South Side Hit Men

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/chicago-headed-in-the-wrong-way-as-younger-adults-drive-uptick-in-covid-19-cases-health-commissioner-warns/ar-BB1eToqj?ocid=uxbndlbing

I'm not saying there isn't upside. I am saying the White Sox do not earn more local television revenue than the Yankees (beyond perhaps a one time windfall if fangraphs is correct), and unless the Reinsdorf family cells the team, they don't have a realistic avenue to break up their current deal, owning half of the current broadcast vehicle. They'll get their share of the broadcast, including increases, its just a matter of which Reinsdorf pocket it goes into. I also agree with you some of it may trickle to payroll, though based on history, Jerry's increase in payroll spending is more correlated with ballpark revenue / increased attendance and season ticket sales. Both shall rise, at least short-term like the end of the 2000s, if the team is fortunate to win a WS title.

The Cubs outdrew the Sox 2 to 1 last season, after the Sox increased their own ratings by 250% over 2019. Parity would be a pipe dream at this point. Not sure what data Fangraphs has, but Forbes has the most accurate publicly available data. The Cubs massive revenue advantage (2019 data published in 2020) $471M to $285M was when they were both on NBC Sportsnetwork. The one logical explanation for fangraphs revenue listing the White Sox with a higher local television network revenue than even the NY Yankees (which I don't believe anyone here believes) is the fact it includes the increased capital gains on their ownership after the Cubs left after 2019. Otherwise, that data is garbage. The White Sox with bottom half television viewer interest does not bring in more revenue than the YES Network. Have you seen the size of Reinsdorf's pockets?

JR owns half the network (25/25 Bulls Sox). Unless the Reinsdorfs sell the White Sox to a new owner, they are never going to break off their two teams into two separate stations unless cable completely collapses and they go to a separate streaming plus model. The Bulls don't have enough interest in a stand alone network (like the Lakers have). Even with the 2005 WS, the Sox didn't overtake the Cubs, and Marquee isn't such a great deal as a stand alone entity. The Cubs really had to fight to get on the major carriers, and they had much more leverage than the White Sox would, even if they won three straight World Series. In terms of cash flow, both teams rather maximize revenue to the television networks they own, and allocate as minimal rights fees to the teams to short change revenue sharing. The Cubs/Tribune Co. did that for decades on the television/radio end, giving the Cubs peanuts for their broadcast rights and keeping all the revenue corporate. The Sox/Bulls (and their stadium partner BlackHawks) aren't shifting away from this arrangement unless cable is completely dead.

Really good piece for those interested in Lopez. Hahn, La Russa and both pitching coaches met with Lopez regarding the assignment to the alternate site. Lopez took it well, Katz and Tony emphasized the positives of what they saw this Spring and the importance of staying stretched out and available.

Solid segment with James Fegan on the Score this evening (scroll to the 30 minute mark to skip Ryne Sandberg and Bears discussion): https://www.radio.com/670thescore/podcasts/joe-ostrowski-on-670-the-score-756/grote-ryne-sandberg-james-fegan-interviews-hour-2-360017739 Giolito speaks about ST environment established by Tony La Russa. Doesn't see Kopech or Crochet leaving the bullpen this season, though Kopech may be converted to SP second half if things go wrong (Cease, Rodon) or injuries but still unlikely. Abreu appears to be playing at full capacity at this point post COVID in drills. Moncada is at full strength, likely to bat cleanup majority of the season. Hoping to see more power out of Anderson in terms of a next step move in 2021. Catcher Depth Chart: Team's preference is Lucroy due to connections with staff, Collins has done anything he could to show he is better and able to contribute now, still betting against him making the OD roster. (I hope he is wrong with this).

Good news from Dallas post game.

Turley came from the same High School Pitching Program as Katz and Giolito. WSCR discussed the Turley acquisition and likelihood as making the team as a LH Reliever on the morning show today. (First linked segment, La Russa discusses Rodon and then they move onto Turley).

Certain that was the consensus view of Tony LaRussa and Adam Eaton after the White Sox' playoffs were over. You never know what the future may bring.

Pretty sure it means Lopez and Lambert shouldn’t be the extent of SP depth in a year it’s needed more than ever, and so many solid FA options were available for pennies on the dollar. Quintana and Chris Archer come to mind.

Yes, but will he get 3,000 hits?

