Dick Allen

One thing that Ozzie is doing differently is even caring about injured players. He really has never gone into what any injured player's status when he returned, his line has always been he doesn't think about them when they can't play. As a BA fan, its obvious he isn't going to hit .320, but if he can hit .255 (Wise hit .248 last year) with a little power and some defense, he should start unless the Sox acquire someone else. Its all up to BA. I hope and think he will build on his recent success.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Apr 26, 2009 -> 08:12 PM) Dikta had an unwritten rule that you would not lose your starting spot because of an injury, no matter how well your replacement was playing. I can sort of see it, you don't want guys hiding injuries. Still, baseball is a lot different in the number of games. There is no reason why, upon his return, he can't get a start or two while BA rests. I'm pulling for Brian, I hope he wins the spot and finally gets some respect from Oz. If not, trade the man, he deserves that. So do you think Jerrry Owens should have been in LF last year when he returned from injury with Quentin going back to the bench? Just remember 1 more loss meant no playoffs. I don't know what Ozzie was saying in this story. He almost seems to be saying two different things. We will see. If BA continues to play well and Wise gets significant time, then something is up. Until then, this is a non story. The most controversial thing I think Ozzie said this weekend was if Beckham plays the White Sox are in trouble. This from a guy who makes out the line-up card with a guy hitting .136 leading off.

It is curious as to how Betemit, a much better LH hitter, seems to be in the line-up against LHP if he gets out there at all. The season is long, maybe he'll get his shot down the line.

The good news is Contreras looked good. The Sox weren't supposed to be in this game. The Sox had some chances early they f***ed up on.

The White Sox are the only team I think I've ever seem PR for their CF without an injury. Its been going on for years.

BA continues to hit.

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Apr 26, 2009 -> 01:20 PM) Has anyone ever seen AJ throw out a runner by that large of a margin? It was a hit and run and Lillibridge didn't make contact. AJ would have thrown the runner out just as easily. AJ doesn't throw well but Floyd and Contreras give him no chance.

Apparently, even Broadway knows he sucks. From the Tribune: Numbers game: Broadway, the Sox's top draft choice in 2005, was 0-2 with a 5.63 ERA at Charlotte. He has been with the Sox for brief parts of the last two seasons, going 1-2 with a 4.44 ERA in 11 games (two starts). "I can say it, in my opinion, because I know when I throw good and I throw bad: I've been throwing the ball pretty well," Broadway said.

Anyone hoping for a rainout is going to be very dissappointed.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 25, 2009 -> 03:18 PM) Is Corky playing tonight? Corky is on a roll. Usually, he's eating them.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 25, 2009 -> 03:14 PM) I love it...I could go without seeing Thome ever face a LHP again. Lillibridge strikes out just as often and his flyballs don't go as far. He'd win a race though.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 25, 2009 -> 02:23 PM) Broadway pitched well two starts ago (6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K's), but his last start, he was Contreras-esque: 5 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 6 K's. Not exactly grounds for a promotion...you'd like to have seen him put together two solid starts in a row, at least. The only thing you can possibly say about Broadway is that he's kept his walk totals low and increased his K's, but that's hardly a rousing recommendation. You just can imagine one of those summers when they use about 5-7 different "scrub" pitchers in that role until they find one who gets "hot" like Wasserman did in 2007. AAA is pretty bad right now. Broadway should improve on AAA numbers considering he's been there 2 full years. Its a good thing they infused some talent into the system because its just garbage what they are bringing up now. I shouldn't get too pissed, ihe's the last guy on the team Ozzie will want to use at least theoretically.

QUOTE (Whitewashed in '05 @ Apr 25, 2009 -> 02:06 PM) This is gonna be bad. His role will be garbage time unless there's an extra long game or something like that. You just have to hope Ozzie doesn't get carried away and uses him when a game is on the line when he doesn't have to.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 25, 2009 -> 02:00 PM) Well, who at Charlotte has really earned the opportunity? Anyone? They really have some crap down there, but maybe Link or Russell, although they may want a guy who can go longer. As much as JVB sucks, he'll be just as effective as Broadway and at least he did something in Charlotte that could warrant a call-up. The bottom line is if Lance Broadway was exactly the same pitcher but the White Sox selected him in any round other than round 1, he wouldn't get the call up today. He probably wouldn't be in the organization anymore.

Broadway was 0-2 with a 5.63 ERA in three starts for Triple-A Charlotte Good to see you don't have to perform to get called up by this organization anymore. KW makes a big deal out of the mindset of minor leaguers saying he has to start giving them chances or they think they are just trade fodder. How about just admitting a #1 draft pick was a mistake and bringing up someone else who actually earned it?

That game was brutal but if Buerhle shuts them down tonight and a couple of Sox homer, it could be back to first place. No need to get your panties in a bunch yet, but I certainly hope they bring up someone better than JVB. If he's the answer, I don't like the question.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 25, 2009 -> 09:47 AM) I think it is Van Benschoten because today is his turn to start, and now Wes Whisler is listed as the probable starter on three days rest. I think you're right. I don't think he's an upgrade from MacDougal/Egbert. If these guys are the types they are calling up when they need help, the minor league system is still a ways off. Its not like his success at AAA is anything new. JVB is bad, real bad. At least he will only be pitching garbage time. Expecting anything from him would be like expecting Joe Borchard to make an All Star team.

QUOTE (Tmar @ Apr 25, 2009 -> 06:27 AM) I think instead of another mediocre pitcher, they should bring up Podsednik to play center field. The offense would be better at least. BA is hitting .270 in the major leagues. Pods is hitting .214 in AAA. Is there someone in the 2010 draft you have your eye on?

Rongey was speculating Poreda or Russell. I don't think either would be available to pitch tonight, or maybe more importantly I don't think at least Poreda would be available tomorrow with Contreras going. I'm hoping Link gets the call. He's been a strikeout machine as of late.

Egbert.....................he gone.

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Apr 24, 2009 -> 10:10 PM) I'd like to see Link, but is he ready? What's the scoop on him? Too bad the Sox released Franklyn German, this would've been a perfect time to call him up and see what he can do. I know the Sox really liked Link at the end of last season but were dissappointed in him this spring. I don't know if he can go multiple innings. I think that is the one thing that could keep him in Charlotte right now.

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Apr 24, 2009 -> 10:13 PM) He needs to gain 5 mph on his fastball. Cooper can't exactly work that. He tried with Loaisa. I would imagine Egbert should go down at the end of the game so they could bring someone up who may be used if need be tomorrow. Its ridiculous to keep him on the major league roster right now

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 24, 2009 -> 10:07 PM) Let's just hope they're all slow starters due to the colder weather. Viciedo has been really bad in AA. Viciedo you had to figure would start out slow. Too many adjustments and he's only 20, but I don't think anyone thought it would be this slow. Contreras has struggled with command and LH batters. I think he can get out of it, but who knows at his age. Alexei is just messed up. In the field tonight he just couldn't hold on to the ball. Of course a couple of those plays would have been very nice, but they are plays that Uribe and Cabrera made the past several seasons and KW put Alexei's glove at GG level.

QUOTE (earthshiner @ Apr 24, 2009 -> 10:09 PM) why not. can't be worse than we've seen so far. Plus Coop knows what Viz needs to do. I think they want a guy who can go 2 or 3 innings. Vizcaino was the lamb on that 2005 team and was appreciated for it. They may go after him. I wouldn't expect much.

Vizcaino is probably done. I wonder who is next from Charlotte. Egbert threw over 50 pitches and raised his 18.00 ERA to 27.00. I would imagine he's going back to Charlotte. Maybe Link comes up. Charlotte is bad.