cgaudin

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Sep 6, 2006 -> 09:27 AM) I am holding out hope that this team is on the verge of waking up, kicking ass the rest of the season, and rolling right into the playoffs. Go get 'em. We've been waiting....a while now.

He showed enough last night where I say dump Podsednik this very instant. The kid looked absolutely at ease and very poised, as if he's played in the bigs for a while now. Oh, and did you notice he actually hit a left-handed pitcher? What a novelty. The playoffs are over as far as I'm concerned. Let's see what the kids have so we have something to go on for next season. Trust me, we ain't catching the Twins. We just don't have it this year.

The Sox have now lost 20 games in a row where they score 3 or less runs in a game. Last year we won 15 games where we scored 2 runs or less. 'Nuff said.

Ozzie's strengths as a manager are not in his on-the-field decisionmaking moves or tactical prowess. He is average, at best, perhaps at times even patient to a flaw. However, Ozzie is a masterful deflector of external pressure and shields his players from the microscope of the Chicago media, which can be as destructive as it is critical. He keeps his clubhouse in a loose atmosphere while still commanding respect and retaining complete control of the ballclub. He is a loose cannon and speaks before thinking what he speaks, which will likely be his undoing ultimately. Ozzie's biggest flaw is that he is too emotionally involved in this club, and those emotions are getting in the way of objective decisionmaking on the field. Regardless ofwhat he does from here on out, I will never forget that it was HE who sat at the helm when Chicago's championship drought was quenched, whether it was because of him or in spite of him.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Sep 5, 2006 -> 03:55 PM) Could have easily stuck with Thornton Had Ozzie let Thornton pitch the ninth and allowed to tie the game, just as it happened, everybody would be wanting Ozzie's head on a platter. The guy just can't catch a break. This team is what it is and will struggle to the end. Will it be enough, time will tell.

We've had our shot. The Tigers gave us the opportunity. We just didn't take it. Just hope to hold on to the WC.

It's actually comical now, how Ozzie keeps hoping against hope. Keeps sending Makowiak to CF despite his own reservations, keeps Podsednik in the lineup ignoring that he simply doesn't have it this year. It's as if he is operating in a daze. He seems to talk himself into thinking that the players underperforming all year will "break out of it" somehow. Or maybe he feels a certain loyalty or something. It is very easy to second guess Ozzie's moves since the team continues to struggle. What I don't understand is why he doesn't "stir the pot" some by playing new faces. I feel bad for Ozzie. It's a tough job to manage in big markets. Every move (or non-move) he makes is scrutinized by a bunch of us who don't know squat about big league managing. Yet somehow I cannot refrain from looking at the season as a whole and wonder why some moves were not made quickly. Bottom line is the players don't have the "stuff" this year. I am sure there are some in that clubhouse thinking, "I got my ring, I'm good to go." Hopefully those players will find new uniforms to wear next year.

It's too bad he was so atrocious to start the year. Otherwise, he would be in the discussion about Cy Young award. His ERA is way beyond consideration for it, but he will end up with a great year anyhow. Had it not been for his consistency in the second half, the Sox would be out of playoff contention by now. Hopefully he finishes with 20 to 21 wins.

I'm afraid this is the stretch where Minnesota begins to pull away. They play the god-awful Devilrays for 3 games. The Sox go to Fenway to try and keep up with Minnesota. I believe this is it. Boston has injuries but they are still very good and would like nothing but ruin our chances while bolstering theirs. Meanwhile Minnesota will be piling on the Rays to go ahead 2.5 games. This season has been lackluster. The Sox have played less than .500 ball since the All-Star break, and they can't find momentum. They are drudging along winning as many games as they lose. This is still anyone's race, but the Sox don't have that playoff "feel" as a team. It is even more tragic knowing this team spent the money to put a quality product on the field. Management did its job. The players have not shown up, plain and simple.

Lots of you folks out there should slow your McCarthy kool-aid consumption. He wasn't that impressive out there. Overall, this can't be put on Freddy. He pitched good enough to win. Sox just couldn't wake up the bats today.

Like I said before, Fans want a contender. I for one call this season a success already. I've been glued to the TV the entire summer, and although I've had to down some hefty doses of pepto-bismol on ocasion, the product on the field has been superlative. The Sox have kept us on our toes and teeming with anxiety, hoping for another post-season run. As fans, you can't ask for anthing better. It would be unrealistic for any of us to expect a WS title every year. What I do expect is a well-constructed assembly of players who will give us something fun to watch night in, night out. I wish the Sox make the post-season every year, but that's not gonna happen. I just hope they are in the mix until the last couple of days of the season. Now, having said that, I felt this team had a very good probability of running away with the Central. The Sox pitching underachieved as a staff way beyond our worst expectations, yet they are still alive. Imagine having a pitching rotation performing like last year's Sox. They would likely have the Central wrapped up by now. That's how strong this team is. Crappy pitching, yet still very much in contention.

Hawk may be "over the top" but he is singularly one of the most original broadcasters in the business. Mike Krukow of the Giants comes a distant second. I don't care much for his whining about umpires, but overall he does a good job, and I like the idea of the guy calling the game being as pumped up about a play as I am. He is definitely a homer, but he's our homer.

Hate to say it but Skankees and Oakland look to be the head of the pack. They are playing very consistently. The Sox have not and WILL not go on that roll we've all been waiting for. It is clear that this team does not have the look of a champion. Post-season? Yeah, I think we will squeak in by default since Boston went on the DL and the Twins are short players also. But I believe we will make a quick exit. You can put that on the board.

Hey, guys! Just got home. Did I miss much of the ballgame?..............................................Holy Cripes! Who the hell was pitching?

John Garland has gotten 16 wins pretty quietly. He has a very good chance at 20 wins. If Halladay or Santana falter, it will be difficult to not discuss Cy Young consideration DESPITE his god-awful ERA. He needs to bring that ERA down to 3.6 or so and then he has a shot. Garland has 6 more starts to do it.

QUOTE(beautox @ Aug 30, 2006 -> 09:21 PM) i want to know where gregory pratt is to defend pods. I must admit, I defended Pods for some time, but I guess he simply isn't the same player. Hey, Pods! You can only have sex once a week. That girl is wearing you out, dog. You just got nothin' when you get to the field.

That stolen base was freakin' clutch. He did everything he could to get an opportunity to score. Had that been Thome hitting 3rd, we would be in extra innings right now. Derek Jeter helped himself tonight for MVP honors, but JD would not be outdone, and he scored the winning run! MV phawkin' P!

We got two of them. I'm good. I just hope the Royals don't go on a tare as we roll into town. That would suck huge. Tell me this...how come the Royals can handle the Twins like spanked monkeys, and we can't even give them a good game, 'cause they own us. I just hope we're at least 3 games ahead of them when we go into Minny.

QUOTE(SoxnGiants @ Aug 30, 2006 -> 08:57 PM) C'mon Bobby - I'm almost out of fingernails here. Mine have been gone a few weeks now.

Phawkin' AYE!

Paulie's struggling mightily

That's what a 3-hitter is all about.

Jermaine Dye is THE MVP. He manufactured that run

MV phawkin P

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Aug 30, 2006 -> 08:41 PM) KC won that game within 1 second of Iguchi hitting that home run, I swear to God. Our whole night turned around in 1 second. Unbephawkin'lievable!