Lip Man 1

Gonzales to DL, Beck called up. Basically just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic because Beck is really bad as well.

Speaking of Burdi has anyone heard anything about him recently? I think it's been a year or so since his surgery and shouldn't he be throwing by now? I don't necessarily mean throwing off a mound just starting to throw again.

Well said and certainly true among a segment of the fan base. History shows they certainly have a reason to be skeptical. I supported and still do the rebuild but the concerns are valid in my opinion. And I supported the rebuild not because I necessarily agree with it (I mean we're talking a team in Chicago...not Kansas City, Milwaukee or Cincinnati, a much small location that doesn't have the same advantages) but because since ownership wasn't changing and the front office wasn't changing, it was the only logical thing to do under those constrictions.

I'd argue about Alvarez having a "disappointing" Sox career. The guy had two outstanding seasons (93-94) threw a no-hitter, made the All Star Team, had a stretch where he threw 30 straight shutout innings. I think he had 11 or 12 straight winning decisions at one point. He also was pretty healthy and took the ball often. That's not bad. His agent and the Sox did not get along which was a big reason why he was traded. Rodon has had his moments, like the game where he struck out the first seven Twins he faced, but overall in large part because he's made of glass, he's been a disappointment. And I'd argue because he's got the same agent as Alvarez, if he can get healthy he'll be testing the market in two years. And if he's done well, he'll be way beyond the Sox price range. For a guy who was such a very, very high pick, that is a disappointing Sox career in my opinion.

You have to trust the process because it does take time and frankly there's not a lot you as an average fan can do about if, if anything at all. However as a friend of mine posted, this front office hasn't earned the right to get the benefit of the doubt and I certainly see where he's coming from given that it was the same front office that put the franchise into the hole it has been in basically since late September 2012. He also brought up something that really makes you stop and consider. He listed all the recent first round draft picks by this front office and how they are doing. It was sobering to be sure: Rodon, Burdi, Bummer (Injured) Anderson (Very inconsistent at the ML level) Fulmer (Struggling badly at the ML level) Collins (Struggling badly in Double A)

There's a difference in the caliber of free agents signed as well. Guys like the Austin Jackson's, Adam Dunn's, Adam LaRoche's of the world can help supply depth and help stabilize some areas but if you want to win championships, you have to get the guys at the top of their game who can dramatically impact the fate of a team and get them over the top. Guys like Reggie Jackson, or a Bryce Harper coming up next year. The last time I can think of that the Sox were willing and able to land an acknowledged top star was Albert Belle. That's a long time ago. It's an open question even with this boatload of young talent being acquired if the Sox will be able to attract the difference makers since obviously all of the kids aren't going to make it and there will still be holes that must be filled.

At least Lopez was decent but my God most of the rest of this team is beyond awful.

I think there was a series like in 2007 where the Twins scored like 35 runs in a double header alone.

Good question. Knowing the Sox reluctance to make changes and their devotion to loyalty, I'd think he would be. He seems to be doing his best to hold guys accountable during this rebuilding and some players do seem to understand that. My only concern, it's a big one is that guys don't seem to be grasping or understanding the concepts of the "fundamentals" in the game. That isn't all on the manager and coaches to be sure, much of it is on the players for being "baseball-stupid". My hope is that Rick would start to take a more aggressive approach in this regard and if guys can't or won't learn, he use the power that he has in regards to playing time to reinforce that they better start learning them.

The 4-14 start actually isn't the worst in team history through 18 games. The 1948 club went 3-15. So they've got that going for them! Seriously this is beyond bad even in a rebuilding year, now you've got guys not hustling (Moncada tonight which was why he was pulled) and the manager saying earlier in the week the team's "focus" isn't where it should be. A.Garcia has reverted back to his bad self meaning if he doesn't turn it around he'll have zero trade value, Giolito seems to have left his control in Arizona, the pitching staff may be worse than the staffs from 1968-1970 and tonight they tied the team record, four straight games 10 or more runs (50 allowed in the last five games). 1-7 start at home (wonder when the last time that happened?) Nothing you can say I guess save the 106 loss season of 1970 could be broken this year.

It could have been worse I guess. They could have called back Minaya (not that Infante is THAT much better.

I didn't think it was possible but these guys could lose at least 100 games this year. Sox pitchers have given up 40 runs in the last four games.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Apr 18, 2018 -> 09:59 AM) Because he's 27 and there's no point in giving him ABs that could go to someone who might have a future here (Leury, Tilson, etc) L. Garcia is an infielder trying to play the outfield. I suspect he really has no future here either. Tilson can't stay healthy and until he does over a longer period of time he's probably not in the Sox plans long term either.

If they can stay healthy that's a talented group of potential impact players at the big league level.

The Sox "Turned Back the Clock" with the 1968 uniforms. They also played like that garbage team did. 95 losses that year, a MLB record 44 by one run.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 17, 2018 -> 11:15 PM) 46,028 White Sox should try that for some of their weekday APRIL/SEPTEMBER games. With lousy weather in April and school in session in September it'll never work. And JR isn't going to give anything away for free.

Anytime you play an infielder in the outfield (L. Garcia) you are looking for trouble.

Interesting story from CBS Sportsline: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlbs-big...-worse-in-2018/

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 14, 2018 -> 05:13 PM) Open date June 4th. 6/4 (2) 6/5 6/6 (2) 6/7 I give the Twins credit they were not going to force fans and players to attempt to work through this weather. Kudos to them, unlike some other teams. Even Maddon of the Cubs in his postgame today came out and categorically said they should have never played the game at Wrigley Saturday.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Apr 13, 2018 -> 05:27 PM) And then you have for the 2nd week in a row all the warm weather teams playing each other...AGAIN. I get it's not easy to make these schedules...but for the love of cripes...it can't be rocket science to figure out how to mix it up so teams are playing in warmer weather climates at the beginning of April. There's enough teams. Nah...that would make to much sense! I'm glad the entire weekend may be cancelled. These guys are going so bad right now they need to step away and take a break mentally.

Sun-Times story today on Moncada with quotes: https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/white-s...h-early-season/

This offense is starting to remind me of the Ventura years when they were scoring three runs or less 45% of the season. They need two or three days of snow/postponements to get their heads out of their asses and start fresh. Guys look absolutely lost right now including Moncada although he's not the only one. Bummer by the way has allowed six of his eight inherited runners to score and Giolito seems to have no control right now (weather could be a factor). Anderson continues on his way of making either a mental or physical error at least once a game. You just hope 2020 comes along fast and things work out.

Eddie Einhorn was right in 1983 when he stated that the Sox could never get fair coverage as long as the Tribune Company owned the Cubs (I still think they have 5% of the team), the Tribune, WGN-TV, WGN Radio and (at that time) CLTV. It was in their best interest business-wise to promote the Cubs as much as possible.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 10, 2018 -> 11:22 AM) Joe McConnell was a true pro. RIP. But on to Harry. Can someone explain to me if Sportsvision was the Sox death knell and WGN and Harry were the Cubs pot of gold, how come in 1982 the Sox outdrew the Cubs by over 300k. In 1983 the Sox outdrew the Cubs by 650k, and in 1984 the Sox, despite the Cubs making the playoffs, outdrew the Cubs by 25k? Sportschannel was over by then. This was before big money in TV. Bill Veeck's last season as an owner, the Sox were getting $3k a game for TV. 1984 happened. That's what turned the Cubs into the darlings they have remained. It wasn't Harry. This stuff does happen. The Bulls couldn't draw flies until Michael Jordan. Now they lead the league in attendance when they try to lose. The Hawks probably will have that. The Bears have no problem filling Soldier Field. Maybe someday it will happen for the Sox, but something really unique is going to have to happen. They will probably have to have an incredible run. It can't be ownership, because if it's anti Reinsdorf, why doesn't it carry over to the Bulls, where so many tried to blame him for the break up of their dynasty which resulted in, at least at the time, the worst 3 or 4 year stretch of any team in NBA history. 1. Going to WGN Superstation was monsterous for the Cubs. With them winning something in 1984 it took off after building for a few years. Even here in Idaho I can't tell you the number of Cub fans I've met and when I ask why the answer most often is because of WGN. 2. The Sox meanwhile had a real buzz around them when the new owners took over. They were spending money, they were bringing in good players, they had a real positive vibe. Going to SportsVision basically killed it because very few could see how good the Sox actually were. Great idea but the wrong timing. As Harry Caray said in Bob Logan's book on the 83 season, "If the Sox were on WGN they'd be a byword across the nation." He was right. 3. As you well know attendance isn't really impacted by a great season until the year after. That's how the Sox outdrew the Cubs in 84. It was a carry over from the success in 83, and I'd argue the build up and gradual success they had in 81 and 82. 4. Around 1984 the Wrigley area started to become a haven for young, up-scale individuals with money to spend. They "discovered" Wrigley and the Cubs as a good place to party. That led to the area around Wrigley to start being developed with more places where they could drink, mix and celebrate or commiserate. 5. The Sox also were guilty of not even trying to fight for their own turf basically conceding Chicago to the Cubs. Why they did this I have no idea. It's almost as if ownership was more concerned about pissing people off then protecting their own investment. Basically nothing was done to counter the Cubs PR campaigns until Brooks' brilliant "Us vs. Them" ad campaign which pissed off a certain segment of the media because it exposed some of the myths about the Cubs and their fans. History happened because of some unexpected success by the Cubs in 1984 coupled with the Sox collapse, the Superstation, the Chicago Tribune owning and marketing the Cubs through their outlets, John McDonough (who grew up a Sox fan ironically) and the Sox unwillingness to go after the Cubs and protect their own market. Some of these things were not of their doing and they no control over (much like the Comiskey Park is in a dangerous area myth after the social unrest of the 1960's) but a lot of it, was caused by their own doing.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 10, 2018 -> 09:10 AM) Its funny to see this post in the 21st century, what with pretty much every single game of baseball being on cable, and WGN being dead as a regional sportscasting network. While this might have been right in 1988, in 2018 it is laughable. It turns out Jerry and Eddie were actually just ahead of their time. Hell the Cubs are about to form their own cable network by themselves. Harry left the Sox after the 1981 season even though the Sox offered him more money to stay on than the Cubs did to leave. It is true he did not like the new Sox owners although the relationship actually started off very well. According to Bob Logan's book "Miracle on 35th Street" the Sox claimed to have 50 thousand SportsVision subscribers. In reality they had closer to 20 thousand. I've done a long detailed story on SportsVision and it's history for any interested: http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2016/01/t...ision/#comments