Crede's Slam Lifts Streaking Sox
by The Cheat on Apr 7, 2008 8:03 PM CDT
in White Sox Game Recaps
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PrintIn what has already become something of a trend here in the early season, I'll open this recap with another It's Not 2007 Anymore type factoid. Today's: The White Sox 5-game winning streak is their longest since a similar 5-game streak August 10-14, 2006, which also included a 3-game sweep of Detroit.
That 5-game streak put the Sox 25 games over .500, and still 5.5 games back of the division leading Tigers, so I won't get too far ahead of myself here. Three games above .500 is a whole lot better than three games under, but even the '07 Sox managed to stay sufficiently afloat at four games over until Memorial Day.
When Tango came to us asking for help with his Clutch Project, I openly wondered how the rest of you would rate the post-surgery Joe Crede. There was little doubt in my mind that pre-surgery Crede would have been the player most SSSers wanted at the plate with the game on the line. A poor spring erased my optimism regarding Crede's return such that I voted him among the Sox hitters I wanted at the plate, though not necessarily the hitter; so I wondered how that spring effected the rest of you. Turns out Crede did end up being the Sox choice for Tango's Clutch Project.
Crede may have answered some of his doubters with a 2-out grand slam off of one of the toughest right-handed relievers in baseball for his second late-inning, go-ahead homer in a week.
In truth, Crede hasn't been swinging the bat well. His doubters, myself included, have noted Crede's lack of consistently hard contact thus far, including 8 pop-ups in the first 7 games. His at-bats certainly don't look like those of a batter who currently owns a 1.100 OPS. But we'll certainly take 'em. Being a supporter and a doubter is not mutually exclusive.
* * * * *
Continuing a theme from last night, the Sox lineup just feels so much better with Nick Swisher and Carlos Quentin in the outfield.
I know Pierzynski isn't going to OPS 1.400 for the rest of the season, nor is Crede going to 1.100, or JD 1.250, or Q nearly 1.000. I also know that Paul Konerko and Jim Thome aren't going to perform as poorly over the whole season as they have to start the year. The additions of Swisher and Quentin have made a huge difference to the Sox lineup, as evidenced by their ability to score runs in bunches -- second straight game with a 5-run inning -- without the need to over-rely on Thome and Konerko.
Ozzie has said that he intends to leadoff Swisher "for the foreseeable future."
"You have a leadoff hitter who can run, that's a plus," Guillen said. "But to be a leadoff hitter, you've got to get on base. You can't steal first.
"I'd rather be a guy who gets on base. [Swisher is] hitting [.261] and all of a sudden he gets on base six times in a row by walks, and we need people on base when you have [ Orlando] Cabrera and [ Jim] Thome behind you. You get on base, you're going to score a lot of runs."
Sounds good to me. While batting Swisher first is unconventional, and might waste a bit of his slugging ability, it's certainly a step up from what we've had since Ray Durham left town. It also seems to indicate that he's looking at the Swisher-Quentin tandem as our longer-term starters in the outfield, even if Jerry Owens were to return fully healthy. And that's the biggest benefit of Swisher leading off; the lineup is far more likely to contain Carlos Quentin.
* * * * *
On the mound, Javier Vazquez had something of a bizzaro-2006 outing. He struggled with command and looked to be just one pitch away from giving up a big inning in the early going, then retired the last 10 batters he faced with greatest of ease in the 5th, 6th, and 7th.
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"Being a supporter and a doubter is not mutually exclusive."
There's one guy who would disagree with that assessment and he's living upstairs. A Uribe homer here extends the lead to five.
hey man the facial hair post was hilarious
linebrink really looked right with the mutton chops. seriously, like he'd been missing them all along.
Couple (two) of my own notes
-The string of at-bats against Neshek by Dye, Quentin and Crede were awesome -- Dye with his neat little poke into CF on an off-speed pitch on the outside corner; Quentin pulled a similar pitch that hung in the bottom of the zone for a single; and, of course, Crede's culminating grand-slam.
-Vazquez looked pretty bad, early -- he just looked very uncomfortable. His command wasn't very good. I think Minny got a lot of good pitches to hit today. That being said, you're correct in how easy he was able to mow down the Twinkie hitters in those final three innings.
It's a good time to get hot
This is a tough part of the schedule for the Sox, so having the offense get out of the gates hitting on all cylinders is huge. Funny how the cold weather isn't an issue this year isn't it? We're catching Detroit at the right time too, we get them again this weekend - we're hot and they're struggling.
with floyd, buehrle, vazquez.
i'm likin' that.
Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.
by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm likin not having Erstad or Owens on top of the lineup too
There's the obligatory daily dose of Erstad, hah!
I'm not sure who else looked through the aforementioned clutch project
but did you notice Erstad was the fan choice for Houston? I know they removed some of their better choices, but come on, who thinks that guy is clutch? And have they seen him play in the last few years? I know "clutch" has a lot of opinion in it, and the choices can be limited, but Erstad? Really? Boo!! Boo!!
This is the kind of start
you haveto have in this division. The one thing that sticks out to me for te first time in a year and a half. Is that they're having FUN!
This Team Seems Watchable
Last year's version of the Sox was unbearable to watch unless one approached the spectacle as they might the macabre nature of a train wreck in slow motion.
So far, in 2008, the team is a pleasure to watch. Aside for some sloppy defense, the Sox look relatively more crisp thus far than their opponents. I know it's still early - we aren't even 1/20th of the way through the season yet - but Quentin's ascension, Crede's comeback, Swisher's plate discipline, and the bullpen (wow, did I just type that?) look like they will be enjoyable to follow and root for.
Hedge Fund Crash. Get bent.
by explodingpinwheelsforfunandprofit on Apr 7, 2008 9:08 PM CDT reply actions
OT - But is this the dullest NCAA tourney ever or what?
It's halftime but I'm ready to blow off the second half, catching up on SSS has been more interesting than this game.
What?
Two Chicago point guards and you want to switch off the box? Plus you don't see the kind of athleticism you do on Kansas everyday...
by hitlesswonder on Apr 7, 2008 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions
memphis is pretty athletic as well.
Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.
by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions
are you kidding?
I've got 110 dollars for 2nd place in my pool if KU wins so I'm into it for sure. Also, these are two exciting and athletic teams! It's been a very exciting final 4 and final.
I've enjoyed this whole game despite no rooting interest
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
knock on memphis
all year was FT shooting and look what loses them the game. CDR missing 3 in a row in the last minute.
12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez
4 of their last 5 in regulation. unreal.
Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.
by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions
still a super clutch shot by chalmers.
the question is why didn't memphis foul before kansas got a shot off. then they need to make the first, miss the second, get the board, and hit a 2 to tie, 3 to win.
Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.
by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions
what lost the game for Memphis
was that Calipari didn't have his team foul with 10 seconds left and up by 3. What an idiot.
Show mercy. I get to watch the Rangers.
by Tim from Texas on Apr 8, 2008 3:16 AM CDT up reply actions
What a horrible way to lose the game
Blowing the national championship when you're up by 9 with 2 minutes to go, that was a sloppy mess down the stretch.
calipari blew it
tell your players to foul you dumbass
what was he telling them on the timeout with 0:10 left?
It's early...
But you have to commend KW for acquiring Swisher and Quentin. Both guys look like they work the count and get on-base which is exactly what the Sox offense needed (less outs!). I don't know if Quentin can keep it up but I hope so. The lineup is so much better when the Sox aren't punting offensively in LF and CF.
nice veiled erstad reference. ;-)
Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.
by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions
i think larry beat you to it. get used to that...we all are.
Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.
by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions
but this is a fully fleshed out article
Larry linked a throwaway line atop a lineup post, which was the only thing available at the time. Gonzo couldn't keep the info flowin fast enough for us
AIM: SouthSideCheat
Wow
I'm surprised. Sure, he's said things before about OBP but I think he means it now. I think it's a good move, especially since it seems to foretell more Quentin
by hitlesswonder on Apr 7, 2008 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions
swish
leads the mlb in walks
12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez
came across this at twinkie town(twins sb nation)
I didn't really think anything of the at-bat at the time, though I do remember noticing a pitch called a ball that seemed to be called a strike earlier. that said, I might have argued that it was a ball earlier(like in PK's AB) and not a strike now, but i guess that is how you know i'm a sox fan and they are twins fans.
wasn't sure if that was fanshot or fanpost worthy
then i saw the 'owens mistake' post and immediatelyt regretted shooting my wad in here.
Sox lead MLB in OBP (.372) and SLG (.494).
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
turns out,
OPS too, .866
Lurking since 2006
by boyonthedock on Apr 7, 2008 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions
The area
that looks troublesome right now is outfield defense. Quentin is a butcher out there, and his hypodermic buddy Swisher isn't much better. BA Is not going to get enough playing time to contribute in the field in center.
Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying this run as much as anyone, but there are reasons for concern.
Hard to argue with evidence like that
Q has always been regarded as a plus defensive OF in a corner, but you've pretty much dispelled that myth with your cogent analysis and sound statistics. Bravo.
by hitlesswonder on Apr 7, 2008 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions
outfield defense
is not a concern at all. Quentin had a brain fart in a the late innings of a massacre. He has a cannon for an arm and runs well. Nothing wrong with his defense. And shit, he can hit and run too.
So you're on record
for wanting Quentin in left and Swisher in center, even though the A's didn't see fit to play him there more than 25% of their games or so?
The A's had a centerfielder on their team last year that could hit worth a crap
Posting this reply probably isn't worth my time, but here goes nothing.
This year the White Sox have Andersen, yet to prove he can hit consistently in the show, and Owens is hurt. Kotsay is better than Andersen or Owens when he's healthy, so it made sense for the A's to get his bat into the lineup whenever possible. When Kotsay went down last year, Swisher did a serviceable job in CF.
So if we have someone who can hit and does a decent job in the field, why are we going to replace him with someone who can't hit as well when chances are they will only catch one more ball / prevent an extra base every 2 or 3 games?
Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.
How hard was Bobby throwing?
Was at the game...could not locate a radar reading...seemed like he wasn't throwing hard at all.
Oh sorry
My eyes must be defective--I didn't see Carlos Q. butcher easy popups the only two games I've watched!
MarketMaker is of course right--if their hitting holds up at anything near their current pace, the crap defense will be more than offset.
As for needles, I'm just calling it like I perceive it. Swisher and Quentin are physically freakish.
yes and you're definitely qualified to speak to
steroid use no one else seems to think enough to make a claim about. As for defense, brah, you don't suppose we ought to get a decent sample before we start ringing the alarm bell over defense that, again, no one else thinks to be brutal. It must be tough being an iconoclast.
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
Ugh.....what a blatantly retarded comment.
Have you noticed that 90% of all professional athletes are "physically freakish?" That's why you and I don't play in the MLB, NFL or NBA.
"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca
What about the David Ecksteins of the sporting world?
"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca
Maddux, Gio, etc
Middle IF and pitchers might be a bit more physically similar to John Q. Public, but by and large a pro athlete is more of a physical specimen than the average Joe.
I took the "under".
what percentage of people do you think can hit major league pitching?
i know you're probably at least half-joking but eckstein is an average major league baseball player. i'm not sure what percentage of one percent you would ascibe "freak" to, but i think i can safely say a guy who has played as well as eckstein has over a number of years is in it.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
and i also realize
part of the mystique surrounding eckstein is that he's billed as "an average guy" who "works hard" and, thus, "made it." implicit in that is that average joe out there can, too. bullshit. no, average guy can't. eckstein is a physical freak. he has better hand eye coordination than just about everyone in the world. he's faster than you. he's stronger than you. he's far more physically freakish than you.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
you haven't seen my 40
"blazing," said a lucky passerby. "sheeeeeit," said another.
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
he had a bag full of money and seemed somewhat unscrupulous
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
I was "full" joking. Every guy in pro sports is a physcially talented freak.
In MLB, I meant that you could make the assumption that there are about 90% (random number) that are much larger and stronger than the average Joe.
The other 10% are probably closer to the average in stature, but they are obviously physically gifted in other ways like hand-eye coordination, speed, or can throw a 90 mph fastball.
"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca
by the way
your eyes are defective. prior to your two comments on this thread, your last comment was "Mackowiak is serviceable out there."
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
I like how you admit that you've only watched two games...
and think you are qualified to call Carlos Quentin a butcher defensively. Two games is a great sample size, dude.
