longshot7

I have little to add to all that - but welcome!! and what part of the UK are you from? As to Thomas - he was the MVP in 1993 & 1994, and qiute simply one of the best players in the game at that time. There were many who believed that if he kept up his pace, he would mentioned in the same breath as DiMaggio, Mantle, and Williams. He kept up that pace until 1998 when for the first time. he saw a dramatic drop in production. He was slightly better in 1999, came back and had an MVP-caliber season in 2000, and then proceeded to get hurt in 2001. 2002 & 03 saw a relatively healthy Thomas, and his power numbers were there for the most part, but his average (when was always his strongest suit) suffered. When healthy, he is a major difference-maker - a potential MVP. The operative words here, of course, are WHEN HEALTHY. He could be an enormous boost akin to picking up a major star at the all-star break, or he could have production problems and be no better than whoever he replaces. Who he'll replace is up for discussion, at least at this point. Either Everett or Dye are the most likely - but if Dye sits, then Carl plays RF and his defense is very suspect at this point. My guess is regardless of feelings or salary, Ozzie will play the hottest hand and go for the best matchups. I think we have a great chance this year - but we'll see where we are three months from now when the slumps happen (and they will.)

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ May 13, 2005 -> 11:41 AM) Didn't someone write a book alledging that the Cubs threw the series to Boston in 1918? They're trying to steal our thunder there too, damn them!!!!!

QUOTE(KWs OK for Me @ May 12, 2005 -> 09:11 PM) And to add to things Escobar is making his second trip to the DL with a bone spur in his right elbow (throwing arm) I know. They're lucky they're in a weak division this year.

QUOTE(whitesoxin' @ May 13, 2005 -> 09:09 AM) I'm finally getting my ass out to the park tonight. As a result, I'm getting fired from my job, so I don't want to hear people b**** about this guy not going to enough games. The rain better stay away, but as long as they get the game in I'll be happy. Now that's commitment. The rest of us have no excuse....

QUOTE(qwerty @ May 12, 2005 -> 11:57 AM) I will never understand how every one use to say anderson was so underated. When you are mentioned as unerated every day looks like to me you are overated. Does a guy with a career obp of under .330 and ops of .805 qualify him to make ten million a year? Interesting about Eckstein. Hmmm..... But about GA - with his power numbers and considering that he was the Angels MVP pretty much every year until last year - I don't find it hard to see why he wouldn't be worth the $10 mil contract he has, considering the market when he signed it & who else makes that kind of money. He might've even made more if he tested free agency - he's a SoCal guy & just wanted to stay in Orange County. Just checked the stats. From 2000-03, he never hit less than 28 hrs and 116 rbi's. Not bad.

QUOTE(sox-r-us @ May 12, 2005 -> 01:46 PM) Well, sure. But I’m not sure what we’d debate. I don’t like the ballpark, or the uniforms. Those are just matters of pure opinion, and not things about which I’ll change my mind. And about the baseball . . . I mean, this spring I picked the White Sox to win the Central, and at the moment I think they’ve got a fine chance at reaching the postseason. So what’s to debate? How can you not like the uniforms? I just don't get it....

recap for those of us stuck at work?

QUOTE(sox-r-us @ May 12, 2005 -> 01:15 PM) Folks - I wrote to Mr Neyer and I got a response from him too. At least he responded, which is good. But he definitely did not like my mail it seems. Please find my mail and response below: ======================= Hi Rob I do not even know where to start. Clearly you hate the White Sox. I understand that since you are a Royals fan. I would hate every other MLB team if I was a Royals fan too. I guess given all of the other incompetent baseball analysis ESPN provides these days, finding an objective baseball writer at ESPN is probably an exercise in futility. I do not get how you can call the White Sox a "talentless team" when they have the best pitching in all of baseball as of today. Now, that may change down the line, but the #s speak for themselves for Garland, Buerhle, Garcia, El Duque and even the Count. The Sox may not have overpaid prima donnas like Alex Rodriguez or Sammy Sosa or have any "previously juiced up" overpaid players like Jason Giambi, but they play the game as a team. One would think with all of the "me first" crap going on in sports these days, this would be refreshing, but it is obviously not to you. The Sox's hitting is not great, no doubt there, but you do know they will only get better (look at career avg #s for Konerko or Dye and remember Frank Thomas will get back at some point). What really surprises me though is that you picked the Sox to win the division before the year started, unlike the clueless Harold Reynolds, Peter Gammons, John Kruk and all of the other "know it all analysts". None of your commentary bothers me since it will not affect how the Sox play down the line, but I thought you should "enlighten" yourselves with facts about a game you are paid to follow. Hope you have a nice day. Just a White Sox fan ======================= Lord, can you get more sensitive. Just one point, and then I hope our contact will end: I never said the White Sox were “talentless” (which you put in quotes because I used the word, or so you apparently think). Get a grip, man. You must have something more productive to do with your time. -rn Interesting that he replied to your rant and not to mine. Apparently, I must have spoke too much truth for him to handle. And about being sensitive, I don't think we're being sensitive. Ugly unis, ugly stadium, ugly name - dem's fightin' words. I just that we wanted to point out the double standard that exists between our Sox and bandwagon teams like New York, Boston, and the Cubs. and for the record, I don't believe that he's a Royals fan. hasn't he written three books on the Boston Red Sox?

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 11, 2005 -> 03:08 PM) Don't get me started, every game I go to I b**** about there s***ty pitching and s***ty lineup. They are a great defensive team with a good closer, aside from that they are pretty lousy. Oh ya Vladdy is the shiznit. And anyone that ever wanted Cabrerra can have him, he sucks ass. I didn't even like Eckstein but I'd rather have him then Orlando. I totally disagree about Cabrera. I watched him play a lot so far this season and I like his defense way more than Eckstein's. His range is phenomenal. Their offense is horrible right now tho. Vlad & GA are awesome, but Finley has started slow and they're getting almost NO production from C, 3B, or DH. It also seems like they've forgotten baseball fundamentals (like moving runners over, sacrificing, and bunting.) I have a theory that Scioscia takes naps during games. And their rotation is very suspect. Colon has been mostly terrific this year, but after his great start, it looks like Washburn is coming back to earth. Escobar is good - but almost never gets the run support he deserves. Lackey is awful and Byrd is mediocre at best. This is where they need to upgrade the most - hopefully way before the trading deadline.

Oakland will never trade Chavez - he's signed to like a 6-year deal.

here's my e-mail to him. btw, his email address is [email protected] "Look, the White Sox wear ugly uniforms in an ugly ballpark with an ugly name, and the truth is that it's just not easy to like them." Rob, First of all - ouch. Did you really say this in a chat? I don't want to flame you - but I feel that kind of comment goes beyond "expert analysis." Whether or not they're a fluke, or if their hot streak will or won't last is up for discussion (as you go on to say later in your response) but starting with that kind of quote just seems mean-spirited and wrong. Ugly uniforms? Black and white pinstripes with the S-O-X in olde english script is ugly? It's traditional - a variation on uniforms the Sox have been wearing for most of their existence. Besides, media types love the Yankees with their pinstripes and logo. why are the Sox any different? Ugly ballpark? Ten years ago that might have been a valid argument, but now? Renovations since then have made The Cell one of the nicest, cleanest (unlike their North side counterparts), and in my opinion, (and I have been been to about half of the major league stadiums) one of the best baseball-watching facilities around. Ugly ballparks - I'd call Tropicana Field, the Metrodome, and Shea Stadium ugly - but not The Cell. It's really changed. You should visit it. It doesn't have the saloon atmosphere that Wrigley has, but I think that works in its favor. No stupid drunk frat boys pissing in the middle of the street, and it has plenty of parking - something in Boston I'm told is something one can appreciate. Ugly name? True, U.S. Cellular Field doesn't have the ring that Comiskey Park has, but in this age of corporation-sponsored naming deals, there's not many parks that do have GREAT names. Citizens Bank Ballpark, Comerica Park, Petco Field, Network Associates Colisseum - all bad. And truthfully, if you think about it, besides that bs-phrase of "tradition", what makes the word "Wrigley" or "Fenway" a great name? I don't have a problem with you (or many other "experts" for that matter) thinking the Sox's success won't last or picking them not to make the playoffs (btw, didn't you pick the Sox to win the AL Central?) That too is opinion, but one based on facts. But making broad generalizations that I feel are untrue is really uncalled for. Why are the White Sox (whose streak of not winning the World Series is longer than any other team in baseball besides the Cubs) generally maligned in the media? I don't know. Maybe because they're not "the lovable losers" or that they don't hang their failures on a "curse" of some sort. I don't know, but I'm hoping winning cures all these issues. I don't remember the same disgust shown by the media when they were winning divisions in the early 90's in the same ballaprk, with the same uni's. Thank you for your time, Kjell Hilding Los Angeles, CA

