The Beast

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 20, 2016 -> 07:26 PM) I think Bush drops out after this, and his votes will almost all go to Rubio. Carson just keeps limping along, and there's no telling what he'll do - unpredictable as his campaign has been. Kasich already all but said he's giving up SC to hit Super Tuesday, but I don't think he'll do much there. I think Super Tuesday ends up being a giant 3-way mess at the top with no clear stand-out. Just my guess. Then Kasich drops out, he's another almost-all-to-Rubio guy. Carson is more Cruz-aligned. Again, sets up a 3-way mess the whole way. I think there is a decent chance they go to convention with no one holding a majority of delegates. If Kasich drops out, do you think he'd have any part in being a VP for any candidate?

QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 12:30 PM) I'd also be making kids start foreign language in grade school. There's significant value to knowing a foreign language, but it's really difficult to get anywhere close to fluent in four years of high school (which was the requirement when I was going through). There have been a number of times in my professional life where having a real command of Spanish would have been extremely valuable... So there you have it - I'd make personal wealth management a pre-requisite to high school graduation and I'd be throwing in foreign language in grade school. I think different schools have different philosophies. Only the gifted students were even considered to be taught foreign language and even then they had to get their education in a school for the gifted or at a model school level. I think it's worth knowing a foreign language or recognizing some of it, but it has to be one that is relevant to today's world. I do think that in high school, students and parents should have the option to take either a foreign language class (for however many years they want, I got away with two years of Spanish that my undergraduate institutions counted) or the option to take an additional course of their choosing to work on if it is identified as a deficiency of theirs. Math or science comes to mind - this way the student could work on a deficiency in a certain subject and not have to go through two years of Algebra when they are acing the remedial course and get up to the next level sooner/better their ACT score in that subject. Then again, a student could suck on their ACT, get awesome grades at a community college and get into a school of their choosing. Someone also mentioned the value of liberal arts courses - I think there's some value as long as someone is able to pick what they want to learn. For example, journalism and radio/TV were electives but they allowed me to perform better on the writing portion of the ACT test because of the skills I picked up in those two courses and in US History.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 04:43 PM) I've been harping on this forever. It amazes me, of all the requirements we have (federal, state, local, district, school) for what classes are required to complete high school, how is basic financial education NOT a universal part of it? It's just so basic to me. It's amazing how useless some of the education in high school is - I think kids should be given the option to take extra math or extra foreign language in order to get into the BA or BS mindset for school. This way students can take what they are interested in taking and have a headstart towards meeting BA or BS requirements. Not everyone wants to take Spanish when their deficiency is in Math. Basic financial literacy is a must as is business education.

When I was a teenager, I loved the footling polish dog. Went to a dollar dog game and had 2 foot long polish dogs and about 5-10 hot dogs. Those were the days. Now I love having brats at a tailgate before I go in ir have some nachos and peanuts if I don't eat before the game. I like the fact that there's a variety of beer to choose from as well.

Sorry if this is off the White Sox payroll discussion, but can someone point me to where the tweet was where the Sox offered Desmond 2 years at $11 million dollars?

QUOTE (greg775 @ Feb 14, 2016 -> 02:27 AM) Good debate tonight. Kasisch seemed most presidential IMO. Donald was on rinse, repeat with his insults and generalities about how everybody loves him. Cruz and Rubio? Like my criticism of Hillary, they just don't have "it." Jeb is dopey. I really like Carson. He's a more sane version of Trump. Outsider who wants to save the economy but won't insult people. It will be amusing to see Donald vs. Hillary. He's going to go on the attack, blasting her mercilessly. As a moderate who voted for Obama twice (blame the youth vote) and for Bruce Rauner, I would have to agree with you that John Kasich is the most presidential candidate I've seen here. I wish he had the money to overpower Trump and the support to overtake Cruz. I am hoping his momentum continues into SC and beyond so that we can have a presidential nominee that has good experience, has worked across party lines and isn't insane, like Trump. Although, I would rather see Trump than Cruz. I guess I just feel a Kasich Christie ticket looks better than any of the other guys, and would be a hell of a lot better than Clinton or Sanders in the general election.

SoxNet was involved, as was the White Sox radio show that went on. I know banned WSI and whitesox.com users flocked to Soxtalk as well. I read more than I post but this place is the s*** for news, venting and discussion.

I did find this, which I know is just speculation. It would be great if they got Jackson instead of Fowler and keep the pick. It seems like all they are looking for is a low risk, short term deal anyway, so he makes more sense than Fowler in terms of payroll flexibility. Plus they wouldn't lose a draft pick.

I think Buehrle is a Cardinal this year if he plays at all.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 29, 2016 -> 11:13 PM) He sort of answered that....but it was the "we have too good of a young core to tear it apart" so we're going to try to assemble the additional pieces to fit around that group without hamstringing ourselves financially kind of a statement. He mentioned examples like the Pirates and Royals and how it took them decades to get back to competitiveness using that approach. Good to hear, he has some solid answers then. Hopefully he can round out the 25 man roster with some pitching or a nice bat for the bench.

I'm glad that his answers were at least sufficient. Like I said, I wasn't there so I can't judge, but I remember when I used to go, I used to hate when KW would just BS answers like a true politician. I don't expect the FO to spill the beans on everything, but I would like them to at least make the interaction somewhat meaningful. I think an answer about the organization's philosophy and how it fits them over the Cubs philosophy for tearing down and rebuilding would at least have an interesting answer.

I don't expect Hahn to say anything and I wasn't there. But I'd prefer to not sit through and see a Q&A session where the GM and VP are Rubio-ing some answers. It would be nice to have all of the questions answered, but I acknowledge that they probably don't have everything figured out going into the season. At least they look loads better on paper than they did last year, although it would look even better if they could take a chance on Lincecum and Jackson. But I think I'm fine with Erik Johnson and Avi Garcia going into this year as long as they get a bat for the bench not named Bonifacio or Beckham.

Have many hard questions been asked to Hahn and has anyone pressed him when he's side stepped an answer? Also, does anyone know if Williams was there in the seminar with him? I just want to know what the organization's philosophy is. Do they think the Cubs route of stripping down completely isn't as good as restocking talent with veterans? I guess I'm not seeing much being asked with the 3 year deal quote being the top news bit out of this whole shebang.

In a non bs answer, can you tell me why you haven't signed someone to start over Avi in right field? Or what your philosophy behind going all in and having a weak farm system is?

This signing makes me wonder if people will actually ask some hard questions at SoxFest about the "three year plan." I sure hope some people step up and ask some legitimate questions. I would like to know what the coaching staff and FO really sees in Avi and not just some bulls*** coming out of KW's mouth. I'd also like to get a full understanding about Hahn's philosophy about maintaining the farm system and acquiring veterans because I am not positive he is on the same wavelength with KW in trading all prospects for vets. I think the real loss this offseason is Thompson and hope they will be able to fill his void in the minors through the draft. That being said, I'd call the offseason a success if they got a veteran outfielder like Austin Jackson, didn't surrender any picks, let Saladino play shortstop and didn't overpay like someone will for Fowler (and someone did for Cespedes).

I've been following this thread from the first page and was glad to read through all of the discussion. Though the Sox didn't get Cespedes, I am glad they didn't for the 27.5 million they would have paid for one year. I just wish their options in right field were better. I would rather bank on Avi having a better year (granted, I only watched most of the season finishing in garbage time in August going forward) and taking my chances next year instead of surrendering a draft pick to get Fowler. Wouldn't we rather keep the draft pick and draft talent instead of getting a free agent and "going for it?" I think they can go in with Garcia and upgrade next year. I also don't see where Desmond is needed considering Saladino could be a shortstop of needed and he won't cost a draft pick. I also don't follow everything as close as you all do but I think getting an outfielder like CarGo is worth it, otherwise the Sox should stand pat for now and build in 2016. Also, do the Sox need to give up two first round picks of Desmond and Fowler sign?

Royce Clayton when he couldn't hit over .200.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 12, 2015 -> 10:13 PM) Boom Asche Thankfully. That was painful to see the Philly pen almost blow an easy win. Nice to see the Cubs pen get smacked around a little bit. Too bad that punk Strop didn't get hit by a liner. At the same time it's terrible to see St. Louis lose like that. I'm just hoping they have an early exit in the playoffs and they don't win a WS.

QUOTE (flavum @ Aug 10, 2015 -> 12:28 PM) Than. Personally, I'm in my 40's. When I was in my 20's and 30's, especially pre-2005, yeah, rooting against the Cubs was more of a thing. I think for the younger fan, it's something you do because you're hearing crap from friends and you want the Cubs to lose to shut other people up. Then you get older, get tired of that sort of dialog, and you just root for your team, the White Sox. So, while I don't give a crap if the Cubs win or lose, I can understand why a younger fan openly roots against them. This. I'm in my late 20s, live in Uptown because of work and my friends/girlfriend are Cubs fans. This season in particular has been tough to watch because the Sox have been so inconsistent and the Cubs have been so good. It's tiring to hate the Cubs but I am tired of hearing crap from Cub fans so I'd like to see them do what they always do to shut people up. I have a feeling that their bullpen will be their Achilles heel and lead to an early exit in the playoffs, but I know they could win the WS in the coming years if they get stronger. Luckily I don't think they can beat someone after the one game playoff that I think they'll win. And I'd much rather see the Sox improve and start contending than see the Cubs lose or feel like I feel right now, which is seeing the Bears regular season nd ignoring baseball altogether (or watching the Sox randomly beat contenders).

I'm not sure that standing pat at the deadline was the best move, but it was what I expected. I don't think the return for Shark would have been as good as what the Tigers got for Price either. At the end of the day, the Sox can move Shark in August (unlikely), take the comp pick when he walks this offseason or sign him to a new deal. The best move? I'd say let him walk and take the pick. What I'm upset about is that they have Danks and LaRoche under contract for next year and they'll have to play them. What really sucks is that the free agent market for 2016 isn't that great considering they won't go after Price or Cueto and a lot of guys that are noteworthy are in their early to mid-thirties. At least it will be exciting to see how Hahn will improve the roster with a lot of guys under contract for the next two years. It would be awesome if they could get a new SS, (I know that Anderson is in the wings), catcher (Matt Wieters is a free agent) and make Saladino the every day third baseman (if he keeps this level of play up).

RIP Billy. A family friend always spoke highly of Mr. Pierce and he even signed an old card I had when she met him for lunch. That made his name recognizable and meant the world to me as a kid.

QUOTE (PlaySumFnJurny @ Jul 9, 2015 -> 03:47 PM) I think Schwarber is back in the minors. I am going tomorrow; haven't been to Wrigley in years; not that pumped about it. I had to go last night as the girlfriend is a Cubs fan - it sucks. I am going again Saturday for a bachelor party and will be excited to see Sale. It really sucks at Wrigley - there's no room to walk around, the food sucks and takes forever to get and I just prefer the Cell (half empty, good food, lots of room). Here's to hoping the Sox take 2 of 3 so that they can keep improving. (Even if I know it's unlikely for the White Sox to make a run for a Wild Card spot, it's nice to beat medicore, good and bad teams along the way).

What happens if you have the same tickets as someone else for the night game?

I wish it wouldn't have rained like it did. Cheap tickets on Stubhub and the girlfriend would have gone with. Plus it was Back to the Future Night.

Reading through the comments on Facebook from social media, meatball Bears fans don't get it. Kevin White was the best player available. Shelton at 7 would have been extremely high. This Cutler complaining is really getting old too - they are going through a multi-year rebuild that will involve some mediocre seasons. There's also plenty of talent still available in the remaining rounds to restock the defense as well.