CHGO Digest: White Sox fans want Ozzie, Grifol backs Jerry, Angel vs. Caitlin

Happy Thursday, friends!

Is there any former Chicago coach that fans want back in the saddle as much as Ozzie Guillen?

Guillen hasn’t managed in the big leagues since 2012, but that isn’t stopping White Sox fans from loudly pining for the team’s former firecracker manager with “Bring back Ozzie” chants ringing throughout the ballpark on Monday.

It doesn’t even matter that Guillen only made the postseason twice in eight years here.

That’s the Pedro Grifol effect.

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3370

— Patrick Norton

Grifol’s vote of confidence… for Jerry Reinsdorf?

What would make anybody think Jerry Reinsdorf’s number one priority isn’t winning?

Could it be the White Sox’s approach to big-money free agents every offseason? Could it stem from Reinsdorf hiring his old pal Tony La Russa for the team’s competitive window?

Well, at least one person is staunchly in Jerry’s corner right now: Pedro Grifol. But is Reinsdorf reciprocating that support?

• Speaking with the Chicago Sun-Times, Grifol said, “Nobody wants to win more than he does. I know that for a fact because I’m the one who gets phone calls, and I talk to him. I get text messages.”
  
• Grifol even went as far as to say that Reinsdorf is “extremely knowledgeable about the game of baseball.”
  
• But what does the chairman think of his manager with a career 76-143 major league managerial record? It’s less clear. “I feel like I [have his support] but I don’t really focus on that,” says Grifol. “I’m the manager right now. And I’ll do it for as long as they want me to do this, because I absolutely love it.”
  

📖 READ | CHGO’s Vinnie Duber has the latest clubhouse scuttlebutt stemming from Grifol’s explosive comments last Sunday.

⚾ NEXT | White Sox at Brewers — Friday, 7:10 on NBC Sports Chicago

Join CHGO for the Crosstown Series!

Come hang out with the CHGO Cubs Crew and other diehards as the Cubs take on the White Sox at Wrigley on June 4! There are limited tickets available so grab yours today!

Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark — Pro Edition

Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali. Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird. Michael Jordan vs. Isiah Thomas. Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark?

While the two have downplayed their budding rivalry, it’s difficult to ignore the aura their matchups have brought to the court. Their 2024 Elite Eight clash averaged 12.9 million viewers, and that recognition — along with their skillsets — is instantly translating to the WNBA.

• Clark is already living up to the hype, averaging 17.3 points per game despite receiving significant defensive attention. However, Reese is balling out, too. Through five games, she leads the league in offensive rebounds per game with 4.8 — a massive strength of hers in college.
  
• The Sky also expect to have No. 3 overall pick Kamilla Cardoso in uniform for the first time since sustaining a shoulder injury in the team’s first preseason game. Cardoso played a pivotal role in South Carolina’s dismantling of Iowa and Clark in the 2024 title game, scoring 15 points and grabbing a whopping 17 (!!) boards.
  

🏀 TONIGHT | Sky vs. Sparks — 7:00 on Marquee Sports Network

🏀 SATURDAY | Sky at Fever — 11:00 on ESPN

Hit the links with CHGO!

Join ALLCITY’s Big Drive Energy and your favorite CHGO personalities on the golf course. The Cookout Classic tees off in West Chicago on July 22 — book as an individual, twosome, or foursome today!

Roundup: Ben Brown’s brilliance, Shota Imanaga’s return to earth

• Ben Brown looked like Prime Jake Arrieta on Tuesday night in Milwaukee. Brown hurled seven no-hit innings before being pulled after just 93 pitches but received a no-decision in the Cubs’ eventual victory. Should the rookie right-hander have been allowed to start the 8th? 🤷‍♂️
  
• Shota Imanaga’s otherworldly start to his MLB career hit a snag on Wednesday when Milwaukee tagged the 30-year-old rookie for two runs in the 1st and five in the 3rd. The Brewers’ big night at the plate increased Imanaga’s ERA by a full run … to 1.86.
  

⚾ TODAY | Cubs at Brewers — 12:10 on Marquee Sports Network

What’s your favorite defunct Chicago sports jersey?

More on CHGO!

• Diehards! Part II of Nicholas Moreano’s deep dive film study into Keenan Allen’s performances against the NFC North is here!
  
• Blackhawks Stanley Cup champion Brian Campbell joined the CHGO Blackhawks Podcast to chat about the team’s approach to next month’s NHL Draft!