witesoxfan

QUOTE(sayitaintso @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 10:29 AM) Didn't Bill Mueller hit 2 grand slams from each side of the plate vs. Texas a couple of years ago, when he was still a red sox. I'm not sure if it was in the same inning but i am pretty sure that he did do this. He also hit a solo shot that game too IIRC. He was like 3-5 for 3 homers and 9 RBI. As for ss2k's question, I highly doubt any player has ever hit a 3-run homer and then a grand slam in consecutive innings to single-handedly tie a ballgame like Gooch did. It just seems too fairytale to actually have happened before. I have no idea if I'm right or wrong, it's more or less just me making an educated guess. And I got to use fairytale as an adjective too, so I'm pretty happy about my guess too.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 11:24 AM) How do you suppose Brian Sabean lives his life knowing he traded Liriano for Pierzynski? Don't even factor in Bonser or Nathan. His name alone for Pierzynski is shameful. On ESPN's broadcast of Clemens/Liriano they discussed the deal. As expected, neither broadcaster could believe how much of a steal it was for the Twins. It must be difficult for Sabean to read through a newspaper or turn on the TV and not feel suicidal. I think he just gets used to being abused in trades like that. Foppert and Torrealba for Winn? Aardsma and Williams for Hawkins? He gave up Ainsworth, Moss, and Hannaman for Ponson a couple years ago, and then lost Ponson in free agency. I am also almost positive he was behind the White Flag trade too - Foulke, Howry, Caruso, Vining, Manning, and the legendary Lorenzo Barcelo. I just wonder how much worse that trade could have been for San Francisco had Barcelo stayed healthy. You could quite literally like start an entire pitching staff based off of the number of pitchers Sabean has dealt over the past 10 years...it's pretty disgusting. (psssssssst...the Sox are still reaping the benefits of the White Flag trade today, 10 years later, in the form of Neal Cotts...imagine how long the Twins will reap benefits from the AJP trade) I don't think KW can make a trade near that crushing level. His eye for minor league talent is amazing. During his tenure as GM, I honestly can't think of a minor leaguer that came up with his new team and made an immediate impact, or for that matter, even a long term impact. It's been 2 years since the Freddy Garcia trade, and Jeremy Reed still looks like a mediocre hitter. It's still possible for Chris Young to be really good for Arizona, but from what I have seen of KW in the past, I don't expect Young to be much better, if he is better, than Mike Cameron at the MLB level. Given, I've never seen Young play, and I'm not saying that Mike Cameron is a bad player...all I'm saying is that you are going to be getting a .250 average with good power, a good eye, and good defense in CF. I also think there is a very good reason Ryan Sweeney and Brian Anderson have never really ever been seriously discussed in potential deals. And of course, to counter that, Ryan will just ask for some no talent bum, and the GM will get paranoid and won't want to give him up.

QUOTE(vandy125 @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 12:56 PM) I don't know about sending too much for him. I don't like the switch from NL to AL that he will have to do. The only reason that would affect a reliever is due to the upgraded talent in the AL - NOT because the pitcher doesn't bat in the AL. Relievers do not face pitchers on a regular basis, as they are usually in late in the ballgame when pitchers are getting pinch hit for by good hitters. I do not see the downside of this potential deal, so I don't see why they wouldn't make it. You can never have enough pitching depth.

QUOTE(Benchwarmerjim @ Jun 24, 2006 -> 12:54 PM) in the last 14 games, the Twins have gained 1/2 of a game insane but, if we finish the season well above .500, I think that would be a sucessful season. Those sweeps against the Sox and Tigers at the beginning of the season is killing the Twins in the standings A lot of Twins fans are hoping Mauer is in the lineup tonight and knock a few hits off Prior Kind of funny how badly the Twins were criticized for taking hometown phenom Mauer instead of taking the more polished Prior #1. Hell, in 2003 the Twins looked even stupider for not taking Prior after the ridiculous season he had. Some 5 years later, Minnesota's laughing up a storm, having probably the best catcher in the game along with having 2 of the most dominant starters in the majors as well while they beat the piss out of the Cubs and that sorry ass #2 pick overall.

I haven't seen King Felix pitch, but I want to know why there isn't an Emperor Fransisco in Minnesota. Given, I've only been watching baseball for about 5 years now, but I don't think I've ever seen a more MLB ready and a more composed pitcher this young, this early in a pitcher's career. Liriano has no limit. 96-99 MPH fastball? 89-92 slider that moves 2 feet? Along with a plus changeup and good control? There is no stopping Liriano. Liriano controls his own destiny. (as I recall, Liriano was a throw-in in the Pierzynski deal...if I am indeed remembering correctly, he was a hell of a throw-in)

I don't see what the risk would be in getting Hernandez. You're gonna give up a fringe prospect at the most, and he could be a big part of the pen down the stretch. If he sucks, you're losing a fringe prospect or perhaps just cash, because this is the type of deal that tends to be a PTBNL/cash Why the hell not?

no f***ing way

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jun 21, 2006 -> 03:28 PM) Liriano vs Clemens on ESPN tomorrow night. The Twins are hot as hell, and they are slowly trying to climb back in the race, and I don't want them to win - but dammit, I want so bad for Clemens to lose. And Liriano's a friggin animal, so that's cool too. It's so fun to watch that guy pitch.

If your answer to the question you're asking is no, and it's been pointed out about 100 times that Rowand is a hero in Philly already, and McCarthy is looked upon very highly by the fans and management, why would you even make the thread in the first place? That's what I don't understand

I CANT BELIEVE THEY KICKED ME OUT AND PUT THESE BUMS IN AS MODE MODERATORS No, but really, I was "demoted" if you will based on my own decision - Soxtalk's a great site, but I am just being overwhelmed by many things right now, and I'm not around as often as I'd like to. You guys have put the right people in to run this place, and I look forward to seeing this place from here on out.

Morneau's getting hot, Kubel is a hell of a good hitter, they got the bums Batista, Castro and White out of the lineup, Cuddyer's turning into a pretty good hitter all-around, Shannon Stewart's on the DL right now, oh and then there's Mauer too. I don't think Minnesota wins the division, because they just straight up don't have nearly the amount of talent the White Sox do; however, they look very good right now, like we're back in 2003 again. As far back as they are right now, I could see them winning a lot of games and perhaps even making this a 3-team race. (of course, the Tigers AND Sox have to get relatively cold for a lengthy period of time for Minnesota to get back into it, but it's possible)

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Jun 16, 2006 -> 11:59 AM) F that. Contreras won't revert back to form. Contreras has the stuff, he's figured out how to pitch, he has a great catcher calling his game. And for god's sake, he's not 60 or even 40. And f*** Omar Vizquel. Contreras is our only sure thing this year in terms of pitching. The rest are not, yes that includes the prodigy that is Mark Buehrle. Deal BMac. Plus Conteras is pretty cheap for the way he plays. The Sox are in the business of trying to win the World Series again, not just making the playoffs. Without Contreras, there is no shot of a World Series. For the record, Contreras has been the only White Sox starting pitcher to be placed on the DL this year.

QUOTE(Benchwarmerjim @ Jun 16, 2006 -> 12:10 AM) My patience has pretty much run out on him. The last year and a half, his defense has been sloppy (with the occansional HOLY s*** catch) He kills rallys with double plays (usually first pitch dps) and hes been running us out of rallys But he has been the franchise player for a while. Maybe thats why we put up with it. But the boo birds have been out a few times for him of late Good for Twins fans not putting up with his s***. He's possibly the most overrated player in the majors right now. Luckily for Minnesota, his value is still probably quite high, due to his reputation - some team will give quite a bit of talent for him, and the Twins will be happy for 2-3 years or more reaping the benefits of the trade, cuz the Twins are notorious about that type of thing. Hell, the Twins have ultra-god Liriano, Bonser, and Nathan from AJ Pierzynski - and he was out of San Francisco after the first year - imagine what the Twins could get at the trade deadline from a team in a bidding war with another for Torii Hunter. Yikes.

QUOTE(JackTalkThai @ Jun 15, 2006 -> 03:45 PM) Why is that? That's always bugged the hell out of me. A guy could make an unassisted triple play with his eyes closed and he would still finish behind Tori Hunter making his twelth diving catch of the season. It makes no sense. But then again, we're talking about the same station that airs the National Dominoe Championships. Speaking of Hunter, I can't believe what he did last night. Around the 3rd-4th inning, Clement got wild as hell, and walked 3 hitters in a row. Hunter comes to the plate, swings at the first pitch from a guy who just walked 3 in a row and grounded into a doubleplay. And to top that off, he badly misjudged a Manny Ramirez ball the other night, was turned the wrong way, and just reached over his head and luckily came down with the ball...and it was of course about 2 or 3 on ESPN's top 10 list. :headshake Jim, how the hell do you put up with this guy? He is one of the least patient hitters I have ever seen in my life.

