Balta1701

And thanks to those who run Soxtalk.com...for making it possible for me to have read that discussion.

IMO, the formula is actually pretty simple. If Jose Contreras, Gavin Floyd, and John Danks (or 1 of the guys we have at AAA) step it up big time, then the White Sox have a good shot at this division. If Westbrook, HGH, and Sowers/Lee/Laffey/whoever else they throw into that 5th starter spot step it up, then the Tribe will take this division. If Bonderman, Willis, Rogers, and Robertson step it up, then the Tigers will take this division. All 3 of these teams on paper have very potent offenses, and it will probably be just a question of injuries/career seasons which team winds up with the best of those. They're all more than adequate in that department. The bullpens? All 3 have some question marks, although we might well be as sound as any of them since we actually have a solid, real, legit, dominating closer. All 3 of those teams have solid front ends to their starting rotation. And all 3 have back ends of the rotation with question marks but all 3 also have guys in those roles who could step up and be really good. And of course, never count out the Twins.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 11:26 PM) Anybody that can look at those numbers and say Rice is a hall of famer must: 1. Think Ellis Burks is a Hall of Famer. 2. Not know the difference between "Hall of Fame" and "Hall of really good" In terms of Ellis Burks's numbers, I can sum up in 1 word why I feel that is a poor comparison: Colorado. Dude spent 5 or so of his prime years hitting for the Rockies. That alone can be expected to totally throw off one's career numbers.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 10, 2008 -> 07:54 AM) Of course, the scenario you mention here, and that slippery slope, could just as easily happen in private insurance as public. In fact it is already happening, as with a partially employer based system, employers have begun firing or refusing to hire people for smoking even during hours when they aren't working. Some 20 states have banned the practice, but in others, it is a logical decision for an employer to make if it cuts their health care costs.

QUOTE(BaseballNick @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 08:12 PM) Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle believes the Giants may try to acquire either Rolen or Crede since talks with Pedro Feliz aren't going anywhere. Link What do the Giants have that we might be interested in? Crede for Cain and Lincecum. Kw is an idiot if he doesn't make that move!

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 05:06 PM) I think Universal health care is a bad name. There's got to be a way to mix the capitalism with socialism. I mean, instaed of having the poor go to the ER for a bad cold and sit and wait for 12 hours. Everyone SHOULD have healthcare, no matter if your income is zero or a gazillionaire. I am not a politician nor am I a policy maker, but there's got to be a way. Maybe all hospitals should have free clinics attached to it? I don't know. Germany has a system that works something like what you're asking for, for example. They have a health insurance plan that sets an entry level of coverage for everyone in the system. Beyond that, you are then able to purchase additional insurance to allow for more luxurious accommodations if you get sick or something like that.

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 04:33 PM) Did people not sit down and see what their payments would be when (not if) their ARMs adjusted? If they did...they figured they could sell the house and make a profit because housing prices were going to go up forever and ever and ever. Some were simply naive consumers, often seduced by some very unscrupulous loan tactics. Others knew exactly what they were doing and just were stupid investors.

AP: Bill Richardson to drop out. Or not: NBC: Richardson campaign denies report he is dropping out of Democratic presidential race More details: Richardson may simply suspend his campaign, thus no longer campaigning for the nomination but not endorsing anyone.

QUOTE(A's fan @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 07:57 AM) I have no problem with the white sox but my boy barry needs to stay in the bay area I Agree.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem

QUOTE(shipps @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 01:24 PM) Was Mcnamee taping the call also and trying to bait Clemens into saying "I want you to lie" when he kept on asking him "What do you want me to do?. Unless McNamee has some setup where he tapes every incoming call, I certainly doubt it. It's against the law in most states (Not Texas where Clemens lives, not CA also) to tape phone calls surreptitiously, and IIRC he didn't know Clemens would be calling in advance did he?

QUOTE(A's fan @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 02:31 PM) he will within the next five-nine seaosns Only if the White Sox's drafts are better than what a lot of people here give them credit for.

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 02:38 PM) I don't want to piss on the study right off the bat, but really, there has to be SO many other factors in play here that simply comparing otherwise preventable deaths from country to country is just worthless. Are their major differences in the types of patients treated in each health system? What are the rates of preventable diseases? What are income levels? Do other countries serve as big of a group? Are the systems themselves comparable, in terms of advancement of care? All true. There are a ton of variables. Looking solely at industrialized countries certianly helps with it, and they've taken the further step in not just looking at mortality but looking at specific types of mortality that could be prevented with adequate care. However, that's not going to be my comeback. The key point and the question I put to you then is...if the U.S. spends 1.5 to 3 times as much per person on Health care as any other country surveyed there, can you explain to me why the U.S. should still finish last?

QUOTE(The Beast @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 12:59 PM) For those of you who are going to SoxFest. Weeeeeeee salute you!

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 12:11 PM) If we list all the major deals, has there ever been even one that has been rumored before it happened, other than mild speculation? The Thome deal was actually discussed quite a bit here before it happened, although no one knew it would involve the Sox giving up the greatest player in the history of mankind. Everyone knew we were trading a pitcher last offseason and Philly was one of the potential destinations, but until KW said like a day or two before it happened that we might be getting back a guy we'd had previously (Gio) nobody suspected Floyd and Gio would be the price.

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 12:08 PM) Dear CIA, I do not know Balta1701. Kisses, CanofCorn The NSA guy they had trailing me mysteriously vanished about 3 months ago. I'm a bit worried for his safety.

Well, my Congressman endorsed Obama today. Going to have to give them a polite thank you call.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 12:59 PM) The "Iron my shirt guy" was most likely a Hillary plant. That, then the crying thing, she was just playing up for sympathy. It worked. Actually I believe the Iron My Shirt folks were a stunt by a local radio station.

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 11:29 AM) On NPR, anecdotally, a lot of independents chose to vote for McCain instead of Obama because of Obama's perceived large lead. IMO, Obama's only chance from this point on is if Indy's and everyone on the Dem side who is anti-Hillary rallies around him. I'm just not sure it's enough.

QUOTE(longshot7 @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 11:24 AM) no, but this is: f*** Christmas. I will not rest until every year families gather to spend December 25th together at Osama's homo-abortion-pot-and-commie-jizzporium

A group of Katrina survivors/evacuees has filed suit against the government. For 3 quadrillion dollars.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 11:12 AM) Obama apparently raking in the cash - over a million dollars a day in the new year, including 500k in the first 12 hours of today (after losing NH). Heck, after last night I'm this close to sending in money. I'm just so damn sick of having to vote for people who voted for this damn war...

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 11:13 AM) What? Aren't we all supposed to be running around screaming the sky is falling? That's not the sky. It's the blue painted ceiling in your neighbors' recently foreclosed upon house.

QUOTE(Controlled Chaos @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 09:45 AM) It's sad, but such ridiculous things have always been the basis for a lot of ignorant voters. Some vote based on a canidates exposure. Some vote based on a canidates appearance. Some vote based on how they speak. Some vote based on religion. Some vote for a canidate just because someone told them to. Some will not vote for Obama just because he is Black. Some will vote for Obama just because he's Black. Some will vote for Hillary just because she is a woman. Some will not vote for Hillary just because she is a woman. It's all the same load of crap and has been going on forever. If I had to give my own guesstimate I'd say maybe 50-60% of voters vote with an informed mind. ABC News

QUOTE(SoxAce @ Jan 8, 2008 -> 09:08 PM) Not a pitcher. I would say the true stud will be in a few years (read first name on the bottom of mah sig) or unless we draft a pitcher this year with high upside. Maybe I'm still crazy, but I think that between Egbert, Broadway, and Sisco, I'm betting we'll feel we have 1 more MLB ready starter by the end of this year who'll wind up being better than we think when he does come up.