Chisoxfn

The Curds are the ones in the North of Iraq correct? I may be confusing the name of the group.

Damn, that whole article was real interesting. It also showed what a class act Gannon is.

Universities have way too much bias when they teach. I am always arguing with my teachers at my college, although I have had some that were conservative, many of them are very liberal and the flaw is, they don't preach there views as a view, they say them as part of the lesson and put them on the test. Thats whats wrong with the schooling system. There is no way to fix it though, because Teachers can't get fired unless they have sexual actions with a student. Tenure and there union is a big part of what is screwing up the educational system. Yes, this sytem is way better then many countries have, but you can't stop there. There are way too many teachers that don't know anything. There are also plenty that do know what they are talking about, but simply can't teach and then there are those that are good teachers. Still, its hard to get good teachers when most of them don't get the pay they want. Either way, their is a big reason most young people think different then older people and its because they don't have the life experience so they just believe what they get told and don't know better. I always question stuff, even if its a conservative comment, because I like to find out for myself whether it makes sense. I don't know as much in politics as some of you. I do know that we have had sanctions on Iraq and I guess you can blame us for all those deaths, but in all honesty, whose fault is it? It isn't the US's fault. It is Saddams fault. He went in and attacked Kuwait (Because Kuwait was stealing oil from the neutral territory) but they didn't stop there. Many innocent were murdered because of Saddam, not because of the US. I know a lot of people who are from Iraq and have fled there and they will tell you what a slimeball Saddam is and how many people he's killed. Surprisingly they are some of the biggest supporters for war in Iraq and its because they don't want to see there family members have to continue to live under Saddams rule. Yes, we were allies with him once, but it was to stop the Kurds (I may be wrong on the name) who were trying to take over the world in 78 or 79. I'm going off memory for this, and since this is before I was born, I could be off. The Kurds were going to start by trying to take over the middle east and they felt there religion was the ultimate. We had to team up with one evil man Saddam, to stop an even worse thing. Kuwait also supproted Saddam with money, but after the war they asked for the money back and that mixed with the stealing of oil was a major reason Iraq invaded Kuwait, from what I understand. Just because we were once allies with him, doesn't mean we made a mistake having him fight for us, because it did prevent the Kurds from trying to take over the world. After dessert storm the reason they left Saddam in power was because they thought there was too much instability in the middle east or something along these lines to the point that it could turn into a huge disaster for the entire middle east, since its so volatile. Once again, I may be off on this, but I think my facts were right.

Well, I think we all knew he'd snap sooner or later.

That is a scary comment, but I'm still holding out that he will want to come back with the Sox. We still got him for a couple more years, and until he leaves I'm going to just watch and enjoy the Sox and enjoy how he pitches. I think Baggs mentioned how you never know whose going to be in management and whose going to own the Sox 4 years from now.

Carlos wasn't the only one that stunk on the basepaths. The whole team pretty much did. Of course, this wasn't Carlos first time being a bad base runner, and hopefully he works on his game, cause there is nothing I hate more then seeing stupid mistakes. I think every player out there should have mental awareness. For pete sake most all of them have been playing the game since they were 6. Shouldn't you know how to run the bases and where to throw the ball. Our new base coaches better have plenty of meetings during spring training with the Sox cause this team has to get back to basics.

Thanks for that info. Its nice to hear what the story is from someone who knows. I always speculate, but its impossible to really know whats going on. I'm also glad you brought up the point it wasn't a Cardinals dinner. He made one comment, that doesn't mean he wants to leave the Sox. I'm sure every player in the majors has a favorite team, but it doesn't mean he's going to be playing there. Anyway, hopefully the Sox can get a deal done with your bro in another year. He's an amazing pitcher and one I'd like to see on the southside for a long long time. I hate hearing everyone saying he's going to go to St. Louis, because I've never heard him say it stinks in Chicago or that he wants to go elsewhere.

Thats bullcrap. I'm with you on that Baggs. Oh well, we'll just have to beat the better teams and earn our way to the top of the division. If they can't do it, then they don't deserve to be there.

Good Post Baggs. This has to be a new way of running things if the Sox attendance will improve. Fans have lost so much respect for Jerry over the years, that one year won't make them forget.

I'll go with the shutout, but I'll take a World Series win anyway it comes.

I think you will find that he will not be an improvement over Leifer. When Leifer got used somewhat regularly he was a good hitter. Last season he was used so sparingly that he could never get his stroke down. Leifer will put 25 HR up this year for the San Juantreal Expos. Still, I like the pick up of Daubach since Leifer is gone. Liefer has too long of a swing to ever be sucessful at the major league level. The guy has amazing power, but I just don't see him doing better then .240 or so. I like the fact that we got rid of him for guys that can be role players. Liefer didn't want to be one, and that hurts the bench. You want guys that are comfortable and know there role and are happy. Graffy is one of those guys. I also think Rios is, and we'll have to see about Daubach.

If Crede goes down, he gets put on the DL and then we call up Hummell to help out in the middle infield with Manos most likely moving to 3rd cause he has the strongest arm of the bunch. Mario, I think you have the lineup right.

Lol, who is that guy?

Bat speed will be a huge step for Thomas, but the key to him is vision. Last year he wasn't able to read the pitches. He didn't know whether it was a fastball or change or a fastball or curve. He was fooled way too many times, but at the end he looked to finally be picking it back up. I think his bat speed was fine last season, but I may be wrong. The good news is, if its simply being able to distinguish the pitches, it should come back, cause Frank has always been unbelievable at it. Its also something that doesn't go away as you get older, its something that will go away when you miss all the time Frank did. He'll be back this year, he'll be back. Also want to say Welcome Aboard to 56thstbum Good post on Lee. Watching him he does look ugly, but stat wise he ain't bad. Of course, I do believe he's one of the worse defensive left fielders, but most left fielders stink defensively anyway.

I think he rejected Aribtration, but I'm not positive on that. As far as fans go, I think if this team wins this year, after JR tried hard, more people will show up, but they ain't going to forget in just one year. The Sox are going to have to consistently try. If they fall short this year, make another move to make them even better and put them over the top. He can't just say hey, I tried, and quit. That ain't going to solve anything. You don't fix all your attendance woes in one season, it takes a lot of work. The Angels took a huge step forward this past year, but they still aren't there, although I think I read where they are due for a huge increase in season ticket sales, etc. Still, there attendance wasn't amazing, but slowly its improved and the media all of a sudden treats them with respect. The same will happen with the Sox if they continue to try and WIN. This is definately a start, but all won't be solved instantly.

Definately, I don't see how he doesn't make our roster. I don't know who guys, but I'm figuring Graffy isn't going to be ready, which means he'll be on the DL and we can carry Daubach.

Probably a PR move. He says he didn't want to go, but he loves the fans so much that he'll be there. Plus, it means your not committed, just in case something comes up.

Good signing by the Twins, but he wasn't exactly great last year. Still, he's a solid vet, but by no way is he as good as Mike Jackson. Why didn't they bring him back.

For those of you going, the Sox announced that he will be there as well.

They'd definately be better, but more expensive. If the Sox want to spend the money though, I won't hold back, cause Finley and Rogers would both be better. Helling is more realistic, imo, and would be sweet. I love the idea of more pitching, you can never go wrong with having excess pitching!!!!!!!!

Ya, he's from the Angels. I read that he played like 10 games for them a few years back, but I can't recall ever hearing his name.

Glad to see ya find people to split the tickets with. By the way, welcome aboard. I think you'll be watching a real exciting team this year.

I don't even think that we had a AAA catcher...except hopefully when Josh Paul goes down, so this at least gives us some depth there. I love these moves...little risk...help push younger guys along...plus I think Daubach can help us out. Lee Evans and Delasandro were the expected AAA catchers and they are nothing special at all. That Burke guy sounds pretty good. As far as the older pitchers, I doubt they'll hold any prospects back.

Thats what I would of thought, but look at all the moves they are making. I know minor league deals aren't anything, but to the Sox, its a new thing. Usually its the winning teams that sign guys like this to minor league deals for depth and now all of a sudden the Sox are doing it.

I read in Maxim or USA Today or something that Kimmell would of liked Corolla as part of the show, but Adam is really lazy and is happy just being how he is. He didn't even want to do the man show, but Jimmy was able to convince him to do it. Jimmy signed like a 7 yr deal for 1.75 mill this first year.