Presenting your Chicago Royals
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
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.
- 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.
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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81 comments
Comments
Its getting worse
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
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
by illinikrush on May 9, 2007 1:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
so let me get this straight
by larry on May 9, 2007 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So we can keep a guy on...
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
by winningugly on May 9, 2007 6:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Also note
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 don't know if he just plays hunches, ignores numbers, or what...but I screamed at him then like I did last night.
by madopal on May 9, 2007 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great analysis...
by thekever on May 9, 2007 7:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
JD in the 8th?
by thekever on May 9, 2007 8:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
A timely article.
by ballyb on May 9, 2007 8:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What? No Tigers?
by thekever on May 9, 2007 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This team does't have
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.
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.
by Toonderstrook on May 9, 2007 8:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
do the sox lead mlb
by beautox on May 9, 2007 8:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
5.5 games out of 1st. Because I'm depressed,
by ballyb on May 9, 2007 8:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
sb
by ballyb on May 9, 2007 8:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sweeney, BA, Terrero:
BA: A brand risen no
RS: Any newer yes
LT: Toiler err us
Shorter Ozzie on his outfielders:
"Defense is overrated."
by Chiburb on May 9, 2007 8:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What do you mean by
"Defense is overrated."
???
by ballyb on May 9, 2007 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When Thome comes back
by Chiburb on May 9, 2007 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He didn't say the overrated thing, did he?
by ballyb on May 9, 2007 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He said:
by Chiburb on May 9, 2007 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why can't...
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...
by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 9, 2007 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't get it
by Brush Back on May 9, 2007 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
His handling of Jenks in '05
by ballyb on May 9, 2007 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still have memories of
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
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
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.
by tailgater on May 9, 2007 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Luis Terrero
by Sox Machine on May 9, 2007 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And "Re-lit Sourer"
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?
(Not complaining, only asking)
by Chiburb on May 9, 2007 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably not
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
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
by indianguy30 on May 9, 2007 10:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
900 seems like kind of a high bar to set
by larry on May 9, 2007 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree
by indianguy30 on May 9, 2007 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not really fair...
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?
and, yes, i remember jeremy reed. he did it once. and that was after a full season.
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
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.
by larry on May 9, 2007 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
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 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
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.
by larry on May 9, 2007 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's whole point
by indianguy30 on May 9, 2007 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Something was in the Kool-aid
by ballyb on May 9, 2007 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts updated from last thread
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.
by shaftr on May 9, 2007 10:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey, Cheat...
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.
by Dongfang Hong on May 9, 2007 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can anyone explain to me
- 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.
by Blue Seat in Left on May 9, 2007 12:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I actually...
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
http://www.bat-girl.com/archives/001872.php#comments
by Chiburb on May 9, 2007 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree completely
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
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
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.
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"
i didn't see the dye play so no comment on the particulars; however, jermaine does steal occasionally and usually with good success.
by larry on May 9, 2007 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd like to think
by southsider80 on May 9, 2007 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or at least it appeared not to be
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...
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
by larry on May 9, 2007 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It fits his MO
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
by colintj on May 9, 2007 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The collapse in hitting is a double edged sword
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
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

by Happy Felsch on May 9, 2007 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hahahaha!
'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...
by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 9, 2007 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd take two mutes
by Winning is Fung on May 9, 2007 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I honestly believe
by Happy Felsch on May 9, 2007 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I listen
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
by larry on May 9, 2007 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And as we all know,
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,
by ballyb on May 9, 2007 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
steve stone anyone?
jack mcdowell? anyone? anyone?
by larry on May 9, 2007 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hell Yes.
by The Past Tense of Grinder is Grounder on May 9, 2007 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another possibility
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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