NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (chw42 @ May 27, 2010 -> 11:22 AM) Split would be alright with me, although 3/4 would really be what this team needs. It sucks that Buehrle's not going in this series. After his shortened outing, I wouldn't rule out that the bring MB into the rotation for this series.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 27, 2010 -> 11:39 AM) I can, because if it wasn't for SOX, AIG and LEH never happen. Wait, what? No, not at all. AIG and LEH happened for many reasons but SOX is a lesser or non-existent consideration. They happened because of the choices they made in the swaps markets, and because of the capital requirements and valuation, and lack of oversight internally and externally - not because of SOX.

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ May 27, 2010 -> 10:41 AM) I'd like to see us sweep. That would be really nice. If we did, especially after winning the last two series, that would change the nature of this season dramatically in just a week and a half. Yes indeed that would be nice. Incredibly unlikely, but very nice.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 27, 2010 -> 09:30 AM) And by then, Seoul is in ruins and 5 million people are dead. China doesn't have to get directly involved for things to go badly. Well of course it would be bad.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 27, 2010 -> 09:24 AM) I didn't think they'd done that kind of construction work. Yes, it's an entirely different set of circumstances. But even if my instincts say China would just let stuff happen...if my instincts are wrong, then we have a worldwide conflagration. And no way China wants such a conflagration. It does nothing good for them at all, and a whole lot of bad. Therefore, if an armed conflict occurs on the Korean penninsula, I'd predict that China basically does a lot of huffing and puffing but doesn't lift a finger in its military.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 27, 2010 -> 09:20 AM) OTOH...I'd agree with you if I couldn't point to an historic example of China deciding to assist North Korea militarily. During the Korean War? 60 years ago? China is nowhere near the same country they were then, and neither is NK. The terrain has changed dramatically.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 27, 2010 -> 09:16 AM) Plus they look like a failure if their system fails right on their doorstep. Eh, its not really their system. They are both nominally communist countries, but the similarities stop there. Key word "nominally". China's desire to help out NK is not that strong, not nearly as strong as the desire to avoid massive military conflict, and to keep their economy running. They won't support NK militarily.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ May 26, 2010 -> 04:16 PM) I don't know who's having it both ways, but there's a ton of people that are upset with the turf at Soldier Field - for exactly the same reason some of us don't like the SB being in possible bad weather. BTW, winter doesn't start in September. So baseball is a spring sport, then? Not a summer sport? Seems like you are just reaching now, trying to make a pedantic argument about spring/summer or fall/winter to make your point. Football is played, more or less, September to February in the NFL. That means cold, winter weather, often, in northern cities. It is part of the game, always has been.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ May 27, 2010 -> 08:46 AM) Yea, Obama's SO compromising. You have to do it his way, or it's the highway. I agree with your first sentence literally, since so far, he has been. He has extended offers and overtures to the GOP on every major initiative, and signalled willingness to compromise on things. The GOP has basically decided to be a brick wall.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 27, 2010 -> 08:16 AM) Considering that most of them will be blown apart by the world's largest minefield...I think they're much more worried about the artillery than ground troops. I'll say right now that if NK attacks SK, China will not "pour" troops into NK. China will sit that one out, in my view, unless the US takes over NK.

Floyd is not as bad as that ERA would indicate, and Nieman is not as good as his indicates. Sox win by virtue of regression to the mean.

Santos pitched only 20 innings last year in the minors, then onto Fall League. His arm needs to be used very carefully. That's why I don't like the idea of him in the closer role, this year (although maybe next year). I'd go by committee of Thornton/Putz depending on match-ups and rest. One can set up for the other if they are both rested.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ May 26, 2010 -> 09:16 PM) What?!?! But seriously, it would be some delicious irony. I don't get how its irony. It would be more a sad commentary on the prevalence of bigotry that someone is forced to hide it if they are. It just shouldn't matter.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ May 26, 2010 -> 04:34 PM) Don't worry everyone, we know who's fault this is. That mother f***er Bush Eh, in some indirect ways, BushCo should probably have some level of responsibility. But at this point, this response is awful, and most of that blame goes to Obama. The spill itself was a little on BushCo, and on Congress, and ObamaCo, for all of them not tightening the reigns on regulation of the rigs. But 95% of the spill blame falls on BP and its contractors. In the overall sense, Bush's responsibility in this is tiny.

Griffith continues to look quite good. Remenowsky having a strange year. I say strange because his K rate is still quite high (over 13 K/9), his BB rate still quite low (2.3 BB/9 or so), and his ground ball rate has actually increased significantly - all of which would be what I'd consider signs of successful work in moving up a league. What's changed, is hitters aren't going .180 against him, they are now hitting .250. This has resulted in an ERA about a run higher than his number from Kanny. Not sure what the deal there is.

Mark G from the Trib had a much more accurate description of the balk/ejection stuff it seems.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ May 26, 2010 -> 12:42 PM) It's a winter sport? It's played in the fall. And the whole reason the randomness was taken out of the weather (or at least an attempt) for all these years was to provide the best playing conditions to optimize performance and game quality. Had the Colts/Saints game been in a snow storm, it would have sucked, end of story. The only people who like the snow are the 10 year olds looking out the window. Think about the Soldier Field turf. Why isn't everyone just saying that's part of the game, too? Why make a big deal out of that? You can't have it both ways. Who is having it both ways? I see it one way - its a winter sport (Sept-Feb), played outdoors most of the time, and weather is part of the game. Call me a traditionalist, but that's the way I see it.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 26, 2010 -> 02:53 PM) Is it true that Oney ripped on Peavy on his twitter account? Looks like yes, but more so on Jenks. That boy needs to shut his yap.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ May 26, 2010 -> 02:30 PM) Did you know Ribbie and Rhubarb were married. Were? How did the divorce go?

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ May 26, 2010 -> 02:27 PM) Actually you agree with me then. All I'm saying is not a single person here or any other fan can claim to know what the "players feel", so using that as an argument for or against any player is pointless. And no one made that argument.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ May 26, 2010 -> 02:00 PM) And I've never bought that there is this massive Chemistry Stat that makes a huge impact on how a team plays. If a team is winning, they have great chemistry, if they suck, their chemistry sucks? Its stupid It may not be logical, but its reality. Players have emotions. Stat or not, its part of the game.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ May 26, 2010 -> 01:52 PM) Not buying it. I'm fine with analysis, but when it gets to "I know how these players feel" type arguments....sorry, you don't unless you are there. I didn't say that. I said it has an effect. I don't see how its that hard. And I have never bought this bizarre idea that ballplayers live in XBox land where they are robots.

Thornton now the closer. Has to be. Please be. Santos for the 8th.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ May 26, 2010 -> 01:45 PM) How often do you hang out with the team in the clubhouse to know this? Because I am a human being, and so are they. Don't need to be in the clubhouse to know this. NO idea how MUCH effect it has, but is sure as heck has one.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 26, 2010 -> 01:43 PM) Part of the issue here isn't just Bobby maybe losing the game. Even if he manages to end this thing for the Sox win, it sort of takes away some of the vibe from a good win. That has an effect on players that are already paranoid after too many losses. Posted before he made it 5-4. So to clarify, obviously, actually LOSING the game is far worse.