Lip Man 1

Heard back from my source on the insurance question: "I'm told the terms of the insurance policies vary, are extremely high and usually kept private between the team and insurance company. " So I guess if Hahn does something that's an indication the Sox are covered in some way although there is no way to know for sure one way or the other especially given the secrecy and dysfunction in this organization.

The question has been asked about insurance in this thread, how that may impact the Sox moving forward. So I asked about this with a long time friend of mine who is a member of the mainstream Chicago media. This is the reply just FYI: "I know when the training staff told Jake Peavy there was nothing wrong with him, until his arm nearly came off, there was the issue of insurance and whether the salary would be covered by insurance. Rick Hahn was testy when he was asked whether insurance would cover the salary if Peavy missed the first 1/6th of the season. I think this is the case with Liam, but I'll ask around. I feel terrible for Liam, since he's a straight shooter who can see who's full of crap and who's giving an honest effort. I hope he's consulting with experts outside of Rush Hospital before making a decision on the treatments. I'm a big Crochet fan, but you can't beat experience in the late innings."

It has been estimated that JR now owns about 18% of the team since some of the other investors have passed away and he now has their shares. But this is the key point. JR has ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY to run the franchise as he sees fit. It is in his contract. The minority owners can offer advice/suggestions but JR can do as he wishes. He also has control over if the franchise is to be sold. Minority owners have been asking him to sell since 2005 and he refuses to do so. Andrew Berlin twice offered to buy the club in 2008 and JR said no. The only way JR can in essence be removed from his position is if he does something illegal (malfeasance) or shows that he is losing his mental faculties. I have spoken with two individuals who know members of the board/minority owners and have been told the Sox "haven't lost money in a long time..."

A good franchise would do what you are suggesting. The White Sox with their self-imposed salary cap probably doesn't have the means or more importantly the will. They'll simply "hope" things work out and when they don't make excuses.

I don't see how trading a bullpen guy who has the potential to be good helps the bullpen situation which has probably just lost their closer for the entire season (using Scott Radinsky as a measuring stick from 1994)

He does have a few things going for him. As a pro athlete he is in good shape/health overall, he's young and he also has the money needed to get the very best care...see the very best doctors/hospitals.

I admire your optimism. The season hasn't even started yet and they are getting hit with news that obviously has a major impact on the team.

January 8, 2014 – White Sox legend Frank Thomas, was elected to the Hall of Fame on his first try, with 83.7 per cent support. Thomas played the first 16 years of his career on the South Side, and was a five-time All-Star and two-time M.V.P. He also was the largest person both in height and weight to win a batting championship when he hit .347 in 1997. He also was the only player in history to hit over .300 with at least 100 runs, 100 RBI’s, 20 home runs and 100 walks in each of his first seven seasons.

I think the Mariners are owned or were at one time by Nintendo of Japan. I remember JR was so vocal against the sale some were accusing him of racism.

Very unfortunate news for Liam, his family and the organization both on and off the field. Scott Radinsky of the White Sox had this and missed the entire 1994 season. He eventually did return although I don't remember if he was as effective as before the illness. I think Mario Lemieux of the Penguins also had this (don't remember for sure) and he returned. Moving forward we'll see what if anything Rick does since now this has a major impact of course

January 7, 1985 - Former White Sox reliever Hoyt Wilhelm was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, garnering 83.8 per cent of the vote in his eighth year on the ballot. In the previous election of 1984, Wilhelm had fallen just 13 votes shy of enshrinement, with 72 per cent of the vote. Wilhelm pitched six full seasons for the White Sox, the most time logged with any of the knuckleballer’s nine franchises. He had a career White Sox ERA of 1.97, 41 wins and 99 saves. The ERA, considering the unpredictability of the pitch he threw, was truly remarkable.

Just got an update this afternoon: "The contract has been signed! The two billboards are set to go up in Late March! Thank you all again for donating, this has been CRAZY!"

March 21, 1997 - The Sox suffered a major blow to their hopes for a championship when star third baseman Robin Ventura destroyed his ankle and lower leg on a slide at home plate in a spring game against the Red Sox. The injury was so horrific that a woman sitting in the stands passed out when she saw the result. It was caused because his spikes caught in the wet, muddy, ground. The result was that Ventura’s foot was pointed 180 degrees opposite of the way a foot is supposed to be. The injury took place only 10 days before the season opener and the Sox were left in a state of shock. G. M. Ron Schueler announced to the media the team would be looking for a replacement, and then did nothing to fill the void staying in-house with Greg Norton and Chris Snopek. They combined for five home runs and 36 RBI’s in 105 games. Thankfully after a rigorous rehabilitation process, Robin would be back to play in 54 games that season and continue to have an outstanding Major League career after he left the Sox as a free agent.

January 6, 2005 - Needing catching help, Sox G.M. Ken Williams took a gamble and inked catcher A.J. Pierzynski to a free agent contract. A.J., who had a reputation as a ‘clubhouse cancer’ turned out to be a model teammate and his contributions to the 2005 World Series champs, would be incalculable. Sox announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson pitched A.J. to the front office since he knew him for a number of years (both lived in Florida) and got the organization to take the chance. Two of the most memorable A.J. moments took place in 2005. The first came on June 18 when he hit an opposite field home run to cap a four run ninth inning as the Sox beat the Dodgers 5-3. The Sox were wearing 1959 replica uniforms for the game. The second and far more important moment, came on October 12, the second game of the A.L.C.S. With the Sox down a game to the Angels and tied in the ninth, Pierzynski struck out then started running to first base as former Sox player Josh Paul, the Angels catcher, rolled the ball back towards the mound thinking the inning was over. A.J. thought the ball hit the dirt and was trapped which required a put out at first base. Umpire Doug Eddings agreed and Pierzynski got the base. The play led to the eventual winning run, evening the best of seven series which the Sox went on to win in five games to get to their first World Series since 1959. Another 'classic' A.J. moment came on May 20, 2006 during a Cubs/Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field. Scoring the first run in an eventual 7-0 Sox win, A.J. got tangled up with catcher Michael Barrett and went back to touch home plate. As he was doing so, he bumped Barrett which resulted in the Cub player losing it and sucker punching him. Four players wound up being ejected in the fight.

I think Fisk and his wife still live in suburban Chicago.

He stole two bases according to the record in the game you are talking about June 26, 1992. Sox won 2-1 in new York.

Jeff Torborg told me the best bunter on the team was Karkovice and that Torborg had no issues with using him on squeeze bunts or suicide squeeze bunts.

As long as JR owned the club if TLR was healthy, he'd be the manager.

Thank you, it always fascinates me since I'm a history guy anyway.

I guess the question is has he ever played defense before? ?

I don't take anything he says seriously anymore and haven't for the last few years. He has zero credibility. I wish he just wouldn't say anything then insult the fan base with his inane comments.

January 4, 1993 - The Sox signed oft-injured outfielder Ellis Burks to a one-year contract. Burks would have a breakout season in 1993 and finally stop the revolving door in right field (at least for that season.) Burks would produce 17 homers, 71 RBI’s and hit .275 in the divisional championship season. He’d catch the final out to clinch the division title that season as well. In the six game A.L.C.S. he’d hit .304 with seven hits including a double and a home run and drive in three RBI’s. He also walked four times. Unfortunately, then G.M. Ron Schueler, wouldn't give Burks the multi-year deal he was looking for when the season ended and he left for Colorado where he became an All-Star.

He did and he also owned the Memphis franchise of the ABA. And yes, they had the same colors as the A's and Seals.

January 3, 2005 - As part of a plan to add more depth to the rotation, the Sox signed veteran hurler Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez. “The Duke” started strong in 2005, faded somewhat down the stretch but pitched perhaps the most historic inning in franchise history when he came in to a bases loaded, no out situation at Boston in game #3 of the A.L.D.S. with the Sox only leading 4-3 in the sixth inning. He proceeded to get two pop outs and a strike out as the Sox held on to win 5-3 and advance to the A.L.C.S. He was traded that off season as part of a deal bringing Javier Vasquez to the White Sox. January 3, 2007 – The White Sox were looking for another solid hitter to join the lineup and G.M. Kenny Williams thought he had found him as he made a deal with Oakland and acquired outfielder/first baseman Nick “Dirty 30” Swisher for Ryan Sweeney, Fautino De Los Santos and Gio Gonzales. Unfortunately the deal fell far short. In 2008 Swisher put up decent numbers 21 doubles, 24 home runs and 69 RBI’s but he turned into a distracting presence in the clubhouse, was benched by manager Ozzie Guillen towards the end of the year and was then traded to the Yankees…where he promptly regained his Oakland form in four solid seasons. Sweeney hit higher than .286 in three of his four years with the A’s while Gonzales blossomed into a solid starting pitcher for the A’s and then later the Nationals where he won 21 games in 2012. The Sox signed him as a free agent for the 2020 season but he was injured and only started four games in the 60-game pandemic shortened year.

With free agency coming into play for 1976 and with Finley knowing there was no way he was going to be able to re-sign Blue, Fingers, Rudi, Tenace, Bando et al, yes at the trade deadline in June 1975 (when the A's were at Comiskey Park ironically) he began to sell his stars off in return for young players. The Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers were all involved in going after his players. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn stepped in and voided all the sales, saying it was bad for baseball. Finley's argument (and factually he had a case) was that he built the club (and he did a lot of his own scouting) that enabled the A's to win back-to-back-to-back World Series titles in 72,73,74 and if given the resources he could do it again. Oakland won the division in 72,73,74 and 75 (even with all the turmoil) and in 76 with a bunch of his stars gone still won 87 games and finished 21/2 games behind the Royals for the division again.