SouthSide2004

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2005 @ Sep 18, 2005 -> 06:57 AM) I can't even walk outside without a Cubs fan pointing and laughing at me. I would bring up 2003, but this is so much worse. You think you have it bad, I live in a house with two Cubs fans and a Indians fan. But who cares what all these other people say. We still have the best record in the American League. Let's not get premature here and start comparing this to the 2003 Cubs. We have six games against the Indians left, we still control our own destiny. If people here want to start believing we are going to blow this lead in the remaining 15 games, then fine, but please keep it to yourself. There is absolutely, positively no good in preaching that we are going to choke.

I'm not trying to be an asshole, but can we get rid of these 'choke' pictures as avatars. I just don't see the point of them. A lack of faith among our own fans is the last thing we need.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Sep 17, 2005 -> 04:13 PM) Don't get shelled early, and don't give up the big inning. Too late. If there is any blessing, maybe this means McCarthy will get a chance to take El Duque's spot in the rotation. That alone could be the difference in making and not making the playoffs. I still hope El Duque can pull this game out though.

Wow, I didn't know I was trying to "emulate" the gangsta culture. I guess people on this message board know me better from my previous 48 posts than myself. Oh, I am sorry I happen to like rap music and like the White Sox, and found two pictures of rappers wearing White Sox hats on yahoo and used them for my avatar and sig. Maybe some pics of Dave Mathews would be more pleasing. As for my screenname Southside2004, I'm sorry my grandparents have lived their entire lives, and my father, half his life on the southside. They raised me a Sox fan so I decided to pick something that represents them. I apologize I that wasn't able to choose where my parents raised me like some users here. A couple of you guys need to get a f***ing clue. No one here knows anything about me, but to infer something from a couple pictures and where I'm from is "sad, weak and pathetic". To assume that I'm: 1. white 2. rich 3. trying to be a gangsta is some of the most ignorant s*** I've ever seen. Yossarian, I'm not even quite sure of what to make of you. I believe you have worked in some pretty tough neighborhoods, and I respect that, but you need to stop trying to be a virtual tough guy and pick fights on the internet. I've been to some pretty bad places all over Chicago, and guess what? Not one person has given two s***s about me being there. They can actually physically see me, and they ignore me despite the fact that I'm apparently a rich, white wannabe gangsta. Perplexing isn't it? I am truly sorry to the administrators and the 99.9% percent of good users here for having to deal with this bulls***. I've said what I needed to say, and I promise not to bring this up again.

I understand that most of us our bummed by the way this team has been playing lately, but let's look at this thing realistically. We got 20 games left (all against the AL central who have our best record against), the Indians have 19. We have a 5 and 1/2 game lead in our division and a seven game lead in the wild card. We play the Indians 6 times, the Royals 3 times, the Twins 7 times and the Tigers 4 times. The Indians play the Royals and Devil Rays a combined 10 times, and also play the A's 3 times. No doubt they have the better schedule, but c'mon now, whose position would you rather be in? The most important aspect of this year versus previous years is that we control our own destiny (by playing our challenger) with a lead. If we go 3-3 against the Indians and let's say 4-10 in our other games, the Indians would have to go 10-3 in their remaining games to beat us for the division. And do you really think we are going to go 4-10 against the Royals, Twins and Tigers? Now, I'm not saying we are definately going to make the playoffs, but there is no need to start "The season is over" threads after every lost.

Good, Ryan Meaux sucks. He had no chance in this organization with the amount of lefties we have here.

It's okay VAfan, you got to remember it's that time of the month for some people here. I agree with the others that you have started numerous topics about not trading McCarthy, but I think you have a very valid point this time. Trading for Huff would no doubt help in the playoffs, but if we were to make the World Series, how much does he truly help? He can potentialy DH a possible 4 home games, and for the away games he would have to replace one of our other starter players, where his defense wouldn't be nearly as good as the starter. Is it worth trading McCarthy for? That's an extremely tough call, but I know when McCarthy does become a great pitcher within the next two years, a lot of people will be b****ing about trading him. If Kenny is to trade McCarthy for Huff, then he has to be certain that a very, very good left-handed bat is our biggest need for the playoffs.

