hammerhead johnson

Happy Birthday, man.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ May 18, 2006 -> 11:04 PM) Haha, but I think we all get what I meant. Yep, those who misunderstood what you were saying are few and far between. I'm just trying to pad my post count.

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ May 18, 2006 -> 06:49 PM) Todd Jones has s***ty numbers (3.65 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, .313 BAA), but he has converted 11 of his 12 save opportunities. And his numbers just got worse after today's game. 1 run allowed on 3 hits. There is something to be said for a guy who has been successful in 12 out 13 save opportunities, but Todd kinda sucks. I don't know how he's doing it.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ May 18, 2006 -> 07:14 PM) There's absolutely nothing wrong with heckling the opposing team with appropriate (and that's the key word) chants, as long as there are chants in favor of your own team, too. Appropriate heckling chants? How oxymoronic of you.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ May 18, 2006 -> 06:34 PM) A couple of notes on the Tigers "vaunted" pitching staff. I can't really argue against Bonderman or Verlander. Both are quite talented and have the potential to do well. However, it's far from a given that they keep pitching well. Bonderman has yet to post a sub-4.50 ERA in his three full major league seasons. This might be a Jon Garland-like breakout year, or it might be more of the same. Verlander is a rookie, so who knows exactly what he'll give you from here on out. Maybe he keeps dominating, maybe he has a few more rough outings like the one against the Sox. It's a crap shoot. The outlook for the rest of the staff isn't as rosy. Mike Maroth is getting really lucky right now. His WHIP is at 1.40 and his strikeout rate is only at 3.70. That suggests that he should have a much higher ERA than he currently does. An awful lot of balls are being put in play and a lot of men are getting on base against him without much damage being done. That won't last forever. Combine that with his 4.69 career ERA in 4 seasons in the majors and things don't look so good. Nate Robinson is similar. Despite a WHIP of 1.34, he has a respectable ERA. He strikes out guys a little more frequently, but he's not exactly Randy Johnson. He's another guy with a high career ERA (4.77) that so far has allowed fewer runs that one would expect. Kenny Rogers is a notorius quick starter who starts to fade around the All-star break. Over the last 3 years he has a 3.87 ERA before the break and a 4.80 ERA after it. Evidence suggests that he's doing the same thing this year. There's no way he finishes with a 3.23 ERA. The comparisons to the 2005 staff are out of line. The Tigers' staff has a very spotty major league resume, outside of a few decent years from Kenny Rogers. They don't have anywhere near as much experience or as successful a past as the Sox staff last year. Garland had the least experience on the Sox staff, and he still had more than every starter on the Tigers except Rogers. One could argue that Contreras had little major league experience, but he also was pitching in the Cuban professional leagues while the kids on the Tigers were still in grammar school. Plus, the Sox starters had a much greater history of success. Buerhle was already an established pitcher with three 15-win seasons under his belt in his 4 and a half in the majors. Freddy Garcia also had 3 15-win seasons under his belt, and might have had another in 2004 if he had been on the Sox the whole year. Orlando Hernandez was a fairly solid starter for the Yankees who had a dominant history in the playoffs. Only Rogers has any history of success, and that's balanced by years of mediocrity. Detroit has a decent team, but by no means is this team a threat to win 95 games or more like the White Sox are. There pitching has been good so far, but there is no way it is as strong as ours. They still have to play a lot of games against us. If they can hold their own, maybe I'll reconsider. But right now, they're probably going to max out at about 90 wins, and my guess is 88. That shouldn't be enough to be a major threat to the Sox unless some things go wrong. Right on. And like I said before, their bullpen has impressed me moreso than their raw starting staff (w/ the exception of Rogers). Fernando Rodney (1.59 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, .136 BAA) Joel Zumaya (2.45 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, .180 AVG) Jamie Walker (1.04 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, .212 BAA) Bobby Seay (3.38 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, .120 BAA) Jordan Tata (3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .180 BAA) Those BAA numbers are sick. You are looking at their team strength. I'm not saying that Seay and Tata are going to keep this up, but they've been pretty damn effective thus far. Todd Jones has s***ty numbers (3.65 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, .313 BAA), but he has converted 11 of his 12 save opportunities.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ May 18, 2006 -> 05:18 PM) But Uribe and Anderson struggling like they are right now, that's a little more frustrating. We're talking about 100+ at bats, instead of the 50 or so for the other guys that really slowed them down. Those guys just ain't cut out to be effective hitters at the major league level. I mean, Anderson might be able to hit for a decent average one of these years, but he doesn't have much upside. But I will take their prolific defense at arguably the two most important positions on the field outside of catcher. We can't even begin to imagine how many runs these guys can/will save over the course of an entire season. So yeah, back to the point: I'm not looking for a scapegoat (Greg Walker). I might reside on the NW side, but that doesn't mean that I should start thinking like a Cubs fan. And I'm not referring to you, Balta. I actually had Rock Raines in mind, the pathological liar & spam artist. I'm just kidding, Rock.

There was testicle-sized hail over here on the NW side. I even saved a few pieces so that I could show them to my wife. You know, so that she can see what real testicles look like.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ May 18, 2006 -> 03:13 AM) The beanball is a valuable, time-honored baseball tool. People have been beaning forever, and it's a part of the game -- an important part of the game, too, for pitchers to establish dominance and rivalries to ferment. This isn't little league. If you want to say it's "Bush league" to root for beanballs, by all means do so. A beanball is defined as a ball that hits one in the head. Bean = Your head Don't root for beanballs, dude.

QUOTE(Chisoxrd5 @ May 17, 2006 -> 07:47 PM) Now I know why ESPN airs Bonds stuff 12 hours a day, because you people are obsessed with talking about this clown. And now you're talking about him too.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ May 17, 2006 -> 07:30 PM) but some of you guys are right, if he did this to someone on the sox (like Thome) we would be pissed. Sure, but Thome is a class act, and opposing teams appreciate that. He doesn't just stand there and admire his HRs, he doesn't talk s***, he doesn't yap to the papers about opposing teams, etc. You could say the same for just about every other position player on the Sox. Class should be the first word that comes to mind when trying to describe our current unit. Really, AJ is the only guy who pretty much asks to get plunked, although people haven't really been going after him in the games that I've seen. I'd actually like to see some HBP numbers over the past 5 years. Does anyone know of a site where I can find this information?

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ May 17, 2006 -> 07:13 PM) Bonds has cheated less than many players that have been on the Sox. That you can take to the bank. Are you referring to Augustus Montero or whatever the f*** his name is? His atrocious personality is what bothers me the most. You have to admit that the guy is just a complete piece of s***. That said, I don't root for him to get hit in the head.

QUOTE(WCSox @ May 17, 2006 -> 03:46 PM) I hope that Springer gets suspended. I dislike Bonds as much as the next person, but that's no reason to throw at him. It's pure comedy as far as I'm concerned. I'd pay top dollar for a highlight reel of Bonds getting plunked. Scumbags should be made to suffer, and Russ Springer is now a personal hero of mine. QUOTE(fathom @ May 17, 2006 -> 04:01 PM) f*** that....that was total horses*** by Springer. If you're going to throw at someone, throw at their back. He threw three straight pitches well up and inside that could have hit Bonds in the head. Of course, I'd expect nothing less from a team coached by a douchebag like Phil Garner. Come on fathom, you know that you were laughing out loud when you saw the pitch sequence.

QUOTE(Texsox @ May 17, 2006 -> 03:56 PM) Best? Possibly. Most competitive and entertaining? Yes. What other division has 4 teams that could finish with 85+ wins a piece? IMO, no other division in the MLB with the exception of the AL East even comes close. The AL West is nowhere near as strong as I figured it would be. And forget about the National League. Any one of those 4 AL Central teams could contend for the division title in the NL West or the NL East. The Mets and the Phillies just don't have the starting pitching to win 88+. Glavine could continue to allow a .196 BAA and Cole Hamels could turn out to be the second coming of Sandy Koufax, but it still wouldn't matter.

