Lip Man 1

Sox players seem to be dropping like flies since last Saturday. Nothing major but it's becoming a factor since there's really nothing in the minor leagues position player wise who can come in and be worth a damn. Mark

An absolutely imbecilic decision on the part of someone in the brain trust. When Danks gets murdered at home, the fans will boo him off the mound. That's no way to treat the guy. He's done, Sox suck it up and let him go. Totally ludicrous decision. Mark

Is Robin reverting back to his "normal" ways?..inquiring minds want to know. You've got a solid bullpen...use them. Expected this with Danks opening the series, it's ****ing Baltimore don't you know, they've been doing it for years. And the Sox got shut down by another mediocre / garbage pitcher. Maybe things haven't changed as much as we thought. Baltimore...the new Minnesota or is it the new Oakland? Mark

It should be crystal clear to everyone that John Danks is done. I certainly hope the Sox realize this. If I were John I'd retire tomorrow...its not like he needs the money and is simply getting humiliated out there. He tried, I'll give him credit for that but he's done. The Sox now are in a tough position, its to early to trade for someone...what do they do? Go with Gonzales again? Try Eric Johnson? Maybe try to catch lightening in a bottle with a kid from Double A (James Baldwin had a sensational start for the Sox in 1996 so it can happen) It'll be interesting to see what they do but this simply can't go on. I've always said because pitchers get hurt, go into slumps, have double headers stack up with rainouts that you need SIX starters...not five. The sixth guy goes into the pen for long relief and makes spot starts (Dennis Lamp and Jerry Koosman both did this effectively for the Sox in the early 80's). Then if someone gets hurt or becomes ineffective he slides in to that spot. At least you have some insurance. Bottom line, the Sox have four starters right now, they need to beg, borrow or steal one someway...somehow. You don't want a repeat of 1996 or 2003 where the Sox blew an almost guaranteed postseason spot because the last starter in the rotation couldn't keep them in a game and at least give them a reasonable chance. Stat of the Night: Danks is 4-15 in his last 24 starts. He's done. Mark

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Apr 27, 2016 -> 10:20 PM) Isn't that the team that had Ken Berry and Tommy Crawford lead the Sox in batting average with .247 ? It was Berry and Don Buford at .241 if I remember correctly. Mark

Sox team ERA after 22 games is the lowest since the "Near Miss" 1967 White Sox who had the World Series dead in their sights against the Cardinals until that final week when they played the Kansas City A's and Washington Senators. Mark

QUOTE (winninguglyin83 @ Apr 27, 2016 -> 09:26 PM) First time they've had 5 shutouts in first 22 games since 1973. That team had 6 -- and also started 16-6. Three starts by Wilbur Wood, two by Eddie Fisher and one by Stan Bahnsen. I won't say any more about how that team finished. There were two reasons it all fell apart: 1. Injuries. The Sox used the DL that season 38 times. After Ken Henderson tore up his knee on May 25 it was all downhill from there. Almost everybody got hurt...Allen, Melton, May. 2. Stu Holcomb. The Sox VP ordered player personnel director (at that time) Roland Hemond to release...not try to trade, nor negotiate with but RELEASE any player who did not take the Sox contract offer. They lost, for nothing, guys like Rick Reichardt, Ed Spezio, Mike Andrews and Jay Johnstone. When Holcomb ordered Hemond to release 21 game winner Stan Banhsen, Hemond and Chuck Tanner went to owner John Allyn and basically said, "its him or us." Allyn flew to Boston where the Sox were playing and "reassigned" Holcomb but the damage was done. After all the injuries the Sox had no one of quality left and were forced to use guys like Chuck Brickman, John "the Jet" Jeter, Rich Morales and their ilk. Just dumb and stupid. I've interviewed Roland and Chuck (before he passed) I can provide the links if you wish but it was not a pleasant situation. Mark

Wow...just wow. Words fail me. This is fun! Mark

Guess this means Danks stay in the rotation. Too bad. Mark

If this team can consistently score some runs (not saying 10 every night, just avoid the long stretches of 0, 1 or 3) they could be very, very dangerous. You can't win a pennant in April but you can sure lose one in it. Sox aren't going to lose it early this year at least. Just keep it going guys as long as you can. Mark

Avila will be back in two weeks he's said and if not AJ will be available in another month. Mark

Now THAT was impressive. Getting those two out hits was huge. My goodness even Garcia got two hits! Loved the fact they nailed the game winner off Floyd. Guess Gonzales isn't the answer so the Sox need to keep looking for a fifth starter. Third time this year the Sox have won a game when trailing in the 7th inning or later. That's your stat of the night. Mark

Congratulations to the White Sox for guaranteeing themselves a winning month of April for the first time since 2009. Lip

Interviewed Jason Benetti for Sox Net last Monday. Have turned in the story to Daniel. He'll publish it when he feels the time is right. Benetti is a very interesting guy and I think he's going to do well this year and eventually, perhaps as soon as next year take over full time duties. Mark

I don't know if Gonzales is the answer it would be a God-send if he was...but I do know that Danks ISN'T the answer and skipping him is worth the shot. Mark

I want to believe, they are starting to show me something. Let's see how they do off the road trip. Four extra base hits today was a very good sign, if you can't get a ton of hits at least make the ones you do get count for something. Lock down pitching today all across the board. Very, very nicely done. Mark

The box says the attendance was over 20, 000 today. If most of the seats were empty they must simply be counting tickets sold. Now to the game itself. After the Sox took the lead in the eighth inning you hoped they could close it out. But the offense is so bad they simply aren't giving the pitchers any room for error. And it's unrealistic to think they could go an entire season without coughing it up once in awhile. Wasn't able to see the game so I don't know if the Sox were being aggressive on the bases trying to force the Rangers into making plays (which they did) or if it was simply stupid base running. Someone will have to let me know on that one. Sox actually had double digit hits and multiple base runners which is very good. Garcia is getting worse daily it appears, box today said he left more guys on base. With Ventura saying they have no plans to send him down, that's a bad sign to me. How can you not do so right now? And if there aren't any better options in the minor league system what does that say about the system if you can't replace a guy hitting what, .150? (Even for a short time...) Glad to get the win though. Mark

Loney has family in San Diego. I don't think at this point he wants to leave the area. He must feel the Padres (who are deliberately tanking) are going to bring him up sooner or later. I don't know what can be done with Garcia since Ventura said they won't send him down. The Sox dislike change throughout the organization even at the cost of wins but sooner or later, hopefully sooner, they'll realize this guy simply doesn't have it. When they realize that is another question. Mark

Just wondering when was the last time the Sox had 10 or more hits in a game? Offense is still poor but to their credit they made some hits count tonight. Nice they finally gave Q some runs for a change. About time! The triple play though strange was executed perfectly. Well done. Now let's see if they can beat a guy who has won six straight against them tomorrow. Five runs...amazing. Mark

April 22 is one of the wildest, craziest days in White Sox history, from total strangeness over the years in Kansas City to fights on the field. There's also the audio from April 22, 1991 as Frank Thomas unloaded the first White Sox home run at 'new' Comiskey Park. It came off Ben McDonald of the Orioles and helped the Sox win the game 8-7. Announcers: Ken "Hawk" Harrelson and Tom Paciorek. Courtesy: SportsChannel-Chicago. Here is the link to it: http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2016/04/t...s-new-comiskey/ Mark

Danks actually pitched decent but the offense remains putrid. Updated numbers: In 10 out of the 16 games played, Sox have scored three runs or less (62.5%) Have now lost three games when holding opponents to three runs or less. Garcia needs to go away now to Charlotte. He's brutal. Mark

For April 21 we've got a real gem courtesy of Phillip Humber as on this date in 2012 all he did was throw a perfect game against the Mariners in Seattle. We've got the audio AND video of his 27 outs as he pulled off the rarest feat a pitcher can do in major league baseball. Announcer: Dave Sims. Courtesy: Fox Sports. It can be found here: http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2016/04/t...merican-league/ Mark

With a poor offense (doesn't matter who is pitching) plus John Danks...well let's just say I'd be pleasantly shocked if the Sox won this one. Mark

I like the idea. April in Chicago, why make fans usually endure miserable weather? Have a better chance at least if the sun is out - weather wise. I wish the Sox would go to more of these early in the season. It's not like they are drawing 30+ thousand anymore anyway at night. Maybe they will again someday but not right now. Mark

Five runs??? It's a hitting orgy!!!!! Seriously it's nice to see something out of the offense. Garcia on the other hand is absolutely brutal. Mark