StatManDu

The Hall announced today the Veterans Committee did not vote anyone into the Hall. Ex-Sox Ron Santo (69.5%) and Jim Kaat came the closest among the players. The veterans are serious about who gets in and who doesn't. http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/news/2007/07027b.htm

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 27, 2007 -> 12:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think it is time to create a "best of the best" in the hall. Let's provide some distance from Hammerin Hank, Mantel, Ruth and guys like Schmidt, Carter, etc. Nellie Fox did get in before the current system was in place. There were some extenuating circmustances with good ol' No. 2. The most notable was the fact that one year he actually received 74.8 percent of the vote (or something like that) from the writers but the Hall would not round up (as you would do in every other facet of your life) claiming Fox did not get a pure 75 percent of the vote. Come on. In addition, I think, too, he was one of those players with Hall-like numbers that slipped through the cracks for a variety of reasons: He didn't play in many World Series, he didn't hit for a lot of power, he wasn't flashy or flamboyant in the media, he didn't play in New York (hello, Phil Rizzuto). Fox's candidacy was one that deserved a lot of study to make him a Hall of Fame. Non-glamor stats like total hits, fielding pct. and strikeout ratio had to be put in play to really examine the true essence of this player. As we have found out, writers (and I am one of them) don't always do their homework.

QUOTE(The Critic @ Feb 27, 2007 -> 10:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Your dad is on the money regarding Santo. He was a very good ballplayer, but Brooks got more notoriety because he did his thing on the larger stage. Blame the Cubs for not getting to the playoffs if you'd like, but them's the breaks. Santo was an umpire baiter, his heel-clicking and hollering was not well-received by his peers, he held grudges against teammates, and therefore was not well-liked by teammates, opposing players or umpires. It can't be that everyone else was wrong and he was a wonderful person, could it? Doubtful. The only benefit to his making the Hall is that we'd be spared the annual hand-wringing by the Cub propaganda machine about it. That alone might make it worthwhile to give him his jacket, let him cry onstage for an hour or so at the inductions, and be done with it. He's a borderline candidate, and if he gets in so be it. I really don't care either way. Borderline is the key word here. The reason why the players/members were given the Veterans vote was because too many "borderline" candidates were getting in. Bill Mazeroski was the vet that broke the camel's back, I believe. Santo is a borderline candidate as is Kaat. As stated above, I think Kaat's 283 wins and 16? Gold Gloves should carry some weight with voters. Minoso should get the kind of consideration mentioned in another post concerning his late start because of discrimination, etc. I grew up watching Santo. He was a very good player but it never dawned on anyone while he was playing that he was a Hall of Famer. I can never recall anyone referring to Santo as a future Hall of Famer during his playing days. The comparison to Ventura is a good one. It's the old argument: If Santo gets in, then you have to let Dick Allen in (great post above), what about Vada Pinson or Tony Olivo. The list could go on. In a way, this argument doesn't apply to Kaat because there are few pitchers with 283 wins and 16? Gold Gloves that arent' in the Hall. HOF talk is my favorite hot stove topic, btw

QUOTE(Craig Grebeck @ Feb 27, 2007 -> 07:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You forgot to mention the fact he hasn't hit league average in the last six years. In doing that digging, I was also alarmed at how well he did against the Sox and didn't have anywhere those kind of numbers against any other team. That begs the question: How is he going to fare now that he doesn't have Sox pitching to face anymore?

BREAKING DOWN DARIN ERSTAD: If you can beat him, sign him: *Darin Erstad has hit better in U.S. Cellular Field than in any park in which he has played at least 10 games. … Erstad is hitting .353 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 33 games with the Angels on Chicago’s Southside. In addition, he has a .387 on-base percentage and a .518 slugging percentage at the corner of 35th and Bill Veeck Drive. … The only other parks Erstad has better in are San Francisco’s 3 Com Park (.357) and AT & T Park (.364), Colorado’s Coors Field (.382), Arizona’s Chase Field (.520) and AT&T Park (.364). … Overall Erstad is hitting .334 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs lifetime against the White Sox. … His .334 average is his highest against any A.L. club. Central issues *Of all the American League Central teams he will be seeing this season, Erstad has hit Cleveland the best. In 71 games against the Tribe, Erstad has hit .313 with five home runs and 33 RBIs. The Indians and the Sox are the only A.L. teams Erstad has hit .300 against entering 2007. … Erstad is hitting .271 with three homers and 31 RBIs lifetime against Detroit, .264 with eight homers and 45 RBIs vs. KC and .291 with nine homers and 33 RBIs vs. Minnesota. Central issues on the road *Aside from U.S. Cellular Field, Erstad’s numbers in A.L. Central parks are kind of pedestrian. The left-handed hitter has had some success in Cleveland. Erstad is hitting .303 with three homers and 16 RBIs at the “Jake.” Other than that, though, it is a mediocre .269 with six homers and 28 RBIs at Kansas City, .261 with four homers and 13 RBIs at Minnesota and .263 with one homer and 12 RBIs at Detroit. Give him plenty of PT before July 10 *Erstad has hit 35 points higher in the first half (before the All-Star break) than he has in the second half. … Erstad enters 2007 hitting .302 with 77 home runs and 393 RBIs in games before the All-Star Game. After the ASG, those numbers read: .265, 37, 232. … There is also a huge discrepancy in his stolen base numbers between the halves. In the first half, Erstad has 100 steals and a stolen base success rate of 78 percent. In the second half, Erstad has 70 steals with a stolen base success rate of 75 percent. Watch out Pods *If the Sox were going to play and bat Erstad where he has had the most statistical success, they would lead him off and play him in left field. … Of the nine positions in the batting order, Erstad has had the most overall success in the top spot, hitting .299 with 63 home runs and 277 RBIs in 526 games. He has hit for a higher average in the sixth spot but his homer and RBIs total are considerably better in the leadoff spot. … As for the field, Erstad has amassed a .306 average, the highest at any of the five positions he has played. He’s No. 1 *Erstad was the first overall pick of the June 1996 draft by the Angels. He will become the eighth top overall choice in the June draft to play for the Sox. The others: Shawn Abner (1984 Mets); Tim Belcher (1983 Twins); Harold Baines (1977 White Sox); Floyd Bannister (1976 Mariners); Bill Almon (1974 Padres) and Ron Blomberg (1967 Yankees). … In addition, the Sox have also had connections with two other top overall picks in the June draft. Al Chambers (1979 Mariners) was in camp with the Sox in 1995 and Danny Goodwin, who was the top overall pick twice, once with the Angels in 1975 and once with the Sox in 1971. Not bad in a pinch … or as a DH *Erstad is hitting .450 with a .500 on-base percentage and .600 slugging percentage in 22 pinch-hitting appearances. … As a DH, Erstad has hit .321 with eight homers, 24 RBIs, a .368 on-base percentage and .484 slugging percentage. Big (200) hitter *Erstad had one of the all-time great seasons in 2000 when he banged out 240 hits. Only player has ever joined the White Sox with a better hit season to his credit. When Al Simmons was acquired by the Sox for the 1932 season, he had a 253-hit season to his credit. “Bucketfoot Al” collected that total for the 1925 A’s. You think he likes the first pitch? *Erstad is a career .326 hitter with 17 home runs and 92 RBIs with an empty count. How about the clutch? *With runners on, Erstad’s career average is .293 (.281 with the bags empty). … With runners in scoring position, Erstad’s average is .282. … With runners in scoring position and two outs, Erstad’s average is .254. … With the bases loaded, Erstad is a .307 career hitter with one grand slam. Geography and numbers *Erstad hails from Jamestown, North Dakota. He will be the first native of that state to play for the White Sox. … Erstad played collegiately at the Nebraska. Stan Bahnsen, who won 55 games between 1972 and 1975 for the Sox, is the only Sox player I could find who was a Cornhusker. … Erstad is slated to wear No. 17. Other recent Sox 17s: Ross Gload, Tony Graffanino, Mike Caruso, Dave Gallagher, Jerry Hairston, Marv Foley, Junior Moore, Oscar Gamble, Carlos May. An interesting sidenote: Carlos May was born on May 17 and is believed to be the only player in big league history to wear his birthday on his back.

Tuesday the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee releases the results of its voting. There is a chance that the voters, made up of living Hall of Famers, will not elect anyone to the Hall as they did in their last election. I commend them for that. I think part of the reason the current Hall members took over the Vets voting was because it was getting too easy to gain induction. There are 10 people on the ballot with Sox ties: Paul Richards, Dick Allen, Bobby Bonds, Ken Boyer, Rocky Colavito, Jim Kaat, Sparky Lyle, Marty Marion, Minnie Minoso, Ron Santo. Clearly, the two most qualified candidates on the above list are Santo and Kaat. I used to be really adamant about Santo's candidacy but I have kind of turned on Ronnie over the years. While his Cubness has influenced me, the fact that the revamped Vets Committee -- Hall of Famers -- did not deem him worthy swayed me more than anything. There was all the buildup and all the love and all the campaigning and the big push to educate people about Santo. After all that, he did not get in. That says a lot. I really like Kaat's resume and I think he fits a lot of the criteria that many Hall voters use: Good stats (283 wins) and he was a dominant performer of his era in at leat one fact by winning 16 consecutive Gold Gloves. I know there may be sentiment that Kaat hung on too long but if you look at his stats in the early 1980s, he was still a contributor out of the bullpen for the Cardinals Minoso's candidacy is an interesting one. If sentiment could get one into the Hall, Minnie would have been a first ballot Hall of Famer. He does not have the stats to get in, that's obvious. However, there is more to Minoso's career than what he did on the field. This man was a pioneer and I don't think that has been stressed enough. Like Chico Carrasquel, Minoso, a Cuban, was an early minority performer in the big leagues. His candidacy could be viewed similar to Larry Doby's or Monte Irvin's. In addition, there is no understating what a tremendous ambassador Minoso has been for both the White Sox and the game of baseball. You have to wonder, though, if the Hall voters view a player in these terms. Looking forward to the results!

QUOTE(gosox41 @ Feb 25, 2007 -> 09:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm surpirsed he lasted this long. North has always been awful. I stopped listening to him years ago. It says a lot that I'd rather here Mike and Mike overanalyze football (my third faviroite sport) on a national level then listen to North talk about local sports, especially basketball/baseball. If a lesser fool were on 670 for my morning commute to work, I wouldn't bother with listening to Greenberg salivate for Chad Pennington. Bob North is to the Score what Jaime Navarro was the Sox of the late 1990s: Way overpaid and not possessing any talent to justify his salary or make anyone around him better. Not a fan. Never was a fan. I am shocked he has lasted this long.

I have an entry on my blog today concerning a White Sox exhibition game in 1931. It was the first night game between two big league teams and it happened in Houston at Buffs Stadium. Internet research turned up some details of the game but not the final score. Does anyone have that? Thanks!

QUOTE(Pods20 @ Feb 19, 2007 -> 05:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> great article Thanks. I appreciate the kind words. I talked to a lot of people right after Ray Berres' passing -- Rich Lindberg, Roland Hemond, Gary Peters and Rich Gossage -- and I think I am just going to transcribe my tape and just throw everything on one file so everyone can read it.

http://www.kenoshanews.com/articles/index....ticleNum=706684 I had the opportunity to talk with Rich Gossage for the local paper about his days with Ray Berres. It was a blast putting this together.

I am sure I am overstating this but I posted my remembrances of the great at bats I have ever seen on my blog. It involved Keith Foulke.

Thank you!

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 14, 2007 -> 10:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey SMD, you can put a permanent link to your site in your signature if you like. There is no need to have to manuelly type it in all of your posts. Thanks. I am learning more and more about this newfangled invention the kids call the internet.

QUOTE(CryptviLL @ Feb 14, 2007 -> 08:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> AYE! Back Off! He's mine, I love him, hes my valentine. Don't worry ... there is enough of me to go around and there are plenty more Sox nuggets/bits/tidbits/news/notes and nonsense to come. Happy Valentine's Day SOX FANS! StatManDu

I did some digging on Eduardo Perez and found some interesting stuff www.whitesoxalmanac.com

QUOTE(elrockinMT @ Feb 12, 2007 -> 08:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think you are forgetting Duane Josephson and Ed Hermann That's a goodie ... The Fisk-Karko tandem of 1990 an 1991 wasn't bad either.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Feb 12, 2007 -> 01:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> In Oakland, after Crede was playing SS and got ejected we ended up going with Dye at SS and Widger at 3rd IIRC. I was at a game at US Cellular Field early in the 2005 season where Chris Widger was warming up in the bullpen ... as a pitcher!

With today being the 26th anniversary of the White Sox acquisition of Marc Hill, I got to thinking: Is Toby Hall the typical backup catcher? I can see him getting more playing time than the typical reserve backstop. I love the guy and think he is a great player but AJ Pierzynski lagged defensively a year ago and may be starting to show some wear and tear from his extended action behind the plate over the last few years. On paper, this is the best catching tandem the Sox have had since ... LaValliere and Karkovice? Hill was a solid backup to Fisk but he came to the Sox with nowhere near the resume that Hall has or LaValliere had. I wouldn't be surprised if Hall got 250-300 at bats. I wouldn't blame Ozzie if he used Hall as a late-inning defensive replacement. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out. www.whitesoxalmanac.com

Erstad had speed and the picture on the homepage of this site speaks to his aggressiveness on the basepaths. In addition, he was a two-time state champion in track and field in high school (110 and 300 hurdles). His stolen base stats during his Angel days, when healthy, are more than respectable.

You are right about the punter part though that AFC punter took a lick in the Pro Bowl yesterday. ... I love your flashing countdown. That is solid work. www.whitesoxalmanac.com

I remember Darin Erstad being an aggressive baserunner with above average but not blazing speed in his days with the Angels. Maybe it's becasue they share a football background but Erstad reminds me a lot of Kirk Gibson on the basepaths. His speed and whether he plays in center or is just limited to a corner outfield spot depends on the health of his legs and if those legs allow him to sprint to the alleys. I am intrigued by Erstad's acquisition. I am hoping Erstad takes advantage of his joining the Sox the same way the healing Ellis Burks and Jermaine Dye did in the past. www.whitesoxalmanac.com

http://journals.aol.com/dmarran359/Soxalmanac/ Today was the day MJ signed with the Sox

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Feb 6, 2007 -> 06:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> RIP Ray wanted to be left alone in his later years. That's why the News didn't want to bother him around the time of the World Series. Ironically enough that's what it said in the Racine paper. He accomodated them because he was a genuinely nice man. In another twist of irony there was no mention of the 2005 World Series in that article. The day Ray died the Racine Journal Times ran a canned AP story with inaccurate info while the Kenosha News ran a detailed recap of his life. http://www.kenoshanews.com/articles/index....ticleNum=637648

Former White Sox pitching coach Ray Berres died Thursday at age 99. Berres coached for the Sox longer than any othe man and was the leader of the great pitching staffs of the Go Go Era. Ray was a good friend of mine. I got to know him after moving to his hometown in 1987 where I have been ever since. He was a quiet, unassuming man who was humble to the very end. I would have posted something earlier but I was running down this story for the local paper. I talked to about a dozen people today about Ray and they all flowed. I am proud to say I had a small part in getting Ray inducted into the State Hall of Fame back in 1999. Back then, I floated the idea of Ray landing in Cooperstown. Hopefully one day, Ray and other great and innovative coaches such as Walt Hriniak or Charlie Lau or Roger Craig are honored in Cooperstown. Same goes for scouts. RIP Ray Berres. Proud to call you friend. Prouder of the way you lived your life.

The more I look at this roster (and shake off the disappointment from 2006) from top to bottom, the more excited I get about the 2007 season. Darrin Erstad ... Toby Hall ... Junior Spivey .... In the pre-World Series years, players such as those would probably be starters or vie for starting slots. Now, of course, they are backups, insurance policies. I liken the signing of Darin Erstad to the Bears' signing of Brian Griese in case Rex Grossman flamed out or got injured again. I am racking my brain but I think when you consider highly-regarded prospects such as Sweeney and Fields, the regulards and the acquisition of Erstad, Hall and Spivey, this may be the most "fortified" roster the White Sox have taken to spring training in a long time ... maybe ever? The problem comes, of course, is if the starting lineup is: Sweeney, Anderson, Ozuna, Fields, Spivey, Cintron, Erstad and Hall. www.whitesoxalmanac.com