YASNY

You are correct, LaRussa managed the Sox in the 80's. In fact, he was the manager in '83 when we won the AL West.

Well, I found the answer to my own question. This is from Stark's R&G column at ESPN: DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!!!

The following was from the "Quick Hits" column at the Sun Times website. I just going to post it here for informational purposes. Let the chips fall where they may.

I think it would be wise to keep him for this season and see what he does. I really believe BigFrank is outta here after 2003... just call it a hunch. If that's the case, we are going need Carlos to step into that DH spot. By then, Joe B should be ready.

This is EXACTLY the crap our universities are teaching. Along with our elementary, middle and high schools as well. Between the liberally slanted education or kids are getting, and the liberally slanted media they are bombarded with, it's amazing that so many of them actually grow up to realize that they have been fed crap their whole lives and then start voting for conservative thinking candidates.

The whole team ran the bases like "friggin' idiots" last year. Damn, but that was pathetic. Maybe now that we have someone new in the coaches boxes, that will improve. It can't get any worse. As for Carlos .... I really agree with Heather. I think he will tear it up this year. The reason for my optimism is that though we have been waiting for that to happen for a couple of seasons now, he really improve his batting eye and strike zone discipline over the 2nd half last season. The mental part of it is just about there for him. He has the talent to be a hitting machine. I really hate to see us give up on him right before it all comes together for him, because when it does he's going to put up some major numbers.

it wasnt a kw basher , ok it was a kw basher , but that KW basher is an immediate member of mark buehrle's family... You have a point, and I wouldn't want to insult the credibility of this family member. But at the same time you have to take into account that at best, he probably got any details of the negotiations on a "third hand" basis. Mark's agent would be first hand.. he would be in the negotiations directly. When the agent reported to Mark, that makes Mark as having "second hand" info... then Mark tells this particular family member.. third hand. Just saying, the possibility is there that this info is somewhat inaccurate. I was led to believe that it would be hitting the papers soon... and I'm still waiting for that.

At this point in time, there are 17 replies to this post and not one reference to Phil Rogers' article. It's amazing how things can go off on a tangent in here.

I agree with you. White is a solid pitcher.

All I know is that I have never seen any credible report that KW did not orchestrate the Colon deal. on the contrary, every thing I have seen from the media has indicated that he, in fact, did. Reinsdorf would have had to have had some input into it, because of Colon's salary. I 'll grant that point. And of course Cashman and Minaya "helped" .... How the hell do trade anyone without "help" from the other GM? Now, as for the Buerhle thing .... I'm still waiting for the s*** to hit the fan in papers about this. The source of information I have ever seen on this issue .... or the stuff saying KW did not make the Colon deal, for that matter .... Has been in here. I'm not saying I don't believe it could be true... I just want to see it verified in the press. Just because a KW basher in here says it .... That does not make it fact.

Ok, I'll predict a record of 92-70, followed by an 11-7 post season. ..... Actually, I feel the AL Central will be determined by head to head games between the Sox and Twins. If either team wins 11 of the 19 games, that will be the division winner. One more thought I just had ..... The Cubs are our "arch-rival" team... the team we play home and home series against from the NL. What team does the Twins play? PLEASE don't tell me it's Milwaukee!!!! If so, Clayton and Ritchie are going to cost us another division title. Damn.

I think you will find that he will not be an improvement over Leifer. When Leifer got used somewhat regularly he was a good hitter. Last season he was used so sparingly that he could never get his stroke down. Leifer will put 25 HR up this year for the San Juantreal Expos. Still, I like the pick up of Daubach since Leifer is gone.

Of course things could always be better, but all in all, I won't be unhappy if we open the season with the current group of players. Sure, we could use more depth in spots, but I believe this team has been improved since last year and with a few breaks, actually has enough talent to win it all. I'm not predicting that, but it is possible. At least we can realistically hope it happens.

I don't know how all this will play out in spring training, but I would sure love to see Daubach on our bench this season.

I just wanted to jump in here and that there are some VERY AWESOME people on this board. I am so impressed with what some of you wrote. Roman, You need to listen and learn from these people, they have their s*** together. Even HSC... She seems like a helluva lady to me.

I think that the absolute #1 determing factor should be the schedule. If putting MB in the number 2 slot would give him one or two more starts against the Twins, then that is where he should be. Mark is tough on those bastards. They are the team we have to beat. All reasons of "He earned it" or what have you, should not come into play on this. Whatever rotation gives us the best chance of winning the division, is the rotation we should use.

Hmmmm ... you have a point.

i love jag off myself ..it fit so many situations Cubkilla and Bags, as far as I can tell, the phrase "jag off" is a purely Chicago phrase. The rest of the country refers to "jack offs." Have no idea why Chicago says it so uniquely, but its usage linguistically is pretty local. This is too much thinking academically this early in the day. I would say you're right. I moved down here to Kentucky from Chicago Ridge when I was 18. The people down here never use the term.

I think that would get Frank his 3rd MVP regardless of what Giambi did - and it would be way cool! But that may be a tad bit high. damn it, cause it would be so cool! If he hits .400 with 74 dingers... that should get him somewhere around 195 ribbies, wouldn't you think?

I couldn't agree more. I've been ready for baseball since...ummm... late October.

Tampa Bay 24 Oakland 17 ..... MVP Simeon Rice The Bucs have finally convinced me they are a championship quality team. The difference will be an Oakland turnover that the Bucs defense takes back for or close enough to a touchdown that the offense can punch it in. Of course, by me picking them... that probably insures a Raider blowout.

If you think about it, if something like that happens.... All your worries will be over.

We'll have to trade for Rafael Palmeiro.

But JB has an absolutely horrible attitude. That would not be a good thing if it rubs off onto the youngins... I had always heard the JB had a great attitude. That's why Thomas and Durham were upset when he was traded. Oh yeah.. he got along with everyone. HUGE party man. On the field and in the clubhouse JB felt he was better and got no respect. He was not a leader, and I doubt will give any direction to the youngsters. My guess is that he'll ignore them. I just know Frank and Ray were upset... I don't claim to know if JB was a good teammate or not. I remember hearing that he was, and I qualified my comments with that remark. I really have no idea, nor claim to.

Olivo is supposed to be a defensive stud... if he hits .222, same as MJ, then we have improved. Last year it was Johnson, Alomar and Paul ... This year Olivo in, Johnson out. Seems like a wash to me, at worst.