South Side Hit Men

Could be Rodon’s best outing, kept a solid hitting team to 1 run on a warm day. Much easier to shut down Cleveland in the freezing cold.

Spin Zone Update: Rob Ray's rates trended up to season average for his primary pitches. Carlos Rodon's have held higher for his three pitches (+54 4 seam; +67 slider; +140 changeup).

Jesse Rogers reported today was the first day media has in person / on field access with players during batting practice. Perhaps Yoan had a chance to discuss Steve's comments in person for the first time.

Yep, was told he had nothing today. 7 Ks, 12 outs, 1 run. Game threads being game threads. On to the Vegas game, will check back during intermission.

It's up today, I provided the link above for folks to follow at home.

A Tale of Two Spin Rates: Robby Ray: Slider Spin Rate down 40, 4 Seam down 10 Carlos Rodon: Slider Up 73, 4 Seam up 25; Changeup up 150. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?date=6/8/2021&gamePk=633788&chartType=pitch&legendType=pitchName&playerType=pitcher&inning=&count=&pitchHand=&batSide=&descFilter=&ptFilter=&resultFilter=&hf=playerBreakdown#633788 Rodon waves his spider tack in the air, like he just don't care.

LOL, Tony has to ask Jose permission. Jose wants to play everyday regardless who is manager, and 4 of his 5 days off this year were due to injuries,

Can't tell the players without a scorecard, or pitchers without their substance of choice. Who is Spider Tack and who is Coca-Cola Pine Tar Rosin tonight?

But will there be three sacrifice bunts and two caught stealing attempts based on failed hit and runs. That is the true test for one hoping to one day become a hall of fame manager (well that and a crony country club job guaranteed for life).

Nice segment with Jason Benetti on the Lawrence Holmes show, They talk about: The fear this becomes commonplace throughout baseball/sports as a cost cutting measure (perhaps a few hotel rooms and out of town meals is the difference between a homeless Jerry Reinsdorf and one livin' just enough for the city). The importance to the broadcast of being at the game, anticipating plays, feeling the atmosphere, bringing this experience to fans. Post game whiskey for Jason to deal with post game worries. The upcoming podcast titled "Sox Degrees" with Len Kasper, and insight regarding the first one taped with Rick "Teflon" Hahn. https://www.audacy.com/670thescore/podcasts/laurence-holmes-on-670-the-score-61/holmes-jason-benetti-interview-hour-2-436252794

I had the pleasure of attending the worst loss in Yankees history, and also the worse loss across all MLB teams which were also shut out. Cleveland 22 New York Yankees 0 Kenny Williams' white whale Javier Vazquez started and left after four outs and 6 runs. Former White Sox Esteban Loaiza gave up two separate three run home runs in the ninth. It was glorious, I stayed to the bitter end and enjoyed every second. BALLGAME OVER YANKEES LOSE TTTHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YANKEESS LOOOOOSSSSSEEEEEE!

What did Nolan do wrong? Robin was the dumbass who decided to take on "old man strong", and look foolish doing so. I liked Nolan even more after that incident. They both reconciled years later. https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/chicago-white-sox/unforgettable-fight-between-nolan-ryan-and-robin-ventura-revisited-23-years-later https://www.espn.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/7783634/nolan-ryan-texas-rangers-robin-ventura-chicago-white-sox-meet-first-time-brawl

People can use it anyway they choose. However, calculating "pace" (WAR * (162/Games Played)), especially this early in the season (WAR *3), is typically not an accurate predictor of final WAR, whether a player is hot or cold to start a season.

https://theathletic.com/2634765/2021/06/07/mlb-broadcasters-are-looking-for-answers-and-a-return-to-the-road-were-balancing-on-a-razor-wire/ Glad Len and DJ are calling games in person. Hope television viewers get the same treatment sometime this season. No answers in the article on when that may occur.

Because it is bad sportsmanship. You need to read the unwritten rules.

Nolan Ryan played for a lot of shitty teams over the years, primarily the Angels and Rangers. In 1973, Nolan finished with a 7.7 bWAR season. He also finished with a 21-16 record and 383 Ks and 26 complete games over 323 innings. Bert Byleven had an even better season (9.8 bWAR) with nine shutouts, 25 complete games. He also finished with a 20-17 record and received a messily single third place Cy Young vote. Jim Palmer had a very good season. 296 innings, 19 complete games, 158 Ks. However, his greatest asset was pitching for Earl Weaver’s team. He finished 20-7, and won the Cy Young as a result, and finished second in MVP with 172 points. Nolan Ryan finished with 20 points. Voters were stupid back then. Very, very stupid. Speaking of stupid. Don’t be surprised of anything stupid and backwards coming out of the four letter network.

The fish rots at the top, JR the only person with fingerprints on this disgraceful hire. In terms of "cheating", funny how Tony's only previous success came via steroids. Similar to the sanctimonious John Wooden's pyramid of success built on the millions handed out by Sam Gilbert. He was completely owned by the Dodgers and Reds, despite far greater talent. Pitched to the only hitter the Dodgers had and blew Game 1 and the series. Couldn't use a phone correctly the last playoff series he managed, costing them a game. Tony trashed legitimate HOFers like Ozzie Smith, trashed Yermin Mercedes for hitting a home run, was perfectly fine the Twins threw at his his own player. Perfectly fine with defending and giving a crony coaching job to one of all time cheaters, Mark McGwire. Tony's bullshit response to Jack McDowell's acquisition that Tony cheated in his first stint here as well as his traveling roids show in Oakland and Saint Louis. Bunting isn't the only source of Tony's intentional outs. His asinine hit and run attempts, Yermin, Yoan and others "caught stealing" because of Tony's "gut", in front of three true outcome Grandal. Tony's asinine bullpen management, Tony selecting Liam Hendriks as his designated runner in the tenth. The fact that team leaders like Tim Anderson and Lance Lynn openly called out Tony's bullshit and said they ignore the old fool. if the Sox do anything in the postseason before he's finally gone, it will be in spite of Tony La Russa, not because of him.

Actually, it’s the complete opposite. Nick Madrigal attempts to reach via hits, has zero SHs. He would be less valuable if he made intentional outs, even more so since he hits in front of the top of the lineup. The statistics have proven this is the optimal strategy for decades. It’s a reason 21st century managers pass on Tony’s “strategery”, and why no professionally managed organization has been clamoring for La Russia’s services for a decade. Same reason people don’t consult with their veterinarians for baseball statistical analysis.

It was one of the a carnival show(s). The Horizon refunded the tickets, at least for the date I worked the show. Perhaps there were multiple dates/years, but the one I worked the show was ultimately cancelled after we let in the few folks with tickets. Got paid to go home early, but would have liked to have seen the show as well. Two years later, there was pandemonium, but no ticket refunds, when the Horizon hosted a closed circuit broadcast of the Tyson vs. Spinks fight. Tyson won by knockout 91 seconds into the first round. Many fans were still coming in (skipping the undercard) and were markedly pissed off that they spent good money yet missed the fight. Those who did see it didn't see much either.

True story, worked a james Brown concert at the Rosemont Horizon in 1986. He looked out at the very small crowd, turned around and refused to perform. Apparently the show must not always go on.

I'm waiting for him to become the all time White Sox leader in hits among players named Nick/Nicky/Nicholas first. (All time White Sox hit rank) / Player / Hits (333) Nicky Delmonico 114 (342) Nick Swisher 109 - "I hate Nick Swisher with my heart." - Ozzie Guillen 8/5/2020 (373) Nick Madrigal 94 (400) Nick Altrock 84 - Played for the 1906 World Championship Team

For the umpteenth time, "pace" is meaningless. Check back at season end (for every player), after the full grind and ebbs and flows of a season. If he registers a 4+ fWAR season in any year it will be a major cause for celebration. A 3 win season would be solid. I think he can consistently hit 2-3 fWAR win seasons, making him a solid selection. Not doing stupid shit to cost the White Sox wins is a huge improvement, regardless of the fWAR impact. In terms of the Jarred Kelenic start, he's 21, too early to fret. Most players, including Madrigal, are in college or Rookie/A ball at that age. Playing for that horseshit organization is a challenge in an of itself.

"Clueless" Joe was stuck with a 134 game under .500 record managing the late 1970s / early 1980s Mets (286-420) to start his career. That's a big hole, even for Joe Pesci, to dig out. Also, liked the Fegan article regarding the challenges he faces covering Tony, who looks at him as the only reporter asking probing questions. Has to get under Tony's skin that James know the rulebook better than him. Hopefully James will be covering a new White Sox manager in 2022. Would say the best managers in my lifetime were Earl Weaver and Davey Johnson (who played for Earl), both far ahead of the curve in terms of strategy and intuitive knowledge of the proper strategy decades before their tactics were utilized widely. Davey Johnson is one of three managers in MLB history who took four different teams to the playoffs, with the Casey Stengel mentored Billy Martin and underappreciated Dusty Baker being the other two. Tony could learn from Earl's pregame spoof (language advisory) regarding fleas on the bases and playing for home runs and big innings.

Yes, he has avoided a lot of flat out stupid baserunning and fielding plays which were too commonplace last year (very costly in the playoffs) and April this year. If he can keep the contact rate near / at where it is, will at least be a decent 2B while under team control. Glad I listen to games and only have to hear Benetti yell "Nicky Two Strikes" while watching condensed games.

And on the flippity flip Most managerial losses post Jackie Robinson Tony La Russa 2,388 (.536) Gene Mauch 2,037 (.483) Bruce Bochy 2,029 (.497) Bobby Cox 2,001 (.556) Joe Torre 1,997 (.538) Sparky Anderson 1,834 (.545) Jim Leyland 1,728 (.506) Lou Piniella 1,713 (.517) Dusty Baker 1,693 (.532) Walter Alston 1,613 (.558)