fathom

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jul 30, 2005 -> 12:52 AM) Uribe, you suck. Just a terrible AB there. His swing was so long. I can't believe that Hawk was happy with someone fouling off a 3-0 pitch over the 1b dugout. Hopefully, Duque can get us back in the dugout against this tough Orioles top of the order.

Just got home, and this is the first inning I've seen. It's sad to hear that Hunter got injured. At least he's from the hood, so he'll know how to toughen his way out of this tough spot.

Two things about Shingo: - Part of his struggles is control, the other is that hitters know what to expect from him. Last year, hitters were chasing all of his pitches, even if they weren't close to the zone. This year, he's not a novelty. - Japanese pitchers have a history of breaking down fast late in their career. When they're in the early stages of their professional career, they throw an insane amount of pitches. 200 pitches a game is not uncommon for them.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan13 @ Jul 29, 2005 -> 12:59 AM) Crap, I wonder if this means the deal with us fell through. Am I the only one rooting for the Sox not to acquire AJB? There's not a chance in hell he resigns here, and we'd have to give up some important pieces for him.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 03:07 PM) We've bantered back and forth a million times about the offense so I'm just going to say this, where we disagree is that you think we need another offensive weapon, I don't necessarily think we need to. I think our offense is the weak link on the team and I'd love another middle of the order bat ala Huff or Overbay. I don't think we need one however to win the whole damn thing just because everyone has weaknesses and I think we have the best playoff rotation in baseball if of course we get there. So basically to sum this up I want another bat but I don't think we NEED one. I just worry about the stress we're putting our pitchers under to perform at such a high level every game, just to win. Also, I think we're seeing some guys try to hard right now to make up for other hitters not doing their jobs (PK, Everett).

QUOTE(OldRetiredGuy @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 02:34 PM) When the Sox clinch the division, then start thinking about matchups. Until then, it is always best to keep a good team down. The Twins are a good team. Santana looked very good last night, and his numbers are very similar to what they were last year, when he ran of a record of 11-0 the rest of the season.

QUOTE(DrunkBomber @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 02:31 PM) Ill root for the twins, indians, yankees or red sox as long as theyre playing oakland. I wouldnt care who the sox played in the first round if they make the playoffs besides Oakland. Considering the Twins play the A's 10 times in the 2nd half........that would be quite bad for the Sox if the Twins performed real well against them.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 03:00 PM) Here's the thing, we played like total s*** in 2 games against Boston, basically gave them away and yet we were still able to split the series. This team doesn't have to play fantastic to beat Boston or the Yankees cause we're better then them(I'm sure someone's going to disagree with me just because they're the yanks and the bosox) once we start catching the baseball again we'll be fine. I'm truely not worried, this is just a real s***ty stretch of baseball at this point. I agree, the latest stretch of games have been lost because of execution, and not talent. It's not like we went out and couldn't compete with the Red Sox, etc. My biggest concern is still our overall offensive lineup. We need another weapon that can make a difference. Until PK gets it going, our offense is usually only good if Pods can make things happen, or Dye drives in runs.

QUOTE(Greg Hibbard @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 02:54 PM) I hear you, but next month is BRUTAL schedule-wise, and I'm afraid we'll be under .500 and people will say "well, that was just a tough month on the schedule" October is a pretty tough month on the schedule too, and one that we can't afford to be under .500 in... Here's a good way to look at it: If the Sox can't hold on to make the playoffs, they didn't deserve to make it then. With the Twins also having a very tough schedule, the Twins would deserve it over the Sox if they can make up that many games. I still think the Indians are just as much of a threat.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 10:48 AM) You really think at the endo fo June Frank Robinson would have won? I still think it would have went to Bobby Cox for keeping his team in it with a bunch of injuries and a whole lot of rookies playing in key positions for him. One of the managers Ozzie learned from by the way. Cox would have had my vote. Robinson would have won in a landslide. Remember everyone say the Nationals were the biggest surprise in all of baseball....even more than the Sox?

I think Gload was just trying to say that if you do only play once every 2 weeks, you can't go out there and blow the game for your team. I don't think he meant anything malicious with his quote.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 02:40 PM) When I think trade-dealine moves, I think proven veterans or someone with can't-miss success written all over him. See, my ideal deadline move is very similar to what the Cardinals did last season to acquire Larry Walker. Walker was a proven veteran with a big stick and the burning desire to get a WS ring. Overbay-though talented, would likely platoon and may or may not a significant amount of offensive fire-power Huff-although more proven, isn't the type of guy that strikes fear in the hearts of his opponents; plus, neither one of these guys would provide a veteran spark. Overbay and Huff are much better players than Walker was last season. Both players would greatly improve our offense. Isn't it better to see Everett as our 4th outfielder, instead of Timo (I know, he's been swinging the bat better lately). This way, Timo can go back to being a bat off the bench for crucial situations instead of having to play some whole games.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 05:49 AM) 3 months this season hitting above .275, and an OPS over .818 in those months. Crede still gives up a few too many outs on the plate with weak swings, but he's turned into one of our most dangerous hitters. While PK has just become a joke in the clutch, Crede actually adjusts his swing for the situation. An AL team can do a lot worse than having Crede batting 8th in the order, and having him play the hot corner as well as he does.

The more I think about things, the more it's obvious that if KW wants to go for it all, he should use his trade chips to acquire an offensive difference maker. First, there's no pitcher on the market that would be a significant upgrade over Contreras. More importantly to me, besides for helping our offense, the player would be able to help on a daily basis. A starter or a closer would be used more less frequently.

QUOTE(Andy Frain @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 05:42 AM) When Frank starts: 149 runs/28 games=5.32 runs/game Without Frank: 336 runs/72 games=4.67 runs/game Overall: 485/100=4.85 r/g The 5.32 runs/game would be 4th in the league. Frank returned at about the same time that Dye and Konerko started to hit, so I'm not sure how much of the difference can be attributed to him. Congrats on the terrific first post.

As long as we play the Twins another 13 times or so, there's no such thing as a lock. The worst thing about the A's playing great right now isn't that we might have to play them in the playoffs. Instead, it's the fact that there will be another team that has a great record in the AL likely.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 04:17 AM) When Huff's right he's just a great hitter, he's been one of my favorite hitters for a few years now. I said earlier in the year it looked like he was injured, his bat seemed to have slow a bit but watching him now whatever was wrong with him before isn't a problem anymore. He's getting around on the fastball better and overall just looks so much better up there. Also while not a speed demon he's no base clogger, he can run a little. He's an extra base machine when he's going well. He has power to all fields also. Huff always seems like one of the toughest outs when I watch him. I have no clue how his numbers have been so bad this year.

QUOTE(rcpweiner @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 04:12 AM) Yes. You are completely right. If Ozzie wasn't managing this ballclub we'd have the best record in the league! (Wait a second ....) BTW, I didn't mean the Ozzie proactive/reactive stuff in a negative way. I don't think it's a secret though that he tends to leave his starting pitchers in way, way too long (before today ).

QUOTE(rcpweiner @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 04:12 AM) Yes. You are completely right. If Ozzie wasn't managing this ballclub we'd have the best record in the league! (Wait a second ....) Wow, do I hate that response. I never knew they give out the Manager of the Year at the end of July? Maybe Frank Robinson might want to give his Manager of the Year trophy back from the end of June?

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 04:06 AM) I know this is a little extreme and probably will never happen, but if we do acquire Lowell with Florida picking up a large portion of his salary, assuming Marte is in the deal, Lowell spun to Minnesota for J.C. Romero? I know they want a 3B bad, and Romero would be the perfect replacement for Marte. I know it would never happen, but it really is a perfect fit for both teams... Sox and Twins won't be trading with each other.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 04:00 AM) Are you kidding? Ozzie is a very proactive manager. His style is very proactive. I still don't understand why it pisses you off, you are contradicting yourself. If you know that this is what they have to say and that it really has no effect on what they are actually doing then why is it pissing you off? No one is planning anything before it's a sure thing. Like you said, they have to say it, I don't see how it pisses you off. Are you watching the same games I do? Ozzie's one of the least proactive managers in baseball. Yes, the timing is weird today because of his quick hook with Garland. However, Ozzie always seems shocked that one of his pitchers is getting in trouble late in the game. Instead of anticipating a pitcher possibly having trouble the 4th time around the lineup, he ends up waiting too long, and either the pitcher gives up runs, or the reliever gets brought in for a tough situation.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 03:56 AM) Then if you know this I don't know why the hell it would piss you off. Because the last thing I want to see this organization do is to start planning their postseason before it's even close to being a sure thing. I actually do trust KW to be proactive with things. Not so sure I could say the same about Ozzie if he was in control

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 03:52 AM) That should never piss you off. It should make you respect him. Can you imagine how his players would respond if he said that his team has to go out and get a better hitting shortstop, a top notch pitcher, bullpen help, and a left handed power hitter? I would look at my manager and say what the f*** are you talking about? How can we need all of that and we are still 30 some games above .500 and have a double digit lead in our division? He has to say this because he is the leader of the team, you can't lead if you show you don't believe in what you have. That is just the way it is. Wow. I even said that Ozzie has to say this to be politically correct. However, Ozzie and KW have made a ton of statements the last few weeks saying that there was no need to make a move with the record that this team had. And trust me, the players no more than anyone where the holes on the team are.

In tomorrow's tribune, Ozzie says no trade is imminent, and that the roster is fine for the stretch run. Even though I know he HAS to say that....it still pisses me off.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jul 28, 2005 -> 02:40 AM) I didn't say he sucks, but his health is a concern after he makes a lot of appearances. Are we talking about Gordon....or Duque here