54.4 Chicago Black Sox Spring Training '54 By the Numbers

[tylertoo]

Chicago Black Sox Spring Training '54 By the Numbers


Chicago, February 25, 2054 -- Hope springs eternal in Spring Training, even for last place clubs like the Black Sox. Let's pull out some numbers as we gear up for a return to baseball!

42
The number of players in Black Sox camp (including two non-roster invitees).

19
Number of players on the 40-man roster who were not on the Black Sox 40-man at any point last year. Nearly half of the current 40-man saw no time with Chicago last season and are here thanks to promotions, Rule 5 acquisitions and free agency.

4
Number of pitchers in Black Sox Spring Training camp who regularly hit or top 100 mph.

404-244
Number of victories and losses earned by new Black Sox Manager Alberto Sanchez during his previous managerial stops.

$5
The price reduction in for a single game ticket to the Black Sox over last season ($19.99 compared to $24.99).

$3.4 million
The amount that Chicago is paying this season toward former Black Sox Bernie Stuart's salary.

6
The number of current Black Sox players who are being paid more than what the club is paying Bernie this season.

27
The number of Black Sox prospects in the BBA's top 500 prospect list. You could field a team with that. (Second only to Nashville, with 36).

4th
Black Sox ranking in Baseball News Network's annual ranking of top farms systems.

8th
Black Sox's ranking in Baseball News Network's annual survey of team media revenue.

32nd
Black Sox's ranking in Baseball News Network's current survey of payroll size among 32 teams.

103
Number of Black Sox losses last season, the worst since 2006 (114).

$59,891,775
Black Sox end-of-year balance after 2053 (largest balance in the league, though virtually tied with Mexico City at $59,527,856).

7
Number of Dollar Dog Nights planned for the 2054 Season at Vinnie Vitale Stadium.

0
Number of Bernie Stuart Bobblehead Nights planned for the 2054 Season at Vinnie Vitale Stadium.

1
Number of Bobblehead Nights for any player planned for the 2054 Season at Vinnie Vitale Stadium (Cordell Vaughn).

69
The current level of fan interest in the Black Sox.

98
The current level of fan interest in the number 69.

87
The level of fan interest in the Black Sox back in 2048, the last year they were in the playoffs.

0
Number of Black Sox players who are extremely popular among local fans.

[BaseClogger]

Interesting to see how many guys you have in camp. I think I have 53.

I’m also surprised how high you’re able to keep your ticket prices despite 100 losses.

Is hoarding cash a common strategy for rebuilding in this league? If the team is bad enough fan interest/attendance/revenue isn’t going to be very high, so it would seem it would involve significantly slashing payroll.

[tylertoo]

I’m also surprised how high you’re able to keep your ticket prices despite 100 losses.

I should have lowered it last season. Only just did it now. And I may slash it further before opening day.

Is hoarding cash a common strategy for rebuilding in this league?

I'm not intentionally hoarding -- I'm pretty clueless about finances generally. I think the surplus is do in part to unloading big contracts. And I have no big contracts because I see no point in signing expensive guys at the same time we're rebuilding. Next year, though, when the youngsters have developed a bit more, I plan to fully make us of Chicago's major market muscle.

[neugey]

27
The number of Black Sox prospects in the BBA's top 500 prospect list. You could field a team with that. (Second only to Nashville, with 36).

Also the number of bullets fired during Papa Vitale's accidental death.

[tylertoo]

27
The number of Black Sox prospects in the BBA's top 500 prospect list. You could field a team with that. (Second only to Nashville, with 36).

Also the number of bullets fired during Papa Vitale's accidental death.

Wow- totally forgot! What a missed opportunity!

[trmmilwwi]

Awesome writeup! Can't wait for more Chicago references. Dollar dogs in 2054?! Cheap date!

[tylertoo]

Cheap date!

Cuz cheap women.

[CTBrewCrew]

That fan interest in 69 seems a bit low…