White Sox Quotes of the Day: Ken Williams, Rick Hahn, Ozzie Guillen

by The Wizard on Apr 9, 2007 1:17 PM CDT in Quotes

Kenny on the team's payroll:

"We haven't been afraid to push the envelope as far as we can with regards to our payroll. The only edict that I have been given is we don't want to lose money. We want to break even, but we want to try to win a championship in the process. There have been many occasions I have been over budget to do that."

Whalen adds "According to Williams, the Sox's break-even point -- as told to him by chairman Jerry Reinsdorf -- is $100 million."

Assistant GM Rick Hahn:

"The fact of the matter is the '07 payroll will be higher than the '06 payroll. Jerry has run this club the same way since he's owned it, and that's 'What comes in, goes out.' His effort, goal, is to win and to break even. So, thanks to the tremendous fan support we've had since winning the World Series and during the World Series (in 2005), we've been able to increase that payroll each year to match that increasing revenue."

* * * * *

Ozzie says Brian Anderson will stay with the big team:

[Scott Merkin]

"I was in that situation he's in right now. Like yesterday, if Javy [Vazquez doesn't] pitch good, he might be thinking, 'They have to bring another guy to the bullpen.' I don't want this kid living that life because I did, and that's not a good feeling. It really depends on what I need. Right now, it is what it is. With the more games we play, the more opportunities he will have. We have so many days off early in the season, every backup player, it's hard to get them in the lineup."

Ozzie also says he wants to give BA a start in the upcoming series, possibly on Wednesday's game against LHP Joe Kennedy. Risky move by Ozzie there. It may disrupt Pods' development.

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Payroll

Well, parking went from $18 to $20, so I'm glad we're all helping the cause.

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Apr 9, 2007 1:33 PM CDT reply actions

Lose Money?

What a joke. This coming from a team that just marketed a moment of time (7:11). It's better that KW not mention payroll and budget, because Sox fans aren't dumb. Jerry's cheap, we all know he's cheap. Don't try to act like he isn't now, wasn't in the past, and won't be in the future. Break even? Yeah, I'm sure poor Jerry's just getting by.

by southsider80 on Apr 9, 2007 1:44 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah, known for his thriftiness.

By the by, speaking of owners, I read in the WSJ today that Sam Zell is part owner of the Sox, and a good friend of JR! And he's poised to own the Cubs. Wonder if the CTA Red Line will be the new trader's route.

I know, he's going to sell the Cubs. Who the hell would want to hang on to THAT history?

by winningugly on Apr 9, 2007 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Technically..

I believe the Trib will be selling the Cubs as part of the deal to buy down their dept. (Not Zell)

I think as Sox fans we should purchase the team - I bet you could recover the purchase price by selling the bricks and ivy from the stadium to the Cub fans.

by Brush Back on Apr 9, 2007 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes...

The Trib. corp is supposed ditch the Cubs before they sell. I'm not sure if they're obligated to to stay within MLB guidelines, but that's supposed to be what happens.

What'll be interesting is that the fate of Wrigley Field is still in question - Zell might end up owning the field, and whoever buys the club will have to pay him rent.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 9, 2007 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Take a look at the payroll

I'm neutral on if he's cheap or not - however the Sox do spend a considerable amount compared to the rest of the league. (I believe they are 4th - and yes that number is not adjusted for what they get I.e. Philly's portion on Thome)

It still comes down to the quality of the player, not the price. (That doesn't mean I agree with their decisions, but I can't fault them on money spent)

Plus like you said - every dollar spent is going to recovered elsewhere. Its still a business and the partners are not going to lose money.

I hate to see what happens when the '05 fan bubble finally breaks.

by Brush Back on Apr 9, 2007 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Hard to complain

about a "cheap" owner when you have the fourth-highest payroll in the MLB. It's not like we're small-market fans, forced to watch our talent skip town at first opportunity.

by Dongfang Hong on Apr 9, 2007 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Just what we thought.......

Crappy starting pitching by the Twins.

TEAM    ERA    IP    ER    BB    SO    BAA
Twins    2.45    44    12    15    34 .195
KC    3.33    54    20    20    44 .235
Detroit    4.6    45    23    20    30 .264
Sox    5    45    25    22    43 .253
Clev.    5.54    26    16    14    16 .240

by ballyb on Apr 9, 2007 1:53 PM CDT reply actions

Sick

Sox starters have one less IP than the Tribe--who've played 3 less games.

by southsider80 on Apr 9, 2007 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions

it seems like 45 for the sox and 26 for the tribe

IP: sox 45, cle 26
ER: sox 25, cle 16

by The Wizard on Apr 9, 2007 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions

using the <pre>...</pre> tag and

selecting HTML formatting on the pulldown menu before the 'Post' button:

TEAM     ERA    IP    ER    BB    SO      BAA
Min     2.45    44    12    15    34     .195
KC      3.33    54    20    20    44     .235
Det      4.6    45    23    20    30     .264
Sox        5    45    25    22    43     .253
Cle     5.54    26    16    14    16     .240

by The Wizard on Apr 9, 2007 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for pointing that out.

by ballyb on Apr 9, 2007 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I see

I thought this was only starters...in that case, the Sox have just 20.1 for the first 5 games.

by southsider80 on Apr 9, 2007 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I think that will be...

changing pretty rapidly. The Twins will be running Ponson, Bonser and Ortiz out there against the Yanks in their next 3 games. Throwing Santana twice in your first 5 games sure can help that team ERA, but a price will be paid when Ponson gets shellacked. Yanks rotation is pretty bad right now so they could still win, but they're team ERA will be significantly higher 3 days from now.

by bhoov on Apr 9, 2007 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Last 3 games though....

Sox have a 2.0 ERA, 6 hits/game, 2.33 bb/g and 7.67 K/G. We're on the RIGHT TRACK!

Give the Count some SHOCK THERAPY before tonight's game. As Randal Patrick McMurphy said (in Cookoo's Nest), "A little dab 'll do ya."

by ballyb on Apr 9, 2007 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions

If not, we need the Chief

to put a pillow over his face while the tom-toms beat in the background.

by winningugly on Apr 9, 2007 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions

for those following the Jimbo's saga

judge rules it must close by the end of the month. plan your final visit now.

link

by larry on Apr 9, 2007 3:10 PM CDT reply actions

The Indians are

playing their next 3 games in Milwaukee vs. the Angels. Rain showers are predicted Saturday and Sunday in Cleveland. Can you imagine if the Indians stay in Milwaukee for their next series as well -- aginst our Sox? It would be nice to snag some seats a couple rows behind the dugout. Of course, it will never happen, but it's fun to think about.

by palehose67 on Apr 9, 2007 5:55 PM CDT reply actions

Time to Shorten the Baseball Season?

With the rash of nasty weather of late maybe it's time to consider shortening the baseball season. Start the season in mid-April and end it mid-September. Shave off 25 games from the schedule. Then they could add one more wild card team and have a wild card playoff. The season is too long especially for those teams that are out of the race by August. Just a thought.

by waitonhim on Apr 9, 2007 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions

That would mean less revenue

Neither the players nor the owners would ever agree to it.

by Ryno on Apr 9, 2007 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions

And it's an overreaction

to a particularly cold April. If teams start running into this year after year it might be a good idea.

Optimist

by Peder on Apr 9, 2007 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions

c'mon

we all know that global warming will take care of this. pretty soon we'll just be talking about extending the baseball season to take advantage of all the warm weather.

by larry on Apr 9, 2007 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions

goofy scheduling

Seems like the past ten years or so mlb had the sense to send midwest teams out to the west coast in April. This year someone had a major brain cramp and decided to have Seattle and LA come into Cleveland in early April instead of vice versa.

If I was a Cleveland fan I would be unbelievably pissed. This stupidity could cost them a playoff berth. They're losing three home games to a neutral field in Milwaukee, and on top of that they have to figure out how to squeeze four makeup games with Seattle into their schedule later on this year - that was the only trip for Seattle scheduled into Cleveland. This really puts them at a huge disadvantage in the division, just ridiculous.

by ChicagoPete on Apr 9, 2007 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions

I just can't get worked up about it

it's their problem, not ours...

Then again it could be the Sox' problem. Supposedly the trucks that were used to remove snow from the field may have damaged it. The last thing we need is to lose a left fielder to a

Hmmm.

by The Past Tense of Grinder is Grounder on Apr 9, 2007 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions