White Sox Quote of the Day: Ozzie Guillen

by The Wizard on May 15, 2007 1:34 PM CDT in Quotes Comment 60 comments

Ozzie on Alex Rodriguez:

"This kid can play. It's a shame when you're that good and everything that happens in New York, they blame him. When you make money and you're the best in anything, whatever happens around you, they'll blame you -- and he's the best at everything. I always say Jeter is God. When you talk about him, you're talking about the best player in the game and someone you respect. But when you talk about Alex, people just think about money, and that's not fair. This kid earned the money. This kid plays hard every day for his money, he prepares every day for his money. People said he had a bad year last year -- 35 home runs and 121 RBI. Wow, I wish I had a bad year like that. That's the price you pay to want to play for New York. He's done everything in his power to play for the Yankees. He even moved to third base to play for them. That's what New York fans should look at. This was one of the best shortstops in the game, and he was willing to move to third base to play for you guys, and you don't appreciate that. But that's New York, and that's Yankees fans."

*****

BTW, CSN will televise again Buehrle's no-hitter (the April 18 game against the Rangers) this Friday on 9:30 in the morning.

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On

an unrelated note: I believe the Sox ought to look into Chris Burke in Houston-- they recently sent him down--- he makes total sense for us either at second or in LF/CF...I also think he could give us decent OBP and speed at the top of the line-up.

by dantesox on May 15, 2007 1:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

this guy totally has a better PR team

than preston wilson. everyday it's a new person advocating his acquisition, instead of just SSH.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 15, 2007 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's because he makes sense.

And he may be gotten realistically, as in not giving up too much.

by dantesox on May 15, 2007 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

as pointed out previously

we don't match up well with the 'stros. we have pitching. they want hitting. we don't have hitting. not sure it's realistic.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 15, 2007 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see...

Burke in a Sox uniform. He could play outfield this year, and maybe take over for Iguchi next year.

But I have no idea what the Astros would want in return. They seem to want to replace Morgan Ensberg, but I don't know if I would trade Josh Fields for Burke. Maybe Crede for Burke + a prospect? I'd consider that.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 15, 2007 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm

thinking more like starting pitching is what they ALSO need and we MIGHT have--- as in Haeger plus a Carlos Vasquez or someone equivalent (I know he's not a starter.)

by dantesox on May 15, 2007 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

question?

what makes you think they want starting pitching? i realize woody williams is a little rickety but they're pretty set with jennings, oswalt, williams, sampson and rordiguez. they're also organizationally deep in pitching and very likely could replace any of those guys with someone as good or better than haeger (or whoever we'd offer) from their own system.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 15, 2007 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's also unclear whether

the Astros have given up on Burke. After all, their current second baseman isn't getting any younger. He might be a BA type--give him some AAA time, hope he gets it together. Just because he was sent down doesn't mean he's on his way out.

And Larry is right--the Stros are deep in pitching. The only thing they'd want would probably be a verteran bat to help them this year in the wide open Central (they didn't throw all that money at Lee for nothing). Either that or a top hitting prospect. As we all know, the Sox don't have the former right now, and I doubt they'd give up the latter.

by southsider80 on May 15, 2007 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Additonally...

aren't we looking like defeatists when this board is lighting up with longing for Chris 'AAA' Burke? Has KW mindscrewed Sox fans to the point where we don't even hope and specualte for an impact player? For God's sake, we're talking/fantasizing about trades for Todd Walker, Burke, and Mo Pena! What about Tejeda? (though likely unrealistic) Where's the Alex Rios talk? The Jays are hemorraghing money faster than they're losing games--they'll soon be in desperate need to slash payroll, present and future. And, they're light on pitching, something we happen to be stocked with. I'm not sure exactly who would be traded for who, but can't we raise our standards, just a tad?

by southsider80 on May 15, 2007 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Alex Rios?

That ain't happening. Rios is still young and cheap - there's no reason for the Jays to trade him. If the Jays start dumping payroll, they'll dump players who are actually making money.

Vernon Wells just got signed - he isn't going anywhere in the near future. I guess if the Sox were interested in Lyle Overbay or Troy Glaus, they might be able to get something done, except that the Sox aren't really in a position to add payroll.

A big blockbuster trade just ain't happening, folks.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 15, 2007 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Granted...

Rios won't reach FA for 3 more season, but, you've got to give something up to get something in return. And the Jays are starving for pitching.

It's not something that I propose as a sure thing; just an example of 'possibilities.' But it we're going to speculate on trades, the least we can do is think higher than the likes of Todd Walker. I mean, do we need another mediocre hitting second baseman with zero range?

by southsider80 on May 15, 2007 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And you're right

Blockbuster trade isn't happening, and this should frustrate fans. Because instead, we have to settle for the scrap heap: dinged up veterans, castaways, and Darin Erstad.

by southsider80 on May 15, 2007 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we can certainly add payroll

KW has said he has room. how much is an open question. i'd say $5-6 million could easily be added.

by the way, overbay just signed, too. glaus would be the likeliest to go but we don't really have room for him.

we can all dream of frank thomas, right?

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 15, 2007 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd love to see...

The Hurt back on the South Side, but that ain't happening, no matter what. Ken Williams burned that bridge pretty thoroughly.

The other side of the equation is what sort of pieces the Sox really have to offer in trade. Gio Gonzalez and Josh Fields are really the only commodities the team has, and (1) I'm not sure that even a package of the two would bring back a big-name player and (2) I don't think that trading away what little young talent the team has to try and salvage this season is even a particularly good idea.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 15, 2007 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree

we don't have much that could bring a big name in and, quite frankly, i don't see the need to deplete an already poor farm system. i'm still firmly in the camp that this team can't possibly hit like this all year and we should just basically stand pat. if we can find a real outfielder (i'm talking league average here) for some of our spare pitching parts (phillips, one of the bullpen guys, even maybe haeger) i'd do that. otherwise, forget it. i didn't expect us to make the playoffs this year anyway so there's no need to screw up the future in what i'd consider a futile attempt.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 15, 2007 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

but Sox fans, and brass, should raise some standards and focus on putting better quality product on the field for 2008 when the time comes to make those decisions. Our roster for is poorly, poorly constructed and KW took this outfield into 2007 with little foresight. The BA situation was bad. The Pods signing worse. Erstad worse still. Tererro is just baffling.

If KW wants Sweeney and BA to be the future OF, then let them have it. If not, then this offseason will be loaded with talent. Get Ichiro, Jones, someone. I can't stomach another offseason of Erstad-like proportions.

by southsider80 on May 15, 2007 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You would take Thomas over Thome?

Thomas - .235/.356/.390, 5 HR in 38 games
Thome - .340/.553/.680, 5 HR in 19 games

Or perhaps you'd like Thomas here in addition to Thome, but we all know that would make no sense.

by Winning is Fung on May 15, 2007 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't want...

to re-hash an argument that's been had over and over again. I'll leave it at that.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 15, 2007 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I

think you answered your own question by naming those names...at least three, if not four of them are by no means what you'd call sure bets in terms of performance or innings eaten....and I know that Haeger may just be one more of those kind, but the added volume may be attractive to them, as well as a lefty in the pen...I'm not saying it has to be Haeger, but I think you get my point that there is reason to believe something could get done that benefits both teams if they just sit down and discuss various possibilities.

by dantesox on May 15, 2007 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

but they literally have 4 guys in their organization (one doing it pretty competently already for jennings) who can fill in just as good or better than haeger. there's no need to trade for more pitching if you already have it and have other needs - which the astros clearly do.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 15, 2007 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All

I'm saying that where there is a chance, even if one thinks it fairly remote, is worth sitting down and discussing when the player (in this case Burke) seems to make a lot of sense now and in the future for the Sox. You may be right--- Houston may not see a fit or ask for too much....but I do believe there is enough of a chance here for it to be SERIOUSLY explored...I don't think Purpura would laugh Kenny out of the room or off the phone...

by dantesox on May 15, 2007 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe SSH is an agent

for all the demoted/waived/traded Astros.

Keep it up, kid, you're getting a following!

I do agree with SS80 that we seem to be greedily poring over the waiver/demotion list more than Sam Zell over a piece of distressed property. Since there ARE no more secrets (if yahoos like us have access to this info, do you not think 85 people in our organization, and the same in every other team's, has already assessed/codified/decided on the feasibility of a particular player being added to our team?

Bring on the blockbuster! Who can we get to do a White Flag with us on the receiving end? Toronto is a pretty good place to start. I'd love Tampa to do it, but in reading an Orlando Sentinel article today where the GM/management was quoted they seem patient.

by winningugly on May 15, 2007 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The problem is...

that the Sox don't have anything like the package of prospects that the Giants sent the Sox in that '97 trade.

And in any case, they can't really afford to be trading away young talent. They will have to field a team of some sort next year, and I'd like it if they could win more than, say, 50 games.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 15, 2007 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What are the chances of a rainout tonight?

I suppose I'll have to look at Skilling's bloog.

by defensive indifference on May 15, 2007 1:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ozzie is auditioning for his next job.

Ozzie praises his oppenents daily so that he sounds like one of the "analysts" on TV. These analysts seldomly say anything bad about a team/player. When a pitch gets hit, it is always good hitting, not bad pitching. Alternatively, when a pitch is missed, it is always good pitching, not bad hitting. Ozzie sounds like he is auditioning to be an anlayst on ESPN Desportes after he is fired by the Sox.

by squeegeeman on May 15, 2007 2:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ozzie

He also sounds like the Alex Snelios family pays him $100 every time he says "this kid."

by Winning is Fung on May 15, 2007 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't Ozzie say that Grady Sizemore was the

best player in the league? Will he say that Derek Lee is the best player when the Sox play the Cubs? Eric Chavez when the Sox play the A's? I thought there should only be ONE best player.

by squeegeeman on May 15, 2007 2:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually, he said that...

Sizemore was the best player in the AL Central.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 15, 2007 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ozzie is quoted

in last week's SI cover story on sizemore as calling him the best in the league.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 16, 2007 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's been hanging out

with Hawk too much.

by chrome on May 15, 2007 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tickets for tonight anyone?

I have several tickets to tonight's game not selling on EBAY. I have 3 sets of 2 in the right field lowers. I'm going to the park to sell at 3:45PM, but any regular SSS poster can have them for $15 per ticket.

Cheat if this is not allowed, let me know. I don't want to screw up my standing on this board.

by ballyb on May 15, 2007 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

contact me @

mjcarr51@yahoo.com.

I'll respond after 4:30.

by ballyb on May 15, 2007 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm cool with it

I'll ban anybody using the site trying to turn a profit on their tickets, but there's nothing wrong with trying to ensure than more Sox fans can get to games.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on May 15, 2007 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

No takers on EBAY,

no takers here.

Accuweather.com says NICE after 6.

Weather.com says LOUSY til 9, then LESS LOUSY.

TAKE YOUR PICK.

by ballyb on May 15, 2007 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it's weird.

The weather.com radar map shows what looks to be a fairly small system that should be over soon but says it might rain until nine. But other places say it'll be nice before then.

Combined with the fact that it's basically stopped raining now, I'd say they should start on time, or close to it.

by defensive indifference on May 15, 2007 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I should have gone with the weather.com.

by ballyb on May 15, 2007 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Somebody scared of a little rain?

I just came across a ticket for myself and then realized the weather was getting pretty nasty.

by defensive indifference on May 15, 2007 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quick question:

While I dodge raindrops to the train:

Are the Yankees out of the playoff picture at 17-19, and if not why have most people here given up on the Sox at 18-16?

For me, the Yankees have a tougher row to hoe than the Sox, and are likely out (WC possible). But the Sox' rivals in the Central all seem to be a couple of pieces short right now making it anyone's division.

I'd rather be 2 losses back than 8.

I'll check in when I get home.

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on May 15, 2007 3:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Yankees...

have a lot more talent than the White Sox do. A lot more. That's to be expected (they're spending almost twice as much), but that's too good of a team to not win. Whereas the White Sox have been extremely lucky to be at 18-16.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 15, 2007 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plus, the Stanks

do this every single year. They start off slow. And then guess what happens every. single. year?

They win the East.

The Yanks have a much better track record than the Sox, and better talent. And now they have Clemens. I'm not one who thinks the Sox are out, but I think we have much, much more to panic about than the Stanks.

Oh, and the Stanks also score runs. They give up a lot, but that'll change (see above).

by southsider80 on May 15, 2007 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The trade deadline.

The Yankees have Roger Clemens coming back but what is bigger, IMO, is the fact that they'll probably make a big splash again before the trade deadline. Like always...

