Lip Man 1

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.

Guy is an embarrassment to the profession. has been for years. Another Cubbie-fan boy.

CBS Sportsline airing of grievances for the White Sox: Target: The organization as a whole Grievance: Remember when the White Sox traded Chris Sale, Adam Eaton, José Quintana and others and, as a result, had that loaded farm system? All that build was for a Wild Card loss in 2020, a 93-win season in 2021 that ended with a 3-1 ALDS loss and then 81 wins in 2022. Now they are one of the worst teams in baseball and have a long road ahead to turn things around. They haven't won a playoff series since 2005. What a sad state of affairs.

December 23, 1990 - Sox fans got an early Christmas gift as new G.M. Ron Schueler made one of his first and best deals. Schueler sent outfielder Ivan Calderon and pitcher Barry Jones to Montreal for All-Star left fielder and stolen base threat Tim “Rock” Raines and pitcher Jeff Carter. Raines would provide speed at the top of the order. He stole 143 bases in his five years with the Sox and had a terrific 1993 A.L.C.S. against Toronto banging out 12 hits for a .444 average with three doubles and five runs scored in the six-game series.

fair point but again the Dodgers (and the best organizations) don't care. If he can give them three-four-five years of good performance that's what matters. The here and now. They get to the post season, possibly win in the post season, get more home games, make more money through concessions, parking, potential media deals increase in value...they get their money back in spades.

Well any single time a MLB pitcher throws a ball it is an injury risk isn't it? That's where your preparation, medical people, injury prevention staff et al come into play. The best organizations minimize that risk so the "gamble" isn't as big. The White Sox are not one of those organizations over and above JR's reluctance to take risks that can impact his bottom-line.

And if the Dodgers keeping making the playoffs in the short term, maybe win another World Series or two, they won't care in the least if he blows out his arm in five years. To make money you have to spend it and spent it smartly which is something the Dodgers do well and the White Sox don't. JR very rarely is willing to gamble or step out of his comfort zone which is one of the many reasons this franchise is in the state that it is in.

There's a lot of truth in this bolded comment. And I'm glad he didn't sign with the Yankees myself, I have no animosity towards the Dodgers because as you point out they are a complete, top-notch organization in all levels and facets. The antithesis of the White Sox in every aspect.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-mlb-pitch-clock-rule-changes-20231222-4ok5wxyz2randbzh72etbbfgv4-story.html

Didn't know this book came out in 2015. It's basically the follow up to The Lords of the Realm by John Helyar. Sox Machine's Jim Magalus as part of a story today has some fascinating material from it focusing on the Sox signing of Albert Belle and MLB's reaction to it. https://soxmachine.com/2023/12/following-up-white-sox-announce-event-that-isnt-soxfest/ The MLB owners were so angry at JR after it that they removed him from the committee that advised the commissioner on labor matters. Many felt that JR signed Belle for one reason only, to pay the other owners back for ending the labor dispute on terms that JR didn't like.

https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/diamond-bally-sports-mlb-2024-rights-fees.html

December 20, 1958 - Bill Veeck got a court ruling in his favor which allowed him and his group to get majority control of the White Sox. Members of the Comiskey family went to court in an effort to stop the sale of the franchise. There would be more court rulings before the sale was made final in March 1959.

Glad retirement is going well for you.

Just wondering where are all the videos on Eloy's comedic attempts at playing the outfield or running the bases (where he gets hurt?) ?

I'd like to know what SSHM does for a living and how he can expend all this time and energy on daily multiple posts like the one above.

No, an expansion team potentially led by Dave Stewart and yes...Tony LaRussa.

He did in 1982... it bounced off the bill of his cap and led to an inside the park home run by the Red Sox. It was Dave Stapleton, I think who hit it.

Bob certainly did a very good job in his role for 30 years, he retired two years ago. He was also a high school and college basketball ref in the off season.

They aren't going anyplace: https://www.mlb.com/news/orioles-agree-to-30-year-deal-to-remain-at-camden-yards

In 2011 Dunn only hit 11 home runs with 42 RBI’s and had a batting average of .159. It was literally one of the worst seasons in 100 years of MLB according to the metrics and stats.

I'll only comment on Fisk. He played from 1981 through 1993 with the Sox...how many years did you expect him to play? 25? He was treated very badly by JR and the organization but honestly as a player he was done.