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Past Interviews:
KNOW THY ENEMY |
by "Biggest Daddy"
Hot Stove Talk: The Chicago Black Sox
Last year the Black Sox played like the dirty socks when they finished with a record of 59-101. But oh what a difference a year makes. John Gill has assembled a cast of characters who should be able to make a run at the Hrbek division and Eck League title.
In the Box: With Roger Cedeno leading things off (396 OBP, 66 stolen bases) followed (most likely) by Randy Velarde (317/390, 16 homers), Nomar (357/418/603) and Carlos Delgado (272/377/571), the Black Sox should put up runs in bunches. Not to mention that the back end of the lineup will be filled with th elikes of Scott Rolen, Cal Ripken, Andruw Jones, and Raul Mondesi. The defense will likely have a majority of VG/EX defenders in key positions. Gone are the youngsters Micahel Barret and Miguel Tejada.
On the mound: The much-heralded Todd Ritchie (172 IP, 3.50 ERA) is the ace of the staff followed by recently acquired Scott Erickson (230 IP, 4.81 ERA). Phenom Rich Ankiel is a year or so away from full-time status, so the other spots in the rotation will be filled by the likes of Jimmy Haynes (142 IP, 6.34 ERA) and LaTroy Hawkins (174 IP, 238 hits, 6.66 ERA). Lefty swingman Doug Jones is a nicely priced $100,000 (86 IP, 4.47 ERA) considering some teams spend $10 mil on lefty pitchers with similar numbers who can throw 200 innings. The bullpen is set with lefty Steve Kline (69 IP, 3.75 ERA), Kevin McGlinchey (70 IP, 2.82 ERA), Al Levine (85 IP, 3.39 ERA), and Turk Wendell (85 IP, 3.05 ERA). No doubt that starting pitching will be a primary focus in the upcoming draft for the B-Sox.
Advice to opponents: Give your lefthanded starting pitchers the series off when you play Chicago.
Prediction: Can this be the first team in BDBL history to go from less than 60 wins one season to over 100 hundred the next? I doubt it, but they will contend. They just have to topple 3 new, hungry owners in the Hrbek division. By the end of the year, I do know that the Black Sox bullpen will be the most overworked in the league. And nothing cures that more than a Burger King Pokemon meal.
An Interview With John Gill
Biggest Daddy: If the season started today, what would your everyday lineup be?
John Gill: Roger "the former Dodger" Cedeno LF, Handy Dandy Randy Velarde 2B, Andruw "the $10MM man and I'm not worth it" CF, Carlos "Boo-yeah" Delgado 1B; Either Scott "See Andruw Jones above" Rolen or Cal Ripken 3B, Raul "That's all For Shawn Green?" Mondesi RF; Miguel Tejada SS and Michael Barrett C. (Editor's note: this interview was held before the Black Sox acquired Nomar Garciaparra.)
BD: Do you have any promotional gigs planned to increase attendance at Black Sox Stadium?
JG: $1 Beer nights every friday and Saturdays. Strippers in every aisle Monday through Thursday. Sunday will be kids half price.
BD: What team do you fear the most in the Eck League?
JG: Your team, Cleveland. Vladimir, Ivan, Roberto - Are you kidding me?!!
BD: You're a Cubs fan. How do you cope? Do you self-medicate?
JG: Alcohol. Beer. And Alcohol.
BD: What do you sell in Chicago?
JG: Material Handling Equipment.
BD: I saw where you nominated yourself for GM of the Year for picking up Todd Ritchie twice. Shouldn't the GM of the Year, after recognizing the player's talent, only have to pick up such a bargain once?
JG: I wanted the challenge of picking him up twice.
BD: Where do you think you'll finish in your division in 2000?
JG: 2nd or 3rd place.
BD: I once saw Rusty Staub get thrown out running from first to second base on a single to right field. Do you think you could have out run Rusty in his prime?
JG: Backwards.
BD: You're a salesman. Pretend like I'm a potential season ticket owner who is a Cleveland Rocks fan who lives in Chicago and sell me a season ticket package.
JG: Well, if you are a heterosexual male who likes dollar beers, see question two.
BD: I see you haven't named a coaching staff. Would you rather have Regis Philbin or John Tesh as your bench coach?
JG: Is that your final question? I'll take Cathy Lee.