Lip Man 1

August 31, 1926 - In a twin bill at Detroit, Sox infielder Ray Morehart cranked out nine hits in 10 at bats! Morehart went 5 for 6 in the opening game, and then capped it off with a 4 for 4 performance in the nightcap. Two of his nine hits were doubles. The Sox would gain a split on the day. August 31, 1935 – It was the highlight of his career. Sox rookie pitcher Vern Kennedy threw a no-hitter against the Indians. It took place in Comiskey Park. The Sox won it 5-0. The no-hitter was saved in the ninth inning when with one out, outfielder Al Simmons made a diving catch on a ball. Kennedy didn’t even realize he had a no-hitter going until the final out! He also had the game breaking hit in the contest; a bases loaded triple driving in three runs in the sixth inning. It was also the first no-hitter in the American League since 1931. August 31, 1964 - Sox catcher Jerry McNertney was part of the cover shot for Sports Illustrated. It was one of the few black & white covers ever done by the magazine. The caption read, “Orioles vs. White Sox.” August 31, 1993 - Outfielder Tim “Rock” Raines became only the second Sox player to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game. It took place at Yankee Stadium as he victimized Sterling Hitchcock and Rich Monteleone helping the Sox coast to an 11-3 win. Raines went 3 for 5, with two runs scored and four RBI’s. His home runs came in the fifth and ninth innings. August 31, 2023 – After the firing of both Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn, White Sox fans were hoping that owner Jerry Reinsdorf would go out and bring in a top-notch executive from a consistently winning organization to rebuild the franchise which sank to new lows both on and off the field. Instead Reinsdorf decided to promote former Sox infielder Chris Getz to the G.M. position. Getz had been in charge of the White Sox minor league operation for the past seven years, an operation that saw it usually rank near the bottom in Major League Baseball and failed to develop anyone outside of a few high draft picks to produce for the big-league club. White Sox fans, and even many in the mainstream media, were highly critical of the decision but not completely shocked given Reinsdorf’s history.

I'll be curious if they have an actual press conference or if they are simply just sending out releases. Also NBC Sports Chicago has a comprehensive look at Getz and what he has done. They are very critical: https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/mlb/chicago-white-sox/white-sox-news/who-is-chris-getz-what-to-know-about-lead-candidate-for-white-sox-head-of-baseball-operations/503188/

My only comment along this entire subject is that personally I don't care what color a person is, what sex, what religion, what sexual orientation. I want the best damn people running the franchise...if they are all gay, all white, all women, all Catholics...I could care less. My issue is the fact that Reinsdorf seems to be doing anything but even trying to bring in the best people because he continues to think his way is the right way despite over 40+ years of basically failure, especially since the start of the 2007 season. To me that should be the overriding issue, nothing else. Just my opinion.

That remains to be seen doesn't it?

Fundamentals are an unknown word to this organization. But Grifol I'm sure is "working on it" to "clear things up". ? Oscar Colás made an on-target throw to second, which should’ve nailed Anthony Santander, but Tim Anderson dropped the ball on the tag. Cease ignored Ryan O’Hearn at first base until O’Hearn got a huge jump toward second. That’s when Cease looked back to second base, except he had to continue his motion home or accept a balk. He then fired a fastball into Cedric Mullins for a doofy-looking HBP. Adam Frazier singled to right, and even though O’Hearn held up, he still made it home unchallenged because Tim Anderson went to the wrong base. Frazier stole second even though Cease picked him off, because Andrew Vaughn froze up out of fear of allowing Mullins to score from third. Neither Lenyn Sosa nor Vaughn are able to catch a Jordan Westburg popup near the netting in foul territory, and Westburg hit a sac fly to center with his second life. The White Sox were able to get the third out by correctly cutting the ball off and executing a one-throw rundown, although Orioles broadcaster Kevin Brown roasted them as the play unfolded, saying, “Let’s see if the White Sox can figure this one out.”

https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2023/8/30/23852431/what-we-know-and-dont-about-the-white-sox-game-shooting

It was Eric Dybas who attacked umpire Laz Diaz. This is what I wrote for my long history on the Sox relationship with the media: "Mentioning Dybas also brought up another point which left many, even non-conspiratorial individuals wondering what was going on. The following day after the incident both Dybas' girlfriend Kelly Sherwood and his roommate, said on various Chicago radio stations that they were shocked that Dybas was even at a Sox game. Both said he was a diehard dedicated Cub fan who had been drinking heavily at the afternoon Cub game before deciding to go to the Sox game that night. These facts on the individual never seemed to make it into print leaving the impression to many that Dybas was just another "white trash, stupid Sox fan."

Correct an error can be charged even if the fielder never touched the ball.

August 30, 1941 - Sox pitcher Johnny Humphries had his string of 35 consecutive scoreless innings snapped on a home run by the Browns Chet Laabs in the second inning. The Browns won that afternoon going away 10-1. Humphries threw three consecutive shutouts going into the Browns game and started his scoreless streak back on July 19 with some coming in relief. August 30, 1949 - The Sox organized and celebrated “Jackie Hayes Night” at Comiskey Park. Hayes was a fine second baseman who suddenly lost his sight due to glaucoma. After a shower one afternoon, he felt as if he had soap in his right eye. The next day his vision was blurry, and the club sent him back to Chicago for treatment. “I thought it was just a cinder in there at first,” he said, “but specialists all over town have looked me over and they say it’s an infection somewhere else settling in my eye. All I know is, I can’t see very well and it’s getting no better.” It never did. Hayes visited 10 doctors and received several diagnoses — infection, inflammation, cataract — but no relief. Incredibly before he completely lost his sight, he played 18 games in the 1940 season, when he eyesight began to go bad and he hit .195. He literally closed his right eye when batting! August 30, 1959 - The Sox sealed a huge four game sweep of their closest pursuers in the American League by beating Cleveland at Municipal Stadium 6-3 and 9-4. Early Wynn and Barry Latman picked up the wins. The four-game sweep increased the Sox lead to five and a half games in the league and basically ended any suspense as to who was going to win the 1959 American League championship. An oddity came in game two when Latman’s sacrifice fly in the second inning scored both Johnny Romano and Al Smith! Latman hit a long drive caught at the fence by the Indians Rocco “Rocky” Colavito (who’d join the Sox in 1967) which scored Romano easily but Smith never hesitated and slid safely before third baseman George Strickland could even make a throw. The double header sweep was played in front of over 66 thousand fans. Sportswriter Gordon Cobbledick of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote that it was time for the Sox to “Go-Go home…” August 30, 1981 - The Sox dealt three prospects to the Twins for pitcher Jerry Koosman. The three were “Bambi” Mesa, Ron Perry and Randy Johnson (no… not THAT Randy Johnson). This Johnson was a Sox utility player who appeared in 12 games in 1980. It was a small deal pulled off by G.M. Roland Hemond that turned out to have big implications in future years. Koosman was like a second pitching coach, tutoring young Sox hurlers. He’d start games, pitch long relief and be a situational left hander in his two plus years on the South Side. He’d win 23 games and save five more overall in his time in Chicago. August 30, 1983 - Carlton Fisk, one of the fastest catchers in baseball history, hit an inside the park home run off the Rangers Dave Stewart at Comiskey Park. His drive struck the top of the wall in left center field and bounded back towards the infield. While the Texas outfielders were tracking the ball down, Fisk circled the bases. The Sox won that night, 5-0. August 30, 1990 - Ron Karkovice, not the fastest catcher to ever play the game, (although he amazingly had 10 steals in 1992!) hit an inside the park grand slam off the Twins David West at Minnesota. With the bases loaded in the fourth inning Karkovice hit a line drive just over shortstop that rolled to the wall in left center. Outfielder Dan Gladden was picking the ball up when he started to slip and fall. As he did so, he tossed the ball towards outfielder John Moses to try to start a relay, except that Moses wasn’t looking for it and the ball rolled towards center field. By the time the Twins got to it, Karkovice and all the runners had scored. It was the difference in a 4-3 win. August 30, 2004 - Sox outfielder Joe Borchard hit what’s believed to be the longest home run ever hit at U.S. Cellular Field (now Guaranteed Rate Field). He drove a pitch from the Phillies Brett Myers, a future Sox pitcher, an estimated 504 feet to right field, in the second inning, smacking off the wall at the back of the bleacher seats. It was part of a Sox 9-8 win. At the time he was drafted in the first round in 2000, Borchard got the largest bonus ever handed out by the franchise… $5.3 million dollars.

DVS of the Sun-Times takes a candid look at what Getz is going to be stepping into: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2023/8/29/23850900/next-white-sox-gm-will-have-a-full-plate

A little surprised at this but the Sox want to continue to shed payroll (no big surprise) and I'm guessing they picked up hints that Clevinger had indicated he wanted to go to another team next year and wouldn't agree to his side of the option. Make that four starting pitchers the Sox who hope to compete (LOL) need to pick up next season.

August 29, 1915 - Sox pitcher Jim Scott fired a 5-0 shutout over the Philadelphia A’s... and he did it in only 68 minutes!! It’s the fastest game ever played in team annals. He allowed three hits and struck out six. Scott won 24 games that year. August 29, 1965 - In a double header at Comiskey Park, Sox shortstop Ron Hansen set the Major League record when he handled 29 chances. Boston provided the opposition. The Sox won both games 3-2, with game one going 14 innings. Hansen had 19 chances in game one, also a Major League record for an extra inning game, and 10 in game two. August 29, 1975 - Outfielder Ken Henderson became the first Sox player to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same game. Ross Grimsley and Wayne Garland were the victims at Baltimore in a game the Sox would win 4-2. Both the home runs were solo shots in the first and eighth innings. August 29, 1991 - At 43 years, eight months and three days old, White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk became the oldest player in the 20th Century to hit two home runs in one game. Fisk’s blasts help fuel Jack McDowell’s complete game win over Cleveland, 7-2, he drove in four RBI’s. Fisk would break his own record by clubbing two homers towards the end of the season, on October 3, against Minnesota. August 29, 2010 – The “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas, the greatest player in franchise history, had his #35 retired in a ceremony at U.S. Cellular Field. Thomas played 16 years with the White Sox and is the franchise leader in most hitting categories. The five time All-Star and Hall of Famer won a batting title with the Sox, four Silver Slugger awards and was the only player in history to hit at least .300 with at least 20 home runs, 100 RBI’s, 100 walks and 100 runs scored in his first seven seasons. He’d have a statue of himself unveiled at the stadium in 2011.

He fits right in with this "baseball-stupid" organization which wouldn't know how to execute fundamentals if they bit them on the ass. Regarding Kopech, I know because the Sox aren't going to go out and sign/trade for four starting pitchers next year that he's going to stay in the rotation but this guy is not a starter. He could make a solid relief pitcher though but naturally the Sox won't try that approach.

McGuffey has also said numerous times on the podcast the Sox refused to finish the rebuild and specifically mentioned Hahn wanted to sign some "nine figure guys" (aka superstars) and was told no.

Remember people do a lot of stupid things.

The Sox can not do point #1 because JR has made it clear that he's told his family to sell the Sox and keep the Bulls because the salary structure in the NBA enables Michael to "make money." (But don't think for a nanosecond the Sox aren't making money too...) Point #2 while notable no business would box themselves in like that. Point #3, this may be possible since the NBC Sports Chicago deal is up relatively soon but again I wouldn't hold my breath.

It'll be hard for him to do anything in six years since he is likely not to be around.

In 1985 they won 85 games if I remember right. I'd take that right now.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/8/28/23849662/top-cop-defends-white-sox-game-two-fans-gunfire-no-details-what-happened

August 28, 1909 – In the second inning of the opener of a doubleheader at South Side Park, Washington’s William “Dolly” Gray set two Major League records against the White Sox. He walked eight batters in the inning, seven of them consecutive. Pat “Patsy” Dougherty led off the inning with a single, and #5 hitter Frank Isbell either sacrificed Doughtery to second or made an out (a play-by-play for the game isn’t available). And then, the parade of walks — from #6 hitter Lee Tannehill all the way back through the order to Doughtery began. The White Sox scored six in the inning, all ‘driven in’ with walks. The second time Doughtery went to bat, with six straight walks already in the books, White Sox manager Billy Sullivan suggested Doughtery leave his bat in the dugout. The White Sox won, 6-4, with only Doughtery’s single hit. Gray’s one-hitter came with 11 total walks for the afternoon. The White Sox also won the nightcap, 2-1, walking just twice. August 28, 1938 – It was the most grueling stretch of baseball ever in Major League history. A series of rain outs forced the White Sox to play six consecutive double headers on six consecutive days from August 23 through August 28. They played four games against the Yankees in two days, six games against the Red Sox in three days and two games against the Athletics. All were on the road. For the month the White Sox had to play 13 double headers! Despite the incredible stretch of games, they finished the month with a record of 16-22 which really wasn’t that bad. August 28, 1960 - Of all the crazy games and things that have happened when the Sox played at Baltimore, this one topped the list. The Sox started the day two and a half games behind the Yankees and trailed the O’s 3-0 going into the eighth inning. With two out, Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox and Roy Sievers ripped consecutive singles, scoring a run and putting the tying runs on base. Manager Al Lopez called on Ted Kluszewski to pinch hit. “Big Klu” drilled the pitch from Milt Pappas into the right field stands for an apparent three run homer except for one small thing… Third base umpire Ed Hurley called time! Nobody remembered seeing him do it but he refused to change his call. Fox was ejected in the confrontation afterwards and Lopez played the game under protest. Hurley called time right before the pitch to tell Sox players Floyd Robinson and Earl Torgeson that they were warming up in the wrong area. The next day Hurley was quoted in the newspapers as saying "I wish to heck I hadn’t called it; I’d gladly take it back.” End result was the Sox lost 3-1, and were now three games behind the Yankees. Kluszewski later recalled that this game was the one that broke the team’s spirit that season. August 28, 1983 - Greg Luzinski completed his ‘downtown triple crown’ by blasting a pitch from Boston’s Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd over the roof in left center field in the first inning. It was Luzinski’s third roof shot in 1983 the others came versus the Twins and Yankees. Greg would have four roof top home runs in his White Sox career. The Sox took care of Boston on this afternoon 6-2 before over 33-thousand fans. August 28, 1990 - Frank Thomas, who would become the White Sox all-time home run leader, belted his first big league round tripper. Thomas connected in the ninth inning of a game at the Metrodome off the Twins Gary Wayne. The Sox would lose that day 12-6. Thomas had 448 home runs in a Sox uniform. August 28, 1998 - The Sox and Rangers combined for 14 home runs in a double header at Comiskey Park, tying the American League mark. The teams hit seven in the first game, seven in the second. Texas and the Sox split the two games on the day.

His point is JR refuses to pay for elite top-of-the-line, game changing talent and that certainly has played a part in their situation in my opinion. It's the Sox, Oakland and Kansas City that have never done so. That's some company the Sox are keeping isn't it?

His back is still an issue and soon after this season ends he needs to s%*# or get off the pot, have the surgery or not. If he doesn't, I'm willing to wager it causes him issues yet again in 2024.

Based on all the reports that have been coming out from various people/sources (including mine this past off season) he isn't the "baseball-smartest" guy around and seems to be a disruptive clubhouse presence.

What is BT?

Absolutely correct. I could see JR getting some help from some community be it Chicago or a suburb, say with the land...but the stadium itself? Let the cheap SOB pay for it himself like Joe Robbie did in Miami and the Giants owner did.