Chicago's problem starters
Matt Libs
Issue date: 2/23/09 Section: Sports
Ever heard the old saying, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks?" Apparently White Sox GM Kenny Williams hasn't. He remains optimistic that both Bartolo Colon and Jose Contreras can be dominating off the mound for the Sox in 2009.
I am a little more skeptical. Since winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2005, Colon has not started more than 20 games in a season. Although he seemed to resurface with the Red Sox last year, posting a 3.92 ERA and a 4-2 record in seven starts with Boston, I fail to see how anyone can expect his presence in the White Sox rotation to be long-term.
The Sox have lost a lot since their dominating rotation of 2005. They have many young, talented pitchers but I will be surprised if any one of the young arms for the Sox will single-handedly carry the White Sox to the playoffs this year.
As for the two big veterans that both have fallen off since four seasons ago, my hope is that at least one of them manages to remain healthy throughout the 2009 season. John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Clayton Richard need room to work without having the weight of a franchise on their shoulders this season.
I will be horrified if both Contreras and Colon make the opening day rotation. This would tell me that the club doesn't feel they can trust their young guys and are going with two inconsistent right-handers instead.
It is unrealistic to think that both of them can carry the Sox to the playoffs, especially when the one thing the White Sox need right now is consistency.
At the same time, that could very well happen. I'm actually expecting the opening-day rotation to be Buehrle, Floyd, Contreras, Danks, Colon. I can't believe I just wrote that.
Of course, there is a lot of baseball to go. With the World Baseball Classic and a month of spring training still yet to be underway, many things could change from now to opening day.
At least Williams got one thing right and Mark Buerhle didn't go anywhere.
Karma's Twin
This has to be some cruel joke. Joe Crede is now a "piranha" for the Minnesota Twins?
I "strongly dislike" Twins fans, especially after seeing their unruly actions in the Metrodome last year.
Which brings me to another thing I "strongly dislike," that AstroTurf mess they call a stadium. I had the "pleasure" of playing at the Metrodome when I played baseball for Moraine Valley Community College two years ago and believe me, it doesn't feel any better to play on that field than it looks.
Baseball is meant to be played outdoors with the sun and the wind, not indoors with the canopy and the unrelentless echo.
I shouldn't be able to bounce off of the "grass" like a trampoline: this isn't "slam-baseball."
I can't wait til the Twins move to their new outdoor ballpark, Target Field, in 2010. Let's see how your home record looks then, Twinkies.
Ready to "T" it up
Tiger Woods says that he's ready to go in 2009 after eight months of rehab on his reconstructed left knee.
He only needed one good knee to win his last tournament appearance last year. Even though that was one of the best displays of heart and determination for a while, I don't think Woods' career highlight reel is done.
PGA Ratings have dropped since his absence but should rise again with his return. I don't know another athlete who has as much dominance in their respected sport as Woods has in golf.
Ready for more top-ten highlights? I'll be anxiously waiting for his next amazing chip-in or enormous drive.
I am a little more skeptical. Since winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2005, Colon has not started more than 20 games in a season. Although he seemed to resurface with the Red Sox last year, posting a 3.92 ERA and a 4-2 record in seven starts with Boston, I fail to see how anyone can expect his presence in the White Sox rotation to be long-term.
The Sox have lost a lot since their dominating rotation of 2005. They have many young, talented pitchers but I will be surprised if any one of the young arms for the Sox will single-handedly carry the White Sox to the playoffs this year.
As for the two big veterans that both have fallen off since four seasons ago, my hope is that at least one of them manages to remain healthy throughout the 2009 season. John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Clayton Richard need room to work without having the weight of a franchise on their shoulders this season.
I will be horrified if both Contreras and Colon make the opening day rotation. This would tell me that the club doesn't feel they can trust their young guys and are going with two inconsistent right-handers instead.
It is unrealistic to think that both of them can carry the Sox to the playoffs, especially when the one thing the White Sox need right now is consistency.
At the same time, that could very well happen. I'm actually expecting the opening-day rotation to be Buehrle, Floyd, Contreras, Danks, Colon. I can't believe I just wrote that.
Of course, there is a lot of baseball to go. With the World Baseball Classic and a month of spring training still yet to be underway, many things could change from now to opening day.
At least Williams got one thing right and Mark Buerhle didn't go anywhere.
Karma's Twin
This has to be some cruel joke. Joe Crede is now a "piranha" for the Minnesota Twins?
I "strongly dislike" Twins fans, especially after seeing their unruly actions in the Metrodome last year.
Which brings me to another thing I "strongly dislike," that AstroTurf mess they call a stadium. I had the "pleasure" of playing at the Metrodome when I played baseball for Moraine Valley Community College two years ago and believe me, it doesn't feel any better to play on that field than it looks.
Baseball is meant to be played outdoors with the sun and the wind, not indoors with the canopy and the unrelentless echo.
I shouldn't be able to bounce off of the "grass" like a trampoline: this isn't "slam-baseball."
I can't wait til the Twins move to their new outdoor ballpark, Target Field, in 2010. Let's see how your home record looks then, Twinkies.
Ready to "T" it up
Tiger Woods says that he's ready to go in 2009 after eight months of rehab on his reconstructed left knee.
He only needed one good knee to win his last tournament appearance last year. Even though that was one of the best displays of heart and determination for a while, I don't think Woods' career highlight reel is done.
PGA Ratings have dropped since his absence but should rise again with his return. I don't know another athlete who has as much dominance in their respected sport as Woods has in golf.
Ready for more top-ten highlights? I'll be anxiously waiting for his next amazing chip-in or enormous drive.
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