South Side Sox Open House
by Jim Margalus on Feb 6, 2012 6:00 AM CST
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Now that football is over, there's no excuse to not start thinking about baseball, so let's make sure we're all on the same page here.
As I mentioned before in my FanPost about it, today will be a day to extend a hand to new readers and longtime lurkers who might want to get more involved in one way or another, but haven't found a good place to start.
We can use this as part introduction thread, and part All Questions Answered a la John Sickels' blog.
If you're new (or even if you aren't), please make yourself known, share your White Sox background, and feel free to offer up any question you've had while reading South Side Sox. To throw some topics out there:
- White Sox coverage
- Advanced statistics
- Prospects/farm system
- SSS Meet-ups (a.k.a. meth-ups)
- SSS community
- Etc.
Ask a genuine question, get a helpful answer. That's the deal today. If you can answer or question or address a thought, please do. Just so we make sure to get the most out of this, please make sure questions/comments have been resolved/responded to before taking it in a different direction. And let's not get carried away. At least for today. Whaddya say?
Fire away.
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Swedish fan
Seems to be an advantage to be Swedish when you post this early ;)
Sox fan since -01 so roughly a third of my life. Didn’t start to follow baseball seriously until last year though! Been reading SSS since August or so, trying keep up with all news and constantly finding more and more blogs about Sox though SSS has stayed my main “reading room”. Never posted before… Mostly because I tend to feel like an idiot when I don’t understand something! ;)
While most people seem to know everything about the team and it’s history, I know nothing about Sox 1920-1990 pretty much so every now and then it would be interesting to read some “noob” articles that informs us idiots a bit, not everything is easy to understand. I probably know the names of maximum five players from 1920-1975 for example :)
Don't feel like an idiot. The folks here are pretty darn good at explaining things if you don't
understand something. First and foremost this is a place to expand your knowledge about the White Sox. If you’ve got a question, ask it. However- The one big thing to try to do before asking a question- Make an attempt to understand by reading some external links first (and if you are asking a question about a linked article, please, read the entire article… this alone will save so much grief.)
Jim and crew- maybe we could get an updated featured story that would be a compilation of guides like the colin metaprimers? As I look in that section, one of the articles is still a prospect piece from over a year ago. Also maybe a compilation of some good links on White Sox history overall?
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 7:30 AM CST up reply actions
related to this...
is there a “freshness date” on posts and articles on SSS?
I’ve tried at times to find an old post or article using what I thought to be killer keywords and the search often comes up empty.
Is there a better way to search older SSS material than using the “search” window in the upper-right-hand corner?
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
Search function is banjaxed since like October
Google is your best bet, here is your search string: greenlight toeboat site:southsidesox.com
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
by Rhubarb on Feb 6, 2012 7:39 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Jim or larry-
did it have something to do with the VOX media takeover?
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 7:40 AM CST up reply actions
The timing seems to line up.
And the issue is a known one.
by Jim Margalus on Feb 6, 2012 10:22 AM CST up reply actions
No wonder Rios is terrible; WU lost half of his production in the divorce.
"I considered throwing a volley, but since I'm considerably closer to Ford City than Dodge City, I figure it might have been misinterpreted."
by RWShow on Feb 6, 2012 8:59 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
The archive function works fairly well if you remember the month the article came out.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Also, searching from a user's profile page includes the full archive of comments and posts.
"I considered throwing a volley, but since I'm considerably closer to Ford City than Dodge City, I figure it might have been misinterpreted."
The 1959 team managed to beat the mighty Yankees to go to (and sadly lose) the World Series
That was our only World Series appearance between 1919 and 2005. Here’s a page I put together with color images of several members of the team:
http://www.southsidesox.com/2011/5/5/2116942/the-1959-white-sox-in-color
We play on the "bad" side of town, we were supposedly cursed, and we wear black. Let's play.
We have a category for historical posts
It’s a decent place to start.
http://www.southsidesox.com/section/history
The Hall of Fame Library series of posts go back the furthest, and will give you some historical context for the player’s decade/era.
by Jim Margalus on Feb 6, 2012 11:05 AM CST up reply actions
Long Time Lurker
I have been a White Sox fan since 1978 when I was but a young lad. I have been a daily reader here for a few years. I usually read the morning post right before i leave for work. It’s much better than the regular news. Just wanted to say that you all amaze me with the stats and discussions that you have here. Really a top notch blog. Also some of the one liners that you guys put out there are very funny. My Question: Are we going to sign anyone this offseason? Even a minor league contract? If so, who will it be.
by White Sox Lover on Feb 6, 2012 7:02 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
larry can better speak to the minor league contract stuff
but i’m pretty sure this is the team barring some kind of can’t-miss-all-of-a-sudden offer to KW. or i guess one of the outstanding Cubans? whatever happens, for once you’re very unlikely to see KW mortgaging the future in order to compete right now.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
Well, there have been plenty of minor-league contracts
Donnie Veal, Jose Quintana, Dallas McPherson, Brian Bruney, Eric Stults, guys of that ilk. If you’re asking about guys who might sign a minor-league contract with a chance to stick on the 25-man roster, that’s a different and less exciting answer.
by Jim Margalus on Feb 6, 2012 10:19 AM CST up reply actions
i think the white sox will acquire a guy who can play outfield for the bench.
or, if we take into consideration dan johnson and delwyn young, another guy or guys. if signed prior to spring training, it will probably be another minor league contract type. if acquired during spring training, could be via trade for a player blocked on his club.
Let us in on the inside jokes!
Let's go Sox!
@SeanLindo
The beginners guide, although we should probably update this again-
http://www.southsidesox.com/2011/7/14/2275606/sss-meme-glossary-abridged-version
Other inside jokes just develop from spending way too much time here. The RRRR (That is Right Rail Rumpus Room) is a source for a WHOLE lotta them. That is our “non baseball talk” area. Things get really fun in those threads.
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 7:39 AM CST up reply actions
Gamethreads are responsible for a lot of inside jokes as well
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
This was handy
on many accounts.
At least I now know a meth-up is not out of my league when it comes to what I’m willing to experiment with.
by bevingtonsTallBoy on Feb 6, 2012 1:00 PM CST up reply actions
very helpful with the inside jokes
but what there are others that come up from time to time that arent memes….like comments and jokes about el guapo or whatever for example…i remember reading about that in the middle of a thread and having no idea what was going on
TAEG, or "The Actual El Guapo", was a poster of note.
See “Toonderstrook”, or “The cip”. Other posters who were revered who for some reason grew up/moved on/lost interest/were kidnapped/killed/incarcerated.
We're all here because we're not all there.
allegedly.
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
by MarketMaker on Feb 6, 2012 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Fan from Charlotte currently living in Frankfurt Germany
Long time lurker/SoxMachine refugee here. I’ve been a White Sox fan since I was a kid, when I was a huge baseball card collector and my favorite card was a Frank Thomas Leaf rookie card. I was pretty happy when the Knights switched from the Marlins to the Sox back in the late 1990s before I went to college. I think it’s cool to find out the geographic diversity of White Sox fans outside of the Chicago area.
by LonghornedBobcat on Feb 6, 2012 7:27 AM CST reply actions
OK, a semi-lurker here
This was not in the Lilli-bridged meme article. What does TWSS stand for? Also, I just want to say how much enjoyment I get from the articles and comments here. You all make a long work day go by quicker. Group hug? No? Ok, that was awkward…
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
"Okay, that was awkward."
TWSS.*
*That’s What She Said
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 7:45 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Aha!
I was nohwere near close! I was thinking “The White Sox S_____” and couldn’t think of the last part. Plus, it never really fit with the thread. Now I know why.
So now I get to say Your face is what she said…. and thus the thread continues.
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
Long Time Reader, First Time Commenter
I am a life long Sox fan and have been reading this and Sox Machine to get my fix. Lived in Iowa until a few years ago, so I was surrounded by non-Sox fans and am excited to have place where people share my frustrations and confusion of the Sox. Love the blog and am often confused by the stats, but making more of an effort to understand.
Thanks for the introduction day.
What is this "Sox Machine" of which you speK?
Welcome, joe.
We're all here because we're not all there.
by winningugly on Feb 6, 2012 8:15 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Using an inside joke in the welcome thread and not explaining it?
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
and doing it with another inside joke (that being that
wu can’t type for shit.)
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 8:34 AM CST up reply actions
Thank you for noticing.
Sox Machine was Jim Margalus’ former blog before becoming The Fearless Leader of SSS.
We're all here because we're not all there.
Loved Sox Machine
It’s actually how I discovered this site, because Jim would occasionally link to some of the articles here.
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 8:41 AM CST up reply actions
Same here.... Great place Sox Machine...it is believed we were 10 people only.
This is a great place too…more often than not.
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Feb 6, 2012 11:11 AM CST up reply actions
what are the stats that you would like to know more about or understand better?
brndnprkns: I'm pretty sure the "badass" value of your life is closer to Gigli than The Dark Knight
So many of them
I think it is the more technical side of baseball. I have never played and just been a fan and have just recently gotten more in to the fantasy baseball world, so on occasion there are posts including graphs that are lost on me. I would even say that though I understand stats like WAR, I could always tell you what a “good number” would be for a lot of those.
I get easily confused by the graphs here, too.
Probably because colin assumes we all sit in our basements poring over these types of things daily.
by Shoeless In SC on Feb 6, 2012 8:31 AM CST up reply actions
It's helpful for me for you guys to ask
questions about that stuff. I do my best to explain, but when I write I have to pick a level to write at. That’s an educated guess at best. If I get a lot of people asking questions, I can get a better feel for where people are at. I will say that in general I have written for the commenters because I have the best idea of what their base level of knowledge is.
That said, I also know that it’s likely the commenters, because they’re obviously putting a lot of time/participation in, are likely to know more than the average reader. I’m trying to get closer to that level, though whether or not I’m succeeding I don’t know.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 9:30 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I think the hesitation in asking
at least for me, is twofold. First, some research on the internets would turn up the gist of pretty much all the stuff you reference. Second, it’s often the avoidance of being flamed for asking something that has (maybe?) been asked and answered repeatedly. Problem is, that such Q&A may have taken place in a comment thread which is not fun to search through to find out on your own.
Above in these comments, a useful resource is linked to inside jokes, etc. I’d bet the same kind of thing exists on SSS for the things you reference (even if it’s external to SSS). If not, it may be useful to add to one over time that could be linked to when such questions come up.
I realize this is a blog, not a forum, so the concept of pinning these somewhere for easy access is different, but is it possible, or would that be useful to those with the knowledge and those seeking it?
by bevingtonsTallBoy on Feb 6, 2012 1:18 PM CST up reply actions
it's a good idea
maybe adding “sabr/stats” to the sections on the left rail, and/or pinning to a listing of all the relevant info, like how cheat used to pin the current payroll.
speaking of which, did that link get noosed away?
I love seasons too. That's why I live in a place that skips the shitty ones.
Due to lack of upkeep
Cot’s has a spreadsheet that I can/should link to.
It looks like we’ll have a link-roundup venue coming soon, whether it’s TP’s links or a FanPost should he change directions. We can make a linkable list from there.
I do remember colin doing a piece on wOBA and uzr in one week
that was insanely helpful to me regarding understanding anything he says
NAOPOS
I think I'm usually pretty happy to answer
questions, fwiw. Perhaps that’s not true, but I’d like to think I try. So feel free in the future. I usually have a link at least to throw out. You’re right though that a compendium would be useful. If it helps, Fangraphs has their own:
http://www.fangraphs.com/library/
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 3:48 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I think I'll take you up on this this year.
"I'm holding out hope Reinsdorf can somehow use his amnesty clause on Rios"
-Duck99
an average player has about 2 to 2.5 WAR
all stars are above 4.5 and MVP candidates are above 7 i believe
brndnprkns: I'm pretty sure the "badass" value of your life is closer to Gigli than The Dark Knight
Wait a sec, I may be wrong here but,
I thought an average player’s WAR = 0 since they would be the replacement level. A 2-2.5 WAR would be above average and a 4.5 and above would be MVP-caliber. 7+ would be Ruthian… can someone with a bit more knowledge on this verify?
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
Might check this:
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/how_to_calculate_war/
We're all here because we're not all there.
Replacement level isn't "average MLBer"
“Replacement level” is the kind of performance one could expect if the Sox had to call up Dan Johnson or some other entrenched AAA/AAAA player to get regular playing time.
Take Brent Morel or Gordon Beckham, who were about 1 WAR players last year. Each were below average in by MLB standards, but each were a better bet than a guy in Charlotte.
by Jim Margalus on Feb 6, 2012 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
think of it this way, if 0 WAR = an average player,
then your perfectly average player would stick at 0 for his whole career.
look through baseball-reference or fangraphs at career WAR totals and you’ll get an idea how to gauge it.
jose guillen’s career bWAR was 3.7 (from 1650 games/6418 plate appearances). we all know jose guillen wasn’t perfectly average (though the royals didn’t, as they gave him $36M for 3 years).
joe randa compiled 21 bWAR (1522 games/6007 plate appearances). a nice average major league player.
bWAR is calculated by Baseball Reference
fWAR is calculated by Fangraphs and they have different ways of going about measuring these things. It took me a while to figure this out as well, so that may be helpful to some.
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
I am a big fan of gWAR myself
It factors in more gore and intergalactic badassery.
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
Also head-chopping and worm-feeding
I went to a show of theirs in Cleveland about 15 years ago and they fed Jerry Springer to the worm.
by Yinka Double Dare on Feb 6, 2012 1:45 PM CST up reply actions
and their lead singer died
while sleeping on the tour bus on the way to canada
Worth noting: bWAR and rWAR (Rally WAR) are the same thing and are used interchangeably.
by mechanical turk on Feb 6, 2012 11:30 AM CST up reply actions
i think it was suggested that bWAR is more useful for pitchers,
and fWAR for position players, but i forget why. it may even be vice versa.
bWAR is more reflective of what resulted on the mound
fWAR takes luck out of the equation.
So if Jake Peavy truly has command problems from the stretch, it might result in hits clumping together unusually often. fWAR would treat that as luck, look at his fielding-independent peripherals and say he was good (2.9 WAR).
But bWAR is based off runs allowed, so they would see the 4.92 ERA (no unearned runs, so it’s the same) and think that he didn’t do that much to help his team win. As a result, bWAR isn’t impressed (1.2 WAR).
Fwiw both do a park/league adjustment
after that bWAR throws in a defense adjustment, but aside from that it’s all RA. It also bears mentioning that bWAR needs to be multiplied by like 1.1 to get onto the same scale as fWAR. After that, take an average of the two and you’ll have as good an estimate as we’ve got. So call Peavy’s effort good for 2 wins last year, give or take.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 3:36 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Well there you go. Thanks WU, Jim and craigws
So Dunn’s -1.5 or whatever is even worse than I realized. Ugh.
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
Corn
Just kidding, dont get offended!
by OIF3GUNNER on Feb 6, 2012 8:31 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
my first thought exactly
brndnprkns: I'm pretty sure the "badass" value of your life is closer to Gigli than The Dark Knight
If you believe "Field of Dreams"...
the White Sox. The pitcher taken out of the game on the TV when Shoeless Joe appears on the field for the is Floyd Bannister.
Excellent info!
I did not catch this. I remember Bannister being one of our better pitchers for a brief period.
Mixed really
Lots of freaking Cub fan because of WGN and the IA Cubs, but depending on where they are located we also get Cards, Royals, Twins. Was raised a Sox fan because my dad defied his family and went against the Cubs.
by joesievers on Feb 6, 2012 8:33 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Your Dad is a patriot.
We're all here because we're not all there.
by winningugly on Feb 6, 2012 9:08 AM CST up reply actions 6 recs
cyclones, packers, bulls and mostly the white sox
well, thats me, at least
"Rhubarb, if you wouldn’t mind, ram your taint into your monitor as hard as you can." - joewho112
If I were to pick a force of nature to cheer for, I'd probably go Fire.
Or Aston Villa. Equally devastating.
by mechanical turk on Feb 6, 2012 9:59 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
i was rooting for aston villa when o'neill was manager
but now that it’s mcleish, no. ciaran clark looks to have a bright future though. i am rooting for him.
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
i am not a fan of mcleish either.
even if he did bring franck sauzee and russell latapy into my life. i guess i’d plain hate him if not for those two.
Touche'
Wow …. I thought I was the only person in the world sadistic enough to love both the SOX and Aston Villa at the same time.
If I remember right, Tom Fornelli is just like you.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
The meth dealer.
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage."
John Kenneth Galbraith
by Chiburb on Feb 6, 2012 11:25 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Hey everyone
This is my first day unlocked. I must admit NFL is my favorite, but you gotta love the southside!! I joined this site to learn more about the team. I work next door to the Cell and therefore have pretty awesome parking!!
Sox fan for as long as I can remember!!
I recall the ,59 team and the World Seies. This is a great site for all things White Sox. I was @ the Disco Demolition game for baseball only. Didn’t even realize there was a promotion going on untill the stands filled up midway during the first game of the DH. Yes there was a double-header scheduled for that nite. Never played the second game, the Chisox forfeited.
I've commented a couple times but have mostly just lurked
I tend to read the morning posts on the mobile app on my way to work (used to just load the page before the mobile app) but am blocked at work except lunch time. So, I usually read before any real commenting has gone on and then when I check again on my way home or in the evenings it seems rather untimely to start commenting on conversations that are hours old.
Grew up on the south side and started ardently following the Sox in about 1999-2000, when I was in high school.
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 8:40 AM CST reply actions
The convos are basically fair game until they're like a day old.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
And most commenters check their profiles
to see if they’ve been responded to, no? I certainly do anyway.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 9:32 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
That's because you're a louse.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 9:36 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
maybe you're the louse
who here goes to their profile page to look for replies? Show of hands? It seems dumb because you know you’re going to read everything anyway.
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
I certainly never have.
In fact, I didn’t know you could. In DOUBLE fact, I just looked at my profile and I don’t see where I’d find that information.
by mechanical turk on Feb 6, 2012 9:41 AM CST up reply actions
Look under "Recent Activity".
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
I have for when I comment on other blogs, so as to know when I should go back.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
I miss things
and I like making sure I haven’t missed responses to particular comments I was hoping for responses to. Though like UG says it’s most useful for blogs I don’t frequent so regularly.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 10:20 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
i just read everything
and if there are new comments in an old post i check them out.
The only time I use the profile is if I’m looking for something specific and dont know what thread it was on.
Just checked it out.
Seems easy enough. I actually found out someone replied to one of my posts a while ago.
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 9:49 AM CST up reply actions
Speaking of getting more involved
Is there a SSS fantasy league this year? I’d be interested in joining one if there are spots available.
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 8:55 AM CST up reply actions
there is
we have a premier league and a secondary league, where the top teams are promoted and the bottom teams in league one get demoted.
It will probably get rolling in a month on the right rail
A question about the leagues
What is the cut off for relegation/promotion? Is it bottom 2 from top head down and top 2 from bottom head up?
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
its not really set in stone
in fact i don’t recall if it was 2 or 4 last year.
i think it was scheduled to be 2 but we had a couple teams not return and it ended up being 4? League 2 was bigger than the original last year, as well due to more interest. We’re pretty flexible about it.
It was four
because I came in 4th in 2010
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
Sweet!!!!! *Cue the Jeffersons" theme music
Because I am moving on up to the Premier League this year!
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
Are there spots available?
If so, I’d like to throw my hat in the ring.
Is it on Yahoo or some other service?
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 1:00 PM CST up reply actions
There's a BMO! It's better!
Check out the RR.
by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Feb 6, 2012 1:07 PM CST up reply actions
Sounds intriguing
Is it like a dynasty thing. Based on the recent post, it seems like you guys are pretty far into it. Any barriers to entry? Do I have to take a crappy team and rebuild or what?
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 1:43 PM CST up reply actions
My favorite is
“Jim Margalus”.
Says it all, and is hilarious.
We're all here because we're not all there.
Quiet you!
Back to the basement!
"I'm holding out hope Reinsdorf can somehow use his amnesty clause on Rios"
-Duck99
off and on commenter, mostly lurker
I’m a Sox fan from Northcentral Indiana, was surrounded by Cubs fans. I’ve since moved to Northwest Ohio for graduate school, now surrounded by Tigers and Indians fans. I’ve been a fan of the White Sox since 1987 when I started collecting every Carlton Fisk baseball card I could get my hands on. I stopped paying attention to any sports while in High School/early-college (roughly 1996-2003), so I am only vaguely familiar with teams in that timeframe.
My question: Should I be personally offended when larry attacks my comment?
Nope.
It’s like getting mad at a snake for biting you.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
i'd be pretty mad at a snake if it bit me.
i’d kill that bastard.
by craigws on Feb 6, 2012 8:59 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
It's like Steve Irwin
You enter into their domain, you take the risk.
I knew the Loch Ness monster would make it to the WSox this year!
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
Long time lurker, recent poster
and I thought that this would be a good time to be selfish and give my background. I grew up in the NW suburbs of Chicago. And I remember being 5 years old when my friends made me choose Cubs or Sox. Easy choice. They were Cub fans, my dad and grandfather were Sox fans, and the Cubs stunk at the time. Since then, my Dad and I went to about 6 games a year and always to the scheduled DH’s. Thus, like Soxfan50 above, I was at Disco Demolition also. Being 11 at the time I was very upset about the whole situation because the Sox had to forfeit the second game and it meant a loss to the Tigers. I haven’t lived in Chicago since 2002 and have been in Paris the last 5 years and thanks to modern technology and SSS, I haven’t missed a single White Sox moment. And I’d add that, thanks to SSS, I’m even more edumacated about baseball and advanced stats than I ever was. Big thank you to all the contributors, editors, regulars, and to the Grand Poobah himself, Jim. Now let’s go appreciate ourselves some baseball games!!
This is just like me, except...
I grew up in upstate NY, a goddamn Yankees fan (mainly Reggie Jackson), and instead of Paris, I now live in Pittsburgh. Similar.
Why has the site been crashing so much lately?
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
I've been around the block enough times to hazard a pretty good guess:
our sysadmin is a cat.
by mechanical turk on Feb 6, 2012 9:42 AM CST up reply actions
Hopefully it's SC's
at least he’s a decent speller.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 10:23 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
lurked for a while
been a reader for a while now, came over from soxmachine.com when jim switched over to here. love all the content from all editors. finally decided to register and start posting.
current student at ISU, been a sox fan since a was born. avid baseball player.
I lived above Budget Liquors in the early part of the last decade and also in the "green house" on Cherry and Linden.
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
"green house"
= “bathhouse”?
I can so picture you above a “budget” liquor store. Heh.
We're all here because we're not all there.
green house
i know exactly where you are talking about, i have been there a couple times for parties. now days its called the “green monster”
Next time you're there you can say that you know a guy who used to live in the room with the window looking out onto the porch
I think it was 2001 & 2002.
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
that should get him laid.
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
21 Stables baby! (1997)
Next to the gas station on Willow (1998)
Next to University Liquors (1999)
My freshman year was 97' and my good friend Nicole lived in stables (I think #13) that year with a bunch of crazy broads
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
We lived on the bottom floor of stables.
Threw parties every Friday. We’ve probably crossed paths.
I used to hang out with Jason Karnuth . I didn’t realize he made it to the majors. A friend and I walked into a bar in Springfield, looked up at the TV playing the cardinals game and saw him pitching.
I guess the stables are gone now
My girlfriend beat up some chick in the street on a Friday and we ended up at a party in the stables that her boyfriend was throwing and my friends and I ended up having to brawl with her boyfriend and his friends. It was all very silly. My friend Crazy Mike saved me from a kick to teeth by busting a chair over some dudes back. Fucking stables.
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
I can only assume that Dalton was the bouncer at these "stables".
by ReservoirDog on Feb 6, 2012 9:09 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
stables
what stables are you guys talking about?
there are the vernon stables and dillon stables which are still around
Oh i thought they burned down
The stables on the other side of the tracks, the ones with the porch areas, brick…if i remember correctly, the dillon ones
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
Friends of mine live above Budget
in apartment #3
did you play past high school?
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 9:34 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
no
had the opportunity to play at dominican university in river forest illinois but decided to go to ISU instead. played club baseball here fresh/soph
Congratulations, I've cast Jimmi Simpson is your role
by joewho112 on Feb 6, 2012 2:46 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Kinda looks like him.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
If it makes you feel better, I imagine U-God and colin to be Zack and Cody from the Disney Channel
by joewho112 on Feb 6, 2012 3:36 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Who said anything about dating?
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Everything on your FB page.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
by U-God on Feb 6, 2012 3:42 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs
Seriously though.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Not at all.
You ask the same questions on here as you do on our FB page. You outed yourself.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
I'll take that as a compliment that I am mature beyond my age.
..though I know you do not feel that way
Bulls Season
Let me know if you want me to take you around Boystown
This used to be my playground
by The Cheat on Feb 6, 2012 2:46 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
what would that consist of over there?
like one bar?
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
Judging by the response I got to my "DUDE! DID YOU SEE THE VOICE LAST NIGHT?!" joke today
I’d say there’s a market for more than one
This used to be my playground
Mainly lurker, sometimes poster
Grew up just north of Rockford, went to college at a small liberal-arts place in the west-central part of the state — just graduated in June. Grew up with Frank, Robin, Kark, my username, Black Jack, etc. Am SABR-leaning since I read Moneyball in eighth grade, but haven’t been willing to dedicate any time really to reading up on pitchFX or (most of the) new Fangraphs stuff. Started lurking in the pre-Jim age, but I’ve been a more avid reader because Jim’s a great writer.
And I recently moved out to Boston. BLERG. Beats Rockford, I guess.
This is just like me, except...
I went to college in a medium-sized liberal-arts place in central NY. And I recently moved to Pittsburgh. BLERG.
First time poster
I’ve lurked here on the sight for a while now and reading the articles consume my days. I’ve been a Sox fan since I saw my first game when I was 4 or so in 1990. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the last game played in Old Comiskey, the last game of the 1900s, and game 1 of the 2005 world series. I’ve also seen quite a few games of the White Sox getting 1 or 2 hit by glorified minor leaguers. But I try to forget about those games.
I’m currently living in Philadelphia but at least I’m living with another South Sider.
If you like balls sizzling over your head, may I recommend this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unWmKXW094U
(I so, so badly wish I could go.)
by mechanical turk on Feb 6, 2012 9:45 AM CST up reply actions
The longer that video went, the better it got!
They have pretty much everything I would want to see in a hitting contest. Especially the intern suspended by a crane trying to catch balls.
It's like the hitting minigame from MVP 2005 on acid.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
by U-God on Feb 6, 2012 10:00 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Definitely my favorite minor league related youtube video since Smokies Ladies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9W7GKQA81g (exercise extreme caution)
by mechanical turk on Feb 6, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions
that kinda made me sad.
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
with three different posts linking to this, I'm beginning to think you're on their payroll
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
I assumed no one saw the first one, and I assumed he specifically didn't see the second one.
If you guys came and talked to me in IRC once in a while I wouldn’t have to link anything here at all. So really, you’re to blame. You and you alone.
by mechanical turk on Feb 6, 2012 1:57 PM CST up reply actions
No, just an IRC channel.
I actually don’t really recommend it.
by mechanical turk on Feb 6, 2012 2:40 PM CST up reply actions
since you're spreading your minor league promotional seed everywhere, I'll ask my question via IRC
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
i went there once.
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
you don't have to apologize to anyone, dennis farina.
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
been on this forum for a few years
graduated thornton township hs 1976. really got into baseball as a kid and spent a few years playing APBA (still have all the old cards, don’t play much lately). graduated from IIT (engineering) and enjoyed the interesting behavior of the old scoreboard. First, you’d hear the “boom” over the TV, then a few seconds later would hear the “boom” from the actual sound wave. been living in denver for 25 years now; go to rockies game about once a year (saw the sox when they were here last year but we lost).
i try to catch sox games once a week or so on tv (get wgn on cable) plus when they are on other channels. but follow the games online daily.
fav sox growing up- pete ward, gary peters, ken berry. totally enjoyed the Wood/Allen years and 1977. suffered through the late 70’s with the rest of soxdom. still hate tito landrum. ’94 strike cost us a world series birth. loved the 2000 pennant race and pounding the yanks and indians in that big run.
best childhood memory of old sox park— walking up the ramp and finally seeing the field. wow! been to the Cell once, in 2002.
… but the pinnacle was 2005. i still have pictures of that on my screen saver at work.
We could be brothers except for the school histories and current abode (though moved out of town 25 years ago - weird.).
Sorry. You don’t want to be in my family. Or my head.
We're all here because we're not all there.
Hey old-timer.
I graduated in 76 also. When I was 10 our little league (Hegewisch) had a Sox player come to our banquet and that player was Gail Hopkins.
I was a big fan of Pete Ward, No-neck and Buddy Bradford.
When I was 23 I went to Hawaii for a 2 week vacation and stayed 26 years (hence, my username) until 2008 when I moved back to Chicago to keep my elderly father out of a nursing home and I am still here.
i used to get records at hegewisch record shop
but it was in calumet city, on torrance i think.
we had ernie banks come to a signing for little league once, and another year pat kelly came out.
buddy bradford was sure an enigma… there were years he did really well in part-time play but never seemed to put it together.
Love the Gerald Ford "quote"
Under nachos.jpg
by Pumpkin McPastry on Feb 6, 2012 9:34 AM CST reply actions
Glad to weigh in
Hey from DeKalb. I’ve been reading SSS and hanging in the back for a while. I want to weigh in comments-wise this season. This thread has been helpful. SSS is by far the smartest and most humorous baseball talk out there. Salute.
Pretty much a lurker.
And when I do post, it’s usually just to thank the person actually providing content. However, this seems like a good time to note that I’ve been impressed with Jim’s reign of terr… uh, leadership… since taking over here. SSS is such a nice and ususual mix of thoughful analysis, good humor and ridiculousness, that it does, indeed, make the time pass quickly. Kudos to larry, too. I love the minor league updates, but I must admit that when a trade/signing/world event occurs, I’m genuinely interested in larry’s take on it.
welcome, gentle fawn
i am here to answer all questions about fruit, drink, MS Paint and women’s professional basketball
also, you can increase your Recs by following this one little secret, which is available on my website for $9.95
Doctors and trainers hate me!
by billyok on Feb 6, 2012 10:58 AM CST reply actions 5 recs
my advice for increasing Recs is free...
post a comment on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17, 2012)
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
by greenlight on Feb 6, 2012 11:03 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
wow, how did i not see this.
