Rooftop Shots

Sec.148 Row 28 Seats 7-8 I'm easy to spot. I used to do a lot of airbrush work, so as usual, I'll be wearing my sweatshirt of a Frank Thomas portrait on the front, and on the back, A painting of him behind home plate waiting to kill the ball.

Thanks for the info. I hope the day comes when he makes a believer out of everyone, because as you well know, most Sox followers haven't had the chance to be in your shoes and have not yet been convinced of his urgency to win. I think what would help is if we sign Maggs, win (at least) the division, and build upon that by hopefully signing Konerko and Loaiza on top of that. I guess some of the trust was not only put aside because of 94, but also, it really hurt to see Colon let go. Let's hope our guys can really put the screws to the other teams in the central division, and then see what happens come July!!

I hear ya big time Yas! As much as I like The Cell. Nothing compares to Old Comiskey and the wonder if you're going to see another "Rooftop Shot!!!" Man, I miss the upperdeck atmosphere of that park. Along with when the fireworks exploding, it was DEAFENING" as the booming bounced all over the walls!

Great job Yas! Without a doubt, you put some time into thinking it out before you wrote it. As I thought about it, it would be nice if JR could read your lit piece as well as others opinions on the board, but as my thoughts continue, what fans think, really has not much concern in the thought process of JR and how he runs the organization. JR will be the JR of who he is, and the way that you quoted it, and unfortunately, that wil probably always remain as is. Buisnessman 1st. Care about winning, 2nd.

I'll be at game #1. Anybody else on the board gonig to be there?

Been out of state all weekend. Just got back. Saw highlights of today's game. My question, can someone give me a Readers Digest version of Friday and Sat games. I know the scores, but what I'm curious was how Shoney and Wrighty pitched. Were they behind in counts a lot? How many did they walk? Did they get themselves in much trouble? Were they erratic....... sharp, then sloppy etc? I know they weren't exactly against a potent lineup, but all the more for my concern. Thanks for any and all replies!!!!

Walks killed The Royals also. Their full time closer is "I believe" on the DL. The replacement walked a bunch and got behind on every count. Frank hit a doubleplay ball that Graffinino's replacemenrt bobbled the ball, fell down and did not even get one out of the deal. Konerko bloops one that was 3 feet fair, the Crede cranks one in right to score Harris

I agree! Regardless of his past history, THIS YEAR so far he has shown some "Giddy-up" on his fastball, and location has been good. For now, I'll stick with Koch, but if need be, I think Politte's next in line for the chance. He has the experience there as well. Marte is great, but I also believe that he is the best set-up man in baseball.

If someone wants to give him a chance sometime in the future, fine. But as for now, a closer needs to do "just that".........CLOSE!!! Wright's inconsistency with control has not earned him that spot. The last thing you want a closer to do is walk someone and get jacked. Wright's history so far has enabled him to get in trouble in both of these areas quite frequently. If he can't handle the pressure of being a starter, a closer only brings more pressure, which he has proved that he is not quite ready for more of.

Should it surprise you?? That's all we saw almost all of last year. The day that I have confidence in that guy's control is the day Konerko beats out Juan Pierre in a hundred yard sprint.

Unfortunately, that's the gamble. The reason to call first, is I'm not sure if the VIP's go on sale right when the ticket windows open up, or a specified time before the game. If they sell them early in the day, you don't have to worry about paying for parking and not wondering if you'll walk away empty handed. If there is a specified time, then you may want to find a place to park where you won't have to pay "just in case!!!!!"

Yeah! You might want to go back to yesterday's post of "John Rooney's Thoughts." page #1 and top of page #2. He seemed pretty fed up with what was going on.

One thing that is a gamble, but it worked for me a couple of times on some big games last year. On game day, if you get to the ticket window REAL EARLY before it opens up, Many times there will be VIP tickets available.(Call the day before and you might get more onfo ). Available VIP tickets never go on sale before the day of the game. VIP tickets are usually lower deck somewhere between the 2 dugouts and cost around 6 dollars more than a regular lower deck box seat. If you go yourself, your chances are even better. Not sure how successful it will be on Cubs game, but if all else fails, it may be worth a long shot.

I hear ya bro! Let's only hope that "Reinsy" will see that he has to sign him or the fan base will really diminish. Fans need hope and stability to come to the park. The offseason hurt a lot of fan hope this year. Not signing Maggs will have the whole city down his throat! Think there might be any pressure from the owners of US Cellular? Forking all that money over for the stadium, and then Reinsdorf butchering the fans by discouraging them to not come to the very place that was invested into because of him losing fan hope and trust by letting Maggs get away?

Have mixed feelings! Happy to have 3 wins, especially since we got a lot of hits doing it in cold weather, where in the past, we had very few. Should not have lost game at KC (No brainer there). With all the walks and errors given up to NY, we should have gotten pounded. We were fortunate that they were probably still not up to par from the Japan trip yet. 14 men left on in game 6.......no reason to lose that one. Even though Vasquez was terriffic, walks caused us 2 runs which if it didn't happen, we would have won. Strange and unpredictable first 6 games. Even though it was rather sloppy,To come out with 3 wins, in cold weather, on the road, and in NY yet, I'll take it! VERY VERY pleased to see much contact with the ball, whether for hits or outs!!

Hey Rex, if you read this, you're usually pretty good with numbers, and other inside info! Got any clue as to the money issues?

A couple of thoughts went through my mind. 1) Maggs has continually said that has a heartfelt loyalty to the Sox for giving him his start.so would he be willing to "stretch" a little if they did offer him a 6 year deal? Even though his agents are working on his deal? 2) We were originally trying to keep Colon by going overbudget, along with Gordon, Everett,Alomar etc,etc. I know we extended C.Lee and Buehrle's contracts, but what is left over from all of the original money that was offered in the offseason from the ones we lost? 3)Also, Ticket prices were in fact raised to help out the cause a bit. (how much annually that comes out to, I have no clue), but could JR use all the above issues to not only to help pay Maggs?but also..... 4) After what happened in the offseason, would he sign Maggs to help win fan base back? Lot of questions, but it does give me something to "Chew on" and "SOME HOPE!!!"

Just hope we don't see another cluster of walks today. So far walks have cost us our 2 losses. It's like saying to the opposing team "Here ya go....we are giving you a bonus! A free chance to score runs!" If we get rocked.........so be it, but don't need to help the opposition out. Look at the 2 losses. KC home opener........ Kc looked stale all day. 9th inning, home opener, 41000 fans. "2 WALKS" by Politte with the heart of the order to follow. New life and hugr adrenalin brought to the fans and players. Result........ "Jack Time" to follow!!! Yankees home opener. 4 walks by Shoney. 2 of them scored. If there were no walks. we would have won that game also. Regardless of how Garland does........ "THE WALKS HAVE GOT TO STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"[/size] it's what also killed us most of last year as well. Regardless of today.................. we also have the king of last years walks tomorrow. Mr. WRIGHTY!!!!! Let's hope that this all comes to an end this year and STOP GIVING AWAY GAMES!!!! If we are going to lose............then let's MAKE SURE that it's in a way where they HAVE TO BEAT US. If our offense explodes......GREAT! If not, we have tough enough opponents against us without adding our own pitching staff to help out their cause even more!!

I agree! Let's face it, except for the David Wells, and Todd Ritchie deals, KW brought us a lot of good quality. Only problem is he got snake bit a lot. The guy wants to win ....no doubt. Big problem now is that I feel his hands are tied by Mr. fat-wallet Reinsdorf.

If I'm overstepping my bounds and into a place where I don't belong, then I do apologize, but man...............ease up you guys! Right now it's difficult enough having to hear and listen to all the harsh and ridiculing guff from Cub fans. The trashing is absolutely incredible (and it's only game #1).We sure don't need to do it with one another. We're bro's and sis's of Sox fans. If we don't agree on issues, so be it. But man, right now it's very difficult to start off with the same feeling that we did last year. Chewing on each other doesn't help our situation, but rather brings our frustration and discouragement up another level. There......... I'm done!!!! You may fire your torpedoes at me at will. Ready..............Aim.......................

Hey, 56789!! Heck of a sig! Didn't want to laugh, but did! It definately has been an ongoing problem for us!

Not only that! It's not like we didn't give Wells a fair shake! Heck, we gave him a ton of chances. Too many walks, and got into too much trouble, and got hammered a lot. He has great stuff, but inconsistency killed him. Right now we're on our second Kip Wells...................... Danny Wright! Same issues. I hope he can prove me wrong! I'm rather getting frustrated about high prospects that hurt us while we wait and wait for/if a maturity process ever takes place!

Must have been as hilarious as when he hit the inside-the-park home run. (last year? year before? I forgot!) I remember the whole bench in an uproar as he rounded third and scored!! A TREASURED moment in my Sox memorie data!!

Couldn't see most of the game! Had to work. How the heck to PK steal a base? Did KC go into the dugout for 20 minutes to have a coffee break and a bagel? or did they shorten the base pads for him from 60 to 27 feet.

It's good to see velocity up, but he still needs to get movement on his fastball. Even if he winds up throwing 105mph's, if you throw it straight as an arrow all the time, the good hitters will time themselves to hit it. Put movement on his velocity, get confidence in his location, and then it's "Turn out the lights!!!" Until then,he still has a lot of work to do yet for me to have confidence in him.