When Brad Radke, Jesse Crain, etc finally get their s*** together, the Twins are gonna be tough customers. Obviously, pitching rules all, and the Tigers have quietly assembled a pretty good overall staff. I'm actually more impressed by their bullpen than I am by their raw starting rotation (w/ the exception of Rogers). And when summer hits, that Cleveland lineup is going to start making pitchers look terrible. They are still the second most dangerous team in the AL Central. I don't care what their record looks like. This is easily the best division in baseball.

Position Players: 80s: Carlton Fisk 90s: Frank Thomas 00s: Tadahito Iguchi Pitchers: 80s: Ed Farmer 90s: Jack McDowell 00s: Mark Buehrle/Keith Foulke And you know that I can make you dance dance dance

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ May 16, 2006 -> 08:47 PM) (also a factor in the BAA for Webb, Oswalt, and Buehrle...look at their home parks). Right, but again, Jose Contreras, Jeff Francis, Bronson Arroyo, and a few others on the Top 20 BAA list pitch in conditions that are just as bad. Looking at the home parks of Buehrle, Webb, and Oswalt doesn't really explain as much as people would lead you to believe. And by the way... Buehrle Splits: Home: .208 BAA Road: .345 BAA

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ May 16, 2006 -> 07:37 PM) I know you're a WHIP guy, but just to play devil's advocate, here are the ERA leaders... 1) Jose Contreras- 1.41 2) John Thompson- 1.87 3) Chris Carpenter- 1.98 4) Bronson Arroyo- 2.03 5) Mike Maroth- 2.18 6) Tom Glavine- 2.19 7) Mike Mussina- 2.56 8) Brad Penny- 2.66 9) Brett Myers- 2.73 10) Roy Halladay- 2.74 11) Brandon Webb- 2.78 12) Chris Capuano- 2.83 13) Brett Tomko- 2.88 14) Scott Kazmir- 2.94 15) Derek Lowe- 2.98 16) Wandy Rodriguez- 3.02 17) Tony Armas- 3.02 18) Greg Maddux- 3.10 19) Pedro Martinez- 3.19 20) Jason Schmidt- 3.20 Zoom, you are an inspiration to us all. Top 20 In BAA 1. Pedro Martinez .164 2. Jose Contreras .179 3. Tom Glavine .196 4. Jason Schmidt .199 5. Sean Marshall .209 6. Barry Zito .210 7. Chris Young .211 8. Jeff Francis .212 9. Bronson Arroyo .214 10. Chris Capuano .214 11. Josh Beckett .214 12. Jeremy Bonderman .215 13. John Lackey .215 14. Chad Hensley .218 15. Derek Lowe .219 16. Mike Mussina .222 17. Scott Elarton .222 18. Tony Armas .225 19. Cris Carpenter .226 20. Jake Peavy .230 Tom Glavine There are some interesting names on this list. Marshall, Hensley, Elarton, etc. We all know that Jeff Francis has immense talent. He just pitches in the wrong stadium. Likewise for Chris Young when he was on the Texas Rangers (albeit with nowhere near the talent level of Francis). Jose Contreras has the AL Triple Crown, which is just insane. Pedro is #1 in two of the three, but as you pointed out, his ERA is barely good enough for the Top 20, mostly due to the fact that he has allowed 8 HR already. Here are a few that surprise me: Brandon Webb: .280 BAA Roy Oswalt: .276 BAA Mark Buehrle: .282 BAA

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ May 16, 2006 -> 07:34 PM) 3. Dodgers Stadium tends to help out pitchers . Derek Lowe splits: Home: (4.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, .252 BAA) Road: (1.80 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, .180 BAA) But yeah, Tomko has been a monster at home (1.44 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, .191 BAA) But pitching in a friendly environment doesn't explain everything. If it did, Odalis Perez and Jae Seo would be putting up nice stats as well, correct?

QUOTE(whitem0nkey @ May 16, 2006 -> 07:04 PM) Is there a place I can go to see today’s lineup for all the teams. I just get real frustrated when I start a player cause i see his team is playing that day, but its his day off and I could have slotted some one else. You think that coaches announce lineups a few hours in advance? For what? So that we can adjust our fantasy rosters?

Minimum: 40 IP 1. Pedro Martinez 0.86 WHIP 2. Jose Contreras 0.87 WHIP 3. Mike Mussina 1.01 WHIP 4. Roy Halladay 1.01 WHIP 5. Bronson Arroyo 1.01 WHIP 6. Tom Glavine 1.03 WHIP 7. Jeremy Bonderman 1.03 WHIP 8. Javier Vazquez 1.04 WHIP 9. Chris Capuano 1.04 WHIP 10. Jason Schmidt 1.05 WHIP 11. Jarrod Washburn 1.06 WHIP 12. Curt Schilling 1.08 WHIP 13. John Lackey 1.09 WHIP 14. David Bush 1.09 WHIP 15. Josh Beckett 1.10 WHIP 16. Greg Maddux 1.11 WHIP 17. John Smoltz 1.11 WHIP 18. Brett Tomko 1.12 WHIP 19. Tony Armas 1.12 WHIP 20. Jake Peavy 1.13 WHIP 20. Kenny Rogers 1.13 WHIP 20. Derek Lowe 1.13 WHIP Nice bounceback year for Mike Mussina. The HOF three-man from the 90s Braves are all here. Nobody has surprised me more than Tom Glavine, given his numbers over the past few seasons. Brad Penny, LA's best starter, fell from 0.97 to 1.23, and now two of his teammates are in the Top 20: Brett Tomko and Derek Lowe. I don't know how they're doing it. And again, nobody confuses me more than Bronson Arroyo. That guy gets s***ted on constantly, and meanwhile, there he is with the 3rd best WHIP ratio while pitching at arguably the most favorable park for hitters in the MLB. Mark Buehrle fell from 0.89 to 1.33. He went from #3 in the league to barely being able to crack the Top 50. Chris Capuano walked 91 batters in 219 IP last year (4BB/9IP), and so far in 2006, he has walked 13 batters in 54 IP (2BB/9IP). If he can continue to keep the walks down, then he should be good to go for the long term. He had a 1.50 WHIP on the season against right-handed hitters in 2005. Thus far, he's sporting a 1.12 WHIP against RH, which is a dramatic improvement. Again, it all has to do with walks, which are the biggest killer in baseball IMO and the reason he sucked so hard in 4 our of 6 months last season. If Tony Armas can stay healthy, you're looking at a stud. 4 straight road victories in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Cincinatti, and Atlanta? That is beautiful. And Jarrod Washburn will continue to go unclaimed in fantasy leagues. Nobody trusts that dude.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 15, 2006 -> 08:00 PM) No way...who woulda thought there would be innapropriate posts with this crowd. Come on, my inappropriate posts are few and far between.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ May 15, 2006 -> 07:48 PM) Also just to preface everything I posted (even though it's after the fact) I am probably one of the biggest pedro fans you'll find, grew up watching him dominate every great hitter of the 90's and fell in love with the way he played the game. Likewise.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ May 15, 2006 -> 07:39 PM) I constantly hear people mentioning him in the same light as Randy Johnson and other old s***ty pitchers, a lot of people think he's mediocre simply because they don't bother to watch him pitch or even check his numbers, I mean a WHIP in the .80's isn't all that good is it? is it? Yeah, and I think that his .164 BAA is tops in the majors too. In my best Donnie Brasco voice: Forget about it