SleepyWhiteSox

LOL I hope Kenny keeps it up just so we can keep getting this type of comical soxtalk reaction... Two pages of outrage because he gave a positive quote about one of our players for a story about that player. No need to take what Kenny says so seriously anyways. Just a positive quote for a "feel-good" story without even insinuating that erstad will be starting, although only the writer does. And yes, I do realize that anderson is soxtalk's anointed one, but I just can't see how he won't be getting a fair shot this year if he was handed the starting job last year, along with chris young getting traded. So the organization has had faith in him and has invested in him. Now he's got some competition to further prove himself. If they decide to go another way, maybe there's a good reason for it?

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Mar 15, 2007 -> 01:58 PM) I was just making an observation that one method of murdering an animal is despicable yet another method is brushed off. I can agree with that observation. It's the "cute" animals that people are so sad over. Although there's that argument that there's rules and regulations for slaughterhouses, it's still a brutal action of killing animals, and I'm sure not all rules and regulations are followed thoroughly anyways (according to what I remember from reading The Jungle and Fast-Food Nation ). But we need to eat... Also, not saying I condone that despicable action in the news story. Not at all. It's sick and disgusting and should and probably will be punished by law. It's just, I can't bring myself to react as I would when I hear about horrible and horrific actions on humans, which I think are a million times worse. With that said, poor dog and I sympathize with the little girl for her loss. Maybe kinda random but somewhat related: I just find it odd when people react the same way to hearing about a popular race horse being put down, for example, as they do to, say, hearing about a friend's family member passing away or something like that. I mean, people were sending cards and flowers and crying over a horse...I'm probably more saddened and worry more about a younger brother getting sick than, say, some celebrity I never knew passing away... But I'm a good person. Honest.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 15, 2007 -> 11:06 AM) Someone might blow us away and make us a better team for a decade. Problem is I cannot think of a single trade of the many Kenny has made that blew anybody away. They usually seem almost too fair. I'd luv to see it happen where it looks like we're truly coming out on top, but that's what scares me about trading any of our elite players.

...

calf strain mild perez

If he's supposedly already penciled in as the starting CF, has erstad played out there? If so, anybody know how he's looked? Or I guess in the outfield in general? Thanks. Funny how people don't want him to do well...

QUOTE(Queen Prawn @ Mar 14, 2007 -> 11:50 AM) I had social studies from 5th - 8th but I don't recall any coverage of religions. Then again I went to a Catholic school so I am not sure if they would have - but it was covered to some degree when I was in high school (again a Catholic school). Me too. I recall other religions being touched on briefly in junior high, but I definitely had a World Religions class in high school that was very interesting. Good stuff. And even though it was a Catholic high school, I recall no bias. Having a very good, respectful teacher was probably a plus.

QUOTE(pcullotta @ Mar 14, 2007 -> 01:26 PM) The manager here doesn't seem willing to have him develop at the major league level. Me either if it reduces our chances to be successful. The organization's decision, not mine. Damnit, they better get it right.

QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Mar 14, 2007 -> 01:08 PM) There has to be a reason why he wouldn't get a fair shake. Maybe he's still being a dick off the field. Maybe he doesn't get along with Ozzie. Maybe its both. I have yet to see a situation where when Ozzie is faced with a choice between a young talent and a veteran journeyman, he picks the young talent. Jenks only got his chance because Shingo broke down and then Hermanson broke down. In 04, young starters were getting called up and sent down within three days. Granted they had a rough outing, but a lot of times, they weren't given room to breathe either. I agree with the first part, but we can only speculate on that. Disagree with the second part because Ozzie easily could have gone with Politte or Cotts, who were having ridiculous years, and Politte already had experience as a closer.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Mar 14, 2007 -> 11:59 AM) I bet the amount of times that he cost us at the plate was less than the amount of times that Mack cost us in the field playing CF. Oh yeah, there's no doubt in my mind that he's the best defensive option. He was practically flawless, I think, 'til that one game where he had a couple of mental lapses (and again, I have bad memory). I don't doubt his glove, it's just that he was frustrating to watch at the plate last year. All he had to do was be a step above atrocious at the plate and this probably isn't an issue. He really did oftentimes look a bit clueless at the plate (and yes, I do realize inexperience, youth, and nervousness from playing for a team with high expections could be factors so I understand that he should get more looks). He showed very little, from what I recall, to give me any hope, which is why I was asking for numbers post-AS break with RISP and in 'clutch' situations because I couldn't recall any hits that really gave me hope. But, like I said, since the organization should have a better grasp on all of the factors for this 'issue', I'm just gonna sit back, hope they make the right decision to give this team the best chance to succeed, and reserve my criticism for if (hope not) it fails.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 14, 2007 -> 11:42 AM) So why the Hell can't he give Brian Anderson the same treatment, and actually use Erstad as the backup OF he should be used as. Eh, it may be the overwhelming soxtalk consensus that anderson is 100% the best choice, but I still have my doubts. This wouldn't have been an issue if anderson had not looked so atrocious at the plate last year. That's why I'm just gonna sit back and hope that the organization, which is much, much more informed on all factors for this decision, will make the best choice. Actually, that's why I'm curious to see what his numbers were post AS break in 'clutch' situations because even though he was batting about .250 (I think?), I'm having trouble recalling if he had any relevant hits (and I have bad memory).

QUOTE(ptatc @ Mar 14, 2007 -> 11:32 AM) Weren't alot of people trying to trade Crede because he just wouldn't hit enough? Alot of people were also skeptical that Uribe could be an everyday player because of his wold and inconsistent offense. Also with Garland while having logged MLB innings was trying to be pushed out because he could make it past the 5 or 6th inning under Manuel. Guillen stuck with these guy when alot of people wanted to run them out of town. We have short memories here if people don't remember this. These players were succeessful because Guillen stuck with them for whatever reason. These players were not rookies but were all young unproven players when Guillen took over. There's no argument with Jenks. Ozzie could easily have gone with Politte or Cotts who were having fantastic years and were with the team all year. Hell, he could have said he's going with marte who had experience as a closer. But he felt that Jenks was the best option, disregarding age and experience.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 14, 2007 -> 11:19 AM) Hell, I spent most of that government course I took in high school reading through an expansive history of the first World War anyway. rebel...

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 14, 2007 -> 11:01 AM) Dude, didn't you see the 3rd part of that documentary? They built another time machine on a locomotive. Nothing bothers me more than a misinterpretation of the greatest trilogy of all time!

Kinda random but related, I guess... What were anderson's numbers for RISP and in "clutch" situations, before and after the AS break, or where can I find them?

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Mar 13, 2007 -> 09:52 PM) I'm going to throw a little defense Bruce Weber's way. While the Head Coach is ultimately responsible for recruiting the players the program gets, recruiting classes can be made or broken by assistant coaches. It is the assistants that do most of the legwork and beging the relationship building. If the assistant coaches aren't doing their job well, the Head Coach has an uphill battle if he even gets a shot. An assistant that is great at recruiting will put his Head Coach ahead of the game. A great example of that is Ohio St. Jim Groce. Apparently he is a relentless recruiter and develops a great rapport with the kids. There was an excellent article about him in this year's Rivals Recruiting Yearbook. He was named their basketball recruiter of the year. I tried to find the article on Rivals site, but had no luck. It is very apparent he is setting up Thad Matta to win. I know nothing about Illinois' assistants, and not much more about Indiana's in terms of recruiting ability, but I would venture to guess that either would be very lucky to have a guy like Groce doing the heavy lifting in recruiting. Since coaches choose their assistants, isn't that just more reason to 'blame' him?

I honestly think Ozzie used to luv anderson but grew resentful after reading soxtalk and seeing the overwhelmingly huge amounts of man-love brian gets...

I agree, tyrus is freakish but not very basketball-savvy. The minutes should only come as he raises his basketball IQ and makes less silly mistakes. Here's hoping he can develop into a smart player to match his skills (and instincts) and really become a star. But I admit that I still have mixed feelings because I am having trouble envisioning what he is supposed to develop into. Can he develop into a legitimate star starting power forward even though he is so thin and undersized? Can he develop an offensive game? PF is what his game translates to because he just doesn't have the tools (ball-handling ability, jump shot/outside shot, etc.) to be a SF, of which we have a couple of legitimate ones on the team already anyways. The freakish athleticism, shot-blocking instincts, and energy is there, though. And anybody else sneak a peek at portland's box score to see that aldridge went for 24 pts., 17 boards, 4 blocks, and feel just a little bit less excited about tyrus's game last night?

QUOTE(fathom @ Mar 13, 2007 -> 02:28 PM) I speak with 100 pct certainty that Julian Wright laughed off Bruce Weber's in-home visit. Julian told his friends/coaches that the presentation was minor leaguish, and he couldn't imagine any high school stud wanting to play for him. I've never confirmed this part of it, but a certain high-profile member of the team told JW to go to Kansas and play for Self. Supposedly there was strong, real interest in DePaul. Don't quote me, but I believe it was his mom that realy wanted him to stay home. Oh well. And my 2 cents: weber doesn't seem like a "people person". Just not very smooth and personable. Can't deny the x's and o's, though. The whining about "another player" on another team who played after he got arrested recently, for example, makes him seem...I dunno...just not very personable.

Nice...my poorly coached, low basketball IQ, underachieving Blue Demons won't even have that first game against hofstra televised...maybe that's a good thing for me in case they don't even decide to show up and play... First time the men play on-campus since 1999, though. Kinda an interesting fact. The rosemont horizon was not available so no worries about the arena looking 2/3 empty for the nit game.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 12, 2007 -> 02:00 PM) That is what i'm told is probably going to happen. I wouldn't mind it, he has a lot of Chicago recruiting connections as well I believe. Former DePaul and virginia assistant with traitao...he's a Chicago guy and was at uic too, I believe...he does have Chicago connections although I can't recall if he ever really brought any relevant cps or Chicago-area talent to DePaul...

sorry but some things have come up and I won't be able to be in the league. Hope it's not a problem. Just won't have the time. sorry again

Even though weber should not be blamed specifically for what occurred, even weber apologists cannot possibly deny that this reflects very poorly on him. As someone mentioned before, he is basically the "manager" of the basketball program, and this not being the first time a problem involving broken laws occurs under him, it reflects poorly on the the illinois basketball program and the head of the program, weber. He's gonna have to take some heat for it.

QUOTE(Phil McKrevice @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 11:34 AM) Sorry, I should have been a little more clear in what I was trying to say: Comcast only has one receiving station/one signal for the entire Chicago area. Whatever you're seeing in Schaumburg is the same signal someone in Downers Grove is seeing. I'll try to find out if WCIU is a fiber feed or if it's received OTA. Great info. Off-topic, but, how come when a local station like Channel 48 picks up an espn college basketball game, for example, it's of the crappy quality of a slow internet feed?

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 11:32 AM) Should he watch over them 24/7 or something? They are college kids, and Jamar made a big mistake. Don't try to play this off any other way than Jamar just made some terrible choicies. Another coach, same story. I'm not saying it's weber's fault or not, but this is the kind of thing that reflects poorly, especially after he's been receiving plenty of criticism for subpar recruiting and not achieving the high expectations. It sorta piles on as fans would probably be more lenient if the program was doing a little better at the moment.