The Beast

Met four former posters and confirmed my suspicions about one I thought was an absolute b****. In general, the people on here are knowledgable and have good posts.

Thanks for bringing passion to the mound Jake. Your grunting and attitude was great out there. Way to fight back after the weirdest injury I have ever seen. We knew we were going to get a good game when you pitched which is more than we could say than that weak POS Gavin Floyd.

I've bought the book and am taking a look at the math - learning the Geometry will be a bit annoying but it shouldn't be too difficult. I would have been really good at math if my teacher in middle school didn't misplace me. Anyway, I am looking into taking the GRE this fall so that I can obtain a Master's in Counseling Education. My job isn't too bad but it doesn't help me meet my 40K a year by 30 goal and has low advancement. Plus I'd like to get up and do something I love for a change. That said this job is the best job I have ever had - HR is much easier than PR.

The ballpark experience is better than Tampa Bay's ballpark experience. Too many unemployed 40 year old men that love nothing more than their horns and cowbells. I definitely don't feel pumped up for the Sox games I have been to based upon the performances I have seen and the fact that they got rid of the Pirates of the Carribbean video at the start of the game. I always say the food is good but it can get real pricy, so I tailgate beforehand. The nachos are worth it in the later innings.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 8, 2013 -> 11:15 PM) I guess cause he appears overmatched. Let another former Sox give it a try. It's Baines' turn. Why would they give another former Sox player the chance to manage the team? Guillen won in 2005 but was brutal otherwise, and Ventura is too passive. It would be elbetter to bring someone outside of the organization...but you suggest Baines? The dude is a mute!

Went to the game tonight in Tampa. That stadium has the most obnoxious fans, who love using horns like Minnesota Vikings fans, using cowbells for every 2 strike count and dancing to a stupid mascot named DJ Kitty. Offensively, there is no pop in this lineup like there used to be in the early 00's. Flowers is garbage. De Aza is inconsistent. Blah blah blah...it's time for some roster turnover and a salary dump. I can't see myself paying for more games this season unless there is some good minor league talent being shown off at the Cell. I was in Tampa meeting my family so we didn't pay much for this crap they choose to put on the field. Props to Sale and eff the anemic offense.

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Jun 30, 2013 -> 02:34 PM) First, knowing J4L this is all going exactly to his plan. There's no frustration on his behalf in regards to the team, believe me. He masterfully threw out the bait and sat in the corner twiddling his thumbs awaiting the bites. However, as one of those 10yr veterans of Soxtalk this thread is an example of EXACTLY the time of atmosphere that existed in the "golden age" (definitely from 2003-2004). Reflecting back, I recall Old Roman, BMR, Cluer, Beastly (or WSC), JimH constantly instigating trouble and riling up everyone. There was no message board decor or rules, it was literally the equivalent of a youtube comments section. Also, consider that 10-11 years ago when this site began most of the active members were in the 16-25 age range. I'm sure this same age range is represented across all message boards. Most within this group were either in school or just finishing and had the available free time to regularly post. Now, consider a decade passing; these same people have careers and families draining their lives and free time. I was 18 when I joined here, and having just started college my time was devoted to not only following the White Sox and our minor league system, but those of other teams. Enough to where, when draft time came around I could have probably created my own Top 30 draft board. Now, I'm practically baseball retarded outside the White Sox. With my career and other obligations I'm lucky to post once a week. This issue isn't on the Soxtalk moderators, really. Through the years an unexpected incident would arise that would ban a few people, and as a result new rules would form. It's the natural progression of any site. It probably helped this place survive so long. I've always felt, the chat room is where the fun is. I remember numerous nights of past years where several of us would be up long after the end of a game. Unfortunately, I haven't been around to promote it and I don't believe others have had the motivation, either. Personally, I'm content with Soxtalk. I still check this board every day even if I don't post, and I'm sure other old-timers do the same. There's always a new influx of posters to replace those that have since stopped contributing. Without it, there'd just be Fathom and ss2k5 talking to themselves. But as always, f*** WSI. That sentiment hasn't changed over time. Great post, especially the point about the age groups and WSI. But Beastly/Wsc425 still does exist. This board is extremely entertaining to read and I wish I had something significant to contribute. This is where I come for all of my White Sox news and fact checking before a journalist talks out of his/her ass. And I even enjoy the reaction after a positive or negative event in Chicago sports. It is still a fantastic source for everything White Sox even with the bickering and wild trade speculation.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 16, 2013 -> 02:58 PM) WHAT? The s*** that the White Sox put out there to pitch has me reaching a bit for some creative and potentially stupid alternatives.

QUOTE (BigEdWalsh @ Jun 16, 2013 -> 02:51 PM) I see Aardsma pitched for the Mets todsy. I didn't kinow he was still around. Carlos Torres also pitched for the Mets today...I'd rather see him out there than Nate Jones. The Cubs swept a bad team, and the Sox may get swept by an even worse team. What's wrong with this picture?

QUOTE (JoshPR @ Jun 15, 2013 -> 06:28 AM) Rongey always has an excuse, he argues with everyone, he's a tool. Insert Dan Bernstein to the beginning of that sentence and you have a true statement.

Make sure that if you are wanting to get the tickets in the first row, the actual first row is AA and not row 1. I learned that the hard way.

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ May 30, 2013 -> 07:17 PM) Now there's something to look forward to. Three years to match the Cubs? I can hardly wait! In terms of depth, yes. The Cubs could be solid in three years or they could be garbage. But with depth it makes sense. And I did see your emoticon.

Not that anyone will read this, but... Robin Ventura declined an extension after his current year expired. I bet he'll get replaced as they turn over the team. Konerko, Dunn and Rios' contracts (2 of the 3 are bad) are going to expire soon. The Cubs are in better shape as far as the minor leagues are concerned, but that doesn't mean the Sox will not continue to improve. They will find someone to replace Konerko, Dunn and Rios and will have their day again. A few good drafts, Cuban signings and good talent and the White Sox will match the Cubs in three years. I am as pissed as the next White Sox fan that they sucked this week, but I'm optimistic. Hopefully as they turn the team over, they keep payroll along the same levels and fill in the inadequacies of the organization. In Rick "better than KW" I trust. This week, the Cubs were the better team in Chicago. The overall records will dictate who will be better by the end of the year. Props to wsf for his post.

If they had actually played the rain outs, this team's record could have been in worse shape. What pisses me off more than losing to the Cubs is the fact that the minor league "talent" that the White Sox has is not very exciting save for a few exceptions that won't see playing time until September. I'd rather see Phegley and Troncoso out there as opposed to Flowers and Omogrosso. The Sox don't owe the fans All-Star caliber players via trades or free agent signings, but it would be nice to see some excitement and noise made in the minor leagues. After all, they will need to adjust with Konerko inevitably departing, Dunn leaving after 2014 (thank god) and the possible Peavy and Rios trade. I'd rather look like the Oakland A's of old as opposed to the crap they are putting out there now. And I'll still show up to the games even if they suck ass because I love baseball. Bottom line, today sucked. Hopefully Peavy pitches lights out and I don't have to hear more s*** from the assclown Cubs fans tomorrow.

Let's change this f***ing thing around so I don't hear more stupid s*** from Cubs fans about this series. I called 3 of 4 wins, so let's make this happen. Destroy these idiots tomorrow and Thursday.

I was at the game, what calls did Hernandez blow? It was really difficult to see the strike zone from where I was sitting. EDIT: Oh, that call. Yes, he definitely did blow that call.

Found this to be interesting. So the Bulls did not have to pay him $16 million this year, but instead about $10 million to recover and sit on the bench? This makes me wonder what happens in major league baseball when a pitcher hurts his pitching arm (Floyd or Kevin Brown). Is the team on the hook for the full amount of a player's salary?

Corpseball at home and on the road. I'm starting to wonder if sparse crowds and a long year is what is in store. Yet I still have tickets for Thursday and Friday to celebrate my birthday.

Found a good article that I actually replied to last year and heard back from the reporter who is also a White Sox fan. Lots of good facts there. I can't say that after six games that the sky is falling and that this is a good sample size for one full season. In February, I remembered seeing a story indicating an increase in projected attendance. With the decrease in parking costs, the decrease in ticket prices and the fact that they very well could be an improved team despite the loss of AJP, I doubt they will have a decline in attendance. That said, it is really cool when there are 25-30K in the stands cheering them on and not a bunch of empty seats on the lower level. I concede the upper deck will never be full but it does help when the lower bowl is full. I am convinced that while the White Sox are the second team in terms of attendance, that as the area develops and the team wins, more fans will come out. However, I do not see 30,000+ coming out on a consistent basis, nor should we expect such crowds...unless we see a change this summer with all of the price implementation. That said I just moved downtown to Buena Park and can't wait to get some cheap tickets on Stubhub to watch one of the games in the Twins series and the game against Tampa that is on my birthday.

I had every intention on going to opening day but couldn't because we were moving in to our apartment later in the afternoon in Buena Park. I can't take off during the afternoon to go to the games and I was setting up for our party on Saturday. Then today was the hangover and clean up. So I have every intention of going to the park on the weekend of April 19, and on my birthday the following week. The attendance will pick up, there's no question.

I administer FMLA (12 weeks of unpaid, job protected leave) for an assortment of clients. This means answering calls, processing voicemails, emails and leaves made on the internet. It's always a good day when an employee calls me and leaves satisfied instead of angry at me because the doctor's office didn't fill out paperwork. Basically if the doctor doesn't complete the paperwork and doesn't get it back to us within 15 days, the employee is screwed. Unfortunately, they don't take ownership for this. This is the best job I have had since college, even over the internship with the St. Louis Rams. Probably because I'm not selling anything. I also get to volunteer on a local political campaign on the weekends and my candidate is about to win one of three spots on our local village council. It's pretty cool, even if I am a moderate Democrat working for a moderate Republican. (How is that for bipartisanship?) Anyway, got a compliment from my boss for processing over 80 emails for part of Friday and all of Sunday. And the best part is that I'm off today getting ready to move to my new apartment in Buena Park.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 20, 2013 -> 07:22 PM) More than likely, from LF (Viciedo, although he could also move to 1B) or it would have to be one of the 3 infield positions. Sanchez isn't going to give you much power, no matter where he ends up playing on the IF. And there aren't a whole lot of LH hitting 3B on the market these days. 2B is the other place one could look, depending on what happens with Beckham, as it's not easy to find a LH power hitting catcher either. Okay, and are people looking for a free agent to play left field, or are people looking for Hahn to make a trade to fill this left handed bat role? (Like a Lofton signing that one Sox Fest)

Just curious, but what position would the left handed bat that people are seeking play for the Sox?

Did anyone look into the fact that Emery mentioned he would promote one of the assistants to head coach? Was he hopefully just talking about Dave Toub? My guess if the new coach comes in lots of the coaches under contract will be let go or demoted. Mike McCoy and Bruce Arians are at the top of my list, but I have a feeling Emery has a guy in mind that he'd like to see coach the Bears and I hope to god it isn't Jon Gruden or Bill Cowher. It doesn't matter as much who the head coach is as it is who the offensive coordinator is -- unless he does both like the GB coach does. Draft some lineman, replace Urlacher with a new linebacker and let's get moving in 2013. I can't see this being a complete rebuilding year.

Okay, so AJ is gone. Now the pressure is on Flowers to be consistent and actually throw runners out at second. Hopefully Hector Gimenez isn't the backup catcher. Also, just because the Sox let AJ go doesn't mean they have $7.5 million to spend on someone else.