WestEddy

I think veteran presence on a team is very important. Athletes across all sports talk about the importance of veteran leadership. I feel this would be like discounting stretching, or fundamentals, or wearing mitts on the field. Veteran leadership holds the clubhouse together, enforces good habits - all in a game that is 95% mental. If young guys get into the habit of stinkin' thinkin', it doesn't matter what their bat speed is.

I gave a B. The assignment was don't set the loss record, again, and they didn't. Traded Crochet for a good haul. Learned from the previous season's mistakes. Backed up Robert for the inevitable injuries. Didn't force trades on other teams' terms. I was told this pitching rotation would be worse than last years' and it was quite adequate. Filled RF, C, 2B, SS. I liked the glut of infielders so they could weather an injury or two without tapping into the Vinny Capras or Jacob Amayas of the organization after the All-Star break. .430 winning pct after the break. That's a 70 win clip. I would expect a bullpen cleanup, and maybe creating a glut of outfielders like they did with the IF could goose the win total into the upper 70s. Continued growth from the 2nd year players could push them up around .500.

Weird how Liptak doesn't have a list on that.

I'd love for someone to release audio of conversations between Getz and JR where JR is telling Getz to spend all of his money, and Getz is reassuring him that they can win with the lowest payroll in the league. *That* would make me bail on Getz.

Do any of the National Days honor the days Mao overcame his opium constipation and pooped? I've heard that was a big deal during the Long March.

And Drury was out the door much sooner. Positive me wins again!!

But here you are.

Bookended the season with 8 run efforts. Opened with an 8-1 win against the Angels. Los Angeles Angels vs Chicago White Sox Box Score: March 27, 2025 | Baseball-Reference.com

You should probably read the string.

Fletcher's a good fielder and had a solid hit tool through the minors with a little pop.

Yea! Positive me wins!! Eat it, negative me!!

Counterpoint: Yes they should.

Probably just hit the bag hard. He'll be fine in a couple of days.

White Sox winnah!!

I think Meidroth is solid. I have him as a guy who sticks around and maybe starts until the Caleb Bonemers and Billy Carlsons graduate and displace him in the lineup.

One of the Hall-of-Famers, King Kelly, caught cold on a ferry ride during the off-season of 1893, developed pneumonia and died. He had a song written about him, Slide, Kelly, Slide.

Looking at the 1882 Cubs, now, I find a couple of things interesting. 1) None of the players were born in the South. There was probably a period where Southerners entered the game. Does anyone know of a culture shock when this happened? 2) The team played 84 games, and used 12 players between fielders and pitchers. They only used 2 pitchers. One position player (Ed Williamson) threw 3 innings in one game. 3) They played at Lakefront Park 1, which was located at the corner of Michigan Ave and Randolph. The area is part of Grant Park, now. 4) Catcher Silver Flint led the team with 4 HRs. 5) Best record that season (55-29), only two HOFers, Cap Anson and King Kelly. 6) 5 of the players died before the age of 45.

1882 Cubs, for instance. 10 of the top 12 in WAR had moustaches. This was a replacement level 'stache.

Okay, they earned that one. No perfecto.

Looking at the top 12 in WAR for each white sox team, only George Davis had a moustache in the first couple decades. I think the golden age of facial hair was probably the 1880s, so the Sox missed out on obvious contenders. By the 40s, the red scare kept everyone clean shaven except Tugboat captains and Lumberjacks.

Gossage was clean shaven here...

Michael A. Taylor single.

Smith ain't exactly getting that ball 3" off the plate.

they probably should have paid the White Sox' price for Houser and Robert.

He always had moderate power. I'm surprised he could never get the hit tool firing here.