CaliforniaRaisin

Why? Leinart suffered some problems from the late hit against ASU but he's been fine since. Tyrrel Sutton is helping my fantasy team out big time. :D

What the hell does this have to do with anything? If you're a Bear fan, it has everything to do with.......everything. These are the same fans you will be hugging at Soldier field after the Bears score a winning touchdown (if they ever do.........that's another story). It's a very, very good reason to root for Chicago and therefore the White Sox. We're all Chicago fans, and that's the bottom line. Certainly most Cub & Sox fans have Chicago in their hearts, and that's more than enough reason to root for the White Sox over the hated, despicable, Cardinals. If you aren't a Bear fan, then perhaps it doesn't mean anything to you. Many Cub fans are though, including myself. Please...those same Bears fans were talking trash after Games 6 and 7 in 2003 to me and other Cubs fans.

I would. The Cubs would have had to make the playoffs inspite of relying on Hollandsworth and Burnitz to replace Alou and Sosa's 2004 production.

I think most of us are, given the negative posts around here.

That's because you think it's a miracle and it isn't. It was well planned out and executed to provide a ballclub that works with his manager. Lee for Pod is downright stupid if you are trying to build a power-based baseball team. But not so stupid if you intend to put more runners in scoring position and want to improve your defense a little. Oh, and by the way: it didn't hurt the White Sox power numbers a whole lot as it turned out. But that wasn't the point. The point was to give Guillen tools he could work with. It's still stupid when you can get more for Lee than just Scotty Poddy and don't.

Minor league system comment -- let's take a look at the important ChiSox this year: Rotation - El Duque - not homegrown Garland - not (entirely) homegrown Buehrle - homegrown Contreras - not homegrown Garcia - not homegrown Lineup: Podsednik - not homegrown Iguchi - not homegrown Dye - not homegrown Konerko - not homegrown Everett - not homegrown Rowand - homegrown Pierzynski - not homegrown Crede - homegrown Uribe - not homegrown No one in the bullpen except Jenks came from the minors. So in total you have Aaron Rowand, Joe Crede, Mark Buehrle, and if you want to give them the benefit of the doubt, Jon Garland. Four players does not constitute a great minor league system. The Cubs had more ROOKIES play regularly this season from their system than the White Sox have total homegrown talent on their whole playoff roster. As for the great GM comment: Podsednik, besides his 70 steals, had a very below-average year last year. His OBP was a very non-leadoff-hitter-like .313. In my opinion, the Lee-for-Podsednik deal should have hurt the Sox offense more than it did and that is luck. Dye had his best year in five years this season. Last year he was no better than Preston Wilson and now he hits 30 homers and drops his K's by 30. Also not a great move, but a move that panned out. Carl Everett didn't even have a good year. How the Cubs miss the playoffs with Ramirez/Burnitz in the five hole and the Sox make it with this scrub is beyond me. Pierzynski had his best year ever this season, and much better than with a better offense (SF) last year. How that panned out is beyond me. Juan Uribe was worth nothing before he came to the White Sox. Somehow he has hit 39 homers over the last two seasons after doing absolutely nothing with the Coors-habitated Rockies. Also dumb luck. Also you throw in Contreras and Freddy both having career years, and Garland inexplicably having one of the greatest first halves in the history of baseball, and Kenny Williams is being made to look a lot smarter than he really is with this team. Jenks isn't truly homegrown either, spending most of his minor league career with the Angels. Ken Williams is not a good GM.

"You guys"? Heh, I'm a Cubs fan first and foremost, having to live life in October vicariously through the Angels three of the past four seasons.

DH Brandon Sing (batting 5th) is 0/3 (with a BB, a K, popout to SS and a flyout to RF). David Aardsma got roughed up again: 3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K. MiLB.com actually has MLB.com Gamecasts for some of their AZL games including the one tonight.

RHP John Lackey and RHP Shawn Chacon (w/ Yankees: 7-3, 2.85 ERA; Overall: 8-10, 3.44 ERA) square off for game 4 in the Bronx. The Angels currently lead the series 2-1. There's a 90% chance of heavy rain.

Was worried when KRod slipped there, thank goodness he's ok. Angels better finish it off tomorrow.

KRod time! 8)

Not a bad game for Garrett Anderson. It'd be nice if the Angels could come up with this type of offense all the time.

Even Vlad doesn't swing at intentional balls. :P

Jose! :D

Except for that punk Yadier.

Steve Finley is awful. Let's go, Escobar!

Great, hit the second best hitter, why don't you.

I expected him to decline, but such a massive decline surprised me. I expect the Angels to replace him this offseason with Giles. Giles should go to the Cubs or the Cards. He should, but I don't expect that. Shields better hold this lead...

I expected him to decline, but such a massive decline surprised me. I expect the Angels to replace him this offseason with Giles.

CHONE! Let's get it loaded for Vlad...

Juan Rivera and Darin Erstad combine to tie it up at 6! =D>

No, our first rounder is protected. what rule makes it protected? :? that puts a fuzzy feeling in my heart though. :D The top 15 picks are protected from being lost to FA compensation. Thanks. So if we acquire a type A FA, then the team we deal with only gets the sandwich pick? :) They might get our 2nd or 3rd rounder too. Those aren't protected.

Sigh. :(

I don't think they have the offense to make it to the Series. And Cabrerra, why didn't you try throwing the ball to freaking Yonkers? Sheesh. Finally, Donnelly is out. 5-5, Cano at third with none out.

Thank you, Chone.