hi8is

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Apr 19, 2011 -> 07:01 PM) I find it funny that, almost immediately after a thread was created saying that things can't get worse, they got worse. Actually, I'd rather see this than what our bullpen displayed. The offense will be fine and isn't a concern for me.

QUOTE (docsox24 @ Apr 19, 2011 -> 07:13 PM) I am just saying that I don't consider it a setback when he hasn't even made much progress towards returning. Him being at 70 pitches and having discomfort in the lat while building to 90 is a setback - and it's not a good sign - no matter how you take it. Let's see what the reports bring today... Bummer.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 19, 2011 -> 03:04 AM) I just want to reiterate what was said throughout the thread - it could get worse from there. It has. Overall, it will get better from here. Just hope that they can hit the ball a bit tomorrow. Yep - it's going to turn around... I just hope the bullpen comes around now as well! It's still early and we'll get to firing on all cylinders at some point - hopefully it's soon!!!

what a bummer today has been in white sox nation.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Apr 14, 2011 -> 09:37 PM) I plan on being in Seattle to see the Sox beat up on the Mariners May 6-8. Anyone else going to be at SAFECO? I was there last in 2005 and saw the Sox go 2-1 versus the Mariners My good Sir - I am pleased to inform you that you're not alone in your Seattle / Soxtalk representation as I too will be in attendance for this series. I recommend you check out the ace hotel and if you want a nice meal - look into Sunday brunch at ivars and a seafood dinner at cutters. Lets plan on sitting together for the games. Cheers!

QUOTE (kapzk @ Apr 14, 2011 -> 06:47 PM) Didnt we just add Jeff Grey by sending down Milledge.... so can`t we just send down Grey once Peavy returns? Dingdingding Easy peasy

QUOTE (scenario @ Apr 14, 2011 -> 05:58 PM) Someone needs to tell our bullpen that "all in" does not apply to inherited baserunners. Bwahahahahahaha

QUOTE (MEANS @ Apr 14, 2011 -> 05:06 PM) Our offense is what has been playing over their heads. I'm not so sure of this. Rios will be hitting better than he has thus far. AJ also falls into this category. Another variable is that Dunn has not contributed to our offensive statistics during a portion of the first 12 games. Pierre, Konerko, Carlos, and Alexi should see a drop off of varrying degrees but those who are off to slower starts will pick up as well. It may just be the case this year that our offense is at the top of the majors at the dish this season. I also expect our starters to continue doing this well - maybe with a slight increase in WHIP. Once the bullpen gets on track - well be ready to roll out some nice winning streaks. I'm also booking a nice shot in the arm with Peavy coming in May and Humber taking over for Pena. As bad as it's looked thus far - sifting through the ugliness... There is a lot to be happy about for the 2011 Sox

Only thing of interest here is your last stat showing how our success rate has been between the 65 and 70 range. That's where we'll end up - this debacle won't last all year.

Our pen will get straightened out. Adam Dunn is back in the lineup. Juan Pierre can't keep making so many errors and mental mistakes. We're 7 and 5 after playing some of the worst ball possible... Let's take this as a sign that this team will be down right dangerous when our ship is righted.

It was nice to see Ozzie stop being a diplomat and start showing his aggravation in the post game interview today. Looks like it's Sanots time - we really have no other options it seems. Man, it was disappointing to see Sale unable to lock it down - I was happy to see him coming in at the top of the ninth... Disappointing to say the least but I really think that this will get worked out and we will look back at the start of the year as our worst ball of the year. Hopefully it turns around right now though because 7 and 5 isn't bad at all... We just need to turn the corner with the pen and our D

QUOTE (Be Good @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 08:25 PM) Why don't we just go 'closer by committee' with Sale, Santos, Crain & Pena. Once Thornton gets his act together in the 7th/8th inning or when the Sox are behind, then we can give him another shot. But at this point there's no need to conitnue with him in the 9th. Because there is no point in having a committee if either Sale or Santos can prove to be effective 90+ percent of the time - which I feel is the case here with our two best options.

