hogan873

Very nice post. *applauds* Why is there no team in Alaska? It's light for at least 20 hours a day in the summer even in the southern-most part of the state. There's a solution for The Rays (by the way, I liked The Devil Rays better). They can spilt their home games between Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. I guess however that they'd have to build a dome in Juneau, as it rains about 500 days a year. Tampa Bay Rays = Alaska Sockeyes. The logo could be an aweome jumping salmon. The TV coverage up there can have a defensive play of the day they could call "The Deadliest Catch", and they could have the likes of Sig, Phil, Andy, etc. introduce the clip.

I thought I saw a Sox scout at my son's Shetland little league game last week...

*sigh* The Sox are 12-14, right? So, 26 games down, 136 to go. Not time to panic yet. Although I think we can all agree that this will be a rebuilding year. But in the AL Central a team that is rebuilding can compete. Injuries have hurt for sure, and there is little depth. We certainly do not want to see Beckham too early. If he is brought up before he's ready it could ruin a potential great career.

I do agree that KW should be embarassed. Not, however, because of how this team is playing, but because he believes (or wants US to believe) that this team has a chance this year. Sure, this year could be considered a rebuilding year, but what is KW going to do come the trade deadline? If the Sox are not in the hunt (and they may actually be only because of the division) who does he trade to get fresh young talent? And if there is a bunch of money saved will he go after some worthy free agents next off season?

QUOTE (Jimmywins1 @ May 4, 2009 -> 12:36 PM) 7-4, Sox. Grienke throws 5 shutout innings, but his pitch count takes him out. Farnsworth gives us the game. Fatty is solid: 6 innings, 2 runs. Well, Fatty will be solid no matter what. Imagine running into him running down the first base line?

It'll most likely be a pitcher's duel. I hope that Colon keeps pitching the way he has been. Prediction: Sox win 2-1. They score both runs against the bullpen.

I think it's always good to have a healthy Nolan Ryan debate every once in while. I know this thread started at a comparison of Grienke to Ryan, and I have agree that they are really nothing alike. Nolan Ryan was pretty much a fastball guy who could blow batters away. Grienke's pitches are more fine tuned and pin point accuracy. Although I don't think you can compare Ryan and Buehrle, I would say that Buehrle pitches with more style (he has to, really, considering his pitch speed). Anyway, Nolan Ryan, whether a "pitcher" or a "thrower" is a HOFer. Seven no hitters...5000+ Ks...and a long career. If he was all intimidation and speed, he was extrermely successful at that.

I agree that MB is a fantastic pitcher and should have his jersey retired. Another five years is not out of the question, but I don't see much beyond that. I wouldn't want to see him push too far and end up bowing out on a decline.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Apr 30, 2009 -> 10:38 AM) That's a hell of a sample size. Clearly, Swisher deserved to be traded, after all, you read it alot. If I lack fervor in this post, I apologize. I had typed out a concise response and then my computer decided to freeze. Anyway, I may not have gotten my point across about the Swisher trade and the latest talk of it. My point was that I found it confounding that there was remorsefulness out there in regards to trading Swisher when before he started tearing it up with Yankees the consensus was good riddance. I'm not terribly excited about Pods, but I think he gives us a better chance at the plate. As far as his defense, well we'll have to wait and see.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 30, 2009 -> 07:42 AM) It would be an option in the NL, of course. With an American League starter, I can hardly imagine the dispute with the union and insurance companies if we injured one of our starting pitchers while hitting when no other team tried this. The Cardinals even have their pitchers bat 8th sometimes, and I think Dontrelle Willis PH on a number of occasions. Back when we had Ritchie (shudder), I remember Manuel using him to PH because "he was a NL pitcher and knows how to hit." Yeah, he struck out.

My suggestion as to the pitcher hitting and having the DH hit for the CFer was of course in jest. But it would be humorous to see Colon swinging a bat. If he were to get his gut behind a swing he could really smack the ball. Remember the Simpsons episode when Homer was the homerun king for his company softball team? The slow-mo of his first homerun would be like Colon swinging.

Whilst reading the posts in this thread I chuckled, cringed, shook my head, and even muttered a few obsenities. The consensus seems to be that although Pods is not a good option he is all we have right now. And I pretty much agree but do not think he will be as bad as some think. So, IF he is called up and starts in centerfield we will find out. What made me angry was the complaining of the Swisher trade. How many times last year did I read posts calling for Swisher to be traded...RIGHT NOW!? As soon as the season ended there was gleeful speculation that he would gone. And when he was traded there seemed to be much happiness floating around, even though we didn't get much for him. But the idea that the Sox freed up money was the center of the virtual smile-fest. Now, I have to add a note here...I was a bit sad to see Swisher traded. He did not have a good year, but he did bring an energy to the team and was an okay CFer. And yes, I suppose we can all play 10th inning general managers and wish the Swisher trade undone. But I'm not sure I would. He will not continue playing like he is now. He will have a better tear than last year (he'd have to, right?), but who's to say it would have happened with us? Finally, the best news that I received while perusing this thread was that Owens seems to be gone. Thank God. Even if he is a decent defensive CFer, he is an automatic out in the lineup. The Sox would be better off letting the pitcher hit and having the DH hit for Owens. Hey, wait a minute? Can they do that? Would that be an option?

I haven't seen much of the Sox on TV yet this year, but I did get a chance to watch a good chuck of yesterday's first game. And I will agree that Lillibridge has to go. Actually, I'd like to see him and Owens depart. They are very similar and complement each other well. Owens can't hit from the left side, and Lillibridge can't hit from the right side. As far as who replaces...I'd say Nix. He had a good spring up until his injury. Hopefully he can bring it back.

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Apr 28, 2009 -> 03:12 PM) LETS BRING HIM BACK! EVERY FORMER WHITE SOX MEMBER WHO HAS EXPERIENCED ANY TYPE OF SUCCESS MUST BE RUMORED TO RETURN HERE! FORMER WORLD SERIES MEMBER! COOP WILL FIX HIM! WHY NOT? LOW RISK, HIGH REWARD! HE HAS THAT SPICY LATIN PERSONALITY GUILLEN LOVES! Nothing against you bschmanranz, you were just reporting the news, but I have to throw out these lines before anyone else does. Plus he has perfected a new pitch he calls The Sweat Ball.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 01:15 PM) Here's photographic evidence of MacDougal leaving town. Not often do I laugh out loud when reading posts, but...LMAO.

As much as many of us would love to see Beckham is Sox jersey soon, I'd hate to see him moved up too fast and be overwhelmed. When an organization has a player of this caliber you don't want to see him pushed too hard to where he falters. I believe that in the short term Alexei has to be our SS. His bat should come around. He may not have the same type of year he had last year, but it should be okay. Depending on where the Sox are later in the year, standings-wise, we may see Beckham. And I would think we will definitely see him next year, provided he continues to tear up the minors.

Quentin will hit .290, hit 52 hrs, and drive in 119. And he will be disappointed in himself.

How about a third baseball team in Illinois?

Pitcher: Late inning relief or closer. Right hand, side arm with only a few pitches. Fastball, sinker, slider. I'd have the occasional junk pitch I'd try like a floating change or big curve. Position player: Corner outfield. Love chasing down the fly balls and making diving catches. Not much power hitting-wise. Switch hitter than has more power from the right but more hits from the left.

I'm leaning towards the thought that Rowand would be an upgrade. I don't know about huge, but an upgrade. We've pretty much hammered the Wise/Owens situation, and the jury's still out on Anderson (although I don't think BA has gotten a fair shot yet). The only way I would think acquiring Rowand would be a good deal is if a big portion of his contract is eaten. Besides, he'd be a good 2nd hitter and a decent CF.

"Ummmm...no. If we can't sign Orlando Hudson and Bob Abreu for less than Rowand makes per year (combined they'd still be lower), why would we add a player we wanted to get rid of three years ago who is no longer in the prime of his career and is declining from all the wear and tear on his body?" Although I agree that it's too much money for Rowand, I don't think we wanted to get rid of him three years ago. I seem to remember his being traded to be a shock to most. I feel that if a big chuck of his salary was picked up Rowand would look great on this team right now. He could be our starting CF, but probably not the leadoff hitter. So, I suppose it only solves one issue. But one issue solved is better than none.

I like how this thread went from jersey numbers to the 2005 WS champs to whether you're a fan or not. Fields will offer the number and Pods will decline. 2005 was only 4 years ago. Some teams haven't won in 100 years. It's okay if we continue to talk about it. And whether you care about jersey numbers or not you're still a fan.

QUOTE (3E8 @ Apr 14, 2009 -> 11:24 PM) We should have Podsednik wear #91 so we can remember two-thirds of the phone number we're supposed to call when his groin eventually becomes injured

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 11:30 AM) We're going with an outfield of Owens, Anderson and Pods. Just for the grinderificness of it all. *vomits*

Although I follow the Sox pretty thoroughly, I'm probably not the best when it comes to minor league talent...or those in the minors because they have not performed in a Sox jersey. I do however have strong feelings about Owens. I have not seen anything from him that would make me think he's a better choice as a 4th OF than Pods. Okay, so he's younger and maybe faster. But he can't hit, his base-stealing mechanics are not very good, and he's not a great defensive player. I, along with a few other Sox fans, want to look at Pods of 2005 and hope we see that again. In reality it won't happen. But, I would be willing to bet that he would be better than most think. I hope he gets the chance. I just become ill whenever I hear about Owens. And although I was not abject to Wise being the starter, I now see that he wasn't the right choice either. My belief is that Anderson should start and Pods should be the 4th OF.