vilehoopster Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 There's a scene in Ghostbusters where the giant Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man is coming to kill them, and they all expect to die, no chances left. Egon says that maybe they should cross the streams. Murry/ Venkman says that he told them they all would die if they crossed the streams. Egon replies, "There's definitely a very small chance we could survive". Bill Murry/ Venkman thinks about it, and realizes, as much as it sucks, "definitely a very small chance" is way better than no chance at all to survive; so he does the line, "I love this plan . . Let's do it". He knows that a terrible plan is way better than no plan at all. That's where I'm at with this White Sox team. I'm a White Sox Fan, and spring training is here. I know that everything looks bad for this year, and the team this year could really suck. But again, I'm a White fan, and damn it, I'm gonna stay a White Sox fan, and there's "definitely a very small chance" they could succeed and maybe contend for the division. And since the other choice is ignoring the White Sox and baseball after a long winter (for me, baseball death). I’m jumping on that “definitely very small chance” and so I love this team and I’m getting excited about this Sox team. So here goes, why I’m excited about this team (some of these I’m more confident about than others): A lot of my hope rests on the benefits of a motivated and quality clubhouse. I think that could really make a difference, or I’m hoping it will. I’m very curious and excited about this new pitching staff, especially with the improved defense. I expect Cease to be outstanding until he’s dealt at the deadline. I expect a solid bounce back from a couple of either Fedde, Soroka, and Flexen. I think maybe one or two of them can be this year’s Mike Clevenger without being . . .well . . . Mike Clevenger. The bullpen: I get that everyone is complaining about the no-name bullpen; but really, even with all the “big names” last year, it was completely terrible, completely. I honestly believe that this year’s bullpen can’t be worse than last year’s bullpen. It can’t be. I expect a big jump in production from Vaughn and Benitendi. I really do; I think that will come from the improved clubhouse and Benitendi’s improved hand. I think, this being the last year of his contract, I expect a motivated Moncada, motivated to play 145 games or so, and actually give some real production at the plate. I’m hanging onto that last month of production he had at the end of last year as evidence of what he can do all year in ‘24. Now to Eloy, hmmm. . . back to the clubhouse thing here. Last year as Eloy sat at his locker, he would look down the row of teammates and see this: fat Lance Lynn who was too lazy to get in shape and lose weight to help his team; the unmotivated Moncada; Grandal, what a piece of yuck; and finally, TA, the biggest cancer on a team loaded with cancers. That won’t be the case this year (I hope). With guys around him putting the team first, I’m hoping that he’ll step up this year and be productive. The defense will be significantly better, and that will help pitching. I know everyone, including me, wonders where the runs are going to come from, but again, it can’t be worse than last year. I just looked it up; the White Sox were 2nd to last (29 out of 30) in run production last year. The Sox offense has to be able to do better (or less bad) than that. And even if it’s not improved, with the better pitching and defense; they’re still going to win more games. So, I say it again: There’s definitely a very small chance that he White Sox could be successful this year, and I’m gonna get behind that chance because it is way better than no chance at all and being one of the countless number of doomsayers. And so, I love the team this year. I’m excited to be a fan of it!! 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuban_sammiches Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results... 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Mercedes Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 All the things you could’ve got done. But you didn’t. Because you got high, and had to write that post. 1 1 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 In the spirit of your post . . . I love your perspective! It's the right mix of die-hard Sox spirit and tongue-in-cheek realism that any true fan can appreciate. Here are some witty responses you can build on: 1. Embrace the "Stay-Puft" spirit: "You had me at 'motivated clubhouse' until you hit me with the Moncada-as-cancer bit. But hey, if we're channeling Ghostbusters, let's go full Stay-Puft! We might melt under the pressure, but at least we'll go down in a sticky, sugary blaze of glory." 2. Channel your inner Eloy: "Eloy might not be able to outrun a sloth anymore, but hey, maybe that just means he'll finally have the patience to wait for a good pitch! Plus, with all that extra weight, he can double as a human battering ram at first base. Who needs stolen bases when you can just knock down the entire outfield wall?" 3. Celebrate the "no-name" bullpen: "No-name bullpen? Sounds like the perfect opportunity for some underdog magic! They'll come out of nowhere, throwing heat like Mariano Rivera in his prime, fueled by nothing but hot dogs and a burning desire to prove everyone wrong. Just imagine the headlines: 'No-Name Bullpen Becomes MLB's Most Feared Unit, Strikes Fear into Hearts of Opposing Batters.'" 4. Poke fun at the "doomsayers": "The doomsayers can keep drowning their sorrows in Goose Island IPA while we're busy celebrating unexpected walk-off wins and improbable comebacks. They wouldn't know a pennant race if it hit them in the face with a foul ball (which, knowing this team, is entirely possible)." 5. Keep it light and optimistic: "Look, maybe we won't win the World Series. Maybe we'll still spend most nights staring longingly at the crosstown rivals across the street. But hey, at least we'll have each other, shared groans at questionable ump calls, and the eternal hope that next year will be different. And who knows, maybe this year will be different. After all, even Stay-Puft had a soft spot for marshmallows." Remember, the key is to laugh along with the absurdity while holding onto that glimmer of hope. Go Sox! (But maybe pack an umbrella for all those Stay-Puft tears...just in case. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkman delivers Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 I like my chances better against Zuul. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcq Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Defense is like a minimum standard before you tend to winning baseball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppysox Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 1 hour ago, vilehoopster said: There's a scene in Ghostbusters where the giant Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man is coming to kill them, and they all expect to die, no chances left. Egon says that maybe they should cross the streams. Murry/ Venkman says that he told them they all would die if they crossed the streams. Egon replies, "There's definitely a very small chance we could survive". Bill Murry/ Venkman thinks about it, and realizes, as much as it sucks, "definitely a very small chance" is way better than no chance at all to survive; so he does the line, "I love this plan . . Let's do it". He knows that a terrible plan is way better than no plan at all. That's where I'm at with this White Sox team. I'm a White Sox Fan, and spring training is here. I know that everything looks bad for this year, and the team this year could really suck. But again, I'm a White fan, and damn it, I'm gonna stay a White Sox fan, and there's "definitely a very small chance" they could succeed and maybe contend for the division. And since the other choice is ignoring the White Sox and baseball after a long winter (for me, baseball death). I’m jumping on that “definitely very small chance” and so I love this team and I’m getting excited about this Sox team. So here goes, why I’m excited about this team (some of these I’m more confident about than others): A lot of my hope rests on the benefits of a motivated and quality clubhouse. I think that could really make a difference, or I’m hoping it will. I’m very curious and excited about this new pitching staff, especially with the improved defense. I expect Cease to be outstanding until he’s dealt at the deadline. I expect a solid bounce back from a couple of either Fedde, Soroka, and Flexen. I think maybe one or two of them can be this year’s Mike Clevenger without being . . .well . . . Mike Clevenger. The bullpen: I get that everyone is complaining about the no-name bullpen; but really, even with all the “big names” last year, it was completely terrible, completely. I honestly believe that this year’s bullpen can’t be worse than last year’s bullpen. It can’t be. I expect a big jump in production from Vaughn and Benitendi. I really do; I think that will come from the improved clubhouse and Benitendi’s improved hand. I think, this being the last year of his contract, I expect a motivated Moncada, motivated to play 145 games or so, and actually give some real production at the plate. I’m hanging onto that last month of production he had at the end of last year as evidence of what he can do all year in ‘24. Now to Eloy, hmmm. . . back to the clubhouse thing here. Last year as Eloy sat at his locker, he would look down the row of teammates and see this: fat Lance Lynn who was too lazy to get in shape and lose weight to help his team; the unmotivated Moncada; Grandal, what a piece of yuck; and finally, TA, the biggest cancer on a team loaded with cancers. That won’t be the case this year (I hope). With guys around him putting the team first, I’m hoping that he’ll step up this year and be productive. The defense will be significantly better, and that will help pitching. I know everyone, including me, wonders where the runs are going to come from, but again, it can’t be worse than last year. I just looked it up; the White Sox were 2nd to last (29 out of 30) in run production last year. The Sox offense has to be able to do better (or less bad) than that. And even if it’s not improved, with the better pitching and defense; they’re still going to win more games. So, I say it again: There’s definitely a very small chance that he White Sox could be successful this year, and I’m gonna get behind that chance because it is way better than no chance at all and being one of the countless number of doomsayers. And so, I love the team this year. I’m excited to be a fan of it!! Super post!!! Can't disagree with a single thought. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Goooooooood......... 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 It's a good post, but we're gonna suck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrockway Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 I definitely think this team will be better than most fans think and almost certainly better than last season. I wouldn't rule out a .500 record. A lot has to go right though, the "bounce back" guys have to actually bounce back. Eloy, Benintendi and Moncada have to play at a level that they're probably still capable of. The young guys from Vaughn and DeLoach to Eder and Nastrini have to show something. I think there's such a wide range of potential outcomes for this team that it makes me genuinely excited to watch them this year. well, until we have 30 losses by May. More than a winning record, I'd just hope that several of these guys can play themselves into semi-valuable assets and be consolidated into an actually useful player or two. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South Side Hit Men Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 I’m excited because until 2021, I’ve loved everyone in the dugout but TLR in the 1980s. That changed 2021-2023 except for the Field of Dreams game. Heading into this season, I love everyone once again. I am concerned with a few of Getz’ moves the past two weeks, and really hope he doesn’t keep cutting potential useful players for guys who are near or should be in retirement. They will not be good, but definitely love the season win total lines of over 63’ (-105) or 64’ (+110). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 I wish I could care about the 2024 season even a fraction of the OP. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 (edited) 22 minutes ago, South Side Hit Men said: I’m excited because until 2021, I’ve loved everyone in the dugout but TLR in the 1980s. That changed 2021-2023 except for the Field of Dreams game. Heading into this season, I love everyone once again. I am concerned with a few of Getz’ moves the past two weeks, and really hope he doesn’t keep cutting potential useful players for guys who are near or should be in retirement. They will not be good, but definitely love the season win total lines of over 63’ (-105) or 64’ (+110). Well, one of the few things about being projected for 63 wins is that even awful teams sometimes win 65. It's hard to suck that much. https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Team Looking at that, just compared to other teams, we've got a tough row to hoe especially on the pitching side if Cease is traded. I can see the downside on 63 as well. Edited February 20 by chitownsportsfan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestEddy Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 1 hour ago, nrockway said: I definitely think this team will be better than most fans think and almost certainly better than last season. I wouldn't rule out a .500 record. A lot has to go right though, the "bounce back" guys have to actually bounce back. Eloy, Benintendi and Moncada have to play at a level that they're probably still capable of. The young guys from Vaughn and DeLoach to Eder and Nastrini have to show something. I think there's such a wide range of potential outcomes for this team that it makes me genuinely excited to watch them this year. well, until we have 30 losses by May. More than a winning record, I'd just hope that several of these guys can play themselves into semi-valuable assets and be consolidated into an actually useful player or two. I could see this team being at 48-60 by the trade deadline, if Cease doesn't get traded in spring training. If they trade Cease, Soroka, anybody from the bullpen who can fog a mirror, I could then see them crashing, burning, and finishing with about 68 wins. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Bottom line, it's going to be another long desolate season. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSpalehoseCWS Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 I remember my first beer too. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buehrle>Wood Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 I was thinking this team should be a lot more likeable. Then I remembered Moncada and Kopech are still here and they inexplicably traded Jake Burger. Still, I guess the sum is still for the best. I'm ready for baseball. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said: I wish I could care about the 2024 season even a fraction of the OP. Can we compute a negative fraction? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pale Sox Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Bold post. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South Side Hit Men Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 2 hours ago, chitownsportsfan said: Well, one of the few things about being projected for 63 wins is that even awful teams sometimes win 65. It's hard to suck that much. https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Team Looking at that, just compared to other teams, we've got a tough row to hoe especially on the pitching side if Cease is traded. I can see the downside on 63 as well. Their system projects the Sox finishing 67-95. https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Standings Not sure how dynamic their system is to account for likely trade deadline dumps and roster playing time in Aug-Sept for fill ins. I don’t see as many guys being traded this July, primarily because they had more high caliber players to trade last year vs. this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcq Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Thinking of an alt team to follow. Brewers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T R U Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 I appreciate the effort in your post, we’re all fans or we wouldn’t be here. That being said, this is easily one of the worst rosters n baseball top to bottom. We also have a manager who openly admits he isn’t playing for development. This is going to be a long season of trash veterans getting way more rope than they should, and the result of that is going to be a very depressing product. I can’t even squint and see a scenario where this team sniffs .500 ball by game 162. It’s not going to happen, because even if they all play over their heads they’re getting traded come mid-end July anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 1 hour ago, pcq said: Thinking of an alt team to follow. Brewers. I'd like an alt team as well. My plan is to follow the Sox and Cubs both because of the word 'Chicago.' I can never be a Cub fan but I could possibly learn to follow them and see what I think. I'm that down on Jerry and this club. This was a good optimistic post but I personally see miserable pitching and a very inept lineup. Wonder where everybody thinks we'll be awesome on defense. 60-65 wins would be a good season with this talent. I've been a diehard Sox fan all my life. If I feel this way I can only imagine what a more casual Sox fan is thinking. For those people with a functioning brain (ones who only go to games in person if they have a great seat) I just can't believe they'll pay MLB prices for GOOD tix, parking and food/beer/soda to watch this team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hi8is Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 I love lamp. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soulfly Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 This team is better than last years. s%*# on them all you want for not having talent, but I bet they play better as a team than what we trotted out the last couple seasons. Strong defense and fundamental baseball can overcome a lot. I believe. P.S. I am not Chris Getz and I am not high. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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