Lip Man 1

Looks like they aren't selling at least not yet: https://www.mlb.com/news/tommy-nance-traded-to-twins-from-blue-jays

Five factoids today: July 10, 1916 - The White Sox swept Boston at Fenway Park in a doubleheader, 4-0 and 3-0, with Claude “Lefty” Williams and Ewell “Reb” Russell earning the shutouts. Russell’s effort was a one-hitter with the only Boston safety coming on a single in the sixth inning by Clarence “Tilly” Walker. The Boston sweep came at the start of what would become a 15-day, 18-game road trip odyssey, with the White Sox playing in seven straight doubleheaders starting on this day, through July 20 — seven doubleheaders in 11 days! The White Sox had a series in Boston in mid-May completely washed out by rain, so the July doubleheaders all wedged May and July games together. Then, traveling to Philadelphia for the next leg of the trip, the White Sox were deluged by rain to force additional doubling-up of games. The Sox then traveled to Washington where they played six games and ended the trip in Detroit with a two-game set. The White Sox only split one of the seven doubleheaders, otherwise sweeping three and getting swept in three. After this leadoff sweep in Boston, the White Sox dropped four straight, then took five straight, and finished the doubleheader marathon by losing three straight. They then swept the Tigers twice in solo games on consecutive days. In late August 1938 the Sox also had to play six double headers in six consecutive days! July 10, 1956 - For the third and final time Billy Pierce was pegged to start for the American League in the All-Star Game. This year with the game in Washington D.C., Billy was tagged with the loss, despite only allowing one run in three innings of work. The N.L. would go on to win 7-3. Pierce would represent the Sox in seven All-Star affairs. Joining him on the team that year were Nellie Fox (2B), Sherm Lollar (C) and Jim Wilson (P). Pierce also was the starting pitcher for the American League in the 1953 game in Cincinnati and the 1955 game at Milwaukee. In four appearances Pierce threw almost 11 innings with 12 strikeouts. July 10-11, 1995 - At the All-Star Game in Texas, first baseman Frank Thomas turned a special double play. Thomas won the home run hitting contest the day before the actual game, and then became the first Sox player to ever homer in the game itself, when he connected off the Reds John Smiley in the fourth inning with a man on base. The N.L. would win the game 3-2. Thomas was the only member of the Sox on the team. July 10, 2001 - Magglio Ordonez (OF) homered off the Cubs John Lieber at the All-Star Game in Seattle. He became the second Sox player to ever homer in the annual classic. It was a solo shot to center field. The A.L. would win the game 4-1. Ordonez was the only Sox player on the team. July 10, 2024 – Nobody ever doubted his talent, after all Michael Kopech could throw a baseball over 100 miles an hour. But the issue was his consistency and mental approach to the game which resulted in a very mediocre career. But on this afternoon in the first game of a double header against the Twins, he was perfect throwing an “Immaculate Inning.” That’s the term for when a pitcher throws only nine pitches, all strikes and records three outs. In the ninth inning of the Sox 3-1-win Kopech blew pitches past Minnesota’s Brooks Lee, Matt Wallner and Max Kepler. Those hitters were just able to foul some off but never had any good swings. The only other Sox pitcher to record an “Immaculate Inning” was Hollis “Sloppy” Thurston against the Philadelphia A’s on August 22, 1923. It came in the 12th inning of a game he’d lose 3-2.

https://www.mlb.com/news/starting-pitcher-trade-rumors-2026-trade-deadline

Great question and you can make the case for both results. Sox in many ways are ahead of where they were expected to be (as shown by the lack of getting pitching this past off season) so do they try to take advantage of a weak division and go for it? Knowing that it could impact how things progress in the future and potential blowback from the fan base if they don't? How much if any does the upcoming labor situation factor in? The probable lockout, potential loss of revenue which is always important to JR. Do they stay the course playing the long game? Lots of moving parts in the decision they make. And with so many teams still in the race, they may not be able to meet the price for getting say pitching help. It figures to be a sellers market.

On paper the Sox have the pitching advantage tonight. Not so much the rest of the weekend in my opinion. They need to take this one and start the weekend off on a good foot.

Random musings: #1 Totally agree with it. #2 Just last year we thought catching was going to be a strength, turns out it hasn't worked out that way. I know some don't care for Lee but he's got to be better than Romo and maybe deserves a shot. #3 Wouldn't count on Pereira, he hasn't even started baseball activities. That concussion must be really bad. Hays is a wild card, guy can't stay healthy so who knows even if he does return, how long he'll be able to play. #4 I get they hype with McDougal but the guy is coming off an arm issue. Everyone seems to be assuming he'll be fine. I'm not. Need to see the rest and rehab actually worked. #5 The rotation absolutely needs help. Two starters with Schultz possibly being sent back down.

Braves club is miles better than the Sox and they have a recent track record of very good success to make one think they'll be fine the rest of the way. Unfortunately you can't say the same about the Sox. Not a valid comparison in my opinion. Let's see how they play against Sacramento. Win the series, take some positive momentum into the break and get some much needed rest.

