Pause and Reflect

Well, it’s been quite a week for the White Sox. We don’t have Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn to complain about anymore, and we might not have a team either, once the lease at Guaranteed Rate Whatever expires in 2028. Wait, there’s more. Bob Nightengale reported on Sunday the Sox would be interested in a retractable-roof facility close to the United Center; Arlington Heights (whether in place of the Bears or as part of a stadium complex Nightengale didn’t say); or on the lakefront, as in Soldier Field reworked with a roof. That last one brings back memories. A very long time ago I suggested Soldier Field as a temporary home for the Sox so Comiskey Park could be renovated. A shill for the team replied that was impossible because of a rule MLB had adopted to avoid any repeats of the dimensions at the Coliseum, when Dodgers played there waiting for their new home to be built at Chavez Ravine. It was 251 feet down the left field line and 301 down the right field line. Something like that would play out at Soldier Field, unless it was totally rebuilt, which to my way of thinking would have to include an upper deck as well. Nightengale didn’t say who’d be picking up the tab for a new Sox home. But enough of that. I’m supposed to rejoice because the Sox earned a split with the worst team in baseball, beating the A’s 6-1 yesterday afternoon. Mike Clevinger gave up one run over seven innings while Yoan Moncada picked up four hits. If only the story on the team website considered the following. As in, will Clevinger be back next season? And why would he, if he can make more money elsewhere? And would we want back a player who at the very least has some very peculiar domestic arrangements? And do we have any idea how long Moncada can go until the next back injury? The talk about the Sox possibly moving to Nashville led Clare to tell me, “I won’t follow baseball if they leave.” I told her it’s not easy being a Sox fan. You have to be tough enough to deal with rumors of them going to Milwaukee or Denver or St. Petersburg or…