Lip Man 1

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2025/07/12/white-sox-2005-world-series-paul-konerko-pope-leo-xiv-sox-fan-noah-schultz-futures-game

Schultz got rocked again, this time in the future's game: Schultz smoked again in Futures Game For the second year in a row, Sox top pitching prospect Noah Schultz went to the Futures Game and had a miserable performance in the All-Star prospects showcase. Last year, he faced six batters and allowed four runs, giving up three hits, walking one batter and hitting another. Saturday, he again allowed four runs – the only runs the AL gave up in a 4-2 loss – giving up four hits, including a homer, to the six hitters he faced. While last season was strong for Schultz outside of the midsummer exhibition, this latest rough-up in the Futures Game follows a string of three straight bad starts to begin his time at Triple-A Charlotte; he has an 11.91 ERA.

My opinion on this probably would change had I known Ishbia was going to eventually take control but at the time it was still the JR show, which meant he wasn't going to agree to a long term, big money extension. So under those parameters Getz really had no choice.

If him suddenly playing well means the Brewers can actually win that division over the Cubs, (which I don't think will happen in both cases), I won't complain about it. He just wasn't getting it done with the Sox.

The pregame ceremony was nice at least. To bad the Sox rolled over and died during the actual game itself. Just wondering for anybody who has watched everything the past two days or been to the park itself, has JR been around at all?

They are all built like Greek Gods yet all are made of glass. Like Ozzie once said, "fat doesn't pull..." 😆

Those prices they are considering (LOL) are simply outrageous.

Danny and Danny Kaye almost bought the White Sox as well. Danny Thomas would go on to become one of the first owners of the Miami Dolphins.

According to Jeff Torborg, Koukax ALWAYS threw in pain. In fact Jeff told me that Sandy was taking aspirin during games it was so bad. After the game he'd have to have his elbow packed in ice for an hour. Jeff couldn't believe he'd go out there every four days despite the pain. His elbow was arthritic which is why he had to retire prematurely after the 1966 season.

4th time this year the Sox trailed in the 7th inning or later and won the game. Nice that they won something on Buehrle's night and with so many of the 2005 players on hand.

Given that the Sox have scored at least more than three runs in this game we can update the season numbers: Sox have played 95 games this year (counting the second game tonight) and have scored three runs or less in 56 of them (Buehrle's number!) That's 59% of all games this year so far.

Book will be available starting July 21 from what I was told today.

That didn't take long...

To soon to tell about those guys. And unless Ishbia insists, JR isn't spending money this coming off season because of the distinct possibility of labor unrest derailing the 2027 season.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2025/07/10/white-sox-mlb-draft-first-round-second-round-pick-mike-shirley-chris-getz

Part of a story in the Sun-Times: Noah Schultz is getting a rude welcome to Triple-A. The White Sox’ top-ranked prospect, and the highest ranked left-handed pitching prospect in baseball, has made three starts for Triple-A Charlotte since being promoted last month, and not one of them has gone well. Schultz owns a ghastly 11.91 ERA, with 15 runs allowed in just 11 1/3 innings. Opposing hitters are batting .391 against him with a 1.178 OPS. He’s walked eight and allowed a trio of home runs. The Sox, at least, are not worried about one of their rebuilding cornerstones experiencing this in his first taste of pro ball’s penultimate level. “I do think it’s good for him to go through, to navigate some of these outings,” general manager Chris Getz said earlier this week. “Obviously, Triple-A hitters are going to be more seasoned than Double-A or A-ball hitters. I know he’s working on some things, whether it be his pitch characteristics, the development of each pitch that he has, but also the [pitch] sequencing. There’s some delivery things that he’s ironing out, as well. “You look at the quality of stuff, it’s still there. And now he’s being challenged with better hitters, and it’s only going to better prepare him for the future at the major league level.” That might end up the case, but he’ll obviously have to solve what’s ailed him in these three starts in order to make it to the majors in the first place. The 2022 first-round draft choice will make his second appearance representing the Sox in the Futures Game on Saturday. In his first trip to the event last summer, he faced six batters and only got one out, allowing three hits, walking a batter and hitting another. He was charged with three runs. “I wouldn’t say I was the happiest with my outing,” Schultz said last month of his first Futures Game, “but I know the experience as a whole, it was an experience I definitely won’t forget.”

From June through September 1983 was a hell of a summer. We'd get WMAQ radio usually clear in Louisiana and when I'd get home from the TV station I was usually able to catch the last inning or two, or more if the Sox were on the west coast. And yes I've got my Winnin' Ugly '83 T-Shirt framed and a hat from 83.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media/2025/07/10/john-rooney-2005-white-sox-reunion-ed-farmer-ken-hawk-harrelson-darrin-jackson-don-drysdale-wayne-hagen-ozzie-guillen-ken-williams

On Foul Territory yesterday they were talking about this with the MLBPA Director and he brought up an interesting point about having a salary cap in other leagues. He said MLB is the only one of the major pro sports in North America to have never missed a game since the other leagues had a salary cap implemented. His point was the NFL, NBA and NHL all have salary caps and all had seasons disrupted because the players felt the owners were taking advantage of the situation.

Here is part 3:

This doesn't make sense but over and above that JR wouldn't allow it right now.

If I remember right the Sox have among the fewest full time scouts in MLB for one example. You'd think this is something obvious especially if you are loath to dive into free agency and pay for superstar players which JR doesn't agree to do. It is just bizarre how this franchise has operated particularly since 2007, they won't pay for free agents and they won't put the resources into acquiring, drafting and developing their own talent. Maybe that's why they have had only five winning seasons since the start of 2007.

Cali: Fair enough. We'll see in the next few years who proves to be more correct in their assessment. Of course it all may not matter if something happens and ishbia gets control of the team sooner than expected. I would assume in that case much like what John Allyn did in September 1970, that he basically fires everyone on the baseball side and brings in his own people. Bottom line to me anyway is that the Sox are going to lose 100 games again next year, in 2027 the labor impasse is going to short circuit the season, at least to some extent, which will make an honest evaluation impossible. If Getz and company are still around when the 2028 season starts we'll see if all these "changes" (which admittedly the Sox desperately needed to make) prove to be of value or if the powers that be once again, chose the wrong people to be in charge and short circuited any real development. As an aside the Athletic has a story today in the daily newsletter that Manfred is pushing for a salary cap when directly talking to players and the MLBPA isn't buying it (along with said players).

I'd basically put everyone on notice since the franchise is about to have its third straight 100+ loss season. You have next year to prove your worth, period. Full stop. That goes for the baseball side of the operations, the marketing side, the broadcasting side, the medical, training and conditioning staffs. Everyone from scouts to equipment people to everyone in between. The incompetence, dysfunction and ineptness needs to stop.

Exactly.