Community Projection Results: Nick Swisher

by The Cheat on Feb 13, 2008 4:19 PM CST in News Comment 150 comments

Here are the results of your Nick Swisher projections in spreadsheet form.

For those who don't wish to scroll, that's a .274/.389/.516 line with 34 HR. The counting and rate stats don't quite match up, so the bottom row is Swisher's AVG/SLG based on the community projected counting stats.

Vote for the next community projection inside.

***** In other news, (wizard)

Jim looks at the Owens-Quentin competition. Cowley looks at the Wassermann-Masset competition.
MLBTR: Where Will The Starters Go? AL Central Edition.
THT x3: 1) Do teams improve by firing their managers?, 2) Sal Baxamusa shows how hot and cold streaks can move projections, and 3) Pitcher similarity scores.
And Carl's latest 'Smells Like Mascot' comic strips: Of The Monkey and the Longest Winter Ever and In Which the Monkey Continues to Grind.

Poll

Which player should we project next?

Mark Buehrle

3 votes

AJ Pierzynski

1 votes

Josh Fields

13 votes

Carlos Quentin

7 votes

Jerry Owens

1 votes

Javier Vazquez

4 votes

Bobby Jenks

1 votes

30 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 150 comments

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Comments

That would be a career best...

year for Swisher. Given that he's 27 and switching from a pitcher's park to a hitter's park, that's actually not that far-fetched.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 13, 2008 4:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I think our projections, on the whole, are a little optimistic. They're not crazy, but they're a little more rose-colored than other systems.

I think that's mainly because there are only rare cases of people thinking a player will be injured or have a poor year, while there are numerous cases of people projecting career years.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 13, 2008 4:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Probably a little far fetched. Where are you projecting that he will hit in the lineup?

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Feb 13, 2008 4:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Anywhere from 2 to 6

He'll log the most time in the 6 spot, then 2, then as a replacement in the spots between.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 13, 2008 4:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

uno's odds began at 400:1 !

by The Wizard on Feb 13, 2008 5:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think

that a lot of people in the audience last night had money on Uno, that's why he was the crowd favorite.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 13, 2008 6:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Attention Sox Mgt- Brooks Boyer

Get Uno to throw out the first, uh, something, at a game in April.

by ruffster on Feb 14, 2008 8:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That a pretty high community average

I'm kinda shocked to see that my projection was below the average...I'm usually quite the optimist.

I'd obvs be very happy with that sort of line from Swish

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Feb 13, 2008 6:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It'll be the ''Walker'' effect!

by The Wizard on Feb 13, 2008 6:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

High average prediction

Isn't that to be expected, given that you are going to take away about 15 foul outs and add about that many extra base hits due to park effects?

by BridgeportJoe on Feb 13, 2008 6:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Quite possible

Only once did Miguel Tejada post an above-average BABIP in Oakland. Since moving to Baltimore, he's been average or above every year.

Batting averages: .270 as an A, .311 as an Oriole.

Swisher could be helped immensely -- he had a 32 point gap in BABIP between home and away in 2007, and a 60 point gap in 2006.

It's pretty easy to get too excited about him, given that all his peripherals and transition factors are going in the right direction. As mentioned in my preview, I'll just be happy if he maintains his current level of performance, and doesn't fall flat on his face like Brad Wilkerson.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Feb 13, 2008 7:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hm, I was the low on AB and H

I just figured he wouldn't get as many as last year due to JD, Quention, Owens and possibly even BA being in the OF mix.

"P.S. if Cintron gets traded or released I will buy drinks for the whole board" - tubesox 6/24/07

by mjthor on Feb 13, 2008 6:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He'll see time at DH and 1B as well

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 13, 2008 6:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

At least my ratios were still on par with the rest of the group.

"P.S. if Cintron gets traded or released I will buy drinks for the whole board" - tubesox 6/24/07

by mjthor on Feb 13, 2008 9:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Just out of curiosity, cheat...

How exactly are you averaging the responses to find the community projection? Are you doing a straight average of all the numbers? Now that the numbers are in spreadsheet form, there are ways that you could weight responses that are really high or low (outliers) and have a consensus projection that really closely mirrors the clump of SSS projections that are really close to each other around the middle.

Then again, looking at Swisher's projections, we were all reasonably close anyway.

by Stealfirstbase on Feb 13, 2008 7:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I've just gone with straight averages. All opinions count the same, even my own (Did I even weight in on Swisher?).

I think if I was looking for a model that would more accurately predict future performance, I would make some changes. But right now, it's just about collecting the most (informed) opinions I can and spitting out a straight average simply.

I think the real value of this is for players like Floyd and Dank who have poor projections in other systems, or a guy like pre 2006 Joe Crede -- I know we did one for him, and I'm pretty sure we killed the other projection systems because (as a group) we were more confident that his swing change would carry over into the new season.

The best projection system would be one that incorporates ZiPS, PECOTA, et al, and apply an informed human factor to them. In other words, take PECOTA and ZiPS then average them along side our own projections.

You're free to take the above spreadsheet and do what you please with it.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 13, 2008 7:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I dropped the ball on Crede

I never tabulated the results (opens new spreadsheet)

looking through the results of this thread, we nailed Crede's breakout season.

Results of our 2006 Crede projection forthcoming

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 13, 2008 7:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say 2006 Crede is our success story

The straight average of our 2006 projections was .271/.326/.490, 26HR, 81RBI.

Crede's 2006 ZiPS -- .256/.311/.437, 21HR, 72RBI

Crede's actual 2006 -- .283/.323/.506 30HR, 94RBI

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 13, 2008 8:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Any Indiana alumns/rooters here?

If so... yikes -- rough day, huh? Then again, the Sampson stuff probably shouldn't have come as a surprise.

Nice win for Bucky, though. You guys remain as Marquette's best 'W', so keep making that win look better and better!

by CWSKeith on Feb 13, 2008 9:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Miles Brand

will probably try to make IU's problems go away.

Long live Chief Illiniwek!

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 13, 2008 9:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

that was a great game

yeah, Sampson and a recruiting violation...in other news: water is wet.

MrROFL.com

by shaftr on Feb 13, 2008 9:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, when do the Boilerfakers

get some love on this site? 2 "W"'s against UW and one against MSU? Not shabby for a bunch of frosh, eh?

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 14, 2008 10:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

When

Big Ten basketball stops sucking. Purdue is having a nice year, ill give them that, but i think its just further evidence of how down the big ten is this year. Michigan State isnt nearly as good as advertised.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 10:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Deacon = Buzz Kill

A hammer thinks the whole world is nails, eh?

We'll take the #1 spot - I don't care if it's for high school. When you are Purdue (and we are) you take it when you can get it.

We spanked Louisville this year, btw.

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 14, 2008 10:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

hahaha my bad

not tryin to be a buzzkill...
but like i said, they deserve credit because you can only play the teams on your schedule. Painter has done a hell of a job recruiting. I love big ten basketball and big ten football, so i always route for them in the tourny unless its indiana. Kelvin Sampson is a joke, and I'm glad hes getting what he deserves.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 10:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

route = root

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 10:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

macdougal has 1 more option

because last year he was optioned for less than 20 days so the option wasn't used

by The Wizard on Feb 13, 2008 10:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

and the orioles will scout the torpedo boat...

by The Wizard on Feb 13, 2008 10:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That loophole

of which I was previously unaware, also adds an option on Brian Anderson's status.

In '05 he was purchased in august to replace pods, who came off the DL two days before rosters expanded. Anderson was sent to the minors for the minimum 10 days required, and called back up in September. I had previously thought that decision cost Anderson an option.

He didn't use one on '06, and his option to AAA in '05 apparently didn't count. So Anderson has 2 options remaining, apparently.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 13, 2008 11:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

When Ozuna inevitably hurts himself

and Dye comes up lame again, I expect both of those options to be used this year :)

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Feb 13, 2008 11:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's option-year

by definition you need only use one per year.

He'll use one when he gets sent to AAA out of camp, which gives him the ability to pass between the majors and minors with ease for the entire year.

Then he can do the same next year.

The only way to burn an option is to 1. be on the 40-man roster, and 2) be sent (optioned) to the minors. Once you're optioned you can move up and down without using additional options.

