Dick Allen

What about last season when they were in first place in the middle of September. They were giving away upper deck tickets for $5 in September against Boston, and couldn't draw 25,000. This season, the Brewers, playing in the cow town of Milwaukee, outdrew the White Sox. 2,000,000 in attendance isn't all that much anymore. The only teams in the AL that draw less than the Sox are their division rivals, which hurts because road teams get a percentage of the gate, and the White Sox therefore wind up playing at least half their away games in half full parks, Tampa Bay and Toronto. The Cubs drew 1.2 million more than the Sox, and their payroll was about $25 million higher. If you took the over 60% increase and added it to the White Sox payroll, it would be approximately $100 million, which would be higher than the Cubs. If you really believe the White Sox attendance would increase over 1 million from current figures if they raised payroll $25-30 million, you really are crazy. The White Sox have the fan support of a middle market team, at best. They have some advantages over the smaller market teams with local t.v. and radio revenue, ect. , not to mention a sweetheart lease deal on their stadium. But until and unless Bridgeport gets more dense in population, the attendance at the park isn't going to go much higher than it is right now, even if they won the World Series.

When? What season?

I think risking at least $11 million on a player who potentially will not be able to play at all, just for a draft pick or 2 is very silly. Maybe Magglio signs with someone before the White Sox have to offer arbitration, I think that's the only way they will offer it to him.

There is nothing wrong or greedy about Magglio hiring Boras to be his agent. He wasn't coming back here anyway. FWIW, JR would negotiate a contract with Boras. In fact, KW tried to get Boras to listen to him about ARod, and 2 years ago, with Maddux. Boras was the one not interested in listening. Concerning the money left over from not signing Colon. There was none. KW has said time and time again that if Colon had signed, he would have had to unload some contracts. The White Sox payroll will go up, and they will have a decent team. I am not too confident in KW to predict a great team, however. Even with an extra $20-30 million to play with, you must select the right players. Just ask Mets fans.

Konerko was hitting the ball to the right side, advancing runners, during the last series in KC. Hawk was praising him, saying here's a guy who is second in the league in home runs, playing meaningless games, and its still more important to him to move the runner along, then try for a home run title. Konerko had a great year. I don't know if his hip is up for another one, but his attitude is outstanding.

The smear campaign is now running on all cylinders. Could you imagine the Wrigley Field surveilance tapes showing Sammy leaving early leaking out even last year. They gave him a couple hours to hide all his corked bats for christsake. The Cubs want to dump Sammy in the worst way, hopefully no one will be stupid enough to bite.

If Frank has ankle fusion surgery, he is probably done playing baseball.

Surgery in Austria suggests that this is some sort of cutting edge or alternative procedure. Makes me think that this is a lot more serious than Magglio would want you to believe. I hope I'm wrong, and Magglio returns 100% healthy whether its with the Sox or not.

If the Cubs trade him, they will have to pick up a bad contract or 2, and/or pay a nice portion of Corky's contract. I hope he stays, he's not a winning ballplayer, his contract hinders the Cubs, and he is sure to distract the rest of his teammates who may be trying to win next season.

American League all the way. Part of me would like to see the Yankees lose in the first round, but if they do, every good free agent will be signed by them this winter. Whatever team represents the AL in the World Series is who I am pulling for.

I think it will hurt attendance. Playing the Yankees in April fills the stands on nights when it would usually be a ghost town. If the Sox are in contention, they will draw 30,000 + no matter who they are playing on a weekend in August. Its really too bad the Sox only get 3 home dates against the Yankees each season. That was such a huge rivalry before divisional play. My grandma would never miss a White Sox/Yankees tilt at Comiskey Park.

Jeff Brantley is less accurate than Peter Gammons. He is a fool who should not be on television, let alone passed off as an "expert". Disregard anything he says.

Ok, he'll only be 35 1/2 on opening day.

Fair market value for 36 year old .215 hitters who strikeout once every three times up, and commits numerous blunders in the field is not as high as Jose thinks, I would guarantee you that.

Unless he signs with a team before arbitration has to be offered. If he did that, the Sox would offer arbitration as a formality, but I doubt that will happen.

The contract is key. Also, don't forget Chicago is the favorite road city of MLB.

Chet had a great show. He had all A list guests, this was back on 670 in the mid to late 80's. He went to NYC for a couple of years and came back. His show wasn't the same when he went to AM1000, although I did win a TIVO from him. BTW, I saw him at the Friday Sox/Cubs game at USCF this year. I believe he still has a show on sporting news radio. Swirsky was great when he had a Sunday night show on the LOOP. He used to have a segment called buffoon of the week. He was great, but really toned down his act when he went to WGN.

The White Sox were one of seven or eight teams that attended a workout wherever he is staying. The NY papers say he wants a lot of money and don't think the Yankees have much interest. He is apparently very slow, and probably a firstbaseman/DH kind of guy. He also is very rusty. He hasn't played in a couple of years. He basically was kicked off the team because of the fear of defection. Most scouts believe he is at least 2 or 3 years away from contributing on a major league team.

Vizquel would be perfect for a couple of years. Uribe gets a couple years as the super utlility man, then takes over at short.

Robbie's back and hip were bothering him last year. If KW and Ozzie are trying to find out NOW if Alomar can help them next year, I have really lost any confidence in them. His back has been bothering him since he came back here. Why play him with a sore back? They obviously wouldn't be able to evaluate him properly. Robbie may have something left in him if everything falls into place correctly, but I think the odds on that happening are quite long. Its amazing to me how far he has fallen in a relatively short period of time. 3 years ago he was a gold glover hitting .330 with 25 homers and 25 steals. He looks like he's 70 years old on the field now.

Keeping the same Jose Valentin, team leader, who has hit about .160 since the Sox have been without Frank and Magglio. Who has committed key errors in various losses, the biggest being a loss to the Twins, when he dropped a pop up, which eventually led to a basehit which scored the winning run. The team leader, who all he can do anymore, since he has decided to get picked off all the time on the basepaths, is hit homeruns, yet hasn't since August 9th. If this bum is willing to play for the minimum, and understands he is a part -time utility player, then maybe the Sox should bring him back. His backers love his power, yet he hasn't hit a homer in about a month, during which he has hit like a pitcher. He fielding has been erratic at best. He has been unsuccessful getting his last 10 or so bunts down. He used to be a great baserunner, but has been caught sleeping at least 3 times the last month and a half. Vizquel may not hit .300 next year. He may not hit .250. Valentin hasn't hit .250 in a long while, and probably won't hit .200 next year. Good riddance Jose. Congratulations on stealing $5 million this year.

Tightness in the forearm many times leads to problems with the elbow.

I don't think you need a strikeout pitcher as a closer if you bring him in to start an inning. You need a strikeout pitcher when you have guys on base and 0 or 1 out. I wouldn't have a problem with Shingo continuing as the closer, but only use him for 1 inning or less, and remember he is used to pitching about 40 to 50 innings a year. I brought up in another thread that Shingo to me is a prime candidate to implode next year. I would seriously consider trading him. His should have decent value, and he will be 36 years old.

You'll still be able to buy them. You may want to hit a scalper though. At that time, they will give you a real good deal.

In other news, Esteban got shelled again, this time in relief. 3 IP 6 ER.