Gregory Pratt

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Oct 17, 2007 -> 11:01 AM) Well I guess the Whitesox are filled with thoughtful, well-balanced men then because they have been preaching this approach to Boras and the highway robbery of agents for a while now. Yes and no. There are two things the White Sox and Atlanta have in common: 1. No no-trade clauses. 2. No highway robbery. But these things in common don't match. 1. Atlanta doesn't even give out partial no-trades. (But they assure big-names, "We don't trade away superstars. We sign them for a reason, and it isn't to trade them," and people believe that from them.) 2. They'll deal with Boras on a big name. Like Greg Maddux. We won't ever bid on a big name Boras client. We'll deal with a small-timer like Crede, but not Rodriguez or Maddux, that's for sure. Besides that, the Braves can get away with refusing to give out money because they pump out talent every single year. We? We're lucky to develop someone who might eventually become a good bullpen arm for hte Washington Nationals. And Schuerholz is thoughtful and brilliant by all accounts not just because of these things but for a variety of reasons that are unique to him over just about every other GM in baseball. I'd guess over every GM in baseball.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Oct 17, 2007 -> 04:00 AM) So...he is basically saying the same thing KW said last offseason, but with a few more adjectives...? and, if he wants to call it voodoo economics, he can; it's economics all the same. More owners are willing to pay for these players at a higher price, and thus, their salaries have increased. (and this is all the more reason the Sox should have traded Garland and Dye at the deadline, and Konerko (plus perhaps others) this offseason...an opinion, of course, but if KW intends on contending next year, he has to buy into the economics of today's game, and pay more than a player is usually worth, plus get a hell of a return for Garland in a deal this offseason, along with hoping he gets the free agent he wants and that the planets atleast get close to aligning) Schuerholz has been saying it for a long time -- never this strongly, of course, but he's long had a rough relationship with sleazy agents and irresponsible owners. I especially get a big kick out of hearing him, a conservative Republican, call something "Voodoo Economics." Just another example of Schuerholz being a thoughtful, well-balanced man.

Man, I miss Schuerholz already.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 11:38 PM) Could you imagine what Randy Moss would have had to say about the QB situation when he showed up? With good reason!

Purple Mountain's Majesty Jeff Francis keys the Purple Mountain's Majesty, engulfing October In thick Fogg, as the Rocks avalanche From the sky onto Earth crushing snakes, Cities and men but elevating Its own a mile above the ground Higher than a Holliday homerun Passed past peaks of American lore So that new men can be immortal Even the timezone fits -- Mountain Time, For this team of destiny and fate, Which found itself "Out of it" in June But flatly refused to take the Third, Striking back at ev'ry change and curve The league threw its way, winning fourteen Of its last fifteen against Dragons, Smashing through spider Webbs, Dodging ghosts And even beating God for a chance To achieve their immortality Yet, some question Colorado's club Wondering if they truly belong With the Red Sox or the Indians Because their television tells them That no other teams exist outside Of the "major" cities in the East But in this great month of Rocktober Todd Helton has built his dream season On that great polished jewel of Coors Field With Corpas and Bridges and Tulips They have reached their Immortality

QUOTE(3E8 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 07:26 PM) Who else loves when Byrd does the double-windup Right here.

What a b**** thing to do by AAR.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 02:47 PM) The Rockies have an incredible bullpen and outstanding lineup, plus play great defense, so they obviously have a great shot in the World Series when you combine that with how hot they are. The problem is, they will be going against an outstanding AL team, who will have just as good a lineup, just as good a bullpen, and a better starting pitching rotation (I still don't trust the Rockies starters after Francis). The World Series should be a great one no matter who wins in the AL, but the Rockies will not find it quite as easy now that they don't get to play NL teams anymore. I have more faith in the Rockies starters after Francis than I do Boston's. Schilling isn't what he used to be, and Matsuzaka isn't great.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 02:50 PM) That 0 qs prediction is still killing you, aint it? Ooooh, you got me.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 12:54 PM) I was just using your definition - Championship caliber pitcher. Would you prefer another one? I'm done with this conversation. "Neal Cotts champion caliber pitcher." Like Jeff Suppan. Let's sign a bunch of Jeff Suppans and draft a bunch of Neal Cotts' and hope to God that they're able to pull off a mighty, magical fluke season.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 12:47 PM) Well, Neal Cotts falls in that category... so I guess there are a LOT of pitchers in the Sox system with that potential. Neal Cotts was and is a fluke. If you're counting on your mediocre starting pitching depth to have a fluke season, together, your organization has some serious problems going into the future.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 12:43 PM) I disagree with your assessment. I think there are quite a few in there with reasonable shots to be "impact ML pitchers". But then, what do you mean by "impact"? Championship caliber pitchers.

I try to avoid "luring" people over the Internet... don't want to be caught up in no funny business!

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 12:35 PM) Pick whatever word makes you feel better. Read my post and Chisoxfn's. The idea that the Sox' system cannot develop and has not developed arms is off base. I was clarifying. Note that I specifically said the system was not one of the best. Yeah, but it's definitely sub-par. None of these guys except DLS has a real shot at being an impact ML pitcher except for Gio who has an outside shot but I would never bet on it since he's so tiny.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 12:10 PM) You seem to be pointing your ire in the wrong direction. The Sox farm system is and has been for a few years now much stronger in pitching talent than it is in position player talent. Pitching-wise, its a pretty well stacked system right now - not among the top few teams by any means, but not near the bottom either. Position players, on the other hand... What does "stacked" mean? Two arms that may possibly someday do something good -- one guy who will be Matt Thornton with better control, if he doesn't develop control -- one guy who is going to have to be as smart as Mike Mussina to succeed, one guy who is very small and has serious durability questions but who has been good this year and others but hasn't always succeeded? "Stacked" is not the word for our system with any regard unless we're discussing fringe prospects.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 11:14 AM) He had a pretty successful agriculture business. IIRC It frightens me but I see Pratt's point. Both seem to believe we'll never pluck someone from middleclassville and elect them President. It seems that SS is pointing to the money to run a campaign and Pratt is pointing out that the positions we believe are valuable (even necessary) would carry the successful candidate past middle class. I think it could be a very interesting discussion on the levels of economic success a candidate should have achieved in their life and the kinds of middle class professions that could qualify someone for the Presidency. I'm wondering if a Scientist or Professor could build the following necessary. My biggest question is, Do you have to remain in the middle class to be considered a part of the middle class? I mean, the easy answer is, "Yes." It's not like you, say, fall out of the upper class and people still refer to you as upper class because of who you used to be, but I think it's different with someone like Bill Clinton or Ronald Reagan who grew up with dumps for fathers and no money at all in rural parts of the country with no external advantages in life.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 10:54 AM) Don't EVEN start cherry-picking crazy comments that make conservatives/republicans look bad. One look at any of the top liberal sites can fill a f***ing library with the amount of over-the-top venom thrown at republicans on just about any subject you care to name. Alpha, I am one of the most frequent critics on this site of people who throw blanket, "REPUBELICAN, BINLADENCRAT!" sentences. I was not doing that and I'm not trying to do that -- and I don't think there's anything in that post from me "cherry picking" (first of all, it was just one comment on that site, and that was it -- for anotehr, I didn't mention party, and I definitely didn't say anything to the effect of, "Look at what THE REPUBLICANs" are saying). I was just pointing out a comment that was so grossly imbecilic and insensitive that it made me gasp. So relax.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 10:45 AM) Yeah, you wanted a "conversation". That's pretty funny actually. It would be even funnier if you actually believed it. To be honest, I don't feel like wasting my time with a circular logic arguement with you today. As a matter of a fact I will just outline the arguement, and you can fill in the blanks if you really feel the need. Me-Opinion based on my interpretation of history GP-hyperbole, 20 questions Me-answers ad nausem GP-nitpicks at answers, completely ignoring mainpoint Me-replys to splitting hairs, by trying to bring back the main point. GP-Ignores mainpoint, going back to parsing words. Me-Tries again to explain mainpoint GP-more hyperbole, more questions Me-gives up and walks away from a pointless arguement. Now see how much time I just saved us? I already said I'm happy to be right. What more do you want from me?

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 11:47 AM) why do I get the feeling that your mother dressed you up in a suit every day of your life... anybody who has ever met me would tell you that's a false impression. That's about all there is to it as I'm not going to take the rest of that bait.

I apologize for trying to have a conversation instead of an argument. I'm glad I was right, though.

Oh, my God -- from one of the sites:

My apologies -- Google news barely put it up.

I googled around and as far as I can tell that didn't happen.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 09:44 AM) Nevermind... you were right. argue on. I'm sorry that you don't like being questioned. It's a fair Q -- what is a middle class President? Are you arguing that, say, a trucker should be President? An accountant? A man who runs a mom-and-pop shop? Your barber? Presidents are, and should be, people who take on higher end positions in society. Some of them are born into them and some of them work their way up. Accordingly, there's a lot of money on the high end and so it's not possible to be a "middle class President" if you expect a President to be making 50,000 a year. Hell, it's not likely that they'll make less than 100,000, from their government job alone as Governor or Senator, either of which is a must for a President. So are Clinton and Reagan middle class Presidents? Was anybody? I think so. In those two cases, even. But if you don't want to "argue on," sorry to hear it. I forgot that discourse in this filibuster is limited to ad hominem political attacks and wholesale derisions of entire political parties and the people within.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 09:34 AM) Were they poor when they ran for President? No, but what's a 'middle class President'? (I don't think Clinton had a ton of money when he ran for Prez., though.) Is it someone that came from the middle class or who remained in the middle class? How would you remain in the middle class and still be an effective President? How would you remain in a small income range and be a politician and win a Governor's chair and win a Senate seat? Hell, by taking those jobs you automatically lose a middle class "slotting," since you're making money now. Please define your terms.