forkit

It's not the hot and cold hitting that bother me about Jose...It's just that so many fans over rate this guy as the heart and soul of the team. His fielding is bad. Period. I don't want to see those stats that apparently try to show his errors never cost us a game, because that's just baloney. His baserunning is like his hitting: Sometimes he steals second and people get all excited. And then he runs us out of a game tying rally...and that is just plain unexcusable. I know he tries hard. But he ain't cutting it for me. I'd like him to go back to thinking about the beginning of the year, when he was purposely trying not to try to make throws that were a stretch at best. And do the same with base running. Getting thrown out at third when this potentially explosive offense is rallying is inexcusable. You never know when the dynamite of this offense will catch fire, but if bad baserunning ends the inning, I guarantee you it won't be then... Jose, smarten up! Forkit!

I'd sure like to see Frank at first tonight...in fact, for the entire series. Let him get a white-hot bat back. That's what started the Sox surge to begin with... Forkit!

First we are not out of this by a long stretch. Minnie and KC play each other while we are at Texas. Let those paly themselves out before you get all itchy. Second, there are about 40 games left. We have tons of head to head games with Minnie and KC AND we have been beating them this year, so just take a breath. Last, if you are looking for a place to jump off, wait until you see us play some quality teams again at home. IF we cannot win series at home while we're still in this race, then you can run away. Until then, however, you are just crying "The sky is falling!" You can't just take over first place from 7 1/2 back with no back and forth movement in the standings. It took a HUGE surge of emotions and playing great baseball to make up that deficit. That in and of itself was difficult to do. Now you have to expect some ebb and flow while the Sox regroup and regain some emotional stability and get ready for their next surge. It'll come. As for the playoffs? I have no interest in making predictions about the playoffs [or thinking about, frankly, until we are in them]. But if you find that you must indulge in that exercise, our starting pitching this year is MUCH better than it has been in many, many years. With our top three starters, we could win some 2-1 ball games in a playoff for a change. And with Robbie up the middle, the defense is better than it has been in some time. The offense? If it shows up, it won't be beat. If it doesn't, at least we have three decent starting pitchers and better defense. Don't keep jumping off the Sox playoff wagon and then jumping back on again when they win the next series...Take a step back from the window ledge and remember that this race will take some time to play out. Just don't get so high when they are winning and so low when they lose a game or two. It ain't over yet, no matter what BMR says here every day, in every way. That's why they play the games. That's why North and friend are getting their heads shaved. It ain't over. If you're a Sox fan, be a Sox fan and get some steel in your gut and support your team. Leave the whining and crying and hand wringing in the closet. IF the day of the first playoff game comes and we're not penciled in, bring them out and have at it. Until then, enjoy being in a close race. That's what good sprots is about--keeping you on your seat for the entire season! We're in it to win it! Forkit!

Here's how I feel about players that are traded: For me, they're no longer Sox players, so I seldom even give them a glance. I'm a Sox fan...I don't dislike someone because they were traded or let go or signed with someone else...They just aren't Sox players now, so I am busy watching my team. By the way, I loved Robin Ventura when he was here. I felt he was getting a little long in the tooth his last year or so...and when he was negotiating with the team for a new contract, he gave a few interviews where he said that the deciding factor wouldn't be about money. And of course, he went elsewhere for more money. Now, I don't have a problem with that. It's a player's right to get whatever they can get from baseball owners. But here's where I have a problem: Just say it upfront! Say the truth, like: " I expect the Sox to be the top bidder for my services because..." Or "I'm near the end of my career and I want more money because this may be my last contract." Just once, be upfront and tell us you're not staying because you got 15 percent more to be a Yankee, for example. Don't pretend there is loyalty involved unless you really mean it. I'm not saying I dislike Robin. I thought less of him because he used the same baloney all professional athletes use when they are negotiating contracts. Just say it straight! Forkit!

Well, for all the folks that have been b****ing and moaning about Joe, he hit just fine last night. In fact, he's been hitting better and better since the All-Star break, and of course, his defense continues to be strong. The big boys slept through last night's game. One run just don't cut it. Time for them to wake up and smell the finish line... One last thought...how can anyone complain about Crede's offense when the guy next to him, in all categories, is inferior. For some reason, Jose is held out as a holy relic by many fans, yet his defense is bad, his hitting is below average and the only two that think he is a good baserunner are in the Sox announcer's booth. I think the boys will wake up against the Rangers. I'd really like to see Frank at first tonight... Forkit!

They traded for Everett because he is a [mostly] left-handed hitter. Before the two trades, the Sox were woefully short of any threat from the left side...or doesn't anyone remember that? Forkit!

Boys and Girls!!! I was speakin' aboud da beayouteeful reference to our White Sox by a publicly elected official in a national magazine. Forget about the politics...this was purely the joy of seeing a White Sox reference in US News. Sheeesh! Forkit!

Well, they do have the best record in basball since the All-Star break. They just beat the A's...They're doing fine. Please don't make it sound like they are struggling. If they stink up the west ciast, you can stuff like this, but at the moment, I think they are doing exactly what they are supposed to do: Winning each series. Forkit!

If anyone else has a copy of US News--just came today--look for the article about Richard Daley and the power he wields. All the Presidential candidates are in town, all the Labor Leaders are in town and with US News following him that day, he tells them...Can't see them. Don't have time to meet with them. I'm watching the White Sox. They ask if he'll take the time to call them or let them visit and he says...No. The Sox are playing Kansas City here. He says if they don't understand how important that is, they just don't get it...Don't understand his passion about important thing. Great article... Forkit!!!

Repeat after me: If the Sox worry about winning each series, they'll have no worries. They won't win every game and it'll take a bit of time for them to pull away from KC and the Twins. But if they keep winning series--especially against teams like the A's--they'll be fine and just where we want them to be come early September. Forkit!

Bummer...I hope his knees hold together. Forkit!

MO seems to be mended, unless the lineup I just heard is incorrect. Let's hope the big boys step up today and get a big win. Forkit!

Higher than? Out of line? Looks they were willing to spend plenty so far. Just curious. Forkit!

Roman: Do you think before you write this stuff? Or just post it cold? Think about what you said earlier: You LIKE the idea of Daubach as the catcher because he might hit better than Olivo! Ummm...why don't we get Mo Vaughn and have him catch? Sure, the ball will get by him 55 times in the game, but he might hit better than Olivo. There are places on a ballclub where offense is a nice thing but defense and more important, taking away the opponent's offense, is crucial. I'm not saying we won't get by without Olivo, if it comes to that [i think he'll be fine, cured by a magic touch by Ditka, no doubt]. One of the two minor league catchers or someone else will get us by. But write yourself a note, Roman...You'll be kissing Olivo's feet in the near future, as he matures as a hitter and more import, as his defensive skills continue to grow. This kid can be the real deal. Irod was no offensive threat his first few years. Olivo can hit and once he's comfortable in the bigs, he's gonna be one of the foundations of this team. Some of your posts make me scratch my head and wonder if you been drinking too much old roman wine... Forkit!

Let me try a different angle then: Is there anyone on that unsigned list that is a glaring "sign him!" Or because they signed the top ten [including the SS] the lesser rounds are not as mandatory this draft? Thanks. Forkit!

Rex: I know we had a great year, signing the top ten. Are we likely to sign more of these guys or is that it? Thanks. Forkit!

Bullard!!! Thanks for the report from one of our young guys on the rise. It'll be great when you make it to the Cell, because we'll all have some personal history with you. Sounds like the season is going well. I have two little ones and they recently went to their first "pro" game. I have relatives out out near Charlotte and also near Birmingham. Maybe they'll get to take in a few games next summer! Thanks again for the update. Good luck in the playoffs. Forkit!

Well, then... They gawn! Forkit!

No established closer yet... The boys are a tad tired after making a hard run from 6 1/2 back to 1 back since the All Star break...they'll be fine. And no closer established yet...we have all of August and September to get that decided. It's Butt Ugly, but it's still happening. We even ducked the Lima voodun...and now he's gonna sit at O'Hare in bad weather and try to charm gnats... Forkit!

They gotta clear waivers, don't they? Any interest in blocking the trade? Or too much cash involved for us? Forkit!

The survery says: A winner. Scuffed, scrungy, ugly, skanky...etc. But a winner. Thanks Bart. Great game. My three year old chants bartolocolon when the game is on, no matter who's pitching. CLee, my four year old loves ya. If I could get him to a game to get your autograph, it'd make his summer. It'll probably have to be next year or at SoxFest...But great game again, sir. One back. KC heading to O'Hare for a long weather delay. They gawn! Forkit!

I luv it when you say that, Heather... Forkit!

Wow! I didn't start this post about attendence...Oh, well. I guess folks focus on whatever they want and then run with it. Anyway...I hope Bartolocolon [as my three year old calls him] pitches a nice complete game and the rain stays until KC is sitting at the airport running for their lives. Forkit!

Winning Stupid!!! doesn't trip off the tongue... Winning Ugly!!! has been used... How about: Winning Butt Ugly!!!© For me, wins are wins. I have been around long enough to know that in the end, the W's count. In May and June, we would have lost every one of these ugly games and spent days agonizing over the "what ifs..." Now, we're winning these "butt ugly" wins and we're...well, spending days agonizing how awful the wins looked. BMR has been saying this team ain't gonna win nothin! Maybe, maybe not. But I will say this: This team is winning the Butt Ugly games, and that's a change. Maybe they haven't yet learned how to win them elegantly. Maybe that will come as the team matures in late August/September. Will they win the division? Dunno. But remember this: It's August 7th and we're still in it to win it and we're filling up the Cell and then spending hours agonizing over how ugly the win was...Think about it! Sounds like a ballclub that's in a passionate divisional race. If we were winning these games butt ugly and had a sloppy ten game lead, maybe the team wouldn't be learning anything. But maybe this team has to be "forged in the fire" before becoming a solid winning club for the playoffs. Hey, they won. Butt Ugly!© It's a beautiful thing! Forkit!

Couldn't tell because the camera was squarely on the injured player. But I wondered the same thing. When I saw his 3-2 pitch to Harvey, I wondered if he had re-warmed up... Forkit!