Thad Bosley

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Oct 3, 2015 -> 01:06 AM) despite 2015 having the 2nd highest payroll in sox history. Speaking of "compare and contrast" which you pointed out later in this thread as a useful thing to do, our "2nd highest payroll in Sox history" was good for only 15th place amongst MLB teams this year, and only a few million ahead of the small market Kansas City Royals. Noodle on that for awhile, why don't you.

Steve Stone has been a fixture on WGN-Sports for 28 years now, 20 with the Cubs and the past 8 with, as he likes to say"our Sox". I hope tonight doesn't represent his last time on WGN. I think he continues to be a terrific broadcaster and I hope whatever they decide to do in the TV booth it includes the Stone Pony.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 2, 2015 -> 07:46 AM) He posted earlier this year how he was ready to give up being a White Sox fan, and has about 1000 posts since ripping JR. If it is so bad, and he is willing to give it up, do all of us, including himself a favor, and give it up. Jump on a bandwagon and be happy. Three things: a.) JR has another 1000 posts coming his way, rightly criticizing his management and decision making, until the results start to change and our ball club starts making it to the playoffs more often. You may be content with the frequency with which the team goes to the postseason, but me and the majority of the diehards are not, and understandably so. b.) Where is all of this "go be a Cubs fan" and I said I was ready "to give up being a White Sox fan" nonsense coming from? I never did nor ever would say such a thing. You're so busy whining about who you deem to be whiners that you are not getting your facts straight. I don't know what to tell you, but you got me mixed up with some other object of your ire. Go find one post where I even suggested anything remotely of the kind, and then we'll talk, but until then, cease and desist with the inaccuracy. And that brings me to c.) As a wise man once said: Those who whine about whiners are, in fact, whiners themselves, as it turns out.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 1, 2015 -> 08:36 AM) 7 years since the last playoff appearance. 10 years since the last World Championship. Oh, the suffering. Fans should never be exposed to this. OMG - amen, bro! Finally, someone's got it right. For goodness sakes, White Sox fans - don't be greedy!! You got a World Series championship a decade ago - that should last you awhile! I know it's been the only one the fan base has enjoyed in nearly 100 years, but hey, who's counting, right! And no need to be insisting on trying to be competitive enough to maybe, just maybe, get to the WS again. That's just you playing the "suffering" card again, White Sox fan. Don't try it - we are so onto you! And those hard-to-come-by playoff appearances - what are you complaining about that for? We were just there in '08, for goodness sakes! Seems just like yesterday. Oh, I know - only 4 of the 29 other teams in baseball have suffered longer playoff droughts than our Sox, but please, stop. You're complaining. You're a whiner. There's nothing wrong with this situation, you hear? Everything you are exposed to is really a-ok. Really, it is.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Oct 1, 2015 -> 08:13 AM) man I really am an anachronism....I would rather watch the players play and listen to Nancy Faust play her organ. Nancy Faust was one of a kind, she really was. Talented and so clever, she really contributed so nicely to the ballpark experience. And she was unique to the White Sox - head and shoulders above any other organist in baseball! She was 1000 times better than the canned music routine, and always will be. Really do miss her!

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 28, 2015 -> 12:59 PM) Why is that a detriment to the Sox, but not the Cubs? Why is the Sox' ballpark location a detriment to their franchise, while the Cubs' location is not? Did you really ask this question? WOW! Everyone knows you are an unabashed apologist for Sox ownership and management, but to somehow even remotely try and level set the Wrigleyville experience surrounding a Cubs game with the experience Sox fans get in good, 'ol Bridgeport, well, like I said - WOW! Now I've heard it all! Keep in mind, though, that so-called "experience" only matters in the down years, when your team isn't winning. You can't win all the time, and so when you don't, it's nice to have something else to draw you out to the park, be it the in-park experience or near outside one. The Cubs have both in spades; meanwhile, our Sox are very negligible in at least the outside one. If we don't win, forget it! Nothing else to coax the casual fan out to our park. But we don't have to win all of the time, and to suggest we do would be silly. No team can achieve that. But we definitely have to win more than we do and be more successful than we've had in either the near or distant past if we can ever hope for better results at the gate. That couldn't be more than clear than it is today. For all intents and purposes, as a large market team, we are at rock bottom when it comes to all of this.

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Sep 28, 2015 -> 04:52 PM) Yes, having a 6 lane super highway, THREE mass trains lines with an exit no more than 2 blocks from the park, 7000 parking spaces as low as $10, and multiple points of street access really hurt a club. That would all come in handy if the product on the field was worth coming out to watch and the fans were coming out in droves to do so. Unfortunately, that would hardly describe the experience the White Sox have offered their fans in recent years. As always with this argument, all roads lead back to the one and only solution - winning. Stop with the making-the-playoffs-once-a-decade routine, or the occasional seven-year hiatus from any playoff appearance at all that we are currently mired in, and give our long suffering fans what they richly deserve: sustained success. Novel concept, I know, but dare I say, it's worth a shot!

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Sep 27, 2015 -> 09:58 AM) You can't change the philosophy of the White Sox without changing ownership... I don't care who you bring in to run the team. Indisputable.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 24, 2015 -> 03:18 PM) Exactly. People are so focused on LaRoche vs. LHP, they completely ignore how horrible Abreu was vs. LHP. LaRoche is supposed to be bad, Abreu not. The team was just horrible at the start and it snowballed. Any time it seemed they might turn the corner, another clunker. It was a bad year. The Sox talent level isn't as bad as it is made out to be. Every team has holes. Mike Olt was the Cubs starting 3B on Opening Day. No? Then explain the league's worst offense, near-worst defense, the mediocre at-best pitching (overall), the horrific baserunning, etc. That takes more than just "clunkers" and "holes" here and there to accomplish that. I mean, c'mon - don't put lipstick on this pig! There are a few bright spots on this team, to be sure, but the fact of the matter is, the talent level isn't as good as you suggest. Not at the moment it's not.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Sep 24, 2015 -> 10:44 AM) Nice individually of course if he gets it, but I'm sure he'd trade a bunch of those strike outs for more consistency or at the very least a team that could allow him to showcase his talents in the post season. In two weeks Sale will have finished his fifth full major league season. He still hasn't pitched in a playoff game. And don't think that thought hasn't crossed his mind. Mark I don't know if you've heard or not, but KW and RH have a "three year plan" currently in place to get Messrs. Sale and Abreu to the playoffs in a Sox uni. And so as we have just about burned through Year One of that plan, Mr. Sale ought to be advised he can expect to be in the playoffs for the very first time no later than two years from this moment, if not sooner. At least that's how I understand the plan as communicated by KW and RH - you know, the two who together have gotten us to one playoff (and with only playoff win to show for it!) in the past decade. But hope springs eternal, as they say, and so let's hope for the best in these next two years!

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 07:24 PM) I like Steve Stone, but holy f*** do not make him the team president under any circumstance. That would be a bigger joke of a hire than Ventura was as manager. You are a terrific poster on this site and I always enjoy your thoughts and opinions on all things White Sox. Just curious to pick your brain on your reaction to my Stone comment, why you don't think it would be a good idea. Stone's been around the game for a long, long time, and is well regarded in his knowledge of the game. Over the years I've always sensed that regard was for his understanding of the game both on and off the field, including his understanding of the business side of the game. I do think he exhibits the types of competencies and know-how of the game to be able to function highly in a front office position. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd love to hear you expound on your thoughts on this.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 07:26 PM) So the LOYALTY crowd wants to hired a guy as team President who has never been in a front office? lol. Didn't stop the Tony LaRussas and Nolan Ryan's of the world from being hired similarly. Do you "lol" at those hirings?

QUOTE (AlSoxfan @ Sep 19, 2015 -> 07:24 PM) I like Stone and would believe an trust in him over most anyone else I'm with you! I like Stoney as well, and am really hoping his time in the organization is not over after this year, when his current broadcasting contract runs out. With all of the rumors about Kenny possibly going to Seattle, and with Reinsdorf's well-documented policy towards loyalty, I'd be quite happy with Stone sliding into the vacated spot opened up by a William's departure. Stone has always wanted such a front office position, and this would probably represent his last chance at that. An insider (Jerry likes that) and somewhat an outsider (most of us would like that), all in one!!

QUOTE (Saufley @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 06:06 PM) For a guy that claims to be such a fan of the game how can Reinsdorf be such a bad owner of a bad baseball team? Where's the pride? Well, of course he's a "fan of the game". "The game" has made him rich beyond his wildest dreams. His $20M investment from 35 years ago has mushroomed into just short of a billion dollar one now, at least according to Forbes. So Jerry Reinsdorf's time as owner of the Chicago White Sox has been very good and certainly rather lucrative for Jerry Reinsdorf. For us, the fans, however, not so much. Just five trips to the postseason during those 35 years with him at the helm, during which Mr. Reinsdorf was making his millions, hand over foot. And only five measly postseason appearances during the past three and a half decades, with only one of those arguably of the meaningful variety. Perhaps Mr. Reinsdorf is a fan of mediocre baseball? Who knows. Somebody ask him the next time they see him whistling dixie on his way to the bank! So yes, the question of "pride" is an interesting one, but sadly it would appear pride was trumped by profits long ago.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 03:59 PM) Remember it's a "three year plan" LOL. Mark Two more years to add onto the lemon that is the "Jerry Reinsdorf Era" as owner of the Sox. Very little in terms of credibility coming from him and/or of his management team when they speak in platitudes about such things as a "three year plan". Meanwhile, another season near the bottom of all MLB teams in attendance and TV ratings. Anyone NOT think we are in desperate need of new ownership and a complete overhaul in team management, after all of these years of ineptitude from the current crew?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 15, 2015 -> 06:18 PM) And yet everyone who "knows" this still spends their time to come and complain about it. It is the definition of insanity. If you are going to be an administrator of a professional sports team fan message board, and said professional sports team continues to fail as often as the team this board is dedicated to does, then you shouldn't be surprised at the amount of complaints that result. What do you expect from fans after this abysmal season, the three of four before this one, and almost the past entire decade? Sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows everywhere? Complaining comes with the territory on a site like this when passionate fans are continually and rightfully disappointed with the product they support, particularly the one of this past decade. The insanity here is not recognizing that and constantly castigating those who communicate their disappointment over these less-than-desirable results which have come our way for an awful long time now.

