Dick Allen

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 02:01 PM) I was more or less referring to the Thome on the Sox, who isn't as good as he once was. Thomas turned into a similar player later in his career as well. .288,.275,.245

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 01:56 PM) Well to be fair to Ozzie this year, his chocies are limited. Our CF options all suck, and we're terrible at 2B with Getz gone (and he hasn't proven anything either). Other than that, who can we hit leadoff, Fields? Ramirez? Yeah, not good. This is much more on KW in my opinion. Lillibridge leading off is a bad decision no matter what the rest of the line-up looks like. He couldn't get on base in AAA. I'm quite convinced the White Sox still believe they received a little more than they actually got with his acquisition. He's not a major league quality hitter, and definitely not a lead off guy.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 01:54 PM) Amazing location on his fastball above the belt. The Cubs rotation is ridiculous if he has any semblance of health this year. He also has a great change up, but he'll never stay healthy.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 01:50 PM) Dick, everyone knows I'm biased against Thome. I flat out don't like guys who only hit for power and draw walks. That said, those type of guys have places on certain teams and I will admit Thome's value. But as a pure hitter, I don't consider him even close to being a very good hitter. He does other things though, like hit for obscene power (same with Adam Dunn whose a horrendous pure hitter). His .280 career avg. would indicate he does more than homer and walk.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 01:42 PM) I have no doubt that Owens could hit above .240. It might be an incredibly empty average, but he'd hit in the .260-.270 range with a low OBP and nothing but singles. Wise would hit in the .250's (he's a much better hitter than Anderson) and put up some pop (10-20 HR's) and a ton of doubles as well as strikeouts. Oh and a full season of Anderson and I guarantee the all time strikeout record will be set. I bet if they both played everyday, Josh Fields would fan at least 30 times more than BA. But I'm glad you're ripping him. When you proclaimed Jim Thome the worst hitter in baseball, he proceded to get hot.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 01:36 PM) I wish we could of convinced Beane to take Anderson over Sweeney. I would rather have no power from Sweeney and a constant line drive swing than the group of fail we have that are candidates for CF right now. And when the Sox traded Sweeney most thought he sucked. Its funny how 1 AB gets everyone to pounce on BA. I knew and everyone knew it would happen if he fanned. If he doubled, some of the same people beating him to a pulp right now, saying how he has a bad swing and will never have one, would be saying he's a talented guy who may be coming around. It was 1 AB. Everyone in the White Sox line-up has struck out it the same situation many times. This board overreacts about everything.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 01:15 PM) Lillibridge at 1/13 Ramirez 4/27 Anderson 1/7 6/47=.128 Hard to get much done when your 1/8/9 is so horrific. Maybe they should call up Kroeger from Charlotte. He's 0 for 15.

The team has 0 runs in 5 innings. To blame it all on 1 AB by the #9 hitter is ridiculous.

QUOTE (jphat007 @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 01:12 PM) and THAT is why BA doesnt get to play. BECAUSE he is f***ing WORHTLESS in those situations. Because everyone comes through every single time in those situations. He's the 9th hitter who has hardly played this year. He didn't come through. It sucks but it happens. Maybe the leadoff hitter can help him out. You won't say anything if Lillibridge fails again.

QUOTE (jphat007 @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 01:08 PM) Well. This is an AB that BA just has to come throuh on. Bottom line. If he fails Ozzie has the leadoff hitter, the great Brent Lillibridge to pick him up.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 12:48 PM) God I hate that hot dog vendor The hot dog vendor at USCF that screams "hot dogs" every 2 seconds is worse.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 12:41 PM) Lillibridge had a 76% contact rate in 85 big league PA last year, that would put him in the bottom 60 players out of the 280 qualified hitters in the majors last year (had he qualified), if he wants to be effective at the next level that rate needs to come up 10 to 12 points. If there is a downgrade from Dewayne Wise leading off, it would be Brent Lillibridge. Its almost like Ozzie likes to start out with a disadvantage.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 12:13 PM) All I'm saying, is there is a blue seat in the outfield because of Scott Podsednik, and he very well might have hit the single-most important ball in the history of the franchise. If that's not earning it, I don't know what is. Konerko's homer that game was way more important. If Konerko doesn't hit his, the White Sox lose. If Pods doesn't hit his, the game is still tied.

BA still with no official ABs since Wise separated his shoulder.

BA is an on base machine.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 12:00 PM) Wow, there's like four people in the stadium today. You know one thing, the're not at work.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 11:30 AM) We're going with an outfield of Owens, Anderson and Pods. Just for the grinderificness of it all. All that's missing is Erstad. I'm sure he's available.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 10:25 AM) Possibly, but, the airlines are running in fear mode right now and not trying new stuff. Don't want to take the chance. Also, SW is single class of service and would never do something like this in any case. I think either AA or United offers a section with a few more inches of room for extra cash. As far as the extra ticket for heavy people, I maybe can understand it, but they had a show "Airline" on a few years ago which basically showed Southwest in action and the humility the people who were told they would need to purchase another ticket went through was heartbreaking to me. I'm not fat, 6'5", 208 lbs. of rompin', stompin' in your face dynamite, and sometimes wonder what people who can hardly breath or walk are doing when they are throwing down a large deep dish pizza, but heavy people are victims of prejudice as it is. If you ever watched "Airline", you would see how humiliating the extra charge is. I would even say mean. If the seats were made for anyone but an average sized human in 1960, I may sympathize with the airline.

If the White Sox started off 1-7, there would be just as much talk around here as there is in Cleveland right now. In fact, when the Sox dropped to 1-2 or 1-3 someone projected the record through the next couple of series and it was beyond brutal. Cleveland has problems just like every other team. If they win 4 or 5 in a row all of their pessimism will turn to optimism. You really don't have to be all that stellar to compete in the AL Central this year.

Swisher is on fire. 9 extra base hits in 24 AB. Lets see what his numbers look like in a month.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 09:19 AM) If Pods is seen to be real slow in Charlotte though, he'll stay down there. At absolute worst they would prefer Owens as a pinch runner if no one can do anything. Although I guess Lillibridge covers that for them when Getz returns. Maybe Pods could be a 4th OF but if so they better make sure BL can play centerfield Pods is playing CF in Charlotte. He also played some CF with Colorado last year. If he doesn't get hurt in Charlotte, I expect him with the White Sox in a week or so unless Owens dazzles.

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 08:46 AM) Ozzie can't say that Owens is just temporary until Pods gets a hit or two, steals a bag, and plays center a couple of games. He has to say it is Owens just in case Pods does suck in AAA or pulls a groin getting out of his car. Ozzie saying that the team wanted Pods back also hints to me that Pods will be on the 25 man soon. Exactly. If Ozzie spills the truth and says Pods will be replacing Owens in a week, Owens becomes even less useful than he already is. Ozzie did say when the Wise injury happened that Owens would be recalled for "a few days". I think he let the cat out of the bag.

BTW, is Ozzie questioning everyone's memory? "I don't expect Brian to hit .350," Guillen said. "A lot of people forget we gave Brian all year long [in 2006] and he never [kept the job]. Now he's mature, he's a better player and he knows what he's doing. I don't expect him to be comfortable with being a backup outfielder. He should be better than that. He has an opportunity, and we'll see how he handles it." I seem to recall BA lost his regular gig halfway through his rookie season.

Lastings Milledge can't play for the nasty Nats. Perfect fit for the White Sox. Seriously, I think BA gets a shot, and when Beckham is ready, Alice A. is moving to CF. Why else would they keep Beckham at SS when they know he is a year away at the most from the major leagues?

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 06:55 AM) There's been people asking him back since last year and Feburary, wll they go their wish. He can be tossed in with Everett and the Alomar brothers jokes now. I don't recall a clamouring for the return of Pods. I never liked him, even when a lot thought he was MVP material with a 700 ops leading the league in CS, but he's worth a minor league contract right now if the only other option is Jerry Owens. Owens, if he came to spring training and just showed he wanted the job, would be the everyday CF right now. He didn't. I think the last place White Sox management wants Jerry Owens right now is on the major league roster because he has done nothing they have asked of him and hasn't earned his way. He'll be gone to Charlotte once Pods is ready IMO. Pods is better than Jerry and Jerry gets taught a lesson. I'm by far the biggest Pods critic on this board. I really would prefer someone better than him, but KW doesn't want to spend any money. At least he will bring in someone better than Owens. Maybe KW is reluctant to bring in a long term answer because he sees Ramirez in CF sooner rather than later. They love Getz, and with Beckham coming fast, he probably feels he just needs to plug the hole until Beckham's ready.