John Danks Just Knows How to Win

by The Cheat on Apr 16, 2009 10:40 PM CDT in Recaps Comment 78 comments

More photos » by Chris O'Meara - AP

I don't know if it's the fresh air I got enjoying the nicest day of the year, or the second of my dinners, or the Sox game itself, but I'm drained. Ready for bed at a WU-ian hour.

I'm sure if the Sox had been able to blow that game -- man, did they try hard -- I would have been able to crank out 700 words about them not being able plate a runner from 3rd base and less than 2 outs, about not being able to have a hit w/RISP that actually scores a run. But right now, I'm enjoying that win as much as possible.

I can't say that it was fun, but a win's a win. And I'll take it.

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Johan Danks

R.I.P. Nick Adenhart

by Jbasic89 on Apr 16, 2009 10:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I, too, will accept this victory

Even ugly children need a loving family

by billyok on Apr 16, 2009 11:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

fat chicks need loving too

brndnprkns: I'm pretty sure the "badass" value of your life is closer to Gigli than The Dark Knight

by whitesoxmatt on Apr 17, 2009 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

where do you think ugly children come from?

by Ryno on Apr 17, 2009 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

colin's parents

brndnprkns: I'm pretty sure the "badass" value of your life is closer to Gigli than The Dark Knight

by whitesoxmatt on Apr 17, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

ba-zing!

Cashing checks and having sex.

by MarketMaker on Apr 17, 2009 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You haven't lost a step!

You are right. But larry is actually a prick too.
- HSA 01/07/09

by rhythm on Apr 17, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But they gotta pay.

by Obama4cntrfld on Apr 17, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Danks looks even better this year

it looks like he seems pretty comfortable with that curveball now, whereas the past two years he was pretty spotty with it. It’s not a lethal, Kershaw-like strike-out pitch but it’s good enough to where he can get ahead with that pitch. And the addition of that pitch hasn’t taken away from his already strong arsenal. He’s, like, really good. Really fucking good.

by CWSKeith on Apr 16, 2009 11:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

by G-E-T-Z GetzGetzGetz on Apr 16, 2009 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i have one complaint and that's economy of motion

he needs to realize that his stuff is excellent and he doesn’t need to nibble. Throw 93 MPH fastballs to get ahead in counts and paint inside with the cutter and slider.

Still, great outing and his K rate was no fluke. He misses bats.

by madvillian on Apr 16, 2009 11:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As a 23 year old, he had

a 2.8 k/bb rate . . . 2.6 BB/9, that is pretty damn good. Please tell me you are not judging him on 12 innings rather than the 200 from last year.

no. a mime is when you don't talk, not when no one talks to you.
by MarketMaker on Apr 6, 2009 2:58 PM CDT

by jc2313 on Apr 17, 2009 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

93 on the comcast gun, i'm sure.

by larry on Apr 17, 2009 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

heh

i was watching a 1976 Fydrich game on ESPN classic. the announcer (forgot who, uecker was his partner) said he was hitting 90-91 on the JUGGS gun…“not too many can bring it like that.”

by Hatchetm on Apr 17, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Joey G?

We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2009 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just glad he shaved off that hideous soul patch

Yawn.

by reardenmettle on Apr 16, 2009 11:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

jenks' is getting out of control...cut that off!

by The Scoper on Apr 17, 2009 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i hope we lock this mother fucker up for a long time.

i suck - the sox dont - SSH2005

by BoeJouma on Apr 17, 2009 12:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

first white sox game I got to watch on tv

I was on vacation during opening week and I finally got mlb.tv and a night game. First off, mlb.tv is way better now that it’s in flash. The BA, Getz, Fields at bats in the 8th were a lot of fun. The rest of the game was frustrating, but a win is a win.

rmlumley.com

by shaftr on Apr 17, 2009 12:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

mlb.tv

I’m in a CWS blackout zone. Has anyone in a blackout zone had luck using a proxy server?

Coach says he needs more toughness. I gotta step up.

by ChicagoPete on Apr 17, 2009 5:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'd be interested too

since I’d like to watch the Brewers but am also in a blackout zone for them.

rmlumley.com

by shaftr on Apr 17, 2009 7:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

was thinking about doing some research over the weekend

but seeing as it may smack in the face of mlb.tv expressed blah blah blah lawyerese, i’m not sure if a writeup would be kosher with our site moderators.

I don’t want my beer to taste like fruit or honey. I want pussy to taste that way.

by thatshortkid on Apr 17, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what upsets me..

is I should be able to watch the other team’s feed without blackout restrictions.

rmlumley.com

by shaftr on Apr 17, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rays 0-11 w/ RISP.

Danks bears down. Must’ve been nasty. I like this guy.

Also, believe it or not, our CF is out-hitting their CF so far this year. Christ, that’s poor.

We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2009 6:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

motherfucking google...

Cashing checks and having sex.

by MarketMaker on Apr 17, 2009 7:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Que? Whooshed comment for me, MM.

We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2009 7:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait, earnings?

I get it.

We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2009 7:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

gave away my whole year.

not happy.

Cashing checks and having sex.

by MarketMaker on Apr 17, 2009 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Days like this I'm glad I went into Corporate finance.

by Grinder in Training on Apr 17, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shields vs Colon today

Should be just as fun as yesterday.

Atleast the W puts the Sox on pace to get shut out 17 times instead of the 20 in the forecast yesterday.

here comes hsa bumbling and tumbling home!!!
oh she’s out
by furby2056

by e-gus on Apr 17, 2009 8:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, if we lost last night's game it would have been hard to overcome for the next 3.

Our best starter v. their worst, no Longoria. Would have been a sad one to drop.

by ThisIsJustBanter on Apr 17, 2009 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correct me if i am wrong.

Did the sox draft John Danks brother as a center fielder? Jordan Danks??

by G-E-T-Z GetzGetzGetz on Apr 17, 2009 8:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you are correct

go check out the minor league thread to the right

"2 years ago when I looked into my baseball magazine I saw the name Lars Anderson. I just thoguht, another draft pick that might not do anything. Also I though here might be the next Albert Pujols." -dasox313

by U-God on Apr 17, 2009 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Twice for good measure

by 3E8 on Apr 17, 2009 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sox success rate at scoring a man from third with <2 outs dropped to 37% on the season

League average is 52%, Nationals are the lowest at 24%

by 3E8 on Apr 17, 2009 8:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I liked the game from the pitching side.

Danks pitched well, Dotel and Thornton kept it right there and Jenks held on to close it out. This is a game that the sox would have lost the last couple years. If the bullpen can continue to pitch like this we should win a lot of games. (and no i am not talking about you Mike Macdougal, Clayton Richard and DJ Carrasco)!

Kenwo4life=ratings

by KenWo4LiFe on Apr 17, 2009 8:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jenks looked bad

you could see the worry in the bullpen when he was summoned.

I love the fat kid as much as anybody, but his low K rate last year shows us he has to have better control than hes shown so far or we are really screwed. The Royals were all over him the first week and he barely made it out alive last night.

here comes hsa bumbling and tumbling home!!!
oh she’s out
by furby2056

by e-gus on Apr 17, 2009 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont think he looked too bad

Bartlett hit a rocket, but no one else really squared him up. I think he was trying to be too careful with Upton, and walked him.

The Getz bobble changed the whole inning. It would have been an easy save most likely if not for that.

I'm like a laser, six-string razor. I've got a mouth like an alligator

by Nordhagen on Apr 17, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

AL homers up this year

1.2/game versus 1.0 all of last year. and the weather hasn’t heated up yet.

by Hatchetm on Apr 17, 2009 9:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i should say per 9 innings

by Hatchetm on Apr 17, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We stole that game last night

I kept waiting and waiting for us to blow it. Felt like one of the games at the end of last year.

"...and when it comes to baseball, we have two favorite clubs: the Go-Go White Sox...and whoever plays the Cubs!!!"

by 815Sox on Apr 17, 2009 9:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

14 hits and only 3 runs is not "stealing".

Should’ve scored at least 5. We should’ve won that game. And the fact that the pitching matchup favored us, along with Evan’s absence (as someone pointed out in an earlier post) means we should’ve smoked them.

We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2009 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Early nomination for the team slogan: "Winning Anyway"

"I never had sex with that Governor" -
Roland Burris

by Chiburb on Apr 17, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

i agree with stealing

in the sense that we did not deserve a win. Leaving that many RISP, not executing in the field, plus playing in a dome were the ingredients for a bad loss. I think we stole one (from “conventional baseball wisdom”).

I'm like a laser, six-string razor. I've got a mouth like an alligator

by Nordhagen on Apr 17, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They were worse than us with RISP - 0-11. 0-11!!!!

No stealing here, IMO. We were ahead the whole game and had our closer in witha 2 run 9th inning lead. Really, nothing was “stolen”. We put ourselves in position to win more than they did.

We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2009 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

a more appropriate description is the sox almost gave away the game.

by larry on Apr 17, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I too am puzzled with the notion that the Sox stole one.

They should have won handily.
As Larry said almost gave it away is better. But after the 1st inning at no point were the Rays favored to win.

"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."

by Tdogg on Apr 17, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

leaving runners stranded is sort of a good thing

because it means at least someone got on base in the first place.
leaving the bases loaded is better than going 3-up 3-down.

here comes hsa bumbling and tumbling home!!!
oh she’s out
by furby2056

by e-gus on Apr 17, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

in the end

scoring zero runs when having the based loaded is exactly equal to zero runs from a 3up, 3down inning

I'm like a laser, six-string razor. I've got a mouth like an alligator

by Nordhagen on Apr 17, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yesterday's Yankees - Indians games is a good example why this is dead wrong

by CatBrains on Apr 17, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Give it up, Nordy.

We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2009 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

never! :)

yes, roger that.

I'm like a laser, six-string razor. I've got a mouth like an alligator

by Nordhagen on Apr 17, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Puts more strain on the pitcher as well

in the sense they have to throw more pitches, and more high leverage pitches at that.

You are right. But larry is actually a prick too.
- HSA 01/07/09

by rhythm on Apr 17, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Both teams had plenty of opportunities to score more runs.

If you want to say we stole it, I’d look at Longoria not playing if anything.

by Grinder in Training on Apr 17, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because Longoria's .334 OPS owns Danks?

lol on sample size before i hear 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."

by Tdogg on Apr 17, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you’ll just have laugh at the obvious and correct counterpoint to your argument? That makes for a pretty futile debate.

by Grinder in Training on Apr 17, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read this as

“because they played in a a dome they did not deserve to win.”

And that just seems unfair.

Lurking since 2006

by boyonthedock on Apr 17, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

If they would have brought in more then one runner I wouldn’t have felt worried that the Rays were going to come back. Its not like the Rays do not have the ability to come from behind. Plus they were putting people on base all night.

Hell look at the 9th…

"...and when it comes to baseball, we have two favorite clubs: the Go-Go White Sox...and whoever plays the Cubs!!!"

by 815Sox on Apr 17, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In summary:

That is why I felt like last nights game was “stolen”

plus, we were playing in a dome… duh duh dunnnnn

"...and when it comes to baseball, we have two favorite clubs: the Go-Go White Sox...and whoever plays the Cubs!!!"

by 815Sox on Apr 17, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But

this is the Dome the Sox play (relatively) well in. It’s Toronto and Minnesota where we get our asses whooped.

Hey, how long should we give Chris Getz before we all get angsty and itchy about him? I know Ozzie/Kenny like him (cuz he white & grindy), and I don’t dislike Getz, but do we give him till June to actually hit? How long?

And, should we now all be convinced that B.A. can’t hit? I honestly thought (foolishly, I guess) that maybe this time around (3rd times the charm) that he’d be able to do it, but…

by Obama4cntrfld on Apr 17, 2009 11:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I follow you

Call up Backham so he can play both cf and 2b at the same time.

here comes hsa bumbling and tumbling home!!!
oh she’s out
by furby2056

by e-gus on Apr 17, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

backham=beckham

here comes hsa bumbling and tumbling home!!!
oh she’s out
by furby2056

by e-gus on Apr 17, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

mmmm....back ham.

Cashing checks and having sex.

by MarketMaker on Apr 17, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i always knew you liked em big!

here comes hsa bumbling and tumbling home!!!
oh she’s out
by furby2056

by e-gus on Apr 17, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

relax

He’s had a whole 15 abs. Plenty of time to say I told you so.

"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."

by Tdogg on Apr 17, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A Venezuelan and a black man like Chris Getz because he’s white? Makes sense to me.

by Grinder in Training on Apr 17, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Go back

and look at some of the words Kenny/Ozzie have used to describe him. “Grindy” comes up a lot. And the only players in baseball that are described as ‘grindy’ are white guys (Punto, Rowand, Pedroia, Bartlett, Eckstein, Youkillis, Podsednik (although I’m not sure why with him, ‘bad’ would be the best adjective), etc).

And I’m not saying Getz won’t work out, I’m just wondering how long you guys think he should get.

by Obama4cntrfld on Apr 17, 2009 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if the team is struggling in June, I don't think it will be because of Getz

I think he’ll get a long leash.

I'm like a laser, six-string razor. I've got a mouth like an alligator

by Nordhagen on Apr 17, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not true at all.

Pitchers of all demographics “grind” – Brenly just described Zambrano having to “grind” his way through the third inning. If there is a physically unimposing player who has no appreciable obvious exceptional skills, whether it’s speed, power, AVG, etc. he’s descrobed as a “grinder” – mentally tough. Otherwise, how would he be out there?

Now if you want to say that it’s much tougher for a man of color to be on a roster strictly because of a “will to win” or “mental toughness” or being “a ballplayer” – and I think that has some merit – then you’ve got an argument. But not only white guys are described as “grindy”. Wise, for one, is a “grinder” type.

We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pablo Ozuna was a grinder too.. grinders come in all races, it just happens that white people have more advantages (on average, for a variety of reasons) and those guys on the fringe who need a little help / things to break right are more likely to get it if they are white.

by Grinder in Training on Apr 17, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I ws thinking of Pablo as I was typing.

Then promptly forgot about him.

We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT

by winningugly on Apr 17, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grindy

is a term that has specifically been used to describe those players I’ve listed, despite the fact that (for the most part) they’re all good to really good players. I’m not trying to make any kind of serious racial statement. When I originally used the term, it was meant more in jest (‘grindy’ white guys). And pitchers grind through starts and parts of the game, but Zambrano (although not lately) is just a dominant pitcher. Wise isn’t as good as any of the players I listed, even Podsednik.

by Obama4cntrfld on Apr 17, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs