Hangar18

I miss us not playing too well, and STILL finding ways to win ballgames. Thats what I miss.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 09:18 AM) And no I don't think we have to win 15 of our next 18 to win this wild card. So long as we play +.500 ball in that series, we'll still have a fairly good chance of getting a wild card spot. The Twins can't keep playing as good as they have recently for the rest of the season. If it wasnt .800 ball (and .700) thats still pretty dang good. It felt like 1.000 at times. The SOX cannot keep thinking that the "Twinks cant stay hot" or "Tigers have to cool off sooner or later". To me, the Tigers didnt play well in the KC series before, and in our series. But they still managed 3 of 4 from KC and 2 of 3 from US. Your right, the Tigers cant play this well all year, but they keep winning despite.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 09:44 PM) Our SP looks dead. A start skipped for most of them would be a very welcomed idea. Mark Buehrle to the DISABLED LIST effective IMMEDIATELY. We can pull a northside maneuver and say he strained his ankle or something, but gets him time off to clear his head and heal whatever is ailing him. Keeping MB in the rotation right now guarantees a LOSS, and another game back in the standings. If we want to hit 13 games back, Let Buehrle make the next 5 starts. If we want to stay in this, DL him now, insert McCarthy and revisit this in 2 weeks. If we won those 5 games where Buehrle pitched, guess what? Were only 3 games out and the Tigers would be Sweating Bullets.

QUOTE(SoxFan76 @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 08:51 AM) Man, I couldn't agree more. Every loss there's another "have you lost faith" or "we'll turn it around!" thread. Gimme a break. Tough it out, teams go through slumps all the time. Hey buddy, you seem to be really taking these losses tough lately. Cheers man

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 08:53 AM) Well they certainly did last season when Cleveland almost caught up to them, hence why no-one IMHO should be giving up on this team at all. yeah, but the SOX had a humoungous lead, and Cleveland had to play like .800 ball the rest of the way to catch us. They nearly did it. That and the fact that the Twinks/Tigers/Royals were non-factors. The Twinks are in this thing now, and I said the TWINKS are going to determine who wins this division. Theyve answered 1/2 the question by SWEEPING US, if they lay down against the Tigers, we know who the division winner is. The SOX have to start Sweeping people and running off 15 of 18 if they want to get back in this. The Bullpen is going to have to shoulder alot of this burden the next few weeks. That Yankee series was so important, because us laying down in NY set up the Sox-must-sweep-Tigers to regain what they lost scenario. Yeah, your right you cant write anyone off but the SOX have allowed too many other variables to enter the equation now.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 08:31 AM) There are no facts that support the team will rebound Flash, just like there are no facts McCarthy would do a better job in the rotation than Vazquez or Garcia. I do agree with you that a 15 day DL stint might not be the worst idea for Buehrle and possibly Garcia. One thing is for sure. The SOX have put themselves at the bottom of the pile. Teams rarely comeback after being on the bottom of the pile. For the SOX to make the Miracle Comeback, they are going to Slowly but Surely start to get confidence back in a couple guys. Even a 5 inning, 1 ER performance No Decision by Vazquez will go light-years in helping his confidence. Just like the SOX SLOWLY but surely got bad starting in May, theyre going to have to Slowly but surely do the little things to win games right now. this is no guarantee of course, but if we do this, and get a Little Luck (luck is everything sometimes) down the stretch, maybe just maybe were in position to get in the playoffs again. To continue what were doing now is foolhardy and we'll be .500 by September. QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 08:36 AM) How do you think Vazquez would feel if Ozzie started pulling him out about 5 innings for every game for the rest of this season? All of a sudden he'll get this reputation around the league, and his trade value would decrease I would say. Like you said Jim, Ozzie is putting faith in him to get the job done, now it's time for Javy to repay the faith. Hey, if it works, and we start winning, even Javy would be happy.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 08:17 AM) This post is something I'd expect from one of the many lonely, middle-aged admins/moderators on WSI to suggest. All he was asking for were facts to support a belief, of some, the team will rebound. And even if he did believe this team "sucks so bad" or the "season is over," does that mean he should immediately leave the board so you can live in the land of fluffy clouds and sunshine? Is pessimism any worse than blind optimism? Any worse than someone cheerleading their club and insisting we all "not give up hope" because, well, THEY HAVE TALENT. Or, because last years team went through a similar slump and rebounded, so don't give up! I don't know how anyone can fault someone for doubting this team. Its supposed core, starting pitching, has been horrendous aside from two pitchers. Sort of a problem when 60% of our VAUNTED pitching staff have ERAs hovering around 5.00. I dont have a problem with either of the posts. But I think we need to stop telling others that things are Fluffy Cloud like, and that its not cool to be pessimistic about this team. Thats foolishness and very northside-esque. The WSI comment is bad, heh hheh heh hehe heh heheh heh heheh.

QUOTE(Harry&JimmyRocked @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 12:16 AM) this is not a slump. it's a total and complete collapse. and never compare any year to last year. we had a double digit lead when we had our problems and STILL almost lost it. now we have no lead and there is NO SIGN that any turnaround is coming. gimmie white flag pt 3 and get some young HUNGRY all around players in here This is Total Collapse Pt.2 However, there were signs as early as May that the SOX needed to change things around, things couldnt continue if they expected to win. Everyone (including SOX) thought well HEY, if were not playing our best ball, and still in 2nd place, everything must be All Good. Well, that thinking has got us in a very bad hole. Can the SP turn it around? Thanks to Ozzies Mismanagement, a couple of our pitchers egos are deflated. Heres what he can do. Garland and Contreras are doing great. Keep it up. Im seeing signs from Freddy. He has to be shortleashed. Buehrle and Vazquez? MB is hurt, I dont care what he says. He is hurt, I repeat, he is hurt, nobody goes this bad this fast. hes got like a 14.00 era I believe in his last 5 starts? BRUTAL. Insert McCarthy into rotation effective IMMEDIATELY. Give Buerhle 15 days on the DL. Vazquez. SHORT LEASH. Only pitches 5 innings max. if SOX have huge lead .....he goes an extra inning til he puts a man on ......

Lets Turn This Around Right Now. This post is about a Week Too Late. Nevertheless .... heres what were going to do ASAP. Vazquez. Will Only pitch 5 innings Unless: A: SOX lead by 5 or more runs, in which case he can go another inning until he puts a man on. Buerhrle. If MB gives up 4 or more runs before the 3rd inning, he will be promptly removed so that the BP can keep us in the game and give us a chance to come back. Weve LOST plenty of games already where Ozz has simply thrown the towel in, and brought out Politte or Riske to give the game further away. No More. We cant afford to do that. No more softball offense. Manufacturing runs starts TODAY. Lead off single? bunt him to 2nd. Leadoff Double? Bunt him to 3rd. Its that simple, til Offense kicks in again. Runners at 1st & 3rd? Steal 2nd ASAP. Its that simple. I promise, we will be in MORE GAMES if Ozzie can simply manage his 2 worst pitchers right now, bullpen be damned. Lets do this and see what happens

QUOTE(The Ginger Kid @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 04:30 PM) who would you pick to win: mid-Sept. '05 Sox vs. current '06 Sox? I think Timo wins it in the 12th inning with a blooper into right. 1-0. Light it up! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAHA. Ahhhh boy I needed that one too. Mark Buehrle takes the field, he'll go against his counterpart Mark Buehrle. We go to the top of the 4th, White Sox lead the White Sox 12-10, 24 hits already in the game

QUOTE(GoSox05 @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 04:07 PM) he'll probably talk about how he's not worried and that the clubhouse is still light and having fun. Meanwhile we suck. Ozzie will say its Still July, Weve got alot of games left against the Tigers and the Twins.

QUOTE(GoSox05 @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 04:23 PM) maybe once some of our starters ERA's drift into the 7's we can think about mixing something up. you know when were 10 games outta the wild card. Hehh hehhe hehe ehhhe. I needed that

QUOTE(CYGarland @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 03:09 PM) Well our next 6 games are vs Baltimore and KC, that should help hHAHHAHAHAAHAHA. dont make me laugh. I can safely say, The way were playing, were going 2-4 vs said teams. Thats the problem. Im sure the SOX and some of their fans are thinking this right now "wait til we play Balt and KC, we'll catch up then"

QUOTE(atrain081 @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 02:59 PM) you gotta wonder what's going through the players' heads right now. Thats what Ive been very fearful about. Ive been furious at the number of Games the SOX have simply chosen to give away, either with Ozzies B lineups, or his intentional Misuse of the Bullpen. You add up the giveaway Games, plus the games you actually do lose, plus the games you never had a chance to win anyway, and Guess What? Thats how you eliminate yourself from playing in October. Thats how you lose series after series. Ozzie showed the guys how to lose, and now the SOX have seemingly forgotten how to Win. I swear thats what this team looks like right now, and this much I can blame Ozzie for, because These guys have got to be thinking WE STINK and Morale is at an all time low, including the fact the teams "Lost" some players now confidence wise now (Buehrle/Vazquez/Politte/Cotts) We shouldnt be at this point, once you start losing, it gets really easy to start making mental mistakes, pressing, swinging at bad pitches, Making terrible pitches to hitters. All of this was pretty evident as early as 6/25 against Houston. And again on 6/29. And again on 7/1 and Especially 7/2 (nice way to instill confidence in MB Ozz). This stuff has snowballed since then .............. Whats worse, is weve also managed to instill confidence in some other teams now who are (were) chasing us for the wild card. Momentum is so key in this game (hahahahaha, I said Momentum) and unfortuneately for the SOX, its going the wrong way ....Fast.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 02:49 PM) I'm going to watch my 2005 DVDs tonight and try and remember what it was like. Because I can't. I just burst out laughing. In fact, I burst out laughing when Buehrle untied the score for them.

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 02:50 PM) Boy...we have lost 5 series in a row...are about to be swept and knocked out the wild-card lead...and I can't wait to go to the Grinder Party tomorrow.....HOW FUN! hahahahahahahaahahahahahahaha. Ive decided Im no longer going to this "grinder" party.

Mark Buerhle (06 AllStar) 5 1/3 innings, 10 HITS, 7 RUNS. BRUTAL

I know Buehrle will be facing Silva, and some actually feel good about this game. Im having a hard time personally with the ball flying out of the Cell and flyball pitcher Buehrle on the hill. Will the off day help us?

the only thing im disturbed about, is that the SOX were on their way to complete domination of the City and its fans. But lets be honest, the SOX havnt been playing that well (despite the record) for a while .....and things are now turning against them

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 08:38 AM) I just want to add something about the game last night, having been there. I don't know if this showed up on TV, but what I saw last night was a team that seemed to wake up in that 6th inning. Not sure what caused it - the bad calls, or Crede's HR, or what. But I saw the dugout go from lounging to very active, and stay that way the rest of the game. And they almost pulled it out - AJ's 9th inning out was literally inches from dropping in. Just my observation. I think the team may be waking up. I hope that's the case. Add that to starting pitching that is improving across the rotation and a now very strong bullpen, and I think things may start to look up. Very Good Point. As bad as it was to lose last nite, you make a good point, AJ's hit almost fell in ..... and maybe, just maybe this team is waking up. Maybe. QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 09:07 AM) Is it just me or did we have a HR in each of the last 2 games barely clear the fence with our backup OFs making lousy efforts to catch the ball? Ozuna last night and Gload on Monday. We talked about this last nite. We said DYE wouldve made that catch that Gload couldnt make. Even Pods wouldve had that ball over Ozuna. Both catches could easily have turned the games around ..................

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 08:43 AM) Uhh no thank you. Scott Bora$$ is Barry Zito's new agent. That means we have NO chance of re-signing him once he hits FA. The only way I can see this making sense from a White Sox perspective is if we then spin Zito to a team like New York for other pieces that will help us win now. Dang, I forgot about $cot Bora$.

I pushed the panic button back on the weekend of July7th. But I also said Kenny should be setting this team up for 07, and make ZITO PRIORITY 1 offseason. Another lefty like him would be excellent for this staff. There is no way this could be happening, because Oakland is in the race themselves. GET ME ZITO

QUOTE(CySox @ Jul 25, 2006 -> 10:38 PM) horrible pitching, and just relying on the home run. Hes got a point. We are the 05 RedSox unfortuneately

QUOTE(elrockinMT @ Jul 25, 2006 -> 01:06 PM) or Jim Leyland James Leyland. This was a guy I wanted the SOX to get back during the Manuel era ......

QUOTE(SnB @ Jul 25, 2006 -> 09:52 AM) Here's the thing that has bothered me the most the past few weeks, how many times have we lost a game because of one bad inning? It just seems like this team is expecting the pitching to blow up for an inning and there's nothing we can do about it. Its seems that Ozzie isnt getting the Memo: To: Ozzie From: Hangar18 Subject: Pitching Staff Ozz, thanks again for last year. Say, youve been letting Javy and Buehrle get exposed to the big inning before you finally take the guy out. Weve lost about 7 or 8 games already from you doing this. Please watch the starters better, especially when the other teams best hitters are coming up or are on deck (Young/Mauer etc) Just thought you'd like to know ...... H18