Lip Man 1

Depends on your definitions doesn't it? From 1981 through 2006, the Sox under JR had 16 winning seasons, got a brand new taxpayer funded stadium and were competitive. They also drew well (when JR wasn't sabotaging things with his break the union and White Flag Trade mentality) As far as teams that consistently put out legit contenders, here is my list: Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Astros, Phillies, Braves, Brewers, Cardinals, Dodgers, Giants. The White Sox are in the 3rd largest market in the country, they have huge advantages over the other teams in their division from an advertising, marketing and broadcasting standpoint , MLB considers them a "major market" team (which is why under the new draft rules they have to pick 10th next season). The only thing stopping this franchise from having consistent success on the field (and that doesn't mean making the playoffs every year or getting to the World Series consistently) is one person and one person only...JR. Period, end of story. His arrogance, his ego, his delusion that he knows the "right" way to run a franchise, his insistence that loyalty is more important than winning and his demand that he be involved in literally every...single...major...baseball decision is destroying the franchise. When new ownership arrives it offers the franchise a chance to start over with talented baseball people in the front office and on the field. At that point where GRF is located won't mean diddly s%*#.

Very possible since the timing is so unusual right after two months of the season.

Better late than never, he should have been fired years ago after one horrible call after another after another. C.V. Bucknor needs to be next on the list to go.

“This is not about wins and losses. This is about the responsibility we have as individuals and as a team to come out and give the very best we have every single day.”---Pedro Grifol Good thing it isn't about wins Pedro, because you aren't getting many of those for the rest of the season.

I seem to recall that at one time the NBA/WNBA went to JR and asked if he'd be interested in owning a team. He had no desire to get involved and if what I remember is true actively worked against a WNBA coming to Chicago for a long time. If that is true I'm guessing he would not allow the Sky to play in the United Center.

He's still making a ton of money that's not so heavy a price in his world.

This probably doesn't end well. My guess is now he really knows the heat is on him, he's heard something and is trying to CYA: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/05/27/pedro-grifol-doubles-down-on-calling-out-players

Typical Sox signing...as soon as they put the uniform on they immediately suck. Culture of losing permeates everything with its stench. Only 80 more losses to go! Don't stop now boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's the best ass kisser in baseball. That has to be the only way he got the job and when he gets fired (and eventually he will) he will probably go down as the worst manager by win percentage in the 124 year history of the franchise.

And then again let's not. I respect him and his baseball knowledge. I appreciate what he did for the franchise but let's not forget this friends and neighbors: September 26, 2011 – He was considered the face of the franchise for eight seasons but on this night after a 4-3 win over Toronto, manager Ozzie Guillen announced he was leaving after owner Jerry Reinsdorf agreed to let him out of the final year of his contract. Guillen, who was the 1985 A.L. Rookie of the Year with the White Sox, won the World Series in 2005 and also got the club into the playoffs in 2008. He had five winning seasons in the eight years as manager and was named Manager of the Year for his work in 2005. In that magical season of 2005, “Ozzie Ball” resulted in the Sox getting off to the best start in their history and with a perfect blend of pitching, speed, power and the ability to execute the fundamentals the Sox were in first place from wire to wire. Then they blitzed through the post season putting together an 11-1 record that was the third best post season record in baseball history. Guillen’s passion and enthusiasm for the franchise was unparalleled but at times he was his own worst enemy. Over his final years in Chicago, he became increasingly thin-skinned and defensive when criticism was directed his way and he lashed out at Sox fans on more than one occasion. Among his famous rants against the fans were one where he said that they could ‘‘Turn off their TVs and stop watching the game if they don’t like the [bleep]ing lineup’’ and another in May 2011 where he claimed Sox fans would not remember him, “As soon as you leave the ballpark, they don’t care about you. They don’t. The monuments, the statues…they pee on them when they get drunk.” On the afternoon of the day he left the team Guillen told reporters that he would not want to return to fulfill his 2012 contract unless he got an extension and more money. Ozzie’s relationship with G.M. Kenny Williams also deteriorated over the final few years because the two men appeared to have different viewpoints over how the roster should be constructed and the style to which the Sox should play. The Jim Thome/DH controversy was an example of the different ideas. Guillen’s family didn’t help the situation with social media comments derogatory to Williams. Many felt when Ozzie was hired in November 2003 that he was the right man for the right team at the right time and for a few years he was. Unfortunately, the manager with the longest tenure since Al Lopez let some personal foibles override a good situation and it was best for all that a parting of the ways took place.

