elrockinMT

I did not like the idea of Frank swinging for the fences all the time either, but looking at other DH's out there in the AL, which is probably the only position and league Frank can play, I think he did very well. Look at the money the Yankees paid for Giambi and his numbers are not any better than Frank's and maybe lower overall. I think Frank Thomas is still a good fit in Chicago and we need him on the team. He may even comeback with a new attitude about hitting, if he listens to Hriniak. If Kenny decided not to resign Everett I can understand it, but I am still sorry to see Carl go. Koch is signed so KW isn't going to say anything about his contract or status, at least publicly. If we can get Bartolo back along with Robbie and Sullivan and Gordon I will e pleased to no end. I also think Jose Valentin will be back at SS. He is a good player, challenges the others to do well and has improved his defense with Robbie alongside him. A wholesale shedding of our veterans doesn't bode well for a run at the championship. A new attitude would work better.

All I can say is that I hope Mr. Bevington knows that you must have someone in the bullpen warming up before you make a pitching change. With a new ball park he may not even know where the bullpen is.

Willie Harris was a big disappointment last season, but I liked what I saw from him in the last couple weeks of the season. He started to hit and he showed speed. I think if we don't resign Robbie Alomar that Harris and Miles will get the shot at 2B, which is where I think Willie should be. Graffy is the utility man, but Miles might have that role too. Wierder things have happened, but Garffy might get a shot at starting. I also see Rowand, Borchard and Reed fighting it out for CF because it doesn't look like Everett will be back unless his salary goes way down. I see a different make up next year for this team and it may include Paul Konerko being traded and a youngster at 1B such as Gload sharing duties with the Big Hurt. I like Paul Konerko, but I think he made himself expendable.

My first hope for next year is that we sign Flash Gordon. I think he would like to return and has said as much when he mentions that it was the Sox who gave him a chance. Billy Koch will be back in pre-2003 form. He was obviously not overused and if he puts himself through the training regimen he said he will I think he will be ready for 2004. I truly think Koch was hurt last year and tired besides that. Many good pitchers have had a bad year and 2003 was BK's. I was not in favor of the trade that sent Foulke to Oakland, but now that we have Koch you just have to accept it and hope for a revival.

Reading the stories on the managerial search it is written that a new person has been in the White Sox' scope for manager. Any clue who might be looked at? I hope it's Carlton Fisk myself, but I like to dream too.

My guess is that he probably will get a look in the spring. I don't think we will resign Carl Everett, as much as I would like to see Carl back, and that means Rowand and Reed in CF. I question whether we will bring back Roberto either and that means Miles and Harris trying out for 2B. I think the best of things would be having Everett and R Almoar back, but I am not certain we have the money to spend especially for Carl. As far as Cabrera being the best hitter in the Southern League well he is good, but what do you expect to hear from the Fox people? Cabrera and the Fish are in the WS now and Reed and the Sox are waiting till next year. I don't think much of the announcers anyway. I don't get the feeling they know all that much about what's happening with other teams, the minors, etc. They are there for entertainment only.

This seems to be the problem a number of our young pitchers have isn't it?

Still hard to take a whinner. But, your right, he at least knows what is taking place on the field.

Dammiut Rex You tha man. It's true He knows s***! Lyons :fyou :fyou :fyou I wasn't so sure about Leiter at first, but I have grown to like him in a short time. I think he has been insightful and needed to balance Lyons, who most of the time is just spewing hot air. You can just hear it in their voices. Leiter thinks Lyons is a moron, and Lyons is extremely jealous of Leiter. I already like Leiter MUCH better than Lyons........... I got the same exact feeling....... Bmr, are we starting to agree on things again? If so, I gotta do some thinkin ;-) It's great when he gets caught in his own web of deceit isn't it? I do have to say though that I would rather listen to Lyons voice on TV then Tim McCarver's. McCarver always sounds like he is whinning.

I don't think it will happen either. Why would any team take Konerko's salary and 2003 stats? Sexson for Konerko and two prospects won't happen either because I think we about prospected ourselves out going for the money this season. I think all we can hope for is that Paulie can rebound in 2004 for us.

It's very possible. I just don't know enough about Cito Gaston to make a decision since it has been so long since he managed. I would rather see some young upstart like Guillen or Backman get a chance if we can't get Larussa.

If he can be claimed off waivers he might be a good pick up for the Sox. He was highly regarded as a back up catcher.

By the way TLAK I love your El Senor (Al Lopez) pic. He is the manager we need.

You have to have fun in life, work and baseball. Ozzie was just having fun and I bet the whole Marlin's team, including Pavano, thought it was funny too. Don't take yourself or things so seriously that you lose your sense of humor.

EEEEAAASSSYYYY BIG FELLOW! Your right though Rex, the games were very good. I think the Boston-Oakland series and the Marlins-Giants were the best so far and the game last night was great entertainment. This is the time of year to just be a baseball fan period.

Doesn't do out of towners any good unless we have access through local cable or on satellite. I would enjoy seeing more games then WGN offers. If we unlucky ones can't get the new channel I would hope they do keep WGN games.

If a person is under contract to another team you can not talk to them about a job without permission from the team that holds their contract. I have not heard anything about KW asking the Marlins for permission to talk to Ozzie has anyone else? Plus I doubt Ozzie would discuss it now with the playoffs going on. I have nothing against Cito Gaston but hope that KW at least looks at other candidates. The media would have you believe that the seach is over, and I suppose it might well be, but let's hope others get a look. Personally I don't want Hargrove. He has shown nothing that we need.

Could be the problem right there. The A's burn their people out. I never did understand the idea or fascination with just one guy as a closer. I would want two or three guys who could close out games. That way you could use them as the situation/batter demanded and keep them fresh. In the old days before players seemed to think they ran the team, it wasn't uncommon to have more than one guy you could go to to close out games. I still like Keith Foulke, but Foulke has to have his sharp control going and that fastball working to make his devestating change up that much more effective. The thing about it too, is that Keith Foulke is in the playoffs and Koch isn't. That says something about being effective.

I guess we will see won't we? I agree though that he could start by shaving that goatee.

This is the year we find out if Jerry Reinsdorf is really serious about winning. He allowed KW to make some mid-season moves and didn't wave a white flag like 1997. We have a really really good team in place and I don't think wholesale moves are in order, nor do I think trading your stars is either. I can see the possibility that we don't keep Roberto Alomar or Carl Everett unless they agree to contract cuts. If Alomar doesn't return I think Willie Harris and Aaron Miles will compete for the 2B position. Everett leaves and Rowand, Reed and Borchard compete for CF. They canned Jerry Manuel because he coudn't win with who he had and I don't think you bring in someone new and trade your star players away.

Yes, but at least the Red Sox have been in a World Series since 1959.

We matched up well against the Yankees. However, we will never know how we would have done and there's no use in crying over spilt milk. The Sox season is over and we can only hope for 2004.

Thanks greg775. It was and is still as special memory of a great season of baseball. I think as a kid you never really think about whether the baseball hero is going to reply and it is a big thrill when they do. Later in life you appreciate the gesture even more. I think in my life that was a learning thing also. I have worked in a career where children look up to the person with some awe and respect. I always made it a point to take time for the kids.

You shoukld have seen the smirk on my mug when I saw the hop and the ball being caught. Mr. Showboat.

That say's it all!