Foulke You

I COME IN PEACE...I'm a Sox fan who posts at whitesoxinteractive regularly and just read the other thread on Koch there, it was disappointing to see the Marlins/Sox alliance fall apart with some of us. It's still hard for me to work up a good hate towards the Marlins because you disposed of the blue plague known as the Cubs last year and saved many Sox fans from heaps of abuse from our North Side neighbors. So for that, I am forever grateful. Also, I was really impressed with your club this 3 game series and you should get to the postseason again. Anyway, just wanted to give my take on Koch both the bad and the good. THE BAD- Billy came to the Sox fresh off a Rolaids Relief Man of the Year award so expectations were that he would take over right where Foulke left off. Koch struggled from the get go with his control and blew a bunch of saves. His velocity was noticably down from the 99-100 he was at in Oakland. He was only throwing in the low 90s and his fastball was straight. In the early part of the 2003 season, Sox pitching coach Don Cooper decided that perhaps what Billy needed was a change in mechanics since Sox management felt that the way Billy was delivering the ball, it was amazing he hadn't torn his labrum. The mechanics change did nothing to help his control or his velocity but at least kept him injury free. It was becoming clear to Sox fans that Koch was a thrower and not a pitcher. Without that 99-100 mph velocity to whiz past hitters, he was helpless against MLB hitters. Koch did have about a month period last year (June I believe) where it looked like he was turning it around. But before you knew it, he blew a couple more saves and he lost his job to Flash Gordon. This year was just a replay of last season. He started off badly and had no control, got it together for a short time in May and then blew a couple key saves in Oakland and Seattle and he lost his closer job to Shingo Takatsu . Koch's high leg kick and refusal or inability to make a pickoff throw to 1st to keep a runner honest had teams stealing bases on him regularly which was compounded by all the walks he issued. The most maddening thing about Billy Koch to me is that he frequently gets ahead of the hitters 0-2 only to lose the batter by walking him, beaning him, or making an 0-2 mistake over the plate. He just didn't have the 100mph cheese anymore to get that last strike for the out. THE GOOD- Billy Koch is great in the clubhouse and a real standup guy. No Sox fan had anything bad to say about the guy's attitude. He took full responsiblity for his lack of performance and placed the blame at his own feet. Here is what Billy had to say after he was traded to the Marlins. It gives you an idea of the class he has: "I told Kenny (Sox GM) that it's just a shame that you put your neck out there, you traded some good players to get me over here, put the money on the table for me, and I wasn't able to get the job done for you," Koch said. "That's my only regret. I had a lot of fun in Chicago." Koch is the type of guy you root for and I wish him the best of luck in Florida. Perhaps a new league, a new team, and a setup role rather than closer will benefit his career because it was clear it wasn't happening for him on the Sox. He has a history of success in Toronto and Oakland so perhaps he will find that missing 5mph in Florida. Sorry for the lengthy post Marlins fans, good luck this season.

Yes, I would like to echo my fellow White Sox fans and say THANK YOU!!! My Uncle called from the South Side and said his neighbors are shooting off fireworks in honor of the Marlins knocking off the hated Cubs for us. All made possible by the gutsy play of the Florida Marlins. Your Marlins played with a lot of fire and determination. They don't look capable of losing right now. It's hard to root against this bunch. Good luck in the World Series.

If you guys are looking for sign ideas, someone during the White Sox vs. Cubs series at Comiskey had a picture of Sammy with the Darth Maul jedi robe on with the caption "Sammy, May the Cork Be With You!"