StrangeSox

QUOTE(Whitewashed in @ Apr 24, 2007 -> 12:18 AM) I like the Eclipse because it's got a little power under the hood while the Civic is economical and has less HP, but I have heard the Civic is a better car. For more HP I know exhaust is a place to start. What are some of the little things that can give you a few more HP? My dad has a 3rd gen Eclipse (2003) and that car is an absolute turd. I haven't heard much about the latest (2006 MOY, I think) Eclipses. The older ones (mid-late 90's) are decent and can be had for a reasonable price. You're going to have to watch to try to avoid getting one someone beat on for the last 50k miles. As far as modifications go, it depends a lot on the car. Some cars have terribly restrictive exhausts from the factory -- others have systems that were designed reasonably well. Same for just about any other component. Your best bet would be to find a good enthusiast forum for the car similar to SoxTalk and see what other people have to say. Nothing wrong with letting other people spend their money first to figure out what works and what doesn't! The best way to go faster is to reduce weight! It improves not only acceleration, but also cornering, braking, and fuel efficiency. As for your earlier question regarding low-profile tires and snow, here's my thoughts (take with a grain of salt, I'm no tire expert): The size of the sidewalls shouldn't matter too much. What's really going to matter is the tire width (narrower is better for snow), tread patterns, and the compounds used. Aside from allowing people to shove huge wheels on cars, low profile tires help performance because the shorter sidewall is stiffer so there's less compliance in the tire. I don't think this will effect your traction in the snow.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Apr 24, 2007 -> 12:17 AM) So you want him in the minors developing? OK I will go for that. I don't think you develop a young player at the major league level on a playoff caliber team. Anderson has never looked good at the plate at the major league level. He is very good defensively. That is it, that is it, THAT IS IT! That is all he has ever done. He hit over .300 for a month last year, and close to it for another month. If he's not getting regular playing time in the majors, he needs to be in the minors. But eventually, you've gotta step up and prove that you can hit major league pitching. It takes some time -- not everyone can come up and do it right out of the gate while being platooned and facing lefties like Johan and C.C.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Apr 24, 2007 -> 12:15 AM) I really have my doubts if Anderson will turn out to be a solid major league player, and I am a big Anderson guy. I just am realistic, and so far, things offensively have been a big struggle for Brian. However, if I'm going to be realistic, I also understand that young players don't always come up to the big leagues and dominate, and need to be given time to grow. Anderson isn't doing any growing on the bench. Yeah, his current situation really isn't helping his development at all. He needs to be moved to AAA, traded, or, god forbid, played regularly.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Apr 24, 2007 -> 12:10 AM) Which is exactly the problem alot of us have. Anderson got just under 400 AB's last season. A good amount, but a young player needs more. At least give Anderson a chance to fail. Right now, he isn't even getting a shot, and right now, it looks like he probably wont again with this organization, which is a shame. Yeah, they really gave up on him too soon. Kenny Williams gets rid of two guys to get him a spot and then he's platooned all year and benched the next. He really showed improvement in July and August last year and showed some potential to be a decent player at the plate and a fantastic outfielder. QUOTE(southsideirish @ Apr 24, 2007 -> 12:11 AM) Why are you using Erstad's April for a comparison as to what he normally does when healthy? He barely played last year. Don't you think he is shaking off a little rust? Don't you think he needs a little time? Do you want to compare Anderson's 2006 April to Erstad's April? Anderson - 62 ABs, 9 runs, 10 hits, 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 6 RBI, 9 BB, 22 Ks, 2 SBs, .161 Avg,, .264 OBP, .290 SLG, .554 OPS Erstad - 64 ABs, 5 runs, 13 hits, 0 doubles, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 BB, 9 Ks, 4 SB, .203 Avg, .254 OBP, .250 SLG, .507 OPS Pretty equal and Erstad has 6 more games to improve on those numbers. If everything is equal why would you take a younger player over a vet? I think you are overestimating Anderson's ceiling and you think he is all-star caliber if you want him to play over a vet. I don't see it. One can be the future of the team, the other cannot. One is on the decline, the other on the rise. One will likely get injured, the other will not. And a .50 OPS difference isn't that minor. Anderson had more runs, more HR's, and more BB. He also K'd a ton, unfortunately, but it was his first crack in the majors as a starter and he came up with the typical White Sox holes in his swing. Oh, and Erstad has one extra-base hit which came in game 1, and nothing but soft singles since then.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Apr 24, 2007 -> 12:06 AM) Well, 10 AB's are all we have. I know the sample size is ridiculous, but to me Anderson has looked worse than Erstad at the plate. Do you really think that if Anderson were starting everyday that he'd be better than Erstad? Maybe, but I haven't seen it. I'd rather the Sox had a CF that can hit, but I don't see one on the roster. So why not try to develop the one who could be a future for your team instead of the one who's probably going to get injured at some point during the season if he keeps playing this much? If Erstad were hitting even decently (.250), there wouldn't be too much argument. But he's looked brutal at the plate. He has zero power. Almost everything is a soft grounder. His spray charts look like a big blob near the 2B. He's done well in the field, but his age and slower speed have shown a few times. Anderson hasn't looked good at the plate, but he sees pitching once every six or seven days. Hard to improve when you're playing that irregularly. His lackadaisical play in the outfield was definitely a big blow against him yesterday, though. That was the absolute last thing he needed to do at this point. It comes down to the sad fact that the Sox don't have a decent starting CF, and they are forced to play a 4th OF and a struggling young player.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2007 @ Apr 23, 2007 -> 11:56 PM) This team could really use Trot's .235/.316/.353/.669 right about now. Pods was playing well before he got hurt. Let's wait until his average is atleast below .300 before the cries for Trot Nixon begin. Trot's average and OBP are better than 5 starters on the White Sox. QUOTE(southsideirish @ Apr 24, 2007 -> 12:01 AM) HOW GOOD? I DO? WHERE? I am only stating that he is BETTER than Brian Anderson and has proved it. He is not a downgrade in defense, and is not a liability with the bat. Anderson is. Erstad knows how to hit in certain situations, Anderson can't hit in any situation. That is all I am saying. You want to give him time off? Fine, that is understandable. You don't want him leading off, fine that is understandable. But to make an argument to replace him with Anderson, I don't see it. I don't understand how that helps this team become better right now. Please tell me how that makes our team better RIGHT NOW! Erstad knows how to hit a soft ground ball to 2nd really, really well.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Apr 23, 2007 -> 11:56 PM) Right now, Brian Anderson is worse than his 2006 numbers. And he's been lazy in the OF. Right now, Erstad is a better player. You can't use 10 scattered AB's to form any sort of average and make judgments or conclusions based on the numbers.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Apr 23, 2007 -> 11:32 PM) Did anyone actually say that? And he did suck, horribly. Today he didnt. I really doubt anyone did. Konerko got the criticism he deserved for looking really bad at the plate up until today. Now he's getting the praise he deserves for having a fantastic game on both sides of the game.

I also sincerely hope that Ozzie is finished experimenting with Iguchi down in the order. He just doesn't hit well there and hasn't every time it has been tried.

G35's can be had in AWD. Just remember, AWD helps you maintain traction under power, but not necessarily while turning and especially not while braking. I see plenty of people flying around way faster than they should be in their AWD cars in the winter because they think AWD makes them invincible.

And this ballgame is OVA!

Sac fly and another RBI for paulie

Thome with a nice poke through the shift!

QUOTE(Capn12 @ Apr 23, 2007 -> 09:51 PM) Gooch rocks in the #2 hole. Ozzie, leave him there, when Prancer comes back, move grindErstad to 7TH, not 2nd. Hopefully Ozzie can finally see that. He's hitting so much better there.

QUOTE(TheOcho @ Apr 23, 2007 -> 09:51 PM) They thought for a moment they were in Fenway and Wrigley. There is nothing more annoying than watching a game at either of those places on TV. If a pitch that's three inches off the plate is called a ball, they all boo and piss and moan.

Now you've got to face Thome, who's been unstoppable when you actually pitch to him, or Konerko, who seems locked in this game and already has two HR's. Nicely done, Royals relievers.

The Royals bullpen is so terrible.

QUOTE(JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Apr 23, 2007 -> 09:46 PM) i see everyones hating on ozzie but what exactly would you have done differently? i know sisco sucks but they are trying to build this kids confidence and see what he can do late in ballgames. maybe they found their answer tonight Not put Thornton in to let the Royals make the easy PH for a good fastball hitter, for starters.

Nice walk.

Right-lefty match-ups never fail! Guillen's typical bullpen management could just be replaced by a simple algorithm. Add that to a power-generating windmill instead of a 3rd base coach, and maybe the payroll could expand...

Oz got out-managed there, bad.

Big, big out.

I'm just glad I'm not a KC Royals fan.

You know you're doing poorly offensively when you're subbed for BA.

This team can be so frustrating offensively at times and so good at others. If they get consistent, they'll be one of the best ball clubs in the majors.