South Side Sox: for Chicago White Sox fans: Recent Episodes
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The official home for audio programming from South Side Sox, SB Nation's community for fans of the Chicago White Sox.
The White Sox are about to face the Tigers and Royals. Blah blah blah. Instead of talking about this team, and some other bad baseball teams in the American League Central, I decided to go in a different direction. Dollars for Dingers was started in 2019 by the wonderful women over at A Pod of Their Own. What started as something small between friends has turned into a much larger and incredibly influential fundraiser. Linda Surovich and Allison McCague join the podcast to talk about something that sadly intertwines quite a bit with baseball: domestic violence. How Dollars for Dingers came to be
The monetary goal for this year
Women’s Night at Citi Field, and what it’s like to have a good owner
Not a Mets fan? You can still make a pledge!
Funny and creative pledges — just make sure you can find the amount in the box score
Other ways to give if you can’t afford to donate
Donating for [redacted] starts and when other abusers play
Light commiserating on a terrible season
You can follow along with A Pod of Their Own, Allison McCague, Linda Surovich, and Home Run Applesauce. Want to pledge? Sign up here. If you happen to be in the area, don’t miss out on the in-person event. If you are experiencing any abuse, visit the National Domestic Violence Network. Resources & support for anyone in the U.S. affected by intimate partner violence 24/7/365. 1-800-799-7233. Chat at http://thehotline.org | Text “START” to 88788 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rumor has it that while the White Sox have been blah on the field lately, events off the field have been pretty exciting. Thus SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, after due commiseration with and best wishes for Shohei Ohtani, take a few moments to consider all that has happened and all that might. Do they cheer mightily for the termination of Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn? Of course. Do they think Jerry Reinsdorf, apparently aided by his swell buddy and one time waaaaaay back in history HOFBP, will do anything but something exceedingly stupid? Of course not. Do they believe that Reinsdorf will shake down Chicago and every other city in North America for every tax dollar he can gouge from them to add to his billions? Of course. Do they believe he will actually sell the team when it might cost him to actually pay some taxes himself? Of course not. Do they believe anything anybody in the White Sox front office, now or then, ever says or leaks? You’ve got to be kidding. Do they believe any experienced general manager with an iota of sense or self respect would ever work for the White Sox while control-freak Reinsdorf controls the team, thus relieving us of the dreaded specter of Chris Getz? For the sake of whoever might be thus tempted and their sanity, let us hope not. Well, you get the picture. Probably nothing you haven’t thought and said yourself. On the other hand, it’s a really fun rant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Really, this title pretty much says it all, right? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Don’t ask us how they got out there among the hoi-est of polloi — actually, Brett did ask! — but Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and her husband and partner-in-ballpark-travels, Shaun, take us through the magical, inaugural Field of Dreams Game, two years ago today:
Getting tickets! “Shaun, I’ve got some good news, and some bad news ...”
Hey, let’s get in the car and drive four hours to a baseball game! And back!
Did Melissa employ a “Queen’s wave” as Iowans lined the roadways to greet fans attending the game
Pregame outside the park, including Steinbrenners cutting the concession lines
Pregame inside the park, with kudos for MLB putting on an A+ show
In-game, including Hands across America, as fans of all stripes show up for the game to unify in rooting against the Yankees
The corn went Hollywood
José took one to the corn
Mood swings late — and was it the White Sox or Cubs fan who preached patience and practiced optimism as the South Siders appeared ready to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?
THE ENDING
Where this game ranks as an attendee, all-time
A “bonus” discussion of Field of Dreams, the movie
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After a dramatic weekend and an embarrassing week, the White Sox are hopefully looking ahead to this weekend's series after taking two straight sets. Ideally, the dirty secrets are over and maybe the news will break that there are several coaching and front office jobs opening up. (It won’t happen, but a girl can dream.) Jordan White joins the show to talk about the first-place Brewers. You might know Jordan from Pitcher List, and the recently-ended podcast In The Deep. He’s also your go-to guy if you want advice on fantasy baseball pickups. The pitching matchups look promising, so long as Michael Kopech can maintain the magic from his previous start, and Dylan Cease can bounce back from what was probably his worst start ever.
Jordan’s Pitcher List departure has him watching baseball for fun again.
The Brewers are in first place, but the National League Central is still wide-open
What’s going on in Milwaukee, anyway?
The Cubs' annoying hot streak
Baseball butts: Mark Cahna edition
Jordan’s MVP on the Brewers
A White Sox and Brewers trade
Twitter questions!
Pitching matchups and a series preview
Fears, threats, and the keys to winning the series
Chrystal and Jordan make unconfirmed plans because baseball is better with friends
Around the league
Find Jordan on Twitter and see some of his work on Pitcher List. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
South Side Sox duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, manage to take a moment off from this week’s White Sox weirdness to agree wholeheartedly with an article in The Athletic bemoaning the fact official scorers are terrified of ruling errors any more, to the point any routine booting of a grounder or drop of a fly is deemed a hit, and only throws into at least row Q will be scored with a big E. That example of players not being held responsible for their actions then just naturally led to the White Sox Week That Was, full of a bizarre boxarama (spoiler alert: We politely suggest some mental health help for a certain member of the Sox who has appeared very troubled this year) followed by accusations of a deceased culture in the Sox clubhouse, reinforcement of that accusation, denial of that accusation, and then a whole bunch more accusations of lax effort or attitude on the part of certain players. Whew! And if that wasn’t enough, there was Rick Hahn, holder of law and business degrees giving the business in a way no lawyer would ever advise to all the players who were traded at the deadline by saying they got rid of the problem people. Who did he mean? The pitiful Chicago media forgot to ask, so all six of those traded except Keynan Middleton, who got a separate blast from the pitiful GM, are open for speculation. None seem likely culprits, but maybe there was a six-player conspiracy. Got a favorite? Feel free to take a guess in the comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, two bitter baseball fans chat about their below-average teams. That’s right, we’re talking about the White Sox and Yankees! I also had a headache while recording, so things get a little loosey-goosey. That being said, Asher Dratel from Pitcher List joins to chat about the Yankees, and why everything is so bad right now. Twitter brought a lot of good questions, and as a content warning, we do discuss alcohol abuse and domestic violence in light of recent events involving Domingo Germán. The lack of a pitching matchup at the time of the recording is also discussed, as both teams face pitching woes. At least the Yankees have Gerrit Cole. We also talk break down our expectations for the series, and move on to teams that are way more fun to watch right now.
The White Sox are bad, but the Yankees are, too!
What’s going on in the Bronx, anyway?
Despite Aaron Judge returning to the lineup, it’s a little too late to mount a comeback
The Yankees MVP not named Aaron Judge
Will Carlos Rodón get better?
How badly did the Yankees fumble the trade deadline?
Old friend alert, though
Twitter questions!
Pitching matchups are non-xistent at the moment, and that’s pretty telling
Touki Toussaint appreciation break
Fears, threats, and the keys to winning the series
Around the league
Find Asher on Twitter and over at Pitcher List. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In an unprecedented burst of activity, the often elusive Dugout Metrics podcast goes back-to-back episodes, this time tapping Luke Smailes and his article series on the 2023 collegiate picks for the White Sox. Luke, fresh off of Lumen Field in Seattle, where he was so close to the draft he could smell Harold Reynolds’ aftershave, sat down with Brett Ballantini to share his many insights:
First off, yes, Brett claimed that he re-signed Luke to a more lucrative Dugout Metrics deal, but Luke spilled the real beans, that he simply invoked the no-trade clause in his deal. Smart man, because he got to come back on better terms than ever — thus a first-ever Dugout Metrics one-on-one!
With a nod to top pick Jacob González, Luke reveals his Best Pick of the White Sox draft — a tweener whose selection was met with more groans than cheers
As Most Intriguing Pick, it’s a pitcher with pedigree, and the confidence to match it
Least Exciting Pick is a tough category, but Luke did find two guys in the Top 12 to highlight as question marks
Most Out of the Box Pick is the funkiest and quirkiest pitcher of the bunch
We addressed another six picks beyond that, covering almost all of the collegians, and even found time to celebrate the George Wolkow coup
Draft trends for the White Sox: BB/K ratio, College World Series pedigree, and lefty bats. What of those traits are most important to Luke?
An assessment, early though it may be, of the two Mike Shirley drafts
Bonus Horned Frogs and Joe Kelly content, for the Dugout Metrics superfans!
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After almost two years away, Dugout Metrics is back, and bolstered by a new teammate, pitcher/analyst Malachi Hayes, who sits down with Trevor Lines and Brett Ballantini to review Rick Hahn’s Big Trade Deadline Adventure.
Dugout Metrics left field Luke Smailes has been traded! We needed pitching, badly
Up top, did Hahn execute at this deadline about as well as expected, better, worse?
Breaking down everything, trade by trade. Importing some catching, good; expecting greatness of hurlers jettisoned by a pitcher-strengthening organization like the Dodgers, a bit dicey
But, broadly, Hahn took some big swings, a necessity for a team in the bottom-five in baseball, and a minors system no better
A dive into players not dealt, which of course features a ton of Dylan cease talk but also moves into both, hmm, why not Aaron Bummer and, hmm, who in the world else has any luster for other clubs?
Malachi makes a strong case for why Tim Anderson was never close to being dealt, and never should have been
On a scale of 1-10, how did Hahn do?
What is Hahn’s future with the club, as his post-deadline comments indicate there might be some writing on the wall
Also, just kidding, Luke was dealt away for this podcast, but he’s back tomorrow to break down the 2023 draft class!
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South Side Sox duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, took time out from warming up in case the White Sox need them to fill out the bullpen to talk about the heavy activity and non-activity on trade deadline day. The final Sox tally, pending judicial review, was six pitchers gone, along with Jake Burger, who is headed to Miami. Incoming are a whole bunch of prospects of various minor league levels, almost all pitchers, but including two well-regarded catchers (thank goodness). The pitchers weren’t a surprise, but Burger was, because he’s second on the team in home runs with 25, though admittedly seldom gets on base unless he’s hit the ball at least 500 feet. Burger’s departure is some more cleaning out of the crowd of Sox DHs, so there are only about 10 left. Also left are Tim Anderson and Yasmani Grandal, for some reason. That made the Sox by far the most active AAAL Central team, as the Twins apparently didn’t pay their phone bills or forgot what time of the season it was, and the Guardians inexplicably traded away their only healthy veteran pitcher, Aaron Civale, as well as Josh Bell. Speaking of the inexplicable, the most bizarre twist of the day was Eduardo Rodriguez refusing to waive his no-trade clause so the Tigers could trade him to the Dodgers. We figure it must be because he doesn’t want to have to play baseball in October. But now all that is done, so Will and Leigh naturally have lots of advice for how to organize lineups the rest of the season. Hint: Let the kids play, OK? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Not all of our DISH Deluxe history podcasts will be about a single date in White Sox history — in fact, quite often they won’t be. This episode is our first such podcast. The 1977 club was selected now, because at 22-6, it remains the best July club in White Sox history. And the South Side Hit Men spent the entire month in first place, stretching nearly into mid-August. Mark Liptak and Brett Ballantini discuss the overwhelming sense of fun associated with that club, and more:
Not only the best July club in White Sox history, but the only one better than .500 from 1973 to 1982, and the best team overall between 1966 and 1982
Setting the scene — Bill Veeck and Roland Hemond’s clever/desperate Rent-a-Player strategy
The key trade made at the dawn of the season — and the bonus ace who was almost stuffed into the deal!
Opening Day: snow
Heating up/highlights as the White Sox made their ascendance
Where it started to falter and fall off
The legacy of the South Side Hit Men
The unsung hero of that 90-win club
Miraculous ... defensive? ... achievements!
The overlooked pitching staff
How close were the White Sox to bringing Oscar Gamble back to Chicago?
Player spotlights: Chet Lemon, Eric Soderholm, Steve Stone, Lerrin LaGrow, Oscar Gamble, and others
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Little did we know when we began our latest “livestream” (to @SouthSideSox on Twitter, Sox Populi on YouTube and South Side Sox on Facebook) that we’d be mourning more than just another lost White Sox season. Midway through, Dante Jones broke the news to Brett Ballantini, Sam Sherman, Chrystal O’Keefe, Malachi Hayes, Kristina Airdo and Ryiin that Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López had been traded to the Angels. That changed the temperature of the room, quite a bit.
With the loss, the White Sox dipped back to worse than .400 as a team, and again cracked the 10 worst winning percentages in club history
Sam found the Crosstown losses so bad, so embarrassing, it shook him back out of indifference and into rage, particularly at an executive class that seems to hold fans in disdain
To that point, you can flip fans the bird with a rebuild, or by throwing a tantrum at Reggie’s, or hiring Tony La Russa, because the team is planning or in ascendance; today’s bird-flipping (we’re still rooting for the rebuild to fail, Rick?) doesn’t fly, because we know the outcome of the rebuild — and it wasn’t success
Similarly, per Sam, being inscrutable with every move (management, personnel, spending, the daggone injured list, for crying out loud) works if you WIN; when you lose, you’re coming across as at best obstinate, at worst, aggressively dumb
Debate over whether this White Sox team is predestined to be worse in 2024 — Malachi, for one, doesn’t think that’s a foregone conclusion
Tears will be shed over the loss of Lucas, even though we all knew it was coming sometime this year, during or after the season; hang in there, Chrystal and Kristina!
Surprisingly, the return for two rental pitchers, catcher Edgar Quero and lefty arm Ky Bush — is FAR richer than any of us was expecting
Imagining what the final, painful, two months of the season will be like
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This episode is a little different this week — it’s all Chicago-centric! It’s also a merger of SB Nation and Fans First Sports Network misfits. That’s right, I’m talking about a Crosstown Classic Crossover episode! Sara Sanchez of Bleed Cubbie Blue joins the show to talk about what’s going on north of Sox Park and preview the upcoming Crosstown series. The White Sox are fresh off getting swept in Minnesota, while the Cubs took three of four away from their own rivals, the Cardinals. Sara also comes with a few questions of her own.
Everything is awful in the American and National League Central
What’s going on with the North Side team, anyway?
Where will the Cubs be sitting by September?
Marcus Stroman and Cody Bellinger — will they still be Cubs in August or next season?
Who is untouchable for the trading deadline, and who is the MVP?
Pitching matchups for part one of the series, and how easily matched they might be
Fears, threats, and the keys to winning the series
The best parts of each ballpark, and our favorite player from the other team
Around the league with love for Kim Ng, Joey Votto, and Elly De La Cruz
There was a special guest joining the show. Here’s a hint — she barks A LOT
Find Sara on Twitter as well as over at Bleed Cubbie Blue and BaseballHQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Past Crosstown podcasts have mostly just consisted of getting together and trashing the Cubs. Not that there isn’t plenty of garbage to talk about on the north side, but buried almost 20 games south of .500 is not a circumstance for healthy trash talk. So it’s part humility, part curiosity that drove Brett Ballantini to invite the first of several (OK, at least two) “mixed marriages” on the podcast to talk Crosstown fandom. Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and her husband, Shaun, take the plunge as we unveil this new, odd podcast feature.
The origin story of both Melissa and Shaun, and given their hometowns, both make good sense
What do each think about the others’ favorite team?
How does their star-crossed fandom play out in terms of raising their two kids as baseball fans? And how does that play out in terms of the makeup of the baseball “family cave” in the basement?
What is easiest to tolerate about the other fan base — and the one thing they most hate about the Crosstown club
Addressing a disappointing 2023 on both sides of town, with additional thoughts on Grandpa Rossy
Impressions of Truist Park in Atlanta, the latest ballpark adventure for the couple
And finally, the ultimate challenge: The Newlywed Game, Crosstown Edition!
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Where were you 13 years ago today? Almost undoubtedly, you were either glued in front of the television from the first inning forward, or at least got to a screen after Hawk implored all White Sox fans to call their mothers, daughters, sons and fathers. If you were really lucky, and some of you may have been, you were in the park. Malachi Hayes and Brett Ballantini were, unwittingly sitting just a few seconds apart on the home dugout side. The pair revisit the game and gush some trivia. In a season like this one, maybe memory lane ain’t such a bad place.
Setting the scene — including the fact that the White Sox were right in the first-place hunt on the occasion of this game
Tracing some highlights: Josh Fields, Gabe Kapler, box score details, Dewayne Wise ...
Audio-visuals! Ramon Castro talks to Brett about the perfect game a year later, one of Brett’s snaps from the game, the split-second before Kapler almost broke all of our hearts
An “exclusive” “premiere” at our Sox Populi YouTube channel: Brett’s footage of the final out, from Section 143
The worthy case to be made for Mark Buehrle in the Hall of Fame
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With PECOTA now giving the White Sox just a 1% chance of winning the hapless AAAL Central, with a predicted 72.6 wins (that last six-tenths of a win is always the hardest), SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, indulge in the Sox fan merriment of the moment and try to guess who might go where by the trade deadline, and in exchange for what. Much of the discussion is on Tim Anderson — where will he go, if anywhere? Will he play second base wherever he goes? Will the change of scenery be good for both TA and the new team? And after all the dust settles, who should play what position(s) for the White Sox the rest of 2023? How about in 2024, which is apt to be a write-off, barring miracles and other hopey stuff? Can 2025 really be a big turnaround year, the one that’s been promised since Richard Daley was mayor? Ah, so many questions, such as how much salary the White Sox would have to eat to get some team to take Yasmani Grandal. And even occasional answers, such as to whether Andrew Vaughn and Eloy Jiménez should be deemed protected from the trading block. Oh, yes, there are also games to be played. Not that most of them matter any more ... except against the Cubs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With less than half of the season left, the American League Central could be up for grabs at this point, if any team gets hot. (Except for you, Kansas City. Sorry.) The Twins and Guardians have stayed close to one another, constantly hovering at the top while the Tigers stand by, ready to pounce. The White Sox, well, they are somewhere. Teams are usually a dreaded injury or a hot streak away from losing or gaining traction before their almost guaranteed first-round exit. Josh Hill, content director for Puckett’s Pond over on FanSided joins to chat about the Twinkies, the sibling rivalry, and what to expect during the series.
Everything is awful in the American League Central
The Twins and Guardians race to see which team wins the division — and if it’ll be with a .500 record or not
The sibling rivalry between the White Sox and the Twins
What’s going on in Minnesota, anyway?
Byron Buxton and his now chronic battle with injury
Will Sonny Gray retire?
Will the Twins be in first by September?
Who is untouchable for the trading deadline and who is the MVP?
Questions from Twitter that range from serious to silly, with the mention of donuts and fraternal or identical twins
Series matchup without knowing who gets the start each day
Fears, threats, and the keys to win the series
Around the league with Josh’s thoughts
A World Series matchup, and a way for Jacob deGrom to get a ring
Find Josh on Twitter, over at Puckett’s Pond, and for those interested in the NFL, at The Pewter Plank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Before I make the trip to watch my National League team host my American League team, I talked to Tim Ryder of The Apple and Simply Amazin’ about the lukewarm Mets. There isn’t a whole lot to be impressed with, and these teams seem to be eerily similar. Between bullpen woes, injuries, and leaving runners in scoring position, watching the Mets feels like looking in the mirror. Will this be the matchup that helps the White Sox get hot, or are they destined to stay mired in mediocrity?
Everyone is way behind Atlanta in the National League East
The Mets are 18 1⁄2 games back with just a .462 winning percentage, so what’s going on in Queens?
What’s the common denominator with Edwin Díaz, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Pete Alonso? Their time away with injuries has really impacted the team
Alonso’s terrible pitcher in the Home Run Derby
Will the Mets get hot, or will the season end in September?
Who is untouchable for the trading deadline?
The lore behind Mrs. Met’s cheating allegations
Series matchup, without knowing who gets the start each day
Fears, threats, and the keys to win the series
Around the league with Tim’s thoughts
An Andrew McCutchen, Joey Votto, Jake Burger, and Luis Robert Jr. love-fest.
Find Tim on Twitter, at The Apple, and on Simply Amazin’ Pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
While our plans for daily history podcasts are pushed back to the offseason, we are still set to unveil a new podcast at Sox Populi, the DISH Deluxe. Every couple of weeks, we’ll sit down and address events from the rich, 120+ years of Chicago White Sox history. Upcoming podcasts will take a look back at Mark Buehrle’s perfect game, the Field of Dreams game, and the 1977 White Sox. We’ll have a rotating group of guests discussing our history, with Mark Liptak, our site historian, as a featured, recurring guest.
Our debut addresses the two most famous All-Star Games in all of Chicago history, 1933 and 1983
Both, obviously, hosted at Comiskey Park — but Mark reveals the surprising origins and justifications of the 1933 game, hosted by the White Sox
You ever notice that there are more All-Star Games than there are years the game’s been played? Mark addresses why multiple games were played in the late 1950s and 1960s
The unique event that occurred in the 1983 game, and how it may have turned the fortunes for the American League
A team that ended up winning 99 games had just one All-Star selection: Ron Kittle
Largely overlooked in all the attention over the 50-year anniversary was the was the Old-Timers’ Game the day before
Bonus content: Mark reveals the one horrible White Sox performer in All-Star Games: Luis Aparicio
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Our latest “livestream” (to @SouthSideSox on Twitter, Sox Populi on YouTube and South Side Sox on Facebook and, natch, here on the “home page”) featured a review of the 2023 draft and look ahead to the second half of the regular season. Adrian Serrano and Dante Jones joined Brett Ballantini to talk about the best and worst picks and trends of the draft, and what in the world the White Sox are going to do while wheezing through the last 70 games of the regular season.
The familiar theme of not having nearly enough starting arms to attack a 162-game regular season — and how that, sadly, was not addressed in an otherwise inspiring draft
Melissa Sage-Bollenbach checks in and demands some cussing on the program, after she had to witness Friday night’s debacle in Atlanta in person
The front office finally finished reading Moneyball! And the shocking change in tone, with picks who can get on base and don’t whiff
Excitement over local prep George Wolkow — and whether his closest draft-steal comp, Jared Kelley, provides hope or horror in the seasons to come
Addressing the Chris Sale-Yoán Moncada-Michael Kopech trade, which breaks back full circle into a philosophical look at how to approach a rotation in the 21st Century
Cameos from B.B. the Cat!
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The All-Star Break is over and we’re back to the unfortunate reality — the White Sox still have the second half of the season to play. The trade deadline is looming, no one seems to know who is pitching each day, and everyone is likely playing through some kind of injury. This first series should be fine though. Right? Oh, never mind. Tommy Barbee, SSS’ Southeast correspondent, is back on the show to break down another team in his backyard — the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta is the best team in baseball and sits comfortably at the top of the NL East, eight games ahead, with a .674 winning percentage. Will the White Sox get swept yet again, or will they do that weird thing where they win against the best teams but barely beat the bottom-dwellers?
Everyone is way behind Atlanta in the National League East
Post-Freddie Freeman era seems to have little to no effect, they’re still good
Thoughts on the All-Star break and Atlanta’s franchise record of eight players in the ASG
Sean Murphy has been excellent both behind the plate and at bat, and also had a special ASG moment
Will Atlanta let anyone get close, or will they still be at least eight games better than everyone in September?
Who is the MVP on a team full of MVPs?
Who is untouchable for the trading deadline?
Twitter Questions, featuring a chat about the ’98 Braves and the whole racism thing
Series matchup and pitching breakdowns — and perhaps a hug watch?
Fears, threats, and the keys to win the series
Around the league with the Orioles, Mariners, and how awesome the Reds are doing
The Chicago Blackhawks???
Find Tommy on Twitter and read all the excellent work he does for our site. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, consider first how incredibly dysfunctional an organization has to be to send an entrant to the Home Run Derby without realizing he has no family to be with him and no teammates who are All-Stars and therefore needs to have someone from the club there cheer him on or commiserate, as the case may be. Unlike every other contestant, poor Luis Robert Jr. had to just stand by himself and look lonely. And to add to it, he got hurt. But that’s the past. It’s time to look ahead to the future and guess how may current White Sox players will still be with the team come August 1. Will Jerry Reinsdorf’s typist, Bob Nightengale of USA Today, be correct and three starting pitchers and three relievers all be traded? How about his 50-50 prediction on Tim Anderson, given TA has almost no value at this point? (We delve into TA’s career hitting vs. good and bad teams. It ain’t pretty.) Or will Jon Heyman of the New York Post be more accurate, when he says the only players who are considered untouchable are Robert, Dylan Cease, Andrew Vaughn and Eloy Jiménez (and, if so, why are Eloy and Vaughn in the same category as Luis and Dylan)? Only The Shadow knows, but the rest of us will find out before the end of July. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the first round of the 2023 MLB draft, we opted for another “livestream” (to @SouthSideSox on Twitter, Sox Populi on YouTube and South Side Sox on Facebook and, natch, here on the “home page”). Malachi Hayes and Tommy Barbee joined Brett Ballantini to talk about the early draft overall, and speculate on the White Sox pick. Watch, in real time, as our hopes our crushed and the bounty of a rich draft is left on the table, again:
Early thoughts on the speculation that Pittsburgh would veer away from one of the two (more expensive) LSU options, which turned out not to be true
Watch as the trio’s hope builds, with off-the-board picks coming from several teams you’d think would know better in a rich, rich draft ...
... and then falls, as the safe, pedestrian, duplicate pick of Jacob González is announced. Even the spin heard on MLB Network — which spins every pick into sunshine, pretty deep into the draft — rings a bit hollow
Discussions of launch angle and organizational draft philosophy
Speculation over how Rick Hahn picked the lock on the door to break out of wherever Ken Williams stashed him — and how he managed to sully this pick, halfway out the door to a new job
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There is something about those Central teams, both National and American League, that are just not good. Maybe because most teams sit in the Midwest that makes them “mid” as the kids say, but among the 10 teams, only three sit at .500 or better. The Cincinnati Reds actually hold the best record between the divisions at .547 at the time of this recording. Yes, the Reds. The St. Louis Cardinals, sitting at the bottom of the NL, come to visit the AL Central’s second-to-last-place Chicago White Sox for a battle that one team is going to have to win — no matter how hard they try not to. Taylor Streiff of Redbird Rants joins to talk about the Cardinals, his primary team, and the other team he fell for during his time in Chicago.
The American League and National League Central are total bummers
What’s going on in St. Louis?
Who is the team’s current MVP, and who could be on the trading block?
What happened to the Devil Magic?
Evil genius Mike Girsch
And why is Oli Marmol still there?
Bring back steroids: the Mark McGwire years, and the best of times with Scott Rolen and Albert Pujols
Questions from Twitter
Series matchup and pitching breakdowns, and White Sox pitching that is breaking down
Fears, threats, and the keys to win the series
Around the league with Taylor’s thoughts
Find Taylor on Twitter and over at Redbird Rants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yes, it’s our debut “livestream” (to @SouthSideSox on Twitter, Sox Populi on YouTube and South Side Sox on Facebook), featuring Malachi Hayes, Tommy Barbee, Joe Resis and Brett Ballantini. In addition to brusquely navigating the live feeds, the quartet found time to talk current Sox and bigger-picture items:
Vibe check: Is there anything encouraging about this team, beyond the fact that the division is so bad we’re just 5 1⁄2 games back of first?
What was the biggest misstep of the rebuild? There was free agency lamentations, but not exclusively the one you might expect
When did the White Sox make us happiest? The answers center on 2005, but everyone picks an additional moment, from 2006-20
When did the White Sox make us saddest? There is still recency bias, but given that this is the White Sox, we ultimately range from 1983-2023
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Coming off of an embarrassing series loss that was nearly a sweep by the worst team in the league, the White Sox return home to start fresh. The Blue Jays have a winning percentage of .529 in the hardest division — yes, they sit in fourth place with a winning record. Heading into Monday’s action, every team in the AL Central is worse than the worst team in the AL East. Justin Havelock joins the show to break down the series and Bo Bichette’s luscious locks.
In the American League East, all teams are above .500, yet the Blue Jays sit in fourth
What’s going on in Toronto?
Who is the team’s current MVP, and who could be on the trading block?
Vlad Jr. returns to the home run derby
Updates and opinions on the Rogers Center remodel
Questions from Twitter
Series matchup and pitching breakdowns
Fears, threats, and the keys to win the series
Around the league with Justin’s thoughts
Find Justin on Twitter (before it burns to the ground), and follow our podcast, Out Pitch Pod, or the accompanying Substack. You can also find Justin at Pitcher List and QB List. If you would like to donate to an organization close to our hearts, check out Proud To Be In Baseball. Here is an excerpt from their About page: Created by openly gay professional baseball player Bryan Ruby, Proud To Be In Baseball is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.Our mission is to empower and advocate for the next generation of LGBTQ people in baseball. A player-driven organization, leading with messages of love and acceptance, Proud To Be In Baseball provides resources, and educational opportunities, and raises awareness while building the LGBTQ community in America’s pastime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The power trio of Malachi Hayes, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Brian O’Neil weather smoke, technical difficulties and the encroaching sunset with Brett Ballantini to talk about where the White Sox stand, possible paths to the playoffs, and the pleasant surprises/bitter disappointments of 2023’s first half.
Vibe check: Can this team play into October?
Nuts and bolts vibe check: What combination-clicks need to occur for the the White Sox to find that next gear and get to .500/division lead?
Brian learns it’s not always wise to be polite ...
... and then exacts a little revenge on Malachi
A short dive into the travails of Tim Anderson and the emotional impact he has on the White Sox, for both better and worse
How many more “bitter disappointment” candidates did we have than “pleasant surprises?”
Who gets moved this month, and a revisitation of the trade Lucas vs. keep Lucas debate
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The White Sox sit in 24th place out of 30. And what team do they play next? The team in last place, coming in at No. 30, the Oakland Athletics. The novelty of the Moneyball tactic is long gone, departing shortly after the movie adaptation was released in 2011. With the team on the cusp of moving to Las Vegas to follow the Raiders, and fans flocking to the Coliseum for a reverse boycott, things are grim; owner John Fisher is under constant scrutiny by fans who wish he would sell the team. Wait, that sounds familiar. Oh, right. White Sox fans dream of the day Jerry Reinsdorf sells the team, and find creative ways to not give Reinsdorf any money this season. From not buying any merchandise and bringing snack packs into the ballpark to avoid paying for concessions, fans of the team are hoping something changes. (It won’t, but I’m all for not spending money at the ballpark.) Freelancer John Hickey, with decades of A’s knowledge, sits down to discuss the upcoming series in Oakland.
The American League West has three teams well better than .500 — and the A’s are at .250
What’s going on in Oakland?
The move, and what that means for the fans
Who is the team’s current MVP, and who could be on the trading block?
Questions from Twitter
Series matchup and pitching breakdowns
Fears, threats, and the keys to win the series
Around the league with John’s thoughts
Find John on Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As we head toward the decision time of the trade deadline, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, ask the musical question, “Is there anything at any level that the White Sox do well, or at least adequately?” (Spoiler alert: We didn’t include groundscrew, batboys or ballgirls in the evaluation, so you may already know the answer.) Then there’s the follow-up musical question, “Is there anybody the White Sox shouldn’t try to trade at the deadline?” (Spoiler alert: See spoiler alert above.) (Corollary, which we neglected to discuss: Is it possible to hire James Click as a consultant with veto power for the trading period, so decisions aren’t left up to the three stooges?) Then there’s, “Is there any statistic that shows the White Sox as a team are even average, or close to it?” (Spoiler alert: This is meant as a joke. You definitely know the answer.) But then we get to the real issue that will confront a few AL teams in September — if you know you have a Wild Card spot, how far should you go to make sure you lose enough to be the sixth seed and get to play whatever team slogs through the pathetic AAAL Central so you get a sure first-round victory? Suggestions include have batters hit from the opposite side of the plate, have pitchers throw underhand, and have fielders leave their mitts in the dugout, but you may have better ideas. Not that we’re feeling at all down, or anything like that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The White Sox look to make up for the abysmal Rangers series by hosting the Red Sox this weekend. Boston might be sitting in last place in the American League East, but that doesn’t mean they’re not having a great season. Boston sits 12 games back in the division, but comfortably at .520. Unfortunately for Boston, they’re in a divisional fight with the Rays, Orioles, Yankees, and Blue Jays ... also known as a good division. I wonder what that’s like. The Red Sox were on the other end of a complete game against the Twins yesterday, but that doesn’t mean this series will be easy for the White Sox. Ed Hand of Pesky Report and SoxProspects.com joins to talk about all things Red Sox and breaks down the upcoming laundry series.
The fast-paced American League East where everyone has a winning record
What’s going on in Boston?
The Trust-O-Meter
An unwelcomed visit from the injury bug
Who is pitching over there, anyway?
Our old friend alert that just can’t stay healthy
Who is the team’s current MVP, and who could be on the trading block?
Questions from Twitter
Series matchup and pitching breakdowns
Fears, threats, and the keys to win the series
Around the league with Ed’s thoughts
Find Ed on Twitter, over at The Pesky Report, Sox Prospects, and read his blog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark Liptak sat down with Brett Ballantini to talk about where the White Sox stand, how little will change in the near term, and whether there is a historical precedent for the 2023 team.
Coming soon, history podcasts!
The pair discuss the incredible dysfunction inside the White Sox clubhouse and in the organization at large — and how unlikely things are to change as long as Jerry Reinsdorf owns the team
While eminently mockable, there is something to a “Cardinal Way” or “Dodgers Way” approach, something the White Sox don’t have, and haven’t for 60 or 70 years
The down side of the WBC, manifested in Yoán Moncada
Rick Hahn committed a cardinal sin by questioning the tone and optimism of his fan base
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The White Sox lost the series in Seattle and are heading home to host the first-place Rangers. We’ll see some familiar faces, like Marcus Semien and Dane Dunning, who will likely have the South Side of Chicago a little envious. But envy isn’t the issue Pedro’s Boys should be concerned with — the .620 the Rangers have held on to, the star players, great pitching, and a somewhat functional bullpen should be the main focus. Casey joins the show to discuss the Rangers from top to bottom, and how much we love Jacob deGrom. Happy birthday to my birthday twin Jacob deGrom, by the way!
Dabbling back into the American League West
What’s going on in Texas?
A bullpen reset, and a rookie that might just win all the awards this season
Who is the team’s current MVP, and who could be on the trading block?
Jacob deGrom’s return next season, and what he’ll be like at 36 with two Tommy John surgeries behind him
Questions from Twitter
Series matchup and pitching breakdowns
Fears, threats, and the keys to win the series
Around the league with Casey’s thoughts
Find Casey on Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The White Sox continue their West Coast road trip to Seattle, taking on the Mariners. Seattle is in a tough division, ranking fourth despite hovering around .500. Both teams seem to have turned a corner, or at the very least are peeking around the corner. Two-time SABR award winner and contributor to Baseball Prospectus Mikey Ajeto joined the podcast to preview the series, chat about the Mariners, and talk about baseball and life. Content warning: There is talk about deep depression.
The wild American League West
What’s going on in Seattle?
How do the Mariners get out of their slump?
Who is the team’s current MVP, and who could be on the trading block?
The Paul Sewald fan club, and how it saved a life
A round of questions from Twitter about best friends, best players aside from Ichiro and Ken Griffey Jr., and Mikey’s love for Nirvana
Series matchup and pitching breakdowns
Why can’t [redacted] join his friend [redacted] in Japan?
Fears, threats, and the keys to win the series
Around the league with Mikey’s thoughts
Find Mikey on Twitter and follow along at Baseball Prospectus and It’s Never Sunny In Seattle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chrystal O’Keefe and Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, frankly a little bored and finding so little to do South Side Sox-wise lately, chat it up with Brett Ballantini about where the White Sox stand and what lies ahead for the team.
The first half of our intended short show (spoiler: It was not short) was devoted to the bright spots of the season. Chrystal chooses Romy González, Melissa the sturdy starting rotation, and Brett, with reluctance, the mere 4 1⁄2 -game deficit the White Sox face despite being, by all accounts, a lousy baseball team
Mid-show we roll out some site news, including South Side Sox intern Sage Bollenbach spearheading our new TikTok (@southsidesox_) channel, Melissa’s efforts on Facebook (@SouthSideSox), ever-entertaining guests for Chrystal on Visiting Dugout (the podcast that never sleeps), and the looming likelihood of a daily history pod
And, on to the bad ... Chrystal’s heart breaks a bit in talking about Lance Lynn, Melissa takes down the entire lousy offense, and Brett goes biggest off all, castigating the utter and complete lack of reinforcements at the Double-A or Triple-A levels, at any position
Predictions on what happens with Lucas Giolito
And yes, Brett defends Rick Hahn. Not gonna tease it any more than that. The position taken is utterly plausible, but the mere notion of defending Rick Hahn in the year of our lord 2023 seems ... wrong
Plus, cameos from Freddie Sage-Bollenbach and Willow O’Keefe!
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The White Sox lost the Marlins series with two of three of the more embarrassing losses of the last few years. Now Chicago is off to Los Angeles to start a West Coast road trip, starting with the Dodgers. AJ Gonzalez of Dodger Blue and REMEZCLA joined the show to chat about his team and the upcoming series.
The good and bad surprises going down in the National League West
A light razzing of the Padres
What’s going on in LA?
Who is the team’s current MVP, and who could be on the trading block?
Remembering the great Vin Scully with a special moment for AJ
A round of questions from Twitter asking about trades, how deep the minor league system is, if the Dodgers ownership would like to buy the White Sox, and general Mookie Betts appreciation
Series matchup and pitching breakdowns
Why can’t [redacted] join his friend [redacted] in Japan?
Fears, threats, and the keys to win the series
Around the league with AJ’s thoughts
Find AJ on Twitter and over at Dodger Blue and REMEZCLA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, enjoy the week that was, relishing winning five out of six, including two out of three from the Yankees, while, being White Sox fans, wondering why the *%&#$ the Sox absolutely cannot hit pitchers just brought up from the minors, where they had ERAs around seven. They then look at the week ahead, agreeing that it would be cool to see Luis Arráez of the Marlins go 10-for-12 and raise his average even farther past .400, as long as he’s erased in a double play every time. After Miami comes a west coast trip, starting in Dodger Stadium, where Will will get to attend White Sox games without putting any money in Jerry Reinsdorf’s pocket — win, win!! The discussion naturally led to pitching matchups — some next week favorable, some not — and a general despair about much of the Sox starting pitching (the exceptions being Lucas Giolito and, often, Michael Kopech) and general delight with how the bullpen has turned things around from its horrendous performance in April. Will thinks the energy of Liam Hendriks and Keynan Middleton has gotten into the minds of the other relievers as well, to the benefit of all, and both think Garrett Crochet finally having a strong performance in New York is an excellent sign for the future. They discussed the homer barrage in Thursday’s first game, but, alas, forgot to credit Seby Zavala for singlehandedly being the offense on Tuesday. Please accept our apologies, Seby. Which leads to the musical question — how in the world does Rocco Baldelli keep his job? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The White Sox bounce out of the New York haze for a homestand against the Marlins. Both teams are struggling a bit, but one is in second place at the time of the recording, and the other is fourth in the worst division in baseball. Tommy Barbee, fellow contributor at South Side Sox and Southeast correspondent, joins the show to talk about the Marlins. Will the Marlins figure out Jake Burger and even Romy González? This series might be a close one, with both teams dealing with inconsistency.
The winning Marlins are sneaky-good, sitting comfortably in second in the National League East
What’s going on in Miami?
The Marlins are good but not great, just like the White Sox!
Old friend alert, featuring Jorge Soler
Did Jazz Chisholm Jr. get the cover curse?
Sandy Alcántara has been struggling, and no one knows why
The race to the Wild Card
Fears, threats, and the keys to win the series
Around the league with Tommy’s predictions and thoughts
Find Tommy on Twitter and over at South Side Sox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tommy Barbee, Malachi Hayes, Ryiin, Dante Jones and Brett Ballantini took a hard look through the looking glass into the future to decide how this failed White Sox roster will transform in the coming weeks:
There are just two teams worse than the White Sox, and the team projects as a 98-loss club currently, in case you are seduced by being just 6 1⁄2 games out of first place
On that note: Memories of the White Flag Trade
A “speed round” of evaluating the coming contract options, free agents ... and Yoán Moncada
Is Jerry looking to slash costs?
The range of opinions seems to be Malachi’s no-moves/ride it out to Tommy’s FIRE SALE
The ONE most significant move the team will make this season
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Chrystal O’Keefe hosts Allie Wesel, Brian O’Neill, Dante Jones, Jordan Hass, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Tommy Barbee for a little group therapy session. Yes, the South Side Sox staff eulogized José Abreu in writing, but sometimes that is just not cathartic enough.
Initial reactions to the news that Pito was leaving town, for real
Many of us are used to losing our favorite players, but others are newer to the fandom
The Astros? Really? He could’ve gone anywhere else!
The impact Abreu had on the White Sox, and the renewed Cuban pipeline
Our favorite Pito memories
Tears were shed ...
A Boyz II Men duet, featuring Allie and Tommy
Turning to brighter possibilities, who will open-mouth kiss Rick Hahn if he signs Aaron Judge?
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Happy Soxivus! We are following up our first year celebrating Soxivus in 2021 with a full two months of festivities in 2022. This week, our companion piece to this podcast is the Soxivus Miracles story that much of this podcast refers to. We’re overjoyed to have Father Soxivus, Tommy Barbee — the man who conceived of our Soxivus celebration last year — with us on these podcasts. Joining Tommy to discuss worst games are Dante Jones, Jordan Hass, Allie Wesel, Adrian Serrano and Joe Resis, with the festivities hosted by Brett Ballantini. We discussed each of our Miracles, and in-between those “highlights” we took on some broader issues:
It’s a pajama podcast, with Brett and Adrian going full-bore into the theme
We kick it off discussing the multiple Miracle votes: Eloy’s resurgence (Adrian and Jordan), Rick Hahn being gone (Leigh Allan and Year of the Hamster)
Look for cat cameos!
Preacher Dante assumes the pulpit, with a fiery talk about White Sox health
Speed round: Will Hahn be aggressive this offseason?
Another speed round: Will Lucas Giolito play for the White Sox beyond 2023?
Final, spontaneous speed round: Will José Abreu be back in 2023?
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In the spirit of the holiday season, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, raise glasses high to José Abreu, reportedly at the top of the San Diego Padres wish list, thanking him for all of his years of being about the only player on the White Sox worth watching and, often, the only one who seemed to be trying. If the reports are true, José finally has a real chance of playing deep into the postseason, and may that happen for him. We do, however, refrain from breaking into Auld Lang Syne. As for the players left behind after the White Sox finished emptying the outfield defense by non-tendering Adam Engel and the infield defense by doing the same with Danny Mendick, well, there are some. In the outfield, during the half of the season Luis Robert can’t manage to play, the lineup should be Eloy Jiménez-Leury García-Gavin Sheets. In the infield, Rick Hahn apparently thinks things will be swell with either Romy González (three BBs, 50 Ks in MLB) or Lenyn Sosa (one BB, 12 Ks) at second, or with both of them forming the up-the-middle defense when Tim Anderson takes off half the season. Don’t be surprised if every pitcher goes on bended knee asking to be traded. Ho-ho-ho. But we are a holiday ahead with the ho-ho-hoing. Instead, it is time to baste the turkey, along with Ken Williams and Jerry Reinsdorf, and look on enviously as other teams ladle on the gravy of prime free agents and trade tasty desserts the White Sox have to pass on because they have nothing anyone wants to trade for. But, hey, the holiday season is upon us, so ... Happy Thanksgiving! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Happy Soxivus! We are following up our first year celebrating Soxivus in 2021 with a full two months of festivities in 2022. This week, our companion piece to this podcast is the Best Games of 2022 story that much of this podcast refers to. We’re overjoyed to have Father Soxivus, Tommy Barbee — the man who hatched the Soxivus plan last year — with us on these podcasts. Joining Tommy to discuss worst games are Dante Jones, Jordan Hass, Allie Wesel, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Joe Resis, with the festivities hosted by Brett Ballantini. We discussed each of our Best Games, and in-between those “highlights” we took on some broader issues:
It’s a sweater vest/sweater podcast!
Note: Whether Worst or Best games, SO MANY of them were with the team at or just off of .500
Look for the offspring cameos!
Play Who Caught COVID at Sox Park bingo
When you have a .500 season that was drastically disappointing, you are going to have some “best” games that are actually losses
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Alas, Jim Click is already gone as GM of the Astros, making the hope of trading Rick Hahn (who would be willing to do whatever dumb thing any jerk owner wants) for a GM who knows what he’s doing and can’t be browbeaten a mere fleeting dream. So, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, move on to talking about players. First, the news the White Sox are interested in A’s catcher Sean Murphy — as are maybe 25 other teams — but have no one they can trade for him and no way to unload Yasmani Grandal that doesn’t involve Tony Soprano. Then, proceeding through several of the predictions about where free agents will end up. Of course, even the few times the White Sox are mentioned as a possible landing spot for a top free agent are just for humor’s sake, because Hahn has said the Sox are more apt to make changes through trades, despite having no one any other team would want who wouldn’t leave a huge hole behind when he departs. Plus, we engage in some mandatory discussion about the team’s previous stupid moves, all the while hoping Pedro Grifol will somehow find a way to overcome them. Oh, and we do offer thanks to AJ Pollock for his voluntary payroll-saving departure. Thank you, AJ! See? Isn’t the offseason fun? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Happy Soxivus! We are following up our first year celebrating Soxivus in 2021 with a full two months of festivities in 2022. This week, our companion piece to this podcast is the Worst Games of 2022 story that much of this podcast refers to. We’re overjoyed to have Father Soxivus, Tommy Barbee — the man who hatched the Soxivus plan last year — with us on these podcasts. Joining Tommy to discuss worst games are Dante Jones, Jordan Hass, Allie Wesel, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Malachi Hayes, with the festivities hosted by Brett Ballantini. We discussed each of our Worst Games, and in-between those “highlights” we took on some broader issues:
At what point, among various times in the season (April through September, really) did the color on the mood ring change from “think we still got this” to “uh-oh” to “giving up hope?”
A sidebar discussion of the various ways the White Sox were embarrassed nationally by events on and off the field in 2022
The effect Tony La Russa’s health may have had on his erratic decisions, and the erratic performance of the team
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, shake off their initial “huh?” reaction to the new White Sox manager and join the mob of fans inspired by Pedro Grifol’s first press conference, whilst quietly hoping he really meant it when he said there would be consequences for players who don’t give full effort. True, there is disappointment there wasn’t a new general manager doing the introduction. Or, a new owner, or a new VP of Baseball Operations or CEO of Parking Passes or whatever it is Ken Williams is called these days. But you have to start somewhere. Excitement for the new guy done, the duo move on to a look at what Baseball Trade Values has to say about the future of the White Sox, given that Rick Hahn showed no indication there will be free agent signings of any importance (except, of course, in the amount of money he blows on stupid signings). Most of the BTV numbers are what you’d expect, from Dylan Cease and Luis Robert at the top to Yoán Moncada and Yasmani Grandal at the bottom. But who would have guessed Lance Lynn has even less value than Jake Diekman or Joe Kelly? How could anybody have less value than those two? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With the (still unofficial) news breaking early on Tuesday that Pedro Grifol was the new White Sox manager, members of the crack SSS Breaking News crew saw the Sox logo beamed up into the night sky and assembled to digest the news. Tommy Barbee, Jordan Hass, Allie Wesel, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Joe Resis, Dante Jones and Brian O’Neill circled the Zoom table, with a discussion by sometimes-hatted, sometimes-dancing, sometimes-aching, and pretty much always-joking moderator Brett Ballantini. It’s an hour-plus of SSS takes on the hire, process, and ramifications on bringing Grifol on:
Immediate reaction to the news
Who really wanted Grifol? (Hint: Rick Hahn, because he has hired a manager he can best work with control)
White Sox Baseball 2023: It Could Have Been Worse
What’s one positive and one negative ramification of the hire?
Brian questions the knee-jerk dismissal of the hire simply because Kansas City didn’t want him; Dante demurs
Various panelists at various points are guilty to drinking the White Sox Kool-Aid
To that end, Tommy is a bit incredulous (and disappointed) at the volume of positive spins put on the hire, when it’s just going to be same-old, same-old
White Sox Baseball 2023: Safe Choices
Speed round 1: Do you like this hire?
Speed round 2: Was Grifol the White Sox’s first choice for manager?
Speed round, final: Are you more or less excited for 2023 after this managerial hire?
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Happy Soxivus! We are following up our first year celebrating Soxivus in 2021 with a full two months of festivities in 2022. Last year, we picked managers who could dethrone Tony La Russa in running the White Sox. This week, our Feats of Strength take the form of programming a SoxFest, after the White Sox cancelled their official one for the third straight season. We’re overjoyed to have Father Soxivus, Tommy Barbee — the man who hatched the Soxivus plan last year — with us on these podcasts. Joining Tommy to program our Fest are Jordan Hass, Allie Wesel, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Joe Resis and Malachi Hayes, with the festivities hosted by Brett Ballantini. Read our accompanying Feats of Strength story on programming Soxivus Fest that much of this podcast refers to, please.
Reviewing the short-sighted decision to cancel SoxFest for the third straight year — did someone cheap out on putting down the non-refundable deposit on McCormick Place?
We can get up in arms about losing SoxFest and chide Rick Hahn for being afraid to face the music, but it’s the hundreds of young fans (and fans who cheer like children, there are many, no shame there) who really lose out
On to our SoxivusFest, with Melissa explaining her Run Sox Run activity, which borrows from Herb Lawrence’s ill-fated sprint challenge during the season. We think we would fare better
Joe’s Put Away Pitches event challenges fan managers to make the right call on 1-2. Anything better than in intentional walk comes away with a free SoxivusFest T-shirt.
Tommy’s Manager Draft cleverly finds a way to cram all of the bad, recycled White Sox manager possibilities into one season, in a sort of college of coaches arrangement. There’s also an Inspiration Station that has to be heard or read to be believed
Jordan comes through with two fun ideas, starting with Rick Hahn’s Mild Ride — duller than white bread. Also, there are outfield tryouts, and if participants manage to injure themselves in exotic (but, for the White Sox, predictable) ways, they’ll get a start in 2023 before Oscar Colás
Allie stages an intervention for Hahn, with the intention of making him stronger in future trade and free agent negotiations and getting him a true Seat at the Table
Malachi puts a twist on the Garage Sale of years past, where creative payment plans are not only encouraged, but expected
Adrian Serrano was not able to join the podcast, but did provide events of his own, as well. Additionally, he created our Soxivus 2022 T-shirt available to order at our SSHP store
The second half of the podcast — yes, this one is chock-full — addresses the Ozzie Guillén managing rumors.
The panel is deadlocked as to whether the White Sox are actually going to hire Ozzie — who, let’s review, left the South Side the first time by announcing his new manager position during a game he was managing for the White Sox
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Trying to stay awake during what seems like a 5 1⁄2 -year break between LCSs and the World Series, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, indulge in a little nostalgia. That nostalgia ranges from the prospect of the return of Ozzieball to the new book that casts Frank Thomas as much more Big Jerk than Big Hurt in his playing days (bringing on discussion of other White Sox Big Jerks). Then it’s on to funtime managerial speculation. And a useless suggestion to pick up David Stearns (who just resigned as president of baseball operations of the Brewers) to replace Ken Williams (who apparently is in the MLB witness protection program he is so unfindable) so Stearns can remove Rick Hahn, and that replacement can hire a new manager, who can then hire all new coaches, who can then turn over about half of the roster. Ain’t fantasy wonderful? And, as long as we’re fantasizing, we end up with a lineup that includes Dansby Swanson, Brandon Nimmo, and, of course, Aaron Judge, and a rotation that includes Carlos Rodón and Jacob deGrom. The World Series better start before we add Sandy Koufax, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Happy Soxivus! We are following up our first year celebrating Soxivus in 2021 with a full two months of celebrating in 2022. Ready or not, here we come. We’re overjoyed to have Father Soxivus — the man who hatched the plan last year — Tommy Barbee with us on these podcasts. Joining Tommy to start the festivities is host Brett Ballantini and Jordan Hass, Allie Wesel, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Joe Resis, Chrystal O’Keefe, Adrian Serrano and Jacki Krestel. The official Soxivus kick-off comes here, with the Airing of Grievances:
We kick off with the trio of Tommy (Hahn hiding behind La Russa), Joe (preposterous resource allocations) and Jacki (wherefore Rodón QO) with variations on a theme: Boy, were the White Sox general-managed like a clown show in 2022
Next up Chrystal and Adrian spoke of injury mishandling and bad planning
Jordan aired her grievance on the utter lack of power on the roster
Allie’s grievance relates to the initial trio, but specifically the ineptitude at the trade deadline — and smugness in handling the failure
Melissa and Brett had thoughts on how the White Sox perceive us (as fans, web site writers, fellow humans, choose your poison); Melissa with a specific scold for smarmy Steve Stone, Brett repeating his beef with the fan-shaming and disregard that is coming in increasing doses from Rick Hahn and upper management
A little bit of SoxFest talk, and an acknowledgement of our podcast-absent grievers
Preview of coming Soxivus events, including Feats of Strength, gifts, quotes ...
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Strap in, it’s a bumpy right and rough visit to Planet White Sox these days — but Trooper Galactus sees a possible sunrise on the horizon. He and Brett Ballantini discuss all things South Side in our second episode:
An introduction to Trooper’s Should I Stay or Should I Go series, which indeed promises to point to GO when the budget insists STAY
It’s not the injuries (that led to the 2022 team’s demise)!
A sneak preview of Trooper’s Soxivus Grievance for 2022: Rick Hahn has hamstrung the White Sox for 2023
And finally, the three-point plan — free for the taking, White Sox — that will ensure greater success for those 2023 White Sox
Bonus content: Manager talk (shooting for Matt Quatraro, expecting something much less)
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Recording at a time when each league has played two LCS games, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, delve into playoff baseball, with the added touch that one of Will’s softball teammates works in the Dodgers’ office and could report on the dirge-like atmosphere after the Padres beat the allegedly best team in the game. Of course, that loss took some heat off the White Sox, who went from the most disappointing team in the majors to just the most disappointing regular-season team in the majors. Admiration for the quality of play in the playoffs, and hope the White Sox have been paying attention to the novel concepts of good defense, solid fundamentals and hustle, eventually gave way to talking about our own team. At that point, enthusiasm went downhill a tad, what with having no faith the Sox front office will be cleared out and that the same dumb decisions will be made with regard to a new manager and player changes. Naturally, any small spark of hope gets rapidly crushed when you look at how much payroll is already obligated for 2023, and how incompetently that money has been spent. But, hey, that’s what being a Sox fan is all about. As the great Bill Veeck put it: “If there is any justice in this world, to be a White Sox fan frees a man from any other form of penance.” Of course, we have Veeck to blame for selling the team to Jerry Reinsdorf. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Happy Soxivus! We plan on following up our first year celebrating Soxivus in 2021 (Airing of Grievances, Feats of Strength, Miracles, etc.) with a full two months of celebrating in 2022. Ready or not, here we come. We’re overjoyed to have Father Soxivus, the man who hatched the plan last year, Tommy Barbee with us on these podcasts. Joining Tommy to start the festivities is host Brett Ballantini and Jordan Hass, Allie Wesel, Dante Jones, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Joe Resis. The topic to kick off Soxivus, because it is timely and we likely will have no need to address it a year from now, is the manager search: The Calling of the Managers is running on site now, and addressed in the podcast.
Two candidates found endorsements from more than one writer, and they aren’t hard names to guess. Pros and cons of Joe Espada and Sandy Alomar Jr.
Tommy managed to destroy Ron Washington’s candidacy with a discussion of Ron Washington’s priors, which found Joe to be choosing another candidate entirely and for little support to remain among everyone else
A lively debate of which 2005 White Sox player would make the best 2022 White Sox manager; Brett chose one, which at first blush seemed to terrify everyone on the panel
However, once Brett’s vote was validated by swag and resume, the panel came around; your hint? He’s a seasoned and skilled manager — just not in this country
What also-ran infielder with a cornpone countenance was one panel member’s first White Sox crush?
Speed round: Is there any conceivable way José Abreu ends up on the North Side? Dante in fact has a suitable answer to satisfy both sides of town
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Recording on the day three of the division series would end, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, admire some of the playoff performances, especially by superstars not named Judge. That’s even more especially true for José Ramírez, whose full-out dash to first and second, then third, on a blooper to left in the 10th inning Friday should be shown over and over to young aspiring players. It also should be shown to every player on the White Sox (except Josh Harrison and Elvis Andrus, who are unlikely to be on the team again, anyway), over and over and over until they finally pay some attention and maybe learn that you’re supposed to hustle, not lope around the bases or stomp your feet in dismay or admire your work on a ball that ends up not being a homer. As for White Sox stuff, the two debate the virtue of Ron Washington as a possible manager, the virtue of getting rid of the entire Sox coaching staff — even if it you had to lose Ethan Katz to foist all the others into oblivion. They also debate the likelihood Andrew Vaughn will be able to adequately field at first base and to recover from his slump of the second half of 2022, and, most of all, what in the world Rick Hahn could possibly have in mind when he thinks a team with an empty farm system and no MLB depth could improve through trades. Maybe Hahn could trade himself. Should be able to get a decent hot dog vendor for him if Jerry eats most of his salary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Darren Black chats with Brett Ballantini about the highs and lows of the 2022 Charlotte Knights. Hey, did you know that in approximately 95 of 150 games, the Knights used an opener rather than a proper starting pitcher? Now THAT is some terrific planning from the White Sox front office. See? You’ll learn some stuff!
How legit a catching prospect is Carlos Pérez? He certainly has developed a power stroke!
Lenyn Sosa and Yolbert Sánchez, prospects heading in different directions due almost exclusively to the bat
Kade McClure segued from starter to pen arm, and acquitted himself rather well. Is he the next arm up in the 2023 bullpen?
We wedged an AFL preview in at the end, which doesn’t serve you too-too well now a week into game play, but hell, Justin Jirschele is the top prospect there anyhow, and he’s retired
OK fine, Brett got Darren to talk some about Terrell Tatum
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, lament the probable departure of José Abreu, celebrate the departure of the HOFBP, and fervently wish for (futilely, they know) the departures of Ken Williams and Rick Hahn. They give credit to the HOFBP for overcoming his natural arrogance to make a nice departure speech, but no credit to Hahn for a pathetic set of excuses in his own presentation, showing once again that he’s not just a lousy general manager, he’s an absolutely useless human being. The big look back to the Monday press conference, though, is speculation of what Liam Hendriks meant when he said the White Sox need an authoritarian as manager. That’s scary, coming from an outspoken and very bright and observant member of the team, because it sure indicates a situation in total disarray. There’s some of the usual playing with end of season numbers and regretting the players and their overblown salaries the White Sox are stuck with next year, but you already know that those are horrible, so then it’s on to predicting the playoffs. The smart money will listen to every prediction Leigh and Will make, and then bet the opposite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Somehow, GM Rick Hahn took a press conference dedicated to Tony La Russa’s surprisingly graceful bow from active managing and turn it into a season-in-review shitshow of tone-deaf proclamations and empty promises. Brett Ballantini is joined by Jordan Hass, Allie Wesel, Dante Jones, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Joe Resis to discuss the turn, which we all knew was coming — just perhaps not today, of all days.
We had zero additional reaction to the news that Tony La Russa was actually gone as White Sox manager. It was pretty well covered yesterday, so on to the main event!
While knowing that Hahn will be spending it perhaps makes it OK for him to temper expectations for 2023 payroll, given the GM’s gaffes, the idea that he’s gonna stitch a silk purse out of this roster and minors system just smells like more “oh well, we tried” sentiment
Journalism 101: When the GM piloting the worst stretch of White Sox baseball in at least eight decades that if he didn’t feel he was the right person for the job he’d step aside, you MUST follow up with a question that presses him to tell fans what he feels his strengths are in the job. Because, well, the are NOT OBVIOUS
As Joe highlighted, Rick could not stay away from fan-blaming, with the odd response telling us that just two years ago, the management (uh, Rick, you’re talking about yourself) was up for awards, and won a division a year ago, etc. The deer-in-headlights act — as if managers (remember that guy who has YOUR NAME, Rick, Renteria?) and GMs don’t routinely get canned in spite of very fresh successes — is weak
As Brett broadly brayed over and Melissa succinctly brought out, Hahn’s habit of talking down to fans in spite of well knowing how intelligent White Sox fans are is simply the wrong play. We in fact dedicate this podcast to you, Rick, in hopes that 2023 can be the Year of Respecting Fans
Speed round: Presuming the White Sox remain mired in mediocrity, will the next chant be Fire [MANAGER] or Fire Rick? Dante and Allie went off the board with their answers
Super speed round: Another fun guess at who the next White Sox manager will be. No Drake LaRoche this time, at least
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Brett Ballantini had no idea this podcast would be so much fun, not after penning a recap as dark as he can remember reading on these pages. It’s a tribute to such a good cast — Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis, Adrian Serrano, Dante Jones, Allie Wesel and Melissa Sage-Bollenbach — that we could all laugh through the tears stomach pains. The main topic was, what else, Tony La Russa’s rumored retirement announcement on Monday. With no team confirmation as of this writing, approaching 24 hours after Bob Nightengale’s “break” of the news, who knows what we’ll be reacting to tonight during podcast 124. But we’ll be around, talking about the clowniest clown car moment of 21st Century White Sox rooting.
Gut reactions to the news that Tony will be gone range from bittersweetness to anger, as we page through our Tony La Russa scrapbook of nightmares
Dante gave us an entertaining visual: A “let’s effing go” as he heard the news break on his morning walk
We discuss the increasing frequency of the White Sox making fans feel like team and organizational failures are somehow their fault — and the Stockholm Syndrome we are all suffering from as a result
Chrystal’s son played a recent game with a goal of “being like Eloy”; three guesses as to whether he ended up hurt
One of Allie’s hills to climb is the fact that she “bought into Rick Hahn’s bullshit”
The second half of the podcast begins with more of the gut feelings that the end of this utterly unnecessary era of White Sox baseball are generating in all of us; Melissa is feeling foolish and duped, while Dante is determined that the White Sox will not break his soul
Three speed round questions to end the podcast: Will this Tony rumor prove real, if so will the White Sox conduct a true managerial search, and which White Sox legend will be the next manager once the front office gives up on the endeavor?
There are a few easter eggs thrown into this podcast, and if you like what you hear, support the artists creating our intro music, incidental music, or outro song
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Darren Black chats with Brett Ballantini about the highs and lows of the 2022 Birmingham Barons. Hey, did you know the Barons had a better record without all those blue-chip prospects added as part of Project Birmingham? See, you’ll learn some stuff:
How José Rodríguez went from 98-pound weakling to Charles Atlas superman in the course of a couple of months!
Davis Martin has lost his potent put-away pitch in the majors compared to Double-A, but hey, he wasn’t supposed to be in the majors yet, anyway
The “new Martin,” Sean Burke, underwent an amazing transformation from first half-Bham to second, and holy moly was the second half better
The parade of potential second basemen on the South Side continues beyond Popeye, to MLB debuter Lenyn Sosa and Wiffle batter Yolbert Sánchez
Oscar Colás seemed to hit the ball farther and farther as the season wore on; what’s the key to him breaking into the majors in 2023?
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Darren Black chats with Brett Ballantini about the highs and lows of the 2022 Winston Salem-Dash. Hey, did you know the Dash had a .500 first half of the season, in spite of that ugly final record? See, you’ll learn some stuff:
Bryan Ramos: most exciting hitter in the system?
Luis Mieses continues his re-ascendance, from bottoming out with a demotion early in 2021 to holding his own at Project Birmingham by the end of 2022
And then, on the other side of things, it’s the dynamic duo that’s not been terribly dynamic, Matthew Thompson and Drew Dalquist; Darren breaks both down and predicts they start at different levels in 2023
Duke Ellis: Does this basepaths disruptor have a future that stretches beyond, say, Triple-A?
Adam Hackenberg, No. 2 catching prospect in the system?
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and current next room correspondent, Will, give the player of the week crown to Mark Payton because, who else is there for this past week, and, besides, he actually hustled. Beyond that, it’s a look back at the badness, including some horrible numbers for the whole season, a debate on whether it would be a perfect ending to show total mediocrity by ending up 81-81, or if that would be too kind an ending for this team. They delve a little into Trib columnist Paul Sullivan’s list of untradable players (long) and those for whom there might be some decent return (short). Of course, there’s also discussion of the elephant in the room — no, not Lance Lynn, you nasty person — and fervent hope that the HOFBP will not be back next year, whether as manager or in any front office position except Official Handholder to the Chairman. There is also a look forward to Rick Hahn’s end of season press conference, when he will blame everything on injuries, bad luck, phases of the moon and the invasion of Ukraine — everything except horrible decisions by the manager and himself, including, in his case, not only horrible acquisitions and contracts, but deciding that a roster that puts five DHs on the field at the same time was a good idea. (Hahn will not resign at that time, which is very sad.) At least it’s the last in-season podcast, so there is that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Welcome to Mothership Podcast, starring Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis. The trio that has brought SSS seven separate podcasts — you might know them from Episode 105 (“Steve Stone”), Episode 38 (“Lynnsanity”), Episode 48 (“Fattening Up”) or even Postgame Podcast 2 (“Rodón No-No”) — have many, many things still to cover this season:
Hustle — specifically, do the White Sox have any beyond Mark Payton, a Triple-A veteran hungry to get a roster shot somewhere in 2023?
An ancillary La Russa topic: Presuming management is not fully to blame for a flaccid 2022, what changed this season to prevent the White Sox from being a factor in the division race?
Chrystal brought up injuries to the question above, so we dig deeper there: Is there any way to prevent a repeat of an “injury-prone” team carrying over to 2023?
The Tony rumors: We delve into the smoke signals in the front office, that there is a fracture over the question of keeping La Russa for 2023. Could anything have changed on that note in the past two years?
We all take a crack at predicting the final two series, and season record, for the White Sox. Yes, .500 seems a pipe dream
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Darren Black chats with Brett Ballantini about the highs and lows of the 2022 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Hey, did you know Kanny was a lot better in the second half with the 2022 draft class, after losing some players to Project Birmingham and Winston-Salem? See, you’ll learn some stuff:
Lead story: 2021 second-rounder Wes Kath, and what is imperative to see from him in 2023
This Wilfred Veras guy ain’t bad
Ditto DJ Gladney
Colby Smelley was a catcher, now he’s a masher
The most exciting pitchers in all the system saw time in Low-A this year, so let’s compare and contrast Norge Vera and Cristian Mena
And not forget about out-of-nowhere, under-radar standouts like Kohl Simas and Tommy Sommer
Is Jared Kelley back on track?
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Darren Black teams back up with Brett Ballantini to list out the highs and lows of the 2022 rookie league seasons. Hey, did you know the DSL team was the only affiliate with a better than .500 record? See, you’ll learn some stuff:
The unmitigated awesomeness of Loidel Chapelli Jr., and why he won’t return Brett’s phone calls
What happened with DSL bonus baby Erick Hernández?
Wait, there’s a player who’s better than Chapelli on the DSL White Sox?
Is the ACL almost a useless league given the late draft and massive roster?
There was at least one significant step-up from the DSL in 2021, and that’s the emerging bullpen force Emerson Talavera
What are the chances hit machine Darío Borrero goes from zero professional homers to, like, 30 next year?
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Welcome to the Mothership Podcast, pirated by Chrystal O’Keefe and friends. Chrystal, Allie Wesel, Dante Jones, Joe Resis, Jordan Haas, and Zach Hayes mourn the loss of a bad season:
Positive moments with the recently deceased: DFAs, almost no-nos, surprise acquisitions, and putting Josh Donaldson in his place
Guardians social media: Did the White Sox deserve the trolling? (And: Is Dante a jinx?)
When did you know the season was over?
The most painful sweep of the season
Who would you like to see as the manager in 2023 if, by some miracle, the White Sox look outward?
Roundtable: World Series matchups?
Final thoughts/eulogy for the White Sox
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, took a pass on maintaining hope for the 1/1,000 chance computer algorithms give the White Sox to win the AAAL Central (maybe we shouldn’t call it that any more, since Cleveland appears to be an actual major league team), did some of the mandatory lamenting about the horrible quality of baseball and spirit the White Sox showed not just in being swept by the Guardians but the entire season — except right after the HOFBP flew off to get his pacemaker jiggered (a small number of players excepted). And then, they looked toward the future. It not being polite to harp on the need for the death of you-know-who, they called for the immediate firing of Ken Williams, followed by the sequential firings of the entire front office on down to field level, including the coaches (except Ethan Katz, of course). That is what’s known in journalism as a #*%)@$ fantasy. On the field, they considered what to do with a team that currently puts as many as five players in the lineup who should only be designated hitters, promote the idea of having Tim Anderson come and finish the season — at second base — and once again suggest maybe it’s not a terrific idea to have your starters throw more pitches per inning than anyone else. Looking at what could theoretically be instead of what actually is got so exciting they kept going until Mr. Zoom ended the discussion as abruptly and assuredly as Cleveland ended the White Sox season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
No. 120 (honestly, for real, it’s podcast 120) has the tone of a wake, naturally. But a fun wake? An unbelievable wake? A wake, with some facts sprinkled in? Attendees Brett Ballantini, Allie Wesel, Dante Jones, Joe Resis and Melissa Sage-Bollenbach invite you to mourn along with us:
A review of the impossibly-disappointing Cleveland sweep this week
Was this the Worst Case Scenario for the 2022 White Sox season? We’re torn between yes — and no, this is worse than worst-case
Has it sunk in that the White Sox truly did fail to win in the middle of a contention window, when the rest of the AL Central had largely conceded to Chicago as the overwhelming favorite?
2023 season projections (i.e., is the DNA of this Tony La Russa White Sox club that of a .500 team, or a division winner?) Instructively, Joe feels the White Sox “won’t crap their pants”
Allie interrupted her mental health break from the White Sox to sit in for this program and provides the White Sox their 2023 pocket schedule title in the process.
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It’s a podcast today that boasts the best of both worlds. First, it’s some away ballpark talk with Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe and Elizabeth Gonzales, the latter two being SSS writers who were at this past weekend’s series at Comerica Park in Detroit. One of these people is old enough to remember Tiger Stadium. And next, the playoffs have come two weeks early, because the White Sox have to treat this week vs. Cleveland as must-win. Here are some highlights:
What number podcast is this, anyway? Hey, they don’t pay Brett to count
The consensus on Comerica and Detroit en toto is positive — although, hmm, the fans are pretty chippy given they’re rooting for a dead-last place club. Clean it up, Rock City
Still, Elizabeth grants Co-co Best Park status, or at least Best in the ALC status, while neither Chrystal nor Brett deem it so
As for the White Sox, given Cleveland’s win on Monday putting it four games up, this week’s series is not just must-win, but must-sweep — so the playoffs, indeed, have come two weeks early
Chrystal, who promised to keep caring, and keep caring WITH AUTHORITY, if the White Sox won on Saturday in Detroit; and Elizabeth, who is on the White Sox Train until (if) it derails, still acknowledge the South Siders have a hill to climb
Advantages in the rotation matchups, which are pitting Cleveland’s top three vs. Chicago’s
What role might fatigue play in Cleveland’s attempt to squelch White Sox hopes? Likewise, do the White Sox have advantages in leadership and/or veteran playoff experience that could factor in
Final speed round gets goofy: Will José Abreu be back with the White Sox in 2023 — and will he (see Konerko, Paul, ca. 2011) be asked to player-manage?
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As promised, it’s Monday morning, and you’ve got a fresh SSS podcast to squeeze tight all day long, with no White Sox baseball. Anticipating the off-day, Brett Ballantini sat in with Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Joe Resis and Jordan Hass to talk about, what else, the White Sox and their playoff chances. It’s more upbeat than you might think!
Brett runs down the records and sees two pitching rotations, Johnny Cueto pending, taking each other on at full strength
However, there is the gassed factor, with all the games (and extra innings) the Guardians have taken on over the weekend. Jordan sees a possible advantage
Joe delivers the rough playoff odds, oof
The consensus is that the White Sox will take two of three this week from Cleveland, which is almost certainly too little, too late. There is one dissenter who feels the South Siders with Sox up one close game and lose the series
A speed round question: Does Tony come back this year? Again, consensus no, but again, one dissenter. But maybe Brett has a point ... Tony coming back this year, for a game or two, could be seen as his farewell to the game “on his terms” rather than his doctors’
Final speed round, will José Abreu be back with the White Sox in 2023?
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With the strange starting pitcher decision of Terry Francona providing the White Sox with at least some hope of winning the AAAL Central, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, thank the Cleveland manager and look forward to the next series, with the Guardians and Twins facing off five times and the Sox getting a weekend in Detroit to hopefully enjoy, even though it’s rumored the HOFBP will be in the stadium to bring the team down. Also upcoming, of course, is a three-game series with Cleveland at the GuRF, which will be a whole set of do-or-die games for the White Sox, with no likelihood Francona will decide to again provide a batting practice thrower on the mound. Naturally, the discussion gets heavily involved with the elephant in the room, the gigantic ego of the HOFBP, who is reveling in his will-he-or-won’t-he game while everyone from players to analysts to fans yell at him (figuratively, at least some of the time) to deposit waste products or remove himself from the porcelain facility ... very much preferably the latter, as far a removal as possible. Oh, yes — also heaps of praise for Elvis Andrus and dreams of how good the White Sox infield could be with Andrus at short and Tim Anderson at second. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Well lookee here, someone other than the White Sox, or Rick Hahn, or Tony La Russa made a boo-boo. The launching point for No. 116 is Terry Francona’s odd choice to take Cleveland’s knee off of our chest by pulling Triston McKenzie from Thursday’s start, handing the ball to a far, far lesser call-up and breathing some life into the White Sox. We review that decision, its ramifications, and more:
So, really, what was Terry thinking? Allie offers an explanation, but it’s hard to believe the Guardians could provide such gentility
For Chrystal, the season comes down to Saturday, when she will be in attendance at Comerica Park. Her number, tragic or magic, seems to be 1
Tim Anderson’s return seems more when than if, so what to do with Elvis Andrus when TA forces his way back into the lineup
Could Leury García wear a DFA when Anderson returns?
Brett and Joe collab on the numbers, and they say that the White Sox have less than a 20% chance to make the playoffs, and will need to go 13-5 the rest of the way to pass Cleveland — if the Guardians play just .500 ball
Zach is hoping to see a strong finish to the season, playoffs or no, so that the front office will not be tempted to dismantle the White Sox core, but at least one of use wants to burn the front office down itself
Dante is trying to find faith in the young talent unearthed in 2022
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It’s been a while since we’ve brought you a new podcast, and Planet White Sox sees Brett Ballantini hosting longtime commenter-turned-writer Trooper Galactus. As you might imagine, there are opinions:
The Tony La Russa conundrum, which is played out just how we imagined
The incredible (dumb) luck that saw GM Rick Hahn acquire his two marquee free agent signings. The new market inefficiency is dumpster diving!
A peek and Project Birmingham breakout Wilfred Veras, and why it may be OK for him to have significant swing-and-miss
As progressive and sexy as it was pitched, is Project Birmingham turning out to be a rash and unwise move?
Do the White Sox still have a chance this season?
Trooper Galactus peers into the offseason crystal ball
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The White Sox completed a 5-2 West Coast road trip — and lost a half-game on division-leading Cleveland. Brett Ballantini and SSS writes Jordan Hass, Dante Jones, Allie Wesel, Joe Resis, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Adrian Serrano got together postgame to discuss whether it’s too little, too late — and much else:
Now seven games behind in the wild card race, that ship has definitively sailed. However, the White Sox had a strong run and still couldn’t get any closer, ultimately, to the Guardians (thanks, Twins)
The dynamics of Miguel Cairo vs. Tony La Russa, and the ramifications of any La Russa return this season; we know at the very least, Jordan is writing no more Tony stories
Have the White Sox already found their next manager ... again, without a managerial search (no, not Cairo; but Gordon Beckham may know!)
We could know as soon as Thursday whether the White Sox are actually “3 1⁄2 ” games behind Cleveland right now ... but almost certainly, they are due to the tiebreaker
A breakdown of the remaining schedule, and whether or not there is enough weak wiggle room in the White Sox schedule to overtake the Guardians
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We joined forces with Elizabeth Gonzales at exactly the right time, after her road trip to Cleveland and now, onto Seattle and Oakland. Lucky us, she’s reporting on the White Sox action on-site, and will be writing up a de facto ballpark review/guide for both. It’s been just a few days since she checked in from Seattle, so now it’s time to talk about the smoking-hot team she’s watched take five of six on the road trip so far.
It’s not a cut-and-paste, but once again Lance Lynn and Elvis Andrus were the stars of Saturday’s win
What has gotten into these hitters?!? And is Elizabeth the lucky charm?
We’ve all witnessed what’s gotten into this team on the road trip, but Elizabeth shares what she’s seen on the field pregame, in batting practice, in the dugout that seem hallmarks of the Sox resurgence
Can the White Sox survive the return of Tony La Russa?
Impressions of the Oakland ballpark experience: Hardcore baseball, no frills, but more fun than you’d imagine
Meeting the Vaughns and Oakland P.A. announcer Amelia Schimmel, high-fiving La Pantera, and helping a family in need, the Irvins
Is this the end of the ballpark tour for 2022? (Are you kidding?)
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, revel in the White Sox scoring two touchdowns in a game, even if it was against a minor league team. But then, they worry considerably that the era of Miguel Cairo and the success and spirit it has brought is about to end, with the HOFBP saying he’ll be back with the team next week. Only with the White Sox would such a thing be allowed to happen, but when you’ve got Jerry Reinsdorf and two empty suits in charge, that’s how it will go. Will the Sox plummet back to mediocrity on La Russa’s return? We make an educated guess. Also, on the return front, the two agree that if Tim Anderson makes it off the IL, the White Sox need to keep Elvis Andrus and his stellar defense (and surprising offense) at shortstop, and move Tim Anderson to second to give the Sox an outstanding infield. Will that happen? Apparently only the HOFBP knows. Talk then goes to outstanding pitching performances, including Lance Lynn’s discovery that throwing a curve is legal, and on to action happening as the podcast was being recorded — the presumed passage of some major rules changes for 2023. They like the pitch clock, don’t like the restriction on pickoff attempts, and are fine with the restriction on shifting, thought they speculate — you heard it here first — that stadiums are apt to see major alterations on the size of their infield dirt areas depending on the structure of the home team. Infield dirt all the way to the warning track could be coming to a stadium near you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We joined forces with Elizabeth Gonzales at exactly the right time, in-between road trips to Cleveland and now, onto Seattle and Oakland. Lucky us, she’s reporting on the White Sox action on-site, and will be writing up a de facto ballpark review/guide for both. Bonus!
Postgame reaction to a Lance Lynn masterpiece, and Elvis Andrus contributing all over the field
Getting the first game on this road trip makes it seem like the White Sox are already playing with house money
White Sox fan presence showed up in Seattle, and perhaps put jaded M’s fans on their heels!
Have fortunes for the White Sox changed from dour to delicious in less than a week?
Initial impressions of T-Mobile from Elizabeth: massive, and impressive
The key element of a great fan experience? It might not be what you think, and Seattle impressed immediately
Does a pop quiz catch Elizabeth on her heels?
Coming up: Oakland
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While we had several SSS staff members at Saturday’s one-hitter by Dylan Cease, only Allie Wesel was available to break down the experience postgame. Of course, she was the only one of our group to be celebrating a birthday at the ballpark on Saturday as well, so it’s fitting we get her insights on a very special game:
Allie brings us right to the moment Luis Arráez slapped that base hit, keeping Dylan from the ranks of the immortals — for now
Which SSS writer — texting from elsewhere in the park — gave Allie the early heads-up (perhaps WAY early) that something special was in the works?
Brett predicts Dylan’s next start will go 12 innings, given his relatively newfound efficiency, pushing him from great pitcher to one of baseball’s elite
Dilemma: On one hand, the need to use the restroom; on the other, history playing out in front of your eyes
In just a mere few days, have the White Sox fortunes turned from outside-looking-in to division favorite?
Is Sunday’s finale with Minny a must-win?
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Sure, the White Sox are playing baseball every day, but it’s impossible to ignore the giant vortex sucking all the air out of the room. So SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, spend plenty of time making wild guesses about what the heck is going on with the HOFBP, whilst, with most of the fan base, wishing him well — but a recovery somewhere besides the dugout. That’s if a recovery is really needed — lots of doubts about what’s really going on, and slams at the front office for being its usual useless self in providing information. (One apology from Leigh — it turns out the Mayo Clinic has actually opened a campus in Arizona.) As for actual baseball, recovering to win the final two games of a week when at least five should have been won didn’t exactly win praise, but it’s agreed sweeping Minnesota would do so ... though both scoff at YouTube announcer Yonder Alonso giving the White Sox a 50% chance to win the AAAL Central, which is five or 10 times the chance computer algorithms give. They also agree that probably no team from the division should be allowed in the playoffs at all, but that’s another story. As for the nature of play, Leigh points out that while the White Sox have been bad at booming homers, they’ve also been really bad at lots of things connected to small, or smaller, ball — last in MLB in triples and stolen bases, next to last in getting runners home who made it to third with fewer than two outs, etc. And then there’s the bizarre nature of continuing injuries that simply shouldn’t happen to professional athletes ... with Will proposing a solution every 10-year old is familiar with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s been a while since we’ve met some SSS players, and this time around, we’re introducing four at once — new writers Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Allie Wesel, Marj Raguso and Elizabeth (mysoxarewhite). Our newest injection of talent into the site sat down with Brett Ballantini to talk bout their path to the White Sox — and about the club we are surfing through the 2022 season with.
Grandfathers and fathers — and in at least one case, defying a mother! — help set the stage for Sox fandom
Both Allie and Elizabeth were stunned by the atmosphere of the 2021 ALDS Blackout Game 3, while Melissa reveled in the corn-swathed Field of Dreams Game and TA’s dramatics
Each woman’s route to SSS, possibly involving presumed pranks
Injuries dominate assessments of the 2022 season — and the team’s prospects for the postseason
Marj suggests that an outright bad team might be better — or at least less tortuous — than this one-step-forward, one-step-back club we’re watching this year
Speed round: most inspiring and most disappointing 2022 White Sox
More speed: Favorite baseball movies
And, final word: Field of Dreams, thumbs-up or -down?
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Honestly, Scott Reichard’s regular theme music cover of Don’t Stop Believin’ just didn’t feel right for this one, so it’s a dry open for Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis and Jordan Hass. This podcast crew came together for a little broader, or higher minded, discussion of White Sox fandom:
Expanding on a question that circled the podcast table last week, the vibe check here spoke of our gut feelings as a White Sox fan — how you started backing this team, and how this 2022 club might be disappointing in ways more than mere losing
What broke in White Sox culture from 2020 (or 2021, even), to this year?
A jaw-dropping conspiracy theory from Jordan, surrounding the La Russa hire
We play another round of who to get rid of, if only one: Tony La Russa, Rick Hahn, or Jerry Reinsdorf
Also: Will the White Sox end 2022 with a winning record against ... the Kansas City Royals? The panel weighs in, and it’s not looking good
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Is the slimness-challenged person of the female persuasion merely in her dressing room rehearsing? Is she in the wings, getting ready to come on stage? Or is she in full voice, belting out her signature song for the judges of White Sox Got Talent? Such is the sad discussion all around White Sox fandom land, and especially for SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and (back to) west coast correspondent, Will. Recording a podcast the morning after the debacle of the final game of the Baltimore series will tend a conversation in that direction, and with good reason. Also taking the talk in a negative direction is the way the White Sox as an organization handle injuries and injured players, which couldn’t be much worse if the decisions were being made by a proponent of leeching. Or if the training was being done by a peddler of oil of the cobra. A look at the computers predicting the season is not encouraging, Neither is reality. But it’s still possible the overweight crooner could come down with a bad cold and be unable to perform, isn’t it? And looking far ahead, the 2023 schedule will make things much rougher, and will José Abreu learn that the HOFBP will be back and flee to some organization that is actually interested in baseball? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Outrageous acts demand outrageous podcasts, and six splendid South Side Sox writers (Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis, Zach Hayes, Dante Jones and Jordan Hass) came together in the aftermath of the Michael Kopech Start to discuss our Chicago White Sox:
Vibe check — not of the team and its prospects, but of your gut feeling as a White Sox fan
Yes, in fact, shit show is two words
Where were the coaching staff and catchers while Kopech was pitching injured, pre-game and in-game?
Tony wants it both ways: The ability to make repeated rookie mistakes and the respect that a Hall-of-Famer Baseball Person merits
The sickening feeling that comes with hate-watching the team you love
As prices plummet, Zach and Chrystal look to take in a game together
Jordan may not be heading to the park soon, for fear of decapitation
How many microbets has Joe won, totaling pennies for the piggy bank?
Which of our many audio clips will end up making the Told You So 2022 World Champion White Sox DVD?
Quick survey: Who wins the Central?
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Hard to delve into White Soxery with a straight face after the 21-5 debacle on Thursday, but SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and current next room correspondent, Will, give it a try. First up, of course, the Houston series, with its decent 2-2 split and indecent finish, leading to the big question of what can be so wrong with Lucas Giolito. The duo wonders whether Gio bulked up too much over the offseason and lost the flexibility in his delivery that made him an elite pitcher. On the elite pitcher front, can Dylan Cease really be one when he throws so many, many pitches per inning and thus seldom goes deep into a game? A debate takes place. And, of course, there’s Elvis. Will new shortstop replacement Elvis Andrus do it his way so well Sox fans Can’t Help Falling In Love, or will we be sent to Heartbreak Hotel? Finally, pitching matchups in Cleveland. Unfortunately, it turns out the Bieber they’ll be throwing Saturday is Shane, since they apparently DFAed Justin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This extend-o-matic, fantastic blast of a mothership podcast features Trevor Lines, Joe Resis, Brett Ballantini, Jordan Hass, Dante Jones and Adrian Serrano. On the heels of a four-game series loss to the Royals, and with only three games left in the so-called “easiest” part of the 2022 schedule, it’s time to check back in with the club and its future fortunes. And, in the second half of the show, we assess both immediate and long-term fixes for what is pretty apparent is a dysfunctional organization.
Round table thoughts on not even being able to split with the tanking Royals
It’s clear that the manager is not an ace communicator, but how could Tony La Russa lead his club into calmer waters?
Is Frank Menechino really the issue with the White Sox offense? And is it a launch angle issue — or an “all fields” one?
Time to ’fess up — at what point do you give up hope for the season?
What are the immediate changes we would make to the White Sox to get back into the driver’s seat and restore hope for 2022?
Going beyond that, what are the bigger-picture fixes this franchise needs to embrace to avoid seeing the contention window slam shut as soon as it opened?
Final bonus content: What are the odds of a premature, re-rebuild breaking out?
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The White Sox continue to be mired in mediocrity as they struggle with a part of the schedule a good Triple-A team could cruise through, but SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and current next-room correspondent, Will, dive into the biggest and worst news of the week: The injury to Tim Anderson that will keep the All-Star shortstop off of the field for most, and possibly all, of the 2022 season. Leigh has an answer: Andrelton Simmons. The multiple-Gold Glove winner is a free agent after being released by the Cubs this week, and the White Sox could sure use some defensive help. True, Simmons can’t hit a lick any more. Also true, his OBP is higher than Leury García’s and his K/BB ratio is less than two to one, so at least he puts the ball in play. Of course, no podcast would be complete without moaning about how poorly the White Sox hit, pitch and field, whilst giving thanks for being in a division where a horrible 82 wins might just win it. Even the professional prognosticators see no more than 85 wins for any of the three contenders, and one even has the White Sox as reaching that illustrious number. Meanwhile, as of the recording, five games were still left in the 19-game trek versus terrible teams, with the Sox 8-6 in it so far. Still, Will sees an incredibly uplifting Disney movie about the White Sox as they overcome adversity and a lout of a manager to win it all through friendship and love and all that really good tear-jerker sports movie stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s another mothership podcast, featuring the dynamic Indy duo of Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis, undynamic Brett Ballantini and debut podcaster Jordan Hass. Given the lukewarm water-space the White Sox are occupying these days (and have occupied all year), it is a bit of a challenge to bring even a half-hour of excitement and analysis to you. But, as always, we’ve tried. Buck up, White Sox, sheesh.
For a second it seemed like Brett was going to try to channel Bayleigh Von Schneider and turn this into a Soxy Chicks podcast, but lucky for all of you, that car crash was avoided ...
... in part because we enjoyed the podcast debut of Jordan. Appropriate for the club, her first word with us here was: MEH
Rotation concerns
Is the offense turning a corner?
Brief trade deadline musings (yo, they have to be brief, there wasn’t nothing)
Bright signs for the White Sox?
Quickie predictions on the K.C. series
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There was a trade deadline? Some teams improved their rosters? SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and current next-room correspondent, Will, find that an unusual thing to do, just as the White Sox front office does. It’s not like the Sox did absolutely nothing — they got a 35-year-old reliever who had walked 30 batters in 38 innings in 2022 in exchange for a catcher who was one of only two players on a team that is last in the league in defense with strong defensive value. It is notable, though, that that pitcher’s Wikipedia page says that Jake Diekman likes to take long walks on the beach. No mention of piña coladas. Cleveland did even worse, and their GM pulled a Rick Hahn right afterward and said he didn’t want to mess with team chemistry. Right. Somehow, though, commenters on the SB Nation Guardians site bought it. Must be drinking Cuyahoga River water. Minnesota went out and tried to fill holes on their roster by getting a solid starter and two relievers, including an All-Star closer. Shame on them for trying to win. On to the future, the duo talk about the 11 games left in the 19-game stretch of playing what are basically minor league teams, especially post trade deadline. Not that Texas gave anything away at the deadline, but they are being kind to the Sox by not pitching Martin Perez in the series and having Jon Gray on the IL, instead beginning the series with a lefty in his first major league game. With Cleveland playing Houston and the Twins facing Toronto, this is a big chance for the White Sox to surge to the lead. But will they? We make guesses. (For what it’s worth, oddsmakers make them favorites every game, the Twins and Guardians underdogs every game.) The longer question being debated, though, is how many of the next 11 games the White Sox need to win to show they’re a good team, how many just to get by, how many before it’s time for all fans to give up on the team unless the HOFBP is fired. (Hint: It’s a bunch of them, in either case.) Then there’s the question of why the hell the White Sox won’t say what has been wrong with Luis Robert. Medical privacy matter? Or just the usual incompetent WS PR with its complete disdain for the fans? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Was Leury García getting picked off third by the catcher on ball four of a walk the quintessential White Sox play of the year? Quite possibly, but SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and currently next room correspondent, Will, heartily agree that it was at the very least symbolic of the way the team plays under the HOFBP. Two games into a 19-game stretch against terrible teams the record is 1-1, creating agreement the White Sox better go at least 12-5 the rest of the way or call it a year and maybe ask if they can go down to Triple-A next season, especially since the terrible teams will be even worse once they dump players at the trade deadline (or earlier, as with Kansas City sending Andrew Benintendi to the Yankees). Do the two trust Rick Hahn or his real boss, the HOFBP, to actually accomplish anything at the deadline? Of course not, even though the latest recurrence of Joe Kelly’s bicep injury — yet another indication signing Kelly was incredibly stupid — shows a strong need for relievers, and the continuing struggles of Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn show a strong need for a starter. In fairness, the expected failure is in significant part because the Sox have so little to trade that any rebuilding team would want, but that doesn’t make accomplishing something impossible, just difficult. There is some ranting about the incredible inefficiency of White Sox pitchers who consistently need as many pitches to get through five innings as opposing starters need to get through seven. Amazingly, no bad language is used. The biggest ranting, though, is about the total failure of the White Sox from office or the HOFBP to be up front and communicative about injuries, especially the “lightheadedness and blurred vision” of Luis Robert, which could be anything from a flu side effect to a very serious health problem. And as for the lack of real hustle and playing through minor injuries that permeate the White Sox lineup (except José and Josh), well, that was a rant where it was very hard to keep the language clean. (Including a reference to superstar Kris Bryant playing with plantar fasciitis, which is very painful, while several Sox have to sit out with tired legs). Despite the temptation, though, they did not go on a lengthy “Fire Tony” chant. Just a fairly short one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Despite missing draft coverage (pfft, slacker) this year and being fined an undisclosed amount in South Side Sox bux, Darren Black allows Brett Ballantini to revive the farm podcast and drag it into July with a top-to-bottom review of last week’s proceedings:
The heretofore unseen (limited assets) logic of taking a gamble on a prep lottery pick in the first round
Themes and trends of this White Sox draft
What’s the deal with all the pitchers?
What’s the deal with the lack of OFs and catchers?
A quick look at the sole prep of the White Sox draft, Noah Schultz — and why he might not leave Arizona until 2024
Detailed notes on Peyton Pallette, Jordan Sprinkle, Tim Elko, Jacob Burke, Tristan Stivors, Nick Altermatt, among many others
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Hey there White Sox fans, we’re back with another mothership podcast, featuring Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis, Hannah LaMotta and Brett Ballantini. This time out, we’re mostly centering on the transition to the second half of the season, and the marshmallow-soft schedule that looms on the horizon:
Coming out of the Cleveland split, we round up the positives (Yoán Moncada!) and negatives (Lucas Giolito ...) about the team going forward
Breaking down the criminally easy schedule from here until mid-August, how many of the 21 games do the White Sox need to win to assert themselves into the dog days?
Presuming a playoff run, who will be the team MVP of the second half?
Embarrassing or expected: Rick Hahn admitting a dire need for bullpen help at the trade deadline
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It’s time for SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and current next room (while he’s in Chicago for rehearsals of his new play) correspondent, Will, to gaze into ye olde crystal ball for the second half of the White Sox season. Unfortunately, a look at the first half is required first. Even more unfortunately, Leigh decided to be a meanie and look at White Sox defense. Sure, we all know they are the worst in the American League at catching and throwing and such things, but did you know that almost half the team that may be on the field at any given moment scores out as individually worse than perhaps the biggest defensive laughingstock of our era, Manny Ramirez? Alas, it is so. We provide some numbing numbers. Which brings us to the point of asking why the hell Adam Engel, who is terrific defensively, doesn’t play instead of people who not only have stone hands and arms but don’t hit any better than he does. It is a mystery. Or would be if the White Sox weren’t managed by the HOFBP. Speaking of playing more, did you know only one White Sox player — José Abreu, of course — has played in more than 74 games of the first 92? Guess we can’t make professional athletes work too hard. As for looking forward, Leigh and Will agree the addition of a starting pitcher is a must, and cite The Athletic’s suggestion of Kyle Freeland or Madison Bumgarner as White Sox fits and excellent options to pursue. Then they mention a third, more obtainable option. Hint: His last name starts with Q. As for the season outcome, they mention the future gazing of ZIPS, PECOTA, ESPN, 538 and South Side Sox ... but what do they then predict? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and currently next room correspondent, Will, anxiously await the next fascinating intentional walk call by the HOFBP, with Leigh pointing out it takes a while sometimes for old folks such as the HOFBP and himself to remember a name, such as the name of who is at-bat. Or what team you’re playing. Meanwhile, they dig into the value of the strategy of always losing the first two games of a series, then winning what’s left. Is it effective? Is it disarming opponents? Will it catch on, with all teams trying to lose the start of a series? As for players, they agree Eloy’s return is unlikely to prove much benefit, if any, given he’s 3-for-26 since the dramatic home run return game. They see Seby sinking back to reality, but José continuing to be outstanding and a solid extension candidate, and Lucas Giolito and Johnny Cueto showing the rest of the staff that it really is possible to have a start where you don’t average 20 pitches an inning (you paying attention, Dylan?). But, of course, the cast couldn’t end without a discussion — OK, rant — about the Bob Nightengale column on dysfunction and cliques in the White Sox clubhouse, which certainly appeared to be planted by the controlling owner to try to deflect the blame for the team’s total flatness away from his pet HOFBP. The old adage is that when a team is woeful you can’t fire the players, so you fire the manager. But what happens when you can’t fire the manager? (Hint: You’re sunk.) Which, also of course, led to a call for a ticket-buying boycott until said HOFBP is fired. Which, very, very, sadly, won’t happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son, Will, who is usually the west coast correspondent, but will be the next room correspondent while he’s in Chicago for six weeks for (shameless plug follows) rehearsals and opening of the world premiere of his play “Campaigns, Inc.” at Timeline Theatre, praise the return of Eloy Jiménez, especially since Eloy helped salvage the Minnesota series with a homer on his first game back. The two agree (yes, agree!) that the return of Eloy may or may not have actual playing importance, but has unlimited spirit importance because he lifts up his teammates from the flatness they’ve suffered most of the season. They also agree being swept by the Twins would have been devastating — hard not to agree on that, so they thank Rocco Baldelli for pulling a HOFBP move and not pinch-hitting Carlos Correa in the 10th inning of the finale. The discussion turned at length to the pleasant problem of Seby Zavala — what do you do with a third catcher who is hitting well better than .300 and playing solid defense when the theoretical starter comes off the IL? Sure, based on performance Yasmani Grandal should be the one kept off of the 26-man, but that’s not going to happen. So would trading Seby while he’s hot (and before pitchers make adjustments) for much-needed pitching help be a good idea, or a disaster when Grandal’s knee goes out again? There’s also mention of the White Sox definitely winning the opener of the Detroit series due to Dylan Cease’s mastery of the Tigers, recorded before the series opener was played, and lost. But on the prediction accuracy side, Cease didn’t lose, either. And, of course, there must be some ranting, and the Joe Kelly acquisition leads the way on that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Tireless San Francisco sweep weekend SSS writers Chrystal O’Keefe and Jacki Krestel hopped on for our special Independence Day podcast — which turned out to be anything but. More on that in a bit. The trio chatted on the many highlights from the weekend, concerns going forward, and a little bit about what it means to be a reader of this site. Let’s proceed:
Post-sweep, what if anything looks different about this team?
Is Gio back?
And speaking of prospective aces, how’s about that Dylan Cease? We’re not handing him the Cy Young yet, but his first 16 starts have been the closest thing we’ve had to a sure thing among starters
Can improved/stellar starting affect the wheezy offense? This was a word problem presented by Brett in flip fashion, and it was not terribly well-received. OK, OK, no more LSAT practice tests on the SSS podcast
Why Only the Opener Tonight Means Anything, by soothsayer Jacki
The ethical dilemma of loving Byron Buxton but hating the Minny Twins
And, finally, an editorial at podcast end addressing what to expect on site the next time something of monumental import outside of the White Sox crashes down — and the expectation placed on dissenting readers when their rights to unadulterated White Sox baseball coverage are encroached
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In our continuing effort to provide hope and happiness to you, the South Side Sox reader and listener, the SSS mothership podcast crew of Brett Ballantini, Joe Resis, Trooper Galactus, Dante Jones and Adrian Serrano spent this episode figuring out how (if) the White Sox can make up their first-half deficit behind not one, but two formidable AL Central clubs. Let’s get to the highlights:
Looking up and down the roster, where can we realistically expect — or at least hope for — measured improvement in the second half?
How does Cleveland’s emergence as a legit contender — currently just a game behind Minnesota for first place — complicate Chicago’s climb to the playoffs?
A twist on the current poll on site, asking readers to choose who to fire among Tony, Rick and Jerry: Eliminate one, but the other two then MUST stay with the club for at least a year. The results may surprise
The weekend series with the Giants is previewed, as such, by wondering whether Rick Hahn’s decision not to extend a qualifying offer to Carlos Rodón this offseason is the worst he’s made as GM
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Sharing Sox west coast correspondent Will Allan trekked from North Hollywood to Anaheim Wednesday night, only to find out the White Sox didn’t bother to show up for the game. Well, figuratively, anyway. Asked by dad Leigh whether the Sox look as listless in person as on TV, Will confirmed that if anything they look worse, from pregame warmups to the end of the loss. The two agreed that while the Sox were visiting the Angels, Disneyland wasn’t the only Mickey Mouse operation in the neighborhood. Naturally, they also agreed that the reason for such lifelessness is the HOFBP, both because of bad, bad decisions and overall pathetic leadership. They then disagreed over how many losses in a row they would happily suffer if it meant the HOFBP would be fired. Leigh opened the bidding at 10, Will quickly went to 12. The subject changed before the bidding really got ugly. The new subject was the asinine instruction to more than half the team not to bother hustling to first base. More agreement — both would rather see the entire lineup in Birmingham brought up play hard, and no doubt lose anyway, than the slothful product the White Sox put on the field now. Discussion then turned to he upcoming series in San Francisco, where the Sox lucked out and won’t have to face Carlos Rodón, and where two of the very worst defensive teams in the majors will compete for the ineptness trophy. Too negative? Well, on the positive side, a tip of the hat went to the sportsmanship of Andrew Vaughn for literally tipping his hat to Cedric Mullins of the Orioles after Mullins made an incredible catch to rob Vaughn of extra bases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Another week off of the calendar, another week of White Sox water-treading. The SSS mothership podcast crew of Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe, Trooper Galactus and Jacki Krestel took on the team, and the curious public relations surrounding it.
In the never-ending temperature check of White Sox postseason prospects, how optimistically do we stand?
Tangible ways for the White Sox to launch themselves into first place: Chrystal thinks it’s coaching changes, Brett and Jacki lean pitching, while Trooper sees the offense waking up as our only hope.
Some numbers: At current pace, even if the White Sox played only losing teams, they land at 85-77 by season’s end. At current pace overall, it’s closer to 79-83. The schedule does get a little easier — especially the first chunk of August, but 39 of 91 games left are still against winning clubs.
And, revisiting: What is going on with the tone-deaf fan relations, particularly Steve Stone’s tough-guy disses of fans who doth protest?
A few final words about the world burning down.
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, breathe a sigh of relief that their joint prediction that the White Sox would go 3-3 vs. Houston and Toronto came true, and give a special thanks to Tuesday night plate umpire Dave Eddings’ incredibly badly-called game for making that possible — what with the stats showing he handed the Sox more than two runs in a one-run game. No thanks, however, go to the HOFBP and the organization’s coaches at all levels, who apparently teach no baseball fundamentals whatsoever, leading to the constant onslaught of not just botched plays and generally horrible defense, but collisions such as the one Wednesday that resulted in Danny Mendick being helped off the field with a torn ACL. Sure, other teams have the rare collision, but most ballplayers are taught about calling for a ball back around the age of eight, so why the White Sox can’t learn the trick is a mystery. Well, it would be a mystery if we didn’t know who the manager is. On a related front, father and son are also at a loss to understand why the White Sox, alone among not just major league teams but hundreds of thousands of pro and amateur baseball and softball players at all skill and age levels, can’t run, or even jog, to first base without pulling up lame. Something is rotten in Denmark, or would be if Denmark was at 35th and Shields. As for pitching, the mystery is, of course, Lucas Giolito. Well, Lucas and why the rest of the starters, even when having a very good game, can’t seem to get through an inning in fewer than 20 pitches. The White Sox were the least efficient staff in baseball last year, and this season seems no different. Ah, well — the Orioles next. So thanks are to be given for that. We hope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With “first halves” of the minor league season over, Darren Black and Brett Ballantini spent No. 30, looking at the best player at each level, with some game-show wrinkles:
Hot call-up pick Yolbert Sánchez seems to not be a clear-cut MVP at Birmingham or Charlotte, so what gives?
In fact, for the Knights, Darren has a wild MVP pick
Birmingham’s MVP is sort of a given, considering Lenyn Sosa is still in Alabama. Did any of you foresee Davis Martin’s ascendance, though?
It’s Bryan Ramos vs. Oscar Colás in Winston-Salem — and hey, notice how there aren’t really any pitchers mentioned as MVPs?
Colson Montgomery is the one player who clearly came into the season as the Kannapolis MVP, and has played like it — but Darren points to a player who at the moment may be even more intriguing
Bonus round: Who’s the next Charlotte call-up not on the 40-man roster?
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It was a rare opportunity to find out the truth. Sharing Sox west coast correspondent Will Allan spent 13 hours Wednesday in the same room with one of the greatest collections of comedians and comic actors ever assembled, shooting a scene for Jerry Seinfeld’s new Netflix movie Unfrosted, so he naturally took advantage of the situation to ask two of them the most critical question of the day — are they really White Sox fans? Grilled by SSS duty geezer and midwest correspondent — his father, Leigh — Will revealed the answers from Chicago-area natives Jim Gaffigan and Melissa McCarthy. Tune in to learn the real hot skinny. Some details will astound you. At least if you’re easily astoundable. After that, talk turns to the more usual look back at the recent White Sox week, including Yoán Moncada’s huge day Wednesday (yes, before his latest injury, on Friday), and forward to the more challenging week to come, when the opposing teams both belong in the major leagues. There’s some disagreement whether planned pitcher use for the week is intelligent management or necessity born of prior abuse. And what would a podcast be without some serious complaints about you-know-who, specifically the use of starting pitchers and the remarkable inefficiency of those starts when it comes to pitches per inning? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
After a sweep, punctuated by a resounding 13-0 smackdown that applied first aid to Chicago’s woeful run differential if nothing else, this SSS mothership podcast crew of Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe, Adrian Serrano, Joe Resis, Dante Jones and Zach Hayes peered into the future to find out whether this was a sign of good fortune ahead:
Round-table time: Are the White Sox real, or is a sweep in Motown a mirage?
Can the Power of Positive Thinking push this team to greatness?
Listen closely for Brett’s dis of Lance Lynn; as Adrian mentions, he does have the same number of White Sox playoff wins as Dallas Keuchel
It should help that the schedule is about to get a LOT easier. However, that ease of schedule isn’t quite here yet, there are still rough games to weather
The White Sox now project (per run diff) to a 71-91 season, the best projection in weeks!
What is going on with White Sox injury management (no, not the volume of injuries, but making sure there are 26 healthy players available each game)?
Let’s play the Ozzie Game: Is exit velo somehow a bad or empty achievement?
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It is often good to go against the tide of public opinion, but this definitely is not one of those times where the White Sox are concerned, so SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, join the throng attacking the HOFBP for the infamous intentional walk on a 1-2 count, the in-your-face defense thereof, and his seemingly endless string of bizarre and harmful managerial actions. Not that the throng will in any way influence the decisions of the HOFBP, nor of the 86-year-old man who will keep said HOFBP employed until at least one of them dies. Of course, in between the two aforementioned arrogant jerks stand two empty suits, which raises the question of where Rick Hahn and Ken Williams misplaced their self-respect and testosterone. Will they ever speak out, or, better yet, resign in protest of the situation? Of course not — that’s why their suits are empty — but we felt it necessary to ask. As for the White Sox players, well, the less said the better in most cases, but we say a lot anyway, from lamenting the worst defense in MLB to decrying being 30th in walks received while next-to-worst in walks issued. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Well then, anyone got anything you wanna talk about? Brett Ballantini invites in Dante Jones, Chrystal O’Keefe, Sam Sherman and Joe Resis to discuss the latest La Russa embarrassment:
Brett offers a quick breakdown of the good and bad of La Russa being questioned about his intentional walk to Justin Turner with a 1-2 count — an unquestionably disastrous bit of strategy
Dante, at the ballpark today, offers thoughts on the library silence of the crowd for decent chunks of the game
Will Tony ever leave the White Sox of his own volition? Chrystal thinks it will take not one, not two, but three more DUIs
Can the White Sox play at the proper clip — basically winning every series from here out — to get to 90 wins and adequate hopes for the playoffs?
How will the club respond over the weekend, in the perpetual hamster wheel of “must” series?
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Yes, there were no lies detected in Podcast 28 — it’s a Farm podcast for a second straight week! Can we fill the time?
Romy González, despite his 2022 setbacks, still may be the preferable promotion option vs. Lenyn Sosa or Yolbert Sánchez
Yoelqui Céspedes’ contact troubles
Wes Kath is bringing the power and getting his just due as more than just Colson Montgomery’s running mate
Bryan Ramos’ promotion schedule, and how he sizes up to 2021 José Rodríguez
An ACL White Sox preview, along with the essay question: Why the hell do they play for a month in Arizona before the draft takes place?
A DSL White Sox preview, including the scoop on Erick Hernández and that Cuban-”Italian” player the White Sox just signed
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Hey hey, it’s a throwback mothership podcast, to our heady days when it was just Brett Ballantini and the Indianapolis Field Office, Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis in adjacent cubicles. Joe almost missed the podcast, but luckily he looked skyward and saw the SSS Podcast logo beamed up into the sky, and new it was time. Good thing, because amid the gloom of a 25-27 overall record and 2-4 road trip, came a pretty fun program. Dig it:
Predict-a-Record is played once again. Chrystal has upped her prediction from 47 to 75 wins. Joe is a bit sunnier, at 87. Brett did not answer, but upon reflection, 85 (and still a crack at the lousy ALC title)
Who on the roster is underperforming to such a degree that his bounce-back could fuel a run toward 90 wins?
Spoiler, the obvious choice is Yasmani Grandal, who is in the midst of as bizarre a flame-out as we’ve experienced in White Sox history
Another game: Eliminate Jerry, Rick or Tony from the White Sox
Steve Stone, street fighter (spurred somewhat by Zach Hayes’ string of smart tweets to Steve)
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It’s no secret the White Sox are playing very badly, but SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, make the big mistake this week of looking at the actual numbers for hitting, fielding, and pitching. Surprise! Those numbers do not improve one’s opinion. Even when there appears to be hope, the hope gets diminished:
Batting average .235, 19th in MLB. Not good by any means, but not terrible.
That is, not terrible until being 30th in walks bring the OBP down to 28th at .291 and the OPS to .650, ahead of only the Tigers and A’s. Etc.
No wonder runs per game come in 27th.
Fielding? Don’t ask, though being dead-worst in errors is no longer the case, so that’s a bright spot. At least it’s a bright spot until you look at runs saved or range actors.
But the pitching has been good, right? Well, if you consider 25th in runs allowed good.
And so it goes. The White Sox do have the best record in baseball at being caught stealing, which has only happened twice. So there is that. All is not moaning and groaning, though. There’s also anger, as Leigh takes off on the HOFBP for acting like he speaks for military veterans in his comments on Gabe Kapler’s decision on the National Anthem, when in fact said HOFBP never served in the military even though he was of age during the Vietnam Era. It wasn’t a surprising move by the arrogant jerk, but it was damned offensive. Oh, yes, Will raises the question of why White Sox starting pitchers take more pitches to get through an inning than others do. Unfortunately, we have no answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Last time we met for session one of White Sox group therapy, the White Sox were making us sad and apathetic. Over a month since the first episode, it’s somehow worse, with the White Sox two games under .500 and keeping our sports trauma running steady. Sam Sherman, Chrystal O’Keefe, Adrian Serrano and a treadmill aka Zach Hayes gets together for yet another episode of White Sox Therapy to discuss this team that probably doesn’t deserve our attention, but we give it to them anyway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sure, we’re running a victory lap over Darren getting GM Rick Hahn to dump Dallas Keuchel, why shouldn’t we? OK, there were other things to talk about, as well:
How big a drag is it to have covered this lousy system for five seasons now?
Darren offers hope, though: diamonds in the rough
Yolbert Sánchez is still not in the majors; is Darren getting impatient?
Lenyn Sosa is still not in Triple-A; is Darren getting impatient?
Terrell Tatum’s odd profile, in a small sample size
The majesty and mastery of Kohl Simas’ first two pro seasons
Is Simas already considered a legit prospect, or does he need to succeed in High-A first?
Eagerly awaiting (?) the start (?) of the Arizona Complex League
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A split to finish off Crosstown 2022, at an enormous cost, as on Sunday it appeared that Tim Anderson would be sidelined with a groin injury to an extended period of time. But even with TA, the .500 White Sox have flopped through the first quarter of the season. Zach Hayes, Dante Jones, Trooper Galactus, Joe Resis and Brett Ballantini assess the State of the Sox:
How hard is it to do a White Sox podcast when you don’t really want to talk about the White Sox?
Sunny Brett gives the White Sox one more win than they actually have
The rash of injuries: fluke or projectable?
The impact of losing White Sox heartbeat (and only offensive weapon worth much of a damn at this point), Tim Anderson
One cussing outburst; probably not who you think
Joe is angling for a step-up from Yasmani Grandal and Yoán Moncada
Dante figures that even if the White Sox falter, we’ll get to look at the kids on the farm
Zach’s most plausible path to a division title and third straight playoffs at this point? NOBODY’S LOOKING ANY LONGER
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After another weird week, the White Sox host the Cubs for the final two games of the Crosstown season series. Delia Ritchie, Dante Jones, Adrian Serrano and Brett Ballantini discuss the South Siders, and what’s to come this weekend:
Delia reports on her cousin’s Bridgeport White Sox tee-ball game on Thursday, during which the tee was reported to have better stuff than Dallas Keuchel was throwing at Sox Park
Vibe check on the 22-22 White Sox: fair
The extraordinary growth/maturity/leadership/intelligence of White Sox heartbeat, Tim Anderson
Mr. Jones (Dante’s dad), we all thoroughly wish you have a very bad baseball weekend
What is the more important rival, an AL Central team or the Cubs?
Compare/contrast White Sox-Cubs with Bears-Packers
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Sharing Sox has been on a jury duty hiatus, but is back with a very special guest, indeed. SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, are joined this week by Neil Paine, senior sportswriter and general editor for the amazing statistical analysis site fivethirtyeight.com. Five Thirty Eight is the product of master statistician Nate Silver, who began the site as a political data analysis entity, but whose background as the creator of PECOTA made adding sports, especially baseball, a natural progression. The site’s baseball coverage is extensive — Neil just posted a piece analyzing the difference the change in the ball has made in homers this year, divided by exit velocity — but it is probably best known for its predictions, both on a seasonal basis and for each game. Neil calls baseball the most difficult and random type of predictions they do, in sports or otherwise, but gives a full explanation of how 538 arrives at preseason team ratings, the 10,000 computer simulations they then run to come up with predicted records and playoff probabilities, and how they are able to update those records within moments after a given game is over. Yes, 538 had the White Sox winning the AL Central easily before the season began, and now (before Thursday’s finale vs. Boston) gives the Sox just a 37% chance of winning the division (Twins 59%). Neil explains what that means. Neil also gets into what makes 538 give, say, the White Sox a 56% chance of winning a given game, a 43% chance in another one. (Hint: It has a whole lot to do with starting pitchers, and almost nothing to do with a given batter.) So, to find out why predictions go the way they do, give it a listen. And don’t worry - it’s in baseball fan speak, not stat nerd speak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Well now, this is more like it. An impossibly happy podcast, on the heels of a White Sox doubleheader sweep in the Bronx, brings the best out of Chrystal O’Keefe, Jacki Krestel, Joe Resis, Sam Sherman, Zach Hayes and Brett Ballantini. Or does it?
Round table vibe check? Solid
The outright heroism of Tim Anderson and Michael Kopech
But really, dig how good the entire pitching staff has been, more or less. Wow!
Some real talk on any progress being made to avoid, or at least properly punish, behavior like we witnessed in- and postgame on Saturday from Josh Donaldson
Did Tony La Russa finally make it obvious there’s a bond between him and his team (oh, and watch the Freudian slip from a certain host who will remain nameless)
Is this doubleheader/road trip what the White Sox need to kick-start a run, belated or no, at the top of the AL Central
The ongoing travails of Lowered Expectations
What number podcast is this, anyway
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After an extended hiatus — Brett Ballantini was unavoidably detained from minors talk — he and Darren Black hook up for a truly terrific Farm edition, featuring some stellar analysis from the latter and more awkward jokes from the former:
Darren dismantles Brett’s theory that Davis Martin in the bigs is simply another product of Tony La Russa’s stubbornness
Given Martin’s stellar debut, what are his prospects going forward, overall and on the Stiever-o-Meter?
Seriously, are the Johnny Cueto and Martin debuts a true achievement given the mid-AAA offense that Kansas City brings to the diamond?
Is it time to panic over José Rodríguez, or is his hitting the wall something he can bounce right back off of?
Darren explains why Oscar Colás isn’t yet in Birmingham, and it has nothing to do with his play on the field
Analyzing where Colás stands vis-a-vis 2023 on the South Side vs. Yoelqui Céspedes, who a month or two ago was the no-brainer pick for the Opening Day outfield
Has any of the young arms trio in A-ball (Matthew Thompson, Drew Dalquist, Jared Kelley) distinguished themselves — and is it time to severely adjust expectations on any?
For the first time this season, ink in back-to-back weeks On the Farm; see ya early next week for No. 28, folks
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After too long a break, encompassing a long winning streak and short home sputtering, the mothership podcast is back and motoring toward the next hundred podcasts. Chrystal O’Keefe, Adrian Serrano, Joe Resis, Sam Sherman and Tommy Barbee check in with Brett Ballantini to assess the state of the Sox, as the team struggles to stick above .500. Some crib notes:
Chrystal O’Keefe is ready to abandon the club and root for the ... Mets? Her adjusted prediction for the White Sox win total is down from her 99 before the season ... to 45
Sam Sherman, late of our North Side Sox Podcast and White Sox Therapy podcast stops by — hell, quarantined he had nothing else going on — to preach some calm on the regular season, and diminished expectations come October
Adrian Serrano, among many wise theories, imagines the White Sox will make a bold move in the division once Cleveland gives up on the season
Joe Resis imagines Chicago getting a high-80s win total, enough to win the putrid Central
Tommy Barbee might be the boldest of all, envisioning this season (rather than last, when magic abounded) as the one where Hall-of-Famer Tony La Russa shows his mettle as a manager (don’t laugh? Solely by run differential, the White Sox should be three games worse this season so far)
The White Sox have to go 77-52 (.597) to match last year’s win total (93)
And for those of you who think we tend to be too hard on your beloved Pale Hose, among the panel’s other collective reasons (in addition to Tommy’s and Adrian’s above) for hope that 90s wins, or a division title, or even success in the playoffs is still on the horizon: the weather will get warmer, Lance Lynn has yet to return, the team will adjust to the new dead ball. We may be grasping
We wind up with a quick round of Will Steve Stone Block You on Twitter This Summer
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The Sharing Sox special edition with 538 sportswriter, editor and general stats expert Neil Paine has been delayed a week because Neil was at a game that ran long (and was a big Braves win over the Mets and he’s from Georgia, so probably had no voice left), so for this week, it’s just SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, doing their usual schtick. Well, not usual — with the White Sox on a two-game winning streak, it’s exuberant schtick, albeit more in recognition of pitching success than batting accomplishments. The cast was recorded after the first game against That Other Team in Town, the one played in conditions reminiscent of a polar expedition from which no one returned. Will and Leigh get into the excellent performances of Vince Velásquez and Dylan Cease, the horrible failure of hitters — White Sox and otherwise (except for Tim Anderson) — to adjust to the reality of ball and weather challenges, just how much the bad start has altered projections for the Sox for the season, and what possible difficulties the team has coming up. And, of course, there’s a report on how absolutely dominating the White Sox are in Will’s video game season, led, of course, by pitchers with the initials D.K. and V.V.. Next week, shameless plug Neil should be with us to explain how 538 comes up with its team values, season analyses and game-by-game predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Well, Brett Ballantini forgot his tux, but hey, we’re still celebrating a 100th podcast together. All of us gathered down at the Indianapolis Field Office to try to make this first month of White Sox seem somehow palatable:
Chrystal O’Keefe has had enough, escaping to games in Milwaukee and Boston to avoid the White Sox (bad news, O’Keefe, guess who’s playing the Red Sox this weekend?)
Joe Resis fixes a brave face to a 9-13 month, playing a relatively easy schedule — but it ain’t easy
Adrian Serrano isn’t exactly shocked by the results so far this season — but how those results have been achieved, well, that’s another issue
With the White Sox no longer even projected to make the playoffs, Jacki Krestel is speechless — almost. Well, at least there’s one good use for a Sox game, even in the worst of times
The White Sox have to go 84-54 (.609) to match last year’s win total (93). How likely is that to happen?
May’s schedule has one patsy (Kansas City, although we did lose two of three to the Royals this homestand). What sort of May record will be good enough to call it a success and inspire confidence in the team going forward? Honestly, .500 seems enough
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Verily, the eight-game debacle has ended, and there is victory in the land once again! And, by golly, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, leap to the world of the pods immediately after the aforementioned victory to rejoice. Among the rejoicees is, of course, Dylan Cease, who pitched five brilliant innings vs. the Royals and one not-so-brilliant one, demonstrating once again (a) that he completely dominates bad teams, and (b) that he still can be shaken and lose his concentration over just about anything that goes wrong, in this case a dribbler that broke up his mid-range no-hitter. Will is a big observer of Cease’s errant footwork once Dylan’s been discombobulated, as was very much the case in the streak-ending game, and makes a wavy demonstration of the unfortunate angle Cease’s toes take when disturbed. The conversation then wends its way to other pitchers, from the morass in which Aaron Bummer finds himself (second lefty banana to Bennett Sousa, oh, shame!), the heights to which Kendall Graveman has soared, and the bizarre pitch-tipping that has become the wont of Liam Hendriks. On to the position players, trying to ignore the sorry state of most of the lineup, which has led the White Sox to the very pits of of MLB offensively, there is instead long lament about the ignominious state of the White Sox defense, woeful as it is except for the nice addition of Reese McGuire, which leads to many a word of what could possibly be done to cope with the fact the team is comprised nowadays of an abundance of designated hitters, most of whom must, alas, play in the field. And, of course, the obligatory pining over the fact that some for whom defense is a strength remain injured. But mostly, we celebrate the end of winter, except for the weather part, and gaze longingly forward to when the spring might arrive, both literally and figuratively. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
After more than two decades of sports fandom, Sam Sherman hit a crossroads. It’s hard to explain, but he found myself asking if all of the emotional pain that his sports fandom has brought him is worth it anymore. Sam, who co-hosts North Side Sox on SSS with Janice Scurio, was going to do a solo podcast to vent about his feelings, but decided that would be sad and unproductive. Instead, he turned to some pals on the South Side Sox staff (Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe, Tommy Barbee and Zach Hayes) to talk through these feelings in a quasi-group therapy session. Completely coincidentally, this morning Mitch Ransdell wrote up a piece that also touches on the notion that perhaps we all need White Sox therapy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What do you do on the heels of a seven-game losing streak? You record a podcast, that’s what! Zach Hayes, Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe, Trooper Galactus and Joe Resis got together to solve the White Sox. Did we? Well:
Is it time to panic?
The Eloy Jiménez injury
Liam Hendriks is back to tipping his pitches, but is that the biggest concern about him?
Tony La Russa: Seriously, what more is there to say?
Trooper loses it
Hey, the White Sox are 1 1⁄2 games out of first, exactly the same as they were on this day a year ago
Does the panel’s relatively sober assessment of the club (skewing, of course, positively) change if the White Sox flub the series at home vs. K.C.?
Chrystal’s lede for one of the losing streak games (something like AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) will become our default writing lede, until the losing streak is over
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, go full-out frustrated fan this week, cringing at the many-sided debacle of the Cleveland series, from disastrous defense, to TOOTBLANs galore, to an offense only capable of more than one run if handed to them, to pitchers forgetting it’s not just batting practice, to absolutely inexplicable decisions by the (JA)HOFBP. That last is the lead feature, as virtually every Sox fan would like to know what the hell Leury García, hitting .043 going into the games and owning a .660 career OPS, was doing batting third — not just once, but twice in a row. Sure, the first time was the second game of a doubleheader, with mostly subs in the lineup, but even then there were much better choices. And there were eight better choices on Thursday. Which leads to the question of playing mostly subs in the first place, and then not pinch-hitting for them when the White Sox were lucky enough to be within a run late in the game. But, then, the HOFBP is a HOFBP, as he is very happy to let everyone know, and we are just ignorant fans. Which brings us to other issues. Take Dallas Keuchel. Please. The advice here is to save him for situations where a double play is desperately needed so a ground ball is a necessity. Preferably, when either eight runs ahead or behind. As for other pitchers, they’re mostly hanging in there as best they can (but is Liam Hendriks tipping pitches?). Lucas Giolito is due back Sunday and Johnny Cueto not long after that, so things could get better on that front. Not that it will make much difference if the team can’t score more than three runs. And that, only when two are handed to them. And as for flipping off opposing fans because you’re having an absolutely awful day? A totally classless act by a usually classy guy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We lied to you two weeks ago. Well, Brett Ballantini lied. He said there would be another Farm podcast in a week, but with the home opener last Tuesday, it didn’t happen. But thankfully for him, Darren Black picked up the phone and snapped on his monitor to chat up the early MVPs of the system:
Brett is contractually prevented from actually listening to any SSS podcasts, instead compelled by SBN to do more, more, more ... so, did Darren predict greatness for clubber Carlos Pérez at Charlotte this year?
Also, keep an eye on Angry Seby
Forget the Y guys, what’s up with slugging Laz Rivera?
The pros and cons of Jason Bilous’ and Caleb Freeman’s starts in Birmingham (featuring a new Farm podcast character, “Mr. Bill”-ous
Who wins the race to Alabama, the big bat of Bryan Ramos or the all-around play and experience of Oscar Colás?
Is Sean Burke the new Konnor Pilkington — whether as trade chip, or legit down-the-road starter?
For all the blue chips in Kannapolis, boy howdy if catcher Colby Smelley isn’t our first weekly MVP
Benyamín Bailey Will Have His Revenge on Kannapolis
Cristian Mena — say what?
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In the second installment of Explain it Like I’m 5 (ELI5), Eugene Freedman, union lawyer and top voice of baseball labor relations, joins me to discuss a retrospective of, as well as future implications created by, the 2021-22 MLB lockout and collective bargaining agreement (CBA). “Not a lot of people grow up in union households, but I did,” Freedman says. Freedman proudly points out his maternal grandfather went to work for a sewage disposal plant. “He literally worked knee-deep in shit,” says Freedman with a laugh. In 1981, Freedman experienced formative personal events in both his union and baseball experience: He joined his first picket line, and went to his first baseball game. Freedman’s love of baseball combined with his unique experience and formal education in unions and labor relations has enabled him to become one of the most prominent voices on baseball labor issues via social media. During the lockout, Freedman’s prominence was elevated as he became a trusted translator to the baseball Twitter masses on the legal and strategic activities between the MLB and MLBPA. Though the 2021-22 MLB lockout ended, the relationship among the MLB, owners, and players never ends. Tune into the second installment of ELI5 to learn all things MLB revenue, collective bargaining ... and Prince (!!!!):
“Owners Have Nothing to Lose, But Players Have a Lot to Lose”: MLB streaming revenue from regional and national media outlets is often guaranteed for owners even when games are missed. However, MLB player pay is not guaranteed. Find out how this factors into the pace of negotiations.
The Problem with “Millionaires vs. Billionaires”: Eugene shares why common arguments like “millionaires vs. billionaires” are often not productive or accurate.
International Draft and Unionizing the Minors: What is at stake in the future? Why is MiLB not unionized? As it turns out, it is not as legally and strategically easy as it may look.
Productive Ways Forward: Eugene shares ways that both management and the MLBPA could be more productive in negotiations moving forward.
Prince: Eugene was not leaving this conversation without talking about his Prince fandom and vast knowledge of The Purple One.
Give Eugene a follow on Twitter: @EugeneFreedman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In their first podcast of the 2022 season, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, heap much-deserved praise on the play of Luis Robert, as they decide whether Luis will have to pitch at least a couple of games to battle Shohei Ohtani for MVP. The duo also heap praise on White Sox defense, particularly as opposed to the ineptitude of their opponents so far, and particularly from the standpoint of not seeing more of the back of the backup catcher than the front, it no longer being necessary to watch them chase all the balls they missed back to the screen. Do they also heap praise on Vince Velásquez? Well, no, given he was more lucky than good, especially as the beneficiary of Robert’s amazing catch, but they do give credit for hanging in there, as the White Sox keep coping with the absence of Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito. And they drop in some praise for Dylan Cease in his Tiger mastery and whatever Ethan Katz said to put Michael Kopech back on track. Leigh and Will also praise Andrew Vaughn for nicely taking a breaking ball from a righthander to right, offering hope he’ll improve a lot against northpaws, and Yasmani Grandal for getting a hit down the third base line — even if it might have been accidental, it was a very good idea for beating the shift. They cast doubt on the possibility of a Frankie Montas trade ever happening, given what each team might want from the other, and, during the week of the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s MLB debut, laud the importance of the White Sox having a Black American double play combo, the only one in the majors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What a winner! Yes, the White Sox, and Luis Robert, took a thrilling game from the Seattle Mariners, 3-2, on Tuesday in the home opener. Chrystal O’Keefe, Kristina Airdo, Whitney Hale and Brett Ballantini break the win down:
Luis Robert. WOW. We all jump on the O’Keefe “Pantera for MVP” bandwagon
Did Vince Velásquez meet or exceed expectations? For Chrystal and Whitney, who had expectations somewhere between “none” and “hell,” the answer is a resounding yes
Eloy made a defensive web gem and did some other Big Baby things, which we examine in some detail
The bullpen has been a plus, but will it be in tatters by the end of this homestand?
Liam Hendriks: Tips for more efficient, saver, happier closing. The good news? Our solutions all still involve cussing a blue streak
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Brett Ballantini and Adrian Serrano sit down to preview the home opener and opening homestand, paying particular attention to some of the hotter topics of this new season:
How about this offense! Making contact, feeling confident No. 1-9, younger hitters getting more experience and confidence ...
Which leads, of course, to a protracted discussion of Tim Anderson: his incredible value and importance, growth, seemingly limitless ceiling — and mind games
On the other hand, sigh, the rotation — the club seems perfectly set up for any sort of issue that confronts it in the home opener, but from there, it’s an arms crapshoot
How likely is it that Dallas Keuchel forgets 2021 and reverts to at least the reliability of 2020?
Diving deep into the Frankie Montas-Andrew Vaughn rumor/talks/offer
Also: Tune in to the postgame podcast, up somewhat shortly after the end of the home opener
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Three of us (Tommy Barbee, Zach Hayes, Brett Ballantini) got season picks in to make the feature story we ran outlining 20 prognostications, one (Chrystal O’Keefe) was too late to make the story, and one (Trooper Galactus) just punted the whole thing, but still has opinions about how things will wrangle out in 2022. We begin with a detailed discussion on our White Sox categories, and go from there:
Chrystal is the owner of the title belt for last year’s picks, and just made the regular-season cutoff to get her 2022 predictions across
Brett is the low picker on White Sox wins — but at least he got them in the playoffs this year
The intriguing reason why our consensus has four AL East teams going to the playoffs
The intriguing reason why Vince Velasquez was not more universally imagined as the worst White Sox pitcher of 2022
How many of us are regretting our picks of Liam Hendriks as top White Sox pitcher
Listen to Tommy defend his pick of the Cubs as NL Central champs
Listen to Zach explain his pick of the Mets as World Series champs, and note his incredulity over no one else picking Mike Trout as MVP
It did not make the broadcast, but Trooper would like you to know he tabs Pete Alonso as NL MVP
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In the aftermath of a heartbreaking loss, four brave souls gathered together to discuss the hows and whys and why-mes and it-isn’t-fairs of Chicago’s shocking, fall-from-ahead loss to the Detroit Tigers on Friday.
Brett B. welcomes the group, there’s coffee and doughnuts in the back, no last names here
Zach H. gets an assignment to correlate volume of Liam Hendriks words to his stubbornness in forcing the same stuff down batters’ throats
Chrystal O. vows to unleash poop emojis into her Six Pack and Bird App coverage tomorrow, if this nonsense continues
Delia R. was willing to put her crockery at peril if the Candelario slide had been ruled legal — or if that same call had been made against the White Sox, for that matter
Pluses and minuses from the Opening Day Lucas Giolito Experience
Situational hitting — let’s not go overboard based on one game, but the White Sox will need to be better
Deliver us, Dylan Cease
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In our biggest podcast yet — we are going to have to rent a dedicated room in which to fit all of the microphones and beverages — the SSS crew previews Opening Day. Have a listen before the ballgame in Detroit, will ya?
The most pleasing aspects of the new season, from Eloy Jiménez remaining alive in left field to Lucas Giolito reclaiming ace status to a legit catching tag-team a la 2020
OK, sure, some worrisome trends, including the improved AL Central, a tattered rotation, an the offseason that didn’t address it, and, well, specifically, Dallas Keuchel
Do any of us harbor some secret high hopes/distinct lack of worry regarding Keuchel?
Biggest surprises heading into the season, including a massive payroll that still didn’t really manage to address crucial club needs, and Michael Kopech’s (lack of) readiness for the coming season
Is there a reliable starter beyond Giolito-Dylan Cease-Lance Lynn (on return)-Kopech? The crew offers a lot of options, but without much conviction
A rundown of coverage for the coming season, featuring key contributions from most of the podcast’s guests today
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On the cusp of a new season with lots of reason to believe in the White Sox, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, delve into the predictions for the Sox and the rest of MLB from the computer whizzes at Five Thirty Eight, and even come up with their own predictions, which are never, ever right (one look at their March Madness pools will prove that). Of course, that involves looking at the lineup (hello, AJ Pollock!), the incredible fact the White Sox finally got a backup catcher who won’t spend most of his time chasing the ball back to the screen (good-bye, Zack Collins!), and delving into the problems with injuries and such on the pitching side (welcome, Johnny Cueto?). Given the fact they have not one minute of any sort of medical training, Will and Leigh naturally delve deeply into Lance Lynn’s torn meniscus, and what that could mean for pressure on the rest of the staff (Vince Velasquez, really?), and issue a strong joint hope that the TJHOFBP (the added TJ not for Tommy John, but for total ja*) learned something last season about wearing out your starting pitchers early in the season so they have nothing left come playoff time. Not really much hope for that last bit, but plenty of hope for the rest, so Play Ball!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Yes, for reasons unknown, SBNation reviewed the dozen hours of tape, watched all footage, and realized that the buddy cop movie otherwise known as South Side Sox on the Farm has been ... renewed for another season! Who is the good cop/bad cop between Darren Black and Brett Ballantini? We’ll let you decide. Have a listen, to an hourlong SEASON PREMIERE:
BREAKING: The South Side Sox on the Farm Podcast has been rebranded as the Charlotte Knights Postgame Podcast, effective immediately. Hey, we delayed the start of recording until Yacksel Rios blew through that 23-pitch save, so yeah, we talked some Knights opener
What’s different about Charlotte this year, or is it just another AAAA bus depot of sorts?
Is Carlos Pérez a legit catching prospect, possibly even seeing time in Chicago soon?
What are they feeding the offense in Birmingham?
With the juiciest prospects in the system, who are the best bets not only to see Charlotte in 2022, but possibly Chicago?
How fast will Oscar Colás move up the ranks?
We’ll say it again: Bryan Ramos was every bit as impressive as José Rodríguez in 2021, so what’s in store for 2022?
Breaking down the tripod of terror in the Dash rotation: Sean Burke, Matthew Thompson, Drew Dalquist
Wilfred Veras, pros and cons
Norge Vera will not advance from Kannapolis this year
BREAKING: Darren Black, celebrating his fifth season with South Side Sox (yes, he is an O.G. in this regime), has signed on for either five more years, or for his lifetime, depending on who you ask
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Adrian Serrano and Trooper Galactus join Brett Ballantini to break out big merger news ... Heh, the hell we did. Who gonna have us? We DID talk about the state of the rotation (yes, BEFORE adding shim-sham starter Johnny Cueto) and quite a bit more:
Does spring training matter?
Will the White Sox find the necessary 400 innings out of Dallas Keuchel/Reynaldo López/Vince Velasquez/Jimmy Lambert/John Parke/Kade McClure/Emilio Vargas/Ghost of Jonathan Stiever/Guy Playing 16´´ Ball in Grant Park/(Johnny Cueto)?
Re-revised offseason grades for Rick Hahn (yes, one sobered-up member of the panel revised his dramatically downward)
Did you see that the Reese McGuire add gives the White Sox the strongest backup catching in the game, per FanGraphs?
The Discussion of Obtaining a Veteran Arm That Degenerated Into How Poorly the White Sox Still Scout/Draft/Develop
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It is a 100% good vibes podcast, after the amazing Rick Hahn events of the day. OK, maybe 95% good vibes. Or, 90%? Well, there was a lot to talk about, including the bad news that Garrett Crochet would likely sit out 2022 with Tommy John surgery. Sox Optimist, Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe, Tommy Barbee, Trooper Galactus, Delia Ritchie and Brett Ballantini gathered together to otherwise celebrate:
Initial roundtable reactions: How are we all feeling today, with the weight of an overpaid pen and gaping hole in right field lifted?
How did Rick Hahn manage to pull off this deal?
With the Lucas Giolito Arbitration Fiasco solved (again, over $50,000), does it signal a greater willingness for our ace to make Chicago his permanent career home?
Does Nick Ciuffo or Seby Zavala win the backup catcher job, and do we really care?
The Garrett Crochet injury and its ramifications for the bullpen/pitching staff
Revised grades for Rick Hahn’s offseason, and how in the world were Trooper and Brett more generous than anyone else?
Sam Reeves could not join us, as he was en route to pick up some ice cream in 36-degree weather. This led to a long, off-podcast ice cream roundtable. Maybe we’ll make that a bonus Patreon podcast
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, begin the podcast with a confession and a huge apology — it turns out they’re not really White Sox fans. Oh, sure, they’ve thought they were White Sox fans for a combined 86 years or so, what with cheering for the team and going to the games and wearing the gear and all that, but they have obviously been deluding everyone, especially themselves, because the AJAHOFBP (the new initials are for arrogant jerk a**hole) says you can’t be a Sox fan if you wanted to go outside the organization for a right fielder, and, well, they have wanted just that. Of course, because the White Sox the next day went outside the organization for a potential (though long shot) right fielder, Jerry Reinsdorf and Rick Hahn must not be White Sox fans, either — though you may well have long suspected that. Confession over, the subject turns to the outside-the-organization additions of the past two days, especially Adam Haseley, who maybe might possibly sorta could turn his rapidly declining fortunes around by escaping Philadelphia for the friendlier crowds of Chicago. Then it’s on to the (admittedly often meaningless) spring training results so far, especially the amazing seven-hit, seven-K and nothing else showing of Micker Adolfo, and the only lightly less impressive performances of Eloy Jiménez, Andrew Vaughn and Tim Anderson (whilst gliding over the less auspicious springs of half a dozen teammates). On the pitching side, the two mostly fret over the non-appearance of Michael Kopech so far, especially his statement about being tired after throwing some batting practice — not a great encouragement given he had COVID over the winter. And, of course, they continue to be amazed that Vince Velasquez and Craig Kimbrel are somehow cluttering up the roster. Oh, and there was of course despair over the backup catcher situation. But that’s not exactly news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Well, this podcast features a first. Well, maybe a few firsts. As usual, consult your bullet points. However, let’s just point out that the “tape” just ran out on this podcast. So when you hear Scott Reichard’s delightful “Don’t Stop Believin’” outro kick in during the last minute, that’s no mistake; Trooper Galactus was just on a long AL Central riff that prevented a proper goodbye. So, good-bye. And, hello! Here’s what’s in our 95th podcast:
Initial impressions of spring training, with a consensus of: Why the hell can’t we watch more of it?
Early Catbearpig cameo! We pay, but not scale, so, well Catbearpig walked off set
The Lucas Giolito Arbitration Fiasco, and the possible longer-term ramifications of dicking around with your ace over $50,000
It’s established that Rick Hahn, de rigueur, has had a very poor offseason. Is the media and beat row far behind him?
NSFW WARNING: Trooper Galactus positively channels his inner AnoHito during this discussion, so if you get fired or scolded by your parents, spouse or kids, don’t say we didn’t warn you
The AL Central has crept up on the White Sox — but are any rivals now equal to the South Siders?
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With baseball finally back, albeit in a mere spring edition, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, start by claiming a tenuous, even highly dubious, connection to Josh Harrison in his high school days, and then do what is so often instructed: Follow the money. That’s because the 2022 Forbes baseball team values are just out, with the White Sox listed at $1.76 billion smackers, a lot of green, but less than half the value of That Team on The Other Side of Town ($3.8 B) and barely more than a quarter that of the MLB-leading Yankees ($6 big ones). That puts the Sox 15th, despite being in the third-largest market. Could make you wonder about the business skills of the ownership. From the huge money, it was on to small money, at least small for baseball, the incredible miserliness of the White Sox offer to Luis Giolito, both before and in arbitration. To try to screw Giolito out of $50,000 (pre) or $200,00 (in arbitration) is so stupid as to boggle minds (yes, Craig Kimbrel gets mentioned). Could make you wonder about the class — even the sanity — of the management. Back to baseball, the two take a look at spring training so far, both the bad (Kimbrel again) and the good (Micker Adolfo!!), meaningless though all of it may be (except for eliminating the possibility of trading the aforementioned Mr. Kimbrel). Add in a long discussion of just how the White Sox should deal with the fact the team is absolutely loaded with designated hitters (spoiler — we put Andrew Vaughn on the trading block), and there you have it for the week. Well, there are also a couple of swipes at the HOFBP, but that hardly needs mentioning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Janice Scurio and Sam Sherman, otherwise known as the podcasting duo North Side Sox, are back and better than ever for their 2022 debut episode.
What have the NSS kids been up to lately? Sam discusses a future career shift, and Janice talks about her work with the new sports media outlet in town, CHGO.
The pair continue to discuss the team’s offseason moves. Were our expectations met? (Spoiler alert: not exactly.)
The White Sox are a good team, but what can they do to become a great team?
Is the AL Central another wash for the Pale Hose? Who, if anyone, might pose the biggest threat? Will it be Zack Greinke’s eephus?
The Twins signed Carlos Correa to a three-year, $105.3 million contract last week. While this is a great upgrade for both Minnesota’s defense and lineup, do White Sox fans have anything to worry about?
What exactly are we supposed to do with Craig Kimbrel?
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Do we really need to get to know Trooper Galactus? He’s been a core member of South Side Sox for many years, and has been writing for us since 2019. Still, what do you have to lose, get to know him better with this podcast, as well as his Meet the Players that’s up on site along with this podcast.
First hero: Frank Thomas, along with a discussion of his post-White Sox career
Mid-90s fandom
Thoughts on the 2021 White Sox
The Craig Kimbrel Conundrum
Can you have more good players than roster spots?
A battle of conspiracy theories: Brett’s is regarded as crazier, but Trooper’s is unquestionably more ominous and depressing
A fascinating answer — having almost nothing to do with the active roster — for what Trooper needs to see from the 2022 White Sox
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Welcome the irrepressible SoxOptimist by taking a look at his Meet the Players on site along with this podcast, and learn much, much, much more about him in this de-luxe podcast. A little college hoops, a bit of SoxOptimist White Sox origin story, a touch of 2022 White Sox ... well, just listen, will ya?
A brief review of college basketball action, featuring Illinois’ stirring 18-12 win over a team from Tennessee
Featured: the only bolo tie featuring a golden horned toad you will likely ever see
S.O. crashes a south L.A. men’s baseball league, and thrives in spite of the occasional game time rushing up on a post-punk show hangover? All in a day’s work
Yes, the SSS Los Angeles Field Office has grown to three
No, a lopsided Crosstown trade late last century did not kill S.O.’s grandmother
Should we extol the greatness of Nancy Faust? Why yes, yes we should
Sorry, there is additional lamenting of a lost offseason
Craig Kimbrel: sleeper agent or legitimate weapon too valuable to pay to leave town?
How is the AL Central shaping up for 2022, vs. 2021?
Tony La Russa vs. Ricky Renteria
And much, much more, in our Longest Podcast Ever
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On the heels of a terrific welcome back from Hannah LaMotta and the exhaustive (if soul-sapping) labor writing from Kristina Airdo, both writers hop on the pregame podcast with Brett Ballantini to discuss finally making it to ... BASEBALL!
One of us is briefly made an honorary Italian, so for the first half, meet Kristina Airdietta
Baseball is back ... how exciting is that?
What gives us the biggest goose bumps for the first time in a new season?
Pregame rituals at the ballpark
First impressions of writing for South Side Sox, maybe including writing in planes, boats and rollercoasters
On the occasion of two opening Cactus League games against the Cubs, we review some favorite Crosstown and spring training moments
The most crucial thing(s) we need to see from this 2022 White Sox team, as soon as possible
With the 2022 revised schedule out, we take time to give a partial lineup of writers for the 2022 SSS season, and preview the expanded coverage we’ll offer all season long
And, finally: Will you enjoy the 2022 White Sox because of, or in spite of, manager Tony La Russa?
Thanks to Scott Reichard, as always, for our intro/outro music
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The White Sox added another three players to their major league roster, and now $45 million has been spent this offseason without managing to secure a starting pitcher or right fielder. WOO BOY. Brett Ballantini hosts a roundtable of Trooper Galactus, Zach Hayes, Tommy Barbee and Sam Reeves to discuss the deals made — and the chances of any new ones getting done:
Quickie intro: What is Rick Hahn’s offseason grade if This Is It?
Joe Kelly gets an overpay, locked in for at least two years, and will not start the season on the active roster due to a lingering nerve issue. At his strongest, he won’t see 50 games.
Is Tony La Russa as de facto GM of the White Sox actually a good thing?
Josh Harrison, due $7 million to be Leury II, what gives?
White Sox Baseball 2022: Throwing Crap Up Against the Wall
Is Vince Velasquez “fix ’em” -able? And why is a World Series contender locking VV to the major league roster for $3 million?
The elephant in the room: Does Craig Kimbrel get moved ... and ... how?
The panel puts a percentage on a likelihood an actual right fielder is added to the roster before Opening Day
Right as we have to leave, Adam Eaton breaks in as our special guest
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SSS duty geezer (aka geriatric, because he aged so much during the lockout) Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, dive bravely into the post-lockout probability that whatsoever say they will be outdated before the show is even posted, as they lament the signing of Carlos Rodón with the Giants, despair at the likelihood of somehow dumping Craig Kimbrel and his salary off on some brain-dead GM (other than the brain-dead GM who picked up his option), and fear the desperate search for a second baseman, right fielder, and — a duo favorite — backup catcher. They also, of course, look back at the CBA negotiations, especially an item that went completely unmentioned until the talks were over — the change in schedules for 2023 onward. Said change — playing all 29 other teams, with a big reduction in intra-division contests — is bound to be a detriment to the White Sox record, since they won’t get to play as many AAAL Central games. But it should be a big boon to fans who can go to a game at the GuRF without having to watch the Royals, and might be a benefit come playoff time, because the Sox would have a lot more practice at playing good teams. And, yes, a little Reinsdorf, Hahn and La Russa bashing gets tossed in there as well — along with compliments to those who comment on SSS stories, who are way, way, smarter and better writers than commenters on other baseball sites ... even one very good baseball site. And don’t even get Will started on the White Sox Twitter crowd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What a difference 24 hours makes! Perhaps because of all the disgruntled commentary and cussing in Podcast 89 just a day earlier, MLB and the MLBPA jumped to and hammered out a deal on Thursday, necessitating yet another podcast assault on our fair listenership. All right, strap it down, and let’s celebrate!
Knowing there was a ceiling on how good the deal could be, how did the players do in their negotiation?
The rarity of a union executive council voting unanimously, and its membership voting strongly in the other direction
No more Blackout Games?
Will the White Sox be crushed by 2023’s more balanced schedule?
Jersey ads: ho-hum or armageddon?
Pour one out for our fallen labor writer Kristina, unable to join us due to a pre-scheduled drinking date, no doubt originally set to drown her sorrows after another lost negotiation week. No more labor stories, Airdo!
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Wouldn’t you just know it, after weeks of waiting for our EXCLUSIVE Q&A with Yasmani Grandal, baseball has to go and end its lockout as he and I are talking. Still, as Yaz was getting pelted by marshmallows from his daughter and votes to play were pouring in from the players, the White Sox catcher and I spoke on a number of topics from past and present:
Yaz talks of his devotion to the Force3 catching gear, equipment so protective he invested in the company!
Grandal has been mostly lucky to sidestep concussions (“only” one) but the Force3 is especially helpful with mask trauma, as in the past he’s taken so many hits to the jaw he “got tired of drinking his food out of a straw”
Yaz laughs off his low-BA criticism; he knows his offensive game, and that involves run production by getting on base — and putting balls over the fence
The return to using in-game video to study his at-bats was the key difference in Yaz’s huge offensive uptick for 2021
As for corralling a diverse and talented pitching staff, Yaz details his strategies, and as always sees more value in observing and listening than talking to pitchers
We passed with a slightly light hand over the labor negotiations, but two things were clear: Yaz feels one side was trying harder for a deal, and it’s enormously important to leave the game in better shape for young players than he came into it
Grandal sees himself as a future coach or manager, but you might be surprised at what level he’d most like to work at
YES the basketball jersey will be back for 2022, and Yaz does not balk at it replacing the 1983s as the Sunday alternate
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Another week, another two series lost to the lockout. The new wink-wink MLB Opening Day is April 14, and if you believe that date, I’ve got an elephant for you to eat. Somehow Kristina Airdo, Delia Ritchie, Tommy Barbee, Jacki Krestel, Zach Hayes and Brett Ballantini found plenty to laugh about, as we whistled past MLB 2022’s grave. It’s gallows humor, with cussing. Enjoy.
The wisdom of fans demanding players take a deal when ownership has just begun to bargain in good faith ... 15 minutes earlier
Or, as Dr. Jacki breaks it down, don’t fall for the love bomb, players. Friggin’ narcissist owners
Who said it? “If billionaires weren’t really good at public relations, we’d have cut their heads off already.”
The ugly underbelly of adding an International Draft the players don’t want at the very last minute of talks
Who said it? “When people are throwing a tantrum, ignore it.”
Zach is looking forward to the free-agent frenzy, once this is all over, even if the offers are for the 10 games of so of season that will be left
Tommy warns MLB to make a long deal that’s generous to players now, so they can rake in all that sweet-sweet streaming dough that’s coming, with no player oversight
Zach’s cat and Delia’s dog join in the mews of pain and howls of protest
Stay tuned for Delia’s pop metaphor for these talks, starring Taylor Swift and a cast of villains
Universal sublimation to the maven of labor coverage, Kristina. You are helping us all feel more labor pain than we thought possible, Airdo
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It’s a Meet the Players podcast, with our new guy, Sam Reeves! Read all about Sam in his Meet the Players piece on site right now, and learn a lot more than a mere post can provide with this podcast’s all-encompassing look at Sam’s fandom and take on the 2021-22 White Sox:
Growing up a contrarian up north, zagging against the grain and choosing White Sox over those other guys
Why did Sam only like James Baldwin starts when he was a kid ... a favorite starter preference he duplicated more recently with Carlos Rodón?
Sometimes, a no-hitter (an near-perfect game) can make you cry
Come with Sam, and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination ... when it comes to helmet sundaes
Sam’s writing plan for 2022 is summarized succinctly as “let’s see where this goes”
Retracing the 2021 White Sox, from the highest of highs, to running out of gas, with plenty of weird La Russa-ness in-between
You might say Sam was not pleased that the White Sox punted on Rodón’s QO
Hey, it’s a podcast in March 2022, so let’s finish up with some lockout talk
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Dr. Meredith Wills was born on a Major League Baseball Opening Day, but it was not a run-of-the-mill Opening Day: It was the day Henry Aaron tied Babe Ruth’s home run record. Her father, who grew up watching Aaron play, went out and bought his newborn daughter a baseball bat. “He was absolutely convinced that I was going to be something in the game,” says Dr. Wills. The elder Wills’ vision was prescient. Dr. Wills has been busy over the past several years researching and solving the mysteries within a seemingly simple but beloved object: the baseball. The impact of Dr. Wills’ research is changing the game of baseball and what we know about MLB operations. Keelin Billue is hosting this new South Side Sox podcast called “Explain It Like I’m 5 (ELI5),” which is focused on simplifying complicated topics in baseball with the experts who understand the issues best. Listen to or watch Episode 1: “The baseball: a semi-chaotic system” to learn about Dr. Wills and the following topics:
What do baseball, astrophysics, and knitting have in common?
What is the history behind dead and juiced balls?
Does MLB purposefully juice and/or deaden balls?
How did Dr. Wills find out the MLB used two different balls in 2021?
Why did MLB use two different balls in 2021?
What is the fallout from using juiced balls?
Learn more about Dr. Wills and the articles she mentioned in this episode:
Major League Baseball secretly used 2 different types of baseballs last season, Business Insider, Bradford William Davis and Dr. Meredith Willis (2021)
Did MLB Use Juiced Balls in 2020?, Sports Illustrated, Stephanie Apstein (2021)
“Yes, the baseball is different — again. An astrophysicist examines this year’s baseballs and breaks down the changes, The Athletic, Dr. Meredith Wills (2019 SABR Award-Winning article)
How one tiny change to the baseball may have led to both the home run surge and the rise in pitcher blisters, The Athletic, Dr. Meredith Wills (2018)
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Well, you’ve already read the sad story from Kristina Airdo and Brett Ballantini today, detailing the breakdown of labor talks between players and owners that now sees spring training further delayed and the first two series of the regular season cancelled. Despite the threat of all-mourning, no actual content, Brett betrayed that for this podcast, with a cast of thousands. Here’s a sneak preview:
Chrystal O’Keefe’s prediction for the next MLB regular season game? May 2025
Does the fact that Jerry Reinsdorf takes such a hawkish stance toward labor embarrass us as Sox fans?
Good Vibes Jacki Krestel manages not to cuss — and has the sunniest outlook for next games, in late April
We couldn’t get Joe Resis to crack emotionally during the wake, but he is confident he won’t be trying to win #KnightsMath all summer
Joe, Tyrone Palmer and Tommy Barbee have seen this play out before, be it 2020 or 1994
Have the players, in trying to actually collectively bargain a new agreement, conceded too much already to eventually forge a solid deal?
Zach Hayes finally crosses over to the proletariat side and sees ownership dropping the lockout and resuming status quo within the month
Delia Ritchie casts a fascinating vision of Reinsdorf enduring A Christmas Carol treatment. Watch out for Bobcat Goldthwait, JR!
AI Ballantini is no handsomer than real-life Ballantini, software fail
Airdo can be heard catching up on sleep, somewhere, but no audible snoring
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Hey, it’s one of them fun Meet the Players podcasts, during which you’ll get the inside scoop on Kristina Airdo’s White Sox fandom. But we’d be remiss if not discussing a breakneck week of labor talks, signifying oh so very little. And who better to discuss those little goings-on than with our de facto labor writer, Kristina herself?
Born into one of those “Cubs families” that, if you’re lucky, you assumed was just an urban legend, Kristina escaped that sorry fate. Thanks, grandpa, and thanks, uncle!
The delicious dilemma of getting out of school early ... to see a White Sox game
Most memorable games, for both Kristina and Brett: World Series Game 1, and one of the Blackout Games
Sure, Brett hasn’t seen Kristina’s favorite baseball movie, and pays dearly for it
An overview of where labor talks stand, now just a couple of days from officially scrapping the March 31 Opening Day
Can we provide any insight as to the utter lack of urgency shown by ownership in these offseason talks?
When will we see first games? At the moment, the hope is May 1, the stark reality is late June, and the utter pipe-dream, please-play-on-my-birthday wish is March 4
Is the notion that labor dischord “kills the game” a bit overwrought?
Follow Kristina’s White Sox observations on Twitter @Liddle_Ktina, and if you’re lucky, you may catch her on a weather nerd day
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Publishing alongside this podcast is Zach Hayes’ 4,000-word take on PECOTA and the 2022 White Sox — and no, it is not a misprint, our favorite projectors tab the South Siders for 94 wins! What ho! Such a sunny outlook requires explanation, no?
Nine seasons PECOTA has pegged the White Sox for fewer wins, eight seasons it predicted more. Overall since 2005, it’s undersold the White Sox by an average of 2 1⁄2 wins per year — but man, when it misses, boy howdy
Quick WARP (Baseball Prospectus WAR) definitions from Zach, including how it differs from Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs WAR, and how to translate the relatively stingy WARP takes for 2022
Yasmani Grandal, SUPERSTAR
Why the growth/continued excellence of Liam Hendriks and Aaron Bummer may render $16 million Craig Kimbrel moot
In the face of a lukewarm projection for José Abreu, let’s chat on Pito’s Hall of Fame case instead
Yes, it is a pivotal year for Luis Robert, and not because we’re reverting back to the roh-bear pronunciation, people
Is Lucas Giolito our disappearing ace?
Yoán Moncada enjoys a bullish projection, but where is his newfound power going to come from?
The dark skies hovering over Andrew Vaughn and Garrett Crochet
The almost impossibly-bright take on No. 3-4 starters Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech
There’s an elephant in the room, and his name is Rodón — yes, PECOTA’s strong projection for Los makes the White Sox blowing off the QO pre-lockout look even sorrier
Consider supporting the fine work of Baseball Prospectus with a subscription. They’re on the White Sox train now!
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Today we’ve announced the winners in the fifth annual White Sox Hall of Fame vote, and Adrian Serrano, Zach Hayes and Joe Resis joined up with Brett Ballantini to talk about the results, and more:
Five players made it to SSS immortality, including players with the second- and third-highest election percentages ever
Next year’s favorites
How did the two remaining players in Cooperstown who’ve yet to crack our White Sox HOF end up?
Which player ended up dropping off of the ballot in 2023?
The player race wasn’t too close, in that there were no borderline players in 2022. How about the bonus categories, where at least two races were decided by as few as two votes?
A frank discussion of helmet nachos
A check-in on the glacial pace of baseball labor talks
Who should represent the SSS staff if we’re called on to help broker labor peace? (see below)
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The fifth annual White Sox Hall of Fame vote, is ongoing, with still time to determine some of the plaques and choose winners in the bonus categories. Voting ends on Sunday, so don’t dilly-dally like a certain Indianapolis Field Office stalwart. Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis join Brett Ballantini to evaluate the early election returns, and squeeze in a little bitta lockout talk:
Five players are on target for election, with one clearly the most surprising
Is Wilbur Wood going to enter our Hall with the biggest plurality yet?
Who’s the unlucky Cooperstown resident who is still not close to White Sox Hall of Fame election?
A quick look at the three-way race to see who remains on the ballot in 2023
Also a peek at the four closest “bonus category” races, and a different idea for the alternate Sunday uniforms
With one offer to the MLBPA over the first 70 days of the lockout, is ownership serious about striving for a full season?
Four picks for a revised Opening Day 2022
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Hey, it’s time for the White Sox Hall of Fame vote, year five! Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe and Zach Hayes join Brett Ballantini to dissect the ballot, plus much, much more:
Four Hall-of-Famers on the ballot ... not yet voted into our White Sox Hall of Fame, whoa
Adrian’s fanboy picks
Chrystal’s unapologetic support of Chris Sale
Perusing the bonus categories, including a no-brainer defense pick and the impossible home run choices ... and Adrian even adds a homer to the mix
Chrystal steps us through the early look at 2022 White Sox promotions, with her faves and bobblehead predictions
Hey, the lockout is on, and, what new, owners are out for blood
Zach gets brassy for Major League ... but has a new pet flick pick for 2023
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With the results of both our South Side Sox Hall of Fame results and the BBWAA election of David Ortiz, we’re wrapping up all our Hall talk with this podcast, featuring the Indianapolis Field Office of Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis, with moderator-trying-not-to-erupt-in-expletives Brett Ballantini:
The pros and cons of Ortiz in on the first ballot
The hypocrisy of Ortiz in on the first ballot, vis-a-vis at least Barry Bonds
Bye-bye Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Curt Schilling
Mark Buehrle survives ... but so does Torii Hunter
A rollout of our new vote this week, Best Baseball Movies, released concurrent with this podcast: Favorites, sleeper picks, least favorites
White Sox news: Welcome, Oscar Colás and Erick Hernández! How soon can you make it to the South Side?
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So, with our South Side Sox ballot released on Monday, it’s time to talk about the many worthy Hall of Fame candidates who will fall short of election when our results are announced on January 24. Podcast stalwarts Adrian Serrano and Zach Hayes join Brett Ballantini for the roundtable:
Changes in the SSS voting process allows for more than 10 votes per ballot, and provides instant updates on where each candidate stands. Has that changed the overall voting patterns of our readers?
By Wednesday night’s recording, just four of 30 candidates had reached even 50% support — perhaps just two you’d expect. Do PEDs still loom over this group?
Most overrated names on the ballot, relative to their support: David Ortiz and ... Scott Rolen
Most underrated: Tim Hudson, Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter
What do Billy Wagner and Devin Hester have in common?
With a dreary incoming class of candidates in 2023, will we just be talking about mostly the same group of underachieving candidates a year from now?
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On the heels of last week’s Meet the Players podcast with Adrian Serrano, Brett Ballantini is right back at it today with another site stalwart, Zach Hayes. Get to know Zach a bit by revisiting his Meet the Players article that originally ran last July, as you listen to the podcast:
While Brett was trying to grow a playoff beard in 2000, Zach was getting his first memories of the White Sox, brief though that “playoff run” was
Kismet: Zach and Brett were both in attendance at Mark Buehrle’s perfect game — Zach in fact in Brett’s previous season ticket section!
You might think a baseball intellectual like Zach would pick any movie but Major League as his fave diamond flick, but you’d be wrong. Our ace analyst explains himself
So, is Buerhle a Hall-of-Famer? Both Zach and Brett try to squelch amusement and disgust at the mere question
What’s the key to taking dry analysis and injecting it with color enough that an average fan can grasp it? Zach knows it, as evidenced in his work here, and he shares some thoughts (hint: no, he doesn’t really like the numbers as much as the storytelling)
You heard it here first: To SEE RED in 2022, the White Sox will bring back the baby blue zipper roadies and the red pinstripes
Zach WILL NOT be Nightengaled
Finally: room for optimism regarding this latest labor impasse? In fact, for reasons freely shared here: yes.
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Sure, Brett Ballantini can’t seem to remember what year it is, but still and all, the South Side Sox mothership podcast is back for another year, after a month or so away. And it’s a Meet the Players podcast, starring our five-tool player, Adrian Serrano! Get to know him a bit through his Meet the Players article up on site today, and listen to our podcast together:
Re-live the 2005 run, and the majesty of the Scott Podsednik walk-off
One of these things is not like the other: Robin Ventura, Eloy Jiménez, Juan Uribe, Ron Karkovice
A surprising pick for next White Sox statue (hint: It will be a loud statue)
What folks don’t get about The Natural, the best baseball movie choice by both on this podcast
Trying to put a positive spin on the pre-lockout White Sox offseason
Will the labor dispute take game away from the season?
Oh, and hey, back to a non-baseball note: Check out Adrian’s band, The Burst and Bloom. They’re really good.
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What do Yolmer Sánchez, Barack Obama, the HOFBP, Yoán Moncada’s next recording, Jim Gaffigan, Chance the Rapper, an ambitious cub (small c) reporter, Warren Buffett, Styx, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Rick Hahn’s Christmas stocking, George Lopez, George Wendt, the California water shortage, Michael Jordan, Jenny McCarthy, Kevin Cash, Warren Buffett and José Abreu’s beard have in common? Why, they’re all part of White Sox Christmas wishes from Sharing Sox, as SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent Will take a peek into Santa’s sleigh and see what ultimate goodies are in store for the team. Once the lockout is over, of course. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Cooperstown granted Adrian Serrano at least part of his Soxivus miracle on Sunday, as Minnie Miñoso was elected off of the Golden Days Era ballot. There was a lot of good (Minnie!) and some bad (Dick Allen falls short!), and Joe Resis and Brett Ballantini join in the fun, talking ballots and even winding up with a little bit of SSS Veterans’ ballot chat:
Bittersweet timing, but Minnie is finally in. How much did the Negro Leagues recognition earlier this year play a role?
Another thing the Golden Days Era Committee got right (unlike the Early Baseball Committee) was taking a loaded ballot and making sure four players got in — is this the new trend?
Allen fell one vote short, for the second straight try; not if but when for him, but jeez, it’s been 21 ballots for him now
Will Billy Pierce gain support similar to Minnie’s in future elections?
Southpaw speed round: Who gets in the Hall first, Mark Buehrle or Pierce?
SSS has pivoted on how it puts together its “loaded” Veterans’ ballots; should Cooperstown take note?
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Having checked with their lawyers and been assured it’s OK to talk about players and teams during the lockout as long as no money changes hands, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, wade into the morass that is Major League Baseball and try to figure out if the owners’ proposal for a seven-team-per-league-one-guy-gets-a-bye-others-pick-their-opponents-and-the-winner-is-whoever’s-mascot-can-jump-more-rows-into-the-crowd playoff system was merely meant as a bit of levity, or if they really are just tired of the whole thing and want the sport to fold. Then it’s on to the White Sox and the rather interesting strategy of letting any free agents or trade possibilities of any importance wander on by until after (and if) a new CBA is achieved and the big players know the new luxury tax rules and re-enter the fray so the competition for the few remaining stars is much tougher, because, well, why not? Of course, there are congratulations for Leury García and Kendall Graveman for getting way, way more money than anyone would have thought possible, and there are hearty laughs over the idea that the White Sox will come up with anything useful out of picking up the option on Craig Kimball except maybe the occasional eighth inning with only one home run allowed. None of which is important, of course, because while the Tigers should be slightly improved, the AAAL Central will still be the AAAL Central, so why bother trying to get better? But still, how the hell did they miss out on Joey Wendle? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Boy howdy, we’re back, and when not modeling delicious South Side Hit Pen White Sox ware, we’re trying to catch up with the breathless pace of Hot Stove action. Including two big White Sox moves! Ahem. In the second half, we dig into the likely outcomes of the Golden Days Era ballot, announced on Sunday, and debate whether Minnie Miñoso or Dick Allen will make the cut this time. It’s a jam-packed podcast:
Did Rick Hahn forge the agreement with Kendall Graveman, then just put his phone on DO NOT DISTURB?
Hey, Leury’s back!
Indeed, friends, those blood-curdling screams you heard wafting up from down south were Chrystal’s plaintive cries for impact players
Slick pivot, Detroit, from the riches of Carlos Correa to the no-look tags of Javy Báez
Is it Minnie Miñoso’s time to finally shine by being enshrined? Or will Dick Allen get the call on Sunday? Both? Neither?
The utter aggravation of election worthy Hall-of-Famers ... when they’re dead and unable to bask in the glory
Rest in peace, LaMarr Hoyt, Winning Ugly ace
Bonus round: Wake up to the horrors of domestic violence, MLB
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A true maverick of the metrics world, Adam Darowski (Hall of Stats, Sports-Reference, Building the Ballot podcast) joins Brett Ballantini on our 75th program, reviewing four White Sox on the precipice of the Hall of Fame and pulling back to take a look at the processes that have created such a backlog of great candidates. We start with some broad Hall of Fame discussion, then hone in on the four White Sox on the Golden Days Era ballot, with results announced on December 5:
The emotion that drove Adam to start Hall of Stats a decade ago, and how some of his anger toward the flawed election process has tempered over time
Darowski’s preferences: big Hall, small gatekeeping
The process and emotions behind the groundbreaking change, led by Seamheads and validated by Baseball-Reference, to officially elevate the Negro Leagues to major status
After years of the “unelected till dead” habit of Hall voters, are we on the precipice of a direction change, with the experts making an effort to enshrine living legends?
Is it Minnie Miñoso’s time to finally shine by being enshrined? It seems a no-brainer, but ... not so fast
Adam executes an apropos “Minnie rant” that illustrates how ludicrous it is that the White Sox legend is still not a Hall-of-Famer
Worthy of mention: Minnie show-and-tell
The most likely White Sox player to get in? Per Adam’s gut, it’s Dick Allen. Adam also reminds us that DICK ALLEN COULD CRUSH THE BALL
Looking at worthiness, not likelihood or any oddsmaking, Darowski tabs Billy Pierce fourth on his ballot. While the great southpaw won’t be elected next month, increased awareness of his greatness (e.g., a near-identical regular season career as HOFer Whitey Ford) could bode well for his future immortality
And we take a detour to examine the career of Jim Kaat, a brief but tremendous White Sox hurler. His 16 Gold Gloves simply have to be a typo. Through at least one lens, Kaat is the most likely to make the cut this vote.
Oh yeah, and during the podcast, we did claim Adam off of waivers, so he will be bringing his punk rock chops to band rehearsal, and ... well, actually, we can’t afford him, but we made the claim anyway. Hopefully, we can at least talk again soon!
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OK, we lied. But if we said, “White Sox have done nothing but strangely stupid stuff so far,” it wouldn’t have been exactly clickbait, would it? Back from a three-week hiatus taken for a little film production work, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, take a look at the postseason moves being made around the major leagues — but not around Chicago. Naturally, that includes speculation over giving Rick Hahn the benefit of the doubt that he really knew what he was doing when he picked up a certain badly-aging reliever’s option, and had a trading partner set up, was a touch too much kindness. Yes, the name Seiyo Suzuki is kicked around, including the inevitable really cool fan chant available to whoever gets him. Then it’s on to wondering whether there will be a baseball season in 2022, and, if not, what people will turn to instead (watching the excitement of a five-foot putt? learning how to grow lima beans?). Then it’s a wander into the world of 2021 MLB awards, some of which were yet to come at recording time, but most of which were complete, including a certain HOFBP coming in sixth for AL Manager of the Year (what? 15th place wasn’t available?). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As our Soxivus celebration to end 2021 appears to be winding down, several staffers gathered to discuss our list of Soxivus Miracles, live on the site right now. We worked in order of most likely to least, but even as we went there was some revising of the list:
Joe Resis steps us through yet another underwhelming right-field signing — but this time, one than ends in 2022 ALDS heroics!
Chrystal O’Keefe not only penned a last-minute, wry take on White Sox spending, but defends it convincingly
Pre-commercial striptease interlude from the host
Adrian Serrano asks that not only Minnie Miñoso win election to the Baseball Hall of Fame next month, but get new life to both enjoy the honor and slap a few hits for the team in 2022
Tommy Barbee is incredulous that his prediction of Micker Adolfo hitting 30 homers for the 2022 White Sox could be regarded so lightly
Brett Ballantini begs for transparency from the ball club
The group discusses other Miracles, including Jerry Reinsdorf as an academic study, a plea for high-volume and concentrated Hall of Fame voting with a skew toward living candidates, and Tony La Russa’s third strike
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We haven’t run off a Meet the Players podcast in awhile, which means it’s about time to roll out a new one! In conjunction with her MTP survey up on site right now, let’s learn a bit more about one of our newest writers, Delia Ritchie!
Yes, Delia is one of those fans from the womb, even having attended a game before she could walk
As for first White Sox memories, well, it’s watching the 2005 White Sox on their run to the World Series win, with her grandmother — and some recently-departed relatives as well
The importance of personalizing the players, in both her team work and what Delia will do for us at SSS
A 2021 review, with thoughts on Tony La Russa and the most important junctures of the season
A 2022 preview, including the most important areas to target this winter
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Well, a weird first “official” week of the offseason yielded some trippy topics, and Adrian Serrano, Zach Hayes, Leigh Allan and Chrystal O’Keefe showed up to chat with Brett Ballantini about some of the most notable:
In the words of Zach channeling DJ Khaled, to the White Sox: “Congratulations, you played yourself.” While of course Scott Boras now says Carlos Rodón would have rejected the QO if made, is it less realistic to think that in a world where Andrew Heaney gets almost $10 million that Rodón doesn’t, as GM Rick Hahn is apparently gambling?
And as for the “White Sox have a secret injury dossier” fans, well, beyond the 100 mph Rodón threw while on life support in the ALDS, Brett points out that Bob Nightengale would have sent out four tweets from a dying Rodón’s bedside validating Los’ injury if so, given the egg on the South Siders’ faces for this one
As Zach also points out, Craig Kimbrel is probably worth $16 million — Jerry Reinsdorf just doesn’t want to have to pay him $16 million and still spend to correct roster weaknesses. Seeya, CK.
On to Zack Collins. Anything else to say here? He is what he is, and that ain’t a major league catcher
Adrian is not buying the whole “rotation is full,” line parroted by so much media (and perhaps Hahn himself), which Michael Kopech champion Chrystal O’Keefe still wonders how he alone will make up a need for like 400 innings in the current rotation
Leigh breaks the news that few outside FA experts see the White Sox as a major player — like, any major players, this winter
It’s not all deep sighs and wry cackles, though, as Brett previews coming attractions such as Deep Dive, SSS poetry, an exclusive interview with Hahn, and a batch of Meet the Players podcasts
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Tommy Barbee and Keelin Billue are back after a five-month hiatus, as the embers of the 2021 Chicago White Sox season and South Side Soxivus cool down. Typically, there are talks of a stove that is supposed to be hot, but this year, the pilot light does not seem to work yet. So, in this episode of the Killer B’s, Tommy and Keelin spend time discussing the past, present, and hopes for the future. Join the Killer B’s to navigate:
One of the Worst White Sox Games of 2021: As a Soxivus tie-in, we begrudgingly relive the Yermín-Tony game. The 3-0 bomb game. You know. THAT ONE.
Hot Stove Moves: An impending lockout has us eating cold eggs. Yet, there have been a few big transactions made, including Carlos Rodón not receiving a QO. Tommy and Keelin work to decipher Hahn-speak especially in regard to the increasingly lean pitching rotation.
A Wish List: Surprise! The problems of last season continued to plague the White Sox until the end: second base and starting pitchers. The Killer B’s indulge in a little fantasy.
Lockout Plans?: In an effort to not go five months without recording, plan on joining the Killer B’s for a radionovela, or continued White Sox coverage. There will be no between.
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We’ve come to the Soxivus week that celebrates the worst games of 2021, and we’ve got seven SSS scribes a-swimming through the season to provide insights on the most painful:
Leading off, Joe Resis talks about an April 13 loss that had it all: weak exit velo heartbreakers, nine innings of Bieber, Manfred Mann runners, and Cleveland
Handing the mic over the cubicle wall at the Indianapolis Field Office, Chrystal O’Keefe took over to talk about a true injury lowlight of the regular season, when Luis Robert popped a hip on May 2
Adrian Serrano, after fielding compliments for his fancy Soxivus T-shirt that is available in unlimited quantities, picked a May game that was absolutely indicative of bullpen management meltdowns to come
Keelin Billue stepped up to talk about the one game that made both the best and worst lists for 2021, involving a Smurfy take on a late-game homer
Fresh off of a two-minute plank, Jacki Krestel talked about the one loss to the Chicago Cubs all season, and with just a little goading, cussed a blue streak to make it an SSS After Dark™ affair
Zach Hayes skipped to the playoffs and spoke of the one truly heartbreaking loss of the postseason, the fall-from-ahead loss to Houston in ALDS Game 2
And Father Soxivus, Tommy Barbee, once again brought home the proceedings with some thoughts on the fightless ALDS Game 4, the very end of which Jacki still has not watched
In bonus time, we talked the Craig Kimbrel re-up and Carlos Rodón kick-out
Does Brett Ballantini lose his voice, and does it come back?
There is more Soxivus to come, wrapping up next week with Soxivus Miracles!
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We’ve come to the Soxivus week that celebrates the best games of 2021, and we’ve got seven SSS scribes a swimming through the season to provide insights on their favorites:
(yes, there were several costumed writers on the podcast, on the day after Halloween. Don’t ask why, it was a spontaneous staff decision)
Keelin Billue spent too long in podcast exile, inadvertent though it may have been. Not only did she macho up with a sexy mustachioed cowboy getup for the podcast, she recounted her favorite game of the year, witnessing Carlos Rodón’s no-hitter in April, with fellow SSSer Dick Reillo.
Zach Hayes took on two games in our writeup, but spoke on Rodon’s mastery of Houston in July — perhaps his (and Chicago’s) best game of the season. Hayes was rocking a White Mamba look and yes, there were gams
Did Chrystal O’Keefe finally admit to feeling wonder over Field of Dreams? Well, let’s just say she recounted the many highlights of the game in the corn, in August.
Adrian Serrano was so wild for the 16´´softball game that was a Sox 17-13 win in crosstown play in August that he wrote an entire feature looking back at it
Joe Resis talked about a birthday win, which just happened to be a Blackout win — which just happened to be the only playoff win of the season
Trooper Galactus was podcasting from a lead-lined room, so we could not make out the details of his chosen game; the Dylan Cease slugfest over Cincinnati, in May, perhaps?
Father Soxivus, Tommy Barbee, simply reminded us of the inherent White Sox fandom of all our choices, and writeups
Brett Ballantini veered to metrics, choosing the 1.76 championship leverage index win on May 31, an extra-innings win at Cleveland secured by a home from from ... Adam Eaton. Is he joking?
Stay tuned for our Soxivus Pole celebration on Friday!
Stay tuned for a The Shining twins appearance by Chrystal and Joe in the Indianapolis Field Office next podcast!
There is more Soxivus to come, including the worst games of 2021, so check back next week
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For our “bonus” SSS on the Farm podcast (24), Darren Black and Brett Ballantini discuss the best of the White Sox system, through the lens of this season’s South Side Sox MVP votes. Let’s jump right in!
José Rodríguez is the unqualified winner of our Player of the Year honors, and there’s honestly not a lot more that can be said about his 2021
In a full season, Kade McClure just edged out Norge Vera’s 19 innings in 2021, so you can imagine which pitcher found himself the subject of more discussion
Only three pitchers made our raw cut for the All-Stars, which is nuts beyond the terrible year White Sox pitching prospects had. How quick does Darren choose position players pitching to round out an All-Star rotation?
Darren will be back for more Farm podcasting, once he’s out of brief hibernation after the AFL and before this whole minor league mess starts up again
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For Farm podcast 23 we’re hitting the rookie leagues for some review, two teams with almost identical (bad) records. Arizona finished 25-34, 13th of 18 ACL teams, while the DSL White Sox were 26-33, tied for 33rd of 46 teams. But, there were some stars and some breakout performances. This podcast is a companion piece to Sean Williams’ ACL review and Darren Black’s take on the DSL season, so, enjoy those along with the chatting.
Has the out-of-nowhere Wilfred Veras immediately become the top first baseman in the White Sox system?
More Misael González talk
The pitching was ... not good. And made worse by Thursday’s news that Tanner McDougal will be out for 2022 after Tommy John surgery
Colson Montgomery and Wes Kath met expectations
Norge Vera is aiming for Winston-Salem to start 2022, and might easily leapfrog to the top pitching prospect spot in the organization
Worth asking again: Why don’t the White Sox max out their farm clubs? More players, more wins, right?
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Finally, we come to the biggest disappointment in the White Sox system, great taste, no filling Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Ballyhooed as the gem of the system this spring, the CBs fell flat almost immediately, and ended the year with an almost statistically-impossible -275 run differential. Seriously, in 119 games, Kannapolis was outscored by 275 runs — 2.31 runs per game! Well, so what if our Low-A club opened a beautiful, new ballpark, with a new name and logo — and inexcusably flopped, at 40-79? There were prospects of note, and Darren Black and Brett Ballantini discuss them over 20-plus, fun-filled, commercial-free minutes:
Have you read Darren’s season review piece? Well, it is live alongside this podcast, so go get yourself some.
Let’s skip right past José Rodríguez, who started his incredible ascent in Kannapolis this season, and focus on mini-Popeye, Bryan Ramos — who in at least one sense is a more impressive prospect than Rodríguez
The biggest surprise, at least among guys who came into the season with modest expectations (and/or came into the season not even playing in Kanny): Misael González
Breaking down the triumvirate of talented starters (Matthew Thompson, Drew Dalquist, Jared Kelley), all who disappointed. What happened, and what is our reasonable level of hope for these three going forward?
A brief review of season coverage records, as one of us is a good-luck charm, and one is not.
And, a preview of coming attractions (yes, there are still two more Farm podcasts before the Rule 5 draft podcast, WOO HOO!)
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Podcast 69, nice. The companion article that Joe Resis, Zach Hayes and Brett Ballantini address in the podcast was, again, the brainchild of Tommy Barbee. All three writers submitted entries for their top beef of the season, but we also cover the other six grievances as well. Here are some highlights:
Zach spins a detailed yarn about his Feat of Strength, biblical in nature, with gore, bat racks, and a potentially peaceful overthrow of La Russa
Adrian Serrano could not participate in the podcast, but wants to make it clear he did not kill Southpaw
Seriously, could a clydesdale (Leigh Allan’s suggestion) manager better than at least the worst of White Sox managers? Affirmative
Would Robby the Recapper be a better manager than La Russa? At least one of us says yes
Joe is the only one of us to suggest a player-manager, and it’s a winner
Brett explains his choice of a reunion for and redemption of Ricky Renteria
Hamster selects the elefante in the room, Ozzie Guillén
Brett laughs himself to tears, left so verklempt the tape runs out on him at the end fo the podcast
There is more Soxivus to come, so tune in next week
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John Stolnis, Kris Willis and Ashley MacLennon set the table for the World Series showdown between the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros!
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Same Kanny hat for Darren Black, same black shirt for Brett Ballantini, and this pair comes back to chat on the Farm to talk Winston-Salem Dash on their weeklong wrap of the White Sox system. Have you read Darren’s season review piece? Well, it is live alongside this podcast, so go get yourself some. The Dash wasn’t the worst team in the system, but they did finish farther out of the race than any other White Sox. That, my friends, was no small task in 2021. Here’s how we broke down the 43-76 Dash:
Coud Darren find something to say about the system MVP, José Rodríguez, that hadn’t already been said?
Luis Mieses and Harvin Mendoza reclaimed legit prospect status after early setbacks and demotions to Kannapolis. What do they need to do from here to stay on the radar?
What’s the proper temperature setting when it comes to excitement about Yoelqui Céspedes: scalding, hot, lukewarm, or cool?
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Hey, Darren Black and Brett Ballantini reassembled, put their Farm uniforms back on for continuity, and are hitting up the Birmingham Barons on their weeklong wrap of the White Sox system. Have you read Darren’s season review piece? Well, it is live alongside this podcast, so, dig it. Birmingham finished with a winning record — to wit, 15 more wins in 10 fewer games than the Charlotte Knights — and won its division. Yet still, they finished poorly, needing one win in six games in the last series of the season to make the playoffs — and failing that. Here’s how we broke down the 62-56 Barons:
Was Jameson Fisher the team MVP? Well, yeah, by reader MVP votes. But that was a more a product of the best Barons not having a full season in Birmingham than Fisher’s individual excellence.
Woof, did Yolbert Sánchez turn it on once he got his “age promotion” to Double-A
Kade McClure sort of backed into Pitcher of the Year status in the system, but he made his bones for 2021 at Birmingham
Carlos Pérez seems like he might be a promising catcher? Who can actually catch? Why am I uptalking this into a question?
