NorthSideSox72

Oh for f***'s sake. For the hundredth time, the reasons for the decrease in violence in Iraq was NOT the surge. It was mostly non-military, and about political changes that were made, partially by US efforts and partially by Iraqis. Militarily, the US DID make some nice moves to help things, under Patreaus. But it was not the surge - it was a change in tactics to be more police-like and community-based.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 07:40 PM) This debate isnt about them though, its about making their principal look good. Biden and Palin's job is to make the Presidential candidate look better. That may be what they are wanting to do, but its backfiring.

Oh, and I agree, I really wish these two would talk about THEMSELVES. This is the VP debate. Start showing why you matter.

My few thoughts so far... Biden has a serious fat tongue thing going on, and constantly stumbling verbally. And I hate his smile - just so fake. Even worse is Palin's laughable, condescending folksy-ism. So very, very irritating. All this debate has done so far is reinforce the obvious - Biden is an inconsistent gaffe machine, and Sarah Palin is in way, way, way over her head.

Upon sighting Kap, FlaSoxxJim started asking him what the weird noise was about. Before Jim could finish his sentence, Kap blurted out, "Are we going to analyze this situation to death, Mr. Scientist and sidekick Stat Boy? Or go kick some Tampa ass?!" And marched off towards the seats.

You know, despite some serious flaws, I was OK with the original, core points of the bill. As long as, as I stated, it was followed with laws that would actually prevent this from happening again. But WTF are these idiots thinking tacking on 100 pages of unrelated B.S. earmarks? To an already enormous expense? While we are at f***ing war?! And no material discussion from them yet on how to prevent the problems happening again, including those caused by Congress' past. Pisses me off.

How do you feel your undrafted status has effected your ascent through the minors? Have you spoken to any other undrafted guys who made it? Like Ehren Wassermann, for example? What has been your favorite stadium to play in so far? Least favorite? What's the funniest thing you've seen or experienced in your time in the minors?

QUOTE (fathom @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 07:55 PM) In CF, Wise did play shallow. For some reason, he plays extremely deep in LF. But yet, he does have a better arm. I think Swisher's a very good LF. I agree, Swish is a solid LF. And about the arm. But I'll tell ya, I was sitting in sec 155 yesterday, right above the LF foul pole. And Wise didn't look to me like he was playing deep. Its a short LF in the Cell, and he was still pretty far in, it looked like. Hard to say though, from the angle I was at. Still, as a choice goes... Swish >>>>>>>> Wise >>>> Owens

QUOTE (fathom @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 05:32 PM) Which is really ignorant, as Wise is terrible on defense. He plays extremely deep, yet he's terrible on plays near the wall. I have to disagree on multiple levels. First, I think he plays too shallow, particularly in CF. Second, Wise has a much better arm than Owens and is at least as good as Owens in general defense. All told, I'd still rather have Swisher in there though.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 07:15 PM) Cubs are losing,let's go Dodgers!!! We have a Cubs thread in the Diamond club for this sort of thing.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 05:03 PM) I would have to say his start in the 2004 ALCS was much, much bigger. Ah, I forgot about that. Let's instead say, his biggest start with the Sox.

QUOTE (DABearSoX @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 12:35 PM) my bad...dont mean to press the issue I was just wondering if he meant 30K was below or above middle class... You can discuss it. I just wanted to put that quick warning out there to be careful on the topic, and it wasn't directed specifically at you or anyone else.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 01:26 PM) Say what you will about the trash on that Twins team that commonly talks garbage (Morneau, Cuddyer, Punto), but Gardenhire is a class act and a guy any team would be lucky to have. Morneau? I think you meant Gomez. I've seen nothing but class from Morneau.

QUOTE (Earl @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 04:21 PM) Yeah, I remember having read that somewhere. I found this article with a quick Google search. The article discusses Jenks’ streak last year tying the record of 41 straight batters retired. Quote: Jenks celebrated, knowing now that he could get by on a 95-mph fastball that he could locate instead of a 103-mph dart that hit more 2s than treble 20s. Though, he likes to note, “It’s always there in case I need it.” Welcome to the board! Good post.

QUOTE (DABearSoX @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 01:09 PM) I make just above 30K and I live month to month...I consider myself in the middle class...I dont get what your trying to say Call this a pre-emptive Admin strike... let's all be very careful if we are going to discuss each other's salaries or wages.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 12:29 PM) i think there are 22 locks AJ, Hall, Konerko, Swisher, Alexei, OC, Uribe, Wise, Griffey, Anderson, Dye Javy, Mark, Gavin, Danks Jenks, Thornton, Dotel, Linebrink, Carassco, Richard (versatility makes him a lock, esp. with the lefties in tampa) Clearly we need 1 more IFer....getz is hurt so he's out, Bourgeois doesn't really play third, Fields is hurt too but as far as I know he can still play, so i think he makes the roster In the pen I think Ramirez probably makes it as well as much as I hate the guy and don't want to see him out there, that leaves macdougal vs. Russel vs. Owens for the final spot.....frankly if we even have to use macdougal or russel, we probably aren't going to win anyways, so part of me wants to see owens because he actually has value in a close game as a PR I don't think Wise and Anderson are locks - in fact, I'd bet only one of them makes it. Russell has basically not pitched, so I don't see him being likely. MacD, or even Wass, would get it over Russell. You say Fields over Bourgeois because Boourgoeis doesn't play third, but using that logic, Fields doesn't play 2B or SS. JB allows more flexibility. Juan can move over to either, so if flexibility isn't important, then its not a matter of who plays 3rd (where O-Cab or Ramirez can play, BTW) - its which bat, defense and speed you'd rather have around.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 10:54 AM) 461 reported. That seems awfully low to me.

Speaking of Thome's HR, did anyone see a distance on it?

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 10:52 AM) So do we go with a 4 or 3 man rotation? Well, with Vaz starting in game 1, I'd say we're definitely going 4 (since the next 3 are the best 3 on the team).

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 10:51 AM) Think about that though...the Sox need to win 1 game in Tampa to take home field away. If they win game 1, then the Sox have home field for the rest of the series, if the Rays win it, they keep home field at least to game 2. Without worrying about the psychology at all I think those 2/3 chances are right Also true. Maybe its 3/4 if they win game 1.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 10:49 AM) Fields can play 3B. With Uribe and Alexei able to play 2B/SS/3B it doesnt mean they have to take Bourgeois. I think the question is do we want Fields' threat of a HR or Bourgeois' small-ball/speed abilities. Ah, I forgot about Josh. I still think you go with JB though, for his speed and flexibility on defense. but I could go either way.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 09:37 AM) What positions can Bourgeois play? With Getz and Crede injured, I'm pretty sure Bourgeois is the only backup the Sox have for 2B, SS and 3B. Not much choice there, as far as I know.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 09:41 AM) yeah that's true. but i just don't trust Ramirez and when has Wassermann been any good at all? Ramirez hasn't been bad, but not great either. Wassermann was very good in 2007, lousy in early 2008, and improved to mediocre in late 2008.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Sep 30, 2008 -> 10:13 PM) For the record, if we win game 1, we're winning this series. Maybe I'm just being overly optimistic tonight, but I really believe that. That. The Rays are a young, inexperienced team, so psychology is huge here. They are going in very confident, and at home. If the Sox take game 1 and rattle the Rays, I think the Sox have a 2 in 3 chance of winning. If not, I think the Rays get that same 2/3 chance.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 08:59 AM) cool. then no CQ for the ALDS, but he's in there for the ALCS. I'd put Russell over Ramirez actually... Russell has faced 1 batter since September 9th. I don't think he's in the plan, but, I could be wrong. More likely Wassermann in that case. Also, its possible they keep CQ in addition to that bench I mentioned earlier, and drop one from the pen, going with 7.