I can't take it anymore...

[Jordan4life_2007]

As most people in here know, I've been one of the more optimistic posters on this site all year long. No matter what the current situation has been at the time, I've always taken the glass is half full stance with this team. Now, with just 39 games to go, I've come to a pretty simple conclusion: this team simply isn't that good. We've waited all year for this team to hit its "rhythm," as Hawk likes to so often say. Well, with September right around the corner, this team still hasn't put it all together yet. At some point you have to realize what you are: a very good offensive team that can outslug just about anybody, yet a poorly coached team with an average at best pitching staff, shaky defense and terrible fundamentals all around -- especially when it comes to things like bunting, hitting the damn cut-off man, holding runners and baserunning.

 

This team has done one thing well all year -- hit. That's it. They've been below average to bad in every other aspect of baseball. They haven't pitched. They haven't catched. They can't bunt. They can't hit a cut-off man. They can't run the bases (A lot of this is Joey Cora. I'll get to him in a second). Everything we excelled at just one year ago, we've been brutal at this year. This team has been lackadaisical, lazy and, for the most part, has lacked focus. We all knew coming into this year that we were gonna be the hunted. Everybody was gonna be comin' for us. How have we responded? Very poorly. It's like this team thinks it's entitled to something because of what they accomplished last year. Take this last series with the Twins for example. The Twins have treated this series like it's the playoffs. All their guys were ready and focused. Our guys? Well, I heard Joe Crede say this series isn't that big a deal. Not that big a deal? Are you an idiot? Mark Buehrle is another guy who brushed this series off as if it wasn't much to get excited over. Hello!? It's not May! There should be a little more sense of urgency with just a little over a month left to go in the season -- atleast you would think. I will break down my biggest problems with this team:

 

Kenny Williams: I love the guy. He put together a World Series championship team. For that, I will forever be greatful. He without a doubt upgraded the offense and bench. However, Kenny really blew it with the Vazquez trade. I questioned it all the way back in December. You had a guy in Brandon McCarthy who was more than ready and capable to step into the rotation. Yet he trades a top 20 prospect and a decent middle reliever (I don't care about Duque) for a guy that had been known around the league as an underachieving headcase, who had already been traded twice in two years. And what really makes me mad is with Javy basically demanding to be traded, the D-Backs HAD to move him. What I'm saying is, we didn't have to give up as much as we did. Atleast that's the way I see it. The D-backs were the ones being held hostage here. Yet we overpaid. My only other legitimate beef with Kenny is the inability to find a decent backup OF. Mainly a guy that can play CF. I don't even have to get into that. We all know how bad Mack is in center.

 

Ozzie and the coaching staff: Like with Kenny, I'll forever be in debt to Ozzie. He managed our White Sox to a World Series championship. However, he hasn't done as good of job this year. If you're gonna give a guy all the credit when you win, you have to give him atleast some of the blame, not much, but some of it when you underachieve. Why is this team so bad right now as far as fundamentals go? Isn't this what Ozzie Guillen teams are supposed to be known for? Also, he hasn't handled the pitching staff well at all. I had no problem with him leaving guys in there earlier in the year when they were struggling. Ozzie has faith in his guys. I've got no problem with that. But it's August now. It's time to stop messing around with these guys. If they don't have it -- get them outta there. Joey Cora in particular has gotten on my nerves. This guy is like a kid in a candy store when it comes to waving guys home -- even when they have no chance. You have to realize who the heck is running at the time. This isn't a speed team. You have to use a little more caution when waving guys in. Don Cooper was praised up-and-down for the job he did with last year's staff. He deserved every bit of that praise. Now, he must get some of the blame for what's happened this year. Every single one of our starters is having a worse year than last year. How the hell does that happen? He's done a great job with Matt Thornton. You gotta give him that. Why has Neal Cotts been so brutal? I've just never seen so many guys off a team that won it all the year before struggle like this. Can this all be blamed on Coop? Of course not. But like I said with Ozzie: if you're gonna give a guy all the credit when things go well, you gotta take some of the blame when they don't.

 

Starting pitching: What is there to say? They've been the single biggest dissapointment on this team. Other than Burhele and to a lesser extent Garland, nobody can hold a damn runner. We can't make the big pitch. We can't pitch over defensive mistakes. We can't finish off guys with two strikes. It goes on and on.

 

Defense: Nowhere near as good as last year. We've looked lazy and lackadaisical in the field. That's unacceptable for a team that was so good defensively a year ago.

 

Fundamentals: Brutal. Pathetic. Like I said, we can't bunt, run the bases or hit a damn cut-off man.

 

Scott Podsednik: I'm one of the few Podsednik supporters around here. But he has to be called out. Is this the same guy from a year ago? I have no idea what his problem is. The only thing he's done well this year is hit with RISP. He's a liability out there if he not gonna utilize his speed.

 

Neal Cotts: Didn't we trade Damaso Marte? What the hell is he still doing here?

 

Anyway, I'm gonna stop now. I just had to let this out. I've been holding it in for a while. Sorry about the length. I just had a lot to say.

 

Oh, and it's nice to see that we're taking advantage of the Tigers' slump.

[Milkman delivers]

OK, I haven't read this thread yet, but I thought I'd try to lighten the mood for a second.

 

When I saw the name of this thread and then looked at who started it, I was surprised to see it wasn't fathom or myself.

[fathom]

Ugh...you were usually one of the posters who made me think there was hope! Basically, the problems you mentioned are what happened from 2001-2004.

 

Neal Cotts allowed 1 homer in about 65 innings last year.

This year, it's 8 homers in about 49 innings.

[GoRowand33]

when I saw the thread title I thought Milkman made it

 

anyways as long as we stay even with the Tigers and then beat them head to head I think we are ok

 

yes the pitching sucks, but did anyone honestly expect to win today anyways with Johan pitching?

[fathom]

OK, I haven't read this thread yet, but I thought I'd try to lighten the mood for a second.

 

When I saw the name of this thread and then looked at who started it, I was surprised to see it wasn't fathom or myself.

 

Hell, I'm not even that upset today. Everyone in the world knew that the Sox would lose today. I would have bet my life savings on the Twins today. I'm happy we're still up in the Wild Card. Unless we get more than 1 game behind in the standings, I will always be optimistic (even if I don't express it in my posts).

[Milkman delivers]

After reading it, I agree completely with every last point you made.

 

Welcome to the dark side.

[WSoxMatt]

Stop watching then...its that easy

[Milkman delivers]

when I saw the thread title I thought Milkman made it

 

anyways as long as we stay even with the Tigers and then beat them head to head I think we are ok

 

yes the pitching sucks, but did anyone honestly expect to win today anyways with Johan pitching?

 

OK, I haven't read this thread yet, but I thought I'd try to lighten the mood for a second.

 

When I saw the name of this thread and then looked at who started it, I was surprised to see it wasn't fathom or myself.

 

 

Hell, I'm not even that upset today. Everyone in the world knew that the Sox would lose today. I would have bet my life savings on the Twins today. I'm happy we're still up in the Wild Card. Unless we get more than 1 game behind in the standings, I will always be optimistic (even if I don't express it in my posts).

 

I'm really not mad either. Funny thing is that I seem to be angry when others are calm and vice versa.

[CWSGuy406]

I've come to a pretty simple conclusion: this team simply isn't that good.

 

That's where you're wrong.

 

4.80

3.78

5.13

4.73

4.87

 

If I would've told you that halfway through August, these would be the five ERAs of our starting staff, first off, you probably would've laughed at me, and second, you probably would have thought if what I said was true, that the Sox would be, at best, a .500 team battling for third or fourth place in the AL Central.

 

Want to know what I've taken from these past two series'?

 

a.) We play to our competition.

 

b.) We don't match up well with Minnesota; especially in that POS dome up north.

 

I actually feel extremely confident going into this series with Detroit. The guys will be amped, we've taken it to Detroit this year, and we're coming off of two "letdown" series'. I believe the Sox have a very good shot to take three of four. And if that happens, everyone will be feelin' good again, just like it's been all year long with this friggin' frustrating team.

[fathom]

I'm really not mad either. Funny thing is that I seem to be angry when others are calm and vice versa.

 

Yeah, the three things I'm angry about are:

 

- PK's lack of focus at the plate/in the field in the first 4 innings

- Ozzie using Cotts when we're down 2 in the 8th

- Our outfield defense continuing to have the baseball IQ of a 5 yr old.

 

See, I like this thread because people are actually making valid points and using statistics/observations instead of just saying "these guys suck, I can't wait until we can unload Vaz/Garcia/Pods for Carl Crawford and Jason Schmidt this offseason".

 

I do miss the days though when it seemed like there was a White Sox Winner thread 70 pct of the time.

[Milkman delivers]

Yeah, the three things I'm angry about are:

 

- PK's lack of focus at the plate/in the field in the first 4 innings

- Ozzie using Cotts when we're down 2 in the 8th

- Our outfield defense continuing to have the baseball IQ of a 5 yr old.

 

See, I like this thread because people are actually making valid points and using statistics/observations instead of just saying "these guys suck, I can't wait until we can unload Vaz/Garcia/Pods for Carl Crawford and Jason Schmidt this offseason".

 

I do miss the days though when it seemed like there was a White Sox Winner thread 70 pct of the time.

 

And the optimists in this thread aren't acting high-and-mighty.

[fathom]

And the optimists in this thread aren't acting high-and-mighty.

 

That must be because all of the good posters no longer visit this site.

[Jordan4life_2007]

That's where you're wrong.

 

4.80

3.78

5.13

4.73

4.87

 

If I would've told you that halfway through August, these would be the five ERAs of our starting staff, first off, you probably would've laughed at me, and second, you probably would have thought if what I said was true, that the Sox would be, at best, a .500 team battling for third or fourth place in the AL Central.

 

Want to know what I've taken from these past two series'?

 

a.) We play to our competition.

 

b.) We don't match up well with Minnesota; especially in that POS dome up north.

 

I actually feel extremely confident going into this series with Detroit. The guys will be amped, we've taken it to Detroit this year, and we're coming off of two "letdown" series'. I believe the Sox have a very good shot to take three of four. And if that happens, everyone will be feelin' good again, just like it's been all year long with this friggin' frustrating team.

 

I credit the fact that we're still up 1 game in the WC to our offense. They've been amazing all year long. I just really question how much longer we can hold on with the pitching being so shaky. I'll be satisfied if we can just get 3 of our 5 guys goin' right now. Jon Garland seems up to the task. Buehrle is slowly gettin' back to being Buehrle. Jose, other than that start against Detroit, hasn't been exactly stellar. I'm not even gonna get into Freddy and Javy. And let me clarify my statement of this team not being that good. What I really mean to say is this isn't a good 'baseball' team. If that makes sense. We're talented beyond comprehension. We can mash with anybody. We just don't do the things well that make up a good baseball team. The Twins play good baseball. They're not that talented. They certainly can't mash. But they can play baseball. I hope that makes sense.

Edited August 20, 2006 by Jordan4life_2006

[jphat007]

this team simply isn't that good.

 

So are we just one of the luckiest teams in baseball to be where we are?

 

We are only 3 games behind where we were at this time last year.

 

The Twins, Sox and Tigers are all playing about 2 games better than their numbers would suggest they should play.

 

I see a lot of people saying that this team is like 2004 and those years. In 2004 through 122 games in the season, we were 60-62. Right now we are 73-50. In 2003 we were 63-59.

 

Despite Detroit playing out of their minds this year, we are only 5 games back in the loss column. So, you are telling me the difference between a team that "simply isn't that good" and one that is pretty awesome in the Tigers is only 5 games?

 

But I respect your opinion. You make it without whining everytime something goes wrong. I disagree, but respect the fact that you don't make your feelings known one way or the other after every good or bad thing that happens.

 

Nonetheless, I can think of 10 or 11 teams in the AL that would like to suck as much as we do.

[whitesoxfan101]

That game was pretty sickening, but I still have confidence we will overcome the Tigers, Twins, and Ozzie (he is officially an obstacle after bringing in Cotts again today, inexcuseable) and somehow make the playoffs. But damnit this is frusterating, however this inconsistent crap will continue the rest of the year. Let's just hope we can stack enough wins.

[Grindersrule]

I think this doom and gloom is a little over the top. We are on pace to win 95 games, only 4 less than last year. If we have a good (3 or 4 win ) series in Detroit, we still have a decent shot at taking the division. If we can step up our winning pace just a little, we have a reasonable chance to finish with the best record in the AL and home field through the WS again.

 

Sure this is optimistic, but it is not out of the realm of possibility. Even if we fall short of this success, in my opinion we are still over 50% to make the playoffs. Garland is looking good and if Mark and Jose are on at playoff time we CAN repeat.

 

It's gonna take some work, but this is still one of the 5 best SOX teams in the last 30 years. They can be champs again.

[fathom]

So are we just one of the luckiest teams in baseball to be where we are?

 

We are only 3 games behind where we were at this time last year.

 

The Twins, Sox and Tigers are all playing about 2 games better than their numbers would suggest they should play.

 

I see a lot of people saying that this team is like 2004 and those years. In 2004 through 122 games in the season, we were 60-62. Right now we are 73-50. In 2003 we were 63-59.

 

Despite Detroit playing out of their minds this year, we are only 5 games back in the loss column. So, you are telling me the difference between a team that "simply isn't that good" and one that is pretty awesome in the Tigers is only 5 games?

 

But I respect your opinion. You make it without whining everytime something goes wrong. I disagree, but respect the fact that you don't make your feelings known one way or the other after every good or bad thing that happens.

 

Nonetheless, I can think of 10 or 11 teams in the AL that would like to suck as much as we do.

 

I think a much more accurate statement would be to say this team isn't on par with last year's team. So many people expected us to match the achievements of last year's team (greatest rotation ever, etc). Even if this team has more talent this year, last year's team overachieved compared to too many guys on this team underachieving. Our 3-4-5 is just awesome this year though, and Crede's been a star.

Edited August 20, 2006 by fathom

[Jordan4life_2007]

So are we just one of the luckiest teams in baseball to be where we are?

 

We are only 3 games behind where we were at this time last year.

 

The Twins, Sox and Tigers are all playing about 2 games better than their numbers would suggest they should play.

 

I see a lot of people saying that this team is like 2004 and those years. In 2004 through 122 games in the season, we were 60-62. Right now we are 73-50. In 2003 we were 63-59.

 

Despite Detroit playing out of their minds this year, we are only 5 games back in the loss column. So, you are telling me the difference between a team that "simply isn't that good" and one that is pretty awesome in the Tigers is only 5 games?

 

But I respect your opinion. You make it without whining everytime something goes wrong. I disagree, but respect the fact that you don't make your feelings known one way or the other after every good or bad thing that happens.

 

Nonetheless, I can think of 10 or 11 teams in the AL that would like to suck as much as we do.

 

Read my response to CWSGUY. I should've been a little more clearer. And let me make this known. I'm in no way giving up on the season. Nowhere in my original post did I say the season was over. I just don't like what I'm seeing right now. Be honest Jphat, if the season ended today, would you feel good about our chances in the playoffs? I certainly don't. I know there's still 39 games to go. You just wonder if this team is ever gonna put it all together. Time is running out.

[Allsox]

Good pts, Jordan. I think the other problem with this team is they seem to be tired of how teams are fired up against them because they're the champs. Like KC for example, they were really determined to knock them off and it seems as if the Sox are getting worn down from that competitive intensity night in, night out. That could explain some of the "flat" performances lately. Detroit seems to be the only team that hasn't brought that to the Sox, yet.

[jphat007]

Read my response to CWSGUY. I should've been a little more clearer. And let me make this known. I'm in no way giving up on the season. Nowhere in my original post did I say the season was over. I just don't like what I'm seeing right now. Be honest Jphat, if the season ended today, would you feel good about our chances in the playoffs? I certainly don't. I know there's still 39 games to go. You just wonder if this team is ever gonna put it all together. Time is running out.

 

I would feel that we would have just as good a shot of winning as anybody else.

[fathom]

I think I'm the only one to feel like this team did have their "rhythm" earlier in the year. For the first few months of this season, we had 6 of our starters on offense overachieving at the plate. When you couple that with our starters being much better at the beginning of the season (besides Garland), we were playing pretty damn well. Not many teams will have 6 guys going well at the plate. Our biggest weakness earlier in the year was our bullpen, but now I would say that's our greatest strength (besides Cotts).

[fathom]

Watching this team day in and day out, your 100%. Hawk gets alot of crap(for REAL good reason) but his criticism this year has been dead on.

 

The last two months of the season would have been much worse if not for some terrific annoucing by Hawk and DJ. They're not trying to shove down our throats how great Ozzie and this team are.

[Grindersrule]

I would feel that we would have just as good a shot of winning as anybody else.

Better shot.

 

We own the tiggies and no one from the National league scares me. Get past the Yanks ( 50/50) We got a great shot to repeat, if we get in.

[Jordan4life_2007]

I would feel that we would have just as good a shot of winning as anybody else.

 

I wish I could be like you. LOL. I'm normally pretty optimistic.

[whitesoxfan101]

Watching this team day in and day out, your 100%. Hawk gets alot of crap(for REAL good reason) but his criticism this year has been dead on.

 

Yep. Hawk whines too much about the umps, but his analysis of this team has been 100 percent dead on accurate this season. Problem is, he's said all year we're not going to make it to October unless the starters get more consistent, and I don't have faith that all 5 (or even 4, MAYBE 3 could) at the same time.