SoxFan1 Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 CHICAGO-- The postseason accolades officially began to come in for Esteban Loaiza Wednesday, as the White Sox right-hander was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year in the 2003 Players Choice Awards. Loaiza edged out Boston’s Bill Mueller and teammate Frank Thomas in secret-ballot voting conducted among their peers on September 16 and 17. Each Players Choice Award winner will designate the child-related charity of his choice to receive a grant from the Players Trust for Children, a not-for-profit foundation created and administered by the players, in an amount ranging from $20,000 to $50,000. In the American League’s Outstanding Pitcher competition, Loaiza came in behind Toronto’s Roy Halladay but ended up in the top three along with Boston’s Pedro Martinez. Loaiza finished tied for second among all Major League hurlers with 21 victories and topped the American League with 207 strikeouts. The 31-year-old had never won more than 11 games in eight seasons. Thomas was the last White Sox player to win a Players Choice Award, also being named American League Comeback Player of the Year in 2000. In other news, the White Sox announced David Wilder has been named special assistant to general manager Ken Williams. Wilder previously has worked with the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers, serving as a special assignment scout for the team this past season. Wilder held the title of vice president for player personnel under former Brewers general manager Dean Taylor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 To ELo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 One question, to be a comeback player of the year, don't you actually have to be good to begin with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 One question, to be a comeback player of the year, don't you actually have to be good to begin with? Loaiza was not a bad pitcher before. He never had a huge year, but he ate a lot of innnings for some pretty mediocre Blue Jay teams. He was a good pickup from day 1. I couldn't believe no one else would take a chance on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Loaiza was not a bad pitcher before. He never had a huge year, but he ate a lot of innnings for some pretty mediocre Blue Jay teams. He was a good pickup from day 1. I couldn't believe no one else would take a chance on him. Yes, but he'd never won more than what, 11 games? What's that coming back from? Maybe Surprise of the year would be more appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFanForever Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Give him a break Aboz, he played well for our team despite us blowing for over half of the year. That alone deserves merit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 No, no, I feel the same was Aboz does. He never had a great season like he did this year. He'd had good years, don't get me wrong, but never a year where he went 21-9 with a 2.90 ERA and a near pitching triple crown. He'd had years where he'd gone 10-10 or so with a 4.50 ERA, but that's nothing great. I think breakthrough player of the year would be more appropiate. Same thing applies to Bill Mueller. Never before had he hit above .300 nor more then 10 homers, nor drive in more then 60 runs in a year before, but this year he hits .326 19 85....comeback? I think not. In all reality, if anyone really deserved the award, it should be Frank Thomas. But he's almost got more of those then Roger Clemens does Cy Young awards, so he should no longer qualify for that award, because it almost seems like he's doing that kind of s*** intentionally(obviously he's not, but you get the idea) None the less, congrats ELo! Next up(crosses fingers) Cy Young award! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Let's see. In 2002 Loaiza made about $6,500.000 from the Jays. In 2003, he made $500,000. In 2004, he'll make $4,000,000. That's a pretty damn good comeback! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafacosta Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 They gave Outstanding Pitcher of the year to f*** Roy Halladay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Lopez Ghost (old) Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Yes, but he'd never won more than what, 11 games? What's that coming back from? Maybe Surprise of the year would be more appropriate. He was a major leaguer, he almost wasn't major leaguer, and then he almost won the Cy Young. That's comebacky enough for me. It's almost like Lazerus, if you ask me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capn12 Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Well, I remember getting flamed earlier this year for saying that Loz would win comeback player of the year, for the same reasons said here. Glad at least MLB agreed with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Well, I remember getting flamed earlier this year for saying that Loz would win comeback player of the year, for the same reasons said here. Glad at least MLB agreed with me What do they know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 I agree with aboz and whitesoxfan. You have to have been there to comeback. I've never been to China, so can I go "back?" No. "Suprise" or "Breakthrough" POTY would be more appropriate. Regardless, congrats to Esteban! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 The jury has spoken...He didn't comeback, he merely emerged from mediocrity...Now let's hope he wasn't a one year wonder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 The jury has spoken...He didn't comeback, he merely emerged from mediocrity...Now let's hope he wasn't a one year wonder. I don't think so. We won't see another 21-9 2.90 season again....but next year I think it is safe to expect those above numbers slightly worse(maybe 15-10 with 3.50-4.00 ERA) and more innings, and more quality innings down the stretch(or in other words, we won't see another 7 inng outing where he gives up 5 runs, or a less then 4-inning outing where he gives up 6, both to the team that is right on our ass) He threw something like 215 innings this year....so I don't see why 225-235 isn't possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Just imagine if we wouldn't lost those games to Detroit....He woulda had the pitching triple crown I bet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 I don't think so. We won't see another 21-9 2.90 season again....but next year I think it is safe to expect those above numbers slightly worse(maybe 15-10 with 3.50-4.00 ERA) and more innings, and more quality innings down the stretch(or in other words, we won't see another 7 inng outing where he gives up 5 runs, or a less then 4-inning outing where he gives up 6, both to the team that is right on our ass) He threw something like 215 innings this year....so I don't see why 225-235 isn't possible. I think that was a career high for innings pitched. He might not be able to go any more than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 It's too much to expect the same numbers out of Loaiza next year. Hitters around the league will hav realised he's got one hell of a cutter now, and he'll be easier to figure out. It's kinda like the Colon situation from this year. He won 20 games, but only 15 this year. I think that's the best we can hope for from E-Lo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastime Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 I know E-Lo has a history of putting up mediocre numbers, and the majority of people think he had his "career year" and will come crashing down to reality, but let's remember that the guy learned a new pitch last offseason, and has finally "gotten it" mentally a pitcher. Derek Jeter said that E-Lo was "the hardest pitcher I've hit off of all year long." (That quote came in September of this year). People can predict all the gloom and doom they want. Do I think he'll win 20 next year? No - but he'll win 16-18, and we will need every one of those victories. Let me put it this way - he's not Mike Bielecki II. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 I know E-Lo has a history of putting up mediocre numbers, and the majority thinks he had his "career year" and will come crashing down to reality, but let's remember that the guy learned a new pitch last offseason, and has finally "gotten it" mentally a pitcher. People can predict all the doom and gloom they want. Do I think he'll win 20 next year? No - but he'll win 16-18, and we will need every one of those victories. Let me put it this way - he's not Mike Bielecki II. I'm with you on this one. I do not think Loaiza's 2003 season was a fluke. I think it was a beginning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 I know E-Lo has a history of putting up mediocre numbers, and the majority thinks he had his "career year" and will come crashing down to reality, but let's remember that the guy learned a new pitch last offseason, and has finally "gotten it" mentally a pitcher. People can predict all the doom and gloom they want. Do I think he'll win 20 next year? No - but he'll win 16-18, and we will need every one of those victories. Let me put it this way - he's not Mike Bielecki II. I'm with you on this one. I do not think Loaiza's 2003 season was a fluke. I think it was a beginning. Let's hope so. This ballclub will take a HUGE step backwards and south down the AL Central if Loaiza returns to his pre Chicago form. But I've got confidence in Don Cooper that he'll keep bringin out da best from E-Lo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastime Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 The only problem is that if E-Lo performs like the three of us (and others) think he will, then we won't be able to afford him in 2005. It just seems like we take one step forward and two steps back. I'll be honest, I like the enthusiasm and fire that Ozzie brings to the table, but this year and next year he will have limited resources to work with. NO ONE can manage s*** to the playoffs. NO ONE. It's so frustrating to have ownership who is so cheap and petty. Everyone jumps Kenny's ass for that, but he's only working within the financial parameters he's been given. Do I think KW is smart? No. Do I think he's a good GM? No. But I do know that he is trying his best considering the miser he works for. Hell, even the Marlins owner spent a little money last year even though no one was showing up. But that didn't amount to anything, did it? JR can remodel the park every year until Armageddon, he can send out nice letters, he can trade for veterans at mid-season, etc. Until the tightwad opens up the pocketbook and actually PROVES that he wants it before the season begins, he's nothing but a stupid businessman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 The only problem is that if E-Lo performs like the three of us (and others) think he will, then we won't be able to afford him in 2005. It just seems like we take one step forward and two steps back. I'll be honest, I like the enthusiasm and fire that Ozzie brings to the table, but this year and next year he will have limited resources to work with. NO ONE can manage s*** to the playoffs. NO ONE. It's so frustrating to have ownership who is so cheap and petty. Everyone jumps Kenny's ass for that, but he's only working within the financial parameters he's been given. Do I think KW is smart? No. Do I think he's a good GM? No. But I do know that he is trying his best considering the miser he works for. Hell, even the Marlins owner spent a little money last year even though no one was showing up. But that didn't amount to anything, did it? JR can remodel the park every year until Armageddon, he can send out nice letters, he can trade for veterans at mid-season, etc. Until the tightwad opens up the pocketbook and actually PROVES that he wants it before the season begins, he's nothing but a stupid businessman. He's actually a very smart business man. He also happens to be a tightwad baseball team owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 The only problem is that if E-Lo performs like the three of us (and others) think he will, then we won't be able to afford him in 2005. It just seems like we take one step forward and two steps back. I'll be honest, I like the enthusiasm and fire that Ozzie brings to the table, but this year and next year he will have limited resources to work with. NO ONE can manage s*** to the playoffs. NO ONE. It's so frustrating to have ownership who is so cheap and petty. Everyone jumps Kenny's ass for that, but he's only working within the financial parameters he's been given. Do I think KW is smart? No. Do I think he's a good GM? No. But I do know that he is trying his best considering the miser he works for. Hell, even the Marlins owner spent a little money last year even though no one was showing up. But that didn't amount to anything, did it? JR can remodel the park every year until Armageddon, he can send out nice letters, he can trade for veterans at mid-season, etc. Until the tightwad opens up the pocketbook and actually PROVES that he wants it before the season begins, he's nothing but a stupid businessman. He's actually a very smart business man. He also happens to be a tightwad baseball team owner. Hey it could be worse. Imagine if pennypinching Bill Wirtz was the owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastime Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 I can't even imagine Bob Pulford as Sox GM. We would field a team of 38-42 year old has beens, and we would spend $1000 a week just on his supply of Marlboros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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