Lip Man 1

League took over the Expos franchise after Loria ruined it.

3-13 RISP it's just hilarious right now.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2024/04/24/bears-lakefront-domed-stadium-design-mayor-johnson-kevin-warren-lee-bey

https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2024/04/23/bears-new-stadium-dome-lakefront-soldier-field The political obstacles include a cold reception from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and legislative leaders with more important priorities and the very real potential for a legal battle with Friends of the Parks, the public advocacy group that serves as the primary protector of the lakefront and enforcer of the Lakefront Protection Ordinance that prohibits new construction east of Lake Shore Drive. And it will indeed be difficult to get any help from Pritzker, who was not invited to Wednesday’s big reveal. He has been critical of early reports the Bears would ask for taxpayer assistance, and remained so on Wednesday. “I’m highly skeptical of the proposal that’s been made and I believe strongly that this is not a high priority for legislators and certainly not for me, when I compare it to all the other things,” Pritzker said at a news conference Wednesday in Maywood.

Absolutely correct. The Sox haven't been good at fundamentals for years, 2005 and 20212 stick out as them being good in my mind. Every year you hear the talk about stressing fundamentals in spring training and every year it is the same nonsense. Personally I think it is a combination of "baseball-stupid" players and staffs that are incapable of teaching them properly and getting through to these guys.

Correct.

They passed over him twice in fact.

Reached out to an individual who knows the Sox situation from the inside and who is close to Hawk. I asked them about Hawk's comments to the Sun-Times on Tuesday and how my friend feels about what is taking place. Just passing them along: "It's pathetic to say the least. Hawk and I spoke yesterday and we can't believe Jerry let it get this bad. There isn't even any hope in our Minor League system. Like Hawk and I said, he never should have hired Getz. All Getz did was hire all his friends from KC. Look what happened, they are all with us and now we suck like they did and now they are doing well. The entire organization needs to be blown up. The stadium issue is also a joke. How in the world did Jerry think he was going to get tax payer money? He is getting killed over that ask. Feel bad for him since he was good to me and many others. Unfortunately, instead of going out as one of the best owners in Sox history, he will be going out as one of the worst, all because of what he has let happen in the last 5 years. Truly a shame."

As Jerry himself has said he makes enough from his negotiated domestic and international deals to cover his payroll before a single ticket is sold, a single car is parked and a single beer is sold. To understand Jerry it comes down to basically this, he wants to win but he wants to win HIS WAY. That is keeping salaries low since he still feels players make to much money, not hiring top of the line managers and coaches because, as he has said, that don't impact the game that much, not investing that much in the farm system/player development because as he has said he doesn't believe in paying for "potential", he also doesn't want to take the time and effort at his age to really deal with massive change. He has a large ego and that ego won't admit his way simply doesn't work. When I put out my story on the State of the Sox in November 2022, I specifically asked about JR and these were some of the replies: “JR is 86 and he’s in great shape, he looks good, still drives himself around but I just think at this point he simply doesn’t want to be bothered with having to bring in a new front office, maybe he thinks in a few years it won’t matter anyway.” “People, his friends… have tried to tell him what has been going on, “Hawk” Harrelson, the late Ed Farmer… God rest his soul, Darrin Jackson, Scott Reifert (Author’s Note: Scott is the Senior Vice-President for Communications) , Bob Grim and others but it’s just not registering for some reason.” “I wonder what impact his wife passing away earlier this year has had on him.” “JR has told his family he does not want any of his sons owning the team when he is gone. The Bulls are fine he said because they make Michael (Reinsdorf) money but baseball just doesn’t allow you to do that. (no salary cap)” (Author’s Note: Was told by an individual who knew some of the minority owners that “The Sox haven’t lost money in a long time.” A second source agreed with that statement. Seems to be a conflict doesn’t it? Maybe JR isn’t making enough money to suit him vis a vis the Sox?) “With :30 seconds left in their selection time on draft day JR would say things like “You know this college right-handed pitcher has the lowest injury risk.” “In October 2005 some investors asked JR to sell and get out while the going was good, but he wouldn’t.” “Andrew Berlin, twice tried to buy the Sox around 2008 but wasn’t successful.” (Author’s Note: Berlin, grew up a Sox fan and is now the owner of the Cubs farm team in South Bend, Indiana.) “I heard that JR owns 12% of the team but with some of the original investors passing away that has probably gone up to 18%” (Author’s Note: Even though he only owns a small percentage of the franchise Jerry Reinsdorf has absolute authority to run the team as he sees fit. It is written into his contract. That includes selling or not selling the club despite what the other investors wish. The only way he can be removed from his position is if he has done something illegal, appears to be losing his mental faculties or is being financially irresponsible.) “I was talking with an agent and they said the next owner of the Sox can’t be a group of investors, it has to be a big company. That’s why Dennis Gilbert, who tried to buy the Dodgers won’t get the Sox, he can’t come up with enough big money investors” “JR has become oblivious to things and what he’s allowed to happen is sad. He’s probably the most successful owner in Chicago sports history given the Bulls titles and the White Sox one which is dear to his heart, but what has happened the last two years is just sad. He is out-of-touch. And even worse he’s inaccessible. He’s either afraid of having to answer questions or he’s incapable of doing so.” “JR likes the structure he has because it gives him an extra layer of protection from criticism.”

In the ninth, Wilson walked Carlos Santana with one out before Ryan Jeffers’ half-swing, a bloop double dropped near the left field line in front of Benintendi, who appeared to get a slow read on it. “That catch was a 20% probability catch,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “We’re playing no-doubles, way back there. Would have been a helluva catch had he made it.”

What will be very interesting is the timing of any announcements. Personally I can't believe MLB would do this to one of their own but remember JR was dead set against Manfred being named commissioner and was vocal about it. If MLB/Manfred announce Nashville has been given an expansion team before JR's second attempt at stadium extorsion is settled it would completely pull the rug out from under him.

I agree but human nature being what it is, it is very hard to avoid starting to not give a damn, given the catastrophic circumstances. Now add in these guys are or already have made millions of dollars and the fact that many are on the downside of their careers. I'm not totally surprised they are going through the motions.

Says he feels for the fans, that it can't get any worse and that it will turn around. frankly I find that hard to believe. Also feels the new TV broadcaster is doing a good job: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/04/23/ken-harrelson-on-white-sox-its-been-ugly-and-i-feel-bad-for-our-fans

I'm telling you guys are going through the motions.

They absolutely do and has been written about recently in Sports Illustrated the betting now is on them getting an expansion franchise headed by minority ownership in former pitcher Dave Stewart and his group which has Tony LaRussa as a advisor. The story said they have already had meetings with Manfred and laid out specific plans on how the franchise would be run and that the majority of key positions would be filled by minority individuals which would please MLB.

To sell the club.

5th game this year where the Sox had a lead in the 7th inning or later and lost. Only 100 more losses to tie the 62' Mets! Don't stop now boys! ?

As has been pointed out the expansion cities talked about don't come close to the opportunities offered by the Chicago area. Not even close. There is tremendous untapped potential here if a new owner would build a good organization.

https://awfulannouncing.com/nhl/scripps-sports-arizona-utah-coyotes.html

Understand completely. Like I posted as recently from speaking with sources in and out of the organization for the story in November 2022 he won't sell because of the tax hit and has told his family to unload it because supposedly it is not making money due to no salary cap. Maybe something has changed for him health-wise? The very last thing Sox fans should want is for another Reinsdorf to own this club.

See my Sox Quote of the Day. Grifol avoided answering DVS's question on it.

Have to agree, and some of these guys are mailing it in.

“I can tell you this, rest assured, that everything that happens on this ballclub, on the field, off the field that affects us being able to win a baseball game or the integrity and character of this organization, is being addressed. That’s the only thing I can say. As far as getting into the specifics of it, I’m never going to do this. We can continue to talk about it and you guys can continue to ask those questions and I’ll continue to answer this way. The only thing I can assure you is that everybody here, including myself, is being held accountable.”-- Pedro Grifol ? If he was being held accountable he would have been fired at the end of last season.

If they follow his publicly stated wishes there is no "might" to it, the team will be sold when he passes on.

Seems very light to me but at least he sees the blowback and is moving towards some contribution.