Dick Allen

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ May 11, 2006 -> 07:30 AM) Will the rain be gone by gametime? This game has rainout written all over it.

Haeger was predictably wild in his major league debut. Its pretty apparent the reason BMac didn't get the start was his back to back appearances this weekend. Haeger did earn a shot with his performance at AAA, but unfortunately its not going to work. I think he is total tradebait right now. I don't know about Widger or Stewart, but AJ looked totally lost trying to handle a knuckleball.

Jenks wasn't a reliever until last season. Its still up in the air how it will affect him. I do think they are overusing him a bit, plus it does look like he's lost a lot of weight since spring training, maybe too much too quickly. He certainly doesn't have last year's velocity, and really no track record to predict continued success. I really don't care about his lack of blown saves. Shingo was 8 for 9 last year in save opportunities, and he was horrible. The ball might have been a little wet, but it really wasn't raining very hard when he was in the game. There are no excuses, I think he would be the first to say he just sucked tonight. I'm sure if Jenks continues to perform like this, KW will do something about it.

A guy posted the Mr. Incredible/Thome thing on WSI a few weeks ago. He said he got it from his little son.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 10, 2006 -> 03:52 PM) In my view, the walks, steals and past balls are enough to make me not want to bring in a knuckleballer with runners on the bases. Obviously the catcher is important. It will be interesting to see how AJ handles it. If one gets by him every at bat, I would agree that the Sox probably wouldn't want to throw Haeger in a tight game with a man or 2 or 3 on. If he's as effective as he's been in Charlotte, or close to it, if he at least starts an inning, not many are going to get on. The Sox have a couple pitchers who can't hold guys on in Conteras and Garcia. I also think those 2 finished first and second in wild pitches last season. Haeger is just like any other rookie, he's going to have to prove he can get major league hitters out. Watching the last few the Sox have trotted out from Charlotte, the odds seem to favor him getting lit up, but if he's lights out, they probably should keep him on the roster.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 10, 2006 -> 02:48 PM) I dont think he does. As I said before, I do not think Knuckleballers are good our of the pen, and we really dont need another SP if JC comes back. Hoyt Wilhelm was pretty good out of the bullpen. Its also how Wilbur Wood started out, and Tim Wakefield has made numerous appearances out of the bullpen, and I believe was a closer at one point. I really don't see where there much room for him on the staff, unless its for a guy like Logan, once Contreras gets back, but if he does well enough, he be a great candidate to trade if a need arises.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ May 10, 2006 -> 12:52 PM) IMO, this game is could go two ways. 1.Charlie makes LAA look like idiots, and its incredibly fun to watch... or..... 2.This game is more frustrating and worse than Cotts in the Bronx... I've been thinking the same thing. Hopefully his nerves won't keep his knuckler from dancing. If he's around the plate, the Angels, not known for their patience at the plate, and currently struggling, could be the perfect match-up for him. I have the feeling Charlie is going to walk a few tonight. Hopefully AJ is up to the task catching him. He shouldn't worry about throwing guys out trying to steal tonight, just making sure the ball doesn't go back to the screen.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ May 8, 2006 -> 09:11 PM) If Charlie sucks, we're looking at 10+ Stolen Bases for the Angels on Wednesday. However, I think he will do well. The good news is that the Angels aren't very patient hitters. They only have 1 guy with 10 walks. Charlie is going to be nervous, who wouldn't. Hopefully that won't flatten his knuckler out, because if it does, you or I could do major damage.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 8, 2006 -> 09:11 PM) Actually, think of it this way. What if the Sox feel Nelson is pretty much ready. They have him pitch in a couple games really quickly in Charlotte. If Jose comes around as planned, the Sox give him a precautionary rest (having him miss one start). To make room the Sox send Logan down and call up Haeger. Than after the game, the Sox send Haeger down and replace him with Nelson, who they want in the rotation. Note: The above is purely me speculating...not going on any sources or inside info. He would be the obvious choice, but I would think its a longshot that he'd be ready.

QUOTE(WilliamTell @ May 8, 2006 -> 09:05 PM) What about Hideo Nomo? I know you're being sarcastic, but if they called him up someone in the bleachers might get hurt.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ May 8, 2006 -> 09:04 PM) So am I the only one lost or is that a group thing? It seems like Buerhle's broken foot all over again. To me, it looks like Contreras is feeling better, but probably isn't 100%, so the Sox don't want to take a chance. Maybe tomorrow he is 100% and will make his start Wed. If not,CH gets the nod, but if JC is close to 100%, then maybe the question is whether to DL him, or send someone down. If its 1 start, they could send down Logan, and then after CH's start, send him down and call up Lopez. I think you have to stay down for 10 days or so if you get optioned.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ May 8, 2006 -> 08:04 PM) Exactly what I was thinking, especially since Rotoworld is now saying we reported he had a MRI. Hopefully that is confirmed. The Score reported he had an MRI.

QUOTE(quickman @ May 8, 2006 -> 07:42 PM) Well the score has not reported it in over 90 minutes. Its seems people are starting to back off, which means there may not be a problem yet. Levine is worng more times than right. Griffey should be our center fielder right now if I believed that idiot. Vizquel would be at short, and Contreras would be in Miami with the Marlins after being dealt for AJ Burnett last season.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ May 8, 2006 -> 07:32 PM) I heard that too. They said it's back not hip, and it still wasn't 100% he is going on the DL. Hell we might all just wake up tomorrow and Jose is fine and Haeger is still in Charlotte. I woke up one day this past winter and could barely walk because of pain in my hip. It turns out I had somehow injured my back while sleeping. A muscle somehow folded over in my lower back. Its unlikely, but hopefully Jose has the same sort of thing, because after a few massages and a couple chiropractic adjustments I was fine.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ May 8, 2006 -> 06:35 PM) Thanks, Hawk. Does Hawk say that? I have no idea, but has anyone ever been drafted as a knuckleball pitcher? I think most of the famous ones, I'm not sure of Hoyt Wilhelm, were guys who were meat throwing conventional pitches. Bruce Sutter was meat until someone taught him the split, now hundreds of pitchers throw it. Its strange to me that more don't throw a knuckler. It is hard to control, and very difficult on the catcher, but a guy like Wakefield can pitch forever and never hit 80 on the gun.

It amazes me that more guys with very little chance to pitch in the majors don't make an effort to become knuckleball pitchers. Obviously, its not that easy, but its worth a shot if your career is in the toilet. A decent knuckleballer is invaluable to a pitching staff. They're innings eaters. Honel was throwing knuckle-curves. With all his arm problems, maybe he should try to add a straight knuckler to his reportoire.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 8, 2006 -> 06:22 PM) Ya, which is why I think many in the org are intrigued with his potential. He wasn't originally a knuckler, than again most pitchers aren't, but Haeger retired from the club and than started working on a knuckler (in fact I think a coach tried to help him with it) and than he came back and boy did he come back. I believe that is Haegs story at least. Didn't he get roughed up a bit this spring, and then they had Charlie Hough work with him a bit? He's been as good as you can be at Charlotte, and was pretty good his last spring training outing.

What are the chances that if Contreras was out for a prolonged period, that McCarthy goes into the rotation and Haeger goes to the bullpen? With his knuckler, he'd be able to go multiple innings, and be able to pitch more often than just about anyone on the staff.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 8, 2006 -> 06:02 PM) BTW, did the radio reports happen to state anything about structural issues regarding the hip? No but someone on WSI posted last night about Contreras limping off the field terribly before yesterday's game after playing long toss. I guess he was with his kids waiting in an autograph line and saw him limping. Someone in line said he jumped for a ball and when he landed he was hurt. Its very possible he hurt in throwing on the side Saturday as has been reported, but thought it was fine, only to aggrevate it Sunday. The guy who posted this posted it last night so I'm betting he is telling the truth.

QUOTE(chimpy2121 @ May 8, 2006 -> 05:49 PM) Did anyone listen to the game on the radio on Thursday? If I remember correclty, Singleton said something like they (I would assume Ozzie and Herm) were yelling to see if Jose was ok and he shook them off like he was fine. After this little 5 second blip, I heard nothing more. Does anyone else remember hearing this? He looked gimpy running towards first one time last Thursday.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 8, 2006 -> 05:45 PM) In all seriousness, we should all be thankful it's Haeger who got promoted, and not Redding. Unless you have tickets in the OF, and are looking for a souvenir.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ May 8, 2006 -> 05:35 PM) Sucks, but glad it is his hip and not his back, elbow or shoulder. Its a little disconcerning that the injury appears severe enough to DL him. Hips can be huge problems. Its what led to Britt Burns' demise. He won 15 games in 1985, was traded to NY. Hip problems surfaced in spring training, and he never threw another pitch in the major leagues.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ May 8, 2006 -> 05:32 PM) Why the hell are we starting some knuckleballer with no experience rather than B-Mac, especially with today being a day off?!? McCarthy pitched Sat. and Sunday. His arm would need to be stretched out probably, so he probably couldn't go more than 4 or 5 innings, and considering he is the main guy in the bullpen who can pitch multiple innings, it could be a huge problem. This is the right move considering how Haeger has been pitching. Does anyone know if tommorrow is Haeger's regular day to pitch? It probably doesn't make much difference with a knuckleballer, but it has been an issue with guys called up before.

Score says he has a sore hip, had an MRI, and might go on DL.

In Frank Thomas' last career 210 ABs, he's hitting under .200. Frank Thomas under the Mendoza line for over 200 ABs is something I don't think anyone would ever envision seeing. I guess he really is in his prime.