Lip Man 1

Like I've been told by those close to the organization, when it comes to things like conditioning, sleep schedules, nutrition et al the "Sox play checkers while other clubs play chess..."

So much for all the fluff stories this past week about how "great" Romy looks. ?

You've probably heard or seen some of the trailers for this over the past year or so. Now the release dates have been announced for the three part documentary "Last Comiskey" profiling the "Doin' the Little Things" team that won 94 games shocking the baseball world and the final year of Comiskey Park in 1990. Parts will be released on You Tube starting on March 2, with the other parts to follow on March 9 and 16. Many of the players and front office agreed to be interviewed for the documentary as well as fans, media members and Nancy Faust (who provided the music!) Matt Flesch and his people worked for over two years on this which started as a project during COVID isolation. I provided a lot of the highlight video from out of my library. Fans also provided still photos and home movies. Looking forward to watching this...from what little I've seen Matt and his people did a very professional job.

reports are out the Padres have signed Cole Hamels.

I can only speak for myself. I like baseball but I love the White Sox. They have been a part of my collective life as far back as I can remember. However when they are doing badly I want little to do with the sport. I have no desire to watch/listen to other clubs succeeding while the Sox fall on their faces. I'll watch stuff from the Sox out of my library instead from good seasons. I enjoy winning more than the "sport."

I don't know the writer or what was in their mind but as I read the story to me it wasn't what Rick could have said but the fact that the White Sox shouldn't have been in this position in the first place. The examples the writer pointed out is what struck me. But because there is no accountability the same mistakes are being made over and over with no repercussions. So the Sox keep falling into the same traps usually of their own making. That was my take on his story.

Just a very strange situation.

The story I did last August after seeing what tax experts were saying was that if he sells while he is still alive the tax hit could be around 200 million dollars more than if he has his family sell the team after he passes. JR started as a tax expert working for the IRS, he knows the tax laws and 200 million is a gigantic sum of money. He's not selling.

Sox Machine with an excellent overall view of this situation in my opinion: https://soxmachine.com/2023/02/mike-clevingers-white-sox-introduction-was-worth-dreading/

DVS of the Sun-Times sums up the day: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/2/15/23601675/clevinger-said-he-expects-to-be-exonerated

I've spoken to a number of people over the years who know JR and the one constant I get is that he wants to win. But... He wants to win HIS WAY...under his rules, his restrictions financially, and putting loyalty above all else. Like many in the organization he feels he is smarter than everyone else...history shows that is not the case.

I'm just so tired of Rick Hahn and his BS.

He's a guest columnist, usually writes one or two pieces a month.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2023/2/14/23600339/jerry-reinsdorf-bulls-white-sox-owner-chairman-commitment-desire-winning

February 15, 1917 - The White Sox, badly needing a competent first baseman, reacquired Arnold “Chick” Gandil from Cleveland for $3,500 dollars. Gandil would go on to become the ring leader of the infamous “Black Sox” scandal in 1919. In his last regular season game for the Sox, he’d go 3 for 4 in a loss to Detroit. In that tainted World Series, Gandil would hit .233 with a triple and five RBI’s. Perhaps sensing what was coming he retired after the World Series loss to the Reds. In 1910 he actually started his career with the White Sox playing 77 games but after only hitting .193 he was sold to Montreal of the Eastern League.

Given his misconduct for wont of a better word (red flags all over the place) and the way things are today vis a vis the public, never underestimate the pressure that's going to be put on MLB to do something given what is public knowledge. The guy may be innocent in this instance but again public pressure and his past issues (COVID, et al) may force their hand.

Here is southeast Idaho we are smack in the middle of a major snowstorm.

Remember fiscal responsibility and making sure JR "wins" any deal are more important than winning.

Excellent take on the new rules and what it is doing to the game itself: https://www.southsidesox.com/2023/2/14/23598790/mlb-rules-changes-against-endless-tweaking-keep-baseball-from-becoming-football

Use of position players as pitchers also was tightened by the committee. They will be limited to extra innings, when a player’s team is losing by eight or more runs or is winning by 10 or more runs in the ninth inning. Last year, a position player could pitch only in extra innings or if his team was losing or winning by six or more runs.

Merkin will do a story on how Moncada's dancing/videos has put him in better shape for this year.

Hate this garbage.

February 13, 1970 - Tragedy struck the White Sox as promising young pitcher Paul Edmondson and his girlfriend were killed in an accident on US-101 near Santa Barbara, California. On a rain slicked highway, Edmondson’s car skidded into on-coming traffic and was struck by another vehicle. In his Major League debut in Anaheim on June 20, 1969, Edmondson fired a complete game two-hitter beating California 9-1. It would be his only Major League win. He also had two hits, scored two runs and drove in a run in it. He would appear in 14 games that season starting 13 of them. In six contests he’d pitch at least seven innings giving up three runs or less.

I turn 68 in August, have been a fan around the time I was five so this marks my 63rd season. I can't recall the last time I was so unenthusiastic about a season. "World Series contender..." LOL Thanks JR, Kenny and Rick, the Three Stooges of baseball. The Sox hope to have a good season, hope is not a recipe for consistent success. It's baseball...anything can happen so maybe the baseball gods will smile on this tortured fan base.