SouthsideDon48

wow, they raised parking prices at the Cell to $23 dollars??? I could've sworn parking was considerably cheaper last year.

As for Thornton, I think he's a great pitcher, but I think he's more valuable to the Sox as a lefty set-up man than a closer. If we make Thornton the closer, the we'll basically need to find another lefty set-up man to fill Thornton's current role.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Aug 2, 2009 -> 04:18 PM) Closer's usually come into a game with a three run lead. The argument for those who find the closer spot to be overrated, (myself being one of the proponents of this theory) says, that a typical major league pitcher should be able to get these three outs regardless, of when these three outs occur in a ballgame. Also, not sure I see how an ACE who can give you seven strong innings is equal in importance to a pitcher who needs only one inning to accomplish his job. Yea, but what a lot of people are forgetting is that the closer role has a lot more pressure involved when you're pitching with 3 or less runs in the 9th inning than when you're pitching with a similar score difference in any other inning. It takes a different mentality to be a closer that can handle closing out close games without losing your cool. It also requires mental toughness in so that closers need to be able to consistently forget their bad games and not let it affect their performance in games after blown saves.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Aug 2, 2009 -> 04:06 PM) agreed. but i think most here would respond that since it's so hard to get one of those guys, sometimes you're forced to try someone out who's unproven. we're not at that point right now, but if Jenks goes on to have a mediocre year...the cost of bringing him back may be too great. i would definitely prefer Thornton in the role over others though. Equally tough on left and right batters, although righties more likely hit him for extra bases, i believe. Oh I totally agree about trying out unproven pitchers. I'm interested in seeing what Nunez, Link, or even Santeliz has. But when push comes to shove, sometimes you just might have to overpay for a solid experienced closer.

I wonder if it would be worth it to get Matt Capps... Also, it seems like some people are undervaluing the contributions of closers. Closers are basically the last line of defense in winning ballgames, closers are the stoppers, they are the ones responsible in ensuring that the win is preserved. That sounds like a role that should be paid good money, even up to 8 million a year, to me. How would teams like the Yankees be without Rivera? Or Boston without Papelbon? Without those two lights-out closers, those two teams would definitely have more losses than they do now. So it should be a no-brainer that you should pay whatever it takes for a top closer. I pretty much relate the importance of having a top-notch closer to the importance of having an ace like Buehrle or Peavy.

oops, doube post

Some people say we can't just bring up an unproven prospect from the minors and make him a closer. Well, wasn't Bobby Jenks promoted from the minors and inserted into the closer role like that in 2005? It might be hard to catch lightning in a bottle twice, but it's been done before.

QUOTE (hogan873 @ Aug 2, 2009 -> 01:16 PM) Exactly what I was going to post. Maybe we should all try that...interchange the first vowel with the second consanant. Mkie. Dnoald

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 2, 2009 -> 02:29 PM) Obviously, a lot depends on how Bobby finishes this season. But it's difficult to imagine the Sox re-tooling right now, after the Peavy deal. Unless Bobby suffers an injury later this summer, it's difficult to imagine Kenny not at least offering him arbitration. With Poreda gone, Dotel on his way out, Linebrink appearing to be done as an effective reliever, and Thornton only able to throw a fastball for strikes consistently, the Sox don't have any other in-house options for a closer. You can't count out Nunez or Link. It's not out of the realm of possibility they they might step up next year as serviceable major league relievers.

Hey Thunderbolt, how about changing your sig to something similar to what you have now, except have it something like: CRAP=PEAVY

I wonder if this would work on random girls at the mall.

QUOTE (RibbieRubarb @ Jul 30, 2009 -> 11:31 AM) Crown Royal and Coke and then wish you were drinking it in St. Louis. Now you know the Crown Royal HAS to be mixed with Royal Crown.

May 6th should be Mark Buehrle Day every year. :

QUOTE (scenario @ Jul 29, 2009 -> 01:16 AM) So... two guys who can't hit well enough to stay on the major league roster ask to be traded... and the team works to oblige them... And you think that's going to have a negative impact on potential free agents? Highly doubtful. Oh I understand your point, it's just that I worry if it might make it look like the White Sox is an unenjoyable atmosphere for ballplayers. I mean, Hunter went to LAA instead, Peavy veto'd a trade (thank god), Oswalt said he doesn't want to play for the Sox, and I can go on and on. It just seems like the Sox has a hard time attracting players as it is.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jul 28, 2009 -> 10:21 PM) It's sad that you can make a case for this. BA, Fields, Poreda, Beckham, and McCarthy, maybe even, Clayton Richard can all attest to this. That being said he seems to have a good relationship with Danksy and Floyd. Beckham??? What happened between Ozzie and Beckham, this is news to me. And Poreda, he just seemed like he was overmatched when he was called up this season. I think he should work on his secondary pitches, and it's not Ozzie's fault Poreda wasn't prepared or promoted too prematurely.

QUOTE (CQMVP @ Jul 28, 2009 -> 10:28 PM) He would really have no leg to stand on if he messed with Danks' and Floyd's spots in the rotation... Their spots are completely untouchable by the current pitching staff. Aside from that, our young white players are consistently held to different standards than their non-caucasian counterparts. There is ZERO reason Colon should start over Richards, the same way there was ZERO reason for choosing Wise over Anderson. The young white players have to play like all-stars to keep their spot, while the others are allowed to suck perpetually? Give me a break. Ozzie has serious issues with double standards. Give me a break. The only reason why Richard was sent back to the bullpen was because we desperately needed another lefty in the pen. And the reason why we demoted Anderson's worthless ass is because Wise is more valuable because he bats left-handed and his speed can help in pinch-run situations. If you're complaining about white players not being treated like "stars", then that sounds very suspect. The way you keep harping about how white players deserve this or that is sickening. Richard does deserve to be in the rotation, but we need him in the pen. However, now that Colon's scratched, it's not too late to just slide Richard in the roation (he started last sunday, right?) and HOPE we won't need a lefty from the bullpen whenever Thornton's not available.

What's the chances of us trading Fields to the Braves for Gregor Blanco? Would Atlanta go for that trade?

what the hell?????? Is he taking a play out of BA's playbook or something? This can't look good to potential free agents if they hear a lot of White Sox players asking to get traded.

oops, double-post, my bad

Just wondering, how many consecutive no-hit innings has Buehrle pitched now? 9 last thursday and so far 3 today,... any before he was taken out of the game before his perfect game?

Yes!!! Anderson's finally gone!!! "Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey Hey, GOODBYE!!!!!!!!"

yea, I agree, I can't stand watching Letterman. He's so unfunny, and I only watched him last night cause Buehrle was gonna be on it. I prefer watching Conan and Leno 100x more.

In case anyone missed it, here's the Top 10 that was delivered by Buehrle: Things that went through Mark Buehrle's Mind during his perfect game: 10: "I did it! I did it! Oh wait, it's only the fourth inning." 9. "If this doesn't get Kate Hudson to notice me, nothing will." 8. "Too bad I'm not on my own fantasy team." 7. "My brother-in-law bowled a perfect game." 6. Fields and Wise: "We're going to Disneyworld!" Buehrle: "and I'm running for the Governor of Alaska." 5. "Did I remember to Tivo 'So You Think You Can Dance'?" 4. "I'm leaving after the 7th inning to beat the traffic." 3. "Should I shave my back?" 2. "Sunflower seed... lodged in my windpipe... Get Help!" 1. "Maybe I'll give up one hit so I don't have to appear on Letterman."

For those that might be curious, my screen name is actually not as obvious as it looks. Southside Don is actually a nickname of mines that was inspired by the Southside Jim character that you have to fight in that old "Pitfighter" arcade game that was also available on SNES. The fact that I was also a Sox fan kind of made the name stick, so Southside Don was born. And the number 48 in the end of my screen name is my personal number that I've always used all my life. My initials is DH, which are the 4th and 8th letters of the alphabet and I never had to fight with anyone in team sports over that number. I also have all 3 authentic Sox jerseys with my last name and number 48 on it. So that's the real origins of SouthsideDon48, it actually wasn't just thrown together in the last minute. :-p I guess I'll go to the room for people who care now.

It'd be nice if Torres can become another "late draft pick success story" like Buehrle.