NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 03:12 PM) woooo! Dow up +350 today probably go down 400 tomorrow though Go VIX Go!

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 03:07 PM) 3. Profit! My God, GW Bush is an Underpants Gnome! About 6 posts too late.

Griffith had TJ surgery, and is out all of 2009.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 12:06 PM) It's too bad it took us 3 or 4 years to finally figure out what the f*** we were doing. It's like the plan was like this: 1. invade country, destroy army (this should be easy, we're good at it) 2. As I've posted before, it was the underpants gnomes method of nation building... Step 1, invade Iraq. Step 2 *pause* Step 3, democracy and happy Iraqis!!!! They focused so entirely on the military aspect that they didn't think about what to do when they actually bought and owned Iraq. Staggeringly bad planning.

QUOTE (dasox24 @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 11:55 AM) I'm honestly feeling like it will be Willy Taveras, which makes me happy b/c we won't have to see Jerry Owens at the big league level. If we get Willy T, then you get Jerry Owens with a better arm and a recovering broken leg. woo. hoo.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 12:03 PM) I quite honestly don't care about how the Iraqis lived, then, or now. It wasn't our business until we made it our business (for other reasons which have turned out to be BS), something I wish we'd quit doing. True.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 09:32 AM) I just laugh when i hear people complain about the suffering of Iraqis now, totally ignoring the facts about what life was like under Saddam... Sadly, under Saddam, Iraq and Iraqis were better off. And the argument that they'll be better off in 10 or 20 years now free of Saddam, is pointless, because Saddam would have been gone anyway. Iraqis are significantly worse off because of this war, and that's an impressive feat. If BushCo had bothered to pay even the slightest attention to how the building of such a factuous nation should proceed, instead of simply handing it off to political appointee goons, then perhaps an argument could be made that Iraqis could have been better off.

QUOTE (MurcieOne @ Dec 15, 2008 -> 07:18 PM) I never voted for Bush, but he's my president. I will be the first to say the War in Iraq was a TRAGIC mistake, and he should be judged accordingly based on that mistake. That being said, there is no situation where I approve of someone throwing a blunt object at him. This reporter may have been making a "statement" but I just don't care. Maybe its nationalistic, but I don't want anyone to try to harm, or embarrass my president -- no matter who it is -- for any reason. I will feel this exact same way on January 20th when President Obama takes office. I agree here, though I may judge Bush a little more harshly on Iraq than it simply being a "mistake". But this was in fact an assault on the leader of our country, not to mention of the free world - and that is not acceptable at any time, no matter how lousy a President he has been. The perpetrator should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the applicable laws. One thing that was odd, to me, about the incident... after the first shoe, where the hell was the USSS? Why wasn't there an agent there pulling Bush offstage instantly? Seems to me like a failing in security response there to me.

Is this an article you wrote, or did you take it from somewhere? If its from somewhere, you need to cite.

Well I'm late here, but, Happy B-Day!!!

Another frustrating aspect of this is the punishment of success. Look at Ford. Note that these bailout discussions are all about GM and Chrysler, because Ford doesn't need it (at least not nearly as badly). Ford was in a bad way about 5 years ago, and look what they did: --Leaned their staff numbers --Beat the other American car companies to the hybrid market --Put themselves, now, at the TOP of the quality lists, right there with Toyota and Honda Now, I am sure it hurt along the way for Ford. People lost jobs, etc. But they struggled their way out, and are now much more successful than the other 2 of the Big 3. And what do they get? They get to see their competitors given an advantage by the government that they never got.

If you weren't playing baseball, what would you be doing for a living? What have been your favorite and least favorite stadiums to play in? Among players you have been on teams with, who is the biggest prankster, and/or the funniest guy?

Interview with Sergio Miranda, 13th round pick in 2007. He spent 2008 between Low A Kanny and High A Winston-Salem. Here is a link to his AAP page, for background. Here is my interview with him... -------------------------- What's your thought process when facing a pitcher you've never seen before? I like to watch the pitcher warm up and see what types of pitches he throws. Sometimes I’ll take the first pitch to see his speed. It’s all about having confidence in yourself and knowing you’re going to hit the ball. How do you adjust from at bat to at bat over the course of the year? Well I have been a hitter that usually starts slow even coming up from college and knowing that, my adjustments are just to keep swinging until I get were I want to be. I really haven’t had to make any big adjustments because luckily so far I’ve been somewhat successful. I just want to try and make sure I only swing at good pitches. How do you try to get out of a slump? I believe slumps can be tricky and no one every wants to be in one. I learned a lot about myself this past year as a baseball player. I learned that is it possible to get out of a slump if you keep working at it. It’s hard to stand in front of a pitcher and not have the confidence to hit the ball. I learned that it is possible to overcome it and get back to being a good hitter. You can’t control the game, but you can control your work ethic. You never want to give up. Any superstitions? Well yes I am a very superstitious guy, let me see if I can tell you one that I doesn’t sound like I’m crazy … ... If I am doing good I usually try to do everything I did that day before I go to the field; even eat the same food. Ha Ha I'd like to hear his perspective on the difference between the pitchers in the Sally and the Carolina League... big difference? Little difference? Anything in particular stand out about difference is their stuff? You know what, there is not a big difference. I started off the season very slow and people might think well that’s because the league may be harder, but that’s not the case. In some ways I think its harder, but its really not the pitching overall. The biggest difference to me is that there are only 8 teams in the Carolina League and pitchers get to see you more often. But this goes both ways and as a professional player is when you have to step up and make adjustments. I really didn’t feel over powered, I just started slow and when I was getting better it just happened that the organization thought that it was better for me to go down one level. Well I went down, did my job and earned another shot to prove I can handle the Carolina League. How do you feel about all of the middle infield competition that you are facing now, with guys like Silverio and Beckham getting lots of money from the White Sox? Ha Ha Ha I knew that question was coming. I think it’s great for the team. I can’t worry about how much money they have or anything. We are all the same when we are on the field and it’s about getting the job done. I am up to the challenge. I am going to play where ever the organization wants me to or think they need me. We are all working to make it up to the big show and to get there we have to put up the numbers. All I can worry about it playing my best and do whatever I can to help my team and organization. At the beginning of this past season, you struggled a bit with High A pitching with Winston-Salem. But after going back to Kanny, and back up to W-S again to finish the season, it looked like you “figured it out”. What adjustments did you make to get back on track? This year was tough for me, but I was able to overcome it. I’m not too sure what I figured out. I don’t think the pitching is any harder in high A. I just wasn’t on my game. I have never been in a slump before so this was a learning experience for me. I had to learn how to get my head back in the game. Mostly stop trying so hard to get out of it. I knew it would come back to me. Next year I want to work more on my hitting so hopefully this does not happen to me again. I just want to swing the bat more and hopefully the baseball gods will give me some love! Years from now when your career is said and done what will be enough for you to be satisfied with yourself? Honestly, I don’t even want to think about that. Baseball is my life and all I want to do. So many people in my life told me this was impossible for me to accomplish this goal and all I want to do is prove them wrong. So many people in this country want to be in my position and all I can do is give it 200%. Later in my life I want to look back at this and make sure I gave it my all. How do you feel about playing in an organization that has such a deep and important history of having hispanic middle infielders on the Big League level? It is a good feeling. It’s great to see how Latino players made their way up to play in the league I love so much. I hope to be like the many great Latino players and reach what they have reached. Do you pay attention to the action at the big league level? Any specific players on the Sox you follow? It’s hard to pick just one guy. I pay attention to a lot of them. They are all awesome players and I look up to them a lot. Its nice to meet a lot of them during spring training. I was blessed to play a few games with them. It felt great being part of the team. What are your plans for this off season? Its nice to have some time off to recuperate and to get my body healthy. We have a very long season. I will get to see my family. I haven’t seen them in 7 months so it will be great to see them. I miss them a lot. This winter I will be playing winter ball in Puerto Rico. This is a great opportunity for me because it will give me the chance to play with top players. This off season it is extremely important for me to work hard and to get ready for the season coming up. Where do you see yourself in the Sox system at this time next year? Well I would like to say the big leagues ha ha. I put high expectations on myself and set big goals. I would like to see myself playing at a higher level. It will take a lot of work, but I’m up for it. Who has been the biggest influence on your career? Who are your idols? What players do you most try to emulate with your play? The biggest influence in my life is my dad. I am the person I am today because of him. He has given up and done so much for me since I was a baby. He is the reason why I got into baseball. I started playing when I was 3 years old and he was there every step of the way driving me to all of my practices and games. The player that I emulate the most is Robert Alomar. Since I was little I have always tried to be like him. He is an amazing player and I admire him greatly. I like to take some of his ideas and how he plays to make me a better player. What manager or coach has been the biggest influence on your career so far, and why? This is an extremely difficult question for me to pick. I have had so many coaches throughout my baseball experience that have shaped me into the player I am today. Each of them have their own way of coaching and own way of doing things. They are all the biggest influence on me. I have respect for all of them. You've got to see a couple of the Sox affiliates, tell us about the differences at the various levels (ie, coaching/fans/city/equipment). Well the higher you are the better it gets. The coaching is all good, but at the higher levels it is a little better. I think it has to do with experience. The fields are a little better and more fans go to the games. Everything has been a positive experience for me. Which stadiums that you have played at are your favorites? Least favorites? There have been a few good ones. I enjoyed playing at the Blue Claws field in NJ, and the field in Mexico during spring training was unreal. I think the worst field was Augusta. That was really bad. If you weren't a baseball player, what would you being doing with your life? I don’t know life without baseball ha-ha. I am not too sure what I would do. I would finish school and maybe do something with criminal justice because that is my major. I would also like to get into coaching maybe. I always want to be doing something with baseball. That is my life. Who was your favorite baseball team going up? The Cubs were my favorite baseball team growing up ha-ha. Don’t hate me. My dad grew up in Chicago and I still have family there. I have become a bigger baseball fan now and like many different teams. I do not have a favorite team right now. What has been your greatest baseball moment so far in your young career? I have been very lucky in may baseball career so far. Getting a full scholarship to play baseball in college was amazing. There I was able to grow and become a better player. I broke many records there that were great. I also was able to make it very far in the CAA’s in my last season. Next was getting drafted by the Chicago White Sox. That has always been a big dream of mine to play professional baseball. Hopefully I will experience more of these goals in my baseball career in later years. Who is the biggest prankster that you have seen in the Sox system? They are some but the one I know more is Francico Hernandez. He is very funny and love to play jokes on guys a lot but. But he is a awesome guy. Thanks for giving me this opportunity I had fun doing it. I know it took me a long time to answer and I am sorry for that. Wish everyone a Marry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 12, 2008 -> 07:14 PM) But what it does do is possibly neuter the Governor so that he can't really do that much to hurt the state while he's facing an additional court case challenging his power to do anything. That could buy time for the state legislature to start an impeachment procedure. He's got a 7% approval rating now. He's as neutered as he can possibly be and still hold office.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Dec 12, 2008 -> 04:31 PM) if asked to pick right now, i wonder who the prognosticators would pick to win the AL CENTRAL in '09. My guess is that it will be CLE again. Sizemore and company, Lee, now Wood. A healthy Hafner (maybe). Pointless discussion until sometime in March.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Dec 12, 2008 -> 03:43 PM) Im reading the pleadings and Im not sure that legally they have a leg to stand on. Madigan is arguing that under Article 5 of the Illinois Constitution the Supreme Court has jurisdiction. No where in Article 5 does it say this: In fact if I was the Governor I would move for summary judgment as it explicitly states the only way the governor may be removed: As you can see it explicitly states the way for the governor to be considered "unable to serve". This pleading is nothing more than a political move, I cant imagine the Supreme Court buying into her "disabled" argument. Section 6 Part D as a blanket power of IL SC to determine the legal definition of any descriptive term in Section 6, as applied to any particular case. In other words, if IL SC feels that Gov is "disabled" as it pertains to execution of office, then they may go down the ladder in succession. But I think you are right, its a stretch.

I can't see TV here, but supposedly Lisa Madigan is doing a presser right now, saying she is making a motion with the IL Supreme Court to remove Blago from office. Suit filed on behalf of the people of IL.

QUOTE (Shamrock4Life @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 10:21 AM) no, but it also makes the doctors refusing care slimy too. what i would like to know is whether or not the medicare payments covered the costs of the treatments (as in the doctors would not have lost money) and the docotrs still chose not to dole out care because johnny's parents have insurance that will pay more money for the same work or if the medicare payments were less than the costs of the treatment (as in the doctor loses money). I'm assuming its the latter - I doubt many pediatricians, who chose to treat children for a living, would refuse to take insurance if it covered the bills. There may be some, but, seems unlikely to me that most of them would do that.

QUOTE (Shamrock4Life @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 10:15 AM) Some conspiracy theories say that BofA was the bank that floated the loan for the purchase of the Iowa plant. I haven't seen that yet, but it would be on the public record somewhere. So basically, after all this hulabaloo, it was in fact the company that were the bad guys (unless the conspiracy theory you mention has any truth to it).

QUOTE (Shamrock4Life @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 10:14 AM) acutally it turns out this 8 million was to give doctors more money for working on children because the Medicare (or is it cade?) payments were not enough for the doctors to treat children. So doctors were turning down care to children in need of it, because they could make more money treating people who actually had real insurance. It was to go to an organization set up by Children's Hospital and other child care providers in the state. Does that make Blago's threat any less slimy? Doesn't to me. Interesting background info though, thanks.

QUOTE (The Critic @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 02:09 AM) $10 gets me a burrito and a 2-liter of RC. Which is much more valuable than a post count. RC fan? And I'd sell my post count for a cold, decent beer.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 07:04 AM) The bailout of the Republic workers cost 1.75M. Any chance at all that BoA or JPM ever see a dime of that money again? In their budget, that line item should read: "Unforecasted Marketing Cost".

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 09:57 AM) bmags is the swingvote, and Jimbo is quite the campainer But we aren't even through with the primaries yet.

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 01:37 AM) I didn't believe you just 3 days ago, but I more than believe it now. 3 Days?

So, Jesse Jr's lawyer of all people, said he thinks that he is Senate Candidate 5. Some lawyer. Jesse Jr denies.