Yossarian

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 08:47 AM) You might be misinterpreting what he meant. He meant in the little time I get into a game I managed to f*** up big time. That's the way I took it. Sounds like he feels awful.

A half a century of Daley rule has been catastrophic in Chicago. Downtown and the north Loop are prosperous. Neighborhoods that used to be no mans lands are gentrifying, those two I'll grant you. However taxes, which were high in the 60's are now beyond obscene. The number of manufacturing jobs lost since the first Daley took over in 1955 numbers in the hundreds of thousands. I could literally name dozens of once solid neighborhoods that are either languishing in decline, or have become too expensive for normal working families. This is good? I thought the Democrats were for the little guy. It would make me joyous to see Richie Daley in prison garb. It probably won't happen however he may be unelectable in 2007, opening the door to Jackson the junior. Chicago has been able to avoid the more severe fate that other rust belt cities like Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Cleveland and Detroit suffered. With a Jesse Jackson Jr. administration in the mold of the late Coleman Young, the Detroitification of Chicago might really begin in earnest. I always thought that the machine dumping of Martin Kennelly in 1955, which opened the door to the reign of the Daleys and their politburo style government big city American style was a terrible mistake.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 27, 2005 -> 08:44 PM) The reason the White Sox are winning has nothing to do with this new offense being more "balanced". That's been pure BS. They have manufactured runs a little better than in the past, but its still not consistent. They still rely on the homerun, a lot more than they and their broadcasters want you to believe. Podsednik is stealing bases, perhaps wreeking havoc on pitchers, but he's only on pace to score 92 runs. That's not that many for a successful leadoff hitter on a team with the White Sox record. Lee and Ordonez were .300 hitters, to go along with their power. Losing Valentin might have balanced it a bit, but Uribe is really struggling. The reason the White Sox have the record they do is the pitching, and only the pitching. If the pitching were this good in 2003, the White Sox would have been in the playoffs and perhaps won the World Series. Jerry Manuel would still be a manager, and you still would not ever of heard the term Ozzieball. There's no reason to panic, this formula appears to be working. By "formula" do you mean the emphasis on pitching? You are correct that the much ballyhooed "new offense" is still a lot like the White Sox of 2000-04. As for me I don't think the sky is falling but it doesn't seem to be quite as high as it once was. This White Sox team has been in some mini funks before and managed to bounce back. The next month or so is very important. I've enjoyed this season as much as anyone, but there are still a few hills to climb. There is cause for concern. Panic? No.

Very surprised at the anti Wills sentiment. Dolgin has improved, and slowly but surely he is establishing his own style. Too bad, I imagine the Score will put their own guy in.

Is it over Juggs old time religion?

Dear Frank, You should have corked your bat, done roids and blown kisses to the crowd. Played real loud rap music on your boom box in the clubhouse too. Then maybe you would have earned your props and some respect from the fans.

Most of the sports media doesn't respect us in the morning or any other time for that matter. In the end what happens on the field is the only thing that matters. I'm not being original here, SS2K5 and others have said much the same thing. Ignore them and enjoy the ride. The White Sox could string together several WS championships and they still won't be "trendy" in the twisted world of sports journalism. So what? What time is the game tonite? Go Sox!

Josh and Ribbie, you had me criyin'. Kyyle thanks for the anatomy lesson. Sweatpants, if it was all a joke you need some better material. It was a joke right?

QUOTE(sweatpants @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 11:03 AM) I have been a White Sox fan the last 20 years and my favorite player since 1990 was Frank Thomas. I collected all his cards and magazine covers, but I don't know if this has been discussed before, but doesn't it seem like when Frank is hitting well, no injuries are bothering him. When he isn't hitting well, then his injuries are nagging him. There was a article in Sports Illustrated a while back hinting Pete Sampras would try to fake in an injury in the middle of a match he's losing in a scapegoat ploy to losing to lesser foe. I do know Frank is hurt, but could he be embelishing it a little bit because he's hitting so bad(average wise)? I'm dumbfounded. I'm stupified. I'm ........ speechless.

