Highland

The White Sox got swept in a home series by a combined score of 23-4 to a team that doesn't even have a major league stadium. Time to call this so-called rebuild a failure. At least face facts.

I don't believe in "complete rebuilds," certainly not this one. But even if some young talent develops, money will have to be spent if you want a real winning team. As a fan, I've heard about these rebuilds over and over, and they have produced one World Series appearance in 65 years. Stop losing 100 games, and I will feel a little better.

What a smash by Robert.

The White Sox have gone through some weird phases during the last 50 years or so , but this is the weirdest. There is no way to know how long JR will run the team. Additionally, as he ages, eventually he will not be able to make sane decisions. The teams is nowhere near winning, and even those who buy into this so-called rebuild have no idea when the team will become a real contender. And if the Sox do find some success, how long will it last? The Sox have no identity and no relevance. And when there is a change of ownership, that doesn't mean things will improve in a significant manner. There is a story about a man without a country. We are fans without a team.

There is no doubt that Vaughn is a huge disappointment. I thought he would develop into a great hitter. But it didn't help he was rushed to the majors and then stuck in left field. It looked like he was afraid to have the ball hit in his direction. Maybe he was overrated; maybe he would have been better if his development was handled differently. But he hasn't produced the power numbers you expect from a first baseman, and he is off to an awful start.

One of the problems was this stadium was it was built for the corporate fan. Baseball had been working class sport where a fan bought a beer and a hot dog not a steak and a bottle of red wine. The stadium, at least in the lower deck, has improved over the years. But if the powers that be actually build a new stadium, I hope the average fan will get some consideration.

You mean the Red Sox aren't going to sweep this series?

No, what I am saying is when you have a player of unique talent, you should do what you can to keep him. I don't see the Sox having multiple good players right now. My main point is a franchise can cheap out to a winner. I say this realizing that long term deals to Moncada, Eloy, and Robert haven't worked out so well.

One thing about rebuilding: If a player shows some real ability, he will want to be paid. An organization can cheap its way through only for so long. I'd rather have Crochet on the team. His latest remarks don't concern me.

It's amazing what happens when you score runs.

Jerry was never going to let the fans run his team. And he shouldn't. But I think he wanted to make a connection with the fans but didn't know how. I am convinced that the criticism and public backlash bothers him a great deal. He won't change what he is doing, but he is human. A normal person wants to be accepted and liked. He used to walk around SoxFest. He won't do that now.

His age has to affect him even if he is a healthy 90-year-old. Times change but some people don't adapt to changes. I can't remember when was the last time he spoke publicly. For the past few years, he has been a recluse anyway. He really wasn't good at making public statements. Whatever is going on, I can't see he can be happy with his team now. The White Sox are nothing but the subject of ridicule.

Usually, powerful people have one person who can tell them when they're screwing up. JR doesn't seem to have that person. I don't know how White Sox employees can look forward to going to work with this stuff happening. Here we are, not even in mid April, and the only thing we can speculate about is whether the Sox can be worse than last year. Nothing can be done at this point except bring up minor league players, and they may not be ready yet. I've never seen this franchise in this bad a shape. New stadium anyone?

I recall Lynn bitching and moaning and then go out and give up four home runs by the fourth inning. But, in this case, he is right.

I am old enough to remember the stretch from 1968-1970. The Sox lost 95. 94, and 106. They were completely overshadowed by the 1969 Cubs, the franchise had no money, and attendance plummeted. At the end of 1975, they almost ended up in Seattle. Today's White Sox aren't going anywhere, but this three-year stretch is much worse. The ownership of the late Sixties wasn't disliked like now. So, while the Sox are staying here, big time damage is being done to the franchise. No wonder some are hoping for a new stadium to save this team.