Choose or Lose Sox Exchange Part 2

“A politically charged debate on the White Sox chances of winning the 2008 “American League Nomination.”

By Soxman and Paul M. Banks 
 

(PMB) What do you think of the Sox ad with our local ruling patriarch, Hizzoner Mayor Daley II telling A.J. to bunt? 
 
(SM) I loved the commercial.  Regardless of how you feel politically, there is no bigger Sox fan in the city of Chicago. (Next to Soxman, as stated by Fox News Chicago at game 1 of the World Series in 2005)  Everyone in the city knows that.  Daley was born and raised in Bridgeport so on many levels, the spot says that AJ listens to the fans before his coaches.  I’m still waiting for my commercial invite by White Sox management.

On other levels, it’s interesting that the commercial with Daley ran just days before he announced the budget crisis in the city and how everyone will have to make sacrifices, even if it goes against their normal style.  Deep, I know.  But does any player symbolize a hard-nosed labor union representative better than A.J.?

Now if the White Sox could just learn from that commercial and execute, we might not have this “budget crisis” of our own, being short on wins to stay in first place.
 
(PMB) Ha Ha. They should learn from that commercial and stop leaving so many guys on base, every game! Next time I chat with the Sox PR department I’m going to float the idea of a Soxman commercial.
Here’s an example of politics intruding upon baseball, the GOP convention is in the Twin Cities this year and they have to use the Metrodome for operations activities during their stay in Minnesota. This forces the Twinkies to take to the road for almost three weeks at the end of August/beginning of September. Did the Republicans just do us a huge favor?  
 
(SM) Even though the Twins are 23-28 on the road this season, The Sox have arguably a tougher schedule, as they have to play the Yankees on the road, 7 games against Boston, and the Twins in Minnesota on their last road trip of the season.  Now if the convention was scheduled in L.A. and they were going to use the Dodgers ballpark, I might scream conspiracy.  After all, John McCain is from Arizona and the Diamondbacks are in first. 
 
 

(PMB) Our schedule is quite treacherous! Currently, there is great debate about the Ken Griffey Jr. acquisition. One side of the Sox aisle states that he’s over-the-hill and a waste of time, the other claims him as a season savior. Who’s correct? You gotta love his coming through with a couple base knocks in his debut, giving us a badly needed boost to our team batting average with runners in scoring position and two outs!
 
(SM) Griffey is not a long-term answer for the White Sox and it is highly unlikely they will pick up his $16 million plus option for the 2009 season.  Honestly though, I do not liken the pick-up to Ross Perot’s choice of Admiral Stockdale in the 1992 presidential election.  Kenny Williams did not waive the white flag on the season, and tried to plug a hole in an unexpected area of need.
 
The White Sox remain the second worst team in MLB in batting average with runners in scoring position and 2 outs (.201).  Griffey’s .356 on-base percentage is good for 4th on the White Sox behind Jim Thome, Carlos Quentin, and Jermaine Dye.  While Kenny addressed one area of weakness, he did nothing to address the pitching or speed situation.  There were strong rumors he was pushing hard to acquire Brian Roberts from the Orioles, but just couldn’t put the right package together, so he settled for Griffey.
 

 
a very old picture of the “American League of Justice” with a former Batboy 

(PMB)  All campaigns will suffer injuries and hardships along the way. Victory comes from finding a way to get the job done in spite of them. The ’08 Sox are no different. We weathered a storm when the BOOM Bobby Jenks went down right before the All-Star break. Tell us about Contreras, Linebrink, and Crede’s rehab assignments and when we should expect them back?  

(SM) You are correct, just like presidential candidates pay extra attention to the states that they are at risk of losing and assertively capture the states they’re supposed to, the White Sox have fallen significantly short in these areas this season.  Looking at the 2008 season alone, you can’t blame Kenny Williams.  Overall though, he is accountable for not cultivating a winning farm system and giving up all our prospects for aging talent.

As I said in the beginning of the season, losing the “easy” games might kill the Sox in September.  That is exactly what’s happening now.  Also, the Sox have a team ERA near 6.00 since the all-star break.  Without pitching, we are weak on the key issues needed to win this Central “election!”

Joe Crede was supposed to be back in the line-up no later than Wednesday, but his back locked-up during batting practice and he had to take himself out.  As we have no real option at third, this could be 2007 all over again.  There is now no timetable for his return.
 
Scott Linebrink is not expected back until mid-August at the earliest as the swelling in his shoulder has not subsided enough for him to resume baseball activities.

Jose Contreras is on-schedule returning from right elbow tendonitis and could be back with the White Sox by Friday.  His performance could play heavily on the Sox chances on getting the American League nomination and be 2008’s “October Surprise.”
 
I think the Sox will be looking to acquire another pitcher before the waiver trade deadline.  Freddy Garcia will be throwing for scouts on August 18th. 
 
Other waiver candidates include: Tim Redding, Greg Maddux, Randy Wolfe, and Paul Byrd.  Would Maddux in a Sox uniform be like JFK going Republican?
 

 
 

(PMB) Yes or Joe Lieberman, a former Dem V.P. candidate caucusing with the GOP. Finally, when will we see the bumper sticker and buttons reading “Soxman/Batboy ‘08”? Both the Blue-States and Red-States within Sox Nation can agree on this ticket!
 
(SM) While we are flattered, let’s focus on team victories before individual gain.  My team must first win the Central primary and then the American League nomination.  Do you want to be our campaign manager?
 
(PMB) Sure and press dept official once you are inaugurated. Our campaign tour already has a theme song “Don’t Stop Believin.” Be sure to check out our next rally! I love how someone posted a comment on this idea before I even posted it in an article.

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