Milkman delivers

I truly appreciate the World Series and his hard work throughout the years, but thank the Lord he's gone.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 10:26 PM) Philly didn't win a playoff game in either of Rowand's years with the club and then won the WS immediately after he left. SF sucked last year with Rowand. They have improved dramatically this year because they have 2 starting pitchers who are among the best 5 in baseball and that never lose and then their bullpen has been outstanding. I'm sure Rowand contributing to the 3rd worst offense in the NL has had a lot more to do with SF's success this year than the fact that they have the 2nd lowest ERA in the NL and 2 Cy Young contenders. I'm sure Rowand's intangibles is what has led SF to drop their ERA by over 1 run per game this year. Yeah, that is exactly why they have improved so much.

QUOTE (Paint it Black @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 09:06 PM) Underachieved in 2005, really? I mean they won 90 games in 2006 and missed the playoffs because Detroit was just better. 2007 was a bad year, mainly because they were a bad team. The fact that in 2008 Ozzie got that pile of garbage into the playoffs is very respectable, IMO. Clearly I meant they have underachieved since they won the World Series. And yes, they underachieved in 2006 by blowing the division.

I have been napping all night, so this is brand new to me. I haven't read any of this thread yet, but I assume this means we re-sign Dye for DH. I do not like that.

QUOTE (The Critic @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 05:40 PM) OK, I can't even understand that one. QUOTE (Brian @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 09:42 PM) LOL @ Shockmaster Ha, what?

QUOTE (The Critic @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 05:33 PM) I see what you did there.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 01:07 PM) Because if his teaching skills (or lack thereof) aren't the problem, what's the point in getting rid of him? Replacing an offensive coordinator on a football team will drastically change an offense's performance (one way or the other). Replacing Walker will alter the Sox's offense about as much as replacing Jeff Cox. Instead of scapegoating Walker, I'd be looking to address the real problem: the players. That likely would improve the offensive output.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 12:24 PM) It's too bad that Perry had so many injury issues. Dude was pretty talented. And I'd say clutch, too. He was also one of the few players to show up in that Mariners ALDS series.

QUOTE (flavum @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 10:04 AM) So he noted that Hudson isn't on the 40-man, but he didn't note that Flowers isn't either? Stone thinks he's a lot smarter than he really is. Someone will have to be dropped from the 40-man when Flowers contract is purchased from Charlotte. My guess is Colon is an easy move to make. Perhaps you're correct, but he's one of the best in-game analysts going.

I'll echo my sentiments in the KW poll thread. I voted for Ozzie being on the hot seat next year. He's put together a few good seasons as a manager, but let's face the fact that his teams have vastly underachieved since 2005. So, if next year ends up being another bust, then it's time to cut him loose.

The blame game! Walker! Walker, Walker bo Balker Bonana fanna fo Falker Fee fy mo Malker, Walker! This thread doesn't even interest me. I haven't read any posts in it, but I still wanted to throw this in there.

Back to serious discussion. Has this clown been banned yet?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 09:09 AM) Honestly, I can see Kenny offering both JD and Thome a smallish extention, and keeping the first guy to sign it. Ehhh, yeah, you're right. I can see that happening, but I don't think I'd like it.

Can someone tell me the percentage of games Rios has started since being acquired?

QUOTE (Allsox @ Aug 30, 2009 -> 04:03 PM) Rios has been bad this yr but it's possible he can rebound next yr and at least we don't have to wonder who's playing CF for awhile. I really believe Kenny's gonna get Figgins, play him at 3B and switch Beckham to SS with Alexei back to 2B. I also see him signing back Thome (We need some Lefty Thunder) and letting Dye go (Dye's last two 2nd halves have been awful and Figgins fills the leadoff spot perfectly.) He can maybe sign back Pods to bat in the 2-hole and play SOME LF with him gone by the 7th inning. Otherwise, I have lots of faith in Kenny to make us a better ballclub next yr. I guess I can see the Sox acquiring Figgins, but it'll cost us. And if we do get Figgins...hell, even if we don't, I think Alexei more than likely will be gone. I agree with the rest of your post. I voted for Kenny being on the hot seat next year. He's put together a solid team for the 2010 season on paper, but let's face the fact that his teams have vastly underachieved since 2005. So, if next year ends up being another bust, then it's time to cut him loose.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Aug 30, 2009 -> 04:37 PM) He's one of the bad cops - guy with the big nose and kind of balding head. He's in the car with Al Pacino about 30 or so minutes in? And again in a few scenes later. Hell, I haven't watched it so long I don't remember. He was in Scarface too - he worked with Al Pacino in 3 or 4 films. In Scarface, he's the cop that busts him when they're counting money. Damn, I wish I didn't already send it back. I'd like to have found that scene.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Aug 31, 2009 -> 06:17 AM) Unless something crazy happens this last month, I think Greinke should be a lock to win it. He's clearly been the best pitcher in the AL from start to finish. Even when he was 'struggling' in the middle of the season he was still pitching better than the majority of pitchers in baseball. He's got a lot going against him, though. One, he only has 13 wins. It's a shame. He's gotten some of the crappiest run support in baseball, and the defense behind him is well below average. Two, he's not a Yankee or Red Sock. Which means less deserving guys like Sabathia or Beckett could steal the award. I completely agree with you on all of that. And it would piss me off so much to see Beckett steal it.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Aug 30, 2009 -> 01:38 PM) <!--quoteo(post=1999773:date=Aug 30, 2009 -> 01:21 PM:name=whitesoxfan101)-->QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Aug 30, 2009 -> 01:21 PM) <!--quotec-->That's not a very good statement about the 3rd basemen we've had in your time as a fan (and I know you have been a Sox fan for quite a while). It's definitely an indictment on the team's inability to fill the 3B position with a competent everyday player. Playing for the Sox from 1965 to 2009, played 70% of games at 3B, requiring at least 100 G, sorted by greatest OPS+: (100 = league average) OPS+ GAMES 1. 117 1254 Robin Ventura 2. 115 976 Bill Melton 3. 114 329 Eric Solderholm 4. 101 201 Herbert Perry 5. 93 798 Joe Crede 6. 90 410 Vance Law 7. 85 196 Josh Fields f***ing right, dude.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 30, 2009 -> 09:42 AM) He was demoted to the bullpen again yesterday, according to Gonzalez. Let's see if it sticks this time.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Aug 30, 2009 -> 06:14 AM) Im just suprised we are only 5 games back. If the Sox somehow end this horrible road trip only 3 games back- were going to win this thing. This team is too talented to not be in this race to the end. Hopefully Ozzie's tirade will light that 'fire' thats been missing. Lets do this!!!!! Its not over yet!! Come on. They've shown no ability to come back and take this division this season. So because the Tigers' lead won't be ridiculous at the end of this road trip, the team will magically turn it on and close the gap?

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Aug 30, 2009 -> 12:19 AM) Serpico. My (great) uncle's in that. In which scene?

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 29, 2009 -> 11:03 PM) Jose already lost his job. He's been demoted to the bullpen. But apparently humiliating him by DFAing him with just one month left on his three-year deal is a better option because it'll save the Sox money. Oh wait, it won't. Ummm... because it'll create more roster space. Oh, no, that won't matter either, with the rosters expanding on Tuesday. Oh, I know, it'll allow the Sox to placate the angry and sadistic members of its fan base! Yeah, that sounds like a winning formula. Contrary to what you believe, the world doesn't revolve around the bottom line. Concepts such as effort, past performance, seniority, and class all play a role in the way that employees are evaluated and handled. Now that in no way means that Jose shouldn't suffer any negative consequences for pitching poorly. But he's already been demoted the bullpen. And with the rosters opening up in just two days, he won't be squeezing a more deserving player out of a roster spot. So there's no tangible benefit to kicking him off the team at this point. I'm sure that you'll be really disappointed when Jose is still employed by the Sox at this time next month. But if it makes you feel better, you can head over to his house and kick his dog around for a while. He was demoted to the bullpen only to be raised back to being a starter again, all before he threw a single pitch in relief.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 29, 2009 -> 10:08 PM) Wow, what a horrible analogy. Let's first consider the fact that you're not paying the girl after you fire her. The Sox would still be paying Contreras for September if they let him go. And with the rosters expanding, demoting Contreras to the pen for mop-up duty makes quite a bit of sense. So DFAing these two would do nothing positive for the Sox. These people that supposedly work for you don't sound like highly-skilled workers, meaning that they can be easily replaced. With Peavy experiencing elbow problems, Richard and Poreda in SD, and Hudson not ready for prime time, Jose is not easily replaceable right now. In addition, this girl that you supposedly fired was obviously lazy and not putting in a good-faith effort to earn her paycheck. The same cannot be said about guys like Contreras and JD. Say what you want about those two, but they're proven professionals. If you treat those two types of workers in the same way, you're a pretty crappy manager. Wow, a lot of hostility in that post. I'll just let it be and state what I believe again. If you do poorly at your job, no matter if it's for lack of effort or just the necessary skills to accomplish it, you lose that job. And demonstrating to the other employees that they have to perform their duties correctly or else their job is on the line is just an added bonus. I suppose you do not agree with this method. That is your choice. Either way, I'll continue to do my job which I supposedly have when I return to said supposed job on Monday. Now, if you don't mind, I suppose I'll return to watching Serpico on my nice night off from going out. Supposedly.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 29, 2009 -> 07:39 PM) Honestly, is that how you manage the people you preside over? When they fail do you get angry and can them? I was just as frustrated with this team as you apparently are, but DFAing Contreras and Linebrink does absolutely nothing good for us right now. The rosters expand Tuesday. They can sit on our big league club and attempt to work out their problems behind the scenes instead of for some other team (Mike MacDougal, David Aardsma, etc). I highly doubt it will matter in the end, but who knows - maybe this team has a run left in them - and if so, we're going to need everyone to get their s*** together and get on a roll. So DFAing will have to wait until the offseason. Clearly we can't DFA Linebrink. He's signed for too long. Either put him in only for garbage time, or send him to the minors to figure stuff out. And as it has been stated repeatedly, there's a huge difference between managing a baseball franchise and business. I assume some of you think I just go around firing people or screaming at them for the slightest mistake. That's not true at all. I almost never get upset about anything but the Sox. But, sometimes people need to be fired for not doing their job. I let somebody go earlier this week because she would never do her job. I'd have to physically sit her down and tell her what to do and when I walked away, she's stop working within five minutes and begin texting or daydreaming. When it became obvious that it was a constantly recurring problem, I told her to pack up and get out immediately after she had been warned repeatedly. Constantly screwing up and/or not doing your job = fired. This describes both the girl and Jose Contreras.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 29, 2009 -> 05:41 PM) And in Ozzie and Kenny's opinion, yes. They realize that embarrassing a veteran for the sake of "sending a message" is counter-productive to building a winning franchise. You may be speaking a little early.