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Here is a list of all the pitchers in baseball who have faced Justin Morneau at least 10 times and have held him hitless:

  • Bobby Jenks
That's it. That is the complete list. In fact, in those ten at-bats, Morneau has never even so much as drawn a walk against the big fella.

Esteemed Twins blogger Aaron Gleeman routinely criticizes Ron Gardenhire's reluctance to use Joe Nathan in non-save situations, specifically in extra innings. So I was surprised to see Nathan called upon in the ninth with the teams knotted at 4. Ozzie, on the other hand, will usually turn to Jenks as soon as the game goes to extras, often using him for multiple innings if possible. So I was even more surprised that Jenks sat on his duff eating candy down the right field line as Guillen trotted out Andy Sisco and Nick Masset.

In addition to keeping Bobby Jenks fresh to pitch in mop-up time tomorrow because "he needs work," Ozzie was inexplicably inconsistent with the IBB. In the last two innings, he called for 3 IBB, though only two appear in the box score, which had the undesirable effect of bringing the reigning MVP to the plate twice in the two innings where one shot can lose the Sox the game.

The first IBB was to Morneau leading off the 9th with David Aardsma, who seemingly entered the game only because the righthanded hitting AAAA player Josh Rabe was announced, on the mound. Because, you know, leadoff walks never come around to score. The walk was followed by a Jeff Cirillo bunt, which Aardsma mishandled, allowing Morneau into scoring position. Ozzie allowed Aardsma to pitch to Mike Redmond, who he retired on a pop foul, but when the ever dangerous Nicky Punto stepped to the plate, it was time to call for another free pass. Aardsma got out of the inning by inducing a lineout from Jason Bartlett, but the two free baserunners would come back to haunt.

Andy Sisco started the 10th after a 1-2-3 top half by the Greg Walker All-Stars. He promptly gave up a double just over the third base bag -- Crede, who I still think is one of the best defensive 3B in baseball, doesn't have the nearly the range into foul territory that Punto and Brandon Inge display. -- Sisco struck out Jason Kubel before being pulled so that Nick Masset could intentionally walk Torii Hunter. I suppose they were afraid Sisco's intentional balls would be even wilder that Aardsma's. Walking Hunter meant that the only way Masset would avoid facing the left-handed hitting Morneau would be by getting a double play off the bat of Michael Cuddyer, but that bastard popped out. So with men on first and second, Ozzie let Masset, the team's longman, the bottom of the right-handed reliever totem pole, face Morneau.

To recap, the following situations made Ozzie take action:

  • Justin Morneau stepping to the plate in the 9th with the Sox most effective reliever (this season) on the mound.
  • Nicky Punto steppnig into the box with a runner in scoring position with the Sox most effective reliever (this season) on the mound.
  • Josh Rabe being announced
  • Torii Hunter coming to the plate with a runner in scoring position in the 10th.
The following situations led Ozzie to do nothing:
  • Torii Hunter coming to the plate with a runner in scoring position and the Sox clinging to a 1-run lead in the 8th inning.
  • Justin Morneau batting with the winning run on second in the 10th innning with the Sox "longman" on the mound and Bobby Jenks contemplating in which color sugar to dip his lick 'em stix.
While those actions are baffling, Ozzie didn't lose this game. The bullpen blew, and the offense still sucks. Did you know the last time they've been able to chase a pitcher before the end of the 7th inning was April 28th, a game in which they scored a total of ZERO runs? Pitiful.

This team is bad, and there's not a member of the coaching staff, team, or front office who should escape at least a small part of the blame.

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Its getting worse
In April we hit .225 with a .317OBP and a .696 OPS.

So far in May we hit .207 with a .247OBP and a .590 OPS.  

This is the same team that scored 520 runs in the first half of last year.

by southsideirish71 on May 9, 2007 12:01 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Stupid, when Thome comes back Sweeney is out
"His return could mean a demotion for left-handed hitting outfield prospect Ryan Sweeney if the Sox keep right-handed hitting veteran Luis Terrero."

