The critics already are saying that what you have seen is what you are going to continue to get from supposed sluggers such as Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye, who usually occupy the fourth and fifth spots.

 

"That's the easy thing to say right now," hitting coach Greg Walker said. "I've got a lot more belief in them than the fair-weather fan does, I guess. I see their talent, I see their work ethic, I see their desire. They'll get it done."

 

Joe Borchard works his ass off, he had desire and he has talent. He however cannot hit the round ball with regularity. That is why statements like this drive me nuts.

 

"[Dye], I'm amazed at his talent every day. He's got big-time talent, and his mechanics are good. I think he is a classic case of coming to new team and trying too hard. It's going to click. Hitting is contagious, and not hitting is contagious. We're pressing a bit in the middle of the lineup, they're trying to do too much. Luckily, those [other] guys have come through."

 

Does Walker actually spend time watching the hitters hit. When we watch Dye I dont think anyone is amazed at his talent.

 

Trib story on sox hitting woes

Konerko and Dye have both had success at the major league level where Borchard has not. That's like comparing apples and oranges.

Konerko and Dye have both had success at the major league level  where Borchard has not.  That's like comparing apples and oranges.

 

Agreed.

Konerko and Dye have both had success at the major league level  where Borchard has not.  That's like comparing apples and oranges.

And Konerko has shown he can hit very well in 1 half of a season, and not so good in another half.

 

Dye, well we'll just have to wait and see.

Obviously Walker is gonna back his guys, that's no surprise. What I'm getting sick of is hearing how konerko, crede, rowand etc. are so hard on themselves, and they put more pressure on themselves and so on.

 

What needs to stop is this attitude after making an out of slamming the bat down, putting thier head down and jogging to first. I wish ozzie would pull them out of the game right there. Every at bat is not life or death and when you act like it is you are putting undo pressure on yourself.

I think, as you guys have said, Palsy will give us one good half.

Dye will also turn it around. However, I don't expect him to even get to his .270 career average. I'd say .240 at best, the guy has been on a steady decline the past few years. Pssssssst, hey Kenny, no more deals with Oakland.

The real question is how much will these 2 hurt the team til they 'turn it around'?

The thing is with Dye is this. Brian Anderson will probably be ready at the start of next season. Do they want a guy who's making $5.15 million, or a guy who'd put up pretty much the same sort of numbers give or take @ $300,000 and throw Anderson into the fire?

With guys like Dye and Konerko, Walker can only give advice. These guys have learned to work through their own slumps throughout their careers. It's not like they run to Greg Walker every time they go 0-4.

 

In my opinion, the hitting woes relate to personnel. Konerko always had someone in the lineup protecting him whether it was Frank, Maggs, Carlos, or sometimes even Jose. Now Konerko has nothing and sees maybe one or two good pitches per at bat and tries to do too much with them. It appears Rowand is heating up and hopefully can restore some of that. Frank is also on the way and he almost always has good at bats which really tire a pitcher. When that happens, Konerko will see better pitches to hit and hopefully have less pressure on himself.