he gone.

Not to toot my own horn, but on page 2 of this thread I said this could be a long game cause of control... And s***. This game is long. Not even enjoyable. It's just a shame we couldn't turn those walks into runs

I mean, I speak from a guy who has gone to 4 games this year so far, spending money for Scout Seats, diamond box etc. I also have a season ticket plan. Yes, you can sit and watch good baseball for cheap. I mean I sat 2 rows behind the dugout for $30/seat. But in the end of the day, I watch more intensely at home. Can see balls and strikes, pitch location, etc. I'd just rather be at home for a game on a weekday. Weekends I like getting out and having a beer in the summer and watching at the park. Fireworks, etc.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ May 5, 2016 -> 10:19 AM) 20,000 is fine. 12,000 is a joke though. Yes and no. If I had free tickets I'd probably go last night, but it was cold, I was tired from work, and I watched on my 60" television drinking $1 Founder's and $1 tacos to my hearts content. On a weekend when I am more free to seek out entertainment I do so, but on a weekday? Meh. And I live in the city, w/ no kids, so my excuses are a lot less than the majority of the folks out there.

This could be a LONG game. Not saying that in the context that we will lose. Saying that because both pitchers have been known to have control issues. Sox need to be patient tonight. Owens will strikeout 10 if you let him. Take pitches, be patient and you can hit the mistakes hard. This can be a 5 inning, 4er, 4bb, 5k performance or a 7 inning, 2er, 2bb, 10k depending on our patience. Go go sox.

This attendance thread is like watching CNN election coverage. It's the same thing repeated over and over, yet I find myself coming back. Listen, go back to 2005. Attendance wasn't exactly great throughout the year. People are slow to come out. If anything, next year is the year you would see the biggest bump on if they make the playoffs. Case and point, 2005 and 2006. Like I've said in the past, we're going to get 15,000-20,000 for weekday games regardless if it's Boston. This will be true for the HOU and CLE series in May as well. The Twins series and KC series this month will have 25,000 on Friday and 30,000+ on Sat/Sun. Once School is out, it is consistently warm, THEN you will see the bump. But for now, no.

It's sad in the sense that he was well liked in the locker room. But -- so was LaRoche. The team will move on fine. Between Johnson, Turner, Gonzalez, and Fulmer we should have some arms that are okay and ready to pitch in relief and put up a 4.50era. Just don't go and trade big prospects for a pitcher this year. Don't want it. We all know playoffs only need 1-2-3. So let's get a serviceable arm if those fail that can get us to the dance. But let's not spend the farm.

I know people are speculating Miguel Gonzalez back up, but here is the order I'd like to see: Turner Johnson Gonzalez Danks (unless he can put 3-4mph on his fastball, then he's #1 on this list) And no, I don't know enough about options and how that affects my order. I just believe the most in each of those pitchers like that.

Boo. Close this attendance thread. Let another annoying attendance thread open after this series when we only draw 22,000 a night. "Why can't this team draw" They have the most wins in baseball and only 22,000 show up?" "Most of those were Red Sox fans" Listen, we aren't the Cubs. We don't have Wrigleyville. I met some friends out who were in from the burbs on Saturday in Wrigley with a postponed game. There were MULTIPLE bars that were at CAPACITY on a 45 degree, 100% raining day. So don't talk about us not having fans. Those people go to Cubs games as an "event". You go to US Cellular on the same type of day and everything is dead. Let school let out, if we are still playing good ball you'll see 22-27,000 on weekdays and 30-35,000 on weekends. And that's fine. I like being able to stretch out and sit in different seats throughout the game.

So I've got this message out to a few of my friends and waiting on a response, but basically a buddy and I are in a search for a 3rd ticket partner for the Double Play ticket plan. The rundown: This plan includes 19 total games - All Sat/Sun games from June 11th through the end of the season. It also includes one Cubs/Sox game. If you buy into this plan you are GUARANTEED all ALDS, one ALCS, one WS game in the amount of tix you buy in the same section, not same seats. You are also in the group that gets the code with Full Season Tix holders and Hit and Run folks. The 7/14 game plans will get a separate code after for any Postseason tix opportunities. Then the general public. So my thinking is you are probably likely to get a decent amount of playoff games you want. Now breaking down the math: 18 games/3 people is just a 6 game commitment. It would cost $274 per person for 2 bleacher seats for the 6 games. This includes an extra Cubs game in there. It would be my preference to sell those 2 seats -- even call it $100/piece (can see that being reasonable if both are doing well) Working in that profit, the total per person should be about $200-225 per person for 2 tix to 6 weekend games. It would have to go some sort of draft process to pick the games. This is about $17-19 a ticket. Wondering if there is any interest level from anybody on this board. When I checked in with the Sox this weekend the best available were Section 160, Row 10.

I've had a gut feeling if we did well or had injuries he may come back. Same with the Cardinals. I just don't think he's done. I believe he was tired of ST and all that kind of stuff. The not wanting to Danks spot is valid, but I think Danks would honestly be okay with anybody taking his spot - he seems down and out. My bold prediction to my friends before the year started was if the Sox were in first place come June that Buehrle would be back come July/trade deadline.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 28, 2016 -> 07:58 PM) Danks next three starts if he makes them: 5-4 vs Red Sox 5-9 at Rangers 5-15 at Yankees We have an off day on Monday. They'll be able to skip him and keep everybody else on normal 5 days off. Guarantee he won't make the 5-4 start. After that, you could probably get away with 1 start, or shuffling as we have a few off days in the coming weeks after. There are ways to avoid the #5 if you want to get creative.

He is like Shark. Seems like he starts off bad and settles down as the game goes on. True though, it does seem like everybody likes the guy. Sucks his arm isn't the same. He even said this year was huge. Said if he can't pitch he won't be in the majors and this will be his last year. He understands it. Let's get a run next inning. Then come the 7th we can 4-5 runs!

With the day off on Monday, by my very quick math we'd need the #5 to start Saturday May 7th. And then could probably fudge around until about the third week in May... Now, that's not ideal. I'd rather not work our pitchers that heavily cause of a Danks. But I think pushing back Danks to Baltimore was probably a plan because of the Monday off game where they could skip him. Either way, we know its a problem. Let's fix it.

You know who I really wanted the Sox to get this offseason? AJ Griffin. He signed a minor league contract with the Rangers. Either way. The way I look at it this #4/5 spot is going to be huge all year. Let's be honest, Latos has some stats that show he is going to have a regression. Yes he's been great, I just don't expect it to continue all year. And Danks is hot garbage. So what are the realistic options? In order: Johnson Gonzalez Turner Fulmer Trade? Out of all those names the only one who I think I'd have confidence in over Danks is Johnson.

Just remember this attitude we have today if we lose 6 in a row in May or June. If Avi can just be average it really makes this team dangerous. And finally. These wins are nice. But let's win the division games when they come up. Go go sox!

I put zero stock in those. Not to be all Hawk about stats, but playoff percentage means nothing to me. I'll do it by the eye test. Right now if I had to revise my pre-season prediction: Royals 92 Wins Tigers 86 Wins Sox 86 Wins Indians 83 Wins Twins 72 Wins Sox until they can get a bat I cannot take seriously. Pitching wont always be this good. Bats wont always be this bad. However counting on Ajax, Garcia, Sands, Saladino, Rollins, Avila to win us games consistently doesn't work in my mind. Get one more bat and I'm a sold believer. Doesn't even have to be an OF. Just a bat. I think it should be possible.

I actually wouldn't be surprised to see a bigger crowd these next two days. This is the time of year/day that you'll get school groups. I would bet you see bright neon orange or yellow shirts somewhere in the stadium today. Also you can draw on some work crowds. I for one am taking out a client to today's game.

I think the point to be made here is that we've played the A's and Twins for 7 of our 12 games. Those two teams will be at the bottom of the AL. We now start a stretch playing the Angels (don't think they're a playoff team this year - bad pitching staff), Texas (pitching isn't that great either. Have Hamels a few others that are okay - good offense) then play Toronto and Baltimore. If on April 30th we're 4 games above .500 I'll be very happy. I just have a feeling some of those teams are going to post some runs on us and hopefully our bats can respond. I'll say were 5-8 over our next 13 games. Happy with 7-6 Thrilled with anything better.

Not to bore anybody with my fantasy baseball talk, but I have both on my team, so I am hoping for a 3-0 CG from Sale Sox win. With those 3 runs coming in the 8th and 9th after Odorizzi. All seriousness. Odorizzi can strike out a ton of guys. Key to tonight will be working the count. If we can get 1-2 runs over 6 innings and get him to exit after 6? I call it a win. I'm calling a 3-1 Sox win tonight. Also LOVE starting on the road. LOVE IT. I used to hate it as a fan and wanting them at home. But these guys are accustom to being on the road out of ST. Starting at home doesn't really do any good. They aren't settled. Loved the West Coast start. Now they come home Monday with some great weather on tap. Basically has them into the clear for the season moving forward cold weather wise.

So its: Sale v. Odorizzi? Danks v. Ramirez Q v. Moore I don't know. Maybe it's all those bad years in my brain still. Cause I analyzed Hughes and Santana going into this series the same way and was scared to walk away with 2 wins. No Archer, but still tough matchups. I'd hope for Sale or Q win and then one game where it's tied going into the 7th where we win it. I'll say 2 of 3.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 14, 2016 -> 07:43 AM) LaRoche lies throughout this article and sounds like a dumbass parent who thinks his kid is more special than anyone else's. Two infuriating parts of this article: But Drake was different, he says: "the exception to the rule." He began to accompany his father to the field at the start of spring training in 2011, LaRoche's first year with the Nationals. By the second day, LaRoche says, 9-year-old Drake was shining shoes and picking up baseballs after drills and feeding tees. LaRoche says it got to the point where teammates would wonder what happened when Drake wasn't there. Yeah, you dumb f***. It's like when you wonder why your teacher didn't show up or your boss isn't there. It's not because you're sad, it's because "holy s*** this is amazing!" "I would go to those managers every year," he says. "I would tell them, 'Listen, if there's ever an issue, specifically if a player comes up to you, you've got to let me know.'" So what the f*** changed you dumb f*** you. "You can say, 'That's no place for a kid to be,'" LaRoche says. "The way I see it, he's going to be around that regardless, unless you home-school and raise them in a bubble. I can't think of a better place for him to be when he gets a taste of that than with me." You stupid f***, Adam LaRoche. Being around it with children your own age and growing with them is different than being around a bunch of testosterone-filled professional idiots. Does Drake? "Honestly, I think he sees it as more time to hunt and fish," Adam says. Notice the complete lack of ever talking about development or schooling. F*ck you and your stupid f***ing kid, Adam LaRoche. That's so much anger. Relax. A guy worth $70mm decided what he thought was best for himself and family happiness wise. Interviews are requested and he spoke, big deal.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Apr 13, 2016 -> 01:48 PM) He trashed the organization by saying the organization made me choose, and I pick my son over all of my teammates." The big point in the story is the he says KW asked him to dial back the kid's presence and he said no. He then states that KW told him that his son wasn't allowed at all. KW insisted that there was no comment that he wasn't allowed. You can believe who you want but considering others children have been allowed into the clubhouse since the incident, I'll go with KW's side. If that is the case Adam lied about the situation to make the organization look bad. That's not really trashing the organization. It's true. He had to choose. Not choose between retiring and his son, but between bringing his son and not. That doesn't make the Sox look bad at all. And plus none of us know the whole story.

To be honest the 1,000 people who are following his meat company on Twitter are searching out that negative news. Also who really knows who's running that Twitter handle. It's probably a family member or friend. Him trashing the organization? Where? This franchise threatening to move, getting a stadium that is funded thru tax payers, etc. is a whole lot worse than Adam LaRoche saying anything. It's really a stretch to throw him under the bus and to me, is bad taste. There are a whole lot of MLB players with less integrity. I'd rather have had a guy who want his son around than a guy cheating on his wife.

Some very anti-LaRoche people here. What did he do wrong? He made a personal decision that he's made enough money doing his job and wanted to retire if it wasn't going the way he planned. Don't get why it's any skin off our nose. He prepared, worked hard and did what was asked of him. Seems like an overall great guy who cares about the integrity of a person. World would probably be better with more people like him. So what he didn't hit a little white ball very well for us. He's not making any stink about this. Guarantee if this was 1990 when this happened there would be one newspaper article about it in the Sun-Times and Trib and be done. Media driven right now.

Gibson has owned us. Twins are due for a win. Quintana always has bad luck. This is the Home Opener for the Twins. These are all statements I would think for Sox teams from 2009-2015. So far the Sox have bucked a few of those trends early this season. Would like to see them win this one this afternoon and have me think less worst case scenario. I'll go with Sox 5 Twinks - 4