NorthSideSox72

QUOTE(Hangar18 @ Jul 21, 2006 -> 08:34 AM) Fluffy Clouds will say HEY, we have 10 games left, everything is OK. But remember this. The SOX will have to WIN ALL 10 of these games. ALL OF THEM. Going 5-5 Gains them NOTHING. Do you trust the Tiger staff to lose 10 consecutive games to us? And dont forget, the lead is 5 games, and the SOX are sure to only take 2 of 3 from the Baltimores and Kansas Citys of the world, while the Tigers Sweep those same teams. So the lead will be more than 5 games shortly ............. Bottom Line............ the SOX gave too many games away early on and its coming back to haunt us now. that 7 run blown lead to KC in April, the 2 giveaway games to the Cubs ................yeesh. You crack me up, Hangar. DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS OVER! BRING UP THE CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS! ALL OF THEM!!!!! Have to win all 10. That's great stuff.

I honestly can say I see truth in both major themes being brought up here - Bush and Congress' economic policies have indeed created some positives, but ALSO, there is a widening gap between the haves and have-nots. Both of these are in the nature of most Republican-driven administrations. What is NOT typically Republican is the drunken-sailor spending by the government that still, even with positive economic news, is running up huge deficits. So I'll take this as a nice positive for the job market and the economy generally, but a continued slap to the other 90%, and another sign that the GOP has lost track of its small-government roots.

I'd like to suggest one particular problem with NOT trading Fields. Fields may indeed turn out to be a great hitter - seems like a possibility. But the thing is, from what I've seen myself (limited) and read, his fielding is just plain terrible. The guy seems to be a 1B/DH in the making. So, that being the case, where would he fit in with the Sox organization in the next few years? Barring us trading or losing Konerko or Thome (which is not out of the question of course), and with Crede doing so well, I just don't see where he can go. And unless Crede's contract demands in 2008 turn out to be ludicrous, I hate the idea of seeing Fields playing at 3B with the iron glove. So, as far as I am concerned, I think he is the perfect guy to trade.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 04:18 PM) If you think about it this team is more like the 2004 Sox without the five-hole in the rotation. Well, okay, maybe with that same five-hole. Either way, the entire mantra of 2005 was pitching and defense, moving baserunners. It won us astounding success. Yes I KNOW we did not "smallball" our way through the playoffs, but let's not kid ourselves that it's not what got us through the regular season. And yet this year, we have the big bombers and what has it gotten us (granted, second or third best record in baseball, but you know what I mean). I would GLADLY trade the HRs and 20-9 games for: -A decent bunt. We did this relentlessly last year--what has happened to this approach? -A stolen base. Pods is a non-issue because he's rarely ON base anymore. Yet nobody else even attempts, except maybe Ozuna. Who's not even a starter. -Timely hits with RISP. It doesn't have to be a grand slam. A single will do. -When was the last time you saw us turn a double-play? -Too many times I've heard that the pitchers lucked out this year because they give up the runs but know our offense can score it back. RED FLAG. That was an IMMEDIATE red flag to me because it abandons our 2005 approach. -Hitting to opposite field. Remember how good we were at that last year? In other words, the things that made us champs last year all seem to be MIA right now. 1. Last I checked the Sox were first or second in all of baseball in BA with RISP. 2. While we definitely suck at small ball this year, that was not THE factor for us last year. It was about 4th on the list after pitching, power hitting and defense. 3. How many negative threads can you start in such a short period of time?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 02:47 PM) Actually there are something like 2000 UN people in Lebanon. UNIFIL. Its main tasks have been things like clearing landmines and providing humanitarian assistance in the border region. So no peacekeeping force. No force of governmental stability. Nothing save for humanitarian assistance. That's what I thought.

QUOTE(Cknolls @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 02:28 PM) How long has the U.N. been in Lebanon now? And what have they done? I don't believe the UN has had a material presence there, like an actual peacekeeping force, in some time.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 01:50 PM) Balancing the budget and paying down the national debt...getting out of Iraq...Finding those few tens of billions in Iraq we're missing... Bringing in consulting firms to do real business analysis for the agencies to set real performance benchmarks and base budgeting on those projected costs... truth in legislation act to keep pork out of bills or keep the local pork to a single budget bill...

QUOTE(Rex Kickass @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 01:12 PM) when Israel invaded in 1982, they were greeted as liberators. That changed fairly quickly. That sounds so familiar... like something similar happened recently... I can't quite put my finger on it...

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 01:03 PM) I'm just skeptical about this. Why would Walmart's problem be any different than a scaled-up version of what many mom-and-pop stores face? There are a bunch I know of who've chosen on their own to eliminate nickels. If the costs are so great, why would they choose to make the switch? For any one mom & pop store, the cost is minimal. For Walmart, not minimal. Add up all of it all over the country, from stores to banks to change machines to charities etc., and its a lot more than $40M, I'd bank on it. But really, to me, its just a silly waste of time for Congress to be mucking around with it anyway. Sooooooo many better things for them to be doing.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 12:44 PM) My question is more to that point -- why will those changes be necessary? What does a business do when the amount isn't in nickels? New rounding rules? Something has to change. Or, if they change everything to increment in nickels, that is also a change. For a large business, like say a Walmart, that is a HUGE change to have to make. Cash registers, software, training, etc.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 11:40 AM) Humor me. Suppose the only thing that changes is the fact that there are no pennies available. Non-cash transactions still use/transfer cents. Only when hard cash changes hands are businesses forced to choose between this nickel and the next. What's the difference? We already have transactions in fractions of a penny (the most common one, gas is $3.079, not $3.07, as everyone knows). Now we do it in fractions of a nickel. What's the big deal? Not that it's such a big deal, but then, when Congress is cheaping the Census about $58 mil on their budget, $40 mil starts to seem important. (Of course, it would be better to roll back the tax cuts, but that's another thread, and this is just a needling cheap shot...) Except there won't be a $40M savings, as discussed earlier. The cost to business of the changes necessary will far outweigh that.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 10:27 AM) I'm aware of it. Other than Gload for Konerko at 1B (which never happens except late in games) and Mack for Pods in LF, we lose A LOT on defense anytime we play any of the reserves, which is the reason why I wish we'd play the everyday guys as much as possible (although I'd like to see Mack in LF a lot more....) I think Ozuna makes a decent 3B sub, Cintron is acceptable most of the time at SS (less so at 2B), and Mack plays corner OF just fine. So really, you only go really bad on defense when we have to play a sub at CF or C. Or when Ozuna ends up in LF, but even he is getting a little better out there, especially compared to Pods. I just wish Ozzie would play Ozuna at 3B, or even Mack, instead of Cintron, who is a hack at 3B.

I'd be on board with it - just a question of doing it now, or giving Javy more chances. Also, if they are considering trading Javier, then they'll need to keep running out there as a starter, at least until 7/31.

So... you guys want Anderson to play 162 games a year, then? Who is his sub if not Mack? I am not saying Mack should play every other day out there, but he'll need to spell Anderson on occasion, unless you want Gload or Ozuna or Pods out there.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 09:48 AM) Last year, I remember reading from a ton of people that Clifford was the luckiest pitcher in all of baseball, when you analyzed it. How unlucky has Javier been this year? From what I've seen, his bad innings are typically initiated by a poor defensive play either in Center by Mack, left by Pods, or shortstop/second if Cintron is playing. I think that one part of Javier's problem has been bad luck with the defense behind him, and the other part has been his lack of focus after errors. In fact, I was thinking about it earlier, and remembered that someone called Javy a Latin Buehrle. I think that might have some merit to it, when it comes to errors and defensive misplays, at least. The grand slam last night was on a slider that never slid. Same with both of Ivan's hits. Nothing lucky there - just plain old bad pitches.

QUOTE(Rex Kickass @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 09:42 AM) Frankly, I think its what Syria and Iran exactly want. If Israel launches a full scale invasion of Lebanon, then it kinda makes Damascus safe. I highly doubt any other country is going to come to the aid of Lebanon. Although I will say that an Israeli invasion of Lebanon suddenly makes Hezbollah go from terrorists to freedom fighters again. The Israelis better be damned sure what they're doing here, or Hezbollah will stay a thorn in their side for years to come. Well, Hezbollah will be a thorn in their side for years to come in any case. But I do think you are getting at a major issue in this conflict - Israel continues to lose its moral high ground. If they invade Lebanon, seize new territory, and continue the bombardment of non-military targets (which some of it has been), soon they will be left with only the U.S. backing them. And even that may not last forever. All that said though, I don't know that Israel will go that far. I would think they'd be smarter than that. But in that crazy part of the world, one never knows.

It amazes me the conversations that happen in here about Ozzie's use of subs. Yeah, I'd say Anderson should see a little more time, now that he is hitting. But as we saw last year, and are seeing this year, one of the reasons Ozzie's teams do so well is that he gives his guys some rest AND gives his bench enough playing time to be good. And yet, people seem to so easily forget that, and then blame a loss on the fact that Mack or Cintron or Ozuna are in the lineup. I mean, those guys are all good hitters anyway. But besides that, in case no one noticed, that hasn't been our problem. Starting pitching, starting pitching and starting pitching are the problem. And as for pulling Javy after 4 or 5 innings as soon as he gives up a hit... I can't believe people would consider that. If Vazquez can't ever last 6 innings, and/or can't survive an inning once he gives up a run, then he shouldn't be starting at all. Thats at least a logical argument to make. But until he is traded or replaced, he needs to be treated like a starter, or he'll never get any better. to having a long term perspective!

I felt I needed to add this update. What is new in it is an apparent shift in Israeli words here. Just two days ago, Israeli civilian and military spokespeople were avoiding the invasion idea entirely, and in fact emphasizing that it wasn't happening. Now, apparently, the invasion option is on the publicly-stated table... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060720/ap_on_...anon_israel_259 Just when it seemed things might stay contained... I think this might change the playing field a bit.

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Jul 19, 2006 -> 03:22 PM) It would put the US government in a precarious situation. We couldn't support Israel's incursions into Lebanon to stop terrorists the government there is unable to control while at the same time chastising Turkey for the same thing. This administration isn't one for following its own rules. It kind of makes them up to fit the situation.

QUOTE(Rex Kickass @ Jul 19, 2006 -> 02:22 PM) The fact that the administration has decided to delay a trip for Condi to go to the region is not encouraging. I didn't see that. Did they give a reason for the delay? Did Condi need an extra-long massage or something?

He's really an embarrassment. A frat boy from Texas. I should have known. (disclaimer: I voted for him in 2000, and I was also at one time a member of a fraternity, but I have never lived in Texas)

QUOTE(KipWellsFan @ Jul 19, 2006 -> 01:02 AM) No polls, but I've got a few questions for you aficionados. -Is this Harold Ford Jr. guy going to win? -Isn't Jimmy Carter's son running? Does he have a chance? -Do Democrats have any chance at winning back the Senate? I'll comment on two of those... 1. Never underestimate the ability of the Memphis Ford clan to win office. They are very powerful down there. Heck, some of them get elected to various offices despite a wide array of blatant, well-publicized scandals. And Harold Jr. is much more well-spoken and respected than most of that family. 2. I think the Dems have a CHANCE of winning the Senate, yes. But its close enough that I'd say we won't have a good idea until just before election time, because I have a strong feeling that things will happen in September and/or October that change the landscape. Either the GOP machine will create a few major issues, or some world event(s) will change American attitudes. Could go either way. But I will say that, more than likely, both houses will be very close to even-split when its all over.

Never buy an Italian or British car. There's a good piece of advice for you.

Already added, in the Dems thread... http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?sh...618&st=615#

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jul 18, 2006 -> 08:16 PM) New Tier? Do explain. New Trier. Nevermind. It was just a number of different things I've seen you post that led me to a hunch (not just the pennies). My guess was apparently incorrect. You may continue with the subject at hand.