Lip Man 1

I mentioned how DVS of the Sun-Times is getting his point across with how he is writing and phrasing things about how bad the Sox have been in an honest manner. Here is the link to his post game story after the loss to the O's. You can see in at least three places where he doesn't mince words: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2022/8/23/23319106/white-sox-out-hit-orioles-11-5-but-lose-for-fifth-time-in-six-games

Probably but that doesn't excuse the fact they had chance after chance to get runners home without a home run and failed yet again. That's now 62 times in 123 games they have scored three runs or less.

When the Sox won five in a row and got to a game of first place I thought maybe things were turning around, but like the Who sang, "I won't get fooled again..."

That would be nice but it runs counter to everything JR has said publicly to Bob Logan in his book on the 1983 team, to Bob Sirott on Chicago Tonight in May 2004 and to the Chicago Tribune in a story I think from around two years ago. We'll see.

SS: Honestly I don't know have no experience in tax laws. That's just what I've been told. Maybe someone here who does know about things like that can help.

Not happening. He was offered twice by the guy who owns the South Bend Cubs (grew up a Sox fan) in 2008 and turned him down. To my knowledge that's the last time anyone approached him. As JR himself has said he's keeping the team until he passes unless his health declines or unless he loses so much money it is not worthwhile anymore. As I've been told the capital gains tax hit if he were to sell would be tremendous given the value of the team today compared to 1981 when he bought it. However the estate tax which comes into play if his family sells the club isn't as bad. Remember JR made his bones working for the IRS back in the day. He knows the tax laws.

We'll see, knee strains can be very tricky things especially considering the force a pitcher uses on his legs.

It been happening for a few years before 2022.

Thank you.

Wasn't he the owner when they got to and won the World Series in 2002 or was that someone else?

Read this "interview" myself a short time ago. Not surprised there weren't any 'hard hitting' questions like 'what were the results of the Sox off-season injury study?' 'why do the Sox usually play shorthanded for 3-4 days while figuring out a player's injury and what to do?' 'what does Hahn think of the job TLR has done so far and is the criticism fair?' Instead we get more non-answers. No accountability and the media usually doesn't even ask good follow up questions instead taking all answers at face value. Although to his credit Paul Sullivan has been taking critical aim at the Sox issues in his recent columns including today's, he and DVS of the Sun-Times (read his game wrap up stories and look for the phrases he uses and the adjectives he is writing) seem to be the only ones willing to show a little honesty. (Full disclosure: I know DVS and he's a big Sox fan, you can tell he's as frustrated as many fans are)

Frankly shocked they didn't again play shorthanded for three or four days trying to figure out what was wrong with him. Like seemingly every guy part of the core group for the rebuild Kopech just can't stay healthy. And TLR absolutely did him no favors yesterday.

In just two short years the Sox have gone from "must see TV" to "change the channel." Very sad.

If you compare it three years into the "contention window" to the Astros and Cubs rebuild it already is a failure.

Just saw this stat posted on Harrison, today was the 19th time he came to the plate with a runner on third base and less than two outs. He has three RBI's.

This is what I've been able to find, there may be some others though: Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers – $13 million club option, $1.5 million buyout. Kolten Wong, Milwaukee Brewers – $10 million club option, $2 million buyout. Enrique Hernandez, Boston Red Sox. Adam Frazier, Seattle Mariners. Josh Harrison, Chicago White Sox – Club option. Aledmys Diaz, Houston Astros.

If my comments/contributions aren't welcome here please say so and I'll oblige you.

SS: I didn't ignore it, I said a new position may not be in baseball but I'm sure with his background, education and pedigree he'd have an excellent position. JR can't stop him for example from going to work at a law firm or say an industrial company. I'm not a lawyer but I don't think there's a court in America that would allow any type of clause like that to stand (you can't prevent someone from making a living) and I've worked in TV and had non-competition clauses in my contracts, but that didn't mean I couldn't quit as long as I gave notice, and take a job outside of the industry. If Hahn did that I don't see how JR could stop him from leaving for another non-baseball position but I could be wrong, don't know the details of his contract as you pointed out.

SS: In the real world I'd certainly agree with you. Certainly with an average person. But Hahn does have multiple degrees from some of the best schools in America. Michigan law, Harvard business. I'd have to think if he would have quit when the TLR decision came down or even if he quit tomorrow he wouldn't have any trouble getting a very good position in a company. Granted it may not be in baseball but I seriously doubt he'd be wondering where his next meal is coming from. The fact that JR by all accounts rammed down the TLR decision undercuts Hahn's authority and standing. if that isn't grounds for walking away I can't think of many more. Which is why I personally think he's comfortable (like so many in the organization) knowing if he is loyal, does his job, doesn't make waves he can stay as long as he wants at a very good salary.

They care, I can say that with knowledge since I've been a friend to Bob Grim for years. (Bob was the Director of Broadcast Operations who retired last year) but once again "loyalty" matters over quality. Ed Farmer was exceptional as an analyst, he and John Rooney were an outstanding broadcast team and it was uncanny how often Ed predicted things in a game which came to pass. But as a play by play guy (and I should know being one myself) he was pretty bad, yet the Sox kept him in that spot until he passed away. Same thing with Hawk. The last few years he was a shell of himself (go to you tube and find the games he did with Don Drysdale in the 80's for the Sox, he was terrific). The constant bating of umpires, the silent minutes when he was pissed off, that's not good broadcasting. Yet he was allowed to stay until he decided to leave.

Hahn original position with the Sox was to negotiate contracts given his law (Michigan) and business (Harvard) degrees. And he was very good at that. How that translated though into knowing the in and outs of being a G.M. and running an organization based on talent, scouting, player development I can't answer. Kenny, lord knows had his faults...but at least he played the game at a high level, knew the game and the intricacies of it and management. In his nine seasons that have been completed where he has been the G.M. the Sox have had seven losing seasons...and they weren't always trying to rebuild in four of those.

The White Sox have now lost 25 games to teams currently under .500. When you play 162 games at times you are going to lose some to some bad teams...but 25 already? And fans wonder why they can't put any type of run together. The Royals by the way now have 50 wins this year. NINE have come against the White Sox. That's 18% of all their wins this year and they lead the season series 9-7. Today should put the final nail in the issue of if TLR is back next year...but as long as the owner is in his corner, it probably won't. The update on Kopech by the way is a hamstring not a knee. Yet another in a seemingly endless string of soft tissue injuries. And the Kelly signing by Hahn, aka the Michigan law grad, is looking like one of the worst signings in his tenure (and he's had more than a handful dating back to Jeff Keppinger...)

You obviously forgot 1968, 1973, 1984, 1995 and 2009...those were also awful seasons where the Sox were expected to do well and fell flat on their faces.

Valid point however any individual worth their salt and have any personal pride as a front office executive would have resigned after the owner forced TLR down his throat. Hahn didn't, which tells me he's not that "upset" over the restrictions imposed on him by JR.