Economy Hits White Sox' Sponsorships

My President is black, my lambo blue, and I’ll be damned if he ain’t a Sox fan too?

she was stoked to get her tickets at $25 a wack, until I told her I went two years ago and paid $5 a ticket.

I think Jim had a good post on this at sox machine.

baseball will see a surge of attendance, just like in other historically tough times. Corporate sponsors are history. Idiot marketing/salespeople for devising the “national” strategy – sounds like laziness in not wanting to have to call a bunch of small businesses and hoping for the “savior” large business.

My wife has organized a local 5K run that was sponsored by Sea World, among others, who are this year 86’ing their $2500 commitment. Skybox sponsorship, for $1000, anyone?

poreda.

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/chisox-fifth-starter-candidates-aaron-poreda

In truth, Jordan never had a chance in spring training; he simply wasn’t going to be a major-league hitter. But the White Sox handed him a stifling handicap in coach Walt Hriniak.

A hard-nosed player in his day, and a former hockey player, Hriniak had spent years in the Red Sox’ organization. A firm disciple of the weight-back, level-swing method, Hriniak also taught an exaggerated, one-handed follow-through that couldn’t have looked more ridiculous. I remember likening it to a guy trying to examine a hardwood floor and kill a mosquito on the ceiling at the same time. Ted Williams, perhaps the greatest pure hitter the game had ever seen, liked to work with young hitters during the Red Sox’ spring training but found himself overruled by Hriniak, who had management’s backing. Try to imagine that, The Splendid Splinter on the sidelines, wishing he could put a little uppercut in a prospect’s swing, and here’s Walt friggin’ Hriniak ruling the roost.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/threedotblog/detail?blogid=60&entry_id=35602

Early arrivals: Outfielder Carlos Quentin and infielders Josh Fields and Chris Getz were expected to be among position players allowed to participate in the first workout for pitchers and catchers Sunday. Quentin and Getz (wrist injuries) and Fields (knee surgery) are recovering from late-season ailments.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-14-white-sox-bits-chicagofeb14,0,2101996.story

and I know you guys love it when I actually make posts I say I’m going to, so in the spirit of having done that for an entirely different group of people. Plus at least some of you are interested in college football (Big Ten anyway) and UA writes with a guy who has ballin’ footballmetric skills. I wrote this:

At Least Nick Sheridan Has People Skills

The plan is for Colon to delay pitching to live hitters until mid-March.

With the Sox not playing their fourth game until April 10, that should give Colon ample time to become game-ready.

another bit

Williams has compared Marquez, whom he scouted closely in the Arizona Fall League, to Jon Garland because of his sinker.

A Yankees source, however, said opponents made contact too frequently against Marquez and that he was susceptible to big rallies.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-15-white-sox-chicagofeb15,0,1468599.story

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3907460

The Twins want to sign Joe Crede, who needs a place to play. But Crede and his indefatigable agent, Scott Boras, apparently want a raise from the $5.1 million he earned with the White Sox last season, the second consecutive year in which back problems limited his playing time.

Twins Chief Executive Officer Bill Smith is under budget but sees even $5 million as a huge risk on Crede. There should be a compromise to be made here, especially since general partner Jim Pohlad says he’s a Crede backer.

“We have payroll room, and we’re not done,” said Pohlad, who is assuming control from his late father. “The season hasn’t started yet. Frequently, transactions occur during spring training, so it still could happen.”

San Francisco is the only other team known to have an interest in Crede. The challenge for him and other unsigned free agents is to get in game shape without the benefit of a training camp. The players union rejected the idea of hosting a camp for unsigned players, leaving Crede, Frank Thomas and about 75 others on their own.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-090214-phil-rogers-on-baseball,0,586589.column

but

Giants Out On Crede. Twins?

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has heard that the Giants don’t expect to sign Joe Crede. The club believes he’ll wind up with the Twins instead.

La Velle E. Neal III wrote Friday that the Twins face a substantial gap in contract talks with Crede. He’s still demanding $7MM guaranteed, plus nearly $4MM in incentives. Keep in mind that he’s a Scott Boras client.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/giants-out-on-c.html