Lip Man 1

Part of the issue which is often overlooked is that in the last 40+ years how often have the Sox pot together streaks of consecutive winning seasons? When they have two-three-four winning seasons in a row that generates fan interest. Check the figures from 1981-1985, from 1990-1994 and from 2000-2006. Coming out of nowhere to be competitive after multiple losing years does little to immediate move the attendance figures. Since 2007 this franchise only has back to back winning years in 2020-2021. All we all know what was going on at that time. This of course also doesn't factor in the backlash over things like the 94-95 labor impasse which JR helped initiate and the infamous White Flag Trade which helped hammer attendance to say nothing of the threat to move the franchise in the late 1980's. The Sox consistently shoot themselves in the foot, White Sox fans have long memories and that absolutely impacts attendance.

They could do so....if they buy tickets of course. 😄

Exactly correct unfortunately.

Given the real possibility of some or all of 2027 being flushed down the toilet by owners tilting at windmills trying to get a salary cap, I'd suggest you can be sure it will be about JR as far as any free agent/spending is concerned.

Regarding SSS I can tell you from knowing Brett and some of the folks they do not use A.I. to write stories.

Hopefully the Sox figure out a way to do that. So far they haven't.

NFL.com ranked it the second hardest in the league, only the Giants have a more difficult one in their opinion.

Given the brutal Bears schedule this year if they can win six games and if Williams shows progress at least there is some reason to think that things will get better. It will be yet another losing season but again if Williams shows progress that's the key. I think Johnson will turn into a very good coach. Like you I still don't know if Poles can do the job. This organization still has a long way to go.

I respectfully disagree with you, he wasn't a "throw-in" by any means.

It's not about "being right" at all. Didn't see all the corrections at first. I assure you, it will not happen again. I hope that satisfies you.

I apologize for inconveniencing you.

Steve Wilson is flat brutal, Gonzalez is another four A player. How many late games does Wilson have to blow or help lose to convince you over the past two years? He was a guy that supposedly was a key piece in the Cease deal so that the Sox could deal him...the problem was nobody wanted him even with his low salary. He has been directly responsible for blowing three games so far this year where the Sox had a lead in the seventh inning or later and last year that number was five. Again I'd keep Vasil, Taylor and maybe Leasure. Taylor and Leasure both have some real potential and are still young. Although I'd make Taylor a starter myself if I was the Sox. This column today summed up the Sox bullpen nicely: https://www.southsidesox.com/chicago-white-sox-commentary-and-analysis/115647/bryse-wilson-joins-the-list-of-white-sox-failed-relievers#comments

It was not four consecutive.

No he did not. He was part of the four home run outburst against Johnson in a single inning at home in August 2005.

8th time this year the Sox trailed going into the 7th inning or later of a game that they would wind up winning.

You asked who would I keep, I told you. This bullpen needs to be cleaned out like with a colonoscopy. The past two years it has been an unmitigated disaster by most metrics, the absolute worst in baseball.

I don't know how old you are but in 1981 the Sox had Fisk, Essian and Hill. That was about as good as any in baseball. And in 1977 Essian and Downing were very, very good. 14 home runs, 68 RBI's.

They WILL spend some money but it won't be on any real solid free agents who can cause much needed improvements. It'll be more retreads, has-been's, injury prone guys and stiffs. Roster fillers, nothing more...nothing less.

Absolutely correct. Flotsam and jetsam. Four A guys at best.

The only ones I'd keep would be Taylor, Vasil and maybe, MAYBE Leasure. Everyone else? Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out of the stadium and that also includes a bunch of guys on the 40 man roster overall.

The only ones I'd keep would be Taylor, Vasil and maybe, MAYBE Leasure. Everyone else? Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out of the stadium and that also includes a bunch of guys on the 40 man roster overall.

Greg, I wouldn't bet your house or your life on them winning 76-77 games next year, just not happening.

JR is not going to allow any spending with an unsettled labor situation to start with over and above his distaste for spending in general.

Greg: Let’s assume for discussion purposes that EVERY hitter currently on the big league roster avoids getting hurt next seasons, avoids the “Sophomore Jinx”, avoids completely falling off the table like so many Sox players have done the past decade. Let’s assume they avoid all of those scenarios. OK… The team defense is still atrocious, their grasp of baseball fundamentals is comical and those lose games. Now let’s look at the pitching. They need AT LEAST two solid starters and three-quarters of this wretched bullpen needs to be shitcanned and replaced. Included in the replacements have to be at least one solid set up man and then you have to get a very good closer. I have no idea what the free agent list for next year will be or if any of those players would even consider this franchise but even if they did, JR is still running the show. And again you have the specter of a labor impasse staring you right in the face in 2027 which could impact at least some or most of that year and impact revenue. We know how much JR values the bottom line. Enough said. Things potentially change when Ishbia takes over. Until then? Hope is all that you’ve got (and hope is no way to run a successful franchise.)

Let me have what you're drinking...I want to get loaded too! 😆 Not...even...close. And with the labor situation coming up JR won't allow Getz to do anything dramatic to improve the talent.