WCSox

I'm still skeptical about him in the long run, but I really like what I've seen and read recently.

QUOTE(SnB @ May 26, 2006 -> 08:45 AM) I credit it to hawk's new hat. Whatever happened to the "Hawk" hat that he wore back in the mid-90's? I wanted to get my hands on one, but was never able to find them.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ May 25, 2006 -> 12:42 PM) So you're saying that 3 games from now when he needs his next surgery his velocity will have returned? Yep, pretty much.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ May 25, 2006 -> 02:23 PM) They are winning games they are supposed to win, and winning a few they probably should lose. Almost a third of the way through the schedule they have the best record in baseball. I think they have a pretty talented starting rotation. Their numbers have been good. Verlander is considered a stud of a prospect. Maroth, except for today has been excellent. Bonderman is a talented guy. Rogers has been a pretty good pitcher in his career, and has been very tough against the White Sox. Robertson isn't bad as a fifth starter. Their bullpen isn't the greatest, but they do have a couple of guys who potentially may be very good. Their line-up is very good, and they have an owner looking to spend some money on pre-deadline additions. I agree to an extent. They're definitely not a doormat anymore... and possibly a playoff team if the Tribe and A's don't get their acts together. And they'll most likely be a strong team for the next couple of years. But I agree with Rock that their pitching staff still has a lot to prove. They remind me of the staff that the Sox had in 2000 - a bunch of not-that-great pitchers that simultaneously had career years. Maroth left the game today with soreness in his arm, so he might end up being the 2006 version of Cal Eldred. I could see Bonderman having a very good year, but the others are most certainly going to drop off of their current pace. Kenny Rogers is a poor second-half pitcher and is 41 now. Verlander is going to experience some arm fatigue later in the season, like most rookies do. I just don't like their chances. The big difference is that three of the Sox's starters last year were proven veterans whose numbers were either at or near the top of their respective leagues at some point in their careers and who had playoff experience (Buehrle less than Count and Freddy, but still). Outside of Rogers, Detroit doesn't have anything close to that. The Sox also had better defense and a better bullpen last year.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ May 25, 2006 -> 03:06 PM) I don't know about that one Lee might be better than Bonderman but no way Westbrook is. Bonderman career: 4.98 ERA, 1.40 WHIP Westbrook career: 4.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP They're close, but I'd give Westbrook the edge since he actually has one "good" season under his belt. Agreed that Bonderman has more upside, though, and will probably have the better career. Also agreed that Verlander has more talent than both. But he will probably be less of a factor down the stretch, as rookies tend to incur "dead arm" issues in August and September.

QUOTE(VAfan @ May 25, 2006 -> 02:47 PM) You guys seriously underestimate the Tigers' staying power. Their pitching is MUCH stronger than the Tribe's I wouldn't say that... Sabathia > Rogers Westbrook > Bonderman Lee > Maroth Now Maroth appears to be injured and they might have to rely on Verlander's young, unconditioned arm to pitch at a high level in September. Given that Rogers also tends to bite it down the stretch, I like Cleveland's chances. The Tigers will learn that lesson when they face the Yankees and both Sox teams in the next couple of weeks. Shelton and Maggs aren't going to shell Mussina, Schilling, Beckett, Count, and Buehrle like they do Royals pitching.

QUOTE(AbeFroman @ May 24, 2006 -> 08:10 PM) I heard on the radio that he maxed his fastball out in the MID 80'S!!! He hasn't really had time to build up strength in his arm this year, so that may be part of it. I'm not convinced that he'll be maxing out at 85 for the rest of his career.

Wow, that's terrible news... and a very frightening disease. I hope that researchers find a treamtment for it soon.

Interesting comparison. I think that Zito has better stuff, but Buehrle typically has better command. I think that Mark is more comparable to Pettite. Both max out their fastballs in the low 90s', have good-but-not-devastating breaking balls, have solid changeups, and run the cutter in on right-handed batters.

QUOTE(Misplaced_Sox @ May 24, 2006 -> 08:32 PM) Mack should never be in CF EVER. Predictably, the knee-jerk reactions begin... :rolly QUOTE(YASNY @ May 25, 2006 -> 01:28 AM) I will say this much. Anderson should be in CF in the 8th inning of every game in which we have a lead. Agreed with that. But if/when we get to the playoffs, I want BA starting.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ May 25, 2006 -> 06:43 AM) The gun at the park had Jenks' fastball between 94-98. The gun also had one of Buerhle's fastballs at 90 so TWIW. That sounds about right. The radar gun on TV had Bobby throwing 85 mph fastballs last night. In other words, Comcast's gun is inaccurate as hell. Bobby's an elite closer when he's able to locate that hook. Mercy!

