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Decisions
Let’s forget about Sammy Sosa. Everyone knew what he was doing except Cub fans. I still recall an old friend/neighbor of mine back in 1998 turning to me and saying,
“You’re just jealous that Ken Griffey Jr. (my favorite player of all time) isn’t hitting homeruns like this…” my response to that, even at 14/15 years old,
“You’re full of $***! There is no way he’s doing that naturally.” 11 years later, that guy and I are no longer friends for many reasons, some of which I can not say, is probably crying his eyes out that he wasted money on Sammy Sosa t-shirts. While I on the other hand laugh every time I pull out my “Corky” t-shirt.
Let’s forget about the 8 th inning debacle yesterday against the Cubs. Ozzie put in Scott Linebrink (who has been struggling with control over his last few outings) and couldn’t locate any of this pitches.
Let’s forget about “Hawk,” our homer of an announcer who I have grown up with over the last 20 years who kept dwelling on the fact that Linebrink didn’t get a 3 rd strike call against Soriano in the 8 th, and not that he threw fastballs down the middle to Derek Lee and Geovany Soto. Sometimes umpires miss calls and make mistakes, but hey, their human. That still doesn’t change that the fact the Sox were up 5-1, with 2 outs and Scott “overpaid” Linebrink threw beach balls up to the plate.
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Let’s forget about Josh Fields. Have you seen Gordon Beckham swing the bat? The kid can hit (I only say kid, because at 22 years old, he is younger than I am). Over the last 4 games, he’s 5/12 with 2 doubles, 5 RBIs, 3 walks and zero strikeouts. His defense still needs work at 3 rd base, but he I am letting that slide as 20 games isn’t enough time to judge someone who has never played the position before.
Let’s focus on the last 4 games. I was able to attend Saturday and Sunday up in Milwaukee. I have tickets for the rain delay game from Tuesday and watched Wednesday and yesterday’s game intently. Pitching was above average (except for Linebrink) not to mention the offense delivered in a timely fashion with clutch 2 out hits.
Let’s focus on the Sox only being 4 games back in the division. Somehow, someway they still have a chance to repeat as division champs. They have looked horrendous at times, and yet still find themselves a few winning streaks away from being in first.
Let’s keep the band together. Instead of trading Jermaine Dye and Dotel, let’s make a run at this thing until the end. If the pitching continues they way it is, and with guys like Chris Getz and Beckham swinging the bats much better, things can only go up from here.
Let’s pick up Dye’s option for next year. He can be the new DH, move hopefully a healthy Carlos Quentin to Right Field and let those two split time in right and at DH.
Let’s give some props to Scott Podsednik. He’s sparked some energy in this line up. He’s getting on base. He’s stealing bases. He feels comfortable here in Chicago.
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Let’s go after an ACE pitcher. If a healthy and effective Jose Contreras is back on track lock him for an incentive based contract next year. But otherwise can you are still trust him or Clayton Richard, and with Thome’s 13 million coming off the books, let’s grab a big time pitcher.
Let’s get it done. The starting pitching his healthy and sometimes that’s all you need. The offense needs to just be good enough. Timely hits and we’ll be competing for that division title.
By Brian Gioia
MLBcenter.com Guest Writer
> View all of the 2009 MLB team previews from Pro Baseball Fans
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