Texsox

/hijack Strikeouts are also, IMHO overrated for pitchers. I'd rather a guy have a 1-2-3 inning with all ground outs and 7 pitches than 1-2-3 with strikeouts and 18 pitches. /back

QUOTE (ptatc @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 09:51 AM) I've given students failing grades on papers a few years ago for inaccurate information with wikipedia as sources. I now tell them if it's referenced as a source they will fail. The best source of information is primary research anyway not research cited in another report. I agree, but I see a future where that will change. I've read a couple of studies that wiki was as accurate as most other encyclopedias. Basically the difference is in having many volunteers versus paying someone to write and article. The bigger the subject, the more accurate it becomes. But today, not credible enough.

New bet. New Decision. Provided the other player would want to split the pot, I would weigh my new odds and make a decision accordingly. The object is to make money and if I thought I could make more with the split, I would, I would also reject the split if I felt I had the better position. But I certainly would not reject splitting in all situations.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 11:04 AM) The problem with that many strikeouts, and my whole problem with the "strikeouts really aren't that bad" argument in general, is that when you combine it with a low BA/OBP it means someone just can't hit the ball. They can't put the ball safely in play, they can't connect on big swings more than they already can, they can't even foul pitches off to work the count and wait out a walk - they just can't raise their stats that way. For an example of a player like that who's never going to change, see: Uribe, Juan. For an example of a player who did, see: Granderson, Curtis. Which is why I stated I was more interested in BA and OBP. It starts with BA and OBP. If that is unsatisfactory, then look to the outs and work to get better. Don't look at the outs first. Make sense?

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 11:02 AM) That's part of it, but the other part is that although he's healthy now, Joe is still going to turn 30 in three weeks and has a history of back problems, and thus I think his defensive skills are going to start to wane in due time. I have more faith in the surgery. But your prediction certainly is very valid and why, if I was Joe, I'd be looking to make this my meat and potatoes for life contract. Which is why I'm convinced Fields is our starter in 2009. I think Fields has shown his potential to be as good if not better than Crede. But I think a bigger yardstick should be used before annointing him the job for the next 4 or 5 years.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:56 AM) Indeed, and a prime example of that is Crede. He overdoes the making contact with 2 strikes thing and it leads to his legendarily high number of weak pop ups. I'd rather as a whole see Joe swing harder with 2 strikes. He'd strikeout more, but he'd also make more authoritative contact when he did hit the ball. yep, swing hard, you might hit something. He is old school in the contact department with 2 strikes. That's how baseball was played. Protect the plate with two strikes. But that was also when pitchers would be throwing fast balls only with 3 balls. Now anything can be coming at you.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:53 AM) My reason for bias against Joe actually isn't Josh Fields as much as it's I don't like having a 3rd basemen with a .306 career on base and .754 career OPS. I know he's clutch and a great fielder, but you have to overcompensate at other positions offensively to make up for a typical Joe Crede season. Then again, maybe we've done that this year when you look at our lineup, assuming Quentin and Swisher play everyday all year. That certainly is a valid observation. My first thought is a team needs balance, there are dozens of variables, and if they only looked at those, or any two offensive stats, the team more than likely would fail. I think what you are also hinting at, and I would agree, it is easier to buy off on weaker offensive in exchange for defense "up the middle". That's kind of classic baseball thinking. Hide a bad glove, but great "O" in a corner. But I guess we've been so goofy in that regard, with power hitting SSs that I'm just not as worried about it anymore.

QUOTE (RME JICO @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:51 AM) 160? If he plays a full season of games, he would have close to 200 K's. While putting the ball in play may lead to good things, most of the time and out is an out. Certainly you need to look at why he is striking out, poor pitch selection, getting fooled, etc. But I'm more interested in obp and ba.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:30 AM) Guess who led baseball in RBI after the first week of the 2006 season. Chris Shelton. That's why you don't overreact to the first week like everybody here is. And why I don't overreact to one season. Same principle. I think what it answers is how healthy is Joe and how many people got on base ahead of him. You can't have 10 rbi if you always are hitting with no one on base.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:34 AM) It's hard to say. He needs the work on fielding ground balls, but the quality of fields in triple a and the major leagues aren't comparable so that's not a great foreshadower for him, although the works helps anywhere. Being in triple a definitely won't help him at the dish though. His biggest weakness is hitting good pitches (especially fastballs) and he won't be seeing many of those anywhere except at the major league level. Great points. One of the factors that is somewhat frustrating is last season he showed he could play at the mlb level. Patience is so difficult for anyone, players or fans.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 09:20 AM) Yes we have. Players who make $8 million a year are much too delicate to be asked to play two games in a single day. I always thought that owners need double the gate so they could pay $8 million a year players. BTW, one of my all-time favorite pitchers, Willllbur Wood once started, and lost, both ends of a double header.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 09:19 AM) I understand your point but I don't agree with it, and not just because party affiliation makes for good scandalmaker fodder. The makeup of the legislature with regard to the R:D ratio largely defines the agenda of the legislature, so for general news stories I think it's good to let the audience know which side of the aisle a guy sits on as they listen to and try to digest whetever it is he's saying. If you live in their District you will know if you want to vote for him or not. If you do vote in their district it wouldn't matter. If Congressman Jim saved a baby's life it doesn't matter if he's a Dem or Rep. If he's gotten 200 parking tickets, again, it doesn't matter. If he's introducing legislation, then it does, because it gives us an idea if it will pass or not, face a veto, etc. The labels just create an opportunity for generalizations. Just because Congressman Alpha is a shmoe, doesn't mean Congressman Beta, from the same party, is too.

