Friday Morning

Scott, love your blog!! Enjoy your vacation and please write again soon... my vote is for Punch A.J.: You won't be suspended

Thanks for the post Scott. Enjoy your vacation. My vote is for:

Punch A.J.: You won't be suspended

The Sox usually play well against the birds, so I hope they get right this weekend.

Kris

Enjoy the time off Scott. My vote is for the Bud adding the HBP contest. I've got a good feeling that with the Twinkies and Tigers beating up on each other this is where we make our move. As Farmio would say "just a feeling, I have nothing to base it on" GO SOX!

USATODAY is reporting Kenny saying he is done with making any moves. Any thoughts? Does anyone think a move should be made? What if Minny/Detroit get Soriano, Lee, Abreau, or Tejada? Should we make a move for a starter, perhaps? I'm just asking what everyone thinks, that's all. Don't want to start something nasty here.

Are there any starters out there for us? Is the talent any better than what we have? Unless they can somehow get Dontrelle, I'm not really sure there is any type of upgrade at starting pitching. Zito is "available," but he is a free agent after this season and a Scott Boras client. He isn't coming to the Sox as a rental and we aren't going to trade and then sign him.

I really appreciate how the Sox management/staff listens to the fans. I love the later Friday start times.

Another recent addition to the park is the pulled pork sandwiches. They're great and thanks for adding them to the menu!

I don't think we should make a move for a starter, but rather make a move to get rid of a starter and move McCarthy into the rotation. I would imagine we could get a solid relief pitcher or two for Garcia or Vazquez. I'm not sure which I'd rather see go, but at least with Vazquez he's pretty dominant through the order the first two times. We'll see what happens.

Enjoy your vacation and time with your family, Scott.

I don't believe the report that Kenny is done. I'm not sure what he might put together, but knowing him, he'll be considering all possible options right up to the deadline.

As for the Punch AJ contest, my vote is for: "Bud Selig plans to add a new HBP contest to the All-Star festivities." :o)

Yeah, how about those pulled pork sandwiches? They are VERY good! Locating them was quite a challenge. For those of you who are interested, you can find them at the All Star Stand by section 151. They aren't listed on the main menu, but there is a smaller sign introducing them as a new item. Check 'em out. Yummy!

GO SOX!

Scott -

I heard that they are getting rid of half price Mondays since they are filling the ballpark without a problem now. Can anyone confirm or squash this?

Rangers signed Carlos Lee for Kevin Mench, Cordero, other players also involved. That leaves Abreau and Soriano as the big bats left to deal.

I don't understand why Javy is not in play, when teams are talking about Livan Hernandez and Baltimore's starter. Javy at least looks good on paper - why can't we shop him for something? I hope that Kenny is at least entertaining the idea of listening to deals for him.

Have a great vacation Scott!!! You've definitely earned it this year. I vote for the HBP contest Punch AJ line.

As for the half price mondays, I thought that I saw a quote last year that said they were going to maintain them no matter how many tickets they sold because they appealed to a specific fan base that they did not want to lose. Not sure though.

Cyndi

My vote is for Punch A.J.: You won't be suspended

As far as trades...didn't Kenny say he is not trading anyone on the major league roster? Don't look for Freddy or Javy to going anywhere. If anything I'm thinking we'll get another reliever in exchange for minor league players or cash. I wouldn't mind sending Javy to the pen and getting McCarthy at least one start to see how he does, but I'm sure Ozzie is going to stick with Javy just like he did with Jose. It took Jose about a year from when he came to Chicago to get to the point where he finished off last year and rolled into this season....just my thoughts since I haven't said anythning yet on this matter.

Randy in PA

Punch A.J.: You won't be suspended

Have a GREAT vacation Scott...We will prevail!

In the voting,I would have to go along with those who like Punch AJ:You won't be suspended....
Page two(I gotta stop listening to Paul Harvey....)Scott,I think you should use an alias when you go away,so people,or reporters(make up your own joke with that one)will leave you and your family alone...How about...Chuck Wasserstrom?...

What's that,it's being used already? I'm sorry

(For those of you not in the mix,Mr Wasserstrom used to be the assistant PR director/apologist to the "Brunhilde"-like Sharon Panozzo at Jurassic Park at Neverland over on the North Side....)....

Duke,Kenny can listen to deals from now through the deadline Monday...but,as always,it seems that the other teams involved want the cream of the crop from the WS for the curdled creap of the **** that they have.... Despite what some so-called "experts" believe,you do NOT mortgage the future for a quick fix(8 to 12 weeks,depending on how much time is remaining in this season)....at least I wouldn't....

As to the research firm that is doing the popularity polls,the question begs to be asked:(get ready for THIS one,folks....)Is Scarborough fair?

(Anyone who knows me and who didn't see THAT ONE coming from ten miles away,you should be ashamed of yourselves....)

In my humble opinion,I think that the day off yesterday was most beneficial,because it gave the team a chance to get away from the sturm und drang(German for "whole lotta junk")of this slump...And,hopefully,the next three cities(Balmere(don't blame me,folks,that how some of the natives pronounce it),KC and Toronto)might just be the cure-all for what ails them....

We can only watch....

I agree, TomQ, that we shouldn't mortgage the future, but there could be something out there that hasn't been beaten to death by the rumor mill and can be had for years to come. If a decent starter is available, I think we will be in good shape and if he is young enough (....Dontrelle!!), I would give propspects. I don't think that the bullpen needs anymore work, nor do we need another slugger - we have ample bats in the lineup. It is the starting pitching (Javy and to a lesser extent, Freddy and Buerle), that needs a desparate upgrade.

Anyway, let's start fresh and save the season, starting tonight in the Sox-friendly Yard. GO SOX!!

My vote is for: Punch A.J. So MLB can fine the city of Chicago for inciting a crowd

The only possible pitcher out there that I could see Kenny willing to deal for is Jason Schmidt. SF is willing to take a lot less than the Marlins would for Dontrelle. Kenny will not let the farm be fleeced for rent-a-players. If the right move is there he will get it done, but I don't see much out there. I think a role swap for Javy and Brandon might not be a bad idea. If not, hopefully Ozzie will stick to what he said and use Javy for 5 innings next outing and get him out of there with a lead to build some confidence. Pitching is a combination of talent and obtained confindence. Right now we got 3 guys with a lot of talent but no confidence. Let's go beat up on the little guys now to get that confidence back!!!

Hi all! Long time blog reader, first time poster.

I have a suggestion about the Sox starting rotation: take advantage of the off-day yesterday (Thurs.) to swap Javy and Jose, so that Jose starts Sunday in Baltimore and Javy starts Monday in KC. Why? Because Javy has pitched very well against KC (3 starts, 2 victories, and an ERA below 1.60), and this might help him regain some confidence.

Otherwise, we just have to go to the strategy of pulling him once he puts a runner in scoring position after the 5th inning.

Go Sox!

My vote is: Punch AJ: You won't be suspended. Love your blogs. GO SOX!!!

My vote is for Punch A.J. so MLB can fine the city of Chicago for inciting a crowd. GO SOX!!!!!!BEAT THE O'S TONIGHT!!!!!GO FREDDY!!!!!

Have a great vacation Scott, you sure deserve it!

Excited to get back on the field tonight, and begin a string of domination- put on our old Sox so to speak! haha

Let's go Sox!!

My vote is for Vote AJ: He can steal first on national TV

go Sox

Scott,
It has been a tough few weeks and you deserve a vacation. Have fun!!

My vote:Punch A.J.: You won't be suspended.

I saw our good friend Jay Mariotti on PTI today. I actually agree with what he said. "Please put BM in the starting rotation." We despertly need to sweep the O's. Come on guys, get it done!

YAY ROSS!!! Way to go guys!!! Let's hope this is the comeback win that turns it around!!!

Cyndi

I think we've seen the turnaround begin tonight, and it's not just Gload's big blast. The bullpen tonight looked lights out, and that's what will turn it around. Cotts to MacDougal to Thornton to Jenks. That's tough, and we'll be a great late-inning team again. The starters just need to give us 5-6 innings. Go Sox!

Thank you Ross!!! Hopefully that was the shot in the arm this team needed to get going. We'll see what happens tomorrow, but that was one nice ending tonight.

Can somebody please remind Garcia that he was throwing 95mph and was a power pitcher last yeat, and that was what made him successful through his career. He says that as he gets older he is gonna lose some of that power and need to be a finesse/breaking ball pither. As Hawk would say "That is total BS!" Get your body in better shape. Round (which you have become over the years) is not the shape you need to be in. Take a lesson from some other power pitchers like Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan. You need to work you butt off to keep it up. Changing your approach is not working in case you have not noticed!!!

Not much to cheer about until the 9th. GREAT execution!!! Ross did it tonight. I thought it was just going to be a sacrafice but the darn thing kept going!!!
The bullpen looked great. Thornton is amazing. 98 MPH and nothing but a silky smooth delivery.

Got to get another one. Jon is on a roll. Hopefully we can score some runs early.

Sean

I am voting for the one that says Bude Selig is adding the HBP contest.
Way to go Ross! My daughter had just asked me why are they walking Thome and I said the chance that he hits a home run are too great and Ross might hit into a double play. Shows what I know. Scott have a great vacation. Let's get them Jon.

Kelly

Jim -

What you said about Freddy reminds me of what happened to Wild Thing in Major League 2. If you havent seen it check it out, both of the Major Leagues are great. But he says he needs to look to the future and make sure he doesnt hurt his arm.

ROSS GLOAD???? ROSS GLOAD????
Those quotes,and the subsequent pounding that may have been heard on the suite level at OP@CY came from Peter Angelos,the Baltimore owner....He can see getting beaten by a Jim Thome...it's happened before...He can see getting beaten by a Jermiane Dye...it's happened before...

But....ROSS GLOAD????

The thing I was happiest about when reading the game story in the Trib this AM was that Gload was patient at the plate,working the count to three and oh,then taking a strike,then fouling off strike two,before....

Say it with me,Bethany....

GET OUT THE RYE BREAD AND MUSTARD,GRANDMA....IT'S GRAND SALAMI TIME IN THE INNER HARBOR!!!!

According to the ESPN.com HR tracker,the distance on Gload's HR was 60 feet less than the one that Brian Roberts hit...but it really doesn't matter,does it,WS Universe?Because he was PATIENT at the plate...WS hitters recently,to my dismay,have been caught up in "first pitch-itis",also known as "Cub disease"....By that I mean,a pitcher is wild,and can't find home plate or the strike zone with signal flags...bases loaded,or runers in scoring position ,a heavy hitter gets up and hits one 400 feet....200 feet up,200 feet down...end of inning,end of momentum,beginning of frustration....

Tank you,Brooklyn(Gload's birthplace)for what you did last night...Paulie put it best..."...The bottom line is it's a win.Right now,any win is good.We'll look back at it as a good moment,I hope."

You and all of us both,mon Captain....

As to the race,the first hurdle is vaulting over the Twinkies before setting sites again on los Tigres and the Yank-mes....

Hopefully,young Graland will give them another solid outing and they can get past a kid making his ML debut...I seem to remember not that long ago a KC pitcher made his ML debut against the Sox and walked the entire ballpark in the first inning....hopefully,they can find a way to give the young man a case of the yips from the get-go....

BTW,Duke....players that can be had for YEARS to come? What alternate planet are you living on? This is the era of the quick fix,two years,three years tops,all the money you can glom on to,then go to the next sugar daddy who has an open checkbook...Face it,today the average ballplayer in MLB is no different from the hookers one sees on Saturday night on Broadway Avenue....

Funny story about Gload's HR:
http://www.greatsportsnews.com/mlb/mlbsrch.php?q=Chicago+White+Sox

They desperately needed a shot in the arm.. hopefully, they can start playing again.

a gload grand slam on friday... a big day with the bats so far today. i hate to say it, scott, but i think you're going to have to take a looooooong extended vacation.

hope you're having a great time with the fam.

have a nice day

tuffy

http://christianarchy.9players.org

jeez...really wish it wouldn't have been so close, but it's awesome that the offense was on today. congrats jon on the 7th straight win!!! lets get the brooms out tomorrow!!!

cyndi

Duke,

Thanks for keeping reality in focus during this past week, though I am very impressed by all of the help you received! Even Tomquaid--an eloquent, CAPITALIZED critique of Ozzie's obsession with revenge!

Hey, to foster more of this clear headed criticism, I think I'll take another vacation!

at least they won today.....but mccarthy and cotts have been brutal out of the pen. cotts has been worse than marte ever was last year. i do like macdougal, thornton, jenks combo though. thats some serious heat! podsednik is terrible. if pods and mccarthy for soriano is still an offer do it for goodness sakes! soriano would be the most powerful/speed man since rickey henderson in his prime!

So what happened to our good buddy John the Twinkies fan? Now that they are two games back he isn't posting on our site. I went to his blog and the only people posting are Sox fans. I guess the good people of Minnesota don't even like him.

The most encouraging thing about the last two games is how our offense has been able to string together multiple base hits in the same inning instead of relying on the long ball to score our runs. I also think the Cubs provided a valuble lesson; Kenny showed a lot of patience sticking with Brian instead of shipping him out like the Cubs did Patterson. Sometimes the youngsters just take awhile to develop. In any case let's continue this role Javier.

i can't stand neal cotts. he can't leave an inherited runner on base to save his soul. he is worthless out of the pen. why they keep going to him is beyond me. javier looked ok. lets get some runs and win this. hopefully we wont see mccarthy as he is brutal too. everyday its the same story. those two are awful! get rid of em

Well, Vazguez pitches a good 5 innings and blows it again in the 6th. When will Ozzie learn that this guy should not be a starting pitcher? Then fat boy loses the game in the 9th. The entire pitching staff is brutal!!!! It is going to be very difficult for the Sox to get the wildcard unless the pitchers wake up and discover how to pitch again.

Not difficult, balkeheem - IMPOSSIBLE!! Our pitching has got to be one of the worst in the league since the ASB. No question. Is Ozzie a complete ******* dolt?? How many more games do we need to lose until he realizes that Javy cannot pitch beyond the 5th??!!! Oh, what difference does it make, anyway?? Cotts is brutal and McCarthy ain't that impressive either. We barely won the series against a horrendous ballclub, with our hitting bailing out our brutal arms in every game, except this one. Guess that 7 runs is not enough against Baltimre??!!! This game was ours at least 3 times with last year's pitching. Every loss now is huge and we are just handing this thing to the Yankees and Detroit. Let me be very clear, if we do not make it to the playoffs - I WILL NOT TIP MY HAT TO THE OTHER TEAM!!! I will be pissed that our pitching has experienced a compete meltdown and will demand a complete retooling of this miserable pitching staff, especially the starters. They should all go - except Jose.

This is one of those 'oddities' that you don't know whether to laugh or cry at.

The Sox loss Sunday marked the 9th time this season they lost a game when leading in the 7th inning or later.

Every one of those nine 'blown' games has come against a team currently with a losing record.

The specific breakdown shows:

4/5 Cleveland (8th inning)

4/8 Kansas City (8th)

4/24 Seattle (7th)

5/5 Kansas City (9th)

5/18 Tampa Bay (7th)

5/21 Cubs (8th)

6/1 Cleveland (7th)

6/2 Texas (7th)

7/30 Baltimore (9th)

Are the other teams 'getting up' for the Sox? or are the Sox 'playing down' to the opposition?

I don't have that answer.

Regarding the overall Sox record against teams that currently have a losing record (something that has been an issue all season) here is that breakdown:

Baltimore 5-2

Tampa Bay 1-2

Cleveland 5-7

Kansas City 6-3

Seattle 3-2

Texas 5-5

Houston 2-1

Cubs 4-2

Pittsburgh 2-1

Overall record: 33-25.

In the ultra-competitive American League when you can't beat the stuffing's out of the bad clubs you have a problem.

hopefully williams is just saying he isnt looking to do any moves. id get a solid left fielder. someone that you can play and not have to pinch hit for, take out for defense, or bench against lefties. saturday pods attempted to steal second and was thrown out like a fat kid in a little league game. terrible

Have a good vacation Scott!
I vote for Punch AJ: Bud SElig is adding a HBP contest to the all star game.

Mooney,

I understand your point about Garcia wanting to be able to extend his career. However, how far will he be able to extend it if he is not effective. He has not been the "Sweaty Freddie" that we all know and love. Granted we have more pressing issues with Buerhle and Javy, but I am just baffled because it clearly did not work. If he really wants to extend his career he needs to work harder in the offseason so he can be effective at the velocity he needs to be at. Look at a guy like Roger Clemens. He turns 44 this week and has not lost a step. He works hard and is dedicated.

As for Neal Cotts, the only reason he is still on this team is because he is a lefty. Cotts has been brutal this year. The struggles of him and Politte are somewhat unexplainable. It's not like they had to work real hard in the post-season last year. He was so valuable against both lefties and righties last year, but now both are getting to him every game. I would like to see a lot more of Matt Thornton.

For a manager who used to be a shortstop he sure did screw up the positioning of his infielders on the final hit of the game. With the double play in effect, a runner on third and slow runner at the plate with one out you play corners in and middle back. You don't have to cut off the run with a slow runner at bat. If Iguchi and Uribe are at double play depth Iguchi is able to make a play on that ball and the game goes into extra innings. Ozzie has this constant desire to play the infield in during situations when it is not called for. Granted the bullpen could not hang on to it, but our manager cost us a chance to salvage the game.

Hey Javy why don't you walk a few more guys that lead off the inning. Notice that they always score?

Everyone is on Ozzie for letting Javy pitch late into the game. But they are also on the entire bullpen. So it's Ozzie's fault that Javy is still pitching, but its also the bullpen's fault for blowing the game. What should he be doing?

I would of put Javier in for the 6th yesterday. He had two good innings prior to that. I don't blame Ozzie for the loss yesterday; it's time (really it's beyond time) for the pitchers to take some accountability and get the job done when it's needed...
On a side note I just heard Boston is trying to get Buehrle for Coco Crisp?!? Lay off the crack rock Theo. I mean Mark is having a down year but c'mon! That's one of the stupidest proposals I've heard in awhile.

Jim -
I totally agree with you about freddy, i just found it funny because his excuse has been used already, in a movie no less. I think he is still blaming his performance this year on the WBC. Which Cooper said shouldnt have been a big problem if he just got ready like javy did. I mean look at every other pitcher in the league that was at the WBC (Santana) they started out slow but are now on fire. The Sox should go after A-Rod =) put him back at short.

Sean Casey from the Pirates for a prospect. To make room for Casey, Detroit optioned Chris Shelton to Triple-A Toledo.

Here we go.

Is this it??!! Is this the team that is going to repeat??!! Is Kenny insane??!! What the ****, man??!! GET SOME ARMS OR ONE ARM, OR WE ARE DONE!! Is he really that committed to McCarthy (a 4+ ERA pitcher - welcome to the Sox statrter ERA club) that he won't go after proven talent - Willis, Zito or Schmidt?? Our starters are at best disappointing and at worst are on tap to display one of the biggest meltdowns of a staff from one year to the next. You got 2 hours, Kenny. GET TO WORK!!!

Duke...do you REALLY think that anyone other than J.C.(and I don't mean Martin)is going to come in for eight or more weeks,ride in like the cavalry and save the day for the boys,then go away for a larger payday....Kenny has to install confidence in what he has right now...in the old bromide,"dance with the girl what you can in with"....If it works,it works...If it doesn't work,then the narrow focus will come down like a laser beam on the neck and lower extremities of the GM,and I know that the line of criticism will be long and loud in their discourse...
There are still two months left in the season...What the Sox have to do is to win their games,and whatever else transpires will determine if they get back in October to defend their crown...

H*ll,Duke,you and I both have known fans who are enamored of a trade one minute,then two days or weeks later,want to trade that player for two cracked bats and the tires to a hitting cage...

Alright, TomQ. But these guys better step up. No more excuses. My stomach can't take much more.

Mooney,
I would love to see A-Rod in a Sox uniform. The Rangers are still paying nearly half his salary so it would be a huge salary intake. Uribe has been a dissapointment to me this year. I don't expect a lot out of him offensively, and that is pretty much what we got except for about a 10 day period in interleague play. Uribe's defense has not been near what it was last year. A-Rod would be a major upgrade there and of course at the dish. Could you imagine that line up from 3-8 with Thome, Paulie, A-Rod, JD, AJ and Crede. All we need to do is get rid of Pods for Soriano and we would hit more home runs than the rest of our division would combined. And we would be upgrading defense and speed at the same time. Alex Nellias would be donating a lot money to White Sox charities!!!

Meant to say that A-Rod's salary would NOT be a huge intake.

jimdevereaux...first of all,the man's last name is Snellias...you just heard it wrong through Hawk's Georgia accent...
Duke...they will not have any more excuses,win or lose...These are professionals,here to do a professsional job...Wherever you work,I'm sure that you have a bad day or two,or more...Do you give excuses for them,and are they accepted?

Think about it....

I have been with this team(oh,brother,here he goes AGAIN with the litany)since the year of our Lord 19 and 60,good times and bad,and thought they have disappointed me way too many times,my stomach is still with them...and my heart as well...my eyes have had to adjust to the rigors of age,but they are there as well....and they'll be there the rest of this season,into next(God be willing)and beyond.....

jimdevereux...please excuse the extra "a" I gave you....
As to your desire for A-Rod,please see under the category of "too much for too short a time".....

not in our house.

Back from vacations and camps...can you believe this heat? I'm definitly not a heat girl. Yikes.

Beyond that- good to see the guys get on the board early and often tonight. It is TIME for Mark to snap out of his total funk tomorrow. His 9-9 record is sure disappointing for Ozzie's ace....he needs to start pickin up his team here!! I'm lookin for big things tomorrow, no better palce to start than KC on a Tuesday night.

Gained a game tonight, 7.5 more to go. That's nothing considering its July 31st. Time to catch fire, and not look back!

Lets go Sox!

So close to bloggers night!!....

Tom,

No worries, nobody spells my name right. As for A-Rod, that is more of just a dream to imagine the power that kind of lineup would produce. Considering the ball park we play in, might as well load up. The ball flies out of there non-stop.

If you were new to the English language Hawk would not be the best to listen to. Never would have known the spelling. I just tried to spell it phoenetically. (Hope I spelled that right) If Hawk had his own dictionary we would have words like erra instead of error.

Nice win tonight. A little shaky early on with Jose, but he settled down. I can't remember the last MLB game I saw with 2 balks by the same pitcher. The second one of course could not be seen on WCIU (cause that channel blows!), but they called him for not pausing. There are so many pitchers that never come to a complete stop, or set illegaly that they never call it for. Kind of baffling when they actually do call it. With the 2nd base umpire calling it he really bailed out the home plate ump cause that pitch he called a strike may have come up with dirt on it!

Can anyone at the Sox ask WCIU to please time their commercials better. Kind of ridiculous that you are missing a pitch or two every inning.

Couldn't watch the game last night because we do not get the U way out here in Macomb. Glad to find out Jose went deep into a game. Our pen needed some rest. B-Mc had two scoreless innings too! Like I said a few days ago, if we take care of business in the remaining AL Central games, then the Sox will turn out fine. Mark has to turn it around tonight, right?

BTW, what the funk is the deal with 2 straight games on the U? That channel is garbage and its bad enough that they get 1 game/week.

The U has got to be the worst channel ever for sports. It makes me think of a public access cable channel. I think SportsVision had a better picture. I have DirecTV so we get the digital picture which is a joke. During Bulls games it looks like the lighting in the arena is changing every few seconds, and the glare from the red paint is very distracting. Reds come through horrible in their picture. What I can't believe is they broadcast in HD now through Comcast. I almost fell on the floor when I heard that! They have also needed to fix their speed gun all year long too. It has been consistenly about 7 mph slow on all pitches. I know the Sox will always be considered second class citizens in this city, even though we are the WS champs, but put the crappy team on the crappy channel more often. They deserve it.

brothers devereux and kr-trepac....answering your media questions...After the last out of an inning is recorded,there is supposed to be a toal of 2:05 alloted so that the local/visiting teams can peddle whatever products are sponsoring the event...Usually the umpire at 2nd base has a stopwatch going to time this and let everyone on the field know when play can resume...but with some pitchers like Contreras and Buehrle,time and the alloted eight warmup pitches mean nothing...So,they get a jump on the end of the commercial break....It's a problem that can not be solved,due to Commercials Catch 22:You can't have games on TV without having commercials....
Sponsors are a necessary evil...unless you are in the department of the ball club that works with said sponsors...

Now,Kris,to your dilemma in Macomb(sounds redundant,doesn't it?...just kidding....)I(f Channel 26 was not willing to put the WS on their channel,you would have only about 25 or so games on commercial tv,all on Channel 9...and we all know that it would take an act of Congress to get the Flubs off their TV home for the past(whew)59 seasons...(all the losing,oh,the humanity....)So be grateful that the people at 'CIU give a **** about this ballclub....The other channels in town either won't or can't touch them because of network commitments(Ch 2,5,7,even crappy Ch 32)....So,unless you can put together a syndicate to buy and start your very own TV station(WSOX?--All Sox,all the time....)be grateful to the folks at Weigel Broadcasting....

Now,I don't know if we should be grateful for the news I read in the Some-Times this AM or not....It seems they left the door to the sports department unlocked,and let a certain vermin back in to the building to reek his havoc....Then they compound things by giving the son of a biscuit eater(boy,did I have to clean THAT ONE up....)a new three year contract....I don't know if we should be happy or not....

As to the team on the field,just remember....there are still 62 days left in the regular season...a lot of time for a lot of things to happen,one way or another....

All we can do is watch...and root....

BTW,I look forward to seeing all of you TWO weeks from tonight,as we get together to celebrate WS Universe....and Chris Singleton's birthday....(Alright,Chris,I mentioned it...NOW can I have my pants back????)
Son of BTW....Mr Devereux...way back in the dark ages,before 1968,the number of WS games then available on Ch 9 was about the same(64,I believe,with 51 at old Comiskey)as it is now....We have been spoiled ROTTEN by the idiot box and the availablity of EVERY GAME on the tube.....

To those who wonder what to do with our nag Vazquez, I repeat what others have said before: GIVE MCCARTHY A CHANCE TO START! He did a fine job last year, and showed every indication he could be our 5th starter this year---UNTIL WE ACQUIRED VAZQUEZ, which constitutes Kenny William's WORST off season move. The theory (if you recall) was that Don Cooper could "improve" on Vazquez's mediocre past; clearly this HAS NOT happened. And please don't respond with the obvious fact that McCarthy hasn't been that great in the bullpen. Starting is VERY different from bullpen work, not only in terms of the number of innings you pitch but also the preparation involved. McCarthy has PROVEN he can start; Vazquez continues to prove that he CAN'T.

It's time for a change.

And FYI,brother Devereux....I worked at SportsVision for a year and a half(some times masquerading as the off-camera voice heard at the beginning of each night's programming...."...It's all tonight,HERE....ON SPORTSVISION!!!...")until the management decided to pull the plug on the sidebar programming and just show the games by themselves...and,you're right,at times there was a better picture....but that was because of the descrambler box that you had to purchase with the system...Remember?

But as for yesterdays game, the Flubs were on Comcast. Why couldn't the Sox be on WGN (when the Flubs are not on WGN)? And tonight is ANOTHER U game. Lame.

kolsens...the worst moves that KW has made were these:
1)acquiring that fat head David Wells for a sore-armed Mike Sirotka....

2)trading for rag-armed Todd Ritchie,sending Kip Wells and a pitcher whose name I can't seem to recall to the Pirates...those would qualify in my book as two absolutely LOUSY trades....

As it stands now,the only use that the WS can get out of Vazquez,in your opinion,is my old,reliable Jaime Navarro plan...That is,cut off Vazquez's head,arms and legs...and make 2nd base out of him.....

Josh Fogg

kris:It seems that WGN TV has a deal going with the WB network(soon,Hawk can say it best: HE GONE!!!)to run their programming(???? Gilmore Girls????7th Heaven?????Reba????)during the week....and when the Flubs have night games on 'GN,the entire WB network chain(about two links)gets pushed back until after Tom Skilling's isobars are put away....along with him....It's not really lame,unless you are a baseball fanatic who has no idea of how a TV station makes a profit--that is,by showing only a certain amount of games,while dealing with the public who could give a rat's rear apeture(hi,Dawn---see you in two weeks,dear...)about the Great American Pastime.....

kris...Thanx for the other name...I was in a....
DON'T YOU SAY IT,QUAID!!! DON'T YOU DARE SAY YOU WERE IN A FOG(G)ABOUT HIS NAME!!!!

Too late.....

Vazquez has all the stuff to be a top pitcher. He just runs into that one inning similar to a guy that become our ace last year, Contreras. Remember that guy? Started August last year with 6 wins, and ERA of nearly 5 and couldn't avoid the big inning. That guy who became lights out down the stretch, in the post season and for most of this year.

Give Javy a chance.

BC, today is Aug 1!! Vazquez has been given many chances to prove that he is a starting pitcher and he has proven to all that he can't get the job done! It is time for JV to go to the bullpen and let BM start some games.

Tom,

Have you noticed recently that when the Sox are on Comcast they have been cutting out of the commercials to get back to the game. It's odd that one would do it and the other would not. I know the U has to get as much revenue as they can from their commercials, but it may be time to hire some new sales people to sell air time. They play the same 10-11 commercials all night long.

As far as Sox coverage from 1968 I will have to invoke the Marc Silverman rule (ESPN 1000 listeners should know this). That was 9 years before I was born. I know Sox players from before that time, but where the games where broadcast was not in my knowledge base.

Hey if the Yankess have their own channel (YES - Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network) Then Reinsdorf should put one up too for us in WS Universe. I know its a far fetched dream but I read an interview with KW a week or so ago and he said that Reinsdorf told him whatever money he needed he could have. So make a tv channel for us so we dont have to watch the crappy channels. Like I said i know its just wishful thinking, but hey... it could happen

Don't want to get in a debate over who should go to the pen (not our call) but I have watched for the last two month's and Mark Buerhle's efforts have been brutal with a capital B. Little league brutal.

If the Sox are going to give anyone some time off to get McCarthy a start it's Buerhle, period. Am I suggesting they do that? No, Mark needs to work his way out of the funk. Javy is much closer today to becoming great than Buerhle is to getting back to a sense of normalcy.

I know it's highly unconventional, but.... The last few times McCarthy was in for more than a few, he had some trouble. We know Javy breaks bad after 5...Why not start Javy. Let him pitch 4, then bring in McCarthy for 4. Would be good to see how McCarthy progresses and how his arm handles the work. I know he originally came up as a starter, but it's been some time since he had consistent use....

I have to got with
PUNCH AJ : You won't get suspended :)

I hear ya Kris, these WCIU games are just killing me out here in Davenport. Thankfully The Score picked up Sox games because ESPN radio's signal is wimpy at best out here. Looking (or listening) for big things from Buehrle tonight. This is the night our ace gets his groove back.

I like: Vote A.J.: No one else will

Can you imagine if Jay M. is our good luck charm??!! Go Sox!! Welcome back, Buehrle - we missed you!!!

nice to see buehrle pitch a decent game for once. i am nervous with the thome, konerko injuries. i think the sox should contact carl everett about a return. he is sitting there doing nothing and could at least produce some pop if one of those 2 went down.

howdy! everybody, i'm back....thanks for the personals princesses Dawn, Bethany and Kris. it's nice to be included in the good-guy group. i was out near Savanna visiting MY young princesses and prince ages 9,2 and 4 respectively. it took me all night to catch up on all the posts i've missed for the past week, so i'm writing now to let you all know i'm still alive. maybe i'm the lucky charm ( by not being able to watch for a week) except for sunday's late loss we went four for four. now i know what humidity really is. just walking to our car from the house brought on a sweat. no thanks, i'll keep the high heat and low humidity from now on. that's about it for now, i wish i could see you all at the BIG BASH, but maybe next year. j.k. from the land of sand and cool breezes ( yeah, right!)...

Welcome back J.K.

Glad to see that Mark finally looked like his old self. Maybe July was just a bad month for everyone and now the White Sox can get back to how they were playing prior to July. And guess what, the game isn't on WCIU tonight!!! I think the Sox can take it to this Hudson guy tonight. He started out in the pen and only recently moved into the starting rotation. Paulie and Thome need to heal up quick. Go get 'em Freddy!

Kristofer in Macomb

Welcome back JK. We're feeling your pain, and then some, here. Near 100 yesterday with humidity off the charts. 92 already at 10:23 AM. That's just WRONG!! Good to see Mark back in form. Maybe we had last year's August in July, and all is well =). WC(rap) IU is just horrendous no matter where you are.... Watching it, I feel like I'm 8 and watching UHF channels. Maybe I should fix the rabbit ears :)

Being a transplanted Sox fan here in CA, I would be happy to watch any WS broadcast no matter what the quality (especially for free). Go Sox and sweep!

Heeee'sssssa baaaccckkkk!!

Fantastic performance by Mark after that one mistake of a pitch. And how about David Riske? Two words; Lights Out.

And some very timely hitting, way to go Sox!

Lets not let down, lets SWEEP and continue to build on this momentum!

Any word on Paulie and Thome??

Bethany....as usual,dear heart,you have hit on the key to the game....THAT was the Buehrle that WS Universe has come to know the last couple of seasons...(well,maybe not '04--I think he was bad then,as well....)The bats are coming out of slumber,Crede is showing the home state folks what a clutch hitter he can be,given the right opportunity....To the bullpen we go...Mac Dougal,in my opinion,will be an asset down the stretch....Thornton,although he hung a pitch to Teahen that tied the game,will be helpful as well,and Mr Riske,on just 17 pitches over 1 and 2/3 innings,proved he was worth his acquisition....Manchild came in,gave up one run,but then settled in and mopped up...an appropriate phrase,concerning the temps and humidity that have plagued all of us....So now,the boys go for the sweep,then up to Ontario for a day off to try and figure out if it is cooler in Toronto,because everything is lower there than here...or so it seems....
kr-trepac....I will now apologize for the bard of Tucson,jklein...for his mistaking you for a female....you see,in all the humidity,his glasses fogged up and he couldn't tell whom was whom...(yeh,that's the story....)

