Len Kasper taking White Sox radio job

[Irrelevant Dude]

However, I also find it hard to believe that having to rep a team that helped Trump, did little about Russell

I wonder how much, if at all, Len regrets his "Future MVP Addison Russell" declaration from the ring ceremony. Of course he couldn't have known what would happen with Russell in the subsequent years, but that statement even felt like a reach at the time. Again, not faulting Len at all, but it kind of sucks that Russell turned out to be an all-time jackass, and one that couldn't play baseball well either.

[SaorsaDaonnan]

Serious question because I have no idea, but is there any chance the White Sox could overtake the Cubs in popularity in Chicago? Their broadcast teams are pretty solid now and the team is about to be worlds better.

The White Sox were the far more interesting team in the 90s and the first to crack the longterm WS drought in 2005 and never came close to overcoming the Cubs in popularity in any meaningful sense. They lost a lot of games in recent years and have a long run of sub 2 million attendance seasons as one of the worst teams in the worst division. They'll have to go on quite a run and keep the team together for the long haul and have the Cubs go back to a White Sox level of postseason droughts to make a dent.

 

As a 90s kid I must protest.

 

The 90s Sox were pretty cool, though you’d never have caught me admitting it back then. Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, Ozzie, Ray Durham a little later...and they even had Carlton Fisk, one of the better catchers anyone will ever see. Bo Jackson and Tim Raines at times, Harold Baines, though none at their best by then. Ellis Burke, Jack McDowell, Julio Franco and John Kruk kind of randomly, among many others. These were good teams that could have gone far, and if not for the strike, really might have.

 

But the best Chicago baseball in the 90s was absolutely the Cubs in the early 90s. Ryno, Andre, Greg Maddux, Rick Sutcliff, Shawon Duston, Frank Castillo, more journeyman 3bs than you could shake a stick at. George Bell too for a short time. Harry and Steve in their primes in the booth. A terrible beach boys self-parody on the telecast, Arne Harris getting shoutouts so often you felt like you knew him.

 

And then the best moments later in the decade too, with Kerry’s emergence and 20 strikeout game, plus I guess Sammy’s rivalry and chase with McGwire for those more comfortable PEDs than I. Kerry was the bridge from the Ryno/Harry years through the letdowns in 03 and 04 and 07 and 08, all the way through to Rizzo and the rise of the generation we’re Joe starting to see move on. And not just that, but a damn good pitcher and example of perseverance too.

 

I will freely admit to incrementally inching toward being a White Sox as well as a Cubs fan of late, abs listening to Len on Sox radio every now and again will only increase that. But no, as amazing as Frank Thomas was, and despite the powerhouse that those Sox teams were, they never held a candle to what was going on in Wrigley in the 90s...

[jersey cubs fan]

Serious question because I have no idea, but is there any chance the White Sox could overtake the Cubs in popularity in Chicago? Their broadcast teams are pretty solid now and the team is about to be worlds better.

The White Sox were the far more interesting team in the 90s and the first to crack the longterm WS drought in 2005 and never came close to overcoming the Cubs in popularity in any meaningful sense. They lost a lot of games in recent years and have a long run of sub 2 million attendance seasons as one of the worst teams in the worst division. They'll have to go on quite a run and keep the team together for the long haul and have the Cubs go back to a White Sox level of postseason droughts to make a dent.

 

As a 90s kid I must protest.

 

The 90s Sox were pretty cool, though you’d never have caught me admitting it back then. Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, Ozzie, Ray Durham a little later...and they even had Carlton Fisk, one of the better catchers anyone will ever see. Bo Jackson and Tim Raines at times, Harold Baines, though none at their best by then. Ellis Burke, Jack McDowell, Julio Franco and John Kruk kind of randomly, among many others. These were good teams that could have gone far, and if not for the strike, really might have.

 

But the best Chicago baseball in the 90s was absolutely the Cubs in the early 90s. Ryno, Andre, Greg Maddux, Rick Sutcliff, Shawon Duston, Frank Castillo, more journeyman 3bs than you could shake a stick at. George Bell too for a short time.

 

And then the best moments later in the decade too, with Kerry’s emergence and 20 strikeout game, plus I guess Sammy’s rivalry and chase with McGwire for those more comfortable PEDs than I. Kerry was the bridge from the Ryno/Harry years through the letdowns in 03 and 04 and 07 and 08, all the way through to Rizzo and the rise of the generation we’re Joe starting to see move on. And not just that, but a damn good pitcher and example of perseverance too.

 

I will freely admit to incrementally inching toward being a White Sox as well as a Cubs fan of late, abs listening to Len on Sox radio every now and again will only increase that. But no, as amazing as Frank Thomas was, and despite the powerhouse that those Sox teams were, they never held a candle to what was going on in Wrigley in the 90s...

 

I'd assume this was a joke but already got in trouble once.

 

Still going to assume this was a joke though.

[David]

Serious question because I have no idea, but is there any chance the White Sox could overtake the Cubs in popularity in Chicago? Their broadcast teams are pretty solid now and the team is about to be worlds better.

 

nah

 

i mean, obviously different times, but the sox weren't able to pull that off even at the height of their popularity (in my lifetime) in the mid 90s (before everyone decided new comiskey sucked).

 

could they get more attention for a bit if they are great and the cubs bottom out? maybe. but it would take those extremes and it would only be temporary.

 

edit - i should've refreshed and read more posts.

Edited December 4, 2020 by David

[SaorsaDaonnan]

However, I also find it hard to believe that having to rep a team that helped Trump, did little about Russell

I wonder how much, if at all, Len regrets his "Future MVP Addison Russell" declaration from the ring ceremony. Of course he couldn't have known what would happen with Russell in the subsequent years, but that statement even felt like a reach at the time. Again, not faulting Len at all, but it kind of sucks that Russell turned out to be an all-time jackass, and one that couldn't play baseball well either.

 

And that he not only torpedoed 2018, but also 2019 too. Two years of essentially our championship team. I can’t see Len focusing on his own statement rather than the awfulness of what Addison did, but it had to suck to be around him and an org doing so little about it for so long.

 

For the record Len has been open about his anxiety and depression:

https://www.dailyherald.com/amp-article/20140608/sports/140608612/

 

Ah, I missed that, thanks. Best of luck to him, and kudos to him for being open about it and almost certainly helping others.

[David]

Serious question because I have no idea, but is there any chance the White Sox could overtake the Cubs in popularity in Chicago? Their broadcast teams are pretty solid now and the team is about to be worlds better.

The White Sox were the far more interesting team in the 90s and the first to crack the longterm WS drought in 2005 and never came close to overcoming the Cubs in popularity in any meaningful sense. They lost a lot of games in recent years and have a long run of sub 2 million attendance seasons as one of the worst teams in the worst division. They'll have to go on quite a run and keep the team together for the long haul and have the Cubs go back to a White Sox level of postseason droughts to make a dent.

 

As a 90s kid I must protest.

 

The 90s Sox were pretty cool, though you’d never have caught me admitting it back then. Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, Ozzie, Ray Durham a little later...and they even had Carlton Fisk, one of the better catchers anyone will ever see. Bo Jackson and Tim Raines at times, Harold Baines, though none at their best by then. Ellis Burke, Jack McDowell, Julio Franco and John Kruk kind of randomly, among many others. These were good teams that could have gone far, and if not for the strike, really might have.

 

But the best Chicago baseball in the 90s was absolutely the Cubs in the early 90s. Ryno, Andre, Greg Maddux, Rick Sutcliff, Shawon Duston, Frank Castillo, more journeyman 3bs than you could shake a stick at. George Bell too for a short time. Harry and Steve in their primes in the booth. A terrible beach boys self-parody on the telecast, Arne Harris getting shoutouts so often you felt like you knew him.

 

And then the best moments later in the decade too, with Kerry’s emergence and 20 strikeout game, plus I guess Sammy’s rivalry and chase with McGwire for those more comfortable PEDs than I. Kerry was the bridge from the Ryno/Harry years through the letdowns in 03 and 04 and 07 and 08, all the way through to Rizzo and the rise of the generation we’re Joe starting to see move on. And not just that, but a damn good pitcher and example of perseverance too.

 

I will freely admit to incrementally inching toward being a White Sox as well as a Cubs fan of late, abs listening to Len on Sox radio every now and again will only increase that. But no, as amazing as Frank Thomas was, and despite the powerhouse that those Sox teams were, they never held a candle to what was going on in Wrigley in the 90s...

 

lol no those sox teams were way cooler than anything the cubs did in the 90s. some of your post seems tongue in cheek and some seems serious so i'm not sure how hard i should rail on this.

[ConstableRabbit]

putting "grew up in chicago" in the list of attributes needed is a terrible idea. The most provincial big city in the world doesn't need more of that nonsense.

The most provincial big city in the world? What the hell are you talking about?

[NOLA]

The White Sox were the far more interesting team in the 90s and the first to crack the longterm WS drought in 2005 and never came close to overcoming the Cubs in popularity in any meaningful sense. They lost a lot of games in recent years and have a long run of sub 2 million attendance seasons as one of the worst teams in the worst division. They'll have to go on quite a run and keep the team together for the long haul and have the Cubs go back to a White Sox level of postseason droughts to make a dent.

 

As a 90s kid I must protest.

 

The 90s Sox were pretty cool, though you’d never have caught me admitting it back then. Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, Ozzie, Ray Durham a little later...and they even had Carlton Fisk, one of the better catchers anyone will ever see. Bo Jackson and Tim Raines at times, Harold Baines, though none at their best by then. Ellis Burke, Jack McDowell, Julio Franco and John Kruk kind of randomly, among many others. These were good teams that could have gone far, and if not for the strike, really might have.

 

But the best Chicago baseball in the 90s was absolutely the Cubs in the early 90s. Ryno, Andre, Greg Maddux, Rick Sutcliff, Shawon Duston, Frank Castillo, more journeyman 3bs than you could shake a stick at. George Bell too for a short time.

 

And then the best moments later in the decade too, with Kerry’s emergence and 20 strikeout game, plus I guess Sammy’s rivalry and chase with McGwire for those more comfortable PEDs than I. Kerry was the bridge from the Ryno/Harry years through the letdowns in 03 and 04 and 07 and 08, all the way through to Rizzo and the rise of the generation we’re Joe starting to see move on. And not just that, but a damn good pitcher and example of perseverance too.

 

I will freely admit to incrementally inching toward being a White Sox as well as a Cubs fan of late, abs listening to Len on Sox radio every now and again will only increase that. But no, as amazing as Frank Thomas was, and despite the powerhouse that those Sox teams were, they never held a candle to what was going on in Wrigley in the 90s...

 

I'd assume this was a joke but already got in trouble once.

 

Still going to assume this was a joke though.

Yeah, I watched copious amounts of baseball in the 90’s and the Cubs sported “aces” like Danny Jackson, Mike Foster, Steve Trachsel and Jaimie Navarro. The White Sox were a good to solid team for pretty much the entire decade.

[Backtobanks]

money shouldn't be an issue here.

 

?????????????????? Haven't you heard that the Cubs (and everything having to do with them) are totally broke?

Don't forget that Marquee Network has secured massive carriage deals with every carrier!

 

And PTR has a massive amount of money too, but claims he's broke. Just because a billionaire or a big corporation has lots of money doesn't mean they're willing to spend it.

[SaorsaDaonnan]

I'd assume this was a joke but already got in trouble once.

 

Still going to assume this was a joke though.

 

I did think you were only talking about the 90s, so my bad for missing that you also mentioned their Series victory and some of the good players from that time like Konerko. I also screwed up in not mentioning Mark Grace and some others like Rod Beck in his first go-around.

 

But those things said, I was absolutely suggesting that teams with lesser records and no real contention drives can be even more interesting and fun than really good teams. One of my favorite teams ever was the ‘01 Cubs after most of their planned starters & stars went down to injury and a bunch of vets mainly seen as bench players ran with the division for quite a while. As far as I’m concerned, those few months were as cool as even 2007 or 2008.

 

IMO, interestingness is a broader concept than contention or elite skills.

[SaorsaDaonnan]

putting "grew up in chicago" in the list of attributes needed is a terrible idea. The most provincial big city in the world doesn't need more of that nonsense.

The most provincial big city in the world? What the hell are you talking about?

 

Has been drinking, looked in thesaurus, accidentally used antonym for cosmopolitan when he wanted a synonym?

 

But the broader point he was making is very target, imo.

Edited December 4, 2020 by SaorsaDaonnan

[NOLA]

Outside of late 90’s Sammy Sosa, there was not one single interesting thing about the Cubs, other than the Cuba uniforms and Glenallen Hill.

[SaorsaDaonnan]

Outside of late 90’s Sammy Sosa, there was not one single interesting thing about the Cubs, other than the Cuba uniforms and Glenallen Hill.

 

You deny the interestingness of Kerry’s emergence or the Sandberg/Dawson/Maddux years?

 

(Admittedly the latter’s best run was ‘89, but still...)

[David]

Outside of late 90’s Sammy Sosa, there was not one single interesting thing about the Cubs, other than the Cuba uniforms and Glenallen Hill.

 

yeah the 90s cubs were nothing but pure abyss until 98 - and that was one season and just mostly cool thanks to two players. somehow, one of those teams got me started following baseball. still amazes me to this day when i look back at the rosters. some of those are only rivaled by the 2012-13 cubs teams.

[NOLA]

Outside of late 90’s Sammy Sosa, there was not one single interesting thing about the Cubs, other than the Cuba uniforms and Glenallen Hill.

 

You deny the interestingness of Kerry’s emergence or the Sandberg/Dawson/Maddux years?

 

(Admittedly the latter’s best run was ‘89, but still...)

Got me on Kerry Wood. Sandberg, Maddux and Dawson barely cause a blip in the 90’s for the Cubs. Henry horsefeathering Rodriguez has more resonance for me in that decade.

 

Edit: You are bull [expletive] me. Surely.

[David]

Outside of late 90’s Sammy Sosa, there was not one single interesting thing about the Cubs, other than the Cuba uniforms and Glenallen Hill.

 

You deny the interestingness of Kerry’s emergence or the Sandberg/Dawson/Maddux years?

 

(Admittedly the latter’s best run was ‘89, but still...)

Got me on Kerry Wood. Sandberg, Maddux and Dawson barely cause a blip in the 90’s for the Cubs. Henry horsefeathering Rodriguez has more resonance for me in that decade.

 

Edit: You are bull [expletive] me. Surely.

 

right. maddux's role in the 90s cubs narrative has much more to do with us letting him go and him [expletive] down our throats (and baseball's) every single year.

[KingCubsFan]

Serious question because I have no idea, but is there any chance the White Sox could overtake the Cubs in popularity in Chicago? Their broadcast teams are pretty solid now and the team is about to be worlds better.

No chance.

 

Right. The White Sox have a bright future, but they’re not quite on the “budding dynasty” level that some seem to place them at. The Cubs had a better core in 2015 and, five years later, people are acting like the organization is in shambles. Baseball is becoming more and more of a young player’s game, and the windows are getting smaller unless you’re actively replenishing a top 5 farm system.

[SaorsaDaonnan]

If you just stipulated that the very early 90s were effectively still the 80s, and that Sammy’s out because cheated, then I can easily call the 90s garbage, or rather garbage plus Ryno’s brief return and Kerry’s emergence.

 

Everyone would certainly be right to think I’m insane if they think I’m calling the 93 or later Cubs interesting outside of a few players.

 

Edit: just occurred to me that some might be averaging or summing over a decade, whereas I’m think of where the classics were, the best Thomas/Ventura years, Kerry and Sammy, Sandberg/Dawson/Maddux

Edited December 4, 2020 by SaorsaDaonnan

[NOLA]

Serious question because I have no idea, but is there any chance the White Sox could overtake the Cubs in popularity in Chicago? Their broadcast teams are pretty solid now and the team is about to be worlds better.

No chance.

 

Right. The White Sox have a bright future, but they’re not quite on the “budding dynasty” level that some seem to place them at. The Cubs had a better core in 2015 and, five years later, people are acting like the organization is in shambles. Baseball is becoming more and more of a young player’s game, and the windows are getting smaller unless you’re actively replenishing a top 5 farm system.

SUPERTHREAD WARNING:

 

So you think the Cubs had a better core in 2015 than the White Sox do now?

[David]

No chance.

 

Right. The White Sox have a bright future, but they’re not quite on the “budding dynasty” level that some seem to place them at. The Cubs had a better core in 2015 and, five years later, people are acting like the organization is in shambles. Baseball is becoming more and more of a young player’s game, and the windows are getting smaller unless you’re actively replenishing a top 5 farm system.

SUPERTHREAD WARNING:

 

So you think the Cubs had a better core in 2015 than the White Sox do now?

 

yes

[KingCubsFan]

No chance.

 

Right. The White Sox have a bright future, but they’re not quite on the “budding dynasty” level that some seem to place them at. The Cubs had a better core in 2015 and, five years later, people are acting like the organization is in shambles. Baseball is becoming more and more of a young player’s game, and the windows are getting smaller unless you’re actively replenishing a top 5 farm system.

SUPERTHREAD WARNING:

 

So you think the Cubs had a better core in 2015 than the White Sox do now?

 

I didn’t think that would be too controversial (particularly on a Cubs board). You had two top 5 prospects in the game (Bryant and Russell), Rizzo, the #4 pick in the draft who had destroyed the minors (Schwarber), another top 25/top 50 prospect (Javy), Soler, Contreras in the pipeline, Arrieta and Lester at the top of the rotation, plus Hendricks.

[NOLA]

 

Right. The White Sox have a bright future, but they’re not quite on the “budding dynasty” level that some seem to place them at. The Cubs had a better core in 2015 and, five years later, people are acting like the organization is in shambles. Baseball is becoming more and more of a young player’s game, and the windows are getting smaller unless you’re actively replenishing a top 5 farm system.

SUPERTHREAD WARNING:

 

So you think the Cubs had a better core in 2015 than the White Sox do now?

 

I didn’t think that would be too controversial (particularly on a Cubs board). You had two top 5 prospects in the game (Bryant and Russell), Rizzo, the #4 pick in the draft who had destroyed the minors (Schwarber), another top 25/top 50 prospect (Javy), Soler, Contreras in the pipeline, Arrieta and Lester at the top of the rotation, plus Hendricks.

Fine. I’m not the guy on this, but hindsight makes that questionable for me.

[David]

 

Right. The White Sox have a bright future, but they’re not quite on the “budding dynasty” level that some seem to place them at. The Cubs had a better core in 2015 and, five years later, people are acting like the organization is in shambles. Baseball is becoming more and more of a young player’s game, and the windows are getting smaller unless you’re actively replenishing a top 5 farm system.

SUPERTHREAD WARNING:

 

So you think the Cubs had a better core in 2015 than the White Sox do now?

 

I didn’t think that would be too controversial (particularly on a Cubs board). You had two top 5 prospects in the game (Bryant and Russell), Rizzo, the #4 pick in the draft who had destroyed the minors (Schwarber), another top 25/top 50 prospect (Javy), Soler, Contreras in the pipeline, Arrieta and Lester at the top of the rotation, plus Hendricks.

 

right, they had all that, won 97 games and advanced in the playoffs twice, then won 103 games and the horsefeathering world series, so yeah both in hindsight and at the time it's pretty safe to say.

[SaorsaDaonnan]

 

Right. The White Sox have a bright future, but they’re not quite on the “budding dynasty” level that some seem to place them at. The Cubs had a better core in 2015 and, five years later, people are acting like the organization is in shambles. Baseball is becoming more and more of a young player’s game, and the windows are getting smaller unless you’re actively replenishing a top 5 farm system.

SUPERTHREAD WARNING:

 

So you think the Cubs had a better core in 2015 than the White Sox do now?

 

I didn’t think that would be too controversial (particularly on a Cubs board). You had two top 5 prospects in the game (Bryant and Russell), Rizzo, the #4 pick in the draft who had destroyed the minors (Schwarber), another top 25/top 50 prospect (Javy), Soler, Contreras in the pipeline, Arrieta and Lester at the top of the rotation, plus Hendricks.

 

And, all of that power in a time before the HR explosion. That was not something that had been seen very often, all at once and so young.

 

That said, these Sox are damned good.

[David]

national TV guys watched our young dongsmiths in absolute awe and disbelief