djcollie03

Just saw TCQ at Macy's Autograph signing. Said he's doing well and that he thinks he'll be back before the All-Star game. Maybe as early as the Cubs v. Sox series at the Cell based on how he feels. Said the team is excited for these games. Let's get this done - I think our young guys come up big and Danks has a great start tonight!

Josh Paul (not playing right now?) Josh Fogg

It's too bad he decided not to come here but, I don't blame him. Had we guaranteed the final year $22 million he would be on his way right now. He and his agent are probably right in believing that some team (a la the Brewers) will pony up to guarantee that last year. My hope is that Kenny continues to be aggressive and that this is just the start. As for Padres v. Cubs - Go padres. I can't stand the Cubs.

It's definitely no fun watching this team struggle - doesn't seem like there's much, if any, pep to the players right now. The back of the line up is terrible, pitching hasn't been nearly up to par and injuries are not helping the situation. That said, I'm not really feeling all that different than I did last year at this time - anyone remember the Blowup doll incident in Toronto? We were just as bad coming out of that series last year. I feel like all of talk radio is giving up, the message boards are down, people ready to dismantle the team - it's deja vu. I certainly wouldn't throw in the towel yet. It's way too early and the AL Central is WEAK. I thought coming out of spring training that most of the division was going to hover right around .500 this season. It's the team or teams that can string together a week or two of wins that will take this thing. I'd be shocked if any team in the Central hits 90 wins. While we might not look good now, you never know what could happen.

QUOTE (LVSoxFan @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 12:57 PM) Er, have you been to the green line recently? That neighborhood's gettin re-done. Hell there's even a Starbucks and sub shop on 35th there between the stop and the park. Crazy! I've been on the Green once this season and parked over there 2x. While I'll agree that the neighborhood is getting better, I wouldn't say the Starbucks and Sub Shop have made it safer. Like anywhere in the city, just be aware of your surroundings and you should be good to go. I'm very happy to see the changes and I think in a few years it will be the next hip spot/neighborhood to live in.

I have the Hit & Run Package and really appreciate the fact that parking opens in the early AM. So much easier for me to drive downtown and park at the Stadium in AM, take the El to work and come back that evening. Parking is perfect too - right next to the new and improved Gate 5. I agree with a previous poster that Gate 5 is the only way to go in - no lines, congestion, etc. As for other parking options, we sometimes park on 35th Street east of the Green Line. Not the greatest of neighborhoods but, no meters and I've never had any problems (tickets, break ins, etc.) over there. I've also parked on Halsted, paid the meters and walked over. Not too far and the neighborhood is better that way. There are a number of bars up and down Halsted that we've had a good time at pregame. Plus you can hit Grandstand on the walk to the park - great selection of Sox hats, clothing etc at much lower prices than at the park. If you're planning on some pregame activities, you'll end up spending the same amount for beers at bar as you would for parking in the Lot. For my buck, I'll park close, bring a couple chairs, some food and beer and tailgate before the game - if only the weather would cooperate more this season. When we lived in the city, I often used the Green Line for games that were very crowded. It's a little further of a walk but, if you're connecting with anything in the Loop -Brown, Orange, Purple, Pink it's very convenient. I did make the mistake of taking the Green Line with my wife on a less busy weeknight game and would not suggest it. Drugs, shadiness, etc going on that night. It's the only time I've experienced that on Chicago Public Transit and now believe better safe than sorry. I'm not put off by too much but, it was pretty out of control that night. As for seats in the park, I think you need to be in the infield - Lower or Upper is fine. I know many people who say the Upper Deck is no good but, IMHO it is 10x better than the seats in the outfield. If you get on Stubhub and get Season Tix from an UD Season Ticket holder you can still access the lower level if you want. A few bucks saved can't hurt in this economy. The games haven't been all that crowded this season so you can jump around the lower deck if that's your thing. If not, Upper Deck Box seats offer a great view of the field and are the best in the house for Fireworks Nights.

By far the worst was Freddie Garcia... hands down the most arrogant player. Frank, Paul, Buehrle have been the best I've met.

I'd file the dispute... tix arrived 2+ weeks ago.

A group of 4 of us will be there for the Saturday game. Looking forward to it....

I've read the board for a while but, this is my first official topic. I expect that those of you who are stat-mongers will have some insight into this but, why haven't we heard about the possibility of Alexei in the lead off role. He has great bat control and his speed is more than ample for 25-30 stolen bases. I don't know what his OBP was last year but, there was NO ONE on the Sox who saw more pitches after going down 0-2 than Ramirez - it seemed he would foul off pitch after pitch. He can tag the fast ball so pitcher beware a quick 1-0 start to a game. I guess I'm hesitant to put Owens or any of our 2nd base prospects in the position considering none of them have seen that much playing time. Thoughts?

Been to: Comiskey - Old and New Wrigley Milwaukee - County and the New one Cincinnati - Riverfront Pittsburgh - PNC Park Boston Angels Stadium Dodger Stadium Olympic Stadium in Montreal - weirdest baseball experience of all time, less than 1,000 in attendance for a Sept game the last year they played there. It was terrible. Adding to the List this summer: Great American Park Minnesota - HHH Dome Detroit - Comerica Coors Field

We tried for 4 tix for Saturday's game. Outside of the Diamond Box at $195/seat the only spot I was able to get was Upper Deck in the Left Field corner - 16th row. At least we're in the Stadium. We just got great seats at Great American Ballpark for the next weekend. Any one else making the trip there?

I was at the game and would say the booing wasn't bad. It was more like a collective grumble from the stands and a very weak smattering of applause. I can't say I blame the fans and certainly hope that Javy wakes up to shove it down the BooBirds throats with quality innings the next time he gets a chance to pitch. When you have pitchers like Buerhle, Danks and Floyd gutting it out it's difficult to handle quotes like - "I'm the same whether I win or lose." I'd at least like to see some passion from him. It seems like he doesn't care and that doesn't fit with a team that is lead by Ozzie Guillen and Kenny Williams.

I'm going with the optimist angle on this. I think we win the division the last week of the season. We beat Cliff Lee at home to clinch... AJ with the game deciding homerun off of him. If you think back to the beginning of the season, we were picked to finish 3rd/4th by everyone. I'd be surprised if anyone had much faith that we'd even be this close by September. I know I didn't. If the Sox would grant me one request, I just want them to be mentally tough - no defensive miscues, work the count, strong outings when the pen is called in. There are no give away games left for us. If we're going to get beat, I'd rather lose a game like last night where Cliff Lee was dealing. There are a lot of games we should have won this year... let's hope the should've is put to rest by Sept 28th.

It's terrible but, the guys in my office call Ramirez the "Ethiopian Missile" In '05 my wife came up with "Andale Andale Uribe Uribe" in homage to Speedy Gonzalez.

I thought the same thing this weekend - up until the Cubs series last year we looked really good. I'm confident that this team will shake out of it but, I'd like to see more consistency on the offensive side of the ball. I like the patience that Swisher and Cabrera bring to the team but, when you look at the overall batting averages - it's not pretty. Outside of the homeruns we're not doing a great job of manufacturing runs. Hopefully the big boppers will heat up and we'll continue to stay ahead of the pack.

I've been impressed with the plate discipline Swisher and Cabrera have shown in the first week. They look like they both have a plan when they get up to bat. I think the Sox as a whole should be working the count a little more - Carmona was all over the place on Wednesday and outside of Cabrera and Swisher we looked impatient. I think this team has a lot more heart than last years and with a few lucky bounces could be in it at the end of the season.

I think the Cubs will have just enough fire power to win the division. The Brewers pitching isn't that deep and is injury prone. It's funny that you hear Pinella say "no excuses" to start the season and then 2 games in complain about the weather, day games and have Dempster crying about the boos. I know it's early and Lou likes to tinker with his line ups but, you'd think he'd have worked out a few sets he was comfortable with in Spring Training. I think DeRosa is the best fit for the two spot in their line up.

I don't think ESPN gives the Crosstown rivalry enough credit - there have been some absolutely stellar games between the two teams - Carlos Lee's walk-off, Valentin's walk-off, AJ winning the game last year, the sucker punch, etc... Having attended quite a few (at both parks), TV can't possibly capture the mix of excitement and animosity that you feel at the games. In the worst of years there are terrible fights breaking out in the stands but, normally it's just bragging rights and a lot of verbal jousting. Since the Sox won the World Series, I think the Sox fans are more confident and less reactionary. It's definately taken a toll on the Northside in the way Cubs fans have reacted both during the City series and been treating their own team. I'd say the inferiority complex that Sox fans supposedly had is now creeping North.

The other choice is to listen to Farmer and Singleton who seem to have no passion what so ever. I think they are close to unlistenable as you can get - we were spoiled with John Rooney. I'd rather accept and enjoy the comedic quality of Hawk's homerism than the deadpan, emotionless voices of our radio team.

They're horrible - the only saving grace about them is they aren't two toned on the side like the Cubs.

After I saw the original post, I ordered the set for $25. Got the dvd's but no pin set. About 2 weeks after I received the dvds, I got an email saying the pin set was no longer available... they credited me $12.50 for the trouble... $12.50 for the DVD set is a great deal.

I have a number of clients in Chicago who are Tiger fans - none of them think that the Tigers are going to hold on... Maybe it's only Twins fans that are feeling confident right now but, Chicago based Tiger fans are shaking in their boots (like us during the slide last year). The fact that we have played this inconsistently and are still within striking distance of the division is amazing. With Twins v. Tigers this weekend, it's all up to the Sox to control their own destiny. Outside of that, the bad feelings aimed at the Pale Hose after last season are understandable. We have a history of bad blood with Twins and the Tigers (who can forget the brawl in 2000 or more recently Cuddyer saying the only team that he doesn't want to make it in the playoffs are the Sox). The reality is it's up to us to win it for ourselves and we can't count on more gifts than we've been given by the rest of our division. GO SOX!!!

I haven't seen the invoice for next year but, I was surprised by the playoff invoice. The price is similar to last year but, our seats were moved way out and way up in the Upper Deck. Last year our seats were in the same general vicinity - comparable rows/sections even if we were moved to the other side of the field. I guess that's the biggest change with all of the new season tix holders. I'm excited to go again but disappointed with where we'll be sitting.

I'm not clear on Iguchi's status next year but, he is one of our better disciplined players at the plate. If he is part of the picture for '07, why not have him lead off??? He seems like he could be a Johnny Damonesque lead off hitter - decent power and steals.