Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast

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 megaphone.fm/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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices