" Friday's and do you welcome these scores baseball expert to this show you can also hear him doing -- television analysis -- White Sox games he is. Steve Stone hello Steve."

" Hello Dan -- out."

" I'm good is somebody asked me this question the other day and it was at his -- Crue -- either win or hard introducing you as former Cy Young award winner and that's actually incorrect. That you're still the Cy Young award winner from their year."

" If they don't believe that they can take -- away although I'm sure that they're going back -- checking the technicalities don't. No I still left where he'll have bad --"

" I can you are Cy Young award winner Steve Stone does not like if somebody the next years of exit from -- the award leave your home."

" I don't feel like via the trade the former right hander actually."

" The former pitcher but I am still right handed."

" That was quite a thing yesterday even -- White -- come away with victory. In that little one off cross -- whatever was there was just it PI -- Lawrence's point -- and there's -- in transition there's so much that just encapsulated the seasons for both teams respectively."

" Now there's no doubt that. I think both teams would have liked a little different standing at. When we played this game we realized when I got rained out that it would be eventually played out September Thursday it came to the realization that in a couple weeks later whatever the case may be but. I think we've done the first inning. The very bad base running a part of the White Sox which is something that has been going out all year I think we've so mum. I -- fairly good defense -- rest of the way which by the way. The White Sox played a good defensive series in Minnesota that was somewhat surprising with the with the history of this team this year. As far as the Cubs were concerned we solve the problems that the Cubs have been having during the course of the year they didn't play real well on defense quite obviously they're outfielders. It is it is miscast I mean you really have to DH isn't right and left and you've got a right fielder playing -- Better feel any such terrible angle like Fukudome and the first ball hit of the game. My podsednik and so when you take a look at that effect that with Derrek Lee out deadline up loses the whole lot of -- seven a pretty big year for them. I think you're seeing him. Hey maybe the whole season in microcosm and but the problem being that down. The fact that they added a 117 million in guaranteed money for next two years so even though the money goes up the books it's almost going to be awash in money that you could have been prevented. You'll be obligated to hopefully peavy and Rios will be a guy that we remember from a couple of years ago that the guys that we've been looking at this point. As far as the Cubs are concerned they've obligated themselves to a tremendous amount of money and -- them and -- the second highest. An average per player in the major leagues has learned dollars allocated they're concerned and so you have to say from their standpoint -- getting quite what they paid for."

" captaincy you as the player. For a minute -- yesterday Jim Hendry was on the score you talk -- Jim McMillan and Mac can ask him about looking towards 2010. And any injuries -- says -- intimate -- that the whole reason that he's not going to do you guys that because it's unfair to talk about. 2010 because 2009 not -- be unfair to the guys in the clubhouse. I'm not say beat these guys are oblivion me but. They have to know -- and a half games behind the Cardinals and whatever they are in the wild card for the season over what would be wrong with the GM starting to look forward. You this season and admitting that the fans."

" First of all I honestly don't believe that there's season is over for the simple reason that. They still have some very tough games coming up and I know they went 50510. Game homestand that I know that every team they played on that homestand. I was under 500 quite obviously when Washington comes to tell you lose to a three and if you win two of three from the Mets and in Houston comes to town and as you went to retrieve them but lose the final game thank you want to do better than five and five however going ahead. You can that the New York Mets -- playing exceptionally well although I heard Beltran might come back can write his -- so maybe they'll be a little bit better but their pitching is woeful. Pittsburgh -- the next opponent in Cincinnati comes to town and so."

" Time's up Steve and that's it's it's over."

" Front that I am -- truly don't believe that especially when Neifi and I think Colorado playing like they're playing and -- due respect of Iraqis they are foreign kick in their last ten -- they have almost singlehandedly kept. -- Cubs back in the wild card race they have Francisco lucky to have three in -- that the Philadelphia. But they could be there -- to come and you know you do those two teams are probably going to be there at the end but they're going to play one another quite a bit. And they also -- have to play the Dodgers again and and I look at Atlanta and Florida they seem to be alternating winning and losing every day so it's not exactly like you have an insurmountable. Kill the climb when you look at the -- ahead of them now I'm and I'm not going to tell you that they had a good chance. I'm just gonna tell you this -- that they have a chance but I can understand Jim Hendry saying. I don't want to give those guys in the club. The feeling that we're going to just forget about this season looking ahead to next year there's plenty of time to do that. I can't believe me he is doing yet I'm pretty sure of it but the question then becomes. How much. Of those. Dollars that will be allocated. -- dollars you can't get rid of that's the important part when you look at the next year how many no trade you have how many dollars you have allocated and just exactly what the budget is going to be."

" united seem to be in agreement that when they begin the regular season next year Milton Bradley is going to be an ex cub. How are they going to do it and I know he will win is there any desire out there to do any kind of deal even if they pick up all the money I know it's going to be expensive proposition but how do you think Milton Bradley is going to become the next -- I agree with driving he's going to."

" I think that there's going to be a couple of different ways to do it and certainly go to the team where he had the last -- that that would be taxes. Played that the great place to hit the place of the managers that. Understand Milton if you can understand him at all and that might be the responsibility and -- comes down to. Just exactly what you would have to -- as far as the payroll is concerned and and then had to do with -- com rickets and just exactly. What he's looking forward. What kind of appetite he had to change the culture of this team then and then just exactly what you want to do. With the players that you currently have under contract for next year. Many of them with no trade situation than. You know otherwise. You're going to be stuck with a whole lot. Of money you have a lot of money in the books already and then how do you get better. Coming back on this here well I think go to the better hitter than shown this year if somebody can do not have died in the -- you'll probably be all a better player. I think that. Soriano have to hit better than he hit this year which is well below is his averages. It certainly. When you look at premier openly I don't think you want to do anything -- the corners they're pretty good I think where you have to play second base next year I think you have to go -- and get a top of the line -- up. But I think you gotta find some way to put Fukudome back in right field the home thirteen million dollars and 26 or do. You know he's going to be there and then you know you win you try to find yourself up a semblance -- center fielder unless you can find him with what you have at this point. But you also have to address some parts of the bullpen and then you have to realize what you wanted to -- pitching staff which appears to be pretty good heading into next year."

" I don't get back to the cubs' chances thing here first second and and just for the sake of comparison as of this morning. The baseball prospectus projections for the remainder of the year every day they play the remaining games a million times and they show you which teams have won how often. And is based on their projection algorithm. And they have the Cubs currently with 82 point 98%. Chance of making the playoffs."

" Not so it's better than I thought."

" What two point 98 and the White Sox by ten point 57. Percent possibility of making the playoffs so if you believe in this does factor in strength of schedule everything else in everything you're talking about what they do try to quantify all the stuff. So if you believe. The Cubs are not not a bit you have to be have been the White Sox with almost three times the chance that the Cubs have to do you feel strongly about the size chances."

" But yet they -- intact for the simple reason that the team that. Besides they're chasing and of course there's two of them with Minnesota and Detroit. Minnesota has seven games left for Detroit. -- felt like ducks have six games left put Detroit. If both teams. Handle them with the -- really handling them well in Minnesota maybe splitting with them. There's your opportunity now is that a good can't -- if you had a good chance that it -- committed -- eight games back in the loss -- That last road trip at three and eight. I -- them into very difficult hole with two hottest teams in the division are Detroit and Minnesota but when you do play head to head. That's for other reasons why they can't deserve so much greater in the fact that there's really only one team and between the ducks and Detroit it's Minnesota I don't know. No one wants behind the twins the twins don't have much for a starting rotation and they don't -- about the baseball very well outside of that dome. And you know -- I think that the -- can put together a nine game winning streak they've been looking for that for quite sometime and hadn't come there yet. Much depth look after their -- on both sides of town but I remember exactly chuck Tanner who is very positive attitude about things and -- again. When he conceded when he said that he had no longer any chance of -- I still believe I have again he went on ten games what nine games supplies now that was just enter into any real crunch."

" Chester Taylor also brings Custer is doing fine yeah."

" I don't know -- and running into some tough plugged into that amounts at a letdown. You know you can you owe it to the fans to try to. Put they hammered down every game you go out there. And having played on teams that weren't particularly good on teams that came up short I'm -- team that actually won. I realize that you played as hard as you could until they told you were officially eliminated. And when that happens twelve then do you start experimenting and doing some things overnight toward next year. So right now I think that's for both teams are doing I think they're going out to win the game today. After you -- the game today if you can't obviously have any control over anybody else you try to win the game tomorrow doesn't work out it doesn't work out."

" We're talking with captain hope Steve Stone and we want to take your phone calls Cubs. Sox baseball pennant races. He's here for you 3126446767. More with Stoney in a moment and WSCR the score. They go."

" Predictable. Yeah."

" Okay. Any good."

" Yeah. Eleven. It turned out to be real --"

" And after missing it. Soriano."

" Whose name hasn't it. Goes after it was less than a lot of enthusiasm and think he looks. I wasn't thinking runners in the."

" Yeah and we are talking. So -- the -- pretty good yesterday but however I must say that. To actually answering that rhetorical question what does he think the writers and reduce -- run against the White Sox base runners it's probably reason. -- that they could just stop writing restarted my earrings some small shiny object in between bases if you don't know White Sox base runners are going to do Steve."

" a big difference is that it was Beckham and AJ Pierzynski with a pretty good base runner but once having missed the ball I think. The big part about it is you kind of expect that Soriano going to -- the ball on occasion and but the fact that he really crowded after it. And looking back didn't exactly what would happen I think it was just try adding after that probably did it more than anybody else because I. You kind of expected of fans are paying full price they're coming out there and and here they came over 40000 strong in yesterday's game and he really expect a 100% effort and if in fact that those guys need. There's something wrong with it and he can't run then you shouldn't be playing. But he had a couple of other instances one intact and I think anything or he ran over in the corner. Caught the ball got it back into the infield and held whoever was to a base hits and if you looked okay at that and at -- I mean look hey if your manager is going to accept. Lack of hustle. For opposing at home plate on a ball that doesn't leave the ballpark or number of other things have gone and if that becomes a case of acceptance. Then it's really too late to put down the -- and September."

" To the phones for Steve Stone on the score we start in Melrose park with Dwyane hello Dwyane."

" Anyhow we don't know doing. He just wanted to say got my -- forward you know being with the Sox keep sharing your commentary. I did get off so. But my my main my main question is which -- leave it came it was a lot of bass players I would say I'm an off the baseball field. I'm at home here a couple times did you lose your answer questions doing my question is. Do you do you know what you would take for the American League person that National League in the World Series. Pile ups the road back panel is bad."

" Well the best team in baseball right now is the New York Yankees and -- you know alive have to do it just exactly who they run into in the playoffs and I assume. Judging by how things are going for them now that they're going to be able to -- their rotation and if that's the case it. Obviously big -- he's going to be that guy that's going to lead it off so. And the Yankees there winners of seven in a row they're doing everything right they had a seven asking me over Boston they will coast. The championship and that would be in my estimation. The best team in baseball -- the best team in baseball doesn't always win but that's who represented the much tougher league the American League is very the National League is concerned. That really depends on the match ups and finished Saint Louis -- appears as though they have -- rotation maligned. You're going to beat Carpenter and Wainwright one and do that can give you a great deal of problems with -- hero three. And and that lineup which is rejuvenated with -- Matt Holliday now protecting pools behind them. And Saint Louis did the way you're supposed to do things by keeping your powder dry in the spring. Keeping enough money so that when you have need in July you go and fill those needs if you spend all your money trying to fill all the holes that your team. In January February and march. When it comes time to July -- need their diametrically opposed to what they were in the spring. Then you have a problem Taylor showed you with the acquisition of Derosa Lugo and holiday. They just decimated the central."

" Jordan on the line your score. Hey I am I was I mean I'm good -- yesterday and I'm -- they've done a Super Bowl this year it's hot. It's nicely on the -- Very confident. The night. I'm not a lawyer allow their game at an epithet as at all. But I'm mostly including the kind of an observation sort of glad that bad yesterday and thought that the period from afar and up and I didn't picture it sure -- hitting the ball and it -- and they had these kind of -- let street take you there were nowhere near to should donate it immediately looked like he didn't want to hit the baseline. Point period they about by I think he would have liked to have hit it unfortunately it was nowhere near you would swing."

" Let's try Paul who's in his car and on the super hi Paul."

" Hello call. Guys. Yes holidays. I'm Mike Brett what they did you think the Cardinals will resign him and if they do women about the Brewers have no good and the Cubs payroll imitate them. If that meant they will be odds on favorite to win that division for the next 45 year."

" Well you have to figure out what they're going to do -- tail end of their starting rotation and what they're going to do with the front end their bullpen. And it -- signing Matt Holliday you know I have to do with Scott Barroso what he wants for holiday. If he's looking at a hundred plus million dollars for a holiday thinking that like if he is. 70%. Public practitioner. Another one of his client -- got a 180 million. If he's holding out for a 120 for a holiday then notice Taylor struggled so -- time. First of all they have Albert Pujols to deal with the it's pretty hard for them I think to make -- holiday more than pujols. Let's say look for the pretty good team thing and if you told me that Dave Duncan and Tony La Russa would both be back with the Cardinals -- And they would I NL they I would tell you they'd be the favorite."

" Taking phone calls for Steve Stone here as we do Friday's around this time and we continue with -- in -- Indianapolis on the score."

" I'm an effort to pick a guy I've devalued talk it. The Georgia and I'm it would it would have a few bad contract."

" There anybody out there that you see if we don't let other teams -- contract he made. They want to feel."

" I could get ample but it could be without a period you don't I'm going to end up above your effort."

" Oversaw -- veto is having a fairly decent here. Perhaps. Last year. You might have been able to to deal with them but you know nine and eleven that's not great -- in the areas below -- that is pretty good. And he's been doing especially well the last three starts in the -- than zero point 44. So I was -- Zito is getting better probably the right -- San Francisco is trying to make their run that Colorado and Colorado -- best pitcher cook is disabled. So they're you know they're having. They're having to get -- Dan Haren tonight which is never an enviable task. I don't think you can trade. Soriano else let's say for his ego which is hypothesized. I think that if you ever want to move Soriano you've got five more years left the gigantic money. I the American League -- the first place to look because of the designated hitter."

" Next is Jim in Seattle on time Sox guy on the score was Stoney."

" here's the question I'm looking forward to next beer so obvious."

" I think we lost Jim I think they're going to move on because Jim's got a bad connection out there in Seattle so next is Kevin and evergreen park on the score look at it and."

" Hey guys. You know I might be asking the question that he was maybe going to come up with OK look ahead. Who opening day next season Lendale White Sox trauma field what we're Pittsburgh at the end it would have been competitive -- uniform. I can't really tell you because -- new faces. I don't know yet to tell me about Jermaine Dye and they've got a mutual option on Jermaine contract. The question is would Jermaine come back that they restructure their contract I think that's going to be floated that I get I don't know and -- hard -- to plan is concerned. It's wonderful to watch Beckham getting better every day at third base I think. Ramirez is going to be a shortstop is first second is concerned right now it looks like -- yet. He had done enough to probably be given the nod there at first base to get Paul back for another year but there can be something done as far as designated hitter. The question then becomes. Rios probably taking over center field. And then you have to ask the question about Scott Podsednik is. It's hitting of the baseball enough. To make up for some of the base running miscues and some of the defensive deficiencies. You can't -- well I mean if the answer is yes then you resign him and it might be in a different role. But right now when you take a look at what he's -- at the top offensively that's been very good however the base running has not been very good."

" We got and emails questioning the Comcast feed -- Stephen Racine says Steve. Jim Thome is the greatest living human since the passing of mother Theresa. Can you tell me how the balkanization of the former Soviet block and contributed to the global threat of nuclear terrorism all hang up and listen for my answer that."

" The unedited and at the -- easy to deal with if you have a couple of hours we can certainly delve into that stuff."

" Time is calling from his car and he is on the score hello Tom hello."

" What I was I'd suspect that the thing that I was really beating was probably embarrassing themselves and us draws -- by the deployed. You know blown late leave she don't leaving guys on third base what you're talking. And you know the last few games were you know -- urging his corner once this season -- they're bright future we're all these girls. And even human bird out of the dirt conditions. I just want them to compete for you know -- division. And then you know figuring that progress as far as your -- change -- running game and -- immediately dispatched going to finish. You know at least without -- no you know a lot of dumb mistakes it is just."

" That's changed. No I don't think that they're going to finish without a lot of dumb mistakes. -- team and I think that that's unfortunately via. That's a lot this year and they played better than they played it certainly can the last two games -- played real well. It had a lot to do with the starting pitching and starting pitching by and large has been very good. If fact it tells you have a good starting pitching has been. But the fact that they've been among the top -- career for all yearlong in the league and with one of the worst defenses -- all of baseball. And that's -- to do. You know. I don't think they're going to pick it up defensively a great deal they've played a couple of really good games and when that happens. The team looks a whole lot better especially when the starting pitching is consistent as it's been."

" We have a caller asked her -- a couple days ago about the deep into the White Sox with professional players. How can they get better it is their chance that if a player that's been in the League Two or three years can actually become a better defensive player and what steps. Does that player take did you."

" A lot of guys you'd like to claim in a position where their best suited and the best positioned score but got but I think that's center field that's number one. I'm not saying that he's going to be -- best left fielder around but he'll be a better left fielder but then you have Carlos Quinton. -- and you would have to -- to right -- Jermaine -- there's so this is a bit as good a year where you're just gonna have to deal with what you have. And then Kenny is going to have to recreate something appeared together. The players do. To fill the spot and get a little better defensively the main thing is you have to learn how to get cut off man because you don't have to have a great idea the Cubs man. It just be smart enough to hit him and if you can do that many times the trailer doesn't take an extra base but there's so much that goes into it. That. I think that. This year's team didn't mean you're you're looking at that I'm not sure they're going to get all Leadbetter in that department and hopefully next year. The gloom will get better in that department good if not it's going to be tough to win again."

" Bernie liberty bell you're on the scores and Stoney."

" Don't already life they are you don't want lifelong Sox fan here -- I'm really more frustrated by the fact that it seems like late in the game what. But Fox's -- to be. To -- extra base hit. You know over bagged on the line is that she won't be guarded Moore and I guess -- Doug -- here what's it say about that us."

" Well certainly try to play no doubles defense run one run is his going to get the job done against you and a I think that's one of the things that. Beckham is improving and I think he's getting a little more ranged to his right. And not quite as many balls a game between him in the bag as. Seemingly were doing and and every other game basis recently and -- the night have a plan a lineup that many balls get by him but I. It depends on how these bands that the defense. And that's exactly what happened the best event that the defense spending and other pitchers. Pitch for the hitter and then it's up to the pitcher to make good pitches that he's supposed to make health. That's what happened in that respect."

" All right Stoney thank you as always look forward it to hear you call the games over this long holiday weekend and talking with you next week."

" Venus I think series against Boston and let you know played up boys take care."