South Side Fireworks Man

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 8, 2017 -> 05:12 PM) I think we've gotten to the point analytically where it's probably fair to say the impact these managers have on the psyches of their players, something which is entirely immeasurable, is probably far greater than the in-game strategy maneuvers. Good point. QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Jul 20, 2017 -> 02:51 PM) That is a terrific point. The best managers are really amateur psychiatrists. They have an ability to figure out what drives guys, what gets on their minds...things like that. Chuck Tanner was very good at this aspect and so was Jeff Torborg. In fact Jeff called me this morning and as we talked he told me a story about Lance Johnson. The Sox sent Lance back down in the spring of 1989 and Jeff said he was so upset he started crying. Jeff said he told him, 'let's go into my office...' Jeff said he knew immediately what was really bothering Johnson so he gave him his phone number and told him to call anytime something was bothering him or if he just wanted to talk. Jeff told me he knew that Johnson was worried that if he was sent back down to the minors nobody would care anymore and the organization would just forget about him. History shows the type of player Lance was and you never know how this small gesture by Torborg played a part in that as it helped him mentally. Another story Jeff told me a few years ago was right before the All Star Break in 89. Sox were in K.C. had a day off before opening up a series with the Royals. Jeff asked the team to have a short workout on the off day just to go over fundamentals and that if they did it he wouldn't ask for a workout the day before the season resumed so they could be with their families a little longer. So he gets to his office at Kauffman Stadium and sees a bunch of guys on the field working out, he went to his office to start working on lineup's for the series and after about an hour he went back out to the field expecting to see the guys all gone. Instead he found them actually playing a game like we used to do when we were kids (just lobbing pitches in to hitters). He was amazed but thought, 'OK let's see what we can do with this.' So he told me he called and ordered pizza's and some beer and had them in the clubhouse when the team got back inside. They ate and talked. When they came back after the break they won 11 of 12, had a winning record in the second half and had a fantastic 1990 season. Little things sometimes add up to really big things. You just wonder what could have been had Ron Schueler not insisted that he had to hire his own manager and forced Jeff out. Good stories, Lip. Thanks for posting.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jun 4, 2017 -> 04:44 PM) I know that isn't as important now, but if he's still manager when we're trying to compete, it will be. First, there's the constant bunting. I'm not even going to elaborate much because you all know exactly what I'm talking about. Isn't it textbook insanity to do the same exact thing over and over, expecting different results, only for the same result to keep happening? I remember hearing that somewhere- whatever it is, Renteria is at that point with the bunting and the two-strike bunting (which is even worse- even a 5 year-old knows not to bunt with two strikes). I'm hoping that Rick is just trying to teach his players how to bunt and is just using this season as an instructional training time, allowing the players to perfect techniques against major league competition. Maybe when the games actually mean something as far as a White Sox pennant race is concerned his in-game strategy will be much different. Still, he'll know his players can execute a bunt in a situation that really calls for it. If this isn't the case, the Sox are in big trouble.

QUOTE (soxfan49 @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 07:58 PM) I know the Sox will imply that they suck so he should stay up, and people here will blame it on his friend's death, but man he is just so awful. He can't field, hit or hunt. He is borderline useless Another former hot prospect.

QUOTE (soxfan49 @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 07:54 PM) A pro baseball player who isn't a power hitter who can't bunt. Anderson is f***ing atrocious Horrible on defense this year too. Then he doesn't hustle down the line.

Anderson should be benched for that.

Nice AB for Yoan.

Standing ovation, LOL!

QUOTE (Sox-35th @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 01:24 PM) While Ding-Dong is right, we're also writing off most prospects' ability to improve. I'm not saying he's wrong, I'm just not ready to write off the rebuild based on performance of prospects right now. That's Senor Ding Dong to you!

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 11:51 AM) I'm sure the Sox had him flying the first 1st class ticket out of Charlotte as soon as the trade was finalized last night. He's probably been in Chicago since last night. Hopefully he got a good night's rest. I hope they didn't book him on United or Delta.

QUOTE (Señor Ding-Dong @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 12:55 PM) An infield consisting of three below average defenders (1B Abreu/Burger/Sheets, 3B Burger/Davidson and SS Anderson) and one average defender (2B Moncada) doesn't seem like a winning formula to me, despite their bats. You are correct.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 08:52 AM) if you assume that the sox make no trades and use just this set of prospects: C CF 2B (defensively) 3B Maybe SS The same weaknesses that have been around for years They'll be overloaded at corner OF and 1B The Sox never seem to value defense enough. One of the reasons for their lack of success over the years.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 03:29 AM) Now when all is said and done and it's 2019-2020, where do you think the team will be lacking? Shortstop.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 08:27 PM) So just oblige me for a moment, why would the Sox have leaked this deal? What would be the purpose? To stoke a bidding war between Yanks and Sawx.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 08:00 PM) f*** it. I want Clint Frazier. He was one of my guys in the offseason I wanted. I'll dream....for an hour Me too. I wanted Frazier and Judge for Q in the offseason.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 07:56 PM) I would much rather have Torres then Rutherford if we are getting one of their tops If the Sox are giving up Robertson, Kahnle and Frazier, I want both.

To any of you that follow prospects closely, what do any of you think of CJ Chatham as a prospect? I never hear his name speculated in proposed deals. Would he be a good pickup for the Sox? Would he be available?

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 06:43 PM) Have a feeling lakins is involved Is he currently injured?

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 06:36 PM) Chavis is playing How about CJ Chatham?

QUOTE (Al Lopez's Ghost @ Jul 17, 2017 -> 06:45 PM) Hefty paycheck for a triple A shortstop. Sox could send some money, they have a small payroll anyway. Plus, the Yankees are loaded.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Jul 17, 2017 -> 12:07 PM) Anybody who isn't ecstatic with the return for Quintana is just wrong. I'm cautiously optimistic with the return for Quintana. I still can't shake the belief that Hahn could've/should've held out for one of Happ/Candelario/Scwarber as the third piece in the deal. I have no problem with Jimenez and Cease as prospects but I can't be ecstatic over getting two single A level players for Q, a still young, left handed pitcher proven to be one of the best starting pitchers in the majors over the past several years who is under a very reasonable contract for three more years. Cautiously optimistic over their potential, yes, but not ecstatic.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 17, 2017 -> 06:00 PM) They won't have any interest in Anderson. I figured he could take Torres' place in AAA.

How about Frazier, Robertson and Anderson to Yankees for Torres.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 16, 2017 -> 02:36 PM) Q looks as good as ever. No nibbling at all. Bosio fixed him.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 16, 2017 -> 02:30 PM) My god is Anderson horrible on defense. Another former "hot prospect" that everyone was so excited about.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 16, 2017 -> 01:27 PM) Nightengale saying only "fringe" prospects coming back in potential Frazier deal, and that we'd eat cash too. I hope Hahn plays hardball here. Hold out for something decent with all these remaining players. If that means waiting until after the deadline for a waiver deal, so be it. The contenders should be more desperate to get these reinforcements for the playoff push than the Sox should be to unload them.