bschmaranz Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 Sorry if somebody already posted this, but I'm lazy and don't bother to check. White Sox stay on the run By John Kruk ESPN Insider The Chicago White Sox have the ability to outlast the Baltimore Orioles down the stretch in terms of being the surprise team simply because of their respective divisions. The White Sox are competing in a tough AL Central with the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers both possessing the ability to challenge them, but that division is nothing like the AL East. The Orioles are competing against the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays for supremacy and that's difficult when you consider that two of those teams (Yankees, Red Sox) have a strong nucleus already and have deep pockets also for any needed down-the-stretch spending. Personally I'd love to see the Orioles outlast the Yanks and Red Sox, but it's going to be extremely difficult for them to do so. Meanwhile in the Central, the White Sox have the ability to put a stranglehold on the division because of their consistent aggressiveness. This team is 13-3 in one-run ball games and that's because manager Ozzie Guillen doesn't change his approach to baseball in close games. Most teams start trying to swing for the fences and start to put pressure on themselves, but the White Sox put pressure on opposing teams by constantly threatening to run on them in any situation. I gotta tell you as a former ballplayer that it's difficult when you play a team like the White Sox. At the end of the game every player on the field is physically and mentally drained because there's so much more to have to keep track of as opposed to when a team plays a squad that is always looking to hit the long ball. First, the pitcher has to concentrate on keeping runners on bases instead of just focusing on making pitches. That increases the likelihood of his making a mistake and missing the location on a pitch that could end up costing his team the game. Second, the fielders have to worry about making the perfect throw and watching for hit-and-run situations and that's crucial to the success of an opposing team. It's hard enough getting in position as an infielder and making a play without having to worry whether the runner is going to beat your throw because it's not perfect enough. A good example of this was the May 9-11 series against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The D-Rays are a team that fields the ball very well, but they had at least one error or mental lapse fielding or throwing the ball in every game because the White Sox forced them to press. I don't see this team letting up any and they will benefit in the next week or so from the return of slugger Frank Thomas, who will give them an added bat. The return of Thomas really shows how this organization has changed in recent years. I played for the White Sox in my last season in the majors in 1995 and the Big Hurt ran that team. Back then he was arguably the best player in baseball and the White Sox cowed to his every desire. If he wanted batting practice at a certain time then doggone it, that's when it was going to happen. Heck, he darn near made up the lineup card because of his desire to bat at certain spots. That's changed now that he isn't the best player on the team anymore. The manager isn't going to stand for any dissension and I don't think the players are either. Thomas will have to quit with the negativity and the worrying about when he will play, and just hit the ball. Right now this team has great chemistry and could give him his best chance to win the championship that has eluded him his entire career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 He used the word "gotta" in a printed article. This guy is such a boob. :headshake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofIChiSox Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 boob or not, I like the jist of what he has to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DABearSoX Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(UofIChiSox @ May 16, 2005 -> 05:02 PM) boob or not, I like the jist of what he has to say. Of course, we all did, whenever an analyst complements us we lov eit, when they dont we burn them at the stake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofIChiSox Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 I wonder how much Frank really did run this team in the mid-90s. Anybody have any further information on this behind the scenes stuff, or was Kruk maybe just a little jealous that he wasn't the big gun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 I'd say he's pretty on regarding Frank running the show back then. That was a much different clubhouse though, and I don't think it has anything to do with Frank not being as good as he was then versus much different personalities on, and running, the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valponick Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ May 16, 2005 -> 04:58 PM) He used the word "gotta" in a printed article. This guy is such a boob. :headshake You don't have to use proper grammar to be an effective journalist. If his using of the word "gotta" is your biggest complaint then that says something in and of itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 Again I can't stress this enough... WHO THE f*** CARES? You people are amuzing, f*** espn whenever they say anything bad about the sox.. Then worship the f***ing ESPN when they say something good.. Make up ur minds.. and f*** ESPN, we are never going to be the Yankees/red Sox/Cubs in their eyes and who cares I don't.. I watch the games (when I can) and go on my merry way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ May 16, 2005 -> 12:38 PM) Again I can't stress this enough... WHO THE f*** CARES? You people are amuzing, f*** espn whenever they say anything bad about the sox.. Then worship the f***ing ESPN when they say something good.. Make up ur minds.. and f*** ESPN, we are never going to be the Yankees/red Sox/Cubs in their eyes and who cares I don't.. I watch the games (when I can) and go on my merry way. With all your endless ranting about KW, you don't have any room to talk. Shut up and let people say what they want to say. You don't ever hesitate to spew your misguided opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(valponick @ May 16, 2005 -> 11:29 AM) You don't have to use proper grammar to be an effective journalist. If his using of the word "gotta" is your biggest complaint then that says something in and of itself. This "oughta" be good. I can't wait to hear this one. Please, enlighten me, what does that say in and of itself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 With all your endless ranting about KW, you don't have any room to talk. Shut up and let people say what they want to say. You don't ever hesitate to spew your misguided opinions. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> There there.. Only in the minds of the weak would you still not see the truth that is KW.. A Failure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ May 16, 2005 -> 12:44 PM) There there.. Only in the minds of the weak would you still not see the truth that is KW.. A Failure. Whether he is a failure or not is not the point. It's your neverending infatuation over the sitution that is garbage. And for you to call somebody out over any subject that you find tiresome is laughable, considering you don't seem to mind making us read the same crap over and over again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 Whether he is a failure or not is not the point. It's your neverending infatuation over the sitution that is garbage. And for you to call somebody out over any subject that you find tiresome is laughable, considering you don't seem to mind making us read the same crap over and over again. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So Now I have the power to make you read my posts..Wow I guess all that work on the Jedi Mind Tricks are playing off.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ May 16, 2005 -> 12:55 PM) So Now I have the power to make you read my posts..Wow I guess all that work on the Jedi Mind Tricks are playing off.. I try and read everyone's posts. That way I know who to respect and who's being a tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirScott Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ May 16, 2005 -> 12:44 PM) There there.. Only in the minds of the weak would you still not see the truth that is KW.. A Failure. I'd say KW has done a damn good job with the payroll he has...except Foulke-for-Koch, which I still haven't gotten over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangercal Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ May 16, 2005 -> 12:55 PM) So Now I have the power to make you read my posts..Wow I guess all that work on the Jedi Mind Tricks are playing off.. I might as well put your ass on ignore. You seem to care more about kw failing rather then the sox succeeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Tizzle Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ May 16, 2005 -> 11:38 AM) Again I can't stress this enough... WHO THE f*** CARES? You people are amuzing, f*** espn whenever they say anything bad about the sox.. Then worship the f***ing ESPN when they say something good.. Make up ur minds.. and f*** ESPN, we are never going to be the Yankees/red Sox/Cubs in their eyes and who cares I don't.. I watch the games (when I can) and go on my merry way. Again, I can't stress this enough.... Quit whining about this irrevelevant topic. Why can't people post articles they find worthy of discussion on this site. I wish the problems of the real world were as important as whether or not someone decides to post a thread dedicated to an ESPN analyst flip-flopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 I might as well put your ass on ignore. You seem to care more about kw failing rather then the sox succeeding. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It easy to sit back and enjoy the good times and forget all the bad times that we have endured...I will never forgot how KW f***ed this franchise for 4 years before this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ May 16, 2005 -> 03:11 PM) It easy to sit back and enjoy the good times and forget all the bad times that we have endured...I will never forgot how KW f***ed this franchise for 4 years before this year. Because it makes a whole lot of sense to keep harping on the past when it's over and can't be changed.. :headshake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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