Lip Man 1

I'll start those again on January 1, 2026.

Sorry to hear this Booter was a great interview and had a bunch of stories when I spoke with him. Another one of the 1983 team gone now. And he did actually score from 2nd base on a sacrifice fly. (No...I'm not kidding): May 15, 1983 – You certainly don’t see this every day. In the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium with the Sox leading 5-1 pinch hitter Greg Walker sent a George Frazier pitch into the deepest part of the ballpark. Center fielder Jerry Mumphrey ran a long way and made the catch but his momentum was taking him away from the infield. Mike Squires scored easily from third base but catcher Marc Hill standing on second, kept right on going and beat the throw home with a slide. Walker got credit for two RBI’s on a single sacrifice fly! The Sox would go on to win the game 7-3. Here are some of his stories to me: ML: One of your personal highlights that season came on May 15 at Yankee Stadium, You went 3 for 5 with three RBI's and two runs scored, one of them coming on a sacrifice fly....when you were on second base! How in the hell did you pull that one off? MH: "I don't know either! (laughing). Seriously Greg Walker hit a deep, deep drive into center field that was caught. I got a good read and was tagging up when I picked up Jimmy Leyland, our third base coach about halfway to the base. Jimmy was halfway down the line towards home plate and he kept waving me around. I made it home by hook sliding to get in. Afterwards I was really proud when Jim was telling the media that he decided to wave me home because, "he ran the bases the right way." That's what I tried to do for the team; little things that help win games. MH: "Oh man, I remember one with Roland Hemond. He and I were talking during batting practice at Comiskey Park by third base. Fans forget that I played third and first at times for the Sox so I worked out there too. "Bull" Luzinski was in the cage and I could see out of the corner of my eye that he was going to pull some shots down the line. " "Sure enough he hits a line shot that's headed right for Roland's head. I stick my glove out and catch it right before it hit him. Roland jumped in my arms! I carried him off the field and sat him down in our dugout! Everybody was laughing about it...Roland was the greatest G.M. I ever played for." "Another story was when I was only 20 or so playing for the Cardinals. It was in spring training. I was catching Bob Gibson. I think it was in the 5th inning, I give the sign for a fastball and Bob shakes me off. I thought, 'we'll he's just doing that because he wants to screw up the hitter' so I give the fastball sign again. Bob shakes me off then motions me to come out to the mound. I run out there...Joe Torre comes out there too, it's just the three of us." "Bob looks at me and says, “Son, I know you don't know this yet but my slider's almost as good as my fastball.” "So I go back behind the plate and call for the slider.....and Bob shakes me off! (laughing) He wanted the fastball!" "After the game I went up to him and asked why after he told me about his slider, he shook me off again. Bob said “hell everybody in the ballpark knew why I called you out there and that the slider was coming!” (laughing)

5 times this year the Sox trailed going into the 7th inning or later and won the game. They never have taken the lead in the 9th inning in any of those five games. Twice in the 7th inning, three times in the 8th inning.

With this putrid bullpen no Sox late lead is ever safe. 15th time this year the Sox took a lead into the 7th inning or later and lost the game. 5th time this year out of those 15 games the lead was lost in the 9th inning. Taylor is not a relief guy, let the kid start games.

Who cares?

Certainly recent history anyway Hemond and Himes were the last Sox G.M.'s that I can remember who worked for another organization in that position after they left the Sox.

Typo...thank you!

First time opening the season in Milwaukee since 1995 although this is the one I remember: April 9, 1985 - For future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, it was his record 14th opening day start. For Ozzie Guillen, it was his debut in the Major Leagues. The two of them combined to help the Sox beat Milwaukee 4-2 at County Stadium. Guillen would get his first hit in the big leagues that day, a bunt single off future Sox pitcher Ray Searage in the ninth inning. Seaver would pick up the win.

I think they'll lose around 100 games next season because with the upcoming labor situation JR is again going to tie Getz's hands financially. As far as 2027 they may not even play 100 games.

About time.

As has been discussed it would make Getz look like a complete idiot if they don't pick up the option, but JR has hung his front office people out to dry in the past so who knows for sure what will happen.

We'll see what we can do but given what I've been seeing since 2007, no promises.

Here is the link to the final trailer:

Excellent job by Smith. Sox can't beat K.C. at Kauffman but at least they can occasionally win at home. 50 wins here we come!!!!! WOO-HOO Meidroth 11 errors already...he's as bad as Sosa in that regard.

Just got the word that a new trailer for the Torborg documentary will be on line Tuesday, August 26. The documentary itself will post on You Tube Thursday, September 4 at 6PM Chicago time. I'll have links posted as soon as these items are available.

Have to disagree with you on all counts. Barring something unexpected JR is still going to be around and the upcoming labor impasse will throw the 2027 season into doubt..

Lance Johnson says "hello"

Exactly.

That's true.

If he stays healthy he certainly could.

Given what's been going on since 2007 attendance should be the last thing fans should worry about.

MLB considers the Sox a "large market" team...unfortunately JR doesn't and never has.

There's no way they are getting back to the playoffs in the next two years regardless of what they do. JR is still running the show, the owners are going to lock out the players and try to force a salary cap which could jeopardize at least a part of the 2027 season if not more. JR isn't going to be spending any real money on good players with that scenario hanging out there.

A little overblown hype at this point in time don't you think? He has great potential but we'll see what happens over time and IF, big if, he can stay healthy with his back. If he can become a star that would go a very long way to help turn things around from where they are now.

Sox historian Rich Lindberg had some interesting thoughts on this. In essence no Black Sox scandal, MLB isn't inclined to institute the 'live ball' to save the sport, Babe Ruth never accomplishes what he did with the Yankees and the Sox team still in one piece and talented, continues to play well...the Yankee dynasty never takes place.