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As other teams mosey on through the playoffs, the White Sox head into the silly season of speculation on matters small and large, and SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast corespondent, Will, take a look at some of it. There are a few chuckles along the way, because most of the speculation is downright nutty — though they do agree if you want to pretend you can trade a guy who can’t function unless it’s the ninth inning and your team has a one- to three-run lead and it’s between 68 and 76 degrees and the wind is blowing in from right center at 8-15 mph with his $16 million contract for anything useful, you might as well decide you’ll get Mike Trout. And Shohei Ohtani. Elsewhere, there’s the usual looking for a second baseman and a right fielder. Why, let’s get Corey Seager to go with Trout! Need a backup catcher who can actually, oh, maybe, catch (unlike even our first-string catcher, whose framing has fallen to mediocre at best, and has never been much good at that blocking or throwing stuff)? Buster Posey seems a natural! Then there are more serious possibilities, such as whether Carlos Rodón should, or will, accept a qualifying offer (Will says yes, Leigh says no — Scott Boras knows the answer). Which leads to possible starting pitcher additions — Max Scherzer seems like a fine idea, and just as realistic as hoping the Easter Bunny leaves an ace in our basket. Speaking of baskets, we all know there will only be a small one as long as Jerry Reinsdorf has his tight fist on the purse strings, which will leave the rest of us as basket cases. That’s the fate of White Sox fans. But, hey, the offseason is for dreaming, so let’s all dream. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Darren Black and Brett Ballantini are back “on the Farm,” with a weeklong wrap-up of the White Sox system. First up are the Charlotte Knights, and Darren’s season review piece is live alongside this podcast. While the Knights were stunningly bad, with the very worst record in all of Triple-A, several successful prospects were shipped up from North Carolina to make an impact on the 2021 White Sox. Here’s how we broke down this 47-81 club:
It would have been a neck-and-neck battle for team MVP, but Gavin Sheets’ success in Chicago left the crown to Jake Burger
Lost in the incredible start and strange in-season Tony La Russa and retirement dramas are the fact that Yermín Mercedes had his worst season in a long time — at the wrong time
Shout-out to Mike Wright Jr. and John Parke!
Darren’s gentle reminder: Triple-A records mean nothing
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Podcast 68 has to be the best South Side Sox podcast ever, from theme music to Soxivus wailing. Wow, it packs a hilarious punch. The companion article that Joe Resis, Brett Ballantini, Adrian Serrano and Zach Hayes address in the podcast was the brainchild of Tommy Barbee. All five writers submitted entries for their top beef of the season, but was also cover the other seven grievances as well. Here are some highlights:
Adrian talks about moving the goalposts, and why it’s fair to criticize a 93-win season
Ringmaster Barbee addresses front office-manager kismet, and why it’s Groundhog Day once again heading into the offseason
Joe, upset at the lack of a solution in right field, notes that two 2021 free agent possibilities last winter are still playing the LCSs right now
Zach laments the business as usual modus operandi that fuels the front office
Brett truly didn’t copy Joe, but expresses his discomfort with the White Sox punting its chance to acquire an impact bat last winter
Hamster’s mockery of the managerial interview process seemed to get some kudos in terms of a sweet beef among the writers who did not show up and audibly wail over the 2021 Whit Sox
And it’s a preview of things to come, but we will be addressing Feats of Strength rather soon
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Well, the White Sox are out of the playoffs. Some of us wanted a White Sox/Red Sox series. Alas, that won’t happen this year. We’re putting on a brave face and hoping Boston knocks Houston out, so Keelin and Chrystal invited Red Sox writer Bayleigh Von Schnieder on the podcast for a chat. Who is Bayleigh? Meet a talented Red Sox writer, and learn about her Boston roots and why she loves baseball. You can find her on Twitter (@Fraulein89), on our sister site Over the Monster, and at Overtime Heroics. Astros/Red Sox ACLS preview: How will Boston deal with Houston? Bayleigh shares her thoughts and where she’s at in terms of confidence with her team. Fan gatekeeping: After the John Cusack incident at Sox Park, why are we still encouraging this behavior? And why is it worse for women? Women don’t owe you anything, especially pertaining to baseball in 1932. Tweeting about domestic violence: In light of Jeff Passan’s “heartwarming” tweet about Atlanta overcoming so much, think before you tweet or praise players who have a history of domestic violence and abuse towards women. How do we feel about spending, trades, and Tony La Russa: Bayleigh asks the tough questions — and we all reflect on the Chris Sale trade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In the wake of the whomping the White Sox took from the Astros in the ALDS, most every writer or commentator is talking about what a shelling it was and how bad decisions by the HOFBP were instrumental in the team’s demise. But SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, say the collapse was ordained in early summer when warnings from Steve Stone and many others went unheeded and the White Sox starting pitchers were horribly overused. (Listen to the numbers on abuse of Carlos Rodón, if you don’t believe us). They again raise a bunch of details they’ve mentioned before (and pretty much no one else has) about how much more Sox starters pitched than the staffs on any other team in baseball, both in number of innings, and, more importantly, number of pitches, given the quintet’s remarkably low efficiency and consequent high number of pitches per inning. Not that there weren’t terrible bullpen decisions during the series, and not that the HOFBP hurling idiotic accusations about the Astros intentionally hitting José Abreu five innings and three appearances after José Altuve was hit — on the seventh pitch of an at-bat, no less — wasn’t just one more display of what a classless, arrogant jerk he is. Do they say absolutely anybody, including a reasonably trained rooster, could have managed the White Sox to the AAAL Central title? Sure. Do they call for the HOFBP to be fired? Of course. Do they think there’s any chance that will happen? Of course not. And not that there wasn’t a lot of ranting about Astros and cheating and such, though the two disagree on whether cheering when Altuve got hit was over-the-top fan nastiness (other fan nastiness being perfectly fine). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Well, this isn’t the podcast we wanted to record, despite it being the one we knew would come eventually. Zach Hayes dashed back from the ballgame, Joe Resis scrambled to find his mic, Jacki Krestel paused her baked pasta, Chrystal O’Keefe made fart noises and Brett Ballantini and Darren Black decide where there were going for dinner, in an ACTION-PACKED half-hour of happy times and warm thoughts. No, of course that ain’t it. The Sox got rocked for the third time in the series, and there were thoughts on that, and other things:
How did this great rotation end up throwing one less masterpiece in the playoffs than the 2020 ragtag clown staff?
Blame to go around, but what aspect of the team contributed most to the series loss?
Tony La Russa: impressions at season’s end
Zach shares the atmospheric differences between Blackout Game 3 on Sunday and Blackout Game 4 today
The best parts of the 2021 season, for each of us
What to look for this offseason from South Side Sox
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With Monday’s rainout of Game 4, we found ourselves with some time to preview the rescheduled Tuesday tilt, so naturally Chrystal O’Keefe and Zach Hayes jumped on with Brett Ballantini to do just that. A whole buncha stuff happened since our last podcast, oh, approximately three hours earlier, so we got right to it:
Momentum in the series and how the unexpected day off on Monday impacts it
Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Carlos Rodón in Game 4, potentially the pitchers’ duel this series has been waiting for
Ryan Tepera’s postgame remarks on Sunday night came off as a bit half-cocked, but really, can you trust a thing Houston says or does after the insidious cheating scandal that spanned the end of the last decade?
Zach’s impressions of the Blackout Game Sunday (so good, he’s headed back for Game 4), and whether or not he feels he earned a hold or save as one of 40,000 screaming, blacked-out White Sox lunatics
After chill dude who, hard to believe or not, claims to back both Chicago baseball teams John Cusack is accosted by an ignorant and mouthy fan who apparently applies that profound lack of knowledge to White Sox writing somewhere, we discuss the misbegotten notion of fan gatekeeping. During the playoffs, of all times
No guarantees, but yeah, we’ve got our three most successful game recappers on the case for Game 4
Perhaps Brett forgets Chrystal’s name again
Music from SSS writer Scott Reichard
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Trying to rush this up because hey, it’s early a.m. and boy oh boyo that was a long game. And a helluva game! Di Billick, Adrian Serrano and Brett Ballantini got together postgame in the wee hours, to discuss this super-fun win. Highlights of what we discussed, before Adrian had to hop on the El to make it to the park in time for Game 4 (slight exaggeration, perhaps, but just slight):
For all the stats at hand, does Brett remember the exact final score? No, Brett does not remember the final score
We discuss all the heroes of the game, with quotable stats: Tim Anderson, Leury García, Yasmani Grandal, Michael Kopech, Ryan Tepera and Aaron Bummer.
The Great Grandal Controversy (or: A Great Defensive Team Decides to Throw a Ball Directly Into a Runner Then Cry Foul)
Oh, hey, how about another hero: Tony La Russa
What we’re looking for from Carlos Rodón in Game 4, and how the bullpen lines up behind him
Impressions of the Blackout Game, 2021 Edition — and the measure impact it had on players
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Two games down in the books for the 2021 ALDS, and yes, the White Sox are two games down. That said, it’s Blackout Night! And we wear black and Sox Park not to mourn, but to kick some ass. Host Brett Ballantini is joined by Jacki Krestel, who tonight will be one of just a few thousand folks in the park also to have witnessed Blackout Game I back in 2008. That good juju alone should make this a 2-1 series. After an excessive delay, but in a nick of time, this podcast also marks the debut of SSS writer Scott Reichard’s intro music, and if it doesn’t get you fired up for tonight, nothing will. Here’s some of what Brett and Jacki covered in our preview of Game 3:
The roll luck — BABIP or otherwise — has played in the series so far
The likelihood of that luck reversing with the series now in Chicago
Particularly with Dylan Cease announced as Sunday’s starter, the senselessness of leaving Michael Kopech on a cold slab in the bullpen for Games 1 and 2 in Houston
The ridiculousness of some social media claims, be they degrading the South Siders as a vastly inferior team to Houston, or that “fans” should not be allowed to criticize the White Sox
You will never guess who convinced Jacki to get to the ballgame tonight — a convert from the North Side!
Blackout Game memories — and how vastly different this 2021 White Sox team is from the 2008 division champs
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This was a rough game to revisit, but a promise is a promise, and Zach Hayes, Adrian Serrano and Brett Ballantini got together postgame fulfill our playoff mission: a postgame podcast after every game. So, here’s how this one broke down:
It was shaping up as a classic game ... until about two-thirds the way through
At what point will we see Hall of Fame Baseball Person, Tony La Russa?
Pick your favorite mishap of Game 2
Has La Russa given the Astros a huge gift with his bullpen management in Houston?
Did Michael Kopech make the postseason roster?
Picks for Game 3 starter among Dylan Cease, Carlos Rodón and Kopech
Hey, Zach is heading to the Game 3 Blackout, Adrian Game 4 if played, so we take a quick measurement of how awesome that experience is going to be
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It was not an inspiring playoff opener, but Zach Hayes, Joe Resis, Jacki Krestel and Brett Ballantini got together postgame to break down what happened, and how things can change going forward:
Good Vibes Krestel turned into Bad Vibes, but by podcast end, she was back to at least OK Vibes
Was it the offense, or Lance Lynn?
Happy Zach Hayes — say what!
Did Dusty Baker give the White Sox a gift with his bullpen management?
In working some at-bats and starting to break through late, is the offense really as ramshackle as the box score might indicate?
E tu, A.J.?
All four of us predict Game 2 wins, although Jacki might be a bit more tipsy tomorrow
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So here we are, on the doorsteps of the playoffs, mere minutes from ALDS Game 1, and who better to share in the anticipatory glory than your best White Sox friends in the whole wide world: Adrian Serrano, Joe Resis, Colleen Sullivan and Brett Ballantini? The quartet recognizes this game is so important, a whole new White Sox podcast has been created: the South Side Sox Pregame Podcast. Dig in, as the moments tick down to first pitch:
What affect will José Abreu’s flu symptoms have on a crucial Game 1?
Brett travels in time!
Pros and cons, Lance Lynn starting Game 1 over Lucas Giolito
Adrian travels in time!
Who knew Seby Zavala could be so important to the White Sox’s playoff hopes!
Possible uses for Dallas Keuchel in the postseason — and yes, nearly all of them involve the train at Minute Maid Park
Carlos Correa, cheating scandal hero?
Yes, Joe travels in time!
Which locker room does Dallas walk into when the White Sox arrive at the ballpark in Houston?
Bet you can’t guess who’s most nervous about the series — in fact, two of us couldn’t even muster a series prediction
Colleen Sullivan absolutely travels in time
Wave to Colleen at Game 3, Adrian at (the probably unnecessary, due to White Sox sweep) Game 4
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Talent from all around SB Nation come together to preview the MLB AL Playoffs as John Stolnis, Ashley MacLennon and Andrew Mearns debate all the biggest topics and make their predictions!
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Funny how at playoff time, wonder twins Luke Smailes and Trevor Lines have come together to activate their powers as Dugout Metrics, once more! Yes, we’re all together again, for the first time since the trade deadline. Brett Ballantini asks the questions, some of them dumb:
Obligatory temperature check on the regular season; even the metrics fellas are plenty pleased
From a players’ standpoint, what’s the difference between playing a crucial game on the road vs. home?
Did you read that question above? The gentlemanly Luke let Brett know in the politest way ever how dumb his question was.
Still, Brett leaned in and doubled down with a question of day games vs. night games
Asked for the regard in which they held both Dallas Keuchel and Reynaldo López, the pair agreed, in an answer that was actually sort of shocking, given how it could limit the roster
What is the best-optimized White Sox lineup, and what has Tony La Russa actually been doing right with his batting order this season?
Ever-debonair Luke even gets his webcam to freeze in handsome fashion
Will there be a beanball war between old-school managers La Russa and Dusty Baker?
Predictions for the ALDS — one of us calls it tight, the other two think it will be an easier series than anticipated
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The postseason is finally here, and SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, peer into the old crystal ball — or, where the Astros are concerned, crystal trash can — to foresee the future, because foreseeing is the only way to see the future. They start out putting together the White Sox 26-man roster, with 12 pitchers, 14 position players, and no one with the initials DK, but a surprise someone with the initials DM. Then it’s on to setting the pitching rotation, with a disagreement on who should be No. 2 and 3. No disagreement, though, on who to blame if one of those starters is weak from incompetent overuse during the regular season (hint: he has rings he’s happy to show any arresting officer who happens along). Finally, of course, they get to predictions for all the playoff series, including any that happen to involve the White Sox. Whole bunch of disagreement there, but for the best of reasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Podcast 67 is our best ever, and that’s not just because we all learned how to properly hydrate and sing a new campfire song. This pirate broadcast began with Chrystal O’Keefe, Jacki Krestel and Joe Resis signing on with Brett Ballantini for some chat on the 93-69 White Sox, before we were interloped first by Adrian Serrano, then Di Billick. But Di did come with song. Here are some highlights:
Impressions of a 93-69 campaign, and how much did the White Sox exceed expectations?
Will a lack of “chaos” in the playoff grid — no ties/tiebreakers to be played — affect Chicago’s path to a title?
Sing “The Dallas Keuchel Song,” with Di Billick
Despite losing the last game of the Sunday, the White Sox finished hot and seemed to jell best at the very end of the season. Can momentum play a factor, through three off-days?
True story: Houston’s pocket schedule this season replaced its team name with “Garbage Can-Kicking Little Baby Bitches”
Why guitars are the hottest new wall decor among the SSS set
And yes, it’s true, more coverage than you can shake a trash can at is on its way for the playoffs
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King of Prep Brett Ballantini, who 1) forgot the podcast episode 2) ran off-camera/mic during the podcast 3) let the “tape” run out on his outro, hosted No. 66 on Thursday with delightful guests Darrin Brown, Zach Hayes and Jacki Krestel. We touched on the Blackout Game anniversary, and looked ahead to the Houston playoff series. Here’s the highlights:
Two guests not only were at the Blackout Game in 2008, but presented their towels
Did Brett leave the room to retrieve his towel? Perhaps
Did Jacki have a treasure trove of other promotions from the souvenir box? Perhaps
Was Darrin alive for the Blackout Game? Perhaps
Will we ever learn why Zach was punished at the time of the Blackout Game (though he is blessed with great parents, who allowed him to watch the playoffs even under house arrest)?
Once again, we debate the wiser choice for No. 1 starter for the White Sox in the postseason. And once agin, we are deadlocked between Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito
Who is player we anticipate seeing break out this postseason and potentially carry the White Sox to a first-round upset?
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For the first time since 2008, the White Sox are AL Central champions! And because it was so super-sweet to enjoy this moment, after 13 years, we doubled up on postgame podcasts! Brett Ballantini, Zach Hayes, Tyrone Palmer, Joe Resis, Jacki Krestel, Chrystal O’Keefe, Celeste Radogno and Tommy Barbee got together after the White Sox lost the nightcap of today’s triumphant doubleheader to talk about the journey:
The biggest podcast, eight SSS writers, in site history!
More reactions to the clinch f-i-n-a-l-l-y h-a-p-p-e-n-i-n-g
A distinct lack of reactions to Brett’s Seuss party hat (however, the crew pretty much Blacked Out the podcast, hint, hint, Sox
Who’s the pick for Game 1 ALDS starter? From this panel, a distinct advantage goes to Lance Lynn over Lucas Giolito
More Tony La Russa talk; no, we are not sold
However, Good Vibes Jacki Krestel insists on enjoying the moment and diagramming the playoffs tomorrow, when buzz of the clinch is killed
Memories of clinches past
How to employ the top White Sox pitching weapon, Michael Kopech?
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For the first time since 2008, the White Sox are AL Central champions! Brett Ballantini, Di Billick, Zach Hayes and travellin’ Trevor Lines got together in-between games of today’s doubleheader to talk about the journey:
Reactions to the clinch f-i-n-a-l-l-y h-a-p-p-e-n-i-n-g
Yes, Brett did crack out the Seuss party hat
Who’s the pick for Game 1 ALDS starter? From this panel, slight edge to Lucas over Lance
How much credit does Tony La Russa get for this division win? And is he a better manager than Ricky if he simply avoids constipation in a deciding playoff game?
Is starting the ALDS in Houston going to pose problem? And no, you can get up off the ground, Zach, not only because Eloy will have to play defense in front of the choo-choo train
Did Trevor ever find his bourbon, or his bucket of chicken?
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The main issue this week for SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, is starting pitching for the playoffs, starting with extreme doubt the White Sox can survive Houston without a healthy Carlos Rodón, who has been by far the best starter versus the Astros this season. Lucas Giolito has also been good, but no one else has even been close to adequate, so fears abound. A look at starters’ performances against Houston this season is scary. So is looking at Lance Lynn against them in recent years. That led to discussion of the overuse of starters, especially Rodón — who had pitched only 40 innings in the past two years — by our HOFBP. And that led to the incredible inefficiency of Sox starters, by far the worst in MLB in pitches per inning. Will wants to shut down the starters the rest of the regular season. Leigh thinks that’s overkill. Before getting into starting pitching, or even delving into the poor White Sox record in the second half (below .500!) and terrible record in one-run games (HOFBP?), the two talk about what Jason and Stoney have been talking about, since the TV casters have seemingly dropped their concern about the The Three True Outcomes destroying baseball and started stressing how important home runs and strikeouts are. Go figure. And that still left time to bemoan the horrible deadline decisions by Rick Hahn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Darren Black and Brett Ballantini took a few weeks off (!) but are back with the Farm podcast. With Birmingham, Winston-Salem, Kannapolis and the ACL White Sox all finished for the year, we took a look at good and bad surprises from the 2021 season.
The curious case of Birmingham Barons late collapse out of the playoffs, including the first rainout clinch in recent history or memory
Another bit of a 40-man primer, provided by Darren, re: Micker Adolfo
There was no worse team in the system, May aside, than the Dash. Wow.
Hey, remember Bryce Bush?
Jared Kelley, and Kanny’s tragic tripod of terror rotation utterly flaming out in 2021
You know, everybody’s a Bluto or a Sweet Pea next to Popeye
On that note, AZL/ACL whisperer Brett deems Terrell Tatum 2022’s Popeye
And yeah, let’s talk about Darren becoming an Oakland fan, along with his dog, Connie Mack. Perhaps once he receives his official Bash Brothers™ steroid party pack, our core updater will return to White Sox fandom
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As the White Sox head into the final 18 games of the regular season, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, gaze into ye olde crystal ball and see an immediate future mostly full of teams that wouldn’t even be in the major leagues if relegation existed. That, of course, bodes well for the effort to gain home-field advantage in round one of the playoffs, especially since the Astros still have to face Oakland six times and Tampa Bay three. The conversation then ventures into the more murky depths of the horrible inefficiency of White Sox pitchers, especially the starters, as evidenced by the nifty, 184-pitch game on Tuesday night, which was roughly a month’s worth of pitches for Mark Buehrle. That led to discussion of the old idea of pitching to contact (hello, Greg Maddux!) and Will enjoying a nice rant about how pathetic it is that pitchers these days seem to think going 3-2 on every hitter is a great strategy, and how detrimental it is to the game. That left plenty of time to talk about keeping Eloy Jiménez from hurting himself in the outfield, the importance of getting Adam Engel back from the IL, and using a six-man rotation the rest of the season (spoiler: We support it). Oh, yeah — also a little chat about whether to pick up Craig Kimbrel’s $16 million option for 2022. Very little chat — just two big capital letters and a bunch of exclamation points. Plus a bunch of praise for TA, YG, and LR. All of which didn’t even leave time to express dismay over having Zack Collins back in town, and the fact Rick Hahn left the Sox in the lurch, stuck with either Collins or Seby Zavala as backup catcher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As off-day became idle day, a couple of SSS yuk-sters came together to record. Di Billick is back on the mothership with Brett Ballantini, with a primary focus on Monday’s dive into the psyche of White Sox fans (and, you betcha, herself) in these bountiful times. But the two find time for other stuff, some funny, and some just perplexing. Sitaspell, take yer shoes off:
Let’s talk about two profane dads, one lighter (Di) than the other
The pros and cons of Tony La Russa steering the White Sox into October
Does Di’s husband owe us an apology for 2006?
Let’s review: RBI totals are severely reduced without baserunners
Ear worm: Did Di do the voiceover for the commercial break you just heard? (If you found yourself with a sudden desire to enroll in school, yeah, probably.)
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What’s up with the White Sox lately? Have you torn your hair out at Tony’s getaway day lineups? Are you cool as a cucumber because a clinch is in the near future? No matter your mood, we’ve got a treat for you: MLB.com’s Justice delos Santos joins Janice for a jovial conversation spanning from covering baseball with on-field access to his Harold’s order when he’s in Chicago. Based in the Bay Area, Justice covered the White Sox series in Oakland for Scott Merkin last week, and had a bunch of stuff to say about where the Good Guys are headed this last month of the regular season.
Justice shares his earliest memories of his love of baseball, including watching a DVD from 2002 to the point where he rattled off Barry Bonds facts in the grocery store, at four years old.
A recent graduate of the University of California-Berkeley, Justice recalls an English class he had with none other than our very own Andrew Vaughn — and tells the details of their reunion in Oakland this past week.
With a handful of guys on the shelf, Justice gives us an update on Tim Anderson’s hopefully-soon return to the lineup.
Justice wrote last week that he thinks Dallas Keuchel is headed in the right direction, despite a rough stretch in his recent starts, and he explains why.
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On this week’s edition of Sharing Sox, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, delve into the strange and wondrous world of the intentional balk — and the unintentional balk in its many manifestations as well, including manifestations that are clearly illegal but never called any longer. First, though, there’s the question of the massive inefficiency of White Sox starters when it comes to pitches per inning, an inefficiency that puts all of them near the worst — and one of them dead last among qualified pitchers (we’re looking at you, Dylan). How much will that inefficiency impact how worn-out those pitchers are by playoff time, especially given they’ve thrown many more 100+ pitch games than any other team? Only The Shadow knows. Well, maybe The Shadow and The HOFBP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Joe Resis steps into the hot seat to sit down again with Brett Ballantini in a discussion of the past Royals series, and the White Sox prospects the rest of the way, and into the playoffs. It’s Brett and Joe’s sixth podcast talking to one another, stretching back over these past three years, and for none of the previous five did we think we’d be sitting pretty in early September just waiting for the season to play out and the playoffs to begin. Here’s what you’ll enjoy on No. 64:
Brett’s perplexing Chicago Bulls dashiki
The White Sox’s perplexing weekend in Kansas City
Is there a member of the starting rotation we feel good about heading into October?
Good cop Resis preaches calm in light of disappointing second-half results, pointing to the absence of Tim Anderson as a big factor in a stagnant offense
Joe is a data analyst, or at least he plays one on South Side Sox; find out why he invokes Hawk Harrelson on two separate occasions in a half-hour podcast
Props to Indy; without the Indianapolis Field Office of SSS, the White Sox would not be going to the playoffs, plain and simple
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It’s the final stretch of the season, and SSS duty geezer and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, lean into lyrics from The Fantastiks to ponder the month ahead for the White Sox and how best to set up for the playoffs (spoiler: It involves staying healthy). With the Sox just a half-game behind the Astros for the second seed and home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs (yes, we are assuming the playoffs — short of all the players with Cuban connections deciding to fly off to Havana for the month, that’s going to happen), the talk goes to the nice fact that the Astros have a much tougher schedule going forward, including a trip to San Diego this weekend. Pitching draws a lot of the conversation, from the strange but nice resurgence of Reynaldo López to resting starters to getting the bullpen in shape. Also, the two express wonderment that the Pirates were kind enough to throw high fastballs to Gavin Sheets Tuesday night, which may help show why, even beyond payroll, Pittsburgh is perpetually mired in last place in the NL Central. And, also on the wonderment front, they talk about the strong play of Leury García lately, and the bizarre disdain José Abreu and Yoán Moncada get from large segments of the Twitterverse. With all that, they somehow failed to mention Yasmani Grandal at all. And they decided to cancel the October series against the Tigers and end the season in September. Which would be a good idea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Darren Black and Brett Ballantini are back with the Farm podcast, talking over the September call-ups, catching depth, and the utter lack of starting pitchers in the system. Sound fun? Have a listen:
Another take on the incredible Romy González, stressing the significant jump he took and the challenge of his defensive positioning
That said, if Tim Anderson doesn’t get hurt, does Romy get the call-up?
Darren says that the loss of Luis González wasn’t so bad, even if the White Sox ended up DFAing Jake Lamb a month later
Has Seby moved ahead of Zack Collins on the permanent catching depth chart? Darren has a specific tell that indicates the answer on the White Sox end is yes
Taylor Varnell retired, and we bid farewell, and note that there isn’t really a starter of significance as you move down the entire system ... until Norge Vera in the DSL
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A tasty trio of White Sox analysts — Darren Black, Joe Resis, and Zachary Jeremiah Boom-Boom Hayes — join Brett Ballantini in a discussion of the final month of the White Sox season, and more! Peruse the exciting details of this podcast:
The “State of the White Sox” — ensconced in first place, but motoring toward the postseason?
How do you juggle health in the stretch run against the need to stay competitive?
Is jeering the Cubs punching too far down these dark, northside days?
Our 5/6ths season White Sox MVPs ... sorta really just one choice, but we still came up with three
Javier Báez and the wisdom of the thumbs-down rallying cry
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Happy Di Billick Day! Here we go, it’s another new stellar addition to the South Side Sox family, quadruple-threat Di Billick. You can get to know Di better with her Meet the Players, and by listening to this here podcast. She’s also working the recap for today’s game, and has a first feature up, lip-reading today’s starter, Lance Lynn. We covered a lot here over an hour, in a really fun conversation:
How booking a Chicago Cubs commercial could have broken up a marriage
Can you find a better guy than Mark Buehrle?
Absconding with souvenirs from Comiskey Park during its final season
Both Brett and Di elect elotes as their go-to White Sox food; Elotes Devotees, if you will
The bubble-gum L tradition that celebrates yearly tragedy at Wrigley Field
Why has Di joined up with South Side Sox? Natch, because she can no longer sing about pee to a sold-out crowd every Saturday night
Di’s love-to-hate relationship with Field of Dreams centers solely on one factor: Kevin Costner
Actor Di Billick: “Actors are a dime a dozen ... what is the skill, pretending?”
You’ll never guess who young Di high-fived at Midway Airport after the World Series win
Cubbie stink: real or imagined?
Ethan Katz: hero
The early moment, like, a year early, when Di predicted the 2005 White Sox World Series win ... and so, what was her prediction for 2021?
It’s not novel that Di didn’t want Tony La Russa as White Sox manager ... but who she’d like to see in the White Sox dugout next, oh yes, that’s pretty novel!
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This week SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan again joins his son, Will, as a west coast correspondent, and they take a look at the latest tough two-week segment of the White Sox schedule. Well, OK, the only tough two-week segment of the White Sox schedule. The two have spoken often as to how this stretch would show just how good (or not) the Sox are, and guess what! It showed pretty much nothing, at least on a team level. That’s in part because a 7-7 split doesn’t demonstrate much, but also because all four of the series in question had oddities. The White Sox were missing Yasmani Grandal the whole time, Carlos Rodón much of the time and Tim Anderson for a few games; the Yankees were missing pretty much their entire team; the Sox nearly killed the A’s best pitcher in the second inning of the second game, leading to a devastated opponent; the Rays handed the White Sox one game with uncharacteristically horrible defense and then first Dallas Keuchel and then the entire Sox staff decided to return the kindness doubly; and the Toronto series was more boom-and-bust than a gold rush. Which brings us to That Other Team in Town. Will it be a sweep for the White Sox? Will it merely be two out of three? Will the Sox fulfill Will’s prediction of one game with a five-dinger barrage? Of course, there’s still time to talk about the wonderfulness of the starting pitchers (mostly), the horribleness of the relievers (mostly), and to celebrate not only the return of Yasmani Grandal, but the fact it means we won’t have to watch Zack Collins try to play baseball any more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the South Side leg of the Crosstown Classic. Our neighbors to the North head down to Guaranteed Rate Field this weekend for a three-game set that will be sure to thrill the masses. Our beloved White Sox look to claim the coveted Crosstown Cup, something I’m not sure even exists any longer, at least physically. Though the history of the intra-city rivalry has been filled with cheap jabs and sneers from both sides of town, we’ve definitely noticed that things are a little different this year. Joining in on this observation and adding further insight is our friend Sara Sanchez, from our sister site Bleed Cubbie Blue.
There are plenty of frustrations on both sides of town, but for different reasons. Sam and Janice discuss the feast-or-famine trends with the White Sox offense, while Sara lambasts the Cubs front office for a horrendous trade deadline.
It’s been a while since a good ol’-fashioned Crosstown trade; the trio examines Craig Kimbrel, Codi Heuer, and Nick Madrigal, as well as a brief retrospective on the José Quintana trade.
Where does Madrigal fit into the Cubs’ infield, and the Cubs’ future?
Has Kimbrel been misused on the South Side? Sara weighs in, having watched plenty of Cubs and Red Sox baseball.
What’s at stake for both ballclubs in this series, besides the collective mental well-being of both fan bases?
In the spirit of friendship, Sam, Janice, and Sara share what they love about the other side of town.
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Darren Black and Brett Ballantini are back with the Farm podcast, talking over recent injuries depleting the system, as well as three bright spots, all at the same position — and no, for once, it’s not designated hitter! The highlights:
The serious lat injury to Jonathan Stiever reduces the starting depth in the system to essentially zero
If the White Sox had to have just a few standout players in the system this season, thank goodness those standouts are middle infielders like Romy González, Yolbert Sánchez and José Rodríguez
A little bit of Yoelqui Céspedes chatter, who has his eye, like Romy, on Chicago in 2022
The Arizona Complex League team has a lousy record and not much pitching, but the bats are alive there
Darren offers his picks for September call-ups this season (just two this year). One recovers from a mysteriously lingering injury, the other represents the last upper-level arm left in the system
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Now, you might think that Brady & Radogno sounds like a legal firm. It is NOT. In fact, the only one on this podcast legally allowed to provide legal advice is the host. But you would not want to follow it. However, Julie Brady and Celeste Radogno have more than just legal studies in common. They are White Sox fans! Also, ace writers with a taste for both the wry and the absurd. If Brett Ballantini was smarter, he’d be studying law with them. Or, maybe just fixing the game snax. Julie was kind enough to pause her relentless Minor League Update writing, and Celeste her move south, to chat with Brett about the White Sox of mid-August 2021, and more:
Three laypeople’s takes on Lance Lynn’s belt removal during Wednesday night’s ballgame
Given one of the three was currently encircled and perhaps even threatened by corn for miles and miles, how’d we assess the Field of Dreams game last week?
As seen dozens of times on Twitter @DestroyBaseball, Julie offers the origin story of Maroon 5: The Menacing
Did Celeste really melt the internet with a photo of a footlong hot dog? Do tube steak fundamentalists really exist?
Both Julie and Celeste have been to live games, Celeste in four major league parks this season. What were the experiences, given the continuing pandemic?
Oh, it’s a leading question, but is it possible that MLB could do a worse job marketing the game to anyone beyond stool bros?
There is a unanimous answer to whether these three would remain White Sox fans if a family like the Ricketts controlled the ballclub
Pet cameos: Chico Marx yes, Vinny no.
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Both SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son, Will, are west coast correspondents this week, as Leigh and his wife visit Will and his wife and the duo take time out to record the show. Top of the news, of course, is the horrible injury Oakland ace Chris Bassitt sustained Tuesday when hit by a 100 mph line shot by Brian Goodwin. That got the geezer thinking back to probably the most famous case of a major league pitcher taking a shot to the head, that of Herb Score. Score, who came up with Cleveland and later pitched for the White Sox, was destined for greatness ... Rookie of the Year, led the majors in strikeouts two years in a row, perhaps the best young pitcher ever ... when hit by a rocket by Gil McDougald of the Yankees in 1957. Score recovered, but was never the same. What can be done about such injuries? The two discuss, but solve nothing. On a happier note, the discussion turns to the renaissance of Reynaldo López and the many possibilities for the back end of the rotation in the playoffs. Plus, they raise the question of how much chance you take on starters wearing out if you press to get the top seed in the American League. That one, they solve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
After a week off, Darren Black and Brett Ballantini are back with the Farm podcast, with talk about recent losses in the system, and a deep dive into how the 2021 draft class debuted in Arizona. Here’s the stuff:
Based on winning percentage on Darren’s 50-90 coverage record this year, Black is the Winston-Salem Dash. Brett comes closest to the Birmingham Barons, baby
The losses of Luis González (to the San Francisco Giants on waivers) and Zack Burdi (to parts unknown)
What the promotion of Mike Wright says about the stretch-run plans for the White Sox, and whether it prevents or eases Michael Kopech into the starting rotation for September or the playoffs
Are there any parallels between José Rodríguez and Luis Robert?
IF there is going to be an Arizona Fall League (hasn’t been announced yet), who does Darren and Brett draft for the team?
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What a game! We tried to do a spot-podcast last night, but everyone in SSS HQ was still high on what was the wildest and most thrilling (and, given the TV ratings, popular) regular season game in ages. So, the pivot involved me offering to join Sharing Sox for their Friday podcast, then just bullying my way into hosting the thing. Thanks to the Allans for their graciousness. For the first time since February, Brett Ballantini, Leigh Allan and Will Allan got together to talk. Was there corniness? You be the judge:
Three generations of fans are represented on this podcast, so how did the spectacle sit with each?
Tim Anderson’s value to the White Sox cannot be measured in mere WAR
Why calls to replace Liam Hendriks as White Sox closer after last night’s blowup are hasty
Does Carlos Rodón’s injury render the Dallas Keuchel vs. Dylan Cease debate for the playoff rotation moot?
Where we all fall on the Rodón injury Panic-o-Meter
Joe Buck swooning over Tony La Russa was to be expected. Foisting Tony love on Liam, however, is a bridge a bit far
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It was shaping up to be a bloodbath, but just two Field of Dreams naysayers has the guts to show up for this podcast and attempt to convince Brett Ballantini that the film is trash. Colleen Sullivan and Jacki Krestel wax acidic on the film; in the end, no one shifted their stances. Here's a corny taste of this episode:
Zoe Krestel the Wonder Dog makes an appearance, and Brett is convinced the canine is on Team FoD with him
What is the excitement level over this very odd, midseason game?
Is there concern over how Carlos Rodón is able to finish out 2021, given his heavy workload/Cy Young-caliber start?
In a world where every other movie release is a superhero yarn, why is it so hard to suspend disbelief for a sports fantasy movie?
The It's a Wonderful Life comp
Colleen's synopsis of the movie is brutal, but not entirely inaccurate
Colleen and Jacki both seem fixated on Moonlight Graham attending to the choking child vs. calling the paramedics — as if an ambulance is on-call to fish hot dog bits out of someone's throat in rural Iowa
We agree that the end of the film, including "have a catch" (cringe) and car traffic, is pretty cool overall
Seriously, why was Ray Liotta so important to this film that he not only is shoehorned in as Joe Jackson (!) but allowed to bat right-handed?
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If you’ve been on the internet in the last five years or so, you've no doubt come across, and more than likely fallen in love with, the YouTube series Hot Ones, hosted by the lovable Sean Evans. Sean is not only, for my money, one of the best and most innovative interviewers and media personalities of our time, but he also happens to be a big White Sox fan. This isn’t some casual celebrity fandom, Sean is dialed-in, and about as much of a diehard fan as you’ll find. Sean was kind enough to join the show in what is sure to be our spiciest episode yet. We talk about how a kid from Evanston, surrounded by Cubs fans, ended up with a love for the Sox. We gets Sean’s thoughts about the current roster, and if he thinks Rick Hahn did enough to bring another World Series to the South Side. We also get a peek behind the curtain as to what is took to bring what started as an obscure concept for an interview series all the way to the media empire that it has become. Sean has been parodied by SNL, collaborated on a shoe with Reebok, and most recently became a toy, but today, he joined North Side Sox for what is quite possibly our favorite episode yet. Hope you enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On the heels of a stirring sweep by the White Sox at Wrigley this weekend, Joe Resis, Chrystal O’Keefe and Zach Hayes talk with Brett Ballantini about the series (this weekend, and their favorite moments of crosstown play), as well as some peeks ahead specific to roster construction and the postseason. Among the highlights:
Ah, the joy of a sweep that just a week or so ago didn’t seem like it would be so easy
César Hernández has been a beast
What does everyone need to see from the White Sox between now and the postseason that might calm some jangled nerves?
Chrystal’s favorite crosstown moment? Oh, just her wedding day
Joe was digging A.J. in 2006
Zach opted for the Zambrano-Lee fracas in the dugout, and a Paul Konerko hitting masterclass
Brett? Carlos Lee’s walk-off salami, baby
As the pandemic persists, smart takes from our panel on how/when/why to attend full or large-capacity games
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It’s another fabulous day for us at South Side Sox, as we get to introduce the second of our two most recent additions to the staff, whip-smart Celeste Rodogno. (Just maybe don’t play sports against her?) We even snuck up a story of hers early, before this intro day, with a very strong debut about: a calendar. She hops on with Brett Ballantini to talk about injuries sustained as a young athlete, her route to White Sox fandom, and the 2021 club. Some highlights:
Vinnie the Wonder Dog
The time junior high basketball opponents ganged up on Celeste to break her hip, then laughed about it (tough? yeah, Celeste didn’t leave the game)
Celeste’s final pitching performance was a perfect inning — one that left her fingers tingling and her arm dead for days
Her reaction to SSS’s offer of writing space? 1. They’re trying to sell me something 2. Is this a pyramid scheme? 3. Sure, sounds cool
We trace Celeste’s route to fandom, which is also detailed at her Meet the Players survey, also up on site this morning
Celeste’s White Sox memory constant? Not Southpaw, Nancy Faust, or fireworks — but Gene Honda
How many people to you know who can still wear the first shirt they ever wore to a game, as a kid? Stay tuned for more on that one
What’s behind the malaise the White Sox have played with since the All-Star break?
Brett develops an on-the-spot theory as to why only hitters are getting hurt on the 2021 White Sox
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It’s a fabulous day for us at South Side Sox, as we get to introduce one of our two most recent additions to the staff, the delightful Jacki Krestel. (Well, OK, delightful now, but you didn’t want to dig in against her when she was staring you down in the batter’s box years ago.) She hops on with Brett Ballantini to talk about her playing career, route to White Sox fandom, and the 2021 club. Some highlights:
Somewhat unbelievably, recent research indicates that Jacki faced fellow SSS writer of recap renown and Know Your Enemy fame, Colleen Sullivan. The two played on high school rival clubs. We don’t know the outcome of their matchup ... yet
We trace Jacki’s fandom, which is also detailed at her Meet the Players survey, also up on site this morning
What was louder: Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS, or the 2008 Blackout Game?
Both Jacki and Brett still have their blackout towels. Brett is on active kitchen duty, to this day
Jacki was confident the 2021 White Sox would be good, but what has surprised her most about this season?
Jacki’s dad, who encouraged her and her sisters into ballplaying careers, had a pretty clever mantra for the importance of pitching, and it certainly applies to this 2021 White Sox team
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In the post-trade deadline edition, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, rant about how MLB is killing itself with so many teams simply tanking and, especially, the AAALCentral becoming the AAL Central. That’s a benefit for the Sox, but terrible for baseball. The duo even have a solution, which will never, ever, come to pass — European soccer league style relegation, where bottom teams get sent down. Too bad it will never happen. Leigh breaks from his mold to actually praise Tony La Russa, giving the HOFBP credit for running out a sort of bullpen game Sunday to give his tiring starters much-needed extra rest, something he’ll need to do several more times before October. Then Will leads the rants about the horribleness of the ownership and front office of That Other Team in Town, actions and inactions of which, while again beneficial to the Sox, are completely disgraceful. And that’s coming from White Sox fans who hate TOTIT. Then there’s a cry to keep Seby Savala and send down Zack Collins when Yasmani Grandal comes back. Plus, the wonderfulness of the Next Man Up actions of the Sox offense, especially since the expected stars are all slumping badly ... but how many Next Men can there be? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob Colletti and Bill Meincke break down the trade deadline, the upcoming series, and Rob’s new Sox scarf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Wow, it’s almost like the last episode was just last week! Dugout Metrics is back to appease a youth country hungry for this unique combo of stat analysis and playing experience, brought to you by Trevor Lines (Bellarmine University) and Luke Smailes (Coe College). What Brett Ballantini (TCU) is doing with them, we’re still not sure. Hey man, you might have heard, the White Sox made some trades last week. Luke and Trevor break each one down:
César Hernandez is selling out for power, and is a slightly puzzling player who nonetheless brings more to the table than the other White Sox options. Was Konnor Pilkington too much to give up for him?
Ryan Tepera had a rough start to his White Sox career, but at minimum he will be a key cog in the bullpen. Luke missed on the cost, but nailed the love connection between South and north sides for this one
Where were you when you heard about Craig Kimbrel coming to the White Sox? Trevor was getting ready for a big work Zoom, so it’s good the negotiations didn’t stretch to the final minute
Brett is forced to consider amending his No Kaplan Rumors in South Side Sox Slack
Craig Kimbrel is a stud, yes, but he fell off the horse in his early Cubs career. With him good again, does it justify the price of Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer?
What is it like, as a player, to juggle trade rumors while still needed to perform on the field?
And finally, a scolding for Steve Stone, who kicked Madrigal when he was already out the door
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Despite juggling nightly, weekly and monthly minors updates and moving this podcast up a day to provide off-day content for you ravenous masses, Darren Black took an hour out to come back to the Farm podcast. This time around, he and Brett Ballantini are recovering from that whopper of a trade deadline. Wow, we need a cigarette. In fact, the content was so potent, midway through the recording, Darren’s wifi signal gave out. But he came back. Good thing, because we had lots to discuss:
Darren breaks down all four players (Nick Madrigal, Codi Heuer, Konnor Pilkington, Bailey Horn) and sees the Cubs trades as win-win for both sides. Peace & Harmony Black, they call him
A brief review of Javy Báez’s three true outcomes: strikeout, no-look tags, hamming it up to first base)
We trace the likely White Sox career outcomes for quad-A guys like Micker Adolfo, Jake Burger and Gavin Sheets
With the loss of Pilkington there any starting pitcher prospects left in the White Sox system — and does it even matter?
In a discussion of possible internal options for second base in 2023, Darren admits that among all the experts we have on staff, Brett has the sharpest prospects eye, and no, Darren absolutely did not smirk when he said so. Nope
Days of reckoning are upon us, for 25-odd new rookies from the draft (and undrafted free agents); without Great Falls, where will they all go? We envision the loitering at Camelback.
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All right, we lost two players today and gained one, so we did the same with tonight’s final Trade Deadline podcast, as five South Side Sox staff (Brett Ballantini, Darren Black, Joe Resis, Chrystal O’Keefe and Tyrone Palmer) convened to talk about the Craig Kimbrel for Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer trade, and the wild final day of dealing across baseball. Some highlights:
Brett celebrates in the Virgin Islands, and may have gotten lost there
How much does losing Nick Madrigal hurt? The SSS Indianapolis Field Office of Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis are particularly bummed, but still on board with the move
What ultimately made Madrigal expendable
Darren heats up a casserole
Mini-roundtable: What did the White Sox miss out on that they still need
Among the sellers, who “won?”
Brett taunts the jinx gods, while Darren is straight-out afeared of them
Tyrone and Brett are united in the belief that the White Sox are now the favorites in the American League, and that losing Madrigal won’t set the team back for a second
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To match the acquisitions today by the White Sox, we upped our trade deadline podcast from four South Side Sox staff to six (Brett Ballantini, Darren Black, James Fox, Joe Resis, Bill Meincke and Zach Hayes) and, what ho, we had White Sox trades to talk about! The White Sox did well on Thursday, so there was plenty of time to celebrate a bit:
The pivot from Eduardo Escobar to César Hernández was quick. How did it happen?
Check out Zach’s terrific piece on Hernández, which ought to get you a bit excited about what he still has in the tank for 2021
How in the world did we snag Ryan Tepera — arguably the best non-closer relief pitcher on the market — for Bailey Horn? James has some interesting insight
Roundtable: The most important area of weakness still to address before Friday’s 3 p.m. CT trading deadline, and who should be acquired to fill it
Mike Rizzo strikes again! He did it to the White Sox in 2010 over Adam Dunn — did he pull the same shenanigans on San Diego tonight, in flipping Max Scherzer (and Trea Turner) a division rival in the Dodgers instead?
Again, a reminder to temper expectations when it comes to the talent the White Sox can draw in; the prospects tank is empty (that didn’t stop Rick Hahn today, though)
Is an intern frantically Fedexing Micker Adolfo’ highlights to the north side in hopes of landing Craig Kimbrel in a package?
Most likely single player to acquire: According to our guys, the White Sox will be doubling their order of Frys
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Four of your very favorite South Side Sox staff — Brett Ballantini, Darren Black, Tommy Barbee and Tyrone Palmer — gathered in anticipation of the sprint to Friday’s 3 p.m. CT trading deadline. The White Sox haven’t done anything yet, so there was plenty of time to cover most everything:
Yes, this is a second straight podcast where Brett can’t keep the program number straight, as this is mothership podcast 53, not 52
Eduardo Escobar, the presumably attainable White Sox trade target, is off to Milwaukee. Huh?
The White Sox front office traditionally (and reasonably) detested teams agreeing to deals, then continuing to shop players in the agreement — most famously, Mike Rizzo backing out of the Edwin Jackson-Adam Dunn deal in 2010. But these White Sox trade leaks (from Sox lips to Bob Nightengale’s twitter account) as a means of pressuring teams is just as annoying. The Sox have now lost Joc Pederson, Manny Machado and Escobar due to such tactics, to some degree
Roundtable: The most important area of weakness to address among second base, catcher and bullpen
Again, a reminder to temper expectations when it comes to the talent the White Sox can draw in; the prospects tank is empty
Thought exercise: Who among Yermín Mercedes, Gavin Sheets, Zack Collins and Jake Burger would you trade for Escobar? The answers, based on the comment thread on Luke Smailes pre-deadline spec piece, will surprise/disappoint you
Tommy admits that when a deal gets made across baseball without Micker Adolfo’s name attached, he breathes a tiny sigh of relief
Most important single player to acquire: two votes for Jonathan Schoop, two for Ian Kennedy
An update on Lucas Giolito’s no-hitter
The Cubbie stink question again rears its ugly head, wherein Tommy teaches Brett to love again
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This week SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, celebrate the return of super-defender Eloy Jiménez, who had celebrated his own return the night before with a booming game-winner that’s probably still in orbit. (They also ... ahem ... note the error of their Yermín Mercedes assessment the week before, which shall not be mentioned after this moment by anyone. Including you.) With the cast recorded 50 hours ahead of the trading deadline, it is full of speculation, none of which will turn out to be true, but being wrong is in the spirit of the show. On the negative side, what’s with all the heavy use of White Sox starting pitchers, who have thrown many more games of more than 100 pitches than any other team, more than twice the MLB average? Is this really a good idea? Is the HOFBP that much smarter than the 29 other managers (well, he’s definitely smarter than Mike Matheny, but that’s just one, and he might not really count)? Should the Sox be wearing out their pitchers in a now-meaningless regular season, given the hideousness of the AAAL Central, or should they be getting a little less wear and tear going into October? Inquiring minds want to know. Oh, and how about Danny Mendick for catcher? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Darren Black is back on the Farm podcast, and this time around he and Brett Ballantini are talking about some key hot prospects in the system, and what each has to do to establish (or re-establish) “hot prospect” status. And yes, you’re not hearing it wrong, Brett doesn’t know how many SSS Farm podcasts we’ve done. Highlights:
Yes, this is just Farm podcast 12 ... plus, Darren turns Taylor Varnell into a righty!
Has Yermín Mercedes completely killed what trade value he might have had?
Is there any plausible scenario that sees Micker Adolfo still in the White Sox system at the start of the 2022 season?
Varnell has had a fabulous 2021 ... how long before he transitions into “legit prospect?” Darren provides a telling contrast between Varnell and Konnor Pilkington
Luis Curbelo has powered his way back onto the White Sox prospect radar. When he gets to Birmingham, what must he show to remain on the radar?
Luis Mieses has done nothing but mash since his demotion to Kannapolis. Something has clicked there for him, finally ... should we anticipate him succeeding once he’s back with the Dash?
Apropos to recent discussion on site, both Darren and Brett temper expectations about what the White Sox capital — the best of it, “older” prospects — can bring back in trade this week
And, shout-out to the work of Adopt A Minor Leaguer. Visit the linked website to either donate or sign up to help sponsor a White Sox player.
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The Killer B’s regroup in Episode 11 to reflect on the weird and wild first half of the season and what the Chicago White Sox need, but — let’s be real — probably will not get, at the trade deadline. Join Tommy Barbee and Keelin Billue to catch up on the latest news, and check in on old news. TOMMYstradamus Tommy made some pretty spot-on calls early in the season. The Bs recap on what came true (Micker Adolfo dominance and the arrival of Brian Goodwin) and check in with early-season doubts (depth). Some Pessimistic Trade Predictions What do the White Sox need? A FEW THINGS. Will they get it? EVERY DAY THAT GOES BY KIND OF MAKES IT SEEM LIKE MAYBE NOT. The Bs discuss relief pitching, infield, and catching needs while riding this flaming car into the future. Mercedes Recap Yermín Mercedes recently expressed very public frustration with his career, when he announced his retirement before rejoining the White Sox organization the following day. The Bs talk mental health and support for sports professionals. Checking in with Sticky Stuff It has been a month since the sticky substances ban has been in effect. Check in with why the ban is still happening, and how the MLB has changed game play and standards over time. To read more about the Spider Tack experiment by Danny Hacker that Keelin mentions, visit the tweet posted below. The Story of Analytics The discussion around baseball statistics and analytics continue to confuse folks. The Bs discuss how the purpose of analytics, the importance of context, and why they will be important for the future of the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
So, the legend of Dugout Metrics lives on, the podcast you couldn’t live without is here again. Ex-players and metrics aces Trevor Lines and Luke Smailes hop on with Brett Ballantini to focus on the freshest news of the day, and trade deadline targets to fortify the White Sox for the stretch run. Yes, the goofy topics are being pushed by Brett:
Trevor and Luke take a look at the Yermín Mercedes retirement/unretirement story from a unique angle: Imagining what his Charlotte Knights teammates are feeling about it
Nelson Cruz has been dealt, potentially haunting the White Sox not in the regular season but the playoffs. Was the price too high?
How will Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert return to the White Sox, given the long layoff: full strength, replacement level, or somewhere in-between?
What is the status of Robert’s Domino’s pizza baby?
Luke is prioritizing relief pitching help as his top target in the stretch run of trade season, and his top target is a Cubs reliever — but probably not the one you think. Also, Luke doesn’t think the Cubs are afraid to make a deal with the White Sox, and the White Sox will not be afraid of Cubbie stink invading this 2021 roster
Trevor is option for second base help, preferably a left-handed hitter, and he’s shooting for the moon ... looking toward Pittsburgh and everyone’s favorite target
Do we need to temper expectations for the deadline given a distinct lack of prospect capital to deal for the Adam Fraziers or Joey Gallos?
And yes, no-look tags count for more outs than a “regular-look” tag. Thanks, @MLB
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Happy five-Year anniversary of Chris Sale’s attempt to join Project Runway! On Episode 4 of The Estrogen Power Hour, join Colleen, Chrystal, Janice, and Keelin to celebrate this storied moment in White Sox history, as well as other uniform comments and what we want out of the trade deadline. Chris Sale doesn’t make it work. Colleen gives a rundown on the Chris Sale Jersey Slicing of July 23, 2016 (and mixes up 1974 and 1976). Janice asks the important question of “What type of knife is in the clubhouse that you could use for this?” (stay tuned for a MythBusters-style Patreon episode). If there are pictures from the incident, send them our way. 2016 was a fever dream. The girls talk about why the 2016 season was wild AF including jersey cut-ups, the LaRoches, a team of Some Guys, Angels legend Adam Eaton, and separating Robin Ventura the Player from Robin Ventura the Manager. Chrystal still makes fun of fans for this season, which is honestly well-deserved. Uniforms, uniforms, uniforms. The EPH speculates whether starting pitchers actually do get to pick the uniform on their day. They also try to determine if there is a curse on the City Connects and whether they are good-looking uniforms or just ugly. Colleen’s Conspiracy Corner. Colleen drops a conspiracy theory that Tony is the Manchurian Candidate and Miguel Cairo is managing. She’s also expecting a cease-and-desist from the White Sox any day. Satire, joke, or dumb? Normalize telling men they aren’t funny. If you have to say it’s a joke, it isn’t funny. Punching down isn’t funny. Chrystal has the best recommendation for how to deflect said “jokes.” Speaking of bad jokes ... Attendance jokes are classist. The South Side isn’t a monolith, and attendance jokes are boring. People have jobs, jabronis — not everyone can go on Monday night. Janice and Keelin also point out that Wrigley Field is marketed as a tourist attraction by the city. Pay the man. The Estrogen Power Hour fully supports signing an extension for Carlos Rodón. They also support paying players in general, as they discuss the 1994-95 strike and remind you to tip the workers at Guaranteed Rate Field because they’re working hard to feed your drunk bodies. Trade Deadline Wish List. A second baseman, a reliever, and maybe a catcher. Yasmani Grandal was seen jogging, so maybe not a catcher. Mostly a reliever and a second baseman, because we definitely need those most of all. Sports, sports, sports, sports. Fear the Deer, watch the White Sox, or do both at once. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan his son and west coast correspondent, Will, are joined this week by cheesehead correspondent and Brewers fan Jonathan Schroerlucke, to preview the upcoming White Sox series in Milwaukee and the incredible matchups of starting pitchers on tap. Will the series be as it looks on paper and consist entirely of games that are 0-0 until the starters come out, with all runs then scored before the two dominant closers come in? Will former Sox players be the key to the Milwaukee offense? Who knows? But we guess. We also have a whole bunch of guesses and comments about the biggest White Sox news of the week, the announced retirement of April hero Yermín Mercedes. Naturally, it would all have been terribly brilliant except that since we recorded, Yermín decided to unretire, at least for one night, so all the speculation and bad-mouthing of the HOFBP is badly outdated. Not that bad-mouthing the HOFBP is ever out of line, but it doesn’t fit the story so well any more. After the break, it’s all White Sox versus Brewers and great pitchers, which we hope doesn’t get out of date as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It only took about three years, but this South Side Sox’s original bonus baby signing, Dan Victor, finally did get together with Brett Ballantini for an SSS podcast. The program is broken pretty much into two halves: 2021 draft review, and 2021 affiliate season highlights. Here are some specifics of the discussion:
When will Dan’s big signing bonus arrive?
For all the usual hype, 2021 was an unusually strong draft, with MLB basically punting 2020. To that end, the White Sox really did score three first round talents among their first three picks
This podcast runs in conjunction with Dan’s overview of the draft, highlighting picks including some guys falling outside of the top five Sox picks: Theo Denlinger, Johnny Ray, Cam Butler and Shawn Goosenberg
And, please don’t think it’s empty hype, but if you haven’t read the story, get on over to it and give it a read; it’s PHENOMENALLY well-sourced, one of the best stories we’ve run this year
How losing Great Falls as advanced rookie play has adversely affected Low-A Kannapolis
José Rodríguez, the man, the myth
Plus, Dan’s other Kannapolis guys to watch — including a few who aren’t having the best on-paper seasons
Romy González’s preposterously-low body fat, and other keys to forcing his way into the prospect conversation
Other Victor faves, including Micker Adolfo, Luis González
Why Jonathan Stiever is still Dan’s pitching pick to click — and watch out for Lane Ramsey, chucking under the radar
No detailed teasers offered, but Dan has another fabulous feature coming at us next week, and we plan another podcast discussion to spotlight that, and perhaps dig deeper into the system as well
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Darren Black and Brett Ballantini are back to a more traditional run-through-the-affiliates podcast, but given some news of the early week, the low-pay plight of minor leaguers hijacked the end of the podcast:
Did Reynaldo López do anything more than earn $2.1 million this season in order to get called up this weekend?
Is it too much, too late for super-hot Charlotte Knight Luis González?
Eloy’s travails in the field at both Winston-Salem and Charlotte should play a role in his usage later this season in Chicago
What is different about Romy González this season — and how does that help his promise as a future major-leaguer?
Yolbert Sánchez has seemed to locate his hit tool, which he now packed with him to Birmingham in a promotion that finally gets him to an age-appropriate level
Is a matter of when, not if, when it comes to a José Rodríguez promotion from Kannapolis?
Darren says you should be disappointed in the young trio of next-wave arms (Matthew Thompson, Drew Dalquist, Jared Kelley). Worried? Nah
How is it that the MLB draft is moving backwards when it comes to player bonuses (and yes, we call out the Cubs for paying a 10th-rounder $5,000, and a sixth-round pick for $1,000. Disgusting
Meanwhile, photos of St. Louis Cardinals MiLB players sleeping across chairs in a hotel ballroom (or some such locale) are circulating at the same time Oakland A’s farmhands are said to be paying more for a couple of weeks of hotel stay than they are paid per month in salary. Reprehensible
Sorry Sox, we vow to call you out if you play the same way (and yeah, at least one pick has signed for a paltry $10,000, we know)
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The Killer B’s, Tommy Barbee and Keelin Billue, are back to discuss the connections and kinship between the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox. Tim Ryder of The Apple, home of the “Simply Amazin’” podcast and independent New York Mets coverage, join The B’s to celebrate being “the little brother” in a major market, the “Bench Mob,” James McCann, what to expect for the second half of the 2021 MLB season, and more ... including Jack McDowell flipping off Yankees Stadium. Remembering Black Jack’s Flip Off Tim shares his first “White Sox” memory: Yankee-fied Black Jack McDowell flipping off Yankee Stadium. Catching Up on James McCann Tim catches the South Side Sox crew up on how former White Sox catcher James McCann is doing with the Mets. Spoiler alert: McCann is doing just fine. Being “the Other Team” Being a fan of the “little brother” team in a major market begs an interesting question: “How does fandom happen?” Winning With Your Bench The 2021 MLB season has been particularly notable in terms of proliferation of injuries, but both the Mets and the White Sox are still gathering wins with an unexpected crew of players. Season Expectations Tim, the B’s, and Colleen discuss hopes for the second half of baseball season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The year is 2021. Thousands of Trevor Bauer bobbleheads gather dust in a warehouse somewhere. Minor leaguers cannot afford housing while working two jobs and “paying their dues.” ESPN’s Steven A. Smith proclaims you cannot be baseball’s top star if you do not speak English in interviews. On Episode 3 of The Estrogen Power Hour, join Colleen, Janice, Keelin and Chrystal to celebrate the Summer of ’54 IPA while breaking down the latest news from a different perspective. Summer of ’54 Tapping Event for The Lost Boyz Janice and Keelin attended the Summer of ’54 Tapping event for the Lost Boyz on Tuesday, July 13 at the Haymarket Pub + Brewery in Chicago. Summer of ‘54 is an IPA born of a random conversation between Chicagoans and collaborators Jay Westbrook, AKA “The Black Beer Baron” and a craft beer maker, and Shakeia Taylor, a beloved baseball journalist. The name pays tribute to the first summer both Chicago baseball teams had a Black player. Minnie Miñoso joined the White Sox in 1952, while Ernie Banks joined the Cubs in late 1953. The beer is a celebration of baseball and friendship. In that spirit, proceeds from the sale of each pint were be donated to Lost Boyz Inc, a South Shore based organization that provides instruction, training, and the competition of organized baseball and softball to youths who are not as likely exposed to the game and its many disciplines. Consider donating to Lost Boyz Inc. and grab Summer of ’54 from the Haymarket Pub + Brewery. Trevor Bauer Abuse Allegations Since the EPH last met, news broke regarding Trevor Bauer’s alleged sexual and physical abuse. The news has initiated several important conversations about consent, victim blaming, and MLB and the Dodgers organization’s awkward handling of sexual and domestic violence. The need for allies for victims is more important than ever. Listen in to hear the discussion. Pay Our Minor Leaguers Recently, Advocates for Minor Leaguers shared that minor league players for the Rangers and White Sox organizations were unable to afford apartments due to insufficient income. Listen in as the crew discusses the issue with romanticizing “the hustle” that minor leaguers must endure including working several jobs and not being able to make ends meet. Is it the Interpreters, or Are You Just Racist and/or Xenophobic? While baseball is often called “America’s Pastime,” the game of baseball is celebrated and played in many countries. Several MLB players, including stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoán Moncada, are from countries where English is not the native language. Recently, commentators for blog and media outlets (including ESPN and Barstool) made comments criticizing the previously mentioned players for utilizing an interpreters in interviews rather than “simply” speaking English. The EPH breaks down why this few is harmful — as well as a waste of time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Hey, we just had a draft, and it was the BEST ONE EVER!
Don't take our word for it, White Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley said so.
Anyway, Darren Black and Trevor Lines hopped on with Brett Ballantini to talk about their favorite sleeper picks of the White Sox draft, and we had some fun addressing those and the imminent return of Eloy Jiménez:
Jeremy Karll was unavoidably detained by technical difficulties, which is a shame because he deserves more plaudits for SSS's killer coverage of the draft than anyone. Alas, as Eloy is now Earthbound, in Charlotte, Jeremy has ascended into the clouds to occupy his space. Rest in peace, Jeremy
Darren likes the massive size and upside of fifth rounder Tanner McDougal, with solid heat and nice breaking stuff as an 18-year-old
Trevor opts for the sheer lunacy of demonstrative Liberty University closer Fraser Ellard, and packs a scouting report from his ex-teammates and friends who've faced him
Props to Luke Smailes, whose Trackman data extrapolation pointed to Haylen Green as having the second-best stuff in the draft; no, not the second-best stuff among White Sox pitching picks in the draft — the second-best stuff in the ENTIRE draft
Brett had his Horned Frog Haylen pick stolen, so he's opting for Taylor Broadway, with very solid closer numbers and one of a few 2021 picks who might plug-and-play in the system
Rumors of a Dugout Metrics podcast return
Eloy will be back soon. Will he be back in left field on the South Side soon? And, related: Will he make it through the season without getting injured again?
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In this week’s podcast, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, do a little All-Star Game review, mainly about audio — that being Liam Hendriks’ Aussie freestyling, and the announcers giving credit for the White Sox performance to Tony La Russa instead of the players, which they didn’t do with any other manager and team. That led to Will revealing just how sharp and insightful HOFBP fanboys are when you criticize him on Twitter, which is always good for a laugh. Back to baseball, as the pair talk about how tremendous the White Sox are against bad teams, and how much they struggle against good ones; that matters not a whit for the regular season because the AL Central is a glorified minor league, but becomes rather important in the playoffs. The conversation even includes a whole bunch of actual data, not just blather. One of those pieces of data is the fact Sox starting pitchers have tossed 100 or more pitches 31 times so far, way, way more than any other team, despite all the admonitions that pitchers will need special care this year because of the short 2020 season. Does the HOFBP know more than all the other MLB managers? Time will tell. And then there is speculation about what, if any, changes the Sox will make by the trading deadline, including the possibility of bringing in Yadier Molina so that the team will have a catcher who can actually catch while Yasmani Grandal is unable to do so. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
MLB great John Kruk joins Sam Wilson, John Stolnis, Brady Klopfer and a host of community guests from around SB Nation to watch the 2021 MLB Home Run Derby! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SB Nation’s all-star cast (Sam Wilson, John Stolnis, Eric Stephen and guest Jeremy Brener) breaks down everything that happened in the 1st round of the 2021 MLB Draft! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The last off-day of the first half seemed a good time for a South Side Sox revue review of the White Sox to date, along with a look ahead to Eloy and the second half. We ended our time with a look at how the Los Angeles Dodgers handled the Trevor Bauer assault accusation. Chrystal O’Keefe, Tyrone Palmer, Scott Reichard and Darrin Brown jumped on with Brett Ballantini and provided some great stuff, including:
Brett barely recognizes Scott, it’s been so long since his last podcast — and with due haste, the guitar maestro (podcast theme, coming soon) calls Brett a jerk
Should everyone just lighten up about the White Sox leaving wins on the table while injured?
Roundtable: Does Eloy play any left field in 2021?
Who are the White Sox trade targets this month, and what is the priority position to pick up?
Trevor Bauer, disgusting human
But that said, listen to people when they tell you who they are. And, saving that, listen to women when they tell you who the abusers are
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SB Nation welcomes you to it’s coverage of the 2021 MLB All-Star Week, powered by T-Mobile! On today’s episode, Sam Wilson, John Stolnis, and Brady Klopfer break down the rosters, set the state of the league, discuss trade rumors PLUS Talking Chop's Demetrius Bell joins the show to talk about the move from Georgia to Colorado! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Delayed by Tropical Storm Elsa but not to be denied, it’s a first visit with a mainstay of our White Sox coverage, Mitch Ransdell! Feel free to peruse Mitch’s Meet the Players or take a peek at his lone extant piece of art from his time with us at South Side Hit Pen at Sports Illustrated. And, as if you need to, here’s an index of all Mitch’s White Sox Player of the Week art and writing series. But we talked about a lot of great stuff, including:
Mitch’s origins as a fan — and a possibly amazing coincidence of he and Brett celebrating a title on the same bridge 16 years ago!
Field of Dreams appeal
Getting started with White Sox art
The terrifying dive into art — with Sharpies!
Dig it! Mitch’s first sportswriting has come right here, right now, with the Player of the Week series
How the contagious confidence of a winning White Sox team infects each youngster summoned from Charlotte
Is there any legit MLB talent to tap in the reservoir of players left in Charlotte, or have we reached EMERGENCY TRADE ACQUISITION time?
The White Sox player Mitch has most enjoyed drawing so far this year — and who he hopes to be sketching in the second half
And finally, some extended admiration for what Liam Hendriks has brought to the club, and clubhouse
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In this week’s edition of Sharing Sox, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast corespondent, Will, have a whole bunch of stuff to talk about. There’s the good: Adam Eaton is gone, Adam Engel is back, Leury García is doing his best Babe Ruth imitation, and Billy Hamilton made a catch that is why it is so much fun to watch baseball. There’s also the bad: Some White Sox starting pitchers are showing signs of struggling with the new rules enforcement, and the bullpen is still shaky There’s also the really, really ugly: Yasmani Grandal is seriously injured, and the Sox are stuck with Zack Collins as their primary catcher. Then there’s the question of chili. The TV broadcast team — OK, mostly Stoney — recently saw fit to attack one of the seven wonders of the culinary world, namely Skyline Chili. To them we say, “Fie! Fie upon you!” whatever that means. Being former Ohioans — as is Stoney, but from the wrong end of the state — and incisive analysts, we not only take umbrage, we take at least two umbrages, and explain why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Back from his brief IL stint, Darren Black hops on with Brett Ballantini to take a quick look at the lower reaches of the system, and then to discuss the White Sox prospects most likely to be included in a 2021 deadline deal. The options aren’t too inspiring:
With Micker Adolfo certain to leave the organization after the season (he’d need to be on the active roster to be retained), is he out the door — and for what return?
Is there any combination of players who could be used to acquire an oft-mentioned MLB impact player like Adam Frazier?
A brief moment of acknowledgement heralding the current team with the most first-round draft choices on the active roster (yep, that’s the White Sox)
Subpar performances or injury (Jared Kelley, Matthew Thompson, Benyamin Bailey, Blake Rutherford) guts any chance of a blockbuster
Is cap-less Darren more, or less, insightful than capped Black? And how will a Kannapolis cap impact the Cannon Ballers record?
Take the Arizona Complex League results with the biggest grain of salt you can find
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You might have thought this day would never come: Jake Burger getting called up to the White Sox. This has nothing to do with lack of talent or ability, but many players just don’t come back from Achilles tears, let alone two of them. Jake Burger has done just that. After torching Triple-A pitching down in Charlotte to the tune of a line of .322/.368./.964, the 25-year-old third baseman will finally get his chance to show what he can do in the major leagues, on a first place White Sox squad. Keith Guttin is the head coach at Missouri State, and has been for the last 38 seasons. He has coached more than 20 major league players, and turned Missouri State into one of the best college programs in the country. He was gracious enough to take few minutes out of his day to chat about his former player, and let’s just say he's not at all surprised with Burger’s success; he even thinks the rookie could be President one day. Enjoy this chat with Missouri State Baseball Head Coach, Keith Guttin! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
For once, we’re not doing a postgame or emergency podcast to talk about something tragic happening to the White Sox, but something wonderful! Brett Ballantini discusses this (mostly) glorious Twins series with sleeper agents Tyrone Palmer and Jeremy Karll, #SoxMath legend Joe Resis, and all-around man about town Tommy Barbee. Among the highlights:
The much-delayed, long-awaited power surge from the White Sox offense!
Thank you, Josh Donaldson!
Hey, how about that Gavin Sheets, professional hitter
Does Yoán Moncada need injured-listing ... and given his propensity for near-Alexei Ramírez theatrics, how can you tell?
Speed round: Who replaces Yoán if necessary, Jake Burger or Tim Beckham? There are pros and cons with both
Predictions for the nine games remaining in the first half, from Joe’s “they don’t need to win any” to Brett’s run the table with eight or nine, and all points in-between
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This week’s edition of Sharing Sox is back to just SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will. But they harken back to last week’s guest, renowned expert on the physics of baseball Dr. Alan Nathan, as they look at the early returns on sticky stuff enforcement and reduced spin rates. Nathan had said reduced spin rates will most importantly impact high fastballs, but will make no more than an inch of difference on how much the heaters elevate. With Lucas Giolito being a high-heat guy, the duo looked at Tuesday night’s game against the Twins, when Lucas got only one strikeout, but had a ton of balls fouled back. Then there’s a look back over the past two weeks, a quick one because it’s not exactly filled with happiness for the White Sox, together with a little round of applause for the first game of Gavin Sheets (and acknowledgement of some good fortune therein). Not to mention admiration for Yasmani Grandal’s perfect bunt, which is, of course, something lefties should be doing on a regular basis to force opponents out of shifts. The deep look is at trade possibilities, wherein the two agree the White Sox could win the pathetic AL Central with the current lineup. Will expounds at length on the reasons the Sox shouldn’t use any trade chips to acquire a second baseman, instead saving what little we have in the way of prospects to acquire relief pitching — especially because the White Sox, while very unlucky in outfield injuries, have been remarkably lucky so far in avoiding pitcher injuries, which will inevitably be coming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Go figure, Brett Ballantini talks with new SSS staffer Tyrone Palmer and neglects to discuss his most recent domination of Sox Twitter, as he brought attention to the White Sox dishonoring Loretta Micele. But, no worries, Tyrone is much more of a White Sox dynamo than a mere viral tweet that touched the hearts of more than 32,000 Twitter users ... Topics broached:
Highlights from Tyrone’s Meet the Players profile, including his all-time favorite Simpsons episodes
Reminiscing about 2008’s Blackout Game, which both Tyrone and Brett attended, with fond memories. And both still have their generic black “blackout” towels
The majesty of seeing Frank Thomas clobber a home run to straightaway center in your first-ever White Sox game
Offseason reactions, including revamped coaching staff
Spending smartly vs. spending more
Making sure the “window of contention” is not just a carrot dangling, merely masquerading as a World Series ring
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Alert the reply guys! Estrogen Power Hour, an all-White Sox, estrogen-based podcast focused on the intersection of inclusivity in baseball and sports at large, is back. Listen in to episode 2.75 “We’re Just Here So We Don’t Get Fined” as Janice, Keelin, Colleen, and Chrystal discuss topics such as: If You’re Reading This, You Probably Have Estrogen Some folks felt the use of “estrogen” in the podcast title was not inclusive. So, unfortunately, this episode has a brief science lesson at the beginning, for the slackers that hang out in the comments. Janice Does Pittsburgh Janice went to the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago White Sox series in Pittsburgh; ate a delicious, pierogi-topped sandwich; made new friends; and will be on some Pirates archival footage somewhere. Sports Expertise Barriers for Women and How You Can Help The burden of proof is higher for women (and especially women of color) when it comes to fandom and sports knowledge, and sometimes these conversations turn nasty, especially on social media. Learn how you can be an ally and support the women in your life. Janice gives a shout out to UK baseball fans, including Bat Flips and Nerds. Baseball’s Problematic Full Monty Moment As the MLB vs. Sticky Stuff saga continues, pants have come down, but at what cost? Early on, the sticky ban has been chaotic and promises to leave the MLB with an even messier legacy. However, bets are placed on who will moon the umps first or add some drama to the substance-check process. Pride Month Continues The White Sox “put their money where their mouth is,” as Liam and Kristi Hendriks are hosting a benefit for the Center on Halsted, an organization mentioned in Episode 2 of Estrogen Power Hour. Additionally, the crew discusses Carl Nassib’s coming out, how other MLB teams do Pride, and expanding the idea of Pride to everyone. Hey Guaranteed Rate Field! We Need Our Bags Back! Guaranteed Rate Field issued a policy to minimize bag size during the pandemic. However, as the stadium returns to full capacity, the 9´´x 5´´ bag size remains the same. The crew talks medicine, menstrual products, and other items that, uh, people kind of need to have with them and do not need to broadcast. It is time to update the bag policy. AND MORE! Do you like snakes? Exploding Snakes? Snakes heads on stakes? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis join Brett Ballantini for another podcast that seems Indianapolis invitation-only. It’s a quicker podcast than usual, because we wanted to focus on just a couple of concepts, beyond thanking any listeners still tuning in to Podcast 48 in 2023:
What is up with the offense? Yes, there are injuries aplenty, but this isn’t a lineup of guys found at the bus stop, either
How many of the 16 games (starting on Friday) do the White Sox need to win to feel good going into the All-Star break? (Bad news for Chrystal, who said 14 ... the Sox can only lose once more before mid-July!)
Alternately, rather than sheer wins (with an eye toward the only real competition at the moment, Cleveland) how far up should the South Siders be by the All-Star break?
The schedule from the All-Star Game to the end of August is not easy. Each of us has varying levels of terror over this fact
We welcome the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce to our stable of sponsors at SBN
Also: a little more time travel!
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On Sharing Sox this week, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, have a very special guest: University of Illinois emeritus professor of physics Alan Nathan, the world’s preeminent authority on the physics of baseball. Yep, two people pretending they know what they’re talking about are joined by one who really does. The podcast includes explanations of the physics of spin and spin rates, the types of pitches impacted (maybe not what you’d think), how much MLB cracking down on sticky stuff is apt to impact offense, and everything else spin-worthy. Then it’s on to the baseball itself, with explanation by Dr. Nathan — who was on the committee that studied the ball and its manufacturing process after MLB became worried about the home-run barrage — of what has and hasn’t changed, what does and doesn’t vary, and what could be done to make balls more consistent. And finally, we get the opinion of Dr. Nathan (a lifelong Red Sox fan, but nobody’s perfect) on what could and should be done to get baseball away from the Three True Outcomes and back to the excitement of balls in play, and catches and throws, and running on the bases and on defense. Trust us, it’s the most educational and informative Sharing Sox ever — and still fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
After taking a look at the highest ceilings in the system during our last podcast and speculating on deadline deals in the last SSS mothership podcast, Darren Black hops on with Brett Ballantini to discuss the White Sox prospects most likely to make an impact during a pennant push in 2021. Indeed, believe it or not, there were some to discuss:
Can Micker Adolfo leapfrog all the Charlotte outfielders and make an impact on the 2021 White Sox?
Of the triumvirate most likely to ascend next to the White Sox, who has the edge among Jake Burger, Gavin Sheets and Tim Beckham?
Will any starters — Charlotte or Birmingham — fill in ably as needed in the stretch run?
Is Jason Bilous 2021’s answer to 2019 Jonathan Stiever?
To that end, yes, it is Bil-OWS, but what does that surname mean in Ukranian?
There is one easy DFA from the 40-man roster — wanna take a guess at who it is?
Some cursory attention is paid Kannapolis and Bailey Horn/Luis Mieses
Yes, Brett pronounces Evan Skoug’s name correctly, as he gets some shine as our weekly Winston-Salem MVP
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A four-game losing streak? Podcast! Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis, Tommy Barbee, Darren Black and Brett Ballantini gathered post-sweep to discuss the panic level (very low) and prospects for bringing in help to bolster the club (also, very low). Aside from Brett forgetting Chrystal’s name, here are some chat highlights:
Another stirring Joe Resis introduction!
We figured out that “the money will be spent” truly does translate into “the money has been spent (on rehabbing players we already have)”
Chrystal/Cheryl gets an Edible Arrangement from Rick Hahn?
True confessions of personalized jerseys: Do I hear a Dayan Viciedo from Darren?
Innovative trade idea: Adam Eaton for a ham sandwich
Speed round: Will the White Sox acquire more substantial infield help, or outfield help? (none of the above was not an option)
Ruminations on the cornpone tones of Gordon Beckham
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In this new segment from your friends at the North Side Sox Podcast, we invite you to get to know the guys of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the White Sox Low-A affiliate in the East League. We’re especially excited to bring you a hometown guy for our inaugural episode: Ballers third baseman DJ Gladney. The 19-year-old (soon to be 20) was drafted by the White Sox in the 16th round in 2019 out of Illiana Christian High School in Lansing, Ill. DJ is also an alum of the ACE (Amateur City Elite) program, run by the White Sox, which encourages the participation of underserved youth from Chicago (and the suburbs) in baseball. The ACE program offers the support, structure, and exposure young talent may not have access to, and also aims to help reverse and correct the trend of reduced participation by African-Americans in baseball. We asked DJ:
To bring us into his day-to-day as a young minor leaguer — traveling, workouts, pregame rituals, and Zaxby’s and Mortal Kombat on days off
His experience being mentored and coming up through the ACE program
To reflect on his game, and what kind of player he is, and what he’d like to become
What it was like growing up as a White Sox fan, and his favorite player as a kid!
His thoughts on the big league club, and some reflection on Andrew Vaughn’s admiration from 2018
What it was like having his career disrupted by a global pandemic, and how he stayed sharp for the 2021 season
We also asked him about any hobbies he might have picked up in 2020, and he shared that he writes and records his own music — experimenting with Pro Tools for beats, but writing flows with some allusions to baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and (usually) west coast correspondent, Will, prove their stick-to-itiveness as they delve into the world of (theoretically) disappearing illegal substances that prove their stick-to-itiveness on baseballs and what it might mean, while more sadly delving into the (all too real) disappearing of Nick Madrigal’s season and what it might mean. The two also go over the week that was, including a whole lot of brilliant starting pitching. There’s also worry about some things happening on the offensive side, including the Mariana Trench-level slump of Yermín Mercedes and its very negative impact on José Abreu. And they once again beg for the disappearance (just from the White Sox, we’re not violent) of Adam Eaton, knowing it will never happen. Plus the hoped-for reappearances of Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert. Plus, they throw in multiple plugs for next week’s program, to be recorded June 23, because it will feature University of Illinois Physics Professor Emeritus Alan Nathan, a renowned expert on the physics of baseball, talking about things like the baseball itself, spin rates and their impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The South Side on the Farm podcast focuses on the highest ceilings in the system, with our update maven weighing in on at least two players per affiliate who we should be keeping tabs on as future White Sox. So, let’s raise the ceiling:
It is, in fact, the last hippie podcast for Brett, who is due to lose some locks on Tuesday
José Rodríguez epitomizes this exercise, so there’s a lot of talk about our current player of the year in the system, with bonus speculation on what his eventual position will be in the majors
All the prime beef in in Kannapolis, but Darren surprises a bit with his second pick
Winston-Salem is a challenge, as evidenced by Darren’s first pick: Caleb Freeman
Luke Shilling lives the dream — making the SSS on the Farm podcast
When will Micker Adolfo reach Triple-A — or is he being showcased and unable to move from a roster where he is MASHING?
As for Charlotte, Darren sticks with Gavin Sheets, and his second pick is a reliever — and a bit of a shocker
Brett’s mispronunciation streak continues, as this podcast he isunable to pronounce the word “palpable”
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Join the Killer Bs to welcome special guest Max Bay in Episode 9. While Max is part of Dodgers Nation, he has become embraced by some in the Chicago White Sox community and beyond for his baseball modeling and statistical analysis. He has contributed to FanGraphs and recently developed the Stuff+ model with Eno Sarris. Tune into this episode, as Max and the Bs discuss a few of the latest hot topics for the Chicago White Sox, and baseball at large:
Yasmani Grandal is playing poker: Max talks about Grandal’s frustrating time as a Dodger and the enigma of Yasmani Grandal’s splits. Yaz is getting fewer pitches in the zone, but it does not contribute to a massive walk rate that is probably not sustainable. Max contemplates that Grandal might be approaching at-bats with a no-swing mentality that’s tricking pitchers. Listen in for the entire conversation.
Dodgers fans are just like us: Max shares the recent ups and downs with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, including season starts with high expectations and love-hate relationships with managers.
MLB’s recent obsession with sticky stuff and juiced balls: Two months into the 2021 season, MLB has decided to focus on sticky substance usage. Max chats with the Bs about why this is an oversimplification of the issue, and why the timing is less than ideal. Additionally, this topic harks of the steroid witch hunt detailed in the Mitchell Report. Will this sticky substance conversation complicate players’ legacies?
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So, once again we’re putting together an emergency podcast to address a potential season-ending injury for a White Sox starter. This time, it’s Nick Madrigal, who on Thursday was placed on the 60-day injured list. In the aftermath of yet another extended injury loss, Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis, Trevor Lines and Brett Ballantini gathered to discuss the injury, and possible replacements.
It seems clear Trevor was unable to successfully scalp his seat to this podcast, despite it being one of the final Hippie Brett podcasts before next week’s cut
Initial reactions to seeing the injury on Wednesday, and feelings about the prognosis announced on Thursday
Joe Resis, Madrigal superfan, vs. Trevor Lines, Madrigal doubter
What is up with the sniper fire coming out of the stands to fell all of our players running to first base? And can we perhaps get a bullpen cart that can help guys off of the field when they, say, have torn their hamstrings?
How this season’s dead ball couldn’t touch Madrigal
Are the White Sox suddenly injury-prone, or is the rash of South Side injuries just a symptom of a larger, league-wise issue?
Chrystal, who should already be employed by the White Sox as bottle opener, good-luck charm and animated cadaver, offers her services as yoga coach in response to all the soft tissue issues
Everybody, downward dog during the break!
Trevor is worried that Luis Robert will come back to the White Sox with a Domino’s baby
Sorry, Domino’s!
Is Madrigal injury-prone? Brett makes Joe worried, now
Trevor has some wild solutions for the second-base opening, and he teased this morning’s article last night
Trevor’s trade target: Adam Frazier
The podcast crew winds up by time-traveling ahead to predict a White Sox win on Thursday before first pitch even happened — as far as you know
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While at no time going to their hats, mitts, uniforms or body parts to load up on gooey gunk to stick on their computers, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and (usually) west coast correspondent, Will, take a look at baseball’s latest dive into the scandals of substance abuse, emerging with suggestions for truly stiff penalties to dissuade both pitchers and teams from indulging in the dark arts (hint: sudden end of games, sudden end of careers). Do they have faith MLB will come up with truly devastating punishments for holders of Ph.B. degrees (doctorate of baseballs)? Um, well ... First they take a look at the week that was, with the Detroit series (ho-hum) and the very fine Tuesday performance against the Blue Jays, and even get into the issues raised by readers of Will’s column on White Six players and what soft drink each would be. (Yes, some bozo took that seriously ... really?) But it’s the latest ruination of the game that gets the heavy attention, just as it has done in media from Sports Illustrated to CNBC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The South Side on the Farm podcast turns the party line back on, as Brett Ballantini and Darren Black welcome in our Charlotte correspondent (did you know we have a Charlotte correspondent? WE HAVE A CHARLOTTE CORRESPONDENT!), Anders Johanson. The two cutie pies chatted each other up and decided to wear their compatible Charlotte caps, leaving Brett baldheaded and more clowny than usual. So, the two experts plus Brett talked Farm:
Anders solves the puzzle of “How Did Kannapolis win just four games in six weeks?”
Before the season, Chris Getz indicated there wouldn’t be too much player movement among affiliates this year, and in the first month of the season there were like 8,000. Bonus: Darren calls Brett a liar
Brett and Darren, fellow LHS Wildcats with Evan Skoug, celebrate their countryman’s success in Charlotte, even though Brett can never remember it’s pronounced SKOWG not SCOOG. Some lifelong friend he is
Anders talks about his very first Triple-A coverage, this past Sunday at Charlotte
The Triple-A Paradox of being so close, but so far way from the majors
Jimmy Lambert vs. Jonathan Stiever for Next Starter Up, with bonus party crashing by Reynaldo López
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In part of our Meet the Players podcast series, so to speak, Brett Ballantini welcomes new addition Dick Reillo to the staff in this podcast. In addition to the colorful stories that mark Dick’s route to White Sox fandom, we catch up on where the first-place White Sox currently stand and look going forward. There’s a lot of good stuff, so dig in!
Dick’s LiveJournal roots with White Sox coverage, connecting him with another SSS writer, Janice Scurio, who hooked him up with — ALDS Game 1 tickets in 2005!
So, why was our new staff member half-dressed at the moment the White Sox won the World Series?
The completely logical explanation of why one of Dick’s brothers is ... a Cubs fan
Hey, are those signed baseballs from the souvenir stand ... not authentic? Someone give Dick a heads-up
Call him a lucky charm, but you’ll never guess what Dick saw in his first game back at Sox Park — sadly though, it wasn’t the pitcher he wanted to see
There is another sport rivaling Dick’s baseball fandom, not one Brett is very familiar with, and the connection that sport has to the steady trend of superhero movies
The reaction in-park to the HBP that ruined Carlos Rodón’s perfect game
Is the AL Central title being handed to the White Sox?
The rotation is strong, but the depth is not. How terrifying is that?
Is Rick Hahn up to making the necessary trade deadline deal to fortify the club for a true playoff run?
(And, no, that means more than just hoping to get Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert back this season)
Dick’s pick for the trade acquisition at the deadline? Oof, it’s rough — and hopefully, will not come true
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Welcome to the second episode in what is now titled “South Side Sox Estrogen Power Hour,” an all-White Sox, estrogen-based podcast to focused on the intersection of inclusivity in baseball and sports at large. Occasionally, coverage includes how the White Sox can monetize major life events (primarily funerals). In this episode, tune in as the team discusses: Welcome Janice: A tripod becomes a rickety but free-standing chair, as Janice Scurio joins the Estrogen Power Hour. Lefties, Righties, Bunting — Fact or Myth?: Have you heard that White Sox crush lefties? The team discusses facts and myths about lefties vs. righties. Also, Colleen talks more about bunting, and she is ready for folks to stop trying to explain things to her. Sleeping with The Enemy: Waddle and Silvy of ESPN 1000, the flagship White Sox radio station, think the Chicago Cubs are the feel-good story of the year, but the group rolls unrolls a long sheath of papyrus to reveal a long list of reasons Waddle and Silvy are wrong. Pride in the MLB: White Sox social media shared an image featuring Liam Hendriks to acknowledge and celebrate Pride Month. Although this is a step forward for in terms of primarily male-dominated sports in acknowledging the LGBTIQA+ community, how can organizations and the MLB do better? In Chicago, organizations like Center on Halsted and Howard Brown Health on the North Side and the Brave Space Alliance on the South Side support LGBTIQA+ communities and could use some local love and support. Leave Naomi Osaka Alone: Recently, Naomi Osaka declined media interviews to protect her mental health, which resulted in a $15,000 fine and outrage from, primarily, older white guys. This treatment is a double standard. Surprise! Baseball Players Are Humans: It is no secret that Yermín Mercedes is not having the best month. However, some shock and surprise is undue. The crew discusses why fans should expect slumps and be patient, especially for players with longer contracts. Goodbye, Bad Guys! Mickey Callaway and Marcell Ozuna are off the job, thanks in no part to their abuse of women. How will organizations continue to address abusive coaches and players? How can we expect baseball to truly be “for all” when crimes like these go unchecked? Who Do Sox Fans Want to Dump This Week?: Eaton? Abreu? Grandal? Mercedes? García? Lamb? Mendick? Who stands where in the great debate of dumpage? Keelin Forgets Nomar Mazara’s Last Name: This is more of a correction that no one will probably read. More Death Stuff: Concession embalmments. Faygo embalming fluids. The usual. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Yes, yes, it’s “La Russa’s Second DUI Bust, the Movie” week on Sharing Sox, as SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, get to review the DUI arrest video obtained by WGN-TV through a Freedom of Information request. And, yes, one of the arresting officers had no idea who the HOFBP was, and the other one had to explain it to him — grievously insulting Michael Jordan in the process. On to actual baseball things, this week’s cast covers the Cleveland series that just ended, including Steve Stone’s observation of a black spot in James Karinchak’s mitt, which leads to a rant or two about pitchers doctoring baseballs and how enforcing rules against it could bring the game into better balance. Then there are observations on who’s up and who’s down playing-wise (hint: one YM way up, one YM way down), and, mainly, who’s likely to be up and down roster wise. Given that every time we say a player should be sent to Charlotte said player suddenly becomes Willie Mays or Sandy Koufax, and every time we say a player definitely needs to stay he turns into Mario Mendoza or Jaime Navarro, you may want to make your fantasy picks based on disagreeing with every comment made. And then the mater of pop-ups pops up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Darren Black is back, discussing our first round of monthly MVPs (Gavin Sheets in Charlotte, Konnor Pilkington in Birmingham, Luis Curbelo in Winston-Salem and José Rodriguez in Kannapolis) in the system, and more:
Jace Fry will get called up to Chicago before Adam Engel
Will Gavin Sheets be called up to Chicago before Engel?
What are the pitchers eating in Birmingham, and is it available for delivery?
Darren Black calls out the voters for ignoring Ofriedy Gómez this week.
Birmingham bats, hot and cold: Micker Adolfo and Romy González
Next week’s guest, joining Darren and Brett: Venus Victor
What is going on in Winston-Salem, with such a weird collection of players and performances (every Sunday, they end up at .500)?
Benyamin Bailey was sent back to Glendale from Kannapolis, and what should we make of that sort of setback for a top organization prospect?
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This week SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, are once again awestruck by the awfulness of the White Sox organization, which decided to dis a 60-year employee for no apparent reason other than to prove they can do it, thereby setting off the great Loretta’s Lounge controversy. Yes, we do rant a bit about that, as do pretty much all White Sox fans alive. Naturally, we take a look back over the past week’s play, including all the mistakes made by the person for whom Loretta’s Lounge is now named, the ease with which Dylan Cease loses all concentration, the brilliance of Carlos Rodón, the (we hope) minor injuries to Michael Kopech and Adam Eaton, and — mostly — ways to try to save the game of baseball from itself. That last includes seconding Steve Stone’s excellent strike zone advice and kicking the tails of pitchers who need two minutes between pitches to recover. And, oh, yeah — we pick a player to disappear when Adam Engel returns. Clue word: wool. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
White Sox ace Lucas Giolito did not start the year the way we would have wanted. His strikeouts have fallen, fastball velocity has dropped, and he’s also getting hit hard — a recipe for disaster. He’s had OK starts, and bad starts — he’s also given up nine home runs this year, already well past his eight in 2020’s shortened season. We think that Giolito is a much better pitcher than his 3-4 record and 4.35 ERA implies. Michael Ajeto of PitcherList and our Seattle Mariners sister site, Lookout Landing, agrees, and explains why in this excellent piece written earlier this month. In this in-depth conversation about Giolito’s mechanics, Mikey discusses what small adjustments Giolito needs to make to get himself right again. He may already be on the way to getting back to his old self, as his last start on May 19 he pitched eight innings, holding the Twins to one run off of two hits and striking out 11. We also discuss Mikey’s PitcherList article on Tony La Russa (yeah, yeah, him again) and the problems surrounding his hiring, and the nefarious implications behind the statements he made regarding Yermín Mercedes taking Willians Astudillo of the Twins deep on a 3-0 count last week. We’re always pro-player, always pro-fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Hey, Julie Brady is back writing with us, after almost two years (with no minors) away! (If you click on her profile, you’ll see Brett made her a “Senior Writer” without having any idea what that entails. Maybe it’s just funny to him. Anyway, with occasional interruptions by Chico Marx, the cat, Julie helps Brett break down the system as we approach the month mark of the season.
Gavin Sheets and Jake Burger are going ham in Charlotte
Is there any hope offered by the starting pitcher reinforcements for the Knights?
What stands out about Micker Adolfo, simply standing for the National Anthem?
ROAM-Y or ROM-Y, no matter, the magic of González’s first month, at a new position
What happens when Julie encounters the basketball-sized countenance of Lane Ramsey?
The irony of the most hyped team in the White Sox system — perhaps in any system — being so darn lousy
How many McD’s Dollar Menu runs has Jared Kelley had to treat his impoverished teammates to?
There were otherwise no drag racing or train interruptions in this podcast, uncommon for Julie’s downtown environs
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In this week’s edition of Sharing Sox, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, show incredible self-control by not delving into the world of 76-year-old arrogant jerks until the second half of the show — though they have a whole lot of fun when they get around to it, including a desperate search for Ken Williams’ and Rick Hahn’s respective manhoods. First off, though, there’s a whole lot of oohing and aahing about Lucas Giolito’s Wednesday performance against the Twins, great admiration for Billy Hamilton’s game-saving defensive work at the May 13 game the duo got to attend, and perhaps a gentle chuckle or two about a mysteriously garter snake-like route they watched Andrew Vaughn take on a routine fly ball. Mix in some observations on the Sox starting pitching in general, and it’s time to get to the occasionally DUI-ed elephant in the room. Once there, well, the conversation ranges from the rule that you praise in public and chastise in private, to the question of who the hell should actually be chastised — whether for actions of a baseball nature or a human nature, to very serious questions of why Williams and Hahn don’t have the guts to tell Jerry Reinsdorf that if Tony La Russa isn’t gone, they will be. As for who has an office and who has a locker — maybe it’s time that office got moved into the third stall from the left. And, oh, yeah — a theory, and a really good one, thanks to basketball coach Rick Pitino, of why a certain White Sox .130 hitter gets walked so often. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As much as we didn’t want to do this podcast tonight, we had to address the Chicago White Sox manager enforcing “Major League Baseball” “unwritten rules” on his rookie star. Highlights of our talk about the dumbfuckery of this Tony La Russa/Yermín Mercedes kerfuffle:
Why in the world do we have to talk about La Russa’s clown act with the White Sox as the best team in baseball?
Is there any aspect of this “controversy” that is acceptable, namely Yermín swinging through a take sign? Brett lets you know what the answer is probably no, as La Russa let another tell leak in his pregame Zoom today
Boston runs on Yermín Mercedes when he was pitching earlier in the season and that’s OK ... but swinging the bat during an at-bat isn’t?
Welcome Anders Johanson to South Side Sox, and he gets a trial by fire hopping right into this fray — and listen to how spectacularly Brett mispronounces his name, in unique MIDWESTERN fashion!
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The second edition of SSS on the Farm was so damn good, we duplicated the scene this week, as Weekly Update writer Darren Black comes back to review the system. He and Brett Ballantini run through most of the streakers and flaggers in the White Sox minors so far this season. Here are some of the highlights of our affiliate tour:
OK, so Darren still isn’t wearing his Vox/SBN/SSS-issued “Down on the Farm” wear, but Brett wears his proudly
Explanation for the Kanny (1-11) Madness
How big an advantage does Matthew Thompson and Drew Dalquist have as 2019 draftees vs. 2020 draftee Jared Kelley?
Benyamin Bailey needs to add weight? Benyamin Bailey needs to add weight! Dude might make Eugenix Frank Thomas look small by comparison when he does
Get your Kannapolis Second-Half Division Winners gear ready, people
Kudos to Dan Metzdorf, who is the first (and perhaps only in 2021) player on two Cold Cats lists — good enough to be promoted from Low- to High-A, but with two bad outings so far
What are you hiding from, SSS scouting ace Dan Victor?
Birmingham doesn’t just have the solid slugging bats so far this season, but some stellar starting pitching, with Konnor Pilkington possibly turning the corner early this season
The good and bad of Blake Rutherford’s stellar week in Charlotte
And Jake Burger is thisclose to the majors, who’d a thunk it?
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Despite a masculine rhetoric and presence in the MLB, 45% of women in the United States consider themselves “casual” or “avid” MLB fans. Despite this statistic, there is dearth of representation in baseball media by women. Join Chrystal O’Keefe, Colleen Sullivan, and Keelin Billue for the first of many relaxed and casual conversations about how and why baseball is for everyone. While this podcast explores the experience of women in baseball, it was also entirely unscripted and takes some interesting twists. Join us for what can only be described as an immersive experience, sprinkled with baseball including topics such as:
What Angry Man Yells at You on the Internet? The crew compares notes on what fan base yells at them the most and what baseball topics created e-rage.
Sometimes Athletes Are Attractive: Are grunting women tennis players a fetish? How may straight men would give it up for Kopech?
Getting Buried at Guaranteed Rate Field: We all know you can get married at Guaranteed Rate field, but why have they offered burial packages yet? Join marketing geniuses/funeral planners to plan Chrystal O’Keefe’s after life plans and where Part 1 and Part 2 will go.
So Your Significant Other Isn’t Big Sports Fan: There is a cultural narrative that women care less about sports, but what is it like when your reality is flipped? The crew discusses dating people who are not sports fans.
Colleen Could Win a Cy Young on the Reds: You read it here first.
Is Adam Engel a Clone? He has been recovering, and we’ve seen video of him, but is it really him? Can we clone more of him to put in the outfield? The crew covers the ups and downs of Adam Engel over the past three years.
Are There Actually Rules for How Long a Suspension Is? It really doesn’t seem like it, and we are confused.
Baseball Jail: Who wants to go on a tour?
Thanks for Listening, Dick!: We know that @SavesTuesday is probably the only person who will make it to the end of this podcast. Take our trash as a sign of gratitude.
MORE: To be honest, this was all over the place. Will this happen again? Hopefully. Enjoy the ride for now.
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The Kansas City Royals are a ball club in a state of flux going into May: their hot start in April where they once had the best record in baseball has since gone tepid. Going into Friday, they’ve lost their last 11 games. They’re still packed to the brim with talent, and sit third place in the AL Central, 6.5 games behind the Good Guys. So what’s going on with those Royals? To answer the questions on everyone’s minds, we brought on a friend whose work on Royals coverage we deeply admire: Kevin O’Brien, a.k.a. the Royals Reporter. Kevin’s grassroots coverage started in 2019 where he wanted a forum to share his thoughts on the Royals along with his passion for baseball and sabermetrics. Our deeply informative conversation with Kevin includes:
Royals prospects and rookies we should keep our eyes on: Kyle Isbel, Brady Singer, Sebastian Rivero
Danny Duffy’s hot start
Other Royals on a tear: Salvador Perez, Whit Merrifield, Carlos Santana, Andrew Benintendi
A walk down memory lane: the Royals actually won a World Series with Ned Yost as manager
Kevin wrote not long ago that he believes the White Sox and Royals will contend for the AL Central. We ask him why, and if he expects Cleveland, Minnesota, and Detroit will put up any kind of fight for the division.
Kevin shares his KC hot spots with us: BBQ, cool neighborhoods, and a place we’d love to visit someday: the Negro Leagues Museum.
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How can Major League Baseball be saved from itself? On Tuesday night, Jason Benetti and Steve Stone got into a long conversation about the great need to reverse the trend to all-strikeout-and-home-run-Three-Basic-Outcomes games in order for baseball to once again become exciting and to have its fan base increase instead of dwindle. Wednesday SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son, Will, usually the west coast correspondent but this week the living room correspondent during a visit to Chicago, took what Stoney and Jason were talking about and ran with it, looking at all the possibilities to make pitchers less dominant while also cutting home runs — complete with statistics and the advice to seek help from NASA, the Air Force, or Fermi Labs. After that ranting and raving, the duo take a long and analytical look at Dylan Cease’s toes, and how the angle at which they point in his delivery are a complete indication of whether he’ll have control and/or command of where the ball is going. Of course, there’s also plenty to talk about when it comes to the White Sox’s terrific week and the schedule’s terrific weakness, not to mention how Billy Hamilton’s running mitt means he only needs to fall down from his lead to reach the next base. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The second edition of SSS on the Farm features Weekly Update writer Darren Black, reviewing the first six games of the season for each affiliate. We review most of the players Darren highlighted in his piece, including all of the MVPs of the week. Here’s some of the stuff we drill down into:
The two of us travel through the southeast, in both the SSS on the Farm-mobile, and also using the SSS on the Farm parasail, lack of Vox Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance be damned
Are they using the old MLB balls in Birmingham, by way of explaining the Barons early slugging?
Gavin Sheets is selling out for power, and will the resulting poorer K/BB rate hurt his shot at the majors?
Darren has a theory for some early and exotic position changes (Romy González, Bryan Ramos): It’s the White Sox’s new “just stick some players anywhere” theory
Talk about the K&K Boys in Birmingham, and the J&J Boys in Winston-Salem
Eventually we will see and read that law school slacker Julie Brady on the podcast, but meanwhile Darren and Brett have to carry the mail
Hey, you might have heard Brett is high on José Rodríguez. He maybe mentions that again in this podcast
Yes, Brett remembered to plug in his microphone
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This is a podcast. Well, OK, yes, this is a podcast. But it’s so, so much more. Really, though, it’s up to you to determine what it is, exactly. When we flip the baseball card over, it says that this is the boldest crossover event to date in South Side Sox history, as the Killer B’s (Tommy Barbee, Keelin Billue) invade North Side Sox (Janice Scurio, Sam Sherman). The result is as many laughs and expletives as you can pack into 103 minutes of White Sox audio. How do the Killer Side Sox/North B’s reveal themselves? Let us count the ways:
Host Daddy Mendick is wearing a salmon shirt, which turns him ribald
Killer B alter ego Horny La Russa is “not a big stats guy”
Tommy Barbee writes for South Side Sox so you don’t have to
Is 45-year-old Albert Pujols a fit for this team?
Janice is practicing cheerful nihilism this season
Do managers really matter?
Bigfoot Mercedes’ long road into Major League Baseball
Moneyball deleted scenes
A very long story about Jonathan Lucroy’s season with the Nationals
Jerry Reinsdorf has reached Bill Wirtz status
A Charles Comiskey seance preview
The Christmas lights mummy in Colorado
Daddy Mendick doesn’t understand why we fear death, and that invites a long conversation about covering games during a pandemic last year, and reintegrating into society this year
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On this week’s episode of The Big Blurt, Rob Colletti and Bill Meincke talk injuries, outfield replacements, offensive woes, and closing out games. Tune in and get excited, because the Sox are in sole possession of first place! Let’s take a look at what’s inside the show:
The new intro music!
Is Tony La Russa going to manage his way out of the Hall of Fame?
How many games has La Russa lost for the White Sox this year?
Perhaps Albert Pujols should join the White Sox — to manage, not play
Dylan Cease resurgence
Who in the AL Central can overtake the White Sox?
Some Minnesotans are eatin’ some crow dere, bud
The Awful Josh Donaldson
The injury bug — letting Eloy and Luis take the season off, and rely on the pitching
Brian Goodwin, and other trade possibilities for the team as the season plays on
Kris Bryant for Jonathan Stiever? Jared Kelley?
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Waiting to record until after Wednesday afternoon’s White Sox game sure provided a whole lot of new material for Sharing Sox. SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan, his son and west coast correspondent, Will, and their special guest, renowned theatre director/artistic director/founder/lifelong Sox fan Jim Sullivan, get to lace into all the dumb moves Tony La Russa made in the 10th inning alone, then go back to tear up the Hall-of-Famer Baseball Person over past stupidities. As you can imagine, delineating La Russa incompetences took quite a while, but the trio managed to also praise the starting pitching, question the bullpen, and, of course, worry over the repercussions of Luis Robert’s absence. Naturally, that last included sage advice to the aforementioned HOFBP on how to proceed. Other questions included wondering why the h#! Yermín Mercedes wasn’t given a chance to catch in one of the games in Cincinnati, where he was lost to the offense because of the lack of a DH; what the h#! Luis González was brought up for if he isn’t going to get a chance to play and demonstrate he’s not a major leaguer; and, of course, when will we get to see Dylan Ohtani take over in center field. Oh, yeah — then there was a whole bunch of ranting and raving about the incredible boredom of games that are all strikeouts, walks and homers, and the profound need of MLB to wise up and change the balls and the rules to stop it before the audience is completely gone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With a minor league season debuting tonight, it seemed a good time to unveil a new site podcast, SSS on the Farm. It’s envisioned as a weekly or bi-weekly snapshot of the system. We should chat with everyone on a routine basis. Heading into the season, here’s our lineup:
Jake Mastroianni (Birmingham Barons)
Julie Brady (Winston-Salem Dash)
Dan Victor (Kannapolis Cannon Ballers)
Tiffany Wintz (Kannapolis Cannon Ballers)
Sean Williams (Arizona)
Kim Contreras (Arizona)
Non affiliate-based writers who will be working on Minor League Updates, including Darren Black, Joe Resis, Brett Ballantini and Year of the Hamster.
Darren and James Fox (minors at Future Sox, majors at SSS) both hopped on with Brett to debut the podcast, so you know we’re not messing around. Yet somehow, these two prime experts (who often have fiery behind-the-scenes debates on our SSS Slack and Twitter), agree on almost everything. No fisticuffs, raised voices, or derisive laughter. Do better next time, guys. Highlights of the premiere:
Are the only interesting aspects of the White Sox system residing in Kannapolis?
The new trend of aggressive assignments ... and how the White Sox are contributing to the trend
What does the loss of the Great Falls Voyagers do to the White Sox system, and how might MLB make accommodations for losing an entire “class” of minors?
Pet prospects from both of our experts
Conversely, James and Darren peg their most overhyped prospects
How much of Double-A and Triple-A will serve solely as showcases for trade deadline deals to fuel a White Sox playoff run?
What will be the effect of full-year play for guys hitting the ground running at Single-A, given some have never endured such a long season?
Is Jimmy Lambert (Opening Day Charlotte starter) going to be Michael Kopech Phase 2 in the majors for the White Sox this season?
“Engineer” Brett Ballantini fails “host” Brett Ballantini and “podcast producer” Brett Ballantini by failing to fully plug in his “fancy” podcast mic, leading to low volume and incidental audio noise. It’s only been like 100 podcasts, people, but I’ll promise again to avoid such pratfalls in the future
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Luis Robert is out for the foreseeable future, and naturally some of the South Side Sox crew got together to pour one out, commiserate, lash out, and speculate on what form of signed jersey-and-batting gloves tribute will be hanging in the visitor’s dugout come Tuesday night in Cincinnati. Highlights of our talk together:
Just how big a chunk of the preseason starting lineup and starting outfield is already lost in 2021?
Is this somehow Adam Eaton’s doing?
The utter lack of outfield depth does not suit a division title favorite
Whither Melky Cabrera?
Does the starting rotation’s success and presumed sturdiness belie any worries over having two-thirds-plus of the starting outfield currently sidelined?
Would Rick Hahn ever repeat a challenge trade with the Cubs — say, to acquire Kris Bryant — after winning the Quintana-Jiménez-Cease trade so decisively?
There has never been this much gallows humor in a South Side Sox podcast
Likewise, this is a record number of heads-in-hands for an SSS podcast, so you may want to watch over on YouTube.
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This week the Killer B’s are joined by special guest Darrin Brown, who had a big month in April after winning #SoxMath, being blocked by Steve Stone, and turning 20. Darrin joins Tommy Barbee and Keelin Billue as “The Third B” to discuss the latest Chicago White Sox news and takes:
Who’s Our Ace?: As Lucas Giolito struggles, the rest of the rotation still keeps surprising under Ethan Katz’s leadership. Carlos Rodón, Michael Kopech, and, most recently, Dylan Cease are stepping into their new roles as aces and potential aces.
Spanked by Steve: Darrin recently had an interesting run in on Twitter with White Sox color analyst Steve Stone. Honestly, you will just need to listen to the story. The B’s hands were tied on if they should share it, but it is sure to whip up some laughter. Please don’t block us, Steve.
A Different Field: In Chicago sports at-large news, the Chicago Bears did something good for once. Tommy and Darrin discuss the latest on the Chicago Bears draft, including the addition of Justin Fields.
We Justifiably Believe in Yasmani Grandal: Yaz has not had the best season, and his performance has been questioned widely among fans. The B’s discuss why you should believe in Grandal not as a feel-good story, but the stats are behind this bet.
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Sharing Sox got recorded a day late this week, but a few minutes too early to include news about Garrett Crochet going on the IL with a back strain ... so, naturally, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, had talked about how his reduced velocity should mean Crochet gets hurt less often. Both will turn in their medical licenses. On matters they don’t have to take back, it’s “Let’s Get Tony” week for pitching decisions such as the fiasco of leaving Lucas Giolito in waaaaaay too long, lineup decisions aplenty, and, to top it off, the imminent collapse of La Russa’s animal rescue charity and the waaaaaay too racist joke he told at a public event of the charity’s. All in all, a case of wondering just how La Russa’s alleged baseball acumen is making up for the arrogance and other baggage. Then it’s on to arguing that Michael Kopech needs to be in the starting rotation — under strict pitch/innings limits — and bemoaning the bullpen and the catching situation. And, oh yeah — a little knocking of Stoney and Jason for calling the Sox schedule so far this year difficult. In other words, a normal week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Just half of the Indianapolis Field Office, South Side Sox Flash Feature Writer, Six Packer, and Lead Baker Chrystal O’Keefe managed to hop on for a post-sweep, post-winning streak SSS Podcast 42. Yes, it’s the Brett & Chrystal Show! Highlights of our talk together:
Apparently fellow SSS Indianapolis Field Office member Joe Resis was circling the block, hoping for one of those famous O’Keefe churros, instead of prepping for a podcast
Is it surprising how well Michael Kopech has hit the mound running?
Apologies for Brett’s annoying scraping noise, which apparently is related to his lame-ass apple headphones. The issues shall be remedied in future
Interesting, every Billy OK mention on the podcast seems to involve him napping during a game. Sorry, B O’K.
We had a two-O’Keefe gamethread recently, and the universe did not fold in on itself
The White Sox skipped Lucas Giolito’s fifth-day turn last week ... and now he’s missing starts after his water bottle mishap. Throw your ace every five days
New position for prospective White Sox intern Chrystal: clubhouse bottle opener
And yes, amazing O’Keefe managed to juggle cooking dinner and wrapping up Sunday’s Six Pack, with no sauce splashes
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It’s another paisan podcast, and who doesn’t love those? New South Side Sox writer Hannah LaMotta is our regular Sunday recapper, spot feature writer, and soon-to-be AL Central roundup writer, so sit tight, a lotta LaMotta heading your way. As part of our new writer podcast weekend, Brett got a chance for the first time to catch up with her and talk some White Sox! Highlights of our talk together:
Hannah’s first favorite season, and the random players she still can count among her favorites
The strange pull of Gordon Beckham — and how much of it is that walk-up song
Who among us hasn’t teared up watching the Paul Konerko farewell video on the bus on our way to school?
We figure out who “must have” inspired Hannah into sports journalism with his stellar beat work covering the 2011 White Sox
Are the White Sox on the verge of a breakout?
Early 2021 MVPs: Luis Robert and Michael Kopech
Early Cold Cats: Garrett Crochet and Andrew Vaughn
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You may be familiar with new SSS writer Jeremy Karll via Meet the Players, or possibly through his considerable writing on site already. But as an early favorite for Best Newcomer in 2021, it was past time to sit down and have a podcast chat together. However, no cameos from Sadie, Jeremy’s dog ... yet. Highlights of our talk together:
Jeremy’s route to the White Sox — and South Side Sox
The talk Mr. Karll had to have when young Jeremy came home from school one day deciding he needed to change allegiance from White Sox to Cubs
Confirmation that, yes, South Dakota does actually exist
A Bummer of a disappointment for Jeremy in the early going
Acknowledgement that Adam Eaton has been a net positive so far
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With brilliant timing, Sharing Sox this week was recorded mere moments before the White Sox Wednesday game in Cleveland was postponed — a huge break for the Sox — thereby making moot the point that poor TBD is often listed as a starting pitcher, but never gets to actually take the mound. Fortunately, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, also delve into the question of when it’s justified to put a position player on the mound, the brilliance of Carlos Rodón (and the possible unbrilliance of letting him throw 110 pitches on Tuesday), the stupidity of Cleveland’s Josh Naylor, the equal stupidity of throwing fastballs to Yoán Moncada (thank you!), the woes of the Sox bullpen, the batting breakthroughs of Luis Robert and José Abreu, the looming catastrophe of Sox catching (why isn’t Yermín Mercedes given a chance, given the alternatives?) and just how long you keep Leury García around to be awful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Carlos Rodón’s story is one of resilience. For Rodón, 2020 was supposed to be a hopeful bounce-back from Tommy John surgery, but instead, that year saw some disastrous relief appearances, a shoulder injury, and finally, being non-tendered. And then he threw the 20th no-hitter in White Sox history. Though we at North Side Sox were admittedly unclear on Rodón’s future on the South Side, there was one person who never had a doubt, and we brought him on the pod. Rod Whitesell is the baseball head coach at Holly Springs High School, in Holly Springs, N. C., and knew Carlos back in his formative years. We ask Coach Whitesell:
His coaching philosophy, and his early observations of a young Carlos
Carlos can hit, too! Coach Whitesell recalls some great offensive performances
Roberto Pérez was hit with a pitch, marring the perfect game. Knowing Carlos has a sense of humor, what was he likely thinking?
Beyond talking to Rod about the one and only Hard Karl, we also discuss:
The defensive plays by José Abreu and Leury García that saved the no-no
The Yermín Mercedes hype is real, and it’s spectacular
Is it too early to worry about the bullpen?
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On this fantastic episode of The Big Blurt, White Sox Twitter phenom Janice Scurio (SSS writer, and co-host with Sam Sherman of the North Side Sox podcast on the SSS Podcast Network) joins Rob Colletti and Bill Meincke to meet the boys and share her brilliant thoughts on fantasy baseball tips, trade deadline targets, “The ’Los No-No,” Yermín Mercedes’ hot start, Tony La Russa’s silly mistakes, In N Out’s silly french fries, and Steve Stone and Jason Benetti’s impending Broadway debut! Plus, so much more. Dive head-first into The Big Blurt! (And don’t miss the bag like Josh Naylor on a swinging bunt.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s been a couple of years since I first approached the irascible and energetic SSS comments champ AnoHito to contribute a bit more to the site, and have been gently rebuked. All it took was one of his favorite players throwing a no-hitter to get him to reconsider! In a first for the South Side Sox, but hopefully not a last, one of our active community members hopped above the fold for some podcast time! This Carlos Rodón-focused program hits some unexpected highlights:
Did AnoHito watch any of the no-hitter live — and what role did superstition play in his decision?
The London Fog of Rodón’s first start for the White Sox
The role that Hard Karl’s gaming persona has played in AnoHito’s fandom
Tracking how the rest of Rodón’s 2021 season could play out
Assessing the 6-7 start for the White Sox, and positive signs (road games, run differential) point optimistically to the future
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Well, it was already a successful game, based on the bats coming out like they did in the first inning after getting shut out on Tuesday. But things got better; did you hear, Carlos Rodón threw a no-hitter! Brett Ballantini, Joe Resis and Chrystal O’Keefe abandoned the “let’s talk about the night in baseball” format due to the celebration of specialness that was Rodón’s no-hitter (and near perfecto). Highlights:
Do we blame Roberto Pérez for the cheesy HBP that ruined the perfect game in the ninth?
Only four big xBA hits from Cleveland — and three of them came in the last third of the game
Unsung MVP of the game? No, not Zack Collins, but Andrew Vaughn, for not turning anything routine into a hit or a controversial error
Better game score, Lucas’s 2020 no-hitter or Carlos tonight?
How hard did we cringe when Mercedes came barreling out of the dugout after the final out?
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This week SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, do respectful oohing and aahing about the contest between pitching masters Lucas Giolito and Shane Bieber on Tuesday night, with some minor booing and bahing about losing the game. The oohing and aahing continues for all the White Sox pitching lately, from Lance Lynn’s complete-game gem to relievers like Evan Marshall and Liam Hendriks recovering from their poor starts and making it look like the bullpen may live up to its hype after all. Then the booing and bahing comes back for the offense, which isn’t living up to the smallest hype you could find, the team — less Yermín Mercedes — hitting an anemic .198, without much power to speak of. Sure, Adam Eaton and Danny Mendick are hitting fine and so was Billy Hamilton ... but the rest? Yikes. So who should be sent down and/or out when Tim Anderson, Adam Engel and Hamilton return from the IL? We tell the front office who should go where (refraining from telling them where they themselves should go), but will they listen? Fat chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A bit of a crushing loss in extras for the White Sox, after a Lucas Giolito-Shane Bieber classic. Brett Ballantini and North Side Sox Podcast co-host Sam Sherman debuted a postgame show that drilled down a bit into the White Sox loss, and took a short look around the league as well. Highlights:
Yes, that Roberto Perez GWRBI in the 10th had an expected batting average of .040.
Over/under on Yasmani Grandal’s catcher’s interference calls this season? Tonight’s in the 10th was a .110 WPA play in favor of Cleveland.
The White Sox “offense” (three hits, no runs) broke the Win Probability Added box score
The Cubs had six hits in a comeback win tonight ... call the authorities
Oakland es en fuego
Top commenter in tonight’s gamethread: AnoHito, with 27 comments at recording time
obnoxious american with the top-rec’d comment tonight. Yes, I read it
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Well, this was a much more fun postgame podcast than a week ago, on the heels of a dominating Lance Lynn performance and more Yerminating. The Indianapolis branch office, staffed by Joe Resis and Chrystal O’Keefe, again joined me for the discussion:
Did anyone adhere to Opening Day traditions, and do any involve watching Parks and Recreation” episodes?
Learn how Chrystal juggled her obligation to her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and her need to boo Tony La Russa for pregame introductions
What were the odds of this game even getting played?
How much should we ascribe Lance Lynn’s domination today to him hailing from Indianapolis?
What did La Russa and Lynn discuss in the dugout before the ninth inning?
It took Yermín just four pitches today to cement his White Sox legacy
How will the rest of this Royals series play out?
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On the heels of a rough, 3-4 trip for the White Sox, South Side Sox girded its collective loins and brightened its collective spirit to band together for a DELIGHTFUL pregame podcast in anticipation of Thursday’s home opener. So much covered, in so little time:
Tommy Barbee manages to crash the podcast early enough for a spectacularly profane rant from Colleen Sullivan. NSFW, but worth the price of admission
Is the defense beyond saving? Trevor Lines doesn’t think so
Tony La Russa was a problem for the White Sox months ago, and lingers as a problem, like a bad smell
Chrystal O’Keefe will not be making Opening Day churros, but will be cheering the hell outta Yermín Mercedes
Story time: Who among us has taken a fly ball off of our heads, a la Luis Robert, in our careers? Again, Joe Resis’ confession truly is worth the price of admission
Trevor sees a dominant pitching staff, based on this first week — perhaps superior to the offense
Tommy wonders why anyone should apply a “learning curve” to a Hall of Fame manager
Should Tony be booed on Opening Day? Chrystal will be booing from her couch, and doing so in Seussian style
Our personal Opening Day traditions, or lack thereof
Wind Colleen up, and watch her crap on the Royals!
A huge week on South Side Sox, which is a product not just of the outrageous amount of content we’re producing but of you, the readers and listeners who make up our community. So, thank you for being here for us
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Naturally, the White Sox waited until SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, were recording this podcast to put Tim Anderson on the IL, so we talk about him maybe being back for the home opener. Guess that’s what we get for lashing out about the stupidity of ESPN’s apparent love affair with Tony La Russa. Will attended the Little League game in Anaheim Sunday night — sorry, that’s unfair to Little Leaguers everywhere — and cringes in horror at the memory. Otherwise, of course, this is a paean to Yermín Mercedes, José Abreu being on pace for a 64 grand-slam season, Billy Hamilton’s .300 average, and the great pitching surprises from Carlos Rodón and Michael Kopech. On the down side, there’s the awful defense to ponder, including wondering whether Nick Madrigal — a favorite of both but in a terrible funk — would be well served to spend time in Charlotte, if only there were a viable alternative. There’s the equally awful offense against righthanders to ponder, including whether Andrew Vaughn would be well served by some time in Charlotte once Adam Engel is back. And, of course, there’s a lot to worry about when it comes to starters other than Rodon and Lucas Giolito. With any luck, though, by the time you hear this, the Sox 12-game losing streak against righties will be over, given they were facing the No. 6 starter of a terrible team on Wednesday afternoon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On Sunday, we had two staff writers and podcasters at the ballgame, chilling together in the Angels Stadium center-field stands, high-fiving over ... four unearned runs on three singles? Well, no matter, it was live baseball, and while Will Allan wasn’t able to join us (check out his reax to a live game on Wednesday’s Sharing Sox), Bill Meincke hopped on with Brett Ballantini to talk about the experience, and exchange early takes on the White Sox, and other goofiness:
A singing intro from Brett? A singing intro from Brett! (h/t Rob Colletti)
The sheer joy of being back in the ballpark — and, in California, being surrounded by Sox fans
Masked fandom was Bill’s first experience at Angel Stadium — and so was Brett’s, a decade earlier
Unearned runs offense!
The Curious Case of Cease’s Hook
Bill’s road to writing for South Side Sox (which includes stopovers at Second City, network TV, and even Kings writing for Los Angeles Sports Nation
Neither Brett nor Bill were taken in the MLB draft — but what about the Wiffleball draft?
Concerns for the club going forward, after the 1-3 start, including a rotation taking too many pitches to cover too few innings
Things to be excited about coming out of the weekend, including Tony La Russa vibing with this team, the Yerminator and that megadeep pen
Do the pair predict a series sweet at Seattle? Yes, the pair predicts a series sweep at Seattle
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Hey, look who’s back! Our resident minor league update grinder and big-club analyst Darren (Black) Jackson hops on the podcast to talk about the near-misses of the White Sox roster. Nearly all of those near-misses have piled into the VW bus and driven north to Schaumburg, where they will work out at the alternate MLB site in hopes of getting into (or back into) the Show, not sent to Charlotte. Key points in our tour of near-misses and four-A falderal, including a take on the White Sox roster that has proven hilariously bad three games in:
The pros and cons of Andrew Vaughn in left field
The unlikely battle for the last roster spot: Jake Lamb vs. Danny Mendick
Who’s the weirdest choice to break camp with the team? And how much do both Brett and Darren regret their pick, made last Friday, about right now?
Is there any hope of redemption for Reynaldo?
The loss of Bernardo Flores Jr. and the utter lack of starter depth high in the system
Who’s missing from the Schaumburg roster? Darren lists three surprises
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Someone you might know from this very busy first week of White Sox coverage, Colleen Sullivan — you know, from the gamethread Sullivans, the recap Sullivans, the Know Your Enemy Sullivans, the season preview Sullivans, or even the Meet the Players Sullivans — jumps on the podcast with Brett Ballantini to dress down the rest of baseball, in our “trash the opposition” special. Actually, not all of our time was spent trashing opponents. There are also some kind words, and one incredibly precise prediction that’s already come true:
Are the Dodgers all that? Yeah, but Brett has words for the moaning “hadn’t won a World Series since 1988” set
Are the Yankees all that? Heh, they never are
Things are looking up for the Mets. One of us NAILS the Francisco Lindor extension a full day before it was announced, and I’ll give you a hint: It’s not the guy who isn’t a Mets fan
Does the pair have any kind words for our crosstown neighbors? (heh)
Brett picks the low-hanging Central fruit as his pick for worst division — will Colleen agree, or go rogue?
The person who detests Trevor Bauer manages to mention him twice
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OK, well, that sucked. Somewhat amazingly, it was three SSSers living in the Eastern Time Zone who managed to limp onto the podcast to discuss that painful, fall-from-ahead loss in Anaheim tonight. Topics broached:
Play of the Game: Tony La Russa’s non-challenge of the Nick Madrigal CS, or Madrigal’s botched throw that turned a double play into runners on first and second?
Wither Ashley Sanders?
A defense of Adam Eaton?
White Sox, where do we send flowers to the recently-departed Eloy Jiménez?
How long did BillyOK last — and are we all secretly envious of him?
Joe is to blame for this loss. Bet you can’t guess why
At what point did Chrystal shift from Vanilla Coke to tea?
Brett is to blame for this loss, because of a cockamamie idea to run two podcasts celebrating the return of baseball
When are we doing this again? (Next Thursday, for the home opener)
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We run a full five-pack of SSS writers at you, talking White Sox Opening Day! Aside from crafty Sun-Times and Vanilla Coke product placements from Chrystal, here’s what went down, as the minutes tick toward opening pitch:
Is the Central Division’s improvement going to pose a problem for the White Sox?
Tommy wins the best Opening Day gear battle, with a rocking ~1917 throwback
The left field dilemma — or will Andrew Vaughn forever destroy the arbitration cases of left fielders by playing passable, even good, left-field defense?
Yes, Eloy in left is addressed
Chrystal wins the well-cropped studio background battle — and reveals her key to putting BillyOK to shame when it comes to her devotion to the South Siders
Bask in the awesomeness of the White Sox bullpen
Tim Anderson’s mouth — unsung MVP of the White Sox
“Outfit man” Joe Resis explains his support for Luis Robert for Sox MVP, possibly even without threats from his Las Vegas sources
Are we out of danger when it comes to playing a full, healthy season as a pandemic still rages more than whimpers?
Which of our Eastern Time Zoners will make it until game’s end for our postgame podcast? (Answer: ALL OF THEM!)
Yes, there will be a postgame podcast
And, of course, predictions for tonight’s game!
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As the regular season finally starts, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, naturally delve into predicting what lies ahead, with an explosive device attached to the recording to make sure it self-destructs before they are proven so very, very wrong. They delve into such questions as:
Are the brilliant Dylan Cease of Tuesday and the equally brilliant Carlos Rodón of all spring for real?
Does that mean that, contrary to all earlier expectations and recent history, the Sox will become a team where the pitching makes up for the hitting?
Is it just blind fan-ness that makes us write off the bad things in spring training as meaningless, yet maintain that the good things are true indicators of what’s to come?
Can we really trust the backup catchers?
Did the Sox make the mysterious signing of Jake Lamb out of a sense of tradition, a bold move to continue the decade of horrible designated hitters?
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Super Joseph Resis hops on the podcast to elucidate and defend his thorough 2021 season predictions piece, as well as address our dozen-plus staff predictions on the season. Here’s what’s in store, as the season creeps one day closer:
How bad does Brett get roasted for being the only staff member not to predict playoffs for the White Sox?
At the same time, 97 wins? 96? Someone is drinking the Kool-Aid, and it is mighty refreshing
In the battle of the Centrals, which division will suck worse?
What are the sneaky reasons why guys like Billy Hamilton or Reynaldo López — neither likely to be on the roster for very long in 2021 — will be Chicago’s weakest performers?
How can anyone pick a White Sox player outside of Garrett Crochet as best rookie?
Joe is super-bullish on Luis Robert. Bask in his reasoning
Will Minnesota finally end their postseason losing streak? The pair disagrees
Easier call: Mike Trout as AL MVP or Ke’Bryan Hayes as NL Rookie of the Year?
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Writer/photographer Sean Williams is back for a third episode of Camelback Confidential, as he’s just shot his third Sox home game — yep, another win. His price is going up with every game, White Sox. Here’s what’s on the docket:
Sean shares some of his between-the-lines observations of the team, from the photo pit
Hey, ever since he started shooting the Sox, the team has caught fire, now guaranteed to avoid a losing Cactus League slate. Does it mean anything, getting hot into the regular season?
Is there concern over the relative inefficiency of Lance Lynn, Dallas Keuchel and Dylan Cease?
What in the world is going on with the final cuts for the club?
Is the team in such need of a Gatorade dumper to replace Yolmer Sánchez that Yermín Mercedes makes the team?
Jake Lamb. Huh?
Any yes, the return of good cop (Sean)/bad cop (sign, Brett)
Sean guarantees a 7-0 start on the opening road trip — if the Sox hire him to shoot it
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“I wanna play where you play, with the Angels.” We all want to be in Anaheim this Thursday, as the White Sox open their season vs. the Los Angeles Angels of Orange County, for what is guaranteed to be one heck of a 2021 debut for our beloved Pale Hose. To help us Cut to the Feeling, the witty and talented Eric Stephen from our SB Nation sister site, Halos Heaven, joins us to break down the Angels, and what Sox fans can expect out of this series.
Pitching matchups: The Angels are rolling with a six man rotation, including two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. Who else will we see?
This offseason, the Angels upgraded their roster in a few spots, and oh yeah, they still have the best player in baseball. What else should White Sox fans know about the Halos?
Let’s make a deal: we ask Eric what it would take to bring some of our favorite Angels players over to the South Side. (Cue Thanos: Everything.)
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Join the Killer B’s for their last episode before Opening Day as they discuss:
Beer and Mushrooms (the food): The Killer Bs take a brief detour on the way to baseball to discuss opinions on types of beers (IPAs or nay?) and other controversial ingestible items.
Hitting the Wall: Eloy Jiménez’s pectoral tear and 5-6 month recovery period highlights the glaring depth problems of the Chicago White Sox. What do we do now? Tommy and Keelin discuss potential solutions.
Trade Options: The gap Eloy has left and the Marlins in the hunt for a trade leaves some looming questions. Additionally, the team takes a look at who is left in free agency to fill gaps.
Pitching: As the outfield and hitting issues loom, pitching looks pretty good heading into Opening Day. What are some areas that look good, and what still needs some work?
See You in the Stands: Tommy and Keelin are spending Opening Day at home, but you can also catch them in the stands this season.
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On this week’s episode of The Big Blurt, Rob Colletti and Bill Meincke talk about the Eloy Jiménez injury, the DH situation, Oscar Colás, and more! Tune in and get excited because Opening Day is in arms reach ... but don’t reach too far, Eloy. On tap for today:
Rob sings to Bill!
Eloy Jiménez is out five to six months — do the White Sox have options?
The DH situation in years to come looks loaded
José Abreu’s tenure and future on the team
Zack Collins is turning into the player he was destined to be
Marco Paddy, Oscar Colás, and Yoelqui Céspedes
Spring training monsters ... and underachievers
The Bottom Nine: Bulls, Bears, MLB, and more
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Just when you thought you wouldn’t hear from the Dugout Metrics crew again until late May, BAM, we’re back. Trevor Lines and Luke Smailes are back to break down the Eloy Jiménez dilemma, Oscar Colás addition, and final roster cuts:
Can you “tell” a player — in this case Eloy — to play the field at less than full tilt?
Luke Smailes deftly sneaks “his guy,” Zack Collins, into a question about ... left field
Has the time come to state unequivocally bar Jiménez from left field? And if so, how does being a (young) DH ding a player’s overall value?
How do the White Sox end up, year after year, with like a dozen DH-only types?
Is it absolutely insane, or just merely insane, that Andrew Vaughn is making his post-Little League debut in left field three games before Opening Day?
Yep, Trevor called Colás to the White Sox more than a year ago, in his first SSS piece! He provides a breakdown of his game, if reading isn’t your thing
The Ethan Katz connection will factor into the final pitching slot for the Sox, which is good news for Nik Turley
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IMPORTANT NOTE: This show was recorded before the terrible news about Eloy’s shoulder. That would have dampened the frivolity a whole bunch — and changed some roster predictions. You heard it here first — an (indirect) assessment of the man she knows as Uncle Kenny by someone who should know because she’s part of a famous baseball family! As for actual baseball stuff, South Side Sox duty geezer and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, talk about Dallas Keuchel, Dylan Cease and the rest of the White Sox staff, but fail at trying to figure out who will take the place of the newly departed Reynaldo López on the Opening Day roster. On the failure front, neither can fathom why anybody would ever walk Billy Hamilton on four pitches, as happened twice in one game this week, but they agree that Hamilton will be the roster replacement for the injured Adam Engel. And, of course, there’s the usual banter about the usually-less-than-immortal Zack Collins, including speculation Collins might finally have quite swinging like he has to drive the ball into the next state and become a more intelligent batter, leading to his success this spring. Plus, Will may become the first SSSer to see a real game this year, since he has tickets for the weekend of the opening series in Anaheim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Writer/photographer Sean Williams is back for another episode of Camelback Confidential, as he’s just shot his second Sox home game — just happening to be another win. Good luck charm, much? Here’s what’s on the docket:
Sean switched out his fleece for shorts to shoot Saturday’s game — get the inside skinny on the action (the ballgame, not the wardrobe change)
The ramifications of the Adam Engel injury, specifically Leury García vs. Nick Williams vs. Billy Hamilton
Fourth and fifth starter talk: Reynaldo López vs. Carlos Rodón, with a sprinkling of Dylan Cease
Jimmy Cordero’s injury, and the impact it has on a major league bullpen he wasn’t likely to break camp with
Does the weak depth in the rotation and fourth outfielder confirm a failed offseason?
And before you answer, Sean brings some good cop mojo to my bad cop garrulousness
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After a brief hiatus, North Side Sox is back, and stirring the pot, as we are wont to do. To help us stretch our legs and get ready for the regular season, we’re joined by baseball mind extraordinaire and White Sox fan Zach Hayes of PitcherList, to discuss some of our favorite spring training story lines.
While we love Yermín Mercedes, how does he fit in? We also discuss Jonathan Lucroy, Zack Collins, and the backup catcher contest.
The early spring showings of Dylan Cease, Carlos Rodón, and Jimmy Lambert have been impressive so far. Should we be worried about Reynaldo López? How far does the Ethan Katz effect extend?
A tale of two Adam E’s: What should we expect from the right field platoon?
Hot take SZN: Can Nick Madrigal win a batting title on singles alone? It’s been done once before in MLB history.
Enter the White Sox multiverse: If you were to staff a whole field of nine copies of the same White Sox player, who would you pick? Sam, Janice, and Zach give their universe-crossing answers.
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Was it really Ethan Katz who chased the snakes out of Ireland, or has he just chased the shakes out of some White Sox pitchers? In Sharing Sox this week, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast corespondent, Will, bow to the (OK, just so far) miracles apparently wrought by the new White Sox pitching coach, at least where Dylan Cease and Carlos Rodón are concerned. Then it’s on to how good the Sox pitching has been (OK, just so far), and how weak the hitting has been (hopefully, just so far), with the Sox giving up the fewest runs in the Cactus League, but also scoring the fewest. Is it the (marginally) more deceased ball? Or is it (marginally) more deceased bats? Side trips to the backup catcher scene (yes, Zack Collins is hitting like crazy, just as he does most springs) and the roster cuts from Tuesday lead to Will’s story of the strange Sox Opening Day lineup and roster in R.B.I. Baseball 21. And then there’s the strange case of how damnably secret the Sox are about pretty much everything, and how that’s bound to get much, much worse with the media-despising, insipid arrogance of you-know-who. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A few weeks ago, a player who had been featured in our Top 100 Prospects series reached out to provide a photo (DSL players are extremely hard to illustrate for these profiles). But the player, Frander Veras, couldn’t reach out directly, for reasons including a very straightforward one: the Spanish-English language barrier. So he got in touch with White Sox minor league education coordinator Erin Santana (who, as it turns out, has been doing a little PR for South Side Sox by letting her students know when they’ve been featured by us) — and from that seed, this podcast grew. Erin was gracious enough to give us a lot of time, and hopefully that comes from a place of mutual respect and even admiration — we were adding diacritics to Spanish names before MLB or Baseball-Reference, after all! From our end, it’s easy to see what a godsend Erin has been to our Latin players In our wide-ranging conversation, we hit on a lot of core stuff about the White Sox player education system, but stretched far beyond. Please do yourself a favor and give this one a listen! In what we hope is the first of many talks, the podcast touches on:
As a granddaughter of a college pitcher, was Erin destined to work in baseball?
