Contreras, Thome Earl Weaver the Orioles

by The Cheat on Apr 16, 2008 9:37 PM CDT in Recaps Comment 129 comments

White Sox match 2007 high water mark

Ho Hum. Just another well pitched game won on the strength of the 3-run homer.

Yesterday it was Carlos Quentin who provided the offense with 3-run shot off Dana Eveland; today it was Jim Thome's turn. Thome, who had been benched yesterday even before receiving a 1-game suspension, hit his third HR of the year and his first since opening day in the first inning after falling behind Adam Loewen 0-2. He has yet to hit a HR off a right-hander.

After that, it was about as boring of a game as you can get with Jose Contreras on the mound. I missed the first two batters of the game, and tuned in just in time to see Thome fall behind 0-2. Two hours and fifteen minutes later, Bobby Jenks nonchalantly put this one in the books.

If I was one of those writers, I might say this is a team that just knows how to win. But I'm not. The Sox are winning because they're getting good pitching -- The pitching staff has allowed 4 runs in their last 5 games -- they've embraced the idea of putting guys who get on base at the top of the lineup, and they've always hit home runs.

For his part, Jose was as crisp as he's been since May of 2006. He's still is dropping down too much, as almost every non-forkball pitch he threw to a righty was from the drop-down position, but he had good movement, and more importantly, great location on his pitches. He didn't walk a batter for the first time since an August 17 loss to Seattle last year.

His velocity was in the low 90's -- Gameday says he was touching 93 -- but he'll probably never have the 95 MPH with movement on the corners he displayed during his remarkable '05-'06 run. That's fine by me if we see a whole lot more of the low-90's control pitcher we saw tonight.

* * * * *

Bobby Jenks and Scott Linebrink, who combined to close out the last two innings allowing only 1 baserunner, each seemed to have some extra life on their respective fastballs. Linebrink was touching 94 on the WCIU gun, and had similar Gameday readings, while Jenks hit 95 on both.
Carlos Quentin is quickly approaching his longest at-bat streak without hitting a double. He's gone 42 at-bats this season without hitting a two-bagger. The good news is he's still been an effective offensive force. The bad news is I don't think he's quite 100% yet, which I suppose could be construed as good news as well.

I bring this up because Q is not really a homerun hitter. He's more of a gap hitter. He hit nearly twice as many doubles as he had HR in AAA, and continued that trend to his brief pre-White Sox major league career.
During the Civil Rights game, Kenny Williams mentioned that Carlos wasn't quite all the way back yet. And that he'd be "all the way back" when we saw him pounding the ball to the right center field gap. I don't think I've seen anything but a lazy fly ball to that field from Q this season. Hopefully we start to see it soon. Then we'll really know what we have in Quentin.
The Orioles wiped out two Sox scoring opportunities with outfield assists.

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Looks like Father Time

drank from the Fountain of Youth tonight. Fork ball had some bite.

My biggest concern this year was the starting rotation and now they’re (thanfully) making me look bad for being critical.

Another concern was relying on the long ball to get wins. But I guess if it works, it works.

Just win, baby.

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on Apr 16, 2008 10:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If everything clicks...?

It seems like right now we are getting the best of everything…

John Danks found a way to win without his curveball.

Gavin Floyd is finally pitching up to his ability.

The Count shows that he still has life left.

I can’t wait until Bobby Jenks is in midseason form. It’s like he is so good and he isn’t even trying. I am never concerned when he is in the game. I sometimes forget that he is just 27 and has a whopping 180 IP. How many productive years does this guy have left…? 5…..6…..7….10…? He is actually pitching and not just blowing people away.

I will admit that i miss Josh Fields… but seriously how can you be a Sox Fan and not love Joe Crede….. When he ranged left behind the bag and threw on the run tonight and didn’t get Huff at first…. I was surprised…. when the ball is hit to him, i expect an out….

Q – i really think that the best is yet to come….

swisher – nothing to say that hasn’t already been said…solid cf and a nice 1B. If we can move Paulie or Thomer for anything of value it not only creates a ton of free $$$ but our team looks younger and free’s up spots for Ramirez, and Anderson. Wait not so much Anderson, but it is weird to actually have some depth from people that aren’t named Rob and Alex.

