ILMOU

QUOTE (bucket-of-suck @ Aug 26, 2011 -> 01:19 PM) The league adjusted, he didn't. Or he adjusted too much. Or misadjusted. His swing is NOT the same as when he came up, so adjustments were made, just not successful ones.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 26, 2011 -> 08:42 PM) Dayan Viciedo? good one

I really hope this guy is working for fellow ass-clown Loria in a few months. That will be a match made in hell.

I also believe it's a somewhat different fanbase than 10+ years ago. Despite the euphoria of 2005, expectations are invariably raised by that success, and higher expectations are harder to meet. I would say that the Cubs fanbase has been changed since 2003. Since were talking about fanbase reactions, there's an article today in SSS about the fans reactions to Dunn and Rios at the cell. They won't be stoking fan enthusiasm for 2012 by playing these guys in September, that's for sure. A good summary of how this season has been mismanaged (unmamanaged?) is pretty much in line with my beliefs. http://www.southsidesox.com/2011/8/25/2383...stomer-is-right As I watched Trumbo impress the heck out of me the last couple of nights, I wondered... is their any good reason, other than an occasional bad thumb, that DV couldn't have given us what MT has given the Angels this year? Makes me sick. Also got a kick out of the post-ASB Dunn Rios Carry-the-team Pact results:

A bonafide "youth movement" will never happen for the Sox because too much of the fanbase would not accept it. We, the "extreme fans" of the internet need to understand that we're really not that representative of the average fan. The Sox are a big market team that will try to compete every year, or at least provide fans a glimmer of hope by avoiding an obvious rebuild. The youth movement, as much as there will be one has perhaps already begun, and may be gaining momentum in the next few weeks. I fully expect Viciedo and Addison Reed to be regular major leaguers as soon as they get here. The patience shown this season with Morel is in line with this strategy. Some of the offseason moves may depend on the performance of guys like De Aza, TFlow and Lilli for the rest of this season, and on guys like Santiago in the fall and winter leagues, which could allow us to get younger. IMO, Danks, Q and Thornton will at least be shopped and Buehrle will be resigned, but the roster won't be that dramatically different. As much as anything, how young we play on the field next year will depend on the guts, or continued lack thereof, the org shows in benching Rios and Dunn, if they're not performing.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Aug 24, 2011 -> 02:42 PM) I think the fist raised in the air one it went out and he started rounding Yeah, I like the fist pump ideas better than mine - more unique. I think we can agree that the GS is the signature moment of his career, to this point. Disappointed that the Thomas statue wasn't completely satisfying.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 24, 2011 -> 03:33 PM) Does anyone else here know who Cheryl Tiegs is, lol? Maybe Christie Brinkley, but that's going WAY back to the late 70's/early 80's.I think she was the first one Sports Illustrated ever showed on the cover with what amounted to a see-through top. Raquel Welch in 1,000,000 Years B.C. Ozzie still not sure he's seen Rios and Dunn screw up enough games yet. Those guys are warriors. Putting De Aza in CF and Rios in RF is one of many messages I'd like to see sent.

No lineup yet?

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Aug 24, 2011 -> 04:32 PM) Not release waivers, trade waivers. If the Yankees claim him (and they will) and the Sox don't pull him back, the Yankees are on the hook for his salary for the rest of the season, and with the Sox out of contention, there's no good reason not to save that money. I, for one, do not want to see Mark in another uniform this year or anytime soon. That would truly be the maraschino turd on this s***pile of a season.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Aug 24, 2011 -> 10:23 AM) Exactly. It was all projection based on a ton of whiffs last year. The K rate had me spooked on TFLow admittedly, and it's still the biggest concern going forward. The shorter stroke and standup plate presence are encouraging. I remember seeing him a couple years ago with his back turned somewhat to the pitcher, creating a longer, loopier swing. He seems to have come a long way.

QUOTE (flavum @ Aug 24, 2011 -> 12:21 PM) Kenny, stop yourself, and start drafting your resignation letter please. Wow, I hope none of this happens.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 24, 2011 -> 12:08 PM) The stats agree on this one. Lousy coming in on balls, god-awful on balls behind him, too timid near the other OFers when ranging to the sides, occasional laziness/unawareness. I've seen enough to need to see De Aza/Lilli in CF way more than Rios for the rest of this season.

Aging like a fine wine. The guy rocks. I'm thinking the WS Grand Slam, at the point of contact, should be the concourse statue.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Aug 24, 2011 -> 11:33 AM) So this power binge from Lillibridge is definitely for real and he's not playing over his head? A guy can have a full "fluke" season and come back the next year and struggle. Look through Peralta's career numbers. He's had one season similar to this, one a bit worse, and 4 more that aren't even close to this. Other than nearly 3 times as many PA's for Peralta as Lillibridge, not a whole lot is different. Which is not really to denigrate your thought so much as it reminds me again how under-utilized the Elf has been this year, while being an effective player. When you think of the number of AB's that guys like Mackowiak got here, like Omar had here last year, it makes you wonder. It's like Ozzie decided to go with the regulars MORE this year while they were sucking to high heaven - whether as a vote of confidence to the struggling players, a scorched-earth sadistic death wish on his Sox tenure, or a "I'm gonna drag fuggin Kinny doan wit me" attitude, take your pick.

How painfully laughable would it be if the Sox make a "convoluted" roster move (bogus DL stint, 11 pitchers, etc.) to find a place for Thome, when the same tactics could have been used to get DV and/or ADA on the roster months earlier, but weren't?

This season should become a case study for business schools. The mismanagement/paralysis of gutlessness/failure to recognize sunk costs have undermined any chance to compete. A resistance to change that is stupefying. Having two top level managers at odds, but not establishing a clear hierarchy, has been the festering boil of this franchise for a few years. Thome makes no sense. I've never been more frustrated as a Sox fan than this year, and somehow it keeps getting worse.

Mark's not going anywhere.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Aug 22, 2011 -> 02:00 PM) Considering they are the best team in the NL, I think their chances are nil. He'd have to pass through all other teams, including CLE, TEX, NYY, SF, ARI, MIL, ATL, I could see any of these teams claiming him. Hafner is injured again, so Cleveland could be an interesting possibility, they would have one of the first chances to claim him. If they got him, I hope it would shut up all those bozos who still boo the guy. Cleveland would be another interesting destination, and a chance for him to bookend his career.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 22, 2011 -> 01:12 PM) Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal #Twins' Thome went on trade waivers today. #Phillies want him, but almost no chance he gets through to them. #MLB I figured the Phillies would view him as this year's Matt Stairs for them. I hope he gets there, somehow.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 22, 2011 -> 07:02 AM) Every time I see Axelrod through another solid game, I keep thinking... is he for real, or is he Jack Egbert? Great name from the recent past. Whatever became of Eggy? EDIT: Mets system, AA Binghamton

Lexi has value because he's pretty good at baseball and trading him is a risk that could potentially make us a crappier team. His defense is the anchor of a terrific defensive infield which helps our pitchers a ton. Now I agree that we need to see more of the Bridge, and since 2B is a less challenging defensive postion, and since our regular there has been much worse offensively than our SS anyway, maybe it makes more sense to get him some games at 2B. I still view GB as the hopeful future at 2B, and believe the Elf's best role is as a super-utility guy, but in the present day it allows us to get our best nine bats on the field together by allowing Bridge and De Aza to play together. A Dunnless, Riosless, Beckhamless lineup intrigues me. As soon as the troops get healthy, a lineup like this might be semi-potent: Pierre LF DeAza CF Paulie 1B Q DH AJP C Tank RF Lexi SS Lilli 2B Morel 3B In the meantime, hard not to be encouraged by the contributions of some of the lower-paid segment of our roster.

QUOTE (ChrisLikesBaseball @ Aug 21, 2011 -> 02:27 PM) Grandstand has a fantastic assortment of caps, including that one in both New Era and American Needle (pictured). You can get the American Needle version (more curved brim, shorter bowl) here as well: http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?prod...1452702.1168173 Great Sox stuff for the wife there too, including panties, etc. Love that place.

QUOTE (South Paw @ Aug 21, 2011 -> 02:10 PM) where did you get the hat thats on the top row second from the right (in your sig)? Don't know if CLB saw your post, but I got mine at the place on the north side of 35th a few blocks west of the park, just a block or so west of the train viaduct. Can't remember the name of the place (Grandstands?), but it's great. That's a '26 hat BTW.

Lilli about to pass Dunn in homers, Pierre about to pass him in RBI. What a season!

QUOTE (flavum @ Aug 21, 2011 -> 01:29 PM) Viciedo was 2-4 last night. 3-3, 2 HR today. 11 days til the call up. Great news, but why do we want to wait 11 more days?