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QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 08:58 PM) Trying to determine if a guy is worthy of a roster spot by throwing him into that situation when he has appeared in exactly 1 game for 1 inning the last 17 days would the craziest thing Ozzie has ever done. I disagree. If they were undecided on sending down Shingo, Vizcaino or Walker (which is a reasonable assumption), they had today to see Walker in action. Walker was put into a pressure situation, one that would either make or break him. If he has big league stuff, he had today to show it. As much as some want to call Ozzie a moron, I doubt he put Walker in there wanting him to fail. It was put up or shut up time, and Walker blew it. It's one game on June 1st. These decisions aren't made by consulting Ms. Cleo. The team wanted to give Walker a chance to keep his spot. It's as simple as that.

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 08:42 PM) Ummm, no. Walker is not a rookie. Which is why I said virtual rookie. If not for his first big league season in 2000, I believe he would be classified as a rookie. From '01-'04, he's appeared in 16, 11, 11 and 5 games. 28 2/3 innings pitched over a four year span. For all intents and purposes, evaluating his performance at this level is no different than evaluating a rookie. He's untested, unproven. That was the point I was making. It's not like the Sox management can use past performance in evaluating and deciding whether to keep him or send him down. If he had been lights out for that inning or even two, he might have earned a roster spot. That may be what Ozzie and KW were trying to determine.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 08:34 PM) MOP UP?!?!?! AS I RECALL WE HAD THE LEAD WHEN WALKER CAME IN. Yes, this is the point I was making.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 08:33 PM) Did you by chance make a call into the post game show? No.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 08:31 PM) Just a question: are you referring to Walker as a rookie? Yeah, I thought about that after posting, but I assumed the point was understood. Walker is a virtual rookie, having pitched 28 2/3 since 2001 and only 95 in his career. At this point, at the big league level, evaluating his performance is no different than evaluating a rookie.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 08:19 PM) In all honesty, that's probably pretty accurate. It's kinda sad though that we have so many guys that need to be off the team. Yes, it is not an enviable position to be in. The more I think about it, if the intent was indeed to test Walker, he was put into the perfect situation. Bringing in a rookie for mop up doesn't really accomplish much if you are trying to gauge his potential. It was do or die for Walker, and of course we know how that turned out. Though Shingo and Vizcaino are struggling (to put it mildly), their capabilities are already known. I'm with everyone who claims the move was boneheaded, from the standpoint of winning the game, but by looking at the big picture, I can understand what management may have been doing. It is still very early and the Sox still have a four game lead. If Ozzie makes these same calls in August, I'll be the first to call for his head, but I give him a (tentative) pass for tonight.

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 08:17 PM) Apparently, Paulsy needs 2 days rest to continue his suckiness at the plate. At least he can actually play 1st base. Timo's first career MLB game at 1st base... gotta love it. This is what confused me about the Burke for Walker move in the first place. Burke has actually played a few games at first base - only a few, but errorless games nonetheless. He certainly couldn't have done worse than Perez.

I agree with all the criticism, but allow me to speculate on what was going through Ozzie's head, or even a directive from KW. With El Duque coming back, someone has to be sent down. It's reasonable to think the Sox management wanted to see Walker one more time before deciding who that would be. This is pure guesswork on my part, but if KW and Ozzie were torn between Walker and Shingo (or even Vizcaino), they may have wanted to see Walker today before deciding.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 06:55 PM) Fearless prediction... Dustin Hermanson gives up his first runs of 2005 tonight. Actually, I'd prefer it to happen in this situation. Not that I hope he does, but if it happens, at least it will be out of his system.

All we can hope for is that Rodriguez is rusty.

QUOTE(whitesoxjr27 @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 06:44 PM) holy s***. he gets out of the jam. If he got out of an inherited jam, I'd tip my hat, but a reliever who needs to get out of his own created jam doesn't deserve to be on the mound.

I'll say this. All the speculative talk about trading for a third baseman is moot. What the Sox need are relievers - several of them.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 06:37 PM) Walker will be boarding a plane after tonight's game and we will be welcoming back Ross Gload. It's happening. Just sit back and wish him a happy flight. I'd like to say I believe you, but I'll have to see it to believe it. Nothing surprises me at this point.

Why the hell is Walker on the team anyway? The Sox called up Jamie Burke, then sent him right back down for Walker. That move baffled the f*** out of me. Call up a versatile player, someone the Sox could certainly use, then send him back down for a pitcher who wasn't doing s*** in AAA. Unbelievable.

Normally, I feel confident when the opponents are batting, and I cringe when the Sox are batting. Today, it's just the opposite.

QUOTE(peanut33tillman @ Jun 1, 2005 -> 12:32 PM) figures..in just about every category a bo sox player is within the top 3 at his position bellhorn over gooch??? u f***in kiddin me with that s***ty ass 240 AVG..ridiculous sure the all star game of for the fans but s*** like this really gets 2 me some fans are just clueless With fans selecting the starters, two things outweigh current performance in the balloting: Popularity and last year's performance. Since the Red Sox won last year, it's to be expected that their players would do well in AS voting.

The AS game is a nice exhibition, and I'm sure the players appreciate the recognition, but to be honest, it wouldn't bother me a bit if deserving Sox players missed out. I'd rather see them having the complete three day weekend than playing in a virtually meaningless game.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ May 31, 2005 -> 09:50 PM) One question I have for those of whom who went: What was Mike Scoisca(sp) arguing with the umps in the 7/8th inning? Out group couldn't figure it out. The Angels pitcher had a ball called on him for going to his mouth.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ May 31, 2005 -> 09:42 PM) Am I the only one who despises the Pride Squad. I hate the fact that they exsist. I'm a long distance Sox fan, so pardon my ignorance. What is the Pride Squad?

QUOTE(mrzo2733 @ May 31, 2005 -> 09:42 PM) I agree with what you are saying for the most part. I think Ozzie's in-game skills leave a very lot to be desired. I do agree though that he is getting the most from this team. I don't see anybody else having a better record witht this team than Ozzie. I do think that there are a number that would have it right there with Ozzie or very close. There are different managerial styles that could work with this team. My main point is though that while "chemistry" and the things that Ozzie does that we praise may lead them to a great season, in the playoffs its in-game skills that are more important. Where does that leave us. As we all know, it's only his 2nd year. Hopefully he can learn and get better as time goes by. Agreed. The key statement is that it's only his second year. From what I can tell, Ozzie is no egomaniac. As a player, and as a coach in Florida, he respected and learned from his mentors. I see no reason why he won't improve in the game calling category. He doesn't let the press bother him, and he doesn't take s*** from anyone. I think he'll be just fine. No manager learns without making mistakes, and Ozzie is no different.

Great shot of Dye's swing. That was the first pitch, right?

QUOTE(redandwhite @ May 31, 2005 -> 09:11 PM) "What impact, if any, has Ozzie's Managerial Performance on the team's record?" This was the question asked. I am assuming Managerial performance is referring to his in-game performance, but maybe when he's taking a leak in the clubhouse he is also performing mangerially by making decisions such as to urinate next to Shingo Takatsu instead of Joe Crede. Like I said, that's your interpretation. If you think managing a ball club involves only in-game decisions, then I'd say that is a naive point of view. Take a business management class and you will learn that managing people involves a plethora of skills that can't be measured on a timecard, a balance sheet, or a lineup card. That's where I'm coming from. One thing that's obvious to me is that a group of people who respect their boss, any group of people, are going to perform better than they would with a boss they can't stand.

QUOTE(redandwhite @ May 31, 2005 -> 09:03 PM) Again though, now 11 people have voted that Ozzie Guillens in-game managerial skills have contributed to 3+ wins thus far this season. Are people just misunderstanding the question or do you honestly believe this? If it's the latter, please do tell. Actually, the question said nothing about in-game skills. It's a matter of interpretation, not misunderstanding.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ May 31, 2005 -> 08:55 PM) Since this is a Chicago White Sox board... Mike Ditka, 52-0. So, with Ozzie's emphasis on defense, that makes him who? Buddy Ryan?

QUOTE(redandwhite @ May 31, 2005 -> 08:44 PM) I don't think were on the same page here, Cowbell. I think the mere thought that Ozzie Guillen's managerial performance in games this season has cost this team dramatically and in no way has done anything remotely close to helping this team win ball games. It would be hard off the top of my head, but if you still want managers who statistically could be credited for 3+ wins this season, it can be done. I understand where you're coming from, and I would tend to agree - except for one thing - you and I have no idea what goes on in the dugout/clubhouse. Certain things cannot be measured in a box score or by spectators such as us. I've heard nothing but praise for Ozzie by the players, and managing the players as human beings is just as important as making all the right calls on the field. Indeed, this is the case with any managerial position, in any industry. A boatload of talent is useless without someone who is adept at utilizing that talent, and in that respect, I think Ozzie has done an exceptional job.