Well let me ask, are you happy Ozzie took him out, or would you have preferred to see Jon try and get out of it himself? He was only at 91 pitches, so he had all kinds of room to try and wiggle his way out of the inning pitch wise.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 13, 2006 -> 09:15 AM) Thanks for the thread. Honestly, I thought this revival was all about him playing in Texas, but those splits suggest otherwise. He's always been very fast and a plus defender, and maybe he's having his 2003 Esteban Loaiza year at the dish (if that makes sense lol). Or maybe hes having a Melvin Mora type transformation, where he goes from being a s***ty hitter in his 20s to figuring out how to hit the ball in his 30s. Mora Age 30: .233 19 64 .338/.404/.742 Age 31: .317 15 48 .418/.503/.921 Age 32: .340 27 104 .419/.562/.981 Matthews Jr Age 29: .248 6 42 .314/.361/.675 Age 30: .275 11 36.350/.461/.811 Age 31: .332 5 33 .389/.545/.934 SO I SKIPPED LAST YEAR, SHOOT ME

QUOTE(SoxAce @ Jun 11, 2006 -> 03:13 PM) Ya, the Tigers really are a good team and it looks like Leyland isn't playing. Zumaya (the stud) is pitching right now. I still feel the Blue Jays are way more for real than the Tigers, Reds, etc. in baseball. If you don't think the Tigers are for real, halfway through June, with the best record in the majors, then you need to f***ing share that s*** you're smoking. The rotation is good 1-5 with Kenny Rogers and maturity helping both Robertson and Maroth out huge, though Maroth is out till whenever the hell he's out till, Verlander is young and friggin awesome, and Bonderman is a solid pitcher too. The pen is solid up and down, aside from old man Jones, and Zumaya is friggin electric, and to top that off, the offense is stock full of talent, and they have the all-around best catcher in the game in Ivan Rodriguez - if they are not for real, then the Sox were not real until October 27 of last year. Although I will say about Zumaya, you can even be overworked in the pen throwing half the innings you threw from the previous year. Eric Gagne was a starter throughout his career, was thrown into the pen to close, and was magnificent. He then started throwing more and more each time out there, going 2 innings at a time, and I think one time he even went 3 innings for a save, or something like that. Next thing you know, bam, electric stuff takes its toll on the elbow.

If we're going with the experience argument, Sabathia is already in his 6th year in the league, so he's not exactly inexperienced. Peralta played for about 2-3 months in 2003 with the Indians as well. They are not a young team by any stretch of the imagination, and they are not really that inexperienced...they have several guys who were playing with the team in 02 and 03 already, which is 3-4 years, and several of the others have just bounced around from place to place. They aren't a young team at all.

I How the hell is he still healthy? That's all I wanna know. I had him done for the year, done for his career by May before the season, and he just keeps ticking along. I think we ask Sox fans all hope for 500 to come sometime next year.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jun 10, 2006 -> 04:20 AM) Well duh Thomas should've been using too, cuz then he would've won it

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 11:58 AM) I wish I were like that. Before last year, I always said that I'd be so numb after a World Series victory, that I'd be completely fine with an 0-162 season the following year. I lied. I want another one bad. I think that's probably because KW went out and brought in a lot of talent in during the offseason and has made it clear that he wants to win for quite some time. In large, the mentality of the front office is generally the mentality of the fan base, and what the front office does largely dictates exactly what the fans expect. Had KW sat on his thumbs and told the world about how the Sox won the Series, he could have and the fans would have been happy to suffice, been happy about winning it all in 2005, and we would be more than happy to sit through another decade of mediocrity, knowing we got what we wanted in 2005. KW didn't, so now we won't be happy until we get back to the World Series. That's how dynasties, and more importantly, loyal fanbases are built. The Yankees are the most popular team in the World, and those 26 World Championships and 39 World Series appearances sure aren't hurting their cause.

Another good comparison would be 2000 Giambi - .333 43 137 108 .476/.647/1.123 Thomas - .328 43 143 115 .436/.625/1.061 Giambi was better in the saber categories than Thomas was by a sufficient margin, which didn't help Thomas at all, and in a case like this where the numbers are so close, Giambi playing defense probably did help his case. However, if hypothetically Thomas hit .345, hit 50 homers, and drove in 160, there's not a chance in hell Giambi beats him. It can be done...it just hasn't been done yet.

QUOTE(daa84 @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 11:47 PM) how about brian simmons or mckay christenson? In that case, I wonder what Julio Ramirez is doing nowadays

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 11:34 AM) Didn't Lofton have a problem in the Sox clubhouse? I believe so. He was the player rep during the 02 season while negotiations were going on, and he had a totally different opinion on the new CBA than the bulk of the clubhouse did. I may be wrong though, as it was like 4 years ago. And as for this trade, I dont think I would do it. Lofton plays a mediocre CF nowadays, and I don't see the need for another middle infielder.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Jun 10, 2006 -> 01:41 AM) stupid. david ortiz cant get the mvp. do you want to know why? DH DH = no MVP ARod - .321 48 HR 130 RBI 124 R 21 SB(6 CS) .421/.610/1.031 Ortiz - .300 47 HR 148 RBI 119 R 1 SB(0 CS) .397/.604/1.001 ARod had better numbers in every category except RBI. DH's can win the MVP...they just have to have better numbers than the next closest in line. If Thome hypothetically puts up .310 60 150 120 .450/.650/1.100, and the next closest puts up .310 45 130 120 .420/.610/1.030 while playing 3B, I'm not sure how you give the award to the 3Bman.