Rex Hudler

To set the record straight, I am not a "friend" of Wally's. I know Wally, have had a drink with him on a couple of occasions at the neighborhood bar. I know people in the Barons office that know him well and know much of what goes on and what he says. They still talk to him on occasion. I feel like the information I have on him is fair and accurate.

Thanks Vince......... Allow me to add one more thing. I said all along that I didn't think KW and Backman would not mix. I always believed that Backman wouldn't get the Sox job unless they made a move in the middle of the season. So my arguments have nothing to do with sour grapes over Wally not getting the Sox job.

No, actually that would make KW a liar. Since you seem to know the "real story" let's hear it. KW said he believed Backman and that was not the issue in his non-renewal. Yet you want to blame him for that being judge and jury? I am not arguing with you all night. I have already seen some of your idiotic threads. There is no need to argue with someone who can't understand logic and argue intelligently. So have your final say. I know you are itching to do so.

If there is more to the story, then even makes your comments even more stupid because the supposed comments weren't the real reason for the firing. I am really disappointed in such a knee-jerk reaction to a situation that anyone with a little objectivity and intelligence could see through.

That may be the most hypocritical statement I have ever seen.

Southside and Vince, you both are completely full of s***. First of all, Backman denied it twice, once in an article in the Birmingham News and again in the Tribune article a few days ago. The reason it was never denied earlier in any source other than the Birmingham News, is because the writer of the story never bothered to call Backman to get his response (don't they teach you that Intro to Journalism?) and no other news source, including any of the Chicago papers ever followed up on the story. The original story was bulls***. Backman was never contacted, Gardenhire was never contacted and two unnamed Twins assistant coaches were indirectly quoted. If you know ANYTHING about journalism, you can smell a hack job a mile away here. There is a reason no other media outlet touched the story. I figured you guys to be a little smarter than this.

There are many sides and facets to what goes on in baseball from personalities to performance. I don't buy that there is any one reason that Wally left the Sox. I do have a few thoughts, however.... 1. First of all, Wally was not fired. He was simply not offered a new contract. His previous contract was up. Secondly, Wally was very emphatic that he would not got back to AA again. He felt he had earned a promotion. As it turns out, if he were offered a AA contract in December he could have had a change of heart since many other jobs were filled at that point. I do think the fact that he didn't want to go back to AA had an effect on the Sox decision not to offer the contract. 2. The Sox actually did indeed offer him a new contract during the season. Without a guarantee that he would not have to come back to AA and not knowing what was going on with the White Sox, he decided to hold off signing it. That was his choice at the time. 3. I personally find the story that broke about his "conversation" with Gardenhire stinks, big time. One source reported it with no direct quotes whatsoever. Other media sources only reported it a few days later because the story hung out there. No specific person was quoted and no other media source decided to do any kind of follow up. With today's media, that makes no sense. 4. If Wally did make such a comment, I have no doubt it was in jest. Did he want the Sox managerial job? Hell yes. But was he trying to undermine JM to get that job? I don't think so. The bottom line is 85% of Sox fans wanted the same thing, Manuel fired. Many people on this board went to great lengths to make long posts as to why he should be fired. So to call him an asshole for having the same thoughts you were is quite hypocritical. Perhaps joking with a buddy was a bad idea. But how many times have any one here made a comment in jest that was meant to stay in that room only?? When casual comments land in print, they look 10x worse than they were intended. 5. That said, Backman is not without his faults. I don't pretend to know everything he ever did or said, but I know enough that like all of us, he was not perfect. I believe his biggest crime was not being patient enough in waiting for a position that White Sox personnel were telling him was all but his. 6. Lastly, regardless of everything else, Backman is one hell of a manager. His players loved playing for him, they played hard and they won games. He was a master at the game itself and won games for his team. Watching him over two seasons it was evident how much of an effect he had. I for one, will miss watching Wally manage.

Last I heard Lieber may be ready to start the season. He actually threw in either Minor League games or simulated games at their ST complex late last year and has been on an off-season throwing program. I haven't heard of any setbacks.

I think Borchard's problem is more mental than physical. I haven't seen him play in two years, so I can't say what adjustments he has or has not made in that time. I do know his swing was long. I also know he was a very hard worker and a fierce competitor. When he was in Birmingham, he could strike out in his first three AB's in a game and look really bad, yet find a way to single in the winning run in the 9th. That is how, even though he struck out a lot, he kept his average up near .300. Obviously, something has changed in Charlotte. I have heard from reliable sources that he was very frustrated working with Greg Walker (at least in 2002). I can say that I know for a fact that was true. Hitting can be very much a "feel" type action for many hitters. Once they lose that feel, they get frustrated. Knowing how competitive Joe is, I have no doubt that he beats himself up mentally trying to improve. Sometimes that can be counter-productive and make things worse. I think Joe taking this winter off is a good thing. He has basically been playing non-stop since he signed. Getting his mind off baseball may be the best thing for him. I also feel like working with Gregg Ritchie for a whole season will benefit Joe. They worked well together when both were in Birmingham. Gregg is very good with both mechanics and mental approach and he will work as hard or harder as the player will, trying to help him. When I referred to Joe being possibly being ready in 2006, I was referring to taking over a starting role and being very productive. Even if he is ready to move into the lineup in 2005, he will still be a rookie and will still be learning and adjusting. I think once Joe can get the correct mindset back, you will see his numbers improve. That won't likely happen overnight, however.

A combination of money, stupidity, immaturity and possibly alcohol is probably your answer.

f*** You Aboz!!!

Steff, southsideirish, please remind me to never disagree with either of you again...... After reading this thread, I know there is no way in hell I have the stamina to keep going with you two robots. I'm worn out just reading this thread.

The first time I saw Jon Garland pitch in the Minors, comparisons to Scott Erickson immediately went through my head. There is absolutely no point to that, just a random thought.

Hanrahan was good. He was a better pitcher this year than was Jackson. Of course Jackson is considered a better prospect. Hanrahan edged out Pacheco for the RH pitcher on the post-season Southern League All-Star team. Cotts was the LH. For some stupid reason, the SL All-Star team (post-season) only has one RH and one LH. Makes no sense to me. The SL also had Dan Haren (Cardinals), Dontrelle Willis and Greg Miller for short stints. Not a bad year for pitching prospects in the league. I am probably fogetting someone as well.

He was going to have to move a player or two to free up some budget space.

That is a valid concern. How well Mark does this year could very well tell what direction his career is headed. Let's hope that in 2 years Sox fans aren't screaming that KW was stupid for giving Mark the contract he got considering the trends you mentione. Let's hope Mark gets back into a groove this year, wins 17-18 games and continues being a solid #1 or #2 starter.

Frank still has another option with the Sox for 2005 and IIRC, it is at $8 million.

Perhaps Borchard can be the LH bat that can allow them to move Konerko. Until he proves himself, I am not counting on Joe B. to be an everyday player at this point. It may happen, but realistically it may be 2006 before he is really ready to play everyday.

Forget the word AND when you type Miller/Jackson. IF either of them is traded, it will only be one of them NOT both. Don't be surprised if the name Hanrahan pops into the picture rather than Miller or Jackson.

I think this team will be fine with Miguel. I just wish we had a true leadoff hitter, so Willie could hit 9th. I know I am thinking far ahead, but if a leadoff hitting shortstop could be obtained for 2005, we could have a nice lineup, assuming Rowand and Harris are decent (they don't need to be all-stars). It could look like this...... SS TBD RF Reed LF Lee DH Thomas 1B Konerko 3B Crede CF Rowand (he could switch positions with Reed) C Olivo 2B Harris With a solid leadoff hitter, the face of this lineup would change. It is still RH dominant in the middle and perhaps one of those guys would be moved to mix a LH bat in there. I like the possibilities here. Sorry for looking way ahead.

Jeff, I agree that you have a definite chance to play in the Majors. There is no doubt you were the best reliever on the Barons staff last year throughout the year. If they didn't hang you with that 8-run disaster, your numbers would have been mind-boggling. Keep plugging away and never take anything for granted. There are lots of RH relievers with similar stuff. Performing at the right level at the right time may just be what gets you that break. I wish you the best of luck in Charlotte this year. And by the way......... Go LSU!

winningugly, I just noticed that you and I had the same ten players (different order). Congrats on getting all ten players right.

Bickering on who picks up the tab on your first date? I don't see much of a future there.

So where are the complete stats on Maggs? LOL

Josh, here is the Venezuelan League web site. I speak Spanish so I can't read it. Maybe you can find some info there. Venezuelan Winter League