a great post overlooked in the game thread...

[Greg Hibbard]

Soxbadger wrote:

 

I agree and there is a reason why I dont post in game threads (or even on the Pale Hose Forum for the most part). I guess I just wish things were different. There was a time when game threads and the message boards were positive. Before 2005 most Sox fans just wanted to be competitive and make the playoffs. I never really imagined that the White Sox would win a World Series, especially when i watched the best Sox team get knocked out by the Blue Jays and then saw the Sox miss any chance to the strike.

 

For all the negativity, for all the people who said that this team had no chance, that we should trade off all the vets for prospects, that we should rebuild, this team is in first place with 2 months to go. This team is not built on offense, its built on pitching. So you have to expect a lot of games where the Sox only score 3 runs or less. But thats the way that the Sox were built. And it may not have been the best decision coming into the season, but that is where we are.

 

So whats the point of b****ing about Kotsay or Thome or any of that?

 

It wont change, its not even like the girlfriend who left that you may get back, Thome wont be back this year, we couldnt even call him if we wanted.

 

Maybe its because I woke up early to watch the game and it put me in an unusually ornery mood. For the most part I just stopped caring about how the board has been overtaken by negativity. But every once in a while, I just cant take it. But that is who I am as a fan. I dont leave until the final out and I dont give up until the Sox have been statistically eliminated.

 

I just dont see what being constantly negative does, except for bring everyone else down too.

 

I really think this is a great post and that it deserves its own thread. Yes, it sucked to lose 2 to the Orioles, and yes it would suck even more to lose 3 games to the Orioles. It really sucked. However, it's become increasingly alarming that this team has literally no margin for error before most of the board thinks they have no chance at well, anything, even sometimes don't even deserve paying attention to for the remainder of the day. The moment the Sox are down against a bad team people are flying off of a bridge in the game thread. Why exactly is that? People rode out a terrible August in 2005, and showed a lot more patience through something like a 5-13 stretch, and this was before the White Sox could even prove they could win a pennant, let alone a World Series.

 

What exactly has changed? More importantly, what exactly was expected from fans going into this season? I think 90% of the board probably had this team winning between 81 and 90 games and in the hunt for the division, but I think most thought they wouldn't necessarily have enough offense. I personally had them in 3rd place at around 81 wins. Now, we are in a pennant race. This team is on pace to win, what, 91-92 games? Would you rather change places with a team like the tanking Rays right now, who someone pointed out earlier started 30-11 and have gone like 4 over .500 since?

 

When we were 9.5 back, the most distressing thing was that a lot of our young talent appeared to be a mirage. Now, it appears that Beckham is a bona fide major leaguer after all, that Quentin actually does have value, that Peavy can in fact pitch in the AL, and that Ramirez is who we thought he was. Our core seems pretty damned good. Now, we are poised to compete for the title in '10, and certainly also be in the hunt for '11.

 

So why all the negativity? Why is their such a low tolerance for anything bad happening?

 

 

[fathom]

When KW didn't acquire a bat at the deadline, you had to know there was going to be even more skepticism and negativity about this offense when they struggled. And this offense was pretty damn good during our 31 game stretch, as well as recent performances at home. The biggest story of this season, with regards to the offense, is the seemingly Coors Field impact playing at the Cell is having on our hitters.

[ThunderBolt]

Why is there so much frustration over people being objective about the team? If we stopped being critical this wouldn't be a forum, it would be a fan listing. Blind faith prevents legitimate baseball discussion, which is what we all came looking for when we found this board.

Edited August 8, 2010 by Thunderbolt

[Balta1701]

Why is their such a low tolerance for anything bad happening?

Chi White Sox 63 48 .568

Minnesota 63 49 .563 0.5

 

That's my argument.

[nitetrain8601]

That's my argument.

 

Still a game back in the loss column.

[greg775]

You can defend the negativity all you want. But a negative environment in any walk of life, even a rather harmless message board community, grows very old. My opinion is ultimately a thorougly negative environment is not a place people want to be. The board is much more negative than last year and I've noticed a drop in threads and posts that do anything but complain.

 

I've stopped reading the game threads at least. Hope I can continue to keep my eyes away from those or at least not post in them.

GO SOX!!

[fathom]

I really think this is a great post and that it deserves its own thread. Yes, it sucked to lose 2 to the Orioles, and yes it would suck even more to lose 3 games to the Orioles. It really sucked. However, it's become increasingly alarming that this team has literally no margin for error before most of the board thinks they have no chance at well, anything, even sometimes don't even deserve paying attention to for the remainder of the day. The moment the Sox are down against a bad team people are flying off of a bridge in the game thread. Why exactly is that? People rode out a terrible August in 2005, and showed a lot more patience through something like a 5-13 stretch, and this was before the White Sox could even prove they could win a pennant, let alone a World Series.

 

You're right, it's not like 60% of this site had pictures of someone choking in their sig.

[Greg Hibbard]

That's my argument.

 

So in other words, first place by more than a game or negativity? Seems like we have a lot of long seasons ahead of us on this message board.

[Balta1701]

Still a game back in the loss column.

I think it gives me plenty of reason to be frustrated over mistakes/poor performance in each and every single game.

[SouthsideNorthsideFan]

You can defend the negativity all you want. But a negative environment in any walk of life, even a rather harmless message board community, grows very old. My opinion is ultimately a thorougly negative environment is not a place people want to be. The board is much more negative than last year and I've noticed a drop in threads and posts that do anything but complain.

 

Sorry, but to me that sounds like a garden-variety post-90s Cubs fan.

Sox fans are going back to being Sox fans, holding their team to a higher standard. I'm sure many are already tired of 2005 references as well.

[lostfan]

Isn't this basically the exact same thread as yesterday?

[greg775]

Great. You haven't a noticed in a drop in posts on here, except the same simplistic arguments about Kotsay and Jenks and Ozzie's lineups?

Negativity wins out, but negativity ultimately sucks.

[fathom]

Great. You haven't a noticed in a drop in posts on here, except the same simplistic arguments about Kotsay and Jenks and Ozzie's lineups?

Negativity wins out, but negativity ultimately sucks.

 

Or it's cause the summer is ending, which means a lot more people are going on vacations with their family before school starts again? Also, it's not like we've had the most exciting match-ups lately. I bet the thread/chat is packed for the Twins series.

[southsideirish71]

You can defend the negativity all you want. But a negative environment in any walk of life, even a rather harmless message board community, grows very old. My opinion is ultimately a thorougly negative environment is not a place people want to be. The board is much more negative than last year and I've noticed a drop in threads and posts that do anything but complain.

 

I've stopped reading the game threads at least. Hope I can continue to keep my eyes away from those or at least not post in them.

GO SOX!!

 

Greg in 2005 we had a pretty big lead due to a fantastic first half. Nearly choked that away and finally put the thing to rest at the end of the year. We dont have that luxury this year. We need to take care of business when we face cupcakes like this. The formula for winning is usually is beating your divisional opponents, and beating up on cupcakes and then going 500 against good teams. When you drop games against very beatable opponents then you need to make those losses up against some of the better teams.

 

The pattern I hate seeing is the overall team exhale that happens when we pass the deadline, and we get beaten a bit. Then we start to get into April/May baseball mode with our offense because the pressure builds and everyone tries to be a hero. One bat short might be the reason we don't go to the playoffs this year.

 

This team needs to man the f*** up in a hurray and start beating these types of teams. And they better f***ing beat Minny next week. 2 of 3, if not 3 of 3 needs to happen. They are still a few men short. If you can't take care of business at home when your opponent is down a few guys then you need a ball check.

 

 

[Marty34]

The Sox would have to be up on the Twins by 5 games at this point for this board to be content. In other words, the expectations many have here are extremely unrealistic.

[Buehrle>Wood]

FWIW, our own general manager thought we were done and was ready to trade off all pieces earlier in the season. I don't think you can take not expecting a historic run out on our fan base.

[greg775]

The Sox would have to be up on the Twins by 5 games at this point for this board to be content. In other words, the expectations many have here are extremely unrealistic.

 

I'm just enjoying the season. My expectations really aren't that high. I believe the Twins have a better team. I'm hoping for the best while enjoying baseball. I'm not trying to convince anybody to be positive. Do what you want. It's just a message board.

 

I'm just glad I'm learning to post less and not read the game threads. Posting/reading is kind of addictive.

I'll try to enjoy the board here and there.

GO SOX!

[fathom]

I'm just enjoying the season. My expectations really aren't that high. I believe the Twins have a better team. I'm hoping for the best while enjoying baseball.

 

For me, I'm absolutely thrilled that it hurts when the Sox lose games. After the first 50 or so games, this seemed like a wasted season. It would be great to see the Sox have a great home stand coming up. I'm happy we're going to play the Twins to hopefully provide some energy to this team.

[Greg Hibbard]

Greg in 2005 we had a pretty big lead due to a fantastic first half. Nearly choked that away and finally put the thing to rest at the end of the year. We dont have that luxury this year. We need to take care of business when we face cupcakes like this. The formula for winning is usually is beating your divisional opponents, and beating up on cupcakes and then going 500 against good teams. When you drop games against very beatable opponents then you need to make those losses up against some of the better teams.

 

The pattern I hate seeing is the overall team exhale that happens when we pass the deadline, and we get beaten a bit. Then we start to get into April/May baseball mode with our offense because the pressure builds and everyone tries to be a hero. One bat short might be the reason we don't go to the playoffs this year.

 

This team needs to man the f*** up in a hurray and start beating these types of teams. And they better f***ing beat Minny next week. 2 of 3, if not 3 of 3 needs to happen. They are still a few men short. If you can't take care of business at home when your opponent is down a few guys then you need a ball check.

 

Are people really saying this is a typical/pattern second half scuffle by the Sox?

 

The White Sox now have a *gasp* paltry 14-10 record since the break.

 

So typical, for the white sox to be playing .585 s***-ball in the second half...

 

No guys, a typical second half Sox scuffle is something like what happened in '00 and '05 where the team is losing 7 of 9 or playing .480 ball through about 50 games

Edited August 8, 2010 by Greg Hibbard

[SoxAce]

FWIW, our own general manager thought we were done and was ready to trade off all pieces earlier in the season. I don't think you can take not expecting a historic run out on our fan base.

 

Great post.

[Soxbadger]

If youre referring to my post, then youre missing the point of the statement. (That 2 months ago people wanted to give up on the team)

 

The point was that you should enjoy the ride because 2 months ago this was a lost season. So instead of focusing on how badly everything might go, why not focus on how great everything went to get here?

 

We could easily be watching a team that was 10+ games out like the Tigers. Instead we have a team with a chance. If you asked me before the season if Id take being .5 game up in August, Id have said yes. Would it be great to be up 10 games and coasting? Sure, but I dont see how you can look at this team and believe that to be a realistic scenario. This year is going to come down to the wire, you just have to hope that the White Sox have 1 more win at the end of the season. That is all that matters.

 

There is nothing wrong with being critical, but giving up in a game thread when its 1-0, or proclaiming the game over etc., is not being critical.

 

You can strawman my post all you want, but the point was, being negative for the sake of negativity doesnt make teams win, it doesnt make teams lose, it just creates a bad environment that people dont want to deal with.

 

Sorry if that offends anyone.

[Milkman delivers]

That's my argument.

 

Boom!

 

And it sucks balls to have to win the last game of a series against the worst team in baseball just to earn a split.

[Milkman delivers]

Isn't this basically the exact same thread as yesterday?

 

Is it suspension-worthy to suggest that people who are so unhappy about the site's environment just leave?

[lostfan]

Is it suspension-worthy to suggest that people who are so unhappy about the site's environment just leave?

matter of opinion I guess but I suppose one could say "then just don't post in these threads." but they're everywhere. If constant b****ing is more annoying, then constant b****ing about how people b**** one-ups it.

 

I don't know why anyone would bring up 2005 either. I wasn't on Soxtalk then but I remember feeling disgusted and despondent as the Sox nearly choked the division away and then ecstatic when they finally pulled through. It's not like I, or anyone else, spent all of 2005 just filled with uncontrollable glee at the inevitable World Series win. We didn't know. We know how we felt afterwards but I guess some choose to ignore how they felt during. That's just how emotions work during a season.

Edited August 8, 2010 by lostfan

[Soxbadger]

You dont have to worry. Many of the people have moved on or at least to different forums on this message board. So Ill just go back to being a ghost, while the rest of you can have what has become a pity party.

 

Its not difficult to be negative, its really easy. You win no matter what. If the team sucks, youre right, if the team wins, you say that it won despite your complaints. Its a no lose situation.

 

Its a lot harder to actually be positive and believe. If they blow a game like today or 2 days ago, youve got nothing to hide behind. You dont have a thread where you can say that they would have won if only the Sox had listened to you. You dont get to take solace in how much "smarter" you are than the current owner, GM or manager.

 

Football and basketball are starting soon, you can find me in those threads. They are far more bearable. Id rather listen to fans who are overly confident and think their teams walk on water, then listening to a fans who have a first place team and find something new to harp on every day.

 

The mere fact some one would want another poster to leave just saddens me. I may not agree with certain people, I may have thought certain posters in the past were dumber than a rock, but I dont think I have ever wanted another poster to leave some where that they enjoyed.

 

Anyway, dont worry, Ill tow the company line or just keep my mouth shut. No need to earn myself a warning for being positive and optimistic and trying to enjoy the White Sox, instead of always finding something negative to say.