Lip Man 1

WGN spoke with both Hawk Harrelson and Ron Kittle today and (surprise!! not) both felt TLR was NOT to blame for the White Sox issues. Can't say anything bad about "the family" you understand.

Hendriks was responsible for leads being lost in the 7th inning or later and those games ending up a Sox loss five times by my count: @ Detroit, April 8 (lost lead in both the 8th and 9th innings) @ Minnesota April 24 (lost lead in the 10th inning) Cleveland May 9 (lost lead in the 9th inning) @ Baltimore August 25 (lost lead in the 9th inning)

Here is the link to the story I put together on his career: https://www.southsidesox.com/2022/8/29/23328178/bob-locker-white-sox-pitcher-dies-at-84-1938-2022

No...PIlots/Brewers, A's and Cubs

Comments were made in the postgame after the loss Sunday. I agree though making these comments in late August is closing the barn door after the horse has left the area.

Just found out this afternoon that Bob passed away at the age of 84. Have put together a detailed look back at his career for South Side Sox. When that gets posted I'll provide the link to the story for those interested. He was a very good relief pitcher on those terrific Sox teams of the mid 1960's. Had a devastating sinker. Big right hander 6-3, 200 pounds.

Under normal circumstances I'd agree with you 100% but haven't there been years/times in the past when Sox attendance dropped dramatically (examples in the years following the 94 labor impasse and the 97 White Flag Trade) and the TV ratings were down the tubes (I remember just a few years ago a Fangraphs story saying the White Sox had the lowest ratings in all of MLB) under JR? I don't think that made much of a difference to him especially considering the different avenues of income flowing in to MLB domestically and internationally. Maybe this time would be different but I honestly don't think it would. We'll see what if anything happens over this off season.

With this organization expect the unexpected or to put it another way, hope for the best, expect the worst...

All teams have injuries. I posted a story a few days ago about WAR injury impact. The Dodgers and (if I remember right) the Rays lead all of baseball in WAR lost due to injuries. Both those teams are still going to make the post season. Hell the Dodgers may wind up winning 110 games. Bottom line the White Sox have every opportunity to have a good minor league system, to sign high quality free agents to provide depth (instead of stiffs, has-been's and retreads) instead they take a half ass money driven approach. There's a saying in the Bible...you reap what you sow (and that includes in my opinion an incompetent medical, conditioning and training staff)

Your point about keeping things private has merit. They've never publicly announced how long the deals for Hahn and TLR are. Another case of the "bunker mentality" that has permeated this organization. "Everyone is against us...the media, the fans...etc." I've been told both deals are through the 2023 season but given the circumstances you can't be 100% sure.

Hahn said it over the winter in 2019. Here's the link to the story and the video. Three years into the window of contention and they'll be lucky to have a winning season. Not exactly World Series contender is it? Not even in the same league as the Astros/Cubs rebuilds: https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-white-sox/rick-hahn-says-white-sox-fans-are-too-negative/

It's really interesting as well since TLR had little tolerance for hitting coaches that can't do the job. He had six of them just in his time in Oakland.

You really wonder if in his heart of hearts Hahn regrets the comments he made saying that Sox fans want the rebuild to fail so they can say "I told you so." And then saying "talk to me after the parade. Pride goes before the fall the old saying says. This organization as I've tried to point out is awash in arrogance especially towards the fan base. Which makes no sense to me since in 41 seasons they haven't been that successful and you never insult the paying customers.

The only thing that would really concern me is that once again, the Sox would conduct a sham search instead of doing a legitimate one casting a wide net and see who would be interested...someone from outside "the family" with new ideas and a new way at looking at their issues.

1990 to 2006 was certainly a very good run. 12 winning seasons, three playoffs appearances (even though two were elimination very quickly) and a World Series title. But I'd suggest the "Golden Age" of White Sox baseball was 1951-1967. 17 straight winning seasons, seven years 90+ wins (and remember from 1951-1960 you only played 154 games), outdrew the Cubs in 16 of those 17 years, got the lions share of local media publicity, had Hall of Fame caliber players Aparicio, Fox, Minoso, Wynn, Pierce, Wilhelm, manager Al Lopez, 70 All-Star selections in those 17 seasons, won the 1959 A.L. pennant. Only reason they didn't make the playoffs more often was because baseball didn't have expanded playoffs until 1969. Those were very good times to be a Sox fan unlike what basically has gone on since the start of the 2007 season.

I've heard some talk he's already next in line when TLR's deal is up after 2023.

Hahn has wasted millions and millions of JR's money on stiff's, has been's, retreads and injury prone guys. Starting with Jeff Keppinger...10 years worth and still he has a job. I can only think of two reasons...he's loyal and/or the White Sox are making so much money through the myriad domestic and international avenues (like all of MLB) that JR really doesn't seem to mind.

it's been longer than two years...remember how decimated they were at times in 2020? Guys like Ross Detweiler were pitching if I remember right. May have got that wrong but they were beat up that season and even before it as far back as 2016 but folks didn't notice it because the team was bad anyway. Here's one example: August 2, 2016 - When White Sox outfielder Charlie Tilson was helped off the field in Detroit he became, incredibly, the fourth player making their Major League debut for the club to be injured and not be able to finish the game that season. Catcher Kevan Smith injured his back in pregame warm up’s and was placed on the disabled list, outfielder Jason Coats suffered a cut lip and a mild concussion after a collision, infielder Matt Davidson broke a bone in his foot running the bases and was placed on the disabled list and Tilson tore his left hamstring, he also went on the DL.

I like the idea however I can tell you cameras would be instructed by the Sox TV director or producer NOT to focus on the signs, they'd be ignored if at all possible and that's assuming they aren't confiscated by security like the sign was Saturday night.

My only point is that one way or another Chicago will have an American League team in my opinion.

if you believe David Samson, he is.

Chicago is still the 3rd largest TV market in the country.

10th time this year the Sox had a lead in the 7th inning or later and lost the game. 65th time in 128 games played they scored three runs or less, 51% of all games.

I lived through the times in the late 60's / 70's when rumors were rampant...the Sox are moving to Milwaukee...to Seattle...to Denver...to New Orleans...even to Toronto. Didn't happen. They have a stadium lease that runs (I think) to the early 30's plus I seriously doubt the American League would cede the third largest TV market in the country to the National League. Just my opinion. If somehow this franchise did move at some point in the future (which I doubt) Chicago would get a relocated franchise or an expansion team.

Given the organization's record since the start of the 2007 season you can assume that's exactly what they are doing aspiring to mediocrity. ?