Tony

But....it did happen. I mean what a bizarre argument. He gets credit because it did happen. Why did it happen? Because he built a team and core that performed consistently in the playoffs, which gave them the opportunity to compete for a World Series Championship. Stop buying into this "the playoffs are a total crapshot, anyone can win, it's all equal" bullshit narrative. Not all playoff teams are created equal. Additionally, you used the 2005 Sox as an example. So now having well over a decade to examine that, it's clear that team was in fact lucky. They didn't make the playoffs in 2004 or 2006. That was proven to be a great run in one season. The Cubs went to the NLCS consistently during their run. There is a large difference.

Let’s say this is true. Then he still deserves a ton of credit for turning those franchises around. It wasn’t just luck. He’s very good at his job and got results..in two unique locations. That’s the point.

I feel like you’re trying to once again to be smarter than everyone else and “look at things differently” but it’s another instance where it just makes you look silly. Mike Smith was a bad GM overall. Made a lot of bad moves. He absolutely deserves credit for drafting Seabrook, Keith, Crawford and Byfuglien. The same can basically be said about Tallon, but he was responsible for really putting together and developing the core of the Stanley Cup run. Again, deserves a bunch of credit. I know you’re “theory” has a lot to do with your own life, and I’m sorry for whatever issues you’ve dealt with or are still currently dealing with, but just being real…Just because you feel like you’ve put in work and “life” hasn’t worked out the way you wanted, doesn’t mean Theo Epstein doesn’t deserve credit for winning championships with two separate franchises. He didn’t just get lucky.

So then I’ll ask you again. Does anyone in sports deserve any credit?

We absolutely haven’t had this discussion. And even if we had..you’re the one that “re-hashed” this position/take. But we haven’t, and all I asked is more clarification on a stance that clearly I don’t understand in the slightest.

There is like a 1000 things wrong with this post, so not totally sure where to start. But using this logic…when does anyone in sports (or really anything in life) deserve credit? The Penguins and Kings clearly don’t deserve any credit for their runs, it was just luck. Patriots? No good, just a hot streak. Am I understanding your logic here?

What does this mean?

Two things can be true at once. The Braves have gotten incredibly hot at the right time. We've seen that happen before, and it will happen again. That's great for the Braves, it's made a great story. The team they are playing in the World Series has been the absolute class of the AL for the last 5-6 years and it's not luck or coincidence that has gotten them to 5 straight ALCS appearances (cheating however, has played a role lol) Yes, getting hot and "luck" can and do play a role in the playoffs. But the idea of just building a playoff team and hoping for the right breaks to happen to your team once you make the dance is short-sighted and lacks an understanding of the game. The Sox have shown us in back to back seasons that at this point, they have not reached the "elite" level of teams of which there are only a select few. Does that mean they couldn't still win a World Series with his collection of players? No...they absolutely could. But there are absolutely improvements they can make that will help their chances in October.

I know, it's really hard to figure out why so many here would like a player who bats LH, plays solid OF defense and slashed .292/.401/.437 in 2021 and is still cost controlled. Bunch of weirdos.

Fuck this entire franchise.

The first season of Ted Lasso may be my favorite season of TV in a long time. I just love that show.

Emily Kaplan is reporting everyone is safe over there, this is all part of the plan....it's unreal.

Stop bringing up "Abreu" and "Trade" Sorry to single you out, but I've seen it multiple times already this offseason. He will NEVER be traded from the White Sox. We need to stop mentioning it.

I don't know what really happened. I also don't really care (this isn't a shot at you, you're point is valid) But if @tray believes the Astros cheating is that severe, I'd have serious pause giving my support to Tony La Russa, who has allegations of cheating against him from former MLB players (not to mention the juice heads out in Oakland, but that's a different issue)

Interesting. https://elitesportsny.com/2020/01/17/jack-mcdowell-says-the-chicago-white-sox-cheated-in-the-1980s/

Well said. We are in rare times when the Sox make the playoffs, lose, and we're still all very hopeful for the future. They just need to continue being aggressive and improving.

Additionally, @Balta1701 is using a premise that with a different manager, every button would have been pushed correctly. That doesn't happen with any manager, ever. Coaching staffs can make an impact for teams, no question. The idea that a starting pitching staff put up an ERA collectively over 10 would be cut in half (or more) simply with different coaching is ludicrous to me. Players need to be held far more accountable for their performances on the field. TLR didn't ask Lynn to throw with his left hand. Yes, the Astros were a bad matchup...but tough shit. It's the playoffs. This is coming from a guy that hated the TLR hire and still hates it. But LaRussa wasn't the main issue in the playoffs. The players on the field were.

Nah, I just think you're an asshole for not being able to comprehend why a male can't root/enjoy women's sports other than being "woke" If that's me being a "White Knight" then so be it, I guess? But you've gotten significantly throttled in this thread already, so not sure what you think about everyone else. But we'll be done with this convo. It's clear it's not going anywhere.

Ok so you're just an asshole then. Got it. Glad we cut right to the core, saved some time.

Correct. I have a hard time getting into college sports in general a lot of times for various reasons, but I don't begrudge anyone for enjoying them. But there is a certain "type" of person that can't help but let everyone else know women's sports are stupid, not good and there is no reason a man should enjoy them, other than being "woke".....which obviously makes total sense.

I know it isn't exactly what you asked, but if the Sox acquired Max and Trea from the Nats instead of the Dodgers....our Sox are getting ready for a game in Boston today.

So because you don't like it, the only reason a man would like it is because they are trying to please their girlfriend? Or the only reason I can support the WNBA is because I'm "woke?" These are all things you said. Is that right?

This is bananas in my opinion. The starters ERA in the series was over 10. You're saying AJ Hinch lowers that by 5, 6 runs? I just don't buy it.

I'm sorry, what now?