Dick Allen

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 02:22 PM) His defense cost us the sweep. That's what touched off this entire tirade by everyone. Might have cost the sweep. The offense could only muster 1 run.

Yet the Sox have won 2 of the 3 games since Konerko has been back from the DL. His lack of speed has cost nothing.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 02:00 PM) ok You know full well he had a great June. He's sucked for like a week right now. You're ignoring that, but I don't know why. Cognitive dissonance. Do what you want, though. I'm not "defending" Swisher, and I don't really care if somebody doesn't like him. I'm personally content with him on the team. In fact, I don't even know what we're talking about anymore? What I'm saying is the same people who blast many of the White Sox seem to give Swisher a free pass. Except for June he's been beyond horrible.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 01:53 PM) Ok no offense but that analogy is completely ridiculous. You can't compare a guy seeing his first MLB at-bats to someone who's been in MLB almost 10 years and who has an established track record. OK, how about Cabrera in April? How about Swisher every month except June? Konerko has not been healthy all year. He supposedly is right now. It will take a little bit to get into the swing of things. The team is in first place. This thread is sad.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 02:54 PM) He's about an average CF, but that's not his strongest position. He's expected to hit AT ABOUT .250 with a decent slugging % and have a OBP above .350, when he doesn't do those things for an extended period of time, then you can blast him. What's his OBP? What's his average? How many games are we into the season? I guess its blasting time.

QUOTE (VAfan @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 02:46 PM) Yes, yes, I completely agree with this. And a big part of the problem is that Ozzie seems to reward certain players with playing time, rather than rewarding those who make the right plays. Here's a little comparison for the Konerko defenders: 2008 65 239 27 51 9 1 8 31 35 47 1 0 .213 .319 .360 .679 2008 74 252 27 55 8 0 11 30 37 76 1 0 .218 .315 .381 .696 Guess which one is Konerko's line and which one is the just-released line of Richie Sexson? HINT: The released guy has the better stats! Konerko has played hurt almost the entire season. Look at Ramirez's stats in April. Maybe they should have sent him down or cut him. Why not see where Konerko is at when healthy before judging what he's capable of doing?

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 02:31 PM) Is he expected to play a good center field and hit above .250? When he was acquired I know I made an issue of his defense in CF as did a couple of others, but the overwhelming majority of this board said he was at least better than average out there and he would hit 35-40 homers playing half his games at USCF. They talk about Konerko supposedly aging, look at Swisher's declining slugging pct. now declining for a second consecutive year. The guy had a great June, but has been horrible the other parts of the year.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 02:09 PM) Swisher has never hit for a high average, not even in the minors except for a couple of bursts. He is a different type of hitter, his offensive production will be different, so his expectations are different. Swisher isn't expected to drive in runs. But walks for Paulie supposedly mean nothing, but they are great for Swisher. I don't understand. Earlier a post said Swisher can steal you a base. I guess that's accurated because he does have a steal this year. Plus, everyone wants him at first base. Teams that don't expect their firstbaseman to drive in runs usually have trouble scoring runs, but I guess that would go back to Greg Walker. Outside of a couple of grand slams, Swisher really hasn't been a guy you want batting with runners on base this year. He seems to whiff a lot.

If Konerko sucks and is done as a ton of posts in this thread indicate, why would any team trade for him and assume the $30 million or so left on his contract?

QUOTE (shipps @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 08:01 AM) Dick Allen I dont understand why you feel the need to defend every single member of the Whitesox.I cant remember you being critical of anyone ever.Since you defend everyone your defense arguments arent as legit.And Iam not attacking you I just had to point this out because it is a constant and I believe you really know baseball. There will be several people on this board who would say the exact opposite. I just don't understand a PK must go thread after a bad game. What if had hit 2 homers last night and had 4 hits? The thread wouldn't have been created. I think instant gratification has taken over the majority of this board and the majority of Sox fans. At the game on Sunday, a couple of guys sitting next to us would yell and scream if anyone made an out how they had to be released or sent down or DFA'd. Konerko is coming back after being out a while. Its going to take a while. Granted he was horrible yesterday and the dropped ball shouldn't have happened and perhaps cost the Sox the game, but history shows he will be a big contributor. I've never thought Swisher in CF was a good idea and it shows most of the time he's out there, but why is he and his .235 average such an upgrade over Konerko? I am fully confident Konerko will hit, and people will quiet down.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jul 10, 2008 -> 10:33 PM) blind faith. gotta love it. Check Paulie's career. Its far from blind faith.

