Lip Man 1

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 01:35 PM) Yes, shortly after Baines was traded in '89 they retired his number, which was a bit strange at the time because not only was he still an active player, but at that point in his career he hadn't done nearly enough to warrant having his number retired. Then of course they unretired the number when he came back in '96, and then re-retired it after he finally hung 'em up in '01. The bouncing ball of retired numbers, you might say! August 20, 1989 - After Sox star Harold Baines was traded to Texas on July 29, the team retired his uniform number #3 when the Rangers came to Chicago. He was only the third active player to have his uniform number retired by a club, joining Frank Robinson and Phil Niekro. Mark

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 09:24 AM) Terrific article, Lip, and thank you again for yet another great contribution to this site. I very much appreciate and enjoy things like this article and the video/audio links you send. Great stuff! Quick question for you on this article that I'm wondering if you know about. The reference to the 35 degree angle of the infamous upper deck - do you have any insight as to how that compares to the upper decks in the other ballparks built subsequent to the new Comiskey? I've always wondered if the more critical problem with the design of the upper deck was the fact they built the opening at the base, versus in the middle of the deck as you see in many other stadiums. But obviously the 35 degrees was quite steep, but just wondering if that's also the case in other places. I haven't ever seen an actual study done but I have read reports that there are a few other stadiums with an upper deck angle as steep. I even saw one if I remember right that said the upper deck angle was actually steeper than at U.S. Cellular Field. Also thank you for the kind words. Mark

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 09:15 AM) Interesting read. Who's this George Castle guy? Sounds like another Bad Fan. George has been in the Chicago media for a number of years beginning in the 1970's when he worked for the Tribune. He's a Chicago Baseball Historian. I work with him writing for the CBM and he's an interesting guy. We often disagree on things but I respect his thoroughness when doing stories along the lines of this one on U.S. Cellular Field. Mark

At the Chicago Baseball Museum site there is a terrific story on the history of U.S. Cellular Field including quotes from the architect who unveiled the design for the original Armour Field back in the late 1980's. Thoroughly researched, it sheds some light on the political maneuverings, how and why the Sox placed the park where they did and what could happen in the future. Here is the link if anyone is interested: http://www.chicagobaseballmuseum.org/files...ss-20160913.pdf Mark

QUOTE (gatnom @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 07:14 AM) Man, the attendance argument is really tired. Are there even that many fans to lose? What does losing a couple thousand fans per game really matter if it puts the team on a path to actually being a winning baseball team? The pocket change that the team loses in the short term pales in comparison to the revenue they would generate if they would go on a sustained run of winning. Obviously, people disagree on whether or not there should be a rebuild, but the amount of fans that show up next year is the dumbest argument I've heard, for or against it. Well said. Mark

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 06:11 AM) I am nothing like the typical Sox fan. I don't require years of winning to go to games. Good for you! Clap...clap...clap. Mark

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 06:12 AM) Attendance is the #1 determining factor for advertising, Parking, and concessions. My comment was in response to a poster mentioning that attendance is no longer the main issue regarding team revenue and he's correct to a large extent but it does remain a factor. Mark

Just FYI, perhaps a clue to the off season direction? Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 25m25 minutes ago Chicago, IL Cooper on future CWS rotation: "I think the five starters we have here right now are going to be back. That’s my opinion." If true that means no rebuild and another "go for it" campaign. We'll see what happens. One thing is for sure, they better hope to God Cooper can fix Shields. Mark

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 08:53 PM) Here's a question: why does a potential Sale trade's effect on attendance matter to you guys so much? It's 2016, and attendance means so little when it comes to team revenue. It's really just an insignificant figure Cubs fans use to feel better about themselves. Well it is no longer an major important factor but it does have an impact especially given parking and concessions. Mark

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 08:27 PM) Has Robin saved his job? Let's hope not. This is nice to see but where was this in June / July??? Sort of meaningless now. Mark

QUOTE (InTheDriversSeat @ Sep 12, 2016 -> 10:45 PM) Today (September 12th) is the 40th anniversary of Bill Veeck's 1976 publicity stunt when Minnie Minoso came out of retirement, and got a hit against the California Angels at the age of 50. Here is the highlight which I believe aired at the time on Channel 44 WSNS. I'm not sure who is in the booth with Harry Carey: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B2-7SxZ1HG8 . I can't tell either but it sounds a lot like George Grande the long time (now) announcer for the Cincinnati Reds on TV who was one of the first anchors for ESPN's SportsCenter in 1979. Mark

Given the lack of really good hitters available in the free agent class, if the Sox do "go for it" again in 2017 (and at this point that's what I'm hearing and expecting) they are going to have to figure out some "creative" ways to make it happen from that standpoint. It appears it is going to be a tough off season to get top-flight hitters. Mark