Well I guess
That you think Crede sucks at defense also because he can't make throws to first.
by southsideirish71 on Apr 8, 2008 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
That's a physical limitation.
The plays I saw Quentin make were bonehead mistakes of the kind that I haven't seen BA and Dye make nearly as much.
Small sample size, yes. I am just saying that I am personally troubled by our defensive OF futures. Of course if we score 7 runs per game it's probably irrelevant.
you're right
dye usually makes sure he takes out another fielder before dropping the ball.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
LOL
I needed a good laugh this morning. Swisher and Quentin are juicing? OK.
Colin you don't read mgoblog do you? He had a whole post about Sparty the other day and he must have addressed Sparty as "brah" 10 or so times. Hilarious.
also
you a michigan fan/grad? or just reading more or less the best team specific college football blog out there?
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
Michigan native and UM fan since birth
Didn't go to UM (K College '05), but an avid reader of MGOBLOG. Brian is great. As a UM fan it's nice having possibly the best team specific blog on the net.
cool, so that's three of us. Pete was like a late 80's grad or something.
My family has a loooong UofM history, going back to a great grandmother who taught there.
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
UM Fan here too
Dad, mom, grandfather, uncle, aunt, all alumni. And I still couldn't get in
by 3E8 on Apr 8, 2008 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Ah it happens. Did you go to State instead?
Kinda surprised though. You come off as a pretty bright dude.
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
UM fan as well
I had no allegiances to colleges as a kid as both my parents went to school in Sri Lanka, but then two uncles who went to michigan married into the family and they set me straight.
As far as schooling came down it was between Duke, Michigan and UCLA...UCLA won out
-Jeeves Life in the Cell
Well at least you didn't go the prissy preppy route
How have you liked UCLA? Are you a brainwashed communist yet?
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
Great to see Ozzie
holding up some of those OBP comments he made earlier in the Spring. However, it may take some Sox fans a bit longer to realize getting on base is better than making grindy outs.
There was a group of four or five guys behind me yesterday who were complaining that Swisher doesn't "JUST SWING AT THE BALL!!!!!"
This will slowly come
Even the mainstream media is beginning to "get it" about OBP. Dont want to say BA is useless but... well it is.
Swisher is really setting the tone
I'm not big on all these "hitting is contagious" and "setting the tone" kinda theories, but it's a hell of a lot easier to hit with guys on base, I know that. Pitcher has to go from the stretch, has to worry about holding the runners, etc, etc. It's a lot better coming up with Swisher on base than Pods and Erstad grinding their way back to the dugout.
Swisher batting leadoff probably negates some runs because Uribe and Crede aren't going to get on base very much in front of him, but at least it continually sets up the middle of the order.
Can't say enough about how much better this lineup is than last years, just the additions of Quentin, Swisher and Cabrera have totally given it a different, more potent feel. And of course the stats confirm this.
by madvillian on Apr 8, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
thanks for inspiring a post, btw
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
Great to see
That there's a reason to get excited at the park again - and see the enthusiasm by the players too. It was a great day there. Just hope this energy keeps carrying... and we never have a reason to bring JO back up.
Help! My groin's fallen and I can't get it up!
By the way in looking back
At ESPN at a glance record it is difficult to remember that the Sox were actually 4 games over .500 last year. (As Cheat mentioned)
D day remains June 1st. 25-25. All down hill from there.
Brutal.
depending on what the SSS community thinks
maybe you can prop that link on the side somewhere, just for amusement sake.
regarding the season thus, 7 games doesn't make a season, and i know most of us know that. my biggest concern is probably health, JD Thome and AJ (depending on how much he plays) specifically, even over the starting pitching.
by onlysoxfaninboston on Apr 8, 2008 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
From Mark Gonzalez' Tribune column 4-8- ""I don't know if I've ever seen a team fighting this hard every at-bat. They're getting after it.'" "I know we'll hit some speed bumps, but I don't even know if we fought this hard in 2005," both Greg Walker quotes.
We , the fans,were yelling at them all season how they had quit on us and they denied it until the end. We knew better and Walker denied responsibility for last season so I will not give him any accolades this year, yet.
"I know we'll hit some speed bumps, but I don't even know if we fought this hard in 2005," Walker said
Let's just hope they don't break something in the process
Those bases can be quite the little bitches.
Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.
AJ yesterday....
did a great job during his second AB at trying to disrupt Blackburn's rythm...
The approaches were excellent mostly throughout the order.
2007 season
April was 12-11, May 12-14, June 10-18, July-the oft threatened "run" was 14-15 and August was 9-20, Sept 15-12 for our wonderful record of 72-90.
Swisher, AJ, Crede, Dye, Quenten starting well but Thome, Cabrera, Konerko and Uribe need to help us. The pitching is looking good, JV after the early innings, but 2007 the pitching started very promising. Great start and I am happy but watchful.
they don't need to help right now
outside of uribe, whose OPS+ is over 90, those guys will come around and will make up for when the players you first mentioned cool down. no need to get greedy.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
Praising Kenny
In fairness to KW here is a quote from in today's paper that desribes my thought 100%;
"If a grinder-type attitude, a confident-type attitude, energetic attitude ... if that grinds on some people, grates on some people, I need to know who those people are so we can move them on," Williams said. "We want hard-nosed. We want Nick Swisher times 25."
AMEN, AMEN AMEN WE did not get Rowand but we did get someone who is inspiring to all of us, so far.
He's inspiring and can get on base.
"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca
this is getting rediculous
I hope this is just the PR campaign the Sox are sticking with. These "grinders" are leading the league in OPS: that's why they are winning. Not some voodoo. It's amazing how much more helpful "grinders" are when they are actually good players.
Kind of wish the Sox
Were playing today. I don't want those bats to cool off.
"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."
Gonna be cold!
I'm going Sunday and it might snow.
"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."
by BobbySouthSide on Apr 8, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
I feel for you guys in IL
This has been one brutal winter/spring. Victory makes it feel better, I bet.
I took the "under".
I hear that
I know it's kinda dumb to complain about NYC weather to Chicago folks but it's seriously been a shitty spring here. Everyday for the past month has been windy, party sunny, and a high of 45 at best. We've gotten maybe 3-4 nice days where the sun was out and it climbed into the upper 50's and low 60's.
It's been one low pressure stall after another. I was at the Yanks game on Sunday and it was 45 with dense cloud cover and a blustering 15mph wind blowing right into the stadium.
COME ON SPRING
I was in Manhattan Thursday-Saturday last week
and it was rainy and in the 40's. When I left Saturday afternoon the sun finally peeked out a bit, but the city felt gloomy.
Of course, you guys could move to the teeming center of social and cultural awareness that is Orlando and all your weather issues would be solved. Until June.
I took the "under".
I couldn't deal with that humidity!
"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."
by BobbySouthSide on Apr 8, 2008 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
How hard are Yankees tix to come by?
Sorry to re-post, but I'll be in NYC at the end of August and want to catch a game. The Yankee website shows all reasonably priced tickets are sold out for both of the games I could make it to (weekend games vs Toronto).
Any ideas on how to get some tickets? Stub hub?
Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.
I was in NY for a Yanks vs Royals game a few years ago.
I went to Yankee Stadium about an hour before the game and bought them at the box office. They were pretty bad seats, LF bleachers about 30 rows up, but they weren't that expensive.
"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca
Only one complaint today...
I know it's early in the season, but Orlando Cabrera's quickly becoming my bête noire. He hasn't looked good on offense or on defense, and right now, he's a black hole between Swisher and Thome.
That said, it's pretty good that he's my only real complaint at this point.
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 11:03 AM CDT reply actions
you just had to get it in, huh, jer
and i'm holding you to the "only one complaint today." be good.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
I will be.
To say something positive, Nick Swisher is proving me wrong with his defensive play, and I'm starting to like that trade.
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
You could've worded that positively if you'd wanted to:
"I know it's early in the season, but Cabrera has impressed me with how well he moves to his left. I know he isn't hitting much (for now), but that bases-clearing double was sweet".
Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote
Hmm...
No, that doesn't reflect what I want to say at all.
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Too bad you can't repeat it for me
As Larry said, you've used your 1-a-day.
Play along.
Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote
JRE,
did you use the SSS "ChicagoPete post blocker button." We're trying to make his transition to Indy a little less stressful and , you know, those negative Cabrera comments.......
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
To JRE, obviosly.
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
Obviously, obviously.
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
Another former big leaguer...
mysteriously turns up on Charlotte's roster.
Rob Bell got the start for the Knights, and didn't look all that well.
You may remember an infamous relief appearance he had while with Tampa against the Sox a few years ago, where he couldn't get the ball within three feet of the plate. It turned out that he was having a panic attack on the mound.
Ever since then, I've sort of been rooting for the guy to bounce back.
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 11:20 AM CDT reply actions
i thought this was going to be a complaint
but you saved it at the end.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
Nah.
I'm not going to complain about the roster makeup of the AAA team.
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Fun fact (not a complaint)...
On Opening Day, in the first inning, Orlando Cabrera drew a walk and stole second (and scored on a Jim Thome homer).
Since then, nobody on the Sox has attempted a stolen base.
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 11:30 AM CDT reply actions
Look around the lineup.
Not many real threats.
Just typing this, Owens entered my mind, and the thought sent shivers of negativity through my body.
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
Except for Cabrera...
no threats at all (not a complaint).
If they keep the lineup the way it is, they might not steal fifty bases as a team.
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Save typing acronym NAC.
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
fine with me
i wonder if ozzie finally read that book by that computer.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
It would be nice...
if the Sox had someone who could steal bases at a high success rate, but totally not necessary.
As fun as stolen bases are, they're a luxury, not a need.
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
As he matures, I think Ozzie is starting to appreciate those precious outs a little more
You can't toss them away like candy.
From ESPN.com
White Sox after Seven Games
1991: 6-1 (Finish 87-75)
2008: 5-2 (??)
2005: 5-2 (99-63)
1992: 5-2 (86-76)
1990: 5-2 (94-68)
I have grown tired of hearing and saying "I know, it's early," attempting to slow my optimism. This stat is pretty interesting.
"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca
I know it's early, but I'd be happy with the '92 result.
Not likely to make the playoffs, but a "fun" season none the less... especially after last year.
Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote
86 wins would probably have us in the Wild Card race going into the last month of the season.
"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca
Maybe, but only with Tampa, Toronto, and Baltimore
helping out against the Sox and Yanks. (Assuming we take care of CLE and DET.)
Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote
The Orioles will fade.
But the other 4 in the division will probably beat the hell out of one another.
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
Winning Streak Fun Fact
The longest win streak for the Sox prior to the 5-game streak in Aug. '06, dates back to a 9-game win streak from June 12-24, 2006.
It included victories vs. TEX (1), CIN (3-game sweep), STL (3-game sweep, including a 20-6 ass-whooping on June 20 that I attended), and HOU (2).
Gotta love that interleague play!
"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)
Except for last year
When the NL beat the crap out of us and thus nailed our coffin.
Rockies will be a fun series this June at the Cell. Each game will probably end up with scores like 15-13.
"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."
by BobbySouthSide on Apr 8, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
The dawn before the darkness.
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
I remember the 3rd Houston game...
We were getting blown out until some late inning Tada-heroics! (3-run home and GS in the 8th and 9th, I believe)
Then they blew it in extras.
Never saw this before:
White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski earned American League player of the week honors for the first time in his career.
Pierzynski batted .500 (10-for-20) with four doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs while hitting safely in all five games he played in during the week of March 31-April 6.
Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote
Tiger update.
Red Sox 3 - 0 after 4.
Tigers with 1 hit.
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
they may already have busted
the season, of course.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
At this point,
The sox have scored the most runs in MLB, and we're only on pace for roughly 940. I'm amazed any team ever scored 1000
Lurking since 2006
Bases loaded, two outs...
for Guillen.
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Nope...
lineout to center.
Halfway home, still 3-0 Bosox.
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, Jason Grilli in the game.
the Tiggers are giving up awfully early, aren't they?
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
And Grilli pulls a Masset.
Two Red Sox runs in, bases loaded, two outs in the bottom of the fifth.
5-0 Bosox.
by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 8, 2008 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah
because some scouser will be following you in order to rob you.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
The PK was iffy
and I'm sure that will get much of the attention -- not that I really care, as I'm in no position to hear about any post-game talk.
Torres' goal though... sublime, baby! He was rather useless in the first half. What a game.
so how would you grade out his first season?
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
I don't know if I'm close enough or follow them enough to answer that...
larry may be able to give you a better answer, but he's second in the EPL in goal-scoring, behind only Ronaldo (who's having a ridiculous season in his own right). I think one of the worries coming in was that Torres wasn't going to be good/strong enough to withstand the EPL + CL schedule, and that's been pushed aside -- I'm fairly certain he's actually been a bit better since the turn of the calender.
So how has he graded out? I don't think LFC fans could have asked for much more than Torres has given them. He's gotta be looked at as one of the best strikers in the world -- he's only 24-years old and is already a 20-goal scorer in his first year in the EPL (with an outside but unlikely chance at 25).
i didn't realize he had numbers like that
every game i watched him he disappointed and failed to tally. i picked the wrong matches i guess. most of them were early season bouts too, which probably were the ones you'd figure he'd struggle in if any.
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
they really are playing in the wrong league aren't they?
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
New post up, fwiw
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
great new post.
but fer crying out loud, you have no school and no work. get thee out of the house!!!
Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.
by Toonderstrook on Apr 8, 2008 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions
blah
dude, it's gross out today. low 40's windy and rainy. and i'm going to a2 tomorrow, anyway AND i even ran like twice in a row before the grossness came about.
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
and the lifeless tigers go down again with nary a whimper.
Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.
these guys can't be that bad
i mean, they all have track records of good performance. it's just cold outside. they're in an early season funk. they'll work their way out of it. no cause for concern. i've never, in my nearly seven decades in the game, seen a team this talented not hit.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
those numbers on the back of a trading card can tell you an awful lot about a ballplayer, but they don't tell you the whole story...
and they sure as heck can't predict when a perfect storm is going to come through.
Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.
by Toonderstrook on Apr 8, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions
But if this this keeps up......
Might not the specter of PED's creep in, especially in light of the real consequences MLB has been instituting? That and the reality that they are missing the heck out of Curtis G.
maybe it was just me,
but it seemed like the players playing best were inge and Clete Thomas, the 2 injury replacement guys
Lurking since 2006
Ah, referring to yourself in the 3rd person
How Truth-like.
Maybe they got old together, all at the same time. Glucosamine/chondritin only takes you so far (take it from one who knows).
Maybe it's like a power band that adds that "star" (Miggy), and it's one too many egos. Like Blind Faith years (and years) ago - the first "supergroup" with Clapton, Winwood, Ginger Baker, and Ric Grech (who?). One great album and they blew apart.
(OK, the Tiggers haven't had a good DAY yet, but you get my drift.)
I took the "under".
it's seven games
i wasn't quite being serious. but all the potential problems i've cited about this team have certainly come to fruition thus far. if it weren't for the rays, this would be the team that would have the biggest range of performance, in my opinion. i wouldn't be surprised if they won anywhere from 78 to 95 games. that topend is certainly looking suspect now, though. this start has made that potential race between the indians and tigers a lot less salivating.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
No need for explanation - I was tweaking
And you are on record as cautioning the Tiggers bandwagon-jumpers re: their age/pitching. Who woulda thunk it'd be the hitting?
I took the "under".
i'm on the record
for all of it. their offense isn't as good as people think (see my running debate with known tigers supporter tdogg regarding whether the indians had a better offense), their team is old and susceptible to decline and injuries (hmm, see another debate with tdogg), and their pitching is pretty mediocre (a less debated point, i think). this team didn't have much of a margin for error. and they may have already exceeded that margin. of course, in 2.5 months, they may be sitting atop the central having gotten the injury bug out of their system, with their offense clicking on all cylinders, their starters pitchers acting like it's 2006 all over, and huston street shoring up their bullpen. the problem with that thinking at this point, at least from my point of view, is that i thought this team would get off to a hot start and then tank in the second half as the injuries and age catch up to them. starting off the season like this...well, long way to go.
somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.
PS I bet JO cries loudly
and mournfully, like a prairie dog.
AURRRRRROOOOOOOOOOO!
I took the "under".
more like nancy kerrigan
WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
Big Hurt hits a 2 run HR in 9th
to tie A's 8 - 8.
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
8th inning.
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
Ryan Sweeney triples in 10th
to put the A's up 9 - 8.
'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.
man if he turns out to be good
ew.
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
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