Jim Fainter

I was there when Minnie came to us in a trade with Cleveland. He was a dandy, and the whole town loved him. It's too bad we didn't get to see him when he was a youngster.

I can't believe his comment about Jimenez is true. The most hated teammate???????????? Any ideas on how we can track this down? He was with the Padres for only parts of two seasons. This smacks of s***ty journalism.

The reason I keep talking about Rowand is because I think he is potentially so important to the team, and I think he will perform very well this year. Then, if he does have a solid year, watch out, because he will keep improving and have a real nice career. He'll never hit like Maggs, but will be a big part of the team. Jim Bullard's report was just what I wanted to hear.

Several years ago Marriotti was a reporter in Denver. Same style of writing.

I have read the various comments on Aaron Rowand's physical condition, but I tend to judge them with a touch of cynicism, because writers ususally try to put a positive spin on everything. So, TO JIM BULLARD: I'm sure you have had an opportunity to see Rowand; therefore, would you please give us your thoughts on his physical condition? And please feel free to make any other comments on the subject. For instance, how do most of his teammates react to his injury. Good natured kidding, the way jocks do, or what? I am interested, because Aaron could be a very important part of this team, if healthy. Thanks.

Marriotti was not writiing a book; he was reporting on the press conference that Thomas staged. Frank made a bunch of stupid, self-serving comments, and the writer wrote about them. Frank's hitting exploits in 1995 or the White Flag Trade were not the subjects of that column. The press conference, and the comments made therein, were the subjects of that column.

From the looks of those two morons, who should both be sterilized, I don't think either one could hurt my mother. They are both poster children for the prophylactic industry.

Question: "I won't hit .250." Does that mean he will hit more than .250 or less than .250? Question: Will you be able to slide this year?

We got him from the Angels. At the time he was in a 2 year Morman Mission. We traded him to the Dodgers well before the Baldwin deal. He had been up with the Sox at least twice, and he convinced everyone that he would not hit. Good speed, and that was it. When he went to the Dodgers, he immediately got about ten hits, going 4 for 4 I believe, but it was all a fluke. A month or two later he was back in the minors.

BrandoFan: You're not wrong, but I bet Parque's mother thinks he is good looking.

More on Hriniak: Naturally, I hope he helps Frank this year. If Frank hits .300, we have a great chance at the playoffs. But I remember when Frank came up to the Sox. He was such a frigging stud, it made my eyes water. Even Hawk said that he was the best looking hitter to come to the bigs since Ted Williams. And Hriniak got hold of him and made him hit in the Lau style. I still believe he took a lot of power away from Frank and cost him a ton of home runs. Frank was so good then that he would still have hit for a high average with a tradtional swing. But if he helps this year, he has my blessing.

The Charlie Lau style of hitting also called for an early release of the top hand, Frank still does it to some extent, in order to keep your head down longer. Hriniak's last great project was Michael Jordan, during his ridiculous attempt at pro baseball.

If there ever was a need for collusion, it would be the major league owners vs Mr. Boros.

I know Liefer was a great college hitter, but did he ever really hit big time in the minors?

Sports fans everywhere, no matter which sport or which city, always think their own players are better than they really are. It's only natural when you pull for someone really hard. Same thing with mothers. They think their own are better looking than they really are.

Dellaero will never hit. I know I mentioned Jeff Abbott earlier, and I don't want to belabor the point, but I will. This kid had .300 written all over him. He hit well at every stop in the minors -- at least one batting title, maybe two. Plus, reasonable power, speed, defense, he could just flat hit. I'm still not sure what went wrong. I know he started out in 1999 as the left fielder and got off to a horrrrrrrrible start, was sent down, got himself straightened out and then hurt his shoulder or collar bone or something. Then he started to hit again at AAA, the season ended, and he was not a part of anyone's plans, other than a fifth outfielder in 2000. He surfaced with the Marlins briefly in 2001 as a fill in, didn't hit much, and was sent down or released. I don't see him anywhere now, not Florida or Boston, who had him for a while. I also think he was pissed off when he was sent down in 1999 after 50-70 at bats, but he should have gotten over that. You would think that he would get a chance somewhere, but I don't even know if he is in organized ball. At one time he was the #1 prospect in the Sox chain, ahead of Maggs even, and he was a couple of years ahead of Carlos Lee. I hate it when I'm wrong about someone. He coulda been a contenda.

I call her Carol Mostly Gone. She was a disgrace as a Senator.

I believe it is good for baseball if Agent Scott Boros continues giving bad advice to his clients.

Although I am sometimes frustrated by Sox players when we don't win, I still have always supported them and pulled for them, even Clayton. It has to do with the uniform they are wearing. I have to admit though, that in 2001, when Clayton was really struggling at the plate ( his average actually dropped below .100 for part of a game) , I had a combination of feelings when a bunch of Sox fans behind our dugout held up sarcastic signs "Clayton-MVP." In a sadistic way it was humorous, but I did feel sorry for him. After that he stated to hit a little bit. Things did not improve much for him in 2002.

If he was hired solely because he is a life long buddy of JM and not because of his qualifications, then Jerry should be taken to task and have his ass chewed out publicly.

Jeff Abbott. I would have bet the ranch that he would hit.

Re: Marti. I will reiterate what Cubkilla said. I was in Seattle when Lou P. fired Marti. Then a year or two later he resurfaces with our Sox? I couldn't believe it. Lightning struck twice. He messed up the Seattle staff big time, which apparently qualified him to do the same for us. There are some things about baseball I will never understand, and our hiring Marti was one of them.

There is one thing about Clayton that I will probably NEVER understand, and I believe I mentined it in an earlier post on some other subject. It reflects on the Sox front office more than on Clayton himself. That is, why would we ever trade for him at such an inflated salary ($5 Mil per yr for 2 yrs)? All we were accomplishing was a big time accomodation of the the Rangers, who had just signed A-Rod and no longer needed Clayton. No one else was willing to absorb his contract. They had no negotiating leverage, but KW does them a big favor. I just don't get it. In effect, we reduced A-Rod's cost to the Rangers from $25 Million/year to $20 million/year for the first two years. I also believe that where is smoke, there is fire. Clayton's activities with a teammate's women are well chronicled, as is his wearing street shoes on the bench. No excuse for either. I would bet just about anything that there were other instances of poor judgement and behavior, but we just never heard about them. The pattern is there. Plus, I have seen him interviewed on TV, and he came across as having a chip on his shoulder. Just my opinion.

Yes, I remember him. He was fat, but worse, he was a lousy pitcher. I don't think he would have made any other major league team. If I remember correctly, the Sox were awful in those days. He couldn't make our AAA team if he were resurrected today. There have been some decent pitchers who were overweight. David Wells of recent vintage, and Mickey Lolich of 30-35 years ago. Early Wynn was close to that description. Wilbur Wood. Bartolo has always had really huge legs, and I'm sure he gets his power there.

If the Sox were to put both Maggs and Frank on the block, every general manager in baseball would be creaming in his gm shorts over Maggs, whereas Frank would induce a lot of yawns.