elrockinMT

I sat and looked at my screen for quite awhile before adding my reply. Here it is: Race isn't the issue nor should it be. In baseball, as in life, you should be judged on your values and whether your actions mirror those values and additionally by your performance. Race is nowhere to be found. In the end all it boils down to is are you doing the job or not. If Jerry Manuel gets axed, or Kenny Williams does, or if they don't for that matter, it all will come down to the opinion of the boss whether they are doing the job or not. There are people of both sides of the argument and hopefully someday we can just go about our lives as members of the human race accepting of our differences, but living for what's important. In this case what's important is for the Sox to win baseball games.

Thanks Rex for knowing.

I think I lost my first post so here goes again to answer, "where is Great Falls?" The Great Falls White Sox are a member of the Pioneer Rookie League, which has teams from Montana, Idaho, Utah and Canada. It is a good league with stability and has seen a number of players make it to the show. Great Falls itself is located in Northcentral Montana and has a population of about 55000.

Thought Sox fans might be interested in this story about the Sox young power studs at Rookie Level Bball. Friday, June 13, 2003 Legion is 'perfect park' for Sox slugger Bounds By SCOTT MANSCH -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A baseball fan's love of the long ball knows no bounds. Which is precisely why Great Falls White Sox followers are likely to enjoy getting to know Brandon Bounds. "This is a nice field and the ball carries really well," said Bounds, the 6-foot-5, 195-pound first baseman following Thursday's workout at Legion Park. "It seems like a perfect park for me to hit in." Bounds, 21, is among a handful of veteran professionals slated to mix with recent draftees to form the Great Falls roster. The Dallas native, a 32nd-round selection in the 2000 amateur draft, batted .285 with nine homers and 38 RBI last summer. He is regarded as one of the best young power hitters in the Chicago organization. "Brandon is a powerful guy and I think this ballpark is going to suit him just fine," said Nick Leyva, the former big-league manager of the Phillies who served as Bounds' skipper last year at Bristol (Va.) in the Appalachian League. Leyva, now a roving minor-league infield instructor for the Chisox, also had shortstop Mike Myers, catcher Carlos Lee and outfielder Bo Ivy last summer on a Bristol club that went 43-25 and won the Appy League championship. Third baseman Micah Schnurstein, an 18-year-old who hit .332 with 26 doubles in 50 games as a professional rookie last summer in the Arizona League, is another veteran who lends some pro experience to the local White Sox. "Bounds, Myers and Schnurstein, especially, are what we consider to be very good prospects," said Leyva. "If they stay within themselves and try not to do too much, I think they'll have big years. The fans of Great Falls will see three pretty good players right there." Bounds, a left-hander hitter, said this year's Great Falls club will be able to bash -- but it won't necessarily be reliant on the three-run home run. "We've got some older, more mature players," he said. "A couple of us were on that championship team in Bristol and we know what it takes. I think we'll be a good fundamental-hitting team. We know how to move runners over and score runs." Because the White Sox brass has decided to send many of its top draft picks to Great Falls, local fans should be optimistic. Bounds said he, too, is anxious to see the first-year pros have got. "I'm excited about our team, knowing that they're putting a lot of talent down here," he said. "I'd like to get another (championship) ring. I want to keep progressing as a hitter." Several recent draftees, including third-round pick Clinton King of Southern Miss, sixth-rounder Chris Kelly of Pepperdine, eighth-

No Thanks! Bobby sounds like an armchair manager on ESPN and the ridiculous give and take between him and Harold reynolds turns me off. The guy didn't do anything more than JM has done and maybe less considering all the talent he was supposed to have with the Mets and Rangers.

I am going with Frank Thomas. Note to HotSoxChick: Cheer up it could be worse. We could be Twins fans.

This is where the '59 team started coming together. Althought trading Minnie Minoso wasn't a happy time it brought us Wynn. What always intrigues me with looking back at baseball history is the length of time players used to stay with one team. I don't think you will see that again with todays structure and I think that's why it will be hard to build a winning team and keep it together. The Yankees have shown that to survive as a winner you have to have the bucks.

