Lip Man 1

They rallied to win a game last night and then turn right around and blow a game late tonight. Graveman has been suspect since the second half of last year and Diekman has been a disaster. The real kick in the gonads tonight was the fact that all the runs they scored in the 6th and 7th inning came after two outs.

March 31, 1996 – Michael Jordan, after his first spring training, was assigned to the Double-A Birmingham Barons of the Southern League where he would play in 127 games. He only hit .202 but he had 30 stolen bases, drove in 51 RBI’s and had 17 doubles. He then moved to the Arizona Fall League, where he had a more impressive season hitting .252. Without the 1994-95 labor stalemate, Jordan would have reported to Charlotte in 1995, with an outside shot at seeing the majors that year. March 31, 1996 - Because of a quirk in the calendar the Sox had a March opening day for the first time in franchise history when they started the 1996 season in Seattle on the final day of the month. Frank Thomas hit a home run off Randy Johnson but the Sox lost the game 3-2 in 12 innings striking out 21 times in the process. Johnson struck out 14 hitters himself in seven innings. The Sox have since opened in March a few times since then but 1996 was the first time it happened.

This and that; First Sox opening day win since 2018 when they beat the Royals 14-7. Matt Davidson's three home run game. Astros had won a MLB record 10 straight opening day's Nice to see the Sox get the comeback win. 1-11 with RISP brings back bad memories of last year. As did the baserunning blunders. But the pitching both Cease and the bullpen were very good tonight. Overall a very nice win. They won't get swept and that's important.

From my interview with TLR: ML: You’ll go into the Hall of Fame this August as one of the all-time winningest managers. Have you ever wondered what may have happened if you stayed with the Sox? I know Sox fans wonder how many championships you might have won had you stayed for 20 years or so. TLR: “Yes, I do, but more for entertainment, I don’t take a lot of time to look back in a serious manner. I just think you have to move on from the past, learn from it and go forward. I will occasionally tease Jerry (Reinsdorf) about it, though. I honestly think had I stayed with the White Sox for 30 years that the team would have won multiple world championships. I think that because we were so united. Everyone from the owners to the front office to the coaching staff was on the same page. Our minor league system was developing and we had good people in all areas.”

White Sox are trying to break a four game losing streak on opening day. Last opening day win came in 2018 when they beat the Royals 14-7. Matt Davidson had three home runs.

March 30, 1971 - Another good deal pulled off by the Sox and G.M. Roland Hemond. He sent catcher Duane Josephson and pitcher Danny Murphy to the Red Sox for relief pitcher Vicente Romo and first baseman Tony Muser. Muser was one of the best defensive first baseman in baseball and was tremendous as a late inning replacement for Dick Allen. He was an earlier version of Mike Squires if you will. Romo helped stabilize a young White Sox bullpen with an ERA of 3.33 and six saves in his two years with the team primarily as a middle relief man. March 30, 1981 - Shortly before the start of the regular season, the White Sox purchased the contract of Chicago area slugger Greg Luzinski from the Phillies. The Phillies originally wanted either pitcher Steve Trout or pitcher Rich Dotson in return but when the Sox wouldn’t budge settled for cash considerations. The imposing strongman would become a two-time American League Designated Hitter of the Year and provide solid power to the middle of the batting order. In his three and a half seasons he pounded out 84 home runs and drove in 317 RBI’s. “Bull” would also become the first man to hit three rooftop home runs in a single season at the original Comiskey Park when he did it in 1983. The blasts came against the Twins, Yankees and Red Sox. March 30, 1982 - Needing outfield help, Sox G.M. Roland Hemond sent two prospects to the Dodgers for the speedy Rudy Law. Law would smash the team’s stolen base record in 1983, swiping 77 bases. He added 20 doubles, seven triples and hit .283. His career on the South Side wasn’t long, as he was released by the Sox in spring training 1986, but it was memorable, as he supplied speed and defense to the 1983 Western Division champions. In his four years with the Sox, Rudy stole 171 bases. March 30, 1992 - Seeking another power bat to hit behind Frank Thomas and Robin Ventura and not being able to close a deal with free agent Mark McGwire, Sox G. M. Ron Schueler dealt outfielder Sammy Sosa and pitcher Ken Patterson to the Cubs for outfielder/DH George Bell. Bell would have 112 RBI’s in 1992 and have a solid but limited 1993, but outbursts during the A.L.C.S. over playing time with manager Gene Lamont, sealed his fate and he was gone from the organization. Part of the reason Sosa was traded was because he had issues with White Sox hitting coach Walt Hriniak who wanted him to hit to all fields and stop trying to just hit home runs. Hriniak wanted the 1990 version of Sosa who was the only player in baseball that season with double figures in doubles, triples, home runs, stolen bases and outfield assists…and he drove in 70 RBI’s to boot! Sosa would become the face of the Cubs and challenge the all-time home run marks in the late 1990's. However, in the wake of the steroid scandal and his potential involvement with it, he left baseball with a cloud over him, his future Hall of Fame chances in real jeopardy

May the baseball gods smile upon the White Sox and their fan base this season.

I guess one more thing to add to what I previously posted would be not to get swept in a series, win at least a game, avoid long losing streaks. Houston is tough, Sox haven't had much success there the past few years...win at least a game. Like Grifol said, "you can’t win a championship in April, but you can certainly lose one."

And long overdue.

Don't be fooled, Kenny still has a lot of say in things.

March 29, 2018 – The earliest opening day in history, at that time, turned out to be a record setting day for the Sox who blasted Kansas City 14-7. The Sox tied the record for most opening day home runs by hitting six at Kauffman Stadium. That tied the 1988 Mets who did it against the Montreal Expos. Matt Davidson became the fourth player in history to hammer three home runs on opening day as he went 3 for 4 with four runs scored and five RBI’s. He also became the first player in at least 110 seasons to score four times on opening day. In his first at-bat he drove a ball deep to right field that was caught at the fence. Tim Anderson had two home runs and drove in three with Jose Abreu hitting the other home run, he had two RBI’s. Yolmer Sanchez also drove in three for the White Sox.

Play meaningful games in August/September. Have a winning record for the season. Anything above that is gravy in my book. Considering everything that has happened over the last 18 months on and off the field, it's best to have modest goals with this organization.

Heard from a source this morning who spoke with Hawk before he went on the podcast. Hawk told them he was going to talk about the state of the Sox and how Brooks has ruined the organization and JR. This individual then spoke with Hawk afterwards and Hawk told them he actually wanted to say more but is saving it for his next book. This person told me Hawk is really pissed off at Brooks, JR and the organization. I've always been treated well by Brooks myself but something has obviously changed since I've been told by multiple sources that he is causing a lot of problems and issues right now. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hawk-harrelson-reveals-he-got-fired-not-retired-ryan/id1674957140?i=1000606353148

The Padres, Mets and Phillies are certainly trying too though.

Dick: I can tell you a number of folks inside and outside the organization are wondering what is going on with Brooks. Just some extracts from my November story "State of the Sox" : “People, his friends… have tried to tell him (JR) what has been going on, “Hawk” Harrelson, the late Ed Farmer… God rest his soul, Darrin Jackson, Scott Reifert (Author’s Note: Scott is the Senior Vice-President for Communications) , Bob Grim and others but it’s just not registering for some reason.” “JR has become oblivious to things and what he’s allowed to happen is sad. He’s probably the most successful owner in Chicago sports history given the Bulls titles and the White Sox one which is dear to his heart, but what has happened the last two years is just sad. He is out-of-touch. And even worse he’s inaccessible. He’s either afraid of having to answer questions or he’s incapable of doing so.” “Things started to change when Howard Pizer (Author’s Note: Pizer is the Senior Executive Vice-President) was told that he’d no longer be in charge of everyone, that some folks would no longer have to answer to him. That opened the door and some people are trying to get themselves into position to become a team president. Folks aren’t telling JR everything; in some cases they are lying to him.” “Howard Pizer was the only guy who could tell JR ‘no’ and stop something. If people are angling to try to become a vice-president or president that’s just embarrassing.” “I know the friction in the front office just wore Bob Grim down.” (Author’s Note: Grim retired after 30 years with the organization. He was the Senior Director of Business Development and Broadcasting) And remember the comments Jason Benetti made about his latest contract situation which comes under Brooks' authority.

Kopech five hits allowed, five runs, three walks in basically four innings. Not good. Beginning to have doubts about him given the injuries and missed time and even worse the Sox have nothing reliable to take his place. Given how often pitchers get hurt today, it's bordering on criminal the Sox did not go out and sign some starting pitching depth. You need six starters to make it through the season given injuries and DH's. Sox finish the spring season at 12-15-3 with one rain out. They go 1-1-2 against the Cubs.

I agree especially since games will no longer be going 17 innings.

Did he rush back? I mean he missed six weeks or so to open the season didn't he?

Based on things I was told from people inside and outside of the organization Hawk does have a point with marketing / pricing issues.

The usual issue though with Moncada is that it never really seems to be "a game" but multiple games, sometimes lasting weeks.

March 28, 1940 - During a 10-1 preseason loss at Wrigley Field to the Cubs, White Sox second baseman Jackie Hayes was hit by a drifting speck of cinder in his eye. Hayes’ eye became infected, and by the end of the season had lost full sight in the eye, and retired from the game. By 1943, Hayes was blind in both eyes. At the time, Hayes speculated that it was the cinder during the game, or soap, that had irritated his eye, leading to his eventual blindness. But in truth, as he later acknowledged, Hayes was afflicted with glaucoma, robbing him of his sight. Hayes played as a part-timer in 1940 for the White Sox, getting into 18 games and hitting .195. The second baseman though was a stellar defender, and over nine years with the White Sox was a positive player. Interestingly, on August 23 of his final season, with a rash of beaning’s plaguing the game, Hayes became the first Major League player to wear a modified batting helmet basically a hard leather ear flap. March 28, 1981 - The Sox dealt pitcher Ken Kravec to the Cubs for pitcher Dennis Lamp. Over the next three seasons Lamp would do everything for the club... start, pitch long relief as well as close games. He’d toss a one-hitter against Milwaukee on August 25 of that same year losing his no-hitter in the ninth inning when Robin Yount blooped a double. Lamp would then lead the “Winnin’ Ugly” 1983 Western Division champion White Sox with 15 saves. He was also the winning pitcher the night of September 17 of that same season when the Sox beat Seattle 4-3 to clinch that divisional crown, their first title in 24 years. In three seasons with the Sox Lamp won 25 games, saved 20 and had an ERA of under four every year.

The Sox say they will officially announce the Opening Day roster on Wednesday.

DVS of the Sun-Times with a Moncada-status story: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2023/3/27/23658737/white-sox-third-baseman-yoan-moncadas-status-uncertain-for-opening-day Grifol's comment was interesting: Grifol suggested Moncada’s soreness stems from being on long flights in recent weeks. He and Luis Robert played for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic, flying to Taiwan from Phoenix, then to Miami and back to Phoenix. “They got a lot of miles on them this spring,” Grifol said. “That could be a residual of that.”

Sports Illustrated this month has a story on robot umpires that are coming soon. Things like what Rosenberg did make me wish it was coming into play Thursday.

Got my print edition of Sports Illustrated this afternoon in the mail. It is the baseball preview. They aren't high on the Sox giving them 76 wins and calling out everything they didn't do this past off season. In the same issue there is a long feature story on the Padres explaining how they are able to spend the money they are for a "small market" team and asking the question with baseball making so much money, why won't other teams do the same.