NorthSideSox72

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Nov 2, 2005 -> 11:14 PM) Until I hear a logical reason on why Hermanson has any trade value, we will logically conclude that he has no trade value. You may all return to your normal activities now. Hermy's bulging disc is probably going to prevent most teams from wanting him. But as a GM, I think you have to think like a politician: keep all options open. Put him on the block and see if someone bites. But as stated earlier, it is definitely true that any back surgery is taking a big chance. If BamaDoc is actually a Doc (are you?), he'll probably concur. Bulging discs are tricky, and I know someone whose surgey for a similar problem put him back in the same spot he started after a year of recovery.

Marte: Traded El Duque: long reliever, sub starter if needed Frank: Sox DH, at least part time, unless retired due to injury Willie Harris: Sox backup IF/CF (I think Blum will not be re-signed) LOL Manny: Somewhere NOT with either Sox organization

FYI: 27-game split season plans are definitely now on sale. I got mine yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon. Section 522, Row 1.

The only things I'd like to see us change are: --DH bat who hits righties well (which may turn out to be Gload or Rogowski, doesn't have to be an FA necessarily). How key this is depends on how unhealthy Thomas is --Another lefty reliever We can put Hermy, Marte, and a variety of prospects on the block to acquire the above, particularly the DH, if necessary. if FT is out for 2006, we'll have a little more cash. Other than that, I see nothing worth changing.

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Nov 2, 2005 -> 06:02 PM) The land they own around the park is a friggin goldmine especially if they can gobble up the land to the southeast of the park along Wentworth. I was thinking about the blocks north of the park too. There is the lot, then Armour park and it's building, then a 4 block area of industrial stuff and abandoned warehouses. That would be a good spot to develop too, within sight of the stadium. Plus it extends north into an area already seeing gentrification moving south towards the park.

QUOTE(IITsox @ Nov 2, 2005 -> 05:25 PM) I'm an Illinois Tech student and this is great news for us too. Also, further developing the neighborhood, IIT is currently working on the largest Southside development since US Cellular Field. Aside from academic facilities, soon the area just across the highway at 35th and State will be home to many new about 20 new restaurants and retail stores. This should be happening by around 2007. The neighborhood is definitely on its way up. Excellent! This and the Metra stop are both great news. I think having a strong neighborhood draw for fans before and after the game (restaurants and bars, attractions, safety, lots of transit options) is the last missing piece for the Sox to be successful from a business standpoint. These both sound like great moves in that direction!

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Nov 2, 2005 -> 02:47 PM) Also, the Konerko slam trumped Podsednik's walk-off. It was not even close. Not from my seats (left field UD). Perhaps it depends on where you were in the ballpark. When Pods hit the game-winner, there was a big cheer, a pause, then a gigantic roar once it had landed in the stands. It seemed significantly louder to me than Paulie's slam.

As I posted in the other GG-related thread about Torii: Maybe if MLB wanted to make the awards a little more meaningful (that's a BIG if of course), they would grab a volunteer committee that was a subsection of the voters for the Hall of Fame (instead of the current players/coaches). Those HOF'ers are usually good at making much better calls on such things, year in and year out. You may see players not get in that some feel should, but you rarely see players go in that should not. Almost never, in fact. Just a thought.

I was at both ALDS, both ALCS and Game 2 WS. Game 2 CS, the Crede hit in the ninth to win it, was 2nd loudest of the games I went to. Loudest: Just after Pods' shot landed in the RF stands to win WS Game 2.

QUOTE(Steff @ Nov 2, 2005 -> 09:38 AM) Nope. Players and managers. Ah. Thanks for the clarification. I still stand by my suggestion. HOF voters (aka HOF members) just seem much more reliable, and much more likely to have some respect for the game.

If I am not mistaken, these awards are voted on by sports journalists, right? That being the case, maybe if MLB wanted to make the awards a little more meaningful (that's a BIG if of course), they would grab a volunteer committee that was a subsection of the voters for the Hall of Fame. Those HOF'ers are usually good at making much better calls on such things, year in and year out. You may see players not get in that some feel should, but you rarely see players go in that should not. Almost never, in fact. Just a thought.

If Thomas is a no-go next year for any reason (health, contract, whatever), and if none of our minor league bats can hit righties well (Gload, Anderson, Rogowski, etc.), then I think it would be smart to look for a solid DH bat who can hit righties. Griffey is not a bad candidate for that. But, he's expensive, injury-prone in recent years, and may be difficult or impossible to acquire. High risk, high reward. I'm sort of liking the idea actually, if we don't have to give up the farm to get him.

I'm probably opening myself up for a barrage here, but what the heck. Here is my 25-man roster next year, ASSUMING WE RE-SIGN PK... Starters: C: Pierzynski 1B: Konerko 2B: Iguchi SS: Uribe 3B: Crede LF: Pods CF: Rowand RF: Dye DH: Thomas** Reserves: Widger © Anderson (OF) Harris (2B, SS, OF) Ozuna (3B, OF) One of Gload, Rogowski or other lefty hitter (1B, DH)** Rotation: Buerhle Garland Contreras Garcia McCarthy Relievers: Jenks Polittle Cotts Vizcaino Marte/Other left reliever if we can get one Hernandez DROPPED/TRADED IF POSSIBLE: Everett (done) Hermanson (preferably via trade for lefty) Marte (same as Hermanson) ** = regarding 1B and DH, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I'd like to see Gload, Rogowski or another lefty-hitting 1B prospect (we seem to be loaded with them) given a shot at platooning with Thomas in spring training. They would also serve as the reserve 1B, and their playing time would be dictated by Thomas' health and performance. If Thomas is an absolute no-play in 2006, then we may want to consider finding a lefty-hitting DH, preferably one who can play 1B, somewhere on the market. Let the flogging begin...

QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ Oct 31, 2005 -> 04:34 PM) Gload is not the answer at 1st. Konerko must be resigned. Frank will be back, hopefully healthy and productive either as a platoon DH or otherwise. Just to clarify: DEFINITELY do not want Gload to replace Konerko at first. I was talking purely putting him or Rogowski at DH with Thomas, and on those 10 games when Konerko has a day off, they can sub in.

QUOTE(Felix @ Oct 31, 2005 -> 04:22 PM) Well, I'm looking at his minor league numbers, and they are good, but they are in AA. Giving him a shot in the majors with those numbers in AA doesnt make sense (as NorthSideSox72 suggested), unless he's much further along than the numbers say. Probably true. But since we have 2 lefty bats that scouts seem to think will eventually be starter-quality guys (some scouts I've read anyway), I figured one of the two would be likely to do well in a platoon role like that. It's the inexpensive alternative to going out and buying a left-handed bat, or re-signing Everett.

This fits here as well as the other Thomas-related, thread, so... My 2 cents on Everett, Thomas and the DH spot: --Drop Everett (done) --Bring back Thomas at reduced salary IF he is willing, and IF he has a chance of being in playing shape my March --Bring up our two left-handed hitting first base prospects: Ross Gload and Casey Rogowski (sp?). Let them battle it out for a spot as the left DH. By doing these things, you can add a left bat, and have the following Thomas scenarios covered: A) Thomas is healthy, so G or R can just sub in to give Thomas, Konerko off days B) Thomas is semi-healthy, or healthy and only semi-good, so platoon him with G or R. C) Thomas can't do it, so give G or R a shot as a rookie* That last scenario is a little scary, but both players look close to being ready for it. And I think they both have a good shot at putting up as good a number as Everett, who benefited greatly from people getting on ahead of him. If scenario C occurs, and the rookie isn't cutting it... ..We can go get Carl in July!!!

My 2 cents on Everett, Thomas and the DH spot: --Drop Everett (done) --Bring back Thomas at reduced salary IF he is willing, and IF he has a chance of being in playing shape my March --Bring up our two left-handed hitting first base prospects: Ross Gload and Casey Rogowski (sp?). Let them battle it out for a spot as the left DH. By doing these things, you can add a left bat, and have the following Thomas scenarios covered: A) Thomas is healthy, so G or R can just sub in to give Thomas, Konerko off days B) Thomas is semi-healthy, or healthy and only semi-good, so platoon him with G or R. C) Thomas can't do it, so give G or R a shot as a rookie* That last scenario is a little scary, but both players look close to being ready for it. And I think they both have a good shot at putting up as good a number as Everett, who benefited greatly from people getting on ahead of him. If scenario C occurs, and the rookie isn't cutting it... ..We can go get Carl in July!!!

I'll be there with a handful of co-workers (we work at Wacker/Madison).

QUOTE(whitesoxmanager @ Oct 26, 2005 -> 04:18 PM) one time i had my shoes on and was walking out the door. it took that long to be humbled. Not sure I get this line. Explanation? No worries on the jinxer for me. A) I didn't say I'd won, I said STAND TO win, and B) I don't believe in curses or jinxes. They will win or not win. I think they are likely to win. I certainly hope they do!

QUOTE(whitesoxmanager @ Oct 26, 2005 -> 04:11 PM) rule #1 never bet on your team! Eh, I don't believe in curses, and I don't gamble for income. Therefore, it's all in fun, so why not bet on my favorite team?!

I thought this would be a good time to see what wagers, if any, people placed before (or even during) the season in regards to the Sox' fortunes. I put $20 on the Sox in Vegas in February to win the WS. I got 30-1 at that time. Thought it was a long shot, but what the heck? Still have the ticket, stuck to the fridge! Anyone else standing to gain or lose? Any unique or non-monetary wagers? Bets with friends who are Cub fans?

I was thinking he looked a lot like the guy from office space. The one with the spikey blond hair? "Maybe later I'll show her my 'O' face..."

FYI the Group 4 phenoms were in fact talked about in this article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005...erry&id=2204062 And this one, by everyone's favorite columnist (not): http://www.suntimes.com/output/mariotti/cst-spt-jay26.html Plus I think the Trib had it in one of their articles, but I can't find it now for some reason.

At one point in this article, the author points out that the White Sox led the AL in sac bunts, as an argument for how they are NOT a throw-back hustle team. This is logically ridiculous - it says that in fact they are exactly what they purport to be. Why is it that so many people (not just media, but fans too) keep asking why the Sox keep wasting outs playing that style of baseball? Are people blind? They are pointing at a team that is beating the world, and saying, 'OK, now they should do something different if they want to win." Huh? :banghead

QUOTE(Controlled Chaos @ Oct 25, 2005 -> 08:13 AM) Now I went to Houstons board yesterday to see what they were saying and with the exception of the "class" comment the others were all made by a user named "cubfan" Do you have an address for the Houston site, by chance?