Chicago White Sox @ Bare Baseball - Baseball MLB Blog

Notes: Raines' status unclear

2006-09-23T02:26:00.000-07:00

09/21/2006

CHICAGO -- The end of the 2006 season not only could mark the last vestige of the White Sox 2005 championship run, but it also could signal the final days of Tim Raines as a part of the White Sox coaching staff.
Ozzie Guillen announced earlier this season that he would bring back his entire brain trust for 2007 and beyond. But no commitment was made at the time to the current White Sox bench coach.
When approached about the situation Wednesday, Raines diplomatically said that he didn't want to speculate on his chances to return and said he would wait for the end of the season for a decision to be made. Raines also expressed a strong desire to remain a part of Guillen's staff.
Prior to Thursday's series opener with Seattle, Guillen said that no decision had been made in regard to Raines' future. Some of his comments, though, sounded as if Raines' fate already had somewhat been sealed.
"Right now, it's hard for us," said Guillen of the decision with Raines. "I'm going to sit with [general manager] Kenny [Williams] and [chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf] and see what direction we go, what we need and what we have to get done. Then we decide about it, what we are going to do.
"The quicker we get it done, the better for him and the better for us. Right now, as soon as the season is over, we find out what we are going to do."
Raines joined the White Sox staff prior to the 2005 season and served as the first-base coach for the World Series champions. Guillen switched the responsibilities of Raines and bench coach Harold Baines for 2006, having Raines on the bench to add his take immediately on baserunning situations.
If Raines had his ultimate wish granted, he would return to the White Sox and his initial position as first-base coach.
"I guess I prefer when I'm on the bases because that's what I'm more known as," Raines said. "I enjoy doing that, not to say I don't like what I'm doing now. I would like first base a little more, to go out and be a part of what's going on in the game.
"On the bench, you are a part of the game. If I see something out there, something goes wrong, I'll tell the guys let's do it this way or do it that way. It's really not that big of a deal for me. I just want to be a part of that staff."
Guillen credited Raines for "doing the job he was supposed to do." A decision to make a change would come from the team's desire to go in another direction.
"It's one thing about it, sometime you gotta make the decision," Guillen said.
"I don't think that what happens is going to be because what happened this season," Raines added. "It's whatever those guys want to do. Right now, I have not a clue."
Lessons from a legend: If Steve Sax wanders into the White Sox clubhouse anytime soon and chats up Brandon McCarthy, then the right-hander will have met all three of the players he idolized as a youngster learning the game.
First, McCarthy played alongside Frank Thomas in 2005 and then faced him this season. And prior to Wednesday's series finale against Detroit, McCarthy had the chance to talk with Orel Hershiser, who was in town for ESPN. Along with meeting one of his heroes, McCarthy picked up some valuable pitching knowledge from a hurler with 204 career victories and a style similar to his own.
"I've been struggling for a while, so it's nice to hear certain things to pick your spirits up," said McCarthy of his talk with Hershiser. "It was also good just to talk baseball with him and get some insight on things bugging me over the course of the year.
"The experience he has and lending that to me, that's pretty cool," McCarthy added.
McCarthy talked with Hershiser about the inner workings of specific pitches, such as his curve and change. But he also received a valuable lesson in attitude and how long it takes to truly develop at the Major League level.
"It took him three years before he could come in and kind of be cocky and self-assured, to the point where some won't like you," McCarthy said. "Just do your own thing. It was good to hear. You realize you are you not the only guy who is out there who feels like you are not in the element."
Rally killers: A little insight into the White Sox second-half struggles can be gained simply by going beyond the numbers for their highly-charged offense. According to STATS, Inc., the White Sox lead the Majors with 45.8 percent of their runs coming via the home run (378-of-825). They rank just ahead of the Reds (45.3) and the Phillies (41.4).
Having somewhat of a strong reliance on home runs is not very different in comparison to White Sox teams from the recent past, with the franchise in its seventh straight season knocking out at least 200 long balls. But leading the American League with 121 solo home runs doesn't exactly take advantage of the home run's full potential.
"We don't execute well, and we not get on base enough," said Guillen of his team's 2006 dependence on home runs. "The bottom of the lineup struggled all year. Obviously, the numbers show up. Last year we hit home runs and so did this year, but last year we do the little things that we don't do this year."
The White Sox also have hit into 21 double plays over their last 16 games. Those numbers point out a lack of overall speed combined with a number of players who have been hitting the ball hard but right at the opposing defense.
"We hit the [heck] out of the ball, but unfortunately it was right at people," said Guillen, whose team hit into seven double plays during the three-game series against the Tigers. "[Detroit third baseman Brandon] Inge did a tremendous job on a couple of plays.
"Those balls we hit killed the rally. But I don't have any complaints because those balls were hit the right way."
A look to the future? The White Sox held fast Thursday to the theory that they have 10 games remaining and will do everything possible to complete an improbable run to the postseason. But if Guillen's crew is eliminated even as early as the Cleveland series next week at Jacobs Field, Guillen still isn't set to revamp his lineup and start featuring youngsters such as Josh Fields and Jerry Owens in the field or Charlie Haeger in a spot-start role.
"I expect to have the same lineup every day because I want to win the most games we can," Guillen said. "People have to play for money. People have to play for pride. People have to play because they are getting paid.
"I'm not going to give up just like that. If we get eliminated, I plan to play the guys who should be playing. I might give a couple of the new kids a chance here and there but we are trying to finish as strong as we can."
Up next: After four consecutive starts on the road, Jose Contreras (13-8, 4.08) makes his final regular-season trip to the mound at U.S. Cellular Field against veteran Gil Meche (11-8, 4.34). The right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA in his last three starts and 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA lifetime against the Mariners.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Vazquez does his part in defeat

2006-09-23T02:20:00.000-07:00

09/22/2006

CHICAGO -- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he was embarrassed after Thursday's loss to Seattle. For some reason, starter Javier Vazquez said he felt the same way.
"Personally, I was going to use that exact word," Vazquez said. "I feel embarrassed. We shouldn't be playing this way and I feel embarrassed."
These comments came following a superb start by Vazquez that was undone by errors and a lack of timely hitting.
The first error came with two outs and runners on first and second in the second inning. Vazquez got Chris Snelling to hit a high popup in the infield, but the ball glanced off of Juan Uribe's glove and the Mariners had their first run of the game.
The second error came with one out and a runner on first in the top of the eighth. Ichiro Suzuki hit a ground ball to Paul Konerko, who made a wild throw to second that pulled Uribe off the base. Everyone was safe and Adrian Beltre followed with a single to load the bases.
Vazquez then walked Kenji Johjima to bring a run home and bring Guillen out to make a pitching change.
"Javy had great command until the last inning," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "He was 125 pitches in and that's tough."
Two more runs were charged to Vazquez when Raul Ibanez hit a ball by Konerko for a two-run single. Guillen said the play should have been an error and the runs unearned.
"He deserved better and he deserved that error on Konerko on that play," Guillen said. "I don't know what kind of game [the official scorer] was watching."
Konerko said he couldn't have fielded the ball because the Seattle runner was in his line of sight.
"I got blocked out, but it was my mistake for positioning myself where I did," Konerko said. "So, my mistake was not that I didn't make the play when it was happening. My mistake was where I stood before the pitch was thrown."
The White Sox couldn't do anything right at the plate, either, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position against Seattle's Jake Woods.
The end result was Vazquez (11-10) taking the loss after giving up five runs -- three earned -- on seven hits and a walk in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out 12 Mariners and allowed one homer -- Ibanez's 29th in the top of the seventh.
"I think they should look themselves in the mirror and feel embarrassed the way they played today," Guillen said. "It's a shame seeing Javy pitch the way he pitch and we don't do anything right."
But little has gone Vazquez's way over his last eight starts. Despite having a 3.44 ERA during that time, Vazquez has not recorded a win.
Vazquez has also had double-digit strikeouts in three of his last four starts.
"He's been great his last three or four outings and it's a shame we can't score any runs for him," Pierzynski said.
So with performances like that, why does Vazquez feel embarrassed? Because the White Sox are a long way from the postseason with virtually no time to catch up.
"I was trying to help this team make the playoffs and that's what I was working for," Vazquez said. "Just try to make the playoffs and that was the most important thing in my mind and the other guy's minds

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Guillen rips effort in loss

2006-09-23T02:07:00.000-07:00

09/22/2006

CHICAGO -- When the Detroit Tigers finished off a three-game series victory Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, all but ending the White Sox hopes of repeating their 2005 World Series title, Ozzie Guillen said that particular setback made him feel as if he was hit by a truck.
Following Seattle's 9-0 victory over the White Sox before 33,976 at U.S. Cellular on Thursday night, Guillen became that same truck and it was his team baring the harsh impact. It didn't take much prompting for the indignant manager to lambaste his team following what he perceived as a truly subpar performance.
Actually, "subpar" might be too tame of a description in Guillen's mind.
"Right now, I feel embarrassed," said Guillen, after his team managed just five hits off of Jake Woods (6-3) in losing for the sixth time in seven games. "My team should feel embarrassed. There's people paying to watch us play and that's pathetic.
"Watching this team pitch the way we pitched and play the way we play, they should be embarrassed for Javy [Vazquez], and they should be embarrassed for the fans. They should be embarrassed for themselves.
"I always hope for the best and I always stay positive," Guillen added, finishing off just the first portion of his diatribe. "But if we keep playing like that, they better start packing today."
Vazquez (11-10) was the only individual who seemed to escape Guillen's wrath, which also included a shot at veteran official scorer Bob Rosenberg, for giving Raul Ibanez a two-run single in the eighth on what Guillen thought should have been ruled an error on first baseman Paul Konerko. Vazquez struck out 12 and allowed five runs over 7 1/3 innings, although three of those crossed the plate in the eighth, when his pitch count topped out at 124.
But without any support against Woods and reliever Joel Pineiro, it was impossible to end a winless streak for Vazquez dating back to Aug. 10. Guillen understands games like Thursday's arise in the course of a 162-game season, but he won't tolerate a lack of effort.
The criticism was not necessarily disputed by any of Guillen's charges.
"I agree 100 percent," said catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who has become the voice of reason for the White Sox during their dismal 26-37 second-half run. "To go out and play like that in a game we have to win, it's a shame. What can you do? I went out and did the best I could. You try the best you can and that's the way it goes some time."
"Personally, I was going to use that exact word," continued Vazquez, when told Guillen referred to the effort as embarrassing. "We shouldn't be playing this way and I feel embarrassed."
"It's just an ugly game, one of those games that you don't foresee happening before it starts," Konerko added. "It didn't get off to a good start. There really wasn't any good part to that whole game and it just got worse as it went. Definitely not how we drew it up, that's for sure."
Pablo Ozuna opened the White Sox at-bats in the first with a double to left, but he was stranded at second when Tadahito Iguchi struck out and Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome each grounded out to second. The White Sox (85-68) have gone hitless in their last 15 at-bats with runners in scoring position and are 6-for-43 in that same situation over their last seven games.
Thursday's loss was even more troubling because it was a rare chance to pick up ground on both Detroit (91-62), which lost in Baltimore, and Minnesota (90-62), which lost in Boston with Johan Santana on the mound. Instead, the White Sox watched their elimination numbers drop to four in the American League Central and five in the AL Wild Card.
A natural letdown figured to come after losing Wednesday's series finale to Detroit. But neither Guillen nor Pierzynski accepted that reason as legitimate.
"They get paid a lot of money to play hard for 162 games," Guillen said.
"You gotta find it. We are professionals," Pierzynski added. "We have a job to do. Thirty-three thousand people paid to watch us play baseball tonight and they expected more out of us."
Guillen added there was no need to express his sentiments to the players directly after the loss, because they already knew how he was feeling. The White Sox manager said there would not be wholesale changes in his lineup to spark this group, aside from possibly giving Joe Crede a brief rest at third base.
Pierzynski also scoffed at the concept of holding a team meeting, not with only nine games remaining. This veteran squad knows where it stands, at six games back and 5 1/2 games back, respectively. They don't need to be told it's a bad place to be.
"What the heck are they going to say now? We pretty much know where we stand, to be honest," Pierzynski said. "There's nothing that could be said that we don't know. You can have all the meetings you want. It doesn't matter.
"You are six out with nine to play, which means chances aren't so good. Let's be honest. Say whatever you want about how we are not mathematically eliminated, but let's be honest.
"I don't see the Tigers or Twins going 2-7 down the road and us going 9-0 with the way we are playing right now," Pierzynski added. "I hate to say that, but I'm a realist at the same time. Where we stand right now ain't good."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Contreras strains hamstring in loss

