CWSGuy406

Well, I do applaud you guys who are still watching the games. I might, if my MLB.tv worked on this new HP laptop I have, but for whatever reason, my laptop doesn't feel like playing any videos whatsoever (or, rather, freezing every time a video plays). Anything of note? I see Anderson went deep, and Crede too. That's nice to see, hopefully they'll let Fields play now so Crede can get whatever surgery he needs done ASAP. Konerko went yard twice? This is his best statistical year as a Southsider, yet I dunno... for whatever reason, it doesn't "feel" like it. Really too bad they didn't have this intensity for the first two games of the series. Would've liked to have seen the Sox cut the Minny lead down a game, and at least have a chance to sweep in Minny; ah well.

Oakland got a pretty decent outing from Harden today in his first start back. 3 IP, 7Ks. If he could stay healthy for a month, I'd say that Oakland will send the best #1-2-3 pitching punch out of all eight playoff teams. LET'S GO OAKLAND!

QUOTE(Controlled Chaos @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 07:58 PM) When the chips are down like they are now...everyone is trying a little harder and everyone is letting the frustration creep in just a little bit more than usual and you know what most "fans" think about that..... "This team sucks, they quit, they gave up" What a Joke!!! Every player is trying to get the big hit or make the big pitch or the big play. They may get frustrated and pissed off when they don't, but it takes a lot of arrogance to question their heart and effort unless you're in that clubhouse. Now if we have guys that are just out there to collect a paycheck then I'd be pissed off, but I haven't seen any indications of that and I'm not sure how some here can make those accusations without the slightest bit of evidence. You can't attribute 0-fers to lack of heart or effort...if anything it's from over effort. Unlike a lot of others here, I don't actually believe that this team 'quit'. I believe that certain players could have given a little more effort, but as a collective unit, I don't think that they quit. My problem lies when they start bringing up excuses such as, "well, there's a bunch of guys on this team who are playing hurt right now". Why? Because I think there are 29 other teams who have the same problem. They've been playing day after day after day for the past six months. Of course they have their aches and pains. And, NSS72, I was moreso saying "BS" to Konerko's excuse rather than to your post. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to direct that at you, per se.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 21, 2006 -> 03:55 PM) How many teams have repeated in the last 20 or 30 years? Few. And I'd love to see, if someone has the data, what the regular season records of WS champs were the following year (in the last 20 or 30 years). I'd bet that very, very few had better records the year after. BS. I don't think anyone can realistically ask a team to repeat. That's too tough a proposition. But Kenny Williams built a team good enough to make it to the playoffs. The players and the coaching staff (Guillen, Cooper, Walker, Cora, etc etc) failed. Three out of the four teams that will make the playoffs in the AL this year have had what I'd call catastrophic injuries at one point or another in the season. The Twins lost Liriano, Oakland lost Harden (Chavez has been playing hurt for a long time as well), and the Yankees lost both of their corner OFers and a couple of starting pitchers. What big injury did the Sox have? We lost Contreras for two starts. Apparently a couple guys have been playing injured (I've heard or read whispers of Buehrle, Garcia, Dye, and Crede all playing hurt), but if it's not bad enough to go on the DL, then at that point, I'd say you have to suck it up. I'm not calling Konerko a liar; I believe that a lot of White Sox players are hurt/exhausted at the 150 game point of the season. But who isn't? It's been a long season for EVERYONE, not just the Sox. I'm not buying it. As I said, this team failed, period.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 20, 2006 -> 02:40 AM) I said that in the game thread...I hope he pitches well enough to raise his trade value, but not well enough to where we bring him back over Mark. I think Kenny already has his mind made up on who's going... All Freddy is doing right now is raising his trade value. Hopefully he can put up two more solid starts and get that ERA below 4.50.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Sep 19, 2006 -> 10:31 PM) I agree on the Mulder thing, but apparently, he's a bad idea because he's going to miss a whole month of the season next year...well that's according to some Soxtalk posters. No, it's because the fall was going to come even without the injury. His last year in Oakland, he gave up a career high in homers, a career high in walks, and a K/BB ratio that was under two, not to mention the fact that he finished with a 4.43 ERA, which is only slightly above league average. He was good last year in St Louis, but I'm questioning whether or not that would hold up in the AL. Oh, and there's the fact that I think the Sox should aim higher than relying on a hope and a prayer that Mulder heals fully from his injury. And then there's the fact that Mulder, according to some St Louis and Oakland fans that I've read over at BTF, is apparently a pretty stubborn pitcher who didn't change his mechanics despite pleading from his pitching coaches.

I have my reasons for my rankings... -There's a contingent of Twins fans that piss me off. Some of them are too arrogant, and need to be knocked down a peg. -Yankees? Nuff said why I don't want them to win. -Detroit? I hate Detroit, period. Don't like any of their teams. My Red Wing hate really carries over to all four sports. Those three I really, REALLY don't want to win, with the Mets coming real close to being in this group. And, BTW, I realize that all of these could probably be applied to White Sox fans from another fan's point of view. So be it.

