UofIChiSox

I too feel that there is no way that we can have Contreras continue starting like that. I know baseball is a team sport, but last night's loss can be put squarely on his shoulders. I know his record is 3-5 now, but what would it be if our team hadn't bailed him out and gotten him into no decision situations? Anywhere else and Contreras would probably be about 2-10. That being said, I don't see any way to possibly be able to move him unless maybe we're willing to pay him to pitch for another team, but then again, maybe we'd be better off with that.

That's pretty sweet, I've read McSweeney's before as well.

I always get one dynasty going with the Illini, then also like to take a midmajor to national dominance, in the past I've used North Texas back when they had the huge dude nicknamed Booger, Akron is usually a good one, Utah State, crap teams like that. That or else I create a team with a bunch of my friends and other random fake people. Nick Smith was my quarterback a couple years ago, he was amazing.

Can somebody explain the Bandits to me? I mean, I know they're a pro softball team, and they seem to have a lot of hotties and talent, but do they play in any sort of league? I saw them once on Comcast and they were playing the China National Team, that had to be an exhibition though. Are they all exhibitions? I certainly can't complain about watching Jennie Finch pitch from the center field camera angle!

I hope this deal doesn't get done, since the hockey lockout, my alma mater went to the Final Four and my baseball team has the best record in the majors. These two facts have undoubtedly been caused by the lack of hockey, and bringing hockey back will cause my baseball team to tank and my alma mater to fall back to mediocrity!

QUOTE(SpringfieldFan @ Jul 1, 2005 -> 03:35 AM) To be honest, though, I would rather have no Sox players in the all star game. This season holds far too much promise for anyone to be getting hurt in a "popularity contest". SFF yeah, but this popularity contest will determine whether there will be 3 or 4 World Series games at The Cell in November.

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ May 17, 2005 -> 04:33 PM) so, basically the question is: should a bussiness ever turn down money? :headshake Exactly, Sox Fans attending are better than Cubs fans attending, but Cubs fans attending are better than empty seats.

I wonder if he'll be booed at his games this year.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ May 17, 2005 -> 06:26 PM) Who cares what number is what? I'm not worried about that. I just think it'd be beneficial for the arms in our pen if the people that don't pitch as many innings (Count and Duque) were to be split up at some time. I don't think anything could be done until the ASB anyways. I see where you're coming from, but I wouldn't tinker with anything too much. Maybe at the All-Star break if everyone else is coming back rested go ahead and switch it up, have El Duque pitch 3 and Contreras 5, that would work. I wouldn't mess too much though during times when we don't have a few days off.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ May 17, 2005 -> 06:30 PM) What is the purpose of the hitting coach then besides to be a cheerleader. If its not that important and it really doesnt matter why not just eliminate it all together. The hitting coach to me just studies every player's swing and gives suggestions. BUT, the bottom line is that it's still the players who have to go perform. A previous poster said that Manual had a lot of hitting coaches with little change, and I agree with that. It's a strange position, because I don't know if there is much of a difference from one hitting coach to another. Personally, I don't think there is, it's better to have one than not to, so there's no need to get rid of the position, but has anyone ever heard of a team winning because of their hitting coach? Who are some of the greatest historical hitting coaches? I guess my point is, if we fired Walker and hired somebody else, I don't think that much would change.

QUOTE(Chisoxrd5 @ May 17, 2005 -> 01:24 PM) Am I the only one who doesnt want to bring back players like Michael Ruffin and Donyell Marshall from the Forget-a-bulls era??? My thoughts exactly, it didn't work then, let's try something new.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ May 17, 2005 -> 03:21 PM) The way they are talking about the NBA CBA, it sounds like a pretty solid bet there will be a 20 year age minimum. Oden has repeatedly said, to most analysts' amazement and disbelief, that he wants to go to college. After seeing what LeBron has done, it's pretty amazing that the no doubt about it #1 high schooler would go to college.

I like it a lot, I look forward to seeing some of your stuff with other guys!

QUOTE(Steff @ May 16, 2005 -> 10:47 PM) I assumed that you and Nuke were facetious in your replies. Well I was and I wasn't, I don't expect every game to sellout, I do wish we had better attendance though. Most of all I hope we continue to win 3 out of every 4 games!

I can only speak for myself, but I'm definitely most concerned about how the team does on the field. At the same time, ANY of the players will tell you that they love to play in front of a full house and play their best then. I'm interested in the players playing their best, so it's all related. When I turn on a game, I hate seeing blue seats, I still watch the whole game though.

QUOTE(Steff @ May 16, 2005 -> 09:53 PM) How many sell outs would be good enough for you...? 81 Regular Season 2 in ALDS 2 in ALCS 2 in World Series That's 87.

QUOTE(my5thbench @ May 16, 2005 -> 10:01 PM) Ozzie should be on any minute now....... sumpthin' about he tells it like it is......... ain't it great to be a Sox fan! bench please recap for those of us in a room without cable! I'm sure it'll just be a little bit about Thomas.

I just hope he hasn't lost his eye with all the time away. The homers will be nice, but if he can walk a lot, and end up consistently being on base two times a game, that'll be as huge a lift to our offense as the power.

I'd say Dye, but if it were 3 games against a different opponent, such as Dye vs. Detroit Hidalgo vs. Detroit I'd go with Hidalgo. That's a better measure, IE, if both hitters faced the same pitchers, I'd take Hidalgo.

One blown lead is too many.

Everett >>>> Dye offensively, Dye slightly > than Everett defensively. I'd play Dye against most lefties and Everett against most righties. This has Thomas as the everyday DH. If Everett does get hurt, Dye can step right in.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ May 16, 2005 -> 05:17 AM) I certainly didn't expect them to light the world on fire this season I didn't either, I was so confused all offseason how Cubs fans and media people thought that even after losing Sosa, Alou, and Clement the Cubs were the best team around. I mean, Gammons picked them to go to the world series, right? It's easy to say now, but I didn't ever really think they would be able to replace Sosa's and Alou's bats in the middle of their lineup or Clement's quality innings. Oh well, I don't mind watching the Cubs suffer!!

My vote is for the home series against Arizona, June 13th.

I wonder how much Frank really did run this team in the mid-90s. Anybody have any further information on this behind the scenes stuff, or was Kruk maybe just a little jealous that he wasn't the big gun?

boob or not, I like the jist of what he has to say.