QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Sep 4, 2011 -> 07:21 AM)
Yes, it is almost certainly over.
This is not even close to a bad team, just a disappointing and frustrating one.
I commend the team for clawing back into a race they had no business being in.
However, they will finish probably 10 games worse than they should.
I know it's a bit prematue for a postmortem, but "11-22." It really says it all.
I commend them for overcoming an even worse DH than Mark Kotsay (never thought that possible).
I love/hate Gordon Beckham - his defense is pure enjoyment to watch. I can barely stand to watch him bat. But he didn't carry that bat onto the field and while he'll never win it, deserves to be GG.
There are more positives to point out of course, the contributions of Humber and the pretty damn stellar seasons of Buehrle and Konerko to name just a couple.
But while you're sharpening your pitchforks for an Ozzie/Kenny bloodbath, think of what might have been if Rios and Dunn had just average seasons by their standards.