Milkman delivers

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 7, 2011 -> 02:24 PM) Amazingly, that's probably as much caffeine as 2-3 cups of coffee or pop. I'm strange (although it should be the exact opposite) because I don't need any artificial things to give me energy. The only reason I eat or drink anything is because I like the taste. I can wake up and get right to business.

I keep my hair pretty damn short (my hairline has been slowly receding since high school haha), but my Halloween costume this year involved me shaving it down to the shortest possible length without using a razor. I will eventually do that all the time, but it definitely looked weird to me at the time. Strangely enough, it felt kinda cool though and I didn't have to worry at all about rolling right out of bed and leaving the house.

QUOTE (BigEdWalsh @ Feb 7, 2011 -> 01:04 PM) Right on. I love coffee but I drink mostly tea. Kinda weird, because here in the Puget Sound area there is an Expresso joint on nearly every corner. I'm not kidding, they're everywhere. There's one spot a few blocks from where I live where there's an intersection with two Starbucks, one across the street from the other. But I've gotten hooked on tea, nothing fancy or anything just mostly Irish Breakfast tea. I drink probably on the average 6 to 8 cups a day. Whoa.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Feb 7, 2011 -> 01:51 PM) I think some people automatically assume that a black man in cornrows is a bad person or troublemaker. I think you're right.

QUOTE (Elgin Slim @ Feb 6, 2011 -> 04:04 PM) 2 of the 3 keys to the 2008 season were already acquired in at the start of the 2007 season, John Danks and Gavin Floyd, finally living up to their top prospect status. Quentin was acquired that offseason, and had an MVP caliber season for 5 months in 2008. The veterans, Konerko, Thome, and Dye all had bounce back years in 2008 instead of continuing their downward trend. Seems like a year where a lot of things, except Quentin's injury, went right for the Sox, and they still barely won the division. They were also dismissed fairly quickly in the ALDS. I still hope that Floyd can put it all together for a full season, though that may be wishful thinking at this stage of his career. In 2009 they failed to win 80 games because Colon and Contreras were old and washed up. Last season for 3 out of 6 months they had a losing record, they had 2 incredible months in June and July, In September they got their brains beat in until garbage time, So most of the wins there don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Really, they had an mediocre season last year. I like the Sox chances this season, but remain skeptical until they prove that they can beat the Twins head to head. If the Sox go 8-10 last season against the Twins instead of 5-13, they are tied for the ALC division and go to a game 163. The Twins don't go away ever, so it will be a fight. I think the difference comes down to 2 guys on our team: Is Edwin Jackson really the guy that the Sox had last season? and Is Jake Peavy going to be an effective pitcher this season? If the answer to both of those questions is no, then I think the Sox finish 2nd or 3rd this season. If the answer to one of those questions is yes, then I think they'll have somewhat of a chance to win the division, and if the answer to both of those questions is yes, then They'll have a good chance win the division if they stay healthy otherwise. If both of those guys pitch well, we should run away with the division. QUOTE (Disco72 @ Feb 6, 2011 -> 04:39 PM) You've said this twice now. While I can see the logic (players leaving via FA, not much help seemingly available in the minors), I don't think you can make this claim quite so confidently. The Sox have never sucked for a while during KW's reign, and a lot can happen in a couple of years, especially if the Sox can sustain a higher payroll to fill the gaps. Two years also provides enough time for prospects in the lower levels of the minors to develop to where they could help the Sox either at the major league level or as trade fodder. If they don't do anything in the next two years, 2013 and on will be pretty bad. If they make the postseason and advance in the playoffs, they will likely be fine in 2013 and beyond because they will have money to spend.

QUOTE (whtsoxfan @ Feb 6, 2011 -> 09:07 PM) "this is probably my second favorite move of the off-season" really? behind Konerko... and Dunn... and Alexei... and Danks... and Ohman... and Quentin... and AJ? put me on record as saying I believe Milledge will make the Major League roster, I'm just not sure if it'll happen in time for Opening Day. I believe he could have something to prove (other than being an a$$hat) and do well in the White Sox organization. if not, cya! Seriously, do people confuse Milledge with Delmon Young and/or Elijah Dukes?

QUOTE (lostfan @ Feb 7, 2011 -> 12:11 AM) Bears fans are going to talk about how Troy and LeBeau should retire and Ben will never be a good QB again? Damn, beat me to it.

QUOTE (Palehosefan @ Feb 6, 2011 -> 10:15 PM) Now I get to read from the dumbest fan base in the NFL about how Troy and Dick Lebeau should retire and Ben will never be a good QB again. The Bears' fanbase?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 6, 2011 -> 11:39 AM) Do you seriously believe JR is risking losing a ton of money say $20-30 million? Not a chance in hell. For the record, I like JR, but he's cried poor for years, and until now has always said, and has had his underlings say, every dime that comes in is spent on the team. Now he says over the years, they make a little here, make a little there. Attendance has dropped 4 consecutive years. If you recall KW was saying the were out of money before they picked up Peavy. Then they somehow not only found the money for Peavy but Rios as well. Attendance did not spike. Then they added payroll last season and with attendance down again, were somehow able to find $4 million for 1 month of Manny. They had the money all along. Now JR brings back AJ and Konerko and Dunn. Gives Crain 3 years. Gives Ramirez an extension, and is saying if the fans don't show up, he'll lose a lot of money. Apparently, when the fans were showing up before or not showing up, he was making a lot of money. Why should anyone feel bad about not spending money they may have a bigger need to spend elsewhere so JR and his partners don't have to eat into some of their previous profits? There's nothing wrong with JR making a profit, but there's nothing wrong with a family of 5 living on $70k in salary a year, waiting to see how the weather is or how entertaining the team is before committing $200-300 on a White Sox outing. Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

I really don't see Pujols ever ending up on the Cubs. The smaller reason is that I don't believe he'd actually make that move. I feel like it would tarnish his image and he's smarter than that. He'd probably also get hurt if he went there. The larger reason is that another team would definitely outbid the Cubs if it is solely about money.

QUOTE (flavum @ Feb 5, 2011 -> 04:20 PM) Not knowing the difference between then and than, lose and loose, and not knowing that "alot" isn't a word. It's "a lot". Just stuff that makes me think that kids aren't being taught anything in school. Dominant and dominate.

Bad grammar is the worst.

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Feb 4, 2011 -> 11:12 AM) I agree with you on this, but he's a NYY so he'll get in eventually IMO. My favorite part of covering for Pettitte is when HGH is brought up and defenders just say "oh he admitted it and came clean" well that may be partially true, but to me guys who used it once and admitted it could have used it multiple times and are just picking when to admit to. Like the A-Rod deal, he admits to it when he was in Tex playing for bad teams but then uses the excuse of pressure and being young... except to me I just think, well didn't you have pressure when you went to the NYY? And being young? maybe agewise, but he was already a seasoned vet of MLB, enough to earn enough service time to be a FA, and except the most lucrative contract of all time, you can't have those things then just hide behind "I was young" IMO. Same here.

This is something you have to play by ear. It's pretty obvious that Danks will finish out the 2011 season on the Sox. Then in the offseason or even during 2012, depending on how he performs in the season and what teams offer for him, you decide if you want to trade him for a package of younger players or let him walk to get the draft picks and free up money to spend in free agency. There's no point in arguing right now about how to get rid of him, as we don't know what the situation will be like after 2011. We have to let this season play out (unless they throw us all a curve and completely suck this year), and go from there.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 4, 2011 -> 08:30 AM) Last year, Dye was offended at $3 million offers. Then this offseason he says its not about the money he wants to play for a contender. Fine, but why would a contender give him anything but a minor league deal? If he is still able to hit, he'll make a team. If he can't he wins a trip to AZ or FL for 6 weeks. He was horrid the second half of 2009, sat out last year, and isn't exactly getting younger. JD has had a nice career, but really if his ego doesn't shrink and he quits instead of tries to make a comeback, I bet he'll regret it in a few years. He most likely doesn't need the money, but when you have the gift he was given, if he really loves to play and compete, he should try to do it for as long as he can. Probably not, as I've heard multiple times that he's pretty cheap (doesn't tip, buy drinks for others, etc.).

This signing is also making me happier to have Teahen (strangely enough). If Milledge were to make the team and play moderately well in a back-up role, we would have two guys on the bench that can back up LF and RF (one being able to play CF if needed). One of these guys can hit lefties pretty well with a decent amount of power and the other can do the same against righties. Teahen can also play some IF (not too well, obviously) in case Vizquel is being used elsewhere. I am extremely happy with this offseason. The only true missing piece is a starter to hold Peavy's spot until he returns.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Feb 4, 2011 -> 09:22 AM) No on trading a starter and no on Pettitte being a hof, steroids or not. Eh, I wouldn't put it past the voters.

QUOTE (knightni @ Feb 4, 2011 -> 03:09 AM) It's all our fault 1987?! I would've thought it was much, much older than that.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Feb 4, 2011 -> 10:46 AM) Coffee is my lifeline. I'll have an iced coffee once in a while when I get a taste for it (talking 5 or 6 times a year), but I load it up with tons of sugar and cream. I never understood the fascination with coffee. I don't like the taste, it doesn't wake me up, it makes your breath smell just awful, and it gives you the runs.

I was expecting a Ben Roethlisberger joke, actually.

QUOTE (flavum @ Feb 3, 2011 -> 05:19 PM) Don't know if this was posted. Milledge in winter ball being...him. QUOTE (flavum @ Feb 3, 2011 -> 05:11 PM) I hope they tell him he's not wearing 85, and take out the dreds. This kid needs to be knocked down a few pegs. Seems like we have our first poster to hate him before he even takes a swing for the Sox! And it looks like he didn't start anything in that video. The other guy was jawing at him and pushed him first.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Feb 3, 2011 -> 12:59 PM) Let's just hope he doesn't go all Brett Favre on us Pettitte strikes me as a smart guy. After the steroid incident, I don't think he'd hurt his reputation even more by pulling a Favre.

QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 3, 2011 -> 04:38 PM) Lots of veterans in New York hated his attitude. He had some issues with the law a few years back as well. I gave his Wikipedia page a quick read. It mentioned that the other players didn't like that he high-fived some fans on his way back into the field after hitting a big home run, and that it caused some of the veterans to give him s*** for it. Sounds pretty weak to me.

I love this move. I don't see anything but upside with it. QUOTE (DBAHO @ Feb 3, 2011 -> 04:02 PM) Low risk even with all of supposed baggage. I'd expect him to start the season in AAA unless he tears it up in ST, which is entirely possible. He crushes lefties though, and there was a role for Andruw Jones doing that, so perhaps Milledge can make it with us doing that sort of role potentially. What baggage? Are you thinking of Delmon Young, too?

With the comment about regretting his blizzard tweet and the way he's handled things this past offseason, it might be that Ozzie really is taking a more professional approach to this season. I like it.