Game 124: White Sox (54-69) vs. Royals (55-68) -- Buehrle vs. Meche

by The Wizard on Aug 20, 2007 6:02 PM CDT in Game Threads

Mark Buehrle (L, 9-8, 3.36, 24, 24, 163.1, 94, 34, 1.22) vs. Gil Meche (R, 7-11, 3.90, 26, 26, 163.2, 116, 47, 1.33) [Throws, W-L, ERA, G, GS, IP, K, BB, WHIP]

Time: 7:11 p.m. CT, TV: CSN, Radio: WSCR AM-670 (B-R preview, Live Boxscore; 2006 MLB Gameday; 2007 MLB Gameday)

GO SOX!

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Lineups

Good Guys:

        Name             AVG    HR      RBI     SB
1. J Owens, CF          .243    1       9       17
2. J Fields, 3B         .245    14      42      1
3. J Thome, DH          .264    20      63      0
4. P Konerko, 1B        .267    23      67      0
5. A Pierzynski, C      .272    12      41      0
6. J Dye, RF            .242    24      62      2
7. S Podsednik, LF      .253    1       8       9
8. J Uribe, SS          .225    13      50      1
9. D Richar, 2B         .184    1       7       1

Bad Guys:

        Name             AVG    HR      RBI     SB
1. E German, 3B         .276    3       29      8
2. D DeJesus, CF        .271    6       49      6
3. M Grudzielanek, 2B   .306    5       40      1
4. B Butler, DH         .304    4       37      0
5. E Brown, RF          .226    5       46      9
6. A Gordon, 1B         .245    11      42      12
7. J Buck, C            .234    16      43      0
8. T Pena Jr., SS       .265    1       38      4
9. J Gathright, LF      .363    0       14      7

GO SOX!

by The Wizard on Aug 20, 2007 6:03 PM CDT reply actions

Been out of town for a couple of weeks......

I see Richar's stats, but what does everybody think? Avg obviously low, but I like the OBP given the low AVG.

by stanchar on Aug 20, 2007 6:15 PM CDT reply actions

You should have stayed gone

theres nothing to come back to

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions

A day game at Wrigley...

followed by a night game at Comiskey, against the Royals, no less.

I hope security is on their toes...

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Aug 20, 2007 6:32 PM CDT reply actions

Whatever are you intimating, JRE?

Is larry going to make another run at a member of the opposing team? Or umpire? Or Owens? Again?

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2007 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope he tackles Jerry

and Remind him some of his football days.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions

PS Great new poll, Cheat

8 of 9 say Sox = cellar dwellers. The .111% (or one person) who says the Sox will finish above KC has the same representation as Owens' SLG.

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2007 6:41 PM CDT reply actions

9 of 10

just voted

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions

dammit some nay-sayers are ruining the poll

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions

9 game losing streaks

The White Sox only have one 9-game losing streak in my lifetime... August 19th-28th of 1991...

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2007 6:56 PM CDT reply actions

Theyll beat that soon enough

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I must have seen longer

being born in '51 and all. The problem is that at my age I don't remember.

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2007 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Can anyone recommend something good to watch?

Mondays usually have slim pickings, and no not football.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 7:02 PM CDT reply actions

no Super Bowl rematch for you?

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.
though I'd much rather watch an early Spring Training Sox game than an NFL exhibition.

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2007 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I never got into football

I watched the Bears playoff games though last year, but I didnt feel bad when they lost. I just dont care really.

I cant wait for next years Spring Training, and hope the Sox forfeit the rest of the season.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions

btw your sig line

expresses it for me too.

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2007 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll even take Terrero, but not Jerry

Terrero actually gets on base, as expected of a lead-off hitter. And when he hits the ball it can actually get past the infield. That monster HR he had earlier this season was amazing.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Somebody

needs to remove the green sticker from the back of his helmet. It was there last week too.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2007 7:11 PM CDT reply actions

Ugh Hawk and Dj are killing me

These guys are just terrible. Forget about Jerry, larry needs to go after DJ, than we can get Stoney back.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 7:18 PM CDT reply actions

I think Im going to look for some CF seats

I really want to go just to heckle Jerry for sucking so hard.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 7:24 PM CDT reply actions

I guess everyone is watching

the Bears game.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 7:26 PM CDT reply actions

Not closely enough

I missed whether it was a Grossman interception or fumble that gave Indy the ball on the Bears 20.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2007 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions

haha

likely an interception.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions

So far

Rex has had a fumble and an interception, is he being coached by Greg Walker? 7-0 haltime Indy

by Florida Jim on Aug 20, 2007 7:42 PM CDT reply actions

Speed all you need...

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2007 7:47 PM CDT reply actions

jerry returns this one all the way!

by The Wizard on Aug 20, 2007 7:47 PM CDT reply actions

Farmer and Singleton

reminding Owens and Podsednik to BUNT.

by ballyb on Aug 20, 2007 7:47 PM CDT reply actions

Singleton says Owens has bad arm.

by ballyb on Aug 20, 2007 7:49 PM CDT reply actions

Hurt.

by ballyb on Aug 20, 2007 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I hate to tell you, but in the middle of the suckiest season in years, AJ is quietly (hard to believe, for him) having a decent season. Can't complain about his performance at all, behind the plate or along side of it.

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2007 7:53 PM CDT reply actions

Devin Hester is God

Can the Sox get him to do a Deion Sanders thing?

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2007 7:56 PM CDT reply actions

You mean

constantly act like a showboating jackass afraid of contact?

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2007 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions

No,

though you tell only part of the story, Kimosabe. Someone who is a threat ever time he gets his hands on the ball. Someone to make the crowd gasp. Someone to look forward to taking the field.

Oh, and can sell tickets as an average ML player. But he'd one exciting guy to watch run back kicks. Or shag flies in CF.

Cheat, c'mon. Highest and best use!

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2007 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Hawk is taking his old man dump

DJ still a talking ass. Oh Hawk just returned.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 8:04 PM CDT reply actions

This is the best night of my SSS life

(Chiburb is older than me, meaning I'm not Geezer #1 on this site), so I have to say there is nothing wrong with an old man dump. With that mindset, I have on good authority one Whitey "The White Rat" Herzog (speaking of KC as we were a few hours ago) addressed top producers and their spouses at a formal event (at my previous firm) closing his drunken, rambling speech thusly with this over-50 sage advice:

Never pass a bathroom without using it (ala Hawk).
Never waste a hard-on.
Never trust a fart.

One smart guy.

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2007 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Found something to watch

Top Gear on BBC. Cars, gadgets, and ways to cheat the law. They just had Gordon Ramsay of Hell's Kitchen fame on. Good stuff, they had it on Discovery Channel for a little while I think.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 8:32 PM CDT reply actions

Sopranos on A&E

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2007 8:34 PM CDT reply actions

Seen them all

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions

If it's classic

you don't tire of it/ Like watching the '05 highlights.

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2007 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions

good thing we didn't waive him

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 8:35 PM CDT reply actions

huh?

by The Wizard on Aug 20, 2007 8:35 PM CDT reply actions

wha?

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Get thee to the game

and tackle someone!

Sox or Bears - doesn't matter.

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2007 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions

and KC was playing deep on jerry why...?

these guys clearly haven't played co-ed softball before. move in to the dirt for the girls.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 8:41 PM CDT reply actions

This, after a Pods dinger?

Blasphemy.

PS Pods is clutch in WS games. And as previously posted, this IS our WS this year - the battle for 4th.

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2007 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions

whatta a grinder!

dirty uniform. bloody elbow. shitty contact at bat. facial hair. hawk mancrush. he's a five tool grinder.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 8:49 PM CDT reply actions

Hawk

"Jerry Owens stock has gone straight up since he was recalled back in July. With all the upside that he has, he's got an excellent chance to be an integral part of this team for a LONG time."

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2007 8:50 PM CDT reply actions

DJ: it's his job to lose

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions

I think we can make him lose it

Anyone know if he has a puppy?

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions

.267/.309/.321

Entering tonight, Owens has hit .267/.309/.321 since being recalled in early July.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2007 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Impressive

Both obp and slg over .300

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Is that bad?

;)

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2007 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Say it ain't so...

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 20, 2007 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions

My bad

I just change it back to the game and Mark gave up a two run shot. Looks like we'll be in 5th by ourselves tonight.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 8:51 PM CDT reply actions

More Jerry Owens love!

That might've been the worst Owens exchance between Hawk and DJ that I've ever heard. If Kenny opens the season with Owens starting, I will have lost faith in Kenny.

Also, I now see why Stone announcing those six games was a bad thing. It really opens your eyes to how bad DJ really is.

by CWSKeith on Aug 20, 2007 8:53 PM CDT reply actions

MB"s shortest outing

since his injury-induced departure in his first game.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 8:55 PM CDT reply actions

Good call by Ozzie

He was really laboring. Velocity was down. He was lucky to get through 5 without giving anything up.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2007 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions

no question

i very much like how he just went out there and got him - no questions, no conference, just pull him. he knows his starters pretty well.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions

is this all ozzie?

doesn't coop say something?

by The Wizard on Aug 20, 2007 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions

didn't he only go four just recently

by comet922 on Aug 20, 2007 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions

yup

my eyes missed that one.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Ozzie is going to see how many relievers

He can burn through in this game. More toys, more toys for the Ozzeroo.

by southsideirish71 on Aug 20, 2007 8:56 PM CDT reply actions

i've got 7 used

if it goes 9 innings. all bets are off if we go to extras.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions

nailed it

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 10:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Way to close it out, Thornton

Part of the vision of a rebuilt bullpen.

by LVSoxFan on Aug 20, 2007 9:04 PM CDT reply actions

He should be fined

for throwing anything below the belt after Gathright's reaction to the first pitch. All Gathright's gonna do is put the ball in play on the ground an hope for the best. All Thornton's got to do to combat that is throw the ball at the letters as hard as he can. Gathright doesn't have any power to take him deep. It's just terrible pitch selection.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2007 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions

indeed

cheat, we never got your take on the dye re-signing - would be interested in reading it.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions

denial

On Saturday, Beane talked enthusiastically about a massive rebuilding project, about every franchise's need for a restart, and about the perils of trying to avoid it.

"There's going to be a time, whether it's next year or the year after that or three years from now where we're going to say, `Listen, it's time to rebuild,' " Beane said.

"I didn't think it was going to be this year - mostly because of our pitching staff and I think even in the middle of all the injuries, it's holding up pretty well.

"But there will be a time when we rebuild. And if you do it when everybody thinks and says it's time for you to rebuild, you're too late. So there will be a time when we take a full step back and do it the right way."

Rebuilding is like going into rehab, you have to admit you have a problem if you ever hope to get better. All we've heard from the Sox brass is that they're close to being a "championship team." Clearly they're not ready to admit they have a problem with the aging slow-footed veterans and weak-hitting left-handed one-tool outfielders.

Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom. The Sox obviously haven't hit theirs yet.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2007 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions

sounds about right

maybe we should schedule an intervention?

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions

If that was a live chicken

Uribe would of picked it up, skinned it and cooked it, and ate it by now. By its a grounder and why leave your feet for a silly grounder.

by southsideirish71 on Aug 20, 2007 9:04 PM CDT reply actions

If it was a dozen donuts

He would of picked it up, and performed a backflip while he threw the runner out at first.

by southsideirish71 on Aug 20, 2007 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Because Gathright was running?

Assuming you're talking about that one, Gathright would've been safe even if Uribe stopped it with a dive. Didn't chance the result.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Aug 20, 2007 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions

richar shows some power

by comet922 on Aug 20, 2007 9:28 PM CDT reply actions

danny richar: gaining acceptance!

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 9:28 PM CDT reply actions

danny!

by The Wizard on Aug 20, 2007 9:29 PM CDT reply actions

ROOKIE ATTACK!

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Aug 20, 2007 9:33 PM CDT reply actions

small ball run

I know Owens is quite unpopular here, and he certainly is no Ricky Henderson, and maybe he shouldn't be a leadoff hitter, but is there room somewhere on the team for someone who can use speed to help scratch out a run?

by bingodog on Aug 20, 2007 9:35 PM CDT reply actions

Sure

I don't think anyone would be upset if Owens was a 4th outfielder/late-inning pinch runner next season. It's his seeming inheritance of the CF/leadoff spot that has people upset.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2007 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions

One word says it all...OBP

I don't see how anyone can be optimistic about Owens posting an OBP over .320 in the bigs. I'm certainly not...and in fact I think .320 maybe pushing it. If he could play an average CF, post a .360 OBP and play for league minimum, I'd be OK with that (although .360 is not lofty either). I could overlook the absolute lack of power and weak arm.

The most galling thing about the apparent rise of Owens as having a lock on a starting spot next season (when Josh Fields doesn't) is that it demonstrates a failure in philosophy by the team. Kenny preaches OBP, but clearly doesn't care that much or Erstad wouldn't be on the roster and have leadoff this season. Kenny has sacrificed LF to a "speedster" for 3 years in a row and it was worth it only for a half season when that guy had a decent OBP. If the Sox repeat that mistake in 2008, I'll take it as a sign that I should wait for a new GM before expecting a decent team on the south side.

by hitlesswonder on Aug 21, 2007 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions

One more thing lineups.

I am sure they put Fields at 2 because he can take a walk, and he will get more fastballs with Thome behind him. But he should be moved down to 6 where Crede uses to be. The pop on the bat will drive in more runs in that position, and he can provide some protection to the 5 hole. Pods and Grinder are not exactly that type of protection.

Richar should be moved to the 2 hole. To me he is a prototypical 2 hitter. He is already not afraid to go deep into a count. He can bunt, he is fast. And his OBP is over 300 while his batting average is still under 200. So you know he can take a walk. Unlike a lot of the other rookies, he is making contact and doesnt strike out. This allows the "ozzie type" leadoff hitter steal that base.

Owens needs to look at the patience shown by Richar, and try to mimick that. His sole job is to get on base. Now he like Richar should employ the drag bunt now and then to bring in the 3rd and 1st basemen to give them a better chance to slap the ball through the infield. We seem to only teach the turn and bunt to the pitcher one which is worthless.

by southsideirish71 on Aug 21, 2007 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Man, I miss Ross

Even with a DL stint, he's still hitting .300.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Aug 20, 2007 9:53 PM CDT reply actions

Ozzie doesn't like last place.

by ballyb on Aug 20, 2007 9:53 PM CDT reply actions

I predict

Jenks breaks the record, but blows the save...

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2007 9:59 PM CDT reply actions

Probably.

Funnier scenario would be Jenks striking out the 42nd batter, but it gets past Pierzynski and Gathright's safe at first.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Aug 20, 2007 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions

You may want to keep your day job

though I am shocked - shocked! - since you run about 90% correct as a handicapper.

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 21, 2007 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Isn't it obvious Owens will be our leadoff hitter

next year? Ozzie likes him for some "ozzielike reason." What are the chances that it won't be him leading off?

by ckimcircles on Aug 20, 2007 10:09 PM CDT reply actions

been waiting all night for this

the suspense is terrible. i hope it will last.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 10:11 PM CDT reply actions

joey gonna get a chickenshit bunt here?

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 10:12 PM CDT reply actions

MERCY!

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 10:12 PM CDT reply actions

OOoooooooh.

Damn.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Aug 20, 2007 10:13 PM CDT reply actions

hahaha,

Hawk almost had a heart attack on that foul play

by ckimcircles on Aug 20, 2007 10:13 PM CDT reply actions

Damnit.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Aug 20, 2007 10:15 PM CDT reply actions

dadgummit

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 20, 2007 10:15 PM CDT reply actions

Fuck

I don't like that they kept going back to the curveball. I think Bobby's best fastball anywhere in the zone would've been a K.

Oh well...

by CWSKeith on Aug 20, 2007 10:15 PM CDT reply actions

He left the curves up

Right sequence, I thought, but he probably could've bounced one in the dirt.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Aug 20, 2007 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow...

What a shitty shame.....just like the 2007 season.

by ckimcircles on Aug 20, 2007 10:15 PM CDT reply actions

ohh

bummer

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Aug 20, 2007 10:16 PM CDT reply actions

Following Ozzie's:

Bunting with speedster on 1st.

by ballyb on Aug 20, 2007 10:17 PM CDT reply actions

Damn who cares if they win it

Jenks record was the only thing that mattered to me this game. That and Richar with that homer.

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 10:18 PM CDT reply actions

We'll take it, Bobby.

Three consecutive batters retired.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Aug 20, 2007 10:18 PM CDT reply actions

He'll go on another run

Brian forever, Jerry Never!!

by omnipotent grab on Aug 20, 2007 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Joey Gathright is raw.

"P.S. if Cintron gets traded or released I will buy drinks for the whole board" - tubesox 6/24/07

by mjthor on Aug 20, 2007 10:19 PM CDT reply actions

ESPN didn't even mention Jenks' streak

on the "crawler" last night. No big deal. One of the announcers, however, said it was more impressive because of the amount of appearances it took Jenks to get 41 - Barr was a starter at the time he did it.

Agree or disagree? Discuss among yourselves.

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 21, 2007 6:24 AM CDT reply actions

I think it's...

tougher on a starter. As a reliever, you typically only face 3 batters, and they only get that one opportunity to see you. It's like a starter going through the lineup once. After that, the batters have seen the pitches, and can adjust.

Bobby, even though he faced... what's the word i'm looking for here... not more... but different? I guess? wider variety? I dunno. He faced say 42 different batters, while Barr probably only faced half that many different batters. That makes Bobby's impressive, but I still lean towards a stater doing it more impressive. Because just about anyone can be lights out for 1 inning at a time. It takes someone really nasty to be lights out for several innings at a time.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 21, 2007 7:35 AM CDT up reply actions

I only saw Bobby's "highlight"

on the news last night. It didn't look like Uribe or Fields made any special effort to get to the ball.

True?

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Aug 21, 2007 11:17 AM CDT reply actions

At the game -

And it looked that way to me. I don't think Juan was close enough, but Josh just seemed to give up on it. PO'd me that he at least didn't dive at it.

My view - Fields is not, nor will ever be an average 3rd baseman. This reminds me of the Mack experiment in center last year. The only difference we don't have any better sitting on the bench watching.

Save me - buy the rest of my tickets for this year.

by Brush Back on Aug 21, 2007 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions

I laughed out loud

when he couldn't catch a liner right at him in Seattle.

Let's pray for Joe Crede to have a successful recovery. Obviously Fields has a potentially lethal bat, so they'll need to find him a spot.

And...that's crap that he didn't dive after Bobby's ball. He was probably caught off guard and the ball was past him before he could (slowly) react. Geez...at least fake it.

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Aug 21, 2007 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions

you guys are hilarious

unplayable ball and he should dive to just "fake it." good one. joe crede doesn't get that ball. sorry. sharpen your knives on someone else.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 21, 2007 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Average or above average?

So you think Josh is adequate, or can be, at 3rd base?
What about in a year when they are competing, would you want him there?
Just looking for your thoughts there.

