The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

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?

How Andrew Vaughn is approaching White Sox spring DH competition

Will Andrew Vaughn start the season as the White Sox everyday DH? The 2019 first-round pick joins Chuck Garfien to talk about his opportunity to win the job out of spring training, how the pandemic affected his 2020 season, getting hitting tips from Hall of Famer Jim Thome, being “a pain in the rear” in the batter’s box against Lucas Giolito, the respect the players have for new manager Tony La Russa and more.(2:30) - Preparing for baseball during a pandemic, Vaughn's time training in the White Sox facility in Schaumburg.(9:20) - Learning how to DH and getting hitting tips from Jim Thome(12:42) - What Tony La Russa told him before spring training about earning the DH job(16:00) - Wanting to play like Dustin Pedroia and being compared to a young Billy Butler(24:20) - Rooming and competing for a job with Gavin Sheets (27:30) - His excitement about playing in the majors after a year without games

The case for White Sox legend Minnie Miñoso to make the Hall of Fame

The Athletic's Joe Posnanski says White Sox legend Minnie Miñoso is the biggest void in the Hall of Fame. Chuck Garfien speaks with Posnanski, who explains why Miñoso belongs in the Hall and why he's "very optimistic" that Miñoso will get into Cooperstown later this year. Posnanski also shares his thoughts about the White Sox decision to bring Hall-of-Fame manager Tony La Russa back for another go-round as the South Side skipper.(2:54) - Joe dives into why Minnie Miñoso is the best player not in the Hall of Fame(7:20) - Miñoso was the Latino Jackie Robinson(14:10) - Miñoso's career numbers would have been better if allowed to play in MLB sooner(22:28) - List of facts people may not know about Miñoso(29:16) - Joe discusses why he wasn't a fan of the White Sox hiring La Russa

Breaking down White Sox vs. Twins to determine AL Central’s top team

Everyone seems to believe that the AL Central will be decided between the White Sox and the Twins. So which is the better team? Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey speak with The Athletic's Dan Hayes to get the lowdown on the White Sox division rivals. They compare and contrast both clubs, breaking down seven major categories before deciding which is the superior squad.(5:20) -The AL Central division is going to come down to the Twins and the White Sox(7:25) - Offseason moves comparison, which team had the better offseason?(18:08) - Offensive comparison, which lineup has more firepower?(22:43) - Defensive comparison, have the White Sox finally overcome their team deficiencies on defense?(28:54) - Better starting rotation? White Sox! White Sox! White Sox!(35:36) - Comparing coaching staff(40:00) - Do the Twins still have the mental edge over the White Sox?(42:14) - Final decisions. Who will win the AL Central division crown?

Lucas Giolito describes why the White Sox should contend for years to come

White Sox ace Lucas Giolito speaks with Chuck Garfien about the team's "World Series or bust" attitude at the outset of spring training. He explains how Yasmani Grandal's work behind the plate really stands out, how Michael Kopech is already throwing effortless gas, why he thinks the White Sox bullpen is the best in the majors, which South Side pitcher has the nastiest pitch in the league, why Andrew Vaughn will be a force in 2021 and much more.(2:00) - Giolito's reaction to Yoan Moncada's music video(5:30) - White Sox have transitioned from playoffs or bust to World Series or bust(11:28) - Lucas discusses his first playoff appearance and how he handled it.(19:45) - The philosophy of pitching, velocity vs control(26:20) - What kind of talent does Michael Kopech have?(32:54) - The missing piece this team needs is a killer instinct. Giolitio describes how the Sox can attain it

What Michael Kopech learned during time away from White Sox in 2020

After almost a year away from the game, Michael Kopech is back with the White Sox with a new perspective on life and a new role heading into the 2021 season. Kopech met the media Saturday and talked about the changes to his on- and off-field life. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, and Vinnie Duber react to Kopech's first public comments since he opted not to play during the 2020 season. Plus, White Sox ace Lucas Giolito gives his initial impressions of watching Kopech's bullpen sessions at spring training.(2:20) - First reactions to Michael Kopech speaking to the media after a 1yr layoff. Why Sox fans should be rooting for Kopech the person as well as the player(8:50) - Michael Kopech in his own words on why he needed to take the year off. Not only COVID related but wanted to work on his mental health as well.(13:30) - Kopech describes what has changed in his life after taking the year off(16:50) - Lucas Giolito discusses how great Kopech looks in spring training and that bringing Kopech from the bullpen might be the best strategy as he returns to form.(19:20) - The White Sox goal with Kopech should be to get him primed and ready for a deep playoff run.