Dick Allen

It was Nancy's idea to work the reduced schedule. The White Sox are not phasing her out, and as far as I know she plans on working this reduced schedule for the forseeable future. I'm pretty sure the contract she signed this past off-season was multi-year.

QUOTE(G&T @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 11:51 PM) This is the first time I'm seeing the payroll over $100 million for this year. I thought it was $95-96 million. I'm suprised to say the least. The Sox are getting a little relief from Thome and Vazquez. So while the totals are their full salary, the Sox aren't paying all of that. The Sox obligation is what you thought it was. At least we won't have to hear how cheap JR supposedly is anymore.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 09:25 PM) GMAB. Did anyone happen to mention that using Logan early just so happened to leave Ozzie Neal Cotts to fave Travis Hafner late in the game? Would you rather have seen Logan or Thornton facing Haf in the 9th or 7th? Also, we all can look back at the last two season and see repeated instances where Ozzie used young guys in key situations. For christ sakes he used a 300 pound alcoholic rookie with an eating disorder to close games in the playoffs and world series against one some of the best powerhitters of our generation! You want to tell me that was smarter than using a 21 year rookie leaguer on April 4th? This is the way that Ozzie manages. I know many people can't see past today, but there is a method to the madness, and you can't convince me that we win the World Series with Cliff Politte close, Damaso Marte facing the key lefties late, and not utilizing our bench in the playoffs. The only reason Ozzie Guillen knew that these kids were cut out for the bigtime is because he tested them in pressure situations that in the grand scheme of things didn't mean a damned thing. The reason Ozzie used a 300 pound alcohlic to close games was because he had to. If Hermy hadn't been injured or Shingo hadn't been ineffective, Jenks wouldn't have had a save opportunity. They were looking for closers last year, but their price was prohibitive. I don't understand why its so imperative a lefty faces Hafner. McCarthy was pitching well, and if I were the manager, I would feel a lot better with McCarthy who I know is pitching well, facing Hafner, than to bring in a guy who was not too effective the day before, and at that point hadn't pitched 2 innings above A ball in his life. It obviously was a gamble that backfired. In the grand scheme of things, I would much rather have Ozzie test what kind of balls Logan has against any team but the one that probably is set up best to keep the Sox from repeating. There is no question Logan earned his way on to this team this spring, but he needs to be eased into things. This is a huge jump he's making, and it wouldn't surprise me if he's in the minor leagues in a couple of weeks.

The regular organ broke in the 2nd inning of the opener. They are using a temporary one until it is fixed.

QUOTE(whitesoxin' @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 08:37 PM) Are you saying I'm seeing things? I hope you're refering to yourself because your pre-edited post obviously had the "$" after 10,000. I don't think you know my boss who only cares about making money. He doesn't give a s*** about how much money his employees make. We've all been there with the kind of boss you have. Just by your posts its easy to figure you are too intelligent to work for the pay you are receivng. Get a new job, and go to college. With a few more dollars in your pocket, and bank account, you may have a different perspective on what is a ridiculous amount of money to spend on someone you love.

$10,000 a year would be below minimum wage if these adults were working full time.

I'm sure the White Sox got a pretty good deal on these rings and while it may cost you $20k if you wanted one just like it, it didn't cost JR and friends 20k each to buy 432 of them. Diamonds are a tricky business. I know when we went to insure my wife's engagement ring it was appraised over triple what I paid for it. I never told her what I paid, so I actually wasn't persona non grata for a week or so. I hope to God my Acct. Rep didn't get one, I don't think he's worked a day in his life, but I'm sure he did. I actually heard him paged at the park today. I guarantee he didn't answer it.

Anyone see that fight near the end of the game in the bleachers? I didn't have a good vantage point, but one of the combatants gave about 6 or 7 security personnel all they could handle out there.

Anyone see that fight near the end of the game in the bleachers? I didn't have a good vantage point, but one of the combatants gave about 6 or 7 security personnel all they could handle out there.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Apr 5, 2006 -> 07:26 PM) For whatever it's worth, I was there today (my first game this year). It sucked. We looked flat. Jose looked good through six, so did Brandon. Then Boone gave up the dinger. Hell, that thing looked like a Thome homer. It was cold, it was boring, and that's just how it goes sometimes. Forget 2005. We're never going to have a start in our lifetime like that. However, I trust that Ozzie and KW know what they're doing, and there's a method to their madness. Give it time, people. We didn't win the series, but KC is up next, LOL. Hell I'd rather have bad first half and then smoke down the home stretch then almost blow it all after a first half like we almost did last year. I know that sounds like heresy, but seriously. Like they say, you can lose a season in the first half, but you can't win one (although didn't Cleveland kind of disprove that?). As long as we don't lose in the first half and put together a solid season, I'm happy. Just sit back and enjoy! Baseball is back, for God's sake! I had a crappy day/night but when I walked into the Cell I thought: "Ahhh! My goodness, I'm back!" We have to stop thinking like champions and start worrying about just toughing out each three game/four game series. Then the division. And then, and then... 2005 was great, but it's in the rear view mirror now. This game sucked, but there were some positives. The pitching and defense were good. The bats, I assume, will come around. As will the situational hitting (damn you, AJ! I thought they were toast when you had the bases loaded!). Again, step away from the ledge people. It's been three games. Have fun with the season. P.S. how 'bout that crazy interference on the 1st base side? Or the collision between their pitcher/catcher? That was scary! Side note: the most exciting thing today was apparently some hell of a brawl that was going on in left center, in the bleachers. Politte was pitching but we were all watching that, LOL (I was in 148 along the 3rd base line). GO SOX! Cheer up, people! It was freezing out there today. I have never been so sunburned while freezing my ass off in my life.

I thought putting Logan is was odd, considering BMac was dealing. Still even though nobody in the bullpen was very impressive, they did only allow 2 runs in 5 innings. The Sox had their chances. With Podsednik and Konerko go a combined 1-26 in a series and you still had a great shot of taking 2 of 3 from a very good team, things should be alright down the road, although beware of the bullpen, especially if BMac has to ever move into the rotation. Pods needs to quit hitting lazy fly balls.

Speaking of guys who signed minor league conracts, what happened to Ben Grieve, he isn't on Charlotte's roster?

Freddy was pitching half-assed his last spring training tune-up and everyone even Hawk and DJ were laughing saying he was ready to go. Obviously, he wasn't. If taking 5-7 mph of his fastball is his new approach, considering the success he has had in MLB, I would think the change isn't voluntary. Either his arm strength isn't there yet, or he has lost a few feet on it. He wasn't exactly locating very well today. Its one start, and no need to be concerned yet, but if he goes out there with the same stuff a few more times, I think a surgeon may be called.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Apr 4, 2006 -> 04:11 PM) That's full capacity now. ESPN hasn't updated the max for the Cell. They took out a few thousand seats in the UD, when they renovated. Actually, capacity is a little over 40,000, but every seat was taken. They don't count comps.

Frank was grimmacing a lot last night. He's hoping to play 100 games this year, and I don't think he will make it. Thome is a guy who potentially could hit 50 homers, is left handed, something the Sox need, and draws a lot of walks, something else the Sox need, not to mention he is considered the best teammate in MLB. Rowand is a good player, not a great one, and the Sox strength in their minor league system is outfielders. Anderson can be a good player. He will be adequate this season and a year or 2 from now is likely to be just as good or better than Rowand. Gio and Haigwood, especially Gio to me, were tough to let go, but we have seen so many lower level studs turn to crap its well worth the gamble to me. Give KW credit for having the balls to make the moves. It would have been easy to sit back and do nothing with a world championship under his belt. We waited for minor leaguers refusing to trade them for known commodities under Ron Schueler, and we received performances from Scott Ruffcorn, James Baldwin, Rod Bolton, etc. that were very forgetable.

Next winter is a long way off. These things tend to take care of themselves. I really don't think KW would trade one of them during the season unless the Sox somehow fell apart and were out of it. I wouldn't trade a starter for a reliever unless it is a top of the line closer. Someone may get hurt and open a spot for BMac, someone may not pitch well. BMac may get hurt or not pitch well.

What happened to Contreras?

If you are ever at a game that has a delay watch when they pull the tarp and dump the water on the tarp into the outfield. Puddles appear, but are gone within minutes.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Apr 2, 2006 -> 10:26 PM) Serious? It's a bag of white powder behind the mound that pitchers use to dry their hands. Just don't use Doc Gooden's. That's a good one

QUOTE(greg775 @ Apr 2, 2006 -> 10:24 PM) This isn't meant to be critical, I just don't have the answer and am curious. Why would they want to start the game at 11 p.m. with tomorrow's weather to be nice? Is it because they know nobody will attend tomorrow's game on such short notice and there would be no walk up gate at all? Is it because they think we will likely win the game? is it because with an off date tomorrow they can play until the 2 a.m. curfew without it bothering anybody? I just wondered what the reason would be to delay a game that long, especially if it poured so hard. I won't mind at all watching it on ESPN at 11 but it seems like a no brainer to call it off. They want to get it in so they don't have to bring everyone back tomorrow. There wouldn't be any walk up gate because the game is a sellout, and for the sake of each pitching staff, playing tomorrow would basically make this a 4 game series. If they got it in tonight, and they only need an inning and a half for an official game, the bullpens get a day's rest. I live on the northside and it stopped raining here.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Apr 2, 2006 -> 10:22 PM) It wasn't that bad a pitch. A meatball is what Baj threw to Hafner last year. Buerhle wasn't too happy with the pitch, and considering the distance it travelled and its height, I assumed it was a meatball.

I just hope ESPN shows the game when it resumes. If it takes too long they may blow it off like Fox did a couple of years ago.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Apr 2, 2006 -> 10:18 PM) Meatball... that was as inside as you can go on a strike.... maybe it could of been a little lower or higher instead of middle but I think credit goes to Perez. The ball was crushed. One of the highest home runs I've seen at USCF.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Apr 2, 2006 -> 10:17 PM) Oh? I didn't get to see that. Was he screaming and swearing and stomping? He fired the rosin bag and was pounding his glove. When the inning was over and he was walking off the mound he seemed pretty animated .

QUOTE(greg775 @ Apr 2, 2006 -> 10:14 PM) we had this same weather front in KC yesterday and it rained all night. I wonder how many fans are sticking it out at the Cell. Probably 25,000 max? Likely 10,000? There were people leaving, but it was raining so hard it was hard to walk out. I would imagine about 20000-25000 will still be there if it starts at 10:30 . Brooks was on the Score on our way home, and he said the front was moving faster than expected, so if that's the case it should re-start pretty soon.