Saturday, October 1, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Will Sox Trade Ozzie to Florida and bring in Buddy Bell?
Will the new Chicago White Sox manager have a ring to his name? With Ozzie all but certain to be let go the Sox are searching for a new manager. First things first. While the Sox still have rights to Ozzie the front office is looking to trade him to Florida. If the prospect is right look for Ozzie to go south with Joey Cora next spring. Seen in the hallways of U.S. Cellular Field has been 3 time Major League manager Buddy Bell. Will Bell bring his talents onto the field in 2012?
With Ozzie gone who will stay? Greg Walker is most likely not staying. Pitching coach Don Cooper maybe staying. But for Cooper to stay look for him to sign a 7 figure deal. Maybe some where in the 4 years at 2 million. After that it might be up to Bell to bring in his guys. Harold Baines seems to have had enough of the on the field stuff and maybe moved up to the front office. Either way the White Sox will be a much more fundamental team in 2012.
With Ozzie gone who will stay? Greg Walker is most likely not staying. Pitching coach Don Cooper maybe staying. But for Cooper to stay look for him to sign a 7 figure deal. Maybe some where in the 4 years at 2 million. After that it might be up to Bell to bring in his guys. Harold Baines seems to have had enough of the on the field stuff and maybe moved up to the front office. Either way the White Sox will be a much more fundamental team in 2012.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Ozzie and coaching staff blowing in the wind
With Ozzie on his way to South Florida who does he take with him? I assume Joey Cora goes. Does Baines go with? Does Baines retire? Maybe he will move upstairs and be the Chairman's special assistant. What about Cooper? He and Kenny got in a big fight this year too. Only the Walker and Williams fight made it public. Speaking of fights the fight between Hawk and Walker on the White Sox Charter never saw air either. Anyway Cooper will get hired some where. He could be on the Yankees staff right now but Williams said no. Now Cooper looks like he is free to go in 6 days. Jeff Cox. Does Ozzie take him with. Ozzie gave Coxy a good job the last few years. But can Cox deal with all the in house fighting. Cox is a guy that will also get picked up. If Mike Quade is with the Cubs next year look for him to be his bench coach on the northside. Nieves the bullpen coach? Does he go with Ozzie to Florida. Does Walker go? I think Walker might be heading to his farm to take it easy for awhile. If Ozzie needs a hitting coach look for him to take another member of the current Sox staff with him. Is Darryl Boston in line for anything? What a fun off season it should be at 35 and Shields with all the changes.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Top Ten Lies Told To White Sox Fans This Year
The Top Ten Lies Told To White Sox Fans This Year:
10. Brett Morel will hit 15 Home Runs.
9. Gordon Beckman will hit .270
8. Alex Rios will hit .280
7. Matt Thornton is ready to be a closer.
6. It's AJ's fault that other teams steal at will on the Sox.
5. It's the pitchers fault that other teams steal at will on the Sox.
4. Don't worry about the Tigers, worry about the Twins.
3. Juan Pierre will steal 35 bases.
2. The Sox will hit when the weather warms up.
1. Adam Dunn will strike out a lot but he will hit 40 Home runs.
.
10. Brett Morel will hit 15 Home Runs.
9. Gordon Beckman will hit .270
8. Alex Rios will hit .280
7. Matt Thornton is ready to be a closer.
6. It's AJ's fault that other teams steal at will on the Sox.
5. It's the pitchers fault that other teams steal at will on the Sox.
4. Don't worry about the Tigers, worry about the Twins.
3. Juan Pierre will steal 35 bases.
2. The Sox will hit when the weather warms up.
1. Adam Dunn will strike out a lot but he will hit 40 Home runs.
.
Friday, August 26, 2011
The Captain Hits #2000
The Captain Hits #2000!
By Alishia Thompson
Since Paul Konerko’s first hit (a single) on September 8, 1997 as a pinch hitter with the Dodgers, he has delighted, awed, and given fans of both sides of town something great to be proud of and believe in. Tonight, he’s continued that tradition by reaching another milestone, his 2000th career hit.
In his 14 year career, Konerko has put together a humble stat line of 2000 H/393 HR/1242 RBI/.282 AVG/.359 OBP/.502 SLG with a 280.7 VORP and 23.4 WARP. He’s made 5 All-Star appearances and has been Captain of the White Sox, one of only 3 in baseball, since 2006. While he’s rarely talked about by the national media and tends to shy away from public praise and cameras, Paulie has been the epitome of a major league baseball player. He’s grown mentally and physically both on defense and with his team carrying offense. As a young player, he was a lot like Carlos Quentin, taking every swing personally and beating himself up when at bats didn’t go his way. Over time, he’s developed into what Greg Walker has called, “very mechanically and technically correct with his swing.”
In recent years, it’s looked like Konerko was settling in and slowing down. Nagging bone bruises and month long slumps gave the impression that his days were numbered. He was spending more time as a DH and less as an automatic everyday first baseman. In 2010, it was a contract year and the White Sox Captain would be a free agent at the end of the season. What a season it was! 2010 was an amazing year for the slugger with 171 H/39 HR/111 RBI/.312 AVG/.393 OBP/.556 SLG a VORP of 37.1 and a WARP of 3.4. He was like a new man, yet still undervalued in his profession by both baseball and the media. Loyal fans cheered and gave ovation after ovation for Konerko game after game, terrified of what the future seemingly held for him. The annual slump never came and if it was to be his swan song, it was one that Paulie and Chicago could be proud of.
