Rex Hudler

Sounds like this was strictly a Minor League move. Gload will go to Charlotte. Gotta figure that another move will be coming. They did have 12 pitchers so they could stand pat, but generally Minor League clubs don't carry that deep of a bench.

I posted this on another board about a month ago and will second the prediction here. The Sox and Minny will not finish 1-2 in the AL Central. I am not saying which of the two will finish below 2nd nor am I predicting which team will squeeze in between the two. I just think there will be a surprise team in this division. OK, OK, I will go out on a limb. The surprise team won't be Detroit.

I agree that there could have been some effect, but I wouldn't overdramatize it. The starters only played 3 opr 4 innings. They travel on plush charter flights and the flights between those cities are short. That travel schedule was not ideal, but it wasn't the reason the Sox lost. They just came out with no intensity. The Sox have a habit of doing this type of thing. Last year if I recall, they played in SF the day before the season. I could be wrong, but I do think they played in more than one city after leaving Tucson last year. Chisoxfn, I agree that one game in Houston would have been better for the travel schedule. But keep in mind, that these guys want to play at that time of year because it is their final tuneup before the start of the season. I also agree that it is good for them to play their affiliates. It is great for the fans of Birmingham or Charlotte to see their former players in a Sox uniform. The Sox have 10 ex-Barons on their Opening Day roster. It means a lot to the affiliates for their Big League club to come back and showcase the ex-stars.

Danny told me on Sunday that he felt fine. He had a little soreness after his last outing, but felt great during it. The Sox wanted to be cautious, so this is the path they are taking. He said he would be ready soon.

It all stemmed from a story I heard one time about a clubby putting an alarm clock in the bat racks in the Barons dugout during a prolonged slump. He set it so that it would go off at 7:00 (gametime) in hopes of waking up the bats. Not sure if it was even true, but I have heard it a few times. Apparently it was several years ago. I remembered that and just kind of twisted things thinking you guys might get a laugh out of it. Didn't think that many people would let the "broomsticks" slide past, though. LOL

bring it on Hot ;-)

The Sox were pretty pissed at first, but got over it, thinking they could hit KC pitching with broomsticks. People, people, people........ Broomsticks? Frank demading ribs? (well maybe that one could happen). I can't believe you all fell for that.... esp. you HSC. Happy April Fool's Day from Birmingham!!!

In his 2ND post in this thread, Rex said, "I think there is a 17 yr. old clubhouse helper that feels really bad right now." Each clubhouse has a manager and then several helpers. In a game with the big league club in town, he will have at least 5 or 6 guys helping him, many are local kids who work for a few bucks plus the opportunity to get some autographs. I am not sure of the details, but apparently one of the kids was loading all of the stuff on the bus with another new kid when Frank stopped him to ask about the ribs. The kid went to the clubhouse manager and he told them to box it all up, thinking that all the equipment was already taken to the bus. Then as things got busy and the Sox brass was telling them to hurry, they boxed up all of the ribs, got them to the bus and the kid forgot about the bats. He was probably star struck to a point. All of this was told to me second-hand, so I am not sure if it is completely true, but it makes sense. The thing I don't understand is that usually the Major League clubs have a equipment manager that travels with them. I am not sure if they had one on this trip or if he went ahead to Chicago.

It wasn't a joke to the kid who may have lost his summer job hanging around the ballpark, a dream job for a lot of kids.

Damn, Showtime, you are tossing out a lot of fingers tonight. Middle ones at that. Not nice.

Carsons..... good stuff..... I had one hell of a pork chop there a few years ago.

No, they are downtown. Always have them catered in when the big boys come to town. ESPN guys always head there when there are college games here. Very well known rib joint, right up there with Rendezvous in Memphis.

Getting off topic here a bit, but Dreamland ribs are some serious ribs. Definitely my favorite.

Not 100% on the Frank story, but I get some autographs and I know the visiting clubhouse guy. I didn't talk to him, but to one of his buddies when I heard.

Well the story i heard is that as the bus was being loaded, Frank asked to take some Dreamland ribs on the plane and the clubbies were scrambling trying to box up all the ribs that were left.... they were in a hurry, so they rushed it up to the bus and forgot the last bit of the equipment, which was the bats..... I think there is a 17 yr. old clubhouse helper that feels really bad right now.

I wasn't supposed to say anything, but here's the deal on Monday's game. The Barons clubhouse manager forgot to load the Sox bats onto the bus that was taking them to the airport Sunday. The error wasn't noticed until after it was too late to get them to KC for the game. The Sox, unfortunately had to use stock bats provided by the Royals, all Minor League quality, from what I hear. The Sox were pretty pissed at first, but got over it, thinking they could hit KC pitching with broomsticks. I'm guessing they are back to not very happy again. The bats were overnighted to KC and should be there in plenty of time for Wednesday's game.

well you already pulled one from the "IF" and we didnt kill ya yet......... Which one was that?? miles........for one........ Time will tell if I was right or wrong on Miles.

well you already pulled one from the "IF" and we didnt kill ya yet......... Which one was that??

baggs i agree .. miles earned that spot... he should be on the team... i would have let paul fly the wire for a while.. its not like anyone needs him anyhow and are beating down doors to get him..... he would have went around and ended back here anyhow.......... Obviously, KW disagrees......... He's scared to lose JP at this point.

Sounds to me like Wally Backman is a lot like my favorite manager in the majors, Mike Scioscia. Would that be an accurate assessment Rex? Seems like a lot of hit and runs, steals, and he preaches contact and obp? Can't say what his thoughts are about contact and OBP, but he definitely manages aggressively. He sometimes runs into outs and ends innings early, but his style manufactured more runs than I think I have ever seen. He will bunt, steal, and hit and run. For instance, say a player walks and then gets thrown out stealing. The next guy singles. Chances are, the second guy is going too. Every once in awhile, you have two outs in the inning both on steals, but more often than not, he's successful the second time. Also, the players are very aggressive going from first to third, on stretching singles to doubles, doubles to triples and they react well to bad throws on steal attempts. If the ball gets away from the 2B or SS, they are immediately looking to pop up and advance if they don't go after it right away. It is really fun to watch them play.

thank, i haven't heard much on him. I'm fairly positive, that two years ago Clay Eason was named the Pitcher of the Year in the Independent League. After that, he was signed by the Sox. so he was never drafted. and thanks for the info He was in an Independent League 2 yrs ago and had excellent numbers. Didn't know he was pitcher of the year, but with those numbers it doesn't surprise me. I think he was drafted by another Org and then released, but I am not sure about that. For some reason, the Phillies are sticking out in my head, but could be off there.

Miguel also hosed a runner trying to steal second, threw a little wide on a double steal attempt which allowed the Barons first run and then had a throwing error on another steal attempt (can you sense Wally Backman's managerial style yet?) which really should have been caught or at least knocked down. When you guy that throws as well as he does, there are also going to be a few errors that go along with his aggressive style. All in All, a good return to The Met for Miguel.

He is still more of a thrower than a pitcher. He will need to learn to pitch more, or move to the bullpen. Plus, no room for him in AAA. I have referenced that point several times tonight but it is true. There are only so many spots and if guys don't move up to Chicago, get traded, released or become free agents, then you have a logjam at the top, which slows down movement from the bottom up.

2 questions. what is your take on miles, is he the real deal or is he at best a minor leaguer. i wish him the best. i liked him since he was drafted, but i have never been able to get a good grasp on him. do you think olivio has the making to be in the bigs. with him arm and maybe his defense i think we can deal with him. it is his bat that everyone swoons on and i am not that impress with his batting. Good questions LDF.... I have said all along that this is the year that Aaron Miles has to prove that he can be a legitimate Major Leaguer. He has to show that he is not just a good AA/AAA player and just had a great year because of his slow ascent through the Minors (2 seasons at every level). Going into the season, I felt Aaron would likely end up like the latter. I still have my doubts, but he is obviously doing everything he can to erase not only my doubts, but everyone's doubts. I think this is the year that will tell you where he belongs. I have a question for you guys...... Let's say Aaron Miles ends up with the Sox and has a great year, then by the middle of the 2004 season is struggling and sent back to AAA and never makes it back. Where does that leave him? Was he really a career Minor Leaguer that made good when given an opportunity, but was really never good enough? Frank Menechino with Oakland comes to mind in this scenario. I believe Olivo will be an excellent catcher in the Big Leagues. I wonder how ready he is at this point, however. He will need some adjustment time. If the Sox are able to be patient, then he'll do okay. If they panic after he is only hitting .189 after 10 games and send him down, then I will worry how he will handle that. If all is going well for the Sox, then they can "hide" Olivo in their lineup as long as he is learning and progressing. If others don't produce, then it becomes harder to be patient with him. Just be patient with him and don't expect too big of things right away and in a few years, I think you will look back and think they did the right thing and all worked out well.

My guess is no he is not good enough to make the Majors. He could do well in AAA in the right situation, but doubtful he could be as good as last year (even in AA again). He was a very important of the Barons staff last year and is a guy you would love to have on your team and in your clubhouse.