daggins

I am, yeah. I've heard Hawk call a few games. This still seems pretty par-for-course.

Yeah let me clarify, this is exactly what I expect and there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of it. I just don't consider this interview to be a serious critical or analytical appraisal of the 2011 White Sox Edit - or anything besides the usual fluff

To be honest I couldn't find much of anything at all from guys that I consider to be equals of Hawk because...those people don't really exist. Oddball homers with experience at virtually every level of an organization are a rare breed. The piece does stick to the basic tenants of org fluff though: 1. This is why things didn't work out last year 2. This is how the team addressed these issues this offseason 3. This is why you should be excited about X team in 2012. You will definitely see these exact kind of pieces from the media surrounding 29 out of 30 teams this time of year, with slight variations in the discussion of the St. Louis Cardinals.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 23, 2012 -> 10:36 AM) For the guy who is pretty much the real face of the organization to say what he said, that really isn't fluff. I'd challenge you to find another announcer who had those kinds of things to say about their own team. I spent a good 10 minutes trying to find something like this and it just doesn't exist. Part of that is that, in fact, announcers are paid to fluff their teams. Part of it is that this material tends to be hard to Google. Part of it is that Hawk is actually pretty unique in his position within the organization as a mouthpiece, and part of it is that the article really isn't very critical of the Sox or KW. It is critical of Ozzie (ok, but thats easy) and it points out some very obvious truths about the Sox (the OF defense has been lousy for years, and they have lousy Spring Trainings) but still maintains that the Sox are right there with the other teams in the ALC in terms of talent (thus shielding Williams from scorn). It defends Rios and Dunn. It grasps for optimism in every possible detail. Its fluff.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Jan 23, 2012 -> 10:03 AM) It charges me up to hear Hawk speak. What can I say. When he talks about Dunn being literally and figuratively large. Making total nonsense statements followed by harsh criticisms of what has been going on here. He's such a mixed bag and while I wouldn't do his job the way he does it, I can't help but appreciate him on some level. edit:nonsense #1 Morel's september being indicative of...anything I didn't watch his Sept. too closely so i'm not sure if there was any change in his approach or if he was just lucky. The power was obviously flukey but any improvement that isn't purely luck-based must be seen as a good sign. Also it sounds like you have a touch of Stockholm Syndrome w/r/t Hawk Harrelson.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 23, 2012 -> 10:22 AM) I'm not sure what you expect from a teams announcer. Fluff, which is what this is. It would be difficult to read it as anything else. Which I guess is why I made that post. But this is the part of the offseason where I am desperate for anything baseball related.

It's still mostly fluff. I'm glad he is down with the idea of Alejandro De Aza, MLB Centerfielder. The OF defense has a chance to be better but right field in USCF is apparently to be perpetually manned by statues. I liked the dig at Belle too.

I mean, that isn't what I meant at all but other than that, good point. He hasn't run the org into the ground because he hates the White Sox, he's done it because he is a terrible GM.

Also, for the people who think Dunn is going to bounce back, its not impossible, but I think it will be more of a dead cat variety. As far as a comp, you don't have to look too far back - In his age 33 season, Richie Sexson simply stopped hitting the ball with any authority. 2 years later he was done.

How long do you think KW can milk that particular cow? It is not an unfair assessment to say he has spent the last 5 years or so running the Sox into the ground.

I cleaned it up, man. I'm not some kind of savage.

Hey dude, yeah its an old username of mine. Last night I was having wine and some went down the wrong pipe and I ended up spraying wine all over our new IKEA table. OT I know sry guys. Getting back to the Sox, their starting SS in 2012 will NOT I repeat NOT be Eduardo Escobar or Ozzie Martinez.

Guys alexei isn't going anywhere.

True, though none of those guys have the upside of Danks. Molina and Castro could get MLB time this year, and both have some upside, so obviously i'd rather 2012 be their 2007 year.

Molina - Should be better than #5 Stewart - Should end up a good pen arm Santiago - Real wild card, no idea what to expect here. Castro - Will either bomb out or be better than #5 Axelrod - Possible mop up guy, of the ones listed he is the most likely to be #5, especially if the trades continue.

Bit early to project this given KW's unpredictable nature. That said I picture most of these guys in bullpen roles by the end of 2012 anyways. PS you forgot Charles Leesman

An OF of Rios/Cespedes/Viciedo with De Aza backing up is a possibility. Rios had a lousy year but was also fairly unlucky so I wouldn't put it past him to be decent next year.

Not sure how anyone can justify keeping KW around after this offseason. He is now likely a consensus bottom 5 GM in the MLB

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Dec 21, 2011 -> 11:29 PM) So basically, KW couldn't stomach the thought of rebuilding and chickened out. I mean JR was probably like WHATWHATWHAT when he heard KW say the r-word.

QUOTE (klaus kinski @ Dec 21, 2011 -> 02:24 PM) 1. General manager Then: Starting pitching Positional players in general with a preference for a. Power b. Defense c. OBP d. Speed .... Bullpen Seriously bullpens are so easy to remake. Why would anyone make this a priority.

Detroit's pen is fine. You could say the same about any team.

Quentin is at like, 80% likelyhood now. Thornton and Gavin probably between 40% and 50%. Beyond that, its a crapshoot. Things seem pretty up in the air right now and im not sure if even KW knows which direction he is going. Likely it will depend on the offers.

It was before his time. I think he just doesn't like how Kenny does things (which is fair) and is a snarky a-hole (which kind of blows).

Yeah, I never really drew a connection between Sexon and roids. Dude just forgot how to hit a baseball.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 26, 2011 -> 07:46 AM) You could go for the more recent comparisons and go with Chuck Knoblauch or Rick Ankiel. Dunn reminds me of Rich Sexson, unfortunately.