Gregory Pratt

I thought, between insults, that was an interesting exchange. At least entertaining. We're all big boys here, and we're all pretty.

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Jul 17, 2006 -> 04:37 PM) Just curious, when was the last time a defending WS champ didn't make the post season the following year? Off the top of my head, I'd say the Diamondbacks in 2002, and Marlins in 2004. I might be off, though.

QUOTE(ScottPodRulez22 @ Jul 17, 2006 -> 04:27 PM) Jay Mariotti said they would make it. Probably because everyone else said something different. f*** ESPN.

Is it me you're looking for?

QUOTE(iamshack @ Jul 17, 2006 -> 01:56 PM) Not sure, but I know Detroit is one of them. The Tigers reportedly had a deal in place for Arizona whereas Detroit would trade Zumaya and Curtis Granderson to Arizona for Vazquez. Vazquez then stepped in and vetoed the deal. It's Phillies, Mariners, Rangers, Tigers. There are supposedly two more, too.

What're the other four? IMO, it probably has to do with the Park and the fans, as, historically, he had a problem with hte longball and playing in that bandbox with the Philly fans wouldn't have been good for him.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Jul 17, 2006 -> 01:02 PM) Javy hates Philly and that is one of the teams on his LNTC. I don't know if he can even be dealt there? Why does he hate Philly?

http://despair.com/viewall.html I love them. I've got a couple of their calendars.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 17, 2006 -> 12:32 AM) If you lose your posting abilities for 10 days due to a bet that's basically a suspension. Probably a poor choice of words but I figured it was clear enough that you could figure it out. Well we agreed to our terms, and we're fine with it, which is ultimately the only thing that matters. I think that's the end of it.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 17, 2006 -> 12:27 AM) Well you just totally 100% misunderstood my post, read it again and see what you come up with. Your bet suggestion has been noted and disregarded, unfortunately, as we've made our bet and have no problems with it. It is done. I suppose I should've read the fine print in your post: "for all intents and purposes suspended for ten days." What, exactly, do you mean? That people will be mean to me?

QUOTE(SoxAce @ Jul 17, 2006 -> 12:23 AM) And it just hit the webbing of the baseball cage where you fall ten feet. In that case, I've got a grill to step on that'd do all of your duties as well as you can, to boot!

I am not of the opinion that a Gestapo runs SoxTalk. If having that line in my signature would have me suspended for ten days, then something'd be more wrong with the staff here than with my signature, in my opinion. Needless to say, I don't think that any of the Admins would say, "JIMINY JILLICKERS, RADIOACTIVE SIGNATURE!" when they saw that and call Milhouse to suspend me, but, truth be told, if such an extreme and needless action were taken, well, I'm a big boy.

QUOTE(SoxAce @ Jul 17, 2006 -> 12:20 AM) As little as it is Greg, I don't think you should worry much.. I'm predicting Brian is going to get his first 3 hit game in his career in one of these series. What's that? There's a ball hit somewhere that you've gotta hustle up on?!

Your thread magic better work, Heads, I've got something as good as money riding on this: I'VE GOT INTERNET CREDIBILITY ON THE LINE!! Let's go Garland, keep yourself on that little roll you're on.

Watched Forty Year Old Virgin. I could've sworn it'd suck, but it didn't! Not at all.

QUOTE(BFirebird @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 11:56 PM) He was just offering a suggestion...but whateva. I'm a big enough boy to make my own bets. And there we go. I appreciate you handling it with class, Bonderman. I don't mind having you Tigers around, although I wish your team would leave!

I was under the impression that I was placing a bet Shoota, not you. I'll drop you a line, Bonderman.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 09:58 PM) Greg this is a good question, there are several reasons in my opinion - First, the White Sox preach first pitch strike and there are lots of teams who know it. I believe this is a big reason why Buehrle has been getting it handed to him recently. These teams are looking for the first pitch, it's a strike and they are putting the ball in play. Next, Cooper also preaches trying to get ground balls and letting the defense work. Sounds good and usually it is but it sure hasn't worked the last two series. Most notably, none of the White Sox pitchers outside of Contreras (starters) have dominating stuff. They are finess guys, although Vazquez has really good stuff and he's had a few high K games. He, though, has been so busy trying to avoid HR's that he is out thinking himself. To me he is pitching defensively ("I have to to stay away from the HR's") instead of attacking. And this is what Hawk means by pitching inside. You do not have to pitch inside to every hitter but you have to show it, and double up. The White Sox pitchers are very poor at making opponents feel uncomfortable in the batters box. Discomfort by a hitter leads to strikeouts. A confused hitter leads to strikeouts, and a hitter trying to cover both sides of the plate leads to strikeouts. It is not simply dominating stuff that gets K's. Does it help, of course it does. But for finesse guys like Buehrle or Garland or Garcia to get K's, they have to use both sides of the plate. Sox pitchers are not doing that effectively. It is a huge problem. They are way too predictable and their whole game calling strategy needs thorough examination. They do not move the hitters eyes enough, let alone their feet. All of these good hitters are smart and they've adjusted. It's now up to the White Sox pitching staff to adjust. It is not necessarily the speed of the fastball, although a 98 mph heater certainly helps. It's when you use it, where it's located. If you don't have a good fastball, then use it as a "show me" pitch and throw it out of the zone. Use it to move a guy's feet or throw it on the first pitch out of the zone to get them thinking fastball. Or bust it in on their hands, but don't miss out over the plate (see Derek Jeter today). The poster who said it's not as simple as saying "pitch inside more" is right. There's more to it, but the basic premise of pitching inside and the mental havoc it creates on a hitter is something the White Sox staff is lacking at the present time. The Tigers are a great fastball hitting team, as are most in the AL. Either the Sox staff starts to effectively locate the fastball or we will continue to see all these inflated ERA's. This is the best analysis I've read in awhile, JimH. Very interesting. But, off-topic of the strikeout and pitching talk: am I the only one who thought it might be the organization's way of showing Freddy up to send him a message, that it's not okay to show others up on the field and he won't like it much, either? I mean, they were showing him up.

QUOTE(SABR Sox @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 09:43 PM) Haha, its nothing like that. Back in the day I did a re-search project in school on the case, and my teacher actually wore a T-Shirt with my avatar on it. He was a huge anti-O.J. guy. it was pretty funny, becuase he got fined for wearing it. But O.j. was my favorite running back too, whether he got away with it or not. You're in Chicago, and you don't absolutely adore Walter Payton?! Shame on you!

QUOTE(Bonderman38 @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 09:48 PM) That's a good prediction. I say you guys beat Kenny in the finale, but won't beat Nate or Jeremy. Are you willing to place a bet with me on the result of the series?

QUOTE(SABR Sox @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 09:22 PM) Still a should be HOF'er. Well, good. And, might I ask, do you have some sort of personal relation to the OJ Simpson murder, or were you so deeply bothered by his getting-away-with-murder as to use this as a way to protest in some way or another?

QUOTE(Cuck the Fubs @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 09:14 PM) I like the metal bats. I was able to break up a kids perfect game w/ a bunt when I was in 7th grade. I managed to push the bunt thru the infield, something I prolly wouldn't have been able to do w/ a wood bat. I luuuv it when you analyze.

A pocket knife, and a rock. Hey, they work for what I use them for.

I wonder how Pete Rose would look judged purely on Sabermetrics.

I'm taking AP Chemistry this year. It's going to be Brutal -- I am one who enjoys the Humanities courses, not Mathematics or Science -- but I intend to cinch it up and hunker down, and wind up with a Three on that Exam. QUOTE(SnB @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 09:11 PM) i took one AP test, computer science, and got a 1 on it. All we did in that class was play games online. but hey,it looked good on my college app. In my Government class, all I ever did was lecture the class about being dumbasses, and get into arguments with the teacher over things, political and petty (he's a Cub fan, for one). Needless to say, I taught myself.