Fuggitaboutit

(May 17)

Short Take:  Not even a pulse on this patient.

Let's deal with the handful of hopeful developments from this 5-1 defeat and sweep in Seattle.  Jon Garland pitched well in two inning in relief, far better than any of his previous appearances starting.   Ray Durham got two hits, reaching base in half of his plate appearances--not bad.  Paul Konerko managed to do something besides strikeout, breaking his consecutive streak at five, with a centerfield homerun.  

After 95 wins last year, that's pretty pathetic, isn't it Sox Fans?

Royce Clayton batted ninth and showed nothing besides his continued ability to ground into double plays.  Josh Paul managed one hit and thankfully never got anywhere near third base.  Harold Baines batted fifth and look foolish every time he entered the batter's box, 0 for 4 with a K.  Jose Valentin and Herbert Perry were both 0-fer.  

Fielding this punchless line up, what the hell is Jerry Manuel thinking?  What he probably thinks is his bench is worthless, along with his bullpen.  Julio Ramirez has no place on this team and apparently has no place in the minors either.  Will somebody please wake up our general manager and have him place a call to Charlotte.  Call 1-800-Collect if necessary!

Worse still, the team is dead on its feet.  Starting with Tuesday's baserunning gaffes at third base, the Chicago White Sox have been playing the game not to lose.  Whatever momentum they built in the last homestand has been drained from the tanks.  The notion Sox Fans should willingly spend money to support such lackluster effort is simply a joke.

Here's what you need to know about this game:  the Sox were down from the very first inning as David Wells didn't have his best stuff.  Paul "blind squirrel" Konerko took time out from his strikeout fest to put one over the wall for the lone Sox run.  The Sox never managed more than two hits in any inning. 

Sox Fans, this team isn't very good.

Don't break 'em up, not yet anyway.  The pieces will be worth more in July.