Dick Allen

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 24, 2006 -> 01:01 PM) I'm in the process of heading in during early July and looking up tickets there are pretty much no lowers for some of the games in the Bmore series and obviously Boston is sold out. There are tons of people selling tickets at the park for less than face. Good seats. If you go to gate 5 and head to the ticket windows there, non pro scalpers are looking to unload extras. You will land a good deal. QUOTE(WCSox @ May 24, 2006 -> 12:29 PM) Do they still have the policy where you can exchange tickets from games that are either cancelled or severely delayed due to rain/cold for another game later in the season? I imagine they might not now because of the higher attendance. I took advantage of it for the '03 home opener and another game back in '98 where there was only like a one-hour rain delay and temperatures in the 50's. The people in the ticket office were always incredibly cool about it. I think because of record ticket sales, if a game is postponed, the make-up date is the only one the ticket for the postponement is good for. The bad weather free tickets aren't happening this year.

I stil think sec. 557 row 20 seat 14 is still a tough ticket to sell when the Sox take on certain teams. I really doubt they will sell out the rest of the way, but at least lack of attendance isn't an issue anymore.

Ozuna was up in a situation were if he gets a hit, the Sox win. If Perez executes the bunt perfectly, the Cubs are still trailing and will need at least another hit, if not 2 to tie the game. As I stated in another thread, I was at the game, and Macha was warning Swisher, who usually plays the OF but was at 1B which made Ozuna's idea even better, about the possibility of a bunt. Swisher just nodded, but didn't move in or anything, and really had no chance to throw Pablo, who is turning into one of the best bench hitters in all of baseball, out.

QUOTE(NYSox35 @ May 23, 2006 -> 03:50 PM) I am roughly 6'6 215...so he sounds fine to me. Granted I'm not ripped or huge, but it's a decent weight (like a 2 guard in my case or a SF in his). He looked thin to me. Its just that he always seemed so imposing to me especially on TV. Standing next to him, I'm 6'5", he wasn't so imposing.

I still don't see where Hawk Harrelson was that bad. LaRussa I think is overrated. He did win a WS but look at the teams he's managed. Hawk got Bonilla in the rule 5, traded him for DeLeon, who eventually was traded for Lance Johnson. He also traded Scott Bradley for Ivan Calderon, who was a huge part of a fun 1990 team, and who was eventually turned into Tim Raines. That 1986 team was doomed from the start. Seaver was crying to get back on the east coast. Hawk did trade Britt Burns to NY, who wound up with a bad hip and never pitched in another regular season game. Bob James was a great closer in 1985 but ate his way to being horrible in 1986 and done after 1987. Hawk was criticized for firing a bunch of scouts but these same scouts one year earlier recommended drafting Kurt Brown when Barry Bonds was available. Moving Fisk to LF was crazy, but the mistake was admitted and Fisk moved back behind the plate.

I saw Nelson this afternoon walking down Walton. He seems a lot bigger on television, although he is tall. He's a pretty skinny drink of water.

QUOTE(KevHead0881 @ May 23, 2006 -> 10:27 AM) Would "debating" have been a been a better word? Just seemed like a "who does Jerry like more" thing going on. Whatever. I not arguing or debating, just throwing out what I know and what I think. I haven't found any of the responses to my posts arguing them or debating them either.

QUOTE(Steff @ May 23, 2006 -> 10:20 AM) IMO, Kenny is GM cause there was a locked door for a minority and Jerry opened it. FWIW, Ken's kids are never in Jerry's box. Franks have been up there several times this year already. KW has his own box on the other side of the real small one. There's probably a different dynamic in each relationship with JR, and my theory could be completely wrong, but JR has had both of their backs probably more than any other player, except for maybe Ozzie. You may be right about why KW is GM, but he probably wouldn't have ever been in position to be hired if JR hadn't hired him right away when his playing career was over. Does anyone remember back in the early 90's when KW was a studio analyst a few games?

QUOTE(Steff @ May 23, 2006 -> 10:09 AM) Kenny was the original JR boy...? Jerry and Frank have been super close since Frank came to the Sox. Franks kids call Jerry papa. That was long before Kenny was around. 1982 KW became JR's personal responsibility when the White Sox drafted him. I think he was a 3rd round pick. JR went out to Oakland to meet with his father which is pretty unusual for a 3rd round pick. He assured his father he would take care of him. When KW was done playing, JR had a job waiting for him, and has taken care of him since. KW obviously worked his way to where he is, but I really doubt he would be a GM if JR never flew out to Oakland.

QUOTE(retro1983hat @ May 23, 2006 -> 09:57 AM) I just don't understand why KW has to show who has the bigger dick whenever he is interviewed about Frank. Why did he have to say, "the fans don't know what I know." Like if we did, we wouldn't cheer him. Last night was about Frank, not KW. Shove your ego away for one day KW, jeez. With the Ozzie-Ryan Dempster-Rich Hill battle to this, we sound like a bunch of 2-year-olds. I think its a sibling rivalry sort of thing. KW was the original JR boy. JR flying out to meet his father, telling his father he would take care of him. Frank comes along, JR gets close with Frank, becomes a sort of second father to Frank, until Frank's father dies, then becomes Frank's father-like figure. They both are probably wrong in their relationship or lack of relationship. Since I'm not involved, in a sick way I find humor in it, although the worst thing that ever came out was KW talking about the loan JR gave Frank. Popping that off was the most classless move anyone in the White Sox organization has made in a long, long time IMO.

QUOTE(WCSox @ May 23, 2006 -> 09:29 AM) Wow, what a game! Outside of Zito shutting us down and another not-that-impressive outing from Garland, there isn't that much to complain about. Our guys rose to the challenge and got the job done. Freaking brilliant call on the bunt. Also nice to see Jenks overcome the defensive miscues in the 10th. The three straight hooks to Crosby were tremendous... Bobby's a bad-ass when he can locate that pitch. And the standing O for Frank was as classy as could be. I was right behind the Sox dugout and right before the bunt, Macha was telling Swisher to watch for the bunt. You could see how Pablo was set up he wasn't going to be swinging. You're right, a truly positive game for the White Sox, except for another below par performance from Garland.

If Frank wants a job in the White Sox front office, I'm sure JR would find him one. Hopefully something that had nothing to do with personnel decisions. As far as Frank and KW, its not necessary they bury the hatchet for Frank to work for the Sox. There are plenty of current White Sox employees that think of KW the same way Frank does. I still don't like Frank's comments when he left and signed with Oakland. But he sure would attract a bigger crowd and ultimately raise more money for White Sox charities then guys like Donn Pall, Kittle, Melton, May...........

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ May 22, 2006 -> 11:16 PM) I'm still waiting for the other gesture Reifert mentioned twice It was the first time he came to bat, Honda introduced him like he would a White Sox player, "Fraaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnkkkkkkkkk Thomas".

QUOTE(ShoeLessRob @ May 23, 2006 -> 07:49 AM) Agreed ... Mark, Jose, and Freddy have been getting outs and W's for years ... Until Javy can do it conistantly then he doesn't get the elte status even though he has a hell of an upside. He has Contreras-like upside. He's had some great starts. 3 of them though were against the Royals, maybe the most pathetic franchise in pro sports. He's had some good years, but really even with his stuff, playing on some lousy teams has rendered his career mediocre thus far. He's seems like a right handed Floyd Bannister to me. A guy with great stuff, who could be unhittable at times, and might have a great year or 2, but will never put it together to the point that you think that he couldn't or shouldn't have been better. If you look at game logs though, he's consistent in the fact that he twirls gems a lot, and has the occassional games were he gives up 7 runs.

Jones obviously had spikes on. How could Cora possibly bite his foot? Marriotti is a dumbass, and jealous AJ took his spot as chief instigator in Chicago. He's desperately trying to get the title back, but these lame attempts show just how big a loser he is.

It was pretty funny, the 3rd base umpire and 2nd base umpire were both talking to Anderson for a while. I bet they were asking about the brawl.

QUOTE(G&T @ May 22, 2006 -> 11:07 PM) If Eddings could call a decent game, Thomas woulda been struck out. I didn't know Eddings was the home plate umpire. The White Sox and their fans should never complain about him. 88 years of failure ended with his help last year. QUOTE(ChWRoCk2 @ May 22, 2006 -> 11:11 PM) Awesome game, just got back, dont know why they pulled zito but I was relieved when they did. Sox win! Zito was closing in on 120 pitches

Macha told Swisher to watch for the bunt. Swisher nodded his head. He had no chance. Was the in game presentation to Frank, Garland teeing the ball up for him? I knew Garland would be a good match-up for Frank but that was ridiculous. He had no chance against Thornton or Jenks. That was a great win, big clutch homer for Mack. One thing I noticed about Street is appears he uses maybe a centimeter of the rubber, if that.

Go to the WSI ticket exchange. There are or at least were several tickets available for face.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 22, 2006 -> 04:04 PM) Here's the thing...it was vitally important that this team get off to a good start this season. We definitely have done that, and that should assure that we're drawing 30k fan for almost all of our home games this season. Even if the Sox don't make the playoffs this year, I think we'll be competitive enough that the fans will come this season, as well as next year. There's already advertisements for the 2007 season ticket waiting list. I'm fairly confident that our payroll will be over 90 million next season. The problem is the number of full season ticketholders that purchased a full plan for a shot at WS tickets last season. If , for some reason the Sox fall out of contention or don't make the playoffs, a lot of these people are gone IMO. Hopefully the Sox will be more like the Bulls when they don't make the playoffs and still continue to draw. I hope it doesn't turn into Cleveland who sold out 5 1/2 years straight, then go bad and now after a 93 win season, only draw 17,000 in a home game against the world champion division rivals. This year they are fine, but if a lot of those full plans don't renew, Garland and Garcia being off the books after 2007 may be exactly what the White Sox want.

It all may be a mute point anyway if a Sox starter blows out his arm this year. I also think the rest of this season is huge for this team. If for some reason the Sox don't make the playoffs, the rate of seasonticket renewals will play a huge role in the make-up of the roster.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ May 22, 2006 -> 03:48 PM) If any starting pitcher from the rotation is traded, it's Garcia. Regardless of his relationship with Guillen. Garcia has one year remaining on his contract, and will likely finish this season with totals approaching last season. He'll have a higher ERA, lower K's, but his win totals will exceed 14; and for that, some team will consider him a worthy gamble. Just rape an organization for the next Liriano and I'll be happy. From my perspective, trading Garland would certaintly be more appropriate--but you couldn't expect much in return. Does anyone believe the White Sox would pay for a sizable amount of Garland's contract to send him out of town? Does that sound like an option they've regularily persued? Eating a contract is the only way we'd receive halfway decent prospects. I doubt they venture down that road, considering recent trades we've had other clubs pay a large portion of salaries. Most teams are desperate for starting pitching. Garland's 2005 could act as a nice tease for some team. Considering what guys like Pavano and Burnett were paid, really with not much results-wise more than Garland, maybe even less, some team might think Garland for $22 million and 2 years is a good gamble to take. What they would be willing to give up is another matter.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 22, 2006 -> 03:30 PM) From a baseball perspective, keeping a good 27 year old starter who is just now figuring himself out, is better than re-signing an aging pitcher, who is only going to lose more MPH off of his fastball, no matter who he is close to. It makes more sense to keep Garland, bar none. A good starter if he pitches like he did in 2005. A mediocre starter if he pitches like he has at any other point in his career. If he turns it around this year, then I see your point. At least up until now, it seems everything he supposedly figured out last season, he's forgotten. If his numbers are pretty much in line with his pre-2005 numbers, then I would bet anything he would be very available. Having Freddy pitching in his walk year is not that bad of a thing.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 22, 2006 -> 03:16 PM) Yes, im sure when KW is making business decisions for trying to improve his team, and keep it good for years to come, the personal relationship between a player and the manager would kill all reasons to get rid of a player. Please. Your blatant Garland hatred has blurred your vision. Freddy's 7-1, and Ozzie and Freddy are very close. I'm sure if the Sox trade one of their starters, Ozzie will have a say in who it is. While I think its possible Freddy could go, it probably would take an unbelievable package for Ozzie to give his endorsement. Garland, on the other hand, may be more attractive to deal to get out of the $22 million total obligation for 2007-8. The White Sox tried to deal Ordonez when backloaded contract went to the payoff year. Garland, unless he really turns it around, will be overpriced next season, and ridiculously priced in 2008. I really think the Sox have no intention of paying that contract, at least the final $12 million.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ May 22, 2006 -> 03:11 PM) I wanted to deal Jon after 05......right now, we can't afford to put BMac in the rotation after this year if we still haven't gotten solid BP help. KW basically said one way or another McCarthy will be in the rotation in 2007. I'm quite sure KW will pay a lot more attention to the bullpen the rest of this season and next off season, than he did last off season.