Dick Allen

I see BA more of a porn actor.

QUOTE (wilmot825 @ May 4, 2009 -> 12:24 PM) Stacey King has the best nicknames for people....like Scalawhatever his name is, Stacey referred to him as "Jackie Moon" the whole series. Too Funny Last year when Phil Jackson was sporting a moustache and soul patch, Stacey called him Col. Sanders.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ May 4, 2009 -> 01:09 PM) Is it just me, or have people completely crossed the line with their cell phones? I know it's been this way for awhile, but I remember a time when taking a call or looking at s*** on your cell while you were at family functions, a party, dinner, etc was considered bad manners. I've got so many friends and family members who sit there staring at their cell phones while in a group... be they texting, or surfing the Web, or posting on f***ing Facebook. It's really out of hand. I've made a conscious effort to look at my phone less... but you almost feel less popular if you aren't texting every one of your friends every f***ing detail of your night and where you'll be... it's unbelievably annoying. Anyway, share your stories in this thread of cell phone rudeness and annoyance. I was just thinking about this on the way up the elevator this morning. There were 6 people with me all staring at their cellphones.

Getz 2b Nix 3b Quentin lf Thome DH Konerko 1b Pierzynski c Ramirez ss Podsednik rf Lillibridge cf

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 4, 2009 -> 12:31 PM) Okay, I'll ask this question. Can the argument possibly be made that we (2009 White Sox) are better or even with that 2006 Cardinals' team? Right now it really doesn't matter. The Cardinals were awfully bad for a long while that season. The White Sox swept them. They trounced them twice then won 1-0 with one hit, a Thome homer. But they played great in October. Its not inconceivable a lot of these guys can get hot at the same time. Home field in the WS would be huge because Thome is such a huge part of the White Sox offense. If he's hot, and Dye and Quentin and Konerko are hot and Buerhle and Danks and one of the 3 of Floyd, Colon or Contreras are throwing well and the bullpen is healthy, this team can beat a lot of baseball teams. Its unlikely everyone is clicking at the same time, but stranger things have happened. I really doubt anyone is going to run away from the rest of the division and if White Sox playoff tickets become available, I will buy them.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 4, 2009 -> 12:19 PM) 2003 Marlins, 91-71 1997 Marlins, 92-70 1990 Reds, 91-71 1987 Twins, 85-77 2001 Diamondbacks, 92-70 Those were the teams, that, looking back over the last 20-30 years, along with the '06 Cardinals, seem the most "anomalous." However, they all won 90+ games, with one exception, the Twins, who had a simply incredible homefield advantage. The D-Backs had amazing starting pitching, the Reds had a lockdown bullpen, and both those Marlins teams were incredibly talented. The only comparison and hope for the White Sox is the example of the Cardinals, but we certainly don't have a player as singularly good as Pujols. Pujols hit .200 in the 2006 WS with 2 RBI. He drove in one run in the 2006 NLCS.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ May 4, 2009 -> 12:03 PM) The 1987 Minnesota Twins and 2006 St. Louis Cardinals are two examples out of the last 30 or so years of seemingly bad teams getting in that won it all, and probably the ONLY two teams among many. You asked "how many WC have won the world series?" How does this apply? The WC team could have the second best record in the league. The worst division winner cannot - and that's the scenario we are looking at here. Can you please tell me how the wild card will be coming out of the central this season? How about this instead - since 1995, how many times has the worst division winner in either respective league won the world series? How many times has a team that has won less than 90 games won the world series? I'll bet it's less than 10%. You're saying that banking on that 5-10% or so statistical historical chance we would have to win the World Series is a mindset we should have year after year after year....are you serious? I'd ask you if you treat similar statistical chances in the same way? Just so I have this straight- in this same paragraph you assume that if we lose game 3 of the first round of the 2005 divisional playoffs while up 2-0, we probably don't win the series whatsoever. That is what you're saying, right? probably. Is this like saying if we win the division with 83 wins this season, we probably win the world series? If the White Sox win 75 games this year and win their division they have a chance to win the WS. If they win 85 games and come in third they have a zero percent chance of winning. I would take the winning the division. BTW the pct. of WC winners and not so good team winners of the WS is ALOT higher than the pct. of White Sox winners even after being awful for many years, so I'm taking the Lloyd Christmas approach "So you're saying there's a chance." As for 2005, I mentioned the ball rolling through Grafinino's legs. That was game 2. Iguchi homered next for the White Sox lead and their final runs of the night. If the ball doesn't roll through his legs, once again, a much longer shot than a WC team or the playoff team with the worst record winning the WS, the series is 1-1 And if El Duque isn't around to save the day game 3, there's a very reasonable chance the Sox would be down 2-1. Who knows what happens after that, but the odds would be against them and even if they came back the pitching rotation could be screwed up for the next round. I'm not saying that is what the Sox should shoot for year after year. I've bashed them for the first time ever this year in regards to going cheap. Their roster is far from what I had hoped it would be, far from the aggressiveness the GM always chirps about. But they aren't going to spend money so we just must try to enjoy what we have to look at, and thank our lucky stars the AL Central is pretty weak. Come October, I'd rather be the first place team in the AL central than the 3rd place team in the AL east, and that team or even the 4th place team probably is better.

