Lip Man 1

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 30, 2015 -> 07:46 PM) SOB, they're literally right where we are. I have no idea when or how that happened. LaRussa already is turning that organization around. Mark

It was a nice run while it lasted but even with the run the Sox are still under .500. I hope Kenny doesn't mortgage the future on another long, long shot. The remaining schedule is very difficult and I just don't see it happening so I hope the Sox resist the urge and don't do something stupid. Mark

Would be hesitant to get Gonzales. Coors Field has a way of inflating statistics and he's owed a lot of money. Puig, extremely talented appears to be a prima donna and the Sox don 't need that. Don't have an opinion on Ethier. I suggest the Sox look towards San Diego and see what they might be able to get there. Mark

That certainly was an issue for the Sox in 2008. Because they almost completely folded the last week and had to fight for their lives to get to the playoff game to actually get into the playoffs, their rotation was a mess against Tampa Bay. Mark

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Jul 30, 2015 -> 12:38 PM) That may be more common than people think. Such things as poor defense, scouting, minor league instruction, tells me Kenny and J.R. are still in control. JR absolutely is a "hands-on" owner. I've been told by my sources that more than once, for example, he has "suggested" whom the Sox should pick in the June draft. Which puts his scouting / development folks in an awkward situation. How many times would you feel comfortable going against the wishes of your boss? Mark

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jul 30, 2015 -> 08:23 AM) Heck yeah. Reddick would give the Sox some pop from the left side, play solid defense, hits for a good average and does not strike out much. I'm really hoping a trade for Reddick happens. Traded to the Cardinals today for a minor league pitcher. Mark

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Jul 30, 2015 -> 07:16 AM) No he isn't. KW just has more power. Probably veto power over things. I don't know for sure just my honest opinion. Hahn isn't a puppet. Wouldn't have taken the job if he was. Kenny himself told the media in June that before anything happens regarding the Sox roster Hahn and his staff have to come to him to talk about it. It strongly appears that he has the authority to say no to anything Hahn does or does not want to do. Mark

Don't think anybody could have predicted or expected this. These guys were DOA a month ago. Just shows you how far down they were that they could win seven straight and still be under .500. If they can keep this going this weekend against the Yankees, I'll be convinced. It does put Kenny (since he's still the one basically calling the shots) in a tough spot as far as selling or buying. Mark

QUOTE (Mike F. @ Jul 29, 2015 -> 08:58 PM) Send Webb down. He sucks. Walking hitters has always been an issue for him. Just doesn't have much control. Mark

I'd be surprised if the Sox picked up his 10 million dollar option next season. He's 35 or so (being born in Cuba who knows for sure...) and is clearly slowing down. I'd have to think you could find a stop gap shortstop for one year (until Anderson is ready) for less then 10 million and use whatever money you save on another position. Mark

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ Jul 29, 2015 -> 10:16 AM) Sustained success over several years is typically what builds fanbases. Absolutely agree. And it's a fact the White Sox are the only one of the original pre expansion (1961) major league franchises to have never made the post season in consecutive seasons. Not one time. Incredible. Mark

As Ozzie once said, "winning is fun...fun is winning." Mark

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 28, 2015 -> 02:07 PM) It is unbelievable how many moves could have altered the course of history. On the flip side, an interesting series might be on what if the Sox didn't do X? It still amazes me though how poorly the Sox (under numerous regime's) have been from a business perspective. That said, I don't have much appreciation for other teams history in relation to the business side, but those TV situations were brutal. Of course, I don't know how key TV revenue's were at that time (I presume the dynamic then was bulk of the revenue was from ticket sales vs. nowadays where the bulk of the revenue is from tv contracts). The TV revenue was much less back then as opposed to today of course. But the real issue was "exposure". A whole generation grew up basically not being able to watch the Sox and the impact is being felt even today. Many of those kids turned out to be Cub fans because they could actually watch them play. Those kids are now parents and grand parents and their family members are probably Cub fans as well. It was just another missed opportunity to 'take back' their own city that they dominated during the Golden Age from 1951 through 1967. Sadly the Sox probably will never get that chance again. They had a shot after 2005 but were not able to get to the playoffs consistently which is absolutely what you need to sustain and build a fan base. Getting in once every seven or eight years simply won't do that. Mark

Want to thank Daniel for publishing my stories after I send them to him. Always appreciated. Mark

Part II of the series is now up at Chicago Now / Sox Net for those who are interested. We look at how close the Sox came to getting some of the biggest power hitters of the 1960's, who was offered and why they didn't succeed and then look at the White Sox TV decisions with moving to WFLD in 1968 and SportsVision. Hope you enjoy reading it. Mark

BMags: Also keep in mind Robertson threw a lot of innings the last few years with the Yankees and that's not counting the times he warmed up and wasn't used. It all adds up. The Sox have to seriously think about moving Danks to the pen if they in fact get back in the race. You simply can't have a guy getting beat up and blowing out the bull pen in three out of every four of his starts. But with what he's getting paid would the Sox do that? Mark

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ Jul 27, 2015 -> 09:08 AM) I enjoy the game of baseball. I’ve watched other teams on TV, I’ve watched minor league games in person. I’ve watched a ton of (fast-pitch and slow-pitch) softball both on TV and in person as well. From t-ball all the way up to professional. The difference is that when I’m watching those games, I’m not emotionally involved in who wins or loses. When I watch the Sox, I want them to win. When they don’t, I get upset and don’t want to watch anymore. I’m not going to punish myself by watching something that’s just going to make me mad. So I’ll simply turn off the TV and find something else to do. That’s just me personally. I’m sure there are still people out there that can watch the Sox and have a good time whether they win or lose. I don’t think that makes me a fair-weather fan either. I still follow the team and hope they do well. I still wear my t-shirts and hats. I still defend them to my Cub fan friends. I just have a really hard time watching them lose. From my interview with Brooks Boyer a few years ago. He understands Sox fans and their passion and it falls in line with what Iwritecode is saying. For the record I'm the same way, when the Sox are losing I really don't pay close attention...why put myself through that. Winning is what matters to me. Anyway here is the comment, “I’ve found that Sox fans are extremely passionate about the team and I think there’s a lot of truth to the sense that they are really educated fans. They “get it.” I don’t pay a lot of attention to what the media says about us or the spin they try to put on things and by and large I don’t think our fans do either. They aren’t going to be influenced by what someone on TV or the radio says. They’ll look at the situation and decide based on the facts. There’s a reason our motto is, “pride, passion, tradition…” that’s a reflection of the fans and the organization. We still have something to prove both on and off the field. Our fans feel that way and they expect the same work ethic and passion from us. In fact our slogan for this season reflects that attitude, “share the passion, show the swagger.” “What I don’t like about Sox fans is that there aren’t enough of them! (laughing)” “About the only think that I wish I could change long-term is that sometimes the passion from our fans can be a weakness. What I mean is that a lot of Sox fans are so passionate, so into the team that if things aren’t going well, they get mad, they get fed up… they say, ‘I’m not going to watch these guys, I’m not going to listen to them and I’m not going to show up at the game.’” Mark

QUOTE (Tex @ Jul 26, 2015 -> 06:31 PM) Sorry, but that is entirely wrong. The casual fans are the ones that in the end determine the attendance. Those fair weather fans that attend a game or two every year buy hundreds of thousands of tickets. The hard core fan base of both Chicago teams is about the same. What the two teams fight for are the "fair weather fans" who decide which team to go see. It's unfair really to call the fair weather fans, they don't necessarily declare loyalty to any team. They just like getting to a baseball game now and then. The Sox lost them in the 1970s by trying pay per view while the Cubs were carried on WGN. They don't attend the games on the cheap. It's an event and they will buy the souvenirs, pay the going rate for parking, eat and drink. They will get their peanuts and crackerjacks. Without casual fans the team has the payroll of the Pirates. Just one correction, SportsVision was started in 1982. Outside of that I agree with your comment. Mark

QUOTE (BigEdWalsh @ Jul 25, 2015 -> 08:17 PM) Sounds like awesome stuff. I'm particularly interested in the Ray Herbert stuff. He was one of my favorites when I was a kid. Later this week (I forget what day exactly...) he talks about pitching (and winning) the 1962 All Star Game at Wrigley Field. Mark

Gillaspie now 2-2 in his Angels debut. Mark

Just wanted to let everyone know that this week, in an effort to make reading This Date In Sox History more enjoyable, we are going to be making some additions. As some of you know I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing around 60 members of the White Sox family over the years. Some of the people I’ve talked with have actually been a part of some of the historical events that are written about daily over at Chicago Now / Sox Net. So where appropriate, I’m going to start including excerpts from those interviews. Later this coming week for example, you can read comments from Joe Horlen, Ray Herbert and Eric Soderholm about their remembrances of some of the historic events in White Sox history. I hope you’ll enjoy this addition. Also with help from Daniel Shapiro, on the 31st of July and continuing in the future there will be times when you can actually listen to the historic moments…that’s right… I said listen to those moments as called by Sox announcers like Bob Elson, Don Wells, Milo Hamilton, Jack Drees, Harry Caray, Jimmy Piersall, Joe McConnell, John Rooney, Don Drysdale and “Hawk” Harrrelson. Again it’s something that I hope will peak your interest. That’s “This Date In Sox History” located at Chicago Now / Sox Net. Many thanks, Mark

I know there was a thread started and much discussion over the possibility of the Sox trying to get Puig from the Dodgers. Just FYI, according to Heyman at CBS Sports.com in a story this morning, the Dodgers have told him he will not be traded. Mark

Just saw a story by Heyman at CBSSports.com where the Dodgers have told Puig they are not trading him for what it's worth. Mark

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 24, 2015 -> 06:46 PM) I'm just not sure this is true in this era any more. Even average, cost-controlled position players are starting to look like all-stars. Guys I barely wanted 5-6 years ago are now legit AS starters, while guys who today are top 10 Cy Young award people have stuff that seems like it would blow peak Johan Santana out of the water. I think there is some truth to what you say. There are more guys for example dealing 100 MPH then ever before but how many teams can say they have five 'decent' starters and the bullpen to back them? Still pretty rare. The Sox could be in that position if Rodon, Fullmer, Eric Johnson develop in the next two years (since they'll be losing Shark and Danks). I can understand if they feel they can't gamble and deplete that potential rotation even further. (And like with anything else, there's no guarantees someone doesn't get hurt, or simply lose it.) Mark