As I’m sure you’re all fully aware, SoxFest is this weekend. Fans from all over will flock downtown to meet some of their favorite players and hear some of them in panels. Before SoxFest starts, the White Sox wanted to give season ticket holders a chance to talk to Tom Paciorek and Robin Ventura during a conference call this afternoon.

As with every other season ticket holder chat, Gene Honda moderated the call, and we started with Wimpy. He’ll be a big part of SoxFest this weekend, as it will partly be a celebrationg of the 1983 “Winning Ugly” team. Wimpy is excited to be there this weekend with a great group of guys and a great coaching staff. He mentioned that while most fans remember the players, some people may have forgotten the personnel of the 1983 team. » Continue reading “Conference Call with Tom Paciorek and Robin Ventura”

Photo courtesy of Chicago White Sox Facebook page

No offense to the Minnesota Twins and their fans, but I’m really glad they’re not very good this season. For years, the Sox had consistent trouble playing against them. This year, for whatever reason, the Twins aren’t very good, and the Sox took advantage of that this afternoon.

The Sox beat the Twins 8-2 for the series sweep. After getting swept by the Tigers last weekend, it was a much-needed sweep to keep the Sox tied for first in the AL Central, as Detroit beat Cleveland tonight. Both teams now sit at 53-45. » Continue reading “Brooms, Rings and Awards…Oh My!”

Happy Thursday. Camp is officially underway for everyone. Not too much drama going on. Well, except for the “drama” over yet ANOTHER position change for Dayan Viciedo (not really a big deal in my opinion) oh and The King’s comments regarding the team competing and making a run for the post season. Although, somehow, I do have to thank sports talk radio people for “making controversy” because without it, there’d be nothing to discuss until real games begin.

The fake games being on Monday with the Sox hosting the Dodgers. Until that time we will just wait. For now, here are a few stories to catch up on to help you get through Thursday.

 In case you missed it, be sure to check out Jen’s story on the Conference Call with Brooks Boyer and Dan Fabian. You should also read these recaps from White Sox Talk as well as the two different parts that South Side Sox wrote up. » Continue reading “South Side Hits: Just Days Away From Real Games!”

On Wednesday, Keith Law released his farm system rankings. Who wants to take a guess where the White Sox landed?

Anyone?

Bueller?

Bueller?

OK then. They ranked last. Dead last. Number 30 out of 30. The worst in baseball. I think you catch my drift here.

I’m not an ESPN Insider, but I know someone who is, so I got Law’s paragraph about the Sox. Read it for yourselves:

And they’re not particularly close to number 29 either. When you don’t spend money in the draft, you’re not going to fare well in anyone’s organizational rankings. The new collective bargaining agreement, which clamps down on teams’ ability to acquire on premium talent in the draft through higher bonuses, was the result of a long-standing effort by White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who wanted to force other teams to play by his rules.

To be quite honest, I’m not surprised. Our farm system is awful. Anything good that we have, we more than likely got in a trade. If we draft players who are actually good, we need them in the big leagues ASAP (e.g. Gordon Beckham and Chris Sale).

I know our minor leaguers are trying their hardest to be good players. I commend them for that. It’s not their fault that our organization isn’t willing to spend on good talent. It’s not their fault that the organization would rather pay however much money for crappy big leaguers than use some of that money on player development.

I look at our minor leaguers, and I have yet to say, “Man, I can’t wait until that kid is on the big league team.” Because there’s not much to look forward to.

I understand that the White Sox want to win NOW. I do too. But I also understand that in order to keep winning, there has to be something good coming up from the minors. When players retire or leave for other reasons, there has to be something good coming up since we’re not always going to get the hottest free agents out there. There has to be a way to balance winning now and prepping for the future.

I don’t think the Sox have figured out how to do that. And until they do, they’re going to keep staying at or near the bottom of Keith Law’s rankings.

(l-r) Jeff Manto, Brent Lillibridge, Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, Adam Dunn

Yesterday was day two of SoxFest. It was another fun day. There were moments of testiness as well as some questions that were asked that left me scratching my head. Below are the tweets of the day. There are a couple of gaps. For the first time ever, I ended up in Twitter Jail for tweeting too much in an hour. Fortunately, it only lasted for an hour. If it had gone longer, I am not sure what I would have done. Maybe create an account just for the jail time. In any event, enjoy. I will bring you day three today as well on twitter. As always, if you have any questions, please ask. I know the spelling gets wonky at times so some of the tweets might not make a ton of sense. (Like Ichiro turning into i crap!)

Day Two Tweets: » Continue reading “SoxFest Day Two. A Bit Of Drama”

Bud Selig presenting award to Jerry Reinsdorf at Sox Fest

Hey one and all. Sox Fest began last night. It was fun times. In all honestly, I was kind of wondering what to expect given the changes the team has gone through this off season. Not to mention, it is hard to figure out just what exactly this season is going to be. In case you missed it, I am live-tweeting from the seminars. Below, you can read my tweets from last night. I apologize for the spelling errors, but that can happen when you are trying to quickly type. If you have any questions about stuff, feel free to leave them in the comments. I will be back today live-tweeting and will have a recap of Saturday for you as well.

If you want to follow along during the day, just check out my twitter feed. I apologize in advance if I don’t respond to your tweets right away. Coverage can be spotty so I might not see it for a bit. Don’t forget, if you are around tonight, come hang out with me at Miller’s Pub around 7:30. And if you are at Sox Fest, come say hi

And now for the tweets from the Opening Ceremonies:  » Continue reading “SoxFest 2012: What You Might Have Missed On Opening Night”

By now, you have probably seen the Chairman’s statement on the departed Ozzie Guillen at the end of last season. In part, Jerry said:

I want to make it clear that he left with our organization’s blessing and at my urging.  Ozzie told me he wanted to finish out the year, the Marlins really wanted him in Miami for the conclusion of the season, and I told him that he had no choice but to go given the excitement surrounding the opening of their new stadium and the unveiling of their new uniforms.  Ozzie needed to be in Miami at the end of the season for the Marlins. » Continue reading “Parents Can’t Help But Protect Their Kids”

One game away. That is what the Texas Rangers are away from winning their first World Series. Will they do it tonight, that is anyone’s guess. As for stuff going on in baseball, that other team took center stage yesterday with the announcement of Theo Epstein officially joining that organization. As much as I would like for something, anything to be going on, I’m going to enjoy the lack of news. It will make keeping up when the Hot Stove season begins in earnest easier. At least  I hope it will.

There is however a *little* bit of stuff happening. Such as the sweetheart deal the Sox get from the Illinois Sports Facility Authority (“ISFA”). Per the lease:

the White Sox owner to pay $1.5 million annually in rent while keeping all proceeds from ticket sales, parking, concessions and his growing merchandise operations.

* * *

Plans to re-evaluate the contract come as the White Sox owner prepares to open a retail location across from the South Side ballpark on state-owned property.

The store, which will sell sports apparel and paraphernalia, represents another revenue stream for Mr. Reinsdorf at the stadium he persuaded the state to build back in 1990. (He had threatened to move the team to Tampa, Fla.) Along with being permitted to retain all the income from the shop, the club owner gets to keep money from the Bacardi at the Park restaurant, which opened next door last spring. » Continue reading “Happenings At 35th & Shields: October 26, 2011 White Sox News”

Forget about playoff baseball. WE GOT A NEW MANAGER ON THE SOUTH SIDE!!!!! For long time fans of the White Sox, Robin Ventura, is clearly a fan favorite. Many are quick to make a judgment on the hiring. Some think it’s a brilliant move and others think it is the dumbest thing possible.

All I know is, I LOVE Robin and wish him nothing but the best. He’s smart and I have no doubt he will make sure he surrounds himself with the best and brightest so he can do the job. If you are one who is not familiar with Robin, I strongly suggest you start learning about him. And if you get a chance to see some old games he played in, you are in for a treat. Now on for the news you may have missed.

 Of course, we have to start with the press release of Robin’s hiring.

 And the Chairman has a say on Robin.

 Ken Rosenthal’s thoughts on the hiring of Robin.

 A short Robin bio so you can learn about your new manager.

Ken,

Can I call you Kenny? I feel after 11 years, we should be on such a casual basis. You see, for most of that time, I have trusted what you have done with my beloved White Sox. Usually I didn’t question things and thought, well, you must know what is best. You are after all the general manager of the team. You played the game. You have the business acumen to make this all work.

Then, in recent years, you’ve started doing some things that have made me scratch my head. You made some questionable trades. You made some questionable waiver-claims. And of course, who can forget about your drama with your former manager.

I know, I know he wasn’t “your” guy, but still. Now half the fan base is happy because the guy who wasn’t your guy is gone. He’s moved on to to Florida and you have a chance to get your guy in.

I’m glad you appear to not be interested in some potential candidates out there like Tony La Russa. However, there are reports that Terry Francona may be available soon.  Might I suggest if this becomes reality, you pick up that phone asap and do whatever it takes to get Tito to Chicago? » Continue reading “Dear Ken”