elrockinMT

JimH and Rex: Maybe this could be another witty comment to make: People come to these conferencs believing it is going to be a battle of wits and what it turns out to be is a battle of wits between unarmed opponents! I think the fact the Sox contingent led by KW is having these conferences, and the fact that KW let people speak their minds and extended the session, is only a plus for the team. My respect for Kenny just went up. However, Jerry Reinsdorf is another matter...

TO: JimH Thanks for your info on the SoxFest. I agre with you on what you have to say about civility in these settings. Everybody has their take on things and as we know their opinions, which are like elbows, everybody has two of them! I do like the fact we are keeping Jose valentin though and that's my opinion. If I were in Chicago I would be there too and I am glad you are giving us a very balanced view and report.

Maybe it would be more correct to say he wasn't healthy for parts of 2 seasons. 2nd half of 2002 and first half of 2003. But he really came around the 2nd half of last season. Foot problems you know and not hip problems. Konerko is healthy you know and ready to go. Plus I don't want Rogers as GM. It would be too much like when the Hawk was there.

It will keep the POSTS flowing until at least Spring Training. Great fodder...

My feeling too. Phil Rogers wants to be the GM at least in print. It's fun at times to read these stories, but they are made up by the writer. I wouldn't want to make it simply because I think Erstad is to injury prone and Valentin is a "grinder" in every sense of the word and that's what the team needs. Not to say Erstad isn't, but Valentin has been healthy and Erstad misses too many games. I do think that something might happen with LA now that the Dodgers have been sold. Konerko or maybe Maggs, even though I think we should keep Magglio.

It is nice to get your question answered any time you submit one to a web site like this, but I have worked in a career where politically correct things were expected to be said especially when you talk about your boss, programs,etc, to the public. You should never expect to hear something from Kenny saying, "That Jerry is such a prick, always meddles in the club business, second guesses us all the time," etc, etc, You have to read between the lines and I think the harder they try to be politically correct the more you can pick up on the inconsistencies such as have been pointed out in other POSTS here. Kenny is not going to say anything negative because it will probably cost him his job. I don't pretend to know what the conversations are between KW and JR, but I think we all know where the problems lie and it's right at the top. Maybe KW could do a better job with another owner I just don't know, but I am not real pleased with how he comes across sometimes concerning some of the team issues. But, you do hear from Kenny and when is the last time we heard anything positive from Reinsdorf?

A tip of the hat to The Critic. That was great stuff!

I think it was the 1990 team when the networks broadcast the last couple of games the Sox played at Boston because of the Bosox tight race with the Yankees(?). It was exactly as stated in another post in that you could tell this White Sox team was developing into something special. They battled the Red Sox right till the last pitch. I think it was Ozzie Guillen reaching out for a high outside pitch and pulling it into the RF corner where the Red Sox OF'er maybe a sliding catch to end the game. The camera couldn't get the angle and we had to wait for another camera to show the great catch that robbed the White Sox and gave Boston a win.

I don't know. Now that I am in print I have to believe that everything is roses there and have changed my whole attitude of the front office and its moves...

I don't have any problems with incentives in contracts especially Shingo's, but just to make an observation: When a player makes a million dollars plus a year what is the big deal in expecting the team to buy airline tickets for your family? Maybe when I negotiate with me boss next year I will request plane tickets, hotel rooms, etc, to Chicago to watch the White Sox. Maybe I will even request paid time off. It would do wonders for my productivity.

I submitted this question to KW through the White Sox web site in response to their story on "Ask Kenny and Ozzie" questions during the SoxFest. It is included in the story posted today on the site. There has been so much written on Sox fan Web sites, most likely fueled by the media, on just what involvement Jerry Reinsdorf has in making decisions for you, and what you have in making decisions for the field manager. Can you tell us your philosophy and the White Sox approach to these issues? Can you put to rest these rumors once and for all, or am I asking for too much? -- Larry Reinlasoder Williams: No, you are not asking too much. On Jerry's involvement, Jerry is a knowledgeable baseball guy, so I run thoughts by him on a regular basis, as I do with all the people around here. It's an all-inclusive style of management that I subscribe to. In terms of actual decisions that I have to make in terms of personnel, those are my decisions and my staff's decisions. Obviously as an owner of any corporation or company, there are certain parameters we have to work under. But to a great degree, Jerry lets the people who run his organization do just that. As for the field manager, I take a similar approach. It's the GM's responsibly to put the talent and roster together. But as I said before, it's all-inclusive and they all have input. That's the front office personnel, as well as the coaching staff. I've even, on a rare case or two, and I certainly did it last year, gone to a few players for their input prior to an acquisition. In terms of lineups, in-game strategies, pitching changes and all these things, those are the manager's decisions. Often times, I don't find out what the lineup is until I walk down to the clubhouse and see what has been posted.

Maybe they will go out an try and get Robin Ventura again? Robin signed for around a million didn't he? The Yanks can fit him in their payroll. Really their aren't a lot of quality starter types out there that I am aware of. Maybe they will settle for a sub.

He must really be happy getting paid big bucks by George Steinbrenner. Now there is a game situation where Willie Harris can lay down a bunt to the 3B side and get on every time heck Frank Thomas could probably beat out a bunt to 3B.

WOW! I started reading the posts on this subject and it is great. I have said before that my favorite White Sox team was the '67 team and that's still the most exciting memories I have of a pennant race we lost. Of course I liked the '83 Sox with the Bull, Lamar Hoyt, Ron Kittle, et al; the '93 and '94 Sox and the '00 Sox because we won and it was fun. '67 was something special with 4 teams in the race till the last week. Eddie Stanky kept that group in it till the end. Pitching led by Horlen, Peters, John, Locker, Wilhelm and Wood. No hitting to speak of and I think Pete Ward led the team with 18 homers and less than 70 RBI's. I do remember the '77 team as something special too. First Sox games I ever went to was a 4 game series in Anaheim versus the California Angels and Bobby Bonds. The Na na na Heh Heh song was something special to hear. I remember in LA the Sox fans were walking around the stadium after a Sox win singing that song. One game there I remember that the Sox pitcher (I think Chris Knapp) struck our Bonds 4 times.

Is there some statement by the Yankees that Sheffield is going to play 3B?

The only difference is ours may not last as long as the Twins issues. One punch from Frank in the Spring and the problem is likely solved.

Pretty interesting as far as the competition for those spots. We have just named a few and there are more waiting for Spring Training: Rausch, who I like and still think he should have been called up last season rather than Panaigua. I just have to wonder how things may have turned out if Manuel hadn't pitched Cotts in place of Buerhle in NY and Loaiza when he was sick and using Panny in relief to dang near blow that game against the Twinkies. Rausch had picthed well at the end on 2002 against the twinks. I think Neal Cotts had his confidence rattled against the Yankees, but could make an impact in '04.

Good question on what will become of Wright. I am not sure the Sox management has really had much to say about danny. Trade bait is a possibility or he could be the long relief answer, which I guess they did mention last year. After being 0-7 as a starter it does mean it's his time to step up. There will be lots of competition for that 5th starter role and I am not so sure that Schoenenweis is the answer at the #4 spot either. We will see in the Spring I guess.

I read the article and don't see it as Sox bashing, Reinsdorf bashing yes, but not the team or the fans. I think it is basically what most posters have said and that's that we have an owner not willing to spend to win. If we were developing from within to win, that is beefing up the farm system and developing our players, I would be more inclined to accept the loss of players like Colon, Graffy, Everett, et al. However, we trade prospects for established stars and then let them leave to free agency. Something is not adding up here. I think that if Jerry Reinsdorf wants to own a small market team and conduct his affairs in that manner than he should attempt to buy the Brewers, who are the orphans of his most cherished friend and cohort in baseball cheapness, Bud Selig. Then we could encourage Mr. Trump to buy the Sox. A switch like that is not unheard of in baseball history. I think moving the Sox to Indy is a bit much though and detracted from what was a pretty right on type article. Maybe the press led by these so called knowledgable baseball reporters/experts could start researching and writing on the Reinsdorf regime and at the same time call for new and enlightened ownership on the Southside.

Unfair to attribute E Loaiza's suberb season to the fatc he was in the AL Central. Didn't E Lo end up losing 2 games to the Tigers because of no Sox offense? Loaiza showed how hard work and the ability to listen to your pitching coach can make a winner. Maybe Erickson can do that too? I am not sure I would risk the money though. But, getting this back to the original POST: If the Sox ownership whould remove their head from their backside orifice we could sign Maggs. You just don't give up a star player that easy and claim you are a competitive and winning ball club going for the gold.

The only question is on the number of pitchers that Ozzie decided to leave Tucson with this year. 11 or 12? My guess is he makes a run at things with 11 and does a reality check around late May.

The fact Jose is a left handed bat capable of 25-30 HR's may be reason enough to hold onto him. As pointed out we lose Jose and his lumber and we replace him with splinters. I luv it when I analyze.[/i]

The Yankees have nothing we need and since they have no farm system no prospects either. They are the best team money can buy, but they pay exorbitant amounts for mediocrity and no one else can afford the players hence no trades unless it is dollar for dollar. We need to keep Jose Valentin.

That was before the current FA market. If we gave him 5 years and around $12M a year I think that would be fair.

Frank Thomas knows how to play the game and will do it. I think we have far bigger problems to worry about on this team then whether or not Frank Thomas will play ball like we know he can. You can put it on the board... Frank will be the team leader ...