flavum

Webb--beer shower

Wow, Surkamp's outing went to hell quick.

Complete game 7 ip performance for Beck. Beckham 0-4, k

Beck excellent so far. 6 ip, 3 h, 2 k, the rest zeros Surkamp 3 ks in the first two innings

Thompson single, hitting .375 --love it. Kevan Smith, rbi double Beck on the mound

QUOTE (bshah723 @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 04:59 PM) Can you Explain the Cubs being bad hurts the sox theory? In a nutshell, when the Cubs are good, they pack their park with demand to spare. That demand spills over to people that decide to go to a White Sox game. And just overall baseball interest in the city. We're the diehards that only love the Sox, but there are people that just want to go to a baseball game for entertainment.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 12:53 PM) Beckham "upping his trade value" is such a ridiculous notion. I know where you're coming from, but he actually has to play major league games in order to get traded before August 1st.

It's a 'whatever' topic. When the Sox get really good, they'll draw 30K+, especially when school is out. All of the reasons are valid not to go to a game: -rebuilding/young team that isn't expected to win (some people need a winner to go) -coming off a 99 loss season -harsh winter probably scared people off from buying April tickets in advance (can you blame them?) -Cubs being bad hurts the Sox (a theory I've heard before and makes some sense) -local minor league teams more affordable for families that want to go to a game, even though it's an inferior product -traffic (tired when you get there, regret the next day when you get home at 11:30/midnight) -cold. Nobody in their right mind would walk up tonight, when there are 70+ games to choose from the rest of the season It's fun to go to a baseball game, but there just aren't enough Sox fans to penetrate all 81 home games. They'll draw 1.6-1.7 mil this year, and once the team is better, it will go up over 2 mil, which is good for the White Sox.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 07:37 PM) 6 weeks to go. When do our draft gurus speculate on whe Sox pick for Round 2? Pick #39, I believe. 52 days, but who's counting...

Purcey is pitching his 3rd inning. Two more walks...he's still on the mound. He doesn't throw enough strikes. Had some bad luck...double play ball hit the umpire that extended the inning.

QUOTE (Cerbaho-WG @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 09:26 PM) Stick him in the pen with two pitches and he'll be fine. Well, that's a thought. I never want to see him start for the Sox again.

Rienzo blows. He really does. Purcey, 2 shutout innings, 2 hits, 2 bb. Enough with the walks. Keon Barnum--Kannapolis by June or sooner?

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 09:03 PM) This new rule where you have to have a clean transfer to the throwing hand on a force out is ridiculous. Arencibia just caught a ball on a force at home, but bobbled the transfer (he clearly caught the ball) and they called the runner safe at home. The runner was nowhere near home plate. Instant replay was supposed to make sure the close plays were called correctly. Not stupid crap like that. Totally agree. That has been the worst thing about replay. Nobody on either side of that call wants it enforced that way. That's a rule that should be looked at immediately and changed.

Whatever it takes to get Beckham out of town sooner rather than later, I'm for.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 10:32 AM) Who are you calling up? Mitchell Boggs? Dylan Axelrod? Duente Heath? I'm not seeing improvement, and sure not seeing a higher ceiling. Guerra and Putnam are realistic options. Maybe Purcey. Hey, I'll admit it, I was thinking Nate Jones was getting sent down last year in May, and he turned it around. Downs may too. But with the lack of a long reliever in the pen, the Sox need to do something there.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 10:09 AM) Anybody that argues they need to replace Johnson after 2 starts is incredibly out of touch with this franchise. And just for the record, I'm not in that camp. Johnson should get 30+ starts this season unless there's an attitude problem or his ERA is 6+ in mid-June. Paulino may have a shorter leash, but the Sox would need somebody in AAA they feel can be better.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 09:56 AM) Rebuilding isn't "fun". It is painful. It means suffering through bad performances in the name of building for the future. By bringing in a guy like Downs, it means they felt the people they had on board now weren't ready, and it might hurt them to be pushed into the majors already, or they have already given up on them. That didn't change in 13 games. This team isn't going to eat $4 million after 13 games, especially when there is a pretty good chance Downs turns it around and at least becomes a trade piece for nothing else other than salary relief. It would be stupid to release a guy based on 5 appearances and 1.2 IP when they aren't going anywhere, anyway. I agree they shouldn't release Downs, but based on his performance in spring and so far this season, a two week phantom injury wouldn't hurt anyone. My main point is, yes, have realistic expectations about this team. But in the process, maybe not say how bad this team is at every turn. Because they are not a bad team. And baseball is a weird game. You never know what might happen.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 09:37 AM) You guys need to focus on the fact this team isnt contending, we arent going to "fix" an issue this early in season when we need development. Yes, the Sox shouldn't go out and try to fix something right now. Like trading Beck or Jaye for a bullpen arm, or something like that. That would be dumb. But this is baseball, and the offense is producing and the rotation has 3 good pitchers, including a true ace. There's nothing wrong with tinkering with the pen and trying to fix some problems internally. As far as "this team isn't contending", again, what fun is that for a fan? Hell, they could have had the same attitude in 1990 with a young team. What did they do? Had a really fun team that over achieved and won 94 games. Now, will this team win 94? No. But in the era of the second wild card, 88 wins isn't out of the question...especially in mid-April.

Pedroia back in Boston getting his wrist examined. Good for the White Sox.

QUOTE (glangon @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 08:23 AM) I'm not too worried with the bullpen as I believe that guys like Lindstrom, Belllisario and Downs will settle down. What is encouraging is that the young guys like Petricka, Cleto and Webb seem to be pitching well and it will be a tough choice for Robin to make when Jones comes back. I think we'll see Lindstrom remain as closer until Jones comes back and if there is no improvement by then, then Robin will look at Jones once he is fully fit again. As for Veal, I think he is on the way out. I reckon we may see him waived soon and Charlie Leesman, eric Surkamp or David Purcey called up in his place. I don't think Veal is going anywhere yet. He's shown flashes of being pretty good against lefties. Downs on the other hand...he should be told tomorrow he has tendonitis and hit the DL for a couple weeks.

First pitch tomorrow night--37 degrees.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 13, 2014 -> 10:19 PM) GoT: satisfying. Mad Men: boring. Yeah, it's going to get better, but that wasn't riveting television last night. I almost want to pass on the next six shows, and just wait another year, as a protest to the 7/7 split.

Rondon 3-6, hitting .298.

It's not a team where you hit the panic button and do something drastic right now. Try to fix the problem internally, and then if the team is still in it at the break, then do something. Webb should close.

QUOTE (Bigsoxhurt35 @ Apr 13, 2014 -> 07:00 PM) Not me, it was the right move. And I like Avi. Cleto can't be the closer. His command is entirely too inconsistent. Hope Webb gets a chance Cleto in the 8th, Webb in the 9th. It's not going to be perfect, but better than what's going on now.