hogan873

I'll be watching. Much as they anger me and as ready as I am to throw in the towel, I still watch the games.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Sep 15, 2010 -> 12:32 PM) You realize the Red Sox have a limitless budget and were almost 30 million more than us this year, yes? And that the "genius" GM they have signed Lackey and Cameron this past offseason. And the "genius" over at Tampa Bay had roughly 64 #1-3 draft picks. I'm not calling them bad GM's, but all this bulls*** about how there is apparently a treasure trove of genius GM's out there better than KW is getting ridiculous. You have to take other factors into account, the Rays wouldn't be anywhere without sucking ass for a decade and hitting the jackpot on a couple of the dozen #1 picks they had. KW has built some solid teams which underperformed, won more playoff games this year than most, and has a ring. Lets please not turn this into a Bears backup QB scenario. I agree. Great post. KW has made some bad decisions, but he's also made some great moves. Your points regarding Boston and Tampa are solid. Up until maybe five years ago (correct me if I'm wrong there), you could hear a cricket chirp in that dome in St. Petersburg because of the lack of fans. That team was miserable for quite a while before they started playing good baseball...in part due to their great drafts.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 15, 2010 -> 01:51 PM) Good thing you weren't here when the Sox acquired him. It was a popular move except by a few who thought he was a bum. I'll be honest and say I approved of the move. I really didn't care about his hair or the fact that he was a former 'roider. I didn't care because it was going to be for a month. Even before I saw his lackluster hitting since the acquisition I didn't want the Sox to bring him back. In hindsight I still don't abhore the move. KW tried to make a move that would improve the team, and it was a gamble. So far it's a losing gamble, and it will most likely be meaningless since the chance of making the playoffs is slim at best. But, Greg, a bum? Come on, that's really not a good picture of what he is. Self-centered jack-ass? Sure. I just picture a sloppy guy sitting in the dugout scratching his balls when I hear him described as a bum.

The time may be coming to drill him. Especially if the Sox lose tonight. And someone should tackle Mauer when he makes one of his 45 walks to the mound. Christ!

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 15, 2010 -> 08:04 AM) So I get the Royals if I go on July 4? Sigh... Well, maybe you'll see a win...

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 15, 2010 -> 08:34 AM) I'd love to see one post where someone called Clayton Richard a "terrific young talent" before he was traded. I know Hudson had a few fans, but not too many. Before they were dealt a lot of people who are their biggest fans know thought those two kids were garbage themselves. It's all about hindsight or even wishful hindsight. I personally had no problem with either trade. The money aspect of the Jackson-Hudson trade is a bit troubling, but I still think the Sox got a better pitcher. Too often after trades you hear exactly what you're talking about. It's all should have's, should not have's, and if only's. Before Richard was traded, I don't remember seeing posts praising the kid. There was more affection for Hudson, but after his first few starts with the Sox it cooled down.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 11:05 PM) I'd rather start with Minnesota and see if it's gonna be the same ol s*** for another season. Probably will be. Minnesota is a thorn in our side. And it wouldn't have been as big a deal this year if we could have played better against the Indians, KC, Baltimore, and other sucky teams we should have beat. I'm not saying playing better against bad teams would have put the Sox in first place, but maybe this series (which is all but meaningless now) wouldn't have been as nut-crushingly important.

New C, 3B, RF, and DH for sure. I don't share the same hate for Juan Pierre as some. I think he's okay as a leadoff guy, but that's just my opinion. In my mind, there are much bigger issues than Juan Pierre in LF and leading off. To get what many of us would want as far as changes, you're looking at a lot of money. I think only one big impact player can be gotten for 3B (Beltre), C (VMart), RF (Werth), or DH (enter power hitter here). I'm afraid we're going to see minor tweaking and end up with a team that doesn't look much different (or better) than this year's team.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Sep 15, 2010 -> 05:24 AM) Bottom line is that Manny can probably still hit, but it was a desperation move, you don't bring a guy who is coming off an injury and needs to realign/adjust/call it whatever his swing when there is a month left to play. Sox don't have time for that and not getting us a DH to start the season or at the deadline is on Kenny/Ozzie. You hit it on the head here. Say what you want about not having a real DH being a big part of this lackluster season or not, it was a factor. KW and Ozzie should be held accountable for this series of bad decisions.

Sigh. I really wanted Manny to produce when he got here. I was all for the move to pick him up, and I've been a big supporter of him here and at home (my wife does not like him). But I'm ready to shrug my shoulders and say oh well. He's not the hitter he used to be (not by a long shot), and he seems over-matched at the plate. I don't care about the $4 million, and bringing it up doesn't mean anything because spending the $4 million on Manny didn't prevent the Sox from acquiring someone else. But, yeah, I've accepted the fact that Manny will not be a difference maker for us.

QUOTE (sin city sox fan @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 09:13 PM) We're scoring at least 5 runs this inning! I hope

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 09:11 PM) Haha, STOP BUNTING! No, no. That's Ozzie ball.

It really is becoming that time when we start thinking about 2011.

I'm not saying the game is over, but a loss today means the best they can be come Friday is 5 back. Not looking good, kids.

This team is almost impossible to watch sometimes. Outstanding defense early is being wasted by less than stellar defense now and a lack of hitting!

Is this the game Manny finally shows some power? Or maybe he watches another HR from the on-deck circle. Either way, I'll take it.

QUOTE (11and1 @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 01:53 PM) So that me makes me lazy as well. Perhaps. But considering that I was unaware of the exisitence of much of the data you are citing, that may indeed be a bit harsh. And where in my post do I ask anyone to do anything for me? You disagree with my theory, you choose to spend your time and utilize your familiarity with databases unknown to me, more power to you. And I certainly appreciate the info. But I certainly wasn't taunting you or anybody else, just posting a theory that seemed logical to my statistically challenged mind. I'm just a Sox fan with fewer than 100 posts on the forum. I've read thousands of posts on hundreds of threads that were discussing theories not supported by what I'm sure were available stats. Neither the OP or the participants were called out for not doing so. I DID take the time to read the guidelines, where there is no mention of requiring hard facts when posting thoughts and/or theories. Is there a supplementary set of guidelines I should be aware of that contains this provision? I enjoy this site but always wonder why people here get so chippy sometimes. Seems to me Sox fans get enough grief everywhere else in this town. Can't understand why it happens here. That has always struck me as characteristic of the "other" team's fans. And I go out of my way to avoid getting in any way personal in my posts, no matter how uninformed they may be. Nevertheless, I will think twice before posting anything in the future for fear that I have not supplied an adequate bibliography. I wouldn't take it so hard. Many of us have been chastised for posting a theory or thought that was wrong. There are tons of data out there that most of us casual posters don't know about. I see anagrams for stats like WAR, OPS+, FART, etc. that I don't usually look at. But I have to say that I've learned a lot about stats by using this site. Like another poster said, stating IMO or "it seems to me" might keep the "you're wrong!" posts down.

I'd like to see some caverns. Plus, any place that has a decent amusement park is a plus. My wife isn't much into outdoors, and any place we stay has to have all the amenities.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 09:07 AM) Last weeks Peggy v. Don was the best moment in the series so far IMO. My complaint about this weeks episode was that it was too neatly wrapped up (along with the other odd stylistic things they did...the voiceover, the weird perspective when Don is drinking at work....add that to the horrible ghost scene from an episode or two ago and they're really making some odd filming choices). We went 7.75 episodes with Betty being this child about everything, hating everything about Don, and then at the very end she's finally ok with it? Just like that? I don't buy it. Don's "transformation" was a little better, but I still feel like we went through a LOT of negative before we got to the quick turnaround. At least with his storyline you could see him slowly climbing out of that hole he dug himself into, and this episode in particular was all about realizing he needs to change and grow. But Betty had none of that. She had a moment at dinner where she acted as she normally would, she was scolded by Henry, encouraged by her neighbor, and then suddenly that line that she has everything and Don has nothing flipped the switch? Meh. Also, I tend to have a strong reaction when anyone gangs up on Peggy. I grew to dislike Joan in this episode, even though I could sympathize with her position. I couldn't agree more. You're right about the Peggy v. Don episode. Betty's character always pissed me off. She had every right to be angry at Don, but she was so childish about it. And her mothering skills are not very good. I suspect we will see more of the friction between her and Don. I find it hard to believe that she turned that page so quick, like you said. Don's decline was quick and he stayed down there for quite a while. We really saw a bad side of him, and I'm glad we're seeing a turnaround. But, again I suspect he'll have some hiccups along the way. Joan's reaction to what Peggy did was not what I would have suspected. She acted like she had solved it, but you know that it would have continued after she basically told them they'll all die in Vietnam. That guy should have been fired, and I'm glad Peggy did.

I'm starting to think about a vacation plan for the family next year. I've been pondering either Gatlinburg, TN or Branson, MO. However, I'm keeping my options open. Ultimately I'd like it to be within driving distance (8 hours or less). Anybody with families with young kids (9, 8, and 6) have any suggestions?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 09:03 AM) There have been recent rumors that Aramis is thinking about declining the option and become a free agent. With the season he is having, he would be a complete moron to do that. He would better off exercising it and hoping for a Beltre-like resurgence in 2011. Yeah, if he became a free agent, he's not going to get more than that per year. Maybe he wants a multi-year deal, but he won't touch $14 million per. If he did become a free agent, think the Sox would have any interest?

QUOTE (knightni @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 08:41 AM) Well, I like Direct TV mostly because I will be able to watch Comcast Chicago at my home as opposed to only Fox Sports Detroit with Comcast. I just noticed your location. I see your dilemna. I know AT&T has a sports package that gives you access to a bunch of sports channels from other markets, but I don't know about Comcast Chicago.

QUOTE (knightni @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 07:23 AM) I'll probably be living on On Demand for my TV. I'm on the fence about whether I should leave Comcast for DirectTV, though. Any opinions/suggestions? I just left Comcast for AT&T U-Verse. Huge upgrade in my opinion. Tape four shows at once (you can tape three and still watch another on on TV). Their On-Demand library is not as expansive as Comcast's, but it's growing.

It starts tonight!

QUOTE (knightni @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 07:04 AM) I wonder if St Louis would pick up that Pujols guy's option... I haven't heard much about this guy, but apparently he hits a few homeruns. At $16 million, the Cards would be silly not to exercise the option. I would think it's a no-brainer.