White Sox win the division!

by The Wizard on Sep 11, 2007 1:29 PM CDT in White Sox Minors

The Great Falls White Sox clinched the Pioneer's League Northern Division:

Great Falls is headed to the Pioneer League Finals after topping Helena, 10-3, on Monday in Game 3 of the North Division Championship. ... The White Sox will visit South Division champion Orem for Game 1 of the best-of-3 Finals on Wednesday. Great Falls took six of seven meetings with the Owlz during the regular season.

* MiLB.com Pioneer League Playoff Coverage

* Great Falls Tribune: Game 1, Game 2, Game 3

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a hawk disciple?

"You could throw the term 'gamer' on everyone of these players," said Cron [GF coach]. "They've got the thing inside the chest, that heart, that you can't grade out. That's what makes them great baseball players and I love 'em all."

by The Wizard on Sep 11, 2007 1:46 PM CDT reply actions

This means none of them

will be on a major league roster other than ours.

.400 or bust

by winningugly on Sep 11, 2007 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

look at the team

not. good.

CHOO!! CHOO!!

by colintj on Sep 11, 2007 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions

how about 2007 7th round pick jimmy gallagher?

stats: .332/.418/.534/.953, 38 K, 35 BB

by The Wizard on Sep 11, 2007 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Let him start next yr. in CF.

We're way, way overdue for a pos'n player prospect to hit it big. Fuck AA and AAA.

You reap what you sow.

by ballyb on Sep 11, 2007 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Can he play center?

Jim Gallagher sounds like an alderman or insurance commissioner, not an OF, but whatthehell.

On a positive note, he looks well educated - a Dookie.

.400 or bust

by winningugly on Sep 11, 2007 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions

any great falls attendees?

B-R shows 41 games at left and 15 games at center

by The Wizard on Sep 11, 2007 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

I actually have already done a survey of the

entire team, like a month ago to see if any of them were worth watching and it was pretty much Gallagher and some guy who strikes out way too much. He did what we'd hope a 22 year old early-ish round pick would do in rookie ball, but he's got pretty limited upside based on the fact that he's 22 and played in the ACC. He's not exactly sneaking up on anybody, I'm sure.

So while it's nice, you probably won't see him on prospect lists.

CHOO!! CHOO!!

by colintj on Sep 11, 2007 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions

What about Retherford, Sanchez and Marrero?

Sanchez and Marrero in particular are 21 y.o. (about average for pioneer league) and in the top 10 in OPS in the league. In fact GRF has 4 of the top 10 OPSs (those three and gallagher) in the league. Although they play in a hitter's league their park seems pretty average for the league. Then there's poreda and moreno on the pitching side.
I'm actually very interested to see how these guys do in Kanny next year. You'd figure all of those guys will be there next year. Between all of them we should be able to get at least one legit position prospect and one legit pitching prospect.

by bhoov on Sep 12, 2007 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

we're no. 1 baby!

pedro alvarez sweepstakes

by The Wizard on Sep 11, 2007 1:59 PM CDT reply actions

Alvarerz

something to get excited about.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Sep 11, 2007 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions

damn, i didn't realize florida was making a push

still, we're neck and neck baby!

CHOO!! CHOO!!

by colintj on Sep 11, 2007 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Watch out for KC

They have the lineage, you know.

.400 or bust

by winningugly on Sep 11, 2007 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions

yep

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=235

The White Sox and Marlins have joined the Rays in the race for the top pick and also sport 61-83 marks. The Astros, Orioles and Royals are in hot pursuit, as Roscoe P. Coltrane might say, with 81 losses apiece. Any of those six clubs could finish with the majors' worst record.

None of those clubs is playing as well as the Rays-the Royals have a six-game losing streak, the White Sox are coming off a 9-20 August, the Astros and Orioles have lost seven games already this month . . . it's a motley group, and it's more and more likely that the schedule-maker will determine which bottom-feeder finishes first in what we'll call the Pedro Alvarez sweepstakes.

It's almost as if one of us wrote this...

I can't recall the last time the #1 overall pick was such a forgone conclusion this far ahead of the draft.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Sep 11, 2007 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

When is the last time this many

bad teams were so close to the #1 pick? Better yet, when was the last time the SOX were in the group?

Grasping at straws to stay positive...

.400 or bust

by winningugly on Sep 11, 2007 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions

i remember people talking about

ken griffey jr. a whole lot before he was drafted. probably had a lot to do with being the son of a major leaguer. this was twenty years ago, long before the internet and all the in-depth commentary on amateur baseball that came with it. but i recall reading an article in one of the weekly baseball newspapers talking about him as the #1 pick and this was before his senior year of high school. A-rod was another guy who got a whole lot of hype. but, either way, it's been a while.

Burn it down.

by larry on Sep 11, 2007 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Griffey and A-Rod

were the two that came to mind. But they're both a little different because they were coming out of HS...

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Sep 11, 2007 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions

did they send a payment to SSS

for calling them 'the Pedro Alvarez sweepstakes'?

SSS has a mighty legal team you know!

by The Wizard on Sep 11, 2007 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions

larry and?

i guess larry'd be solid enough though.

CHOO!! CHOO!!

by colintj on Sep 11, 2007 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions

toonder and bridgeport joe

though they're out of the jurisdiction now (or soon to be).

Burn it down.

by larry on Sep 11, 2007 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions

jeez that was fast

you running a script to notify you every time "larry" comes up on SSS?

CHOO!! CHOO!!

by colintj on Sep 11, 2007 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Toonderstrook, Bridgeport Joe

and a cast of Thousands. Thousands, I tell you.

.400 or bust

by winningugly on Sep 11, 2007 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions

toonder?

but larry'd be fine

I just hope he likes pro bono work!

by The Wizard on Sep 11, 2007 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions

oh yes, joe too

I forgot bridgeport joe...

by The Wizard on Sep 11, 2007 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions

For you savvy free agent experts...

Is there any chance the Sox might sign David Eckstein to replace Uribe at short next year?

Will they contend if they add Hunter or Legend in center and get some bullpen help?

I'm assuming Fields will stay regardless thanks to his bat.

"I give Ozzie an 'A'... This team has never packed it in and I give Ozzie the credit." - Jerry Reinsdorf

by tailgater on Sep 11, 2007 2:49 PM CDT reply actions

Well the mouthpiece of Jerry has already

Started his Vocal Fellatio of Mr. Eckstein on last nights broadcast. Hawk is already deep into his praise of another grinder, you know they are trying it on for size.

Just as Gonzales has started to talk about how Jordan Danks is a rare talent. Even though he couldnt hold Alvarez's jock if he tried. You know how that is going to work out.

by southsideirish71 on Sep 11, 2007 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions

just to point out

hawk and DJ have been on eckstein's jock for years. they were doing the same thing earlier this year in a broadcast and if you listened to the sox-cardinal games last year it was the same thing.

Burn it down.

by larry on Sep 11, 2007 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions

How high is Jordan Danks projected?

You reap what you sow.

by ballyb on Sep 11, 2007 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions

second half

of the first round.

people read way to much into guys like gonzales and rogers. it's lazy journalism on their part. yeah, the sox like danks. everyone knows that. they drafted him, for god's sakes. if the sox were picking where they have for the last decade, he'd be a sure pick. but they aren't and he won't be the sox pick.

Burn it down.

by larry on Sep 11, 2007 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions

by the way

that projection is my opinion; i haven't seen anyone with actual repute do one yet. it's a long way away from the draft, obviously, and things can change but he's certainly not top 5 material.

Burn it down.

by larry on Sep 11, 2007 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions

i'm kind of worried it's not lazy

so much as the Sox starting their PR move.

CHOO!! CHOO!!

by colintj on Sep 11, 2007 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions

It's too early to say...

He was a mid-to-late first rounder two years ago. He hasn't really done anything to move up from that spot. If the draft was held today, I wouldn't expect him to go in the top 20, maybe not even the first round.

The point is, his name has no business being brought up with respect to the overall #1 pick in the draft at this time.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Sep 11, 2007 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I hadn't looked at his stats.

He's already 21. So he'll be 22 just after the draft next year, and 23 in his first full profesional season.

He was supposed to be a 5-tool corner outfielder a couple of years ago. But he doesn't seem to have much power. I believe he's been playing CF for team USA, however. So he looks like he could be a 4-tool CFer.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Sep 11, 2007 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions

that's pretty much the definition of

mid-to-late round 1st, right? high floor, lower ceiling?

CHOO!! CHOO!!

by colintj on Sep 11, 2007 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Where you been, big man?

Eck's story has been all over this site for a couple of weeks now. Consensus - better than Uribe but too expensive.

Plus, he married his wife at Disney World. Screw that.

.400 or bust

by winningugly on Sep 11, 2007 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Admittedly, thanks to this

good-for-crap season, I've been half-heartedly reading the posts these days, pretty much just looking for an opportunity to make a smart-ass comment now and then...so I haven't been in-tune with the Eckstein buzz. Too expensive? So we get another unproductive year of "El Stinko"?

The question is...does Hawk refer to Eckstein as "Ecky" yet?

"I give Ozzie an 'A'... This team has never packed it in and I give Ozzie the credit." - Jerry Reinsdorf

by tailgater on Sep 11, 2007 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions

however,

justin smoak is from south carolina

I think there was another sox great from south carolina...

by The Wizard on Sep 11, 2007 3:39 PM CDT reply actions

WSCR Reports Ozzie signed through 2012

Last place - Save me from going to these games .

by Brush Back on Sep 11, 2007 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

BB, why when I click on your signature

do I get an eBay site?

.400 or bust

by winningugly on Sep 11, 2007 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I usually list my extra tickets there

I currently don't have any listed - though I may have 2 for Sun.

Last place - Save me from going to these games .

by Brush Back on Sep 11, 2007 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

let the ranting begin...

official press release?

Burn it down.

by larry on Sep 11, 2007 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

None yet - have looked a couple times

They've taken us down this road before. Announced it at about 4:10

Last place - Save me from going to these games .

by Brush Back on Sep 11, 2007 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

well

gonzales is also reporting it on the trib's blog.

Burn it down.

by larry on Sep 11, 2007 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Geez...

I'm never going to live that down, am I?

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Sep 11, 2007 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

no

Burn it down.

by larry on Sep 11, 2007 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

definitely not

CHOO!! CHOO!!

by colintj on Sep 11, 2007 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Here you go

LINK

from Chicago sports

Last place - Save me from going to these games .

by Brush Back on Sep 11, 2007 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions

From the Sox Site

LINK

Last place - Save me from going to these games .

by Brush Back on Sep 11, 2007 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions

What do you expect when Ozzie's

ready to pass the immortal "Pants" Rowand?

This is a true contrarian buy - about to get the #1 draft pick because of managing to the worst record in the majors. JR is a value investor.

.400 or bust

by winningugly on Sep 11, 2007 4:44 PM CDT reply actions

At the risk of being crucified here,

I just wanted to say "Way to go, Ozzie!" I'm sorry, but I like the guy, I still think he can manage, I think he'll actually learn from the trainwreck that was this year and I'll never forget his crucial part in bringing such an amazingly happy moment to me and my boys just two years ago. But for God's sake, get this thing up and running again in '08. Fire away....

by palehose67 on Sep 11, 2007 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

woohoo! cinco mas anos de Ozzie!

JR is spending money like a drunken Russian, I think he's caught Cubbie fever.

Now if we sign Rowand & Gooch and then extend AJ, Garland, Crede and the Thomer we can relive the glory years for all eternity. Grind in a good handful of Erstad and Eckstein and we've got some kind of sausage. Pods has to go because he questioned our effort.

"I thought we were just playing bad, but, no, we're horseshit." - Oswaldo Guillen, Sr.

by ChicagoPete on Sep 11, 2007 4:52 PM CDT reply actions

Don't forget

Signing A-Rod and I-Rod... why stop now!

Last place - Save me from going to these games .

by Brush Back on Sep 11, 2007 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, Thomer is bereft of one crucial piece

in order to belong - a ring.

.400 or bust

by winningugly on Sep 11, 2007 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions

How could I forget Juan & Fat Toby?

Lock 'em up, seal 'em tight - the party never ends on the south side! Woohoo, Go Sox!

"I thought we were just playing bad, but, no, we're horseshit." - Oswaldo Guillen, Sr.

by ChicagoPete on Sep 11, 2007 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Drunk Russians are responsible for

Chelsea's surge to the top of the table in recent years. There's a lot to be said for Drunk Russians.

CHOO!! CHOO!!

by colintj on Sep 11, 2007 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions

OZZIE - 5 more years....

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Last place - Save me from going to these games .

by Brush Back on Sep 11, 2007 5:07 PM CDT reply actions

BB, this is tough to interpret:

Are you doing the Nestea Plunge or the Charlie Brown groan?

.400 or bust

by winningugly on Sep 11, 2007 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry ---

In my distress I was not very clear - Charlie Brown groan.
I had hoped we'd see how next season went prior to doing this. (Though I knew against all hope this is what would transpire)

Last place - Save me from going to these games .

by Brush Back on Sep 11, 2007 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Ozzie locked up until 2012

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070911&content_id=22 01891&vkey=pr_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws

I'm a disgruntled Whitesox fan and I can't spell

by chisox on Sep 11, 2007 5:13 PM CDT reply actions

Season ticket holders... partial/full - Oz/2012

Does this keep you, cause you to run, or are you indifferent?

by Brush Back on Sep 11, 2007 5:23 PM CDT reply actions

I like Ozzie

Not that I agree with all of his decisions, but it was not his fault this season, and he is a good manager overall. And maybe he will learn that OPS > Grinder

by bingodog on Sep 11, 2007 6:47 PM CDT reply actions

Don't fault him for this season either

Not much to work with. I do fault him for last (The whole Mack center field disaster). And I do often question the running bench players onto the field out of position.
I don't understand the rush - though KW might feel it would be hard to bring someone here if the manager position is up in the air.

by Brush Back on Sep 11, 2007 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions