Dick Allen

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 06:36 PM) They'd never go after Bonds, especially after the latest charges last month. And he should have ph CQ for Anderson or Swisher. That's what makes no sense about his outrage. Wasn't it not too long ago he was ripping Sox fans for ripping on his team. Now he sits the only player hitting much, has a couple opportunities to use him to hit in big situations but feels that the extra rest is more important and his team fails to score. Taking Quentin out of the line-up then b****ing about the offense is curious at best. But I do like the fire. I wonder how KW having to can his best buddy, Wilder, has had an effect, if any on his relationship with Ozzie. They aren't seeing things the same way. It isn't like KW to preach patience, but he knows he has no other choice. BTW, Getz is the only Charlotte Knight with an OBP over .333.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 04:04 PM) Yes, I'm serious. What does Ozzie expect KW to do personnel wise? We used some very valuable resources to acquire OC and Swisher this offseason. After 2 months in the season, does Ozzie expect teams to just be selling off their players for 50 cents on the dollar? Well, KW only has $.50...........................

Keith Law now has the Sox thinking Jason Castro as SF is supposedly on G. Beckham right now.

From the Sun-Times: Williams was at home when informed of Guillen's comments, and made it clear he wasn't happy about them. ''Very interesting, very disappointing,'' Williams said. ''It's never a good idea to throw your boss under the bus, especially when that boss has had his back as much as I have. I guess that lineup will be real interesting to see on Tuesday. ''We have the horses. Everyone has to stay positive and keep grinding. If you're looking for a quick fix personnel-wise, with the climate right now, you're not going to get it. I expect more of everyone in that uniform and certainly the guy leading the team on the field.'' As for potential changes, Guillen is in charge of hiring and firing his coaching staff, a power granted by Williams after the 2005 season. So if Walker is sent packing, it will be Guillen's call. So he wasn't talking about Walker, because firing him is Ozzie's call not KW's.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 04:26 PM) And the Cubs would have ended up trading for Swisher, according to the rumors. However, I'll never believe the Sox were really that close to signing Fuku. I agree. The Sox supposedly offerred more money, but he was ticketed to the Cubs probably even before it was assummed Hunter would be a White Sox.

I don't know what he's going to change. The main guys he would think about calling up from Charlotte, Owens (sucking), Richar(sucking) and Fields (apparently injured) aren't going to help right now. Konerko and Thome are going nowhere. Does anyone really want Dye's contract? Swisher, Anderson are those guys going to bring you much that would be useful right now? I think its a lot of frustration. Maybe they will fire Walker. Then everyone will see how silly it was.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 04:10 PM) They entered the day 7 back. If they lose today, they are 10 under. And they are us in reverse, great hitting and no pitching. As bad as it is to be our team right now, it's worse to be the one who can't get anybody out. If their offense is so great, how come they have been shutout 9 times and held to 2 or less runs 21 times, and 3 or less runs 27 times?

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 04:08 PM) Doubt it, their pitching is worse than our offense, plus they are in a big hole right now. Second off, if you want to be a little dick, that's fine, but please bless us with your thoughts on how to make this better. You might want to take that back.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 02:54 PM) If your going to make a crazy move, you bench Swish, move Alexei to CF, waive Uribe, and call up either Richar or Getz (probably Getz right now) and play him at 2B. That'll never happen though of course. It wouldn't because it would make the team worse.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 03:53 PM) The question(s) I have for people who don't think Walker should be fired is this: Should a hitting coach EVER be fired? Is one even needed? Because it's never really just the hitting coaches fault if you can't hit, but Greg Walker has done about as much as a hitting coach can to show he should be fired since the second half of 2006. If you think Walker shouldn't be fired, I can't only assume you think hitting coaches just shouldn't be fired because it's not their fault, and thus they shouldn't even exist because they aren't needed. Although to be honest, I'd have a really hard time arguing that point of view. Sure hitting coaches should be fired. That doesn't mean Walker should be fired. It would be like firing the guy in charge of baserunning because the team has very few steals. I just hope if all who demand his termination don't ever lose their job for something that wasn't their fault. Your just assuming that a hitting coach makes a gigantic difference in a mostly veteran team. It may if the guys didn't like or respect Walker, but they do. I see all the blame for all the failures be put on Walker, so shouldn't all the credit for Quentin be his as well?

Funny thing about this thread coming now, if Walker had been fired after yesterday's game, the new hitting coach would have been praised for the approaches today. A lot of hitting the other way, and a ton of hits. The fact that they are gagging with RISP, putting that on the hitting coach is ridiculous.

QUOTE (Cowch @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 02:15 PM) Haha anyone else watching the tampa cast? These guys think every pitch is close. Damnit Swish. The Comcast feed is a little off center from the CF camera, so the angle we see on this telecast is a little deceiving.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 02:15 PM) SWING THE FN BAT!!!!! FOR CHRISTS SAKE!!!! You want to see him swing the bat, have the pitcher throw a 57 footer.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 02:14 PM) How do you not put in Quentin? He's 25 years old. He's tired.

Swisher swings at some of the crappiest pitches I have ever seen anyone swing at.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 1, 2008 -> 12:04 PM) I understand that, as he could use a nice two day break. I assume it's just a day off, and not an injury? I'd rather Swisher get a 2 day break if there is no injury or illness. I really can't see Quentin being gassed.

Quentin isn't playing.

QUOTE (Frankensteiner @ May 31, 2008 -> 07:34 PM) The Tigers have scored 261 runs to our 238. What is your point? A team with more supposed offensive talent than the White Sox. Many predicted 1000 runs scored this year. Shutout 9 times, have scored 2 or fewer runs in 21 games already. In those 21 games, they haven't won any. On top of that, they have another 6 game where they scored 3 runs. They won 1 of those. So in games where they have scored 3 or less runs, 27, which is about half the season, they have won once. I would say a team that supposedly was high powered, scoring 3 or less runs in half their games is a shut down.

Looking at Swisher's splits the past 2 seasons he had 16 homers and an OPS over 1.000 at this point in 2006, and had 9 homers and an OPS over .950 last season. He basically was what Carlos Quentin is now in 2006. A scary thought is at least the past 2 years, June has been a pretty brutal month for him.

QUOTE (Wanne @ May 31, 2008 -> 10:33 PM) Carlton Fisk. First off, he wouldn't take the job. Secondly, why would he be better?

QUOTE (Wanne @ May 31, 2008 -> 08:34 PM) That's why they pay Kenny the big bucks...it's his job...not a bunch of internet hacks. All I was doin' was sayin that sometimes people need a jolt in the ass...and if that means the beloved Greg Walker gets the boot...so beit. This offense has sucked ass for 2 and a half years...time for a wakeup call. You make it seem that Greg Walker is irreplaceable.... And the guy getting the big bucks isn't firing him. I just don't see where changing the hitting coach will mean an offensive explosion. This team has no lead off hitter. Little speed. Its pretty much station to station home run or bust. That is what needs to be changed. If it means sacrificing a few home runs, it probably is time for a change.

QUOTE (Frankensteiner @ May 31, 2008 -> 08:33 PM) The mix of hitters would be fine if they were hitting up to their potential. I would like to see a more balanced lineup but it doesn't mean the Sox should be languishing near the bottom of baseball when it comes to hitting. None of these guys have close to the right approach. Maybe it's not all Walker's fault but if he's so powerless to do anything about it, why even have a hitting coach at all? If I had access to KW's information, I'm sure I could come up with a competent list of replacements. Are you trying to say there's only a handful of guys fit enough to be hitting coaches in the majors? What is their potential? People here talk out of both sides of their mouths. Thome is old and washed up, or is it Walker that makes him unable to hit? Konerko has a bad hand. Swisher has been horrid, and I don't think its because of Walker. How many players can you say aren't hitting up to what you would consider their potential because of Greg Walker?

QUOTE (Frankensteiner @ May 31, 2008 -> 07:29 PM) and Andy Sonnenstine... and Jered Weaver... and Joe Saunders.... and Aaron Laffey... and Dustin McGowan ... and Jesse Litsch... and Shawn Marcum ... The Sox seem to get shut down more than any other team except the Royals. How about the Tigers?

QUOTE (Frankensteiner @ May 31, 2008 -> 07:24 PM) The fear of the great unknown. I too am worried the Sox wouldn't be able to maintain their 26th best hitting pace without the steady hand of Greg Walker. Yet you offer no names for a replacement. The problem is not the coach. Its the mix of hitters. It took KW a couple of years before he figured he had to do something serious with the bullpen. He has been just as slow to react with the stagnant offense.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ May 31, 2008 -> 07:20 PM) I have a solution, call the vets into a meeting and tell them that they have until the end of June to fix their hitting. If they dont their buddy gets s***canned. If he is that loved, I expect that they will lead the league in hitting in June and we are back on track. If the hitting coach needs to get "s***canned" because the team got shut down by Shields and Kazmir, there should be a lot of hitting coach openings around the league. Every team that Jose Contreras has pitched well against should be looking for a new hitting coach. They must all suck.