In baseball, the term "White Sox" means anger. It might be a heavy pinch to go with. There is always anger with the White Sox and their fans. It is part of their identity. The feeling of bitterness that comes with it, stems from the idea that half of Chicago is ignored and discarded by those who run this place from City Hall. The form of policy that was instilled by the two mayors was called "Fuck the Southside".
The joy the White Sox generate is a result of their defiance. When they get ignored by local or national media for their team up north, they hate it, but they love it so much that they can rub it in everyone.
It's easy for bile to turn inward when fans and players think that the front office is ignoring them. It turns Comiskey into a cauldron of animosity aimed in every direction, at the field, out into the city, back into the stands, and everywhere else. A Mexican standoff of baseball discontent ensues.
Even though they should be a favorite to win the American League, the WhiteSox are returning to their natural state of unhappiness.
The big complaint for fans is the lack of activity in the off-season. Carlos Rod has not been replaced in the rotation despite his decamping for San Francisco. They are going to try and replace him internally with Michael Kopech, but he has 83 in the majors, split over three years. The Astros couldn't get out in the playoffs, with all of the pitchers getting shelled. Even if Giolito and Lynn carry over their regular season form, they could use another bullet.
There are holes in right field and second base. The holes got a little deeper when Andrew Vaughn got hurt in spring training, and a hip pointer seems like something that could flare up throughout the season. Luis Robert will not be saved from charing his lungs sprinting between them and the constant calamity/danger to society that Eloy Jim will be in left when wearing a glove.
Josh Harrison was going to play second. Harrison makes a lot of contact, but his defense eroded last year, and the RedSox already have a pretty bad defense, and that's if we're being kind. Tim Anderson greatly improved at short last year, and that's if we're being kind. It's an arms race when you're in the top spot, and there are plenty of teams not trying. There isn't too much for playoff teams.
It would help if the team was sympathetic, but as is the case with the White Sox, they just do the I-m-rubber-and-you-re-glue routine. It wouldn't have been difficult for La Russa to say he understands fans concerns but thinks they have the horses in the dugout to make it work. He chose antagonism because they do that there. The White Sox have always blamed their fans for their lack of action, usually citing their disappointing attendance as the reason for not spending. The whole cycle continues because fans are less enamored with the team and less likely to show up. It didn't help that in the next breath the manager couldn't wait to praise the fans after the team brought back Albert Pujols. When someone is forced upon them by their owner, they have little patience for anyone batting eyes at anyone else.
The team tried to nickel and dime Lucas Giolito, who only happens to be the team's ace. It felt like the first step in Giolito's plan, given the team's history with re-signing pitchers.
This should not be happening. This should be an exciting time for the team and their fans. Even with the signing of Carlos Correa, the Twins should be out of the Central. The Twins rotation is playing card thin and the only thing that can save Byron Buxton is a bone injury. The Royals and Tigers are in various stages of a rebuild, and the Guardians aren't even trying.
It's not a good place to start in the playoffs. The Astros haven't improved, and only the Blue Jays have. The path to the World Series is obvious and could have been paved with a couple ambitious moves instead of left as a dirt and rocky road. Why don't you leave it up to chance? Even if Lynn and Giolito don't get on a heater in October, the pen is loaded and they can still mash. More things have to go right than the team left it to.
The optimism and excitement never sit well with the White Sox. They enjoy watching a season of grinding their teeth with a barely concealed rage bubbling under the surface. Even if it goes all the way through the playoffs. I guess you could say that the White Sox are ready for the next season, in a way only they can be.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
