Rowand44

Here's a wallpaper that goldy made for me, I think it's pretty awesome http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28118

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jan 19, 2005 -> 06:15 PM) I'm not saying he isn't trying to get better. I just don't know if he WANTS to get better. Does he truly want it? Eh'...I've said my piece on Harris. You all know how I feel. Fair enough.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jan 19, 2005 -> 06:09 PM) I don't hate on Willie just because; I can't stand him because he doesn't have the attitude nor the drive to turn things around. The difference between a boy like Wee Willie and men like Aaron and Jon is drive. When Rowand was playing below his expectations and people were all over him, I always supported him because he was busting his hump on turning things around...two years later, Aaron is a fan favorite, a proverbial "grinder." I have the same sentiment towards Garland. Although many hyped him to be a 15-18 game winner (who knows, maybe he'll attain that status), I accepted him as a 12 game winner because he was out there doing his best. Wheter Maunel hooked him early, or whatever the case was, he did what he had to do to preform the next time out. I know he put the blame on others early in his career, but he has steered away from that and knows what he has to do to suceed. Willie just doesn't give a s***. He has the tools to be an excellent fielder and an above-average hitter, but he hasn't done it...why? He's had ample time to prove himself and so far, has done nothing more than earn a glorifed "pinch-runner" status. His steals total was the final nail in the coffin in my book. HARRIS IS NOT AN EVERYDAY PLAYER!!! If Wee Willie turns it around, I'll be the first in line to congraduate him on a job well done, but in the meantime, it seems like I and more important people in the Sox organization have given up on him (namely Mr. Williams.). He has fallen out of favor with the organization for a reason. I honestly don't understand the love-affair with this kid. I've posted in the past, I don't know if its his cute size, his cute nickname, or his horrible inconsistancy and inability to hit LHP, but people love him. What makes you think willie doesn't work his ass off, if anything I'd say willie is a much harder worker then jon, a lot of times jon seems like he doesn't give a s***. Now don't get me wrong I'm not trying to turn this into a jon vs willie thing because I think soxfans at times underrated both because we expect the best from all of our players, however I do think willie is trying to get better.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Jan 19, 2005 -> 05:55 PM) Right field race? Forget the stop watch, being a calendar. It looks like a couple guys are going to be logging some serious sub time if things do not change. Like most teams, we are thin in spots. A couple injuries and it's 2004 Part 2 When Frank comes back I actually think the bench is pretty deep. Carl will essentially become a bench player even though I'm sure he'll get a decent amount of playing time, you also have ross who a lot of us thought could have been a starter this year and Timo who has been a starter before. Backing up aj we have ben and jamie which isn't that bad either, neither of them are great but both could probably step in and atleast hold the position down. Right now the obvious missing link is a utility guy who can give juan and willie breaks, I'm sure we'll pick a utility man up cause that seems like something kenny is really set on but as of right now I don't think the team is that thin besides the middle infield slots, jmo.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 09:43 AM) Exactly, he gets the award for most annoying personality of the weekend. I'll agree there, I love hawk but he was annoying as hell this weekend. Not only did he keep talking about the sox having 242 homeruns and the yankees not ever doing that before this year, yada yada yada, he wouldn't shut up. People would ask someone else a question and hawk would go on a 10 minute rant, he was ridiculous this weekend. Oh yeah not to mention he'd open every seminar saying how this is the best soxfest he's ever been to as far as the fans attitude saying last year was great too but this years was better.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 11:27 PM) But spring training is so far away! Haha, fair enough I think all of us are itching for spring training to come. The team is basically set and there is no baseball being played, really not much to talk about.

QUOTE(WSFAN35 @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 11:24 PM) Well I guess its pointless for us to argue about anything, considering we have absolutely no say in what happens to our club. I disagree about that, just here it really makes no different who's slotted in which spot, imo.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 11:18 PM) I keep reading that, best case scenario, he pitches at the end of 2005. The Cubs will pay him minimum if he does not pitch this season, w/ a $2 mil (team) option for 2006. That's a gamble that's EASILY worth it, imo. The Sox scored w/ Ellis Burks, why not give it a go w/ Lieber or Williamson? I'll agree with you on that jackie that it was a decent gamble for the cubs because when scott is healthy he's a damn good pitcher. Who knows though if he'll ever be completely healthy again his elbow seems real messed up.

Guys, no offense but this is kind of a pointless argument to argue who is the 4th or 5th guy, if ozzie isn't skipping starts it really doesn't matter at all.

QUOTE(Man Of Steel @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 10:58 PM) I agree with you 100% that Contreras needs to be the 5th starter Why does it matter??

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 10:49 PM) #@$@#%&~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They got Williamson for a song. He is just tremendous when he's right. Hell, even wrong this year, he was better than ever. Damnit, I was really hoping the Sox would get him. Worst f***ing outcome. Williamson won't even pitch this year.

QUOTE(Goldmember @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 10:17 PM) Once again, awesome goldy

QUOTE(qwerty @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 10:26 PM) Well, that is not a good sign. I wonder who voted for Contreras

I consider the 5th starter to be Jon but this year it really doesn't matter. Ozzie at soxfest said that he doesn't plan on skipping starts this year so it really doesn't matter who the number 5 guys is imo, but if I was asked who the sox 5th starter is, I'd say Jon.

Didn't mean to start an argument here, guys. Just saying it's something the sox might look into.

I don't think they should be paid, one of the beauties of College sports is the purity of the games. However I think it's ridiculous how players could get penalized if their coach buy's them dinner or something stupid like that.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 09:22 PM) i say no way in hell we ditch garland... i mean at worse he is good for 12 wins right... while it isnt what we expect from him he is still a solid starter and you just dont ditch those guys... if we lose anyone or take them from the rotation next year its going to be one of the cubans more likely El Duque. But im really hoping this is the year Garland can get his era maybe low 4's and 15-16 wins... that would be sweet.. He did outpitch Santana once last year we won 2-1 off a Carlos Lee HR in the 1st inning... that alone is enough for me to keep him I'm not saying it's going to happen nor do I really expect it, but it is a possibility. Lets just say one of the pitchers goes down for a bit mid season, Bmac steps in and shows he can atleast pitch in the big leagues and Jon continues to win 12 ball games. They'd atleast have to look into the possibility of non tendering Jon.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 09:13 PM) This is a put up or shut up year for Garland. I'm tired of the "he's still young" excuses. He's been here since what, 2000? Time to either start producing consistently or HE GONE! It should be interesting with Jon next year, all the other 4 starters are locked up through 06 and he's arbitration eligible and with Bmac on the way I agree it's definitely put up or shut up time for him. I like Jon alot as the number 5 guy because he'll be one of the best 5th starters in baseball however if Brandon is ready I wouldn't be surprised to see Jon get non tendered to free up some cash but who knows, should be interesting........

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 06:45 PM) That's very debatable. Clemens=more wins, K's RJ=better ERA If you look at their career's as a whole, I'd have to say Roger has been a little better and the best of this generation, however if I had to pick a guy to pitch one game there are a couple of guys I'd pick before roger such as Pedro, Rj and Maddux, good debate though.

QUOTE(WSFAN35 @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 06:43 PM) I certainly am. Why is everyone so excited about him? No one here's ever seen him play. His number weren't as good as Kaz Matsui's in Japan, so who's to say he's going to perform here. The only time he's seen major league pitching was in that MLB All-Stars vs. Japan All-Stars series, and he bombed big-time. Shinjo and Taguchi weren't ever good in Japan so I wouldn't compare Iguchi to either. As far as not being as good as Matsui in Japan, Tadahito's last couple of years were better then anything Kaz did batting average and obp wise and we wouldn't need him to supply power. I like Iguchi because I think he'd be a nice fit behind spod in the order.

Think of it this way Krush if Illinois doesn't make it to the championship game then you'll have something to get your mind off of it. This happened last year too, I kind of miss the format a couple years back when opening day was a week before because the first week of the season I was on spring back that was pretty nice. As for this year I'll be at opening day, I'm really looking forward to it, it'll be my first time at an opening day and it's kind of extra special because it's the first game of the year, I really can't wait

QUOTE(qwerty @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 06:51 PM) Kline is now on the orioles so he has some competition for best left handed reliever in the american league this year. Ya aj, when I wrote that steve was the first guy I gave consideration to when it used to be Guardado but as long as marte gets back to previous form I'd take him over Kline, jmo.

Jas, what do you think of weaver as a pitcher?? I have never seen him pitch and am interested on what kind of player he would turn out to be.

QUOTE(bulokis @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 04:51 PM) Scott Williamson signs with the cubs. Dont know how healthy he is though. He'll probably be out all season, if he was actually healthy this would have been a good pick up for the cubs but he's not, so........

QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 04:47 PM) Per Rotoworld, Roberto Hernandez to the NY Mets on a minor league deal. Well....he's not very good anymore but the mets do need something in their pen, this won't hurt them.