South Side Hit Men

Tony wants Hamilton and Lamb as well. You can have an argument for Hamilton as a fifth OF based on defense and PR, and go with 13 pitchers, but there is no valid argument for keeping Lamb, or batting Hamilton late in a game when you are losing. 2020-2021 fWAR Engel 0.7 (36 Games) Mendick 0.6 (41 Games) <= Hasn't "earned playing time" or even a regular roster spot under La Russa "Earned playing time" per Tony La Russa's "gut" Hamilton 0.2 (40 games) Garcia 0.1 (31 Games) Lamb -0.1 (37 Games) Williams -1.1 (71 Games - 2019 & 2021) <= He's still around in Schaumburg Time for Hahn to man up and administer probiotics to the active roster.

The internet is filled with pictures and videos of Tony engaging in illegalities A recent development is a lawsuit claiming Tony personally told an "Ebonics "joke" about a black guest at a 2018 ARF event. His foundation's executives that he continues to defend have engaged in bullying, ageist (irony) and racist behavior is a recent development. ARF is an organization so tainted, Tony's wife and daughter disavowed any involvement once news of the lawsuit was released, yet Tony is digging in. Has the Chicago Media broached this latest development with Tony La Russa? Has anyone in the organization addressed these latest allegations? I come up with the usual crickets when conducting an internet google search.

To be fair, Stone was critical of just about everyone today regarding last night's game, including La Russa, though he said to be fair Tony needs more than a few weeks to know this team inside and out. Steve Stone on the Score w/ Lawrence Holmes: https://www.audacy.com/670thescore/podcasts/laurence-holmes-on-670-the-score-61 Steve and Jason critical on the decision to leave Lucas in gassed, with well over 100 pitchers, third time through (18 minute mark is when the broadcast clip starts, though the whole first segment was well worth listening if you have the time): https://www.audacy.com/670thescore/podcasts/parkins-spiegel-show-63/parkins-spiegel-iron-man-streak-is-set-at-1-day-hour-1-371932161 The Lawrence Holmes and the Spiegel show crew going further saying this is fundamentally an organization wide failure and problem, the latter laying blame at the feet of Reinsdorf who seems to attract and foster the dysfunction in both of the sports organizations he ran. Time will tell if Stone goes beyond this initial criticism to the level of his vitriol he lobbed toward Ricky throughout the entire season (well beyond the last week of the season) if this level of mismanagement by the manager continues.

Agreed, body types aren’t indicative and nearly every player trumped their best to stay healthy and play through pain. Moncada gets more grief here on that front than most, despite the fact he hasn’t lost more than a few games to injury over four seasons. Someone last year was attributing his obvious COVID symptoms to eating too many Twinkees.

Twitter and Reddit? Nashville Hot takes travel far and wide. Go Sox!

Damn it, just got to the bar a bit ago, hoped for a rain delay. Guess I’ll watch hockey and the Cubs and Bulls getting pounded.

I'm OK with Hamilton, because of his defense. However, unless this is a 10 game IL stint , Tony should keep low end bench options to one start per game. He keeps alternating good lineups with lineups with 2-3 reserves. Mendick, Garcia, Hamilton and Collins should be the current bench, and when Engel returns, than you have a decision between Mendick and Hamilton. Not sure if Hahn will emerge out of the bunker he shares with Ryan Pace, but someone from the organization should speak to what many are chalking up as a disconnect between the FO and Tony when it comes to the lineup, and in Lamb's case, why is he on the roster beyond being Tony's friend from years ago.

Lawrence Holmes asked Steve Stone this during his interview today. Steve's response was every pitcher is different, but most pitchers will say they are fine. Lawrence also brought up a good point that if anyone on Earth knows Lucas it's Katz. Lawrence stated either scenario was troubling: Katz saw that he was tiring and didn't mention or get through to Tony, or He couldn't see Lucas was gassed, especially after the first two hitters in the inning. There is also confusion based on Tony's statements whether Tony was cognizant of what was going on, based on the fact he stated he thought Lucas could get "that one last out" when there was only one out when this consideration was theoretically being made. I suggest Sox fans interested in Steve Stone's analysis and Lawrence Holmes' follow-up click the interview (it should be available in the link below within the next few hours): Hour 1 - April 28: https://www.audacy.com/670thescore/podcasts/laurence-holmes-on-670-the-score-61

Cool, always suspect Chicago first, you'll likely be correct. That said, this is one of the lowest crime areas in the city. I've only been to San Antonio once, but it was very nice despite the fact it was Summer. Wish I had more time to go beyond the river walk area, hopefully I'll get a chance down the road. Taft in Chicago is on the far NW side, one of the safer areas in terms of crime statistics here. It's most famously known for being the basis of the screenplay author's (Jim Jacobs) personal high school experience. The musical was set in Chicago, the film moved the HS to Southern California. I don't recall many films being based out of here until the Blues Brothers became a hit a few years later. I went to St. Patrick HS, wanted to go to Lane (co-ed) but my parent thought I needed "more discipline". I'm sure some here would concur with this sentiment.

This. He is the only manager I ever booed, was not a good manager during his previous tenure with the team. He deserved to be fired, and he did not deserve to be hired for this season. A.J. Hinch and Bochy were logical and solid candidates who weren't even interviewed. I'd have let Ricky play out the extension given 60 games prior (35-25) vs. hiring La Russa with all the baggage and fact he was ten years removed from the role. Jerry rarely speaks, yet the last time I've seen him was last offseason when he stated Tony La Russa is far too old to relate to current players and really has nothing to prove, and yet he drove the decision.

