59th street

Every year I enter into a few bets with a friend who is a bit of a negative SOX fan (he dwells on the negative aspects of the team, I know unheard of here). I try to select bet criteria that if I win will result in a very good season for the SOX. This year I have offered two: 1) Adam Dunn will increase his BA 10% AND reduce his strikeouts 10% from last year. Thus he must hit .222 or above AND strike out less than 200 times. 2) Over under on Gavin Floyd wins is 14; I win at 15 or above. Bet has been accepted (as I said he is a negative SOX fan and really doesn't like either player). Obviously I like both bets as I offered them and if they both work out for me it should be a pretty good year for the good guys in black! Thoughts? Anyone else with similar kind of wagers?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 15, 2013 -> 10:44 AM) Ritchie wasn't actually THAT horrible with us, but he started to battle some nagging injuries. And it was Wells, Fogg and Sean Lowe. 2 1/2 starters, and a big contract, for 1/2 a starter. Sean Lowe was the pitcher who picked off "gracie" for the last out of a game. One of my all time favorite plays because: 1) secured the SOX win and 2) gracie b****ed about it being a balk for about 10 years after. I hated seeing Lowe included in that trade.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 14, 2012 -> 09:59 AM) Miami flat out lied to their fans repeatedly. The Cubs have done no such thing. Miami went for it all BIG TIME last year and it failed so they refuse to continue with the same plan. Everybody predicted that half or more of their big named free agent signings would never be around to the end of their back loaded contracts. They would either win now and sell the team or blpow it up if it failed. this is exactly what is happening. News flash: Sports teams cannot predict the future so do not believe the hype. I won't even comment on the "honesty" of the northside ownership over the years, but we disagree.

I do not want to defend the Marlin ownership (Loria, et al) but he WAS smart enough to refuse to give anyone a No Trade clause. Remember that was reported as the reason Albert P. decided not to go there. You could see this coming in the event they failed to win in 2012. You could even argue that he was setting the team up to be sold if they did win in 2012. He is a business man not a baseball fan and he is a friend of Bud Selig so do not expect any BS about he "best interest of baseball". Also all new stadium projects have some form of public financing involved. If you don't think the ricketts family has tried to get every possible $ out of the City and State (taxpayers) then you are not being honest. My point is from a baseball stand point the Marlins got a haul of highly rated player prospects from a highly regarded Toronto farm system in exchange for a bunch of overpaid veterans who underperformed. Marlin fans (if there are truly any) did not like this 69 win team and ownership decided to make big changes. They were smart enough to withhold NO Trade rights allowing them the ability to blow it up if it failed (and boy did it fail). It is the height of hypocrisy for the media to rip the baseball decision that they made, unless you think they should have waited longer (perhaps 104 years).

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Nov 14, 2012 -> 09:10 AM) Free stadium payed for by the tax payers (where the Marlis esentially keep ALL concession and parking revenu) Reboot the franchise with a new name (Miami Marlins), logo, and colors Spend MASSIVE money to try and fill the stadium Pander to the Latino croud Hire a hot manager Sell it all off after one year. This isnt about rebuilding. This isnt the "right way" as you call it. This is a 100% greed move by Loria to fleece the Marlins fans of their cash and laugh all the way to the bank..

It could be argued that the Marlins are willing to follow the blueprint of the world's smartest baseball executive (need you ask who?). The loveable losers are praised for having the courage to "do it the right way" and build from within with young player; yet when the Marlins decide to off load under performing and overpaid veterens and re-stock with high end prospects it is condemed by the same "experts" who fall to their knees in awe of the great Theo. Yes I am pointing at both P. Rogers and the dumbest sports guy in Chicago, David Kaplan. Total hypocrites! If you can defend what the least sucessful franchise in baseball is doing how can you possibly complain when a team that has won 2 World Series championships does something very similiar? I am 100% serious about this.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Oct 3, 2012 -> 09:02 PM) Johnson had a very good year at Charlotte. He should've been platooning with Viciedo no later than Aug. 1st. Disagree, but he most certainly should have been platooning with Konerko versus all right handed pitchers since the September 1 call ups.

detrroit is a bad road team and have 5 road games left. SOX need to get the bats going. Sitting konerko against all righties for D. Johnson is a good place to start. Lets GO WHITE SOX!

QUOTE (Cerbaho-WG @ Aug 26, 2012 -> 08:17 AM) As stated earlier, Selig has no authority in any broad sense to punish Hawk. That's why I'm so surprised Hawk didn't Selig to go f*** himself when Selig called Hawk a few months back. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if Selig strong arms Reinsdorf in an attempt to do I don't think Zelig EVER strong arms Jerry on anything. If any kind of discipline is handed out it will be because Jerry Reinsdorf himself thinks it is warranted.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Aug 22, 2012 -> 09:39 PM) Awesome series! I love it when this team is clicking. Now if those damn Tigers could start losing. HA, That is exactly what all Tiger fans are saying........Now is those damn White Sox could start losing. Great job! GO GO WHITE SOX!!!!

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Jul 29, 2012 -> 08:26 PM) Tell KW it is unrealistic not me. Why would he tell KW when you are the one who made the unrealistic list? Floyd really battled tonight against a greed team,poor defense, a questionable strike zone and ZERO offense support. I think he did a great job despite all the ridiculous comments from the usual posters about being weak mentally. He looked like the strongest member of our team tonight! GO GO WHITE SOX!

QUOTE (Baron @ Jul 22, 2012 -> 03:07 PM) Itll be interesting to see how this team responds after being swept. It isnt over yet guys. Lots of games left to play. Detroit has been playing bad baseball for most of the season. It was only a matter of time before they went on a hot streak. Agree. It is no fun when you hit a bad streak and your closet opponent is at their hottest but the overreaction by some is beyond ridiculous. I like the Meyers addition and the return of Floyd and Crain will also help. We have to get the bats going again. Remember we were not as good as we looked when we swept Texas and Tampa and we are not as bad as we look right now. I think there is a lot of great baseball left this summer on the southside. Oh and to the "salad man" I don't like your salad or your comments. I think you are a cub troll. GO GO WHITE SOX!

Quintana has been unbelievable. Truly a shame to have this happen a second time in @ a month. ...but; this is baseball and strange/bad things happen over the course of a long season. This one really hurts but it does NOT end the season. The biggest culprit in my opinion has been our lack of offense. SOX have beaten Verlander 10 times. There is a lot of baseball left to play and we have been a very gritty team. Now is not the time to overact to the emotions of a very difficult and unpleasant loss. GO GO WHITE SOX!

QUOTE (soxfan49 @ Jul 10, 2012 -> 04:47 PM) It's not much better when Hub Arkush is on. That show is unwatchable. Every time I gave it another try it is worse than before. They feature the most uninformed and annoying dopes in Chicago media: D Kaplan, P. Rogers, T. Hollandsworth, G. Offman, P. Sullivan, H. Arkush. UGH! Each and everyone a dumbass cub apologist. It is hard to believe but that show makes Chicago spots radio almost worth listening to; almost.

QUOTE (MuckFinnesota @ Jun 24, 2012 -> 04:48 PM) Wait are we paying $5.5 million of his salary? Chris Rongey just said so. Thought I read $2 million here. No suprise that Rongey got it 100% wrong. Laziest pre/post game host ever.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jun 24, 2012 -> 04:05 PM) Kaplan says it is Stewart and a utility guy. Kaplan couldn't find his ass with two hands and a road map; total jerk off.

