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Alexei Ramirez Is The World's Greatest Hitting Coach

Thecheatsmoking_tiny by The Cheat on in Recaps

Let's start this recap with a quote taken from my recap at arguably the Sox low point of the season following a 4-game sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays.

I've been sitting up waiting for more definitive news on the state of the Sox roster, because all I know right now is that changes appear imminent. Adam Russell is gone without appearing in a game, and it looks like Alexei Ramirez is your new starting 2B. Why? I have no idea.

Juan Uribe's presence in the lineup is tough to defend, but he still seems to give the Sox a better chance to win than any of the other options at second base.

Ozzie made changes following that game, but they weren't the sweeping changes that some were calling for. Mostly, he revamped the top of the lineup, making it the now-familiar Cabrera-Pierzynski-Quentin trio. But the real change, the one I was against on May 6th, didn't come until the 16th.

On May 16th, the Sox stood at 20-20 and sat in second place, unable to take advantage of slow starts by the division favorites. The offense was the main culprit, scoring an average of 4.5 runs/game, and ranking near the very bottom of baseball in batting average (.242/.328/.401).

Enter Alexei Ramirez

Ramirez finally got his chance to inject a serious dose of Cuban pride into the lineup when Juan Uribe was forced to the DL. He has done nothing but hit since (.333/.351/.525 not including Wednesday's game), and the White Sox offense hasn't been the same (in a good way).

The White Sox have gone 53-33 since Ramirez took over at second, averaging 5.5 runs/game and a .279/.345/.479 triple-slash line (again, not including Wednesday's 15-run barrage). Clearly, Ramirez is the World's Best Hitting Coach.

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That's a pretty serious slash line

ISO of .200 and hitting for contact and taking walks too.

by madvillian on Aug 20, 2008 4:56 PM CDT   0 recs

Either Ramirez is a great hitting coach...

or the Nutty Professor put Flubber in the bats of the White Sox.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Aug 20, 2008 5:01 PM CDT   0 recs

Dusty Baker would love Alexei Ramirez...

Never walks and always ends his AB’s swinging.

“Walks help, but you aren’t going to walk across the plate.”

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 5:04 PM CDT   0 recs

Q!, I love that quote

this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry

by rhythm on Aug 20, 2008 5:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Scott Baker @ John Lackey tomorrow while the Sox are off...

C’mon Lackey, earn us a 0.5 game plz.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 5:08 PM CDT   0 recs

Mariners starting pitching

combined for 0 strikeouts in this series.

by Off the bus running on Aug 20, 2008 5:10 PM CDT   0 recs

That's insane...

Washburn is not a strikeout pitcher but he will still strike out two or three batters a start. Hernandez is obviously a strikeout guy. Dickey, well, he sucks and I think I would have been disappointed if he struck anyone out. But pretty ridiculous stat.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 5:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

In the previous 3 game series

against the Twins, their starters managed 2 strikeouts(From USSM).

That’s 2 strikeouts from their starting pitching in the last 6 six games.

by Off the bus running on Aug 20, 2008 5:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

but he couldn't even strike out thome's washed up ass.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 5:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Beer makes me argue

Jim Thome’s 2008 OPS of .891 (all per hardballtimes) is higher than…

Nick Swisher .779
Alexei Ramirez .813
Paul Konerko .711
Juan Uribe .673
Brian Anderson .717
Ken Griffey Jr .787 (.480 in a WS uniform)
Orlando Cabrera .680
Dewayne Wise .808
AJ Pierzynski .755
Joe Crede .797
Josh Fields .507
Toby Hall .687

People higher than him:
Jermaine Dye .922
Carlos Quentin .987

Yeah, I know you cant play him in center field (or even first base) but his only job is to hit.. and he does it.

Bloggin'

http://bierjournal.blogspot.com/

by Six Pack on Aug 20, 2008 9:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Broken sarcasm detector?

Coffee is for closers.

by vince_ on Aug 20, 2008 9:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

'Beer makes me argue'

it was fun looking up all those stats, anyway

Bloggin'

http://bierjournal.blogspot.com/

by Six Pack on Aug 20, 2008 9:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I said Thome was declining in his old age...

which looks to be the case. He does not look as good against righties as he used to.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 10:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you said he was DONE.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 10:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thome post all star break

Anyone else notice he is beating his shift more and more?

