NorthSideSox72

Back from the game. Awesome stuff. Its really amazing to me how well Floyd and Danks, and even Contreras, are pitching so far in 2008. Those three were my biggest worry (little did I know what the real problems would be). I don't think even the biggest Gavin fans expected him to be THIS good early in the season.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 6, 2008 -> 06:40 PM) My quick predict is that we hit or get really close to $4 by Memorial Day. Too late. I walked from the Fullerton red line stop to home just now, passing 3 gas stations, and they were all above $4 for regular.

Just got back from the Sox game (Go Gavin!), checked the results. This is a big win for Obama, one way or another. After all the s*** that has been thrown, for him to still almost win a state tailor-made for Clinton, and win NC so handily with no help from Edwards, the Gov or anyone else... well, that's just a big win. As of now in IN, with 92% reporting... Clinton: 588,823 (51%) Obama: 568,126 (49%) And remember, Clinton had HUGE leads in IN until a few weeks ago. I am hoping this pushes more supers to get behind Obama, and end this thing. ETA: Lake County, IN, which includes Gary and other heavy Obama areas, is still only 28% in.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ May 6, 2008 -> 03:01 PM) <!--quoteo(post=1631578:date=May 6, 2008 -> 02:03 PM:name=lvjeremylv)-->QUOTE (lvjeremylv @ May 6, 2008 -> 02:03 PM) <!--quotec-->Thome seems like a great guy and has been one of the most prolific HR hitters of my generation, but it's just time for him to go. Watching him hit has become nauseating. Every time he swings it's like he's in the homerun derby. Why can't he hit a ball down the 3rd base line? Is he incapable? Or just unwilling? Either way, he should not be in our lineup. When both he and Paulie are on base (which is rare) - say 1st and 2nd base - it will literally take either 3 singles or a single and a double to score both of them. So the Sox need 4 or 5 baserunners in a row just to score 2 runs. That simply will not get it done. Either trade him for prospects or as some of you have suggested, sit him against lefties and let him play part-time and pinch-hit late in games. The second thing is 2B. Uribe just has to go, it's that simple. His D has been very good, but I can't stand to watch him swing for the fences anymore. Him not scoring yesterday on that grounder by Cabrera is probably going to be the nail in his coffin. The Jays were conceding the run and he still didn't score. How does that happen? Aside from Thome and Uribe, I think our club is fine. Just slumping right now. Paul Konerko 2007: PULLED: 51% of total hits | 59% of total doubles | 65% of total HR MIDDLE: 43% of total hits | 32% of total doubles | 32% of total HR OPPO : 6% of total hits | 9% of total doubles | 3% of total HR 2008: PULLED: 41% of total hits | 50% of total doubles | 60% of total HR MIDDLE: 46% of total hits | 25% of total doubles | 40% of total HR OPPO : 13% of total hits | 25% of total doubels | 0% of total HR Jim Thome 2007: PULLED: 29% of total hits | 47% of total doubles | 34% of total HR MIDDLE: 53% of total hits | 26% of total doubles | 54% of total HR OPPO : 18% of total hits | 26% of total doubles | 14% of total HR 2008: PULLED: 30% of total hits | 33% of total doubles | 17% of total HR MIDDLE: 56% of total hits | 50% of total doubles | 83% of total HR OPPO : 14% of total hits | 17% of total doubels | 0% of total HR Jim Thome is hardly the most pull happy hitter on this team. And I don't recommend looking at Dye's numbers either, he of the 7 opposite field hits in 2007 (he put ONE ball down the RF line last year) and 1 oppo hit this season. If it were at all possible to use an extreme pull shift for a right handed hitter there would be no one anywhere near 1B when Paul Konerko and especially Jermaine Dye walk up to the plate. The shift just makes Thome look bad because the fact of the matter is; over the past 7 months he's gone oppo a WHOLE lot more often than the other sluggers int this lineup. Good post. Its been clear the last few games, Thome is trying to adjust to the shift and go to center and left-center. Not always successful, but you can see him working on it.

QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ May 6, 2008 -> 03:50 PM) How exactly does taking one's job away, make this team better? I'll NEVER resort to that sort of tactic to remedy a situation unless that's the CLEAR solution to the problem. That's not the case here, I can't justify taking his job away from him because of this. Swisher came to this team and in spring training, the first person he went to for hitting advice was Jim Thome, not Greg Walker. That doesn't speak towards Walkers lack of knowledge, but more to the fact that Thome is an established hitter, HE is the one that goes to the plate and swings the bat, and has an established career. Just like when Frank went to Oakland, Swisher always followed him around getting advice on all the little nuances of hitting, not the A's hitting coach. But hey, it's not your job that's being lost right? So let's fire him. That's total Bull**** if you ask me So, if the team having such lousy approaches for so long, despite having different personnel (some) over time... what is a valid reason to fire a hitting coach?

Since it is an unfortunate reality that reporters are allowed in the locker rooms... and having read the arguments here... I am going to have to agree with Tex, in that the team really f***ed up here leaving that out in view. If they want to do that palling around by themselves, then stick it in a closet before the press arrives, I think that's fine. But the idiots that run MLB have decided that the locker room is an OK place for non-players/coaches to hang out, so, it should probably be treated like the dugout, for that time period.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ May 6, 2008 -> 03:24 PM) I don't get why the dragon had a penis and massive boobs. Things you'd not imagine reading in PHT.

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ May 6, 2008 -> 03:23 PM) Did he ever say why he shaved it? Yeah, he had a bad outing in a game in like mid-April, and he said he used that as an excuse to chop it off.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 6, 2008 -> 02:18 PM) I can't tell you how much I wish Boone would join them. Oh man, if he had that beard going again, and dyed it pink, that would be awesome.

QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ May 6, 2008 -> 02:17 PM) yeah, the players are obviously not to be held accountable for their poor performance. lol @ blaming the hitting coach for guys that are slumping, that've been in the league for 10+ years i don't care who your hitting coach is, it's the players that have to translate that coaching to the field, and these guys aren't doing it, they're poor performance right now is obviously mental as they're pressing too much *because* of the slump, it's most likely making it worse. it has nothing to do with Greg Walker, ffs. I get what you are saying, and indeed the players bear the biggest responsibility. But to say the hitting coach has nothing to do with how the team is hitting, including their approach at the plate, is off base. If that is true, then why have a hitting coach?

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ May 6, 2008 -> 03:09 PM) he just said it was boring and it really sucked. The food was bad, and you sit in your cell and do nothing. Sounds like some jobs I've had.

I'm getting this warning in now. All rules of Soxtalk apply. Be good.

Just curious... what if instead of an inflatable female doll, it had been an inflatable Jay Mariotti?

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ May 6, 2008 -> 02:56 PM) That is really all that needs to be said. Missing the playoffs almost 90 percent of the time with a significant payroll is unacceptable. Some of you guys need to check your math. The Sox didn't have a top half payroll, let alone a Top 5 one like they have now, until 2006. The 2001-2005 campaigns, the Sox had average or below average payrolls. And in 2006, he assembled a team that won 90 games. The only complete season that you can point at and say "the team performed below payroll" is 2007. That's ONE.

Maybe the change that all the beat reporters are claiming is afoot is actually Walker losing his job - instead of a player.

I agree that it is time for him to exit. However, I do want to throw a log on the opposition fire here. Not all players are coachable. Juan Uribe, for example, appears all but uncoachable. A hitting coach gives him advice, he follows it for a week or two, then goes right back to where he was. Just something to keep in mind.

QUOTE (Brian @ May 6, 2008 -> 01:06 PM) If Obama wins both states, is Hillary pretty much done? Yes, but I really don't think Obama wins IN. Clinton will win it by a few points, maybe more, and she'll cling to that as her reason for staying in.

Oil hits another new record: $123. Goldman Sachs joins CIBC in predicting $200/bbl within 2 years. Markets falter in the wake. I guess buying that hybrid back in January was a good idea.

Reports are indicating very high turnout in both states, with NC projecting 50%. I'd assume that aids Obama more than Clinton, as has been the case so far, but who knows.

QUOTE (scenario @ May 6, 2008 -> 01:58 PM) The Barons with a 5-run 9th win 7-4. I kid you not. Check out that inning: Birmingham Top 9th Thomas Collaro walks. Jared Price reaches on fielding error by third baseman Chris Nowak. Thomas Collaro to 2nd. Javier Castillo grounds into a force out, third baseman Chris Nowak to second baseman Josh Asanovich. Thomas Collaro to 3rd. Jared Price out at 2nd. Javier Castillo to 1st. Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Robert Hudson replaces Javier Castillo. Stefan Gartrell called out on strikes. Micah Schnurstein reaches on fielding error by third baseman Chris Nowak. Thomas Collaro scores. Robert Hudson to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter David Cook replaces Joe Persichina. David Cook singles on a ground ball to center fielder Rashad Eldridge. Robert Hudson scores. Micah Schnurstein to 3rd. Pitcher Change: Jeremy Flanagan replaces Roger Deago. Robert Valido hit by pitch. David Cook to 2nd. With Miguel Negron batting, wild pitch by Jeremy Flanagan, Micah Schnurstein scores. David Cook to 3rd. Robert Valido to 2nd. Miguel Negron singles on a ground ball to second baseman Josh Asanovich. David Cook scores. Robert Valido scores. Miguel Negron to 2nd. Throwing error by second baseman Josh Asanovich. Ricardo Nanita walks. With Thomas Collaro batting, Miguel Negron steals (6) 3rd base. Ricardo Nanita steals (5) 2nd base. Thomas Collaro strikes out swinging.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 6, 2008 -> 12:56 PM) <!--quoteo(post=1631489:date=May 6, 2008 -> 12:50 PM:name=NorthSideSox72)-->QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 6, 2008 -> 12:50 PM) <!--quotec-->Definitely true. Most everyone who wears a badge and carries a gun experiences some psychological changes. Those changes are not consistent of course - it effects different people in different ways, and to varying extents. Yup, 100%. In this particular case, I can see how Ced's side of the story could be somewhat true, but we probably will never know unless someone got it on their camera phone. In the meantime I was looking for that tape where the kid had a hidden camera in his car and was pulled over and found this gem. Hey look, an asshole cop. Or security guard, I can't tell. No surprise you'll find a bunch of those.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 6, 2008 -> 12:49 PM) Maybe they arent, but there is a well documented psychological study completed at Stanford University conducted by Dr Philip Zimbardo which showed how even the most well adjusted educated calm individuals can turn into violent, power-tripping evil people when given a sense or a role of authority. Its not unlike the attitude changes that take place within many individuals in law enforcement. Definitely true. Most everyone who wears a badge and carries a gun experiences some psychological changes. Those changes are not consistent of course - it effects different people in different ways, and to varying extents.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 6, 2008 -> 12:21 PM) Where did I say they were assholes? I know that denial via pedantics is one of your methods of argument, so there isn't any point in responding here. QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 6, 2008 -> 12:21 PM) Well here is the story I see (granted based on a lot of assumptions but none the less when I piece the story together.) A bunch of african americans on a boat in the middle of an upper class white area. Police pull up and see open alcohol. Police see a large man who is giving them trouble. Police thinking that he is drunk decide to take him down before the threat escalates. If Benson looked like Ross Perot do I think this story would be here, no. The problem is that no one will ever know the truth, without a breathalyzer (sp) there just is no concrete evidence he was drunk. From my past experience with how quickly police are willing to escalate encounters with skinny non threatening white people I can only assume how they respond to large imposing african americans in Texas. I could be wrong, but I give people the benefit of guilty until proven innocent, because i generally feel police take the approach of arrest everyone let god sort them out. I don't doubt it went something like that. But I do doubt that Benson was just engaging in "polite conversation". And you are right on that last part by the way - that's how cops are trained, basically. Its not your job to decide guilt or innocence. If you see or have reasonable evidence of laws being broken, then you act in the method perscribed to enforce the law (cite, arrest, whatever). Now, whether or not the police acted in the prescribed manner, we'll never know. But I'd bet a lot of money that Benson's story is far less than accurate.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 6, 2008 -> 09:49 AM) So as not to offend anyone-equal opportunity slump buster Is that Jose Valentin?

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 6, 2008 -> 11:38 AM) I have yet to meet a police officer who has ever started off a conversation with, maybe we made a mistake, or lets discuss things. Its always an allegation of insinuation. /shrugs Its my personal opinion and my personal belief after dealing with police officers in various roles. Perhaps if you disagree you should see how well the Cook County Sheriff reacts when they lose your summons 3x in the same week. You would think with a paper trail they would be more than willing to admit they were wrong, but the Sheriff said and I paraphrase: "I dont care if the sheriff loses all of your documents the next time, your paying for it." Now I am sure that there are good police officers who admit when they are wrong and have made a mistake, just unfortunately they are in the minority. So once again just my personal opinion based on my personal interactions. Another true story about one of my friends is that he was riding a motor scooter to work, the police stopped him and said what he was doing was in violation of Chicago Municipal code (It in fact was not, it was legal per the statute.) The police officer started yelling at him and he put down the kickstand so that he wouldnt fall off. The officer called back up, started yelling in his face and threw him to the ground with several other officers. They then took him to jail for 8 hours (they also took another lady who witnessed the scene to jail because she started yelling at the police officers about why were they doing this.) All charges were dropped and the judge asked that they all "shake hands". The entire incident was expunged, but this is just one incident of hundreds. I guess when you see the police use excessive force so many times it jades your perspective. Its patently ridiculous to say that any group of people are assholes 99.9% of the time. That aside, of course there are asshole cops. No surprise there. But even the assholes usually try to create a reason to act. They don't just randomly, in the midst of "polite" conversation, hose people down with OC spray. I find that idea very hard to believe. There are pieces of the story missing. And CCSD is certainly not a department I'd go trying to defend, BTW. I am not at all surprised that your interactions have at times been less than stellar.