caulfield12

QUOTE (Tex @ May 5, 2013 -> 07:22 AM) Who do you blame when a good decision turns out bad? You can only blame the manager so much, but that position in a professional sports organization is the "fall guy" 90% of the time. (Notice in the case of the Blue Jays, there's not an article at any of the newspapers suggesting Alex Anthopolous is to blame for the freefall.) In this case, Ventura's inexperience and Hahn's newness to the job protect them...and JR/KW are firewalled, in a sense, because they're almost totally out of the public eye now. Which leads to apathy/malaise/disengagement. There's not even a villain or bad guy, like when Ozzie was around. It's a total systemic failure across the board. And Harrelson's even grasping for enemies with Mariotti and Cowley no longer part of the picture. It's like the new version of Red Dawn...nobody's buying the substitution of North Korea for Russia or China, haha. Catfights with Boers & Bernstein are just kind of sad.

I guess we could also add the schedule, Buddy Bell, Marco Paddy, the jinx of the 1983 uniforms, the fans, the marketing department, etc. In all seriousness, though, there's not much that they can do but ride it out. And, even though we're 5.5 behind the Tigers, we're still 3.5 ahead of the Blue Jays! Reading the article below of course forced me to think about our own manager and how this story could easily have been about Ventura...Gibbons could use the injury excuse with Reyes, Lawrie and Baustista missing time, as well, although the injuries aren't to the same extent as the White Sox are dealing with. But it's an expectations game. None or very little for the Sox, to the point where they didn't have a credible Opening Day marketing campaign. Toronto's situation is a lot like the White Sox in 2011 after adding Dunn and coming off a strong 2010 comeback. But there are a lot of parallels. The main reasons for hope are the pitching, the fact that they SHOULDN'T be THIS bad offensively for the entire season and the defense and funadamentals should HOPEFULLY start to turn around soon. And that they're still only 4 games under .500, when they could be 6-8-10 games under (it feels that way, even if pythagorean doesn't bear it out). BOSTON - John Gibbons can’t hit, can’t field, can’t pitch for the Blue Jays and yet ultimately the team on the field is his responsibility. If they weren’t ready to start the season — and they certainly didn’t seem prepared — that has to be on him. If a month later, they’re no better, then that’s somewhat reflective of his ability to affect change. The slow start of the Blue Jays is now officially a disaster. They are being laughed at around the American League. Everyone’s having a good chuckle at their expense. They finally spent money and are turning out to be Rogers’ greatest disaster since trying to sneak specialty channels on unknowing consumers back in 1995. But there seems no solution to the ball club. Starting pitching is dreadful. Hitting is worse. Defence is dubious. There is no one thing to fix and Gibbons may eventually pay the price for hope coming off its hinges. The Jays have played six series at home, have lost the first game of all of them, have won none of them. This is worse than anyone could have imagined. And Gibbons may ending pay the price for the inability of all around him and his inability to alter the scope. Toronto Sun/Sports

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-05...hn-paul-konerko Not even sure why they give this guy a column. Just...not good. He should stick to what he does best.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,2019906.story Wonder if he becomes a superstar or the next Prior? Last time they took a PAC-10 pitcher in the first 2 picks...worked beautifully and then, well...

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 4, 2013 -> 08:57 PM) But...if you turn a young guy into a successful closer, you can build that value a lot. In theory, yes. The problem is that we've received almost or next to nothing back in return for Foulke, Gordon, Jenks, JJ Putz and Santos. We cultivated the two best LH set-up guys of the decade in the AL and let their values plummet to zero (Marte and Thornton). Probably the only good example of trading a power arm and getting a bat back has been Gillaspie. Although I'm not 100% convinced that Hahn could put Nathan Jones on the market right now and come up with another trade like that (at least, as it has worked out so far). And that successful closer, even Addison Reed this year, if he doesn't have totally dominating stuff...where he can just blow hitters away, there's always going to be question marks surrounding him until he does it 2-3 seasons in a row, and by that time he has become more expensive.

QUOTE (danman31 @ May 4, 2013 -> 08:08 PM) Jaye also struck out 9 guys in his last start. He had a low ERA, but with mediocre peripherals earlier. Webb is looking like a very solid relief prospect after his nice AA debut today. Another hard thrower. Unfortunately, the ONE area where we've been productive in our minor league system (especially last year) has been producing relievers. The problem is that they have the lowest trade value of any component of a team.

QUOTE (flavum @ May 4, 2013 -> 07:08 PM) I guess they don't really have a pinch hitter option here, do they? There's your answer. I know we're only going to be 5 1/2 games out, but it feels like it is closer to 10 right now.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 4, 2013 -> 06:58 PM) Jon Favreau needs to go on a diet. Defining the word "portly." Even Tony Stark would be impressed with Iron Man 3‘s incredible domestic opening weekend. Disney’s $200 million superhero sequel earned $175.3 million in its first three days in North America from 4,253 theaters — the second best opening weekend of all time behind The Avengers‘ $207.4 million bow on this weekend a year ago. Globally, Iron Man 3‘s total now stands at an estimated $680.1 million after 12 days of release, and in China, the film’s number one international market, it’s earned a stunning $63.5 million after just five days. More to come… www.ew.com/movies By the way, Variety.com has a really positive review of the new Star Trek movie up. Nice to see that Hollywood has finally showed up again 1/3rd of the way through 2013.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ May 4, 2013 -> 07:00 PM) This team needs a vocal leader to start calling out some of these assholes Who, Kirk Gibson? Hahn's an egghead, not the type to turn over the clubhouse buffet table and tear into the team. Say what you want, but at least Ozzie and KW had strong personalities and responded in times of trial...perhaps not always as we wanted, but sometimes a little emotion is necessary in baseball. We're seeing the exact same type of mistakes game after game after game with no consequences. Ventura can't even bench Ramirez if he wants to, though. Royals' announcers can't understand how a team with so many veterans can be so atrocious in plate patience, walks and OBP. Royals' announcers on 2011 White Sox offense "9 individual guys with no team concept, everyone going up to the plate with their own plan, not moving runners, nothing going on offensively....just terrible, no rhythm, everyone striking out up and down the line-up, or trying to pull the ball. A strikeout is the most negative thing you can do offensively short of a double play."

Will likely be another first tonight....Guthrie hasn't had a complete game yet this season. T-Flow up to .192. Wise at .194.

9 baserunners stranded by KC. Well, we're now OFFICIALLY the worst defense in the AL, based on errors/games played AND fielding percentage. We would be first in errors (despite playing 2-3 fewer games) were it not for the KC scorekeeper being generous to his hitter and DeAza. And who's first in D? The Detroit Tigers.

Should be three errors tonight if you count DeAza giving the Royals another base by misplaying a ball in the corner.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 4, 2013 -> 06:48 PM) Corpseball baby! What a heartless effort, these guys must have 9PM dinner reservations. Maybe the Plaza is busy tonight... 16 fly outs for the Royals. He's pretty fortunate they're just getting under his high fastballs. Gee, yet another error by the White Sox. Somehow it just sailed over Ramirez's glove. Yet another lapse in concentration. That almost never happened to Uribe...his hands were incredible. Not Alexei's range, but he never messed up plays like that.

Physioc is almost starting to openly cheer for Axelrod. They really admire the job he's doing with no offense behind him tonight. He's like a bulldog, doesn't give in or quit.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 4, 2013 -> 06:37 PM) Caufield are u coming to KC at all this year for Sox-Royals? I was thinking about going Monday possibly. Supposed to be nice here finally. Not sure about flying from Shanghai to KC for that one, lol. I'll be in the US from the middle of June through first week of August, then to Indonesia for a new job. Fernandez has only given up one hit to the Phillies tonight.

Michael Jordan 1994-95 > Trayce Thompson Just kidding. Although it's far from clear Trayce is going to make it to the majors now.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 4, 2013 -> 06:30 PM) Watching on mlb.com replay, could/should Rios have caught Cain's triple? Doubt it. Kept slicing away from him.

http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/i...-213915901.html Didn't realize Downey, Jr., was basically broke in 2008, but it makes sense. Now he'll have more money than the fictional Tony Stark, haha. Especially, that he recorded an album. Had no idea. Tony Stark has done it again! Iron Man 3, Disney’s $200 million superhero sequel, kicked off its North American run with $68.3 million on Friday, and it’s headed for one of the best opening weekends of all time. Iron Man 3′s opening day (which includes $15.6 million earned at Thursday night shows starting at 9 p.m.) marks the eighth biggest opening day ever at the domestic box office, slightly ahead of The Hunger Games‘ $67.3 million Friday, which yielded a $152.5 million weekend. Thanks to broader audience appeal, Iron Man 3 is expected to hold up slightly better than Hunger Games over the rest of the weekend. Where will Iron Man 3 finish? Well, if it performs similarly to The Avengers, which earned $80.8 million on Friday and a record-breaking $207.4 million over the full debut weekend, then Iron Man 3 is headed for a $175 million debut, which would beat Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2‘s $169.5 million haul as the second-best domestic start of all time. If it doesn’t manage such a strong internal multiplier, Iron Man 3 may finish with around $160 million — still an incredible start. EW predicted a $172 million opening on Thursday. One thing is for sure: Iron Man 3, which has already broken records overseas, will easily trounce the domestic opening weekends of its predecessors, Iron Man ($98.6 million) and Iron Man 2 ($128.1 million). Check back tomorrow to see just how marvelous the Marvel film’s debut really was. Here’s hwo the rest of the chart looked: www.ew.com/movies Have seen most estimates revised down to the $163-166 range. Last week, some were even predicting low 180's. But this one's made a TON already overseas, largely on the strength or coattails of Avengers, positive reviews and the connection many made with the first Iron Man movie (and adjustments made especially for the Chinese market with this film).

QUOTE (Jake @ May 4, 2013 -> 06:22 PM) I want nothing to do with a roster like the Astros I'm also glad we restricted our spending with last year's FA market More their minor league system....but honestly, I'd rather watch C. Carter in LF with DeAza in CF than seeing Wise/Danks/Tekotte, etc.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ May 4, 2013 -> 06:22 PM) Why can't we hit this damn guy? Most frustrating thing ever He owned us last year. Now he's on a string where the Royals have won 16 consecutive games he's started. Bad combination. It's like facing Jose Contreras in late 2005/early 2006...for those four months, he was the best pitcher in baseball. Now Guthrie's not QUITE that good, but against the White Sox he might as well be.

"Sox go on three rather feeble ground balls." LOL. Even the Royals' announcers are feeling sorry for Sox fans.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 4, 2013 -> 06:16 PM) How many season tix did the Sox sell? If Sox are 10 or more out when school lets out, will our crowds consist pretty much only of season tix holders? Maybe 1-2 times a summer families will go? Good thing they lowered ticket prices. Too bad we didnt finish off Detroit last year when we had the chances, many chances. If nothing else, it would have made standing pat or "status quo" an impossible position to defend by the F.O. With the higher ticket sales, they probably could have kept AJ (that would have been a questionable decision) or spent more on a better player than Keppinger. BUT, in a way...it might have made the inevitable LESS obvious, too, and bought a couple more years of trying to "reload on the fly." This roster needs a major renovation and injection of youth and talent. ANYTHING would be more interesting...even if they were running out the Astros' line-up, I would be more likely to care except for a few players like Viciedo, Konerko and Gillaspie. I guess Flowers...you keep wanting to give up on him and then he'll hit another huge homer and it will buy him more time (assuming that we're competing for something...otherwise, he gets the whole season, one way or the other).

QUOTE (flavum @ May 4, 2013 -> 06:10 PM) After seeing that he sucks in left, it's the manager's job to keep him in CF. I mean, that's his position. If he's going to be an everyday player, he should have one position. This isn't 1B/DH. CF is too important not to keep it consistent. It's like Tim Tebow insisting he's only a QB when he can do more damage at fullback, H-Back or tight end. You have to get the most benefit out of the players on your roster. That's the head coach's or manager's job.

QUOTE (flavum @ May 4, 2013 -> 06:12 PM) The Tigers are on their way to mid to high 90's wins. The Sox goal, and the rest of the division's goal should be 89 wins and ignore standings. The Royals are the only team in a good position to compete for the WC, if EVERYTHING goes right and they add some pieces at the trade deadline. They almost have to, if they don't want their fans to become discouraged after promoting "the future" for so long, well, the future's now for that organization.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 4, 2013 -> 06:11 PM) He hasn't been stellar there either. Wise is good in CF. But Wise is also in his mid 30's and on his final rope on a major league roster. But whatever, it doesn't really matter at this point. Every possible line-up option is blah.