Dick Allen

Tracey's lack of control is a pretty good reason not to send him in to hit someone. Seriously, he could throw it at him and hit him in the head. As wild as Tracey was that game against Cleveland, you would have to think a ball intended for Blaylock's ribs or elbow could just as easily strike his coconut.

Considering all the disdain the White Sox and at least one of their broadcasters had with Victor Martinez celebrating a home run in the dugout, Ozzie has to be aware that what he does in the dugout is going to be seen. We may never know the whole story. Maybe Ozzie told the bullpen coach to tell Tracey he was coming in to hit Blaylock, and maybe that message didn't get translated properly. I do think that if the Sox are sick of getting HBP, maybe they should start retaliating BEFORE warnings are issued. I didn't think chewing Tracey out was fair last night, and I don't think sending a guy with onlh 2 or 3 major league appearances under his belt, a guy who looks like he has a decent future out with the sole purpose of sticking one into Blaylock's ribs is fair either. Vazquez should have hit somebody after the first HBP, one where he himself said he thought was intentional. Protect your players. Hitting someone in the 7th or 8th inning of a game that is out of hand is not protecting your players.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jun 15, 2006 -> 01:04 PM) Three Year Splits for Riske vs. LHB .195 vs. RHB .233 Sub 3 ERA in June, July, August and October 3.3 or so in Sept. 2.86 post all star 1.78 ERA against Detroit in 30 IP 2.65 ERA @ the Cell What's surprising is his success against lefties. I read where Boston really needed someone to come in and get a lefty out. I wonder why they didn't give him a whirl. I heard they gave up 2 slams the last couple games to left handed hitters.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jun 15, 2006 -> 12:56 PM) So are we talking about a RH Damaso Marte? Million dollar arm, 10 cent head? Meh, its still an improvement on the question marks we had, plus he will be the middle relief guy, not nearly as much pressure there. I don't think he's as electric as Marte, but his head probably isn't as screwed up. Its well worth the gamble IMO. I'd much rather has Riske come in with the game on the line than Montero, no matter what his reputation. I really don't think KW could have acquired more for Lopez, and it would have taken several injuries to get him to Chicago.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jun 15, 2006 -> 11:56 AM) I didn't know about a bad back until now, but on the surface, how can you not like this deal? We gave up a guy with picked up for nothing to get a solid RH reliever, who will step right into the set up role. Even if his back acts up, we still lost nothing. Great move, especially this early in the season... This is exactly right. Obviously, the Sox weren't all that high on Lopez. If Riske bombs, all it really costs is cash.

Indians fans will tell you Riske sometimes suffers from the, as Hawk likes to say, "can't pull a greased tee out of his ass with a pair of pliers" syndrome, although he can be very tough. I do recall, at least 3 or 4 years ago, he was compared to Keith Foulke.

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 10:17 PM) Frank had a good night with a walk and an RBI single with a run scored but he was pinch run for so I wonder if he might have pushed it back a tad soon or if this was just Macha trying to avoid Frank having to run so soon back. Haven't se the game and htere is no injury note yet Looks like a pulled quad. Frank said he will be out "a while". Looks like his annual trip to the DL.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 09:22 PM) He almost traded Carlos Lee for him when he was with the Giants before the 2003 season. Here's the problem; every team is saying to themselves the exact same things we are saying right now. He would only cost the minimum for the rest of this year and the next two. That's only if he clears waivers. It's going to be a matter of which team will take on the most money, and then which team will actually give up something of value to get him. If some how he does clear waivers, I'd take him over Tracey or Politte. I could only imagine this board's reaction if he were to sign with Detroit and pitch in Maroth's spot and take advantage of that monstorous park. He's going to clear waivers. Anyone claiming him would be responsible for the balance of his contract. Arizona's only option is to try and trade him and get someone to pick up more than the minimum, or if they will only pick up the minumum, give the DBacks some lower level prospect.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jun 15, 2006 -> 07:04 AM) Nah, not pussing out, not having any control. He tried twice and missed. That's good enough for me, at least it sends the message. Evidently its not good enough for Ozzie. The Tribune said Tracey was packing his bags last night. We moan about how other teams throw at the Sox but the Sox get warned. If they thought the guy was throwing at AJP the first time, why didn't Vazquez retaliate right away? There would have been an eye for an eye, and the incident would have been over. I feel for Tracey. He gets demoted for not hitting someone.

According to the Tribune, Tracey was packing his bags after the game, heading back to Charlotte.

Maybe Ozzie was screaming into the bullpen phone because maybe Tracey didn't get the message.

Vazquez's ERA against teams not named the KC Royals: 5.64. Looks a lot like his previous AL numbers. Not exactly what you are looking for when paying $12,000,000 a year.

The vaunted pitching staff has 3 guys pitching like #4 or #5 starters.

QUOTE(Ndgt10 @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 09:20 PM) Fields, Garland for Willis. There's a better chance of me sleeping with Elle McPherson tonight than the Marlins taking Garland's contract.

If the Sox aren't going to score tonight, I'm glad its a night when Vazquez got knocked around.

I would hate to see Montero on the mound with the game on the line.

This is a perfect situation for one Boone Logan.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 08:53 PM) You should know by now the route our minor leaguers take once they've been promoted. Fields will come up with high expectations and fail immediately. If they're think about making him an outfielder, they should try working him in LF occassionally. I think Crede's back is still a big concern for KW.

AJ should have hada huge advantage at the plate against this guy his last AB. He can't throw anything in, because if he even gets close to him he's gone.

QUOTE(knightni @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 08:47 PM) Javys gona plunk someone after the bp is ready. I can feel it. That wouldn't be wise. It would put BMac in the rotation for a turn or 2 when the apeals process is over at the end of July or early August.

Hawk's not making sense now. He is saying the warning has hurt Vazquez making him pitch away, away, away. The warning was issued in the 4th inning. Vazquez hasn't allowed a run since the warning.

I don't understand what Hawk is crying about now. You still have to score to win. I don't think the warning is causing the Sox to take strike 3 over and over again.

Too bad he didn't hit him again.

Hawk lied, there were warnings issued.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 08:32 PM) How long would a pitcher be suspended if he drilled a Ranger? And can we afford to have Thornton bean someone? I think although no warnings have been issued, the guy would most likely get tossed, and suspended for a few games. If you are going to bean someone, have Tracey or Montero do it. If they were gone 3 games you might not even notice. By the time the suspension would have to be served, they might be back in Charlotte.