Dick Allen

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 06:09 PM) I haven't followed Widger's career, but he must have been a decent catcher throughout his career, how else would you stick around the bigs for 11 years despite hitting .222?? At one time, he was a very highly thought of prospect. That he could hit a little bit, with some power, he did have a couple of fairly solid seasons with the Expos, and being a catcher gets you a long career, sort of like a very mediocre left handed reliever. They last forever.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 06:08 PM) Pitch selection isn't the same as calling out somebody's game preparation. I believe it definitely is part of game preparation.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 06:00 PM) This sure wasn't the case last year. Everybody raved about his pre-game preparation last year. I guess a lot can change in a year. Actually, the Sox were quite livid at Widger's pitch selection several times last year. Especially with Jenks on the mound. He's never been known for his defense or his game-calling, and when it gets to the point where he can't hit anymore, he's pretty worthless. Last year he had been out of the game, so he may have appreciated it more. I think veterans that become back-ups tend to take shortcuts preparing to play. This may have happened to Widger, but either way, he really is most likely at the end of the road.

Whoever it is, they have to be here for tomorrow night's game. I wouldn't be surprised if Stewart is flown to Chicago just in case Alomar or whomever else they are bringing in doesn't get here on time.

I don't know why Rongy would say Alomar is coming if he isn't. While I was hoping that it wasn't true, it most likely is.

When is the last time Pods drove in runs in 3 different ABs in one game?

QUOTE(CySox @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 05:41 PM) No, I always thought Rongey was an idiot. I personally can't stand him, and I think he is one of the worst pre/post game guys the sox have had. I wish we could bring back the guy from last year. His names escapes me right now... I liked that guy too. The Dodge people gave him a car to drive around during the season, and he always gave them airtime and a lot of pub. With all the mentions, he deserved better than the Neon they let him use.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 05:36 PM) Alomar's last start was in June. 6/28: Odalis Perez, 6 runs in 4.1 innings (no other runs allowed) 6/18: Aaron Sele gave up 5 runs in 4 innings (no other runs allowed) 6/2: Seo started and gave up 3 runs in 4 innings (making a start for Perez who was just demoted); Baez gave up 5 runs in the 9th inning of that game 5/26: Brett Tomko gave up 6 runs in 4.2 innings (pen gave up 4 runs, but the relievers of that game are both no longer with the DOdgers and had ERA's over 6). 5/13: Sele gives up 2 runs in 7 innings, but Baez gives up 4 runs (2 earned) 5/4: Tomko throws 7 shutout innings with Saito coming in and giving up 3 runs in relief 5/1: Penny gives up 3 runs in 6 innings (no other runs given up) I want to point out that Alomar has caught just once since May 1st for one of the Dodgers front line starters and most of his starters came from a combo of Perez (whose awful), Tomko (who has pitched surprisingly decent and was alright in Alomar's starts) and Sele (who had one good and one bad with Alomar Jr). Most of the runs allowed came from Baez who has been terrible with whoever caught up. Just trying to show kind of why he's catcher ERA is so high. Back-up catcher ERA;s can be deceiving no question. Sandy's has generally been higher than the team's ERA for his entire career however. The White Sox have always thought very highly of him, and think he's a future major league manager. IIRC they tried to get him to retire a couple years ago, and make him a coach or manager somewhere in the organization.

I would be so happy if this report were erroneous. It just seems like a move that makes no sense to me.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 05:33 PM) I can remember quite a few games where he hit into a walk-off double play. Luckily, one of those was when he was on the Indians, and it was against Foulke. A guy I work with lives in Cleveland and is a huge Indians fan. When the Sox first signed Alomar back in 2001 or 2002, he mentioned that although Sandy was very popular in Cleveland, the Indians fans would not miss the DP balls Sandy seemed to hit into often in close games.

At least Thome will have another guy to party with.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 05:13 PM) He'll make more contact. However, I think he also likes to wear shades at the plate. Alomar is one guy you would like to see whiff more often. His consistent contact a lot of times bring up the numbers 6-4-3.

I was in Boston in 2003, and I just can't get the image of Sandy, who is a really nice guy, walking through the lobby, walking like he was 85 years old in need of knee replacement surgery in both knees. He was really hobbling, but he still played that night. He must take painkillers up the wazoo to be able to play.

QUOTE(Felix @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 05:05 PM) SA Jr. has a 6.09 CERA this year In the NL..............................at Dodger Stadium. His CERA usually is higher than the team ERA.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 05:01 PM) Seriously, what was really available from a catchers perspective that wouldnt cost a lot. Do you really want to blow any quality prospects that can get us something on a fishing backup catcher. If he hits .220 with no power, he is still an upgrade over Widger. I actually think I was being generous with the .220-.240 prediction. At least Widger may run into one once in a while and hit it over the wall. I'm not going to get too upset with this, it is just the back-up catcher, but keep in mind, there's an excellent chance Sandy is going to go on the DL sometime as well. I think the Sox would have been far better served just calling up Stewart. He's a better player than SA Jr. at this point.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 04:56 PM) He is hitting .323 this year including a .500 spot against lefties. I could care less if he is 70, if he can put the ball in play fairly once and a while and call a decent game, he is an upgrade over widger. His game calling is very overrated. He is no better defensively than Widger, and offensively he will not continue hitting .323. He will hit .220-.240 with the Sox with little to no power, and the guy doesn't walk at all. He's brutal at this point in his career.

Sandy hasn't homered since he played for the Sox, but he's walked 5 times. I don't understand this at all. Oh well, he is replacing Widger, so at worst its a push.

I don't even think its an upgrade. Alomar is done. What's with KW's fetish of acquiring guys named Alomar during the season? Sandy has hit alright this season with no power, but he always tails off, and you might as well have Carlton Fisk's statue behind the plate.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 04:45 PM) Wasn't Freddy Garcia traded for at like 5:05 or 6:05 on a Sunday? It was a Sunday game against the Cubs. Olivo hit a homer that game, and was lifted in the 8th because he was headed to Seattle. He cried.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 04:23 PM) He looks like the guy that Wild Thing K'd at the end of the game in "Major League". The Chicago native has bad knees, FWIW. And I'm with you...please no Sandy Alomar. He needs a cut-off man when someone tries to steal against him. I think the guy Wild Thing fanned actually was ex-White Sox Pete Vuckovich. And they do look a lot a like, although Vuckovich's face could hold a week of rain.

Sal Fasano was on the DL for Philly and was DFA'd yesterday. He can hit an occassional bomb. Maybe KW is working on a bigger deal with big fat Sal thrown in.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 04:09 PM) Works well enough for Mirabelli. Oh, and from a couple posts earlier, Olivo stands right beside Rowand as guys who won't be Sox this year. I agree. I also think Javy Lopez ain't happening either. There just isn't enough playing time to justify taking the contract.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 04:05 PM) I really doubt Chuck comes back up. Stew does do a pretty good job, but if you've got a guy throwing like 80% knucklers, the passed balls stick out....let me see how many he has. He IS our best defensive catcher in the system that can hit a ball at all. If he's on the team next year, and if Haeger somehow is in the rotation, you never know with injury and poor performance, I wouldn't be surprised if Stewart isn't his personal catcher. Not the greatest job in the world, but I'm sure Stewart would be thrilled.

QUOTE(Young Gun @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 03:57 PM) Yup, I thought about Alomar as well. Please no Alomar. He's been washed up for a couple of years. He is perhaps the most overrated game caller of all time. I think when he was in his prime on the Indians his CERA was almost a run above the back-ups almost every season. I do think its amazing he outlasted his brother. You could have made a lot of money betting on that.