SCCWS

I actually saw a listing recently and Oakland was last, then the Trop and then the Cell.

How do you define worst stadium in professional sports? Have you ever been there? I have been 10-12 times and have been to about 6 other active MLB parks and like most it has pros and cons. It has good sight lines, easy access from interstates, plenty of parking and you normally can sit behind home plate for $20. Food is average. The cheap playing surface and overhead obstructions make it a lousy place to play. Cowbells are annoying to me and I am sure many players. Atlanta moved in 2017 from Turner Field built in 1997 to Sun Trust. They averaged 24,000 in 2016 and 30,000 in 2017. Why build a new stadium if attendance doesn't matter?

If the attached is correct, the White Sox had the 2nd largest % increase in ticket prices in 2018. But they also are in the bottom 3rd for overall ticket pricing. They probably should be running ticket promotions to attract fans understanding the product may be more AAA than MLB quality. https://www.vividseats.com/blog/2018-mlb-ticket-prices

I am not convinced attendance does not matter. If so, why would teams still build new stadiums? Tampa Bay doesn't draw now and they want a new stadium. Why spend the money ( the team will have some price to pay) if attendance doesn't matter. I can see if a stadium has safety/security issues but otherwise wouldn't ownership be better off milking an old stadium if attendance didn't matter? Why did the new Red Sox management invest millions in Fenway to expand seating if attendance didn't matter?

Hahn better not interview with Bryant Gumble...............................

Lost in the collapse was an outstanding effort by Volstadt. But why did Fulmer only pitch 1 inning? Did he have an injury?

Hopefully this is a sign that the cold weather really set him back. If so, the next stop in Houston should help as well.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 15, 2018 -> 08:43 PM) And I'm not sure than even swapping out Benintendi for Moncada (which would have been impossible due to his rookie season's positive results) would have put the franchise in an even better position...because there are clear limits to Benintendi's ceiling (see Ian Happ). Borderline All-Star, sure, because of the team he plays for, put not a franchise-altering type of talent, either. One of the Boston sportswriters compared Moncada and Benintendi to the second coming of Fred Lynn and Jim Rice. A potential All-Star and HOF. That would be pretty close to your thoughts. Pretty sure the timing was in 2 phases. At the All star break, the talk was White Sox wanted Moncada and Boston offered Benintendi. Some Boston rumors said Whhite Sox wanted both. They arrived together in Boston during a pennant drive. Benintendi produced and Moncada was sent back. So when the trade happened off-season, the Red Sox were then willing to offer Moncada after what Benintendi showed.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 15, 2018 -> 09:09 AM) Off to Oakland Hopefully the 80% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow is early rather than later in the day.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Apr 14, 2018 -> 10:08 PM) What’s that supposed to mean? His post was a grounded expression of an opinion. I guess you just wanted a reason to flex your all mighty esteem mod muscles. Feeling better now? Thanks but no problem. He/she couldn't defend his point so he resorted to name calling.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 14, 2018 -> 02:57 PM) This is circular logic at best, and at worst a terrible comparison between two non-related situations. We are not trying to win games this year. This is a rebuild. This is not a team trying to compete for a division title. This is a rebuild. If confused, re-read the above line. Actually your response should go to the circular file. I will help you out. Basically Anderson got dropped in the order because he was struggling hitting at the top of the order. Most likely his struggles were caused by an off the filed incident. I think we will see Moncada dropped lower as well if he continues to struggle leading off, rebuild or not.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 14, 2018 -> 10:07 AM) I did. Someone shot Tim Anderson's best friend to death. It is different. Your logic? He was struggling w a personal issue so it was okay to drop him down in the order because he was not hitting? It appears he is in a better mental state this year but again he is still down in the 7th spot. I would think if he is considered a key to the rebuild, he would be hitting higher up like Moncada to get him more AB's. My logic. Renteria is using a batting order that is constructed to win games and Anderson is not a top of the order guy. Now if he hits consistently and Moncada still struggles, I bet they flip them.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 13, 2018 -> 11:23 PM) Anderson's struggles are not the same as Moncada's. You didn't answer the question. How do Anderson's struggles justify him being dropped to 7th but Moncada should not get dropped because it would hurt his confidence.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Apr 13, 2018 -> 07:06 PM) From the left side: 15.8% BB rate, 36.8% K rate, .156 ISO, .717 OPS, 110 wRC+ From the right side: 10.5% BB rate, 52.6% K rate, .059 ISO, .387 OPS, 13 wRC+ I wouldn’t say he’s struggling from the left side. Could he be better? Sure. Does he need to be better to offset his right handed issues? Most definitely. But I think it’s clear where the largest problem is stemming from. Agree but the 37% K rate from the left is even worse than last year. Maybe they can sit him against tough lefties to help him out some on the right side.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 13, 2018 -> 05:57 PM) Winning is not a priority in 2018. Taking lumps and developing players is the priority for this season, and until the team shows they are close enough to the playoffs to have a realistic chance at winning. Was winning a priority last year?. Because Anderson began the year hitting at the top of the order, struggled in April and was dropped to 7th. Shouldn't Anderson be batting 2nd to get him more AB's and speed his development? I think Renteria makes up a batting order w the intention of winning that game and not appeasing young players. Maybe I am wrong.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 12, 2018 -> 10:46 AM) Nothing states that an organization has confidence in you like telling you to quit switchhitting or taking you out of the lead off spot in the second week of the season. That may be true but if a player is really struggling, you need to help them. I agree on not dropping the switchhitting ( he is struggling from both sides) but changing the spot in the order may change his mental approach to hitting. By saying we don't want to do anything in case we hurt his confidence, that infers winning is not a priority. In a rebuild, we have to expect less quality but the team still has to try and win. You have to live with young players going through growing pains but you disregard trying to win also. I know there is a fine line and some decisions are difficult to make.

I would hold off any concerns w Gio. Some pitchers do have problems w cold weather. I thought Moncada should have been moved out of the leadoff spot a week ago. usually cold weather favors the batter so I don't think his issues are weather related.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 12, 2018 -> 09:26 AM) Vieira, Rondon (already up), Stephens, Guerrero...even Adams and Fry will get shots before Volstad. If they go with vets, it will be Gomez or Ross, Jr., first. If he was ever going to make it, it was coming out of ST this year. Get rid of your "inside source"...............................

QUOTE (Real @ Apr 12, 2018 -> 07:54 AM) I just dont see how you can honestly say that the Sox have the chance to be substantially better than Boston, that doesn't even make sense. 2020 *maybe* better but that's a long shot this rebuild is gonna take longer than you guys think. barring two major FA signings I just dont see it. No way. First we don't and won't have anyone close to a #1 like Sale( unless we trade for him) in 2018 or 19. Maybe in 2020. Boston is loaded w young players who already have or are getting MLB experience. Their outfield, 3rd-SS and C are all young. Hopefully they continue to struggle developing young starting pitchers. Their bullpen is really good. Cora is obviously questionable but so is Renteria. Maybe we catch them in 2021 and in the year 2025 if man is still alive...............

11 K's today is really good as well as only giving up 4 hits. How was the weather??

QUOTE (WBWSF @ Apr 10, 2018 -> 09:52 PM) Last year I heard thru the grapevine that Hahns contract was going to be expired. I really thought he wouldn't be renewed. turns out I was wrong. But I really thought Hahn wouldn't be back. I figured afte 5 years of the team being "Mired In Mediocrity" he would be gone. I remember when Larry Himes was the GM for a few years. He drafted well and made some good trades and the team won 94 games in 1990. JR showed his appreciation after the season by not renewing his contract. JR even blasted Himes in the media saying he wasn't the man for the job and he didn't think he could bring the team from point C to point A. The White Sox almost made the Playoffs in 2012 and after the season JR made Hahn the GM. He has taken this team from Point C to almost Point Z. I thought Hahn wouldn't be back so I wrote JR a letter. I've had contact via the mail since 1981 with JR. At times he has responded to me. He has even help me acquire some items for my White Sox memorabilia collection. I wrote him a letter last year and told him if Hahn is not going to be rehired, I would like to interviewed for the job as the new GM. I'm not only a life long White Sox fan (something Hahn isn't), I think I'm a good evaluater of MLB talent If I was the GM of the team for 5 years and was as unsuccessful as Hahn has been I would walk out the door and hang my head in shame. I didn't get a response from JR to my letter. He is probably too busy getting your office set up. Let him know if you want mahogany or oak.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 10, 2018 -> 06:02 PM) Tampa sucks also Tampa Bay is a team w Denard Span and 8 other hitters you never heard of. Where have you gone Evan Longoria....................

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Apr 9, 2018 -> 05:16 PM) Benintendi has been a stud? He was a barely league average hitter last year in a corner outfield spot with not great defense and has been terrible to start this season. Personally I think he's been one of the more overrated players since he came up. His first year in the majors and he hit .271 w 20 hrs and 90 RBI. He stole 20 bases walked 70 and struck out 112. In 151 games. We didn't have anyone w close to 70 BB and it was his first full season. He walked more than Avi and Abreu combined. You say not great defense but he was adequate learning a new position in LF in a difficult ballpark. I would take him in a heartbeat. He is the kind of player that sells tickets. Even worse, I watched the Rays yesterday and the same situation as today. Colome struggled late but the difference was Benintendi knocked in the winning run in the 8th and we let him off the hook.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Apr 9, 2018 -> 06:25 PM) Moncada, Delmonico, and Leury (I guess he counts) had great games overall. Win or lose, that's what I want to see- the young guys succeeding. Moncada and Del get a star. Leury only a half based on last AB. Anyone "lucky" enough to listen to Rays broadcast heard their color guy say Leury was the perfect guy up since he swings at everything. At which time the play by play guy said we could use another grounder to 1st like he hit earlier. Leury must have been listening.