[7/9 Game Thread Sox vs. Cleveland 1:05pm CDT CSN]

He threw two yesterday so no. If we are losing it will be Pena if we are winning or tied it will be Jenks.

 

Well, hopefully we'll be winning. But if Pena makes his debut...I'm a little frightened.

[7/9 Game Thread Sox vs. Cleveland 1:05pm CDT CSN]

I like this kids hustle. I think folks forgot this fellow is a rookie and may get some ROY vites. He has done well in the field and has speed.

 

Getz has really impressed me as of late. His defense has been solid all year, but his offense has really kicked in.

[7/9 Game Thread Sox vs. Cleveland 1:05pm CDT CSN]

If we're still down or tied in the ninth, who pitches? Do we trust Linebrink?

[7/9 Game Thread Sox vs. Cleveland 1:05pm CDT CSN]

Two more innings vs. Indians pen. Our pen needs to hold. Two more runs with the heart of the order due up? Here's to hoping.

[7/9 Game Thread Sox vs. Cleveland 1:05pm CDT CSN]

Ugh

[7/9 Game Thread Sox vs. Cleveland 1:05pm CDT CSN]

And remember how some roundly criticized the signing of this giant among men

 

In the long run, who cares? It turned out to be a fantastic signing. I don't think anyone expected this.

[7/9 Game Thread Sox vs. Cleveland 1:05pm CDT CSN]

Unfortunately I can't watch the game...just following it on Yahoo. Sounds like the ump sucks?

[Great Buehrle Article]

What an awesome article. I get the feeling he's being 100% honest about everything. I talked to Mark very briefly (how are ya? having a great year) about 6 years ago when he was signing balls, tickets, hats, etc. before a game. He just seems like a genuinely great guy. After reading the article I see him as a great pitcher and an even better family man.

 

Selfishly I think we'd all like to see him pitch quite a few more years and strive for that 300th win, which I think he can get. But, I wouldn't blame him one bit if he did retire.

 

The comparison to other great pitchers was a surprise to me. I didn't know he was that far ahead of the curve. Maybe it's the fact that he's not flashy (personality-wise or as a pitcher) that he's not thought of in the same vein as Johnson, Glavine, etc.

 

A good example of how much of a gentleman of the game he is was when he tipped his hat to Ichiro after Ichiro got his third hit off Mark in a game a few years ago. I remember him throwing a 50 mph curveball trying to fool Ichiro. When he didn't bite, MB just smiled and kept on pitching. Could you ever see Zambrano acting like that?

[A Paul Konerko Love Thread]

I mentioned a while back that I thought Paulie had somewhat re-invented himself as a hitter. I saw (and I guess still see) him as a great contact hitter with decent power vs. strictly a power hitter. Obviously when a player cranks out three homers, including a grand slam, it's hard to say he's not a power hitter. But Paulie has been nothing short of awesome this year. Batting around .300 and getting key RBIs. He's a workhorse that deserves to be an All Star. Hell, he's our All Star for sure.

[In their last 5 starts]

Encouraging for sure. Obviously Danks hasn't gotten great run support.

[What the Sox need]

Dye is one of the very worst fielders annually in all of baseball. Dye is simply disgusting to watch out there. Dye's throwing arm just so happens to be one of the worst in the majors also. Quentin has long proven to be a better right fielder than left fielder, he is actually a plus defender out in right. While quentin in left is no where near as good as he is in right, he is several times better out there than dye on his best day. All the numbers and visuals suggests that much.

 

Granted Dye is not a great RFer, and is probably below par, but I don't think he's horrible. Certainly lacks some speed, but he still makes some good plays.

[Pirates make 2 moves]

I thought I remember there being some traffic on this site about wanting the Sox to acquire Milledge. Seems like a good trade for the Bucs.

[Will we make the playoffs?]

I voted yes by winning the division. I suppose it's an optimistic yes. I don't see the Wild Card coming out of the AL Central.

[Why this team COULD NOT and now WILL make playoffs]

I'm not going to make a prediction and say that the Sox will go to the playoffs. They may, especially if they continue to play like they have of late. This team, however, is very exciting to watch right now. And that is what makes me happy. We've got some young talent (and some not so young, Pods I'm looking at you) that are playing very well. The pitching is good, runners are getting on base, and bases are being stolen. Sure the homers are still there, and no one is going to complain about that, but we are starting to see more manufactured runs.

 

Playoff bound? Not sure yet. Team worth watching? Absolutely.

[It's Hard Not to Be Optimistic]

KC has always been a spoiler, and they seem to always play the Sox hard. It would be nice to take care of them this week and then roll into the series against Detroit and do some damage. If the Sox play well and a few other things go our way, the Sox could be in first place by the All Star Break. I'd settle for 1 or 2 games out, though.

[White Sox Winner]

I can only speak for myself. But unless you're the Yankees and have an unlimited amount of paper to spend, the best way to consistently contend is to have a healthy/productive farm system. I love KW. He's evolved a great deal as a GM. But I'm 100% sure he'd be the first one to admit that two playoff appearances in eight years, even one that ended with a title, is simply not enough. I'm not content with making the playoffs every 3-5 years. I know you can't win it all every year. But you can, as teams like the Red Sox, Angels, Twins and A's have shown, put yourself in a position to win it all every year. It's amazing to me that this franchise hasn't had back-to-back playoff appearances in like 90 years (although we probably accomplish that feat in '94). I know it's 2009 and this is the only year we should really be focusing on. And I don't recall anybody saying trade Dye, Konerko, Pods or any of our key players if we're in striking distance of Detroit. But if we're not in it, it'd be silly and downright irresponsible not to see what you could get for those guys. This team as currently constructed is not built to win for a number of years (like the Red Sox and Dodgers are). It's either now or never with this current group.

 

Excellent. I suppose I was even thinking about how often the Sox make the playoffs. It is quite depressing when you think that they haven't been to the playoffs in back to back years in such a long time. We think about the WS in 2005 and the exciting way we got to the playoffs last year, and we smile. But then we think about 2007, and we weep like small children.

[Dye named AL Co-Player of the Week]

Where does he rank in Sox history with regards to the best outfielder, would you say? Top 3?

 

I'm sure I'm not an authority to answer this being a late comer to Sox fandom (1998). But, from what I know, yes top 3. Easily the best since I've been following the Sox. He seems to get better with age.

[It's Hard Not to Be Optimistic]

Glass is half empty or half full, depending on your optimistic or pessimistic viewpoints...mixed in with realistic/pragmatic ones.

 

1) Beckham is playing out of position, and he probably profiles the best offensively at 2B

2) We pretty much have to play Anderson/Wise and Fields/Getz/Nix in every line-up3) Quentin might never be healthy again this season...

4) How long can we expect Contreras and Richard to keep pitching as well as they have?

5) Poreda has shown some flashes, but the bullpen has looked more and more vulnerable recently, especially Liney/Dotel/Thornton

6) Pods looked like he was done three years ago, pretty much. How long can his rebirth possibly last, or for him to be injury-free?

7) Ramirez seems a lot like Soriano Lite...he can play you out of and back into games quite easily, but very inconsistent...still, a 700-750 OPS at SS is nothing to be laughed at (see O Cabrera's 2009 stats at what could easily have been a $10 million additional contract and a blocking of either Getz/Beckham from playing time, yes Dick Allen, I remember your ubiquitous comments about them offering him ARB)

 

I agree. I suppose we can be optimistic, but cautiously optimistic. And if KW makes a move or two, will the issue of having to play Wise/Anderson be solved?

[It's Hard Not to Be Optimistic]

I realize that the Sox played the lowly Indians last night, and Thornton and Dotel looked a little shaky, but yesterday's win coupled with taking 4 of 6 at home (including winning the series against the 1st place Dodgers) has got me a bit excited. Yes there were some homers, but there has also been situational hitting, sacrifices, speed, and a steal of home.

 

I'm holding back from comparing this team to the Sox of 2005, but the energy level has increased as of late. I do think a big part of that is Pods and his amazingly solid play. Chris Getz has started to play very well and has gotten his average up quite a bit. Plus, he pissed off Zambrano, and that makes me smile. Beckham is playing like we thought (and hoped) he would. Alexi is hitting well...he just needs to get his defense under control. Konerko has been solid all year and has seemingly re-invented himself, becoming an awesome contact hitter with decent power instead of concentrating on power.

 

With an addition here and there, I think this team easily contends in the AL Central. Beyond that may be a different story, but that's not something to worry about yet.

[19 games left til the ASB]

I think that psychologically it's important to be at .500 at the break. Within 3 games of 1st would be nice also.

 

Being at .500 would be very important. Not just because it gives them a better chance, but exactly what you said...it's psychological.

[19 games left til the ASB]

I would be happy with 42 wins at the break. I think this division can be won with 85-77. Sox have to go 43-26 from here on out to get that. Doable.

 

I agree that it's doable, but this coming week will be huge. Taking 4 of 6 from the Dodgers and Cubs would be a great start. The Cubs series concerns me, not because I think the Cubs are a better team (they are not), but because it's a rivalry and these games take on a life of their own.

[Official Buyer or Seller Thread]

I don't see Lilli, Wise or Fields as part of next year's picture at all. They'll all be gone - replaced by youngsters, or through trades between now and April '10.

 

I agree...at least I hope. I could see Wise still here because of Ozzie's love for the guy, but Fields pretty much has to be gone, and Lillibridge is not MLB ready.

[A few Sox-Cubs nuggets]

I thought I remember some talk last year (or maybe the year before) about not having the usual 6 intra-city games and only having one series. What if the Sox and Cubs only played when the AL Central and NL Central played? Probably not frequent enough, but those games would be amped.

[Should I buy a beer at Wrigley?]

Lots of effort...big dud.

 

And anyone who goes to Wrigley is a loser...stay on your side of town. F Wrigley Field.

 

It actually wasn't much effort. I amused myself anyway.

 

Oh to hell with it. I can't take the rejection. I quit! *sobs uncontrollably*

[Should I buy a beer at Wrigley?]

**Breaking News Out of Chincoteague, Virginia**

 

Chicago Cubs sign rights to Little Leaguer Sammy "Ham Sandwich" Trotter

 

Chincoteague - Grover Trotter is a proud papa these days. His 8-year old son Sammy was signed by the Chicago Cubs yesterday after scouts in the area saw the youngster bat. The club secured the rights to young Sammy for $150 and a Ron Santo signed baseball.

 

"I told them scouts that my boy is MLD ready," Mr. Trotter said. It was later explained to him that the acronym is MLB, not MLD.

 

Scouts for the Cubs were apparently in the area to watch a minor league game but stopped for directions at the Trotter trailer. When Mr. Trotter learned that his visitors were scouts for a "big baseball club", he immediately had his son grab a bat.

 

"I told Hammy to grab his bat and show these fellas what hitting's all about," Mr. Trotter belched, crushing an empty Pabst can.

 

Sammy Trotter then proceeded to swing the bat at a series of pitches from his dad. He made contact regularly, and the scouts reported that the youngster had a good technique.

 

"My boy always gets hits in his games," Mr. Trotter beamed. "The ball even makes it close to the fence sometimes."

 

Cubs GM Jim Hendry spoke of the signing and was optimistic of the kid making the club eventually. He stated that the club was looking towards the future as well as the present, and signings like this can make or break an organization. The GM went on to say that the signing was only possible because of beer and hot dog sales at the most recent Cubs-Sox series. "Hey, we may not like the Sox and their fans, but we'll take their money so we can better our club."