I think they are great together. I love it when they tease each other, plus Stacey is becoming a pretty informative analyst, and he worked a "he gone" into a playoff broadcast. Neil needs a few more Kabooms but for some reason Tom Dore never worked for me, and I consider Neil an upgrade.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ May 4, 2009 -> 11:35 AM) No, it's time we were realistic about what this team is capable of. I suppose if you feel division titles are some sort of accomplishment, then this season probably has some meaning for you. As all the rosters currently stand, any team making out of the Central probably gets utterly smoked in the postseason. I don't see the point of division titles, personally, but whatever floats your boat. Maybe I just remember the 1987 Minnesota Twins and the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals. I will never get sick of the White Sox making the postseason where anything can happen. Who knows, if Quentin doesn't get hurt and the White Sox are able to align their rotation correctly in the playoffs, what happens last season. You don't have to lead everyday like the 2005 White Sox. If the ball doesn't go through Graffinino's legs in 2005 and El Duque is left off the playoff roster like KW wanted and most of Soxtalk wanted as well, the White Sox probably don't make it out of the first round then. Anything can happen, any team can get hot. I don't think this team is good enough to win, but if they get there its not like the NBA where only a couple teams have a realistic shot. Look at how many wildcard teams have won it all. If the WS title is the only thing that floats your boat, 1 in 92 years must make you very ornery. I know a quick exit sucks, but at least you have a shot. There is nothing to indicate the White Sox are on the verge of a long run of winning WS. There is a lot of luck involved.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 4, 2009 -> 07:30 AM) Ozzie's thought process was probably something like... give Konerko a little more rest, and keep Betemit from getting rusty. Problem is, Konerko is just a better 1B on defense (and he is better than he is often given credit for as well). What I don't understand is why does Ozzie consider DHing someone giving him a rest, but then needs to rest Thome who only DH's?

QUOTE (MO2005 @ May 4, 2009 -> 07:42 AM) I just don't get why so many people are acting surprised about this team right now. We all know this team will NOT compete this year and really this season is for us to see what the kids can do. If we wanted to win then Kenny would of pulled some triggers on some deals this offseason and Ozzie wouldn't be so damn inconsistent with his lineup selection. Did anyone catch the Ozzie interview yesterday with John Miller during the game. The hilarious piece of that whole interview was when John mentioned to Ozzie that this team just relies on the long ball. Ozzie's response was we have more speed this year..Are you kidding me..yes more speed, but Ozzie one small problem...What good is it when they can't get on base! I agree. 1.5 games out with only 138 left to play. Its time to pull the plug and think about 2010.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 4, 2009 -> 10:38 AM) Didn't they say the same thing about Gavin in Philly? They were the opposite. Supposedly Gavin takes advice from everybody and his mind is filled with too many things. Bailey, if he gets knocked around just tries throwing harder.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ May 4, 2009 -> 10:03 AM) Since reverting to his old delivery, Bailey has gone 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA, and struck out 18 in his second to last game. I’m not saying, I’m just saying. Still a Dye guy. One of the big knocks on Bailey is that he isn't very coachable. He's a talent, that's for sure.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ May 4, 2009 -> 09:54 AM) The Reds rotation is deeper than the White Sox. He couldn't beat out Micah Owings. If he were a White Sox, people would be calling for him to pull a Rick Ankiel at this stage.

QUOTE (RME JICO @ May 4, 2009 -> 08:53 AM) He has a 4.61 ERA in AAA. Doesn't look too promising. Obviously, if he couldn't make the Reds, chances are he wouldn't have made the White Sox. The big change is that Abreu would most likely be in RF. He had been having a decent year offensively last time I check, stealing a lot of bases.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 4, 2009 -> 07:43 AM) 4.37 if Contreras had an ERA of around 5.50, and SIXTH in the AL. However, even at 6th in the AL, we have one of the worst offenses (currently) in baseball. Yes, that will turn around and come back to at least league-average (barring any more injuries, or Quentin/Thome/Dye/Konerko missing extended time), but that won't be good enough. Assuming (a big one) that Contreras had 3 quality starts in a row, then you're also going to expect Buerhle and Colon to continue pitching so well? That Colon won't miss a start for most of the season? It looks like Floyd will be inconsistent and around .500, and that Danks is starting to press a little bit because of the lack of offensive support. It will be VERY interesting to see how this team responds psychologically to the challenge of facing Greinke and Davies (Sox killer since 08) on the road. KC's back in first place by 1/2 game, along with the Tigers. Will we get any clutch hits or continue to struggle? The offense should get better. Getz should calm the leadoff discussion. Anorexei should start hitting. Thome will do better. They won't be the 1927 Yankees, but should be good enough. Its all going to come down to pitching. I hope Linebrink and Dotel can hold up all season, because the reinforcements don't appear too promising at least to help this year.

Obviously pitching is the key to winning. If Contreras had an ERA of 5.50 vs. what it is now, how would the ERA rank? I expect him to be better. I think everyone knows if Floyd's ERA hovers around 5 the White Sox are in trouble. Its still way too early, but if Corky Miller is batting 6th, chances are the offense isn't going to put too many runs on the board. The fact that they are .500 is encouraging. If they can stay there they will have a chance. If not, its drop the payroll even more, raise ticket prices even more and flashback to 1999.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 3, 2009 -> 08:34 PM) Pods with even one ball hit remotely well this weekend. He is done, finished, washed up, etc. Trotting him out to the field is the most embarrassing thing to happen during KW's tenure. I think Jerry Owens getting called up last week was a lot worse.

What's worse, Joe Morgan or Michael Huff?

I don't know who Texas is going to trot to the mound in the 9th, but Danks would have had to pitch a shutout to get a win tonight.

QUOTE (scenario @ May 3, 2009 -> 08:29 PM) LOL. Exactly what I was thinking while watching him 'jump'. If Stacey King saw that last play he would have said Lillibridge can't jump over a dollar bill.

Phillips is making a great point. If $2 million is nothing to pay a mediocre players, why is it too much to pay for top of the line coaches? If Texas' hitting coach makes as much difference as been talked about, wouldn't giving him $2 million be a bargain?

Lillibridge isn't stellar in CF.

QUOTE (knightni @ May 3, 2009 -> 08:21 PM) Why not start Contreras every 5 days, pull him after 3, and have Richard pitch 4 then? Because Richard would only be able to pitch when Contreras pitched. Contreras may just work his way out of it. I believe he will. If he doesn't plan B will not bring better results.

QUOTE (qwerty @ May 3, 2009 -> 08:20 PM) This is stretching. Pitchers are historically the most effective the first time around the order. Yes, but we are talking about a guy with a long layoff from throwing, and after the extra layoff, a shortened spring training. At the very least, he's an option to be a pretty effective bullpen guy vs. a release.