Former GM Ken Williams patiently waits to ask new GM Rick Hahn a question

SoxFest was fun this year. Although last week I was lamenting that there wasn’t a Festivus session, it turned out to be a perfectly good thing. There were plenty of great stories, good looks on the players (despite what some may think, Matt Thornton’s beard really is spectacular!) as well as learning that there is a ton of personality with this group and they enjoy each other.

In past year’s, I have done posts where you can read my timeline from twitter over the days. However, this year I just didn’t have time to do that. You can always go back and look at it and I may get around to compiling it to archive soon before it is no longer available. The best news of me tweeting this year was that I managed to stay out of Twitter Jail. This was surprising to me considering all the good tidbits the players and coaches had to share. » Continue reading “Lessons Learned At SoxFest 2013″

So far there have been two days of SoxFest. Today was the final day and it did live up to expectations. The first couple of days there was a lot of talk of chemistry.  How well do the players get along? How well does everyone like each other. How much is everyone working toward the same goal? Is everyone pulling on the rope in the same direction? Hopefully you followed along on twitter to know what was been happening in the sessions. If not, you should have as there were lots of fun little nuggets that come up. Such as me realizing I don’t despise Tom “Wimpy” Paciorek as much as I have in the past. And Tony La Russa doesn’t seem quite as douchey as I am used to seeing him be.

As I am sure you know by now, the 1983 team is being celebrated this season, including wearing the 1983 uniform on Sunday home games. There had far been a couple of panels with some members of that team as well as other panels where members of the team talked in general. Additionally, there was a panel featuring Aaron Rowand, Joe Crede, Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko discussing the 2005 team. » Continue reading “SoxFest 2013 All About Chemistry So Far”

This afternoon, some White Sox bloggers got to speak with Brooks Boyer. As we’ve all become aware, the White Sox are honoring the 1983 “Winning Ugly” team this season by wearing the 1983 uniforms on Sundays like they did last year for the 1972 team. Like last year, there will be Retro Racers on Sundays. This year’s 1983 racers will be Harold Baines, Ron Kittle and Carlton Fisk. Many of this year’s giveaways will be centered around the 1983 team, including the Harold Baines and Ron Kittle bobbleheads.

Boyer said that with the vast history of the White Sox and the use of some cool and some not-so-cool uniforms of the paste, the Sox are using the throwback jerseys as a way to not only honor great teams of the past but also to teach younger generations about the history of the team. The Sox would like to continue wearing throwback jerseys, and Boyer said they don’t need a milestone to celebrate to wear a jersey

Boyer was asked some specifics about the uniforms the players will be wearing on Sundays. They will be wearing the 1983 caps and helmets, and the uniforms will feature the All-Star Game patch. The players won’t be required to wear red shoes to go along with the 1983 uniforms. Most players wore red shoes with the pinstripes last season, so it’s possible that many players will wear red shoes this season. Boyer said they could wear ballet shoes for all he cares, as long as they go out and play well.

» Continue reading “Chatting with Brooks Boyer”

Hello Sox Fans!!!! Sorry that I have been away from talking to you. Unfortunately, my “real” job got in the way of me keeping up as meticulously as I should with White Sox news of late. However, hopefully you’ve been kept abreast of what has been happening with the team.

So far this off season, we’ve seen some decent re-signings as well as having to say goodbye to old favorites we all love for one reason or another. And now that it is late January, we might be starting to get itchy for baseball. The World Baseball Classic will soon be starting up, which will slightly fill the role of the game until Opening Day. Speaking of WBC, congratulatiosn to Jesse Crain (Team Canada), Alex Rios, Hector Santiago, Andy Gonzalez (Team Puerto Rico) and Andre Rienzo (Team Brazil) on their participation. But of course, the big news is that SoxFest is next weekend. Are you going to be there? If not, no worries as I will be there again to live tweet what is happening. Be sure to follow me on Twitter for all the happenings at SoxFest. » Continue reading “Spring Is On The Way”

In case you didn’t know, I have a season ticket for the White Sox. Being a season ticket holder has some perks. Such as today being able to sit in on a conference call with new manager Robin Ventura. It was pretty cool that we were able to ask questions of him and also to be able to say “welcome back” or “thanks for choosing to work with the White Sox” on the call.

When I first heard about this through a phone call yesterday from Robin himself, I was thinking wow, the management is really working hard to win me over. Particularly after a bad season of huge disappointment when a team that was supposed to be All In were really anything but.

It will be a bumpy ride potentially, but I am *starting* to get excited about what 2012 may hold. And if Ken and his guys keep doing such events, then I will be far less inclined to hate him and stuff he’s done. Below are the questions and answers from the session summarized. » Continue reading “Ken Williams & Company Really Don’t Want Me Hating Right Now”

The White Sox finished off their series against the Boston Red Sox, hoping for a series win. Despite their best efforts, the White Sox fell to the Red Sox with a final score of 5-3.

Mark Buehrle pitched six solid innings and left with a lead. He gave up two runs, both earned, on five hits and three walks. Trouble came in the seventh with Jesse Crain. He lasted 0.1 innings, giving up two runs on three hits. Only one of those runs was earned. Chris Sale came on in relief for an inning. He walked one and struck out two. Jason Frasor pitched for 1.0 innings. He gave up an earned run on one hit and one walk. Will Ohman finished off the ninth, pitching 0.2 innings, intentionally walking Kevin Youkilis and giving up one hit.

Despite racking up 11 hits, the White Sox only scored three runs. Brent Lillibridge, Paul Konerko, and Gordon Beckham were the only starters that did not pick up a hit. Konerko went 0-for-1 with a walk and was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning and left the game. Alexei Ramirez went 2-for-5 with an RBI, and Brent Morel went 2-for-3 with an RBI before Omar Vizquel replaced him as a pinch hitter. Adam Dunn went 1-for-5, but three of those outs were strikeouts. Again. » Continue reading “Red Sox Slip Past White Sox”

I’ve decided that the White Sox are playing a giant slop fest of late. It seems even saying the season starts over “today” isn’t helping much. Anyway, the highlights of yesterday’s game all came before the team actually took the field. In addition to the stories you missed, I’m giving you some pictures to enjoy as well.

Despite the abysmal start, Ozzie still has faith his guys can turn it around.

Bad seasons? Both Bobby Jenks and Ozzie Guillen can relate to each others’ misery this season. » Continue reading “South Side Hits”