QUOTE (WBWSF @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 08:20 AM) I would like to see a White Sox collectors site. I have a massive White Sox memorabilia collection. I would like to see what other White Sox fans have in their collections. That would be very interesting to see and read about, particularly the more valuable items or very rare ones. Mark

Meanwhile Chris Sale is shaking his head asking why they can't score any runs for him. Second time in Sox history they have scored at least a run in every possible inning. First time, May 11, 1949. Mark

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Sep 12, 2016 -> 03:47 PM) Justin Morneau. If he wants to keep playing, he's said retirement is a consideration right now. Mark

Chris Sale on reaching 200+ strikeouts four consecutive seasons: “But there’s not a single part of me that wouldn’t give all that to be in the playoffs four years in a row.’’ This is absolutely killing him. Mark

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Sep 10, 2016 -> 07:07 AM) Thank you Lip for all your hard work posting these historic audio and video moments in White Sox history. It's much appreciated. No problem. I'm glad you enjoy them. Was just hoping for more feedback from fans on game rememberences and things like that. Mark

Three quick thoughts from Colorado as I get ready for a football game: 1. As long as Lawrie is around the Sox will not be starting Saladino. 2. There is a story in the Sun-Times today on Morneau where he said he hasn't decided what he wants to do next year, retirement is a consideration. 3. In a limited free agent market, to get the best hitters available the Sox will have to overspend. Are they willing to do that? Mark

Now for the latest entry...we go to September 9, 1983. The Sox do something they had never done before...they hit back to back to back home runs courtesy of Carlton Fisk, Tom Paciorek and Greg Luzinski. 1983 was a very, VERY good year! Announcers are Joe McConnell and Ken "Hawk" Harrelson. Courtesy: SportsVision. http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2016/09/t...bad-appearance/ Mark

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Sep 6, 2016 -> 07:19 PM) Time will tell. I'm just looking forward to very few complaining on these boards once they do move forward with the rebuild. I'm not sure what some people are going to do if they can't complain any more. Rick and / or Kenny can say whatever they want. The only person who when they speak matters, is JR. And all indications are pointing to him 'not" wanting a rebuild. We'll see. Maybe he can be talked into changing his mind. And another poster mentioned a good point. The Sox are near the bottom in attendance and at the bottom in TV ratings. If they suck another five years because of a true rebuild, from that standpoint it doesn't matter. They are getting more than enough revenue from the different streams to keep themselves going. JR won't be wondering where his next meal is going to come from if they decide to tear it down and average 12 thousand a game. Mark

Hope he comes back next year as a back end starter, what is his contract status? Mark

Newspapers today reporting Sox are considering shutting Shields down for the rest of the season. Supposedly because of a back issue. That certainly could be a part of it as is the possibility that if they keep pitching him he could lose 20 games this year. Mark

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 5, 2016 -> 09:17 PM) Build a complete pitching staff somehow. Fire Robin, hire Leyland, fire Cooper and get a pitching coach who believes in 7 innings from his starters minimum. Pitching, pitching, pitching, defense, defense, defense. You can pay Leyland 10 million a season and he wouldn't be returning. Mark

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Sep 5, 2016 -> 11:02 AM) That's a very dramatic post but still doesn't change my stance that signing a few players this offseason and seeing if it comes together during the first half of 2017 is a good approach. If they are out of the race next July then sure tear it up. The Sox aren't losing any players of value this offseason and guys like Melky and Robertson might both be MORE valuable next July then they were this year or this offseason since they will have less money remaining on their contracts. I see no reason to be in a big rush here. This starting staff is going to be really great next season with the emergence of Rodon and Fulmer and possible addition of a capable #5 starter. Fill the holes in CF, C, and DH and see what happens. Players like Moreland and Wieters are not dumpster dives like Rollins, Latos, Avila, etc. but they will require JR to open the pocketbook a bit wider since they are another tier up. It's a crap shoot to be sure. The risk you run of course by not trading your most valuable trading pieces over the winter is if they get hurt, their value is practically zero. As I've said often there are no easy answers or solutions to stop the culture of losing that has hit this franchise. Mark

The Sox won't be releasing him (yet) for two reasons first off: 1. He's owed a s*** load of money. 2. JR doesn't like to pay people that amount to NOT work (even if they suck). Releasing him would be the largest amount ever eaten by the franchise if memory serves. Why do you think they hung on to Dunn two years longer before letting him go? (Answer: money owed...), or Danks (Answer: money owed) The bottom line is short of a front office change, Shields isn't going anywhere unless he retires himself. Also don't underestimate the fact that if Kenny Hahn releases him with all that money owed it's like sending up an exploding rocket signaling how bad of a judgment they have in these matters. Mark