The show gets an audience with "The Pope" Don Pall and discusses the mental and physical benedictions needed for a major league player to get through the second half of a season. Will having a lead be better for players to stay focused, and is too much of a lead a good thing? Will the pitchers stay healthy? Ten years in and out of major league bullpens gives a guy some insight, and a nickname bestowed from above makes for some interesting mail. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! ...
Jul 24, 2021•30 min•Ep. 296
The championship chase is on for the White Sox! The second half of the MLB season is under way and long time Chicago sports broadcaster George Ofman, currently of the Tell Me A Story I Don't Know podcast, joins the show to talk about the White Sox contention window. Is the championship window truly open and what it'll take to win this year? What will the White Sox need to stay a contender in the future? Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-840...
Jul 21, 2021•33 min•Ep. 295
The 2021 White Sox Roster has morphed in so many ways this season, as Rick Hahn and Tony La Russa try to find the pieces needed to get them through a run of injuries. When those injuries heal, though, what happens to the guys that got you this far? Jason Martinez from FanGraphs & RosterResource returns to the show to break it all down. Plus, a little second half fantasy baseball talk to bring out your inner baseball nerd. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. ...
Jul 17, 2021•31 min•Ep. 294
Let's look at the second half of the White Sox season. What are you watching? Who do you think will break out? We have all the excitement and expectations for a White Sox Pennant Chase. Plus, James Fox of FutureSox tells you how the White Sox did in the 2021 MLB Draft. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-8406 and leave your comments and questions for the next episode! Chris Lanuti and his buddy Ed sit at his 9-foot homemade oak bar in a basem...
Jul 14, 2021•32 min•Ep. 293
As the White Sox get ready to focus on the second half of the MLB season, they sit solidly in 1st Place. Their biggest offensive acquisition of the offseason has be designated for assignment. They have a clear need before the trade deadline. Eloy Jimenez is also very close to a return, and even more help should follow him leading closer to the postseason. We talk about their second half focus. Should it already start to become the eventual postseason makeup of the team? Brought to you by Family ...
Jul 10, 2021•32 min•Ep. 292
Yasmani Grandal is out 4-6 weeks. The White Sox have just a few guys left from their original 2021 starting lineup playing these days. Adam Engel is going to bump someone off the roster, and we are all waiting for trades that likely will happen after the All-Star Game. So, let's spend some time on the 2021 MLB Draft with James Fox of Future Sox. Get a complete look at how the draft operates and what the White Sox may do in their opening rounds. The first two selections are likely to rate very hi...
Jul 07, 2021•30 min•Ep. 291
Gavin Sheets is raking. Jake Burger is inspiring. Andrew Vaughn is hitting right handed pitching. Almost the entire starting lineup is made up of replacement players. The White Sox are increasing their AL Central lead. How can you not enjoy this improbable run? We talk lineup construction with Jordan Lazowski of Diamond Digest and Sox on 35th, as Tony La Russa pushes all the right buttons. Meanwhile the trade winds have hit a lull, but that doesn't mean we won't see action in the coming weeks. J...
Jul 03, 2021•33 min•Ep. 290
White Sox starting pitching has reached a milestone, and everything after this will be closely watched. As innings pile up the strength of this team has to be protected, even as you try to add hitting as a bridge to Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert. We explore the weirdness of Eduardo Escobar rumors, dive into the need for additional starting pitcher innings, and stress the need to pull out every trick over the next month. Oh, and did anyone else see Gavin Sheets look good against RHP in his debut? ...
Jun 30, 2021•34 min•Ep. 289
The White Sox are actively looking for trade partners, but the asking price for bats may be too high right now. We look internally and find two bats a promotion away from improving the mix of players available to Tony La Russa. A problem created in part by how the team was constructed is not impossible to solve. The White Sox have to act differently, though, than their norm. Can they adjust before it is too late? Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 7...
Jun 26, 2021•33 min•Ep. 288
The White Sox team you had in March is not the team you see in June. This team may not even be a contender looking at the current 26-man roster! Injuries, bad play and lousy decisions have the White Sox slipping. We take a look at what can be fixed and who needs to do better if this team is going to get back on track. Can a frustrated White Sox fan be talked off the ledge? Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-8406 and leave your comments and q...
Jun 23, 2021•36 min•Ep. 287
Scott Merkin of MLB.com joins the show to talk about how the White Sox front office is viewing the trade market. He talks about their internal process, current expectations and possibly an internal backup plan in AAA. The White Sox are also experiencing some crazy fan interactions in left field this season. We talk about the acceptable and unacceptable when it comes to Cup Snakes, fan interactions and The Wave. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708...
Jun 19, 2021•32 min•Ep. 286
With positive news surrounding Eloy Jimenez and the official end to Nick Madrigal's season, the White Sox must make the right choices when it comes to personnel. We break down their best everyday option at 2B. Plus one player on the 26-man roster looks like a bust. How long can Adam Eaton survive on the roster? We also look at MLB's new plans to police doctored baseballs, and the impact (if any) it could have on the Chicago White Sox. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Su...
Jun 16, 2021•30 min•Ep. 285
Nick Madrigal is down, and likely out for the remainder of the season. Now is the time to tighten up lineup decisions and optimize the personnel sent to the plate. With three high-end position players injured, some internal moves can soften the losses. Meanwhile there are several second basemen available in the trade market. One is a perfect fit, and should be easily attainable. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-8406 and leave your comments...
Jun 12, 2021•32 min•Ep. 284
Marc "Silvy" Silverman takes a break from hosting afternoon drive on the White Sox flagship station ESPN 1000 to address our concerns about White Sox coverage compared to Cubs coverage in Chicago. Meanwhile we ask how concerned White Sox fans should be now that Major League Baseball is cracking down on pitchers using foreign substances to doctor baseballs. Is anyone on this team about to see their production drop as a result? Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. ...
Jun 09, 2021•31 min•Ep. 283
Yasmani Grandal's standard stats may look bad, but a deep dive shows his incredible value thus far. Oh, and he's starting to heat up. James Fox of South Side Sox & Future Sox explains his true value to the White Sox. We also discuss possible mid-season trades, the state of the farm system, and the curious case of Garrett Crochet. And after this podcast took a stand for slighted White Sox fans in the mainstream Chicago media, find out if and when we will hear from a certain afternoon drive sp...
Jun 05, 2021•29 min•Ep. 282
Your Chicago White Sox sit in first place. Even with several major long-term injuries and a polarizing manager, this season brings hope to Sox fans everywhere. Yet their flagship radio station's talkers are telling people they aren't even close to being the biggest story in Chicago sports? It is us against the world, and that is just the way Sox fans should like it. We also talk Lance Lynn & Carlos Rodon extension possibilities, cursing translators, and if the standings really matter that mu...
Jun 02, 2021•31 min•Ep. 281
Memorial Day Weekend is a traditional time to look at baseball's standings and your favorite team's statistics. A team can make a real assessment of assets and needs. We take a look at where the White Sox stand right now with the good, the bad, and the odd. Plus, Tim Anderson's recent struggles at the plate can be fixed by Tony La Russa, if his manager can find a solution for the 2-spot in the lineup. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-8406 ...
May 29, 2021•31 min•Ep. 280
Andrew Vaughn is currently your best active outfielder. Tony La Russa continues to be hit-or-miss with bullpen decisions. Old schoolers are yelling about new schoolers. Fights are breaking out in the stands. Fans are back to having fun at the ballpark. Meanwhile, your first place White Sox push towards June. We play "Choose Your Own Adventure" in this episode, and have a fun conversation about pitching with former White Sox reliever Donn Pall. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! L...
May 26, 2021•32 min•Ep. 279
The last month has been pretty positive overall from a wins & losses perspective, but how long can it last with so many injured outfielders? Adam Engel has become a player that most White Sox fans cannot wait to see return. Plus, George Ofman joins us to give perspective on Tony La Russa as one of the few that have covered him since the day he first became a manager. Find out what has changed and what will never change. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Sh...
May 22, 2021•28 min•Ep. 278
He is either a crazy old man stuck inside of a mystical world of "unwritten rules" that - to him - are more important than his own players, or a sly old fox keeping the focus on himself while his young team plays loose against the whole world. Is Tony La Russa playing chess as he guides a first place White Sox team, or is he just begrudgingly along for the ride? Plus, Yoan Moncada may have a bit of an ego. Then again, he walks to the plate to a song he sings. Are you surprised? Brought to you by...
May 19, 2021•31 min•Ep. 277
The White Sox picked a perfect time to get hot, and the teams they are beating this month will have a hard time keeping pace with them. Is the AL Central already a two-team race? Tony La Russa has pushed all the right buttons since Luis Robert went down. Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald joins us to explain how wins and losses will shape clubhouse storylines, and why the best is yet to come for the White Sox. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459...
May 15, 2021•33 min•Ep. 276
If you are a White Sox fan, you hate the Twins and Royals. How does a mid-May stretch of games with the potential to ruin a hot start for Kansas City sound? What about a chance to really hurt Minnesota early in the season? There is every reason to enjoy White Sox Baseball right now. But, are you worried about the lack of homeruns? Don't worry! We will take a look at the numbers and explain why the long ball isn't absolutely necessary right now. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! ...
May 12, 2021•31 min•Ep. 275
After the past few weeks, do you have confidence in Tony La Russa creating more wins for the White Sox than losses this season? Much like great players regress to replacement level, it sure looks like a manager can do the same. Rick Hahn, though, can help everything right now with a move even his owner won't prevent. Does he still have it in him to pull the trigger? Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-8406 and leave your comments and question...
May 08, 2021•31 min•Ep. 274
Following a devastating injury to Luis Robert, all eyes are now squarely upon White Sox manager Tony La Russa. Tasked with leading a team with issues he never expected when he took the job, La Russa has to now get his team to respond with a "hellacious effort." Meanwhile, the sharks are circling. James Fox of Future Sox also joins us to look at the start of White Sox Minor League Baseball. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-8406 and leave yo...
May 05, 2021•36 min•Ep. 273
The White Sox turns the page on the calendar and find themselves in a good spot as May begins. We break down the numbers showing this team is just starting to emerge as a force. Ed also tries desperately to convince everyone that it was all part of the plan when he gave up on Dylan Cease too early. Whether or not you believe in superstitions like his, we can all agree on some recent bad Yermin Mercedes takes being out-of-town stupid. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Sub...
May 01, 2021•32 min•Ep. 272
Scott Merkin of MLB.com talks about his recent conversation with White Sox prospect Jake Burger, why Tony La Russa likes starting the 10th inning with a runner on second base, and how the team plans to use Michael Kopech moving forward. Plus, Nick Madrigal is proving to be incredibly unique at the plate. We ask if he really needs to add power to his hitting game. And White Sox fans were arguing about the wrong thing this past week, while the real problem was ignored. Brought to you by Family Wat...
Apr 28, 2021•32 min•Ep. 271
Luis Robert continues to heat up, and the way he is hitting looks less streaky and more like the start of something great. Meanwhile he is the inspiration for a work of art gifted to us by artist Tom Borowski, who explains why painting the White Sox is such a joy these days. We also unveil the ALL NEW SoxInTheBasement.com website, complete with interactive features and a way to instantly check our hot takes. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-45...
Apr 24, 2021•34 min•Ep. 270
Take a deep dive into some statistics that identify the biggest issue facing the White Sox early in 2021. While some of the offensive problems were inevitable based on the numbers, the solutions are also plain to see. You'll be amazed that Nick Madrigal is holding the team together as much as Yermin Mercedes right now. Ed also surprises by blaming Dylan Cease for everyone else's problems. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-8406 and leave you...
Apr 21, 2021•32 min•Ep. 269
The creator of an innovative Umpire Scorecard system, Ethan Singer, joins the show to talk about just how much an ump can impact a game. Find out how you can get the umpire scores for every White Sox game. Chris also shares some untold stories from the stands during Carlos Rodon's no-hitter, while Ed theorizes that lineup consistency may be the key to waking up some dormant Sox bats. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-8406 and leave your com...
Apr 17, 2021•31 min•Ep. 268
The season is young, and the White Sox are talented. James Fox (Future Sox, South Side Sox) tells us that there may be some internal turmoil over the use of White Sox prospect Andrew Vaughn within the organization. We connect the dots and explore the possibility of a manager disconnected with his front office when it comes to a very important part of the team's plans for the next decade. Brought to you by Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Listen. Subscribe. Share. Call 708-459-8406 and leave your...
Apr 14, 2021•33 min•Ep. 267
