Three-Sub Saturday: White Sox' Secret Weapon
I was idly browsing through the White Sox splits last night when I noticed that the #9 spot (.412/.492/.471 entering Saturday's game) has been the most productive spot in the order. Maybe Ozzie Guillen noticed too.
Because before the game, Ozzie penciled in the slow-starting Alexei Ramirez at the very bottom of the Sox lineup.
Then Ozzie might have remembered that the Sox were 2-0 on the previous 2 Three-Sub Saturdays. So Chris Getz would be a late scratch, something about a finger, with Brent Lillibridge, Corky Miller, and Jerry Owens filling the 3-sub requirements. Ramirez would move back to his usual 8th spot, but hit like the Sox usual #9 hitter.
Ramirez hit his 5th career grand slam, his first homer of the year, when Shawn Camp hung a 3-2 slider in the Sox 6-run 5th inning. There were lots of virtual Alexei's Back! high-fives in the gamethread, but that was a brutal pitch by Camp. As Stone said in the first series, if you can't hit that pitch you're selling cars somewhere. Credit Ramirez for hitting a pitch he probably wouldn't have last week, but it's a ball we should expect him to crush.
Things didn't start out well for the Sox. It appeared to be more of the same from Friday night's shellacking, as the Blue Jays sprayed hits to all fields in the first two innings. But Mark Buehrle seemed to pick up on the Fastball In The Zone Equals Line Drive phenomenon, and worked his secondary stuff over the plate with his fastball out of the zone to pick up his 3rd victory in 4 starts. He was pulled after just 92 pitches thanks to an 8-run cushion and a well-rested high-leverage end of bullpen.
Corky Miller and the Three-Sub Saturday lineup are now averaging nearly 8 runs a game.
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So I'm confused does this mean Chelexei's grand slam didn't count because Camp served up a meatball? :)
White Sox: Trying to roll a hard six.
by vince_ on Apr 25, 2009 10:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I couldn't figure out why Camp wasn't pounding the zone with sinkers to Alexei
It was nothing but sliders. I understand that the book on Alexei is that he’s a fastball hitter, but really he hit quite a lot of those mistake off-speed pitches last year as well.
The way he’s been going right now, if Camp throws one 2-seamer, it’s probably a 6-4-3 DP.
He hit it. I cheered.
I’m just not ready to pronounce him BACK based on what is an early candidate for worst pitch of the year.
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
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by The Cheat on Apr 25, 2009 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And,
He hit it down the line which means he’s still way out in front.
by oahu420 on Apr 25, 2009 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Should've counted for only 2 runs.
We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT
by winningugly on Apr 26, 2009 8:02 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I think he's back based on more than that pitch
Since the first Baltimore game earlier this week Hawk/Stone haven’t stopped talking about how much better he looks at the plate. The HR was his 3rd xtra base hit in that timeframe and would’ve been his 4th had the high wind not knocked down his deep flyout on Friday. Hanging breaking balls have a tendency to get hit hard, but don’t you think a little more credit is due based on the situation? A bases loaded, 3-2 count usually doesn’t call for a slider. I don’t know what Alexei was looking for but he squared it up nicely and kept it fair which based on your spray chart he may have hit foul a couple weeks ago. Plus how many times each year do we hear “he got a cookie and just missed it”
by 3E8 on Apr 26, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
if clever titles equal losses, larry's mom equals wins.
if you ever need a stop, if you ever need a win, there’s only one mom to turn to: larry’s. and luckily for the white sox, larry’s mom was scheduled to go today – and on regular rest, when she’s simply devastating.
there was some concern all day amongst the guests about whether the game would be played. larry’s mom assured all, however, that there was no doubt. while she was happy to see buehrle on the mound, that meant that the usual white sox special guest would not be able to attend. however, an excellent cake (butter rum frosting – you remembered, mark) and a certain skinny cuban were sent in his stead. i believe this was doubly fortuitous as it allowed larry’s mom to give alexei a talk. since, unlike larry’s mom, i do not speak spanish, i’m not exactly sure what was related; however, i understand pride, watching the ball all the way into your glove, and punishing mistakes at the plate were all discussed.
there was also some concern about the evening gametime and the delayed start potentially being a problem for larry’s mom. however, after watching this woman’s meticulous game preparation for many, many years, i had no doubt about her game shape. while the shaky start for buehrle caused some to lose faith, larry’s mom is simply the sort who likes to test those close to her to determine who is and who is not loyal. unfortunately, there will be some who won’t be making the trip with us next year.
SSS twitter race: me or the cheat? http://twitter.com/SouthSidelarry
by larry on Apr 25, 2009 10:39 PM CDT reply actions 7 recs
I love that woman.
General Soreness mocks Q's highly-specific soreness. -TAEG
by homesickalien on Apr 27, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't.
If she truly has the Gift, she ought to attend ALL games. She’s being selfish by not doing so.
We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT
by winningugly on Apr 27, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ramirez' 5th grand slam.
franchise record: ventura with 10.
SSS twitter race: me or the cheat? http://twitter.com/SouthSidelarry
by larry on Apr 25, 2009 10:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was at the game and haven't looked at any comments yet....
I’m sure it must have been noted…..Buehrle threw one pitch at 85….one at 84…..nothing else over 83….planned or sore arm? I kept telling my girl he was about to get bombed…..please tell me this was his gameplan.
by dantesox on Apr 25, 2009 11:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Fastball velocity was no different than his last time out, but it was in steady decline accross his first three games

http://www.fangraphs.com/pitchfxo.aspx?playerid=225&position=P&pitch=FA
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
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by The Cheat on Apr 25, 2009 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seemed like a concious plan to me
The Jays will square up fastballs anywhere in the zone, in out up down, as we saw yesterday. It even continued into the first inning today when Hill and Rios both laced singles on straight fastballs back-to-back. After that Buerhle pretty much threw cutters/sliders, change-ups, and curves, which with the help of a couple nice defensive plays held the Jays at bay
by 3E8 on Apr 25, 2009 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
AMI cutting-edge research division led by Dr. Daniel T. Callahan has found mustaches increase a player’s batting average by 39 percent. Ankiel, however, is far exceeding that average, as his flavor-saving protective mouth shade has raised his batting average .71 points to .250 as of April 24, and we can only assume there is more to come as long as he does not remove his new furry friend.
It’s ironic that a player like Ankiel has chosen to use a labia sebucula (Latin for “lip sweater”) to improve his batting average, as he plays in the home of the world’s largest mustache — the Gateway Arch. But irony is a fickle beast.
Regardless, the Mustached American community applauds him and the Cardinals organization for its support of our people and we hope this is the beginning of a trend for the team.
Sadly — and this is a little known but true fact — Albert Pujols petitioned and was denied by Major League Baseball to shave his goatee into a true flavor saving mustache. MLB argued that as Pujols is already hitting .339 this season, adding a performance enhancing mustache would give him too much of an advantage and possibly endanger opposing National League pitchers.
It is important to note for fans and economists alike that the upside of Ankiel’s mustache doesn’t just stop with performance. It never does. No, AMI research has shown that the Cardinals can now expect a 17.8 percent increase in female fans at Busch Stadium — important in these tough economic times — and all of the team’s male fans should be thankful for Ankiel’s unselfish, good looking gesture.
http://deadspin.com/5226138/rick-ankiel-is-the-latest-american-mustache-hero
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on Apr 25, 2009 11:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I want my new username to be Labia Sebucula.
General Soreness mocks Q's highly-specific soreness. -TAEG
by homesickalien on Apr 27, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Forget about Alexei...is Anderson looking any better at the plate?
I haven’t seen the last few games, but by the box score he hasn’t been a complete cypher at the plate. Small sample size fluke, or is a .750 OPS actually sustainable for him?
by hitlesswonder on Apr 25, 2009 11:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He has one good at bat a game
and sometimes picks up hits in the others… His single ahead of Alexei in the big inning tonight was a seeing-eye job that is a 6-4-3 or 5-4-3 if it’s 5-feet in either direction. I put my head down when he made contact on that one, pulled a sinker away… I was sure that was the end of the inning… lucky to find the hole
He has looked better in that occasionally he appears to be trying to drive the ball to RCF, which makes him a major league hitter, if only for an at-bat.
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
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by The Cheat on Apr 25, 2009 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The seeing-eye single was against a pulled in infield,
He got lucky.
He’s BA.
by oahu420 on Apr 25, 2009 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, I went back and watched it
it wasn’t that bad… It ran back over the heart of the plate….
I was just assuming the worst as it unfolded
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
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by The Cheat on Apr 25, 2009 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But 1 good at bat will probably make him at least a .250 hitter
And it seems to me – that’s all anyone asked of him. He is doing better than that – look at the walks this year
Replacing "Chicago Tough" with "Cuban Pride"
by Brush Back on Apr 25, 2009 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd say I haven't ever seen this side of BA.
He’s able to lay off bad pitches, get into a hitter’s count and then put a controlled swing on a fastball. I’ve been one of BA’s biggest doubters since after 06, but he has looked like a legit hitter. I don’t know if it will last, he has a BABIP over .400, but I think the approach will stay. How easily we forget the hitting talent Anderson was once perceived to had.
by Daniel Berlyn on Apr 26, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
All BA needs to do to secure an everyday spot
is become a 250/310/430 hitter. If he can do that and make plays in CF he’s about an average everyday regular and would be a huge boon to this team.
I have doubts he can sustain this new found patience and ability to drive the ball into RCF against righties. We’ll see.
by madvillian on Apr 25, 2009 11:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
gotta admit, the patience thing seems to work
…the pitch to start the sequence where he got the seeing-eye is case in point. Nice sinker that he normally would have swung thru.
by RoyEgan on Apr 26, 2009 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I fully understand that Brent Lillibridge is by no damn means an impressive hitting specimen of any kind
and yet, every time he’s in the lineup, things seem to happen. And I’m a little drunk right now so whatever, but whatever. He’s my favorite .125 hitting mofo of all time. That play he made tonight to end that ugly inning was a tide-turner. Maybe. I don’t know. Bye
by billyok on Apr 26, 2009 1:44 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
I really like
this post, and I agree with it, even though I don’t exactly know what I’m agreeing with.
by palehose67 on Apr 26, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great swing picture.
Che should tape that to his eyes so he can easily remember what a perfect swing looks like. Very sweet.
We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT
by winningugly on Apr 26, 2009 9:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
these oddly tensed blog posts from van dyck confuse me, but i think he means getz isn't going to play today. or didn't today and i missed the 6:05am start.
By Dave van Dyck
Chris Getz missed his second straight start for the White Sox Sunday while recovering from a bruised middle finger on his right hand. Getz, who was injured in early fielding practice, could be back as soon as Monday when Seattle comes to U. S. Celllular Field.
Brent Lillibridge again was assigned to second base and as leadoff hitter against Toronto. Jim Thome was also back against Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay.
Brian Anderson moved back to center and was batting eighth with Alexei Ramirez in the ninth hole.
SSS twitter race: me or the cheat? http://twitter.com/SouthSidelarry
by larry on Apr 26, 2009 10:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i think this was linked previously but, if so, it's worth another post.
thome interviewed by rosenthal. very extensive.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9488100/Thome%27s-drive-to-win-remains-fierce
SSS twitter race: me or the cheat? http://twitter.com/SouthSidelarry
by larry on Apr 26, 2009 11:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nope. You're the man.
We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT
by winningugly on Apr 26, 2009 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go look at the gameday, in case you forgot how the at-bat went.
Ramirez took some pitches that are hard to take with two strikes, especially for him. That got him to the full count, earning him that hanging slider. The other hit, he hit a pitch that we would want him to swing at. I, for one, am anticipating Ramirez’s soon-to-come hot streak.
by Daniel Berlyn on Apr 26, 2009 11:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not sre if game will be played today.
If it is, a win would be very, very nice.
1. Facing a great pitcher.
2. Facing a hot team.
3. Get to 2 over .500.
Said a prayer for Jose this morning.
"I am not going out like SSH. "
by WTGTD, 12/3/08
by ballyb on Apr 26, 2009 11:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Dont think a game should be played, just forfeit and enjoy a day of rest.
.500 isnt so bad.
It's like he's a cyborg sent from the future to draw 22 walks a season or something.
by omnipotent grab on Apr 26, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Getz hurt, but Sox standing pat for now: Chicago to see how infielder's finger reacts to treatment
The injury suffered during double-play drills by Chris Getz before Saturday’s game was a bit more serious than the originally announced contusion. The White Sox second baseman and leadoff hitter has a fracture at the tip of the middle finger on his right hand.
According to Getz and manager Ozzie Guillen, the injury is still a day-to-day proposition, and Getz does not believe it will involve a trip to the 15-day disabled list.
“No, no, no,” said Getz, who got his throwing hand caught in the glove and was struck by the ball during the drill and said he couldn’t hit as of Sunday. “It’s a day-to-day thing, and I’m thinking whenever I get my grip strength back. … There’s nothing you can do about it. The plan is day-to-day.”
“We are going to wait for him to see how he react,” said Guillen. “I don’t think it’s a one- or two-day thing. When you have that in your hand, it will get you. We have a Plan B. If he can play, he can play. If not, we’ll see what we can do.”
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on Apr 26, 2009 1:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Guillen not shutting the door on Wise: Manager says injured outfielder will get chance at job
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen delivered some words of encouragement for Wise prior to Sunday’s contest. Guillen stated that the starting job will not automatically stay with Brian Anderson when Wise returns, regardless of how Anderson is playing.
“We will reevaluate it,” Guillen said. “It’s not fair for the kid to work hard, play good and then he got hurt. We see how Brian is when he get back.”
Anderson entered Sunday’s game carrying a .308 average with four RBIs and was 9-for-22 over his last four games. He has totaled seven walks in 14 games, compared to 10 in 109 during the 2008 campaign. Yet Guillen wants more from the 27-year-old veteran.
During his pregame talk with the media on Sunday, Guillen pointed out how Anderson needs to be a bit more aggressive on the basepaths. And with Anderson’s recent development as a player balanced against his less-than-stellar first run as a starter in 2006, Guillen won’t promise anything to Anderson past Wise’s injury absence.
“I wish someone gave me my job like the way we’ve given the job to Brian and [Jerry] Owens,” said Guillen with a smile. "[Anderson’s] playing well right now. He’s playing good for us. Hopefully he’ll stay the same way and make my life a little easier.
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on Apr 26, 2009 2:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sure...the day I give up on selecting Che as my pick-to-click.....
General Soreness mocks Q's highly-specific soreness. -TAEG
by homesickalien on Apr 27, 2009 10:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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