Run production and slugging: not always hand in hand posted by David

While researching ballplayers of the nineties, I discovered that in 1993, Jeff King of the Pirates drove in 98 runs while hitting only nine home runs and slugging just .406.  I then wondered if any player has ever driven in 100 runs with fewer than 10 homers or with a slugging percentage under .400.  Upon further investigation, I found that in 1996 – the year he turned 40 during the Dog Days of August – Paul Molitor hit just nine homers but accumulated 113 RBI’s while playing for the Twins.  Thanks to his American League-leading 225 hits and batting two hitters behind leadoff man Chuck Knoblauch in the midst of his best season (.448 OBP), Molitor led the Twins in both hitting (.341) and Runs Batted In.  I have yet to find a player with a season of 100+ RBI’s despite a slugging percentage under .400 (Molitor’s was a healthy .468), but I will continue searching.

How ‘bout that?

How about Roy Halladay?  In a classy move following his trade to the Phillies, Halladay wrote an open letter to Blue Jays fans in a full-page ad in the Toronto Sun, thanking them for their “overwhelming passion and devotion.”  Halladay, the longest-tenured member of the Jays, will remain in the team record books for quite some time.  He is second to Dave Stieb in wins by a Blue Jays pitcher with 148, and during his big-league career, which began in 1998, he represented the Jays in six All-Star games, came within one out of a no-hitter in his second major league start, and set a single-season franchise record with 22 wins in 2003, when he won the Cy Young Award.  He also threw 49 Complete Games, including 15 shutouts, good for third and second, respectively, in Blue Jays history.  Halladay’s good-bye makes me feel good as a baseball fan.

Hopefully, Brock Lesnar is not the next Bo Jackson posted by Colin Linneweber

UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar was released from a hospital in Bismark, N.D., Tuesday and he is currently recovering at his home in Minnesota from Mononucleosis and a serious bacterial infection in his intestinal tract.

Last month, Lesnar (4-1), the 2000 NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion at the University of Minnesota, was forced to cancel his scheduled title defense at UFC 106 against Shane Carwin (11-0) due to a previously undisclosed illness.

The bout versus Carwin, 34, was almost immediately rescheduled for UFC 108 in early-2010.

However, Lesnar, 32, indefinitely postponed his slated match with Carwin last week because his illness had yet to subside.

“Brock’s very, very sick,” UFC President Dana White told TMZ. “He’s not well and he’s not going to be getting well anytime soon.”

White said that Lesnar’s condition would necessitate “major surgery.”

Last July in Las Vegas, Lesnar avenged his only defeat as a professional mixed martial artist when he pulverized past titlist Frank Mir (12-4) with strikes and won by TKO in the second round.

Lesnar, a former three-time WWE champion who was invited to try out for the Minnesota Vikings in 2004, is UFC’s glittering attraction and he seemed destined to dominate his division for the foreseeable future.

“There’s a possibility Lesnar will never fight again,” said White of the native of South Dakota.

If Lesnar is unable to return to UFC, it will be one of the most premature and unfortunate retirements in recent sports history.

Chi Sox Need An Attitude Adjustment posted by richard Kagan

How much money can owner Jerry Reinsdorf throw at the Chicago White Sox?  He went out an acquired Jake Peavy, a former Cy Young winner with the Padres.  Peavy went 3-0 in his short stint as a starter this season.  Peavy looked like an All-Star caliber pitcher.  He pitched great against Detroit in the last series of the season.  If he stays healthy, he will be a big help with the Sox.  The other question is Alex Rios, the player the Sox acquired from Toronto.  Rios did not have a good season with the Sox.  He may have the tools, but didn't showcase them enough with Chicago.  If the Sox part ways with Jermaine Dye, who again had a nice year, then Rios would start in rightfield.  Is Rios a power hitter who can hit to all fields? or a guy who can hit his way on base?  Can he drive in runs?  That's what the Sox need.

What the Sox didn't show is performing crisp, error free baseball.  Their baserunning was at times dreadful.  I never saw so many players get thrown out at the plate. I think there were 2 players who got thrown out at the plate in one game.  The team has talent.  If they played well, they would have been in the mix for the title.  As it was, they lost their shot when they tanked in the mot crucial time of the season, the last three weeks.  They may be played .500 baseball at best.  When they really needed a win, they lost the game.  The bullpen, which was decent to good for most the season, pitched poorly,  Guys couldn't hold leads or blew save chances.

Ozzie on the Edge? Sox Fading Fast posted by richard Kagan

The Chicago White Sox have wilted in the summer heat.  While it may be warm in Chicago, the Pale Hose' chances of making it post-season are all but done.  The White Sox had a shot but blew it by playing poorly on the road in their last road-trip.  And, they came back in a fog. 

This team had enough talent to win, but I think there may be something else going on.  The way the team has played in the past two weeks makes one wonder if these guys wanted it badly enough.  Ozzie Guillen, the outspoken manager has told-it-like-it is in the press.  He basically said he thought the team was mailing it in.  How does a team get to that position?

Maybe Ozzie is under contract, but there will be talk about maybe cutting the cord here.  Yes, he was the manager of the '05 Sox, but this is '09 and the team has spent gobs of money.  I think the Sox will keep Guillen and if they get off to a slow start next season, the ax may fall.  Alex Rios, the outfielder, has done nothing of note, since he was acquired in early Aug, for boatloads of money.  Peavy won his only start with the Sox.

I think the team misses the leadership of Jim Thome. It may be that he brought the team together, and was a good influence in the clubhouse, besides hitting 20+ HRs.  He seemed to like playing for the Sox.  Perhaps the players miss him as well.  Since he was moved to the Dodgers, the team has not played well at all. They have blown games, of note, the 9th inning meltdown of Bobby Jenks in Seattle.  With the Sox leading 3-1 and the Tigers losing that night, he gave up 2 HR's in the 9th, and the Sox lost in 14 innings, 4-3.  That was a brutal loss.  But hey, if you can't close out those kind of games, maybe you don't deserve to be in the playoffs. The good teams make it the post-season, and this season, the Sox have been inconsistent, frustrating, and deficient. 

ChiSox Season On The Brink posted by richard Kagan

The good news for the Chicago White Sox is that both Detroit and Minnesota lost tonight.  The bad news is that the Sox trail the Angels 5-1 in the 6th inning.  If Chicago wants to make a late season run at the Division title, it can't afford to let this game slip away.  And, they are surrendering meekly.  They have amassed a grand total of 3 hits in the game.

Where's the $100 million offense?  Rios, Konerko, Quinton, and Dye, are collecting big bucks and the bats have gone to sleep.  The game isn't over yet, but the season could be in about 3 days, if the Sox don't wake up.  Detroit can be had, if the Sox start playing (hitting) like a talented team.  They can get runners on base, Posednik is having a great season.  He's on base 2 or 3 times a game.  And, he only scores maybe one run.  That's not enough.  Good teams find ways to win games.  They force teams into making errors.  The pitcher may throw an errant pick-off throw, the second baseman mis-handles a slow ball to his left, the catcher drops a foul ball.  Good teams take advantage of these extra pitches and either move the runner over or drive him in.  That's how you play, and the Sox are not playing that way. 

It's a frustrating team to follow.  At home they play pretty well. On the road, they look punchless and timid.  Did you guys forget to take your alarm clocks with you?  Wake up, the season is in the balance.

Boston Red Sox to MISS Playoffs in '09 posted by Joe Burgmeier

Sunday August 16, 2009 following their 4-3 loss at Texas, is the first time since April 21st that the Red Sox do not have a share of the wild-card or AL East lead.  Does this mean that Red Sox nation should give up hope for the playoffs or a world series birth this year?  Probably not.  However, they should.  Sorry Red Sox fans and band wagoners, your team simply is not going to make the playoffs this year with the emergence of the Rangers pitching staff and the dominance of the Yankees offense.

Now I assume most of the Boston fans are screaming and their faces are steaming with team colors and pride.  But we have to look at match ups in the remaining schedule.  The Red Sox have a tougher remaining schedule than the Wild Card leader Texas Rangers and the only other team with an outside chance in Tampa Bay, has a tougher remaining season schedule than either and it would be one of the more amazing stretch runs if they make it.  The Red Sox have 20 games left against teams that are trying to make the playoffs, this of course comes with 6 games against all of Boston's beloved Johnny Damon and the New York Yankees, 6 games against newly acquired division rival Tampa Bay, who play tough at home, and 3 games with the Angels.  Out of the 20 playoff type team games left, there are 8 interesting games between the White Sox and Red Sox.  I'm not going to predict any winners from these games {insert 2005 playoff flashback here} but will be some of the most intriguing match ups of the season as Chicago has bolstered their hitting and pitching with the addition of Alexei Rios and SP Jake Peavy.  Peavy has been rumored for a late August return or early September return and could be a factor.  The White Sox are doing everything they can to try to win the Central this season.

White Sox Need to Play Well Now posted by richard Kagan

Give the White Sox management credit.  They spent a heap of money on Jake Peavey and Alex Rios.  Peavey, the fine pitcher from San Diego is getting ready to make his first start for Chicago.  Alex Rios, who has speed, a good glove, and can drive in runs, needs to start producing.  The Sox made a great effort to make themselves better to win the AL Central Division title.  It is up in the air. They trail Detroit and could make up their decifit in a week if they play really well.

The question is:  How good are the Sox this year?  Earlier in the season they were playing poorly.  Then the team started to get better pitching in the starters and bullpen.  Guys were hitting the ball.  At home, the Sox look like a different team.  On the road, not so good. Well, good teams find ways to win on the road. Today they had a 2-0 lead late in the game, and they give it up, losing 3-2.  That is a tough loss. That is a loss that will come back to bite you.  They had a good chance to win 3 in a row on the road and let that slip away.  A few more losses like this, and their shot a post-season will be slipping away.  It's getting to late August.  It is a time to dig in and get the job done.

I don't know if the Sox can do that.  They have quality players.  The team has to play better.  Detroit and Minny can be had if the Sox play like a quality team.  If they play .545 ball, they won't make it.  The Sox need to get hot and see if they can make up ground versus the Tigers. Then in September, you might have a pennant race.  Last season they did win 3 games they had to win to clinch.  This year, it may come down that again.

This Week in Baseball – Notes posted by Tony Rossi

I know, I know.  We’re all grieving over the way our boys have been playing.  I hope everyone’s been keeping the faith though.  Sure, it’s a cold streak.  But they’ll be back.  I know it.

In any case, here are some baseball tidbits from this week to take your mind off the Sox:

-Bartolo Colon will be pitching for the White Sox tonight.  Remember this guy? How could you not.  Who knows, if he pitches well enough we might see him pitch against the Red sox at the end of August.  I’m sure he’ll get a warm welcome from the Fenway Fans – and by warm, I mean not warm at all. 

-Mark Buehrle pitched a perfect game on Wednesday July 23rd.  That part you probably knew already.  But did you know he got a phone call from White Sox fan Barack Obama?? http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090723&conte

-The Kansas City Royals have lost nine straight games.  And I thought that Cleveland would finish their season in last.  Right now both teams are tied, but the real story is who’s on top.  The White Sox and Tigers are both tied for first, while Minnesota is only two and a half games behind. 

-Matt Holliday may be dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals.  According to Bobby Dittmeier from mlb.com, the A’s want Cardinal’s prospect Brett Wallace in return.  Wallace is currently hitting .289 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs in the minors.  A lineup that contains both Holliday and Pujols could be pretty dangerous. 

White Sox Have A Shot To Repeat posted by richard Kagan

It's the mid-season break during the 3 day All-Star game break and it's a chance for baseball players and managers to get away from the game and re-charge for the 2nd half of the season.  While the Chicago Cubs are certainly not out of it in their division, I feel more confident about their cross-town rivals having better success.

The Chicago White Sox have good starting pitching and 3 hittters who could drive in 100 rbi's this year. Paul Konerko finished the first half on fire, having a career game in which he hit 3 home runs, including a grand-slam, and knocked in 7 runs batted in against Cleveland.  Jim Thome has 50 rbi's and Jermaine Dye, one of the most underrated hitters in the American League, has a good shot at reaching 100.  Scott Posednik, the lead-off man, finds a way to get on base, and Alexis Ramirez seems like a good fit batting 2nd.  The team started hitting the ball better in the last 10 games.  If ChiSox can keep it up, they have a good chance of catching the Tigers, who lead by 3 games. 

It may go down to the wire again for the Pale Hose.  They have enough to contend, but I don't know if they can play .670 ball for more than 7 games. If the Sox get hot, they may overtake the Tigers.

On the NorthSide, it's a jammed pack Wrigley Field crowd of beer-guzzling, chanting, fans, who will likely head home disappointed.  Yeah, it's a great place to get a sun tan, and meet some nice women in the bleachers.  But they way the Cubs are hitting, the hottest thing might be the babes.  Unless the team wakes up and starts hitting the ball, it looks like another empty summer for Cubs fans.

Konerko dialed in at US Cellular. White Sox 10, Indians 6. posted by Brad VanFossan

Well since I’ve last wrote, Mark Shapiro has said Eric Wedge’s job is safe at least for this year, so I’m not going to continue to beat a dead horse calling for Wedge’s head anymore. What I do think is funny is that a guy who is equally if not more responsible for the unraveling of this team is saying someone else’s job is safe for now, like he isn’t living on borrowed time himself. Sometimes I wonder if Larry Dolan really cares or what kind of trance Shapiro has him under. If he is under one, I’d like to get my hands on some of that elixir Mark has been giving him. Tonight it’s Jeremy Sowers vs. Mark Buehrle in Chicago for the now infamous 8:11 start time. Here are some things that caught my script “I”:

-Jeremy Sowers is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball…in the first inning.

-Regardless of what Allcare Dental says, there’s not a person on the earth who can make seeing the dentist easy, at least until those metal hooks are gone for good.

-It’s funny how Wedge usually doesn’t kickstart things on the base paths but tonight, immediately after Rick and Matt said it was near impossible to steal off Buehrle, Wedge sends Francisco and he gets caught up in a run down and thrown out at second.

-Some were saying Bill Livingston nailed it in his piece the other day about how fans want the Indians to win games, but at the same time they almost don’t want them to if that means a strong second half will bring back the Shapiro/Wedge regime for another year, and another horrible start in April, and you get the drift. I’m not sure Livingston really dug up any key evidence but merely voiced the opinions of his e-mailers and rumblings of other beat writers, fans, and others close to the team. But yes, that is kind of the way I feel and I’m sure it's the same for many fans, the ones that even have an opinion of this team anymore.

Two-time MVP Thomas retires after 19 seasons

Frank Thomas has announced his retirement following a 19-seasoncareer in which he hit 521 homers and won two American League MVPawards with the Chicago White Sox. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for MLB

White Sox in on Damon bidding (Yahoo! Sports)

The Chicago White Sox have apparently joined in on the bidding for outfielder Johnny Damon. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports