Phil Rogers' time machine

[SKO]

I think Phil might have brain cancer.

At this time last season, Wise was quietly going to work every morning in the Sox's minor league camp. Few knew he was even there. He's with his fourth big league team and holds a .214 batting average and .254 on-base percentage after 240 big league games.

And this is the guy Williams and Guillen have picked to lead off for a team they privately believe should cruise to an American League Central title?

That's confidence.

One good thing about leading off with Wise is that it protects two guys who would make more sense there: rookie Chris Getz, penciled in at No. 2, and 2008 stud Alexei Ramirez, who could hit as low as eighth against right-handers.

Having a strong leadoff hitter is hardly essential to winning, however. There are only about 10 of those guys in the major leagues, and not all are on playoff teams. No need to trade for Juan Pierre to get one.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-01-rogers-baseball-apr01,0,2361957,print.column

Maybe he's just displaying his rapist's wit. Nah.

I'd actually Agree with Phil that a strong leadoff hitter Isn't essential to winning. What I'd disagree with is the idea that the you don't need good hitters at all, a philosophy the White Sox seem to be embracing. And my God am I tired of the shlop job the media is doing over Alexei Ramirez of the .290 BA with the .317 OBP.

He hit a GRAND SLAM once!  A grand slam!

I forgot about that. Never mind, he truly is CHICAGO'S GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER

[CT III]

I think Phil might have brain cancer.

At this time last season, Wise was quietly going to work every morning in the Sox's minor league camp. Few knew he was even there. He's with his fourth big league team and holds a .214 batting average and .254 on-base percentage after 240 big league games.

And this is the guy Williams and Guillen have picked to lead off for a team they privately believe should cruise to an American League Central title?

That's confidence.

One good thing about leading off with Wise is that it protects two guys who would make more sense there: rookie Chris Getz, penciled in at No. 2, and 2008 stud Alexei Ramirez, who could hit as low as eighth against right-handers.

Having a strong leadoff hitter is hardly essential to winning, however. There are only about 10 of those guys in the major leagues, and not all are on playoff teams. No need to trade for Juan Pierre to get one.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-01-rogers-baseball-apr01,0,2361957,print.column

Maybe he's just displaying his rapist's wit. Nah.

I'd actually Agree with Phil that a strong leadoff hitter Isn't essential to winning. What I'd disagree with is the idea that the you don't need good hitters at all, a philosophy the White Sox seem to be embracing. And my God am I tired of the shlop job the media is doing over Alexei Ramirez of the .290 BA with the .317 OBP.

He hit a GRAND SLAM once!  A grand slam!

I forgot about that. Never mind, he truly is CHICAGO'S GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER

FINALLY.  I've waiting for someone who doesn't work at a bankrupt newspaper to say it.

[Andre Dawson's Creek]

I think Phil might have brain cancer.

At this time last season, Wise was quietly going to work every morning in the Sox's minor league camp. Few knew he was even there. He's with his fourth big league team and holds a .214 batting average and .254 on-base percentage after 240 big league games.

And this is the guy Williams and Guillen have picked to lead off for a team they privately believe should cruise to an American League Central title?

That's confidence.

One good thing about leading off with Wise is that it protects two guys who would make more sense there: rookie Chris Getz, penciled in at No. 2, and 2008 stud Alexei Ramirez, who could hit as low as eighth against right-handers.

Having a strong leadoff hitter is hardly essential to winning, however. There are only about 10 of those guys in the major leagues, and not all are on playoff teams. No need to trade for Juan Pierre to get one.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-01-rogers-baseball-apr01,0,2361957,print.column

Maybe he's just displaying his rapist's wit. Nah.

I'd actually Agree with Phil that a strong leadoff hitter Isn't essential to winning. What I'd disagree with is the idea that the you don't need good hitters at all, a philosophy the White Sox seem to be embracing. And my God am I tired of the shlop job the media is doing over Alexei Ramirez of the .290 BA with the .317 OBP.

He hit a GRAND SLAM once!  A grand slam!

I forgot about that. Never mind, he truly is CHICAGO'S GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER

FINALLY.  I've waiting for someone who doesn't work at a bankrupt newspaper to say it.

Greatest.  Ramirez.  Ever.

[MAD]

I think Phil might have brain cancer.

At this time last season, Wise was quietly going to work every morning in the Sox's minor league camp. Few knew he was even there. He's with his fourth big league team and holds a .214 batting average and .254 on-base percentage after 240 big league games.

And this is the guy Williams and Guillen have picked to lead off for a team they privately believe should cruise to an American League Central title?

That's confidence.

One good thing about leading off with Wise is that it protects two guys who would make more sense there: rookie Chris Getz, penciled in at No. 2, and 2008 stud Alexei Ramirez, who could hit as low as eighth against right-handers.

Having a strong leadoff hitter is hardly essential to winning, however. There are only about 10 of those guys in the major leagues, and not all are on playoff teams. No need to trade for Juan Pierre to get one.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-01-rogers-baseball-apr01,0,2361957,print.column

Maybe he's just displaying his rapist's wit. Nah.

I'd actually Agree with Phil that a strong leadoff hitter Isn't essential to winning. What I'd disagree with is the idea that the you don't need good hitters at all, a philosophy the White Sox seem to be embracing. And my God am I tired of the shlop job the media is doing over Alexei Ramirez of the .290 BA with the .317 OBP.

He hit a GRAND SLAM once!  A grand slam!

I forgot about that. Never mind, he truly is CHICAGO'S GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER

FINALLY.  I've waiting for someone who doesn't work at a bankrupt newspaper to say it.

Greatest.  Ramirez.  Ever.

I thought that was this guy:

[Dave B]

Thanks to a 5-2 start (at HOME, against the mighty Pirates and Astros), Phil has made the Satanic Fowl #2 in his Power Rankings this week.

[Eli]

Thanks to a 5-2 start (at HOME, against the mighty Pirates and Astros), Phil has made the Satanic Fowl #2 in his Power Rankings this week.

And the Cubs are 7th, behind the Marlins and Wrigley Field/Fenway Park.

[Dave B]

I couldn't read that far.

[Slaky]

Thanks to a 5-2 start (at HOME, against the mighty Pirates and Astros), Phil has made the Satanic Fowl #2 in his Power Rankings this week.

Chris Carpenter is 100% back - he had one good start. So you know 35 more of those are comin' right up. Dave Duncan's will be done.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Thanks to a 5-2 start (at HOME, against the mighty Pirates and Astros), Phil has made the Satanic Fowl #2 in his Power Rankings this week.

Chris Carpenter is 100% back - he had one good start. So you know 35 more of those are comin' right up. Dave Duncan's will bag o'steroids be done .

[CT III]

This is still my favorite from Phildo today:

31. Astros (20). The worst thing about this team is that it looks like a non-factor despite having the oldest lineup (average age: 32.6) and oldest rotation (33.6) in the majors.

Who would have thought that a team made up primarily of guys who have reached the age where most of baseball players begin to decline would be a non-factor?

Not Phil Rogers.

[Waco Kid]

That must mean ole Phil has given up on the Astros sneak attack.

[Yeti]

Phil goes back in time again. Only to see what could have been with Curty and the Cubbies

Granderson pondered that question for a long time this offseason. It could have been a beautiful marriage — in my opinion, one of the best things that might have happened to the Cubs both because of his skill set as a power-speed hitter and plus fielding and his off-the-charts intangibles.

This might be my favorite part. Intangibles are bullshit things that can't be measured numerically, but somehow his quality intangibles are off the charts of imaginary numerics. Nice.

[Shooter]

That must mean ole Phil has given up on the Astros sneak attack.

That will just make it all the sneakier.

[Captain Beef Juice]

That must mean ole Phil has given up on the Astros sneak attack.

That will just make it all the sneakier.

Shooter!  You're alive!

[Jon]

That must mean ole Phil has given up on the Astros sneak attack.

That will just make it all the sneakier.

Shooter!  You're alive!

For now.