Lip Man 1
05-31-2010, 10:21 PM
Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day.
Since 2002 I’ve been very lucky to have had the chance to speak with some individuals deeply connected with the White Sox franchise, from former players to field managers, members of the current front office to broadcasters as well as many members of the mainstream Chicago media.
Each one has had a story to tell.
That doesn’t mean though that every individual I’ve tried to interview has been available or willing to do so and I also haven’t been able to make a sizable dent in my “wish list.” That’s a group of individuals so steeped in the White Sox tradition and legacy that I’d give almost anything to have the chance to talk about their days on the South Side.
Some of that list includes people like Dick Allen, Carlton Fisk, Tony LaRussa, Luis Aparicio, “Jungle Jim” Rivera, Jerry Reinsdorf and others.
One name however that I now have been able to take off the list is former manager Jeff Torborg. Although he was only on the South Side for three seasons, his impact was enormous. Add to it the fact that the franchise got a new stadium at the same time only increased his significance. He was in large part the reason for the White Sox success from 1990 through 1994.
Torborg left under “unusual” circumstances, speculated by many over the past 20 years. In this interview with White Sox Interactive, Jeff frankly and clearly explains why he was made to feel he had to leave…but that’s not all he discusses. Among the issues that came up:
A deal turned down by Larry Himes that could have changed the destiny of two franchises, the White Sox and the Yankees.
His “premonition” that the Yankees Andy Hawkins would no hit the Sox, yet lose the game.
A phone call from Jerry Reinsdorf at the trade deadline of the 1990 season which history says may have contributed to the firing of Himes that September.
A candid assessment of what the White Sox of the early 1990’s lacked.
How comments from announcers and front office people may have contributed to his decision to leave the organization.
How he talked coach Ozzie Guillen out of quitting the Marlins and ending his post playing baseball career.
Describing, as the only man in baseball history can say, what it was like to catch Sandy Koufax (perfect game) and Nolan Ryan (no hitter) in their primes.
It was truly a wonderful experience talking with Jeff, one of the most enjoyable interviews I’ve ever done. Here is the link to the interview:
http://www.whitesoxinteractive.com/rwas/index.php?category=11&id=3964
I sincerely hope you will enjoy reading his recollections.
Lip
Since 2002 I’ve been very lucky to have had the chance to speak with some individuals deeply connected with the White Sox franchise, from former players to field managers, members of the current front office to broadcasters as well as many members of the mainstream Chicago media.
Each one has had a story to tell.
That doesn’t mean though that every individual I’ve tried to interview has been available or willing to do so and I also haven’t been able to make a sizable dent in my “wish list.” That’s a group of individuals so steeped in the White Sox tradition and legacy that I’d give almost anything to have the chance to talk about their days on the South Side.
Some of that list includes people like Dick Allen, Carlton Fisk, Tony LaRussa, Luis Aparicio, “Jungle Jim” Rivera, Jerry Reinsdorf and others.
One name however that I now have been able to take off the list is former manager Jeff Torborg. Although he was only on the South Side for three seasons, his impact was enormous. Add to it the fact that the franchise got a new stadium at the same time only increased his significance. He was in large part the reason for the White Sox success from 1990 through 1994.
Torborg left under “unusual” circumstances, speculated by many over the past 20 years. In this interview with White Sox Interactive, Jeff frankly and clearly explains why he was made to feel he had to leave…but that’s not all he discusses. Among the issues that came up:
A deal turned down by Larry Himes that could have changed the destiny of two franchises, the White Sox and the Yankees.
His “premonition” that the Yankees Andy Hawkins would no hit the Sox, yet lose the game.
A phone call from Jerry Reinsdorf at the trade deadline of the 1990 season which history says may have contributed to the firing of Himes that September.
A candid assessment of what the White Sox of the early 1990’s lacked.
How comments from announcers and front office people may have contributed to his decision to leave the organization.
How he talked coach Ozzie Guillen out of quitting the Marlins and ending his post playing baseball career.
Describing, as the only man in baseball history can say, what it was like to catch Sandy Koufax (perfect game) and Nolan Ryan (no hitter) in their primes.
It was truly a wonderful experience talking with Jeff, one of the most enjoyable interviews I’ve ever done. Here is the link to the interview:
http://www.whitesoxinteractive.com/rwas/index.php?category=11&id=3964
I sincerely hope you will enjoy reading his recollections.
Lip