What Michael Kopech learned during time away from White Sox in 2020

The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Chicago Sports Network

Sports, Sports:baseball, Baseball

4.4 • 612 Ratings

🗓️ 21 February 2021

⏱️ 25 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

After almost a year away from the game, Michael Kopech is back with the White Sox with a new perspective on life and a new role heading into the 2021 season. Kopech met the media Saturday and talked about the changes to his on- and off-field life. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, and Vinnie Duber react to Kopech's first public comments since he opted not to play during the 2020 season. Plus, White Sox ace Lucas Giolito gives his initial impressions of watching Kopech's bullpen sessions at spring training.(2:20) - First reactions to Michael Kopech speaking to the media after a 1yr layoff. Why Sox fans should be rooting for Kopech the person as well as the player(8:50) - Michael Kopech in his own words on why he needed to take the year off. Not only COVID related but wanted to work on his mental health as well.(13:30) - Kopech describes what has changed in his life after taking the year off(16:50) - Lucas Giolito discusses how great Kopech looks in spring training and that bringing Kopech from the bullpen might be the best strategy as he returns to form.(19:20) - The White Sox goal with Kopech should be to get him primed and ready for a deep playoff run.

Transcript

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0:00.0	I think I learned that I need this game a lot more than I realized.
0:07.0	It's a lot easier said than done to take a step away from something you've done for your entire life.
0:13.0	And it sounds like an exaggeration, but no, it's been my entire life.
0:16.0	I think that with this time away that I've really got a chance to come back and prove to myself,
0:22.6	at least, that this is what I want to do.
0:29.7	Michael Kopeck is back with the White Sox and talking about where he's at today as a pitcher and a person speaking publicly for the
0:41.4	first time since last spring training. Hey everyone, it's Chuck Arfine. Welcome to the
0:46.5	White Sox Talk podcast brought to you by WinTrust and Michael Kopeck's journey in baseball
0:52.9	and in life has taken many twists and turns.
0:57.9	And now, after opting out of the baseball season last summer, he is here in Arizona,
1:02.7	back on the mound, ready to take a big step in his career in 2021.
1:08.7	And now on the podcast, you're going to hear from Michael
1:10.9	about his decision to opt out, why he did it,
1:14.6	what he learned from his time away,
1:17.1	how he's different this year versus last year.
1:20.5	You're also going to hear from Lucas Gialito.
1:23.0	He talks about what he has seen from Kopec so far this spring
1:27.0	and why he thinks it makes sense for him to start the season in the bullpen.
1:32.9	So it's Michael Kopeck. His return to the White Sox is coming your way on the White Sox Talk podcast.
1:41.1	White Sox, White Sox, go, go, White Sox.
1:44.7	That ball hit deep way back.
1:47.0	Deep to the Red.
	...

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