South Side Fireworks Man

QUOTE (fathom @ May 2, 2013 -> 06:40 PM) Ventura should be fired for only putting 8 people tonight in the lineup. What a joke this organization is.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 2, 2013 -> 06:43 PM) Evidently you calling people names isn't a cheap shot, but people saying they could understand how an ex-teammate could want to hit AJ is. Who did I call names? I did reference the "meathead" term the original poster used in his question in the original post if that's what you mean, but I didn't call anyone in particular any names. And I never said people understanding how an ex-teammate could want to hit AJ was a cheap shot. I do take issue with people who seem gleeful that AJ got hit with a pitch and an example of a cheap shot would be suggesting AJ starts brawls and then runs away.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 2, 2013 -> 06:38 PM) I was sick to my stomach thinking those rumors might be true, as I didn't want his legacy with the White Sox to be tarnished. I loved AJ on the Sox, and do think he played a big part in changing the culture of the team when he came over in 2005. With that said, it's not surprising he ruffled some feathers in the organization. He might be the greatest example ever of someone that you love if they're on your team and hate if they're against you. When AJ was on the Twins, I always wished the Sox could get a catcher like him. I really wanted the Sox to pick him up before the 2005 season and was glad when they did. When some people were saying they wanted no part of AJ, I said that if the Sox signed him he would be the best catcher they had in a long time. I grudgingly respected him when he was on the Twins and loved him being on the Sox. I still wish him all the best and I hope he returns to the White Sox organization in some capacity some day.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 2, 2013 -> 06:19 PM) One example of this board not being fair to AJ was when those PED rumors popped up last year. Many here wanted them to be true. Said they had to be true. These same people wanted AJ replaced by Flowers, a guy who actually was suspended for PEDs. Ironic, isn't it? QUOTE (Baron @ May 2, 2013 -> 06:30 PM) Those same people also said that we wouldnt miss AJ because of the defensive juggernaut that is Flowers. Plus magic was supposed to kick in and he would stop striking out. Plus I think many took AJ's durability for granted as well. Catchers take quite a beating and it's hard to perform at the top of one's game catching day in and day out. Losing a guy like AJ makes the backup catcher even more important.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 2, 2013 -> 06:20 PM) As opposed to all of the cheap shots you keep doling out? What cheap shots?

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ May 2, 2013 -> 06:07 PM) You really need to lighten up. I just find the cheap shots some are taking at AJ here telling.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ May 2, 2013 -> 05:48 PM) At least we know that if there's a brawl, AJ won't fight back. He'll start it and run. When did he ever do that? If you are referring to the Barrett incident, let me refresh your memory. Barrett was blocking the plate. AJ bowled him over with a clean hit on a clean play - no cheap shot. Barrett got up and sucker punched AJ in the jaw. AJ took Barrett's best shot and hardly flinched. Both benches cleared but AJ wisely did not retaliate. For one Barret's punch didn't even phase him, and for two the Sox were in a pennant race and couldn't afford to lose AJ to a long suspension. Even though AJ did absolutely nothing wrong he still got a one game suspension. Of course Cubs fans were happy and rumour has it someone in the Sox front office "lost respect for AJ" for not being stupid enough to retaliate. That's an example of some people not appreciating AJ.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 2, 2013 -> 12:54 PM) You are in the wrong place if you think people didn't appreciate what AJ contributed. I said some people (the meatheads the original poster referred to who enjoyed AJ being drilled) didn't appreciate him. Of course there were many more Sox fans who appreciated all AJ contributed over the years.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 2, 2013 -> 10:37 AM) I would say the opposite honestly. The stats people didn't like AJ nearly as much. The people who think there is more to the game than stats are the ones who liked AJ the most. Which of those two sounds like the meathead fans? Sigh. Context. I was responding to the false statement that I "love parroting the idea that nobody ever liked AJ." Most Sox fans did love AJ. I'm not interested in whether stats geeks or traditionalists are bigger meatheads. I just think that any Sox fan who didn't appreciate what AJ contributed to the Sox over the years and is happy that he got hit last night is probably a meathead.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 2, 2013 -> 08:33 AM) Good f***ing god, where to start? Then as a fan, you are also classless. Why else would you root for a classless organization? I've been a Sox fan since '68. They haven't always been classless. And to be honest, I became a Sox fan because of geography - I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. That's how most people become fans of a particular team, by where they come from. What choice did I have- the Cubs??? LOL! Did you become a Sox fan because you thought they were the classiest team out there? Ever since 2011 and the Ozzie bulls***, I've become more and more disgusted with this organization. You couldn't be more wrong. Lots of people loved AJ. In fact most Sox fans did. I said the meatheads didn't appreciate him. You obviously didn't comprehend what I wrote. Again you didn't comprehend what I wrote. In fact in this thread I mentioned Carl, Aaron, Juan Uribe, etc. I liked them all and appreciate what they did while here. And I agree that if you take any one of them away they probably don't win the World Series - including AJ. That's why I still like and respect them all as players and would not find it funny or amusing if a Sox pitcher drilled one of them for no good reason. Some here appear to be happy that AJ got drilled. Most of the steals against the Sox have been the result of pitchers not holding the runners on or having a slow delivery to the plate. Some of it was on the SS taking throws in front of the bag. It has been that way for years. But many here (not all but many, some the same people that are happy he got HBP) blamed it all on AJ and thought that was one reason the Sox would be better off without him, and that Flowers was going to be a big improvement in this area. Also I can remember some here blaming every opposition clutch hit or HR on a bad pitch call by AJ. But since Flowers is calling the pitches these people are silent as Sox pitchers give up big hits and blow leads. No, unless they replace him with a AAA level scrub and then drill him in his first AB against the Sox. I wish he was my son. I'd be retired by now.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ May 1, 2013 -> 11:40 PM) Yes, they were. Outside of Everett, they were all really nice guys too. Even Everett was said to be a great teammate while on the Sox. I don't think they were plunked after leaving. That should tell you something. It'd be pretty lol if Reed wasn't even trying to hit him. Did any of them even bat against the Sox after they left? I doubt El Duque or Contreras did and I don't remember if the Sox played against Rowand or Everett or Uribe after they were traded. Anyway, throwing at AJ was stupid.

QUOTE (Cali @ May 1, 2013 -> 11:39 PM) The hero worship of the 2005 team makes me laugh sometimes. f*** YES I'm glad these guys came together and won a title. It will probably be the greatest sports moment of my life, but s***, you gotta let it go. People age, players get less effective in the field. Happens to EVERYONE. I swear there are people on this message board who would take the entire 2005 team as they are in 2013 for the current Sox Roster. Old age, retirement and all... You miss the point. Of course players come and go but that doesn't mean that you don't continue to appreciate the contributions they made when they were here and you don't wish them ill just because they are no longer on the team. After all AJ contributed to the Sox while he was here, why be happy that he was drilled? It makes as much sense as Cleveland fans booing Thome.

Uribe, Everett, AJ, Rowand, Contreras, El Duque... these were the heart and soul of a winning baseball team. These players were winners, brought a championship to this miserable city and there are a great many "Sox fans" who ridiculed these players and were happy when they left.

QUOTE (Cali @ May 1, 2013 -> 11:11 PM) That's a bit of a stretch. If AJ was still in San Fran or some other team in 2005, I think the Sox still could have won. Sox wouldn't have even made the playoffs with Jamie Burke or Ben Davis along with Widger as their catchers.

White Sox are totally classless. There was no legit reason to throw at AJ there. And the meatheads love it because they never appreciated AJ when he was here. No AJ, no White Sox World Series. AJ is better off with a real contender and the Sox are stuck with Flowers who not only can't hit but doesn't handle the pitching staff as well as AJ did and hasn't been any better throwing runners out. I'd say AJ gets the last laugh and the Sox just showed why they are the pathetic losers they have become.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 1, 2013 -> 09:58 PM) If that was intentional, it was just about the dumbest thing imaginable. Reed is a punk and the White Sox are a classless organization.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 1, 2013 -> 07:37 PM) If things play out according to the Sox history this year, Sale will give up runs this inning... http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/b...majors/2122585/

Flowers sucks. But we already knew that last year. Sox miss AJ.

Konerko is slowwwww...

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 30, 2013 -> 03:08 PM) Pierzynski on the bench tonight. Even less reason to watch.

Yes, the White Sox miss A.J. That's a no-brainer. A.J. is a winner - the Sox need some of those. A.J. is a catcher - the Sox need one of those.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Apr 28, 2013 -> 11:33 AM) More Flowers. Great. Ugh.

Sox offense would be even worse if Walker was still here. For one, Rios would still be using that ridiculous stance...

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Apr 26, 2013 -> 09:43 PM) Danks not a good angle. QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 26, 2013 -> 09:45 PM) Would have been a great play by Danks. The bigger issue is that he seems to have a lot of those where he is so close yet can't complete the catch. Jordan Danks is the most defensively overrated outfielder in the Sox organization.

Sox need a catcher.