Pants Rowland

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Jul 9, 2008 -> 10:20 PM) I have one in a drawer back at my folks home. From back when I was about 60 pounds lighter. I did just buy this sweet vintage WU truckers hat on eBay though Hey, It's the 25th anniversary of one of the best summers of my life! I think I have one as well but it was from when I was 9 years old. Might be a tad small for you.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Jul 9, 2008 -> 08:58 PM) On an 0-1 pitch to Dye, OC stole 3rd, Dye swung and missed, then struck out swinging. Caused a little bit of friction in the booth between Hawk and Feisty, too. This team has such an edge in good ways and bad, you would think Billy Martin was steering this ship. Seems to be working for now, though.

Octavio just filthy!

I was walking to lunch when it was 3-0 MN after 1. I was a little annoyed but wishfully thought this will end up being one of those weird getaway day games that end up 12-5 Boston. I guess I didn't quite hit the nail on the head, but I am thrilled so far nonetheless.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Jul 9, 2008 -> 09:23 AM) Yeah, I think most of the problem here is that we have two analysts instead of a play by play guy and an analyst another thing that I can't stand about Farmer is that he takes as long as humanly possible to tell you the result of the play. Plus he is pretty arrogant on the air unless he is stroking the ego of his partner in the booth.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Jul 9, 2008 -> 09:12 AM) In every situation where I've needed them to tell me the score this season, they've done so at the latest possible instance, and sometimes, incomprehensibly, not at all. I like Stone but it is not his job. I am not sure about Farmer telling the score, but he paints the picture of the game in black and white. He frequently neglects to tell you the location of the pitch, whether it was a swinging or looking strike(out) and is very neglectful of exactly where and how the ball is hit, in particular on fouls. I used to listen to games on the radio (instead of watching on TV) because it was so enjoyable to hear Rooney verbalize what was going on on the field. You could close your eyes and imagine what was taking place. With Farmer, there is no picture, just his mindless banter occasionally peppered with very sterile play by play to sort of keep you up to date. He is not good.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 12:02 PM) Because their SS rotation STINKS! So start the negotiations at Uribe for Kemp, going to Uribe and Anderson for Kemp, followed by OC for Kemp and a mid level prospect? I am not totally opposed to this idea but am curious how Kemp has looked all season. He seemed decent against the Sox and his overall numbers (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28476) are decent but 92 SO (26BB) seems high. I do not know if his .338 OBP is good enough to lead off, however. How does his defense compare to Swish or BA? Also, how do you get Thome/Konerko/Dye enough at bats with Swisher alternating between RF and 1B?

QUOTE (VenomSox @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 12:43 PM) Here is a set I made. So I guess you take orders?

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 06:32 AM) Cubs are still the favorites. Are the Brewers better? No question. But even if you make the assumption that Carl Winslow will make every start for them the rest of the way, you're talking 15 or 16 starts. So only in 15 or 16 games out of the 73 the Brewers have remaining will Uncle Phil have a chance to make an impact. Now if they're able to upgrade their bullpen, something I think they will do, then things might change. But I expect the Cubs to make a move as well. The Cards aren't even worth mentioning. They've played out of their minds to this point. I don't see it lasting no matter who they're able to add. Good stuff.

I think the 2008 Angels are my biggest concern right now when it comes to the 2008 White Sox. Did they mention how this year's Angels squad compares to the 2002 team that won it all? If this year's White Sox team is better than the 2008 Angels team, then I think they have a chance. I am not really concerned about the 2005 team because they are not playing this year. EDIT: Just read it (that always helps). It is interesting they got Frank Thomas to opine on it in an abjective manner.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 08:31 AM) I wouldn't even take Burnett for Contreras straight up. I am not sure I would go to that length, but it is a legitimate response. I think you hold what you have right now. With the exception of trading for a high OBP regular to play CF, I do not see this team making any moves. It might not be good enough to win it all this year, but the nucleus is strong for the long haul. If the Sox can nurse a good 2nd half out of Jose, I could see trying to trade him for prospects in the offseason and upgrading his spot via free agency or possibly trying out Broadway or a lower cost journeyman alternative.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 5, 2008 -> 09:05 PM) BA is becoming one of my favorite part-time players in recent team history. The guy whacks a bomb every once in a while and plays stellar D. I agree although he still frustrates me with a lot of Ks. The Ranger was arguing tonight after the game that the Sox are a better team with PK at 1st, Thome at DH, Swish in CF and BA on the bench. His argument is BA and Thome will give you just about the same production at the plate and you do not gain defensively with BA over Swish (regarding more wins overall). I will agree that Thome is more likely to connect for a HR than BA and will draw a walk more often, but they both strike out a ton and I really think BA's defense helps a lot in tight games.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Jul 5, 2008 -> 01:41 PM) Wait! What makes you think 1st amendment rights apply to you? Ok, Pants ... If nothing else, your point of view brought on a good discussion. So here's to you: Thanks. And greg, if you buy that many beers, I would chip in and at least buy one for you and YASNY. & to both of you. On to more important things...nice win by the sox tonight. Would like to have watched but wife is too pregnant to go to the game and the weather was too nice to spend indoors watching on TV. P.S. I think they went with brown since troops are fighting more in sand now than anything else. Not sure what terrain would merit grey camo...maybe London?

QUOTE (YASNY @ Jul 5, 2008 -> 10:50 AM) Not to be an ass here, just a legitimate question. Would have been to much to ask for you to suck it up and suffer through it for one day? I don't think the uniforms were particularly attractive, but the sentiment behind them is honorable to say the least. Also, if I got the correct information, this was a small concession to Buehrle when he sign his latest contract. Now considering what Mark has meant to the organization over the years, and the fact the he felt strongly enough about this to ask for it during contract negotiations, what could really be wrong with this? You are not being an ass at all. Even if I thought that, I typically enjoy your posts so no big deal. Sometimes people disagree however. I think I did suck it up. I watched the game and did not stage any massive protests. If you mean I should not even have said anything here, I guess I could not do that. I was just exercising my right as a independent American to sometimes go against the grain, even when facing overwhelming opposition. Frequently that is how progress is made in this country (although I am not sure my posts here merit such comparison ) I heard Buehrle might have been behind it. Just because he is a good pitcher of pretty sound character doesn't mean he is right about everything either. As Crash Davis once said, "he is as full of s*** as anyone."

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Jul 5, 2008 -> 08:30 AM) Man, I have started and stopped a post multiple times since seeing this thread yesterday...your comment really rubs me the wrong way. I'll just say this...there is no such thing as overblown when honoring the men and women of the armed services. I know I am in the minority on this. I understand the other side of the argument as well. The camo unis are just not my preferred way of celebrating the 4th of July.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 5, 2008 -> 05:50 AM) f***ing Bravo just FWIW, my new brother-in-law is a member of the US Army...he was stationed in Iraq for about a year. Anyways, I'm a bit of a modest person and, other than the minor compliment, I'm not a person to give a ton of thanks for, really, anything, unless it really means a lot to what I feel is a greater cause, be it right or wrong. Putting your life on the line for the country I live in is a greater cause, and anybody anywhere giving thanks to the military on any given day makes my day, even if your dog took a s*** on me while I slept. Thanks Yas. I agree with YASNY up to the point of the full scale recognition part. Veterans should be commended for making these types of sacrifices and sincere shows of thanks to the individuals by buying drinks or greeting them at the airport is more likely than not a genuine show of appreciation. I also love that the Sox give veterans a break on admission. I just do not think the camo uniforms, especially on 7/4, are appropriate. It just seems overblown to me.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Jul 4, 2008 -> 08:07 PM) The difference is Upton Sinclair or anyone else didn't put his life on the line in anything he did. The players can't wear "The Jungle" patches on their jerseys There are plenty of Americans who put their lives on the line to stand up for their rights. Most did it without any weapons to defend themselves other than their words. I am not saying there should be recognition of any of these people. I just think the uniform tonight was over the top. Like someone said earlier, at least we can all agree on cheering for the Sox.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 4, 2008 -> 01:45 PM) I don't know why you would say that. Without these guys and women you would not be grilling hotdogs on your patio today, you'd be worshiping some dictator and having one child maximum per family. You wouldn't be rooting for the White Sox, you'd be rooting for the Reds. I did not know Cincinnati was under a dictatorship. ;-) I disagree with that notion but it is a popular one. Propaganda is a powerful thing and do not think for one minute our government doesn't use it as much as those red dictators. We package it differently but it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I respect our military personnel but I also respect a lot of other people who serve to protect our freedom and democracy who don't wield a gun. It seems they get far more recognition for their service than say Upton Sinclair or Jane Adams, who did quite a bit to protect our individual freedoms within our borders. The military strength of the US is not what makes this country so successful. In fact, when it is misused, which happens far more frequently than we are willing to admit, it helps detract from our strengths. I apologize for even bringing this up since I know there are strong views on all sides. I just wish we would recognize that the military is not the only reason we do not have a dictatorship. in fact, it is far down the list in my opinion. What makes this holiday special is something far more powerful than the military.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jul 4, 2008 -> 01:03 PM) It seems like wearing the camo should be only a military thing like a badge of honor.Not for some baseball players to go out and were them like they are fighting a war out there,they are just playing a game.BTW Iam not offended by it but I can see how someone might be, Not to mention the fact that the 4th of July is not memorial day or veterans day. For some reason this country equates patriotism and the military for every national holiday. Do not get me wrong. While I personally do not want to serve in the armed forces, I have a high level of respect for anyone who put their lives at risk for something they believe in. However, July 4th is about so much more that military success. The revolution was an inspiration of ideals that had been trounced in the west by feudalism and colonization since the end of the byzantine empire. The fact that a handful of men were able to create a new nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men were created equal is what makes July 4th so special. It helped inspire the French revolution and, although the results were not good, the end of czarist Russia, among others. People standing up for their rights as human beings to rule and be ruled as they decide is the primary reason the 4th ever happened. I fully understand that without military victory in the revolutionary war, this holiday would not be possible. However, the constant cheerleading for our military forces every time we have a national holiday gets tiresome. I wish they would just wear the special hats with the American Flag.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Jul 4, 2008 -> 01:15 PM) Watch the first inning of Charlotte's July 3rd game. It's not one of his laser cannon shots, but he hits it to almost dead center. It doesn't cost anything to watch the archived games, just create an account. Didn't he win American Idol this year?

