Colome's Hat

I love Nick Madrigal. I was at the Yankees-Sox game in New York where he got the half swing base hit RBI and will always relish how ballistic the Yankee fans around me were when that happened. Having said all that, right now, I think Hernandez is a very clear upgrade over Madrigal. From what I've seen of him both with the Guardians and now here, he has a lot of baseball smarts (something Madrigal lacked) and he is just a much more dynamic player. He's also a better fielder. Yeah he's in our good graces right now but he's a legitimate power threat and can also shorten up his swing if the situation calls for it. If he keeps playing this way, I think it's a no brainer that the White Sox exercise that option. Sox are in a position that we have been craving for since this rebuild started. Right now it’s time to think less about 2023 and 2024 and think about how we win a World Series this year and maybe next. Kimbrel is a hall of famer and gives the team a lockdown 8th inning guy and possibly 9th inning guy, depending on Liam’s status and matchups. But I also think Hernandez is a guy who will be key in the postseason and possibly next year. He’s an All Star caliber player. I also just think something that hasn't been talked about as much with Kimbrel is that since his arrival, he's made all of our pitchers in the bullpen better. Bummer has been lights out since that trade. It's probably a relief to him since there is less pressure on him to be THE GUY in the eighth and he's now simply being asked to perform a role on a championship caliber team. Same with Liam, who has been great throughout the season, but has pitched like a man possessed since that trade was made. It's a small sample size but I do think the trade has a positive effect and it ripples down throughout the bullpen. Bottom line, I think it's ok for a trade for a major impact player like Kimbrel to hurt a bit. That's the cost for getting the best reliever on the planet who we still have control of next year. But I also think the loss of Madrigal next year is being greatly overstated. If Hernandez continues to rake like he has been for the Sox, it's a no brainer in bringing him back, but there are also a ton of 2nd Baseman available next year as well.

I ended up going to the The Ballpark Pub near Comiskey (sorry I will never call it Guaranteed Rate Field) and it was great. Nice outdoor patio and great atmosphere and cheap drinks. Also amazing brisket sliders. Thanks for the recommendations. Going to the game with my fiend tomorrow who is a Cubs fan and it's her bday. But will probably try one of the places you all recommended for Sunday's game. And yes. It's funny how my graduating and leaving Chicago coincided with the White Sox last great era ending

Hi. Long time lurker, first time poster. Posting here because I'm in Chicago from New York for the next week and am a die hard White Sox fan. Was looking for places to watch the Cubs-Sox games this weekend. Any bars in particular that people might recommend. Ideally, this would be a place that has outdoor seating and televisions outdoors as I'm staying with someone who is pretty high risk and want to be extra cautious, although as someone who is vaccinated, if I have to go indoors I can. Also excuse the name. I signed up for an account last year but never got around till posting now. But I always had a fascination with Alex Colome and the way he positioned his hat (and he was a damn good closer here before he imploded for the Twins which makes him a White Sox legend in my book). Anyways, if anybody has any recommendations, that would be sweet. I haven't really lived in Chicago for about 15 years and so I'm a bit out of the loop. Cheers and what a great time it is to be alive and watching White Sox baseball. This is everything I could have hoped for during that rebuild.