Yardbarker: Sandy Alomar

Best Unanimous Rookie Of The Year Ever?

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:37:55 -0500

JC De La Torre over at Tampa Bay Sports Blog pointed out yesterday that there haven't been a whole lot of unanimous Rookie Of The Year winners before our boy Evan Longoria. Here's the list according to Baseball-Reference Dot Com: Frank Robinson Orlando Cepeda Willie McCovey Carlton Fisk Vince Coleman Benito Santiago Mark McGwire Sandy Alomar Jr. Mike Piazza Tim Salmon Raul Mondesi Derek Jeter Scott Rolen Nomar Garciaparra Albert Pujols The [...]

Tuesday Night Cubs Notes

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:56:36 -0500

Happy Veterans Day

Donald Veal got rocked on Monday, again. Between him and Hill, the wild pitches and walks are piling up.

Talking about Rich Hill, he pitches tonight for Aragua.

Reed Johnson. If you can't win the World Series, you can at least hang-out with the winners.

David Pinto had an int... ...

BBWAA Selects Evan Longoria as 2008 AL Rookie of the Year

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:06:36 -0500

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was a unanimous choice as the American League winner of the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award. He became the first player in Tampa Bay's 11 seasons to win a BBWAA award. Longoria, 23, was listed first on all 28 ballots submitted by two writers in each league city for a perfect total of 140 points, based on the 5-3-1 tabulation system. He was the only player on every ballot. Longoria, who was Tampa Bay's first-round choice and the third overall pick in the 2006 first year player draft, began the 2008 season in the minors and made his major league debut in the second week. He batted .272 in 122 games and 448 at-bats and led AL rookies in home runs (27), RBI (85), total bases (238) and extra-base hits (60) for the pennant-winning Rays. Voting is conducted prior to the start of post-season play. Chicago White Sox second baseman Alexei Ramirez, who hit .297 with 77 RBI and 21 home runs, including four grand slams, finished second in the voting, and Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (.280, 9 HR, 47 RBI, 50 SB, 98 R) was third. In all, 10 players received votes. Longoria became the seventh AL rookie to win the award by a unanimous vote and the first since Nomar Garciaparra in 1997. The others were Derek Jeter, Tim Salmon, Sandy Alomar Jr., Mark McGwire and Carlton Fisk. There have been nine unanimous winners in the National League. Longoria is the fourth third baseman honored, joining Eric Hinske, John Castino and Gil McDougald. Player Club 1st 2nd 3rd Points Evan Longoria Tampa Bay Rays 28 a?" a?" 140 Alexei Ramirez Chicago White Sox a?" 18 5 59 Jacoby Ellsbury Boston Red Sox a?" 7 5 26 Mike Aviles Kansas City Royals a?" 2 3 9 Armando Galarraga Detroit Tigers a?" a?" 9 9 Joey Devine Oakland Athletics a?" 1 a?" 3 Denard Span Minnesota Twins a?" a?" 3 3 Nick Blackburn Minnesota Twins a?" a?" 1 1 Joba Chamberlain New York Yankees a?" a?" 1 1 Brad Ziegler Oakland Athletics a?" a?" 1 Previous winners (*a?"Unanimous): 2007 DUSTIN PEDROIA, Boston Red Sox; 2006 JUSTIN VERLANDER, Detroit Tigers; 2005 HUSTON STREET, Oakland Athletics; 2004 BOBBY CROSBY, Oakland Athletics; 2003 ANGEL BERROA, Kansas City Royals; 2002 ERIC HINSKE, Toronto Blue Jays; 2001 ICHIRO SUZUKI, Seattle Mariners; 2000 KAZU SASAKI, Seattle Mariners; 1999 CARLOS BELTRAN, Kansas City Royals; 1998 BEN GRIEVE, Oakland Athletics; 1997 *NOMAR GARCIAPARRA, Boston Red Sox; 1996 *DEREK JETER, New York Yankees; 1995 MARTY CORDOVA, Minnesota Twins; 1994 BOB HAMELIN, Kanas City Royals; 1993 *TIM SALMON, California Angels; 1992 PAT LISTACH, Milwaukee Brewers; 1991 CHUCK KNOBLAUCH, Minnesota Twins; 1990 *SANDY ALOMAR, Jr., Cleveland Indians; 1989 GREGG OLSON, Baltimore Orioles; 1988 WALT WEISS, Oakland Athletics; 1987 *MARK McGWIRE, Oakland Athletics; 1986 JOSE CANSECO, Oakland Athletics; 1985 OZZIE GUILLEN, Chicago White Sox; 1984 ALVIN DAVIS, Seattle Mariners; 1983 RON KITTLE, Chicago White Sox; 1982 CAL RIPKEN Jr., Baltimore Orioles; 1981 DAVE RIGHETTI, New York Yankees; 1980 JOE CHARBONEAU, Cleveland Indians; 1979 (Tie) JOHN CASTINO, Minnesota Twins, and ALFREDO GRIFFIN, Toronto Blue Jays; 1978 LOU WHITAKER, Detroit Tigers; 1977 EDDIE MURRAY, Baltimore Orioles; 1976 MARK FIDRYCH, Detroit Tigers; 1975 FRED LYNN, Boston Red Sox; 1974 MIKE HARGROVE, Texas Rangers; 1973 AL BUMBRY, Baltimore Orioles; 1972 *CARLTON FISK, Boston Red Sox; 1971 CHRIS CHAMBLISS, Cleveland Indians; 1970 THURMAN MUNSON, New York Yankees; 1969 LOU PINIELLA, Kansas City Royals; 1968 STAN BAHNSEN, New York Yankees; 1967 ROD CAREW, Minnesota Twins; 1966 TOMMIE AGEE, Chicago White Sox; 1965 CURT BLEFARY, Baltimore Orioles; 1964 TONY OLIVA, Minnesota Twins; 1963 GARY PETERS, Chicago White Sox; 1962 TOM TRESH, New York Yankees; 1961 DON SCHWALL, Boston Red Sox; 1960 RON HANSEN, Baltimore Orioles; 1959 BOB ALLISON, Washington Senators; 1958 ALBIE PEARSON, Washington Senators; 1957 TONY KUBEK, New York Yankees; 1956 LUIS APARICIO, Chicago White Sox; 1955 HERB SCORE, Cleveland Indians; 1954 BOB GRIM, New York Yankees; 1953 HARVEY KUENN, Detroit Tigers; 1952 HARRY BYRD, Philadelphia Athletics; 1951 GIL McDOUGALD, New York Yankees; 1950 WALT DROPO, Boston Red Sox; 1949 ROY SIEVERS, St. Louis Browns.Source: BBWAAMaury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.Don't forget to register and log in on The Biz of Baseball site to get updates via your in-box, and see information only logged in members can see.

Mets Coaching staff taking shape

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:31:58 -0500

From the Official Mets.com Press Release:

Mets Manager Jerry Manuel announced on Thursday that Howard Johnson, Dan Warthen, Sandy Alomar Sr. and Sandy Alomar Jr. will return to the Mets' coaching staff in 2009, and will be joined by Randy Niemann and Razor Shines.

Niemann, who was the Mets Minor League Rehabilitation Coordinator for the past two seasons, will serve in his third stint as the team's bullpen coach. Shines, who managed the Phillies' Clearwater affiliate in the Florida State League to a 64-76 mark last year, will become the Mets third base coach.

Guy Conti, the club's bullpen coach for the past four years, third base coach Luis Aguayo and first base coach Ken Oberkfell will be reassigned within the organization. The first-base coaching position is yet to be filled.

Johnson will enter his third season as the club's hitting coach, Warthen returns for his first full season as the pitching coach, Alomar, Sr. is back for his 49th season in professional baseball, fifth year on New York's staff and his third year as the bench coach, while Alomar, Jr. is back for his second season as the Mets catching instructor.

Niemann will begin his 22nd year in the Mets organization. He served as New York's bullpen coach on two separate occasions, from 2000-2002 and from 1997-June 6, 1999. Niemann has served as the pitching coach for various Mets Minor League teams, including Norfolk (AAA) of the International League, Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League, St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League and Kingsport (R) of Appalachian League. Niemann was a member of the 1986 World Series championship team, going 2-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 31 games.

Prior to 2008, Shines spent the previous eight seasons with the White Sox organization. He was Chicago's third base coach in 2007. Razor managed Triple-A Charlotte of the International League to a 79-62 record in 2006. In 2006-2007, he also served as a member of the All-Star Futures Game World Team coaching staff.

Razor managed Double-A Birmingham of the Southern League to consecutive postseason appearances in 2004 and 2005. Shines managed Class A Winston-Salem of the Carolina League in 2002 and 2003, Class A Kannapolis of the South Atlantic League in 2001 and Class A Charleston of the South Atlantic League in 1995. He appeared in 68 games with the Expos from 1983-1987, batting .185 with five RBIs.

Staff in place...

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:30:10 -0500

Jerry Manuel formerly announced all of his coaching staff, except 1B coach for the 2009 season via a press release today.
As reported yesterday Dan Warthen, Howard Johnson and Sandy Alomar Sr. will all be retained and remain in the positions they held last year. It was also confirmed that Sandy Alomar Jr. will remain the catching coach.

Luis Aguayo, Ken Oberkfell and Guy Conti will be reassigned within the organization. It's a shame to see a coaching lifer like Obie, who finally made it the majors get sent back down there are reports that he'll take over Buffalo. Conti has been Pedro's mentor for years and I wonder if this is any indication as to the direction there going to take with him......

The Mets will replace Conti in the pen with former 1986 Mets pitcher and long term minor league pitching instructor ( in the Mets organization) Randy Niemann. Also joining the club as the third base coach is Razor Shines, who spent last year as the Phillies Single A coach ( this appears to be a Manuel guy as he spent extensive time in the Chicago org. prior to last year).

First base is still vacant which makes me think the Joey Cora rumors are true and their hoping he isn't given the Seattle job.....

Coaching staff taking shape...

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:26:18 -0500

Without actually welcoming them back Mets.com is reporting that it appears pitching coach Dan Warthen and hitting coach Howard Johnson will return to the staff for next year. There was less of an endorsement given to Sandy Alomar Jr. who is likely to return. No indication at all was given in regards to Ken Oberkfell, Guy Conti or Luis Aguayo.

There must be something holding up the possess, Jerry said two weeks ago he expected to have his coaching staff in order by last week. Either they're waiting for someone to get back to them or they can't agree on someone. There has been a rumor that Joey Cora may join the staff if he isn't hired for the Seattle job and they just hired their new GM.

I expected Warthen back as the staff seemed to respond to his style after Rick Peterson was fired. Hojo on the other hand, I'm surprised that he's returning, the Mets situational hitting and offensive fundamentals were awful and I expected him to take the hit for that. Alomar has a ton of knowledge to pass on but is he a fiery enough coach to have around on the bench. If Aguayo returns then there is something terribly wrong with this team. Obie is a fiery guy with a long history of coaching in our system, I think the manager should get to pick some of his staff but at the same time I think Obie deserves a spot. I have no opinion on Conti, the pen was awful but I've also heard Conti did alot of positive work with pitchers.....

Changes to the coaching staff of Mets manager Jerry Manuel remain a possibility. Those revisions, though, apparently will affect the status of neither Dan Warthen nor Howard Johnson. The club has all but decided to retain the respective pitching and hitting coaches, and it is inclined to bring back another incumbent, Sandy Alomar Sr., who served as Manuel's bench coach. source Mets.com

Q&A with Joey DeMayo of Mike Silva's NY Baseball Digest...

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:06:51 -0500

I asked Joey DeMayo, a correspondent (AKA the Rumor Master) for Mike Silva's NY Baseball Digest. I asked him about what he has heard about the Mets off-season plans. I would like to say that Joe has inside sources and these answers are not made up like Mike Francesa (LOL).

Here is the Q & A:

1) What are the Mets top priorities this off-season?

You've got to think, and hope it is pitching, pitching, pitching. I also believe they'd like to obtain either a left fielder or a second baseman, depending on what Daniel Murphy does in the Arizona Fall League and in Winter Ball. But I think a closer,another starter and then bullpen has to be the priority in that order before even thinking about an offensive bat, though I wouldn't be surprised to see a big run at Manny Ramirez.

2) Out of these free agents (Manny, K-Rod, Sabathia), who do think the Mets will go after?

I think all of them will at least get a look. I'm personally not in favor of signing K-Rod, and am a big supporter of a massive run at CC Sabathia, but I can't imagine two of those 3 being signed. There are reasons why Minaya would sign any of them, I'd label Manny the least likely of the three, and K-Rod the most likely to be signed with CC in the middle because if Minaya chooses that he wants to run after CC, I don't think there are many standing in his way that he can't possibly outbid. But heck, the Mets may make a push for Brian Fuentes.

3) Daniel Murphy is listed as a first basemen on the Fall Ball Roster, does that mean that he will get a look a 1B or do the Mets still think he can be the everyday 2B next year?

I think the first baseman thing is a misprint that MILB.com tends to make. There is a great 1B on his team in Kyle Blanks, Murphy is going to play 2B to make out an amazing young infield with Blanks-Murphy-Brett Wallace and Gordon Beckham. I think the Mets are giving Murphy a legitimate look at second base, he's not only going to play it in the Arizona Fall League, but he's then going to go to the Puerto Rican Winter League. If not, he platoons in left with somebody.

4) If Not, is it a possibility that they pick up a second basemen like Nick Punto or Orlando Hudson?

Absolutely. Punto is going back to the Twins, but Orlando Hudson sometimes almost seems like too perfect a fit for this team, gold glove 2B, no long injury history, though he was hurt last year, switch hitter, great clubhouse presence. Would not surprise me if he is a member of the Mets. It is also reported that he wants to be a Met.
5) Is there a possibility the Mets retain Delgado and trade him for other needs?

I am 99% certain the Mets are going to pick up Delgado's option with the full intention of using him at 1st for 2009.

6) Do the Mets have any internal interest in any free agent middle Relievers so far?

Buzz I am hearing is pointing at Juan Cruz from Arizona and possibly Jeremy Affeldt from the Reds. But interest in middle relievers can change dramatically from day to day, it depends on cost. Would you give Juan Cruz 6 million per to set up for Fuentes/K-Rod or a closer you get in trade?

7) There has been talk the Mets are looking for a new catcher, do they have interest in anybody else or will Castro/Schneider remain the catching duo in 2009?

I have not heard anything suggesting the Mets intend to break up that duo. I wouldn't expect any change there.

8)Out of these players (Schoeneweis, Heilman, Castillo, Church, Wright, Reyes, Beltran), who is most likely to get traded?

Castillo hands down. Church, Wright, Reyes, Beltran will not be moved, Heilman and Schoeneweis are likely to be moved as well, but Castillo is as good as gone.

9)Do you think the Mets will try to retain Chavez and Tatis (both are free agents)?

Chavez actually has a year left on his deal, so he'll be back. If Fernando Tatis wants to play again, and isn't guaranteed a starting job elsewhere, and with his friendship with Minaya, I would be surprised to not see him back.

10) Any talk on who will be the Mets coaches next year? Will Hojo be back? Warthen? or any of the old staff?

I am led to believe Hojo, Sandy Alomar, Ken Oberkfell, and possibly Dan Warthen will be back. Don't expect Luis Aguayo back, and Guy Conti probably is gone as well. Oberkfell could possibly move to third base and then somebody else take over first.

I thank Joey DeMayo for taking time his busy schedule for answering my questions. I also would like to thank Mike Silva who has a great radio show that is on Blogtalk radio. Listen in the off-season every Wed and Sun. for great NY Baseball talk and discussions....

Lets Go Mets!

Q&A with Joey DeMayo of Mike Silva's NY Baseball Digest...

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:15:55 -0500

I asked the Joey DeMayo a correspondent (AKA the Rumor Master) for Mike Silva's NY Baseball Digest. I asked him about what he has heard about the Mets off-season plans. I would like to say that Joe has inside sources and these answers are not made up like Mike Francesa (LOL).

Here is the Q & A:

1) What are the Mets top priorities this off-season?

You've got to think, and hope it is pitching, pitching, pitching. I also believe they'd like to obtain either a left fielder or a second baseman, depending on what Daniel Murphy does in the Arizona Fall League and in Winter Ball. But I think a closer,another starter and then bullpen has to be the priority in that order before even thinking about an offensive bat, though I wouldn't be surprised to see a big run at Manny Ramirez.

2) Out of these free agents (Manny, K-Rod, Sabathia), who do think the Mets will go after?

I think all of them will at least get a look. I'm personally not in favor of signing K-Rod, and am a big supporter of a massive run at CC Sabathia, but I can't imagine two of those 3 being signed. There are reasons why Minaya would sign any of them, I'd label Manny the least likely of the three, and K-Rod the most likely to be signed with CC in the middle because if Minaya chooses that he wants to run after CC, I don't think there are many standing in his way that he can't possibly outbid. But heck, the Mets may make a push for Brian Fuentes.

3) Daniel Murphy is listed as a first basemen on the Fall Ball Roster, does that mean that he will get a look a 1B or do the Mets still think he can be the everyday 2B next year?

I think the first baseman thing is a misprint that MILB.com tends to make. There is a great 1B on his team in Kyle Blanks, Murphy is going to play 2B to make out an amazing young infield with Blanks-Murphy-Brett Wallace and Gordon Beckham. I think the Mets are giving Murphy a legitimate look at second base, he's not only going to play it in the Arizona Fall League, but he's then going to go to the Puerto Rican Winter League. If not, he platoons in left with somebody.

4) If Not, is it a possibility that they pick up a second basemen like Nick Punto or Orlando Hudson?

Absolutely. Punto is going back to the Twins, but Orlando Hudson sometimes almost seems like too perfect a fit for this team, gold glove 2B, no long injury history, though he was hurt last year, switch hitter, great clubhouse presence. Would not surprise me if he is a member of the Mets. It is also reported that he wants to be a Met.
5) Is there a possibility the Mets retain Delgado and trade him for other needs?

I am 99% certain the Mets are going to pick up Delgado's option with the full intention of using him at 1st for 2009.

6) Do the Mets have any internal interest in any free agent middle Relievers so far?

Buzz I am hearing is pointing at Juan Cruz from Arizona and possibly Jeremy Affeldt from the Reds. But interest in middle relievers can change dramatically from day to day, it depends on cost. Would you give Juan Cruz 6 million per to set up for Fuentes/K-Rod or a closer you get in trade?

7) There has been talk the Mets are looking for a new catcher, do they have interest in anybody else or will Castro/Schneider remain the catching duo in 2009?

I have not heard anything suggesting the Mets intend to break up that duo. I wouldn't expect any change there.

8)Out of these players (Schoeneweis, Heilman, Castillo, Church, Wright, Reyes, Beltran), who is most likely to get traded?

Castillo hands down. Church, Wright, Reyes, Beltran will not be moved, Heilman and Schoeneweis are likely to be moved as well, but Castillo is as good as gone.

9)Do you think the Mets will try to retain Chavez and Tatis (both are free agents)?

Chavez actually has a year left on his deal, so he'll be back. If Fernando Tatis wants to play again, and isn't guaranteed a starting job elsewhere, and with his friendship with Minaya, I would be surprised to not see him back.

10) Any talk on who will be the Mets coaches next year? Will Hojo be back? Warthen? or any of the old staff?

I am led to believe Hojo, Sandy Alomar, Ken Oberkfell, and possibly Dan Warthen will be back. Don't expect Luis Aguayo back, and Guy Conti probably is gone as well. Oberkfell could possibly move to third base and then somebody else take over first.

I thank Joey DeMayo for taking time in his busy schedule for answering my questions. I also would like to thank Mike Silva who has a great radio show that is on Blogtalk radio. Listen in the off-season every Wed and Sun. for great NY Baseball talk and discussions....

Lets Go Mets!

ONE INDIANS FAN'S OPINION ON THIS WHOLE SABATHIA THING

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:23:40 -0500

by WCT, The Ship of Fools

I still remember the day I heard that Jim Thome was leaving. I was pissed. Like, really pissed. I felt like I really knew the guy. He wasn't my favorite Indian as a kid (that was Sandy Alomar) but when he broke into the bigs, I was still in junior high, and now he was a veteran and I was out of college. Not to sound sappy, but I sort of grew up with him in that way. So when he took more money to go to the Phillies, After saying that money would not be his deciding factor, I felt betrayed, and I still cheer against him to this day.

I was not as pissed when Manny Ramirez left. Manny was one of the first guys that I remember hearing about when he was drafted, and I remember hearing stories of him tearing up the minor leagues. I still remember the anticipation of his arrival to the big club, and his debut. I still remember how pissed I was when he lost out on the rookie of the year to Bob Hamelin. But by the end of his Indian's tenure, his act (what "red sox nation" now stupidly calls "Manny being Manny!") was starting to wear thin.

This time around, with CC Sabathia not re-signing, and as it turns out, being traded. I almost don't even care. We all knew it was an ominous sign when he cut off negotiations for an extension during spring training. In April, we knew that if the Indians got off to a slow start this year, this was going to be an issue. In June, when the Indians were somewhere between "we're off to a slow start so far" and "we have a piece-of-shit team this year," the reality of his trade became apparent.

It probably seems weird to say that the reigning AL Cy Young winner had an erratic tenure as an Indian, but I think that is the best way to describe it. In the beginning, he was overweight, would get flustered easily, and had no idea where the ball was going after he released it. But over the years he developed into an effective pitcher, and eventually an ace. He even lost some weight! In fact, this year is a perfect microcosm for his Indians career. After his first four starts he had given up 5, 4, 9, and 9 earned runs respectively, and was 0-3 with an ERA approaching 14. But since then he has lowered that ERA to 3.83 and has thrown 2 complete game shutouts. But even in the midst of his current hot streak, he was roughed up a bit (4 ER, 2 HR) in his latest outing. And as great as he was last year, he had to feel a bit sheepish accepting his Cy Young after his disastrous postseason. Yes, he had matured into a team leader last year as the Tribe made its October run in '07, but the fact remains that they handed him the ball, at home, up 3-1 in the ALCS, and he crapped all over himself in the biggest game of his life.

So I can't really say that I am as pissed as I was when Thome left, and I can't really even say I am as disappointed as I was when Man-Ram left. I am resigned to the fact that these things happen. At the same time, You never really knew what you were going to get when Sabathia took the mound, so part of me won't miss his inconsistency. Most of the time, he was great, and a small percentage of the time, he was flat-out awesome. But in a big game (like the 2007 playoffs), or if something is on his mind (like early this year) who knows. I will not bore most of you with my opinion on what this trade means for the big-picture for the Cleveland Indians, but suffice it to say that last year's 96 win season is starting to look very fluky. So when he starts tonight for the Brewers (and for the first time as "CC" rather than "C.C.") I can't say that I will be cheering for or against him. I'm just hoping that Matt LaPorta turns out to be as good as people say he is, so that he can become a stud (and inevitably leave).

The Sophomore Slump Exists

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 21:49:19 -0500

Building upon a topic raised in Knox Bardeen's Crooked Pitch blog, FIO and Baseball Lab writer Lou Poulas discusses the sophomore slump. Is this really just a myth, or do players truly take a decline in their second season after performing beyond expectations. You'd be surprised to find out - maybe you should think twice before putting on your eggs in one basket in 2008 (Ryan Braun?!?!?!)

BP at Shea

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:58:54 -0500

Ever wanted to see what pitchers do during batting practice? It might seem like they don't do much, but that's not the truth. We spent some time with the Mets as they got ready for a game and tried to get some firsthand insight into what BP is really all about for the pitchers. Oh there's plenty more at www.presspasstv.com Hope you guys enjoy! -dan [pptv]

Franco's Exit Spells More Time for Castro, Alomar

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:53:01 -0500

While most assumed that the promotion of Lastings Milledge would coincide with Sandy Alomar Jr.'s return to AAA New Orleans, the organization surprisingly has designated Julio Franco for assignment instead. According to MLB.com's Marty Noble, by retaining Alomar, the Mets will be able to find more pinch-hitting at-bats for Ramon Castro, whose status as the team's lone backup catcher restricted his availability as a pinch-hitter. Alomar, meanwhile, will be looked upon to replace the veteran leadership of the departing Franco. According to Noble, Franco is happy about the move.

White Sox Season Awards

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 02:22:56 -0500

White Sox season awards... Mark Buehrle -- The Tums Award -- For upsetting the most stomach's with his performances. Jose Contreras -- Egghead Award -- For having the biggest head, EVER. Neal Cotts -- Worst LOOGY Award -- For not being able to get out lefties. Freddy Garcia -- Cheech and Chong Award -- For watching his fastball disappear behind a giant cloud of weed. See the rest at the source...

White Sox Acquire Sandy Alomar

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 02:16:46 -0500

The Sox gave up minor leaguer BJ Lamura to get the 40 year old catcher. Alomar will backup AJ Pierzynski, but won't see all that much time. He was hitting .323 in 27 games.