Marky Mark

Anyone know how Flowers has been defensively? Does he seem to be improving at all? How about game calling?

We don't want another middle infielder right now.

Where can I go to legally make bets on baseball games? I checked with the Hollywood casino in Aurora and they don't do sports betting. Are there places that have legal sports gambling in IL? If so where? Or is it online, and is that legal?

I've seen them selling for $150/ticket on Craigslist and Ebay.

Let me know if you need some advice for mother's day.

Boo! I am one of 4 Sox fans who liked Broadway.

Good job Bartolo, someone buy him a ticket to the nearest LA buffet.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ May 24, 2009 -> 10:47 PM) Here goes mine: 1) Lord Beckham (well-rounded, not as great a potential as maybe Danks, but much higher probability of reaching potential) 2) Jordan Danks (based on his amazing potential if it all comes together) 3) Dayan Viciedo (40+ HR potential is too good to overlook and he is still very very young in a tough league) 4) Tyler Flowers (again, potential to be a .400+ OBP guy who hits 25+ HR at the catcher spot is tremendous) 5) Aaron Poreda (ceiling of a 2 starter, but has a future at worst of a top set-up man, rich man's Matt Thornton) 6) Brandon Allen (I love this guy, but he keeps improving, great this year with his contact rate, power will come and very athletic for a 1st baseman and most everything I have read says he is a hard worker who loves the game) 7) Dan Hudson (Great control and seems very efficient, not the stuff of a top-tier starter, but should settle in as a solid mid-rotational guy if it all comes together as he rises in the system) 8) Nathan Jones (I just can't get over his vast improvements this year with his control and he has a lethal 1-2 punch of pitches, could be a Jenks-type closer) 9) Charlie Leesman (lefties who throws 95 MPH are hot commodities, solid numbers this year, but he is a guy that is more likely to fail than succeed, but I like his potential) 10) Dex "Knows" Carter (great number this year even though the ERA is 3.86 and he has given up more hits than innings because the Ks are terrific and BBs low; very good stuff and has a terrific 6-6 frame to work with. Another guy that could just lose it like he did at ODU, but potential is great). Next 5 in no order -Morel -Omogrosso -Ely -Gilmore -Shirek I agree a lot with this list except for Jones. I have high hopes for Mr. Morel too.

I don't understand why everyone is so mad at Peavy. Why do players always want NTC in their contract? Because they are saying that they like where they are and don't want to get put somewhere they don't want to be. Peavy is not an idiot, he knows how much harder it is to succeed as a pitcher outside of Petco and even more so outside of the NL. So if you were in his spot, why would you say yes to the trade when you know that eventually you'll get an opportunity to go to an easier NL team anyways? His decision will make millions of dollars in difference because at the end of his contract, teams will certainly lay down a lot more money for a guy who's consistently getting an ERA below 3.3 than a guy who is getting an ERA above 3.8. You can call him selfish for wanting more money, but for all you know he may only keep 5% of his salary and donate the rest to AIDs orphans in Africa. And who cares if the Pads are mad for him staying, they are the ones that signed him for that contract and allowed the NTC, so why should they be mad at him for wanting to stick with the original agreement? In the end Jake Peavy, the White Sox, and the African AIDs orphans are better off this way.

I really think when you take him away from Petco he goes from a seemingly elite pitcher, to just a pretty good pitcher. I would not want to be paying that kind of money to a "pretty good good pitcher." That money should be reserved for the absolute cream of the crop aces, not Peavy.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ May 21, 2009 -> 04:41 PM) To be fair, the Sox have always been cheap when it comes to pitching and not wanting to overspend on huge long-term to deals. And the Sox have usually been right in their dealings with pitching. Someone posted on here a while ago the history of major long term pitching contracts and how they worked out. Historically it really shows that it is not worth it. Good call KW.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ May 21, 2009 -> 04:37 PM) He is a giant p**** who is scared of pitching outside of San Diego and the NL. I don't blame him. Leaving both that park and that league would expose the fact that he is not a true ace compared to the rest of MLB's aces.

QUOTE (Baines3 @ May 21, 2009 -> 01:14 PM) We have everything to gain by getting Peavy. Like an extra point and a half on his ERA once he leaves Petco and comes to the AL at the cell?

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ May 21, 2009 -> 12:05 AM) You're being awfully optimistic there. I'll concede that I haven't seen one minor league baseball game this year (I'm thinking about getting the MILB package), but I practically live at baseballamerica.com and I've never read anything that even remotely suggests that kinda future power. Yes, I realize he's a gifted athlete. But so are guys like Brian Anderson and Chris Young. I can't really comment on his swing. Like I said, I haven't seen any minor league games this year. But a pretty swing means nothing when you K that much. I'm sorry. I've been burned too many times with White Sox prospects in the past. If you can keep him, fine. But if it's ever to be found out that a proven ace could've been had but wasn't because we didn't want to part with Jordan Danks you'll see 2006 Flash Tizzle-like b****ing and moaning from me for the rest of the season. Although they're a lot better than they used to be, BA is usually very based on numbers and not factors like swing and mechanics. One thing that Danks does that probably has prevented him from seeing power in the past is his lack of leg kick.

Peavy is good because he 1) Pitches in the NL 2) Pitches in the NL West 3) Pitches in Petco Park Bring him here and his ERA is gonna be about a point higher. Is that worth his contract and our prospects? 12/12/07: Signed three-year, $52 million extension w/2013 club option and limited NTC. 2009: $8 million club option w/$500,000 buyout, 2010: $15 million, 2011: $16 million, 2012: $17 million, 2013: $22 million club option w/$4 million buyout, 2014: Free Agent

It would be a real slap in the face if they traded Jordan Danks after he and John both ditched Boras for the sake of the Sox.

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ May 20, 2009 -> 11:09 PM) I believe they can be the PTBNL after that deadline hits True.

You can't trade someone who was drafted and signed less than a year ago.

QUOTE (Friend of Nordhagen @ May 8, 2009 -> 09:21 PM) Harold really got in the umpire's face there. Relief probably.

QUOTE (mmmmmbeeer @ May 8, 2009 -> 07:09 PM) Ozzie's demeanor on the field has changed quite a bit since his sensitivity training. I wonder if someone in a position of power sent him a message that if he doesn't cool it he'll be gone. He doesn't argue. He doesn't insist his pitchers protect his hitters. He doesn't talk near as much trash about the opposition or his own players for that matter as he did a couple years ago. I think it's very telling that this had to come from KW. Just wait, its still early. The feisty Venezuelan in him can't be held back for long!

You can tell by his tone that even Hawk is ready to see Contreras go.

QUOTE (Paint it Black @ May 8, 2009 -> 12:56 AM) No, this stuff is for losers. How about actually beating KC, that helps a lot more than some silly ass bean ball war that leads to suspensions/fines/and embarrassment. My thoughts exactly. When you recipricate by hitting their players does that ever stop anything? Will that permanently keep them from pitching inside? Nope. It pretty much just says that you care more about trying to make a statement that you desire to defend your player (which doesn't actually defend your player, just instead brings a respectful game to a childlike level) than trying to win your game(s). There is never any real benefit from hitting another teams batter in response to them hitting you, however there are always cons to hitting their players. It may be part of the game, but that doesn't mean its worth doing.

I make sure that part of my experience at the park is completed by me and my friends leaving a massive pile of peanut shells, sunflower seeds, and garbage under our seats. If you don't make a mess, you're doing something wrong. Its part of the experience. To save money, peanuts and seeds can always be purchased prior to coming to the game for a much much much smaller price than at or near the park.

QUOTE (sin city sox fan @ Apr 25, 2009 -> 10:51 PM) He's really stepped up and is playing some superb baseball right now. Wouldn't it be a hoot if we went from worrying about the centerfield position to having an all star centerfielder? It would be a tremendous hoot. An incredible hoot. A hoot beyond belief just a few weeks ago. Cheers to you BA.....this Buds for you. See ya in the all star game!!!!! Its people like you who ruin the ASG.

I was at the game last night, and while on defense right before an at bat, AJ grabbed a piece of paper that was blowing over home plate and quickly stuffed it in his back pocket. We were pretty far away so it was tough to see, but I could hear people around me saying he had grabbed a dollar bill. Could anyone see this on TV? Was this a dollar or just a piece of paper?