They lost 2 of 3 to Detroit at home and now they're gonna lose 2 of 3 to Cleveland at home. They're getting demolished by the Jndians right now. What is up with them?

matchups for O's series: Thurs: Garland v Chen (4-1, 3.12 ERA) Fri: Buehrle v Lopez (2-1, 4.46 ERA) Sat: Garcia v Cabrera (2-2, 4.50 ERA) Sun: Contreras v Bedard (3-1, 2.31 ERA)

What the hell is going on???

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ May 9, 2005 -> 04:01 PM) Iguchi putting them on 2nd and 3rd 1 out for the middle of the order, I just can't complain about that. Everett and to a lesser extent Rowand have to pick the runners up. I thought it when it happened. He's our best hitter - and he's bunting?? btw - orioles just scored - they lead the twins 2-0.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ May 8, 2005 -> 12:19 PM) He was on first when there was a force out at second. He slid into second to try to take out Pedro Lopez, but Pedro's knee hit him right near the temple. He was down for a long time and not moving. His legs began to move a little, they braced his neck and put an oxygen bag on his face, and took him off the field. Oh, that's awful. Yeah - let's hope he's okay. Zaun is a good guy.

what happened to Zaun?

I guess I can see why 3 would be earned - Buehrle allowed three baserunners before Uribe's first error. The DP error is the one that doesn't count - Rios reached base because of Uribe - not Buehrle.

I just tuned in - what kind of errors did Uribe commit? Wow, 2 in one inning. Yikes...

from the AP report: "Someone had a little fun with Konerko, too. Just before his second homer, a message on the Rogers Centre board read "Paul likes to take long walks on the beach."

QUOTE(whitesoxin' @ May 6, 2005 -> 12:07 PM) I don't see what's wrong with it. It's not meant to hurt anyone. The media loves bat girl from Minnesota who calls us the b**** sox, why can't we say Kansas s***ty, Detoilet, Blue Gays, ect. I have no problem with Detoilet or Kansas s***ty - but I take offense at Blow Gays - why is that a derogatory term to call someone gay - it's grade school name calling. Thank you for your time. Back to the game.... btw - Blow Jays is okay too.

QUOTE(whitesoxin' @ May 6, 2005 -> 09:19 AM) Let's beat the Blue Gays Not funny.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ May 6, 2005 -> 07:22 AM) Moroniotti asked the same damn questions that get asked every day here. Who cares? I agree. I hate him regularly - but he had some good points. My fav: "Sox fans should enjoy it Whatever the explanation, don't confuse this as any attempt to kill the buzz. By all means, Sox fans should enjoy it, embrace it, drool over it, imbibe responsibly and use the slick start as a way of mocking Cubdom. Unlike the Cubs, there are legitimate reasons to think the Sox will contend deep into September." True enough.

QUOTE(The Critic @ May 6, 2005 -> 07:56 AM) Until the playoffs, when they trip over each other trying to be the first one to say that "pitching and defense wins championships". everyone knows organizations win championships.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ May 5, 2005 -> 12:26 PM) Brooms. On to Bring on Toronto & Tampa! I'm looking forward to the Canuck games - I think we'll luck out & miss Halladay.