2006-09-23T01:47:00.000-07:00

09/23/2006

CHICAGO -- Brandon McCarthy was stationed out in the White Sox bullpen when Jose Contreras went down with an injury in the top of the second inning on Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
By the time McCarthy spotted Contreras laying on the ground near first base, writhing in pain, only one or two thoughts went through his mind in regard to the apparent injury.
"I thought he got hit in the head or got shot," said a concerned McCarthy after the White Sox dropped an 11-6 decision to the Mariners. "I didn't see what happened, because I looked over and all of the sudden, he'd just collapsed.
"He looked like he was holding his head and I had no idea. Then, all of a sudden, it registered quickly that he'd gone down last game with a hamstring thing, so I figured that's probably what it was."
McCarthy's analysis was right on the money, as the injury suffered by Contreras against the Mariners was eerily similar to the one that knocked him to the ground during his last start in Oakland. When Contreras went down while covering first base in the bottom of the third last Sunday, the injury was considered a cramp, and he was able to last through six fairly effective innings.
On Friday, Contreras already had been touched up for five runs on six hits in the second when Kenji Johjima hit a grounder to Paul Konerko. The White Sox first baseman fielded the ball and flipped to Contreras covering, but on the way to the bag, Contreras grabbed at his right hamstring and fell to the ground.
The ball rolled free, allowing Ichiro Suzuki to score the sixth run, and sending Johjima to second. But the result of the play was completely inconsequential in comparison to Contreras' health.
"I was running hard and I felt a pop," said Contreras through a translator. "It was very painful, and that's why I went down."
"With the way he go down, I mean, those kind of cramps are weird cramps," added White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen of Contreras. "He went down pretty good and I thought it was something pretty bad. [White Sox athletic trainer Herm Schneider] loosened him up a little bit, and right now, but it's up to Hermie to find out if it's another cramp."
McCarthy replaced Contreras and allowed Richie Sexson's mammoth home run over three innings, striking out four. Contreras' next turn in the rotation comes up Wednesday during the series finale against Cleveland at Jacobs Field, in what would be the right-hander's final start of the season.
According to Guillen, Friday might serve as Contreras' last start of the 2006 season. If that decision holds up, Contreras will finish with a 13-9 record and 4.27 ERA overall, but a 4-9 record and 5.40 ERA since the All-Star break.
"It happened in Oakland and happened here in the second inning," Guillen said of the Contreras' cramps. "I don't know yet, but I don't expect him to start another game, because we aren't going to do that [if] something could get worse.
"We might start McCarthy. I don't know right now the day we are going to start [him], but I'm not going to take any chance for something to get worse."
Although he has started one game in 52 appearances this season, McCarthy threw 70 pitches on Friday and feels comfortable returning to his past days in the rotation for one spot start. McCarthy pointed out that with the Minor League callups, there are plenty of arms to back him up and there aren't many concerns in regard to changing a pitcher's overall routine in the last week of the season.
A far greater concern for McCarthy was Contreras' condition. Contreras moved gingerly through the clubhouse after the loss, in which he allowed five earned runs on seven hits over 1 2/3 innings. But he would not make a snap decision on his status for Wednesday.
The White Sox have $29 million invested in the talented Contreras over the next three years. Factor in the Twins' 5 1/2-game lead in the American League Wild Card, with nine to play, and Guillen certainly figures to error on the side of caution with his ace.
"I will pitch again if I feel I'm 100 percent," said Contreras, who plans to work with Schneider on Saturday, as well as throwing during Monday's bullpen session. "I had this problem somewhat before in Oakland and I worked through it. I felt 100 percent and that's why I was pitching today.
"Right now, it's very tight and it's painful," Contreras added.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

White Sox fans win replica rings

2006-09-23T00:57:00.000-07:00

09/22/2006
CHICAGO -- It's been about 38 years since Ernest Huelke has won any kind of raffle, drawing or contest.
The drought ended in a big way on Aug. 10 when Huelke won one of three exact replicas of the White Sox's 2005 World Series rings.
"The only other thing I've ever won were two tickets to a movie back when I was 14," said Huelke, who lives in River Forest. "But you couldn't get into the movie unless you were 17, so I had to give them away. So it was fantastic [to win this]."
Before Friday's game with the Seattle Mariners, Huelke, Marilyn Deming and Michael Silchuck were all presented with their rings.
Deming and Silchuck, both from Chicago, said they'd had similar luck when it came to winning raffles.
"I won a golf bag at the liquor store once," Deming said. "I never win anything. If I buy a lottery ticket, I get no numbers."
But out of the 43,550 tickets sold for the raffle, it was their numbers that were drawn. Deming said she bought just one ticket, while Silchuck said he bought three. The tickets were sold at $20 a piece and the raffle raised more than $870,000 for charities.
But a change in luck isn't the only thing the three winners had in common. They're all longtime White Sox fans as well.
Deming said she went to her first White Sox game with her husband in the early 1960s and has been a devoted fan ever since.
"[My husband] said he created a monster," Deming said. "My son says, 'She agonizes over every pitch.'"
So when they all received calls to tell them they had won the replica rings, which were made of 14-karat gold and featured 95 diamonds, they were pretty excited.
"I was on the El at the time, so I had to restrain myself," Silchuck said.
The White Sox began calling the winners to let them know around Aug. 17th, but Deming said she had to wait a while to find out.
"I was on vacation from [Aug.] 10th to 28th," Deming said. "I got home and there was a call from the White Sox on my machine, and I told my son, 'Ha, ha, maybe we won the ring.'"
Deming had won the ring and was on hand to receive it from former White Sox players Minnie Minoso, Moose Skowron and Bill Melton on Friday.
But while they received rings from last year's glory, the three loyal White Sox fans refused to give up hope for a similar finish this season.
"This year I would feel cheated if it didn't go down to the wire and whatever people say, this is not over," Huelke said. "We won it on the next-to-last game last year. We've got time, most definitely."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Notes: Cora a candidate for manager

2006-09-23T00:34:00.000-07:00

09/22/2006
CHICAGO -- An article in Friday's edition of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel quoted an unnamed source as stating that manager Joe Girardi's chances of returning to the Marlins as manager in 2007 were "zero" on a scale of 1 to 10.
That particular piece of news didn't really create a buzz around the White Sox clubhouse prior to Friday's contest with Seattle. But the inclusion of third-base coach Joey Cora in the article's list of possible managerial replacements drew some interest from at least the Chicago media.
Both Cora and manager Ozzie Guillen talked about Cora's desire to someday become a manager. They certainly would not or could not talk about this particular Florida rumor, with Girardi currently holding the position and the Marlins still alive for the National League Wild Card.
"That's why I don't think it's my place to comment about anyone else's job," Cora said. "That's just a report that just came out. It's flattering, whether it's true or not.
"But that's none of my business. Girardi is there, and he's done a great job. Nobody has contacted me for nowhere, let's put it that way."
Cora is a valued coach as part of the Guillen managerial regime, a staff Guillen announced earlier this season would be brought back in almost full force for 2007 and beyond. Bench coach Tim Raines remains the only member of his brain trust not certain for return.
Managing would be the next natural step for Cora, who previously called the shots for Kingsport in the Advanced Rookie Appalachian League during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, and for Savannah of the South Atlantic League in 2003. He had a 112-159 record during that time.
Being ready to manage at the Major League level, though, is only a question Cora believes he will be able to answer when given the actual opportunity.
"Do I want to manage some day? Sure, that's a goal, definitely," Cora said. "That's the next step, obviously, from coaching at the big-league level as a third base coach and learning from Ozzie all this stuff.
"Obviously, that will be a nice step to take. How far in the future? Who knows? We'll see what happens. But at this moment, it is all about the White Sox and the rest of the season."
More on Cora: In a style only Guillen could pull off, the White Sox manager sarcastically scoffed when asked if Cora would be missed if he moved to the next level of his coaching career.
"Joey? Joey don't score any runs, he don't pitch," Guillen said with a smile. "He helps me. He's my best friend and right-hand man, but Joey don't win or lose games. He's another coach like anybody else."
Even with the kidding about Cora's contributions, Guillen wholeheartedly backed Cora as a managerial candidate.
"If you're asking me is Joey ready to manage in the big leagues, I think so," Guillen said. "Like everything else, you have to learn a lot of stuff, like I did. You have to find the right coaches and the right people to work around you.
"Of course he's ready. He knows more about baseball than a lot of people I know and he will be a better manager than a lot of other managers in this game right now. I love people around me to love the game the way he does. I would feel so proud."
Guillen joked that he might coach for Cora some day, but not in the near future.
Quick change: Mired in a 0-for-25 slump and battling nagging injuries brought on by a long season, third baseman Joe Crede was given Friday night off. He was replaced by Josh Fields, who had some exciting news to break to his family.
"My family flew in today and I still haven't told them," said Fields, a few hours prior to first pitch, of his family making the trip from Oklahoma.
Fields homered in his first Major League at-bat, one of three players in franchise history to accomplish such a feat. He flew out to the wall in right in his second career at-bat. Surprisingly, Fields seemed just as pleased with the second trip to the plate as he did with the momentous first swings.
"I was excited the other night to be relaxed enough to put a good swing on the ball and line out to right," Fields said. "Normally, if I hit a home run, I'm trying to jack another one the next at-bat. Thank goodness I relaxed and hit a line drive.
"We are getting our second wind, getting called up. That adds excitement. If you are tired and get up here and you are still tired, then you have a problem. You make the transition from Triple-A, and come up here and see how this is, that's enough incentive to tell you that you never want to go back. You better find some energy."
Never surrender: When Guillen was asked during his pregame chat with the media on Friday if he felt better than Thursday's postgame conference, he said the answer wouldn't be known until a few hours later. Guillen's strong criticism for his team last night was aimed at keeping its focus and not letting it give up, despite the steep odds to reach the playoffs.
He reiterated that feeling, in slightly less harsher words, on Friday.
"It was time for me to say about how I felt," said Guillen of calling his team's effort pathetic and embarrassing on Thursday. "I didn't like it, if they care, they should feel the same way I feel. If they really care.
"That's why I said they should look themselves in the mirror and say 'I care about this.' I'm proud to wear this uniform. We all should be. I don't want my players to go out and be embarrassed on national TV with the way we play.
"There are a lot of people who said, 'They play like that because they quit, because they don't have a chance anymore. The chances are real slim. Look at what they're doing,'" Guillen added. "I hate that."
Third to first: Bobby Jenks was named as one of the 10 finalists for the DHL Delivery Man of the Year award. Fans can vote from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9 at MLB.com to select the winner. Other nominees are Trevor Hoffman (Padres), Joe Nathan (Twins), Jonathan Papelbon (Red Sox), J.J Putz (Mariners), Mariano Rivera (Yankees), Francisco Rodriguez (Angels), B.J. Ryan (Blue Jays), Billy Wagner (Mets) and Joel Zumaya (Tigers) ... Pablo Ozuna felt fine and ready to play after being struck in the head by a Jake Woods pitch in the third inning on Thursday. Ozuna left the game in the fourth ... Tyrus Thomas, one of the Chicago Bulls' 2006 first-round draft picks, was in attendance Friday.
Up next: Barring a miraculous White Sox comeback, Mark Buehrle (12-13, 4.79 ERA) makes his second-to-last start of the season on Saturday against Seattle's Felix Hernandez (11-14 ERA). Buehrle is 3-9 with a 6.78 ERA over his last 15 starts and is 6-4 with a 3.16 ERA lifetime against the Mariners.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Contreras injured as White Sox fall

2006-09-23T00:23:00.000-07:00

09/23/2006
CHICAGO -- While it seems that most people have buried the White Sox postseason hopes, the Minnesota Twins keep trying to give them a hand out of the grave.
For the second straight night, the Twins lost prior to the end of the White Sox game with the Seattle Mariners.
But the White Sox were unable to make up any ground in the Wild Card race after losing, 11-6, to the Mariners in front of 33,557 at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday.
Chicago remains 5 1/2 games back in the Wild Card, and its elimination number with Minnesota is down to four.
Manager Ozzie Guillen, who was clearly frustrated with Thursday's loss, said he wasn't looking at the Twins game on Friday.
"I don't look at the scoreboard anymore," Guillen said. "I just look in the dugout and try to kick someone's butt. I can't because they are too big for me."
After his team never seemed to have a chance on Thursday, Friday's loss was exasperating in a different way for Guillen. The White Sox battled back in spite of a disastrous six-run second inning, but still saw the team come up short.
Jose Contreras gave up a two-run homer to Richie Sexson to start the second. The Mariners followed that with four singles that led to three more runs.
Then with two outs in the inning, Contreras fell to the ground running to cover first base on what should've been an inning-ending ground ball. Paul Konerko was given an error on his toss to Contreras and another run scored for Seattle, giving it an early 6-1 lead.
Contreras (13-9) left the game with a strained right hamstring after giving up six runs (five earned) on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings.
Sexson added his second homer of the game and 31st of the year to make it 7-2 in the top of the third.
But unlike Thursday night, the White Sox battled back. Juan Uribe hit a two-run homer, his 20th, in the bottom of the fourth. Then in the fifth, Jermaine Dye hit an RBI single and Paul Konerko hit an RBI double to cut the lead to 7-6.
"You know, six runs in the second inning don't help, but we never give up," Guillen said. "We just keep coming back. We played a better game. In the end, we have a shot, but we give it away."
Ben Broussard tacked on a run for Seattle with two outs in the sixth when he doubled home Kenji Johjima, who was hit by a pitch.
Jose Lopez drove in two more runs with two outs in the top of the eighth to make it 10-6. Johjima scored one of the runs after reaching on a fielder's choice and Sexson scored the other after reaching on an intentional walk.
Guillen used six pitchers out of the bullpen, who combined to give up five earned runs on nine hits and six walks.
"It's to the point where I don't want to go back to the mound," Guillen said. "I don't want to feel embarrassed. Every time I go back and forth, I hear the boos.
"We have to get better," he added. "We are not overusing anybody. We try to give everyone the best opportunity we can where the matchups are fine. They score late in the game and that gives us less chance to win those games. The bullpen has to shape up and start to throw the ball better."
But if the bullpen does shape up over the last eight games, it's hard to imagine that the White Sox will be able to make up 5 1/2 games with Minnesota.
Right now for the players, it's difficult to look at the opening the Twins have given them the last two nights.
"It's tough," reliever Brandon McCarthy said. "It's kind of what our whole season has boiled down to. We've played well in stretches, but it seems like one of those years where any time you need to kick it into another gear and win games that need to be won with other teams not playing well, we haven't been able to do it. ... It's just one of those years where things aren't going your way and it's just an uphill climb."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

One bad inning does in Vazquez again

2006-07-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

07/19/2006
DETROIT -- Sitting in the visiting manager's office following Detroit's 5-2 victory Wednesday night before a sellout crowd of 39,593 at Comerica Park, Ozzie Guillen explained a bit of the obvious in breaking down Javier Vazquez's losing effort on the mound.
"You take that one inning away from him and he threw the ball real well," said Guillen of Vazquez, who slipped to 9-5 with his first loss in six starts. "Four runs in one shot and you can do nothing about it."
Craig Monroe's grand slam was the "one shot" Guillen referred to, coming on a 2-2 hanging slider from Vazquez, during a five-run sixth in which the Tigers (63-31) scored all of their runs and knocked out five of their seven hits. Yes, Vazquez pitched a very solid game aside from that sixth-inning blip, striking out five and walking one over six innings.
But Vazquez needs to find a remedy for his one-inning hiccup. It has played out far too often in 2006 for the White Sox liking, and it has become an especially huge source of frustration for Vazquez himself. To Vazquez's credit, he did not hide from the media after the one bad pitch cost him career victory No. 99, standing in front of his locker and answering all inquiries.
It was a level of frustration for Vazquez, though, that bordered for the first time this season on downright anger. It apparently was anger with himself for allowing the one inning to play a part in the White Sox slipping 4 1/2 games behind the Tigers in the American League Central, while staying 2 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees in the AL Wild Card.
There also was anger stemming from Vazquez's inability to figure out what has been the exact issue he needs to correct. Vazquez feels healthy and feels as if he's making good pitches, but just isn't getting the consistent results.
"Something always happens," Vazquez said. "I'm doing everything positively and nothing goes right for me out there.
"I've had some bad games where they hit me hard. But today, I felt so good until that inning. Even that inning, I threw some good pitches. There were balls falling in here and there, and then they got the big hit."
The White Sox (58-35) actually held a 2-0 lead entering the sixth, on the strength of Joe Crede's 19th home run and Juan Uribe's 12th home run off of Jeremy Bonderman (10-4). But four straight Detroit singles to open the frame cut the lead in half.
Those hits came on the third time through the Tigers order for Vazquez, a spot when the opposition seems to tee off on him this season. Vazquez has limited the opposition to a .228 average and has a 2.18 ERA when facing hitters for the first time in a game. Those numbers barely jump the second time through, with a .229 average and 2.54 ERA.
On the third head-to-head battle on a given night, Vazquez has a 10.09 ERA and opposing hitters have a .347 average. Every one of the Tigers' third at-bats Wednesday came during the five-run sixth, aside from leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson, who struck out to end the fifth.
Monroe's one-out drive was the biggest of the rally, as he lofted a majestic shot to left off of a Vazquez mistake. It was a blast not without a bit of controversy, as Monroe watched his home run for a few extra seconds and then bumped into catcher A.J. Pierzynski as he crossed home plate.
A quietly resigned Pierzynski said that Monroe apologized to him for the contact at the end of the home run trot before batting in the eighth. While Pierzynski admitted he didn't like getting bumped into, he understood Monroe's jubilation.
"He hit a grand slam," said Pierzynski of Monroe's prolonged reaction. "You like to see excitement and guys running around the bases, especially at home. It wasn't that big of a deal. He said it was an exciting part of the game and he didn't see me. So, what can you do?"
"That's my fault, but I'm not going to get into that," added Monroe of grazing Pierzynski.
Vazquez and Monroe seemed to have differing opinions on Monroe watching his game-winning drive a little longer than the requisite celebration.
"He definitely did. But that's part of baseball," Vazquez said of Monroe. "Nowadays, guys who have hit 10 home runs in the big leagues think they can do that. That's something we see every day, not only him. Every day we see it."
"No disrespect, but it doesn't get any bigger than that for this team," Monroe countered. "You're so caught up in the game and caught up in how big everybody's made this series out to be. In big games and big situations, you do some things. If I could do it all over, I probably wouldn't, but it was in the moment and I enjoyed every minute of it."
Detroit's rally, cutting the White Sox season series lead to 6-2, and the accompanying histrionics, should make for an interesting finale Thursday afternoon. The Tigers hope Kenny Rogers produces a dominant effort similar to Bonderman's 7 1/3 innings of four-hit ball, while Jose Contreras looks to start another "year-long winning streak," as Paul Konerko quipped after the loss.
Head-to-head matchups between these two already are important. Thanks to Wednesday's rally, Thursday takes on a little extra edge.
"We know the difference between going home 3 1/2 back or 5 1/2 back, and that's all we should need to get us going," said Konerko, whose 15-game hitting streak against the Tigers came to an end. "We came in to win the series and we can still do that. It doesn't rattle us."
"Whoever wins or loses picks up two games: the one you don't lose and the one you win," Guillen added. "It's not do or die, but of course it's important for us both."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Notes: Crede's offense catches up

2006-07-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

07/20/2006
DETROIT -- It was during a June Interleague series in Colorado of last season when rumors seemed to crescendo in regard to the White Sox interest in acquiring Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez. General manager Ken Williams made it clear, at the time, that Chavez was not leaving Oakland, and said he knew this to be true from a first-hand source.
"[Chavez] is not on the block. And trust me, I know that," Williams said at the time. "Trust me."
A little more than one year later, the White Sox don't look to be in the market for any player of Chavez's significance. If they do add some impact player, which is unlikely, it certainly won't be at third base. Not when Joe Crede stands as a bona fide American League star and one of the top clutch hitters in the game.
Worries surrounding Crede's Gold Glove-caliber defense never were remotely an issue for the White Sox. It was consistency on offense leading to the White Sox low-key search for a possible upgrade at the hot corner. Crede heard the rumors and has played with them in a couple of different seasons.
While he understands trades are part of the business, Crede prefers the on-field peace and success he currently is finding for the defending World Series champions.
"I absolutely realize it's nothing personal," Crede said. "As a player, you know if something is going to happen or if there's going to be a move. You really just worry about playing your game and helping your team.
"It seems like if [manager Ozzie Guillen], Kenny or the coaches are on you, you know you aren't doing something right. If you don't really hear from them or see them, you know you are doing things right.
"So, it's good not to hear from them," added Crede with a laugh.
Crede homered in each of the first two games against Detroit, entering Thursday's series finale with the most home runs by a visiting player at Comerica Park. Crede, carrying a .302 average into Thursday, as well as 19 home runs and 62 RBIs, could also be headed toward his first .300 season.
Guillen believes the switch has been flipped for Crede with the bat, and the White Sox manager considers Crede as good, if not better, than any third baseman in the game --- including Chavez. Where talk of a multi-year deal for this talent on the rise is concerned, Guillen leaves those particulars to Williams.
"That's up to Kenny Williams, Jerry Reinsdorf, the fans -- if they're still coming, we have more money," said Guillen of re-signing Crede. "I don't know anything about budget.
"But do I want to keep him? Of course, I want to keep him. If it's up to Jerry and Kenny and all those guys, I guarantee they will want to, too. Sometimes it's, 'How much am I going to make? How much do you love me?' It's not in my hands."
Catching funk: Offensive production from behind the plate for the White Sox has hit a little bit of a rough patch. A.J. Pierzynski has just two hits in his last 17 at-bats since the All-Star break, although his .309 average ranks third among American League catchers. With left-hander Kenny Rogers starting Thursday, reserve catcher Chris Widger got the call in the starting lineup.
Widger's average has slipped to .192 as he has gone hitless in his last 21 at-bats entering Thursday. Widger wouldn't be bothered as much by his prolonged slump if it wasn't continuing on through a 2-6 stretch for his team.
"Honestly, I wouldn't care about not getting a hit the rest of the year if we won. Ultimately, that's what we are all here for," Widger said. "It would be nice to get hits and help the team win, but if our team wins and I hit .200, I'll be as happy as I was last year.
"Now, it's a struggle because both are going bad. Nobody would notice, including myself, if the pitcher working that day threw the ball well and we won."
Although Widger has only 73 at-bats this season, he refused to blame his slump on a lack of at-bats. There are no excuses coming from Pierzynski either, such as a working through some sort of All-Star hangover.
Pierzynski pointed out that his first real slump of the year simply is something expected as part of a long season.
"I feel fine. I just haven't got any hits," Pierzynski said. "It's just the way it is. You hit some balls hard, guys made some nice plays and it's just baseball. That's all it is.
"Hopefully, if I get in there today or tomorrow, we can turn it around and get back to what we were doing before," Pierzynski added.
Third to first: The White Sox requested waivers on right-handed reliever Cliff Politte for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. Politte was designated for assignment prior to Sunday's series final at Yankee Stadium. ... The upcoming six-game homestand against the Texas Rangers and the Minnesota Twins is completely sold out, according to the White Sox.
Down on the farm: B.J. LaMura threw 2 2/3 innings of hitless ball, striking out one, as Double-A Birmingham edged Mobile by a 3-2 final. LaMura is 2-0 with a 0.55 ERA over his last 11 appearances (16 1/3 innings), striking out 19. LaMura has recorded at least one strikeout in all 33 of his appearances this season, giving him 63 in 50 1/3 innings. ... Lee Cruz had three hits and drove in three runs during Great Falls' 12-4 shellacking of Casper. ... Jerry Owens and Josh Fields each drove in one run during Triple-A Charlotte's 3-2 loss to Columbus. Fields has 55 RBIs this season, while Owens, the team's leadoff hitter, has 43.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Guillen offers Texas' Padilla warning

