Lip Man 1

I hope JR is forced to pay his fair share as well but he can just as easily say no, period, end of story. Then what? I think eventually he will give in and hold his nose and pay something but he is pretty stubborn and arrogant. The time element is also in play, I don't expect this to be settled for another few years at least, it's possible, (though unlikely) MLB has already awarded the Nashville franchise to Dave Stewart and TLR by then. That story in Sports Illustrated last month, maybe two months ago, outlined in detail how far along talks between Manfred and Stewart have progressed. How MLB badly wants a franchise primarily owned and staffed with minority hires. If Nashville is off the table, JR's threat disappears like mist in the wind.

Since when has Grifol not said a clown thing? ? But i don't react as strongly to this comment. Kopech in my opinion has been given a lot of rope over the past few years, he hasn't produced, he's had injuries of course but there also seems to be a lot of off the field intrigue going on as well, not as bad as Anderson but enough to make the tabloids. Basically it's time for him to put up or shut up. So let's see how he reacts under this "pressure" from Grifol. In all likelihood he'll still be in the rotation.

Nor should it be, at least not yet.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/03/06/with-nothing-imminent-on-trade-front-white-sox-draw-closer-to-an-opening-day-with-dylan-ce

Nothing has really changed yet despite the massive overhaul. Toki is having a rough spring to say the least.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2024/03/06/bears-white-sox-financial-partners-jerry-reinsdorf-george-mccaskey-new-stadiums-taxes

If a new banner is done how about showing what truly reflects what this organization is:

I could care less if players are happy, sad, pensive, combative, reclusive or any adjective you want to name. I want players who produce and win.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/editorials/2024/03/05/white-sox-bears-public-subsidies-stadiums-the-78-lakefront-related-midwest-editorial

I think Rich said it was a Letter to the Editor defending JR, calling Bill Veeck to account and saying if fans don't come out and support the team and if JR doesn't get they new stadium they are moving to Nashville. Just a few points, and I consider Rich a friend and an excellent Sox historian: It should be noted that he worked for Veeck but quickly soured on the man and the way he did business which naturally influences his opinions. When I did a deep interview with Rich for White Sox Interactive back in 2004 or so he was saying the same thing about how they were going to move because of lack of support. Obviously that hasn't happened.

You must not have seen the stories today. Knebel said he had a "setback" (no details given) but won't be ready for opening day. Merkin said the same thing is his fluff piece today.

And who is to say if that were to happen Soroka and Kopech wouldn't be traded either.

As Joe Madden used to say, "Try not to suck." Don't lose 100 games. Develop some players at all levels. Avoid injuries and hope to trade your best players for good prospects at the deadline. Fire Pedro Grifol by Memorial Day.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/03/05/closing-has-nice-ring-to-it-for-white-sox-prospect-jordan-leasure

True enough, valid point.

Fair enough although I don't recall that.

A nice well rounded win. Scored some runs, got some hits, did not make any errors for a change and got some solid pitching.

Given JR's stated history including last August at Getz's press conference, convincing him to pay for pitching may be equal to finding the Holy Grail. That would be quite an accomplishment. By the way that doesn't mean JR is necessarily wrong given pitchers injury tendencies but the fact is other teams are willing to take those gambles and the Sox are always left behind.

Very true, just last week he actually had the gall to blame Sox fans for not showing up to watch bad baseball as a reason they won't spend on top free agents. He is an extremely intelligent guy and it's hard to think he actually believes some of the things he says.

I may be wrong but I don't think anyone has called you the first three adjectives. The fourth one I'll keep my opinion to myself.

Actually between 1990 and 2012 they only had 15 winning seasons. Since 2007 through the past year they have had five, with 11 losing ones and a .500 season. It all comes down to ownership... he hires the department heads who then hire the lower level individuals. The Sox medical, training and conditioning staffs have been behind the curve for a long time and the numbers bear that out. So yes bad hiring practices eventually leads to bad results including injuries. But just one example, this is from my November 2022 story on the state of the Sox from when I spoke with six sources all connected to the team in various ways: “Alan Thomas (Author’s Note: Thomas was the Director of Strength and Conditioning) was let go because his son was draft eligible and he was told the Sox no longer wanted to draft sons of members of the organization. Turns out his kid is playing center field for the Diamondbacks. I’m not saying he’d be playing center field for us but he’s good enough to be in the Major Leagues. I don’t know the new guy they brought in, but guys are getting hurt left and right.” (Author’s Note: I had heard Thomas disagreed with the results of the Sox injury study conducted last winter which was never released to the media or public. I was told he felt the Sox issues were only caused by the COVID restrictions. “The Sox play checkers where others teams play chess” when it comes to injury prevention, conditioning, nutrition, sleep schedules is a phrase I had heard mentioned.) “The White Sox playing shorthanded started in 2007 when Jermaine Dye got hurt and Kenny Williams refused to call up Brian Anderson or Ryan Sweeney. Maybe they were cheap, maybe they wanted to protect Herm’s record of keeping guys off the DL.” (Author’s Note: Herm Schneider was the Sox longtime head trainer and for years the Sox were among the league leaders in keeping players healthy.) “Jake Peavy made the comment one time, ‘They have no reservations about playing shorthanded.” “You know about Mike Reinold right? (Author’s Note: Reinold is the White Sox Senior Medical Advisor) He was fired by the Red Sox because he was injecting players with Toradol.” (Author’s Note: Bleacher Report had a story on this situation published in February 2013. Here is the link to that story: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1530943-ex-red-sox-trainer-mike-reinold-injected-players-with-controversial-substance) “Given the inordinate amount of soft-tissue injuries they have had you’d think that they would do a complete change in the training, conditioning and nutritional areas.” I guess West if I irritate you so much (and that is not my intent) you always have ignore options I believe.

I can't say it will be the most important ever in the history of the franchise but it will offer a significant chance to change the direction and fortunes of the franchise on and off the field. The thing is when JR and EE took over they actually acted like they were trying to win, remember the Sox signed or traded for two good players each of the first three seasons, Fisk, Luzinski, Paciorek, Kemp, Cruz and Bannister. There was real optimism for the fan base and around the city. The "New Look" White Sox had arrived. Then JR for some reason decided winning was too expensive and instead focused his considerable attentions on trying to limit salaries in baseball and break the MLBPA.

So tell me West, is that bolded statement wrong? If so I'm willing to listen to your arguments as to why I should feel differently. I can promise you one thing, if this season goes as many are predicting, by Memorial Day, my posts will seem tame compared to others.

That sir was very well played! I bow to your wit and repartee.