Lillian

I did not know, or at least remember the incident. I just researched it and found this discussion with Jim Piersall, in an interview he gave on this site.: The night of September 17, 1983, Jerry Reinsdorf was in the locker room during the clinching celebration, being interviewed by ‘Hawk’ Harrelson when he unleashed his broadside at you and Harry. I don’t know if you were watching it at the time but what was your reaction? (Author’s Note: Reinsdorf stated ‘wherever you’re at, Harry and Jimmy, eat your hearts out. I hope people realize what scum you are.’ Harrelson was momentarily silenced due to the unexpectedness of it. The comment was shown live on both SportsVision and Superstation WGN-TV which picked up SportsVision programming in the 9th inning of the Sox win over Seattle.)

You may be right, but remember what Yogi Berra said; "it ain't over, till it's over". I'm still withholding my judgement.

Perhaps, if they believe that it's just a few fanatical Sox fans. However, if they sense that the anger is more widely felt, they can't be so cavalierly unmoved. Moreover, J. R. has always been a baseball fan, more than a basketball fan. Don't you believe that he would really like to win another championship, with a stadium full of loyal Sox fans? If we don't believe that, then we need to find a new team, for which to cheer.

If they don't sense the fan base outrage, they are even more out of touch with reality than some of you have argued. I find that notion to be very implausible. They have to know and one would assume that they have to care.

In assessing Harper's value, here is something to note: His career stats versus RHP: AVG .288 OBP .402 SLG .543 OPS .944 Keep in mind that there aren't many good southpaw starters in the AL, especially in our Division. Those numbers would look awfully good, even if he has to become a first baseman, or DH at some point.

Tim is sometimes hard to understand, but when what he says can be heard and understood, he can be quite eloquent. This was one of his better moments. I enjoyed the boat metaphor. I like his confidence and his team spirit.

Thank you. However, you only think that because you're not hysterical and mired in a fit of rage and anger. Stay cool and stay tuned. Hey, do we get some sort of medal for loyalty to what most here are convinced is a train wreck of an organization?

Regardless of what Hahn might say, it seems very implausible that they would not attempt to sign their other major targeted acquisition. The market seems to be favoring the buyers and with the Phillies now being about the only other team in the Harper sweepstakes, why wouldn't they? I can't imagine that they anticipated such a lack of suitors and if they originally were determined to try to get both, what justification would they now have for passing on the one remaining? It just wouldn't make any sense. That said, as patient as I have been, I too will lose all confidence in this organization if they do not make a concerted effort to sign Harper. If they had never espoused an interest in these two young free agents, I could accept that, but after all of that bluster and bravado, it would just be completely inexcusable. Fortunately, that very odd rationale, which Hahn provided, regarding no longer being in on the Harper negotiations, because they don't want to drive up the cost for the Phillies, suggests to me that he was not being forthright. The only way I can explain that comment is to attribute it to an attempt to conceal their true intentions. Otherwise, it would have to be considered one of the dumbest comments that Hahn has ever made. Why in the world would they want the Phillies to get Harper, at a better price? And finally, as we all know, delivering on Harper is now more important for retaining the fan base, than it was when all of this started. At this point, what Hahn, the twitter posters, or any of us care to postulate, or speculate, is less meaningful than the simple logic. One can only imagine how much pressure there is to get a deal done for Harper. Wouldn't you love to be privy to the internal communications of this front office? It's probably more interesting now, than it has been, at any point in the off season. It probably looks more like a war room, assessing damage control, after a major attack.

Not only would we have had him for his prime, but it would have helped to keep him motivated, which is something that I have often emphasized. To me, opt outs are a potentially positive component, for ownership, of these long term contracts.

I'm saying whether, or not, I agree with Smith, but maybe this will help console some of those who seem unable to accept that the Sox didn't sign Machado:

Wow, Caulfield, now you've added the city of Chicago to the list of things, about which to be negative. LOL. Seriously, I thought the Harpers loved Chicago.

Given the sense of desperation that Sox management must feel, at this point, Boras will attempt to use that, as leverage. The last thing that Hahn should do is declare their interest in pursuing him. That would only make failure to close yet another deal, completely untenable. The smarter thing is to refrain from expressing any intentions. When the time comes, it is almost certain that Boras will approach the Sox and give them a chance to top the Phillies' offer. Let's hope that the front office and ownership will be prepared to do it right, this time. The one potential positive here is that the Phillies may be the only other serious suitor. Do you guys think that the Giants are serious? The latest I read on MLB Traderumors. com is that they are only interested in offering a short term contract.

It seems a little futile for me to continue to respond to everyone's comments, so please allow me to make one final point. I am simply waiting to see what happens. I didn't like yesterday's failed effort to sign Machado, but until Harper signs, and we can evaluate the merits of his deal, I continue to reserve judgement. I'm just a fan, and have no influence over anything that may, or may not, be done about player acquisitions. If you think that I am being unreasonably and irrationally patient, that is your prerogative. I'm just not comfortable "flying off the handle" and attacking the front office and ownership, without waiting to see what happens. Machado was never my preferred acquisition. I have expressed my personal reservations about him, as a person and as a potential "face of the franchise" player. It would have been a huge upgrade to the roster, but I'm not heart broken over losing him to the Padres. Harper is another story. Depending upon what happens, even yesterday's failure may seem acceptable, in the bigger picture. Carry on gentlemen. Go ahead and get your anger off your chests, if it makes you feel better.

And just what should we expect them to say? My level of hopefulness is irrelevant. The point is that we simply do not know. I'm waiting and reserving judgement.

Please don't take this personally, as I don't mean to offend anyone. However, while the hyperbole being bandied about, over these negotiations, may provide some therapeutic relief to the authors, it is really not helpful. I get it. We're all disappointed and many are angry. However, we don't know what is transpiring and these rants are simply irrational. Why not just wait and see what happens? Afterwards, there will be plenty of time and opportunity to assess the level of seriousness and competence of White Sox ownership and management. If they sign Harper to a reasonable deal, and then use some of the remaining financial resources to acquire another starting pitcher, I'll be more than satisfied with the off season. Until he signs elsewhere, I will continue to reserve judgement.

If that happens, I will indeed grab my torch and pitch fork and lead the charge on the front office of Guaranteed Rate Field. However, I don't think that is going to happen and I doubt that you do, either.

Yes, but what if the unspoken part of the plan also included spending on Harper? Perhaps Hahn had a good point, if they intend to spend $350 million on Harper. The extra guaranteed $300 million on Machado would indeed have crippled their chances of being able to retain the young players.

Perhaps we should all simply wait to see what transpires, before we draw any conclusions, or engage in any more hyperbole. I'm not defending the front office, but I'm not ready to grab my torch and pitch fork, either. I'm not privy to any of the real details, regarding their intentions, or strategies and I am pretty sure that no one else here is, either. We'll see what happens, then we can all offer our fair and reasonable critiques.

I don't mean to belabor the point, but I'm afraid I must keep reminding everyone that the "Sox did not admit that they aren't giving Harper $300 million". They were addressing the Machado negotiations, not the Harper circumstance.

Your point is well taken and I would agree, unless the final deal for Harper is unreasonable, even by the most extravagant spending standards. If some team, other than the Sox, signs him for 12 years, $450 million, I'm not going to criticize J. R., Hahn or K. W. for not beating the winning bid. Are you?

I understand and appreciate your disappointment, however please consider the following: 1) The front office did not say that they could not go to $300 Million for Harper. That comment was specifically addressing the Machado deal. 2) We do not know that Machado was their "top choice". He may have been the first one with whom they seriously negotiated, but that was likely because it was apparent that Harper would not sign, until after Machado did. 3) They had to have always known that Harper would be the more expensive acquisition.

Exactly how have they made it clear, that they aren't planning to go after Harper?

Again, it is not a valid assumption that they view both players the same way. Look at it like this. They originally hoped to be able to sign both Harper and Machado. The more desirable player was Harper and they knew that he would cost more. They were hoping to get Machado for a little less, which would have really made the acquisition of both more feasible. They did indeed almost get Machado and not for exactly "chump change". However, the bigger prize for the Sox may have always been Harper. Now that they still have almost all of the financial resources, which they were prepared to spend on both, minus what they spent on short term commitments to Manny's friends, they can afford to be very aggressive in their pursuit of Harper. I really think that it is a mistake to equate how they approached the Machado negotiations, with the way they may now pursue Harper. Moreover, if this suggestion that J. R. was serious about going after both of them is true, the accusations that he is "cheap" are completely unjustified. Don't lose hope. Hey, it's all we have, right?

I am very serious. I meant what I said. I could be way off the mark, but that's my perception.

Why should we assume that the way they approached the Machado negotiations is exactly how they would negotiate for Harper?