kevin57

QUOTE(robinventura23 @ Sep 8, 2005 -> 11:48 AM) Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it. Had to give my tix away (Hopefully, kevin57 get them on time). Maybe next year. Have fun everyone. Bring home another winner. Kevin57 got it. Thanks. Maybe we can make a game, and the first round will be on me, RobinVentura23

To keep trotting out Marte to a) build up confidence, B) see what if any value he'll be in playoff situations, or c) both of the above is not an indefensible position, but with a 1-0 lead, even against KC, after his having bombed the night before? I don't know about that one.

Situation: It's the ninth inning of the seventh game of the WS. You have only two choices in your bullpen: Vizcaino and Marte. Who do you go to? BTW, our opponent intends to send their best switch hitter to face one of them. Impossible! you say? Given our splendid pitching management this year, nothing is impossible. Besides, this is a nightmare, and we don't get to choose the bad things that can happen in our nightmares. Let the sweating begin, Sox fans!

I already have to modify my "hope" of Ozzie learning from his mistakes. I just heard on CLTV that Ozzie plans to stick with Marte "because we're going to need him in October." God help us all!

I'm not optimistic about Ozzie's ability to learn from his mistake tonight concerning the bullpen b/c he hasn't learned from similar experiences in the past. :banghead I am hopeful though that the guy is not a complete idiot. The facts of who works in critical situations and who doesn't by now is crystal clear. Let's at least cheer a shut-out. Yes, it was against KC and yes, Contreras was not as sharp as in his last few outings, but still nothing to sneeze at.

I think the criticism of Ozzie is a bit over-the-top. I completely agree that his bullpen choices are maddening, and his fixation on Marte is insane. But he's made these guys jell like few managers could. As I've said in other places, would you like to do a managerial trade with the North Side whose manager has enjoyed rave reviews from the Talking Heads of Sportsdom?

what about our offense so far? more good pitching from them or bad hitting by us?

Just got back from my jog... 1-0 Contreras must be awesome...again. Is K.C. pitching that well, or are we back in "August" mode of offense?

Unjust and stupid decision from that board. Their loss.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Sep 7, 2005 -> 10:22 AM) where is the: [Thank you Magglio for not signing that innitial contract offer for $12 million a year for 5 years. Because he was greedy, we had pleanty of money to: sign AJ, Dye, El-duque, Iguchi and Hermanson] option? Love it...except the Poll question was what is Magglio thinking now?

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Sep 6, 2005 -> 10:30 PM) and this poll is classy? Did I mistakenly use the word "classy" anywhere?

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 6, 2005 -> 10:24 PM) BTW, in the postgame show, Hawk said the attendance tonight was very disappointing. This is progress, I guess. Now, I can't wait until he criticizes some, any, aspect of the team, the manager, or club management. Should I hold my breath?

When posting this poll, I didn't know that Maggs was booed during the recent series vs. Detroit. I'm sad to hear that. Not classy at all. I do think Maggs made a strategic mistake, but I wish him the best. The poll is meant mostly for fun.

Congrats AJ May you, your daughter, and your family enjoy years of health, happiness, and love.

Given where he was and where he is. Given the deal he was offered vs. what he received. Given the eternal love of Sox fans he jettisoned. What is Magglio Ordonez thinking in the middle of the night when he's on the road?

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Sep 6, 2005 -> 09:40 PM) Uh. No. Ozzie does things the way he wants to do things. Not the way a bunch of fans on a message board thinks he should do things. It has worked pretty well for him so far. He's done nothing wrong tonight. Not his fault Marte gave up a bomb. As much as we fans in a chat room hyperventilate at times, I do not understand Ozzie's love affair is with certain guys. Marte is terrible. Perez is the laughing stock of Sox fans everywhere. What is it with him? As good as he's been overall, Ozzie has a couple of HUGE blind spots.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan99 @ Sep 6, 2005 -> 08:56 PM) Is it just me or has DJ and Hawk's homerism been out of control lately? No, you're not imagining it. I like 'em but it's starting to get annoying. No matter how bad Cora is, Ozzie will never, I repeat, never criticize him, let alone get rid of him. Remember how during the playoffs when fans were booing Cora (who completely sucked during those games), Ozzie ripped us Sox fans a new one?

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Sep 6, 2005 -> 03:55 PM) El Duque better watch his ass for BMac STEP IT UP EL DUQUE This is the best part of the BMac surge. You can bet both El Duque and Contreras will be looking over their shoulders, b/c if they don't show excellence in the next three weeks, they'll never leave the bullpen this October.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Sep 6, 2005 -> 11:15 AM) I see no reason why we shouldnt try El Duque in the pen. Hermy is hurt and we need another quality arm in there. El Duque only gets in trouble when his mind is not in the game. Brining him in for late game situations may trigger that "clutch" aspect of his game, no to mention really set up the batters for k's vs Jenks. I think the El Duque could be a set-up man/closer for another team next year, as his age is becoming a factor, and he has lapses of concentration. The fact is we have A LOT of "head cases" on this pitching squad. Garcia, Garland, and Contreras to name a few more. This is not to criticize the squad. Their brilliant stats are indisputable, but MANY times their heads are in the nether regions. :banghead

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Sep 6, 2005 -> 07:15 AM) 6-man rotation is a smart thing to do. In fact, with a 9.5 game lead heading down the stretch, why wouldn't we? Most teams struggle in the playoffs because their starters are burnt out come playoff time. (2000 Sox for example) If we go w/ the 6-man the rest of the way we will be in great shape come playoff time. My only concern would be rustyness. Would they get rusty starting only 1 game/ 6-7 days? I agree with the desirability of a six man rotation at this time, but from what I remember, the 2000 Sox suffered a lot more from an anemic offense than burned out pitching.

I'm embarassed to say: 1-2 record beat the Devil Rays on a Frank Thomas 7th Inning HR got killed by Oakland (they are our Daddies) were lifeless against Boston. I'm going on Thursday. I hope you "Good Luck" guys can counterbalance my bad luck.

Beating up on Mariotti is almost getting too easy. But that doesn't mean it's any less fun! :finger

El Duque is there because they figure his experience and history in playoff games will serve the team well. Debatable given his age, but at least defensible. Ozzie hinted at BMac as a long relief guy. Couldn't this work just fine? If any of our regulars--and really ALL of them have had these days--has his head up his @#*, then yank immediately and insert BMac.

Congrats. Scott. May you and your bride enjoy years of happiness.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 4, 2005 -> 01:37 PM) With the way Crede has played with the glove this year, I would be very surprised by that. On the other hand...I wouldn't be surprised if that became part of the plan in the offseason, with Crede/Boras hitting arbitration. It should be interesting to see how much Crede will want, and then from the Sox point of view how much more patient they want to be with him. All I heard last year was that if the Sox were just a little more patient, Crede would finally have that bust out year hitting that every scout says he's bound to have. We're still waiting. :banghead On the other hand, we waited on Garland, and that is paying off this year. Still, Crede will not have earned $$$$$ until his bat matches his glove.