BaseballNick

I remember looking forward to the uber-hyped Gio Gonzalez start against the Sox which ended up being a huge disappointment.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 30, 2009 -> 11:44 AM) What's the fascination with Lillibridge getting regular time? He brings 2 things to the table. A good glove and speed. He's best suited as a defensive replacement and a pinch runner. Using him as a pinch runner will get him on base just as much if not more than playing him every day would and it would save you several outs. I didn't think that Lillibridge deserved to make the team out of Spring Training, but now that we're down three CFs (Wise, BA, and Owens) and we didn't trust Pods to play CF in 2005, I don't know why we'd trust him to play CF in 2009. I really don't think anyone is fascinated with Brent Lillibridge, but he's probably the lesser of all the other evils until BA comes back.

If BA is out, wouldn't the Sox go with Lilli in CF, Pods in LF, JD in RF, and TCQ DH?

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 04:09 PM) So what makes you think, at 37/38, Thome is going to do anything where he will cut down on his K's? At this point in his career, it's not very likely.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 02:11 PM) Hitting homers and driving in runs is what Thome does best and it does help the team win. Maybe when the Sox won 1-0 against Minnesota last year, Jim should have tried to bunt down the 3rd base line for a single rather than hitting a homer for the game's only run. Funny, I saw no Thome complaints that night. I never suggested that Jim start bunting for singles, but I do want to see him cut down on the Ks and the GiDP. He set a new career high in GiDP last season and he's got a good chance to be the all-time leader in Ks when his career ends. Jim is a terrific hitter and I think he's got the talent to be a more productive player. I will always believe that it's each player's job to help the team win more than anything else. I don't know how you got: "Jim Thome should bunt for singles" from that statement, DA.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 11:29 AM) The issue of Thome making adjustments is perplexing. He is paid to hit homers and drive in runs. I don't think quitting the home run approach is the answer, but one would think that to get on base more or drive in runs might mean taking the pitch to LF and might help his average and production. Maybe he should do that a bit more. There is no argument that Jim Thome can still hit the ball out of any park and can hit the homer to LF and left center. He, like every other player, is paid to help the team win, first and foremost.

QUOTE (Sonik22 @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 08:37 PM) All I want to see is Tool Same here. Tool continues to put on incredible shows time after time. Each time I see them I say it's the best show I've ever seen. They are remarkably talented musicians and have easily become the one can't-miss show for me whenever they are in town.

As flawed as the metric may be, it's still extremely impressive that Grady is producing runs at such a rate. I hate seeing that guy step to the plate against us.

What's the story on Bergesen? Is this his debut?

Camden Yards, and Fenway Park are musts. Jacobs Field, or Progressive, whatever they call it is pretty nice also. Definitely go to Baltimore and Boston though. I hear Safeco is amazing too.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 16, 2009 -> 04:32 AM) Let's face it, our best option at leadoff is not Milledge, Pods and Rowand...it's Gordon Beckham. The sooner KW and the FO give in to that notion, the better off this team will be. I agree with this 100%. This team becomes a lot more dangerous with Beckham's bat replacing that of Anderson/Wise/Pods/Owens in the lineup.

The latest from Cowley:

We're averaging 5 runs per game on this road trip.

I do think Greinke was throwing at TCQ, but I don't want to see anyone get suspended or hurt, so I say don't retaliate (not now at least). Greinke's control was too good for those two pitches not to be intentional. He missed the stike zone by a wide margin on both pitches. I agree with most of you in that we move forward a focus on winning. I just wanted to get a sense for what everyone thought.

Greinke just missed hitting TCQ in the head with a fastball in the first inning last night. Carlos got out of the way, but it seemed like a message was sent. Then, in the very next AB, Greinke pegged Carlos in the back with a fastball up and in. Greinke seemed to have pretty good control all night, so it's hard to argue that those pitches were unintentional. What do you think?

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Apr 8, 2009 -> 03:34 PM) chill....out I'm chill.

QUOTE (SoxPride56 @ Apr 8, 2009 -> 02:53 PM) Wise- CF Getz- 2B Q- LF Thome- DH Dye- RF Konerko- 1B AJ- C Alexei- SS Fields- 3B Floyd- P I LOVE the 8, 9. There's a world of potential with those two. I HATE the 1.

QUOTE (LVSoxFan @ Apr 8, 2009 -> 11:58 AM) Yes, a sweet victory in the end for what was a pretty impressive game. So much for smallball, LOL--although I WILL say it was more than sweet to see Fields actually LAY DOWN A BUNT. I'd forgotten what that looks like. Here are my questions, for those of you who were there too. a) WTF with those LINES getting in? I've been to five Opening Days in a row and have NEVER seen lines at EACH gate 200, 300 deep. Please tell me that's not going to be an every day thing now! d) How was Lupe Fiasco? I'd have been there, but I was in that LINE. The lines were crazy. I don't ever remember waiting that long to get in either. I'm not sure what the hold up was. Lupe Fiasco didn't sing. It was Matthew Santos. Santos, apparently is on Fiasco's record label - I'm not too familiar with either singer. Santos was average, really nothing special. The flyover was the best part of the anthem.

QUOTE (gsoxs1 @ Apr 8, 2009 -> 12:27 PM) And what about the new hot dogs, anyone notice a difference? $4.75! Slight difference in taste, but they're very good.

QUOTE (T R U @ Apr 8, 2009 -> 12:08 AM) I guess im gonna be the one to say give Wise a break. He had a good spring and weve played ONE game. Yeah, he sucked ass, but he has been thrown into starting CFer and leadoff man and ide imagine its a lot of pressure on him. If he is continually garbage (Which I know there is a 99% chance he will be.) then you know they are going to make a move anyways. But come on, there shouldn't be people calling for his head after one game. It's not just one game. It was all spring where he drew ZERO walks and proved he wasn't a capable leadoff hitter. When I booed yesterday, it wasn't directed at Wise, who I know was busting his butt, but instead it was directed at Kenny and Ozzie. Kenny for letting it get to this point, and Ozzie for being so blind in ST, yet still hitting Wise leadoff. Wise is a 4th or 5th OF, not a starter, and definitely not a leadoff hitter. It's baseball suicide to grant the most plate appearances to your worst offensive player.

Let's get that first win out of the way today. Oh, and first place wire-to-wire wouldn't be so bad either!

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Apr 6, 2009 -> 03:00 PM) What are the conditions supposed to be tomorrow, still cold I assume, but no chance of snow or rain? Accuweather says a snow shower in the morning with a high of 40. I would think that not only the threat of precipitation, but the 35mph wind gusts factored into today's postponement. Tuesday was the lesser of two evils.

QUOTE (soxfan3530 @ Apr 6, 2009 -> 01:36 PM) Agreed. They could have easily played today. They have played in much worse. I think with the off day on Tuesday they jumped the gun too quick. At least we were able to rest the bullpen.

QUOTE (SnB @ Apr 4, 2009 -> 11:10 AM) 23 for parking now huh? jeesh. I think it's $3-6 at Miller Park, and I'm pretty sure it's free at the Trop. $23 just to park is crime.

Cubs released Gaudin and optioned Samardzija to AAA. Gaudin was a decent BP arm, but he obviously isn't throwing well right now. They didn't have much of a choice with the way Patton threw this spring (even considering they owe Gaudin $2mil). Here's what rotoworld says: