Kalapse

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 05:59 PM) I realize that, and I've pitched in the cold and hot many times, but knowing that you will probably have a better game doesn't make it any easier or more enjoyable for a pitcher. I knew I'd pitch well in the cold, unless I lost my control, but that didn't make me want to pray for cold weather every time out on the mound. Besides, in the cold, it's much easier to lose your control because you can't get as loose. It's the Contreras symptom. Knowing that I had an environmental advantage over the hitter each time I took the mound in cold weather was a huge plus for me. Pitching all of my games in the cold could be considered a "dream" scenario.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 05:50 PM) Are you kidding me? I have not seen or talked to 1 pitcher in my entire life that enjoys pitching in the cold. The wind has a lot more to do with it than the temperature. It's common sense to say the ball will go out when it's blowing out or it will stay in if it's blowing in, whether its 90 degrees or 30. You're getting ridiculous now. I personally loved pitching in the cold as did most all of my teammates in high school, the ball just does not carry as well in frigid temperatures. When it's warm out you can get a little more loose on the mound and the added moisture in the air is good for your grip which are positives but the ball tends to carry trough the air a whole lot easier. If you don't have a whole lot of movement in your windup and follow through the cold can be an asset, a damp rosin bag, a little pine tar, licking your fingers or blowing on your hands can give you a decent enough grip to take advantage of the cold weather.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 05:34 PM) LMAO. In my head, I'm thinking "where the hell does this guy live?" Then I saw Burbank, California. It's sunny and beautiful in Streamwood right now, a little wet but sunny none the less.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 05:30 PM) to all you newly found cub fans, just wanna let you know, your team is 8 games below .500 in the worst division in baseball. And yet they're only 7.5 games back. Considering how weak the competition is in that division and how often they play the teams ahead of them with the unbalanced schedules, a nice 12-3 stretch and they could gain a ton of ground on the top dogs. You can not say the same for the Sox considering 2 of the best teams in baseball (with Cleveland possibly being the best) reside atop the AL Central.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 04:33 PM) We'll see about that. My argument is simple: what has Thome provided, seeing that he is supposedly the "upgrade"? Yeah I like watching his HR bombs too. What else has he provided? Those slap hits? Baserunning? His Go-Go White Sox attitude and clubhouse leadership? I'm not even slamming him. I'm telling some of you to open your eyes. Jim Thome created 122 runs last year, 72 more than Aaron Rowand. Jim Thome creates runs through walks and extra base hits. I you saying you wouldn't want a David Ortiz or Travis Hafner type player in the middle of your lineup to get on base and drive in runs? Because those 3 are incredibly similar. Perhaps you don't understand how a team is put together, and that's all right. If you truly believe that every f***ing hitter in your lineup should be a slap hitting speedster b**** like Nick f***ing Punto and Jason "I suck at life" Tyner then you don't know how an American League lineup is to be pieced together because 9 slaphitting b****es ain't winning s*** for you.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 03:51 PM) Excuse me for being harsh here, but I've had enough. Overrated? Overrated? I'll tell you who's overrated: Jim Thome. Coming off a WS championship season we got rid of a fan favorite, a clubhouse favorite, a textbook grinder and a guy who, to many, defined what the 2005 Sox attitude was all about. His hitting could be streaky, but I don't think anybody had problems with his outfield play and I specficially remember him putting on a goddamn outfield CLINIC in NY at Yankees stadium that year, where even A-Rod had to give him props. So we got rid of him and got... Jim Thome. Nothing against Jim Thome as a person--he's a class act--but what has he delivered? He was pounding them first half '06 and then faded away into non-factor. He can't hit clutch. He can't bunt or hit for percentage. Talk about the definition of feast or famine, HR or nothing. I can't count how many times he's been struck out pitching low & inside, and he's so predictable that the SS moves into RIGHT FIELD. This year? Pretty much the same so far. Oh, and he can't play the field. He is a batter only who can kinda play 1B. How this fell in with our smart/small/Ozzieball philosophy back then I never figured out, but if you asked me now, knowing now what we know, would I have made that trade? No way. So I'm really not that receptive to hearing how overrated Rowand is. As it is, it looks like we have two choices: try and save the season, or white flag it and build for the future. Rowand is an inexpensive way to attempt to former. Why not? I can't believe it wouldn't electrify both the fans and the clubhouse. You think his 2005 mates won't be thrilled to see him? Oh, and Thome will STILL BE HERE. Win/win for me. Thanks. DO IT. You are completely delusional.

If Rowand has these supreme intangibles then why in the hell are the Phillies stuck at .500 and 7.5 games back from the Mets? Shouldn't they be running away with that division?

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 03:22 PM) Please stop with these intangibles everyone! What intangibles does Rowand posess that will make the entire lineup start hitting better and have the bullpen start pitching better. The same intangibles that would have kept the pitching in line last year and propelled the Sox to back to back World Series victories! Rowand's supreme hustle in centerfield and stout ass slapping in the clubhouse has the power to make any pitcher, no matter how mediocre, into a superstud.

I actually really like that lineup, well done Oz.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 01:55 PM) I seriously hope I missed some sarcasm here. If not. DRINK! There's no sarcasm there, this is a true belief amongst a portion of Sox fans and frankly, it scares the s*** out of me.

QUOTE(Soxy @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 01:45 PM) omg, I love that episode. My favorite part is when Michael asks George Michael if he was down by the pier because some people saw him down there and George Michael goes, Maybe it was the other George Michael, you know, the singer song-writer. I absolutely love that kid's deadpan.. But there could be almost any moment from that series that qualifies. I love all the really dirty jokes. I don't know why but one scene that always cracks me up in from the 2nd season of Scrubs when Cox is trying to decide between Heather Locklear and a pregnant Jordan and the new radical song is playing and the two women are strutting around--Jordan in that scene slays me. And I don't know why. "Are you forgetting I was a professional twice over? An Analyst and a Therapist, the world's first Analrapist." "Good. I was hoping he would be gifted sexually." There's just something about Tobias missing his mouth when tossing food up in the air that slays me. "I'm afraid I just blue myself." Tobias is probably the most quotable person on the show, David Cross just has so many outstanding one liners. "Hey! Where the f*** are my hard boiled eggs!?" "And secondevly I know you're the big marriage expert, oh I'm sorry, I forgot your wife is dead!"

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 01:34 PM) Something wasn't right about Paulie. I said that a few times during the episode. That fiery exchange he had with Silvio at the Bing just came out of no where and seemed completely unnecessary. It definitely seems something is up with Pauly. He has thought about jumping sides and joining up with New York in the past (late in season 3 I believe is where it started) and he doesn't seem to trust Tony much anymore, fearing for his life while out on the boat then pumping iron in a paranoid/determined manor that night.

QUOTE(103 mph screwball @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 01:30 PM) Erstad = grinder Rowand= Beloved teammate, grinder, friend, guy who loves Chicago, guy who had the biggest ovation at the ring ceremony, and a big reminder of what it took and what it feels like to win in 2005. I might not work. Other than firing Greg Walker, this move could have the biggest impact on turning the Sox around for the least cost. It's worth a shot before the Sox backup the truck and white flag. If Rowand provides a big spark, then the Sox are buyers at the deadline. And if it doesn't work then the Sox are out a high upside bullpen arm, something they really can't afford to lose. MacDougal was f***ing sick last year, I'm not about to give up on him for a mediocre baseball player that can be had in the offseason for nothing.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 01:18 PM) Where did I compare those things? Can you show me that? Sometimes I really wonder about you Kalapse. Are you really here just to try to prove others wrong or are you here to discuss things? Southsider2K5 said: and I said: Where do I ever compare their acts and what they do as people? Of course what Dukes did to his wife is worse than anything Everett has ever done in his entire life, but when did I ever compare these things? Come on man! Then why did you even mention Everett if the 2 situations are not comparable? There's a difference between a guy like Everett who's a little nutty but doesn't let it effect his teammates and a guy like Dukes who has a history of fighting teammates and coaches. And the next time you decide to bring up wife beating, do a little research first. A simple google search and the line "supposedly wife beating issues in Boston" would never had been used. Honestly, I could give 2 s***s about this subject. I just don't get why anyone would ever want Dukes on the Sox and using Everett as some sort of example to justify a move like that is just silly.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 01:10 PM) Hey, I never did - plus I said supposedly - those were all questions as I was trying to figure out all that I could recall about him. Those are strong words and never did I call him a wife beater. So the guy had some problems with authority early in his career and his wife was accused of beating their kids how exactly does this compare to the despicable acts of Elijah Dukes?

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 12:59 PM) I'm not saying your wrong - but wasn't the same thing said about Carl Everett? Look what happened there. COMPLETELY different people. Everett was always considered a little nutty but that mostly came from his competitive fire (which did get out of control every once in a while) and his disbelief in dinosaurs. Elijah Dukes is a straight up psychopath, he's a genuinely terrible human being.

QUOTE(briguy27 @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 12:48 PM) how about getting matt capps from the pirates? this year he is 2-2 with a 2.97 era, and last year he posted a 3.77 era, but also pitched 80 innings out of the pen, so he is a horse. and how about picking up al reyes from TB? he has a 2.19 era this year in 24 innings oh and he is hitting .333 in his career, so maybe he can pinch hit for konerko sometime Tell me, why exactly would the Pirates even look to trade the 23 year old Capps? The pirates are one of the last teams that should be dealing away young, high upside pitchers.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 12:41 PM) Great post. Aaron Rowand is who we thought he was...a .700 to .750 OPS CF with declining defensive skills. MacDougal's contract isn't an albatross the Sox have to move & he put up a 3.30 ERA the last 2 seasons. Trading him now would be selling low and doesn't particularly help the Sox. Keep him and try to get him straightened out. MacDougal for Rowand is the complete opposite sort of trade KW likes to make. He'd be selling MacDougal at his all time low and buying Rowand at his all time high, seems rather silly to me.

If you add up all of Crede's walks and extra base hits this season the number comes out to nearly half of Thome's walks this year. 19 walks+xbasehits for Crede and 35 walks for Thome.

QUOTE(103 mph screwball @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 12:37 PM) Rowand could be the spark that gets this team going. His play will not single handedly make the Sox an offensive powerhouse. He might change the team's attitude enough and get guys like Crede in gear again. I think before the Sox white flag and blow the team up, Rowand would be a relatively inexpensive attempt to resuscitate this team. Hell, if it doesn't work, trade him again in July. I don't care what any stats show, this team has not been the same since he left. (insert your criticism of silly grinders here). If the Sox can be convinced that he would make a difference, then since baseball is mostly mental...it could work. If nothing else, since Aaron was such a fan favorite, there should be a PR and possibly attendance benefit of giving it a try. Bring the kid home. Isn't that what Erstad was suppose to do? If Erstad can't jumpstart the team with his ULTRA-GRINDY ways then Rowand isn't going to fair so well. The Rowand/sparkplug bulls*** should have died when Erstad signed. Perhaps the Sox could make Aaron the new pitching coach since he seems to have such a huge effect on the starting pitching.

QUOTE(Jimbo @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 12:33 PM) rowand, owens,dye or abreu fine by me keep mack on the bench. Abreu? Mackowiak has put up better numbers this year and plays infinitely better defense at a tenth of the price.

QUOTE(WhiteSoxfan1986 @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 12:24 PM) It would be nice to get rid of the $5 million we owe macdougal over the next three years. Considering his upside, I don't see how $5M is all that bad. Hell the Sox wasted nearly $3M this year on Podsednik alone. Considering the talent MacDougal does possess I'd have no problem with the Sox holding on to him for the remainder of the deal. Since May 6th Rowand hasn't been doing so well. G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO HBP SH SF GDP SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 25 103 93 17 23 6 0 2 11 5 0 15 2 1 2 5 1 1 .247 .294 .376 .670 Why trade a huge upside bullpen arm for a guy you can and likely will get for free (no players lost) at the end of the season?

The best thing about Nolan's Batman IMO is that he actually embodies some characteristics of a "super hero". Keaton, Kilmer and Clooney were all pasty unathletic white guys with minimal fighting ability, pretty much a dude with a s*** load of money that can afford a bunch of cool gadgets and vehicles. Bale actually seems to have some sort of super hero qualities. He's completely ripped, very athletic and has the fighting abilities of a well trained ninja. When Keaton would fight 5 Joker goons at once in the first Batman movie it just seemed weak and unrealistic. He'd stand in the middle of the group as the goons to turns getting knocked out by a few weak blows to the body and head. Atleast Bale is elusive and cunning when fighting or he gets jumped by multiple goons at once and needs to find a way out. When Watching Batman Begins I just got the feeling that I was watching an actual super hero and I'm hoping Nolan can duplicate that in the rest of the series.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 11:26 AM) yeah... 28 mill for a guy who can't take the mound... i dont need to see him pitch for a team that's not making the playoffs. when he does finally show up, hell get raped in the AL. when we're talking salary coupled with performance, he takes the cake. Clemens doesn't even get payed until he makes his first start and at that point it gets prorated for however late in the season it is. It's not like they're paying him $28M to make 8 starts this year. He's going to end up making less than 2/3 of that $28M. Jason Giambi's 149 AB, 7 HR, 23 RBI and .262/.380/.436/.816 line for the season is pretty f***ing horrific considering he makes $18M this year and won't play another game the rest of the season. And it's really not even close as to the worst production:salary ratio this year. Mike f***ing Hampton and his 0:$14.5M ratio is by far the worst.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 12:14 AM) Ok, relax. You don't like Rodrigo Lopez. We get it. I never said I didn't like him. I'm sure he's a fine young man.