The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Ep. 325: Why Cole Hamels believes he’s a good fit with the White Sox

Chuck Garfien speaks with free agent pitcher Cole Hamels about his interest in signing with the White Sox (2:45), how he's been able to pitch at a high level into his mid-30's (13:00), the injury that derailed his season with the Cubs in 2019 (16:00), his fit with the White Sox (21:45), how he can help the young White Sox pitching staff (32:00) and more.

Ep. 324: The made-for-Hollywood life of Kevin Hickey

Former White Sox pitcher Kevin Hickey defied the odds again and again in his life, getting a contract with the White Sox on a tryout in 1978 and later receiving a World Series ring in 2005. It's a surreal journey that you have to hear to believe. Chuck Garfien speaks with Kevin's brother Tom about Kevin's upbringing, growing up two blocks away from Comiskey Park (1:30), the stories behind his White Sox tryout despite never playing organized baseball (5:45), his major league debut in 1981 (10:30), notorious bar fights (13:00), teaching Charlie Sheen how to pitch for the movie Major League 2 (22:00), getting a job with the White Sox (25:10), his part in the A.J. Pierzynski/Michael Barrett fight (28:30) and much more.

Ep. 323: Could Zack Wheeler be next?

The White Sox want to add starting pitching this offseason. Could their next signing be Zack Wheeler? SNY's Andy Martino who covers the Mets comes on the podcast and says the White Sox are "a real possibility" for Wheeler (1:30). But who exactly is Wheeler? How good can he be? (5:00) How interested are the Yankees? (7:45) Is Wheeler worth the big money? (11:15) What might it cost? (17:20) Will the White Sox go all-in on him? (21:00) Plus, the White Sox put Yolmer Sanchez on outright waivers (27:00), and more.

Ep. 322: Three more years for Jose Abreu

The White Sox ripped up their qualifying offer for Jose Abreu and instead reached a 3-year contract with their All-Star first baseman. Why did they do it and what does it mean? (1:30) What can the White Sox expect offensively from Abreu during the contract? (5:50) Tweets from White Sox fans (13:00), does this affect Andrew Vaughn? (17:50), the Zack Wheeler rumors (24:00) and more.

Ep. 321: White Sox sign Yasmani Freakin’ Grandal

The White Sox got the Hot Stove off to a scorching start with the surprise signing of switch hitting catcher Yasmani Grandal. How big of a deal is this? (1:30) Could the Grandal signing help sign other free agents? (8:20) Rick Hahn speaks about the signing (13:00) Grandal talks about why he signed with the White Sox (16:00) What does this mean for James McCann? (17:50)Flu-ridden Ryan McGuffey calls in from his sick bed to share his thoughts on Grandal (25:00) and more.

Ep. 320: Matt Vasgersian’s quest to get Hawk Harrelson into Cooperstown

Chuck Garfien speaks with MLB Network and ESPN broadcaster Matt Vasgersian who explains why Hawk Harrelson should win this year's Ford Frick Award. Matt gives his all-time favorite Hawkism (2:00), his desire to plead his case to the voting committee (4:50), why Hawk's homerism should be celebrated and honored (8:00), why we won't see another Hawk Harrelson ever again (9:45), how Matt used to blurt out Hawkisms on late nights at Wiener Circle (13:00), plus why the White Sox could take a big step forward with offseason moves this winter (16:30) and more.

Ep. 319: Distant Replay: Robin Ventura vs. Nolan Ryan

In the latest edition of Distant Replay, we go back to August 4, 1993, when Robin Ventura famously charged the mound against future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, reliving the game and digging up stories you've never heard. Why the fight started years before because of Craig Grebeck (3:50), "You Gotta Be Bleeping Me!" Everything we learned rewatching the broadcast (15:00), Ryan hits Ventura with a pitch and chaos ensues (25:25), Nolan Ryan doesn't get ejected??!!! Gene Lamont goes crazy and gets tossed from the game (33:55), Chuck calls up Gene Lamont. Yes, he calls Gene Lamont (42:20), a future White Sox legend was at the game and met Ventura before the game (51:20) and more.

Ep. 318: Everything we learned from Rick Hahn at the G.M. Meetings

Chuck Garfien speaks with Vinnie Duber who is covering the G.M. Meetings in Arizona where Rick Hahn spoke with the media for the first time in the offseason.Why Vinnie's big takeaway is "don't take anything off the table" this offseason for the White Sox (1:45), Hahn talks about signing premium free agents and the Machado experience (6:00), weighing defense vs. hitting for who they get to play right field (9:10), would they move Yoan Moncada from third base if they signed a certain free agent?(11:45), where are things with Jose Abreu (21:00) and more.

Ep. 317: Bob Nightengale sees White Sox going after ”the big boys” in free agency

Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey talk about the rumors connecting the White Sox to premium free agents like Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg (1:30). Then they call up USA Today's Bob Nightengale at the GM Meetings in Arizona who confirms that's what he's hearing (8:20). How realistic is this? (10:10) Does the front office feel the need to make a big splash? (11:20) Is there a Scott Boras factor with the White Sox? (13:30) and more.

Ep. 316: Yolmer Sanchez on winning a Gold Glove and his White Sox future

Chuck Garfien speaks with Yolmer Sanchez about winning a Gold Glove at second base (2:20), his fit with the White Sox in 2020 (7:00), his offense in 2019 (9:45). the trophy he wants to win more than a Gold Glove (12:00), White Sox not getting Manny Machado (15:00) and more.