NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 6, 2009 -> 12:59 PM) There's no permanent solution here for 2009. The only options are either moving Getz or Nix to SS (and I think moving Nix makes more sense than moving Getz from a purely "ability to play the position" standpoint) or bringing up Eider Torres as a stopgap. Neither Beckham nor Lillibridge are viable for first-half 2009. You can also forget about Betemit, even though I would almost rather see that than Eider Torres, who would be essentially like Lillibridge/Andy Gonzalez. I wasn't talking about permanent solutions - I am talking about giving Alexei a day off occasionally. For that purpose, Nix is a good option, in the absence of anything better. The permanent solution IS Alexei. He started cold last year too, and I think he'll figure it out and adjust.

Wasn't sure where to put this. I happened to click through to a CNN article (brief) about Rush Limbaugh going after Colin Powell (saying he endorsed Obama solely based on race, etc.). But that wasn't the interesting part. Read this article, then read the comments below. It absolutely amazes me the level of political discourse among the populus is this horrid - filled with hate, misinformation, apparently complete lack of knowledge of history or politics, pettiness and just plain stupidity - from both parties AND independents. I hope, really hope, these comments are not an accurate sampling of our voting populus.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 6, 2009 -> 12:38 PM) Great idea to put Nix at SS. It's always well-informed to put career 2B who have played 40 games their entire career at the position (and of course, when they were 18, eight years ago) at the most difficult position on the diamond. Wait, he played a few games then on his rehab assignment. That makes it a sure bit to work out, since he didn't make an error in RF, and he ONLY made two questionable plays at 3B the other night (one was saved by a miraculous Konerko snag of a throw that wasn't even close to the bag, the the other a muffed ball that led to the missing on an easy DP). You have to give Alexei a day off occasionally, and with his performance of late, this seems to be a good time for it. What would you suggest as an alternative? Lillibridge is the only other real option, and he is hitting so badly that his defense can't really make up the difference. I actually like this move.

Kroeger has his OPS in the low to mid .800's now (after a double and two walks today), approaching the levels he had at Iowa last year (though with more power and less OBP). And his K rate is notably lower than last year. I think he might have some real potential, so if he continues to improve his numbers in Charlotte, and maybe gets a late season call up and looks good, I think he might get some consideration.

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ May 6, 2009 -> 11:30 AM) Was that a typo??? LOL, I missed that. It is the Sun Times after all, and they've been laying off editors.

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ May 6, 2009 -> 11:24 AM) But don't you want a higher OBP in the 2nd hole? Which is what Fields brings, for now. Also, forgot to add, Alexei has real power, as we saw last year. Better for him to hit with someone in front of him getting on base, like a leadoff guy with a highish OBP. Getz isn't a guy who is as likely to drive in runs.

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ May 6, 2009 -> 11:24 AM) But don't you want a higher OBP in the 2nd hole? Which is what Fields brings, for now. No, I want that leading off. I mean, the 2nd hitter should be too, but ALSO should be a good situational hitter. Alexei was that last year, but isn't now, so its ideal for him to recover his form in that role.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ May 6, 2009 -> 11:23 AM) Oh I have no doubt he'll "have" to close a hospital or two. He'll then say "it was their fault". Lincoln, or Liberty, County is looking more and more preferable to me. The only way it makes sense to seperate Cook County is to have ALL of suburban Cook in its own county, and the city seperate as its own county. And that won't happen, for a whole host of reasons. If just a few NW suburbs try to break off, it will never fly, and would be horrible for them AND the rest of Cook anyway.

The only change you made was moving Lexi up to leadoff, Getz to 2, and Fields down the order. I'm all for moving Fields down and Lexi up, but... why not put Alexei at the 2 slot? Getz is doing quite well leading off, doing all the things you'd want him to do. You'd put Alexei in a better position to succeed if you put him in the 2 slot: he'll see more fastballs hitting between Getz and TCQ, you'd force him to stop pulling the ball so much (which he needs), and give him protection. Leading him off makes no sense.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ May 6, 2009 -> 11:16 AM) Looks like he might realize that if he vetos it, he almost seals his political death, so he's gonna try and throw the commissioners under the bus as the evil ones.: Stroger may not veto Cook County sales tax repeal Nothing pisses me off more than someone using a hospital as a political blackmail. He's doing this because Daley just said yesterday that he supports the repeal (but can't do anything about it). This basically means the machine won't be behind Stroger in the coming election. In other words, if he vetoes, say hello to your new County Board President, Forest Claypool (or possily Tony Peraica). Actually, that may happen anyway, but its a done deal if he vetoes this. Probably, he'll now not veto, and pull some shenanigans to make it seem like he can't cut anywhere and cut something that is actually important to make his point.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 6, 2009 -> 10:32 AM) Getting removed from the 40 man speaks volumes on what the White Sox are thinking about Wasserman I think. Yeah, I know. I just saw something in 2007 that went beyond his funky delivery - he was just really, really good at inducing ground balls. None of his pitches were spectacular, but they all had good downward movement, and he was pretty good and staying in the strike zone. Good combination for pitching at the Cell. And he was the anti-MacDougal - very little "stuff", but all guts and effort, and he thrived under pressure. Then in 2008 ST he deserved a spot, but got passed up. And his first call-up was a disaster. I figured it was a confidence thing, especially since in Charlotte in 2008 he flat out dominated. Honestly, I think they may have messed with his motion too much too. During the 07-08 offseason they changed his motion a bit, where he pitches from, and had him work on a change-up. I really wonder if it made him overthink everything. In his bad outings in 2008, he was hanging a lot of pitches, like he didn't have his breakers reliable anymore - was it the overanalysis, or did he just lose his stuff? I hope he figures it out and calms down. His future in Chicago is probably gone, unless the bullpen loses 2 or 3 guys to injury this year. But maybe he can get a job on another club with a weaker pen, and rebuild that confidence.

QUOTE (Cali @ May 6, 2009 -> 08:49 AM) WSI is positive? I know I havent even been on there in many many years, but I remember it being a black hole of nothing but bitter old people (sorry to all the bitter old people here) I remember hearing one of the cotton heads, pre-2005, proclaim the Sox would win the series before the cubs, but after hell froze over. "Shiny Happy people..." Or whackjob "proven theories" about how if anything good happens to the Sox, something bad will ALWAYS happen. I honestly wonder how some of the people of the site dealt with the sox winning the World Series. Sure they were excited but also had to be a bit empty inside that they couldn't b**** about how they'll never win one.... This is a reality that will apply to all sports message boards - it is easier to be negative than positive. Think about it... you put nothing at stake. If your bad omens come true, you win, because you were right (which for some is the ultimate goal of being here). If the team surprises and does well, you still win, as a fan of that team. Plus its easier to make it seem like you know stuff when you are overly critical. Its really a win-win-win, if you are concerned with what others think of your opinions on the board. Risk nothing, lose nothing.

CJ Retherford still doing very well. Amazing for an undrafted FA at age 23 in a tough hitter's park. His K/BB numbers leave a bit to be desired, but close to half his hits are XBH. Anyone know what CJ's defense is like at third?

Jon Gilmore is doing no better for Kanny so far than he did in the SAL last year in similar number of games. I'm still not convinced he's the real deal. Charlotte losing 8-4 in the 8th, delayed right now by rain, JVB and Ehren both got shelled, again. I haven't seen him pitch this year, but, I'm starting to worry about Wassermann now - I thought 2008 was something he could get past, but he's still struggling, now at the AAA level. B-Ham now up 12-4 in the 8th. Shelby and Beckham with 2 hits each, Cruz reaches base in all four at bats so far. Ely was good again. A win for B-Ham puts them in a tie for first in the division and league.

Also, Ely quietly having a good season so far for the Barons.

After watching him in spring training, reading a few articles and scouting reports on his background, and seeing his numbers... I am still convinced that Kroeger may really be a serious hitter. He started cold in Charlotte, but is quickly improving. If guys like Shelby and Danks aren't ready for next year, I think Kroeger may get a look to be part of the 2010 team (assuming he rakes in Charlotte, maybe gets a call-up during the year).

Punishments to fit crimes. For example... you are arrested and convicted of spraying graffiti. Your punishment is, while wearing nothing but underwear, goggles and a gas mask, you will be spray-painted head to toe. Its OK, it would wear off in a few weeks. Meantime, enjoy the embarassment.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 6, 2009 -> 07:17 AM) That's the Javy Vazquez syndrome, spinning his numbers so he looks good. He came in with the bases loaded the other day and gave up a GS. He only gets charged with 1 run. He comes in with 2 on last night, they both score. His numbers for those 2 games, both which could have been wins but were losses, look a lot better than his performance. He didn't do his job no matter how many strikeouts he had. The bullpen wasn't very sharp last night although Floyd had enough run support to make that a non-issue, but he was terrible. Just a badly pitched game by the White Sox. Broadway blows, but I don't know how you would expect anything but what happened to happen to him last night. I'm not saying Matt did well - I'm saying he did badly, but he does well more often than most relievers in baseball, so he is the least of my concerns.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ May 6, 2009 -> 07:20 AM) They are upset at Obama's crucification of hedge funds... which he had no business doing. It's the typical straw man Obama argument on everything when his administration doesn't get their complete way. Sure it is, like I said, its a political vendetta that is an unfortunate part of his way of doing things. Still doesn't change the fact that the hedge funds haven't been "targetted" in any real action (which I hope stays that way), nor the fact that the Chrysler bond holders have no basis at all to blame Obama.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ May 6, 2009 -> 07:06 AM) A-freaking-men. Link OK, I'm confused. Did Obama say that hedge funds want a bailout? I assume this is about the Chrysler bonds issue, which hedge funds are complaining about maybe. if Obama characterizes their being upset as asking for a bailout (by changing the bankruptcy terms), then he's exagerrating for politcal effect. Kind of annoying. But frankly, these hedge fund folks have only themselves and Chrysler to blame for the bad result on those bonds.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 6, 2009 -> 07:00 AM) Dotel and Thornton were awful. I think Thornton has allowed his last 5 inherited runners to score IIRC, which is scary for our only real lefty in the pen. Thornton struck out 3 guys, but he did also walk 2 and give up a double. I'm not worred about him, he's still got very good numbers on the season. Dotel is scary though, he's awfully inconsisten.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ May 6, 2009 -> 05:35 AM) The problem is the Dem machine wants Stroger in there because of his chronism. He can travel through time?!?!?!

QUOTE (lostfan @ May 6, 2009 -> 04:45 AM) lol, it's now really obvious that this was nothing but a pure gimmick and had nothing to do with principle. It's much more a slap to the face of the GOP than it actually is anything useful to the Democrats. At all. I'm sort of torn. On the one hand, I hate seeing either party make people toe the company line all the damn time. Guys like Specter that are relative moderates get screwed either way. On the other hand though, if you switch parties, maybe not such a good idea within like 5 days to basically take every opportunity to slam that party. The Coleman statements particularly are just bizarre. I suspect that Specter may not get re-elected in any case.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ May 5, 2009 -> 09:58 PM) I don't know what was worse. The walkathon display by our pitchers or the Mandingo-sized hard-on Hawk has for Mike Jacobs. Every time I saw Jacobs at the plate, I thought... can he possibly cram any more chaw in there? It was really kind of disgusting, he kept having to shove it all back in.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ May 5, 2009 -> 07:03 PM) WOW! Storger threw a MAJOR hissy-fit: Claypool was the guy I wanted in there last time. Maybe this time, the Dem machine will back him, instead of this clown in office.