posted on Thursday, June 19, 2008 2:45 AM by Jim

Toby Hall: Power threat

After he hit his first homer in a White Sox uniform -- and only nine months into his career on the South Side -- let's update the backup catcher chart in honor of Toby Hall:



See?  He's every bit as good as I thought he'd be.  It just took him a little longer than I expected, that's all.

*********************

Other items of interest:

*Teddy Greenstein rates the Chicago broadcast booths, giving Hawk Harrelson and Darrin Jackson a B+.

To my surprise, I've become more of a Jackson fan and a Hawk detractor.  Jackson seems to have a genuine curiosity about the current game (I recall him citing "Mythbusters" earlier this year), and I get the feeling he's smarter than Harrelson either makes him or lets him.  He's starting to show his own style when he calls his innings, which are markedly smoother than in previous years.

I'll disagree with Greenstein when he says DJ is "never annoying," because "Oh, Do Tell" is lame, he's not good at southern folksy (which he picks up from Hawk) and he has the tendency to go way too early into postgame wrap-up mode.  I will say he's definitely made strides, and I'd probably give him a B.  Hawk?  C-, bordering on D+, for reasons I don't need to get into.

*Jim Thome behaved in a brusque manner unbecoming of a gentleman:

After firing off several questions about this weekend’s showdown at Wrigley Field, Thome had enough after being asked if the Sox will have the advantage since the Cubs play a night game at Tampa Bay Thursday and won’t get back in Chicago until after midnight.

“Hey, we’re playing the Pirates tonight,’’ Thome said before walking away.

Bully, Masher.  Bully.

*Kenny Williams and Ozzie Guillen took shots at the Cubs in their own styles.

Williams with a flame thrower:  "The unfortunate thing for me is it's a shame that a certain segment of Chicago refused to enjoy a baseball championship being brought to their city. The only thing I can say is, 'Happy anniversary.'''

Guillen with an elbow to the ribs:  ''Lou Piniella does two things better than me: Managing and eating.''

*History indicates the Pirates have a good shot at avoiding the sweep.  They're throwing Phil Dumatrait out there, who is:
  1. Left-handed.
  2. Somebody the Sox have never faced.
  3. Not prone to surrendering homers.
C'mon, Sox.  Surprise me.

*********************

Minor league roundup:
  • Birmingham 2, Jacksonville 1
    • Justin Cassell tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out four.
    • Miguel Negron had two hits; .213-hitting Robert Valido had the lone RBI.
  • Potomac 6, Winston-Salem 1
    • Good news: John Ely struck out eight over 6 2/3 innings.  Bad news:  He gave up four homers.
    • The Warthogs managed only five hits.
  • Bristol 8, Johnson City 5
    • Possible AARP member Juan Silverio homered, and now has five RBI in his first two games.
    • Jose Vargas also went deep, and Misael Tavarez and Orlando Santos each had two-hit nights.
    • Murillo Gouvea struck out four over three scoreless innings of relief.
  • Great Falls 7, Helena 5 (12 innings)
    • Ronald Morales definitely earned the win in relief -- six strikeouts over 3 1/3 perfect innings.
    • Shortstop Eduardo Escobar went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks and two RBI from the leadoff spot.
    • Some guy named Kenneth Williams went 1-for-5 with a triple and a walk.
  • Charlotte OFF
  • Kannapolis OFF

Comments

# re: Toby Hall: Power threat

Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:12 AM by Conor
I don't see what Thome did wrong. I took it as he doesn't want to speculate on something that occurs later this week that he might not even play in while there is a series right under his nose that he CAN do something about. It wasn't all warm and fuzzy like one would expect from Jim, but it wasn't unprofessional.

# re: Toby Hall: Power threat

Thursday, June 19, 2008 11:10 AM by BPG
I agree with him on DJ. A few years ago, they had DJ doing color on Fox national broadcasts during the Intercity series (back when people cared about it). He was surprisingly good. The problem with that broadcast is that Hawk strangles him and DJ seems to be compelled to resort to/play along with Hawk's tiresome shtick. I actually tend to listen to the radio and try to sync it up with the tv broadcast (thank-you Tivo). I can't handle the complaining about the umpiring and listening to Yaz stories. Hawk has become intolerable for me to listen to.....I just wonder how good DJ could be without that d-bag in the booth with him.

# re: Toby Hall: Power threat

Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:38 PM by bigsether
Glad to see the Bird Man work quick and hit spots last night. I know it's the Pirates so I'll keep it in perspective but let's look at the teams he has struggled against:

1. Cleveland - They've always hit Buehrle hard
2. Angels 43-30
3. Twins 36-36
4. Rays 42-29
5. A's 39-32

So, yeah, he's no good against the good teams in the AL which makes me nervous if the Sox do make the playoffs and slot him to start game 3.

I love the Sox with all of my heart and I love how in the summer, I can come home after work and watch Sox games. However, Hawk and DJ are awful. DJ seems to feel like he's talking to elementary students when he's calling a game. Every analysis is so basic and at face value and I think that is exposed when you listen to guys like Steve Stone, Mike Krukow, Daron Sutton, Vin Scully, and Bob Brenly. Those guys have a better way of explaining pitch sequence, what a hitters approach should be, what a manager is thinking, etc. I think "Fromrussiawithlove" gives us a good example of the generic color DJ brings when he says with a guy on second that the hitter is looking to get him over. No kidding DJ, tell me something about what pitch he should be looking for and how it relates to what the count is and who is on the mound. DJ also doesn't have a very good sense of humor, and to me, if I'm watching a baseball game and there is all that much dead air, is pretty important.

Hawk is a different story. I can't hate him because he REALLY loves the White Sox and I hope when I'm 66 I still get that excited about fly balls to the warning track. I will say he is the biggest homer outside of Ron Santo that gets to call major league baseball. But, with the right guy in the booth (not DJ) he would be better. I love when Jack McDowell, Robin Ventura, or Steve Stone have been in the booth with him, I feel like those guys settle him down a bit and he respects them more.

I think it was a couple years ago but remember when Hawk and DJ got into a spat over a ball down the left field line? I can't remember if it was a home run or ground rule double but Hawk really let DJ have it and ever since then, I think DJ has been scared to challenge Hawk.

# re: Toby Hall: Power threat

Thursday, June 19, 2008 1:17 PM by fromrussiawithlove
I agree. I have wathced some games on fox where DJ sounded like a completely different person and did a good job. I also agree with "bigsether" that when someone else is in the booth with Hawk (Stone, Ventura, etc.)they do a great job. Does anyone see a pattern here? I think the problem with our broadcast team is that Hawk has no respect for DJ. He sees DJ as a former journeyman player that whose only success came in Japan. Or is that how I see DJ? Anyways, if you have to get rid of one of them it has to be DJ since Hawk truly loves the sox and has been the voice of the white sox for so long. I'm sure DJ would get picked up by a network have a good career elsewhere. I have heard every sox fan and their brother say this, but if DJ goes move steve stone into the booth with Hawk!

# re: Toby Hall: Power threat

Thursday, June 19, 2008 4:02 PM by Jim Margalus
I don't think Thome did anything wrong -- I actually thought his response was perfect.

And while Hawk is the only TV voice of the White Sox I know, I'd rather see him go than DJ. He's regressing with no end in sight.

# re: Toby Hall: Power threat

Thursday, June 19, 2008 4:23 PM by fromrussiawithlove
What?? Steve Stone and DJ?? Kind of a weird combo here. Stone would give intelligent insight into how the outfield is playing the hitter because of the way the batter will get pitched and what pitch he will be looking for because there are runners in scoring position. While DJ chimes in with something along the lines of "you never know about the winds here at US cellular field". Good call Jim!

# re: Toby Hall: Power threat

Thursday, June 19, 2008 4:34 PM by bigsether
I re-read the conversation and I sound like I support Hawk.......

I don't, I think he's brutal, I just like how he LOVES the White Sox. I'm all for them dumping either one of the two, I would just think it's more likely DJ gets the axe than Hawk.

I'd like to see us get Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow from the Giants (they can keep their fancy John Miller). I know they are awful, but I can watch the Giants play anyone because those guys keep it entertaining and I feel like they teach me about the intricacies of the game better than any other duo in baseball.

# re: Toby Hall: Power threat

Thursday, June 19, 2008 4:40 PM by bigsether
A little did you know going into this weekend's series with the team celebrating an aniversary......

The Sox and Cubs have both played the Blue Jays, Rays, Pirates, and Rockies. Here are their records against those teams:

Cubs 16-7
Sox 7-9

# re: Toby Hall: Power threat

Friday, June 20, 2008 1:28 AM by Jim Margalus
Kuiper and Krukow are alright. Krukow's shtick is a little tiring, but it seems genuine.

But I'd rather see the Sox pursue an actual broadcaster instead of having four ex-jocks in the booth.