QUOTE(SHAFTR @ Jul 25, 2005 -> 10:41 PM) I just read this at Beyond the Box Score (a site that I enjoy quite a lot). here is the link: http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/story/2005/7/25/195312/129 ------ Thoughts on the White Sox The White Sox have played like two different teams in and out of the division. Record v. AL Central: 31-7 Record v. Others: 33-26 I dug deeper and tested a hypothesis of mine: RS/Game v. AL Central: 4.76 RS/Game v. Others: 4.81 RA/Game v. AL Central: 3.24 RA/Game v. Others: 4.39 There is very little difference between the runs scored between divisional matchups, but the pitching is completely different, completely average, in non-divisional games. I think it's a fairly safe bet to put the White Sox in the playoffs at this point, but hold off on the World Series tickets. A lot of their great pitching is the product of a very weak offensive division, with 3 of the 4 lowest-scoring teams in the AL as frequent opponents (the Royals, Twins, and Indians haven't been too great offensively, and the Tigers are in the middle of the pack). And their offense has taken a step back from last year; 97 games into the season last year, the Sox had scored 526 runs. Currently, they have 465. Part of that is because it seems that offensive numbers as a whole in the AL are a bit down, but that's not the whole story and that doesn't account for a loss of 61 runs so far and a projected loss of 88 runs for the full season. Offensively, the White Sox are merely average, thus far, averaging close to 4.8 R/G, in total, which is near the American League average. A few other things: - One of the reasons for their success is how well they've done against the Indians... they're 10-3, even after having only outscored the Indians by 10 runs in those 13 games. If you were to flip that record around (say the White Sox went 3-10 in those games), you'd see major differences in the standings. W L GB Cleveland 58 41 -- Chicago 57 40 -- Minnesota 53 45 4.5 Detroit 49 49 8.5 Kansas City 36 62 21.5 Unbalanced schedule at work. The Sox have only played 5 games against the Twins, meaning that there's plenty of time for a pennant race. So far, the White Sox have the upper hand and the Twins can't hit. But it should make for an interesting pennant race. Clutch? So far, so good for the White Sox. TOTAL RISP White Sox .261/.322/.421 .264/.337/.419 Opponents .248/.313/.393 .225/.318/.350 Finally, a look at run distribution, as per Dave Studeman over at The Hardball Times. Based on their run distribution now, the White Sox are projected to have won 63 games (assuming I've done the math correctly). Their standard Pythagorean projection is at 58 wins, and 1st-order Pythagenport has them at 57 wins. So run distribution maintains that the White Sox have done much better than the average, especially in games in which they score or allow 1 run (they've been held to 1 run 2 fewer times than expected and have given up only 1 run 5 more times than expected), and in games which they score or allow 5 runs. Run distribution values have the caveat that I haven't quite perfected the "Above Average" methodology I'm using... What a way to ruin the enjoyment of the greatest game in the world. Do you have a statue of Billy Bean in your den? Go play with your stats. I'll take real wins over "1st order Pythagenport" wins, or whatever the you know what that is. You ruined my lunch.

QUOTE(KipWellsFan @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 01:15 AM) Kudos to Anne McLellan on this one. And while we're at it, kudos to Neville Chamberlain too.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 25, 2005 -> 12:17 PM) My dad and I were in Montreal on business about 1990 or so, and we go into this sports bar on St. Laurent Ave., 3800 block, called Champs. We're drinking some cheap pitchers of Carling's Black Label (yes, really, Carling's Black Label) and we're watching all the hockey games on tv. In walks former NHL official Ron Fournier and Jacques Lemaire. At that time, i believe Lemaire was a Montreal Canadiens asst. coach or was employed in some capacity by the team. I went over and introduced myself to Lemaire and ask him to come over and talk to my dad ... said we're from Chicago, Blackhawk season ticket holders, etc. Lemaire is very gracious and comes over, we get to talking about his career, different players, etc. And my dad says, "You were a great player but I must admit, there was one time in particular when I cursed your ass". Right then, the owner comes over and Lemaire says to him, "get these two guys from Chicago anything they want", we order another pitcher of Carling's. Knowing full well my dad is referring to 5/18/71, I bring the topic of that series up to him. Lemaire says to my dad, "We got lucky, I got especially lucky. When I took that shot, I was just trying to dump it in and get off the ice. Tony (Esposito, Hawk goaltender) never saw it." He was very gracious with us, spent about 15 minutes talking hockey with my dad and me ... very humble and admitted the goal was a total fluke. That encounter ... I believe it was a divine intervention, designed to help my dad and me feel a little better about the disaster that was May 18 1971, and let us get past it. I will admit ... it is still a bad, bad day when it rolls around every year. Great story. Thanks very much.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 25, 2005 -> 06:25 AM) I saw that happen three times, from our seats in 1st Balcony, Sect. P, Row A. 1992, 1973, and 1971. Without question the most painful was 1971. The seventh game of the 1971 Stanley Cup Finals is the one time I wanted to butt my head through a brick wall over a sporting event. They had a 2-0 lead and Bobby Hull hits the crossbar. Montreal gets that fluke goal in the second period by Jacque LeMaire and then tack on 2 more. Dryden makes a great save on Pappin in the last minute of play. The Hawks also lost to the Canadiens in the finals in 1965 and 1973. They lost to Toronto in 1962.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 08:02 PM) Well damn. Of course his swing and running looked labored. He was trying to play on a bum ankle. That doesn't mean the ankle won't heal. He could be done, but we don't know that yet. Believe me I don't want him to be done. I'm not sure he is, I just am afraid that he is. It won't be the first time a great player had to shut it down earlier than he wanted to.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 04:26 PM) I was so encouraged by that game he had in Cleveland now it seems he's back to last years and this years Marte. To bad, I have no clue what has happened to the guy cause his stuff is still there. He pitches scared. Cotts, Politte and Hermanson go after the hitters. If they have a bad outing they still come back fighting the next time.

