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I should be from Missouri, given the depth of my skepticism about the grand White Sox rebuild.  But after rooting for a team for over a half-century makes a fan cranky when the record drops to 41-67.  Really, I want this rebuild works.  If only people would stop blowing smoke at me.

On Friday, Ken “Hawk” Harrelson and Steve Stone commented on how well the Sox have been running the bases since the All-Star break.  Oh-oh, guys, that was a no-no.  Last night against the Red Sox, Alen Hanson was doubled off of first on a line drive to right field.  Talk about a rally killer, sort of like Leury Garcia getting picked off of first in the ninth inning by Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel, who goes into a scarecrow windup that should be easy to steal off of.  Oh, well.

Did I mention starter James “Big Game (or ERA)” Shields?  He went six innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on two two-run homers.  Somehow, this translates into a “quality start.”  Talk about grading on a curve.  Speaking of Shields, did you know that in order to get him the Sox gave up a player who is now the Padres’ fourth-rated prospect and #58 in MLB’s Top 100?  If Rick Hahn wanted to get a start on his rebuild, he should’ve kept Fernando Tatis Jr.

It’s entirely possible 2017 will seem like a bad dream come this time next season.  That, or just another year of wandering in the desert of mediocrity.  The Sox last played above .500 in 2012.  By my count, that could mean another 35 years to go.  God—or Moses or Rick Hahn—help us.