DBAHO

QUOTE(ChiSoxyGirl @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 01:48 AM) is it a real game? Maybe, except the other person would probably hold a gun not a spoon. It's not really something say the kiddies would spend doing a lot of.

QUOTE(ChiSoxyGirl @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 01:45 AM) Lol, exactly. Except I though the Australian accents were really bad. But I had a really strong urge to watch my toliet flush after that episode. Mmmmmmm, beaches and fish and chips--I don't even like fish, but I think in other countries they put like heroin or something in them, because that is some good stuff. (Tries desparately to think of something else. . .) Where's Jim when you need him, I'm sure he'd go on and on about the wonderful seafood Australia has to offer. I suppose you've got to be into to it to enjoy it, I just love most types of seafood, especially fresh prawns and salmon. And you can cook it, batter it, etc., diff. ways to enjoy it. And yes the Australian Accents in that episode were terrible, although I did love the Prime Minister's, while he's lazing away on the lake enjoy a Fosters.

QUOTE(ChiSoxyGirl @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 01:46 AM) wtf is that? "I see you HAVEN'T played Knifey Spooney before".

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 01:44 AM) Are you any good at Knifey-Spooney though? Let's just say I owned Jason at that at Angel Stadium quite a few times.

QUOTE(SnB @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 01:40 AM) are you all going to talk about the sox latest slump? how come whenever i think australia, i always think of an english accent Excuse me I'm still an avid PHT poster (gotta live with the good and the bad people). And what slump, I don't see no slump. Next time you think of Australia, don't think of Pommies (even though our country was founded by them). If it makes it any easier, just think of convicts instead.

QUOTE(ChiSoxyGirl @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 01:39 AM) I just saw the Simpsons about Bart vs. Australia yesterday, and I thought of our own sweet DBAHO. And how nice a beach in January would be. . . Yep just remember; 1) Mucus in pouches. Never seen it 1st - hand, and I'm not ever going to. 2) Big Fosters Cans. Only Mike (SS2K5) would drink one of those (and he'd love every bit of it). 3) Boomerang. The last time I threw one of those, my dog stole it and treated it like a bone. 4) Bootings. Never used. We prefer the Wooden Spoon Method. And yes a beach in January is delightful, especially when you have say Fish and Chips there, and just relax all day doing nothing.

QUOTE(rangercal @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 01:31 AM) Just like how Indys O is great but it just does not make up for their s***ty D . The difference b/w Indy's O and Chicago's O is >>>>>> Chicago's D and Indy's D. Indy's got a good front 4 now anyway, with Simon joining the mix.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 01:34 AM) You've been visiting another site? Leave, now. Yep.......... Gotta socialize with some of the natives (kangaroos) at some point ya know.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 01:23 AM) Australia has been one of the US's best allies and one of my favorite countries to visit. I am going to Adelaide sometime in January(looking forward to seeing some of the southern coast.) Been to Sydney about 5 times. Hope you have fun down here Irish, best time to come down in January, you'll get 90+ temp's every day, even on the south coast. Adelaide is a pretty nice place, an old city kind of like Chicago, but a nice one. Make sure you head down to the beach though, that's prob the best place to go.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 01:16 AM) How this will effect food prices and hurt our farmers Yep and rising fuel prices is gonna increase the cost of a lot of things, such as food now as well, since the cost of delivering it from one place to another will have risen significantly, and that will come back to the consumer.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 01:13 AM) Quotes like this make me sick. When the tsunami hit, we went out of our way to get aid and money into that region, yet when a disaster hits the US we get the old "Well it must of been payback for this position, or bin Laden must be laughing." If this happened to any other country the UN would be asking for money, there would be world wide cries for aid to the region and it would be a different story. But because this is the US, we get a nice f*** YOU from the world and a few sick jokes at a tragedy. That's probably because most countries think the United States can handle something like this, considering they're the world's biggest country, and have a big enough economy to handle a disaster like this, compared to the Asian Tsunami where countries like Sri Lanka and Indonesia don't. Not saying it's right, but that's probably the perception. I know from down here our government has pledged to help with aid and that, but nothing has been done for certain as of yet. We've still got diplomats trying to get as close to New Orleans as possible to find out info about Aussies that may be missing there etc, but they're not letting any foreign officials anywhere near there.

