lasttriptotulsa

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Apr 1, 2015 -> 10:00 AM) Good thing I remembered it was April Fools Day before I opened this. Last year, it was "Sale out for season with torn UCL" or something like that, and I fell for it. Last season was "Sale fails drug test" http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=91460 and two seasons age was "Sale traded to Rays" http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=88211 The Sale traded one got me just for a second.

QUOTE (LDF @ Mar 31, 2015 -> 12:18 PM) you are looking at one point to find an argument. i am not and that is why i paraphase my sentence the way i did, to acknowledge their is 1 important part of my statement that i did not want to dwell on. but it has to be said. zero risk involvement, and that is why the sox has 1 WS win when they could have had more. Zero risk involvement maybe to the undoing of this great team assembled this yr. Zero risk involvement is what the owners want the fans to think about and accept, with blinders on. so pls keep on looking at it with zero risk involvement not to have any voice. I haven't the slightest clue what you are trying to say here. Are you saying the Sox don't take any risks? They just spent $61 million on relievers this offseason and last offseason they gave $68 million to a player who had never played in the Majors. Those are about as big of risks as you can take, but you've been harping in every single thread about how they won't spend any money.

QUOTE (LDF @ Mar 31, 2015 -> 11:59 AM) well i can accept that you disagree and per your opinions are valid ones. but this is a sop for the org, to get these players and hope to get them where they become a viable option for the club. i will hate to add this but.... but it all comes back to the money. trying to save money by not addressing the total need of the club. now, the rhetorical question.... how many times has the club done this?? how many times were the club close to be a major players in the playoff?? just b/c they didn't want to spend for that last player. in the last yr or 2 the answer is 2..... Hector. now it is simple.... keep dumpster diving and there are other players being release who HAS to be a better option than Penny. Would you give this a rest? JR has always spent money when it makes sense. They aren't picking up guys like Noesi and Drabek to come in and be saviors. They pick them up because they see some potential and there is basically zero risk involved. They scooped Quintana up off the scrap heap after 2011 and look at what he's become. They could have gone out and spent 8 figures on CJ Wilson or Edwin Jackson that winter but they're smarter than that. Apparently you want them to spend money just to spend money. You buy enough lottery tickets and eventually you're going to win.

The email I got very specifically said see 21 games for $49. The only catch to this is you don't know your seats until an hour or two before game time.

QUOTE (bmags @ Mar 27, 2015 -> 11:06 AM) We did not get a parking pass, hopefully we are not in the lot 2 miles away. As someone who is coming from 180 miles away and doesn't know the city well, would it be wise for me to purchase parking in advance? I've been to plenty of games but usually not ones that will be as packed as this. If I don't pay for a pass in advance how early would be recommended to arrive to ensure parking in the Sox lots? I remember when Frank Thomas had his number retired we ended up having to park a long ways from the stadium and take a shuttle. I'd rather not have to do that again.

