Highland

Okay, so Cease got passed over the ASG. Just win the Cy Young and it won't make any difference.

For the past couple weeks, Josh has been taking healthy cuts. Looks like a totally different hitter. What a difference if he can continue to produce.

The lovable loser stuff has faded, but the Cubs situation is different than any other franchise. They don't have a fan-base; they have a cult. In pure numbers, the Sox can compete with that. Secondly, the attendance situation took decades in the making. It would take a long time to reverse the effects. And to actually change things would take long-term planning. I don't think the Sox FO is into that. I doubt the Sox will ever outdraw the Cubs, and in a sense, that is not important. What is important is to build a stronger and wider Sox fan base regardless in comparison to the Cubs. Attendance will always decrease during bad seasons, but if the team had a stronger base, the drop in attendance wouldn't be as bad. I hope attendance will increase to give the franchise a deeper economic base. Brooks Boyer did some great things. Haven't seen much from him lately. But he did give impression that he understood Sox fans. That is a rarity in the Sox organization.

Hoping for a sweep, but that doesn't mean Tony will suddenly become a good manager. Hopefully the team can overcome his bad ways and keep playing well.

The Sox have the best talent in the division. It has been frustrating to watch them under-achieve. What a turn around. Things looked bleak after losing the first two in Cleveland.

If a reporter relied on a single source like Keuchel, he'd be incompetent at the least. But maybe you're right. Perhaps this is the turning point they needed. Let's hope so because we've been fooled before. Regardless, it's great that they're playing well in Minnesota after so many disappointments in both parks.

I am glad the Sox came back to win the last two from the Guardians, but I don't feel all that good about this team. The name of this thread is appropriate. The team is nearing the 90-game mark and is still trying to get to .500. Even in this bad division, .500 doesn't get it. A lot of things are lacking here, and it will take a real long winning streak to make me feel optimistic.

I have never felt all that hot about the Eloy rehab. I don't anticipate him being a major contributor. I just hope they didn't bring him back too soon.

I am not an Ozzie hater, but I'm not kissing his ass for 2005. This controversy is stupid. I do think Ozzie wanted LaRussa's job. Regardless, all he had to do is deny this speculation, but he went off the deep end as usual. Hopefully, this will seal the fact that he will never manage the White Sox again.

The trouble with JR is that he has been around too long. This is reflected in this hiring in the first place.

It is strange how this organization responds to fan protests and fan alienation. After the 1997 White Flag Trade, attendance dropped significantly. The team thought it would win fans back after it swept the Cubs at Wrigley in 1999. Didn't happen. In 2000, attendance improved with the division title, but didn't top 2,000,000. Playoff tickets were relatively easy to get. You'd think there would be good crowds in September as it became obvious the Sox were winning the Central. But there were crowds of less than 20,000 and that left some people scratching their heads. But some fans, even with the success of a 95-win season in 2000, weren't coming back. The media, both the print media and sports talk radio, ripped Sox fans as band wagon jumpers and ingrates. The White Sox organization had no clue what was going on. Fans have every right to voice their dissent. I just don't know if anyone will listen.

Cease just showed how valuable he truly is. He is what you can call a stopper. He is part of the rebuild that is working.

It will be interesting to see what kind of effort happens in game 2. I know I'm caring less and less.

Thome is a great guy and was a fantastic player. However, I would never hire him as a manager. But at least players would look up to him because he's been there. I don't know if any Sox player looks up to LaRussa.

I couldn't agree more. In my opinion, this is the lowest this franchise has been since the Reinsdorf-Einhorn group purchased the team in 1981. The organization is being completely run by out-of-touch old men. Not only does Hahn have to go, massive changes should be made. But no one can tell JR what to do because he's such a smart baseball man. But then again, you're right, he really doesn't give a shit. If he did, changes would have happened a long time ago. I really don't know why he wants to keep the team. I guess he doesn't care how he'll be remembered, because this is a disgrace.

I don't know what is going to happen, but this organization can't sit on its hands and do nothing. There has to be some kind of action, or fans will have absolutely no reason to go to the ballpark. If the FO doesn't care, why should we?

I beg to differ. We do know. But if we say it too often, that will mean we are not good White Sox fans.

I don't even know if this team is a .500 club. They didn't play all that well against the Giants. San Francisco gave them those three games. 3-6 so far during this run against division opponents. Everybody is talking about an upcoming weak schedule. Those teams are no doubt looking forward to playing the White Sox.

It would be nice, but sweeping a doubleheader is always hard. Losing the first game hurts, because the Sox can't win the series unless they do sweep today. Split the DH and split the series is probably our best hope.

He also wasn't pitching for some of that period. Don't; worry, he can make up for lost time.

This is what I'm selling. Fire LaRussa, fire Hahn. fire KW. Then have the Sox Board of Directors come out of their nursing homes and fire JR. Then have a real rebuild.

I remember some being surprised by the LaRussa hire. In reality, it was not surprising in the least. Hire some crony because it makes JR feel good. Like the Ventura move. That hire was interesting - for about a day. Then when a person truly thinks about it, there is the realization of how stupid it is. For five years, Ventura walked around the dugout with an empty look on his face. And, of course, once he left, no team came knocking on his door. He has been long gone, and his Sox legacy is ruined. And now LaRussa. He certainly won't be remembered for the 1983 WInnin Ugly team. My god, what a joke. But don't worry, the team morale is just great.

Glad you spoke up, Liam. Now, stop giving up homers in the ninth inning.

Yes, they could be in first. A win against the Guardians, maybe one or two against the Twins, they're in first or closer to it than they are now. Remember, they're not chasing the Yankees or Astros. Yes, I know a team looks lifeless when it is not scoring. But, in general, there is a nothingness about this team. I am one that thinks that chemistry is important. That doesn't mean everyone loves everyone. But it would help if players weren't playing out of position, and it would also help if their manager didn't slur words at press conferences. Players are not machines. Distractions and other worries can affect play. And please. Don't tell me about the injuries. Injuries don't keep players from running the bases with some intelligence. Regardless, it's time to step up. No more dumb ass excuses.

At least Lynn has some fire in him. I didn't see the triple play, and I refused to watch any replays. But it had to be embarrassing like so many embarrassing baserunning gaffes the Sox have had this season. The Sox tried to get swept by the Orioles but just couldn't manage doing it. It wasn't encouraging to see the Sox struggle to get a split with the Tigers. I do wonder about the motive of anyone talking to Nightengale about this. If Tony is the source, this would be another one of the stupid things he has done the last season and a half. Whatever is going on, there is something missing about this team. Even with the injuries, the Sox should be in first. There are times when they just look lifeless.