elrockinMT

Thanks for the update. To bad he couldn't keep himself under control.

Debate or no debate, and with all opinions on the issue aside- I think it is simply a disgrace to think in a sport where records, ability and talent mean so much that players like Giambi, McGwire and Bonds may have had to use supplements to pump themselves up. HR records were set by Ruth, Maris, Aaron, Mays and others without steroids and those are the records I prefer to remember. Those guys did it on talent and hard work.

OK, you got me on that one. By the way, I was wpondering about some of the posters from last season. How about that kid, OldRoman. Is he still with us? It seems most of us are still hanging in there with more signing up, which is a good thing.

We all do get edgy at times. You guys just had a little give and take going on. No harm done and as I say about myself and my opinions... They are just like elbows. Everybody's got two of 'em. We are al friends here.

I doubt if there is much "coversation" going on. It's probably all Ozzie "spring jaw" Guillen. He sure does come up with some good ones though.

Please people don't get mad at each other. We should all hum together to bring the stars, the moon and the planets back into alignment. I thought my leaving would make you happier. Jarry Manual Actually I like the fact the Sox aren't doing the smack trash talking. They seem to just be going about their business and getting ready to kick some butt.

I think so too. Listening to what Ozzie says about him makes one believe he has the inside on a spot plus he is LH. I don't know if I would be so quick to think Benard has a spot though. Borchard might have something to say about that.

Just a rehash of old news. I think the Sox can compete and will be fine.

I agree with you Rex. Too many times a team with a potential star player will push the guy and if he falters they drop him like a hot potato(e). I like Joe's make up and maybe him being the 4th OF'er will give him the opportunity to learn to deal with the pressure a bit better. I think the rookie has a great chance to be a great player. Being with Ozzie & Walker all year and playing with the likes of Frank, Maggs, Lee, PK, etc, can only help Joe B.

162 games is a long road to travel, but I like what I am hering too, not only about Ozzie and the ST camp, but from the players. I have not really read anything from the players where the criticize Jerry Manuel, badmouth each other, etc, etc. It has been positive and no excuses for last year. The mindset seesm to be on playing as a team, doing their individual best and stepping up.

Reed? Haven't heard of him before, at all, ever, no how, no way.

I think the future for these super prospects rests in their hands. Reed could just break it open in Spring Training and be the starting CF'er. However, realistically he probbaly needs seasoning in AAA ball and Rowand is the man. I would like to see Borchard step up and be the 4th OF'er. I think he could see plenty of playing time too filling in at all 3 positions and maybe DH'ing a game here and there. Bernard? Haven't heard anyone say much about him, but it's early.

Moving Show to the #3 spot in the rotation is a leap of faith in my opinion. He hasn'r got much of a track record to fall back on, but I think this is more strategy and thinking long term than whether Scott is a legitimate #3 pitcher. KW and others seem very impressed with him so I guess we just have to hope the guy is the answer.

I was surprised that Nanita was rated low also. I saw him play in the Pioneer League and was very impressed with his bat control. Usually you see these rookie level guys always swinging hard at everything and they can be overmatched by a good fastball at times. However, I saw Nanita shorten his swing, go the otherway for hits and also he was not afraid to just advance the runner.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Feb 26 2004, 04:28 PM) Actually, I have had no caffiene today. Im just really pissed. Steff said: I understand.. but c'mon. We're Sox fans. We've always had the highest hopes and always been let down. This year some are just skipping the "hopes" part of the routine. It will make things even sweeter when they kick ass!! I always thought it was ok to ask questions? I want Olivo to hit the curveball and Frank to hit for a higher average. And please don't use curse words Jarry Manual

I stand by my statement. I of course am only speaking of what I saw at the minor league level. He was a slick fielding 3Bman. I prefer we keep Jose Valentin as our SS, but the way things go here you don't know if we will have a team $20M salary cap in '05 and compete with Bud Selig's non-franchise. I think Aaron Boone could help our team and if I am not mistaken we heard things over the summer of '03 about KW thinking of trading for Boone. Once again let me say this about that...I like Jose V, but Aaron could fit in somewhere.

I think Aaron Boone came up the Reds farm system as a third baseman. I watched him in several Pionner Rookie League games when he was with the Billings Mustangs, the Red's rookie farm club. I always remember the slick fielding plays he made. He had quite the glove even then. I would think signing Boone to a contract would not be a bad move. He just might be able to play SS or 2B besides 3B.

That's Great! However, look at this in a positive light. Grilli must be showing right off the bat that he is a grinder and isn't afraid to throw inside. I hope they are both having fun and playing the game the right way. Also, did Maggs follow with a GIDP?

I have heard so many thing about his contract status hat I am not sure what is right. However, I do know that having a happy Frank Thomas in a Sox uniform IS right. I think he will have a great year and if we have a 25-player team playing with enthusiasm and up to potential I think we will have a real good season. I am counting on it.

Difficult to fathom what the writers like Rogers and Jay M will have to write about now that Frank has done exactly what many of us thought he would do- be a team player. I guess Jay just can't leave it alone. It would be nice to see what the guy can do with a story when he wants to write something positive.

Writers are frustrated players and/or managers and/or GM's. Phil is no different. He always thinks the team should being doing something other than what they are doing. It could be argued of course that we as soxtalk posters are no different than Phil. But, I think the difference is that we are right and he is wrong.

One would like to think that Dan Wright can develop like Jon Garland. I think he has the talent, but last year was a terrible display. I have always felt that Dan was injured more seriously than we thought and that goes for Billy Koch also. A healthy Wright means good competition for that 5th spot. Competition is good. Whether Wright ends up as a starter or as long relief means little. All I want is an effective pitcher handling the role. I personally think the 5th starter should be a combo type individual. One capable of pitching long relief when needed and start when needed. I think Dan Wright has that type of makeup. We need versatility and forget all this specialization to an extreme.

Please people! Don't tell me that Phil Rogers has a point. The only point I see is the top of Phil's head. There is nothing here except his ranting against Frank Thomas. My bet, obviously just my opinion here and nothing more, is that Phil and his Tribune buddies tried to call Frank and didn't get an answer from the Hurt. Now Frank is the problem and the sole reason that the Sox didn't win. You don't trade Frank, or any other player on the team, unless you get impact players in return. Phil is already downsizing the trade and it appears questioning Frank's value. Plus as pointed out before he doesn't seem to be up on current events.

Isn't this the question that surfaces every Spring? How many pitchers to take North? Usually because of the fact the first few weeks of the season have a lot of off days that fifth starter doesn't get used or the extra relief pitcher sits. I think 12 pitchers isn't a bad thing, but it seems we always need that extra field player off the bench and don't have him.

That there Joe Crede kid, now that boy can hit and play the leather!