At this point I'd be surprised if Boston is selling. The 10 days after the break should determine it once and for all. If they stay hot their fan base will demand that they add and not subtract.

I don't think it would be a failure either (in fact I don't think they will claim a spot) but a missed opportunity none the less.

Again a lot of truth in your comments. The next 10 days or so after the break could determine if the Sox will be actively looking to bring folks in at the deadline or stand pat and hope for the best. With so many teams still "in it" it may not be wise in the long run for the Sox to trade away assets and have to pay a very high price. We'll see.

Even before that Bob Elson would interview guys on the pregame show and they'd get a Zenith transistor radio.

Bottom out and fall apart in the last 80 games, which could happen for a young team especially if they get more injuries. Not saying it will happen but it could although I don't think it likely but we'll see. They have been on a downward trajectory the past 22 games.

A lot of truth in what you are saying but also asking Sox fans for patience is a hard sell. The record since 2007 speaks for itself.

Your point is?

Look I'm happy they aren't an embarrassment (although we still have a half season to go remember) and I never predicted they'd lose 100 I said it was possible (and bet you 30 dollars on it) but now that they are being competitive in a mediocre division let's remember, they have an opportunity and aren't taking advantage of it. Put it this way, will you be happy if at the end of the year they win 70 games but weren't able to finish things and put themselves in post season play? That's the dilemma for the fan base. They weren't supposed to be in this position in the first place, but here we are... now they need to take advantage of it. That's what is frustrating.

Nothing is a 'done deal' until it is officially announced to the media and public. Just look at the Bears situation.

No I was very happy they rebounded in Cleveland the way they did. But it's "what have you done for me lately" and they blew chances to increase the lead. It's actually now a four team race in a mediocre division. And they've lost 13 of their last 22 games, that's not a good sign. The issues surrounding the club are becoming more apparent as the season goes along. We'll see what Getz may be able to do, or allowed to do to help matters.

"Luck is the residue of design" - Branch Rickey.

Well right now the only place they've been going is down the toilet.

It's a double edged sword. Yes, they are in first place but they are only two games over .500, have lost six of their last eight and look very much out of synch right now. 15 hits, total in the past three games. And with things so balanced across MLB fewer and fewer teams right now are going to be selling making getting the pitching help the Sox badly need more difficult. That's 11 of 13 for the Red Sox who I'm guessing won't be selling off Gray and Chapman. Getting Murikami back will help. The Sox need to get their heads out of their asses, win the A's series and go into the break with a little momentum

He should give them a shot in the arm if nothing else mentally. The Sox look very tired right now having lost five of seven.

They way things are shaping up Boston, Minnesota and Detroit may not be selling at the deadline making things even more complex and potentially difficult for Getz to get help. The price of pitching is going to be very, very expensive. We'll see what, if anything, the Sox can do to get help.

Five factoids today: July 9, 1912 - Looking for more pitching, Sox owner Charles Comiskey acquired Eddie Cicotte from the Red Sox after the pitcher argued with his manager and owner John Taylor. Cicotte of course would pitch well for the Sox but then would be banned from baseball in 1920 because of his involvement in fixing the World Series. In eight and a half years with the Sox he won 156 games. July 9, 1919 - In a twin bill in Chicago against the Philadelphia Athletics, Urban “Red” Faber won both games. The first one came in relief of starter Dickie Kerr. The scores were 8-7 and 6-2. He threw 11 innings combined allowing 10 hits and four runs. In the second game win he threw a complete game. July 9, 1972 - With the Sox desperately needing a third baseman to replace the injured Bill Melton, G.M. Roland Hemond acquired Ed Spiezio from San Diego for pitcher Don Eddy. Spiezio did a yeoman job holding down the fort the rest of the year as the Sox stalked the A’s and his dramatic extra inning home run against Oakland on August 12 off Rollie Fingers in the Coliseum, put the Sox into first place. It was the latest the Sox had been in first place in a season, since 1967. Spiezio from Joliet, Illinois also hit the first home run in San Diego Padres history. July 9, 2002 - In the infamous 11 inning tied All-Star Game in Milwaukee, Paul Konerko tied the record for most doubles in the game with two. His teammate Mark Buehrle (P) joined him in the contest. July 9, 2006 - Tadahito Iguchi’s single in the last of the 19th inning gave the White Sox a dramatic 6-5 win over Boston at U.S. Cellular Field in the final game before the All-Star break. Jermaine Dye’s two out, ninth inning home run tied the game at three. Both teams scored two runs in the 11th and the score stayed that way until the 19th. The game took 6:19 to play. It also appeared to take something out of the World Champions; they lost 10 of the next 12 after the break and skidded to a 90-win season.

When push comes to shove I'll be curious who has the final say in the organization. I assume it would be Getz but who knows. And who knows how much influence JR may have in it.

Given the state of the staff if he's hurt that's a crusher.