Sean Tracey

[SpringfieldFan]

The comcast gun is slow, not as slow as the WCIU/WGN gun, but it's still a few ticks slow. He was probably 92-94 tonight, but that is also with just 2 days rest after starting and pitching 7 innings on Monday.

 

Just watching those four seamers, I could tell you were not 89/90. They weren't Jenksian, but they were faster then those readings. I would say 93-95.

 

SFF

[klaus kinski]

He seemed poised in front of likely the biggest crowd he's ever pitched in front of. And I hope that AJ is in the game when he pitches

[WCSox]

Hawk complained about the gun throughout the series. Strange that they can get a true reading in the park, but they cannot on the TV.

 

The Comcast gun seems to be about 2-3 mph slower than the ballpark's gun.

[Balta1701]

The Comcast gun was a disaster all series. My personal favorite was the Verlander game. The fastest pitch thrown that day topped out at 94 on that gun...and it was thrown by Jenks.

 

And, um, "The Eagle"?

[elrockinMT]

Perhaps we can get Cliff a video of Tracey pitching for when he returns.

 

 

Don't get too down on Cliff Politte. I suspected arm problems and he is now on the D/L albeit a bit late for shoulder problems. We need Cliff and I hope he gets healthy quick.

[NYSox35]

Don't get too down on Cliff Politte. I suspected arm problems and he is now on the D/L albeit a bit late for shoulder problems. We need Cliff and I hope he gets healthy quick.

 

Exactly, like Poppy Hidalgo said, we need to keep Cliff and his family in our prayers and hope he can work through this difficult time...

[Kalapse]

There's a damn good chance Cliff isn't even injured but instead placed on the DL do to his inability to strikeout an 80 year old woman (should the opportunity present itself) and maybe a bit of shoulder soreness. Even if he is injured it's only a sore shoulder, he's not seriously injured or anything. There's a lot of people much more deserving of your prayers. Personally, I think Freddy is more injured than Cliff right now.

[NYSox35]

There's a damn good chance Cliff isn't even injured but instead placed on the DL do to his inability to strikeout an 80 year old woman (should the opportunity present itself) and maybe a bit of shoulder soreness. Even if he is injured it's only a sore shoulder, he's not seriously injured or anything. There's a lot of people much more deserving of your prayers. Personally, I think Freddy is more injured than Cliff right now.

 

Hhaah...I know man, should've opted for green text

[Chisoxfn]

It was an impressive display by Tracey, especially since he was probably a bit tired from throwing 7 innings (although this would have been the time of his side-session) and one thing I remember hearing from Tracey (Which was backed up by Brandon) was the fact that Tracey throws (between starts) a lot more than a typical guy.

 

Brandon mentioned how his arm was ridiculous. Oh, I also think having Tracey in Chicago will help Brandon really adjust to the majors. Brandon is professional, but I think its going to be nice to have someone that he developed with and the two are pretty tight.

[whitesoxfan101]

I know it's been said here by some, but I agree that if Tracey can have consistent control, he could be a Scot Shields type out of the pen.

[GoodAsGould]

I know it's been said here by some, but I agree that if Tracey can have consistent control, he could be a Scot Shields type out of the pen.

 

This is kind of off topic but didnt Shields throw something like a 200 plus pitches in a college or highschool game? Id like to see Tracey do that

[beautox]

I know it's been said here by some, but I agree that if Tracey can have consistent control, he could be a Scot Shields type out of the pen.

 

that would be nice, i thought maybe McCarthy could've/could be that bridge this year.

[whitesoxfan101]

that would be nice, i thought maybe McCarthy could've/could be that bridge this year.

 

B Mac is going to be a VERY good starter....but I think it's pretty clear he doesn't have that "rubber arm" type mentality in the pen and isn't a guy that can pitch 3 times in 5 days and get it done. He's just a starter, that's really all there is too it IMO.

 

This is kind of off topic but didnt Shields throw something like a 200 plus pitches in a college or highschool game? Id like to see Tracey do that

 

Yeah he did, and so did Kerry Wood on more than 1 occasion...

[NYSox35]

B Mac is going to be a VERY good starter....but I think it's pretty clear he doesn't have that "rubber arm" type mentality in the pen and isn't a guy that can pitch 3 times in 5 days and get it done. He's just a starter, that's really all there is too it IMO.

Yeah he did, and so did Kerry Wood on more than 1 occasion...

 

It's not Dusty's fault. It's poor mechanics.

[beautox]

Another thing i like about Tracey from what ive read is that his kid has stones "During the first few days of this past White Sox Spring Training in Tucson, a young pitcher walked into Ozzie Guillen's office, introduced himself and then told the manager that he was going to make the team.", Now its apparent this is a "Fluff" peice but still.

 

/obligatory Dusty post

Edited June 9, 2006 by beautox

[Balta1701]

B Mac is going to be a VERY good starter....but I think it's pretty clear he doesn't have that "rubber arm" type mentality in the pen and isn't a guy that can pitch 3 times in 5 days and get it done. He's just a starter, that's really all there is too it IMO.

What makes that so clear? The fact that on 4-5 days rest after pitching 1-2 innings, BMac has come out rusty and struggled?

[Chisoxfn]

What makes that so clear? The fact that on 4-5 days rest after pitching 1-2 innings, BMac has come out rusty and struggled?

Seriously, the way Ozzie has handled him and Anderson has been a total JOKE. I love Ozzie and all but he's really done a shoddy job handling those two individuals.

[Balta1701]

Seriously, the way Ozzie has handled him and Anderson has been a total JOKE. I love Ozzie and all but he's really done a shoddy job handling those two individuals.

Honestly, I see your point with Anderson, but it's also hard to really fault the way Ozzie's handled that, he gave Anderson plenty of chances until Mack finally caught that hot streak, he had to try to play Mack while he was hot (he no longer is) just to try to get a few more hits, and it seems like Anderson has only gotten worse. Brian just hasn't given Ozzie any options. God I wish that kid could just square up a few balls and plant them somewhere, it'd make this season so much easier.

[beautox]

I Concur maybe it'll happen tonight, id love nothing more than for Brian to silence me and go 3-4.

[Chisoxfn]

Honestly, I see your point with Anderson, but it's also hard to really fault the way Ozzie's handled that, he gave Anderson plenty of chances until Mack finally caught that hot streak, he had to try to play Mack while he was hot (he no longer is) just to try to get a few more hits, and it seems like Anderson has only gotten worse. Brian just hasn't given Ozzie any options. God I wish that kid could just square up a few balls and plant them somewhere, it'd make this season so much easier.

He made Anderson appear like a scapegoat. Anderson is exactly what this team needs, sure we could use hte offense, but I'm really f*cking sick and tired of seeing terrible defensive outfielders out in CF and LF. We are a team built on pitching and our staff has given up quite a few extra runs because we've had Mack and Ozuna in the outfield way too much (In Mack's case CF). This blame isn't on Rob or Pablo, but it is on Ozzie who is putting these guys in positions where they can't succeed (at least not 100% because they suck at those respected positions defensively).

 

We have 7 guys killing the ball, if thats not enough I don't know what is. So whats the harm in having two guys tha can catch the ball and make the amazing play as well. Anderson and Uribe are upper echelon defensive players on a team that has as good of a top 7 as anyone in baseball (offensively).

 

Here's a hint....Brian Anderson should start in CF a minimum of 5 games a week, let Rob play 1 or 2 a week with him getting another start somewhere else (after all he is a utility man, give him Dye's days off as well as Thome/Konerko's and let him replace Pods with Ozuna playing SS on ocassion to give Uribe a day off).

[greasywheels121]

He made Anderson appear like a scapegoat. Anderson is exactly what this team needs, sure we could use hte offense, but I'm really f*cking sick and tired of seeing terrible defensive outfielders out in CF and LF. We are a team built on pitching and our staff has given up quite a few extra runs because we've had Mack and Ozuna in the outfield way too much (In Mack's case CF). This blame isn't on Rob or Pablo, but it is on Ozzie who is putting these guys in positions where they can't succeed (at least not 100% because they suck at those respected positions defensively).

 

We have 7 guys killing the ball, if thats not enough I don't know what is. So whats the harm in having two guys tha can catch the ball and make the amazing play as well. Anderson and Uribe are upper echelon defensive players on a team that has as good of a top 7 as anyone in baseball (offensively).

 

Here's a hint....Brian Anderson should start in CF a minimum of 5 games a week, let Rob play 1 or 2 a week with him getting another start somewhere else (after all he is a utility man, give him Dye's days off as well as Thome/Konerko's and let him replace Pods with Ozuna playing SS on ocassion to give Uribe a day off).

 

Excellent stuff Jason. I can't say I disagree with any of it.

[Balta1701]

We have 7 guys killing the ball, if thats not enough I don't know what is. So whats the harm in having two guys tha can catch the ball and make the amazing play as well. Anderson and Uribe are upper echelon defensive players on a team that has as good of a top 7 as anyone in baseball (offensively).

Problem is, right now, we don't have 7 guys killing the ball. Konerko hit like .240 in May, Podsednik is putting up a Brian Anderson-worthy .091 so far in June, AJ can't hit with RISP, Iguchi has been off for at least the last week, and we're right now just down to hoping our big 3 can do something with no one on base. We're s*** at manufacturing runs right now, and when any of our key guys get shut down, we wind up hitting a couple solo shots and hoping the pitching comes through.

[Chisoxfn]

Problem is, right now, we don't have 7 guys killing the ball. Konerko hit like .240 in May, Podsednik is putting up a Brian Anderson-worthy .091 so far in June, AJ can't hit with RISP, Iguchi has been off for at least the last week, and we're right now just down to hoping our big 3 can do something with no one on base. We're s*** at manufacturing runs right now, and when any of our key guys get shut down, we wind up hitting a couple solo shots and hoping the pitching comes through.

So what, its a slump, stick with what we have which is 7 pretty good offensive players atop our lineup. Offense goes on slumps, defense doesn't, so during a time like this its even more important to ensure that we won't give up extra runs.

 

But Ozzie has done the opposite (and I don't have a problem looking for offense if we need a spark plug or have struggled all season with it) and we've seen game after game where we've given up a few extra runs thanks to having s*** defensive players out there. Brian Anderson and his .160 avg is more valuable than Rob Mack and his .250 avg on this White Sox team (and starting in CF).

 

Anderson has easily saved more runs than Mack has batted in and has kept this team in a lot of ball games. I wish he would start hitting, but the only way he's going to do that is with more practice. He has a hole in his swing down and away and pitchers are exploiting it. He's also struggled with ihs approach, but both are fixable with time and a good work ethic and from everything I've heard Anderson has that (and he has the tools).

 

Patience is all thats needed.

[Misplaced_Sox]

^^^ great well thought out post and I agree... plus I dont think Ba gets enough solid chances.

 

Leave him in for a month straight with maybe 4 days off inside there until all star break and then lets decide on him.

[Harry Chappas]

So what, its a slump, stick with what we have which is 7 pretty good offensive players atop our lineup. Offense goes on slumps, defense doesn't, so during a time like this its even more important to ensure that we won't give up extra runs.

 

But Ozzie has done the opposite (and I don't have a problem looking for offense if we need a spark plug or have struggled all season with it) and we've seen game after game where we've given up a few extra runs thanks to having s*** defensive players out there. Brian Anderson and his .160 avg is more valuable than Rob Mack and his .250 avg on this White Sox team (and starting in CF).

 

Anderson has easily saved more runs than Mack has batted in and has kept this team in a lot of ball games. I wish he would start hitting, but the only way he's going to do that is with more practice. He has a hole in his swing down and away and pitchers are exploiting it. He's also struggled with ihs approach, but both are fixable with time and a good work ethic and from everything I've heard Anderson has that (and he has the tools).

 

Patience is all thats needed.

 

Your last two posts are right on. Other slumping players are killing us. If Pods is not on base, he does not deserve a uniform. Anderson is a gold glove caliber CF. Other guys are paid to hit, Iguchi, Pods, AJ. ANderson is not.