stretchstretch

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 19, 2009 -> 02:16 PM) He does that all the time though, I half-expected him to start going "STRETCH!" you called?

for those of us outside the Chgo area, ESPN is still the easiest way to get some TV highlights of Sox games. unfortunately. local cable added MLBTV recently, and as it turns out, there are 4 other baseball divisions beside the AL East and NL East????? and other players out west aside from this Manny Ramirez guy.... watching MLB TV is a whole differernt world. suddently I'm exposed to inside stories on teams and playerr that otherswise would never be known, coverage of teams are equal, you don't need to grind though 30mins of bos, nyy, nym, phi every baseball tonight and/or sportscenter before "hoping" to get a blip from some other team.

since we're quoting kids n' baseball.....my 7 yr old said earlier when Papelbon took the mound against the Angels (in disgust)....."ughhhh, Applepie, I HATE that guy!!!" he frequently forgets names and makes up his own version in the process, also has some bad memories from last year's ALDS

QUOTE (greg775 @ Apr 11, 2009 -> 02:46 PM) That was a classy move by the organization. I wonder how many teams would have done that? Maybe some others, maybe not. I was in Anaheim for Erstad's first game back with the Sox........the ovation was great, but no video I can recall, and he did at least as much the Angels as Crede did, plus the Angels are a first class organization with loyal fans, so the JC vid is very respectable move

QUOTE (LVSoxFan @ Apr 9, 2009 -> 04:08 PM) On another note, yes: I too have noticed the bad team habit of taking fastballs straight down the pipe--that seem like cookies--yet swinging wildly at first pitch breaking balls and other junk. Ouch. Seen enough of that the last two years. Does Walker not see this? Watching PK take 90MPH first strikes right down the middle is just painful, it almost always results in a K, ground out (usually a DP), or shallow popup. I'd rather take the WS game 2 approach in getting the GSlam, first pitch down the middle, drive the F*cker.......

QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 9, 2009 -> 03:56 PM) It's tough to watch Corpseball. But you have to believe that this lineup will start hitting more consistently. And the pitching as been outstanding so far. If Contreras and Linebrink can stay healthy this season (not likely, I know), this could be a very competitive team. right, remember how PK was going to come around by summer last year when the weather warmed up?.......we'll see how much the hand injury was "the issue" last year.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 8, 2009 -> 02:08 PM) How come they didn't boo when Quentin fanned before Thome homered? Or when AJP and Ramirez had back to back pop outs with the bases loaded an nobody out? The boos were very noticeable for Wise. Unfortunately for Wise, he isn't very good but has been put in a position with a lot of responsibility that he probably doesn't have the ability to fulfill.. He has become the USCF whipping boy. that's my whole point, booing a management decision vs. booing the individual beyond a reasonable expectation of the individual's ability in the situation. I wasn't at the game, and it wasn't televised here, but from what I read in the previous posts he was booed repeatedly, on opening day, against a very good KC pitcher-- if he came up to bat in the first and cheers overrode a few boos than I stand corrected... again he was put in this spot by management, and is making near league minimum, he generally plays with more passion and heart than half the regular starters INCLUDING an overly relaxed BA, he's not a 12M per year Konerko hitting .205, he didn't defect from a team to another team in search of a bigger payday, he's a career minor leaguer who played hard in ST and was chosen by mgmt to start in place of a guy who still isn't performing to the level that was hoped for.....not his fault, he did nothing to warrant this treatment on the first home game of the season against a stud pitcher, where the whole lineup managed 1 run through 7......

He tried out for the team, and management picked him to start. If that's the wrong choice, he personally should not be booed while at the plate, he wronged no one, and treating him as such does nothing to help his confidence or ability to deliver when needed....that behavior is wrong..just wrong...... and counterproductive to the team effort. when mgmt traded roward away and anderson couldn't do the job mgmt picked him to do in his place, did the crowd boo him everytime he came up to the plate??? I'm the camp that BA is the better overall choice, but while Wise it in, I'd rather see him have the best chance at delivernig some of the sparks he did last year by having the crowd back him in the spirit of backging the White Sox. Let him do what his ability allows, and hv mgmt act accordingly in the coming weeks, but don't help doom him to failure--that's just sh**y fansmanship...

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 21, 2008 -> 08:25 PM) So, think hard before making your comments and official predictions for the big series. We usually suck in the HumptyDome, but it's not like we've never won some games there. We have been pretty s***ty on the road; they've been great at home. It will be playoff intensity atmosphere, maybe even greater than playoff atmosphere. So how do we do? Favorably, or lay down and die, or somewhere in between? yes playoff intensity atmosphere, so naturally ESPN is covering none of the three games?!?!?!?!

MN just showed the White Sox what it looks like to not lay down. I'm glad they're not going to let this team get in the playoffs by pulling the kind of ridiculous performance they put in NY. If MN can beat TAM on the road by dropping a 5spot in the 9th like that and we can't take our skirts and purses off against two unknown NY pitchers then I gladly award them the division, they'll have truly earned it.

QUOTE (ROC Sox Fan @ Sep 11, 2008 -> 10:12 PM) What else to say. At least we fought back after the bullpen s*** the bed. And the Thome facial hair is interesting. tomorrow! What else to say? What I'd say is the Central is starting to look completely irrelevent in the playoff picture. I'm learning both teams can't cross the finish line when it matters. I'm starting to believe all my fretting every night for the next three weeks (and past two months), when I look back as the Cubs are playing the Angels, will seem like a such a complete waste of time, energy and hope. I wish I could be like some more pragmatic folks who just see things as they are real time, and know when to cut their emotional losses.......I'm so weak

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Sep 8, 2008 -> 03:31 PM) I'm not really worried about the Sox, but this is a series thats going to piss alot of people off. Jays are playing some incredible baseball right now, and even with the Sox at home, I think they might be running into a buzzsaw. I hope I am totally wrong, going to be at two of the games, so surprise me Sox. my pessimistic side fears the same thing, plus the twinks have KC in the dome at the same time, perfect storm conditions......this 2.5gm lead needs to be 10 before I started breathing any easier

pretty solid outing by Danks, one bad inning, could have been much worse. Good to get 2-3, imagine losing in 15 last night? Tough to lose by one run scored by a foul tagup, but when teams move guys along stealing bases, those are the spoils. P.S. Note to Fields/Swisher, when the game is on the line and you've got 2 outs with a runner on 2nd, DONT WATCH a close strike three when you're down in the count!!!! Swish in particular, a good low ball hitter, let two great opps for a low ball smack go by with Wise in scoring position.....if you're going to go down, go down at least with a hack. Thanks DET!!

the inability to steal bases is a big problem, take away the ability to break up DPs and score with singles. on the flip side have a lumberer like Guerrero stealing third base, and the others literally beating the throw by a full two seconds, whether its Hall or AJ, pathetic. also, can we seriously not throw out a runner ever. if you're playing the sox, draw walks and then steal every base, seems like an indefensible strategy

I watched Jason for two days in Tucson this year, he was fantastic at the dish, think most will be very impressed if he gets some PT......he's a gutty player

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 30, 2008 -> 09:15 PM) Twins are up 2-0. Denard Span has been one of the best players in the American League since the All-star break. The Sox don't deserve to be in 1st place right now. don't worry by the time tonight is over we'll be where we belong......Can't believe we were up two whole games just a couple days ago, wow wee!!!

QUOTE (Wanne @ Aug 30, 2008 -> 09:05 PM) Tell ya what...who the hell pitched...Bowden? Just who the F is that?!? I know Ozzie's trying to give his guys the benefit of the doubt...but to tell ya the truth....OCab was right...this team has NO KILLER INSTINCT. Not with the passive likes of Crede, Paulie, Griffey, Thome. Not saying they're bad players...just no fire. I really think it's time for Ozzie to go off again. F these guys little feelers....nut up...pitchers included. I'm really at a loss for words, not sure to start whining about some of the ridiculous home plate calls, lack of clutch hitting, ground rule doubles in that BS park of theirs, or if I'm simply just in denial about how unprepared this team really is for a possible playoff appearance. We needed both a solid performance from Mark, and big hits off of ANOTHER noname pitcher, and got neither. I wish I had the strength to just tune out until oct 1st, and it they make it great, but if not save myself another september of disappointment. I guess if there's one positive it's that Boston has 13 home losses, so this is not a novelty, and by watching the way the calls go (I MEAN DID YOU SEE THAT STRIKE AGAINST SWISHER THAT WAS LITERALLY AT HIS FREAKIN NECK!!!), maybe this is just a trip we need to move on from and be glad we're done with this sh*t venue....

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Aug 29, 2008 -> 09:32 PM) Its the nature of our team. Some of it can be fixed. Some of this needs to be fixed with new personnel in the offseason. We are not a good defensive team and we give the opposition too many outs. Good teams seem to turn those extra outs into runs. We score runs by hitting the ball over the fence. We do not string hits along, and we have a hard time driving in runs outside of the long ball. Good teams keep the ball the park and usually have good pitching and defense. Our relief lately has had a problem throwing strikes and getting ahead of hitters. this results in a lot of hitters counts and free bases. Bad teams dont take advantage of these flaws as much as good teams. Our defense needs to get its head out of its ass and start to catch the ball and stop giving extra outs. Our offense needs to figure out how to drive in runs outside of hitting the ball over the fence. Getting those runners in from 2nd with a base hit score the same as the dramatic home run does with no one on base. Not every swing must result in a power stroke. Take the ball up the middle, to right. These are what good teams do. Our relief pitchers need to throw strike one. The minute they start doing this they will be effective. great great great post, you summarized everything I've been wanting to say since TB came to town, even IF we make the playoffs, what we've see the past tw weeks tells us what to expect at the next level, this team just cannot compete against teams with pitching

QUOTE (SoxFan101 @ Aug 28, 2008 -> 06:55 PM) Yeah this definitely can be a big boost for the whitesox, not only does it help up for this series but also hurts a team that we would be competing against for the wildcard if twins pass us. I don't look at this series, as much as the part that they go the last month without him......

QUOTE (Drew @ Aug 28, 2008 -> 08:56 PM) My brother, dad, and I will be at Fenway on Saturday for the game. Sox 5-0 this season while I have been in paid attendance. Seen winners Dodger Stadium, Angel Stadium, McAfee Coliseum. any chance you can go on a 1 month road trip with the team...............???????????

both teams go 0-0 for 5 innings, then score one each in the 6th Top 8-- sh*tty team's, sh*tty reliever walks the first two guys he face, then Player X "doubles deep to left" per Gamecast, then shuts down next three batters sh*tty team sh*ts themselves in the bottom of the 9th Twins win by one run....... can't MN win a game like a winner, or lose like a loser, but stop eeking out these crap wins against crap teams. If you're going to earn the central playoff spot, the really win it...... slow night, watching another dragged out MN game on Gamecast and just seems like the same story evolving over and over......just can't bear another twin div. winner followed by a typical first round exit...... such a tired story.....pls Sox take them out.....

how in the world dream matchups go the opposite of what's expected with this team baffles me???

QUOTE (Jeremy @ Aug 27, 2008 -> 03:54 PM) I'm all about protecting the young guys' arms but how many additional starts would it add it we skip the fifth starter when an off day allows us to do so? I'm guessing it's one to two additional starts. If we pull away down the stretch, you can give them more rest. protecting the arm of a 25 yr old for the playoffs doesn't count if you don't make the playoffs. this team GOTZ to put its best forward for ultra-critical games (like Boston in Fenway). people, we're talking about a half game situation being the difference between staying home in october

this seems to be a big mystery, is there a progress report somewhere that can be had, is he gone for the year, are we saving him for the last couple weeks?

QUOTE (RME JICO @ Aug 26, 2008 -> 10:30 AM) I fear this: Twins 93-69 DIV Red Sox 93-69 WC White Sox 92-70 1GB However, the Twins are starting to show signs of slowing down (lost 3 straight) and they still have a bunch left on a long road trip. If we are about 3 games up after their road trip, we will be in a pretty good spot. For us, the 3 game set at Boston this weekend and the last 3 game set at Minnesota seem to be the make or break series for us. Boston has a ton of injury issues (Beckett, Drew, Lowell, Wakefield), which might allow the WC to come out of the Central. I believe if we get into the playoffs, we have a great shot to make it out of the AL. Our 4-man rotation, 3-4-5 batters, and Closer are hard to beat. but the Sox always do the opposite of what should happen, eg the Red Sox injuries will somehow backfire on us, believe me I wish this wasn't the case and we could count on logic, like the Twins road trip being their demise, but history just seems to show otherwise. I agree with the number up top, Twinks top us by an asshair and the Bozo's somehow eek in there.