Looking at the forecast yesterday, it appeared there was a decent chance this or the next game would be postponed. Now the forecast calls for a slight chance of rain late tonight and early tomorrow. Rodon pitched well here in the cold last time, and it will be cold and blustery tonight. Tony left him in for 110 pitches in Cleveland after 114 pitches for the no-no. Carlos' health has prevented him from starting more than 20 games in a year since Obama was president (2016). I hope the Sox are prepared to pull him after 90-100 pitches max tonight, regardless of the score or chance of "a credited win". Tony's job may be to "win today", but it cannot be at the cost of player health.

White Sox Record (2020 & 2021) when players were out (out includes games played with 0 or 1 plate appearances): Grandal 15-7 .681 (McCann had a lot to do with this. Grandal's albatross deal is a sunk cost, Collins should catch more and Mercedes occasionally) Madrigal 21-14 .600 (Mendick should be up as infield reserve and play 1-2 games per week) Moncada 6-4 .600 Anderson 11-9 .550 Robert 3-3 . 500 Abreu 0-0 .500 (Hasn't missed a game, perhaps he should rest once/twice a month) Jimenez 13-15 .464

I agree with much of what you saying. I’m new here, but the criticism of Ricky last year beyond the final week reached ridiculous levels. That said, there are multiple instances of correct criticisms, in real time, not hindsight, of Tony being unaware of the situation, a few he acknowledged postgame. Leaving Ruiz in against the heart of the Angels lineup to save Hendriks for a save, and having nobody warming up. Not knowing the replay rules and sitting on a challenge that was to expire. Leaving Foster in at Seattle with nobody warming up after it was clear he had nothing. Bunting Grandal, even though he thought they would walk Mercedes. Bringing Giolito back for the seventh after he already neared 100 pitches, and is coming back from an injury. These are situations where he doesn’t appear to grasp what is going on or fails to have a backup plan if his “gut” is wrong. Not to mention creating brand new positions like LF for Lamb, or play far worse options to fulfill his veterans fetish, because “Vaughn hasn’t earned at bats”. Andrew Vaughn OPS + 98 Hamilton 57 Lamb 38 Garcia 18 Williams -24 (I don’t recall seeing a non pitcher negative OPS+ until this). We were sold by the FO and Reinsdorf’s media apologists that nobody would be more prepared or better able to manage a game. In Tony’s final series ten years ago, his inability to use a phone cost the Cardinals a World Series game. A change needs to occur to prevent a repeat performance here when the stakes really matter.

Was walking home Friday evening and heard a roar, watched the third quarter of Taft H.S.'s game against Phillips (they took a 21-20 lead before I left but lost 26-21 a few blocks from home. They played a doubleheader, winning the first game 42-8. Don't know what is weirder, Spring Football or Football Doubleheaders. Similar crowd and weather, nice to see kids get a chance to play, friends and family get to enjoy and some semblance of normalcy after the last 12 months.

First shot I've seen from Stone at Grandal AND his contract. Was a $73M deal, though Jerry saved $11.5M when owners cancelled 102 games from the schedule.

No, Tony confirmed this with the HOF before taking the job. Tony stated he would not have taken the job if it in any way impacted his HOF status. Priorities. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/tony-la-russa-had-one-condition-before-accepting-white-sox-manager-job/ar-BB1dMd2s

I don't see either defying Jerry's choice, unless Jason's planning to leave for ESPN, or Steve's figures he's too old for this shit. Len and D.J. aren't saying peep about these decisions on the radio broadcast.

If you traded managers, not sure a White Sox team lea by A.J. Hinch would lose more than 1 or 2 of the 18 games vs. Detroit. Ricky won the last 9 against Detroit, once he was given at least a half way decent team. The number one improvement which needs to happen is to let relievers start a clean inning. Next is to stop with the veteran fetish and play Vaughn regularly over this waiver wire garbage toys Tony acquired.

Andrew Vaughn has not earned at bats. Hamilton and Leury have earned their at bats. Tony is a HOF Manager and Person. He is not to be questioned.

Kudos to the graphic arts guy, he tried.

“I‘ll give up Jake Lamb when you pry him from my cold, dead hands.” - Tony La Russa

Robert would have been higher than 7th if the analysis factored Garcia AND Lamb in the OF vs. Vaughn and Hamilton. Robert hasn't had a single day off, so if it's just a flu and he misses 1 or 2 games (good chance of a rain out at least one of the next two days), it's not the end of world. If it's longer, I hope Tony has the sense, or Hahn goes downstairs and demands Vaughn, not Jake 5 innings in OF ever Lamb, plays LF everyday during Robert's absence, at least until Engel returns.

Considering the fact he played 5 innings since little league in the outfield, and your star CFer is out, they should send Vaughn in as a defensive replacement to start the first. Too clever by half.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mookie-betts-stephen-strasburg-and-2021s-most-irreplaceable-players/ There was a good segment on Hit and Run, guest hosted by Chris Rongey with the person who invented ZIPS on Fangraphs, Jeff Szymborski, I can see an argument also for Tim Anderson, as the Sox went through their worst stretches to date the past two seasons with him on the IL, but Robert would be very tough to replace, especially defensively, if out for an extended period. The list was objective based on ZIP projections and replacement options within the roster (CF Engel/Hamilton). Jeff projected the White Sox would drop from a favorite for making the playoffs (69%) to basically a coin flip (46%) if the Sox lost Luis Robert. The six ahead of Robert are Trout, Cole, Acuna Jr., Bregman, DeGrom and Correa. The interview starts at the 35 minute mark of this clip: https://wscram.prd-radio-drupal.com/media/audio-channel/rongey-dan-szymborski-interview-hour-1