aboz56

I thought Hi-Corbett was a dump. I've seen nicer high school fields.

Well as you can see, I am back from Tucson safe and soundly. I had a horrendous day of travel with United Airlines, but I finally made it home last night. Anyhow, here's some observations from the trip. First off, at Friday's game at Hi-Corbett Field I had the pleasure of sitting next to Crede's wife. I had no idea who she was until she sat next to me and asked if I could protect her from foul balls. That made me start to think (after what had happened last week) after I realized she had a baby girl with her and I asked if she was Joe's wife. The worst part of the whole thing was that a foul ball hit about a row behind us and with the Tucson sun it was impossible to see anything at all. The baby was adorable and she was a very nice lady. Carlos's wife was a row in front of us but I didn't really say anything to her (sorry Heather ). Most impressive performances I saw: 1) Mark Buehrle - Yes, I may favor him above all else, but Mark did nothing with his performance Thursday to make me believe that he's going to have anything but a great season. It was a typical efficient Buehrle effort as he cruised through seven innings only yielding a HR to gasp...Julio Ramirez. Besides that blunder, I thought he looked excellent. 2) Frank and Mags - Both looked in mid-season form and that's basically all there is to say. Expect a great year from both of these guys as Frank looks like he's playing as he's got something to prove and Mags is playing for that contract. 3) Juan Uribe - Looked great with the stick all week as well. I hope he takes the 2B job over William Harris. Thats about all for now. AB

Yea that was me, in fact that is where I am basically at every ST game at TEP, right down by the dugout getting my jersey signed and saying hi or talking to Joe. Too bad we didn't get formally introduced, but perhaps we'll cross paths this summer at the Cell. Glad you had a good time out in Tucson though.

Hey everyone, just wanted to give you another update before I head out to today's game and then head back to Louisville. Yesterday's game flew by as Mark pitched and he pitched a great game (besides the Julio Ramirez HR). Uribe, as has been reported by others here, looks to have the nod at 2B barring a major collapse during this last week and a half. He's just a much better hitter than Willie Harris is. Brian Anderson and Jeremy Reed played in yesterday's game and neither played particularly well, although Reed played a nice CF. Also got to see Ricardo Nanita get into the game, but he grounded out weakly to second base. Overall, the Sox are 3-0 since I've been out here, so hopefully they'll pick up the win today out at Hi-Corbett Field. Danny Wright will be on the bump, so hopefully the Sox will throw in some more of their regulars so that they have a shot at winning today's game. I'll be back in Louisville tomorrow afternoon so I hope to upload some pictures for everyone to see at that time and give some more thoughts on the games. AB

Hello everyone, finally got some access to the computer here in the hotel so I figured I'd update everyone before I head out to TEP for today's tilt against the Diamondbacks. First off, for anyone who's never been out here, it's worth it just to see the scenery in addition to the nice spring training facility the Sox have. Now onto what you really want to hear, about the games. Tuesday I wasn't too impressed with Schoenweis. Had it not been for the Sox hitting, he would have gotten beaten pretty soundly. Garland looked great yesterday. The first inning was somewhat dicey but besides that he threw the ball great. I was somewhat impressed with Shingo too, as he pitched a scoreless inning, as did our hero, William Koch. Hitting wise Mags and Frank looked in midseason form yesterday, as they both smoked the ball. I talked to Borchard yesterday and he told me that he should be back tomorrow, if everything goes as planned. Autograph wise I'm making out pretty well, as I've added Thomas, Konerko, Grilli, Sanders, Wright, Borchard, Reed, Burke and Gload to my jersey that I took to Soxfest as well. I'm sure I'll have a lot more to add about the trip and pictures to share as well, but since I'm on the hotel computer, I've got to go and get ready to head out to the park. Hope everyone is having a great week. AB

Just wanted to let everyone know I won't be on for the five days as I head out to Tucson to see the Sox as they wind up the spring. I found out the hotel we're staying in charges per day for high speed internet access so I opted against taking my laptop out there. But rest assured I'll be taking my digital camera out there and I'll take plenty of pictures to share with all upon my return. Take care everyone. AB

Monday and Wed in KC. Then off to New York for four. we should face Vasquez or Brown; Contrera, Mussina and not sure whom for Sunday. Lieber, maybe?

In the best interest of all, I'm locking this thread so that nobody says anything that they don't mean in the heat of an argument.

Glaus is on the way out if he doesn't turn it around this season, but I will give you the other four names. Also think you've gotta put Lowell on that list from an offensive standpoint.

Now that we know it's down to these two guys, I wanna see what everyone thinks...I'm going with Grilli, as I picked him before spring training and also asked KW at the Soxfest Q & A about his chances of making the big club...

I am willing to give him a month and then I want him optioned to AAA immediately if he stinks it up.

I agree, go STATE!

BTW, Passion has moved to the 22nd all-time highest grossing film in the US. Here's a link for the complete list: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm What's most impressive about this list, Star Wars grossing that kind of money in 1977 and ET doing the same thing in 1982.

I've seen it, loved it and think it's a movie that everyone should see at some point.

You're right there Rex, got it mixed up. He'll start in Kannapolis and then move to Winston-Salem.

Sweeney is a year removed from high school. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. He'll most likely begin the season at Winston-Salem and then move to Kannapolis.

I'm going to be down there next week and I'll probably check out the minor league camp as well (assuming Sweeney and Anderson are actually sent down to the camp by that time).

Amen.

Join the club, I found it very hateful and wrong among other things.

Jordan Price.

My major problem with his whole argument is the fact that he would place the blame on anyone in this situation. Accidents happen all of the time. Even had the girl been sitting in the front row, you don't go calling someone an idiot, especially when a small child's health could be in jeopardy. How about offering your wishes for the child to be alright instead of blaming Crede and calling him an "idiot." Totally uncalled for and ridiculous.

I usually watch the Paris Hilton video

I think this post has shown everybody what kind of person ninetyfour really is. Unrealistic, uncompassionate and totally misguided. Hope you figure it all out one day.

I agree with this, unless he's developed another pitch because his fastball is way too straight.

From Baseball America: The Dodgers nearly called lefthander Greg Miller to the major leagues last September at age 18. Now, at age 19, he's having his first arm surgery. Club officials announced Thursday that Miller, a 6-foot-5 lefthander who checked in at No. 8 on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list, will have arthroscopic surgery next week to find out what's causing the pain in his prized left shoulder. Wonder if the Dodgers would balk at putting him in a trade now for Mags. Sure glad we didn't get this guy now.