“I’m Tired…” Memoir of a Frustrated Sox Fan
I’m tired…
Last night wrapped up with a split between the White Sox and the Cubs. Each team winning the two games in their own barn. In addition, the majority of the series featured well played ball games on both sides of the diamond.
That being said, I’m tired… I walked away from Wrigley field frustrated. Frustrated by a subpar team with top end pitching.
Chris Sale pitched OK. Not typical Chris Sale, but good enough to win. The bats, with the exception of the first inning and Melky Cabrera, were quiet. It’s been a broken record for this season. For that I’m tired…
Robin Ventura seemed overwhelmed in a National League park. This was very apparent in the top of the 7th with one on, and Carlos Sanchez being allowed to bat. Sox had Justin Morneau, Avi Garcia, and Tyler Saladino all on the bench. Saladino, who the very next inning, batted for the pitcher’s spot in a double switch and roped a line drive double into the Left field corner. Carlos Sanchez is batting a lowly .135. For seeing him even on the roster, I’m tired…
Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams don’t know if the Sox are going to be buyers or sellers this weekend. How can someone with half a brain look at this roster, this farm system and say, “We’ve got this!” As I wrote just 2 days ago, the Sox have been mired in mediocrity since 2006. For another year of BLAH, I’m tired…
The baseball world has shown that re-building on the fly doesn’t equal long term success. Pitching, farm systems, and prospects work. The Royals, The Astros, and the Cubs have shown that true rebuilds work. The Sox are a living example that re-tooling doesn’t work. For that, I’m tired…
Since a World Series win in 2005, I’ve watched below replacement level prospects come through the home dugout of US Cellular Field. Brian Anderson, Josh Fields, Jerry Owens, Carlos Sanchez, Gordon Beckham (1st and 2nd tours)…yikes… For that, I’m tired…
At the same time, we’ve watched aging veteran after aging veteran walk through the same dugout. Ken Griffey Jr, Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, Orlando Hudson, Adam Dunn, Adam LaRoche…Wow, urge to drink rising… For that, I’m tired…
Despite being able to continually develop quality starting pitching (Mark Buehrle, Chris Sale, Carlos Rodon, Nate Jones), and taking pitchers off the scrap heap and turning them into serviceable or above average talents (Matt Thornton, Jose Quintana, Miguel Gonzales), The Sox cannot develop a position player to save their lives. A case could be made that the last home grown talent for the Sox was Frank Thomas, Aaron Rowand, or Joe Crede. Maybe Tim Anderson is the start of changing this culture. It’s too early to tell. This has lead to the above mentioned below replacement level prospects and over-paid aging veterans having to plug holes. Maybe Tim Anderson is the start of changing this. It’s too early to tell. For that, I’m tired…
Instead of addressing something that is pretty apparent to most Sox fans, Management has fallen back to the same philosophy. Over-priced Veterans and subpar replacements have perpetuated the mediocrity that Hahn was talking about just last week. For that, I’m tired…
The Sox have as best of a chance as any team to completely change the course of their franchise. They have players that rival teams are willing to sell the farm to acquire. Does Sox Brass have the pair to do it, however?
I doubt it… And for that, I’m tired…
