RockRaines

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 7, 2014 -> 01:18 AM) Everett and Rowand always, right or wrong, get the most mentions in that department. Then there was that other group...Buehrle/Crede/AJ...along with Konerko and Dye. Looking back, I've always felt Dye didn't get enough credit. And Uribe was kind of the ringleader, the player that everyone loved to have around, the glue that held everything together and was the one player that could go back and forth seamlessly between the white, Hispanic and African-American players. Rowand/crede/ajp etc were a huge reason they won a title. Everyone liked each other. The chemistry from the lineup to the pen was unreal. To this day these guys stay in touch. Uribe was such a sleeper. Not the best at English but the best clubhouse guy. He brought that infield together.

I hate GOT because of what my brain drew during the books.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Apr 7, 2014 -> 12:57 AM) I remember Abreu and Eaton for sure and I think Alexei Yeah. And they rushed there. Don't discount Eaton's effect on this clubhouse. And Abreu for a weak English speaker has already gained Lots of respect. Some people don't realize who really led the 2005 team. And it wasn't Ozzie.

Craft got Defensive POy I'll miss him, but not as much as I thought years ago. Go to medical school young man.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 09:24 PM) Is Webb ready to be closer now? Probably not, but maybe a better option than Belisario. They'll definitely try Jones and Belisario before they go to a rookie, but anything's possible if the veterans completely implode. Webb will close by June. And that's from the top.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 11:30 PM) I think it is huge. I feel like this team has a lot more chemistry and there is a more upbeat attitude. I noticed this team was different today when Garcia was hurt in the outfield and we had 3 or 4 guys standing around making sure he was ok. I don't remember something like that from last year. And I don't think if that was Rios you would have had guys around him worried. And who was the ring leader there? These guys have bought in.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 11:18 PM) Now it's definitely Sale, in many ways...like when he went after the hitter with three inside fastballs until he got warned. It should have been Beckham's role to take, but the results on the field haven't been there to merit a position of leadership...and DeAza and Ramirez aren't by nature leaders. Another natural leader on our team should be the catcher, and Flowers/Phegley haven't performed well in that regard, although Flowers at least has the respect of the pitching staff, seemingly. If you look at the Cardinals, everything flows from Matheny/Molina outward, and that element has been sorely lacking ever since AJ left. In the void/chasm left, nothing filled its place last year and the team just collapsed like a black hole when adversity struck and Konerko was struggling through his worst season ever. Abreu seems a LOT like Konerko, a pretty quiet guy...professional approach, but not a vocal/in your face type. Same with Quintana (or Hector Santiago, for that matter). Hard worker, great kid, but not a born/natural leader. So yeah, it's not surprising that Eaton is already inserting himself into that role...even if right now it's more by his playing style and attitude. So here's the rub. I don't think Beckham is in the future plans. Flowers, thought I hate him as a player, is an incredible clubhouse guy. I still think he's a future Backup somewhere else. Phegley seemed to have a lot of support. One other sleeper leader: Chris Sale. At his age he has Buehele type influence. He's know as a die hard competitor. Quintana is getting there as well and Danks is highly respected. Lots of room to grow but I like the core. Davidson should be part but EVERYONE love Gilespie.

QUOTE (Brian @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 10:51 PM) Capt America? I'd say yes. Cool thanks. I'll make sure to. I never had an interest till avengers.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 10:39 PM) Its a bold statement but I am basing this just off of the first week. Our bullpen has been bad but I think it will get better. Relievers are always so up and down, it isn't unthinkable for 3 or 4 guys have a great run in the bullpen. Lindstrom, Belisario, and Downs are all veterans who have had solid careers, Jones has been solid when healthy, and we all have high hopes for Webb, and Cleto has shown that he can be a good bullpen arm as well. The bullpen will come together as the season goes on and if they struggle they will find replacements.. The defense is the biggest issue I would say this team has, hope that comes along and I just don't think it will cost the team too much. The starting rotation has 3 strong lefties IMO, a rookie in Johnson who I think as the season comes along will get better (unless he has an injury), and Paulino is a serviceable #5 and if he struggles we have other options as well. The hitting is what has intrigued me. We can score without hitting home runs, we have a lot of speed, and they don't give up when down like last year. These young guys give a lot of energy to the team and I just think they will surprise everyone. I am probably completely wrong but if I am right I will sound like a genius. All I've heard from inside is how different this team is. Last yea they supposedly checked out at one point. Eaton apparently wore on the vets on his old team, here he is one of the biggest leaders. That's good for us.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 10:13 PM) I think u are crazy Big Hurt. Our team shows all the signs of being worse than last year, quite frankly. Abysmal defense with a worse bullpen than a year ago. The starting pitching sans Sale (and hopefully Danks) isn't anything to write home about, either. I believe the complete opposite. Last years team had one of the worst attitudes I've ever seen.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 01:39 PM) Winter soldier very good, stll a tick below Avengers for me. Now I want to know how in the world Agents of Shield will deal with all that! Do I need to watch the first one?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 05:02 PM) Nice to see the team adding runs late. I totally bank that on this teams attitude. I've heard from multiple people that guys like Eaton have changed their mentality. It excites me for the future because I think the mentality of a club is half the battle. These guys literally think they should win. Last year they wondered how they would lose.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 12:24 PM) You win some, you lose some. Kentucky made the last 3, not a great shot, not a great shooter, but it went in. Maybe it doesnt 100 other times and Wisconsin wins that game. Besides for Brust/Bohannon, each of them will have another shot next year. Rough way to end, feel like that one was there for the taking. Hey buddy. I feel your pain. I was pulling for them. I really thought they were the best team and the Kentucky just appeared and stole it. Either way a nice step forward for your program.

QUOTE (Boogua @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 06:41 PM) How bad have the pacers become? Will they get out of the first round of the playoffs? Apparently team chemistry was more important than they thought.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 07:27 PM) That was a nice win today. Love beating the Blues. I honestly didn't expect the outcome how they started. Great win. Get in their heads.

What the hell is with this officiating. The blues can do whatever they want after the whistle with no issues.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 1, 2014 -> 09:50 AM) Wolf of Wall Street was great at parts, but it felt like watching Family Guy at others. You know where they would take about 5 minutes of film to do something that should have been done in 30 seconds? That drove me nuts. The movie was about an hour too long. He did that stuff on purpose to reflect Jordan's state of mind during parts of the movie. If he's drugged up etc the movie itself appears disjointed.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 12:15 AM) God I f***ing love her. + 1.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 5, 2014 -> 11:13 PM) Then please educate me on it. This national championship is the lowest combined seeding since the bracket started in 1979. I realize the selection committee can only have so much to go off of, but having a #7 and #8 in the final means they probably didn't do the best evaluation of the field. Sure. Seeding is all based on what you did before the tournament. Once it tips it's irrelevant. If it's the lowest matchup ever you have two teams that most likely loafed their regular season or are getting luckier than usual now.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 5, 2014 -> 10:31 PM) What a great job by the selection committee. A #7 and a #8 seed in the national championship. That said, this Kentucky team is a lot of fun to watch and I hope they win it on Monday. You clearly don't understand the concept of seeding.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Apr 5, 2014 -> 10:21 PM) Dear lord, Iowa State could have won a national title this year if Georges Niang doesn't break his foot. I'm gonna go cry somewhere. It's about getting hot and a little lucky.

Thanks fellas. I cannot reveal the winner due to your sensitive natures. I already bought a basketball hoop and mini bat for training. He better start growing. Maybe I didn't mention that my wife and her family (from op) are huge cubs fans. They already know it's such a lost cause. Kid is a south sider for life.

QUOTE (Brian @ Apr 4, 2014 -> 01:27 PM) I guess it's a pretty good sign that Stauskas is gone since he's back in Canada with classes in session. Like I said. Worst kept secret. Guy is on a path.

QUOTE (Hawkfan @ Apr 4, 2014 -> 11:45 PM) 75 Then sick back dude. Lots of today's coming at you. Personally I think we gel and take a step towards 90. I like the energy.

QUOTE (Hawkfan @ Apr 4, 2014 -> 10:52 PM) I think I'll choose being concerned now if that is okay. That's a lot of stress. How many wins do you predict for the Sox this year?