If the playoffs started today, and the following teams -- NYY, DET, MIN, OAK, STL, NYM, SD, LA -- made the postseason, who would you root for. In order of who I'd want to win the most to least: 1.) Oakland 2.) St Louis 3.) San Diego 4.) Dodgers 5.) New York Mets .... poke eyes out with thumbs ... I can't even rank the last three. I don't want to. The least the baseball gods could do for me would be to put Oakland and anyone but the Mets in the World Series. The Sox aren't making the playoffs, fine, but don't subject me to a Yankee/Met WS. Oakland/San Diego. Make it happen.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Sep 19, 2006 -> 05:15 AM) Great post, Keith. The numbers you put up for 2007, are those just guesses, or projections? Just cuz I'd guess the better end of that range to be the middle, off the top of my head. Consider it a very conservative, slightly pessimistic projection. What did I say again -- 180 IP, 4.60 ERA? And someone is actually complaining that that's not good enough, from a first full-time year starter? I'm not as optimistic as R44 -- I can't see Brandon putting up a sub-4 ERA. If I were to range it like PECOTA's Percentile thingy, I'd go... 90th - 3.80 ERA, 200 IP 75th - 4.15 ERA, 190 IP 50th - 4.50 ERA, 180 IP 25th - 4.80, 175 IP 10th - 5.15, 170 IP

QUOTE(SoxHawk1980 @ Sep 19, 2006 -> 04:20 AM) No, it wasn't a fluke. Nor is it all one should consider when one evaluates him. In addition to those 42.2 innings in his career, I'd also consider his 24.1 innings before the ASB (8.14 ERA) and his 76.1 innings this year (4.95 ERA). Are the bad 100.2 innings just a fluke? Okay, so if we take everything McCarthy has done in his MLB career, we get an ERA right around 4.60. Right around league average. Then we take his minor league career (unless you're of the silly ilk that don't believe in those evil minor league numbers), and see that he struck out 10.27 batters per nine while only walking 1.64 per nine. Put it all together, and I think we're looking at a pretty good #3 starter, a guy who can give us a 4.00-4.30 ERA and 200 innings. As for 2007...? I think he'll be a 4.50-4.75 pitcher, right around league average, having stretches where he is good, and other stretches where he gets hit hard because he loses his 'changeup' feel for a bit. And I'd gladly take a 4.60 ERA and 180 IP from Brandon next year, thank you very much. Is he Verlander? Probably not. But you're also looking at one kid who was taken top five, and another who lasted until the 17th (?) round or therabouts.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 19, 2006 -> 03:35 AM) I agree...I can only imagine how short the leash will be on him if he is a starter. Am I the only one who wouldn't be surprised if Garland is the pitcher that Ozzie wants to see traded? I still can't see him getting rid of one of his buddies. I still think that Ozzie won't have as much 'pull' this offseason. I honestly believe that Kenny Williams is pretty pissed at a couple of things Ozzie has done this year, most notably how he has handled Anderson. I think Kenny saw what we all saw; a kid who was struggling at the plate, but who wasn't necessarily hurting the team because his defense was so strong. And then trying to turn Anderson/Mackowiak into a full platoon, when Anderson had been one of the Sox best hitters (I'm talking about a month ago), not to mention the defense. Maybe you think I'm foolish for saying this, but I'm 99% confident that Kenny will have a hold on what he wants done this winter, without Ozzie's ravings for Juan Pierre at $10 million per meaning a thing. I really just want this offseason to get there, quick. I like a lot of players on this team, but I hate this 'team' overall. Kenny can go in so many different directions. (BTW, I am aware that at this point, this post probably belongs in that other thread, but I'm not stopping here, so...) I think I'd prefer a 'retooling' offseason. Realize that Detroit, Minny, and even Cleveland are here, and there here for the long haul. This team, OTOH, might have just lost it's window by failing this season. Give Sweeney the reigns of LF with Anderson in CF; improve your defense. Maybe look for a new SS. Maybe look to get younger at second base. I almost hate to say it, but if someone still likes Konerko big-time, maybe Anahiem or Baltimore (last years bidders), see if you can find a deal there. Garcia is obviously gone. That doesn't mean giving up on 2007 altogether, but I'd try to do it the way we did it in 2005, starting with a top-notch defense. I think the pitching staff will rebound. This winter isn't the time to 'sell' on Mark Buehrle. Plus, it's on Kenny's MO to sell low. I don't think Mark is going anywhere. I think a winter of rest for Contreras will do him a lot of good. I like what I'm seeing from Vazquez, and I think all the people hoping to see him get traded are dreaming; he's not going anywhere after only one season. You gotta hope Garland has a better first half with improved control and a better defense, and that McCarthy can regain his touch that he had last September. Wow, long post.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 19, 2006 -> 03:26 AM) 4.50 if he's in the rotation And who here honestly wouldn't take that? I know BMac gave up a three run dinger, but I thought he looked fairly decent. We finally saw his good changeup. He's still missing by just a little bit with his curveball. And his fastball -- well, it's straight. I'd like to see him try and develop a decent two-seamer, something at 87-89 with movement 'in' to righties and away from lefties.

If it's anything like the way this season has gone... Sox take the first two of the Detroit series, remarkably getting wins from both Mark Buehrle and Freddy Garcia. However, a blown three run lead late in the third game doesn't allow the Sox to sweep. More of the same against Seattle. Sox split the series, but neither Minny or Detroit quite pull away, leaving the Sox three out of the WC and still four back of the division. The Sox gain a game on Minny in the Cleveland series, leaving them two back heading into the series in the Twinkydome, with Detroit already taking the division crown. And, of course, when you think that this season can't get any worse... well, they'll probably take the first two and have some crippling, make-you-want-to-stick-a-gun-to-your-head type loss in the third game, as we watch Minnesota celebrate on our grave. Gotta love my positive outlook, ehh?

Is that a sick inning or what? Three hits, a walk, and NO runs.

Absolutely sickening. He just walked Thome, throws ball one to Crede, and Joe is swinging on the next pitch, a slider that would've been ball two. And a K.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 17, 2006 -> 09:25 PM) I agree...Ozzie seems to have a lot to say about Frank. Eh, I really don't think there is a huge issue between the two. I tend to think there's more of an issue -- or, there WAS more of an issue -- between PK and Thomas. Just from some of the general, underlying jabs, like what he said about Thome this spring. Wasn't the comment something like, "I've never played with such a good hitter in the lineup."?

QUOTE(whitesoxmanager @ Sep 17, 2006 -> 09:24 PM) i guess you dont quite see the intangibles in a player do you... i remember AROW as about as clutch as needed...need a bunt...done...need a key walk...done...need a sac fly...done...need to get hit by pitch...done...need to hit the ball the other way...done...there is no doubt that he tired last year at the end....but i want that guy on my team no matter what! Need a 6-3 putout? Done.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Sep 17, 2006 -> 09:20 PM) Frank Thomas did not get a hit in the 2000 playoffs. He also didn't get a hit in the 2005 playoffs. Just wait until he starts whining about his contract next spring. Good riddance. He's having a year I would never have thought possible, hat's off to him. He is killing the White Sox playoff hopes, I'm sure he's very happy about that. Frank has no problems with a majority of the players in the White Sox clubhouse (maybe Konerko, but that's it). I don't even think he has a problem with Ozzie; he realizes Ozzie shoots his mouth off, an that's the way he is. I do think, however, that Frank is most happy about shoving it to KW.

Guys, don't worry about Frank Thomas. It takes four singles to score him, like Ozzie said.

And you can feel yet another 'must-win' game for the Sox going down the tubes. Did anyone honestly believe that a two run lead was good enough? Again, this team just continues to stick the knife in every passionate fan's heart.

As some of you probably know, I'm a first-year freshman at Marquette this year. And, seeing as it's a Sunday morning, I have pretty much one thing on my mind right now -- football (oh, yeah, and our whole dorm's internet not working is another, too). Getting to the point; anybody know of any places within the city that would have the Sunday Ticket, so I could see the Bears game? I won't be able to watch Packer game after Packer game this year... Any help is appreciated.

Congrats to the big man. I know who I'm rooting for once the Sox are eliminated. They're the only likeable team in the AL. Can't root for Detroit, as I dislike most Detroit-anything fans. Minny? Hate 'em, they're players, some of their fans. New York? Hah -- the worst of 'em all.

I agree with Rock here; when you bring Matt Thorton and Mike MacDougal into a ballgame, you expect them to be able to get the job done. Simply put, they didn't. I guess you can debate whether or not Thorton should've been brought out, but Ozzie turned to his best current reliever in MacDougal, who failed. And come on, don't kid yourselves -- the minutes MacD walked Thomas, and the go-ahead run crossed the plate, the game was over. The Sox had a chance to put this one away early. Runners on second and third, after the Anderson double, and Sandy and Pablo failed to come through. Sandy did later in the game, but that infield popout hurt us. Vazquez looked okay. I'm not going to complain about three runs in six innings. Hell, even the offense did an okay job. Four runs over seven innings against Zito, with him well into the 120s in pitches in the 7th inning? Bullpen's gotta lock this one down. Got to. Just another loss in a season that seemingly keeps on getting worse.

Apparently, there's another quote out there of Guillen saying something like, "Mackowiak gives us the best offensive lineup possible", or something to that effect. And you know what, Ozzie? I'll take that bulls*** logic, if your own advice on it. Why is Podsednik still out there? He can't really believe that Podsednik, over Fields, Sweeney, Anderson, Gload, and Ozuna, gives us the best possible offensive player in LF, can he?

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 16, 2006 -> 05:50 PM) Ozzie made 3 real ignorant comments last night....great to know he's focused on finding a way to help this team win. Hehe, I was being nice there, too. I didn't even put Thome in there. Somebody end this sick, sick dream. None of deserve this. None of us.