Konerko Delivers KO in 15th

by The Cheat on Jun 5, 2008 12:29 AM CDT in Recaps Comment 166 comments

In July of 2003, benched and mired in a 0-15 slump, Paul Konerko was called upon as a pinch hitter with lefty Eddie Guardado on the mound in extra innings. Konerko saw only one pitch, tying the game which Frank Thomas would end two innings later. Konerko entered that game with a batting line of .185/.260/.265 and just 3 HR. He hit .279/.346/.519 with 15 HR the rest of the season.

Five years later, Konerko strode to the plate, his average freshly moved below .200 with an 0-4 night so far. Again he found himself facing a lefty, but this time it was one he OWNS. Seriously. Konerko saw Gobble three times last season, and hit 3 HR... on 6 pitches. Wednesday would be no different. 1 pitch. HR. The last 4 times he's faced Gobble he's put the ball over the fence, and did so on first pitch in 3 of those occasions.

I'm not saying that this single hit will turn his season around, but we've seen it happen before. And had I written a recap for the series opener, I would have noted that I liked Konerko's approach yesterday, even if it didn't net good results.

* * * * *

Alright, let's get to some quick bullet points so I can catch some shut eye.

Alexei Ramirez had a crazy game. He went 0-for at the plate, but worked two walks. YES! Two walks. He was called out at home following an appeal after he failed to touch home on a Carlos Quentin groundball/error combo. And in the field he made 4--Yes! FOUR!--barehand plays. While none of them was particularly spectacular, they were all above average plays that necessitated a gloveless play. The last one might have been the best if only because it came on a ball that was deflected and would have put the Royals up in extra innings had he not been able to get the out.
While Ramirez was making 4 very good plays at second, AJ Pierzynski was making sure Mark Grudzielanek stayed alert by routinely grounding out to second base 5--Yes! FIVE!--times.
The bullpen was magnificent, and, in all honesty, should get full credit for this win even though Bobby Jenks blew the save. Jenks pitched well. He just gave up an infield single, a seeing eye single, a bunt, and another bouncer up the middle to blow it. Everything was on the ground, and nothing was hit particularly hard.

Jenks came back with some quick work in the 10th, followed by Boone Logan and Octavio Dotel. The trio combined to pitch 6 hitless innings in extra time. Logan's 2.1 innings were particularly swift. He threw just 18 pitches (14 strikes) and didn't allow a baserunner.
Nick Masset saw his first inentional high-leverage work, getting out of a bases loaded jam in the 6th inning, which was something like 5 hours ago.
If the Sox had lost that game, this would be another post about how the offense sucks.
I'm betting the Sox draft Brett Wallace later today.

Poll

T. Beckham, Alvarez, Posey will be off the board by the time the Sox draft #8 overall, who would you pick from the remaining players? [Hosmer (Bonus demands) purposefully excluded]

Brian Matusz -- LHP, San Diego

4 votes

Aaron Crow -- RHP, Missouri

6 votes

Kyle Skipworth -- C, CA HS

13 votes

Gordon Beckham -- SS, Georgia

114 votes

Justin Smoak -- 1B, South Carolina

85 votes

Yonder Alonso -- 1B, Miami

8 votes

Brett Wallace -- 1B, ASU

4 votes

Jason Castro -- C, Stanford

8 votes

Brett Lawrie -- C/SS, Canada HS

3 votes

Jordan Danks -- CF, Texas

12 votes

Tim Mellville -- RHP, MO HS

0 votes

257 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 166 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Wallace?

dream big kid… although an un-unlikely venture

by Daniel Berlyn on Jun 5, 2008 12:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How pissed will everyone be...

if Smoak and/or Alonso are available and the Sox take Wallace anyways?

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 12:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

It’s hard to know what/who to get excited about in the draft. I like Gordon Beckham, but that’s because I like the idea of a shortstop who can hit.

MrROFL.com
My Twitter

by shaftr on Jun 5, 2008 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

am i the only one who thinks that whatever the outcome is or could have been, SSH would manage to be pissed?

by larry on Jun 5, 2008 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It will all depend on who is available when the Sox pick.

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would say that Ramirez's final barehanded throw to 1B was pretty spectacular...

He was almost at 2B, following over, picking it barehanded, and he had enough of a gun to get it to 1B easily. It was impressive.

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 12:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Indeedy

It was a tough play in a tougher situation. He continues to show great instincts. Hope ARam keeps it up.