QUOTE (YASNY @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 03:49 AM) These guys were all pitchers. Who are they? Catfish Rapid Robert Sudden Sam Big Train Dominican Dandy Google not allowed. Jim "Catfish" Hunter Bob "Rapid Robert" Feller "Sudden" Sam McDowell Walter "the Big Train" Johnson Juan Marichal - the Dominican Dandy

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 03:18 PM) I know, but that team had Johan and Hunter. This team doesn't. Not to mention the Sox had Jerry Manual and no fifth starter. Garland also did not know how to pitch past the 5th inning.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 09:59 AM) Even since Konerko was injured, Swisher's average, on base, and slugging are up about 20 points each as he plays excellent 1st base defense. This has been great to see. I do believe Konerko and Thome in the same lineup magnifies the all or nothing issue they have had all season. I think the offense has been more balanced with Konerko out as well as with the Sox in NL parks and no DH.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 28, 2008 -> 11:15 PM) So, for some reason, I was looking at Mark's baseball cube page just now, and I noticed something strange. Mark only pitched two minor league seasons, and really not even two full seasons. He pitched in 20 games (14 starts) in 1999 for class A Burlington, then 16 games (all starts) for Birmingham in 2000 before being called up to the Sox for good. His minor league numbers were pretty impressive, I will say that. I guess the point is this, I am asking anybody who remembers Mark coming through the minors what happened? How was this guy only a 38th round pick? And moreso, how could a 38th round pick make it to the majors so fast after only 36 minor league games and 30 starts, nowhere near two full seasons? I know we had a ton of injuries in 2000 which probably played a part, but he seemed like he was put on the fast track from day 1, which is just strange to me. I do not recall the whole story, but I think he was a late bloomer who caught some attention during his second season in JuCo. There was concern he might go on to a 4 year university so he did not get selected until really late. The Sox were not sure how he would pan out and they held firm on the signing bonus negotiations. I think the JuCo season was still in progress at draft time and Mark continued to impress. That is when they ponied up and gave him the bonus money so he would sign. Someone else can fill in where I screwed up the facts but I think it went something like that. He had the talent and physical development necessary as long as he was fundamentally sound enough to keep getting promoted.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Jun 27, 2008 -> 07:59 PM) from baseball prospectus Maybe some team should keep calling in the "bean ball" sign. Once the cubs figure it out, switch it up and see if the hitter hits the deck too soon.