South Side Hit Men

Yes, that is why Hahn plays the role of Toby Flenderson in The White Sox Office. Previously, Hahn played the role of Jerry in Fargo, seen here with Stan (KW) and Wade (JR). Rick Hahn cornered at SoxFest by two upset season ticket holders a few years back.

The first 10,000 fans to tonight's game will receive a carrot bobblehead.

Rick Hahn is a little under the weather and apologizes he can't make it to today's Q & A session. However, we have Minnie Minoso's five year old great great grandson to speak on Rick Hahn's behalf, and answer any questions you may have for the organization.

This makes me very angry. Jose is one of the redeeming people in this organization. Rick Hahn most certainly is not.

Let’s face it, an employed Rick Hahn is a dangerous Rick Hahn. And the players, though that’s part of the manager’s role. At one point on the Fox 32 streamed coverage, the camera swiveled from filming Hahn to show Jerry in the back of the room on his phone. It was not in response to any statement or question involving Jerry. It was random and funny.

Oh, Kenny made Hahn do that. Kenny Williams’ Fault: Traded Reed for Matt Davidson. Signed Adam LaRoche, Dallas Keuchel, Parrot. Traded Bassitt and Marcus Semien for Jeff Samardzija. Traded Montas & Trayce Thompson for Todd Helton. Traded Tatis Jr. for James Shields. Moncada’s contract. Offered years 3 and 4 to Grandal. Jerry’s Fault (OK, this part is true): Hired then extended Ricky Renteria. Hired Tony La Russa. No qualifying offer for Carlos Rodon. Lowballed Machado. Trading International Bonus Pool money for various cheap ass transactions and players. No analytics department. Fired Scouting staff during COVID. Omar Vizquel hiring. Tony LaRussa’s Fault: Signed Adam Eaton 2.0, Joe Kelly, Leury Garcia. Demanded trade and option year pickup for Craig Kimbrel and trade for Diekman. Fired Brian Ball. Told Hahn Pollock could play RF.

The pitching staff will be highly motivated next season, facing either FA (Lynn and Lucas) or Arbitration (Cease and Kopech). Ditto most of the key current core (Robert and Vaughn the only two controlled beyond 2024). Players universally seem to step up under these circumstances, some more than others (Aaron Judge). If Katz stays under the next manager, I expect even better results than the Top 10 from this season for the four starters mentioned above. Relievers are always a crapshoot, and it sucks half the bullpen are mid 30s and expensive, but you can still find quality turnaround relievers for $1M-$3M, and also decent to solid starters like Cueto. Just need to be patient, work with Katz to see who is out there the Sox can find and fix.

There is plenty to be optimistic about going forward. I am taking a step back from following baseball in two days, but I'm far more optimistic today then I was on October 26, 2020. Still haven't changed my opinion on Hahn, but we are at least two years closer to a new owner and new FO, and Hahn may in fact not be asked back (or may also want to pursue other interests like Kenny) after his rumored contract end in 2023. I realize Jerry will likely never sell, but that doesn't mean he will be involved in the day to day until he passes or becomes incapacitated. Perhaps he plans to step back, or hand off the day to day operations of the club after next season as a few have posted this season. The new manager could and hopefully will improve team discipline, fundamentals, defensive shifting, provide analytical and logic based decision making, hold players accountable, bring in better coaches, prioritize defense in new player acquisitions and lineup construction. And the best part for Jerry is this won't cost significant money to implement (many aspects are free). Still facing an uphill battle with the lack of quality scouting or player development, and also Hahn's inability to consistently acquire quality players during his 8 years of Ventura and Renteria. Tony did play a heavy role in at least some of the acquisitions, but players like Keuchel, Parrot, Madrigal, Kimbrel and others were all his "best" ideas, not to mention his other deals during the "non tanking" Ventura era. Think a fresh FO after next season could make the fundamental changes required to bring the organization kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

The final numbers: MLB Connie Mack 3,731 - 3,948 - 79 .486 (53 Seasons - Pittsburgh N. L. & Philadelphia A. L.) Tony La Russa 2,900 - 2,514 - 4 .536 (35 Seasons - Chicago A. L., Oakland A. L. & Saint Louis N. L.) John McGraw 2,763 - 1,948 - 58 .586 (33 Seasons, Baltimore N. L., Baltimore A. L. & New York N. L.) White Sox Wins: 1. Jimmy Dykes 899; 2. Al Lopez 840; 3. Tony La Russa 694; 4. Ozzie Guillen 678 Loses: 1. Jimmy Dykes 940; 2. Tony La Russa 659; 3. Al Lopez 650; 4. Ozzie Guillen 617 Win Loss Percentage: Tony La Russa Tied for 14th .513

Watching the Tony portion now. He was more articulate, lucid, and alive today than at any point starting with his introductory press conference two years ago. He was also showed a good personal side today. I give him credit for his statement, taking questions, and answering candidly. I hope he is able to return to full health and he can enjoy his time in retirement.

Replay - just scroll to the beginning if it's mid stream and you want it starts with Ozzie's comments before Tony speaks.

I found it amusing Jerry was sitting in the back making sure Rick didn't screw anything up.

Abreu, Anderson, Eloy https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/silver_slugger_al.shtml

Fathom? Now that would be hilarious.

But he also said Frank was the guy who had three silver sluggers one year (editor note: the 60 game bullshit "season").

Hahn is now defending Frank Menechino, the guy Rick hired before Tony arrived.

I would have wagered at least $100 he had an AARP Jitterbug phone. Jerry Jones stated he uses a flip phone.

Hahn is saying they will make decisions on the coaching staff WITH the new manager. Seemed like they did that with Tony. They definitely didn't do this with Ventura or Ricky.

Hahn is saying they are eager to look for outside perspectives, beyond Miguel Cairo's candidacy. They are now showing Jerry Reinsdorf looking at his phone, surprised he has a smart phone.

I wish the Sox at one point would search for a GM with experience at an organization with recent championship experience.

Watch closely to see if they are blinking torture in morse code.

Now do Rick Hahn!

Sox choose not to air this live anywhere including the Sox flagship radio station. Their hosts are just babbling about jose Abreu returning and other nonsense.