The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

With Jim Thome being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend, Chuck Garfien, Scott Podsednik and Chris Kamka explain what made the former White Sox slugger such a special player. Kamka provides a treasure trove of incredible Thome statistics, and they discuss Thome's greatest moments in a podcast dedicated to one of the all-time greats.

White Sox first round pick Nick Madrigal speaks with Chuck Garfien about how he became the baseball player he is today. They discuss what Nick said to the White Sox that made them want to draft him, why he hates strikeouts so much, what makes him so competitive, the major league career he envisions for himself, why his 5-foot-7 height doesn't matter, and a whole lot more.

With the White Sox in the middle of a rebuild, Chuck Garfien spoke with three Houston Astros All-Stars who explained how they went from a rebuilding team to World Series champions. Jose Altuve, George Springer and Alex Bregman talk about how they dealt with losing, how they learned how to win, the importance of adding veterans to the young core and how they kept hope alive during the rebuild. Then, Chuck spoke with Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain trying to understand how he dominated the White Sox for so many years.

With Jose Abreu playing in the All-Star Game, we asked some of his American League teammates about the White Sox first baseman. Justin Verlander, Craig Kimbrel, and Michael Brantley rave about Abreu, explaining why he’s such a great hitter and a tough out for pitchers.

Coming to you from Washington DC, we speak with Dylan Cease who competed in the MLB Futures Game along with his Birmingham Barons teammate Luis Basabe. Cease talks about the White Sox loaded farm system, what players have impressed him the most, where he gets his composure on the mound and more.

With the White Sox hitting the All-Star break, Tim Anderson sits down with Chuck Garfien to talk about the first half of the season. Anderson talks about the rebuild, if the losing is affecting him, improving on defense, Manny Machado, his run-in with Salvador Perez, being a part of the White Sox future and much more.

One year after the blockbuster trade between the White Sox and Cubs, Rick Hahn reveals to Chuck Garfien what happened behind the scenes between him and Cubs President Theo Epstein as they pulled off one of the biggest trades in Chicago baseball history. Hahn also talks about how Dylan Cease has exceeded expectations this year and if Eloy Jimenez will be in a White Sox uniform when the White Sox play the Cubs in September.

With the July 31st trade deadline approaching, what White Sox players could be on the move? Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Vinnie Duber discuss who might get dealt in the next few weeks and predict where they might be going.

When it comes to uniforms, no one can top the White Sox whose wide spectrum of uniforms over the years have ranged from bold to bright to bizarre. Chuck Garfien and Chris Kamka speak with author Todd Radom who wrote the new book "Winning Ugly: A Visual History of the Most Bizarre Baseball Uniforms Ever Worn." They talk about how the White Sox have been at the forefront of many uniform trends over the years, and speak specifically about the disco pajamas of the 1970's, the shorts, the 83's, and many more. Plus, is it time for the White Sox to change their modern day uniform?

With the news that Eloy Jimenez will miss 2 weeks with a strained abductor muscle and Luis Robert out 4-8 weeks with a sprained ligament his thumb, plus injuries to other top prospects like Dane Dunning, Zack Burdi and Jake Burger should White Sox fans be concerned about the future? Chuck Garfien, Chris Kamka and Ryan McGuffey talk it over on this edition of the White Sox Talk Podcast.

White Sox pitcher Dylan Covey comes on the podcast and opens up to Chuck Garfien about his battle with diabetes, a disease that almost ended his life in 2010. He talks about his struggles last season, admitting "I wasn't ready for the major leagues," and explains why he's a better pitcher now because of it. Covey discusses what it was like being left unprotected by the Oakland A's, coming over to the White Sox in the Rule 5 draft, getting a second chance with the White Sox, beating Chris Sale at Fenway Park and much more.

White Sox Director of Player Development Chris Getz came on the podcast to talk with Chuck Garfien about many of the top prospects in the minor league system. What does Eloy Jimenez have to do to make it to the majors? What needs to happen for Michael Kopech to be promoted? Why are Joel Booker and Blake Rutherford having such big seasons? Was Laz Rivera the steal of the 2017 draft? Getz answers those questions and many more.

In Part 2 of "Ask Us Anything" we answer the following questions: Who will be the biggest free agent the White Sox sign this off-season? What are the chances they trade Avi Garcia before the deadline? What's your assessment so far of Luis Robert? Who's on your all-time busted prospect list? Is Omar Vizquel the next White Sox manager? Would the 1994 White Sox have won the World Series if there wasn't a strike? What's the long term plan at third base? These questions and many more on this edition of the White Sox Talk Podcast.

We asked you to ask us anything about the White Sox and you delivered in a big way. We got so many questions, we had to do two different podcasts! Among the questions here in Part 1: should the White Sox send Yoan Moncada to Triple-A? What players will be traded before the deadline? Who are some sleeper prospects in the minors? Will Jordan Stephens be called up before Michael Kopech? Should Juan Uribe be a team ambassador? What's our all-time White Sox team from 2000 to the present and many more.

White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar speaks with Chuck Garfien in a revealing interview about the brain hemorrhage that almost ended his life. Farquhar talks about what he remembers from the night of the incident, harrowing moments that happened while he was in surgery, and how his family and teammates have helped him in his recovery. Plus, how he hopes to pitch again, his fallback job if pitching doesn’t work out, why Rick Renteria was his favorite baseball player as a kid and much more.

The latest podcast with Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Vinnie Duber began with a question: "Have we seen the worst of the White Sox rebuild?" But just four minutes into the conversation, White Sox Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing, Brooks Boyer showed up and became an impromptu guest turned host. Garfien had to leave for game duties, so Boyer sat in for him! In an entertaining conversation Boyer discussed how he watches White Sox baseball during a rebuild, whether the "K Zone" will return once Michael Kopech makes the major leagues and what his best and worst promotion ideas have been in his 15 years with the White Sox.

With the 2018 MLB draft completed, White Sox scouting director Nick Hostetler came back on the podcast to discuss the 2018 draft class. Hostetler describes the moment he realized that they had to draft #1 pick Nick Madrigal, he tells the story of a White Sox scout who demanded they draft Steele Walker in the 2nd round, he talks about some of the sleeper picks the White Sox took in the later rounds, plus the story of their 38th round pick who recently lost both his mother and father to illness and much more.

With Michael Kopech knocking on the door to the major leagues, Chuck Garfien spoke with Charlotte Knights pitching coach Steve McCatty to get the latest on the White Sox top pitching prospect. They discuss what pitch Kopech has recently added to his arsenal, how he deals with the attention and pressure to make it to the big leagues, his preparation for games and much more. Plus, McCatty talks about the time threw a 14-inning complete game for the Oakland A's, what it was like being a teammate of Rickey Henderson and playing for Billy Martin.

After the White Sox drafted Oregon State's Nick Madrigal we called up Pat Casey, Madrigal's head coach at Oregon State. Casey came on the podcast and raved about the White Sox first round pick. He spoke about why Madrigal is the only sole captain he's ever had on his team, why his 5-foot-8 frame doesn't matter and where he thinks Madrigal is actually better than Red Sox All-Star Dustin Pedroia. Casey talks about Madrigal's hitting, defense and if he can play shortstop in the big leagues. Finally, he told the story about how he offered Madrigal a scholarship to Oregon State when he was in 8th grade.

With the White Sox holding the 4th overall pick in next week's MLB draft, we got an in-depth look inside the White Sox thought process from White Sox scouting director Nick Hostetler. Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey spoke with Hostetler about some of the top talent in the draft (Brady Singer, Nick Madrigal, etc.), the challenge of picking fourth, the accuracy of mock drafts, Hostetler's hectic travel schedule, his relationship with colleague Chris Getz, the success of players from last year's draft like Gavin Sheets, Luis Gonzalez and Laz Rivera and much more.

Chuck Garfien and Vinnie Duber discuss the shocking news that Welington Castillo has been suspended for 80 games for testing positive for a performance-enchancing drug, putting the White Sox catching position in quite the precarious position. You’ll hear reaction from Rick Hahn and Ricky Renteria, Castillo’s apology, the options the White Sox have at catcher both inside and outside the organization, and what it means not only for Castillo’s future with the White Sox but what the team might do at catcher going forward.

Manny Machado to the White Sox?? It's been the dream for many White Sox fans for months. With Machado in town to the play the White Sox, Chuck Garfien and Vinnie Duber discuss the White Sox chances of signing the soon-to-be-free agent. Garfien also talks with Nicky Delmonico who played with Machado and fellow free agent to be Bryce Harper on the USA 18-under national team.

Hitting in front of Eloy Jimenez in the Birmingham Barons lineup, Zack Collins has seen up close what Jimenez is doing in Double-A and predicts very big things in his future. Collins spoke with Chuck Garfien not only about Jimenez, but his fellow catcher and roommate Seby Zavala, Dane Dunning, Jordan Stephens and Matt Rose. They discuss why Collins went back to his hitting style from college, who hits the ball the farthest on the Barons, a crazy college stat about Collins and Dunning and much more.

It’s that time again. Time to check out everything that’s going on in the White Sox minor league system. Lots of exciting things happening. Chuck Garfien, Chris Kamka and Slavko Bekovic cover it all from Charlotte to Kannapolis with the latest on Michael Kopech, Eloy Jimenez, Blake Rutherford, Gavin Sheets, Alec Hansen and Zack Collins plus some sleeper prospects who are making noise at all levels of the farm system.

In honor of the Crosstown Classic, Chuck Garfien and David Kaplan are joined by Ozzie Guillen and David DeJesus to discuss the Cubs-White Sox series. Guillen and DeJesus tell stories of their playing days, what their crosstown experience was like, and share their favorite memories. Guillen also recalls a radio incident with Mike North of 670 The Score at the time after a crosstown game in May 2007, when he was the manager for the White Sox. You don't want to miss what happened in the aftermath.

With Jose Quintana struggling with the Cubs and Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease playing like future superstars in the White Sox minor league system, Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey discuss this worst case scenerio developing for the Cubs. They also talk about how Jimenez makes his teammates better, the sleeper player the White Sox got in the trade and much more.

With the White Sox honoring Bill Melton with a special Bill Melton Day for the 50th anniversary of his White Sox debut, Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey sat down with Beltin’ Bill to discuss his special baseball career and why he has meant so much to White Sox fans over the years. They cover his very first game which came against Mickey Mantle and the Yankees, his 1971 home run title, how his career almost ended when he fell off a roof in 1972, his secretive back surgery, passing out on the field, hangovers, why the mention of his name helped White Sox fans win arguments with Cubs fans and much more.

After a rough first month of the season in the win-loss column for the White Sox, it's time to hash things out, get stuff off our chest and put the 2018 season in perspective. Chuck Garfien, Chris Kamka and Vinnie Duber have their own White Sox therapy session and you're all invited! Look at this as a guidebook for the 2018 season, how to deal with losing streaks, why the rotation will get better, what bullpen pieces will likely get traded, when Michael Kopech will be here, etc. They talk about Yoan Moncada, Matt Davidson, Tim Anderson, Nate Jones, Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito, Daniel Palka and more.

With the Mariners in town to play the White Sox, Chuck Garfien had a conversation with Robinson Cano to talk about the player who idolizes him, Yoan Moncada. Cano spoke about Moncada's potential, why he thinks he'll be a superstar, the importance of having good mentors in the game, Moncada's strikeouts, the challenges of being a switch-hitter and much more.

Drafted by the White Sox in 2009, Trayce Thompson never wanted to play for another team but the White Sox. All that changed in 2015 when he was dealt to the Dodgers in the Todd Frazier trade. Now back with the White Sox, Thompson talks with Chuck Garfien about the trials and tribulations of the last few years, the whirlwind of being on 4 teams in the last 4 weeks, how the White Sox threw him a lifeline bringing him back, how he wants to make the best of this new opportunity and more.

With news that White Sox reliever Danny Farquhar is making progress after suffering a brain hemorrhage during the game on Friday, Chuck Garfien spoke with his bullpen mate Hector Santiago who provided new information about Farquhar's improving condition. Santiago talks about Danny's fun personality, why he's bringing Farquhar's jersey out to the bullpen every night, the stroke of luck that the incident occurred during a baseball game and more.

With a stacked roster loaded with several of the White Sox top prospects, the Winston-Salem Dash are making noise in the minor leagues. One of those players is pitcher Dane Dunning who came on the podcast to talk with Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey about the Dash's hot start to the season, his near no-hitter, teammates Dylan Cease and Micker Adolfo, their new manager Omar Vizquel, NBA All-Star Chris Paul buying part of the team, how all these prospects might fit into the White Sox rotation one day and more.

What's going on in the White Sox minor league system? Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Chris Kamka break it all down from Charlotte to Kannapolis. They talk about Michael Kopech's first start of 2018, Dane Dunning's near no-hitter, Luis Basabe's red-hot start at the plate. Plus, updates on Alec Hansen and Eloy Jimenez, and discussions about Seby Zavala, Luis Robert, Kade McClure and more.

After a solid road trip to the start the season, the White Sox have hit a giant speed bump here at home. What’s going on? Where’s the offense? What about Carson Fulmer? When can Michael Kopech come to the rescues Chuck Garfien and Vinnie Duber break it all down. Then, Nicky Delmonico comes on the podcast to talk about the Sox offensive woes, playing catch in between innings during a game with his brother, why the Backstreet Boys was his favorite concert ever and more.

The White Sox were on the verge of an exciting win over the Tigers in the home opener. But it all came to a crashing halt in the late innings. What happened? Chuck Garfien and Vinnie Duber discuss the bad (the bullpen, Leary Garcia’s miscue, Yoan Moncada’s strikeouts) and the good (Tim Anderson, Yolmer Sanchez and Matt Davidson).

The season might be less than a week old, but there are 5 things that stand out with the White Sox already that have us cautiously optimistic about the 2018 season. Chuck Garfien, Vinnie Duber and Rob Wiatrowski discuss what they like, and also what they don't like so far. Plus, a White Sox fan gave us a great idea on how to close each podcast. It comes to a reality on this edition of the White Sox Talk Podcast.

The White Sox win on Opening Day turned out to be as easy as 1-2-3. One home run by Jose Abreu, two by Tim Anderson and three by Matt Davidson, which tied at MLB Opening Day record. What did we just witness and what does it all mean??! Chuck Garfien, Chris Kamka and Vinnie Duber break it all down in Kansas City.

With the season about to begin, we pull out all the stops to predict the White Sox future. How many wins will the White Sox have in 2018? Who will lead the team in victories? When will Michael Kopech and Eloy Jimenez be called up? Will Matt Davidson make the All-Star team like Paul Konerko predicted? Who will call into Hawk Harrelson's final broadcast? The podcast crew of Chuck Garfien, Chris Kamka, Ryan McGuffey and Rob Wiatrowski answer these questions and many others.

In Part 2 of Chuck Garfien’s interview with Ozzie Guillen, the former White Sox manager has a lot to say about getting the excitement back in the White Sox/Cubs rivalry. He tells a story about Lou Piniella calling him after a Cubs/Sox game in 2010 asking for his help, and why he might be partly responsible for the Cubs renovation of Wrigley Field. Plus, what it was like managing Bartolo Colon, if he thinks his longtime friend Manny Machado will sign with the White Sox and more.