Dick Allen

Hawk always mentions he would throw as many lefties as possible against Santana. It takes away his change.

I belong to Equinox at 900 N. Michigan. I have a charter membership at $95 a month, I think they're at about $120 right now. Its nice though. Very clean, and usually pretty empty. I did get a tip from someone once, that the best time to purchase a gym membership is at the end of the month. They usually will throw in a free month or 2 and waive initiation fees if they need you for their quota.

I HATE when the Sox face Santana. Hopefully Garland will be on tonight, because he's not going to get more than 3 runs to work with, and 3 might be a stretch.

QUOTE(rudylaw @ May 11, 2006 -> 05:32 PM) I love when new guys come up. It is always very exciting to see. It kind of makes it a little extra exciting when we are in the middle of a long season. Usually when when that new guy is from the White Sox minor leagues, the results are pretty bad. I don't expect much from Montero, he has had a history of walks in the minors. Haegar walked his share in the minors, but major league hitters have better batting eyes and are smarter hitters, so those totals even go higher. The Angels aren't that patient of an offense, yet they let Charlie hang himself, and Montero will most likely be no different. Hopefully, he won't cost the Sox any games. He probably is the new designated lamb of the pitching staff. If for some reason the Sox are getting blown out, he's going to be out on the mound pitching until his arm falls off.

Carlos Lee actually has more homers than Thome. He's on a tremendous salary drive.

Montero has the honor of being one of the first players suspended by MLB for steriod use last season.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 11, 2006 -> 09:26 AM) Wow, Im surprised about how many people are really worried about Jenks. I mean you lose one game once in awhile and you would think that our players are just horrible. Big deal, he gave up more runs, we wouldnt have won anyway. There's a big difference going into the bottom of the ninth down 1 or down 7. There is no way to tell if the Sox would have lost anyway. I'm worried about Jenks because he is throwing 94 mph and doesn't have the command of his breaking ball as well as he had last year. His ERA is 5.52. Opponents are hitting .288 against him. He's hardly walking anybody, which you would think would translate into dominating, but for some reason it has not. He has dominated a few times, but for the most part he has been extremely hittable.

QUOTE(Controlled Chaos @ May 11, 2006 -> 08:33 AM) I think Jenks will be fine. Once he starts faltering in optium conditions I'll worry. It was raining pretty dam good when he was pitching. I don't think he gets a good grip on the ball when it's wet. He has faltered a few times in the rain. Bobby Jenks gets more excuses from this board than any player imaginable. He was horrible last night. It wasn't raining very hard when he was pitching. It started pouring after they took him out. If he can't pitch when its raining, or he can't pitch if he doesn't start an inning, or he can't pitch if there are runners on base, then he needs to find a different occupation. This board makes him out to be some sort of grizzled veteran closer. He has 16 career saves.

Use priceline. You'll be able to stay in Midtown for $140 a night. You may even get the Grand Hyatt, which is right next to Grand Central Station, which is one way to get to Yankee Stadium, and is also where the White Sox stay.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ May 11, 2006 -> 07:30 AM) Will the rain be gone by gametime? This game has rainout written all over it.

Haeger was predictably wild in his major league debut. Its pretty apparent the reason BMac didn't get the start was his back to back appearances this weekend. Haeger did earn a shot with his performance at AAA, but unfortunately its not going to work. I think he is total tradebait right now. I don't know about Widger or Stewart, but AJ looked totally lost trying to handle a knuckleball.

Jenks wasn't a reliever until last season. Its still up in the air how it will affect him. I do think they are overusing him a bit, plus it does look like he's lost a lot of weight since spring training, maybe too much too quickly. He certainly doesn't have last year's velocity, and really no track record to predict continued success. I really don't care about his lack of blown saves. Shingo was 8 for 9 last year in save opportunities, and he was horrible. The ball might have been a little wet, but it really wasn't raining very hard when he was in the game. There are no excuses, I think he would be the first to say he just sucked tonight. I'm sure if Jenks continues to perform like this, KW will do something about it.

