Pants Rowland

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Apr 19, 2008 -> 09:03 AM) ON TV, Sweet. Spring game for Mizzou, then Sox baseball, great day. ONTV? Is that included in the cable package with Sportsvision?

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Apr 17, 2008 -> 08:25 AM) No, yes and yes Not sure that is going to do it for the O's. It is encouraging to see someone turn a Floyd trade idea down, though. Weeks back, many were willing to trade him for a bucket of balls.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Apr 17, 2008 -> 05:51 AM) And move Swisher to a more effective spot in the lineup for his talents. So, trade Floyd, Uribe and cash for Roberts after the game?

QUOTE (Pants Rowland @ Apr 17, 2008 -> 07:58 AM) Cheticamp, Nova Scotia? Now I looked it up. Boy was I ever wrong.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 17, 2008 -> 02:33 AM) TRIVIA: without looking it up, where was Floyd Bannister born? Cheticamp, Nova Scotia?

QUOTE (Wanne @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 05:08 PM) I'm so sick of hearing Andy and Floyd rehash their days of yore.... It took me a second to catch this but before long I was whistling the tune. Priceless reference. Thanks for the laugh.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 11, 2008 -> 04:22 PM) That was 2000, no? I remember watching that game on TV. There is a good chance that is the case. Great time.

Not a rain outs but... Several years back my company goes to an evening affair versus the Yankees. Weather stinks all night with at least one long delay. A few of us stick around and finally, the bottom of the ninth comes. Rivera is on to hold a one run lead for the yankees. Carlos Lee comes up and I say "how about you greet your countryman with a solo shot" next pitch, tie game. Sox get a runner in scoring position and Jose Valentin fists one the opposite way down the LF line to drive in the winning run. Many years prior in the early 90's (new Comiskey, but before 1993), Sox are down in the bottom of the ninth again. Rain has been on an off all night. These were the days before they were tight with checking stubs so by the end of the game my friends and I weren't far from home plate. If I recall correctly, Wil Perdue was sitting in the vicinity and stuck around for some time. Anyway, I can't remember the deficit, but before long there are two out and Fisk comes up. He was in a teribble slump and I by then I was already getting tired of his act. He is down two strikes and we are getting ready to call it a night. Finally strokes a seeing eye grounder up the middle for a hit which turns into a game tying rally and the Sox end up winning the game. Something about waiting out a rain delay and seeing a come from behind win that sticks with you. Anyone go to opening night in 2006? That was a game destined to be called if not for the significance of it.

Crawling toward my goal but still going in the right direction, even if it is only one more pound.

QUOTE (Disco72 @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 04:53 PM) Someone had to follow up with that...thanks Pants! Anything for a disco ball.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Apr 10, 2008 -> 06:58 PM) I don't know why, but that sounds so much like a pornstar name to me. Did you get to see him pitch? He was a solid prospect but he took a step back when his old man died and then when things seemed to get going, a hip problem (I think) ended his career. Game 4 of the 1983 ALCS was one of the gutsiest performances I ever saw by a Sox pitcher. Too bad Jerry Dybzinski sucked eggs.

Bill Melton, Ritchie Zisk, Eric Soderholm, Marvis Foley, Chet Lemon, Oscar Gable, Ron LeFlor, Britt Burns, Roy Smalley, Joel Skinner, Reid Nichols.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 10, 2008 -> 07:26 AM) GLOAD I disagree. If anything it's Gload or even gload.

QUOTE (Disco72 @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 01:04 PM) Losing is a disease... ...as contagious as polio...syphilis... and the bubonic plague....attacking one but affecting all.

Anyone see the news conference after the game? I felt bad for him. He was really choked up and had trouble getting five words out of him mouth.

Personally, if Crede keeps this up, I would sooner move Konerko for rotation help and bring Josh up to play 1B. Assuming they do not resign Joe in the offseason, have Fields play winter ball at 3B and move Dye to 1B with Quentin in RF, Swisher in CF or LF and X filling in the other outfield slot. I do not know who X will be, but it could be anyone from Anderson, Owens, Ramirez, or a free agent. It will all take time to play out, but I think Joe's defense at 3B will be important for a playoff run, no matter who is on the mound. If Joe continues to help the Sox at the plate and in the field, someone is going to need to pony up big time to get Kenny to disrupt the success of this season.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 09:47 AM) Just remember how you spelled Alexei Zhamnov and you'll get it right. The ol' hockey upbringing has come back to help once a-gain. Damn communists

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 02:30 PM) I was driving to go get my hair cut today, and had Murph on the radio(my first mistake). Some guy called in saying he has watching all 14 games of Chicago baseball, and hasn't seen any bunting, and it's a huge problem. It's just so funny people can't look past old philosophies, and are unable to look the big picture, and the makeup of this team. My deepest condolescences to you and your family. I can't recall the last time I had the misfortune from having to hear his whiny voice. I did accidentally hear Mike North for a fraction of a second this AM, however. Doing much better now, though.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 08:55 AM) I was going to attach this to one of the Fields threads, but I think it is a fresh alternative to the other 3rd base threads. A few bullet points to kick things off in search for common ground. White Sox 3b eras: Bill Melton Robin Ventura Joe Crede Coming era Josh Fields PTBNL Ventura the best of the lot Set our sights higher than Joe 2007 v. Josh 2006 Need to get Josh to Ventura levels or beyond over his career Developing Fields No rush, Crede is healthy and playing fine More instruction in AAA Is that good? Is that bad? Find spots for him to be successful So a discussion on the best way to develop Fields as our next cornerstone 3b. Limiting the discussion on developing a young player with great potential and not, hopefully, dropping into another Fields is better than Crede thread, which we have had enough of already. For his career, which makes Fields a better player, playing now, or waiting. Will it hurt, or will it help? This memo would make a woman I work with so proud of you. On topic, I am not sure what the right thing to do with Fields is, but keeping Crede at 3B until he falters or is traded for some serious return seems the right thing to do. The team is clicking and until that stops, don't mess with it. If no one wows the Sox with an offer and Joe keeps hitting/stays healthy, ride this and see if you can add a starter for a serious stretch run. Maybe Sweaty Freddie gets healthy and rejoins the Sox with a rejuvinated arm and Jose takes some geritol and regains his form. Meanwhile, Josh does need to work on his defense and could use some coaching to smooth out the hitch in his swing. If you are going for it this year, which the White Sox brass continues to state, then he needs to do it in Charlotte, not Chicago. As much as his bat MIGHT help, I think his defense would make this a lesser ballclub. In fact, but if Boras wasn't running the show for Joe, I would be inclined to make a serious offer for an extension and trade Josh+ for a legitimate starter or even trade Paulie for the same and insert Josh at 1B.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 09:07 AM) I would argue that of all the major professional sports, strategically speaking, the job of manager in baseball is the least important to a winning team compared to a NFL head coach/coordinator or a NBA coach. There are basic things that all managers should know how to do across the board that are done on every team, but overall, a manager can do much more to bring a team down by being a complete moron than he can bring it up by being a genius. A manager is only as good as his players almost all the time, and a lot of things are out of his control. 162 game season over 6 months or more, at least half of which is on the road with the other half in a clubhouse full of testosterone. I think there is more to managing that waiting for your horses.

QUOTE (kjshoe04 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 08:37 AM) I think I would be inclined to stick with Uribe. His defense at second has been really pretty impressive and his bat doesn't hurt so much when we can hit. 20 homers out of the 9 hole isn't such a bad thing. You touch on something I was thinking during yesterday's game. There have been a few boneheaded mistakes such as the dropped fly ball by Quentin and Crede's two errant throws, but overall, the defense seems to be meshing well right now. Swisher has ben more than serviceable in CF and as long as Quentin keeps hitting, he is decent in LF. Uribe and Cabrera seem to be getting better together with each game played. If the rest of the team continues to hit the ball well..."you can live with Uribe in the nine hole." I know, famous last words. Let's hope they keep it up.

QUOTE (Gregory Pratt @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 06:53 AM) Someone I know argues that the Bears would've won more than one Super Bowl in the Eighties if they had a "real coach" like Parcells or Walsh or Gibbs. I tend to agree with that sentiment. Ditka brought a toughness to the Bears that was needed. However, Jim Finks and the 1983 draft played a significant role in vaulting the Bears to greatness in the 80s. Ditka fell in love with himself and became a media spokesman far more than a coach. He drove around practice in his golf cart and became known for his binge drinking and unruly behavior. He also lost the players' respect in 1987. The Bears looked awesome going into the strike and everyone thought they were going to be back on top come season's end. His coaching of the scab players and disrespect of the guys who had been with him for years really seemed to take a toll on the rest of the season. Don't get me wrong, the poor health of McMahon and the ineptitude of McCasky also were a huge reason the Bears only won one title, but Ditka does not deserve the extreme reverence that many still display. Back to the topic, Ozzie is great. Although I question his treatment of BA and sometimes get frustrated with his lefty righty bs, the players love him and he delivered a championship to the White Sox. He also helped Garland turn into a legitimate starter after years of Manuel giving him the hook every time he allowed a baserunner in the 5th inning. I can't think of another manager I would trade for him right now. He is like a foulmouthed Tommy Lasorda.

QUOTE(max power @ Apr 4, 2008 -> 02:40 PM) I nearly urinated myself I really really did. Me too. I am not watching the game though. Just drunk.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Apr 3, 2008 -> 09:17 AM) no more dumb titles please? Come on, be a sport. If the season continues this way, you will long for the early season days of hope and dumb game thread titles.

An alternative way of looking at it is the Royals might be better than the reputation that justifiably precedes them. I am not convinced they are the 90+ loss bottom dwellers we have come to know and love. They have some young talent and can give some teams some trouble this year. I think the AL Central will be competitve from top to bottom this year. There will obviously be one or two teams that excel, but I do not see one patsy like we have had with the Royals most recently and the Tigers a few years back.