forkit

Well, the Cubs and their fans spent so much emotion about losing the "supposed" no-hitter last night that they are probably limp as noodles... If I were in a division race, I would have been ecstatic about the win--any win-- and focused on building on it. But what do I know? I ain't a Cub fan... Forkit!

If we see them in the playoffs, we could see these three or any of the other several hundred [heh...] starters the yankess have bought and cryo-packed. We may as well just get up for whichever high-priced pitcher they throw at us..and beat them. It's a plan... Forkit!

While we're debating the merits of the latest Sox pickup, here's a question: We've made some very aggressive trades this year, even though we weren't in first place in our own division [at least, at the time of each trade]. If you believe what KW said after yesterday's trade for Sullivan, the Sox are looking to see if there are more additions possible... Who's behind all these moves? Is Kenny still pulling the trigger? Has Eddie Einhorn returned to the saddle? And if he has, what will happen to KW after the season ends? Who's the front-runner if he is replaced? Inquiring minds want to knowyour thoughts and guesses! Forkit!

So if the player to be named later is Hummell, this looks pretty good at face value. We got a potentially solid right handed sidearmer... We apparently blocked KC from getting this guy... We traded Hummell for him, not several high ceiling prospects... We even have an option on him for next year. To quote someone else...I likee! Forkit!

Ok, can anyone clarify his contract status for next year, in case we like him? Do the Sox have the first option to retain him for $3.1 mill or is he an outright free agent? Forkit!

As for pitching to Frank, I think Ncorg [elsewhere] had it right: This was classic old-time baseball. Washburn has owned Frank in the past and Sciosa knew Frank was struggling. After talking with Washburn, he decided to roll the dice...bringing in the CF to make the five man infield was an attempt to give Frank just one more thing to think about while he was standing at the plate. I thought the game last night was really a very enjoyable game and it was especially nice to see some strategy being used--even if Frank's clutch hit won the battle. This was just good baseball and Sciosa [ok, I can't spell his name either] just rolled the dice and lost. Good stuff. Forkit!

Nuke, get the "Frank rash" out of your shorts. Call the doc and get a shot--they can cure that these days, you know. He carried the team last night. Can't you give it a rest for one damned day??? Forkit!

I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the situation. Of the two players, which is having a more productive year? Frank played a number of games at first. He played quite well, actually. In fact, a few of his plays made the "Ooohs and Ahhs" reels that were shown on the Chicago evening sports segments on TV. For the life of me, I can't remember one play he missed during that stretch... As for Paulie...He has made some nice defensive plays, I agree. But don't get too caught up in the "PK versus Frank at first base" argument. This is more about how to maximize the performance of one of your best offensive weapons. The question is: Does Frank play better at first base. And if so, does his increased offensive production make up for any loss of defensive capabilities when he is playing first, versus when PK is playing first base. PK's offense has been just plain bad this year. He's back to his "grounding into double plays" rut [or at best, popping out]. He had a three or four week stretch where he looked like he was coming back alive but that seems now to have been a bump in the road. Obviously we'd like to have both hitting at their best. But at times, you have to choose. That's what people are discussing. Forkit!

Steff: No chance. For chuckles, I checked the "other" Sox board and there is a lengthy discussion there as well. He was specific and actually, he brought it up himself when pontificating about the Robbie and Carl trades and how they fit in the lineup. Basically, he gave a little three or four minute wrap on how he'd use Konerko, Daubach and Carl [leaving Frank on the bench]. Forkit!

Steff: It was roughly ten minutes before the "official" pre-game started. I was driving to the pool to pick up the little ones. He gave a very friendly review of Robbie and then spoke kindly about Carl, explaining that it isn't his [Carl's] fault he can't field, because his knees are bad now. So clearly Carl should be the every day DH, with Daubach [a quality first baseman and hitter, he said] getting most of the time at first. He was very clear and very specific and very...wrong. He ended the report with something like: 'That's how I'd do it--it makes perfect sense to me. But I don't make out the line-up cards.' Forkit!

Before the game last night, Bruce Levine was pontificating about what HE'd do about this Sox team. When asked about whether he'd play Konerko or Frank at first, his reply was: [and I paraphrase here] 'Frank doesn't start. He's about done. He's had a few hot streaks, but you can tell he's not able to hit major league pitching very well now. I'd start Daubach most days at first. He'd give you a quality bat. Konerko and Carl Everett can DH. Frank should sit for the remainder...' I hope Bruce showed up for the game last night...Frank certainly did. Maybe Bruce isn't as good a judge of talent as he thinks? Forkit!

Heather... I think there's a career awaiting you in baseball play by play! Thanks. Forkit!

What I wanted to know...Is his curve normally better? Does he have a fourth pitch? Forkit!

Rex: Can you detail which pitches he "normally" throws? Thanks. Forkit!

I'd do my best to make a move to acquire some pitching. A move today or tonight to add to the pitching might make as much emotional impact as adding Robbie and Carl in July. They made the additions then, I assume, because they felt this division is there for the taking and the Sox weren't far from having what they needed to take it. I still they the division is there for the taking. And I think the American League Championship is also there for the team that gets to the playoffs and then plays hot. I think the ALCS is wide open... I'm not saying the Sox won't win the division without any further additions. I am saying that there has been talk they were still looking to add a pitcher. If they are close to a deal or if there is a solid deal out there, make the deal now for maximum emotional impact, while we are entering this seven game home stretch. This also assumes that Einhorn is pulling the strings, not KW... We're in it to win it! Forkit!

Plus...is it me? Or did JM just try to put his foot up Frank's behind over swinging for the fences? Maybe no one threw at Frank's head last night, but perhaps Manual went for his head in the Trib's headlines... JM, play him at first tonight. He'll go 3 for 4 and we'll score 10 runs. If you let him sit on the bench and steam all game, he'll continue to out-think himself. Remember...we didn't lose any ground last night. It's the same race today as it was yesterday. This is gonna be a long drawn out race down to the wire. Forkit!

Jim, old buddy...you're panicing. First, you don't make wholesale changes, especially bringing so many young ones, near the end of a season in a division race. Second, your thoughts are mostly wrong. If Frank and Maggs are hitting, Olivo isn't hurting us. Robbie has really improved the play of this ballclub. Better re-think why you somehow can't see that. Carl...you want his bat this year, you have to live with him at center most of the time. That's just how the team is built this year. Sorry. Too late to make those changes in 2003. PK...Now there I agree you might be on to something. Personally, I'd use first more to get Frank back to form, then use it to give Carlos some first while Carl gets some left field, I'd getDaubach some play there and yes, sometimes I'd have Paulie there if he was hitting. But for now, keeping PK at first wouldn't by my priority for the rest of the season. Jose...another brain cramp last night...let him play against some righties, but I'd have Graffy whenever he is hitting good and much more often--not every day--but much more often. And last...don't forget...Loaiza gave up six runs last night. I guess it was his turn to be off his game. Too bad the big boys didn't hit early to help him out. But don't panic. That's how teams fall out of races.... Forkit!

Remember that a week ago, the Cubbies were 3 or so games back... It pains me to point out that they are now in a tie for first. When the races are tight, division leads slip back and forth nightly. Get used to it. I'd rather be the Sox in this division with the Sox talent than be the Cubs, an equal amount out of first... Forkit!

Something was certainly wrong prior to the interleague games...this team was asleep. I don't know if they were pressing or if it's true that KW is no longer at the helm "inside the organization" and Einhorn is now running things...Or what the heck was wrong. But since then they have been fine. Do they still have some games where I scratch my head? Sure. I turned on last night's game after my two little ones were asleep and it was 3-0 Angels...I turned the game off and went to bed. I figured they were asleep, I might as well get some rest. Why do they have games like that? Dunno. But they also have recently had a 16-4 stretch, so maybe that's how they have a bad game or two. I understand what your point was in this post, BMR. I just don't think you can say it's over, they have no heart. Not yet. It's waaay too early to declare victory or defeat for any of the three teams. Forkit!

It's a trick question! Stone that man!!! That girl was from Kansas and we all know which team lives in Kansas! Repeat after me and then click your remotes three times: There's no reason to worry... There's no reason to worry... There's no reason to worry... Awww...Forkit!

BMR, I'm quite the realist. I know I can't predict the future. IF they get to the playoffs, we'll hope they surprise you with inspired play. IF they don't, you'll have to stand in line behind me to b**** and moan about the uninspired play during the stretch run... Forkit!

Well, no...I meant put him at first for some games again to get him back in the groove, as I said in the post, just as it worked in June. I didn't say he should play first 162 games. But some regular time there would keep him into more of a groove I think. And if nothing else, when he gets in a hitting slump, throw his butt on first for a few so he can keep his head on the game instead of on his slump... That's all I suggested. Time for a reader here to read what others sayand take it at face value. Forkit!

How about taking a breath to regain the emotions they spent when moving from 7 1/2 games back to first? It's a long ride, folks. You have to expect some ups and downs. They weren't going to win 81 games in the secong half! But they can still win this division. Forkit!

Is he? I watched him play great this year at first base. He doesn't throw to second well...I'll give you that. But me thinks you are repeating something everyone says about Frank. And it ain't true. He's not a bad first baseman. And if that wakes his bat up, that's much more important than the difference between him and any other potential first baseman on this team. Get Frank hot...any way you can do it. Hell, if I could bribe the Texas pitchers to throw one at him in the first inning tonight, I'd personally send the check... [by the way, posting always in capital letters is considered rude, because it is likened to shouting across the table. Please learn to use small and capital letters] Forkit!

Actually, one reason I think JR and friends have been shipping in additional talentis because they think that maybe the normal front runners are a bit "iffy" this year. Do the Yankees have heart? Dunno. I hope we get to find out if we have more heart than they do during the playoffs, and that's the difference between BMR and me. I think the Sox showed tremendous heart to get it together in the second half. You can't expect them to win all 81 games in the second half--there's always going to be ebb and flow. It would have been typical and easy for this team to blub along to the end of year at 5-8 games under. But instead, they got off their butts and got back in it. That was some serious heart, in my book. Does that mean they have won all the games they could have or we would have liked them to win in the second half? No. But it ain't over yet and if they take care of the other talented teams as they visit the Cell and win those series, maybe BMR will have to admit some heart was seen on the field. We'll see. But the truth is, we can post all we want about it. We won't know what their final "heart size" is until the year is over. BMR can't see into the future. Nor can I. Let them play the games. Be a good fan and support the team on this 40 game stretch and enjoy the race! If they don't make the playoffs, you'll have all winter to b**** and moan and whine and throw insults at the team [and they'll deserve it]. But if they DO make the playoffs and you spent these next 40 games whining and wringing your hands, you may have missed all the nail-biting fun! Get on the band wagon and stay on it until the race is won. You MAY find that we won it. Forkit!