[jksander]

June 1, 2026: Dylan Cease (3-4, 3.11 ERA, 63.2 IP, 64 K’s, 1.08 WHIP) pitched in our first of three home games against the Padres, facing Gabriel Hughes (1-5, 4.68 ERA, 42.1 IP, 36 K’s, 1.44 WHIP). And the Padres struck quickly, Giancarlo Stanton hitting a two-runner out of left to put them up 2-0 with one out in the top of the first. Andre Lipcius got us on the board with an RBI single in the bottom of the second, but with two outs in the top of the third Jackson Merrill hit a solo shot out of right to get the Padres to 3-1. Cody Bellinger then tied the game on a two-run slam out of center in the bottom of the inning, and this was setting up to be a good hitting night for everyone. Cease loaded the bases in the top of the fourth but escaped without damage ... but the fifth started poorly as well, and with no outs and men on first and second we brought out Ryan Weber to take over. That’s when we fell apart completely. Two runs had already scored for the Padres as we notched a pair of outs, but when Trevor Larnach hit a three-run homer out of center we were toast. By the time Weber got us out of the inning we were down 8-3 and he’d only thrown 24 pitches while allowing three hits and three runs himself.

Yordys Valdes got us two runs back in the bottom of the inning, with a two-run homer of his own, and Jonathan Cannon took the ball in the sixth, and the Padres added a run in the seventh off a homer by Thairo Estrada, though we got it back in the bottom of the inning off a sac-fly by Bellinger to stay within three. A solo homer by Lipcius got us within two in the bottom of the eighth, and in the bottom of the ninth we managed to load the bases with two outs, as they brought out Tyler Megill to face Miguel Vargas. Vargas took the count full, then hit one over the head of their second baseman, driving in a pair to tie this sucker up at 9-9! Unbelievable ... Lipcius walked the bases loaded, bringing up Gary Sanchez, who we replaced with pinch-hitter and catcher sub Brandon Valenzuela hoping to walk this thing off and avoid extras ... and he did just that, walking in the winning run as we stole this one from the Padres 10-9! Syndergaard took the win, improving to 3-2 with a 7.81 ERA, and Cease owes him a beer or two ... the starter had lasted just four innings and allowed three hits, six walks and five earned runs with seven strikeouts to dig us our initial hole. We were outhit 9-8, but the Padres walked us 11 times, and Bellinger had a good swing tonight, hitting twice and walking once for two runs and three RBIs. Lipcius added two hits, a walk, a run and two RBIs, while Vargas had two hits and two RBIs as well.

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CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/2/26 ... p.A1
Jerry Reinsdorf, Controversial White Sox Owner, Dead at 90

CHICAGO, Ill. -- White Sox sources and family of the legendary, yet controversial White Sox owner have confirmed that Jerry Reinsdorf died last night in his home at age 90. His tenure marked by controversies as well as by the World Series win in 2005 that snapped an 88-season drought, nobody will say the man was not true to himself. During his ownership of the team, Reinsdorf was known for his frugal approach to managing both the White Sox and the Bulls, often frustrating players, staff and fans due to his extreme cost-cutting measures and brash nature.

Reinsdorf’s legacy is complex, with critics remembering his history of breaking backroom deals, while his supporters remember the championships. His impact on Chicago is undeniable, but the fact that he’s left the team in the hands of private equity investor Justin Ishbia has left many in the community with serious doubts, particularly as Reinsdorf had frequently encouraged whoever took over for him after his death to sell his interests in the White Sox.

In particular, Ishbia’s background as a private equity investor and owner of multiple teams including the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury and the Nashville FC across the NBA, WNBA and Major League Soccer has raised concerns as to whether he’ll pursue selling the team or prefer to micromanage the organization like a member of Shark Tank. Futhermore, Ishbia’s relatively short tenure as a sports team owner has many questioning his long-term commitment to our city.

Ishbia has, for now, expressed his commitment to the team and the city of Chicago, stating that he intends to work closely with the current front office to build on the team’s recent success and bring another championship home. But actions will speak louder than words, and only time will show how the team’s new ownership will affect the product on the field, for better or worse.