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Final Word on the Sox


EvilJester99

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The final words on the Sox

 

 

By Bob Foltman

Tribune staff reporter

 

October 5, 2004

 

 

Hitters

 

Jamie Burke

Didn't seem like the same player after being run over by Torii Hunter. Still an effective role player.

 

Kelly Dransfeldt

Had a brief stint as a utility infielder before being sent down to Triple-A Charlotte early in the season.

 

Ross Gload

Made the most of his first full season and will play a bigger role next season.

 

Aaron Rowand

Finally given the chance to play every day, Rowand seized it with a breakout season.

 

Carlos Lee

After a slow power start, ended with 31 home runs and didn't make an error in left field all season.

 

Magglio Ordonez

Season-ending knee surgery, followed by a possible fall follow-up surgery, isn't the way to head into free agency.

 

Juan Uribe

Despite an awful June and July, still finished with career highs in homers and RBIs.

 

Paul Konerko

Rebounded nicely from a tough 2003 season with career high in homers and RBIs.

 

Frank Thomas

The smiles in spring training soon turned into the familiar scowls before a season-ending ankle injury.

 

Carl Everett

Has an option for next season he will exercise. Likely fourth outfielder/pinch-hitter if contract isn't bought out.

 

Willie Harris

Not a bad 1st full season, although the Sox would have liked a little more consistency.

 

Timo Perez

Filled in admirably when Ordonez went down. Hit .397 with runners in scoring position.

 

Sandy Alomar

Perhaps the end of the line for the classy veteran. Managing somewhere next year?

 

Joe Crede

Never got himself going at plate but did deliver some clutch hits late in games. Was solid defensively all season.

 

Wilson Valdez

Manager Ozzie Guillen is high on middle-infield prospect acquired in trade for Billy Koch.

 

Jose Valentin

Had his usual power numbers but batting average continues to free fall. Won't be back in 2005.

 

Ben Davis

Hit everything when he arrived, then tailed off. Not counted on to provide offense; seems respected defensively.

 

Roberto Alomar

Nagging injuries made him a non-factor. May join his brother in retirement.

 

Joe Borchard

Shows flashes of being the next Rob Deer. Sox hope not.

 

Pitchers

 

Shingo Takatsu

One of the bright spots of the season, but can he close for a whole season at this level?

 

Damaso Marte

Didn't have the overpowering stuff of 2003. Never really recovered from bad opener.

 

Freddy Garcia

Wasn't really the stopper Sox had hoped. Still expect him to be at top of rotation next season.

 

Mark Buehrle

Led AL in innings pitched and finished with solid stats despite some rough patches in the middle of the season.

 

Cliff Politte

Has to be used as a set-up man in order to be effective. Doesn't have the mind-set to close games.

 

Jon Adkins

Had trouble keeping the ball in the park, but GM Williams pleased with progress.

 

Jon Garland

1st winning season in majors, but expectations were higher. Perhaps expectations now need to be lowered.

 

Jose Contreras

1 inning brilliant, 1 inning clueless. Product of too many expectations; when in command is nearly unhittable.

 

Scott Schoeneweis

Started off strong, then injuries sidelined him. May not be back in 2005.

 

Neal Cotts

Same as Adkins, which makes sense since the two are roommates.

 

Felix Diaz

Struggled as a starter, may find a home in the bullpen.

 

Jason Grilli

A favorite of manager Ozzie Guillen's will get every chance to claim rotation spot next season.

 

Danny Wright

On the shelf early in the year with career-threatening elbow injury.

 

Arnie Munoz

Shelled in Montreal in June and still recovering.

 

Jeff Bajenaru

Given a late-season look and was knocked around.

 

Josh Stewart

Another of the failed fifth-starter candidates.

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Frank Thomas

The smiles in spring training soon turned into the familiar scowls before a season-ending ankle injury.

 

 

Maybe it's just me, but I didn't see any scowls. Only except for the media trying to portray Frank as a me-first player.

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I gotta say.......or ask......how much intelligence does it take to write an article like that.? Why is it posted here? How do these guys get their jobs? What does that guy do at night after he writes that small-minded crap? He can't possibly tell his wife or significant other how smart he is, can he? I feel dumber when I read stuff like that.

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I gotta say.......or ask......how much intelligence does it take to write an article like that.?  Why is it posted here?  How do these guys get their jobs?  What does that guy do at night after he writes that small-minded crap?  He can't possibly tell his wife or significant other how smart he is, can he?  I feel dumber when I read stuff like that.

Seriously...what the hell.

His rough draft was probably in crayon.

 

I could write that s***.

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Maybe it's just me, but I didn't see any scowls.  Only except for the media trying to portray Frank as a me-first player.

Ditto.

 

If the scowls meant he absolutely dominating the AL - being one of the most feared hitters yet again - then I guess that's true. But somehow, someway, I don't think that's what he meant.

 

Bastards always gotta take their shots at Frank... Those asswipes can honestly go f*** off.

 

(Sorry for the explicits.)

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