NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Cubano @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 11:17 AM) Be prepare for higher taxes. Be prepare for high inflation. Be prepare for more rogue states to make their move on USA. On inflation, that's so far been a non-issue, and I think its likely to stay one. And what the heck are you talking about on the third point?

QUOTE (High Mileage @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 10:47 PM) Gil Meche with a complete game shutout tonight. 0.5 games behind the Sox, 2.0 up on Cleveland. Greinke pitches tomorrow night... According to the standings I see, KC is 1 game back of the Sox, 1 game ahead of CLE.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 10:17 AM) The woman's husband was also a "top aide" to Senator Ensign. Yeah, I don't know much about this guy, but sleeping with your top aide's wife doesn't make me think "quality gentleman".

QUOTE (shipps @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 10:10 AM) How would you think he would heal up trying to play? The doctors say the only way other than the knife this can get any better would be to rest. Why put him out there to tear the tendon in his foot when you know that is likely going to happen? What I meant was, heal up during the season while NOT playing for a while, then as I said, start playing when its stable. And who said it was likely to happen? ptatc can comment, but I'd guess that if he gets it to heal enough to where he can run comfortably, that its not likely. Possible, of course.

QUOTE (robinventura23 @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 10:06 AM) I say rest him for the year or have him have the surgery. Trade for a three month rental player --- if we're still in it. If it looks like he's not back by the ASB, regardless of the surgery or not discussion, then we need to release Wise and bring up someone else. Then yes, possibly also look at a trade, if one can be made for someone worthwhile. But if the season looks lost at the ASB, then don't bother with the trade, just give someone in the system a shot.

QUOTE (G&T @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 10:00 AM) I thought ptatc said that the surgery was not a guarantee to help? Maybe not. Yes he did. Its far from a guarantee. People have a habit here of jumping quickly onto the surgery bandwagon, but for situations like this, or Crede's back, that's a mistake. Surgery is usually a last option, for good reason, because for many situations it is not some guaranteed fix-all. Take a look at TCQ's quote - he's saying what is true for most injuries. If you make it worse, that's bad. I am 50/50 on his return, but the alarmists are going a bit far here. If he can heal it up during the season, and get to being comfortable running again, then he should play. If not (if he's still ailing), then yeah, its time for next steps, whatever those may be.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 10:20 PM) Baseball commish demands we play a DH today or the next day. If not, we lose 2 in Wrigley and lose 2 of 3 in Cell. um... what?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 04:24 PM) Can you say that in a way that is a little more clear? Look, when you buy a service normally, what do you do? You shop, possibly compare or research, and then you buy. You can choose a product, choose a seller, work the price and quality... these key aspects to any market product are GONE with the insurance companies between you (the patient/consumer) and the providers. That pretty much ruins the whole thing. But of course, we can't just get rid of insurance of some kind, because most people can't afford the huge, unexpected and uneven expenses. One POSSIBLE solution is government provided healthcare via taxes, as you support. But that is NOT the only possible solution.

QUOTE (BaseballNick @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 04:03 PM) Hawk has told the story 1000X about the eras being different. I doubt anyone using a spitball in the HR era would be looked at in the same light as Perry was during his time. Cheaters today are almost looked at as villains. More importantly I think, the in-game cheating stuff like that is just a lot harder to get away with now, because of all the cameras. Every game is on TV now, with lots of angles. And then the hyperanalysts like us on this board. Everything is scrutinized in much greater focus now.

I really despised the ads for this webio thing anyway - they kept running some chick out there with arms as big around as my thumb to try to get attention. Anorexia just isn't sexy, and even if it was, if I want sports, then I want sports. If I want something else, I'll go find something else. Their whole campaign just seemed slimy to me.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 03:59 PM) Again...this is another reason why universality is so necessary...because any time that a company is able to try to dump people who are more expensive in to the uninsured or on to another company, there is great profit for them in doing so. A system where you can't be turned down is a requirement. This is not a problem of not having universality - its a problem of having the insurers between, as I've said here lots of times before, and the universal government program thing is ONE POSSIBLE solution to that.

Hernandez is now officially... missing.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 03:38 PM) No, I'm talking about a spitball and corked bat. Once the PED's get involved, it's totally different. Ah, OK. I misunderstood you.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 03:33 PM) Gaylord Perry made the Hall cheating the entire time with a spitball. Whats your point? I'm one of those who sees a big difference between getting an edge on the field working around the game rules, and using an illegal substance to give you a constant advantage. Others won't agree, that's fine, but those things are very different IMO for a number of reasons.

QUOTE (Markbilliards @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 03:28 PM) I think this could be a turning point for people to stop caring about steroids. Or for some, like me, it adds to the anger over it. Not that Sosa is a surprise at all, but, its frustrating, and makes me want all the more to see Selig have some balls and really dig into cleaning up the sport.

QUOTE (tonyho7476 @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 03:11 PM) Lots of effort...big dud. And anyone who goes to Wrigley is a loser...stay on your side of town. F Wrigley Field. Is that all you have to add to the discussion? Making fun of someone's attempt at parody and telling people who are going to Wrigley (to support the Sox no less) that they are losers? Great stuff.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 03:12 PM) He won't be back before the All-Star Break if at all. According to whom? I've seen reports all over the board, ranging from next week to ASB to well after.

QUOTE (Markbilliards @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 02:56 PM) I hate their fans a lot more, but its easy to dislike Soriano and Zambrano They have a lot of thoroughly unlikeable personalities on that team - add Bradley, Freel and Ramirez to your list. But I do like D-Lee, always have. And I actually like Theriot as well.

QUOTE (chiguy79 @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 02:59 PM) I don't boo Wise, but there are some frustration boos that he gets from me. He is way better than Lillibridge. I'm not sure he is. Lillibridge couldn't hit either, but Lilli plays good or plus defense at multiple positions, whereas Wise is a below average outfielder. I think I'd rather have Lillibridge on the team and try like hell to get him to shorten his swing.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 02:27 PM) Dont go to the games, nothing states the case of fan displeasure like an empty stadium. No one is saying that you have to cheer the guy, it just doesnt make a whole lot of sense to boo a band aid solution for being a band aid solution. Its like booing the grass for being green. Whereas your solution is like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 01:49 PM) I have a hard time looking past biased writing, regardless of what side it's on -- it really irks me and merely casts doubt over everything the person says. The key is to look for what they say as fact. If they just say "X happened" without a source, then don't trust it. But this guy actually sourced and corroborated his information repeatedly.

QUOTE (IamPabloOzuna @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 01:28 PM) No. maybe 15-20 years ago. But not now. The majority of fans at Cubs games are young post-college folks who moved to the north side after they graduated. They fill wrigley everyday because its a party. If the White Sox had been playing at wrigley all those years it would be the same deal. Its a product of the neighborhood and its surroundings (highly residential, filled with mostly white, educated young adults with plenty of money to spend). The party aspect is true, but it doesn't invalidate the TV aspect, which definitely has a lasting effect. Just because it was 20 years ago doesn't make it go away - fans beget fans. Its definitely a long term factor.

This probably sounds odd, but... I want the Sox to get off the damn fence. I want them to either go an a tear in the next few weeks, or fall apart during that same period. At least those ways, you know what is coming for the rest of the season, and the team can build towards something. Right now, it seems like they are just waiting for something. Hopefully TCQ can be back in the next week or so.

Rain looks kind of scattered on the radar, hard to say how it goes at 7pm.

I read the book Blackwater, which is definitely worth the time. Its got some bias in it that you have to look past, but the factual material (not the analysis) is really fascinating stuff.