It’s FINALLY over! The long barren months of no baseball unless you were watching games you might have put on your DVR or saw some archived games is gone. Today, we have baseball at 35th & Shields! And how fitting is it that the Chicago White Sox will open up at home against the Kansas City Royals? A team that some fans insists sucks, but in the past few years have given the White Sox a run for their money. So much so that last season, the Royals came away winning the season series.

This year, I’m hopeful this will not be the case, but you never know until those 18 games are played. Here is what you should know about the upcoming three games:

2013 Record: White Sox 0-0 Royals 0-0

2013 Cactus League Record: White Sox: 14-14 Royals 25-7

2012 Record: White Sox: 85-77 Royals: 72-90

2012 Season Series Record: 6-12

All-Time Series Record: 348-314 (The Sox are 196-140 against the Royals at home)

The following pitchers are expected to start each game this series: 

Chris Sale: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0K vs. James Shields: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0K

Jake Peavy: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0K vs. Ervin Santana: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0K

Gavin Floyd: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0K vs. Jeremy Guthrie: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0K

Monday’s game is at 3:10 pm, Wednesday and Thursday’s games are at 1:10 pm. All times CDT.  » Continue reading “The Long Nightmare Is Over! Series Preview: White Sox Versus Royals”

April Fool’s Day is tomorrow. While some may find that of significance, for baseball fans, April Fool’s Day means baseball is officially back. The Chicago White Sox will open the march to the 2013 World Series at home against the PITA Kansas City Royals. And I’m looking forward to this and am finally ready for baseball to start.

A day that should be a national holiday

Yes, there have been spring games, but due to work and my running “problem” I have not really had much of a chance to pay attention to the games. There really haven’t been any position battles to worry about or see who is going to emerge for a coveted roster spot. Sure, there has been some interest in who will be the back up infielder and back up outfielder but overall, we already know who is on the team. And of course, there has been interest in how John Danks has progressed as well as Matt Thornton and Jesse Crain who are battling stuff this spring.

In any event, I finally had a chance to watch a game last Sunday. That game was against my fail face PITAs and while the games mean less and less with spring being almost over, that game was just what was needed to get back into baseball mode again. Why? None other than hearing the Reverend Ken “the Hawk” Harrelson and his typical drivel. I got to hear a few nuggets of information that just said baseball is back. Some of the things I learned during the broadcast: » Continue reading “I’m Ready For White Sox Baseball”

Today was a busy day for Rick Hahn in terms of speaking with fans. In addition to that, he also spoke to bloggers. Needless to say, I was quite excited when I heard there would be a chance to ask him questions now that he is “the man” in charge over at the White Sox.

As you know, I am a season ticket holder and this season the Sox have been having calls with various people on the Sox. Past guests have included pitching coach Don Copper and former GM Ken Williams. These calls have always been interesting because fans get to ask the questions. Sometimes, I think that fans really try to ask the stuff that the media won’t. And other times, they ask some stuff that I am left scratching my head about.

In any event, today’s questions were pretty good and of course touched upon the burning issues that Sox fans have at the moment. Namely, AJ and Kevin Youkilis. Below is a summary of the call with Rick and season ticket holders. For the transcript of his call with us bloggers, be sure to visit South Side Sox. There is some really good stuff in here including the advice that Ken has given to Rick. And thanks so much to U-God for doing the transcription, saving us a ton of work!  » Continue reading “Chatting With Rick Hahn”

It’s official. After weeks of rumors, Rick Hahn has been named as the General Manager of the White Sox and Ken Williams has been promoted to executive vice president. Howard Pizer has been named as senior executive vice president.

This is a move that many fans have been longing for in recent years. In recent years, Hahn has interviewed for several GM jobs and every time, fans were wondering and hoping he wouldn’t get the job so he could take over here. Now that is finally happening.

It remains to be seen just how differently Rick will run things differently from how KW did things. In any event, welcome to the new job Rick! Fans are expecting great things from you (no pressure, dude!)

Ozzie Guillen, Kenny Williams and Ed Farmer

in what has become an almost monthly event, today season ticket holders had the chance to talk to yet another person with the White Sox. This time it was general manager Ken Williams. I must say I am rather surprised when KW is actually willing to talk and to talk to fans . . .  mind. blown.

Gene Honda moderated the call today. Ken is hanging out in Indianapolis to watch the Charlotte Knights (you will find out below exactly what he was up to) and it was pretty cool of him to take time out to talk to fans.  » Continue reading “Ken Williams Talks To The Fans”

John Danks (or “Baby Danks” as Jen refers to him) is done for the season. He is scheduled to have surgery on Monday on his left shoulder that has had him out since mid-May. John had been doing a rehab stint in June, but was suffered setbacks during the outings. » Continue reading “In Not Surprising White Sox Starter News . . .”

Afte a three-game sweep of a division rival, the Sox took a small break to head south and face the Rangers. Another three-game sweep there was not meant to be, but a series was had. Now, the Sox head north again to face the Twins. And it will definitely be a weird one with a newly acquired teammate. Here is what you should know for the next three games:

2012 Record: White Sox 55-46, 1st in AL Central. Twins 43-58, 4th in AL Central

2012 Series Record: 7-2

All-time Series Record: 376-417 (The Sox are 170-225 at Minnesota)

The following pitchers are expected to start in the three games this week:

Jose Quintana: 4-1, 2.58 ERA, 44K vs. Cole De Vries: 2-2, 3.64 ERA, 33K

Francisco Liriano: 3-10, 5.31 ERA, 109K vs. Nick Blackburn: 4-6, 7.99 ERA, 33K

Jake Peavy: 8-7, 3.15 ERA, 126K vs. Scott Diamond: 9-4, 2.88 ERA, 56K

Monday and Tuesday’s games begin at 7:10 pm. Wednesday’s game starts at 12:10 pm. All times CDT. » Continue reading “Hello Minnesota! Series Preview White Sox @ Twins”

The White Sox are making their one and only trip to Fenway Park these next four games. It will definitely be interesting for at least two members of the teams in that they will see their old buddies. They also might feel strange sitting in what might feel like the wrong dugout. Here is what you should know for the next four games:

2012 Record: White Sox 49-39, 1st in AL Central. Red Sox 45-44, 4th in AL East

2012 Series Record: 1-3

All-Time Series Record: 924-959 (The White Sox are 388-551 at Fenway)

The following pitchers are expected to start the four games:

Dylan Axelrod: 1-2, 6.16 ERA, 22K v. Aaron Cook: 2-2, 4.37 ERA, 2K

Philip Humber: 3-4, 6.01 ERA, 63 K v. Jon Lester: 5-6, 4.49 ERA, 94K

TBD v. Felix Doubrant: 9-4, 4.41 ERA, 97K

TBD v. Franklin Morales: 2-2, 3.16 ERA, 53K

All four games begin at 6:10 pm CDT. 

» Continue reading “Baked Beans. Series Preview: White Sox @ Red Sox”

Finally, the White Sox will get to play someone other than the Indians or the Dirty Beast! The boys will be home for a brief five-game homestand and will start it off welcoming the Kansas City Royals.

Here is what you might want to know about the upcoming three-game series:

2012 Record: White Sox 15-17, 3rd in AL Central. Royals 11-19, 4th in AL Central.

2011 Series Record: 7-11

All-Time Series Record: 343-302 (The Sox are 193-134 at home against the PITAs)

The following pitchers are expected to start the games:

Gavin Floyd: 2-3, 3.03 ERA, 37K v. Felipe Paulino: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6K

Eric Stults: 0-0, 3.00 ERA, 4K v. Luke Hochevar: 2-3, 9.00 ERA, 18K

Philip Humber: 1-2, 6.83 ERA, 28K v. Danny Duffy: 2-2, 4.00 ERA, 27K

Friday’s game begins at 7:10 pm, Saturday’s game begins at 6:10 pm and Sunday’s finale starts at 1:10 pm. All times CDT.  » Continue reading “Welcoming Fail? Series Preview: White Sox v Royals”

Jhonny Peralta with the walk off home run. White Sox lose the game by a final of 5-4 when the Tigers were hanging and clinging to hope.

For a brief moment, I thought the Sox would pull this one out. Dirt Bag pitched a pretty good game. Though, I think he was left in for one too many batters. That decision makes me wonder if Robin and Coop actually have control over Jake and will protect him from himself. » Continue reading “Walk Off Win For The Dirty Beast Is The Least of White Sox Issues”