tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64100502011-04-21T15:31:18.360-05:00A White Sox fan living in enemy territory talks about his favorite team and the team he loves to hate.Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comBlogger3811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1090294352899366682004-07-19T22:27:00.000-05:002004-07-19T22:50:34.626-05:00

I am happy to report that Exile in Wrigleyville is moving to Most Valuable Network. You can now find my posts about the White Sox at whitesox.mostvaluablenetwork.com. This site, including the archives, will remain at this location. The new template allows readers to post comments, which several readers have asked about here. I hope you'll continue to read at the new address. Thanks.

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1089869516950112642004-07-15T00:31:00.000-05:002004-07-15T00:33:33.603-05:00

When a young man was shot and killed about a block from Wrigley Field in May, I wrote that city officials would make a ruckus about this. Well, the ruckus is finally here. Tom Tunney, my alderman in the 44th Ward, is calling on police to write more tickets and make more arrests in the area around the park. Tunney contends that police officers are wary of making misdemeanor arrests for disorderly

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1089869428307779542004-07-15T00:29:00.000-05:002004-07-15T00:30:28.306-05:00

I am leaving town Thursday morning to drive up to Door County, Wis., for my annual golf trip with a group of friends. Except for 1998, I've been up for this trip every year since 1996. This is a long way of saying that I won't be posting for a few days. Monday evening is probably the best bet for seeing new content. Check back here then, and you'll also read an announcement about the future of

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1089783820759238322004-07-14T00:27:00.000-05:002004-07-14T10:13:47.530-05:00

I think even a big Frank Thomas fan like me can forget just how good this man has been in his career. (Some of that is Thomas's fault. His ability to stick his foot in his mouth is well-documented.) A couple of things triggered my interest in examining Thomas's career Monday night, and my review took so long that I had to wait a day to finish writing this post.I had already been thinking about

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1089498503484093902004-07-10T17:25:00.000-05:002004-07-10T17:28:23.483-05:00

We may not see much more of Frank Thomas during the regular season. Thomas was placed on the 15-day disabled list today and was replaced on the roster by Joe Borchard. The rest could help Thomas avoid surgery on his left ankle, which has been bothering him since he hurt it running the bases in a game at Miami last month. He aggravated the problem during the sweep of the Twins in Minnesota.

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1089498244775934122004-07-10T17:22:00.000-05:002004-07-10T17:24:04.776-05:00

Manager Ozzie Guillen caught his players and even his son Ozzie Jr. off guard Thursday with his dugout tirade during he come-from-behind win over the Angels.Carlos Lee has been at his most effective hitting cleanup this year. He'll stay there with Frank Thomas on the disabled list.Guillen plans to start the second half with Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia and Esteban Loiaza in some order depending on

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1089432694790929342004-07-09T23:09:00.000-05:002004-07-09T23:11:34.790-05:00

I certainly liked what I saw tonight from the Sox. Magglio Ordonez returned from more than a month off and went 2-for-4, with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Amazing. Jon Garland had his second straight strong outing, pitching seven innings and allowing only one run on four hits and two walks and striking out three batters. I hope the Sox have him pitch in the first game after the All-Star

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1089431589734997792004-07-09T22:45:00.000-05:002004-07-09T22:53:09.733-05:00

Ozzie Guillen and Ken Williams are like us fans. They had had enough of the way the Sox had been playing during the five-game losing streak that included a sweep by the Cubs (so hard to type that). Guillen let his players know he was seriously unhappy with their performance as the Sox were trailing the Angels 8-5 Thursday afternoon. The Sox came back twice from three-run deficits Thursday,

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1089430534181783072004-07-09T22:32:00.000-05:002004-07-12T09:49:02.720-05:00

I just wanted to watch a baseball game. I wanted to see the second game of a doubleheader between the Tigers and the Sox on July 12, 1979. I was eight years old, so I didn't really have an opinion on rock 'n' roll versus disco (although I know that within four years, I would've come down on the rock side). I couldn't believe what I was seeing on the broadcast when the fans stormed the field on

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1089430038305213682004-07-09T22:25:00.000-05:002004-07-09T22:27:18.306-05:00

Alan Schwarz of Baseball America has written a new book called "The Numbers Game" that tells the history of baseball's love of statistics. ESPN.com has a review of the book and an excerpt from it.I don't know enough about Schwarz to know if he's this way, but Baseball America is generally seen as being on the tools side of the "Moneyball" divide between tools (physical potential) and performance

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1089261165469178932004-07-07T23:28:00.000-05:002004-07-08T08:55:10.693-05:00

I sincerely hope that this is the toughest stretch of the season for the White Sox. They are in the midst of a season-high five game losing streak after getting smoked by the Angels tonight, 12-0. I was at the game tonight and for last night's 6-2 loss to the Angels. I'm embarrassed to say that I had to look up tonight's final score because I left after the bottom of the eighth. I went to the

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088872712073203592004-07-03T11:33:00.000-05:002004-07-04T21:46:42.460-05:00

The White Sox are now 0-2 against the Cubs when I'm in attendance this year. Of course, they were 2-0 against the Cubs last year with me in attendance. I don't have anything to do with how they play. I'm not a Cubs fan, so I don't believes in curses, etc.The funniest moment of the day came as I made my way to the hot, putrid cesspool that the Cubs call the upper-deck men's room on the third base

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088872305233091792004-07-03T11:28:00.000-05:002004-07-03T11:31:45.233-05:00

If I were the conspiracy-minded type, I would think that Tribune Co. is using its newspaper to help the Cubs land Magglio Ordonez. Cubs beat writer Paul Sullivan, who used to cover the Sox, accuses the Sox of failing to treat Ordonez like the superstar he is. In doing so, Sullivan writes, they may be driving him into the hands of the Cubs. They could decline the $11.5 million option on Moises

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088872101485627582004-07-03T11:27:00.000-05:002004-07-03T11:28:21.486-05:00

Who's the bigger idiot -- Hawk Harrelson or Jay Mariotti? The two numbskulls had a little confrontation in the press box in Minneapolis during the Sox-Twins series this week, the Tribune reports. The verbal war between them has reignited with Mariotti's column on the off-duty police officer and his wife who were injured in a fight with two young men during the Indians series last week.I guess my

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088872021573179722004-07-03T11:26:00.000-05:002004-07-03T11:27:01.573-05:00

Ozzie Guillen was wondering where Magglio Ordonez was. Sox trainer Herm Schneider said Ordonez was working on his rehabilitation with a physical therapist near his home in the west suburbs. Scheider noted that there isn't a whole lot of room in the visitors' clubhouse at Wrigley Field for rehab work.Comparisons with last year are not good for Sox starting pitcher Esteban Loiaza. Last year was a

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088871957149336752004-07-03T11:24:00.000-05:002004-07-03T11:43:16.766-05:00

Before the Cubs-Sox series overshadows it, consider that the White Sox are now 6-1 against the Twins in Minneapolis this year, after winning just five games in total there the last two years. The only game the Sox have lost in the Humpdome came on a "bullpen day" on the first trip to Minneapolis. I can't wait to see them play there in person in September.

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088659696274712072004-07-01T00:22:00.000-05:002004-07-01T12:21:03.226-05:00

I don't know about you, but whenever I hear of any kind of incident at the Cell, I get a deep sense of dread, knowing what the reaction is going to be. I hate to acknowledge that Jay Mariotti has a point, but this time he does, to an extent. Mariotti writes about an incident from last week's series against Cleveland, which didn't break into the news until Tuesday. Here's a synopsis of Mariotti's

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088659321762666482004-07-01T00:18:00.000-05:002004-07-01T00:22:01.763-05:00

I do have to wonder what the cop was thinking. There's a lot of bravado in confronting two drunken young men with the words, quoting Jay Mariotti's column, '' 'Do you mind? Our kids are here,' '' he said, confirming the dialogue in a Chicago Police report. 'I am a cop. Watch your mouth.' '' [Emphasis added] It doesn't say much for his judgment as a police officer. He should have notified security

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088659095676680282004-07-01T00:04:00.000-05:002004-07-01T00:31:46.080-05:00

Well, once in a while, anyway. Clifford Grammich wrote regarding my defense of Sox GM Ken Williams:Good points about the trades, but I'll give Kenny Williams credit simply for not signing Colon last winter (or at least not outbidding the Angels).That is a good point. He also wasn't afraid to let Roberto Alomar and Carl Everett walk away if they wouldn't agree to a contract on terms the Sox wanted

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088567968418867192004-06-29T22:47:00.000-05:002004-07-01T00:35:30.146-05:00

Online voting for the All-Star Game ends at 11 p.m. CDT Wednesday. Frank Thomas has moved up to second place in the voting for first basemen, but he's not going to catch Jason Giambi, who's got more than twice as many votes. Still, it's nice to see Thomas getting some recognition. Giambi, meanwhile, is day-to-day thanks to some intestinal parasites that have laid him low. Dude, you make $20

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088566642141016862004-06-29T22:36:00.000-05:002004-06-29T22:37:22.140-05:00

It was a relief to watch Mark Buehrle throw so well Tuesday night. He was still up in the zone with more pitches than I'd like to see, but far less often than he has been in recent starts. The Sox offense combined home runs by their double-play combination, Jose Valentin (solo, No. 16) and Juan Uribe (one on, No. 11) with two-out, run-scoring hits by Carlos Lee, Paul Konerko and Timo Perez to

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088566552784638992004-06-29T22:29:00.000-05:002004-06-29T22:35:52.786-05:00

Everyone in the world thinks Ken Williams got fleeced in the Freddy Garcia deal. Here's a sampling of opinions from the blogosphere (including an excerpt of a post by yours truly). This overreaction is no big surprise, because Williams is the Rodney Dangerfield of baseball GMs. Let's look at a few of the big "bust" trades that people criticize him for.David Wells for Mike Sirotka before the 2001

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088484766099166742004-06-28T23:38:00.000-05:002004-06-28T23:52:46.100-05:00

What the White Sox trade for Freddy Garcia boils down to is that number, or 86 years, if you want to talk about it in that way. The Tribune's Rick Morrissey wrote that he was talking to Sox GM Ken Williams about Williams's hair trigger on trades. Despite the GM's attempts to talk about all the preparation, all the groundwork that must be laid, Morrissey wasn't having any of it. I love the

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088483720269093262004-06-28T23:34:00.000-05:002004-06-28T23:35:20.270-05:00

I'm really looking forward to the series that begins Tuesday in Minnesota. Last year, after taking two of three from the Cubs, the Sox swept the Twins, with both series being at the Cell. The series included a walk-off home run by Frank Thomas in the third game, made possible by a ninth-inning, game-tying home run by the then-struggling Paul Konerko.I'm also going to Friday's Cubs-Sox game.

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088391648318837652004-06-27T21:57:00.000-05:002004-06-28T10:16:03.310-05:00

After the Sox beat the Cubs 9-4 today, I was already feeling good. But then I checked my cell phone and saw that I had a voice mail. I listened to the message that my good friend Jody had left -- that's how I learned that the White Sox had acquired Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Freddy Garcia. I checked in with Jody from a wedding barbecue I was at -- they got married in St. Thomas and then

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088391294150812312004-06-27T21:50:00.000-05:002004-06-28T10:20:39.710-05:00

If you're as curious about that as I am, you can ask Jay Mariotti, because I think he's had to stick his head in a humble pie and try to eat the entire thing like a contestant in one of those eating contests. Mariotti foolishly (but bravely, I'll acknowledge) went out on a shaky limb and predicted that the Cubs would sweep the Sox in their interleague series this weekend at the Cell:Yet we are

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088212726359514862004-06-25T19:31:00.000-05:002004-06-25T22:14:26.130-05:00

Aaarrrrrghhhhhh. This game was there for the taking for the Sox. Mark Prior did quite a good job to allow only one run in five innings on a day where he clearly did not have command of the strike zone. I don't want it to seem like I'm picking on Paul Konerko. If it weren't for his home run in the eighth, it would have been a 100% brutal day for Sox fans. But if he can get a hit in the first

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1088142765685955562004-06-25T00:24:00.000-05:002004-06-25T00:52:45.686-05:00

The cross-town series finally begins in less than 15 hours. I am nervous and excited. Nervous because the Sox haven't exactly been playing their best ball during the month of June. The Cubs, notwithstanding losing two of three in St. Louis, have been playing very well. I'm excited because I know how high the energy level is going to be this afternoon. The crowds at the Cell have been plenty

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087790104121688282004-06-20T22:48:00.000-05:002004-06-21T10:18:11.216-05:00

Jon Garland had me on the edge of my seat Sunday afternoon as I watched him retire the first 16 Expos that he faced. The three walks that Garland allowed over the next four batters were inexplicable to me. The game-winning home run by Orlando Cabrera didn't bother me half as much as the three walks setting the Expos up for a two-run sixth inning. Of course, when Cabrera's ball left the yard, I

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087758205507577092004-06-20T14:02:00.000-05:002004-06-22T11:49:18.583-05:00

I was listening to the game Saturday night while I was getting ready to meet friends for dinner. I was able to shower, shave and dress while Arnie Munoz was coming unglued in the second inning. Nine runs, including two home runs by the great Juan Rivera. Overall, Munoz allowed 11 runs in three innings and promptly had his ticket punched for Class AAA Charlotte. Munoz had been at Class AA

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087758096359943022004-06-20T14:01:00.000-05:002004-06-20T14:01:36.360-05:00

Magglio Ordonez is questionable to play this week for the Sox. I'd love to see him back in time for the Cubs series, but I also want him to be fully healthy before he pplays again. I think the Sox and Ordonez are lucky to even be talking about his return so quickly.OzzieGuillen expects to find a bill from Major League Baseball for his June 12 ejection. Guillen thought the home-plate umpire was

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087757837773051632004-06-20T13:54:00.000-05:002004-06-20T13:57:17.773-05:00

The Tribune's Phil Rogers suggests that the Houston Astros bear watching in the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes. The Astros have the prospects at the right positions for the Royals -- third base and catcher -- according to Rogers. From what I saw during the Cubs' four-game sweep of the Astros, Rogers is right when he says the Astros are weak defensively at every position except shortstop, where Adam

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087757637604416842004-06-20T13:53:00.000-05:002004-06-20T13:53:57.603-05:00

Melissa Isaacson has a nice Father's Day story in the Tribune about big-league father-and-son duos. The Hairston and Alomar families are featured in the story, so the Sox are well represented, but I found the sections with Moises Alou the most interesting. Alou was very forthcoming about how tough it was to grow up in the Dominican Republic while his father was playing or coaching in the United

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087757140720437372004-06-20T13:42:00.000-05:002004-06-20T13:45:40.720-05:00

I've been meaning to write about this all week. It's hard to criticize local media for overlooking something that I forgot about, too. Sun-Times columnist Ron Rapoport had a short item in his column Monday about police activity outside Wrigley Field on game days. Here's the item in its entirety, and pay attention, because this is the only thing I've seen written about this by a reporter from the

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087676698332676282004-06-19T15:19:00.000-05:002004-06-19T16:05:22.120-05:00

I went to the Cell Saturday morning to take a look at the White Sox Yard Sale for the first time. The scheduled hours for the sale were 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. I arrived a little before 9:30 a.m. The first thing I learned is that getting there at 9:30 a.m. is getting there very late. I was jealous of the early arrivals who were leaving before I even went in. A couple of them were walking off with signs

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087673420802746382004-06-19T14:29:00.000-05:002004-06-19T14:30:20.803-05:00

After scoring just one run in the final two games against the Marlins, the White Sox outslugged the Expos Friday night, winning 11-7 in Montreal. Mark Buehrle had his second weak outing of his last three starts, allowing seven runs in six innings, but Buehrle is getting an American League-leading 9.46 runs per start from his hitters. Carlos Lee had a big night, going 4-for-6 with a home run and

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087673344807272982004-06-19T14:22:00.000-05:002004-06-19T15:28:13.600-05:00

I recently read an interesting column by ESPN.com's Rob Neyer about young Royals starting pitcher Zach Greinke. Neyer said he charted Greinke's pitches on a recent start to illustrate the 20-year-old's rare ability to change speeds. Neyer noted that Greinke's pitches ranged from 63 mph to 94 mph, and that he recorded gun readings on 26 of the 32 distinct speeds in that range (he wrote that there

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087670977704799292004-06-19T13:49:00.000-05:002004-06-19T13:51:10.486-05:00

Arnie Munoz will be the latest Sox pitcher to make his major-league debut as a starter against Montreal Saturday night. Munoz, who turns 22 on Monday, had been a reliever until this season, when he went back to Class AA Birmingham to work as a starter. The diminutive lefty (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) is known for his sharp curveball. Ozzie Guillen said he told Munoz to "take advantage of this

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087669469925961192004-06-19T13:20:00.000-05:002004-06-19T13:24:29.926-05:00

Despite how bad his performance was, I think Sox fans were too hard on Billy Koch. Koch was not a malingerer. Koch never blamed anyone but himself for his problems. He was undeservedly treated like Royce Clayton by Sox fans. His performance was about the same as Clayton's, but his demeanor with the fans and his teammates was way, way better than Clayton's. I watched Koch in the bullpen a few

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087668575856039992004-06-19T13:07:00.000-05:002004-06-19T13:51:34.530-05:00

John Rooney and Ed Farmer had an interesting discussion in the middle of Friday night's game about Jerry Manuel. Farmer asked Rooney what he thought of Manuel's work. Rooney paused before answering. The silence made me think that Rooney might not have anything nice to say (which I found funny), but Rooney then interjected that he would answer after the pitch. When he did, he said that last year,

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087668376948141242004-06-19T13:03:00.000-05:002004-06-19T16:07:51.050-05:00

No, I'm not talking about Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Marlins. Exile in Wrigleyville finished in second place in the American League Central division in the "World Series of Blogs" hosted by The View from the Bleachers. Congratulations to Seth Speaks, a Minnesota Twins blog, for taking the division. Thank you to everyone who voted for EIW. I appreciate it enough that you take the time to read my

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087618527618440652004-06-18T23:15:00.000-05:002004-06-18T23:15:27.616-05:00

Neal Cotts had a double in his first major league at-bat Friday in the 11-7 win over Montreal. I noticed that he wasn't wearing batting gloves. Does that mean he uses the Moises Alou treatment on his hands?I'm well past that point in the season where I can recite the lines in all the radio commercials. I've had enough of those Miller spots that spoof political ads. Doesn't Miller realize how much

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087618225459610462004-06-18T23:08:00.000-05:002004-06-18T23:10:25.460-05:00

After I sang the praises of John Rooney's call of Timo Perez's game-tying home run Tuesday night, my good friend Tim wrote to remind me that Rooney messed up the call on the double hit by Carlos Lee in the 10th inning. Rooney initially called that ball a home run, before realizing that it had hit the wall. Rooney apologized profusely, Tim thought, because he knew that he had wrecked a call of a

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087617704959265082004-06-18T22:59:00.000-05:002004-06-18T23:01:44.960-05:00

Sometimes Jay Mariotti writes excellent columns that make me think or that smartly express an opinion or idea that I hadn't thought of. Other times, I wonder how he got out of high school. Mariotti must be too busy with his daily radio and TV obligations to actually read what he writes before he sends it on to his editors. His column Wednesday takes the Sox to task for the "Us vs. Them: a

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087362360687796012004-06-16T00:01:00.000-05:002004-06-16T00:06:00.686-05:00

The Florida Marlins had a miracle season last year. Tonight's 7-5, 10-inning win for the Sox is one of those games that will be remembered if things go for the Sox the way I always dream they will. I arrived home and turned on the radio and TV about 10 seconds after Jon Garland allowed the three-run home run to Marlins shortstop Alex Gonzalez in the seventh inning (Garland should consider asking

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087362080662325312004-06-15T23:58:00.000-05:002004-06-16T00:01:20.663-05:00

The White Sox finally got some earned (that is, free) media attention for the "Them vs. Us: A comparison" ad. Both the Tribune and the Sun-Times have stories today that examine the ad and the marketing of the Sox. I love the quote from John McDonough, the Cubs vice president of marketing and broadcasting:"We're flattered that once again we would be the centerpiece of another Sox advertising

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087189728973764112004-06-14T00:06:00.000-05:002004-06-14T00:09:17.096-05:00

I attended Sunday's game against the Braves, a 10-3 win for the Sox. For the third time this season, I attended a game started by Mark Buehrle, and for the third time the Sox scored 10 or more runs. I walked up and bought a ticket in Section 156, a seat that was technically obstructed because the foul pole is part of the view. It wasn't a problem from Row 18, Seat 10, because the pole is situated

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087189463907676782004-06-14T00:00:00.000-05:002004-06-15T11:50:44.246-05:00

I watched most of Saturday's 10-8 win over the Braves at my friend Brian's graduation party. We were watching from a 48th floor party room downtown, so we had a great view of the post-game fireworks. Right after the fireworks started, another display north and east of the park began, so we had fireworks in stereo. The shaky outings on Friday and Saturday for Scott Schoeneweis and Esteban Loiaza

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087189072078807162004-06-13T23:57:00.000-05:002004-06-13T23:59:58.533-05:00

Sox GM Ken Williams vows that Magglio Ordonez will not be traded, no matter what happens with Ordonez's contract negotiations."Magglio's not going anywhere," Williams said. "We're trying to win this thing."But if Ordonez stays for the rest of the season, the Sox could lose him this winter for nothing but draft choices."Then so be it," Williams said."We will have given it our best shot to try to

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087188987365318142004-06-13T23:55:00.000-05:002004-06-13T23:56:27.366-05:00

When a liner off the bat of Carlos Beltran struck Expos starting pitcher Tomo Ohka above the right (throwing) wrist, I think I heard Sox GM Ken Williams scream. I winced when I heard news of the injury Friday morning on SportsCenter, and not because it was one of those gruesome Joe Thiesman's-leg-snapping moments. Ohka could be out as long as three months with a broken radius bone in his right

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1087188812096172072004-06-13T23:51:00.000-05:002004-06-13T23:53:32.096-05:00

Sox pitchers know they can't hit, and they'll probably prove that this week in games at Florida and Montreal. Former Sox and current Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa and I agree that both leagues should play by the same set of rules, but LaRussa thinks the American League should dump the designated hitter, while I think the National League should adopt the DH. "You see more of the total game, more

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086929566725782282004-06-10T23:47:00.000-05:002004-06-10T23:52:46.726-05:00

Many of you have been kind enough to head over to The View from the Bleachers and vote for my blog in the World Series of Blogs. Right now, I'm in second place, quite a bit behind a Minnesota Twins blog, Seth Speaks, but if you have the time and the patience to vote again, I'd greatly appreciate it. The voting ends Friday. If you don't get the AL Central when you open the page, just refresh, but

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086928044609781252004-06-10T23:25:00.000-05:002004-06-10T23:27:24.610-05:00

I was just completing a workout Wednesday night when I stopped to watch Miguel Olivo's at-bat in the fourth inning against Eric Milton of the Phillies. The Sox were down 8-3, with a man on and two outs. I figured it was worth watching Olivo's at-bat before making the short walk back to my place. I thought something important might happen, one of those gut feelings. As Olivo fouled off several

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086927829217862222004-06-10T23:23:00.000-05:002004-06-10T23:23:49.216-05:00

With Thursday's rainout, the Sox will be able to avoid using a fifth starter for another week. Scott Schoeneweis and Esteban Loiaza will each be pushed back a day, starting Friday and Saturday against the Atlanta Braves. Mark Buehrle will pitch Sunday, as scheduled. Then, with a day off Monday, the Sox won't need to use a fifth starter until June 19 in Montreal. This delay could give GM Ken

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086927773811695222004-06-10T23:16:00.000-05:002004-06-10T23:22:53.810-05:00

I know that regular readers of the Sun-Times and regular viewers of ESPN's "Around the Horn" will be shocked by this, but Jay Mariotti blew something way out of proportion the other day. Mariotti is putting way too much importance on Billy Koch's problems as the closer. Mariotti is going so far as to say that a "legitimate closer" is more important than adding another starter. This is so stupid,

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086927275101769662004-06-10T23:12:00.000-05:002004-06-10T23:29:50.150-05:00

Ozzie Guillen believes National League teams have an unfair advantage during interleague games, since adding a bench player to the lineup as a designated hitter is a simpler transition than the one American League teams are forced into with pitchers batting in NL parks.I have a real simple solution. Stop the nonsense of pitchers batting and adopt the DH in the NL, too. I know I'm in an

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086927122058087752004-06-10T23:11:00.000-05:002004-06-10T23:30:17.840-05:00

Magglio Ordonez said his left knee is pain-free and has minimal swelling, making him optimistic about possibly returning before the All-Star Break. Ordonez said he believes that he first injured his knee in the horrific collision he had with Willie Harris May 19 in Cleveland and then aggravated it on a swing in a game against Texas at the Cell on May 25. Let's hope Dr. Ordonez is right.(Music to

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086757006840952002004-06-08T23:30:00.000-05:002004-06-08T23:59:32.626-05:00

I attended tonight's beer-league softball game between the Sox and the Phillies. A win's a win, so I'm not complaining about the Sox prevailing 14-11. Six of those Philadelphia runs came courtesy of two Jim Thome three-run blasts. Mike Jackson got rocked -- five runs allowed in 1+ inning, including the second of those Thome home runs. Definitely not one of Mark Buerhle's better outings, as he

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086710793482510632004-06-08T10:57:00.000-05:002004-06-08T11:06:33.483-05:00

I have been a defender of Billy Koch, and more than once, but I agree that, at least for the time being, he can't be the closer on this team. I simply can't stand up for him after Sunday night's meltdown.I think Shingo Takatsu has earned an opportunity to close games, with Damaso Marte also being called upon occasionally. I'd also like to see Ozzie Guillen allow those two relievers to come on in

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086710248093522552004-06-08T10:52:00.000-05:002004-06-08T11:10:59.916-05:00

If you're looking for a sabermetrically solid blog to read about the Phillies during the interleague series that starts tonight, I recommend A Citizen's Blog. You'll also find a link to it on the left rail of this page. It was my favorite among the Phillies sites that are linked on EIW. The author, Michael Berquist, just finished law school, but I won't hold that against him, because his blog is

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086566962043039842004-06-06T19:08:00.000-05:002004-06-06T19:09:22.043-05:00

In their 4-2 loss to the Mariners Saturday, the White Sox showed that allowing walks to opposing batters and failing to take advantage when the other side allows them is not a good combination. Scott Schoeneweis walked five batters -- three of whom scored -- in five innings and allowed four runs to take the loss. The Sox managed to score the first two batters -- Willie Harris and Frank Thomas --

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086566840069939852004-06-06T19:06:00.000-05:002004-06-06T19:07:20.070-05:00

Ozzie Guillen called Seattle starting pitcher Freddy Garcia "my best friend" as reporters asked about the possibility of trading for Garcia. Like Guillen and Magglio Ordonez, Garcia is a Venezuelan. Guillen said he and Garcia spend a lot of time together in Venezuela. I'd love to see Garcia pitching for the Sox. How about Saturday against the Braves when the fifth spot in the rotation comes up

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086566618877595922004-06-06T18:59:00.000-05:002004-06-06T19:03:38.876-05:00

My posting the other day on Greg Couch's column about the contract negotiations between the Sox and Magglio Ordonez drew a good question from reader Gregg J. Simon, who e-mailed:Isn't there a possibility that Magglio turned down the contract because the Sox insisted that part of the $70 million be deferred over time? (Sandy Alomar asked the question when asked about this situation on WMVP, AM-

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086450688830203322004-06-05T10:49:00.001-05:002004-06-05T10:51:28.830-05:00

Friday's 4-2 win over the Mariners had a little bit of everything for Sox fans. Jon Garland had another wonderful outing, going 7-1/3 innings and allowing just two runs on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Ed Farmer talks a lot about Garland not understanding just how difficult it is to hit his sinking fastball. Farmer has even suggested that it might be good to set up a virtual

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086450561716455102004-06-05T10:49:00.000-05:002004-06-05T10:49:21.716-05:00

Magglio Ordonez was scheduled to have exploratory surgery today on his left knee to determine the source of the pain he's been feeling in that knee and try to correct it. Sox trainer Herm Schneider said Ordonez is likely to miss six or seven weeks. Aaron Rowand, Timo Perez and Ross Gload figure to get the bulk of Ordonez's playing time. Perez was 1-for-4 with an RBI Friday night.

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086450449899619152004-06-05T10:45:00.000-05:002004-06-05T10:47:29.900-05:00

Shingo Takatsu hopes to get a chance to visit with fellow Japanese player Ichiro Suzuki while the Sox are in Seattle. The reliever said that he started watching the Mariners just about every day when Suzuki joined them, since most of the M's games are televised in Japan, so it's a little weird for him to come to Seattle.The Daily Herald's Scot Gregor has a nice feature on Joey Cora making his

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086327405643076372004-06-04T00:28:00.000-05:002004-06-04T00:36:45.643-05:00

Well, the run of good luck on the injury front couldn't go on forever for the Sox. Magglio Ordonez is headed to the 15-day disabled list and possibly onto a surgeon's table for the pain he is feeling behind his left knee. If Ordonez has surgery, he is expected to be out four to seven weeks. As of this writing, there's been no update on his condition. He was scheduled to arrive in Chicago Thursday

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086326795473864082004-06-04T00:25:00.000-05:002004-06-04T00:28:11.193-05:00

I support a new stadium for the A's in San Jose, because the Sox just can't seem to win at what used to be known as the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. I won't defend Billy Koch for his blown save yesterday in the 10-inning, 3-2 loss. Still, I'm not going to overreact. I didn't see the game, but, after seeing the highlights, I thought he made a pretty good pitch up and in to Scott Hatteberg on

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086155546064998132004-06-02T00:36:00.000-05:002004-06-02T01:01:56.050-05:00

The guys behind The View from the Bleachers, a Cubs blog, are running a World Series of Blogging. They have graciously included Exile in Wrigleyville. The competition starts with divisional play, so EIW is competing in the AL Central. So far, EIW has just four votes -- two of them are mine. If you check out their site, the World Series of Blogging is a feature on the right-hand side of the page.

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086154329818846492004-06-02T00:27:00.000-05:002004-06-04T00:38:16.843-05:00

I attended Monday's Cubs-Astros game, but I never entered Wrigley Field. I watched the game from the Brixen Ivy rooftop club, 1044 W. Waveland Ave., which donated space for a charity fundraiser. It's an interesting way to watch a baseball game. At Brixen Ivy, which is just to the foul side of the left-field foul pole, you can see almost the entire field, other than a portion of center field,

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086153405536251442004-06-02T00:11:00.000-05:002004-06-02T00:16:45.536-05:00

Bobby Kielty, the former Twin, just hit a two-run home run off Neal Cotts to give the A's the win, 6-4. Ed Farmer was just talking about how managers, during an extra inning game, will ask tomorrow's starter if he wants to leave and get some rest, and a moment later, bam! At least the Sox took Esteban Loiaza off the hook by tying the score in the ninth. Tomorrow's game could be over in two hours,

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1086150457478640492004-06-01T23:18:00.000-05:002004-06-01T23:27:37.476-05:00

Jose Valentin just hit a solo home run with two outs in the top of the ninth to tie the A's at 4 in Oakland. Valentin is jokingly referred to as "Manos" (or "Hands"; I had to look it up to be sure) on White Sox Interactive for his wobbly defense, but he's better defensively than he's ever been given credit for. I missed a lot of today's game because I was helping a friend move, so I missed his

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085978817140930352004-05-30T23:42:00.000-05:002004-05-30T23:46:57.140-05:00

I went to the Sox-Angels game Sunday and watched the Sox pound Anaheim 11-2. Like Saturday, I sat in Section 158, although this time we were in Row 15, instead of Row 22. I went with my dad, who brought along the grandson of one of his employees. I haven't given him a grandson yet, so he's outsourcing. Dad called me around 11:30 a.m., and with the rain and dark skies, we were regretting my idea

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085978504922269432004-05-30T23:39:00.000-05:002004-05-30T23:41:44.923-05:00

I'm not sure I can figure out why Jon Rauch aburptly left the clubhouse after his rough start Saturday against the Angels. Then, he called the postgame show on WMVP AM-1000 to apologize. Look, Rauch should have just stuck around. It's still possible that we'll hear what this miscommunication was that Rauch talked of when he called 'MVP. Right now, he just looks like an idiot.I'm not 100% sure why

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085978203792099982004-05-30T23:28:00.000-05:002004-05-30T23:36:43.793-05:00

Even before Ken Williams became so unhappy with Jon Rauch yesterday, he was trying to add a starting pitcher via trade. Williams really wants Freddy Garcia of the Seattle Mariners, but the Tribune reported that the Mariners are looking for a bigger package of players and think they might get more for him closer to the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.Bench coach Harold Baines made his

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085977592472540902004-05-30T23:25:00.000-05:002004-05-30T23:26:32.473-05:00

Greg Couch chronicled all the hoops the Sox made him jump through just to be ultimately denied an interview with team Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. Reading Couch's work over the years, he's always struck me as a hard-working reporter. I also know from personal experience that he's responsive to readers. He and I traded several e-mails after a column he wrote about Illinois head basketball coach Bruce

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085977206859798162004-05-30T23:19:00.000-05:002004-05-30T23:20:06.860-05:00

Jay Mariotti on Sunday contemplated the unthinkable -- what if the Sox make the playoffs and the Cubs don't. It's perfect timing for Mariotti, as the Cubs were suffering through a season-high five-game losing streak and the Sox were playing well against the top two teams in the American League West. Mariotti sings the praises of manager Ozzie Guillen and even has nice things to say about Ken

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085976327885230532004-05-30T23:03:00.000-05:002004-05-30T23:05:27.886-05:00

Carol Slezak's not letting go of the raucous party scene in Wrigleyville after Cubs games. I think this column goes too far, suggesting that perhaps all bars in the area should be closed for an hour after the end of the game, but Slezak is right that the city needs to enforce the ordinances that are already on the books. Those include occupancy codes and liquor-license restrictions on

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085975980430902312004-05-30T22:56:00.000-05:002004-05-30T22:59:40.430-05:00

I like Ozzie Guillen's approach of sticking with his starters, and while the accumulated pitch counts in back-to-back starts have made me a little nervous at times, I think he's doing a good job with the starters. This story by Bob Foltman in the Tribune says that the top four Sox starters are all in the top 10 of pitches thrown in the American League this year. To me, this is another big reason

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085975469447840982004-05-30T22:50:00.000-05:002004-05-30T22:51:09.446-05:00

Maybe I should wear my "Sammy Sosa Cork Co." T-shirt on Thursday, the first anniversary of Sosa's infamous corked bat. In this article, Greg Couch writes that fans on the road aren't mocking Sosa for the cork any more. I bet that ends when he visits the South Side in late June.In a companion column to Couch's story, Chris DeLuca writes that the corked bat shouldn't take away from Sosa's legacy.

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085975407319281402004-05-30T22:49:00.000-05:002004-05-30T23:13:30.290-05:00

The White Sox will be moving the FUNdamentals youth baseball instruction area to a new platform that will be built above the left-field concourse. It will be interesting to see whether the move changes the experience of sitting in left field. It may be harder for adult fans to congregate on the concourse during games. On the other hand, fans might seek shelter under the FUNdamentals platform

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085545242846490812004-05-25T23:08:00.000-05:002004-05-25T23:20:42.846-05:00

It's not just us, Sox fans. Cubs fans root against the Sox, too. Here's a report from my good friend Chris, a former coworker:Kim and I went to both the Saturday night and Sunday day game against the Twins two weeks ago. Noticed what may be a new trend: Cubs fans, who can't get into Wrigley, come to Sox Park in their Cubs-wear and cheer against the Sox. Not for the opposing team, mind you, just

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085544245350897102004-05-25T22:55:00.000-05:002004-05-25T23:04:05.350-05:00

I think Ozzie Guillen is going to have to sit Jose Valentin occasionally against left-handed starters. I know the argument is that Willie Harris doesn't hit lefties well either -- just one hit in 15 at-bats -- but Valentin looked absolutely brutal tonight. Valentin's left-right splits show a huge platoon difference this year. Valentin struck out four times tonight against Kenny Rogers and Brian

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085543683455158392004-05-25T22:52:00.000-05:002004-05-25T22:54:43.456-05:00

I'm happy to read that Neal Cotts will return to the bullpen after his spot start Saturday in Minnesota. For now, I'm willing to try another minor leaguer. Jon Rauch would seem the most likely candidate. His numbers are OK, but not exactly great for a guy who's been at Class AAA for, what, three years now. I don't think he's anything but a temporary answer, but it's better than throwing Cotts out

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085543372761188502004-05-25T22:47:00.000-05:002004-05-25T22:49:32.763-05:00

There were two stories in the Sun-Times that I really enjoyed during the last week.Carol Slezak had a nice Sunday feature about the adjustments that reliever Shingo Takatsu has had to make since coming to the White Sox from Japan.GM Ken Williams was a member of the Detroit Tigers in 1990 when Randy Johnson pitched his first no-hitter. Williams recalls the hard sliders Johnson was still throwing

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085532761955229532004-05-25T19:51:00.000-05:002004-05-25T19:52:41.956-05:00

The following two posts date from work I did last week. I updated in a few places, but I may have missed something that makes it look dated. Well, thanks to problems with my Internet connection, it is dated.

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085532648934812942004-05-25T19:47:00.000-05:002004-05-25T19:50:48.936-05:00

I think the Tribune's Phil Rogers has taken leave of his senses. He'd like to see the White Sox trade for Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson and center fielder Steve Finley, with Carlos Lee, Neal Cotts and prospects goint to the D-backs. Then, because that deal would stretch the team's budget too much, the Sox would trade Magglio Ordonez, and possibly trade for a lower-priced corner outfielder --

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085532400221925692004-05-25T19:31:00.000-05:002004-05-25T19:46:40.220-05:00

I'm glad that GM Ken Williams is looking aggressively, because you never know what can happen, but more players will be available in a month, as more teams feel like they're out of contention. Still, let's take a look at what could be available from the also-ran teams, starting with the American League East.Only the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Devil Rays figure to possibly be dealing. From

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1085429143402107182004-05-24T15:04:00.000-05:002004-05-24T15:05:43.403-05:00

I am sorry that I have not posted anything since May 18. I was getting some posts ready for Saturday, but I keep losing my internet connection. I'm still trying to sleuth out why. I hope to be back soon. Thanks for your patience.

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1084940265322085242004-05-18T23:09:00.000-05:002004-05-18T23:17:45.323-05:00

Jon Garland had another strong outing tonight, as the White Sox beat the Tribe 4-2 in Cleveland. Entering today's game, Garland had been a different pitcher once he hit the 75th pitch in a start. The story, by Bob Foltman of the Tribune, says that all six of the home runs that Garland has allowed came after the 75th pitch. Garland is allowing a batting average of .245 up to 75 pitches and .327

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1084938687566179442004-05-18T22:47:00.000-05:002004-05-19T11:25:15.656-05:00

Peter Gammons spotlighted the aggressive trading of GM Ken Williams as part of a column today. After mentioning the Roberto Alomar and Carl Everett deals from last year, Gammons wrote, "already [Williams] is trying to get another starting pitcher and see if he can work a deal where he trades a right-handed bat for a left-handed hitter." Interestingly, later in the same column, Gammons mentions

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1084938187798274072004-05-18T22:41:00.000-05:002004-05-18T22:43:07.800-05:00

Felix Diaz wasn't much better than Dan Wright on Monday in his second major league start. Diaz is not missing a lot of bats at this point. He allowed six runs and eight hits in 4-2/3 innings. His next start is scheduled for Saturday in Minnesota, but Guillen acknowledged that that may change. I think it's worth it to give him another start. I prefer to leave Neal Cotts in the bullpen for the time

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1084937935050430032004-05-18T22:38:00.000-05:002004-05-18T22:40:34.083-05:00

Aaron Rowand was back in center field with Indians lefty Cliff Lee starting Monday's game. Rowand, who said speculation about his job status used to bother him, had a hit and scored a run Monday. Rowand thinks he's ready to start hitting, but I think it might be too late for that. He's still going to get his opportunities, but I'm not sure manager Ozzie Guillen can justify not playing Willie

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1084855335498635152004-05-17T23:41:00.000-05:002004-05-17T23:43:03.996-05:00

The White Sox are playing one stinker of a game right now, but they looked excellent on Sunday, as good as the weather. I attended the game with three friends. I was heartened to see lines at the ticket windows outside Gate 3 about 15 minutes before game time. We got four seats in Section 105 and had ourselves a heck of a time. I read later that we were among about 7,000 walk-ups for the game.

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1084854455434473482004-05-17T23:27:00.000-05:002004-05-18T09:42:17.006-05:00

Sandy Alomar Jr. suggested that Sox hitters seem to concentrate better against tougher pitchers who have been otherwise successful rather than pitchers who are struggling. Carlos Silva was 5-0 with a 3.11 ERA entering his start Sunday, so it's no surprise the Sox hit him hard Sunday.My friends and I didn't notice that Frank Thomas was ejected during the fifth inning, but I don't think we were

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1084836269894534212004-05-17T18:23:00.000-05:002004-05-17T19:06:00.626-05:00

The three posts below this one were written Saturday morning. I experienced some web-access problems that kept me from posting them. I'll have some fresher items later tonight. Thanks for checking in.

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1084836157900467242004-05-17T18:20:00.000-05:002004-05-21T22:38:25.716-05:00

Friday's game was incredibly frustrating. Regular readers of this site know that I'm a big booster of White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. That hasn't changed, but two decisions that he made in the 3-2 loss to the Twins bothered me. In the first inning, after Willie Harris reached on an error, Guillen ordered Jose Valentin to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Valentin did so successfully. The Sox eventually

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1084835546605953112004-05-17T18:11:00.000-05:002004-05-17T18:12:26.606-05:00

The Tribune's Phil Rogers says there's no point in playing smallball at the Cell. There have been more home runs per game at the Cell than any other park in the big leagues this year, Rogers reports. More troubling, Rogers writes that the Sox have a huge split between home win percentage and road win percentage over the last three seasons. He calls the Sox the "American League's version of the

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1084835464063996132004-05-17T18:09:00.000-05:002004-05-17T18:11:04.063-05:00

One reason that left-handed starter Arnie Munoz is tearing it up at Class AA Birmingham is that he's already pitched a season at Class AAA Charlotte. Munoz was a reliever until this season, when he went back to AA ball to work as a starter. I'll be very interested in how he does when he's promoted to Charlotte. That will be the true test. He had a 4.75 ERA as a reliever with Charlotte last

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410050.post-1084540921096080252004-05-14T08:17:00.000-05:002004-05-14T08:22:32.346-05:00

There probably won't be a better day this year for Paul Konerko to knock in five runs. Rick Morrissey in the Tribune thinks we Sox fans don't appreciate Konerko enough. Morrissey is paying too much attention to chat boards and talk radio and not enough to fans at the park. Sure, Konerko might hear some boos when he hits into another double play that almost anybody else on the team would beat out

Vincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108336617291314250noreply@blogger.com