South Side Fireworks Man

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 11:20 PM) Hell, if you've ever even heard the guy talk you'd know that he's not shaken up all that much right now. He's making fun of himself during interviews (great sense of humor) and he realizes he's sucking at the plate but he also knows that he's helping the team win during every damn game he plays in with his defense. I doubt Oz was worried about BA's feelings, he's not Arnie Munoz. You're wrong. http://www.suntimes.com/output/sox/cst-spt-sside09.html

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 11:01 PM) Funny how it took Ozzie over 2 months and a Rob Mack hot streak to figure out that BA's defense is invaluable to this team, for a guy who believes so heavily in pitching and defense it sure was funny watching an infielder/corner outfielder start at one of the most important defensive postions in the game for so long. Ozzie was more concerned about BA's confidence. He didn't want to ruin the kid.

QUOTE(VAfan @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 03:29 PM) I posted this on the Anderson thread on the main board, and under Outfield Possibilities, but I think this deserves an airing on its own. Why not make a deal to bring Mike Cameron back this year? He has absolutely sucked in cavernous SD stadium, but was fine last year in NY. Compare the two years. 2005 NYM 76 308 47 84 23 2 12 39 29 85 13 1 .273 .342 .477 .819 2006 SD 42 167 23 40 7 0 1 18 19 48 11 0 .240 .321 .299 .620 Given his inability to give SD anything, why wouldn't they be happy to deal him? He signed a 3-year deal in 2004, so it will be up after this season. The contract is for $7.3 million. If the Sox picked up the balance (which we ought to be able to do given attendance), we'd likely have to give up lesser prospects. Cameron ought to be happy moving to a stadium where he can hit, as he's going to be looking for a new contract next year. And though he may not have left on the best terms, that was the former GM's management, not KWs. Plus, Mike Cameron has the second best zone range rating of any CF in MLB, behind --- Brian Anderson. So we wouldn't have to sacrifice defense to add a bat to the lineup. He also has 11 SBs and 0 CSs, which Ozzie would love. Right now we have a ton of players racking up the stats at AAA. If we want to get a deal done, I'm sure SD would be willing. Sure, they like Cameron's D, but it is not as if he's going to be on their team next season. They would deal him in a minute. I've been thinking the same thing. If SD will take a reasonable prospect(s) for him, the Sox should do it.

Cintron is starting at SS. Apparently Uribe's wife is giving birth. Uribe isn't even at the park.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jun 5, 2006 -> 09:36 AM) So being a steadying presence on a last place team, and fitting in real well on a last place team is a compliment? Your the best bad player in the league. Real intelligent post.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jun 4, 2006 -> 06:22 PM) They were mainly scratching for runs last year because the offense sucks, when you have a below average offense you tend to have to give up more outs simply to get 1 run at a time. When you have 2 guys in your lineup with an OPS over 1.000 like the Sox do right now, you don't have to play as much small ball. What you're saying is a negative is actually a positive. I stated it neither as a positive nor a negative. It is what it is.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jun 4, 2006 -> 05:50 PM) It took until your final point to really get to why the Sox have underperformed this year, it has nothing to do with the absence of Rowand or Everett, it is the lack of consistent pitching out of both the starters and the pen. If you replace Thome with Everett and Mack/BA with Rowand but still get s***ty pitching, there's probably a good chance this team is worse off than 2.5 games out of first. The absence of Rowand/Everett may not have as much to do with the win/loss record, but my main point is that it has very much to do with the style of play and the intensity. One example is last year, the Sox were always scratching for runs. If Pods got on base, the main focus was get him over, then get him in. This year, especially when Thome is hot, it seems the Sox are reluctant to give up an out move the runner and leave first base open for Thome for fear the opponent may just walk Thome. That's just one example.

QUOTE(Wedge @ Jun 4, 2006 -> 03:38 PM) I'm starting to wonder if it is partly Thome's fault, even indirectly for a few reasons. First, it meant the loss of Rowand who was pretty fiery, in addition to being a centerfielder who could hit and play defense properly. Second, while our offense has certainly stepped up a notch as a result, I wonder if this hasn't affected the mindset of the team. Like others have said, we're not the hungry, scrappy team we were last year and it seems like we're willing to make some mistakes in the field and pitching because the team seems to think they can score the runs to make it up. There is some validity to your point. The Sox traded the poster boy for "Grinder Baseball" the prototypical grinder if you will, for the prototypical slugger. That prototypical slugger took the place of another "grind it out" type of guy at DH. I'm not knocking any of the Sox offseason moves. They are all great moves on paper. But sometimes what's on paper doesn't necessarily translate on the field. I'm still expecting the Sox to gel and wind up even better than last year. But I'm not shocked that so far it isn't happening. You lose a lot of edge and intensity when you take away an Aaron Rowand and a Carl Everett from any lineup. Oh yeah.....it would help if the pitchers would pitch like last year too. QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jun 4, 2006 -> 05:44 PM) He does the same thing against other lefty pitchers. Lefties hit Johan Santana much better yet Ozzie does the stacked righty lineup against him too. Yep. That puzzles/bothers me too.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13089389/

QUOTE(Mansoo @ Jun 3, 2006 -> 08:19 PM) How about K. Griffey Jr. ?? From what I saw of him when the Reds played the Cubs last week, he looks like he slowed down A LOT. Mackowiak is probably just as good if not better in CF than what I saw of Griffey JR. last week.

Gload is on this roster for the very reason he is being used this series--in case anything happens to Thome or Konerko. I'm glad he's here. Yes, Gload is a natural first baseman and a pretty good fielding one at that. And he is a solid hitter.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jun 1, 2006 -> 05:06 PM) McCarthy?

Barry Bonds doesn't even rate a pimple on Babe Ruth's ass.

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ May 29, 2006 -> 03:18 PM) And if Uribe gets in a little hot streak people won't be able to use the "but he's not our worst hitter" excuse. If Uribe gets into one of his patented hot streaks, Anderson's bat is no longer a concern and he could start everyday because of his defense.

Uribe should have just lost his starting job for a while. Pathetic.

f***in' McCarthy.

Uribe needs to take a week off. It wouldn't hurt him to lose ten pounds, either.

I side 100% with KW in the Frank Vs. Kenny matters, but I would love to see Kenny down on the field tonight leading a tribute to Frank.

QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ May 19, 2006 -> 05:11 PM) I'm sick of Rob Mackowiak's no defense in center, slap hitting ass getting playing time over BA. :headshake

QUOTE(hi8is @ May 16, 2006 -> 09:56 PM) bmac... other then those 2 ABs going back to back, he looked pretty freakin solid! Meh...

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 8, 2006 -> 08:44 PM) The hard part of that is that Brandon made 2 appearances (Sat and Sunday) and we may be pushing him too soon. I think the last thing Ozzie wants to do (and I realize this is being extremely careful) is to either rush Brandon (and have a guy who is going to be counted upon heavily in our pen) or rush Jose (a guy that is being looked upon to be an ace). If Jose is 100% tomorrow, he pitches (I'm talking in terms of his back), anything less and I think the Sox just let him miss two starts and be extra careful. That's how I see it too.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ May 8, 2006 -> 08:18 PM) Haha so after all this, it's not even a sure thing that Haegar will get the call, or that Count will go on the DL, or that Count will even miss a start. And worse case senario is he goes on the DL and misses 2 starts. Wonderful, I love the internet and talk radio, just a BIT too over reactive. The way I read the Tribune article, it looks pretty certain he will miss his next start, but it's uncertain whether he goes on the DL or not. If he does, it'll probably be Haeger starting. If he doesn't go on the DL, they'll probably try to start McCarthy Wednesday and have Jose back for his next start. Best case scenario, he feels 100% tomorrow and starts Wednesday, but that seems unlikely.

QUOTE(bulokis @ May 7, 2006 -> 07:38 PM) Man Im gonna miss White sox baseball bcoz Im going back home in the Philippines for 3 weeks. But I'll be checking the site everyday of course. What part of the Philippines are you from?

QUOTE(shawnhillegas @ Apr 28, 2006 -> 09:28 PM) i wonder if we can trade freddy for grady sizemore ...Or for Vernon Wells, or Torii Hunter...

QUOTE(SpringfieldFan @ Apr 25, 2006 -> 08:14 AM) Unlike many, I am not concerned with the bullpen. However, our lack success on the basepaths has me worried. It almost appears teams steal at will against us but lately when our guys attempt a steal, they are nearly always thrown out. The case in point was last night. The Sox had the momentum after Pablo singled after the home run, but lost it getting thrown out stealing. Then, Betancourt's steal in the 11th led to their winning run. I can accept losing a game on the basepaths, but it appears somewhat of a chronic problem now. Even Pods has been caught the last three times. Would it help putting Tim back as first base coach? SFF I agree 100% with everything you wrote.