Lip Man 1

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/batting-around-are-the-dodgers-after-another-huge-offseason-bad-for-baseball/

That's a very valid point, but there are always die-hards (think JR in the past) that were willing to shut everything down in order to somehow break the union. Also I'm guessing as they get closer the owners, like past times, will take out strike insurance that will help somewhat to off set losses.

There's a decent chance baseball will not be played in 2027 due to owners trying yet again to get a salary cap instituted. The Sox will still be awful so unlike 1981 or 1994 or 2020 it won't matter.

With all due respect, does it even matter?

My story on Jeff. I think Sox fans will enjoy reading some of the stories he told me: https://www.southsidesox.com/2025/1/20/24347853/the-right-man-for-the-right-franchise-jeff-torborg-chicago-white-sox-dies-age-83

Thank you, I've been working on a story about Jeff with many of his quotes and stories. I'll post the link when it comes up. Left a message for his wife Susie today, still can't believe it, just spoke with him a month or so ago around the holidays.

Just heard the news and am devastated. Jeff, Billy Pierce and Roland Hemond were three of the finest men I ever knew. Words fail me right now. We talked often over the years and he was always gracious with a lot of stories. I'll call the family on Monday. Just terrible news.

Never underestimate the ability of this current organization to completely screw things up. Like my dad used to say, 'they'd f*** up a two-car funeral...'

Unless they have new ownership by that time the 2027 season will be just like 2026 and 2025 and 2024.

https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-sign-first-player-from-south-sudan-joseph-deng

https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-sign-first-player-from-south-sudan-joseph-deng

Meanwhile, MLB's leaguewide revenues reportedly grew to $11.6 billion last season -- a figure that represented year-to-year growth. "We've had a good year," commissioner Rob Manfred said during the World Series. "Our business was strong."

https://soxmachine.com/2025/01/the-new-names-jobs-of-the-white-sox-2025-player-development-staff/

Hansen has the 4th highest fielding percentage for a shortstop in team history. I interviewed him several years ago. He also had a season where he hit 20 home runs for the Sox in an era when shortstops did not do that. He was a good player on some excellent Sox teams of the early/mid 1960's.

Speaking of Boras: MLB's leaguewide revenues reportedly grew to $11.6 billion last season -- a figure that represented year-to-year growth. "We've had a good year," commissioner Rob Manfred said during the World Series. "Our business was strong." https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/scott-boras-shames-mlb-teams-for-sitting-out-free-agency-theyre-making-more-but-theyre-not-spending/

In a way that has actually happened: August 2, 1968 - The Sox and Senators completed a trade as infielders Tim Cullen and Ron Hansen were exchanged for each other. Why the notoriety? Because the same two players were traded for each other by the same two clubs on February 13th! The players even wore the same uniform number with the White Sox and had the same identical locker location! Hansen had been with the club since 1963 and played a solid shortstop. And you have this oddity: October 16, 1952 - The Sox sent infielder Willie Miranda to the St. Louis Browns in a trade. So what? Well, consider this; it marked the third time in four months that he was dealt between the two clubs! Miranda was traded to the Browns on June 15… 13 days later the Sox re-acquired him and finally on this date they sent him back. The entire situation developed like this. He was traded along with Al Zarilla to the Browns for Tom Wright and Leo Thomas on June 15. The Browns then waived him on June 28, the Sox claimed him and he returned. Then on October 16 he was sent back to St. Louis along with Hank Edwards for Joe DeMaestri and Tommy Byrne.

If I read this correctly they still have a million to spend if they wish: https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/alejandro-cruz-white-sox-2025-international-signings?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage https://soxmachine.com/2025/01/from-an-abnormal-situation-white-sox-produce-a-normal-looking-international-class/

On the subject of stadium issues the city of Cleveland today sued the Browns over their plan to move 15 miles outside of the city into a brand new stadium complex. City says 'if you want our money to help build it, you'll be keeping it right here.' They have offered over 400 million to help upgrade the current facility.

The Sox announced agreements with players from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Cuba on Wednesday as part of the international signing period. They came to terms with 16 international players, including Cuban third baseman Alejandro Cruz and Venezuelan outfielder Orlando Patiño, who are ranked by Baseball America as Nos. 17 and 81 prospects in the 2025 international class.

Actually the deal was completed and finalized yesterday: January 14, 2001 - The Sox acquired pitcher David Wells from Toronto basically for pitcher Mike Sirotka. Over the coming weeks and months, Sirotka and the Blue Jays claimed the Sox knew that Sirotka had a bad arm and couldn’t pitch. Sox G.M. Ken Williams defended himself by saying that he told the Jays he thought Sirotka might be hurt and offered pitcher Jim Parque instead. Commissioner Allan “Bud” Selig ruled in late March that the trade would stand. The whole episode became known as “Shouldergate.” Wells meanwhile had few good moments with the Sox. He’d beat the Indians opening day in Cleveland after he said fans got him angry by talking about his mother and how he was raised but after that, because of a bad back he barely pitched, winning only five games in total with only 16 starts on the year. He then caused a major controversy when he went on the radio and said that he didn’t think first baseman Frank Thomas was as badly hurt as he claimed. Thomas would only wind up playing 20 games that year after he tore a triceps muscle diving for a ground ball along the first base line. Sirotka later claimed the Sox misdiagnosed his injury and the resulting publicity caused Williams to hold a press conference where he defending the White Sox medical staff.

https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/john-schriffen-going-into-second-year-white-sox-broadcaster

https://soxmachine.com/2025/01/zips-has-zilch-to-say-about-the-2025-white-sox/

Spring training begins on Feb. 12 for the White Sox. The start of another lost season.

he fits right in doesn't he? 😆

Maybe because despite running it in to the ground everyone is still making money and that's the bottom line to JR and MLB in general.