Flash Tizzle

Politte has been opening the eyes of hitters with a rather weak slider thus far this season. There's no radar gun available, but I guarantee his fastball isn't around the 92-94 range it was last season. He threw several meat pitches to Sweeney during the AB. It was envitable the ball was going to be crushed somewhere. We're not talking about the same Politte here as last season. Our bullpen woes have only been heightened through the first week.

This is absolutely disgusting. Vazquez deserves much better than this. I don't give a f*** if Bautista is throwing 96mph, they've put together some horrid AB's. Blame the win for keeping up flyballs, but that's tough luck. Weather conditions can't always be perfect. Despite the numerous walks we've had leading off innings, the only f***ing run that has crossed was due to Thome taking an extra base and scoring off a sacrifice fly. They need to regroup the next 6 outs and scratch together a few runs. If today's score holds up, the Sox better win tomorrow. And no, I'm not suggesting the season is over--I know someone will mention it. It's just not very good for team morale to be swept by the worst team IN THE LEAGUE opening week.

Each game has been worse to stomach than the one proceeding it, thus far this season. The way I figure it, the White Sox can't possibly continue this trend. Removing Podsednik/Dye/Pierzysnki from the lineup and scoring seven runs is admirable in its own regard. Garland faltering tonight against Kansas City is worrisome, but not entirely hopeless--remove Ozuna's misplay and a terrible outing is replaced by a mediocre to average outing. He will undoubtedly improve. Just as the offense will predictably produce less. If we bounce back tomorrow, it should be much easier to forget about this loss. It usually is.

Seriously, I've never heard about this supposed ketchup etiquette. And I've been putting ketchup on my hot dogs as long as I can remember...

QUOTE(WCSox @ Apr 7, 2006 -> 09:18 AM) Is there any evidence that Gagne was on steroids, or is this just speculation on your part? From what I've heard, it sounds like he's done. Hopefully that's not the case. I've heard people speculate on Gagne's alleged steroid use before. Although at this juncture it's just that--speculation . It should be expected that any pitcher with a noticeable drop in velocity, or hitters either exceeding or producing below career trends will be suspect to allegations. Hell, last week listening to the Score following Game 2 a caller said Garcia may have roided. I've heard members on this site question Aaron Rowand. Bruce Levine last season basically implicated Loaiza as a steroid user. You have to expect it. With Gagne, it's more mysterious because this a pitcher who never threw about 92 as a starter, receives Tommy John Surgery in 1997, recovers, then returns with 6 mph on his fastball. It possible moving to an exclusive bullpen spot allowed him to go all out for one inning, but it's not entirely improbable (IMO) that following TJ Gagne sought to speed his recovery with anabolic steroids. His recovery did occur around the time Sosa/McGwire had their infamous HR chase. Who knows if this event inspired him to seek drugs. I'll ultimately give him the benefit of doubt, but you could see where people would wonder about him.

QUOTE(SouthsideBlitz @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 10:23 PM) Frank probally got his last at bat tonight going 0/4 with a couple of k's ... Nope. Thomas had one more AB tonight off Farnsworth and golfed a bases loaded double which nearly was a grandslam.

QUOTE(South Side Fireworks Man @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 09:31 PM) Tad said "No comment." Cowley is a troublemaker, and Ozzie took the bait. For anyone who doubts Cowley's intentions, just reflect on his Southtown days. What does you associate Cowley with when you hear his name? For me, it's controversy. He's someone who knows the stories that sell and is more than willing to accept the role of Mariotti, rather than a Mike Kiley apologist role. There's sure nothing special about his writing skills or exclusive access to ballplayers.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 04:34 AM) El Duque starts today for ARZ. Aaron plays vs STL. -Hernandez had good velocity on his pitches tonight. I caught several innings on the free MLB package. Appeared healthy from what I witnessed. His line against Colorado: 5IP, 6 hits, 2BB, 8 K's, 1 ER -Vizcaino pitched to one batter and struck him out

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 06:33 PM) Anyone see that fight near the end of the game in the bleachers? I didn't have a good vantage point, but one of the combatants gave about 6 or 7 security personnel all they could handle out there. I'm sure we'll read about it in Mariotti's column tomorrow. Or have a NICE colorful picture--such as the fat guy taking off his wet shirt opening night--featured somewhere on the internet.

Free Weekend (I would assume) for MLB games on Cable.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 05:04 PM) In defense of him, if you watch the whole thing on ESPN it doesn't sound that bad. He also clearly didn't mean it in an offensive way. Just a boneheaded choice of words. This is a situation where regardless of his intentions, the words themselves are worth more than any explanation thereafter. You remember criticism of Bill Parcells for calling a certain defensive play a "Jap attack," or some variation of that? He even went as far as to specifically warn the media he meant no harm by the term, but it didn't matter because he still said it. I'm interested how Baseball Tonight reacts to this...

I'm surprised no other sports outlets have picked up on this story. Nothing thus far from Foxsports, yahoo, or ESPN. This can morph into a HUGE controversy if ESPN, among others, have a backbone and report on the comments of Clemens.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 04:33 PM) 1 thing I will say; it'll be interesting to hear how the interviews go after this game & later tonight. That'll tell us a lot about how this team reacts to getting beaten this series. Don't expect much emotion. You already know what they'll say: "Pennants aren't won in April," "It's a Marathon, not a sprint," etc. The usual cliches. Not that I would expect anything different, honestly. Whether they won or lost it would have been the same.

I can't believe how confident Mota and Wickman were to throw their pitches in the dirt with full-counts. Two key situations if Konerko and Mackowiak simply stood still they would have been on base--and I realize that's a simplistic way to look at it, but both instances were just TERRIBLE pitches. Our hitters were just eager as hell to end it and willing to swing at anything. It's as if they know our hitters are impatient and take advantage of it. Very frustrating to watch.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Apr 3, 2006 -> 10:20 PM) Wait a sec... a fan threw a big syringe at Bonds during a game and Bonds actually picked it up to look at it? He picked it up from the ground and appeared to bring it back to the dugout. There was no actual needle attached to the syringe, if that's what you're wondering.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Apr 3, 2006 -> 10:08 PM) I thought you were kidding. I can't wait until a nice picture is released of Bonds with the huge syringe in his hand. Numerous photographers were close to him when this occured, and even they appeared to be laughing.

13-1 Yankees. LOL. I may tape the remainder of this game and watch it OVER and OVER again whenever I'm feeling down. This is really fun to watch.

Watching the replay, Thomas didn't appear to run the bases well. Hobbling a bit. You wonder how long it will be until troubles resume. Unless he only trots around the bases following HR's it won't be a problem, but anything less he'll have to actually sprint, stop/start quickly on the basepaths.

QUOTE(q\/\/3r+y @ Apr 3, 2006 -> 08:49 PM) Zito is a f*** face. What, you don't take joy from Oakland losing? Thomas homers off Johnson. Now they continue their ass whooping.

Hey Steff, I thought Rowand wasn't going to show up for the ceremony?

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Apr 2, 2006 -> 08:53 PM) f*** that. I need to go to bed soon. Just cancel the damn game and have Garland (could Contreras pitch tomorrow?) go tomorrow. How do we know the cameramen, announcers, groundcrew, ushers, etc. don't have conflicting schedules/obligations? This isn't like preparing people for a makeup game in one week, or one month in advance. Rescheduling a game for an offday so suddenly, without prior notice, will be difficult.

Anyone watching Comcast's pregrame banner ceremony: Did Mark Schnowsky(?) call Thome "Richard" Thome, or was it just me?

If the Sox manage to win only one game this three game series I would want it to be tonight. Not only because it's nationally broadcasted, but I absolutely hate the unnecessary off-day tomorrow. Anyone remember two years ago? It was funny observing Soxtalk enter an absolute frenzie, but maddening because the day seemed to drag on forever. Honestly, as I alluded to earlier, win one game this series and I'll be content. A three game sweep from Cleveland beginning the year wouldn't be easy to dismiss, whether or not many would admit it. Avoid this scenario and I may resist pulling up choke avatars.

Let me understand this correctly, Kap. You had ALL offseason to upgrade the chat software, and instead decided to wait until opening day? I'm so furious right now.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Apr 1, 2006 -> 10:51 PM) They did, and all for a fourth outfielder. Burrell--Rowand--Abreu? Stupid trade here by Gillick. Sure appears that way. Perhaps the Phillies are concerned about his longterm durability, and were attempting to get something from him now.