QUOTE (almagest @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:20 AM) Just wait until Crede has a slump. We Fields supporters will have our day! Nothing like having something to look forward to, a Sox player having a slump, that's a fan

One of the differences between AAA, AAAA, and MLB is the ability to throw any pitch on the 3-2 count. One of the biggest changes in baseball that I have seen is off speed at any time, in both leagues. Use to be with 3 balls here come the fast balls. Now a guy could be throwing anything. And it doesn't seem like walks are up. So they must be throwing for strikes.

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:12 AM) Indeed. Anyone who believes Wiki on face value deserves what they get. Like pages getting edited by the likes of us.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 09:09 AM) My throwing of the term limits in there was more in disgust at how he has been in power so long that he doesn't seem to even try to hide it anymore. He wouldn't even answer if the place he was earmarking money for even exists! I would probably like a line item veto, or perhaps a law forbidding the attachment of nor-related items to bills. I agree. There is a sweet spot where they are there long enough to understand the job, be on the right committees, have some historical perspective, etc. The problem I see with term limits is real power will then reside with the people we do not elect. The staffers who stay year after year, for various officials, from both parties. Congressmen cannot be experts on every issue, so they rely on their staff to write position papers and advice. They also need to rely on their party. But at least in the end, they have to push the button and vote. Most of these staffers are very savvy individuals with a depth of knowledge that is very impressive. But I'd still want some elected officials around for continuity.

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:10 AM) You mean to tell me it's not Josh Fields?! I seriously can't help myself. I think this Crede/Fields thing has become a viral infection and it's spreading like wildfire... Post #5. Those that had the over 4 posts until Josh is mentioned are winners.

QUOTE (kjshoe04 @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 09:48 AM) If wikipedia is wrong, that means almost every paper I've written the last four years could be factually incorrect. I would never use wiki as a cited source, but I do look at the discussion pages and their sources for good ideas. Usually credibility is just two clicks away.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 05:19 AM) Can anybody join the rant?? I have a rant. These scheduled days off after the opening game of a series like today vs. Minny and last week after the season opener @ Cleveland suck balls. The team has some great momentum going and doesn't need the day off. And I want to watch a damn ballgame tonight. /rant I understand the logic because of Spring weather, but have we forgotten about doubleheaders?

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 05:26 AM) I agree, it's incomplete reporting when a Congressperson's party affiliation isn't included in the reporting. On the other hand, every time Fox News "accidentally" puts the wrong affiliation on an elected official when a scandal breaks, that's just a funny look into the fact that Fox News doesn't think much of the intelligence of the average Fox News viewer. I'd rather they did not mention the party at all, unless it was relevant to the discussion. If the guy was trolling in an airport restroom, not important, if he is resigning, important.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Apr 7, 2008 -> 09:28 PM) Well, the Senator in question is John Murtha, so I guess the answer would be 'no'. I am sure there are examples on the Rep side, but here is one example of the need for term limits. This man's ego is bigger than his state! And so, apparently, is his appetite for pork. We already have term limits. They come up for reelection. If you believe it is important, just vote for the other guy.

Tangent, should we make a distinction between athletes playing in China and American businesses playing in China? Seems if our corporations can go over there and play, making money for themselves *and* the Chinese, our athletes should be accorded the same opportunity.

I was going to attach this to one of the Fields threads, but I think it is a fresh alternative to the other 3rd base threads. A few bullet points to kick things off in search for common ground. White Sox 3b eras: Bill Melton Robin Ventura Joe Crede Coming era Josh Fields PTBNL Ventura the best of the lot Set our sights higher than Joe 2007 v. Josh 2006 Need to get Josh to Ventura levels or beyond over his career Developing Fields No rush, Crede is healthy and playing fine More instruction in AAA Is that good? Is that bad? Find spots for him to be successful So a discussion on the best way to develop Fields as our next cornerstone 3b. Limiting the discussion on developing a young player with great potential and not, hopefully, dropping into another Fields is better than Crede thread, which we have had enough of already. For his career, which makes Fields a better player, playing now, or waiting. Will it hurt, or will it help?

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 08:30 AM) I know you may all be suprised by this, but that means Wikipedia is wrong! They have Craig Wilson listed as opening day starter at 3B! And I'm not sure why I thought Herbert Perry was our 3B then...but I did. wiki wrong? Clear your cache

Great start. BTW, a trip down memory lane, Ventura once stretched a run like that for a month. IIRC he finished the month with a walk off home run.