Lip Man 1

The way this season has gone with injuries and strangeness, can't say I'm totally surprised.

Kite: In many ways the Sox are like the Royals when it comes to success on the field, I mean think about it...since the start of the 2007 season, only five winning seasons, two playoff appearances and two first round exits. The Royals at least got to a couple World Series and won one in that time. Given the advantages market-wise, population-wise, advertising-wise it's simply mind blowing the Sox haven't come close to dominating a division where by all accounts they should be in charge for years. Cleveland did it in the 90's, Minnesota in the 00's, Detroit had their run shortly afterwards and the Royals around 14. The Sox can't seem to get out of their own way.

Well I know he's married to former Sox infielder Scott Fletcher's daughter.

Folks were hoping when two Cleveland pitchers went on the IL that they'd fall apart...instead the opposite has happened. Only chance for the Sox is to win all four head to head meets and hope. Realistically my guess is the only thing the Sox will be playing for is a winning record when all is said and done, which would be the third straight season for that. It's something I guess but a far cry from being a "World Series contender" isn't it?

The first part is exactly correct, JR simply doesn't feel managers or head coaches make that much difference and that shows in the selections over the years for the Sox and Bulls. It's also why he's never actively gone out and tried to get someone who is considered at the top or near top of their profession because of the salary demand and the unwillingness to "compensate" another team if they are still under contract. (As lawyers will tell you, today contracts don't really mean much, there's always an out if you are willing to pay the price. For the Sox specifically, think about it, going back to the Jeff Torborg hiring the only folks who had previous MLB managing experience were Jeff and Renteria. Lamont, Bevington, Manuel, Ozzie, Ventura were all newcomers.

Having been born and raised on the South Side, I've been a fan for 62 seasons now and am a White Sox historian. My attitude is that I'll always be a fan because they are a part of my life for as far back as I can remember and I'm a loyal individual. However that doesn't stop me from being objective when looking at ownership, the team on the field etc. By the same token I can criticize them, I feel I've earned that right, but an outsider damn well better not especially if they are a Cub fan!

Saw a video at NBC Sports Chicago where Heyman said LaRussa will NOT be managing the Sox next season. We'll see what winds up happening.

Historically under this ownership the Sox aren't usually proactive, they are reactive.

With Cleveland winning again tonight the Sox are three back with 21 to go. They simply MUST, MUST win AT LEAST three of the four left against them. Realistically there are no other games that's why Cease has to pitch against them as often as possible. If they can't beat a bad Rockies team that's on them anyway and they don't deserve a playoff spot in my opinion..

I still don't understand why they are pitching Cease Wednesday instead of Thursday in Cleveland. Maybe Cairo is listening to TLR too much!

The last news I saw was that MLB had gotten consent from the MLB Umpires union to use automated ball/strike technology and that they were still trying to work out the bugs. You will still have a human behind the plate but he won't be charged with calling balls/strikes. He'll be used for things like out/safe calls on a play at the plate.

I think part of Eloy's issue is he has gotten much bigger then a few years ago. I'm not saying he's fat or anything like that but it's clear he's put on weight probably muscle. That may be making him even more injury prone. As others have mentioned he needs to lose some weight, cut down on weight training and do more cardio and flexibility exercises. But that's up to the Sox medical, training and conditioning staff to determine and personally based on what's been happening the past few years, I don't think they are very good in these areas.

TLR is back in the building...and the Sox promptly lose. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

That appears to be incorrect. This is from DVS's game wrap story at the Sun-Times: The Sox (72-68) had 20 hits or more twice in a three-game span for only the second time in history. They also did it June 19 (at Cleveland) and June 21 (at Minnesota) of 1974.

According to DVS of the Sun-Times Cease will NOT pitch against Cleveland on Thursday. He goes Wednesday against the Rockies. if this is true I simply don't understand the logic behind it.

Cairo said in the pregame Gonzales is back in the lineup Sunday.

No Robert...yet again.

It also didn't help that TLR'S DUI came out after he was hired and apparently JR knew about it, told no one...not even his G.M. That was a very bad, ugly start to the entire situation over and above the fact that seemingly no one in the front office wanted him and were caught with their pants down when he was hired. Remember the social media graphic welcoming TLR but with A.J. Hinch's signature?

I'd like him re-signed and Garcia cut.

More than once, In 2014 right after Christmas I called him at his home in Oakland and we talked for 2 1/2 hours. Just a terrific interview on his days with the Sox. Did the interview for the Chicago Baseball Museum. Broke it up into two parts for their web site. Mark Gonzales read it and said it was one of the best interviews he's ever seen. If you are interested here are the links to them: https://chicagobaseballmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/CBM-Tony-LaRussa-20140217.pdf https://chicagobaseballmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/CBM-Tony-La-Russa-Part-2-20140221.pdf

Anything is possible but the odds of this happening and him leaving all that money on the table is extremely remote.

Don't know if you are being facetious or not with this comment. TLR is one of the sharpest people I've ever interviewed I was amazed by his thought process and how before he answered any of my questions there was a pause almost like you could see the wheels spinning. But I don't think even Tony is Machiavellian enough or sharp enough (especially at his age) to do what you are suggesting.

According to the Sox "official" web site, the A's have changed pitchers tonight going with an opener in Austin Pruitt.

Detailed breakdown of the new rules for next season. (And remember they go back to no longer having a ghost runner for extra inning games as well): https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-2023-rule-changes-pitch-timer-larger-bases-shifts

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/9/9/23345148/mlb-will-recognize-minor-league-players-union