Skeptics Confession Corner

[GoRowand33]

i think the real test is the fenway series

 

the redsox are becoming pretty good

 

so i think ill be convinced we can win it all if we atleast look good against them if we cant take 2 outta 3

[TheBlackSox8]

It gives me hope when the three non-impressive(this year) pitchers on the Sox staff can hold the Yankees offense to 5 runs in 3 games.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

I was convinced early in the year when I posted a thread asking Soxtalk to come up with a nickname for this years Sox before the media did. Sadly it got very few responses. Maybe people thought I was jumping the gun a bit or no one wanted to use any brainpower. And before anyone else says it, maybe it was just a crappy thread.

Edited August 11, 2005 by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

[SadChiSoxFanOptimist]

Forgive me fellow SOX FANS for I am a sinner.

 

While thoroughly enjoying this season, screaming aloud at the sensational defensive plays (Rowand), the late inning, game-winning homers (Perczynkski, et. al.), dominating pitching (Buehrle, Garland, Contreras, Cotts, and Politte) and timely execution (TEAM), I have doubts. REAL DOUBTS about this team -- the best Sox team I've seen since 2000. (Been a rabid fan since early 60's).

 

I worry about:

> this teams' inability to score more runs -- especially against rinky dink 4.75+ ERA-havin' pitchers.

> our brain-cramping pitchers (Garcia/Contreras) who can totally blow 2 innings, then be perfect for 6.

> our shortstop who, while being an above average fielder with a "plus" arm, cannot hit for average or achieve a consistent on-base percentage

> ditto for our 3rd baseman

> what happens when Harpo (aka Harold Baines) has to manage if Ozzie gets kicked out. (will he come out of his coma and speak??)

> our lack of an established, strong-backed, dominating closer.

> Ozzie's overuse of the bullpen

> Ed Farmer. Period.

 

 

So, I've confessed and I feel better. It musta been the Prozak (or was it the Cialis?)

 

Let's hope and pray that our Sox "bone up" to overcome our dirly little doubts.

 

Best to you all.

[southsider2k5]

Kapkomet told me we would be in the World Series, that's when I started to believe.

[Art Vandelay]

That's exactly it.  I want to believe they'll win it all, but then I remember how many times they've let me down.

 

This is how I will feel until they record the last out in the World Series and finally bring a baseball championship back to the South Side of Chicago. The thing is, usually when you say things like this, people point out to you that you aren't enjoying the season. Quite the contrary--I am enjoying the season but I also realize that the playoffs are a whole 'nother season and everyone basically goes back to 0-0. That's when anything can happen.

 

Hopefully, it's finally our turn this year. Wouldn't a 2005 World Champions banner look sweet hanging at USCF?

[NUKE_CLEVELAND]

i'm not really an old-timer, but i admit i'm not fully convinced.

 

the yankees aren't that good, although beating them 2 of 3 at home was quite a feat.

 

the pitching has me convinced, the hitting doesn't.  not because we don't have guys with .330 ba's, or .400 OBP's, but because there are too many regulars that can't get things done via productive outs or walks. 

 

i get more convinced though every game

 

 

People are probably going to beat me up over this and I really hope Im proven wrong but even with Carl back in the lineup I think its just too easy to shut this team down. They all ( with the exception of Pods and Gooch ) have a tendency to swing for a 3 run homer with nobody on base. If they persist like that in the playoffs its gonna be lights out for this team before we even finish printing the playoff tickets.

[Mplssoxfan]

People are probably going to beat me up over this and I really hope Im proven wrong but even with Carl back in the lineup I think its just too easy to shut this team down.  They all ( with the exception of Pods and Gooch ) have a tendency to swing for a 3 run homer with nobody on base.  If they persist like that in the playoffs its gonna be lights out for this team before we even finish printing the playoff tickets.

 

 

Nuke, I promise I'm not picking on you; rather I'm using this post as an example of the principle that "familiarity breeds contempt." We are so invested in this ballclub that a great many of ourselves, myself included, are much more ready to jump on the Sox's flaws than their strong points. We have been knocking on the door and have been teased so many times since the early '90's that we connot believe our eyes.

 

Can this ballclub be beat? Do they have flaws? Check and check. The same is true of Boston, Oakland, Anaheim and New York.

 

My mood is guarded optimism. Which I think is better than the guarded skepticism I usually project.

[YASNY]

I have long believed that this team is capable of winning it all. That doesn't mean I'm convinced that it will. The big thing that this Yankee series showed me about the Sox was that they didn't wilt on the big stage. They were in 3 tight, tough ballgames and played well. No bonehead mistakes or major choke jobs. They grinded out two tough victories and showed plenty of backbone while doing it.

 

I will be let down by this team if they roll over and die to anyone in the playoffs. If they play well but get beat, then I'll be disappointed that it wasn't meant to be. I won't consider it that the team let me down if they go down fighting.

[Rowand44]

Nuke, I promise I'm not picking on you; rather I'm using this post as an example of the principle that "familiarity breeds contempt."  We are so invested in this ballclub that a great many of ourselves, myself included, are much more ready to jump on the Sox's flaws than their strong points.  We have been knocking on the door and have been teased so many times since the early '90's that we connot believe our eyes.

 

Can this ballclub be beat?  Do they have flaws?  Check and check.  The same is true of Boston, Oakland, Anaheim and New York.

 

My mood is guarded optimism.  Which I think is better than the guarded skepticism I usually project.

Fantastic post. Very well said.

[kapkomet]

Kapkomet told me we would be in the World Series, that's when I started to believe.

No, it's all you. If it weren't for some baby being due around that time, I would say that there's no way in hell. Heck, I'd be posting s*** like fathom.

 

/just messin' with you fathom

[Texsox]

My feeling is they found a way to win, with the top of the order slumping and Ozzie trying to find some magic. Any team in baseball can win when they got 6 or 7 guys playing well. The Sox are winning with only a couple guys hitting right now.

[Soxpranos]

This was the series to convince you?

 

If anything, I left this series questioning the Sox offense more than ever before.

 

Just a fact... the past 12 world series winners .. only one team has won it with a top 5 E.R.A. ,The rest were all hitting teams.

[S720]

I would only be convinced once I saw the World Series Championship Trophy being carried around by Buehrle, Garland, Garcia, El Duque, Contreras, Hermanson, Politte, etc.

 

Until then, I will still have a little bit of concern, doubt, excitement, anticipation, happiness, sadness, etc.

 

Guess what? We're not the only ones. Other contending teams are feeling the same way. It's natural!

[Yossarian]

I have long believed that this team is capable of winning it all. That doesn't mean I'm convinced that it will.  The big thing that this Yankee series showed me about the Sox was that they didn't wilt on the big stage.  They were in 3 tight, tough ballgames and played well.  No bonehead mistakes or major choke jobs.  They grinded out two tough victories and showed plenty of backbone while doing it.

 

I will be let down by this team if they roll over and die to anyone in the playoffs.  If they play well but get beat, then I'll be disappointed that it wasn't meant to be.  I won't consider it that the team let me down if they go down fighting.

Excellent post.

[Wong & Owens]

I've bumped this only because I've had a skeptic's revelation. It's not a good one, however.

 

This year's Sox have one thing common with the 2000 Sox. This year's Sox won't score a run in the playoffs either. Just an opinion, based on watching a LOT of games this year. For all the "Smartball" blathering, these guys still don't score much beyond the solo home run. Especially when Pods is out of the lineup or going through a slump.

 

It was Ozuna hitting into that DP yesterday that sealed it for me, for some reason.

['94WorldChamps]

I've bumped this only because I've had a skeptic's revelation.  It's not a good one, however.

 

This year's Sox have one thing common with the 2000 Sox.  This year's Sox won't score a run in the playoffs either.  Just an opinion, based on watching a LOT of games this year.  For all the "Smartball" blathering, these guys still don't score much beyond the solo home run.  Especially when Pods is out of the lineup or going through a slump. 

 

It was Ozuna hitting into that DP yesterday that sealed it for me, for some reason.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

October baseball's too crazy to ever just cross a team out like that.

 

Rememer that Cabrera start in Baltimore where we scored 8 runs or so without a HR? Who knows, these schmucks may repeat the feat in October - in spite of their best efforts to screw things up

 

I'd much rather Sawks, A's go into Postseason looking past the "overrated" White Sox. You just know our guys perform better as underdogs. Much better.

[nitetrain8601]

I've bumped this only because I've had a skeptic's revelation.  It's not a good one, however.

 

This year's Sox have one thing common with the 2000 Sox.  This year's Sox won't score a run in the playoffs either.  Just an opinion, based on watching a LOT of games this year.  For all the "Smartball" blathering, these guys still don't score much beyond the solo home run.  Especially when Pods is out of the lineup or going through a slump. 

 

It was Ozuna hitting into that DP yesterday that sealed it for me, for some reason.

 

I agree. You'll probably get ripped apart for criticizing the first place team, blah blah blah.

[Yossarian]

People are probably going to beat me up over this and I really hope Im proven wrong but even with Carl back in the lineup I think its just too easy to shut this team down.  They all ( with the exception of Pods and Gooch ) have a tendency to swing for a 3 run homer with nobody on base.  If they persist like that in the playoffs its gonna be lights out for this team before we even finish printing the playoff tickets.

I'm not going to beat you up. I pretty much agree. I'm also concerned about Pods, Crede, and Hermanson. All of them have physical problems. I remember in 2000 the Sox started the playoffs with a rotation that essentially belonged in the hospital ward. I never forget how much the loss of Big Frank has cost this team. Evened in his weakened condition, he struck fear in the hearts of pitchers, and gave those hitters in front and back of him better pitches to swing at. I'm very concerned.

[Texsox]

 

Nothing like a 4 game losing streak to cloud the mind.

[Gene Honda Civic]

I'll believe it when I see it.

I see dead people

[Texsox]

LMAO Gene QOTM worthy.

[JUGGERNAUT]

The Cards finally caught up to us. My body is still in the wagon but my foot is hovering about the road.

 

We've got the talent, but I don't think we have the manager. Our record against teams > .500 is nothing to shout about.

 

The team has not been the same since Pods got injured. This is even before he went on the DL. We don't pressure opposing pitchers enough now & our offense is becoming increasingly reliant on the long ball.

 

So what does our fine mgr/gm do? They bring up a suspect arm for the pen & an OF who is not known for stealing bases. Meanwhile a guy with 45BB, .398OBP, & 32SB remains in Birmingham.

 

It's comical to a degree because I never heard KW mention Owens. Instead he was justifying Anderson over Borchy.

 

Apparently our mgr believes Timo is the CAN-DO-EVERYTHING guy on this team. With that thinking how can we possibly lose?

 

I hate to say this but the best thing that can happen to the White Sox is if Timo goes on the DL.