Thome for president

Thome for intergalactic warlord

Bloggin'

http://bierjournal.blogspot.com/

by Six Pack on Aug 20, 2008 10:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thome vs. RHP since 6/1

.299/.413/.646

Career vs. RHP: .294/.433/.645

not sure you’re right.

nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team

by colintj on Aug 20, 2008 10:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"He does not LOOK as good."

Pitching, defense and health.

by ballyb on Aug 20, 2008 11:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

First time I have agreed with

‘Winning ugly’

Bloggin'

http://bierjournal.blogspot.com/

by Six Pack on Aug 20, 2008 11:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What will you guys say when...

Washburn has a couple good starts and Richard and/or Broadway get shellacked?

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 10:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The Twins did

but not Santana somehow

Bloggin'

http://bierjournal.blogspot.com/

by Six Pack on Aug 20, 2008 10:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

shitcock

Coffee is for closers.

by vince_ on Aug 20, 2008 10:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dude

The problem with Washburn is that we don’t know what the M’s wanted for him. We have indications that the price was a significant player (if they turned down Bonser and wanted the Yankees best pitching prospect) plus paying all Washburn’s salary. They probably weren’t interested in Fields (really, who would be at this point) since they have Beltre. Which means they would have asked for Poreda+something more or someone better than Bonser on the Sox major league roster. Long-winded way to say the price was very, very probably too high.

You can blame Williams for a craptastic minor league system that can’t cough up a good replacement 5th starter, but fixating on Washburn seems silly to me. Washburn was not there for the Sox taking.

by hitlesswonder on Aug 20, 2008 10:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that's an awesome stat

If I was a caterpillar and you were a caterpillar I would metamorphosize into a butterfly so that you could see the vast potential of your great beauty. And then you would change, and we would have changed. And it would be beautiful. Change is beautiful.

by furby2056 on Aug 20, 2008 5:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Best stat of theyear.

Maybe ever.

Pitching, defense and health.

by ballyb on Aug 20, 2008 10:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

David Ross (c, Reds, R/R) cleared waivers

and doesn’t look like a total turd, based on hitting statistics. Any thoughts on whether he would make a good 3rd option at catcher for next year? (assuming the Sox would resign him, if necessary)

this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry

by rhythm on Aug 20, 2008 5:22 PM CDT   0 recs

I was thinking the 3rd option catcher could / would be stashed in the minors

I suppose that wasn’t implied in my post. I thought you were all supposed to be able to read minds and shit. (note the excellent set up)

this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry

by rhythm on Aug 20, 2008 5:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

don't think ross would have to sign a minor league deal

he’ll have some demand just because of the dearth of catchers

nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team

by colintj on Aug 20, 2008 11:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Do I have to pay Aram or Q any of my fantasy cash?

Those 2 goofs have me 1st, 1st and 2nd in 3 leagues

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

by Tdogg on Aug 20, 2008 5:23 PM CDT   0 recs

No, but you should pay me

this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry

by rhythm on Aug 20, 2008 5:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

in 1987 I won the LaSalle street league.

at the Baseball Writers Dinner I thanked Kenny Williams (Chicago ROY) for his contribution to my team. He asked how much I won, I told him 3Gs, and he said “where’s my cut”?
True story. So don’t let those boys know of your good fortune on their backs.

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2008 6:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

pretentious stanford prick.

*ducks *

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 6:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2008 6:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

for KW and me!

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2008 6:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Aren't all Stanford students / grads pretentious pricks?

hides in bomb shelter

this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry

by rhythm on Aug 20, 2008 6:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you're really fucked now.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 6:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bring 'em on!

I think it goes without question that since Q! is actually a deity, he is not factored in this equation.

PS I hate Donny Lucy, rational or not.

this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry

by rhythm on Aug 20, 2008 6:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

YOU'RE the one who kept falling for that shit...

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 6:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You are really old

I bet there weren’t even computers in 1987.

And look what karma you wrought in ’87. Win the fantasy season, cause the stock market crash.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2008 6:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yep. "Fantasy" was what we did in the shower or in

Asian massage parlors. We called it “Rotisserie” baseball.
You’re right, no computers. Scouring papers, fighting for every stat and scrap of info. Only advantage, it was AL only, but none of this sitting players, etc. The only roster moves were via trade or DL substitution.
Yes, I remember it well. Now where are my car keys?

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2008 7:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it occurs to me that hsa was saying she wished she had brothers yesterday.

perhaps she would have had brothers if it wasn’t for these visits to the asian massage parlors.

You're on thin fucking ice my pedigree chums, and I shall be under it when it breaks. Now, fuck off.

by MarketMaker on Aug 20, 2008 7:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Or maybe she has brothers that she just doesn't know about

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 21, 2008 10:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Daaaad?

Is this true, Dad?
Do I have half-Asian brothers?

Oooh la la! Change is beautiful.......(veers off pathway with bike) Whoa!

by homesickalien on Aug 21, 2008 12:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

hilarious. some short little half-asian chiburbs running around.

hsa seeing some oddly familiar looking asian dudes around chicago.

You're on thin fucking ice my pedigree chums, and I shall be under it when it breaks. Now, fuck off.

by MarketMaker on Aug 21, 2008 3:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Or Seattle, I hear the Asians love it there.

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 21, 2008 6:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You hear right, hombre. You must have a reliable source.

Oooh la la! Change is beautiful.......(veers off pathway with bike) Whoa!

by homesickalien on Aug 21, 2008 7:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I do.

I have operatives on the ground in the Pac NW. Keep your eyes and ears open. They’ll be in touch with you shortly.

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 21, 2008 8:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

just saw video of gavin's strikeouts today...

those were some sick hooks.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 5:35 PM CDT   0 recs

body armor does q!'s body good.

in his career, q! has been hit by a pitch once ever 25.19 plate appearances, which means he’s being plunked at a higher rate than such hbp legends as ron hunt (1 : 25.34), don baylor (1 : 34), and craig biggio (1 : 44).

armor up.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 5:42 PM CDT   0 recs

so while nothing less than 3/4 wins by the Angels will please some...

a first place team in a shitty division no less, do the Sox HAVE to win 2/3 against the Rays? Another 1st place team in a better division?
Curious…

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2008 6:13 PM CDT   0 recs

SSH?

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2008 6:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

will the sky fall if they don't? unlikely, unless you're you know who.

as of now, though, with danks, vazquez (the way he’s pitched of late), and buehrle hitting the hill, at home where the sox have been dominant, and crawford and longoria on the shelf, i’d say taking only 1 of 3 would be somewhat disappointing. that opinion could change if they the sox do lose 2 of 3 depending on the how.**

**i also the right to change this opinion based on news of the severity of dewayne wise’s injury.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 6:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that's what I'm thinking: the "how" is important.

Close game, decided in a that’s the breaks fashion, while potentially gut-wrenching, won’t be the end of the world. Looking shitty though is another story.
Please god don’t make me join SSH!

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2008 6:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that's right. this is baseball, after all.

the sox played kc in two three-game series this month. in one, they lost 2 of 3 and gave up 25 runs in 3 games. in the second series, the sox swept and outscored the royals 22-2.

if the rays come in and play unbelievable baseball and just happen to be better than the white sox in 2 of the 3 games, i’ll live. if the sox get swept or lose 2 of 3 because they’ve made poor decisions and have their heads up their asses, well, i’ll still live but i might kill somebody else.

as you say, if others are healthy wise isn’t much of a loss.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 6:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Any series loss at home to TB is not good

especially with their depleted starting lineup. They are lights-out at home, so a road series loss is OK. Play the good teams .500, and IIRC we are 3-4 against them so far this year. 2-1 series puts us at .500 for the year.

Acceptable.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2008 6:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

PS At the risk of sounding like SSH with his Cubs/Twinks,

the effin’ Rays strike out 3 times in the first against Weaver, then score 3 runs in the 2nd, all after 2 outs. Unbelievable.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2008 6:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The rays

Are one game below fivehundo on the road… I can take a lose from these guys

by 815Sox on Aug 21, 2008 10:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

anything less than 2 of 3 is disappointing.

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

by Tdogg on Aug 20, 2008 7:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't know about this weekend series but I do know this...

The Sox damn sure better have a 2+ game lead by the time they face the Twinkies at the Horror Dome in the last week of the season.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 10:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm being realistic...

A four game lead would be amazing but I don’t expect them to gain that much ground.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 10:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

1 game is enough for me

I don’t believe they will get swept up there next month. Still plenty of folks used to pressure left on the team.

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

by Tdogg on Aug 20, 2008 10:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

unless BA gets injured, I don't see Wise as a loss

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2008 6:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Nor do I...

If Ozzie is going to play Griffey in the outfield anyways and you still have five outfielders including Anderson always on the bench, you may as well give Ozzie the extra reliever. He loves to use four relievers a game.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 10:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

?

?

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2008 6:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs