Why go after Johan Santana when Paul Konerko can provide almost the same impact?

by The Wizard on Jan 23, 2008 1:17 PM CST in Quotes

Phil Rogers' talent is wasted:

Despite spending more than all three of the East's perennial also-rans (Toronto, Baltimore and Tampa Bay), the Yankees somehow don't have a first baseman. Doug Mientkiewicz and Andy Phillips are both gone, which means that new manager Joe Girardi must risk injury and gimme runs by playing Jason Giambi in the field, make a first baseman out of Shelly Duncan or Wilson Betemit or go with the unsung Juan Miranda, who had 16 homers and 96 RBIs between high A and Double-A a year ago.

Or maybe they could deal from an outfield surplus and trade Melky Cabrera and Miranda to the White Sox for Paul Konerko and one of the Sox's spare parts (Juan Uribe or Mike MacDougal). A deal like that could impact the balance of power in the [AL] East almost as much as a Santana trade.

***** In other news,

Jim's thoughts on Aardsma.
BP on Ehren Wassermann.
THT: Anatomy of a player: league average pitcher Part 2.
THT: More outfield arms results.
THT: Round table: Nick Swisher to the White Sox.

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Comments

lol

oh phil rogers. you so smart.

His little smile pissed me off.

by colintj on Jan 23, 2008 1:25 PM CST reply actions

rogers

haha

by em3 on Jan 23, 2008 9:51 PM CST up reply actions

I dunno...

Konerko AND MacDougal? Seems a bit much. I know Cabrera is decent, but he's not THAT good. He's still young, but he's pretty much an average CFer right now.

www.fratdaddy.blogspot.com

by Raf on Jan 23, 2008 1:26 PM CST reply actions

Wiz!!!!

Ignore my sarcasm in the last post of the last thread... I didn't see this new one.
Thx!

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Jan 23, 2008 1:27 PM CST reply actions

Now we know who "Paul in Las Vegas"

really is. Who'da thunk it was Rogers?

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Jan 23, 2008 1:29 PM CST reply actions

If PK goes to NY or anywhere

You need a starter!!!!!
Need a starter first and foremost!!!!
No faith in Floyd!

by rangerjae on Jan 23, 2008 1:29 PM CST reply actions

Konerko

I can't see that deal getting done unless we are doing the fleecing here. I think it could definitely solve some of our problems if we could get rid of uribe or macdougal AND pick up a true CFer and Starter. But that seems like wishful thinking at best

by oldComiskey91 on Jan 23, 2008 1:52 PM CST reply actions

Rogers is an idiot

No way that the Yankees do this...I would be thrilled for Konerko for Cabrera straight up! But, it won't happen.

Get rid of that contract, sign a true CF'er and move Swisher to 1B where will make less than the 20 errors he is going to make in CF.

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Jan 23, 2008 2:00 PM CST up reply actions

Again, JR said PK is not going

anywhere. Though you never know...

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 2:13 PM CST up reply actions

Phil Rogers is

a hipster doofus.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Jan 23, 2008 2:15 PM CST up reply actions

RE: Nick Swisher roundtable

Upon first glance, it appears that participants think the transaction was fair or would rather hold out their opinion until later. That said, I don't think any of them mentioned how this leaves move leaves cupboard empty for the Sox, which is my primary criticism.

by onlysoxfaninboston on Jan 23, 2008 2:59 PM CST reply actions

What is the point of stacking talent

If they never produce at the major league level? I would rather get a cheap young multi-faceted ball player who switch hits than 3 prospects who may all turn out to be bums. At least Swish is somewhat proven. Also how long are you going to hold on to these guys?

Toonderstrook's myspace page http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=67492521

by Soulja Boy on Jan 23, 2008 4:25 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think

Kenny is planning on doing anything crazy before soxfest. He has enough to worry about without everyone being pissed about trading the team captain. Give it a week...

by oldComiskey91 on Jan 23, 2008 3:02 PM CST reply actions

Re: the Wassermann article.

I didn't know about Wassermann's splits issues. That's pretty extreme.

I love watching submariners pitch, so I hope he makes it.

Interestingly enough, the very first batter Wassermann faced was batting lefty (Coco Crisp), and he struck him out.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 23, 2008 3:06 PM CST reply actions

We have one outstanding reliever

in Ehren Logan... or Boone Wasserman. Logan's held lefties to a .254/.346/.333 line over the past two seasons -- the OBP is a little too high but I imagine that'll improve a bit over next season.

I'm not really concerned about not having a 'long reliever', even with the back three in our rotation. So you're going to keep someone on the roster who isn't very good (Broadway, Masset) just because he can throw multiple innings over someone who's actually a useful pitcher?

by CWSKeith on Jan 23, 2008 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

That's exactly...

what the White Sox will do. Ken Williams is bound and determined to show that Masset is a major-league pitcher.

The bullpen appears to be set now, barring trades or injuries -

Masset
MacDougal
Logan
Linebrink
Thornton
Dotel
Jenks

Again, that's barring any trades or injuries. Wassermann's pretty high on the depth charts, but something will have to happen between now and April for him to make the team out of spring training.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 23, 2008 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

I think you're right.

And honestly, the more I look at that bullpen, the more I like it. I want to see if Masset can produce in 2008. Are both Masset and Sisco out of options? If Masset still has options, then I think he starts in the minors. Of course, I admit that I thought we had a solid bullpen going into last seasopn too.

by palehose67 on Jan 23, 2008 3:55 PM CST up reply actions

I think...

Sisco still has an option. I know Masset's out of options.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 23, 2008 3:57 PM CST up reply actions

if you're carrying 7 relievers

sorta kinda yes is the answer. if floyd or danks or contreras or whomever end up giving up 7 runs in 2 2/3, is it really a good idea to be using up our "useful" relievers in a useless 6+ inning mopup effort? not really. that's how sort of crappy back-end guys become useful.

i think equating broadway to masset is quite insulting to lance. i think he'd be the perfect man to have filling out the bullpen for cleanup duty - which i'd bet is going to be relatively frequent. i also wouldn't have a problem with him appearing in low-ish leverage situations. masset, not so much.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 3:52 PM CST up reply actions

Yes...

considering that none of the Sox relievers with guaranteed jobs can or should be working multiple innings, the Sox probably need a mop-up guy.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 23, 2008 3:56 PM CST up reply actions

thinking about it

let masset do it. so long as he isn't put into real games - and, frankly, with that bullpen, even ozzie would be hard-pressed to make that happen - he won't be doing much harm as he gets himself lit up for a while and, mercifully, then gets his outright release. i don't think KW, no matter how much he loves this guy, will be able to provide much rope to shitty players this year - especially in the bullpen. ozzie will get pissed off and want to drop him for one of his favs that's down in the minors (he's got an affinity for broadway and, i think wasserman, too) and the fans will just give masset the marte treatment.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 4:02 PM CST up reply actions

And I suppose...

there's always the slim chance that Masset actually does something.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jan 23, 2008 4:05 PM CST up reply actions

He does have an affinity for Wasserman

I remember reading an article last year about how he saw him then sent one of the coaches to bring him into ST - or something like that. I actually would expect to see him in the pen - if not immediately, shortly after the start of the season.

by Brush Back on Jan 23, 2008 4:08 PM CST up reply actions

I don't know

how it's gonna happen, but I have this weird feeling Broadway is gonna surprise and may even win a rotation job out of ST. And don't forget about my boy Haeger.

by dantesox on Jan 23, 2008 4:08 PM CST up reply actions

Broadway has "pitchability."

Yeah, that's it.

by dantesox on Jan 23, 2008 4:12 PM CST up reply actions

Broadway could surprise

but it will have more to due with his improved control (in the second half) and the newfound cutter, which he didn't have at his disposal until working with Cooper in September.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jan 23, 2008 4:40 PM CST up reply actions

Broadway

I think will be a much better starter than long reliever. He is still young, don't send him to the bullpen for mop up duty. He needs to pitch in AAA for another year and then move to the rotation in 09, or more likely be rushed in this year when Contreras, Danks or Floyd falter.

Sisco fits the role of long reliever for me.

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Jan 23, 2008 4:13 PM CST up reply actions

lots of pitchers

have started in the bullpen. see, e.g., buehrle, mark and santana, johan. it's good for them. broadway isn't going to learn anything more in AAA.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 4:19 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, but

He is only 24 and last year was his first year at AAA. He pitched 11 games at A ball in 05, then 06 and 07 in the minors. I wouldn't say that he isn't going to learn anything more in AAA.

I think he needs another year down there or maybe a call up late this year when the Sox are out of it.

He needs to pitch consistently, not pitch every week or so out of the bullpen for a few innings.

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Jan 23, 2008 4:36 PM CST up reply actions

he's a sox pitching draft choice

we know what he is. low ceiling, low risk, quick trip through the minors. he's not going to get any better than he is right now facing AAA players.

like i said, pitching a few innings out of the pen certainly helped MB and santana. he's going to learn a lot more from those few innings and his side sessions with coop than facing johnny triplea down in charlotte.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 4:46 PM CST up reply actions

Disagree

Broadway is no Buehrle or Santana. It isn't like he has been pitching in AAA for 3-years. He has pitched 1-year down there. He had a good call up in 2007 and started and pitched great. His ST numbers have stunk the past two years and who knows what he'll do this spring training.

The bullpen isn't for everyone, like you have so stated. Look at BMac in 2006. He couldn't pitch out of the bullpen, but as a starter in 2005 he pitched great the few opportunities he got.

Your stating that side sessions with coop and a few innings a week is going to make Broadway a better pitcher?? Why not have the side sessions with coop in ST, and then refine these pitches in Charlotte for at least part of the year if not all of 2008 and then come back in 09 shooting for a spot in the rotation? I think the bullpen will just slow down his progress.

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Jan 23, 2008 4:53 PM CST reply actions

what progress are you expecting?

he's not going to learn any new pitches. i don't see anything in his repertoire that needs serious refining. he is what he is in terms of stuff. i don't see anything more he'll learn in AAA that will help him in the majors. he's a back end guy now and will be a back end guy next year, too, pretty much regardless of where he pitches. may as well start getting some use out of him.

maybe the bullpen isn't for everyone. considering BMac was horseshit last year, too, though, we may want to consider that 2005 was an aberration. at any rate, broadway was just fine in relief, too. learn to face major leaguers. he was drafted to contribute in 2008. it's time to do that.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 5:02 PM CST up reply actions

$100,189,832

final sox payroll for 2007, per figures reported to the commissioner's office.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/01/23/yankees.payroll.ap/index.html

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 6:25 PM CST reply actions

Over $100 million of a whole lotta suck.

Our payroll right now is $118 million, right?

Our roster seems a lot better for $18 million more dollars. But I guess you have to factor in the loss of prospects.

by SSH2005 on Jan 23, 2008 6:39 PM CST up reply actions

Hey WU, I didn't knew you would be at SoxFest!

[mg]:

Saturday

10:30 a.m-11:15 a.m. '83 Winning Ugly with Harold Baines, Hemond, Ron Kittle and more.

...

Sunday

9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m. '83 Winning Ugly.

by The Wizard on Jan 23, 2008 6:40 PM CST reply actions

LOL!

Same guys at Fantasy Camp. Slow off-season for those dudes.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Jan 23, 2008 7:17 PM CST up reply actions

Minor league deals for some forgotten players...

Pirates signed RHP Jaret Wright to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Mets signed LHP Ricardo Rincon to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

by SSH2005 on Jan 23, 2008 7:17 PM CST reply actions

I'm going to step up and

go against conventional thinking and predict that.........

Nick Masset will be a valuable part of the 2008 Chicago White Sox. Started out last year NOT HORRIBLY and then went south with the rest of the bullpen. Young, fragile psyche.

Nick is going to be my man this year.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Jan 23, 2008 8:36 PM CST reply actions

Just call me St. Jude.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Jan 23, 2008 8:37 PM CST up reply actions

i suppose everyone needs a champion

BA has wiz. eduardo perez had SSH. jose used to have you. you're a good man, charlie brown.

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 9:05 PM CST up reply actions

Eduardo Perez could probably still hit lefties...

with some good pop but he decided on ESPN.

by SSH2005 on Jan 23, 2008 9:24 PM CST up reply actions

BA has more than me!

by The Wizard on Jan 24, 2008 8:33 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, there is a large contingency

of "I'm gay for BA" fans, wiz.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Jan 25, 2008 8:39 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, all of us

who pine to watch him track a ball hit to the Power alleys.

I swoon just thinking of it.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Jan 25, 2008 9:18 AM CST up reply actions

NOT HORRIBLY?

you're taking this to a whole new level, bally. i'd like to know what is horrible to you. killing a batter and severly maiming three others on the way towards loading the bases and HBPing in a run?

by larry on Jan 23, 2008 8:54 PM CST up reply actions

Yep, Masset was putrid last season...

He had a decent ERA for a short while but that was still with horrible peripherals (high hits, high walks, and low strikeouts).

He is a bad pitcher and his minor league stats don't really indicate that he will be a good pitcher in the majors. Once he put on a Sox uniform and lost that 98 MPH fastball that Kenny said that he supposedly saw from Masset, he was done for.

by SSH2005 on Jan 23, 2008 9:01 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe Kenny was correct in metric

Can we verify it was MPH and not Kilometers Per Hour - are we sure the gun was set for US measurement?

by Brush Back on Jan 23, 2008 9:22 PM CST up reply actions

Masset

I wouldn't be shocked. Good call.

by em3 on Jan 23, 2008 9:53 PM CST up reply actions

random

off topic, but good piece on old albert here.

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/01/23/great-moments-in-fleece-history-albert-belle-ruins-the-orioles /

by em3 on Jan 23, 2008 9:52 PM CST reply actions

I bet it's awesome.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Jan 23, 2008 9:54 PM CST up reply actions

Just curious...

but why would someone with a blog rip on another person's blog? What did em3 do wrong?

by SSH2005 on Jan 23, 2008 10:00 PM CST up reply actions

thanks

appreciate it.

by em3 on Jan 23, 2008 10:05 PM CST up reply actions

Etiquette

If anybody who had a blog promoted their blog with every post, there'd be no room for discussion.

But if you don't care about my opinion (and I wouldn't argue with you, necessarily), this site's proprietor doesn't like spamming, either.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Jan 23, 2008 10:27 PM CST up reply actions

Not that I disagree, but with your sig...

...don't you technically advertise literally every time you post ;-)

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Jan 23, 2008 10:47 PM CST up reply actions

Etiquette?

You actually have a link to your blog in your signature so basically you are promoting your blog with each and every one of your posts. And since you post much more than em3, I guess you actually have worse etiquette than him if I go buy your definition.

Oops.

by SSH2005 on Jan 24, 2008 7:29 AM CST up reply actions

buy = by

by SSH2005 on Jan 24, 2008 7:31 AM CST up reply actions

Sorry for not responding earlier

I was busy checking my statcounter for all the incredible traffic that link was getting.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Jan 24, 2008 9:28 AM CST up reply actions

That's not the point...

and you know it. You are doing the same thing as em3 so why call him out about it? It's hypocritical.

by SSH2005 on Jan 24, 2008 9:47 AM CST up reply actions

i don't think it's the same thing

as cheat explains, jim has a link to his blog that appears in his comments. he does not post a comment that is simply a link to his own blog. his comments have something called "content" that is relevant to discussion. em3 simply posts a link to his own blog. no real content.

by larry on Jan 24, 2008 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

And it's not just here

Go to SoxTalk. You'll see links to blogs/sites abound in sigs, but nobody only posts specific links to their own material as the entire content of threads, or responses in threads.

Most forums consider self-promotion is such fashion an ejectable offense. Basically standard netiquette.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Jan 24, 2008 10:01 AM CST up reply actions

and the albert belle

reference was kind of out of nowhere....now if there were an albert belle discussion going on, and he posted that link, i could see it being more acceptable.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Jan 24, 2008 10:03 AM CST up reply actions

em3's posts

are spam disguised as comments.

They are designed to reroute this site's traffic to his blog and increase his blogs relevance (Google juice) by being linked here (and I'm assuming elsewhere).

That's pretty much the definition of spam. While they're not automated and are at least tangentially related, they are self-serving.

You could argue that Jim's signature (or my own at other SB Nation sites) is self-serving. They are. But they're almost always attached to a comment which adds something to the site. And I can't picture Jim running back to his stats package to check his traffic after he makes a comment (I know I check the stats here maybe once every 2 weeks)

I welcome EM to put his site in his signature, and more readily join in our discussion here, especially if it stops the "hey, I found the greatest thing on the internet, which just happens to be at my site" type posts.

* * * * *

/Part of the reason I haven't posted in the last week+ is because I've been using my free time beta testing the new SSS, which will hopefully debut sometime in Spring Training. That and my monitor crapped out, so I'm alternating between running 800x600 and 1280x960. Anyway, comments on the new SSS can be flagged as spam, so em3 is also welcome to see how his comments are received in about 6 weeks.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jan 23, 2008 10:56 PM CST up reply actions

As Kyle Broflovski would say...

em3, you bastard!

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Jan 23, 2008 11:08 PM CST up reply actions

Wow

I thought i didn't promote discussion? Ha...Sorry for getting you all riled up. No harm is meant - i've only linked to white sox stories here, and they're usually related or contain new news that I thought you'd appreciate.

I read this site a lot, and I read a lot of your comments as well.

No big deal...I'll stop commenting. Good luck with your site.

by em3 on Jan 24, 2008 7:54 AM CST up reply actions

Glad to see we're surpressing

a free marketplace of idea exchange and speech. God bless the internet.

by HulkSmash on Jan 24, 2008 10:42 AM CST up reply actions

Hulkster, there's a balance between

individual freedoms (which I wholeheartedly support vociferously) and the greater good (which, except maybe in Walden times is a necessary compontent of a healthy, respectful society).

Yes, folks have a right to be leechy, but it's not good form and does not add to the gestalt, you know?

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Jan 24, 2008 10:58 AM CST up reply actions

Hey, that's fine and good

but if you don't like what this em3 has to offer don't respond; don't visit his blog. But to suppress content (irregardless of its merit or intent)...who are we, Disney?

by HulkSmash on Jan 24, 2008 11:01 AM CST up reply actions

LOL

OK, you got me there. But if we have a whole host of goofballs plugging their own stuff - without disclosing it, by the by, which is pretty snarky - how do you keep track?

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Jan 24, 2008 11:08 AM CST up reply actions

Doesn't the god of the internet machine

(the invisible hand) filter unwanted content on its own?

Okay, now you got me.

by HulkSmash on Jan 24, 2008 11:13 AM CST up reply actions

reminds me of a bar

There's an old German bar called Resi's Bier Stube on Irving & Damen. Was in there one Sunday on a slow night and this boisterous German dude comes strutting in, starts slapping everyone on the back and saying, "Hey, come on across the street to my place (Laschett's), first drink's on me." The owner of Resi's was right there behind the bar, I'm like huh WTF?

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Jan 24, 2008 11:43 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

There are some guidelines I would like kept here. Although I don't want Cheat to come on here and post a lengthy guideline for us to follow, I expect the posters here to follow some sort of etiquette (unwritten laws) and not pimp his own website. In the sig, that's fine. As an entire post unto itself, no.

If Cheat has to put up something for us all to follow, so be it. But I like the laissez-faire aspect of this blog. Cheat lets us sort of buy stock into this blog and have a say with what goes on here, and I would hate for him to impose a lot of rules on us, thereby revoking our rights :)

Maybe it's MLK holiday riling me up.

"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 Jan 24, 2008 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think any rules are necessary here

God knows this is a self-policing group. Even SouljaBoy got beat down and started behaving himself.

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Jan 24, 2008 11:47 AM CST up reply actions

I've always thought peer pressure

works better than authoritarianism. And it did - e8-whatever decided to hit the road himself. Good on him - he can hoodwink other folks on other sites.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Jan 24, 2008 12:23 PM CST up reply actions

Unfortunately

There will have to be a set of guidelines as we move on to the new iteration of SSS.

It will be much easier to go from blog to blog (i.e. 1 username), and as such will no doubt see some increased trollage.

I'll keep it VERY simple, and for the most part we'll remain as is/self policing... but you will be required to read a VERY short community guidelines in order to post on SSS2.0.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jan 25, 2008 1:17 AM CST up reply actions

noooooooooo

i hate reading! :)

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Jan 25, 2008 9:22 AM CST up reply actions

Is this, in fact, Cheat,

or someone from COMMUNIST CHINA???

;)

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Jan 25, 2008 9:33 AM CST up reply actions

Word.

"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 Jan 25, 2008 11:01 AM CST up reply actions

SoxFest partial Schedule

LINK

Here's a partial schedule for anyone attending

by Brush Back on Jan 23, 2008 9:54 PM CST reply actions

And it's sold out...

"SoxFest 2008 sold out"

by SSH2005 on Jan 23, 2008 10:02 PM CST up reply actions

I'll pass, but thanks anyway

"Announcers Hawk Harrelson, Darrin Jackson, Chris Singleton and Ed Farmer will emcee the seminars."

It's painful enough for 162 games.

"Playing the Outfield" with Carlos Quentin, Jerry Owens and Nick Swisher. What? No Pudge Fisk?

Should be a hoot! Enjoy!

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Jan 23, 2008 10:57 PM CST up reply actions

haha

I've never been to these soxfests, so I didn't realize they use a corporate conference setup with breakout sessions. Bad coffee and stale donuts, the real deal. I can just envision Hawk & DJ putting their heads together and preparing and then droning through a 80-slide powerpoint presentation, that would be worth the price of admission right there.

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Jan 24, 2008 7:31 AM CST up reply actions

I went last year and

like Cheat said the only thing of value was the Q and A with Williams and Guillen.

Standing in line for an hour or more to get an autograph (and then running to another room for another autograph) isn't my idea of a good time.

To each his own.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Jan 24, 2008 8:19 AM CST up reply actions

I went last year for the 1st AND LAST time.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Jan 24, 2008 8:21 AM CST up reply actions

It was pretty messed up last year

New place last year, be interesting to see if they got it more organized this year.

Like I added - as an adult once is fine... as a kid its a different perspective. As a father with your kid - its someplace to go together. He's 11 and really excited about going again.

by Brush Back on Jan 24, 2008 8:50 AM CST up reply actions

Took my son last year

He is excited about going again. As an adult its cool to go once... but as a dad, its cool to get away for a couple days with you son, regardless of where.

The breakouts are actually pretty good - you get some of the WU stories like he got a fantasy camp. And for the most part everyone tries to keep it entertaining.

They usually open the floor to questions, and for the most part don't shy away from answers. My son will probably try to get see the players and get autographs while I sit in on sessions. Though, for the most part I'll sit and wait with him. (Basically you get a wrist ban, which limits the amount of signings a player does, then get in line at the time designated to meet the player. There is a lot of down time waiting - kind of like being at Disney without the ride at the end. Picked up a couple books to kill time + will probably bring my laptop - got to stay up to date with SSS)

BTW - Coffee and donuts cost, just like being at the ballpark.

by Brush Back on Jan 24, 2008 8:46 AM CST up reply actions