Lip Man 1

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 4, 2017 -> 10:57 AM) However, it is significant money. The Cubs on average draw about 18k more than the White Sox. Almost 1.5 million over the course of a season. Even if you conservatively put that at $50 a head, it's an additional $75 million, which, if you think the Sox are broken, and from your posts I think that would be a safe assumption, it definitely would help fix it. Considering the discrepancy in ticket prices, the Cubs probably will pull in close to $100 million more than the White Sox this year through ticket sales. It's is still important, not only for now, but the future. Once people stop going to games and find alternative things to do with their time and other ways to spend their entertainment funds, it can take a long time to get them back. The White Sox are wise to keep their prices low for now. It will be interesting to see how much success they will need to pull the plug on things like family Sunday. I think the Sox have been broken for a decade but they are taking proactive steps to try to solve matters. Given the limitations both self imposed and outside of their control this was the wisest course of action they could take. My point though is in reply to the original poster that the Sox will not go bankrupt tomorrow if they "only" draw 1.5 million. Because of the massive and different revenue streams for MLB they are fine financially. Now throw in what is arguably the best stadium deal in all of MLB and the last thing any fan has to worry about is their financial solvency. When (if) they start winning again attendance will be fine. History shows with this franchise you have to win for fans to come out. It takes time but eventually they do. Now if you want to KEEP fans coming out you have to win consistently, which the Sox with rare exceptions (1951-1967, 1981-1983, 2000-2006) have not done.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 4, 2017 -> 12:02 PM) This is appalling. The White Sox have acquired some really awful baseball players and yet everybody keeps their jobs. Somebody thought Shields could pitch and the Sox had to take over a lot of money on his contract. Very bizarre. He had given up 10 runs the start before the Sox got him and was called out by SD for his ineptitude. And we throw a good prospect in the Erik Johnson for Shields deal. Weird. I believe Eric Johnson got hurt and has shown very little. Haven't followed him so I could be wrong but if I am not, it's not like the Sox gave up some top of the line prospect.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 3, 2017 -> 11:24 AM) To say it doesn't matter much is not paying attention. It isn't the end all it once was, but just taking ticket revenue, the difference between the Cubs and Sox is a pretty good chunk of change. The White Sox now have some of the cheapest tickets in the league. I've posted it is still important but no longer makes or breaks a franchise. I believe that to be correct. I never stated it doesn't matter.

September 1 if then. Still decent chance not until 2018.

QUOTE (The Mighty Mite @ Jul 2, 2017 -> 05:34 PM) Actually we are competing with the American League and we need to be as good as the Yankees, Red Sox and for now the Astros. The White Sox are a big market team and need to step up and bring in big market players. Maybe when new ownership comes to pass but not before. And again, attendance no longer makes or breaks a franchise...this isn't the 1950's anymore. There are multiple revenue streams bringing in millions upon millions of dollars to teams and a lot of those streams are shared equally among all teams.

Congrats to Avi. The Sox had to have someone and he certainly deserved it based on his first half performance hitting-wise. (Fielding is another matter though...) We'll see what happens with him moving forward.

Lead now down to 7 1/2 games and they are only 14 over right now as I recall. Still a very solid lead but with a half season to go certainly not insurmountable.

QUOTE (WBWSF @ Jul 2, 2017 -> 07:31 AM) I was at the game yesterday. It looked like they had more than the announced crowd of 22,000. With the nice shirt giveaway I thought they would have a bigger crowd. The Yankees series didn't draw that well and this Texas series has averaged 20,000. Last year the White Sox drew 1.7 million. I wouldn't be surprised to see the attendance below 1.5 million this year. a shameful number for a franchise in a big market. Attendance is no longer the "be all-end all" for a franchise. Trust me, the Sox are in excellent financial shape regardless of if they draw 1.5 million or 1.7 million or 1.9 million. MLB teams are making money hand over foot from all the other income driven lines of operation both nationally and internationally. Plus you have the clause in the stadium deal which in a bizarre sort of way actually rewards the Sox (poor choice of words I know) for NOT having a big attendance because then they don't have to pay as much for stadium upkeep / rent as I recall. I'm sure the Sox would rather draw well since that means more income from parking / concessions and the like but if they don't, financially they are fine. Given they are on their way to their 8th losing season in 11 years, what did you honestly expect?

After today the Sox will be officially halfway through the season.

I had really hoped that Holland could show enough to be traded for a decent future prospect at the deadline but alas he's pretty bad. Just can't see anyone desperate enough to give anything decent in return for him. Regarding Anderson...19 errors now (look out Alan bannister who at least could hit) and hitting .240's. It may not be a bad idea to send him down for a few weeks to take the load off his mind and let him work on the basics. The contract he signed seems to have really put pressure of him. Sox maybe should have waited a year or two.

Sox can't count on him, time to move on to other options if available. Stress fractures and stress reactions don't go away that easily... they keep returning, ask Bill Walton for one. Feel bad for the kid but as Kenny would say "it is what it is..."

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Jun 30, 2017 -> 08:15 AM) You said the same thing about Kahnle a couple months ago.... Putnam may be done. Petricka is not done. A half season of good baseball does not a career make. Like with Avi we'll see about Kahnle (who's ERA is now up in the three's. Still good...but not what it was) And I seriously doubt even the rebuilding White Sox are going to waste money on a pitcher who can't pitch (Petricka) because the guy CAN'T STAY HEALTHY. But as always we'll see.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jun 29, 2017 -> 02:28 PM) Lost season for both, but when healthy they have been good I disagree they've been very good even when healthy (which has been about as rare as seeing a two dollar bill again) but that's just my opinion. Doesn't matter now...you can stick a fork in both of them because they are done.

Maybe Todd Ricketts was right in his comment today in the Tribune. He said the Cubs would play Washington this year in the playoffs and "they'll crumble..." (direct quote)

Petricka back to the DL with a right elbow strain (a/k/a inflamed ERA). Petricka like Putnam should be done and gone with the White Sox. Unreliable, can't stay healthy, mediocre pitchers and a waste of future payroll. Time to move on...past time actually....and you can make that claim for about a half dozen other stiffs in the organization.

True although Nancy started playing the song in 1976.

MRI Thursday on his knee that he injured sliding back into first base last night. He says he thinks it is OK but the Sox are being cautious.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jun 28, 2017 -> 11:19 AM) Is Tilson any good or another bust? Does he project to be Eaton-ish? That would be good enough. At this point you'd have to say a bust simply because the guy hasn't been healthy enough to play. In fairness though the Sox only gave up Zach Duke for him who blew out his arm.

Lead singer for the group Steam, Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye... http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/gary-deca...bye-dies-at-75/

Story on how Q turned things around: http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article/239...opicId=27118146

Everyone is available (as well everyone should be...)

Interesting in that when it first happened both he and the Sox were saying he'd only be out a couple of days. Putnam himself said that he'd rest it for a few days and that he thought he'd be "back Sunday" which was two days later as I recall. Guy can't stay healthy, he's done with the Sox.

Very disappointing that on Mark's day the Sox go out and totally embarrass themselves in front of a big crowd. I know they are rebuilding but this was pathetic today. Making things even more ironic is that someone posted on Twitter a picture of Mark's plaque that now located at the park...it already has a big chip on the side right above the writing of his accomplishments like someone hit it with something. If not already noted, this is the first time since 1914 three players hit their first career major league home run in a game off the same pitcher. Now THAT'S the James Shields we all know and love so well! Sigh

QUOTE (Doc Edwards Shot @ Jun 21, 2017 -> 03:19 PM) Avi is still brutal defensively, that's for sure. But if he keeps hitting like he has this season, I can accept his ham hands. If that remains the case, and the Sox keep him then they need to consider him for DH when they get good again (although in that case what do you do with Jose?)

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jun 19, 2017 -> 06:21 PM) Not sure I'd say Avi was out of shape . He tore his labrum and came back rather quickly. Now all reports we have heard say he worked very hard to come back ahead of schedule. Let's think about how that happens. I would have to surmise that the key was strengthening the shoulder. How does one do that ? Most likely a lot of it is weight lifting. It's likely he strengthened that shoulder , but possibly bulked up too much through his upper body perhaps neglecting flexibility. He ended up losing mobility in the outfield and in his swing . I 'd say he was muscle bound more than out of shape. Once he lost the weight in his upper body he loosened up his swing and improved his speed and agility. Now granted we have also heard he improved his diet as he matured so yes, he was probably carrying some excess fat too. In conclusion it's possible the post injury Avi wanted to feel less vulnerable to injury and stronger so ate and bulked up to achieve that. The weight loss was just getting him back to pre injury conditioning. Some good points but I do remember reading stories in the mainstream media saying he was at over 240 pounds and was out of shape. One note to Greg by the way, please reread my post again, I never used the word grossly.