Shows
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastSpring Has SprungAs Spring Training opens, Kristina Airdo, Hannah Filippo and Chrystal O'Keefe gathered together with Brett Ballantini to get an early take on how the 2026 White Sox shape up:
The feeling of having baseball back after a long winter
With momentum moving forward into 2026, what are realistic expectations of these White Sox?
Why do so many, within the fan base and outside of it, see this team as another 100-loss group?
Hannah has been assembling her game schedule, Kristina has gone in for not one but TWO Opening Days, and Chrystal is all-in for Hello Kitty and Emo Nights...
2026-02-1641 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast2025 White Sox reviewChrystal O'Keefe, Joe Resis, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and podcast rookie David James joined Brett Ballantini to look back on the 2025 season, from a few enticing angles:
Hmm ... the return of Soxivus?
Reviewing the final stats and standings for what ultimately was a disappointing White Sox team, whether you are on Team Chrystal (optimism) or Team Brett (pessimism)
Vibe check on the 2025 White Sox, which features the brimming glass of David, Melissa's utter confusion, Chrystal's cautious optimism, and Joe's lingering doubts
Brett challenges the sunny among us, particularly David and Chrystal, to explain what they anticipate in 2026 that will reward...
2025-09-301h 19
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast600 episodes!To commemorate the 600th Sox Populi Podcast, we had podcasting mainstays Chrystal O'Keefe (Visiting Dugout, Soxy Chicks, Estrogen Power Hour, et. al), Joe Resis (Sox Pop on the Farm) and Melissa Sage-Bollenbach (Ladies' Night) on to discuss the past four-five years of podcasting at Sox Populi and South Side Sox.
Brief acknowledgement was made for Sharing Sox (the subject of podcast 601) and Tommy Barbee, our Father Soxivus and co-host of Killer B's, but then we dug into some talk with each host/guest about their respective programs. We bridged our break discussing the connection between our two...
2025-05-081h 16
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastChrystal O'Keefe, the Queen of ContentIn the fifth episode of the 2025 season, Kristina Airdo, South Side Sox writer/editor and Sox Populi podcaster, joins host Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and special guest Chrystal O'Keefe to discuss several topics related to baseball, sports, and our beloved — or despised, depending on the day — South Siders. Whether you're a die-hard White Sox fan or not, there's something for everyone. So, sit back, relax, and grab your favorite beverage because the girls hit a home run conversing about all things, including:
Career Reflections: Chrystal recounted her journey to becoming a writer and podcaster, sharing advice she has for wome...
2025-05-0234 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastLAST PLACE!With the White Sox tumbling from first place (OK, they were 2-4, and they were tied for last place at the same time) to last, it was time for Brett Ballantini to assemble Chrystal O'Keefe, Joe Resis and Hannah Filippo to discuss the state of the team.The crux of this podcast was how similar or different this 2025 team feels from 2024:
Backing that things are different are the run differential of only -3, as well as the team having won four games "already." The pitching staff is holding up OK...
2025-04-1446 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWe're back!Bayleigh Von Schneider and Chrystal O'Keefe are back to start the season with MLB updates, opinions, and plenty of Ghostface sightings hidden in the background.Here is what they talked about:
The Jackie Robinson of it all
The Tokyo Series
Please stay healthy, Mike Trout
Abusers are back in the spotlight
Mark Cahna
Welcome to the show, J.C. Escarra
The Tigers have some serious pitching depth
City connect jerseys
Yu Darvish, and all of the Tommy John victims
Player extensions
The Paul Skenes card
Red Sox and White Sox thoughts and predictions
2025-03-241h 23
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastGood Riddance to 2024For one last time in Our Year of the Utterly Hapless 2024, our staff gathered for a mothership podcast. This time around it was Brett Ballantini hosting Chrystal O'Keefe, Joe Resis and Dante Jones. The program runs broad but obvious: Looking back at the horrors of 2024 and ahead to what may be different in 2025.
The lowest moments of 2024
Highlights (?!?) of 2024
Just how bad was the White Sox offense? Finally, Brett provides the answer: third-worst in MLB history, sixth-worst in the record-keeping at Baseball-Reference
What we're looking forward to in 2025: Will Venable, tall and dominant lefties like Noah Schultz and...
2025-01-0159 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastPedro Grifol Has Been FiredHey, did you know Sox Populi has become a daily podcast?Me, neither. In fact, it's not.However, with the surprising news that Pedro Grifol had been fired by the White Sox (about a year too late, conservatively speaking), the mothership had to lift off again to discuss the timing, ramifications, and managerial job search. This time, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Chrystal O'Keefe joined Brett Ballantini to cover it all, with some input from Willow O'Keefe as well:
The move was due for, roughly a year, and Pedro shouldn't have been hired in the first...
2024-08-0955 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast2024 Season Predictions!It’s that time of year again, and Dante Jones, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Chrystal O’Keefe and Hannah La Motta join Brett Ballantini to address the White Sox and Major League Baseball outlook for 2024:
White Sox: Universal last-place club
Diving into three-way battles to win the AL Central and AL East
Largely avoiding the C-word but discussing the NL Central and the foregone conclusions of the NL East and West
Not so fast on those Dodgers, sez Chrystal
The challenge of picking an player and pitcher MVP for these White Sox
Speed rounds: Grifol and Getz’s future, who is the...
2024-03-271h 11
Pod By the RiverThe Soxy Chicks Reunion Pick-A-Side Showdown: Chrystal O'Keefe vs Bayleigh Von SchneiderBayleigh Von Schneider and Chrystal O'Keefe aka the Soxy Chicks join us for the first ever Pick-A-Side fight night! Who will win the best of seven?
Judge 1: Hogdale
Judge 2: Ryan Brady
Judge 3: Jake T. O'Donnell
Hosted by Ed Hand
This weeks questions!
1. Bigger Oscars snub- Greta Gertwig or Margot Robbie?
2. New MLB uniforms: too revealing or not revealing enough?
3. Who is more annoying? Trevor Bauer defenders or Trevor Bauer?
4...
2024-03-071h 10
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastSpring has sprungReady or not, Chrystal O’Keefe and Brian O’Neill join Brett Ballantini to address the official-unofficial start of the 2024 season, as spring training officially gets underway in Glendale, Ariz.:
Where everyone is at with the White Sox on the Excitement-o-Meter™
Breaking down the 150 Games Guarantee™ from Eloy Jiménez, Yoán Moncada and Luis Robert Jr.
Can having a preponderance of AAAA guys actually be a good thing aka Getz might be pretty good at this, part II?
A breakdown of Brett Phillips’ middle name (sorry, either look it up or do the right thing and listen) making it al...
2024-02-2055 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastReviewing our 2023 predictions!With all the season’s-end awards issued, Sox Pop 163 assembled with Joe Resis, Brian O’Neill, Chrystal O’Keefe, Ryiin, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Brett Ballantini to review the good and bad of the 22 SSS prognostications on site before the 2023 season. (Also read our predictions-in-review article to accompany this podcast.)
The host takes a victory lap
Tip for next year: copy Chrystal
Seventh-place finisher Brian quickly outs himself as the worst White Sox predictor of the bunch
Random cap-tips and drive-bys for great and terrible picks, among them several picking the Mets as best in the NL (and special dispensati...
2023-11-2156 min
Motor City Metrics: A Detroit Tigers podcast2023 Chicago White Sox season summary|53
Chrystal O'Keefe (chrystal_ok on Twitter) is our guest as she talks about Chicago may start all the way over in 2024 and if the fans on the Southside are even optimistic.
Find us on Twitter @mcmbaseballpod, YouTube @Motor City Metrics
To donate to the show: TMLR Donate
Show email: tigersmlreport@gmail.com
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2023-11-081h 20
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastGoodbye, Tim. Goodbye, LiamOn the occasion of having to say goodbye to franchise leaders and stalwarts Tim Anderson and Liam Hendriks, Sox Pop 162 assembled with Joe Resis, Dante Jones, Chrystal O’Keefe and Brett Ballantini. Sadness, and hilarity, ensued.
Were either of the cuts, Hendriks or Anderson, a surprise?
Push-back from the host, then: Was cutting either player a smart move for the White Sox, from a roster construction or prospect return sense?
Cap-tips for what both players did for our community
Cap-tips to Chrystal for her unflagging domestic violence donations for every [redacted] start
A new round of loss predictions fo...
2023-11-0659 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastAnother Cubs loss, and then a trade surprise!Little did we know when we began our latest “livestream” (to @SouthSideSox on Twitter, Sox Populi on YouTube and South Side Sox on Facebook) that we’d be mourning more than just another lost White Sox season. Midway through, Dante Jones broke the news to Brett Ballantini, Sam Sherman, Chrystal O’Keefe, Malachi Hayes, Kristina Airdo and Ryiin that Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López had been traded to the Angels. That changed the temperature of the room, quite a bit.
With the loss, the White Sox dipped back to worse than .400 as a team, and again cracked the 10 worst win...
2023-07-271h 08
Casual DiehardPod At The Park: Chrystal O'KeefeYou may notice that the cover art for this episode is a picture of Jesse and Chrystal at the Mets-White Sox game, while the podcast is from the Yankees-Royals game. Simple explanation for that: one person, who regularly hosts this show, messed up the recording at the Mets game, and so joined Chrystal as she wrapped up her New York visit in the Bronx. It was fun. There were Nestor Cortes Jr. bobbleheads, and for as bad of a rap as Yankee Stadium food (rightfully) gets, the hot dogs there are top notch. This...
2023-07-2736 min
Bleacher Bunch Network: A Chicago Cubs PodcastSara joins Chrystal O'Keefe to discuss a critical Crosstown Classic for the Cubs as they are just on the cusp of being buyers or sellers with a week to go to the trade deadline. They'll discuss the Cubs, the Sox and all things baseball in Chicago before the two game series kicks off Tuesday night.Sara joins Chrystal O'Keefe to discuss a critical Crosstown Classic for the Cubs as they are just on the cusp of being buyers or sellers with a week to go to the trade deadline. They'll discuss the Cubs, the Sox and all things baseball in Chicago before the two game series kicks off Tuesday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-07-261h 01
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastBrett defends Rick HahnChrystal O’Keefe and Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, frankly a little bored and finding so little to do South Side Sox-wise lately, chat it up with Brett Ballantini about where the White Sox stand and what lies ahead for the team.
The first half of our intended short show (spoiler: It was not short) was devoted to the bright spots of the season. Chrystal chooses Romy González, Melissa the sturdy starting rotation, and Brett, with reluctance, the mere 4 1⁄2 -game deficit the White Sox face despite being, by all accounts, a lousy baseball team
Mid-show we roll out some site news...
2023-06-1354 min
The Out Pitch PodcastThe Out Pitch Podcast | Episode #11 - Pride NightsJustin Havelock (@HavelockJustin) & Chrystal O'Keefe (@Chrystal_OK) share our thoughts on Anthony Bass' release, a sleeper in the NL Cy Young race, and what Pride Nights mean to us!
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram (@TheOutPitchPod) and be sure to support Pitcher List on Twitter & Instagram (@PitcherList).
Timestamps
0:11 - Intro
0:52 - This Week in Baseball
13:06 - Underdogs of the Week
20:28 - Deep Dive on Pride Nights
48:33 - Warm Fuzzies
54:40 - Outro
Episode Links
2023-06-1356 minThe Out Pitch PodcastThe Out Pitch Podcast | Episode #10 - Anthony Bass, Clayton Kershaw, and Homophobia & Transphobia in BaseballJustin Havelock (@HavelockJustin) & Chrystal O'Keefe (@Chrystal_OK) sit down to talk about a fun week of AL Central action, what it feels like to boo a player on your own team, and some of the truly incredible charity work going on around baseball.
Follow us on Twitter/Instagram (@TheOutPitchPod) and be sure to support Pitcher List on Twitter/Instagram (@PitcherList).
Timestamps
0:11 - Intro
3:33 - This Week in Baseball
18:35 - Underdogs of the Week
24:50 - Deep Dive on Homophobia & Transphobia in Baseball
2023-06-051h 06The Out Pitch PodcastThe Out Pitch Podcast | Episode #9 - Rainbow-WashingJustin Havelock (@HavelockJustin) & Chrystal O'Keefe (@Chrystal_OK) introduce a unique opportunity for you to get involved in, ponder whether José Berríos has been elite, and discuss rainbow-washing in baseball.
Follow us on Twitter: The Out Pitch Podcast (@TheOutPitchPod) and be sure to support Pitcher List on Twitter/Instagram (@PitcherList).
Timestamps
0:11 - Intro
0:42 - Introducing... Proud To Be In Best Ball!
2:38 - This Week in Baseball
17:57 - Underdogs of the Week
24:02 - Deep Dive on Rainbow-Washing
58:20 - Wa...
2023-05-261h 05The Out Pitch PodcastThe Out Pitch Podcast | Episode #8- Language in SportsJoin Justin Havelock (@HavelockJustin) & Chrystal O'Keefe (@Chrystal_OK) as we discuss some controversy in Toronto, the changes that we can make to our vocabulary, and give some shoutouts for Mental Health Awareness Month.
Follow us on Twitter: The Out Pitch Podcast (@TheOutPitchPod) and be sure to support Pitcher List on Twitter/Instagram (@PitcherList).
Timestamps
0:11 - Intro
0:43 - This Week in Baseball
17:40 - Underdogs of the Week
23:22 - Deep Dive on Language in Sports
50:04 - Warm Fuzzies
58:15...
2023-05-191h 00The Out Pitch PodcastThe Out Pitch Podcast | Episode #7 - Stonewall InnJustin Havelock (@HavelockJustin) & Chrystal O'Keefe (@Chrystal_OK) offer their breakdown on this week's news, wRC+, and the Stonewall Inn.
Follow us on Twitter: The Out Pitch Podcast (@TheOutPitchPod) and be sure to support Pitcher List on Twitter/Instagram (@PitcherList).
Timestamps
0:11 - Intro
3:20 - This Week in Baseball
12:50 - wRC+ Primer
19:40 - Underdogs of the Week
25:19 - Deep Dive on the Stonewall Inn
54:12 - Warm Fuzzies
1:03:11- Outro
Episode Links
2023-05-121h 04
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastThe White Sox are hot!Ryiin, Dante Jones, Chrystal O’Keefe and Brett Ballantini looked straight into the eyes of great fortune (wins in five of seven games) and tried to imagine whether it could last. Pluse, what’s the deal with that home run celebration?
Chrystal, fresh from a mini-trip to Cincinnati for the one loss of the weekend that ended in her not even scoring a Funko Pop for her aunt, gives us the skinny on the Great American Ballpark. Verdict? Great park for families, and an eminently decent park overall
What do we believe, the team we’ve seen for a mont...
2023-05-0854 minThe Out Pitch PodcastThe Out Pitch Podcast | Episode #6 - New Team NamesJustin Havelock (@HavelockJustin) & Chrystal O'Keefe (@Chrystal_OK) have a conversation about some new team name changes that may need to happen around the world of sports and tease a fun surprise for next week’s episode (you have to listen to the end)!
Follow us on Twitter: The Out Pitch Podcast (@TheOutPitchPod) and be sure to support Pitcher List on Twitter/Instagram (@PitcherList).
Timestamps
0:11 - Intro
1:42 - This Week in Baseball
9:46 - Underdogs of the Week
16:05 - Deep Dive on New Te...
2023-05-0542 minThe Out Pitch PodcastThe Out Pitch Podcast | Episode #5 - Coverage of Women's SportsJustin Havelock (@HavelockJustin) & Chrystal O'Keefe (@Chrystal_OK) discuss what's going on around the league, share some insights on a pair of their favourite players, and get real about the current coverage of women's sports.
Follow us on Twitter: The Out Pitch Podcast (@TheOutPitchPod) and be sure to support Pitcher List on Twitter/Instagram (@PitcherList).
Timestamps
0:11 - Intro
1:03 - This Week in Baseball
11:23 - Underdogs of the Week
17:30 - Deep Dive on the Coverage of Women's Sports
39:56 - Warm Fuzzies
2023-04-2853 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWhy Are We Doing This?Dante Jones, Chrystal O’Keefe, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Brett Ballantini sat down to pull the camera back a bit on our White Sox fandom, and reassess our purpose here. Yeah, there is some origin story background for each of us, but also equal parts sweetness and cynicism. There is a love for the White Sox and what (we feel) they stand for present in all. Joe Resis again tries and fails to catch on to the podcast, and his hunger for those green room snax is getting alarming.In the second half, we also bring back our Go...
2023-04-2155 minThe Out Pitch PodcastThe Out Pitch Podcast | Episode #4 - Injuries in SportsJustin Havelock (@HavelockJustin) & Chrystal O'Keefe (@Chrystal_OK) catch you up on all of the latest news, follow up on last week's episode on anxiety & mental health, and start a discussion about how we should be treating injured players.
Follow us on Twitter: The Out Pitch Podcast (@TheOutPitchPod).
Also, be sure to support Pitcher List on Twitter/Instagram (@PitcherList)!
Timestamps
0:11 - Intro
1:15 - This Week in Baseball
25:20 - Underdogs of the Week
29:52 - Follow-up on Last Week's Deep Dive
34:12 - Deep...
2023-04-211h 05The Out Pitch PodcastThe Out Pitch Podcast | Episode #3 - Anxiety & Mental HealthJustin Havelock (@HavelockJustin) & Chrystal O'Keefe (@Chrystal_OK) talk about some of the fun moments happening around the league, offer some early-season fantasy tips & tricks, and have an important conversation about anxiety & mental health.
Follow us on Twitter: The Out Pitch Podcast (@TheOutPitchPod) and be sure to support Pitcher List on Twitter/Instagram (@PitcherList).
Timestamps
0:11 - Intro
1:19 - The New SkyDome
10:07 - This Week in Baseball
17:23- Early Season Fantasy Tips & Tricks
23:47 - Underdogs of the Week
27:09...
2023-04-1459 minThe Out Pitch PodcastThe Out Pitch Podcast | Episode #2 - MLB BlackoutsJustin Havelock (@HavelockJustin) & Chrystal O'Keefe (@Chrystal_OK) discuss some of the highlights and potential breakouts from Opening Week plus a deep dive into the MLB's blackout restrictions.
Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TheOutPitchPod.
Also, please support Black Girl Hockey Club (Twitter: @BlackGirlHockey & Instagram: @blackgirlhockeyclub), as well as Pitcher List (Twitter & Instagram: @PitcherList)!
Timestamps
0:11 - Intro
2:01 - Baseball is fun!
7:14 - Opening Week highlights
16:31- Early overreactions
22:35 - Underdogs of the Week
28:40 - Deep Dive on blackouts in the...
2023-04-0755 min
The Out Pitch PodcastThe Out Pitch Podcast | Episode #1 - Opening Day & Anderson ComásJustin Havelock (@HavelockJustin) & Chrystal O'Keefe (@Chrystal_OK) discuss MLB Opening Day and offer a deep dive on Anderson Comás.
Follow us on Twitter: @TheOutPitchPod.
Also, please make sure to support both Anderson Comás (Twitter: @comas_anderson & Instagram: @andersoncomas10) and Pitcher List (Twitter & Instagram: @PitcherList).
Timestamps
0:11 - Intro
0:52 - What is The Out Pitch Podcast and who are these people?!
3:46 - Best fantasy team names
4:58 - Opening Day highlights & thoughts
9:51 - Underdogs of the Week
13:13 - Deep Di...
2023-03-3139 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastUNDEFEATEDWow, way to make us all (oh please, don’t you shake your heads at us, this season was scaring hell outta you, too) feel like negative nellies, White Sox. Well, finally a fun postgame podcast for our crew, as Brian O’Neill, Malachi Hayes, Dante Jones, Allie Wesel, Jacki Krestel, Chrystal O’Keefe, Ryiin, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Brett Ballantini got together right after the final out to review a thrilling, 3-2 win.
Dylan Cease. Seriously, you want more than that? Well, how about his ruthless, intense attack of the strike zone and the pitch clock. Remember when we were c...
2023-03-3139 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastReady or not, hello, 2023!Brett Ballantini invites a half-dozen SSS friends, including debut podcaster Ryiin, Jordan Hass, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Malachi Hayes, Chrystal O’Keefe and Brian O’Neill, to chat about Opening Night in Houston:
Did Brian’s terrific essay render this entire podcast moot? Suppose not — we didn’t stop recording after reading
Starting it off on the sunny side, we discuss the things we are most excited about as the 2023 season dawns — including the likelihood and tolerance of José Abreu hitting a massive bomb against a former teammate at least once
OK then, what about the White Sox still gives us the willies? A...
2023-03-3034 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast2023 MLB predictionsIn what we’ll consider our semi-official Fans First Sports Network and Sox Populi coming-out party, part two, a half-dozen (Chrystal O’Keefe, Tommy Barbee, Adrian Serrano, Dante Jones, Joe Resis, Brett Ballantini) of our 22 prognosticators got together to discuss the differences and similarities we feel about the fortunes of the coming 2023 baseball season.
It’s been roughly 43 mothership podcasts since our last MLB prognostication pod, and in that time — you may have noticed — some things have changed. We now represent the Fans First Sports Network and record under the umbrella of Sox Populi. And we soon will be debuting...
2023-03-2940 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast2023 White Sox PredictionsIn what we’ll consider a semi-official Fans First Sports Network and Sox Populi coming-out party, a half-dozen (Chrystal O’Keefe, Tommy Barbee, Malachi Hayes, Dante Jones, Joe Resis, Brett Ballantini) of our 22 prognosticators got together to discuss the differences and similarities we feel about the fortunes of this White Sox team.
Representing the 11 of 22 writers who see the White Sox in the playoffs, Malachi, Joe and Dante discuss how such a thing could be possible: Malachi can see Chicago clicking to as many as 95 wins, Joe foresees an unbelievably crazy finish to the season, and Dante feels the AL Ce...
2023-03-2837 min
The Pesky Report (Red Sox Podcast)🎙Episode 226: Chrystal O'Keefe (White Sox)Ed and Hogdale are joined by the one and only Chrystal O'Keefe to talk the exorcism of Tony La Russa and the state of the Chicago White Sox.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook @PeskyReport.
You can leave a text or a voicemail at (860) 698-1174
We are a part of Belly Up Sports Media. Tons of content over on their website at
www.BellyUpSports.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-03-211h 02
Casual DiehardThe Mental Gymnastics for Female Sports FansContent warning: Discussion and photos of sexual assault and domestic violenceBy Chrystal O’KeefeThis is not my first time writing about this topic. I’ve covered sexual assault and domestic violence within baseball ad nauseam. Being a woman and sports fan can be exhausting, because it’s clear the players or organizations don’t care about you.The industry is already oversaturated with stereotypical cis white men, who will shove their opinions down your throat while claiming to be the victim of the same. Women, people of color, the LGTBQIA+ community, and non...
2023-02-021h 03
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastLiam Hendriks, and the rest of the newsWith the news of Liam Hendriks’ devastating diagnosis still sinking in, Brett Ballantini gathered together Chrystal O’Keefe, Malachi Hayes, Dante Jones, Joe Resis and Melissa Sage-Bollenbach to discuss his situation, and gather up other White Sox news of the day.
First and foremost, our best wishes to Hendriks, as this is a chilling reminder of how fragile life is. Among our discussion topics are Dante’s poignant story breaking the news and Melissa’s dose of perspective, which points readers toward Liam-approved ways to pay it forward
The White Sox don’t have any arbitration cases! Yay! Yay?
Brief...
2023-01-1940 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastA smattering of outfielder signings, a touch of TA and a pinch of SoxivusBrett Ballantini hosts Chrystal O’Keefe, Allie Wesel, Malachi Hayes, Dante Jones, Jordan Hass and Melissa Sage-Bollenbach in our new podcast that covers a lot of ground, mostly because a dearth of Sox moves forces us to tap dance a bit.With the majority of participants in holiday-festive getups, let’s get down to this program’s outline:
Does Allie light up when talking about the White Sox? Not in the way you might think
Round tabling it on whether or not the White Sox have another significant move in their pockets, and if you can’t antici...
2022-12-2258 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWinter Meetings ReviewBrett Ballantini hosts Chrystal O’Keefe, Allie Wesel, Joe Resis, Dante Jones, Jordan Hass and Melissa Sage-Bollenbach in our new podcast that saves the sucky for the end — yeah, the White Sox non-moves — and gets downright silly in the final seconds.It was the podcast that almost wasn’t. But, here you go, enjoy!
Reax to the biggies: Aaron Judge, Justin Verlander, Jacob deGrom and Willson Contreras
Allie gets on Jerry Reinsdorf’s holiday card list. And who knows, maybe a free season ticket is in the offing!
A brief moment — wait, actually a couple of segments — p...
2022-12-0841 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastGrieving PitoChrystal O’Keefe hosts Allie Wesel, Brian O’Neill, Dante Jones, Jordan Hass, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Tommy Barbee for a little group therapy session. Yes, the South Side Sox staff eulogized José Abreu in writing, but sometimes that is just not cathartic enough.
Initial reactions to the news that Pito was leaving town, for real
Many of us are used to losing our favorite players, but others are newer to the fandom
The Astros? Really? He could’ve gone anywhere else!
The impact Abreu had on the White Sox, and the renewed Cuban pipeline
Our favorite Pito memories
Tears w...
2022-11-2950 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastSoxivus Airing of GrievancesHappy Soxivus! We are following up our first year celebrating Soxivus in 2021 with a full two months of celebrating in 2022. Ready or not, here we come.We’re overjoyed to have Father Soxivus — the man who hatched the plan last year — Tommy Barbee with us on these podcasts. Joining Tommy to start the festivities is host Brett Ballantini and Jordan Hass, Allie Wesel, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Joe Resis, Chrystal O’Keefe, Adrian Serrano and Jacki Krestel.The official Soxivus kick-off comes here, with the Airing of Grievances:
We kick off with the trio of Tommy (Hahn hid...
2022-10-241h 15
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastYou have to admit to yourself you’re rooting for a trash organizationBrett Ballantini had no idea this podcast would be so much fun, not after penning a recap as dark as he can remember reading on these pages. It’s a tribute to such a good cast — Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis, Adrian Serrano, Dante Jones, Allie Wesel and Melissa Sage-Bollenbach — that we could all laugh through the tears stomach pains.The main topic was, what else, Tony La Russa’s rumored retirement announcement on Monday. With no team confirmation as of this writing, approaching 24 hours after Bob Nightengale’s “break” of the news, who knows what we’ll be reacting to...
2022-10-0341 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastDo the White Sox hustle, injury two-step and La Russa shuffleWelcome to Mothership Podcast, starring Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis. The trio that has brought SSS seven separate podcasts — you might know them from Episode 105 (“Steve Stone”), Episode 38 (“Lynnsanity”), Episode 48 (“Fattening Up”) or even Postgame Podcast 2 (“Rodón No-No”) — have many, many things still to cover this season:
Hustle — specifically, do the White Sox have any beyond Mark Payton, a Triple-A veteran hungry to get a roster shot somewhere in 2023?
An ancillary La Russa topic: Presuming management is not fully to blame for a flaccid 2022, what changed this season to prevent the White Sox from being a factor in the div...
2022-09-3039 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastPirate radio broadcastWelcome to the Mothership Podcast, pirated by Chrystal O’Keefe and friends.Chrystal, Allie Wesel, Dante Jones, Joe Resis, Jordan Haas, and Zach Hayes mourn the loss of a bad season:
Positive moments with the recently deceased: DFAs, almost no-nos, surprise acquisitions, and putting Josh Donaldson in his place
Guardians social media: Did the White Sox deserve the trolling? (And: Is Dante a jinx?)
When did you know the season was over?
The most painful sweep of the season
Who would you like to see as the manager in 2023 if, by some miracle, the White Sox lo...
2022-09-2652 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastComerica Park review, Cleveland Guardians previewIt’s a podcast today that boasts the best of both worlds.First, it’s some away ballpark talk with Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe and Elizabeth Gonzales, the latter two being SSS writers who were at this past weekend’s series at Comerica Park in Detroit. One of these people is old enough to remember Tiger Stadium.And next, the playoffs have come two weeks early, because the White Sox have to treat this week vs. Cleveland as must-win.Here are some highlights:
What number podcast is this, anyway? Hey, they don’t pa...
2022-09-2039 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWhite Sox are disappointing, but also betraying our fandomHonestly, Scott Reichard’s regular theme music cover of Don’t Stop Believin’ just didn’t feel right for this one, so it’s a dry open for Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis and Jordan Hass. This podcast crew came together for a little broader, or higher minded, discussion of White Sox fandom:
Expanding on a question that circled the podcast table last week, the vibe check here spoke of our gut feelings as a White Sox fan — how you started backing this team, and how this 2022 club might be disappointing in ways more than mere losing
What br...
2022-08-2939 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastMichael Kopech’s out, Tony La Russa isn’tOutrageous acts demand outrageous podcasts, and six splendid South Side Sox writers (Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis, Zach Hayes, Dante Jones and Jordan Hass) came together in the aftermath of the Michael Kopech Start to discuss our Chicago White Sox:
Vibe check — not of the team and its prospects, but of your gut feeling as a White Sox fan
Yes, in fact, shit show is two words
Where were the coaching staff and catchers while Kopech was pitching injured, pre-game and in-game?
Tony wants it both ways: The ability to make repeated rookie mistakes and the resp...
2022-08-2353 min
Casual DiehardWillets Pod 12: The Beef In Our StarsEditor’s note: During the episode, we talked about Chrystal’s ode to dad bods post, which had yet to run at the time of recording. We decided to just put it here instead of as a separate post, because why make things more complicated than they need to be? We already have an entire podcast devoted to doing that. Also, here’s the time Creed played Thanksgiving for some reason.You wouldn’t see Nickelback doing that, what with the being Canadian and with Chad Kroeger being too busy having all that sex. Anyway, on to the news...
2022-08-0833 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWhere do we go from here?It’s another mothership podcast, featuring the dynamic Indy duo of Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis, undynamic Brett Ballantini and debut podcaster Jordan Hass. Given the lukewarm water-space the White Sox are occupying these days (and have occupied all year), it is a bit of a challenge to bring even a half-hour of excitement and analysis to you. But, as always, we’ve tried. Buck up, White Sox, sheesh.
For a second it seemed like Brett was going to try to channel Bayleigh Von Schneider and turn this into a Soxy Chicks podcast, but lucky for all of you...
2022-08-0836 min
Casual DiehardWillets Pod 10: "HOORAY FOR ROBOTS!"It’s Chrystal O’Keefe, Allison Robicelli, and Jesse Spector on this episode. However, if you have any pants-pooping stories, from sports or otherwise, please do drop them on the Discord. Was “drop” the best choice of words there? Perhaps not. Enjoy!And now that our episode title has kept the robots from looking at this, a word from our sponsor: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willetspen.substack.com
2022-07-2634 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastA buttery start to the second halfHey there White Sox fans, we’re back with another mothership podcast, featuring Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis, Hannah LaMotta and Brett Ballantini. This time out, we’re mostly centering on the transition to the second half of the season, and the marshmallow-soft schedule that looms on the horizon:
Coming out of the Cleveland split, we round up the positives (Yoán Moncada!) and negatives (Lucas Giolito ...) about the team going forward
Breaking down the criminally easy schedule from here until mid-August, how many of the 21 games do the White Sox need to win to assert themsel...
2022-07-2540 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastBuilding off of a San Francisco sweepTireless San Francisco sweep weekend SSS writers Chrystal O’Keefe and Jacki Krestel hopped on for our special Independence Day podcast — which turned out to be anything but. More on that in a bit.The trio chatted on the many highlights from the weekend, concerns going forward, and a little bit about what it means to be a reader of this site.Let’s proceed:
Post-sweep, what if anything looks different about this team?
Is Gio back?
And speaking of prospective aces, how’s about that Dylan Cease? We’re not handing him the Cy Young y...
2022-07-0439 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastSelling a stale product, sourlyAnother week off of the calendar, another week of White Sox water-treading. The SSS mothership podcast crew of Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe, Trooper Galactus and Jacki Krestel took on the team, and the curious public relations surrounding it.
In the never-ending temperature check of White Sox postseason prospects, how optimistically do we stand?
Tangible ways for the White Sox to launch themselves into first place: Chrystal thinks it’s coaching changes, Brett and Jacki lean pitching, while Trooper sees the offense waking up as our only hope.
Some numbers: At current pace, even if the White Sox play...
2022-06-2737 min
Casual DiehardWillets Pod 7: The Femlord Voltron Chicago BureauYesterday saw the arrival of Brittany Huber to Willets Pen, as she wrote about Adley Rutschman, Buster Posey, and growing up with a franchise catcher, as part of our latest newsletter.Today, we’re continuing to get ahead of the NHL, whose free agency is still more than a week away. Chrystal O’Keefe is on this episode of Willets Pod, joining us from South Side Sox and the Estrogen Power Hour podcast, where she and Colleen Sullivan share creative space, in addition to a birthday. They’ve already got “Femlord” in their podcast’s bio, and the Voltron...
2022-06-2341 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWhite Sox are back?After a sweep, punctuated by a resounding 13-0 smackdown that applied first aid to Chicago’s woeful run differential if nothing else, this SSS mothership podcast crew of Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe, Adrian Serrano, Joe Resis, Dante Jones and Zach Hayes peered into the future to find out whether this was a sign of good fortune ahead:
Round-table time: Are the White Sox real, or is a sweep in Motown a mirage?
Can the Power of Positive Thinking push this team to greatness?
Listen closely for Brett’s dis of Lance Lynn; as Adrian mentions, he does have t...
2022-06-1640 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastTony La Russa calls for an intentional walk, euthanizes fan baseWell then, anyone got anything you wanna talk about?Brett Ballantini invites in Dante Jones, Chrystal O’Keefe, Sam Sherman and Joe Resis to discuss the latest La Russa embarrassment:
Brett offers a quick breakdown of the good and bad of La Russa being questioned about his intentional walk to Justin Turner with a 1-2 count — an unquestionably disastrous bit of strategy
Dante, at the ballpark today, offers thoughts on the library silence of the crowd for decent chunks of the game
Will Tony ever leave the White Sox of his own volition? Chrystal thinks it will...
2022-06-1039 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWhite Sox gut-check, game shows, Steve StoneHey hey, it’s a throwback mothership podcast, to our heady days when it was just Brett Ballantini and the Indianapolis Field Office, Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis in adjacent cubicles. Joe almost missed the podcast, but luckily he looked skyward and saw the SSS Podcast logo beamed up into the sky, and new it was time.Good thing, because amid the gloom of a 25-27 overall record and 2-4 road trip, came a pretty fun program. Dig it:
Predict-a-Record is played once again. Chrystal has upped her prediction from 47 to 75 wins. Joe is a bit...
2022-06-0641 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWhite Sox Group Therapy Session 2Last time we met for session one of White Sox group therapy, the White Sox were making us sad and apathetic. Over a month since the first episode, it’s somehow worse, with the White Sox two games under .500 and keeping our sports trauma running steady.Sam Sherman, Chrystal O’Keefe, Adrian Serrano and a treadmill aka Zach Hayes gets together for yet another episode of White Sox Therapy to discuss this team that probably doesn’t deserve our attention, but we give it to them anyway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
2022-06-0259 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastA Sunday sweep, with a side of controversyWell now, this is more like it.An impossibly happy podcast, on the heels of a White Sox doubleheader sweep in the Bronx, brings the best out of Chrystal O’Keefe, Jacki Krestel, Joe Resis, Sam Sherman, Zach Hayes and Brett Ballantini.Or does it?
Round table vibe check? Solid
The outright heroism of Tim Anderson and Michael Kopech
But really, dig how good the entire pitching staff has been, more or less. Wow!
Some real talk on any progress being made to avoid, or at least properly punish, behavior like we witnessed in- an...
2022-05-2338 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastDiminished expectationsAfter too long a break, encompassing a long winning streak and short home sputtering, the mothership podcast is back and motoring toward the next hundred podcasts. Chrystal O’Keefe, Adrian Serrano, Joe Resis, Sam Sherman and Tommy Barbee check in with Brett Ballantini to assess the state of the Sox, as the team struggles to stick above .500. Some crib notes:
Chrystal O’Keefe is ready to abandon the club and root for the ... Mets? Her adjusted prediction for the White Sox win total is down from her 99 before the season ... to 45
Sam Sherman, late of our North Side Sox...
2022-05-1640 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastChecking in, a month inWell, Brett Ballantini forgot his tux, but hey, we’re still celebrating a 100th podcast together. All of us gathered down at the Indianapolis Field Office to try to make this first month of White Sox seem somehow palatable:
Chrystal O’Keefe has had enough, escaping to games in Milwaukee and Boston to avoid the White Sox (bad news, O’Keefe, guess who’s playing the Red Sox this weekend?)
Joe Resis fixes a brave face to a 9-13 month, playing a relatively easy schedule — but it ain’t easy
Adrian Serrano isn’t exactly shocked by the results so far...
2022-05-0339 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWhite Sox Group Therapy Session 1After more than two decades of sports fandom, Sam Sherman hit a crossroads. It’s hard to explain, but he found myself asking if all of the emotional pain that his sports fandom has brought him is worth it anymore. Sam, who co-hosts North Side Sox on SSS with Janice Scurio, was going to do a solo podcast to vent about his feelings, but decided that would be sad and unproductive. Instead, he turned to some pals on the South Side Sox staff (Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe, Tommy Barbee and Zach Hayes) to talk thro...
2022-04-261h 16
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWe would love to be impressedWhat do you do on the heels of a seven-game losing streak? You record a podcast, that’s what!Zach Hayes, Brett Ballantini, Chrystal O’Keefe, Trooper Galactus and Joe Resis got together to solve the White Sox. Did we? Well:
Is it time to panic?
The Eloy Jiménez injury
Liam Hendriks is back to tipping his pitches, but is that the biggest concern about him?
Tony La Russa: Seriously, what more is there to say?
Trooper loses it
Hey, the White Sox are 1 1⁄2 games out of first, exactly the same as they were on this da...
2022-04-2637 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastLuis Robert steals the home openerWhat a winner!Yes, the White Sox, and Luis Robert, took a thrilling game from the Seattle Mariners, 3-2, on Tuesday in the home opener. Chrystal O’Keefe, Kristina Airdo, Whitney Hale and Brett Ballantini break the win down:
Luis Robert. WOW. We all jump on the O’Keefe “Pantera for MVP” bandwagon
Did Vince Velásquez meet or exceed expectations? For Chrystal and Whitney, who had expectations somewhere between “none” and “hell,” the answer is a resounding yes
Eloy made a defensive web gem and did some other Big Baby things, which we examine in some detail
The b...
2022-04-1331 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast2022 MLB predictionsThree of us (Tommy Barbee, Zach Hayes, Brett Ballantini) got season picks in to make the feature story we ran outlining 20 prognostications, one (Chrystal O’Keefe) was too late to make the story, and one (Trooper Galactus) just punted the whole thing, but still has opinions about how things will wrangle out in 2022.We begin with a detailed discussion on our White Sox categories, and go from there:
Chrystal is the owner of the title belt for last year’s picks, and just made the regular-season cutoff to get her 2022 predictions across
Brett is the low pick...
2022-04-1140 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastThe White Sox made great moves today (the podcast)It is a 100% good vibes podcast, after the amazing Rick Hahn events of the day.OK, maybe 95% good vibes. Or, 90%?Well, there was a lot to talk about, including the bad news that Garrett Crochet would likely sit out 2022 with Tommy John surgery. Sox Optimist, Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe, Tommy Barbee, Trooper Galactus, Delia Ritchie and Brett Ballantini gathered together to otherwise celebrate:
Initial roundtable reactions: How are we all feeling today, with the weight of an overpaid pen and gaping hole in right field lifted?
How did Rick Hahn manage to pull of...
2022-04-0236 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastA Wake for MLBWell, you’ve already read the sad story from Kristina Airdo and Brett Ballantini today, detailing the breakdown of labor talks between players and owners that now sees spring training further delayed and the first two series of the regular season cancelled.Despite the threat of all-mourning, no actual content, Brett betrayed that for this podcast, with a cast of thousands. Here’s a sneak preview:
Chrystal O’Keefe’s prediction for the next MLB regular season game? May 2025
Does the fact that Jerry Reinsdorf takes such a hawkish stance toward labor embarrass us as Sox fans?
Go...
2022-03-0238 min
Bubbly & BaseballMLB, can we please have a Bauer Outage?Ed and Bayleigh have their first guest of the podcast, writer, Chrystal O'Keefe.
2022-02-121h 18
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastChecking in on the White Sox Hall of Fame...and the LockoutThe fifth annual White Sox Hall of Fame vote, is ongoing, with still time to determine some of the plaques and choose winners in the bonus categories. Voting ends on Sunday, so don’t dilly-dally like a certain Indianapolis Field Office stalwart.Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis join Brett Ballantini to evaluate the early election returns, and squeeze in a little bitta lockout talk:
Five players are on target for election, with one clearly the most surprising
Is Wilbur Wood going to enter our Hall with the biggest plurality yet?
Who’s the unluck...
2022-02-1039 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWhite Sox Hall of Fame Ballot, Lockout UpdateHey, it’s time for the White Sox Hall of Fame vote, year five!Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe and Zach Hayes join Brett Ballantini to dissect the ballot, plus much, much more:
Four Hall-of-Famers on the ballot ... not yet voted into our White Sox Hall of Fame, whoa
Adrian’s fanboy picks
Chrystal’s unapologetic support of Chris Sale
Perusing the bonus categories, including a no-brainer defense pick and the impossible home run choices ... and Adrian even adds a homer to the mix
Chrystal steps us through the early look at 2022 White Sox promotions, with her fave...
2022-02-0441 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast2022 Hall of Fame Results, New Signings, and Movie TalkWith the results of both our South Side Sox Hall of Fame results and the BBWAA election of David Ortiz, we’re wrapping up all our Hall talk with this podcast, featuring the Indianapolis Field Office of Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis, with moderator-trying-not-to-erupt-in-expletives Brett Ballantini:
The pros and cons of Ortiz in on the first ballot
The hypocrisy of Ortiz in on the first ballot, vis-a-vis at least Barry Bonds
Bye-bye Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Curt Schilling
Mark Buehrle survives ... but so does Torii Hunter
A rollout of our new vote this week, Best Baseball Movi...
2022-01-2741 min
In The Deep: Fantasy BaseballITD 34 - 12 Rounds of DeepmasIn the Deep – It's the final episode before the new year, and we wrap up 2021 by talking about who we'd reach for in a dynasty startup draft, as well as doing some holiday-themed quick hits regarding our feelings on post-200 picks for redraft leagues.
Timestamps:
Holiday/No Way Home banter (0:20)
Shwebsi reacts to Showalter hiring (4:35)
Mailbag
Top players to reach for in dynasty startup drafts
Jo Adell (10:12)
Aaron Ashby (12:57)
Joe Ryan (13:40)
Alejandro Kirk (16:23)
Michael Kopech (18:52)
Brett Baty (21:10)
Joey Wiemer (24:27)
Josh Jung (28:37)
George Kirby (32:10)
John Nogowski in Atlanta (34:42)
12 Rounds of Deepmas
200-209 – Brandon Crawford (38:15)
210-219 – Andrew Vaughn (40:50)
220-229 –...
2021-12-191h 04
Shaggin' FliesSF 27 - The Many Different Hats Of Chrystal O'KeefeShaggin' Flies with Ben and Zach
Ben and Zach are joined this week by their Pitcher List and South Side Sox Colleague Chrystal O'Keefe (@chrystal_ok) for a delightful and rambling several hours that begins in Indianapolis, Indiana and instantly turns every which way imaginable.
---
1 – Opening with Star Wars
7 – SciFis everyone should watch!
10 – Meeting the Firefly cast
14 – What to do in Indy
17 – The Chicago Bulls All Have Covid
21 – Name-a-Pacer
24 – Writing!
25 – Murder?
30 – Writing a kids book
34 – The great h...
2021-12-191h 58
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastSoxivus Miracles!As our Soxivus celebration to end 2021 appears to be winding down, several staffers gathered to discuss our list of Soxivus Miracles, live on the site right now. We worked in order of most likely to least, but even as we went there was some revising of the list:
Joe Resis steps us through yet another underwhelming right-field signing — but this time, one than ends in 2022 ALDS heroics!
Chrystal O’Keefe not only penned a last-minute, wry take on White Sox spending, but defends it convincingly
Pre-commercial striptease interlude from the host
Adrian Serrano asks that not only Minnie Miño...
2021-11-1739 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastRick Hahn’s Place at the (Kids) TableWell, a weird first “official” week of the offseason yielded some trippy topics, and Adrian Serrano, Zach Hayes, Leigh Allan and Chrystal O’Keefe showed up to chat with Brett Ballantini about some of the most notable:
In the words of Zach channeling DJ Khaled, to the White Sox: “Congratulations, you played yourself.” While of course Scott Boras now says Carlos Rodón would have rejected the QO if made, is it less realistic to think that in a world where Andrew Heaney gets almost $10 million that Rodón doesn’t, as GM Rick Hahn is apparently gambling?
And as for the...
2021-11-1140 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastA Soxivus Celebration of the Worst of 2021We’ve come to the Soxivus week that celebrates the worst games of 2021, and we’ve got seven SSS scribes a-swimming through the season to provide insights on the most painful:
Leading off, Joe Resis talks about an April 13 loss that had it all: weak exit velo heartbreakers, nine innings of Bieber, Manfred Mann runners, and Cleveland
Handing the mic over the cubicle wall at the Indianapolis Field Office, Chrystal O’Keefe took over to talk about a true injury lowlight of the regular season, when Luis Robert popped a hip on May 2
Adrian Serrano, after fielding compliments for hi...
2021-11-0939 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastA Soxivus Celebration of the Best of 2021We’ve come to the Soxivus week that celebrates the best games of 2021, and we’ve got seven SSS scribes a swimming through the season to provide insights on their favorites:
(yes, there were several costumed writers on the podcast, on the day after Halloween. Don’t ask why, it was a spontaneous staff decision)
Keelin Billue spent too long in podcast exile, inadvertent though it may have been. Not only did she macho up with a sexy mustachioed cowboy getup for the podcast, she recounted her favorite game of the year, witnessing Carlos Rodón’s no-hitter in April...
2021-11-0234 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastGoodbye, 2021 SeasonWell, this isn’t the podcast we wanted to record, despite it being the one we knew would come eventually.Zach Hayes dashed back from the ballgame, Joe Resis scrambled to find his mic, Jacki Krestel paused her baked pasta, Chrystal O’Keefe made fart noises and Brett Ballantini and Darren Black decide where there were going for dinner, in an ACTION-PACKED half-hour of happy times and warm thoughts.No, of course that ain’t it. The Sox got rocked for the third time in the series, and there were thoughts on that, and other things...
2021-10-1339 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastPreviewing ALDS Game 4, Plus More Momentum, More Cheating and Yes, More Fan GatekeepingWith Monday’s rainout of Game 4, we found ourselves with some time to preview the rescheduled Tuesday tilt, so naturally Chrystal O’Keefe and Zach Hayes jumped on with Brett Ballantini to do just that.A whole buncha stuff happened since our last podcast, oh, approximately three hours earlier, so we got right to it:
Momentum in the series and how the unexpected day off on Monday impacts it
Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Carlos Rodón in Game 4, potentially the pitchers’ duel this series has been waiting for
Ryan Tepera’s postgame remarks on Sunday night came off...
2021-10-1235 min
WARR Media Podcasts2nd City Sports on SportZone Chicago: Sox Struggle in Houston, Bears/Raiders Preview, Week 5 NFL PicksThis weekend edition of 2CS features writer and podcaster Chrystal O'Keefe of Southside Sox who'll be on to discuss the White Sox (naturally) and their early efforts in the ALDS series versus Houston. Sid and Lakeena also take you around the rest of the MLB's divisional series as well.
Also, previews of the Bears-Raiders tilt in Vegas and the rest of the top games in the NFL's Week 5 as well as college football's Week 6, and as always on Friday's -- pick'ems with our friend Christine Manika of KXRB.
2:43 - Southside Sox’s Chyrstal O’Keefe talks...
2021-10-091h 59
Addison & ShieldsChange The Series 2021 ALDSMichael is joined by Chrystal O’Keefe to preview the White Sox ALDS matchup versus the Astros.We also touch on memorable moments from this year.Players we expect to make a major impact in this series.Prediction for series outcome
2021-10-0725 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastSeason Review, Looking Ahead, and The Dallas Keuchel SongPodcast 67 is our best ever, and that’s not just because we all learned how to properly hydrate and sing a new campfire song.This pirate broadcast began with Chrystal O’Keefe, Jacki Krestel and Joe Resis signing on with Brett Ballantini for some chat on the 93-69 White Sox, before we were interloped first by Adrian Serrano, then Di Billick. But Di did come with song.Here are some highlights:
Impressions of a 93-69 campaign, and how much did the White Sox exceed expectations?
Will a lack of “chaos” in the playoff grid — no ties/ti...
2021-10-0438 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastWhite Sox Clinch, Part 2For the first time since 2008, the White Sox are AL Central champions! And because it was so super-sweet to enjoy this moment, after 13 years, we doubled up on postgame podcasts!Brett Ballantini, Zach Hayes, Tyrone Palmer, Joe Resis, Jacki Krestel, Chrystal O’Keefe, Celeste Radogno and Tommy Barbee got together after the White Sox lost the nightcap of today’s triumphant doubleheader to talk about the journey:
The biggest podcast, eight SSS writers, in site history!
More reactions to the clinch f-i-n-a-l-l-y h-a-p-p-e-n-i-n-g
A distinct lack of reactions to Brett’s Seuss party hat (however, the crew p...
2021-09-2439 min
Motor City Metrics: A Detroit Tigers podcastEpisode 400: Episode 400Chrystal O'Keefe and Janice Scurio talk about Chicago White Sox as they are coming to Comerica Park on Monday, September 21st. Links to their work: Chrystal: Janice: A tip of the cap to Norm MacDonaldToledo has won the Midwest Division title. 70 wins is a big dealThe Cardinals perform their voodoo magic. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/TigersMinorLeagueReportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for...
2021-09-171h 29
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastCrosstown CommiserationsOn the heels of a stirring sweep by the White Sox at Wrigley this weekend, Joe Resis, Chrystal O’Keefe and Zach Hayes talk with Brett Ballantini about the series (this weekend, and their favorite moments of crosstown play), as well as some peeks ahead specific to roster construction and the postseason.Among the highlights:
Ah, the joy of a sweep that just a week or so ago didn’t seem like it would be so easy
César Hernández has been a beast
What does everyone need to see from the White Sox between now an...
2021-08-0934 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastRick Hahn Wins at the DeadlineAll right, we lost two players today and gained one, so we did the same with tonight’s final Trade Deadline podcast, as five South Side Sox staff (Brett Ballantini, Darren Black, Joe Resis, Chrystal O’Keefe and Tyrone Palmer) convened to talk about the Craig Kimbrel for Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer trade, and the wild final day of dealing across baseball.Some highlights:
Brett celebrates in the Virgin Islands, and may have gotten lost there
How much does losing Nick Madrigal hurt? The SSS Indianapolis Field Office of Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis are pa...
2021-07-3140 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastFirst Half Review, Second Half Preview ... and Bauer DraggingThe last off-day of the first half seemed a good time for a South Side Sox revue review of the White Sox to date, along with a look ahead to Eloy and the second half. We ended our time with a look at how the Los Angeles Dodgers handled the Trevor Bauer assault accusation.Chrystal O’Keefe, Tyrone Palmer, Scott Reichard and Darrin Brown jumped on with Brett Ballantini and provided some great stuff, including:
Brett barely recognizes Scott, it’s been so long since his last podcast — and with due haste, the guitar maestro (podcast theme...
2021-07-0939 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastGetting Fat Before the All-Star BreakChrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis join Brett Ballantini for another podcast that seems Indianapolis invitation-only. It’s a quicker podcast than usual, because we wanted to focus on just a couple of concepts, beyond thanking any listeners still tuning in to Podcast 48 in 2023:
What is up with the offense? Yes, there are injuries aplenty, but this isn’t a lineup of guys found at the bus stop, either
How many of the 16 games (starting on Friday) do the White Sox need to win to feel good going into the All-Star break? (Bad news for Chrystal, who said 14 ... the So...
2021-06-2628 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastFallen in HoustonA four-game losing streak? Podcast!Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis, Tommy Barbee, Darren Black and Brett Ballantini gathered post-sweep to discuss the panic level (very low) and prospects for bringing in help to bolster the club (also, very low).Aside from Brett forgetting Chrystal’s name, here are some chat highlights:
Another stirring Joe Resis introduction!
We figured out that “the money will be spent” truly does translate into “the money has been spent (on rehabbing players we already have)”
Chrystal/Cheryl gets an Edible Arrangement from Rick Hahn?
True confessions of personalized jerseys: Do I hear a...
2021-06-2137 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastNicky Two Strikes, Struck DownSo, once again we’re putting together an emergency podcast to address a potential season-ending injury for a White Sox starter. This time, it’s Nick Madrigal, who on Thursday was placed on the 60-day injured list. In the aftermath of yet another extended injury loss, Chrystal O’Keefe, Joe Resis, Trevor Lines and Brett Ballantini gathered to discuss the injury, and possible replacements.
It seems clear Trevor was unable to successfully scalp his seat to this podcast, despite it being one of the final Hippie Brett podcasts before next week’s cut
Initial reactions to seeing the injury o...
2021-06-1237 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastIs This Our First All-Woman White Sox Podcast?Despite a masculine rhetoric and presence in the MLB, 45% of women in the United States consider themselves “casual” or “avid” MLB fans. Despite this statistic, there is dearth of representation in baseball media by women. Join Chrystal O’Keefe, Colleen Sullivan, and Keelin Billue for the first of many relaxed and casual conversations about how and why baseball is for everyone.While this podcast explores the experience of women in baseball, it was also entirely unscripted and takes some interesting twists.Join us for what can only be described as an immersive experience, sprinkled with baseball i...
2021-05-161h 46
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastA Sweep, a Six Pack, and the Power of Strawberry Cheescake Churro CannolisJust half of the Indianapolis Field Office, South Side Sox Flash Feature Writer, Six Packer, and Lead Baker Chrystal O’Keefe managed to hop on for a post-sweep, post-winning streak SSS Podcast 42. Yes, it’s the Brett & Chrystal Show!Highlights of our talk together:
Apparently fellow SSS Indianapolis Field Office member Joe Resis was circling the block, hoping for one of those famous O’Keefe churros, instead of prepping for a podcast
Is it surprising how well Michael Kopech has hit the mound running?
Apologies for Brett’s annoying scraping noise, which apparently is related to his lame...
2021-04-2639 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastCarlos Rodón Throws a No-No!Well, it was already a successful game, based on the bats coming out like they did in the first inning after getting shut out on Tuesday. But things got better; did you hear, Carlos Rodón threw a no-hitter!Brett Ballantini, Joe Resis and Chrystal O’Keefe abandoned the “let’s talk about the night in baseball” format due to the celebration of specialness that was Rodón’s no-hitter (and near perfecto).Highlights:
Do we blame Roberto Pérez for the cheesy HBP that ruined the perfect game in the ninth?
Only four big xBA hits...
2021-04-1526 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastLynnsanity!Well, this was a much more fun postgame podcast than a week ago, on the heels of a dominating Lance Lynn performance and more Yerminating. The Indianapolis branch office, staffed by Joe Resis and Chrystal O’Keefe, again joined me for the discussion:
Did anyone adhere to Opening Day traditions, and do any involve watching Parks and Recreation” episodes?
Learn how Chrystal juggled her obligation to her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and her need to boo Tony La Russa for pregame introductions
What were the odds of this game even getting played?
How much should we ascribe Lance...
2021-04-0933 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastHappy Opening Day Pregame Show!On the heels of a rough, 3-4 trip for the White Sox, South Side Sox girded its collective loins and brightened its collective spirit to band together for a DELIGHTFUL pregame podcast in anticipation of Thursday’s home opener.So much covered, in so little time:
Tommy Barbee manages to crash the podcast early enough for a spectacularly profane rant from Colleen Sullivan. NSFW, but worth the price of admission
Is the defense beyond saving? Trevor Lines doesn’t think so
Tony La Russa was a problem for the White Sox months ago, and lingers as a pr...
2021-04-0839 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastHow Did You Become a White Sox Fan?The Killer B’s are back, baby!Tommy Barbee and Keelin Billue reunite and welcome very special guest and fellow South Side Sox writer, Chrystal O’Keefe as “The Third B.”In this episode, Chrystal, Tommy, and Keelin discuss:
The Journey to White Sox Fandom: How did we get here? Enjoy three very different stories about the common threads woven together to make up the Pale Hose. Spoiler: All journeys involve the C*bs.
Season Predictions: What are some bold predictions for these season? The team discusses Nick Madrigal’s development, Moncada’s post-COVID performance...
2021-03-091h 32
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastEarly Spring Training ExcitementSouth Side Sox Podcast 24 features Brett Ballantini and Chrystal O’Keefe, together again and not talking about the Hall of Fame. What did they talk about, then?
The early bright spots of White Sox camp, including Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech
The palpable impact of new pitching coach Ethan Katz
Concern about right field
Why it’s important to address the Tony La Russa hiring revelations of the past week, for better or worse
Trevor Bauer, owning himself on social media, over and over — and the challenges of learning simple social media terminology
The Kevin Mather/Seattle Mariners debacl...
2021-02-2342 min
Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcastHall of Fame VotingSouth Side Sox Podcast 19 takes on Cooperstown and the 2021 Hall of Fame contenders. Brett Ballantini and Chrystal O’Keefe discuss the ins and outs of this year’s election, including the possibility that no candidates reach immortality.Topics tackled by the duo:
Exactly how identical are Brett’s and Chrystal’s ballots, anyhow?
Support for Sammy Sosa
Separation between the Barry Bonds/Roger Clemens voting contingent from the Curt Schilling/Omar Vizquel voters
Big Hall vs. Small Hall vs. Medium Hall
Does Mark Buehrle have a shot (spoiler: With SSS, he seemingly does!)
The “pure” candidates on the ballo...
2021-01-1938 min
Infamous IndyChrystal O'keefe and "The Murderer Across the Hall"Remembering Heather Norris, who was murdered by her abuser and boyfriend in his home in Irvington Indiana. Chrystal talks about her experience living with the murderer just a short time after he committed the crime in the basement of the home. Chilling story from someone who lived it.
2019-11-2645 min