Lip Man 1

https://awfulannouncing.com/sinclair/diamond-sports-projects-budget-deficit-of-46-5-million-in-court-filing.html

I was in touch with a member of the front office yesterday and they had an interesting comment. They said that the injuries to Jimenez, Moncada and Robert forced the other guys on the team to have to do things they simply weren't capable of doing. I didn't want to press the situation or kick them when they are down since they are a friend but I wanted to tell them that the three injured guys were totally unreliable to begin with given the health history and the fact that Getz brought in players that were barely acceptable talent-wise at the MLB level was a recipe for disaster. In other words the Sox should have seen this coming (and I'm guessing they probably did but JR was OK with the situation)

I know of individuals, friends of mine from the organization that aren't happy with the state of the franchise but frankly they are in no position to really do anything about it. JR controls things and literally has input in every single area on the baseball side of things, both on-field and off the field. From what I've been told he's not thrilled at the way things have been going but that is mitigated by the fact that with all the domestic and international monetary opportunities both locally and from a league standpoint, he's making money and he still feels his operational philosophy is the "right" way to conduct business.

This from Paul Sullivan's column today, TLR will have a say in the next Sox manager: Manager Pedro Grifol might make it through the rest of the season in spite of the White Sox’s pitiful record because no one can fix this team. But Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf eventually will be forced to make a change, if only to persuade Sox fans to come back to the ballpark. Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, who was mentored by former Sox manager and current adviser Tony La Russa, is someone to keep an eye on. Schumaker’s 2025 option was voided over the winter at his request, according to the Miami Herald, making him a free agent after this season. Schumaker took the Marlins to the postseason in 2023 and was named National League Manager of the Year. But they forced out general manager Kim Ng and didn’t add much in the offseason before starting off slow and dealing star infielder Luis Arráez to the San Diego Padres last month to start the inevitable sell-off. Like free-agent manager Craig Counsell last November, Schumaker will be highly coveted. And to paraphrase an infamous remark Reinsdorf uttered to sports writer Toni Ginnetti after the “White Flag Trade” of 1997, anyone who thinks La Russa won’t have a big say in choosing the next Sox manager is crazy.

Based on everything I've been told including (rare) statements from JR himself when he has spoken about it publicly, his message to the family has been when he is gone, "Keep the Bulls, sell the Sox."

Well said and for those who are wondering, I asked a friend of mine who covers the Sox for a mainstream media newspaper if JR actually still goes to games and is seen at the ballpark. They said he is still going to games. I hope he likes what he is seeing! ?

I think overall Sox fans are angry, upset and frustrated but they realize JR is not going to change a damn thing at his age plus the fact that he's still making money. There's nothing they can do until new ownership arrives but many of them are simply not caring at this time which is dangerous. Angry, upset, frustrated fans still care...those that don't care anymore are apathetic and no guarantees they return when new ownership arrives.

And current ownership refuses to pay top dollar for the best hitters that come on the market every year.

I think blocking the base is now illegal.

Good story that outlines how badly things have gone over the last decade plus: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/06/01/white-sox-15-44-feed-off-anything-we-can-get-from-fans-which-is-mostly-discontent-as-season-unravels

Dr. Grifol also said this: "It’s something that we didn’t feel like was going to hinder him long-term." ?

“I don’t evaluate Maldonado on offensive numbers. I evaluate Maldonado on how he navigates through a game defensively. I don’t think anybody in the game does. It’s not like he was a .300 hitter last year and all of a sudden not hitting this year. He’s a championship catcher. Has been on championship teams. I love what he does defensively, how he slows things down back there and I’m still able to give Korey [Lee] his at-bats.” --Pedro Grifol. Aren't his defensive metrics pretty bad? ?

The Sox have now had a 10-game (double digit) losing streak in back to back seasons for the first time since 1931-1932. That's how bad this franchise has become.

9th time this season the Sox took a lead into the 7th inning or later...and lost. ?

With his back issues seemingly every year he's getting into Jimenez, Robert, Moncada territory.

https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/white-sox-john-schriffen-opponents.html

Have to agree, it's becoming almost a daily thing with him.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/05/31/the-bury-bury-month-of-may-this-month-looks-too-much-like-the-last-for-white-sox

Actually it isn't, I've really stopped paying a lot of attention...just tune in occasionally, check box scores, read the newspapers. It's actually a little refreshing for wont of a better word not to agonize over every game especially in a pennant race. This season was over after three weeks, no pressure now, just relax and laugh at the incompetence. On another note... The is the 8th game this year the Sox had a lead in the 7th inning or later and lost. Brebbia's ERA is now almost eight, another waste of millions of dollars on flotsam and jetsem that passes for a major league player by the Sox organization. Nine in a row now and 15 of 18. ?

The inmates are running the asylum at all levels it appears.

Latest recap of where things stand. According to the story the Sox had not responded yet on a request for comments. Story also says that a motion has been filed by a state legislator requiring that any funds given to men's stadium deals must also include provisions for women's pro sports stadiums: https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/bears-stadium/2024/05/31/bears-stadium-funding-springfield-illinois-general-assembly

Most owners did indeed loath him especially after he testified on behalf of Curt Flood is his case against MLB trying for free agency. They also despised him for suggesting back in the 50's a revenue sharing plan, which the Yankee owners (naturally) called socialistic. One person who was listening and who asked for more details was a guy named Alvin "Pete" Rozell who used the info to go to congress and get an exemption letting the NFL form a national TV contract and equally share the TV revenue. And led by Bud Selig the owners initially turned down his bid to get the Sox in the winter of 1975 imposing harsh conditions. Somehow Veeck got it done. Tigers owner John Fetzer was overheard at the owners meeting (by a reporter who placed a glass up against the wall next door and listened in) as saying (paraphrasing) 'Look we don't like the SOB but we gave him conditions he had to meet and he met them. We have got to do the honorable thing and vote to give him the franchise.'

Of course he's grateful, no other team would hire him as manager not even the Royals!

As I've previously posted given the limitations imposed by the owner, can you think of another way to try to win? The only way I can see is what they are doing, keep trading guys, keep getting back young, cost controlled talent and hope it works. Now if you can convince JR to really open his checkbook, fire his toadies and bring in established winning baseball executives I'd be happy to try another way. Until then just hang in there and see what new ownership brings.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/05/30/whats-left-for-a-15-42-white-sox-team-pedro-grifol-reinsdorf