South Side Sox
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South Side replay: Chase Meidroth puts on a defensive clinic
In this off‑season recap, South Side Sox writer highlights catcher Chase Meidroth's defensive brilliance across five standout plays from April to August 2026. From a diving stop and throw that turned Nick Kurtz’s grounder into an out on April 17 against the Athletics, to a clutch ninth‑inning catch sealing a 2‑1 win over the Braves on June 10, Meidroth showcases why a Gold Glove is in reach. The piece also notes his hard‑nosed throws against the Angels, Royals and Guardians, proving he never eases up—even with a 22‑1 lead.
Arizona Fall League Update: October 20-26, 2026
The Chicago White Sox sent eight prospects to the Arizona Fall League’s Glendale Desert Dogs, highlighted by No. 2 overall pick Caleb Bonemer, who finished the stint with a .286/.364/.633 line, .996 OPS, three homers and a league‑leading nine extra‑base hits over 13 games. Colby Shelton added power with two AFL homers and a four‑RBI game, while Grant Magill contributed solid play behind the plate. Pitching showed depth as Nick Altermatt, Jonathan Clark and Mathias LaCombe each tossed hitless, scoreless frames, and Garrett Wright kept a spotless 0.00 ERA. Injuries sidelined Pierce George (elbow fracture) and Anthony DePino (shoulder surgery), but both are expected back for 2027 spring training. The Dogs posted a 5‑4 win over Scottsdale and a 10‑0 rout of Mesa before falling 13‑12 in a slugfest on Oct. 26.
South Side, Stand Down
The White Sox announced that play‑by‑play broadcaster John Schriffen will not have his contract renewed for 2027, ending a turbulent three‑year stint that began in March 2024. The blog criticizes Schriffen’s on‑air performance, citing awkward moments, missed calls and a memorable “South Side! Stand down!” outburst during spring training. The decision follows a chaotic broadcast era that also saw veteran Jason Benetti leave for the Detroit Tigers and a series of losing seasons for Chicago. The author argues Schriffen’s tenure was the lowest point in White Sox broadcasting history, prompting speculation about who will replace him.
End of an era: White Sox bid adieu to John Schriffen
The White Sox announce the departure of broadcaster John Schriffen, who will not have his contract option exercised after a lackluster 2024 season marked by vocal slip‑ups, limited baseball knowledge, and even a stint calling a UFC bout instead of the team's first playoff‑clinching game in five years. The article critiques his performance, compares him unfavorably to predecessor Jason Benetti, and notes that the radio team of Len Kasper and Darrin Jackson remains unchanged.
Beyond the home run: The art of timely hitting
In the World Series opener, the Tampa Bay Rays went 0‑for‑6 with runners in scoring position (RISP) and lost 3‑2 to the Milwaukee Brewers, exposing a rare clutch weakness for a team that led MLB with a .283 RISP average this season. The article contrasts that lapse with the Chicago White Sox’s own RISP struggles—.243 average and a 29.2% strikeout rate—highlighting how the Brewers used timely hits and aggressive baserunning to secure the win. It argues the White Sox must balance power with consistent contact, citing potential free‑agent options like Luis Arráez, while noting that even elite RISP hitters can falter under pressure.
Same ambition, different formula for White Sox, World Series teams
The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays have secured the 2026 World Series by building deep, low‑budget rosters, prompting the Chicago White Sox to ask what it would take to join them. Chicago led the AL with 776 runs and 211 homers, but posted the lowest batting average (.236) and on‑base percentage (.320) among the three clubs, and struck out a league‑high 1,494 times, a weakness that surfaced in their ALDS loss. In contrast, Milwaukee (.258/.341) and Tampa Bay (.259/.326) emphasized contact and on‑base skills, while their pitching staff posted markedly better ERAs (3.51 and 3.72 vs. Chicago’s 4.12). General manager Chris Getz now faces the task of pinpointing the upgrades that could turn the White Sox’s power into October success.
No. 1, not just in our hearts: Will Venable and Chase Meidroth earn Sporting News honors
Will Venable steers the Chicago White Sox to a surprise postseason, earning Sporting News AL Manager of the Year after guiding the club from back‑to‑back 100‑loss seasons to an 84‑win, 96‑day AL Central lead. Rookie second baseman Chase Meidroth, a .276/.350/.415 slasher with a 4.5 WAR, is named to the Sporting News AL All‑Star team and is a Gold Glove finalist, becoming the first Sox infielder honored since José Abreu in 2020. Both accolades underscore the Sox’s unexpected 2026 resurgence as they eye the World Series.
Swinging for the fences, missing the moment
Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery set a new MLB record with 227 strikeouts in 2026, eclipsing Mark Reynolds' 223‑strikeout mark. Despite the high K total, Montgomery still belted 31 homers and drove in 87 runs, highlighting baseball’s shift toward power over contact. The Sox’s aggressive offense helped them reach the postseason, but they struck out 75 times in the ALDS— a series record— and lost to Cleveland. Coach Derek Shomon stresses that strikeouts matter only when they stem from poor pitch selection, not from the power‑first approach that defines the modern game.
Meet the Players: Mike Malcom-Bjorklund
Mike Malcom‑Bjorklund, a lifelong Chicago White Sox devotee, shares his quirky path from a North Side Cubs kid to a die‑hard South Sider. He recounts early memories of Wrigley Field, the 1983 “Winning Ugly” Sox, riding the Archer Avenue bus to Comiskey Park, and witnessing Bo Jackson’s 1993 AL West clincher home run. After a 16‑year journalism career, he now teaches journalism in Omaha and advises high school reporters. Mike joins the South Side Sox team this season, favoring feature writing and dreaming of a media‑relations role. Highlights include his favorite White Sox moments – the 2025 World Series win, the 1993 division clincher, and the 2008 blackout game – and his reverence for legends like Frank Thomas and Mark Buehrle.
Finding his way: Caleb Bonemer adds another route to Chicago
White Sox prospect Caleb Bonemer is adding outfield experience to fast‑track his MLB debut. After a 37‑HR, .251/.380/.550 season split between High‑A Winston‑Salem and Double‑A Birmingham, he posted a .930 OPS and drew 84 walks in 595 PA. In the Arizona Fall League he continued to hit well (.282/.349/.590, 2 HR, 9 RBI) while logging defensive reps, primarily in center field, where he handled 28 chances without an error for Birmingham. The Sox see his positional versatility as a shortcut to Chicago’s crowded infield, though his 27% strikeout rate remains a concern. Watching his route work and contact skills will determine if the outfield becomes his ticket to the big league club.
Today in White Sox History: October 21
On Oct. 21, 2026 South Side Sox revisits three White Sox milestones. Fifty years ago the club traded veteran catcher Phil Roof to the expansion Toronto Blue Jays—the franchise’s first ever deal. The post also notes the 1915 birth of outfielder Finners Quinlan and 1911 birth of shortstop Roy Corhan, both of whom later played a single MLB season with the St. Louis Cardinals. Finally, it highlights the 1959 birth of Dominican pitcher George Bell, whose negative WAR with Chicago made his trade for Sammy Sosa and Ken Patterson one of the franchise’s worst. These historic moments span from the early 1900s to modern-era trades, showcasing the Sox’s quirky timeline.
Arizona Fall League Update: October 13-19, 2026
The Chicago White Sox sent eight prospects to the Arizona Fall League, with third‑baseman Caleb Bonemer stealing the spotlight by belting two homers, including a 431‑foot blast on October 16 that lifted Glendale Desert Dogs to a 3‑1 win. The Dogs went 2‑3 in their five games, dropping close contests to Salt River and Surprise. Other notable contributors: Colby Shelton (solo HR, .207 average) and catcher Grant Magill (.250 avg). Pitching highlights include Garrett Wright’s 0.00 ERA over 5⅔ innings and Jonathan Clark’s 1.80 ERA in five innings. Chicago ties Los Angeles for the most Top‑30 prospects (five) in the AFL.
Today in White Sox History: October 20
On October 20 the South Side Sox recall two historic White Sox birthdays. Mickey Mantle, born 95 years ago in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, made his first home‑run at Comiskey Park in 1951 and finished with a .293/.402/.552 slash against Chicago, despite the White Sox pitching around him. Also honored is 113‑year‑old Bruce “Soupy” Campbell, a Chicago native who appeared in 16 games for the Sox, posted a 0.4 rWAR (equivalent to a 4.1 WAR over a full season), and shone in the 1935 Cleveland season and the 1935 World Series with a .360/.448/.520 line. The post also notes the 1964 death of pitcher John “Silent” Whitehead, a 47‑win veteran who debuted with a string of complete‑game victories in 1932. These snapshots highlight memorable players and milestones linked to the franchise.
Rays win American League pennant in 7-3 win over Cleveland
The Tampa Bay Rays clinch the American League pennant with a 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6 of the ALCS on Oct. 20, 2026. Freddy Peralta earns ALCS MVP, allowing just one run over 5⅓ innings while striking out three and posting a 0.75 ERA for the series. Two‑run homers from Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero, plus a double by Richie Palacios, provide the offense, while a crowded Guardians bullpen uses eight pitchers and still falls short. The win sends the Rays to their third World Series, where they will face the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee on Oct. 23.
Today in White Sox History: October 19
On October 19, the South Side Sox revisits historic trades and managerial blunders that shaped Chicago’s franchise. In 1949, GM Frank Lane swapped feisty catcher Joe Tipton for second baseman Nellie Fox, launching a Hall of Fame career that included a 1959 AL MVP and a retired No. 2. The post also recalls Hugh Duffy’s losing tenure (1910‑11), the 1913 White Sox‑Giants world tour, a 1972 flop trade of Walt Williams for Eddie Leon, and Bill Veeck’s 1978 decision to fire manager Larry Doby and install player‑manager Don Kessinger—an experiment that ended with a disastrous –6.4 mWAR season before Tony La Russa took over. These “what‑if” moments highlight the long‑term impact of bold moves on the Sox’s legacy.
Today in White Sox History: October 18
October 18 marks several milestones for the White Sox. In 1912 the South Siders stunned the Cubs with a 16‑0 win in Game 9 of the City Series—the biggest margin and most runs in series history—thanks to a three‑run third inning and a stellar 3‑for‑3 performance by Shano Collins. The date also saw historic roster moves: the 1967 sale (and 1968 return) of third‑baseman Dick Kenworthy to the Mets, the 1950 appointment of former Sox skipper Jimmy Dykes to replace Connie Mack in Philadelphia, and the 1955 trade of infielder Bobby Adams for outfielder Cal Abrams. Finally, 1969 brought the song “Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)” to the Sox’s soundtrack, popularized by organist Nancy Faust and becoming a lasting baseball anthem.
Whither baseball … and the White Sox within it?
Sure, White Sox fans are divided between the majority who consider 2026 and the possible hand from Pope Leo the greatest case of divine intervention since the parting of the Red Sea, and those who think a little more intervention in the way of actually getting hitters to put the bat on the ball in […]
Biggest post-postseason questions for the White Sox
For a team predicted to bust before the first pitch on Opening Day was thrown, the Chicago White Sox managed to usurp expectations and delay disappointment until October 10, when they lost the ALDS after blowing a 2-0 series lead to the Guardians. Optimists may say that criticism can only go so far when a […]
Today in White Sox History: October 16
1912 The White Sox continued their climb back into the City Series with a 7-5 win at Comiskey Park that cut the team’s deficit in the Series to 3-2. Joe Benz was the hero, with six innings of relief to earn the win but also the single that spurred the winning rally: With the Cubs […]
Murakami earns his peers’ respect: Mune named Players Choice Award finalist
The finish was frustrating. The power was undeniable. And the players who shared the field with Munetaka Murakami apparently saw plenty worth recognizing. The White Sox first baseman was named one of three finalists for the American League Outstanding Rookie Award in the MLBPA’s Players Choice Awards on Wednesday, joining Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle and Cleveland’s […]
Chase for the gold: Meidroth named Gold Glove finalist
Chase Meidroth spent the 2026 season taking hits away. Now, he has a chance to take home some hardware. The White Sox second baseman is one of three finalists for the 2026 Rawlings American League Gold Glove Award at his position, joining Kansas City’s Michael Massey and Seattle’s Cole Young. It’s the first nomination for […]
Today in White Sox History: October 14
1906 The White Sox beat the Cubs, winning the World Series four games to two, behind the pitching of Doc White. The South Siders clinched the title by winning the sixth game, 8-3. The White Sox wasted no time in putting this one out of reach, jumping out to a 7-1 lead after two innings against Cubs […]
Arizona Fall League Update: October 3-12, 2026
The Arizona Fall League is underway, and Chicago has sent a full cavalry of nine prospects, headlined by Caleb Bonemer, 3B/SS/OF (No. 2/MLB No. 27), to the Grand Canyon State. Rounding out the crew are Mathias LaCombe, RHP (No. 17); Pierce George, RHP (No. 18); Anthony DePino, 1B (No. 21); Colby Shelton, INF (No. 23); […]
A eulogy for the 2026 White Sox
There is something so refreshing about going into something with little to no expectations and walking away with incredible memories. For me, that was the 2026 White Sox. I had them winning 70-something games, but not winning the division, and not making the playoffs. The team was so young and inexperienced, and sometimes the pitching […]
Requiem of a team: White Sox fizzle in five, 2-0
The requiem for the 2026 White Sox season many of us expected to write as long as six months ago finally did arrive. That it came in October marks this an outstanding season, no matter how flat the finale flopped. The primary reason for this 2-0 loss? I won’t even give you three guesses. As […]
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