Friends I just received some tough news and while I understand the background it still is a little difficult to take.
ChicagoNow has decided to go in a different direction with the White Sox confidential blog and I'll no longer be hosting it.
I wanted to thank everyone for reading and participating and I encourage you to visit and partake in the new blog on the Sox when that is unveiled.
As Kenny Williams would say, it is what it is.
It was fun while it lasted. Thank You!
Welcome Back...
No, not Mr. Kotter but the 'second half' of the baseball season.
We'll see if the four day layoff did anything to hurt the club although given the way they played the week before the break (having lost 5 of 8) perhaps they needed a breather.
The interesting thing about tonight is who starts for Baltimore...yep, another unknown pitcher with a bad record and an awful ERA named Jason Berken, who got a win then dropped six straight. His ERA is over five and a half and he's only lasted into the 7th inning one time.
Now normally you'd say that means he'll five hit the Sox for six innings allowing only one run but hey, we can be optimistic, maybe the Sox will actually get to a pitcher they've never seen before.
Fans can only hope this is the case.
We'll see if the four day layoff did anything to hurt the club although given the way they played the week before the break (having lost 5 of 8) perhaps they needed a breather.
The interesting thing about tonight is who starts for Baltimore...yep, another unknown pitcher with a bad record and an awful ERA named Jason Berken, who got a win then dropped six straight. His ERA is over five and a half and he's only lasted into the 7th inning one time.
Now normally you'd say that means he'll five hit the Sox for six innings allowing only one run but hey, we can be optimistic, maybe the Sox will actually get to a pitcher they've never seen before.
Fans can only hope this is the case.
This Date In White Sox History 7/17
Early Wynn (Tribune File Photo)
Jim Landis (Tribune File Photo)
July 17, 1989 - In a game at Comiskey Park against the Yankees, Carlton Fisk notches his 2,000th career hit. He'd have three for the evening in a Sox 7 - 3 win.
Let The Trade Winds Blow
My friend, Fox Sports baseball analyst Ken Rosenthal has the latest news on the Roy Halladay trade rumors.
He doesn't think the Sox have a shot for him because they won't trade Gordon Beckham (nor should they) but that doesn't mean the Sox don't have their eyes on one of his teammates.
Like I said a few days ago, Carlos Quentin is no sure thing for this year or at least until he has surgery to permanently repair the foot tendon issue. You need insurance, and pulling this deal off, also finally solves the Sox center field issue beginning in 2010.
He doesn't think the Sox have a shot for him because they won't trade Gordon Beckham (nor should they) but that doesn't mean the Sox don't have their eyes on one of his teammates.
Like I said a few days ago, Carlos Quentin is no sure thing for this year or at least until he has surgery to permanently repair the foot tendon issue. You need insurance, and pulling this deal off, also finally solves the Sox center field issue beginning in 2010.
This Date In White Sox History 7/16
Bill Veeck (Tribune File Photo / Ed Wagner - 1977)
Harry Caray (Tribune File Photo / Michael Meinhardt)
July 16, 1990 - One of the funniest moments in Sox history, as Sox utility player Steve "Psycho" Lyons makes a mistake that winds up on every highlight show in the nation. In the 5th inning at Detroit, Lyons bunts his way on, sliding the final few feet to beat the throw. He then calls time and completely blanks out as he starts to drop his pants to get the dirt out of them. Fortunately he was wearing sliding shorts. When he realized what he was doing he quickly yanked his pants back up while turning beet red in the process. After he was forced at second and ran back to the dugout, female fans in the first few rows behind the Sox bench began waving dollar bills at him!
This Date In White Sox History 7/15
First off...NICE JACKET MR. PRESIDENT!!!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------
July 15, 1963 - Sox pitcher Gary Peters, on his way towards being named Co-Rookie Of The Year, throws a one hitter in beating the Orioles 4 - 0. Future Hall Of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts gets the start for Baltimore and gets that team's only hit. J.C. Martin and Tommy McCraw blast two run home runs for the Sox. Peters would strike out thirteen. This has always been a special game for me, it was the first time I ever saw the White Sox in person.
Years later I spoke with Gary about that night and he still has vivid memories of it:
"I remember that when I was warming up I felt alright, not great. When I got to the mound and started pitching, my stuff was exceptional. That night my slider was so good nobody could hit it. I've talked with some of the Orioles over the years like Brooks Robinson, and they said the same thing. I threw one ball to Jackie Brandt that J.C. (Martin) just completely missed. He wanted the pitch inside and I threw a cross seam fastball like Sandy Koufax and it just took off. Brandt was scared on that pitch. The only hit came from Robin Roberts, their pitcher. He lives a few miles from me and over the years he's reminded me about that! I threw him a fastball and he hit it on the hands and blooped it over the infield into short right."
July 15, 1994 - 'Batgate' comes to Comiskey Park. Indians slugger Albert Belle was caught using a corked bat by Sox manager Gene Lamont and was ejected from the game. In order to keep Belle from being suspended further, teammate Jason Grimsley crawled through the air ducts and dropped into the umpire's room where the bat was being held for examination. Grimsley replaced Belle's bat with a Paul Sorrento model which tipped off everyone to the switch. Belle wound up getting suspended for ten games.
July 15, 2003 - Sox starter Esteban Loaiza starts the All Star Game being hosted by the White Sox for the fourth time in franchise history. He goes two scoreless innings and gets no decision in the A.L.'s 7 - 6 come from behind win. He's joined in the game by teammates Carl Everett and Magglio Ordonez.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Peters (Tribune File Photo)
Years later I spoke with Gary about that night and he still has vivid memories of it:
"I remember that when I was warming up I felt alright, not great. When I got to the mound and started pitching, my stuff was exceptional. That night my slider was so good nobody could hit it. I've talked with some of the Orioles over the years like Brooks Robinson, and they said the same thing. I threw one ball to Jackie Brandt that J.C. (Martin) just completely missed. He wanted the pitch inside and I threw a cross seam fastball like Sandy Koufax and it just took off. Brandt was scared on that pitch. The only hit came from Robin Roberts, their pitcher. He lives a few miles from me and over the years he's reminded me about that! I threw him a fastball and he hit it on the hands and blooped it over the infield into short right."
July 15, 1994 - 'Batgate' comes to Comiskey Park. Indians slugger Albert Belle was caught using a corked bat by Sox manager Gene Lamont and was ejected from the game. In order to keep Belle from being suspended further, teammate Jason Grimsley crawled through the air ducts and dropped into the umpire's room where the bat was being held for examination. Grimsley replaced Belle's bat with a Paul Sorrento model which tipped off everyone to the switch. Belle wound up getting suspended for ten games.
July 15, 2003 - Sox starter Esteban Loaiza starts the All Star Game being hosted by the White Sox for the fourth time in franchise history. He goes two scoreless innings and gets no decision in the A.L.'s 7 - 6 come from behind win. He's joined in the game by teammates Carl Everett and Magglio Ordonez.
This Date In White Sox History 7/14
July 14, 1915 - In a 6 - 4 win over the Athletics at Comiskey Park, pitcher Urban "Red" Faber steals second, third and home in the contest. He's one of only three Sox players to ever do this and the only pitcher to pull it off.
Billy Pierce (Tribune File Photo)
July 14, 1979 - It's hard to believe given his reputation for sleepwalking and indifference, but Sox outfielder Claudell Washington actually had a good game for the club. Washington hit three home runs against the Tigers in the Sox 12 - 4 win. He went 3 for 5 with five RBI's.
July 14, 1991 - It was 'almost' a no-hitter with an unusual twist. Sox starter Jack McDowell
opened the game at Milwaukee by allowing a leadoff home run by Paul Molitor. It would be the only hit on the day for the Brewers as Jack recorded the next 27 outs without allowing a hit. McDowell allowed only one walk and a base runner via error the rest of the afternoon in the Sox 15 - 1 laugher.
Frank Thomas (Tribune File Photo - 1990)
What They Need
It sure is nice to have some time off from the daily grind of following the White Sox but before you know it; the second half will be upon us. If the Sox want to remain in "contention" in a mediocre division they are going to need some help.
And personally I don't want to hear Kenny Williams or anyone else in the organization talking about attendance, expiring advertising contracts or financial concerns.
The White Sox are a public trust with taxpayer money providing the funding to build the new Comiskey Park (now U.S. Cellular Field) in the first place. The Sox obligation is to win first, make a profit second. For what it's worth I've been fortunate to interview a number of people connected with the organization to various degrees since 2002. Two of those individuals know folks on the Sox Board of Directors and both told me the same thing. In essence, "the Sox haven't lost money in a long time."
I understand the desire to make a profit and I agree with that as long as it doesn't prevent the team on the field from having the best chance possible to win.
If that does, than that's wrong...like Bobby Knight once said, "if it doesn't matter if you win or lose than why the hell do they keep score?"
Amen Bobby.
Now to the subject at hand. The Sox have two "must solve" areas of need for a much tougher second half of the 2009 season.
In no particular order:
1. Another starting pitcher. The 5th starter spot, manned basically by Clayton Richard, has been a disaster. When he pitches you can basically count on two things. The Sox will fall behind early, usually by a lot, and the bullpen will be taxed out because Richard can't deliver innings.
The Sox don't need an "ace", they need someone who is experienced, knows the league and can keep the Sox in the game. That shouldn't be that hard to find. And really the Sox are fortunate to not have to go out and get two starting pitchers. Who would have thought Jose Contreras could rise from the dead?
2. Another corner outfielder who can hit. I keep reading about Carlos Quentin around fan web sites and the way those folks talk it's a "given" he's going to come back and perform like he did last season.
Friends with his injury he could finish the season or be finished in a week if he blows that tendon out.
Are the Sox ready to play the final three months with Scott Podsednik in left and Brian Anderson or Dewayne Wise in center?