I am going to ask you one time, and i'm gonna ask you nice. Where the fuck is Ringo bitch.

by ElDiablo on Apr 16, 2008 10:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

give Q a day off to rest

and put BA in there to see what he can do

by The Scoper on Apr 16, 2008 10:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sox 3-1 vs. last 4 lefties

great trend

by The Scoper on Apr 16, 2008 10:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is all kinda tripping me out

We’re not really this good, are we?!

by Option27 on Apr 16, 2008 10:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Right now, yes...

...but it is a long season. I’m not getting my hopes up too much until end of May/beginning of June. If they are playing at this level then too, well, then we might have something.

Still, they are fun to watch right now.

by vince_ on Apr 16, 2008 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i just did some calculating...

and i found our team era right now is 3.7 can anyone confirm this for me because that is really good…

by Jbasic89 on Apr 16, 2008 11:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Let me check my abacus

I’ll get back to you tomorrow

by 3E8 on Apr 16, 2008 11:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+100, 3e8

absolutely hilarious—that made me giggle and LOL.

by CWSKeith on Apr 17, 2008 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep, 3.7

why didn’t you just go on bbref or espn or something? allowing 4 runs in 5 games will do wonders for an ERA in a small sample size

Lurking since 2006

by boyonthedock on Apr 17, 2008 12:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable_team_stats.jsp?statType=2&;statType=2&timeFrame=1&timeFrame=1&c_id=mlb&c_id=mlb&groupByTeam=true&groupByTeam=true&section2=null&sitSplit=&sitSplit=&checkBoxTotal=0&statSet2=null&Submit=Submit&Submit=Submit&baseballScope=AL&baseballScope=mlb&timeSubFrame=2008&timeSubFrame=2008&timeSubFrame=2008&sortByStat=ERA

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on Apr 17, 2008 6:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then pitching on left.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on Apr 17, 2008 6:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This was the first Contreras start I've seen this year...

And I have to say, he looked pretty good. He struck guys out and placed the ball where he wanted it.

Unfortunately, to my eyes, he also looked like he’s put on a good bit of weight since last season. Contreras has always been in great shape in the past, and now he looks like he’s starting to follow the Freddy Garcia training plan.

Any thoughts? Is he just getting older, or is this part of a trend I haven’t been seeing?

Honestly, with Contreras’s brittle history and loss of stuff, I’d be a lot more comfortable with his resurgence if he was in good shape.

by Stealfirstbase on Apr 17, 2008 12:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Didn't look any different to me, really.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Apr 17, 2008 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i never thought the count looked like he was in great shape.

he’s always been a big dude. maybe you just updated a prescription?

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 12:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard a few years ago

he was in the best shape of any Sox player. Quite a physical specimen.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on Apr 17, 2008 6:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ran into Contreras at a Cuban restaurant...

On Fullerton with two ladies in December. The man is in incredible shape.

His pants also cost more than I make in a month.

'Next year''s are for Cub fans!

by oscargamble33 on Apr 17, 2008 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

winning is great.

i am a little concerned, however, with the 2 hits in the last 10+ innings against bullpens.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 12:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah that is a bit concerning

But can there really even be any logical causation assosiated with that fact? They were different relievers for the most part. And a lot of that was Oakland and they usually have some solid bullpen arms.

by CatBrains on Apr 17, 2008 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so far in this young season,

the sox are .350 OBP/.447 SLG/.797 OPS as a team against starters (332 PA) and against
relievers are .315 OPB/.400 SLG/.715 OPS (204 PA).

a .797 team OPS would be 5th in MLB; a .715 20th. the actual current overall of .771 is 8th.

and looking back at some of the relievers who the sox have been unable to touch, i think it does mean something.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but what?

league average for starters and relievers are, what, .740 for starters and .733 for relievers? so they’re overperforming a lot against starters and underperforming a little against relievers. heck, that .02 difference probably is the result of that game last friday against the tigers. small sample sizes are tough to determine what that something means. if anything.

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree.

all i said to start was that i was concerned with 2 hits in the last 11 innings of facing mostly scrubby relievers.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coasting -

they’ll flip the switch when they need to. They’re professional ballplayers.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you gotta flip a switch against the likes of

jim johnson, chad bradford, joey devine, kirk saarloos, santiago casilla, alan embree, and clay repada?

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

a couple of those guys are pretty good

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i count maybe one and one or two unknowns.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unknowns are the bane of our existence.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

PS You got to know I'm being obtuse, right?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

aren't you always? ;-)

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will enjoy your gradual conversion to

a Republican after you hit 30. Your time will come….

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no way no how no matter how much money i have.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not $ -

it’s being told what to do with it.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

like to pay for roads and education and parks and stuff. yeah, roger that.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

or to democratize the world. forgot that one.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pete?

Small sample size, righteous indignation. Indianapolis = San Fran?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i would have this discussion,

but now that you’ve got SoB on your side making fun of how I live on the street, I just can’t do it.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Give me your tired, your poor....

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Democrats=Tax+Spend

Republicans=Borrow+Spend

Same shit, different color. Plus I’d prefer to not have a guy who was waterboarded every day for 5 years straight as president thank you very much.

''It's a grinder-type attitude, energetic attitude, confident-type attitude, and if it grinds on some people, then I need to know who those people are so we can move them on''

by ChicagoPete on Apr 17, 2008 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Money in the mattress

thats for democrats. Or in Toonder’s case, between the maytag box and the asphalt.

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 17, 2008 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

both embree and bradford are above average relievers

getting shut down by them isn’t really a terrible thing.

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

fine, i'll give you embree.

two hits in the last ~ 9 innings of facing relievers not named bradford or embree still sucks.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

is that you pete?

small sample size is your name.

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm not claiming it's the end of the world.

i’m not claiming anybody should be benched, orders changed, etc. something doesn’t have to be statistically significant to be worth commenting on. unless the pitching really holds up it’s necessary to score some runs off of shitty bullpens.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, you're confusing me with your wife

''It's a grinder-type attitude, energetic attitude, confident-type attitude, and if it grinds on some people, then I need to know who those people are so we can move them on''

by ChicagoPete on Apr 17, 2008 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that could have been a good joke

but you muffed it. orlando cabrera is your name?

somewhere in rural america, jerry owens loudly whines.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cat fight!

Hey, ifwe’re gonna tag-team, I want a piece of JRE!

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the wee-wee joke wasn't enough? you have to add "tag team?"

must have been a fairly lifeless anniversary after all.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets"

''It's a grinder-type attitude, energetic attitude, confident-type attitude, and if it grinds on some people, then I need to know who those people are so we can move them on''

by ChicagoPete on Apr 17, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember my first beer...

You sure you don’t belong in “The Shrine”?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was wondering how long it would take

for the obligitory wee-wee joke.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keep dropping the Earl stuff Cheat

Love it.

by Tony82087 on Apr 17, 2008 1:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

speaking of earl

The DH listed in the starting line-up must bat at least once before being substituted, unless there is an injury or the opposite team’s starting pitcher has been changed. This rule was added after the 1980 season to close a loophole discovered by Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver: he would list one of his inactive starting pitchers in the starting line-up as a phantom DH, and then, when his first time to bat came up, Weaver could decide which of a number of players to use as a pinch hitter for his DH, depending on the situation (for example if there were men on base, if he needed a base-runner, etc). Pitchers Steve Stone and Dennis Martinez were used most often in this capacity. Boxscores from that time would list the pitchers as having played a game at DH, but after the amendment to the rule was adopted, these "appearances" were erased from these pitchers’ records.

B-R via tango

by The Wizard on Apr 17, 2008 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"allowed 4 runs in their last 5 games."

Last time that happened?

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on Apr 17, 2008 6:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Linebrink

Looked pretty good last night. His heaters were accurate and his breaking pitches had lots of movement. They certainly kept AJ on his toes!

by thekever on Apr 17, 2008 8:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So you don't like Profundo! eh - tough, get used to him

In today’s Trib, “Uribe at Second”:

“The reason we are where we are is because of Uribe,” Guillen said. “He turns big double plays for us. I think our defense has been great. We have to keep the same lineup as long as we can. Uribe is going to come out of it. He has had some good at-bats.

I bolded this “We have to keep the same lineup as long as we can”. I tell ya, this Ozzie is one clever rascal. He figures someone’s going to the DL sooner or later so he’s making hay while the sun shines.

''It's a grinder-type attitude, energetic attitude, confident-type attitude, and if it grinds on some people, then I need to know who those people are so we can move them on''

by ChicagoPete on Apr 17, 2008 9:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Make sense of this statement

‘The reason we are where we are is because of Uribe,’’ Guillen said. ’’He turns big double plays for us. Our defense has been great.

’’Obviously, he’s going to strike out; we all know that. But since spring training, he’s always given me good at-bats, and that’s what we expect.

He always has given me good at-bats? Explain to me how any Uribe AB can be described as good. Now granted when he swings from his heels and connects it will go a long way, however when a guy walks the bases loaded and gets Uribe what one or two pitches and the ball is in play. He cannot control himself and swings at anything. Including bounced in balls as we saw last night.

by southsideirish71 on Apr 17, 2008 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uribe Sucks

Our national league lineup features a weak #9 hitter. We certainly need someone who at least has the potential to be productive at that spot, not a clown who chases lousy pitches.

...I don't believe in Zimmerman,
I don't believe in Beatles,
I just believe in me.

by thekever on Apr 17, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yada, yada, yada

who cares what ozzie says. this is his starting 2B with no other palpable alternatives, as hard as that may be to believe considering uribe’s less than stellar talents. i can imagine what people would be saying if ozzie criticized him – just ozzie throwing one of his players under the bus again. we have a shitty #9 hitter who plays decent to good defense. there are worse things in life and baseball.

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well said, lar.

I am looking forward to Richar getting healthy, though. If he develops like I think he can, he should eventually be getting at least half of the plate appearances out of that spot.

by dantesox on Apr 17, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

or ramirez

i’d hope one of them could wrestle the spot from uribe by july or august. but if they can’t, that’s the way it goes. the “problem” is that uribe has looked pretty good over there defensively and the defense has been surprisingly good so far, especially with the double plays. there’s value in defense. need to see how this develops over the course of the season but uribe being there isn’t the worst thing in the world. if he’s our biggest problem…shoot, that’s nothing.

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Couldn't agree more.

On one level, you’d like to prepare for next year when the position will be mainly Richar’s, , but, as you were alluding to, that’s secondary right now. One could also be future-oriented in their thinking concerning the shortstop position as well…..if one believes Cabrera extension talk is lip service (which isn’t a bad thing in my mind), and they are half expecting Ramirez to be the shortstop next year, what are the pros and cons of having him on the bench vs. at AAA playing shortstop every day?

by dantesox on Apr 17, 2008 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

last year this time

we had a lot of worse problems.

jeez, I’m starting to forget those problems…. Ah, that sweet Winning Amnesia…

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Apr 17, 2008 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

His arm is also an asset

in the relay from Dye to third, as you mentioned a few weeks ago when the two of them combined to throw someone out trying to stretch a double into a triple (the Detroit Sunday night game I think)

"I'll bring the awesome." -The 'Swish'

by Hazymania on Apr 17, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Missing Richar? You and me, both...

He’s a much more solid hitter than Uribe. He doesn’t swing with an ego and in the short time he played in ‘07, he made some great hits thorough pockets that made a difference. Let’s not forget he set up Thome for his walk off 500th homer.

Unfortunately, and this breaks my heart, I talked to Mark Salas and he said he’s still in Tuscon—with more than a cracked rib.

I got to send him a get-well card, though. He knows people want him. Keep the hope. ; )

by DavidIt'sMe on Apr 17, 2008 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How's Chief doing?

He was a blast at Fantasy Camp. Funny guy, doesn’t take himself seriously.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Chief is doing great because he engages with fans

Chief’s doing great.
I “formally” first met him in Memphis at the Civil Rights game. My boyfriend has season tickets in left field near the bullpen (so, yay…I “inherited” it) and when I asked him about Richar, he remembered me from the Civil Rights game. (I wear a Richar jersey and he remembered that.) He talked to me for a good minute or two ‘til that large security guard got mad. That’s when he told me about Richar’s current status. At the Memphis game a kid threw a ball into the bullpen and he had every player sign it before he tossed it back to him. Sweet guy. We were all standing by the bullpen with beers and he asked where his beer was. He has a really great attitude and he engages with people that love the game. The guy makes me smile. For me, this is what baseball is all about.

by DavidIt'sMe on Apr 18, 2008 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"just ozzie throwing one of his players under the bus again."

How’s that? Seems supportive.

Maybe I don't understand the term " throwing under the bus. "

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on Apr 17, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reread what he said.

by Grinder in Training on Apr 17, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on Apr 17, 2008 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's simple and be prepared for good times ahead.

“Uribe can carry a team when he gets his stroke right.”

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on Apr 17, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Count

Well I only caught a few innings of the game last night but I noticed he was thowing over the top and it was down right nasty. If he can regain a little of the magic that made him so recockulous in 05-06 we might have a fighting chance. Last night gave me a little hope for Jose…I didn’t think I would be saying that any time soon

by ozziesmallballs on Apr 17, 2008 10:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought he was sidearming a bunch in the later innings

Great movement, changed speeds extremely well, spotted his pitches better than I’ve seen since the end of ‘07.

See, divorce is a great thing if you’re unhappy. (I know – it doesn’t explain why he stunk it up in his first outing. Perhaps he got some nookie pre-game.)

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Forbes came out...

With their list of estimated Franchise values.

The White Sox are listed 14th, at around $450 million. The Cubs are 5th or 6th.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 17, 2008 1:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And...

Here’s Forbes’ analysis of the Sox.

Reinsdorf makes a ton of money off this team.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 17, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wins to Cost Analysis

Makes Kenny look pretty damn good.

by Grinder in Training on Apr 17, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, JRE - nice piece

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

how are the washington nationals more valuable than the sox?

by The Scoper on Apr 17, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i suppose you could, you know, read the piece

wonder if maybe the answer is in there and not here…

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, ill just wait for your answer

thanks

by The Scoper on Apr 17, 2008 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Short answer...

much less spent on payroll.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 17, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Greater stadium revenue, too

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

new stadium

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 17, 2008 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which means...

greater stadium revenue.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so the yankee$, red sox and blue jays lost money

while all the others teams made money?

by The Wizard on Apr 17, 2008 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

one of these is not like the others...

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL!

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ouch, nate

“Getting shut out by John Danks for 7.2 innings is usually a sign from God that your offense needs some help.”

i suppose you could insert just about any pitcher into that but no love for johnny?

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=451

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 1:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He doesn't to appear to have thought much of JD's prospects

this year. Some of us (me, for example) picked him as the “breakout” pitcher for the Sox.

Still, a near no-no is a little above expected return.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The no-no was Gavin for 7.1

Danks was scoreless for 7.2… not gonna bother to look it up but I think he gave up 4 hits… and first was early enough that there was never talk of a no hitter

by CatBrains on Apr 17, 2008 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

4 hits into the 8th is near enough for me

It may be the closest he gets for a long time.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just tried to make a FanPost...

and when I clicked preview…everything disappeared. Now I’m far too lazy to remake the thing. It was probably pointless, anyway.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Apr 17, 2008 1:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

nice teaser

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don't have to

it saved a draft somewhere

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 17, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here you go

Click “edit settings” then “my dashboard” you should have an unfinished draft in there somewhere. Click the little paper and pen icon edit and then publish it.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 17, 2008 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Early results are not indicative of future performance

If my math is correct, the Sox are currently on pace to go 104-58. Admittedly, making projections may be a little premature, but what the hell, we can dream, right?

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on Apr 17, 2008 2:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting Sox Item on Craigslist:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tix/645920887.html

Whatever it is, is only $15.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Apr 17, 2008 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

HMM... I would only pay pal this dude.

Avoid scams and fraud by dealing locally! Beware any deal involving Western Union, Moneygram, wire transfer, cashier check, money order, shipping, escrow, or any promise of transaction protection/certification/guarantee.

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 17, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

$5 tickets?

Does he set up a folding chair outside the stadium?

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on Apr 17, 2008 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, the entire post has changed.

Originally it said something about White Sox excitement costing $15. It made no sense at all. And was hilarious.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Apr 17, 2008 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you had to buy a jersey

which one would it be?

for some reason i particularly like the Civil Rights Game jersey with the big bold Chicago in the front

now the question, which player?

i saw once at a game someone with a Karkovice jersey and thought it was the coolest thing

by The Scoper on Apr 17, 2008 4:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Old school - Nellie Fox

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on Apr 17, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

one room schoolhouse - ed walsh

somewhere in rural america, jerry owens loudly whines.

by larry on Apr 17, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No school

Ralph “Roadrunner” Garr

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dick Allen, hands down

with a pack of Kools in the pocket.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2008 4:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

so i was just at a meeting regarding judicial staff code of conduct

where the black sox were referenced. the story was fairly accurate until the judge got to the part regarding kennesaw mountain “jones.”

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 5:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Toonder, explain something to me please

As if Sox fans aren’t already a mass of contradiction, but -

How does a Dead fan work on the side of John Law?

''It's a grinder-type attitude, energetic attitude, confident-type attitude, and if it grinds on some people, then I need to know who those people are so we can move them on''

by ChicagoPete on Apr 17, 2008 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the dead ethos is based on choice

and people doing their own thing with (hopefully) as little collateral damage to others as possible. that’s the only way i know how to describe it. i don’t think what i do (at least when i’m not practicing in the corporate sector) is really in conflict. i would be interested, though, to hear deadhead ann coulter’s reasoning.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It just struck me after listening to them after a long hiatus, this is like re-reading a good novel after setting it aside for 20yrs

Their music is all about the typical American outlaw hero, living on the edges of society and running away from the law – these goddamn dirty hippie scum. And it wasn’t just some white boy fantasy, it was very real to that band. They were big time dopers that were part of the Merry Pranksters, hounded by the feds, taking refuge in the ratlands of Mexico, etc:

I just jumped the watchman, right outside the fence.
Took his rings, four bucks in change, aint that heaven sent?

''It's a grinder-type attitude, energetic attitude, confident-type attitude, and if it grinds on some people, then I need to know who those people are so we can move them on''

by ChicagoPete on Apr 17, 2008 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

where they are also depends on the period and

personnel…pig dead different from brent & donna jean dead different from brent dead and so on. it was very real to them, but ultimately they just wanted to share the music without injecting politics, etc. it was only much later that a couple of pseudo-political songs, like throwing stones, became comfortable territory. there are still quite a few people out here who are upset the bobby, phil, and mickey decided to band together and play the “deadheads for obama” concert.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, it wasnt' overt politics

But on hearing it again Europe ‘72 is basically a collection of old American folk tunes spawned by the Great Depression, and the hero of every song is some outlaw renegade type.

''It's a grinder-type attitude, energetic attitude, confident-type attitude, and if it grinds on some people, then I need to know who those people are so we can move them on''

by ChicagoPete on Apr 17, 2008 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup.

there are the bobby songs: jack straw, me & my uncle, mexicali blues, etc. and the less renegade but still western jerry songs like deal, loser, etc.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hang 'em High

''It's a grinder-type attitude, energetic attitude, confident-type attitude, and if it grinds on some people, then I need to know who those people are so we can move them on''

by ChicagoPete on Apr 17, 2008 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ucch...The Dead

I just ate. This is not helping.

I have much more respect for Rush. At least they can play their damned instruments.

I’ve said it many times before-the Dead coasted on a cultural zeitgeist, that was over before it began, for thirty years.

And On The Road sucks. But Ken Kesey rules.

The most irritating thing about modern day hippies (sidebar, I know) is that they’re so lost now. They’ve gummed up the shows of one of my old fave bands (Black Crowes), and now seem to want to do the same to a new fave(My Morning Jacket). I don’t want to buy your hemp necklace!

When I become Il Duce, first thing-hippie and hipster genocide. At least this is a hipster free zone.

'Next year''s are for Cub fans!

by oscargamble33 on Apr 17, 2008 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you obviously haven't been here much.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and another thing...

i’ll be the first to admit that the dead weren’t on every night, but they had a huge catalog of songs and improvised a lot so every night was different. they didn’t play tom sawyer 1000 times exactly the same way. listen to “dark star” from live/dead or anything from the late 70’s. if you don’t think the dead can play, i can’t help you (or if you the think the crowes, who i also dig, can play and the dead couldn’t, for that matter).

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 17, 2008 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was at Jerry's second to last show...

And there wasn’t enough drugs in Soldier Field to make that enjoyable. In fact, that may have been the worst time I’ve had on drugs ever. And I’ve lived in L.A.

I’ll go point for point with you…

1) Most bands play a set set list so that they are TIGHT! I won’t go into a complete list, but off the top of my head, James Brown and Bruce. They are both show men who ran, and run, highly choreographed shows because they don’t want to DISAPPOINT people! Deadheads are the only people I know who left a shitty show satiated, ‘cause at least they can listen to Live in Europe on the way home.

2) Off the top of my head (again), these bands were better than the Dead in San Fran when they were ‘happening’-Credence Clearwater Revival, Sly and the Family Stone, Jefferson Airplane, and Mamas and the Papas. That makes them the FIFTH best band in their city. If you want to just go Cali of that time, well, then throw in the Doors, the Byrds, the Beach Boys, and Love. That means that the Dead were the NINTH best band in the state of California in their era. That’s your fave band? Really?

3) The Dead do have two great albums and one good live album. Lots (LOTS!) of bands can match that, and most of those bands had to prove their worth every night.

4) If Ken Kesey didn’t hang out with them and Tom Wolfe write his book, they would be playing bars the rest of the ‘70s.

In short, the Dead could play, yes. But their embracing of laziness and disrespect to their audience will never fail to puzzle me.

Allman Brothers-WAAAAAY better band. Same genre. So I’m not anti-jam band.

'Next year''s are for Cub fans!

by oscargamble33 on Apr 17, 2008 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha

Gotta agree with ya Hawk, the Dead do kind of suck. There’s a reason I haven’t bothered listening to them for 20 years.

But for someone into Rush that’s kind of the pot calling the kettle black, both bands generate that monomaniacal devotion. There was a guy on my dorm floor who owned 36 Rush albums, and maybe 2 of something else. All you ever heard coming out of his room was friggin’ Geddy Lee screeching about something or other. I still cringe whenever I hear it.

''It's a grinder-type attitude, energetic attitude, confident-type attitude, and if it grinds on some people, then I need to know who those people are so we can move them on''

by ChicagoPete on Apr 18, 2008 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The fact that you refer to Dead "albums" is all I need to know about what you know.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 18, 2008 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, albums....

You know, those materials which contain music pain-stakingly recorded by PROFESSIONALS!

And the great thing is, you can take these “albums” home and hear exactly how the professional musician wanted you to hear it.

How do you replicate a Dead “show” now? Invite all your dirty hippie friends to free shake at your house? Because last time I checked, the band checked out over twenty years ago.

And if you are going to snear at “albums”, the Beatles, the Who, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, the Ramones, OK, ALL of rock music wants you to know that is their PRODUCT! Live music is fun as hell, but if that is all you want couldn’t you have just saved your money and learned to play an instrument yourself?

Rush suck. They are on the next level of hell up from the Dead due to their professionalism.

'Next year''s are for Cub fans!

by oscargamble33 on Apr 18, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sneering at albums.

I understand that if you’re into album rock, then you will never really understand the Dead. I’m fine with disagreeing. That’s great; to each his or her own. But I think you go a little overboard in your degradation. As far as musicianship goes, I think the Dead can play. And so did Miles Davis and many other “professional” musicians.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 18, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ooh, argumentum ad verecundiam

nice work, counselor.

somewhere in rural america, jerry owens loudly whines.

by larry on Apr 18, 2008 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

musicianship isn't within miles davis's field?

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 18, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

of course it is

i’m joking, of course, but simply because davis was a good musician doesn’t mean he knows a good musician when he hears them.

somewhere in rural america, jerry owens loudly whines.

by larry on Apr 18, 2008 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

fair enough.

but i’d probably still value his opinion more than og33’s.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 18, 2008 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

appeal to authority is just my favorite of all the logical fallacies

and i’m sure i use it too liberally, as well, making it even more of a favorite.

somewhere in rural america, jerry owens loudly whines.

by larry on Apr 18, 2008 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

logical fallacy, maybe.

but there is quite a spectrum on which the appeal to authority can fall depending on the who and what. and in the case of something entirely subjective with no right answer, it may be more helpful than not.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 18, 2008 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs