50 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

That makes it even worse.

Let me let you in on a little secret. What you cited are not in fact outliers and every team would be much better if you removed their worst 6 game stretch. They'd also be much worse if you removed their best 6 game stretch. 10% of the games played are not "outliers."

I mean if you excuse their worst stretch in 2024, they were great! I didn't realize the Olympics were being run in 2026, but the running and jumping to cover asses is world class.

I don't remember KW having this passionate a defense, and he put up the best overall team record of any modern day Sox GM.

Well, 2005 was just an anomaly/outlier and couldn't be repeated!!!

The 2006 team fell apart down the stretch after being 26 games over .500 at the ASB...but wasn't that first half a whole lotta fun?

Or, despite the highs of 2008, 2007 and 2009 ruined all the momentum coming out of the World Series.

Back then, the bar was much higher.

Look at all the criticism the 2001-2004 teams took. Those were mostly enjoyable teams to watch, too.

But now we're supposed to be elated to be competing with the team in sole possession of the lowest payroll in baseball? After three long years of pretty abysmal (record setting historically) baseball...

6 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

I don't remember KW having this passionate a defense, and he put up the best overall team record of any modern day Sox GM.

Well, 2005 was just an anomaly/outlier and couldn't be repeated!!!

The 2006 team fell apart down the stretch after being 26 games over .500 at the ASB...but wasn't that first half a whole lotta fun?

Or, despite the highs of 2008, 2007 and 2009 ruined all the momentum coming out of the World Series.

Back then, the bar was much higher.

Look at all the criticism the 2001-2004 teams took. Those were mostly enjoyable teams to watch, too.

But now we're supposed to be elated to be competing with the team in sole possession of the lowest payroll in baseball? After three long years of pretty abysmal (record setting historically) baseball...

Strange. I don't know too many people whose enjoyment of a winning team is ruined by fixating on the payroll. Would it make you happier if they paid Acuña, Fedde and Osvaldo Bido $30M each? LOL.

21 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

Strange. I don't know too many people whose enjoyment of a winning team is ruined by fixating on the payroll. Would it make you happier if they paid Acuña, Fedde and Osvaldo Bido $30M each? LOL.

Why would you want to defend a large market team spending in the bottom 3?

When's the last time that happened???

Are we Cleveland Miami or Oakland?

Even MLB owners believe the payroll of every team should have a $171.4 million FLOOR.

Which would basically mean doubling.

You do realize there's a strong correlation between playoff appearances and payroll...except for CLE TB Milwaukee???

17 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Why would you want to defend a large market team spending in the bottom 3?

When's the last time that happened???

Are we Cleveland Miami or Oakland?

Even MLB owners believe the payroll of every team should have a $171.4 million FLOOR.

Which would basically mean doubling.

You do realize there's a strong correlation between playoff appearances and payroll...except for CLE TB Milwaukee???

Here's your sentence, Jack:

But now we're supposed to be elated to be competing with the team in sole possession of the lowest payroll in baseball?

You're insinuating that being elated to be competing is cancelled out by a low payroll. That you'd be at a ballgame and wouldn't even make a sound during a walk-off victory, because nobody on the team has a large enough contract. You just make these weird-ass arguments about nothing. Yes, it would be better to be paying Merrill Kelly $20M to suck than to pay Anthony Kay $5M to actually be a league average pitcher. If only they had a Chris Davis or two on the team so we can really enjoy some baseball payroll. Sheesh.

19 players on the 26-man aren't even in arbitration, yet.

36 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

Here's your sentence, Jack:

You're insinuating that being elated to be competing is cancelled out by a low payroll. That you'd be at a ballgame and wouldn't even make a sound during a walk-off victory, because nobody on the team has a large enough contract. You just make these weird-ass arguments about nothing. Yes, it would be better to be paying Merrill Kelly $20M to suck than to pay Anthony Kay $5M to actually be a league average pitcher. If only they had a Chris Davis or two on the team so we can really enjoy some baseball payroll. Sheesh.

19 players on the 26-man aren't even in arbitration, yet.

Why would they sign the very worst possible players in FA?

Is Hahn now the GM?

They could have signed Mike Soroka for $7.5 million, though.

You keep praising Getz.

So why would you automatically expect him to waste $85 million on bad free agents?

All we've heard for nearly three years now is he how handicapped he has been by JR's self-imposed spending limits.

As far as not cheering, just f off.

That's just total bullshit to say Sox fans expecting more out of this ownership group can't fucking expect at least a mid market payroll when all the debt has been paid off.

Mid market average payroll now is $130-145 million, still well below MLB's projected floor of $171.

Btw I have been in hours more of game threads than you this year.

It's 443 am right now and I'm going back and forth between UCLA and the Sox game.

But I don't have a right to cheer if I criticize the payroll limitations?

Whatever pal.

Thanks for the how to be a fan gatekeeping.

46 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

As far as not cheering, just f off.

I'll answer what I can make sense out of. Most of the stuff you're angry at I didn't say, and I imagine is just engagement baiting.

Your sentence I quoted basically says that winning doesn't matter. You root for payroll. Good luck with that.

It seems that not railing on like an insane person about how much I hate Getz and how he's caused all of my life's misery is considered "praising" him.

You're not making an argument when you point to any random player who is doing better than some other random player and pretend you foretold that difference. That's what a 7-year-old does to feel smart.

I sure hope you win these arguments against whoever is saying all these things you're angry about.

35 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

I'll answer what I can make sense out of. Most of the stuff you're angry at I didn't say, and I imagine is just engagement baiting.

Your sentence I quoted basically says that winning doesn't matter. You root for payroll. Good luck with that.

It seems that not railing on like an insane person about how much I hate Getz and how he's caused all of my life's misery is considered "praising" him.

You're not making an argument when you point to any random player who is doing better than some other random player and pretend you foretold that difference. That's what a 7-year-old does to feel smart.

I sure hope you win these arguments against whoever is saying all these things you're angry about.

Great, so we don't have to hear how Cali supposedly predicted something nobody else did...and then spend years afterward rehashing how they were right and the rest of the site was wrong.

7 year old behavior, right?

I’ll apologize to Getz. But Jerry can go get stuffed. Blind squirrel, nut finding bastard.

6 hours ago, WestEddy said:

I preferred his "I'm the only one here smart enough to have an opinion" HBO special.

I've said "I'm wrong" or "I was wrong" more than most posters, certainly not afraid to admit it. I bump my own posts to call myself an idiot all the time. I dont reserve criticism for others only. I can't say the same for you and your pals.

I've found that being process and analytically driven online rubs many the wrong way. Especially when results don't fully align in the moment with the criticism. Truth is, bad process can get good results and good process, bad results. Dumb people can be rich and smart people poor. Mediocre teams can win World Series (2006 Cardinals) and great teams don't win it all the time.

39 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

I've found that being process and analytically driven online rubs many the wrong way.

No, being condescending while mocking others for being "irrational" because they won't declare that a pitcher who looks like a shoo-in for the All-Star game "stinks" - is what rubs many the wrong way. Laughing at the appropriate term "market inefficiency" makes you look argumentative about things that aren't controversial. Calling a team with top 3-6 players (at their positions) in the lineup "mediocre" and then arguing that for pages in the face of reasoned evidence makes you look like you're just being a contrarian for the sport of it.

I don't care if you admit you're wrong. Everybody here is wrong a lot and admit to that pretty easily. Stop acting like you're hated because you're so freaking smart. Or don't.

6 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

But now we're supposed to be elated to be competing with the team in sole possession of the lowest payroll in baseball? After three long years of pretty abysmal (record setting historically) baseball...

Fandom is so fascinating because we can see the exact same results and have completely different reactions to them.

I’m over here thinking that I wouldn’t blame someone if they were elated to be competing with the team in sole possession of first place in the division after three long years of historically abysmal baseball.

13 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Why would you want to defend a large market team spending in the bottom 3?

When's the last time that happened???

Are we Cleveland Miami or Oakland?

Even MLB owners believe the payroll of every team should have a $171.4 million FLOOR.

Which would basically mean doubling.

You do realize there's a strong correlation between playoff appearances and payroll...except for CLE TB Milwaukee???

Because in spite of JR they are building it back up. Isn't that what you want ? I have no idea how it will end but if the goal is a World Championship with the current owner and current players it's likely not to end well. But in the meantime I'll be happy with progress against all odds.

Money doesn't solve everything ask the Mets. You will be much happier with Ishbia and my guess is since even with money you still need a solid foundation and a pipeline of talent. That's what Getz is trying to accomplish as do those who believe in the new White Sox way that he hired. There's a lot of pulling on the same rope. Welcome to the 21st century . Hard to believe you actually support that old regime that could not adapt to modern baseball.

There's a lot of culture building and likeable young people doing a helluva job built on hard work and a positive outlook. I'm sorry all the fans can't understand that and continue to live in the past. But it's not just Bobbleheads that bring fans to the park. Keep spitting into the winds of change.

Edited Sunday at 09:41 AM1 day by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

10 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Great, so we don't have to hear how Cali supposedly predicted something nobody else did...and then spend years afterward rehashing how they were right and the rest of the site was wrong.

7 year old behavior, right?

Nah Imma do my thang. I'm supposed to eat s%*# through years of a lot of people pretending this isn't a rebuild just like the 1st rebuild was but somehow it wasn't to you and some others stuck in the past ? f*** that. Being right is being right because others were wrong and don't like hearing about it and want to keep suppressing the truth . Freedom baby it's a wonderful thing. Why you keep putting me in your mouth ? Everybody you're supporting makes fun of you and your posting style for years and I'd stick up for you. You want me to admit I'm wrong ? Fine I was wrong for ever sticking up for you. But I still like Greg and WB Tra La La La and others who are the butt of jokes around here. That's what immature is, attacking those who won't fight back. God Bless America ! I guess it's easy to be a Fascist in return for fake online comrades.

Edited Sunday at 03:33 PM1 day by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

18 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Nah Imma do my thang. I'm supposed to eat s%*# through years of a lot of people pretending this isn't a rebuild just like the 1st rebuild was but somehow it wasn't to you and some others stuck in the past ? f*** that. Being right is being right because others were wrong and don't like hearing about it and want to keep suppressing the truth . Freedom baby it's a wonderful thing. Why you keep putting me in your mouth ? Everybody you're supporting makes fun of you and your posting style for years and I'd stick up for you. You want me to admit I'm wrong ? Fine I was wrong for ever sticking up for you. But I still like Greg and WB Tra La La La and others who are the butt of jokes around here. That's what immature is, attacking those who won't fight back. God Bless America ! I guess it's easy to be a Fascist in return for fake online friendship.

I'm certainly not supporting any of the mods lol.

It's mostly the fact that nobody can even enjoy the current team on "either side" without being told how we should go about being fans.

I've actually shifted to being 75-80% positive recently...but I don't need either affirmation or condemnation, it's not like "winning the internet" earns one anything in the real world.

It's also not like winning a fantasy baseball league every year means anything either...it simply means I have more time in early retirement to follow all the other teams and players.

I was always anti Hahn too, but that was for personal reasons having to do with one of my best friends' sisters having gone to HLS with him from 1993-96.

In the end, ultimately, any praise or condemnation we receive posting about a sport many of our kids or spouses might find meaningless is just the fate of being a Chicago White Sox fan for life, lol...no matter how many times I've pretended to care about other teams during my lifetime, it was just a coping mechanism for dealing with bad Sox baseball. Just like this site.

In the end, life is too short to get wrapped up too much in these so called board wars. It's more about keeping faith with those in my family on my mother's side who passed on their love for the Sox to me, even if most of them have already died years and years ago, well before 2005 even.

https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/nc-states-season-and-head-coach-elliott-avents-decades-long-career-ends-on-a-pitch-clock-violation-in-ncaa-regionals-234553257.html

https://x.com/JomboyMedia/status/2060784753393995949/video/1

Glad my 11 year old son isn't around coaches/fathers like this...

Edited Sunday at 12:51 PM1 day by caulfield12

15 hours ago, WestEddy said:

No, being condescending while mocking others for being "irrational" because they won't declare that a pitcher who looks like a shoo-in for the All-Star game "stinks" - is what rubs many the wrong way. Laughing at the appropriate term "market inefficiency" makes you look argumentative about things that aren't controversial. Calling a team with top 3-6 players (at their positions) in the lineup "mediocre" and then arguing that for pages in the face of reasoned evidence makes you look like you're just being a contrarian for the sport of it.

I don't care if you admit you're wrong. Everybody here is wrong a lot and admit to that pretty easily. Stop acting like you're hated because you're so freaking smart. Or don't.

Man, ready your own posts once in a while.

A GM is only as good as the $$ he’s allocated. If you look back over the course of 2.25 seasons, Getz actually is doing a great job. Beni absolutely was an atrocious contract, but CG has made some solid signings, solid draft picks, and has built us from the worst team in baseball into what appears to be a playoff contending team, all without the ability to spend like even a mid-tier club in terms of payroll.

8 minutes ago, CityFan53 said:

A GM is only as good as the $$ he’s allocated. If you look back over the course of 2.25 seasons, Getz actually is doing a great job. Beni absolutely was an atrocious contract, but CG has made some solid signings, solid draft picks, and has built us from the worst team in baseball into what appears to be a playoff contending team, all without the ability to spend like even a mid-tier club in terms of payroll.

He is also building depth throughout the minors with talent at each level. Something Hahn had zero interest in doing.

39 minutes ago, PaleAleSox said:

He is also building depth throughout the minors with talent at each level. Something Hahn had zero interest in doing.

Whatever you want to say about how much of the talent was Getz vs. Hahn in origin....there really does seem to be so much more of a positive clubhouse environment and team chemistry.

A lot of this can be attributed to Venable and the coaching staff...for helping each and every player understand their role and how to maximize their contributions.

Guys like Peters Romo Antonacci Meidroth and Nishida (has to get ops to at least 600) immediately come to mind...basically the entire bench as well.

The biggest concern right now after Mune/Teel getting back to 100% is still the back end of that starting rotation and the bullpen, although Taylor, Davis and that lefty have stabilized it nicely.

The real question is whether a team now held together by duct tape and baling wire can negotiate that June schedule while remaining in touch with CLE and the mediocre WC field.

Edited Sunday at 10:21 PM1 day by caulfield12

12 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

I was always anti Hahn too, but that was for personal reasons having to do with one of my best friends' sisters having gone to HLS with him from 1993-96.

2 hours ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

To put it in one sentence, he was an insufferable jackass way too full of himself.

6 hours ago, CityFan53 said:

A GM is only as good as the $$ he’s allocated. If you look back over the course of 2.25 seasons, Getz actually is doing a great job. Beni absolutely was an atrocious contract, but CG has made some solid signings, solid draft picks, and has built us from the worst team in baseball into what appears to be a playoff contending team, all without the ability to spend like even a mid-tier club in terms of payroll.

You contradict yourself. The eyeballs test tells me that the budget meant he had to be smarter and he is. More money can hurt if it leads to signing declining veterans. Can we just enjoy being the best team in the town and not pick, pick, pick? Credit to Getz and the coaches on all levels and Venable too for the way players get here and play better instead of worse. In a while Jerry will have to step up and sign his own players and I’ll be right there griping with you if he doesn’t.

Edited yesterday at 03:54 AM1 day by Stinky Stanky

48 minutes ago, Stinky Stanky said:

You contradict yourself. The eyeballs test tells me that the budget meant he had to be smarter and he is. More money can hurt if it leads to signing declining veterans. Can we just enjoy being the best team in the town and not pick, pick, pick? Credit to Getz and the coaches on all levels and Venable too for the way players get here and play better instead of worse. In a while Jerry will have to step up and sign his own players and I’ll be right there griping with you if he doesn’t.

Talk about Stockholm Syndrome.

JR is winning when the fanbase doesn't want the payroll doubled because it MIGHT mean signing declining vets...as if that's the only possible option.

How about actually signing star quality players like Mune or Sato?

Not crazy enough to think Skubal, but imagine how much better this team would be with Michael King as the second starter?

Benintendi Grandal Dunn Keuchel M.Cabrera LaRoche has everyone running in fear just because those signings all failed ignominiously. Under the Hahn/Haber/Hostetler HHH Regime.

If we do trust Getz now....why don't we trust him yet with bigger signings?

Edited yesterday at 04:39 AM1 day by caulfield12

17 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Benintendi Grandal Dunn Keuchel M.Cabrera LaRoche has everyone running in fear just because those signings all failed ignominiously. Under the Hahn/Haber/Hostetler HHH Regime.

If we do trust Getz now....why don't we trust him yet with bigger signings?

Those names make me shudder. Add in the bullpen of $15M bozos that couldn't get anybody out.