RME JICO

Ozzie just needs to outdo himself by leading off the game with an intentional walk tomorrow. That way we are not as shocked by any of his other moves.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 8, 2007 -> 11:23 PM) If this means Masset and Sisco can't pitch the rest of this series, then I'm fine with that. You are correct, but you know what I mean.

QUOTE(RX Bandits @ May 8, 2007 -> 11:18 PM) Knowing people on this board..if Cirillo had beaten us then im sure the masses would be starting threads like "WHY DID OZZIE PITCH TO CIRILLO!!!!!1111". It's dumb and useless to complain about it. No way, because the Sox would have had no choice but to pitch to him. Ozzie had a choice with Morneau. Bases would have been loaded with two outs, and the Sox have a favorable matchup, with the ability to bring in Logan if the Twins pinch hit with a Lefty. Why walk him in the 9th to lead off the inning, then pitch to him in the 10th when you don't have to? Indefensible.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ May 8, 2007 -> 11:16 PM) He feared a wild pitch? I think this is indefensible. Not fireable, and I'm not furious, but this was a bulls*** game. How many more games are going to be lost in this fashion before someone is held accountable? If Ozzie was going to pitch to Morneau, why walk him an inning earlier, and waste all those pitchers?

QUOTE(Allsox @ May 8, 2007 -> 11:09 PM) Forgive me, I walked out when it was 4 - 1 to play softball but you're telling me Ozzie intentionally walked Nick Punto but didn't walk Justin Morneau? Ozzie WAS AFRAID OF NICK FRIGGIN' PUNTO BEATING HIM INSTEAD OF THE REIGNING AL MVP?!? And Jeff Cirillo was on deck?!? Granted, the bullpen deserves its share along with the offense not smoking the fat meatballs served up in the earlier innings by some goof named Boof but this one, I blame Ozzie for this loss. Nick Punto was IBB in the 9th with a runner on 3rd? Punto then took 2nd on a defensive indifference. So there were no forceouts anywhere. In the 10th, there were two on with two out, Morneau up, and Ozzie allowed Masset to pitch to him instead of loading the bases for Cirillo. Which has to be one of the worst managerial decisions I have ever witnessed (see Hafner HR). Actually, MMac caused most of the damage in addition to some horrible plays by Crede (missed foul ball), and Iguchi (allowing Mike Redmond to reach on an infield single).

Breaking ball down and away......and they will flail like wind mills.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 8, 2007 -> 11:01 PM) True, but could you have imagined how bad it would have been if we made the playoffs in 2005 and didn't win it all. Then, we follow that up with the Thome/Vazquez acquisitions, and we hit the wall like we did in 2006? That would have been awful. True, but I really doubt the Sox would have went in that direction if they did not win it all. Konerko would have been gone, and a lot of other things would have more than likely happened. Any outcome is now more bearable with the outcome of 2005, but I expect more out of a $100 million team. I really hope the Sox are within striking range come the trading deadline and make a big splash to acquire a bat to fill out this lineup. KW didn't add enough last year, and it may have been the difference that last month.

Now if avid fans can see these issues, there is no way others are not seeing the same thing (management, media, etc). It is plain as day. I really hope someone asks Ozzie why he did not walk Morneau and allowed a RHP pitch to him with 2 outs and jeff Cirillo on deck. What could he possibly say other than he trusted Masset?

QUOTE(fathom @ May 8, 2007 -> 10:46 PM) It makes it 100 times easier to take. Last year's 2nd half would have been completely miserable if we hadn't won it the year before. I was saying it in terms of expectations. I understand that we all can go to sleep knowing we have 2005 in our back pockets forever, so that will never change, but higher expectations bring bigger disappointments with each loss. The 2nd half of last season was pretty miserable. Just look at some of those threads. Not much has changed since then around here (Ozzie sucks, Pods sucks/always hurt, bullpen failing, bats cold, no backup catcher).

It is still too early for a firesale, even if the Twins sweep us. The Tigers, Twins, and Indians all have tougher schedules for the remainder of the season. The Sox easiest month is June IIRC. They will need to tread water and hang around until June, and then make their move. Also remember that Cleveland has 2-3 less days off later in the year for the rainout reschedules. Those days off are huge late in the year. If the Sox are 6-7 out at the ASB, they still will have a legitimate shot, at least for the WC.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 8, 2007 -> 10:39 PM) I'll gladly take whatever the ramifications are for the 2005 season. It does however make games like this that much worse. QUOTE(SoxAce @ May 8, 2007 -> 10:42 PM) The thing that frustrates me the most is that he had two options. Let Boone come in who others might forget is a lefty to pitch to Morneau, or just walk Morneau. If Jeff freaking Cirillo beats us, fine. I agree. I would rather pitch to Cirillo with Molina than have anyone face Morneau in that situation.

QUOTE(RX Bandits @ May 8, 2007 -> 10:33 PM) here we go again. I really wish people would hold PLAYERS accountable for their performance, not the manager accountable for the players performance. I am interested in who you want pitching the 8th? You can't burn through 3 relievers in one inning when it is a tie ballgame. MMac didn't have it tonight, fine, but there was no reason not to let Thornton finish the inning instead of trying to be cute and play the matchup game when all Gardenhire was doing was baiting him with Rabe to bring in Kubel. Gardenhire made Ozzie look silly for wasting Thornton there. If Thornton stays in, he could have came back out in the 9th to face Morneau who is worse vs LHP, then made the switch to Aardsma or Masset after.

Please no more Ozzie apologists. You cannot defend him anymore. He tries to play the matchups game and wastes a pitcher while the Twins just switch the pinch hitters. It is not rocket science. He intentionally walked Nick freakin Punto, but allows Morneau to hit with a base open and 2 outs - and Jeff Cirillo on deck. That is inexcusable.

Seriously, after this game no one can honestly defend Guillen managerial skills/acumen. No way. Just bring up Shines already.

Ozzied again. Just freakin walk Morneau with two outs and pitch to Jeff Cirillo. How hard would that have been.

Why pitch to him with 2 outs with Cirillo on deck? Why?

Paulie with a nice catch.

Why do you bring a pitcher in to start off with a IBB?

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ May 8, 2007 -> 10:15 PM) micro managing micro = small So small ball managing? Will Buehrle have to come out and pitch soon?

Wow, how did they not score? 2 walks, a bobbled bunt, a wild pitch, and a defensive indifference.

Has Aardsma ever had an intentional walk?

I hate that freakin turf.

24 pitches for Nathan on 3 outs, wow. At least they all worked the count a little. Does Iguchi's swing look slow as hell or is it just the MLB.tv?

Please pinch hit for Cintron, please!

QUOTE(fathom @ May 8, 2007 -> 10:35 PM) Our bullpen is very overrated. Aardsma is the only one who has been failr consistent since mid August 2006. The others have been either really good or really bad.