Lip Man 1

Bottom line: Forget all the possibilities. The reality is this, it probably couldn't get much worse with new ownership/ new front office. I've been in touch with friends in the mainstream Chicago media the past few days and I've been struck at how three of them all used the same phrase, That they "feel sorry" for Sox fans.

Paul Sullivan's post game wrap up with quotes from the players and Grifol. Calls this coming week "do or die" with the Sox already nine games out: https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/white-sox/ct-chicago-white-sox-tampa-bay-rays-20230430-rfh22rcxgbfy3mxp6hbracqmfi-story.html

By the way didn't see this mentioned but a few days ago a judge threw out all of Ball's remaining charges against Hahn and the White Sox.

"Meanwhile, many of the fans who booed Robert for his apparent lack of effort changed to “Sell the team” during the Rays’ outburst." From Mark Gonzales' wrap up post mortem story tonight. Love it! Also Grifol wouldn't confirm they called a team meeting after tonight's farce. Here we go with the team meetings now. Losers call meetings, winners win games.

Robert like so, so many of the Sox players is simply "baseball-stupid." Period.

I think we can all agree tonight the rebuild officially died and was flushed right down the toilet. "Multiple championships," "Talk to me after the parade," "Window of contention..." ?????????? (and counting...)

They will do something, they'll be traded and the rebuild will be official done. ?

April 29, 1901 - Sox shortstop Frank Shugart hit the first home run in White Sox history. It came in a 3-2 loss to Detroit. It came in the eighth inning off future Sox pitcher Frank “Yip” Owen at South Side Park. Ironically the 1901 season was the only one Shugart would play in, he was banned from the sport after the year ended for punching an umpire in the face on August 21. April 29, 1985 - A new yearly tradition was established in the first annual "Crosstown Classic" charity game matching the Sox and Cubs. Down through the years both teams played each other on and off in spring training or during an open date in the regular season. From the late 40’s through the early 70’s, the “Boys Benefit Game” was played helping raise funds for youth baseball. There was also a post season “City Series” that was eventually stopped by request of Major League Baseball. They felt it was taking away interest from the World Series. This was the first time though both teams agreed to play on a yearly basis with a corporate sponsor (Busch Beer). The game alternated between Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field and was played every year through 1995. Because of the labor impasse the teams played two games that season. The Sox won the opener at Comiskey Park 7-4 but it was only the start of a remarkable run. The two teams played a total of 12 games and the Sox never lost one. They’d go 10-0-2 during that time period. After 1995, the series was dropped. It was never publicly explained why, but reports persisted that the cancellation of the series was at the Cubs request. Plus, interleague play was on the horizon and it may have been felt that the game was now meaningless.

He has been seen at home games this year, the Baltimore series for example. Regarding his physical/mental state, these are some of the comments I was told about him from my November story. And not all the comments came from those with the organization so folks aren't trying to cover for him in my opinion: “JR is 86 and he’s in great shape, he looks good, still drives himself around but I just think at this point he simply doesn’t want to be bothered with having to bring in a new front office, maybe he thinks in a few years it won’t matter anyway.” “People, his friends… have tried to tell him 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.” “I wonder what impact his wife passing away earlier this year has had on him.” “JR has told his family he does not want any of his sons owning the team when he is gone. The Bulls are fine he said because they make Michael (Reinsdorf) money but baseball just doesn’t allow you to do that. (no salary cap)” (Author’s Note: Was told by an individual who knew some of the minority owners that “The Sox haven’t lost money in a long time.” A second source agreed with that statement. Seems to be a conflict doesn’t it? Maybe JR isn’t making enough money to suit him vis a vis the Sox?) “With :30 seconds left in their selection time on draft day JR would say things like “You know this college right-handed pitcher has the lowest injury risk.” “In October 2005 some investors asked JR to sell and get out while the going was good, but he wouldn’t.” “Andrew Berlin, twice tried to buy the Sox around 2008 but wasn’t successful.” (Author’s Note: Berlin, grew up a Sox fan and is now the owner of the Cubs farm team in South Bend, Indiana.) “I heard that JR owns 12% of the team but with some of the original investors passing away that has probably gone up to 18%” (Author’s Note: Even though he only owns a small percentage of the franchise Jerry Reinsdorf has absolute authority to run the team as he sees fit. It is written into his contract. That includes selling or not selling the club despite what the other investors wish. The only way he can be removed from his position is if he has done something illegal, appears to be losing his mental faculties or is being financially irresponsible.) “I was talking with an agent and they said the next owner of the Sox can’t be a group of investors, it has to be a big company. That’s why Dennis Gilbert, who tried to buy the Dodgers won’t get the Sox, he can’t come up with enough big money investors” “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.” “JR likes the structure he has because it gives him an extra layer of protection from criticism.”

Mark Gonzales in his recap story tonight said a Dodger operative told him last week that "Anderson would look good in blue." He also speculated that Lynn would help the Cardinals and that teams would be interested in Bummer. April isn't even over and the talk has already started. Sickening, embarrassing and frustrating. And the worst part? Nothing really will change with ownership/front office.

"I think we get one win here this series, hopefully tomorrow, [and] win another one Sunday. Then we can get something going, start to creep back.”- Pedro Grifol. ?????????

“If two guys go for it, the shortstop (Elvis Andrus) has priority and the second baseman covers the bag, and you got both places covered,” Grifol said. “It’s pretty simple." “Last case scenario, you throw a ball to home plate and preserve the runner at third base.” It's not simple if your team is completely "baseball-stupid."

NBA announced today that all Suns and Mystics games will be available on "free" over the air-TV starting with the WNBA games this summer. They'll also be streamed. Sports may be going back to their broadcast roots.

More flotsam and jetsam. More dumpster diving. Hint: There's a reason why these guys are available. It's because they aren't very good for various reasons. Naturally they find a home with the Sox because the minor league system is an embarrassment.

If I remember right Robert was on fire. Grifol sat him down and he's sucked ever since hitting-wise. Maybe coincidence...maybe not.

But the thing is Steve was probably right in his comment. Lynn really looks heavy.

I can't remember anything along these lines but from a radio standpoint the Sox were so bad in 1968, 69 and 70 that when the radio deal ended with (I think) WCFL no mainstream station in Chicago wanted them. In 71 and 72 the Sox were broadcast on a number of low powered radio stations around the area. The main basis were located in Evanston and LaGrange. Thanks to Dick Allen and their success in 1972, the got a new deal with a mainstream station for 1973 WMAQ (I think)

April 28, 1901 – Chuck “Bock” Baker of the Blues surrendered a record 23 singles to the White Sox, who crushed Cleveland, 13-1, at South Side Park. Fred McMullin led Chicago with four singles, while everyone in the lineup got at least one safety. Clark Griffith got the complete game win, and a single to boot. Remarkably, all seven of Cleveland’s hits were also singles, making 30 total in the game. April 28, 1926 - The Sox won their 2,000 game in franchise history as they outslugged the Tigers in Detroit 9-5. Tommy Thomas pitched into the eighth inning for the win. Outfielder Johnny Mostil drove in two runs on the afternoon. Jim Edwards picked up the save, the only one in his White Sox career. April 28, 1946 - Sox pitcher Ted Lyons won his 260th career game. It would be his last in the Major Leagues. The future Hall of Famer beat the St. Louis Browns 4-3. Lyons would finish his career throwing 28 straight complete games dating back to the 1941 season. (Lyons missed three years serving in World War II) He’d have 17 seasons with 10 or more wins and three times topped 20 or more. At various times he’d lead the league in complete games, innings pitched, batters faced and ERA. His #16 would be retired by the team in 1987. April 28, 2019 – Young Sox pitcher Reynaldo Lopez showed his promise and potential in an afternoon game at Guaranteed Rate Field. Lopez struck out 14 Tigers in six innings allowing one unearned run as the White Sox won 4-1. It was only the third time since at least 1908 that a pitcher went at least six innings striking out 14 with no earned runs. To top it off White Sox relief pitchers fanned six more Detroit hitters giving them 20 for the game. That tied the record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning contest.

Agreed. That type of comment is easy to say when you know the owner has publicly said he doesn't like to fire people.

This may have an ancillary connection to the original question, remember Kenny publicly stated that when JR wants to know something/has an issue he calls Kenny first, not Rick.

“Made some mental mistakes too — throwing to the wrong base, not knowing the runner. We’ve got to talk about that as well.”---Pedro Grifol Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't they spend six weeks working on fundamentals in spring training? Grifol was talking about how they were stressing attention to detail. Bottom line, these players are "baseball stupid" and Grifol and his staff are like other recent managers/staffs in that they apparently can't teach it properly. Even worse he doesn't seem willing to reprimand and bench the players for making the mistakes.

As it turned out I think they had two eight-game losing streaks last season.

And as soon as the Cubs get back into town it'll warm up to 75. ? The good news is is they are rained out they can't lose.

Steve Greenberg writes Hahn needs to be fired: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2023/4/27/23701680/white-sox-rick-hahn-pedro-grifol-jerry-reinsdorf-put-it-on-me Story contains some interesting comments from Manny Machado too.

The columnists at both the Sun-Times and Tribune are letting Hahn have it both barrels tonight.