QUOTE (earthshiner @ Jul 10, 2008 -> 10:23 PM) I've never been a fan of Paulie. Maybe once sometime in october of '05. He is the mascot of our streaky offense. When he is bad, he is as bad a player in the league. When he is good he is decent. He needed to go about 6 years ago imo. If he was gone 6 years ago, there's a great chance there is only 1 blue seat at USCF, and a pretty decent chance there are none. MVP in the ALCS, 2 3 run first inning homers are a great way to start big games, and perhaps the most dramatic homer in team history a grand slam in the WS that made a 2 run deficit a 2 run lead. If he doesn't hit it, Podsednik's wouldn't have mattered.

Everyone talking about Crede's errors this season, Danny Richar has 10 at 2b in 47 games.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Jul 10, 2008 -> 10:19 PM) Who has ever hated on AJ? He has to be the most loved here. Many, many posts last year calling for a replacement behind the plate.

Even without Konerko's gaffe, the Sox scored 1 run and KC would have had 1 run at the time. Its not beyond belief the Sox would have lost anyway. 1 run against KC, I'm surprised Greg Walker is getting a pass tonight.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Jul 10, 2008 -> 10:14 PM) If the Sox got rid of every player this board has wanted to get rid of, I think we would still have AJ, Alexei, Quentin, and Jenks and that is about it. AJ would have been long gone.

Overreation. When Konerko gets hot, which he will soon, most everyone will change their tune.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 10, 2008 -> 03:32 PM) Isn't Swish/OC joking around after homers at least some indication that someone gets along with OC. If he didn't have any friends or get along with anyone in the clubhouse he wouldn't be taking part in those celebrations, imo. The thing is he's very quirky and can come off as over the top and I think Dye is one of those guys that is more quiet/laid back (in general I think the Sox probably have a pretty laid back clubhouse with few exceptions, ie Swisher and AJ to an extent) and that doesn't always mesh well with a quirky jokester (which is what I remember hearing the angels announcers describe him as many a time). Ozzie basically said about a month ago that Cabrera was so difficult and not fitting in that he almost was sent elsewhere. Then he said he was better. I'm sure there are several White Sox who like Cabrera, and if Dye was complaining that Cabrera was running yesterday, Dye was the guy in the wrong. I just doubt that same thing would have happened if it were Scott Podsednik stealing 3rd, and again Dye was the one in the wrong. It also wouldn't surprise me if it was White Sox personnel, either in uniform or not that is feeding Cowley this information. They are setting the customers up for Cabrera leaving after this year, and if they don't win it all, I wouldn't be surprised if you hear some negative things about OC from the White Sox when he signs elsewhere, especially if OC decides to pop off. You'll hear the line that there were 24 guys on one page and one guy on another. They know negativity in the paper isn't going to affect Cabrera's approach much, because he's all about signing for as much as possible, and I don't blame him for that either. His leadership skills I question. Both papers said today he routinely is the first person out of the clubhouse door after a game. That is not a leader, and it also seems like a guy who would rather be someplace else. I'm sure if he still were with the Angels his act would probably be a little different.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 10, 2008 -> 01:18 PM) He has been called a clubhouse leader and a positive influence for 2 successful franchises in his last two stops. I dont know how "mysterious" he could be. He was such a leader for Boston, they made no attempt to keep him. They spent their money on his arch enemy, Renteria, instead. The White Sox also used to say nice things about their players until they were gone. Carlos Lee was a good LF until he was traded away. Then it was he was horrible but we had to say he was good. Its pretty apparent, the White Sox roster isn't very enamoured with Cabrera and vice versa. I don't think he did anything wrong yesterday, the steal made a lot of sense, but he's just not well-liked, and I don't think he particularly likes playing for the White Sox.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 10, 2008 -> 01:06 PM) OC is well liked and respected around the league. Cowley has a reputation for being crass, controversial, and unprofessional. Its not very hard to see who is trying to Marriotti himself into the spotlight constantly. I will agree, Cowley is a dope, but I really don't think OC is as well-liked as you think.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Jul 10, 2008 -> 12:12 PM) Cowley certainly doesnt endear himself to canadians Isn't Farmio the same way with Canada? What was interesting is both the Sun-Times and Tribune mentioned today that Cabrera bolts right after the game most days.

I think Phil Reagan was the original Vulture. Its really not a unique name. Its what every reliever who picks up relatively cheap wins is called.

Unhittable. Dotel is nasty. Too bad half this board thinks he should be a mop-up guy.

How fat is Dotel going to be 5 years from now?

QUOTE (soxfan3530 @ Jul 9, 2008 -> 08:44 PM) who cares? unless this becomes a big issue, and i dont think it will, everyone should be talking about are two big comeback wins and 3.5 game lead (assuming we hold on) Winning again after another crappy start from the starting pitcher would be huge. I'm so glad I'm not a Royals fan.