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″

Are the White Sox coming around right on schedule? Yesterday afternoon, they won by a final of 5-2 over the San Francisco Giants. Granted, Barry Zito was pitching and he was . . . awful. He lasted only 2.1 innings before being chased from the game.

The offensive heroes yesterday? AJ Pierzysnki and that Alex Rios. Both had home runs. AJ even went opposite field with his home run. I am not quite sure to what to make of either Rios or Pierzynski hitting bombs. » Continue reading “Right On Schedule?”

Getting out of the way of a base stealer.

Happy Sunday! If you happen to be running the Shamrock Shuffle today in Chicago, good luck! The race marks the official start of racing season in Chicago. It also signals that we are thismuchcloser to real games that actually count in baseball.

The Sox of late have started to put things together. They won yesterday’s contest 6-4 against the Brewers. Chris Sale didn’t look awful, but he didn’t look spectacular either. Today’s game will feature Philip Humber facing the San Francisco Giants with Barry Zito starting. Until that time, here is some weekend reading for you to enjoy.

 Friday, us bloggers got a chance to talk to Buddy Bell again. I always enjoy hearing him talk about the minor leagues and the players there. You can read recaps of the call from South Side Sox. » Continue reading “Sunday Reading”

This afternoon, the White Sox held a conference call for season ticket holders with new bench coach Mark Parent and senior VP of sales and marketing, Brooks Boyer. Cheryl is a season ticket holder, but since she was unable to attend, I had the honor of listening in.

Before I get into the actual conference call and the questions asked by season ticket holders, let me say that I think if every franchise is not already doing this, they should. A lot of media members can’t or won’t ask the questions that fans have. As a journalism major, I have learned that I can’t ask questions of athletes that come from my heart. I would never be able to get and/or keep a job that way. So as a fan, it’s a great way to get your questions heard and a great way to get them answered.

And if you have a site like this one where at least one writer is a season ticket holder, all non-season ticket holders get a chance to hear from the coaches and front office too.

Now to the actual call.

» Continue reading “White Sox Season Ticket Holders Speak with Mark Parent and Brooks Boyer”

First things first. I need your help Sox fans! I am compiling a play list of music to help us get through the off season. So if you could be so kind as to tell me what you are listening to these days to pass the time until spring comes around, that would be awesome. I am taking submissions for things that remind you of the team in some way as well. Just let them in the comments or email me (address to the right). I hope to have this for your listening pleasure next week. Feel free to leave reasons why the songs you are suggesting work well for passing the time. And don’t worry, the more eclectic the better. After all, Sox fans are a very diverse group of fans.

And on to the news you might have missed.

 I am sure you are not totally interested in Tony La Russa, but here is an article on The Hardball Times that details 10 things about TLR and how he helped shape the game.

 It’s award season and Mark Buehrle, Paul Konerko and Sergio Santos are getting some club hardware.  » Continue reading “South Side Hits: November 8, 2011 White Sox Links & A Request For Help”

First, congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals who won their 11th World Series title Friday night against Texas Rangers. Hey, Edwin Jackson (remember him) got a series ring as well. Good for him. Sorry Rangers. I was really hoping you’d pull it out. No matter as the White Sox will see you to start the 2012 season. (Side note, is it spring training yet?) In any event, the Hot Stove can officially begin. First up will be awards and the naming of various front office people for teams looking for someone.

Speaking of front offices, Rick Hahn will be with the White Sox it appears at least for one more year. Jerry Dipoto will be the Angels’ new general manager. Meaning Rick didn’t get that job. Rick was among many candidates including Kim Ng who could have been the first woman to be the top dog of a baseball team. I’m sad Rick hasn’t gotten his opportunity to be THE Man in charge, but I’m glad he isn’t gone.

I don’t think I’ve made it much of a secret that I think the White Sox need a change in the front office. I would like to see Rick take over there. While I don’t fully know whether he has different ideas from his boss, Ken Williams, he does strike me as incredibly competent and ready to take on the challenge. Given that he is ALWAYS interviewing and up for GM openings, I really hope that he gets a chance to take over the White Sox. » Continue reading “Happenings At 35th & Shields: Rick Hahn Sticks With The White Sox – For Now”

Ok, fine. David Price now has a win against the Sox. And Edwin Jackson was off last night to say the least. And the offense is sputtering. So what? It’s early, things will get going today. At least that is what I’m going to keep telling myself because it *is* a long season and if I get worked up over things now, I will never make it until late October. So, to keep perspective, here is some light morning reading for you.

Chris Sale recalls his first game at the Trop.

Ozzie gives his thoughts on the current road trip and the upcoming schedule the White Sox have.

Ozzie discusses his use of social media and gives reason for his lack of following anyone on Twitter.

Ken Rosenthal gives his assessment on the use of Matt Thornton.

Chuck Garfien explains why the annoying Cleveland Indians are the real deal.

This is a little bit old, but check out this player profile on The King.

Bryan Stow, the San Francisco Giants fan who was beaten after a game at Dodger stadium has recently had a setback in his recovery and Sox Pitcher Sergio Santos discusses how that is making him feel, including how fans take rivalries with their favorite teams.

In Peavy Watch, Jake left his rehab start early yesterday. Whether his pitching only .2 innings yesterday has an effect on his return to Chicago won’t be known until possibly later today.

Today’s game will be against the defending World Champion San Francisco Giants. The lineup looks like a projection of what the Opening Day Lineup will be.

Juan Pierre LF, Bacon 2B, Big Donkey DH, The King 1B, Alex Rios CF, TCQ RF, AJ C, The Cuban Missile SS, Brent Morel 3B.

Starting today will be Mark Buehrle. Ohman, Crain, Infante and Gray are also schedule to pitch for the White Sox.

The team will be facing Tim Lincecum.

at AJ Pierzynski. It’s such an easy thing to do. He is one of those players who if he plays for your favorite team, he *might* worm his way into your heart and make you hate him less. And if he plays for a team other than yours, you despise him as much as one can hate an enemy. Some fans of teams around MLB, I can understand their hatred for him. For instance, the dropped strike / delayed out call with Josh Paul catching and Doug Eddings as home plate umpire in the 2005 ALCS is enough for any Anaheim Angels fan to hate him. His phantom interference call in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, leading to a non-out call? Sure, if you love the Rays, you can hate him. And let’s not even discuss what he allegedly did when he was a member of the San Francisco Giants in 2004. And other teams hating AJ, well, maybe they just hate because it is the cool thing to do. (Yeah, I’m looking at you Twins fans. AJ’s departure cleared the way for your boy with the dandruff problem and brought you Joe Nathan. That should make you HAPPY AJ was around to bring you such good things.)

In any event, given how easy it has been for people to despise AJ given some of what he has done, of course the Onion would make fun of him. Below are clips related to an “attempted murder” of the favorite “bad” boy residing at 35th & Shields.

Suspects in attempted murder?

More Suspects in attempted murder?

Trash Compactor Death?

In other team news, John Danks looked good in his start yesterday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team won the game and now has a spring record of 6-9-1. Slowly they are putting things together. Within the next few weeks, we should start to see the team that will open the season on the field in more games and playing for more than a few innings. Today, Peavy watch will continue and he is scheduled to throw between 60-70 pitches. Still waiting on the set-back as well. I know it sounds bad to say it, but I’d really like for his set-back to come quickly so that he can get to where he needs to be sooner rather than later.

Jake Peavy made his second start of the spring today against the San Francisco Giants. I know I said I wanted to stay away from all things Jake related until he was given the “all-clear” and was on the roster until indefinitely, but keeping an eye on his progress is kind of like watching a bad train-wreck. I want to turn away, but being that I am a “crazed” White Sox fan, I must keep up with his progress.

After his first start, he said he felt normal after pitching soreness and he also had a regular side session after that start In listening to the game, Peavy was looking good. (“DAMN HIM”  for potentially getting me excited about seeing him sooner rather than later). His line for the day: 3.2 IP, 1H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 1K. His ERA for the spring is now a “terrible” 1.59. He threw a total of 49 pitches, 31 for strikes. Admittedly, he has looked very sharp. His one walk came at the end of his outing against Buster Posey and Jake is impressed with the young catcher’s plate discipline. Buster worked the count on Peavy in his first at-bat of 8 pitches against the veteran pitcher. After that, Jake appeared to be experiencing some discomfort and Ozzie came to get him. Fortunately, no medical staff was needed and he was hi-fiving with teammates after leaving the field.

I was expecting him to go 3 innings today, so when he was out for the 4th I was surprised. However, Jake was out in the 4th inning due to his pitch count (it was around 40 to start the inning) and he also wanted to get some work in out of the stretch. Thanks to CSNChi_Beatnick for the info on why Jake was back out to pitch in the 4th inning. Peavy also mixed in his change up today, which he didn’t throw in his first spring outing. Scott Merkin of MLB said that Peavy felt he wasn’t as free and easy in his throwing today, but it was otherwise a step forward. Peavy’s next scheduled start (assuming all continues on a good track) will be Monday, March 14 against the Padres.

Things I noticed: in the first inning, 2 of the 3 batters got some serious wood on the balls and got them out to center. Lucky for the Sox, the defense was on to get those fly balls. Peavy’s hit / home run to Aubrey Huff came while he was working out of the stretch. No one was on base at the time, but Peavy was working out of the stretch. Hopefully this isn’t something to worry about or be more concerned when there are actually runners on base he needs to hold. I’m chalking it up to getting back into the swing of things given how long it has been since he last was regularly pitching. The pitch Huff homered on was not a bad one as it was the same pitch used to get the strike out that Peavy had. Again, he was sharp. I am sure the outing wasn’t to “Peavy standards,” but considering where he is coming from, it was great.

Now to not start believing too early . . .

Don’t forget, this evening, the White Sox Edition of 30 Clubs in 30 Days will air TONIGHT at 10:00pm EST on MLB Network.