Rex Hudler

FWIW, I don't know the do's and don't of message boards, but I personally would not be offended if an admin deleted this thread for the obvious reason, but also because it is brining nothing new to the table. We already have 2 or 3 other threads discussing Neal and his start.

ok... with the schedule we got, when do we go with a 4-man rotation? we blew the fifth starter.... not going to happen this late in the game. wins are precious this time of year... we need every one of them.... i think we are past the point of fumble-f***ing around for a fifth starter If we go to a 4-man rotation, then you get into the bullpen every game. They won't let complete games happen for fear of overworking the starters. I think the 5th starter is lesser or two evils, so to speak. Question. When teams get big leads in divisional races. Why dont they go to 6 man rotations, to get their starters that added rest? Just curious? Routine and conditioning for the most part. Some guys pitch worse after too much rest. Some teams will give a starter an extra day off to reset their rotation for the playoffs or to give one guy who has piled up innings a rest, but for the most part, they just cut back on their IP. A starter that usually goes 7 or 8 innings will be cut back to 5 or 6, for instance. Pitching within their routine helps keep them sharp.

I think they should give him another start as well, but putting him in the bullpen is an option, even though the Sox have 3 LH's in there already.

Pardon my animosity here, but you are a dumb f*** for starting this thread. First of all, to post something like that when the kid has only one start is ridiculous. Hell, Bart Colon got hammered the night before. Yes, he walked a lot and no, I did not see it so I couldn't tell if he was all over the place or just nibbling too much, but the bottom line is the Sox had enough confidence to call him up for a reason. They would be stupid to give up on him now, without a second chance. Secondly, everyone has seemed quite happy that Jim Bullard and even Neal himself has posted on this board. Ask yourself this, if you are a Minor League player and you read that title, do you ever come back to this f***ing board again?? HELL NO In my opinion your ignorance is obvious, but it also may (should) have just cost this board the opportunity to get information directly from players themselves. Way to go, you idiot!

That hook was needed, this guy aint ready for the majors. Hey Rex, when ya read this, I TOLD YA SO.... lol sorry couldnt resist. If he does that after his next start, then I'll give you the I told ya so. But I'm not going to panic over a guy struggling that just flew cross country on a plane with basically no sleep. I'm not panicking yet. I doubt he'll even get another start. I remember JM being quoted as saying he would have to have a "memorable start" to get another one. And I don't think he meant bad memorable. I hope he's wrong, and they give him a second shot, I want to see him succeed I think they would be stupid not to give him another start. If they believed in him enough to call him up and give him the ball, they should give him the opportunity to work through nerves.

Betting on the Reds to win would be just as bad for two reasons. 1. Betting on your team to win could still change the way you manage a game. It could change the way you handle pitchers. You could leave a pitcher in longer than he needs to be contributing to an injury, for example. 2. The mere perception that betting on games can be harmful to the game, whether he actually was or not. That is why the rule is emphasized so much. There is no gray area. You don't gamble on baseball, period. If the public thinks gambling is going on, they will question the outcome regardless of if it is true or not, affecting the integrity of the game. Betting on other teams is also bad because of #2 above. Add to that, the fact that he could be placing bets based on inside information he has received from friends, colleagues, etc. If he knew a pitcher was hurting, that would be an advantage. There are lots of ways inside information could either affect the outcome of the game, or give him an advantage to make money. Again, in either case, all it takes is the perception that something might be fishy to hurt the game.

That hook was needed, this guy aint ready for the majors. Hey Rex, when ya read this, I TOLD YA SO.... lol sorry couldnt resist. If he does that after his next start, then I'll give you the I told ya so. But I'm not going to panic over a guy struggling that just flew cross country on a plane with basically no sleep. I'm not panicking yet.

Pete Rose's accomplishments are honored in the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose the person is not. That is just fine with me. I don't think you can say Pete has paid his price if he still refuses to admit his transgressions against the game. To me that is the same as Pete spitting in the face of baseball and saying "I am popular enough to do it and get away with it". The only way I could live with re-instating Rose under certain conditions and limitations, but I am not behind it. To me, IF they let him back in, he needs to admit past transgressions, show remorse (real remorse), agree to certain community service work to help baseball (of MLB's choosing) and agree to a penalty or waiting period before he is eligible for the Hall of Fame. Obviously that part may not be possible if the Hall won't change the 20-year eligibility rule. He should also not be allowed to be employed by a team in a decision making role (i.e. manager, GM, etc.). But IF and only then, would I his return be acceptable in my opinion. And for the record, I liked Pete as a player a lot and think he could do a lot of good thigns for baseball, but I just don't think you can open that can or worms or what will you say to the next guy? Sorry, you gambled, but you weren't as good a player as Pete Rose.

Heather, every single person who plays, coaches or is in anyway involved in the game of baseball (trainers, umpires, etc.) are very well aware of the rule against gambling. There is a very large poster posted in every Major and Minor League clubhouse every year, all year. MLB has speakers come in during Spring Training and lecture everyone on gambling policies and the penalties for violation of it. There is NO way possible for Pete Rose to not have known gambling is against baseball rules and NO way possible for him not to have known the penalties. Pete CHOSE to do what he did. For him to lie about it the past 15 years is basically spitting in the face of the game of baseball. For him to ask to be reinstated without coming clean about his actions, would be like saying "f*** You to and laughing at" a boss who just re-hired you and gave you a second chance. There is a major difference in gambling, a crime against the game, than a crime against society (drug use, etc.). As soon as fans begin to question whether the outcome of the game could be fixed, the game could come crumbling down. Even the perception of that possibillity could be enough to cripple the game. As bad as other situations damage the image of the game, gambling is the one thing that could bring down the game itself, rather than just give it a black eye. If baseball lets Pete Rose back in under the conditions of the prospectus article, then they are basically telling every player that plays the game today that it is OKAY to gamble and bet on the game. It is a precedent baseball cannot allow.

I have been the one touting Neal the most and never have I made comparisons such as "he's our Mark Prior". I think Neal will be good and I think he is ready for the Majors, but let's keep expectationsin perspective. Neal has lots of potential, but let's not get carried away.

Not a bad situation to start out, is it?

Those were the only two posts Neal made.... Good thing I figured out the search feature.

And his second........ Cotts Posted: Jun 30 2003, 10:55 PM Draft Pick Group: Members Posts: 2 Member No.: 707 Joined: 30-June 03 No I'm not Canadian. I put it on there becuz my buddy with the A's Rich Harden is. He's in the Futures Game as well. Late

Here was his first post........... Cotts Posted: Jun 30 2003, 10:46 PM Draft Pick Group: Members Posts: 2 Member No.: 707 Joined: 30-June 03 Hey guys its me. Bull told me I had to come on here and say hi, so here I am. He said that the people on here actually have a clue about the game. I look forward to checking in here periodically. Alright well we gotta game in a bit in Huntsville but its raining so I dont know if we're gonna actually play. Hopefully I'll see some of you at the Futures Game.

No problemo quickman, btw Cotts himself has posted here a few times so maybe he'll stop in here after he gets settled in and tell us what it's like to win his first big league start. Has he really? When and by what name? Cotts has only posted on here once or twice that I have seen. He used the name "Cotts".

Yeah, I noticed. Iwas gone Thur - Sun, so I thought I missed the reason. Thanks. What has been happening? What did I miss?

Sounds like he is trying to rationalize stalking you, HSC!

No, he is back. Has only made a couple of appearances since coming back though.

All of his pitches are solid. He just has an ability to throw the fastball in the part of the zone the hitter is not looking or to get him to chase one up in the zone. I have seen him freeze more hitters looking at a fastball for a 3rd strike than any other pitcher I can remember.

Curt Bloom mentioned it on his radio broadcast today. I was driving to get some lunch when he said Wylie was being bumped to Tuesday, so I thought something had to be up. I know W-S needs those guys, but we could certainly use one of them too, don't you think?

I am thinking he is from near St. Louis, but not sure..... Barons web site says Lebanon, IL. Not sure where that is...... Neal Cotts Bio

Oh, and by the way................ Nice work today Jim. 2 2/3 IP 0 H 0 R 2 BB 1 K

First of all, congrats to Neal. He deserves it and I am confident he will hold his own. Second question (to Mr. Bullard) is who will replace him? Honel? Wing? Have you heard anything Jim?

Bullard is Cotts teammate and friend......... Yeah, I'd trust that source. Like I said earlier, something smelled fishy when Wylie was bumped into Cotts day on Tuesday and McWhirter started today.

Well placed fastballs, mostly.