EvilJester99

Only thing I have concern with is the starting staff....hopefully Schoney pitches decent and one of the young kids can pitch in the 5th slot. Either that or swing one of those many trade rumors that have been floating about. Other than that I am not too worried.

Yikes!!!! I wouldn't touch those. LoL Sorry got caught up in the excitement of the show...hehe.

That's top shelf Steff... LMAO.

Radio static for Reinsdorf Owner at odds with WMVP, host E-mail this story Printer-friendly format Search archives What's your view? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What side are you on in the Jerry Reinsdorf-WMVP rift? Reinsdorf WMVP There is a considerable rift building between Jerry Reinsdorf and WMVP-AM 1000. Reinsdorf is fuming over the station's new on-air personality, while WMVP says it has lost millions of dollars because of the poor performance of Reinsdorf's White Sox and Bulls in recent years. The dispute could result in the teams going elsewhere when their contracts with WMVP expire in two years. Things came to a head when WMVP recently hired Jay Mariotti as host for its 9-11 a.m. slot. If the Sun-Times columnist is indeed a polarizing personality, as station general manager Bob Snyder describes him, then Reinsdorf's dislike of Mariotti is far, far south of Antarctica. Mariotti has battered Reinsdorf early and often through the years. This is a hate-hate relationship. Short of buying the newspaper, there is little Reinsdorf can do about Mariotti at the Sun-Times. The chairman of the Sox and Bulls, however, thought he had a voice in what airs on WMVP. WMVP shells out more than $7 million per year to broadcast Sox and Bulls games. As the station's most important business partner, Reinsdorf expects to have a say in programming outside of the games. According to sources, the original 10-year contract Reinsdorf signed with the station in 1996 gave him some control over the station's on-air personalities, but that language was taken out when ABC purchased the station in 1998. The situation parallels ESPN and its original series "Playmakers." The ratings were good, but when the NFL voiced strong objections over its content, the show was dropped before a second season. The network said it didn't want to anger its most important business partner. The ESPN-owned radio station, however, isn't following the precedent set at the home office in Bristol, Conn. Snyder was well aware of Reinsdorf's strong dislike of Mariotti in talks during the last six months. Yet the station went ahead and hired him, preferring another local show to Tony Kornheiser's national broadcast. Sure enough, Mariotti wasted no time in launching attacks on Reinsdorf and the teams he operates. Reinsdorf declined to address the issue personally, opting to express his views through White Sox public relations director Scott Reifert. "The thing we question is that they have invested millions of dollars in promoting these teams," Reifert said. "Now they are bringing in somebody who has made it his business to devalue those investments. It doesn't make sense from a business perspective." Reifert acknowledges the nature of sports talk radio and says the teams don't have a problem accepting criticism from on-air personalities. But Mariotti, he contends, has demonstrated an agenda that precludes him from giving "a balanced and fair representation." Snyder disputed that assessment. "I don't think the average Chicago sports fan sees the kind of criticism Jay provides as devaluing the franchise," Snyder said. "I believe they are the thoughts shared by some of the most ardent fans in town." It turns out Snyder is one of those fans. The station says it has suffered significant financial losses stemming from the downfall of the Bulls after Michael Jordan and the failure of the Sox to win consistently. "Unfortunately, the impact these two teams have had on this station, both on the field and in our books, has been detrimental to our business," Snyder said. "While we enjoy our relationship, as partners they haven't provided us with a lot of help." Snyder concedes that the situation might be different if the Sox and Bulls were winning and making money for the station. WMVP might have acquiesced to Reinsdorf's wishes. Because he says the opposite is occurring, Snyder decided to go ahead and hire Mariotti despite Reinsdorf's objections. "We each have to do what's best for our business," Snyder said. "The last I checked, we had little say over whether the Sox kept Bartolo Colon." The hard feelings are likely to make things interesting when negotiations for a new deal begin next year. Reinsdorf doesn't have many choices on the AM dial. It is basically between WSCR-AM 670 and WMVP. The Sox's Reifert doesn't rule out Reinsdorf's teams staying with WMVP, saying, "Two years is a long way away." Even if things simmer down, it will come down to money. "Either we will pass on the opportunity do business again, or we have to have a healthier relationship where both sides win," Snyder said.

