[If we somehow miss the postseason]

The shortness of memory on this thread is staggering to me.

 

In case we have forgotten, this manager has coached a team that most people picked for 3rd of 4th in the ALC to first place, and most likely, the playoffs. Also, this GM managed to put together a squad of people who, on a per dollar basis, have outperformed most or all of baseball.

 

For those who wanted a big bat so desperately, let's remember that 1. there weren't many available, and 2. we cannot sell the farm for one OK hitter (which was all there was out there for the taking). KW picked up Blum to spell the infield here and there, not to start. He's just find in that role.

 

Ozzie has some issues with figuring out pitchers, and he often abrasive. But he set the tone for a great season in that clubhouse. They are obviously not happy right now, but let's see how that finishes up. Either way, he got them in the position to even HAVE this discussion.

 

Fire them? Not in a million years.

 

KW deserves GM of the year, period.

 

Oz deserves manager of the year IF we win the division. He at least deserves some kudos for his (and the team's) vast improvement over last year if not.

 

Now get off it, and let's start being real Sox fans!

[Predict When 'IT' Will Happen]

My vote:

 

Won't happen.

 

Sox win Friday and Sunday against a collapsing Minnesota team (but lose to Santana). Indians take 1 or 2 out of 3 from KC, but don't sweep. Let's say they take 2 of 3.

 

That means the magic number is 10, and the lead is 4.5 games going into the last two weeks of the season. They have 6 or 7 against Cleveland, who they play well against, and some games against DET and MIN, who they usually do well against too.

 

Cleveland's looking awfully good, but the numbers favor the Sox, even with Cleveland's weak schedule.

 

The wildcard is attitude. Guillen and Buerhle's quotes from after the game need to take some effect and spread some clarity through the hazy locker room.

[Ozzie melting down?]

I agree with Ozzie's quotes. I agree with Buerhle's quotes. I like that both of them said what they did.

 

I am still a bit of an optimist, so here is my positive perspective on this (since we all seem to need one). These quotes are different than those I've seen lately. The ones earlier this month, and in August, were much more laid-back. Or they were filled with excuses. Or in Oz's case, they were negative, but usually conditioned immediately after. Not today.

 

Why is that good? Because the plain-old critical analysis I am now hearing is more like the clear thinking this team had the first few months of the season. I just hope the rest of the team gets their heads clear in time to open it up on this stretch run.

 

[My Solution: Find Frank]

I'm not sure about Frank helping out in any emotional or mental way. Frank reminds us, and probably the players, of the old days. These aren't the old days. This is a new team with a whole new way of winning. I think they need to do it on their own terms.

 

That said, it is hard to deny the knowledge Frank could provide. Maybe he can help out during BP and pre-game prep to provide that knowledge.

 

What do people think? What effect would Frank have on the players right now?

[Official Game Thread, Sox vs. Royals, 9/15/05]

Not one bench player should be starting tomorrow.

 

No Timo

No Widger

No Ozuna

 

Guillen, you've rested your players continually throughout the season, and until recently, it was justified with our stellar record. Now, we're in a tight division race and need our starters on the field and not sulking on the bench.

 

Buehlre needs to do his part as well. I just won't tolerate a loss tomorrow. Whether or not we're up against Greinke this team better f***ing win.

 

I agree on the lineup. Ozzie has been good resting his key players this year, despite complaints from those who didn't understand how long the season is. But now, it's getting tight, and it's time to hit it hard. No Timo, No Widger.

 

Maybe Ozuna, though. I sometimes think he's better in the lineup than Crede.

 

Buerhle and the starters versus 16-loss (corrected) Grienke. I hope we destroy them.

[162 game season]

One other thing. In case no one noticed, the slipping lead is mostly due to Cleveland's stellar play, not our downfall.

 

Oh we've noticed Cleveland.

We also noticed while they are beating A's 2 of 3, we lost

to KC at home one game and lost to them again Wed

after scoring 9 runs. We are in trouble. Face facts.

We all want us to win and think we can win; but the team is showing no signs

of playing good ball like we did earlier in the year.

 

See, that's the conclusion I don't get. I understand everyone here pointing out, correctly, that the Indians are playing great ball. Fine. I personally think their pitchers aren't as good as that in the long run, but that's just my opinion. But honestly, I don't see how we're not playing good ball. Again, we're 8-5 this month. The Angels series worries me a bit, but not that much.

 

Maybe I'm too optimistic. Maybe I am seeing things that aren't there, when I say Ozzie and the leaders of that team will get the fire back. Maybe the pitching won't recover. But my bet is, given the history of this team this year, that they will. And what I'm really saying here is, I don't think we're nearly as bad off as you are all saying.

 

Have some long term perspective. Someone said we've lost 2 of 3 to the Royals. OK, except we've won like 10 of 12 overall, right? And yeah, August sucked. And yeah, it made things worse. But we've gained some of that ground back, and we're still a 30+ over team.

 

I hope we beat up Cleveland. I hope we show that the Angels series wasn't a sign of abilities. But even if we split with Cleveland, a very tough team right now, and do well against others, I think we'll be fine come playoff time.

 

[162 game season]

cleveland absolutely can play .800 ball........10 games left againt KC and tampa...and 6 against us....13-3 is over .800 ball, i can see them going 9-1 against KC and tampa and 4-2 against us. lets just hope not

 

For 10 games, sure. But they aren't an .800 caliber team in the playoffs. Their picthing won't hold up, IMHO.

[162 game season]

People have been saying this for over a month now.  If we don't take care of them, it's hard to have a lot of faith in KC and Tampa for giving us any help.  It's real simple now...if we don't win at least 2 games out of the 6 against the Indians, we're in deep s***!

 

Sorry, one thing I should have added. Cleveland is in fact very tough right now. We should split with them oer the 6 games if we want our postseason to be anything other than ugly. But I still think we're in pretty good shape.

 

And I do think this manager will get his team going.

[162 game season]

OK, that's it. This is the time to make my first post on this site. I've seen enough.

 

Would people please get past the panic thing here? In case no one noticed, this supposedly collapsing ballcub is 8-5 in September. We're also 32 games over .500 I believe. We have a 5 game lead on first place with 2 weeks to play. We play teams we dominate during that period. Why are we in panic mode?

 

Yeah, the defense has been untimely lately. And Garland and Buerhle have had off games. But does anyone actually think we were grand imposters of picthing and defense for 130 games, only to show our true colors now? Give me a break.

 

One other thing. In case no one noticed, the slipping lead is mostly due to Cleveland's stellar play, not our downfall. That team was well under .500 for a while, and hovering around it until fairly recently. Cleveland will not keep playing .800 ball. They are good, but not that good.

 

So yeah, we should be ready to battle. We should know we'll have to play near the top of our game in the post-season. But who thinks that this team and this manager won't do that?

 

We'll battle. And I think we'll show some people what we can do.

:finger