Is “The 78” Dead? Or even more alive? Fire announce plans for SSS

southsider2k5 · October 3

49 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Fair enough. I was just highlighting that it really was a long time ago, but didn't mean it to be a criticism leveled directly at you.

Let's be real. While there are some much older people in the Sox fan base, for the vast majority of it, they don't remember the 1950's or 1960's. The median age right now in the US is 38.7 years. Somewhere around 5 out of 6 people in the US right now are under 65.

Lip Man 1 · October 3

53 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Fair enough. I was just highlighting that it really was a long time ago, but didn't mean it to be a criticism leveled directly at you.

No worries, we are good!

WestEddy · October 3

3 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Let's be real. While there are some much older people in the Sox fan base, for the vast majority of it, they don't remember the 1950's or 1960's. The median age right now in the US is 38.7 years. Somewhere around 5 out of 6 people in the US right now are under 65.

My 40 year old nephew has no pride in SuperBowl XX. It barely happened in his lifetime.

WBWSF · October 3

1 hour ago, 77 Hitmen said:

I agree that "imminent danger" and that the fanbase is "gone" is a too strong. But that doesn't mean this team doesn't have serious problems with the fan base. Life long Sox fans aren't going to up and switch to the Cubs, but are enough Gen Z and Gen Alpha fans building a strong connection to the team as they've grown up over the last 15 years? Like how the Sox lost a lot of market share among people who grew up in the SportsVision era, I fear that they've lost a new generation now due to how badly this organization has been run since 2007 or so while the Cubs have become exciting over the last decade or so.

And yeah, first and foremost the next owners have to build this organization into being one that is perpetually competitive. Building a new ballpark and then running the team "Jerry's way" would end badly. But that doesn't mean that there aren't issues with the ballpark and its surroundings that need to be fixed. Maybe those can be addressed while remaining at 35th & Shields. I personally have my doubts, but I agree that staying at 35th St. and improving things there is certainly possible.

As far as the St. Louis attendance issue, their huge drop off should be concerning to them, but the only times in the last 30 years the Sox have exceeded the Cardinals' huge drop off today of 27,778 per game was 2005-2009. I actually think the St. Louis drop off should be a huge red flag to all of MLB, not just the Cardinals front office. The league is moving to a two-tiered set of teams where the small and even medium markets can't keep up with the top 12 or so big market teams and fans in those cities are turning away from the sport.

The owner of the Rockies has said baseball has 3 tiers. Tier #1 has 6 teams who have a real good chance of winning a championship. Tier #2 has 6 teams who might win a championship. Tier#3 has the other 18 teams who have no chance of winning a championship. It's hard to disagree with him on the subject.

Lip Man 1 · October 4

1 hour ago, WBWSF said:

The owner of the Rockies has said baseball has 3 tiers. Tier #1 has 6 teams who have a real good chance of winning a championship. Tier #2 has 6 teams who might win a championship. Tier#3 has the other 18 teams who have no chance of winning a championship. It's hard to disagree with him on the subject.

Get better owners and that division among teams would change.

Ironic the Rockies owner said that, he's crushing things attendance-wise, making a lot of money yet continues to put out a crap product.

Edited October 4 by Lip Man 1

77 Hitmen · October 4

2 hours ago, WestEddy said:

My 40 year old nephew has no pride in SuperBowl XX. It barely happened in his lifetime.

I was surprised recently when a coworker, who I have worked with for 20 years said that he's disappointed that he has no memory of the Bears winning the Super Bowl. He was too young at the time to remember. That sure made me feel old!

77 Hitmen · October 4

2 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

Let's be real. While there are some much older people in the Sox fan base, for the vast majority of it, they don't remember the 1950's or 1960's. The median age right now in the US is 38.7 years. Somewhere around 5 out of 6 people in the US right now are under 65.

As someone who is in his late 50s, it gives me no pleasure to point out such realities. You mean, not all of us native Chicagoans remember the Blizzard of '79??!! Say it ain't so! Jane Byrne! Ed Vyrdolyak! Ray Raynor! Johnny Morris! Every Chicagoan knows who they are, right?

What really makes me feel old is when I talk to people pushing 40 who are too young to remember 1990. Yikes!

77 Hitmen · October 4

16 hours ago, WBWSF said:

The owner of the Rockies has said baseball has 3 tiers. Tier #1 has 6 teams who have a real good chance of winning a championship. Tier #2 has 6 teams who might win a championship. Tier#3 has the other 18 teams who have no chance of winning a championship. It's hard to disagree with him on the subject.

Three tiers sounds right. I'd say there are more teams in Tier 1 than 6, but the point remains the same. Look at the list of 2025 MLB payrolls. It's incredible how closely it lines up with market size.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2025/04/02/2025-mlb-team-payrolls-highest-lowest/82751012007/

5 of the 8 teams who are in the LDS are big market teams. Detroit is there because someone from the AL Central has to be. Seattle I'd argue is a Tier #2 (middle market) team. Milwaukee is the one true outlier of the bunch, but get back to me if they make it past this round. I have my doubts about that.

Sure, there are bad owners in all the tiers: Angels (Moreno) should be Tier 1, Pirates (Nutting) could at least be as competitive as the Royals. Rockies should be a Tier 2 team, not threating to break Reinsdorf's 121 mark. JR has backed the Sox into Tier 3 status.

Anyway, off topic. I know there's a "Ominous Signs" thread to discuss where MLB is heading toward the end of next year. It'll also be interesting to see what they end up doing with the TV contracts in a few years.

Bob Sacamano · October 4

On 10/3/2025 at 4:51 PM, WestEddy said:

My 40 year old nephew has no pride in SuperBowl XX. It barely happened in his lifetime.

This is how I feel about the 90s Bulls (I’m 34). Sure, they happened in my lifetime but I don’t really count them.

Edited October 4 by Bob Sacamano

tray · October 4

On 10/3/2025 at 4:32 PM, WestEddy said:

Yikes. Dude, it's a chat board. I've certainly gotten into my share of SoxTalk tiffs, and still do, but casually looking over the "78" thread, it's like you're picking fights with everyone over everything.

That's your opinion. I pick fights? No, but I will hold my own ...and then I know when to disengage with those who always want to have the last word.

Now who starts s%*#? Look no further than a recent post in this thread where I wanted to make the point that the culture of Sox fans on the South side has been over a century in the making. Certain groups (like the S Side Irish community) and other ethnic groups took root on the South side and expanded out, largely to the S and SW suburbs. That is where the majority of the fan base is located. The fact is that the White Sox are identified with the South side, Sox fandom and all it entails. It is part of their culture.

So the responses to that post immediately attempted to deflect and make it about age...Gen X fans v old fans on Social Security or something ridiculous like that. My point, which was pretty clear, had nothing to do with the age of fans. It did have to do with the long relationship between the White Sox, the location where they have played for 125 years, and where most in the WSox fan base reside. My guess is that most younger fans and even our young announcer understand that.

Edited October 4 by tray

WhiteSox2023 · October 5

3 hours ago, tray said:

That's your opinion. I pick fights? No, but I will hold my own ...and then I know when to disengage with those who always want to have the last word.

Now who starts s%*#? Look no further than a recent post in this thread where I wanted to make the point that the culture of Sox fans on the South side has been over a century in the making. Certain groups (like the S Side Irish community) and other ethnic groups took root on the South side and expanded out, largely to the S and SW suburbs. That is where the majority of the fan base is located. The fact is that the White Sox are identified with the South side, Sox fandom and all it entails. It is part of their culture.

So the responses to that post immediately attempted to deflect and make it about age...Gen X fans v old fans on Social Security or something ridiculous like that. My point, which was pretty clear, had nothing to do with the age of fans. It did have to do with the long relationship between the White Sox, the location where they have played for 125 years, and where most in the WSox fan base reside. My guess is that most younger fans and even our young announcer understand that.

You were also upset that posters would be sarcastic and critical of a team that has lost 100+ games over 3 years and set the loss record. The Sox are a terrible team with a terrible owner. It has nothing to do with the age or ethnicity of Sox fans. Are you trying to pretend that south side Irish Sox fans aren’t fed up with the current state of this garbage team? You hate the Cubs and we all know that they are the “Loveable Losers” but you seem to want to ensure that the Sox share that same motto.

Finally, why do you rage against anyone and everyone that talks about the Sox being an absolute garbage MLB team rather than the owner of the team Jerry Reinsdorf? He should be the target of your anger. This isn’t rocket science, they are bad for a reason.

Edited October 5 by WhiteSox2023

WhiteSox2023 · October 5

On 10/3/2025 at 4:41 PM, WestEddy said:

Okay, next 8 cases.

Coors Lite owns, and da Jewels always has deals on it for 2 cases.

WestEddy · October 5

39 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Coors Lite owns, and da Jewels always has deals on it for 2 cases.

I'm a Miller Lite man. Tried to think of a cheap beer. Used to bring a case of Black Label to a party back in the day, then drink the good stuff from the fridge.

WhiteSox2023 · October 5

6 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

I'm a Miller Lite man. Tried to think of a cheap beer. Used to bring a case of Black Label to a party back in the day, then drink the good stuff from the fridge.

PBR and Keystone Lite. 🤣

Edited October 5 by WhiteSox2023

Kyyle23 · October 5

7 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

I'm a Miller Lite man. Tried to think of a cheap beer. Used to bring a case of Black Label to a party back in the day, then drink the good stuff from the fridge.

We used to have skunky beer parties, bring a case of cheap beer and we had a tub we would fill with ice we would dump them in. A lotta keystone ice, natty light, and high life 😂

southsider2k5 · October 5

3 hours ago, tray said:

That's your opinion. I pick fights? No, but I will hold my own ...and then I know when to disengage with those who always want to have the last word.

Now who starts s%*#? Look no further than a recent post in this thread where I wanted to make the point that the culture of Sox fans on the South side has been over a century in the making. Certain groups (like the S Side Irish community) and other ethnic groups took root on the South side and expanded out, largely to the S and SW suburbs. That is where the majority of the fan base is located. The fact is that the White Sox are identified with the South side, Sox fandom and all it entails. It is part of their culture.

So the responses to that post immediately attempted to deflect and make it about age...Gen X fans v old fans on Social Security or something ridiculous like that. My point, which was pretty clear, had nothing to do with the age of fans. It did have to do with the long relationship between the White Sox, the location where they have played for 125 years, and where most in the WSox fan base reside. My guess is that most younger fans and even our young announcer understand that.

If they "understand it" why are fewer fans at any point since 1999 going to games at this location, despite there being parking, Jerry Reinsdorf, and located where they have been since 1910?

ron883 · October 5

10 hours ago, Bob Sacamano said:

This is how I feel about the 90s Bulls (I’m 34). Sure, they happened in my lifetime but I don’t really count them.

A fellow 34 year old! You and me both Bob. I really have no emotional connection to those Bulls or Jordan. Especially since he has had nothing to do with the Bulls since retiring.

tray · October 5

1 hour ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

You were also upset that posters would be sarcastic and critical of a team that has lost 100+ games over 3 years and set the loss record. The Sox are a terrible team with a terrible owner. It has nothing to do with the age or ethnicity of Sox fans. Are you trying to pretend that south side Irish Sox fans aren’t fed up with the current state of this garbage team? You hate the Cubs and we all know that they are the “Loveable Losers” but you seem to want to ensure that the Sox share that same motto.

Finally, why do you rage against anyone and everyone that talks about the Sox being an absolute garbage MLB team rather than the owner of the team Jerry Reinsdorf? He should be the target of your anger. This isn’t rocket science, they are bad for a reason.

I am not angry but you sound angry...angry at Jerry Reinsdorf and certainly always angry at me. I was pursuing a different point, a larger point that I thought should be obvious but is sometimes lost. Forget I posted it 2023.

WhiteSox2023 · October 5

2 hours ago, tray said:

I am not angry but you sound angry...angry at Jerry Reinsdorf and certainly always angry at me. I was pursuing a different point, a larger point that I thought should be obvious but is sometimes lost. Forget I posted it 2023.

Nope, I’m not angry at all. It has been the status quo for years. Every generation and race of baseball fans hates awful baseball, and the White Sox are awful thanks to their deadbeat owner. It doesn’t take much thought or pontification of other bullshit excuses to realize the truth.

southsider2k5 · October 5

11 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

If they "understand it" why are fewer fans at any point since 1999 going to games at this location, despite there being parking, Jerry Reinsdorf, and located where they have been since 1910?

I will even tack on to this, Jerry bought the team in April 1980.

In his first full (non-strike) season as owner the White Sox averaged 19,316 per game.

This year the Sox averaged 17,849. The only teams behind the White Sox? They are playing in literal Minor League ballparks and are looking at potential moves.

It's the same location since 1910.

