Yossarian

That's why we need a major overhaul. Many of our guys no longer have those qualities. As Leo Durocher used to say, it's time to "back up the truck."

Joe Borchard a "capable replacement." GMAFB. Huge loss in credibility points with me there.

Some of you guys are way too forgiving or else we're so bad and so desperate that some want to give this guy another chance. Why stop there? What are Jaime Navarro, Royce Clayton and Todd Ritchie doing these days? Mike Jackson come back! Seriously guys and gals you don't win this type of "talent". Oh I hope I'm wrong but 05 might be a real long year.

I think you're absolutely right. If the Sox want to change philosophy and stress pitching and defense they have boxed themselves in with the shortened fences. Move 'em back already!

That's real funny. Even people who view life with the rosiest of rose colored glasses should see this guy for the complete and total stiff he is. He may be nice, a hard worker, good student of the game, etc. One thing he ain't and that's a major league baseball player. Not even a bad one. Sox management and Sox fans are just being stubborn about him, deluding themselves into believing in all that potential. In the meantime is anybody watching him? At the plate or in the field? The Twins seem to have an endless supply of young talent. We have Borchard, Crede, Diaz, the departed Rauch and I'll stop here because I think I'm getting sick. KW better work his ever lovin' ass of this winter because as of now we have a bead on 4th place in 2005.

Most Presidents are at the mercy of economic forces that were set in place before they took office. I say this not to excuse of absolve Bush, it just happens to be basic economics 101. Presidents are limited in what they can do to alleviate economic suffering or recessions but that doesn't play well in the political arena. In my opinion the Chairman of the Fed has more raw economic power than any President. Presidents can use the Bully Pulpit like Kennedy did against steel industry executives and Nixon did at various times against the Fed. In any case, the jobs issue which looked like a winner for the Dems for so long, just isn't resonating so well anymore. Case in point, recent polls from Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Bush looks strong in Ohio, a real tossup in Pennsylvania, and Kerry has to be dissappointed with his shallow lead in Michigan.

Well KW has definitely won the PR battle. I will say that he improved from his first couple of years. Back then he was singed regularly on all three major White Sox message boards. He won the fans back after the 2002 season. Acquiring Colon was probably the one event that tipped the balance most. I still think that if you look closely, he has been a subpar GM. Another thing. Wasn't evaluating young talent and running the farm system supposed to be his area of expertise prior to his becoming GM? If the proof is in the pudding then KW failed big time at that job. No, I don't particularly care for KW, although I grant you he's not as awful as he was at the beginning. Regarding the Ritchie deal. It was on KW's watch and I think it was rather noble of Ron Schueler to try to deflect criticism toward him and away from a young inexperienced GM. Some forget that he also said he never would have added Fogg in the trade. The Sox have had some shrewd GM's in my lifetime. At various times Sox GM's have pulled the Sox up off the deck with great trades or kept them in contention with other deals. Billy Pierce, Nellie Fox, Minnie Minoso, Pete Ward, Hoyt Wilhelm, and Dick Allen are among those acquired in blockbuster deals. As you can see, it's been a long time since I've been a teenager too.

KW is handicapped somewhat by his boss, but if you really care to be ojective he is a below par GM. He is aggressive and not afraid to pull the trigger on a big deal but he has a tendency to hone in on a guy he wants and overpay for him. Don't forget his clubhouse meddling during the Manuel years. No, I'm not defending Manuel, it was time for him to go, but KW undercut him time and time again. Supposedly Ozzie and KW are more in sync. We'll have to see. In the meantime KW really has his work cut out for him this off season. This team isn't close to contending for anything and may be overtaken by Cleveland and Detroit next year if significant changes aren't made.

They mailed this season in a long time ago.

I agree for the most part with your article, except for the part about Timo taking playing time away from the "still developing" Joe Borhcard. Borchard is about as developed as he's going to be. Compared to Borchard Timo is the reincarnation of Babe Ruth.

I would rather have a root canal minus the anesthetics than re sign Koch. How about getting a real closer for a change. You know, someone good like Keith Foulke.

Add me to the chorus of those much less than impressed by Willie Harris.

Jim H - I usually agree with you, and wish I could here. Again I say. Buerhle and Garcia and then just pray. The Sox rotation is awful. I know that hitters dominate today's game, especially in the AL with the DH. Nevertheless our guys need a significant upgrade in SP if anyone hopes to see us in the playoffs any year soon. Contreras is only following his established pattern. When he is bad, he is just plain horrid. He comes unglued with surprising ease. No, the Yanks gained no prize in Estaban Loaiza the one year wonder with the sore tired arm. However, they knew exactly what they were dumping on us. The SP equivalent of Billy Koch.

That pretty much sums it up.

I know you don't want to have strict censorship on this site, but is something like this really necessary?

Yeah our once vaunted farm system ain't producing squat.

Oh really? Where was Ozzie the warrior when Torii Hunter bowled over his catcher?

Talk about blowing a gnat away with a cannon. He comes across unbelievably thin skinned.

My patience has run out on Garland. I still have a little left for Crede. Is he so stubborn that he can't make the necessary adjustments at the plate? The pitchers have adjusted to him, now it's up to him to respond.

I know you like Garland, but try to understand why some of us are so tired of this guy. It has more to do with what's between his ears than his "stuff". Both Garland and the Sox would probably benefit from him having a change of scene. Maybe he will turn out like Jason Schmitt who was a major disappointment in Pittsburgh but found himself in SF. I doubt it very much. Garland could use a little of the Bob Gibson mentality. He's soft, that's the way I see it. It's cost the Sox dearly. Because of Frank and Magglio going down it was really important for him to step up this year. He didn't. He regressed instead. Like I said before on another thread, I like Mark and I like Freddy and after that the Sox rotation gives me hives.

Kobe is a thug and a rapist and the cult of wealth and celebrity has triumped. This case is beyond awful and will have negative repercussions on female rape victims for years to come.

I would like the title of this thread to be "next year without Everett."

I feel like this. Don't assume the contract offered was all that hot. JR is known for backloading, deferring and various incentive clauses.

I'm ohhhh so tired of Garland and his "what me worry"? attitude. Goodbye Jon. The other Jon (Adkins) has been a pleasant surprise and I hope he can continue to improve. His ball moves and he's not afraid to challenge hitters.

Agree with you on Cotts. He does have potential. I don't want to wait as long for him to realize his as we've waited for Garland but a little patience is in order for Cotts. Adkins has also shown me more than I expected or hoped. He goes after hitters and his ball moves. Koch, Politte, and the departed Mike Jackson really hurt us in the pen this year. As far as Shingo goes, it would be nice to see him finish strong, as many question his late season stamina. I'd like to see the Sox keep him and Marte for set up situations and go out and get a real stud of a closer. Like Keith Foulke maybe?