So Anderson has the same option status as Ryan Sweeney, whose contract was purchased for his september callup in '06. He then burned an option by being sent to Charlotte last March. So he has 2 remaining, the same as Anderson.

Technically, (I believe) Joe Crede has an option remaining, but by virtue of 5 consecutive years on the major league roster (DL time, even if spent in AAA is considered ML time) he has the right to refuse assignment to the minors. I believe, I thought it was 3 years at this time last year when Neal Cotts was in a similar position (3+ years in the majors), but he used his first option in April with the Cubs.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 14, 2008 12:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

oh. ok.

thanks for clarifying.

damn. there's so many rules and loopholes!

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Feb 14, 2008 9:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bill James'

White Sox Predictions in the Trib

he seems very kind to most sox hitters, hopefully hes right.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 7:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

so...

I like how they use Bill James projections, but it's just HR/RBI/Avg.

MrROFL.com

by shaftr on Feb 14, 2008 9:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i think

they were catering to the average joe sports fan who reads the paper and wouldnt understand what OBP and OPS are.... just my guess.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 9:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Do any baseball fans really...

not know what OBP is these days? I knew what OBP was as a little kid, and I'm not particularly young.

I'm not being snarky - just honestly curious here. What percentage of baseball fans these days still think entirely in terms of W-L for pitchers, and BA/HR/RBI for batters?

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 14, 2008 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

most

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

These days...

I usually have to look up league leaders in pitching wins and in RBI. Those numbers just aren't on my radar anymore.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 14, 2008 10:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

how do you know?

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Feb 14, 2008 1:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

anecdotal evidence

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 2:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

All stats aside,

I'm very excited to asee Swisher play in the Cell. I have two young kids, and to be honest, I think they're going to love the guy. As any good father should, I've already started to explain to them the impotance of just getting on base.

by palehose67 on Feb 14, 2008 9:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

have you explained the importance

of the ability to "grind"?

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 9:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah...

in case his kids end up not having any real ability, he can teach them to just get dirty and get hit by a lot of... things... pitches... walls... other players... and they may end up a tee-ball all-star :)

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Feb 14, 2008 9:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Getting on base or to 1st base?????

A guy has to have his priorities.

Me as the father of 2 girls, I have explained to them the importance of having the batters miss or strike out all together.

If I see any doubles or triples around me Im going straight bad boys on them! (Will Smith & Martin Lawrence style!)

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Feb 14, 2008 10:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just planning

to have Larry explain the birds and bees to my kids....

by palehose67 on Feb 14, 2008 10:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'm sure

he'd find some type of error in your explanation.....
hahahahah

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 10:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They did, indeed, like

the Legend. But what kid wouldn't? However, they didn't mind him being traded so much once they learned just how far Thome can hit the ball. When the Sox won the World Series, my 11 year old (8 at the time) turned to me and said, "That might be the only time this happens in my life!" Obviously, a Chicago sports fan for life.

by palehose67 on Feb 14, 2008 9:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hrm...

actually, for Swisher to have 38 doubles and 38 HR's as I predicted (and one triple) he would have to have a slugging of .550, not .515. Should've gone ahead and calculated it the first time.

That puts his OPS around .945. Damn solid year.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Feb 14, 2008 9:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yah, I'd settle for that!

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Feb 14, 2008 12:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sabathia

Sounds like this is the last year we will have to face CC in the Central.

CC's official statement

by BoKnows on Feb 14, 2008 10:43 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

you don' t think the tigers would want this guy?

at any rate, didn't arod cut off negotiations with the yankees? didn't the sox say they wouldn't negotiate with MB and dye after ST last year? hunk o salt on this one.

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, it IS Cleveland

and their economy is going into the tank. So maybe the Sturm and Drang from his camp has some basis in fact.

Or not.

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 14, 2008 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think...

not bringing Sabathia back would be more a baseball decision than a money decision (although the money would obviously be a big factor).

Pitchers are risky, and difficult to project. If Sabathia really is looking for a Santana-type deal, it probably makes more sense for Cleveland to work on keeping guys like Hafner, Martinez, and Sizemore than Sabathia.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 14, 2008 11:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i think

he and the Cleveland staff as a whole do some moderate to serious "regressing to the mean" this year, good news for the Sox. However, I do think they get better offensively, unfortunately.

by dantesox on Feb 14, 2008 11:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

some would say

the "mean" for sabathia is what he's done the past two seasons - largely indistinguishable stats, outside of IP.

outside of carmona, i'm not sure who you mean, though. byrd and westbrook were also largely around their career stats. unless you mean cliff lee will also be regressing - but that wouldn't be good news for the sox.

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 11:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

More so

in the pen with Perez and the righthander....I'm blanking....christ....you know who I mean....and , YES....I do mean INNINGS with Sabathia....AND...I do think Byrd and Carmona don't do what they did last year.

by dantesox on Feb 14, 2008 11:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i don't

trust Carmona yet. I get the feeling if he starts badly he could be in a lot of trouble.

by dantesox on Feb 14, 2008 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

betancourt

i'd buy that. but i'm not sure it matters that much, certainly not in the projection. or to the sox, for that matter. that bullpen is largely the reason they outperformed pythag last year. 92 wins seems about right.

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,

I think they'll be in that vicinity but basically get their differently than last year. I don't think the Sox are a better team, but I do believe that it would take less thana minor miracle to end up with a better record than them. Would I bet on it? Nope. Is there a decent enough chance to make me pay attention? Yes. It's about a 1in 4, maybe 1 in 5 chance they have a better record than Cleveland, about a 1in 10 chance they win the division.

by dantesox on Feb 14, 2008 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

there

by dantesox on Feb 14, 2008 11:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Has the meth kicked in?

Are you having a "breaking bad" moment, Dante?

;)

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 14, 2008 1:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i know you don't believe that

i'll leave it to the prognosticators about whether he'll become a FA and leave cleveland/get traded - there's a long season ahead and lots could happen. but there's little chance that there won't be negotiations. and i don't buy cleveland as being oh so poor as to not be able to afford him, if they want him. we all know how much these teams are making and what new source of revenue appears in 2009? oh, that's right, the MLB tv station.

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 11:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Should I sell Cleveland-based stocks?

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Or is the recession over?

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Add that to the Google poll, Cheat.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

someone

should get me the hell out of cleveland...

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 11:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

we're fucked

or so say CHONE's AL predictions:

AL Central
Indians 92-70
Tigers 91-71
White Sox 76-86
Twins 76-86
Royals 70-92

http://lanaheimangelfan.blogspot.com/2008/02/al-projected-standings.html

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 11:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

and who likes the (sans devil) rays?

CHONE and me.

AL East
Red Sox 92-70
Yankees 92-70
Rays 89-73
Blue Jays 83-79
Orioles 65-97

AL West
Angels 91-71
Mariners 83-79
Athletics 75-87
Rangers 72-90

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 11:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

That's too optimistic, methinks, although I can see them in the low 80's.

by dantesox on Feb 14, 2008 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The real

wild cards in terms of predictive performance at this stage of their careers are Garza, Sonnastine, Hammel....etc, even Kazmir and Shields to some extent.....too much youth, basically, in the pitching where I think experience matters a bit more, to vault them into that high 80's area.

by dantesox on Feb 14, 2008 11:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Right...

it depends on how that young pitching pans out.

The Rays have about as many question marks as anyone, but they'll be fun to watch this year.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 14, 2008 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i think it's basically dead-on

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Keep dreaming Larry

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Feb 14, 2008 12:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you, too

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 12:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I forgot the Sox will soon envy

Their impressive display of avg 60+ wins. We don't even have to wager. The Rays win 80 games and will ship you your favorite 6 pack or bottle of reasonable wine.

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Feb 14, 2008 12:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I will.

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Feb 14, 2008 12:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

wow

even most of the more pessimistic prognosticators think the rays will be around .500. if you want. i'll probably forget, anyway.

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 12:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

80?

I might get in on that. I have them around .500.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Feb 14, 2008 1:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

89?

Really? Man, I guess I need to look that team over again. Are we sure that's not for 2009?

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Feb 14, 2008 1:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I would sell Rays 89 til my fucking face caved in.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 1:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, the Rays look ready to

grow up a bit. Might actually make my Sox pilgrimmage to Tampa interesting this year.

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 14, 2008 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Today I asked a guy

(knowledgable sports guy / active bettor kind of guy FROM KANSAS CITY) on the CBOE what his Sox win Over / Under was. 72 - 77, how much do you want. I bought 77, but told him I'd give him til tomorrow to reconsider side I asked him "out of the blue."

Seems like a layup. Last year was an aberration, wasn't it?

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

SINCE I asked him "out of the blue."

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 11:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It really depends...

on the starting pitching, I think. The Sox NEED a Contreras bounceback season if they want a shot at a winning record, and no regression from Buehrle and Vazquez.

They also need at least two of the Danks/Floyd/Broadway/whoever to step up and fill out the rest of the rotation. The Sox offense will be improved, but not good enough to carry a bad rotation slot.

They also need to stay healthy. The organization is really thin - if someone in the starting lineup goes down for any length of time, then forget it.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 14, 2008 11:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

what,

our seven potential 2B don't count as depth?

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 11:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point...

I guess if Danny Richar goes down, the team will struggle on.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 14, 2008 12:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Got the Cubs to the playoffs.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 12:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm excited about the upcoming season

mostly because it's February and I'm freezing my ass off. Thoughts of the right field bleachers a cold MGD and The Chevy Pride Team help keep my spirits up.

But I agree with Jerry. The starting pitching is a HUGE question mark. MB will hopefully be MB, but will Vazquez be able to get past the 6th inning, will Father Time have a bounce back year, and will the 2 youngsters have breakout years?

It's a good thing KW worked on making the bullpen somewhat better...I fear it will be needed more often than not.

"If Jose Contreras throws the ball the way we think he's going to throw the ball, we've got a chance." - Kenny Williams (2-10-08)

by tailgater on Feb 14, 2008 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jerry.

Last year was an aberration, wasn't it?

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 12:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure...

what you mean by "aberration".

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 14, 2008 12:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

R-H-E-T-O-R-I-C-A-L Q-U-E-S-T-I-O-N.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 12:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Alrighty then.

I'm trying to change my pessimistic ways.

So rather than run this team down, from now on I'm going to try and figure out what needs to happen for this team to be good.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 14, 2008 12:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're right

this team needs a 3 starter more than anything else at this point.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Feb 14, 2008 1:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

another one from google

anybody has heard of the bleacher report?

by The Wizard on Feb 14, 2008 3:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

re

Chicago White Sox (2007: 72-90):        73-89
Kansas City Royals (2007: 69-93):       75-87
Minnesota Twins (2007: 79-83):          80-82
Detroit Tigers (2007: 88-74):           90-72
Cleveland Indians (2007: 96-66):        94-68

by The Wizard on Feb 14, 2008 3:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

folks,

i didn't major in math. i majored in miracles, and i still believe in those too.

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 12:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

to JRE

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 12:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome.

I had to google that one.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 14, 2008 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Huckabee is kind of creepy

but he plays bass, so he can't be all bad.

"If Jose Contreras throws the ball the way we think he's going to throw the ball, we've got a chance." - Kenny Williams (2-10-08)

by tailgater on Feb 14, 2008 1:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Satan also plays bass.

Little-known fact.

by ReservoirDog on Feb 14, 2008 1:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Correct!

Gene Simmons = Satan

"If Jose Contreras throws the ball the way we think he's going to throw the ball, we've got a chance." - Kenny Williams (2-10-08)

by tailgater on Feb 14, 2008 1:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No the dude plays the guitar

For Kids in the Hall fans only, check this out.

by onlysoxfaninboston on Feb 14, 2008 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think we need a Canadian comedy diary

"5 Neat Guys - Neatest Hits"
50 of the World's Neatest Hits from Five of the World's Neatest Guys!

K-Tel's "5 Neat Guys Neatest Hits" includes:

"My Mom Framed My High School Diploma"
"Patsy Has The Largest Breasts In Town"
"Who Made the Egg Salad Sandwiches?"
"Who Put The Pennies In My Loafers?"
"Let's Have A Party In My Rec Room"
"Just Step Around That Clip-On Tie"
"I Can't Get A Date For New Years"
"I'm The Goof In The Classroom"
"Should I Kiss Her Goodnight?"
"Slow Dance, Anyone?"
"My Dad's Car"
"She Does It"
and many, many more...

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Feb 14, 2008 2:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It takes a Satanic reference to get R-Dog

back in the flow, eh?

Who plays lead guitar in Satan's band? Brian Jones? I believe Karen Carpenter is on drums.

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 14, 2008 1:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i knew he played the fiddle

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 2:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and the bassoon

bassoon

the fiddle sounds better though!

by The Wizard on Feb 14, 2008 3:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

lol. great.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Feb 15, 2008 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Keith Law!

Jon Milwaukee: How do you think the Whitesox will be this year? Predictions for Sox-Cubs game?

SportsNation Keith Law: (1:49 PM ET ) The White Sox will be bad, but in a division with two similarly bad teams, they might fake their way to 75 wins or so.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 1:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

hahahah

"fake their way to 75 wins"
ouch!

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 1:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Again!

Chris D (Capital City): You honestly think the White Sox had the worst offseason? Swisher, Cabrera and Quentin will make a huge impact, and the bullpen should be a lot better.

SportsNation Keith Law: (1:56 PM ET ) The problem is that they don't get it. They're not a good team. They have no shot to contend with Detroit or Cleveland. Trying to improve the '08 club was the wrong strategy. I didn't mind the Swisher acquisition, but why are they giving up prospects?

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 1:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It's just natural for Keith Law to say that.

He's a scout, which makes him over-value prospects.

by BoKnows on Feb 14, 2008 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kenny, is that you?

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Feb 14, 2008 1:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

There's no reason to start another debate

about the Swisher trade, because it has been discussed at length.

Law's evaluation of the trade seems to be a bit near-sighted. He thinks that the prospects we gave up would be more valuable when the Sox are ready to contend again, but I think Swisher is just as valuable now and 3,4,5 years down the road.

by BoKnows on Feb 14, 2008 2:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Keith Law Doesn't get it

This is all part of Kenny's plan 07496-D, section 7:

"Trade away all valuable minor leaguers in order to finish hopefully finish 3rd in the division in hopes of staying competitive to keep my GM job for at least another year until I come up with alternate plan. If all fails blame it on the ineptitude of Duane Shaefer and our miserable scouting department."

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Feb 14, 2008 1:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Keith.

Last year was an aberration, wasn't it?

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 1:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Biting... my... tongue...

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 14, 2008 3:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No ticket talk?

I have never bought tickets when they go on-sale before but I am planning on trying tomorrow. I've never been to Opening Day or Cubs/Sox so I'm going to give those a shot. Yes...I know those are the games that sell-out first but that's the only reason I would buy tickets tomorrow.

Any tips you'd care to give me? Don't worry, I won't be in the competition for the good seats anyway.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Feb 14, 2008 2:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

i've been

to opening day in 2006 and the 2nd game in 2007, make sure to dress warm!

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 2:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely dress warm

Make sure Buehrle is pitching before you buy any April tickets.

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Feb 14, 2008 2:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jeez...

I take it you guys don't go to Bears games after Week 6 or so!

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Feb 14, 2008 2:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Coldest sporting event I've ever been to

was a Sox/KC game in the middle of May in 2005. Was worse than football in Nov/Dec, the wind was doing weird stuff and just coming straight down and under my collar.

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Feb 14, 2008 2:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pete.

Did you have on your mittens, muffler and snow boots?

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 2:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No gloves even, it sucked

Cold beer doesn't help either. I should've gone over to the left field corner bar with the hard liquor and started slamming Canadian Club.

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Feb 14, 2008 2:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Coldest I've ever been

was outside of Tampa golfing at World Woods (really nice for you golfers).

One day the weather report was for mid to high 70's and clear. Some system happened and it never got above 48. Cloudy. Very windy. There I am in my shorts, golfshirt and wind breaker. I froze my ass off. No sweaters in the clubhouse. Not smart enough to quit. An absolute debacle.

I will NEVER be cold on the golf course again. I now carry lots of extras.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 2:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that's the problem.

I've been to Sox games on hot days in the middle of summer but had the sun set and the wind pick up off the lake and frozen my ass off in the upper deck. I'm of the mind to take a jacket even if you're not sure you'll use it. Nothing can ruin a day/evening at the ballpark like being cold.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Feb 14, 2008 3:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You can always take it off.

If you don't have it,.......

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 3:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

...you're buying a blanket.

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, Elizabeth, it gets cold in FL

I think you are quite manly for admitting it on a testosterone-soaked site like SSS, bally.

;)

Can't wait for the Sox to come to FL this year. I also mayu try and score some tix mid-August, when I'm back home for our firm's national conference in McCormick Place. I'll be looking you guys up.

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 14, 2008 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

What's the difference between baseball in April and football in November?

The2 1/2 by 2 1/2 square between your ears.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 2:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it was snowing and below freezing last year

for the 2nd game of the year. Worse than most football games i've been to.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 14, 2008 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course!

I was just thinking how Opening Day always ends up being disappointing due to the weather. I remember two years ago being at a bar when that storm hit. That was completely insane. Would've loved to have been at the park through all that to see Thome sock some dingers!

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Feb 14, 2008 2:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I bought a few opening day

single tickets yesterday. Sox-Pride. Decent singles were available. 2 or more together are Sects 555 & 510, Row 21 or there abouts. ("THE FRONT ROW")

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 2:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh...

so it's already pretty much sold out? I'm not gonna bother with those sections!

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Feb 14, 2008 2:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If you only need one, I can help.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not on a "need" basis right now.

Basically, I'm going to helping somebody else get tickets tomorrow, so I figured I'd try and get some for those primo games.

But if you're stuck with an extra when it gets closer to the date...can't imagine that happening though!

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Feb 14, 2008 2:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Forget Opening Day

I'm going the week after for the day game vs. Oakland.

I was able to get Club Level seats (with nice warm indoor access) on stubhub.com for only $23 each, which is under face value. Even with "fees" and shipping, the total was $64.

"If Jose Contreras throws the ball the way we think he's going to throw the ball, we've got a chance." - Kenny Williams (2-10-08)

by tailgater on Feb 14, 2008 2:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa.

I guess the excitement has to rebuild again after last season, eh?

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Feb 14, 2008 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The excitement has returned

I just don't enjoy freezing my ass off or sitting in the 500 level. Ever been up there on a 40 degree day with the wind whipping around? I have...no thanks.

"If Jose Contreras throws the ball the way we think he's going to throw the ball, we've got a chance." - Kenny Williams (2-10-08)

by tailgater on Feb 14, 2008 3:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No, no...

I meant that tickets are available in the club level for below face value already. OTHER people's excitement.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Feb 14, 2008 3:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

where do you get them?

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 3:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

last year

opening day was pretty warm, iirc. but the third game (MB getting hit) was freezing. thankfully, i had hedged by getting stadium club access and only came out to the seats for the ninth - in time to see the always exciting HBP to force in a game winning run. weather is a crap shoot.

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 3:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

AJ. AJ. AJ. AJ.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 3:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

carlos "i average .2 HBP/game" quentin

is the odds on favorite to do that this year

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 3:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why is it the Latin guys on our team

(and AJ, the exception to the rule) are the only ones who know how to take one for the team?

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 14, 2008 3:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

perception meet reality

mackowiak had a higher rate per AB than AJ. and both mack and thome had 6. the white guys got hit way more. PK and AJ shared the lead two years ago, followed by crede, dye and thome. pablo didn't mind getting hit, i suppose.

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 3:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking of our Biggio/Hunt,

Mr. Terstado. You, though, are correct, sir. The Slavs get just as bruised, if not mas. Not the WASP's, though.

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 14, 2008 3:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

how soon i forget terstado

and i even nicknamed him. you're right. he was the HBP superstar last year.

by larry on Feb 14, 2008 3:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

WU meant

Latins and Polocks (strike the "excepting AJ).

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 14, 2008 3:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I did

LOL

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 14, 2008 4:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They were pretty much gone for lower level Monday

I looked Monday - the lower lever was gone in about 15 minutes, for groups of 2 together. Cubs were none existent from the start. I literally went in the second they opened the sale and there was only upper deck.

Last years opening day was great - it was Contreras that sucked...

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 14, 2008 8:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs