whitesoxfan101

The man survived cancer, I can't say anything but congrats on the no hitter and God speed to him.

QUOTE (JorgeFabregas @ May 19, 2008 -> 01:06 PM) Here's one reason for optimism: on May 19th 2007 they had scored 150 runs and had given up 171. Meaning: they were darn lucky to be over .500, as their expected W/L was much worse. As the season wore on, their W/L record predictably reflected their bad runs scored/runs against ratio. May 19th, 2008, they scored 200 runs and given up 170--meaning that they've actually been slightly unlucky this year (well, you kinda of make your own luck in baseball, but you catch my drift). As the season goes on, if it follows the trend, their record should improve a little. Of course, there's no guarantee that they won't go in the tank. If they keep a similar ratio all season, they should win around 94 games. Good point. Obviously there are exceptions to this statement like the 2007 Diamondbacks, but usually the pythagorean doesn't lie.

Joe Crede is on pace to make 36 errors, so to give him ANYTHING higher than a C right now is laughable (although his solid offense does earn him that C). I also think Dotel deserves a C, he's had too many dominant/game changing for the better outings to get a D, even with his blowups, and Wasserman has allowed 15 men to reach base safely while getting 10 outs, so he's an F too. I'll just give generic grades though for the teams main components: Rotation: B+ (It'd be an A+ if not for Buehrle) Defense: C (The corner infielders have looked washed up, and the OC has no range anymore) Offense: D+ (We're 4th in the AL in runs and started ok which is the only reason it's this high, but even that is a bit deceptive) Bullpen: B (It's been better than expected and solid overall)

Random fact I didn't know: Elijah Dukes was a four star outside linebacker prospect out of high school in 2002. Among those he was rated ahead of: 2006 Big 12 defensive player of the year and consensus All American Rufus Alexander of the Vikings, 2005 ACC defensive player of the year and fellow consensus All American D'Qwell Jackson of the Browns, former Iowa and current Dolphins LB Edmond Miles, and most noteably, all world LB A.J. Hawk of the Packers. http://illinois.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=43 http://illinois.rivals.com/viewprospect.as...835&Sport=1

QUOTE (fathom @ May 18, 2008 -> 10:44 PM) If only they could trade Griffey Jr. for some legit talent. Bruce needs to be in the majors. I'd be even higher on the Reds if I thought Homer Bailey would pan out. Griffey will be traded as soon as he hits a hot streak (aka hits his 600th home run) and Bruce will be called up. They have to figure out a way to give Dunn a long term contract too. The Reds will probably be much better in 2010 than 2008, but they have easily the 2nd most talented team in that divison, and the best starting rotation by far.

The Wolves won the first two games of the Western Conference Finals 4-1 and 5-0 over Toronto in Rosemont, and are halfway to a series victory, Western Conference Title, and trip to the Calder Cup Finals.

The Reds are starting to hit, and with as improved as their pitching has been all year, they are better than their rapidly improving record suggests.

The bullpen was about to drive me insane (Wassermann REALLY NEEDS to be sent down), but who knew it would be Masset to the rescue? He's been a lot better this year actually, still not great, but he belongs on the team that's for sure. It was huge he stepped up so Bobby and Linebrink can get what amounts to 2 days of needed rest now. The one thing we hadn't done well on this trip was hit, so hopefully today gives our offense some momentum heading into the homestand and upcoming games. Also, hopefully Alexei gained some confidence this series, his talent is undeniable. Great roap trip, let's get some distance from Cleveland and stay hot now.

A lot of thought was that last year he threw sidearm so much because the over the top motion hurts his back now. This year, he is throwing A LOT more over the top, and the back hurts. I just hope that's a coincidence, and that he'll be fine soon. If he needs to miss some time, we just better hope Lance can do the job.

All men are created equal, and then some are born Sox fans. Congrats on the addition!!

Cook has to be called up to Charlotte soon at this rate, it's just men against boys for him at Birmingham. Good to see Poreda continue to throw well.

