Lip Man 1

It would take a book to really delve into his background and legacy. A very complex individual to be sure. I thought these quotes from my White Sox library would be of some interest: “Eddie and I never discussed how to talk to reporters. We’ve just been ourselves. I always though Jack Kennedy was the kind of person I looked up to in that regard. He always gave the media a fair shake and understood you guys have a job to do. Without responsible people willing to divulge some accurate information, it’s hard to do it right. It was a much better approach then Nixon, who figured the media was his enemy. Doing it Kennedy’s way just makes a lot more sense to me. After all, nobody can buy the kind of advertising Chicago teams get. What other line of work finds newspapers assigning people to follow you around and write about how the business is doing every day? At Balcor, we have to hire a public relations firm to get our names in the paper. When baseball teams get that for free, it makes sense to cooperate.” – Jerry Reinsdorf to Bob Logan. From the book ‘Miracle On 35th Street.’ Pg. 154. Published 1983. “The idea that I must talk to the media in order to know what is going on with our fans or the public is ludicrous. I communicate with fans on an almost daily basis and often hear comments from people on the street and in the ballpark. We have committed a lot of resources to market research each year, whether it is telephone or internet polling, mall intercepts, focus groups or in-park surveys. We believe these surveys are the most impartial way to hear from our fans. I don't think a media interview gives me the same type of insight into what our fans think and feel. Believe me, our fans tell us. They care and they are passionate. I like that about sports. The fact is that I do speak publicly when there is an issue of importance to our fans and to the franchises. I owe that to our fans. But again, I don't really think people want to hear from me or go to the game to see me. I hope not.” – Jerry Reinsdorf quoted on the “official” White Sox web site, www.whitesox.com, August 16, 2004. As with any other individual he's done some remarkable things, some things that make you scratch your head and I'm sure he's done some things he wishes he could do over. (aka as he's publicly admitted regarding the firing of Tony LaRussa and the hiring of Hawk Harrelson as G.M. Mark

43 years ago (my God!) in an afternoon game at Comiskey Park Dick Allen did something no Sox player had ever done before. We've got the audio as part of This Date In Sox History for August 23rd. Yours truly was sitting close to Harry Caray when it happened by the way. http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2015/08/t...ulie-hits-2000/ That was some summer I can tell you that! Mark

Starting with the game Friday, the Sox have 13 games against teams with losing records, Mariners twice, Red Sox, Twins. For them to have any hope, any chance at all for even a winning season I said they'd have to go at worst 10-3 in this stretch. They've just used up one of those losses. Mark

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Aug 23, 2015 -> 10:42 AM) Melky has been fine. We knew what we were getting from him defensively, and his bat has picked up now. LF isn't the problem, nor is C. With respect I disagree. Catching is almost a black hole. Add in the poor defense from both Flowers and Soto and you have a real issue in my opinion. Soto would make a good back up playing once or twice a week but no more than that. Flowers is simply a lost cause. Mark

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Aug 22, 2015 -> 10:35 AM) Are you saying Sanchez offense is putrid ? For May and June that was true but not for July and August. I'm leaning towards the latter stats as being closer to his true self than the "adjusting to the league" numbers of May and June. He's been hitting .303 since July 1. .319 post All Star game (.845 OPS) I'll guestimate that he's somewhere around a .275, 30 doubles , 5-8 HR .725 OPS next year. No I'm talking about the offense overall being putrid. As other have posted anything you get offensively out of Sanchez is a bonus. He's in the starting lineup because of his defense which is also a real need for the team but you can't go with more than one of those type players unless you somehow get three or more more quality hitters for the lineup who can fill the black holes at DH, catcher, 3rd base for example. Those are historically power / RBI positions. Mark

Unless there is an upgrade Sanchez is the second baseman and that's fine, his defense helps the team but that's assuming you can find three or four real hitters to help the putrid offense. Anderson will be given the shot maybe next year, certainly in two years to become the regular shortstop. All I can say is he better be good. Saladino is a plus defender. He's perfect for the utility role, late inning defense. Nothing wrong with that. That's an important part of the team. Unless or until Johnson can stay healthy he's not even in the discussion. Mark

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Aug 22, 2015 -> 08:42 AM) I agree that the Sox will need to make a move for a legit hitter, but right now, we have six weeks or so left in the season and our young players need to play every day. Saladino needs to play 3B everyday. Sanchez needs to play SS/2B every day. Micah Johnson needs to be promoted and play 2B/DH almost every day. Trayce Thompson needs to play one of the outfield positions or DH nearly every day. These are our four youngsters who could contribute next year in starting roles. If you don't let them play the next six weeks, you entertain the off season with more questions because you don't know how they will handle starting. Give them these six weeks, and you just answering the questions. I am fairly certain both Saladino and Thompson will be bench players, but you'll only know for sure if you let them play. Haven't heard if Johnson is off the DL yet. With consecutive seasons where he's had leg issues, to me, his "star" is falling. Can't count on a guy who can't stay healthy can you? Mark

This Date in Sox History is up for Friday, August 21st and we've got another audio cut. It's Harry Caray's call of Stan Bahnsen's near no-hitter in Cleveland. Courtesy: WMAQ Radio Enjoy! http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2015/08/t...es-a-no-hitter/ Mark

QUOTE (captain54 @ Aug 21, 2015 -> 11:02 AM) Someone had a stat somewhere.. ( Maybe it was Lip) the Sox have lost 15 games this year where the the pitching staff has given up three runs or less over 9 inn… If this is accurate.. with any kind of even average offense and the Sox grabbing 7 of those games.. .they are @.500 and realistically in the hunt for WC 2… I think it's more or less a no brainer… no big news flash, Rick.. the FA approach to plug holes coupled with no young productive position players on the horizon has plunged this franchise into the dark ages… interesting to see if the Chicago Wolves top the White Sox in ST numbers in 2016... It's 17 games where they allowed an opponent three runs or less and lost. Mark

Anything is possible. It depends on what is offered, the Sox needs and how the minor league players progress. When you are (yet again) a below .500 team, you rule nothing out. Mark

Rick Hahn tonight also issued a statement saying how everyone was "disappointed" with the way the season had gone but that any changes to the front office, coaching staff or players would be announced after the year was over. Mark

Have been calling around, sending e-mails to people I know just to try to get a sense of what these folks think may happen. They are wired in so they have a little better understanding of things. Most feel that Robin is back regardless...that JR simply will not fire him. Most think Kenny may in fact leave and that (surprisingly) some folks in the organization will be happy to see him depart. And most think that Hahn can handle the job on his own without having to answer to someone other than JR. We'll see what happens. Mark

Can't see the Sox being willing to invest that much money on a single player. That's simply not how they work. Mark

Jerksticks: Those teams also had major holes. Here's one example. Kenny thought that he'd be fine with 40% of the starting rotation in 2009 being filled by a beat up, injury prone Jose' Contreras and a pre steroid Bartolo Colon. In fact in an ironic twist, the day after Buehrle's perfect game with the Sox in first place by a game if I remember correctly, those two started a crucial DH in Detroit. The results were predictable. It was all downhill from there. No you can't fault the front office for 100% of the issues that have prevented this team from reaching the post season since 2008, that would be unfair. Just as it is also unfair to basically say they were blameless. Injuries are part of the game, the Sox have had their share including 2010 when almost all of the bullpen was on the DL at various times in August and they blew game after game and a playoff spot. But here's the thing....the Cardinals have been blown apart by injuries to key guys over the past five years. They keep making the playoffs. The Yankees had a few seasons where they were gutted by injuries...yet somehow they still won 88-90 games. How do those teams do it? That's something the Sox front office needs to be asking themselves as well as the fans. Just my opinion. Mark

Someone mentioned the Tigers and being in contract hell but they failed to mention The Tigers also: Won the division or made the playoffs four years in a row Went to the World Series twice Have an owner with more money than God. What does he care about the size and length of those deals? He'll just go out and spend more to replace those guys. From Detroit's standpoint based on the results I have to think they feel it was completely worth it. Mark

Since the Sox had that mirage and went 7-1 at the worst possible time 9right before the deadline) they are now 6-12 and have lost five straight road games. Also tonight was the 62nd time in 117 games they scored three runs or less. That's 53%. Mark

Wish he'd have gone back to the National League. He'll make it work in Boston, that's what he does. Mark

Another guy in his 30's, had some injuries, has issues attitude-wise. I think Hahn is trying to get away from that as much as he is allowed to. I'll pass on this one. Mark

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Aug 17, 2015 -> 11:14 PM) I know this is sarcasm but I believe he's top 5 in baseball in pitch framing. It's a big deal. Pitchers also like throwing to him. Rodon has been great with Flowers behind the dish. I would expect that Flowers will be on the Sox for years to come. They just need to get a better starting catcher and let TFlow catch Sale and Rodon. Saw this in another location, I can't take credit for it but I thought it was interesting and touches upon your point: http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php "Tyler Flowers turns 1.89 balls per game into strikes, good for the fourth-best average in the league. At first glance, that looks wonderful. However, looking further down the list, guess who is #19 at 1.09 extra strikes per game? That's right, Geovany Soto. In other words, the White Sox are happily trading 84 points of OBP and 128 points of SLG, not to mention a higher passed-ball frequency (10 in 673.1 innings for Flowers vs. 4 in 372.2 innings for Soto) and a worse caught-stealing percentage (23% for Flowers vs. 27% for Soto), for eight-tenths of an extra strike per game." Mark

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Aug 17, 2015 -> 06:11 PM) Good job Lip . You bring a lot to this site, a welcome historical perspective that was lacking before . That was the only reason to ever visit WSI , their interviews with historical Sox figures. Thanks for the nice words. Appreciate it. Mark

16th time this season the Sox held an opponent to three runs or less...and lost. For this offense to be good next year they need to add at least three, maybe four quality offensive players. That's near impossible. And you have to wonder why Garcia was pinch hit for late in the game considering he had two hits already. Sometime I simply can't figure out what is going through Ventura's head (maybe an even bigger problem is he really doesn't know either...LOL) Mark

Would be nice then if they actually gave him at bats in the here and now since this team isn't going anywhere. Mark

I think Saladino is going to make an excellent utility player and a solid late inning defensive replacement. No shame in that, nothing wrong with it. That's always a valuable piece on a team. But starting? Especially at 3rd base which is a power / home run / big RBI position...can't see it. Sanchez should be an adequate / solid second baseman. Anderson may be a pretty good shortstop...we'll have to see. As far as Johnson, until he shows he can actually stay healthy it's all a moot point with him. (Or a moo point, the point of view of a cow as Joey said on "Friends...") LOL. Mark

25 years ago today was a very big day for Carlton Fisk. You can listen to the record setting event here: http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2015/08/t...ecord-home-run/ Hard to imagine it's been 25 years since that terrific season. Mark

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 16, 2015 -> 11:00 PM) Is Sale the best pitcher in White Sox history, pure talent wise? The answer may be yes. Very hard to say since you can't compare era's. Sox have had a lot of truly tremendous pitchers in their history. Let's see how Sale stacks up in another five years or so. He can be one of the best but 'the best', I'm not sure of that one even talent wise. Mark