2006-07-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

07/20/2006
DETROIT -- Neither White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen nor catcher A.J. Pierzynski expect a continuation this weekend of the hostility that ensued when Rangers starter Vicente Padilla hit the Sox catcher with two pitches during their last series in June, but Guillen vowed Thursday to retaliate if it does.
Discussion of the Pierzynski-Padilla incident figured to come up with Texas coming to town and Padilla scheduled to pitch Sunday.
"Like we said, it was over as far as we were concerned," Pierzynski said. "But then we didn't know it was going to happen last time, either. It's in one guy's hands."
Guillen made it clear before Thursday's series finale with Detroit that any actions perceived to be intentional on Padilla's part will not be tolerated by the White Sox manager.
"If Padilla hits somebody, believe me, we're going to do something about it and see what happens. That's a guarantee," Guillen said. "You can count on that. I don't care if we're suspended for 100 years.
"[If] you hit people when they do something wrong, I agree with that. But [if] you hit people because you don't like them, I don't think that's a good [way] to play the game."
In discussing the situation, and the brief jawing between Pierzynski and Detroit's Craig Monroe following the outfielder's grand slam Wednesday, Guillen talked about the old days of baseball, when any problem between players was handled on the field.
With umpires' warnings, fines and suspensions, Guillen believes baseball is over-legislated. It's one of the reasons why there was no retaliation for Padilla's actions, after the first White Sox attempt neglected to work that same night. But Guillen can't make the same promise if Padilla decides to play out his emotions on the field again Sunday.
"We have to concentrate and win games," Guillen said. "But I guarantee you, if that happens, I don't know what's going to happen, but something's going to happen. Make sure they know it, too.
"If something happens, I'm going to protect one of my players, hit him and point to [Padilla] when I hit him and then make [the Texas players] fight with their pitcher. I'm not here for Major League Baseball. I'm here for my players, and I'm going to do everything I can in my power to make my players perform in the right way."
The latest Pierzynski incident started in the sixth inning Wednesday night, when Monroe hit what turned out to be the game-winning grand slam. As Monroe crossed home plate following his trot, he fell backwards into Pierzynski after exchanging an intense high-five with teammate Marcus Thames.
Pierzynski put his elbow up to seemingly block himself from the impact -- all and all a rather innocuous little part of an exciting game. But Monroe and Pierzynski had words after the collision, with Thames ushering Monroe back to the dugout.
Although Monroe is said to have apologized to Pierzynski after the game, neither player was making nice Thursday.
"He wants to [upset you]," Monroe said of Pierzynski. "He wants to make you mad, so now you get out of your game plan. Well, they're not going to change my mind-set. I'm going to continue to do what I do. We just try to play baseball.
"You know what, guys?" added Monroe to the Detroit media. "The bottom line is everybody in baseball knows that's A.J. Let's be honest. That's him. He likes confrontation. He likes to play this role. He's so tough. Well, that act is just tired. It's just tired."
"I thought it was over last night," Pierzynski said after hearing of Monroe's comments. "As soon as he came up and apologized and said, 'Sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you,' I was like, 'OK. That's fine.'
"For him to say that, I think it's kind of bush league that he basically changes his complete story. I don't know. It's kind of funny."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Hard-nosed play in seventh costs Sox

2006-07-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

07/20/2006
DETROIT -- Losing five of their six games on a road trip to New York and Detroit to start the 2006 season's second half certainly wouldn't fall into the category of embarrassment for the White Sox, according to Ozzie Guillen. The White Sox manager did consider the results a major disappointment.
But even following Detroit's 2-1 victory Thursday afternoon before a Comerica Park sellout crowd of 41,075, the defending World Series champions didn't show the slightest bit of panic or worry, for the matter.
Sure, the Tigers (64-31) reinforced their case as a true playoff contender, claiming the final two games of this three-game set, and increasing their lead in the American League Central to a season-high 5 1/2 games.
The White Sox (58-36) also didn't help themselves by neglecting to put the offensive end of their game and the pitching together at any time on this trip but Tuesday. Over the final two games in Detroit, the first four hitters in the White Sox lineup combined to finish 0-for-29, serving as just one example of temporary offensive futility.
Yet, the White Sox high level of confidence remains unchanged and unbowed in the face of one of those many runs of inconsistency expected during a 162-game season. They also fully realize a better brand of baseball needs to begin this weekend back at home against Texas.
"I don't want to be negative about my team," said Guillen of his squad. "Detroit outplayed us. They kicked our butt. They pitched good, and when you play the game right, you deserve to win. Hopefully, we turn it around and play better when we get home."
"You go through down points in the season, and this is one of the lowest points," added White Sox starter Jose Contreras, through translator Ozzie Guillen Jr. "You always play bad when you lose, regardless of how you lose the game. Losing is losing. When you are winning, little mistakes aren't looked at as much."
Contreras (9-2) lost for the second straight start, after setting a franchise record with 17 consecutive winning decisions. But it was not so much Contreras' shortcomings, allowing two runs on six hits in seven innings, as it was Detroit's aggressive style of play leading to the Tigers' one-run victory.
With the game tied at 1 and with one out in the seventh inning, Contreras issued his only walk of the game to Marcus Thames. Craig Monroe followed with what looked to be a tailor-made double-play grounder to third baseman Joe Crede, but Crede double-clutched ever so slightly as he tried to get the ball out of his glove.
Crede's throw to Tadahito Iguchi at second was in time to nail Thames and turn the double play, but the throw brought Iguchi inside of the base, and Thames flipped Iguchi into the air with a tough breakup slide. Guillen and the rest of the White Sox, though, had absolutely no problem with Thames' hard-nosed style of baseball.
It's the sort of intensity Guillen has preached for his team since taking over in 2004.
"That's the way people should play the game on the big-league level," Guillen said. "I think when you do that, you show intensity. I expect my players to do the same stuff. I don't want anybody to get hurt, but keep it up."
Paul Konerko said after the game that he didn't think Iguchi would have doubled up Monroe even without the slide, judging from the second baseman's position on the throw. But the slide kept the inning alive, and two pitches later, Chris Shelton's double into the left-center-field gap brought home Monroe with the game-winning run.
Joel Zumaya (5-1) earned the victory, as the right-hander with the 100-plus mph fastball threw two scoreless innings in relief of starter Kenny Rogers. That effort included an inning-ending strikeout of Crede in the eighth, followed by a demonstrative fist pump toward the White Sox dugout.
Crede looked at Zumaya as he walked back to the bench, but the White Sox didn't really have any direct criticism of Zumaya's exuberance.
"I think we've gotten used to it," said Konerko of Zumaya. "He's got a great arm. I guess if he, the only thing you can say about that is if it ever works the other way, you can't take offense to what happens. I don't think we have guys that would do anything there ..."
"If you throw that hard and you are throwing strikes and locating, which he was doing, you can do nothing but tip your cap to him," Crede added.
There was a collective tipping of the cap by the White Sox to the Tigers, but there certainly was no concession speech or talk of focus on the Wild Card. Not with 10 games remaining against Detroit and close to two months left in the season.
Having watched a 15-game lead over Cleveland on Aug. 1 dip to a precious 1 1/2 games late in September last season, the White Sox understand this division race is a marathon more than a sprint. But a 2-7 record over their next nine games, as they posted in the last nine, won't get the job done.
"We have a better ballclub than this. We should be playing better," Guillen said. "Everybody on this club is disappointed with the way we're playing right now. Not against Detroit, [but] period, since the All-Star break, we haven't played good."
"I don't think anyone in here is going to panic," Crede added. "I still think we have a great run in us in August and September. We know we are going to have to play great baseball, and Detroit is going to have to keep it up as well."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Notes: Konerko play provides relief

2006-03-27T21:39:00.000-08:00

03/04/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- It was such a bad afternoon for the White Sox on Saturday against Arizona that a strange play involving Paul Konerko's jersey served as the highlight of the 13-2 loss.
In the sixth inning, Arizona's Matt Morgan hit a chopper off of Charles Haeger toward Konerko at first, but the ball hit Konerko just to the right of his buttons and actually rolled into his jersey top.
Konerko grabbed for the ball, thinking he had trapped it against his chest. By the time Konerko realized the ball was inside, Morgan had been credited with an infield hit.
"That happened to me in the playoffs for Venezuela. I just tried to get naked, take my clothes off and get the ball out," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, drawing a big laugh from the media. "At least we had one highlight.
"We made the people laugh and the people in Chicago enjoyed something. Maybe people will forget how bad we played."
But Guillen certainly remembered. His team has lost all five of its Cactus League contests, by a combined total of 49-12. The White Sox offense has started to get going over the past two games, but the defense struggled again Saturday with three more errors.
The most disturbing trend for Guillen is that pitchers on the proverbial roster bubble are not taking the greatest advantage of the opportunities afforded to them. Chad Bentz, who threw the ball well in his first appearance Thursday against Colorado, walked three and gave up four runs in one-third of an inning against the Diamondbacks. Jeff Bajenaru and Rusty Tucker also were touched for one run apiece, with six pitchers combining for eight walks.
Guillen certainly isn't panicking, and most of the veterans are poking fun at their own ineptitude. After all, the White Sox finished 14-18 last year in Arizona and have the World Series celebratory banner outside their complex near Tucson Electric Park to prove the 2005 season turned out to their liking.
Nonetheless, Guillen would like to see a slightly better brand of baseball.
"I don't mind losing and winning," Guillen said. "We played poorly offensively, defensively and pitching. There are ways you lose, and we are losing the ugly way. It's boring to watch them play. I haven't even had time to manage yet.
"Walking people and getting behind the hitters, it's not the way I want this team to look," Guillen added.
One of a kind: Following Konerko's exit from Saturday's game, the affable captain presented a detailed description, with his jersey used as evidence, as to what happened on the bad-hop single.
"My first reaction is I stopped it, and it's on my body but on the outside of my shirt," said Konerko with a smile. "You are grabbing for it to flip it, but by the time I grabbed it a couple of times, then I realized it's inside my shirt and too late. Only I could pull that off."
Konerko's two singles and a line drive out to left were overshadowed by the quirky play, certain to make almost every highlight reel around the country. Although hitters have only been in camp a little over one week, Konerko called Saturday his "most productive day of the spring" from start to finish.
"I was swinging the bat and doing what I wanted to do, as far as swinging at the right pitches, with the right plan and with the right swing," Konerko said. "Today, I was working on something, using Spring Training. During the first few games, I was up there taking stupid swings."
As far as the team's struggles are concerned, Konerko pointed out that there's plenty of time for this group to come together. The final spring won-loss record is absolutely immaterial.
"You just want to play the game right," Konerko said. "If it does matter in the wins, I would like to see them in the last week. At least you get in the [right] mode that way."
Weight and see: Just as people who gain weight have to get used to moving around with a different body type, White Sox reliever Dustin Hermanson is trying to find a groove as a pitcher who is 10 pounds lighter than at the end of the 2005 season.
"I really have to get used to my body again," said Hermanson, after giving up a home run in his one relief inning Friday. "Thank God I have Spring Training to do that."
Hermanson lost the weight as part of the plan to help relieve the back problem that limited his work down the stretch of the 2005 season. The one-time White Sox closer, who saved 34 games last year, claims he can pick up his baby out of her crib once again, so things definitely have changed for the better.
He also singled out his split-finger as a pitch that wouldn't work for him Friday. That particular pitch wasn't part of his repertoire until 2005, and is one that he doesn't even throw until arriving at Spring Training.
"With split-fingers, you kind of want to save those bullets," Hermanson said. "But my fastball is not on, so my split is off. First, you have to get your fastball, and then everything else comes off of that."
Change in venue: Brandon McCarthy wasn't as sharp as he wanted to be Saturday, walking two and allowing one earned run in 2 2/3 innings, before reaching his pitch limit. As the White Sox starter against Arizona, though, his approach didn't change from any other start last season.
With his work coming primarily out of the bullpen in 2006, that plan will be altered somewhat near the end of Spring Training.
"I'll start working out of the stretch a little more as we go," McCarthy said. "For right now, I'm just going to focus on getting myself to where I'm ready to pitch -- worry about command and mechanics.
"I'm going to start changing up the routine just a little bit at the end, so it's a little smoother transition. They are still going to be cautious with me in the bullpen, giving me a decent amount of time to warm up, and I'll do my part to shrink that down."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Sox manhandled by El Duque, D-Backs

2006-03-27T21:38:00.000-08:00

03/04/2006
Diamondbacks at the plate: Luis Gonzalez singled and doubled, scoring one run and driving in another. Damion Easley had two hits, while Shawn Green reached base twice. Chris Snyder hit his second home run of the spring.
White Sox at the plate: Paul Konerko singled to right and singled to left in his first two at-bats. Jim Thome just missed his first spring home run with a long fly to left-center in the fourth, hauled in by Gonzalez, and a long drive to left in the sixth.
Diamondbacks on the mound: Facing his previous employer from 2005, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez hurled two scoreless innings. The right-hander allowed just one hit. Terry Mulholland followed with two innings of scoreless relief.
White Sox on the mound: Brandon McCarthy gave up one earned run on four hits over 2 2/3 innings during his spring debut. The lanky right-hander walked two, but didn't strike out a batter. After throwing just six pitches Thursday against Colorado, Tim Redding worked 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. White Sox relievers hit one and walked two with the bases loaded in the eighth, forcing in three of four runs scored during the frame.
Cactus League records: White Sox 0-5; Diamondbacks 3-0.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Fields feeling more comfortable

2006-03-27T21:37:00.000-08:00

03/05/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Two long home runs coming off Josh Fields' bat at Tucson Electric Park probably stand out more than anything else where the third baseman is concerned during the first week of Cactus League action. But manager Ozzie Guillen points to Fields' work with the glove as the area that has truly impressed him.
"We always knew this kid has good potential with the bat," said Guillen of Fields. "But the progress this kid has made from last year to this year is unbelievable, especially defensively."
Fields replaced Joe Crede at third base late in Sunday's 6-5 loss to Arizona and capped off the White Sox scoring with a long two-run blast to left-center off Casey Daigle in the ninth. Fields has three hits in four at-bats early on this spring, with two clearing the fences and one going for a double.
It's a much more comfortable situation for the team's first pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, as part of his second big league Spring Training.
"You aren't completely comfortable in here, but it's definitely a better feeling," Fields said. "It was a tad bit intimidating walking into the clubhouse with these guys last year, and it actually should be more intimidating this year, since they won the World Series.
"But it's relaxed and fun and the guys make you feel a lot better by saying hello. It's more relaxed for me this year."
The intimidation factor also has disappeared for Fields at the plate. He worked hard on completely revamping his swing during the 2005 campaign with Double-A Birmingham, finishing with 16 home runs and 79 RBIs while hitting .252 in his first full season of only baseball. Currently, he has that swing at a confident place.
"I'm glad I'm at the point where I don't feel intimidated walking up to the plate," Fields said. "I feel like I have a good chance, and that's a better feeling than being constantly frustrated."
On the move: Ray Liotta is one of nine left-handed relievers in White Sox camp, but Liotta is the only left-hander without a viable chance to make the Opening Day roster. The organization has set designs on Liotta as a starting pitcher and doesn't intend to change the plan.
With Freddy Garcia (Venezuela) and Javier Vazquez (Puerto Rico) participating in the World Baseball Classic, Liotta still will get frequent opportunities to take the mound. Liotta threw two scoreless innings of relief Friday against Arizona, allowing two hits, and he will start Wednesday's first real Cactus League road game for the White Sox in Tempe against the Angels. Liotta, who is a distant cousin to the famous actor of the same name, finished 14-5 in 2005 between stops at Class A Kannapolis and Class A Winston-Salem.
Names in the game: Jerry Hairston began with the White Sox as a player in 1973 and seemingly has been with the team ever since, aside from a brief 51-game stop with Pittsburgh in 1977. Hairston will serve as the hitting coach for the Advanced Rookie team from Great Falls in 2006 and has been working with the Minor Leaguers in minicamp and now as part of Spring Training.
They're No. 1: Lance Broadway, the White Sox top pick in the 2005 First-Year Player draft, struggled in his debut against Arizona on Friday. Broadway allowed six runs on four hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning, but only two of those six runs were earned. ... Brian Anderson's swing seems to be coming around. The team's first-round selection from 2003 has a double and a triple in his last two games.
Class of '05: Broadway is the only draft pick from last year to see any significant time in the first week of games. Christopher Getz, a fourth-round pick out of the University of Michigan, has one at-bat in the first six games as a Minor League addition.
Stat machine: Shortstop Robert Valido tripled home two runs during Sunday's loss to Arizona. Valido hit .288 for Winston-Salem last year, with 52 stolen bases. ... Knuckleballer Charles Haeger has struck out three and walked two during two appearances. He was on the mound Saturday when a ground ball got stuck in the jersey of first baseman Paul Konerko for a base hit.
What they're saying: "We will sit over there and talk and joke around. He's kind of got the stereotype of being the quiet guy. Over there, he's definitely a comedian, popping off jokes. He's a lot funnier than I thought."-- Fields, on working during Spring Training with Crede, the team's incumbent third baseman at the Major League level

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Notes: Logan, Phillips might get looks

2006-03-27T21:36:00.000-08:00

03/05/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The short personal bio of Boone Logan can be found on Page 369 of the 2006 White Sox Media Guide, back with the rest of the organization's Minor Leaguers.
On Sunday morning, the 6-foot-5 left-hander gave himself an opportunity to move up 100 pages or so for next year. During a 'B' game on the back fields of the Kino Sports Complex, Logan pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings. That effort was made even more impressive by the fact that he struck out Rob Mackowiak looking and Jim Thome swinging, finishing with three strikeouts in four batters faced.
With the eight White Sox left-handed relievers competing for one or two bullpen spots having combined for an 0-2 record and 8.18 ERA entering Sunday's game, the team was not ruling out Logan getting a shot at the Major League opening. It's clearly a long shot, with the 21-year-old Texas native never really having pitched above Great Falls in the Advanced Rookie Pioneer League.
But it's certainly not an option that is completely out of the question. Pitching coach Don Cooper said a few Minor Leaguers could be joining the White Sox in Tempe against Anaheim on Wednesday, including Logan and fellow left-hander Heath Phillips, who also struck out three in his two scoreless innings Sunday morning.
"We can see what they look like and give them a little experience," Cooper said of the young hurlers temporarily joining the White Sox. "Yeah, we've been impressed with all of those kids."
"Because you are somewhat protected in this role, there's an opportunity for one of the young guys to step up," added White Sox general manager Ken Williams, who termed Logan's effort Sunday as "interesting." "A lot of things have to be taken into consideration. We will not take a young kid just because of our need. We'll wait and let them get more seasoned."
Logan was a 20th-round selection in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft and had fairly uninspiring numbers during his first two seasons at Great Falls, when he split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen. After dropping down his arm angle to more of a three-quarters slot, Logan's ERA fell to 3.31 in 21 games for Great Falls in 2005, with 29 strikeouts and four walks in 35 1/3 innings. Logan also appeared in four games for Class A Winston-Salem.
Sunday's effort featured Logan in command of three pitches, including a 3-2 slider to fan Mackowiak. While his trip to the Major League side of camp is more about future experience, a couple of strong efforts could put his name into the open competition.
"He threw a lot of strikes, which is the main thing as a young kid," Mackowiak said of Logan. "Make sure you pound the zone and get ahead of the hitters."
"Hey, everything is up for grabs," Cooper added. "Nobody is jumping up, so we will look in-house here, down below."
Time for a change: Manager Ozzie Guillen certainly is far removed from any sort of panic mode, even after his team lost for a sixth straight time to start Cactus League play. It's not as if a poor Spring Training record hurts the defending World Series champion's regular-season seeding.
But Guillen plans on having a team meeting Monday morning, with the message being that the 2006 season truly begins with the White Sox contest at Hi Corbett Field on Monday afternoon.
"I expect all the players to get some fire," Guillen said. "It's not easy to fire up when you don't have hits. But I'm going to tell the guys to pick it up a notch and play the way we should be playing and get it from there.
"We are going to start Monday and take it all the way to the end of the season," Guillen added. "It's not easy to turn it on in one minute, so I expect to see better games."
Guillen added that it's hard to get a true reading on what players are ready or not ready, having only played Arizona and Colorado in the first six games. But he's certainly ready to see a team other than the Diamondbacks, after four games in five days.
"If we keep playing against Arizona, they might be undefeated all year," Guillen added with a smile.
Pitching in: Jose Contreras and Bobby Jenks proved Sunday that pitching definitely is ahead of hitting early on in Spring Training. They also exhibited a high level of confidence that wasn't really present in either hurler last Spring Training. Serving as central figures during a franchise's first World Series championship in 88 years has a way of increasing a pitcher's bravado.
"After the World Series, it gave me a lot of confidence," said Contreras, through a translator, after striking out five Diamondbacks while allowing one run on five hits through three innings. "I haven't felt as mentally and physically strong as I do right now. I feel real good."
"This is the best I've ever felt in any spring," added Jenks, who threw one hitless inning. "I don't know if it has to do with my workouts this winter or the new program here where I stay strong but flexible. But putting it all together has something to do with it."
Jenks arrived at 7 a.m. MT Sunday and jumped in the hot tub to loosen up, as he was originally scheduled to pitch in the 'B' game. But Cooper moved him back to the main field, where Jenks mainly tried to establish his fastball. His velocity ranged between 95 to 97 mph, according to the White Sox closer.
"That's really good for me this early," Jenks said.
Contreras continued working on throwing strikes via his three-quarters arm angle, as well as his slider. His goal is to develop the slider and have it ready to go on Opening Day, along with his tantalizing forkball.
Third to first: Paul Konerko emerged from the White Sox clubhouse prior to Sunday's game with his jersey buttons taped down the middle, after a ground ball bounced inside his jersey during Saturday's contest. ... Andy Gonzalez and Donny Lucy led the 'B' game offense with two hits apiece. ... Neal Cotts and Corwin Malone threw two scoreless innings apiece during the 'B' game.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Comeback falls short in loss to D-Backs

2006-03-27T21:35:00.000-08:00

03/05/2006
Diamondbacks at the plate: Second baseman Orlando Hudson kept up his hot hitting with a single in the first and double in the third. Hudson's double hit off the center field batter's eye, and he showed his speed after the single when he went from first to third on Luis Gonzalez's single to center. Robby Hammock added to the D-Backs offense with his first home run of the spring.
White Sox at the plate: Center fielder Brian Anderson tripled with one out in the third inning and scored one batter later when Juan Uribe grounded out.
Diamondbacks on the mound: Starter Dustin Nippert had an impressive first inning getting two groundouts before fanning Paul Konerko on three pitches. Brian Bruney, who is competing for a spot in the bullpen and walked two in his first spring outing, did not walk a batter and fanned two over a pair of innings. Micah Owings, who was selected in the third round of last year's First-Year Player Draft, pitched a scoreless inning.
White Sox on the mound: Starter Jose Contreras allowed just one run despite giving up five hits over three innings. He pitched out of a jam in the first when the D-Backs had runners at first and third with one out. Contreras struck out Conor Jackson swinging and Damion Easley looking to end the threat.
Cactus League records: White Sox 0-6; Diamondbacks 4-0.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

White Sox double up Rockies

2006-03-27T21:34:00.000-08:00

03/06/2006
White Sox at the plate: Ryan Sweeney hit his first home run of the spring in the seventh inning. Pablo Ozuna had a two-run single in the sixth.
Rockies at the plate: Choo Freeman put the Rockies on the scoreboard in the fourth inning with a single to center field, scoring Todd Helton, who had singled. Ian Stewart had a sacrifice fly in the seventh to score Ryan Spilborghs.
White Sox on the mound: Cliff Politte got the win in relief. Starter Jon Garland worked three innings. He gave up one hit and walked one batter.
Rockies on the mound: Randy Williams took the loss. He gave up two runs and three hits in the sixth inning. Starter Aaron Cook allowed two hits in three innings of work. He walked one and struck out another batter.
Cactus League records: White Sox 1-6; Rockies 2-3.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

White Sox recall Puckett fondly

2006-03-27T21:33:00.000-08:00

03/07/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Back in 1997, a full decade after the Minnesota Twins' exciting World Series victory over St. Louis in seven games, Frank Viola III had a chance to sit and talk with one of his boyhood idols.
That idol, Kirby Puckett, quickly became one of Viola's friends.
"They had a 10-year anniversary for the championship, and I got to talk with Kirby again," said Viola, 20, now a pitcher who finished 5-2 for Bristol with a 3.84 for Bristol during his first year with the White Sox organization in 2005. Viola currently is taking part in Minor League Spring Training in Tucson.
"He gave me his phone number, and every couple of months he would call me up and give me tips on hitting when I was in high school," Viola added. "You don't meet many Hall of Famers who are willing to talk to high school players about hitting. He never cared who he was talking to. He just wanted to help people out."
Memories of Puckett were flowing throughout the White Sox facility at Kino Sports Complex on Tuesday, one day after the 45-year-old baseball legend passed away following a massive stroke Sunday. Viola's father, Frank Viola II, was Puckett's teammate from 1984-1989 and considered the barrel-chested center fielder a close friend, according to his son.
In fact, Viola said Tuesday morning that the only other time he had heard or witnessed his father become so emotional was when another of his close friends, golfer Payne Stewart, died in an air-travel accident. But Puckett was not someone for whom you had to be part of his inner circle in order to receive special treatment.
"He made you feel like you were his best friend, if you talked to him for just five minutes of your life," Viola said.
"Kirby would come up and introduce himself to everyone," added White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who started his career in the Twins system in 1995, the year that happened to be Puckett's last with Minnesota. "He would say, 'How you doing kid? I'm Kirby Puckett. Nice to meet you. Glad to have you in a Twins uniform.' For a first-ballot Hall of Famer to act like that, it was incredible."
When manager Ozzie Guillen first heard about the gravity of Puckett's condition Sunday, he immediately talked about living every moment, taking care of yourself and enjoying life. On Monday night, Guillen spoke of how he was in a state of shock when hearing of Puckett's death and how he had to break the news to his three sons, who all counted Puckett as one of their favorite players.
Guillen joked that when Oney, his middle son, was a youngster, they called him "Little Puck" because he was a bit chubby. As Guillen watched the steady stream of interviews and the numerous news reports on television concerning Puckett, sitting alongside first base coach Harold Baines prior to Tuesday's workouts, the tears started to flow.
"[Dave] Winfield said the right thing about Kirby in that he was the only player in the history of baseball that everyone loved," Guillen said. "A lot of players were better than him, but they didn't enjoy the game or appreciate what they did like Kirby."
"He was the first guy after a game, if you did something stupid, to come up and ... and rub it in and laugh about it," Pierzynski added with a smile. "He also would be the guy who said, 'I did it too.' He would play cards with you, and he was just fun."
Pierzynski told the story of growing up a huge Atlanta Braves fan and how Puckett broke his heart with his most memorable catch and walk-off home run in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series. Guillen eerily recalled Puckett's comments about how he was going to die before he was 50 because of heart problems that ran in his family, but quickly added that Puckett was one of the three greatest to ever play the game.
That assessment had very little to do with Puckett's vast ability as a hitter or a baserunner or his six career Gold Gloves. Guillen's reference was to the way Puckett played the game.
"You can ask every player who played with him or against him, and they all have the same answer," Guillen said. "Kirby Puckett played hard, always had a big smile and enjoyed what he did. He was a warrior. He could carry the team, and this guy could fill up a ballpark. He was the greatest ambassador in a Twins uniform and for all of baseball."
Comparing Puckett's importance to the Twins with Michael Jordan's importance to the Chicago Bulls is not even close to a stretch, according to Pierzynski. But Puckett also belonged to the city of Chicago, born in the Robert Taylor Homes, housing projects once located across the Dan Ryan Highway from Comiskey Park. Puckett also played baseball for Triton College in west suburban River Grove.
Central Unity Church, located at 8420 S. Cottage Grove in Chicago, will host a memorial service for Puckett at 6 p.m. CT on Wednesday. Pierzynski plans on attending a service for Puckett in Minneapolis on Saturday, missing the day of camp with Guillen's full blessing. Pierzynski was trying to work out a way to travel with Doug Mientkiewicz (Kansas City), Jacque Jones (Cubs) and possibly even Eddie Guardado (Seattle), all former Twins who are currently training with different teams in Arizona.
Viola, meanwhile, always will have the memories of the Hall of Famer who helped him improve his offense. But the young hurler believes Puckett will be remembered for far more than simply baseball.
"He'll be remembered for the person that he was, and then on top of that, being a great baseball player," Viola said. "I remember calling him once and telling Kirby how I was always getting jammed and what should I do.
"And he would say great hitters always get jammed. He always said that it wasn't about my swing, but it's about my attitude. Work hard and enjoy life. Have fun doing what you are doing, and if you don't enjoy it, you shouldn't be doing it."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

White Sox turn on power for victory

2006-03-27T21:32:00.000-08:00

03/07/2006
A's at the plate: Keith Ginter doubled home two runs, and Scott McClain singled home a run off Mark Buehrle in the fourth. Nick Swisher added two hits.
White Sox at the plate: Led by a pair of home runs from catcher Chris Widger, the White Sox knocked out five long balls. Paul Konerko and Darren Blakely launched their first home runs of the spring, with Ryan Sweeney adding his second. Konerko also drove in four runs. Jim Thome reached base three times, with a single to center and two walks.
A's on the mound: Chad Gaudin gave up one run in each of his three innings of work, including two home runs and Konerko's RBI double. Gaudin struck out three and walked one.
White Sox on the mound: Buehrle was perfect through the first three innings, with four strikeouts, but might have stayed an inning too long. The left-hander allowed four runs to Oakland in the fourth on four hits. Because of a Tadahito Iguchi error, three of the four runs were unearned
Cactus League records: White Sox 2-6; A's 1-5.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Hurlers excited to be back in the fold

2006-03-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

03/07/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Just call Brian West the human equivalent of a good luck charm in the world of sports.
Better yet, West simply has been the right man at the right place at the right time.
West was a relatively fast-rising, right-handed pitcher in the White Sox organization during the 2002 season when his Double-A Birmingham squad won the Southern League title. He finished 9-11 with a 4.34 ERA over 26 starts in that particular campaign.
One year later, pushed by an elbow problem eventually requiring Tommy John Surgery and a desire to return to the gridiron, West played at the college level for Nick Saban and his hometown LSU squad. He picked up 11 tackles and two sacks as a third defensive end, as the Tigers won the BCS title and split the National Championship with USC.
There was one more year of football for West before he left with Saban, who took the head coaching job for the Dolphins West returned to the White Sox organization for the 2005 campaign and sat out the year following elbow surgery, but is it just a mere coincidence that the South Siders won their first World Series title since 1917 upon West's return?
"I didn't have any part of last year's title, but I like to think I have a little bit of good karma," said the affable West, before a recent Minor League conditioning session during Spring Training in Tucson.
"If anything, maybe the White Sox will keep me around for good luck," added West with a laugh.
West is one of two Minor League hurlers who retired very early on in their respective White Sox careers, only to return and slowly but surely work their way back into prominence within the organization. The second pitcher is Charles Haeger, who has gained some fame and what he hopes to be future fortune by developing himself into a knuckleball pitcher.
Haeger, 22, finished 14-5 during the 2005 campaign through stops with Birmingham and Class A Winston-Salem. He is enjoying his first year on the 40-man roster and his first invite to Major League Spring Training. The White Sox even have Charlie Hough, a former member of their pitching staff who spent 25 years in the Majors throwing the knuckler, currently in camp to work with Haeger.
But it was as recently as 2003 that Haeger was completely disenchanted with baseball. He was a combined 1-7 over his first two years in rookie ball with Phoenix after the White Sox selected him in the 25th round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft.
So, Haeger exited baseball and went back to school at Madonna University in his hometown of Livonia, Mich. Getting an education was not the only reason for Haeger's selection, as he had decided to pursue a professional career in golf.
"At that point in my life, baseball-wise, I was losing interest," Haeger explained. "I was so used to having success in high school and I wasn't having it professionally. I was getting frustrated and ready to try something else."
Both Haeger and West spoke with their individual pitching coaches and managers before leaving and also talked to Brian Porter, the assistant director of player development. An attempt was made to talk them into staying, but Haeger and West said it was handled with professionalism and class.
When they both decided to return to baseball, the organization welcomed them back without an issue.
"It speaks very highly of the organization they run, to let guys like myself or Charlie go figure out what you want to do with your life when you are that young," West said. "Then, they let us come back."
"I like them both as people," added White Sox Minor League pitching coordinator Kirk Champion. "Brian had a situation where football was sort of hanging over his head. I pulled for Brian West. I wanted him to play and do well at LSU."
Champion mentioned that West has made marked improvement since instructional league in October and still has a solid chance to become a Major League reliever. Once possessing one of the best fastballs in the country as a high school senior in West Monroe, La., in 1999, West now is more of a "sinker, slider guy."
West made the choice of baseball over football even after playing 15 to 25 snaps per game during his second year at LSU. He got married and decided baseball was a better way to support his family.
"Physically, it took me 20 minutes to get out of bed after that eighth or ninth week of the football season," said West with a laugh, also mentioning that he had to drop his weight from 270 pounds as a football player back to the 240 pounds he carried upon leaving baseball.
"I was not ready to hang it up just yet," West added. "I got to wear the Purple and Gold, which doesn't sound like a real manly color, but in Louisiana, people bleed that way down there. Now, the White Sox have given me another chance, and I have to fight my way out of this corner, too."
Haeger followed the counsel of his brother, Greg, who once played in the Tigers' system and serves as Madonna's baseball coach, and came back with a full embrace for his new pitch. The results have been nothing short of tremendous, with the potential for Haeger to join the White Sox rotation down the road two or three years.
These two young hurlers think about where they might be within the system currently if they had never given up the sport. But they both experienced another part of life, away from the game, and were lucky enough to have the chance to return to their passion.
"With another season of throwing the knuckler under my belt, who knows where I would be?" Haeger said. "I do think back and ask why I just didn't stick it out, but I feel good and being on the 40-man is a great honor."
"There was never any animosity for me leaving for two years after climbing the ladder," West added. "It's been an incredible ride to be able to do both."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Mailbag: Will Dye be the guy in '06?

