Yossarian

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Sep 20, 2005 -> 07:38 AM) Ozzie doesn't want to use Cotts against RH batters despite the fact that when he let him face righties they are 13-102 with 1 homerun. That's a .127 average. So because of his reluctance to have him face his second right handed hitter in a row, he got a righty out who was a switch hitter, he has Vizcaino come in for 1 batter and then throws "Everyday" Marte to the wolves with very predicable results. He is a horrible manager. One of the worst in-game managers of all-time. Terry Bevington was no worse. Ozzie was probably pretty good outside the game. He appeared to have the player's respect for the most part, but a collapse like this if it does become complete, would be very hard for him to overcome. I am not a big fan of KW, and think if the Sox do choke this away he should be put to pasture as well, but if Ozzie doesn't get canned no one else deserves to. They need to get a bench coach will experience who could teach Ozzie how to run a pitching staff, and explain to him players who don't know how to bunt shouldn't be asked to bunt. I hope they can turn this around, but if they don't my dream scenerio would have JR totally cleaning house. This team needs a new thought process IMO. I agree. Ozzie is probably the worst game day manager the Sox have had in my lifetime. I seriously doubt JR does any major overhaul. If the Sox complete this collapse it's going to damage them for a long time.

QUOTE(The Ginger Kid @ Sep 19, 2005 -> 11:23 PM) No one wants the shame and humiliation of "blowing" a 15 game lead. But at some point people are going to have to step back and accept the fact that Cleveland has played great baseball the last month and a half. I just hope the Sox stay aggressive tomorrow. Yes Cleveland has played great but the Sox are 16-20 in their last 36 games. Make that 20-16, which isn't all that hot and we are getting ready to pop the champagne corks. This is a major meltdown, make no mistake about it. The "experts" are getting ready to add the 05 White Sox to a very select list of teams that blew big leads. Winning the next 2 games is mandatory.

I hear you loud and clear. I've been a fan almost 50 years. I will say this. I don't think the Sox deliberately ignore Latin players, they just seem to lack in all forms of scouting. The Sox are never going to spend mega bucks like King George. All the more reason to have a scouting system second to none. I always said the Sox would have to catch lightning in a bottle under Reinsdorf. This year they did. At least for a while anyway.

Valponick is correct. Additionally he clearly doesn't like or respect Ozzie.

You guys should do it again. You both know a lot about the game and carry on a good conversation. Wish I could say the same about some of the "professionals".

QUOTE(CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Sep 18, 2005 -> 02:36 PM) Oh yes , Score 4 runs in 3 games and win 2 of them great pitching all the way around. Bring it on Cleveland , let's rock ! I've said all along that if the Sox are going to have a big October the pitchers have to lead the way. Thanks to Garland and Contreras the color is starting to return to my face.

QUOTE(Middle Buffalo @ Sep 18, 2005 -> 11:18 AM) 2 points: Nobody made any real significant moves at the trade deadline. Our payroll, and those of other Central teams, reflects attendance. If we supported the team better at the gate, they'd spend more money and the division would be ours to lose every year. I agree with point one but seriously disagree with the second.

by B.B. King Jules Taub I wonder why, why do everything have to happen to me I wonder why, why do everything have to happen to me Well, I'm blue and I'm lonesome, my heart is filled with misery Oh, so many strange things, they happen to me all day long Oh, so many strange things, they happen to me all day long yes, it seems like everything I do, everything I do is wrong I had a good reputation, the greatest man in town But I'm having so much troubles, till they 'bout to drag me down I wonder why, why do everything have to happen to me I wonder why, why do everything have to happen to me Well, I'm blue and I'm lonesome, my heart is filled with misery I got up on my feet, I had lots of friends But bad luck had hit me, now I'm down again Another great B.B. King original. I just love the blues and B.B. King is an American icon. Too bad it took folks over a half a century to figure it out. I'll quit for now, but the King of the Blues was worth back to back to back posts.

Way back yonder in the days of old, The men was working but not saving any dough. Then came a woman looking real cool. She said to herself, "Now that's my fool." I'm gonna ball tonight. I'm gonna ball tonight. Well, I can't break the rule because Every man is some woman's fool. Met a girl on the avenue, She was shy and I was blue, Like a teacher and a student in school, Looked at me and said, "You're my fool." Chorus First Verse Chorus We're gonna ball tonight. We're gonna ball tonight. We're gonna ball tonight. We're gonna ball tonight. Well I can't break the rule because Every man is some woman's fool. The above written by Riley B. King and Jules Bihari. Another great B.B. King number. Don't get going. I just love the blues

Blues and Jazz are my musical passions. B.B. King did his best work, at least recording wise in the late 40's and 50's. I still have a bunch of his albums, that's right albums. Artist: B.B. King Song: Bad Breaks Views Today: 1 Views Total: 71 last viewed wed @ 11:16 am Oh, I wish I was single, 'cause my woman, she drives me mad I wish I was single, 'cause my woman, she drives me mad Yes, she's always accusing me of someone of someone I ain't never had Last night I felt lucky but my luck was running slow The last hand I caught four aces and the police broke down the door I said, ""Lord, Lord, what can a poor boy do?"" It's tough when you can't make no money, Seems like all the bad breaks come to you Got home this morning, she was looking kind-a funny She said, ""Don't come in here daddy, unless you got some money"" I said, ""Lord, Lord, what can a poor boy do?"" It's tough when you can't make no money, Seems like all the bad breaks come to you I asked my woman for some dinner, she looked at me like a fool She said, ""I'm playing checkers, daddy, and I think it's your time to move"" I said, ""Lord, Lord, what can a poor boy do?"" It's tough when you can't make no money, Seems like all the bad breaks come to you My favorite BB King song.

QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Sep 16, 2005 -> 03:09 PM) Well, apparently some of you have forgotten the whole point of the game. EVERYBODY GETS TO PLAY. Then we all go out for ice cream, my treat. j/k. The friggin' 'Sunday Lineup' s*** should have ended a month ago. I couldn't find the proper emticon for this so ROTFLMAO will have to do.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 17, 2005 -> 02:37 PM) If the White Sox blow this lead and don't make the playoffs, this season will have harmed this organization a lot more than any 81-81 season could have ever done. You think the recent home crowds against KC were disappointing? Wait till next year if this meltdown continues.

QUOTE(Allsox @ Sep 17, 2005 -> 01:01 PM) Yep, Ozzie owes to the TEAM to not never start El Duque the rest of this season....This was a big game and he flopped big time.... He's probably around 40 instead of the 35 he is listed at. The shoulder no longer allows him to get the pop and movement in his pitches. I always liked El Duque. He's a battler and he actually pitches, instead of trying to blow everything by the hitter. I just don't think he's got anything left in the tank. McCarthy pitched well again. I was critical of him, didn't think he was quite ready. He's proving me wrong. I just wish the rest of the team would. The season is going down like a dying quail. Give the kid a start. At this point, what do we have to lose?

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Sep 17, 2005 -> 01:57 PM) This team doesn't inspire me in the least. It cannot and will not win deep in the postseason. The 03 team at least had a shot if we made it there. That team had its flaws but had a superior offense along with less pitching depth but 1-3 it was as good or better. I bought into Ozzie-ball after some skepticism but now I feel foolish for thinking that this is how you win games. What is Ozzie ball anyway? I have no idea what kind of ball he is trying to get his team to play at this point. I'll take the bashing and the heat if it comes. Or the yawns and crickets for that matter. Ozzie is a train wreck of a Major League Baseball manager.

PHG is doing his best imitation of Joe Stalin. Too bad, there are lots of great features on that site.

QUOTE(JoshPR @ Sep 15, 2005 -> 10:08 PM) Garcia is another #2 starter. As i Said we got 2 #2's 2#3's and a 5 Would you say Contreras and Garland as 3's? El Duque a 5? If yes then I agree with you.

If you criticize the manager in Japan don't you get cut from the team and be lucky if you get a job somewhere as a janitor? Iguchi is catching on quick about how things are here.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 16, 2005 -> 11:42 AM) f*** it. Hire me. [/thread] Much better you than that obscene cretin Mike North.

QUOTE(spiderman @ Sep 16, 2005 -> 10:37 AM) This is turning into comedy hour. On the field and off.