A couple of years ago Hawk was at some golf tournament and they had John Rooney and DJ work together in the TV booth. I was surprised at how much better I liked DJ on that day. I just don't think that Hawk and DJ have that so called "chemistry" and I think it carries over even when DJ has the mike all to himself.

I was in the 4th grade, but I remember like it was yesterday. After Game 1 euphoria. After game 2 I knew they were in trouble. The forgotten part of that World Series was Dodger catcher Johnny Roseboro shutting off the running game of the Sox. Of course, and I've said this a million times to myself and others the stubborn refusal of Al Lopez to give Billy Pierce a start. I even mentioned it to Billy himself the one time I met him.

QUOTE(Ozzie Montana @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 12:00 PM) Me neither. The most recent was sending Konerko but its hard to remember any other. Cant be more than 3 or 4. This guy is great and he challenges the guys in the outfield to make a good throw on a close play. I agree overall he is good. Much much better than the infamous Wavin' Wally. Sending Konerko on that play was still a major malfunction.

IIRC at first the official scorer gave him a SB, then changed it to a caught stealing. Anyone go the game or have a better view? I wasn't sure he was out from the camera angle I was looking at.

Yes 63-33 is great. I drove 500 miles to see them lose and I drove another 800 miles to see them win. My White Sox fan credentials go back to the Leave it to Beaver era. This team still makes me nervous. Look at Boston's lineup. St.Louis too. We don't match up. Despite our record, we don't have a lot of margin for error. I still think this team has a good shot at the first WS appearance since 1959. Pointing out some flaws doesn't make one disloyal. Evening up the series with the insufferable Red Sox and their insufferable cub like fans would improve my mood greatly.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 11:37 AM) I've probably ripped Duque more than anyone else on this board and he definately deserves credit. Keith called it too, telling me all week how Saturday was going to be a well pitched game by Duque. Too bad the offense didn't get rolling. Duque has more zip on his pitches and he's looking more like the Duque of old. I think when El Duque is healthy he can still compete with the best of them. I just question his age, and the condition of his shoulder. Do they still use cortisone shots? I just hope he can last the year because El Duque has a champions heart.

Very cold and hard, but probably the way Kenny will look at it. On another note, with Frank's age, the number and nature of his injuries the last few years, it would not surprise me if we won't see Frank again after this year. I'm not even sure we'll see him again this year. I'm not an expert but to me his swing and his running looked labored of late. It showed in his BA. I'm as big a Frank Thomas fan as anyone, and in light of the steroid situation I have more respect for him than ever. It just the facts, and what my eyes tell me. It's near the end of the line.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 08:55 AM) How often does Konerko get a chance to hit with runners on base though, I think that stat would actually suprise a lot of people. He has a WARP1 (Wins Above Replacement Player, level 1) of 4.1, and a Equivalent Average of .275 which is a measure of total offensive value per out. If you have a look at first baseman in the AL with BA/RISP, Konerko is 11th on the list, ahead of Justin Morneau and Dimitri Young. 6 of the 13 hitters however are hitting below .250 with RISP. Take a guy like Scott Hatteberg for example. He has 4 home runs, but is hitting .281 and has a BA/RISP of .306. Would you prefer him instead of Paul Konerko? Wow man. Stats have taken on a whole new dimension haven't they? My head is spinning. Does that mean the Paul I've been watching is a mirage? I'm not trying to bait you or make you angry, it's just the new age of stats on stats and more stats has me speechless at times.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 03:39 AM) I am of this opinion on Paul Konerko. He is an important member of the team with the best record in baseball, and I am inclined to believe he will remain so. b**** and moan if you feel the need, but you will not change a damn thing by doing so. With a #4 hitter such as Konerko don't expect to go deep in the playoffs. We are putting way to much pressure on the starters of late. Kudos to El Duque for showing he may still have something left in the tank. It's time for Paul and a few others to step up, or like I said don't expect much come October. So yes you are right he is important, now it's time to start delivering in the clutch like champions do.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 24, 2005 -> 08:26 AM) Probably because Timo is hitting .348 this month, hence Ozzie wants to ride out his hot hand. But we should be seeing more of Gload yes. Ozzie loves Timo, and now he's actually producing a little. Not good for Gload.