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Sep 15, 2015 -> 09:32 PM) And? What's your f***ing point? I Cnt get my free tix too? Sigh...the things OUR fans get to talk about in September...

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Sep 15, 2015 -> 09:15 PM) You will forget this year if year two is good Well, I won't forget it, but I will certainly be very happy if we become a winning ball club next year and return to the postseason. That's all that matters: being competitive and exciting enough during the regular season to earn a berth in the playoffs, and then take your chances once you get there. It's been a very long time now since we've been that kind of a team. I hope the knuckleheads currently running things can pull a rabbit outta their you-know-what's and make that happen. Their cumulative track record doesn't generate much hope in that happening, but hey - who knows! Maybe they'll get lucky!

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Sep 15, 2015 -> 09:03 PM) Hope JR, KW and Hahn are enjoying the game man this is awful. Oh, don't you worry. Nothing to worry about! Don't let this disgraceful baseball and empty park get you down. You see, this is only "Year 1" of the mighty "3 Year Plan" that is going to right this ship and get us back to the winning ways of a yesteryear long ago. Once we really get going on the rest of this plan, you'll see! You'll see the greatness that JR (Moe), KW (Larry), and Hahn (Curley) have coming our way. Just two years to go!!

QUOTE (AustinIllini @ Sep 11, 2015 -> 07:47 AM) The truth of the matter is, ownership can justify whatever they want as long as they are the owner of the team. JR doesn't have to justify anything. True, and the fans don't have to justify why they stay away from his ballpark in droves. It cuts both ways.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Sep 9, 2015 -> 09:21 AM) Quick bottom line take on Ramirez. If you think the Sox will contend next year, maybe you sign him and hope for the best. If not, you don't. Why sign him and take away playing time for youngsters in order to win 75 games? Personally, I don't think Kenny is going anywhere. Robin isn't going anywhere. This team has gaping holes to fill at catcher, third base, DH and they are going to need another starting pitcher (Shark is gone). They are going to have to do this with less money since a lot of folks who bought season tickets this off season aren't coming back. JR is also still going to be "heavily involved" (Hahn's words from yesterday) is trying to fix this as well. I don't think the Sox are going to contend next season either...so why waste money on Ramirez? Mark Can he just, like, go away and retire or something? Enough already! He's been "heavily involved" for 35 years now, and look how that's turned out for us. Stay the owner, if he must (although selling the team would be the highly preferred option at this point), but just go away and stop meddling in the team's affairs and decision making. His hands-on involvement over the past three and a half decades has garnered very little in terms of positive results, so it really would be nice to just hear at some point that he's decided to retire and step away from it all. Because until he does it's just going to be more and more and more of the same poor achievement by this franchise. He's had his chance - time for him to let it go!!

September games in an empty ballpark when seemingly no one in the world cares about the White Sox...suck. Thank you again. Mr. Reinsdorf.

QUOTE (ron883 @ Sep 8, 2015 -> 09:41 PM) Trayce gets that one. No he doesn't.

Abreu Bomb!!

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 01:49 PM) Even the fans will tell you they will only show up after years of sustained playoff appearances. Realistically the fans showed up after a World Series win, and a large portion haven't been back since. If that isn't bandwagon, I don't know what is. You continue to focus on a symptom of the attendance problem, this mega obsession of your's with the bandwagon fan base business, rather than the root cause: LACK OF WINNING. You talk about how the fans haven't been back since shortly after the World Series. Have you seen the team's record these past ten years since? What in the world do you expect! Seriously, your condemnation is so misplaced, always, ALWAYS blaming the fans. Bandwagon this, meatball fan that. It's ludicrous! Your focal point should be where it is with most of the other astute posters on this board, which is on the continued failures of the team's owners and management team. For some reason you never raise a critical word towards them. Care to explain why?