Bubba Philips

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 13, 2009 -> 10:09 PM) Owens also cost Gavin a run today with a bonehead play in CF.Balta, he was playing left when he made his usual bonehead play. Wise played center

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Mar 13, 2009 -> 12:41 PM) If I purchase a lawn ticket, do I have access to the rest of the park? Can I expect a frenzy for lawn space for Sox-Cubs? yes, the ushers do watch you closer than at the cell but you can walk down just don't sit in someone's seat because they will ask you for your ticket. As for the lawn seats they are getting more popular. Weather is great and it is fun just laying outside on lawn. Will there be a frenzy for the lawn seats at a sox-cubs game the answer would be maybe. The cubs are drawing wherever they go. When the sox aren't playing the cubs at camelback I would say you would have a great time. However; with a cub fan invasion room will become scarce. Lawn seat room will no longer be ample instead will be contaminated with cubs fans germs which I myself cannot tolerate. Earth worms also die when exposed to their bacteria.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Mar 13, 2009 -> 09:49 PM) ? Owens has improved? At what, his ability to run real fast as he records the out. I"ve agonized watching Owens play the last 3 days. he fields adequetly but jerry just can't hit. Weis has played well going 2 for 6 today with a homer. Anderson hit one today. i can't find one criteria to play owens over Anderson and Weis. unless Ozzie wants the tallest centerfielder if that would be the criteria he'd be in there.

if you are there for a couple of days take one day and go early to watch the players on the practice fields. Security is a little tight so don't think that you can walk onto a field and chit chat. the day i went very little was going on but i did shake hands with Ned Coletti th dodgers Gm. Every is new. I enjoy their expansive use of chain link. There are a lot of security guard posted about every 300 yard on both the sox and dodger sides. Security guard seemed informed about the confines but are not too knowledgeable aobut the sox. I asked one of the security personel if he met anyone. HE said he stopped one black guy going onto a field but both seem to be surprised the guard didn't recognize Kenny williams and kennycouldn't believe that someone might not recognize him on the grounds. We are to be here a week so touring other stadiums seems to be a logical and fun occupation of your time. Yesterday we toured the KC and rangers park the sox played kc plent of whitesox fans there. today we are going to watch SanDiego play the sox. There are so many stadiums in the Phoenix area that one should see as many parks as possible. One KC fan said that on one practice field George Brett was there available to sign autographs and on the rangers side Nolan Ryan signed a few autographs

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 13, 2009 -> 11:43 AM) Ok, to fire back...first of all, I'm just not convinced that Jerry Owens isn't getting worse with the bat right now. His minor league batting average has gone down significantly over the last few years, even in the minor leagues. And if his legs are getting worse, there's plenty of reason to expect that his average could be getting worse. Secondly, if you say that Owens's 2005 season at Birmingham, where he hit .333, was an aberration, his minor league batting average drops to .276. That's half the difference between his BA and Wise's BA right there. And for even more fun, Owens's batting average last year at AAA? .276. I think Owens right now looks like a .250 hitter or worse in the big leagues, and I think Wise, especially if he's facing only RHP, is just likely to do better, based if nothing else on the trend lines. presently after seeing Owens for the past 2 spring training games he seems ok defensively but look inept at the plate.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 13, 2009 -> 11:05 AM) 3 weeks to change his mind. I really don't think they can make the wrong decision with Beckham. I certainly couldn't blame them for sending him down for a month or two. On the other hand, I think this kid is ready now, and could be a great spark plug for this team from day 1. My fear is that Getz plays really well, and than they start scrambling to find Beckham a different postion, like LF or CF. That would definitely be a bad move. That's why I kinda hope he makes 2B from day 1, just to lock him in to the job and not cause confusion within the organization. Beckham is as good as advertised and what is so great about him is he doesn't seem spoiled by his new found fame. At spring training no one is better applauded when he is announced. He fields everything that is hit to him and I saw him make some great plays. He seems very relaxed at the plate and seemingly has great plate discipline. He is not great in stature but hits the ball with great authority. Before, after and during the game he smiles constantly being very polite. After Getz who was hitting in front of Beckham hit a foul ball Beckham grabbed his bat and waited for him at the plate. As a matter of fact I overheard Aj who was sitting by Cooper, said ."you're in the big leagues now you don't have to be shagging bats" I am a Beckham fan to me what is amazing is that this spring training thing doesn't seem to phase him. His personality a, good nature seem to just keep shining through. Presently he seems unspoiled and has yet to assume the arrogance that seems so evident in many .major league players. He really seems to enjoy us, the fans.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 13, 2009 -> 10:06 AM) If they're telling Beckham he has a chance to make the team, then I think he'll make the team. He's a better baseball player than Getz, Lillibridge, and Nix, and I fully expect he'll outplay thems to be the opening day 2B.Gordon is our best option at 2b but when I asked Ozzie yesterday Ozzie said"no, he'll be starting the season at Birmingham"

No matter how well he plays this spring Beckham will start at Birmingham. He is a great ball player but I think that Sox management want him to let him go through the system. If that is so I would make tell everybody to make plans to go to Birmingham to see him play.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 13, 2009 -> 08:43 AM) The only other issues to be settled... 1) How many times do you sit Fields, Ramirez and Konerko for tough RH pitchers and insert Betemit? Betemit will give you a 339/460/799 line against righties. Fields has been bi-polar coming into this season, 363/667/1.030 versus LHP and 646 OPS against RHP. Still, you don't think think that Betemit will end up getting more AB's (strict platoon) than Fields, because it looks like Josh is finally healthy, his knees are fine and his eyesight is better with the Lasik (although he has been striking out more in recent games). 2) Is there any away to take Corky Miller (based on his arm/defense) over Chris Stewart, who's a much tougher hitter against LHP and could give AJ some needed rest? Based on Miller's career offensive statistics, you'd have to give Stewart the edge. 3) Do you do the platoon with WISE or OWENS and Anderson or do you let Anderson play full-time??? Before last season, BA's numbers were pretty similar against righties and lefties. But he put up a 262/563/824 line in 2008. Wise and Owens put up similar numbers against RHP's career-wise (Wise...261/401/662 versus Owens' 323/320/644) but Wise really had a statistical anomaly of a year versus righties in 2008 (310/487/796). Or did he? Right now, you'd have to think Ozzie would go with the Anderson/Wise platoon in CF. No idea who would hit leadoff when Anderson was/is playing. 4) With 2B, it would seem Getz would get all of the AB's against RHP and Nix would make the team (KW has also said he prefers the idea of Nix on the bench with his approach and experience) and play against LHPers. The only "fly in the ointment" is Lillibridge. He gives you a better defensive SS than Getz or Betemit and also another option for leadoff, pinch-running and CF. I just don't know about his swing, confidence and mechanics at this point...I can't imagine it would get any better sitting on the bench. I think he needs to play everyday in Charlotte at SS and be ready to fill in at SS, 2B or CF, wherever needed. Getz can also play SS occasionally to give Ramirez a rest every once in a while, or you can stick Betemit there and take your chances defensively. Then the only questions left are 6 or 7 relievers and do Marquez/Richard/Carasco make the team or does Marquez go down to Charlotte as a starter with Richard as the 2nd lefty and swingman out of the pen...you'd have to say right now Marquez is your 6, Richard your 7 and Poreda your 8. It's also completely dependent on Contreras/Colon and what Cooper/KW/Ozzie decide is best for this season with Poreda, Marquez and Richard (probably two of them inserted into the Charlotte starting rotation). Obviously, they like Poreda's arm a lot, and you'd rather see another power righty (what Russell was supposed to be) instead of three lefties. It doesn't look like Russell, Jimenez, Wasserman, Nunez or German have distinguished themselves. We haven't even seen very much out of DJ Carasco, although the assumption by most is that he will be on the team...Broadway and Egbert continue to be longshots. I'd really like to see more out of Santeliz and Omogrosso. Link hasn't really stood out either, kind of an afterthought. Many were mentioning him as a candidate to make the team this spring but it doesn't look like it's happening.

QUOTE (Whitewashed in '05 @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 08:53 PM) Jerry Owens was a wide receiver...Kroeger didn't show too much in yesterdays game showing that he was neither the greatest hitter or fielder. Not playing perfectly at first.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Mar 6, 2009 -> 01:12 PM) Australia of course. Stupid question. you could be a scout down there. After all you do know the language.

QUOTE (mumbles3k @ Feb 26, 2009 -> 11:43 AM) And then midway through the year, when his average drops to .217 and the fans turn on him, he can change it to "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp," by Three Six Mafia. As for me, I'd go with "Ironside" by Quincy Jones, which is the music from KILL BILL that plays every time the Bride is about to get down to business. And if I were a relief pitcher, I'd use "Snake's Uniform" by Shirley Walker and John Carpenter from ESCAPE FROM L.A., which is a great 'gunslinger gearing up for battle' piece. 2 funny

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Feb 25, 2009 -> 05:54 PM) The Boy Least Likely To ~ Be Gentle With Me I don't follow music but since Ozzie called Viciedo the Cuban Pimp, I thought a little "shaft" when he comes to bat, " can you dig it"

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Feb 9, 2009 -> 07:40 AM) And every other position in the IF except P and C. Are you saying jack of all trades and master of none?

QUOTE (SEALgep @ Feb 9, 2009 -> 06:09 AM) we don't have a backup first baseman, so it actually makes sense. Wilson Betemit is listed as a first baseman.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 06:02 PM) His hit total is a product of him moping around in platoon roles way after his prime. If he was such a good hitter, why did he never lead the league in batting average, RBI's, HR, or OBP? Hell, the only time he led the league in an offensive category was SLG% in 1984. He's 40th on the list for all-time hits, but he's also 27th for most outs made in a career. I don't think either should be used as a metric to let him in or keep him out of the hall, but they are both by products of playing for a long time. He was a DH for a long time and hung around for platoon roles. How many more hits would other HOF'ers get if they were entitled to the same luxuries? Hard to say. Dhers get those luxuries because someone invented the position. Personally, I like the DH rule, without it I would would have seen the likes of great Dh's like the big hurt. At the plate he was consistent not spectacular but a lot better than average.

I was looking at a harold Baines bat on Ebay in the description of the bat it mention his 2866 hits. How does that compare to other american league sluggers. In this list of all time Al hit leaders many of which are hall of famers.................................................. 1. Ty cobb 3035 11429 2245 4191 723 297 117 1938 5859 1249 357 892 --- .424 .513 .367 2. T Speaker 2789 10195 1882 3514 792 222 117 1529 5101 1381 220 432 --- .417 .500 .345 3. C Yastrzemski 3308 11988 1816 3419 646 59 452 1844 5539 1845 1393 168 116 .379 .462 .285 4. E Collins 2826 9949 1821 3315 438 187 47 1300 4268 1499 286 745 --- .406 .429 .333 5. C Ripken 3001 11551 1647 3184 603 44 431 1695 5168 1129 1305 36 39 .340 .447 .276 6. G Brett 2707 10349 1583 3154 665 137 317 1595 5044 1096 908 201 97 .369 .487 .305 7. R Carew 2469 9315 1424 3053 445 112 92 1015 3998 1018 1028 353 187 .393 .429 .328 8. W Boggs 2440 9180 1513 3010 578 61 118 1014 4064 1412 745 24 35 .415 .443 .328 9. A Kaline 2834 10116 1622 3007 498 75 399 1583 4852 1277 1020 137 65 .377 .480 .297 10. S Rice 2404 9269 1514 2987 498 184 34 1078 3955 708 275 351 --- .366 .427 .322 11. H Baines 2830 9908 1299 2866 488 49 384 1628 4604 1062 1441 34 34 .356 .465 .289 12. B Ruth 2475 8327 2161 2860 506 136 708 2201 5762 2042 1306 123 --- .470 .692 .343 13. B Robinson 2896 10654 1232 2848 482 68 268 1357 4270 860 990 28 22 .322 .401 .267 many of which are hall of famers. I think he compares very favoritively.

last I heard the sox were at 100 million what is another 8 million and whoever questioned why the Yankees didn't offer Abreu arbitration the replier stated that his salary would be 15 million after arb. That has to be the biggest story when have the Yanks ever gone the austerity route. I look at the Yankees having an endless supply of cash. What is 15 million to Bronx Bombers.. Something very fishy about how the yanks are just letting him go. I think the sox can just sign him Bobby can play centerfield for the sox. The old theory of strong up the middle doesn't mean much to Ozzie and KW and feel very strongly that Abreu can play center as well as Carl Everett, Mackowiak, Swisher, Griffey and Owens.

If I had a brother that was a Cubs fan, he would only have the opinion I gave him!

QUOTE (daa84 @ Jan 30, 2009 -> 12:34 PM) the best thing for this team may be to have alexei in CF, and lillibridge at SS.....that way we dont have to deal with owens, wise... ozzie gets his fast leadoff hitter, and we get a good SS...whereas defensive metrics would suggest alexei is not a real good IFer....though a big question would be how well defensively Alexei would do in CF Not one mention of Betemit?

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Jan 29, 2009 -> 09:14 PM) Thome is signed thru 2009, Konerko thru 2010, and Dye has a mutual option for 2010. According to Kalapse's sheet.so I was 1/3 right. If we are not in contention in July could you see us unloadin any of the above named players?

we have viciedo may be able to play a decent outfield positionand flowers/ Viciedo could als be first baseman/designated hitter types. 2010 will find 3 expiring contracts of Dye and Thome and Konerko.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 28, 2009 -> 11:14 AM) We've pretty much gotten through the last 4 seasons without needing the emergency catcher outside of the September callup period. I grew up on a farm so a "nugget" to us is another word for fesces.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 28, 2009 -> 12:37 PM) It's actually quite similar to what the Sox got at 3B last season - Sox 3Bman put up a .763 OPS last season. Take out 109 K's and it's quite possible that Sox 3Bman had a more productive season, including productive outs. Last year OG said that there was 2 fields, the spring training Fields who og said he could play a major league third base and the end of ther season where fields third play defense was beyond bad. At the beginning of the season we tried Joe. Joe played his worst defense at third and we, the fans knew it was his back. That meant that Fields plays at triple A CHARLOTTE. his knee got banged up and because of that he was not playing too well defensively. Uribe steps in and plays a decent 3rd. October rolls around and Fields gets his knee operated on unlike Crede who refused an operation on his back which cost us losing him for much of 2007. So, if this articles claims he's trying hard I want to believe it.. We haven't heard too much about Joey Cora in any offseason so to me it was an interesting article it gave me a sense of let us not sell Fields short. If Fields can improve defensively and as one man said he can learn to hit fastballs and right handers we have a bonafied new third baseman. Crede was horrible against lefties and fields hits them well. We still have Betemit who hits righties better than lefties who is not the worst option if Viciedo isn't ready for the bigs immediately. Viciedo may be more of a first baseman anyway. I hope Joey knows what he's talking about.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Jan 19, 2009 -> 08:07 PM) Your point about Lillibridge's higher ceiling makes sense, although I will just throw in that his age and recent performance has to make one think he's getting into a point in his career where the big move upward gets harder and harder to make. I'll take flowers.