77 Hitmen

One of many local news stories about tonight's public meeting. While I know this will trigger the anti-union folk on this site, the Chicago Federation of Labor supports this project. But the CLF agrees that the residents have raised valid questions and deserve clear answers.

Look at how long it took for Jerry to fire KW and Hahn. Getzy ain't going anywhere - perhaps not until after Reinsdorf hands over control of the franchise to Ishbia at the Railyards.

Yep, and he certainly knows he'll be walking into the lion's den at the meeting. I can't imagine what he could say that's going to change their mind on their opposition to Amtrak moving in and (possibly) the Sox moving out. Hopefully he's more diplomatic than tone-deaf Jerry ever has been. As Lip says, he and Amtrak have the upper hand because they don't need city approval for this. But I'd imagine they want to quell the outrage that's been getting lots of local media coverage over the last couple of weeks. If they go in offering transparency on the process, efforts to mitigate noise and pollution, and perhaps investments in the community, that might take the wind out of the sails of the effort to stop this.

I think the meeting is tomorrow.

This is Jerry's team. My guess is that they're promote from within or hire someone who has worked for Reinsdorf before.

It looks like those access points already exist if I'm seeing it correctly on Google Maps. If so, they wouldn't be building these ramps onto the existing Lot G. I think the question is how much of Lot G they'd need as a staging area. I suppose this also shows that this was used as a freight yard in the past if those access ramps are already there.

Isn't it a 1.5 game lead?

Here's what Shirley had to say during ESPN's inside look at the Sox 2026 draft. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49358788/2026-mlb-draft-chicago-white-sox-no-1-overall-pick-decision-roch-cholowsky-grady-emerson

It’s mentioned in the Crain’s article above. I also agree that I don’t see why they couldn’t get a short term extension from ISFA if a stadium wouldn’t be ready by 2031. Any potential reuse or redevelopment of Rate Field and its environs is also years away. The team has an option to extend its lease with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority — which owns and operates the ballpark — through the 2030 season, and it could ink a short-term deal for more time as its future home comes into focus.

Yeah, that's basically the price Jordan Hicks's current contract and, as you said, it'll certainly be lower than $44M in another 3 or 4 years. If not zero, then maybe $20M or so. The Rate Field debt is very likely a non-issue. If the city/state wanted to condition any infrastructure package with having the Sox pay down that debt, I can't imagine that would be a deal breaker.

Even though the Amtrak proposed maintenance yard relocation is only the first of many hurdles before a South Loop ballpark becomes a reality, it feels like if this step gets done then a new ballpark is all but happening. Ishbia has said a new stadium would be privately-financed, so that removes the biggest hurdle (state funding). I doubt the city will balk at funding infrastructure for a development with this much private investment. He still needs to close a deal with BNSF for their yard, but that isn't likely to have public opposition. Oh sure, there are still ways this can fall apart and nothing is guaranteed until there are shovels in the ground. Ishbia doesn't even own the team and may not until 2034. But, it does look like a lot of things are being done to make this happen. Bringing in Northwestern Medicine as another anchor helps, too.

See my reply above, which I typed before reading this post. They could work out an agreement where JR would sign a lease with Ishbia and pay rent to him instead of to ISFA until ownership officially passed to Justin as late as 2034.

Yep, that's what they said on a recent Sox Machine podcast. He also told the Sodfather earlier this year he wants to keep doing this another 10 years. I know he's 90, but he looks like he's 75.....and to be clear, I am NOT rooting for anything bad to happen to him healthwise. This doesn't necessarily affect Ishbia's stadium plans. They could easily come to an agreement where Jerry pays rent to him for a few years until it's time to hand over ownership.

Jerry wants to hang on to ownership as long as possible. Ishbia might not be taking over for another 5 years or so.

Amen. I don't see the point of using every hot streak or cold streak as an opportunity to seek retribution against others. There's plenty to like and dislike about this organization right now. They've come a long way this year and it looks like they still have a long way to go. Getz looked pretty competent a few months ago and now his shortcomings post-trade deadline are showing. That's the roller-coaster life of rooting for this team. Oh, and I see from another thread that the fan being accused of bailing on this team has been having connectivity issues with accessing Soxtalk. Go figure.

It looks like we're back to the Universe being nothing but a vast, meaningless void.

Schoolhouse Rock is available on Disney+. Fun stuff watching those again. As far as TWIB goes, the intro is fine, but give me the closing credits theme.

Lots.

Dramatic down to their last strike HR with a HR call that didn’t make me cringe? Great game for Sox fans!

Hopefully this stream of embarrassments will end with the change in ownership in a few years.

Missed this earlier this evening:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7588387/2026/09/12/mike-shirley-white-sox-scouting-director-resigns-verbal-harassment-allegations/?unlocked_article_code=1.A1E.AAYL.2LThuRcSOApD&source=user_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share

For some reason, the Sox Machine article didn't fully load for me this morning. I didn't see this part earlier: Amtrak, Canal Edge, and the City of Chicago recently met to discuss the Canal Street Yard project. This letter, obtained by Sox Machine, outlines Amtrak’s position that it’s not subject to state or local zoning, nor needing development approval from Chicago. This would include building permits, site plans, and design review. That said, Amtrak has expressed a desire to be a “good partner” with the city and to include it in the feedback process. This includes regular meetings with Amtrak and city departments regarding design and construction, seeking additional input regarding emergency access, fire protection, utilities such as sewer and water, and potential impacts to public streets during construction. In the letter, Amtrak states, “Consistent with the federal environmental determination and applicable federal requirements, Amtrak anticipates obtaining any governmental authorization expressly identified in the federal environmental process.” These would be distinct from what the city and the state may have. The lack of an environmental study shared with 11th Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has been a major sticking point and a key reason residents have been rallying against the Amtrak project. Although it only need federal approval for their plans, Amtrak states in the letter that it plans to share final designs with the public to provide information. Again, Amtrak outlines its position that it does not need approval from the city to proceed with the maintenance facility.

@Lip Man 1 chimes in to the Sun-Times. https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2026/09/12/should-white-sox-build-new-ballpark-river-heres-what-you-told-us