35thstreetswarm

Peter Griffin

Well, it's not TLR. And it's not Ozzie. And it's not some other incestuous, keep-it-in-the-organization hire that would have the hallmarks of a JR cramdown. In other words, this doesn't look like a ridiculous unforced error and seems to have come about as a result of a normal, wide-ranging interview process. I'm fine with this and am prepared to give the benefit of the doubt and hope for the best.

Yeah, I don't disagree with that. I wouldn't let Ozzie within 100 yards of the organization. But we know JR (in the same breath he said Ozzie would never come back) said he feels enough loyalty toward Ozzie that he's recommended him for multiple jobs with other orgs. Add that to the many things I don't understand about how JR operates.

That's not really responsive to my point, which is that the TLR hire does not serve as any sort of preview for an Ozzie hire. You have given a reason why it's strange Ozzie was interviewed in this round, which is different. To that point I guess I would say that it's not all that surprising to me that they'd give Ozzie a courtesy interview -- even if they don't plan to hire him -- given his publicly stated desire for the job and his continued connection to the organization. If he's not hired, there's no inconsistency with JR's prior statements at all.

JR is on record as saying firing LaRussa was one of his biggest regrets. JR is also on record saying Ozzie burned bridges with the White Sox and can never come back as manager. I don't understand where people get the idea that JR's LaRussa hire two years ago is an indicator that he will insist on hiring Ozzie this year. They are completely different candidates vis a vis JR.

Or #3, they have interviewed a number of candidates as part of a normal search process and don't have full control over what the sports media or social media sources driving all these narratives (many of whom are just laypeople with little inside information or credibility) say on an hour-by-hour basis about each of the potential hires. They will announce a non-Ozzie managers after the WS.

I'm excited this Mendoza will be the fake manager today. I like to say those sounds Men - Doe - Za. Men - DoZA. Wait, I think I'm getting angry again. Yep. Goddammit, White Sox, you've really done it this time.

The White Sox haven’t announced a manager yet so people are manifesting managerial hires and getting angry at their imaginations

Defeat evil

Worth mentioning that October 30 was *after* the World Series wrapped up in 2020. So the team does have a recent history of waiting until after the Series to announce non-WS-involved managers as well. Of course with TLR they had the whole unfolding DUI drama that might have played a part in delaying the announcement!

Overruling the FO — again — to hire a retread former manager who hasn’t been in the dugout in a decade — again? Immediately after the last such power play crashed and burned in spectacular fashion? That’s a bridge too far even for JR.

Thanks Nick Adams

Dear god, I hope you're not serious here.

Right. The fact that they interviewed him is neither surprising nor meaningful by itself. The guy wants the job and has been part of the organization for a long time. It would be weird and rude if they refused to give him an interview.

D. Both A and B

Oh my God - we're talking about him now? This organization is the absolute worst. This is the last straw for me, I'm not renewing

Omar Vizquel

I'm bored...somebody type a new name and let's all point and scream at it

It's fun for kids, and something to do at a time of year when there aren't many other options. My kids mark the depth of winter by New Year's Day, Sox Fest, Auto Show. Get through those and you're home free

Any big, long-term deal is a risk. But as far as big, long-term deals go, that was one of the least risky I can remember. It's Bryce f'ing Harper - possibly the biggest name in baseball. The immediate marketing opportunities and national attention offset much of the financial risk. Plus he was in his mid-20s, left-handed, and locking down a position that we both needed filled and that tends to allow its occupants to age gracefully. Plus his yearly salary wasn't even all that high. Machado with all his dickishness, and playing a position where we had much less need, was a bigger risk, for example.

That was the way. It was blindingly obvious. We were in the perfect position to complete our core with a generational superstar at a position of historic need for a comparative bargain and we just said....nah.

Yep. This is what we need to hope for in 2023.

From your mouth to God's ears. Let's keep that disgrace of an organization at zero legitimate WS rings.

This would make me and many others very angry. Hopefully not true.

I never thought I’d see the Phillies held up as a model of organizational savvy and roster construction. I guess the good news is…you only have to hit once