Besides something I got a D in.

We started this last year and then I dropped the ball in my championship euphoria. I think it is an oft-bandied about phrase that, if we are going to discuss its existence and value we need to define more clearly. Here is the link from last years discussion and my hijack of Brent Brookhouses post from yesterday. http://www.southsidesox.com/story/2005/10/29/14348/823

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I would like to start a general discussion on team  chemistry or the importance of the clubhouse. As I mentioned before Jimmy Piersall, gold glover, nut job and member of the finest broadcasting duo I've ever heard, is a baseball traditionalist but believes chemistry is bs. However most baseball insiders treat clubhouse chemistry as one of the  keys to winning baseball. At the same time, they do not consistently describe what the attributes of good team chemistry are, let alone show ways it can be measured or predictive. I would like to start with a possible area of description, that of selfishness and how that might translate into bad team performance and therefore contributing to bad chemistry.  

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It's very pleasurable to look back at this season now that is a (almost complete) success. I probably spent more time on this team since any since I was a kid, thanks to being self-employed. And as much as I hoped and revel in the season and the playoffs, it's funny how different your  perceptions were about 6 months ago

 I thought the bullpen would be good but for me the starters were shaky. I though the team woudl hit for a high average but would lack power. I thought getting rid of Lee was a good idea but Mags was not. I wasn't sure if Aaron Rowand wasn't  a fluke and that Podsednik should play center (yikes). I thought that Pierzynski was a good move. I thought the team had a chance to win 90 games if everything went right.

Anybody else?

I've been meaning to work up a thread regarding Buerhle being one of the starting pitchers for the playoffs. Ever since last September when he lost 2 must win games against the Twins I've been dubious of his ability as a big game pitcher. Since then I have refined my opinion to state that he does not fare well against the better  teams. And while at some statistical level that may seem like an oxymoron, the fact is he pitches much worse against good teams and consistently loses and much better against poorer teams and usually wins. Let's look at this year.

Wins: these are  all "quality starts" only once did he give up 4 ERs and get the win.
*    Bad teams: Seattle (2) Detroit (2) KC (3) Baltimore (2)  Twins since they've thrown in the towel (2)
*    Mediocre Teams: Toronto, Dodgers
*    Good teams (at least hitting wise) Texas (a great game)
*    That leaves 2 wins against Cleveland early in the year before they got hot.

I can argue that he has one ace quality win this year.

Losses: With the exception of an Oakland loss where he gave up 2 earned runs (but 5 total), none of these is a quality start with fewer than 4 runs allowed
*    Bad Teams: KC (2) Minnesota (on 9-25)
*    Mediocre teams: Minnesota (on 8-17)
*    Good teams: Oakland (2) Boston, Texas.

Zero ace like starts.

Non-Decisions:
*    Mediocre team, good start - San Diego (no runs)
*    Good teams, good start (runs allowed in parenthesis) LAA (1), Cleveland early (3)
*    Good teams, bad start (runs allowed in parenthesis) Oakland (7), LAA (4) Boston (5), Cleveland (4) LAA (5)

2 ace like starts

There are reasons Buehrle is successful. He throws strikes, has good command, is a lefty, fields his position very well and he keeps hitters off balance by working quickly. This will make him effective against many hitters.  It doesn't make him effective against the best teams, which in the American League have more good hitters, because he these qualities are insufficient. You need great stuff to get great hitters out

Mark Buehrle is not an ace. He was the best pitcher on a mediocre staff for 3 years. He is a number two or three starter. In this staff, right now he is number 3 behind Contreras and Garland. However, depending on his next start, McCarthy may be too hot to sit, which puts him at number four for the playoffs.

Well.... I'm waiting - Judge Smails

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"When Marte reportedly scheduled not one, but two appointments with independent doctors, general manager Ken Williams, according to one source, was furious. Williams, who is not on this trip, did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Getting on the wrong side of Guillen and Williams, especially the latter, usually is not good for a player seeking longevity with the White Sox"

Why would someone in management be furious by such an action? Even if it is against policy or procedure why become furious? If this is what sets Kenny off he needs to get a better handle on his emotions. But we've seen him operate like this before.

Anyone who manages an organization like this is bound to make irrational, counter-prdouctive decisions. Playing the 'on my good side, on my bad side'  game is childish. This organization will be constrained as long the General Manger is ruled by his emotions

This was supposed to be the acid test for the Sox. 15 games in a row with the two best east teams and their no.1 nemesis. How'd they do? They were banged up and got worse. The bullpen fell apart a couple times after being almost flawless. They got a couple of bad calls that hurt in close games. Buerhle went into a slump. They had their first real losing streak of the season. They lost 9 of 14 (one rain out)

But...

They won three of the last four. They really weren't blown out at any time; they lost by more than three only twice. The starting pitching is for real. The bullpen was due for a slump and will be fine. They will get healthier. (I'm even hopeful they'll stop over-swinging when Podsednik returns.) They are 8 games up.

They play 3 games with the Angels and a three game set with Cle in the third week of Sept. Other than that, the sked is full of teams that are bad and are or will be out of it. They have 14 games with Detroit and KC in Sept!!!!! They will make the playoffs and compete.

I'm still not crazy about the offense for the playoffs, but this pitching they will have a chance in every game. (Maybe Juan Uribe will go crazy; it could happen). I'll go back to being a pessimist tomorrow but really things are fine.

From the Sun TImes

"According to a source, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said his team would not put in a claim for Griffey if the Cincinnati Reds put him through the waivers process. The Yankees, who are in dire need of a center fielder, are the only playoff-caliber team that would seem to have the financial backing to stand behind a Griffey claim if the Reds decide they are willing to turn over the slugger and his hefty contract."

This smells fishy. Why wouldn't the Yankees do it? They need Griffey more tha the Sox.

I suppose if you stare at anything long enough you begin to discern a pattern...

I think what Ozzie/Kenny are trying to do with 12 pitchers is to cut back the on the work generally in the bullpen. Several of these guys are already approaching their career highs in appearances and I think they feel that if there are blow outs, Jenks and Adkins can pick up the innings and rest Cotts, Marte and the newly effective (!!!?) Vizcaino. These are the guys they'll need in the playoffs.

This gets blown to hell in a series like the one w/ the Yankees. I hope they win two close ones in Boston and then have a blow out either way in the other game

Plus keeping Gload in the minors keeps him playing (hitting) everyday, whereas his at bats would be limited if they brought him up.

Or not.