Go out and get a hitter. That way you have insurance for Quentin as well as strengthening your bench. A story in the Kansas City media said the Sox were interested in Mark Teahan. He, or someone like him, would be a good choice. Then you release Wise and make Anderson your 4th outfielder specializing in defense. You can also give Quentin the rest that he's going to need.
To me, you solve those two areas and you just might see the Sox cop this division and make the post season in back to back years for the first time in franchise history.
Do nothing and you are just reestablishing the fact that this organization cares more about profit over pennants.
And personally I don't want to hear Kenny Williams or anyone else in the organization talking about attendance, expiring advertising contracts or financial concerns.
The White Sox are a public trust with taxpayer money providing the funding to build the new Comiskey Park (now U.S. Cellular Field) in the first place. The Sox obligation is to win first, make a profit second. For what it's worth I've been fortunate to interview a number of people connected with the organization to various degrees since 2002. Two of those individuals know folks on the Sox Board of Directors and both told me the same thing. In essence, "the Sox haven't lost money in a long time."
I understand the desire to make a profit and I agree with that as long as it doesn't prevent the team on the field from having the best chance possible to win.
If that does, than that's wrong...like Bobby Knight once said, "if it doesn't matter if you win or lose than why the hell do they keep score?"
Amen Bobby.
Now to the subject at hand. The Sox have two "must solve" areas of need for a much tougher second half of the 2009 season.
In no particular order:
1. Another starting pitcher. The 5th starter spot, manned basically by Clayton Richard, has been a disaster. When he pitches you can basically count on two things. The Sox will fall behind early, usually by a lot, and the bullpen will be taxed out because Richard can't deliver innings.
The Sox don't need an "ace", they need someone who is experienced, knows the league and can keep the Sox in the game. That shouldn't be that hard to find. And really the Sox are fortunate to not have to go out and get two starting pitchers. Who would have thought Jose Contreras could rise from the dead?
2. Another corner outfielder who can hit. I keep reading about Carlos Quentin around fan web sites and the way those folks talk it's a "given" he's going to come back and perform like he did last season.
Friends with his injury he could finish the season or be finished in a week if he blows that tendon out.
Are the Sox ready to play the final three months with Scott Podsednik in left and Brian Anderson or Dewayne Wise in center?
Go out and get a hitter. That way you have insurance for Quentin as well as strengthening your bench. A story in the Kansas City media said the Sox were interested in Mark Teahan. He, or someone like him, would be a good choice. Then you release Wise and make Anderson your 4th outfielder specializing in defense. You can also give Quentin the rest that he's going to need.
To me, you solve those two areas and you just might see the Sox cop this division and make the post season in back to back years for the first time in franchise history.
Do nothing and you are just reestablishing the fact that this organization cares more about profit over pennants.
What Fans Want
A very interesting poll has just been released regarding what fans want vis a vis the All Star Game (or as I call it the All Popularity Contest Game).
What do I want?
Simple...fans are no longer allowed to vote (or if they must they only be allowed to vote one time), all teams do not have to be represented and it no longer counts towards World Series home field advantage. (If Proud To Be Your Bud Selig insists that it must than I definitely don't want the fans voting.)
What do I want?
Simple...fans are no longer allowed to vote (or if they must they only be allowed to vote one time), all teams do not have to be represented and it no longer counts towards World Series home field advantage. (If Proud To Be Your Bud Selig insists that it must than I definitely don't want the fans voting.)
This Date In White Sox History 7/13
July 13, 1919 - You don't see this every day. In a 14 - 9 win over Boston, three Sox players score on a routine single off the bat of George "Buck" Weaver.
July 13, 1961 - The Sox catcher / pitcher duo of Sherm Lollar and Frank Baumann become only the 3rd set of battery mates to hit back to back home runs in a game. They connected off the Yankees Bill Stafford in the 5th inning of a 6 - 2 loss in Comiskey Park.
July 13, 1964 - In an effort to stay in the pennant race, Sox G.M. Ed Short acquired Chicago native Bill "Moose" Skowron from the Senators for Joe Cunningham and Frank Kreutzer. "Moose" would play well for the Sox in the next few seasons and made the All Star Team in 1965.
July 13, 1993 - Sox ace 'Black' Jack McDowell is the winning pitcher as the American League beats the National League 9 - 3 in the All Star Game at Camden Yards, Baltimore. McDowell pitches a scoreless inning. He'd go on to become the league's Cy Young Award winner later that year.
July 13, 1961 - The Sox catcher / pitcher duo of Sherm Lollar and Frank Baumann become only the 3rd set of battery mates to hit back to back home runs in a game. They connected off the Yankees Bill Stafford in the 5th inning of a 6 - 2 loss in Comiskey Park.
July 13, 1964 - In an effort to stay in the pennant race, Sox G.M. Ed Short acquired Chicago native Bill "Moose" Skowron from the Senators for Joe Cunningham and Frank Kreutzer. "Moose" would play well for the Sox in the next few seasons and made the All Star Team in 1965.
Jack McDowell (Tribune File Photo)
