Lip Man 1

JR who honestly thinks he's smarter than everyone else in baseball.

I remember reading on one of the threads someone posted in detail how MLB has been the most competitive league out of the four major pro sports. More different teams have played in the World Series/made playoffs the last few decades compared to the NFL and the NBA. Don't remember the specific numbers though.

I've been told more than once by others that when the Sox are sold the next owner won't be an individual, it will be a corporation.

Jim Margalus with an interesting take on this since he lives in Nashville: "By comparison, Standard Media Group has an extremely low profile. It says it’s headquartered in Nashville “with operations in New York, Lincoln, Nebraska, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Providence, Rhode Island,” but for a news organization, it’s jarringly scant on information. Its website bears a copyright date of 2021, its latest news article under “LATEST NEWS” is dated Nov. 11, 2022, and its contact page feels obligated to clarify that it has no connection to the Kenyan news organization Standard Group Plc." https://soxmachine.com/2024/05/no-stadium-deal-white-sox-find-different-partner-for-broadcast-future/

Colas seems to have done something to piss off folks in the front office/management that's for sure. Granted I think the guy is as "baseball-stupid" as the rest of them but it seems pretty clear he's being railroaded and not getting a lot of chances.

Reached out tonight to some folks in the business and to say they are shocked by this would be an understatement and they don't understand the rational behind it. One thing that was pointed out to me was that The Athletic's story was pretty shallow with not a lot of details. An individual thinks this whole story/document may be a plant that was delivered to The Athletic for a reason or reasons unknown by someone trying to get things moving forward with local/national distributors. In other words they were getting blowback and not a lot of response so by trying to bring in "another potential partner" (i.e. Standard) the bidding or interest may go up. Like Boras claiming there are multiple teams interested in a client of his (whether there are or not is debatable) All speculation. Another possibility may be that JR actually wanted to stay with NBC Sports Chicago but he may have been told privately, 'Hey we're eventually closing down our operation here like in other areas of the country that has already been done' and he didn't have a choice. But then after spending all that money on Stadium to pivot from that? Just bizarre to me. It will be interesting to read the justification for this and also if it comes to pass,what type of distribution he'll get.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media/2024/05/04/white-sox-bulls-blackhawks-nbc-sports-chicago-standard-media-group-stadium-jerry-reinsdorf-the-athletic Don't know the details of course but Stadium seemed like such a no doubt move you have to wonder why it fell apart? My guess is, the regional systems and outlets the Sox were exploring took a hard look at how awful the teams are and basically said they wanted no part of the dumpster fire, especially considering what they may have to pay for the rights. The rate of return would have been a money loser for them especially if they had to be placed in the most expensive tier to try to recoup their losses. Fans wouldn't be buying for some of the worst clubs in their respective leagues. Who knows for sure. Sounds like another "brilliant" JR move that blew up in his face.

Can't, JR says you have to somehow justify wasting that money on Maldonado.

He and Hernandez should have been fired long ago. Robot umps can't come soon enough.

Exactly. A one word difference doesn't drastically change the meaning. And even if you allow that to pass that doesn't excuse the other fundamental mistakes...Javy Baez...Bill Veeck et al.

To me the biggest issue I have (and I've been broadcasting for 40+ years) is the apparent lack of preparation. I get it, it's not easy especially for a guy who is known more for football and basketball. BUT... He's had a few months now to bone up, he's spent a lot of time with Steve Stone. Jeff Szynal is the Sox scoreboard director and historian, he's an outstanding resource and frankly he is supposed to be a professional Major League broadcaster. I just don't get the fundamental mistakes. That is 100% on him and it doesn't matter where he's from, what his ethnic background is, what sport he grew up playing... these things are basic. You've got to do your homework. The appearance for right or wrong seems to be he isn't doing it at all or isn't doing enough of it or he needs some help with it from others. He is off to a shaky start at best right now.

You can tell he needs a lot of work based on his rundown decision with Goldschmidt. He fits right in fundamental-wise with the rest of the buffoons.

Yay...,That's all I've got.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/05/04/white-sox-open-to-all-trades-including-luis-robert-jr-and-garrett-crochet ‘‘Take bids on everybody,’’ a former executive told the Sun-Times. ‘‘Over-ask; that’s what everybody does. . . . Shoot for the moon. If nobody bites, then get realistic just as the deadline approaches. No different than what they did with Cease.’’

He's fitting right in it seems with this organization, just a disaster from top to bottom.

The other thing I found interesting is just yesterday "Dr." Grifol said Mendick's back tightness would just be for a day or two, be safe with him. 24 hours later he's on the 10 day IL...? Doesn't matter in the long run this year but just appears to be another level of incompetence and people in the department not communicating with each other.

Very true. he wants to win his way...history shows his way does not work. Total complete arrogance and ego on his part. And that same arrogance permeates the entire organization, "We know what we're doing, how DARE you question us!"

It's really bizarre how JR's front office has literally wasted millions and millions of dollars on stiffs, has-been's, injury prone guys and retreads, yet he hasn't said a word. Yet spend a gigantic amount on a game changing superstar? Nope, we can't have that... it offends his financial sensibilities it seems.

Another column on his situation: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/05/03/he-hate-me-white-sox-announcer-gets-caught-up-in-a-rare-exciting-moment

That was my first thought too.

Over at MLB.com they have their early projections for the June draft. Here is what they say for the White Sox: "5. White Sox: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest (No. 4) Kurtz has shaken off a slow start to the 2024 season and seems to homer in just about every game. He’s now up 18 long balls to go along with a .305/.524/.805 line. He has a 1.409 OPS in ACC play." Just my guess but if they do draft another first baseman that seems to say a few things about Vaughn doesn't it?

That is your opinion of course which you are entitled to.

Yes

We've talked about games he's gone to as a kid. His family were all Sox fans. He told me about the Sox players he liked growing up among other things.

Speaking of Sully (who is a Sox fan by the way, I've known him for years) he has an interesting look back at Harry's days with the Sox vis a vis the recent announcer controversy: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/05/02/chicago-white-sox-harry-caray-legacy/