"Still waking up in the mornings with shaking hands"

by thekever on Jun 5, 2008 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone see John McLaren's blow-up to the media about the Mariners?

It was almost up to Lee Elia proportions.

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 12:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You kidding?

That was weak. He basically said “We’re giving 100 percent! We hate losing!” except with curse words in awkward places. Didn’t insult the fans, players or umpires, and wasn’t controversial in any way. I was disappointed.

Never trust a big butt and a smile.
Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Jun 5, 2008 12:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yah!

He didn’t even “throw his GM under the bus”

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Jun 5, 2008 12:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess I was referring to the number of cuss words dropped.

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 1:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Minor league

He was almost crying – lip quivering, face reddening. Please. Elia was PISSED – one of the best of all time. (25 years ago, IIRC.)

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 7:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think the mariners have been jinxed because of this

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/06/05/lesbian.kiss.ap/index.html

billy goats, cats,dykes.

by larry on Jun 5, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where are the pictures?

"Still waking up in the mornings with shaking hands"

by thekever on Jun 5, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm at work, you dirty, dirty boy

by larry on Jun 5, 2008 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that there's anything wrong with that, BUT:

In another account I read it said they were kissing while eating garlic fries. They deserved to be ejected on halitosis grounds alone.

Link provided if you so desire.

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can find tons of pictures...

with a quick Google search.

One of the women in question is on some reality TV show.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

jer was not the guy i thought would be looking this stuff up

interesting.

by larry on Jun 5, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't.

This story is all over every baseball website.

Gee, I wonder why.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

WU would've been the obvious choice.

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also at work.

Should be at the draft, which is 10 minutes from my office at Wide World of Sports out here, but whatthehell.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It other words

she’s a two-time famewhore.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 5, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so she gets a 1/2 hour?

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was at that game you referenced

That started a streak (and continuing after Quentin’s walk of jack against the Angels) of 4 straight walk off homer victories when going to games with my friend Sean.

Alexei’s 11 pitch (I believe it was 11) was awesome. It just made me laugh

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Jun 5, 2008 12:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

didn't mention...

Summary didn’t mention scaring the shit out of everyone by warming up Loaiza :)

by azzy on Jun 5, 2008 1:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

DJ mentioned that Loaiza had not pitched off a mound for three weeks

"Still waking up in the mornings with shaking hands"

by thekever on Jun 5, 2008 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

which is not true

unless they don’t have mounds in the california league.

by larry on Jun 5, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so that's why it's such a hitter's paradise!

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

by colintj on Jun 5, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mounds, lesbians

You have a one-track mind today, sir.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope our defense doesn't muff any plays tonight.

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that is not a pie-in-the-sky dream.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can't lick our pitching staff, that's for sure.

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

by tailgater on Jun 5, 2008 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's something fishy about Swish not hitting, don't you think?

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

by tailgater on Jun 5, 2008 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was at the bar...

...getting some Wednesday drink on. Sox were up 4-2 in the 7th, but the bar I was at turned the TV to the Cubs (booo!).

I turned to my friend and said “eh, 4-2 lead going into the 8th, with Linebrink and Jenks that’s automatic.”

Only later did I catch the game in the 12th, thinking wtf! So sorry, I jinxed Jenks.

But hey, a win is a win.

by vince_ on Jun 5, 2008 2:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Weird

the bar I was at turned to the effin Stanley cup finals (maybe cause the bar was Stanley’s on Lincoln?) even though the adjacent tv already had that on. Gah!

by sti3 on Jun 5, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i was at the game tonight

and heres a link to a terrible quality video of esteban warming up in the 15th…

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KPDDKfKPnfU

by Jbasic89 on Jun 5, 2008 2:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

does anyone know who the first base coach was today?

i saw his last name was Boston… anyone know who this guy is?

by Jbasic89 on Jun 5, 2008 3:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Former Sox and current minor league outfield instructor

Daryl Boston.

Link

Baines is out for a bit attending one of his kids’ graduation.

Link

Caulk the wagon.

by rebstock on Jun 5, 2008 6:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What did everyone think of Alexei's play at the plate?

Did he touch the plate, or didn’t he? I thought that it looked like his foot likely scraped it. Even if it was just his heel.

"I looove this game.."

by Dollar Dog Derrick on Jun 5, 2008 5:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Random thoughts:

1. As impressive (to me) as ARam’s bare-handed pickups were, his pivot and throw on the DP were great too.

2. When the appeal play at home erased the run, did Hawk say “you can take it off the board”?

3. Not hearing the game, did they say how far Thome’s HR went? Watching, I’d guess about 500 feet.

4. And what kind of fans allow the 3B to make that play into the seats? My kids were taught that anything over the wall was fair game if the Sox were hitting. If not, back away and keep others away from messing it up. Fans should’ve been in a scrum for the ball, and come up with it.

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 7:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn’t that just be fan interferance and an automatic out for us?

by Grinder in Training on Jun 5, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not if it's over the wall.

Looked like some fans made an effort.

Never trust a big butt and a smile.
Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Jun 5, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My fault

I just thought if the fan interfered with the player it’d be called. Still not sure I’d want to risk it on such a tough play, it’s hard to say what the ump will say when the ball is a pop up coming down. Obviously a fan reaching over a fence would be more obvious call, but I’d rather make the guy make a great play then get a questionable call going their way.

by Grinder in Training on Jun 5, 2008 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But it looked like the ones closest backed away. Bad form!

I thought you were on vacation?

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard 450 for Thome

"Still waking up in the mornings with shaking hands"

by thekever on Jun 5, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

464 feet exactly, according to CSN.

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Borchard's bomb

Anyone know what the distance of Borchard’s HR to the right field concourse was? I believe it was 2004 against the Phillies. Over 500’.

"Still waking up in the mornings with shaking hands"

by thekever on Jun 5, 2008 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good memory

504 Foot Blast

Caulk the wagon.

by rebstock on Jun 5, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

gotta love those fringy guys

who do something memorable.

Liefer has a plaque on the RF concourse in Baltimore for a bomb he hit there.

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Jun 5, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

didn't

dan pasqua hit one onto the right field concourse in 91 or so?

by Ryno on Jun 5, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is the record still The Mick, at 565?

Or has that been debunked?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know if it has ever been "officially" debunked but...

Link:

The best-known of these, Mickey Mantle’s mythical 565-foot blast on a windy day at Washington’s Griffith Stadium, probably traveled about 506 feet, according to The Physics of Baseball author Robert K. Adair.

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

I know that the 550+ ft. home run has been pooh-poohed as contrary to the laws of physics.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny to think that Joe Borchard may have hit as long of a homer as Mickey Mantle.

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No mention of the old white guy resurgence?

Thomer/PK/Crede (well, he acts old) HR’s merit some sort of mention.

(Obama steamrolls us all. Get used to it.)

Lastly, viva Slash! Everyone on board the A-Ram train? All I can say is, thank Christ for injuries, or we might still be seeing Owens and Uribe in the everyday lineup instead of Q! and Slash. You think Ozzie was cranky Sunday, he would’ve been Mt. Vesuvius if he had to watch those mutts swinging and dinking/missing.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 7:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

who is Slash?

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have you not been reading my posts for the last 2-3 weeks?

Or are you pulling my leg from my pelvis?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 8:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

pulling your chain.

though it still doesn’t quite do anything for me. I’m not crazy about Cuban Missle either.
I’m leaning more toward:
“Bones”

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is he a Doctor?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Refers to Ozzie's great line from Tampa when ARam came up limping

Paraphrasing:

“He’s fine. At first I thought he pulled a muscle, then I looked. He doesn’t have any. Maybe he pulled a bone”.

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotcha

By the by, I also like “Slash” as a nom de plume because he’s as skinny as punctuation (thus, ”/”), and the ”!” is already taken (as is ”?”, which can apply to anyone in the middle of our order).

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm. Maybe along the Slash lines:

“Razr”? “Razr Ramirez”?
Implies cutting/slashing/speed?

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

who is slash? the most interesting guitarist in the world

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=slash

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on Jun 5, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

does he drink Dos Equis?

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The play he made in the 15th

Saved a run and probably saved the game. Just a sweet pickup and fire over to first as he momentum was taking him the other way. Granted, there is a chance O-Cab (who had the better angle) could have gotten it, but things turned out nicely.

by madvillian on Jun 5, 2008 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A-Rams ability to pick up things so quickly, and improve so much from game to game is what is really impressive. Ask him to play better defense he bare hands four balls, ask him to be more patient he gets two walks in a game. To get a major league quality player for the next 4 years at such a low price is really a steal.

by Grinder in Training on Jun 5, 2008 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

EH

I wouldn’t sail on his bandwagon quite yet. Granted, I love what he’s bringing: solid to excellent D and some pop with the bat. But, he’s already 26 and hasn’t played a full season in MLB yet. He still has a lot of proving left—but so far so good.

by madvillian on Jun 5, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is 26

but we have him until he’s 30; that’s the prime of his career. For a team with such a weak farm system, the fact he looks like a major league player has really been huge for us.

by Grinder in Training on Jun 5, 2008 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of weak farms, Baseball Analysts says we need:

Needs: Pitchers, Shortstop, Outfielder, Pitchers, Catcher

(Yep, that about covers it!)

http://baseballanalysts.com/

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Comapre him to who we had -

we all should be doing handsprings to this point.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ARam's hitting

Is there anyone besides me that actually looks forward to ARam’s at bats? He is completely unpredictable in the batters box. Opposing pitchers must hate that.

"Still waking up in the mornings with shaking hands"

by thekever on Jun 5, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reminds me a bit

of vlad that way

by sti3 on Jun 5, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crede

Any update on his wrist?

"Still waking up in the mornings with shaking hands"

by thekever on Jun 5, 2008 9:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They said it was a bruised wrist, it looked swollen already to me. Im guessing out for at least 2 games.

by Rockraines on Jun 5, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ah shit

It’s Ozuna time then. Get Fields on the nearest fucking bus to Chicago. Ozuna you have been DFA!

by madvillian on Jun 5, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fields isn't healthy either.

If Crede can’t play, I’d rather see Uribe than Ozuna at third.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably see that tonight.

Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.

by ballyb on Jun 5, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

Let the corpulence begin!

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I would rather see Torpedo Boat at 3B than Ozuna.

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather see the corpse of Bubba Phillips at 3rd than Pablito

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

D.J.'s call of Thome's bomb was hilarious.

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 9:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

DJ sounded

like the 2nd fiddle of dry NPR commentary – the entire game.

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

by BobbySouthSide on Jun 5, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The bullpen...

Bullpen ERA/WHIP as of this morning -

Jenks – 2.13/1.07
Dotel – 2.93/1.30
Linebrink – 1.44/0.96
Logan – 2.05/1.14
Thornton – 3.32/0.92

Masset – 3.33/1.48

I said a couple of weeks ago that I have zero faith in anybody but Jenks and Linebrink, but this bullpen has been outstanding. Masset and Dotel still walk too many people, but this is about as good as one can expect.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 10:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And one would have to assume that Loaiza will be an improvement over...

Wassermann’s 14.85 ERA and 2.70 WHIP.

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Rays will choose Beckham at No. 1"

“Tampa Bay opts for talented Georgia high school shortstop”

by SSH2005 on Jun 5, 2008 10:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That is going to be one talented team

in a few years.

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

by BobbySouthSide on Jun 5, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You mean more so than now?

Sure looks like they might be set for a few years, barring injury and Elijah Dukes-like behavior.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, more so than now.

They have just about every position locked down with a solid player, they have a gotten their staff put together nicely. Still need a little work in the pen, but that is really about it.

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

by BobbySouthSide on Jun 5, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There must be some logic behind thinking Beckham might fall to the Sox at #8...

Anyone care to (briefly) share it?

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Different Beckham.

The Rays want Tim (High School shortstop in Georgia), the Sox might get Gordon (College shortstop in Georgia).

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah. Thanks, JRE. Georgia/SS had me befuddled.

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jun 5, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Price, McGee, Jennings and Brignac are all still in the minors

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

by colintj on Jun 5, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anderson looked like a REAL major leaguer on his double (out at 3rd) in the 11th.

Went with the pitch and hit it hard to right center.

He was probably severely chastised by Walker for the effort.

A video snippet of the swing should be passed to the whole team for REQUIRED (underlined, in red) viewing.

by ballyb on Jun 5, 2008 10:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That play

was the highlight of the game for me. BA could do that regularly, KC had to make a perfect peg and they did, but I lOVED the effort. I was yelling triple the moment it went to the wall.

I still think BA with everyday play could make this team better than it is right now.

by Rockraines on Jun 5, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watch the replay.

Textbook going the other way.

Banned in the Sox clubhouse.

by ballyb on Jun 5, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL!

Banned in the Sox clubhouse.

classic!

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on Jun 5, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was a great hit, but mistake on the basepath

in my opinion. I know you don’t want to make the first or third out going to 3rd base…but in this instance, the sox weren’t hitting and I think he shouldn’t have made the 2nd out there either. It really wasn’t close, it was a good throw and on the money but he was out by a mile. With him on second, you basically have two chances for a single and a game ova. Instead we had two outs.

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

by BobbySouthSide on Jun 5, 2008 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could be wrong...

but I thought that the general thinking was that if you’re not hitting as a team, you take more chances on the basepaths, because the odds that the next guy will knock you in with a hit are lower.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could be

but, I like the odds of 2 at bats with a runner on, than 1 at bat with nobody on. He didn’t really have a chance at 3rd unless KC totally flubbed it up.

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

by BobbySouthSide on Jun 5, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course...

getting yourself thrown out on the basepaths is always a bad thing. I didn’t see the play, so I’m not really qualified to comment, but if the team’s not hitting, and there’s even a 50-50 chance you can make it, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is simple

you try for third if it takes a perfect throw/relay to get you. it did. c’est la vie. hell of a lot easier to get a guy in from third than second.

by larry on Jun 5, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also from Orlando

Cabrera’s school of baserunning.

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

by BobbySouthSide on Jun 5, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

whatever bobby

you’re another guy who will always find some reason to be pissed.

by larry on Jun 5, 2008 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was really pissed

last night when I saw the replay.

Being a Sox fan for 30 years will get you a little pissed. 2005 was a good year for my heart. I actually wouldn’t say I looking for a reason to be pissed – I am a pessimist, yes…but that is just my nature.

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

by BobbySouthSide on Jun 5, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too much time in the stockyards

Come into the sun, BSS. It’s warm.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Saved

Well that’s it, boys. I’ve been redeemed. The preacher’s done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It’s the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting’s my reward.
The preacher says all my sins is warshed away, including that Piggly Wiggly I knocked over in Yazoo.

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

by BobbySouthSide on Jun 5, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even if that did put you square with the Lord,

the State of Mississippi’s a little more hard-nosed.

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Jun 5, 2008 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great Movie!

Why are you telling our gals that I was hit by a train?
Lots of respectable people been hit by trains. Judge Hobby over in Cookville was hit by a train. What was I supposed tell ‘em, that you were sent to the penal farm and I divorced you from shame?
Uh, I take your point. But it does put me in a damned awkward position vis-a-vis my progeny.

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

by BobbySouthSide on Jun 5, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're in a tight spot!

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

by colintj on Jun 5, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Imagine how pissed you'd be if you were a Royals fan

for the last 15 years.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be numb

annual spinal epidurals.

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

by BobbySouthSide on Jun 5, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i liked the play

given we hadn’t had a hit for hours. Needing a hit to get him in from second seemed like needing a miracle.

On third, we could hope for wild pitch, bobble, sac fly…

I liked the gamble.

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Jun 5, 2008 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easily a good gamble

I just wish he had rounded 2nd a little better to give him a more direct route. That would haved made the relay a little more difficult.

The SSS motto should be the answer to "What is our deepest fear?". Or maybe just Prozac.

by Tdogg on Jun 5, 2008 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we have our new...

DEATHMATCH!

EQA -

Paul Konerko – .239
Nick Swisher – .231
Brian Anderson – .223

OPS+ -

Paul Konerko – 80
Nick Swisher – 75
Brian Anderson – 77

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 10:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jer, where are OC/AR/JU these days re: EqA?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

jer needs to stay focused.

like a kid with ADD with this stuff.

by larry on Jun 5, 2008 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love of singles =

love of single tasks – for a short while.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since Uribe has been out of the picture...

I didn’t think it would make sense to continue.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's not entirely out of the picture

as evidenced by his (potential) return this eve for Crede. Plus, if AR had sucked it up big time you still would like the comparison, right?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uribe hasn't had a plate appearance...

since May 15.

The whole reason I found the comparison interesting in the first place really had nothing to do with Alexei Ramirez – it was comparing Cabrera and Uribe. Since Uribe stopped playing, the whole thing started seeming pointless. I don’t remember who it was, but they asked to see Ramirez thrown in there.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which worked out to be a pretty good Deathmatch, don't you think?

And you get the credit (and the money flow that goes with it. ;) ) Gotta be flexible and go where the interest and the story is, Jer.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did, JRE was only comparing OCab and Uribe.

It had nothing to do with ARam.. I just wanted to know b/c I like him a lot more then the other two.

by Grinder in Training on Jun 5, 2008 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They're pretty far apart now...

and Uribe hasn’t really played in weeks, but here you go…

Juan Uribe – .202
Orland Cabrera – .224
Alexei Ramirez – .243

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Alexei crushing the field.

Good stuff.

by Grinder in Training on Jun 5, 2008 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any idea what is EQA since he took over the starting job?

by Grinder in Training on Jun 5, 2008 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup, loses interest after a week

i can see i left this in real good hands. time to get back on the meds.

by larry on Jun 5, 2008 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you or him?

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Jun 5, 2008 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where is Thomer in this?

Let’s keep the slow white guys together. Nick fits more than BA (though I’d argue Crede is more akin to the Thonerko dinosaur, but he’s hitting a bunch better).

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Jun 5, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thome...

OPS+ – 103
EQA – .261

He doesn’t really belong in the conversation. He’s been average, or a bit better.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jun 5, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One of the 3

doesn’t belong.

by ballyb on Jun 5, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

never seen a batter v pitcher line

so lopsided for the batter. That is true owning.

The KC broadcast put it up on a graphic right before Paulie went deep.

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Jun 5, 2008 10:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

more fodder for jerry to complain about

tonight’s preview (all royals, this time but still amusing)

Matchup: Royals (23-36) at White Sox (32-26), 7:11 p.m. CT
Probable Starters: Gil Meche (70 2/3 IP, 5.35 RA, 1.42 WHIP, 54 K) vs. Jose Contreras (74 2/3, 3.01, 1.06, 47)
Pythagorean Record: Kansas City, 23-36 (216 RS, 275 RA); Chicago, 34-24 (259 RS, 218 RA)
Hit List Rankings: Kansas City, #26; Chicago, #8
Prospectus: There have been a mere handful of hitters over the last 30-plus seasons who performed as poorly as Tony Pena Jr. has this year. Since 1970, Pena has the third lowest EqA among players with a minimum of 164 plate appearances:

Player Year Team EqA
Vic Harris 1972 TEX .061
Angel Salazar 1984 MON .066
Tony Pena 2008 KCA .070
Bob Didier 1970 ATL .093
Luis Pujols 1978 HOU .099
Tim Bogar 1998 HOU .105
John Vukovich 1971 PHI .109
Bucky Dent 1982 NYY .112
Doug Flynn 1977 NYM .120
Doug Strange 1998 PIT .127
Larry Brown 1971 OAK .130

If the Royals continue to play him everyday—and he continues to disappoint—Pena may find himself atop this list of players with the lowest EqAs since 1970 in a minimum of 450 plate appearances:

Player Year Team EqA
Larry Bowa 1973 PHI .172
Bob Boone 1984 CAL .184
Tommy Helsm 1970 CIN .184
Tim Johnson 1973 MIL .186
Hal Lanier 1970 SF .186
Dal Maxvill 1970 STL .188
Jack Heidemar 1970 CLE .189
Cristian Guzman 1999 MIN .190
Coco Laboy 1970 MON .191
Cesar Izturis 2002 LAD .192

The defense for Pena last year, when he hit .267/.284/.356, was that his defense made up for his bat to the degree that he was a better option than the recently ousted Angel Berroa, who could neither hit (.248/.271/.356 with a .209 EqA) nor field (-6 FRAA) in 2006. Pena was able to field, with +13 FRAA last year, which helped make up for his -25 BRAA to a degree—sadly 12 runs below average was an improvement over Berroa’s -23 from the year before—but this year he’s having difficulty fielding as well. According to Rate, Pena’s defense is four runs below average for every 100 games played, and he’s already cost the Royals two runs defensively in addition to his issues at the plate. John Dewan’s Revised Zone Rating agrees with this assessment as well, with Pena ranking 14th out of 21 qualified shortstops.

Pena’s .198 BABIP is 110 points below his expected BABIP, but even adjusting for that gives him a line of .212/.236/.263 for the year. At this point, Ozzie Smith’s defense would have a hard time making up for the lack of production in Pena’s bat, and it may be time for the Royals to look elsewhere for a shortstop…again. Indeed, Royals’ manager Trey Hillman recently said that German Duran will get an “extended look” at the position, and if he performs at least adequately then we might not have a chance at seeing a historically bad season from Pena, which would surely be in the best interest of Royals’ fans mental state.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7623

by larry on Jun 5, 2008 11:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs