Alexei Ramirez explains Cuban Pride: ''There are a lot of misperceptions. There is no pressure to play [in Cuba]; there are no guns pointed at you. There is just pure love of wanting to play the game by Cuban baseball players.
''The difference between Cuban ballplayers and players from the United States [is] players here play because that's their job. Cuban ballplayers play because of the encouragement from the province they're from, the town they're from, the region they're from. There is a sincere pride and passion for playing for your province. But no pressure.''
almost 3 years ago
The Cheat
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I would probably consider "encouragement" from an entire region or province pressure.
but I’m pretty sure Alexei is alluding to pressure from the government (like China). Regardless, I know plenty of people who kept playing sports because of pressure from parents, let alone an entire town or province.
NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
more like govt like colombia
i would like to know what the reporter’s question was..
by onlysoxfaninboston on Mar 8, 2009 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions
i do seem to recall some murdered World Cuppers there...
how much to the have to pay the Players -- that's what she said -- of the league like BA?
arod to have surgery, to miss 6-9 weeks
just going to get the hip scoped now, not fully repaired, which will happen after the season.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/03/08/arod.surgery.ap/index.html
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
just saw the headline in the times
i’m assuming the upper limit of 9 weeks includes rehab time, is this the kind of injury where there will be a great period of adjustment once he’s back on the field? he still might be worth a 2nd round pick in fantasy…
by onlysoxfaninboston on Mar 8, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
includes rehab.
not sure if that includes “baseball” rehab, but i assume so. if misses the first month and this isn’t going to completely fix the issue, i’d say that he’s not worth the #2. but he’s still a high pick.
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Do not take ARod in the first 2 rounds!
You don’t want any ??? marks with your 1st 3-4 picks. Let someone else worry about it.
"It just occurred to me that the White Sox could win the division."
by SuddenSam on May 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
" That just makes me want to puke all over your head, sir."
so you're saying don't draft pujols, either.
if everyone in your league waits 3-4 picks before taking arod, you’re probably playing in a secretaries league.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
Depends on the questions
And yes I stayed away from Albert last year in my leagues where I picked 6 or higher. Arod’s risk is much higher. Why on earth would you take a chance on him in the 1st 2 rounds? And no bud the secretaries league are yours. Mine are hard core.
By the way I rocked last year in all fantasy.
"It just occurred to me that the White Sox could win the division."
by SuddenSam on May 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
" That just makes me want to puke all over your head, sir."
yeah. because you play with a bunch of pussies. try a real league.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
pussies pay cash
"It just occurred to me that the White Sox could win the division."
by SuddenSam on May 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
" That just makes me want to puke all over your head, sir."
yeah. i can take money from pussies easily, too.
doesn’t mean i’m going to brag about it.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
If it makes u feel better
You don’t want major ??? marks in the first 4 rounds.
"It just occurred to me that the White Sox could win the division."
by SuddenSam on May 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
" That just makes me want to puke all over your head, sir."
i'd agree with 2-3 rounds.
but if you’re waiting on one of the top, say, four best fantasy producers after that, prepare to get burned big time.
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Sure Lar if you say so....
Yeah 4th round talent sucks.
"It just occurred to me that the White Sox could win the division."
by SuddenSam on May 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
" That just makes me want to puke all over your head, sir."
compared to arod?
yeah. it does. six weeks from his monday surgery means he misses about six regular season games. midpoint it and he’s missing fifteen.
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Yeah if it works
Which isn’t a given. I’m not really sure what you are arguing. You kill me with this stuff. You don’t know everything. This isn’t just about Arod. The point is the player relative to expected round avoid major risk in the first 4 picks or so. For Arod that’s 1st and 2nd because someone will take him. He won’t be there in the 3rd or 4th. If one of the probable 3rd rounders has major questions then I say let someone take the chance.
"It just occurred to me that the White Sox could win the division."
by SuddenSam on May 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
" That just makes me want to puke all over your head, sir."
up here i'm being nailed for asserting a position without knowing everything, down there i'm being attacked for not asserting a postion because i don't know everything.
there are various levels of knowing. i don’t consider getting a hip scoped to be a particularly worrisome issue. frankly, i’d be kind of surprised if he isn’t playing (DHing specifically) in the first yankee series.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
feel free to harass anywhere. i know i do.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
just as long as you know that don't speculate enough.
and you speculate too much.
Cashing checks and having sex.
I bet 200 million
He’s not.
"It just occurred to me that the White Sox could win the division."
by SuddenSam on May 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
" That just makes me want to puke all over your head, sir."
wow those stakes got high
Fast
It's called Sex Panther by Odeon. It's illegal in nine countries... Yep, it's made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Boy, that escalated quickly... I mean, that really got out of hand fast.
Cashing checks and having sex.
yankee contract stakes
"It just occurred to me that the White Sox could win the division."
by SuddenSam on May 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
" That just makes me want to puke all over your head, sir."
it appears the elaboration is now that he'll miss six-nine weeks of the regular season.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/09/sports/baseball/09rodriguez.html?_r=1
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Is this the Yankees' site?
Fer Chrissakes, larry, just sleep with him, already.
the post wasn't for you. fuck off.
by larry on Feb 10, 2009 12:43 PM EST
gregor: don't expect contreras back until may
Gregor: There has been some talk about Contreras breaking training camp with the White Sox, but that would be really pushing it.
Contreras went down in early August last year with a torn Achilles’ tendon and it typically takes a year to come back from that injury. The veteran right-hander is a physical fitness fanatic, but don’t expect the Sox to activate him until May at the earliest.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=277539&src=162
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
cooper is on the chisox.com homepage video clip right now saying that he's thinking that C+C might be ready for opening day.
Cashing checks and having sex.
and you can read everything else i've linked about this.
the herald has been doing a series on the various positions and you have to think a lot of this was written awhile back – though one would think they might revise things before publishing. i just posted it because it was different. i’d still be skeptical of opening day roster but “may at the earliest” sounds like what we were hearing three weeks ago.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
regarding opening day for both, though, it would be a bit unusual for pitchers - especially ones coming off injuries - to not even pitch in a ST game less than a month before they'd be pitching in a regular season game (4/10 will need sox "4th starter").
getting the requisite arm strength and so on just isn’t likely in that timeframe. it’s still more likely than not that marquez/richard, and perhaps both, will be required to start games in the first couple rotation turns.
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i'm for any course of action that doesn't involve a quick return trip to the DL for either of C+C.
to me, getting a season’s worth of starts for C+C combined, say 35, would be a huge win for the sox.
Cashing checks and having sex.
well, i guess our expectations have been raised recently.
i would have agreed with that a couple months ago. now i think it’s imperative to get 45 between them. and they most certainly both can’t be out at the same time. my confidence in richard holding the fort is already known here but, after that, i just can’t see where you get enough quality. i know cheat loves egbert and there are those who still think marquez can get it done and maybe poreda. perhaps the view of these guys will change by, say, june/july after more seasoning. but if the problems come early – god forbid they both have setbacks in ST or early in the season – the sox will be in trouble.
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if the sox were able to get, say, 95 starts from the top 3, plus an additional 45 from C+C
and only needed to get around 20 starts from richard, etc. then i would say that we would be in great position to have a very successful season. i just wouldn’t bet on the sox getting more than 15 or so starts from colon. for whatever reason, though, i am optimistic about the production we’ll see from contreras.
Cashing checks and having sex.
or more broadly, i have a feeling we'll see 30+ starts from richard and the not-ready-for-primetime players.
Cashing checks and having sex.
colon, if he didn't ditch the red sox, probably would/could have made about 20 starts last season.
not saying i would bet on it but i think that’s a reasonable target for a successful season. 25 from contreras is a reasonable target for a successful season from him.
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any interest in taking the over on a 22.5 starts from contreras and 17.5 from colon?
i’ll take the under. plus, it’s a bet that i’d happily lose.
Cashing checks and having sex.
So your betting that to win either way?
Happy to get the money, or happy to see the over on the starts.
It's called Sex Panther by Odeon. It's illegal in nine countries... Yep, it's made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
no. in case it wasn't clear, i'm not saying it's a good bet that they make 45 starts. i'm saying that's a reasonable target for what they'd need to start in order for the white sox to be competitive.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
i know what you're saying. i just thought that an over/under of 40 might entice you.
Cashing checks and having sex.
for these two? i'm not stupid.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
wanted to see if i could get something concrete out of you, instead of this lawyer-speak:
i’m not saying it’s a good bet that they make 45 starts. i’m saying that’s a reasonable target for what they’d need to start in order for the white sox to be competitive
Cashing checks and having sex.
i don't see how that's "lawyer-speak" either.
that’s me not making stupid predictions. anyone who bets on these two making 40+ starts at this point is either retarded or a total optimist. the other aspect is me commenting upon what performance one can expect from these two and what performance one can expect from the rest of the white sox options based upon a projected number of starts.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
you're a fun guy, you know that?
i’m sure your wife married you for your impulsive, live by the seat of your pants nature.
Cashing checks and having sex.
by MarketMaker on Mar 8, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
and the reason why i called it lawyer-speak was because of the subjective nature of almost all of the adjectives in your statement.
Cashing checks and having sex.
that's just 21st century living, man
don’t put yourself on the hook for more than you have to.
how much to the have to pay the Players -- that's what she said -- of the league like BA?
i'm not sure if you're familiar with our current economic status
but it’s got a lot to do with people putting themselves on the hook for more than they had to, or could afford to, man.
Cashing checks and having sex.
that's so pre-2009 21st century living. get with the times.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
i'm just as willing to forget
2001-2008 as the Republican Party is.
how much to the have to pay the Players -- that's what she said -- of the league like BA?
i'd prefer we learned from it, but fuck it, yeah, let's just forget it ever happened.
Cashing checks and having sex.
2009 is us waking up to Suzanne Sommers
explaining how fucked up everything was.
how much to the have to pay the Players -- that's what she said -- of the league like BA?
who knows. we should probably wait until these guys actually throw a ball with someone in the batter's box - or, better for colon, a ball that breaks - before throwing out odds.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
why don't we just wait until the season's over until we throw out odds on what they will do.
our knowledge will never be perfect. there’s no need to wait for more information. anything that you speculate now will be done with the caveat that this was before they had done any live throwing or, for colon, thrown any breaking balls.
Cashing checks and having sex.
because i find ham-fisted, uninformed speculation boring.
probably right up there with the lovely trade talk we’re treated to each july. when there’s something with which to actually speculate upon, then i’ll talk about it.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
i love ham-fisted, uninformed speculation.
but then again, i do it for a living.
Cashing checks and having sex.
i'm thinking you don't.
and, just to point out, caveating the hell out of a statement is lawyer-speak, not refusing to make one.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
i remember thinking to myself that 25 would be a solid bet
in January, but that the split would be 15/10 Colon/Contreras. even if Bartolo is ready now, that doesn’t necessarily change how many starts he’ll make this year. Jose is what’s changed and he’s what’s going to keep the back of the rotation afloat (assuming it’s seaworthy in the first place).
how much to the have to pay the Players -- that's what she said -- of the league like BA?
The White Sox have an excellent track record with keeping players healthy.
So i’m sure they will determine the best course of action.
Now if we were to trade them away, I’d be positive that they were both damaged.
It's called Sex Panther by Odeon. It's illegal in nine countries... Yep, it's made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
missing out on the last point there
we wouldn’t be able to trade them if they were damaged. trade scenario for either would occur if the sox are out of the contention and the C or C are pitching at a competent level.
by onlysoxfaninboston on Mar 8, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
No i wasn't missing the point.
I was stating that when we trade away a pitcher he usually has problems.
But that we have been pretty good with reclamation projects.
Plus I don’t think either would bring much back in a trade.
It's called Sex Panther by Odeon. It's illegal in nine countries... Yep, it's made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
damn, i just mailed my check to bally
don’t cash it yet man!
by onlysoxfaninboston on Mar 8, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
for hoodie OR indie kids who worship indie bands that ripped off the fall
mark e smith reading the football results
by onlysoxfaninboston on Mar 8, 2009 12:37 PM CDT reply actions
indie bands that ripped off the fall
or indie bands that mark smith says ripped off the fall?
how much to the have to pay the Players -- that's what she said -- of the league like BA?
imprint was evident on S+E
i think we’ve talked about this, no? did you watch the video, hearing mark e smith talk about anything is gold
by onlysoxfaninboston on Mar 8, 2009 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions
no i just like fucking with mark smith
he’s got a big enough ego
how much to the have to pay the Players -- that's what she said -- of the league like BA?
I think what Alexei was trying to say...
I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Cuba and I think you can look at the motivation of those playing the game down there much like the negro leagues of 60+ years ago. Basically, a bunch of poor young guys riding around in shitty buses, playing for meal money, with no great illusion about fame and fortune – they do it because it’s a good and fun thing to do for a living.
The goods that money buys just isn’t available and neither are all of the trappings of pro athletes – so those things, while appreciated when they come along, are not held out as attainable.
Add on top of that the enhanced cuban cultural value of “it’s not so important what you do for a living, what’s important is that you do it well – and live well”, and that pretty much sums it up.
Cubans seem to know how to live happily, always in there for a really good time, without much.
by Dick Allen's batting helmet on Mar 8, 2009 1:45 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Excellent perspective.
What have you been doing in Cuba?
the post wasn't for you. fuck off.
by larry on Feb 10, 2009 12:43 PM EST
another comparable to throw into the "what would danks and/or floyd get if the sox sign them long-term"
lester 5/$30M with $13M club option for 2014.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-lester1extension030809&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
I just dont get the rush to do these deals.....
"It just occurred to me that the White Sox could win the division."
by SuddenSam on May 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
" That just makes me want to puke all over your head, sir."
how so?
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
I think he is better but the
Carmona situation would give me pause. Add on top of it there is a real possibility of a new market moving forward for a little while. Why give it to him now?
"It just occurred to me that the White Sox could win the division."
by SuddenSam on May 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
" That just makes me want to puke all over your head, sir."
the problem for teams is that the "new market" won't really affect arbitration awards. remember, that's about comparables. the parties are specifically not allowed to discuss the economy or team finances and so on.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
good point
"It just occurred to me that the White Sox could win the division."
by SuddenSam on May 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
" That just makes me want to puke all over your head, sir."
i suppose the way i look at it is, what is the worst case of each of these contracts?
obviously, zero value. so what’s the upside? pretty high for most of these guys. carmona was worth about the full guaranteed value of his contract in just one season, 2007. even last year, he was probably worth about that average annual salary. i just don’t see a great deal of risk and certainly not when compared to the reward. ymmv, as we all know that you and i view risk differently.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
your mileage may vary
how much to the have to pay the Players -- that's what she said -- of the league like BA?
no. MM got it correct.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
i was thinking about that recently. the implications of that could be very interesting.
it could significantly devalue arbitration eligible players by virtue of previous awardings.
Cashing checks and having sex.
it will be interesting to see how teams shuffle contracts around
there’s an incredibly high value being placed on pre-arb talent at the moment. that’s traditionally been the means of exchange for veteran talent, but considering the demands of most teams, i think that well is going to dry up.
how much to the have to pay the Players -- that's what she said -- of the league like BA?
so teams are going to start looking more like the Marlins?
trying to sell off arb-ready players to avoid being locked into relatively bad contracts?
how much to the have to pay the Players -- that's what she said -- of the league like BA?
relative to what?
it’s not like arbitration eligible players will ever reach the point of what they could get on the free agent market. the non-marlin mlb teams appear to all be attempting to win at some point in the near future.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
i was actually thinking about how interesting it would be to field a team of relatively unwanted past their prime veterans signed to 1-2 year contracts.
i bet you could put together a pretty competitve group like that.
Cashing checks and having sex.
so i'm wondering which SSSer is the guy in the stands wearing the white sox hat at the cuba game.
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
or Phil Rogers
wasn’t he harping on John Danks for not participating in WBC?
by onlysoxfaninboston on Mar 8, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
the webcast for today's game is free. go to chisox.com.
box score with lineups – beckham leads off, ramirez, q, thome, fields, broussard, kroeger, BA, corky.
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_03_08_lanmlb_chamlb_1
southsidesox.com - now the best place on the interwebs for chicago white sox analysis and discussion.
this is so incredibly in-depth for a mlb article.
A-Rod being rebuilt like $6MM Man
Cashing checks and having sex.
no shit.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Mar 9, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Before I even read one comment to catch up here, I'm going to say 2 things....
1. Why is a Cowley link front page?
2. Overqualified at 2B…from BA….oh man, that made me laugh.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
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