Was that Mark Buehrle's last game in a White Sox uniform?

by The Cheat on Jul 3, 2007 12:42 AM CDT in White Sox Game Recaps

With Mark Buehrle's future up in the air, I made a special effort to be on hand for what could turn out to be his final outing in a White Sox uniform. I pulled a few strings -- the only strings I know -- and scored 1 great seat behind the screen, though not in the coveted scout seat section.

Monday night was a quintessential Buehrle outing. He didn't strike out a lot of guys, but walked none. There were a lot of hits, but only one was really smoked, with the extra-base hits coming on jam shots just inside the lines. And while he was charged with 4 runs, 2 came on those soft hits, and the other two came thanks to a fielding error and an incompetent bullpen full of hanging breaking pitches.

Buehrle deserved better. Buehrle deserves better.

In hindsight, I obviously would have rather seen Buehrle face Ramon Hernandez in the 8th inning. But when Ozzie came out to the mound, the only thing I was thinking about was clapping and cheering as loud as I could. The crowd, which had earlier chanted "Re-sign Buehrle," didn't disappoint, as Buehrle left to a standing ovation, doffing his cap as he walked into the dugout.

As he raised his hat, I stopped cheering. I didn't want him to do it. It seemed to signal that he was gone. No matter how optimistic Kenny Williams is that a deal will get worked out, that little raise of the cap seemed like Buehrle's goodbye. By the time Buehrle had vanished into the dugout, with the Foo Fighters song "Hero" (Lyrics: "There goes my hero / Watch him as he goes / There goes my hero / He's ordinary") being played over the PA system, I was sad.

I've remained confident that Buehrle would still be with the Sox in August and beyond, but the scene as he left the field reduced that confidence to nothing. Mark Buehrle had a great career with the White Sox. There was a 1:48 minute game, a no-hitter, a 14th inning World Series save, countless tarp slides, and 102 victories.

I wish I could have seen one more.

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Comments

I got the exact same feeling tonight...

Buehrle pitched a great game...
He left to a standing ovation...
He tipped his cap to the fans...
And "There goes my hero" was playing in the background.

IMO, there is no other way to take the events of last night other than Buehrle being gone soon. It seemed like he knew this could be his last game so he tipped his cap. And it was a strange choice of songs by whoever is running the sound system at The Cell.

by SSH2005 on Jul 3, 2007 12:55 AM CDT reply actions

And I think that anyone who was at the game...

last night would agree with you, Cheat.

by SSH2005 on Jul 3, 2007 12:56 AM CDT up reply actions

beautifully written...

That was very poignant. I could not have said it better myself. I don't blame Ozzie for this lost, after all, Mark already threw over 110 pitches. Besides, Buckovic has been decent as of late.

In the end, my fondest memory will be of his smile (not to be gay or anything). It seems he never let himself get too down, even in the roughest of times.

We live in a city which has had it's share of jerk off atheletes: Rodman, Frank (I still love him), Pippen, Van Horn, Sosa, number 55 (I refuse to say his name), etc...But, Buerhle has always been a class act, and always will be. He has a special place in all our memories.

HE DEFINATELY DESERVES BETTER...And I'm not talking about today's lost!

by Los Soxos on Jul 3, 2007 12:56 AM CDT reply actions

Could be good for his career...

The Sox look to be down for quite some time. Mark will have a better shot at reaching 200 wins elsewhere. That's the only positive thing I can think of.

I wish him the best of luck. He was a very good pitcher for the Sox and seemed like a genuinely nice guy.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 3, 2007 1:02 AM CDT reply actions

Well, if Buehrle is gone soon...

I hope we can get a guy like this for him...

Matt Kemp had a two-run homer and a bases-loaded walk Monday versus the Braves.
Kemp has been sharing time fairly evenly with Andre Ethier, but that could begin to change with him currently batting .397 in 68 at-bats. His speed and power might make him an asset in mixed leagues if he becomes a regular at some point.

And that Buehrle wins another World Series with which ever team he gets traded to.

I still think that Kenny coming out in the interview today to admit that they offered Buehrle a limited no-trade clause was an effort to save face with the fans when they don't end up re-signing Buehrle and instead, trade him. Basically, Kenny is trying to make it look like the Sox did their best to retain Buehrle just so the fan backlash won't be too huge when they do end up trading him. Afterall, why after being so quiet on the situation would Kenny come out and comment on the offer now?

by SSH2005 on Jul 3, 2007 1:05 AM CDT reply actions

Kenny's in a losing situation...

They never intended to sign him, and he always wished to trade him. But, Mark and his agent reached out to him, so he had no choice but to listen. Now Kenny knows that he's screwed. If he doesn't win another division in the next two years he deserves to get runned out of town.

In the back of my mind, I hope whoever they get completely sucks and Mark has a great career elsewhere. That's how much I respect Mark.

by Los Soxos on Jul 3, 2007 1:09 AM CDT reply actions

Sox fan?

"In the back of my mind, I hope whoever they get completely sucks and Mark has a great career elsewhere. That's how much I respect Mark."

That is silly as hell.

"Find out what you are doing wrong and STOP doing that."

by Tdogg on Jul 3, 2007 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions

What more could you ask from this guy?

Unlike many other athletes today, he was willing to stay by taking less years/money without all the gripe, etc. How refreshing is that to watch in today's sports? I hope whichever team he gets traded to really appreciate him because I think baseball fans devalue him due to him not being a power pitcher. Anyways, it was fun watching him over the years with those fast games.

by ckimcircles on Jul 3, 2007 2:33 AM CDT reply actions

Even Ozzie looked choked up

when he went to mound in the 8th. You could feel the moment in the air. I've never seen Ozzie like that.

After seeing that and the Buehrle exit, I will be completely shocked if he pitches another game in a Sox uni - which just kills me. I just don't feel the savings and prospects the Sox will get will equal what Buehrle brings to this team.

Never trade quality starting pitching.

by RME JICO on Jul 3, 2007 8:48 AM CDT reply actions

never trade quality SP

is exactly right. If you ever needed an example of how important SP is, look at this piece of shit team this year. Worst offense in the MAJORS, and worst bullpen in the MAJORS by most statistical measures - and they are still within 10 games of .500 due solely to SP.

I mentioned it before, but if they're serious about competing in the future they need to keep the core of MB, JG and JV intact - you need three vets in there to take the ball and give you consistently good starts. The young guys are too unpredictable to give them more than 50% of your starts.

If we can get some halfway decent bats in return for Contreras and next year's FA we have a chance to compete. BP is a crapshoot anyway, so we might luck out there.

by ChicagoPete on Jul 3, 2007 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions

What's BP stand for?

by ballyb on Jul 3, 2007 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Got it. Bullpen.

by ballyb on Jul 3, 2007 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions

twisting in the wind

If 56 gets traded, then for god's sake, please do it immediately. Even though the return would likely be highly on 7/31, I can't take another month of this.

I'm tired of hearing how f'ing close they were to a deal, and how all parties feel so f'ing bad about not getting a deal done. They should knock that shite off, and do what they think they have to do.

The fans get jerked around, and sometimes I wish I didn't care so much.

White Sox, I just can't quit ya....

Go Alex Cintron!! (and take Uribe with you...)

by Nordhagen on Jul 3, 2007 9:18 AM CDT reply actions

LOL Great post

"I wish I could quit you White Sox."

"Find out what you are doing wrong and STOP doing that."

by Tdogg on Jul 3, 2007 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions

Intangibles

Why do you keep MB? Sure, he can eat up innings and even get you a no-hitter. But, more importantly, he is a rare commodity these days in professional sports - an unselfish, nice guy.

How so?

Didn't he give up a start so some other pitcher could reach a milestone?
He volunteered to save the marathon WS Game 3
Before being chastised and forbidden from doing it, he would slide on the tarp during rain delays to entertain the fans
He continues to listen to the Sox offers even after they turned down his home town discount and refused to give him his deserved no trade clause

Little things...yes, but rare in these days of greed and egos.

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Jul 3, 2007 10:31 AM CDT reply actions

Previous post, wrong place

I don't know who posted it
earlier this week (or last) but if we can't pay a horse who's always taken the ball when asked (even in relief!), with a good attitude, willing to sign for less than market, who's 28 and seems to have his stuff back, well, who the hell CAN we sign that is not an experiment?

I am pissed, and I usually don't let this get personal. But this feels PERSONAL as a fan who has supported this team for 45+ years. When the windfall comes, you can't horde it and expect to be competitive. This isn't Miami or Montreal, where there is no (loyal) fan base. This is MY White Sox, who have a long and glorious tradition of being cheap, and I'm tired of it.

by winningugly on Tue Jul 03, 2007 at 09:24:05 AM EDT
[ Parent | Reply to This ]

by winningugly on Jul 3, 2007 10:36 AM CDT reply actions

This is personal

And if KW throws down this gauntlet, there's going to be a serious fucking backlash that he'll face. The fans want Buerhle to stay; the love we have for Buerhle couldn't be more evident. Buehrle wants to stay; he's bent over backwards and has given in to Sox brass more than any player should be expected to. If KW denies both, it'll be a move of utter hubris and bottom line, cheap as usual BS that will be unforgivable.

by southsider80 on Jul 3, 2007 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

KW

Im leaning more towards 'lightning in a bottle' as the explanation for 2005. Dont get me wrong, it was great. But:
Iguchi worked out,
Pods worked out,
Dye worked out,
the bullpen was out of their minds,
Jenks emerged from the waiver wire,
Everett was effective,
the legend grew,
the starters dominated.

Theres no way we should expect any loyalty toward one of our own from this regime. Remember Frank Thomas anybody? KW was practically mad with power, and got all mouthy simply because Frank said how they just let him go was disrespectful. Guess what? It WAS disrepectful. That guy IS the White Sox, and I think Kenny resented him for it.

"I'm a general manager and I'm supposed to be above these things. But ..."
But nothing, that should have been the end of the statement.

Since then Kenny has done the following:
good
~got rid of Freddy
~traded B Mac for Danks.
bad
~signed utility infielders exclusively neglecting the outfields lack of depth.
~signed MRPs based on height and their fastballs, even if their name was Sisco.
ugly
~resigned Podsednik
~kept a guy named Bukvich on the roster this long
~the sox current OF: Dye, Pods, Mack, Terrerro, Gonzales

I forgot where I was going with this, I know they cant all be winners, but letting Buehrle go is probably a mistake that will overshadow the rest of this list. If he doesnt net a couple top prospects, he should be given his long term deal.

next years slogan better be "these kids can play."

by Gus on Jul 3, 2007 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions

We're not Miami or Montreal, true

But I think you've got it backwards a bit. The reason Miami and Montreal never had loyal fan bases was because they lost to FA or traded away their fan favorite and best players pretty quickly following good seasons.

We lament the canceled 1994 season and the '97 white flag trade, but Montreal could say the same about 1994, when they were in first place in the NL East when the season was canceled, and they could lament losing most of the core of that team by 1997 as well (John Wettland, Pedro Martinez, Moises Alou, Larry Walker, Marquis Grissom, etc.) Don't even get me started on the Marlins - although if I had confidence in KW that he could deliver another WS win within six years of the last one, I wouldn't complain. I just don't see it happening yet.

Loyal fan base or not, next year the crickets will probably be chirping at the Cell.

"Looks like the joke's on us, doesn't it?"

by Happy Felsch on Jul 3, 2007 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions

i miss those days

walk up, get a cheap ticket, sit anywhere you want... most posers should be on the cubs wagon pretty soon.

next years slogan better be "these kids can play."

by Gus on Jul 3, 2007 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

it's funny

but opinion polls (and the purchasing of tickets) of baseball fans have repeatedly shown that they really couldn't care less about who is on the field - they just want to see a winning product. now, that can be tough to disentangle from losing your free agents but, if you do sort of what oakland does in basically reloading, no one cares that much if you lose hudson or mulder or zito because you've got haren and harden and blanton to replace them.

the cubs, for whatever reason, seem to be the only team immune to this whole winning thing.

Yeaaah. I'm gonna need you to go ahead and provide me with an official press release on that. OK? Great.

by larry on Jul 3, 2007 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Double-take.

What? You use Oakland as an example of fans not caring who's on the field as long as they're winning? They average, what, ten thousand fans packing it in each night. Shit, they've closed the upper deck of their stadium even!

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Jul 3, 2007 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

They wouldn't get big crowds...

even if the A's kept all their expensive free agents. The A's have a small but dedicated fanbase, and they're used to their big-name players leaving town.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

You're half right

They did cover the upper deck, but opened up a deck of seats above the bleachers in the outfield. Supposedly this was done to determine the economic feasibility a new 35,000 seat stadium.

The coliseum crowds can be small from time to time, but before they closed the upper bowl, they used to sell out the entire place (including the deck above the bleachers) on $2 Wed. as well as when the Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, Angels, and Mariners would come to town. And they usually do pretty well when the Sox are in town as well.

I suppose the whole point of this post is to reinforce what someone else already said, that there's a small but dedicated fan base. In addition, people will come out in droves for cheap tickets and special promotions. The bay area is retardedly expensive so unless you're rich (which usually means you're a giants fan), most people can't afford to go to a lot of games.

GO SOX!

by rhythm on Jul 3, 2007 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Also...

the Coliseum is in a crappy neighborhood, and unless you get good seats, it's not a great place to watch a game. Ever since the Giants opened up their new stadium, the casual baseball fans have been migrating to San Francisco.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions

since they've been winning

the A's have consistently averaged about 26,000 or so a year. i'd say that's pretty good for a small market team that constantly loses their free agents (along with all the other stuff that people mentioned).

the point i was making, if it wasn't clear, is that there hasn't been any revolt amongst the fans because of them losing giambi or zito or hudson or whatever.

Yeaaah. I'm gonna need you to go ahead and provide me with an official press release on that. OK? Great.

by larry on Jul 3, 2007 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Right.

A's fans of my acquaintance used to get upset, but now that they realise that the team is consistently in contention no matter who leaves, they don't care as much.

Of course, the A's have fan favorites like any other team, but they just develop new ones and move on.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions

good point

but MB is a known commodity.
How do you seperate the cant miss prospects like "I give up the" Homer Bailey from the Dan Harens, though?
Bailey might be a bad example, hes still very young and could go the Bonderman route, but prospects surely arent sure things.
Im all for rebuilding from the core, I just think 56 could still be an assett when the next group is ready to contend.

next years slogan better be "these kids can play."

by Gus on Jul 3, 2007 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I deon't think it's backward,

though Montreal might be a poor example because their house WAS rockin' for wahile until they let everyone leave. But if KW lets Buehrle leave and can have him at below market - doesn't that smack of Montreal or Marlin strategy? And Bill Beane, boy genius - when's the last WS they've won? 1989?

I know our payroll is competitive, but for God's sake, if we can't open the wallet a little farther when times are good, in a prudent manner, then WTF? The farm sure isn't where the money's gone. It better not be Ben-effin'-Wallace or Joakim Noah, dammit!

by winningugly on Jul 3, 2007 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

"Don't"

by winningugly on Jul 3, 2007 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Didn't the Sox...

open their wallet? They have a nine-figure payroll, and they're in the upper quartile in terms of how much they spend on players.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Quartile? Quartile?

Jesus, so does that mean we should be satisfied with always be in the upper quartile in the standings? That may play at Merrill Lynch, or for a portfolio manager, but this is a different ballgame (no pun intended). Winner takes all in baseball, the last time I looked.

I know we don't crank out the WGN cash like the Scrubs, but I'll tell you I see more "Sox" hats in the Hartfield Int'l Airport (which is where I was cooling my heels last night) than "Cubs" - meaning our income stream ain't too shabby, either.

You think Halas/Bears, Wirtz, Reinsdorf, etc. are broke mofo's? They are all tighter than hell. And you might add the Scrubs (past tense) to that, as well.

(Long aside coming.) I woke up Sunday night in my hotel room and started flipping channels - and in Atlanta, on the PBS station, they had a 1 hour documentary on Harry Caray! Hysterical, poignant, made me smile and sad at the same time (www.helloagaineverybody.com is the site).

(Is there a point to this, ugly?) Some of the best material was given by the guy who negotiated Caray's contracts with the Cubs. They were cheap bastards, too. So, getting back to the Sox (finally) I know, business is business, but for fans who've hung in there for years, you can stretch the payroll a bit, right? JR can't take it with him.

by winningugly on Jul 3, 2007 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

I guess I don't understand...

where you're coming from. Reinsdorf did increase the payroll, and substantially, when the situation called for it. He's not Bill Wirtz, or even close to it.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions

the main problem with the sox ownership now

is that there isn't just one owner or a small group of owners. there are too many people who have ownership stakes and literally more people than you would believe who get a piece of the profits (some owner will die and leave the yearly check to be split between 18 grandchildren, for example). too many people want/need the cash every year.

Yeaaah. I'm gonna need you to go ahead and provide me with an official press release on that. OK? Great.

by larry on Jul 3, 2007 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions

That's a good point.

Reinsdorf isn't the sole owner, or even the majority shareholder, in the Sox. He's just the managing partner, which means that he can't just make business decisions willy-nilly like George Steinbrenner (who is sole owner) does.

He's the face of ownership, but you can bet that his isn't the only voice heard in meetings.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions

I see your point

If knucklehead grandson wants his money for a new Viper, well by God the team needs to be profitable.

Partnerships - what a rush! (Or is it an LLC?)

by winningugly on Jul 3, 2007 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Uh Thank you

I was wondering when I would hear that. People stop acting like our payroll has been in the bottom depths forever.

You may not like this KW decision or others. I'll reserve judgement. But please please stop all this bullshit about 2005 was a mirage, luck, blah blah blah. You bastards have had a highly competitive team, one that won the world series recently and played meaningful Sept baseball on a regular basis. I'll take KW's overall record over most of baseball's gms. Many of the folks you slobber over haven't won shit. Man I hate getting upset.

"Find out what you are doing wrong and STOP doing that."

by Tdogg on Jul 3, 2007 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions

We'll see...

It'll be interesting to see how this all pans out. Will Ken Williams just dump Buehrle on the highest bidder, or does he have a minimum return he wants for him?

If nobody meets that minimum return, will he hold onto Buehrle, at least until the end of the season? Somehow I doubt this is over.

The Orioles broadcast did show lots of scouts in the seats during last night's game...

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 10:45 AM CDT reply actions

But...

Buehrle always tips his cap when he leaves to a nice ovation. What else was he supposed to do at that moment? I don't take it as a sign that he knows he's gone.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Jul 3, 2007 10:58 AM CDT reply actions

AND...

they play that Foo Fighters song all the time too. You guys are reading too much into things that always happen at Sox Park.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Jul 3, 2007 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Single Bullet Theory, dammit!

Much more fun to see a conspiracy!

by winningugly on Jul 3, 2007 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Not that I didn't think it was a special moment.

I was wondering whether or not it would be the last time I see him pitch but I didn't think Mark and the CD-version-of-Nancy-Faust were conspiring to send a message to the fans.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Jul 3, 2007 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Can Buehrle's $14 million per

be better spent elsewhere given the state of the team?

by ballyb on Jul 3, 2007 11:14 AM CDT reply actions

it can

but i think many sox fans would wonder whether it would be (and i'm not talking about KW fucking up - i'm talking about the money being spent at all).

Yeaaah. I'm gonna need you to go ahead and provide me with an official press release on that. OK? Great.

by larry on Jul 3, 2007 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions

And I think those fans have a point

Forget accusations about "being cheap", that's not what I'm talking about. What I mean is that the Sox are philosophically opposed to paying what they consider overinflated market price for most free agents. They don't like having a large chunk of payroll tied up in a single player.

It's not like the FA market is awash with talent. Buehrle will be one of the better players in it (and he's willing to sign a discounted deal to stay with the Sox). If they don't sign him I think you are looking at that money bringing in something like Eckstein or Rowand and a middle reliever. I'm not sure I think that's a better choice & and KW might think it's not worth overpaying for mediocrity as well. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not sure the Sox will find anything better to spend that money on. I wouldn't blame them for pocketing it if they don't sign Buehrle.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 3, 2007 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Would the allocation of capital

be more efficient if spent on the farm system? 14 $1MM kid pitchers? Or do you ride a proven commodity at a BELOW-MARKET VALUE (that has been unequivocably established)? Value comes in all shapes and sizes. I'd take the value Mark brings vs. the "what if?"'s of throwing up a bunch of guys against a wall and seeing who sticks.

But it ain't my $14MM. It just torques me to know the team's raking it in last year and this year from gate/concession/marketing (7-11!) receipts and it seems we are not reinvesting, as any good business does, prudently in the business.

by winningugly on Jul 3, 2007 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions

I can't complain....

we carry a 104 million payroll this year. We'll see about next year though.

by stanchar on Jul 3, 2007 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Let's trade him to STL

for Anthony Reyes, Jaimie Garcia and Bryan Anderson.

by stanchar on Jul 3, 2007 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

ugh

I was a lot more interested in Reyes before last season. He hasn't exactly lit things up since then. I'd rather see positional prospects in return. Anderson is a start, but if Rasmus isn't in the package then forget it.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 3, 2007 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

If Buehrle has to go...

I would like to see Buehrle to the Dodgers for Matt Kemp and hopefully a pitching prospect and Contreras to the Mets for Milledge. Kemp and Milledge would go a long way to rebuild our pathetic outfield. A Kemp, Terrero/Sweeney, Milledge outfield would be much better than anything we've seen since Lee, Rowand, Ordonez.

by SSH2005 on Jul 3, 2007 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Are those 2 trades realistic?

What we'd get back? I think not.

by ballyb on Jul 3, 2007 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions

More realistic

Milledge for Buehrle
Kemp for Garland
Contreras for some low level non-elite prospect
Dye for (hopefully) draft picks

by hitlesswonder on Jul 3, 2007 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

You can't trade draft picks in MLB

This ain't the NBA

by Winning is Fung on Jul 3, 2007 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Not in trade

I meant the comp picks the Sox would get if someone signs Dye as a FA

by hitlesswonder on Jul 3, 2007 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Good point......

So maybe if the total haul was.....

Buehrle, Contreras and Dye...

for two impact OFs (Milledge, Kemp)
a SP prospect
relief help?

Then as I write I think about our MI holes and C needs...

bottom line is just too many holes not to trade Buehrle.

by stanchar on Jul 3, 2007 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions

idunno

there are a lot of holes, true. But MB leaves a crater. Im not sold on Gio, Broadway, Masset, filling out the rotation. And Im really not crazy about a rotation featuring all three of them.

next years slogan better be "these kids can play."

by Gus on Jul 3, 2007 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Too many holes, period

with or without trading Buehrle. Even with your 'total haul', we aren't fixing much and we are breaking up the only good thing we have. I am not saying we don't need an outfield upgrade, we definitely do, but what would our rotation look like? Garland, Vasquez, Danks and some combination of Floyd/Gonzalez/Broadway/Masset? Will we really win more games that way?

by soxchick on Jul 3, 2007 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions

how many games are we winning with them now?

there are a few other facets of the game that could use $14 million thrown at them, as well.

Yeaaah. I'm gonna need you to go ahead and provide me with an official press release on that. OK? Great.

by larry on Jul 3, 2007 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Reyes is marginal

His tendency to give up HR won't go over well at the Cell

by colintj on Jul 3, 2007 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Mark Buehrle

I think Steve Stone got it right yesterday on Boers and Bernstein. Kenny can't make the same mistake the Cubs did back when they failed to sign maddux. Check out this career comparison. Other than Buehrle's struggles last year, by age, the trends are pretty similar.

Onlythebulls

by onlythebulls on Jul 3, 2007 11:35 AM CDT reply actions

Well...

Buehrle's career also looks a lot like Mark Mulder's and Bill Monbouquette's at the same age. You can't project a Hall-of-Fame career, necessarily.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions

not sure i agree with that

numbers-wise, sure there's some similarity (not sure about monbouquette, though). but there are important things to look for with a pitcher. one of those is a lack of injury. mulder didn't have that. if you're going to sign a pitcher of MB's age, that is probably the overarching concern.

Yeaaah. I'm gonna need you to go ahead and provide me with an official press release on that. OK? Great.

by larry on Jul 3, 2007 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Sure...

Buehrle's durability (at least to this point) is definitely a point in his favor. I'm just saying that it's a bit premature to compare him to Greg Maddux. There are only a tiny handful of pitchers like Greg Maddux.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

right

but how is comparing him to injury prone pitchers or pitchers who started their decline at 25 any better than comparing him to someone clearly superior?

Yeaaah. I'm gonna need you to go ahead and provide me with an official press release on that. OK? Great.

by larry on Jul 3, 2007 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions

It's not.

I was just pointing out there are comparables on both sides of the spectrum - those who panned out, and those who didn't. I wasn't trying to say that he was more likely to get hurt or flame out.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Grain of salt

I wasn't claiming that Buehrle was going to have the success of Maddux. I realize that any comparison has to be taken with a heap of salt. But based on the fans appreciation of Buehrle (as cheat so eloquently described) and the hometown discount he is willing to take, any failure to sign him will be a mistake.

Onlythebulls

by onlythebulls on Jul 3, 2007 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I used to watch Bill Monbouquette

at Sunday doubleheaders at Comiskey Park. I was there from 10AM (Noon start) til 6 or 7 PM. I probably left home with $5 to $7 in my pocket.

by ballyb on Jul 3, 2007 11:44 AM CDT reply actions

Rethought $. Probably less than $5.

by ballyb on Jul 3, 2007 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes, but how much...

did you start with?

by ReservoirDog on Jul 3, 2007 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions

GREAT name, RD

by winningugly on Jul 3, 2007 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions

pods to DL official

retroactive to monday, jerry owens experience returns, blah, blah, blah.

here's an pretty idiotic excerpt from gonzales' blog:

Here's a pretty interesting stat: The White Sox are 11-6 with Podsednik in the lineup and 24-38 without.

Yeaaah. I'm gonna need you to go ahead and provide me with an official press release on that. OK? Great.

by larry on Jul 3, 2007 12:52 PM CDT reply actions

Clearly...

Podsednik is the league MVP. He can turn a .387 team into a .647 team all by himself!

Scratch MVP. He's the greatest player of all time!

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions

An old hockey line.

Take him out and shoot him.

by ballyb on Jul 3, 2007 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions

the official release so jerry believes me

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/team/transactions.jsp?c_id=cws

Yeaaah. I'm gonna need you to go ahead and provide me with an official press release on that. OK? Great.

by larry on Jul 3, 2007 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I fully expect...

to see Owens leading off tonight. After all, he's speedy!

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 3, 2007 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Ah, the larry/Jerry repartee

One of the reasons to tune in, even when our team performs like the Dead Kennedys. (Hey, they were good!)

by winningugly on Jul 3, 2007 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Not hating

I want Mark to resign, but can anyone name a former AL pitcher whose been a horse like Mark and not hit the DL over this time as well

Mark Mulder - went out
Tim Hudson - got hurt
Barry Zito - (his comparisn, hasn't really been that good after the Cy young year)
Andy Petite - goes on the DL as often as Pods
Halladay - apendectomy was rare but he goes down once year
Glavine & Maddux - did anyone realize they pitched in the NL east, in huge parks (the Vet, Turner, Florida, Shea), and not against much competition during those glory years, maybe thats why they have 1 ring!!!!
Johan has been stable, but he's a power pitcher also, and yet to sign his big deal as well
Mussina, he takes the ball every 5th day, but does any fear him
Schilling, has been breaking down since going to the AL
if anything Mark is a Jaimie Moyer type pitcher, do we make him the highest paid player next year, which makes it like 88 million in payroll next year, assuming Jose gets traded,and then have like 12 million to address 2 outfield spots (hoping Milledge/ or and OF prospect for Jose), SS, 2B, 2/3rds a bullpen Bullpen and 2 backup spots on the bench.

Hate to say this but keeping Mark likely means we keep Juan Uribe or some other useless guy, because we wont have that extra million to lure anyone else

by tubesox on Jul 3, 2007 1:23 PM CDT reply actions

Return

"Milledge for Buehrle
Kemp for Garland
Contreras for some low level non-elite prospect
Dye for (hopefully) draft picks"

That's just lowballling our talent and getting us 1/2 of what we'd pay, were we buyers.
A starting pitcher signed for 2 more years gets a low prospect - come on, that's ridiculous.

by DrBox on Jul 3, 2007 7:32 PM CDT reply actions