Lip Man 1

These two quotes show you how his attitude has changed over the years: “Eddie and I never discussed how to talk to reporters. We’ve just been ourselves. I always though Jack Kennedy was the kind of person I looked up to in that regard. He always gave the media a fair shake and understood you guys have a job to do. Without responsible people willing to divulge some accurate information, it’s hard to do it right. It was a much better approach then Nixon, who figured the media, was his enemy. Doing it Kennedy’s way just makes a lot more sense to me. After all, nobody can buy the kind of advertising Chicago teams get. What other line of work finds newspapers assigning people to follow you around and write about how the business is doing every day? At Balcor, we have to hire a public relations firm to get our names in the paper. When baseball teams get that for free, it makes sense to cooperate.” – Jerry Reinsdorf to Bob Logan. From the book ‘Miracle On 35th Street.’ Pg. 154. Published 1983. “The idea that I must talk to the media in order to know what is going on with our fans or the public is ludicrous. I communicate with fans on an almost daily basis and often hear comments from people on the street and in the ballpark. We have committed a lot of resources to market research each year, whether it is telephone or internet polling, mall intercepts, focus groups or in-park surveys. We believe these surveys are the most impartial way to hear from our fans. I don't think a media interview gives me the same type of insight into what our fans think and feel. Believe me, our fans tell us. They care and they are passionate. I like that about sports. The fact is that I do speak publicly when there is an issue of importance to our fans and to the franchises. I owe that to our fans. But again, I don't really think people want to hear from me or go to the game to see me. I hope not.” – Jerry Reinsdorf quoted on the “official” White Sox web site, www.whitesox.com, August 16, 2004.

Steve Greenberg of the Sun-Times calls it as the Sox cancel Sox fest without providing any substantial reasons; https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2022/10/22/23418347/white-sox-soxfest-jerry-reinsdorf-rick-hahn-kenny-williams

With this organization (and I use that term loosely) nothing is totally beyond belief.

From DVS's story in the Sun-Times Saturday morning: But he (Guillen) told the Sun-Times that, as of Friday, he wasn’t interviewing for the job, contrary to reports he already had or will next week. https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-saturday/2022/10/22/23414917/time-is-right-to-look-outside-organization-for-next-white-sox-manager

It is interesting that this news has been published in all the mainstream newspapers on-line but if you go to the Sox "official" web site there isn't one word about it.

One interesting thing to note about TLR's farewell press conference. When Tony was speaking Hahn wasn't in the room, JR was, but not Hahn. he didn't show up until after Tony finished and left.

One of the folks I've been speaking with for a story had this to say about JR: “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.”

Guys: We all know the reason why this gutless, inept, dysfunctional, incompetent organization isn't having a fan convention. The last thing they wanted to do was have to answer questions from the fan base as to why this rebuild/contention window has gone right down the toilet.

Why would any Sox player even be considered?... they looked buffoonish in the field.

DVS had a story in the Sun-Times last week where he wrote some of the Sox coaches were told they were free to reach out to other teams.

Jerry Koosman told me the same thing when I interviewed him. He said its easier to win a division because over the course of a 162 game season talent will usually win out but in a short playoff anything can happen, an injury, a bad umpire call, a fluke play, even the weather which could change the pitching rotation. That happens and you could be done.

Did an interview today and that's something that was said, "The Sox are the laziest and dumbest team in baseball."

Scott and Hahn are very tight given both are Michigan grads. I've been told he gets stuff from Rick that other media people don't so anything you see from him, you have to at least consider Rick may be feeding it to him.

Certainly possible but keep in mind this is Bruce Levine, Chicago's answer to Nightengale. (I.e. a guy who more often than not is wrong...)

The group that owns the Dodgers now comes to mind that franchise was a joke under Fox as I recall.

I've been told a reason Hahn hasn't left is because his wife has told him she doesn't want to move anywhere unless the job is in California which is where she is from. And also I'm hearing the same thing from different folks which surprised me, Hahn actually has authority and runs the club but Kenny has a say and JR has the final say on the major decisions. Also was told Hahn did go to JR when the idea of TLR came up. Told him he didn't think a 76 year old man could take the grind. "But JR signs his paycheck so what can you do?"

My sense is that this person means the Sox should have everything in place after a three year rebuild to really be able to contend like the Astros and Cubs did when they rebuilt. That if all that's left is to "hope" things get better then things have badly gone off the rails. That's what I took out of it.

Like I was told by a current member of the front office, "The Sox are past the point in this rebuild where they should have to "hope" things get better."

DVS of the Sun-Times with the latest on the managerial search. Writes some coaches have been told they can talk with other teams: https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2022/10/12/23401310/white-sox-managerial-search-perking-up-joe-espada

Your last statement absolutely rings true but I also think you are downplaying the role of team chemistry/accountability. Cleveland didn't have the best talent but those guys hustled, seems to enjoy playing the game and with francona you knew there wasn't going to be a lot of BS.

I suggest part of the reason they underperformed is because there was no one holding them accountable either teammates or the manager. The long term deals may also be making an impact although that depends on the individual player's make up.

You may be closer to the truth than you realize. These are some of the comments I've already been told about this past season for example. Also remember moving guys can not only mean trading but in the Grandal situation DFA'ing much like Keuchel. In order to get honest, unbiased opinions from the folks I'm reaching out to I promised them their names or positions would not be used. What I can say is that all have been associated with the Sox professionally in one way or another sometimes for decades. The reader can judge for themselves the comments. “The problem with this team is there was no real leadership, nobody to hold guys accountable. No red-asses like the Sox had in the past Carlton Fisk, Jack McDowell, A.J. Pierzynski. Paul Konerko was a quiet guy but when we weren’t doing well he’d get really pissed. Andrus tried to supply some leadership when he came and Giolito tried.” “I’d come into the locker room after a game and you couldn’t tell if they won or lost, just nothing.” “You’d go in the locker room and all the Latino guys would be in one place, the whites in another and the African-Americans someplace else.” “The problem is some of these guys just don’t care, they want to win sure but they already have gotten their money with these contracts before they proved anything. Moncada would strike out and just walk back to the dugout like no big deal, he fouls a ball off and now he can’t play for three days. His contract makes him untradable but he needs to go.” “There was a lack of urgency the entire season. People would say the right things but they never translated.” “To me it was the May 9 game with Cleveland, (Sox blew an 8-2, 9th inning lead and lost in extra innings). That showed Cleveland that they could play with the Sox but what I noticed was the only person that game seemed to bother was Tony LaRussa. Another one was the Triple Play Game against the Twins. Adam Engel faced the music afterwards, he made a mistake and owned up to it. Moncada who also made a mistake was nowhere, he was already gone. Then the next day he was saying that he didn’t know people wanted to talk with him.”

For what its worth the people I'm speaking to to try to make sense of the past season and how important the off season is for an upcoming story are saying that somehow, someway the Sox need to move Grandal, Moncada and Anderson.

Had an hour and a half conversation tonight with another person who has been around the organization. I can tell you the comments reinforced the notion that I hearing from others, that this front office is basically dysfunctional and that even includes people in the scouting, development and ancillary departments.

So much for Hahn's comment about wanting someone from a winning organization.