QUOTE (InTheDriversSeat @ Mar 25, 2015 -> 04:59 AM) The reason why there is the sliver of White Sox / Cubs / Brewers territory in southwest Wisconsin is that you are close to Dubuque, and MLB thinks your area should be able to receive TV (over-the-air or cable) from the 'Cedar Rapids - Waterloo - Iowa City - Dubuque' market. Problem is that Dubuque is located alot farther away from the other 3 towns, which are closer to each other. If you are located at Dickeyville, Wisconsin, the closest TV station is not Moline (Quad Cities). The closest TV station from your location is KCRG-TV Cedar Rapids. You might be able to receive KCRG-TV using a quality, roof-mounted, outdoor VHF / UHF antenna pointed west by southwest. Make certain that the antenna is capable of receiving both VHF and UHF signals, because most antennas sold nowadays are 'UHF Only'. After 2009, most TV stations moved to new UHF channel numbers (because UHF is easier to receive than VHF), but the stations continue to identify with their original channel numbers. KCRG-TV did not move to UHF, and transmits on VHF channel 9. The tower for KCRG-TV is located about halfway between Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, near Walker, Iowa, which is around 65 - 70 miles from your location. The terrain in your area is very hilly, plus VHF signals can be harder to receive, so you can only try to see what happens, and ask for a refund if the antenna does not work. According to this map at the FCC's website, you are located with the reception area of KCGR-TV: http://www.bing.com/maps/?mapurl=http://tr...%26state=IA.kml That takes care of 55 games (58 if you include Crosstown games with Cubs announcers). For 106 Sox games (98 games live, and 8 games delayed), I think you should be able to receive 'Comcast SportsNet Chicago' on DirecTV. According to this website, when I type in the zip code for Dickeyville, Wisconsin (53808), the channel number is 665: http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/funct...s_sports_lookup So DirecTV together with an outdoor antenna might work. Let me know if the DirecTV information is not accurate. You should get the phone with Channel 3 KIMT Mason City (CBS on 3-1, my network TV on 3-2). That TV station is located in the zone that is eligible to carry 55 White Sox games and 45 Cubs games produced by WGN Sports. Yea I get all the Comcast games with Dish Network. When it was just the 20 or so games that were on WCIU that I missed out on that was okay, but now that WGN America is not carrying any it is just too many to miss. I might have to give an antenna a try and see what happens.

QUOTE (3GamesToLove @ Mar 23, 2015 -> 10:15 AM) At least you two aren't in the blackout zone, though. You can just shell out for EI/mlb.tv If you live in Quincy, Springfield, Decatur, Champaign, or Indy... you're screwed. There are dozens of games you'll miss out on entirely, with no legal way to watch. Having to shell out $130+ to watch games sucks, especially if you were used to catching a chunk of them on the superstation. But this way you can get the rest of the games, too. I'm sure you've been searching for an excuse to give the wife to subscribe. Plus, you don't have to listen to Hawk! Yep, I'm kind of no man's land where I am. I live in the sliver of White Sox territory in SW Wisconsin. The closest station to me that will be broadcasting these games will be out of Moline (around 90 miles). Even if I were to purchase a good antenna I don't think I would be able to pick up much of a signal. Way to go MLB. Because of your ridiculous blackout rules you won't get the $100+ I would have shelled out for MLB.tv and will instead get nothing as you force me to illegally stream these 55 games.

QUOTE (Jake @ Mar 20, 2015 -> 11:23 PM) I would definitely not want to sign Avi to a long-term deal at this point. I like him a lot, but it's really up in the air whether he's going to be a full-time player in the long term Avi needs to prove something this year. If he does i wouldnt be opposed to extending him.

QUOTE (LDF @ Mar 10, 2015 -> 01:15 PM) of major league innings. get him ready, again the coaches will know more. but the idea for me, have him pitch to improve his overall game, and if needed to pitch with a fresh arm in the playoff. the sox can't assume that none of their SP's will not be injuried. grooming him to pitch and if the talent level is there to continue in the playoff. it is grooming a pitcher who can build on his success at the major league level. yes a team in the playoff needs the Ace's to carry them, but they also need the other pitchers to conceivable give the team with a great possibility to win as well. not to be a black hole. so how are you going to assume he is ready to pitch those 120+ innings, just b/c he was a good college pitcher. btw how bout sticking to a number of what you expect him to pitch, you are making me dizzy with you changing them. btw so are you telling me, you are assuming that since Sale has quick success, Rodon should do the same? injuries happen all time. the org does not need to compound it by overloading his work load, b/c a previous pitcher had success. You really are not making any sense. I never said that Rodon would be an instant success. You are the one who said that Sale spent time in the minors and that is the reason he was successful so quick. I was simply pointing out that you are full of s***. Sale spent basically zero time in the minors. Every post I've made on here I said Rodon should be in the 150-160 inning range. I challenge you to find where I said any different.

QUOTE (LDF @ Mar 10, 2015 -> 12:20 PM) the best way to build endurance is in the minors, where a mistake will not cause damages. that is when the coaches will decide when to bring him up. now you are saying 123 - 150 innings. a far cry from 150 + innings you posted earlier. btw, how many innings did he pitched in the minors???? He threw 123 innings last year between college and the minors. I'm saying that going from throwing 123 innings to throwing 150-160 is not that big of a push and unless you push him he will never be able to throw 200+. You saying he should only 75-100 innings this year is pretty absurd. At that rate it would take him 3 or 4 years to get to 200 innings.

QUOTE (LDF @ Mar 10, 2015 -> 11:29 AM) then you really need to read other people post, b/c many in the past months has said he will come in and pitch. ref to pitching 150+ why is there rally a need to rush him, if he was having endurance problem last yr, how will he build up to those innings, just b/c he was a very good college pitcher?? as i said, i was surprise at Sale and how they handle him. that is why, the coaches will know what to do, we as fans can only guess, which many are doing with Rodon. penciling him and thinking or assuming he will step in and pitched for whomever is nothing but wishful thinking. lets get thru spring training. Having him go from 123 innings to 150 innings is not rushing him. That is the way you build endurance. You push yourself a little further every time/year.

QUOTE (LDF @ Mar 10, 2015 -> 10:55 AM) i agree, the thing is, many are unrealistically expecting him just to pick up the ball and give the sox a 150+ innings and playoff. just as many were expecting to come in and just pitch in the majors, without any trail time. come on now. no -one pitcher is going to come in and pitch those innings. even Sale who i thought did it faster than i thought he would, spent time in the minors. i say, let him develop, let the coaches do what they know, let the sox org concentrate fielding this team for the run in 2015 playoff. if after the first month, reanalyze the situation and think it out. but lets not hope that the sox will put all their eggs in a basket now. anyways, the sox FO will do the smart thing. Sale pitched a grand total of 10.1 innings in the minors before being called. Rodon pitched 24.1 last year. I don't think anybody is expecting Rodon to start right away and be the ace of the staff, but most, I think, feel he will be better than Danks or Noesi right off the bat. He pitched 123 innings last year and 132.1 the year before that. I don't think there is any reason to believe that he can't throw 150-160 innings this year. You really only need 3 starters in the playoffs so if the Sox get there they won't have to worry about burning out Rodon's arm.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 10, 2015 -> 09:45 AM) To me it all depends on how good the Sox think their chances are of winning the division this year. If they think they are within a couple of games, can they sacrifice games simply because they want to get Rodon away from Super 2 status? Not really. The Central is pretty tightly packed between the top four teams. It isn't hard to imagine a scenario where three bad starts is the difference between October baseball and October golf. I don't think Super 2 should even be worried about with Rodon. I do think the Sox will wait a couple weeks to a month before they bring him up for three reasons. One, to help him limit his innings, two, to give him a couple AAA starts to see if you really think he is ready, and three, to get the extra year of service time. But as far as Super 2 is concerned, if Rodon gives the Sox the best chance to win, who cares about paying him a few million extra in 3 years.

As much as I don't want to overpay for Samardzija, having a front four of Sale, Q, Shark and Rodon for the next four to five years makes the Sox legit contenders every year. Add one of Danish, Adams or Montas at some point and you have the makings of potentially the best rotation in baseball.

I'm going to the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in August. It'll be my first tour event I've ever attended. I'm really looking forward to it.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 5, 2015 -> 12:53 PM) I get the feeling Avi will be a 15-20 homer and 35 -40 double kind of hitter. I think he will eventually be closer to the 25-30 homer range. In his time with the Sox he's hit a homer every 27 at bats. That puts him at a 20-22 homer pace for a full season and I don't think his power has peaked yet. He hits the s*** out of the ball, he just needs to learn how to elevate.

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Mar 5, 2015 -> 11:26 AM) I think Avi is going to absolutely rake this year. Whether he's going to hit behind, bewteen, or in front of the Abreu/LaRoche duo he's going to get a lot of pitches to hit. My bold prediction.... .290/.330/.480 with 18 HR's 85 RBI's and 10 steals. So what do you guys think? Crazy? Or Agree A .190 ISO will be hard to achieve with just 18 HRs. Assuming he gets 550 at bats and he doesn't hit more than like 3 triples, he would have to hit around 45 doubles. If he gets 600 at bats, he would need around 50 2Bs.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Mar 4, 2015 -> 11:41 AM) Live in Chicago but would be sharing the password with someone buying in Seattle The app uses your IP address to determine your location. I think you're going to be out of luck. I know there are different things you can buy/download to block or change your IP address but I'm not tech savvy to know exactly how to do it and obviously the legality is questionable.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Mar 4, 2015 -> 10:43 AM) Random question, but are there any Chromecast users that use the MLB.TV app? Am I going to be able to get every Sox game with that and an antenna? Or will I get blacked out of a few? Where are you located? If you're in the Sox "home territory" you will get blacked out from all Sox games on the MLB.tv app.

QUOTE (SnB @ Mar 4, 2015 -> 07:15 AM) Spectrum is #1 for me, but Lithium and Coffee House are tied for #2. For me it's Howard 100 in the mornings and then one of Lithium, The Bridge, Deep Tracks, Classic Vinyl, Classic Rewind, Ozzy's Boneyard, or Coffee House all other times. If I'm in the car I'm flipping back and forth between all of those depending on the songs playing or if I'm at work or home it's usually Lithium.

Kind of sad to be this excited about an intra-squad game, but I don't care, I'm loving it. Baseball is back. Can't wait for the season to start.

QUOTE (LDF @ Mar 1, 2015 -> 08:34 AM) that is one what to think about it. but the hawks needed crawford in goal on the 2 wins of the stanly cup. if i remembered correctly. he was the difference maker. Crawford was only with the Hawks for the second one. Antti Niemi was there for the first one.

QUOTE (LDF @ Feb 26, 2015 -> 09:36 PM) really.... i don't know, but i think those numbers may be skewed a little. its more like that up to 6-10 out of the first rnd may touch the majors. a while back, early in the offseason, i was bored and looked up some draft yrs, like the yr Trout came out. only a handful made it. mlb is hard, esp if you have a limited natural god given gift to play ball. i guess that is why i love the reading of info on the prospects. to gage and see who develops. i can't help it, i get bored easily. ref nba, look at MJ's draft, if i remember correctly only 2 players became great players, and 1 became a so/so player. You couldn't be more wrong on this. Many consider the 1984 draft to be one of, if not the best draft in NBA history. Olajuwon, Jordan, Barkley and Stockton were all drafted in the first round and all are obviously in the Hall of Fame and all are top ten all time players at their position. Alvin Robertson, Kevin Willis and Otis Thorpe were also All-Star level players drafted in that same draft.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Feb 26, 2015 -> 02:05 PM) Thanks for this. If you ever read Larry on SSS I'm the exact same way on Micah. I don't see the hype and I guess I don't see why the hell the Sox do. I mean, WTF has he done other than put together 200 nice PA in high A ball? He hasn't even STAYED HEALTHY in for a full season yet. FFS, back the hype train up on this guy. The Sox can totally carry Sanchez' 240/280/330 if he's 10 runs above average at 2B, and I think he is. Micah won't hit much more than that and he might be -20 runs at 2B. Put him AAA, wtf is the rush. There were only 4 2B in all of baseball to be 10 runs above average last year and only one guy was worse than 6 runs below average (Altuve at -10). So you think Sanchez will be a top 4-5 fielding 2B straight out of the gate and that Johnson will be twice as bad as the current worst fielding 2B in the game. I doubt that.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Feb 26, 2015 -> 11:18 AM) Goddamn calories in red wine. I thought grapes were healthy! It's the ethyl alcohol that has the majority of the calories. 1 ounce of ethyl alcohol is roughly 200 calories.