Notes from the Sox Spring Training Opener
by The Cheat on Feb 25, 2009 5:21 PM CST
in Recaps
72 comments
Nothing is decided in the first game of spring training. But since we can't fast forward through life until April, one game is all we have to talk about. So talk about it we will...
- Jerry Owens will try to bunt his way into the Sox lineup. Owens lead off the game with a bunt single, but popped up to the catcher on the first pitch of a bases loaded at-bat in his second trip to the plate. It sounded like he made a nice play at the wall to end Octavio Dotel's shaky inning.
- Dotel was said to have looked "like poop" in the first days of spring, and he confirmed that diagnosis with a 3-run inning that included a HBP, a BB, two ripped doubles, and the previously mentioned 420 foot final out to Owens. Supposedly he's working on a changeup, but I'd say the early returns are less than
- Chris Getz made a couple of nice plays at second base, but nobody really questioned whether he could play defense. It's the bat we have to watch.
- Clayton Richard took the first step towards claiming one of the two open rotation spots, retiring 6 of the 7 batters he faced. A walk to Sean Rodriguez was the only blemish against the southpaw.
- Jayson Nix recorded the Sox only extra-base hit, a double off one of LAA's Rodriguez octuplets.
- Brad Salmon filled that time-honored position of Sox Pitcher You've Never Heard Of Serving As Late-Inning Batting Practice.
- On the radio, DJ didn't sound too bad in his first go around with Ed Farmer. There were a couple awkward moments, but they were awkwardly-worded thoughts, which are a whole lot better than the awkward silences of recent booths past.
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Intentional or not, the end of the paragraph on Dotel is perfect.
From everything I heard, he looked bad — even worse than
by The Actual El Guapo on Feb 25, 2009 5:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Unintentional -- brother-in law stopped by --
but I’ll leave it…
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
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by The Cheat on Feb 25, 2009 5:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
haha
i was going to comment on the lack of ending, and that i thought it was perfect, beat me to it
"KenWO
no point in arguing with people who are blinded from reality..."
by Where Triples Go to Die on Nov 29, 2008 6:49 PM
by Illini0509 on Feb 25, 2009 6:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
According to post-game DJ...
The eye opener was Nix. Said he’s likely to have made an impression on Ozzie and will get more playing time based on today.
Re “other than AJ” catcher, Farmer and DJ agreed that despite the # of candidates, the 1 on the 40 man roster should be a lock.
No comment, just reporting.
"I never had sex with that Governor" -
Roland Burris
by Chiburb on Feb 25, 2009 5:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Re: nix
I take that to mean he didn’t see any breaking stuff…. I imagine he, like Anderson, is a spring training superstar
I quit listening in the 7th
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
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by The Cheat on Feb 25, 2009 5:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I left in the 9th. But that Nix did look good at the plate. Lets not jinx him with
mentioning Anderson in the same sentence.
"wow, yeah. cubs ST should be awesome. have a great time."
-by Larry on Jan. 9, 2009 3:09 PM PST
by Hoytsstash on Feb 25, 2009 6:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
History (and my brief viewing of him in the Olympics) says Nix can't hit the breaking stuff
Actually I do remember him getting a big hit on a slider in China, but after his first two cuts even the announcers were surprised he made contact with the 3rd.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Nix “win” the battle for 2B, but that’s not to say he’s the player with the best chance of major league success.
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
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by The Cheat on Feb 25, 2009 7:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i take it that scenario involves the death of both getz and lillibridge in a freak cactus incident.
you’re aware that getz is a grinder and lillibridge is fast, right? if they jizz over owens, wait until they see lillibridge.
"I asked the elders at the church to lay hands on me. I haven’t really thought about it. It’s all about gum and sunflower seeds now. Prayer works."
by larry on Feb 25, 2009 7:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Somewhere I'm on record as saying I think Getz will get off to a slow start on his major league career
seems like all guys with his skillset — good eye, tough to strike out, singles hitters — struggle in their initial taste of big league action. Recently, Pedroia, Callaspo, and Casilla all struggled but ended up looking like productive 2Bs.
Right now, Getz is the player with the minor league record that appears to have the best chance of translating into major league success.
Will the Sox be patient enough to see that success? I kinda doubt it. I think we’ll see a parade of guys who don’t hit at 2B for a variety of reasons.
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
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by The Cheat on Feb 25, 2009 7:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
be sure to send that "pedroia is a singles hitter" memo to american league pitchers.
"I asked the elders at the church to lay hands on me. I haven’t really thought about it. It’s all about gum and sunflower seeds now. Prayer works."
by larry on Feb 25, 2009 7:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I was wide-eyed at the "ended up looking like productive 2Bs".
An MVP award cuts some ice with Cheat, but barely.
the post wasn't for you. fuck off.
by larry on Feb 10, 2009 12:43 PM EST
by winningugly on Feb 25, 2009 7:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You're both right
He shouldn’t be compared to Pedroia at all. The K/BB ratio Pedobear was putting up in the minors stands alone…
He remains a good comp for the other two, however.
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
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by The Cheat on Feb 25, 2009 7:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"I asked the elders at the church to lay hands on me. I haven’t really thought about it. It’s all about gum and sunflower seeds now. Prayer works."
by larry on Feb 25, 2009 7:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Has a tiny weenie. Good chant back in elementary school.
my president is white.
by JoeCoolMan24 on Feb 25, 2009 10:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
remember Danny Richar
I wonder if he would be better than… everyone.
by Daniel Berlyn on Feb 25, 2009 8:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
no
He’s a left-handed nix
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
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by The Cheat on Feb 25, 2009 8:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
nice to hear about a decent outing by richards
i don’t want the slots to be handed colon or count if they can’t get it together this spring.
by onlysoxfaninboston on Feb 25, 2009 5:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
anybody else going to watch the sox twins game?
by BoeJouma on Feb 25, 2009 6:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
How dare you refer to them as just the "sox"
my president is white.
by JoeCoolMan24 on Feb 25, 2009 7:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
good call.
i just got a little too excited to actually SEE baseball
by BoeJouma on Feb 25, 2009 7:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sox?
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on Feb 25, 2009 7:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
clearly he should have used "red" or "bo-" or spelled it "sawx"
I don’t want my beer to taste like fruit or honey. I want pussy to taste that way.
by thatshortkid on Feb 25, 2009 7:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
oh...
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on Feb 25, 2009 7:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
what's wrong with saying sox?
we all know he is talking about white sox, and if he wants to say something about red sox he can say red sox.
by LT_sox_fan on Feb 25, 2009 8:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
(psst… he was talking about the red sox)
by Trooper on Feb 25, 2009 9:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
lol, i should read the comments first before replying to them
moi bad
by LT_sox_fan on Feb 25, 2009 10:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for proving the point unintentionally, LT.
;)
the post wasn't for you. fuck off.
by larry on Feb 10, 2009 12:43 PM EST
by winningugly on Feb 26, 2009 7:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
...........ummm
my president is white.
by JoeCoolMan24 on Feb 25, 2009 10:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
poor little nicky punto.
brian anderson would've caught that...
by BuehrleMan on Feb 25, 2009 7:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
A slave to the grind.
the post wasn't for you. fuck off.
by larry on Feb 10, 2009 12:43 PM EST
by winningugly on Feb 25, 2009 7:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
11:05?
Up next: The Angels host the Athletics on Thursday at noon PT. Jordan Walden will start for the Angels against Sean Gallagher of the A’s. The White Sox face the Rockies in Tucson at 11:05 a.m. CT. Gavin Floyd will start for the White Sox against Jason Hirsh of the Rockies.
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on Feb 25, 2009 7:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Kerry Wood, you and a leopard cannot change spots...
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3934870
Oh, I know, it’s early, but it’s bringing a smile.
the post wasn't for you. fuck off.
by larry on Feb 10, 2009 12:43 PM EST
by winningugly on Feb 25, 2009 7:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
scot gregor
Q: How much did Toby Hall’s pie-to-the-face routine rile his teammates? Is that one of the reasons he’s not around anymore?
Gregor: When Hall aggravated his bum shoulder last season while hitting Jermaine Dye with a “pie,” that sealed his departure. Now that Hall is gone, here’s hoping the Sox ban the childish stunt.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=274901
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on Feb 25, 2009 7:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
let it be known
Toby Hall can’t even throw a pie
by Daniel Berlyn on Feb 25, 2009 8:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
coop
‘’A common denominator of guys like Gavin, Van Benschoten (as well as Danks and Thornton), they’re former first-round picks where there is some physical stuff there, but for whatever reason, it just isn’t happening,‘’ Cooper said. ’’With Gavin, he was overloaded. If the fan in the 10th row would yell him advice, he would try it. (Van Benschoten) is the other way around. He needs something to grab on to.‘’
…
’’I look at hits and walks, I look at strikeouts and innings,‘’ Cooper said. ’’What we’re really doing more than anything is giving them legit care, legit opportunity and freedom to, ‘Hey, show us what you can do.’ ‘’
…
’’First of all, Aardsma and Sisco didn’t have a secondary pitch,‘’ Cooper said, defending what the organization teaches. ’’They weren’t equipped enough to meet the challenges we had set for them.
