elrockinMT

The Yankees may be the real big story in waiting. If they lose to the Twins or even in the next round and not make the World Series you might see a lot of changes in the Big Apple.

I really loved that 1967 season even though it ended badly for the Sox, who were in posiiton the last week to win the Great Pennat Race. Let me tell you this human interest story about me and Eddie (the Brat) Stanky. Apologis to anyone who may have already read this from some other post I did in the past. I was in high school in 1967 and had been a Sox fan since I was old enough to play little league baseball. I was really excited about the '67 pennant race and how the punchless Sox almost took the whole thing. I had to suffer listening to Twins baseball over the radio stations because it was Twinkie country where I was raised. The only good thing was 18 games with the Sox I could listen to. I also could tune in to WMAQ 670 AM at night and pick up the Sox games, but sometimes reception wasn't real good. NBC had baseball games on Saturday afternoon and there were several Sox games shown. I used to write letters to Eddie Stanky and he would reply to everyone of them. He sent his team photo postcard and always wrote something to me on the card. I remember in September watching a Saturday NBC game between the Sox and Tigers in Chicago and Gary Peters had the Sox ahead 3-0 in the 9th. A Tiger hitter launched one to the wall in left where it was caught by Walt Williams I believe. Stanky brought in Bob Locker and the Tigers got to him and the Sox for 7 runs in the 9th to win. Stunning turn around of events to say the least and the NBC guys were saying how this could be the end of the Sox chances, etc, etc. I sat down and wrote a letter to the Brat and said I had faith in the Sox. The next day was a DH and Joel Horlen no-hit the Tigers and the 2nd game was a combined three picther shut out win also. I got a card from Stanky later in the week thanking me for my support and mentioning I had been right as witnessed by the two-wins one of them the no-hitter. At the end of the season he sent me a bunch of Sox stuff in the mail without my having to even ask for anything. I wonder how many big league players or managers would do that kind of thing now?

Great memories... Welcome to the boards I couldn't agree more. Those are great memories.

I like Carl Everett a lot, but I am not to sure he is our answer in CF. Rowand may get the opportunity again in 2004, but I bet the Sox go into spring training saying the position is up for grabs meaning Borchard may get a look. If we sign Everett he is probably the CF depending on other moves that may be made by KW. Starting pitcher for the fifth spot will be between Rausch, Wright, Stewart, Cotts and most likely a few low cost free agents (notice I didn't say cheap because I think the Sox won't just sign a bunch of FA's and see what shakes out). Of course if we don't re-sign Colon then two of those guys are legit contenders.

Baseball is AMERICA! Look at all the great movies made based on baseball. Field of Dreams and the speech by James Earl Jones is a classic. Football is ok, but really what is the rationale for two herds of buffalo charging at each other for no apparent reason? Hockey is the only sport I know where nothing happens until 5 overtimes have come and gone and how exciting is soccer when all they do is run back and forth and it ends in a 0-0 tie? Yes, folks it is beisball and it's been bery bery good to us.

Why would we want to part with Carlos Lee for a mediocre pitcher? Carlos has really turned it on and I think we will see bigger and better from him in 2004. The same thing goes for taking prospects for him. He is young and a rising star nad to trade him for unknowns doesn't make sense either.

The only big league winner I have heard about is Cito Gaston. I guess Hargrove also from his days in Cleveland, but why take someone who just recently got canned? Organizationally you have Backman and ex-Sox wise you have Ozzie. Both may need more time to develop, but I wouldn't have heartburn if one or the other was selected. I would still love to see Carlton Fisk be considered.

The only game I was ever able to see the Sox in Chicago was played at Old Comiskey. That was 1987. I was able to see the Bosox in Fenway in 2000 and there was something real special about the old Comiskey and Fenway. However, I had a heck of a time seeing high pops when I sat up from the third base dugout because of the overhang.

Lot's of happy times during the season if you take individual games.

You don't authorize your GM to go out and ADD players during the season only to turn around and cut $15M in payroll. We might even have less to work with then the Expos. I don't put much credence in these stories. After all look at the timing of this report-only 4 days or so after the end of the regular season. You wonder if there have even been any front office meetings yet.

Agreed. Our best bet is to keep our central group of players and try and add some back up. If we spend money on the likes of Bart and Roberto and maybe Carl Everett, that doesn't leave much for chasing Tejada, et al. Trades might be a different story though.

It was visually enjoyable scrolling the posts and viewing all the beautuful half-naked female basebal fans that my fellow Soxtalk fans attached to their posts. Please send the pictures to me, in full color 8X10 glossy, so that I may have some enjoyment this off season. Thank You! :fthecubs

Southsider2k3, I appreciate your efforts on this board. It was fun and you have been a class act. I'll be playing next year and will keep on posting also.

We don't need someone managing the Sox that has never won before. These retreads out there just keep surfacing as the manager of another team, that doesn't win either. Let's get someone with a winning record, like Larussa, or get a new guy with a winning rep. Already saw the name of Hargrove mentioned and in the past it was Gaston and Valentine. We don't need them. Heck, why fire Manuel if you bring in someone with a worse overall record?

He is most certainly right up there as one of the best. I hope he stays in Chicago.

This works if done properly. I assume Magglio will be traded for youth if Colon is signed. I think this is a good direction. I think we will see lots of contradictory things being posted as we all try and make sense of what happened, or didn't happen, this year. Let's start by thinking of all the good things about this team. We don't need wholesale destruction, in the name of rebuilding, and we need to realize that even the greatest of hitters only suceed 3 out of ten times at bat. Saying that Maggs has all these faults doesn't add up when you call him a "stud player." A stud player doesn't do this things so you are being contradictory. Plus he is a youthful player (age wise) himself with probably 7-10 good years left minimum. If we go crazy here we will gut the prime nucleus of the team and start over like the Tigers. What we may need more than anything is a motivational person at the helm. No doubt Jerry Manuel was a class act, but could not keep the team focused in the last 2-3 weeks of the season. We need to keep our "stud" players and fill those few glaring holes we do have. The core group in my opinion are Jose Valentin, Frank Thomas, Maggs, Roberto Alomar, Bartolo Colon and Carlos Lee, et al to include Buerhle & Gordon. I am not including the youngsters becasue their contracts are not up in the air at this time (Crede for instance). Let's take a moment and catch our breath.

WGN broadcasting our last chance to see the Sox till 2004 season. Game starts at 6:05 PM CDT. I know some may believe it is a merciful end to the season, but we should enjoy our baseball and our team till the very end. Colon is pitching tonight and let's see if he can make a statement about his worth for next year.

I love Paul Konerko and hope he is still here next year to show 2002 wasn't a fluke year, but how the heck does anyone ground into 28 DP's?

I agree. I would love to see what these guys might be able to put together over a full season. In fact let's bring back Manuel too. Save us some money there by not having to pay him a million plus for NOT managing. Use that money to help resign our guys.

I hope we can sign Colon to a long term deal. Colo, Buerhle, Loaiza and Garland can be a very good, if not great starting staff and insert #5, whoever that may be from a list of prospects. Might even get another free agent signed that turns out great like Loaiza.

Twice this last week I have picked guys that didn't start. Couldn't check in before game time to see the starting lineups. I may lose this PTC title becasue of that. I would like to have ten points added to my score please. Thank you, thank you very much. Joe Crede for Saturday. Game on WGN and I'll be there in front of the magic box.

Baseball is a thinking man's game!

I think Jon has shown his ability to perform at high level. However, he still needs to show he can do it consistently. At 24 years old he is much too young to give up on and I wish we had Kip Wells pitching with him here in Chitown.

Could very well happen. However, we still have to see Manuel leave first.

I thought Bobby Valentine was a bit animated and with just too much emphasis on his trash talk. He made comments about how Frank should have said something to rally his teammates earlier rather than choose to talka bout steroids. I wonder if old Bobby thought he was interviewing for the Sox top job and showing how tough he could be on the Big Hurt.