SI1020

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Feb 12, 2010 -> 09:16 PM) I love the rotating DH..........as long as the options are viable hitters. Jones may be but Vizquel, Kotsay and Nix are not. I'm not sure Jones is anymore either.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Feb 12, 2010 -> 08:08 PM) No he didn't. Yes he did. He's only done it twice in his career. Once in 01 for Minn and last year one time for us.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 10, 2010 -> 01:19 AM) I know in the end its probably no big deal. I just think a retired number is a retired number, and the ultimate respect anyone could show Aparicio was to keep it retired, not "I've been honoring Dave Concepcion for over 20 years, but his number is not available. I know yours technically isn't either, but do you mind if I wear it?" Maybe Aparicio endorses it wholeheartedly, maybe he doesn't. He really wasn't in a postion to say anything but what he said without catching grief. He shouldn't be put in that situation. If there are exceptions to be made, don't retire any numbers, just honor the names. Exactly.

This is too exciting for words.

QUOTE (The Baconator @ Jan 29, 2010 -> 03:36 AM) FWIW, Gooch's play was highlighted as the #3 play all-time by a 2B tonight on MLBN's Hot Stove. It was the best play I ever saw by a 2B man.

More sanctification of Bill James and correct me if I'm wrong but I didn't see the word steroids anywhere in the article. Here is an example. 1999-03: Barry Bonds Close: Nobody In the discussion: Jason Giambi, Alex Rodriguez, Sosa, Sheffield, Chipper. Barry Bonds in those five years: .322/.497/.748 with a 223 OPS+. I'm sorry I wasted my time and I grow more tired of the James revolution with each passing day. Why even bother to attend the games anymore? I do hope that big Frank makes the HOF the minute he is eligible. I may be naive but I think all of his stats are legit.

QUOTE (BigEdWalsh @ Jan 1, 2010 -> 03:39 AM) With my family, my favorite White Sox moment has to be the very first game my dad took me to in I believe August of 1962. It was so magical seeing the ballpark as we drove up to it. In 1962 there was no Dan Ryan yet. It was a night game, so I just remember being fascinated with the lights and how huge Comiskey Park was. And of course getting inside and seeing the field....christ! Early Wynn was pitching against the Twins and lost 2-0. I think he was going for career win 299 that night. But, it was great. I saw my boyhood heroes (especially Louie Aparicio) for the first time. Other favorite moments were when after I got out of high school in 1968, I went to a LOT of games alone. But I had a blast. Those were days when I might be at a game attended by 1,000 (TOTAL). Another favorite moment was taking my son to his first game and every other game after that which I took him to. The whole father-son/White Sox thing is almost indescribably cool. Here's the box score to that 1962 game with the Twins. http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1962/B08280CHA1962.htm

QUOTE (Ranger @ Dec 26, 2009 -> 04:32 AM) Oh, well since the UZR says so, it must be true. Do you guys even know how UZR, RF, and defensive stats of the like are even measured? You realize none of them accurately measure the speed of the ball off the bat (actually they don't even try to) or the defensive positioning prior to the pitch? These statistics should be looked at and considered, but if you're going to use them as your sole proof of a defensive player's worth, you're going to be misguided much of the time. Companies like Stats Inc. are working on a system using cameras and computers (not people watching on monitors) to precisely measure stuff like this. Baseball has been moving forward with collecting data from this software from Sportsvision that does basically the same thing. Eventually it will be used in every ballpark, and after it is perfected and utilized, we'll have a considerably more accurate measure of defensive abilities. For the time being, UZR is flawed and it's a mistake to use it as a bible of some kind. It should be considered but shouldn't be everything. (Oh, and a happy holiday to everyone.) I agree.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Dec 22, 2009 -> 03:43 PM) comparing playoffs from one decade to the next isn't fair, given that before 1995 only 2 teams from each league made the playoffs instead of 4 It sure isn't. Before 1969 only 1 team from each league made it. 1951-67 was the longest period of sustained excellence in White Sox history. 17 straight winning seasons, 7 with 90+ wins, including 4 in a 154 game season. Unfortunately, for 14 of those years the Yankees were a powerhouse.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 17, 2009 -> 07:58 PM) Even in the most cartoonish portrayals I have seen of Ozzie in here, that would be utterly pointless, since Vizquel's value is in his defense. That is so not going to happen. I hope you're right, but I'm not sure you are.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Nov 26, 2009 -> 07:55 PM) Our catcher of the future is a roider, god knows how many others on the current roster and more than a few have gone through our organization in recent years including a couple from the '05 team. I don't think the Sox are all that clean. So who do you think was juicing on the 05 team?

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 08:01 PM) In his defense it was 'who knows' -- and it's about right in that we dont know what we'll get. I would be totally fine with the 2008 numbers....Gladly will take those doubles. Exactly. Ask the fans in Toronto about him. He was way below the Mendoza line for the Sox until picking it up a bit at the end of the year. If he hits .270-.280 and plays above average D I'll be overjoyed.

Not worst case. The Sox have averaged 80 wins the last three seasons. That's about as good as they look now. Ask me again at the end of spring training.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Nov 23, 2009 -> 07:48 PM) How is a sophmore slump for Beckham "likely". It's certainly possible but what reason is there to believe that it's likely to happen? If you're going to state your concerns about the roster at least be thorough, this is some really lazy analysis. I don't think it's lazy, but it sure as hell is going to be unpopular. I'm willing to go out on a limb and say Beckham won't have the proverbial sophomore slump, but outside of a strong rotation, this team as it currently stands should scare no one. Except perhaps Sox fans who look for a return to the playoffs.

Well then I'm the second most nervous because I pretty much agree with the OP all the way down the line.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 3, 2009 -> 03:31 PM) Eh, it still takes a little something. But the bigger personal stake is MG - he has to have access to the team to be effective, so its pretty ballsy for him to call out the team the way he did. I agree.

As a rule I don't like to be bound to either radar guns or pitch counts. That being said the sharp dropoff in velocity has me concerned. That and the lack of the biting curve he'd developed and a left handers manhandled him this year. I'm more than a little bit concerned about Jenks.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Sep 13, 2009 -> 11:49 PM) This entire Rios issue may be even bigger than suggested in this thread. I'm sure that K.W. expected him to turn his subpar season around after getting a fresh start in a new city. Unfortunately, not only has that not happened, but he has completely fallen on his face. This not only has likely killed our chances for post season this year, but it brings into question a few other major concerns for next year. If he could have been expected to produce like his career numbers, he would have filled a couple of holes for the Sox. Obviously, he solves the defensive problem in CF. Moreover, he allows Pods to move to left, where Scotty is not a liability. Additionally, Rios would have provided more speed, another stolen base threat, and lots of extra basehits. His production over his previous 3 seasons averages 44 doubles, 7 triples and 24 stolens bases over a full 162 game campaign. That production coupled with his near .300 average could provide another solid offensive player at the top of the order, perhaps even in the number two hole. That would allow Beckham to bat a little deeper into the heart of the order. A productive Rios would have eliminated the need for K. W. to consider acquiring Figgins. He could have tried to sign Abreu this off season, and the offense would have been set. With a lineup of Pods, a productive Rios, Quentin, Abreu, Beckham, Konerko, A. J., Ramirez and Getz (Nix) this team would have a great balance of speed, power, decent average and even acceptable OBP. However, if Rios is going to be an offensive bust, this team will face a lot of challenges to get ready for next year. The way he has been hitting, he is a number 9 hitter. That in turn means Beckham probably has to stay at the second spot in the lineup. That further means that they will be a little short on power. Adding only Abreu would not provide enough offense to replace both Dye and Thome. The Sox would need to consider other personnel changes, and likely a lot more money. I'll bet that Kenny is very upset, and a little worried. It's one thing for us to calmly proclaim our confidence that Rios will get back on track next year. Unfortunately, Kenny doesn't have that luxury. Now he will have to consider other moves. Moreover Rios' huge contract will constrain any such other possibilities. What a shame. Rios could really have solved a lot of problems, but so far this looks like a big mistake, which also has to weigh heavily on our GM. It certainly isn't his fault, and I hope that fans will place the blame squarely where it belongs if Rios fails to produce. And the reasons this is not being recognized as a good thoughtful post are?

This season was over a long time ago. It's been a very frustrating and disappointing season. I just continue to follow the games because I'm a fan and I really love baseball. I've had no illusions about this team making the playoffs.

I am not criticizing the trade for Peavy. Another gutsy go for broke move by our GM. To say that we automatically won the trade big time before Peavy even throws a pitch is a bit premature. Richard should be a decent back end of the rotation guy. All the Padres need is for one of the other three players to be productive and then the trade is OK as far as they're conerned. The Sox need Peavy to be the ace he's been advertised as. Again, I'm not second guessing or criticizing the trade, but as is usual you need the luxury of time before you can begin to evaluate it properly.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 02:03 PM) So getting a Cy Young pitcher signed through 2013 is mortgaging the future? Yeah, I quit reading at that point. It could turn out that way. If Peavy doesn't meet expectations and one or two of the prospects we sent SD do well. I'm not saying that's what is going to happen, nor am I criticizing our GM for making the trade. There still is some risk involved. KW swings for the fences at times, and there is always the chance of an occasional wipeout on one of those type of trades. As for me right now I'm in my ivory tower worrying and second guessing the Rios move. He's left me very underwhelmed so far. Next year, we'll see.

I thought the assessment of Kenny Williams was pretty accurate, but I think by this time he's earned better than a B-. I'd give him a B or B+. I give him an A+ for boldness and guts.

Since I'm so old I think some of these posts should be deleted. Call the censors.

I haven't read much of anything here so I don't what anybody else has said. I pretty much keep away from politics on the internet because my opinions on many things are fierce and often not in the mainstream. So in the spirit of the thing here I will throw caution to the wind. 1. I don't believe in evolution. I also think it is completely and thoroughly unprovable scientifically. 2. I also don't believe in creationism or intelligent design, and think they are not provable scientifically either. 3. Global Warming is the biggest hoax perpetuated on the public in my lifetime. Joseph Goebbels would be jealous. 4. Unless certain changes are made what we know as the West or Western Civilization has about one or two generations to go. 5. Most people who predict the future don't have a clue. There are too many unknown variables. That goes for me too. In that spirit I predict the future in America will closely resemble how life is portrayed in the movie Demolition Man. Like I said, I have no idea what others have said here. That and I could have made a much longer list.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Jul 29, 2009 -> 02:03 PM) I think Guillen does not handle young players well for whatever reason. Mackowiak over Anderson has nothing to do with race as well as the Darin Erstad experience. Race was, is, and maybe always will be our third rail of discussion matters in this country. That being said, I think Ozzie has major problems and hangups with our younger players. It reminds in a way of another Chicago big league manager who seemed to have a dislike and disconnect with his younger players.