hogan873

The drinking age should be lowered to 19. DUI laws should be stricter. Child molesters should be jailed immediately in a general population prison (people who harm children are very unpopular in prison). There is a such thing as reverse discrimination. It happens a lot. Ghosts exist but only interact with those that believe. Marijuana should be legalized. Evolution is a much better answer than creationism.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 10:44 AM) I've been against trading Jenks for the past couple of seasons, but am beginning to open up to the idea of putting him on the block this off-season (and not just because he's pitched poorly this month). He's getting expensive and, frankly, he isn't an elite closer. He's definitely a very good closer, but not an irreplaceable Rivera- or Nathan-type talent. If the Sox are going into a retooling movement next year (heck, they've already started this year), getting some high-tier prospects and shedding payroll may very well pay off down the road. And it pains me to say this, because I have nothing but respect for the guy. Doing what he did as a rookie in the 2005 playoffs takes some serious stones, and I'll forever be indebted to him for that. But dealing him at some point in the not-too-distant future is probably what's best for the team. I agree. He'll forever be that guy who struck out Bagwell with three 99-100 mph fastballs and who closed the deal on one of the most exciting (and stressful) deciding WS games. You can't help but the like the guy. But it may be time to trade him. Question is, who becomes our next closer? I'm not too familiar with the minors, and I assume that's where he would come from.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 10:23 AM) Coop changed Jenks' mechanics after 2005 to put less stress on his surgically-repaired elbow and to allow him to throw those secondary pitches effectively. Jenks throwing 94-96 and being able to locate the hook is a lot more effective than Jenks throwing nothing but fastballs at 98-100. And Jenks able to throw the mid-90s four-seamer, hook, slider, and that change with late movement would be unhittable if he had command of all four. Thanks for the info. I assumed that Coop had something to do with it. I've seen Bobby very effective with his slider (the last K on Monday night), and his fastball has shown some great movement. I hope that he can get command of his stuff. If he does and becomes lights-out, he could bring the Sox a good return in a trade...which I assume will happen.

I don't think we can compare the Bobby Jenks of 2005 with the Bobby Jenks of 2009 (aside from the chin hairs). However, I see him throwing more secondary pitches now than before. He used to be money with the heat and then the nasty hook. I wonder if his use of more secondary pitches has hurt him. I suppose the days of 98-100 mph fastballs are over, and maybe that's why he needs the slider and change. Watching him, though, I just don't think he has the confidence in his stuff he used to.

I always like hearing about the guy who quietly amasses a great career. It's doubly nice knowing that guy is a member of our team. Truly a class act and a great pitcher.

Maybe it was because I've seen Bobby struggle through each of his past few outings, but deep down I knew the game would be blown as soon as I saw him starting the ninth. I had a bad feeling about it. Richard pitched a truly great game, and I think he could have pitched the ninth. I understand pitch counts and whatnot, but I surprised he pitched the eighth. I figured why not let him throw another 10-15 pitches and get a CG. Oh well. On a side note, maybe they should send Richard out for every start after telling him that there is a plane gassed up at Midway ready to take him to Charlotte if he doesn't pitch well. He obviously pitches better when under that type of pressure.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 01:03 PM) What would it take to aqcuire this Cody Johnson? A reliever perhaps? Maybe Atlanta is interested in Linebrink? And if Baltamore is interested in Fields, seriously they could have the guy. Just give us a Single-A prospect and were good. Fields looked utterly lost at the plate last night. Even Hawk was making some comments about how the guy never hits. Good choice for a DH.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 12:08 AM) I'm don't know what's more surprising: Papelbon's high WHIP this season or Rivera putting up Nathan-like numbers at age 40. I love me some Jenks, but I still have a difficult time putting him in the same tier as those three. I'm just surprised that there's a guy named George Sherrill pitching.

Cubs and Yankees. Cubs because of the "fans" and the very biased media coverage in Chicago. Yankees because they are the Yankees. Huge payroll, they always try to build a superteam (I love when it backfires, though), and of course the unnecessary media lovefest. I don't really hate any of our division rivals. I suppose I dislike the Twins the most, but mainly because of the Metrodome.

From Wikipedia: Morgellons (also called Morgellons disease or Morgellons syndrome) is a name given in 2002 by Mary Leitao[1] to a proposed condition characterized by a range of cutaneous (skin) symptoms including crawling, biting, and stinging sensations; finding fibers on or under the skin; and persistent skin lesions (e.g., rashes or sores). Current scientific consensus holds that Morgellons is not a new disorder and is instead a new and misleading name for known illnesses. Most doctors,[2] including dermatologists[3] and psychiatrists,[4] regard Morgellons as a manifestation of known medical conditions, including delusional parasitosis,[5][6][7] although some health professionals believe that Morgellons disease is a specific condition likely to be confirmed by future research.[8] Despite the lack of evidence that Morgellons is a novel or distinct condition and the absence of any agreed set of diagnostic symptoms,[9] the Morgellons Research Foundation and self-diagnosed Morgellons patients have successfully lobbied members of Congress and the U.S. government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate the proposed condition.[2] The CDC states that while it is not known at present whether the condition represents a new disease entity, or whether persons who identify themselves as having Morgellons have a common cause for their symptoms, share common risk factors, or are contagious, it has begun an epidemiological investigation of the "Unexplained Dermopathy (aka 'Morgellons')."[10]

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jul 15, 2009 -> 10:09 AM) I believe Morgellans disease There is still some debate about the disease as some think it's not real. From what I read, it sounds like he was actually having pain when with the Sox. I'm not one to say whether or not he was actually suffering from a disease, but he certainly was not himself from that point on.

