103 mph screwball

I like the current banner... Rolling Rock. Thank you for your support Rolling Rock. Click it! I'll say 2009. KW is aggressive and he will work something out.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 12:40 PM) Isn't that what Erstad was suppose to do? If Erstad can't jumpstart the team with his ULTRA-GRINDY ways then Rowand isn't going to fair so well. The Rowand/sparkplug bulls*** should have died when Erstad signed. Perhaps the Sox could make Aaron the new pitching coach since he seems to have such a huge effect on the starting pitching. Erstad = grinder Rowand= Beloved teammate, grinder, friend, guy who loves Chicago, guy who had the biggest ovation at the ring ceremony, and a big reminder of what it took and what it feels like to win in 2005. I might not work. Other than firing Greg Walker, this move could have the biggest impact on turning the Sox around for the least cost. It's worth a shot before the Sox backup the truck and white flag. If Rowand provides a big spark, then the Sox are buyers at the deadline.

Rowand could be the spark that gets this team going. His play will not single handedly make the Sox an offensive powerhouse. He might change the team's attitude enough and get guys like Crede in gear again. I think before the Sox white flag and blow the team up, Rowand would be a relatively inexpensive attempt to resuscitate this team. Hell, if it doesn't work, trade him again in July. I don't care what any stats show, this team has not been the same since he left. (insert your criticism of silly grinders here). If the Sox can be convinced that he would make a difference, then since baseball is mostly mental...it could work. If nothing else, since Aaron was such a fan favorite, there should be a PR and possibly attendance benefit of giving it a try. Bring the kid home.

Nice performance by Garland and MacDouglal. Would have been nice to get this one. If the Sox are going to carry Anderson as a defensive outfielder and a backup, Ozzie needs to use him. Jenks job was to close the game and I think I would point to him if I had to blame one guy. All closers blow games. I'll give Jenks a pass on this one. Get em next time Bobby. Sox will win the series tomorrow.

I want a sweep. The AL Central is the best division in baseball. The Sox will need to dominate the west.

Just trying to cheer the old man up. I feel for the guy. My point is he is still a wealthy, famous, athlete. He will rebound. He will not have to live alone, drowning his sorrows in cheap beer, as he watches reruns on the couch in his dirty T-shirt and old underwear with holes in them. I hope it is not true, but if it is Jose, hang in there. Life is still good and it will be even better if you put some more championship rings on your fingers.

Gaudin, 22, emerged with the Devil Rays in 2003 after signing as an unheralded 34th-round pick in 2001 out of high school in suburban New Orleans. He went 5-3, 2.13 in the Cal League, then 2-0, 0.47 in the Double-A Southern League to earn a surprise promotion to Tampa Bay, where he went 2-0, 3.60 in 40 innings. He never recovered from the absolute beating he received on April 10, 2007 when the White Sox hit him all the way back to AA. Sox players finally decided to swing and miss on purpose to spare his family further embarrassment and dishonor. Despite this act of mercy, the Sox still scored 5 more runs swinging with their eyes closed as Gaudin continued to throw his fastball right at the hitter's bat. The Sox went on to completely deplete the Oakland A's bullpen and the game ended with Mike Piazza pitching the final 2 innings. With this game, the Sox reversed the perception that Oakland had their number and the Sox swept the season series. The confidence gained by the Sox during Gaudin's game, was a springboard to a 110 win season and the 2nd World Series Championship in 3 years which began the decade long dynasty. Gaudin was never able to take the mound again without losing control of his bodily functions. He currently resides in seclusion somewhere in Canada. Now Soxtalk, THINK POSITIVE! Sox WILL beat Santana Sox WILL sweep Oakland Sox WILL hit unknown pitchers Sox WILL win the central Sox WILL win the World Series Sox WILL have a baseball Dynasty Soxtalk WILL NOT continue to depress me with constant negativity. Thank You

If this true, I'm sorry for the pain that this will bring Jose and his family. I hope it is not true. Other than death of a loved one, divorce is one of the most stressful events that can happen in a person's life. If it is true, line up the ladies for Jose. Girls gone wild Cuban edition.

KW knows what he is doing. Good thing the Sox didn't blow 50 million on Matthews Jr. or Pierre. Good job Pods! Keep it up so that every other post on Soxtalk will NOT be spewing hate at you. Screw Oakland. Screw Santana. Time to start winning where the Sox "aren't supposed to". Another fine outing by MacDougal too.

Time to get over this defeatist attitude that the Sox can't beat Oakland. Santana too for that matter. Go Sox! I read that BA was going to start Wednesday

Stone will raise Singleton's game. Stone has had to work with others who have required "patience". I like Farmer, but I did not like the way he would hang Chris out to dry last year. They did sound better in the spring. Eventually, I think Singleton will be fine. DJ and Stone would be a nice combo when Hawk decides to retire.

Leading off for the Sox in the top of the 3rd Pablo Ozuna LF 2-0 show bunt called strike Chopper to short 1 out

Goleski 1-0 Knuckle inside 2-0 3-0. Strike Called 3-1 3-2 Foul Haegar will get one more start 5 days from now. Mentions Garlands shoulder knot. Fly out to center.

Antonio Perez 2B Fastball by AJ 1-0 Deep Left Ozuna makes the catch crashing into the wall

Lou Merloni 3b Ball Knuckle strike 1-1 Deep Center Gone Home Run A's 3-1. Shake it off Charlie

Marco Scutaro 2B Knuck inside 1-0 outside 2-0 called strike on check swing 2-1 Keeps call him Hough 3-1 single

Piazza ball 1 knuckle 2-0 strike called swing miss knuckle 2-2 3-2 Walk and gets by AJ

It seems to me like Singleton must have worked on his skills over the off season. I think he will be fine. There were times last year where Farmer would hang him out to dry so badly, that it would make me uncomfortable. Now, I must confess, I would have led the fire DJ club 4-5 years ago. I now think DJ is a homerun call away from being an excellent play by play man. He does a great job on the Fox games, and he has really improved. I love Hawk. It will be a sad day for me when Hawk retires. When he does, I think DJ will be a fine play by play man. We need to come up with a homerun call for DJ. DJ and Singleton sounded fine to me. I'd like to see how DJ and Farmer work together on TV.

It's not important if any of us feel that Rowand is a key to White Sox success. If the Sox players and management feel that way, I think that is hugely important. Attitude, team chemistry, juju, superstition, or whatever you want to call it can focus the team's talent. If it fires up the team and Rowand for another run in 2007, go for it. I think it is more likely that an extremely happy Rowand improves his 2nd half 2006 numbers than BA figuring it out in as Ozzie's reluctant choice. I also believe that Rowand meant more than a cheerleader to the 2005 championship.

Tribune Headline: "Sox Support Skinheads"

Tribune Headline: "Sox Support Skinheads"

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Mar 9, 2007 -> 10:53 PM) And what is this price you're willing to pay for mediocrity? KW will pay more than he seems to be worth when looking at his numbers. But then again, Arow is worth more than his numbers (clubhouse presence, fan favorite). I don't think KW will go overboard and give in to an outrageous Philly demand like Thorton or Mac. The Phillies probably overvalued ARow during the Garcia trade talks. I would speculate that Philly now knows that KW does not have a completely irrational attachment to ARow, but does have genuine interest which probably exceeds what other clubs would offer. Philly also would also like to get an arm or two and reallocate some salary while still having a capable CF replacement. I don't know what KW will do. If a trade happens, it will surprise us all as usual. I would be willing to move Tracey because he doesn't seem to have a future with the Sox. There are just too many pitchers ahead of him. I'd also be willing to move Logan. Logan seems very talented, but that old saying that you can't teach a 95 mph fastball...well, you can't teach BALLS either. Even though most seemed to disagree with me, I'm on record as losing respect for a man that talks to the press about the big boys picking on him. I can't argue that Arow is not mediocre. Something was missing last year besides the pitching. Let's get the three stooges back together and maybe some 2005 magic. Agreed that Anderson is better defensively, but I don't feel that Anderson is that much better of a defensive player, and I'd be willing to bet that ARow would have better offensive numbers than Anderson. Also, consider the fact that Ozzie is going to play Erstad in place of Anderson a ton when Pods comes back. Ozzie seemed to mishandle Anderson last year for some reason. I have no reason to believe he would not do it again. Bottom line is that I think the Sox have a better chance of winning another World Series in 2007 with ARow instead of Anderson. I don't have "man love" for ARow. I want the Sox to win and I think he gives them the best shot.

Anderson might be able to put up Rowand numbers. Rowand does. Anderson is talented but on Ozzie's bad side for too many party's and questionable attitude. Rowand is grinder poster boy and makes the most of less talent. Anderson is considered by many fans a 2006 question mark. Rowand is a fan favorite. Anderson will have to further develop on a team that wants to win now. Rowand has been at starting CF on a champion. Anderson seems to be well liked in the club house. Rowand is loved and missed. Anderson is cheap. Who cares 3 million fans can help pay for Rowand. Logic may support Anderson as do many very bright Soxtalk members. What I've seen, my gut feeling, and probably Reinsdorf support Rowand. I think KW could have gotten ARow in the Garcia trade if he had been creative, but decided to stick with Anderson. I think KW could change his mind and there may be substance to this rumor. I like Anderson, but I would not be against Rowand's return. Can you just imagine the smile on his face at the press conference and the hugs when he joins the team? Anderson can go to AAA in case Erstad or Pods gets injured and to replace a possible free agent departure next year. I'd like to see the starters be Dye and the best 2 of the following 3... Erstad, Pods, Rowand. ARow and Erstad have CF covered. Mack and Ozuna can cover corners if needed. Bench: Hall C, Erstad CF RF 1B, Ozuna LF PR 3B SS, Cintron SS 2B 3B, Mackowiak LF RF 1B 3B 2B emergency C. NO CF. AAA Owens, Anderson, Sweeny. AAA may be just the eye opening kick in the ass Anderson needs.

If Mark offers a discount, pay him with 4 years with a nice mutually beneficial option for the 5th. Make Mark a home grown feel good exception to usual pitcher contracts. Lock him up. Hug him on TV. Let Mark tell the world how much he wanted to stay with the Sox and how much he loves playing for them. It would be a nice public relations move. If Danks/Gio/Floyd turn out to be studs, Garland could be traded next offseason, or replace JC when he retires.

Are AAA games available? I'd like to watch some Knights games every once in a while to see the kids before they go prime time. Are AAA games even televised?