Lip Man 1

And so we conclude this feature. I hope that all of you enjoyed it and that it brought back some memories for you. December 30, 2019 – Needed a solid starting pitcher to round out a young promising rotation, the White Sox continued their aggressive off season by signing former Cy Young award winner Dallas Keuchel to a three year, $55.5-million-dollar deal. The agreement also included a vesting option for a fourth season. He helped the Astros win the 2017 World Series and pitched in 12 post season games before coming to the South Side. He’d have a terrific pandemic shortened season in 2020 going 6-2 with a 1.99 ERA in 11 games before regressing badly in 2021 and being released before the All-Star break in 2022. He was picked up by the Diamondbacks and released, then claimed by the Rangers…and released... then in 2022 he was claimed by the Twins where he appeared in 10 games for them.

I wonder if he said this with a straight face to DVS of the Sun-Times: ‘‘I put our team down on paper, and our lineup is pretty good. ‘We’re missing TA [Tim Anderson], and a healthy, good TA is hard to come by. But other than that, if we’re healthy, our lineup is pretty good. We just have to continue to address the pitching.’’ -- Pedro Grifol

More garbage, flotsam and jetsam from an incompetent organization.

Actually the ideal situation is new ownership. ?

Thomas was also the guy who started needling Dick Allen badly when they both were teammates on the Phillies. Some of the comments may have been racial and it led to a fight:

With this incompetent organization it wouldn't surprise me in the least if Sheets isn't in RF opening day.

Are there any?

Given all the retreads, injury-prone stiffs, flotsam and jetsam the Sox are signing reminds me of one of the opening scenes in "Major League" where the grounds keepers are basically saying "this is all s%*#..." The good news is that by Memorial Day we can forget about the season and just start breaking out the VHS tapes and DVD's of Sox games from better times earlier this year.

So damn sad isn't it?

"Hill, 33, spent the past four seasons with the Padres, where he posted a 4.18 ERA in 170 innings with one save. He’s coming off the worst statistical season of his career, when he tallied a 5.48 ERA in 44 1/3 innings before undergoing season-ending finger surgery at the end of September. The Padres non-tendered him at the end of the season." Seems to be a typical Sox signing and has been mentioned he played for the Royals. ?

December 28, 1993 - As part of an effort to replace Ellis Burks, Sox G.M. Ron Schueler inked journeyman outfielder Darrin Jackson to a contract. D.J. would replace Burks just fine with 10 homers, 51 RBI’s, seven stolen bases and a .312 average in the shortened 1994 season. He moved into the teams broadcasting booth years later, first on TV then radio after he retired.

MLB.com cites it as one of the "most improved" over the past year: Chicago White Sox The South Siders remain far from the top tier of farm systems, but it's easier to see them closer to the middle these days than it was back in June. Chicago was one of the busier sellers at the Deadline and picked up Edgar Quero, Jake Eder, Nick Nastrini, Ky Bush and Korey Lee, among others. That came after a deep Draft that saw the organization add four of MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects in Jacob Gonzalez, Grant Taylor, Seth Keener and George Wolkow. Wolkow -- ranked at 71st overall but drafted in the seventh round -- may have been a particular steal as a $1 million signing. Overall, 10 of the club's present Top 19 prospects weren't in the organization in June, and the biggest name that's remained all along (Colson Montgomery) proved why he's one of the best shortstop prospects in baseball with a productive Arizona Fall League.

Sox used to sign every relief pitcher out there under Hahn...guess Getz is now trying to sign every catcher out there.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2023/12/26/24015892/white-sox-sign-catcher-martin-maldonado

December 26, 1958 - In the middle of a family fight involving the Comiskey’s and the attempt to sell the Sox, Charlie Finley (yes THAT Charlie Finley) offered $500,000 dollars to buy the club. Dorothy Comiskey immediately began to give serious consideration to selling it to him, since that amount of money was gigantic for its time and surpassed the initial offer that came from Bill Veeck’s group. However, Veeck had purchased, for $100 dollars, an option period where he would have the first right to buy the team. Dorothy Comiskey and her advisors tried to determine a fair price to buy that option back and sell to Finley but were never able to do so. Thanks in part to a final judicial ruling in March 1959 and because he raised his initial offer, Veeck’s group finally took control of the club right before the start of the regular season. Finley would eventually get into baseball as the controversial owner of the Kansas City and later Oakland Athletics where he’d win three straight World Series from 1972 through 1974.

https://soxmachine.com/2023/12/pedro-grifols-year-in-quotes-starts-with-the-big-one/

Don't forget Dick Allen and Tommy John.

Early projections for this year's vote could have him dropped off the ballot. This story makes the case for him: https://www.mlb.com/news/mark-buehrle-hall-of-fame-case

I agree they can't go dollar for dollar, that's obvious...but they can do a hell of a lot more than they are doing to close the gap. And so can the White Sox. But their owners choose...repeat: choose...not to do so. Again get to the playoffs anything can happen, but you have to get their first.

There has been enough documented evidence both in fact and circumstantial to show numerous examples of cooking the books, extorting cities and owners lining their pockets. I've followed this game for over 60 years in numerous capacities, I honestly can't understand how ANY fan can give ANY owner the benefit of the doubt. Regarding JR, history clearly shows what his stewardship of the franchise has brought in over 40 years of ownership, that's not a delusion...that's reality and in many cases a nightmare.

The books were opened by agreement during the labor impasse of 1994-1995. A neutral Stanford economist was brought in, examined the books and completely blew up the owners claim they were losing money. The owners swore they'd never do it again. They were shown to be liars and swindlers. Again read The Lords of the Realm which gives specific details on what the economist found and how MLB owners were trying to screw the numbers.

The A's seem to have made the playoffs a number of times though haven't they?

Some owners have publicly come out and said that they are in the past.

They absolutely are entitled to a profit, they take some risks (when they aren't being supported by tax payer dollars) so they certainly should get some. But... Especially in situations where, like the Sox, public funds built them a stadium and they have sweetheart leases, they also have a responsibility to do everything in their power to win in my opinion. When does "making a profit" turn into outright "greed?" No one with a straight face can claim many owners including JR are doing that. As far as revenue discrepancies, if you haven't already, read The Lords of the Realm by John Helyar. You'll get a real education as to how owners are, in fact, hiding large revenue streams. Forbes, a reliable business magazine, has said the past few years have seen MLB, which is now a 10 BILLION dollar a year league, make record profits. After reading that along with Helyar's book, and the specific examples I wouldn't trust an owner who says anything along the lines of finances as far as I could pick them up and throw them.

Increase the odds of getting to the post season where anything can happen. Over a 162 game regular season talent usually wins out, more talent, the better your chances.