How about sending boone logan back.  The only one taking pitches, and putting the ball in play where its hit.  And we will send him down.  Dumb.  

by southsideirish71 on May 9, 2007 12:21 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He needs more lefties
To constantly play the L/L R/R game

by illinikrush on May 9, 2007 1:23 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

so let me get this straight
a DH returns to the lineup. and we send down the guy who has been starting in LF. the logic certainly follows.
Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 9, 2007 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So we can keep a guy on...
Terrero, who doesn't play, and a pitcher, Logan, who rarely pitches. Logic?

Wittgenstein, Ozzie ain't.

by southsider80 on May 9, 2007 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I mentioned last week our 'pen
is not mightier than the sword - gave up 2 runs late Friday and Saturday on the West coast and another 3 last night.  If we are going to be in tight games all year (and we are) we'd better get the Sisco Kid out of there and hope Matty/M-Mac and Aardvark can tee it up for Jenks.

by winningugly on May 9, 2007 6:35 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Also note
that Jeff Cirillo was on deck with one base open when Morneau hit the HR.  

Ozzie could have walked Morneau to allow Masset to face Cirillo, or he could have brought in Logan or Jenks (even though the IBB was the most obvious call).

He just walked Morneau in the 9th (to lead off the inning), so why not just walk him again when there was more on the line?

That was a laughable performance by Ozzie.  Taking Thornton out was pretty funny too.  We are now scared of Punto, Rabe, and Kubel - classic.

by RME JICO on May 9, 2007 7:00 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Walking to get to Morneau
I was at a game in the last 2 years (I'll have to go look at my tickets and scorecards) and Ozzie did the same thing...intentionally walked a batter to get to Morneau.

I don't know if he just plays hunches, ignores numbers, or what...but I screamed at him then like I did last night.

"It's not what you achieve, it's what you overcome. That's what defines your career." - Carlton Fisk

by madopal on May 9, 2007 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Great analysis...
...about Ozzie's follies.  This was after Hawk and DJ were gushing about Ozzie's decision to hit and run with AJ on first and Gooch at the plate in the sixth.  Maybe Ozzie should stop clowning around in the dugout and pay more attention to the game.  

by thekever on May 9, 2007 7:53 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

JD in the 8th?
Where was he playing when Bartlett hit the double over his head?  The ball landed short of the warning track.  If he had been deeper, as he should have been, it would have easily been caught.  Isn't that what they teach little leaguers?  No extra bases late in the game?

by thekever on May 9, 2007 8:00 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

What? No Tigers?
I guess Ozzie can stop gushing over the Tigers' pen since they are not on your list...

by thekever on May 9, 2007 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This team does't have
and hasn't had mental toughness since June of last year. Not sure why. That's why they lost last night.

But one thing is for sure. Having a manager who repeatedly makes comments like the following about opposing teams / pitchers, whatever DOES NOT HELP.

"[the Twins] never give up. That's the way they play. They raise those kids to do that."

by ballyb on May 9, 2007 8:23 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Owwwww-zie.
The ONLY, ONLY, ONLY reason you would not intentionally walk Morneau is that the bases would then be loaded and a wild pitch would score the winning run from third.

I haven't looked at Masset's numbers regarding that likelihood, but I have to believe there is a hell of a lot better chance of Morneau rapping at least a base hit off Masset than one going to the screen.

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

by Toonderstrook on May 9, 2007 8:30 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

do the sox lead mlb
in IBB? because if not, it surely feels like it.

by beautox on May 9, 2007 8:49 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

5.5 games out of 1st. Because I'm depressed,
let's talk about recent Sox plusses that give you hope to improve in the standings.

by ballyb on May 9, 2007 8:53 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

sb
give you hope WE WILL improve in the standings.

by ballyb on May 9, 2007 8:54 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Sweeney, BA, Terrero:
Or not-so-much fun with anagrams:

BA: A brand risen no

RS: Any newer yes

LT: Toiler err us

Shorter Ozzie on his outfielders:

"Defense is overrated."

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on May 9, 2007 8:58 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

What do you mean by
Shorter Ozzie on his outfielders:

"Defense is overrated."

???

by ballyb on May 9, 2007 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

When Thome comes back
Sweeney goes down while Torrero stays.
It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on May 9, 2007 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He said:
''I'm leaning to Terrero for one reason: Sweeney has to play every day,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''Terrero, he can cover all the outfield. That's the reason.''
It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on May 9, 2007 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why can't...
Sweeney play every day on the big club?  He's the only one up there who looks like he has a clue at the plate.  But hey, I guess we've got to ensure that Rob Mackowiak and Alex Cintron post their 0-fers.

Last night was a case in point.  Bonser threw sliders in the dirt over and over and over again, and the Sox hitters chased them over and over and over again, getting themselves out.  It was only when he went to the fastball that he got hurt.  Sweeney was the only one who actually looked like he had a plan of attack, and waited for a good pitch to hit.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 9, 2007 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seriously...
if Guillen is going to consistently refuse to play his best players simply because they happen to be younger, he needs to go.  This Dusty Baker crap was fine as long as the Sox were winning, but it's not fine anymore.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 9, 2007 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't get it
He takes this attitude with position players, but doesn't do it with pitchers. In fact he seems content to put them (pitchers) in situations you wouldn't anticipate and has no issue using them. (at least that's my impression - anyone else?)

by Brush Back on May 9, 2007 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

His handling of Jenks in '05
was mind boggling. Kept trotting him out there.  Scared the shit out of me. It was masterful.

by ballyb on May 9, 2007 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I still have memories of
Boone Logan coming in to face Hafner at the beginning of 06--the ball Hafner hit landed in Charlotte, as did Logan.

by southsider80 on May 9, 2007 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ridiculous

The Sox can wait till after the firesale if they want, but either way Sweeney should play everyday for the Sox. Does Ozzie think he has a major-league caliber LF that is blocking Sweeney? They essentially have 2 open slots in the OF -- which will be 3 after Dye is traded for a class A middle infielder. I see no reason to wait. Play Sweeney now instead of Rablo Mackozuna

by hitlesswonder on May 9, 2007 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It makes no sense
How about sending down Boone logan, who is never used.  Who needs 3 lefties anyways.  Its too many toys for Ozzie to play with.  

Sweeney has shown patience, he takes pitches, he goes with the pitch.  He plays hard, runs everything out, plays good defense and has a good arm.  He is everything you supposedly want from your left fielder.  With Pods still out.  There is no reason what so ever that this kid goes down.  He is not overmatched.  And quite frankly is your best option in LF right now.  But then again, Ozzie cant put the platoon of no hitting and no defense out in LF if Sweeney is here.  He hits.  He plays hard.  In fact, think of the horror if he still is hitting when Pods comes back.  That could cause a controversy.  You might as well send him down, and spare Ozzie the horror of explaining why we gave Pods a raise for no performance in LF.  

by southsideirish71 on May 9, 2007 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sweeney
Exudes confidence at the plate. Sure he's green, but he has the potential to be your future "big lefty," so why not keep and develop him? By develop, I mean sit Pods or Erstud and give him playing time. You know, like how they were SUPPOSE to do with BA.

That game last night was like Bizzaroland. They couldn't even get a IBB right. I love Ozzie as a face for the organization, but his lack of managing skills really showed yesterday.

Just sad, really.

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on May 9, 2007 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And "Re-lit Sourer"
It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on May 9, 2007 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also, are you going tp put Terror on your roster?
Didn't see him there.
(Not complaining, only asking)
It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on May 9, 2007 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Probably not
I make some adjustments to it during the All-Star break, but with a recap, general post and minor league round-up every day and doing the AL Central Trail frames on weekends, I don't really have time to update the roster.

