Chisoxfn

I have no idea why Stacie is still there...WOW.

Umm..thats one retarded school. No one was forced and what not. I guess since its on campus grounds they have to abide by the rules in a sense, but gimme a break.

I've heard of the 18 thing but never had a problem with it. Did a few trips with some buddies and just did it on expedia or what not and never had a problem. I don't think they really care as long as you don't trash the room and what not.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minor...8overallas.html Yet another awesome accomplishment for Bmac. IT was a hell of a year..heres to a strong finish in the AFL

A year ago I'd of agreed with you on Scioscia, but now I have absolutely no faith in him. To me he's managed Anaheim into the ground this year with the way he's handled that pitching staff. I don't have much problems with the way he runs the offense, in fact I like it, but for a catcher he does an awful job with the pitchers, imo. However, he's definately had injuries and other things hinder him, but I've seen a lot more negative out of him this year then I had in previous years. I should add, I definately not an "its all about stats" person. I think you should take into account both factors. With an offensive player I look at their stats and see things and then also look at their defensive ability, speed, and potential to grow (which is definately scouting related) and I think thats a pretty good balance. With pitchers, you look at the whip, k's, k/bb and of course ERA to a point. I rarely look at W/L although inning pitched and what not are important because you see how they hold up and what not. To go along with it, you look at their stuff and try to project where they will be. I also vehemently disagree with Beane's "MoneyBall" draft, I think it was one of the most overhyped drafts ever. And drafting guys 20 rounds earlier then they are slotted is just STUPID...at least in the early rounds. Tell me all you want about affordability, if they wanted to take a reach they could of still gotten those mega reaches in the 5th and 6th rounds while reaching on 2nd/3rd round talent in the 1st round and sandwich rounds. At least they got Swisher though...he seems like he's got the shot to be a keeper.

This is a pretty s***ty stat. Just look at the rankings of the teams and you can pretty much see their isn't much of a correlation to winning. I mean their is a semi correlation, but hardly one worth tracking, imo. Right now, I think baseball needs to do what they can to get better stats to evaluate pitching. I think whip and k/bb, k/ip are definately helpful, but I'd like MLB to deal more with inherited runners in regards to measuring the talent of a relief pitcher. I know most statiticians do so, but you rarely hear reporters or beat writers or mlb talk about it.

I agree with that at times, but at other times you may have a crappy hitter or two coming up to the point that moving a guy over and hoping for just one hit in two outs is better then expecting your crappy hitters two get two hits to score the guy from first. Also, late in a game, you need that run to win the game, and you got a good bunter up and a solid hitter or two on deck, then I say move that runner over and try to execute..especially when its like a leadoff double. I think anytime you get a leadoff double, you should score a run. Move the guy over (not necessarily with a bunt, but by hitting the ball towards rf) and go from there. Sure it doesn't always happen and I understand it, but I really have no sympathy for when a guy is on 3rd and less than two outs and the run doesn't score. Sometimes you just need that run more so then trying to get multiple runs and you end up sacrificing yourself just to score that run. However, I'm 100% convinced that Ozzie has no idea what sabermetrics is and that if left to him (in terms of player personell decisions) this team would suck. However, in regards to certain players, I definately trust his opinion. I also stick to my guns that he's a lousy manager thus far this year. I've been baffled by some of his lineup decisions and what not. More importantly I've been baffled at all his stupid ass comments and assaults on his players. I think its bulls*** to show up a player with a quote in the media and he does it way too often. I'd rather see you keep those matters in house, except in very specific situation where the ocassional horrible quote can be used as motivation for a player. However, Ozzie does it so freaking much that it can't possibly be motivating. I just hope Ozzie has that ability to get the absolute most out of his players cause if he doesn't, he will cost the Sox a lot of games and I'll only hope they have so much talent that they are able to overcome it. I have the same opinions on Baker, however Baker is absolutely way too nice to his players to the point that he absolutely babies him...especially Sosa and what not. He basically says how amazing his players are all the time in the media. I say give credit when deserved and if your gonna knock a guy, just shutup, no comment, and talk to your player. To me, I'd think they'd respect that a hell of a lot more and when the players respect you, they'll play even harder. And as far as Hawk and DJ go, I respect them for somethings, but especially in regards to Hawk he is just way to closed minded in baseball. Things have changed and people have new tools for evaluating players..tools on top of the old school scouting scales and what not. You gotta adjust with time and Hawk just goes on his rants about how those type of people don't know beans about baseball and what not. Hell, i remember his rant on how fans were idiots essentially...although he said he meant it as the baseball writers. Still, I thought that was a real cheap shot, considering the greatness of his tenure as GM. I like a lot of things about Hawk, but these are things I just flat out don't like.

Alright, I just want to get an idea if you buy into sabermatrics, aka the Billy Beane concept. DePodesta in LA, Rippaldi in Toronto, and Theo Epstein are a few of the other sabermetric guys I can think of that are GM's in baseball. And as far as I'm concerned, all pretty much rank up their as the better gm's in baseball. I know some would question having Rippaldi on that list (I know I botched the spelling), but to me he's done a good job in Toronto (although this was an extremely tough year) dispite being very strapped by ownership and I do think Toronto is semi close to being competitive, although its highly doubtful they will win in that division with the BoSox and Yanks very competitive at this point in time. Now I don't consider KW one of these type of GM's. However, their are a lot of things I like about KW. What does kill me is Ozzie's pretty much utter stupidity in regards to certain players. I understand that statistics can't measure everything and that their are nuances and what not to the game. Hell, thats one of my favorite things about baseball. But at the same time, you'd be stupid not to look into certain stastisticts to evaluate a player and make decisions on the future of your ball club. Stats can also be used to find a player thats undervalued or not wanted that could have the potential to break through. Some of their secondary stats may prove that and what not. I respect the fact that Ozzie wants hard working, good baseball players and I differ heavily from the sabermetrics point of view in regards to base stealing and bunting because I think their are other things that play into account during those situations at certain times...especially when your going up against an ace pitcher or just need one run to potentially win or tie the game. However, when it comes down to just hyping a player because they can only do the little things...WELL Thats freaking stupid. Hell, its incredibly stupid. Case #1 and Cheat has definately talked about this the most, but Timo Perez. What the hell is this guy starting as much as he is. He has a s***ty average, a s***ty OBP, and is a poor outfielder. He has poor range and lazy fundementals and a good arm. He is a good bunter and a semi smart player and has had some clutch hits. I don't have a problem with him being used ocassionally off the bench, but for him to play as much as he does is stupid and I sure as hell hope the Sox don't plan on him being an ultra contributor in the future. Point #2, Jose Valentin. He should not be playing. He sucks...horrible stats, unwillingness to adjust his swing, etc. Not sure where Ozzie stands in regards to him now. In general though, I see Ozzie heavily basically ignoring some very important stats like OBP and OPS and just basically going for Ozzie type of players with speed and the ability to bunt. Well that don't cut it, you still need guys that produce. If you can get speed with them, then hell ya you do it and everyteam needs a couple of those guys, but I think ozzie is blind to that. Hell, I think in his world he thinks a team of 9 ozzie's and a good pitching staff would win the series, when it fact it would be the worse offensive team in the history of baseball. Anyway, the main thing I want to see from the Sox this offseason is a definate long term plan and a much better system of developing prospects, mainly once they get to the major league level cause they need drastic help when it comes to handling them properly upon promotion to Chicago, imo. I also want to see someone tell Ozzie to shut the hell up at times and I'd really like to see Kenny have an assistant or two, look into the stats and what not, it can't hurt.

I'm referring to early in the year when Uribe and Willie were both doing good. Now I realize Jose was doing good at that time as well, but their was also a period where Uribe was absolutely awful and still getting a ton of playing time while every time Willie did anything he was pretty much relegated to the bench the next day. I just think Ozzie needs to stop ripping his players in the media and start talking and doing what he can to help his players. I just don't think its good when a manager is always taking shots at players. I think every once in a great while, that time of thing can really spark a player, but when its constantly happening (I'm not referring to just Willie anymore) then I think it can have a negative effect. As far as Willie goes at this point and for the past two months, he hasn't done much of anything, imo, other then his 5-5 game, but I think a good amount of that is due to the way he was handled. And ya, sometimes you have to think about winning more, but at the same time, I Think Ozzie could of done a much job handling him and other youngsters. Hell, I'm baffled by his love of Timo and Jose at this point.

And eventually...He Gawn to prison

Regardless of whether he's overpowering or not, he's saved 18 of 19 if I recall and thtas plenty good to me. However, I don't want the Sox depending on him as the closer. Thus far he isn't proven in my book and since he is old you definately can have some questions about his durability. I do think at least some of his struggles can be contributed to the fact that he has thrown a lot more this year then he ever has in Japan. And speaking of junkballers and closers, one could say Trevor Hoffman is a junker. He tops out at 90 and is awesome with his change and is one of the very best in the game when heatlhy. When Hoffman was young he had a pretty good fastball, but he hasn't had that for a long long time and has still been very effective. I don't give a damn what you throw as long as you get guys out and Shigno does that. I just want to see the Sox have other options in case and some good set up men and what not, because a strong bullpen is an integral part of the game nowadays.

Just want to say Cheat and Black Betsy, I've been reading both your blogs and they definately ROCK. Probably the best place to see stastical Sox info on the net and I really appreciate the work and effort the two of you put into your blogs

Reed is definately better then Borchard. Hell, at this point, but it is in hindsight, I'd of rather given them Olivo and Crede then Reed and I bet Seattle would of bit. But at that point I still had a lot of faith in Crede. It kills me because I'm a Crede fan, but I've definately written him off unless he has a change in attitude and starts to shorten his swing and what not.

Nah, its always different when you like a person more then just friends. At least it is for me...once that happens I go from being myself, to turning into this bumbling idiot (although some would claim that really is me, lol).

IT would definately be the Angels, but if they can't do it I'll probably root for the Cardinals, assuming that the Padres and Marlins won't make the playoffs. Howeve,r I don't want to see the Twins, Cubs, Red Sox, or Yankees win the series. I hate the Yanks, and can't stand the whiny Cub/Red Sox fans. As far as the Twins go, I absolutely love the way they play and would like nothing better to root for them, but can't, because a world series win for the Twins will probably make them more likely to draw bigger crowds and in turn increase payroll.

My offense always carried me Dan, hell, Delgado finally got off his ass and my team sucked every since I dealt Figgins, my loans speedster and it didn't start playing good until my late season pickups of Itzuris and Castillo. However, bonehead move of the year has to be me waiving Adrian Beltre.

I actually liked it. Numerous references have been made about Willie Harris and confidence and to me this is one of the very few times I've herad Willie Harris confident. To me he feels a Willie Harris type year is a good year and that since he's talking about himself, he has confidence in himself. And he's right, defensively he's been oustanding and I do think that Ozzie deserves a good portion of the blame for handling Willie like absolute s***. Hell, I can only hope Ozzie is like Baker in the sake that he's a great players manager that gets the best out of his players, because as a an actual "manager" Ozzie absolutely blows, so does Dusty Baker.

I'd go with Navarro cause he was completely awful and given a long term contract as a free agent. The only positive about Navarro was that he brought Eldred and Jose in 2000, both of whom were cogs in the 2000 season, although Valentin was over-rated that year and that season alone has kept him in the good graces of so many Sox fans to the fact that I (who can't stand Jose) have had to watch him at short for the past few years. Man will I be happy next year with someone else at short.

Oh I didn't see this thread, but by far and away its Jose Valentin. I put my remarks on him in the most underrated thread, but I'll copy and paste them into this post a little later. I've always been amazed at the following he's gotten despite the fact that he is an awful, inconsistent player who is completely selfish (he may be a good baserunner, but he thinks about hitting the long ball more then anyone else on this team). Did I mention I could strike him out. All I'd have to do is throw 3 semi decent curves and he'd have absolutely no chacne. I was shocked that it took till this year, before I saw pitchers only throw him a breaking ball...after I had been saying it since 2000. The guy absolutely can not pick up, nor can he hit a breaking ball. He has enough trouble with hanging breaking balls, but throw him a fastball and he's got a shot to make you pay, especially a middle in one.

William, I'm a little late to the whole thing, but as far as I'm concerned if you like a person, then definately be friends with them. If its the type of person you get along with, have fun hanging out with and what not, then thats exactly the type of person you should remain friends with or become friends with. Maybe she doesn't see you as a boyfriend, maybe she does. Right now she's got one in time she may not. One of my best friends is a girl and when I met her she had a boyfriend (it was a similar type situation to yours). While we've went out a few times, as of now, we just decided to stay friends and we definately have fun. Plus right now, I'm kind of along the lines of Cerb. I just want to meet people and have fun...being bogged down with a relationship right now doesn't interest me. Anyway, go for it.

Depends on the situation. First off, I feel a motivated Carl Everett is a good guy to have on this team. He provides definate leadership as well as a good left handed bat, which is definately needed. On the other end, I don't quite think of him as the answer in right field, mainly because he isn't much better then Gload defensively out there (which says something). However, if he's brought in along with someone like Jay Gibbons or what not (assuming Bmore gives up on him rather cheaply...not sure if that will happen) then I wouldn't have a problem platooning them to see which is the better man. Plus their will still be the days off for Frank and a potentially open first base, so Carl could be groomed to spell Gload over there as well or replace Gload if he struggled. I definately don't mind Everett, especially if he's in kind of a utility type role, just like Uribe. And an in shape Carl Everett is still an asset and a very good player. Maybe not an all star, but close.

Carlos Lee. Sure a lot of people talk about him, but to me he still doesn't get enough credit. He's been good offensively pretty much every year and each year he's taking steps forward and becoming a better all around ball player. Ocassionall you can question where he is in the ballgame (mentally) but even that he's improving on. You can never question his work ethic though. He took extra bp to improve his eye (mainly back with Manuel) and then worked his ass off to turn himself into a repsectable defender. He still needs work on his jumps but hell I'm even impressed with his arm. I used to whine that he had the worse arm in all of the majors (especially with his long release), but lately I've noticed more zip on the throws and a better release (maybe I'm crazy). Anyway, he's no longer underpaid or anything, but I still say a lot of Sox fans really underrate him. As far as most overrated player...by far and away Jose Valentin. People acted as if Jose being benched for Royce the Choice is the reason the Sox sucked for two years. They acted like he was an almighty god and such a reason this team made the playoffs. I got news for everyone...when you want to complain about the inconsitencies of the Sox offense, you gotta look directly at Jose Valentin. Now he isn't the only one to blame (by all means he isn't) but I've never seen a streakier hitter then him. He usually has a few hot streaks a year and then the rest of hte year he hits under the mendoza line. Sure he gets his homers, but the guys strikes out an assload and has one swing..thats it. Defensively he's improved a bit the past two years, but he's still a liability...however he is a good baserunner, although his speed is definately starting to diminish as is his range at shortstop (which used to be a plus). By and large, I'm still amazed that most of the years (less this year) very very few people would ever complain about Jose and notice that besides the homers and ocassional hot streaks, he was absolutely garbage. He also has the tendency to air the entire teams dirty laundry quite often. I can't wait to say goodbye and goodriddacne to him. I'll wish him nothing but sucess, but I never want to see him in a White Sox uniform again.

I'm definately gonna do that room pacakge. How much was it last year...If I remember it included a couple tickets to each day and wasn't too bad of a deal.

Its tough luck for Maggs, but at the same time its hard for me to get sad over the whole thing. I lvoe Maggs as a player, but from all I know he had a more then fair offer on the table. It is absolutely ridiculous for him to think or think he was worth Vladdy money and from everything I've heard thats exactly what he wanted. Bottom line, the Sox actually stepped up to the plate with a fair offer, he thought he was worth more and got hurt...its tough luck, but s*** happens I Guess. I wish him nothing but the best of luck, because he was always classy on and off the field.

Don't ask me, I've been gone on the most part the past few days and all I can do is shake my head at parts of this thread. I got no idea whats up...however, if were just talking tailgate, sounds cool to me. The one I was at earlier in the year was awesome. Anyway, I'm gonna move this offtopic cause I Think its pretty much turned off topic. Any complaints...just shoot me a PM, but i've been known to run my PM box much like the government, so expect a response in 2 to 6 weeks