South Side Hit Men

Tales of SoxFest of lore….. 7,500 Sox Fans (2000-2001 Offseason) https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-02-04-0102040371-story.html "We paid a high price to get David Wells," Williams told Sox fans. "Aces don't come cheap. It comes down to ultimately what you have to do to get to the next level, and for us, that's the championship level.” "Don't look at his body," Harold Baines said of Wells. "Look at what he does on the mound." Asked what David Wells might be able to teach him this year, Kip Wells responded, "He'll probably show me how to down some beers." Manager Jerry Manuel announced Jim Parque will start the home opener against Detroit on April 6 at Comiskey Park “That will bring all the `brawl thing' back," Manuel said, referring to Parque's igniting of the Sox-Tigers brawl last April. "That will be a good little thing. That'll bring people to the park."

1. MLB owners already staged a sixteen team playoff during their fake lockout season, and wanted 14 teams during the last CBA. They have been talking about team and playoff expansion for years, and it’s not for shits and giggles. 2. They have also discussed conference style / geographic alignment for years. Started the process with the absolute garbage interleague and “crosstown” drunk brawl puke series. Both of the above are certain, it’s just a matter of when. 3. Seven inning games is a bigger lift, but once again MLB already implemented this for DH, they are obsessed at driving games into the 120-150 minute range. I threw in home run derby extra innings for fun, but the Manfred Man rule has also been established, which is a similar abomination. As always, hear me now and believe me later. My Division alignments were based on what would likely pass / be feasible to owners. In some ways, geographic realignment makes sense. If it were up to me, there would be four eight team divisions and no wild cards or inter league, and Houston and Milwaukee would return to their original leagues, which would make you happy Miami and Tampa really shouldn’t have teams due to lack of interest, and need all the help they can get in terms of fan interest. The Royals get no benefit playing in the AL Central in terms of fan interest, so a change to get the Cardinals and Cubs should help at the box office. Colorado would benefit by shifting to low market / low quality opponents (A’s, Mariners, Angels) This would be my realignment if I could wave a wand. Schedule 162 Games (Division 14 X 7 = 98 + Opposite Division 8 X 8 = 64) Playoffs League Championship Series (Best of Seven - Starts First Wednesday in October) Interleague All Star Game & World Series (Best of Seven - Starts Third Tuesday in October) American League East: Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Nashville, New York, Tampa Bay, Toronto West: Chicago, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Seattle, Texas National League East: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Miami, Montreal, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington West: Arizona, Chicago, Colorado, Houston, Los Angeles, Saint Louis, San Diego, San Francisco

I retired at 50 just before COVID. My career was in Finance. I like diving into statistics and baseball history, so at times I’ll go down rabbit holes at times for my personal knowledge or entertainment. Played Rotisserie starting in 1985 for the same reasons. I also do some volunteer work and bail from Chicago for about a month each Winter, but travel and other plans changed significantly with the COVID and other external BS over the past four years. The best laid plans…..

It’s an assumption based on what we’ve and MLB has seen in terms of ability and health issues over the years. Really hope he mentally accepts his new role and can have a healthy solid season, preferably for the Sox. His contract over the next few years is still reasonable if he could ever play to his skill potential. In terms of other posts today speculating on our final payroll, we have mixed clues but nobody beyond Jerry and possibly Getz knows which of the three routes they will take since they have been silent this entire offseason. A. They will acquire an at least adequate starting RF and a few pitchers who may pan out, perhaps a legitimate #2-#3 SP - Add $20M- $30M from here after their initial cuts, retaining significant savings over 2023. B. They have cut what they planned, may trade Cease and their payroll and add a few low end pieces as an offset. Payroll will not significantly change from here on out. C. They will cut salary and dump anyone else they possibly can, including Cease, Eloy and if possible Yoan and Benintendi, prioritizing salary relief over player/prospect acquisition. I believe B. is the likely scerario, but it would be a nice surprise for the Sox to come in at a $130M-$140M payroll and the Sox actually give fans some reason for optimism heading into Spring Training.

That loyalty is a one way street and is not universal. Unless you are a protected Jerry crony who can do as they please, the person(s) you report to can make your job great or miserable like most jobs in life. Jason Benetti loved the White Sox. Jason Benetti loved the broadcast crew. Jason Benetti hated working under Brooks Boyer and the conditions he endured. Jason hated it so much he left the city and team he loved for a lower prestige job because unlike here, he felt respected personally and professionally by the Tigers Organization. And that's beyond the statements which leaked regarding Boyer's interactions, and Boyer's own ludicrous public statements such as Senior Corporate Officers (EVP Williams, SVP Hahn, SVP Boyer) do not have legal representation during contract negotiations. Therefore you Jason Benetti, a staff employee with zero direct reports, should also have zero legal representation despite the fact it is common throughout the industry *. Implied / understood *: Because we are the White Sox and do not adhere to any professional industry standards.

Eloy hates playing DH. Eloy sucks playing DH. It matters to the discussion, as no team wants him as an OFer, and until he changes his attitude or approach, he is an expensive mediocre DH.

This. What would make most sense to accommodate greed, but will still never happen, is have Major League Baseball (16 team league) and Kiddie Table League Baseball (16 team league). Or they can whore themselves out further with league sponsors (Bud Light & WalMart for the Kiddie Leagues). Promote the two best Little League Teams and demote the bottom two MLB teams in each of the two leagues (4 teams change each season). Would make September games meaningful throughout the league, win and stay in, lose get demoted. The initial alignment would be based on the previous year standings, with Expansion Teams starting in the Little Leagues. MLB will have a World Series, Little League Baseball will have one as well. Using 2024 as the initial year, this would be the breakout: MLB American League: Baltimore (101); Houston (90); Minnesota (87); New York (82); Seattle (88); Tampa Bay (99); Texas (90); Toronto (89) MLB National League: Arizona (84); Atlanta (104); Chicago (83); Los Angeles (100); Miami (84); Milwaukee (92); Philadelphia (90) + Winner (Cincinnati vs. San Diego Tie Breaker Series). American Kiddie Table League: Boston (78); Chicago (61); Cleveland (76); Detroit (78); Kansas City (56); Los Angeles (73); Nashville (Expansion); Oakland (50) National Kiddie Table League: Colorado; (59) New York (75), Montreal (Expansion); Pittsburgh (76); Saint Louis (71); San Francisco (79); Washington (71) + Loser (Cincinnati vs. San Diego Tie Breaker Series)

This statement is ludicrous. Jerry Reinsdorf and Bud Selig killed the Expos in 1994 and Jeff Loria defiled the corpse a few years later. John Fisher inherited the Gap from his mommy and daddy, demanded a new taxpayer funded real estate empire because entitlement / privilege. He overplayed his hand and will end up making far less than he would have staying in the Bay Area, as he gets zero real estate at the Tropicana site vs. the Wild Wild West site blocked by Nevada Unions. What Should Have Happened: The Rays build a stadium in Tampa or Montreal, not a second one in Saint Petersburg. The A's build a stadium at the Howard Terminal or Oakland. Expansion to Nashville and Montreal Restore League and Playoff Integrity: Interleague Eliminated, All Playoffs Best of Seven, Four Division Winners in the ALDS. Realigns divisions in a better geographical and time zone alignment. Minimizes historical rivalries / league alignment by limiting shifting teams to recent expansion clubs (Colorado, Miami), with Kansas City ownership and fans likely supporting the switch (and they have been American League since 1955. Milwaukee in the AL North and Minnesota in the NL North probably makes more sense, but Milwaukee will squeal like a pig losing Cubbie fan tickets revenue. American League East: 3 Baltimore, 5 Boston, 10 New York, 6 Toronto North: 5 Chicago, 2 Cleveland, 4 Detroit, 4 Minnesota South: 7 Houston, 6 Miami, 3 Tampa Bay, 8 Texas West: 3 Colorado, 2 Las Vegas, 6 Los Angeles, 4 Seattle National League East: 4 Montreal, 10 New York, 6 Philadelphia, 6 Washington North: 5 Chicago, 2 Kansas City, 2 Milwaukee, 3 Saint Louis South: 6 Atlanta, 2 Cincinnati, 2 Nashville, 2 Pittsburgh West: 5 Arizona, 6 Los Angeles, 3 San Diego, 5 San Francisco # = MSA Population in Millions (Split Markets are divided by two for this exercise) What will likely happen: NBA Style East / West Conferences - Obliterate Historical 125 - 150 year League Alignments 16-24 Playoff Teams Including Play In Games Make Games Seven Innings & Replace Extra Innings With Home Run Derby - Limited to Regular Season at First, Followed by Playoff Expansion.

The worst record for each team by era. The White Sox had three additional seasons worse than the 2023 team (1970, 1934 and 1931) not included below. Future Tanking Targets The Sox will need to win 54 games (.333) or less over 162 games to exceed their worst all time record during the Integrated MLB Era. The Sox will need to win 42 games (.259) or less over 162 games to have the all time worst record across all A. L. teams in the Integrated MLB Era. The Sox will need to win 40 games (.247) or less over 162 games to have the all time worst record across all teams in the Integrated MLB Era. Integrated MLB Era (1947-2023) - American League - Worst Season By Team Detroit Tigers (1947-Current) .265 43-119 2003 Baltimore Orioles (1954-Current) .290 47-115 2018 Oakland Athletics (1968-Current) .309 50-112 2023 Houston Astros (2013-Current) .315 51-111 2013 Washington Senators (1947-1960) .325 50-104 1949 Toronto Blue Jays (1977-Current) .327 53-109 1979 Philadelphia Athletics (1947-1954) .331 51-103-2 1954 Chicago White Sox (1947-Current) .336 51-101-2 1948 Saint Louis Browns (1947-1953) .338 52-102 1951 Kansas City Athletics (1955-1967) .339 52-102 1956 Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998-Current Rays) .342 55-106 2002 Kansas City Royals (1969-Current) .346 56-106 2005 & 2023 Washington Senators (1961-1971) .346 56-106 1963 Seattle Mariners (1977-Current) .350 56-104 1978 Texas Rangers (1972-Current) .351 54-100 1972 Cleveland Guardians (1947-Current) .352 57-105 1991 Minnesota Twins (1961-Current) .364 59-103 2016 Boston Red Sox (1947-Current) .383 62-100 1965 Seattle Pilots (1969) .395 64-98-1 1969 Milwaukee Brewers (1970-1997) .401 65-97-1 1970 California Angels (1961-Current Los Angeles) .406 65-95 1980 New York Yankees (1947-Current) .414 67-95 1990 Integrated MLB Era (1947-2023) - National League - Worst Season By Team New York Mets (1962-Current) .250 40-120-1 1962 Pittsburgh Pirates (1947-Current) .273 42-112-1 1952 Philadelphia Phillies (1947-Current) .305 47-107-1 1961 Arizona Diamondbacks (1998-Current) .315 51-111 2004 San Diego Padres (1969-Current) .321 52-110 1969 Montreal Expos (1969-2004) .321 52-110 1969 Florida Marlins (1993-Current Miami) .333 54-108 1998 Atlanta (1966-Current) .338 54-106 1988 Houston Astros (1962-2012) .340 55-107 2012 Washington Nationals (2005-Current) .340 55-107 2022 Milwaukee Brewers (1998-Current) .346 56-106 2002 Chicago Cubs (1947-Current) .364 59-103 1962 & 1966 Colorado Rockies (1993-Current) .364 59-103 2023 Cincinnati Reds (1947-Current) .377 61-101 1982 San Francisco Giants (1958-Current) .383 62-100 1985 Los Angeles Dodgers (1958-Current) .389 63-99 1992 Boston (1947-1952) .418 64-89-2 1952 Saint Louis Cardinals (1947-Current) .426 69-93 1978 New York Giants (1947-1957) .435 67-87 1956 Milwaukee (1953-1965) .519 84-78-1 1963 Brooklyn Dodgers (1947-1957) .545 84-70 1948 & 1957 - 1948 includes a tie Segregated Era (1901-1946) - American League - Worst Season By Team Philadelphia Athletics (1901-1946 Oakland) .235 36-117-1 1916 Washington Senators (1901-1946 Minnesota Twins) .252 38-113-6 1904 Saint Louis Browns (1902-1946 Baltimore Orioles) .279 43-111-2 1939 Boston Red Sox (1901-1946) .279 43-111-0 1932 Chicago White Sox (1901-1946) .325 49-102-1 1932 New York Yankees (1903-1946) .329 50-102-1 1912 Cleveland Naps (1901-1946 Guardians) .333 51-102-4 1914 Milwaukee Brewers (1901 Baltimore Orioles) .350 48-89-2 1901 Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902 Folded) .362 50-88-3 1902 Detroit Tigers (1901-1946) .385 52-83-2 1902 Segregated Era (1901-1946) - National League - Worst Season By Team Boston (1901-1946 Atlanta) .248 38-115-0 1935 Philadelphia Phils (1901-1946 Phillies) .278 42-109 1942 Saint Louis Cardinals (1901-1946) .314 43-94-2 1903 Brooklyn Superbas (1901-1946 Dodgers) .316 48-104-3 1905 Pittsburgh Pirates (1901-1946) .331 51-103-3 1917 Cincinnati Reds (1901-1946) .344 52-99-1 1934 New York Giants (1901-1946) .353 48-88-5 1902 Chicago Orphans (1901-1946 Cubs) .381 53-86-1 1901 Pre Modern Era (1876-1900) - National League - Worst Season By Team Cleveland Spiders (1889-1899) .130 20-134-0 1899 Cincinnati Reds (1876-1879) .138 9-56-0 1876 Allegheny City (1887-1890) .169 23-113-2 1890 Philadelphia (1883-1900 Phillies) .173 17-81-1 1883 Worcester Ruby Legs (1880-1882) .214 18-66-0 1882 Saint Louis Browns (1892-1900 Cardinals) .221 29-102-2 1897 Washington Nationals (1886-1889) .233 28-92-5 1886 Philadelphia Athletic (1876) .237 14-45-1 1876 Kansas City Cowboys (1886) .248 30-91-5 1886 Detroit Wolverines (1881-1888) .250 28-84-2 1884 Milwaukee Grays (1878) .250 15-45-1 1878 Troy Trojans (1879-1882) .253 19-56-2 1879 Cincinnati Stars (1880) .263 21-59-3 1880 Louisville Colonels (1892-1899) .307 35-96-2 1895 Buffalo Bisons (1879-1885) .293 24-58-3 1880 Washington Senators (1892-1899) .310 40-89-1 1893 Baltimore Orioles (1892-1899) .313 46-101-5 1892 Indianapolis Hoosiers (1887-1889) .294 37-89-1 1887 Cleveland Blues (1879-1884) .313 35-77-1 1884 Syracuse Stars (1879) .314 22-48-1 1879 Saint Louis Maroons (1885-1886) .333 36-72-3 1885 Brooklyn Grooms (1890-1900 Los Angeles Dodgers) .372 54-91-4 1898 New York Mutuals (1876) .375 21-35-1 1876 New York Giants (1883-1900 San Francisco Giants) .400 60-90-3 1899 Indianapolis Blues (1878) .400 24-36-3 1878 Pittsburgh (1891-1900 Pirates) .407 55-80-2 1891 Cincinnati Reds (1890-1900 Reds) .409 56-81-1 1891 Boston (1876-1900 Atlanta) .411 46-66-1 1885 Chicago Colts (1876-1900 Chicago Cubs) .432 57-75-5 1894 Louisville Grays (1876-1877) .455 30-36-3 1876 Saint Louis Brown Stockings (1876-1877) .467 28-32-0 1877 Providence Grays (1878-1885) .482 53-57-0 1885 Hartfords of Brooklyn (1876-1877) .534 31-27-2 1877 12 Defunct Leagues & Associated Team / Season Records Excluded: National Association (1871-1875) American Association (1882-1891) Union Association (1884) Players League (1890) Federal League (1914-1915) Negro National League (1920-1931) Eastern Colored League (1923-1928) American Negro League (1929) East-West League (1932) Negro Southern League (1932) Negro National League II (1933-1948) Negro American League (1937-1948)

Both years $16M, the second year a player option, with up to $500k in player incentives available each season. After the jump: 9.9 Projected 2024 SP fWAR 2.6 Cole Ragans 2.1 Brady Singer 1.6 Michael Wacha 2.1 Seth Lugo 0.6 Jordan Lyles 0.9 Daniel Lynch

After which Yoshinobu will celebrate at KFC, as is Japanese tradition on Christmas day since 1974.

Didn't see this posted. Zach covers the Cubs Pre/Post Game for the Score. He did Bears work over the years, not sure if he is still involved on that end.

Perhaps you didn't have the greatest experience with him, but the point stands that all the positive changes I noted took place under his charge. Meanwhile, what, if anything has his replacement done besides piss off beloved broadcasters like Hawk, Farmer and Jason, organists, cancelled all season ticket holder events, killed SoxFest and a massive corrupt ticket selling empire? Still riding Gallas' creations, a few of which like Elvis night who people under 50 can't even recall Rob would have cancelled by now. The fucking disgusting puke inducing 1983 uniforms keep returning year after year after year. Gallas killed them, Boyer brought them back from the dead.

Sad Chicago can't keep up with Kansas City on the diamond, or in terms of maintaining population. Kansas City Increase in Population (1980-2021) 508,394 / 448,159 +13.4% Chicago Decline In Population (1980-2021) 2,696,555 / 3,005,072 -10.3% World Series Appearances 1980s None Chicago (1980 Population 3,005,072) 1980 Pennant, 1985 Championship Kansas City (1980 Population 448,159) 1990s None Chicago (1990 Population 2,783,660) None Kansas City (1990 Population 435,121) 2000s 2005 Championship Chicago (2000 Population 2,895,671) None Kansas City (2000 Population (442,369) 2010s 2016 Championship Chicago (2010 Population 2,695,598) 2014 Pennant, 2015 Championship Kansas City (2010 Population 459,787) 2020s None Chicago (2020 Population 2,741,730) None Kansas City (2020 Population 507,932)

$20 Thrift Store purchase. Nice

BWWWWAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

They were when Rob Gallas was head of marketing. Created the iconic uniforms, Sox Fest in 1992, and many of the game day events still around today include Dog Night. He left in 2004. The Sox need a quality hire in this role again, likely won’t happen until Jerry is gone.

No, I only have radio (even bars mostly have Sox games on mute with music) and love the Len and DJ pairing. They have more leeway telling it like it is with Jerry owning CSN but not WMVP. They still can’t go Jimmy and Harry, since Jerry has final say each year. DJ went ballistic that May 5th Reds game when TLR didn’t know the rules. We lost Len too many radio broadcasts with Jason and even some Stone vacation days last year. Several games there was just Len, with DJ off with I believe a medical issue near the end of the season. I hope whoever they get on TV covers most of the season, so we get to keep Len Kasper. His voice took to getting used to, but got into his broadcasts after a brief adjustment and very happy he left Marquee (like CSN, seemingly another workplace to avoid) to work for the Sox. Hope he doesn’t also flee for Detroit, his hometown club. Len on Bass, Matt Speigel with vocals. https://sonic45.bandcamp.com/track/pills

We went crazy when he came in to close out a two hit combined shut out on Opening Day (1:30 mark). Buehrle with a speedy eight innings which helped with the cold (was fortunate to have sun in the upper deck 3rd base side). Lost his grip on the closer roll near Mother’s Day, and released at the trade deadline, but gave the Sox a great 2004 during his “Rookie” Age 35 season. Was definitely a top three year in terms of total Sox games I was able to attend (1985 and 1990 the other two) not counting games I worked as Andy Frain (mostly 1986).

Pitching is why the White Sox won 99 games and the World Series. Period. 2005 MLB Team Stats: fWAR Pitchers: 1st across MLB Starting Pitchers: 3rd 5.9 Mark Buehrle 4.0 Freddy Garcia 3.5 Jon Garland 3.3 Jose Contreras 1.3 Orlando Hernandez 0.5 Brandon McCarthy Relief Pitchers: 2nd 1.4 Neal Cotts 1.3 Dustin Hermanson 1.1 Cliff Politte 1.0 Bobby Jenks 0.3 Luis Vizcaino 0.2 Damaso Marte 0.1 Orlando Hernandez 0.1 Jon Adkins 0.0 Brandon McCarthy 0.0 Kevin Walker -0.1 Jeff Bajenaru -0.1 David Sanders -0.7 Shingo Takatsu fWAR Position Players: 20th across MLB Catcher: 17th First Base: 10th Second Base: 7th Third Base: 18th Shortstop: 15th Left Field: 25th Center Field: 7th Right Field: 18th Designated Hitter: 19th

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/white-sox-sign-chuckie-robinson-to-minors-contract.html

Buehrle, Garcia, Contreras, Garland and El Duque were the key to 2005.

Agree on that end, though Heuer’s misfortunate double whammy injuries has played a part in that. He pitched much better than Kimbrel after the trade to close out 2021. That said, they needed to draft and develop a lot more players than they did. The Sox will not their have their first legitimate multi-championship window since 1993-1994 (though much longer without a cancellation) until they have a few solid homegrown starters, 3-4 homegrown relievers and 6 + developed position players which can be build around with external pieces (cheap, mid tier and a couple higher priced free agents). Have a complete roster with depth for $170M-$190M + budgets, realistic if the Sox have a strong run over a 3-5 year period.

I’d hire Pat Foley to capture a likable quality broadcaster people know during the painful upcoming seasons.

All solutions to ending RSNs need to include the option for local, regional, national or international customers to give MLB their credit card and in return have access to every game at any time. Period. No fox blackout out. No Apple TV blackout. No Home and Garden Network blackout. Charge a second fee for rights to local teams to be returned to the Satanic cable companies your aligned with until those deals have expired, but just do it. And if the new Jerry-vision excludes a streaming option for local viewers than White Sox baseball will die. Return a dedicated broadcast day or two each week on WGN (say Sundays and Wednesdays) in a dual telecast with Jerryvision, and better still broadcast many/most/all games on Telemundo or Univision, with Ozzie on Color Commentary to capture the growing Spanish speaking Chicago populace for fan interest growth. Leave the Cubs to dying Seniors clinging to their cable television and their Marquee Network. In two generations the Sox will regain parity or perhaps have a majority of Chicago baseball fans backing their team.