’’I’m really starting to believe that if you can’t succeed with the Chicago White Sox and the atmosphere we provide to succeed, the legitimate care we take in coming up with an individual plan to succeed, I’m now believing that guy just doesn’t (have) it.’’
http://www.southtownstar.com/sports/1447914,022509sptsoxmain.article
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on Feb 25, 2009 8:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i love coop
when i think of all the terrible pitching coaches in baseball, it just makes me so happy we have him.
herm too
But Frank Thomas was always his own guy, he always lived by some sort of code that wasn’t especially clear to anyone but him.
by U-God on Feb 25, 2009 8:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What I got from this:
Gavin listens to me. :)
my president is white.
by JoeCoolMan24 on Feb 25, 2009 10:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The top five reclamation projects of White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper:
ESTEBAN LOAIZA
‘’It was nothing more than challenging him and getting him to pitch inside. He brought the cutter.’’
JOSE CONTRERAS
‘’Tipping pitches was the smallest problem for him. The big thing was he didn’t throw any of his pitches consistently over the plate. We got him to start throwing strikes over the plate early in the count, and he could do it from a few different angles.’’
MATT THORNTON
‘’All we really did with Thornton was get him to load up and ride those big, strong legs to help that big, strong arm.’’
GAVIN FLOYD
‘’We had to clear his head and get him to throw strikes. We had to unclog the jam, free him up physically.’’
JOHN DANKS
‘’There was some delivery stuff, but it was also getting him a credo — let’s get ahead, let’s challenge hitters and get first-pitch strikes.’’
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/1447919,CST-SPT-sox25.article
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on Feb 26, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
$550K for Q!
the White Sox also announced agreements being reached with 22 players on 2009 contracts. Carlos Quentin was at the top of the list at $550,000, followed by John Danks and Gavin Floyd at $520,000. All three are arbitration eligible next year.
http://scottmerkin.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/02/lets_go_to_the_postgame.html
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on Feb 25, 2009 8:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
And abundant gifts of frankincense and myrrh.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 25, 2009 8:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Our graphics people need to come up with an image of the three kings presenting their gifts to a baby Q!
"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-
by Hazymania on Feb 25, 2009 9:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That would be baby q!
my president is white.
by JoeCoolMan24 on Feb 25, 2009 10:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Cip, are you hearing this? How about a birth of q! image to start the '09 season?
Jerry Owens can be the sheep with the groin injury.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 26, 2009 9:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
man, you are riding his ass.
you sound like WU’s wife.
"I asked the elders at the church to lay hands on me. I haven’t really thought about it. It’s all about gum and sunflower seeds now. Prayer works."
by larry on Feb 26, 2009 9:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
WU's wife rides cip's ass? That's weird.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 26, 2009 9:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
a good jewish girl will criticize anyone at anytime regardless of relation.
"I asked the elders at the church to lay hands on me. I haven’t really thought about it. It’s all about gum and sunflower seeds now. Prayer works."
by larry on Feb 26, 2009 9:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
oh, I see. Well, I'm only Jewish by nose. And a killer sense of humor. And apparently my ability to criticize anyone at anytime regardless of relation.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 26, 2009 9:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
well, at least we've confirmed that you're not WU's wife.
but give it a few years. statistics suggest this marriage will eventually regress to the mean.
by larry on Feb 26, 2009 9:19 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Well I gotta rec that.
Though I refuse to ruin a child’s life through ripping the family asunder through divorce. Death (mine), however, remains a distinct possibility.
the post wasn't for you. fuck off.
by larry on Feb 10, 2009 12:43 PM EST
by winningugly on Feb 26, 2009 9:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Divorce doesn't ruin children's lives.
Growing up subjected to parents who hate each other ruins children’s lives.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 26, 2009 9:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
parents prospectus has found this to be fallacious.
by larry on Feb 26, 2009 9:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously? I'm pretty sure this sort of thing is case-by-case.
I am a very mentally and emotionally healthy product of a divorce. My life is not even close to ruined because of it, but undoubtedly worlds better in fact.
Two people who are unhappy sharing a room together aren’t necessarily helping their children learn how to find their own happiness by staying together, full of contempt for one another.
You think kids can’t sense that sort of thing?
You think that’s not going to fuck up a child’s concept of love and relationships a little bit?
Just saying – it’s not so cut and dry. Sometimes divorce is the best thing for children.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 26, 2009 10:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
no. not seriously. pretty sure the baseball prospectus people are sticking with sports in their expansion.
by larry on Feb 26, 2009 10:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
DUH, larry. I knew you weren't being serious with the prospectus comment, but I thought you were being serious with your calling my comment fallacious.
:P
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 26, 2009 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
PS Is this Christina Kahrl?
If you do better this year, you’re doing worse next. If you do worse this year, you’ll do better unless you are old, in which case you will never do better.
the post wasn't for you. fuck off.
by larry on Feb 10, 2009 12:43 PM EST
by winningugly on Feb 26, 2009 9:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
working...working...
I was in the shit too!
by thecip on Feb 26, 2009 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
and jerry owens fits this profile...?
In the second inning, though, Owens popped out to third baseman Brandon Wood with the bases loaded and one out. As manager Ozzie Guillen pointed out before the game, the leadoff hitter is only guaranteed to lead off once after the National Anthem. After that moment, he also has to be able to hit in the clutch and drive in some runs.
http://scottmerkin.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/02/live_from_tempe.html
"I asked the elders at the church to lay hands on me. I haven’t really thought about it. It’s all about gum and sunflower seeds now. Prayer works."
by larry on Feb 25, 2009 10:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Interesting concept - the ability to hit possessed
by someone holding a bat, facing an opposing pitcher. How novel.
the post wasn't for you. fuck off.
by larry on Feb 10, 2009 12:43 PM EST
by winningugly on Feb 26, 2009 7:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
it'll never catch on
But Frank Thomas was always his own guy, he always lived by some sort of code that wasn’t especially clear to anyone but him.
by U-God on Feb 26, 2009 10:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The White Sox announced today that the club will webcast 11 Spring Training games free on whitesox.com. BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois will serve as the presenting sponsor of each spring webcast. Starting on March 2, White Sox fans will have the opportunity to see Spring Training games live as former Sox slugger Bill Melton and veteran broadcaster Trey Bender call the action from Camelback Ranch — in Glendale, Arizona.
…
The webcasts are free of charge to White Sox fans with Internet service and will include games vs. Seattle, Los Angeles (NL), Cleveland, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Los Angeles (AL), San Francisco, Oakland, Colorado and San Diego, along with an exhibition game vs. the Australian national team.
The complete schedule follows:
March 2: Seattle
March 6: Australia
March 8: Los Angeles (NL)
March 9: Cleveland
March 11: Milwaukee
March 16: Kansas City
March 18: Los Angeles (AL)
March 20: San Francisco
March 25: Oakland
March 31: Colorado
April 1: San Diego
"I asked the elders at the church to lay hands on me. I haven’t really thought about it. It’s all about gum and sunflower seeds now. Prayer works."
by larry on Feb 25, 2009 10:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
*And I, JIZZ, IN, MY PANTS*
my president is white.
by JoeCoolMan24 on Feb 25, 2009 10:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
This is wonderful news.
I was in the shit too!
by thecip on Feb 26, 2009 8:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I had parent teacher conferences today
but heard about an inning of the game. DJ did sound pretty good on the radio. The sox losing 12-3 in spring is nothing new. I expect a lot more of this in the first week or two of games…. they usually turn it around at the end of spring
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Feb 26, 2009 12:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
To how many families did you relate your 4 Little League titles story?
the post wasn't for you. fuck off.
by larry on Feb 10, 2009 12:43 PM EST
by winningugly on Feb 26, 2009 7:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"Jeff and Judy, I think your son has enormous potential to succeed, if only he would really apply himself. Say....did I ever tell you about the time I won 4, you heard me correctly, 4 Little League championships almost single-handedly? I basically kept
Little League in existence in the 80’s."
(He points to a banner hanging above the chalkboard: Kenwo=ratings)
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 26, 2009 9:11 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
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