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 6, 2012 11:10 AM CST up reply actions
It's one of my favorite traditions on the site.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
3117 recs on july 28th though?
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 6, 2012 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
It's a photoshop.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
long time fan, short time lurker
Been a fan since 1957. First game-my Dad took me to a twi-night doubleheader for my b-day. Bob Keegan pitched a no-hitter in the nightcap. Favorite player is Billy Pierce, who I get to talk to every now and then. Also, my wife had both of Rick Hahn’s kids in her pre-school class, so I got to talk to him and pick his brain at all the school’s fund raisers. I can’t wait until he is running things. This is a great site. The posters are much more realistic and intelligent than the ones at other teams’ sites. Oh yeah, Larry, I’m an attorney-practicing for 35 years.
larry doesn't like capitalizing his name
much like bell hooks. It shows how humble he is that he thinks he is undeserving of a proper noun.
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
Another Lurker
I’ve posted a few times, but never had the motivation to post regularly.
One thing I’ve considered doing is writing a FanPost on performance enhancing drugs in baseball. Since baseball instituted HGH testing, I’ve seen a lot of comments on various blogs (thankfully not this one) which are pretty ill-informed or just plain stupid. It might be nice to have all the relevant information in one place with the appropriate sources.
Is that something that people here would be interested in reading?
Yup.
Especially if it can be used as a resource down the road.
by Jim Margalus on Feb 6, 2012 12:01 PM CST up reply actions
It's great to see a lot of new names.
And hey, since TP just started a new one, I’ll point people to the new RRRR (Right Rail Rumpus Room).
The RRRR is basically where we have all our general-interest, off-topic conversation — other sports, news, movies, music, etc. There’s a new one every week or two, or whenever we get to around 800 comments.
I was hoping for more questions.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
It is nice to want things.
I’m sure the animals you are going to treat someday hope you study hard in vet school and apply yourself.
(U-God is one of our more learned posters, currently in Veterinary school in some God-forsaken outpost in the deep, frozen Midwest.)
We're all here because we're not all there.
Been in the 50s regularly since I came back.
Haven’t needed the winter coat in over a month.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
that doesn't mean anything.
what was the dew point?
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
by BuehrleMan on Feb 6, 2012 2:30 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs
I plan on driving out to Dodge City some time this semester.
Should be neat.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Sigh.
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest.
The region consists of 12 states in the north-central and north-eastern United States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.1 A 2010 United States Census put the population at 66,927,001. Both the population center and the geographic center of the contiguous United States are in the Midwest, in Missouri and Kansas, respectively.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwestern_United_States
We're all here because we're not all there.
K-cars.
Getting the hell out of a Dodge K-car. Which were made in Detroit. In the Midwest.
Kids.
We're all here because we're not all there.
At the meth-ups, does everyone have to bring their own Sudafed?
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
are you a cop? because if you are, you have to tell us.
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
by MarketMaker on Feb 6, 2012 4:21 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
i couldn't care less.
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
I think next Sunday I'll do a list of Sabr-oriented links. Sounds like it'd be something people want.
The lords of dawn are men such as Mr. Lucy.
Yup.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
i assume there is only 1 in kansas
is it manhatten? I have a friend in vet school there
It is.
What year is your friend and what is their first name?
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
I always knew you and ndsoxfan's friend would end up together
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
by Rhubarb on Feb 7, 2012 11:08 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
shes married to my better friend haha
she is maybe 2nd year? not really sure and her name is kelly
Third year.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
She is.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Also, guessing you're a Bison?
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
i am a bison.
awesome season. fcs football is great and definately doesnt get enough credit or media coverage.
A few things about SSS
I love reading the minor league reports because I think it would be too much effort for me to put in on my own to find all of that information. (A lot of my time is spent on fantasy sports)
The stat breakdowns make me think about a little more while watching the games and are always great.
It seems like the atmosphere on here has changed for the better since I started reading about 4 years ago.
I also love the minor league reports, as it helps filter out the garbage
that you hear about from the mainstream writers (John Ely, etc.)
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 12:24 PM CST up reply actions
Just started posting this fall.
Needed some place to voice my frustrations after last season.First Sox game 1958.Favorite player from those teams was Jim Landis.So graceful in centerfield.In the 60’s I used to tune in the later innings hoping to see Hoyt Wilhelm come in a embarass three batters then leave.Got very busy for about twenty years and did not catch alot of games.Ended up in the resturant bussiness in the late 70’s.Levy Org.after 10 years of acting and standup.Opened Chesnut Street Grill in the Water Tower Place,moved into Managment.Opened Spiaggia in 84 as the Beverage Directer and did seven years there.White Sox-Bulls had their offices in the building plus Mark and Larry Levy are minority share holders.When they opened park, I was brought in as the Beverage Directer of the Stadium Club and Super Suites.I ran the bar during games for three seasons.A great time to be a Sox fan.Still catch five or six games a year.I enjoy the company here so thanks to all of you.
Greetings and Salutations...
Long time Sox fan… first favorite player was Britt Burns. My fandom is such that I cried as a 16 year old when the Sox traded Harold Baines to Texas.
I like this place
I’ve been getting into baseball the last few years and I like to come here everyday to get info on everything Sox related. All the posts are awesome and enlightening and I learn a lot from them, and I thank you all for that….but anyways, I now look forward to being able to join thrilling conversations that go one after each post.
I had one question though…I see nobody is thrilled on the Sox farm system, even after the trades KW just made. What steps would they have to take to make it better?
they're already moving in the right direction
the biggest thing was removing the guy who was stealing signing bonuses from latin players who sucked and embezzling the money through his gay bar in Arizona.
larry could probably cite other reasons as well.
plus, for a while there, every time we got a prospect who was close to major-league ready...
… kw would trade him for somebody who is ready “now.” thankfully it hasn’t happened in the last year or so, but there’s a long line of guys we’ve traded or packaged to get some guy that was supposed to help. nick swisher comes to mind.
Spending more than the least helps.
If you average the last three years of draft spending, the Sox are at the very bottom. They lost a second-round pick in 2008, a first-round pick in 2011, and Jared Mitchell’s injury has effectively cost them their 2009 pick. They haven’t spent elsewhere in the draft or international markets to make up for the loss of access to top talent.
Marco Paddy seems like the guy to revamp the international efforts, which is sorely needed. The new CBA should bring other teams to their level of spending. Throw in a 13th overall pick this year, and this year should help reverse the momentum if they play their cards right.
do you think the spending (or lack thereof) ...
is directly related to kw’s seeming infatuation with “major league” talent vs. unproven draftees?
and has kw been converted to a more balanced approach of development, or have recent actions (santos for prospect, e.g.) been something he’s been forced into given the circumstances?
It's probably more a Reinsdorf directive than anything.
Partially because proven talent > amateur talent (and the Sox have had success with other team’s talent before), and also because he’s friends with Bud Selig, who wants teams to adhere to slot payment.
Don't quote me
But theyd need 4-5 guys like Nestor Molina to move into the top 10 farm systems. larry’s covered it elsewhere better, but when you either graduate or trade all your young talent, the end result is going to be bad. On top of that, theyve spent Kenny’s tenure outside of the top 15 picks in the draft. If you’re not going to pay more than the commissioner suggests (see: Red Sox, Yankees, others) or have success in Latin America (there may not be another club with less success there since KW’s been GM), the results are going to suck.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 3:24 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
You can't tell me what to do. You're not my real dad
But theyd need 4-5 guys like Nestor Molina to move into the top 10 farm systems. larry’s covered it elsewhere better, but when you either graduate or trade all your young talent, the end result is going to be bad. On top of that, theyve spent Kenny’s tenure outside of the top 15 picks in the draft. If you’re not going to pay more than the commissioner suggests (see: Red Sox, Yankees, others) or have success in Latin America (there may not be another club with less success there since KW’s been GM), the results are going to suck.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 3:24 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
by joewho112 on Feb 6, 2012 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs
alright!
learned some more stuff! thanks!
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
by zevsenesca on Feb 6, 2012 8:01 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Love SSS
I’m mostly a lurker here, and I tend to chime in a little more on the gamethreads during the year than anything else. I blog about baseball myself sometimes but by and large don’t have that much time for it anymore, especially for the research/data compilation aspect of it, so I appreciate the guys who take the time to organize and present that stuff. I want to thank the editors/authors of SSS for keeping me entertained with White Sox content every day. I think the Tigers are overrated and am hoping for a miraculously interesting 2012 season!
I can't help but notice larry's absence in this thread.
…That’s probably good.
by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Feb 6, 2012 1:12 PM CST reply actions
lurking on the edge of the herd, targeting the isolated very old or young one
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
Tdogg and KenWo aren't on the site, either.
But I dig your word picture. So, to our other posters,
We're all here because we're not all there.
Been here a while, but as long as we're doing this I thought I might as well ask,
What’s the idea behind the Rule 5 draft, and why would a team not participate in it? Also, how do they figure Arbitration numbers? And who’s the Arbitrator?
by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Feb 6, 2012 1:22 PM CST reply actions
I'm not positive, but it seems like the Rule 5 draft is a concession to the player's union
designed to give guys in the minors an opportunity to make it to the majors if they are blocked in their own organization. Or to allow a guy who has major league talent or the ability to play for a smaller market or less competitive team that opportunity if he just gets caught in a numbers game or on a team that buys their ML talent like the Yankees.
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
arbitration numbers are determined by comparing to what other similar players got.
the arbitrators are professional arbitrators, they aren’t specific to baseball or sports or anything like that. panels of three determine a given case. they are only allowed to choose as the settlement the number submitted by the player or the number submitted by the team. there is no “splitting the baby” or choosing another number.
when they compare, do they go by modern advanced statistics or ba/hr/rbi etc?
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 6, 2012 1:45 PM CST up reply actions
either side can make whatever arguments they think are appropriate, within the rules.
The Collective Bargaining specifically outlines what can and what cannot be brought up by either side’s representatives. If evidence is brought up that is not specifically listed in the CBA it is not to be considered by the arbitrators.
The following evidence is admissable:
The quality of the player’s contribution to his club during the past season (including but not limited to his overall performance, special qualities of leadership and public appeal).
The length and consistency of his career contribution.
The record of the player’s past compensation.
Comparative baseball salaries (the arbitration panel is provided with a table of confidential baseball salaries for all players broken down by years of service).
The existence of any physical or mental defects on the part of the player.
The recent performance of the club, including but not limited to his league standing and attendance.
The following evidence is inadmissible:
The financial position of the player and the club (though player representatives often try to get this information in the back door by presenting attendance information that implies the health of a club’s revenue streams).
Press comments, testimonials or similar material bearing on the performance of either the player or the club, except for recognized annual player awards for playing excellence.
Offers made by either the player or the club prior to arbitration.
Cost to the parties of their representatives.
Salaries in other sports or occupations.
this article, while a bit dated since it’s regarding a prior CBA, is a good primer regarding the process.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15864
by larry on Feb 6, 2012 1:58 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
A buddy of mine from law school interned for the agency that represents Felix Hernandez
and I got to see their brief for the arbitration. Interesting stuff
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 2:17 PM CST up reply actions
Your buddy should go into politics.
Just curious – was the brief supposed to be confidential? If I were King Felix I might be a little worried.
We're all here because we're not all there.
He did not end up going to arbitration
they agreed on a contract extension. The part I saw was not confidential, was just stats that you can easily find on baseball-reference, but compiled in a way as to compare Felix’ stats to other pitchers
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 2:35 PM CST up reply actions
The stats may have been public,
but how they were going to be presented was not, I’d bet. That would be the interesting part. Just sayin’…
We're all here because we're not all there.
I would add that most "professional arbitrators" are lawyers or retired judges
and many of them are older. Which might explain why they only take the traditional statistics into account and you hear a lot of talk about wins, RBIs, Rs and other stats that we now have come to appreciate are necessarily a “skill” that a player possesses, but more a product of skill + circumstance. Getting old lawyers and judges to adapt to new technology is very difficult. For instance, I’m writing this on a computer with a 3 and a half inch floppy drive and my office actually keeps boxes of those worthless discs instead of upgrading to hard drives or even cds.
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 1:49 PM CST up reply actions
I'm an arbitrator for FINRA.
It was easy in 1998, when they let me in. However, it seems to be a bit more difficult to become one now in a non-FINRA capacity:
http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-criminal-justice/how-to-become-an-arbitrator.html
And you are on the money re: who generally does this as a “living”. Most “public” arbitrators I’ve met during cases are older than dirt and retired lawyers. Absolutely true.
We're all here because we're not all there.
I remember larry saying it lost its value after some rule changes around 2007?
you won’t find anymore Sorias or Santanas in the rule 5. and that’s why we do not care about Doyle.
NAOPOS
Both the team and player submit their own arb number by the filing deadline.
If it goes to hearing, the arbitrator has to pick either the team’s number or the player’s number after each side presents their case in chief and rebuts the other side’s case in chief. The only way the player can be paid something else is if the parties settle and avoid a hearing. bizofbaseball.com is really good for the minutiae involved in salary arb.
The Arbitrator is either a three-person panel of fancy judges/lawyers/successful adults who get to decide such things, or that one guy that produced Dr. Octagonecologyst. I get them confused.
why is there a size limit on pictures even if they have a subject line?
and how do you resize it here? i saw a way here awhile ago, but whatever i remembered isn’t working.
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 6, 2012 1:49 PM CST reply actions
it still can be a bitch to load full size images, so it's for the sake of our eyeballs and mobile users' intertubes pipes
after you add your image, do a quick edit, using the ‘height’ modifier if your image size is >400px tall:
<img height=“400” src=“http://www.stupidcatgifs.com/omgkitteh.png” />
I love seasons too. That's why I live in a place that skips the shitty ones.
OMG A KITTEH!!11
thanks, makes sense.
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 6, 2012 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
If you guys know me..
I live in the south and have dreams of moving north. I’ll be in town March 15-19th and I was wondering if there were any Sox museums to visit while I’m not severely intoxicated. Also, what’s your favorite pub/bar/dive joint?
Let's go Sox!
@SeanLindo
Wow, um.
Sox museums? Not that I’ve heard about. Favorite bars? Depending where you’re staying, I’m sure you could get some recommendations in the RRRR.
The lords of dawn are men such as Mr. Lucy.
Hello, My Name Is....
I’m orginally from NW Indiana, and grew up cheering for the Sox. I idolized Carlton Fisk as a kid and used to minic his long, sloooooow walk to the mound whenever we’d play. I found this blog in 2005 when I was unemployed and haven’t stopped reading (don’t worry, I found a job). I’ve probably commented ten time during the past 5 years…mainly because I’m here to read. If I wanted to discuss Kenny Williams ineptitudes, I’d listen to sports radio. I really enjoy KenWo’s nostalgic posts—seems like we must be of similar age since he seems to write about players I remember watching in the late-80s and 90s. All in all, I really enjoy this site and simply wanted to thank you all for your hard work and dedication especially during the past few uninspiring seasons.
24/m/IA
I’ve posted on this site like a dozen times since 2010. Used to read Jim’s stuff on SoxMachine, and followed him over here.
I’m a Sox fan since 2009 living in Iowa. My first year following baseball was 2008 and I chose to follow the Cubs (grandfather’s fav team). Being a die-hard Bulls/Bears fan my whole life, I couldn’t handle the way that Cubs fans I know reacted to being swept in the first round after winning 97 games. I was the only one who was pissed, everyone else was just whiny and butthurt.
Most of them either brushed it off as no big deal (fair-weather fans) or complained about how they saw it coming, and preferred to b!tch about how “this ALWAYS happens.” I had to get out, and switching to the South Side was the only place I could go to maintain my Chicago fandom, and my dignity as a sports fan.
So yea, one year as a Chubs fan was enough for me. Now I’m a die-hard Sox fan. My question is for U-God specifically but anyone can feel free to respond; WHY DID BODIE HAVE TO DIE?? Shit was so tragic. I just finished S4E13 of The Wire and I literally had to pause my TV and walk out of the room after he got shot by that punk kid. Is there anyone else at this site that watches The Wire? Thanks!
*
*
*
=>I'M NOT DONE WITH SEASON 5, SO PLZ DON'T SPOIL. THANKS. <=
*
*
*
He had to die.
Think how cheated you would have felt if he got to live.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
"...them little bitches on the chess board..."
“Pawns”
boxcars boxcars boxcars
by soxshenanigans on Feb 6, 2012 7:27 PM CST up reply actions
i think i was more upset about wallace than bodie.
I love seasons too. That's why I live in a place that skips the shitty ones.
He asked to be killed off
so he could focus his efforts on that FedEx commercial.
by 3E8 on Feb 6, 2012 2:41 PM CST up reply actions
Well, I guess I don't need to watch the Wire now...
That’s kind of a huge spoiler you just gave out yourself… no biggie, just thought I’d mention it.
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
i don't want to ruin anything for anyone
but this guy named barack obama won the 2008 presidential election.
the show ended four years ago. i think the moratorium on spoilers is long over.
by larry on Feb 6, 2012 3:42 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!
IT’S PEEEEEEEEOOOOOPPPPPPPPLLLLEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We're all here because we're not all there.
His mother was dead and he was wearing her clothes and a wig.
We're all here because we're not all there.
the chick is really a dude.
I love seasons too. That's why I live in a place that skips the shitty ones.
Jason comes back to life and kills more people.
This space is available.
uh, I haven't seen American Beauty yet
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
by greenlight on Feb 6, 2012 3:54 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
rosebud was a fuckin sled
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 6, 2012 3:56 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
4 years?!?!!
The years have kinda crept up on me. However it did make an epic funny thread!
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
by zevsenesca on Feb 6, 2012 8:10 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
don't tell me what happened in season 4 of i love lucy! i just haven't gotten around to it after 55 years.
that would fall under “that’s your own fucking problem not the problem of everyone else who managed to watch a show that came out a long time ago”.
by larry on Feb 6, 2012 5:56 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Iowa, eh?
Good to know I’m not the only one.
I got stuck out here doing a job nobody trusts for a federal agency nobody likes.
Also, corn.
A vision from heaven! I shall indeed compose a rap about deez nutz!
Im kind of confused why so many of these questions are centered around Larry.
He’s not THAT intimidating!
Bulls Season
so are there any Rock Valley College (Rockford, IL) students on this board?
always wondered that
Bulls Season
he's alive!
whatever it doesn't matter anymore.
by pierzynskirules on Feb 6, 2012 3:01 PM CST up reply actions
oh wow
whatever it doesn't matter anymore.
by pierzynskirules on Feb 6, 2012 3:13 PM CST up reply actions
men
whatever it doesn't matter anymore.
by pierzynskirules on Feb 6, 2012 3:19 PM CST up reply actions
oh well
whatever it doesn't matter anymore.
by pierzynskirules on Feb 6, 2012 3:25 PM CST up reply actions
This is an amazingly typical
convo thread between PR and almost anyone. Well done!
i could've done without it myself
yeesh
whatever it doesn't matter anymore.
by pierzynskirules on Feb 6, 2012 3:56 PM CST up reply actions
busy dancing with the devil in the pale moon light
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 11:28 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I'll get around to morphing into Chet Lemonhead
once I remember the cogent directions “Jim Margalus” offered as to doing so.
by Chet Lemonhead on Feb 6, 2012 4:52 PM CST up reply actions
I think there should be a guide to old abbreviations
I figured out about half of them at some point, but there were at least a good 15 being tossed around a few years ago. It might not be intentional but pseudo-inside jokes are terrible for anyone new.
fcdisbad.blogspot.com
Does Jim earn a commission today based on the number of new SSS accounts?
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
"Jim" and "earn" seems slightly oxymoronic.
He does it for the love, man. For the love of the game.
We're all here because we're not all there.
I've been a long time lurker/reader/stalker, and I love the site.
I’m from Beverly, Sox fan from birth, I go to Marquette right now. I’m just wondering why some people assume Don Cooper is the greatest pitching coach who ever lived?
I realize he did great things with Thorton, but to be honest, I put that success more on the fact that Thorton is a lefty who throws the ball rather hard than on the advanced baseball mind of one Donald Cooper. He’s had failures too, not to mention the way Peavy has been handled.
Plus, the guy is a total blowhard, just saying.
joe matthew cowley, i presume.
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 6, 2012 4:14 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
sorry. couldn't resist.
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 6, 2012 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
Nah.
I’ve never “de-stressed” a sexually frustrated Ozzie Guillen on the road.
You're a heretic
but a funny heretic.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 8:09 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
also, he's easily riled when Tank is mentioned, usually hanging up the phone when he hears his name
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
You think so?
Floyd and Danks are young guys, this could be their natural progression. Also, considering he is getting the credit, do we blame Coop for Danks’ shitty year or for the fact that Floyd hasn’t had a breakout season yet? Jackson didn’t exactly put himself in the running for a Cy Young while here,too
Floyd and Danks learned new pitches with the Sox.
So did Humber.
That’s what sets Cooper and the Sox apart when it comes to pitchers.
Who gets credit for the pitchers' durability/fewer injury days?
Herm/Coop/Ozzie 3-headed hydra?
We're all here because we're not all there.
was esteban loaiza's unearthly season under him?
contreras was a reclamation project, no?
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 6, 2012 4:27 PM CST up reply actions
not to mention how neal cotts and damaso marte fell off the map after they left the sox.
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 6, 2012 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
Can you believe that McCarthy is likely to be the A's opening day starter?
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
here is McCarthy's twitter picture
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 4:41 PM CST up reply actions
you need to participate in this year's MS Paint contest, coming soon!
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
Unfortunately, this is not my work
I think Brandon McCarthy did it himself or someone did it for him
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 5:06 PM CST up reply actions
in that case, it's not too early to start practicing...the NCAA is allowing full squad practices now
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
well gio didn't get a chance here.
and mccarthy? he’s not doing anything of note is he?
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 6, 2012 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
Yep.
Looks like he’s rounding into shape in OAK and was improving in TEX.
We're all here because we're not all there.
He's a mechanics-tweaker
got Gavin to stop going over his head in the windup. For a guy whose best pitch is a continual timing concern, this is a prudent simplification. I also mentioned in my pitching scouting primer that he clearly directed Edwin Jackson to throw the ball over the plate and to have far less regard for spotting it carefully. For a guy with bad command, this is a solid directive as well. Coop has a number of tools in his belt aside from the obvious and really important fact that he can teach the slider/cutter.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 8:13 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Also, Loaiza, Contreras, Humber
As to Jim’s point about Humber, he was actually on the Twins, Mets, Royals, and A’s before Coop helped him last year. That’s 4 pitching coaches who tried and failed before Coop had success
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 4:29 PM CST up reply actions
his name is Thornton, a lot of people make the mistake of leaving out the 'n' for some reason
You can’t deny Cooper’s effect on the pitchers he has worked with. I get that you don’t like him and that is fine but you have to give him credit. Every instance can not be a part of some grand theme of coincidence.
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
When Coop took over after his coup
[heh] I sent him a text—this was while at the park until 2 a.m. after Ozzie’s last game, where after Oney let Joe know Ozzie was out I rebounded and managed to “break” two stories, the first confirming from the Sox side that Ozzie was out and the second, courtesy of lowercase larry, Ozzie himself saying he was taking the Marlins gig (so I guess I didn’t break shit but won the boobie prize of beating the four other guys who followed the White Sox around all season)—referring back to an hourlong Kansas City rain delay conversation Coop and I had in 2010, then off the record, about his interest in managing, and basically encouraging the guy to throw his hat in, this was the time, etc.
Coop’s reply?
“Who is this?”
Ah, the glamour…
by Chet Lemonhead on Feb 6, 2012 5:04 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Sounds like a bastard
Personality aside, What is your opinion on his skill as a pitching coach? Always cool to hear stories from you.
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
I simply don't think you can find a better pitching coach
Cooper has been an enormous asset to the team. There’s a reason he was valued above even Ozzie, aside from being able to keep his ego in check at least slightly better than Guillen.
All the pertinent names have been listed. While Jackson disappointed me last year—I figured him being in a contract year he would have been able to focus a bit better than settling for minor-star production and his typical career aspiration—remember that Cooper’s suggestions made an immediate impact, first start onward, in 2010.
Floyd was cited above as a guy who might simply be improving per nature, but he was absolutely mediocre when the White Sox acquired him. HRs killed him, and up through 2010 he became less of a gopher ball pitcher each year. Plus, he is a flake beyond comprehension, so Coop being able to get through in any way, for any duration, to Floyd is a major plus. I wouldn’t be surprised if, similar to Coop identifying Jackson’s flaw on tape prior to him joining the White Sox, he saw something similar in Floyd.
He elevated Loaiza and Contreras from scrap heap to All-Star/Cy Young caliber pitchers, which even if for as short as a season’s worth of games, is miraculous.
I daresay short of Herm he is the most important single person in the organization beyond Jerry.
by Chet Lemonhead on Feb 6, 2012 6:26 PM CST up reply actions 6 recs
Hey Brett-
Given that this is a kinda newbie intro to some SSS stuff you may have missed type thread, would you mind giving a little bit of background bio on yourself for folks here who may have missed some of your story (just to make sure folks know that when you post something, it’s worth paying attention to?)
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 6:56 PM CST up reply actions
Well as far as being worth attention
that’s definitely a case of your mileage may vary.
I was the Comcast Sox reporter from June 2010 until the Ventura press conference. Last fall I did a daylong chat here, which unveiled a good cop/bad cop schtick with larry and during which I admitted submitting that my first-ever game story from Target Field was written as a “Fargo” homage (and, alas, rejected). Here’s the Q&A link, if you’d like 15 minutes of your life to vanish completely: http://www.southsidesox.com/2011/9/2/2399720/all-day-q-a-brett-ballantini-of-csnchicago-com
So I suppose I was/am/will be “blogger-friendly?” All I know is I learn more here than anywhere else, so if that represents/represented some sort of betrayal of the old guard, fuck ’em.
Born in Highwood, a lifelong White Sox fan. First game attended was to see the South Side Hit Men, and in fact the very game Richie Zisk put a ball over the Comiskey Park roof, before the plate was moved forward and guys like Bull and Kitty were sneezing baseballs onto the roof.
I’ve made money in countless ways, teaching both bilingual kindergarten and composition to disinterested agribusiness undergrads, as well as jackhammering bridges above Lake Shore Drive and even singing in a rock and roll band. But sports has been my business since the turn of the century and it’s been the most fun. I edited two basketball magazines and wrote a book on Ozzie Guillen. I covered the Blackhawks for Comcast in their Stanley Cup year and was on the ice postgame in Philadelphia, Chuck Ts and all. I tirelessly pushed for Artis Gilmore’s enshrinement in the Hall of Fame and that sorry seven-footer never even thanked me from the podium in Springfield. I had an article in the 2005 World Series program and also shot PK’s grand slam with my camcorder from behind home plate.
And yet months after being put on unconditional waivers for the purpose of my release, I remain a free agent. No biggie. We’ll see what’s to come, beyond a pithy and cogent feature I’m writing for the first edition of the White Sox program this season that doubtlessly will be the best Brent Lillibridge story you’ll read all year.
by Chet Lemonhead on Feb 6, 2012 10:12 PM CST up reply actions 7 recs
i sure did love the A-train as a youth.
my dad had 13th row seats at the old chicago stadium back when they got about 3,000 people per game. everyone in there could hear me screaming. mostly it was at the referees. and wilbur holland.
are you really sore at artis or just joshing?
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
just joshing
I adore Artis. If I’m ever mentioned from anything like a podium, it’s going to be much more likely for an arrest warrant than a thank-you.
I saw plenty at the Stadium with my dad as well—in fact saw a Bulls game before I ever saw a Sox game—so chances are you and I were at some of the same contests. Hopefully some of the other 2,996 will step forward here as well.
by Chet Lemonhead on Feb 6, 2012 11:28 PM CST up reply actions
thanks.
yeah, artis was my main man for two years. then reggie theus arrived and i was enthralled. a 6’7" guard! and boy was he stylin’.
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
Me too
Reggie was my man, so much so that when I was running Basketball Digest I asked him to write for me. So I got to be a fan first, then his editor…
by Chet Lemonhead on Feb 7, 2012 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
are you guys talking about coach from hangtime?
/ducks
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
nope
I’m talking about a member of the inaugural cast of Fox’s delightful* production Best Damn Sports Show, Period!
*oops, I think the correct word is “inane”
by Chet Lemonhead on Feb 7, 2012 4:49 PM CST up reply actions
fwiw, you're obviously good at it
and you’re the only beat writer I’ve talked to who didn’t imply I was an asshole just for talking. love you too Joe!
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 11:26 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
He and Herm are this org's competitive advantage
whatever you want to say positively about KW’s player acquisition is canceled out by the negative.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 8:16 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Herm, Coop, and $$$
Regardless of what it gets squandered on, being above-average spenders should be thrown into that category as well.
I'd like to see what their total operating expenses
are, but I doubt that’d be enough to drop them to average. So, yeah. Good call.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 11:17 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
wo ho, juicy stuff
Plus, he is a flake beyond comprehension,
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 7, 2012 9:43 AM CST up reply actions
eh sort of, not really.
i don’t remember anything that wasn’t void of emotion and little else. plus i think “flake” has a pretty broad area of interpretation. i’d like to know what brett meant by it, exactly.
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 7, 2012 11:38 AM CST up reply actions
Back when I was a beat writer
the otherwise genial Coop would take me to task for merely electing too negative an adjective in describing his crowning glory, Matt Thornton.
by Chet Lemonhead on Feb 6, 2012 4:54 PM CST up reply actions
"Slightly Difficult Heat"?
The lords of dawn are men such as Mr. Lucy.
by Uribe Down on Feb 6, 2012 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I believe in August I called Thornton's season "disappointing"
and Coop balked. I think Coop was harder on me than Juan Pierre, and that doesn’t seem quite fair.
by Chet Lemonhead on Feb 6, 2012 10:15 PM CST up reply actions
That's too bad. That was in an article, I presume, not in person?
I know coaches and management want to paint a rosy picture, but it’s hard to argue that the first half of Thornton’s season wasn’t disappointing, to say the least. I’m hoping the new regime will be a little more realistic, even with the media.
The lords of dawn are men such as Mr. Lucy.
Marquette, eh?
Class of 2002. Lived in McCormick and then Schroeder before moving into the apartments.
What?! I ain't no Professor Pickles!
by 67WMAQ on Feb 6, 2012 6:52 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
no shit? cool
I’m going through the same route myself. any other mu students here find themselves in Schroeds, they can stop by 616 to say hi!
NAOPOS
I lived on the 6th floor.
12 years ago. I’m going to go cry now.
What?! I ain't no Professor Pickles!
Hi errbody
Most people know me for my stupid posting when I was younger, but oh well. I’ll make a new account if its really that bad. Nice to see some new people and this was a great idea Jim!
given my age, I guess I have no excuse
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
by greenlight on Feb 6, 2012 5:13 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
New member but have been lurking for awhile...
Hello All, I’ve been a lurker a year at this board, and have really enjoyed reading the posts and comments here. I live in the Phoenix area in Arizona (already have 7 White Sox spring training games I am going to next month)
I am originally from Illinois and grew up in a St Louis Cardinals fan household. I don’t know why, but I gravitated to the White Sox as a child in in the late 90s, when they had that slogan “the kids can play”. I’ve been told my grandfather was a big time White Sox fan, so the team was probably subliminally implanted into my brain as an infant. Needless to say, I am pretty much the lone White Sox fan in my family.
I’ll probably never post again because as a lurker, I’d rather absorb everything White Sox. But I will be here, lurking on your board….
Welcome! I mean goodbye!
Stop in again when you can stay longer.
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage."
John Kenneth Galbraith
a female! stay!
we need you for the demographics.
by craigws on Feb 6, 2012 6:46 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
And the tax breaks!
Diversity is a cruel mistress.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 8:18 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
St. Louis
Chuck full of Catholics.My uncle told me what his uncle told him when he was young.Cubs are the protestants team.Catholics are Sox fans.Comiskey verses Wrigley.See you in Phoenix,I have three games planned.
next thing you know someone is going to threaten neal cotts' life
for pitching for the cubs.
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
You may well have
My great uncle Andy was born before the Great war.
I hadn't heard of that til Downton Abbey
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 8:19 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
You seem to be implying that was a misnomer?
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 9:38 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Which games? I just added two more games today to my list, the March 31st and April 1st day. Figured I might as well enjoy baseball on April Fools day. Will you be going to any of the Cubbies vrs Sox games? I’ve got both purchased. Got to get the Sox fix before I am subjected to Dbacks all season….
HA
I had tickets for the Sox vs Cubs on the 18th, but had to give them to family. I think my wife got tix for the 24th
Tempe on the 6th
double header on the 10 th.Back fields the next day.
And my alumni association just sent me an offer to purchase Cubs spring training tickets today and sit in a section with the school president. pass…
pssst--- don't look now
but you are posting.
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 6:49 PM CST up reply actions
Go jump in and give your opinion on the latest RRRR.
(All you new folks… seriously, go do it)
Jim has already linked it, but again-
http://www.southsidesox.com/2012/2/6/2774594/rrrr-oscars-wild
Also, as someone who grew up in Cards family but found her calling as a White Sox fan, my wife says hello.
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 7:22 PM CST up reply actions
and as happy hour is upon us
it is time for the “and then some beer” portion of the day (per the photo caption). let’s all make a good showing of what happens when you mix commenting and alcohol.
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
Thought of you when I saw the Sam Adams
13th hour stout at the grocery store this evening. Next time I know I’m going all out, I’ll pick up a bottle.
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 8:24 PM CST up reply actions
You best do the fuck tell about that.
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 8:46 PM CST up reply actions
Actually got a gift certificate for a beer brewing class (place called bev art in Beverly)
I did a pale ale. The initial class was two hours where we “brewed the beer.” Then you wait 5 weeks while it ferments and go back to bottle it. It just finished carbonating yesterday. Today, I’m enjoying.
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 9:01 PM CST up reply actions
there's a place out here that does that not as a class, but their main thing
they do great business. i would think that model would kill in a good location in chicago.
I love seasons too. That's why I live in a place that skips the shitty ones.
The bev art place I went to is not in a great location
Which is the biggest drawback. No public transportation from the city, where I live, so I had to get a zipcar to use the gift certificate since I don’t have a car. It’s a little strange too, because it’s on Western Avenue, which is dry on one side. So, the storefront where you brew the beer is on one side of the street and the place where you bottle it is on the other side. That being said, it was informative and we had a good. I only point that out because I agree that they could make a lot of money doing that in a little better location.
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 9:27 PM CST up reply actions
I can't in good conscience click on a link to something that say brewbakers
when it relates to Beverly.
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 10:01 PM CST up reply actions
But they've got desert and
they’ve got trees!
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 6, 2012 10:04 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
yeah, i chuckle to myself at the name all the time.
but it is what it is: they brew beer and they bake bread. it’s great when they take the grains from your brew recipe and have fresh loafs made with them done before you leave.
I love seasons too. That's why I live in a place that skips the shitty ones.
by thatshortkid on Feb 6, 2012 10:30 PM CST up reply actions
Brewing is fun.
I currently have five gallons of all malt stout bottle conditioning, and I’ve been working my way through an older porter to free up bottles for my spring project, a witbier with lemon and green tea that will hopefully be a pretty tasty arnold palmer beer.
by mechanical turk on Feb 6, 2012 9:54 PM CST up reply actions
Nice!
This is my first attempt and I’m pleased with the results so far. Was waiting to see how this turned out before buying the equipment to do it at home. I’m still a little concerned that I won’t have enough room for everything though.
by ceverettsdinosaurs on Feb 6, 2012 10:01 PM CST up reply actions
Homebrewing
Is possibly one of the best things ever
by Captain_Wookie on Feb 6, 2012 11:49 PM CST up reply actions
I brewed a bunch until a few years ago
mostly extract. I was really happy with all but 2 of them. one just didn’t taste good, the other was foul. It was a lot less work once I started keg conditioning. I’d drink straight from the keg and only bottle a case or two.
kinda gettin an itch now.
whatever dude
whatever it doesn't matter anymore.
by pierzynskirules on Feb 6, 2012 6:50 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
i'm fine and you
whatever it doesn't matter anymore.
by pierzynskirules on Feb 7, 2012 2:43 PM CST up reply actions
me too
whatever it doesn't matter anymore.
by pierzynskirules on Feb 7, 2012 11:09 PM CST up reply actions
sort of lurker
been a member for about 3 years, lurked w/o an account until I found out about z-ing. Been a Sox fan my whole life, live in Madison now for work.
I used to do a lot of studies on inherent biases when working with other races. I have started writing a couple articles on player evaluation and race, but due to work and not wondering if this is a potential can-of-worms I’ve never completed them. Enough interest may push me to get off my ass and finish it though.
boxcars boxcars boxcars
I feel like it all depends on how you handle it.
If you write it from a place of research and put a lot of work in it, it could be good. If you do it lazily, bad things.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Too bad
z-ing is not working tonight
by bevingtonsTallBoy on Feb 6, 2012 10:41 PM CST up reply actions
I don't lurk I stalk
Anyway, have commented a few times in the past under a different name. Long time reader, probably should comment more often. Sox fan since 6th grade, a time long ago where all of our managers come from.
Live in NYC now, go to all the yankee stadium games and try to see as many games on the east coast (and sometimes other places) as possible, was at the “YEEEEES! Brent diddybridge maydacatcha winnaballgame! WOW! yugotta be bleepin me! MERCY!” game last year, first Soxfest this year, etc etc. Sad we never seem to play at the Mets and I always have to go to the house that hate built to see the Sox here. Let me know if any of you are ever out here for the Skanks games and we’ll get a drink.
Love the more detailed analytical write-ups, especially larry’s farm system stuff. Other than that, do often wonder why we never brought Neal back on a minor league deal as a reclamation project given his age and paucity of viable left-handed contributors out of the pen in the upper system (big Cotts fan though this is mostly due to when they asked him in 05 what he was going to celebrate with and he was the only one on the team to give the logical answer which is ‘whisky’).
Hutton's trying to throw you off and go for a reverse-pass back to Shepperton.
Don't let him fool you.
Cotts has a hip problem
Cotts ended up signing with the New York Yankees but failed a physical examination before spring training because of a right hip injury that continues to harness him from returning to a major league camp.
“I’m trying, but once you get told ‘no’ a few times, there’s nothing I can really change in terms of the MRI,” Cotts said of his comeback hopes. “It’s not going to change or heal.”
That's a depressing read every time I've seen it
That said, I wonder if whether than floating around in the Cubs (they’re great handling pitcher injuries!)/Pirates/Yankees systems the last few years, he might have been better treated by the likes of Herm et al who perhaps might have been able to identify the problem before it got aggravated and turned into a career ending injury?
It’s possible* I am wearing my magic 2005-tinted glasses, though.
- Likely
Hutton's trying to throw you off and go for a reverse-pass back to Shepperton.
Don't let him fool you.
maybe unfortunate timing (or maybe a problem with just my computer?)
but the site seems to be banjaxed. new comments are not coming up unless i switch out of threads. also sometimes threads not coming up and sometimes delays in being able to comment.
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
Vaguely optimistic
I’ve been a Sox fan since I was a kid in the 70s—I remember watching them on channel 44. Chet Lemon is still one of my favorite Sox.
I don’t live in Chicago anymore (I’m in Michigan and have to deal with a lot of Tiger fans) so this site is my best connection to decent sox info.
For whatever reason, I’m vaguely optimistic about Robin and the Sox this year. If nothing else, where there’s pitching, there’s hope…
we can always use some optimism here, even if it is vague.
i also watched on channel 44 and liked chet lemon.
welcome.
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
Lurker Amnesty Day appears to be a rousing success.
by FlyingSpaghettiMonster on Feb 6, 2012 9:11 PM CST reply actions
but it's not over until the end of night drinky comments roll in, maybe around 4am.
maybe we’ll get another one from billyok.
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
Longtime lurker
Here since the magical season of ‘05. Have lived my entire life on Chicago’s Northwest side. My fandom is inherited from my maternal grandfather who had been one since the ’40s.The old man past down his Southside loyalties (SoX and Football Cardinals) as well as his prejudices (Cubs & Bears). I enjoy SSS and hope to continue for many years to come.
You just keep your name sake away from the rest of us.
Cause he’s scary, you see.
by South Side Expat on Feb 6, 2012 11:44 PM CST up reply actions
Long-time reader
I’ve been a Sox fan since 90 (still miss Old Comiskey!!) Grew up during the 90s era and we had some very good teams. All-time favorite players are the Big Hurt and Buehrle. 1990 is my favorite Sox team ever though, how they went from last in 89 to 2nd in 90, simply unforgettable. Couldn’t forget 05 and the magical season there either, probably my 2nd favorite team in Sox history. Best game I’ve ever been to: Sox/Oak 8/5/00 Frank GW 2B scored Valentin from 1st. Great memories there.
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
Fuck the Athletics and their white cleats then, correct?
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
Yet another long time lurker
And will probably maintain my position at the threshold, going to keep monitoring the minor league updates for the most part. Will comment when things warrant it
Can we entice you to post with some talk of crappy 3D post production money grabs by Lucas?
by South Side Expat on Feb 7, 2012 12:06 AM CST up reply actions
Potentially
I’m still wondering why they needed to add another dimension to Jar Jar Binks, he was annoying enough in 2D
by Captain_Wookie on Feb 7, 2012 12:21 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
I will do what we can
We’ll see about the availability of material
by Captain_Wookie on Feb 7, 2012 12:28 AM CST up reply actions
it's the only depth the character has.
I love seasons too. That's why I live in a place that skips the shitty ones.
by thatshortkid on Feb 7, 2012 12:27 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
ITA
Wait, do Gungans have an A?
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
Hi! I used to post here. We had many lawls. You member, right?
We only respectable members of the blog to any kind of standard. - Grinder In Training
Thanks WU.
We only respectable members of the blog to any kind of standard. - Grinder In Training
by omnipotent grab on Feb 7, 2012 11:14 AM CST up reply actions
Another lurker late to the party
Sox fan living in Alabama. Grew up in Baltimore but have been a fan of the Sox since they drafted Ventura. I was 6 when he had his 58 game hitting streak in college and he instantly became my favorite player. Been a Sox fan ever since.
hmm.... alabama, "rocket man"...
you in huntsville?
I love seasons too. That's why I live in a place that skips the shitty ones.
by thatshortkid on Feb 7, 2012 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
Oh holy flaming balls
I totally blew it.
I have no idea how long I’ve been lurking… but it’s always been a good read.
I’ve been a White Sox fan since before I could say “White Sox”. I was stuck in a dorm in the UP of Michigan during the 2005 WS.
Oh and I want to punch Joe Buck in the neck. Is that OK?
Northern or Tech?
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Feb 7, 2012 11:30 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I have a friend who wrote for a newspaper in the UP in 2004 and 2005
He said all he did was sit around in Saunas and get drunk with grizzled old men.
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
Finns, man
It’s those Finns and their SOW-NAHs.
And seasonal affective disorder. Hence the drinking and saunas.
A vision from heaven! I shall indeed compose a rap about deez nutz!
ha you're thinking of joe west aren't you
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 7, 2012 2:46 PM CST up reply actions
I don't know what to classify myself as ....
But here goes ……
Born and teenaged in Pakistan. My knowledge of baseball for the first 13 years of my life solely came from the bottom scroll on CNN. Leaned Cubs though, cuz my uncle gave me a Cubs hat when I was 7 yrs old. So unfortunately I missed Frank Thomas killing it in the 90’s.
Moved here in 2000 and was flipping through the channels one day when I caught the infamous Sox-Tigers brawl and Keith Foulke breakin his nose. That did it for me. Ofcourse the 95 win team made it easy for me. Sox have been a major part of my life since. I made sure I caught up on the history by reading up on the Southsiders very frequently. Going to IIT at 33rd & State helped me grow the allegiance too.
Living in Dallas now since last year and SSS is my main source of staying in touch with my team. I went to every game the Sox were down here for, including the hail game when I caught hit by golf sized hail by the 1st base stand.
So yeah, I haven’t put in many years but Love at First Sight can be a beautiful thing.
nice.
it’s funny, i can’t even remember what caused that fight anymore.
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 7, 2012 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
i don't either
but i still blame jeff weaver and robert fick.
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
Fick got the beer shower
Dean Palmer charged Jim Parque. I feel like Dean Palmer was that era’s Luke Scott
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
but you are correct to blame Weaver because he beaned Carlos Lee the inning prior
Lee jawed at him on the way to firstbase. Weaver came out of the clubhouse in a t-shirt to fight after having been ejected.
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
Dean Palmer was also playing thirdbase when Nolan Ryan pummeled Ventura
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
i totally remember that now.
fick put his hands up like he enjoyed it. what a day.
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 8, 2012 8:50 AM CST up reply actions
Yep, as he walked into the visitors bullpen in RF people were just showering him with beer, back when it was just a gouge in the stands
I’ve always associated Fick with Inge for some reason, probably unfairly. I’ve tried to find video for this but I can’t find anything.
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
this is the proper course of action.
DUNK HIS ASS
by obnoxious american on Feb 8, 2012 8:49 AM CST up reply actions
I was at that brawl in 2000, I think KenWo was also
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
Late intro, lurker for several years now
Sorry for being a day late. I forgot about the 24 hour wait period.
But well I’m 22 and was born and raised in Chicago. Was never much of a big sports fan back then as a kid and even throughout high school despite living in, well, CHICAGO and right by Comiskey/the Cell for, well, all of my life. In 08 I got a part time summer job at some summer program helping kids and one thing was a trip to a sox game, my first sporting venue in my life. It was the mariners at the sox and I’ll never forgot it. I didn’t have much idea what was going on but I know I loved every second of the atmosphere, how big the cell was, those home runs, one by ken griffey jr. and in the end standing and applauding the 15-3 win. Since that day, I got more and more into sports of course keeping the white sox being my number one team. I started watching the games on the TV that used to annoy me because they would override the shows I wanted to watch but immediately fell in love with the Hawk and DJ when another very memorable moment, Dye hit a grand slam off Liriano at the cell one game. “man’s got a big bat, YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOOOOOOOOARD YES!” And then from there I branched off to most every other sport and not only started following even learning the rules myself, doing research myself, reading up history etc etc. When it happened, 05 was just a nuisance to me because the fireworks were disturbing me when I tried to play my games but now looking back, Damn was I a fool. There was also of course game 163 and the perfect game and unrelated to the sox but the hawks stanley cup. I’ve been on the internet a lot, particularly spending a lot of time over the years and even still on 4chan’s /sp/ board which also contributed to my massive hardcore love for sports now. I also found sox MBs on the official site and these sbnation sites like this one back in the cheat days and since then been lurking SSS, SCH, BaB, and WCG but never made an account until now. I guess I’m more of a lurker than a poster though I do most of my posting on /sp/. I really do love the good reads and in depth analysis and I love how despite all those hard hard times, like last season and the season before last, there’s always other sox fans out there either laughing it up or drinking it out. Another thing I didn’t mention, most of my friends aren’t huge sports fans so another reason why I’ve turned to the internet. I like how there’s autorefresh and new post tracking and fetching, features that made /sp/ very convenient and a great thing for me too. But yeah, I tend to go on and I apologize for this wall of text but seeing what’s on here, I’m sure everyone is no stranger to them. So again, Not sure if I’ll post a lot but I’ll certainly lurk a lot. Nice to meet you all. Bears, Hawks, Sox, Bulls!
>Appreciate the Game
Cool
My first welcome from WU! It might take me a bit to get used to the slowness of this place in the offseason and non-gamethreads. But hey spring training is around the corner! Also a quick question I guess because I guess I never noticed it before until I actually started posting. Do we all just talk in the subjects or what?
>Appreciate the Game
Basically just think of it as your first sentence.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Ok that sounds good.
I got to say I love this new post fetcher and marker and this “z” key. So much better than refreshing and scrolling all the way back down. I don’t know why I never signed up earlier before. But better late than never I suppose.
>Appreciate the Game
Was that last sentence a reference to "Dennehy"?
I like to think that it was.
The lords of dawn are men such as Mr. Lucy.
That it was.
Currently watching the hawks sad effort in colorado hoping they can stop that skid.
>Appreciate the Game
Lurking Soldier
Running a little late due to prior Army obligations (nursing my superbowl hangover). Been lurking around and Teahenny Penny finally pushed me over the edge towards making an apperance or two around here. Reading the in-depth posts brings me a little bit closer to the city I adore and that summer home on 35th. So I would like to say thanks for helping me keep up with our boys and providing a solid source of levity in the same place. Seeing as how I’m currently displaced in the Eighth Level of Hell known as west Texas, and Army permitting, I would love (need) to go to this year’s opener in Arlington. Look forward to joshing it up here and catching up with some good friends.
Bound for home, still looking for one.
what up
I don’t even know if people are still reading this but I’ve never posted here so might as well now. long time reader.24 yrs old. Life long sox fan. Go to tons of games and am very knowledgeable about the game. Really love the site and oh yea.
Where’s the nachos?
by RM. on Feb 8, 2012 12:23 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Some folks will go back and read comments on up to
three front page posts back (at least it seems that way given how comments seem to flow.)
So, Welcome!
by South Side Expat on Feb 8, 2012 7:18 AM CST up reply actions
it can be difficult to resist the temptation of ", 1 new"
I love seasons too. That's why I live in a place that skips the shitty ones.
by thatshortkid on Feb 8, 2012 12:00 PM CST up reply actions
until you get there and the comment is about
soccer.
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
I have a "1 new" on the Dental Damn RRRR that I have been resisting the urge to open
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
i think that's me.
but it’s not about soccer!
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
Oh wait
Real question.
What is (was?) the obsession with Donny Lucy?
I missed that one somewhere.
A vision from heaven! I shall indeed compose a rap about deez nutz!
In 2010 he was one of the best players in all of Major League Baseball.
Just look at his stats. The guy was unstoppable, except by the return of Ramon Castro. But now he’s gone, lost to the grand world of avocados. In my lifetime, I doubt I’ll see another player of his caliber on the South Side.
The lords of dawn are men such as Mr. Lucy.
If he had been our catcher in 2005
we would have won quicker
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
The open house worked
I am making myself known after months of lurking. Another lonely White Sox fan (and devout Times Union reader) here in Yankees territory.
by patrickcroberts on Feb 13, 2012 6:53 PM CST reply actions
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