SkokieSox

Drink to their success: A.J. Pierzynski has been getting a lot of accolades this season for his help with the improvement of the White Sox pitching staff. But on Saturday, it was Pierzynski that was handing out the gifts. The catcher and his wife Lisa rewarded all four of the Sox All-Stars, Buehrle, Garland, Konerko and Podsednik, with a bottle of Dom Perigon.

Playing the field: The St. Louis Cardinals have retained White Sox head groundskeeper Roger Bossard to design and build the playing surface at the new Busch Stadium, opening for the 2006 season. Bossard will install the same patented playing surface currently in use at U.S. Cellular Field. Bossard has built fields for eight of the 12 newest Major League stadiums, including Detroit's Comerica Park, host to this year's All-Star Game. This is Bossard's 23rd year as head groundskeeper with the White Sox and 39th season with the team.

QUOTE(chi-guy2 @ Jul 4, 2005 -> 04:40 PM) no Why? If we were able to use Crede to get Oswalt, Randa would serve his purpose.

QUOTE(Wedge @ Jul 4, 2005 -> 04:33 PM) Oswalt would likely come at a cost similar to Garcia from last year: a young MLB (Crede), and two solid prospects (Anderson and somebody else). I think that'd be a pretty good deal, actually, if we had somebody who could play 3B in Crede's absense. Joe Randa?

Steve Stone said in the Sun Times that he thought IF Houston become sellers, the Sox would make a run at Lidge. He said, and is correct, that Lidge in a short series can be a dominant pitcher and difference maker.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jun 19, 2005 -> 06:27 PM) So you suggest they pick up Darin Erstad? I would take Erstad for next year.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jun 19, 2005 -> 05:48 AM) I'll lay you 2 to 1 says Ozzie puts in a bundle of Backups. I'm just hoping Ozzie has realized that A.J. catches Contreras far better than Widger. If A.J. still starts, then I think we'll make a good game of it even if Timo's in there. It'd be hard to find a reason to sit him after last night's game.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jun 11, 2005 -> 09:18 AM) Of course Honel was just starting to get his velocity back (BHam said he back up to 90 on his fastball in his last start). If he does get back to his 01-02 form, will the Sox put him back on the 40 man, or could another team claim him e.g Ryan Wing, or even take him in the Rule 5 draft? I believe he cleared waivers, as rotoworld mentioned they were surprised that a team like the Royals didn't claim him. I think it's after the fact at this point.

QUOTE(Soxnbears01 @ Jun 11, 2005 -> 02:25 PM) so that's why we played such good defense on friday. SHARK! lets eat it everyday. You are what you eat.

QUOTE(Pauly8509CWS @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 09:21 PM) Very, VERY wishful thinking, no way would they part with Kotchman who will probly replace Erstad next year or the year after, he's gonna be a big piece of that Angel infield. I'd rather have Erstad. Next year, I mean.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 06:03 PM) They want to give him more playing time? So, they're sacrificing contributions to the major league team so a 26 or 27 year old can get consistent AB's? I don't buy it. I'm callin' BS. And, You tried making an argument for Timo "winning" us two games. Well, If you want to use that nonsensical bulls***, I can just as easily make an argument for Timo losing for us several games. It goes both ways, bud... You don't have to buy it, you don't get a say in the matter. Neither do I, but I'm not crying about it. We're in first, but lets focus on Willie's limited contributions this year to getting us there.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 06:52 PM) Excellent post; I'm with ya all the way. Some of that analysis is really out-there. The analysis is out there? You choose to ignore any possibility of Timo being kept over Willie other than Timo being Ozzie's personal fluffer. Whatever you prefer man, just narrow minded thinking.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 04:08 PM) Listen bub, I think you ought to refamiliarize yourself with my post history before typing something as ignorant as that. A) I loved every move this off-season save one--Orlando Hernandez. B ) I loath Willie Harris with every inch of my being. You have no idea what the f*** you are talking about. C) Getting Willie consistant playing time for when we need him down the strech? Excuse me for a moment won't you. Timo Willie You make the call. I'm just pointing out that you haven't considered all there is to consider. You have your mind made up, and that's great. However, the team has been put together well by management, as you point out that you recognize. Isn't there a chance that there is legitmate reasoning to this? How many at bats has Willie gotten this year? He's an everyday player. I don't think it's such a funny notion to want to give him more playing time when we are able to call him back if needed. Try being open minded Bub.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 03:50 PM) ^^^ This is awful. Willie needs to stay with this club. Period. Yup, I said it. Upper management is really starting to lose me with all these bonehead decisions. The same boneheaded moves people complained about in the offseason are the ones that have us in first place. If Willie getting sent down, when at any time we could have him back up, loses you with a club with the best record in baseball, I have to say you have issues. Geez, has anyone considered that they want Willie to have more consistant playing time for when we may need him more down the stretch. Once you guys have your mind made up, that's it. You don't even consider what the true reasoning may be. All of you can think Ozzie is stupid or whatever, but the fact remains that he has this club playing good baseball. If that doesn't do it for you, maybe you should get a Knights hat and watch Willie down there.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 05:31 AM) I could deal with that. I just don't want to see Willie go to the minors because of favoritism. f***in A, this was my argument the whole time.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 04:47 AM) LOL. You said Timo himself won us two games this year, when, the game he hit the homer in Minny, we went on to score three more runs after the homer. Yet, I guess if Timo hadn't hit that homer, we wouldn't have scored any runs, huh? And, if he doesn't f*** up at first base, we sweep Anahiem. Timo sucks. The homerun was clutch. How do you know it didn't start a rally? As far as first base, give me break. He doesn't make the lineup. Blame Ozzie for putting him there, he's obviously not a first baseman.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 02:57 AM) Willie is one of our best hitters(I know I'm shocked too) this season and he's being demoted. Wow, Ozzie = not so smart. Again, he gives me more fire for my theory on him making a better 3b coach or bench coach than manager. Winning is so overrated. When are people going to realize that the true determining characterisitics of a good manager is their choice for the final utility spot.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 02:47 AM) Ozzie's never wrong. Ozzie's also never biased. You should know that by now. And the same cannot be said for you?

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 02:43 AM) X-Factors? What? Is his OBP of under .300 last year, and this year, an X-Factor? Is his ability to play a s***ty first-base an x-factor? Mercy, Perez is one of the worst players in all of baseball, and he's making a million f***ing bucks. It's such a joke that he's on our major league team. Give me a f***ing break, this would be such a terrible, God awful move. And, I guess it proves that performance doesn't mean a damn thing, because Harris has played so much better than Perez has. Maybe Harris is on his way out in a trade. Maybe there are some clubhouse issues.

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 02:36 AM) Yeah, we already know that Timo is Ozzie's personal fluffer in the dugout. And if that helps us to continue winning, then I'm all for it. It's real easy to think you're right without considering all the details you and I don't have, but that doesn't make it so. I think it makes more sense to keep Willie up as well. However, I'm not going to cry about it when we are playing good baseball, and if that is what Ozzie feels more comfortable with. Again, it's not like we couldn't flip flop the players whenever we felt like it. Both have options left. It's not the end of the world. I hate to see what you guys will do if he gets traded.

QUOTE(doUrememberwhen @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 02:04 AM) OZZIE IS S-T-U-P-I-D, no reason to even think about this Willie>>>>Timo, but I guess Ozzie never thinks anyways. What a f***ing douchebag. Again, no one is considering the X factors that may exist in this decision.

QUOTE(knightni @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 02:19 AM) My response to that would be a quote from football. "You're in the NFL; which stands for 'Not For Long' when you keep pulling s*** like that." - Jerry Glanville Well with the best record in baseball and just signing an extension, I don't think he needs to be overly worried about who gets sent down as a career ending decision. Especially since no matter who it is, the decision can be reversed by simply sending the one down and recalling the other.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 01:40 AM) The same Ozuna that's averaging about 50 feet per hit this year. Hell, he'd be perfect if he was batting in a hit-and-run situation. However, if Iguchi were to suffer an injury that would keep him out for more than a day or so, I'd be much more confident with Willie at 2nd base than I would Ozuna. But if Iguchi went down, they could still call Willie back up. Ozuna is fine for the spot start at second.

Obviously some people are very upset about the idea of Harris being optioned. However, it should be noted that nothing has been publicly stated that this is indeed what will happen. Harris is just preparing himself for the possibility. Maybe Harris gets traded prior to any of this becoming necessary. Maybe Timo is the one sent down. Maybe they keep Gload down until he gets his full arm strength (although it seems that could take quite a while, and it doesn't seem to be affecting his bat.) I feel Timo has the ability to be clutch as we've seen numerous times, although I would rather keep Willie as well. We'll see what happens, but let's not jump off the bridge just yet. We're still in first.

QUOTE(qwerty @ Jun 5, 2005 -> 12:39 AM) I stopped reading after you said timo can play the outfield and first base. Good one. Actually I did too.