Chisoxfn

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 02:03 PM) Problem is, right now, we don't have 7 guys killing the ball. Konerko hit like .240 in May, Podsednik is putting up a Brian Anderson-worthy .091 so far in June, AJ can't hit with RISP, Iguchi has been off for at least the last week, and we're right now just down to hoping our big 3 can do something with no one on base. We're s*** at manufacturing runs right now, and when any of our key guys get shut down, we wind up hitting a couple solo shots and hoping the pitching comes through. So what, its a slump, stick with what we have which is 7 pretty good offensive players atop our lineup. Offense goes on slumps, defense doesn't, so during a time like this its even more important to ensure that we won't give up extra runs. But Ozzie has done the opposite (and I don't have a problem looking for offense if we need a spark plug or have struggled all season with it) and we've seen game after game where we've given up a few extra runs thanks to having s*** defensive players out there. Brian Anderson and his .160 avg is more valuable than Rob Mack and his .250 avg on this White Sox team (and starting in CF). Anderson has easily saved more runs than Mack has batted in and has kept this team in a lot of ball games. I wish he would start hitting, but the only way he's going to do that is with more practice. He has a hole in his swing down and away and pitchers are exploiting it. He's also struggled with ihs approach, but both are fixable with time and a good work ethic and from everything I've heard Anderson has that (and he has the tools). Patience is all thats needed.

QUOTE(Steff @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 12:21 PM) There's no arguing his usage. The kidney failure and near death speaks loud and clear. I didn't realize Anderson had all those problems afterwords. I rooted for him because he was one of the few players ever to come out of UCI (local college). Of course now we just drafted one in the MLB draft and promoted "THE SEAN TRACEY". QUOTE(3 BeWareTheNewSox 5 @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 01:01 PM) I agree, I think it's probably too common (with the clubhouse having 2 pots of coffee with one being marked for amphetimine), or that it's not related to muscle strength, and the big deal about the steroids is the HR numbers, but as we know steroids can be just as effective for a player without numbers, and both make it an unlevel playing field (but this is baseball, where every player looks for any advantage they can) Ya, that coffee pot thing was disturbing. I hope it was an exaggeration, but it probably was relatively accurate and its something I hope MLB puts a major crackdown on. Sure, it won't have an effect on the game, but at the same time its a disgusting thing for people to do and I'd like to stop living in my fantasy world that says most athletes are quality people off the field (ie making it a reality).

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 07:42 PM) That Young family is full of winners. I remember being at a game in Anaheim a few years back. My seats were right behind the Tigers dugout when some fan was riding on the Tigers and Dmitri Young walked over, said a few choice words and told him to meet him behind the team bus after the game if he really meant what he said. I remember laughing so hard as the fan shut his mouth, but ya, the Youngs do have issues. Good ball players though, I was always a fan of Dmitri at the plate when he was healthy.

If he did it, screw him, but I ain't about to stop being a fan of the game I love. There are plenty of guys who play this game clean, although I'm sure there is a lot of stuff that should and needs to be cleaned up in clubhouses. Just like it does in the NBA, NFL and most other professional sports (non sports enhancing drug use and drug use alike).

Super Regionals have started today and the games are on ESPN and ESPN 2. I'll be at the Fullerton/Mizzu game tonight, hoping to see Roemer defeat Mizzu ace Max Scherzer.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 01:49 PM) Honestly, I see your point with Anderson, but it's also hard to really fault the way Ozzie's handled that, he gave Anderson plenty of chances until Mack finally caught that hot streak, he had to try to play Mack while he was hot (he no longer is) just to try to get a few more hits, and it seems like Anderson has only gotten worse. Brian just hasn't given Ozzie any options. God I wish that kid could just square up a few balls and plant them somewhere, it'd make this season so much easier. He made Anderson appear like a scapegoat. Anderson is exactly what this team needs, sure we could use hte offense, but I'm really f*cking sick and tired of seeing terrible defensive outfielders out in CF and LF. We are a team built on pitching and our staff has given up quite a few extra runs because we've had Mack and Ozuna in the outfield way too much (In Mack's case CF). This blame isn't on Rob or Pablo, but it is on Ozzie who is putting these guys in positions where they can't succeed (at least not 100% because they suck at those respected positions defensively). We have 7 guys killing the ball, if thats not enough I don't know what is. So whats the harm in having two guys tha can catch the ball and make the amazing play as well. Anderson and Uribe are upper echelon defensive players on a team that has as good of a top 7 as anyone in baseball (offensively). Here's a hint....Brian Anderson should start in CF a minimum of 5 games a week, let Rob play 1 or 2 a week with him getting another start somewhere else (after all he is a utility man, give him Dye's days off as well as Thome/Konerko's and let him replace Pods with Ozuna playing SS on ocassion to give Uribe a day off).

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 12:59 PM) From what I know, Keller will be in goal. And it's 1-0 Ecuador at the half. Poland looked terrible in that first half.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 01:01 PM) What makes that so clear? The fact that on 4-5 days rest after pitching 1-2 innings, BMac has come out rusty and struggled? Seriously, the way Ozzie has handled him and Anderson has been a total JOKE. I love Ozzie and all but he's really done a shoddy job handling those two individuals.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 11:44 AM) I don't think the people who responded actually got this joke. Anyway, I would much rather they let Julie "The Cat" Gaffney play, but they don't let women on the team. Mighty Ducks baby.

WOOT

I think Soxtalk can convert a casual fan into a diehard fan so I'm going to say YES

I'd be game if it happened to coincide with a time I could get into Chicago.

It was an impressive display by Tracey, especially since he was probably a bit tired from throwing 7 innings (although this would have been the time of his side-session) and one thing I remember hearing from Tracey (Which was backed up by Brandon) was the fact that Tracey throws (between starts) a lot more than a typical guy. Brandon mentioned how his arm was ridiculous. Oh, I also think having Tracey in Chicago will help Brandon really adjust to the majors. Brandon is professional, but I think its going to be nice to have someone that he developed with and the two are pretty tight.

I'm going to start relooking the draft about tomorrow. Just got back from playing 54 holes of golf in 2 days time. Lost a lot of golf balls in the process. There were a few 2nd day picks with a lot of upside, those picks starting @ 19 and 20. Two guys that will want top 10 money (if not better).

QUOTE(SoxAce @ Jun 7, 2006 -> 10:14 PM) Brooks has really disappointed me this year. I still believe he's gonna be a good one, but he's got to get his head out of his ass... sort of speak... Kanny had quite a few guys that could have really made some noise as prospects and thus far none of them have.

Nice...I remember a lot of great things from Maggs in CHicago but I also remember him hitting into a whole lot of those. And thats a White Sox Winner

Jenks looks good, but it doesn't mean he can't be beat tonight. Lets get Maggs to induce into a game ender.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jun 7, 2006 -> 06:28 PM) Thats whats inexcusable. Having to put Montero in a 1 run game against the Tigers, and he is your best option... I realize he got the outs, but did he look good doing it? I wish I got home just a bit earlier so I could have watched. Was he locating his off-speed stuff or was it just the FB?

We winning or losing I can't tell by the past couple posts?

QUOTE(JimH @ Jun 7, 2006 -> 02:25 PM) Yes this is one his sons and I am quite certain KW wants him to go to college. I assume his oldest son is still pretty highly touted at Arizona (I think it was the Uni that he went to). Haven't kept track of his other son since we drafted him. His kids are really good athletes though and makes sense on the whole college thing, especially since he wouldn't get much money signing now (even if the Sox paid him top 15 round money). Plus its not like he's dying for money since his dad is well off.

I just want to point out that it is highly unlikely that Tracey will pitch tonight. He went 7 strong innings on July 5th where he gave up just 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits (he walked 2 and k'd 4)

This is the complete list of the 2006 Chicago White Sox draft picks.

44 (1335). Andrew Fernandez, RHP, Hialeah Senior High School (FL) 45 (1365). Raul Duran, OF, Saddleback High School (CA) 46 (1395). Michael Cerda, 3B, Fred C. Beyer High School (CA) 47 (1425). Kyle Williams, 2B, Chaparral High School (AZ) I am pretty sure this is Ken Williams kid (yet another one of his son's we've drafted and yes his kids are pretty talented). 48 (1455). Rafael Reyes, C, Palmer Trinity School (FL) 49 (1485). Rafael Vera, 2B, Manatee JC (FL) 50 (1515). Brendon O'Donnel, CF, University Texas Permian Basin (CA)

QUOTE(winninguglyin83 @ Jun 7, 2006 -> 01:43 PM) i hope he succeeds. I do. We need him. I just caution about expecting instant success. seen too many guys come up and get in trouble because big-league hitters (other than BA) know how to contol the strike zone, take their walks and make a young guy prove he can get multiple pitches over the plate. Seen too many guys like Ginter and Rauch and DAnny Wright who struggled with good arms because of command. Maybe Tracey will be the exception. But I don't think we should expect him to fix our problems immediately. I agree with that and there is a good chance he won't succeed right out of the gate, but I think he's one of the few in house candidates we have that could actually turn into a quality reliever for us (and if things go well he could help the pen out a lot THIS year). Everything is there with him, with exception to the bouts with his command. The nice part is he is willing to throw inside and he's one of those guys that I Think can be "effectively" wild.

QUOTE(winninguglyin83 @ Jun 7, 2006 -> 01:38 PM) 35 walks in 62 innings for Tracey. don't get too excited. Walked 76 in 154 innings last year and 69 in 148 the year before. big league hitters will make him throw it over the plate. I don't have the exact splits in front of me, but I think about 15 of those walks came in like his first 15 innings (when he was relieving). His control has been much better as of late, although it is definately the one thing that could hinder his success at the major league level (the stuff is there though, which is definately nice).