clujer420

If so, that does make sense. What doesn't make sense, though, is why Adkins?

Cut and pasted from ChicagoSports.com Valentin nearing his own magic number By Teddy Greenstein Tribune staff reporter August 19, 2003, 11:08 PM CDT Jose Valentin isn't about to break out a calculator over the final few weeks of the season. But his agent might. Valentin has a somewhat unusual stipulation in his contract: If he reaches 575 plate appearances, he will be under contract next season at $5 million. Actually, Valentin's magic number is 573. His contract vests with 1,100 combined plate appearances in 2002 and 2003, and he had 527 last season. Valentin entered Tuesday with 453, putting him on pace to finish with 587. "Hopefully I can reach that number, but right now I'm just thinking about winning," he said. "If you make the playoffs and win, that makes everybody happy. The people up there [in the front office] would probably give you a gift, like: 'OK, we'll [pick up] your contract.'" Even if he doesn't hit 573 plate appearances, Valentin could re-sign with the Sox, but likely at a cheaper price. Valentin, who turns 34 in October, is making $5 million this season. "If they want to keep me, I'll stay here," he said. "I want to stay, but if not, I'll take my chances." If Valentin doesn't return, the Sox would have to go on the market to replace him. They have no suitable replacement in the minors. Tim Hummel is hitting .282 with 15 homers at Triple-A Charlotte, but he is viewed more as a utility infielder. Valentin's .239 batting average is off a bit from previous years, but his production—18 homers, 51 RBIs—remains solid. And his defense has been far more dependable than in the past. Valentin committed 36 errors in 2000 for a .950 fielding percentage that ranked last among American League shortstops. After committing nine errors in the first 43 games this season, Valentin has just five miscues in the last 83 games. Valentin no longer has to worry about playing third base or the outfield. And he gets tips from first-base coach Rafael Santana, the starting shortstop for the 1986 World Champion Mets. "When I make a mistake," Valentin said, "he asks me what I feel like I did." ------------------ I haven't heard anyone here talk about this, which indicates to me that it's not a well-known fact. I wonder if the Sox are going to give Graffy more playing time down the stretch to avoid him getting the 573 PA that he needs? IMO, that would be wrong to do if they did it solely for that purpose. Here's a link to the actual story

It is Loaiza's turn. Including today, it's been 4 days since his last start, and he should be starting tomorrow. If Adkins is starting in his place, Loaiza must be injured somehow. However, I was watching the game on KCAL 9, and the Angels announcers said that Loaiza is starting tomorrow -- but I would think the Sox official homepage would be more reliable, no?

Am I the only one having trouble with this f***ing site? I have DSL, but when I'm on this site, it goes slow like I have dial-up. POS!

Frank takes 1st pitch strike, then fouls one off. Takes a ball. Next pitch, single to center! Lee....SAFE at home! 4-1 Sox!

Frank takes 1st pitch strike, then fouls one off. Takes a ball. Next pitch, single to center! Lee....SAFE at home! 4-1 Sox!

2-run double for Carlos! Alomar out at 3rd, but the Sox lead it 3-1. We need to get Lee in. Come on, Frank and Magglio.

NICE!!! Attempted sac bunt by Robbie is a beauty, throw to 1st, SAFE! Bases loaded, 0 out, Carlos up.

Glendale, CA. Lead-off error by Amezaga (Angel SS) has the lead-off runner on. Olivo sac bunt attempt...wins the foot race to 1st! 1st and 2nd, 0 out, and back to the top of the order. C'mon guys!

Rivera closes out the Royals, so the Sox now are 1.5 gms out. The Twins are 2 out.

Riggs grounds one to Jose for out #3. Heading to the bottom of the 7th, still 1-1.

Lead-off walk, then a bunt attempt popped up for out #1. Then a little looper hit to Robbie for out #2. Now Adam Riggs is up with 2 outs and a runner on 1st.

Nope. I'm listening to it on the 'net. I had it on the local channel here in LA, but the Angel announcers are unlistenable. So don't kill the messenger -- kill that senile Ed Farmer.

Heading to the 9th, KC down 6-3.

Jose hits the first pitch into CF, the CF started back, then ran in to make a knee-high catch. Inning over. Thru 6, 1-1 tie.

s***, PK hits one deep off the wall -- apparently almost a HR -- but the Sox will have to settle for a 2-out double. Let's see if Jose can get him in somehow...

His season ERA is just above 2.00 in over 100 IP, so I'd say it's not just the Sox that have a hard time against him.

Everett foul tips a 1-2 pitch into Molina's mitt for out #2. PK up.

Magglio leads off the bottom of the 6th by striking out swinging. The 4th of the game for Shields. Everett up.

The Twins have won 8-2, so they trail by 2.5 games in the division, and are presently .5 games behind the Sox (tonight's outcome pending). The Royals are losing 6-3 in the bottom of the 8th in the Bronx, and if they don't come back, they will lead the Twins by 2 games, and us by either 1 or 2 (tonight's outcome pending).

Salmon lines out to PK to end the inning. Going to the bottom of the 6th, it's a 1-1 tie. Magglio, Everett, and Konerko coming up. Let's go guys, let's break this game open right here.

22,396 is the attendance tonight. Why so low? Isn't it Pepsi Half-Price Tuesday? 10,000 less than last night after a dramatic victory...

A 1-out double for Jeff DaVannon, then Anderson flies out to RF. Now, Salmon's up with 2 outs in a 1-1 tie. Why is nobody doing PBP? Is everyone in the chat room?

Yankees blow a 1-out, bases loaded opportunity. Heading to the 8th, Yanks still up 6-3. Twins about to finish off the Indians, as they lead it 8-2 in the 9th.