoney take part in the Hawk's "yes"? I mighta been hearing things. Off to work. I hope to see a W when I get there on yahoo.com

Would you rather see Lexi work the count or blast the first pitch for an RBI single?

Lexi has been around long enough and is paid enough to blast a game-winning hit once in a while. Cmon Lexi.