Milkman delivers

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Aug 19, 2006 -> 10:13 AM) So how does a guy who's on the short list for the worst in - game manager in the majors win a World Series 1 year, and then has his team on top in the Wild Card standings with a good record the next season? Well, Bob Brenly and Terry Francona have won WS titles. Ozzie did have one of the best pitching staffs in recent memory, by the way.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Aug 18, 2006 -> 09:59 PM) The fact on the matter is Morneau is more apt to get a dink hit on a good pitch than perhaps anyone on Minnesota's roster except for maybe Mauer. It was a dumb move. I am more surprised and I think the bigger story is Hawk's assertion that the White Sox lack intensity. That is inexcusable, and something Hawk has often said Ozzie would never allow happen. I think it deserves its own thread. Plenty of people have been saying that around here, but told that it's just not true. These are professionals, they would never lack intensity, especially under Ozzie. Maybe now that the second-biggest homer in the history of the White Sox admits it, others will also agree.

QUOTE(Contreras @ Aug 18, 2006 -> 09:57 PM) That sample size is small enough that it's still just a fluke. And that justifies walking Cuddyer to get to one of the best hitters in baseball at the moment?

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Aug 18, 2006 -> 09:40 PM) this thread is a bummer, yo It was pretty peaceful for a while...then someone showed up.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Aug 18, 2006 -> 09:34 PM) Morneau CRUSHED that ball. terrible job by Cotts and Ozzie. LOL. I feel sorry for all of the great posters/people on this board that don't come around here much anymore cause of what has happened to this board. Please, let's keep it to discussion of the game and not get into a petty argument. K, thanks.

QUOTE(BobDylan @ Aug 18, 2006 -> 09:31 PM) I see little logic to it other than the lefty-lefty match-up. But given Cotts numbers against righties and lefties, the smart play was going after Cuddyer (in more ways than one). Is Thornton not available? Why does Cotts get these type of situations still? He's been s*** for a good chunk of time now. It was a bad move no matter how you look at it. Cotts is tougher on righties, he had Cuddyer up with two outs. Morneau is better against lefties than righties, and is the best player in baseball recently. The only reason I could ever see this happening is if there were less than 2 outs to set up the double play. My Lord, Ozzie is a bad in-game manager.

Walking anyone to get to Morneau? With a pitcher who is better against righties? When Morneau is better against lefties than he is against righties? All of this with two outs, so no need to set up a double play? wow This deserves its own topic.

Ozzie Guillen is a smart man

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 18, 2006 -> 09:24 PM) Wait...we're walking Cuddyer to get to Morneau? Even if we get Morneau out, Ozzie should be fired immediately. If we're not going to score again tonight, I hope Morneau homers here. Besides the fact that Morneau is the best hitter in baseball recently, isn't Neal better against righties? I hate Ozzie Guillen. He's a piss-poor in-game manager.

We're walking Cuddyer to get to Morneau?!?!

So easy to steal on the Sox.

QUOTE(The Ginger Kid @ Aug 18, 2006 -> 09:19 PM) does anyone better epitomize the contrast between this year's team and last year's than Neal Cotts? Cliff Politte.

Aww, little Freddy won't have a chance for a win because uncle Ozzie is taking him out. I bet Freddy stomps right to his room and doesn't talk to Ozzie for a week. And here comes Mr. Inherited-runner-scored (I said this last year about him in the beginning of the year, and it's when he began his dominant run).

Oh my lord, Garcia is still out there. How can anyone argue that he doesn't care more about his starters' records than he does about the team's record?

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 18, 2006 -> 09:14 PM) I don't think he is either. From the 7th inning on, I can only think of a few times he's delivered this season. All I can see in late situations is a slow roller to the 2B or a K.

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 18, 2006 -> 09:13 PM) Good play by Bartlett. We're in a lot of trouble. Gardenhire sure does put his bullpen in a great position to succeed. Which is one of the main reasons their numbers are so good.

Despite the stats, I just can't buy that Thome is clutch.

Right down main street.

Well, he faced 4 righties and 1 lefty. He got all 4 righties out, and the 1 lefty got on base. It's too bad the stats say that never happens, or else Ozzie would've pinch hit a few times.

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 18, 2006 -> 09:04 PM) He has absolutely no sense of urgency. He hasn't this entire year, and it doesn't look like he's ever going to. I think he realizes he has a cushion because of last year.

I will say it again. Every returning pitcher on this team is a shell of his former self. We got really lucky with a whole bunch of fluke seasons last year.

I am so thoroughly convinced that Ozzie cares more about his starters' individual stats than he does about the team winning.

hahahahahahaha Ozzie is such a terrific manager

Juan really looked like he had a chance there. I'm extremely surprised by the results. /sarcasm, as if it's necessary

Crede's basically a walking double play opportunity right now, jeez.