When you think about the Chicago White Sox, you probably think of a lot of things right now, and most of them aren't great. The losses. The rebuilds. The front office drama. But there’s a constant. One voice has stayed remarkably steady through the chaos of 35th and Shields. Steve Stone has become the intellectual heartbeat of the South Side, even when the heart of the team itself has skipped a beat or ten.
He’s 78 now. Honestly, most guys his age are long retired, but Stone just signed a multi-year extension in late 2024 to keep doing what he does best. He’s the guy who tells you a home run is coming three pitches before it happens. He’s the "Stone Pony." And somehow, he’s managed to survive every era of Sox baseball without losing his edge or his sense of humor.
The Evolution of Steve Stone and the White Sox
If you grew up in Chicago, you remember him as the guy next to Harry Caray. That was the North Side era. But since 2008, he’s been the analytical anchor for the White Sox. It’s a weird career trajectory when you think about it. Most broadcasters pick a side of town and stay there. Stone? He’s basically the only person to have played for both teams and broadcasted for both teams on both radio and TV.
That’s a lot of Chicago history packed into one person.
The partnership everyone still talks about is the one with Jason Benetti. For years, they were the gold standard. Benetti was the witty, fast-talking nerd, and Stone was the wise, slightly cynical professor. They were elite. When the Sox let Benetti walk to the Detroit Tigers after the 2023 season, fans were gutted. It felt like the team was losing its soul.
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Then came John Schriffen. It hasn't been the easiest transition. You’ve probably noticed the vibe in the booth has shifted. Some fans think Schriffen is a bit too "company man," especially compared to Stone’s legendary willingness to call out bad play. There have even been rumors about more changes in the booth for 2026, but through it all, Steve Stone remains. He's the bridge. He's the guy who keeps the broadcast grounded when the product on the field gets, well, difficult to watch.
Why He’s the Best in the Business
The "Stone Pony" isn't just a nickname. It's a brand of psychic baseball.
Stone was a Cy Young winner back in 1980 with the Orioles, and he uses that pitcher’s brain every single night. He’ll tell you that a slider is coming because the batter’s front foot is leaking open. Or he'll explain why a pitcher shouldn't throw a fastball to a specific hitter, only to watch that hitter launch a 400-foot bomb two seconds later when the pitcher ignores the advice Stone gave the audience.
"I wouldn't pitch to this guy," Stone once said about Adam Dunn.
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Boom. Home run. It’s almost spooky.
He doesn't sugarcoat things. That’s what got him in trouble with the Cubs back in 2004—the players couldn't handle his honesty. On the South Side, though, fans tend to appreciate that bluntness. If the White Sox are playing like garbage, Stone will find a polite but devastating way to let you know. He’s not a cheerleader. He’s a tactician.
A Quick Look at the Career
- 1971-1981: Pro career with the Giants, Sox, Cubs, and Orioles.
- 1980: Wins the Cy Young with a 25-7 record.
- 1983-2004: The iconic WGN run with the Cubs.
- 2008-Present: The White Sox era, surviving the Hawk Harrelson and Jason Benetti years.
The Future of the Booth
Looking ahead to 2026, the big question isn't just who will be playing shortstop—it's who will be sitting next to Stoney. The rumors of John Schriffen’s potential departure have been swirling in the Chicago Sun-Times and across South Side blogs. Fans are protective of Stone. They don't want to see a legend's final years in the booth wasted on a broadcast that lacks chemistry.
Stone has made it clear he wants to retire as a member of the White Sox family. He’s seen it all: the 2005 World Series (though he wasn't in the TV booth then), the "South Side Hitmen" days when he was a player in '77, and the current struggles.
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He's basically the team's institutional memory.
How to Watch and Listen
If you want the full Steve Stone experience, you have to pay attention to the nuance. He’s not a "stat-head" in the modern sense—he doesn't care about launch angle as much as he cares about why a pitcher is losing his command.
- Watch the body language. Stone often points out things before the camera even zooms in.
- Follow him on X (Twitter). He’s surprisingly active and will actually answer fan questions about the game.
- Listen for the "prediction." It happens at least twice a game.
Steve Stone’s value to the White Sox isn't just about his knowledge. It’s about the fact that he actually cares about the craft of the game. In an era where every broadcast is filled with betting odds and manufactured excitement, Stone is a throwback to when the game was explained by people who lived it.
Next Steps for Sox Fans:
To truly appreciate the "Stone Pony" during the next season, try watching a game with the volume up and the phone down during the late innings. Listen to how he sets up a sequence of pitches. If you’re looking to sharpen your own baseball IQ, there’s no better classroom than a Tuesday night Sox game with #32 on the mic. Check the local listings for the new Chicago Home Sports Entertainment (CHSN) network to ensure you don't miss his calls as he enters what could be his final multi-year stretch in the booth.