Pants Rowland

Reading through this and several other threads in recent weeks, I am amazed at how many posters would consider trading the likes of Floyd, Danks, Thornton, and even Hudson. In my mind, the way to make the 2010 Sox a serious WS contender is to complement that core strength rather than weaken it just to marginally improve the offense. Sox bats were miserable to watch last year but even more frustrating was the defense and middle relief (particularly Linebrink). There were way too many games lost because shoddy defense would result in an extra run or two here and there. Outstanding efforts on the mound were wasted with failures in the field and late in the game on the hill. In my opinion, it will be defensive signings like Vizquel and strengthening of the bullpen that will be the key to winning a division (and hopefully more) far more than whoever they get to DH. Most offensive stars can be replaced save an elite few, but you can never have too much pitching and defense.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 3, 2009 -> 10:04 AM) You're obviously basing this off of John's spectacular performance against the Twins in the tiebreaker game. And as good as he was (he was filthy), it was just one game. Jake Peavy is without question the best pitcher on this team. You always goes with your best in a do or die situation (unless circumstances out of your control dictates otherwise). It is more than just the one game playoff, where he was stellar. He struggled at times in 2009, but I believe he has the talent and guts to beat anyone on any day, especially when it is needed most. I agree with you on Peavy and that is why I left him off my list. It will be interesting to see how he fares over a full season in the AL, though.

QUOTE (docsox24 @ Dec 3, 2009 -> 10:08 AM) Possibly over Freddy?? You are saying that Freddy and Peavy are our two best pitchers? Don't make him out to be more than he is, a 5th starter who is past his prime. I think Danks is going to be a very good pitcher in the next few years. I agree that he is an aged 5th starter with big question marks about his health right now. What I meant is, in a big game, there is no one on the team who has historically put it all out there any better than FG. That is why I mentioned he had to be healthy, which I acknowledge is a big "if". I just think Danks is nails and has shown if the pressure is on, he can throw up zeros with the best of them.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Dec 3, 2009 -> 10:08 AM) Somewhere there's a former gym teacher clutching a copy of Tropic of Capricorn and mumbling "Cantstandyaaa!" and thinking of you. "T-Bone," is that you?

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Dec 3, 2009 -> 09:34 AM) One class in high school decided to take turns humming during a lecture and it was infuriating. You can see who's talking and correct them, but try to figure out which three of four kids are humming out of a class of 30. Aargh! Perhaps physical punishment for the whole class was in order?

To me, Danks at 24 is still a work in progress that is only going to get better. He had a tough rookie campaign. The league had him figured out and then he adjusted and put up a very impressive 2008. He pitched a ton more innings in 2008 than 2007 and the scouting reports on him became more precise. Hitters adjusted again and his 2009 was a little weaker than 2008, but just a little. I anticipate a stronger Danks in 2010 and another adjustment on his part. If the Sox had one game left in the season and it determined whether they make the payoffs or not, I would start Danks over Floyd, Buehrle and possibly over Freddy if his arm is not 100% (I have not seen enough of Peavy to make that choice just yet).

Thornton is ridiculously valuable to the White Sox and would command a very steep price if I were GM, especially in a trade deadline deal. To me, there is only one reason to trade a guy as valuable as Thornton and that is to get the motherload of players/prospects in return. I equate Thornton's value to that of an elite defender with a weak stick. You have to weigh the benefit of the runs you are getting on offense with the runs saved on the mound or in the field. The fact that he is not a closer is immaterial. He is the 7th and 8th inning closer which is just as, if not more valuable a role with far less headlines. I do not watch many non- Sox baseball game and do not pore over stats for comparison, but over the past few seasons, my eyes can not recall a middle reliever as effective as Thornton since Jeff Nelson.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 2, 2009 -> 09:43 PM) Getting off of the bandwagon, huh folks? Have been working on a project from hell. No sleep last night so alpha thread took a back seat.

QUOTE (NIUSox @ Dec 1, 2009 -> 01:46 PM) Kinda hoping for something that wouldn't get me weird looks though Leg humping really isn't that bad. Tell those awful people to quit staring.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 30, 2009 -> 09:35 AM) Zero chance of it actually working... Any chance of that type of fun at home goes out the window once you have kids.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Nov 29, 2009 -> 09:35 PM) Long ago at a friend's wedding up in New York, we loaded up the open bar with some great microbrews, but we didn't want them being drunk by the average wedding-goer who was just as happy drinking Bud and Miller. So we devised a plan by which anyone walking up to the bar and quoting a line of Blues Brothers dialog to the bartender was on the approved good beer list and could drink from the stash. It worked great until the father of the bride noticed some good beers going around and asked for one, only to have the barman try to prompt him to provide a magic quote by asking him what he thought of Illinois Nazis. :lolhitting ^^ True Story ^^ Matt "Guitar" Murphy would be proud of your efforts.

QUOTE (MattZakrowski @ Nov 29, 2009 -> 05:18 PM) Got that right How far from Chicago is Granger, IN?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 29, 2009 -> 03:41 PM) Except you missed the E. From my perspective, Blues Brothers would not be nearly as fun/funny if you aren't from Chicago.

QUOTE (Tex @ Nov 29, 2009 -> 09:53 AM) Blues Brothers better than Animal House? Can't say I agree with that thought.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Nov 28, 2009 -> 08:50 AM) Watched Precious and Ballast over the last couple days. Both very good films. Saw Precious this evening. Like no film I have ever seen before. Amazing but so difficult to watch.

Easter is it for me, but I should qualify that statement by noting I am Greek orthodox, which is a totally different experience than most people know. It is frequently later in the spring than western easter so the weather is warmer and all the commercialization is gone leaving the ethnic traditions to stand out. We roast lamb on a spit over a wood charcoal fire and drink wine and ouzo all day. My mother has a huge yard so it has always perfect for hosting. Lots of fun and endless memories.

QUOTE (Tex @ Nov 25, 2009 -> 10:43 AM) Damn, late to the thread . . . I call it "fashionably late".

Happy Thanksgiving, ACT! I am off to Omaha shortly. Enjoy stuffing your faces.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 11:15 PM) Chicken Planet is awesome. Get the half chicken with BBQ and the mashed potatoes. Thank me later. Exactamundo!

QUOTE (The Critic @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 07:24 PM) Is that place really good? The chicken always looks greenish to me. Chicken Planet is fantastic and I am a food snob who avoids fast food. I think they brine the chicken and then broil it. It is never burned and tastes great. Never green.

The Gage is decent although fairly high priced for a bar. Also recommend the Mitchell Artist Snack Shop (nothing special, but a nice coffee shop with good atmosphere). Russian Tea Time is a good choice, too, although I haven't been there in years. Berghoff is also not too far. Heaven on Seven is also an option. None of these places are all too special, though. There is a total dump fast food hole in the wall at Wabash and Adams called Chicken Planet where you can get a broiled half chicken with a side and toasted pita for $6.25. That would be my personal choice.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 02:49 PM) I will never shop on Black Friday if I live to be 1,000 years old. Amen to that. I always go to the movies on Black Friday. Thinking about Precious for this BF.

Tsunamis make your hurricanes look like April showers.

In the words of the Big Hurt himself, MOST DEFINITELY.

You happy now?