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/athletics/zac-gallen-batting-injury-game-means-time-universal-dh Zac Gallen the latest to the list, because owners wouldn't do the right thing and keep the Universal DH as they did the garbage 7 inning DH games and runner on 2nd. Pitching will already be thin this year due to the ownership imposed 2020 sixty game season. A few key pitchers injured while batting: Max Scherzer - Thumb Randy Johnson - Shoulder Strain Pedro Martinez - Neck Adam Wainwright - Achilles Tendon Josh Beckett - Back Zac Gallen - Forearm

Future performance clearly favors the White Sox for the trade, but there are some here who would argue the WS title trumps other arguments. Waiting for someone to post a Tatis Jr. for Geoff Blum trade would have been worth it, because "Flags Fly Forever"! Geoff was definitely worth Ryan Meaux, the player the Sox sent to, wait for it, the San Diego Padres at the 2005 trade deadline. People were saying the Eaton trade was worth it for Washington since they won the WS and Eaton had a good WS performance (with a 1.5 bWAR season, his best with Washington). They also said his WS performance was a good reason for Eaton's White Sox signing in December. Hope it works out, will take the season and whether he is picked up for his option to determine the net result.

People were surprised I didn't take Tatis (took Mike Trout) in the Sox Talk league last night. Time will tell if that was the right move, but I think Trout will be a solid 1st round retention pick for at least a few more years, and produces at a higher rate now (OPS, HR, R, RBI, SB).

More failed trolling. Can't comprehend "just about anyone else", oblivious to the fact both had significant declines in WAR. Berra: 5 WAR player through age 31, under 3 WAR player his final five full time seasons (discarding the last two) I-Roid after his deal with Detroit, also at age 31 (consistent 5-6 WAR before, averaged under 3 WAR), with or without steroids. Just proves the point further that paying catchers (and most players) for performance they achieved in their 20s into their 30s with multi year contracts is a fools errand. Enter Rick Hahn with a big December announcement.

Giolito alone = winning. Whether Eaton’s return this year is a win or a loss is an open question until the season plays out.

It makes sense. He is not a bullpen piece, and unless they change course and transition Kopech into a starter, Lopez is the fifth starter when the inevitable SP injury occurs.

Yes, I really hope they bring their best team. LuCroy, Vaughn, Collins, Garcia and Engel are the best five beyond the starting fielders, Hamilton I guess until Adam can return, though I really don’t want to see Hamilton here all season, especially at the expense of someone better like a Collins or Vaughn.

Yes, it sounds like I should ignore his contradictory posts and dishonest arguments, I liked your two posts on March 12 laying this out, though I didn't agree with all of your remedies (for example, taking out prime seating to expand foul territory). Without an enforcement mechanism (ball after 20 seconds for pitchers not pitching or a strike if the batter is not in the box without time called by an umpire), suggestions will not work. There is enough time to think and play the game within 20 seconds per pitch versus stalling 30-60 seconds to ramp up for a max velocity pitch, like Sergio Romo. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In terms of Ray Ray, you already deleted half of your bullshit arguments and fake graphs and distorted data copied posts. I compared the time frame commercials were increased by 35 seconds, before MLB reverted back to 2:05 per frame before MLB reverted back to 2:05 breaks starting in 2019. 1980: 2:38 Average Game Time; 2:00 Average Commercial Time per half inning; 5.2 Average Pitchers Per Game (2.6 X 2 teams); Runs Per Game 8.58 2018: 3:04 Average Game Time; 2:35 Average Commercial Time per half inning; 8.7 Average Pitchers Per Game (4.36 X 2 teams). Runs Per Game 8.90 Of the 26 minutes in increased game time, 10.5 minutes were based on increased commercial time in between innings (35 seconds X 18), and another 7.0 minutes (3.5 X 2 minutes) were based on increased commercial time for pitching changes, or 2/3 of the explained increase in game time. My post is copied below to set the record straight. Also mentioned the reason postseason baseball and national telecasts are becoming more unwatchable, the fact that MLB did not decrease commercial time during these games, which adds 15 minutes to these broadcasts (50 seconds X 18). You cherry picked a La Russa steroid era year (2000) to compare runs to, backtracked from your absurd 4 hour game average time, and came up with 1985 as your average game played time to suit your failing arguments. Perhaps your dishonest arguments, fake graphs, cherry picked data and overall BS works in Oak Park, but I can guarantee most folks are not impressed. I bid you good day, sir.

So that was the impetus for the 17 page opening thread posts. Interesting. JK, nice thanks for linking.

During the broadcast, Harry stated his group didn’t have a credible bid (or the level of operating capital) compared to the $20M purchase bid and wealth of DeBartolo, so that wasn’t the source. Ed DeBartolo Sr. purchased the 49ers in 1977, gave the team to his son to run, and they won 5 Super Bowls under family ownership (his Daughter is the current owner). He also purchased the Penguins, who won the Stanley Cup over the Hawks in 1991 (he sold the team after the Cup in the Fall). He wasn’t a penny pinching player and fan hating turd like JR. White Sox baseball would have improved greatly under his stewardship. Harry could have stayed after the purchase, but refused to stay under JR’s failed scheme to put games on pay per view. Harry said it was bad for baseball, bad for the fan base, and as a result he went to the Cubs on WGN. The town went from a 50/50 fan base under Veeck/Wrigley to a 67/33 split under JR. JR’s pay per view scheme failed miserably. Harry was/is very popular with the fans, something Reinsdorf resented it, even though it would make him more $. Also hated the fact Harry spoke his mind, and wouldn’t be a yes man / company man at all times and would rip the owners when they deserved it. JR prefers an arrogant announcer who hates the fan base, kisses his ass at all times, and spews the ownership line 100% of the time. Steve Stone is his guy. https://www.si.com/mlb/whitesox/history/white-sox-the-legacy-of-sportsvision Even Hawk Harrelson was left speechless after realizing what vile vindictive scum JR was/is after what he said after the Sox clinched in 1983.

Need to improve your reading comprehension and post formatting skilz, and remember what your dumbass posts stated (scoring has decreased over time, games are 4 hours). Stated why the game time and offense increased 30 minutes and scoring increased over the past four decades. Commercials and increase in commercials due to a near doubling of pitching changes per game. Pitching clock (20 seconds) enforced and automated strikes will shorten dead periods caused by an endless stream of pitchers stalling to pitch at max velocity.

Not a parallel universe, but rather all part of the August 22, 1980 WSNS Channel 44 Broadcast. Harry Caray interviewed Tony La Russa on the pre game show. Tony was sworn in as an Attorney by Judge before the game by Federal Judge Abe Lincoln Marovitz. Next Harry and Jimmy talked about the announcement that Ed DeBartolo Sr.. had the winning $20M bid to purchase the White Sox. Harry Caray asked Tony for his thoughts and stated the approval of the sale would be a mere formality. They both were certain the new owner would increase spending, and that the American League would ensure the White Sox would stay in Chicago (a few years before Jerry was given the team over DeBartolo, and then threatened to move to St. Pete). Harry also talked about his group of local investors which fell short in the bidding for the team (didn't recall that until watching today). Tony praised Bill Veeck for improving the farm system from one of the worst in baseball to a Top 5 system in baseball. Tony offered explanations for the White Sox failures in the 1980 season, and was looking to salvaging the season with good performances. Britt Burns went on to win, falling one out short of the complete game shutout. Ed Farmer came on to record the final out, to record his 22nd save of the season. He recorded eight more to end the year with 30, passing Terry Forster's 29 to become the all time single season record holder for the White Sox. Bob James would pass him with 35 in 1985. It was Dutchie Caray's Birthday. 1980 was another fun season of White Sox baseball, besides the usual poor record (70-90). Spanky Squires, Chet Lemon, Lamar Johnson, Wayne Nordhagen and rookie Harold Baines were fun to watch. Most of the core of the 1983 team built by Roland Hemond was already in place, with Britt Burns, LaMarr Hoyt and Richard Dotson three of the five starters (Steve Trout and Ross Baumgarten were the other two starters).

LOL - He truly would be a small wonder if he did that. Only four players in baseball history have over 10,000 plate appearances with an OPS under .700. Omar Vizquel (12,013 PA, .688 OPS) Rabbit Maranville (11,658 PA, .658 OPS) Luis Aparicio (11,230 PA, .653 OPS) Ozzie Smith (10,778 PA, .666 OPS) Did Hollywood actually make a "comedy" about a slave girl robot owned by a family in the 1980s? But of course.

You cherry picked the lowest year (2005 2:49 total game) of a thirty five year span (1985-2020) where games averaged between 2:55 (Over an hour shorter than your OG Post). Games averaged 8.66 runs per game in 1985, and 5.5 pitching changes per game. Games averaged 9.29 runs per game in 2020, and 8.8 pitching changes per game. Offense up, 3 1/2 pitching changes = 7 minutes in commercials alone. Facts are stubborn things.