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The White Sox Report Archives

The White Sox Report

MLB's Sticky Situation

By Roger Wallenstein

An amusing little scandal.

Posted on Jan 11, 2021
Keywords: Bubba Harkins, George Brett, Gerrit Cole

Counting The Negro Leagues

By Roger Wallenstein

Not as easy - or valiant - as you may think.

Posted on Dec 23, 2020
Keywords: Jackie Robinson, Josh Gibson, Minnie Minoso, Oscar Charleston, Satchel Paige

You Don't Have To Like Adam Eaton

By Roger Wallenstein

If he comes anywhere close to the numbers he produced in his first stint on the South Side, the critics will have to direct their displeasure elsewhere.

Posted on Dec 14, 2020
Keywords: Adam Eaton, Kenny Williams, Ozzie Guillen, Todd Frazier

South Side Sticks Faces In Pans Of Hot Oil

By Roger Wallenstein

You'd have thought Blago had just announced he's running for governor again. Or maybe Paul Anka is getting a primetime special. The White Sox need a DH. Why not Harold Baines?

Posted on Oct 29, 2020
Keywords: Colin Kaepernick, Harold Baines, Jerry Reinsdorf, Paul Anka, Rick Hahn, Rod Blagojevich, Sandy Alomar Jr., Tony La Russa

The Season In Verse | We Watched Them Rehearse

By Roger Wallenstein

Ten games above .500, we'll take it, I suppose. But the first round of playoffs, was as far as it goes.

Posted on Oct 26, 2020
Keywords: Aaron Bummer, Alex Colomé, Codi Heuer, Dallas Keuchel, Dane Dunning, Dylan Cease, Edwin Encarnación, Eloy Jimenez, James McCann, José Abreu, Lucas Giolito, Luis Robert, Matt Foster, Michael Kopech, Modelo, Nick Madrigal, Nomar Mazara, Reynaldo Lopez, Rick Hahn, Rob Manfred, Tim Anderson, Yasmani Grandal, Yoán Moncada

Neither La Russa Nor Hinch

By Roger Wallenstein

There's someone else out there who Rick Hahn should hire as next White Sox manager.

Posted on Oct 19, 2020
Keywords: AJ Hinch, Rick Hahn, Sandy Alomar Jr., Tony La Russa

Rickey Rentamanager's Lease Not Renewed

By Roger Wallenstein

Like his boys, Rickey Renteria does not quit. He was fired. By Rick Hahn. Don't let the screen door hit you in your analytics-adverse ass on the way out.

Posted on Oct 13, 2020
Keywords: A.J. Hinch, Alex Cora, Don Cooper, Jerry Reinsdorf, Lucas Giolito, Rick Hahn, Rickey Renteria

They Go, He Goes

By Roger Wallenstein

The players make the manager.

Posted on Oct 2, 2020
Keywords: Casey Stengel, Doug Collins, Joe Torre, Rick Hahn, Rickey Renteria, Yasmani Grandal Nick Madrigal

Playoff Panic

By Roger Wallenstein

Obviously the White Sox need to turn the page. The last 10 games have been distressing.

Posted on Sep 28, 2020
Keywords: Luis Robert, Oakland A's, Rick Hahn, Rickey Renteria, Tim Anderson

Hail To The Placeholders

By Roger Wallenstein

They set the table.

Posted on Sep 21, 2020
Keywords: Charlie Tilson, Daniel Palka, Matt Davidson, Nicky Delmonico, Nomar Mazara, Ryan Cordell, Trayce Thompson, Tyler Saladino

Home Field Hankering

By Roger Wallenstein

Surely the chance to witness a big league ballgame in person doesn't even make the Top 100 of issues that need solving. But that's just it. What we have always taken for granted has been robbed from us.

Posted on Sep 14, 2020
Keywords: Bill Veeck, Duke Ellington, José Abreu

From One Craftsman To Another: A Tom Seaver Remembrance

By Roger Wallenstein

The Tom Seaver folks in the Napa Valley knew switched from striking out big league hitters to growing cabernet grapes on 3½ acres of Diamond Mountain outside of Calistoga, with an equal amount of passion.

Posted on Sep 7, 2020
Keywords: Alaska Goldpanners, Joe Wingorade, Tom Seaver

Running Bases

By Roger Wallenstein

With a team that's posted 11 wins in its last 13 games and finds itself tied for first place with Cleveland, why focus on the one play that made them look downright silly on Friday night?

Posted on Aug 31, 2020
Keywords: Danny Mendick, Gordon Beckham, Jason Benetti, José Abreu, Luis Robert, Yasmani Grandal

Crosstown Classic's Cupboard Bare

By Roger Wallenstein

I kept wondering if A.J. Pierzynski's jaw was sore all over again for all the times I saw reruns of Michael Barrett punching him.

Posted on Aug 24, 2020
Keywords: A.J. Pierzynski, José Abreu, Luis Robert, Michael Barrett, Yu Darvish

Good In The Clubhouse

By Roger Wallenstein

Bah, there have been lots and lots of guys who are not loved by their teammates who can perform better on a daily basis than most of their teammates. I'll take a clubhouse full of 'em, bad attitudes and all.

Posted on Aug 17, 2020
Keywords: A.J. Pierzynski, Albert Belle, Carl Everett, Chuck Tanner, Dalls Keuchel, Jason Kipnis, Manny Ramirez, Mike Clevinger, Rickey Henderson, Ryan Goins, Trevor Bauer, Yolmer Sanchez, Zach Plesac

Pitchers Can't Catch

By Roger Wallenstein

Once the season begins, the other eight defenders are given instruction and practice during pre-game drills. Not so with pitchers, and it shows.

Posted on Aug 10, 2020
Keywords: Aaron Bummer, Alex Colomé, Mark Buehrle

Remembering Baseball's Historic 2020 Season

By Roger Wallenstein

A future grandpa tells his future grandkid what the season that ruined everything was really like.

Posted on Aug 2, 2020
Keywords: Jerry Reinsdorf, Luis Robert, Rob Manfred

Weirdness Reigns

By Roger Wallenstein

Empty stadiums, cardboard cutouts of fans, dubious rule changes, and an outbreak that may end the season already.

Posted on Jul 27, 2020
Keywords: Carson Fulmer, COVID-19, Eloy Jimenez, Leury Garcia, Luis Robert, Tim Anderson, Yolmer Sanchez

Muscled Up

By Roger Wallenstein

Perhaps only COVID-19 can stop this team.

Posted on Jul 20, 2020
Keywords: Bob Buhl, Edwin Encarnación, Jose Abreu, Luis Robert, Nomar Mazara, Yasiel Puig, Yoan Moncada

The Evolution, Revolution And Devolution Of Cuban Baseball

By Roger Wallenstein

From the Sugar Kings to the South Side, Castro to Trump.

Posted on Jul 13, 2020
Keywords: Adolfo Luque, Alexei Ramírez, Aroldis Chapman, Camilo Pascual, Cesar Brioso, Cuban Baseball Federation, Havana Sugar Kings, Jersey City Jerseys, José Abreu, José Contreras, Leo Cárdenas, Luis Robert, Miguel González, Mike Cuellar, Mike Fornieles, Minnie Miñoso, Orlando Cepeda, Orlando Hernández, Pedro Ramos, Sandy Consuegra, Yasmani Grandal, Yoán Moncada

Service Time

By Roger Wallenstein

Altogether, approximately 500 ballplayers who appeared in a major league game served in World War II. Two didn't come back.

Posted on Jun 28, 2020
Keywords: Bob Feller, Elmer Gedeon, Hank Gowdy, Harry O'Neill, Joe DiMaggio, Luke Appling, Mike Trout, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Stan Musial, Ted Lyons, Ted Williams

What Being A White Sox Fan Taught Me

By Roger Wallenstein

Even today, as recently as last season, you can find a conversation on Yelp initiated by, "Is the White Sox Neighborhood Safe?"

Posted on Jun 9, 2020
Keywords: Comiskey Park, Highland Park, Mr. Brown

The Farmer Files

By Roger Wallenstein

I can recall barking at my car radio asking him to at least tell me the score. But at least he lived his dreams.

Posted on Apr 3, 2020
Keywords: Ed Farmer

An Opening Day Requiem

By Roger Wallenstein

Someday there will be another one, and when it arrives, the emotions, joy and hopes will burst forth possibly like never before. May we all be here to add it to our Opening Day memories.

Posted on Mar 27, 2020
Keywords: Bill Veeck, Edelweiss, Francis Parker, Idaho Falls Chukars, Sterch's, Van Gorder-Walden

Coronavirus Spring: Mesa vs. Coachella

By Roger Wallenstein

What a difference 250 miles made!

Posted on Mar 11, 2020
Keywords: Coachella, COVID-19, Larry Ellison, Paribas Open, Tack Room

Head First

By Roger Wallenstein

Robert (& Co.) is gonna run.

Posted on Mar 2, 2020
Keywords: Leury Garcia, Lou Brock, Luis Robert, Nick Madrigal, Rickey Henderson, Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada

Edwin A Win

By Roger Wallenstein

Despite what one veteran Chicago baseball writer seems to think, the Encarnacion signing is a smart one.

Posted on Dec 30, 2019
Keywords: Adam Dunn, Big Hurt, Big Papi, Edwin Encarnacion, Paul Sullivan

Grading Grandal

By Roger Wallenstein

His spray chart looks like a severe case of chicken pox.

Posted on Nov 25, 2019
Keywords: Betty White, Charlie Silvera, James McCann, Joe Ginsberg, Sherman Lollar, Yasmani Grandal

The Season In Verse | A Second-Half Curse

By Roger Wallenstein

Believe it or not, Anderson was the top batter. But the number of errors was a completely different matter.

Posted on Oct 1, 2019
Keywords: Don Cooper, Eloy Jimenez, Jose Abreu, Michael Kopech, Rick Hahn, Rickey Renteria, Tim Anderson

Hahn's Hits & Misses

By Roger Wallenstein

It's entirely understandable at this juncture why Hahn isn't being hailed as a genius when it comes to evaluating and signing free agent talent.

Posted on Sep 23, 2019
Keywords: Eloy Jimenez, Ervin Santana, James McCann, Jon Jay, Jose Abreu, Manny Machado, Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Yonder Alonso

The Beachwood Radio Sports Hour #339: The Four Horsemen Of Halas Hall

By Jim Coffman and Steve Rhodes

Awesome culture not even able to pull off a press conference. Plus: Holy Shit, White Sox; The Bad, Bad, Bad Blackhawks; The Less Bad Bulls; Evanston vs. Champaign; and more!

Continue reading "The Beachwood Radio Sports Hour #339: The Four Horsemen Of Halas Hall" »

Posted on Jan 15, 2021

The Beachwood Radio Sports Hour #338: Halas Hell

By Jim Coffman and Steve Rhodes

No-man's land. Plus: Bye Bye Bam-Bam; As The Crow Retires; Zach LaVine Stuffs Stat Sheet; and Evanston vs. Champaign. Go Padres and Red Stars!

Continue reading "The Beachwood Radio Sports Hour #338: Halas Hell" »

Posted on Jan 11, 2021