Doc Edwards Shot

There has been a lot of conversation over the years about the time in the 1980s when Jerry was threatening to move the Sox to Tampa if he didn't get the city and state of IL to pay the bulk of the cost of the construction of "new" Comiskey Park (now U.S. Cellular Field). If this were to ever happen again and the Sox actually moved like the St. Louis Rams are currently doing, what would you do? Would you continue to follow the Sox remotely via a new TV premium package? Would you switch to some other team? Would you do the unthinkable and start following the Cubs since they would be the lone remaining team in the city? I don't know what I would do other than take a little time off from baseball to think about it - kind of like a grieving widower who would need some time before starting to date again.

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Feb 5, 2016 -> 07:31 PM) Oh, there sure was. There sure was, the last time being back in the mid-to-late 80s. That was when our current esteemed owner Jerry Reinsdorf, fresh off of the failure of his first get-rich scheme with the SportsVision debacle, turned his greedy attention to the taxpayers of Illinois. He and his co-owners engaged in a highly public and shameful exercise where they literally blackmailed the state into publicly funding the construction of a new stadium for them, one designed to generate revenues the likes of which they could have never seen at the old ballpark. The blackmail came in the form of threats to move our White Sox to Tampa if the state did not only agree to fund the ballpark construction, but also throw in a sweetheart lease deal on top of it to boot. And if not for some last minute, 11th hour efforts in June of 1988 by former Gov. Jim Thompson to convince some legislators to cave into Jerry and his goons, the blackmail would have prevailed and our White Sox would be playing in Tropicana Field today as we speak. Jerry Reinsdorf - what a guy, eh? He's sure done a mighty fine job of getting a huge return on his investment in the Sox over these past 35 years. Too bad the White Sox faithful can't say the same. With the horrendous state of Illinois finances these days, there is probably no way another deal like that will be given out to a professional Chicago sports team. Back in the day, I wanted the Sox to stay so badly that I supported the taxpayers paying for the current stadium. But if it were to happen again, I would say no. The Sox could just move as far as I'm concerned. They've only won one World Series in the past 100 years anyway - it's not like they're kicking so much ass that the taxpayers absolutely have to keep them.

Usually I think Passan is an idiot, but I agree with him this time. The Cardinals deserve severe punishment for that. If the league won't dole it out, they have zero credibility.

QUOTE (peppers312 @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 01:10 PM) maybe the .350 OBP is a bit of a reach, so i edited it to .325-340... I don't see how Avi will ever have an OBP that high when he swings at everything and has no plate discipline.

I think I'm OK with the Sox not taking on a contract the size of Cespedes. I don't think he's worth $25 million+ per season. We still need another OF though.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 16, 2016 -> 05:29 AM) For what it's worth Alexei hit .277 with a .325 OBP and 8 homers in the second half. He had shown signs of life after a catastrophic start. Yeah, but we kinda need those numbers throughout the whole year, not just half of it. Alexei's inconsistency was maddening.

QUOTE (ronkark @ Jan 15, 2016 -> 01:05 AM) What I will miss about Alexei: Rifle arm, turning double play, stolen bases. Occasional clutch home run (more in his early years.) The Eaton fives. What I won't miss about Alexei: Inability to draw a walk, zero plate discipline, baserunning blunder, the slow starts. And the Sox continues insistence in trying him in the 2 hole even though he doesn't take pitches, bunt, hit behind runners or do anything befitting a #2 hitter. His 10 million dollar salary. Better spent elsewhere. Not worried about Tyler. No he won't be great. But he's a heady player. He can bunt, he can run. he can field. He'll be okay. But let's get that outfielder. I, too, will take my chances with Saladino. I generally liked Alexei, but I bet that more of the "first half 2015 Alexei" is what the Padres will get. I was tired of Ramirez's mental mistakes, mood swings, apathy, and low OBP. I suspect the Sox were, too.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 10:58 AM) Honestly, I haven't heard Benetti yet, or what his home run call is, but I would love he adopted the "You can put it on the board" call....and "He gone"...I'll never stop saying it, and I would miss saying it along with Hawk or whoever is on the TV.. For the most part I loved Hawkisms and he'll be missed when he finally goes. He can't do that. Those phrases are directly tied to Hawk and it would sound stupid to hear someone else try to do it. Jason has to have his own style. Hopefully it's good!

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 01:48 PM) I like Farmio. When we had tickets on club level we took the elevator with him several times. He's a really nice guy. I'm sure he is indeed a nice guy, but he sucks as a radio announcer. One of the worst I've ever heard. Dryer than the driest of aged Italian salamis... Can't believe the Sox have had him in that position for so long.

QUOTE (Al Lopez's Ghost @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 08:01 AM) Just read the Chi Tribune front page article on Jason. Seems like a terrific hire. Although Jason seems to not want to be known as the guy with cerebral palsey - understandably - I'm kinda proud that the Sox would hire a guy on his ability in a world where some don't get jobs because of their disabilities. There shouldn't be any reason to even mention that he has CP. I sincerely hope we don't start talking about it too much in fan circles. I'm sure the guy wants to be treated just like everyone else, no harsher or softer. We owe him that.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 4, 2016 -> 01:37 PM) I just don't think the Hall of Fame needs to be some cheerleader exhibit for MLB. Why can't it just put it out there, tell the truth? Why should the museum, which is largely the smithsonian of baseball excellence, not just deal with reality? I don't like this idea that we are supposed to largely act like the incredible (in the true sense of the word) baseball milestones taking place in the l90s/early 00s didn't exist. Put them in there, and lay down the reality that increase in steroid usage saw huge increases in offense and pitching never seen before. Oh, no no, instead we should put our fingers in our ears and act like Bonds didn't exist. 98 never happened. HOF is an exhibit of baseball greatness. That it aligns itself with hero worship and must be a victory lap where we must also applaud them as incredible human beings is dumb. I'd like to start a baseball history museum that actually covers the history of the game, and let the HOF do it's walter payton award ceremony. I totally agree. They should just have a baseball history museum that covers facts and historical events in the sport without the whole individual plaque concept and the idea that players had to be great citizens off the field to be mentioned. The visitors to the museum could decide for themselves whether a particular player was an asshole or not. Just like if you go to a car museum. They'll have an exhibit showing small cars, then one with huge cars from certain eras with an explanation for why that was, etc. They could have a whole display about the 90s and Sosa/McGuire/Bonds and how steroids fueled incredible home run hitting feats.

QUOTE (aboz56 @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 11:40 AM) Why is everyone sweating Thompson? He played well late last season in meaningless games. Sox sold high. I know, right? Thompson reminds me of the brief Jerry Owens fad, another guy who only looked good in meaningless late-season games who then turned out to be worthless right afterwards. I doubt that Thompson will ever hit well enough to be more than a 4th OF. The Sox badly needed some real position players and now 3B is taken care of with Frazier, a proven MLB player. Who in their right mind wouldn't want that after what we've had to suffer through the past few years?

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Dec 9, 2015 -> 12:00 AM) But seriously....is there anyone here who would feel comfortable rooting for this slimeball? Those same words were once spoken about A.J. Pierzynski. Lawrie may not be a model citizen, but the Sox are desperate for serviceable position players, even mediocre ones. I'll take Lawrie over Saladino at 3b, thank you - especially since Lawrie is only 25 years old.

I think the Sox will keep Sale no matter what their situation is: rebuild or Band-Aid. Sale has become the face of the franchise now that Paulie is gone. Tickets have to be sold and a team needs at least one recognizable All-Star to do it. I could be wrong, but I'll have to see it to believe that the Sox would trade Sale with his contract.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 3, 2015 -> 07:37 AM) Like I said in the T-Flo thread, I really like Navarro's bat, I just hope the offensive upgrade is worth the defensive downgrade. I don't think elite pitch framing from Flowers ever offset his horrendous offense. The offensive shortcomings were too great. No way that getting one or two extra strikes called per game from the great pitch framing is worth an automatic out almost every time up at the plate, and especially with runners in scoring position. The Sox offense can't afford to have a .210-.220 hitting catcher with low OBP in the lineup. It's not good enough overall and they need more offensive production from that position.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 1, 2015 -> 11:27 AM) how bout they install it in the stadium and can the recorded cheesy pop-metal crap they play. I'm down with that! I miss the comforting sounds of the organ. I can throw AC/DC into my CD player anytime I want, that's not special at all.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Nov 18, 2015 -> 12:17 PM) Jesus Christ this article makes me feel bad. Just blow everything up and trade Sale, Abreu, Quintana... everybody. We're so doomed. Yeah, except there's no reason to feel confident that the Sox brass could make trades that will benefit the team. I feel like they'll just pull a bunch of Jaime Navarros or Billy Kochs. Zero confidence in the front office! But I wouldn't object to trading Q. They desperately need position players who are worth something and the rotation would still be decent without Q.

I have no evidence at all, but I'm going to bet that the Sox are going to make a trade to get a SS. They have to know that Anderson isn't ready and they don't have anyone else who can truly play SS. I don't think Alexei is coming back. Again, no evidence and just a feeling from the gut.

I'm tuning into all the Cubs playoff games for two reasons: 1) I like intense postseason baseball - the kind that we Sox fans unfortunately won't be seeing our team involved in for another decade 2) I have to be there for the inevitable Cubs screwup/curse that ends their 2015 Cinderella story. It's gonna happen, you watch!

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Sep 7, 2015 -> 11:02 PM) Seriously, right? The guy gives up 3ER in 7IP without his best slider. Most pitchers would take those numbers on a good day with their best stuff. Some Sox fans have become spoiled by what Sale did during that amazing stretch he had. Talk about making something out of nothing. Agreed, this thread is dumb. When a pitcher only gives up 3 runs and has a quality start, the team is supposed to win. The problem is the Sox offense, not a Chris Sale start that involved giving up a few runs. He can't shut out the other team every time.

My 9 year old's travel baseball coach would have had the sense not to send Ramirez home. This team is beyond stupid.

The Sox offense is so bad that they desperately need to spend whatever they can on it. A lot of attention is needed on position players - it's the worst it's been in a generation. Let Shark walk and go with what we have in the rotation and farm in 2016. We shouldn't replace Danks with another Danks-like albatross contract. Shark isn't pitching well enough to warrant even $15 million per year. They needed a good start yesterday in a playoff-like atmosphere against the Yankees and he crapped the bed.

I don't know much about DFA, so somebody help me out... Why can't they/won't they DFA LaRoche? He's bad enough to warrant it. Are there some union issues/labor contract issues that prevent them from doing it?

I don't remember the last time LaRoche got an extra base hit. What a useless POS...the Cubs pitcher Arietta looks like a better hitter than Adam.

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Jul 8, 2015 -> 10:57 AM) Let's go crazy and look at the last 55 years: just FIVE playoff appearances for this franchise since 1960! Noodle on that for a few moments! And then we wonder how a team that has been around as long as the Chicago White Sox has been unable to build a robust fan base. I think the Cardinals have had 5 playoff appearances in the past 6-7 years alone. Geez, I think I just threw up in my mouth. My beloved Sox SUCK as a franchise. Guess I'll turn to the Bears instead for a little positive spirit... Wait, that won't work either. They have only won 2 football championships in the past 69 years. They're the Cubs of football, famous only for longevity and mindless fans who continue to fill the stadium no matter how bad they are.