Jack Parkman

QUOTE (Brian @ Apr 21, 2013 -> 03:43 PM) What size tin foil hat do you wear? None, I don't believe in aliens. I think that however unlikely that may be, it needs to be discussed. I threw that out there to garner a discussion rather than my actual beliefs on the subject. OTOH, Derrick Rose does take a physical beating with his playing style, maybe his inner circle doesn't want him to play right now because they don't want him to get hurt again, and he'll be back next season. However, did anyone think in the summer of 2010 that LeBron, Wade and Bosh, who the whole league cleared cap space to have a chance to sign, had conspired to go to the same team??? I think after that you can't put anything past anyone in the NBA.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 21, 2013 -> 08:53 AM) I can't believe no one pointed out that, according to ESPN on last night's telecast, Derrick Rose said he's 100% physically, but not mentally. It's going to be really hard to care about this b**** again. QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Apr 21, 2013 -> 09:47 AM) Interesting. Who brought that up? I am surprised he would tell anyone that. I wouldn't be surprised if that's just ESPN trying to add fuel to the fire. QUOTE (Jake @ Apr 21, 2013 -> 11:16 AM) I don't see how there are any guarantees that Derrick comes back at the beginning of next year. The threshold for feeling good enough is incomprehensible for us both. Does anyone think that maybe Rose is listening to his agent/brother and trying to get the fans/Bulls to run him out of town because they believe he can't win a championship here? He's still getting paid anyway while he doesn't play and maybe his inner circle is saying that this is the best way to get out of town and into a situation where they can build around him, and not to take a physical beating for what they believe to be no reason? With all of the backlash that LeBron got for leaving his "hometown" on his own nationally, maybe this is a more strategic approach for his camp to get him out of Chicago and to a team that they believe to have more building blocks? I hate to be the conspiracy theorist but if this is what he is doing, I wish he would just ask for a trade already. I think we'll see that if he doesn't come back at the beginning of next season or maybe this summer. I am basing this on Reggie Rose's comments a couple months ago that I heard reported on the Score, where he said that there is no reason for Derrick Rose to come back if there is no chance for him to win a championship, and he believes that Miami is too good right now for anyone to beat them.

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ Mar 28, 2013 -> 07:47 PM) Ok cool, I buy it Given that you are laughing, I really don't think you do. You have reason not to, because that was just the best explanation that I can give given the fact that I am no expert. I was speculating, and I should have said that. I honestly don't know why the fastball-change speed difference gets smaller after shoulder surgery, just that it does from observation. I think this would be a good question to ask Don Cooper on one of his shows on WSCR after Sunday games this season.

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ Mar 28, 2013 -> 06:27 PM) I know, but the grip takes the speed off an arm motion that is identical to the fastball, which is why it's convincing and deceptive. So if it's the same arm motion that's slowed down due to injury, and you have a changeup grip how could it possibly go the same speed as his fastball? That would suggest a problem with his grip. The grip for a changeup is meant to gain the 8-10 mph difference from the fastball. When a pitcher loses significant velocity, the gap between fastball and changeup speed is closed, because the grip was created for a healthy arm. (and the speed/mechanics of that arm) The grip basically fixes the speed of the ball coming out of that pitcher's hand to the ideal speed. When the pitcher's arm speed/mechanics changes, the grip can become useless due to the change in speed of the arm/mechanics. Most pitchers that I have seen have kept their change speed within 1-3 mph of their pre-injury speed.(I used to pay attention to this stuff a bunch a few years back, when I had more time to watch other teams) Take Peavy for example. Before and after he got injured his changeup speed was the same. He was lucky that he did not have to mess with the grip because he didn't lose more than 2-3 mph off of the fastball at top speed. Danks as of right now has lost 5+ mph off top speed. His grip probably needs to be reinvented if he does not gain his velocity back. I mentioned that in the original post. This tends to only be a problem with shoulder injuries rather than Tommy John though.

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ Mar 28, 2013 -> 05:40 PM) I'm no expert, but I don't see how this makes sense mechanically. If he is having trouble generating arm speed due to shoulder problems, he won't be getting to full arm speed on either pitch. I bet his change is still significantly slower than his fastball (maybe not the 8-10 ideal), but his fastball is just eminently hittable so you don't have to adjust for it. What makes the changeup slow is the grip, rather than arm speed. You want the arm speed to be the same for both otherwise you tip your pitch. Every pitcher who throws one has their own grip for it.(as far as I know) There was an article on either ESPN or SI a few years back that showed 10 pitchers holding a change, and they had 10 different grips. your standard 2 or 4 seam circle change is the most basic grip, but nobody in that article had that grip. I am a pitching junkie. It is my favorite part of the game. When I watch baseball I learn pitchers stuff and try to think along with them. I read a ton of articles on the subject during baseball season. I am by no means an expert or a coach, nor have I ever been a pitcher, but I try to learn as much as I can.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 28, 2013 -> 02:34 PM) i know we've been saying this all spring, but it really doesn't sound like velocity is his problem. But the thing is, velocity is his problem because of the FB-changeup difference. There was an article a while back that stated for a changeup to be most effective it should be 8-10 mph slower than the fastball. Danks's change is his out pitch and if there is probably very little difference right now from his fastball. Danks at his best was pitching anywhere from 91-94 with the fastball and 82-85 with the change which falls into the 8-10 mph difference, hence making it very effective. I am speculating that Danks is pitching 85-89 with the fastball, but the change is staying the same. That is why he couldn't get anyone out this spring. His change is now just like a batting practice fastball, rather than a true change. Danks is left-handed which is his saving grace if he doesn't regain his velocity, but if that becomes the case, he is going to have to learn a new grip or something to slow the change to the 75-78 mph range, and learn a slow curve or something like that to keep hitters off balance.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 15, 2013 -> 01:02 PM) Dude, it's February. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 15, 2013 -> 01:03 PM) Exactly. Everyone's velo is down right now, let alone someone who hasn't thrown from a mound in almost a year. The article stated that "significant progress needs to be made" I take that as a red flag, even in February.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/white-sox/...st-session#more Danks' velocity down, how much we don't know. If he is throwing under 90 sox are in big trouble with the contract. I think he doesn't have the command to reinvent himself as Mark Buehrle.

I'm pretty sure Brackman is right-handed. The article states him as a lefty.

The last guy to have the surgery that John Danks did was Chris Young. (I remember reading that in an article around the time that Danks' surgery was performed) Before Young's injury that caused the surgery, he threw low 90s. He came back from surgery throwing low to mid 80s. I'm with Marty on this one. Most pitchers who have shoulder surgery at any point in their careers are done within 2-4 years after their shoulder procedure. Look at Brandon Webb. He won a Cy Young award in 2008 or so, he can't find a job now because his stuff is so bad. He's relegated to tryouts for teams just to get a minor league contract. Peavy is not the norm; he is a one in a small number of success stories. Danks' best chance is to try to reinvent himself as Mark Buehrle. I don't think he has the command to do that.

QUOTE (G&T @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 08:24 AM) Have you done informational interviews? I feel like we've had this conversation before... But if you aren't getting real interviews then you have to be doing informational interviews just so you have a chance to talk to people. How does one get informational interviews? Yes, we have had this conversation before, but I'm coming back because I don't know what to do anymore. There are lots of jobs for ChEs......if you have 5 years of experience. For those of us who have none, not so much. I went to IIT.

QUOTE (GoodAsGould @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 12:48 AM) If you can't find a min wage job you aren't really looking because there are a ton of jobs avail even full time that don't pay well. As for your field, that can be difficult but might be able to give you advice if you tell us your major and field of interest, also if you can do an internship or volunteer in that field it might open the door for you into a company that could eventually hire you. I have a degree in chemical engineering. I am willing to go anywhere in the country at the moment. I have always wanted to go into biofuels/green technologies, but if I can't do that I'm not sure what other field I would like to go into, which is part of the problem. I'm having a hard time finding open positions for a bachelors level engineer with no experience. I have tried to get into an internship before but the companies that I have spoken with say that they won't give me that opportunity because I have already graduated. Just been frustrated beyond belief that I can't get an interview with anyone in my field. I waver back and forth on the low paying jobs because some days I feel like any opportunity is worth having, and some days I feel angry that I have busted my ass to become a chemical engineer and I may have to work for peanuts. I have bills to pay(mainly student loans) and I would probably be broke if I took the low paying job anyway and just have less time and still no money, and I might forget the stuff I learned in college if I am out of engineering much longer. I don't know what to do right now.

So, after one year out of college, I haven't got one interview for a job in my field based on a company liking me. I have applied to many places, and I never get any sort of response from them. I have received calls from recruiters about contract-to-hire positions but the first person I dealt with in that aspect did nothing for me. They called me in August about the job, and I still haven't heard whether I was even considered for the position that they had an opening for. The one interview I did have came from a company open house. I have been trying to stay in Chicago, but I guess there just isn't anything here for me. About 2-3 months ago I started applying for entry level minimum wage positions, because dammit I need some sort of income. I got one interview last month but they haven't contacted me about whether or not I was chosen for the position in a month, so I assume that I did not get the position. I have gone to a grand total of two interviews in one year. I feel like maybe employers see me as a person with not one marketable skill. When graduating college, is it that important to have had a part time job while you were in school? If so, what can I do to correct it now? I just feel like I might as well have wasted the last few yrs of my life going to school, and maybe a college degree in anything means nothing now because there are so many people with college degrees right now out of work, that work experience trumps all. How can I get experience if they won't give me a chance?

QUOTE (Brian @ Nov 24, 2012 -> 08:30 AM) Guy on ESPN just said that if OSU was eligible, they would still be ranked behind a 1 loss team. WTF? The quality of the Big Ten this season is on par with mid-major conferences, such as the MAC. For petesakes Indiana, at one point, had a shot at the Big Ten Championship game(Though due to OSU being bowl ineligible). That should tell you all you need to know. Nobody takes the Big Ten and Big East seriously anymore.

Selig should veto this trade. You can't allow this all of the time. I have a feeling that the Red Sox-Dodgers trade is going to set a new, bad precedent.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 5, 2012 -> 12:21 PM) Talking about what other people are already talking about isn't illegal. Couldn't people get sued for defamation for posting crap on the internet that isn't true?

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 5, 2012 -> 12:06 PM) I agree with you. Not to mention if someone reported it early, it would likely ruin their relationship with the White Sox and/or MLB permanently (see Mark Gonzalez) I agree with both of you. Like I said earlier, I have been wondering about this for a while, but have just kept the conversation between my friends. Even if I heard this info I wouldn't post it on a message board either. There could be legal things that could happen to this person if in fact it is false. For that reason alone, why does this thread even exist?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 5, 2012 -> 11:53 AM) They made the pitchers start looking at the runners. He's not throwing any better. He just has a chance now. OK. That is a plausible explanation. I never really thought that Ozzie and Cooper would be so stupid as to have their pitchers not pay attention to the runners at all.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Sep 5, 2012 -> 11:55 AM) As far as the rumor of him testing positive and currently appealing it, wouldn't we have heard about that by now? When Braun tested positive, we heard right away. No, usually when the player loses the appeal, the suspension is announced. Braun's case was unusual, hence why he got off.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Sep 5, 2012 -> 11:44 AM) We're quoting anonymous WSI posters now? If AJ tested positive for anything it's Flintstone vitamins & a positive mental attitude. However, if this is somehow true, and someone involved in the process has indeed framed AJ and made him incorrectly test positive, then it'll be fun to watch all the Sox fans out there call for AJ's departure in order to go with Flowers, who has of course always been clean. Flowers did test positive back in like 2008 or something. I remember when KW traded Vazquez for him people complaining about it. I have been wondering about this for a while. The big thing for me is that AJ started throwing guys out stealing, where last year he couldn't throw guys out stealing even in a pitch out. IMO catchers don't just magically gain that ability at age 35 when they have been bad at it their whole career.

bad night for aces, eh? Verlander, Strasburg, Sale, who else got shelled tonight?

Sale's fastball velocity has been way down since he struck out the second guy in the 2nd. 87-91, started the game 92-93.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Jul 17, 2012 -> 06:18 AM) It's funny how one loss to the Red Sox has people talking about selling and White Flag 2.0. Take a breath. Let's see how this goes, and then maybe the series with Detroit goes before we give up. Did you read my first post? Where I said exactly that? My other post was in response to a reply to my first post, in which I said that if the Sox fall into third place by the end of the month that they should consider selling, and that they shouldn't buy at least for another 7-10 days. I think they should split with Boston, and take at least 2/3 in Detroit for them to consider buying next by Monday.

QUOTE (MAX @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 11:22 PM) Seriously? What makes you believe that? A tear of the lowest grade? The fact that a) he had the mysterious loss of velocity and b) that his injury is not responding to rest. Somebody pointed this out in a different thread, and I agree with that person. I just have a feeling that there is something more wrong, and that it is serious(pitching wise).

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 10:50 PM) I disagree about the Sox becoming sellers, as by the time the deadline comes around, people would classify it as White Flag 2.0. I agree with the rest of the post though, good job f*** White Flag 2.0. They should look at the big picture and do what is best for the long term goals of the team. Peavy's gone at the end of the season, Danks is hurt(probably to the point where he will be useless over the remainder of his contract) They are going to suck from 2013 until I don't know when, unload as much salary as possible and start the rebuilding process now. Unless Danks and Floyd come back in early August, are completely healthy, go on a tear, and the Sox are in 1st place when they come back, they are probably done. If they are in 1st at the deadline they should stand pat, because obviously you can't white flag it while you are in 1st place.