QUOTE (G&T @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 06:47 PM) If the bullpen executes, Ozzie is brilliant. If not, then he sucks. It's about the only thing an AL manager has to do, and if they aren't doing their job, then the manager always looks bad. I agree to an extent here - however, if the pen struggles and the manager takes action rather than being blinded by pride and complacency... then the manage in question looks good - rather than bad. If things don't change by the time the LAA series is over - definitive changes have to be made or Kenny needs to hold Ozzie accountable... At that time it's on his shoulders for being passive.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 06:25 PM) That's what you said. A humbling task - indeed.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 04:35 PM) So gonads is a key to closing but not coming in in the 7th inning of a run game with the bases loaded? With the way Thornton is pitching right now he would be struggling just as much in the 7th or 8th as in the 9th. He isn't locating his pitches and his velocity is down. If this was my team and I'd witnessed these first ten games... Santos would close, sale would setup, Crain would be my number one righty, Pena would be my long man, Ohman would be my third lefty, and Thornton would be my situational lefty. He needs to be back in the role best suited for him and the LOOGY role is it at this present moment when you factor in his current struggles. I don't like how forgiving and tolerant Ozzie has been in his handling with the pen thus far... Something's gotta give soon - either Thorntons troubles or Ozzies pride. The managerial staff ( Cooper and Kenny included ) made the wrong choice in naming Matt the closer - flat out. If he turns it around ( which I hope he does - I just don't believe it ) I'll let soxtalk nation pick anything they want through a board wide poll to replace my peavy sig.

This sure is a telling statistic: • The White Sox have two losses in games during which they led after eight innings. The team finished 76-3 in 2010 when leading after eight.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 04:26 PM) Pierre is a fine defender, he tripped yesterday, s*** happens. If you give Matt the benefit of the doubt, Pierre deserves it too. I'm not in the corner of those giving Matt a free ride or of the belief that he'll pull out of it. We need to get someone in these games who has the stuff now to get the job done. Poor hitting teams have been mashing Matt and the only thing in the way of Ozzie continuing to trott him out is pride. Swallow it, Ozzie.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 05:15 AM) The time to iron out kinks was spring training. These count just as much as the ones in Sept. We have a pretty tough first half and we are not a second half team. So we need to get out to a fast start and need to capitalize on teams with weak offenses or bad teams when we play them. This division has been a pretty tight affair for a few years. We need to beat the teams we should, play 500 against the good teams and kick the s*** out of our division. We can't afford extra outs and we can't keep giving it up. Absoluetly agree - I'm not making excuses for the team but rather just looking at the current state of things. All they need to do is put Sale or Santos in the closers role yesterday... I'm just fearful of how long Ozzie will continue giving matt chances like this... That is a scary thought. They should have ironed out the kinks in the bullpen in the spring but they clearly made the wrong choice with Matt. We're what, 6 and 4 after the first 10 games? All be it that we should have three more wins but I'm still hopeful that these mistakes and poor performances can be righted quickly - allowing us to really get on a roll and see what I believe will be a great white sox team.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 03:58 AM) It was a dumb call. Feel free to shake off your catcher anytime Matt. Same with Crain after everybody wiffs at his curveball...Castro for some reason calls for a heater. Pathetic.... Crain missed his spot on the homerun.

Hang this one on Ozzie for pulling Mark, Juan for failing to put glue in his glove AGAIN, and Matt for throwing a flat pitch on a 1 - 2 count to start off the 9th with a double. We can still iron out these kinks and I really think that the 2011 white sox will be special - hopefully this is some of the worst ball we see all year and hopefully we win the next two against the A's.

I think it's great they are having him not make the jump up from 75 to 100 right away and are rather having him make another start with the same pitch count. Good to see. Go Jake!

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Apr 10, 2011 -> 04:14 PM) People think he's hurt again this spring and are fully ignoring the fact that the bump was expected, and it was more or less a symptom of not pitching forever. It's funny Heads - on the Dan Ryan I was talking to an elderly woman who is an avid fan. I brought up Jake and asked her thoughts on him. She said, "What do I think of Peavy? I think his arm fell off again." This was said in reference to the tendentious. It's pretty silly the nature some people have to say things like this which really are just stemming from ignorance - thou, they masquerade and believe it to be fact. You can't talk anyone out of their beliefs too - so, it's moot to discuss anything with someone who has such contempt prior to investigation.

I really like this quote from Humber: Specifically - the part about "allowing yourself to get out of the way." In any productive craft or creative endeavor - this is so true. Baseball and life relate so closely in terms of the lessons that can be applied and gleaned.

QUOTE (JohnCangelosi @ Apr 10, 2011 -> 11:26 AM) Yes I have been hard on MT regarding his ability to close but there is no doubt the guy has the physical tools to do it and do it well. However, that said, I still like him in the setup role and with Sale in there closing. It didn't bother me one bit he gave up a homer yesterday, he kept dealing and generally looked confident out there. Word

So far so good for Humber... even though it was against a weakened and depleted Tampa Bay line up - it can't be anything but encouraging.