Dick Allen

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 08:42 AM) Don Cooper was just on the Mike North show, and he blamed QuesTec also. My question is that if we're going to whine about our pitchers not getting the corners, then we might as well get rid of Buehrle, and try to bring in someone who can get a strikeout. Wasn't QuesTec installed earlier in the season when Buerhle was cruising? Its not like its a new deal. I'm sure he's pitched in stadiums with it for many years, and he's never been lit up like he has been the last month. Excuses are just so weak IMO. If you suck, just say you suck. I'm really dissappointed in Buerhle, I thought he was more of a man than this. He needs to hold himself accountable for his struggles.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 08:30 AM) What about the argument that if you drag the SP earlier, it'll be harder for them to pitch better in the future, because it shows that you don't have the confidence in them to go more than say 5 innings? It's a fine balancing act though, and one that this team really needs to figure out, and in a hurry. The confidence factor might be a good argument, but the Sox starters are all veterans, and should be able to handle being yanked out of a game. If their confidence is shattered or their feelings hurt, they need to be moved to another team in the offseason. The White Sox need to win games, not make sure everyone's feelings are OK. Its 3 times in the last week Ozzie gave a different member of the the greatest rotation ever assembled the benefit of the doubt and left him in the game. Its also been 3 times this week that the decision to leave his starter in has backfired. Lets try something new. Leaving them in isn't working. We hear about the playoffs and the WBC taking its toll on White Sox starters. If thats the case, why have White Sox starters pitched more innings than any other team's starters? It makes no sense.

Reading the morning paper it looks like Buerhle finally has figured out what is causing him to struggle. Its not lights in a scoreboard helping hitters, its not the catcher, its not the high change-ups or the meatball 84 mph fastballs right down the middle of the plate, it turns out its QuesTec's fault. Thank God thats figured out.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 06:00 AM) Hence why Ozzie probably doesn't have a lot of confidence in his bullpen right now. Hopefully the likes of Jenks and Cotts can turn around their mini slumps and get back to where they were pitching last season. I still don't understand his actions or lack of actions last night. The bullpen was ready when the score was 3-2 and there was 1 man on base. Maybe he doesn't have confidence in the bullpen, but Buerhles ERA has been about 10.00 his last 6 starts or so and he had given up 3 homeruns last night. The score of the game is 3-2 and the Sox really need to win games. How do you not go to the bullpen until the score is 6-2? It is beyond stupid. If Ozzie left Buerhle in and he wiggled out of the jam with no damage, we would hear what a genius Ozzie is, how he just got Buerhle even more confidence, etc. Well he left him in until the game was out of reach. It may show that Ozzie isn't quite the genius he's made out to be. Any manager is a genius when they get pitching like Ozzie did in 2005 and Leyland is getting in 2006.

If the starters are fatiqued, its time the manager stops relying on them getting tough outs late, and uses the bullpen. He's used the bullpen less than any other manager this year. Leaving starters in 2 or 3 or 4 batters too long isn't going to raise their confidence and it isn't going to alleviate their fatique. Tonight, Ozzie had a horrible inning. Maybe it cost the Sox the game, maybe it didn't, but it sure did take any hope away.

QUOTE(SoxHawk1980 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:47 PM) LMAO. Do you think that Ozzie EVER looks at statistics? I doubt he ever even takes a glance at them. I actually saw him and Cooper looking in a book the other day. It kind of ruined his managing from the gut persona.

The Sox were outmanaged tonight. Ozzie has to give his team the best chance to win the game. Its time to quit screwing around, and watch what is going on. The starters are getting lit up, bring in the bullpen.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:38 PM) 97? I think you're looking at a hot gun... 95-96 is reasonable, and Jose this year has been around 92-94. I don't think the difference is as huge as you're making it out to be. But again, the burden of proof is on you to show that championship teams' pitchers suffer the next year. If that was true, I'm almost 100% positive it would be more widespread knowledge... Contreras was 89-91 yesterday. He hasn't been the same since his back injury.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:37 PM) The long warning track shot previous to the 2 runners getting on was all the warning he should of needed. The fact that he gave up 3 dongs before also should of been a clue. Even the cameraman thought the long flyout was gone. Maybe its just muscle memory now with Buerhle on the mound.

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:32 PM) His velocity was down earlier in the year. I had never heard this, but the radio said that there was a report he had a bad shoulder to start the season. Widger said his shoulder had been bothering him back in April I believe. What I don't understand is obviously there is something wrong if everyone's velocity is down and the Sox long playoff run, which was almost as short as possible when winning a WS. Why has McCarthy not stepped into the rotation, or even better yet, why does the White Sox rotation lead all rotations in innings pitched?

The Sox still have a chance for the playoffs. But Buerhle is going to have to turn it around. Garcia is going to have to pitch much better. Vazquez has to show last outing wasn't a fluke. Contreras has to start pitching like he did before his back injury, and Garland has to keep pitchng like he has lately. The offense is stressed out. They need to score 6 or 7 almost every game to have a chance. That will take a toll.

They blame the playoffs and the WBC for Garcia's troubles. For a guy who supposedly isn't as effective because he's been pitching too much, he sure does look out of shape to me.

QUOTE(CWSOX45 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:17 PM) So even if we lose tonight, we're tied for the wild card lead, with say about 50+ games to go.....so how did we all of a sudden get eliminated? The next 6 games will be very telling. If they don't pitch any better, you may stick a fork in this season.

If Detroit doesn't win the Central, it will be one of the biggest choke jobs in history.

QUOTE(CWSOX45 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:14 PM) I just got off work.....how long did Buehrle go? Someone please tell me that Ozzie pulled him before he imploded....then again I wouldn't be surprised if he kept him in too long.... It was Ozzie's darkest moment actually managing a game IMO.

Shut up Hawk. Mark Buerhle gets $9 million a year. Maybe he could pitch over a walk every now and then.

Buerhle was not good, but Ozzie had the bullpen ready when the score was 3-2 and wouldn't use it until the score was 6-2. Utter stupidity. Sandy doesn't move when the ball gets 20 ft. away from the catcher, and then a DP follows.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:05 PM) Ozzie went out and asked him how he felt. Buerhle being a competitor said I am fine I can get the guy out. Ozzie not taking facts into consideration decided to play buddy and let him play in there. Just like he played buddy for Freddy and for the Count yesterday. And he is full of s*** in his quotes on the radio and in the paper about knowing that this is go time and he needs to go to the pen he will. That is an outright lie. Why are you asking a guy with an ERA around 10.00 his last 6 or 7 starts how he's feeling? Hawk needs to layoff the umpires.

Buerhle needed to be yanked after the walk. But Ozzie leaves him in for 3 or 4 more to reach base. It really is unbelievable. There are a ton of Little League managers that would have known better.

This is as poorly managed inning as there has ever been in the history of White Sox baseball. Quit asking the pitchers what they think, just like KW needs to quit asking the players about the roster. Anyone could have seen this coming.

Don't take him out now.

Now you give the bullpen absolutely no margin for error. But wait, no bullpen. For the love of God Ozzie. Resign.

Escobar threw a couple called balls that looked right down the middle.

This is so stupid. Hawk is b****ing about balls and strikes, something we were told by the Soxtalk resident police officer he didn't do

If there are any baserunners, you have to take Buerhle out. The Angels have too good a bullpen to get down 3 and seriously think you are still in it.