Hideaway Lights

We were coming off of a day off on thursday and a day game on wednesday. In my mind, Politte was available friday.... I understand wanting to use Vizcaino "to keep him fresh" but as soon as they said his name over the airwaves I had Friday chalked up as a loss. I hate to say it, but that's how I feel about that guy.

Seriously, why is this guy often the first guy out of the pen? He has a terrible ERA thus far and I don't think he's pitched that well save for a couple of games. From what I can gather, Ozzie has assigned these roles: Cotts long relief (ye olde Carlos Castillo role), Vizcaino seems to be the sixth/seventh inning guy, Politte also sixth/seventh, Marte 8th and Hermanson/Takatsu 9th. Why isn't Politte the first guy out of the pen over Luis? Last friday Ozzie went to Vizcaino first and almost immediately we were in trouble. What gives?

This is what I wrote (summed up my post and added a few things) to OTL: Speaking as someone who has lived in Chicago all my life, I can confidently say that Jay Mariotti's career hallmark has been to engender as much conflict as possible so that he can milk any kind of story about it. It is well known that he despises Jerry Reinsdorf, hates US Cellular Field and doesn't have a whole lot of love for the players on the team. Last season, he went so far as to say he felt that US Cellular was an unsafe place to take his family and would discourage anyone from going because of two isolated incidents that could have happened (and have happened) at literally every ballpark in America. It's too bad that because he has a relationship with ESPN through one of their shows, he's now ESPN's go-to guy for Chicago. In my mind, he absolutely does not speak for people in Chicago at all. Do a little research and you'll see that everything I've written above is true. Additionally, last year, he started a war with White Sox television commentator Ken "Hawk" Harrelson and made that the entire focus of his vitriolic rants for at least two months in print and on radio. And speaking of radio, when he was hired and then fired after just several weeks from ESPN 1000 radio for low ratings, he blamed his firing on White Sox upper management and Jerry Reinsdorf (ESPN 1000 broadcasts all Sox games). Yes, Jay, low ratings are definitely a White Sox conspiracy. Please, please, please reconsider before having him back on your fine show, especially when discussing the White Sox. I find Outside the Lines to be a great show, but put quite frankly, Jay Mariotti is one of the most unfairly biased reporters you will ever encounter in the industry.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/otl?id=1550768 you can complain here. I know I'm furiously writing right now.

Mariotti's hallmark is engendering as much conflict as possible so that he can milk any kind of story about it, and it is well known that he despises Reinsdorf, hates US Cellular and doesn't have a whole lot of love for the players on our team. It's too bad that because he has a relationship with ESPN through that s***ty show with the bells and whistles (I don't remember what it's called), he's now ESPN's go-to guy for Chicago.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ May 3, 2005 -> 08:59 AM) Neyer is a royals fan anyways. What do you expect. He is probably upset that he bought all those believe shirts and Limatime posters 2 years ago. He has to crap on other. For the record, Neyer was the only ESPN writer preseason to pick the Sox to win the central.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ May 2, 2005 -> 09:54 PM) They can move Josh Fields to 1st, if Joe Crede continues to perform well, they can call up Casey Rogowski and use him in a platoon situation with Ross Gload possibly, or they can go for a major free agent when there are quite a few available. Oh and welcome aboard Hideaway Lights. This is exactly what I was just thinking. Move Fields to first if Crede has a breakout season. I'm still not one of Gload's Gang, but he's not a bad backup. Thanks for the warm welcome!

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ May 2, 2005 -> 09:49 PM) Welcome to the board Hideaway Lights! Aboz and I were talking about Kong yesterday, and we agreed we wouldn't mind seeing him come back. However, Konerko shouldn't get more than 3 years/$24M. Thanks! That seems about right money-wise.

QUOTE(Hideaway Lights @ May 2, 2005 -> 09:46 PM) I totally agree...I'm actually surprised it hasn't really come up in terms of on the local radio shows and whatnot....usually this stuff is the talk of the town in a player's FA year....especially a big time impact player like Konerko. I'm hoping for a great season from him...I'm also hoping he'll be back somehow last april and may all everyone talked about was Ordonez' contract situation....why is this not appropriate to talk about now in comparison?

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ May 2, 2005 -> 09:44 PM) I think the best way is to wait and see right now. See what Pauly does once he gets back in his groove and most importantly see how much money he is demanding. I totally agree...I'm actually surprised it hasn't really come up in terms of on the local radio shows and whatnot....usually this stuff is the talk of the town in a player's FA year....especially a big time impact player like Konerko. I'm hoping for a great season from him...I'm also hoping he'll be back somehow

Hey guys, I'm new...just stumbled onto this place today....seems like a really cool forum. Been looking for a place like this for a longtime online. Glad it exists. anyway, as my first post I want to know whether you would want Konerko back if he hits something like just .250 but has the power numbers (40+ home runs)....is this enough offense from your first baseman? Also, is his value after this season going to be overrated or underrated with a season like that?