Lip Man 1

Heard something interesting this afternoon, don't usually listen to the Score radio (bunch of clowns) but after listening to Holmes going off on the Sox I've been listening more. This afternoon Dan Berstein asked Steve Stone directly if he could say who was really running the White Sox. Stone said that honestly he didn't know. That ties into the previous comments about the manager telling the front office who he wants on the club (i.e. signings) and of course we remember Kenny's quote about how when JR wants to know something he calls him and not Hahn. Like I said this is an inept, dysfunctional and incompetent organization that doesn't even know when to put guys on the IL or give an update on the health of the field manager.

Theo Epstein

Professionally I have been wrestling with this question/issue for 40+ years since I'm in the sports media. There's no easy answer for it because basically there is a conflict of interest. It just depends on the nuance. For guys like Garfien and Merkin who basically are employed by either the Sox (who own most of the rights to NBC Sports Chicago) or the web site, are they willing to risk their jobs if they go to far? The newspaper folks have it a little bit easier because the Sox and/or MLB don't directly have any say in their employment but they can make things very difficult for them if they choose (things like player availability for example) I have the same issues, I'm paid by Idaho State and I understand they have certain requirements, after all they are paying me but at the same time I have an obligation to the listening audience and to my profession to be truthful. It is directly a conflict of interest and I'm always walking that tightrope and frankly have gotten into trouble at times for being to truthful. ISU like most places wants to control the information and put it in a positive light. At the same time I know there are certain members of the Chicago media that have to cozy a relationship with certain people like Rick Hahn and won't ever do or say anything negative because they don't want to jeopardize what is a friendship and it impacts their reporting. That's where I'd draw the line myself. I guess basically what I'm saying is that I'm glad some of the media have taken to pointing out the extreme issues with this dysfunctional organization, even Garfien has taken off the gloves more than once. Better late then never.

And it all starts with an owner who honestly thinks he knows and understands baseball like his business dealings. They are two separate entities.

The "Kenny Williams" approach to drafting. As far as baseball IQ I completely agree, they are simply "baseball-stupid". The blame for that falls on the players and the coaching staff. Both are at fault in this area.

There is a lot of truth in your statement.

Interesting post. I've always felt for a long time the Sox organization is more reactive than proactive.

I've been hearing that from people for over a year now. That's part of the reason Cairo joined the staff, that he was "next in line" after TLR. If he truly is the right guy, that's fine. But it wouldn't hurt to conduct a thorough actual managerial search with interested candidates not automatically connected to "the family."

It's a combination of both. Made worse by an organization that in many areas is simply inept, dysfunctional and incompetent.

Cairo after the loss tonight pulled out the "injury card." Get ready fans to hear a constant refrain with that excuse from now on.

DVS of the Sun-Times tells it like it is with the White Sox: https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2022/9/22/23367801/plenty-of-blame-to-go-around-for-white-sox-calamity-of-a-season

That was Kenny and neither of the players in question were stars if memory serves.

The Sox won the last nine straight that season but the Yankees had built up and three and a half game lead with a few weeks to go so they had enough of a cushion.

Maybe the Sox feel since God doesn't appear to want to help them they can turn to the "dark side." ?

Sad but true unfortunately. That's why I keep stressing to fans, take care of yourself, outlive JR and see what new ownership can do because his family will sell the team (and keep the Bulls as per JR's instructions to them.)

There are so many things that impact an organization many that aren't seen. Just read a story in Sports Illustrated on the Mets and this caught my eye: "When the Mets returned from a 10 game West Coast road trip in June a gift was waiting for them: a pitching machine that can replicate any pitcher's exact delivery and repertoire. The device costs in the low six figures annually for a three year license. The team had already expanded the batting cage, offered bat fittings, began measuring players' grip strength and installed devices in the weight room to track players explosiveness and to identify when they need to rest." "The front office increased to 57 people in the spring from 32 in 2020 before the pandemic. It includes 20 analytical staffers." I bring this up simply because I've been told that when it comes to things like keeping players healthy, nutrition, sleep schedules et al the White Sox "play checkers while other teams play chess..."

I have never heard of 99% of the people the Sox are having to throw out the first ball myself.

The facts are facts regarding Hahn. In the nine previous seasons he's been in charge (even if it is just in name only) the Sox had two winning seasons. Two. With two first round playoff exits. And remember the Sox weren't always 'rebuilding" in those seasons. There were years before the rebuild they were trying to win. The jury is still out if they can even have a winning season this year. I can't think of many other franchises that would allow a guy with that track record to remain in his position.

Like I said, I've met him briefly twice and I know he wants to win but he wants to win HIS WAY, with his ideas and norms about how things should be done. At his age he isn't changing now. And with his money he doesn't care about being associated with a clown show, he's obviously had great success in his life which is how he was able to get the team in the first place. The Sox are only a small part of what is his makeup.

DVS of the Sun-Times has another story tonight with some meaningful (albeit anonymous) quotes from White Sox players. It would be interesting to know who they were. https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2022/9/21/23366027/guardians-fielding-a-division-championship-team-for-130-million-less-than-white-sox

I appreciate his candor and fandom but JR simply could care less. No accountability...all that matters is loyalty.

Once again defense seems to matter to every team except for the White Sox. Two more errors, three unearned runs. Absolutely can't wait to hear Hahn's end of the season press conference.

One solution, also from "back in the day". Mandatory infield/outfield practice every day before a game. Situational drills etc. not just in spring training.

Your last statement is completely correct but as others have pointed out the White Sox for various reasons simply can't afford the number of injuries they've had starting back in 2016. I use that as a starting point because of the oddity of four rookies making their MLB debuts for the Sox not even being able to finish their first game and having to go on the injured list. A few years after that, I think it was around 2019 if I remember right, the Sox had nine pitchers on the IL, it was an ungodly number. This from a franchise, that deservedly so, used to boast about keeping guys healthy. Take a look then at how their injuries exploded in 2020, 2021 and this season. It's not a good situation and there is enough data now to legitimately wonder what is going on with the medical, training and conditioning staffs. The Sox have gone through three trainers and a few conditioning guys the past few years yet nothing seems to have changed. Something seems amiss at the most basic level.

Very true. Fundamentals win close games, the Sox are awful at things like base running, catching the baseball, advancing runners or scoring runners from third with less than two out. Last night was a perfect example, outfielder trips over his own feet trying to catch a fly ball, Moncada doesn't bother to cover third on a steal attempt and the ball goes into left field, Sox pitchers don't hold runners well and Cleveland steals bases as a result. I think it is a combination of players being rushed to the major leagues and being "baseball-stupid" as well as the Sox coaching staff being unable to effectively teach these things.