Lip Man 1

I don't know who told the info about the stadium naming rights situation but what you posted was confirmed to me in the story, I was even given some specific names that the source said didn't tell JR all the relevant information but because of the seriousness of the charge I felt it best to write in more general terms.

I believe there actually were some comments that directly or indirectly talked about how baseball-stupid the Sox were and how guys need to be brought in that have a better baseball acumen. Here's one example: "They need to get guys with a higher baseball acumen, the lack of urgency, the way they beat themselves this season was embarrassing." And there were numerous published comments in the mainstream media after the season by the players themselves talking about being smarter and how accountability was needed.

As to why JR hasn't sold by now it does involve money... as in the tax hit: https://www.southsidesox.com/2022/8/29/23325369/jerry-reinsdorf-selling-chicago-white-sox-not-on-his-life

Both, I have no idea who these folks are that may be leaving but my guess is that in some cases stagnation has set in so a change is probably good anywhere in this operation/organization. I'd also guess some talented folks may be leaving because they are tired of what has/is happening. Again just guesses on my part.

It's also possible that Jose did say something to Moncada but it just wasn't registering. And yes I agree there are some discrepancies in the comments but different individuals have different perspectives and see different things. The overall picture though is one that does not garner optimism.

Just heard from a source who spoke with a player agent who read the story. According to this person the agent told them the story was "fascinating and pretty much the truth." (direct quote) This source also relayed to me they have heard last night that more folks are about to leave the Sox from the business side of the organization.

I think and this is just my opinion, that part of the thinking behind the comment of "drove it off the cliff" were the suspensions, flipping off the fans in Cleveland, the confrontations with umpires and in general the arrogant comments especially in spring training.

The fact that it seems he's going to be allowed to bring in his own coaches is certainly a step in the right direction, no question about that.

For the last several weeks I've been working on a story trying to find out what is going on with this organization in an extremely crucial off season. It may be the last chance they have to get the rebuild/contention window right. The Sox of course are being very tight lipped as per usual, Sox Fest has been cancelled, no chance for anyone to ask the brass any questions... so I went to a half dozen sources who know the organization to try to get a handle on what may be happening. If you read the story I describe those sources in general terms but not specifically because I wanted honest answers. I believe what they've told me on a number of issues. I've been a Sox Fan for 62 seasons NO ONE wants this rebuild/contention window to succeed more than I do, but I've got to tell you, based of what I've been told, I think the chances are very slim. This organization simply is "mired in mediocrity" for wont of a better word and in my opinion until new ownership and a new front office is brought in I suspect it will be more of "one step forward, two steps back..." But we'll see. Here is the link to the story: https://www.wsiforumstoo.com/74118-the-state-of-the-sox

Heard back from a source just now asking for more info on Pedro: I was hung up on the KC thing until I thought about the Rays hiring Kevin Cash and barely considering Dave Martinez. that's worked out well for everyone. I like that Grifol has worn a lot of hats. Charlie Montoyo as bench coach will be good. He got mircomanaged in Toronto and will feel liberated. I'm OK with bringing back Katz, albeit for only one year to see if he can get Giolito back to normal. No matter how well Grifol interviewed, it couldn't hurt he coached Getz and played with Mike Shirley.

I was told by a source that Menechino has already been told he's not returning. This is an interesting hire, we'll see what happens. he checks a lot of the boxes that Hahn talked about in his press conference although one he doesn't check is "coming from a winning organization." And as CBS Sportsline wrote this morning he faced great challenges: "Grifol stands to inherit a roster with a solid core but questionable depth and a similarly questionable commitment on the part of ownership to make substantial improvements."

I saw where Jackson tweeted that he would not be autographing any "unauthorized" biographies of him and asked fans to understand. I don't know if he is referring to this book or some other one.

From two individuals I recently spoke with who has professional ties with the Sox: “People, his friends… have tried to tell him what has been going on, “Hawk” Harrelson, the late Ed Farmer… God rest his soul, Darrin Jackson, Scott Reifert (Author’s Note: Scott is the Senior Vice-President for Communications) , Bob Grim and others but it’s just not registering for some reason.” “JR has become oblivious to things and what he’s allowed to happen is sad. He’s probably the most successful owner in Chicago sports history given the Bulls titles and the White Sox one which is dear to his heart, but what has happened the last two years is just sad. He is out-of-touch. And even worse he’s inaccessible. He’s either afraid of having to answer questions or he’s incapable of doing so.”

Correct, Frank was called up when the Sox were in Milwaukee August 1990, although Jeff Torborg told me he wanted him to break camp and start the season with the club but Larry Himes said no.

It is true that JR asked Frank who he'd prefer to have, who was a better player and he said Belle, who did put up some incredible numbers for the Sox. Belle had a clause in his Sox contract that he had to be one of the three highest players in MLB. When others passed him the Sox decided not to increase his salary so he invoked the clause and left. Had a fine year or two with Baltimore before a bad hip forced him to retire. A side not to all this was that Frank took a reduced salary he said so the Sox would have more money for Belle and to resign Ventura. The Sox did neither and that rubbed Thomas raw too.

Don't forget Ventura.

There is something to be said for the Godfather philosophy if you really want a player bad enough, "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse..."

He was a Gold Glove winner at first base as I recall.

Fabulous player but he did have his issues. This is from my interview with Jack McDowell: ML: I’m not trying to place blame here, but the Sox as good as they were, always seemed to be one piece short, whether it was another starter or another big bat to go with Thomas and Ventura. Do you think the organization did everything they could to get to a World Series? JMD: "That’s tough to say. I know that Mark McGwire wanted to come here. He called me three times in about a 10 day period after the 1991 season. He asked me about the other guys in the clubhouse, about the coaching staff and about the city of Chicago. I honestly felt we were going to get him. I called Robin (Ventura) to let him know what was going on and I remember he was excited. He told me “alright...we’re going to kick ass.” The Sox then asked Frank (Thomas) if he’d go to DH full time so that Mark could play first and he said no.”

Since when has the front office opinion ever mattered to JR lately?

From what I've seen Judge is a very capable outfielder. Talk now is the Dodgers may go after him and Betts said he'd move to second base.

They have gone through three trainers in the past few years (Herm, Ball now Kirk) and a few strength and conditioning people (Thomas, Torborg and the new guy). I think the problem is actually deeper than just the person in charge but more of the overall philosophy towards training, conditioning, nutrition, sleep schedules etc. I was given a quote that "The Sox play checkers when other teams are playing chess" in these matters. And remember last fall Hahn announced the Sox were going to conduct a study to try to get a handle on why all the injuries. Those results were never made public so no one knows what that study concluded. Alan Thomas quit or was fired depending on who you talk to because he disagreed with those results. His feeling was all the Sox injuries were directly related to COVID and the limitations that imposed. That may be true however the Sox were dealing with serious injuries at both the major and minor league levels before 2020 as well.

I have never heard anything nor has anyone ever told me anything that indicated Kenny was part of the decision to hire TLR. From what I've heard he was in Hahn's corner on this one.

The only other openings I think are the White Sox and Royals, that's it.

A comment from a source for an upcoming story on the state of the Sox: “I was talking with an agent and they said the next owner of the Sox can’t be a group of investors, it has to be a big company. That’s why Dennis Gilbert, who tried to buy the Dodgers won’t get the Sox, he can’t come up with enough big money investors”