Good view

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

Looks like not many active Sox fans writing anymore so I will carry the torch for the southside. I attended the double-header sweep over the Tigers and loved every minute! A nice little Bridgeport secret for great eats- Pancho’s Pistolas on 31st and Union (right across from famous Freddie’s). Excellent food and drink- try the frozen peach margharitas. That plus Miller Lite at the ballpark makes for a great day. I also have tickets for tomorrow’s impending sweep of Toronto. Go Sox!

This team is starting to look alive as the veterans are healthy and hitting while the young players like Fields and Owens are growing up. Buerhle, Vazquez, Garland, and Danks make for a great rotation- now if we could only figure out what to do with Contreras. I suggest middle relief as he usually gives up most of his runs after a few innings. Give Masset or Floyd a chance and lets see what these kids are made of. Sayonara to Iguchi- I really enjoyed his stay here but I believe that Richar is the future and we need speed on the basepaths. I also believe Kenny Williams has plans for Mike Dubee whether there is a trade combination or a bright future- he is pitching well in A ball. The bullpen is still atrocious and must be avoided at all times. I blame Kenny for his lack of veterans in the pen, something which can be remedied in the offseason.

I would really like to tell everyone about Miller Park in Milwaukee. I recently attended a game there with a group of friends and was blown away. It was so modern and spacious. The movable dome was pure genius- I am a bit jealous when I see what could have been on the southside! Of course I could not say much for the environment- the stadium was never rowdy or excited, though Tim Lincicum was killing the Brewers that day!

I will update everyone with the sweep results tomorrow and give my ‘07-’08 offseason strategy- and I do hope Kenny Williams is listening!

MidSummer Classic

Cait Higgins, Sox Superfan

The first half of the season is over. I am really looking forward to how the rest of the season is going to play out. Don’t count us out – the Twins were 14 out of first at the All Star break last season, and they wound up winning the division. We were 2 games out, and wound up in third place (even after winning 90 games!).

The most important thing that has happened recently is our self-proclaimed “Paris Hilton,” Mark Buehrle. Thank you, Kenny Williams and crew, for giving him what he wants. I do not think I am alone when I say that he is an anchor for this team, and we would be in a bigger hole if we decided to not give him a contract. I’m glad we’re keeping the Mark we know and love where he belongs! I had the great pleasure of being at the game on Sunday and bursting into tears of joy when the news was announced!! I am looking forward to a more relaxed second half from him. I think he will be coming into the second half of the season stronger than ever… and a new daddy! Congrats Mark and Jamie! I can’t wait to see little Buehrle.

Javy Vasquez has been such a great suprise the last couple of games. I got the pleasure of seeing his last two starts. What a welcome change to see one of our guys pitch the whole game. I think it is a big help to the bullpen, too, because they can get some more rest.

Crede is beginning his rehab assignment next week. That is so exciting! I really miss his presence on the field. I like Josh Fields, but I don’t think that he is quite ready to be a big leage starter… especially playing the same position as someone as excellent as Joe Crede.

Three huge busts: Toby Hall, Gavin Floyd, Andrew Sisco.
- I was so sad when Toby hurt himself, because I really thought he had potential to be an excellent backup catcher. So far, he has contributed errors, ONE RBI, zero homers, and has been behind the plate during some of the games where the other team has scored the most runs, and some of the biggest crumbling of leads.
- Gavin Floyd could not shut down the Twins. All we heard about in Spring Training was the battle between Floyd and Danks for the 5th starter job. After seeing his performance during the Split against a fellow rookie who has a much worse record than him, I am glad the managers and coaches made the right choice and went with Danks.
- Sisco has been absolutely terrible. I thought he was throwing really good stuff when I saw him in spring training. Now, I cringe when I see him warm up in the bullpen. I have found myself turning away from the screen when he is in.

Oh yeah, and Leyland should have put in Bobby in the 9th during the AllStar game last night.

White Flag!

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

It is official. I have abandoned my hopes of reaching the other teams in the division, the playoffs, and even .500. There is no more hope for the train wreck that is the 2007 season. Now what do we do? If we do not have hope for this season then we must take an early route (Cub fan style) to either hoping for next year or declaring football season has started! I prefer to take the optimist path and continue watching my Sox. Here are a few suggestions for those preferring to keep viewing baseball:

1. Trade Deadline. There are going to be some very interesting rumors and moves going down from now to the end of July. Some of this may offer help for the future as Kenny Williams has always been known to be a big player in past seasons and hopefully will not disappoint. Whether he does or not it is certain to create enough for Sox fans to talk about until next season.
2. Youth Watch. The Sox do have some young talent for us to watch, even if some of them have been brought into action a bit early. Josh Fields is becoming my favorite Sox player- he is exciting in the field, at bat, and on the base paths with his speed. I am also very interested to see what the rest of the season holds for young pitchers like John Danks, Nick Massett, and Gavin Floyd. Jerry Owens, Ryan Sweeney, Luis Terrero, and Andy Gonzalez will also lend to the youth watch.
3. Mark Buerhle. He is the biggest news on the south side. Considering how large a contract he will fetch on the free agent market, I have a hard time understanding why he is not signed. For a guy who is willing to sign for less than half of what comparable pitcher Barry Zito just signed with San Francisco for, keeping him is a no brainer. He is young (28), durable, is a champion, and has produced (no-hitter this season). Plus he has diminished his own trade value by declaring that if he is traded he will be filing for free agency at the end of this season. Who is willing to trade anything of value for a pitcher they will use for two-plus months? Just sign this charismatic fan favorite already!
4. There is other baseball to watch. I am not just a Sox fan- I am a baseball fan. The Red Sox, Angels, Tigers vs. Indians, Padres vs. Dodgers, Mets, and Brewers (they will beat down the sCrUBS!).

Even with all of this positive talk I still have to say I am ready for the Bears to break camp. So many juicy subjects to dive into- can they repeat their success? is Rex our QB? (I hope not!) Lance Briggs? Cedric Benson? Devin Hester?

Teaser

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

As the enthusiasm pumped through my body, I realized exactly what I was feeling. Our Sox began to rise from the dead after their embarrassing losses to the sCrUBS to resemble a team on the rise. Then, reality set in. With a secure lead Buerhle left a mop up job to the bullpen. It was a task they still are unable to handle. Even our lone All-Star Bobby Jenks could not put away the reeling Orioles. This is the common theme of a team unable to find a way to win even when it is handed to them.

This team has become the ultimate tease. They are able to win series after series, but unable to sweep. They then go into massive slumps but have been able to rise from the depths to show glimmers of promise. Injuries have hit us hard. Crede, Erstad, Podsednik, Ozuna, and Thome have found their way to the DL and been mostly unavailable to the Sox this season. But that is not an excuse. Young players have contended for starting positions all year, struggling to make this team win, but even the most stallworth of veterans have failed us, leaving the team on the brink of last place.

I am at odds with myself trying to figure if it is time to tear this team down or to complement it. They have many parts which should lend to a championship but those parts are only good on paper at the moment. Something tells me we need new blood and not just the kind we have brought up from the minors. Trades need to happen, whether they are for rebuilding or reloading. Our bullpen is horrendous and our offense still could use a boost. Hey Kenny!- let us know what is going on! Are you going to sign our loyal champs like Buerhle or are you going to trade them and try to make us a young contender? A statement must be made because this season seems like a large misevaluation- I was a victim of it but I do not get paid to evaluate ANY talent! If I was then I would give myself one more try- just like I am giving current management- but do not stretch our patience too thin! We are fans but not fools.