It's the same owner since 1980.

It's the same park since 1991.

Tell me again how all of these things are soooo important to a franchise whose fanbase is shrinking and among the smallest in baseball.

WestEddy · October 5

39 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

I will even tack on to this, Jerry bought the team in April 1980.

In his first full (non-strike) season as owner the White Sox averaged 19,316 per game.

This year the Sox averaged 17,849. The only teams behind the White Sox? They are playing in literal Minor League ballparks and are looking at potential moves.

It's the same location since 1910.

It's the same owner since 1980.

It's the same park since 1991.

Tell me again how all of these things are soooo important to a franchise whose fanbase is shrinking and among the smallest in baseball.

And at this point, it's the regional fanbase teams try to cultivate, not part of one city. The Cards' base stretches well into KY, TN and AK. Cubs draw from IA, MI, IN. When the Cubs had a team in Peoria, there were lots of Cub and Cardinal hats at the game. The Sox get into the South, SW suburbs, and Indiana. They really have to grab fans' imagination to battle with the Tigers, Brewers, Cubs and Cards to get households.

NO!!MARY!!! · October 5

2 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

I will even tack on to this, Jerry bought the team in April 1980.

In his first full (non-strike) season as owner the White Sox averaged 19,316 per game.

This year the Sox averaged 17,849. The only teams behind the White Sox? They are playing in literal Minor League ballparks and are looking at potential moves.

It's the same location since 1910.

It's the same owner since 1980.

It's the same park since 1991.

Tell me again how all of these things are soooo important to a franchise whose fanbase is shrinking and among the smallest in baseball.

Bill Veeck was still the owner in April, 1980. E&R did not take over until 1981.

southsider2k5 · October 5

1 hour ago, NO!!MARY!!! said:

Bill Veeck was still the owner in April, 1980. E&R did not take over until 1981.

The transaction was announced in April 1980, which was a strike year, so I went with 1981s attendance. All that to say, the post statistics are still accurate.

The Sox have a shrinking fan base since Jerry took over, and for some reason there are those pretending like we can't mess with success. It's not the good old days anymore and the Sox are being left behind.

Tnetennba · October 5

19 hours ago, tray said:

That's your opinion. I pick fights? No, but I will hold my own ...and then I know when to disengage with those who always want to have the last word.

Now who starts s%*#? Look no further than a recent post in this thread where I wanted to make the point that the culture of Sox fans on the South side has been over a century in the making. Certain groups (like the S Side Irish community) and other ethnic groups took root on the South side and expanded out, largely to the S and SW suburbs. That is where the majority of the fan base is located. The fact is that the White Sox are identified with the South side, Sox fandom and all it entails. It is part of their culture.

So the responses to that post immediately attempted to deflect and make it about age...Gen X fans v old fans on Social Security or something ridiculous like that. My point, which was pretty clear, had nothing to do with the age of fans. It did have to do with the long relationship between the White Sox, the location where they have played for 125 years, and where most in the WSox fan base reside. My guess is that most younger fans and even our young announcer understand that.

Motherfucker, you accused me of lying about living in Bridgeport and of fabricating proof. As well as insinuating that I was living in my mother's basement.

Yes, you pick fights. Yes, you start s%*#. You troll and then get angry and defensive when called on it, usually resorting to personal attacks, as referenced in my first sentence.

You don't speak for Sox fandom, and you don't get to be the arbiter of how to be a fan, FFS.

77 Hitmen · October 5

3 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

The transaction was announced in April 1980, which was a strike year, so I went with 1981s attendance. All that to say, the post statistics are still accurate.

The Sox have a shrinking fan base since Jerry took over, and for some reason there are those pretending like we can't mess with success. It's not the good old days anymore and the Sox are being left behind.

@NO!!MARY!!! is correct. The sale of the Sox to Jerry and Eddie Einhorn didn't take place until January 1981. 1981 was the strike year. In 1980, Veeck tried to sell the team to Edward DeBartolo and the AL owners rejected the sale. Talk about a huge "What If?" for us fans!
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1980/10/24/Edward-DeBartolo-Srs-bid-to-purchase-the-Chicago-White/9801341208000/

Otherwise, your comment and assessment of the situation is SPOT ON.

Edited October 5 by 77 Hitmen

Is “The 78” Dead? Or even more alive? Fire announce plans for SSS

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