Lip Man 1

Good start but I wish he was outright released. To much temptation if he is still around to bring this stiff back up to pitch terribly in 2017. Mark

QUOTE (Deadpool @ Oct 4, 2016 -> 09:26 PM) Hahn admitted this morning going for it every year isn't working and free agent additions haven't lead to winning. Even if they don't completely blow it up, they're going to do closer to that then "go for it" Maybe...anything's possible. But Kenny Hahn would have to do a tremendous selling job on JR to change his mind. That's not easy but again we'll see. Mark

QUOTE (Black_Jack29 @ Oct 4, 2016 -> 11:56 AM) Frazier hit 40 homers, 21 doubles, and drove in 98 runs. How is that not a legit #4 or #5 hitter? Another thing to consider is who plays 3B if Frazier is allowed to walk after next season. The Sox would have to address that before they parted ways with him. If the Sox though do go into a full rebuild mode it really won't matter for a few years anyway. Mark

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 3, 2016 -> 02:58 PM) The big thing I am going to take away from this season is Tyler Saladino, Tim Anderson, and Miguel Gonzalez. While on the surface it isn't much, what it does show is that the White Sox are producing starting caliber position players that they are drafting and developing out of their farm system. You can also include guys like Marcus Semien and Tracye Thompson if you like, but at the end of the day what it means is that the combination of Hoestetler and Bell are indeed capable of not only finding talent, but in giving it the tools to get the major leagues and contribute. It is also showing that the Sox still have the golden touch when it comes to pitching. I am also going to take away Marco Paddy. While he was hired in November 2011, because of the nature of his job the results of his work are finally starting to show. He signed his first class of 16 year olds for the White Sox in July of 2012. He now has kids moving into the middle tiers of our minor league system. The lower levels are loaded with Latin American talent. Our FutureSox top prospect lists are filling up with products of Marco Paddy's work. Somewhere around half of the Arizona rookie team's roster this year is a direct result of this. Personally those are the two biggest things I am going to take away from this season, because they are going to be cornerstones of the future of this squad. Your points are well taken although Saladino with the herniated disc in his lower back now has to be considered a real question mark moving forward even if the don't have to do surgery which is being discussed since Robin said he hadn't responded as well as hoped to treatment. Mark

I found this comment from Rick interesting when reading the recap story of the press conference today: "You saw this last offseason -- at the end -- we made a couple of smaller moves as a means of trying to plug our holes, some of which panned out better than others," Hahn said. "If we were a little more aggressive, perhaps, from a standpoint of a full measure as opposed to arguably a half-measure in a certain scenario, then conceivably, the results would have been different." Mark

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 3, 2016 -> 08:52 AM) On the downside apparently nothing good happened this season. This game is a "bottom-line" business. The bottom line is the won/lost record. So while there were some fine individual performances the team / organization as a whole failed once again to even have a winning season. As stated that's four years in a row and seven out of the last 10. Generally speaking with that track record over a good period of time, good individual performances while nice are meaningless to me by and large. Feel free to put together a list of all the positive things if you wish. Every year, good or bad, I stick to the categories that I posted because I personally think they are relevant and important. And I hope you noticed I did post the number of times and the breakdown of games the Sox came from behind to win when trailing in the 7th inning or later. Mark

One of the columnists at the Tribune had this to say this morning and it's also a valid point in my opinion: "The onus is now on Hahn, the architect of this mess. And fortunately for Renteria, Hahn will make sure pitching coach for life Don Cooper is calling the shots on the pitching side. Despite fine seasons by Sale and Jose Quintana, the Sox are 14th in the majors in pitching this year, just as they were last year. They were 20th in 2013, and 27th in 2014. Cooper has never been on the hot seat, for reasons unknown. Sox fans deserve better. They've put up with a lot of nonsense the last few years, and no one seems to take responsibility." Mark

Now that it's official I really like the fact that the Sox have finally hired a guy who had managed before at the major league level. I think that's important. And he took a Cubs team that was trying to tank and they had a winning record after the All Star break if I remember correctly. What I don't like is that the Sox did not conduct a real search, it's clear they had already decided on Renteria weeks ago. Waiting a week or 10 days, you never know who might become available. I also think that even though he has only been there a short time, I don't like the fact that the Sox yet again, stayed in the "family"...no outsiders permitted. What they desperately need are outside viewpoints, fresh looks at the issues facing them. And of course will Renteria be allowed to pick his own coaches? Probably not all of them. We'll see what the off season brings. Overall I think Renteria is an improvement over Ventura but not as much as I was hoping for. Mark

Off season plan? Lots and lots of praying. Mark

Wish Robin and his family well. It wasn't totally his fault but he was a large part of the issue. There were many, many questionable decisions over the years including of course bringing in Duke in Milwaukee before the Brewers officially announced their pinch hitter who was just standing in the on-deck circle and hadn't been brought in. Robin had to be talked into the job and he tried his best but it was a position he was neither ready for nor really knowledgable about. Doesn't take away from the fact that he tried, respected the game, respected White Sox fans and never embarrassed the organization. It was time for a change, probably past time. Mark

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Oct 2, 2016 -> 08:42 PM) Bulls***. There are many more Cubs fans due to the way the Cubs marketed their team as opposed to the way Einhorn and Reinsdorf marketed the Sox over the past few decades. But Sox fans are just as loyal and support their team as well as any other fans. It's just that there's not as many of us. One example, how many out of town visitors to Chicago make a point of attending a Sox game as opposed to visiting Wrigley Field? If JR and Co. want to increase attendence perhaps they should try to create more White Sox fans. Well making the playoffs more than once every seven or eight years (if we are lucky) would go a long way towards developing that aspect. Mark

QUOTE (hi8is @ Oct 2, 2016 -> 03:07 PM) Report just out that the Commissioner offered Boston the option to undo their trade with San Diego in August. Wonder why the same opportunity wasn't afforded to the White Sox regarding Shields. Good question. Mark

MLB has already shot down those reports. Looks like we are still stuck with him. "We'll get it together" - Kenny Williams July 2016. Mark

QUOTE (fathom @ Oct 2, 2016 -> 06:27 PM) I think Sale is long gone to Boston I don't. I'd be really surprised if it happened. All the talk, everything I'm hearing from a number of sources is that JR wants to go for it again in 2017. That means unless someone is willing to meet the Sox price of five big league or big league ready guys, they aren't moving him or Q or anybody else of note. But we'll see...things change. Mark

In a perfect world, who on the Sox current 40 man roster would you want to go? Who would you maybe want to stick around depending on what else happens to other players / positions / injuries? Just for discussion purposes. Here is mine: Going, going, gone (and I don't even want them in the organization since that way there would be a chance they are called back up): Matt Albers Chris Beck Tommy Kahnle Matt Purke Anthony Ranaudo James Shields Jacob Turner Leury Garcia Jason Coats J.B. Shuck Avisail Garcia Maybe heading out the door but it all depends on what else happens: Daniel Webb Michael Ynoa Alex Avila Kevan Smith Carlos Sanchez Austin Jackson (and yes some of these guys are free agents, I'm simply saying if I'd even want them back or not...) Mark

Folks: Just some numbers that may be of interest to you for discussion purposes. To me its pretty clear what the needs are (not counting of course a front office, field managers and coaches who really know what they are doing) offense and the bullpen. Given a less than stellar free agent market it will be interesting to see how the Sox solve these areas assuming they are "going for it again." (And everything I've been hearing is that they will but time will tell...things can change) White Sox By the Numbers… The Sox went 78 - 84 this season, a .481 win percentage. That is a two game improvement over 2015. It is the team’s fourth straight losing season and seventh in the last 10 years. You have to go back to 1986 through 1989 the last time the Sox had four losing seasons in a row and you have to go back to the time period from 1968 through 1980 the last time they had such a sustained period of losing. The 13 seasons from 68-80 saw the club have only two winning seasons and a .500 year in that time span. They started the season going 23-10 then lost 24 of their next 34 games. They failed to make the playoffs for the 8th straight season. Playoff appearances by teams in the A.L. Central Division (1994-2016) Cleveland= 9 Minnesota= 6 Detroit= 5 White Sox = 3 Kansas City = 2 The Sox scored three runs or less in 74 out of 162 games. That’s 45.6% Here’s how that has compared to recent years: 2013: Sox scored three runs or less in 82 of 162 games played (50.6%) 2014: Sox scored three runs or less in 77 of 162 games played (47.5%) 2015: Sox scored three runs or less in 82 of 162 games played (50.6%) The Sox were shutout 11 times. The Sox scored one run in a game 20 times. The Sox scored two runs in a game 19 times. The Sox lost 22 games this year when holding an opponent to three runs or less. The White Sox were 6-22 (.214) at Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City this season. The White Sox are 50-88 (.362) at Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City 2012-2016 seasons. Robin Ventura is 375-435 .462 win percentage in his five years as manager. That is the worst win percentage in franchise history for any manager who lasted at least five years. Here is how it compares: Ventura .462 Dykes .489 Tanner .492 LaRussa .504 Manuel .515 Guillen .524 Lopez .562 The White Sox won 15 games when trailing in the 7th inning or later. The breakdown: 7th inning: 4 times 8th inning: 7 times 9th inning: 4 times The White Sox lost 14 games when leading in the 7th inning or later. The breakdown: 7th inning: 3 times 8th inning: 8 times 9th inning: 2 times 11th inning: 1 time What pitchers were responsible for those blown leads/games? Here is the breakdown (some games had more than one pitcher…) Jones: 6 times Robertson: 3 times Albers: 2 times Duke: 2 times Beck: 1 time Carroll: 1 time Fullmer: 1 time Kahnle: 1 time Sale: 1 time White Sox were7-7 in extra inning games in 2016. I hope everyone has a good, safe off season. Mark

We move on to October 1, 1959. After 40 years the wait is over and the Sox are in the World Series. Game #1 turns out to be a rout as the Sox blasted the Dodgers 11-0 at Comiskey Park. It was Ted Kluszewski who had a monster day with two home runs and five RBI's in it. Klu would have 10 RBI's in the six game series, tying the record at the time. We've got his second home run of the game. You can listen to it right here: http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2016/10/t...ld-series-lead/ Announcer is Byrum Saam (who was the regular radio guy for the Phillies). Courtesy: NBC Radio Network. Mark

QUOTE (Scoots @ Oct 1, 2016 -> 06:03 PM) I wonder if they could make Saladino an Outfielder...stick him in RF and Eaton in CF? Idk, still need good backups though, and he's the best we have. With a herniated disk in his back Saladino might be through as a player, you just don't know how those will respond even with surgery. Mark

One can only hope but I don't think that will be the case. Mark

Changing Robin was an absolute must. Don't know how it will work out replacing him with another 'in-house' Sox staffer but at least he actually managed at the major league level before. First time the Sox will have hired someone like that since 1989. Mark

My goodness we've got a bunch of stuff for September 30th! All the items both video AND audio can be found here: http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2016/10/t...ey-park-closes/ Here is what we've got: September 30, 1990: The final out of the final game at the original Comiskey Park. Announcer is John Rooney. Courtesy: WMAQ Radio. September 30, 2008: Jim Thome's "Blackout Game" home run. Announcers: Dick Stockton, Harold Reynolds and Ron Darling. Courtesy: WTBS. September 30, 2008: The top of the 9th inning as Bobby Jenks closed out the Twins. Announcers: Dick Stockton, harold Reynolds and Ron Darling. Courtesy: WTBS. Enjoy! Mark

No everything ownership does is not wrong...however baseball is a results orientate business and the results the last four years and seven of the last 10 clearly show things aren't working. Those are the unbiased facts...just look at the record, look at the TV ratings, look at the media coverage, look at the attendance. On the topic at hand. I spoke with an individual for an hour Thursday before I left for Portland, have to broadcast a football game in a few hours. That person knows Robin well although I don't know if they have spoken with him lately. After explaining the USA Today story and going over the possibilities this person said they think Robin will walk away from the job next week and return to California. Now we'll see what happens. I've got an all night trip back from Portland tonight into tomorrow but after I get some sleep when the last game is played Sunday I'll have some by the numbers for discussion purposes. Mark

Looking at the Sox 40 man roster in a perfect world, I 'd wish they'd simply cut about 10 of those stiffs who are nothing but deadwood...including Shields. Like I said though that's in a perfect world. Mark

A number of items for September 29th. We start with September 29, 2005 as the Sox are closing in on wrapping up the Central Division title. They are in Detroit leading 4-2 as Bobby Jenks was getting ready to close it out. We've got the final out as called by Ken Harrelson and Darrin Jackson. Courtesy: Comcast Sports Chicago. Then in the locker room Mark Buehrle talked with Chuck Garfien about finally shaking off Cleveland and getting it done. Then we go to September 29, 2008, the Sox are hosting Detroit in a must win game to set up a one game playoff the next night with the Twins. Alexei Ramirez came up with the bases loaded against former Sox started Freddy Garcia and broke it wide open with a grand slam. We've got the audio AND video again it's Ken Harrelson and Darrin Jackson on the call. Courtesy: WGN-TV. All the items can be found here: http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2016/09/t...complete-games/ Mark

Well they made a run at .500 but it turns out to be four straight years under .500 and seven out of the last 10. Not good. Mark