Dick Allen

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Feb 26, 2007 -> 10:27 PM) It did? I've known about this rumor before, and after reading the Sun-Times article by Chris DeLuca (which you're probably referencing) I didnt' come away with anything. If it were true, it would have been leaked by now. Whether by an anonymous source within the White Sox or Texas Rangers. From a Dallas paper last week: Why did the White Sox suddenly make McCarthy available? Good question but there's no clear-cut answer. McCarthy had made it known that he was ready to start after a year's apprenticeship in the bullpen, but there are rumors that there was more to it than that, perhaps even something personal between Williams and the young pitcher. "Without getting too much into it, there were personal things between us in different realms, but not really in how I was being used, certainly not last year," McCarthy said. "When you've got five [starters] of that caliber, cracking that rotation is certainly not going to be easy. "I said it a lot of times that I would love to be starting, but that was the competitive side of me. I wasn't whining or complaining, but I don't know if that was taken out of context." Whatever caused the rift, if there was one, the Rangers were only too happy to be the beneficiaries, and McCarthy is now guaranteed a spot in the starting rotation, right behind Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla. As much as the Rangers liked Danks and his potential, they like McCarthy even better. "He has three major league pitches," pitching coach Mark Connor said. "His changeup is top of the scale. His curveball is above average. His fastball hits 88-92 [mph], and he has good control. "He's exuberant about starting. He didn't like being in the bullpen. I think we're getting him at the right time." So does McCarthy, who has seen the major league careers of contemporaries such as Francisco Liriano and Justin Verlander already taking off. He's ready to start playing catch-up. "I definitely envision myself as a future ace," he said. "I would love to be in that role. I welcomed that in the minor leagues. In high school and college, that was something I thrived on, the guy that every five days goes out to the mound, a Chris Carpenter, Johan Santana type where you just know you've got a good chance to get a good win today and get a good outing." Watching him throw Tuesday, Didier remembered again seeing McCarthy last spring in a White Sox uniform. At that point, he could only drool and hope. "I won't say I was mesmerized, but I said then, 'God, this guy's got something going for him that's going to be special.' He threw a lot of balls right on the knees and threw quality strikes," Didier recalled. "I just feel like he's that kind of guy, that he could be something special. "Who knows? Only God knows how he's going to turn out. But he's got the chance to really be something. He's got that chance." A chance at something special is what a scout and a general manager live for and that's what put a quiver in Daniels' voice that December morning. Black Jack McDowell, Matt Morris or something in between? The Rangers can't wait to see how this dream ends. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim Reeves, 817-390-7760 revo@star-telegram.com

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 26, 2007 -> 08:12 PM) KW was supposedly into McCarthy's sister or girlfriend, and McCarthy was pissed about it. That's why he was traded. It's completely preposterous, and thank you Ginger for taking a shot at such a stupid rumor. It probably is a preposterous rumor, but McCarthy's recent comments on his relationship with KW did sort of imply that this rumor could actually be true.

I really don't think you can take anything from a performance in the first intersquad game of spring. Good or bad. These guys aren't fine tuned yet, and the intensity level is not nearly as high. As Allen Iverson said "we're talkin' about practice". Does anyone think KW has put his neck on the line with a Gavin Floyd? Its almost universally thought in baseball that this guy really can't be considered a top prospect, and KW sees him almost as elite. In a way, I can't see JR ever pulling the plug on KW, but if the offseason moves blow up in his face and the White Sox don't contend, he may not have a choice. According to someone on another site, BP has the Sox pegged at 72-90. I can't see even a worst case scenerio playing out that badly, but if it did, someone would have to be held accountable.

Gavin Floyd is older than McCarthy and gave up homers at a higher pace than McCarthy did last year. He also walks a lot of guys. Hopefully he can get his act together enough to be a decent fifth starter, but I hope KW has some decent options up his sleeve in the likelihood he fails. Maybe Haeger. I don't think Danks or Gio should even be in the mix. Making the team and getting pounded and sent back to AAA screws a lot of guys up. Let them get their feet wet when the game is meaningless or your 100% certain they are ready.

QUOTE(Vance Law @ Feb 25, 2007 -> 03:16 PM) He scored only 80 runs because missed 33 games. Remember. Only 1 guy in the AL had fewer plate appearances and scored more runs than Pods. David Dellucci. He hit 29 home runs and played for Texas, the #3 offense in baseball, while the Sox were the #13 offense in baseball. Pods scored runs at roughly the same clip per game in 2005 and 2006. He drove in more runners in 2006 and that's with BA and Uribe in front of him not getting on base. Even his biggest backers would say Pods was pretty bad in 2006. I can't see how this translates into him being "great" in 2005. But for me, enough about 2005, I wonder what he'll do in 2007, and obviously I was very dissappointed he wasn't replaced. This latest injury and his history directly after his injuries would indicate to me that Ozzie and Kenny probably aren't expecting too much in 2007. It would be inexcusable to me if he plays like he did last year and still is a regular in the line-up.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2007 @ Feb 25, 2007 -> 02:52 PM) Is Pods supposed to drive himself in? PK hit like .225 the first two months. Dye? Remember the same Dye everybody wanted run out of town at the start of 2005? All the lame Jermaine 'Die' or 'Princess' Dye jokes? He did next to nothing for the first two months as well. Our DH/#3 hitter sported a .745 OPS. Pods had an OBP of .350 or better every month except for August. So it's not hard to see why he didn't score as many runs as you would like from your leadoff guy. Of course, it's just hip and cool to blame it all on Pods. Also, nobody has led me to believe s***. I watched just about every game in '05. I saw the difference Pods made. The impact he had, especially the first four months. I watched just about every game, but then again I'm blind and ignorant. Pods created 105 runs in 2005. He wasn't horrible. I said he was very overrated. Konerko drove in over 100 runs. Dye hit over 30 homers. Carl Everett drove in 87. Frank Thomas even hit a few over the wall. Pods doesn't have to drive himself in all the time, although it would help on occassion. My big point, which you fail to understand is if he was reeking the havoc that a lot have claimed, how is it that it didn't result in more runs? If the pitcher was so distracted like Hawk had everyond believing, how come the poor performances you mentioned? His 25 RBI was pretty low as well. Uribe and Crede were hitting 9th all year and they were at about 70. Iguchi was over 70, but Pods, right in the middle of them was 25. There is no doubt in my mind if the White Sox pitched in 2005 like they did in 2006 and weren't in the playoffs, many of those who admire Pods would change their minds.

So if the leadoff hitter gets a hit or steals a base the Sox probably win. Maybe its time for KW to find someone who does it more often. Its amazing that a guy who hardly drives in any runs, and in 2005, when he was supposedly driving pitchers crazy with his basestealing, making them lose all concentration, finished in 31st place in the AL in runs scored, and last year with one of the best offenses in team history, with Dye, Konerko and Thome behind him, finished in a tie for 33rd place in the AL in runs scored. Add to all this his difficulty moving runners over, and you have one of the most overrated players in White Sox history, save for October 24, 2005.

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Feb 18, 2007 -> 09:10 AM) My "source" said Soldiers Field...he thought...he knew it was a place that nobody has played in a long time. I went along with him figuring it was Soldiers, just due to my knowing there have been shows at Soldiers. I never heard of anybody playing Wrigley...nor did it make any kind of sense at all. Surely they would want Soldiers, as they could sell WAY more tickets, I would think. Jimmy Buffett played there a couple of years ago and Dave Matthews was supposed to this year, but his wife is having a baby around the same time that they were to play there, so he backed out. People planning a riverboat tour breathed a sigh of relief.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Feb 24, 2007 -> 11:57 AM) I assume Terrro would be the backup plan for CF with him making the team out of spring training as the 4th OF. That should be fun seeing as how he's terrible and all. I've watched most all of his 40 ABs from last season now and it's funny to here how the announcers talked about him, taking shots at him during every AB, wondering aloud why he's even on the big league roster and then presenting him with a Bronx cheer when after 32 AB he finally picks up his first extra base hit of the season. You think Brian Anderson looked clueless at the plate last season just wait until you get a look at Luis Terrero. Walk will fix him

When I was in the American Airlines terminal at LaGuardia in January, there were 3 or 4 rats running around under the seats. Rats and NYC go together.

I really can't see where a guy who threw 3 or 4 one hitters in the NL last year would struggle mightly in the AL. Its a very small sample size. Zambrano would be the White Sox best pitcher by far in my estimation. The problem with him at least in my eyes is that he is a more intense Bartolo Colon. He's going to get a lot of years, and will be Cy Young worthy a few of those years, BUT he's a guy who has some problems with his weight. He also has some problems with his back and forearm. You sign him for 6 or 7 years, he's going to most likely spend at least one season on the DL. I can't see him staying healthy that long. Something has to give.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 11:35 PM) Just two things... First, 1.58 HR/9 for Vazquez, 1.81 for McCarthy. It's not a huge, huge difference, but it's a difference. Secondly, Vazquez's threw 61 fewer innings above the AA level, and 77 or so fewer innings at the AAA level. Those are pretty significant differences. Also a difference, pitching in Olympic Stadium in Montreal, not facing a DH and pitching in USCF, facing a DH.

So let me get this straight, he wants to be here, says he would sign here for less, but our GM wants him to go through free agency because he owes it to his family. Wow. Either KW is drunk or he just doesn't want to sign Dye for 3 or 4 years no matter what the cost.

Well, I'm not a fan of Vazquez. He's been around 9 years and usually has mediocre seasons. He's had a couple of decent ones, but nothing that would get him serious Cy Young consideration. Besides, if you listen to the people on this board who tell you Brandon McCarthy will never be very dominant because of the homers he allowed his first season, look back at Vazquez's first season. 31 homers allowed in 177 innings in the NL where he gets to face a pitcher, pitching in a big park in Montreal. If McCarthy can never be dominant because when he was 21 or 22 some guys hit some homers off him, I would guess the same applies to Vazquez.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Feb 22, 2007 -> 07:50 PM) I'll add my vote as well. Imagine that, 3 people who went to Illinois and don't care about the Chief...I had no idea there were so many of us. I know a lot of U of I grads from a few different age groups, and I'd say its really split up pretty evenly between people who are happy he's gone to people who couldn't care less one way or the other to people who are angry about the ouster to people who believe its some sort of Communist plot to topple the university.

The Native American students at the U of I have been offended by the Chief for a very long while. Isn't that enough for the white guys who think the Chief is "cool" to say maybe this "tradition" needs to go away?

I'm torn from voting the 2007 bullpen will be better than the 2007 bullpen or worse. Too bad equal to the 2007 bullpen isn't an option. I'm torn from voting the 2007 bullpen will be better than the 2007 bullpen or worse. Too bad equal to the 2007 bullpen isn't an option.

Strat-o-matic baseball

Considering Smith and Carwell are both underage and both were drinking, the source of their alcohol may be in trouble as well. As unfair as it seems, Carwell is underage and was alledgedly drinking, he should get some sort of suspension.

The way this is being handled by the U of I athletic department is unbelievably pathetic. Smith on the bench the day he gets bailed out of jail? Forget about the numerous transgressions he had that night. He's breaking the law just sucking back 1 beer. I don't like the Illini, and never have, but I've always kind of admired Weber and thought any criticism of him was pretty unfair. Last night's "decision" is just more poor judgement, and for that he and the AD should resign. If they refuse, they should be fired. As an Iowa alum and a guy who initially supported Alford's decision to support Pierre Pierce, and seeing all the Illinois fans, students and alumni's reaction and rip job on that, and listening to many of the Illinois apologists on the radio yesterday sticking up for Smith, I almost could laugh at this, if it wasn't so sad. At least there was a little doubt when Alford supported Pierce during his first crime, it was a he said/she said thing, and he was professing his innocence. There is no denying Smith was drinking underage, drunk, driving, got into an accident, and left his teammate for dead. BTW, when Pierce was busted for the second time, I do believe Alford should have been shown the door. I guess Smith learned one thing playing basketball at Illinois for a couple of years. He looks good in orange. A color he probably will be wearing 24 hours a day for a couple of years.

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 04:41 PM) Madison you have to be 21 to enter a bar at night, unless you are accompanied by your legal gaurdian. I dont really know of any college campus where you dont have to be 21 to get into a bar. I always thought that was only an Illinois thing, because they use it as one of their recruiting tools. (Not talking about athletes, talking about when they are trying to get students.) On the Chester thing, we also dont know what Jamar Smith said to him. For all we know he told Chester: Carlwell was drunk as hell smashed up the car and told me he wanted to sleep it off in the passanger seat. Lets go out and make sure that he is breathing, but I dont want to call the police and get him in trouble. Chester isnt a dr, and some one passed out in a car without apparent injuries may not look that injured. In retrospect its easy to say "oh carlwell was seriously injured", but from personal experience I know people who have gotten in worse wrecks and tried to keep the police out of it because the injuries were only minor. If he looked at the state of the car and fell for the story you mentioned above, the guy really has no business being in college, let alone one with a great academic reputation. QUOTE(illinilaw08 @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 03:14 PM) Two things: 1) Has there been any confirmation of Couch's report that Chester was the person that went out to the car with Jamar? Logically it makes sense that it was Chester since he and Jamar live together, but Couch isn't exactly an Illini beat writer, and there isn't anything clear from the State's Attorney's report that this was Chester. I'm just curious. 2) I agree fully with Soxbadger on Chester. Assuming he is the second person with Jamar at the car, what he did was not illegal. You have no duty to call 911 when someone is hurt and I guarantee Chester would have a lawyer immediately if he lost his scholarship for doing something that, while morally reprehensible, is not illegal in the eyes of the law. I don't know what you can do to him other than a long lecture, maybe a game or two suspension for "not taking care of business" but removing him from the team would not be the correct move, in my opinion. As a diclaimer, I am in no way advocating what Frazier allegedely did, but he should not be dismissed for it. Scholarships are year to year things. Hiring a lawyer would be useless. They could yank it for any reason. If the Sun-Times report is accurate, and he saw a teammate in a car either hurt very very badly or even dead, and he did nothing about it, would you really want this guy in your program? I'm sure he was scared, and probably beyond freaked out, but you have to at least call for help.

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Feb 20, 2007 -> 02:20 PM) My take: Let him stay in school, but suspend him for the year, and that includes his scholarship. If, he goes to AA meetings, does some serious community service, and moves on campus or with a Asst. coach and meets regularly with his probation officer and/or serves his time, then you give him a half scholarship for his senior year and let him play. If he won't agree to those terms...division 3 is a calling, Jamar. My dad is a Uof I grad and he started college when he was 16. He got caught with a fake ID and got thrown out of school for a year. This is a felony, and perhaps prison time. This guy has no business ever being on scholarship again.

I'm not going to condemn the underage drinking. I used to get hammered when I wasn't of age, and even drove a few times. Dumb, I know. But to risk another life trying to cover your ass is being a pussy. I'm not going to condemn the underage drinking. I used to get hammered when I wasn't of age, and even drove a few times. Dumb, I know. But to risk another life trying to cover your ass is being a pussy.

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Feb 19, 2007 -> 03:16 PM) They did with Buehrle...last ASB. Maybe it was lowball, but they tried. And, I think that after the Belle contract, Reinsdorf and the rest of the White Sox Board of Directors are leery of setting market value for anyone. And honestly, again, I don't blame them. With what the Flubs, Giants and Mets have done in recent years...whew, I wouldn't want to set market rate. If Buehrle, Dye or any other Sox free agent can get more...more power to ya. The White Sox will be around a LOT longer than any of these players will be. We all rooted for the Southside Hitmen in the 70's (well, maybe just old folk), the Winning Ugly teams of the 80's, the Young Guns of the 90's and the Grinders of the 00's. And we will ALL root for the teams of the 10's, 20's, etc. This is one year, let's enjoy it and worry about next year, next year. We aren't the GM, we aren't the manager, let's see how they do before we crucify them. Some b****ed about Magglio. Some b****ed about El Caballo. Etc. Etc. Etc. Foresight is NOT 20/20. Negotiating a season and a half before he becomes a free agent with one of your marque players and that's it is not trying. If what we can expect is any White Sox player who performs well enough to be paid premium money and deserves "market rate" is that they will be getting paid by other teams, the White Sox in the future won't be the Cubs, Giants or the Mets. They will be the Pirates, Devil Rays and Royals. If the White Sox go bad, USCF unlike the Urinal, Shea or whatever they call that masterpiece is SF, will be a ghost town, full of tumbleweeds. I anticipate this season with as much excitement as any. For some reason this winter seems so much longer than others. I can't wait for real games. Even if they lost 100, which they haven't done in a very long time, I'd still watch just about every inning my wife would let me get away with. Its just much better when they are winning.

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Feb 19, 2007 -> 01:47 PM) Shouldn't you do that anyway? I know I do. It makes sense to always look. And since there is a finite number of employers for these guys, I would imagine this is more prevalent than you think. It's not always about respect. It's about business. And if my employer was upfront with me...then what can I say? There are too many factors to say..."they're disrespecting me." Again, at the end of the day, the White Sox are a business, not an XBox game. And it's prudent to see what's out there from both sides. HOw do we know that there isn't another 2005 Jermaine Dye out there? Someone a bit under the radar, but a big talent that won't command as much money? The 2005 White Sox were blessed that everything came together...that doesn't mean it's going to happen again...just look 10 miles to the north of 35th and Shields. The difference is they are under contract and supposedly can't look to see what's out there until that contract ends. I don't see where it is bad business to take advantage of exclusive negotiating rights for your better employees while you have them.