Save me - buy the rest of my tickets for this year.

by Brush Back on Aug 21, 2007 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm not larry...

but I'd say that Fields is at least adequate at third base.

I'd also say that he has the potential to be a lot better with the bat than Joe Crede.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Aug 21, 2007 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions

i'd say he's fine there now and will be fine

we've been spoiled by crede.

and, in case you missed it, fields was protecting the line because, obviously, we were in the ninth with a one run lead. if he were at a "normal" positioning it would have been a routine play. i imagine that is where the misdirected anger towards fields is coming from.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 21, 2007 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree on being spoiled

Crede's defense well above average. And that's with his bad back. I have no anger towards Josh, like him in fact. I think he needs to be on the roster next year - PLAYING, not on the bench. I've just not seen anything to sell me on him playing 3rd, not as a regular.
I was just curious on your, or others, thoughts about him there. (From were I was, and angles to play tricks - he just looked like he re-acted slow and gave up on it. He shouldn't fake diving at it for theatrics.) I've seen him play a lot of games in person at this point, and it just seems like a lot of "routine" hits get by him. Again, that is based on perception and nothing to quantify it.

Save me - buy the rest of my tickets for this year.

by Brush Back on Aug 21, 2007 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Retraction

Okay, don't fake it...make a genuine effort to give your teammate a record during a dismal season. You're a young, healthy rookie...get dirty for chrissakes.

What if it was the potential final out for Buehrle's no-hitter? Just stand there and say, "Gee, that's not playable, I'll just stand here and watch it go by"?

Like I said, I only saw a quick highlight, but it didn't seem to be hit all that hard.

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Aug 21, 2007 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions

On the other side of the coin...

what if he had dislocated his shoulder diving for an unplayable ball and screwed up his career?

I'm really against "fake hustle".

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Aug 21, 2007 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't disagree

I guess, as a pro, you need to know when to try and when to watch the ball go by. Obviously, Josh made his decision. I like the guy plenty...lots of upside potential.

On the other hand, we could make a solid argument for the team as a whole to put on the cruise control for the rest of the year. Why risk any injuries at all during a lost season?

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Aug 21, 2007 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

There's a clip,

but not a very good one on the Sox website.

Where he started out (guarding the line?) isn't shown. From where he is when the ball goes past him, NO WAY he could get it. Looks like a nonchalant effort, but he decided he couldn't get it. No sense diving in total vain.

by ballyb on Aug 21, 2007 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

like i said

they were in a no doubles defense. fields was a step or two off the line. routine positioning, yes, he gets there. otherwise, no way.

and, considering how far away he was from it, he would have looked like a dope diving for it. i'd prefer my players to not just do things for show. i guess you're not.

Jerry Owens: he's a g*ddamn lead off hitter

by larry on Aug 21, 2007 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Another point.

Say he dives and comes up with it.

Is he going to get to his feet and throw out Joey Gathright?

I think not.

by ballyb on Aug 21, 2007 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

dives and MIRACULOUSLY comes up with it.

by ballyb on Aug 21, 2007 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Gathright - probably not

Doubt it - if so very close - and that would have been for a above ave 3rd baseman. I think it just bothered me the way his body language looked like he gave up. (To defend him, he could have looked that way because it went by him and he knew what the record would mean to Bobby and the team - like I said previously, I'm not down on Fields, just not sold on him at that position)

Save me - buy the rest of my tickets for this year.

by Brush Back on Aug 21, 2007 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions

For all those legions of the ABH

(Anyone But Hawk) I have new information that might change your mind. This will, no doubt, appear on his tombstone as his most memorable contribution to the game he loves:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070821&content_id=2161080&vkey=news_mlb&fext=. jsp&c_id=mlb

If I were him, I'd do a Richard Cory right now.

Playing out the string

by winningugly on Aug 21, 2007 11:53 AM CDT reply actions