The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Latest Episodes:

Tyler Saladino on the world watching him play baseball May 07, 2020

Show notes

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 May 05, 2020

Show notes

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 May 04, 2020

Show notes

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! Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

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

Bob Nightengale on momentum building for baseball in 2020 Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

After breaking the story about MLB's new ideas for a 2020 baseball season, USA Today's Bob Nightengale joined host Chuck Garfien to talk about all the details. When the season would start, where games would be played, how the White Sox and Cubs would be in the same division, a wild playoff format and why league officials are optimistic that there will be baseball in 2020.

(2:38) - The White Sox and Cubs in the same division?

(6:26) - How would the playoffs work?

(9:40) - Could fans be allowed in games?

(13:25) - Setbacks the league must consider before starting the season

(15:55) -Why these changes could be the best thing for baseball going forward

Top 10 White Sox players we hated to love Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

With the "The Last Dance" documentary highlighting Bulls bad boy Dennis Rodman, host Chuck Garfien wanted to know: who are the top 10 White Sox players we hated to love? Chuck is joined by Chris Kamka and Mike Cappozzo. They rank the most hated rivals who later became members of the White Sox. Who will be #1?

(3:00) - The one player who ALMOST made the list

(9:04) - Carl Everett. Oh yeah, he's in here.

(17:50) - An injury to Frank Thomas gave us Jose Canseco??!!

(26:30) - Blue Jays fans didn't like David Wells. White Sox fans? Same.

(41:04) - The number 1 White Sox player we hated to love.

Michael Jordan vs. Old Comiskey Park Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

It was the most exciting batting practice in White Sox history. Michael Jordan taking swings at Old Comiskey Park before a White Sox game in 1990. The site of seeing Jordan in a White Sox uniform hitting home runs was the talk of Chicago. Host Chuck Garfien is joined Ryan McGuffey and former White Sox slugger Ron Kittle who actually brought Ryan who was 10 years old at the time to the game. Lots of great stories in this one.

(2:20) - Ron Kittle takes young Ryan McGuffey to see Michael Jordan's batting practice

(8:22) - Jordan dreamed he would be a Pittsburgh Pirate?

(12:55) - Kittle shares his favorite Jordan stories

(16:44) - Bulls GM Jerry Krause couldn't watch

(20:00) - The time Kittle played golf with Jordan, Charles Barkley and Bucky Dent.

Why a Sox team doctor thinks baseball can be played in 2020 Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

Host Chuck Garfien and NBCS Chicago White Sox insider Adam Hoge speak about Hoge's interview with White Sox team physician, Dr. Nik Verma who believes there's a real possibility that baseball can be played in 2020.

(1:50) - MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred believes baseball will be back in 2020

(7:40) - Dr. Nik Verma explains how and why baseball can return this year

(12:10) - Players wouldn't have to be away from their families for weeks or months

(16:43) - Details of the White Sox participating in an antibody study

(23:18) - Suspension of the season has given injured Sox players more time to heal

Incredible inside stories about Michael Jordan’s baseball career Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

With the 'Last Dance' documentary chronicling Michael Jordan's final season with the Bulls, host Chuck Garfien takes an inside look at Jordan's one season playing baseball with the White Sox in 1994. Chuck gets stories from those who were around Jordan during that time: former White Sox players Frank Thomas, Ozzie Guillen, Darrin Jackson and Bill Melton, plus Birmingham Barons broadcaster Curt Bloom who called all of Jordan's games in the minor leagues.

(2:40) - White Sox secretly asked Bill Melton to help Michael Jordan learn how to hit

(6:56) - Ozzie Guillen and Joey Cora played 2-on-1 basketball against Jordan. Seriously. Ozzie tells the story.

(10:45) - Frank Thomas couldn't believe the wild scene at White Sox spring training and talks about if Jordan could have made it to the majors.

(15:27) - Darrin Jackson saw women cry when they saw Jordan and played with Jordan in the White Sox-Cubs exhibition game at Wrigley

(22:30) - Curt Bloom talks about announcing Jordan's games, his first home run, the bus rides, and crazy things that happened in the minors.

Why Scott Podsednik almost didn’t become a World Series hero Apr 19, 2020

Show notes

Scott Podsednik will always be remembered for hitting the game-winning home run in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series. But what it took for him to reach that point is a whole other story. Host Chuck Garfien speaks with Scott about his nine-year journey in the minor leagues, how he almost quit the game, what he did to overcome adversity, and eventually win a World Series with the White Sox.

(2:10) - Podsednik's long journey in the minor leagues

(6:00) - Why it took so long to develop the skills to succeed

(9:30) - Almost quitting baseball

(12:20) - All the different teams that gave up on him

(14:40) - What he learned from his struggles that he still uses today