Hangar18

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 03:13 PM) The Catcher's Inn exploded when that happened. Beer flying everywhere, people hugging each other, chairs getting knocked over. One of the greatest memories in my life. hahah, you were at Catchers Inn watching that? I was at Catchers Inn for the AJ dropped 3rd strike game. I was with Longshot, who was visiting, and I was so dooooooooooooooown over the strikeout, thinking that may have been our last chance that game to come back. Longshot kept saying wait, hold on. Well, when Crede hit his "homerun", I must have jumped about 10 feet in the air while two people were trying to hug me, with flopping onto Longshots shoulders...........................crazytime

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 03:06 PM) Here's a nugget for ya: I called the Konerko grand slam. I just KNEW he was going to do it and I told everybody at the bar prior to the first pitch. And then, BAM. How weird is that? My favorite part is that, after they caught back up, AJ's on the mound with Ozzie and he says oh well, we'll just have to break their hearts again. And that's just what we did. Magical. When Paulie came to bat, realizing all of the crazy, magical and plain lucky moments that happened for the SOX at the end of the season and in the AL Playoffs, I turned to my cousins and said "Wouldnt it be something if he hits a Grand Slam right here?"

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 03:45 PM) Jim and I don't always get along, but I can safely say he's the last person who will take what others say and then try to post it as his own opinion. there were 17 other posts before he FINALLY chimed in on something, and only then to rip on something someone else said, rather than comment on his views. He never really said anything that wasnt already said in this thread, but maybe im just troubled that you Toasted his post, as if he were the first guy to say what he said. Im simply saying he wasnt. Jake, if anything had something easy to say that probably defines us. My using the cubs was simply a way to compare the two of us (which would show just how different we are from the casual fan) Unfortuneately, the point was lost. Mind you, I wasnt the first one to use that other team in this thread, which again was lost, and was a good point also

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 03:37 PM) No, it was precise and to the point. It took into account what a few others said, and it summarized the point perfectly. naaahhh, he simply waited to see what others would say, then put them into his own "views" much like a Jay Mariotti would. I give credit to the many others who posted earlier, their views. QUOTE(Jake @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 11:10 AM) I think we are in general more negative than we should be. We let losses linger and often tend to overlook our strengths and wins. Of course I don't usually feel this way, but in general we as Sox fans have a negative mentality. this is the post that best sums SOX fans up.

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 02:04 PM) Above is all that needs to be said about this argument. The season isn't over yet...and a win or loss tonight won't decide our future. After every win, people start planning our postseason rotation. After every loss, people start planning their October vacation. I think your a little quick to Hoist the Beverages for that particular post, as there were about 20 other posts that already said the same thing ................. so to the others who posted before,

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 01:15 PM) Negativity? White Sox fans? All you have to do is watch the broadcast of White Sox games to know the real reason the Sox are losing, and have a team ERA over 5.50 since the All Star break. Its the umpires. hahhhhahahah. I was once called "off the wall" for saying the SOX and their robust ERA in the 5's would NOT make the playoffs, hahahahahahahaaha. My paranoia isnt as unfounded as some would lead you to believe. This teams pitching just isnt as good as the others playing currently.

QUOTE(JimH @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 11:52 AM) Insecurity is one of the worst forms of negativity. I Never knew insecurity was one of the forms ......

I agree. Lets not forget Ozzie as our Latin American ambassador. I would love a couple of these guys on our team.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 11:42 AM) The Sox are undefeated when I'm in attendance this year. The solution to their recent struggles is clear. Give me your tickets, and I will ensure a playoff spot for our team. Let's start tonight. Who wants to be the first to help the team and fork over a ticket (preferably somewhere near the dugout)? so your saying last nites LOSS was really your fault? Ive been trying everything, tonite will be wearing my Konerko jersey.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 10:57 AM) You know, watching us slog through another we-won't-come-from-behind loss last night, Hawk said something that struck me (or maybe it was Melton afterwards, I don't remember): our leadoff hitters are biting it, and so is the bottom of the order. Everybody's been on Pods (.190 since the ASB) but he pointed out that Iguchi has been cold too. What that means to us as a team is that when the Big Bats get up, there's nobody to bat in. Think about it: when was the last time you saw a Thome homer with men on base? I'm not saying it NEVER happens, but it seems like a troubling trend. Sometimes Konerko will bat in Thome or Dye will bat them both in but then comes... the bottom of the lineup, which ain't exactly on fire of late, either. And if you think about it, this explains a lot. When the middle of the order goes cold (as we've seen during that horrendous stretch), we're totally screwed. But when they're hitting well but getting no support from in front or behind, it sort of explains how we can't come back from three-run or two-run deficits that should be no problem. Hell, Thome's homer last night... a solo shot. And then... nothing. I'm not sure what the solution is to this, but is sure does make a lot of sense. When we're down two or three and I wonder: how can we not come back from such a small lead? I'm starting to wonder if opponents know that if they get through the middle of the order, that's all they have to do. Thoughts? Hey, I was watching the PostGame, and it was MELTON who said this, and he brought up a very good point. (by the way, the postgame show, with Garfien & Melton is very informative and entertaining) When I saw Thome crush that pitch into leftcenter, the first thing I thought was ....>SO WHAT, there was nobody on when he did that (thats another thread right there) , why couldnt we have baserunners on? The top of the lineup needs to be making things happen, way too many strikeouts from Pods (Ive said it a dozen times, Pods needs glasses)

QUOTE(JimH @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 11:52 AM) The thread was about Sox fans, what a surprise, you bring the Cub fans into it again. Personally I think being obsessed with the Cubs and their fans and needing to comment on it all the time is one of the worst forms of negativity. Insecurity is one of the worst forms of negativity. I personally think your being obsessed with my posts and needing to comment on them is a form of insecurity also.

White Sox Baseball: Waiting ....for....just.....the....right....moment

QUOTE(Greg Hibbard @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 11:22 AM) this is probably the most miserable sox fans have ever been with a team 20 games over .500 by a country f***ing mile Thats because this is the American League, where the stakes/bar are/is higher. Thats what I like about being a SOX fan. We demand greatness, not mediocrity. The sheep up north, if they were 20 games over .500, would be peeing in the streets, spraying beer over each other, and printing WS06 Tshirts as fast as people would buy them. Imbeciles.

SOX fans have ALWAYS been a bit more on the negative side of things. You can even ask different generations, as my dad was, and older cousins. The SOX have always been in the coulda/shoulda side of things, and SOX fans have always been realistic about how things play out. SOX fans are exactly like the citizens of the City itself, hardworking, midwest, down-to-earth, salt-of-the earth types. Im told that back in the old old days, one could look into the stands, and see the blue-collar ethic in the faces and clothing of the people. Much different from the other side of town, college kids, transients, there for entertainment types with little vested interest in the team as much as the park/area. One fanbase says the glass is half empty, the other half full. Thats the way it always was, who am I/we to say otherwise?

QUOTE(Controlled Chaos @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 10:24 AM) I'm not burying my head in the sand. and to address BigSquirt.... Yeah if they're 5 games out of the wildcard, what's wrong with saying we're only 5 games out of the wildcard?? As a fan what are you suppose to do, hope for them to lose cause they're 5 back?? You root for them to find that magic and make a run...If they can make the playoffs anything can happen. I mean I know it's not the best position to be in, but it's not out of contention so you cheer for em to win it all. What benefit is there to saying, they have no chance, if mathmatically and realistically they do?? I think what he meant, was that the Fluffy Clouds (those who only see the bright side) will in a few days, begin saying "were only 5 games out", as if to ignore reality (we shouldnt be chasing wildcard-but shouldve been in 1st place). My comment about the Imbeciles 8 miles north simply took his comment a step further (because the sheep up north will cheer despite being 5 games back with 4 to go)

QUOTE(VAfan @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 10:45 AM) I would have yanked Buehrle after 6, once we got the game within a run again. McCarthy was in fact used as a long man, and gave up nothing for 2-1/3. But it was just mop-up work instead of having an opportunity to win the game. He clearly could have gotten the bottom of the Angels lineup out in the top of the 7th. This I agree with, McCarthy in meaningful situations as opposed to mop-up duty (looking at Riske) is what shouldve/couldve been done a month ago. I truly believe we wouldnt be as far back as we are if simply McCarthy had been used in more meaningful games, where we were actually trying to win a game.

QUOTE(mu mu @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 10:29 AM) Detroit may not hit a slump at all. If they finish out the season at their current win percentage, they will have 110 wins during the regular season. That's high, but not unreasonably high. Seattle had 116 wins in 01, and the Yankees had 114 wins in 98. On the other end, the Giants led the MLB in wins, with only 97, in 00. Whats so FRUSTRATING about those records, is that the SOX were certainly capable of winning as many games, but the giving away of Ballgames early in the year have finally come back to haunt us, as was predicted. Doesnt help most of the pitching staff decided to take a few weeks in July off either.

QUOTE(winninguglyin83 @ Aug 6, 2006 -> 09:27 PM) hate to pour water on a good story line, but Belle and Navarro were Ron Schuler and Jerry Reinsdorf productions. HEH HEH HEH. good one. As far as the Javy trade goes, I would rather that we pulled a Hendry-ripoff for him. I always had the feeling that Kenny gave away too much for a question mark like Vazquez. Vazquez is destined to be a NL pitcher

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 05:25 AM) Here is the Sox Runs Scored and Runs Allowed by inning for their last 25 games (9-16 record): Sox pitching is getting destroyed in the 1st, 4th, 6th, and 7th innings. The Relief pitching hasn't been much better than the starting pitching either. In the last 25 games the Starting Pitching ERA is 5.46 and the Relief Pitching is 5.01. That does not account for the inherited runners which would make the two pretty close. That chart just made me puke ....in my mouth .... a little bit ..... just now

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 09:50 AM) I'm looking forward to the "We're only 5 games out of the wildcard" days. Heh heh. And then we'll be just like the imbeciles 8miles north

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 08:30 AM) What about the argument that if you drag the SP earlier, it'll be harder for them to pitch better in the future, because it shows that you don't have the confidence in them to go more than say 5 innings? It's a fine balancing act though, and one that this team really needs to figure out, and in a hurry. That argument works with Rookie & 1st year starting pitchers. The SOX have vets on this staff

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 08:37 AM) The confidence factor might be a good argument, but the Sox starters are all veterans, and should be able to handle being yanked out of a game. If their confidence is shattered or their feelings hurt, they need to be moved to another team in the offseason. The White Sox need to win games, not make sure everyone's feelings are OK. Its 3 times in the last week Ozzie gave a different member of the the greatest rotation ever assembled the benefit of the doubt and left him in the game. Its also been 3 times this week that the decision to leave his starter in has backfired. Lets try something new. Leaving them in isn't working. We hear about the playoffs and the WBC taking its toll on White Sox starters. If thats the case, why have White Sox starters pitched more innings than any other team's starters? It makes no sense. POST OF THE DAY. Wish Ozzie couldve read this about a month ago

QUOTE(Hangar18 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 05:00 PM) If the SOX want some Legitimacy, then the next 21 games better see the SOX going 18-3. Lets not forget, if the Tigers go 11-10, that would gain us 7 games. Of course, if the Tigers win a few more than that, and the SOX dont get as hot, well then were in the same boat. So lets see. The SOX MUST GO 18-3 in their next 21. Currently are .... 0-1. Fine, get the one loss out of the way, reel off 10 in a row now in order to go 18-2 in their next 20

QUOTE(Felix @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 08:09 AM) After a week or two, your bullpen will be worn out completely. MAYBE, but then maybe we have 4 or 5 more victories. Maybe the team rides the starting pitchers "rut" out, and they start pitching better where next time around, I dont have to use the BP so early?

FIRST THING HANGAR WOULD DO: 1. Manage Starting Pitchers to Expecations. In other words, if its only the 4th, and Vazquez is throwing the ball all over the place, he gets taken out ASAP. No more throwing games away in the 5th inning for pride. 2. Defensive lineups take precedence over Offensive ones. In other words, Mackowiak doesnt play in the same game as Podsednik.