My view on things

[fathom]

Here's just a quick summary of how I feel with things (just to let some people know that I am indeed a Sox fan). If you would have told me before the year that we'd be 10 games up with 68 games left in the season, I would have been absolutely thrilled. I would have been so happy with that lead, even if the Sox had lost 20 games in a row. Lets face it, if we can't hold onto a 13 game lead with 71 games left for not only the AL Central, but the Wild Card as well, then we don't deserve to make the playoffs.

 

For some reason, last night's game didn't even piss me off that much, as not once did it feel like the Sox were going to win it. You drop a routine foul pop up against one of the 10 best hitters in baseball history, and you deserve to lose. Now, by no means do I think it's a lock that the Sox will make the playoffs. I don't think it's too negative for me to say that you'd have to be kidding yourselves if you really thought that this team was as good as it's record shows. We've been so incredibly lucky in at least a dozen of games this season that we could have easily lost. As long as we take advantage of breaks in the 2nd half, we should be ok. We're not the type of team that can get away with bad defense in one game, and still coast to victory.

 

Some advice I'd give to Ozzie: It's ok to trust your bullpen to get key outs earlier in the game than the 7th inning. Cotts, Marte, Cliff, and Dustin have been great this year. It's not a crime if you let them start the 7th inning of a game, and take the starting pitcher out BEFORE he gets in trouble. Ozzie always tends to leave his starter in too long (rather than take him out too early), and it's been catching up to the Sox lately. Also, it makes no sense to be playing smallball at the Cell when it's hot outside. We're not going to win 2-1 games at the Cell like we did when it was cooler out. The ball flies out of the Cell, and there's no reason to be playing smallball prior to the 7th inning.

 

Now, lets go out and start winning some home games. BTW, if you're feeling down, check out the Twins schedule the rest of the way. It's just as difficult as the Sox schedule.

[AddisonStSox]

Here's just a quick summary of how I feel with things (just to let some people know that I am indeed a Sox fan).  If you would have told me before the year that we'd be 10 games up with 68 games left in the season, I would have been absolutely thrilled.  I would have been so happy with that lead, even if the Sox had lost 20 games in a row.  Lets face it, if we can't hold onto a 13 game lead with 71 games left for not only the AL Central, but the Wild Card as well, then we don't deserve to make the playoffs.

 

For some reason, last night's game didn't even piss me off that much, as not once did it feel like the Sox were going to win it. You drop a routine foul pop up against one of the 10 best hitters in baseball history, and you deserve to lose. Now, by no means do I think it's a lock that the Sox will make the playoffs.  I don't think it's too negative for me to say that you'd have to be kidding yourselves if you really thought that this team was as good as it's record shows.  We've been so incredibly lucky in at least a dozen of games this season that we could have easily lost.  As long as we take advantage of breaks in the 2nd half, we should be ok.  We're not the type of team that can get away with bad defense in one game, and still coast to victory.

 

Some advice I'd give to Ozzie:  It's ok to trust your bullpen to get key outs earlier in the game than the 7th inning.  Cotts, Marte, Cliff, and Dustin have been great this year.  It's not a crime if you let them start the 7th inning of a game, and take the starting pitcher out BEFORE he gets in trouble.  Ozzie always tends to leave his starter in too long (rather than take him out too early), and it's been catching up to the Sox lately.  Also, it makes no sense to be playing smallball at the Cell when it's hot outside.  We're not going to win 2-1 games at the Cell like we did when it was cooler out.  The ball flies out of the Cell, and there's no reason to be playing smallball prior to the 7th inning.

 

Now, lets go out and start winning some home games.  BTW, if you're feeling down, check out the Twins schedule the rest of the way.  It's just as difficult as the Sox schedule.

 

...cracks me up. The Sox are 30 games over and everyone's an expert.

 

At this point, anything short of an AL Central Division title and I'm devestated.

 

Just a quick thought for those concerned about shaking up the current roster:

 

White Sox go One and Done in the Playoffs.

 

...don't want to see that? Me neither.

[fathom]

...cracks me up.  The Sox are 30 games over and everyone's an expert.

 

At this point, anything short of an AL Central Division title and I'm devestated.

 

Just a quick thought for those concerned about shaking up the current roster:

 

White Sox go One and Done in the Playoffs.

 

...don't want to see that?  Me neither.

 

It cracks me up more if someone thinks that Ozzie is actually a superior in-game manager. That aspect is definitely not a strong suit of his.

[SnB]

It cracks me up more if someone thinks that Ozzie is actually a superior in-game manager.  That aspect is definitely not a strong suit of his.

Give him this at least, his attitude changed the entire aspect and roster of this team, which has led to our success.

[AddisonStSox]

It cracks me up more if someone thinks that Ozzie is actually a superior in-game manager.  That aspect is definitely not a strong suit of his.

 

Oh, no, don't get me wrong, I think Ozzie will get absolutely spanked in the playoffs ala Manuel v. Pinella, but the team is 30 games over and I don't think a poster on a White Sox message board is in any position to critque the manager of the best team in baseball.

 

If you haven't learned yet, it's best just to sit back and watch Ozzie, Kenny and co. work their plans out to completion before we start throwing them under the bus.

Edited July 22, 2005 by AddisonStSox

[Yossarian]

It cracks me up more if someone thinks that Ozzie is actually a superior in-game manager.  That aspect is definitely not a strong suit of his.

He's a lousy in game manager, particularly his handling of pitchers. His strong suit is motivation, and changing the mind set. On that he is superior. If he could only improve his in game strategy, now we're talking about a really good manager. I hope he'll grow into the job a little, but I'm not sure he really will.

[southsider2k5]

He's a lousy in game manager, particularly his handling of pitchers. His strong suit is motivation, and changing the mind set. On that he is superior. If he could only improve his in game strategy, now we're talking about a really good manager. I hope he'll grow into the job a little, but I'm not sure he really will.

 

One thing that I am starting to pick up with Ozzie as a manager is that his focus is totally different than any manager I have ever seen. He is a macro-manager vs everyone else in the league who is basically a micro-manager. When Ozzie manages he always has something else in mind whenever he makes a move. When he brings in a relief pitcher, it seems like not only is he trying to match up for an AB, he also is trying to learn something about a pitcher. Like earlier in the season when he started using Neal Cotts in the 7th/8th innings when he never had before. Ozzie was testing Neal to see if he could depend on him. You would have never seen 95% of managers do something like this until they had to.

 

Its the same with the 3rd game line ups. We all look at the one game and scream about how can you put those guys in the game? By doing this Ozzie is seeing who responds to certian games and situations, so that he knows who he can use and when. He also knows that come September and October, his guys are going to have their legs underneath them when they really need them.

 

Ozzie isn't about the moment as a manager, he is about the post-season and the stretch run. All of his managing points like the regular season is one big spring training for the post season.

 

The macro-management looks completely different to us, because we are so used to seeing managers caught in the moment. It is different to look a particular play in the context of a whole 162 games, but that is what is going on here.

[southsideirish71]

Our problem is that we have too many defensive specialists on the team. Guys who have great gloves but offer nothing up at the dish.

 

 

Player A vs Player B

 

Player A

 

.232 BA 11 homers 24 RBI's .270OBP .379SLG

 

vs

 

Player B

.235BA 7 homers 43 RBI's .266OBP .367 SLG

 

Player A is now the starting CF for the Iowa Cubs and Player B is the starting SS for the best team in baseball.

 

Remember they sent Corey down because he couldnt get on and he couldnt hit and struck out a bunch of times. If he was on this team he would be exhaulted as a defensive wizard.

[Yossarian]

One thing that I am starting to pick up with Ozzie as a manager is that his focus is totally different than any manager I have ever seen.  He is a macro-manager vs everyone else in the league who is basically a micro-manager.  When Ozzie manages he always has something else in mind whenever he makes a move.  When he brings in a relief pitcher, it seems like not only is he trying to match up for an AB, he also is trying to learn something about a pitcher.  Like earlier in the season when he started using Neal Cotts in the 7th/8th innings when he never had before.  Ozzie was testing Neal to see if he could depend on him.  You would have never seen 95% of managers do something like this until they had to.

 

Its the same with the 3rd game line ups.  We all look at the one game and scream about how can you put those guys in the game?  By doing this Ozzie is seeing who responds to certian games and situations, so that he knows who he can use and when.  He also knows that come September and October, his guys are going to have their legs underneath them when they really need them.

 

Ozzie isn't about the moment as a manager, he is about the post-season and the stretch run.  All of his managing points like the regular season is one big spring training for the post season.

 

The macro-management looks completely different to us, because we are so used to seeing managers caught in the moment.  It is different to look a particular play in the context of a whole 162 games, but that is what is going on here.

Interesting theory. I'll keep it mind those times when Ozzie has me scratching my head, tearing my hair, screaming obscenities, or babbling incoherently.

[ZoomSlowik]

Our problem is that we have too many defensive specialists on the team.  Guys who have great gloves but offer nothing up at the dish.

Player A vs Player B

 

Player A

 

.232 BA 11 homers 24 RBI's .270OBP .379SLG

 

vs

 

Player B

.235BA 7 homers 43 RBI's .266OBP .367 SLG

 

Player A is now the starting CF for the Iowa Cubs and Player B is the starting SS for the best team in baseball.

 

Remember they sent Corey down because he couldnt get on and he couldnt hit and struck out a bunch of times.  If he was on this team he would be exhaulted as a defensive wizard.

 

The difference is that Corey was a touted propect that is expected to be a force at the top of the lineup, Uribe is a bottom of the order hitter and we know that he is there for his defense. That doesn't mean that Uribe is a problem at the plate, but it does tell you why one is in AAA and one isn't.

[AnthraxFan93]

Give him this at least, his attitude changed the entire aspect and roster of this team, which has led to our success.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

About time someone other than me saw this truth.

[Rowand44]

It cracks me up more if someone thinks that Ozzie is actually a superior in-game manager.  That aspect is definitely not a strong suit of his.

There's no doubt about this but if he's not managing this team right now, we're no where near 30 over.

[AnthraxFan93]

Here's just a quick summary of how I feel with things (just to let some people know that I am indeed a Sox fan).  If you would have told me before the year that we'd be 10 games up with 68 games left in the season, I would have been absolutely thrilled.  I would have been so happy with that lead, even if the Sox had lost 20 games in a row.  Lets face it, if we can't hold onto a 13 game lead with 71 games left for not only the AL Central, but the Wild Card as well, then we don't deserve to make the playoffs.

 

For some reason, last night's game didn't even piss me off that much, as not once did it feel like the Sox were going to win it. You drop a routine foul pop up against one of the 10 best hitters in baseball history, and you deserve to lose. Now, by no means do I think it's a lock that the Sox will make the playoffs.  I don't think it's too negative for me to say that you'd have to be kidding yourselves if you really thought that this team was as good as it's record shows.  We've been so incredibly lucky in at least a dozen of games this season that we could have easily lost.  As long as we take advantage of breaks in the 2nd half, we should be ok.  We're not the type of team that can get away with bad defense in one game, and still coast to victory.

 

Some advice I'd give to Ozzie:  It's ok to trust your bullpen to get key outs earlier in the game than the 7th inning.  Cotts, Marte, Cliff, and Dustin have been great this year.  It's not a crime if you let them start the 7th inning of a game, and take the starting pitcher out BEFORE he gets in trouble.  Ozzie always tends to leave his starter in too long (rather than take him out too early), and it's been catching up to the Sox lately.  Also, it makes no sense to be playing smallball at the Cell when it's hot outside.  We're not going to win 2-1 games at the Cell like we did when it was cooler out.  The ball flies out of the Cell, and there's no reason to be playing smallball prior to the 7th inning.

 

Now, lets go out and start winning some home games.  BTW, if you're feeling down, check out the Twins schedule the rest of the way.  It's just as difficult as the Sox schedule.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Donny your out of your element

[Guest JimH]

About time someone other than me saw this truth.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

This statement implies that Williams gets no credit, sorry, you can't pull that crap over on me. I have been watching the game, and this franchise in particular, for longer than you've been on the planet.

 

It's total and complete naivety to suggest Ozzie is the one and only factor in changing this team's roster. I hope you're not suggesting that, and calling it a fact.

 

If you are ... it's just one more wrong assumption from you, in a string of many.

[Rowand44]

This statement implies that Williams gets no credit, sorry, you can't pull that crap over on me.  I have been watching the game, and this franchise in particular, for longer than you've been on the planet.

 

It's total and complete naivety to suggest Ozzie is the one and only factor in changing this team's roster.  I hope you're not suggesting that, and calling it a fact. 

 

If you are ... it's just one more wrong assumption from you, in a string of many.

This is an organization right now we're the manager and general manager are on the same page and that doesn't happen in a lot of places. Ozzie and Kenny had the same idea, Kenny went out and executed that plan pretty flawlessly.

[greg775]

Now, by no means do I think it's a lock that the Sox will make the playoffs. I don't think it's too negative for me to say that you'd have to be kidding yourselves if you really thought that this team was as good as it's record shows

 

No offense, fathom, but are you enjoying the season? You seem too stressed to me.

I don't want to curse us by saying we are locks to make the playoffs, but we have a hellacious team that is 30 over .500!!! Enjoy this. It's been great. We are going to lose 6, 7, 8 in a row before this season is over. s*** happens in baseball.

Oz has done a TREMENDOUS job. I know we can't get complacent, but as of now, we've been great. And I'm looking forward to Frank resting up and Carl playing every day and then hopefully Frank comes back in September and for the playoffs. He's proven how hot he can get.

[YASNY]

One thing that I am starting to pick up with Ozzie as a manager is that his focus is totally different than any manager I have ever seen.  He is a macro-manager vs everyone else in the league who is basically a micro-manager.  When Ozzie manages he always has something else in mind whenever he makes a move.  When he brings in a relief pitcher, it seems like not only is he trying to match up for an AB, he also is trying to learn something about a pitcher.  Like earlier in the season when he started using Neal Cotts in the 7th/8th innings when he never had before.  Ozzie was testing Neal to see if he could depend on him.  You would have never seen 95% of managers do something like this until they had to.

 

Its the same with the 3rd game line ups.  We all look at the one game and scream about how can you put those guys in the game?  By doing this Ozzie is seeing who responds to certian games and situations, so that he knows who he can use and when.  He also knows that come September and October, his guys are going to have their legs underneath them when they really need them.

 

Ozzie isn't about the moment as a manager, he is about the post-season and the stretch run.  All of his managing points like the regular season is one big spring training for the post season.

 

The macro-management looks completely different to us, because we are so used to seeing managers caught in the moment.  It is different to look a particular play in the context of a whole 162 games, but that is what is going on here.

 

I've been singing this tune for about a month, now. Usually saying things like 'Ozzie hasn't got the luxury to only play for today, he has to keep the long haul in mind'. I've used the Cotts example as well. I'm glad someone has seen the light and climbed on board with me.

[YASNY]

This statement implies that Williams gets no credit, sorry, you can't pull that crap over on me.  I have been watching the game, and this franchise in particular, for longer than you've been on the planet.

 

It's total and complete naivety to suggest Ozzie is the one and only factor in changing this team's roster.  I hope you're not suggesting that, and calling it a fact. 

 

If you are ... it's just one more wrong assumption from you, in a string of many.

 

Yes, I agree. That was a very transparent slap at KW. He's forgetting, of course, who hired Ozzie in addition to the fact that KW acquired all these new players that are making things click.