The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Latest Episodes:

Black History Month: Making hockey accessible to everyone Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

NBCS Chicago is celebrating Black History Month with special episodes to discuss the impact of the black athlete in sports. Chicago Sun Times feature story writer Evan F. Moore sits down with former Blackhawk and analyst for NBCS Chicago Jamal Mayers to discuss being a black athlete in hockey and what he's doing to help grow hockey in non traditional hockey communities.

(3:00) - Why was it important for Jamal to write about his life in his book

(10:58) - Ray Emery's impact on hockey

(16:00) - Describes what the NHL and the Blackhawks are doing to grow the game

(21:37) - The Devante Smith-Pelly incident at the United Center

(36:10) - Reasons that hockey hasn't addressed social issues

(40:06) - Addressing ignorance in hockey

Why you shouldn’t overlook Nomar Mazara Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

Can Nomar Mazara live up to all the potential he has? Can he fit in well with this new powered up lineup? Why hasn't he been as productive as he would've liked? Host Chuck Garfien is joined by Ryan McGuffey as they discuss the White Sox newcomer and Chuck sits down with Mazara to discuss all the concerns Sox fans may have about the young right fielder.

(2:00) - Sox fans expectations for Mazara after the Sox traded for him

(9:43) - Mazara interview**

(11:24) - What's preventing Mazara from reaching his ceiling

(15:56) - Where does he see himself in the lineup

(18:00) - Meeting Eloy Jimenez in the Dominican Republic

(22:36) - Reaction to the Mazara interview

(26:30) - Seems like Mazara is the right fit for the White Sox

(29:00) - Mazara has an opportunity to change fans perception of him

The start of a legend, the story of THE Luis Robert home run Feb 19, 2020

Show notes

In Durham, North Carolina in August of last year, White Sox youngster Luis Robert hit one of the most jaw dropping home runs anyone has ever seen or heard. Host Chuck Garfien relives that legend starting home run with Ryan McGuffey, Vinnie Duber, and White Sox players Zack Collins, Danny Mendick, and Nick Madrigal. The link to the homer is below. INDULGE!

https://twitter.com/NBCSWhiteSox/status/1163618280646553600

(2:45) - Luis Robert is a specimen

(4:15) - Robert does everything well, literally everything

(7:32) - Zack Collins on what he thought of the Luis Robert home run

(9:34) - Danny Mendick remembers what that home run looked like

(11:46) - Nick Madrigal on what the dugout was thinking after the home run

(14:00) - How far can Luis Robert hit a ball in Chicago?

The crazy journey of Gio Gonzalez Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

Making it to the majors is a fantastic and rare feat in itself, but White Sox pitcher Gio Gonzalez's path to the White Sox, and from the White Sox, several times over is a journey baseball fans everywhere should listen to. Host Chuck Garfien is joined by Gio to discuss his pro career and what he sees in this young White Sox team.

(1:40) - Surprised the White Sox wanted him to comeback

(6:00) - Wanted to go a team that wanted to give me an opportunity

(10:00) - Yasmani Grandal is a different kind of person

(13:30) - Thoughts on the Sox young pitching core

(16:20) - Thoughts on the expectations for this team

Why Dallas Keuchel signed with the White Sox Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

Host Chuck Garfien sits with one of the newest White Sox players, Dallas Keuchel as they go over his decision to ultimately sign with the Chicago White Sox.

(3:30) - What information did he have/find out about the White Sox

(5:42) - Why he eventually made up his mind to sign with the Sox

(9:00) - What does he see in the White Sox young pitching staff

(12:00) - Relationship with Ricky Renteria

(17:23) - What will he do with the beard

(23:11) - Thoughts on Astros

How do you pitch when they know what’s coming? Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

How legitimate is the Astro's World Series win? How did they effect baseball? Will playing the Astros be different now? Host Chuck Garfien discusses all of this with White Sox Pitcher Evan Marshall plus gets his opinion on how the White Sox are handling it with former Houston Astro and big free agent signee Dallas Keuchel on the team.

(1:39) - Cheating is a part of baseball history

(4:14) - Reaction to Astros' press conference

(5:55) - Start of Evan Marshall interview**

(8:45) - The effect the Astro's had on opposing players careers

(10:58) - How hitting becomes so much easier

(13:16) - Will it be different playing the Astros now?

(15:20) - What about other people/teams that have cheated?

Playoffs or bust? Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

There are a lot of expectations for the 2020 White Sox and they know it and embrace it. Host Chuck Garfien is joined by NBCS Chicago White Sox writer Vinnie Duber and Scott Merkin of MLB.com to discuss the collective proclamation by the Sox on the 1st day pitchers and catchers report, that they fully intend to strive for the playoffs.

(1:49) - There is a different feeling in White Sox camp for the 1st time in a long time

(5:48) Sox manager Ricky Renteria disappointed if Sox don't make the playoffs this year

(9:05) - White Sox PECOTA projections

(13:02) - James McCann "We're trying to win a World Series"

(18:46) - Injuries on the 1st day

(21:02) - Will the Sox make good on their claim and make the playoffs

How Rick Hahn built the 2020 White Sox Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

GM of the White Sox Rick Hahn sits down with host Chuck Garfien as they discuss how the new and exciting 2020 White Sox were built. Hahn gives details into what went into each extension and signing of each major move that was made this off-season. They also discuss the expectations that come with building this team.

(3:10) - Went after Yasmani Grandal as soon as free agency opened up

(7:20) - How did missing out on Machado/Harper impact this offseason?

(10:55) - Getting Keuchel/White Sox relationship with Scott Boras

(13:30) - Strasburg, Cole, or Keuchel?

(17:06) - Didn't go after Edwin Encarnación right away

(18:30) - What was considered when signing José Abreu

(19:56) - Jerry Reinsdorf wasn't on board with the Robert extension initially

(23:55) - Thoughts on the Astro's cheating scandal

(25:25) - Could still go after a 2nd basemen

Black History Month: The impact of the black athlete in Baseball Feb 07, 2020

Show notes

NBCS Chicago is celebrating Black History Month with special episodes to discuss the impact of the black athlete in sports. To start the series Laurence Holmes interviews former Cub, now baseball analyst Doug Glanville as they discuss his experience in baseball, and the change that black athletes have brought in baseball.

(0:53) - The legacy of Black history and sports

(5:47) - Should an athlete speak on social issues?

(10:00) - His parents weren't comfortable with him playing baseball

(14:20) - The diversity of baseball

(17:00) - Black interest in baseball

(23:00) - Current black baseball players still dealing with issues

Yasmani Grandal HATES to lose Feb 06, 2020

Show notes

During Soxfest, host Chuck Garfien sat down with White Sox newcomer Yasmani Grandal who made it absolutely clear that he didn't come to the South Side to lose. Chuck and Yasmani discuss how he became so competitive, how he can help a young pitching staff, and his intentions with the White Sox.

(2:10) - How do you win?

(4:40) - How he learned to not accept losing

(7:24) - What was it like catching for Kershaw

(8:15) - Helping Dylan Cease

(9:45) - When he finally got comfortable at the big league level

(11:10) - Sensing the excitement from this team