SoxAce

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 12:10 PM) Wow. 3-3, 2 HR, BB Thats what I want to see out of him in that bandbox. OPS jumped to .700+ now. Gotta improve the walks a bit, but power is the main thing for him as he's disappointed alittle in that area. (Danks is the guy who has to work on the K's of course)

I've said this before, I'll agree that I don't see much of the "Ozzie Ball" that I thought we'd see. Guys stealing on good counts where a runner(s) thrives (or more 3-2 less than 2 out), running on more or less contact plays, (alot of them are either from failures of contact, or missing bunts, resulting in CS though), many hit and runs, runners on 3rd and 1st, and not stealing 2B (especially with 2 out to not have the force-out, though when it's 1 out and a guy like Konerko/AJ is batting and you got a guy like Beckham at 1st, it drives me crazy why he isn't stealing to avoid the DP) to maintain a rally, etc.. I'll say this though, I could care less about Guillen's preference to steals than home runs, the long ball is what is winning us these games. A guy like Alexei for example has to get on base more.. you know Alexei.. draw a damn walk this year perhaps? or hit better? to utilize his speed. Teahen can run himself (2 SB), but in his 2 CS, he was running on hit and run counts where Alexei (and I think the other guy was Rios earlier) failed to make contact. Beckham having 1 SB only is not what anyone should see. (and alot of times this season he was on first base when Pierre stole third the few times they've be on the bases together) We'll see though when more guys get on base what Ozzie does since our offense (minus a couple of guys) has been awful.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 12:43 PM) Its money for the team. Whatever. Exactly. No wonder the sox agreed to it.

Beckham (please break out of this slump)

I believe the Texas (and New York) teams do something similar. I believe in Texas it's a belt but the Texans here can correct me if I'm right or wrong on this.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 01:22 PM) Actually Vizquel DOES wear it. Jones, Vizquel, and Kotsay are the 3 I have noticed wearing them. Add Buehrle and Floyd on that list.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 06:21 PM) It's just frightening to think what Thompson's power potential can be. I hope scouts have good things to say about him a year from now. I hope the words "can't miss" are included. He and Jones are already "can't miss" in my eyes, but then again.. I'm blinded by love.... and tools/upside. Dan Black is the only guy I like that doesn't have star upside, but thats only because I know the guy.

Since people here are pointing out position players, I'll change it up and go with pitchers. Guys like Patton, Beato (I know Flash will love that one.. old memories) and Quinco (butchered his name) are nice prospects who are blocked (O's have a TON of SP after Arrieta, Tillman, Holmgood etc.. etc.. with the guys already in the majors) and TB has Davis and Hendrickson on the rise with Price, Shields, etc.. I'm only going off memory here.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 12:54 AM) Padres 8 in a row and not looking back. Didn't they start off hot last year then faded? I remember Peavy talking about that actually.

AJ.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 01:49 AM) Man do I hate when the Bears don't draft an OL until the end of the draft. Drove me nuts too bro. And I'm a big fan of LeFevour (great upside, just an impressive athlete) but the thing is we gambled to take a pro bowl young QB (Cutler) last year, so I didn't like that pick too. If we had Orton/Hanie, etc.. still, I would love the pick even more. Here's hoping the young Lance Louis can be a stud for us at LG for years to come. (though I think they will go for Beekman again who is already playing out of position, but he did start at LG and I like him alot too.. could be his future there as well)

