The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Chuck Garfien speaks with bench coach Walker McKinven about what he does behind the scenes before and during games that will put the White Sox in a better position to win 2025. He talks about his relationship with new manager Will Venable and how he is bringing what was successful with the Milwaukee Brewers to the White Sox. Plus, catcher Omar Narvaez explains why McKinven is responsible for turning his career around as a catcher.

Chuck Garfien speaks with new White Sox pitcher Martin Perez who explains why the World Series champion signed with the White Sox and believes they will surprise people after losing 121 games last season. Plus, why he considers himself a leader, the importance of having a good clubhouse, what will be Will Venable’s greatest strength as a manager. All that and more on The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien.

Chuck Garfien speaks with prospect Braden Montgomery about getting traded to the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet deal this offseason, overcoming a broken ankle at Texas A&M in June, the importance of bringing energy to the field and being a great teammate, his desire to reach the majors this season and more.

Chuck Garfien speaks with pitching coach Ethan Katz about Jonathan Cannon’s emergence last season, the new pitch that might change the arc of Davis Martin’s career, the wow factor coming from Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith, the pitcher who made the biggest impression on the first day of spring training and more.

With the White Sox starting spring training in Arizona, Chuck Garfien is at Camelback Ranch asking Sox Machine’s James Fegan 10 pressing questions about the White Sox heading into camp. Among the topics: what will be the starting infield on Opening Day? Who's going to be the closer? Will Luis Robert be traded during spring training? What prospect will have the biggest impact this year? The player no one is talking about now, but will at the end of camp. How many wins will the White Sox have in 2025 and more.

With many of the White Sox top prospects invited to big league camp for spring training, Chuck Garfien gets a preview of what’s ahead, speaking with Paul Janish about all of the big names (Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith, Colson Montgomery, etc.) and others to watch during the Cactus League. Paul explains what they’re doing to make sure this rebuild works, and reveals which former White Sox players will be coming to camp to do some spring training coaching.

If the White Sox end up trading Luis Robert Jr., Reds beat writer Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Inquirer believes the White Sox and Reds are a perfect fit. Chuck Garfien speaks with Gordon about why the Reds need Robert, who the White Sox could get in return, what held up trade talks last week, what will it take for the two sides to make a deal, when a trade could happen and more.

Chuck Garfien speaks with catcher Edgar Quero about his journey from Cuba to the United States, the importance of learning English, modeling his game after Yadier Molina, and how he dreams of playing in the major leagues every night he goes to sleep. Plus, Chuck shares one stat the White Sox should be much better at this season.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 2005 World Series, Chuck Garfien hosts a panel at SoxFest with Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, Jose Contreras and Harold Baines. They talk about the four straight complete games in the World Series, how Garcia guaranteed they’d win it all after Game 2 of the World Series, Buehrle drinking beers before getting the save in Game 3, the announcement that the White Sox are making a Buehrle statue to be unveiled this summer and more!

White Sox legend Mark Buehrle might be a long shot to eventually be inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame, but MLB Network’s Brian Kenny believes that he belongs in Cooperstown. Brian joins Chuck Garfien to discuss Buehrle’s case for the Hall of Fame, why the perception of his career improves over time, and if he’ll ever find his way into the Hall of Fame.

Chuck Garfien speaks with Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com and MLB Network to make sense of what happened with the White Sox last season and why they should be better this season—and how much better. Plus, Anthony gives a bold prediction about the White Sox in 2025.

Since 2025 marks the 125th year of the White Sox franchise, we’re bringing former White Sox players onto the podcast throughout the year to talk about their time on the South Side. Today, it’s Ray Durham who played on the White Sox from 1995-2002. He made two All-Star teams, scored over 100 runs in six straight seasons and had the longest run at second base for the White Sox since Hall of Famer Nellie Fox. Chuck Garfien speaks with Ray about his White Sox career, the shock of being traded in 2002, missing out on the 2005 World Series, playing with Frank Thomas and Ozzie Guillen, being Barry Bonds teammate in San Francisco and more.

Chuck Garfien speaks with former White Sox pitcher Sergio Santos about how the Birmingham Barons won a Double-A championship last season in his first year as manager. Santos also breaks news on the podcast saying that he’ll be the White Sox Triple-A manager next season in Charlotte. Santos talks about Noah Schultz and how close he is to the majors, how Edgar Quero improved as a hitter and catcher, the difference maker that is Rikuu Nishida and much more.

As the radio voice of the Portland Sea Dogs, Emma Tiedemann was in the broadcast booth calling games for new White Sox prospects Kyle Teel, Chase Meidroth and Wikelman Gonzalez. She speaks with Chuck Garfien about what all three of them bring to the table. Emma also talks about her rise in the broadcasting business and her grandfather Bill Mercer who used to call White Sox games with Harry Caray in the 1970’s.

With 2024 thankfully coming to a close, it’s time to look ahead to next year and the future for the White Sox. Chuck Garfien takes questions from White Sox fans covering all sorts of topics like the realistic expectations for 2025 and when the White Sox will be contenders again? Chris Getz, Jerry Reinsdorf, trading Luis Robert Jr. and Andrew Benintendi. Also, the White Sox prospect with the highest ceiling and much more.

Chuck Garfien speaks with Red Sox beat writer Alex Speier of the Boston Globe to get Boston's opinion of the Garrett Crochet trade. Speier gives the inside scoop about how the trade went down behind the scenes, who the White Sox are getting in Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth and Wikelman Gonzalez, and what people in Boston think of the deal. Chuck reads tweets from Red Sox fans about the trade, Alex shares inside stories about the Chris Sale trade from 2016, they talk about the second White Sox-Red Sox trade of the winter which brought left-handed reliever Cam Booser to Chicago and more.

Chuck Garfien speaks with new White Sox prospect Kyle Teel about coming to the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade and how close he thinks he is to reaching the major leagues. They discuss what it's like being a catcher, the big hitting adjustment he made last season in Triple-A, and how he becomes a DJ in the clubhouse after every win. Kyle shares his favorite baseball memory as a child, the best advice he ever received from a coach and much more.

How did the White Sox do in the Garrett Crochet trade? Chuck Garfien speaks with ESPN baseball insider Kiley McDaniel for his thoughts on the trade which he correctly predicted right before the Winter Meetings. McDaniel used to work for FanGraphs and four major league teams. He explains what the White Sox are getting in Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth and Wikelman Gonzalez. Plus, how does this return compare with the Chris Sale trade from 2016?

Soon after GM Chris Getz traded Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox for four of Boston’s best prospects, he came on the podcast to talk about the deal with Chuck Garfien. Getz explains how the trade came together and who the White Sox got in return in catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth and pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez. He also gives a trade market update on Luis Robert Jr. and more.

Chuck Garfien speaks with Will Venable at the Winter Meetings about how things will be different in 2025, what he learned from former White Sox manager Rick Renteria as a player and more. Chuck also sits down with former White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy who was Venable's teammate in San Diego. New bench coach Walker McKinven talks about why he left the Brewers to help jumpstart the White Sox rebuild and Chuck talks about the White Sox adding Mike Tauchman, Garrett Crochet trade rumors and more.

Chuck Garfien is joined by Scott Podsednik to bring you all the White Sox news from the Winter Meetings. Chuck shares what he’s hearing about Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr. trade rumors. He speaks with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi for the latest on Crochet. Chris Getz talks about the trade interest for Crochet and Robert. Brewers manager Pat Murphy explains what new bench coach Walker McKinven will bring to the White Sox and more.

The Winter Meetings began in Dallas, Texas with the announcement that former White Sox MVP Dick Allen is headed to Cooperstown. Chuck Garfien was in the room with the Allen family when they received the big news. Chuck speaks with Richard Allen Jr. about his late father finally becoming a Hall of Famer and he also talks with Dick Allen biographer David Fletcher about Allen’s impact with the White Sox, which team hat Allen will be wearing on his Cooperstown plaque(White Sox or Phillies) and more.

Chuck Garfien pays tribute to White Sox legend Bill Melton who passed away at the age of 79. Chuck talks about the impact Bill made in his life and the lives of White Sox fans from many generations. Chuck plays back conversations he had with Bill about winning the American League home run crown in 1971, teaching Michael Jordan how to hit a baseball, doing post-game shows together for over a decade and more.

With Dick Allen up for the Hall of Fame on Sunday, we're bringing back two memorable conversations Chuck Garfien had with his former White Sox teammate Goose Gossage who doesn't hold back explaining why Allen belongs in the Hall of Fame. Gossage talks about how Allen took him under his wing as a rookie in 1972 and tells stories about some of his most majestic home runs. Later, Chuck states the case for Allen to join Gossage in Cooperstown.

White Sox broadcaster Steve Stone is back on the podcast, talking with Chuck Garfien about why everything went wrong with the White Sox in 2024, the hiring of Will Venable and the kind of baseball he hopes to see from the White Sox next season. Plus, the one team to watch in the trade market for Garrett Crochet. Then it's a conversation about Stone's former White Sox teammate, the late Dick Allen who is up for the Hall of Fame on Sunday. Steve shares stories about the iconic slugger and explains why he should be in Cooperstown. Chuck also plays some of his 2021 interview with Goose Gossage who is a fierce supporter of Dick Allen getting into the Hall of Fame.

Chuck Garfien speaks with Director of Player Personnel Gene Watson for an inside look at what's happening behind the scenes with the White Sox rebuild. He talks about the kind of players the front office is looking for and what it will take to make the White Sox winners again. They discuss Colson Montgomery's desire to stay at shortstop, the struggles of Miguel Vargas, and the hiring of new manager Will Venable. Plus, what he learned being a part of three previous rebuilds with the Padres, Marlins and Royals, and more.

Barnstorming across a segregated United States from 1908-1940, pitcher John Donaldson won over 400 games and collected over 5,000 strikeouts, but his baseball career became lost in history until historian Pete Gorton came to the rescue. Chuck Garfien speaks with Gorton who has spent the last 20 years uncovering Donaldson's extraordinary career. Donaldson later became the first official black scout in the majors with the White Sox, scouting Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks. He's up for induction into the baseball Hall of Fame in December.

How do the White Sox turn their offense around and how quickly can they do it? New director of hitting Ryan Fuller shares a lot of insight about his approach to hitting, his experience as a hitting coach with the Baltimore Orioles and how he'll improve the White Sox offense in both the major and minor leagues. Fuller talks about his success stories working with Anthony Santander, Ryan O'Hearn and new White Sox outfielder Austin Slater, how Luis Robert Jr. and Andrew Vaughn can improve next season, the messaging he will have to hitters throughout the White Sox organization and more.

Chuck Garfien brings Jason Coyle onto the podcast to answer questions from Chicago sports fans about the launch of the Chicago Sports Network. Coyle is asked about distribution issues with Comcast, why there haven’t been carriage agreements with YouTube TV and Hulu, the launch of the CHSN streaming app, the antenna experience, if Ozzie Guillen will be back on pre and post game shows and more.

If you want to dream big about the White Sox, there’s no bigger hitter in their system than 6-foot-7 lefty power hitter George Wolkow. Chuck Garfien speaks with the 18-year-old phenom from Downers Grove about his first season in the minor leagues, how he grew as a player, what scouts are saying about him, his favorite home run last year, playing for a Class-A championship, what it would mean to play for his hometown White Sox and more.

Who knows the managing potential of Will Venable? Bruce Bochy does. Chuck Garfien speaks with the future Hall of Fame manager about Venable who was Bochy's associate manager the last two seasons with the Texas Rangers. Bochy talks about Venable's leadership style, how he helped the Rangers win a World Series in 2023, why he was hoping he wouldn't leave the Rangers and more. Bochy also tells stories about his 40-year relationship with Ozzie Guillen.

Chuck Garfien speaks with new White Sox manager Will Venable about what attracted him about the White Sox job, what he learned about managing from Bruce Bochy, Joe Maddon, Dave Roberts and others, the kind of coaching staff he wants to put together, if Grady Sizemore will be a part of it, holding players accountable, the kind of baseball he wants the White Sox to play, why he feels like he’s ready to be a manager and more.

Chuck Garfien speaks with ESPN’s Jesse Rogers about new White Sox manager Will Venable. Jesse covered Venable when he was with the Cubs from 2017-2020. They’ll share what people in the game are saying about Venable and what he’ll bring to the White Sox.

The podcast is back! Chuck Garfien returns for the first pod with the new Chicago Sports Network, and his first guest is none other than Hawk Harrelson. Hawk talks about the 2024 White Sox season, how he got through it and what the team was missing the most on the field and in the clubhouse. Plus, what the White Sox need in a new manager, if Jerry Reinsdorf is considering selling the team, Hawk’s favorite Bob Uecker stories, how he would have called Scott Podsednik’s World Series home run and much more.

As you may know, NBC Sports Chicago’s 20-year run serving Chicago’s passionate fans, its partners, and community is coming to a close on Monday, Sept. 30. This is our final episode of The White Sox Talk Podcast. In an emotional episode, Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey walk down memory lane, discussing the 20-year run of NBC Sports Chicago and the White Sox Talk Podcast, including some of the best moments in show history. We thank our viewers, readers, listeners, and followers for their incredible support over the last two decades. If you are a subscriber of the White Sox Talk Podcast, you will automatically receive podcast episodes from the new Chicago Sports Network.

What kind of pitcher are the White Sox getting in first round pick Hagen Smith? Chuck Garfien speaks with the former Arkansas Razorback about getting drafted by the White Sox, his 17-strikeout performance this year against Oregon State, why he’s a better pitcher with runners in scoring position, the seven no-hitters he threw in high school, how close he is to the majors and more.

Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey discuss the nightmare season of 2024. Why is the offense THIS bad? How did they go from division champs to worst White Sox team in history in three years? How many losses will they have when the season ends? Are there any positives to take from this year? Chuck goes looking for some.

Chuck Garfien speaks with new White Sox bench coach Doug Sisson in a candid conversation about the team's struggles, his approach as a coach, what he expects out of players and what needs to happen for the White Sox to turn things around in the future. Sisson explains why Grady Sizemore is fit to be a manager and has connected with the players, why he doesn't believe in "flushing" things, being the manager of the 1999 Harrisburg Senators when Milton Bradley Jr. produced one of the greatest moments in the history of minor league baseball and more.

Chuck Garfien gets the inside scoop about what’s happening in the White Sox minor league system speaking with Farm Director Paul Janish. They talk about Colson Montgomery, Edgar Quero, George Wolkow, Rikku Nishida, Mason Adams, Tim Elko and more. He also gives an injury update on Yoan Moncada who’s been rehabbing in Arizona.

On the latest White Sox Talk Podcast, Chuck Garfien and Ozzie Guillén react to the White Sox big win over the New York Yankees and respond to White Sox fan questions in a live version of Ask Me Anything.

Early Thursday morning, the Chicago White Sox made the decision to fire manager Pedro Grifol after multiple franchise record-setting losing streaks

With the White Sox on pace for the most losses in modern baseball history, will Pedro Grifol be around to finish the season? Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey discuss the misery that is the 2024 season, how much Grifol is responsible for it, and if/when Grifol should be replaced as manager of the White Sox.

On a special live edition of the White Sox Talk Podcast, Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Gordon Beckham recap and react to the moves the White Sox made at the 2024 MLB trade deadline

With the White Sox expected to be big sellers before the trade deadline on July 30, which players will be on the move? Chuck Garfien speaks with ESPN’s Jesse Rogers about the trade market for Garrett Crochet, Luis Robert Jr., Erick Fedde, Michael Kopech, Tommy Pham and more.

After the White Sox chose pitcher Hagen Smith with the 5th overall pick in the MLB Draft, Chuck Garfien got on the phone with Dave Van Horn, the head baseball coach at Arkansas to find out more about the White Sox new power lefty. Van Horne talks about the kind of pitcher and competitor Smith will be with the White Sox, his 17-strikeout performance this past season against Oregon State, how the Royals and Cardinals were ready to draft Smith if the White Sox didn't and more. Chuck wraps up the podcast talking about why he thinks the White Sox chose Smith over Florida first baseman Jac Caglianone.

With the MLB draft starting on July 14, Jim Callis is back on the podcast to discuss who the White Sox might select with the 5th overall pick. Will it come down to West Virginia infielder J.J. Wetherholt and 5-tool high schooler Konnor Griffin? Could Florida first baseman Jac Caglianone fall to the White Sox? Should they take Arkansas lefty Hagen Smith instead? Plus, Callis talks about White Sox prospects who have made some noise this year like Noah Schultz, Brooks Baldwin and Edgar Quero. And why the White Sox 2022 draft could end up being a blockbuster in the future.

With 15 teams reportedly expressing interest in acquiring Garrett Crochet from the White Sox, Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey discuss the two roads the White Sox can take: trading Crochet for a huge return package or extending him for the future. Will Crochet’s stock ever be higher than it is right now? What would be a fair offer from the White Sox to extend him? Plus, what they’ve learned from past extensions for John Danks and Chris Sale and more.

Chuck Garfien gets the inside scoop about the Birmingham Barons pitching staff with their pitching coach John Ely. He explains why he thinks Mason Adams could succeed in the majors right now, how Ky Bush has transformed himself as a pitcher this season, and why he thinks the White Sox got a steal in acquiring catcher Edgar Quero from the Angels. Plus, John talks about growing up a White Sox fan and getting drafted by them in 2007.

Chuck Garfien speaks with White Sox prospect Edgar Quero about his Birmingham Barons who won the first half title in the Southern League on Sunday. He talks about catching top pitching prospects Noah Schultz, Mason Adam and Ky Bush. They discuss his journey from Cuba to the United States, how he learned English on his own, if he thinks he's ready for the major leagues right now, what makes him excited about the future and more.

After speaking with the media this week, White Sox GM Chris Getz made it clear that the White Sox are ready to make trades and willing to deal anyone on the roster. Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey react to Getz's comments about possibly trading Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet, when the White Sox will be competitive again, and the job status of Pedro Grifol. They also discuss how the White Sox got in this situation in the first place, looking back at past drafts, spending and developing.