I just hope the Sox don't try to rush Honel before he is ready. They have done that too many times and I believe hurt pitchers with that.

Yes that part about them winning the WS was suppose to be in green... hmm I screwed that one up. lol oops

I say good for the Giants... now hopefully they will sign him soon and get this circus over with. Plus it will be fun to hear the Cubbie fans cry and whine. Even though they are still going to win the WS even without him. LMAO. :fthecubs

All I know is I hope Maddux signs with someone soon. I am soooo sick of hearing about him already......

I don't think that its really a big deal everyone is underestimating the Sox. It seems everytime people pick them as the favorites that can't handle the pressure anyway. So maybe with no pressure they will play harder. I think it really lies in if these guys can get that "Chemistry" or not. There is a ton of talent on this team...as much if not more than anyone else in the AL Central. IMO

I also am excited and expect some good things from this squad. It truely doesn't matter who is favored on paper. It all comes down to who can win on the field. I think the Sox have the best lineup in the AL Central.

I am not all that worried about losing Colon's innings. Yes it would be nice if someone could step up and do those same innings. The reason I am not so concerned is that I believe we have a much stronger bullpen this year compared to last years. Even though I did hope the Sox could have kept Sullivan and Gordan but life goes on.

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/7073105

I am going to put out there, Jeff Bajenaru.

I think as it stands right now, if the Sox hitters can come out of the gate hitting good and the starting pitching does a fair job. I don't see why the Sox can't take this division. Yes KC bulked up but their starting pitching is as weak if not more so than the Sox. The Twins have more ???s than the Sox do. If KW does swing some kind of trade for starting pitching it will make it even that much more likely. Maybe I am just being optimistic but I think its the Sox division if they play like they have shown. IMO.

Cotts seems like he will be a good pitcher...just needs to stop giving up so many BB. The pitcher I liked last year was Josh Stewart. I thought he pitched pretty decent. Only thing was he was victim to no run support as were most of the Sox pitchers. Hopefully he gets that circulatory problem under control and I hope he gets back to the bigs.

Can you imagine the kind of draw JR would bring to the ballpark? I think he could stay healthy due to the fact that the ones he has had have been total freaky injuries. Plus he could and should hit #500 this year.

You know for a BS rumor going on there are a lot of people talking about it. I found this on WhiteSoxinteractive.com. Same rumor, if JR could stay healthy and the Sox get the Reds to pay most of his salary, I would do this in a heartbeat.... http://www.whitesoxinteractive.com/vbullet...?threadid=29066

I certainly think the Pads will surprise a lot of people this season.

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...ws_sd&fext=.jsp

I can agree with that win/win. Its best for Frank to get away from Ozzie and KW. Good for the Sox because they would get another decent starter they need. We will see how it all shakes out though.

To tell the truth I am not a big fan of Frank, but to trade him away for just Perez is insane. He may have struggled the past few years but last year wasn't bad. 40hrs and 100+ RBI. They would have to get atleast a prospect along with Perez for Frank.

It would not surprise me in the least if Thomas is traded. KW has had a hard on for getting rid of Frank for a long time now. I also think that is why Ozzie was hired to start this BS with Frank and get him to want to leave. It just wouldn't surprise me if it were Frank they were tryin to push out.

I will be optimistic and say we get 90 wins. Only because I see the Sox making a trade for starting pitching b4 ST.

Not a problem. ICP isn't for everyone thats for sure. I like the comedy value of ICP. They make me laugh.

Thanks for the compliment JReed LoL. I've never heard that b4 hehe. I actually bought that shirt because I thought it was for ICP. It actually is for a company I believe called Fear Inc. Still awesome though.