In the off-season, the White Sox signed career slugger Adam Dunn. A move that looked to end Konerko’s amazing run on the South Side. Thankfully, however, this would not be the case as Konerko signed a 3 year, $37.5 million contract to likely finish out his career with the Sox. The fear then became the question of Paulie’s ability to continue last year’s success in the 2011 season. Not that it’s Konerko’s style, but athletes tend to have stellar seasons when contract talks come around and then settle into lower comfort levels once the ink has dried. Like I said, that’s not Konerko, and 2011 has been just as phenomenal for him, with his numbers currently looking as though he can finish even better than last season in every category.
The White Sox owe 90% of their season to their Captain, who lately, has reminded fans of another Chicago athlete known to reach new levels of play and success when faced with bouts of illness or injury. His career will never be compared to that of Michael Jordan, and shouldn’t. Konerko is all class, and regardless of which local team you cheer for, he is a player we can all be proud of and will hopefully enjoy watching for years to come.
Since Paul Konerko’s first hit (a single) on September 8, 1997 as a pinch hitter with the Dodgers, he has delighted, awed, and given fans of both sides of town something great to be proud of and believe in. Tonight, he’s continued that tradition by reaching another milestone, his 2000th career hit.
In his 14 year career, Konerko has put together a humble stat line of 2000 H/393 HR/1242 RBI/.282 AVG/.359 OBP/.502 SLG with a 280.7 VORP and 23.4 WARP. He’s made 5 All-Star appearances and has been Captain of the White Sox, one of only 3 in baseball, since 2006. While he’s rarely talked about by the national media and tends to shy away from public praise and cameras, Paulie has been the epitome of a major league baseball player. He’s grown mentally and physically both on defense and with his team carrying offense. As a young player, he was a lot like Carlos Quentin, taking every swing personally and beating himself up when at bats didn’t go his way. Over time, he’s developed into what Greg Walker has called, “very mechanically and technically correct with his swing.”
In recent years, it’s looked like Konerko was settling in and slowing down. Nagging bone bruises and month long slumps gave the impression that his days were numbered. He was spending more time as a DH and less as an automatic everyday first baseman. In 2010, it was a contract year and the White Sox Captain would be a free agent at the end of the season. What a season it was! 2010 was an amazing year for the slugger with 171 H/39 HR/111 RBI/.312 AVG/.393 OBP/.556 SLG a VORP of 37.1 and a WARP of 3.4. He was like a new man, yet still undervalued in his profession by both baseball and the media. Loyal fans cheered and gave ovation after ovation for Konerko game after game, terrified of what the future seemingly held for him. The annual slump never came and if it was to be his swan song, it was one that Paulie and Chicago could be proud of.
In the off-season, the White Sox signed career slugger Adam Dunn. A move that looked to end Konerko’s amazing run on the South Side. Thankfully, however, this would not be the case as Konerko signed a 3 year, $37.5 million contract to likely finish out his career with the Sox. The fear then became the question of Paulie’s ability to continue last year’s success in the 2011 season. Not that it’s Konerko’s style, but athletes tend to have stellar seasons when contract talks come around and then settle into lower comfort levels once the ink has dried. Like I said, that’s not Konerko, and 2011 has been just as phenomenal for him, with his numbers currently looking as though he can finish even better than last season in every category.
The White Sox owe 90% of their season to their Captain, who lately, has reminded fans of another Chicago athlete known to reach new levels of play and success when faced with bouts of illness or injury. His career will never be compared to that of Michael Jordan, and shouldn’t. Konerko is all class, and regardless of which local team you cheer for, he is a player we can all be proud of and will hopefully enjoy watching for years to come.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Williams Going After Walker
A little birdie told me that last week GM Kenny Williams and hitting coach Greg Walker got into a heated discussion in Ozzies office. The subject of discussion was Williams being quoted in a paper that Gordon Beckhams hitting has gone downhill since he got of college. Walker upon reading the article asked Mr. Williams to discuss his comment. As the two became angry and started yelling Ozzie told them to take it into his office and out of the club house. The door to Ozzies office slammed shut and the people in theclubhouse could hear the two yell at each other.
No punches were thrown but as Jerry Reinsdorf stood outside the office Walker could be heard telling Williams to "go ahead punch me." Williams knew better then to take it down that road.
Finally Kenny comes out of the office and tells Reinsdorf that Walker is gone and that he better pack his stuff up and leave. Reinsdorf then went to Walker and told him not to pack anything up. Reinsdorf then went and huddled with Harold Baines. After a 15 minute talk with Baines, Baines went up to Williams office to cool him down.
Walker during this time was heard he never liked Williams when he played with him and he sure doesn't like him now. Appartently what ever Baines and Reinsdorf said to Williams saved Walkers job. Walker's future with the team looks in jepordy. Truth be told the whole coaching staff looks like this is their last year. Reinsdorf would be hard pressed to keep this group around for 2012.
No punches were thrown but as Jerry Reinsdorf stood outside the office Walker could be heard telling Williams to "go ahead punch me." Williams knew better then to take it down that road.
Finally Kenny comes out of the office and tells Reinsdorf that Walker is gone and that he better pack his stuff up and leave. Reinsdorf then went to Walker and told him not to pack anything up. Reinsdorf then went and huddled with Harold Baines. After a 15 minute talk with Baines, Baines went up to Williams office to cool him down.
Walker during this time was heard he never liked Williams when he played with him and he sure doesn't like him now. Appartently what ever Baines and Reinsdorf said to Williams saved Walkers job. Walker's future with the team looks in jepordy. Truth be told the whole coaching staff looks like this is their last year. Reinsdorf would be hard pressed to keep this group around for 2012.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Photo Day with Steve Dahl, Harold Baines and 2011 Campers
The 2011 White Sox Fantasy Camp held in Glendale, Arizona. In this video you see Chicago Icons Steve Dahl and Harold Baines getting their team photos taken.
The Fantasy Camp is held in January at the home of the White Sox Spring training site in Arizona. If you like to play baseball and warm weather in Arizona this is the trip for you.
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