nitetrain8601

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Jul 26, 2009 -> 11:40 PM) The PPV was VERY meh. Big Show as Jericho's partner was underwhelming, it was a good match but I don't like Big Show being in a spotlight. Christian wins the ECW strap...very basic match, seemed like they just went through the motions. McCool/Melina was actually one of the better matches of the night. US title 6-pack match was fun. Kofi retains. Mickie/Maryse was very poor. Maryse has plenty of work to do, luckily she's hot as all hell. HHH/Orton/Cena was probably the best match of the night, the finish was interesting...only bad thing is we're guaranteed a match involving at least 2 of these 3 for Summerslam. Ziggler/Mysterio was good, it was a shame that it had to follow the divas title debacle. Punk/Hardy was good...I hope to see Punk win it back soon though, not only as a Punk mark...but I think it sucks that he's had 2 title runs now & not a significant victory in either run. I thought Big Show and Jericho worked really well which is weird considering I hate Big Show. I think WCW used him best when he was first introduced. Cristian's match was okay. Not too shabby, but nothing too crazy either. They should've brought out kendo sticks, barbed wire, something! McCool and Melina was probably the second best match. Usually that means the PPV sucked. In this case, they put on a hell of a show and actually seemed like they were going at each other. Better than half the matches on this card. US Title Match was really good, but Kofi needs a more devastating finisher. Maryse was god awful. Like terrible. I also don't find what's so damn hot about her. She has decent boobs, no ass and I guess she has a pretty face with makeup. Ziggler and Mysterio was a really good match. Ziggler definitely has a future. The triple threat was really good. I love how Philly absolutely hates Cena though. Pink and Hardy was good, but both definitely have a transitional champ feel to them.

If they get Odom, Wade will stay. If they do, Bulls are going to be left out in the cold and end up with Joe Johnson at best.

Honestly, I'd leave out Floyd and give up Jordan Danks(since we have Jered Mitchell), Flowers(I see him as a 1B/DH with Viciedo already there) Poreda(still am waiting for that 97mph fastball) and two lower level prospects for Haren.

QUOTE (Chet Lemon @ Jul 25, 2009 -> 11:21 AM) That is called pulling an '05 version of Marte. Difference is Marte was shortarming his pitches for some dumb reason. That and Ozzie mentally broke him down as he wasn't used to having an in your face manager. Notice how he went to Pittsburgh he got more relaxed. He went to New York, and it started over again.

Game 1, 2, 27, 49, 54, 98, 99, 105, 110, 122, 136, 139, 158, 162, 163

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ Jul 24, 2009 -> 11:50 AM) Definitely. With Lisa Dergan on his arm personally delivered from Mark Buehrle. Honestly, I hope he gets something really good and I will cheer for him like crazy next time I'm at a home game and he plays. If he deserved boos before, he definitely deserves applause.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 24, 2009 -> 11:33 AM) I'm starting to think that you and some others were wishing he botched that catch just so you can rip him even more and I say "I told you he sucks". No. As a guy, he's pretty cool. He's never complained and always went about his business. As a ballplayer, there's a lot more I wish he could do. As far as dropping the catch, heck no. I would never wish for someone to mess up a perfect game to prove a point. Not a no hitter, a shutout, nothing. I will always root for the team and anyone on it. Do I prefer Brian to him? Yes, but as I also said in a couple of threads, who cares if Brian would've had it since Wise made the catch and Buehrle threw a perfect game.

A+++++ SERVICE...WILL BUY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS AGAIN!!!!!!!!

Sox should jump on that honestly. I don't see Pods keeping up the production, but I would love to be wrong and have a logjam in the OF. It's a good problem to have.

Wise should get the day off for that glorious catch. We better beat them so bad in the first two games that they'll go ahead and decide to forfeit the next two and maybe the season. Let's throw 5 perfect games in a row. RIP EM!

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 23, 2009 -> 07:14 PM) Let me ask you this based on your assessment of your team. Do you think what Illinois has coming back is better than the rest of the teams in the Big Ten? Do you think they brought in better recruits and new players than the rest of the teams? They're coming back with talented individuals, more depth wise than almost any team in the Big Eleven. Sure, OSU has Pryor, but in terms of returning talent, they've lost some skilled position players. They also brought in some nice recruits. Is their recruiting class better than everyone's in the Big Ten? No. But the Illini have the combination of veterans at skilled positions who know the playbooks and young talented freshmen and sophmores coming in and in the case of Mr. Fayson, stud junior. You don't have to have better recruits than anyone else to be in contention. You just have to steal a couple of recruits here and there, work them in, and have recruits who can compete with the other recruits. Obviously by that, I don't mean a 2 star recruit will make it close with a bunch of 5 star recruits.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 23, 2009 -> 03:51 PM) They have (on paper) the most explosive passing attack in the conference. The running game figures to be better (I think Justin Green will be a big factor this year). The defense is another story. Most importantly, the Big 10 f***ing sucks this year. Bingo. As I stated in the recruiting thread, I think it's dumb for the offensive coordinator to come out and say he wants to run the ball more with Juice and make sure he stays under 25 throws a game. When you have that good of receivers, you must throw the ball a bit more. Their offense is simply too good. At the very least, don't tell everyone your game plan. Martez is going to be on the inside this year at LB. The Illini could definitely win it this year. They won't be anywhere as bad as last year. And the talent they returned from last year is far from crap for the most part. Plus, they did get some decent players in for this year. I think the Illini finish with a top 2 record. They definitely won't have as bad of a record as last year.

Lower ERA is definitely a biggy. If he gets it to 2.80, he'll win it.

As I said in the game thread. BA would've had it, but who cares. Wise got it, still did a hell of a job, and that shouldn't be taken away because we all know Quentin on his bum foot and Pods would not have gotten it. Nor would have Dye. Incredible catch.

Someone check Hawk for a heart attack. I tried to avoid the thread to ensure I didn't jinx it. I still think BA would've had it. Either way, who cares. A perfect fkn game!

BA in CF would look great right about now.

Trade him to the Red Sox and watch him explode nationally based off of his defense. Then they will trade him for Doc Halladay in a straight up deal.

Mafia Wars is pretty fun. I won't go out and friend a bunch of people for it, but it's definitely a fun game to pass time.

ChicagoNow is a great site. If they believe in SoxNet, I believe in SoxNet. Congrats fellers.

Juice for Heisman. Illini for National Champions. Woohoo.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 04:19 PM) Right now, it's approximately equal to his WHIP form 2005, when you (incorrectly) claim that he was at his best. It's also much better than it was in 2006, what you describe as a "good season." I'd certainly say someone with a 100mph fastball, he's a lot better IMHO. There are valid arguments on both sides. I do think he's declining and I thought that in '07 as well. It seemed like somehow, someway, baserunners were getting aboard. Last year especially, he always made the 9th interesting, but was able to get out of it more times than not.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 11:54 AM) In 2005, Jenks had some of the most electric stuff I had seen from a pitcher in my lifetime. Now his stuff is pretty average for a closer. He has above average pitches, but the thing is, he has too many for a closer IMHO and then he starts falling in love with his breaking stuff. Part of that is Coop's fault as well for allowing it to happen. All he needs is his fastball at 100mph, his hammer, and if he wants, throw in his change. He doesn't need to keep learning new pitches like a two seamer.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 11:31 AM) He threw it all the time with 2 strikes in 2005. His hook is a lot less effective now because hitters don't have to start their swing as fast with the fastball coming in at a more hittable speed. Yep. And back then, that curveball had some serious bite. Like it was definitely a hammer, especially after seeing two straight 100mph fastballs.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 11:16 AM) Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think that Bobby can throw 100 mph without changing the mechanics necessary to throw that hook for strikes. If he could, he'd probably be doing it right now. True, but back then, as long as the fastball was near the strike zone, guys were swinging at it. Then all he had to do is throw the hook anywhere, and those guys would basically be gone. Bobby Jenks back then was everything Billy Koch was supposed to be for Kenny. Anyway, I know it's been alluded to, but why isn't Ozzie using Dotel? I hate the guy because of his Jekkyl and Hyde performances, but it beats throwing Poreda and company out there. Plus, I think we should ease in Pena a little more.

QUOTE (hogan873 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 10:54 AM) I agree. He'll forever be that guy who struck out Bagwell with three 99-100 mph fastballs and who closed the deal on one of the most exciting (and stressful) deciding WS games. You can't help but the like the guy. But it may be time to trade him. Question is, who becomes our next closer? I'm not too familiar with the minors, and I assume that's where he would come from. To me, he's the guy who brought Bagwell to his knees, begging for mercy, or at least an offspeed pitch to have a chance. Regardless though, it's clear as day, even though there will be people who still argue to this day, Bobby throwing 100mph with the mean hook, is better than the Bobby with 93mph fastball with a slider, curve, and two seamer. I don't even care anymore if it's about Bobby being able to throw 100mph, or Coop just telling him not to throw 100mph. Regardless though, the only guy I have trust in without a doubt is Matt Thornton.