witesoxfan

I have actually like gone out of my way and watched like 3 innings of the 3+ games. I was at the bowling alley for game 1 and was really only paying close attention because I wanted to see if Mussina could be perfect. If you are out and about and the game is on, are you going to watch it? And the Red Sox to the Cubs...how is that NOT a good comparison? Neither franchise has won a World Series in forever, and both of their droughts are way, way overplayed by the media and the fans. Both team's have histories full of getting close to the Series, or getting close to actually winning the whole entire thing, but then choking right when they need a win/play the most. In 1975, the Sawks took the Reds to game 7 of the World Series, and lost. They had a 1-game playoff aginst New York in 1978, and lost. They were 1 out away from winning the 86 series, and Buckner let it go between his legs, and they lost. They got to the ALCS in 99, and got b****slapped by the Yankees. They were 5 outs away from going to the Series(and probably winning it all) last year, and Pedro gave up the lead, and they lost. This year, they have been totally manhandled by the Yankees, and will lose(sense a pattern yet?). To compare, the Cubs were close to getting to the World Series in 1984, and Leon Durham let one slip between his legs. In 1998, they really had no shot. Last year, they too were 5 outs away from getting to the Series...then Bartman tried to catch a ball that was into the stands(and you can't tell me he had no right to try to catch that ball, because almost any fan would have), and Gonzalez booted a taylormade DP ball that would have ended the inning, and the rest was history. Comparing the Cubs and Red Sox is like comparing Fetticini Alfredo to Macaroni and Cheese...yeah, they have there are large differences, but basically, they are the same thing.

Because to me, he does. Marquis seemed to be getting no where in Atlanta and seemed to be continually regressing. Both were sinkerballers that were brought up at a very early age, and struggled througout the beginning of their careers(and Garland's struggles have continued). Marquis turned 26 this year, and was bad last year for Atlanta. Maybe I'm crazy in saying this, but I could see Garland becoming EXACTLY like Marquis...he pitches one more year for us, and Oz-KW grow tired of his struggles, he is traded, and he gets into a groove wherever he is traded. Basically...I think Garland has to be kept until he is atleast a FA. Maybe he turns into a decent starter like Marquis has done in St. Louis.

I'd like him if he came cheaply. But I would almost put money on him ending up in Detroit next year. They will probably have a little more money to throw around up there and Lowe is a Michigan native...I think that's where he ends up. But like I said, I would like him. He's better then most, and hell, maybe he can even teach Jon Garland a thing or two(ok, wishful thinking, I know)

I've chugged beer. It was Keystone Light. And it was warm. That's about all the beer I've ever had. I don't really mind the taste of beer though.

Goddamnit, who cares if it's not gonna happen? What's the point of looking forward to the offseason if we can't speculate and throw out possibilities? In all likelyhood, it isn't going to happen...Beltran will almost undoubtedly get $15-17 mill, and that is something the Sox simply cannot afford. But why not consider it? Why not *pretend* that just for the weeks leading up to the offseason we do have a shot at Beltran, and we can imagine him in our lineup? I can stand negativity...I have nothing wrong with that. But when everybody shoots down ideas, even if they are far-fetched, it really ruins the atmosphere and makes this place boring as hell. Liven up a little...just play along with the rest of us until he actually signs with another team.

Trading Lee is a stupid idea, and the fact that KW is even considering it is worse. Konerko makes more money then Lee does and is a worse all-around player(much slower, mediocre defense, along with not helping the team win on the road at all). Everett could play LF...but I would rather not see him there.

And then the gave runs right back! I agree 100% with SS2k4

We're not guaranteed to get Beltran even if Lee is traded...hell, we wouldn't be guaranteed to get Beltran is both Konerko and Lee were traded. There is nothing stopping George from giving Beltran $25 mill a year, and no one can match $25 mill a year. And Everett will not be in RF next season. He will probably be used as a DH early in the year while Frank is still recovering, and then when Frank is back to near 100%, Everett will be used off the bench.

I almost want to say give him as much as he wants. This guy is freakin amazing. He could hit 50 homers at USCF.

Just curious...is it crazy for me to suggest signing BOTH Polanco and Vizquel? Put Omar at SS, Polanco at 2B, and Uribe at 3B, while trading Crede as a part of a package for a solid group of players and bringing in another power hitter of some type. Can't say exactly what the lineup would be, not knowing how much the Sox would have available to spend on others and who would still be available...but even if we got Jose Guillen while trading Paulie, we'd be in good shape. Hypothetically, this could be the lineup... Vizquel - SS Rowand - CF Thomas - DH Lee - LF Guillen - RF Uribe - 3B Gload - 1B Polanco - 2B Davis/Burke - C You will probably get good power numbers out of the 2-7 spots in the lineup, and good averages from 1-8. Maybe I'm just thinking too far outside the box right now...but I think it could be something crazy enough to maybe work. Anyone else got any thoughts on that idea?

I don't think Guzman is worthless...but there are definately much better options out there. And if Jose faces us, all we have to do is throw him all kinds of breaking balls without hanging one. How hard is that?

Roy Oswalt pwned the Cards this year...2-0, 2.25 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, .253 BAA against in 20 innings, 3 starts. This series is not over by a long shot...not with Houston at home for 2 more games. The Astros could very well have a 3-2 lead in the series by the time it heads back to St. Louis.

Yankees beat Yankees Jr...same old song and dance.

He almost hit for 2 cycles that year IIRC...like within a month of each other. I think he hit for the cycle in like April, and then in May he had like a double, triple, and homer in the same game, but no single. Let me see if I am actually thinking correctly here or if I am just being a dummy... EDIT: The first was on April 27, and the almost second was exactly one month later, May 27. I can't post links to the actual game, so just go to RetroSheet, click on boxscores on the LH column, click on 2000, and then find April and May 27 and you'll be there.

Or maybe Scott Boras is the Drew Rosenhaus of baseball?

Chloraseptic works wonders. And Aspergum works well for me too(though it tastes like s*** after about a minute or 2). Otherwise...not much else I can say.

Radke, whether we like it or not, will almost undoubtedly be resigned by Minnesota.

He'd be able to retire within the next year in all likelyhood.

Could be. I dont see him starting anywhere he goes though, quite honestly...but he could be there. I personally think he could end up in Boston...I think they realize that he is very underrated defensively, and knowing that he can move around the IF a little bit(going from 3B to SS to 2B) and even the OF in emergencies, and knowing knowing that he hits RHP quite well along with having the short porch and pesky's pole in RF...I think he would be a good addition to their bench. I think he would be able to hit like 20-25 homers off the bench for them if they gave him 100 games or so.

Nobody cares for you apparantly WU Hope everything goes smooth. Stay safe, get a good house in a good neighborhood. Moving closes quite a few doors but opens up way more.

Your answer is also the answer to the number of division titles for the Detroit Tigers in the last 15 years. And the number of good managers the White Sox have had in the past 10 years

I admit I have been a fan of Valentin over the years...probably his biggest on the board...but I do NOT want him retained. If the Sox retain him and intend to make him the starter, I expect the Sox to finish with around 75 wins next year at the most, even with a very solid rotation. Regarding defense, I would say they are equal(not valentin being better like I initially said). I've seen first hand Guzman miss several balls completely that Valentin scoops up easily or atleast knocks them down. And I have also seen Doug Mientkiewicz save Guzman's ass on quite a few occassions...not that I can prove either of these and that you'll just have to take my word on it. I personally do not take much consideration with intangibles...in fact, this is what I said exactly - "and, if you want to use the intangibles too, Valentin does atleast provide some leadership...Guzman provides none" - and I figured that someone would catch on that I do not use leadership as a way to evaluate a player. The only thing I can prove is that Valentin is a leader, and Guzman is not...I can't prove how effective Valentin is as a leader(because I can't tell you what his effect is on the clubhouse). And, while I do not have the numbers right in front of me, it seems to me that when Valentin is hitting well, the Sox are doing well, and when he tanks, the Sox tank...I can try to prove his leadership that way too. As I said though, I don't put too much into that...these guys are pros, they shouldn't need to have a true leader in there...the manager should lead them with words and the star player(s) should lead with their bats. I'm not sure if anyone on the Cardinals team is a leader, but they all hit the hell out of the ball, and that's leadership enough in my book. I have noticed Valentin's downward spiral in a Sox uniform, which is one of the reasons I do not wish to have him retained as a starter. His streakiness and his ineffectiveness against LHP is not something we can have from a starter at SS, regardless of the name, period. Basically...the only point I wanted to get across was that I'd prefer to retain Valentin over Guzman...we have absolutely no idea what Guzman will do when/if he leaves that quick turf in the rollerdome, perhaps he will remain effective(like Pierzynski did in SF, and Cabrera did in Boston), perhaps not...and we know what we will get from Valentin. In no way shape or form do I want to see either of them starting at SS for us next year. I'd much rather see Vizquel or even Uribe there over any of them. I will say that I wouldn't mind having Jose here as a super-sub assuming Harris is gone and Uribe is starting at 2B. He still can hit RHP farely well(in a very, very, very poor year, he still had an OPS of over .800 against them), and having that on our bench is not a bad idea. And his stats are so poor because of probably the worst second half of any player in the majors(.167 12 22 .617 in the second half with an OBP less then Joe Crede's regular season average(.239-.237)...so with any luck, he'd hit decently off the bench)

I know how you feel...not how you feel specifically, because I only get the summer off, but the basic getting back into study mode. Wow, that sucks. Anyways, Jim...good luck in the degree and on getting to the Sox. I hope we see you do well in Charlotte this year and that you are September call-up. It would be a great thing to see you pitching for the Sox as soon as next year...but I suppose I can wait.

I know you don't...but some do. I just do not like Guzman at all. Seems to be a Metrodome player.

That is some crazy s*** right there. Bad move if true, IMO. This is a building year...not a year you should try and go for it. Save all the draft picks you can for next year and go with Quinn and Hutchinson this year at QB.