From their Daily Dish;

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 12:55 AM) Which is entirely possible. I'm not drinking the Kool-Aid as much as others, I'm seeing 6 or 7 wins this year, just because I don't see them not improving on last years record. Yeah that's about where I see them. Jones didn't look too good last night however (4 rushes, 10 yards), while Anthony Thomas had a good game for Dallas (and yet he could be cut still). Still it is only the pre - season.

Today I'm off to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch my football team play off in an elimination final. 65,000 people are expected to attend, so it should be a great game. Beforehand though, I'm off to the oldest pub in Melbourne, the Duke of Wellington, to catch up with a few people from another site I post on, for a few beers and lunch.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 12:41 AM) The Bears offense is pretty damn weak, atleast the Defense appears to be strong though. Yep, so it's probably worthwhile to not expect the Bears offense to hit the ground running. And then Orton's probably going to hit the rookie wall as well at some point too, that's when the Bears are really going to need the likes of Benson and Jones to support him.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Sep 2, 2005 -> 02:54 PM) That's totally correct because Ron Turner is the god of 3rd and 20 draw plays... They shouldn't be in 3rd and 20 situations in the 1st place.

Uh Oh;

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Sep 2, 2005 -> 03:06 PM) I dar anyone to question the Bears D: On 26 possessions in the preseason, the Bears' No. 1 defense gave up just one TD. Ok, I'll come back at ya with a curveball. With the #1 offense, how many TD's did the Bears #1 offense score?

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Sep 2, 2005 -> 03:28 PM) I can agree with that, definitely. The Sox will be expected to perform. Minnesota needs to imorove and get healthy but will still be in contention...they always seem to be. The Indians have lots of talent but just need to put it all together for a full season. I wont be surprised to see them win the WC. Tigers are in the same boat as the Indians. They just need to put it all together. Kansas City....well.......... yeah. Don't worry about Minnesota next year they're going to be back right up where they were before this season. Francisco Liriano will be joining the rotation, he's basically Johan Santana Jr. and he's going to be a stud for a long, long time. Scott Baker may be joining the rotation too and he's a very good prospect in his own right. Add that to Justin Morneau rebounding, Jason Bartlett coming on etc. they'll be back.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Sep 2, 2005 -> 03:11 PM) I am all for trading prospects. I said during the deadline the last spect I wanted to trade was bmac but if you could get an impact player ala Jr or Huff then I'd be all for it. The problem is if we wanted to get a minor player we would have had to give a player or two of the Mccarthy calibur(young, anderson, sweeney, etc). The same people that are complaining now about Kenny not trading away these spects would be the same people complaining a year or two down the road when those guys are having huge impacts and the minor player we traded for just wasn't worth it. See I guess I differ on this philosophy a little, although I'm in the minority. You have a look at the contracts the SP's were getting last off-season, the Russ Ortiz's. You get a Brandon McCarthy, who's under your control for about 6 years, the 1st half very cheaply, and he performs better than those guys who get the big deals, that's huge. It allows you to put your money elsewhere, whether it'd be in the FA market etc.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Sep 2, 2005 -> 03:13 PM) I assume this is directed towards me so I'll answer: I didn't say I believe he'd get a shot somewhere but I do believe he has enough to be a starter in this league, I truely believe that. Well that's the thing, he's so loved here because of the "grinder" mentality and everything, but when you look at it, he wouldn't be starting for any other teams in the majors probably, maybe 1 or 2. With Ozzie's premium on defense, and Gload's inability to handle to RF spot well enough, he was never going to get enough playing time to satisfy us anyway. Since he's stuck behind Konerko, he was never going to get that chance.

What teams out there will offer a starting spot to Gload, who's a hitter the wrong side of 30, and doesn't hit for power at a position where it's a premium FWIW?

QUOTE(Soxfest @ Sep 2, 2005 -> 06:28 AM) I agree that is what i said since trade deadline, reality is all these prospects we CANNOT give up by some will never be more than roster filler, odds say so If Sox had to overpay for someone so what, worry about 2005 not 2007. How will our prospects be nothing more than roster filler? Do you think Brandon McCarthy is just going to be a 5th starter for the rest of his career? Is Brian Anderson only going to be a 4th OF? Prospects have come through our system and had success. Neal Cotts and Bobby Jenks are the 2 recent ones to come to mind, and there are many more on the way.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Sep 2, 2005 -> 06:02 AM) Whining about the nature of this market needs to end. What Williams did last offseason should not blind any of you to the problems which exist. I don't know how to put it any clearer than this: the position we're at with this team--our record and position in the standings, was not a justification for merely acquiring Blum. And neither is indicating the lack of moves other American League teams made is a positive for us. Sox fans shouldn't be kindergarden teachers responsible for handing out stickers to young children (this instance Williams) who TWWIIIEEED, but couldn't succeed. He failed to upgrade the offense, and now because of it, it's ALL coming on him for anything less than a pitching collapse (which he couldn't have predicted) or a ALCS birth. Ask yourselves if future success is guaranteed with this club? With the resurgence of the Indians/Tigers, can anyone even guess whether or not we'll be in a position of a commanding lead for another 5 years? We can promote 6 contributing prospects with McCarthy leading the rotation and still find ourselves contending for 3rd place. 2005 could be our year--our window to take advantage of a stellar pitching staff and ride it through October. Now, I anticipate someone asking "you can't predict whether or not this team is guaranteed to win if a bat is acquired either!!!" Yes, but at this point, with our 4 automatic outs per evening, what we have doesn't convince me change (even at the slightest) wasn't absolutely necessary. I've read complaints relating to the prospects we may have had to give up. McCarthy, at this juncture, was the only untouchable. For an organization unable to produce pitching talent we need to hold onto those whch succeed. The remaining prospects can all be shipped for Raul Ibanez himself for all I care. Is Chris Young guaranteed to mimmick the outstanding production he's put together? Are Sweeney, Anderson, Owens and Young going to substitute for each other in the remaining OF position (RF)? If Young/Sweeney/Gonzalez were traded for f***ing Raul Ibanez I'd still consider it a justifiable move because the goal of baseball is to win championships. Neither of the aforementioned players have done anything to put our club in the position to strengthen itself this season. I understand the need to develop minor leaguers in order to keep a stream of cheap talent flowing. However, we're in need of help. Since no one can provide a Jeff Francouer boast we'll need help outside the organization. Even if top prospects were traded for Ibanez, and all made out to be quality major leaguers, it was worthwhile. Just think back to 2000--would any of you have overpaid for pitching if it meant trading our supposed talent? Probably not. We'd be having the same discussion. SS2k5 asked me in another thread whether or not I'd be willing to give up several starting pitchers/outfielders for slight upgrades. No, because I doubt those were the true asking prices near the deadline. I don't recall San Diego or Boston giving up an arm and a leg for Randa or Graffanino. Or Braves/New York handing over the farm for Hollandsworth/Lawton. Ultimately, our pitiful offense was in dire need of an upgrade. This was known prior to the passing of both trading deadlines. While Reds management blocked the KGJ prior to July 31, it was Williams duty to offer whatever possible to acquire Griffey. If Reds were unwilling to budge, it would have been within his best interests to move on. I intend to believe the Southtown article posted yesterday which claims money, not talent, was the true negotiating factor between the two clubs. Reinsdorf probably wouldn't budge on a set standard of contract he'd take on. No one can convince me of all the teams in this league, there was not ONE bat which could be acquired to help this club. Defend Williams now and hope this offense can win games, because if we're choking down the stretch or embarrassing ourselves in the playoffs you'll all have to repeat your Williams defense several hundred times to justify it. The point is on Ibanez is this. Say you give up Sweeney, Gonzalez and Young for him. The Sox don't win the world series, heck they don't even make it out of the divisional playoffs. Is it a worthwhile trade then? No. We can't put all of our eggs into one basket, because when the likes of Young and Gio could be very good players on the major league level, then we will regret it. Like I said before the Angels needed a bat, besides Vlad, Garret Anderson, and Chone Figgins, the rest of their offense has hardly been stellar. They wanted Mike Sweeney. Did they get him? No. Why? Because they weren't willing to give up some top prospects and take on the rest of Sweeney's $30M contract. It's really not fair to bring say Boston into this, because all they got was Tony G. We got Geoff Blum, is there a great difference b/w the 2? No, not at all, Blum's a better fielder (which fits into the Ozzie mold more), while Graff has a bit of a better stick. Has Joe Randa made a big difference to the Padres? No, in fact in July and August he's only hit .239 and .245. Don't forget Minny and Cleveland are going to really good in the next 5 years, think 90+ games they should be winning. Add Detroit with an owner that is willing to spend heaps to win now, the Sox need to remain competitive over that time, and having good young players that will give you payroll flexibility is an excellent way to go about it.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2005 @ Sep 2, 2005 -> 01:57 PM) Anybody think Gio should open next season at B-ham? It's a possibility, it probably depends on the numbers though. There's quite a few guys on the bubble.