South Side Fireworks Man

CHICAGO -- Forget about breaking down game film or looking for flaws in pitching mechanics during side sessions as a way for Jose Contreras to correct a recent disastrous six-start run on the mound for the White Sox. All Contreras needed was to speak with an old friend and make a recommended wardrobe adjustment in order to shut down the Royals over seven innings during Wednesday's 4-2 victory at U.S. Cellular Field. Contreras received a phone call from Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, his countryman and teammate on the 2005 World Series champions, receiving words of wisdom concerning, of all things, Contreras' uniform pants. "El Duque called me and said, 'If you want to win, wear your pants up,'" said Contreras, through interpreter Ozzie Guillen Jr., after first laughing when he heard the question about the pants comparison to El Duque's style. "I'm not going to change that until something else happens."

Take that, Contreras haters! The Titan of Bronze still has plenty left!

Great article. I hope Jayson Nix makes the most of this opportunity with Getz being on the DL.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Aug 18, 2009 -> 04:02 PM) Alex Rios career vs Gil Meche.. (18 abs) .611/.650/.944/1.594 Not bad.

QUOTE (scenario @ Aug 16, 2009 -> 11:41 AM) The frustrating thing about Contreras is that he's either brilliant or horsesh*t and there doesn't seem to be any in between. I think he was pretty much in-between the other night. He wasn't horses***. He was pitching pretty well but finally wasn't quite good enough to pitch over multiple mistakes by the defense.

After watching last night's game, I'd like to see Q DH next year and get new. major league calibur defensive players at LF, RF, 3B, & SS with Beckham moving to 2B. Maybe Ramirez could be tried in LF. This team can't catch the ball and it's taking it's toll on the pitchers as well as preventing them from being anything more than a .500 team.

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Aug 15, 2009 -> 09:07 AM) And yes, I believe Hudson is a better option. I'm sure he can equal Contreras' production without the high pitch count early or the methodical, almost torturous temp on the mound. How about letting Hudson prove he can pitch effectively in AAA before throwing him in as fifth starter in a major league pennant race?

QUOTE (hawkubes @ Aug 15, 2009 -> 05:05 AM) If Contreras has a decent defense behind him last night, he has a great outing. I will take Contreras as a no. 5 starter any day. Yep.

This team would have really improved defensively (and offensively as well) if they could have acquired Scott Rolen for 3B, with Beckham moving to second. Or, if they could have gotten Scutaro for SS and move Ramirez to 2B.... An infield of Beckham at 3B, Ramirez at SS and Getz at 2B just doesn't cut it defensively.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 12, 2009 -> 04:26 PM) I don't know, but it tells me that Quentin is getting some time off. With plantar fascitis and a sore knee, that's probably a good thing. Rios played a lot of CF when Wells has hurt last year, but it's possible that they feel that Pods has a better "feel" for the position right now, as he's played it more often this season. I don't necessarily agree with that, but it may be Ozzie's logic. Well, by that logic, Pods should have a much better "feel" for LF than Rios. Starting Rios in LF while Pods is in CF makes no sense. But Ozzie makes out the f***in' lineups so.....

I've read a couple of articles today in which Ozzie was quoted as saying Rios would have to play some LF. Why in the world would Rios ever be in LF??? Rios should be in CF most of the time. I could see him in RF when Dye is not playing or is DHing. But I see no scenario where Rios would be in LF that makes any logical sense.

QUOTE (suicidesqueeze @ Aug 11, 2009 -> 04:39 PM) It took 18 posts to get called out on 'behooved'? Man, thought I would get flamed much quicker than that when I wrote it! Reminds me of Judge Schmales...Mmmmm, Mmmmm? LOL! BTW, Welcome to SoxTalk!

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Aug 11, 2009 -> 03:43 PM) Kenny is one of the best GM's going. I'm glad he's our guy. Yep. Kenny is my man. I love the way he operates. He's been my favorite GM for many years now. Best GM in town and one of the best in pro sports.

QUOTE (hogan873 @ Aug 11, 2009 -> 03:37 PM) Did...did you say "Behoove"? Muffy Tepperman?

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Aug 11, 2009 -> 08:31 AM) It would be nice if we could pitch well. And catch too.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Aug 11, 2009 -> 07:24 AM) We don't need a 5th starter for a while, so there was no point in keeping Torres. Keeping Wise allows us flexibility late in games if we need a runner for one of our power guys. This isn't a big deal. Ozzie has barely played him since Kotsay got here so he's being used correctly right now (ie. basically not at all). It isn't like they let Kotsay go in favor of him. But you're right, Wise blackmailing them makes much more sense. Fine. But then Ozzie shouldn't complain about his bullpen being overworked in the next week or two. The way the starters have been going, perhaps an extra arm in the pen would be more valuable than a sixth OFer. It's their call so lets see how it pans out.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 10, 2009 -> 08:19 PM) Jose Contreras. The Sox think he's not giving it 100 pct, and as soon as they can, they will remove him from the rotation. KW wasn't talking about Jose. Did you hear the interview or are you basing that from the quote reported here? The context was as follows: Holmes asked KW if when he made the claim on Rios he had any concern that some of the veterans like Dye, Pods, Thome, etc. would have their feathers ruffled. KW responded not at all. He then added that watching games like yesterday's ruffle his feathers and that the players should worry about ruffling his feathers because that's when people start to leave town. Then he added that if the Rios move works, it makes it more likely that the vets will return. It had nothing at all to do with Jose Contreras.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 10, 2009 -> 06:12 PM) Wait, what does that mean in terms of Podsednik? I could see either Rios or Beckham leading off on days Pods isn't playing, but I'd expect Rios, Pods, Thome, Dye and Quentin all rotating giving each some rest and plenty of playing time.

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Aug 10, 2009 -> 06:10 PM) does this mean Pods is out or something? Rios OBP isn't stellar this year. If it's something they want to work on with him in ST (I believe he's only 28) for next year cool, but this year? I wouldn't believe anything Cowley writes, or at least I'd take it with a huge grain of salt.

I'm very happy to hear the Sox got Rios. I just hope some of the stuff I've read about him not hustling and being afraid of walls is exaggerated or not true. I always liked him but I've only seen him when he played against the Sox. Anyway, we finally have a major league centerfielder for the first time since 2005.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 9, 2009 -> 10:13 PM) Are you Jay Hineybird? Jay's back. Sounds like a personal attack to me.

Ozzie needs to keep his mouth shut and just do what he has to do. Now that he's run his mouth, the next time a Sox pitcher hits a batter there will be warnings and suspensions.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 9, 2009 -> 05:29 PM) Link (Bonus obscure nerd points for anyone who can call where the thread title is adapted from). Millagro Beanfield War?

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Aug 9, 2009 -> 03:12 PM) I say 1 but am hoping 0. Get this guy out of here. Edit: This was supposed to be a f***ing poll. Barring injury, Jose stays in the rotation for the rest of the season. Who else is there? Torres? Whisler? Give me a break. Carrasco wouldn't be bad but he's proven to be too valuable in the role he's in. Anyway, when Peavy is ready, Jose will be the number five starter. That's a better number five than most teams have. He's still has some good games left in him.

The Sox should settle the matter Prince Fielder style.