QUOTE(pcullotta @ May 24, 2006 -> 12:27 PM) The great Maddux gave up six runs in six innings including a three run blast by Borchard. Wow, even ex-Sox are kicking the crap out of the Cubs.

QUOTE(Allsox @ May 24, 2006 -> 01:44 PM) Having "servicable" defense out in CF in hopes of defending a World Series title isn't acceptable considering the fact Brian's glove is more than that. Having a #9 hitter who has been worse at the plate than a lot of NL pitchers isn't acceptable, either. BA's defense is top-notch and I wouldn't like Mack to permanently take over, but I wouldn't have a problem with BA and Mack platooning and BA out there in the late innings as a defensive sub.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ May 24, 2006 -> 10:01 AM) On a related note, I need give credit to the ticket sales staff with the Sox. Do they still have the policy where you can exchange tickets from games that are either cancelled or severely delayed due to rain/cold for another game later in the season? I imagine they might not now because of the higher attendance. I took advantage of it for the '03 home opener and another game back in '98 where there was only like a one-hour rain delay and temperatures in the 50's. The people in the ticket office were always incredibly cool about it.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ May 24, 2006 -> 07:07 AM) Ozuna was up in a situation were if he gets a hit, the Sox win. If Perez executes the bunt perfectly, the Cubs are still trailing and will need at least another hit, if not 2 to tie the game. Agreed. If Pablo had bunted with the Sox trailing, I would've been critical of the decision. But as somebody stated earlier in this thread, the score was tied with BMac ready to go - I would've liked our chances in the 11th as well. I also tend to give Ozzie's players a little more slack because I think that they're better-prepared to execute plays like that than most other teams. Ozzie and his staff have done a phenominal job of instilling fundamentals - something that Jerry Manuel and many other managers/coaches around the league don't.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ May 23, 2006 -> 10:00 PM) We won the series, give him a day off. ^^^

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ May 23, 2006 -> 09:48 PM) You forgot about the best prospect in the 100+ year history of the Chicago White Sox organization: Lorenzo Barcelo Right, how could I forget the "can't miss" prospect with the 100 mph fastball that later blew out his elbow or something in the minors. He and Caruso were supposed to be our future studs. :puke

QUOTE(TitoMB345 @ May 23, 2006 -> 08:18 PM) Refresh me... what was the trade? Wilson Alvarez, Roberto Hernandez, and Danny Darwin for Mike Caruso, Keith Foulke, Bob Howry and, IIRC, three others.

Decent bounce-back start by Vazquez, although allowing 10 men to reach base isn't exactly reason for celebration. But like Garland last night, he minimized the damage. Great job by the 'pen as well. I may eat these words later, but I think that Nelson might still be an effective setup man down the stretch.

QUOTE(SnB @ May 23, 2006 -> 07:11 PM) haha, god damn canada sucks "Mark Buehrle is losing his edge"? Sure as hell didn't look like it on Friday. What a bunch of ill-informed douches...

QUOTE(rangercal @ May 23, 2006 -> 05:14 PM) It would not qualify as a blunder. In the long run we probably won that trade. as expected. The Sox sacrificed their pride and lost millions in ticket revenue to get swpet in the ALDS three years later. I don't think it was worth it. And speaking of not-so-fond memories of 1997, passing up on Clemens to sign Lamie Navarro has to rank up there as well.

Interesting that the trade made on July 31, 1997 wasn't listed.

QUOTE(3E8 @ May 23, 2006 -> 09:01 AM) I say that Garland's 2005 was the exception, not the norm. Couldn't have worked out any better for him, as he really cashed in on a fortunate season. I agree, although I'm not sure that he'll be putting up his '04 numbers throughout the duration of his contract either. If he gets his ERA down below 5 by the end of September, I'd like to see him given another year. If not, KW should consider dealing him.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 23, 2006 -> 07:55 AM) I wouldnt say giving up 4 runs is below par. He struggled a little today, but for a fifth starter, I would say thats a pretty decent outing, especially after getting sqeezed by the ump for the first 3 innings. Four earned runs, ten hits, and two walks over 6 1/3 translates to a 6.32 ERA and a 1.89 WHIP. That's definitely below par. He did keep us in the game, though. Agreed about Jon getting squeezed. Eddings was terrible. That letter-high "strike" that he called on the 3-2 count to Thome was ridiculous.

Wow, what a game! Outside of Zito shutting us down and another not-that-impressive outing from Garland, there isn't that much to complain about. Our guys rose to the challenge and got the job done. Freaking brilliant call on the bunt. Also nice to see Jenks overcome the defensive miscues in the 10th. The three straight hooks to Crosby were tremendous... Bobby's a bad-ass when he can locate that pitch. And the standing O for Frank was as classy as could be.