NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (scenario @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 11:08 AM) http://www.al.com/sports/mobileregister/in....xml&coll=3 Faith pitcher, USA shortstop wear same Sox Upchurch, Kateon go pro with Chicago White Sox's affiliate in Bristol, Va. Thursday, June 26, 2008 By BEN THOMAS Sports Reporter Steven Upchurch was looking for a pro baseball future all along. Bunky Kateon was just looking to move on with his life. Ironically, by next week, both will be suited up for the rookie-league Bristol (Va.) Sox, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The two Mobile products signed contracts with the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. Upchurch, a pitcher from Faith Academy, spurned a scholarship to Auburn University to get a jump-start on his professional career. Kateon, a University of South Alabama shortstop, was getting ready to study for the law school exam after not being drafted at all. Dibs on Bunky Kateon for AAP. What a great name.

Hm. We're not aware of all the evidence, but, I'll just say that I disagree with this decision.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 11:52 AM) If I know my Kenny Williams history at all, I would be willing to bet that there are at least 6 guys in the starting line up in '12 that are not in the organization today. Yeah, I was just thinking, that's what makes this almost impossible to do.

QUOTE (earthshiner @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 11:10 AM) I'd just as soon trade Paulie or leave him on the DL. Not like his numbers are much better than Uribe this year. You'd rather trade Konerko than Uribe? Seriously? Paulie had a weak first half, his worst in years. But even then, it was better than Uribe. Uribe has been brutal for years now.

Per a source from the Knights, Donny had season-ending knee surgery. No word on if he may be healthy in time for fall or winter ball, but that seems unlikely. Hopefully Donny can recover fully and come back in 2009. He's got a tough road ahead of him now.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 10:23 AM) He had season ending surgery on his knee. Yikes. Thanks. Being he's a catcher, and his defense and athleticism were his strong points, that could be a serious blow to his career. I hope he can recover fully.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 08:24 PM) Email sent. With them having a day game I'm guessing I won't get a response till tomorrow. Muchos Gracias.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 07:39 PM) Didn't have black legs and there were rings around the bushy tail. I looked up a picture of a bobcat, and it kinda looks like if it mated with a coati..... I really have no idea and I just know there's a really simple explanation. Foxes sometimes have moddled tails, which may look like rings, I suppose. But who knows. Start carrying a camera with you! I'm quite curious now.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 06:41 PM) Saw it again. It actually looked like a stretched out cat (had whiskers) once I got within like 15 feet of it. Brown fur, striped tail. Not a feral cat.....too big for that, but def. not a housecat. Sure its not a fox? Small one?

If anyone happens to have any sort of connection with the Charlotte Knights... I'd love to get an update on Donny Lucy (my AAP). There was never any word on the extent or severity of his injury, how long he'd be out, etc. Any sort of info would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

And you know what else is bad about this kind of thing? The two candidates themselves are actually doing LESS of it than we've seen in some recent election cycles. Obama, today, even took a swipe at MoveOn.org, and tried to put away this kind of B.S. McCain, with his clear and concise statement saying they are both in it for the country (which was already linked here), did basically the same thing. This is not Obama or McCain, or even their close circle, bringing up B.S. This is the media, and some of the far-left/right supporters of the candidates, mouthing off to get a reaction. I'll say again, against popular opinion, that these two candidates are the best pair we've gotten for office in my lifetime. They aren't great, but they are an improvement. A huge one of the last two or three cycles.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 04:24 PM) If Obama can be attacked for "lack of experience", McCain can be called out for the "experience" he claims to have. How can you not see the difference between this... "I'd like to see more insight into McCain's military career, and how that supposedly translates into command experience" and this... "'Oh boo hoo, I was a POW' is all McCain has" The difference between those two statements is exactly what we are getting at here. One is a legitimate, if edgy, question. The other is just flinging s***.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 03:35 PM) I think a thread on McCain and his service needs to be made at some point. but not now. There is a lot there and a lot of rumors. If Obama can get a "Wright" thread (heck, at one point I think there were 2), there needs ot be a thread on what McCain's military service was REALLY like... other than just saying "have pity on me. I was a POW" Now this truly is Swift Boat part 2. McCain's military records are out there. Go ahead and peruse them. But its utter B.S. to say that his whole thing is (have pity on my, I was a POW". That's as much B.S., if not more so, than the Swifties. McCain was a war pilot, and put his ass on the line. I've also seen actual footage of the man leaping from a plane, across a burning flight deck, to then help the crew try to put out a fire on the Forestall. You want to ask if McCain has foreign policy credentials, or if his military service gives him command experience, go ahead. Those are valid and prescient points to make. But your post here is just garbage, IMO.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 03:41 PM) Yet no one asks Obama why it is OK to attack McCains wife and war record... Neither of those things have happened. And McCain hasn't questioned Obama's patriotism either. This is all garbage.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 04:30 PM) Glad to see someone else picke dup on this... Asked If He Questions Obama's Patriotism, McCain Doesn't Directly Answer Dude, WTF? That is as direct an answer as he could give. What else were you looking for? I hate this kind of crap. It was a stupid question for the press to ask, and its useless to the process.

