YASNY

The Northeaster Seaboard area thinks they represent mainstream America. They don't. The heart and soul of America is geographically in the heart of the country. An island of the coast of Europe? That sounds about right to me.

If they swing to a totally hardcore liberal stance, the Republicans will have a field day. In my opinion, that would be the very worse thing the Dems could do for the health of the party and the influence they have on the nation. The reason it's called "the center" is because that's where most people are. The Republicans retained the presidency and added to the house and senate because they were closer to the center than the Democrats. I'm not trying to start anything here. I'm only expressing an opinion. Feel free to disregard or dismiss it if you so choose.

That explains a lot.

It has easily developed into a habit.

The University of Michigan Spartans?????

That's because the Reds have an AL type lineup with all those thumpers. That doesn't bode well for Woody, especially in the Cell.

If KW can put together something around PK and get Castillo and Mota, ok. But Conine has no value to the Sox.

The Keith Foulke of 2001-02 was not quite the Keith Foulke of today. He has developed a pair of brass balls since he left the Sox. Foulke was good, but today he is so much better.

I like the Daily Southtown scenario much better.

From a Sox perspective, we are giving up WAY too much for WAY too little. I lost interest in the rest of the deal when I saw that much.

For the record, I never quoted range factor or any other defensive stat to you. I stated that my opinion was based on watching Jose play. The only reason I mentioned defensive stats, in general, was to point out the fact that offensive stats were being used to back the contention the Jose sucked defensively. So I guess agree to disagree it is.

Good for Willie. He's paid his dues and deserves to finally get a shot.

Let's get to reconstructing the Sox Thursday, November 4, 2004 To: General manager Ken Williams From: White Sox Nation Re: Offseason to-do list Move home plate back at U.S. Cellular Field. The current dimensions at The Cell appear to be fair, but whether because of favorable winds or so many fat pitches, the ballpark plays much smaller than it really is. Even ordinary hitters have turned the place into Cape Canaveral North the last few seasons. Heads up! I think Bobby Higginson just hit another home run! Because of the configuration of the ballpark, the outfield fence cannot be moved back. Why not move back home plate then? Trust me, head groundskeeper Roger Bossard will figure it out. The truth is, the left-field fence has to be moved to the northbound lanes of the Dan Ryan Expressway to make a significant difference. How many cheapies do you see launched at The Cell as it is? But even a few feet can do wonders for the mental state of abused Sox pitchers, and musclemen such as Carlos Lee and Frank Thomas won't be affected much, if at all. Funny that one of the best offseason moves the Sox can make also is the least expensive, isn't it? Trade Paul Konerko for a quality arm and a stud prospect. The Sox have put a front-line pitcher at the top of their offseason wish list, Randy Johnson in particular. Trouble is, the Big Unit won't waive his no-trade clause unless he is headed to a sure contender. Even if the Sox have enough to offer the Arizona Diamondbacks in a package deal, the New York Yankee$ and the St. Louis Cardinals are in far better position to get Johnson. Among free-agent pitchers, Carl Pavano is the best combination of age and ability at this time. Except that Pavano prefers to remain in a pitcher-friendly ballpark in the National League, which means the Sox are out of luck. Derek Lowe, Kevin Millwood and Eric Milton are other possibilities in the open market, but the price for Lowe has gone up considerably in the last month, Millwood has a history of arm problems and Milton was the National League leader in big flies allowed. Enter Konerko. For sure, it won't be easy to part with Konerko, a fan favorite and good clubhouse guy. But Konerko comes off a career season of 41 home runs and 117 RBI, numbers he may not approach again. If ever there is a time to move him, the time is now, especially if a proven starter and a prospect can be had in return. Last season Ross Gload proved to be more than capable at first base. Thomas can spell him against tough left-handers. What's more, Gload represents a defensive upgrade at the position. And unlike Konerko, it doesn't take an hourglass to time him on the basepaths. Say goodbye to Magglio Ordonez, hello to J.D. Drew. Sure, it would be nice to sign Carlos Beltran, but that won't happen now that he is in the $20-million-per-season neighborhood. For four-to-six-million dollars less than the $14 million they paid Ordonez to sit out much of last season, the Sox can probably have Drew, the next best free-agent outfielder available at the moment. While Ordonez may have maxed out on a bum knee, Drew appears to be headed in the other direction. Last season Drew came into his own as a high-average, high-power, high-on-base guy who can fill the No. 3 spot in the order. Not only that, but Drew would fill an urgent need for a left-handed threat. An outfield of 28-year-old Carlos Lee in left, 27-year-old Aaron Rowand in center and the 28-year-old Drew in right is the kind the team can build around for years to come. All three are in or near their primes. All three are capable of, say, 25 to 35 home runs and 90 to 120 RBI. And all three are at least above-average defensively. Who knows? A Lee-Rowand-Drew outfield could turn out to be the best in team history. Next to "No Neck" Williams, Bill Voss and Buddy Bradford, of course. Forget Jose Valentin, sign Omar Vizquel. Now that he can't hit left-handers even with an oar, Valentin is no longer an everyday player. The free agent also is a bad fit for the speed-and-defense game that manager Ozzie Guillen wants to play in the future. For less money, the team could have Vizquel, a much-needed table-setter who would solidify the up-the-middle defense. Get this: The guy can actually bunt! The Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners may join the Vizquel hunt, but if Guillen can't convince his fellow countryman to come to the South Side, then what good is he? And nowwwww, the starting lineup for your 2005 West Division champion Chicago White Sox ... Vizquel, shortstop. Rowand, center field. Drew, right field. Thomas, designated hitter. Lee, left field. Gload, first base. Juan Uribe, second base. Joe Crede, third base. Ben Davis, catcher. Steal the checkbook of Yankee$ owner George Steinbrenner, tie it to a very large rock and throw it into the Hudson River. Do the same to that of Boston Red Sox owner John Henry, into the Charles River.

That's why the Dems got b****slapped. They FAILED to appeal to the moderates.

Dude, you need to get you a dose of reality. You are so jaded is laughable.

All the networks were afraid to call the election.

It sounds to me that Carlos trying to be more of the type of player the team needs at a particular time than being selfish.

Put up a Royce Clayton statue on the LF concourse. That would give Frank a target.

As long as we win, I don't care who outhomers who where.

Would you have traded Konerko for Hudson one year ago today? Most people would have killed KW if he passed up that deal.

Guillen is a pretty solid ballplayer. I'd take him. Sometimes a guy just has to find the right fit. Whether that happens in Chicago or not, who can say. I wonder what KW has heard that leads him to believe Beltran has an unterest in playing for the Sox. Has anyone heard anything?

Jose Valentin is no gold glover, I'll give you that. But I've watch him play long enough to know that he is more than the defensive hack that you and your buddy make him out to be. Your buddy even goes so far as to point to his batting avaerage and on base pct to back his contention that Jose is bad defensively. You guys won't look at fielding stats, but batting stats are relevent. Now that's logic for ya.

Cool. I'll keep that in mind for future reference. Thanks.

Where's that penisula? Not very familiar with the area.