Dick Allen

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 1, 2014 -> 08:25 AM) Since "Opening Week" is about to get terrible weather, wouldn't it be a good business move just to postpone the next two games now, and have doubleheaders in August and September? It's a division team. Do it. I think they would rather play them now. Doubleheaders tax your pitching staff.

Today is the day you leave messages on your co-workers' desks to return phone calls from Myra Maines, and give them the morgue's number.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Apr 1, 2014 -> 08:11 AM) Certainly. But none of those other guys are being heralded as legendary "ambassadors for the game" and considered flawless role models. I mean, my favorite player ever is Frank Thomas, and let's be honest, he's always been an egotistical asshole. But no one ever tried to say he wasn't, you know? Plenty of people have said he isn't. The thing is, I don't know how you can rip Jeter for being flawed and use that negotiation of his contract and an example where A. he didn't negotiate the contract, his agent did. and B. There were absolutely no quotes of Jeter whining. What is he supposed to do, just tell his agent to accept whatever the Yankees offer? Here is a quote from his agent about the Yankees taking things public: There's a reason the Yankees themselves have stated Derek Jeter is their modern-day Babe Ruth. Derek's significance to the team is much more than just stats. And yet, the Yankees' negotiating strategy remains baffling." Then Close said: "They continue to argue their points in the press and refuse to acknowledge Derek's total contribution to their franchise."

Guess what day it is.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Apr 1, 2014 -> 06:55 AM) Not being privy to the actual truth, I can just say that I've read dozens of times over the years that there was real heat in the clubhouse when they acquired Alex Rodriguez. After Googling around a bit, though, the only things I see are random bloggers and commenters referring to his "refusal to move," which causes me to doubt its veracity for the first time. If that was all a media hoax or hearsay, then I stand corrected. As for the contract -- I don't have a problem with 3/45 at all. But Jeter absolutely did: http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2...=blogs&_r=0 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writ...es.jeter.close/ http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/sports/b...l/24kepner.html http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball...rticle-1.454099 I read the SI article you linked and it seems Jeter said nothing publicly about his contract. Maybe his agent did and the Yankees, but he certainly did not. There is nothing in these links that makes Jeter look like a money grubbing athlete. There is not one quote from Jeter whining about his contract. If you have a problem with Jeter and that negotiation, there probably are very few players you don't have a problem with. Many negotiations become nasty, but for some reason this one became public, and I don't think that was Jeter's idea.

It was a fun game to attend. I just have to remember it was a team the Sox are supposed to beat, especially with Sale on the mound. At least it wasn't so boring and frustrating, like the majority of games last season. I hope that is a good sign. You never know what might spark a team, but then again, I think most of us probably get a little too optimistic after one game. (At least we have this one game)

Lip's dinner on Shameless last night was hysterical.

Sale is still in.

Semien fans. I think the wind cost him a homer earlier.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 05:00 PM) Strike out number 3 in inning. Sale going to pitch 8th or is he done? Activity in the bullpen. I would guess he is done.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 04:53 PM) Every time I see Nieto at the plate, I keep thinking he's Josh Hamilton. He's got a very similar stance/swing. Semiens stance reminds me of Jeters.

Balta must have been sluffing off during spring training. The guys he was complaining about have come up huge.

Argument for Gillaspie hitting 3rd: http://www.southsidesox.com/2014/3/31/5566...ning-day-lineup

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 01:07 PM) I have no idea what a versatile hitter is but I'd prefer the #3 slot to be a good hitter. Unfortunately, that is an area the White Sox are severely lacking.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 12:59 PM) i dont think it would dissected at all if that were the case. I mean come on, De Aza or Viciedo. Who cares. Similar numbers, one is a little older, neither seem to be in long term plans. And crying about roster construction right now is silly anyway. Injuries, non performance, trades...the roster will look different in a month, let alone the entire season. If De Aza and/or Tank show they should be playing every day, they will be playing every day, either with the White Sox or somewhere else.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 12:20 PM) Just to make this connection...this lineup is a really good example of why I disliked this roster construction so much. We're playing the "win now" guy in LF and benching the guy we need to develop because of RH/LH matchups. We're spending a roster spot on a guy to give him his last hurrah and he's not playing on opening day. We're playing 2 "win now", lefty-righty matchup guys to try to win the game, and then throwing out a completely inadequate #3 hitter who has his replacement already procured. We constructed a roster full of starters who need time to develop and a long-time tribute guy, then threw in a couple "win this game today" platoon guys and suddenly we're playing the win-now guys because gotta win the game. Just a great example of why I complained so much about the roster construction. You also complained when Konerko came back saying he would play too much and take ABs away from Abreu. Now you are complaining the 25th man on the roster isn't in the Opening Day line up. Obviously complaining is your hobby, but make up your mind what you are going to complain about.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 12:27 PM) Its possible they are trying to sub-lease the rights to another group and pull a profit from it. I don't think they can do that per the contract.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 11:23 AM) Jeter is a first ballot HOFer. THAT SAID: There are two reasons that I don't think he is as "classy" as everyone gives him credit for: 1. His refusal to move off of SS as he aged. If the team needs you to move, a "classy" guy moves. 2. The public hissy fit he put up about his last contract. No one owes you money for your past. He was coming off a garbage season and was offered a better deal from the NYY than any other team. So I tend to play a strong devil's advocate role when he comes up, not because I think he's a bad guy, but because I'm not seeing this whole "greatest ambassador of teh game evarr" crap. Guys like Jim Thome deserve that, not Jeter. He never refused to move. He was never asked. "The idea's never come up from anyone in the organization," Jeter said at a retirement news conference Wednesday that he refused to call, you know, a retirement news conference. Actually, Jeter himself brought up a position change seven years ago in a trainer's room conversation with Gene Michael, telling the longtime executive that he wanted to play another 10 seasons and would be willing to switch to first base or designated hitter to do it. Michael was among the team officials in attendance at the news conference and among the many in Yankeedom thrilled that Jeter, 39, would finish his career right where it started, right where he always belonged. And the contract he signed seems fairly reasonable. I am assuming it was the one signed previously. e's guaranteed $15 million in 2011, $16 million in 2012, and $17 million in 2013. In each of those three seasons, the Yankees will hold back $2 million in interest free money. In the 2014 season, his income depends on his achievements the first three years, and the 2014 season. In 2014, his base salary is $8 million, of which $6 million is the deferred money from the 2011-2013 seasons. He can earn extra based on the following incentives:

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 09:31 AM) I'd rather see both sides agree to void the deal, and the Sox find a new sponsor who pays assloads more to put their name on the walls. I think this is what ultimately happens. I would imagine the White Sox are waiting for an improved team with improved attendance and exposure maximizing what they could get in naming rights.

QUOTE (CyAcosta41 @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 09:12 AM) Spot-on "yes." Considering the entire package (keep it clean, boys), Jeter has been a "one of the very best of his generation" style players. Would have loved him to be the 20+ year heart, soul, captain, and SS on my team in a heartbeat. I think the so-called "hatred" starts because people tire of the unflagging NY bias of NY fans, exacerbated by the infuriating overall East Coast bias of ESPN. As great as Jeter is, no player, he included, is without warts. For example, despite "The Play," all those Gold Gloves and pretending that he's much more than a competent defensive SS is just silly. Treating him like some sort of God rather than simply what he is -- a great player -- can get tiresome for those who don't drink that particular kool-aid. Paulie Konerko? Our #14? One of the franchise's best overall players, a really good hitter for a really long time, and an incredible asset for our beloved team. I love the guy. But his overall situation, nationally and within the history of baseball, is very different from Jeter. I just think people should look beyond the ESPN bias and realize he was a great player for a long time on perhaps the most difficult stage. He also came up big when it mattered, and didn't let any of it go to his head. He always called Joe Torre, Mr. Torre. He is a credit to the game. If he were a White Sox, we would all be proud he was one. Same with every fanbase of every team.

Derek Jeter is a first ballot HOFer who has multiple WS rings and was the captain of the Yankees for years. He has conducted himself with nothing but class. The hatred he gets is beyond confusing to me. He is exactly what you would want your sports heroes to be.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 08:39 AM) If Beckham is out for 6 weeks and Semien tears it up, fine, I'll count that, but we're still talking like a week of time at the most right? If he goes 15/20 on the week, is that a sign that he's ready? I can use the Josh Phegley example here, 10 for his first 36 with 3 HR, then 15 for his next 86 with a .386 OPS. I think Beckham is supposed to return Saturday or Sunday. If Semien is hot, I would have no problem keeping him around until he cools off, but the Sox aren't going to bench Beckham, and it makes little sense to have Semien riding pine when AAA experience is something he has very little. Maybe something else happens, but like you said you can't judge ready in 3 or 4 games. You can judge not ready in that time.

BPs latest projections have the Sox finishing 4th. 10 behind Detroit but only 2 behind KC and Cleveland.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Mar 30, 2014 -> 01:56 PM) The traditionalist in me hopes they just go back to Comiskey Park. I not a fan of corporate names on stadiums. I agree, but with what they pay to put their names on the places, they need to take the money, especially if it is a pubicly funded place.

I think the bigger story is they lost sponsorship of both the former Bacardi at the Park and Gold Coast Tickets Club. Considering US Cellular is no longer available in the area, I don't think they really need any signage, but like you mentioned, perhaps the name is going to change. Also there is a little space between 11 and 16. Are they going to retire Ozzie's number? NM, that is for Konerko's 14.