fathom

It's being reported today that Chester Frazier was the only member of the team that went out to check on Carlwell with Smith, and then went back into the apartment without doing a thing. This is one of the most bizarre stories I've ever heard, and really makes me wonder what the hell is going on behind-the-scenes with that program. I know that ever since Weber got there, he's had problems communicating with all of the players. From what I've been told all along, he just doesn't relate well with these kids.

Here is the link to the article discussing it. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines The most disturbing this is that Ozzie might be considering having Erstad/Podsednik bat 1-2. Not only would that be the worst 1-2 in baseball, but this type of talk has me convinced that Erstad will be starting in CF against RHP.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Feb 20, 2007 -> 08:23 PM) My dad is a Uof I grad and he started college when he was 16. He got caught with a fake ID and got thrown out of school for a year. This is a felony, and perhaps prison time. This guy has no business ever being on scholarship again. No way will he be allowed back on the team. If Weber does that, he's digging his own grave. This situation is already so messy, and the sooner it dies down, the better. It wouldn't shock me to see some more players get in trouble, and maybe a coach to come under a lot of heat.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Feb 20, 2007 -> 07:24 PM) There is a blood sample of Jamar's from the hospital undergoing tests at the lab in Champaign County right now. As for point #2, I'm not sure where you heard that, but i'm skeptical of it. NOBODY saw Jamar for 2 hours after he made the 911 call, which was about 5 mins after he got back to the complex. I believe other players live at the complex (almost all of the basketball players live off campus I believe, which is another issue that should be addressed), but with as fast as help got there for Brian (somebody called 911 almost immediately after seeing the car), if players were trying to help sober up Jamar (which IS possible) it was after Carlwell had left in an ambulance. Either way, this team has some serious issues. It's in the News-Gazette article with quotes from the State's Attorney. Also, since you know some stuff about this, have you heard that Jamar Smith called an assistant coach that night for advice on what to do?

Couple of interesting tidbits: - At the hospital, they only tested for alcohol, and not drugs. - When Jamar went back to the apartment complex, at least one of the basketball players not involved in crash went to check on Carlwell (unconscious) with Jamar, and they went back into the apartment. There were numerous basketball players at the apartment complex they went back to, and it sure seems like they were trying to help Jamar sober up. Weber should be absolutely embarrassed about this entire string of events.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Feb 20, 2007 -> 06:58 PM) I heard it wasn't even a basketball team party, it just so happened most of them showed up. It's far from a sure thing that players themselves supplied the alcohol, but either way this is far from over. I guess wearing orange is appropriate for this squad. Yeah, I just read that the state attorney said there were no other bball members involved, which is a good thing. I agree with you.....there's not a chance in hell Jamar Smith should ever be allowed to play for the Illini again. Considering all the issues with his drinking last year, for him to do what he did last week, Weber would look like such a pussy if he let him play again.

There's a lot more to come from this. I expect the next big story will be who supplied the alcohol at that basketball team party that night.

QUOTE(TLAK @ Feb 20, 2007 -> 12:47 PM) With every player on the team. Even Kong and Thome should go for second on a throw home after a single. Dye can charge a ground ball single to keep a runner on first from going to 3rd. Aggressive doesn't mean the '82 Cardinals, it means taking advantage of your opportunities and denying them to the other guys. Most of all it means not taking plays off. Its a mind set. I'd rather guys like Konerko and Crede play it safe on the bases. Far too often last year, we gave up silly outs on the bases where guys had little to no chance of being safe on the play. Especially when you have a team that can hit 200 homers in a season, you don't want to keep giving up momentum-killing outs. One way we could prevent other teams from being so aggressive against us is if our left fielder and right fielder charge the ball instead of sitting back and letting other teams go from 1st to 3rd or 2nd to home at will. QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 20, 2007 -> 05:54 PM) Exactly what I was thinking, and people forget that. Our #5 from 2005 finished the season 9-9, 5.12. And we had the best starting staff in baseball (or very close). As long as Floyd or whomever can do that and stay healthy, I'm not overly concerned about that 5th slot. After last year's debacle by our pitchers, a 5.12 ERA from an unproven starter seems like a longshot. I'm stunned that people have such high hopes for Floyd. I'd be surprised if he put up a 5.12 ERA or better in AAA. Haeger is our best chance at being a decent 5th starter, and even that doesn't seem overly likely.

Do people really think we'd win a bidding war for Ichiro? For the amount of money he'll get, he won't be worth it. I think it's a lot more likely that the Cubs go all out for him, especially with Pinella as their manager. The biggest issue I have with KW right now is that he's acting like a whiner with the way the market is, and he's opening the organization up to a lot of backlash from our fans do to letting free agents go.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Feb 18, 2007 -> 05:57 PM) Other way around...that's one of my favorite Sox moments ever. It's even in my profile. The homer by Sosa was a hillarious call by Hawk.

I know I'm quite the pessimist, but does it seem to others like there is a terrible aura surrounding this organization right now? It seems like it's going to get ugly during the season with the Buehrle contract talk, etc.

Why can't KW just shut the hell up? This "small" market whining is ridiculous after last season.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Feb 16, 2007 -> 03:23 AM) That's what I'm asking about. I know when and where the accident happened. Crap, that should have stated Monday night. I'll go back and edit that.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 16, 2007 -> 03:20 AM) Or it's on an Illini freeboard right now as I read this. And with most things, the internet loves to put it's own spin on things. They claime WDWS reported such a thing, when in fact it was nothing more than them talking about the possibility of it. And did I not say that a rumor going around that hasn't been confirmed in regards to the party? The other stuff I mentioned came from probably one of the 2 or 3 most respected Illini insiders.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Feb 16, 2007 -> 03:18 AM) Where was this "party" because the Illini were most likely in Bloomington by that time. So I'm going to call BS on that. The accident happened Monday night in Champaign.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 16, 2007 -> 03:15 AM) True or not, please stop citing internet posts as "sources". I'm pretty sure we here at soxtalk were exposed to a similar situation not too long ago. Like I said yesterday, the people that I'm referring to have a lot more significant contacts than you and I in regards to the Illini program. I've never once said that any of this stuff is fact....it's just what is out there right now. Everything in the media is just speculation right now, but someone would be naive to not think that tidbits have been public knowledge. The scenario mentioned above is the best explanation for the 4-6 week blood test they're waiting for.

The more information I'm hearing, the worse this gets. The latest tidbits going around is that there was a 2 hour span between the accident and Smith calling 911. The blood tests are for confirmation of what the breathlyzer showed, but supposedly breathlyzer's aren't permissible in court in this situation due to it being taken 2 hours after the accident at the hospital. A rumor going around that has yet to be confirmed is that there was a basketball party on Monday night, and another player might be in trouble for providing alcohol to minors. Hopefully these sources are wrong, but this might be the beginning of the end for Weber.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 15, 2007 -> 05:00 AM) Then atleast cite a web address to such posts. Even so, I'm sure it's all hearsay anyway. There were no witnesses to this whole ordeal. What better do they know than any of us? And it's not like Jamar Smith's camp was dumb enough to say anything. Until the toxicology report comes out, we know nothing about this situation. Since the information I've been reading is on the pay part of the sites, I'm just going to wait a day or so to see what comes out. Like I said earlier, I hope everything turns out fine and the rumors are bogus.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 15, 2007 -> 04:48 AM) As I thought. And if the rumors are true, I douby any in school state is dumb enough to take him. Trust me, I'm not talking about any random person who can post on any message board they want. This information is being passed down from the people that own these sites and give frequent inside information on the program that people off the street could never get.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 15, 2007 -> 04:28 AM) AKA random message board posters who claim they have sources? I mean, honestly, what are you trying to say here. No, these are some of the main guys on the most popular Illini sites. It will be a pleasant surprise if this doesn't turn into something major for Jamar Smith. This is totally just throwing something out there, but I have a feeling that Jamar Smith will be starting for Bradley in 2008.

If you were to believe some "insiders" with the program, Jamar Smith is in a lot of trouble.

Interesting situation: I think the Cubs will re-sign him, as they don't care how much money they spend now, and I believe Zambrano wants to stay with the losers. On the other hand, if he goes into this year knowing he's going to be a FA, he's going to be crazier than usual trying to throw 200 mph every pitch. As S=Dorf always states, Zambrano is a product of the NL. He relies on the #8/9 spot in the order to get big outs.

QUOTE(Jimbo @ Feb 13, 2007 -> 05:55 PM) Careful the Illini fans are very jumpy when it comes to personal rips on them. At this point, its still not a matter to joke about yet though. Yeah, I'm going to take it down, as Carlwell still has a CAT scan to go through.

Thankfully it sounds like Carlwell will be ok. The situation is very odd though, especially with Jamar Smith driving home after the accident took place. Jamar definitely enjoys the night life at U of I, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until I hear otherwise.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 13, 2007 -> 02:36 PM) Now starting at SS for Your Chicago White Sox Pablo Ozuna : Yep, Uribe and Pods are huge question marks this year. I'm just thankful we didn't find it necessary to try and upgrade at our two weakest starting spots.