Al Lopez's Ghost

No one mentioned it in the game thread, but in the bottom of the first DJ went on and on about what he said was the fans booing the third base coach for holding Ellsbury. If you've seen one at bat this year of Youklis, and had half a brain, you'd know they weren't booing, they were saying Yoooook. OK, not a great big deal, but shouldn't he be just a little more alert than that?

I understand not wanting to gamble on a long term contract - but what about the other question - what do you pay him next year, when you have the right to determine the amount.

After this season, he will have 2 years, 65 days of major league service time, so free agency is 3 years away. So do you offer a 5 year, 40+ million deal? More? And if he turns down a multi-year deal, what do you renew him at? The minimum isn't fair and would probably piss him off. Your thoughts?

It sounds to me as if someone from Crede's side went to the Sox (KW?) and complained about Ozzie's prior remarks. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...1,2233865.story

The Sun Times is reporting "exclusively" that Bernie Mac succumbed to pneumonia. He was a true Sox fan, did some innings on the radio last year, I believe. Here's the link. http://www.suntimes.com/1099574,mac080908.article

If we continue to pitch like this, we can lose to anyone.

I'd set up a poll, but I don't know how. As for the Sox making the playoffs this year, are you in or are you out? I'm in, but only as a show of blind faith.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 29, 2008 -> 09:52 AM) Other than Carl Everett has Kenny ever made a big trade at the deadline? Geoff Blum.

I saw KW on TV last week talking about how a prospective player would fit in the clubhouse is as important as the player's talent. Manny's not a fit.

Good. I was upset that he said he felt fine after the Texas start, when you could see he was throwing beach balls up there.

Still the President Bush follows John's career. http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=221543

QUOTE (TCQ @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 10:01 AM) Gustavo Chacin was in that harden deal?>??? howd i miss that i love me a hefty glasses wearing lefty Lefty?

Cabrera would be good to get, but c'mon, how often is George Offman accurate about these things?

Well, if you don't feel all that bright-sidey about things, think about this. We have 7 games left with Minny, and none of those will be played in Chicago.

His won his major league debut against the Angels five days ago, went 7 innings with a walk and a strikeout, gave up 2 runs. He's 6 feet 4 inches tall. So apparently he's got control and pitches to contact. This could be real tough.

Lord almighty. Robin hit how many grand slams for the Sox? Multiple gold gloves. I loved Dick Allen, but don't you have to, you know, play third base for the Sox to qualify for the position? And we had Seaver for what, a year and a half?

Let's say he gets healthy at the 8/31 deadline. You get him cheap, in all probability. Beane would probably be willing to move him. You use him for the final run, no need to disrupt your playoff roster. Too much potential for clubhouse problems? Or do you take a chance he helps you win a game or two coming off the bench? Just asking.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 09:40 AM) IF JJ Hardy was the PTBNL, that would turn into a terrible deal. Unfortunately that absolutely can't be the case (99.99999% sure) as PTBNL can not be on the 40 man roster IIRC. The Brewers's GM addressed that in his press conference on Monday, saying a PTBN cannot be a major league player. Stone should have known that.

this morning's Tribune says Ozzie was irritated by a number of players' reactions to Ozuna's move. Ozzie said fine, you want to be upset, you go to the minors and Ozuna can stay. In fact today's Sun Times quotes Ozzie as saying "(Bleep) Jose Contreras" concerning Contreras's reaction to the news.

There is a website called coolstandings.com which you may find interesting. It projects each team's likelihood of making the playoffs by playing out millions of games (I'm probably simplifying this) and they say the Sox are a 68% favorite to win the division, compared to Minny's 28%.

Here is the link. From today's Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-08...,7756734.column

I noticed this morning that Minny has already played 47 home games, with three more this weekend. So beginning next week they only have 31 home games left. They're 11 over at home right now. We'll see what kind of road warriors they are.

Situations change. After the Dodgers tried to get Uribe for Loiaza, they tried Angel Berrora at short. Not so good. Thursday Jeff Kent left the game early, don't know why, but that could thin them out some more. So you never know, Juan could still wind up in tinseltown.

Todd Jones? Never. Thiggy in his prime was a hard thrower.

Uribe's numbers have trended down for the last 4 years, and he hasn't always been the most consistent defender, so I'm cool with replacing him. But you do have to give him his props for the 2005 season - he kept us alive in that Cleveland extra inning game (Crede's homer game) with a fabulous play in the hole, and the next time you watch the WS clincher, look at the 8th inning. Uribe made a great play to end that inning, saving a run, that gets overlooked with his 9th inning heroics.