nvxplorer

QUOTE(JimH @ Jun 14, 2005 -> 11:49 AM) After being here for quite a while, I've learned these trade threads pop up every other day. It's something for people to talk about, even though most of the ideas have little basis in reality. The Joe Randa obsession is way over the top, it's as if posting it 1000 times will somehow make it happen. All in all these trade threads are harmless, but I really wonder if people think things through before posting. Thanks, Jim. I see them as harmless myself. I'm confused as to what promotes such thinking. That's why I associated them with fantasy baseball leagues. Some, if not most, appear to be completely arbitrary. Anyone can pull names out of a hat, and with a bit of baseball knowledge, the proposed trades can be made to sound reasonable. Indeed, many of the threads make good sense strategically, but I don't see the purpose in discussing things that have no basis in reality. The discussions can be interesting and fun, I guess.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 10:43 PM) Mercy, I can't believe I've put so much time into a fantasy trade thread... I'm fairly new to this forum, and I haven't participated in other forums. I'm curious as to the constant, abundant trade threads I see here. Does the proliferation of fantasy baseball leagues have something to do with this mindset? I'm unfamiliar with the workings of fantasy baseball, but I understand it involves constant shopping of players among the participants.

QUOTE(trexer @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 08:03 PM) Fitting that your name is "whitesoxmanager" since you mangle the English language every bit as well as Guillen does............... An abdominal horriscus? Isn't that what Maggs has?

QUOTE(chi-guy2 @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 08:01 PM) lets look at this on a positive note, we now know we have some flaws and we could use a pitcher to do some long relief, and a guy who can hit estes at least we didnt get beat nine to one like the cubs did Agreed. As bad as Contreras was, at least he went six innings. Kind of amazing, actually. The thing is, the Sox are rarely in this position, so I'm not sure how much a long reliever is needed, but it would be nice.

Ozzie just said he's going to play Frank tomorrow.

QUOTE(chimpy2121 @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 07:41 PM) Hopefully our guys will go home and forget about this loss. They will. They came back yesterday, and Saturday's loss had to be more draining than this one. I doubt they give tonight a second thought.

Shingo looked pretty good tonight. He got most of his first pitches over.

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 07:12 PM) Big Frank only has a cramp in his leg. DJ thinks he will play tomorrow. Thanks. That's a relief.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 07:03 PM) Well, this sucks hardcore. I really hope the injury bug doesn't get us like it did last year. We don't need this s***. And if Kenny is as disgusted as he looked, he should start figuring out every possible scenario right now. I can't believe he's already hurt again. This is f***ing ridiculous. Muscle strains can take a very long time to heal. My guess is that he isn't injured again but that he never fully healed from the hip flexor.

There aren't many positives in this game, but Vizcaino is getting some work. It looks like he may be turning it around. Nice inning.

Frank's homer (439) puts him 30th all time, ahead of Andre Dawson. Others he may pass this year: Yastrzemski 452, 27th Kingman 442, 29th Jeff Bagwell is 28th with 449

I'm joining the thread late, so excuse me if this has been asked. What is wrong with Contreras? Is he hurt? Bad outings are part of baseball, but this is ridiculous.

On the subject, for those old enough to remember... Back in the early seventies, RP Terry Forster used to pinch hit in certain occasions. He succeeded in many of those ABs. 1972: 10 for 19, .526 with only two strikeouts. Forster is a career .397 hitter in 78 ABs. Not bad for a flame throwing reliever.

QUOTE(Cubs Suck23 @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 03:43 PM) Being honored at Fenway the foul pole will be called the Fisk Pole.. God I wish he was our bench coach Is there something you don't like about Harold, or do you just want to see Fisk back with the team?

I agree, but the pitchers did okay at the plate. I wouldn't trade Politte's RBI single for anything.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 02:47 PM) Apparently I didn't type loud enough.... Regardless of what you think. He was a failed closer in Toronto. And upon coming to the Sox last season, said that he didn't have what it takes in the 9th. He doesn't want to want the ball in the ninth. We end up getting angry Cliff in those situations. Didn't he pitch the 9th yesterday?

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 02:30 PM) Seriously I think it is something the league needs to worry about. The game tries to play with a purity of God-given talent only. That's why Selig recently spoke about adding amphedamines (speed) to the banned substance list. The only way to tell if these contacts provide a significant advantage to where they should be banned is with clinical trials. But how do you do that? Winter leagues. Those numbers are not sacred. Spend the money to do the trials. Most of the legal substances & training is rooted in hard work. If a player puts in the hard work to enhance their physical atrributes that's ok. It's more than ok. It's what the game demands. But if a player enhances their game in the absence of hard work (contacts, guards, roids, speed tablets, etc.) that's bad & should be banned from the game. Did Bonds become a better hitter because the game allowed him to where some armor around area's of his body he worried about? I think so. Fear can make you less decisive & slow your reactions. Remove the fear & you're better for it. Adding the DH was a good rule. It gave the advantage to the team & not the player for extending the life of a MLB hitter. That's a far cry from allowing players to where armor, specialized contacts, stickum on their gloves, or any other advantage gained in the absence of hard work. Speaking of the DH I would like to see it modified & adopted by both leagues. The modificatin being that the DH can only hit for a starter. Once the starter is removed from the game so is the DH. At that time he becomes a bench player & the spot in the order is assumed by the relief pitcher. I think it would add new excitement to the game & better balance the leagues. Removing a starter would mean removing a potent bat from the lineup. That would sure add drama & excitement to the game. It would likewise make Thomas the last HOF from the DH position as their AB's would decrease off HOF levels. (Assuming of course Thomas makes it in.) Interesting take on the DH. I doubt it will ever happen, but interesting nonetheless. As far as substances go, anything that's legal should be allowed. Amphetamines are legally available by prescription only, and I can't imagine why a baseball player would have a legitimate need for them. Many legal substances are stimulants, and it would be impossible to limit their use. Others, like vitamins, amino acids and creatine are essential to physical health and strength. I'm torn on the issue of guards. I agree with your opinion, but I also don't blame players for protecting their bodies. The elbow guard is one I could live without. A couple years ago I saw a Giants player lean into a pitch with his elbow. He was awarded first base, which was the wrong call, but without the guard the issue is moot.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 02:18 PM) With that, the way Cliff has pitched this season, there is no reason to change anything with Cliff. Like Gene said, Toronto was convinced Cliff became a different animal when he would be out there for the save. All we need is to get into Cliffs head and screw him up. Don't fix it if it ain't broken. I agree he shouldn't be thrust into the role, but over time, I think he could become a closer. He's not the same pitcher he was with Toronto. There is certainly a mental aspect to closing games, but with his improved performance, I think he could eventually assume that role.

QUOTE(sti3 @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 09:57 AM) Complete mind game. You think he thinks no one can match up with the Sox? He was probably smirking and/or guffawing when he said it. Why is it so difficult to take anything at face value? Are Sox fans so cynical as to see an ulterior motive to every little thing that's said and done? Hunter complimented the Sox play so far. That's all it is. Too much thinking going on. What do you think I think he thinks? Do you honestly think I think you think I believe you know what Hunter thinks? GMAFB.

The lack of coverage used to bother me as well, but I pay it no mind anymore. I don't think you were being literal with the thread title, as the Sox have indeed earned much respect this season. Coverage is another story. What amazes me is not the Sox being ignored by the media, but the abundance of coverage the Cubs get. Just the other day, on mlb.com no less, the Cubs had more than half of the listed headlines. That's fine. I laugh my ass off knowing the Cubs have become a national team based on losing! What a joke.

QUOTE(Da Sox @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 01:00 PM) You figure you should be able to spell Dustin HermAnson and Shingo TakaTsu's names right if you're going to bother to have a poll like this. I agree with your post, but together with your sig, it's the height of irony.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jun 13, 2005 -> 12:17 PM) maybe not this year but last year Willie should of played more and uribe should of been the SS..... but a course we had to start Jose Valentin Yes, he should have. I agree.

I've watched Brower pitch about half a dozen times this year. He has been absolutely horrendous. No way would I want the Sox to pick him up.

QUOTE(sox-r-us @ Jun 12, 2005 -> 01:53 PM) ANd this is all in a NL park where we are one less hitter anyways and with Minny only 4.5 games back now, soon to be 3.5 Tarot cards not doing well for you today? I will never understand why people attempt to predict close games before they're over. Hell, some guys throw in the towel when the Sox are behind by one in the second inning.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Jun 12, 2005 -> 04:03 PM) Dead Ks like a whore. Really? Whores never strikeout. That's what makes them whores.