On the other side of town, the baseball season is over as well. With the Cubs, we had zero expectations; we knew we were going to suck, and we did. With the Sox though… man… I was told by multiple people that they would win 100 games. I was told this was the World Series team. I was told this was THE year. I know how it feels to not live up to expectations; it sucks. I’m pretty sure most Sox fans would use that word to describe their 2022 season.
Similar to the Cubs, it was what the Sox did, or should I say didn’t do, in the offseason that set the stage. Letting Carlos Rodon walk was a big mistake. Maybe the thought was he wouldn’t repeat last year’s performance; I guess that makes sense a little bit, considering he almost didn’t make the team last year. Well, the Sox were dead wrong on that. Rodon had a really good year, ending it as one of the strikeout leaders. For a team like the Sox, who had been burned before for lack of starting pitching, to let one of their own go, a guy they drafted, a left handed starter… well, you know what they say about hindsight. There would be a guy that the Cubs gave the Sox (you’re welcome) that would make a big impression on the mound; All-Star snub Dylan Cease was nothing short of spectacular this year. Going into next season, it’s nice to have your #1 pitcher established.
The offense was really where the Sox were going to do their damage. My God, with that lineup, on paper, before the season… it looked dangerous. Injuries are never fun. With somebody like Eloy though, it seems to be an every other week thing. Sure, when he’s healthy… but the dude is never healthy. Grandal was a bust. The next Trout, Luis Robert, was nowhere near the original version. Tim Anderson, the next big MLB star… not so much. The 100 Win Sox turned out to be the 500 Sox… again. I saw something on Twitter about that; MLB leading 28th time they’ve finished 500. I also saw how their winning percentage has went backwards the past 3 years… um, what’s wrong with this picture?
Sure, blame LaRussa; he is an easy target, I’ll give you that. And yes, he certainly can share the blame, but he doesn’t play the game. Well, now he won’t be managing the game any longer either. How important is this next manager the Sox announce? What moves will the Sox make this offseason? Per Rick Hahn, they will not be throwing money at the problem; funny. OK, then how WILL they fix it?
It feels like just the other day, the Sox window was opening; surely it’s not shut now, right? Sometimes these things are just a year off; surely 2023 will be the Sox year. But isn’t that the same thing that was said last year? Cubs fans are very familiar with the “wait until next year” coping strategy. Going to be interesting to see what’s next for this White Sox team that absolutely, 110% shit the bed this year. Trying to figure out what’s worse: knowing you’re going to suck and actually sucking, or thinking you’re a World Series contender and falling flat on your face, not even making the playoffs playing in one of the easiest divisions in baseball. You make the call.
Leave a Reply