Rex Hudler

Jason, I agree with your top 5 or Cotts, Pacheco, Honel, Wing and McCarthy. Rupe would have been considered had he still be here. I am just lukewarm on Rauch. Think he may have already had his moment in the sun. s FWIW, I saw Munoz mentioned a lot along with several other relievers, but this was supposed to be starting pitchers. When all else fails, people, read the directions. ;-) Honel and Wing should both be in Birmingham next year. I would think McCarthy would start in Kanny, but you never know. Kanny's staff wasn't strong this year, so there may be an opportunity to skip low A depending on how he does in Instructional League and ST. He also played short season ball for two years. My guess is he would have been in Kannapolis this year if Great Falls wasn't winning and Kanny didn't suck. There is no reason to throw a developing pitcher onto a team that is 30 games under .500 at the end of the year. McCarthy should be intersting to watch. His numbers were very impressive in what appeared to be a league deep with good hitters. Either Cotts or Pacheco could break camp with the Sox, but AAA is likely.

I understand his point because a delay like that takes a pitcher out of his routine. But then again, so would have an inning where the Twins scored 5-6 runs and batted around. I doubt he would have been complaining then.

It may not be that great, but it was the best such record in the 10-team Southern League....

Sparky Anderson

I think his first coaching job was with the Sox wasn't it? Can anyone confirm this? Yes, Pena was a roving instructor and then I believe he managed the rookie club in Tucson.

I voted no for one reason...... In your scenario, you give the impression you are asking as if it is the Sox choice. If it is the Sox choice to keep him, then Frank has declined his $6 mil option. In that scenario, I do not think the Sox should keep Frank at their $8 mil option.

Holy cow.... roman and I actually agree! I don't think Backman will be the next Sox manager, but I have no doubts he would be very good. Backman's strengths are game management and getting his players to play hard and as a team. I think there could be several good candidates and Gaston could very well be one. So I am certainly open-minded here.

I meant consideration for the Twins job when Gardenhire got it. I thought Molitor basically eliminated himself from being considered at the time. And again, not to bash Molitor, but what do you think would make him a better choice than Backman?

He was asked if he was interested in the job and answered that if it was available he would love it, that he wanted to manage in the Big Leagues. He also said that would come when the time is right and he didn't want Manuel to lose his job to make that happen. Guess that got lost in the "selectivity of the quote".

They were about to have one - Anthony Webster. Who was at least 2-3 years away and still very raw with no guarantee he would make it at all.

I thought Molitor passed up consideration for the job??

He hates sacrifices, not bunts for hits........

All i can say is WOW

With the bases loaded and two out!!!

Unbelievable ending! The freakin catcher lays down a drag bunt for a game winning hit!!

All players have to be in fair territory.....

Int. BB to Terence Long......... Did you notice Lowe shaking his head when told to walk Long? He didn't want to. I expect the game to end here.

Can you imagine all of the reactions on this board if the WSox were playing??

Starting the runner was huge there....... kept them in the inning....

1st pitch to Tejada looked awfully good to me......

They turned that DP (or failed to) like they thought had all day there......

Damn, that is a LOT of foul ground tehre..... I knew Oakland was big, but never really paid that close attention. The 3B could run a damn 60-yard dash and still have room in foul ground to catch the ball.

Usually the guy that makes the great play in the field, ends up leading off the very next half inning. This time Chavez is second up after Durazo.

What a freakin play by Chavez.... Diving on a ball down the line, running and then diving at the 3B bag to beat the runner to get the force.

Awesome game Yas......... welcome aboard!