A guy posted the Mr. Incredible/Thome thing on WSI a few weeks ago. He said he got it from his little son.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 10, 2006 -> 03:52 PM) In my view, the walks, steals and past balls are enough to make me not want to bring in a knuckleballer with runners on the bases. Obviously the catcher is important. It will be interesting to see how AJ handles it. If one gets by him every at bat, I would agree that the Sox probably wouldn't want to throw Haeger in a tight game with a man or 2 or 3 on. If he's as effective as he's been in Charlotte, or close to it, if he at least starts an inning, not many are going to get on. The Sox have a couple pitchers who can't hold guys on in Conteras and Garcia. I also think those 2 finished first and second in wild pitches last season. Haeger is just like any other rookie, he's going to have to prove he can get major league hitters out. Watching the last few the Sox have trotted out from Charlotte, the odds seem to favor him getting lit up, but if he's lights out, they probably should keep him on the roster.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 10, 2006 -> 02:48 PM) I dont think he does. As I said before, I do not think Knuckleballers are good our of the pen, and we really dont need another SP if JC comes back. Hoyt Wilhelm was pretty good out of the bullpen. Its also how Wilbur Wood started out, and Tim Wakefield has made numerous appearances out of the bullpen, and I believe was a closer at one point. I really don't see where there much room for him on the staff, unless its for a guy like Logan, once Contreras gets back, but if he does well enough, he be a great candidate to trade if a need arises.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ May 10, 2006 -> 12:52 PM) IMO, this game is could go two ways. 1.Charlie makes LAA look like idiots, and its incredibly fun to watch... or..... 2.This game is more frustrating and worse than Cotts in the Bronx... I've been thinking the same thing. Hopefully his nerves won't keep his knuckler from dancing. If he's around the plate, the Angels, not known for their patience at the plate, and currently struggling, could be the perfect match-up for him. I have the feeling Charlie is going to walk a few tonight. Hopefully AJ is up to the task catching him. He shouldn't worry about throwing guys out trying to steal tonight, just making sure the ball doesn't go back to the screen.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ May 8, 2006 -> 09:11 PM) If Charlie sucks, we're looking at 10+ Stolen Bases for the Angels on Wednesday. However, I think he will do well. The good news is that the Angels aren't very patient hitters. They only have 1 guy with 10 walks. Charlie is going to be nervous, who wouldn't. Hopefully that won't flatten his knuckler out, because if it does, you or I could do major damage.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 8, 2006 -> 09:11 PM) Actually, think of it this way. What if the Sox feel Nelson is pretty much ready. They have him pitch in a couple games really quickly in Charlotte. If Jose comes around as planned, the Sox give him a precautionary rest (having him miss one start). To make room the Sox send Logan down and call up Haeger. Than after the game, the Sox send Haeger down and replace him with Nelson, who they want in the rotation. Note: The above is purely me speculating...not going on any sources or inside info. He would be the obvious choice, but I would think its a longshot that he'd be ready.

QUOTE(WilliamTell @ May 8, 2006 -> 09:05 PM) What about Hideo Nomo? I know you're being sarcastic, but if they called him up someone in the bleachers might get hurt.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ May 8, 2006 -> 09:04 PM) So am I the only one lost or is that a group thing? It seems like Buerhle's broken foot all over again. To me, it looks like Contreras is feeling better, but probably isn't 100%, so the Sox don't want to take a chance. Maybe tomorrow he is 100% and will make his start Wed. If not,CH gets the nod, but if JC is close to 100%, then maybe the question is whether to DL him, or send someone down. If its 1 start, they could send down Logan, and then after CH's start, send him down and call up Lopez. I think you have to stay down for 10 days or so if you get optioned.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ May 8, 2006 -> 08:04 PM) Exactly what I was thinking, especially since Rotoworld is now saying we reported he had a MRI. Hopefully that is confirmed. The Score reported he had an MRI.

QUOTE(quickman @ May 8, 2006 -> 07:42 PM) Well the score has not reported it in over 90 minutes. Its seems people are starting to back off, which means there may not be a problem yet. Levine is worng more times than right. Griffey should be our center fielder right now if I believed that idiot. Vizquel would be at short, and Contreras would be in Miami with the Marlins after being dealt for AJ Burnett last season.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ May 8, 2006 -> 07:32 PM) I heard that too. They said it's back not hip, and it still wasn't 100% he is going on the DL. Hell we might all just wake up tomorrow and Jose is fine and Haeger is still in Charlotte. I woke up one day this past winter and could barely walk because of pain in my hip. It turns out I had somehow injured my back while sleeping. A muscle somehow folded over in my lower back. Its unlikely, but hopefully Jose has the same sort of thing, because after a few massages and a couple chiropractic adjustments I was fine.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ May 8, 2006 -> 06:35 PM) Thanks, Hawk. Does Hawk say that? I have no idea, but has anyone ever been drafted as a knuckleball pitcher? I think most of the famous ones, I'm not sure of Hoyt Wilhelm, were guys who were meat throwing conventional pitches. Bruce Sutter was meat until someone taught him the split, now hundreds of pitchers throw it. Its strange to me that more don't throw a knuckler. It is hard to control, and very difficult on the catcher, but a guy like Wakefield can pitch forever and never hit 80 on the gun.

It amazes me that more guys with very little chance to pitch in the majors don't make an effort to become knuckleball pitchers. Obviously, its not that easy, but its worth a shot if your career is in the toilet. A decent knuckleballer is invaluable to a pitching staff. They're innings eaters. Honel was throwing knuckle-curves. With all his arm problems, maybe he should try to add a straight knuckler to his reportoire.