Thad Bosley

QUOTE (knightni @ Oct 6, 2015 -> 09:38 AM) Stone should be PBP anyway. Hawk was Don Drysdale's color guy, iirc. Double D did play-by-play in innings 1-3 and 7-9 with Hawk as color guy, and vice versa innings 4-6. They were a great broadcast team. A ton of mutual admiration for one another. They were tough to get used to and appreciate after the five year roller coaster ride with Harry Caray and Jimmy Piersall, but they turned out to be quite good, IMO.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Oct 6, 2015 -> 08:58 AM) 26th in wins the past three years tends to make people not care. 26th in wins the past three years, dead last in TV ratings, swimming around with the likes of Cleveland, Miami and Oakland in the attendance column, only three of the other 29 teams with a longer playoff drought than the Sox. All of this adds up to the fact that Jerry Reinsdorf is a COLOSSAL FAILURE as an owner - has been, and continues to be. Those statistics for a large market team are abominable. I mean, this is about as rock bottom as it can possibly get. It's like the entire city of Chicago, save the diehards who frequent message boards like this, has turned it's back on the product that Mr. Reinsdorf is offering. Unbelievable. Un-freaking-believable!

With Hawk doing all road games, I'm going to miss those home game introductions: "From the City Beautiful, Chicago, where tonight..." Always found that a little unique and a part of his overall charm!

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 5, 2015 -> 11:03 AM) If the White Sox ship a bunch of players out, they are showing more accountability than firing a guy who makes out a line up card. Hahn has already said, the roster is on him. Accountability. If they don't make changes, you have a point, but I find that highly unlikely. In 2013 Hahn said the roster was on him, then he made changes, and then 2014 happened. In 2014, Hahn said the roster was on him, then he made changes, and then 2015 happened. Now he says once again the roster is on him, and we of course can expect changes of some sort, and then we'll see how 2016 goes. Let's just hope he gets a whole lot better at the "making changes" aspect of things, so that this time next year instead of griping about Ventura, we are talking about postseason pitching match-ups and what not!

I think this signals the return of Steve Stone as well. I can't imagine an entire new broadcast team at home, and then someone new to Hawk joining him on the road. I think it expands Stone's ability to work well with a PBP guy who will leverage his knowledge a little bit more, while providing continuity for Hawk on the road with a partner he's familiar with.

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Oct 5, 2015 -> 04:26 AM) you do know that the cubs and sox negotiate their own contracts for tv, right? theo and tommy boy are banking on the big money of going on their own, but signs point to a burst in the rights bubble. Sox will likely stay on csn with a richer deal, along witht eh hawks and bulls. Lol - oh yeah? What "signs"? What "signs point to a burst in the rights bubble" the Cubs are pursuing? And while you're at it, do tell how on god's green earth the next Sox deal on CSN will somehow be "richer" than the one the Cubs are on target to achieve? I mean, if anything, the way things are going, Theo and Tommy are getting set to leave Jerry & Club Loyalty in their dust with the next set of TV deals, not the other way around.

QUOTE (ron883 @ Oct 4, 2015 -> 04:49 PM) With Eaton having surgery on his throwing shoulder? Do you see him switching to the corner? I think trayce won the cf job for next year. The sox simply need to improve their defense. I can't see this not happening It cannot happen if we are truly in the midst of a "three year plan" to maximize the existence of Sale and Abreu on this roster together, which Sox management has told us to be the case. In "Year Two" of that plan, I don't see how you can go into it with two unproven question marks in the outfield with Trayce and Avi. You'd have to pull the plug on Avi and replace him with some proven veteran before handing the reins over to Trayce. Again, that's all predicated on this commitment to this "three year plan" they keep telling us about.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Oct 4, 2015 -> 03:57 PM) Sounds like Stone and Hawk will be back. Keeping my fingers crossed!!

Three triples for Trayce - impressive!

Hawk's cumulative disappointment in how this season has turned out manifesting itself in his tone today.

Lol - thought the "Al Haig" comparison to KW was clever. Otherwise, it was an accurate account of the state of things on the South Side at the moment, but nothing new than is routinely discussed here and at a couple of other reputable message boards.

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Oct 3, 2015 -> 01:06 AM) despite 2015 having the 2nd highest payroll in sox history. Speaking of "compare and contrast" which you pointed out later in this thread as a useful thing to do, our "2nd highest payroll in Sox history" was good for only 15th place amongst MLB teams this year, and only a few million ahead of the small market Kansas City Royals. Noodle on that for awhile, why don't you.

Steve Stone has been a fixture on WGN-Sports for 28 years now, 20 with the Cubs and the past 8 with, as he likes to say"our Sox". I hope tonight doesn't represent his last time on WGN. I think he continues to be a terrific broadcaster and I hope whatever they decide to do in the TV booth it includes the Stone Pony.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 2, 2015 -> 07:46 AM) He posted earlier this year how he was ready to give up being a White Sox fan, and has about 1000 posts since ripping JR. If it is so bad, and he is willing to give it up, do all of us, including himself a favor, and give it up. Jump on a bandwagon and be happy. Three things: a.) JR has another 1000 posts coming his way, rightly criticizing his management and decision making, until the results start to change and our ball club starts making it to the playoffs more often. You may be content with the frequency with which the team goes to the postseason, but me and the majority of the diehards are not, and understandably so. b.) Where is all of this "go be a Cubs fan" and I said I was ready "to give up being a White Sox fan" nonsense coming from? I never did nor ever would say such a thing. You're so busy whining about who you deem to be whiners that you are not getting your facts straight. I don't know what to tell you, but you got me mixed up with some other object of your ire. Go find one post where I even suggested anything remotely of the kind, and then we'll talk, but until then, cease and desist with the inaccuracy. And that brings me to c.) As a wise man once said: Those who whine about whiners are, in fact, whiners themselves, as it turns out.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 1, 2015 -> 08:36 AM) 7 years since the last playoff appearance. 10 years since the last World Championship. Oh, the suffering. Fans should never be exposed to this. OMG - amen, bro! Finally, someone's got it right. For goodness sakes, White Sox fans - don't be greedy!! You got a World Series championship a decade ago - that should last you awhile! I know it's been the only one the fan base has enjoyed in nearly 100 years, but hey, who's counting, right! And no need to be insisting on trying to be competitive enough to maybe, just maybe, get to the WS again. That's just you playing the "suffering" card again, White Sox fan. Don't try it - we are so onto you! And those hard-to-come-by playoff appearances - what are you complaining about that for? We were just there in '08, for goodness sakes! Seems just like yesterday. Oh, I know - only 4 of the 29 other teams in baseball have suffered longer playoff droughts than our Sox, but please, stop. You're complaining. You're a whiner. There's nothing wrong with this situation, you hear? Everything you are exposed to is really a-ok. Really, it is.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Oct 1, 2015 -> 08:13 AM) man I really am an anachronism....I would rather watch the players play and listen to Nancy Faust play her organ. Nancy Faust was one of a kind, she really was. Talented and so clever, she really contributed so nicely to the ballpark experience. And she was unique to the White Sox - head and shoulders above any other organist in baseball! She was 1000 times better than the canned music routine, and always will be. Really do miss her!

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 28, 2015 -> 12:59 PM) Why is that a detriment to the Sox, but not the Cubs? Why is the Sox' ballpark location a detriment to their franchise, while the Cubs' location is not? Did you really ask this question? WOW! Everyone knows you are an unabashed apologist for Sox ownership and management, but to somehow even remotely try and level set the Wrigleyville experience surrounding a Cubs game with the experience Sox fans get in good, 'ol Bridgeport, well, like I said - WOW! Now I've heard it all! Keep in mind, though, that so-called "experience" only matters in the down years, when your team isn't winning. You can't win all the time, and so when you don't, it's nice to have something else to draw you out to the park, be it the in-park experience or near outside one. The Cubs have both in spades; meanwhile, our Sox are very negligible in at least the outside one. If we don't win, forget it! Nothing else to coax the casual fan out to our park. But we don't have to win all of the time, and to suggest we do would be silly. No team can achieve that. But we definitely have to win more than we do and be more successful than we've had in either the near or distant past if we can ever hope for better results at the gate. That couldn't be more than clear than it is today. For all intents and purposes, as a large market team, we are at rock bottom when it comes to all of this.

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Sep 28, 2015 -> 04:52 PM) Yes, having a 6 lane super highway, THREE mass trains lines with an exit no more than 2 blocks from the park, 7000 parking spaces as low as $10, and multiple points of street access really hurt a club. That would all come in handy if the product on the field was worth coming out to watch and the fans were coming out in droves to do so. Unfortunately, that would hardly describe the experience the White Sox have offered their fans in recent years. As always with this argument, all roads lead back to the one and only solution - winning. Stop with the making-the-playoffs-once-a-decade routine, or the occasional seven-year hiatus from any playoff appearance at all that we are currently mired in, and give our long suffering fans what they richly deserve: sustained success. Novel concept, I know, but dare I say, it's worth a shot!

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Sep 27, 2015 -> 09:58 AM) You can't change the philosophy of the White Sox without changing ownership... I don't care who you bring in to run the team. Indisputable.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 24, 2015 -> 03:18 PM) Exactly. People are so focused on LaRoche vs. LHP, they completely ignore how horrible Abreu was vs. LHP. LaRoche is supposed to be bad, Abreu not. The team was just horrible at the start and it snowballed. Any time it seemed they might turn the corner, another clunker. It was a bad year. The Sox talent level isn't as bad as it is made out to be. Every team has holes. Mike Olt was the Cubs starting 3B on Opening Day. No? Then explain the league's worst offense, near-worst defense, the mediocre at-best pitching (overall), the horrific baserunning, etc. That takes more than just "clunkers" and "holes" here and there to accomplish that. I mean, c'mon - don't put lipstick on this pig! There are a few bright spots on this team, to be sure, but the fact of the matter is, the talent level isn't as good as you suggest. Not at the moment it's not.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Sep 24, 2015 -> 10:44 AM) Nice individually of course if he gets it, but I'm sure he'd trade a bunch of those strike outs for more consistency or at the very least a team that could allow him to showcase his talents in the post season. In two weeks Sale will have finished his fifth full major league season. He still hasn't pitched in a playoff game. And don't think that thought hasn't crossed his mind. Mark I don't know if you've heard or not, but KW and RH have a "three year plan" currently in place to get Messrs. Sale and Abreu to the playoffs in a Sox uni. And so as we have just about burned through Year One of that plan, Mr. Sale ought to be advised he can expect to be in the playoffs for the very first time no later than two years from this moment, if not sooner. At least that's how I understand the plan as communicated by KW and RH - you know, the two who together have gotten us to one playoff (and with only playoff win to show for it!) in the past decade. But hope springs eternal, as they say, and so let's hope for the best in these next two years!

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 07:24 PM) I like Steve Stone, but holy f*** do not make him the team president under any circumstance. That would be a bigger joke of a hire than Ventura was as manager. You are a terrific poster on this site and I always enjoy your thoughts and opinions on all things White Sox. Just curious to pick your brain on your reaction to my Stone comment, why you don't think it would be a good idea. Stone's been around the game for a long, long time, and is well regarded in his knowledge of the game. Over the years I've always sensed that regard was for his understanding of the game both on and off the field, including his understanding of the business side of the game. I do think he exhibits the types of competencies and know-how of the game to be able to function highly in a front office position. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd love to hear you expound on your thoughts on this.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 07:26 PM) So the LOYALTY crowd wants to hired a guy as team President who has never been in a front office? lol. Didn't stop the Tony LaRussas and Nolan Ryan's of the world from being hired similarly. Do you "lol" at those hirings?

QUOTE (AlSoxfan @ Sep 19, 2015 -> 07:24 PM) I like Stone and would believe an trust in him over most anyone else I'm with you! I like Stoney as well, and am really hoping his time in the organization is not over after this year, when his current broadcasting contract runs out. With all of the rumors about Kenny possibly going to Seattle, and with Reinsdorf's well-documented policy towards loyalty, I'd be quite happy with Stone sliding into the vacated spot opened up by a William's departure. Stone has always wanted such a front office position, and this would probably represent his last chance at that. An insider (Jerry likes that) and somewhat an outsider (most of us would like that), all in one!!

QUOTE (Saufley @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 06:06 PM) For a guy that claims to be such a fan of the game how can Reinsdorf be such a bad owner of a bad baseball team? Where's the pride? Well, of course he's a "fan of the game". "The game" has made him rich beyond his wildest dreams. His $20M investment from 35 years ago has mushroomed into just short of a billion dollar one now, at least according to Forbes. So Jerry Reinsdorf's time as owner of the Chicago White Sox has been very good and certainly rather lucrative for Jerry Reinsdorf. For us, the fans, however, not so much. Just five trips to the postseason during those 35 years with him at the helm, during which Mr. Reinsdorf was making his millions, hand over foot. And only five measly postseason appearances during the past three and a half decades, with only one of those arguably of the meaningful variety. Perhaps Mr. Reinsdorf is a fan of mediocre baseball? Who knows. Somebody ask him the next time they see him whistling dixie on his way to the bank! So yes, the question of "pride" is an interesting one, but sadly it would appear pride was trumped by profits long ago.