The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

The non-retirement of Yermin Mercedes

It was a surprising and confusing 24 hours for Yermin Mercedes who abruptly left the Triple-A Charlotte Knights in the middle of a game, posting on social media that he was stepping away from baseball, only to come back one day later announcing on Instagram that he was sorry for quitting. So what happened with Mercedes? What led him to walk away and then come back? Chuck Garfien explains the many shades of Mercedes, why Tony La Russa is not the reason for his downfall, and the hot take overreactions that occurred on social media.(3:40) - Understanding Yermin Mercedes(10:05) - The hot take reaction on social media(17:20) - Tony La Russa's reaction after Mercedes decided to step away from baseball(19:00) - Why Mercedes was frustrated and wanted to leave the White Sox organization

Getting real with White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn

It hasn’t taken long for Lance Lynn to become a fan favorite on the South Side. He speaks with Chuck Garfien about his connection with White Sox fans and the decision to sign a contract extension during the season to remain with the White Sox for the future. He talks about his bond with Mark Buehrle, the will to win inside the White Sox clubhouse, the competitive fire that burns inside him, and more.

Why the White Sox have the best starting rotation in baseball

Is there a better rotation in all of baseball than what the White Sox have with Lance Lynn, Carlos Rodón, Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, and Dylan Cease? Chuck Garfien and Vinnie Duber talk about the White Sox elite starting staff, how it sent a message against the Houston Astros last weekend and how it compares with the Milwaukee Brewers' rotation 80 miles to the north. Plus, what happens if Michael Kopech is added to the rotation later this season? And how would all the White Sox talented arms be used in a possible playoff series?(2:20) - Do the White Sox have the best rotation in baseball?(05:45) - Assuming they make the playoffs.....what's the rotation in the playoffs?(13:00) - What if the White Sox meet the Astros in the post-season...(16:20) - Comparing other top starting rotations to the White Sox

White Sox trade talk with ESPN’s Jesse Rogers

ESPN baseball writer Jesse Rogers is back from Denver to speak with Chuck Garfien about the All-Star Game and possible trade targets for the White Sox, including two players he spoke with at the All-Star Game: Eduardo Escobar and Adam Frazier. Could the White Sox and Cubs make a deal? If so, what Cubs player has the best chance to be headed to the South Side? They also discuss relief help, Tony La Russa, beating good teams in the second half and more.(2:50) - All-star game review for the White Sox(7:48) - Potential trades the White Sox are looking at before the deadline(13:20) - Could Joc Pederson be on his way to the White Sox?(20:05) - Will the manager of the AL All-star team in 2022 be Tony La Russa?(28:40) - Assessing Tony La Russa's first half of the season

Distant Replay: AL pounds the NL in the 1983 All-Star Game at Comiskey Park

Go back in time for the latest edition of Distant Replay! And this one's a gem. The 1983 All-Star Game at old Comiskey Park. It was the 50th Anniversary of the very first All-Star Game held at Comiskey Park in 1933. As a rookie, Ron Kittle was the White Sox only All-Star. Kittle joins the podcast to talk about his memories of this historic game and playing in front of the hometown fans (13:00). After losing 11 straight All-Star Games, the American League crushed the National League 13-3, thanks to a grand slam by Fred Lynn (34:00), the first and only grand slam in All-Star history. A young Chuck Garfien was there in person with his grandfather. Chris Kamka is aboard to talk about the game and the broadcasting magic of Vin Scully who called the game for NBC.

Eloy Jimenez starting rehab assignment feeling ’200 percent healthy’

Great news for the White Sox! Over three months after tearing his left pectoral muscle in a spring training game, Eloy Jimenez is feeling great and starting a rehab assignment on Friday for Class-A Winston-Salem. Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey discuss when he'll likely be back in the White Sox lineup, if he'll play left field when he returns, and more. Plus, they talk about the White Sox decision to part ways with Adam Eaton and the job Tony La Russa has done halfway through the season.(5:00) -- When might Eloy Jimenez return to the White Sox?(12:10) -- Will he mostly play DH? What about left field?(25:00) -- The job Tony La Russa has done as White Sox manager(31:20) -- The decision to DFA Adam Eaton and what it might mean going forward

The father-son combo of Larry Sheets and Gavin Sheets

Baseball is in the blood for Gavin Sheets and his dad Larry Sheets, who was a power hitter in the majors for 8 seasons. Chuck Garfien speaks with both of them about Gavin's journey to the major leagues, how Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr coached Gavin during the pandemic last year, the excitement of going home to Baltimore this weekend to play against the Orioles, and more.(2:45) - Gavin on being the son of a major league player(9:00) - Fulfilling a legacy, Gavin on stepping in his dad's cleats and becoming a pro player(17:00) - Larry Sheets discusses being teammates with Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.(24:20) - Gavin describes what it was like hitting his first major league home run(31:00) - Gavin on gaining trust from Tony La Russa

Roger Bennett’s love for the White Sox, Joey Cora, and all things Chicago

How does a young boy in Liverpool, England come to America and become a diehard White Sox fan? Chuck Garfien speaks with popular English soccer broadcaster Roger Bennett about his love for the White Sox and the city of Chicago. He explains why Joey Cora is his all-time favorite White Sox player, the life advice he received from William "The Refrigerator" Perry, his infatuation with John Hughes movies, what he likes about the 2021 White Sox, and his new book: 'Reborn in the USA: An Englishman's Love Letter to His Chosen Home.'(6:30) - Roger's longtime fascination with Chicago and longing to live here(17:10) - Landing in Chicago for the first time(31:45) - Meeting William "The Refrigerator" Perry(43:10) - Why Joey Cora is his all-time favorite White Sox player(53:20) - How the White Sox helped him get through the pandemic

Yasmani Grandal back to his best self, Adam Eaton on MLB injuries in 2021

Chuck Garfien speaks with White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal who talks about his unicorn start to the season at the plate, drawing so many walks with so few hits. They also discuss the feud between Lucas Giolito and Josh Donaldson. Then, Chuck speaks with White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton about the rash of hamstring injuries that have spread throughout the game. Eaton is dealing with a hamstring injury himself. He explains how close he is to returning and why he believes there are so many soft tissue injuries in the game today.(3:30) - Yasmani Grandal says he wasn't "full ready" for the regular season(7:00) - He responds to the feud between Lucas Giolito and Josh Donaldson(11:55) - Adam Eaton on his hamstring injury and why there are so many soft tissue injuries in baseball(19:00) - How the White Sox have been able to stay in first place despite all of the injuries

White Sox-Twins: Josh Donaldson vs. Lucas Giolito, Ozzie Guillén

What started out as a "sticky stuff" controversy between White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito and Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson went nuclear after Donaldson brought Ozzie Guillén into the mix, criticizing the NBC Sports Chicago analyst for the comments he made on Tuesday night's postgame show. Here on the podcast, hear what Giolito said about Donaldson, what Donaldson said about both Giolito and Guillén and what Guillén said to fire back at Donaldson. Sit back, relax and strap it down for this one.