Balta1701

I saw nothing in that Reinsdorf/Macphail piece other than the usual "passing the buck" that we've seen from almost every side on the steroid issue. Selig knew it was a problem. But that mean players union wouldn't let us test for them. Selig paid attention in 98, started an investigation, and the investigation was so fruitful that it only took 3 years and about 200 home runs each from Bonds and Sosa before they started a testing program. Not to mention the fact that the first testing program was such an absolute f***ing joke that Reinsdorf's own team, the Chicago White Sox, staged a protest/revolt against the testing. They refused to take the first tests, so that their names would come up as positive tests, to try to guarantee testing the next year. This was Reinsdorf's own team doing the right thing revolting against the pathetic players Union and ownership testing agreements, and Reinsdorf still signs his name to a document defending that testing. I don't like agreeing with Mariotti and disagreeing with JR, but I guess the fact that Macphail's name is on there makes me feel better about this. JR and AM are simply wrong, and they're just covering their asses.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 08:33 PM) -Hernandez had good velocity on his pitches tonight. I caught several innings on the free MLB package. Appeared healthy from what I witnessed. His line against Colorado: 5IP, 6 hits, 2BB, 8 K's, 1 ER -Vizcaino pitched to one batter and struck him out El Duque did look good last night and his fastballs were touching hte 90's. But he looked good for us last year a couple times, especially starting the season or coming off the DL when he was rested. Arizona has to hope he's more recovered from his shoulder problems. And Oakland has started Thomas 3 games in a row. In my mind, unless you don't want to have to pay him the incentives because he's hurt, this is insanity, and I don't care who you're playing or how bad your lineup looks without him. Frank should rest at least 1/3 games, otherwise you're just playing with fire.

There's a lefty on the mound Friday against the Royals as well. Widge is scheduled to start.

I think it was probably a bunt called by Ozzie also, as that's what he did with Pods a lot in Sept. of last year when he couldn't run. Ozzie probably isn't used to having a guy in the 3 hole that people are willing to walk. 1 thing I will say; it'll be interesting to hear how the interviews go after this game & later tonight. That'll tell us a lot about how this team reacts to getting beaten this series.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 03:26 PM) Another way to look at this series is: Sunday: Sox feast on crappy Indians pitching in nationally-televised seaosn opener. Tuesday: Indians feast on crappy Sox starting pitching. Wednesday: Pitchers duel with the Indians winning in the 11th. We lost 2/3, but I don't think that we got "shown up." We took 1/3 against a very good team, but could've easily taken 2/3. I'm more concerned about the health of Garcia and Dye right now than the result of a meaningless series in early April. On our home turf...after beating the crap out of these guys last year...on the days we get our rings...there's some element of being shown up in there.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 03:19 PM) Balta....I think it's going to take Ozzie some time to get used to the way Thome plays, and how to manage the top of the lineup. Ozzie never managed Frank when he was his dominant self, and get intentionally walked all the time. I also think it's going to take Ozzie a little while to get used to our bullpen. 3 lefties can be a tricky thing to manage. No worries yet. It's also going to be hard for Ozzie to get adapted to the way the lineup hits if key guys at the top of the lineup don't turn it around pretty quick.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 03:14 PM) I actually think that might be a great idea. Thome isn't a ground ball hitter, and that might cut back on the DP that Konerko hits into. I still like the idea of JT first on the OBP principle...but that all assumes PK can get his head out of the ground within the first month or so of the season. If Ozzie wants to bunt with Iguchi btw, then Thome should be hitting 4th.

QUOTE(Harry&JimmyRocked @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 03:15 PM) i thought that's what he was doing since day one of spring training? and i'll be the first to say that if there was no rain delay, we get SWEPT Sometimes saying "Hey guys 2005 is over" doesn't get through to people as well as being shown up by the Indians on our home turf.

QUOTE(Harry&JimmyRocked @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 03:13 PM) I PREDICT.........later this season you will see Thome hit BEHIND Konerko in the lineup, as paulie has a konerko-esk OFF YEAR as he puts too much pressure on himself to justify his contract Paulie has had 1 off year since he came to the Sox...2003, and that was while recovering from a bad foot injury that he suffered in late 2002 and played through during a pennant race.

QUOTE(daa84 @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 02:48 PM) when did he take the bat outa thomes hands? Bunted with Iguchi when Pods was at 1st. They Walked Thome, GIDPaulie.

Well, top of our order in the 9th, good place to start.

That is why Neal Cotts has a job.

Ok, going to say this right now...if Neal Cotts does not throw the next pitch in this game, ozzie is out of his mind.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 01:43 PM) I wanted to stay out of the DP. If Martinez throws to 2nd...then Uribe would be out. The only way that you could take advantage of that situation is to have AJ running if there is a throw, and that's a pretty big risk. With anyone other than AJ, PK, or JT at 3rd I'd have said go for it, but AJ's just too slow.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 01:42 PM) double steal? Decent Idea...but the worry is still AJ coming home if Martinez does throw it. He's not exactly fleet.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 01:40 PM) Steal with Juan. Test Martinez. I doubt he will even throw. Has anybody seen Neal warm up? Is he available? With 1 out...no, Martinez probably wouldn't throw...but we have AJ on 3rd, and he's not exactly going to be the best guy to come home on the throw.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 01:39 PM) I want to see cintron here. Ask and ye shall receive. Can we give Ozzie some credit for that move?

Good time for your first hit there Juan. Get 200 more.

.....Steroids....steroids...steroids....steroids....steroids....steroids....steroids...

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 01:26 PM) Boone should not be in late in a game with a 1 run game going. I would rather have thorton and his 94 mph fastball going against Hafner in that situation. A week ago 3/4 of this site said they didn't want Thornton in unless we had a 6 run lead. But yeah, Cotts should have pitched that inning.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 01:22 PM) What do you mean? Ozzie made a mistake. I saw Dusty do that a few times last season. They just walked Derrek Lee in the same situation. It sucks but oh well. Hopefully Ozzie will learn from this one. He hasn't had a #3 hitter like Thome since 04, last year he did that before Everett quite successfully.

QUOTE(chisoxfan79 @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 01:08 PM) I just thought about this the Sox are not going to be in first place for the first time since the end of 2004 because the Tigers are going to win and be 2-0 Already happened, we were 1/2 game behind the Tigers last night.

Well, you can't get a slam every inning...at least we got the 2. Now it's time to see how good our bullpen REALLY is.