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jun 23, 2012 -> 11:20 PM) I hope we do get him, as I said early I think he is just a bi-product of the whatever has been going on in Boston the past year or so. Whichever team lands him I think he rakes, I could be wrong but that's my gut feeling. And in my opinion he is the perfect addition to the bottom of this lineup, and it upgrades us significantly defensively. If we can get this done without anyone off our ML roster, and then get a SP in a month or so closer to the deadline ( I see KW taking a chance on Dempster once he comes off the DL). If we have seen anything so far this season it is this division, and theaters in general is pretty much wide open, and I think the addition of Youk helps us continue to stay in this thing. I agree with your scenario. Youklis certainly could be helpful given the problems we have at 3B and the lack of any other likely upgrade. The key is we cannot weaken the team by trading a bullpen arm for a guy who is far from a sure thing to be even adequate. If he is available for a low level prospect then go for it but I believe they will want him in the NL to protect themselves from getting burned if he does have something left in his tank.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jun 23, 2012 -> 11:04 PM) I agree we should give them scraps. I just fear KW will give them 2-3 good prospects. I'd rather send them Crain and be done with it. I consider Crain average at best. Then whom would you have to replace Crain? Do not just say "anyone can replace him" because that is not true. It makes zero sense to weaken our bullpen for an aging player on the decline who probably can't play 3b on a daily basis. I realize we need help at 3B but J. Crain would be overpaying by a TON.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jun 23, 2012 -> 10:48 PM) I want them to take Lilly. You would rather have them take Flowers than a stiff like Crain?? Wow. Crain is a crain-wreck as stated last night. He is just another arm. Youk for Crain would please me greatly. Why would we give them anything for a guy they "have to move soon" and who has been hurt and very much on the decline? Absolutely no reason to give up any of our bullpen or better arm prospects for Youk. I would think they will send him to the NL as the red cubs will not take a chance that he could help an AL rival for wildcard and I don't see any AL team offering enough to entice them to take a chance on an AL trade partner.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 17, 2012 -> 12:10 PM) Danks isn't getting paid all that much this year. Next year is when the big bucks start rolling in. Its always a gamble to give any pitcher 4 or 5 or even more years. So far it looks like a mistake, but judging it now is so silly its beyond ridiculous. I wish the Sox brought back Buerhle. He was willing to take less than he received, yet there was no offer, and considering they were trying to throw some money Soler's way, its apparent the checking account wasn't as low as they have expertly have it perceived. But signing Danks is a decent move. You win with pitching. He's young, and up until now has been very healthy. He had a circulation problem several years ago that was cleared up quickly, and last year had a rib cage injury. So the injury concern was minimal. Except for his rookie year, when he was shut down, and last year's trip to the DL, he's made at least 32 starts each season. He's been a horse. I still can't get over how many posters wanted a total rebuild, yet have absolutely zero patience. s*** happens. Hopefully, there is no damage in Danks' shoulder. If there is not, there's no reason to think he won't be a real good pitcher the next several seasons. 100% agree. The most vocal posters do not have patience for a 9 inning game that does not go our way! Love Buehrle but he choose to take the $ Miami offered. Danks should outperform Buehrle from this year forward over the course of their respective contracts based on age, stuff and potential for positive continued development. GO GO WHITE SOX.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 13, 2012 -> 08:05 AM) Theo in the Tribune. This is a MLB executive's thoughts. I think some people have to ratchet down what they think the influence of a hitting coach is on professional hitters. They don't make .220 hitters with a .600 OPS, .330 hitters with a .900 OPS. Epstein knows this, of course. He knows that if you want selective hitters you probably have to acquire them because it's almost impossible to re-train them once they have had some success with one style. Epstein acknowledged that a patient approach to hitting "is probably more of a hard-wired trait,'' and said Little League coaches can have more influence than someone like Jaramillo, whom the Cubs have been paying $800,000 a year. IMO, the Cubs realized paying 800k a year for a hitting coach is madness, Rudy was gone after this year and they knew it was a sunk cost . They want to see if this interm guy is worth keeping, so they made the move now. $800K/year = madness is correct especially for an ownership that is more interested in "revenue streams" from concerts DURING THE SEASON that leaves the field in a shambles. I guess this is the new "cub way" that shows the commitment to winning Championships.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 06:53 PM) I predict 1st place...we're better than the team we're competing with. Soxtalk is a pack of doomsayers. O/T, how do I put a user on ignore? Agree! Sox are better than the team(s) we are competing with. 1st place is there for the Sox to take and maintain for the season, barring injuries. Very fun season with lot's of great player development; let's enjoy it.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 12, 2012 -> 09:26 PM) Except for te part that you decided you can ignore. Excellent counter point Balta; but it is not negative enough to be considered by the soxtalk "experts".

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 8, 2012 -> 07:21 PM) I used to enjoy watching Jon...he had balls. Gavin is a collosal p****. Ignorant, immature comment. Guess you feel like a tough guy now; good for you.