JPN366

QUOTE (WCSox @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 03:26 PM) That's because a lot of people believe that A-Rod's an image-obsessed, contrived phony. David Ortiz has the type of personality that's almost impossible to dislike, and nobody knows what banned substance he tested positive for. For all we know, he may have just continued to pop greenies or take something sold at GNC. Manny also had a long and very impressive resume of post-season success by the time that he signed with Boston (and continued playing at a high level thereafter). Right or wrong, being a bad-ass in the playoffs can mitigate a number of sins. I dislike Ortiz, mostly because he's overrated.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 02:36 PM) And the soon to be WS winning 3rd baseman. I meant that Manny and Ortiz weren't vilified as brutally as A-Rod.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 2, 2009 -> 02:03 PM) MLB: "Stop putting those needles in your arm" Manny: "Why can I only hit the ball 150 feet all of a sudden?" It's funny how him and Ortiz got away with it.

QUOTE (scenario @ Oct 29, 2009 -> 01:16 PM) C.J. Retherford opening eyes with bat and glove October 29, 2009 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- C.J. Retherford is not tall, lanky, graceful or swift. He can hit the long ball but lacks a true power stroke. He can field his position, though it's not always pretty. But playing for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League, the White Sox infield prospect continues to thrive on the intangibles that have propelled him to Major League Baseball's finishing school without much in the toolbox. "I want to prove to myself that I can do it even though people doubt me," said Retherford, a stocky 5 feet 10 inches, 190 pounds. "Deep down I know I can do it." Only lightly recruited out of high school, Retherford spent two years at a junior college before landing a spot as a utility player at Arizona State. He never became a regular, and his numbers were underwhelming. The size of his heart wasn't. "I don't fit the typical image of a ballplayer," said Retherford, 24. "But I was always taught to have a work ethic and play the game hard for all nine innings." Retherford went undrafted after his senior year but signed with the Sox as a free agent in 2007. "I wanted to play every day, and I went out and played and have done well since," he said. That's for sure. He has hit at every level -- rookie ball, high Class A and Double A -- averaging 35 doubles, three triples, 13 homers and 65 RBIs. He led all of minor-league baseball last summer with 46 doubles. And last week in Arizona, he homered in his first at-bat against superstar-in-waiting Stephen Strasburg. "The White Sox said I deserved to be here and wanted to see me up against the best of the rest," said Retherford, hitting .364 with four multiple-hit games in nine starts and just four strikeouts in 36 plate appearances. "So I'm trying to get better every day, offensively, defensively, in all areas of the game." But can he find a position? He played primarily third base his first two pro seasons but spent most of 2009 at second, where he put up a .981 fielding percentage. "I've felt more comfortable at third, but now that I've been playing more at second, I feel good there," said Retherford, who has made three errors in Arizona. "There's a lot more responsibility there. I feel like I'm locked into the game better in the middle of the field. It sort of highlights my ability to help the team." Retherford is a classic overachiever. And Sox fans love grinders. Stereotype, meet generalization. "I feel I can prove myself at every level," Retherford said. "I want a shot." That's C.J. being C.J.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Oct 27, 2009 -> 12:49 PM) Gruden says too many over the top sayings like "The Eagles are better at running the scramble play than any team I have ever seen," and "Shawn Merriman eats nails for breakfast." I like him because he brings a midwest flavor to the table, but he uses absolutes a bit too much for my taste. I think he'll get better. Mike Patrick is the same way. He falls waaayy too much in love with whomever the players on the field at the game he is calling at the time. Those exact players are always the best in the league. Gruden also said Monday night that Donovan McNabb was durable, I guess he was too busy the last few years to notice how injury prone he is. But, of course, nobody at ESPN is allowed to be honest about McNabb.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Oct 27, 2009 -> 09:40 AM) Best: Al Michaels Brent Musberger Dick Enberg Jim Nantz Ernie Johnson Bob Costas Jay Bilas (when he takes his Dookie glasses off) Gus Johnson Bill Raftery Worst: Tim McCarver John Madden (wide margin) Billy Packerd Bill Walton Chris Berman Chip Caray Dick Vitale (the blatant ACC homerism is too much for me to take...I don't mind him when he acts sane though) I've heard that Al Michaels is an epic a$$hole from people who've encountered him and have worked with him. Cris Collinsworth clearly doesn't like him based on comments he makes towards him and body language. What does everybody think of Jon Gruden? I think he's not quite ready for primetime yet.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Oct 26, 2009 -> 09:25 PM) Honestly, I respect your opinion a lot because I know you have some insight that a lot of us don't, with you being so close to the Barons and all, but come on, man. Being the GM of a professional football team is one of the most demanding and difficult of jobs there are. The men and hopefully soon to be women serving as General Managers are all incredibly intelligent, or they wouldn't have gotten to the point that they are or were. To claim that you can't value their opinion in regards to their respective sports because they didn't get the job done while they had the job is ridiculous. Steve Phillips has infinitely more knowledge regarding the game of baseball than any of us has here, and you can't listen to him because he failed with the Mets? And yet you come here to read the posts of random whackjobs like us on a message board? I'm not saying that they are stupid or that their jobs weren't difficult. Just simply stating my opinion. I just don't like them. As someone said, it's all subjective. What would I do without random whackjobs?

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Oct 26, 2009 -> 04:44 PM) Joe Morgan is the number 1 color guy... Hey, wait a minute...oh, nevermind Anyway, I just never liked Steve Phillips. I couldn't take his opinions seriously because of how badly he did as a GM. I mean, does anybody really want to hear what Matt Millen has to say on ESPN? Phillips had the same problem that Sean Salisbury had, they harped on one thing all the time. You could have a drinking game over how many times Phillips said "Big Papi blah blah blah" or how many times Salisbury mentioned Tom Brady.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Oct 26, 2009 -> 01:14 PM) Well, I'm sure he'll eventually land on his feet over at MLB Network. Harold Reynolds did. That would be a disaster.

Like I said, the only explanation is that they're giving him a free pass to fifth base.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Oct 26, 2009 -> 09:40 AM) I have gotten to the point where I believe that about just about every sports commentator/analyst that ESPN employs. True, but he was especially bad. I'm still to this day flabbergasted about some of the things he said. According to him, Tom Brady was the most mobile QB in the NFL because he could move around in the pocket.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Oct 26, 2009 -> 06:33 AM) Watch what you say, Salisbury is suing Deadspin for defamation and slander, and it directly involves the allegations that Salisbury took pics of himself and sent them to a staffer. he just might sue you too! I don't care what he did or didn't do with his ding-a-ling, I just thought he was the worst football commentator ever.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 25, 2009 -> 09:11 PM) way to go Steve, you lost your cush job and your marriage for Meg Griffin...hope the 30 seconds were worth it He was the Sean Salisbury of baseball, good riddance.

Phillips fired

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Oct 22, 2009 -> 03:25 PM) I would be shocked if we see him at ESPN again. Good, he was awful anyway, especially on the games he did. It's funny to think now about the ads they did hyping him as some baseball expert earlier this season.

Will he tell Eric Karros how ridiculous his hair is?

QUOTE (danman31 @ Oct 22, 2009 -> 01:56 AM) I don't think CC technology is that good yet. Usually a person does that live, but with Ozzie they may just give up trying.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Oct 21, 2009 -> 03:35 PM) He's going to have to have an outstanding ST to make the team, but he's already a better player than Wise if he's fully healthy. Ozzie insisted they get a Wise clone.

Those people at ESPN need to be neutered. It's like Caligula there. There must not be sh** else to do in Bristol, Connecticut.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Oct 21, 2009 -> 11:36 AM) oh really? I thought 5th base meant you were getting 2 cups Nope.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Oct 21, 2009 -> 11:32 AM) yeah see, its right there, behind the knee A little higher.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Oct 21, 2009 -> 12:31 PM) His issues are he likes getting his dick wet and has low morals.

She must have waived him on to fifth base, that would be the only explanation. At least he better have, otherwise, why bother?

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Oct 21, 2009 -> 09:33 AM) It was pretty clear from his GM career that Steve Phillips was never the best judge of “talent.”

I don't know if anyone has said this but Eric Karros' hair is ridiculous.