The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Ep. 66: What happened with the White Sox in 2017 and what happens next?

With the 2017 season in the books, Chuck Garfien, Dan Hayes, Ryan McGuffey and Chris Kamka take a look back at what happened with the White Sox in 2017 and look ahead to moves the White Sox might make this off-season and into next season.Garfien, McGuffey and Kamka look back at the predictions they made back in Marchand compete for a prize off the Jason Benetti/Steve Stone prize shelf---a broken White Sox gnome. Then they all discuss what deals the White Sox could make during the off-season. Plus, who will be the White Sox center fielder and third baseman in 2018? When will Michael Kopech be called up? Who will start Opening Day? Why Rick Renteria is the long term answer as White Sox manager and a whole lot more.

Ep. 65: Scott Podsednik brought to tears reflecting on his 2005 World Series home run

Twelve years after hitting one of the greatest home runs in baseball history, Scott Podsednik comes on the podcast and reveals that the top moment of his baseball career profoundly changed him forever--both for better and for worse. In an interview with Chuck Garfien, the former White Sox outfielder talks emotionally about his walkoff home run from Game 2 of the 2005 World Series. He reflects back on his 9 years in the minor leagues and how he almost quit baseball before making it to the major leagues. Podsednik also tells the story of being on Saturday Night Live after the 2005 World Series, appearing on Weekend Update with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. He tells untold stories from the 2005 playoffs, what it's like to be a baseball hearthrob and more.

Ep. 64: How Jason Benetti traveled over 1,000 miles to call 3 different games in less than 24 hours

How do you call two White Sox games and one college football game over a thousand miles away in less than 24 hours? Ask Jason Benetti. The versatile broadcaster came on the podcast to talk with Chuck Garfien about his crazy journey over the weekend when he called a White Sox/Royals game, flew to Tallahasse overnight to broadcast the Florida State/N-C State football game the following day and then returned that evening to Chicago to be on the mic for the White Sox/Royals once again. Benetti takes us inside his weekend, which was actually much wilder than anybody thought. Then Jason talks about the White Sox futures of both Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia, and when Eloy Jimenez might make his White Sox debut. Benetti and Garfien, who both went to Homewood-Flossmoor High School close the podcast expressing their desires to go back to their roots and call a Homewood-Flossmoor basketball game this winter.

Ep. 63: Did Harry Caray run Bill Melton out of town? Melton tells all about his baseball life

Bill Melton's baseball career is the stuff of legend--some for what happened on the field, but also for what happened off of it. The former White Sox slugger speaks with Chuck Garfien about winning the 1971 home run crown on the final day of the regular season--this after partying on Rush Street in Chicago into the wee hours the night before (8:00). He had a huge public battle with then White Sox play-by-play announcer Harry Caray (23:00), he partied at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Club (27:00), hung out with Frank Sinatra (30:00), fought with his former Angels manager Dick Williams (40:00). Melton tells these stories and many more about the wild days of playing major league baseball in the 1970's. Plus, you'll hear a lost interview from 1971 when Brent Musburger interviewed Melton right after he became the home run king.

Ep. 62: MLB.com’s Jim Callis believes White Sox will pounce on best draft class in years

It's a fight to the finish between the White Sox, Phillies and Giants for the top pick in next year's MLB draft. But with the talent in the draft expected to be some of the best in years, how much will it really matter if the White Sox draft first, second or third? Chuck Garfien and Chris Kamka speak with Jim Callis, senior writer for MLB.com and MLBPipeline.com. He says the 2018 draft will be the best since 2011.
Will the White Sox go with a high schooler or a college player? Does Seth Beer fit into their plans? He breaks down the top names and predicts who he thinks the White Sox will draft with their number-one pick. Callis also analyzes key players in the White Sox farm system: Kopech, Jimenez, Burger, Rutherford, Adolfo, Dunning and many more. Then later, Garfien and Kamka talk about what Jose Abreu has meant to the White Sox both on the field and off of it. Kamka shares some incredible statistical data that puts Abreu in a class by himself.

Ep. 61: Lucas Giolito on being a different pitcher; Jason Benetti on the White Sox and his broadcasting career

We've got 2 special guests on this edition of the podcast. Lucas Giolito sits down with Chuck Garfien to talk about his first 3 starts with the White Sox, what it was like facing Miguel Cabrera(he went 0-3 vs. Giolito), how he got 10 strikeouts against the Rays and why he's a different pitcher now vs. last year with the Nationals. He tells the story about getting a beer shower from his White Sox teammates after collecting his first major league win, how he blew out his arm in high school and needed Tommy John surgery, plus the crazy coincidences between himself and Atlanta Braves rookie pitcher Max Fried and explains why Michael Kopech "will be here very soon." Then, it's a conversation with White Sox play by play man Jason Benetti. They talk about Giolito, Eloy Jimenez and the chemistry inside the White Sox clubhouse despite their last place record.
Benetti gives behind the scenes info about how he prepares for calling White Sox games, where he gets his old school references, and why he didn't make a radio documentary at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Garfien did and he's not happy about this. There's also a cameo appearance by somebody in the booth. All this and more on the White Sox Talk Podcast!

Ep. 60: Did the White Sox ’fleece’ the Cubs in the José Quintana trade or is #CubsTwitter overreacting?

It's been six weeks since the White Sox and Cubs made the José Quintana trade, and early returns are unanimous: Cubs fans are freaking out. They feel like the Cubs gave up too much in Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease and 2 more prospects. This became apparent after Quintana gave up 6 runs to the last place Phillies last Friday. On the podcast, Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Rob Wiatrowski bring on resident Cubs expert David Kaplan who in a spirited conversation says that the White Sox received a Mercedes-type return for Quintana who he believes is only a Buick.
Later in the podcast, Chris Kamka comes on to talk about Quintana, Lucas Giolito getting his first major league victory, Alec Hansen's Double-A debut and more.

Ep. 59: Carlos Rodon on being new and improved, Dan Hayes with his farm system findings

Carlos Rodon comes on the podcast with Chuck Garfien to talk about his past, present and White Sox future. He discusses his bicep injury which forced him to miss the first 3 months of the season and might end up being a blessing in disguise for his career. He talks about the pitch he threw that caused the Cubs Kris Bryant to be ejected earlier this season, why he wants to be a top tier pitcher like Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw, if it would have been better for him to play more in the minor leagues before being called up to the majors, why the White Sox rebuild is headed in the right direction and more. Then Dan Hayes from CSN-Chicago joins the podcast to talk about his trip through the White Sox farm system. They discuss the surprise Michael Kopech promotion to Triple-A, joining the Nicky Delmonico Fan Club, how Casey Gillaspie is nothing like his brother Conor, why White Sox fans should look out for Jake Peter who is tearing it up for the Charlotte Knights and more.

Ep. 58: Jeff Passan explains why White Sox have the best farm system in baseball

After speaking with 24 people in baseball (GMs, farm directors and scouts), Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports made a conclusion: the White Sox have the best farm system in baseball. On the podcast, Chuck Garfien speaks with Passan about his specific findings and how the next few years might play out for the franchise. How many of the White Sox prospects have to be a success for the rebuild to work? Will Michael Kopech or Alec Hansen have the better major league career? Will the Cubs one day regret trading Eloy Jimenez? Will the White Sox be willing to spend big money to land a player like Manny Machado? Who will be the White Sox closer in 2019? Who might the White Sox draft in 2018? The answers to these questions and many others on this edition of the White Sox Talk Podcast.

Ep. 57: Eloy Jimenez and Zack Collins one step closer to the majors

Eloy Jimenez and Zack Collins are two of the White Sox top prospects, so it was a big deal when the news broke that they're both being promoted to Double-A Birmingham. On this edition of the podcast, Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey call up CSN's Dan Hayes who's on the road covering the White Sox farm system this week. He was with Jimenez and Collins the day before in what turned out to be their last game for Winston-Salem. Hayes explains the overwhelming impact Jimenez has made, not just with the White Sox but the entire Carolina League this season. They discuss the path Collins will likely take to the majors, the underrated ability of Casey Gillaspie who the White Sox acquired in the Dan Jennings trade and more. Then they cover White Sox news: Rick Hahn trading Tyler Clippard while he was watching Game of Thrones, the incredible MLB start for Nicky Delmonico, the recent run of starts by Carlos Rodon and more.