QUOTE(mmmmmbeeer @ Sep 15, 2005 -> 06:09 PM) Mark is a solid #2 and a decent #1. If the definition of 'ace' in baseball terms is a #1 on a team's pitching staff, then Mark is an ace. Rather, if it pertains to a stopper, Mark has proven he is not an ace. What he said.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 12:30 PM) I don't care what demographic they are trying to attract, Mike North would be an absolute travesty. Oft considered a second-rate sports station in Chicago anyway, why in the world would Score start off their relationship with White Sox broadcasting on this note? It just doesn't make a lick of sense. Do they not understand Rooney's talent and all he brings with him to the booth? Do they not understand the shrivel of White Sox tradition we fans are hanging on to? Or, do they simply look at the bottom line and throw everything else out the window? It is really a very tragic turn of events. As for Kalapse, there are many (present company not included) that find our belov'ed Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson "unlistenable." For man, his catch-phrases, homer-tendencies, massive ego, etc. are just too much and for these reasons, they tune into the #1 broadcasting duo in the AL even when they are by a television set. Yes, it's THAT important. It is a tragic turn of events. Although Jim H is entirely correct about the business dynamics of the situation the Sox management could, if they cared, let it be known that this guy does not belong in their radio booth. How many times can this franchise bumble and stumble?

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Sep 12, 2005 -> 01:13 PM) Let me start by saying that I can understand all the 'gangter-ization' in your avatar and sig, since you are from the mean streets of Northbrook. Kids from priveleged areas all over emulate the gangsta culture. It's so sad, weak and pathetic. Let me drop him off on the West Side in some of the areas I worked alone and unarmed and see how long it will take for him to call for Mommy. Regarding the White Sox, they are 35-34 since July 1, 25-26 since July 19, and 13-16 since August 11. They don't look like they can beat much of anybody at this point, and if stories I'm hearing are true all that vaunted chemistry is no longer there either. If they can somehow remember what they did in April, May and June, and go out and do it again that would be great. It's time for the White Sox roller coaster to climb to the top once again.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Sep 11, 2005 -> 08:43 PM) Honestly, I'd take Lloyd McLendon(a guy with fire, and is known for smarts) over Ozzie. I like fathom want the same thing in a manager. I know we won't ever get a Bobby Cox, but I want a guy who knows what he's doing. Give me Torre, give me LaRussa, give me McLendon, Leyland, Scosia, Tracy, Brenly, Howe, Randolph, Pinella, (does the list need to go further for me to get the point through? hope not). This is funny. In Pittsburgh McClendon was sure known as fiery, but that's where it ends. His baseball smarts were questioned by many. Ask a long time die hard Pirate fan what he or she thought of Lloyd McClendon. You think Sox fans roast Ozzie? You should have checked out some Pirate message boards the last five years. The ownership group in Pittsburgh makes our own Uncle Jerry look like the one of the best in the game. They kept Mac around because he deflected blame from what is a tragically terrible baseball operation in Pittsburgh. Bob Brenly? I won't even go there or this would be an awfully long post. Just let me say he is the worst, and I mean the most awful baseball announcer ever to assault my ears.

The general attitude toward Soxtalk at WSI is that it's beneath them. WSI reminds me of High School. Very very cliqueish. In order to stay with the "in" crowd you have to be go with the prevailing winds of the day. I've seen some good long time posters get savaged there recently. That being said, I hope those of you that attended this affair had at the very least a good time. The guys who put together this site, along with those that maintain it have done a great job. I would never have the patience or the fortitude . I salute all of you. Same for WSI. The site has some features that are impressive to say the least. I just don't like the snobbery evident on the boards.

QUOTE(TLAK @ Sep 9, 2005 -> 11:48 AM) The 1964 pitchers rule, one of the best pitching staffs of all time. Putting Bfirebird, Balta, WilliamTell and everyone else’s comments together, I’m showing the Sox ERA and WHIP versus the league ERA and WHIP year by year. To adjust for the relatively smaller differences in dead ball era I’m taking the Sox result as a percent of the league result. Because there is continuing argument over whether ERA or WHIP is a better measure I just combined them used the product to rank the teams. And since Bfirebird started the thread talking about the rotation but many replies covered the overall staff I’m showing them separately. SoxPitching I also looked to see how they stacked up all time using this formula. The 64 Sox (2.72 ERA 1.10 WHIP against the AL 3.63 and 1.29) rank 6th. The all-time best was the dastardly cub team of 1906 with 1.75 and 1.05 against 2.62 and 1.21. No team has been better since the 64 Sox. The 1939 Yankees (3.31 and 1.31 V 4.62 and 1.52) are the only post 1920 team ahead of them. In Sox history, this year's team ranks in the mid teens. It will probably land in the top 10% all time. It reinforces what we have seen all season: there is no one thing that makes this team tick. Above average pitching plus above average defense plus just enough runs is hard to beat. Team ball. Really great and informative post. Looks like I was right about 1964 and that I overvalued 1917 somewhat. They did actually win a WS and Eddie Cicotte was truly awesome that year.