Marty34

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 6, 2012 -> 03:50 AM) Yep, and Marty34 unconditionally doesn't like KW. Other than that, all shades of grey (not to be confused with the novel). I unconditionally think he's done a bad job the last 6 years. 1 playoff win in that time may be acceptable to you, it's not to me.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 4, 2012 -> 12:16 PM) Really, they're just pushing their starters about as hard as last year. Full season last year, Starters threw 1021.2 innings, 3rd most in the AL. This year, through 80 games, 502 innings. If Axe goes 8.2 innings today somehow, they'll be on the exact same innings pace as last year. The big difference is of course that they were running 6 starters last year but then had 2 starters who couldn't throw more than 5 innings at a time without falling apart. The starters have had a lot of 110+ pitch counts this year. Just watching MLB this year (haven't researched it) that seems to be a thing so far, higher pitch counts for starters.

The Sox are pushing their starters more this year than they have in the recent past. That might be part of the price they have to pay to contend. I'm okay with that because while they have had success keeping their pitchers healthy, they have 1 postseason win in the last 6 seasons.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jul 4, 2012 -> 11:33 AM) We used one of those special code things to get our seats for $20 each so I'm not sure how much it's going to cost us to exchange those for four tickets in the shade. I cringe at the thought of spending $100 more on tickets than I have to, but maybe these temperatures are going to force me to do that. Given you have a 4-year-old with you, I doubt they'll give you any problems or charge you at all. Key is go to the customer relations booth and not the ticket window next to it. I've never been charged for an upgrade, caveat being I'm a season ticketholder, but like I said they're very accomodating. Believe me, it saves a lot of hassle with the ushers about people sitting in seats they don't have tix for. Most of whom are high school kids just trying to do their jobs.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 4, 2012 -> 11:29 AM) I believe Marty's "free beer" offer will apply to son Free beer offer is spoken for.

. . . Also get a certificate for your son's first Sox game while you're there.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jul 4, 2012 -> 11:18 AM) We bought four tickets for Thursday's game a few months ago, planning to take my 4 year old son to his first ever Sox game. Our seats are along the left field line very near the front row, which is a good up close spot for the kid to see action and maybe even get a foul ball. The problem now is that the forecast temperature is 102 degrees and our seats will not have any shade whatsoever. Skipping the game isn't really an option, given the money we've spent on the tickets and the fact that the kid has really been looking forward to this. Worst case scenario is that we only catch about 3 innings of the game and leave, but I'm looking for suggestions on how we might be able to last for most or all of the game safely and somewhat comfortably. This is the first time when I might actually miss the old Comiskey Park, where the upper deck hung out over the lower deck, providing some obstruction to the views along with some shade. When you get there go to guest relations behind home plate and exchange those tix for seats in the shade. They're very accomodating, but I suggest it be the first thing you do when you get in the park because a lot of people will be doing that.

Question is after the break, does he pitch against the Royals and miss the Tigers series or skip the Royals and and pitch against the Red Sox and Tigers?

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Jun 26, 2012 -> 08:16 PM) The rumour i keep hearing is Rocky Wirtz. Aside the fact that he is a sox fan, the word is that John McDonough would run the club and go 3 for 3 in marketing rebuild successes. Also, the whispers are that no one in Camp Jerry wants to take over when Jerry retires/dies. So even if the ownership groups stays mostly intact(there are still investors from the Veeck days), new leadership may not come from the reinsdorfs or even the einhorns( Eddie's daughter is an mlb exec and MAY come on, but who knows how much she wants to leave nyc) I've heard Chairman Reinsdorf has been aggressively buying out other investors recently . . . Why?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 1, 2012 -> 03:55 PM) You want to suspend me while simultaneously allowing DA to play with no rules, you go right ahead. It is not a personal attack to characterize your post as lame. Agreed. Not even worth the warning.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 1, 2012 -> 03:54 PM) Shack, this is really crossing every personal attack line we have. I'm being gentle here. What, you can't call any of your posts lame? Weird.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 1, 2012 -> 03:29 PM) This is exactly what I said would happen going in to this season, except for the hot streak. Viciedo would struggle more than we'd want, but we have to stick with him, because we're not going to get anything near his value back in a trade, and what he can bring to a lineup if you really develop him is enormous. If they aren't going to get his true value back in a trade that's a pretty good indication that he won't pan out. Why waste the time when anyone can play LF?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 1, 2012 -> 03:12 PM) No, you're not allowed to. What 23 year olds do in their first 3 months as full time players define their entire careers. At what point can we stop citing his age as a positive?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 1, 2012 -> 03:06 PM) When Paul Konerko was 23 he didn't have this good of an approach. And, when Paul Konerko was 23, he had 2232 minor league PA's under his belt. Viciedo had 1299. Viciedo is no Konerko.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 1, 2012 -> 02:58 PM) But he's only 23!!! It's important the Sox develop a slugging LF'er.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jul 1, 2012 -> 10:38 AM) Am I bad guy for not liking this? What I mean is, is he out there on the mound thinking about this, trying to strike guys out? It's not like yesterday would have mattered, but I'd rather not have players donating money based on their own performance. He's got Twitter. He's got the Sox team PR dept. at his disposal. There are many ways to get the word out to donate to causes. I agree. Why not just make a donation and bring recognition to the cause by having an on-field presentation before a home game?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 1, 2012 -> 11:25 AM) Hahaha. What is my agenda exactly, to defend KW from your bromides? If you were predicting the White Sox to contend, why in the name of Allah would it possibly make sense that their GM would be fired after lowering payroll by $25 million yet still retaining a first place team?? Because of lowered attendance/profitability? You didn't mention Alexei Ramirez would be a year older, lol. We'll have $15-25 million to replace those last three guys, and arguably more with a playoff appearance or deep run. Sale had a tender elbow for one week. It's not like it has been a consistent problem all season long. He's learned how to ease off with the fastball except when he really needs to bring it in key high leverage situations. Danks will be fine, in fact, adding him will be like trading for another pitcher. You argument about Sale doesn't hold water because he should be able to throw 180-210 innings next year, compared to 150-160 this year. Same with Quintana. Rios is still in very good physical condition. Dunn's been in the best shape of his career. The bullpen will only get better and better, with more experience. And Molina might actually turn out to be a decent prospect if they resolve his health problems. Not to mention they've got Simon Castro and perhaps Beck on track as starters in the pipeline, Rienzo, etc. Danks will be fine, Sale's elbow is a non-issue, bullpen getting better and better. The Tigers win 3 of 4 next week and you'll write all hell is breaking loose and that there's no way the Sox can stave them off.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 1, 2012 -> 10:04 AM) Wouldn't you have predicted that would be exactly our position THIS YEAR? Now you've changed your focus from KW must be fired to we have to be "all in" again in 2012. Sure, we lose Jake Peavy, but that $13 or 14 million salary will be used for another pitcher (yes, I realize the $4 million buyout is a sunk cost), or maybe two pitchers. Probably one pitcher and 3B, with Morel's status so up in the air, they have to address at least the gaping hole for next season. With Sale, Danks, Quintana and FA, we can still compete realistically. And that's not even with Gavin Floyd back or expecting something out of Humber again. If we were losing Konerko, Dunn or Rios, then you'd have a better argument. AJ can be brought back into the fold as well. So other than Jake Peavy, what's your argument? That we won't replace that salary and will continue to pare down the roster to 2005 numbers? Funny that you bring up changing focus because you change stances more than anyone. I'm going to state right now that you have an agenda. To answer your question about predicting this year's team to be 5 under and 8 out at this point, no. I said this team would contend (not to pat myself on the back, but I was the first to write it on this board), others said they'd lose 90 games. As far as next year goes, Konerko, Dunn, Rios all a year older. Sale's tender elbow, Danks, tender shoulder. Replacing Youkilis, Peavy, and A.J. This team's window is now.

Continue to believe this is an up and coming team with 9 rookies contributing if you want, but the reality of this team is it's window to win is now. When the Sox are 5 games under, 8 out at this time next year you'll be happy KW went for it this year.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 30, 2012 -> 05:03 PM) And of course, that doesn't mention the fact that the Brewers corner OF's are Hart and Braun. And they at least just signed Aramis at 3b. With that Aoki guy stuck in there also. And Matt Gamel as the long term guy they need to develop at 1b. So Viciedo would be an ideal fit at SS for them. Gamel, really??? Why would he stand in the way of a guy with the upside of Viciedo? Anyway, I believe there is a deal that can be made between the Sox and Brewers it just depends on if the Sox want to pay what will be a steep price.

Peavy's workload this year is the best indication he won't be back.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 30, 2012 -> 02:35 PM) So you think the Sox can get Greinke by giving up a guy with too many holes in his swing who at best develops into a 5-6-7 hitter and is not worth the wait. You're a piece of work Marty. I don't know.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 30, 2012 -> 02:11 PM) Greinke is a guy I really don't want to spend big time money on. Between the emotional issues and that somewhat inconsistency in his career...I sorta think of him as a right handed John Danks right nwo. Stuff that could be better, but the last couple years has given an ERA pretty darn close to 4. Will win some games, but isn't the guy who won the cy young a couple years ago. Greinke's not perfect, but he'd be the best fit for the Sox, imo because the biggest spending clubs probably will shy away. That said, I don't think the Sox will go on the free agent market to upgrade the SP. Like I said, if the Sox had a deep run in the playoffs with Greinke, I could maybe see them working out a deal.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 30, 2012 -> 02:04 PM) You are miserable. Your main purpose in visiting this board is to get into arguments. You''re such a sourpuss Wrong. Wrong again. Get away from the PC before you make it a trifecta.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 30, 2012 -> 01:55 PM) If the top of the rotation starter was under team control for a while, ok...but the 2 guys who might be on the market are FA's after this year, and that'd be a killer. That's the gamble with Greinke. He's the guy I think they would have an opportunity to sign if they traded for him and had a deep playoff run. I don't see Peavy being brought back under virtually any circumstance.