The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Distant Replay: A.J. Pierzynski vs. the Cubs

14 years ago today, Michael Barrett socked A.J. Pierzynski in the face, starting a benches clearing brawl between the White Sox and Cubs on the South Side. Six weeks later, Pierzynski got revenge against Barrett and the Cubs, hitting the game-winning home run in the 9th inning at Wrigley Field. On this edition of Distant Replay, Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, Vinnie Duber and Chris Kamka take a look back at the season when Pierzynski's legend crew on the South Side, and he became Public Enemy Number One on the North Side.(2:27) - Why the White Sox/Cubs series had more buzz back then(10:00) - Pierzynski slams into Barrett at home plate, chaos ensues(21:34) - What you probably forgot about this game (30:13) - White Sox and Cubs meet at Wrigley, and there's a surprise announcer in the booth(38:50) - A Cubs fan breaks a baseball rule, Kamka is still upset about it(44:00) - Pierzynski homers off Ryan Dempster, garbage is thrown on the field (52:00) Did this make Pierzynski a White Sox legend or was it the dropped third strike?

Don Cooper believes we need baseball in 2020

Host Chuck Garfien is joined by White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper who explains why there needs to be a baseball season, why he's optimistic it will happen, why the White Sox pitching staff might get off to a good start if baseball returns and more.(4:50) - Coop says "I believe we're going to play"(6:24) - How much time would be needed to get ready for a season?(10:41) - What will baseball look like with the new MLB health and safety rules(13:10) - The experience of playing games without fans in Baltimore and challenge of doing it again(20:30) -Why the pandemic helps and hurts different White Sox pitchers

What was it like coaching during the ’90s Bulls era

Chicago in the '90s was all about Michael Jordan and the Bulls, so what was it like for the other major teams during that time? Host Laurence Holmes discusses this with four coaches who led teams in the shadow of the Bulls during that time. From the Blackhawks former coach Craig Hartsburg, from the Cubs Jim Riggleman, from the White Sox Gene Lamont, and from the Bears Dave Wannstedt, all come together to discuss one of the most important times in Chicago sports history.(0:43) - During the early '90s the White Sox had a shot at a World Series(7:02) - Are there universal rules across sports to coaching a great player like Jordan(14:34) - Was there pressure for Jim Riggleman and the Cubs to win because of the Bulls(21:55) - Difficulties coaching in the same building as the Bulls for then new Blackhawks coach Craig Hartsburg(28:15) - Favorite Jordan story or moment

Checking in with Chuck and Jason

Chuck Garfien is joined by White Sox play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, how Jason is connecting with White Sox fans on Twitter, the chances of baseball in 2020, what music they're playing at home, the White Sox sim game both of them are broadcasting and the podcast Chuck is really excited to tape in the near future.(4:40) - How Chuck and Jason have been dealing with the pandemic(9:14) - Jason reading poignant messages from White Sox fans on Twitter(17:00) - What music they've been listening to lately(23:20) - Will there be baseball?(27:45) - Big lineup changes coming in their MLB the Show White Sox simulation!

Will the players say yes to new proposal to start the season?

MLB owners have approved a plan for a 2020 baseball season, but will the players accept it? Host Chuck Garfien is joined by Vinnie Duber and Adam Hoge to discuss all of the details in the proposal. When would the season start? What would the schedule look like? Why the players might reject it? Will it be safe enough for the season to begin?(1:55) - Optimistic or pessimistic that baseball will be played this year(9:08) - Details of revenue sharing between players and owners(16:05) - Vinnie's theory about the Field of Dreams game(21:20) - The players have a tough decision to make(27:10) - Who is more harmed by not playing a season, the players or the owners?

Why Philip Humber wasn’t the same after his perfect game

Eight years after shocking the baseball world with his perfect game against the Seattle Mariners, former White Sox pitcher Philip Humber opens up to Chuck Garfien about the game that was the highlight of his career--and is also the reason it ended.(2:40) - How often does the perfect game follow Humber?(9:30) - His biggest regret looking back on his career(28:00) - The feeling of throwing a perfect game and getting a phone call from President Obama(35:30) - Living up to expectations and trying to prove the perfect game wasn't a fluke(49:15) - What he's learned about his career and the perfect game

Tyler Saladino on the world watching him play baseball

In a world deprived of sports, baseball season has begun in South Korea where former White Sox infielder Tyler Saladino plays for the Samsung Lions. Tyler joins host Chuck Garfien to discuss the significance of playing live sports, playing baseball without fans, South Korea's fight against the virus, the incredible bat flipping in South Korea and more.(3:03) - Saladino on being one of the few people in the world who can play sports(10:00) - What the testing situation is like in South Korea(18:56) - The feeling and atmosphere playing baseball without fans(26:40) - Getting emotional taking the field knowing the world is watching him play(38:20) - The incredible bat flipping in South Korea. Tim Anderson take notice!

Distant Replay: Philip Humber’s perfect game

On this edition of Distant Replay, the crew takes a deep dive looking back at Philip Humber’s perfect game in 2012. How did he do it? Was it really a perfect game? Why Mark Buehrle’s perfect game has always overshadowed Humber’s—and shouldn’t. Plus, the imperfect broadcast by Fox Sports and more. (2:35) No one was ready for Humber to throw a perfect game. (9:56) Why the game would have been more memorable if Hawk Harrelson called it. (21:14) What was the Mariners game plan against Humber? (29:56) - The incredible Humber strikeout in the 9th inning that no one talks about, but should. (34:06) - Was it really a perfect game?

Jason Benetti and Bill Walton

During our "Be Chicago" telethon to raise money for United Way's COVID-19 relief fund for Chicago, White Sox play-by-play announcer Jason Bennetti spoke with the one and only Bill Walton. The eccentric NBA Hall of Famer provides wisdom, advice and humor in a wide-ranging conversation about Michael Jordan, John Wooden, the Grateful Dead, COVID-19 and calling a White Sox game together last summer.(5:45) - How Bill Walton is staying positive during this time(15:30) - Jason and Bill talk about the White Sox/Angels game they called together in 2019(23:55) - How Bill got through the toughest times in his life(32:00) - How the world can be better in the future

2005 World Series champion White Sox reunion!

What happens when you reunite seven key members of the 2005 White Sox on a Zoom call? You’re about to find out. Ozzie Guillen, A.J. Pierzynski, Jermaine Dye, Jon Garland, Aaron Rowand, Geoff Blum and Cliff Politte joined host Chuck Garfien for a 2005 reunion on the “Be Chicago: Together We Can” telethon on NBC Sports Chicago. They shared some of their favorite memories from that championship season.(3:55) - The time Aaron Rowand played a practical joke on Ozzie Guillen(9:57) - Why the 2005 White Sox were so successful(17:16) - Guillen explains why certain players from 2004 couldn't win and changes needed to be made.(18:15) -- Two classic Juan Uribe stories(22:50) - A.J. Pierzynski and Carl Everett almost came to blows before a game?!!(33:49) - Biggest takeaways from the 2005 season