The Future of the White Sox TV Broadcast Team

[palehose1]

It will be interesting to see what shakes out for next year. Stone is missing about half the games - I wonder how much this is planned and how much has materialized with the multiple 100 loss seasons as well as his pairing with John Schiffren. Stone is 78 but still a master of pitch selection and game strategy -  how long will he want to do it? The rumblings I hear is that although Schiffren appears differential to Stone on the air they have had some significant off the air "blowups".  Sounds like Stone is frustrated with some of Schiffren's lack of ability to adjust and adapt. John seems to be a nice guy but he is not a baseball PBP announcer for a MLB franchise. Examples are his constant comment about the Vargas change in batting stance even though that performance "bump" faded away weeks ago. His forced "big play" calls are still cringey (La Panterra!!!)

I don't wish him any ill will but it sounds like this will be the last year for Schiffren. Whats the options out there? Anyone new? Move Len Kaspar to TV ? (although he says he prefers radio). More Dan Plesac? More Gordon Beckham? I think Plesac could be an option if he was paired with a stronger PBP man.

Where do we go from here?

[kitekrazy]

I'm not 78 but at some point I could see age saying you can't do this anymore.  

[The Mighty Mite]

37 minutes ago, palehose1 said:

It will be interesting to see what shakes out for next year. Stone is missing about half the games - I wonder how much this is planned and how much has materialized with the multiple 100 loss seasons as well as his pairing with John Schiffren. Stone is 78 but still a master of pitch selection and game strategy -  how long will he want to do it? The rumblings I hear is that although Schiffren appears differential to Stone on the air they have had some significant off the air "blowups".  Sounds like Stone is frustrated with some of Schiffren's lack of ability to adjust and adapt. John seems to be a nice guy but he is not a baseball PBP announcer for a MLB franchise. Examples are his constant comment about the Vargas change in batting stance even though that performance "bump" faded away weeks ago. His forced "big play" calls are still cringey (La Panterra!!!)

I don't wish him any ill will but it sounds like this will be the last year for Schiffren. Whats the options out there? Anyone new? Move Len Kaspar to TV ? (although he says he prefers radio). More Dan Plesac? More Gordon Beckham? I think Plesac could be an option if he was paired with a stronger PBP man.

Where do we go from here?

I thought maybe Schiffren would have figured things out by now, he’s a tad better than last year but only a tad. Sox fans aren’t dumb and we can see with our own eyes what’s going with Vargas and Schiffren has to stop sugar coating things. As for Stone, it’s time for a change.

[Lip Man 1]

I can tell you from a high ranked person in the front office if they have their way Schiffren isn't going anywhere. They are very pleased with his work. (Their words not mine).

Don't know what Stone's future is but getting Plesac involved was an excellent move. The question with him is would he want to leave the MLBN?

Personally as a broadcaster myself I don't think Schiffren has improved that much in year #2. Doing play by play for baseball is an art form, a real skill. It is so different from doing football, basketball and hockey.

I was told by both Pat Hughes and the late Dave Wills it is different from anything else a broadcaster may have done before. 

Edited July 20 by Lip Man 1

[palehose1]

29 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

I can tell you from a high ranked person in the front office if they have their way Schiffren isn't going anywhere. They are very pleased with his work. (Their words not mine).

Don't know what Stone's future is but getting Plesac involved was an excellent move. The question with him is would he want to leave the MNBN?

Personally as a broadcaster myself I don't think Schiffren has improved that much in year #2. Doing play by play for baseball is an art form, a real skill. It is so different from doing football, baseball and hockey.

I was told by both Pat Hughes and the late Dave Wills it is different from anything else a broadcaster may have done before. 

Interesting. It sounds like the pairing is the issue and maybe Stone will hang it up. He's a sharp analyst but on the negative side of the ledger the first things people say about Stone is "arrogant" or "condescending"  I'm sure he difficult to work with.  I agree JS has only made a small improvement from last year. His fan approval has to be really low but the Sox mgmt has shown that isn't an important factor. 

[Tnetennba]

Schriffen is such a bootlicker that I doubt he's going anywhere unless is its by choice. The org doesn't care about quailty as long as you kiss the ring. 

As for Stone, it is really time to call it a career, though I'm sure he as a job for as long as he wants. They are a miserable pairing, but it doesn't matter much until the org is ready to move on from both of them.

[caulfield12]

No Connor McKnight love here?

Would love to see AJ return when Ishbia takes over...

 

[Ducksnort]

12 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

No Connor McKnight love here?

Would love to see AJ return when Ishbia takes over...

 

I actually think AJ would take the job if offered. I love the homer announcers, and AJ is actually a great analyst. He seems to love the Sox still.

[Ducksnort]

I don't get the Stone hate. He's fantastic and has a wealth of knowledge.

[Ducksnort]

2 hours ago, palehose1 said:

It will be interesting to see what shakes out for next year. Stone is missing about half the games - I wonder how much this is planned and how much has materialized with the multiple 100 loss seasons as well as his pairing with John Schiffren. Stone is 78 but still a master of pitch selection and game strategy -  how long will he want to do it? The rumblings I hear is that although Schiffren appears differential to Stone on the air they have had some significant off the air "blowups".  Sounds like Stone is frustrated with some of Schiffren's lack of ability to adjust and adapt. John seems to be a nice guy but he is not a baseball PBP announcer for a MLB franchise. Examples are his constant comment about the Vargas change in batting stance even though that performance "bump" faded away weeks ago. His forced "big play" calls are still cringey (La Panterra!!!)

I don't wish him any ill will but it sounds like this will be the last year for Schiffren. Whats the options out there? Anyone new? Move Len Kaspar to TV ? (although he says he prefers radio). More Dan Plesac? More Gordon Beckham? I think Plesac could be an option if he was paired with a stronger PBP man.

Where do we go from here?

Where did you hear this about stone and schriffen having kerfuffle? 

[southsider2k5]

10 minutes ago, Ducksnort said:

I don't get the Stone hate. He's fantastic and has a wealth of knowledge.

Because large portions of games he is standoffish and silent.  He's moody and does nothing to support the PBP guy.

[wegner]

35 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Because large portions of games he is standoffish and silent.  He's moody and does nothing to support the PBP guy.

Sounds like Hawk

[Sleepy Harold]

Schriff is a try-hard that probably means well but generally blows, I hope he gets the Chris Vosters treatment after this season. 

[Jake]

Plesac has potential but man his verbal slip-ups have been going wild. By the end of tonight's game Sosa had become "Lean." Good vibes between Schriff and Plesac, though. They're clearly having fun. Sometimes Schriffen and Stone have a good time together but other times it feels like Schriffen is begging Stone to wake up (or lighten up). 

[DoUEvenShift]

Wish we still had Farmio

[pcq]

6 hours ago, palehose1 said:

It will be interesting to see what shakes out for next year. Stone is missing about half the games - I wonder how much this is planned and how much has materialized with the multiple 100 loss seasons as well as his pairing with John Schiffren. Stone is 78 but still a master of pitch selection and game strategy -  how long will he want to do it? The rumblings I hear is that although Schiffren appears differential to Stone on the air they have had some significant off the air "blowups".  Sounds like Stone is frustrated with some of Schiffren's lack of ability to adjust and adapt. John seems to be a nice guy but he is not a baseball PBP announcer for a MLB franchise. Examples are his constant comment about the Vargas change in batting stance even though that performance "bump" faded away weeks ago. His forced "big play" calls are still cringey (La Panterra!!!)

I don't wish him any ill will but it sounds like this will be the last year for Schiffren. Whats the options out there? Anyone new? Move Len Kaspar to TV ? (although he says he prefers radio). More Dan Plesac? More Gordon Beckham? I think Plesac could be an option if he was paired with a stronger PBP man.

Where do we go from here?

Loser org hires Guy Smiley. 

[Sox guy]

4 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

No Connor McKnight love here?

Would love to see AJ return when Ishbia takes over...

 

Connor is an absolute pro, we're lucky to have him.  He's miles better than Shriff on PBP.  I hope we don't trade Connor for prospects.

4 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

Because large portions of games he is standoffish and silent.  He's moody and does nothing to support the PBP guy.

You can't blame him for that, he's a Ford Frick caliber talent paired with a shmuck who makes "boom goes the dynamite" guy look like Vin.

 

Shriff is an absolute disaster, but I think he's signed for 2 years beyond this one, so we're stuck with him.  I have the gut feeling I know what Brooks and Jerry are thinking when approving of the guy, but can't really articulate it without sounding controversial.  Gotta get a feel for the freespeechness of this forum before knowing what can be said here.

 

Nonetheless, the Sox had the ideal pairing with Len and Steve, yet tossed it like gold into a dumpster.  Just terrible.  and like I said in another thread, I don't buy Len's whole "radio only" shtick.  Put him on TV, return him to radio if we make playoffs.  Simple as.

 

I do hope Sox come to their senses and toss out Shriffen like Jazz by Uncle Phil.  But that would mean they'd eat money, which they won't do.  add Shriff's hiring, and the Benetti debacle, to the list of dumb things Jerry has done thru the years.

 

Steve Stone has some years left in him, he isn't done by a long shot.  We need to keep him here, he's a true White Sock.  Listen to his demands, cater to the guy if necessary, we are very lucky to have him too.

 

Gotta value your  prised assets like Stone and McKnight.  Guillen too, I hope the org truly shows them how much they're valued.  Shriff is crap, and Chuck is ok, but wouldn't be a big loss if he left.  I'd prefer Tom Waddle in his spot, or even White Sox Dave tbh.  Chuck can be a bit too nerdy sometimes.

 

Brooke, of course, is a perfect 10 lookswise.  Talent, however...  no comment.

[tray]

4 hours ago, Sox guy said:

Shriff is an absolute disaster, but I think he's signed for 2 years beyond this one, so we're stuck with him.  I have the gut feeling I know what Brooks and Jerry are thinking when approving of the guy, but can't really articulate it without sounding controversial.  Gotta get a feel for the freespeechness of this forum before knowing what can be said here.

Ugh.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

6 hours ago, Sox guy said:

Connor is an absolute pro, we're lucky to have him.  He's miles better than Shriff on PBP.  I hope we don't trade Connor for prospects.

You can't blame him for that, he's a Ford Frick caliber talent paired with a shmuck who makes "boom goes the dynamite" guy look like Vin.

 

Shriff is an absolute disaster, but I think he's signed for 2 years beyond this one, so we're stuck with him.  I have the gut feeling I know what Brooks and Jerry are thinking when approving of the guy, but can't really articulate it without sounding controversial.  Gotta get a feel for the freespeechness of this forum before knowing what can be said here.

 

Nonetheless, the Sox had the ideal pairing with Len and Steve, yet tossed it like gold into a dumpster.  Just terrible.  and like I said in another thread, I don't buy Len's whole "radio only" shtick.  Put him on TV, return him to radio if we make playoffs.  Simple as.

 

I do hope Sox come to their senses and toss out Shriffen like Jazz by Uncle Phil.  But that would mean they'd eat money, which they won't do.  add Shriff's hiring, and the Benetti debacle, to the list of dumb things Jerry has done thru the years.

 

Steve Stone has some years left in him, he isn't done by a long shot.  We need to keep him here, he's a true White Sock.  Listen to his demands, cater to the guy if necessary, we are very lucky to have him too.

 

Gotta value your  prised assets like Stone and McKnight.  Guillen too, I hope the org truly shows them how much they're valued.  Shriff is crap, and Chuck is ok, but wouldn't be a big loss if he left.  I'd prefer Tom Waddle in his spot, or even White Sox Dave tbh.  Chuck can be a bit too nerdy sometimes.

 

Brooke, of course, is a perfect 10 lookswise.  Talent, however...  no comment.

It's a bit of a boys club around here. A lot like high school.If your opinions are in line with the majority there are no free speech issues. But if you buck the system there's still free speech but be prepared to take some heat or even be ridiculed especially if your knowledge level is below average or show any particular patterns in your writing style . 

Of course many opinions are based on ignorance , passion and over reaction in any sports forum. But that doesn't really excuse crimes of passion. 

Some would call it bullying, or browbeating or wolfpack hectoring.

I think there are plenty of  people here who are intimidated not to go too much against the flow and some who get driven away or fed up . No one is really told to cool it especially if your voice matches the forums moderators. 

Edited July 20 by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

[soxrwhite]

Shriffen is so bad Stone wants out every chance he gets. The radio team is much better.

[Sox guy]

1 hour ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

It's a bit of a boys club around here. A lot like high school.If your opinions are in line with the majority there are no free speech issues. But if you buck the system there's still free speech but be prepared to take some heat or even be ridiculed especially if your knowledge level is below average or show any particular patterns in your writing style . 

Of course many opinions are based on ignorance , passion and over reaction in any sports forum. But that doesn't really excuse crimes of passion. 

Some would call it bullying, or browbeating or wolfpack hectoring.

I think there are plenty of  people here who are intimidated not to go too much against the flow and some who get driven away or fed up . No one is really told to cool it especially if your voice matches the forums moderators. 

Ugh, I hate that.  This shouldn't be like reddit.  I detest conformity, we should even allow cub fans here.

 

Well, I'm fully prepared to take heat for any take, as long as it's not a ban.  I got banned from WSI for saying someone threw like a girl.  One of the most common phrases in our language, completely benign and harmless, said by millions every second of every day...  and I got banned for it.  So yeah, I'm gonna tread carefully here until it's proven that the coast is clear.

 

That being said, Shriffen sucks. He's lame, talentless, annoying, cringe, and has absolutely no guap.  Doesn't matter how much 108 rear he brownnoses, that doesn't make him a good announcer.  Stone knows it, but has too much class to just tell him "Leave.  Just leave already.".  But he definitely wants to.

 

Despite a phenomenal career on the field and in booth, plus acting opportunities like when he was offered to get with Susan Lucci...  Stone is still humble.  It's interesting to witness.  He's deeply religious, and simply wouldn't hurt a soul, almost to a fault.  Except when he slams former ch7 political reporter andy Shaw on twitter, those tweets are hilarious.

[Buehrle>Wood]

Schriffen and Plesac are a lot of fun together so I hope its them. That said, didn't Stone sign a multi-year deal this past offseason? Doubt its his last.

 

Edit: he did. Stone aint going anywhere. From last game of last year: 

 

"Stone and John Schriffen, his play-by-play broadcast partner, announced Stone’s multiyear contract extension at the start of the second inning during a 7-0 White Sox victory"

Edited July 20 by Buehrle>Wood

[caulfield12]

2 hours ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

It's a bit of a boys club around here. A lot like high school.If your opinions are in line with the majority there are no free speech issues. But if you buck the system there's still free speech but be prepared to take some heat or even be ridiculed especially if your knowledge level is below average or show any particular patterns in your writing style . 

Of course many opinions are based on ignorance , passion and over reaction in any sports forum. But that doesn't really excuse crimes of passion. 

Some would call it bullying, or browbeating or wolfpack hectoring.

I think there are plenty of  people here who are intimidated not to go too much against the flow and some who get driven away or fed up . No one is really told to cool it especially if your voice matches the forums moderators. 

Probably closer to a fraternity, lol.

The main difference from the past is that it’s no longer possible to blame White Sox fans for not supporting the product of 2017-2019 and especially 2022-202_?

Previously, there was a split in board opinion on ownership and the front office…but these endless 100+ loss seasons and rebuilds without a contention target date are frustrating all but the most idealistic/optimistic of fans.

Now it’s about 90-95% “rational skepticism” until proven otherwise.

[WBWSF]

I think that Brooke Fletcher is great. She's good at what she does.

[Chicago White Sox]

1 hour ago, Sox guy said:

Ugh, I hate that.  This shouldn't be like reddit.  I detest conformity, we should even allow cub fans here.

 

Well, I'm fully prepared to take heat for any take, as long as it's not a ban.  I got banned from WSI for saying someone threw like a girl.  One of the most common phrases in our language, completely benign and harmless, said by millions every second of every day...  and I got banned for it.  So yeah, I'm gonna tread carefully here until it's proven that the coast is clear.

 

That being said, Shriffen sucks. He's lame, talentless, annoying, cringe, and has absolutely no guap.  Doesn't matter how much 108 rear he brownnoses, that doesn't make him a good announcer.  Stone knows it, but has too much class to just tell him "Leave.  Just leave already.".  But he definitely wants to.

 

Despite a phenomenal career on the field and in booth, plus acting opportunities like when he was offered to get with Susan Lucci...  Stone is still humble.  It's interesting to witness.  He's deeply religious, and simply wouldn't hurt a soul, almost to a fault.  Except when he slams former ch7 political reporter andy Shaw on twitter, those tweets are hilarious.

So what’s the controversial reason Jerry & Brooks approve of Schifren?