Chisoxfn

Konerko at 7 I should think not. Lee's 2 1/2 weeks don't make him a better hitter than Paul K Paulie's just not seeing the ball right now. If he can improve, then we might bring him up again. Konerko is really coming along. He's a better proven run producer so I'd stick him there. Plus its a better way to break up the slow players. Also in reference to Olivo, we'll see him draw plenty of walks as soon as he gets comfortable. This kid has great patience at the plate. One thing I'd do is have Carlos and Konerko ahead of Jose against lefties. Agree 100% with breaking up the slow players It kills me with all the double plays the Sox have already hit into. We know Konerko and Magglio will hit into a ton of them. If we can find a way to have speed in front of Maggs (we usually do unless its Frank) and then have it on again in front of PK, we'd probably see those numbers drop. Those numbers are also inflated because the top guys got on base so often early on while the Sox bats were absolutely horrid in the middle. That and when you try to pull every outside pitch you see, your gonna hit a heck of a lot of grounders (That goes for pretty much everyone on our lineup)

I dunno, I think JM would of been happy as a lark to get Koch. A manager is always happy when you have a ton of arms in a bullpen. Thats a managers and teams best friend. A good, deep bullpen can make a manager look really good.

Konerko at 7 I should think not. Lee's 2 1/2 weeks don't make him a better hitter than Paul K Paulie's just not seeing the ball right now. If he can improve, then we might bring him up again. Konerko is really coming along. He's a better proven run producer so I'd stick him there. Plus its a better way to break up the slow players. Also in reference to Olivo, we'll see him draw plenty of walks as soon as he gets comfortable. This kid has great patience at the plate. One thing I'd do is have Carlos and Konerko ahead of Jose against lefties.

And just in case I ever need proof, here is what I wrote late last season in regards to KW. I've pretty much always stuck up for him, but I've ripped him when he's needed ripping, ie the Rithcie fiasco and I ripped that one from day one. KW - What will they say next year? Written in October 2002 Ken Williams has now been the White Sox General Manager for two seasons and for two seasons he's heard nothing but ridicule and blame. Fans blamed him for the 2000 team not getting better in 2001. Then they blamed him in 2002 for making the Todd Ritchie deal as well as the Ray Durham deal. Never do you hear, the good things that Ken Williams has done. Ya, most people snicker at this and go ya right, Ken Williams made a good move. Well folks, he has made multiple good moves and has the White Sox positioned to be a very exciting team next year. If you take a look at next year's projected lineup you will notice many names that were there when Ken Williams took over. Names such as Paul Konerko, Magglio Ordonez, Mark Buehrle, Jose Valentin, Carlos Lee, and Keith Foulke. Those players have played key roles for the White Sox, but they won't win anything on their own, as proven this year. Next year's White Sox will have to count on a cast of youngsters like D'Angelo Jimenez, Willie Harris, Joe Crede, Miguel Olivo, and Damaso Marte. Other youngsters like Jon Rauch, Joe Valentine, Edwin Almonte and Joe Borchard may also get a shot to help the 2003 White Sox. What do all these youngsters have in common? Well they were all Ken William's acquisitions or players that were drafted on the recommendation of Ken Williams when he was the White Sox Minor League Director. My question to you is what will people be saying about Ken Williams next year, when the White Sox are playing with a very complete lineup thanks largely to Ken Williams. Williams went out and acquired D'Angelo Jimenez via trade to fill our void at shortstop. It looks as if he will be playing second base next year and not short, but Jimenez will be leading off, taking part in a very key role with the club. Another Williams acquisition Willie Harris was a guy the Sox expected to fill the leadoff slot, but his recent struggles have brought up questions, but one thing that the Sox are confident in is the fact that Harris at worse can be a very effective role player. The Sox will also count on 24-year old catching prospect Miguel Olivo, who was another prospect that Williams acquired via trade, a move that was ripped at times. Olivo now appears to be one of the top catching prospects in baseball and should be able to fill the void the Sox have had since the days of Carlton Fisk. Damaso Marte, the Sox current closer, was another guy that Williams went out and acquired. Many people, including myself doubted this move because we gave up Matt Guerrier, a top pitching prospects at the time. Instead it is the Pirates who now doubt this move as Marte has developed into an exceptional reliever that has excelled since entering the closers role. Marte played a huge part on this year's club and the Sox will expect more of the same out of Damaso next year. Joe Crede rounds-out the group of prospects as the one player Ken Williams didn't draft, nor did he acquire in a trade. However, Ken Williams did scout Crede and gave his scouts advice on shortening his swing and helping him with his approach at the plate. Since then Crede has been a hitting machine, hitting for power and to all parts of the field. Crede isn't a strikeout hitter and has made the jump to the majors with ease. Crede already has 12 homer's and 35 rbi's in just 50 games. The White Sox will look for Crede to develop into a good middle of the lineup hitter to make their already potent offense even better. If these players all produce and do what they've done in their short stint with the White Sox, then this team has the possibility of fielding a better team then 2000. Of course the wild card of this whole situation is the pitching staff, which won't be effected too much by Ken Williams and his drafting, although he claims he will make a push at a "front line starting pitcher". Jon Rauch is the one prospect who could make an immediate contribution to the starting rotation, although many believe the Sox will take it slow with him, giving him a little more time in AAA. Rauch is coming off of a strong start where he threw seven innings giving up just 1 run. Joe Valentine and Edwin Almonte could contribute to the White Sox bullpen. Both pitchers have excelled since joining the White Sox system and have dominated as closers in their respected leagues. Valentine is the more touted of the two, but both have put up brilliant numbers in the minors and are here because of Ken Williams, just like all those other players.

Is the buffett table thing in reference to him breaking one? And if I had to kiss a little ass to become assistant GM, them maybe, just maybe I can kiss some ass for the first time in my life.

Yep, sticking to the plan is a good way to keep you out of trouble. Think of all the times people have wanted people gone. We wouldn't have Crede, wouldn't have Konerko, hell we probably wouldn't have Buehrle (He struggled his first two starts). In baseball timing has a huge effect and I still go by my theory, if you can play .500 baseball when you play like crap, then your a damn good team. This team is doing exactly that, and the funny thing is, if they played like crap and simply did some of the little things they would have 4 more wins at the least and thats without their bats clicking what-so-ever. Thats why I have optimism.

Agreed, stick Harris in the nine hole for a while. I also think Olivo can do a lot of little things and he could turn into a really good two hole hitter in the future.

I wish I was Kenny's assistant, cause if he was getting my insite be even more confident in him.

I knew that someone would bring that up, but I think Beane is being honest and I do think that Williams is probably one of the smartest minds out there. I don't see too many teams with this much talent out there at the Sox payroll level. I can't blame Kenny for the inneficiencies of ownership for not spending money. I also can't blame ownership for not spending the money when they get piss poor attendance like they had this entire series and for most of the games against the Twins. Those are games against some of the best in baseball and they get crappy attendance. I don't give a rats butt how cold it is, plenty of fans should of been there. Plenty drudge out to see the Bears and I wish plenty would see the Sox.

I will repeadetly say I don't want Ken Williams fired. Unless Billy Beane wants to join up with the Sox, I'm happy with Kenny.

This is something I saw in Sports Illustrated talking about Kenny Williams. They are mentioning how he is one of the most influential minorities in sports.

Rex, I definately understand where your coming from. JM is a great guy and I wish him all the best. I have my belief that his style is much better for a team filled with veterans. Just like I think Joe Torre would struggle with the Sox, because I think of him as more of a veteran type manager.

And if JM has no balls other then to accept what KW is telling him (Sorry Michelle, but I still don't think any GM is forcing their manager into anything; I still love ya though )then he shouldn't be here anyway.

Remember, no one beat the Braves out in that division in a long time so its a bit misleading.

Before people rip Bobby V, I'm pretty sure he has a winning record and well if you want to blame him for last years team, take a look at what this years team is doing with another supposedly great manager Art Howe. Plus, Howe has Tom Glavine which should easily make the Mets a better team then last year's group.

sweet. Thats the nicest facility there along with Kc and Texas' park.

I'm running an update this weekend though and I think that will make it less likely to happen.

Ocassionally it happens and I think it has to deal with cookies.

Ya, Coop pitched with the Angels and then a bit for the Reds if I recall.

The problem is this team has shown nothing in the department of manufacturing runs and to win in the postseason you have to do that.

I'm about as optimistic as they get, but I pretty much agree 100% with Killa's post. I am not worried about the defense it is the offense the scares the hell out of me. Either Frank can start hitting it with authority and consistently or we really screwed up. If he goes and kicks butt elsewhere then so be it. He's still got some time, but he's frustrating the heck out of me with all his damn popouts. Rowand and Crede are terrible, swinging at everything. I think Crede will be fine. he has very quick hands and power to all parts of the field. He just needs to start seeing the ball better. I'd be tempted to make some moves now, but I wouldn't want to rush anything. If I were to make moves, I'd do it knowing we can't move Thomas for crap so were stuck with him. I'd want to move him for nothing just so we could bring up Willie and Joe. They won't make things any better offensively, but they'll bring a ton of speed to the table. Right now I'd look to move Konerko or Carlos for an offensive player that has a lot of speed, potentially Shannon Stewart. I got to say, it sure as hell would of been nice to of signed Jose Cruz Jr. Oh well, enough whining from me. I know this team can do it, but I'd like to see the Sox find a way to bring in some more speed and guys that can hit the f***ing ball to the opposite field and that are willing to bunt.

Guys and Gals, fans do have some reason to be frustrated with Aaron. He has been awful. The thing is, he hasn't been the only one awful, the entire offense on the most part has been awful. Not one player has been consistent. Heck Aaron being conistently awful is the most consistent thing we have on offense. I'm not sure whats going on, but someone is going to have to step up or something is going to have to happen to wake this guys up. They play so selfish offensively and look to only care about their stats. This isn't the same "team" attitude that there was in 2000 when the guys didn't give a rats behind about their stats. I don't know what Ward does nor did I know what Joshua did but I sure hope they get back to those 2000 basics.

I'd tend to say he's a AAAAer, but he will probably get a shot with the Sox or some other team this year or next.

Minor League Recaps - April 29th Games By Mark J. Jacobsen April 30, 2003 SoxNet.net Things cant get much better for Willie Harris right now, after being named International League player of the week, the Knights second-baseman came up with a pinch hit homerun in the bottom of the tenth leading the Knights over the Durham Bulls 4-3 and extending Charlotte's home winning streak to nine games. Harris, who was originally given the day off, was called to duty in the bottom of the tenth to pinch-hit for shortstop Jorge Nunez. Harris hammered the first pitch he saw, and the rest was history as the Knights improved their record to 14-8, one game out of first place. Former White Sox pitcher Jim Parque started for Durham, the AAA affiliate for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Parque was solid, giving up only one run in seven innings against his former Charlotte mates. Mike Porzio was excellent as well, as he went seven innings without giving up a run, while scattering 6 hits and striking out six. Felix Diaz (2-1) held the Bulls scoreless in the ninth and tenth, earning himself a win, and setting the stage for Harris' heroics. After an off day on Wednesday, the Knights welcome the Rochester Red Wings into town for a four game set. Jon Adkins (1-2, 6.52) is set to take the mound for the Knights in that game, which is slated to begin at 7:15. Jim Bullard struggled in his first start in over three weeks, as the Barons were up-ended by the Jacksonville Suns 6-1. Bullard, who recently asked to be moved to the bullpen, scuffled in four-innings of work. Bullard (0-1) surrendered five runs -- three earned -- and seven hits over four innings to suffer the loss. Bullard was not the recipient of any offensive support, as a Darron Ingram homer in the second inning was the only offense for Birmingham, which has dropped three of its last four games. The Winston-Salem Warthogs, now 13-8, scored two runs in the tenth inning in their 5-3 win over the Potomac Cannons Tuesday night. The tenth was wild, as the ‘Hogs scored two runs with two outs. Daylan Holt led the inning off with a single and the preceded to steal second. After a pop out and strikeout, Chris Stewart tripled to right scoring Holt. Stewart then scored on a Ruddy Yan RBI single. Since Holt was demoted from AA Birmingham, he has batted .357, with three homers, and 16 RBI in 12 games. Wyatt Allen started the game for Winston-Salem and made an early exit after going three innings, of which were scoreless. It appeared that Allen pulled a muscle, but the severity of the injury is unknown. Josh Fields came on in relief and improved his record to 3-1 on the year, while Brandon O’Neal earned his first save. Paulino Reynoso was hammered in five innings of work in a 9-5 loss to the Delmarva Shorebirds. It was the third straight win for Delmarva. Reynoso (2-2) had a lot of trouble giving up seven runs and five hits in five innings, while walking three. Delmarva’s pitching staff didn’t fair much better giving up 11 hits and two walks. Anthony Webster was the offensive stud for Kannapolis going 3-5 with a run and 3 RBI. One of his hits was his first home run of the season. Pedro Lopez, Edgar Valera and Gustavo Molina each had two hits a-piece. Val Majewski led Delmarva’s attack with three hits and five RBI. C. Morris (2-1) started and got the win for Delmarva. Kannapolis will play the second game against Delmarva tonight.

I got to say, at least times are changing to the point that this is being talked about and plenty of people are ripping Jones. This wouldn't of happened 20 years ago. Now it isn't near enough, but things are getting better for those that have had to deal with all the anti-gay remarks pretty much all their life. In the future, maybe, just maybe, people won't give a damn. I know I could care less what a persons preference is, if your nice, then your a friend of mine, thats the bottom line. I used to think like Jones, now but as I grew older I realized what the hell does it really matter.