South Side Hit Men

I like how TLR said he doesn't call any of his pitchers a 4th or 5th starters. All starters are starters, one is just the next one taking the mound. I understand that come playoff time, and for fan discussion we discuss 1-5, and while pitchers may intuitively know where they slot, Tony discusses the role with his pitchers on a broader basis. Never heard any other manager at least discuss that publicly, like the approach in terms of managing the staff and their egos / expectations. Very pertinent in today's game, whereas back in the day 4 pitchers could get you through most of a season, and now most teams rely on 7-8 "in a good year" to get through 162.

MLB has hired mostly trash in the Commissioner office, starting with the first, committed segregationist Landis. So glad Landis’ name was finally expunged from the MVP trophy so Jose Abreu’s award wasn’t tainted last season. The current assclown commissioner was so drunk he couldn’t speak without slurring his speech while presenting what he deems as “The Piece of Metal” last October to the Dodgers. There are several valid candidates for worst Commissioner ever. In the end, these are the (always) men hired by the owners, to represent the owners. The same owners who have great disdain for those who play the game, the fans who cheer them, and on many occasions the integrity of the game.

Katz is an upgrade, but Cooped was honest throughout the interview. Give him all the credit for 2005, and the development of several great pitchers during his tenure. I’m glad I tuned in.

Having just about 30 hours of access, the writing I’ve encountered is a lot more detailed and informative than what you’ll find on team websites or from the local papers. Family subscribed to the Chicago Daily News and after they shuttered, the Sun Times until Murdoch purchased and Royko left. Not a suburbanite, so Chicago Tribune largely irrelevant. Since then, the Chicago Reader and purchases of The National in the early 90s have been it in terms of local media and sports coverage. Definitely worth 3 cents a day. And for folks who wager, they offer daily gambling coverage with solid analysis.

Thanks for posting. Nice to hear from an open minded White Sox pitching coach this millennium. 2:00 Mark Ethan talking to bullpen catcher and Lopez: "So the curveball, he (Lopez) threw it with the Nationals. That's his best secondary pitch. He came here (pause, head shake) he dropped it. So the curveball is coming back into the picture this year. So, its not brand new, but it's been awhile. So, it's back in the picture. And getting him to re-acclimate that is kind of different.....

Votto placed on IR with The Rona. https://omaha.com/sports/baseball/professional/reds-star-joey-votto-out-after-positive-covid-19-test/article_75b3fab7-3623-5100-837c-12313235a2ed.html

Good first half of a segment between Laurence Holmes and Steve Stone to start his show (look for first hour in the archives in the first hour). Len Kasper and Steve Stone will broadcast on TV Saturday March 13 The effectiveness of Lance Lynn's three different fastballs Discussed Micheal Kopech's Transition to the Bullpen, and the different focus of a reliever vs. starting. Dylan Cease's Development Issues between Robert and Eloy in the field (Steve says Robert should take everything he can get to and call of, Eloy needs to back off - not sure if I totally agree with this take). Reasons for optimism this season.

Yep, and Cy Young Winners.

A few pertinent points from the Athletic article regarding I haven't seen mentioned (some or all of this may also be on the White Sox website): Tickets are sold in pods (1-6 seat pods White Sox vs. 1-4 seat pods Cubs), which has been discussed. What hasn't is the fact that at least initially, tickets resold must be in the same capacity. If you purchase a pod ticket for 4 seats, it is good for up to four people, but you cannot split it and say use two and sell the other two. Whoever shows up to the park with the ticket can bring in up to the designated total of guests on that ticket, and that is the only use allowed. Masks not meeting the clubs requirements (see further on the website) will not be allowed, the team will provide fans without a compliant masks with a disposable mask. There will be no tailgating allowed in White Sox parking lots. Food will be offered in individually wrapped options. There will be no $1 Hot Dog Wednesdays, at least at the start of the season.

That’s not how I recall what went down. Tony wanted this, Hawk accommodated to start, but pushed a change in May when it wasn’t working out. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-06-22-8602140807-story.html

I went from mid 30s to middle age. Didn’t realize this is the largest independent MLB team MB. George Bova is a cool / good guy, he handed over the message board to others with mixed results. Lots of good to great information here, and posters / posts here, the reason I like coming back. Glad I found this board last Summer, looking forward to the season. Cheers and Go Sox!

Yes, I’m not sure how i got dragged into this, but I really can’t see a valid complaint regarding Board Moderation here. I’ve taken the constructive criticism to heart and changed course. Having survived WSI for years including the night of the long knives, I can say for certain this place is much more accommodating to different view points. Ironically came to agreement over time from the one Mod I had on ignore until that option was disabled. Ragah, if you’re posting on good faith, sometimes letting things go is best for the soul, and ignore is a good option when people go personal. Peace.

Ha, typing on the phone this game. My phone spellcheck knows my love of Kolsch. Dovetail is my favorite local version, Kid Kolsch by New Glarus (only sold in Wisconsin) a solid option as well.

Lynn with poor command in the second, fortunate to get out of it with a double play. Lynn was yelling at the Home Plate umpire walking off, La Russa tan out to intercede. I’m guessing Kolsch gets the third. EDIT: watching, I agree with Fathom’s take. Lynn was all over the place after having great command on the first.

Bad call on Vaughn’s check swing. The more I see Mercedes, the more I want the Sox to bring him to start the season. Good at bat despite the out.

Lynn has nice giddy-up today, 96 MHP fastball and good movement. KKK in the first, hope Lynn goes one more, then Kopech for one or two.

“Tonka Truck” is Dallas’ nickname for Lynn. Nice K to start the game, Glad Kasper is on the webcast, wish DJ was his partner today.

Very nice, thanks for sharing. James Fegan my primary reason to try it. With the $1 per month billing for 2 years, instead of all upfront, have no risk unlike MoviePass.

Lynn gets the start, Robert (#1), Vaughn (#3) and Engel (#5) coupled with starting catcher Mercedes (#4) are the lineup notables. Meanwhile, the Player "who shall not be named" gets the day off for the White Sox opponents at Camelback Ranch. However, Sox bats face another tough pitcher in Blake Snell.

Coupled with people overweight (BMI 25-29) or obese (30 +). https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/08/covid-cdc-study-finds-roughly-78percent-of-people-hospitalized-were-overweight-or-obese.html

When considering all teams with a .600 winning percentage, a few additional teams (1901, 1905, 1915 & 1920) are considered below, including a new #1 team. Greatest Teams in White Sox History finishing with a 98 + win clip on a 162 game standard (Over .600 winning percentage - Tie Games Counted in Games Played for WAR / 162 Game Adjustment Purposes): 1915 Pants Rowland (93-61 .604 vs. Pythagorean 100-54) 30.0 bWAR + 25.3 pWAR = 55.3 Team WAR Third Place American League (9.5 Games Back) 1917 Pants Rowland (100-54 .649 vs. Pythagorean 101-53) 24.5 bWAR + 28.1 pWAR = 52.6 Team WAR World Series Champion 1905 Fielder Jones (92-60 .605 vs. Pythagorean 97-55) 33.8 bWAR + 17.6 pWAR = 51.4 Team WAR Second Place American League (2 Games Back) 1901 Clark Griffith (83-53 .610 vs. Pythagorean 84-52) 30.6 bWAR + 18.6 pWAR = 49.2 Team WAR American League Champion (No World Series) 1919 Kid Gleason (88-52 .629 vs. Pythagorean 84-56) 31.8 bWAR + 16.4 pWAR = 48.2 Team WAR American League Champion 1964 Al Lopez (98-64 .605 vs. Pythagorean 99-63) 28.6 bWAR + 18.8 pWAR = 47.4 Team WAR Second Place American League (1 Game Back) 1954 Paul Richards (94-60 .610 vs. Pythagorean 98-56) 28.5 bWAR + 18.8 pWAR = 47.3 Team WAR Third Place American League (17 Games Back) 1920 Kid Gleason (96-58 .623 vs. Pythagorean 89-65) 28.0 bWAR + 18.9 pWAR = 46.9 Team WAR Second Place American League (2 Games Back) 2005 Ozzie Guillen (99-63 .611 vs. Pythagorean 91-71) 20.0 bWAR + 26.1 pWAR = 46.1 Team WAR World Series Champion 1983 Tony La Russa (99-63 .611 vs. Pythagorean 96-66) 26.2 bWAR + 18.0 pWAR = 44.2 Team WAR AL West Division Champion 1959 Al Lopez (94-60 .610 vs. Pythagorean 86-68) 26.0 bWAR + 15.7 pWAR = 41.7 Team WAR American League Champion 1906 Fielder Jones (93-58 .616 vs. Pythagorean 90-61) 24.2 bWAR + 17.3 pWAR = 41.5 Team WAR World Series Champion Top Three Batters and Pitchers from the .600 + White Sox Winning Percentage Teams (6.0 + WAR Seasons): 1915 Batting: 2B Eddie Collins 9.4; 1B Jack Fournier 5.9; C Ray Schalk 4.2. 1915 Pitching: Jim Scott 6.1; Joe Benz 4.8; Red Faber 4.3. 1917 Batting: LF Joe Jackson 5.8; 2B Eddie Collins 5.0; CF Happy Felsch 4.7. 1917 Pitching: Eddie Cicotte 11.4; Reb Russell 3.6; Red Faber 3.3. 1905 Batting: SS George Davis 7.2; 1B Jiggs Donahue 5.0; CF Fielder Jones 4.9. 1905 Pitching: Nick Altrock 5.1; Doc White 5.0; Frank Owen 3.3. 1901 Batting: OF Dummy Hoy 4.2; 3B Fred Hartman 3.8; OF Fielder Jones 3.7. 1901 Pitching: Clark Griffith 5.7; Jimmy Callahan 4.4; Roy Patterson 3.7. 1919 Batting: LF Joe Jackson 5.8; 2B Eddie Collins 5.1; CF Happy Felsch 3.4. 1919 Pitching: Eddie Cicotte 9.6; Lefty Williams 5.4; Dickey Kerr 3.5. 1964 Batting: SS Ron Hansen 7.7; 3B Pete Ward 6.3; RF Floyd Robinson 4.3. 1964 Pitching: Joe Horlen 5.0; Gary Peters 4.2; Juan Pizzaro 3.6. 1954 Batting: LF Minnie Minoso 8.2; SS Chico Carrasquel 5.5; 2B Nellie Fox 5.2. 1954 Pitching: Virgil Trucks 4.8; Jack Harshman 3.0; Sandy Consuegra 2.5. 1920 Batting: 2B Eddie Collins 7.9; LF Joe Jackson 7.5; CF Happy Felsch 5.5. 1920 Pitching: Red Faber 5.7; Eddie Cicotte 5.1; Lefty Williams & Dickie Kerr 3.5. 2005 Batting: 1B Paul Konerko 4.0; CF Aaron Rowand 3.7; 2B Tadahito Iguchi 2.8. 2005 Pitching: Mark Buehrle 4.8; Jon Garland 4.6; Freddy Garcia 3.6. 1983 Batting: C Carlton Fisk 4.3; SS Scott Fletcher 3.6; CF Rudy Law 3.2. 1983 Pitching: Richard Dotson 5.1; Floyd Bannister 4.0; Dewey LaMarr Hoyt 3.7. 1959 Batting: 2B Nellie Fox 6.1; CF Jim Landis 5.7; C Sherm Lollar 3.4. 1959 Pitching: Bob Shaw 4.8; Early Wynn 2.8; Gerry Staley 2.5. 1906 Batting: SS George Davis 6.4; CF Fielder Jones 4.2; 2B Frank Isbell 3.4. 1906 Pitching: Doc White 5.8; Ed Walsh 4.6; Nick Altrock 2.8. Dick Allen (1972 8.6); Nellie Fox (1957 7.9); Luke Appling (1943 7.3 & 1936 7.2) & Frank Thomas (1997 7.3) are the other Top Ten WAR Batting seasons not represented above. Wilbur Wood (1971 11.8 & 1972 10.7); Red Faber (1921 11.4 & 1922 9.6) & Ed Walsh (1912 11.4; 1910 11.1; 1908 10.3 & 1911 9.2) are the other Top Ten WAR Pitching seasons not represented above.

Each of the legitimate starting candidates have pitched well, Giolito (1.80 era) the only one allowing even one earned run. Burdi is the only legitimate 26 man roster candidate who started off poorly a week into Spring Training. Looking forward to Cease’s first outing to see how his work with Katz had paid off.