how does this jerk still have a job?

how does this jerk still have a job?

It blows my mind too.

Every time I see him on that stupid ESPN show, I want to jump through the screen and rip his throat out.

Scott Linebrink disagrees...

The Moron = Pavlov's dog

The Sox have a ditzy manager in Ozzie Guillen

Does that make Ozzie the Teri Garr of baseball? (Minus the unfortunate MS, of course.)

You know, I pretty much hate Kenny. Hate him.

But I think his moves are at least defensible. I like how Mariotti castigates trading for one year of the OC, when JG has... one year left on his deal too. WTF?

I know that Mariotti is everybody's favorite whipping boy here, but could he be onto something? Most of his article puts the blame on Reinsdorf, which is a bit lazy. Owners are easy targets as being cheap when it comes not getting Player X. However, I find this sentence to be surprisingly accurate:

More and more, it’s becoming obvious that baseball people view 2005 as an aberration for the Sox, a championship that won’t happen again anytime soon.

This team had a bad year last season, and there were not many changes since the WS title. Now they collect two SS's at the expense of a good pitcher. They also signed a reliever who many feel won't live up to that four-year deal. Dye, Konerko, and Thome are either right at or past their primes. The once pitching-rich White Sox are now looking a little thin. Etc., etc., etc. Mariotti's above statement, I think, hit the nail on the head, albeit in passing. Who are the young promising players on this team? Anderson was not good in CF. McCarthy was shipped to Texas for Danks and Masset. Danks had a disappointing year (though he should have really spent the year in the minors), and Masset has proved to be nothing than a one hit wonder while in the Rangers' minor league system. This was still probably a win for the Sox since Danks was not injured (unlike McCarthy). Still, this is kind of a letdown for the pitching staff. Fields looks to be a promising player for next season, but that is about it. There is not a lot of optimism for the young players on this club, and perception creates reality.

There is not a lot of optimism for the young players on this club, and perception creates reality.

There really wasn't a lot of optimism about young players back in 05 either, though. There was hope that Anderson and Sweeney would take over in the OF, but that hasn't worked. This isn't shocking, though, a lot of people thought those two wouldn't pan out. McCarthy was given a chance and pissed enough coaches off that he was shipped out for a good prospect (that has more talent) and a decent reliever. Really, who else was there? That 05 team had a few years to try, and they got it.

More and more, it’s becoming obvious that baseball people view 2005 as an aberration for the Sox, a championship that won’t happen again anytime soon.

I'm a White Sox fan and I don't expect them to win again for a long, long time. But for now that's OK.

It strikes me that the Angels and Chisox are probably more alike than Mariotti wants to admit. Both had recent titles, both had GM's who didn't change much afterwards, and both teams took a big plunge when that occurred. The unfortunate fact is that the Sox don't appear to be in a good position WRT their farm system, though I caveat that that statement is based on a rather distant memory of their current situation.

The correct title should be "Sox too 'smart' for bidding wars"

More and more, it’s becoming obvious that baseball people view 2005 as an aberration for the Sox, a championship that won’t happen again anytime soon.

Since 2005 the Sox are an aging with a depleted minor league system. Add that to the fact that they play in arguably the best division in baseball and this is a recipe for a steep fall...as unfortunate as that is for me to feel it is...as they say...what it is.

The October '05 banners fly forever(!!)...and remains the best month of my life.

Both had recent titles, both had GM's who didn't change much afterwards,

Maybe you're referring to the 2006-2007 offseason regarding the White Sox, but they changed a fair amount after their World Series title. They acquired Javy Vazquez, traded their starting center fielder for Jim Thome, and installed a rookie in his place in center. That's a fair amount of turnover, and at least on this site, Kenny Williams was generally applauded for not being complacent after winning a championship.

You know, I pretty much hate Kenny. Hate him.

But I think his moves are at least defensible. I like how Mariotti castigates trading for one year of the OC, when JG has... one year left on his deal too. WTF?

I think "Toolsy McClutch" is by far the best name on here.

I, for one was happy with Danks' year last year, and Anderson did play a great centerfield, but has yet to hit.

The Anderson situation is less a problem with producing good players than not really giving talent a chance to develop on the ML level.

I don't expect championships or division titles, but I'm looking forward to watching this team next year.

The Anderson situation is less a problem with producing good players than not really giving talent a chance to develop on the ML level.

I disagree...this is a problem with being able to adequately judge your minor league talent...the Sox made a conscious decision to choose Anderson over Chris Young which is why Young was dealt for Vazquez.

The correct title should be "Sox too 'smart' for bidding wars"

If that's true, they shouldn't be giving 4 year deals to middle relievers, or trading starting pitchers who have significant trade value for shortstops who aren't likely to be assets by the time the Sox are in a position to win again.