Looking at this ugly boxscore, I'm glad I didn't see this one. But a win is a win.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 17, 2008 -> 03:33 PM) So far this year, us Cubs haters have to be thankful they didn't trade for Josh Hamilton or McLouth, two names they were connected to during the offseason. They'd have never traded for either of them. They were too worried about getting Roberts, who in fact they don't need right now with the great MIF play they've received.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 17, 2008 -> 03:25 PM) I thought D. Lee's was gone, especially with his hop after he hit it. Not today on the Lee ball. Bay hit two of them that are gone almost any other day at Wrigley, and Soto had one like that too. Wind must have been blowing in today, even the two Soriano homers and one McClouth homer looked to all be headed for the street, but just ended up in the stands (or in McClouth's case, in the basket). QUOTE (fathom @ May 17, 2008 -> 03:25 PM) I'm pretty sure McLouth has owned Marmol this season. Good call. McLouth has a single, RBI double, solo HR, and two run HR against Marmol this year, now 4 for 4 against him.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ May 17, 2008 -> 03:00 PM) So, Marmol is human Throw a middle in fastball to a hot hitter like McLouth and your going to have problems. It is strange to see Marmol lose a game for them though, very strange. Anyways, Soriano is 20 for 37 with 7 home runs, 12 runs scored, and 15 RBI's on their homestand after going 5 for 5 today with 2 homers. He's done all that, and risen his average from .188 to .295 in 9 games. I don't think I've ever seen a hitter as hot and cold as Soriano is, but when he's hot, your better off just walking him everytime up.

Maybe it's just me, but I think getting people out of an area in the line of a natural disaster ASAP is more important for national security than a stupid plan that might catch a few illegals. Politics taking precedence over the peoples best interest, as usual.

I have to 3rd the "Obama supporters make me hate him" idea. The 'Obama-trons', from his supporters to the media and everywhere in between, are relentless with their repetitive propaganda, and try and make you think your a bad person if you don't want his "change". Obama is a master of using words (whether they have meaning or not is up for debate) to convince people and inspire them, but his supporters are not.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ May 16, 2008 -> 11:43 PM) Nope. That would be Hanley Ramirez. No, Ramirez is the best. Hamilton is less than two years removed from missing a few FULL SEASONS due to an injury/cocaine habit, and now he leads baseball in RBI. Hamilton wins for raw talent, by far.

QUOTE (ChiSox35 @ May 16, 2008 -> 04:50 PM) I think the thing that makes me not like the Cubs is their wannabe Jimmy Buffet song go cubs go. It's not music, it's noise. Well the guy that wrote that song has been dead for 24 years, so it's a bit outdated to say the least.

Always good to come home to a win. Floyd, bullpen, and the Cuban Missle

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ May 15, 2008 -> 05:23 PM) Racism and Ignorant W.V. Voters This is staggering. Unfortunately, this doesn't only exist in West Virginia. I think racism is going to be a factor in November, and I can't stand that at all. I am voting McCain, but if he wins due to racism I will feel terrible. I'd rather see Obama win if it means ignorance over something as irrelevant as skin tone doesn't play a role.

QUOTE (G&T @ May 16, 2008 -> 12:30 AM) They need to learn to pitch over defensive mistakes. They seem to rattle easily. I don't agree with that at all. If you give a team 4 or 5 outs in an inning, the odds are they are going to score some runs. It's hard enough to get 3 outs.

Overcoming not hitting any home runs, a terrible error, and not getting the sac fly with a man on 1st and one out in the 9th is GREAT to see. That's not a game we win, so to find a way to win anyways is huge. Now, let's get 2 of 3 in SF and get home with a 6-4 trip and above .500 (although a sweep would be nice). Dotel and Linebrink have just been GREAT out of that pen, and Thome FINALLY coming through hopefully will get him into a good frame of mind with the days off in San Francisco. HUGE win. This team still drives me (among others) nuts, but if they win that's fine.

That top of the 9th was maddening, but that is a gut check win. HUGE.