QUOTE (greg775 @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 12:44 AM) If we beat them, will the next round be easier. Nashville has been a tough out. Harder of course. Vancouver is probably who we will play next (barring a collapse) and they actually have an offense (Sedins-Burrows line have been amazing all year) to go along with their defense. Kesler, Raymond, etc.. those guys are tough and Luongo can steal a game if need be. (though Kane has his number.. ) IMO, they are not a good match for us as they always play us tough with their style. Should be a fun rematch for them though regardless and for us. Getting to be a pretty sick rivalry. And if we happen to win that series, we might play SJ (though we match up well against them) or Detroit in the WCF, so this cup run won't be a cake walk.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 07:27 PM) That was an awful contract the day he signed it. If you knew someone would get fat and lazy, it was Carlos. It was brutal even if he was putting up Adam Dunn numbers, but to be fair, you can't ignore the .882, .937, and .831 OPS he put up the last three seasons from the 65 at-bat sample size this season. If anything he (and Tex) should give us hope for Quentin, Beckham etc.. to get it going soon as you know he will.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 09:14 PM) Just a hunch, but I think Jake Arrieta may be in Baltimore soon. He is really a stud. Great outing for him. If Tillman gets his s*** together (had a good outing himself yesterday against the Knights) people better put Baltimore on notice in the AL. Matusz-Arrieta-Tillman is a young, sick 1-2-3 and I like Bergesen (very good last year, struggling a bit this year) and Hernandez who are both very young as well (though I think Britton/Hobgood/Erbe will be more of their future instead of those other two) to go along with their young guys in the pen (Johnson, Berken, Meredith, Mikolio) and of course their youth hitters (Wieters, Jones, Markakis, Reimold) and guys like Bell, Snyder, Givins potentially on the way.. Great future. QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 11:49 PM) Montgomery is sick. And Luke Hochevar is starting to put it together as well. His FB was consistenly 94-96 (topped out at 97) against the Twins tonight. 1 BB, 7 Ks. 9/2 GO/AO. Ya I like the Royals future too. Hosmer is putting up some sick hitting numbers so for Wilmington too as well as Montgomery in the pitching department.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 09:39 PM) Yes they are. Already at the line 32 times before the end of the 3rd, and they've made 29 of those. No doubt Phil Jackson will come out and say something to the media about the refs again. Like I said about a week ago, I think the Thunder can win this series. Game 5 is going to be very crucial. And like I said when you predicted this, I will give you instant props if this happens, though I did agree with you as I did say this series could go 7 games. (though I still had the Lakers winning)

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 06:10 PM) how about kong...fwiw, the captain is tied for the lead in dingers. Contract year... obviously.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 05:50 PM) Birmingham and Kannapolis rained out. Charlotte in a rain delay. Winston-Salem..eh who cares? Don't be dissin the best minor league affiliate team we have this year. (or at least that's my opinion, other than Ozzie Ball and others with the Knights love. ) W-S losing 2-0 right now in the 4th. Edwards vs Montgomery (yes.. the Royals 1st rounder) Gilmore, Escobar and Short already have 4 hits combined.

QUOTE (mcgrad70 @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 04:58 PM) I see no joy in this... The few games the Sox will win this year will be by the homerun. I would fire Guillen and Williams tonight. This is light years from a multi-dimensional offense. I'll agree that I don't see much of the "Ozzie Ball" that I thought we'd see. Guys stealing on 3-2 counts running on more or less contact plays resulting in CS, not too many hit and runs, runners on 3rd and 1st, and not stealing 2B (especially with 2 out to not have the force-out) to avoid the double play, etc.. I'll say this though, I could care less about Guillen's preference to steals than home runs, the long ball is what is winning us these games.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 05:57 PM) Then...? I think Rios was a pretty good player at times before he got here... Yea I think an article mentioned they gave him a tape of 07' or something like that to drop his hands down. IMO though, it's more or less Alex has stopped pressing. Looked like he tried to carry the team last year and wound up hurting us.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 05:54 PM) Wow, that was awesome! Rios had some great swings today, and he launched that. Great to have 2 walkoffs after having none last year. Now that is crazy.

Rios looks waaaaay better this year. Good game for Teahen/Konerko as well.

QUOTE (TitoMB @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 04:44 PM) First series win of the year. :headbang I wanted it, and I got it. Unbelieveable. Wheres Heads with his "fuse is lit" line?

FIRST KANE/HOSSA.. NOW KONERKO/RIOS!!!

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 05:14 PM) Get used to it. This is what you should expect from him. Yes.. 2 singles.. no XBH. That is Juan Pierre baseball.

HUGE momentum changer in this series. Lets take this last one here boys. Most exciting game by far this series.