RME JICO

Thornton threw 22 pitches, 19 for strikes, and one of the 3 balls he threw was a strike that the ump didn't call. He looked really great, and didn't get flustered after what seemed to be endless bad luck (misplayed ball to RF, seeing eye single, and a broken bat dribbler). He blew a couple fastballs by the hitters and also showed some nice control. If he can continue to do this, B-Mac and him will more than compensate for the loss of Viz, Marte, and Hermie.

Thome is currently at 435 HRs (5 this season), Big Frank is at 449 HRs (1 this season). Do you expect Thome to surpass Thomas this year on the All-Time HR list? I think he will do it by the All-Star break.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Apr 11, 2006 -> 03:45 PM) That makes really no sense. Konerko's career OPS is .837 to Lee's .864. Now, consider the fact that Lee has played all but two years in one of the worst hitters parks in baseball, while Konerko has been hitting in one of the best. Again, you guys are severely underestimating his years in Florida. Lee's 2002 and 2003 seasons were very good -- he averaged in those years (approx) .270/.380/.500. That's very good production for playing in Florida. Konerko more consistent? Again -- they seem like comparable consistent players, with one being slightly better (Lee). Konerko's OPS+ the last four years -- 123, 85, 123, 136. Lee's OPS+ the last four years -- 131, 135, 114, 177. What doesn't make any sense? I am not discounting what Lee did last year. He was one of the best players in the league. In terms of consistency though, Konerko has had a pretty consistent career from 1999-2005. Besides his injury year of 2003, he has batted between .277 and .298, hit between 21 and 41 HRs, and drove in between 81 and 117 runs. Lee has been up and down. If you take away is 1998 where he batted .233 and his partial year of 1999 where he batted .206, he batted between .270 and .335, hit between 21 and 46 HRs, and drove in between 70 and 107 runs. 2005 was his first year above .282, above 32 HRs, and above 100 RBI. Konerko has had 100 RBI 3 times, hit above .282 4 times, and has had 100 RBI 3 times. The bottom line is he got paid for his 2005 performance. If he stays near that level it was a good deal for the Cubs, if he drops off to pre-2005 levels it will be a bad deal. I would take the deal right now just like the Konerko deal, but the real assessment on the deals can't be made until later in the contracts.

On Wednesday, Rowand was 1-5 with a HR, Run, and 2 RBI, he is now batting .286. Everett was 0-4 with a Run, BB; he is now batting .100, with 1 HR. Thomas DNP, but is expected to play this weekend; he is now batting .080, with 1 HR, 4 BBs, and 6 Ks. Viz pitched 1IP, and had 1 K. His ERA is at 1.93. Marte pitched 0.1 IP, allowed 2 hits, and had 1 K. His ERA is at 5.40.

QUOTE(lukeman89 @ Apr 12, 2006 -> 11:01 PM) #1 - Buehrle & Contreras #2 - Freddy & Garland #3 - Vasquez & Mac #4 - Blackjack & Wilson Alvarez ... ... #388 Sirotka & Parque #389 Prior & Wood #5 - LaMar Hoyt & Richard Dotson #12 - Early Wynn & Bob Shaw

If there is luck, then there are curses. Curses = extended period of bad luck following a significant event.

Google, Froogle, GoogleMaps, now GoogleSox!

I think the list is for the Top 10 Pitching Hype Combos. Good for a laugh though.

That is a pretty funny article.

I am surprised that it was only 4 years, which is a good move on Boston's part. He has been aided by playing at Fenway and his pre-Boston compared to his current numbers reflect that.

That is a pretty fat contract for one breakout year. He was an awesome player last year, but that was one year after he had 7+ above average to average years. Last year was his first All-Star appearance and he had career highs in almost every statistical category. So if he stays close to his 2005 form for the life of the deal it would be a good deal for the Cubs, but otherwise it is a lot of money to invest in a player who prior to 2005, never hit above .282 or hit more than 32 HRs in one season. His career numbers are comparable to Konerko's, but Konerko has been much more consistent. So Paulie's deal looks better now.

What, would you expect him to say they suck? Of course a player is going to say that his team is better. This is really no big deal.

Wow, another lineup. I just hope Pods gets it going, especially in the 1st inning.

He is holding his breath and gut in.

I think they rested B-Mac for this series. Ozzie will probably have a shorter leash on the pitchers this time around. Freddy normally shows up for big games, and this is a pretty big game. With Dye back in, the team looked much better, now we need to get Pods going and the Sox will be back to form.

There are a lot of players struggling out of the gate. Pods had the groin injury and shoulder injury, so I am sure he will come around. Hell Ichiro is 0 for his last 13 ABs and is batting .200 on the season.

On Sunday, Rowand was 2-4 with a Run and RBI, he is now batting .222. Everett was 0-3 with a Run, BB, and K; he is now batting .136. Thomas was 0-4 with a K; he is now batting .091. Viz pitched 1IP, gave up 1 BB, and had 1 K. Marte pitched 0.1IP, gave up 1 hit, and had 1 K.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 9, 2006 -> 01:47 PM) At some point, you have to remove a guy from the leadoff spot who's just not getting the job done. I was thinking the same thing. He is becoming a huge liability sucking up ABs from others lower in the order. If he can't get on his speed is worthless.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Apr 9, 2006 -> 04:59 AM) Not really a good start for anyone there is it. If Viz keeps putting up outing like that, it won't take long for the D-Backs fans to get into him. Yeah, it looks like all the former Sox from 2005 are having the same problems as most of the current ones, the curse of Gamboa.

The Sox need a solid game to gain some confidence. They all seem sluggish. They need some positive energy to get them ready for the Detroit series.

On Saturday, Everett was 0-3 with a K; he is now batting .158. Thomas was 0-3 with a BB and K; he is now batting .111. Viz pitched 0.1IP, gave up 2 hits, 1BB, 1 run, and took the loss.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Apr 9, 2006 -> 01:52 AM) God I love small sample sizes. What would those #'s be if you excluded our first game and the Indians second game? Or if Ozuna caught those 2 fly balls? Or Pods had a few steals? Or Dye had played mor ethan 1/2 our games? or if we still had Timo. For whatever reason this team just seems a little flat. Maybe it was all the hoopla surrounding the start of the season, but either way they should turn it around.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Apr 9, 2006 -> 01:46 AM) These are the starting pitchers they have faced so far; Scott Elarton Joe Mays R.A Dickey John Koronka Kevin Millwood Count me unimpressed. They also only have 10 BB's in 153 AB's so far. They can't hit .327 forever. Dickey had one of the worst outings ever. He was throwing a knuckler that looked like he was throwing out the first pitch for a charity, it was ridiculous. The Tigers always had a good offense, and it has definitely looked better due to the opposing pitchers. Still way to early to make judgements on anyone.

QUOTE(bogie @ Apr 8, 2006 -> 09:41 AM) Does anyone really think this team can win this division with this bullpen? Yes, they can easily win it. They have the best starting rotation 1-6 and the offense will be better than last year.

The starting pitching has also looked bad because Ozzie left them in a little too long (at least for Garcia and Garland). I know you hate to pull a guy in the 4th inning, but Garland looked good until the 4th, and he should have never came back out for the 5th when he opened it up with a walk and double. For Garcia, I don't think he should have started that game. Coming off the WBC, why not put him and Vazquez at the back of the rotation to take advantage of the early days off and get in a few more side sessions and rest? I have a feeling that Vazquez is going to look sharp today because of where he is starting.