Dick Allen

QUOTE (hogan873 @ Apr 30, 2009 -> 08:20 AM) Back when we had Ritchie (shudder), I remember Manuel using him to PH because "he was a NL pitcher and knows how to hit." Yeah, he struck out. It makes some sense in interleague play. AL rosters carry an extra pitcher usually because of the DH so when playing by NL rules, the bench is a little short.

QUOTE (hogan873 @ Apr 30, 2009 -> 07:29 AM) Whilst reading the posts in this thread I chuckled, cringed, shook my head, and even muttered a few obsenities. The consensus seems to be that although Pods is not a good option he is all we have right now. And I pretty much agree but do not think he will be as bad as some think. So, IF he is called up and starts in centerfield we will find out. What made me angry was the complaining of the Swisher trade. How many times last year did I read posts calling for Swisher to be traded...RIGHT NOW!? As soon as the season ended there was gleeful speculation that he would gone. And when he was traded there seemed to be much happiness floating around, even though we didn't get much for him. But the idea that the Sox freed up money was the center of the virtual smile-fest. Now, I have to add a note here...I was a bit sad to see Swisher traded. He did not have a good year, but he did bring an energy to the team and was an okay CFer. And yes, I suppose we can all play 10th inning general managers and wish the Swisher trade undone. But I'm not sure I would. He will not continue playing like he is now. He will have a better tear than last year (he'd have to, right?), but who's to say it would have happened with us? Finally, the best news that I received while perusing this thread was that Owens seems to be gone. Thank God. Even if he is a decent defensive CFer, he is an automatic out in the lineup. The Sox would be better off letting the pitcher hit and having the DH hit for Owens. Hey, wait a minute? Can they do that? Would that be an option? I know you can do it in HS and College but someone showed me a rule a couple years ago and the only guy that can be DH'd for is the pitcher.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Apr 30, 2009 -> 12:09 AM) no it's not...just constantly b****1ng about the lack of putting together the perfect roster is though. Joey the 6th grader knew there were problems with this line-up when Dewayne Wise was leading off. He also knew Jerry Owens was garbage. There were lots of options available this winter. The White Sox, despite chairman Reinsdorf's comment that the 2008 team was "not a fun team to watch" decided slashing payroll, despite raising ticket prices was the way to go. Sometimes you do get what you pay for. KW talks about some aggressive approach. With a division that includes KC, Minnesota and the economy damaged cities of Cleveland and Detroit, and season ticket sales ahead of last year's pace, it was time to put the pedal to the metal. No one is going to have a perfect roster, but to expect 4 or 5 miracles is a stretch. That said, this team could win 83 games and win the division and the WS, like STL in 2006. The ride just won't be as enjoyable. Thank God they aren't in the AL East. They would have no chance.

BTW if there is any question Joe Cowley is a fraud, here's what he said about Jerry Owens on March 8 ,2008: "If speed kills, Owens is a serial killer. He is a true leadoff hitter, with Kenny Lofton-like potential. Besides adding 10 pounds of muscle during the offseason, his confidence is sky-high. A tweaked groin has slowed him down a bit, but he should be fine."

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 10:01 PM) Have we quoted Ozzie yet about his conversation with Lillibridge? Jesus. “I just had a pretty good conversation with him," Guillen said before Wednesday's game. "If he does what he’s supposed to do, he will make $12 to $15 million in this game. But if he does what he’s doing right now, he might end up in Korea playing. And Ozzie leads him off.

Here's some numbers that may shock some. The beloved Rockin' Robin Ventura White Sox career BA .274. Jim Thome's career White Sox BA .267 and mere difference of .007. Robin gets 1 more hit every 143 ABs more than Thome in their White Sox years. Robin's OBP .365, Thome's .393. Robin has hit 56 more homers in a White Sox uniform than Thome in about 800 more games. Robin needed to make some adjustments apparently.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 06:25 PM) I'm not saying Thome can't hit the ball the other way, he sure can. But he never tries. So what if they pitch you inside. As a major league hitter, you should be able to inside out the ball. I'm not saying Thome should become like Pods of the first half of 05 where he did nothing but slap the ball the other way. All I'm saying is when there is no one on and 0-1 out, why not just inside out a swing and push a ball the other way? Try and start a little rally. This isn't 16 inch softball. Jim Thome doesn't have to get all of the ball to put runs on the board. Having him change his approach is idiotic. Hitting the ball to a place where the other team doesn't have anyone is simple in theory but the reality is hitting is much more difficult than that. He's a slugger. He must slug. Back in the early 90's there was a lot of talk that the White Sox should really harp on Frank Thomas to stop being so selective. He would take pitches an inch or two out of the zone. The theory was that a lot of those pitches were good pitches to hit and with Frank's ability his numbers would be even greater except in the walk category. The White Sox didn't want to fix something that wasn't broken. If Frank started swinging at pitches 2 inches out of the zone, then it could have become 5 inches then a foot. Hitting is hard enough when you go up there not worrying about anything. Changing Jim Thome so he may hit 20 more singles and it may cost you 10-15 homers. Its not worth it. He is what he is. He's a HOFer. I don't understand all the hate this guy gets on this board.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 06:35 PM) the thing that really blows is that it's a no activity type injury, you just have to be immobile and wait for it to heal. BA's timing had really come around - hope he can pick it back up. Worse, I hope he doesn't get stuck down in Charlotte during a rehab assignment. Since BA was the starter, if he goes on the DL, does he regain his starting job when he comes back from injury?

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 06:27 PM) Interesting if they release Owens, but I am not sold on the story yet I don't think they would release Owens, they could always call him up in Sept. to pinch run, maybe they will just send him back to Charlotte. Pods is better than him. Not much, but better. What is curious is if BA has to be DL'd. Ozzie sounded like that probably won't happen but according to everyone who talked to BA, the guy was moving extremely gingerly. I supposed they would call up Nix and Pods, DL BA and send Owens back. Charlotte Knights fans are probably wearing grocery bags on their heads. That team is awful.

Freddy is still suffering or has new shoulder pain. Whether there is another issue there or its scar tissue he has to bust through, I have no idea. I'm sure if he's willing to work for peanuts and wants to give it another shot, the White Sox will give him a chance.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 06:11 PM) Oh, god, Really? Can't we just, you know, try Kroeger in Center? I loved Pods, but this doesn't seem like it can end well. Well, Kroeger is hitting .179 in Charlotte. He'd fit right in with the recent call-ups.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 04:25 PM) BA after 0-2 count in career 13 for 94=.138 At 0-2 count 4/46=0.087 What is the league average after an 0-2 count? Swisher hit .145 last year after being down 0-1 and .099 after being down 0-2. I remember that, but there aren't many who have .300 averages after 0-2. It would be baseball-dumb to think otherwise.

Betemit is up to .292. LOL. Its too bad he can't find a more regular role for him to hit RHP. He would be abusive.

This board is weird. Its gone from BA sucks to "don't be hurt BA" in 2 minutes.

QUOTE (JorgeFabregas @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 04:13 PM) It probably doesn't include that AB, but he was 353 .353 .412 w/RISP this season. Don't let facts get in the way of someone calling someone else baseball dumb. Its priceless.

Why the f*** is Betemit in the line-up?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 03:43 PM) Well, someone should tell Betemit that Gavin is throwing a low, inside FB to Lopez that's likely to be pulled right down the line. As Stone said, he's 10 steps off the bag. So Stone Pony pretty much called it b4 it happened. If Betemit is out of position at 3B at USCF, it shouldn't be too hard for someone in the White Sox dugout to get his attention. Do coaches have a function in baseball or are they just there to take up space.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 03:39 PM) Still not sure why Betemit is playing 3B instead of Fields. That inning we had two hits that should have been outs before the Griffey double. Well, if Paulie had more than a 7 inch vertical. Fields blew an easy chance last night. How can anyone say he would have handled anything today flawlessly? They are giving him a break in the field. Betemit has to play sometime, although batting RH has never been his specialty. I think most so down on him now will change their minds by July.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 03:12 PM) i'm not making excuses, but I have to believe some of these guys are going to play better once they get in some baseball weather. But so will the opposition. You have to wonder how 19 hits in April with the temp under 40 degrees transfers into July and August. Gavin Floyd is resembling the pitcher the Phillies gave up on.

The White Sox are the only team in baseball at any level that turning over the line-up means getting through your leadoff hitter not to him.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 02:35 PM) 17 for 17 on opposing stolen bases, according to the PR crew all of them are on the pitchers. AJ lurks like a panther ready to pounce on any baserunners if only he had a chance. Corky Miller isn't having much better luck. He had a steal or two against him yesterday with no throw. Its ridiculous the jumps the opposition gets against several of the White Sox pitchers. I understand not letting runners bother you on the mound, but you at least have to look at them once in a while.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 02:30 PM) Why is it that Sox cannot throw anyone out stealing bases, but yet we cannot steal a base! Not a good mix. When Floyd and Contreras are pitching, its a miracle if there is even a close play on a steal attempt.

QUOTE (TheBigHurt @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 02:30 PM) I mean, COME ON! "Aggression" my ass. There's nothing aggressive about letting your players be automatic outs. I really wish this team would just STOP trying to steal. But they have to show off the massive upgrade in team speed.

QUOTE (BaseballNick @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 01:53 PM) He, like every other player, is paid to help the team win, first and foremost. Hitting homers and driving in runs is what Thome does best and it does help the team win. Maybe when the Sox won 1-0 against Minnesota last year, Jim should have tried to bunt down the 3rd base line for a single rather than hitting a homer for the game's only run. Funny, I saw no Thome complaints that night.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 02:02 PM) But he's fast and he's built like someone who should be able to bunt Does he ever bunt? Why does Ozzie always want to start the first inning with 1 out and nobody on?