The Royals passed over him twice. And I'm not knocking your definition of sports, to each his own. For me, I'm happy and entertained when the teams I follow win. Everything else is secondary to me.

The Tribune story did not specify, it simply said "any stadium funding discussions should include professional women's (plural) teams." (direct quote) The story quoted another state politician as saying stadium discussions should include the Red Stars and the Sky. An update to the story this afternoon also quoted that state politician as saying there would also be no discussion on a White Sox stadium until the fall. Here is the link to the story for all who can access it: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/05/25/legislature-wont-act-on-bears-stadium-funding-request-this-spring-lawmakers-say/ Key quote: ”I don’t think there’s necessarily an appetite to just give billionaires a whole bunch of money,” Sen. Robert Peters (D) said.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Guaranteed Rate Field especially after the millions and millions of dollars were spent on renovations changing the mistakes that were made in the original construction because JR insisted on them. And once again he was dead wrong.

This from the Sun-Times postgame story: "Grifol batted away questions about how to avoid more flat efforts and why Sunday occurred." It's no secret, a blind man can see it in the dark. This is happening because this may be the least talented White Sox team ever, led by an incompetent field manager and general manager and owned by a guy who thinks his way is the way to "win" and feels he's smarter than anybody else in the room. Hint: he isn't.

He's pitched very well...should bring back a good prospect or two come July.

Just wondering...is this the same contact of yours who supposedly told you JR is selling the team? And I guess your thoughts in the spring about this being a good year for the Sox isn't coming to pass anytime soon.

Make of these as you will: “Crochet pitched his ass off, we got no-hit through [seven innings]. We had a pinch-hitter break it up. The rest of the guys–not the rest of the guys–most of the guys were fucking flat today. Unacceptable. No adjustments, we didn’t make any adjustments to this guy.”---Pedro Grifol “He’s (Grifol) going to feel that way and obviously we have a different feeling. He is entitled to his own opinion also. I think that’s a valid reason. It’s nothing to hide about that. He has his opinions and everyone is going to have their own opinions.” --- Korey Lee “We just played a stretch against some really good teams. I don’t think it’s necessarily fair to harp on the losses and beat ourselves up too much." ---Garrett Crochet

Make of these as you will: “Crochet pitched his ass off, we got no-hit through [seven innings]. We had a pinch-hitter break it up. The rest of the guys–not the rest of the guys–most of the guys were fucking flat today. Unacceptable. No adjustments, we didn’t make any adjustments to this guy.”---Pedro Grifol “He’s (Grifol) going to feel that way and obviously we have a different feeling. He is entitled to his own opinion also. I think that’s a valid reason. It’s nothing to hide about that. He has his opinions and everyone is going to have their own opinions.” --- Korey Lee “We just played a stretch against some really good teams. I don’t think it’s necessarily fair to harp on the losses and beat ourselves up too much." ---Garrett Crochet

Crochet’s scoreless-innings streak ended at 24 but he still matched a career high with 11 strikeouts in the Sox’ 4-1 loss to the Orioles. Baltimore finished a four-game sweep of the Sox, who suffered their second four-game sweep of the season. The Sox have dropped five straight, nine of the last 10 and 11 of 14 to sink 24 games below .500. At 15-39, the Sox have the worst 54-game record in franchise history, a full two games worse than 2018’s 17-37 start.

Bruce Dal Canton and Stan Williams were his pitching coaches.

https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/rob-manfred-diamond-sports-reorganization-plan.html

Read a story in the Tribune this morning, the Bears stadium issue will not be discussed by the state legislature this spring session. It is now off the table until the fall. Story quoted a representative as saying that was good. More time was needed to examine every aspect. Also apparently now there is a movement that any state funds that may go to either the Bears or White Sox must also include funding for a women's sports stadium which will complicate the situation even more than it already is.

They need a rain out...that way they can't lose. Or can they? ?

I'm guessing he said what Hahn and Kenny wanted to hear then blew smoke up JR's rear end. I mean this guy was with the Royals for a decade and they passed on him twice for their managerial opening. That should have been a major red flag.

There in lies the rub as was once written by Shakespeare.