tray

Don't put words in my mouth. I said Madrigal did not prove himself to fans (plural) during Spring training (in terms of his power) , And I never mentioned any of the veteran players you did, because that is obviously irrelevant.

Madrigal did not prove (to fans during Spring Training) that he can hit hard line drives and deep fly balls that keep outfielders honest. We mostly saw him hit grounders and a few bloops over the infield. That left the impression that he not only lacks home run power, but that he might be a weak hitter that can be over powered by major league pitching. I heard Madrigal say that he was working out with a strength coach before Spring but it didn't show in his early at-bats. My hope is that any conclusion that he is like a 95 pound weakling at the plate are premature and will be proven wrong

Let's try everything we can to flatten the curve on infection and see where we are at by April 15 or perhaps May 1. Then we go on from there depending on what we have learned in the next 4-6 weeks. In the meantime stop acting funny, espousing conspiracy theories, hoarding toilet paper and calling a serious virus a "hoax". This isn't a political football that is easy to throw back and forth. We pretty much need to work together on this one and pretend that we are all on the same team for a change. Buckle up buttercups. Maybe work on cleaning the garage or shed out, starting a new project , painting the house, reading and learning about something that interests you. Maybe by May or June we have baseball again.

We should have had a national policy in place at least a month ago that would have mandated the closing of all K-12, Universities, professional and college sports, and events requiring large gatherings of people. It is sad that this problem was not focused on by our government until the NBA decided whether or not they would keep playing games.

I am trying to remain optimistic that we will have baseball again this season, but because of the need to ramp up pitchers that might be June rather than April. On the other hand, I am trying to accept the fact that the season might be gone and just maintain hope that family , friends and all of you stay healthy and strong through this nightmare. This for Cali and other music aficionados.

Unreal. We finally get the team we want, and the season gets taken down by a virus.

A couple of things: 1. Mazara 's stats are from his age 21-24 years. He can and likely will learn from EE, Abreu etc. 2. Mazara already has shown this Spring that he will try to hit the ball to Left Field instead of trying to pull every pitch It is a good sign. 3. As far as LH starters against the White Sox 2020 line-up, we have one thing to tell them....Good luck! If they count on Mazara as a sure out sandwiched between the RH power hitting in our line-up, it is probably going to be a long inning for them. And if it is late in the game, look who's coming up to the dinner plate - The Yerminator! Our line-up is going to make minced meat out of LH pitchers. Don't even worry about Mazara, He has bags of protetcion and remember the new rule about a pitcher having to face a minimum of three hitters every inning. You have to love our entire line-up, including Mazara, who is going to hit some tape measure home runs.

I am not one who shrugged the Corona virus off or promoted it. I just wanted the Opener to happen on March 26 because I have tickets and am really excited for the Sox this year. Now I am getting concerned that it may not happen. That would be insane but it is now a possibility. Somebody with some credibility across the growing divisions in our country needs to calm the nation down. Tom Hanks who tested positive is the kind of person that could be helpful to place the Corona virus in perspective. i.e., I am 63, had the Corona illness, it was like the flu and I recovered after a few days. I am tired of seeing government officials and media reports that do nothing but make people anxious and uncertain. Having said that, I would understand some temporary draconian measures to halt the spread of this sh1t before thousands and then millions potentially get sick when it could otherwise have been mitigated with some sensible planning.

I want to get all of the science based information that I can from unbiased sources, to the extent that is possible. In the meantime, I am trying to tune out anecdotal evidence (I had flu and survived, this is no big deal, etc. ) as well as the flurry of internet and cableTV reports that are based on selective facts. I discount any attempt to address a potential pandemic with economic policies, like eliminating the payroll tax. or to take major steps like cancelling all sports events, at least not until we know more. Look, I have 6 tickets to the Opener and am planning on going with my son and friends. The Opener has been a huge day for me going back probably before many posters here were born. I do not want the Opener cancelled or postponed unless the spread of this virus and the medical consequences make it obvious that major league baseball and the White Sox need to take that drastic step.

And skip him of his first full year of professional baseball just in exchange for riding pine? That's why I prefer Yerminator for 26 over Collins or Vaughn. But if it was Vaughn, I think he would get some starts at first base and DH, plus pinch hitting. EE could use one or two days off every week and so could Abreu. I originally thought no way, Yermin at 26, but the more he raked the more I started thinking maybe he could be the guy. It would be a great story and a lot of fun for Sox fans to watch.. Don't rule it out yet, let us watch this guys journey for a spot on the major league roster for two more weeks. Give the guy his shot.

Third string catcher doesn't have to catch very often so that is not an issue. I like the sheer entertainment value of having "the Yerminator" as the 26th man and 3rd string catcher/DH/1B on the roster... a guy who swings for the fences and gives one last hope to fans when trailing at the end of the game. He wouldn't be a clown like Yolmer but more of a likeable big guy like the Fridge was on the Bears. And he probably would win a couple of ball games for the team. It is a luxury to have a seldom used player on the team but that is what the 26th roster spot has made possible. My second choice for 26 would be Vaughn. Third would be Delmonico. Hang a "Trade Me" sign around Collins neck. He is the perfect trade bait. Teams are looking for young prospects with several years of team control left.

They gave Collins a shot and he sucked.

Thanks. I hate to admit that I am old enough to remember that season. I went to Opening Day. Met et at Shinnick's for a few beers pregame with a few friends and walked to the old Comiskey... In addition to the parallels you noted, the excitement among White Sox fans was similar to what it is now. This is going to be a great year for White Sox fans and they are going to be a part of the teams success by creating that winning atmosphere in the park.

Yea, no reason to panic (like the folks I saw clearing hand sanitizer and various necessities out of Walmart today) . Hopefully the powers that be get the spread of the Corona virus under control and we are good to go for the Opener in 3 weeks. This year the Opener is going to be the best one since 1981. There are echoes of that year almost 40 years later. Check it out:

I think we can beat the twins for the Central but it should be a close race. I just hope the season isn't impacted at the start by the Corona virus which could diminish attendance depending on what is going on with it in a few weeks.

Interesting that Madrigal and Mazara aren't in the line-up against the cubs. I was hoping to see more of them in the few Spring games where winning at least has some importance to the fans.

I would wait until after the 2020 MLB Draft to see how things go with Grandal and McCann and to see if the Sox can Draft catching prospect Patrick Bailey. then the path to the future would be clearer, since Collins will be 26 next season and 30 years old after Grandal's contract ends. Perhaps McCann is the ideal back-up catcher since he has proven that he can excel if he is not overused and worn down. Collins has trade value since he is under control for several years. If any team expresses interest in McCann why wouldn't they also inquire on Collins? Has he become an untouchable? I don't think so.

OMG are you funny.

Is Leury better than Madrigal right now ? What would it take to change your opinion?

Comcast is one of the monopolies in the country that has gotten out of control. I'm not sure how long to it will take for people to demand that the government not only increase regulations on them, but start to break them up so consumers can benefit from real marketplace competition. I wanted to limit the control that Comcast had on my billing and services (especially since they are the ONLY broadband cable choice where I live) so I decided to only use Comcast for high speed internet and then to use Hulu Live TV for things like cable news, Sportschannel, etc. Then I found out that Comcast owns Hulu. I guess I may switch to YouTube TV . They are a subsidiary of another monopoly, Google, but I think they have MLBTV in their standard package.

OK, I'll buy into the Garfien love for Mercedes. I suppose that if Madrigal starts at second on Opening day the 26th roster spot might be open for a third string catcher/pinch hitter. Sox trivia: In the mid-sixties, the Sox had a second string catcher who was used in that role - Smokey Burgess. He did not have power but he was a clutch hitter. That kept him in the league until he was 40 years old. If Mercedes keeps dropping bombs on the outfield knoll at Camelback, maybe just maybe he finally makes it to the bigs. That would be amazing and fun to watch. You have to love that Juan Uribe maximum effort swing.

I have Madrigal starting on OD. If that is what happens then Mendick might not be needed on the roster. So the bench I have is McCann, Leury, Engel and whoever wins the 26th spot in Spring Training.

Mercedes on knocking down the damn wall when he got an opportunity: "I’m thinking about it like I’m the 26th man right now,” Mercedes said. "They’re going to give me the opportunity and I’m going to take it.”Mercedes backed up his words Monday, launching a gargantuan home run and adding a single in the White Sox’s 2-2 tie with the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Look If you had One shot Or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted In one moment Would you capture it Or just let it slip? Yo His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgettin' What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud Eminem - Lose Yourself

Mercedes v Collins is a moot point. Neither one has any business on our 2020 roster.

“He’s simply fun to watch, and Yermin can hit,” Hahn said. “All Yermin does is hit every level he goes to. He’s pretty good back there behind the plate in terms of his ability to control a running game, his framing, his lateral movement and even for a big guy, it’s pretty strong.” Yermin isn't an old guy - he is only two years older than Collins. Mercedes is probably a better catcher and first basemen than Collins and he is a far better hitter. Collins chances or reaching the majors with the White Sox continue to get more remote.