caulfield12

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 06:45 AM) They also have the seating behind home plate and the Jim Beam club. But what I'm getting at is something marketed or directed at more middle class fans or ones who would be drawn to attend the game at least partially because of a promotion such as all you can eat or all you can drink/Thirsty Thursday's (such as most minor league stadiums still run.)

And yet Halladay is coming back this week already, right? He was out about 2 months, more or less, with something seemingly similar.

I still don't see why the marketing team can't do an experiment (just for the 3 game Twins series, it's midweek and one day game) and discount parking down to $10 and see what the difference is in collected revenue. It would have to be a lot better promoted in advance than the dynamic pricing deals, though, to have a measureable effect.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 01:45 AM) I guess there's a chance Ozzie will try to bury KW, Jerry and/or Coop at the presser, but that's kind of old news. He might blast the fans. Whatever he does, it's gonna be Ozzie being Ozzie in front of the cameras. Chances are Sox fans on here will be outraged and I will be laughing. That's my guess. You're forgetting the bottom line. His employer's reaction...and attendance in Miami. Both are downward trending. He'll eventually get a 3rd job in baseball, although I'm not 100% convinced that it will happen. But he's either going to have to be a tv analyst (until he gets fired) or a bench/3rd base coach before it will happen again. Actually, with the internet and proliferation of cable and satellite content out there, I could see some hybrid of a family-driven reality show (like the Osbournes) spliced with Howard Stern and Tosh.o. Although I do think a reality show would be much less interesting if he lost his managerial position...and, of course, no franchise wants to grant total access 24-7 to its inner workings. If that happened, you'd have the Boston Red Sox dysfuntion. Ooops.

Still only 9-13 in our last 22 against KC. Interestingly, lo and behold, we now have the best record against AL Central teams. Funny how that usually correlates to winning the division. You know you're in trouble when Yuniesky Betancourt has had TWO six RBI games against us team in his career.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 03:53 AM) Poor Axe . Sox just abusing him using him on 3 days rest and now starting after 2 innings of relief Friday. Pitching staff in shambles. Getting 2 in KC was big. Sox record in Fenway damn good last few years but Bosox healthy and Konerko .228 since May 28th and starters dropping like flys and bunches of rooks in the pen, the Sox are a disaster waiting to happen. Cook has pitched well against the Sox. I know Robin wont change the lineup with PK in it so I'm hoping PK sits the 1st game after the HBP and his suckiness for a month and a half. Rios should be hitting 3rd Dunn 4th. This might be the first (or 2nd, can't remember how Paulie was going April-May-June/2010) time I can ever remember not wanting to see Paulie at the plate and hoping Rios would get a chance to him. He's been a monster for us. So with Paulie...is it 1) Age finally catching up to him? 2) Lack of rest for the starters? 3) The floating bone chip is in his wrist that's bothering him and he's gamely playing through it? 4) just a typical Paulie slump that he'll pull out of eventually? It's going to be super super hot, so it will be a war of attrition and 25 man rosters out there. Robin's going to have to change and adapt for these 4 games to survive to fight another day. Underperformance the real issue for the Red Sox team (that means A-Gone now A-Pop, Beckett, Lester, Bard, Crawford, etc.) http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8...-boston-red-sox

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 12:57 AM) Prices DID go down. Season and group tickets saw steep decreases. But individual games are subject to dynamic pricing, which typically go up. The report must be using preseason pricing(when dynamic pricing was not active) Therein lies the question only Brooks can answer. How much has the dynamic pricing model clawed back profits from the revenue they gave up by lowering prices before the season? Because there's just no way that's the average ticket price in the ballpark, or close to it...from a walk-up standpoint or single game advanced purchase perspective.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 01:34 AM) What is the stent of Santos shoulder? I haven't heard. Extent? Stent is for heart problems? Out with season-ending labrum surgery, expected back sometime in 2013. You'd think they would want to choose a lefty against BOS. They have Crawford back, Gonzalez having a power outtage but Middlebrooks just came back after the break...along with Ellsbury. Saltalamacchia is on a pace for 32 homers. Aviles is always tough on the White Sox, going back to his Royals' days.

By NOEY KUPCHAN STATS Writer (AP) -- While Kevin Youkilis became expendable with the Boston Red Sox, he's been plenty productive on the South Side. Youkilis returns to Boston for the first time since getting traded as the Chicago White Sox - winners of seven straight at Fenway Park - open a four-game set with the Red Sox, who have much to be excited about with Carl Crawford's expected season debut Monday night. After hitting .233 with four homers and 14 RBIs in 42 games with Boston (45-44) and having his commitment to the game questioned by manager Bobby Valentine, Youkilis - thanks also largely to Will Middlebrooks's emergence - was shipped to AL Central-leading Chicago in exchange for Brent Lillibridge, Zach Stewart and cash June 24. The three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, who spent the first eight-plus seasons of his career with the Red Sox, has been a welcome addition to the White Sox (49-39). He's compiled a .295 average in 16 games with his new team, going deep three times with 15 RBIs. "All the memories I have and the stories are from (Boston)," Youkilis told MLB's official website. "But the thing for me is, I'm making my own story with this team, new stories and a new beginning. It's going to be fun, and the good thing here is we are in first place and we have to keep going and playing well, and stay in first place." While Youkilis can expect to receive a warm ovation at Fenway, Red Sox fans should have lots more to cheer for with Crawford's much-anticipated activation from the disabled list. The four-time All-Star outfielder, who signed a seven-year, $142-million contract prior to what was a disappointing 2011 campaign, has yet to take the field this season. He underwent wrist surgery in January before spraining the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow during spring training. Crawford went 11 for 36 (.306) with an on-base percentage of .432 during an 11-game rehabilitation assignment. "I'm not expecting any immediate impact. Just expecting one of nine, a guy who can go out there and be a contributor," Valentine said. "I hope that whatever he needs is provided him from his surroundings. I hope he's healthy. I think if he's healthy, he'll do fine." Boston returns home after taking two of three at Tampa Bay - including Sunday's 7-3 victory. Daniel Nava and Mike Aviles both homered while Josh Beckett earned his first win in nearly two months. "We need to get some momentum going in this second half," said Middlebrooks, who went 3 for 4 with two RBIs. The Red Sox could be hard-pressed to build on Sunday's result with the White Sox coming to town. Chicago has outscored Boston 46-26 during a seven-game winning streak at Fenway. The White Sox posted their 11th win in 15 games overall Sunday, 2-1 at Kansas City. Chris Sale threw eight strong innings and Adam Dunn belted his major league-leading 28th homer - his third in as many days. After sending Gavin Floyd - Monday's original scheduled starter - back to Chicago due to soreness in his right forearm and elbow, the White Sox give the ball to Dylan Axelrod (1-2, 6.16 ERA). The right-hander pitched two scoreless innings of relief Friday, earning the win during a 9-8, 14-inning victory at Kansas City. Axelrod has had a rough go at it over five starts, going 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA. In his last start, the rookie surrendered a career-high seven runs and three homers over three innings of an 11-9 loss to Toronto on July 8. The Red Sox counter with Aaron Cook (2-2, 4.37), who is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts since being removed from the disabled list June 24. The veteran right-hander, though, wasn't very sharp in his final outing before the All-Star break, yielding three runs and nine hits over six innings in a 3-2 loss at Oakland on July 4. Cook is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA over two career starts versus Chicago. A.J. Pierzynski has gone 1 for 12 against Cook while Dunn is 4 for 18 with a homer. http://weei.stats.com/mlb/preview.asp?lg=M...m=2&src=MLB

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds...kevin_youkilis/ Red Sox made right choice on YOUK

Record high temperatures in Boston expected...would be a shocker if any starter made it past 6. Great for the bullpen war, because we should have the advantage there, even without Crain. Red Sox president Larry Lucchino: "The one constant off the field is that we have had a veritable All-Star Team on the disabled list. As we begin the second half, we look forward to the return of the 'varsity,' including Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford, Andrew Bailey, and the ever-dirty Dustin Pedroia. "While this infusion of such talent in late July may make other General Managers green with envy, you can be sure that Ben Cherington and his Baseball Operations Staff will approach the July 31 trading deadline with their tireless work ethic. If someone can further help this club, and if the deal makes sense, we will be aggressive. We want to play October Baseball this year. "Meanwhile, as you come to Fenway Park throughout this season, we hope you will come early—the secret to fully enjoying a sports venue. Now 'A Living Museum,' Fenway Park probably leads the league in bronze plaques and commemorative displays along the concourses. Enjoy them at your leisure early, well before the escalation of excitement as game time approaches." GREAT detailed article by Gordon Edes on everything that's going wrong with Bobby Valentine...lots of interesting stuff here http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8...-all-directions

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds...l?p1=News_links Having a "Dave Barnett moment" here... http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/...aterno-defense/ And a long, detailed response to James

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 11:31 PM) Thank you! I hate people who hate college basketball. Along with MLB, the two best sports in the world.

13:$2.75M, 14:$3.75M, 15:$6M club option, 16:$8M club option, 17:$8.75M club option ($0.75M buyouts for each option) Would you take Sergio Santos back today, if given the opportunity, knowing you'd owe him at least $7.25 million and that both Reed and Jones are PROBABLY better closing options in 2013 and beyond than Sergio will ever be again? Over/under on K's for DeAza, Dunn and AJP against LHP this series?

They do have Ellsbury and Crawford back, Ortiz is on en fuego, it's not going to be a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination. Hoping for a split, 3/4 would be great and prepared for 1/4.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 10:49 PM) Gee, thanx for your well-thought-out arguments. "f***ing moron" "loudmouth asshat" We get it; you hate Ozzie; I love Ozzie. Nobody wins. Next round? First press conference at Wrigley. I'm surprised you haven't allied yourself on the side of Bryce Harper. I gave you a good quote from him to defend Ozzie, right in ur wheelhouse.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 07:25 PM) 80 days left in the season, and the Sox have the 3rd best record in the AL. That second wild card is going to be something, and it's going to be interesting to see who tanks in the next couple weeks and become sellers. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/wildcard.jsp?ymd=20120715 Dayan? Quietly, Cespedes and Reddick are becoming quite a force out in Oakland... http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/32080/yoenis-cespedes

QUOTE (soxmaniac! @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 09:22 PM) these games have been closer than necessary the past couple series, and i think i know why. Sorry for slacking and affording the sox a few L's and rough games for the bullpen, it wont happen again go sox go, go sox go, hey chicago whattya say, the sox are gonna win today Mike Moustakas and hitting with RISP.

I'd play Walker in CF and Thompson at a corner, just because Walker's faster and Thompson's bat and defense are probably best suited to the corners. If Trayce Thompson could stick in center and play at least average major league defense (like Cespedes), then he'd be MUCH more valuable. But we can't even be sure they'll move Walker until 2013 anyways...and they'll probably try to push Trayce to BIRM and see how he fares in that monster stadium with more advanced pitching.

QUOTE (soxmaniac! @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 09:32 PM) hopefully we see ripe CucHumber and not Phil cHumbersome when he finally pitches Really? C'mon!

QUOTE (ROC Sox Fan @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 09:42 PM) Damn... going to the game in Detroit on Saturday and was looking forward to seeing Good Gavin pitch. Now I'm scared about how much bullpen I could be seeing... C'mon Kenny, go get someone and let me see their WINNING debut for the Sox! Wonder what scalped tickets for the Sale/Verlander match-up on Friday are already going for?

Ozzie Guillen calls Bryce Harper ‘unprofessional’ after pine tar spat By Adam Kilgore (J Pat Carter - Associated Press) Bryce Harper has done his level best to avoid controversy during his rookie season with the Nationals, but cyclonic Marlins Manager Ozzie Guillen dragged him into one Sunday afternoon during the Nationals’ 4-0 victory over Miami. Guillen charged Harper with using too much pine tar on his bat, spewed a torrent of profanity at Harper during his at-bat in the fourth inning and afterward called Harper’s actions “unprofessional.” Guillen did not specify what caused his ire, but said it had “something” to do with how Harper pointed his bat at him before his second at-bat. “First time, it’s going to stay between us,” Guillen said. “I could have said a lot of [stuff] about this kid. I’ve been praising this kid like everyday. The last three times they asked me about him, the only thing I said was he’s a great player. What he did [today] was unprofessional. I’m not going to tell you guys what he did because I’m not going to be talking about it on ESPN, Baseball Tonight, what happened again. I’ll just leave it like that. I’ll talk to his manager in a little while.” The incident began after Harper’s first at-bat, a lineout to third base. Guillen complained to umpires that Harper had applied pine tar above the label of his bat, the limit for how high the sticky substance can be spread. In his next at-bat, Harper, who finished 0 for 4, used a new bat. But Guillen did not like something about how Harper walked to the plate. Guillen began yelling at Harper from the dugout, even grabbing a bat and shaking it in the direction of Harper and the Nationals’ dugout. Nationals Manager Davey Johnson started yelling back at him. “I was just telling [Harper] how cute he was,” Guillen said. “Something happened there the inning before and I didn’t like it and I was talking to the umpire about it.” Said Johnson: “Ozzie had complained that the pine tar was too high up on Harper’s bat. So we changed it. Then he was still chirping about. It got on the umpire’s nerves. It got on my nerves. He was trying to intimidate my player, I guess. That’s not going to bother our player. He does what he has to do.” Harper, as he did when Cole Hamels admitted to hitting him on purpose earlier this season, remained above the verbal fray. He did not specify what Guillen was saying to him – “he was just yelling,” Harper said. Mostly, he just complimented Guillen. “He battles for his team, and that’s the type of manager Ozzie is,” Harper said. “He’s a great manager to play for. He’s going to battle for you, no matter what. That’s a manager you want to play for.” Baseball’s rules prohibit pine tar from being spread above the label. The goo creates more friction and spin when the bat meets the ball, which allows the ball to travel further. The most famous incident involving the rule came when George Brett – Harper’s professed favorite player – was temporarily robbed of a home run. “It’s such a fine line,” Johnson said. “They put the pine tar, it’s only supposed to be at the top of the label. Some guys, it might be over half an inch or something. There’s still a foot of the barrel to hit it with. If you hit it on the pine tar, it’s going to shatter everything. The replace the ball all the time, anyways. What’s the big deal?” Guillen, in his first year with the Marlins, is known for his unapologetically controversial persona and explicit ranting. “Ozzie yells a lot,” one Nationals player said. “You don’t even pay attention.” The incident seems like it ought to pass, but with volatile, veteran right-hander Carlos Zambrano starting for the Marlins on Monday night, that may not be a smart bet. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports

By Manny Navarro mnavarro@MiamiHerald.com John Buck ended his day in a Marlins uniform Sunday by balling up a piece of tape and shooting it toward a trash can in the middle of the clubhouse. “That was a damn good shot,’’ Buck said as the ball of tape nestled sweetly into the bottom of the trash can. “At least something went right today.’’ Although the Marlins hit a handful of shots Sunday — including a few with their bats — the only one that landed in a desirable location was Buck’s jumper. The rest? Those seemed to land in either Roger Bernadina’s glove in center field or Ryan Zimmerman’s mitt at third as the first-place Nationals emerged with a 4-0 victory over the Marlins in front of 29,889 at Marlins Park. It’s the ninth time this season the Marlins (42-46) have been shut out. “That’s the reason we lost,’’ Guillen said pointing to his team’s 1-for-13 effort with runners in scoring position. (White Sox are first in the majors at .299) “We got golden opportunities. We had one of the best pitchers in the game against the ropes and we didn’t take advantage. You want to be good, you have to get those things done.’’ Stephen Strasburg pitched six scoreless innings and struck out seven to improve to 3-1 with a 1.83 ERA in his career against the Marlins. In six career starts, Strasburg (10-4, 2.66 ERA in 2012) has held the Marlins without a run four times and has given up more than one run against them just once. Sunday, the 23-year old former first overall pick also hurt the Marlins with his bat, driving in the Nationals’ first run with a two-out single to right field off Ricky Nolasco in the fifth after the Marlins intentionally walked catcher Jhonatan Solano (.294) to face Strasburg, who is hitting .385 this season. “You don’t second-guess that. It was the right move to make,’’ said Nolasco (8-7), who lasted just 5 1/3 innings and gave up six hits and four earned runs. “I just let Ozzie down by not making the pitch there to Strasburg. The Nationals had no trouble dodging the Marlins’ threats. After Buck struck out swinging with runners on second and third to end the second, the Marlins loaded the bases in the third on Carlos Lee’s single to center. But after third base coach Joe Espada held Nolasco at third on Lee’s hit (despite a bad throw home by Bernadina that sailed over Solano’s head), Strasburg struck out Logan Morrison and got Hanley Ramirez to bounce out. “People can think whatever they want. It is a pitcher running,’’ Guillen said of why Nolasco wasn’t waved home. “The third-base coach can’t assume the ball will be over the catcher’s head.’’ Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/07/15/2897...l#storylink=cpy

Anyone want to start speculating as to the players selected for the AFL? Would love to see Beck get to go, even though our minor league staff might just as likely want him to shut it down early and start deconstructing his mechanics and getting him on the Allen Thomas conditioning program to shed all that added muscle mass. Carlos Sanchez, you'd have to think, would be one of the selections. Maybe even Salvador Sanchez. Trayce Thompson, perhaps.

That damn Perez can sure hit and throw. Reminds me physically of a young Sandy Alomar, Jr.