Which reminds me, I still have to finish that eulogy for Hermanson.

by Sox Machine on May 9, 2007 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It cost me many hours of sleep
Being on the East coast the game last night ran past 11:00 and I could see what the result was going to be, another loss. There is no one in the line-up or on the team hitting over .300, last night only two were over .250, three were under the Mendozo line...and we sit doing nothing.
I hope they do not send Sweeney down he looks like he knows what he is doing, as mentioned above. Crede not guarding the line, Iguchi's poor throw, Dye's misplay in right, many, many poor at bats, Aardsma's handling of a bunt, Ozuna's poor bunt misplayed into a run this is driving me nuts and I do not see an end to it.The Twin's announcer's Roy Smalley and Bert Blyleven spoke several times about the poor at bats by the Sox and Ozzie's silly comments about how the "Twins play the right way" , if I am the Manager and my team is not "playing the right way", after three years I am the problem!!!

by Florida Jim on May 9, 2007 10:07 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Rant all you want
but this is organization wide problem. Out of 23 or so outfielders in entire organization, one player has  OPS above 900 at AA. It is depressing to even make fun of this.

by indianguy30 on May 9, 2007 10:10 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Wrong, sir
Cunningham is High-A

by mjthor on May 9, 2007 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

900 seems like kind of a high bar to set
there are 60 guys in the history of baseball to have career OPS above 900.
Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 9, 2007 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Disagree
At Major League level may be 900 is high bar. But Minor leagues? In minors fringe guys post insane numbers. Remember Jeremy Reed? Check out couple of others Florida and Detroit

by indianguy30 on May 9, 2007 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not really fair...
Florida and Detroit are much better organizatiosn than the Sox with actual scouting and player development. We need to grade on a curve that excludes teams that know what they are doing -- if you compare the Sox to other organizations that have terrible drafting/scouting/development I'm sure they look just fine.

The Sox have a bottom 5 minor league system with no A prospects. The fact that Cunningham excites Sox fans by posting OK numbers in A ball (essentially repeatinga level) shows just how barren the system is.

by hitlesswonder on May 9, 2007 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

small sample size, anyone?
plus, you cite two organizations who have ridiculous hitter's parks (albuquerque, for one - if i were 29 and at albuquerque i'd probably hit around 900, too, like everyone in the marlins system is); you've got guys who are likely assigned to levels too low; and so on.

and, yes, i remember jeremy reed. he did it once. and that was after a full season.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 9, 2007 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Valid criticisms

Sample size and parks do skew things. But I think the larger point that the White Sox have a wreteched minor league system remains. The system is particular barren of any position prospects. Considering park effects doesn't make the Sox look any better. Charlotte is a hitter's park and no is hitting there. All of the Sox significant pitching prospects are AA -- it's probably not a coincidence that BHAM is a pitcher's park.

by hitlesswonder on May 9, 2007 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i will freely admit
that the sox system is not that great. but 900? take a look at the backgrounds of players who are considered "top prospects," both past and present. you won't find many of them with an OPS above 900 anywhere other than A ball.

the bottom line reason our system sucks is because of a near complete lack of foreign scouting. look at who plays on our minor league teams. you don't seem many guys with the "signed as a free agent" tag, do you? our draft results are probably average - where we begin to lag behind other organizations is that they're actively supplementing their teams with central and south americans while we have our thumbs in our ass. KW has addressed this in the last year or two but it's going to take a while to come to fruition - especially when other teams already have a system in place.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 9, 2007 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well...
while these criticisms have some validity, the White Sox are at a point in the success cycle where they wouldn't be expected to have a very good minor-league prospects.  

Teams that have an excellent minor-league system tend to be cellar dwellers, because (a) they get high draft picks, (b) they let their free agents walk, leading to more high draft picks, and (c) they trade away their veteran talent, so they can stockpile still more minor-leaguers.  The White Sox haven't been out of contention at the trading deadline in this century, and certainly not since Ken Williams took over.  Williams has consistently traded away young players over the past few years in order to win now.

His focus has only recently turned to young talent (like within the last six months), and so far, he's done pretty well for himself, acquiring a bunch of young arms.

