Archive for September, 2009

Another ‘Blown’ Opportunity

Posted in White Sox News with tags , , , , on September 18, 2009 by OneRunGame

” A blown save (abbreviated BS or B) is charged to a pitcher who enters a game in a situation which permits him to earn a save (a save situation or save opportunity), but who instead allows the tying run to score. Note that if the tying run was scored by a runner who was already on base when the new pitcher entered the game, that new pitcher will be charged with a blown save even though the run will not be charged to the new pitcher, but rather to the pitcher who allowed that runner to reach base.” – compliments of Wikipedia.org

There are times throughout a season where a blown save may feel like it was the 20th blown save of the season. Even when you might exaggerate that number ever so slightly. Thursday night in Seattle, felt like one of those blown saves.

Bobby Jenks has come through for the White Sox a lot in the past … coming up with the big save when the game is close. After all, that is part of a closer’s job. There have been many games where the Sox have added a late run or two taking the game out of a save situation … thus leading Jenks to take a seat in the bullpen.

There’s nothing more disheartening to not only the team but to the fans as well, than a blown save. There have been closers for the Sox and other teams in baseball I think that should have had “B. Save” on the backs of their jerseys instead of their actual names. A blown save, especially with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, up 3-2 – after a stellar pitching performance that deserved a win. Even more crushing when the team you’re chasing, [Detroit], loses again for the seventh time in the last ten games, giving you a golden opportunity to gain ground. Not long ago the Sox were on the giving end of blowing a save in Minnesota, sending Joe Nathan to the bench to hang his face in his glove. How long have we been hoping for that to happen?

Forever.

As much as I think the Sox are out of it, they’re not. Not yet at least. They still have six games with Detroit. (3 in CHI, 3 in DET to close the season). Not to mention, they need A LOT of help. Both in-house and elsewhere in the American League Central.

You can argue some blown saves could have been avoided and might be a blown call by coaching staff judgment. I mean, John Danks was pitching a gem and exited after only 97 pitches in 8 innings. 97 pitches in a game the Sox needed to win, especially when earlier in the day the Tigers had lost again to the Royals. Couldn’t Ozzie just let Danks lead the 9th and perhaps see what happens? Up 3-1, and the first sign of trouble, go to the bullpen?

Hey, I guess we’ll never know.

Instead, Jenks serves up two solo HRs, ties the game and we head into the 14th inning. As Ozzie said after Thursday night’s game, “It was 2 1/2 hours of satisfaction and then 2 1/2 hours of [bad] baseball.”

Kinda sums up the season, doesn’t it?

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Inching Closer … ?

Posted in Major League Baseball News with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 11, 2009 by OneRunGame

Have you looked at the standings lately?

Just a week ago SOX fans were all talking BEAR football. So was I. (well, we still are). Twenty-one games remain on the ’09 slate, with the White Sox sitting six back. Hmmm. We are aware of the Sox having six left with Detroit, three here, three there to close the season. Could this be possible? How upset would you be? Sure, we’d be excited if they won their second consecutive division title … but what an emotional rollercoaster they’ve put us on all season! That horrible road trip to Boston, New York and Minnesota. (except for the last game) … Tough losses to Cleveland and Baltimore splashed in there … all the little games that slipped away in the last inning or two … and we’re STILL in it? Thank you White Sox … but don’t do this to us! 

Here you have Mark Buehrle. Throws a perfect game, thrusting us into a first place tie with the Tigers. Then we go into Detroit with all kinds of momentum, only to lose three of four. We’ve been on the outside looking in ever since. Granted, Detroit haven’t exactly ran away with the division. The mere fact that the White Sox are ONLY six games out, still in striking distance with several games to play against the division leader … doesn’t that make you a little … ticked? 
I don’t say that meaning I wish they were out of it, not at all. But the ups & downs of a season sure make me feel like I was in the dugout for each and every win and loss. I work in professional baseball as an announcer, and after a long homestand, yeah – you do feel a bit worn down. We all know the Sox have a team to win and compete right now. In my mind, they’ve lost a little muscle by trading Jim Thome to the Dodgers – but they’re still good and versatile. 
If we can get Jake Peavy healthy  and in good form and be only three or four games out by the time we go head to head with Detroit and get Alex Rios to figure out that hitting the baseball gives the Sox an advantage … folks, October baseball might be in our forecasts again. Kansas City just swept the Tigers and the White Sox are headed back to L.A. where they have played pretty well for the most part. Six games out and in third place is not where you want to be, but it could be worse. 
I’m with Kenny Williams on this one, this would be a disappointing season if we did not make and do well in the playoffs. We’ll certainly see where the next couple of weeks lead us. 

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What Do We Have Left …?

Posted in Major League Baseball News with tags , , , , , , , , , , on September 7, 2009 by OneRunGame

What do YOU the fan look to get out of the final 20-some-odd games remaining this season?

Maybe you haven’t been to a game yet this year. You’ve waited all summer and now you need to get to one….? Perhaps you have a birthday coming up and you thought attending a late-September game on your hey-day would make perfect sense … because after all, the Sox were “supposed” to be in the thick of things and repeat as division champs. Why not? 

Let’s not focus on the fact that the Sox have all but eliminated themselves from the playoff hunt. (8 games out w/ 23 or 24 games remaining… you do the math. I am not happy about it either). Let’s take a look at the brighter side of things. Like the match-up on Labor Day. Hey, you still get to see two aces, Josh Beckett and Mark Buehrle duke it out. It’s not like the Sox won’t play competitive baseball the final month of the season. 
You never know what form of epic-Cubs or Mets type of collapse the Tigers might encounter. Aside from many misfortunes on the field this year defensively, or on the basepaths, and whatever falters the bullpen has had … it just might not be the Sox’ year. 
They looked the best they have all season in this recent, brief four-game winning streak. We the fans should appreciate that. Great pitching, error-free defense, timely hitting – and FINALLY making Joe Nathan feel miserable . Isn’t that what we’ve been waiting for all year? The unfortunate truth, they gained absolutely no ground on the Tigers. If you win, and the guy in front of you wins … what else can you do? The Brewers in 2008 did the best thing they could do to win by bringing in C.C Sabbathia … making it to the playoffs … but being eliminated in the first round. ‘ Hey, you tried! ‘. It depends on what your level of success and failure is. Looking back, I am positive the Milwaukee fans are grateful to have made the playoffs after an un-Godly, horrifying absence. 
There are two things I remember (and fans will probably remember only two things) about the 2007 season. Know what they are? First, Mark Buehrle’s no-hitter in mid-April. I mean, that was awesome. Secondly, on Sept. 16th – Jim Thome’s 500th career HR. (I was there).I look back now and hold no grudges that they were horrible that year. I look back and enjoy … now those are key moments in White Sox history. 
Already this year, we’ve had a roster that looks like the sole of someone’s running shoe. Wilson Betemit – Triple-A’d, Brent Lillibridge – up/down, Brian Anderson – wah wah, “I’ve had every opportunity in the universe to hit the little white baseball, but I’m too cocky to try “… gone. We’ve seen some young players on this team flourish and develop, all the while, still being in contention for a division. Kenny’s plan has worked, believe it or not. Let’s not forget about the perfect game…. OK – most teams in the cellar every year (Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Washington to name a few) do not get those kind of memories to look back on. So let’s not get so worked up now that the season may be over in a playoff sense. 
Acquiring Alex Rios off waivers from Toronto, (albeit his average is awful) a good pickup for this year … a great one for 2010. Jake Peavy, a nail-biter for this year … a manicure for next year. Give the guy a winter to do nothing but rest his elbow… and the Sox have a good foundation to build on with the pieces in place. I won’t get into roster analysis on my first blog. I had every intention of making this one short. Ooops. 
What do we have left? Well, the final month will tell us. Take a look at some of your favorite Sox players now, because they may not be here next year. 
Get to the ballpark if you can and see for yourself and have fun!  
Go Sox …

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