Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast

On episode 26 of Ladies’ Night Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Kristina Airdo, Hannah Filippo and Allie Wesel share their reflections, standout moments, and what it meant to be part of a night celebrating women in sports. Last Wednesday, they attended the Chicago White Sox’s Game Changers Summit, an event celebrating underrepresented voices in sports. The evening featured a live recording of Sidelined wi...

The season now over for even the good teams, duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, delve into events of November – yes, there are some! We lead off with Justin Ishbia's in-person invitation to the Pope to throw out the first pitch for the first game at the new White Sox stadium (which, of course, does not exist and is unlikely to), though the invite could all just...

Brett Ballantini hosted Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Hannah Filippo and Joe Kiang-Resis to review our 2025 season predictions. Yes, forecasts from those not joining the podcast were also lauded ... and mocked. Highlights and lowlights from each prognosticator: Brett: Nailing the rookies and finishing second overall ... but picking the White Sox for 120 losses Melissa: Feeling good about the Yankees .....

In an audio-only joint, Malachi Hayes joined Brett Ballantini to discuss the inspiring (?) second half of the White Sox season and forecast what's to come for the club in the offseason: First off, the host can't even get the podcast episode correct, ah well Is the improvement in the second half real, or a mirage? There is evidence to support hope as well as cynicism; as Malachi puts it, best to ju...

Bayleigh and Chrystal wrap up the season with their own baseball postmortem, and look ahead to the playoffs and 2026 season. Here is what was discussed: Chrystal's reaction to the White Sox season Bayleigh's reaction to the Red Sox season The Mets spent $300 million and went nowhere How are the Brewers so good, and is it sustainable? Daaa Yankeeees lose, Vlad Guerrero Jr., and Derek Jeter's lack o...

Duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and (while he’s in Chicago acting in Ashland Avenue at the Goodman Theatre) next room correspondent, Will, do the expected evaluation of the 2025 White Sox season: the good, the bad, and the not-quite-as-ugly as the past two years. They also delve into the firing of four coaches the day after the season ended, most notably the dismissal of pitching coach Ethan K...

Chrystal 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,...

Brett Ballantini flies solo on this postgame podcast, addressing the ramp-up to 100 losses for the 2025 White Sox, and what infamy the club can still achieve in 2025: A rundown of the ins and outs of where the White Sox now stand (seventh-worst White Sox team ever) and can still fall to (sixth-worst ever) And with that, the second-half record is looking uglier; does the flat tire ending 2025 leave...

This edition of the mothership podcast features Dante Jones and Hannah Filippo, who join Brett Ballantini to discuss the encroaching and unprecedented third straight 100-loss season for the White Sox.  Believe it or not, some positives were discussed: Gut check! We all weigh in on how the season has transpired and the (brief) spike in performance in the second half; Dante's glass is half-full, Han...

Stacey Gotsulias of Locked On Yankees joined Chrystal to chat about the Yankees and help set up the second-to-last White Sox series of the season. Here is what they talked about: What's new with the Yankees Jazz Chisholm Jr. just became the third Yankees player to join the 30-30 club Removing the antiquated facial hair policy Rediscovering players' personalities How the Yankees did at the trade de...

Aaron Kirby joined Chrystal to chat about the Padres and their upcoming postseason, while also helping to preview the final White Sox home stand of the season. Here is what they talked about: What's new with the Padres? The Wild Card is within reach What the metrics show vs. how the team is playing Was the trade deadline good for San Diego? Postseason odds and what needs to go right Dylan Cease is...

Liz Thompson joined Chrystal to talk all things Orioles and preview the upcoming series. Liz, who has worked with the Orioles in the past, is still involved in baseball; Liz is known for her custom scorebooks and will be presenting a panel called "A New Scorebook" on Sunday, September 21, during the 2025 SABR/IWBC Women in Baseball Conference. The conference is virtual this year, so be sure to che...

The 17th episode of the 2025 season features host Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and guest Julie Swieca Gannon. Julie spent a decade at Chicago’s sports talk radio station 670 The Score, working as a reporter, anchor, and talk show host. She began her career there as a part-time producer and eventually hosted her own show. We're really grateful to Julie for agreeing to come back here at the end of the se...

Long-awaited and highly-requested guest Catherine Tinker joined Chrystal to talk about the Rays and help preview the upcoming White Sox series. A fan of two teams, Catherine talked about her hometown team and what to expect. Here is what they talked about: What's new with the Rays? Will things change or stay the same with new ownership? Rookies getting their feet wet The future of the Trop How bas...

It's time to look back on the month of August in the White Sox affiliate world and drill down into the stories of the season that are pushing toward their conclusions. Brett Ballantini welcomes Joe Resis in to chat about the four full-season clubs active for all of August, from top to bottom: A rundown of all six teams in the system Do the White Sox have an overt (or vested) interest in having the...

Rogelio Castillo is back to chat with Chrystal about the final White Sox and Tigers series. As the season heads to a close, the top team will host the bottom team in an American League Central matchup. Here is what they discussed: What's new with the Tigers? It's been a long summer for fans Javy Báez is starting to come back down to earth Trade deadline woes — Detroit prospects weren't going to be...

The 16th episode of the 2025 season features host Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and guest Tania Farries. We're genuinely grateful to Tania for agreeing to share her fandom journey with us and discussing several topics related to our beloved — or, depending on the day, despised — South Siders. Whether you're a die-hard White Sox fan or not, there's something for everyone. So, sit back, relax, and grab yo...

Bayleigh and Chrystal had plenty to talk about this week. Here is what is going on around Major League Baseball lately: Cal Raleigh up to 49 home runs, most-ever for a catcher How are the Brewers this good? Colson Montgomery is so good (and thank you for Kyle Teel) Zack Wheeler needs Thoracic Outlet Surgery MLB realignment? Families receiving horrific DMs MLB is finalizing a deal with ESPN, Netfli...

Brandon Warne is back this season to chat with Chrystal and provide insight on the Twins ahead of the upcoming series. With both teams dwelling at the bottom of the division, Brandon had plenty to say about the fire sale and rebuild. Here is what they talked about: What's new with the Twins Navigating injuries The news guys are trying to get acclimated, and every day is like Spring Training Post-d...

Friend of South Side Sox Tommy Barbee joined Chrystal to chat about the Atlanta Braves and help preview the upcoming series. Here is what they talked about: What's new with the Braves? Why does Atlanta keep picking up former White Sox pitchers? Buck Showalter rumors The youth movement and useless veterans A season in limbo The trade deadline bust Not feeling great about the rest of the season Pitc...

The 15th episode of the 2025 season features host Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and guest Nancy Hays. We're truly grateful to Nancy for agreeing to share her fandom journey with us, as well as a very special passion project of hers that connects to Chicago sports history. Whether you're a die-hard White Sox fan or just have an overall love of sports, there's something for everyone. So, sit back, relax,...

After some of Brett Ballantini's idiotic, angry and/or questionable ramblings in our staff discussions, Malachi Hayes suggested a ... debate? ... of sorts, centered around the White Sox trade of Adrian Houser to the Tampa Bay Rays at the deadline last week. You don't have to listen to the podcast to determine who won the debate: If you are a "gut" fan, you might like my arguments, while if you lik...

Bayleigh and Chrystal return to talk about a busy few weeks in Major League Baseball. The Trade Deadline: Winners? Losers? What on earth is AJ Preller thinking? Carlos Correa returned to his cheating ex The Mariners made big moves The Phillies picked up several pieces, and the Twins had a fire sale The Yankees picked up some terrible pitchers, and one is already back in Triple A The Rangers get Me...

Brett Ballantini, Joe Resis and Melissa Sage-Bollenbach gathered together to look back at the month of July in the White Sox farm system, with special attention paid to the surging Birmingham Barons.  Topics? Yeah, we got 'em: A rundown of all six teams in the system, spotlighting the likelihood that due to some "tiebreaker" shenanigans in the Arizona Complex League just one White Sox affiliate wi...

Claire joined Chrystal to chat about the Mariners and help break down the upcoming White Sox series. Here is what they discussed: What's new with the Mariners How we talk about players during the trade deadline is a little gross The Mariners are good but not great right now Pitching matchups: Bryan Woo, George Kirby, and Logan Gilbert The 17-game stretch leading up to this series Randy Arozarena a...