How she came to the White Sox in the first place, after growing up rooting for the other Sox
The importance of a huge advocate like director of player development Chris Getz being so closely involved
Being so committed to making sure her player-students succeed that doors get pounded on to make sure tests aren’t missed
Yes, it’s true, “son” Harvin Mendoza made her tear u
Surprise student Michael Kopech sitting in on classes and helping to kick-start a sort of study-buddy system
What responsibility do native English-speaking personnel (teammates, executives, media) have to aspiring bilingual players?
And of course, an obligatory Billy Russo question
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South Side Sox Podcast 28 features Brett Ballantini talking to writer/photographer Sean Williams about his first photo pass experience at Camelback Ranch, and much more:
Sean steps us through his day, which worked out almost impossibly well
Was anyone among the minor leaguers vamping for Sean — literally the only person there watching drills — on the back fields?
The White Sox won yesterday in a nail-biter, and given he shot them doubling their win total to two, shouldn’t the team plan on having Sean shooting every game?
How did Sean hold off the media hordes following Shohei Ohtani, the Angels starting pitcher on Saturday?
Reynaldo López vs. Carlos Rodón: Battle for the fifth starting spot
Jonathan Lucroy vs. Zack Collins: Battle for the backup catcher spot
The continuing amazement that is Andrew Vaughn
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Heh, yeah, so what if it’s been two months since our last episode? (The plans are for another one out within the week!) Dugout Metrics, which features South Side Sox college ballplayers/metrics mavens Trevor Lines and Luke Smailes breaking down the news of the day, is back, and as the SSS Top 100 Prospects list enters its final 50, we’re talking prospects, baby! We set this up as a sort of “draft” of prospects, highlighting some of the differences in ranking between Trevor’s and Luke’s lists. Brett was there to insert jokes and offer his far less valuable opinions on prospect rankings.
The eternal question: Is youth and upside more important than professional achievement?
Werefore art thou, Hunter Schryver?
What role should injury (e.g. Jake Burger) play in how a prospect is ranked?
Good luck charm challenge: Will Luke’s labor supplying bats to DJ Gladney this offseason outpace Trevor’s major league debut-inducing interview of Zack Burdi last year?
Is James Beard just sporting a great-looking NFL halfback look, or can he increase his contact to fulfill his fourth round choice promise?
Will Trevor have lived in all 50 states by Episode 50?
Luke and his two-win Kohawks throw down the gauntlet and challenge the one-win White Sox to start getting their spring training asses in gear
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, wonder where all those starting pitchers have disappeared to instead of being in games so far this spring, whilst also wondering about the rant of Lance Lynn, one of the starters who did pitch this week and barely managed at one stretch to keep a bunch of his pitches in easy driving distance of the plate. From pitching, we wander into the hitters who are and the hitters who aren’t so far, which naturally leads to the still-missing Yasmani Grandal and the plethora of backup catcher candidates, which in turns leads to the philosophy of catching on one knee and why it’s scary to think of Zack Collins trying that with men on base. Which, just for snicks, brings us to two questions about Nicks. First, just how are you really supposed to pronounce Nick Madrigal’s last name? No announcers seem to be able to agree, which leaves the rest of us at a loss as to whether the accent is on the first or last syllable, or maybe not there at all. Second, could Nick Williams be the best choice for 26th man? Williams has only had five at-bats so far, but hitting .600 with a double sure would seem like a reason to give him more spring shots against actual major league pitchers to see if he might be the pleasant surprise of the spring and the left-handed bench bat the Sox need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Phoenix is back in the house! South Side Sox Podcast 26 features Brett Ballantini, talking to writer/photographer Sean Williams about Cactus League play. Sean is one of the few of us in the world to have seen a live baseball game this month, attending this past Sunday’s White Sox loss at Camelback Ranch. Here’s what we’ve got going for you:
A sigh of relief over seeing Yoán Moncada in apparent full health, and José Abreu (hopefully) avoiding obvious debilitation from his coronavirus infection
Fighting for spots in a perhaps already-full White Sox bullpen
Zack Collins, and the battle for backup catcher (and how Jonathan Lucroy’s quest for a Cactus League batting title could affect things)
Shout-out to the White Sox, who have issued SBN/SSS some unprecedented access and given Sean a pass for the photo pit for a few games this spring
Sean’s challenge in shooting “from the stands” when covering the Arizona Rookie League and Fall League play
Sean also was at Sunday’s game at Camelback Ranch, and shares his experiences there, and how it may or may not apply to games in Chicago next month
The science behind a gambling outlet issuing a small-sample drinking survey (pegging White Sox fans as “top drinkers”) that briefly set White Sox Twitter aflame
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The Killer B’s are back, baby! Tommy Barbee and Keelin Billue reunite and welcome very special guest and fellow South Side Sox writer, Chrystal O’Keefe as “The Third B.” In this episode, Chrystal, Tommy, and Keelin discuss:
The Journey to White Sox Fandom: How did we get here? Enjoy three very different stories about the common threads woven together to make up the Pale Hose. Spoiler: All journeys involve the C*bs.
Season Predictions: What are some bold predictions for these season? The team discusses Nick Madrigal’s development, Moncada’s post-COVID performance, and the bullpen.
Back at G-Rate: Will or when will spectators be allowed to attend games? (This conversation occurred before the City of Chicago said fans would be allowed into games on Opening Day; tune in to find out how right or wrong the Killer B’s predictions were.)
Who is The Top Adam E.?: Tommy, Chrystal, and Keelin weigh in on who the preferred Adam E. is and continue discussing how the right field question was never really answered.
What Lies Beneath: Early projections reflected the lack of depth in the Sox roster. As spring training continues and Opening Day looms, can the team survive a full season?
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On this week’s episode of The Big Blurt, Rob Colletti and Bill Meincke talk about the offseason in retrospect, spring training, drunk Sox fans, and more! Tune in and get excited because the Sox actually are No. 1 at something! (consuming alcohol, according to a study) On tap for today:
It’s almost shorts weather in Chicago!
Do the White Sox did enough in the offseason?
Is Lucas Giolito already out of the team’s price range to re-sign?
Early spring takes
Dioner Navarro somehow was traded to Seattle for Alex Colomé
Zack Collins vs. Joanathan Lucroy vs. Yermín Mercedes
Going gaga for Andrew Vaughn
Props to Jake Burger and his recovery ... and future at second base
Sorting out the bench, with Leury García and Adam Engel in key roles
Predicted top players for the 2021 season ... and underachievers
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Yea! Baseball! Well, sorta, if you think baseball is when you just stop an inning whenever you feel like it. Which, admittedly, requires its own sort of strategy. This week, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and son and west coast corespondent, Will, have fun lashing into the incredible stupidity of a multi-billion dollar organization so incompetent it can’t decide what rules and lineups half of its members will play under in a season that begins in less than a month, as well as enjoying the concept of end-an-inning-any-old-time spring training. There is a serious disagreement — is MLB run so badly if the commissioner headed Amazon it would just be a corner store in Iowa somewhere, or would that store have closed by now? As for actual baseball, we look at the good things the White Sox have shown so far (Lucas Giolito! Andrew Vaughn! Adam Engel! Just about all the hitters who will actually be on the team!) And then we delve into the one terrible, horrible, no good, very bad thing made much more obviously worse by Jonathan Lucroy’s defense Tuesday — the fact the Sox really have no backup catcher better than randomly picking a fan out of the stands (even one of those Covid-induced cardboard fans). But, there’s baseball! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox Podcast 25 features Brett Ballantini and Joe Resis. Aside from Joe’s recent study program and Brett’s harrowing past internship, what was the scuttlebutt?
The early bright spots of White Sox gameplay, featuring Andrew Vaughn
The surprising twist in the Garrett Crochet-Michael Kopech 2021 story
Will there ever be another nine-inning Cactus League game?
The second base extras rule, continued
Brett’s favorite White Sox coach of all time
Stepping lightly given the nature of our host, jumping into the hotbed topic of the week, unpaid internships
Is there something noble in doubling down on exploitation?
How long was Brett working on the railroad?
The over/under on Joe running his first MiLB team
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We at North Side Sox are so excited about this team. Tim Anderson’s comments on the Parkins & Spiegel show about the White Sox being the best team in the American League included a spicy expletive, and as a result, we wanna run through a brick wall for this man. (As if we needed another reason!) To share in our excitement (and perhaps to distract us from some recent drama), the effervescent Josh Nelson of Sox Machine joins us for a discussion on some hot button issues in White Sox land lately, including:
Rick Hahn’s comments to James Fegan that sniped at White Sox fans being critical of the front office’s spending habits, and the masterful takedown of this rhetoric in an article by Jim Margalus.
If the White Sox are going to be competitive with the likes of the Yankees, why do they keep operating like a small- to mid-market team?
We discuss Michael Kopech, Dylan Cease, Garrett Crochet, and Carlos Rodón, and some possible scenarios for the bullpen and back end of the rotation, in the scope of a full 162-game season.
This episode was unofficially sponsored by the Wisconsin board of tourism; Josh shares his insider’s guide on a good time in Madison and what on the food scene you should check out (when it’s safe to do so, of course.)
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As the great American philosopher Pogo once put it: Spring has sprung, the grass has riz, I wonder where the flowers is. Pogo was referring not to the one-time White Sox catcher who remains unwanted by any team this spring, but by the giddiness about all things blooming, a giddiness present in any all statements by White Sox players, coaches, managers, front officers and, no doubt, batboys and clubhouse crew. Not to be outdone, pretty much everyone covering the Sox has gone ultra-giddy, no doubt from the joy of warm Arizona weather. In Sharing Sox this week, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and son and west coast correspondent, Will, do their bit and wax effusive over all kinds of things, then delve into the great philosophical question of whether spring training performances mean anything. Oddly enough, they even have an answer to that. Plus. of course, an evaluation of Yoán Moncada’s hit single fo the musical variety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox Podcast 24 features Brett Ballantini and Chrystal O’Keefe, together again and not talking about the Hall of Fame. What did they talk about, then?
The early bright spots of White Sox camp, including Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech
The palpable impact of new pitching coach Ethan Katz
Concern about right field
Why it’s important to address the Tony La Russa hiring revelations of the past week, for better or worse
Trevor Bauer, owning himself on social media, over and over — and the challenges of learning simple social media terminology
The Kevin Mather/Seattle Mariners debacle (or: how to not be overtly racist)
The coolness of the Sox Spring Break experience
The ubercoolness of Yoán Moncada
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Spring Training is here! And no one could be more excited about it than us. Well, maybe there is one person. So we asked him to come on our podcast. Our guest, Jim Callis of MLB.com, has been covering the draft and prospects since 1988, and graciously shared his thoughts on the White Sox, and where he sees some of the names we’ve been watching, and what we can expect for the club’s future. In this live-wire of a conversation, we discuss:
Andrew Vaughn: Can he jump to the big leagues and offer the expected amount of production in the DH spot with little minor league experience?
With Jace Fry starting the season on the injured list, Garrett Crochet has an opportunity to dazzle once again, as he did last year. What’s his ceiling, and long-term starter potential?
Michael Kopech is returning, and boy, are we thrilled. We haven’t seen him pitch since last spring, however; what’s his role in a full 162-game season?
Find out who Jim thinks is the all-time White Sox prospect bust — and how he may potentially still find success!
Jim also identifies his White Sox sleeper prospect, and why we should be talking about this player more.
We also briefly discuss the music scene in 1980’s Athens, GA, and the current state of time travel technology to send Sam back to experience it all.
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Luke “The Truth” Null hops on with Rob Colletti and Bill Meincke to provide that necessary Cincinnati Reds perspective to the offseason proceedings. But, Skyline Chili aside, the trio brought the heat:
The sad-sack story of young Luke’s miserable sports existence, tied to Cincinnati sports. The Reds and Bengals can’t even concoct a strong lovable loser narrative, like Cleveland
Living in Wrigleyville as the Cubs rose to prominence, crushing the dreams of all humanity
The Jerry Reinsdorf Secret
The start of spring training, and why no one should trust the glowing beat writer and manager assessments of players ... in mid-February
Why the NL Central is going to be ass
The Reds/White Sox relationship
Tune in, get excited, grab some skyline chili or a Chicago dog because baseball is around the corner! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox Podcast 23 is our first-time crossover event, as the boys from Sharing Sox wander over to the mothership podcast to chat on some coverage esoterica.
The role that entertainment plays in sportswriting
How the White Sox see their fans, and the media that covers the team
The insular nature of how the White Sox approach anyone outside of 35th & Shields
Jerry Reinsdorf’s disinterest in the fan base
How the conservative nature (personal conservatism, not political) of the White Sox office limits the team’s popularity
Is negative attention better than no attention at all (at least I would argue, yes)
We’ve had house pet delays and even recording dropouts, but look for the first “sunset delay” in this podcast
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“You say PECOTA and I say PECOTA ... On this week’s episode of The Big Blurt, Rob Colletti (School of Rock, The Book of Mormon) and Bill Meincke (NBC, TruTV) talk about Jerry Reinsdorf’s legacy (which big, bad Bobby Colletti wrote on earlier this week), and the new Chicago White Sox PECOTA projections. Looking for 2021 season predictions? Bill and Rob put theirs on the board. And of course, there’s much, much more — and if you’re watching on YouTube, don’t forget to play Find the Chewie. Tune in and get excited, because pitchers and catchers will be reporting to Glendale in less than a week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and son and west coast correspondent, Will, have a ball this week — a brand-new, marginally-lighter, allegedly possibly, claimedly, we’ll-believe-it-when-we-see-it-ably, fractionally dejuiced ball. They then wonder why free baseball is such a horrible thing that MLB is obsessed with getting rid of extra innings. After that, it’s on to all the 2021 projections now out (BOO! — we don’t fear you!), and to the FanGraphs projected White Sox lineup (nice!) and backups and injury replacements (not nice at all, no, no!). All of which is a build-up to asking the big question for the future of Sox: whither Micker Adolfo? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox Podcast 22 marks the return of Leonard Gore, South Side Hit Pen podcast vet and victim of “technical difficulties” that scuttled his SSS Podcast 15 weeks ago. No matter, Lenny is back to talk about his take on the 2021 White Sox schedule, and much more:
The stretch between the Super Bowl and the first burbles of Spring Training may be the deadest and blackest sports whole all year long
Good cop (LG) and bad cop (BB) on the White Sox and MLB outlook (although, the roles reverse by the end!
Putting a runner on second in extras is just another terrible “overtime” solution among the major sports
PECOTA problems: Are the White Sox an 83-win team?
Tony La Russa: Change your first flip phone saved number from Binny’s to Uber
SSS methup road trip to Milwaukee in July?
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Hot dish is on the Hot Stove! The Minnesota Twins remain the final boss fight in the South Side’s quest to take the AL Central. With the offseason additions made by the Twins, how has their team dynamic shifted, and will the White Sox have to grasp for power-ups? To provide us with an inside look (cheat codes?) at the Twins, we’re graciously joined by The Athletic’s Dan Hayes.
We were big Nelson Cruz fans for a little while here at North Side Sox, but that enthusiasm was short-lived. Cruz returned to Minnesota on a one-year, $13 million deal, but we found out through Dan that it was about just more than the money. We ask Dan about the Twins hiring Cruz’s personal chef.
Semi-related: the Twins have counter-punched the offseason moves made by the White Sox by acquiring new-old friend Alex Colomé for a one-year, $5 million deal. What is Minnesota’s plan for him?
A known film buff, Dan tells us his top movie picks of 2020! Sam offers his, and Janice talks about her lack of an attention span.
We break down the flat-circle return of Carlos Rodón, the addition of framing guru Jerry Narron to the White Sox coaching staff, and the acquisition of Jonathan Lucroy to a minor league deal.
If you’re sick of hearing about it, we’re sick of it still happening: We discuss the optics of the Mets firing Jared Porter, only to intend to sign Trevor Bauer, and the mess that followed.
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Sadly, Sharing Sox was recorded moments too early to include the huge Chris Getz announcement, so it’s all about current players instead. Well, that and the failed MLB attempt to connive the players into major concessions for 2021. SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, delve into their own preferred playoff sizes — oddly, they disagree — before moving on to Minnesota’s announcement that is even bigger than Chris Getz news, namely that Nelson Cruz will continue to have the White Sox to kick around and that they are talking with Alex Colomé. After that, it’s a journey to the pitching mound to disagree about the value, if any, of the Carlos Rodón signing and the possibility that Ethan Katz is the Anne Sullivan of pitching coaches, able to miraculously turn Dylan Cease or Reynaldo López or Rodón, or — what the heck — all three into viable starting pitchers. Helen Keller may have been less of a challenge. And, yes, it’s true — an entire podcast without ever once mentioning that Tony guy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox Podcast 21 is a bit of a heavier sort, exploring the latest news in which women in baseball are treated as object and second-class citizens. Colleen Sullivan hops on the podcast to discuss her Tuesday article addressing creepy Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway in greater detail. Also, on the docket:
Baseball’s problem with catering primarily, if not exclusively, to white males
The burden of baggage every woman has to carry into their baseball fandom
How baseball can address the issues of sexism, workplace harassment and spousal abuse once and for all
How to move forward from here
A short second-half segment that addresses baseball’s failure to protect players and make the sensible move to delay the season, and spring training
Player rep Colleen and ownership stooge Brett attempt to broker an agreement going forward
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Rob Colletti (School of Rock, The Book of Mormon) and Bill Meincke (Chicago PD, Second City) aren’t just a tag-team acting duo. They’re two old friends who love the Chicago White Sox, and have gotten together to talk about the team on a new South Side Sox podcast, The Big Blurt. The program will feature in-depth analysis, engaging segments, plenty of humor — and some special guests. The premiere, commercial-free episode is chock full of Sox stuff:
Growing up White Sox, and South Side memories
Rob’s provocative jumbotron dancing
Thoughts on the White Sox offseason so far
What the Sox still have to do to fill in the gaps
An examination of the international signings
A quick rundown of the White Sox prospects in Baseball America’s Top 100
Chewie cameos
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, delve into a pleasant surprise in Hall of Fame voting for nice guy Mark Buehrle, and a wonderful failure for total jerk Curt Schilling; then move on:
MLB vs. MLBPA battles on schedules, DH’s and such
White Sox starting pitching projections and needs
An Eddie Rosario plug sighting (complete with Eloy Jiménez defensive struggle pseudo-analysis)
A skim of the backup catcher remnants
A glance at how absolutely weak the White Sox schedule will be in 2021
A full circle to good guys, with praise for Liam Hendricks as a person
And there’s even a visit to Las Vegas to check the baseball futures odds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox Podcast 20 takes a look back the SSS Cooperstown vote, and ahead to the White Sox Hall of Fame results, which you can vote on right now. Brett Ballantini hosted Chrystal “OK” O’Keefe and “Pretty Good” Joe Resis for all sorts of Hall talk:
Chrystal roasts Brett rather well for his past Curt Schilling support; worth the price of admission alone
Mark Buehrle safely advanced to next year’s SSS HOF ballot; will he do same with the baseball writers?
Chris Sale may indeed hold a pair of scissors for his SSS White Sox HOF plaque, if he’s ever enshrined
The trio makes their likely players to win election to our White Sox Hall of Fame, and their pet picks for favorite White Sox on the ballot
Lance Johnson vs. Chet Lemon vs. ... José Quintana?
Bad Cop Brett fends off the logic of the tag-team outta Indy, C.O.K. and Super Joe
Also: KenWo gets props, and some taunts
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Episode 5 of the Killer B’s podcast takes a on a different tone than past Killer B’s podcasts: What is the place of character in the Baseball Hall of Fame? The recent death of baseball legend Hank Aaron put a spotlight on how sports fans and society talk about our sports heroes who are also people of color. Tommy and Keelin build a conversation around this idea to discuss:
Avoiding Erasure: How do we talk about our heroes while also openly acknowledging their noble and ignoble struggles?
Baseball Hall of Fame Voting: It would not be 2020 into 2021 without a tense Baseball Hall of Fame vote. Do we reconcile HoF nominees’ stats with their character? Where, when, and whose responsibility is it to draw a moral and ethical line (if at all)? Can we expect a reconciliation when the voters are mainly white men dealing with intersectional issues?
Although we spend most of our time talking about some somber issues on this episode, we also take some time to reflect on what’s up next for the Chicago White Sox including:
The Rumor Mill from Strangely Named Twitter and Reddit Accounts: Off the heels of a Reddit-based rumor about a possible Corbin Burnes deal, Tommy recounts the tale of Reddit users WettButt23 and KatyPerrysBootyhole breaking the Eloy trade news.
So, Where’s our DH?: Should we just give up on hoping for one?
Missing SoxFest: Like many other big events, SoxFest was sadly cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Why did the White Sox not make an easy few bucks with a digital SoxFest? THERE IS STILL TIME.
Fans in the Stands: When can we expect to get back to Guaranteed Rate Field?
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On this very special seventh episode of North Side Sox, Sam and Janice welcome the pod’s first-ever guest: Herb Lawrence! Right about now, we would have been organizing our SoxFest schedules: Budgeting some time to wait in line for a Liam Hendriks photo op, then later hitting up the pop-up Sports Depot for some midwinter deals. Though gatherings are not in our cards at the moment, there’s been some movement on the Hot Stove around the league. One burner may be lit, but why can’t all of them ignite, especially for the White Sox? With Spring Training just on the horizon, we discuss the remaining holes on the White Sox, with Herb’s expert input on what needs to be done next.
Because it’s our seventh episode, we borrow our guest’s show’s naming convention by taking some time to appreciate RBI2021 cover boy Tim Anderson and his contributions to the White Sox.
We examine some of the moves around MLB through a White Sox lens, and give props to the San Diego Padres for seeing what they want, and going for it!
The stove has to be on, because there’s smoke. Nelson Cruz, Marcell Ozuna, and Trevor Bauer fan the flames.
The internet unfortunately learned of Bauer’s 2011 attempt at making music. In contrast, and with access to quality production, last November Yoán Moncada released his first released his first single; what’s next for the third-baseman-turned-pop-star?
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South Side Sox Podcast 19 takes on Cooperstown and the 2021 Hall of Fame contenders. Brett Ballantini and Chrystal O’Keefe discuss the ins and outs of this year’s election, including the possibility that no candidates reach immortality. Topics tackled by the duo:
Exactly how identical are Brett’s and Chrystal’s ballots, anyhow?
Support for Sammy Sosa
Separation between the Barry Bonds/Roger Clemens voting contingent from the Curt Schilling/Omar Vizquel voters
Big Hall vs. Small Hall vs. Medium Hall
Does Mark Buehrle have a shot (spoiler: With SSS, he seemingly does!)
The “pure” candidates on the ballot
Should closers be in the Hall of Fame?
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Well, a month after the premiere was not an ideal lag. But Dugout Metrics, which features South Side Sox college ballplayers/metrics mavens Trevor Lines and Luke Smailes breaking down the news of the day, is back, on the heels of the Liam Hendriks signing. In this Hendriks-plus episode:
What has made Hendriks so good in 2019-20?
Why not just keep former White Sox closer Alex Colomé?
Closer mystique is an actual thing, at least as it applies to Hendriks
Is closer hype ... overhyped?
Can Hendriks’ bravado and new pitching coach Ethan Katz persuade manager Tony La Russa to be creative with his closer use, opting for high-leverage vs. mere save opps?
Tommy La Stella should just call us already, because he’s coming to Chicago
How will the White Sox fill out their rotation ... and when will they do it?
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, are joined by Liam Hendricks whisperer Eric Loughlin, who analyzes the latest Sox signing and all the ramifications thereof — or at least a bunch of them. From there, the conversation expands, as they look at additional relievers, other actions the White Sox could (or should) take this offseason, Lucas Giolito arbitration money probabilities, how the 2021 White Sox payroll is actually now lower than last year’s would have been, and ... crucially ... changes that should be coming to the concessions at Guaranteed Rate Field, to adapt the the new team personnel (hint: they include ropa vieja, vegemite, and cucumber finger sandwiches). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox Podcast 18 is our Liam Hendriks signing, breaking-news podcast, and as usual with such things, Brett Ballantini turned to our White Sox Insider, James Fox, who had a large hand in breaking the story. Questions tackled during this commercial-free podcast:
Smarter choice in divining White Sox breaking news: Magic 8-Ball, I Ching sticks, D&D dice, or the @JamesFox917 Twitter account?
What changed in the Hendriks negotiations between last Monday and this one?
Buckle in, White Sox fans: The team has spent the most in free agency this offseason and is being cited for their progressive practices. YES I SAID “WHITE SOX”
Are closers overvalued?
Is this the end of the offseason for the South Siders, or are there still bats or arms to be had?
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It’s been a long winter break since you last heard from us, and the tepid stove is on! To warm our hands, we run our gas bill up a little (with maybe some endangerment) and discuss some of the offseason moves made around baseball so far, specifically the blockbuster trades made by the Padres and Mets. Do they affect the White Sox? (Spoiler, they don’t.) However, the ripple effects of those trades are still being felt around the league in one way or another, with a global pandemic and political upheaval as a backdrop. We discuss today’s transaction, Kyle Schwarber’s 1 year, $10 million deal with the Washington Nationals to bolster their outfield. Hey, who’s the guy he’s replacing again? We also examine That Closer Situation, where we once again make a case for Liam Hendriks (yes, again) referencing this piece from our colleague, James Fox. We’ve got a couple of other guys worthy of consideration, because y’know, just in case. Join us for a lively discussion on closer mechanics, Drake’s Views album, and Tyler Glasnow for some reason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox Podcast 17 is an extended look at how the 2020 White Sox performed, through the lens of Rob Colletti’s hitter report card from last month, and the pitcher report card that went up on Friday. Brett Ballantini quizzes Rob on some of the more interesting nuances of his grading, and the author offers up a couple of players who he thinks will improve their grades in 2021. And there’s more:
Danny Mendick’s bright future
Trades that might fill out the 2021 rotation
Dane Dunning > Dylan Cease > Reynaldo López?
And yes, there are some thoughts on hopes for 2021 that extend beyond the success of the White Sox. We both hope that the invasion of the Capitol is something none of us ever sees again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, take a look at the feasibility of using the 25th Amendment to remove Jerry Reinsdorf from power. Then, disappointed at the answer, the duo delves into what the White Sox options are at backup catcher, and if closure on a closer is any closer. Finally, sit a spell and listen to a story about the immense difference in the speed of the game between the high minors and majors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox Podcast 16 takes on a decidedly different flavor profile, which is what happens when Brett Ballantini and Keelin Billue are combined into a gumbo that could melt a kiddie pool. The topics reflect the state of the Hot Stove, so strap in:
Say hello to Mr. Wendal!
Twitter polls and beefs
Does the NFL completing its season bode well for a full slate of baseball games in 2021?
Adam Engel is back (read Kee’s no-hitter piece at SI)... and will Liam Hendriks join him on the South Side?
Does the Cubs teardown make the White Sox look better, no matter how inactive the South Siders are this postseason?
Gratuitous Ricketts disses, and the Romper Rooming of Wrigleyville
Shouting out Keelin’s Killer B’s partner, Tommy Barbee
Insidious methods of cracking the 108 Tourney
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Goodbye, 2020, hello, 2021! This week, South Side Sox duty geezer Leigh Allan and son and west coast correspondent, Will, review a few favorite things about the White Sox in the past year, along with some unfavorite ones (yeah, that means you, Tony), take a moment to ridicule That Other Team in Town for salary dumping, then plunge into predictions for Major League Baseball in general and the White Sox in particular. Any wagering done based on their predictions is strictly at your own risk, and a very ill-advised risk at that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s Take 2 for South Side Sox Podcast 15, after a program with Leonard Gore was consumed by gremlins earlier this week. Joe Resis came in out of the bullpen and helped us bring you this Christmas Eve edition. Topics include:
Happy Birthday, Lenny Gore!
What flavor of cardinal sin will Tony La Russa have to commit to be fired by the White Sox?
Cuban imports, Yoelki Céspedes and Norge Vera, or How the White Sox Got Three Top-Tier Arms in Just a Five-Round Draft
José Quintana vs. Tomoyuki Sugano
Will Hall of Fame voters pitch a shutout this season — and why that could be a good thing for a deserving candidate like Scott Rolen
SoxMath catch-up from the mouth of The Champ himself. Also, why submitting words as answers to SoxMath is an unwise yet crafty strategy.
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan, son and west coast correspondent Will (currently Santa Clausing in Santa Fe), and guest star Eric Loughlin turn the podcast into Sharing Stockings with their Christmas wish lists for the White Sox and fans. But first, the news items of the day:
The teeny-weeny, itsy-bitsy slap on the wrist the court gave Tony La Russa
The gentle rub Sox empty suits then gave to the spot so it wouldn’t hurt
A look at the latest Yo- Cespedes and the Sox Cuban connection — as well the need for Sox Park to step up its Cuban food offerings
A scan of the FanGraphs White Sox prospect evaluations, and how shallow the farm system has become.
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In episode four of the Killer B’s podcast, Tommy Barbee and Keelin Billue welcome Lance Lynn, talk Adam Eaton’s return, way overdue recognition for Negro Leagues — and plan a Michael McDonald cover band.
Lance Lynn: Dane Dunning and Avery Weems will be missed, but we’re pretty damn excited about Lynn as a player and person.
$7 Million Man (?) Adam Eaton: What are the White Sox doing here? We are not entirely sure, but we play around with some ideas and hope to avoid the drama train.
Diamond-in-the-Rough Martin Carrasco: The organization picked up pitcher Martin Carrasco in the Rule 5 Draft. Tommy talks crazy Carrasco stats and why we should keep our eyes peeled.
The Deafening Silence of Free Agency: After the Lynn and Eaton news, what can we expect from free agency? Are there more moves to be expected, and when can we expect the moves? Has the Liam Hendriks window closed?
Good Luck, James McCann!: McCann is now set for life as the White Sox ship him off to the New York Mets. We are super happy for him and maybe a little sad, too. BUT do not sleep on our guy, Yasmani Grandal.
Egos: There appear to be a proliferation of egos within and surrounding the White Sox. What sort of threat and benefits does this offer a team?
Negro Leagues: We are incredibly excited the Negro League are now recognized as major league, with records now added to MLB records — but the cost for the delay is great. We discuss those costs, and how to avoid erasure as we move forward.
Music: We share favorite artists, songs, and albums of the year. Michael McDonald was not on those lists, but we acknowledge the resurgence of yacht rock. Yes, 2020 is the Year of The Dad.
We shared a few outside references on this episode. Here are the links:
Follow fellow South Side Sox writer Lenny on Twitter
“Sign Stealing” episode of 99% Invisible
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SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast corespondent Will once again pretend to know what they’re talking about as they delve into the news of the week, including potential new names for the baseball artists soon to be formerly known as the Indians, the domestic abuse accusations against Omar Vizquel, and the possibility and plausibility of signing Liam Hendricks. They wave bye-bye to two-year South Side catching hero James McCann, take a brief look at the free-agent catcher situation, and get pretty confused about the Steamer and RotoChamp 2021 projections for White Sox starting pitchers — which are pretty doggoned negative when it comes to won-loss records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Time is a flat circle. Earlier this week, the Chicago White Sox sent Dane Dunning and Avery Weems to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Lance Lynn. And without losing any steam, the Sox later made a more controversial move: welcoming Adam Eaton back on a one year, $7 million deal with an $8.5 million club option and a $1 million buyout for 2022. In this latest installment of North Side Sox, we break down these moves, and how Rick Hahn was able to flip Adam Eaton for an ace pitcher in Lucas Giolito, a project for Ethan Katz in Reynaldo López, and eventually a No. 3 starter in Lance Lynn. We take a look at the Banana Stand that is the White Sox front office. Now that Eaton is returning, what exactly does “financial flexibility” mean? Also in this episode:
We say goodbye to a few newly minted Old Friends, including Dunning and James McCann.
In our first mailbag segment, our listeners ask about our ideas on improving Guaranteed Rate field. No spoilers, but one idea involves a trebuchet.
At times, it seems that the White Sox are a team run by the writer’s room of a comedy show, rather than actual baseball people. We tell the story of a team full of (at times, questionable) personalities, and the general manager who has no choice but to keep them all together. This is...arrested development.
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Hey, South Side Sox, it’s another new podcast debuting, and this one has a fun theme attached. Put the random riffing and garrulous grinding to the side, and step into the sabermetric world with our resident analysts, Trevor Lines and Luke Smailes! Dugout Metrics will attempt to marry the worlds of playing the game (Luke is a current Coe College left fielder, Trevor recently graduated from middle infielding at Bellarmine University) and advanced stats and help you see the game a little differently. Granted, it’s the offseason, and the talk is mainly about the Winter Meetings. That said, here are some nuggets from the first episode:
Have the Tony La Russa and Adam Eaton moves inadvertently telegraphed the real reason Ricky Renteria was fired?
The disparate immediate White Sox futures of Zack Collins and Andrew Vaughn
Is there a positive take on the Eaton signing?
Which White Sox starter should ABSOLUTELY not start the season in the No. 5 slot?
Who’s gonna tell Mama Abreu her son might not play 162 games, as soon as 2021?
Does the unusual aggression in “shoring up” right field with Eaton free the team to take a gamble with the roster later this offseason?
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Actor, musician, White Sox fan, SSS writer and fellow paesan Rob Colletti makes his SSS Podcast debut to discuss the good and bad of the Winter Meetings for the White Sox:
Somewhere, an agent is likely preventing any future podcast appearances after Brett cajoles a starring role in Grease 2: The Touring Musical out of Rob
Rob’s next project, coronavirus pending: Almost Famous, on Broadway
Adam Eaton: what the hell? (or: Why it’s OK to go ham over a “minor” move.)
What is the “part two” of this Eaton acquisition, because surely the best move in RF this offseason isn’t to create a double-AE platoon?
The Lance Lynn deal, which has Rob jazzed and gets a mea culpa from Brett after hand-wringing over giving up Dane Dunning
Where do the White Sox go from here, including a focus on acquiring a rising star in RF, Anthony Santander (as outlined in Rob’s offseason piece from earlier this week)
Would the ghosts of Leo Durocher and Billy Martin really stab Brett over his desire to keep Trevor Bauer out of the White Sox clubhouse?
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This week the Sharing Sox duo of SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son, Will, bring someone who actually knows what he’s talking about into the discussion in the person of SSSer James Fox. Topics range from Dick Allen’s death and announcer Len Kasper’s move to the South Side, to the big moves the Sox made at the opening of the MLB Winter Meetings. The trade for Lance Lynn gets mostly thumbs up, the signing of Adam Eaton gets, well, other fingers. Add in a little chat about James McCann and possible replacements, Eloy Jiménez and possible ways to keep his from fielding anything and hurting himself and others, and, wow, the time is up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In episode three of the Killer B’s podcast, we thought we would struggle for things to talk about, but we managed to make this our longest episode yet. Join the Killer B’s as we investigate the following topics:
Final salute to White Sox non-tenders, Carlos Rodón and Nomar Mazara
Post-Mazara: What are we doing in right field and outfield in general? Tommy talks Eddie Rosario, Adam Engel, and Kyle Schwarber
While the White Sox are “rebuilding”, and the Cubs are “really rebuilding”: Where will Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant end up?
Speculating on Life After McCann: Will Yadier Molina reunite Tony La Russa?
Welcome Len Kasper: Noted Bowfinger fan jumps from the Cubs’ broadcasting team to the South Side
What’s next for the minor leagues and in-person games?
Awards announcements coming up this week: Roberto Clemente Award, Hank Aaron Award, and the All MLB Team
Onward to a busy, inexpensive off-season and awkward Zoom MLB Winter Meetings
Great works of music and cinema such as Michael McDonald, Showgirls, Scarface, and other classics
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Sox get shared three ways this time, with returning guest fan Eric Loughlin joining SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his and west cost correspondent, Will, as they pretend to know what they’re talking about. Today, it’s mostly about tender and non-tender decisions. mostly by the White Sox, but with a few others thrown in. The podcast was recorded just two hours before the tender deadline, so of course most teams hadn’t announced any decisions yet. Oh, yes, there are also a mentions about any team officials who might have upcoming court dates as they try to wriggle out of DUIs, and any of that person’s godsons who have been recently hired by the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Colleen Sullivan hops back on the podcast and pays only cursory attention to the Houston Trashcans and New York Mets, as we discuss Brett’s recent series of surplus value articles, and more:
Colleen has a clear favorite move of last offseason — but two flops by Rick Hahn to discuss, as well.
Should Rick have listened to Colleen’s scouting report on the Rangers before ringing up Nomar Mazara in trade?
Brett is so busy doing podcasts, or so tryptophanned after Thanksgiving, he can’t remember if this is edition No. 11 or 12.
It’s counterintuitive, but will minor-league contraction pave the way for better treatment of minor leaguers?
Why the White Sox would never have signed Marcus Stroman (and no, it’s got nothing to do with Tony La Russa).
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Because we reluctantly participate in a capitalist society, what’s more traditionally post-Thanksgiving than a Black Friday sale? In this Small Business Saturday episode of North Side Sox, we abandon the concept of prospect-hugging in the hopes of striking a deal to improve the major league roster.. Also in this episode:
Mark Buehrle’s cursed 24-hour salad recipe, which includes raw cauliflower, Miracle Whip, and frozen peas. Should you now leave him off of your Hall of Fame ballot?
Thanksgiving is a reminder that food insecurity is still a problem for many families. According to Feeding America, more than 54 million people may experience food insecurity in 2020, including a potential 18 million children, due to the effects of the pandemic. Tim and Bria Anderson continue their philanthropic tradition of supporting families in need, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and their adopted hometown of Chicago.
Our lineup cards are full. We discuss White Sox players as Thanksgiving food items. Who’s your turkey?
Our answers ... may surprise you. Or they may not. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In Sharing Sox 15, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and SSS west coast correspondent, Will, once again pretend to know what they’re talking about, as they look at the latest White Sox coaching hire (giveaway: they’re both longtime Miguel Cairo fans) and delve into all sorts of dream scenarios of possible trades for Blake Snell (giveaway: they both reeeeaaallly want him). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Cole College Kohawks left fielder and South Side Sox writer Luke Smailes hops on for his SSS podcast debut, determined to spend only about 10% of the program talking Tony La Russa. It seems that goal was achieved, as only a wee bitta La Russa is discussed, among a whole lotta Hot Stove:
The Eloy Jiménez dilemma
Why are the top two free agent availables scarred by scandal?
Finding ways to fill out a rotation that’s just two-fifths complete
The virtues of Robbie Grossman
Looking for rotation relief in Colorado? (or: Andrew Vaughn hitting 8,000 bombs at Coors Field)
Why José Quintana won’t become Gio González
Luke’s 2021 draft eligibility
The majesty that was Garrett Crochet’s 2020 debut
Dylan Cease as the fulcrum of next season’s staff pitching success
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In Episode 2 of the Killer B’s podcast, Tommy Barbee and Keelin Billue are back. It’s only been 22 days since Tony La Russa was hired, but that’s a little more than 154 days in dog time. The Killer B’s catch up on the roller coaster of awesome and not-so-awesome news, as the Hot Stove is just heating up. Tune in as the Killer B’s discuss:
Tony La Russa’s most recent DUI and the White Sox silence
A bountiful awards season for the White Sox including Silver Sluggers (Tim Anderson, José Abreu, Eloy Jiménez), a Golden Glove (Luis Robert), and AL MVP (Abreu)
The hiring of pitching coach Ethan Katz and bench coach Miguel Cairo
Kim Ng, the first woman GM in any of the four major sports, and the first East Asian-American general manager in major league baseball
The Rule 5 draft
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Sharing Sox was recorded on Tuesday this week, just before the 2021 ZiPS projections came out, so there’s zip about ZiPS. But SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan, his son and West Coast correspondent Will, and guest fan Rob Coletti delve into changes on high for that other team in town (and how we could unload you-know-who on them). The trio also discuss many other goings-on around baseball:
Miami’s hiring of Kim Ng
José Abreu’s MVP and impression of Tony La Russa
Brett’s SB Nation Offseason Sim results
Possible free agents and trades
Mark Buehrle’s Hall of Fame credentials
New pitching coach Ethan Katz
and maybe just a little moment or two about the elephant in the room who has a nose like W.C. Fields’.
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In this third (second at South Side Sox) installment of North Side Sox, Janice and Sam continue to unpack (yes, again) the issues surrounding the Tony La Russa hire, following up on Jeff Passan’s recent story surrounding La Russa’s second DUI arrest. But there's good news, too: Kim Ng's hiring in Miami, José Abreu's MVP, and the White Sox nabbing Ethan Katz as their new pitching coach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son, Will, once again pretend to know what they’re talking about as they look at what’s happening in Sox world ... player awards, free agents, a few other things. Oh yeah, a mention or two of some guy named Tony, and three guys in suits who should be gone from the White Sox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Colleen Sullivan and Brett Ballantini discuss the aftermath of Tony La Russa's DUI arrest and the ramifications for the White Sox. The pair focus on the unforced error of the hiring (pre- and post-DUI publicity), the effects it might have on the South Side offseason, and White Sox players' willingness to make the best of an awkward situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son, Will, again pretend to know what they’re talking about as they delve into the world of La Russadom, free agency, player options, awards and a sad good-bye (again) to Yolmer Sánchez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On a very spooky episode of North Side Sox, Janice and Sam break down the questionable White Sox managerial hire made this week. They discuss the super spreader event cough cough I mean World Series game six, and possible implications. As a very scary bonus, they hold a horror movie draft to get you ready for your halloween movie watchfests. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It's an opportune time for a podcast debut! Tommy Barbee and Keelin Billue roll out their South Side Sox podcast with a rumination on the Tony La Russa hire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son, Will, join pretty much the entire White Sox world in expressing a trifle bit of dismay about a recent hiring decision you may have heard about today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and California correspondent, Will, once again pretend to know what they’re talking about as they get into Justin Turner, Kevin Cash, Rob Manfred, the Dodgers, the Rays, Blake Snell, Tony La Russa, AJ Hinch, Dave Roberts, Bob Geren, Matt Quatraro, Dave Duncan, Lucas Giolito, Tim Anderson and a host of guest mentions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Once again, South Side Sox duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and West Coast correspondent Will pretend to know what they’re talking about when it comes to White Sox baseball. This week, it’s the playoffs, the World Series, pitching rotation creativity, baseball’s suicidal march to oblivion in a mass of strikeouts and juice-ball-aided solo home runs, and (mainly) the search for a new manager in the realms of baseball and show biz, both performers and characters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Scott Reichard hops on the South Side Sox podcast to talk about the highlights of 2020, and what the White Sox need to do — in the manager's chair and with the roster — to get deeper into the postseason in 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
South Side Sox duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son, Will, move to South Side Sox for the first time with the their chat about matters White Soxian. They’ll be popping up and popping off on most Wednesdays, sometimes joined by much more knowledgeable guests. This week, it’s a quick look at the playoffs, a longer look at the Ricky Renteria and Don Cooper disappearances, and an even longer look at the managerial search, complete with plea that if the Sox pick someone with the first two initials A.J., the third initial not be an H. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brad Balukjian decided what the hell, I'm gonna open a pack of baseball cards from the first year I collected (1986), then track those players down to catch up with their lives, more than three decades later. He succeeded with almost all of the players in his pack, with a notable White Sox exception, and learned a lot about his cardboard heroes, and himself, along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brett Ballantini welcomes SSS FanPoster and SSHP writer Trevor Lines, to discuss his recent writings. Topics include Zack Burdi's arm adjustment, Kelvin Herrera's chance of an improved season, the 26th man battle, and Trevor's baseball career and entry into Sox fandom. We record this podcast with obvious concern for the well-being of our fellow White Sox fans dealing with the stresses and possible health ramifications of the coronavirus, and hope that providing some recorded White Sox content helps ease some folks through this unique period in our history. Photo of Zack Burdi: Kim Contreras (@FireLeagueKim)/South Side Sox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brett Ballantini discusses the postponement of spring training due to coronavirus concerns, as well as what a "regular" season might look like if and when play resumes — including how PECOTA projections could change based on the loss of March/April. Obviously there are graver concerns than baseball on everyone's minds right now, but South Side Sox will still aim to provide a bit of respite from the everyday grind and worry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brett Ballantini and artist Tom Borowski get together to talk White Sox art, including Tom's fun scavenger hunts for White Sox prints at SoxFest and spring training. Learn about Tom's influences (art and baseball), investment advice for Daniel Palka, 2010s White Sox slogans, and future projects. Tom is the premier White Sox artist working, and his art is featured at both South Side Sox and South Side Hit Pen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sean Williams of South Side Hit Pen hops on with Brett Ballantini to talk Cactus League. Williams has been the eyes and ears for us down in Phoenix, and we discuss Yermín Mercedes and the battle for the final roster spot, Edwin Encarnación, Dylan Cease, the bullpen, and a wet weather forecast for Arizona this week. (Photo by Sean Williams/South Side Sox) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brett Ballantini talks with South Side Hit Pen engagement editor and South Side Sox writer Ashley Sanders about the Yoán Moncada extension, future White Sox extensions and the various other White Sox social media efforts. Is Lucas Giolito the next player to be extended? Why is Carlos Rodón no longer popping his top button? Will Brett ever get TA YouTube reception? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Darren Black's recent writings on the Astros scandal took several players to task, as well as drilled deep into the paralyzing effects that Houston's cheating had on opponents. Black also is a lead analyst on both the White Sox majors and minors, so we delved deep into the early risers and fallers in February's White Sox Cactus League play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Janice Scurio chats with Brett Ballantini about SoxFest 2020, from the sights, sounds and smells to some of the principal players she tracked down and chatted with. Also: were there gift shop steals? Were there awesome White Sox Twitter characters? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices