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I base most of what I know on Universal Healthcare on friends and relatives from other countries. They all say the same thing. Everyone wants a job where once you are high enough in the company you can get private insurance for healthcare and don't have to deal with the universal healcare system. They don't care what the job is as long as that is an option. They all hate the universal system.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 07:12 PM) That was my understanding, but I could not find the link. You use the lidocaine topically, then ram the needle in. Commonly used with children, I believe it is what Dentists use as well before jamming that damn needle into your gums. Sad. I was a big Clemens fan and this really makes me feel bad. Lidocaine can be used topically like that. But it and xylocaine are the most commonly used local anesthetics. We use the topical version for tennis elbow and other localized tendonitis condition through an electrical device called iontophoresis. The local anesthetics in sports medicine are usually injected into joints to decrease local pain. Anti-inflammatory meds are more commonly used in soft tissue. Basically there is no reason to do this kind of thing unless illicit things are involved. Hell, MacNamee even doing an injection is illegal. He is not trained or qualified medically to do these things.

QUOTE(BureauEmployee171 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 02:28 PM) As I've said before - why does everyone put such faith in BaseballAmerican/Baseball Prospectus when determining any teams true top 10 list? The only things they get right are the #1 (which are generally without doubt), and sometimes the #2. From #3 on, they're generally catastrophically wrong. I've said in previous posts as to why - but to make a long story short - they must take into account minor league statistics which are in many cases very horrible mis-representations of a player's true performance ability in the future. Many players in MILB are not allowed to use their plus tool in game situations - such as speed for a baserunner, or their #1 pitch as a pitcher, etc. And many, many, many true prospects are told to work on simply one thing during an at-bat to get the most out of their development - meaning - sometimes players (and this is ONLY for true prospects - as fringe players are allowed to play the game at their top level to 'prove' that they can be considered prospects - as prospects are 'known' to have an ability set and are told to work on other phases of their game) - but many times prospects are told during an at bat that they are not allowed to swing during the at bat until they get the certain pitch they must learn to hit - i.e. a player (maybe Sweeney? wink wink) is not allowed to swing the bat until he gets a hard fastball on the inner half to practice on using loft power to the pull side & he must wait until he has 2 strikes to swing if he doesn't get the inside fastball on the first 2 strikes. A player such as Ryan Sweeney could and would dominate the inferior MILB pitching if he used his strengths during each AB, but this would actually stunt his projection level as he would need to be able to adjust to his weaknesses at the MLB level. This is why "prospects" generally will have such "poor statistics". They are told that they cannot use their strengths during ABs in many cases - because they must learn to adjust to their weaknesses. Undoubtably this is going to have a negative effect on his 'statistics' - but the actual scouts and true-professional player development personnel know this and do not take all statistics into account. Billy Beane has MANY of these people working for him at the Player Development level. They have what may be the top of the line in player development from top to bottom. He does not employ "scouts" who are his "friends", etc. He does not like to spend money on scouts, therefore - the scouts he has and the player development staff he has - is all of the professional level. So, once again, PLEASE DON'T look at any statistics as the basis for a top 10 list. BaseballAmerica could not print this stuff and remain credible in the eyes of the 'casual fan' - because how can you say a player that hits .265-10 HR is better than a player who hits .315-17 HR who is only one level below, etc.? You can't. No casual fan would understand this and therefore - you would not be generating the profit BaseballAmerica is selling to causal, and even avid follwers of the game. Never, ever, ever use MILB statistics for YOUNG players as an indicator as to their future worth. These players (who are prospects), are generally ALWAYS being told to work on one phase of their game at a time until they master it - and with very talented athletes that comes relatively quickly - but generally takes an entire season or 2 to go through all the phases they need to work on. Keep that in mind when reading on top 10 lists. Only look at the #1 prospect, and in SOME cases the #2. From there on, none of the casual, avid, intense, or even crazy fans can truly know what prospects are ACTUALLY prospects. Why? Because the stats don't always correlate to who is a 'prospect' and who is not. "Prospects" are told to work on certain phases of their game - which generally NEGATE their statitics thru the seasons. "Non-prospects" are told to go full steam ahead to try to 'prove & gain prospect status thru their abilities, instincts, etc. You must really hate Bill James' theories.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 01:55 PM) You wouldn't use Lidocaine for an overall body pain. It's not that you wouldn't use it, it's that it CAN'T do it.

QUOTE(shipps @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 01:59 PM) But you might if you had pain in your forearm or your wrist. One lidocaine injection cannot effect both the forearm and wrist. You would need multiple injections unless you do a nerve block but that would numb the entire area and make it useless for any activity.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 08:51 AM) Did he say he actually had the lidocaine shot into his ass though? I thought when he was saying he took lidocaine and B-12 he was answering the question of "Did McNamee ever inject anything into your body"... I'm not sure if the injection site was mentioned but he stated it was for overall body pain not for a localized problem.

QUOTE(heirdog @ Jan 7, 2008 -> 02:53 PM) Did anyone else notice that pink/magenta thing (highlighter?) Roger was holding in his right hand? At first, the way he was rubbing it, I thought it was a lucky rabbit's foot, then I wasn't quite sure what it was. But my synopsis of the interview: Roger was vague Roger never said that McNamee was lying Roger said he got B-12 (take a vitamin) and lidocaine shots (why put this through systemically when it can be used locally?) Roger said he popped Vioxx like they were "skittles" because he trusted the people that told him they were safe Roger averted the lie detector question by saying who knows if they're accurate Roger was steaming mad at being questioned Roger is not sure if people will believe him but people that know him, know what's he about (a cheater?) Roger likely will not play baseball again...unless he decides he wants to play again My take: Roger was lying [but he didn't pull a Palmeiro with his penetrating eyes, bushy mustache scowl, and pointed finger] Lidocaine does not work systemically. It only works locally.

QUOTE(lostfan @ Jan 7, 2008 -> 06:36 PM) You're starting to be on to something, but Aramis Ramirez consistently puts up FPCT in the mid to high 900s too and I don't think anyone really disputes that Crede is a better defender (just like nobody in their right mind would dispute that Ramirez is a far better hitter, and Fields too for that matter but that's another discussion). To get a full picture you'd have to account for things like zone ratings, glove reliability, arm - since Fields is a quarterback and has a f***ing rocket launcher for an arm I'd say that's the one thing he has that I'm counting on. I'm not saying that Fields is going to suck as a 3B forever, just that I don't see him ever being anything better than an average defender. I'm not talking about arbitrarily moving him either, only if certain moves are made that leave the team with another legit 3B and Konerko is gone (Swisher atm may be a really good 1B but he's the best CF on the team whether we like it or not). Just remember that both Crede and Ventura were known as good hit no field 3B as well. As long as you have the physical gifts you can learn to be above average at least with hard work. There's no telling if he will put in the time and "get it," but give him time.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 7, 2008 -> 05:34 PM) Heath Phillips was Designated for Assignment on the day that the Sox Traded for Carlos Quentin, and therefore seems to no longer be with the team. So I'd say no. Furthermore, Heath was signed by the Yankees to a minor league deal. I see cliff Politte resigned with the Cards. Hopefully the surgery and rehab went well and he can rewturn to form. He and Cotts were as instrumental as anyone for that World Series ring. Here's to Cliff

QUOTE(shipps @ Jan 7, 2008 -> 09:13 AM) Clemens admitted that he was poppin Vioxx like it was candy,he takes pain killing shots just so he can go out there and pitch,he admits that he takes b12 shots to this day.Yet he wants us to believe that he wouldnt take roids because it is harmful to his body.Then why would you put your body at risk when it is injured and dull the pain with with lidocane? The problem with this statement is that lidocaine is a local anesthetic. So, unless the pain was in his rear end, where the injection was given, it won't help anything else.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jan 6, 2008 -> 07:02 PM) Can someone point me to an example of where a player switch off a position to 1B, and performed well at 1B immediately? I know Konerko didn't. There must be some basis to your assumptions. Jim Thome, Billy Williams

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jan 5, 2008 -> 10:43 AM) Why? KW targeted Swisher. Swisher is not a long-term solution to CF. It's clear KW wants to get younger in the core, and Kendrick fits the bill. You'd be an idiot not to make one of your first comments geared towards Kendrick. Especially since we have a need for a leadoff hitter. KW traded for Richar and I think will stick with him. KW would rather have young pitching than Kendrick. You can probably get a couple of young pitchers if you don't include Kendrick. There is a possibility of the a leadoff/CF guy to come in a deal. But my opinion is that that if PK is dealt it will be for starting pitching at either the minor league or young major league level. He may be satisfied with the rotation (but we also know if KW says that he is probably looking for more) but would love to increase the MLB ready or near ready depth. Actually since this rumor is out there it probably is a smoke screen for something else. KW is more successful under the radar.

If Konerko is involved in a deal, the primary objective will be starting pitching. The idea of targeting kendrick is off base. It will be for pitching and whatever else the the other team will include. If the above rumors are true, I hope KW has another plan to spin Mathews elsewhewre. He really doesn't have a place on this team besides the fact he isn't very good. You know KW is working plans to trade both Crede and Uribe. So there are still a couple of trades to come.

QUOTE(JFields27 @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 10:34 PM) Lets hope its not Crede that would go to first, already horrible back, but now we would have to worry about him making a stretch to make sure our infielders can be saved on some bad throws .. heh This might be all mlbtraderumors talk, but like I said before I think it would be a great trade and I would be on board with it From what I hear his back is doing very well and he should be ready during spring training.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 07:06 PM) Swisher must live in Ohio in the offseason. Interesting new workout routine. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/24/sports/b...amp;oref=slogin Isn't that a scene from a "Rocky" movie? In the freezing weather using a hammer while the competition is in a high tech gym being injected with steriods.

QUOTE(knightni @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 02:52 PM) KW doesn't know which direction to go. Rebuild or play for this season? What's the point of developing guys if you never use them? When you lose 90+ games with vets who are past their prime and you have a bloated payroll; the last thing you do is trade your top 2 mlb-potential arms for a guy who - granted, is a good player - is not a solution to your age/payroll problems. He should have dumped Contreras, Dye, Konerko and Thome and rebuilt. I can handle a future of 3 or 4 years of 90 losses if you are making a considered effort to rebuild, but KW is not. He is using them....to obtain major league talent. One of the purposes of a farm system is to use them as trade bait. KW has said many times that the reason that they draft so many pitchers is that everybody wants pitching and I will have pieces that other GMs want. I usually am of the opinion that you hold on to promising pitchers instead of obtaining bats. However, an on base machiene, signed to a long term, cheap contract is too hard to pass up. He will be here through 2012. HE can be the future more than some of the other prospects because he is a quality MLB player.

QUOTE(Elgin Slim @ Jan 2, 2008 -> 08:21 PM) Wasn't Anderson having wrist problems after he went down to AAA? I know he had surgery in June or something. Could that possibly be the reason why he only hit .255 in Charlotte? It was an injury he had coming out of college. The first surgery he had was to "clean it up" instead of repairing the damage, in hope that it would take care of the problem and he could begin his pro career and development sooner. It flaired up again and he had it repair this year. The rehab was longer but hopefully it will take care of it.

QUOTE(klaus kinski @ Jan 1, 2008 -> 03:46 PM) He dismantles more than he builds. Look at the team, and organization. Its well below par As long as he wins, that should be all that matters. Who cares how he does it. As long as it's within the rules that is.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jan 1, 2008 -> 02:28 PM) It all depends on your definition of "win." Sure KW has a winning record as GM, but he has 1 playoff appearance in 7 years. Not good. True. It depends on your definition. To me it's winning the WS. He has done that. I really don't care about making the playoffs and getting bounced. Win the WS, nothing else matters. He gets a chance to build it again. If he doesn't make the progress towards winning it again, he's gone.

QUOTE(chisoxt @ Jan 1, 2008 -> 08:23 AM) I think that you answered your own question in that we will probably change GMs when it's clear the team can't win. But at what point is that?. Obviously, Kenny won't be fired this season, but say, next year, if we lose 90-100 games, if our young players like Richar, Danks, Floyd, etc regress, and, if the young guys we traded like Carter and Cunningham flourish, does Kenny get the ax? I say yes. Keep in mind that winning a WC should not give one a lifetime contract. At what point do we stop resting on our laurels? If we are still satisfied with a recent WC, why even watch the team at all anymore? I agree he needs to go if he shows he can't win. Resting on laurels wouldn't qualify after two years when one was a 90 win season. All I'm saying is that a guy who has a winning record and a WS win shouldn't be fired after one 90 loss season. It's up to the individual as to how many poor seasons constitutes a reason to fire a GM. But it's unreasonable to think it should be now. Don't micromanage a person and fire them based on individual moves fire him based on results and so far I don't think KW track record of wins and losses is reason to fire him now. As the saying goes "managers and GMs are hired to be fired." I just don't think there are valid reasons yet. I don't care how the players we traded do for other teams, that just means we drafted well. It's how the Sox do that should determine KWs fate. Don't be afraid to make a trade that will help your team. If you only trade guys that won't do well elsewhere you will never get quality in return. Don't micromanage. Look at the overall results.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Dec 30, 2007 -> 05:56 PM) The results of this poll are very sad and makes me wonder if our fanbase is as smart as I thought. Most people just realize that a GM who usually fields a winning team and wins a World Series is a successful GM and fans should give him a chance until he has shown that he can't win.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Dec 30, 2007 -> 08:52 PM) I say CLE will be stronger mainly due to Hafner not possibly being as bad as he was last season. They didn't lose anyone, and improved their pen. Hard to say they'll be worse. And the best that Konerko, Thome and Dye will put up is .274 30 HR's and 96 RBIs? If Hafner will improve over his poor last season whose to say that all three or at least two of three who had poor seasons won't improve. If their players can rebound from poor season why can't the Sox players?

You don't need to try to impress with your knowledge of what type of prospects (or lack thereof) there are in the minors. Anyone who has spent time watching them or working with them know that most have no chance to make it. Just stating some things I observed when I was there and how coaches worked with them. Just because someone has the tool doesn't mean it's refined and it doesn't need to be improved. A tool isn't effective if it's not used properly (OK I couldn't resist that one), You can't tell me that rookie league and A ball players have ANY tool refined.

While I agree with the premise of the comment of working on tools you don't have, this seems kind of backwards. From my times in the minors there were many guys with the tool of speed but were awful base stealers due to poor jumps, difficulty reading pitchers etc. These guys needed to work on these things and were encouraged to work on them. The purpose wasn't to rack up SB numbers but to work on the tools needed to be a good base stealer not just a guy with speed. So just because a guy has a certain tool does not mean they don't work on it at all. It's similar to a guy with a great fastball who needs to work on a breaking pitch while you may focus on the weakness you always need to improve on the strength as well.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Dec 23, 2007 -> 11:42 AM) Someone said 80% of SoxTalk thinks KW is awful/should be fired. I'm curious what the actual numbers are. And I'm voting for mediocre, not "awful". I'm the one who said that and I'm shocked only 47% want him fired. I guess the people who want him fired are just more "vocal"