2006-03-27T21:29:00.000-08:00

03/07/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. - It has been a relatively quiet few days in Tucson, aside from the cacophony of coughs coming from the seemingly 30 or 40 people battling the flu out here. Many of us feel much like the White Sox looked through their first six Cactus League games, but you might as well get rid of all the ill health and the sickly results in the part of the season when records don't matter.
I want to thank the correspondents who quickly wrote in to correctly identify Bobby Jenks' in-game entrance music as 'Boom' by P.O.D. Jenks actually came up to me with the answer after last week's Mailbag already ran, but he also told me that he's open to a change if someone comes up with a better song suggestion.
A correction also needs to be made from a feature I did last week on Eddie Einhorn, in which Einhorn referenced an old comedian named Joey Lewis. It was pointed out to me that he actually was Joe E. Lewis, and I botched the first name. Thanks for the alert. But now, it's time to return to baseball.
Does this latest argument between Kenny Williams and Frank Thomas mean that Frank will never return to the White Sox? As I am sure many White Sox fans are thinking, I am holding on to the hope that Frank will come back to be our designated hitter within the next couple of years and hopefully finish his career with us.
Is there still hope or does this finalize all relationships between the two? Also, will Frank now go into the Hall as an Athletic instead of a White Sox player? Thanks for your response. -- Dan, Wheaton
Dan, your question is going to be the last one we take on the Frank Thomas-White Sox broken relationship because the topic pretty much has been played out. The bottom line is it really is too hard to speculate as to what the future holds for Thomas and his team of more than 16 years, although a pretty good guess could be made. But damaged bonds certainly have been repaired in the past.
I do have a question for Dan and all the Thomas-as-a-White Sox-for-life supporters around the country. I want to preface my comment by saying that I truly enjoyed covering Thomas for the past three seasons and never remotely had a problem with the big man. He was always easy to deal with and approach.
On the other hand, great players leave organizations all the time. It's a point Thomas made countless times during the 2005 season. I'm not sure why there's a strong desire to have Thomas back as the DH, at this point, unless he returns at 100 percent healthy. Maybe it's a nostalgia thing, which is understandable.
Jim Thome should be in line for a big 2006 season and probably three or four more big seasons to follow. So, there's nothing wrong with maintaining a healthy respect for a player you once idolized, such as Thomas, and wishing him well. But it's time for everyone to move on.
The White Sox are doing it. Thomas now appears to be doing it. The fans need to follow suit.
Is Neal Cotts going to be a setup man forever? Will the Sox give him another chance on the mound as a starter after his awesome performance last season? I know a good setup man is important, but wouldn't he help the organization more in the rotation? -- Mike, Mt. Greenwood
Mike, there's a better chance of Cotts becoming a closer in the immediate future than joining the rotation. In fact, Cotts will have more than a few save opportunities in 2006, giving Jenks a break from time to time.
Cotts eventually might become part of the rotation, two or three years down the line, although the White Sox are stacked with talented young starters in Lance Broadway, Ray Liotta and Charles Haeger, to name a few. Cotts currently stands as one of the best left-handed setup men in the American League, so why mess with success? Remember, in the White Sox mind, the setup men basically are serving as closers for their particular inning and playing crucial roles.
Why do you think Brandon McCarthy was so bad in the beginning of 2005 season and towards the end was amazing? Was it just mental or did he find a couple new pitches?-- Sam, Albany, NY
Sam, it was a combination of McCarthy tipping pitchers far less frequently and changing his arm angle upon delivery that led to his fantastic finish. McCarthy was joking the other day how he was watching Jeff Bajenaru throw at Triple-A Charlotte last year, when he noticed his release point coming from higher up and more over the top, and something began to click. It was the same style McCarthy usually employs.
That change was made by McCarthy and Juan Nieves, the Charlotte pitching coach, allowing his changeup to once again be an effective offering in his repertoire. McCarthy needs to be able to feature that change in order to be successful.
Hey Scott. I have a question about Jermaine Dye. He statistically had a breakout year last year, hitting around .272 and with 31 home runs. However, his career numbers say that he probably will hit well below that this season, in the .250, 25-HR range. Do you think his lack of production or his usual health issues will be a problem this year? Thanks. -- Kevin, Chicago
Dye had a breakout year in 2006, Kevin? Allow me to throw out a few numbers and then see if you still agree. Dye hit .321 with 33 home runs and 118 RBIs for Kansas City in 2000 and hit .265 with 23 home runs and 80 RBIs as recently as 2004 with Oakland.
When Dye is healthy, as he was through 145 games last year and 282 games over the past two seasons, the guy is a consummate veteran producer both at the plate and in the field. You can pencil in at least a .270 average, 25 home runs and 80 RBIs every year for Dye.
Does Joe Crede have a nickname? I'd suggest "Clutch" but that may put too much pressure on the guy. "Clatch" might be a good corruption of the word, and be nickname-worthy.
But I remember a cartoon on the old Garfield Goose TV show growing up in Northfield, Ill., called "Clutch Cargo." So I propose Joe "Cargo" Crede on the strengths of its indirect and local reference to his clutch play and its direct reference to the enormous weight he carries for the champs. -- Kevin, Santa Rosa, Calif.
I asked Crede about a nickname and he either doesn't have one or wasn't about to divulge it. When I made reference to the Clutch Cargo suggestion, he didn't seem to be overly excited by the idea. I'm not sure if you remember the Clutch Cargo cartoon completely, but when Clutch spoke, his whole head moved. So, I'm guessing Crede didn't want to be thought of in the same general context as a puppet.
Keep thinking on that one, Kevin. If you or anyone else comes up with a good idea, I'll pass it along.
Do you think Tadahito Iguchi's move in the lineup will affect his statistics, and do you think Juan Uribe will do as good of a job batting second as Tadahito did?-- Nick, Coal City
Nick, we've talked about Uribe's ability to hit second previously in the Mailbag, and while I think he won't be quite as skilled as Iguchi in that slot, he will handle the job just fine. But the move of Iguchi lower in the lineup definitely will make the offense stronger, as both manager Ozzie Guillen and hitting coach Greg Walker have pointed out.
Batting sixth or seventh, Iguchi not only will have a chance to hit for power and drive in runs, but he also will have the opportunity to move more on the bases. Iguchi has told us here in Spring Training that his goal is to hit over .300 in 2006, regardless of the lineup location. But with a comfort zone hitting from the sixth or seventh slot, coupled with the experience gained from his second full year in the Majors, I have no doubt he will accomplish that goal. Don't be surprised if his stolen base total checks in somewhere around the 30 plateau.
So, I think Iguchi's statistics will be affected and definitely for the better.
How could the [Hall of Fame] committee pass on Minnie Minoso and Buck O'Neil? What is wrong with those people to not honor these greats while they are still here for us to share in their joy? -- Robert, Chicago
Robert, I have to admit that I don't always pretend to understand or agree with the direction of the Hall of Fame voting. I believe both Minoso and O'Neil should have gone in via the special balloting.
I had a chance to talk with Minoso prior to leaving for Spring Training, and I'm sure that he's more than a bit disappointed with the oversight. In the same sense, Minoso's Hall of Fame is truly made up by the fans. I really believe that he's just as happy with the handshakes and warm wishes and conversations with baseball supporters he sees at the game or when he makes public appearances as he is with the plaque at Cooperstown.
As Guillen said before, Minoso is the consummate baseball ambassador. You would think that sort of role, coupled with his stellar starts, would earn some points. It didn't in this instance.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Notes: Guillen looks for intensity

2006-03-27T21:28:00.000-08:00

03/07/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- On the sliding scale of Ozzie Guillen's animated talks, Monday morning's team meeting barely even rates a mention in the "others receiving votes" category.
But a very stern Guillen certainly drove home his point during a six-minute speech to his charges prior to the team's stretching at their home in the Kino Sports Complex. Guillen told his players that he was embarrassed by the way they were playing through the first six Cactus League games, and that the team can have fun during Spring Training but he wants to see greater intensity.
Guillen's disappointment really has very little do with the wins and losses but was much more about the correct process for a successful baseball team that Guillen wants to develop as Spring Training winds down. The meeting had its desired immediate effect, as the White Sox beat Colorado, 4-2, Monday afternoon at Hi Corbett Field.
"That's the way we should be playing. This is the best game we've played this spring," Guillen said. "If we got beat the way we played today, I don't mind that. We played with more enthusiasm."
Monday's talk was classified by Guillen as coming from "a friend" and not the White Sox manager. Veterans and rookies alike understood Guillen's concern before he even opened up.
"Ozzie wants to see the intensity out there, and the guys out there hustling," said White Sox starter Mark Buehrle of Guillen's talk. "Guys are going through the motions, and he wanted to get in some guys' [heads] to go out and play a little harder. If you are going to lose, you are going to lose. But act like you want to be here."
"I think Ozzie expects a little bit more enthusiasm from us," added White Sox rookie center fielder Jerry Owens, who started against the Rockies, of the talk. "That's all we can really do. Baseball is a funny game. We won't always get hits and we won't always win. But we can always show that intensity and enthusiasm."
Guillen promised Monday's meeting following Sunday's error-plagued, 6-5 loss to Arizona, dropping the White Sox to 0-6 and their worst Spring Training start since 1991. It's certainly not a sign of panic on Guillen's part, but more a case of not letting a perceived malaise linger too long.
Buehrle laughed in regard to talk back home that the White Sox were in trouble, pointing out that regulars such as Paul Konerko or Jim Thome might be getting one or two at-bats per game or even playing in "B" games, as Thome did on Sunday. The southpaw added that pitchers probably are working on certain aspects of their repertoire, at this stage, and not yet featuring everything they have.
Spring Training is much more about getting the proper work done in the allotted time. It's just the style of losing that caused Guillen to make his feelings known.
"It definitely was up today," said Jon Garland, who worked three scoreless innings during Monday's victory over Colorado. "The way guys were playing, in general, looked pretty good to me."
"I said that I don't want to have another talk until the end of Spring Training," Guillen added. "Some times, you have to go to the whip and tell them how you feel. It's better early than late."
Making the rounds: Rob Mackowiak made his first start at third base Monday, after making previous spring starts in right field, center field and left field. Mackowiak made a diving stop to his left on Jamey Carroll's ground ball and threw out the Rockies' leadoff man to start the bottom of the first, and handled one other chance in the inning.
It was a good change for Mackowiak to get into live-game situations, especially with the White Sox counting on him to play a prominent reserve infield role during the season. Monday's results were much improved compared to a recent infield session, according to Mackowiak.
"After I took ground balls the other day, they might just put me back in the outfield permanently," said Mackowiak with a smile. "But if that's what you are going to be used for, you want to get some games in there and find a comfort level."
Mackowiak owns separate gloves to use at first, second, third and the outfield. He counts right and center field as his most sure-handed positions, but has been taking extra ground balls to get that same feel on the infield.
What's in a name? The only certainty about the White Sox rotation order is that Buehrle will pitch Opening Day. But Garland has a pretty good idea as to where he's going to fit in 2006.
"Probably four or five. That's my guess," Garland said.
Garland opened as the fifth starter for the White Sox in 2005 but finished with a team-high 18 victories. He looked to be in midseason form during Monday's start, allowing one hit over three innings, and retiring seven Rockies hitters via ground ball out.
As for being considered the fifth starter once again this season, a confident Garland just wants a consistent chance to pitch.
"You can call me whatever you want as long as I get on the mound every five days and give my team a chance," Garland said. "The way I pitched and the way the ball came out of my hand.... To throw the way I did last year, I'll be happy the rest of my career if I can do that."
Words of wisdom: Charles Haeger received some expert advice on the knuckle ball Monday, as Charlie Hough began a three-day work session with the Minor Leaguer. The two had previously talked on the phone this spring, but the White Sox set up a visit for the 25-year veteran of the dancing pitch, truly thrilling Haeger.
"To use a cliché, it's like a dream come true," said Haeger of the session with Hough, the first pitcher he has worked with directly who actually threw the knuckler. "It was amazing, really cool.
"I'm going to be a sponge and soak up everything he says," Haeger added with a smile.
Haeger said the two worked on the mental approach and preparation behind throwing a knuckle ball on Monday. Haeger was excited to hear that he has been working on the right stuff in regard to the pitch, despite his most expert previous guidance coming from watching tapes of Tim Wakefield.
Third to first: The White Sox play a team other than Arizona or Colorado for the first time this spring, when Oakland visits Tucson Electric Park Tuesday. "Thank god we get to see the American League," Guillen said with a laugh. "We can't play against the National League." ... Javier Lopez made his third straight scoreless appearance, giving him a slight edge for the final bullpen slot. Guillen also praised the work by left-handers Chad Bentz and Rusty Tucker.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Notes: Hermanson still building velocity

2006-03-27T21:27:00.000-08:00

03/08/2006
TEMPE, Ariz. -- A drop in velocity from the previous season, through just three Cactus League appearances, has never been a concern for Dustin Hermanson during prior Spring Trainings. He's not changing his philosophy this year, despite many of his 24 pitches during Wednesday's effort against the Angels falling in the mid-80s.
But it was enough of an issue for the White Sox that general manager Ken Williams, manager Ozzie Guillen and pitching coach Don Cooper briefly asked Hermanson about the drop off during a meeting Tuesday.
"We asked him yesterday, 'Is this where you are or are you building?'" said Williams of the talk with Hermanson. "We are comfortable right now that he's building, and he will let us know in the next few weeks whether or not he still doesn't feel that confident in his building and we will go from there."
Hermanson, 33, actually started Wednesday's contest against the Angels at Diablo Stadium, something the right-hander has done 180 times during his 11-year career. The start worked out perfectly for Hermanson, who had the chance to go through a normal preparatory routine.
In his last outing, Hermanson was scheduled to pitch in the fourth but came in during the third instead, when starter Mark Buehrle reached his pitch count early. Hermanson wasn't exactly ready for the early entrance.
Despite allowing Chone Figgins' leadoff home run and two other hits, Hermanson feels as if he made positive strides in his one inning of work. Just as the velocity issue doesn't concern Hermanson, neither do the runs allowed.
"I've been around too long to raise red flags right now," said an upbeat Hermanson, who will have two days off and pitch two innings Saturday against San Diego. "I'm just trying to improve every outing -- whether it's improvement or not, just feel better every outing.
"I did feel more in rhythm. I did feel better. I felt more under control and I'm going at hitters. As long as every outing feels better than the last one, I think that's important. That's the one positive you have to look at, whether you are getting results or not."
As for the slight dip in velocity, Hermanson said that it's only an issue if his stuff isn't there at the end of Spring Training. The back is not a concern for Hermanson, who said he would let reporters know if anything health-wise came up.
But the White Sox will keep an eye on Hermanson's building process as March progresses.
"He might have to take a lesser role to start out the season, if he doesn't continue to build," said Williams. "But it's all premature to talk about any of that."
"I'm not too concerned with it because every outing has felt better than the last one, even though the results haven't been there," Hermanson added. "We don't ask now about the gun readings. We just try to get all the bad things out of the way in Spring Training."
A call to arms: Williams officially stated Wednesday that the White Sox will leave Arizona with 11 pitchers, adding one asterisk to his commentary.
"The only caveat is if someone is hurting in the bullpen in the end and not hurting enough to be put on the disabled list," said Williams of a possible cause for a move from 11 to 12 pitchers. "Then, you are forced to carry the extra guy."
Three pitchers are legitimately in contention for the final relief opening, as left-hander Arnie Munoz was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte before Wednesday's game. Javier Lopez appears to have the edge over fellow left-hander Armando Almanza and right-hander Tim Redding, after Lopez hurled 1 2/3 scoreless innings against the Angels.
Lopez relieved Redding in the fifth, after Redding allowed one run on two hits in one-third of an inning. The lefty extended his stretch of scoreless spring appearances to four.
"Every time we put this kid there, he makes it tough for us," said Guillen of Lopez. "He has a good chance. We are going to continue to send him out there. He's the best lefty right now. He throws the ball over the plate and gets people out."
Swinging for success: Brian Anderson hasn't exactly had the best of success offensively through the first nine Cactus League contests, with an 0-for-3 effort Wednesday dropping his average to .188. But Anderson is more than satisfied with his mechanics.
"Even in the beginning, my swing felt good," Anderson said. "My only downfall was expanding my zone, swinging out of the zone. That tends to happen during your early at-bats in the spring.
"But I'm excited. My swing feels better than ever. It feels short, and I'm driving the good pitches I'm getting to hit."
All-Star request: Guillen asked Angels manager Mike Scioscia to serve as one of his coaches for the 2006 All-Star game in Pittsburgh, but Scioscia respectfully declined. Guillen plans to ask Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire and Kansas City manager Buddy Bell to join his American League coaching staff.
Stars of tomorrow: It's not often players wearing jerseys with Nos. 87 and 88 on their back get a mention from the big-league manager. But Guillen liked what he saw from left-hander Boone Logan (No. 87) and catcher Francisco Hernandez during Wednesday's 5-2 loss.
Logan gained notice during a "B" game on Sunday, striking out Rob Mackowiak and Jim Thome over 1 1/3 innings. He struck out one and allowed one hit over one scoreless inning against the Angels.
"I say in the meeting I want to take a look at guys in the Minors," Guillen said. "It's a good opportunity to have them, since we don't have as many pitchers with us."
Third to first: Mackowiak turned in the defensive inning of the spring during the third Wednesday. Mackowiak leaped over the left-field fence at Diablo Stadium to take away Tim Salmon's three-run home run and then made two slick running catches in the gap. ... Tadahito Iguchi is now 0-for-15 this spring, with two hitless at-bats Wednesday. ... Javier Vazquez allowed one run over three innings during Team Puerto Rico's victory over Panama on Tuesday in the World Baseball Classic.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

White Sox fall to Angels

2006-03-27T21:26:00.000-08:00

03/08/2006
White Sox at the plate: Gustavo Molina reached on an error by third baseman Brian Specht and scored on Ross Gload's fielder's choice in the sixth inning. Rob Mackowiak singled and scored on a wild pitch by Dustin Moseley.
Angels at the plate: Chone Figgins drilled his first home run of the spring, a wind-aided shot to lead off the first. Maicer Izturis singled and scored on Tim Salmon's sac fly, while Vladimir Guerrero singled and scored on an error by Paul Konerko. Reggie Willits drove in Howie Kendrick with a suicide squeeze in the fourth. Kendrick led off the inning with a triple to center field.
White Sox on the mound: Dustin Hermanson started and allowed one run on three hits with one strikeout in one inning. Lance Broadway followed and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over two innings.
Angels on the mound: Ervin Santana tossed three scoreless innings, allowing one walk and fanning three. Moseley allowed a pair of unearned runs over three innings.
Cactus League records: White Sox 2-7; Angels 3-3.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

White Sox bolster depth with Cintron

2006-03-27T21:25:00.000-08:00

03/08/2006
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Kenny Williams has made a scant few trades over his six years as general manager that left White Sox fans scratching their heads, wondering why the moves were made.
But currently it is the opposing general managers, trying to assemble teams to challenge the White Sox, who must be wondering how Williams continues to pull off transactions that make a talented team even deeper.
The defending World Series champions took yet another bold step toward strengthening their 2006 repeat effort Wednesday, acquiring infielder Alex Cintron from the Diamondbacks in exchange for Minor League reliever Jeff Bajenaru. Cintron, 27, falls into basically the same versatile category as Pablo Ozuna and Rob Mackowiak, in that the switch-hitter can play shortstop, third base and second base.
Cintron batted .273 in 2005 for Arizona, with 19 doubles, eight home runs and 48 RBIs in 122 games, as he played 39 games at shortstop, 32 at third and 23 at second. His addition gives the White Sox a true backup shortstop to starter Juan Uribe, guarding against injuries to not only the free-swinging starter but also Ozuna.
"I'm very excited to go to Chicago," said Cintron, who is playing for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. "It's a great opportunity to win. Arizona is a young team going in another direction."
Williams joked that if Uribe or Ozuna went down last year, the only shortstop options they had were right fielder Jermaine Dye or to activate manager Ozzie Guillen. This particular scenario sounds comical, at best, and for the most part implausible, but it actually played out during an afternoon series finale in Oakland in 2005.
"I don't think we should go there anymore," said Williams with a laugh of Dye filling in at shortstop. "You could file [the trade] under the category of making an acquisition, like we did with Uribe a couple of years ago, before there is a real need for the position. If we lose anyone for an extended period of time in our infield, we feel confident and comfortable that we will keep some continuity both offensively and defensively."
"We don't have a legit shortstop [after Uribe]," added Guillen of the planned role for Cintron, who is a .279 career hitter, with 280 games played at shortstop, 69 at second base and 58 at third. "When I need a shortstop for Uribe, we gamble and put in Ozuna. Then, when Ozuna is in the lineup and we need to pinch-hit, we don't have someone to play. With Cintron, our bench is going to be a lot stronger."
Guillen, who is close friends with the new utility player, said that the White Sox have been after Cintron for three seasons. Despite losing a quality arm in Bajenaru, the manager was thrilled to have Cintron as part of the organization.
The right-handed Bajenaru posted impressive Minor League numbers as a closer for the White Sox, finishing at 4-6 with a 1.41 ERA and 19 saves for Triple-A Charlotte in 2005, striking out 83 in 61 appearances. But Bajenaru could never crack the solid bullpen at the Major League level, dominated by right-handers.
Cintron's addition also brings into sharper focus the reserve role for Mackowiak. Instead of begin considered as a replacement all over the ballpark, from third to first and left to right, Mackowiak will be used primarily in the outfield and as a backup to third baseman Joe Crede. Ozuna also has the ability to play the outfield.
"We will free Mackowiak up for a few days in center, to give Brian [Anderson] some rest and protect him a little bit," Williams said. "One of the things we kept looking at with this whole thing is that every time we got into a situation or a conversation where we wondered, 'What happens if we want to pinch-hit for this guy or give this guy a day off?' Mackowiak kept coming up.
"He can only play one position at a time," said Williams. "Now, we have another guy who we feel just as strong about and just as confident about."
The open roster battles remaining on the 25-man roster appear to be down to two spots, barring injuries. Left-handers Javier Lopez and Armando Almanza will be competing with right-hander Tim Redding for one bullpen opening, while Ross Gload, Joe Borchard and Jerry Owens all are after the final outfield slot behind Mackowiak.
Cintron also is an accomplished pinch-hitter, an area where Gload excels, hitting .304 in 46 at-bats last year in that role. Cintron added three home runs and 12 RBIs as a pinch-hitter, tying for the National League lead among pinch-hitters in home runs and tying for third in RBIs.
"Ultimately, as I have tried to do in the past, I let the coaches dictate who they need the most," said Williams of the final outfield spot. "In the case of Owens, there are also developmental issues we have to discuss, and I will have a greater input in regards to him. But we are just trying to take the best team that gives us the best chance possible."
Since the World Series clinching victory over Houston in late October, Williams has added Jim Thome, Mackowiak, Javier Vazquez and now Cintron to the 2006 White Sox. Although it's hard to believe for a team that won 16 of its final 17 games last year, the South Siders appear to be an even better team on paper.
That fact will leave more than a few opposing teams in a state of wonder as the 2006 season approaches.
"We can go all left-handed or with a predominantly right-handed lineup," Williams said. "And we feel confident with everyone we have out there."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/