CanOfCorn

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Oct 29, 2006 -> 05:24 PM) I don't like the idea of singing Catallanato for several reasons: one, I doubt he'll come cheap; and two, as 3e8 mentioned, Frank doesn't solve our problem against LHP. This is crucial when you consider the collection of quality lefties within our division. Even Dave Roberts doesn't do anything for me. If I had to guess, it's the influence of Guillen here requesting Williams find a lefthanded bat with speed. It shouldn't matter. Why substitute Podsednik for a more expensive, older version of himself? If it were my decision, I'd search for a RH bat to platoon with Mackowiak in LF. Even if it were via trade, I believe acquiring the proper player could significantly improve our chances against LHP. Dave Roberts can bunt. And look like he knows what he's doing in the outfield. And take a pitch. Is he ideal? No, but he's cheaper than the other options and better than Pods.

C'mon, we've all seen that Chase commercial where people are feeding their old credit cards to the re-animated scissors...the scissors were tired of being kept down by The Man and have risen up against their captors. "We will not be relegated to the junk drawer anymore!" "We're here, we're shears, get used to it!"

QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Oct 27, 2006 -> 12:20 PM) KW being KW, which IMO is a good thing. If A-Rod is/was available and you have the things NYY would be interested in you got to at least inquire. No suprise names, I guess MB a little, but not shocking. It will be interesting to see how they open that spot for B-Mac... I don't see KW trading for prospects only, he'll likely want something that helps immediately at least as a part of a deal. One name that wouldn't fill the lead-off role, and he's a butcher in LF, but if the Reds ever trade Dunn, I'm sure they would be interested in a quality starting pitcher. I like Dunn, but don't know how he would fit. Strikes out too much...and we already have a DH. But not a bad idea.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 05:15 PM) Do you get to ride in an actual seat, or in the cargo hold, or on a wing? There's...somethingonthewing, some...thing!

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 03:57 PM) http://blogs.suntimes.com/preps/2006/10/de...llino.html#more Not only that, but I don't think Rose has verballed yet. That's what pissed Illini fans (including me, I admit) off. Now if Rose has verballed and I don't know it, than yes, Illini fans are hypocritical, other than that, he's a "free agent."

How do you know Razor won't be as wave-happy as Cora? I mean, this is Ozzie's team and if he wants to be aggressive, then Razor might wave Konerko home from second on an infield single. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Oct 25, 2006 -> 10:16 PM) I also think about AJ and the crap that followed him. So far no one on the Sox has claimed he isn't a good team player. Except Ozzie and that whole World Baseball Classic thing.

QUOTE(whitesox61382 @ Oct 25, 2006 -> 05:00 PM) I did't mean to call you out, but everyone throws around the word "source" these days. If you believe Farrell on Rivals, he is saying that Benn is pretty much down to FSU and UI. Benn looks like a classic case of a momentum recruit(similar to a high scoring game in which the team with the ball last wins); ie the school with the most momentum is in the lead(ND led early, UI took the lead after his visit, and now it appears that FSU has a slight lead). This is what happened with Gordon, IU made up so much ground in such a little amount of time that the momentum pushed he to change his commitment. Based on the info that I am hearing from insiders don't be surprised if he picks FSU. They have the combination that he is looking for: good football program/tradition, developing NFL receivers, instant PT, warm weather, diverse community, and good social life. In other news, as expected, top rated OT Miller decides to stay close to home and play for Colorado over ND. The one thing that might hurt FSU is Bobby Bowden. He's been the belle of the ball for a long time, but one not-so-good season and the boosters are on his arse to get out. He's done so much for that program, he should be able to decide when he wants to leave (see: Joe Paterno). Anyway, if there is any doubt that Bowden may not be there by the time Benn gets there or within his first year or two, that might sway him towards ND or UofI.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 09:24 AM) It definitely has gotten better with time. I don't think it seriously hit me until the playoffs started this year, and we weren't there. I was finally able to understand what those teams were trying to accomplish, and what we did accomplish. Yep, 11-1 through the playoffs. 11...and...1... wow.

QUOTE(SnB @ Oct 24, 2006 -> 12:12 PM) you forgot to say "y'all" BTW...when I moved down here, I learned that it wasn't spelled "y'all," it's actually spelled "ya'll." Not that anyone cared. /thread hijacking

QUOTE(hi8is @ Oct 24, 2006 -> 12:33 PM) "geniouses" Ummmm.........never mind.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Oct 24, 2006 -> 12:47 PM) LOL I'm still kind of stunned. I hate Freddy for a lot of things but I think he more than anyone was absolutely gassed from being lazy in the off-season (not a good excuse I know) and it hurt his velocity. Mix in a potential regain in velocity (even if it is just 2 MPH) with his new found splitter, a much much improved changeup and his already solid curve ball and I think you have the makings of something real real good (if he at least partially regains velocity). The thing I cringe at is the idea of his deliberate, slow delivery that allows the entire world to steal off him at all times. Thats the main reason I'd be willing to move Garcia but only if we get something good in return. I think we get more for Contreras and I got a lot more question-marks when it comes to him (mainly because I have little faith in his health). Still I think as a whole we both agree on the fact that this rotation isn't near as bad as many people say it is. Yes it sucked this year, but players have off years and statistically speaking our guys are better than they produced. And we can't trade Buehrle yet...nothing to do with resigning or money, but because he's a lefty. If the Sox trade MB and insert Brandon, that's 5 RHSP. We can't do that. Now, if the Sox trade 2 pitchers and they sign a Ted Lilly, then, maybe.

QUOTE(knightni @ Oct 24, 2006 -> 11:52 AM) Prolly Baines to 3rd, Razor Shines to 1st. Not sure on the bench coach. Would Kittle get into coaching again? I don't think Harold has the personality to coach third. Kittle would.

Whatever you do...DO NOT show her this thread. "I say hurl. If you blow chunks and she comes back, she's yours. But if you spew and she bolts, then it was never meant to be."

Illinois has tradition, not Michigan or Ohio State tradition, but there's a lot of tradition there...what Illinois has to fight is the three straight crap coaches they have had. Mackovic is a train wreck, just ask Texas fans, Lou Tepper couldn't coach OR recruit and Turner could coach, but couldn't recruit defense. So, if you ask me, and this is TOTALLY unfair to Ron Zook, but let Zook recruit, get Illinois respectable, at least in the same breath with Purdue, Iowa, and Wisconsin and then get a big name coach in...overpay if you have to...I'm not even going to speculate on who, but maybe someone with midwest ties that has coached in Florida or Texas. Like I said, that's TOTALLY unfair to Zook, but it might be the only way the Illini can stay in the top half of the Big Ten. On another note, does anyone know is Zook is a control freak or does he let his coordinators make the playcalls?

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Oct 24, 2006 -> 08:49 AM) But I think first and foremost, KW is going to get a nice piece for the bullpen and that guy will probably be Justin Speier. We can't acquire him, he played 1 game for the Cubs in 1998.

QUOTE(Steff @ Oct 24, 2006 -> 10:38 AM) I'm pretty sure in his deal it does. I'll look for a link, but I recall that MLB approval was based on those funds following the life of the contract. I'm pretty durn sure you're right, Steff. Money follows the player. And I think in the Sun-Times article it said that with the Rangers cash, it would be right about $10 mil a year that we would have to pay if NY doesn't send any additional money, which, for A-Rod, would be a bargain. If we could add some minor-leaguers and get some bullpen help too, Scott Procter perhaps, then I'd say, go fer it.

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Oct 23, 2006 -> 04:27 PM) There are plenty of bad programs where you can play right away. The question is why do top recruits some times chose to go to an OSU, switch positions, and then wait 2-3 years before ever seeing a down of football? Because that is how you get drafted and make money. Illinois is no where close to being a respectable program. And Zook is no where close to being a good coach. He was not a good coach at Florida and he had talent. How many people get to inherit a Sophmore QB who almost won the heisman? Very few. Then he took that player, and almost destroyed his career. Grossman went from a top 10 pick to middle of the first round, behind Kyle Boller. http://www.centralohio.com/ohiostate/stori...all/726099.html That article was written before Leak ever played a down for Florida. As you can see the strength of Zook was his "recruiting" but unfortunately recruiting is hit or miss. When you have a coach who can not coach, it does not matter what talent you have. If you look at what Meyer has done with Florida, it just shows that Zook will never be a top college level coach. He may be a guy who can lay the foundation with some recruits, but you need some one on the field who understands the game. We are talking about 17 y.o. kids here. They want to play and believe if they play they will get noticed. I know what you are saying, but if that was the case then programs like Boise State and TCU would never be good. Zook is not a great coach. But he knows what to tell kids to get them to come to his University. If I remember correctly, most of Florida's roster is still Zook players...except for Tebow, of course. Kids want to play...do they want to make money in the NFL? Sure. But they want to play.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Oct 22, 2006 -> 08:31 PM) While that might be true, Charlie Villanueva, LaMarcus Aldridge, Darius Washington and Malik Hairston all probably thought they'd be one and done as well just to name a few. Those guys were rated just as high. You never know. Take LaMarcus Aldridge out of that, he was hurt a good chunk of his freshman season and didn't really help the 'Horns all that much. I don't consider an injury as a reason someone stays for their sophomore season...in other words, if he was healthy, he was gone. And Rex, in response to your comment about why anyone would want to go to Illinois now, since they've only won 1 Big Ten game in two years...that's precisely why. I think there are only four positions on the Illini that are set for next year: Juice, Akim Millington, J Leman, Jason Reda and MAYBE Vontae Davis. I would think every other possible position is up in the air. If you want to play right away with a team that is obviously making strides, this is the team. And don't forget Zook's recruiting ability. I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

got another funny story: Flying back from Vegas on Southwest. The plane that was going to take us to Austin was delayed out of Phoenix...and it kept getting delayed and delayed and delayed and then the gate attendent informed us that the crew that was on the flight that was going to take us to Austin was over time and couldn't fly anymore, but that they had found another crew that would take us to Austin. They also told us that they had found us a plane to take us to Austin so we didn't have to wait for the one from Phoenix. Well, about 30 minutes go by and the gate attendent gets back on the horn and has this announcement, "Ladies and gentleman on flight xxx to Austin, we have the plane ready but we just found out the crew that is going to take you to Austin is on the delayed flight out of Phoenix." So basically, we STILL had to wait for the Phoenix plane no matter what. By that time, I was just laughing and laughing cuz it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever seen. Anyway, we got home about 5-6 hours late, but the crew was well-rested!!!

I'd have to go with Jeff Buckley as well. Grace was fantastic and everyone, including myself, was anxiously waiting the second album...then he dies. I wish i would have seen him at Uncommon Ground...I guess he played there a lot.

QUOTE(Steff @ Oct 23, 2006 -> 11:19 AM) Ick.. no flowers. Just call her. Movie and dinner (fast dinner like BWW or Applebee's). The conversation from dinner should clear up any questions or concerns you have. I was never a fan of the dinner and a movie thing...only because that's two-plus hours of sitting next to each other...not talking. If you aren't sure about her feelings, a movie may not be the best choice. Dinner is, of course, good, maybe a concert (not a loud one), or go play pool at a bar (if you can). Somewhere you can continue a conversation. Even take a walk or get some ice cream or coffee. Good luck and be honest.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Oct 21, 2006 -> 02:28 PM) How is Gary, Indiana not on this list. ... Seriously. Because the city of Gary has petitioned the NEA to say the syringes are an art installation.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Oct 20, 2006 -> 07:27 PM) Correct me if Im wrong but wasn't the 1st country we attacked Afghanistan? Was that a "waste of lives" to you also? To leftists the fact that we are actively engaged in combat against terrorists abroad is a "waste of lives" and "just pisses them off even more". Hell, following that logic we may as well just forget about fighting terrorism altogether and cower under a blanket in the bedroom and pray they leave us alone. Islamic extremists started this war and I really could care less if the actions we take in response pisses them off. Hey, instead of doing thaaaaat, why don't the "leftists" and the "rightists" (?) get together...figure something out TOGETHER and solve this problem. All this time wasted by the two sides, "I'm right." "Nooo, I'm right." How about this...you both are WRONG! Having a two/multiple party system is a great idea blown out of the water by a majority of old, rich, white people who have egos the size of frickin' Canada! I'm sick of the wrangling on Soxtalk and I'm sick of the Wrangling in DC. I'm out of Filibuster until you can all admit that the other side has a CHANCE to be right once in awhile. Ridiculous.

QUOTE(He_Gawn @ Oct 20, 2006 -> 02:47 PM) Yea I've heard for weeks he was a verbal there. I thought that was a mistake. Didn't he pull his name from there? Or it was just a rumor or something? I don't think he's committed anywhere, verbal or otherwise. That's why I asked.