Lip Man 1

I don't know who has told you attendance doesn't matter, I have posted numerous times it does matter but not as much, nowhere near as much, as in the 1950's, 1960's or 1970's. TV money still drives the train ESPECIALLY NATIONAL TV broadcast money which dwarfs any regional TV contracts. That plus the numerous domestic and international revenue streams, from merchandise to ballpark concessions to parking fees et al amounts to record revenues for the sport. And free enterprise being what it is, as long as the public are willing to pay the ticket prices teams are insisting on they will continue to be "high" and that is a relative term as most teams offer discount days and so forth.

JR has no intention, zero of spending significant money to improve the team. I tend to agree with those who feel he is cutting it to the bone so his family can sell it quickly still making a tremendous amount of money. I'll repeat what I was told by a long time member of the front office, "All JR wants to do now is leave as much money as possible to his family and grand kids..." Sucks to be a Sox fan doesn't it???????

Well in theory all they have to do is compete with the teams in their division (and they have HUGE advantages over them), if you get to the playoffs you at least are giving yourself a chance.

Coming from the Yankees that's quite ironic isn't it? 😆

JR's jaw just dropped: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/los-angeles-fires-dodgers-owner-team-foundation-announce-100-million-donation-to-spearhead-recovery-efforts/

Manfred said as much a month or so ago. Going to be hard to claim you need a salary cap with a straight face to the union after this type of news.

https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/texas-rangers-launch-network-produce-distribute-local-games.html https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/minnesota-twins-broadcast-rights-streaming-price.html

OK, sorry I misunderstood, I agree with you, the owners will once again try to catch the unicorn and once again they'll fail.

Balta: I don't know what that link is but what I posted was a very small part of a column today by Paul Sullivan in the Tribune which I understand is blocked for some folks, that's what I didn't post a link since some couldn't read the column in the first place.

"SoxFest quickly went off the rails. Fans without microphones shouted indecipherable questions, and most of the panelists gave canned responses inferring everything would be fine. The loudest boos were reserved for Gene Watson after he said Sox fans would soon understand this was the “best front office” in the major leagues. It was like standing in front of a landfill and announcing it would one day become Disneyland. Sox fans were not buying it."

The team lost 27 games last year where it took a lead into the 7th inning or later remember. That's pretty hard to beat but if any franchise can do it, it will be these guys.

Time will tell. But I think the odds are much better on my side of the discussion. No salary cap yesterday, not today and not tomorrow or ever.

Obviously it was a typo on my part, you are right. 2027. 😁 2007 was the year when Kenny brought in every relief pitcher who threw 95+. Unfortunately they couldn't find the plate, got behind in the count and then got ripped by hitters.

History shows for the most part (save for 94) you are correct in your educated guess. I can only speak for myself but if a labor impasse shuts down baseball in 2027, it won't bother me at all. The Sox are still going to suck so it won't be any loss to me to see/read about them losing 100 games yet again.

Never wrote a book about it but a did write a long historical story about it and the ramifications for the Sox both on and off the field. There’s a Hole in the Toe of My White Sox. The “White Flag Trade” Revisited…25 Years…and Counting On the morning of August 1, 1997 White Sox fans woke up to this headline in the Chicago Tribune: Surrender! Sox Deliver a San Francisco Treat: Hernandez, Alvarez and Darwin go west As Sox Chances Go South

It doesn't need one as the article clearly points out.

As for the chances of Rubenstein getting his wish and MLB implementing a cap and a floor as part of the next CBA talks … well, who knows? MLB Players Association leader Tony Clark seemed to shut the door on that possibility back in 2023, stating: "We're never going to agree to a cap." https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/orioles-owner-david-rubenstein-says-he-wishes-mlb-would-have-a-salary-cap-the-way-other-sports-do/

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2025/01/24/white-sox-soxfest-mark-buehrle-jose-contreras-freddy-garcia-world-series

Yes, you reap what you sow JR!

Typical. He's gutless as s%*#.

“Setbacks always bring some level of concern, but our medical and pitching group are confident this will only be a minor setback and he will be ready to go in April. We are just being cautious, knowing this will be his first full season at the Major League level.” --Chris Getz. We'll see how this turns out.

Doesn't sound very inviting based on your report. Typical half assed White Sox production.

I was told this morning by a member of the mainstream media that it was not a sell out on Friday but they were expecting more people on Saturday.

Maybe that's because not a lot of people were there?

That's very good news as it will help guys who'll never get the chance to make big money at the Major League level.