Dear Dawn and all the other 'CIU bashers....as stated before,thank goodness for them,because no one else is able to,or perhaps wants to,pick up the coverage....

mooney 1324...in case you are unaware,the WS are part owners and operators of Comcast Sports Net,along with the Cubs,Bulls,Black Hawks and others....The YES network(home to Hawk and Marv Albert---oh,I'm sorry,wrong "YESSSS")is home to the Yank-mes and the NJ Devils hockey team ONLY....So they can have a lot more coverage for the Bronx Bummers,because there is not that big of a pie to split up....

weedenft...You are in luck,my friend...Saturday at 1:05 Pacific time,Sox/Blue Jays....Tuesday the 8th,5 PM Pacific time,Sox/Yank-mes from what should be a raucous Cell....after that,however,only 9 games left on the SuperStation for '06....

You're welcome....

For the rest of us,think good thoughts about tonight,and see what transpires....

Tom Quaid.....GOOD *********** it, I GOTTA stop listening to Paul Harvey.....)

Tom -

I was unaware of that fact. Well we should kick the flubs off of comcast and leave them on wgn and we can take comcast for the year. Go for the sweep tonight guys.

You're a sharp one TQ. I didn't think anyone would notice.

mooney 1324....there is only one thing wrong with what you say....Believe it or not,Rippley,there are people like your obedient servant here who don't have the availability of Comcast...(circumstances as to why will go untold,because they would sound like something out of a sob story.....)So,every so often,I get a bone thrown at me and can actually see with my own two(fading)hazel eyes what the boys are doing,and not have to rely totally on the radio call from Farmer and Singleton....
kris....I notice things like that because,as you say,I am sharp...(right,Maynard....)

Some sad news to finish up with today...One of the investors in the WS from the Bill Veeck days through the present,Fred Brzozowski,passed away a week ago Monday,at the age of 69....He was a trader at the CBOT and worked his way up the ranks to the point where he was able to help save the WS from Seattle in '76 with the second Veeck regime,then stayed with Jerry and Eddie when they took over....I never met the man,but knew of him,and of his passion for the WS....I'm sure that those of us in WS Universe will say a silent prayer tonight for him and his family....after what we hope,as Chris Rangey says,is a WS winner.....

TQ

Thanks TQ - you even converted the start time to PST - I will also get the 8/7 broadcast v Angels (either ESPN or local)

actually, i was referring to Kristine Moore & not kr-trepac, but i'll try not to be ambiguous in the future. go Sox, keep it rolling even though i'm back home. i'd hate to have to travel for the next two months, unless you all could support my trips. as Bethany would say...ha ha......j.k.

oh, yeah, i have to go with vote AJ because of the new HPB contest in the all star game. j.k. ( again), hey, i've got to make up for lost time.....

okay, maybe i should just not watch the games? maybe that would work? Freddie pitched pretty well tonight, but we haven't managed many hits. just another shoulda/coulda at this point. i still think we have some hits left in our bats tonight to get back into this one. j.k......

so now i can stop watching... we'll probably get washed out after 7 complete.. let's keep winning series though, next stop toronto. j.k.....

Hello guys and gals. Haven't posted in a few, just trying to sit quietly and watch game to game, seems if I just sit back quietly they fare better, maybe it's a coincidence, but it's been a little bit better lately. Klein, nice to have you back, you were missed.

Indeed, it is great to have you back JK!

Bummer takin an L tonight, but just keep taking series and we'll be just fine come the end of September. Don't get me wrong- sweeps are great!

Just keep focused, keep believin and keep playing. We'll be ok. Lets go SOX!

That didn't work. i stopped watching after the rain delay hoping that i was the jinx that had us losing with my watching, but we didn't do any better later, so i can officially say that i'm not the reason for any trouble we've been having. whew!! it would have been impossible for me not to watch the games anyhow.

on to baseball thoughts for a change. Ozzie's penchant for keeping his starters in games late so they can have a chance for a W simply isn't working this year as it did last. that's not necessarilly what happened last night with Freddie, but if he had been taken out for a fresher arm after six, we could have tied it up in the eighth, and possibly won it. i'm not second guessing what the Wizard does, just throwing it out for discussion. bottom line is we couldn't get to luke hudson ( aka nolen ryan). as some have pointed out previously, we never seem to fare too well against rookies or call-ups for some reason. ( he was new to us anyway). i'm glad to see that Paulie and Sock-it Thome will be back friday. as Bethany said, keep winning series and we'll be okay. see you all in toronto manana against