And I certainly haven't given up on the Sox in our division yet. Nobody has run away with the thing yet, and it's likely that nobody will.

by defensive indifference on May 15, 2007 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think you're right

the yanks don't have the pitching - even with clemens coming in - to contend. their bullpen is too thin; that will only be further exacerbated by "five innings" clemens.

and if people think the sox are old, check out the yanks. too much reliance on old guys, both on offense and pitching. injuries have already piled up and will continue to.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 15, 2007 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is the year the yankees

miss the playoffs.

which, in turn, results in the end of the torre era, the result of which is the accession of don mattingly to the managerial throne, which, should i be reading the tea-leaves correctly, will usher in a new period of futility in the bronx, matched only by the previous tenure of donny baseball as the spankees' 1st baseman.

one can only hope.

by spengler on May 15, 2007 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tigers helped them a lot

They really bailed them out taking Sheffield off their hands and giving them a good prospect. The rest of the league should just leave them be with all these old guys under contract. They'll implode under their own weight - wouldn't that be a pity?

by ChicagoPete on May 15, 2007 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Yankees are in a much better position

The Yankees have a much better farm system than the Sox. The Yankees can take on massive salary. They therefore have a lot more resources to make a trade to improve the team. They are also (as someone mentioned) just flat out way more talented than the Sox. With Clemens (and a healthy Hughes), the Yankees pitching is better than the Sox. And the Sox play in a harder division.

by hitlesswonder on May 15, 2007 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree with that

I'd take the Sox pitching over the Yankees. As of right now, the Sox have an ERA+ of 113 compared to the Yankees' 90. That's probably going to be some regression for both teams (the Sox downwards, the Yankees upwards) but it's hard for me to see the Yankees overtaking the Sox there. Their bullpen is bad outside of Rivera, too.

I agree, however, that the Sox just need to tough this season out with the guys they have. The Sox made some bad decision this winter and they're paying for it right now. And money doesn't have a damn thing to do about it -- there were plenty of one-year options out there for the Sox that would have fit perfectly into left-field such as Trot Nixon (116 OPS+ so far).

What's hurting the Sox more than anything, however, is that their lack of production from the farm is finally biting this team in the ass. It's pathetic -- we can't even find a competent right-handed OFer who can even put up a replacement level line against lefties (think Brady Clark).

If Kenny can pull off a move for a guy like Chris Burke without giving up any of our 'big' prospects, that's fantastic, but in no way should the Sox attempt to salvage this season and trade away Gonzalez + Fields for a 30-year-old hitter.

by CWSKeith on May 15, 2007 4:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

whichever one you'd take, i certainly don't think it's clear that the yanks are better. mussina is 38 and has been average the last few years (had a nice bump last year but i don't see that continuing); not sure i buy petitte producing like he has so far over a full season; clemens is coming to the AL and will really only give you five innings a start; hughes is talented but a rookie; wang is the only guy i think will produce really good numbers. the pen is quite thin and rivera is (finally) starting to look mortal; plus, they've pitched a bunch of innings already and the old guys in the rotation will ensure that is a continuing theme. injuries are going to be a concern, just like they have been so far. i'd take our staff simply because i feel better about the ability of our guys to stay healthy and i like our bullpen better.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 15, 2007 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tonight's lineup

Erstad (CF); Uribe (SS); AJ (C); Konerko (1B); Dye (RF); Mack (DH); Mancrush (3B); Iguchi (2B); Sweeney (LF). Danks, of course, on the bump.

It takes two to lie; one to lie and one to listen.

by Toonderstrook on May 15, 2007 5:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

In AAA.....

Thome hitting third, Hall fourth tonight in Columbus.

by stanchar on May 15, 2007 5:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it just me,

Or is anyone else more comfortable with our current AAA lineup than the Island of Misfit Toys Ozzie is trotting out every night?

by southsider80 on May 15, 2007 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

um

no.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 15, 2007 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So .220 BA

Is comfy cozy?

by southsider80 on May 15, 2007 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup, that certainly follows logically

from what i wrote.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 15, 2007 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is

"um, no" a logical proof these days? Maybe you should crack some Wittgenstein, at least the Cliff Notes. Or maybe some deductiminism, wikipedia at least.

by southsider80 on May 15, 2007 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you asked

whether i was more comfortable with our triple a lineup. i answered no. you then leapt to the conclusion that i'm "comfy cozy" with ozzie's lineup. one is shit. the other is more shit. i'm simply more comfortable with the shit lineup.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 15, 2007 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs