The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Latest Episodes:

How White Sox fill void created by Nick Madrigal’s hamstring tear Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

With Nick Madrigal possibly missing the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, what do the White Sox do about second base? Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey discuss the loss of Madrigal, the rash of hamstring injuries that have hit the White Sox, and one name that's already been mentioned as a possible trade target. Plus, they react to Rick Hahn's comments regarding the team's optimism that Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert could both return this season.

White Sox prospect Jake Burger raking in Triple-A Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

After missing three full seasons due to injuries and the pandemic, Jake Burger is back in a big way. Chuck Garfien speaks with the White Sox 2017 first-round pick about his impressive start with the Charlotte Knights and what it means to be playing competitive baseball again. They talk about his first three hits in Triple-A (all home runs), how an unexpected fan found his first home run ball and gave it to him, getting called up to the majors one day, his impressions of prospect Yoelqui Cespedes, and more.

(3:35) - Why Burger is surprised by the season he's having with the Charlotte Knights

(10:55) - Hitting his first home run in Triple-A and the feeling after it

(17:30) - How he's becoming a better third baseman

(31:00) - The fan who found his first home run ball wasn't a White Sox fan...

A conversation with White Sox legends Paul Konerko and Jim Thome Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

Chuck Garfien catches up with Paul Konerko and Jim Thome for a conversation about their White Sox careers, the art of hitting, and much more. The two White Sox legends get into the nitty gritty about hitting in the big leagues, being teammates, and playing in the “Blackout Game.” They talk about the memorabilia they have inside their homes, and Chuck gives them a pop quiz about their baseball careers.

(3:50) - Konerko and Thome talk about the baseball memorabilia they have in their homes

(10:15) - Their memories of the "Blackout Game"

(12:30) - The art of hitting as told by Konerko and Thome

(28:50) - Teaching the game to younger generations

(35:34) - Baseball trivia with Paul and Jim

White Sox are freakin’ good as calendar flips to June Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

As the baseball calendar flips from May to June, it’s time to assess all that has happened with the White Sox in the first two months of the season and wonder what comes next. Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey break down what they’ve learned about the White Sox, the team's strengths and weaknesses, why they should win the AL Central, what player the White Sox could add at the trade deadline, and more.

(2:50) - How many teams are better than the White Sox? Not many

(11:00) - Bench players are making a big difference

(17:10) - Will the Indians be able to overtake the White Sox?

(21:35) - Chuck's trade target for the outfield

Why White Sox fit best for Cubs’ Kris Bryant at trade deadline May 26, 2021

Show notes

With Cubs superstar Kris Bryant potentially on the trading block, MLB.com columnist Anthony Castrovince comes on the podcast to tell Chuck Garfien why he believes the White Sox are the best fit for the former MVP. The guys talk about what kind of trade package it will take to acquire Bryant, if the Cubs would be willing to deal him to the South Side, and more.

(3:00) - Castrovince explains why Bryant and the White Sox are the best fit

(10:00) - Why the Cubs will eventually trade Bryant this season

(16:10) - Will the Cubs be willing to trade him to the White Sox?

(22:50) - Who the White Sox might have to give up for Kris Bryant

(24:30) - When Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert return affects all of this

White Sox-Cardinals: Lucas Giolito, Jack Flaherty go head-to-head May 24, 2021

Show notes

White Sox ace Lucas Giolito and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty were teammates at Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles. Now they’re facing off against each other as big leaguers for the very first time Tuesday night on the South Side. Chuck Garfien speaks with their high school baseball coach, Matt LaCour, who tells stories about their prep careers and what it took for them to become elite major league pitchers. LaCour, who is coming to town for the big game, talks about what it will be like being at Guaranteed Rate Field to watch his former pitchers go head-to-head.

(2:46) - How did the legendary high school rotation featuring Lucas Giolito, Max Fried, and Jack Flaherty come together?

(7:30) - When Matt LaCour first saw that Lucas Giolito had the potential to be something special

(10:40) - The time Giolito accidentally hit Max Fried in the face with a pitch in high school

(15:20) - The text LaCour received from Flaherty telling him he needs to come to Chicago for the game

(20:05) - Watching the growth of Giolito in the majors

(35:10) - LaCour on his former pitching coach Ethan Katz coaching Giolito in the majors

Tony La Russa, Yermín Mercedes and White Sox taking it to Twins May 19, 2021

Show notes

In one of the most unforgettable series in recent memory, the battle between the White Sox and Twins was also a dividing line between old-school and new-school baseball. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Vinnie Duber talk about everything from Yermín Mercedes launching a home run on a 3-0 pitch in a blowout to Tony La Russa sticking to the unwritten rules of baseball to the White Sox taking two of three from the Twins in a series that buried Minnesota even further into the basement of the AL Central.

1:55 - Summing up a tense White Sox-Twins series

7:00 - La Russa - Mercedes fall out

16:48 - Throwing at batters for retaliation

White Sox and Twins going in opposite directions May 17, 2021

Show notes

The White Sox and Twins were expected to battle it out for the AL Central title, but with Memorial Day approaching, the White Sox are at the top of the division and the Twins are fighting to stay out of the cellar. Can the Twins turn their season around, or will they be forced to make an early surrender and sell before the trade deadline? Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey speak with Twins beat writer Dan Hayes from The Athletic about the Twins' struggles and how the White Sox made it to first place. They also discuss the current playoff and World Series projections for both teams.

(3:15) - Why have the Twins been so bad this year?

(13:10) - Everything that could go wrong for the Twins has gone wrong

(19:15) - Will the Twins pull the plug on the season and trade away players?

(25:10) - Current odds to make the playoffs in the AL Central division

(30:20) - Is there a chance the Twins can comeback?

(38:00) - Current World Series Odds for the AL Centeral

How the White Sox found Yermín Mercedes, plus Jake Burger’s comeback May 12, 2021

Show notes

Yermín Mercedes has been one of the best stories in baseball in the early stages of the 2021 season as he's completed his journey from unknown prospect to the American League Rookie of the Month. So how did the White Sox find him? Chuck Garfien speaks with White Sox assistant general manager Chris Getz, who explains how the team came upon Mercedes in 2017, the path Mercedes took to the majors, how Mercedes forced his way on the Opening Day roster and if he believes Mercedes can stick in the majors.

(4:10) - How did a talent like Yermín Mercedes go under the radar for so long?

(9:05) - Scouting Mercedes in the minors

(14:00) - How other teams are reacting to his success

(17:50) - Now a beer is named after him!

(20:00) - Jake Burger's growth in the minors this year

It’s time the White Sox show the Minnesota Twins who’s boss in the AL Central May 11, 2021

Show notes

The Minnesota Twins have been taking it to the White Sox for years. How about some revenge! With the Twins limping into town with a 12-20 record, it's time for the first place White Sox to knock them down and keep them down. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, and Chris Kamka talk about their frustrations with the Twins over the years and why it's important for the White Sox to make a statement against their division rivals, not just this week when they meet for three games on the South Side, but next week when they face each other again for three more battles in Minnesota.

(3:10) - The Twins have been beating the White Sox for years. It's time to start ending their hopes, NOW!

(8:10) - What has gone wrong for the Twins so far this season?

(15:30) - We're not impressed with the Royals

(20:35) - Yasmani Grandal is getting a ton of walks. Will he find his bat soon?

(28:50) - White Sox depth is proving its worth with all the injuries

(35:00) - The Sox have a chance to solidify 1st place in the AL Central