caulfield12

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/cowley/1282...ts-control.html This is getting scary. Cowley wrote a pretty good, comprehensive, well-reserched article on the Sox. And he's on the bandwagon again. FOR NOW.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/12852410-41...hise-needs.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,6684194.story Don Cooper blasts "non athletes," second-guessers, pitch count citers. Probably specifically angered by the Rosenbloom article which reached ZERO conclusions about what they should actually do differently with Sale.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/colum...,6714531.column Reading this article, it made me think of all those Sox prospects that have NOT been given playing time in the past like DeAza, Lillibridge (not that he was a "stud" prospect in the same realm as a Brett Jackson or Rizzo) or specifically Dayan Viciedo... Almost the opposite of the article, that the "young phenoms" being promoted wasn't conducive to the "win now/all in" philosophy we've had for much of the Williams tenure. Of course, our former manager had a proclivity for playing veterans over younger players. Some would argue that he was "protecting" them from having too much pressure (like Beckham in 2009/10), others that he was jealous of any new "superstar" threatening his role as undisputed media darling for the Sox. Lots of theories out there as to why Ozzie didn't like MOST young players, exceptions being Beckham in 2009, Fields in 2007 (no choice), Alexei, Chris Sale in 2010, etc. Or maybe it was simply if there was ANY doubt about the relative performance levels, Ozzie would invariably pick the veteran over the younger player.

Remember the Alamo/Maine/Titanic/Lusitania/Arizona/Konerko.

Jose Quintana LHP White Sox – age 23 – Another lesser known arm. This lefty has struck out 26 in 35.1 IP with a 3.03 ERA. The production is there for the southpaw and he’s walked just 7.3% of hitters. He’s bounced from the Mets to the Yankees and now with the White Sox he may be poised to step forward as a SP option. http://soxbronzetitan.wordpress.com/2012/0...-jose-quintana/ “Quintana’s fastball is in the 89-91 mph range. He also throws a curveball and change-up, and according to one scouting report, “throws with some deception.” (see the Wilson Alvarez comparison from RV) “He’s a strike thrower,” Williams said. “He can spin the breaking ball. He’s got velocity to both sides of the plate. He can grow up and be a starter. We’re very happy to have both (Donnie Veal was the other LHP signed).” Does anyone know who scouted and recommended Quintana for the White Sox in the FSL last year? Give him a gold star and promotion. Normally, whenever there's a thread about a young White Sox player or prospect, they proceed to lay an egg and end up like Josh Fields, Ehren Wasserman, Andy Gonzalez and Josh Fields. So I'm not taking responsibility if Quintana gets bombed tmrw. Only thinking positive thoughts!!!

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ May 29, 2012 -> 09:34 PM) Why is Bayne still in the Barons' rotation and when does Rienzo get reinstated? Roughly speaking, he's (Rienzo) got about 20 more games to go, +/- one.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ May 29, 2012 -> 11:20 PM) Hopefully when he goes into a funk again, that's when he can start breaking out the bb's. He learns to do that and that's when we can reach superstardom. Ha, ha. Slow down there. Paul Konerko's hitting almost .400 and has been among the best players in modern baseball history for Ages 34-36, but nobody would confuse him for or with being a superstar (rightly or wrongly, because he doesn't play for the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, etc.) A pretty good comparison would be Edgar Martinez, although Egdar was more of a DH than an everyday player for the 2nd half of his career...most baseball fans wouldn't consider either one of those guys to be "superstars," same with Fred McGriff or Carlos Delgado, for example.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ May 29, 2012 -> 11:14 PM) The negativity will come back when we go through a rough patch. This team is legit talented though and in a very bad division. Stay healthy and I really think this is a playoff team. At least now, the line-up and back end of the bullpen finally appear to be arranged in an ideal fashion. That's the difference. As long as Ohman doesn't get overused against RHB'ers, everyone can sleep more easily. Before, it did appear Ventura was searching (some would say grasping) for the right combinations, and it might have cost them a couple of games, but in the "big picture" perhaps it was worth it to finally arrive at this moment of seeming stability.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 29, 2012 -> 11:04 PM) My guess is Hudson is going nowhere. Lilly is more valuable so Morel will be the guy sent down unless we shelve a pitcher, right? How many options does Morel have left? Or Escobar, although he at least gives you versatility and pinch-running. Morel should be playing everyday in Charlotte or playing everyday in Chicago (IF IF IF 100% healthy). Unless the team goes in the tank again, Hudson will probably be the choice while the line-up as its currently constituted continues to do damage. Managers are pretty superstitious, and Robin's seemingly become infatuated with this particular one...probably because it's working so well.

Well, Morel's going to have to REALLY show something (both offensively AND defensively) in his AAA rehab assignment...and Hudson's going to have to continue to pile up errors and/or hit around .200. So far, it seems what he's brought to the team is overall more positive than negative, so most managers will tend to stick with the veteran with playoff/contending experience versus the youngster.

Saladino back down to .228. Seems like his hot streak to return to respectability (at least batting average-wise) is over now, too. Dan Johnson still playing 3B for the Knights. Bayne doesn't look like he has much rope left in the BIRM starting rotation. Bruney having another very solid season for Charlotte, but probably won't see the big leagues again with the Sox in all likelihood.

QUOTE (Pants Rowland @ May 29, 2012 -> 08:35 PM) Lots of good memories mentioned in here. Anyone remember the 1996 team that had a 22-2 or 24-2 stretch? It was the best run I had seen by a Sox team in my life. They came back to earth and Cleveland ended up winning the division, but it made things interesting and people were thinking 1995 was just an aberration. Was that the team with John "I am Not A" Kruk and Julio Franco?

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ May 29, 2012 -> 08:37 PM) The way I think Hickey's passing could potentially affect things is by causing players to "play harder". Possibly not making mental errors, hustling to first base, aggressive baserunning, etc. They're not making many errors right now, but really they're just clobbering the ball, which I highly doubt is related to emotions, like Jake said. In particular, there's evidence of this with Rios, compared to 2011. More hustle on the bases and when playing defense, he's also showing emotions when he's making outs, we didn't see any of that last year, just a kind of blase apathy.

I just think they're playing loose and relaxed, there's not the pressure on the team there was in 2011, there's not the stress between Ozzie and the front office, first year manager with zero experience...we'll see how they handle being in first place, particularly against the Dodgers and Cardinals. Should be fun. FWIW, Ventura has been loosening the reigns and let them fly to Tampa with shorts, shades, flip-flops and t-shirts as the apparel of choice. Those little things that add to comfort level and increased team camaraderie really help. Perhaps the funeral did help to bring the team together as well, but emotion doesn't last so long as a catalyst...you'd have to say it's more positive momentum. Viciedo and Beckham starting to hit...Sale's return to the rotation, the back end of the bullpen being solidified, these are the main reasons they're playing so well.

QUOTE (G&T @ May 29, 2012 -> 08:16 PM) Looking back at it is unreal. Ray Durham, Frank Thomas, Paul Konerko, Magglio Ordonez, AND Carlos Lee in the same lineup. They hit .286 .356 .470 .826 as a TEAM That was the line-up that everyone playing had the ability to hit a homer at any time, except for Mark Johnson. Charles Johnson was added late in the season, and his OPS with us was well over 1.000. Valentin was a force, as well. Herbert Perry put up over an 800 OPS, and Chris Singelton/C were the only weak line-up spots. You had 6 players hitting over 17 homers.

Mitchell back up to .295. 2/3 HR, 2 RBI's 4 HR, 33 RBI's on the season, hitting 2nd now in the line-up. WHERE DOES HE PLAY, haha? Axelrod got hit hard tonight, but overall ERA still 2.36, which is great. Our old friend Nick Blackburn starting...sporting a 7.36 ERA Sean Burroughs, Valencia, Parmalee and Clete Thomas the only familiar names on that roster.

Only five teams in baseball (Orioles, Rays, Rangers, Nationals, Dodgers) have better records. Make that 6 if the Reds win their game. Next week will be a good test. 15-5, "only" 11 more games to go in order to equal 2010, haha. 10-6 3-11 15-5 Streakability. And, just as importantly, the Tigers will be a full 5 games back.

QUOTE (JoshPR @ May 29, 2012 -> 08:04 PM) Didn't fick sucker punch someone http://www.google.com.hk/url?sa=t&rct=...W2w&cad=rjt not sure if this is the right video or not, i can't watch youtube here in china

Almost June and the 1/3rd of the season pole has nearly been passed... That's traditionally been the barometer for measuring whether a team is in contention or not. +36 runs scored/runs allowed differential. Win #2 for Phil Humber, great comeback outing for him, had an especially crisp breaking curveball today...since the Seattle game in his second start of the year.

QUOTE (JoshPR @ May 29, 2012 -> 07:55 PM) 2000 team was hard hitting, they came together after the brawl with the tigers when dean palmer came after parque Yeah, the infamous Rob Fick (obscene gesture, beer shower), Jeff Weaver, Juan Samuel fight... Was in the LF bleachers at that game. Good memories. The 2006 team was 26 games over .500 at the break, ending with that crazy 19 innings game (tied it against Papelbon) that went on forever. 57-31. Then 8 games under .500 at the break and the disastrous 2007 season.

804 OPS On pace for a .280 average, 36 homers and 88 RBI's (and that's not considering the fact that he sat quite a few times in April and early May, so his overall numbers COULD be even higher with everyday playing time from here on out). 3 months of el perfecto Cubano weather, too. He didn't play in 4 games.

1. 1990 final season in USCF...McDowell, Thomas, Ventura were just starting to show their potential, underdogs all the way 2. 2000 3. 2005 4. 1984 4.5 1993/94 5. 2008 (last two weeks of season, and any time Quentin and Ramirez were hitting) 6. 2006 (first 3-4 months of offensive dominance) 7. 2010 (26-5 stretch) 8. 2009 (watching Beckham the first 3 months, adding Peavy/Rios, Wise catch for Buehrle game)

Viciedo now on a pace for the entire season for 36 homers and 87.5 RBI's Quentin-esque numbers. Minus $7 million and all the injuries.

Pierzynski really spiked Zobrist there with his left cleat. Will be interesting to see if there's any payback for AJ.