Ozzie Guillen is sorry for not being himself lately

by The Wizard on Aug 31, 2007 11:01 PM CDT in Quotes

Ozzie issued an apology before today's game:

"I was a little soft for three months, but Ozzie has to be Ozzie because I'm going to give my way to get fired. And if people like it, they like it. If they don't, the only two people I worry about [whether] they like it or not, are [chairman] Jerry Reinsdorf and [general manager] Kenny Williams. My players, I don't have any problem with them. If some of my players think I was wrong, shoot, I hope that don't happen because then we're lying to ourselves about how bad we're playing. ... Spring Training, I tell my family, 'I'm going to be nice.' I really regret the way I was for the [past] three months. I was like Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, real polite people. With all the respect [to them], that's not me. ... You hate me, but after the game we're shaking hands. That's why I'm getting paid, to win games. That's all there is. It's funny the way people are killing me, about [how] I'm done, I should be going home. Well, I have good news for those guys. If I don't do it here, I'm going to do it somewhere else, because I'm not afraid for this job. My goal is to win games."

*****

Ozzie's latest fascination: OBP

Guillen believes he still needs the season's final month to decide in his mind if Jerry Owens can handle the leadoff spot. "His on-base percentage is not the way we want it," said Guillen of Owens, who has a .293 on-base percentage. "For me, it's important to have a guy who can get on base and be on base a little bit more than the rest of the guys."

*****

And Coop will be making some pitching adjustments next month:

"Here's what's going on: Danks is getting 10 or 11 days off. He's not going to pitch; we'll have sidelines [sessions]. We're going to give him his time now. So that's our way of taking care of him. The next thing is [that] Gavin Floyd is going to get another couple of opportunities to continue to find out more about [himself]. Somewhere within the next 10 days, two weeks, Buehrle will be taken care of. Might be like nine days [of rest]. Everybody else -- [Jose] Contreras, [Jon] Garland and [Javier] Vazquez -- will be pitching as regularly as we can without giving them too much rest with off-days sprinkled in."

BTW, don't expect Gio to come up when rosters expand, because he doesn't have to be added to the 40-man roster yet. Also, don't expect Ryan Sweeney to come up, because Ozzie won't be able to find him playing time. The only sure bet to come up is Donny Lucy.

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Thoughts on September callups

Sweeney -- hasn't played the last two games, and has pretty much sucked since I went on vacation/he hurt his wrist. I'm kinda happy he's being left behind because it all but assures he doesn't make the '08 club out of spring training. I don't think he'll have power that an average corner OFer should produce until he's 25, so until he starts showing the ability to get on base 40% of the time in AAA, he can stay down there.
Lucy -- He's pretty terrible. I don't know how anyone in the White Sox FO thought he was a better player than Kurt Suzuki. But the Sox have had the worst backup catchers in the history of baseball this year... so he'll fit right in.
Gio -- I'd like to see him up. He can't be worse than Myers and MacDougal. The only reason I can see for not giving him the call is to keep him off the 40-man, with the plans to keep him off all of next season as well, thus saving an option year. I don't see how that's possible. Gio will be on the '08 White Sox at some point prior to next seaon's September call-up period. Why not give him a look.
Egbert -- He's headed to the AFL after being among the minor league leaders in innings pitched. Selfishly, I'd rather see him pitch out of the Sox pen down the stretch, but getting to face some of the best and brightest prospects this November is the next-best thing.
Bourgeuwhathisname -- Seriously, we've got Andy Gonzalez getting significant playing time this season in CF and now 3b. I don't think this guy is anything more than a bench part, but it looks like he could possibly be one of those sparkplugs like Ozuna, only you don't have to pay him $1+M. He should be up.
Phillips -- After last season I thought he was a passable 6th starter/poor teams 5th starter. He then was pretty terrible in the first half. He's strung together 10 starts that again make him look like a viable 13th man on a pitching staff that's carrying 4 14th men. I don't really care either way because I don't think he's really anything special.
Broadway -- All the addition of a 2-seam fastball did for this #1 pick is increase his walk total. he needs to demonstrate much better control, and K/BB ratio before I'd let him anywhere near my major league team.
Russell -- He's been bad this season, and has lost velocity. He's a minor league version of Contreras, which is to say, worse. I don't want to see him anytime before the All-Star break next season, and that's only with a dominant half-season out of the pen in Charlotte.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Sep 1, 2007 12:20 AM CDT reply actions

So...

our near future lies in two people?

Awesome.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Sep 1, 2007 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Yep, Gio and Egbert.

by SSH2005 on Sep 1, 2007 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

why?

Why don't we have pitching prospects like the Twins or Red Sox that can step into the rotation?
What are the Sox waiting for in trying out Gio and the rest of the minors now? A good pitcher is up in the bigs fast. Quit coddling the minors-- if they can't pitch in the bigs, then don't waste your time on them-- and fire the asshole scouts who sign them, and the biggest ASSHOLE G.M. who believed those scouts!!!

by BIG KLU on Sep 1, 2007 8:14 AM CDT reply actions

One trick pony, everybody!

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Sep 1, 2007 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Sometimes I like to punch Myself in the Balls

I don't know why I'm responding to this post. Just a glutton for punishment I guess, but sometimes enough is enough. Did KW fuck your Grandma and make you watch or something. I mean jesus at least try and make a valid point instead of just bitching. Why don't the Sox have pitchers that come up and automatically dominate? Because it a rare occurance for any team, hell you could only name two teams that have had guys do that. Also you're right we should quit coddling them in the minors lets call up the rookie ball team and see how that goes, sarcasm intended. I understand that it has been a frustrating season but when you copy and paste the same shit on here it gets old quick. You say KW is an asshole well I guess it takes one to spot one.

by comet922 on Sep 1, 2007 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions

good thing I wasn't drinking anything when reading

LOL indeed!

by The Wizard on Sep 1, 2007 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Ozzie last night pregame.

"It's funny the way people are killing me, about [me being] done, that I should be going home. Well, I have news for those guys: If I don't do it here, I'm going to do it somewhere else because I'm not afraid of this job."

Funny. Never heard him say "If...., I'm going to do it somewhere else." Was always ".......I'll go sit on my boat."

Maybe a little job anxiety? Is he hearing "footsteps"?

You reap what you sow.

by ballyb on Sep 1, 2007 10:09 AM CDT reply actions

analyzing what ozzie says

is a fool's errand. no one knows what's going on in that head.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Sep 1, 2007 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions

look at the last 5 posts in the quotes section

quotes

Ozzie Guillen is sorry for not being himself lately

Ozzie Guillen wishes he could do something

Ozzie Guillen wants everybody back

Ozzie Guillen says throw your glove in the trash

Ozzie Guillen thinks a leadoff hitter should have high OBP

by The Wizard on Sep 1, 2007 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

Two Things Needed for Turnaround

My vote for what is needed to turn this club around are the following.

Hire a manager.
Focus on the bullpen.

First of all we need a real manager. Half of his rantings and ravings are unintelligible. So if his managerial decisions resemble in the least his articulation, at least we have root cause.

Secondly, the main reason the Sox won the title in 2005 is Cotts & Politte. Yes, Jenks came on at the end but Neal and Cliff's contributions were enormous. They made that run possible. We can put the most amazing defensive and offensive group out there but if that pen isn't there it will be for naught.

Finally, what was KW smoking when he traded Tadahito? What a boondoggle that was!

by waitonhim on Sep 1, 2007 2:19 PM CDT reply actions

Not sure I buy the manager business.

Ozzie might be frustrating, but honestly, this year isn't his fault. He wasted BA, and his lineups probably cost us a few runs, but I'd have a hard time believing that replacing him would be more beneficial than, say, finding a CF.

------

In re: 2005:

PLAYER , VORP

MB, 54.2
Garland, 50.1
Garcia, 45.6
Contreras, 41.5
Konerko 56.4
Iguchi 30.9
Politte, 28.2
Cotts, 23.7

Huge part of the formula? Yes. Main part? No.

by Dongfang Hong on Sep 1, 2007 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions

WTF

First the Sox, now Michigan. Where'd I put my oxyconton?

"I thought we were just playing bad, but, no, we're horseshit." - Oswaldo Guillen, Sr.

by ChicagoPete on Sep 1, 2007 3:26 PM CDT reply actions

Pete, I'm glad you posted first

As a Purdue alum, all I have to say is"

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Appalachian State? For Chrissakes? That is WORSE than the Sox being almost in last place.

Don't hurt yourself - it isn't worth it.

Your '08 White Sox management: A bunch of jag bags

by winningugly on Sep 1, 2007 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions

fjm on eckstein

link
that aol link is hilarious!

by The Wizard on Sep 1, 2007 6:16 PM CDT reply actions

i was just going through the comments

it's unbelievable sometimes what people think - and then actually write.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Sep 1, 2007 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions

And the top three are:

The truth is that Eckstein is a winner. has been at almost every stop hes made, and its mostly due to the fact that he hustles.
Yes common sense, not stat wizardry dictates you need a high obp to be a leadoff hitter, but hey, guess what? Not every team has a Hanley or Jose Reyes. Honestly, beyond those two, the plateau really drops off.

(This one is insane. Right now, among eligible players Hanley Ramirez is 35th in on-base percentage. Reyes isn't top-50.)

1. The intangibles he brings are things like his low strikeout rate.

(too bad "strikeouts" is not a statistic, yes.)

by Dongfang Hong on Sep 1, 2007 7:04 PM CDT reply actions

look, only bonds has a high OBP

besides, ecky has 2 rings in 5 years

by The Wizard on Sep 1, 2007 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions

da comet

after you get done punching yourself in the balls,cut and paste this into your scapbook==
Clay Bucholz just pitched a no hitter in his second game in the bigs. this is what happens when you have a great organization and scouting staff. I guess I shouldn't bitch, after all our
GM recently traded Tad Iguchi for one of the Dubee brothers. And I must apologize for calling him an asshole.Rather ,I will be polite and call him an utterly incompentent employee of the White Sox who has no regard for the fans of this formerly great team. Is that enough of a valid point for you?

by BIG KLU on Sep 1, 2007 11:01 PM CDT reply actions

what did you expect to get for iguchi?

According to the GM's you personally talked to what did they offer. Oh yeah thats right shit they offered shit. And that what we got and we can resign him in the off season and we got a chance to see what Richar offers and didnt lose a thing what a stupid GM we have

by comet922 on Sep 2, 2007 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions

and more on KW's general manager abilities

so you get rid of a second baseman who is hitting 50 points higher than your shortstop (who is in his option year) only to see a rookie whose natural poition is shortstop, and you put him at second base-- so now you have two players hitting at the mendoza line, and the player you traded just helped his new team sweep the Mets( oh yeah, with his new team mate Aaron Rowand who was also our starting center fielder and was traded so that we could see Brian Anderson,Jerry Owens, Erstad all fail------ BRILLIANT !!!!!!

by BIG KLU on Sep 2, 2007 12:29 AM CDT reply actions

god your dumb

by comet922 on Sep 2, 2007 5:02 PM CDT reply actions

you're

that is

by comet922 on Sep 2, 2007 5:03 PM CDT reply actions

Sorry

I guess calling you dumb without explaining why is unfair. Basically you proved my point with that last post. Who gives a fuck what Iguchi is hitting for the Phils, if he was hitting it here with us would we be any better, no. Iguchi is a FREE AGENT at the end of the year. So trading him saved payroll this year and got us a look at Richar against ML pitching. That way we know whether or not we need to resign Iguchi(or best FA option) if Richar fails, or if he does well enough we can go get a SS (Trade or FA) and not pick up Uribes option.
Also according to most accounts Richars' play at his NATURAL position SS is what moved him to 2B not Kenny Williams desire to personally fuck with you.
In your world of good GM moves we should have kept Iguchi and his pay, sat Uribe and eat his salary and go into next year with same issues and even fewer answers. Or maybe we could have traded Uribe, I think NY offered Roger Clemens and Derek Jeter for him.

by comet922 on Sep 2, 2007 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions