White Sox Week in Review
by The Cheat on Apr 13, 2009 8:30 AM CDT
in White Sox Game Recaps
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PrintA look back at the week that was in White Sox baseball
- Opening Day got pushed back due to snow.
- Jim Thome hit a late-inning homer to give the Sox a victory on delayed opening day
- Gavin Floyd pitched well, but Zack Greinke pitched better as the Sox got shutout for the first time this year (Note: That's not an invitation to do it again, guys.)
- The offense went 18 innings between extra-base hits and, not coincidentally, runs, dropping the series to the Royals. And I vented a little anger at the lack of offensive output
- Joe Crede graced us with his presence. The Sox gave him a warm welcome with a little bit of Air Supply and a grooved fastball.
- Bartolo Colon painted corners and put up doughnuts in his first start in a White Sox uniform in 6 years. Colon's control was excellent Saturday, but he has little room for error with his repertoire/stuff. If he can add a couple MPH to his fastball as the season gets going though, he should be a great addition... until he gets hurt.
- Mark Buerhle quieted the Johnny Conditioning crowd and retired the final 15 batters he faced to bring the Sox back to .500.
- Larry previewed the minor leagues then took a look at the first (short) week of games.
- Steve Stone sounds great in the booth. My two personal favorites; when Wise couldn't hit a hanger, "if that pitch isn't in your wheelhouse, you're selling cars for a living," and when asked by Hawk what he'd do if he was pitching and was working around a guy with the base open, "I'd hit him," arguing that it saves on your pitch count.
The main storyline from the first week--aside from the good starting pitching--had to be the men penciled into the top of Ozzie Guillen's lineup.
The leadoff hitters combined to go 1-for-the-week at plate, and caused me to go on a bit of a rant when Brent Lillibridge got a start at the top. But the fans' reaction to Dewayne Wise's terrible for 8 at-bats -- which probably had more to do with their general unhappiness with the CF/leadoff situation than anything else -- garnered the biggest headlines. Ozzie was laying the groundwork for a possible lineup shuffle before a single pitch was thrown this season, and by game 3 Chris Getz had taken the spot. Wise has remained at the bottom of the lineup ever since, but Getz hasn't produced at the top.
I've commented a number of times that Getz has a similar profile to some other second baseman who had slow starts to their major league career, so this figures to be a favorite talk radio topic for most of the season.
Also involved in Ozzies early lineup shuffling was Josh Fields, who may have found a bit of a home in the #2 spot. Fields has carried over his hot spring training hitting to the early season, and looks like a completely different player than the guy we briefly saw last year. He's still gonna have trouble with fastballs and anything above his navel, but he seems to have a better all-around approach at the plate. He might become the next in line to leadoff if Ozzie starts to get creative.
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Josh did leave 3 RISP stranded yesterday,
the only Sox to be unclutch. But on the whole, so far, better than I expected.
I'll say it SSH be quiet
by The Cheat on Apr 9, 2009 4:16 PM EDT
It could have been a terrible week.
Instead it was an average one. Limit the terrible weeks and throw in a few outstanding ones and you should win the Central.
Kenwo4life=ratings
A win today and it's "Your first place White Sox".
Not a bad rebound over the weekend, taking 2 of 3 from the ’09 World Series champs.
I do have one question though:
I always thought “Punto” rhymed with the (slangily) female sex organ. Yet I kept hearing the announcers say “POON-TOE”. I guess that’s kind of like a “Cameltoe”, but I’m wondering:
Did little Nickie ASK for the pronunciation change as part of his new contract?
"I never had sex with that Governor" -
Roland Burris
As a Dago, I've always thought it was pronounced with the "POON".
Either way, rhymes with sometjhing having to do with something nice about women.
I'll say it SSH be quiet
by The Cheat on Apr 9, 2009 4:16 PM EDT
You are correct. However, if you correctly pronounce his name aloud, your eternal soul belongs to him forever.
That’s how they got Span and Gomez.
by The Actual El Guapo on Apr 13, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Candyman, Candyman, Candy----not gonna do it three times!
"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."
by BobbySouthSide on Apr 13, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Stoner is a revelation
The Stoned Hawk combo is amazing. Comparing him to DJ is like comparing filet mignon to horse meat. Makes games much more enjoyable.
He has great commentary, and provides it articulately....I am stoked on Stone as well. And now that MLBTV gives me the option to always choose home 'casts....even better.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Apr 13, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I would add
And its become my pet project—- the performance of the D the first week. It was certainly above board the first week and bears repeated watching as much of the predicted team’s demise surrounds the predicted sub par performance, especially on the left side.
"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."
Alexei is really good. And we haven't even seen anything spectacular yet.
I was at the Sat/Sun games. I’d hate to move him to centerfield on one level, but I fear they may be thinking hard about the pros and cons of doing that relatively soon.
This whole Alexei in CF thing won't die will it?
It makes no sense on any level. He started one game out there last year and this from a team that started Jr. and Swisher in CF for a majority of the games. Obvs Ozzie doesn’t feel he can play CF.
He can’t play a decent CF, and even if he could with practice, why would you take a guy playing a good SS and move him to CF unless you have to?
In 2010 Beckham goes to 2B and Getz goes to utility guy or trade bait. If Getz proves he can hit enough to be a starter then you’ve got a good problem.
I can’t envision any scenario where Beckham is at SS in 2010 and Alexei is in CF.
it rarely makes sense to move a good defender to an easier position on the diamond
especially since if he slumps, his bat is useless because he won’t take a walk.
THIS STORY ONLY ENDS ONE WAY
what happens if beckham can play a better SS than alexei?
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
what part of "I can't envision any scenario..." didn't you get.
there’s no way, wiz. none. players could die and it wouldn’t happen. ever.
ha!
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
ozzie's take
Beckham currently starts at shortstop for the Barons, the same position occupied by Alexei Ramirez for the White Sox. Ramirez started his first year at the position this spring, after playing second for most of his stellar 2008 rookie campaign, and Beckham could make the same sort of position switch if needed. But could Ramirez, arguably the best athlete on the White Sox roster, eventually find himself in center field, if Chris Getz pans out at second base and Josh Fields continues his strong play at third base?
It’s a move that would open up shortstop once again for Beckham. During a brief talk with MLB.com on Monday, manager Ozzie Guillen acknowledged it’s a move that isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility.
"Well, we don’t know," said Guillen of a possible move for Ramirez from shortstop to center field. "It’s our plans for Ramirez to be the shortstop right now.
"Maybe in the next couple of years or next year, we might change plans. We don’t know what direction we are going to go or how good Beckham is going to be. Really, it’s a good thing for us, a great thing."
…
"Alexei will be my shortstop in the pennant race," Guillen said. "If we are out of the pennant race, then we might change our mind — let’s try this to give Beckham a shot to get his feet wet in the big leagues. Right now, my plans are to keep him down there as the shortstop, and hopefully we don’t have to do that.
"Let’s see what direction we go. Let’s see if this kid can do it at the big league level."
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
what is this shit? opinion? an assertion from some guy with no say over the matter? who the heck is this 'ozzie guillen' anyway?
please. no scenario. none.
probably some damn blogger!
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
love the week in review
(it wasn’t done last year was it? one of these for each week (mon-sun) would be great. a good way to maybe spot some trends (and maybe note pertinent division rival info, like i’ll bet you cliff lee won’t win the cy young this year)).
some thoughts from the week
- the sox pitching is 2nd in the AL in k/9 (behind KC). doubtful they’ll keep that up.
- the bullpen has been mostly awesome. richard, after a nice first outing had 2 bad ones. carrasco was bad in his one appearance. the arsonist twice brought his book of matches to the mound, (his numbers would be worse if thornton didn’t come take them away in his first outing) before he did have 1 effective outing. dotel (9k’s out of the 10 outs he’s gotten!) and linebrink have been superb. jenks did a nice job twice. the other time, not so nice.
- baserunning=blaaaargh.
- defense looked pretty good, i thought. some excellent plays by Q, getz and fields. nothing disastrous, maybe just a couple balls that brian anderson would have caught.
brian anderson would've caught that...
the outfield D is going to suck unless BA plays regularly
and even then it’s going to be rough in the corners. but the infield does look pretty dang good.
THIS STORY ONLY ENDS ONE WAY
no.
the guy just looks awkward in the outfield and his -5 UZR seemed deserved. his arm is plus, i’d bet, but aside from that…
THIS STORY ONLY ENDS ONE WAY
i don't know about his "arm".
he seems to catch the ball ok for a left fielder. (anyone see fred lewis butcher a couple for san fran (yesterday i think) or see soriano cost the cubs a game on saturday?) other than “the throw” by Q last year, his throws have looked dismal to me. if i’m an opponent i run on him at almost any opportunity.
brian anderson would've caught that...
i know, i recall seeing that, was surprised
based on observations posted on SSS
by onlysoxfaninboston on Apr 13, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
other than the throw to get renteria, i haven't been all that impressed with his arm.
it may be that throw gave him a reputation amongst other teams that was unwarranted. at any rate, i’d say average-ish may be the reality but one year is just one year.
I think with a year of experience at the Cell under his belt Q should be at least average
I thought the metrics had him slightly below average last year.
Overall unless BA plays once every 3 days I don’t see any scenario where the outfield defence is good, but if Q and Dye hit well than you can live with it.
I can’t live with Wise in CF though. BA should really just take the role 3/4 days.
Its more important to me that BA takes a greater role in the larger parks
Like today. The Cell is small enough that if Wise is hitting I can deal with it, but on the road BA needs a greater role to lessen the effect.
"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."
this is a good point
there’s a reason why kenny has largely punted on outfield D throughout his tenure. the Cell has a tiny outfield.
THIS STORY ONLY ENDS ONE WAY
Sox @ Det: Lilli4, fields5, q7, thomedh, dye9, pk3, aj2, ram6, wise8. Floyd pitching
macdougal happens.
where did you find that?
i havent seen the lineups posted yet
Leading off at shortstop...
Luke Aparicio
Lillibridge at lead-off
thats one way to make Wise look better there…
Leading off at shortstop...
Luke Aparicio
Today
Mostly cloudy. Scattered light showers after noon continuing through 4 PM…then numerous light showers. Highs 47 to 51. East winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.
"I never had sex with that Governor" -
Roland Burris
bally?
I'll say it SSH be quiet
by The Cheat on Apr 9, 2009 4:16 PM EDT
by winningugly on Apr 13, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
getz likely out until wednesday
DETROIT – White Sox rookie second baseman Chris Getz said his bruised right elbow is “improving,” but manager Ozzie Guillen cast some doubt on his progress.
“I don’t see him playing (Tuesday),” Guillen said.
Getz was concerned because the injury was on his throwing arm.
That's good news
I was worried he might have broken a bone.
"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."
by BobbySouthSide on Apr 13, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
I thought they killed him again.
You bastards!
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Apr 13, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Why are the three Detroit games starting in the afternoon?
not that I am complaining mind – means I can watch them all.
Anyway, I’ve stopped posting on game threads as I feel that I can’t concentrate as much as what I should, plus the feed here is miles behind. So here are my game notes from the first week.
Our new infielders Getz and Fields – very good, I liked the both of them, not stella but didn’t look out of place
Toby Hall – who? We have a decent backup catcher now, well anyway he’s not fat
Steve Stone – what a massive improvement, fair enough on Ken, but no reason why they should both be a joke. A commentator who talks about OBP and OPS and that’s without his excellent pitching knowledge, great can’t shower enough praise.
Bullpen – so what – high leverage I bet there are few teams that would snap a bollock off to have what we’ve got at CHISOX.
Lexi – needs to get his throws to first sorted out, not good at all all week, his arm is not weak, needs to practice. Starting to worry me, will cost us cheap runs if he continues like that.
Base running – not bothered about that, although maybe JD instead of trying to counter all the talk about him being slow, maybe he should just accept it.
Starting Rotation – ’ Add to that a whole lot of regression for Gavin Floyd (projected for a 5.00 ERA) and an ugly back end of the rotation, and it could be a long season on the South Side’. That’s what our friends have said at BP – cool,lets have a drinking competition.
I’m sure you are not that bothered about what I think, but I couldn’t care less.
reagrds
I believe the common character of the universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility, and murder.
Lexi's range seems above avg
His throwing issues I think has a little to do with having a strong arm and taking it for granted. I’d be shocked if Ozzie isn’t on him about it yet.
"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."
Agree, his range is not the problem. It's making the routine plays I worry about
That said, so far so good, outside of some bounced throws. That should be easy to correct though.
Re: BA
Yesterday in the 7th, Blackburn was relieved by Breslow…I think….to face Wise.
In the gt, Jim said “Please counter with BA, Ozzie.” I agreed – this would be a nice time to see BA at the plate over Wise. OSFIB, however, thought otherwise…let Wise bat, he said, and put BA in CF for the 8th.
Wise showed bunt, and luckily laid one down right in front of the plate rather than popping it out to foul territory.
But my question is –
Is there a way to figure out BA’s plate success when coming in to PH late in the games?
It seems like he struggles at the plate when he’s starting and in CF all game, but has done well when PH in late innings.
Any thoughts or numbers to support this?
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
Thanks...I'm getting used to searching for splits on BR now....will apply in the future.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Apr 13, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
what book?
I believe the common character of the universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility, and murder.
that link goes back to here
are we talking about the complete works of Shakespeare?
or maybe Dickens, Tolstoy even,
Or something more modern, Nabokov, Garcia Marquez.
I think we should be told
I believe the common character of the universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility, and murder.
marx
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
Also, hood, Leeds putting up a good fight against Leicester, ehh?
I’m not aware of how the promotion system works — I know Leeds is currently fourth or fifth, do they have a shot at promotion this year?
It was a nothing game
they are going up by right, we will be in the playoffs. Top two get promoted four to six have to scrap it out for the final spot.
I believe the common character of the universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility, and murder.
sorry three to six
pos 3 plays 6
poss 4 plays 5
winners play each other at Wembley for promotion, Leeds Millwall is a strong possibility, which will be interesting
I believe the common character of the universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility, and murder.
yes I'm sure
60,000 will turn up for the home game of the playoff, we will win that over two games. Thing is, have you seen Leeds play, they are not very good, but no teams are in that league so it’s a bit of a lottery. If we end up playing Millwall at Wembley, I expect you will hear about it in the mid west at some point.
I believe the common character of the universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility, and murder.
of course, even assuming the "pinch hitter penalty"
BA would arguably still hit better against a lefty coming off the bench than wise. but we all know what ozzie was going to do in that situation so burning BA there wasn’t necessary. and i’d bet gardy would have brought in crain then just to be a dick.
Good call on gardy/dick/not burning BA....
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Apr 13, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Monty Python routine
My favorite Stone from yesterday,
Harrelson: When Ted Williams woke up in the morning, he only wanted to know one thing: what was the wind doing at the park, who was pitching, and who was behind the plate.
Stone: That was three things.
by EddyStanky'sGhost on Apr 13, 2009 12:46 PM CDT reply actions
haha!
also when they were discussing pujols hawk raised his ’he’s not only good on what he hits but when also’
I bet stoney was ready to shoot him!
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
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