That is a really bad deal. There is no way in hell Kenny would ever make that trade. Losing Crede's defense and trading your 6th starter to swap Marte for Wagner is not worth it. No f***ing chance.

There is an audio interview with Casey Rogowski on the top too. There is also a Q & A segment with Gio, here it is: MiLB.com: What exactly is your injury? Reports seem to be a bit vague. Gonzalez: I have a sore right oblique. It's not that serious. I could be out there pitching again in a couple of weeks. I don't want to rush it. That's their [the White Sox] rules. I play by their rules. They said we're going to rest you now and give you a little time to recover. It's not that serious, but they don't want you to go out there and get hurt even more. MiLB.com: When exactly did it happen? Gonzalez: During my last start, about two weeks ago. It happened around the sixth inning, which was my last inning. It was windy against my back, and the wind was hitting me hard. It's nothing with my pitching arm or anything on my left side. I can throw just as hard as I was before, but I just don't want to push it. I've thrown [off flat ground] for a week and I'm still bringing my velocity up. Maybe it will be another two weeks before I'm back on a mound. MiLB.com: What has been the biggest adjustment you've had to make going right from high school to professional baseball? Gonzalez: It would definitely have to be my maturity. You definitely have to be mature for this. You have to be mentally ready because it's not like high school where if you mess up, you can always go back out there the next day and get another person. You have to be mentally ready all the time here. I learned a lot dealing with the older kids they have here. You definitely have to change your mentality because you can't be a little kid anymore. You're with older men and mostly the coaches help you out. They keep you on your feet and ready to go every inning. I also gained a lot from my parents. They taught me very well, to always stay humble and never act immature. MiLB.com: Who taught you throw that hook? Gonzalez: That hook. Well, I tell you that hook was taught to me by my father when I was probably in sixth or seventh grade. He always told me to throw it like a fastball over the top. And just boom, stay up there and then a quick drop. He taught me a way to grip it a lot different than other curveballs. I grip it like a four-seam fastball so it really has a lot of spin and drop. A lot of people ask me how I grab it like that. It's something my father taught me, and it works so I haven't changed it. MiLB.com: Is there any point in the count where it's more difficult for you to say, throw one pitch, like a breaking ball, as opposed to another? Gonzalez: I don't mind throwing the changeup on a full count. It's good to throw a couple of different pitches just to see how people react. That's the best way to learn. If you make a mistake and it doesn't work for you, you know not to throw it again. If the ball hits off the wall, you don't throw it again. MiLB.com: There were some who believed you would be a mid to high first-round pick yet you slipped to No. 38. Do you feel like you have something to prove to anyone, whether it's the teams that passed you up or anyone else? Gonzalez: To be honest, I'm not out here to get anyone back. I'm just trying to help the White Sox out as much as possible. I'm happy and didn't mind slipping to where I did. I respect every single organization that let me go. Right now, I'm here and happy with the White Sox. They've treated me very well, I've tried my best and I'm helping them any way I can. Apparently they believe in me. MiLB.com: Who was your favorite pitcher growing up? Gonzalez: I always looked up to Sandy Koufax and the big-name lefties. Guys like Randy Johnson. I know Koufax was my dad's time, but he was always talking about him. My time is Johan Santana and guys like that. I love the way they pitch, with heart, doing whatever it takes to win. MiLB.com: Is there a competition between you and [teammate] Ray Liotta? Gonzalez: We call it a friendly competition. We help each other out, like saying, "Your arm slot is a little low or you have to pick it up here." We never head butt with each other to see who is better or see who can strike out more guys. I respect him way too much to be doing something like that. MiLB.com: Do you have any timetable as to when you want to reach the Major Leagues? Gonzalez: I don't really touch any of that. I don't want to jump to conclusions and say I'm going to make it to Double-A or Triple-A or anywhere. Whatever happens, happens. In time it will happen. Right now, I'm just waiting my turn. MiLB.com: What team did you follow growing up? Gonzalez: I'm a Miami boy so I always liked the Marlins a lot. I loved them, but the team I always looked up to was the Braves. They are always so dedicated and disciplined. I like that kind of stuff. I always liked players who are ready to go. MiLB.com: In talking to some scouts about you, some have said that you are a bit cocky. Are you? Gonzalez: No, I would never say cocky. Cocky on the mound maybe, but I would never show anybody up. You always have to have some cockiness or confidence on the mound but never off the field. I'm one of the most humble kids you will meet off the field. You can come up to me whenever you want. Cockiness, no I wouldn't say that. You can't judge a book by its cover. If I went up to you and said you're cocky, that's wrong. Why don't you meet somebody first then say what you have to say? MiLB.com: What's something about you that nobody knows? Gonzalez: In my spare time I like to draw a little. My father is a billboard artist so I kind of picked it up from him. I like to draw in my spare time. I'm alright. I'm not an A-plus guy, maybe C-plus or B-minus, around there. That's what I like to do, and my mom and dad are the only ones who know about it. MiLB.com: Are you ever intimidated on the mound? Gonzalez: No, no. You've got to be a Barry Bonds and that's even pushing it because a lot of these batters, you know I respect them. But they have to respect me. I respect every hitter. But to intimidate me, you have to be something out of this world. I've never been afraid on the mound. My father always put me through some big competition. It made me mentally strong, and I thank him for that. He always had me in the big games. I love pitching in front of a packed house. If we had a World Series, I'd pitch 100 innings. MiLB.com: What's your best baseball memory? Gonzalez: My sophomore year of high school, when we won the championship for the second time in a row. We beat the No. 1 team in the nation, and it was phenomenal. It stopped raining for seven innings and, as soon as that last out was made, it started to pour again. MiLB.com: Was going to college ever in your plans? Gonzalez: I always wanted to play pro ball. If it wasn't a reasonable situation for me and my family, I would have played for the University of Miami and would have been happy with them. They have a great pitching coach [J.D. Arteaga]. He was the one who taught me my changeup in high school, and I've kept that change.

