The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

White Sox tab Lucas Giolito for Opening Day, Dylan Cease goes for No. 4 job

It's official. Lucas Giolito will start for the White Sox on Opening Day against the Los Angeles Angels. Chuck Garfien, Vinnie Duber, and Ryan McGuffey discuss how Giolito has gone from struggling major leaguer to bona fide ace of the White Sox pitching staff. Plus, Giolito talks about what the Opening Day start means to him, and manager Tony La Russa explains his decision to go with Giolito over veterans Dallas Keuchel and Lance Lynn. The crew also discusses Dylan Cease's impressive first start of the spring and where he fits into the White Sox rotation, how Eloy Jiménez keeps raking against the Cubs, and the die-hard White Sox fan who streamed the White Sox spring training game from Antarctica.(2:30) - Lucas Giolito is named the Opening Day starter(8:45) - Tony La Russa on why he named Lucas the starter and Lucas speaks on being named the starter(1630) - Is Dylan Cease the X-factor that will push the White Sox over the top?(21:10) - Lucas Giolito describes the growth in Dylan Cease and what he's excited to see(27:30) - Eloy Jiménez rakes vs the Cubs. AGAIN

Why Steve Stone thinks White Sox are in for a special 2021 season

What kind of year could be in store for the White Sox in 2021? Chuck Garfien speaks with White Sox TV analyst Steve Stone about the team that’s been assembled and why he believes the bullpen will be the best in the majors. Stone talks about a managing philosophy Tony La Russa shared with him in 1978 that is a great match for the current roster, how he won the 1980 Cy Young by changing the mental part of his game, how Ethan Katz can help this pitching staff, and much more.(3:08) - How good can the White Sox be? Steve Stone thinks they can win the World Series(7:30) - How should teams handle pitchers and their arms after a 60 game season?(11:30) - What Tony La Russa told him in 1978 about managing that was years ahead of time(16:20) - Stone's proposal to Rob Manfred for baseball re-alignment(19:58) - Steve on White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz mixing the mental part of the game with the physical in his coaching style(26:34) - How did Steve Stone win the Cy Young award?

Why you shouldn’t be alarmed by the White Sox spring training record

It's been a rough spring training for the White Sox so far in the win column. But does it really matter? Chuck Garfien and Vinnie Duber go inside what's been happening with the White Sox, why they're struggling to win games, and why you shouldn't be concerned. You'll hear from Tony La Russa, Aaron Bummer, and Eloy Jimenez. Want to feel better about the White Sox spring training record? This should help.(2:20) - What's going on with the White Sox in Arizona?(5:50) - Spring training quirkiness with lineups and rules(11:30) - White Sox depth pieces are struggling so far(13:45) - Tony La Russa, Aaron Bummer and Eloy Jimenez talk about the lack of wins(16:00) - What to expect for the rest of spring training

White Sox outfielder Eloy Jiménez talks laughs, tears and his MVP goal

What’s in store for Eloy Jiménez in 2021? Chuck Garfien and Vinnie Duber speak with the White Sox left fielder about how many home runs he can hit in a season, his goal of winning an MVP, and playing alongside Luis Robert in the outfield. He also explains why he cried after learning that José Abreu won the AL MVP and how tough it was missing time during the playoffs with a foot injury. Plus, Jiménez gives his thoughts on Yoán Moncada’s music video, Nick Madrigal’s quest for 3,000 hits, and Vinnie’s mustache.(4:10) - Eloy believes this team is special and can compete at a high level this year and beyond(8:20) - After Jose Abreu won MVP Eloy cried. He explains why and how he thinks there are multiple MVP winners on the team(12:25) - Eloy on playing left field, running into Luis Robert and the dynamic of playing outfield with Luis.(16:00) - Not being able to play in the playoffs last year crushed Eloy, he explains what it was like not being able to help his team(19:00) - Impressions of manager Tony La Russa and playing for him(20:30) - It's the White Sox turn to take over Chicago baseball, the Cubs had their time

Len Kasper, Darrin Jackson discuss new White Sox radio partnership

One of the biggest moves of the White Sox offseason came in the broadcast booth, where Len Kasper became the play-by-play voice on the South Side after 16 seasons calling Cubs games on TV. Chuck Garfien gets together with Kasper and White Sox broadcasting mainstay Darrin Jackson to talk about their new partnership, developing on-air chemistry, and the excitement surrounding the 2021 team. Kasper also explains why he jumped at the opportunity to call White Sox games, what it will be like broadcasting Crosstown games going forward and who's the better player: Tim Anderson or Javier Báez?(3:00) - Moving from the Cubs to the White Sox for not only Len, but Darrin as well(6:35) - White Sox vs. Cubs and the significance of the rivalry(9:55) - What goes into creating a great radio broadcast?(20:15) - The chance to call playoff games for the White Sox was too much to pass up for Len Kasper(25:40) - Why Tony La Russa is the right manager for this team(31:00) - Tim Anderson vs Javy Baez

White Sox fans can return to the ballpark starting on Opening Day

The White Sox and the City of Chicago have agreed on a plan for fans to return to Guaranteed Rate Field in a limited capacity to start the season. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and ESPN's Jesse Rogers talk about who can buy tickets and how fans might need to be creative in the early going to attend games. What it will mean for White Sox fans to see players like Luis Robert, Dallas Keuchel and Nick Madrigal in person for the first time. They also talk about Tony La Russa and Cubs fans tired tweets about the White Sox not drawing fans.(3:00) - First reaction to the news that fans will be allowed back in the stands(10:20) - How will the White Sox distribute tickets? (18:50) - How will fans react to seeing the White Sox in person after so much time away?(25:30) - Could Tony La Russa be the right guy for this team after all?(30:20) - Cubs trying to trash White Sox fans

Why White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn is a 2005 World Series throwback

Don’t stop believin’ in Lance Lynn. In his first spring training game with the White Sox, he showed us exactly what he’s all about: He doesn’t like to be taken out of games, and he doesn’t care who’s in the batter's box. Chuck Garfien, Vinnie Duber, and Ryan McGuffey talk about Lynn’s Cactus League performance against the San Francisco Giants and why he’s such a throwback that brings to mind the 2005 White Sox starting staff. The crew also discusses the backup-catcher competition and Michael Kopech's painful-sounding games of catch with fellow fireballer Garrett Crochet.(2:20) - Lance Lynn does not care about what your lineup looks like(8:00) - Who else on this team is a 2005 throwback?(13:25) - Who will be the backup catcher for the White Sox? Jonathan Lucroy?(19:56) - Is it too dangerous for Michael Kopech to be playing catch with Garrett Crochet?(23:30) - Creative ways the Sox can use Michael Kopech this years

Jerry Narron’s insight into White Sox catchers and his artistic lineup cards

Want an inside perspective on the White Sox from someone who came from the outside? Chuck Garfien got it from new White Sox catching coach Jerry Narron, a former major league catcher, bench coach, and manager who talks about how Tony La Russa is impacting the team at spring training, his thoughts on every White Sox catcher, and how he writes his artistic lineup cards that are creating a buzz in camp. He also tells stories about his Yankees days with Yogi Berra, Billy Martin, and Thurman Munson. Plus, Chuck gives a baseball Tim Anderson threw to him during practice away to a lucky White Sox fan.(2:30) - The magic of the lineup card. Jerry Narron gives the details on how he creates his lineup cards(9:10) - Narron discusses his first impressions of the White Sox roster and what it's like working with Tony La Russa and how La Russa is getting the Sox prepared to win.(15:00) - Narron who is a former catcher breaks down the White Sox catching group and details what he likes and expects from them(20:20) - With concerns from fans about La Russa's age and ability to connect with younger players, Narron describes why La Russa is the right manager for this team(22:35) - Narron tells stories of his playing days in the majors and some of the interesting talents and people he has played with and for(35:50) - Chuck announces the winner of the Tim Anderson baseball giveaway

White Sox fireballer Garrett Crochet recaps rookie year, previews 2021

White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet joins Chuck Garfien to talk about his electric rookie season, including his major league debut and a memorable performance against the Cubs. They discuss what it was like pitching in the playoffs, the feeling in camp with new manager Tony La Russa, his recent proposal to his girlfriend, and why Chuck thinks he’s found the perfect nickname for Crochet.(2:45) - What was it like skipping the minors and going straight to The Show(10:00) - Gaining confidence with early success in the majors(17:15) - What is a major league camp like with Tony La Russa?(22:55) - The Sox seem like they have a potentially dominant bullpen, does the team feel that way?(29:05) - The excitement around spring training and getting the season started

The return of White Sox baseball, Tony La Russa, Jake Burger and much more

The White Sox first spring training game Sunday in Glendale, Arizona, represented the return of so much: baseball, fans in the stands, Tony La Russa and Jake Burger, back on the field three years after tearing his Achilles tendon. And that's only the beginning. Yoán Moncada is back and healthy, and José Abreu returned from a brief COVID-induced absence, reporting to camp over the weekend. Chuck Garfien speaks with Scott Merkin, White Sox beat writer for MLB.com, about all of this and more as the Cactus League season gets underway.(2:30) - The return of fans with masks to watch the first White Sox spring training game felt normal(7:44) - People in the White Sox organization are excited and fired up about the vision Tony La Russa has for this team and the direction he has the White Sox going in(15:14) - Jake Burger on making it back to the field after 3 years due to injuries(20:57) - José Abreu makes his debut in spring training after being absent due to COVID(24:40) - What are the players saying about Tony La Russa?