nitetrain8601

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.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 02:22 PM) Meh. I couldn't imagine the target audience of this show getting too excited about the story arc involving this guy. I can. It's more about Ari. Imagine one of your best friends, who you took from the gutter, gave him the lifestyle that he could only dream of by giving him a second chance on life, and you find out he's jeopardizing everything. Do you keep the guy because he makes you money, or do you fire the guy because he is morally wrong? It would be a great thing for Ari to deal with. How do you fire one of your best friends?

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 01:19 PM) Weeds has been pretty solid so far this season. Entourage...meh. Why did they have to introduce this new guy at the agency? Who cares about him. They introduced him last season. And it's pretty nice to see an agent different than Ari who's going to have problems like cheating on his wife.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 01:46 PM) still a 3rd seed. Can grab #2 from cle, but not on the same planet as Boston (at full strength) . I don't see how, but that's your argument, and it's certainly a good one. I just think Orlando is better. We shall see though.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 12:54 PM) Did you guys not lose Hedo? Did Boston and Cleveland switch conferences? Orlando is absolutely stacked. They upgraded Turkoglu into VC who was one of three players to average 20/5/5 last year with Kobe and LeBron I believe. They turned Battie into Bass and Andersen. They're turning Anthony Johnson into CJ Watson who actually can run and provide some serviceable minutes at backup PG. Also, Barnes can play PF as he did with the Suns and Warriors. He's better off as a SF though. I wonder what they're going to do with JJ Redick though.

QUOTE (Misplaced_Sox @ Jul 19, 2009 -> 04:14 PM) Can we agree how silly though it is to take your least used, rookie, in a situation like that when, Ozzie has never put him on in a situation like that ever prior? This was Ozzie's F you How is he supposed to gain experience in a situation like that if you want to keep him out of a situation like that without giving him experience in that situation? You and a couple of others just made a huge Catch 22 with him. Ozzie needs to use him, Ozzie set him up to fail by using him today. It's one thing of Poreda was wild, but has showed amazing stuff. He has yet to show amazing stuff. Right now, he's much worse than MacDougal because he has jack s*** going for him. He should be traded while his value is high. This place reminds me of Soxtalk a couple of years ago when they would do whatever it took to protect Jeff Bajanaru.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Jul 19, 2009 -> 02:42 PM) Poreda has some tinkering to do. You could tell his confidence is pretty low and his mechanics are a bit off. Some time in triple-a should do wonders. I'm not giving up on the guy yet. And I still believe he has really good trade value. Halladay season anyone? His supposed velocity has yet to show up. It's Nick Masset-esque. A guy who supposedly throws a shade under 99, but we've never seen it.

Wow, I don't know what people still see in Poreda over Porcello. The guy is pretty awful. I understand if you're nervous or you have great stuff but bad control. This guy cannot find the strike zone. He's alot closer to throwing a wild pitch than a strike, each time he throws. And that last at bat, he almost did. If we lose 4-3, you could blame Poreda for this loss. Contreras didn't have it today, but he battled. Poreda looked like he was playing for the other team.