Lip Man 1

5th time this year the Sox scored 10+ runs in a game. Mark

11th game this year the Sox won when trailing in the 7th inning or later. Mark

QUOTE (Doc Edwards Shot @ Aug 17, 2016 -> 01:16 PM) I find the story about WGN to be completely believable. Decades ago, there was less emphasis on preserving and archiving historical audio and film. It happened A LOT in the music world where lots of great stuff was thrown away or allowed to deteriorate due to neglect. It just didn't occur to those people at the time that preservation was something that should be done. Plus Doc as someone who worked in the South in TV for 12 years, unless you have a climate controlled warehouse / building to store these in, they will break down. Back then WGN nor anybody that I know of was going to make that kind of investment. Mark

As Steve wrote in his column today: "The Choice (and remember, death is not an option): Making Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn manage the White Sox or making John Paxson and Gar Forman coach the Bulls?" LOL...they do have a lot of dysfunctional similarities don't they? Mark

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 16, 2016 -> 10:44 PM) Why don't the Sox start THEIR own network. Seriously. I asked Bob Grim the Sox Director of Broadcast Operations that same question a few years ago. Here is what he said: ML: Have you thought about starting a regional type network for example like the St. Louis Cardinals have? BG: “The issue there is that a lot of the area cable operations just don’t want to take on a channel that’s just going to show ballgames especially if they have to charge a premium rate for it.” “And the issue we have with a regional radio network is that a lot of the “mom and pop” stations that used to be around and aired Sox games in the past just don’t exist anymore. They’ve all been bought up by national corporations and they simply program via satellite from Dallas or Chicago or someplace. The stations simply don’t want to have to pay someone even though it’s probably not a lot, to run the board and insert commercials between innings and such.” ML: Well taking it a step further have the Sox ever had any discussions about starting their own TV network a la the Yankees YES Network? I mean Jerry Reinsdorf owns the Sox, he owns the Bulls and he has a good relationship with the Wirtz Family, they both built the United Center. That gives you three major sports and you don’t have to play second fiddle to the Cubs anymore. BG: “I’ve never personally been involved in any discussions like that but I think it probably has been talked about. Even with those three teams that you mentioned Mark, we’d still have an awful lot of time to fill. You’re talking about 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” “Right now to be honest the Sox simply don’t have the amount of video, classic games and stuff that could be used to do something like that. We’re getting closer though, major league baseball now requires all teams to tape every game and send the copy to New York where they archive it for us. So as time goes on we’ll be getting more and more material that we could use if something like this happens but now unlike the Yankees, we just don’t have material from the 20’s or 30’s that we could use say as a documentary to help fill time. When Jerry and his group took over in January 1981, they looked and any material that the Sox may have had was gone. No one knows where it went or who got it.” ---------- Over the years I've been told by a number of folks both in the Sox organization and outside of it that no one really knows for sure why the Sox don't have a lot of their history. Rich King when he worked at WGN told me they didn't have much on the Sox in their library before 1983. Mike Veeck told me that contrary to rumors, his Dad did not take all that material when he sold the team. I did read a story years ago where when WGN moved into their studios on Bradley Place in 1962 they threw out all those thousands of feet of film they had shot during the 1950's. The story quoted the news director at the time on that...nobody knew it would be wanted or worth anything back then. Jeff Szynal who runs the scoreboard and is basically in charge of Sox historical material told me when he came on-board in 1984 he did a search to see what the Sox had. He found some film reels but they had deteriorated to the point where they couldn't be used, transferred or refurbished. I've been doing my best over the years to try to help the Sox in this regard from out of my library. Last August I sent them 14 CD's with historic audio game action, interviews, radio commercials etc. that I put together over several years. Bob was most appreciative of it. Mark

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Aug 16, 2016 -> 07:17 PM) I had a great conversation w/Jerry Reinsdorf today. He said his front office is 100% in lockstep on what to do this offseason. https://twitter.com/thekapman/status/765710836748918784 More Reinsdorf: "Our offseason plans will be clear by our actions. Rick and Kenny are on the same page." https://twitter.com/thekapman/status/765711160746344448 In other words, "we'll be half-assed going for it again in 2017!" Mark

QUOTE (RichieZisk @ Aug 16, 2016 -> 01:21 PM) JR owns 40% of CSN so that is not happening. If anything the Cubs will sell their share in CSN (maybe to Blackhawks?) and create a completely new channel especially if they win a WS between now and 2019. Providers will be cautious due to issues with LA Dodgers but the Cubs will still make a ton of money. It could just be me but it seems that a lot of the people who are proponents of the Sox moving do not live in Chicago and/or do not go to any games. I don't know anyone local who would even consider the Sox moving any sort of a good thing except of course the fans in the far west and north burbs who would love a close ballpark which is never going to happen. Craig Kenney of the Cubs Board of Directors has already publicly stated the Cubs are starting their own TV Network. Mark

16th game the Sox have lost when holding an opponent to three runs or less. Mark

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 15, 2016 -> 11:26 PM) It's usually that way with losing organizations. You have the fiery guy, then get rid of him for low key guy; then back to fiery guy. Just hire the best guy. That man is Jim Leyland or Tony LaRussa. Talk them into it with $$$$$$$. Money talks. That bus sailed years ago. Not happening. Mark

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Aug 16, 2016 -> 09:41 AM) The way the story went, JR wanted the stadium downtown and the city would only give him the deal he wanted if he rebuilt across the street. Thats how Jerry got his sweetheart deal. Correct. Then Mayor Harold Washington insisted on the location across the street according to Sox historian Rich Lindberg. Mark

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Aug 15, 2016 -> 06:28 PM) It certainly appears that Ventura has the respect of coaches, players and the front office. I Luke Robin and his style. I have never been a fan of those temper tantrum type managers I'm a fan of any manager who can get the most out of his players, put them in the best position to succeed and win games. Strike one...two...three on Robin. He Gone!!!!!!!! Mark

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Aug 15, 2016 -> 07:38 PM) Two huge disconnects with this observation: a.) Name one other owner and front office that doesn't want to win and who are not a collective bunch of "very, VERY competitive people" ...and... b.) How is "THEIR" way been working out for them? Seen any trips to the postseason lately? At what point do they self assess "THEIR" approach and realize it is a LOSING one, and then change course to try and win in a different way. More of "THEIR" approach will continue to result in more of what we've seen for quite a few years now. Bosley: Not defending it, simply stating what I think. They want to win no question in my mind BUT with self imposed limitations which may or may not be correct given their financial circumstances. (No way to know for sure). The rest such as not wanting to deal with certain agents, not wanting to invest in the minor league system (JR does not like to pay for potential) and not being willing to spend top dollar for managers (JR doesn't think they are that important) are purely self imposed based on ego and a certain amount of arrogance in my view. WE know what we're doing! Not you (the fan...the media...agents, the MLBPA...etc.) I understand part of that given that JR is a self made millionaire who is a very sharp businessman and real estate guy. However all that doesn't make him a brilliant baseball guy. And because of that ego I think they are somewhat blinded by what everyone else seems to see. So if you are thinking he's going to fire Kenny Hahn or tear it down and start over...you've got a long, long, LONG wait ahead of you. Again just my opinion and what sources are telling me. Mark

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Aug 15, 2016 -> 08:53 PM) what makes them think the front office is dysfunctional? Only because there is a losing record at this time? Whwn they say things like this I would want to see concrete examples Losing records in three straight seasons (soon to be four) and six out of the past nine years (soon to be seven out of the past 10). Pretty good evidence right there for all to see. Mark

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 15, 2016 -> 01:32 PM) In a formal sense, or an informal sense? I mean, are you saying that if JR decides to sell the team, all of the board and minority owners would get no say at all, and it wouldn't come before the board for a vote? That is my understanding. It's JR's call... it's written into his contract. The other board members the other minority owners have zero say in the matter. Mark

Given what has happened over the past decade the comments made about Kenny Hahn are accurate in my opinion. Mark

Chris Sale can forget about the Cy Young. Hasn't won a game since before the All Star break (to be fair thanks in part to his bullpen "friends.") And regarding Sanchez, two outs you are going on the pitch, no excuse for that especially with Miami not holding him close to the bag. Mark

And this dramatically changes the dynamic for the off season. Conventional wisdom was suggesting the Sox would issue a statement saying something along the lines of, "it was mutually agreed that Robin would not be returning. He wanted to spend more time with his family." (or some other face saving statement.) Now that Robin has publicly said he'd be willing to return, that blows that scenario right out of the water. If the Sox let him go the onus is put completely on them, they made that decision...not Robin. Mark

Normally I'd say he's got a snowball's chance in hell of returning. But these are the White Sox remember. Expect the unexpected with them. Mark

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Aug 13, 2016 -> 07:35 PM) People who are typically hired to manage actually have managerial experience in the minors and they have learned their craft. Randomly taking former superstars and just giving them the job gets us exactly into the same position we are in today. If Frank Thomas wants to spend some time in the minors learning how to manage than so be it. Same thing with things like pitching coach and hitting coach. Just because you did something as a player doesn't mean you can teach it or coach it. Some of the best managers have been some of the worst major leaguers or never made it to the majors. Exactly! Enough of this cronyism. Go out and hire a manager with previous experience at least at the minor league level and with NO connection, repeat NONE to the White Sox. Part of the issue is a fresh set of eyes and a new set of ideas is desperately needed. As far as the game is concerned all I can say is...James Shields. Sigh. Mark

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 13, 2016 -> 12:19 PM) Sox really screwed up after 2005. It looked like the Sox would own the city of Chicago and own that division. Instead the team almost immediately became a nonreactor in the division and now is the laughingstock of Chicago. Pretty strange how the Sox didn't build on winning. They got complacent and it's been a steady, sad decline since a WS title that should have started years of dominance in a pathetic division full of small market teams. Agree with this, but 2005 wasn't the first time. The Sox had a nice run 81-83 capping by winning the division and didn't capitalize. They had a better run 1990 through 94 with a new ballpark to boot but they couldn't capitalize, JR's hard line approach helping to force the labor impasse and neuter his own teams chances didn't help matters. Mark

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 13, 2016 -> 12:20 AM) Only the Oakland A's and Rays would seem to be in trouble (for different reasons). The jury's still out on Miami (with Stanton and Fernandez they have two headliners) and Cleveland's in an improved position this year and going forward. One big decision that will impact the White Sox will be whether the Cubs start their own independent network or not. If it's only Comcast bidding for the Sox and Cubs simultaneously, we know which team will get squeezed. Realistically, this offseason would be the perfect time to start that mini-rebuild because they can immediately inject a ton of life with AA and AAA position prospects within a year or so of the majors. It might even mean taking another risk and selling high on Eaton while waiting on Abreu. But that would probably require a new owner's determination to "peak" in 2019 instead of rolling the dice again in 2017. The other major consideration is timing that huge free agent class after 2018 with being the "final pieces" to having a really good team in 2019. Of course, waiting another two years will be hard, but at least there'd be a bigger payoff in the end than fielding .500 teams the next three seasons and/or losing Q, Sale or Rodon to injury. Craig Kenney has already publicly stated the Cubs are starting their own network in 2019. I suspect it will net them money we can't even imagine, especially if they reamin one of the best teams in baseball over the next few seasons. Mark

QUOTE (WBWSF @ Aug 12, 2016 -> 04:55 PM) JR settled for the present site after Addison/Dupage County didn't workout. If he would have accepted the South Loop site that was offered to him at the start of looking for a new stadium by the City of Chicago, The White Sox would have been playing in the South Loop these last 25 years. He rejected the South loop site because he wanted to have the stadium built in Addison on land that he owned. He also left Sarasota Florida where the White Sox had their spring training for many years. He moved them to Arizona and had them playing in a stadium on land that he owned. If memory serves I believe the Addison vote was lost by a single vote against. Mark

I respect Frank but no, just no. Mark