The Three Sox Positives Method

How I’m learning to embrace the good, with help from my friend Sean

Despite my often pessimistic attitude towards the White Sox, I try to find the positives. It can be challenging, of course, but sometimes you find a sliver of hope.

My friend Sean gives everyone a dose of positivity after each game, even the shutouts and games where the Sox are down by double digits.

I aspire to be more like Sean instead of a jaded baseball writer watching a team set negative records. I’m going to do my best to come up with my #3SoxPositives.

The New Kids

These are the videos I live for: Players beaming as they share exciting news about making it to the big leagues. From tee ball to college, players have been working towards one big goal — going pro. As a parent, I’m well-versed in cold mornings at the ballpark, spending an exorbitant amount of money on new bats, cleats, registration fees, and the mileage on your car getting a kid to practice and games, and maybe an extra trip or two to the batting cages. This dream involves so many people and even more dedication. I can’t imagine how proud the parents, grandparents, and everyone else is when they get that phone call. I get teary-eyed just watching it.

Jordan Leasure has only pitched 5 1⁄3 innings in the majors so far, but in that time he’s collected five strikeouts and no one has been able to score on him.

Dominic Fletcher is another I’ve kept my eye on. As I write this, he has since bolstered his RBI total to four in seven games. His RBI single over the weekend ended the team’s 18-inning scoreless drought. In what will likely be a terrible season, he’s been a delight.

Two fresh-off-the-farm pitchers deserve some love.

Nick Nastrini went five innings, recording five strikeouts — the first victim being Bobby Witt Jr. — in his very first start. All in front of his sweet family and friends who were able to make it to the game, with Nasty Nick signs in hand.

Jonathan Cannon started the first game of yesterday’s doubleheader and was lauded for his command on the mound. Despite a White Sox loss, Cannon’s final line of 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K was something special.

Jon Schriffen

Before you roll your eyes and ask “Is she serious?” just hear me out.

It’s safe to say that there isn’t a replacement for Jason Benetti. Hearing Jason’s voice, especially in the early days of the COVID-19 panic, brought me peace. I adore him.

With that said, Jon Schriffen still hasn’t been given a proper chance by most fans. However, his actions and general interest in learning even more about baseball via Steve Stone have made me feel good about him in general.

Jon has also been very eager to meet the White Sox community at large. Ahead of Opening Day, he posed a question about where to go, and it resulted in a resounding answer of Lot B. So out he went to mingle and tailgate. A true man of the people. I’m excited to see his growth, and hope he feels welcomed.

The Top Performers

First and foremost, I have to mention Garrett Crochet.
I was lucky (or maybe unlucky) to make it to Opening Day. Aside from the friends I got to see, Crochet’s performance was exciting. I’m not sure what anyone expected from him; he was out for the 2022 season and some of 2023 after dreaded Tommy John surgery. But long before that, he was just a bullpen arm without any starts since his college days. Now four starts in, Crochet has shown everyone that he is the ace we needed, at least in this abysmal season. In just more than 22 innings pitched, he’s only given up two home runs. He’s allowed 15 hits that turned into runs, but his walk rate is ideal with only four, and his strikeouts have been perfection — 31 strikeouts, which at one point led the majors.

Second, the milkshake.
It brings the football boys to the yard, along with the incredible Simone Biles.

As well as the fantastic Jacki.

I have yet to try the milkshake, but I’ve only heard wonderful reviews. I’m hoping someone wants to split it one day so I don’t have to deal with a sugar crash before the third inning.

Finally, Gavin Sheets.
If you told me even just a year ago that I would be excited to see a bat in Sheets’ hands in 2024, I’d have called you a dirty rotten liar. Yet here we are, watching Sheets go yard multiple times already. Homers make me happy, and in a season that has me searching for serotonin, I’ll take what I can get.