caulfield12

QUOTE (Doc Edwards Shot @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 11:50 PM) I'm wondering how much the payroll can really go down even if Kenny and Jerry try. The only expensive guy leaving will be Peavy and the other expensive guys aren't really tradeable (Rios, Dunn, Danks, Konerko, Thornton). AJ doesn't make that much last I checked, only about $6 million. So if they don't bring him back that's not that much in savings. Boston paid $11 million of Youkilis' $12 million salary this year, so he doesn't figure in when they buy him out and make him a free agent after this season ends. Seems to me the payroll is going to continue to be high. Remove Youk, AJ, Peavy, maybe Floyd, Myers....the only other places where they might logically cut would Ramirez (and he has no replacement, so not so logical, and he's not going to have you a huge return like after 2008-2010 seasons anymore), Crain and Thornton, but Thornton would just be a salary dump at this point. There's no solution for 3B internally. There's no solution for CF internally if they move DeAza, which they really can't because that would force a Viciedo trade and get you absolutely nothing in return, so you're surrendering talent with ZERO to show for it.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 10:40 PM) It did? Everyone was worried about the road trip at KC and Anaheim. In that one moment, having survived that game...beating the Tigers and extending the lead to 3 instead of having it cut down to 1, I thought we could go 1-2 in LA and 2-2 against TB and still pull it off. The two Royals games that followed the previous(ly) poorly played Royals series, the RISP worries, the Baltimore series, there were lots of warning signs, that's for sure.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 10:33 PM) Yep, exactly. 2006 seemed like a bigger collapse to me, as that team seemed significantly more talented and was the best Sox team I had ever seen during the first half of the season. The difference is the Tigers were in first place for most of the first half, despite our 26 games over .500 pre-ASB play. Then the Twins (behind Liriano and Santana) went on that incredible roll. I just remember vividly an August series against the Red Sox (we got swept and then Jenks was ouchy too) and you already had a feeling in your bones it was over as the offense cooled off and the arm-weariness on the pitching staff started to show itself.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 10:45 PM) I don't ever remember actually collapsing in 2006. At least not too late. We just couldn't keep up. 2003 is about the only thing comparable to me. Most loaded team in franchise history all goes to waste because of Jose Paniagua They did lose their final 6 in a row to the Twins. Loaiza wet the bed. That game that Paniagua relieved in, they actually WON. Momentum's supposed to go only as far as the next game's starting pitcher, but you knew as soon as they lose those two against the Royals, went up against a desperate Angels team on the road and then had to face a desperate Rays team at home. Well...those are just excuses, because in the end, our team either wasn't desperate enough to win or playing too desperately/tightly, however you want to characterize it. We can't blame the Royals. The Sox players and coaches can only blame themselves. And it's hard to blame the fans for not showing up when you're losing 8/9 games, including 3 crucial/critical/must win games in a row at home.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 10:32 PM) The Sox were never in control, even with a 3 game lead, simply due to the final 2 weeks on the schedule for both teams. The biggest lead was 3 1/2 games, and tonight marks the biggest deficit, passing the 1 1/2 margin after the first sweep in Detroit. Never in control. It felt in control after we finally beat DET and had a 3 game lead.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 10:28 PM) The bases loaded debacle you're referring to was in Detroit. Maybe all the Detroit games are running together for me right now, there were so many wasted opportunities. We had a huge chance in a game against Fister and didn't knock him out early. Where was that?

Not really, because everyone (nationally) expected the Tigers to finally pass us. However, when we had that huge make-up game win over DET to push the lead to 3...when Minnesota took 2/3 or when the Royals swept the Tigers at home, you really thought this was going to be their year to make it. And we knew that our pitching staff was gassed, and our inconsistent bullpen/managerial decision-making process was mediocre, AT BEST.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 10:23 PM) I'd point to the night before when Viciedo, Alexei and Flowers all failed to at least tie the game with bases loaded and no outs. At the time, the team had won 5 in a row and had Sale on the mound. They never seemed to recover after that failed opportunity, and the struggles with RISP reached almost unbelievable heights. I would go back to the 2nd DET game following the Quintana opening win. They had just tied the game with a Wise walk and had bases loaded, no outs, 3-3 against Fister. Youk lined to 3rd, Dunn struck out and that was the beginning of the end. Hitting with RISP has been the bane of this team for weeks now, after leading the majors for the first 4 1/2 months of the season.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 08:33 PM) Sorry buddy, but this is too similar to what greg says about Ozzie that we criticize him for. Well, I'm not going to get pitchforks out and crucify KW for THIS season. If you want it to be for 2006, 2007, 2009-2011, then that's fine. But to turn around here because of our recent 1-7 stretch and say the season was a disaster, that's just pushing it too far.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 07:55 PM) His record speaks for itself. He won a World Series, that alone is enough to give him something of a break. Never happened in most of our father's lifetimes, or grandfathers, for many. Never been his biggest fan, but he deserves a chance to go out on his own terms. And it seems he's doing exactly that. Personally, I get the feeling he wants to spend more time travelling and with his girlfriend out of the media spotlight. He'll come back eventually, maybe with another team, when he's rejuvenated and wants a new challenge. We'll see how things go under Hahn. It's also possible he would come back to the same role with the White Sox if Hahn stumbles.

QUOTE (WSoxMatt @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 07:44 PM) Doesn't he work at Bulls/Sox Academy I think so. Sometimes he gets confused with Brian Simmons. But I'm pretty sure he has an official position with B/S Academy. Reinsdorf is nothing but loyal to former players. See Kevin Hickey this year.

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 07:37 PM) Does Mike Huff have any relationship with the Sox? Played outfield for them about 15-20 years ago. Kind of a journeyman type, good defender but a lousy hitter....good kid, good character. Well liked in the clubhouse.

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 07:33 PM) I don't know who the other guy is but I feel like I'm listening to a higher IQ broadcast. That's because he went to Northwestern, just like Hahn and Torborg's kid.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 07:12 PM) No doubt there is a lack of trust in Reinsdorf and as you say much of it is ignorance. There is a lot of things this organization does right unfortunately winning isn't one of those things. It amazes me the arrogance they operate with - you'd think they've got everything figured out. No changes in 6 years with 1 playoff win, but it doesn't stop their announcers or GM from blaming the fans. I hope the Hahn move signals a change in the "us v. them" attitude this franchise has had for so long, but I doubt it. Hahn's favorite team his whole life was the Cubs. He went to Northwestern, is just as arrogant as Williams if not moreso, and you can be pretty sure the "profit maximization" theory of GMing and baseball/ticketing/marketing operations is going to stay in place until it's completely junked and they are forced to start over from scratch.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 07:25 PM) No. The reason he should be fired is because he has put together the 8th best team in the AL. Another team in the middle-of-the-pack. And the Cardinals should have their 06/2011 World Series championships taken away because they followed MLB rules and actually qualified for the playoffs in their weak division, right? And the 1987 Twins, too? Those teams were failures because they weren't among the top five teams in their leagues during the regular season, so their GM's probably should have been fired before the playoffs started, due to the traumatizing regular season disappointment they provided their fanbase. Besides, he was fired, he demoted himself to a scouting primarily position so he could spend more time travelling and out of the limelight. Nothing new to see here.

Youk looked like he had a piano on his back with that jump...not sure what was going on there. Luckily, hit too slowly for a DP. Well, that disappointing Angels team already lost a "must win" game to the lowly Mariners at home, maybe we can knock out the Rays and get back into this thing. Two "tight/under stress" teams playing each other, something has to give. It was only a matter of time before human evolution brought us to this: women in bikinis, playing basketball in an organized league. The Bikini Basketball League has been around in concept since 2011, but there have been no games as of yet — even though there are seven set franchises in six cities. According to the league’s Twitter account, you’ve got your Chicago Desire, Orlando LadyCats, Miami Spice, Los Angeles Ice, New York Knockouts, Hollywood Hotties and Atlanta Fleet Angels. Considering the success of the Lingerie Football league (success being defined as rapid expansion in the U.S. and, excuse me, abroad), it’s no wonder that someone would try a league with hot girls playing basketball. And hey, the next Bikini Basketball League star could be you!

Harrelson's really not broadcasting the game? That's weak, if it's true. These are the times that test a man's character. Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

DeAza, take control of that outfield, dammit!

What a surprise. This discussion begins and ends with Konerko falling apart in the 2nd half. Ballgame. You can blame Liriano all you want, but the Sox record with him starting, the Tigers' record with Anibal Sanchez starting, is the same. Maybe Liriano still has a one game advantage, something like 5-6 or 5-7 and Sanchez has put up similar numbers, although he's been great down the stretch. I would be happy to pull up all most posts in the July period about acquiring Guthrie. That alone would have saved us 3 wins, at least. A number of posters said how horrible he was in COL (no argument there) and that he would be even worse for the Sox. The irony is that he also collapsed yesterday when he had a 4-1 lead, in typical Jake Peavy fashion. So the Royals came to play against the Sox and wet the bed in DET. Not completely unexpected, despite Billy Butler's bravado and swagger. I mean, we just lost the two most important games to a team that was just begging to fire their own manager and who'd lost their last 6 against us before cruising off with two in a row. To say that Reed and Viciedo are busts, but continue to leave out Konerko, Beckham and the rest of the inconsistent pitching staff and bullpen....well, what else should be expected. Ventura just overplayed his hand with the starters in the first half, and they got worn down. That strategy of Ozzie's was one of the main reasons we won in 2005...the fresh and prepared bench players down the stretch, of course, Ozzie had a lot better bench players to work with than Robin this year. But I'd say Konerko and Ventura's managerial decision-making process with the bullpen/pulling starters in the 2nd half was just as detrimental as 2-7/2-8 vs. the 7-3 Tigers run down the stretch. And I think we're still alive if we can beat TB tonight. However, with Peavy going, I'm not very confident he will step up and win one finally...one of the true "must win" games of the season to avoid a complete collapse.

Seems Alexei is up to his usual (recent) tricks with RISP. Could have put them down 5-1 early and instead left them lingering in the game. Oh, well. The Tigers could have put down the Royals, then the Royals were up 4-1. Seemingly swings minute by minute in this topsy-turvy season.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 26, 2012 -> 05:55 PM) Perez has killed the Sox simply due to feasting on LHP. Tigers don't really have any, and that's why he hasn't done much. Only Smyly, Coke and Darin Downs.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Sep 26, 2012 -> 05:49 PM) The boogieman known as the 2012 KC Royals is a fantasy made up by the Hawk and members of the 2012 Chicago Whitesox. If we approached the Royals like they were any other team we would beat them most of the time. We for some reason elevated them as something that they are not. This started with the mouthpiece doing the same crap he did with the Twins over the years. We are our own worst enemy. This would be on the verge of being clinched today if we decided to play baseball against the Royals instead of turning their crappy pitching into the Atlanta Braves and if our pitchers would stop throwing fastballs to Billy Butler and Cain. And Escobar, and Gordon, and Francouer, etc. Perez really can play though, he can be a superstar if he stays healthy.

at-bat of the game here for the Tigers... Jackson brings in these two runs and they might never look back, 2nd/3rd, 2 outs, inning should have been over already. PHEW. Thought it might get through or be an infield single. Still only 1-0, could easily for 3 or 4 to 0.

Big inning looming thanks to Escobar defensive miscue. Couldn't get the force play at 2B, then barely missed the runner at 1st and Peralta somehow beat it out. Things are really starting to turn for the Tigers now. Avila with a terrible AB, K's, still can get of the inning on a DP ball by Omar Infante, who's hitting 9th tonight.

Another leadoff double laced into LCF. Here we go again. This time Delmon Young, who's been a key contributor over the final 2 1/2 months. 1-0 Tigers on the Andy Dirks single up the middle. Still no outs. Beat the shift.