I'm not a big fan of how the All Stars are selected. I agree that the fans should have some say, but there were guys playing last night that were batting .270. Why didn't Dye and Konerko make the team? Well, I know why...I guess it's a rhetorical question.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 04:47 PM) The Sox aren't getting Halladay, and they'll never trade Beckham in the next decade. I agree that the Sox are not realistically in the sweepstakes to acquire Halladay. KW will not trade away Beckham, and I don't see him trading Alexei either. If KW were to get Halladay without giving up Beckham, Alexei, Poreda, or the other few "untouchables", he'd be a thief.

QUOTE (kev211 @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 04:36 PM) I wouldn't do floyd straight up for halladay. Me neither. We really wouldn't gain anything.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 04:31 PM) IF initial talks included Floyd, Beckham and Alexei then this deal was dead before it even got off the ground. I agree. Sox would be nuts to even consider it.

I'm not sure dealing one of our best pitchers (along with others) for Halladay would be worth it. I would think any deal the Sox come up with would be more prospect heavy, although I know the Jays would be looking for someone MLB ready.

Yes, the moments have been few, and it seems that everyone remembers the same ones...they are great indeed. But what about when MacDougal was DFA'd?

QUOTE (GO CHI SOX! @ Jul 14, 2009 -> 03:32 PM) Dye and Konerko going back-to-back to both hit their 300th home run should be #1. That will probably never happen again in the history of baseball. I was ticked off last night during the pregame of the Derby when they showed highlights for the first half of the season, espn had absolutely no mention of this but mentioned Giambi's 400 HR and Dunn's 300 HR. Beckham's first hit on June 9th is high on my list because that is my birthday. The Low moment of the season has to be that 19-1 beatdown the day Jake Peavy rejected the trade to come here. What a terrible day. Konerko could hit three grand slams, Dye could hit for the cycle twice, and Buehrle could pitch a perfect game and ESPN would still talk about the Yankees, BoSox, Mets, or tennis first.

QUOTE (BigEdWalsh @ Jul 13, 2009 -> 10:44 AM) You mean like signing Sandy Alomar Jr. for a backup catcher role? And his brother as a back-up 2nd baseman. Then Billy Koch as a back-up temper tantrum thrower.

QUOTE (Tex @ Jul 12, 2009 -> 05:34 PM) You can send all the backstrap to me . . . I am off the lease I had been hunting on and looking for another that will not be too expensive. Y'all up north do not know how lucky you are. Instead of helping farmers by controlling the herd, down here the deer are more valuable than the crops. So we actually buy feed corn to fatten them up before harvesting and pay several thousand to get on a decent lease. I was just going to post about the backstrap being the best. Otherwise, I like venison sausage. I had some with cheddar and jalapeno. I could have eaten it until I made myself sick.

Sometimes realtors will let you out of a contract. One of the biggest concerns they have is that you will terminate the contract and then turn around and sell it on your own. Of course then there's the issue of a lawsuit. With the housing market being the way it is right now, I would imagine most realtors are not too keen on letting people out of their contracts.

I only have about 120 friends on Facebook and most are family, old friends from high school, etc. But I see some really silly status updates. One of the worst offenders is a guy who makes remarks about how much he "hates" his wife. She's not on Facebook, but a lot of her friends are. I think she knows, dumbass.

It's going to be a tough second half...I think the schedule is a bit harder overall. If the Sox continue to play like they have been (taking away Danks' walk-a-thon and Buehrle's uncharacteristic bad start) I think they will be okay and a have a decent chance at the division. I don't see any big moves being made by KW. I think we'll see one or two that are not exciting but will elicit some head scratching. Some sure fire predictions: Bobby Jenks will sweat, Clayton Richard will give up a home run, Beckham will not move from 3rd base, Konerko and Dye will continue to have solid seasons, Hawk will say hell yes a lot (hopefully), and Colon will continue to stress the seams of his uniform pants.

I've never been to the Metrodome, or any dome for a baseball game for that matter, but I hate watching games on TV broadcast from there. It just seems dreary. I suppose my dislike is fueled by the fact that the Sox cannot play well there. I look forward to seeing the new park next year.

QUOTE (BlackBetsy @ Jul 12, 2009 -> 08:40 AM) It was a double off the baggie. That game is almost seared into my memory at this point. The Sox had just gotten to .500 after a set at Baltimore (I went to the Sunday game, Baldwin was "effectively wild" in that game). Foulke blew that 4 run lead in the ninth (I was already counting it as a victory) and the season went downhill from there. I also remember that game vividly. I can still hear Hawk, in a painful monotone, describing the long drive bouncing off the baggie and the winning run scoring.