knightni

Cena's having neck issues and tingling in his extremities. Sounds like the specter of retirement is rearing its ugly head.

QUOTE (shipps @ Aug 25, 2008 -> 07:32 PM) Well he bit a chunk out of his bat and that will take the quality of it down a notch. I don't wish to frighten you sir, but you are only about 250 posts to 2,000.

QUOTE (letsgoarow @ Aug 25, 2008 -> 07:30 PM) didnt see this coming, but ok. im still pissed about this first game. Lets win 3/4 I did. QUOTE (knightni @ Aug 24, 2008 -> 10:31 PM) Hey, guess who's been in the minors for 10 days after Sunday? Broadway could come up if they DL Wise. He could start the suspended game.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 25, 2008 -> 07:17 PM) Carrasco doesn't throw much straight, and from what I've seen, he likes to keep everything on the outer half to righties and inside to lefties. I hate HoRam, as he's just not of high caliber. Then Ozzie should have brought someone different in. Certainly if you know that, he and Cooper should.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 25, 2008 -> 07:14 PM) 2-0 with the bases loaded...you have to throw a strike. There were 3 instances in this game where we tried to bunt that probably prevented the Sox from winning. I can only pray Ozzie learns that this is a one-dimensional team. Throw an inside strike, not some outside corner nipper that might make it 3-0 or the guy hits it the other way.

I blame Ozzie partially for this loss. Ramirez should have been pulled sooner. Carrasco/A.J. gets the other blame. Why pitch outside against a RHP with one out/bases loaded when you need a DP?

Karko wasn't horrible, he just had a bad batting average. He got 20 HRs one year. His biggest accomplishment was his catching behind the plate. The man had the lightning arm of Zeus. He threw out 41% of all runners who ran on him. That's the few who even tried to steal. In my opinion, he's second only to Ivan Rodriguez in catching arm, since 1985.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 25, 2008 -> 03:46 PM) You mean it was a best of five vs. Balt to decide the AL champ? Are you sure? That was the ALCS?? Yep.

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/artic...sp&c_id=cws Real nice article.

16. Carlos Lee (14 of 27 lists - 150 points - highest ranking #4 ChWRoCk2) Bio by greg775 and wikipedia: Lee made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox on May 7, 1999, hitting a home run in his first-ever Major League at-bat. He would remain in the White Sox organization until being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for outfielder Scott Podsednik and pitcher Luis Vizcaino. Lee was the White Sox' starting left fielder for the first six years of his career, with only a few games a season as a designated hitter. He can hit for both average and power. From 2001–02, his batting average slumped to the .260s, but he has returned to exceeding .300, and has a career average of .288. His home run totals increased over the years. Lee was given his nickname "El Caballo", which means "The Horse", by White Sox television announcer Hawk Harrelson. While Lee has provided steady production, he has not often been amongst the top ten in offensive categories or received awards for performance. His best showing was in the National League with 114 RBI. He was selected for the National League All-Star team in his first two seasons as Brewer, and participated in the Home Run Derby in 2005. On July 28, 2006, he was traded to the Rangers with minor league outfielder Nelson Cruz for outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix, relief pitcher Francisco Cordero, and minor league pitcher Julian Cordero. According to Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin, the Brewers attempted to resign Carlos Lee, but by the evening of July 27, it became apparent he would not sign a contract extension. The Brewers reportedly offered a four-year, $48 million contract extension, close to the four-year, $50 million extension David Ortiz signed earlier in 2006. Lee's agent Adam Katz said the two parties were too far away in negotiations and did not make a counter-offer. [edit]Houston Astros On November 24, 2006, Lee agreed to a six-year, $100 million contract with the Houston Astros. Since signing with the Astros, Lee has established himself as one of the premier hitters in the National League. Lee had a very productive first year in Houston, hitting .303 with 32 home runs and driving in 119 runs, which was good for a three way tie in the National League along with Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. On June 28, 2007, Lee hit a walk-off grand slam in the 11th inning against the Colorado Rockies, four innings after teammate Craig Biggio recorded his 3000th career hit. It was Lee's 4th career walk-off home run. Lee also has four game-winning RBI singles and a game-winning sac fly. His fan base in Houston has grown quickly. He has a fan club called the "Los Caballitos", which means the "little horses" in Spanish—referencing his nickname, "El Caballo" (The Horse). The club convenes in Minute Maid Park next to the Conoco Home Run Pump in left-center field, where they wear large straw cowboy hats, Carlos Lee number 45 jerseys and ride stick ponies when he hits a home run. Lee is a car enthusiast and his collection includes a Porsche 911 Turbo, a Lexus SC 430, a 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser, and a Lamborghini. I can see why Lee would be on many Sox fans' lists as one of their faves. Just his nickname alone, El Caballo, made me smile most times Hawk uttered it. I do not remember him hitting a home run in his first at bat with the Sox, but I'm sure at the time it really made me happy. How many times do we call up a player and the guy hits .150 for a month or stinks on the mound before establishing himself? Seems like a lot. Anyway, I always expected Carlos to butcher the ball in the outfield. He wasn't Roberto Clemente (OK Robby played rf anyway, not lf) but Carlos wasn't a Ralph Garr either. Carlos Lee hit a batch of homers for the Sox and yes, I'd deem him an exciting player. Of course we won a WS partly because we got Scotty for him. Maybe some of you can add more personal memories of CLee under my comments. I liked him, didn't love him. I admit I was quite bummed when he was traded, but it's undeniable we needed Scotty to win the pennant.

17. Carlos Quentin (10 of 27 lists - 116 points - highest ranking #8 Heads22) Bios by Heads22, greg775 and wikipedia - On December 3rd, 2007, Quentin was traded to the Chicago White Sox for minor league first baseman Chris Carter. Carter played for the low Class A Kannapolis Intimidators in 2007 and was considered one of the White Sox' best prospects. In 2008, Quentin has been a huge surprise for the White Sox, emerging to become one of the team's best hitters. Through August 18th, he was ranking among American League leaders in home runs (first, 35), slugging percentage (third, .586), OPS (third, .981), and runs batted in (third, 96). Quentin's strong season has drawn calls for a possible AL MVP award. After Quentin hit his 35th HR in a 13-5 rout of the Mariners on August 18th, White Sox catcher AJ Pierzynski said, "As far as I'm concerned, Quentin has been the American League MVP." White Sox fans have bestowed the nickname "TCQ," standing for "The Carlos Quentin." The name originates from a quote from GM Kenny Williams after he acquired Quentin. He said, "We wanted to upgrade at shortstop, get a setup guy for the bullpen, acquire Carlos Quentin, and not a guy like him but actually Carlos Quentin," Quentin's other local nickname is "Q-uperman". The "Q-uperman" sign has received much love at U.S. Cellular, and is steadily growing among online communities. Many a time has the sign, depicting Quentin as Superman with an "S" on his chest, been shown on the jumbotron at the park, and it has even received mention in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, as well as on ESPN's Baseball Tonight. Due to Jim Thome's slow start, manager Ozzie Guillén promoted red-hot Quentin up the batting order into Thome's customary third spot for one game against the Angels in Anaheim. Quentin delivered a key eighth-inning grand slam, breaking a 1-1 tie, and kicked off a run that saw the White Sox win 10 of 12 games and charge to first place. He has since stayed firmly in the 3rd spot in the order. During a nationally televised home game on May 25, Quentin clocked two home runs off of the Angels' John Lackey and drove in all of the White Sox runs in a 3-2 walk-off victory. His towering home runs have drawn comparisons to sluggers such as José Canseco and Luis Gonzalez. Angels center fielder Torii Hunter characterized his pure power as "tremendous pop, like Hulk Hogan. He's crazy strong." greg775 - Carlos hit a whopping 14 home runs in two seasons with Arizona. So who knew he'd have this kind of success with the White Sox?? Kenny Williams I guess. I don't think Carlos made my top 25 list because of the fact he's a first year player. But I can understand why he'd be somebody's top five Sox player of all time. The guy has been such a find. I think we'd all agree w/out Carlos, our team probably would be languishing at or around .500. He's been that much of a spark. I love the fact he crowds the plate and dares pitchers to hit him. He takes it for the team quite often, obviously willing to get plunked 'cause in return he can get his bat on a lot of outside pitches and drive them. I personally think he's a young Magglio Ordonez, s*** maybe even a greater upside. I don't have a lot more to say about a first-year player, except I love his batting stance, love his knack for getting clutch hits, love his bombs in this new non-steroid era. Congrats Carlos, keep it going cause we need you if we are going to even make the playoffs much less win another WS title. Heads22 - When we acquired TCQ, I was excited that we wouldn't have to see Jerry Owens patrolling centerfield. Each and damn near every game since we acquired him, both in Spring Training and in the regular season, he's done little to diminish himself in my eyes. His throw to take out Renteria in Detroit as he was jogging back to first, cemented his place in my heart, and everything he's done at the plate has made him a very easy choice.

Pick one and sign up!

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Aug 25, 2008 -> 01:38 AM) I was just thinkin the same thing.... I really hope we see that!! Do the Sox wear the road uniforms or the home uniforms for the first game? It would sure be silly to change pants after a quick game. If they wear the black jersey, they only have to change pants.

When did Broadway last pitch in Charlotte? He could pitch the first game tomorrow.

I'm going to try and knock out 2 or three tomorrow (err later today).

If anyone still wants in, I can expand the leagues and reduce roster size.

Man, I think if there was a decent new release right now, it would clean up at the Box Office. I'm bored and my normal weekly trips to the local theater seem a pointless exercise with not much new out there. I mean, how many times can one guy watch Batman? Don't answer that Steve.

How do you feel about playing in an organization that has such a deep and important history of having hispanic middle infielders on the Big League level? Who are your idols?

1 AB, 1 K. Same old Pablo.

How awkward will a walk-off be, where no one in the stands celebrates with the "home" team?

Think "El" upgrades will be done by 2016?

QUOTE (Wanne @ Aug 25, 2008 -> 12:03 AM) Yeah...let it go. This man knows more about baseball than anybody on the planet and is never wrong. Same guy that said Buehrle threw to the wrong guy on the botched DP on the comebacker...give it up...he can't help you. His work is done here. dnozzle...... Feel free to jump in, I guess. I'd ask you to please let it go as well, but it probably wouldn't help.

QUOTE (wilmot825 @ Aug 24, 2008 -> 11:44 PM) Hey Cub fan, calm down. We are just excited that a call went our way and the great A.J. was behind it again. Just let it go, please.

QUOTE (Jake @ Aug 24, 2008 -> 10:57 PM) I only allow this game thread to exist because the game started. I definitely have dibs on game 2 to keep my streak alive. Thank you, sire.

Hey, guess who's been in the minors for 10 days after Sunday? Broadway could come up if they DL Wise. He could start the suspended game.