BigSqwert

Twins will get swept. Book it.

I was at out AT&T Park today for the Giants/Padres game. Anyone see the statue ceremony? I'd like to hear how that went and some feedback on the statues as well. BTW - Giants Park is still the best in the bigs. EDIT: It was very cool to see random people at the park wearing Sox caps. Saw more than a handful.

Just got back. When will Ozzie realize that Bobby doesn't play well after sitting in between innings? I knew he'd have another shaky 9th after coming into the 8th. Seems to happen everytime. Thornton was locked in at the time. I just don't get it. And if it's not the pitching it's the offense these days. So frustrating.

Today will be the start of an excellent stretch of baseball by the Sox. Mark my words.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 22, 2006 -> 12:52 PM) With the way things are going right now, I expect KW to do something that will shock us. Yeah but do you really want to see us become the Yankees and focus on hitting only?

So who's going to tonight's game? I'll be in section 542. If anyone else is in the UD maybe we can meet up for a beer and commiserate.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Jul 22, 2006 -> 12:44 PM) After 1... Tigers win. Unfreaking real. Ther division title is not looking good for us right now.

QUOTE(CySox @ Jul 22, 2006 -> 12:34 PM) Carloss Lee has lots of assists, and doesn't make a lot of errors. Is he a good defender? I think not. Neither is Podsednik. We've had him for almost 2 full season now. I cannot recall him ever throwing out a runner whether it was a home, 3rd or 2nd.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jul 22, 2006 -> 11:13 AM) From SoxMachine: I thought it was interesting, but I don't like the idea of flipping Paulie and Gooch. Konerko grounds into too many double plays for my taste, and I wouldn't want him batting while Podsednik's on first. Perhaps they would have Pods run more in that scenario? Another thing that could jumpstar the team would be a bench clearing brawl like the one they had in 2000. This is something that could even occur tonight or tomorrow after another plunked batter by a Ranger pitcher last night. Of course it wouldn't be a guarantee to get the ball club to play better but it might spark a little more fire in their bellies.

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Jul 22, 2006 -> 10:57 AM) I just think this team needs better pitching from the starters. This isn't some huge secret. We can talk about Ozzie-ball or fundamentals, but really, last year Ozzie ball was successful because of the pitching. I didn't think we were a particularly strong fundamental team last year. We had some bad bunters in the lineup, too (Rowand, anyone?). We're getting killed because 3/5 of our starters absolutely blow at the moment. Buehrle seems like the most likely for a turnaround. But one of the other two guys should be moved to either open up a spot for McCarthy or allow Kenny to trade for another starter. So I'll say a trade is probably what will get us going. You echo my sentiments. The problem is 3 of 5 starters are not pitching well. You may take care of one of those slots via a trade but then you still have 2 other guys struggling. I guess we'll just have to hope and pray.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 22, 2006 -> 10:49 AM) I think the biggest thing we can do to help jump start the offense. Is to back to hitting line drives and stop trying to hit home runs when we have RISP. All I am seeing is either our guys rolling over on an outside pitch, or popping it up. This is what we saw time in and time out from the 2001-2004 whitesox. If they start to keep a level swing, and just try to keep the line moving instead of clearing the bases with one swing we will see better results. I completely agree that the approach of the hitters needs to change but don't you think the pitching is putting us into too many holes, causing the hitters to press? Our staff ERA is miserable, especially the starters.

No reason to beat a dead horse since we can all see that this team just isn't playing worth a damn right now. (By that I mean this isn't a thread to bash the team.) So what's going to be the turning point that shifts things the other way? Will it be some late inning heroics? A big time trade? A return back to fundamentals and Ozzie-ball? Personally I think it'll have to involve a big trade involving pitching. I think the pitching is starting to cause the hitters to press since they are having to always come back from deficits. We either need to get someone solid for the pen so we can move McCarthy into the rotation or somehow acquire another starter. The first option seems more likely but you never know with Kenny. By fixing/improving the pitching staff I believe there will be less added pressures for the offense to perform.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jul 21, 2006 -> 04:12 PM) Maybe it's last year, but I just trust Neal more. Yesterday was another perfect example why Thornton has gained my trust over Neil.

We now have the 3rd best record in baseball.

It almost seems like the team is waiting for the inevitable trade to shake things up.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 22, 2006 -> 12:59 AM) You will never see a worse crowd than tonight. Embarrasing is the only way I can describe it. It was all the mullets.

QUOTE(Maverick0984 @ Jul 22, 2006 -> 12:37 AM) you are just plain wrong with Pod's throw. I was there, it was actually a decent throw, and it was middle to deep left field on a semi fast runner. Also it was a line drive which are much harder to gain momentum on, on the throw home. Few people would have gotten him out if any. I didn't see the play but you have to admit that more often than not, Scotty comes up with a lame duck throw home. Perfect example was the top of the 9th vs Houston in game 2 (WS).

QUOTE(Maverick0984 @ Jul 22, 2006 -> 12:33 AM) i was at the game tonight....and it's a good thing they entertained us with fireworks at the end cause i sure wasn't entertained by the sox :-/ Didn't sound like anyone was entertained. I could hear crickets chirping.

QUOTE(greg775 @ Jul 21, 2006 -> 11:48 PM) Squert I worded the question reasonably not like a mama's boy. Why yu so upset? I'm trying to figure out reasons we are faltering and just looking for some answers from those in the know. Peace. I'm not really upset. It's just annoying to hear people keep bringing up the loss of Rowand as if he was the nucleus of the team or the sole reason we won it all. He was an OK player who had 2 or 3 very close friends on the team. There are 25 players on this club. Several of them weren't even here last year to know what it's like to miss Rowand in the first place. I'm sure they are man enough to move on in life.

QUOTE(greg775 @ Jul 21, 2006 -> 11:44 PM) Food for thought, tell me I'm a moron if you feel so: I approve completely of the Thome trade cause I love Thome. However, for Steff or whomever knows the players. Do you think Rowand's loss kills our club's personality? Was he one of those incredible guys in the clubhouse we miss big time? Or would nothing matter with the way our starters are going? I just wonder if Rowand's personality more than his bat/glove even have been a vital loss to the squad. Oh no here we go again. Is this a team full of 14 year old kids who miss their mommy? Give me a break.

QUOTE(SoxAce @ Jul 21, 2006 -> 10:42 PM) Thank god I'm going to Florida and away from stressing on the sox for a while. Take us all with you! QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 21, 2006 -> 10:43 PM) Quick note: Josh Fields didn't play tonight for Charlotte. Not sure why he didn't. Hmm. This could be interesting.

And for some reason Josh Mora still calling Beuhrle the ace.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Jul 21, 2006 -> 10:24 PM) It's embarrassing to even think about. Especially after Ozzie's comments yesterday.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 21, 2006 -> 10:23 PM) Just remember Buehrle was great for every inning except the 3rd today so everything is alright with him. Just ask Hawk. Yeah, just like Javy the other night.

Charge the mound! Were's the fire?? Eff this Ranger team.