Dick Allen

The White Sox beat writer was on Chicago Tribune live. He said Raines got canned for not working hard enough. In Anaheim late in the year, he supposedly was taking grounders with the infielders. They didn't mention any candidates, and unless they are going to bring in a guy Ozzie actually would listen to, I don't think it really matters who replaces Raines, although it may be a good thing to keep Shines in the organization. QUOTE(RockRaines @ Oct 16, 2006 -> 05:51 PM) Ken Macha should be near the top of the list for a bench coach IMO. The Sox beat writer also said the reason Macha was let go is apparently there is no love lost between him and the players. He also stated that not a lot of guys would want to manage under Beane. Apparently he's so hands on that a manager is nothing more than a puppet. The guy said Ron Washington wouldn't take the job, but that Baker may be a candidate because the A's owner really hates the Giants owner and may want to stick it to him a bit. He said the most likely next manager of the A's would be Bob Gueren, a high school teammate of Beane's.

The rumor about the Japanese pitcher is Seattle is willing to post $30 million. I'm sure he'll be great, but between what it will cost to negotiate with him and his contract, he's almost into Roger Clemens territory, and JR won't go more than 3 years with pitching so posting could be a huge waste of money, sort of like Javier Vazquez.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Oct 16, 2006 -> 03:25 PM) Beane continues to be an egocentric prick. Never gives a manager enough credit (of course too many people give mgr's too much credit). We know about that firsthand.

If there was 1 guy out there who could possibly turn the Cubs around, its Piniella IMO. He won't stand for the waiting for Wood and Prior crap. The Cubs are supposedly going to up their payroll $15 million-$20 million, and I'm sure he'll have a big say on who they bring in. You don't have to exactly be very good to contend in the NL.

Its probably an overreaction by Fox, but Lyons should know better. I wonder if Piniella was offended by the remark. I really doubt Lyons was doing anything but trying to be funny, it just apparently blew up in his face.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Oct 15, 2006 -> 08:19 AM) If it takes Brandon then forget about it. BTW, it's obviously real early so I can definitely see why NY would try to get Brandon included right now. That doesn't automatically mean a month or two from now that they won't rethink the stance on taking the other 3 pitchers. Don't you find it interesting that just about everyone in baseball, even the Yankees where money isn't an issue, find McCarthy a lot more attractive than any of the other members of the greatest rotation ever assembled. Maybe just maybe Ozzie is wrong, and BMac is a good starting pitcher.

I'm for the AL and particularly the AL Central, and am still a Magglio fan, so go Tigers. They are handling these playoffs like the White Sox handled last year. They really were the best team in the AL for most of the regular season, so its very fitting they are the AL representives in the Fall Classic. Good pitching and a few homers puts you in a pretty good position.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Oct 13, 2006 -> 08:47 AM) Someone want to tell me again how Joe Crede won't get something in the area of 5 years $50 million on the open market? If he continues to hit like he did this season he'll get much more. If he still is having back issues, I really don't see a team giving him 5 years. His health is the key IMO.

I just hope when people keep clamouring for Frank Thomas and rip Thome, they remember that Frank is 0 for 10 in the ALCS. And his team is down 3-0. Just like he was 0 for 9 in the ALDS in 2000 and his team lost 3-0.

It was pretty obvious when everyone on the staff got an extension but Raines. I wonder what he did or didn't do that pissed the White Sox off. I think Shines should be on the staff. Daryl Boston is a KW buddy, so he has a shot, but if its to be a bench coach if it isn't Shines I'd like to see someone like Jeff Torborg get the job.

I read somewhere where Slurpees are going to be on one of those cards they pass out at the turnstiles.

With 19 games against Minnesota, 19 games against Detroit, 10 games against the Yankees and 9 games against Oakland, that's 57 games more than one-third of the schedule against 2006 playoff teams, teams that will be so tired, these games will be cakewalks. Start planning the parade now. Seriously, it appears to be a pretty tough schedule. If the Sox get pitching though, they shouldn't have much of a problem.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 12, 2006 -> 10:53 AM) I'd pay to take BP on the field. Some teams do that as a benny for season ticket holders. The Sox had this for full season ticketholders in 2004 I think. Only 1 batter per account and my friend won the coin flip. No one hit one out my day, but my buddy gave a couple a decent ride. They were using ridiculous balls. Very old with the covers coming off. You almost would have had to hit what would be a concourse shot to get it over the wall. There are far too many season ticketholders now for the Sox to hold another one of these.

The rumor is the Mariners are prepared to post $30 million to try to sign this guy. Even the Yankees appear on the outside looking in. I think Mariner management is starting to get very nervous about how Ichiro feels about being a Mariner.

QUOTE(knightni @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 10:49 AM) I suppose it's better than 4:20. 4:20 might not be bad when the rebuilding begins. It would make it more bearable.

QUOTE(Jimbo @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 09:51 AM) This wwould be 4 minutes later than usual....im sure espn can pump up their on air crap for a few more minutes. That's right, its not a big difference, and since they were torn between 7 and 7:30 start times, it sort of splits the difference and puts a few more dollars into the budget. Its not a bad thing. I wonder if Slurpees will be served at the park.

QUOTE(klaus kinski @ Oct 11, 2006 -> 09:01 AM) Ads on Uniforms are right around the Corner I agree. It wasn't too long ago that ads on outfield walls were minor league. I think the Sox will be sporting a US Cellular patch on their unis sometime soon. Once its approved and 1 team takes the plung, all the others will follow.

7/11 stores are paying the White Sox $500,000 to move the start time of weeknight games to 7:11.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 10, 2006 -> 06:44 PM) So why exactly are we putting ARod at 3rd base now? I was shocked by a couple of reports that claim ARod probably can't play good enough SS anymore. Not playing there for 3 seasons would make him rusty IMO, but I think he still would be fine there.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Oct 10, 2006 -> 05:34 PM) Could see R. Santana come back up, maybe Shines? Would they take him away from Charlotte? I think Shines is going to be in the majors next season one way or another. QUOTE(shipps @ Oct 10, 2006 -> 08:57 AM) Who is the last thirdbase coach that anyone has liked?I cant think of one. Bevington actually was a pretty good 3rd base coach. I liked Waving Wallace Johnson myself.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Oct 10, 2006 -> 05:30 PM) Meh, what else he supposed to say? "We are going to explore all avenues in which we can trade Alex Rodriguez."? Im sure he was asked the question, and just like Williams would say about Thome or Konerko, or whoever, he stood by one of his guys. This is a little different IMO. ARod evidently has too much pride to ask for a trade, and now that Cashman has said he wouldn't trade him, he would look like a liar if he did, unless he was able to use the "a deal too good to pass up" excuse, which IMO is too rich for the Sox blood, because he couldn't possibly say that about a deal involving one of the greatest players of all time and in his prime being moved for some of the names being thrown around here. BTW, call Guiness, that was the longest sentence of all time.

Cashman is now saying ARod isn't going anywhere. It could just be talk, but I think he's telling the truth. They have a lot of money coming off the books. They should be able to get a few good pitchers.

QUOTE(robinventura23 @ Oct 10, 2006 -> 03:21 PM) The Nationals have reportedly interviewed Joey for their managerial position. I bet Sweet Lou had a lot of good things to say about Joey when he talked to Bowden. Lou loves him from the Seattle days. Joey has a good shot at this job IMO, and frankly I think it will make the White Sox a few runs better.

QUOTE(Steff @ Oct 10, 2006 -> 12:47 PM) I'll call Jeter and ask... I understand and I realize all that can be commented on is what's written. Save the fact that they hang out a lot in NY, and always on the road. I just can't imagine guys who really don't like each other would hang out so much. IMO, it's a silly and mostly fabricated drama. No rift is boring. According to the NY media they don't hang out at all. I read at least 3 articles the past few days which state Jeter can't stand ARod, and most of it comes from his comments a few years ago. In fact, a few writers are really giving it to Jeter now for not supporting ARod publicly when he was booed unmercifully this season, even calling him a bad captain. They pointed out that he defended Giambi with his steroid controversy. The Yankees are a mess, but nothing a few blank checks can't clean up.

Its highly unlikely White Sox hitters will be able to collectively match their offensive totals in 2007, and their collective outburst in 2006 wasn't enough to get them in the playoffs. KW better improve the pitching before he does anything else. I would love to see ARod with the White Sox, but there are more pressing needs at the moment.