Jerry made the moves that seemed right and really who can question letting Colon go into the ninth and then using Marte? It was the players that's for sure. Not JM's fault tonight.

Jerry was right to let Colon have the chance to complete the game, but once he got in trouble and Bonds was coming up I think he should have brought in Marte. But, Colon is the horse and you can't really fault Jerry. The offense grounding into 3 DP's didn't help either. It was a decision that could have gone either way and this time it blew up on us.

Molto, my fellow Sox fan, you have it almost right. I might have left Colon in to start the ninth, but when a man got on I think Marte should have been into pitch to Bonds (left-lefty) and remember game one when he got Bonds out. It would have been a tough choice and you can't really fault Manuel for leaving him in to face Bonds considering the 3 strikeouts. But, I can't accept we lost by giving up 6 runs in the ninth. Marte failed and Colon probably should have been taken out before the bases were loaded. Colon deserved the chance to complete the game though, but once he struggled take him out. ESPN Gammons even remarked about how simply great Colon is and they showed the 3 strikeouts versus Bonds. He said it was a shame the way it ended for Colon.

Please people can't we just get along? My karma is all out of whack now from this terrrrrrribbbblllleee display of family anger which is like a boiling cauldron of vile and evil spite. I will meditate on this and beseech the great one for your forgiveness. Tomorrow we will kick the living daylights out of San Diego. Unless of course the planets aren't aligned properly. Jarry Manuel

I remember all that moving talk too. St Petersdump I don't think so. There is nothing wrong with Chicago and Sox fans that a WINNING TEAM won't cure.

My guess is he will sit him, if 20 loses looms big. Howeevr, maybe going from a 19 win season to a 19 loss season will bring him down to earth and make a better pitcher of him. I think he is trying to be too perfect with every pitch and is losing command of the zone.

With one swing and hit last night I think Rowand at least equalled the entire RBI output of the CF position for the year. I am not knocking anyone, but maybe AR is ready to play.

I was wondering this same question last night too. But, I am betting he won't lose 20, a losing season he may have this year though. But I think he will instead turn it around and go at least 10-5 the rest of the way

ESPN did list the June 20th game. I'll keep checking on that though.

We'll be there. Could be US users on SoxNet that will be there rather than the team, but either way someone will be there. But, heh, IT'S STILL EARLY; WE WILL GET THE OFFENSE TURNED AROUND; WE WILL BE HITTING ON ALL CYLINDERS; WE HAVE TOO MUCH TALENT NOT TO TURN THIS AROUND What did I miss?

We all agree that three mop up guys seems to be one or two too many. I think a position player would be better. A middle infielder, or one who can play like Graffy does, would seem to fit in nicely.

Yup. That is why we make people pick just one person, because say someone takes Rowand, but then saids they will take Maggs if he doesn't play or start. See how big of a mess that would have been? Yes. Yes, I do. Thanks for the clarification.

Thursday, June 12, 2003 Old park fits new Sox fine Local club likes looks of summer digs By SCOTT MANSCH Tribune Asst. Sports Editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legion Park was built more than 60 years ago, but the new kids on the block were having fun at the old ballpark Wednesday morning. "It's not old to us," said Chris Cron, manager of the fledgling Great Falls White Sox. "We were very, very happy with everything." Cron and about a dozen local White Sox arrived in Great Falls Tuesday and saw their new summer digs for the first time Wednesday morning. Nine more players, including several recently drafted prospects, got into town Wednesday night in preparation for the Sox' Pioneer League opener June 17. Cron said the White Sox will work out this morning at 9, even though construction continues on the $1.8 million facelift project that is nearing completion. The work includes a new clubhouse and offices for the home team, as well as many new amenities for fans. There is nothing new about the field itself. But thanks to the work of head groundskeeper Carl Christofferson and top assistants Bob Pinski and Billy Chafin, the infield isn't showing its age at all. "We hit an awful lot of ground balls, and there wasn't a bad hop in the bunch," said Cron, an ex-major leaguer who is working for the Chisox following three seasons as Triple-A manager in the Colorado organization. "The field is really in great shape. It sounds like you've got a lot of people here who take pride in that field, and that's a good thing." The construction project, too, received rave reviews. "The clubhouse looks great," Cron said. "We're very, very fired-up to have as much room as we have." Cron said he also liked the way the ball was flying out of the park during BP. "Our guys were hitting balls that were going a long way," Cron said. "The ball really seemed to be jumping. We believe we're going to have a strong offensive team, so that was good to see." Pitchers Brandon McCarthy, Rylan Reed and Garron McGary each threw the equivalent of three innings during a simulated game. All three have had previous pro experience and will be relied on heavily once the Pioneer campaign starts. "Brandon could probably be our opening-day starter," said Richard Dotson, who will serve as Cron's pitching coach this summer. "He's a good pitcher with real good stuff who's not afraid to go inside." McCarthy, 19, went 4-4 with a 2.76 earned-run average in the Arizona League last year after being selected in the 17th round of the 2002 draft. He's a 6-foot-7, 180-pounder. Dotson said Reed, a 6-7, 260-pounder who turned down a football scholarship at Arkansas to sign with the Chisox a few years ago, also lends some maturity and talent to the staff. "He could start or be the long man out of the bullpen," Dotson said. "I think he'll give us a real good effort." Among those who arrived in Great Falls Wednesday night are the following recent draftees: Outfielder Clinton King, a third-round pick; outfielder Chris Kelly (6th round); second baseman Cory Haggerty (18th round); infielder Antoin Gray (25th round); and catcher Matt Deuchler (43rd round). More players are expected to trickle in to Great Falls in the coming days. White Sox officials have said that University of Arizona outfielder Brian Anderson and Iowa prep star Ryan Sweeney, drafted last week in the first and second round, respectively, will be sent to Great Falls when they sign professional contracts.

elrockinMT a winner? Thank you, thank you very much. Question though: we don't have to pick a starter as our pick-to-click right? Someone could have picked Rowand, and even though he came off the bench, still have won because I take it production is what counts, correct?

You don't see a lot from Glover, White or Sanders unless the game is a blow out against us. They seem to be more mop up guys in JM's arsenal. That's not good for a young guy who in fairness should be in Charlotte getting some work and developing. Of course White is another story, but in the last 4 innings he has given up only 1 run instead of 4 runs in one inning. I think for the most part we have had quality starts meaning that Wunsch, Marte and Koch get the work. It would seem to me that maybe one of those extra relievers should go and we bring up a position player.

as you were saying????????????? sorry to be the one to have to point it out to you.. not everything is coming up roses on the south side........ and to put it to you honestly.. this team is alot more fun to watch through beer goggles as opposed to rose colored glasses..... bottoms up......... Beer and baseball go together. Nothing wrong with that. Hugs and kisses & a cold micro-brew could help us all right now.

Mark has not been as consistent in his delivery & performance as he was in 2001-2002. He has pitched well in a number of games, but received no run support. Well, I have seen several big pitchers on other teams step up and win those type of games. I think what happens to MB is that he needs that sharp control to compensate for an average fast ball. Watching ESPN last night the comment was made that Buerhle loses his command of the strike zone, which is the very thing that made him an All-Star pitcher. There has been speculation that MB is injured. I don't buy that, but I think a combination of bad luck, no offense and occasional wildness have taken a toll on MB's confidence. I think he will turn it around too, but I hope for his sake as well as the Sox chances that things come together for him sooner than later.

Jerry Manuel says Konerko will be in the line up for Thursday. I will go with Paulie K. I am hoping that showing some confidence might telepathically encourage PK.