winninguglyin83

the 2003 American league playoffs begin tonight it's time to take care of business

don't want to argue more important to beat the Twins foulke is gone marte and Gordon are our guys life goes on

he's a good pitcher. he's not the MVP. He's not the Cy Young He's probably Fireman of the Year. But he didn't want to be here. he'll get his chance to show how good he really is in October. He wasn't so hot in October the last time around as I remember: 2 games 2.1 innings 4 hits 2 walks 2 Home runs 3 runs all earned 11.57 and one loss -- a critical GAme One loss, I might add Frankly, I'll take Damaso show me, Keith

i think robbie is key he needs to get us going offensively

Fisk would also bring some fans back with him. Sox fans generally love the guy. He battled his ass off. the only problem -- and a major one -- is that he and JR had a falling out during 1993. He stayed away for a long time and then wore his Red Sox hat at Cooperstown. But if JR could be convinced that this would be a good way to please fans -- and hire a smart, tough guy -- maybe he would do it. Pudge definitely gets my vote.

all this talk about next year sure seems like a surrender for this year

Asking for a sweep is quite a lot -- but that's what the Sox need. Not only for their advantage in the standings, but it is the only way to put any pressure on the Twins. If we leave with a 1/2 game lead (or trailing), the Twins will laugh all the way to October.

Wilbon is Mr. NFL. You could print what he knows about the 2003 White Sox on the back of a postage stamp.

If Keith Foulke is the MVP of the American League, then Madonna is the leading candidate to be the next Pope. that's absurd. Is this the same Foulke who went to Manuel last season and asked to be replaced as the closer because he lost his confidence? And the same Foulke who gave it up in Game One of the 2000 Division Playoffs against Seattle? And the same one who let Giambi hit one 900 feet in a critical game with the Yankees last season? Just asking. He's had a good year. But he's hardly the MVP -- of the As, even. Gimme Hudson or Chavez any time. He's in his walk year, which means somebody (like the Cubs) will greatly overpay for him for 2004

Agreed. Torre just might not have stuck with Koch as the closer until July. Or Boss would have gone out and got somebody else. Manuel allowed Koch to pitch this team into a serious hole.

Irabu is another one who was supposed to be the next great thing. Suzuki and Matsui have been very good. But there IS a risk involved. most likely one worth taking. but it's still a risk and the Sox remain in this hole because Caruso, Dellaero and the other shortstops of the future were big-time busts. Even Gonzalez took a step backwards this year at Kannapolis. It appears that our best SS prospect is Valido and he's probably four years way.

if the Sox are down 3-0 in the third, there will be speculation about the 2004 manager, questions about refunds for the division series and optimism that the four losses the Sox gave the Cubs will end up keeping them from the post-season.

Not discounting him. He's probably very good. But there have been some Japanese busts, too -- like Shinjo on the Mets. And I have my doubts believing JR will get into any kind of bidding war. I'm more intrigued by the idea of the Sox acquiring Eckstein if the Angels sign the Japenese ss. He wouldn't break the bank.

Sox don't have Joe Torre's talent -- or bank roll -- the last time I checked. frankly, win or lose, I'd rather see Carlton Fisk. I think he'd be outstanding -- and he wouldn't stand for any half-assed effort, even in April or May. Never forget the day he destroyed Deion Sanders when Deion didn't run out a popout while playing for the other team, the Yankees, I believe. One Major vote for Pudge.

extremely nervous -- and that under-states it. Other than our last trip in, Twinkie Dome has been a house of horrors for Sox since the end of the 2000 season (when the Sox lost on the day they clinched the division). very little pressure on the Twins, since they know they have 7 games left with Detroit. Plus, they won easy last night without having to use their 'A' guys in the bullpen. And Radke has to carry a ton of confidence to the mound, knowing he shut the Sox down last time out. If Sox don't win tonight, they have ZERO margin for error the rest of the season -- and we'll all be lamenting the games that were given away to the Tigers (eight) Rangers (four) and Devil Rays (three). It's way more difficult than it should have been.

shows how desperate we are that the leading vote getter is a guy that NOBODY has seen play. he might be a helluva player. But there is no guarantee he is another Ichiro.

exactly Baines is even more low-key than Manuel. Need somebody with a bit more of a pulse, who knows how to handle a pitching staff. Baines needs a bit of experience.

7-2 Twinkies can't watch no more

we at least need the Tribe to swing the sticks and make Gardenhire use the pen a bit we are in trubba

Martinez doubles in Blake with two outs 2-1 Tribe bottom four

stayed long enuff to see McGruder lead off third with dong 1-1 thank you McGruder, whoever you are

Rivas bounces to pitcher 1-0 Twinkies bottom three taking pbp break to cut the grass

Stewart doubles in AJ with two outs double ugh

Guzman pops to third

Ryan flies to left no advance