Dick Allen

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ May 2, 2006 -> 02:59 PM) Um, no he's not. This would have been his first Arbitration-eligible year had he not been under contract. As far as I can tell we should still have him through the end of 08. I wouldn't be surprised if the Sox traded him or non-tendered him this coming off season. It will be interesting to see the real value the Sox place on Pod's style of play, because he's about to get expensive.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ May 2, 2006 -> 11:47 AM) With those kind of numbers, why didn't anyone sign him sooner? Is he hurt? That's a good question. He does have a reputation for being an ass, and is basically a ROOGY at this point. I wonder if BMac's recent struggles and/or Thornton's questionable back pushed KW into the signing. It was nice to see Politte hit 96 yesterday. Nelson does have a better chance to contribute than the minor league trash that was signed in the winter.

Nelson will be going to extended spring training.

Sox signed Jeff Nelson

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ May 2, 2006 -> 08:25 AM) Im pretty sure he called it "coming home" because he is from Peoria. I understand that, but Peoria isn't exactly a Chicago suburb, and Thome still has a home in Cleveland.

I think he already has blown any chance to duplicate his stats from last season, but it probably wasn't very realistic to think he would be able to match that again. He obviously still has ability, but if his control is off a bit, he's extremely hittable. I think he can bounce back and still be effective this season, and I think with his salary bouncing up a couple of million for next, he's KW's #1 poker chip next offseason. IMO, if he's tradeable next offseason, he's gone.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ May 1, 2006 -> 08:52 PM) I have a feeling Frank is going to get booed big time. And it will suck. Terribly. Frank was occassionally booed when he PLAYED for the White Sox.

QUOTE(Jimbo's Drinker @ May 1, 2006 -> 11:12 PM) Cleveland can't get more than 17.000 in the first appearance by the defending champs and the homecoming of Jim Thome, they suck Considering its a team that came off of a 93 win season, and sold out 5 1/2 years straight, I agree, the attendance was surprisingly low. As to booing Thome, the Indians wound up offering him over $60 million, and while Philadelphia's offer blew that away, I'm sure the fans felt jilted, just as White Sox fans were upset when Magglio left. It probably didn't help their feelings when Thome was traded to the White Sox, perhaps Cleveland's biggest rival, and he basically called it coming "home". They have a right to boo whether its appropriate or not. I'm sure it didn't affect Thome either way.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ May 1, 2006 -> 10:52 AM) By the way, if there's 1 place out there right now that can be useful to a base stealer trying to find his rhythm...it's Cleveland. Victor Martinez hasn't thrown out a base stealer all year. Pods better be off to the races in this series. Dye, Anderson, Cintron, Iguchi, Pablo too. Those Cleveland Pitchers have done nothing to hold people close, and Martinez just doesn't seem to be throwing well at all. I think he had 4 in a game there last year. If he gets on and Martinez throws him out, it may be time to think about a new leadoff man

QUOTE(KWs OK for Me @ Apr 30, 2006 -> 03:59 PM) Any reason they pulled Mack for BA? Mack went to RF, Dye is out, and they don't know why yet.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Apr 30, 2006 -> 03:45 PM) Does he still love the duck? He never expresses his love for the duck anymore. Must be problems with that relationship as well.

Hawk just hesitated again with the Aflac question and answer being Ted Kluzuski. Hawk must hate him too.

Its funny listening to Hawk try to explain Garland's struggles. Hawk has to find a new excuse now that Jerry Manuel can no longer be blamed.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Apr 30, 2006 -> 01:09 PM) The pitching wasn't what made the offense go. Pods was the sparkplug to the offense last year. Yes he's struggling, but that doesn't worry me as much as it would if this was last year. Not so much because I believe he'll come out of it (Not a big believer in his talent), but because of the fact we don't rely on him as much. Pods scored 80 runs and drove in 25 last season. The pitching is what made the White Sox World Champions.

I've always thought Pods was a bit overrated even when he was successful stealing. He and the Sox can deny injury all they want, but the facts support the notion he is not anywhere near 100% physically. In his 2 years in Milwaukee, he stole 113 bases and was caught 23 times. Before the All Star break last season, he stole 44 and was caught 9 times, pretty much the same percentage. Since then he has 19 steals and has been caught 18 times. Its not his fault he is hurting or perhaps babying his leg or groin. The Sox have to think of a different course, perhaps bunting more, or using hit and runs with him because the straight steals aren't working. Before he was hurt, he used to be safe by a mile, now even when he gets in, its usually pretty close. I'm not a fan of his, but ever since Oct. 23,2005, I will always cut him a little more slack.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Apr 27, 2006 -> 05:22 PM) Was this a GM Hawk Harrelson draft? No, it was Roland Hemond's last as GM. Hawk selected the great Grady Hall his one draft as GM. I have posted this particular draft nugget in the past, and to be fair, it really isn't the GM who is truly making this pick. He's at the mercy of his scouts.

He deserves a big suspension, but not for the entire year. Maybe an assault charge as well. They should make him pay the umpire a big hunk of change not to press charges. If he's doing this in the minors, just wait until his head swells even more when he gets to the majors. He's going to be a huge target for hecklers.

Maybe he'll get plunked. He'd probably still swing at it though.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 11:14 PM) Thank you. I can't believe anyone would still rather have Pods as their leadoff hitter over Sizemore. Sizemore's going to be a 10 time All-Star....and Pods is going to be batting 9th for the Royals in a couple of years. If Pods can't do better than 50% stealing, he'll be lucky to be getting paid by the Schaumburg Flyers.

Save percentages are misleading. Jenks was 6 for 8 last year, and Shingo was 8 for 9. Jenks was obviously the better option.

The tying run always comes to bat.

That last pitch looked like a strike. I bet if Thome had 2 strikes on him and took it, the ump would have rung him up.

A slam can still tie it.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 11:03 PM) How do you know that. None of them had had much success, if any, against Moyer. And one of those starters you were just complaining about saying he isn't doing anything to get the offense going. How much sense does that make? Two of those reserves manufactured 2 of our 3 runs. Has Ozzie ever done anything wrong in your opinion?

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 11:00 PM) Well, scoring 4 or more runs for 13 out of 14 games was pretty awesome. Had to come to an end sometime though. Not too surprised that it was tonight. And we've scored under 3 only once this season. Awesome. The White Sox will never hire you to present their side of an arbitration case.