Gregory Pratt

I got a five out of five. I fully expected it. The exam was VERY easy, but that's because I knew it all!

YouTube.com Search there. You'll likely find either THE video for it or A video.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 08:57 PM) I'd love him, but again, why would the Mets deal him? Freddy Garcia has that allure.

I'm proud of Brian.

SoxTalk has predicted a series loss? I predict a Reverse Jinx. White Sox sweep.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 07:44 PM) Maybe it's because he really isn't valuable, and it's amazing how overrated he's been by some Sox fans in his year and a half with the team. He has swung the bat better the last two games, so hopefully he's start making things happen again. Over the last two games? He's been on quite a roll for awhile now.

I warn against overusing the Rally Crede. We might dull it out.

It isn't SoxTalk with a lot of faith in him. From what I can tell, it's really only me, and a couple others, but not much more than a handful.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 04:50 PM) I got hit with a line drive in the foot off an aluminum bat while pitching and another of my teammates got hit with a liner off the shoulder via aluminium bats...with that said, we both agree that they should be kept in HS and College. That's because you can't swing a wooden bat.

::shrug:: I'd rather not do it, but that's just me. I wouldn't object kicking and screaming, though.

What've you got? I won't predict wins, but I will say, "More than Detroit." I think Javy will be our second best pitcher, behind the Count.

Javier Vazquez is going to have the second best second half of any pitcher on our team.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 05:05 PM) Vazquez has always had mental problems this is nothing new to him. So instead of having the testicular fortitude of a 9 year old girl and giving up a ton of HRs, he's decided to keep the former and add the big inning to his list of problems. That doesn't make the comment any less out of line. There was no need for that. Is there any need for saying Javy has the testicular fortitude of a nine year old girl? I was just teasing.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 05:02 PM) Well, it's stupid comments like this which make people hesitant to report rumors on this site. Keep up the personal attacks though, it will last long. And yes, I'm 100 pct certain that Ozzie said that s*** about Tracey. If he didn't, then there's a member of our organization who's a blatant liar. Oh, come on mate, don't pretend that I've ravished your feelings by teasing you about The Sureness of the Source.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 05:00 PM) We are playing bad and there are some definite problems, but I know we have the talent and I'm expecting Jon to continue to pitch good, Jose to do his thing and in fact get more so to how he was early this year while I actually think Vazquez is going to have a big 2nd half. I just hope Buehrle can figure things out...who knows about Freddy but we can put this thing back together real quick, imo. At the same time, if tihe pitching doesn't improve this team isn't going to be wearing another ring this time next year. All right, I'm not totally alone!

Yeah, actually, if you want to simplify it, that is what I'm going on. His problem, historically, has been the longball. Now it isn't. It's the "big inning," usually including a defensive miscue and a squeezing umpire. The point is, his problems now are in his head, and I also think he's got an issue with relying on run support. He never had run support elsewhere, and now he's got a ton; he's taken to expecting it, and being a bit lazier because of it, IMO. Besides, going more with Mentality, Javy was VERY unhappy in Arizona last year, so that too played a part in him pitching so bad there. Overall, his stuff is still there, and I'll bet he winds up okay. QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 04:55 PM) There's a long list of General Managers who have been criticized for having this same optimism with Vazquez. Yeah, well, not everyone can be spot on as you, fathom. Sean Tracey says hello!

That's right.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 04:43 PM) I'm telling you, many people on this site have been asking for a RH reliever for months. I bet a lot of the people you're saying had knee-jerk reactions were asking for this reliever for a while. Vazquez hasn't solely dominated bad teams. He's owned the Indians on the year, for one. Vazquez' negatives have been accentuated by poor luck a lot of the time, both with his defense and the umpires, and then he lost his cool and threw meat. His homeruns allowed have always been a problem for him, but not this year. He'll be okay. About Garcia: he was about the only one that I didn't say is likely to have a better second half. I think we're about done here, as I don't care to argue what only time will tell. QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 04:49 PM) If that's true, then why in the world would you want Garcia still pitching? Well, that's the thing: it's not true. I lied. QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 04:48 PM) Vazquez has been "Shady" at least since when was it, like June-July of 04? For different reasons. He had a problem with the longball. Now it's not that anymore, but between the ears. I think he'll be better than okay, when all is said and done.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 04:37 PM) A lot of people have been saying we need a RH set-up man. A whole lot of people. I doubt there were very many knee-jerk reactions just because of the first NY game. I'm happy to see you objecting on behalf of those who WERE reacting knee-jerk about the bullpen. QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 04:38 PM) So when are the starters who have been who they have been pretty much all year, sans Buerhles last starts, are they going to flip this magical switch. When is Freddy going to magically bring his A game stuff. Right now Bmac gives us a better chance to win than Freddy who is trying to be Greg Maddux all of a sudden. Garland flipped a switch all of a sudden from bad-to-mediocre to good and solid, and Vazquez went from good-to-shady suddenly, too, all within this season. I don't think I'm stretching to say that our starters'll be okay, but I guess, considering how everyone's reacting, we'll have to wait and see.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 04:34 PM) That's all fine and good but why? I don't think his fastball and curve are good enough to compliment his changeup well enough, and I don't think he'll be all too consistent with his stuff when he pitches full-time.

I've watched McCarthy before, thanks. I know he's good, I just don't look at him and say "Ace." We'll find out next year. This year, if some of you get your way. Consider yourself excluded from the statement. I too think we could use another righty out of the pen, but I feel good about our pen, overall, and wouldn't be devastated if no trade occurred.

I'm with you, Beck.

Dude... Trade Winds.

I've been swinging a wooden bat in my spare time for years now. Actually, it's to the point where I have trouble swinging an aluminum bat. I went out with SF1 and SoxAce from this site awhile back and just felt uncomfortable with the lighter bat, and I popped everything straight up or missed completely. I didn't spend much time on my HS team for personal reasons and clashes with management (call me Carl), but I play baseball all the time on weekends with friends, and in those events, I use wooden bats. Even when we organize bats, we like to use wood, partly because I insist on it. I've always been derisive toward aluminum bats. I don't know if they should be banned from high school play and College. I think that they probably should, both because it's easier to evaluate a player's TRUE strengths if they're not swinging something that turns everything into a smash, and because it's safer. But I know that a lot of kids would, well, suck if they had to use wooden bats. So, I think they should be banned from HS and College. I'll stop footsying and say that unequivocally.

We've gotta sweep.