Lip Man 1

Not even close to reality. This is from my story in November 2022 from one of six sources I spoke with: “Jason Benetti’s deal with the Sox is up, the Sox hold the option for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He went to Fox to negotiate that deal with them after he was told to do it and then come back to the Sox and they’d work something out. Jason wanted to get the deal done with the Sox first and then go to Fox or ESPN or whoever. Turns out when he came back to the Sox and said that he needs 40 days off so he can do the Fox work he was told, ‘no, that’s not happening.’ So I don’t know what’s going to happen to him or Steve Stone.”

https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/john-schriffen-to-return-to-white-sox-broadcast-for-2026

Not forgetting Hawk at all, in fact I wrote the chapter on his year in charge for Dr. Fletcher's next book on the Sox. If you really want to get to the root of JR's change in attitude it was in the off season after they won in 1983 where he was quoted as saying he didn't realize how much winning "costs" because of players wanting raises et al. That's when, if you believe former commissioner Fay Vincent from his book, JR and Bud Selig began to plot the collusion tactics that cost MLB dearly after three arbitrators ruled against them and ordered damages paid to the players (including Fisk) who were impacted.

Nothing will happen until Ishbia takes over in the comment I was mentioning about developing the area around the park and trying to do some upgrades with the stadium. JR is a non-factor in this regard.

Nothing will happen until Ishbia takes over in the comment I was mentioning about developing the area around the park and trying to do some upgrades with the stadium. JR is a non-factor in this regard.

Typical White Sox "luck" isn't it?

Well you have Brooks quoted by Merkin that he's "pleased with that", as in the broadcasts have improved.

Injuries (so what else is new?) basically gutted and crippled the bullpen down the stretch in 2010.

You may be right. The folks I spoke with weren't sure if he had a two or three year deal.

Considering the Sox had winning seasons from 1990-1994 and then did not have a losing season from 2000-2006 I think my starting point of 2007 is more accurate.

When the story came out in the Sun-Times yesterday my thought was that JR and Brooks even if they were thinking about letting him go could change their minds and basically say FU to the media. Again nothing changes until Ishbia takes over.

No guarantees at all, just the reality of how much worse can Ishbia be than what we've been seeing basically since 2007.

There has been some individual progress but you are right, the defense is awful, they still can't grasp fundamentals successfully and the pitching is practically non-existent in part because they can't keep anybody healthy anymore.

My point is until that "new owner" comes out and says he's paying for it, politicians aren't going to stick their necks out for JR. You'll stay at the present location and like it! 😄

Column is dead on correct.

All depends on when Ishbia takes over.

Tell me where and when has JR publicly said it will be "privately owned/funded?" To the best of my knowledge he has not done so. He wants someone else to pay for it. That is a big hang up right now with many politicians understandably so.

I'm curious what makes you think this given the published remarks by Manfred for example extolling a salary cap and his confrontation with Harper to say nothing of basically every national baseball writer saying the same thing. One even gave a specific date, December 2, 2026 is when the lockout begins.

Warren was hired for one reason only, to get them a new stadium. And that's not going very well is it? 😆I don't know how much he is involved in the team itself per se.

Rock: You must not have seen the link I posted above. According to Duber in the Sun-Times today after speaking with Getz the Sox will not be active in the free agent market. So that is not going to be an issue either way. If they sign anyone it will be more flotsam and jetsam. As far as 2027, given the owners are locking out the players in December 2026 by every account and the 27 season at least in part may be in jeopardy, JR won't be doing a damn thing if he is still owner.

Nice work if you can get it. More wasted JR's precious money.

It IS hopeless until Ishbia takes over.

I sincerely hope he does what John Allyn did in September 1970, basically fire everyone on the baseball side of the operations. If he want to include the training staffs, doctors and non-baseball areas as well I certainly won't complain. This entire operation top to bottom from the highest positions to the lowest at the big league level or the minor league one needs to be thoroughly cleaned out.

And with the labor situation and the owners insane wish to get a salary cap this is doubly true.

You can bet Greg's house on this!