Dick Allen

Hopefully the grounders are a good sign.

If I were the GM of the White Sox, I would seriously consider trading Iguchi. Let Cintron and Pablo platoon at second. There's something about Iguchi that I just don't like, and I'm really not sure what it is, but I have the feeling his performance is ready to really swan dive. You can cancel the postgame show.

Even though his average is down, I think Pods is having a much better offensive season this season than last. QUOTE(kapkomet @ Jun 13, 2006 -> 07:05 PM) Which makes my point even more valid. Thanks for making it. To clarify - Mr. Thomas knew EXACTLY what was coming. Which doesn't make him unique this season against Garland.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Jun 13, 2006 -> 07:01 PM) People need to NOT consider the A's game. Those were cookie specials served up to an ex-teammate who is going to be in the Hall of Fame. Period. Frank was hitting like Brian Anderson at the time.

QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ Jun 13, 2006 -> 06:55 PM) I actually thought Jon G had his best stuff of the season in his last start. Then he completely lost his head after the defensive lapses. This seems a common thread among Sox starters, as Mark B has suffered the same problem this season. It's time for Jon to put excuses aside and stop leaving pitches up in the zone--poor defense or not. The defensive lapses didn't cost him any runs last time out. He was getting hit hard most of the night, although he did strike some guys out. Seriously, he could have very easily given up 7 homers his last start. QUOTE(knightni @ Jun 13, 2006 -> 06:56 PM) I was at the Oakland game where ol' Jonny pitched. The Frank return game. Instead of "Judy", his nickname should be "The Waiter" because he was servin' it up to a lot of different guys that game. I thought that was the in game tribute they were giving to Frank. A couple of Garland meatballs. Frank hit 3 shots off him. 2 were over the fence.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Jun 13, 2006 -> 06:46 PM) s***, I didn't realize that I was THAT right about Garland sucking in Texas. Its time to turn it around. Buerhle pitched well against Cleveland and Sabbathia. Maybe Garland can continue the turnaround. I think the Sox will be able to score a lot of runs tonight.

QUOTE(JoeBatterz @ Jun 13, 2006 -> 06:42 PM) No question in my mind that Clemens has some "scientists" on his regular payroll. I agree with you. From 93-96, his last 4 years in Boston, he was 40-39. People wonder why the White Sox didn't break the bank trying to sign him. All of a sudden his performance took off again, except his first year in NY was a struggle.

Garland needs to start earning his paycheck. If he gets bombed tonight, I can't wait to see the excuses.

They asked for the moon for Villone, and wound up keeping him until the off-season when he netted them an average prospect. I think KW will be able to do something this year.

Counting the playoffs, he is 18-1 his last 23 starts.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Jun 13, 2006 -> 02:54 PM) Anyone know if its common practice for most clubs to release addtional tickets the day of a game? (I know the Sox have from time to time.) The Reds don't have anything left at all for Sunday except UD according to their website. Might have to go the scalper route at the park that day. On Friday, we're in 134 and on Saturday we're going to be in 415. I know the Cubs, Yankees and Red Sox do. Along with the Sox. I would imagine the Reds would. You may want to check a day or 2 before on the internet, sometimes they release them early. I don't know what the scalping scene is around there, but if its anything like USCF, you can score sweet seats well below face value.

You know the second BA is ready to bust the Mendoza line, he'll have to serve his suspension, and it will probably set him back.

QUOTE(BFirebird @ Jun 12, 2006 -> 07:07 PM) Ever since he hit the wall versus Cleveland he has had some very decent AB's. Maybe the wall triggered something in his brain. You might be on to something.

Anderson's having a decent at bat. Maybe he' s ready to turn it around.

Can Anderson get his 3rd consecutive hit?

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jun 12, 2006 -> 06:58 PM) Remember when we thought this guy wasn't going to waive his no trade to come here? Ya, that would have sucked. Remember when half the board wanted to trade him to Houston for a middle reliever and Taveras? That would have been a disaster.

I hope Garcia and Garland are paying attention. Contreras is mowing through a pretty good line-up.

Back in the day they used to show the Shuffleboard championships. I did enjoy the miniature golf tour.

BTW, did anyone see the write up about the new stadium for the Fire. They have blue seats, and the reason for the blue was supposedly withblue seats, if its not full, it won't look as empty on television. I love blue seats.

According to the media guide, they will be staying at the Westin.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jun 12, 2006 -> 12:04 PM) Wickman was throwing 96 MPH in the bottom of the 9th inning last night according to ESPN FWIW. The USCF gun had Garcia 89-91 all night. He hit 94 once,and one clocked 106. This same gun had Buerhle at 89-90 most of Saturday. Freddy is not the pitcher he was when he came to the Sox. He used to consistently throw 94. Now when he tries to get a little extra on it, he can't throw a strike. Hopefully, there is no injury, but something is very different.

While angling the seats probably would be nice for the people who sit down the lines, I don't think its too plausible. What is plausible is a new out of town scoreboard, and room to place stats on a board. Its the fantasy baseball era, and while its nice to read this date in Sox history or who the Sox are welcoming in the park that particular game, when a relief pitcher comes in I would like to see his stats. Sometimes you see them, sometimes you don't. I also think they should improve the boards down the line which are on the upper deck facade so they include runs, hits and errors for both teams.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jun 11, 2006 -> 11:25 PM) Umm, I was at that Toronto game, too, and he absolutely was rushed. They were rushing to get through the top of the fifth because it was raining incredibly hard. Maybe you weren't watching, but he didn't get "lit up" as much as he couldn't grip well, the hitters couldn't hit well, the field wasn't fit for playing well, and a bad inning was had by all. He was just like tonight. He couldn't throw a strike to save his life. It wasn't raining very hard at the beginning of that inning but he walked a few got behind a few gave up some hits, and it took awhile. That was the game the idiot showed up Iguchi who misplayed a ball because it landed in a puddle. If he just would have thrown strikes the 20 minutes before that, he would have been out of it. That game he wasn't having trouble gripping the ball either. What was his excuse tonight?

I stayed tonight. I left early a couple of weeks ago after Politte started giving up rockets. I couldn't watch anymore, I was getting sick.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jun 11, 2006 -> 11:15 PM) Perhaps the Indians are seeing Freddy tip his pitches? Maybe Freddy was still hungover from his birthday (June 10th 1976.) According to the stats, both his two outings against the blue jays were terrible. In one of the game he was rushing through the 6th inning to get the game in and plays that are made during normal conditions were not being made due to 8 inches of rain being on the ground. Take away Garcia's starts against the Cubs, Twins and Angels, 3 of the weakest offenses, (the Angels were really struggling when the Sox faced them) and what is Garcia's ERA? He wasn't rushed that game vs. Toronto. I happened to be there. He was getting lit up in the 5th. Ozzie left him out there for the win. It almost cost the Sox a win. You have to be concerned about Garcia and Garland. Neither have been that sharp this year. Freddy was on a hot streak for a while, but hasn't won since he beat the Cubs, and has looked bad lately. Garland has been terrible, so terrible that people actually get enthused about a 6 inning 5 ER 3 homerun allowed performance. With the bullpen as weak as it is, the Sox are going to need more out of their starters, although I heard today on ESPN that White Sox starters have pitched the most innings in the major leagues. Its cause for concern. Garcia had 1 or 2 pitches go 94 on the USCF gun today, but most between 89-91. That gun is known to be quick. He also hit 106 on it once.