If and when the fire-sale happens, look for the Sox minor-league system to suddenly get a lot better.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 9, 2007 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good minor league systems
I don't think it's true that big-league failure is a prerequisite for a strong minor league system. The Braves, Yankees, Red Sox, and Twins have been good for years and managed to maintain at least well above average systems. I know the in thing a couple of years ago was to trash the Yankees minor league system, but they've produced Cano and Cabrera from that crop.

I think Larry was pretty accurate that the Sox lack of non-US signings has put the Sox at a big disadvantage.

by hitlesswonder on May 9, 2007 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i agree with that
but then you can cite a team like atlanta who, obviously, of late have had even less high draft picks than us. in 2005, they routinely fielded 9 players who had all been drafted/signed originally by the braves and developed in their system. and most weren't first rounders (i believe only chipper and francoeur).

i'm not even sure this can be dumped mostly on the scouts not finding talent or even us not having the same sort of overseas system (the braves obviously benefited from non-US guys like andruw jones and furcal); the braves seems to routinely develop guys who are very late rounders (e.g. giles, laroche), along with everyone else.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 9, 2007 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's whole point
Small sample size was one of my point. In young season, it is easy to appear on leader board. Eventually, it will come down to career levels. Do I think  Upton, Swisher, Hunter, Kinsler and Posada will stay north of 900? No. But out of 24 in our Org, no one is hitting above their career norm is very surprising.

by indianguy30 on May 9, 2007 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Something was in the Kool-aid
in Tucson this Spring Training.

by ballyb on May 9, 2007 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

My thoughts updated from last thread
I was at the game, a few observations.

Even though he shouldn't have won it last year, Morneau feels like an MVP.

Tyner has the weakest arm I've ever seen.

Cintron doesn't bring anything to the team. If you are going to have a bat like his, why not have a glove guy?

The Metrodome is unfair because it is so loud even though there weren't many fans.

The amount of piranha merchandise available is insane.

Vazquez pitched well.

I was often confused by Ozzie's moves.

Jenks was warming up quite a bit, Ozzie just never gave him the call.

Sweeney is one of the few players I'm confident with right now, sending him down would be a very poor choice.  Hell, if he gets sent down and Gio goes to AAA, Charlotte might be my new favorite team.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on May 9, 2007 10:16 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Hey, Cheat...
You need to update the Grind-o-Meter...

Didn't Sir-Grinds-A-Lot get a two bagger last night?

by thekever on May 9, 2007 12:00 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He's been leaving it up purposefully.
The day he put it up, Ersty hit a double, and has been pretty good ever since.  Now it's just superstition.

by Dongfang Hong on May 9, 2007 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can anyone explain to me
Why you bring in a reliever to walk a batter? Of all of Ozzie's gaffes last night, this one bugs me the most just for the sheer number of ways this one move is dead wrong:
  • A reliever comes in, ideally, with the mindset to attack the hitter and get an out. So he gets in his mental zone and warms up throwing hard...to promptly throw 4 soft non-pitches?
  • As we saw with Aardsma last night, those non-pitches can really screw with the delivery (WTF was up with all that noise?).
  • It pre-emptively burdens the incoming reliever with a potential earned run which should belong to the previous guy (who presumably didn't do his job, necessitating the IBB).
  • Combined with not IBBing the reigning MVP (who had already homered) 2 batters later with an open base and unfavorable matchup with a .250 hitter on deck...well, that's damn near criminally negligent managing.
Dusty Baker did this to Kyle Farnsworth, which greatly contributed to the Cubs' NLCS disaster, but he did it right after the Bartman debacle so it largely gets overlooked. That's the level Ozzie's operating at right now.

by Blue Seat in Left on May 9, 2007 12:01 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I actually...
hate the intentional walk.  It seems to backfire as often as it works out.  Intentionally giving a batter a base is bad enough, but turning the opponent's order over so that you face their good hitters more often is terrible.  I think you should only intentionally walk batters once in a great while, in certain circumstances (bottom 9, tie game, runners on second and third, less than 2 outs).  

In any case, IBB'ing Nick Punto?  WTF?

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 9, 2007 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Even took Batgirl's readers by surprise
"Speaking of Punto getting walked...does anyone remember the last time he got intentionally walked? Has it ever happened before? Not that I'm complaining..."

http://www.bat-girl.com/archives/001872.php#comments

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on May 9, 2007 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree completely
I think we now have a large enough sample to characterize Guillen as a big "over-manager". The IBBs, the sacrifices in the first inning, the frenetic pitching changes once he gets into the bullpen. All of those kinds of moves take the bat or ball out of the player's hands.

The IBBs and sac bunts are sort of very similar -- Ozzie doesn't seem to value outs or baserunners as I think he should. So, I agree IBBs in general are usually a bad idea. And that doesn't even cover walking Punto and Hunter last night, which were just terrible strategic moves.

If Ozzie sees a base one behind a lead runner, he feels liek he has to walk someone to fill it -- he sees the new base runner as a potential out.

by hitlesswonder on May 9, 2007 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well to your point
How automatic is it for Ozzie when he has a man on first, and 2 outs.  That the guy on first is going.  I would pitch out every single time against the sox on the 2nd pitch and you probably get the guy leaning about 90% of the time.  Mike Socsia picked Ozzies pocket a few times over the last 2 years with that play.    

by southsideirish71 on May 9, 2007 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

you could probably do that with a lot of teams
in that siutation when they have a guy capable of stealing on first. maybe i'm remembering this incorrectly but i think that trying to steal makes sense, in terms of likelihood of scoring.
Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 9, 2007 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well if a guy is fast and gives you a chance sure.
But since when do we consider Dye and Crede in the fleet of foot category.

You dont have to look far.  Just this past weekend.

Dye gets gunned down after 2 outs trying to steal 2nd on 5/6.  The day before Wheels Crede tries to steal second after 2 outs.  Both gunned down.  

by southsideirish71 on May 9, 2007 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

that crede "steal"
looked a hell of a lot like a blown hit and run. i said on the game thread "way to protect the runner, alex." admittedly the pitch was way high but he needed to swing, at least. joe crede does not steal bases.

i didn't see the dye play so no comment on the particulars; however, jermaine does steal occasionally and usually with good success.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 9, 2007 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd like to think
the Crede steal attempt was a botched hit-and-run. Sadly, it was not.

by southsider80 on May 9, 2007 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or at least it appeared not to be
But if it wasn't: never again. Crede, while not as slow as 'I've got a piano on my back Konerko' shouldn't be swiping bags.

Who knows though? Lots of questionable calls this past week...this past season.

by southsider80 on May 9, 2007 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And speaking of which...
to bring up some good times: one of my favorite plays from the 2005 WS was AJ swiping second in game one. I still remember Buck's astonishment up in the booth. 'Talk about larceny,' he said. Very funny.

See? Remember the good times everyone?

by southsider80 on May 9, 2007 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

alex just didn't swing because
it was way out of the strike zone. ozzie was asked about it after the game.
Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 9, 2007 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It fits his MO
Ozzie, I'm sure no one will argue, is an egomaniac.  This overmanaging is just his way of going, "Hey, look at me making all of these moves, ain't I the greatest manager of all time!"  He's said before that this is his team, if just fits in with him thinking he makes the difference instead of the players.

Combine that with his love of the grinder suckbombs, just to show that he can win as long as he's got his type of player out there - production be damned.

by ChicagoPete on May 9, 2007 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seriously though
How did we ever win 14 games?  We have had a complete collapse hitting and have played a fairly difficult schedule, but we are on pace for 78 wins somehow and are more or less matching our Pythag according to BP.  So, as bad as it is...how bad is it really?

by colintj on May 9, 2007 2:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

The collapse in hitting is a double edged sword
It screws us so far this season as we try and win games.  The idea is to score more than the other team, and unless you are throwing zeros up there you will have a hard time getting Ws with this offense.

And if we do have a fire sale, they screwed their value.  I mean I am sure that someone would give up grade A talent if Dye was hitting like what he was last year.  But what exactly are you going to get if his line is 225 with a 600ish OPS.  This is why the entire offense collapse is so bad and perplexing.  I have never seen a team, where everyone had rolled up and died.  

by southsideirish71 on May 9, 2007 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think it's the miserable displays
It's how excruciating the Sox are to watch, and how immediately second-guessable (?) Ozzie's moves are.

I don't think the company line horseshit being spread by the muppets in the announcing booth is helping much either.

by The Past Tense of Grinder is Grounder on May 9, 2007 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think our play by play would be a lot better
If these were the muppets in the announcing booth:

by Happy Felsch on May 9, 2007 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hahahaha!
Awesome!

'They're not half bad...they're all bad! Hahahaha!'

by southsider80 on May 9, 2007 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

In all seriousness...
I would appreciate a broadcast team that called out the Sox when they're playing like crap.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 9, 2007 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd take two mutes
Yesterday they had the gall to attribute A.J.'s RBI single to superior coaching he received from the mighty Greg Walker.  That, by definition, means that Walker is also responsible for A.J.'s miserable batting average and his awful strikeout with a runner on third and one out, but of course the discussion/praise was limited to the single (successful) at bat.

by Winning is Fung on May 9, 2007 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I honestly believe
that the talent pool in professional sports broadcasting is as watered down by expansion as the sports themselves.  When every team, every game, is on local TV (unless you're the Blackhawks), plus highlighted national games on broadcast or cable networks, and non-traditional broadcast sports (Snooker, anyone?), the likelihood of any one broadcasting team being worth listening to is so minimal, you're better off watching with the sound off.  Hawk and DJ - and to a lesser extent, Farmio and Singleton - aren't just bad, they're part of a broader epidemic.

by Happy Felsch on May 9, 2007 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I listen
to a lot of games with different broadcasters on XM and Farmer is far and away the worst. Others actually talk about.....................baseball. Not trying to be a comedy routine and introduce you to all their friends in the park.

30 announcers and 30 color - doesn't seem like much to me from the US of A. Jerry likes the guy.

by ballyb on May 9, 2007 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

add in the national guys
then add in the other sports. there are so many people announcing sports it's ridiculous. and very few of them are all that good.
Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 9, 2007 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And as we all know,
Jerry Reinsdorf is a tremendous judge of character.  That's why he made Hawk GM long enough to fire LaRussa.  

As for the 30+30 thing, just in MLB alone its 60+60 as you've got both radio and TV, although the numbers might be a bit less with tv/radio simulcasts.  

by Happy Felsch on May 9, 2007 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The bottom line,
with us being in big-market Chicago, is that we could EASILY fill both radio and TV spots with top notch broadcast teams - good announcers would be lined up for the opportunity. We're stuck with what we have because of the relationships they have with management.

by ballyb on May 9, 2007 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

steve stone anyone?
anyone? anyone?

jack mcdowell? anyone? anyone?

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 9, 2007 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hell Yes.
"For my partner, Statler, this is Waldorf, saying so long ever'body"

by The Past Tense of Grinder is Grounder on May 9, 2007 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Another possibility
The Sox currently own the record for the lowest Team BA in AL history: .212 in 1910, and lowest BA by an AL Pennant Winner with .228 in 1906.

Could they be trying to break their own record to take away some of the limelight from Bonds and Clemens?

by RME JICO on May 9, 2007 3:18 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

two thoughts
  • The only reason you would bring in a reliever to give an IBB would be to fulfill the requirement that a pitcher must face at least one batter.  Then, if the opposing manager pinch hits for the next batter you can now replace that pitcher for a more advantageous match-up.  (I apologize to those who knew this, but someone asked).
  •  I ALWAYS listen to the other teams announcers rather than listen to Farmer.  I liked Rooney and I was stunned when this guy got promoted.  His delivery is awful, his attempts at humor are ridiculous and he's boring.  Take away those good qualities and he's still below average.  The problem is that radio play by play guys last forever, so he's probably killing a whole generation of what could be new Sox fans.

by Tim from Texas on May 9, 2007 4:17 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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