What has been more of a surprise?

[moochpuppy]

Discuss...

[Queen Prawn]

While all the above are pleasant surprises, I think Lee's streak has been the biggest surprise.

[MinnesotaSoxFan]

Definetly Carlos, I would have never seen him breaking the Sox hit streak record.

[NUKE_CLEVELAND]

I gotta go with Shingo. When he came to town he was totally new to MLB and then there was that shaky start in spring training but he pulled it together in fine fashion and he's now the hottest relief pitcher in the majors. I would say that him stealing the closers job away from Botch was a surprise and in reality it was but only because it was him that did it.

 

 

Shingo

[hammerhead johnson]

It's Shingo, without question.

 

But if Lee's streak reaches 35 games, I'd change my vote.

[dasox24]

I guess I'm the only one who thinks Uribe was a big surprise. I mean, who expected him to be playing every day and to lead us in BA. I'm sure some people thought he'd do well, but in a situation coming off the bench, not being an everyday regular. Of course, Shingo's ERA and scoreless inning streak has been a huge surpise too! This poll question was definitely a hard call to make, as all of these things have been surprises to me.

[knightni]

Juan Uribe is a huge surprise...

 

Who expected .300+ BA outta this guy?

 

Not I.

 

His previous 2 seasons:

 

.253 and .240

 

 

Frank had a real good season last year.

 

Carlos usually finds ways to make offense happen.

 

Shingo has a history of being a closer.

 

 

Uribe is the unexpected.

[mreye]

I guess I'm the only one who thinks Uribe was a big surprise.  I mean, who expected him to be playing every day and to lead us in BA.  I'm sure some people thought he'd do well, but in a situation coming off the bench, not being an everyday regular.  Of course, Shingo's ERA and scoreless inning streak has been a huge surpise too!  This poll question was definitely a hard call to make, as all of these things have been surprises to me.

I'm with you. I could have forseen all those other things happening. No one thought Uribe would be the stud he has been. No one!

[southsider2k5]

I think Carlos is the biggest surprise. He has never had the plate or hitting disipline that he has exhibited over the last month. He isn't trying to do too much at the plate, and is hitting the ball where the pitch is. Maggs or Frank I could have seen with a streak like this, Carlos never.

[Texsox]

Yikes, how about all of the above?

 

The least surprising to me is Franks. Not to say it isn't a mild surprise. Of course no matter how he plays, the club proably will let him twist in the wind and not pick up their $11 mil option.

 

Shingo has the pedigree to do what he is doing, so I guess there is, on some level, a basis for his erformance.

 

Lee is a solid player, and I guess we can expect him to write his name in the Sox record books in a few spots. Again how do you predict a 30,40,50 game hitting streak?

 

Uribe is having a career year and seemingly came out of nowhere. Maybe his friends and family arn't surprised, but I thought he was going to be the utility guy, not a starter, and not leading the team. So I voted Uribe as the surprise, which I consider different than the most impressive, most improbable, or most congenial!

[Wedge]

Well, I think we all agree that the "most useful" suprise has been Zero, so that is how I voted.

[Texsox]

I think Carlos is the biggest surprise.  He has never had the plate or hitting disipline that he has exhibited over the last month.  He isn't trying to do too much at the plate, and is hitting the ball where the pitch is.  Maggs or Frank I could have seen with a streak like this, Carlos never.

Frank draws too many walks to have a streak like this. Not a knock on Frank of course, just the reality

 

I tried to find a stat on Frank's best streak for games "getting on base via hit or walk" but couldn't find it. I imagine it's rather lengthly.

[YASNY]

I had to go with Uribe as well. Frank is a surprise, but you knew he was capable of doing this. I was hopeful that Shingo would be a quality reliever, but nothing like this. Carlos never ceases to amaze me with his accomplishments, so I'm starting to expect the unexpected from him. But Uribe came out of nowhere.

[Wedge]

Frank draws too many walks to have a streak like this. Not a knock on Frank of course, just the reality

 

I tried to find a stat on Frank's best streak for games "getting on base via hit or walk" but couldn't find it. I imagine it's rather lengthly.

"Consecutive games reaching base safely" might be the phrase you're looking for?

[YASNY]

Frank draws too many walks to have a streak like this. Not a knock on Frank of course, just the reality

 

I tried to find a stat on Frank's best streak for games "getting on base via hit or walk" but couldn't find it. I imagine it's rather lengthly.

I think Frank currently has about a 23 game on base streak.

[mreye]

I think Frank currently has about a 23 game on base streak.

It's currently 21, but I think Tex is looking for his career best.

[Goldmember]

uribe

[IlliniKrush]

Uribe...he couldn't hit for jack in Coors Field???? Then hits in a 'normal' park? That's just ridiculous. I thought hitting .250 would be a stretch

[YASNY]

Uribe...he couldn't hit for jack in Coors Field???? Then hits in a 'normal' park? That's just ridiculous. I thought hitting .250 would be a stretch

I think it's just because Uribe feels comfortable here, with all our Latin players and Ozzie. He's comfortable and relaxed, so his talent is coming through.

[Wedge]

I think it's just because Uribe feels comfortable here, with all our Latin players and Ozzie.  He's comfortable and relaxed, so his talent is coming through.

That's true. I remember hearing some commentator talking about how isolated he felt in Colorado because he couldn't really communicate with anybody there.

[soxman352000]

It's a toss up between Shingo and Uribe

[Reddy]

Juan Uribe is the biggest surprise by far. Frank's done it in the past so the chance to do it again was always there. Shingo was lights out in Japan so maybe it would carry over. C-Lee has always been a decent hitter. But Uribe is just totally out of the blue this year and just for Miles?? I love it!

[Wedge]

I would have voted for "Frank Thomas only having one run-in with the media"

[WHarris1]

I had to go with Uribe.

[Elcaballo45]

I'm with you. I could have forseen all those other things happening. No one thought Uribe would be the stud he has been. No one!

Well, since I've had Uribe on my fantasy teams the prior years with Colorado, I was the only one that i remember in the preseason saying that he would be a hell of a lot better than everyone was taking him for. Ill try to find an exact quote on what i said in March, but I was expecting about a .300, 13 HR, and 30 RBI at the all star break, so i guess im just a tad off....

 

Found it! back from December 2003....(I'm really bored)

Whats wrong with Uribe now... If anything, he has the upside for a very solid 2nd baseman/utility fielder, or wherever we decide to put him, but either way, Uribe has got some pop in his bat, and is very speedy, Im thinking in a full season we could get 20 HR/75 RBI and a .290 avg next year....

 

 

Although, maybe his pop was from playing at Coors, but either way...

 

GO SOX 2004 + #45! DONT BE TRADING CARLOS NOW EITHER!

 

Those numbers for the season might not be too far off from what he finishes....