Dick Allen

I mentioned a few times in gamethreads when people were comlaining about lack of hustle, in one of the National writers columns back when Ozzie was managing quoted a scout who said they couldn’t get the White Sox players times to 1B because of lack of hustle. it isn’t like I am going to hate some player because of it, and I know a lot of players do it, but it would be nice if a manager didn’t have to have a rule.i am sure a few White Sox reached base because the opponent was told they run balls out. It can cause a bobble, a bad throw....

Whatever. Just don't ever complain at any players half assed effort. They have to slide a d hit and throw and fly. It's a damn near impossible existence. Although I am sure if he is a White Sox, RR will tell him his rule. Joe Maddon has 2 rules. Run hard to 1B and be on time . if fact AJP said if the Sox were to sign Manny he will be told what is expected of him and running balls out will be on the list.

My point is it is OK in my mind the White Sox or any other team tell him they we will give you $300 million but we really want you to give us that extra 4 or 5 minutes a month. The team will have young players, and less talented players who can't afford to jake it. You have to hold every healthy player to the same standard.

I wonder if Machado and Harper even know who Eloy is. I doubt they would be issuing that kind of ultimatum.

I don't know. I think you give it your best effort until you are called out. One hustle thing I don't agree with that the Sox do is they run out infield pop ups and keep running after they hit 1B. If the ball is dropped, they are easy outs at 2B.

Yes while easing up at 1B he slipped on the bag. Hr injured his other knee batting. Supposedly he had an abnormal knee structure and the surgeries correctef it. I really find it fascinating how many are against players hustling.

Do you have proof? It is actually one thing I like about his style. The only reason not to run balls out is if they are playing hurt. I have crabbed about Sox players not running for years. This is good though. You obviously are now on the side of this you don't want to be because you want to be against me. So to wiggle out you make something up.

I was comparing going about 13 miles an hour on an elliptical for 70 minutes to sprinting to first base a few times a day when he would normally be going half assed.I am sure if you tried it once you would realize there is no question which requires more physical effort. I don't think it's wrong if they ask Manny to run balls out, unless he is nursing some leg injury. Obviously you think that is asking way too much of a major league player. Joe Dimaggio was once asked why he always ran hard, and he responded some kid is always seeing him for the first time he owed him his best. It is called being professional.

My point was his comments about hustling were stupid. And hustling should be built in. When it costs a game, people who have no problem with it, will have a problem with it.

It really is a wonder they are able to play more than once or twice a week. The theory that running out routine groundballs will wear someone out is perhaps the most ridiculous argument in this board's history.

I don't have a problem with him as a player, and I want the Sox to sign him. I just think running out a ball doesn't require much commitment. Unless they are nursing an injury, there really is no excuse to not run something out. If you have a reputation for running them out, it will pay off at some point.

We aren't talking about sliding. We are talking about running out routine groundballs and flyballs. The amount of times where he dogs it which I put at 3 times a game, and it's probably less. Having him run out the ball instead, is an extra 5 minutes a month of running, if that. He's a 26 year old professional athlete in superior condition, most likely on a conditioning and nutrition program. If he can't handle that, I don't know why anyone would sign him for multiple years. Hustling to first base on a routine groundball isn't going to gas anyone in the major leagues. And I did mention all those things. These guys fly chartered jets and don't touch their bags. They are delivered to their hotel rooms. The grind of a baseball season is way more mental than physical. You must wish for strikeouts and routine grounders instead of doubles and triples so the guys can remain fresh. Unless you are pitching or catching and it's 95 degrees and humid, who gets tired playing a baseball game?

I am older than these guys and work out every freaking day. I used to do 15 miles in 70 minutes on an elliptical, which is almost a sprint, until it messed up my SI joint. I did it for years. To tell me a professional athlete can't do 2 or 3 30 yard sprints 162 times a year because it will wear him down is beyond hilarious. And if you would have actually read what I wrote, you would have realized I never said he wasn't worth signing. Just that the whole concept of dogging it is ridiculous. There isn't much physical effort in baseball. 162 games, an extra 3 times sprinting to 1B a game, which is probably more than he would have to do as he gets hits and walks and strikes out, at 4 seconds per sprint, is an extra 32.4 minutes of running a season. 5 minutes a month. Maybe you are right, he'd be gassed.

I think the point is, if they played the service time clock, it likely would have saved a couple of seasons of service time. He most likely was messed up when he arrived. His first start, I was expecting with his being extra amped to be well over 100. He was throwing 94. I am guessing he tore this, at least partially, in Charlotte, and at the very latest if most likely would have been discovered either with a spring training physical, or some time in Glendale. The way it turned out, was about as bad of luck as the Sox could have had.

To sprint for 30 yards isn't much of an killer. How many games did Pete Rose miss? I don't see how with modern day training, and chartered flights, today's players need to take 4 seconds off when there is actual action going on. Manny's comments were ridiculous. But he's still a great player, and maybe someone can get him to sprint to first base.

So who is at fault? Blago and Quinn? They are the only 2 Democratic governors IL has had in 42 years.

And to get the top guys, you have to assume the contract will eventually be a little ugly, which means you probably have to overpay. If the White Sox aren't willing to do that, another team will, and if no team is willing to do that, the White Sox record, holes, and lack of any recent success will make them a destination to avoid when other options are available.

This part of Morosi's report makes me wonder what the draw would be. It's a 100 loss team with holes everywhere. Looking for a bargain isn't going to fly.: The White Sox, with one of the smallest committed payrolls in baseball for 2019, have the capacity to add a $30 million-per-year player right now. But Hahn won't be pressured into overpaying in order to make that happen, for the same reason that he refused to rush into trades for Sale, Quintana or Eaton more than two years ago.

His age seems to indicate he isn't long for the major leagues. And his production, while still great, did go down a bit last season. And he's a DH. Would you be surprised if at age 38 he gets injured or his production drops significantly? Do you really think the White Sox have much of a chance to contend in 2019? Do you really think 38 year old DHs bring back significant prospects at the trade deadline? It isn't worth paying him. If he were a few years younger, then sure. Not now.

If they signed Cruz, which I kind of doubt, at least one of Abreu/Avi will be gone. Cruz is a 1 or 2 year player, if that, with limited defensive ability, so as a flip,he really isn't worth what you have to pay him. Targeting him is specifically to win now, which seems pretty crazy, or some requirement from Machado or maybe Harper.

The White Sox lost 100 games with one of the weakest schedules in baseball. To think Machado, Happ, Cruz, and Eloy makes them instant contenders is very wishful thinking. The Sox used to add guys like Cruz and Happ to teams that had guys like Sale and Q and Eaton and in his prime Jose Abreu, and it didn't work.

I hope Machado isn’t very tight with Chris Davis.

What about edibles?

They have to make it more attractive to Harper or Machado. But Cruz is 100 years old.

Under.. Aaron Boone won’t care.