The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Latest Episodes:

The case for White Sox legend Minnie Miñoso to make the Hall of Fame Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

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 Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

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 Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

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 Feb 21, 2021

Show notes

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.

Picking the White Sox biggest X-factor for the 2021 season Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

As the White Sox prepare for the 2021 season, which player is going to be the difference between the team making it to the playoffs and making it to the World Series? In other words: Who's the biggest X-factor? Chuck Garfien, Vinnie Duber, and Ryan McGuffey discuss a host of candidates, plus hear Liam Hendriks and Yasmani Grandal talk about a couple of them before the crew comes up with its pick for the biggest X-factor on the White Sox roster.

(3:00) - What does it mean to be an X-factor?

(7:12) - Can Luis Robert be the X-Factor that will propel the White Sox this year?

(11:20) - Yasmani Grandal thinks Dylan Cease can be a Cy Young finalist

(20:50) - Does the uncertainty of where or when Michael Kopech will play stop him from being an X-factor for the White Sox?

(23:55) - Liam Hendriks thinks the addition of Adam Eaton was one of the more important on the White Sox and Eaton can be the X-factor the team needs

(31:10) - Yasmani Grandal's ability to be consistent can be the X-factor the White Sox need in 2021

(39:13) - The final decision, who is the biggest X-Factor for the White Sox in 2021

White Sox set ’World Series or bust’ expectations as spring training begins Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

On Day 1 of spring training, general manager Rick Hahn told reporters that the goal is for the White Sox to win the World Series in 2021. That ought to get South Side fans fired up for baseball season. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, and Vinnie Duber react to Hahn's comments, as well as Tony La Russa's interview with Bob Nightengale and the idea that Michael Kopech could possibly start the season as part of the White Sox bullpen.

(1:50) - Rick Hahn sets the standard with World Series or bust mentality to begin the season

(6:00) - Tony La Russa's sit down interview with Bob Nightengale

(11:14) - Tony La Russa discusses his latest arrest, and if he considered resigning from the White Sox

(16:30) - Should the White Sox consider using Michael Kopech out of the Bullpen instead of having him in the minors?

(24:40) - Rick Hahn views Michael Kopech as a major league starter and details what they want from him and what they are looking for this season

(28:55) - Andrew Vaughn will be in the mix for DH. Does Yermin Mercedes have a shot?

White Sox well represented in preseason American League MVP, Cy Young odds Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

If José Abreu wants to repeat as American League MVP in 2021, he's got plenty of competition on his own team. Chuck Garfien, Vinnie Duber, and Ryan McGuffey go over the preseason MVP odds put out by PointsBet Sportsbook, which include several White Sox stars. Is there a lack of respect for Abreu? Should Eloy Jiménez and Tim Anderson have even better odds? Then there are the preseason Cy Young odds. One White Sox pitcher has some of the best odds out there, and a surprising name shows up on the list, too.

(2:30) - White Sox place six players on preseason MVP odds list

(6:35) - Three White Sox players have 25-to-1 odds to win MVP

(12:30) - Will Luis Robert take a Mike Trout style type leap in his second year in the majors?

(15:00) - Yasmani Grandal has 30-to-1 odds to win the AL MVP

(19:00) - Eloy Jiménez and Tim Anderson are 40-to-1 to win MVP: too high?

(26:07) - Who has the best odds to win the Cy Young?

(31:10) - Dylan Cease surprisingly places on the Cy Young odds list

Tim Anderson gets you fired up for the 2021 White Sox season Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

With spring training about to begin, Chuck Garfien speaks with White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson to get you primed for baseball season. They talk about the White Sox offseason moves, how new manager Tony La Russa will fit with the team, why Anderson didn't do any bat flips last season, and MLB Network ranking Anderson the 10th best shortstop in the game (hint: he's not happy about it). Plus, the two discuss what the White Sox were missing last season, what it would mean to Anderson to win a World Series, and much more.

(5:10) - Why he didn't bat flip last season

(7:28) - Being ranked the 10th best shortstop in baseball, "That's bulls***"

(13:56) - What it's like being on the cover of RBI Baseball 21?

(24:00) - His initial reaction to the White Sox hiring Tony La Russa and how he'll fit with the players

(34:41) - Anderson reacts to Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine saying Tim is "Bringing swag back to baseball"

(39:12) - PECOTA projections having the White Sox only winning 83 games and losing the division

(44:20) - The White Sox offseason moves and what was missing last season

Luis Robert is the White Sox player no one’s talking about this offseason Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

With so much focus on who the White Sox did and didn't add to the roster this winter, it seems one of the biggest X-factors for the 2021 season has flown a little bit under the radar. Luis Robert had an impressive rookie season, displaying his immense talent and five-tool ability. But what awaits in 2021, now that he's gotten his first taste of the major leagues? Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, and Vinnie Duber discuss the glimpse of potential that Robert provided during his rookie season and what fans can expect from the superstar in the making this season. Plus, where should Tony La Russa slot Robert in his batting order?

(2:15) - Has Luis Robert gone under the radar this offseason?

(7:00) - What could be in store for Luis Robert in 2021?

(12:40) - Luis Robert's struggles last season

(16:50) - Where will Robert bat in the lineup?

(23:20) - Luis Robert is already on a path to be an elite defender if he's not there already

(29:20) - How will Robert start the season when the weather won't be warm?

Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio says White Sox can win the pennant Feb 05, 2021

Show notes

After making the playoffs in 2020 and adding to the club this winter, the White Sox are looking like one of the best teams in the AL, and MLB Network Radio host Mike Ferrin agrees. Chuck Garfien speaks with Ferrin about the White Sox offseason moves and why he believes they can make it to the World Series. The guys also examine whether the White Sox need to add more before the season begins and whether top ranked prospect Andrew Vaughn be the answer at DH in 2021.

(2:00) - What's it like covering and broadcasting baseball during the pandemic?

(7:20) - Is Tony La Russa the right fit for the White Sox?

(12:10) - Breaking down the White Sox roster, including offseason additions Adam Eaton and Lance Lynn

(21:10) - Who will be the White Sox designated hitter, and if it's Andrew Vaughn, will he be ready?

(26:15) - Who will win the AL Central: the White Sox or the Twins?

(34:45) - White Sox broadcasting team gets a boost with Len Kasper