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I'm getting the sense reading this thread that very few baseball fans outside of Chicago know about Brian Anderson, a top prospect in the White Sox organization. He played well in a few late season apperances with the White Sox, showing good power and very good defense. To the extent that he might have lesser offensive numbers than Rowand (by no means a given), the rationale is that Thome is a BIG upgrade over Crazy Carl as a DH. And yes, Thome knows he's coming over as primarily a DH, with backup duty at 1B. That's why he agreed to waive his no-trade clause. Also consider that Kenny Williams is not done. He still might pursue Juan Pierre. Even if he doesn't, however, Anderson has been seen as a possible replacement for Roward for at least a year now, with Roward being the most likely every day player moved this offseason. As far as Konerko's reaction to this move, Thome and Konerko, I believe, have the same agent. The White Sox have consistently advertised their search for a DH to replace Everett, someone who could also play some first base. The two main concerns are 1) Frank's health and 2) re-signing Konerko, in that order. This does address both concerns, but it does not detract from the top priority of Konerko, and I suspect he knows that, since the club has very publicly been pursuing this move for weeks now. As far as is health, the back issue has been debated since before he went to Philly. He has consistently put up 40-hr seasons since his back became a "concern." Last year was his first year missing significant time, and that was for an elbow tendon. If you think that's a chronic injury, then so be it. The White Sox medical staff will of course examine that. My personal concern with this move is where Frank Thomas fits into the developing scenario, especially since Konerko is still the top priority. This is mostly a sentimental consideration for me (and virtually all other White Sox fans), as it wil be VERY painful to see him in another uniform. But his health is far from certain, otherwise the Thome deal would not need to be done. The upsides: 1) We didn't give up any of our frontline pitchers. We were afraid the Phils would want McCarthy or even Contreas; 2) The Phils are sending $22 million with the deal. Thome is owed $44.5 over the next 3 years; 3) We didn't give up any of our top minor league prospects. Downsides: 1) Thome's elbow and age. Covered this above; 2) Anderson is quite a talent, but for the most part unproven (in the same sense that Palpelbon has shown readiness for the next level, but hasn't been called upon for an entire season). So were Iguchi and Jenks, however. Overall, I like this move.

I'm not trying to take the place of the one who has been banned (appropriately so, I think as I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner), but I invite you to visit http://www.whitesoxinteractive.com. I'm sure you'll find many White Sox fans there that can name more than 9 players. As I've stated in previous posts, the lack of fan base has been overblown on this board, maybe as a response to that other guy.

If I might offer another perspective from a White Sox fan standpoint. I for one do not begrudge Boston or NY fans for not knowing much about the White Sox, since ESPN rarely gives balanced coverage for baseball. Constrast their coverage of football, for instance. When the St. Louis Rams came seemingly out of nowhere to win the Super Bowl, the ESPN adjusted its coverage accordingly. Of course, fans in the major markets weren't as interested in the Rams as they would be in their own teams, but ESPN made the adjustment anyway. Same is true for Phoenix Suns last year, for another example. That simply doesn't happen in baseball. This year, the White Sox led wire to wire and went 11-1 in the playoffs. Only now are most analysts admitting they missed the boat about this team. But long time fans of this team knew we by late May that we had something special. Even before this year, many fans of other teams have noticed that ESPN does not cover their teams as much as the Bos/NY rivalry even when their teams are doing really well. In fact, it's running joke in my fantasy league, which is made of of guys who are fans of at least 7 different teams. The whole thing about White Sox fans not attending games has been overplayed on this board. Consider that 1) The Chicago Tribune/WGN market machine does not own the White Sox; 2) the fan base is not nearly as large as the 6-state New England area or the NY/NJ/Conn metro area, but we do have a sizable fan base; 3) it doesn't take into account that we have hated our owner ever since 94 and 97 and many have been turned off by his putting baseball politics ahead of winning; and 4) until 94 and 97 and WGN Superstation, the White Sox regularly outdrew the Cubs, much like the Mets have outdrawn the Yanks in some of their more successful years until recently. I always thought winning cures all. For me, winning it all is enough, and its not about any other teams that could be mentioned. As a lifelong White Sox fan, I always just asked that they win it in my lifetime. That others had not paid much attention before now matters not a bit to me.

Aside from having Mr. Jackson shot for being an idiot, I agree with your point. I heard on Kornheiser's local DC radio show yesterday that what started all this with Stern is how some of the players dressed during the Olympics last year. There was a state dinner the basketball team was invited to last year during one of the tune up games in Serbia. The Serbian President was the host. Some of the guys showed up in bandanas and throwback jerseys. Apparently Larry Brown wanted to send them home to the U.S. right then and there. If you don't institute a league-wide dress code, some of these guys, Black and White, will remain clueless.

I'll jump in to add this, fellow White Sox fan: I love your passion, but it is not the classiest thing to badger Red Sox fans about their World Series preference on their site. I understand taking some exception to Red Sox fans who say no one is interested in watching us, but if they want to root for the Astros, so be it. BTW, Ozzie is not a dick, Carl is crazy (but Red Sox rooted for him when he played for them, and Red Sox fans d$*n sure wouldn't have said the Red Sox didn't deserve to win the WS if he was on your team last season), and no one who was on the team in 1919 is associated with the team now.

Thanks for that. I certainly hope so. Good luck with the off-season, except for trying to get Konerko, of course!

Actually, the mood among true White Sox fans is cautiously optimistic. Being up 2-0 does wonders for confidence. I can assure you, no one is thinking "we can't possibly score anymore." I think the White Sox have proven that they can hit HRs (as if over 200 for the season wasn't proof enough), and certainly if they get on base enough against Wakefield, they can run all day on that knuckler. To the extent that we are cautious about our optimism, it is because of your team's recent history of comebacks in this situation, not "88 years of futility." That same recent history gives Red Sox fans confidence that they can come back and win it, and rightfully so. But unlike Cubs fans, who embrace their losing heritage like a badge of honor, White Sox fans point to the play on the field for reasons why the team lost any particular game or series. Losing is losing, and we find nothing cute or charming about it.

Actually, if anyone other than Cleveland was chasing the White Sox (Cardinals, Angels, Yanks included) during that period, the lead would have never gotten down to 1 1/2. Cleveland went 17-3 over 20 games (one of the three a loss to the WS) before the last week of the season, when they crumbled. Choking is what the '64 Phillies did, losing its last 6 games to close the season. The White Sox played .500 baseball over the last two months of the season. During that time, there were 2, maybe 3 games that they choked away, one of them when Hermanson's back gave out. The "choking" thing was never fair to how well Cleveland played during that stretch, and it was a media-driven perception (Chicago's media included) fueled by Chicago baseball history. It made for a good story, but the facts don't quite fit.

From what I understand, Konerko's first choice is to stay with the White Sox, but if not, then go with a West Coast team.

I appreciate the comments about our team's play. As you know, White Sox fans haven't had too many playoff moments to enjoy. This year's team, unlike the teams in 2000 and 1983, play confidently. They don't just hope to win. They expect to win. Only the 1993 playoff team had that kind of confidence in recent memory. With that said, most White Sox fans know that it is not over. Yes, you might hear or read something a White Sox fan wrote in the heat of the moment that suggests we are cocky now, but believe me, until the final out is tallied, most of us won't fully exhale. I look forward to seeing the White Sox play in Fenway for the first time in playoff history. BTW, this is an edit of the above post, but for some reason, it re-posted.

That's exactly my point! BTW, please call it Comiskey Park, since that's what White Sox fans call it.

Ever been to a game at Yankee Stadium or Veterans Stadium?

Agreed. We can't expect to hold Boston's bats down the same way in Fenway, especially since our two best pitchers have already pitched in this series. Freddy Garcia has pitched well there in the past, though.

Strange words from a fan whose team plays in the South Bronx! (And before ask, yes I have been there and have been to a game at Yankee Stadium.) My question is, compared to what other MLB atmosphere? Shea? The Phillies current stadium? Most of that talk comes from sportwriters who are ticked that they are covering a game on the South Side rather than up in Wrigleyville, which is a much nicer neighborhood for hanging out. Comiskey Park is hardly "violent," unless you are a drunk, obnoxious Cubs fan, or a Royals 1st base coach.