OK, Kevin's AAP is now up and running (and updated). Enjoy!

QUOTE (Cknolls @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 12:50 PM) Why ask the question in the first place? In case you haven't noticed, this is the modern media. They don't care about substance, or issues... they want soundbytes, controversy, and fluff.

Kevin M Dubler, C Born 2/18/1987 in Downers Grove, IL 6’1”, 200 Throws: R Bats: L OVERVIEW Kevin Dubler was the 8th round pick of the Sox in the 2008 draft. Kevin’s strength is his bat, and his offensive numbers over his three years at Illinois State show great improvement year-over-year. He led his team in most offensive categories for the last two years, led the conference in some, and was nationally ranked in doubles and walks. He was also named as a Johnny Bench Award Finalist (along with 11 other D1 catchers). Defensively, Dubler is seen has having a lot of athleticism and solid catching skills, but his arm is seen as “fringy”. He also is reported to need a little work on some of the finer aspects of technique at the position. Kevin brings good offensive potential and some speed and athleticism to a system that needs good catching prospects pretty badly. PERSONAL/PRE-COLLEGE NOTES Born and raised in Downers Grove… Son of Mark and Ann Marie Dubler (Mark attended ISU as well)… Played for DG South HS. His Junior Year (2004), he hit .491 with 35 RBI, and was all-state. He was also AFNI Athletics Honor Roll that year… Senior year (2005), hit .485 with 10 homeruns and 40 RBI, and was all-conference and all-state. DGS won conference, regional and sectional titles that season. COLLEGE Kevin played 3 seasons at Illinois State, where he majored in recreation and park administration. His freshman year (2006) offensive numbers were fairly pedestrian, especially in a mid-major conference – a .259 average, .355 OBP, and .425 SLG. He hit 4 homeruns in 174 at bats. His 29 strikeout in that season weren’t too bad, and he did walk 25 times, showing some decent plate discipline. Kevin led his team in homeruns, and tied for the team lead in doubles (13) and stolen bases (8). Dubler through out 26 of 56 attempted base stealers (46.4%). Named all-MVC Honorable Mention at catcher. Summer of 06-07, Kevin played for the DuPage County Dragons of the CICL, where he was an all-star selection and won the home run derby. In his second year (2007), his hitting numbers improved significantly. His sophomore line was .317/.401/.497/.898, and he walked (29) more times than he struck out (23). He led the team in SLG, OBP, runs (36), hits (63), RBI (37) and doubles (20). Second in MVC with those 20 doubles. Dubler also stole 11 bases. First team All-MVC selection at DH. Summer of 07-08, Kevin played for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod League, playing catcher and outfield, helping his team to the Championship Series of that league. His Junior year at ISU (2008), Dubler’s hitting numbers improved even further. He hit .362 with 64 hits, 23 doubles (13th in all of D1), 21 walks (21st in D1), 3 triples, 9 homeruns and 56 RBI in 52 games. Dubler’s 23 doubles broke the school season record. He also stole 16 bases. Kevin was named one of the 12 finalists for the Johnny Bench award (given to the best D1 College catchers). He was also named All-MVC 1st team, this time at his native position of catcher. SIGN/DRAFT Drafted in the 8th round (240th overall) of the 2008 Draft. Signed for $105,000 bonus in June of 2008. MINORS Assigned to Bristol of the Appalachian League in late June of 2008 for his first professional stop. Stats… Kevin just got started, so there isn’t much to put here. More to come with time. OTHER Scouting Report from PG Cross says this… SCOUTING REPORT: There are three quality, draft-eligible catchers in the Illinois collegiate ranks this spring and Dubler generally gets the nod as the best pro prospect among the them. His best tool is his bat. He has a quick, strong swing with a bit of lift in it and the ball comes hard off his bat. His approach at the plate is pretty polished and he can hit a variety of pitches and make solid contact to all fields. Dubler hit .358-9-56 this spring with 44 walks. He has just enough speed to be a threat on the bases and stole 16 bags. That speed and athletic ability may come into play in the future on defense. Dubler is a willing receiver and blocker, but he has fringy arm strength and has not mastered the finer points of catching technique and mechanics. There is some speculation that he could be a valuable utility type who could play all the corner positions, as well as catch, at the professional level given that his bat is going to keep him in the lineup. Dubler gets high marks from scouts for his leadership ability and approach to the game.—DAVID RAWNSLEY REFERENCE MiLB Page Baseball Cube Page Illinois State Player Page Scout.com Article Scouting Report, PG CRoss

End of June update for Serg... Sergio seems to have responded quite well to the demotion to Kanny, putting up some solid numbers. He had a 12 game hitting streak going, but that was snapped on Saturday (he did draw a walk that game). His numbers in Janny so far... G: 32 AB: 109 AVG: .294 OBP: .384 OPS: .714 BB/K: 15/13 Basically, he looks like he's back to the hitter we saw in 2007. High average and OBP, more walks than strikeouts, and a knack for clutch hitting - he hits .328 with runners on, .385 w/ RISP. But, still no power at all. One odd note: Escobar is in Kanny as well, and lately, Miranda has been DH'ing, with Escobar at short. This is clearly not a long term approach, so we'll see how it plays out. The shortstop picture in the system is much different now than in 2007, with the additions (and upcoming additions) of Escobar, Silverio and Beckham. Hopefully, Miranda can get a chance in W-S later this season, and show the same kind of numbers there that he has put up in Kanny.

Turns out PYL is back in Bristol again to start this season. Seems sort of odd to me, since he did pretty well numbers-wise in 2007, but, who knows that the plan with him is. Don't be surprised if he goes to GF or Kanny as the season goes on. He's started two games so far. His first game he struggled - went 3.1 IP, giving up 7 hits, 3 ER, walking 3 and striking out 2. His second outing he seemed to recover nicely though, going a solid 6 IP, giving up 3 hits, 2 ER, 1 walk and 4 K's.

End of June Update. Since Ehren went back to Charlotte, here are his numbers... W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO GO/AO AVG 0 0 0.45 17 0 0 0 7 20.0 13 1 1 1 7 19 1.00 .191 Needless to say, he's been doing well. Pretty much shut-down, in fact. If anyone in the Sox pen should go down before September who isn't long man, I'd say Wass would be next up. Hopefully he can show that his 6 IP in the majors this year was an aberration. If he doesn't come up before then, he'll probably be brought up in September.

46-35, +1.5 games ... after the SWEEEEEEEEP.

Saw Wall-E on Sunday. Terrific movie. 3.5 stars. Loved it. Saw Get Smart on Saturday. Liked it a lot, definitely lived up to the show in most facets. Silly, predictable, stupid and funny. Some inventive stuff too, but nothing groundbreaking. 3 stars, recommended.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 03:09 AM) on another, more pleasant note...after today's game, only two of the Sox hitter's in the lineup they put out today are hitting below .270; what's better is that only 1 of them is not a regular. Oh, and Alexei Ramirez is right at the .300 mark. He's gonna be really good. Bureau said you don't find a steal for $4.75 mill over 4 years, but, at this point - given, it's been half a year - I'll disagree. He's not going to be Soriano in the power department, but a lightning quick swing, good power to all fields, and improving defense at 2B - yeah, he's a super keeper. Consider me a huge fan of Alexei now that he's gotten a bit used to MLB pitching. I'd like to think his average will stay at .300 all season and that, come sometime shortly after the ASB, he'll be moved to the 2 hole with Pierzynski moved back to his traditional 6 or 7 hole and the lineup could be crazy good. I know I'm in the minority here, have been all along, but I still love AJP in the 2nd slot. He's hitting quite well there, making a high rate of contact, and even laid down a couple decent bunts. Don't mess with it until its broken.

Well, someone finally beat the Twins... 45-35, +1.5