The Ginger Kid

One thing is certain, Brian is no longer in Kenny's "untouchable" column

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Nov 2, 2006 -> 05:45 PM) I'm there the very last weekend of the spring training season (sat/sun/mon/tues). Already booked my PTO. I'll also be taking opening day off (hells ya...after 3 months of working 55 hr's per minimum I figure I deserve a break). good call - staying in Phoenix is always nice. I really like games at the Giants park.

I still have a feeling the twins might trade Torii

2007 spring schedule I'm liking the weekend of 3/16, games against the cubs and angels.

QUOTE(SnB @ Oct 30, 2006 -> 10:29 AM) My friend's having a party for it. Group 4. that's awesome!

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Oct 30, 2006 -> 02:07 PM) Vazquez = 4 months w/ ERA under 4. Garcia = 2 months w/ ERA under 4 Vazquez also had 2 months with a WHIP below 1 as well as 4 months total with a WHIP below 1.30. Garcia had 2 months throughout the entire year where he had a WHIP below 1.30(and they were very good months too, 1.11 and 0.85). Plain and simply, Vazquez had just as many dominant months as Garcia did, and he had 2 more good months than Garcia did. The only thing he did that Garcia didn't was completely blow up and get torched for about a million runs. Garcia also has value, and will almost assuredly be lost in FA following the 2007 season, whereas they'll lose Vazquez following 2008. the difference is that Javy was healthy for the entire season. When Freddy's healthy he's a far more effective pitcher than Javy.

I tend to think that Matthews had a breakout year vs. a career year. He'll get a big contract and he'll earn it, IMO. Everyone always said he had talent and once he hooked up with the Texas hitting coach he took off. Couldn't BA play LF if Matthews moved into CF? anyway, the thing that scares me most about this off season is losing Freddy Garcia and keeping Javy Vasquez. The trib points out that Freddy battled through a stiff shoulder that resulted in his loss of velocity. He learned to pitch around it and if he gets some of the pop back on his fastball he's going to be a stud again. I just hope we don't give up on him.

Here's to Dustin Hermanson who gutted it out last summer and worked his ass off to try and contribute to the 2006 cause. A man who stepped up in the role of closer in '05 even when his back was barking back then.

QUOTE(Mplssoxfan @ Oct 30, 2006 -> 01:00 PM) Thinner handles have a lot to do with it, too. Look at bats from 20-30 years ago compared to bats now. this is the biggest reason I've seen. Wish they would outlaw aluminum in the NCAA. I feel like we're just waiting for someone to be killed on the mound until a change is made.

Roberts is too old. Besides, where would he play with Jerry Lee Owens already starting in left and leading off?

I love the fact that Mark is passionate about the team he grew up watching. And I can't blame him for wanting to play for them some day. I just hope people realize that doesn't mean he wants to leave Chicago.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Oct 29, 2006 -> 10:22 AM) IMO it's Oakland or the Halos... we have a winner

Leyland should've pitched Rogers tonight. Worse, for him to say the reason he's not is because of the heat he would catch from Cardinal fans says a lot about the character (or lack thereof) of Kenny Rogers. But I have to say that Leyland is a terrific manager. What he did with this team this year is amazing. He damn near won it all. He got career years out of some guys and made them believe they could do it. But he couldn't overcome the sloppy play that has been their trademark all year. On paper, the 2007 Tigers will be better. But so were the 2006 White Sox, and they didn't wet their pants in the world series like the kitties just did. Detroit had their shot....and missed.

1919 White Sox = 2006 Tigers

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Oct 27, 2006 -> 02:37 PM) Even closer than that. I've been saying it all along: Tigers in 3. desperation induced insanity. I recommend followed by more

Leyland just might be guessing right on this one -- should be fun to watch. Apparently coaches and players have been walking past Verlander and saying stuff like "so, you're a junkballer now..." and such, tried to get him riled up. But he's still a young kid who's tossed a lot of innings and up against a veteran lineup in the world series. Tough stuff. The bigger mistake might be La Russa's in pitching Weaver over Reyes. In any case, they're predicting snow in Detroit this weekend. Here's hoping MLB shortens the season back to 154 games.... QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Oct 26, 2006 -> 09:59 PM) Pffft... The Tigers are so much better that they'll still win in just 6. Good teams find a way. Don't you get the sense that they're very, very close to blowing this thing open? I do. Polanco is killing them. What a tank job.

I hope they pitch Rogers tomorrow and he's knocked out in the first inning. As a diehard Sox fan, I do have to admit that Detroit's pitching is NASTY and it's going to stay that way for some time. Pudge came up huge tonight, showed why he's a HOF. They're just beating themselves. They'll learn from this. And it's still not over...

I'll be surprised if another game is played in Detroit in 2006.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Oct 25, 2006 -> 01:34 PM) I really hope the B Mac bullpen experience last year teaches us not to follow the same path with Lance in 2007. that's ridiculous. time and time again starters make their way through the bullpen. And BMac's experience has been a good one, if you listen to him. And Ozzie. And Kenny.

I would be concerned about chemistry. A-Rod's a selfish player and I don't think he's a good fit for the current Sox roster.

I think the rain out, if it happens, will benefit the Tigers. I think Bonderman will lose to Suppan, which leaves them down 3-1. They'll play game 5 on Friday and Leyland would probably skip Zoolander and let Rogers pitch on normal rest, especially facing elimination. Then he's got Verlander added rest and pitching at home if they get that far. Still...it's pretty hard to imagine the Cards winning this thing in five. I think they'll win it in 7, though. And I was predicting a Detroit sweep.

Granderson, Polanco, Rodriguez = 0 for 34 yikes. If Detriot loses tomorrow, I wonder if Leyland will toss Rogers out there on Thursday or risk another Verlander start.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Oct 24, 2006 -> 01:07 PM) I didn't get to watch the game as I was driving back to school but from my understanding the umps had him wash his hand during the 2nd inning, is this correct? If so, I don't think it's a huge deal. Yes, Rogers is a moron for making this stuff visible and using it but he was still dominating afterwards. I guess the one beef is that he should have been ejected but like I said he was still pitching real well so it's not like the stuff was effecting his performance. what about his glove? or under the bill of his special hat that is all black? Did you look in there?

QUOTE(JackTalkThai @ Oct 24, 2006 -> 12:01 PM) This whole story has been SO freaking overblown it's ridiculous. Everyone uses pine-tar.....everyone. Link to article so predictable. he's a douche bag, first class. As if the camera incident in Texas wasn't enough. Please, defend that outburst too. I need another laugh.

Steve Howe was ejected from a world series game for having tar on his glove, then suspended for two more games. I was pissed that La Russa didn't do something in that inning. He had to know that Rogers would wash it off between innings (although the stain was still visible). He'll probably start putting it on his glove. Between this and Monroe's over-the-top reaction to hitting a dinger, one can only hope that Karma makes an appearance in this series.