Lip Man 1

Regarding this current piece by Ken, it is hard to argue with any of it.

I have, as he penned a scathing piece on the Sox situation vis a vis the Cubs in the early 00's. I supplied him with information for it after getting reports from sources and former players about some things that were happening including fans angerly confronting JR at White Sox fantasy camp to the point where Bill Melton had to step in and try to cool things down. Here is his column: “While angst-ridden Red Sox and Cubs fans mutter about curses, White Sox fans are far more deserving of sympathy. Their franchise is in an inexcusable funk, and not simply because it operates with small-market restraint in the nation's third-largest city. As the Angels and Marlins proved, teams can win with mid-sized payrolls. But the White Sox, burdened by bloated contracts, are going backward. And though they face genuine disadvantages trying to compete with the Cubs, most fans don't want to hear it. They're fed up with a team that hasn't been to the World Series since 1959 or won it since '17. The first to go should be Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, the distrusted Brooklyn native who could re-energize the franchise by selling to Chicago interests. But because Reinsdorf gives no indication he wants out, the more likely departure is All-Star right fielder Magglio Ordonez, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. Then what? As the Cubs have continued their ascent with a series of impressive offseason moves, the White Sox have lost six free agents -- an especially troubling development considering their farm system no longer is providing impact replacements. Even in the weak A.L. Central, the Sox might not contend with Miguel Olivo at catcher, Willie Harris at second and Aaron Rowand in center. Their rotation will suffer from the loss of Bartolo Colon. Their bullpen could be OK ... if closer Billy Koch regains his velocity. The team's projected $64 million payroll reflects its poor home attendance, which ranked only 21st in the majors last season. But general manager Ken Williams has left himself little payroll flexibility, committing $53.375 million to eight players, including two disappointments, Koch and first baseman Paul Konerko. The anger in Chicago is palpable. Some fans confronted Williams during a heated question-and-answer session at the team's winter festival, and the G.M. sniped back. Others grilled Reinsdorf during a Q-and-A at the team's fantasy camp in Tucson, Ariz., and former Sox player Bill Melton reportedly tried to intervene before Reinsdorf continued taking questions. The negativity drives Sox officials’ nuts; the Cubs draw even when they lose, thanks to the party atmosphere at Wrigley Field. The Sox, though, had better attendance than the Cubs every season but one from 1951 to '67 and also from '81 to '84. The opening of their new park in '91 should have sparked a renaissance. Instead, the Sox have drawn fewer than 2 million for 10 straight seasons -- an incomprehensible streak for a team with a new park. U.S. Cellular Field is part of the problem; the White Sox opened their cookie-cutter facility a year before the Orioles launched Camden Yards, the retro park that revolutionized the sport. The Sox since have made extensive renovations, the latest being the removal of the top eight rows from the absurdly steep upper deck. Yet, even if they transform the park into an asset, better attendance won't be assured. U.S. Cellular is on the south side of Chicago, and inbound evening rush-hour traffic from the north and west has become oppressive. Wrigley is more accessible, and the Cubs start the majority of their games in the afternoon. They also draw a sizable percentage of fans from surrounding neighborhoods. The Sox, playing in a more depressed section of the city, soon might receive a similar benefit; the area west of the park is beginning to revive. Reinsdorf's cynical ownership, however, remains an enduring obstacle. After taking over in 1981, Reinsdorf and vice chairman Eddie Einhorn drove away popular legends such as Bill Veeck, the team's previous owner, and broadcaster Harry Caray, who left for the Cubs. In 1988, the owners extracted a new, publicly financed stadium from the state after nearly moving the Sox to St. Petersburg, Fla. And the team hasn't recovered from the '94 strike, a showdown advocated by Reinsdorf, a hawk on labor issues. The Sox had the third-best record in the majors when the season was canceled. It is not easy to categorize Reinsdorf: He ordered the notorious "White Flag" trade in '97 but also has authorized bold moves -- signing Albert Belle and trading for Colon. Friends and employees tell of his kindness and generosity. Still, the Sox suffer from a severe image problem, and it starts with an owner many perceive as arrogant and stubborn. Even at their worst, the Cubs always had likable players -- Ryne Sandberg, Mark Grace, Sammy Sosa. The Sox, by contrast, traded Sosa to the Cubs for George Bell, and now the White Sox's biggest stars are the quiet Ordonez and the self-absorbed Frank Thomas. One rival executive says Reinsdorf hired Ozzie Guillen as manager to give the team a personality. Williams never stops trying as G.M., but he failed in his goal to get to the playoffs last season and create additional revenue for the '04 payroll. The Cubs came within one win of going to the World Series, then added first baseman Derrek Lee and reliever LaTroy Hawkins. The Sox finished four games out of first place in the A.L. Central and added infielder Juan Uribe and relievers Cliff Politte and Shingo Takatsu while suffering major defections. Their fans have a right to be mad. The Cubs shouldn't own the town.” – Ken Rosenthal, senior baseball writer, The Sporting News, February 16, 2004.

Hahn on why Robert wasn't put on the IL: “We did not place him on the IL because I don’t think at any point, either prior to his most recent return or in the period of time between when he was hit in the hand and tonight, that more than 10 days elapsed,” Hahn said. “We were trying to maximize his availability.” OK let's give him the benefit of the doubt here but how does that explain not putting on the IL after the wrist injury when he jammed it on the steal attempt vs. Detroit? Yet he was used twice simply as a pinch runner. Just my opinion but it seems the Sox have completely misdiagnosed and screwed up this entire situation and are trying to make excuses.

It's pretty clear from a truckload of circumstantial evidence Hahn did not want TLR. What Kenny's position was/is I have no idea. I was told by a member of the mainstream media that he very strangely hasn't been seen around the ballpark much this year, he's keeping a low profile which for him is unheard of. Maybe that's his way of letting his feelings be known. But the point is what does anybody expect anyone in the front office to do under the circumstances. I'd love for Kenny/Hahn to come out and roast the decision but they aren't going to sacrifice well paid positions and job security for principal. (Which I guess says something about them too when you think about it...)

Here is the list of Eloy's injuries, many of which were caused by him trying to play the outfield: https://southsideshowdown.com/2021/07/01/eloy-jimenez-injury-updates-history/

The way this season has gone with injuries and strangeness, can't say I'm totally surprised.

Kite: In many ways the Sox are like the Royals when it comes to success on the field, I mean think about it...since the start of the 2007 season, only five winning seasons, two playoff appearances and two first round exits. The Royals at least got to a couple World Series and won one in that time. Given the advantages market-wise, population-wise, advertising-wise it's simply mind blowing the Sox haven't come close to dominating a division where by all accounts they should be in charge for years. Cleveland did it in the 90's, Minnesota in the 00's, Detroit had their run shortly afterwards and the Royals around 14. The Sox can't seem to get out of their own way.

Well I know he's married to former Sox infielder Scott Fletcher's daughter.

Folks were hoping when two Cleveland pitchers went on the IL that they'd fall apart...instead the opposite has happened. Only chance for the Sox is to win all four head to head meets and hope. Realistically my guess is the only thing the Sox will be playing for is a winning record when all is said and done, which would be the third straight season for that. It's something I guess but a far cry from being a "World Series contender" isn't it?

The first part is exactly correct, JR simply doesn't feel managers or head coaches make that much difference and that shows in the selections over the years for the Sox and Bulls. It's also why he's never actively gone out and tried to get someone who is considered at the top or near top of their profession because of the salary demand and the unwillingness to "compensate" another team if they are still under contract. (As lawyers will tell you, today contracts don't really mean much, there's always an out if you are willing to pay the price. For the Sox specifically, think about it, going back to the Jeff Torborg hiring the only folks who had previous MLB managing experience were Jeff and Renteria. Lamont, Bevington, Manuel, Ozzie, Ventura were all newcomers.

Having been born and raised on the South Side, I've been a fan for 62 seasons now and am a White Sox historian. My attitude is that I'll always be a fan because they are a part of my life for as far back as I can remember and I'm a loyal individual. However that doesn't stop me from being objective when looking at ownership, the team on the field etc. By the same token I can criticize them, I feel I've earned that right, but an outsider damn well better not especially if they are a Cub fan!

Saw a video at NBC Sports Chicago where Heyman said LaRussa will NOT be managing the Sox next season. We'll see what winds up happening.

Historically under this ownership the Sox aren't usually proactive, they are reactive.

With Cleveland winning again tonight the Sox are three back with 21 to go. They simply MUST, MUST win AT LEAST three of the four left against them. Realistically there are no other games that's why Cease has to pitch against them as often as possible. If they can't beat a bad Rockies team that's on them anyway and they don't deserve a playoff spot in my opinion..

I still don't understand why they are pitching Cease Wednesday instead of Thursday in Cleveland. Maybe Cairo is listening to TLR too much!

The last news I saw was that MLB had gotten consent from the MLB Umpires union to use automated ball/strike technology and that they were still trying to work out the bugs. You will still have a human behind the plate but he won't be charged with calling balls/strikes. He'll be used for things like out/safe calls on a play at the plate.

I think part of Eloy's issue is he has gotten much bigger then a few years ago. I'm not saying he's fat or anything like that but it's clear he's put on weight probably muscle. That may be making him even more injury prone. As others have mentioned he needs to lose some weight, cut down on weight training and do more cardio and flexibility exercises. But that's up to the Sox medical, training and conditioning staff to determine and personally based on what's been happening the past few years, I don't think they are very good in these areas.

TLR is back in the building...and the Sox promptly lose. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

That appears to be incorrect. This is from DVS's game wrap story at the Sun-Times: The Sox (72-68) had 20 hits or more twice in a three-game span for only the second time in history. They also did it June 19 (at Cleveland) and June 21 (at Minnesota) of 1974.

According to DVS of the Sun-Times Cease will NOT pitch against Cleveland on Thursday. He goes Wednesday against the Rockies. if this is true I simply don't understand the logic behind it.

Cairo said in the pregame Gonzales is back in the lineup Sunday.

No Robert...yet again.

It also didn't help that TLR'S DUI came out after he was hired and apparently JR knew about it, told no one...not even his G.M. That was a very bad, ugly start to the entire situation over and above the fact that seemingly no one in the front office wanted him and were caught with their pants down when he was hired. Remember the social media graphic welcoming TLR but with A.J. Hinch's signature?

I'd like him re-signed and Garcia cut.

More than once, In 2014 right after Christmas I called him at his home in Oakland and we talked for 2 1/2 hours. Just a terrific interview on his days with the Sox. Did the interview for the Chicago Baseball Museum. Broke it up into two parts for their web site. Mark Gonzales read it and said it was one of the best interviews he's ever seen. If you are interested here are the links to them: https://chicagobaseballmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/CBM-Tony-LaRussa-20140217.pdf https://chicagobaseballmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/CBM-Tony-La-Russa-Part-2-20140221.pdf