Molto

lol

look at the playoffs teams in the AL: the Red Sox, A's and Twins all have managers, unless I'm mistaken, who have never managed a team before their tenures on their respective teams. Gardenhire, Macha and Grady Little. granted, all four managers in the NL are either highly respected and considered to be quality managers, or veterans: McKeon, Cox, Alou and Baker.

name a manager who has a winning record and his available? LaRussa really isn't available as he will most likely stay in St. Louis for at least one more year. so who is out there who is a proven winner?

I'm not saying not to, but if the guy is the perfect fit, the guy is a perfect fit. I'm not saying Randolph is a perfect fit as I don't know much about him, but don't just go with proven, because that could mean Bobby Valentine, who would not only be bad for this team, but is a bit overrated. personally, Cito Gaston would be fine by me. I wanted him a few years back, but of course, it never happened. he's laidback like Manuel, but being laidback wasn't Manuel's problem. Manuel's problem was his "we'll be alright, we got time" approach.

I didn't know Lamont, Bevington and Manuel were the only first-time managers in the history of the game? maybe I'm wrong, but every non-first-time-managers were once first-time managers. problem isn't getting a proven manager or not, problem is getting the right manager for the team, whether it is his first time or not. Wally Backman may be a good manager, but it doesn't appear as though he would work with this team in particular.

Gaston has a similar philosophy to Manuel, but I think he's a much better "manager" per se. I wouldn't mind getting him, but a guy like LaRussa would be better from a PR/confidence perspective.

I personally like Lee in the three hole. Ordonez batting second? I actually was thinking about this a month or so ago. the guy is getting on base more than anybody on this team, kinda makes sense to have him betting before our RBI guys (Lee, Thomas).

the whole sliding thing is right on the money in that why would outfielders dive. I always thought sliding headfirst was slightly faster, if not, the same speed, but never thought of it that way, it makes perfect sense.

they say sliding into first will slow you down, but I personally don't believe it based on experience. anyway, Alomar's reason for that isn't that he thinks he gets their fasther, actually, his reason for sliding headfirst is because if the throw is off-mark (high), there is no way for the firstbaseman to tag him. I really don't care either way and I hate how people make such a big deal over it. a player has to feel comfortable and do what is natural to him. Alomar has done it his whole career and is a pretty good player. one thing though, when you do the headfirst slide, it makes the play look closer than it may really be, which could lead to a call in your favor.

sorry guys, I responded to the wrong post, lol

Everett, Konerko, Ordonez and Lee were the only guys on first base Wednesday night. I'm betting anything it is Everett, especially considering he said the team wasn't hungry right after the second game.

I'm not saying Backman is, I'm just responding to the original post, which going by the quotes, made it seem as though Backman was. I personally don't like "in-your-face" managers. I think good managers have to have a mix of patience and intensity, and demand both respect and hustle from their players.

IF the Sox don't have an immediate replacement for Valentin AND they can sign him for less than $3 mil a year, I'd consider bringing him back simply because he has improved his defense. offensively he's been terrible, but at $2 million, I think he isn't a bad option to have. personally, I'd prefer him gone and have wanted him gone for a couple years now, but if he's their lone option, sign him cheap.

not sure if any of you guys remember this, but a few months back, I heard Tony Graffanino was on TV and was asked about the Sox getting a new manager, most notably a guy like Bobby Valentine (who was rumored to replace Manuel at the time). Anyway, Graffanino, I'm not sure what exactly he said, but he said something along the lines that Valentine wouldn't be good for this team as he is too loud and in-your-face for this team. I personally don't think Graffanino personally wouldn't like an in-your-face manager (what manager can't like Graffanino?), but he was talking about the team in general, which is what I think this player is doing, talking about the team and how the team would react, not really himself.

I wouldn't mind having Everett over Thomas simply because Everett is a lefty and can play the outfield if needed. thing is, if you want to dump both Thomas and Konerko you will have to do so through trades, which I think will be way too hard to do (not one, but both). unless of course Thomas thinks he can make more elsewhere and signs a bigger deal. I don't know if I'd want to dumb both of them. Konerko's value will still be pretty low, even with his second half surge, based on his contract and one-demensional, one-half play. if I were to want Everett over Thomas (something I would really have to think about), I would sign him to a three-year deal, how much would you give him is the question. Everett made $9.15 million this season, the final season of a four year $29 million dollar deal he signed before the 2000 season, one year after having his breakout season with the Astros. in 2000 he repeated his season, but hasn't been the same since, at least until this year. With him being 32 years old (33 in June of 2004), only having two 100 RBI seasons and only one 140+ game season (his second will most likely come this year), I bet we can sign him to a three year, $15 million dollar deal, especially if he likes it here. That will actually be up to $16 million less than what we'd pay Thomas through 2006. you can probably re-sign Alomar for a two-year deal, worth $7 mil I'd say, dump Valentin if you can and go get a young shortstop with some speed and defensive skills. that'll cut out $5 million. along with that, I'd try to sign guys like Sullivan, Gordon and Marte, and build up our pen as our rotation will be weakened next season. the big question in this all is how much will they be willing to spend next year. they've opened up a bit this year, but it's apparent they will not be willing to sign everyone on our team. it doesn't mean that they will cut payroll though. Williams will have to be very creative in negotiating with the guys we have, or in getting guys to replace the guys we will lose. that is if we want to go for it all again next season.

it isn't about health or offense, it is about doing what has gotten you here, which has been Esteban Loaiza, who has been caught by Miguel Olivo. and even if you did start Alomar, would that of really helped out our offense? one thing that should've been done by Manuel was a bunt by Olivo when Crede ledoff with that single. With Olivo struggling offensively, he has to lay down that bunt more. IF he did that -- and I don't say this after the fact -- Crede is on second and either scores on Alomar's single or Lee's groundout. another thing Manuel should do is switch Crede and Valentin in the order. Valentin has been useless for quite some time, while Crede has been one of our better hitters. having a vet between the two young guys in the lineup might do some good.

Borchard and Rowand should be on the team next year, however, Reed should be take slowly. he started this season in A and only had a couple months in AA. good spring or not, he shouldn't be up from the start. Rowand DESERVES first dibs at him. NOW, if you still think Reed is your man, then you can trade Rowand, but Rowand, then Borchard deserves their shots. while they do their thing, Reed should continue to develop and work his way up through the system. good spring, start him in AAA bad spring, start him in AA either way, he should be a September callup at the least in 2004.

once again, wait to see how he handles spring training. he was only in AA for a couple months, there would be nothing wrong in keeping him there for an extra month or so, especially since they have to give both Rowand and Borchard a chance. If Reed tears it up in spring training, play him in AAA, if not, keep him in AA. if he continues to hit like he did this year, move him up to AAA.

Olivo caught because Loaiza pitched, that is how they've done things this year. Alomar catches Buehrle and the fifth guy, Olivo catches Colon, Garland and Loaiza.

Ordonez has taken this approach many times in his career. Remember, Ordonez goes up to plate sitting on certain pitches and locations. if he gets it first pitch, he'll go for it. many times this year he's swong at the first pitch and hit it hard somewhere, just doesn't work all the time. you have a point though, at times, especially after a double-play, he should be more patient and work the count.

Rowand NEEDS to be given a shot next year nad Borchard NEEDS to be up with the team next year. as far as Reed? see how he does in spring training, and based on that, leave him in AA or move him up to AAA. Rowand and Borchard should be up to start the season though.

I don't blame Manuel for starting Loaiza because I don't know what was said in the clubhouse. I wouldn't be surprised if Loaiza told JM that he could go, and if so, you as a manager can't question it. when your ACE says he's okay to go, you let him go. one problem I do have with Manuel is why he left him in so long. personally, after seeing him have no control and being so sick, I would've pulled him, brought in Wright or Schoeneweis (take my chances with them) and then send Loaiza on a plane back to Chicago the next day, telling him to get better and ready for Saturday's start. either way, the first inning is what screwed the game up. before Loaiza even stepped on the mound we had already blown a first and second, no out situation. Radke didn't look too sharp in the first and was hittable, but Thomas and Ordonez didn't come through, allowing Radke to get through the inning, and in time, get in a rythm that beat the Sox from there on out. our offense was the reason we lost, we know that because we saw it first-hand. JMs decision to start ELO was something decided on behind closed doors.

Clark is my #2 favorite political figure behing Sen. McCain, who I was pulling for big time last election to beat Bush. I'm pulling for Clark, then Edwards and Dean.

Loaiza carried this team through the whole first half, so don't rip on him or say he can't handle pressure. he started in the all-star game and looked as confident as ever and how many times has he ended a losing streak for us? it isn't about being a fluke or not being able to handle the pressure, it is about having a bad outing and being a bit tired. if anyone should be ripped, it should be this offense. first inning, first and second on two HARD hit balls, and Thomas groundsout. Then Ordonez flies out. that was a HUGE momentum killer as it was vital for the Sox to come out with quick runs off Radke. they didn't, Radke settled down, and the Sox couldn't do a thing. we lost the game, we have two games left. the good thing about this all is the Twins did absolutely nothing but stand there and watch Loaiza throw balls, so hopefully Garland can shut them down tomorrow and we can rock Rogers.

all depends how the Sox do in the next four games - if they are in first or second and dependent on how many games they are up or down by. if they were to win all four, they'll probably go with a fifth man. if they only take one game from the Twins, Loaiza will be going as they won't have much time left to comeback and will need to go balls-out. hopefully they can knock around Radke in game one, get a big lead and then keep Loaiza rested.