Dick Allen

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 05:14 PM) I'd agree with the logic if there wasn't 1 problem with it; the bases were loaded after 4 pitches in the 9th last night. If you'd told Cooper to get on the phone and get Thornton up after the first guy was on, he'd be hanging up the phone with the bases loaded. There are 2 rubbers in the bullpen. They could have been up the previous half inning, or right when it started and with stalling had no problem.

Richard in the 9th would have been scary. I have no problem with Ozzie going with Jenks, he is getting paid $5.6 million this year to get outs in the 9th. The only criticism I have is why not have someone ready in case Bobby pitched like he had the previous 4 outings? He really should have been yanked after 2 hitters and certainly after he loaded them up, and most definitely after they tied it up.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 10:20 PM) Rongy's show is a frightening reminder of how uninformed and intellectually-deficient most of America is. It really is. Its almost makes one embarrassed to be a human. I wish they would limit call in shows, and perhaps do a better job of screening the callers. Some of these guys................there is no way they should be allowed to be on the air.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 10:17 PM) You don't think Poreda could have been a second lefty option in the pen? Or at least a lefty specialist? I do. I think Ozzie had gotten to the point where he could have ramped up his usage of Poreda, but instead he threw him into a tough situation after having not pitched in a while. Usually Ozzie lets his guys fail a ton before demoting them, but Poreda is a different case (see Boone Logan). Also, when Thornton got here he was used in a similar way and like Poreda, he basically only used his fastball. I hope Ozzie is sending Poreda down simply because of a numbers game and the uncertainty at the back of the rotation. There are now 3 guys (Richard, Colon, Torres) in the picture, with Harrell also in Charlotte, Garcia on a rehab assignment, and both Whisler and Egbert having gotten a cup of coffee. So really that's 7 options right there, and I'd actually be surprised if Poreda is down for any other reason. He can't throw strikes consistently. If he can't do that, he can't pitch effectively in the major leagues. He seems like a free spirited fun guy. I hope he finds it, because I think he could really be a character, but he's not ready now. He can mop up fine, but using him when you absolutely need an out isn't ideal.

QUOTE (allupons @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 10:13 PM) What about exactly? Some fan is probably ripping Ozzie and Rongey is probably defending him. Every show is pretty much a rerun after a loss.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 07:06 PM) Brian's options had a part in it as well. Maybe. I'm as big of fan of BA than anybody, but BA only has himself to blame for having to enjoy Charlotte at this time. He didn't have to do much to distinguish himself vs. Wise, and he failed to do so. Its on him.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 10:00 PM) Sure. That explains why Poreda was doing well in the pen until Ozzie's brainfart, and also why we held on to Jimmy Gobble so long. Poreda hasn't been throwing as hard as he was in the minors and none of us know the reasons behind that. His slider isn't enough to survive as a starter in the big leagues but to make it out like he wouldn't have been successful in relief is another matter entirely. He was doing well because he was used in non pressure situations with match ups that were very favorable towards him. Ozzie handled him with kid gloves. I rip Ozzie as much as anyone, but he used Poreda correctly. He is not ready to get major league hitters out when they need to be out. Maybe in time he will be, but he's going to have to get the gas back and/or improve the secondary pitches and get some command.

QUOTE (Jimmywins1 @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 08:53 PM) Aaron Poreda's average fastball has been 92.5 mph, Clayton Richard's has been 91.6. One never goes more than 2 innings. Richard seems to be throwing harder than Poreda. There is no way Poreda would have had an outing like Richard tonight. 92.5 with no command and weak secondary pitches get you what Poreda got, a plane ticket to AAA.

That was predictable. At least we have the guy we want up now.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 09:38 PM) Nix is a RH with power. I understand the move. He is 0-9 PHing. Whatever, I don't think Getz was going to hit this guy, I just hope Nix at least only makes 1 out.

QUOTE (TheBigHurt @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 09:36 PM) Yeah. I'm harder on Ozzie than ANYBODY, but blaming him for this is just stupid. The only thing is after the first 2 batters it was apparent what has been happening lately with Jenks was continuing. It was a time to at least consider a change. Win the game.

For the love of God, when you hit batters and walk batters its not the catcher's fault.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 09:32 PM) Hard to believe Howell is the same guy that sucked as a starter in KC. Isn't Ryan Franklin closing for STL? Oakland's closer was a bust as a starter in AA last year. I'm pretty sure they are all part of the reason KW and the Sox want no part of paying Jenks $8-9 million next year.

QUOTE (jphat007 @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 09:26 PM) Bobby has a few of these a year. They suck, but it happens every year. He's never had a stretch like he's had lately. 5 bad outings in a row.

I think it might be time to give Bobby a little rest from the closer role.

Jenks either has lost all his confidence or he's hurting.

This is the 5th pretty poor outing in a row for Jenks.

Why don't the Sox ever steal in this situation?

One thing I don't understand about Poreda is considering he's been a starter, he always threw out of the stretch even with no one on base. I wonder if that took away MPH. Maybe his wind up was contributing to a lack of command, but it certainly didn't look like he had much from the stretch.

I'm BA's biggest fan, but if he can't distinguish himself as being far superior to Wise, which he hasn't, this is what is going to happen. If a BA/Wise decision is the biggest problem the White Sox have from here on out, there should be an awesome parade in about 90 days. This move sucks for Anderson, but its not going to cost the White Sox wins.

QUOTE (The Baconator @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 01:23 AM) Exactly what I'm saying, in regards to Poreda. A lot of people were clamoring for to be called up, despite some reservations about his readiness. Now that he's up, we want to send him back now for Torres? Torres may not be ready either; I feel people just want to make a move for making-a-move's sake. Either we shouldn't have brought Poreda up in the first place or we should give him more time. Well, he's already up so why should we change after 2.5 weeks and think Torres is the answer? If Torres is indeed ready (again, questionable but perhaps worth a chance), it should be Richard down and Poreda getting more work, if anything. Exactly. Be careful what you wish for, rookie pitchers, especially with the White Sox, have a tendancy to get lit up.

Bobby has 22 saves, the last 3 not so impressive.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Jul 20, 2009 -> 10:03 PM) Jeez... Jenks loves to make it interesting... He's turning into Rod Beck.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 20, 2009 -> 10:02 PM) Has there ever been a worse defensive outfield in the history of the game than the one we're trotting out there now? CLee, Everett, and Maggs will give them a run for their money.

He's going to strike out the side.