I didn't see this anywhere so I thought I would post this. BARONS NOTES: Corwin Malone makes his first start for Birmingham since the 2003 season tonight when he faces Chattanooga's Phil Dumatrait (0-1, 4.50). Malone (0-1, 6.52) opened the 2002 season 9-3 as the Barons' ace, earned the starting assignment in the Southern League All-Star Game and won two of three decisions against prospects Mark Prior and Jake Peavy. His 2002 season was cut short due to arm troubles. He made only eight starts the next season, due to elbow problems. Malone underwent Tommy John surgery to reconstruct his elbow 13 months ago and is considered ahead of schedule on his return to professional baseball. "He'll give us all he has," Shines said. "I know that about Corwin Malone. Hopefully, he'll give us four solid innings." Pitcher Tetsu Yofu is expected to join the Barons today, replacing starter Jim Bullard on the roster. Bullard (2-1, 2.70) is going on the disabled list with back pains. Yofu went 12-10 in parts of two seasons with the Barons. Not sure if Malone is replacing Bullard or taking someone else's spot in the rotation, but I hope Bull gets well soon. Hopefully Malone is replacing Lubisich over the long haul.

If the Sox are way ahead in the last couple of innings, then they better hit one of the A's batters. I agree you don't want to do anything that could risk the game, but there is no possible way you could say we are even. Last year's team and this year's team are completely different. We need to prove to the league that we aren't soft anymore, and this is the best way to do it. If Cotts or Politte come out in the 7th or 8th inning with a four run lead or better, then they better hit an A, preferably Chavez just to make it that much clearer.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Apr 27, 2005 -> 02:26 AM) I love it actually. It's fun watching the stuff at the stadium. It almost feels like you're there. Thanks, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one, but it is kind of cool.

Is anyone else who is watching this game on MLBTV find it weird that they aren't showing any commercials?

I'm assuming that Stephens is taking Stewart's spot in the rotation, which makes me think they might be putting Diaz back in the rotation once he comes of the DL. Does anyone know if Villacis is being sent down to Birmingham for good or just filling in for Pacheco's start?

How about Amador hitting his fifth homerun of the season. If only he could draw a walk, we actually might have something there.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 10:44 PM) Hmm -- so Gio will start off at Kanny? What about Donny Lucy? QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 10:58 PM) Looks like Rookie ball or extended ST... He wasn't on any of the rosters. Not sure what to make of this, but Baseball America has rosters for every minor league team and this is what they have for Winston-Salem. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/...r/whitesox.html Not sure if I really believe that Lucy is on the roster, but it would make some sense.

Pretty good read. Looks like Brice is having trouble cracking the Warthogs outfield. If returning to Class A is salt in the wounds of veterans Normand Martel and Leo Daigle, Manager Chris Cron of the Winston-Salem Warthogs is hoping to use that salt as seasoning for his otherwise young ballclub. Martel, 26, and Daigle, 25, will be in the middle of the order when the Warthogs open their 2005 Carolina League season tonight at Kinston. Martel will most likely start his fifth professional season playing left field and batting third. Daigle is expected to begin his eighth professional season at first base or designated hitter and batting fourth. Both spent most of spring training with Class AA Birmingham before they were assigned to Winston-Salem only days before the club broke camp. "Martel and Daigle kind of got shortchanged out of spring training," Cron said. "They were at a different level with two or three days left with spring training, but that's the business, and that's the part of it they have no control over, and they're going to have to live with it. "When that time comes they need an outfielder or an infielder, and they're playing well, then they can move on. But if they're holding a grudge or saying 'Why me?' or 'Why this or that?' then they're only really hurting themselves. "They're not that type of players or individuals and they're going to come out here and do everything they can to do their job and be successful." The Warthogs will return home Monday to open their 50th season at Ernie Shore Field against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. How long the Warthogs will continue to play at Ernie Shore is an open question, given efforts by owner Bill Prim, and others, to have a new ballpark built downtown. President Guy Schuman of the Warthogs declined to say if the team is any closer to moving from Ernie Shore Field. "Get back to me in a few months," Schuman said. Being assigned to Winston-Salem for the third season was tough on Martel, who hit .301 last season in 282 at-bats for Birmingham. Daigle landed with the Chicago White Sox after being released by the Detroit Tigers and last season batted.292 with 18 homers and 90 RBIs for Kannapolis of the Class A South Atlantic League. "We need them to be the backbone of our team, with the young kids improving as the season progresses," Cron said. Wes Whisler, a left-hander who turned 22 yesterday, will start for the Warthogs, and will be followed in the rotation by left-hander Daniel Haigwood, right-hander Rafael Flores, left-hander Ryan Rodriguez and right-hander Gary Bakker. Whisler, a second-round draft pick last season, spent most of the season at Kannapolis but arrived in Winston-Salem in time to go 2-1 with a 3.38 earned-run average in 27 innings. Cron said he probably will bat center fielder Ricardo Nanita first, shortstop Robert Valido second, Martel third, Daigle fourth, first baseman/DH Travis Hinton fifth, third baseman Micah Schnurstein sixth, right fielder Thomas Collaro seventh, catcher Gustavo Molina eighth and second baseman Chris Amador ninth. Nanita, Martel, Molina and Amador spent at least part of last season with Winston-Salem. Valido is 19, Schnurstein, Flores and Rodriguez are 20, Amador and Haigwood are 21, Collaro and Bakker are 22, Molina and Nanita are 23, and Hinton is 24. "I'm fairly comfortable with the offensive and defensive side of things," Cron said. "The pitching staff is always a question mark. Every year you want that to be a big strong part of your team. It looks like it could be, there's no doubt. But with the age and the experience, you don't know. "You look at the fact that almost all these guys pitched at Kannapolis or lower at some point last year. Experience means a lot at any level, and they need to gain that as the season progresses." Cron said that the White Sox are becoming more and more excited about the play of Valido, a fourth-round draft pick in 2003 who hit .252 last season with 28 stolen bases for Kannapolis. "He's some kind of player," Cron said. "He's got all the intangibles that are just off the charts. "Yes he can play. He can run very well. He's very, very athletic. The things that are very, very difficult to teach, he already brings, like the instincts on always looking to take an extra base. "He does things that will make you go 'Wow.' He's got some kind of instincts."

Does anyone got any info on Leo Mayi, Oneli Perez or Noe Rodriguez? I would assume they are coming from the Dominican Summer League, but I really have no information to back that up. Also, does anyone have any idea what Kannapolis' rotation will look like? Gio, Liotta and Russell are pretty much gurantees, but after that it looks pretty cloudy.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Apr 7, 2005 -> 12:35 AM) Brian Miller = Overrated and I couldn't tell you anything about Javier Castillo. Reynoso is a legit sleeper. The fact that Reynoso is on our 40 man roster, but is still not one of our top 30 prospects proves how deep our system is. Here is the writeup on Castillo from BA: Javier Castillo, ss, White Sox Born: Aug. 29, 1983. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 185. Bats: R. Throws: R. Career Transactions: Signed out of Panama by White Sox, Jan. 9, 2002. Signed by: Miguel Ibarra. Castillo hit just .224 in two seasons in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, but his bat picked up when he came to the United States last year. Big for a shortstop at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, he drew comparisons to fellow Panamanian Carlos Lee because of his strength and power potential. Castillo strikes out a lot but he's willing to draw walks and could become a high-average hitter once he makes better contact. He doesn't have much speed on the bases and could outgrow shortstop, though the White Sox don't plan to move him any time soon. If he shifts to third base, he has the strong arm for the position. Low Class A Kannapolis is his logical next step. If is he the starting shortstop for the Intimidators, it looks like this will be a major test for him. Those two years in DSL give me some reason to worry.

QUOTE(danman31 @ Apr 6, 2005 -> 10:07 PM) Yes he was: 1. Brian Anderson, of 2. Ryan Sweeney, of 3. Brendan McCarthy, rhp 4. Josh Fields, 3b 5. Sean Tracey, rhp 6. Chris Young, of 7. Gio Gonzalez, lhp 8. Francisco Hernandez, c 9. Pedro Lopez, ss 10. Kris Honel, rhp How in the hell is Honel 10 and 11? They didn't stick Owens ahead of him or something? Honel was originally 10 on the list, but after we signed Iguchi, who is rated as our fifth best prospect, everyone from Sean Tracey on fell down a spot. Also, Baseball America did a special where they made a rather large team of prospects who did not make their organization's Top 30 lists. The Sox had four players on the team: Paulino Reynoso, Corwin Malone, Brian Miller and Javier Castillo. So one of these guys got bumped off our list after Iguchi signed.

I haven't seen this posted on here, but here is the rest of Baseball America's top 30 prospects for the White Sox from the Prospect Handbook (not including top 10 since it has been posted here already): 11. Kris Honel 12. Ray Liotta 13. Tyler Lumsden 14. Robert Valido 15. Casey Rogowski 16. Arnie Munoz 17. Wes Whisler 18. Antoin Gray 19. Daniel Haigwood 20. Micah Schnurstein 21. Bobby Jenks 22. Salvador Sanchez 23. Felix Diaz 24. Jeff Bajenaru 25. Mike Spidale 26. Dwayne Pollok 27. Fabio Castro 28. Ryan Rodriguez 29. Wilson Valdez 30. Tom Collaro Also, Jerry Owens was ranked as the Nationals' 11th best prospect in the book.

Good question. I got no idea where Bikowski fits into our organization's equation. With Blakely returning, you think he would be the fourth outfielder for the Barons. AAA would seem like a stretch for Scott.

I think Corwin Malone is a guy who should be getting a lot of consideration. He has as much upside as most of the guys discussed so far.

This is how I see our minor league outfields shaping up: AAA: Mike Spidale, Brian Anderson, Joe Borchard AA: Casey Rogowski, Jerry Owens, Ryan Sweeney A+: Thomas Brice, Chris Young, Ricardo Nanita A: Clint King, David Cook, Tom Collaro

I just took Public Speaking last semester, and your speech looks much better than my informative speech. My only advice is to talk about Buck Weaver also when discussing the doubt surrounding Shoeless Joe, because I believe Buck never took a dime of money. Other than that, everything sounds great.