Jim Fainter

Fielding percentages are useless -- the most useless stat in baseball.

I don't think many teams will be chasing him. He seems to like it here, however.

Frank hit his big homer on the first pitch. I can't remember the last time I saw him go after the first pitch, which is almost always a fast ball. Maybe the same thing will happen vs Minny.

I still take the position that he is increasing his trade value for next year. Two months ago he was literally untradable. Now we can get something. Some one has to go, because the Sox need to make room for Jeremy Reed in center. That means out of Lee, Everett, Thomas, and Konerko, someone has to go. Sox will undoubtedly try to sign Lee, since he has improved and is still young with pretty good stats this year. Frank, with that option, is almost a lead pipe cinch to be here next year. If they sign Everett, does he play center all year long??? Don't think so. Who is better, Everett or Konerko? I say Everett. PK should go next year.

Another good outing by Bullard.

Spidale should go up to Birmingham next year.

If he keeps hitting a little bit he will regain some trade value for next year.

Someone please tell me why he would risk a great job with drugs in an airport.

I don't think Rios is on the 40 man roster either. There's been so many changes lately, I just hope the Sox brass has a handle on it.

We should bring up Borchard for September, even if he doesn't play much. He finished on a hot streak, so we should keep him busy with the big club. What else is he going to do.

yes

Jesse has shirts older than some of our posters.

I'm far too superstitous to make fun of old Jesse. If I do he will come back to haunt us. Before he left the National League, I saw him come in three times to face Todd Helton, and all three times Helton lit him up. Took him to the opposite field each time.

I saw an interesting tidbit on Ponson in the ESPN Magazine. Since he was a potential free agent, the Orioles anticipated trading him all along, and from the start of the season they pitched Ponson against other teams' number 4 and 5 starters whenever possible. This was to inflate his trade value. He had a 14-6 record when traded, and, according to the article the opposing pitchers had a 5.80 ERA. True, most of his victories came against lower tier pitchers and his six losses came against the likes of Loaiza, Colon, Maddux, Pettitte, Radke, and Burkett. Another gossip column in the same issue had a comment on Loaiza: "Congrats to Cy Young candidate Loaiza for turning his career around. He deserved his old rep for showing up late to the ballpark and not caring as much as he should, but he's been a different guy for the White Sox this year." That reputation is news to me.

When in doubt, just email Jason and ask for help.

Will someone tell me the story about Jimmy Piersall/LaRussa. Tks. One of Hawks' s problems is that he thinks everyone on the staff of a team should be an ex big league ballplayer. That's why he wanted to clean house everywhere. I still like him, though, and welcome his criticism. Without Hawk, I would never have known that the players were against MB being pushed back in NY.

Lots of posters have talked about our tough schedule. I guess that included the Tigers.

Does Shammie still use cork in BP? I didn't think so.

Actually, I was very surprised that the aluminum bats were being (publicly) used/allowed in the first place for practice. Illegal is illegal all the time.

Too bad we didn't trade him to the Angels instead of Bittner.

I criticized Oliva, and he starts hitting. I criticized Konerko, recommending that we bench him, and he starts hitting. This game is easy.

He is on the DL for minor elbow stuff. maybe he won't break Thigpen's save record. I hope not. BY THE WAY, HAS ANYBODY HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THIGPEN'S MEDICAL CONDITION AFTER THAT FALL HE TOOK LAST WINTER/SPRING? (Excuse the caps)

Yanks sent Jeff Weaver down today to make room for somebody.

Don't forget, the Pirates have Bobby Hill. He should start next year, with Freddie Sanchez.

Respect and money. Or is it money and respect. What is his market value?