Rex Hudler

I think Backman would be excellent for the job. I just don't see him getting it if KW is in charge. It's just a feeling I get, but I think they would mix like oil and water. I also think there are some misconceptions here. Backman is not a fiery, in-your-face kind of guy, but he is no pacifist either. He is fiery as a competitor and expects his players to play hard, but almost every player I have ever talked to liked playing for him a lot. They thought he was fair and the moves he made were very well respected. I think Backman will be a very good Big League manager, very soon. Just not sure it will be with the Sox.

Actually, Wally is in Chicago now or will be up there soon, but that is beside the point. I would like to see the article(s) where he was quoted. As was previously mentioned, if he was asked, I have no problem with saying he would like the job if the opportunity presented itself. Lastly, Wally is not an in your face kind-of-manager. The bottom line is that time cures a lot of things and the offseason, along with all of the moves that are made, will mean players will get over what they are feeling now. Those comments could be considered to made by a frustrated player wanting to protect his manager. I would get a little defensive too if I was asked who was going to replace my boss, when he still is in fact the boss. Prediction time: Wally will not be the Sox next manager, but probably should be. If KW is the GM, I don't see it happening. If someone new is brought in to be the GM, then he will likely want his own guy. It's possible, but not likely.

I agree there is no need to rush him..... And I definitely agree on the hype of velocities.... I have decided to subtract 3-4 mph off anything I read in Baseball America, etc. from this point on...... Ring was another guy that didn't light up the radar guns after even still being considered a flamethrower. LOL

Great outing tonight, shutting out the Reds.... 7IP 2H 0R 2BB 4K Last 5 starts..... 4-1 1.30 ERA 34.2IP 22H 11BB 24K Last 10 starts....... 5-3 2.88 ERA 65.2IP 54H 23BB 48K

Bull, got a question for ya....... Should it be a concern that Honel's velocity seems to be nowhere near what is reported? The night he pitched in Birmingham, he never reached 90 at all. A scout told me he saw him 4 different times this year and he always topped out at 88. I'm not one to dwell on radar gun readings, but I wonder when for 2 years you hear a guy throws 93-94, but it isn't happening. I did like his breaking ball, but I don't recall him throwing it for strikes a lot, which will bite him in the ass at higher levels. Hype aside, what do you really see in Honel and other than ST, how much have you seen him pitch? Is he there in instructs? Your thoughts are apreciated and I am out! Gracias......

teaching Hankins to catch, is the word....... the guy can hit..... just not enough power to be a starter at 1B or 3B

There was no sarcasm. I enjoy your posts and knowledge. Its not the first time ive paid my respects to you. This site needs more members like yourself. Just cuz i like to have fun and be a dumbass at times, doesnt mean i dont appreciate you. Thanks......... I think. LOL No need to thank me. Just keep up the good work. You are one of the several reasons i return to this site, including hsc, chisoxfn, yasny, cubkilla, etc. Okay, I won't thank you.

There was no sarcasm. I enjoy your posts and knowledge. Its not the first time ive paid my respects to you. This site needs more members like yourself. Just cuz i like to have fun and be a dumbass at times, doesnt mean i dont appreciate you. Thanks......... I think. LOL

Bmr, help me out here........ I am searching deeply for the sarcasm in your last remark, but can't seem to find it... Yet, not exactly sure why you would say it if serious.......

Thought some might be interested... eBay - Jeremy Reed Autographed Ball

I am not one to say that Loaiza should have been pulled in favor of another starter last night, because I was not in the locker room or the training room or the manager's office. I will not assume that I know what was said and to whom. I do believe that Loaiza said he wanted to pitch and could get the job done. In that case, if you are the manager, you give him the ball. There are lots of possible scenarios such as JM didn't know the severity until 30 minutes before game time or that he never knew because Loaiza was hiding it (which seems very logical to me). Perhaps he told JM to give him the ball and he would get him 4 or 5 innings? We weren't there, so we don't know. I do know that the manager certainly isn't following his players in the bathroom an hour before game time to make sure they aren't puking. LOL But as far as routines go, all I have to say is that I understand them and respect them, but it is win-or-go-home time. If Garland was called into action, then its time to suck it up and do the job. "Routines" don't matter at this time of year. You do what is best for the team and you adapt accordingly.

I agree that it could be an interesting battle. Assuming that the Sox don't go out and get someone else, I see the priority list as: 1. Rowand 2. Reed 3. Borchard The fact that Borch is not a true CF doesn't help his cause, in addition to his struggles at the plate. Reed could be one of those guys to make the jump (he has the plate discipline and is not fazed at getting behind in the count), but that is not the safe move. Rowand deserves a shot. He got a month this year and did not take advantage of it. I am not sure how much the injury had to do with his early struggles, but I believe he has redeemed himself both in performance and attitude.

Just as I wave as you walk out the door........

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out! LOL

Yeah, I'm sure it has nothing to do with Radke pitching very well.

I think you need to relax. Who the hell care if Buehrle says in a radio whether he "wants" to to pitch in Minnesota this series. He isn't, so what's the big deal. Who are you (or me) to tell Mark what he "should be" thinking? One interview on sports talk radio can't tell you everything about what is going through Mark's mind. You sound like just another Sox fan looking for something to b**** about. Christ, why do so many Sox fans have to be b****ing to be happy? Can't anyone just enjoy the moment???

Let's just quit now and not play the rest of the games........ hell, we are out of the playoffs, so what's the point???

Nope, Koch is under contract........ Everett is as good as gone.....

I didn't think it was that big of a deal either. Don't read too much into things in print sometimes............

Still undetermined.......

Relax dude, they don't owe the Sox anything........ Hell, the Sox have gotten more national ink the past month or two than ever.....

Wow im jealous. You want to be hugged by Barry?

Yes, he can play CF. He may not be a gold glover, but he will be average to better than average in CF. Congrats to Jeremy for a great season. Next up, tryouts for Team USA.

My guess is that Reed has not won it. If history can be a guide, the winner has already been chosen, yet not released. When Rauch won it a few years ago, he already knew at this point that he had won, even though BA didn't announce anything until later. I heard that Rauch had won ahead of time. I have heard no such thing about Reed. It is possible they are keeping it quiet, but I would think I would have heard something from one of a small handful of people.

He could switch roles with Danny and be the guy that comes in when the starter blows up. Long relief could be needed once or twice the rest of the way.....