hi8is

QUOTE (GenericUserName @ Oct 2, 2017 -> 10:35 AM) Also no Luken Baker or Konor Pilkington, who other sites had rated very highly. On the HS side, no Alek Thomas, Joe Gray Jr, or Xavier Edwards. At this point, I would like any of those guys in the second round. If we do take De Sedas, I would like Pilkington, Gray, Thomas (in that order) to help balance the draft and what we already have in the system. Good call - I didn't even notice that Gray was omitted from this list. Really shows how deep this draft is and how much things change. We're going to see so much continued changes still even in the next 8 months. Muhahahahah - stoked.

QUOTE (Sockin @ Oct 2, 2017 -> 09:22 AM) It's up and has us taking Nander De Sadas. FWIW Seth Beer is not taken in the first round in this mock. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/mlb-m...8kCe5FhhRobK.97 Trip out - they have Kowar at pick 26!

QUOTE (Scoots @ Oct 2, 2017 -> 08:47 AM) Well, this is gonna sound cliche but i grew up watching that 05 team. My favorite childhood player is Pauly Konerko. Not only did he play the game the right way and dominate the league, he was the leader. The captain. And he did so much for the community. If memory serves I think he won a Roberto Clemente award. He was awesome with the fans and the kids, and he kept the clubhouse in line. I'm so sick of all these players in professional sports nowadays being so pompous and self-glorified. My favorite players are the ones that dominate the league, show excitement in their game and have fun, while at the same time being humble and crediting their team rather than themselves. Pauly embodied that to a tee. Nice! Konerko was indeed The Boss. That game that he got hit square in the face and stayed in the game... man, that was beastly. Mercy!!!

I'm personally just going to list out some World Series potentials that I'd enjoy: Indians beat the Cubs I'd enjoy this because it would be a rematch of that unbelievably competitive series last season. I'd also enjoy watching the Cubs get beat this time around. Wouldn't mind if the series ended up being a 4 game sweep on another 7 game extra inning nail biter. Dodgers beat the Yankees It has been a long time since my hometown's most historic team has won the hardware. It'd be cool to experience the vibe around town and seeing my son take in a local event like that would be very memorable. Having the two old school New York teams with such deep roots in this game would also be cool. Finally, it's always fantastic to watch the Yankee faithful get crushed, as their the only team in all of sports that I truly deeply passionately HATE. 6 or 7 games. Rockies beat the Astros This is my "underdog" series of choice... I'd love for Colorado to shock the world by even making it to the big dance and would really like seeing some of their youngsters preform on the biggest stage under the brightest lights. Why the Astros, you ask? Well... I'd like to see the Rockies sweep them because... the Astros. I doubt any of these matchups will occur... the Cubs aren't strong enough, the Yankees aren't deep enough, and the Rockies don't have much of an anchor. If money was on the line here my bet would be: Dodgers beat Red Sox in 6

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 08:28 PM) Umm, okay? Umm, yes... yes it is okay. Edit: Can't forget the wub.

QUOTE (ChiSoxJon @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 07:25 AM) Love how as soon as Hahn says he wants a Top 3 pick... Link me, por favor! I missed this one and would love to read his direct quote.

QUOTE (jamesdiego @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 10:51 AM) Sox have had the magic with the rebuild so far, maybe they could pull another rabbit out of their hat. Most definitely worth a shot. I would make a strong effort on what I think are selling points that might be very attractive to him. First is all the young potentially very good players. Make detailed highlight reels and bios on Abreu, Avi, Moncada, Giolito, Kopech, Jimenez, Robert, Hanson and others. He could really like the fact the young guys are new acquisitions like himself and they could grow into something special together. Play up the DH aspect of the American League. Yes, he could play first base but he would be able to get more at bats as a DH. He will probably need a day off after a pitching start even as a DH. But he may need more time if he needs to go out in the field for defense. I would sell hard the aspect of having Cooper as the pitching coach. Hi longevity and stability with the team, his ability to bring the very best out of pitchers. And his uncanny ability to keep more pitchers healthy than other teams, sell Herm and his magic too. Sell the fact we are the underdog. From reading that story he sounds like he is a different breed. Choosing the local underdog team instead of a more popular national one in high school. Forgoing hundreds of millions to come over to the Majors this year. He might not be so drawn to the most popular teams of the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Cubs. Sell the family feel/ loyalty aspect of the franchise. Maybe tell him the team would hire a close confidant of his to be with the club, along with a translator. Ask Tadahito to be a point man. He seems to have very good feelings of the club and his time here, perfect timing with him coming over and being with the team. Give Shingo a call as well. Might as well go all out for the kid, there is nothing to lose over a possible once in a generation player. He might very well like what he hears about the White Sox. Very unlikely, but I wouldn't put it past the team after what they pulled off this last year. Sure made me a believer. This is the best, most comprehensive overview of the slim potential that has been written... anywhere. You've even swayed me from "no chance in hell" to "99.998% there's no chance in hell"... And I was firmly fixed to that two one hundredths points.

QUOTE (Scoots @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 05:21 AM) This is really cool. Thanks for sharing. I didn't start following the Sox until 2004 (I was 10 years old) so I never got to experience Ventura as a player, or really even Big Frank for that matter. It's cool to see how both of these guys were toward fans. Thanks Scoots. While writing that out I actually had a thought wondering if anyone would relate to it as you did. Who are some of your all time favorite players from when you started being a fan in your younger years? QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 08:09 AM) Dude, that's awesome. And now you yourself are the b****en father! Seriously, how f***ing cool is that! Someday your boy will be on here talking about how the two of you saw young studs like Moncada, Jimenez, Giolito etc and the experiences that came with it. Stay cool hi8is. Dude - every time I take my boy to a ball game I get choked up in a very loving sentimental way. Can only imagine what it will be like to start playing catch with him, coaching his little league teams, and taking him to games one day after Sr. has moved on to greener pastures. ??

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 05:41 PM) It seemed like he had a hard time handling the clubhouse. You had a spoiled petulant ace throwing temper tantrums, cussing out front office personnel and cutting uniforms, you had a struggling DH's kid being treated like he was actually on the team, and you had a right fielder creating cliques in the clubhouse. Wow man - extremely well written - instantly makes me appreciate all the progress we made this year, in another light.

QUOTE (Real @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 04:06 PM) so who do you guys think the sox pick? James Dean. QUOTE (Real @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 04:06 PM) is there a huge drop off from 1 to 4 in talent? If the draft was tomorrow and you asked this question to the national writers - their response would be, "no." It's very possible that some player's performance next year alters that response thou.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 08:00 AM) Many thanks to flavum and chili for keeping us updated all season long on this 2017 tank run. Appreciate it dudes. I second this expression of the wub :wub:

QUOTE (soxforlife05 @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 10:01 PM) Dont know what to make of Fulmer. Probably will have a major league role in the long term but the wildly inconsistent performance is a little unsettling Let's all cement this into our heads for the next 8 months as a site-wide mantra.... 5 games started... 35 total innings pitched... 24 years old... 5 games started... 35 total innings pitched... 24 years old... 5 games started... 35 total innings pitched... 24 years old... 5 games started... 35 total innings pitched... 24 years old... 5 games started... 35 total innings pitched... 24 years old... 5 games started... 35 total innings pitched... 24 years old... 5 games started... 35 total innings pitched... 24 years old... 5 games started... 35 total innings pitched... 24 years old... 5 games started... 35 total innings pitched... 24 years old... edit: I don't think anyone is sold on Carson... and myself, I was conceding him to the bullpen already just a few weeks ago in August. So... the mantra applies to this dude as well.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Apr 2, 2017 -> 09:46 AM) I'll go with 68 wins. If we do somehow win 75+ hopefully it's because Moncada/Giolito/Lopez/Burdi/Abreu/Anderson/Rodon/Frazier/Quintana are vastly exceeding expectations and not because we got some run differential luck. Dude - fantastic call. I hope you end up -1 on that guess thou

QUOTE (flavum @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 08:50 PM) Overall, it was a good year for the rebuild.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 08:57 PM) ... he seems to be an outstanding person ... For 8 years, every single season between 1990 to 1998 - my dad and I would go see every Sox game against the Angels. hi8is Sr. was a really b****en father... it didn't matter if it was a 3 or 4 game set... every single game we would get there about 3 hours before the gates opened for batting practice and we would then stay after the game was over for about 2 additional hours. Before and after games Ventura became someone we relied on being able to not just get a signature from - but also to have some of his time. He'd spend at least a few minutes per year taking with my pops and it was obvious that Ventura came to recognize him after a couple years. The Big Hurt was similar in that he was just a stand up guy in that setting. His method for signing was to have everyone line up... he'd stand and sign after games more often than not for over an hour until everyone had their memento. If it was daylight out, he would always willingly pose for as many pictures as people requested during this process... always flashing his patent pending smile. Those two players are the reason I latched onto the Sox and never let go. Thomas more so than Ventura -- but the point is that yes, in my personal experience -- Ventura was one of the best on and off the field.

QUOTE (soxforlife05 @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 09:59 PM) That was the idea behind getting the top pick... Uhhhhh.... I completely do not understand or concur. but I still wub you, man.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 08:46 PM) Look at the bright side. This should be the last thread if it's kind for a long time. Hell yes - I completely understand and concur.

At least the Phillies are gonna end up losing tonight. That brings my "discontent level" down to a 6. Edit: Please Baseball Gods - my prayers this season have rarely been answered... but please... please... please... PLEASE have the White Sox lose tomorrow while making the Reds somehow miraculously beat the Cubs.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 07:03 AM) Considering we're up against Kubler today - I'm hoping for a 3 - 1 loss. Of course, we WIN the god damned game because... baseball. Figures. Instead of having a chance at #3 - we're at #5 now and have to lose tomorrow while getting a Reds win.

QUOTE (flavum @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 05:03 PM) It would something if the Phillies dropped to 5th tomorrow after being 1st most of the season. They're up 2-0 No joke!!!

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 04:34 PM) Lets go Phillies! We're the biggest Phanatic's their are in the world right now! Go Phanatic's, Go! Go Scalpers, Go! ( squared )

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 08:21 AM) I am not proclaiming him dead, but very clearly not in the same tier as Eloy, Kopech, Hansen, and Robert. word.

Considering we're up against Kubler today - I'm hoping for a 3 - 1 loss. Fulmer goes 8IP with 0 ER 1 R. Bullpen gives up 2 runs in the 9th. Kubler goes CG with 1ER, a solo Moncada shot. L Not likely all around but I'm just saying today's loss probability is high. Then we've got Volestad to close out 2017... so we're looking good IMO.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 05:57 AM) Tony, that's a funny thought. I probably have played that role. Seriously, having a player play all 9 positions in final game has been done before, so it's not a big deal anymore, if it ever was. Campy Campaneris (sp) did it decades ago, probably when I was your age. Others have, too. Minor league teams do it often to give themselves something to talk about, but it is not a big deal. But if it floats your boat, I am all for it. It doesn't happen every day, is of note, and hell - I've never seen it occur in modern Major League Baseball. Closest thing I've seen was that Will Farrel spring training spectacle. That last message from you was a bit - ummmm... sour?