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Commentary: Pieces in Place for First Place Finish By John Gelsomino March 30, 2003 SoxNet.net Well as the dust settles on spring training, now comes that window of time where predictions become heavy and expectations are still riding that positive spring training buzz. Personally I hate predictions, but as a writer I am almost obligated to put my knowledge and beliefs on the line in predicting the most unpredictable sport where anything can happen. How many people last March predicted that the Anaheim Angels would have shrugged off their ghosts of the past to win a World Series? Not this fan but I was wrong, as are the many that take part in the endeavor of making predictions. As a realistic White Sox fan, very few springs have I come out saying this team does not have a chance to win its division. Sometimes your yearning for baseball over a cold and bitter winter sets up unrealistic thought processes in your head. Your forget about the weaknesses of the last season saying things like the pitching “should” be better and the hitting “will come around.” Then April comes and often times its proven you spoke with your heart instead of your head, as your team begins to position itself in a more realistic position then budding World Series Champ. Well, I pride myself on being realistic and knowledgeable about the game, as most Sox fans do. This being clear, let me put myself on the line and say the White Sox will win the central division in 2003. I made this clear in December when I said the Sox should pursue Bartolo Colon as the final piece, they did that and my prediction remains the same - they should win the division. If history plays a factor, the Sox have it on their side. They won the division in 1983, 1993, and now ten years later have set themselves to repeat the pattern. This is a fine baseball team. The offense is solid and underrated. Consistency will be a key. Second half slumps like Konerko’s last year cannot happen and more from Carlos Lee is essential. The young guys in the lineup have talent and need to show it. D’Angelo Jimenez has a great deal of pressure on him in the leadoff spot, but if his end of the year finish of 2002 is any indication, he could have a good year. I still think leadoff is a big question mark though. The pitching staff has the chance to be as deep and as talented as the staff in ’93. Colon is not only a workhorse but is also a dominating pitcher. What he did in two different leagues last year with two average teams (winning 20 games) cannot be underestimated. Buehrle quietly is becoming one of the best pitchers in the game. His mechanics and pitch variety is terrific and his maturity for his age is amazing. He is the real deal. Jon Garland needs to put it altogether. No one has ever questioned his ability to be very good, but he needs to prove he can stay away from the big inning and be a more consistent pitcher. He did show signs of that in the second half of last year, so hopefully with age -- he is still only 24 -- that will improve. The White Sox hope Esteban Loiaza can impact this team similar to how Cal Eldred stepped forward in 2000, while Josh Stewart will hold the number five spot until Danny Wright returns. The Bullpen looks much improved although don’t underestimate Antonio Osuna’s loss. Next to Damaso Marte, he was the best performer out of that bullpen last year. Hopefully Gary Glover’s return to the pen full time will settle him down and Kelly Wunsch stays tough on lefties. If Tom Gordon can stay healthy he can be a devastating eighth inning pitcher. Billy Koch throws harder and is more wild then Keith Foulke, but his demeanor and presence allows him to fail sometimes and comeback with vengeance. Long relief will be a question and Rick White has to be better then he showed in the spring. The White Sox bench looks as strong as it has in years. Brian Daubach, Armando Rios and Tony Graffanino all bring experience and quality to the Sox' sub list. If Sandy Alomar is the starter, at least for Buehrle and Colon as it seems, then Miguel Olivo and Josh Paul have to perform the other three days of the week. A deep bench and three catchers at the start will allow the Sox to pinch hit for the catch spot without fear of running thin at the position. I will conclude with the prediction of the White Sox having a finish of 93-69, good enough for first place in the American League Central. They will be six better then the Minnesota Twins who will challenge all season and end up at 87-75. This will be a tremendous rivalry all year, but I think the Sox have too much to not win this year. Josh Paul said this team has, “the best chemistry I’ve seen in spring training” and that bodes well. Last year the pieces looked in place but inner problems killed them and that can’t happen again. If it does, Manuel will be replaced. A big start is key, although they did start strong last year, but for ticket sales and fan enthusiasm this ball needs to get rolling early. Add in to the equation an easy April schedule and the Sox may have 20 wins at the end of the month. But remember the old baseball saying, take it one game at a time. This has proven so true. Baseball is a crazy game, you never know what can happen and change from one day to the next. It’s very much like life, unpredictable. Making the unpredictable predictable is a daunting task, but if you have no hope in baseball you have no reason to care. The White Sox enter the season with high hopes and expectations, as they did the last two seasons. Clichés aren’t my thing but because I can’t think of anything more fitting hopefully the third time will be the charm.

SN Report: Sox Announce 25 Man Roster By Mario Scalise March 29, 2003 SoxNet.net The White Sox made their 25-man roster official on Saturday by reassigning second baseman Aaron Miles and optioning lefty pitcher Dave Sanders to the minors. The White Sox indicated earlier in the week that they will carry three catchers instead of outfielders Willie Harris and Joe Borchard -- who they cut on Wednesday -- or Miles, but kept Miles as a precaution. Miles, who entered spring training as a long-shot, drew interest from manager Jerry Manuel, and up until this week, was close to topping D'Angelo Jimenez for the starting job at second. He finished the spring with a .303 batting average, one home run, 10 RBIs and 20 runs scored. Dave Sanders was in a similiar situation heading into Tuscon -- battling for the lefty reliever role in the pen behind Damaso Marte -- pitched in just two innings, giving up no runs and one hit. Here is the 25-man roster with the projected lineup and rotation: Lineup: 2B-D'Angelo Jimenez, SS-Jose Valentin, DH-Frank Thomas, RF-Magglio Ordonez, 1B-Paul Konerko, LF-Carlos Lee, 3B-Joe Crede, C-Sandy Alomar, CF-Aaron Rowand. Rotation: #1-Mark Buehrle, #2-Bartolo Colon, #3-Jon Garland, #4-Esteban Loaiza, #5-Josh Stewart. Bullpen: Billy Koch, Damaso Marte, Tom Gordon, Kelly Wunsch, Rick White, Gary Glover. Bench: 1B/RF-Brian Daubach, INF-Tony Graffanino, C-Miguel Olivo, OF-Armando Rios, C/LF-Josh Paul.

Sweeney is a hitting machine. Kind of reminds me of Edgar offensively. To think this guy was pretty much a nobody, not going to make the team after being around as a catcher for the Royals and then all of a sudden bam, he turns into a heck of a run producer.

Yep, I hope Nuke, Vince's Son, and everyone else out there is doing well and stay healthy and get back home alright.

prior will need to be cy young to win 18-22 with the scrubs...he isgonna lose alot of games 3-2 , 2-1 ect..they just dont have the offensive firepower Yep, cause last year Kerry Wood pitched very very well and only pulled out like 12 wins. On a normal team, he probably would of won 20. The Cubs were absolutely horrible for him.

I'm likely going to go to one or two games sometime this summer and am definately going to be at the games in Dodger Stadium and Anaheim Stadium.

Agreed. I never had much problem with Parque other then his huge mouth. He thought he was awesome, yet the numbers wouldn't say so, but he kept complaining. I really think Williams was right, but Parque couldn't stand Kenny sending him down and being very honest. Parque must of thought and arm injury is easier to recover from or something. I think he learned just how hard it is, and if he's back to 100% he'll be a pretty solid pitcher for the Devil Rays. I think Lou is gonna want him to get deeper into games, but Parque always seemed like a battler and Lou likes those kind of guys.

Well, this call had to of been Jerry Manuel's to keep three catchers. I know Williams loves Olivo, but he also likes Willie Harris. It surprised me we carrier three catchers, and I disagree with the decision because it means Olivo may not get adequate playing time. If he's up there, then I want to see him play about 3 to 4 times a week (Thats Starting). Then you have Alomar catching two games and who knows what Paul will do. Then as the season progresses Olivo continues to develop and get handed more time. Its a very good way of grooming a catcher in my opinion. Miles will be up here eventually. I hope Jimenez doesn't fail, but if he does then Miles is going to be the first person moved into the leadoff slot if he does. I really likes Miles though.

Heath has had a bum elbow for a bit. Thats what Jim Bullard reported. So I think they are being careful with him.

Ya, it should be faster. As far as the look, the message board and main page will change a bit. These should be some of the last major changes to the site, or at least thats what we hope. You'll start getting more minor league updates, faster news reports, and more content as well or at least thats our hope.

I'll email it your way as well Mario. I am not speaking for Cerb, but I'll speak for myself. I basically read publications and see these guys at spring training and such and thats how I get a good feel for the guys. Thats just me though. I'm hoping this year I'll be able to watch some of these guys during the season.

I'm assuming that we have many different races, religions, etc. I know we have a few people from out of the country and stuff and that we have pretty much all different ages and sex here.

Its Buehrle unless ESPN knows something that no one else knows.

Whats a biscuit babble? Also, in the beginning the new site won't have the full archives, but we will be rebuilding them and they'll be done fully a bit after the site is released.

We have just started the process of completely rebuilding the site. We are hoping to have it launched very very soon, almost 100% positive that it will be done sometime this upcoming week. It is unlikely that it will be up on Monday morning, but we are going to push and do all we can do get it ready by then.

I wasn't able to get in. My friend thought he was going to be able to get tickets, but no luck. I guess they were super hard to get this year or something. Kansas looked real good though. While your there you may be able to catch the Angels Dodgers game if your interested, I think they play tomorrow(Saturday Night)

RPS, Say Carlos has a breakout Maggs-like season, and even wins the World Series MVP award. Does he STILL retain the title of Dumbass Caballo? Wow. you are a dreamer. "You say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one"

I suggest this site, SoxNet.net What, me biased

Oh ya, those were good too. Forgot all about scoobie doo, an all time classic. Kids shows now a days suck. I would of hated this stupid ass animation crap they got now. Of course, The Simpsons and King of the Hill still rock

Du Du Inspector Gadget, dut dut dut whoo whoo Oh ya

Lol. As far as the whole meteor theory, its really pretty interesting. There is one thats supposed to come pretty close in a few years.

I'm with you on that. I watched GI Joe, Transformers, Duck Tales (That show was the s***, ever morning before school) and then I'd also watch Exo Squad. Then their was Inspector Gadget which was very pimp. Looney toons was great too as well as Ninja Turtles. Never was a huge Garfield fan. Damn, I can't think of the others right now.

They were one of the 3 teams I believe were going to win it all. I didn't pick them, but I thought, them Maryland or Arizona will win it all. I picked Arizona over Maryland in the finals. Syracuse is one of my horses though.

Thanks for the updates Clujer. I'd do them, but am trying to learn the ins and outs of the new site were working on developing and are hoping to roll out very very soon.

I would KILL for those World Series Tickets... And I'll make you wait in line for me