CSF Posted March 29, 2004 Share Posted March 29, 2004 Read the sludge below: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, March 27, 2004 SportsTicker Manager: Ozzie Guillen (first season) Key Addition: Shingo Takatsu Key Loss: Bartolo Colon 2003 Record: 86-76 Probable lineup C - Miguel Olivo 1B - Paul Konerko 2B - Willie Harris/Juan Uribe SS - Jose Valentin 3B - Joe Crede LF - Carlos Lee CF - Aaron Rowand RF - Magglio Ordonez DH - Frank Thomas Rotation Mark Buehrle, Esteban Loaiza, Jon Garland, Scott Schoeneweis, Danny Wright Closer Billy Koch/Damaso Marte Pivotal player to watch: Buehrle Buehrle's role takes on added importance with the departure of Colon. With a new three-year deal, Buehrle has the security he has sought each of the last two seasons. Even with Loaiza's success last year, the departure of Colon leaves Buehrle as the ace. At 25, he still has room to improve and that is saying something for a pitcher that has racked up 49 wins over the last three seasons. He was 7-4 after the All-Star break in 2003 and avoided the home runs that plagued him in the first half. Expect him to bounce back and win at least 17 games. Can expect to play better in 2004: Rowand Like Crede and Olivo, Rowand entered 2003 with lofty expectations. He struggled early and was sent to Class AAA Charlotte in May. After being recalled in June, Rowand batted .387 with a .629 slugging percentage. He was helped in Charlotte by hitting coach Greg Walker, who became Chicago's hitting coach last season and maintains that role under new manager Guillen. Can expect to play worse in 2004: Thomas Rebounded from consecutive sub-par seasons to hit 42 home runs and drive in 105 runs in 2003. His ability is never a question, but his relationship with Guillen could be. Although Guillen has stated that Thomas will be his No. 3 hitter, there could some uneasiness dating to the days when Thomas and his manager were teammates. Guillen was a vocal leader when he was a veteran with the White Sox and may expect the same of Thomas. The burly designated hitter has never been known to fill that role in the past and most likely will not start now. Helped themselves this spring Wright solidified his spot in the rotation and could be a pleasant surprise; Cliff Politte opened some eyes and could be very good in a setup role; Olivo, Rowand and Crede all seem like they are ready to make a statment. Hurt themselves this spring Takatsu has been terrible this month and may have earned himself a ticket to Class AAA. Even if he sticks, he likely won't sniff any save opportunities; Schoeneweis also struggled and it is beginning to appear that he will never live up to his immense potential; Neither Uribe nor Harris could do enough to win the second base job outright. Spring Notes This has been a relatively quiet spring - a bit of a surprise given the nature of Guillen and the potential power struggle with Thomas. There is some trade talk involving a pitcher for Thomas or Konerko, but the White Sox have shown this spring that they could be an offensive force. If the young players take a step forward, they could make some noise in a very weak division. Wire Index Maybe it's just me and my conspiracy theories are in high gear, but I truly think ESPN is hoping for an Ozzie-Frank shoving match. Damn all the good feelings during ST, let's see how long is it before they try to kill each other. Yet another reason of millions why I can't stand ESPN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted March 29, 2004 Share Posted March 29, 2004 Wow, what an insightful article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted March 29, 2004 Share Posted March 29, 2004 I did not find anything wrong with the article. If you want to find a positive article on the Sox, do not read the national articles. Right now we do not look like a playoff calibur team. Hopefully that will change, but until it does, the national media will tell it how it is. As far as frank sucking this year, I hope he doesn't and I don't think he will, but I will not be surprised if he has a bad year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonkeyKongerko Posted March 29, 2004 Share Posted March 29, 2004 Maybe it's just me and my conspiracy theories are in high gear, but I truly think ESPN is hoping for an Ozzie-Frank shoving match. Well all the "experts" predicted it would happen so it damn well better huh. Look forward to another great year of media Sox bashing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafacosta Posted March 29, 2004 Share Posted March 29, 2004 Can expect to play worse in 2004: Thomas Rebounded from consecutive sub-par seasons to hit 42 home runs and drive in 105 runs in 2003. His ability is never a question, but his relationship with Guillen could be. Although Guillen has stated that Thomas will be his No. 3 hitter, there could some uneasiness dating to the days when Thomas and his manager were teammates. Guillen was a vocal leader when he was a veteran with the White Sox and may expect the same of Thomas. The burly designated hitter has never been known to fill that role in the past and most likely will not start now. This ESPN´s preview is full of bulls***. Frank is now the number 4 hitter. Ozzie and Frank are getting along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted March 29, 2004 Share Posted March 29, 2004 Can expect to play worse in 2004: Frank Thomas? Good luck with that ESPN. I'd rather read Posnanski. Atleast in his cluelessness, he is actually funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 Yeah....That definitely threw me. I feel Thomas will have better numbers in '04 than he did in '03. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 Yeah....That definitely threw me. I feel Thomas will have better numbers in '04 than he did in '03. Better than 42 Hrs and 105 RBI? He might improve the average, but I would be shocked if he improved his power numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 Better than 42 Hrs and 105 RBI? He might improve the average, but I would be shocked if he improved his power numbers. We'll see. I feel in situations he will still go for the long ball. His power numbers increased pretty heavily once he announced he decided to just pull the ball and get the instant offense. I do feel his average will improve though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSF Posted March 30, 2004 Author Share Posted March 30, 2004 Thomas could put up .325/38/120 and those dolts at ESPN would call it a subpar year. Meanwhile, Sammy puts up .247/50/108 and they would be ready to annoint him as a golden god. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 Better than 42 Hrs and 105 RBI? He might improve the average, but I would be shocked if he improved his power numbers. Will probably have a better average then .260. Will probably not hit 42 homers(though I made my bold Thomas prediction for the year...he will hit 50) Will almost undoubtedly break the 105 mark. Even if he goes, say, .265 30 100...how much is he getting worse by(other then the smart-ass response of 12 homers and 5 RBI)? I just don't see how he gets worse. He may have a subpar year, but not a bad year(which is kind of what worse implies). I mean, quite frankly, while his 42 homers were impressive, he really did not have an excellent season. I think he does improve his numbers...in fact, I made the prediction in another thread too...very bold, but very realistic. Remember 2000? .330 50 150 1.100 OPS Mark it down, and either praise me Nostradamus, or give me my crow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 Frank's attitude right now, and the circumstances of his contract, lead me to believe Frank is primed for a big, big year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 Will probably have a better average then .260. Will probably not hit 42 homers(though I made my bold Thomas prediction for the year...he will hit 50) Will almost undoubtedly break the 105 mark. Even if he goes, say, .265 30 100...how much is he getting worse by(other then the smart-ass response of 12 homers and 5 RBI)? I just don't see how he gets worse. He may have a subpar year, but not a bad year(which is kind of what worse implies). I mean, quite frankly, while his 42 homers were impressive, he really did not have an excellent season. I think he does improve his numbers...in fact, I made the prediction in another thread too...very bold, but very realistic. Remember 2000? .330 50 150 1.100 OPS Mark it down, and either praise me Nostradamus, or give me my crow. I will go out on a limb and say that no major leaguer will hit 50 HRs this year. I think the whole THG/Steroid thing is bigger than we all fear, and it will have a huge impact on 2004s power numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafacosta Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 I will go out on a limb and say that no major leaguer will hit 50 HRs this year. I think the whole THG/Steroid thing is bigger than we all fear, and it will have a huge impact on 2004s power numbers. IMO, i think nobody lose power in a year to year period. The steroids make you get stronger but you dont lose it so fast, like a year. I think Frank will hit 45, Maggs 35 and Lee 35 too. And we will win the division, with the big problem been the rotation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 Can expect to play worse in 2004: Frank Thomas? Good luck with that ESPN. I'd rather read Posnanski. Atleast in his cluelessness, he is actually funny. I watched some morning show on ESPN today and their analysts, who were ex-GM Jim Bowden and some other guy both pick the Sox for 3rd in the AL Central. But, Bowden thinks Frank Thomas is the man who will make the difference in the race. He thinks Frank is primed for a great year and with him producing and the pitching stepping up it could mean the Sox win the division. But of course they pick the twinkies to win oblivious to the fact they have no pitching and no real power. The one dude even thinks the Tigers will pass the Indians this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguana Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 I watched some morning show on ESPN today and their analysts, who were ex-GM Jim Bowden and some other guy both pick the Sox for 3rd in the AL Central. But, Bowden thinks Frank Thomas is the man who will make the difference in the race. He thinks Frank is primed for a great year and with him producing and the pitching stepping up it could mean the Sox win the division. But of course they pick the twinkies to win oblivious to the fact they have no pitching and no real power. The one dude even thinks the Tigers will pass the Indians this season. i also dont get the Royals love. they got some power in the line up but they have no pitching. Also, Sweeney and Juan seem to be hurt more often than not. unless they are in there for a majority of the year, i dont seem them equaling what they did last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 I really hate those bastards: While showing a clip of Spring Training today (Sox vs Giants), they show a Barry Bonds homerun on Buerhle. AND THAT's IT!!!! Then, very quickly at the end, Dan Patrick adds that "the sox won the game" - I know you can't make a huge thing about just a ST game, but give me a break. How about showing Willie Harris with another solid game? What about Lee, who had a couple of hits? It really gets to me; I know I shouldn't let it, but it does... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 I really hate those bastards: While showing a clip of Spring Training today (Sox vs Giants), they show a Barry Bonds homerun on Buerhle. AND THAT's IT!!!! Then, very quickly at the end, Dan Patrick adds that "the sox won the game" - I know you can't make a huge thing about just a ST game, but give me a break. How about showing Willie Harris with another solid game? What about Lee, who had a couple of hits? It really gets to me; I know I shouldn't let it, but it does... That should be expected. You're never going to see the ball hit behind the runner to advance him to third, so that he scores without a hit. The sox may have won the game going away, but didn't have a homer, and that's about all you're going to see for a ST highlight on ESPN. In ESPN's eyes: Barry Homer > Go ahead double by Mags > solid pitching by MB > anything willie Harris could ever do((unless he is talkin about all those ladies waiting for him in the hotel lobbies )) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 If it makes you feel any better, I don't think anyone is paying attention to this division at all. TBH, this is a wide open division - and the team that gets the hottest the longest will win out. I could honestly see everyone in the division winning between 70 and 90 games. TSN had a great preview of the division I thought and picks the Sox to win second, behind Minnesota but says that it is by no means a lock and that KC and Chicago have the strength to pull ahead of the pack - they just don't think the history of a strong finish is there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.