Being Ozzie Guillentag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2008-03-29:/649412009-11-07T15:23:06ZIt's hard to match the entertaining prose produced from the mind of the White Sox manager. But White Sox beat writer Scott Merkin gives it a try.Movable Type Pro 4.25Getz, Fields move on with classtag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.13176112009-11-07T15:16:29Z2009-11-07T15:23:06ZChris Getz heard the rumors.They started Thursday morning, when his cell phone was blowing up with calls from people who knew better than to contact him so early in the morning. Getz repeatedly hit ignore and tried to fall back...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com They started Thursday morning, when his cell phone was blowing up with calls from people who knew better than to contact him so early in the morning. Getz repeatedly hit ignore and tried to fall back to sleep, until finally checking his phone to figure out the source of this commotion.
Reports had Getz, the White Sox starting second baseman for much of the 2009 campaign, as part of a trade to the Royals that brought back Mark Teahen. The only problem for Getz was he had heard nothing remotely official from the White Sox. Actually, he had heard nothing at all.
That official announcement wouldn't come until Friday morning, when White Sox general manager Ken Williams placed a call to the Royals' newest infield acquisition.
A strange 24 hours indeed for Getz.
"At least it was only 24 hours, rather than anything longer than that," Getz said. "It's history, but I'm sure they would do it differently if they knew it was going to get out like that. Basically, everyone knew but the players."
Josh Fields, the White Sox top pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, also was part of the deal for Teahen and cash considerations from the Royals. But whereas the move was a bit stunning for Getz, it was a welcomed change for Fields.
At 27, which Fields will turn on Dec. 14, the new father just didn't see himself as a part-time player. He has a far better chance of proving that point with the Royals.
"I think it's going to work out good in Kansas City," Fields said. "I always will appreciate Chicago, being that it was my first team, the team where I first made it to the big leagues and the team that gave me the opportunity.
"In 2008, I got to experience playoff type atmosphere. Now, I'm looking forward to taking the experience I've had with Chicago, both the good and the bad, and putting it all together when I go with Kansas City."
Dealing with both Getz and Fields has been a positive experience from my point of view, and I suspect most of my media brethren would agree. They were good talkers, displaying refreshing candor, and always made themselves accessible, even when they didn't really want to be accessible. Actually, that trait has been fairly common for most of the White Sox players over the past eight years, minus one or two exceptions.
Getz had what turned out to be the unfortunate coincidence for him of attending the same university I did in Ann Arbor. Unfortunate, in that he endured countless minutes of clubhouse analysis from me on the resurgence of the University of Michigan basketball program and the disaster that is the football program under Rich Rodriguez. When I joked with him on Friday as to how I can still keep him updated during Spring Training, being that the training sites are in the same general Arizona vicinity, I think Getz suddenly wished he was traded to team who trained in Florida--or maybe out of the country.
Williams explained on Friday how there was a cash portion of this deal needing approval, which pushed back the official word to Friday, and left Getz and Fields wondering and waiting on Thursday. Obviously, Williams' style has never been to leave his players unsure as to where they stand, and he made that clear to Getz, Fields and the media.
"You know how I feel about things getting out before it's time for them to get out," Williams said. "It puts players in an uncomfortable position."
But there's no retribution promised from Getz and Fields for their momentary discomfort. They simply want to contribute to success for their new team, just as they did for their old team.
"Really, it's better to be wanted than to not be wanted at all," Getz said. "When I'm out there (for Kansas City), I just want to help the team win. I'm not trying to gain vengeance against the White Sox. I'll just do the same things I always do."
"There's no extra incentive. It's a business," Fields said. "You want to go beat up on any team we play against, and the White Sox are no different. Any time you are in the big leagues, it's a positive experience. You dream of it as a little kid, and to get there and spend significant time, it's positive regardless."
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Viciedo shut downtag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12989712009-10-26T21:30:29Z2009-10-26T21:33:21Z Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.comDayan Viciedo was shut down for the remainder of the Arizona Fall League schedule with inflammation in his throwing elbow, as announced by the White Sox on Monday.
Brent Morel will replace Viciedo as part of the Peoria Javelinas roster, joining fellow White Sox Minor Leaguers in outfielder Jordan Danks, infielder C.J Retherford and pitchers Justin Cassel, Matt Long and Jacob Rasner.
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Be preparedtag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12903912009-10-21T01:50:44Z2009-10-21T01:56:45ZDuring the final days of the 2009 regular season, Ozzie Guillen made it abundantly clear as to how White Sox players were expected to come ready to play from the first day of Spring Training, 2010 in mid-February. Don't use...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com Those same strong comments were made by general manager Ken Williams during his last chat with the media and by White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf in a talk with the players before batting practice on the final home weekend. Simply put, the White Sox brass was not going to tolerate another sub-par year such as the one just completed.
Apparently, a few weeks away from his team's 79-83 finish haven't softened Guillen's stance on this particular topic.
"Kenny and Jerry made it clear to everyone--come ready to play in Spring Training," said Guillen during a Tuesday conference call, in which he discussed the team, as well as Gordon Beckham's selection as one of the 2009 Sporting News Rookies of the Year.
"We expect to win next year, like we expect to win every year," Guillen said. "So, they better be prepared."
Guillen's conference call response came at the end of a question concerning Freddy Garcia. The veteran right-hander, who closed out his 2009 campaign with seven quality starts in his last eight trips to the mound, had his $1 million 2010 option picked up by the White Sox.
The starting rotation alignment has Garcia currently penciled in at No. 5, a hidden luxury when considering Garcia's vast pitching knowledge and big-game success. But despite Garcia and Guillen basically being family members, Garcia won't be cut any extra slack if he shows up to Glendale out of shape.
"Freddy know what he have to do, and if he's not ready for Spring Training, then we make a move," Guillen said. "I'm not going to babysit him. But he has to stay strong for him, not just for us. Just work hard and take care of himself. Freddy won't have any problem.
"Everyone has that same responsibility. Jerry made it clear. It doesn't matter how much money you make. If you are not prepared, we will find another home for you."
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Williams turns comedian for a great causetag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12739912009-10-09T15:53:57Z2009-10-09T15:56:22ZIf I were asked to provide a word or two to describe White Sox general manager Ken Williams, a few would immediately come to mind.--Driven--Hard-working--Intense--Focused--SuccessfulYou get the picture. He wants to win another World Series, and basically that thought consumes...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com --Driven
--Hard-working
--Intense
--Focused
--Successful
You get the picture. He wants to win another World Series, and basically that thought consumes his every waking hour, by his own admission. Well, almost every waking hour.
But how about Ken Williams, Improv comedian or Improv actor?
Well, I would put that description right up there with the likelihood of 'Ken Williams, lover of blogs.'
On Friday night, though, Williams will be making a brief foray into this particular world for a very good cause.
Williams is one of the celebrity guests at Friday's 'Night of 1,000 Noogies,' featuring the world famous Second City, presented by the Associate Board of Gilda's Club Chicago. The event takes place at the Park West Theater on 322 W. Armitage in Chicago, running from 7-11 p.m., and will feature original scenes and songs through improvisation that honor Chicago's finest celebrity characters.
According to the write-up for this great event, guests will enjoy a one-of-a-kind improv comedy show, with a raffle and silent auction. Proceeds from the event benefit Gilda's Club Chicago, a free support community for men, women, children, families and friends touched by cancer.
I'm not sure if the celebrities such as Williams, Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and CBS2's political editor Mike Flannery, to name a few, will be part of the actual skits or just the subject of them. Anyone who has interviewed Williams or watched him in action on television understands that he's a very eloquent speaker and I can tell you Williams also has a self-deprecating sense of humor. He should be a boon to the cause.
While I won't be in attendance, and I certainly would have been there if I was in Chicago, I would like to make my contribution. I'm a big supporter of Second City, having seen many a show, so I know one of the improv games they play is starting a skit with a suggestion of one sentence from the audience.
If Williams is part of this particular improv game, allow me to throw out a few suggested Williams' classics for the people in attendance to use.
For your entertainment pleasure:
"You can't spend a dollar if you only have 50 cents."
"He needs to stay out of White Sox business."
And one of our favorites on the White Sox beat:
"That's not a Kenny Williams problem."
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Talk of tiebreakerstag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12711412009-10-08T01:11:36Z2009-10-08T01:15:10ZThe first comment made to Ron Gardenhire during his opening interview session of the American League Division Series Wednesday at Yankee Stadium was an offer of congratulations for Minnesota's great win over Detroit in Tuesday's thrilling American League Central tiebreaker...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com At that point, the Minnesota manager sort of patted his heart and smiled, as if to humorously indicate the ticker barely survived Tuesday's excitement. But it didn't stop Gardenhire from talking about a game that will live on a long time in his memory.
"I was so proud of both teams last night for the way both teams never quit and kept getting after it," Gardenhire said. "I told (Detroit manager) Jim Leyland after the game that was one of the best games I've ever been involved in.
"Just watching two teams butting heads and going after it and never giving up and all the ups and downs. It was just fantastic baseball."
Gardenhire and the Twins are no stranger to this sort of win-or-go home type of contest. In a game that was every bit as exciting as last night's memorable affair, Minnesota came up short to the White Sox in a 1-0 final that gave the South Siders the 2008 AL Central title. That contest featured great pitching by John Danks and Nick Blackburn, Jim Thome's mammoth home run for the game's only run and a pinpoint throw by center fielder Ken Griffey, Jr. and an even better catch and tag by A.Z. Pierzynski to nail Michael Cuddyer at the plate
There was one problem with that contest in Gardenhire's mind. Well, two if you factor in the final. The home field was decided by a coin flip, which went the way of the White Sox, although Minnesota had the better 2008 head-to-head record.
"Last year, I didn't really particularly like it because of a coin toss," Gardenhire said. "I thought that really (stunk). This year, you went on head-to-head and we got the ballgame at home which kind of helped us out.
"I don't recommend everybody playing 163 games every year. It would be a lot easier to go the different route and do what the Yankees did or some of the other guys. Just play 162 and then you're in the playoffs. But, you know what, it's character -- I mean it's kind of mind-boggling. It shows a lot of character."
Minnesota shortstop Orlando Cabrera agreed. Cabrera has played on the winning team in each of the last two AL Central tiebreakers and gives the Twins' victory a slight edge.
"By far, that was the most emotional and intense game I've ever seen or played in," Cabrera said. "And I've played in and watched a lot of games since I was a kid in Colombia.
"It was unbelievable. I never expected the Detroit Tigers to play that kind of game, especially the way they have been playing for the last eight games. I was really impressed with them. We put on a good show."
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White Sox ready for game's changetag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12625012009-10-04T00:21:37Z2009-10-04T00:26:28ZAccording to the White Sox brass, baseball is changing.It's a theory postulated by general manager Ken Williams during his final regular season chat with the media at U.S. Cellular Field, with Williams explaining, as an example, how 30 home runs...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com It's a theory postulated by general manager Ken Williams during his final regular season chat with the media at U.S. Cellular Field, with Williams explaining, as an example, how 30 home runs from a player really will mean something in a future game based more on pitching and defense than slugging. Before Saturday's contest, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen addressed the same topic and listed his team in a good position to handle the change.
"The main thing is we have it right now," said Guillen of competing in the newer small ball world. "It's one thing about it, baseball is going to change. How's it going to change? You're not going to see too many power numbers like you did in the past.
"And we're in the right direction. That's the main reason (Alex) Rios is here. I think that's the reason (Jake) Peavy is here. That's the reason we gave a shot to Gordon (Beckham).
"We got better athletes out there," Guillen said. "But in the meanwhile, you've got to do it little by little. You cannot just dump everything or bring everything back. We did it little by little, I think Kenny has done a good job - even though people don't believe that - Kenny has done a good job to match the spots we need and bring the guys along, make us better."
While addressing the makeup of the team, Guillen spoke about a few specific future question marks.
--On trading closer Bobby Jenks: "Tough call. We don't want to trade him, but in the meanwhile, Kenny's never going to say no to any trade if he thinks it's going to help this organization.
"I still think Bobby's going to be our closer next year. If something happens between now and next year, then we'll make a move. Can (Matt) Thornton close a game? A lot of people doubt it; I say yes he can. He's got good enough stuff and he's got experience. I think right now, our bullpen's going to make maybe a few changes. I think on paper, it's a good bullpen, physically. But honestly, very inconsistent and we've got to get better.
--On Jermaine Dye's tremendous five-year run in Chicago possibly coming to an end: "It's going to be very tough for me, personally, not as a manager. I have to deal with that every year. Some guys go I love, but that's a part of the game.
"In the meanwhile, I hope that doesn't happen, but this is a business. One guy who would be crushed is me. I think JD, I cannot say anything bad about this kid. This kid was great from the first day he put his uniform on to the last day he will. He's very professional and I feel proud to be his manager. He knows he's going to have a friend no matter where he's playing. Hopefully he comes back. I don't know. That's not my job. It's been great to have him with me all these years."
--On Tony Pena stepping into Octavio Dotel's late-inning relief role, with Dotel headed toward free agency: "I think Pena's fine. I think Pena's in the spot he should be in. We just got him to help the bullpen.
"We put him in big spots and he failed, but all of the sudden he bounced back and pitched well. As long as he does that, he's going to help make the organization better. He knows his role and next year, he might know his role a little bit better. I'm pretty pleased with the way he's thrown and I know he's going to get better."
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Cooper expects step up in 2010 from Jenkstag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12608512009-10-03T00:59:18Z2009-10-03T01:04:24ZPitching coach Don Cooper tempers his look to the future with the fact that the White Sox still have two games remaining to play to complete the 2009 campaign.But Cooper already has started putting together thoughts about individual improvements to...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com But Cooper already has started putting together thoughts about individual improvements to benefit the whole staff in 2010, and one of those targets is closer Bobby Jenks.
"Bobby needs to pick up next year with a better season than he had this year," said Cooper, when asked to assess the White Sox staff prior to Friday's series opener in Detroit. "Bobby has run into a few things this year."
Jenks battled through problems with kidney stones this season that were basically out of his control. He also was shut down last week with a strained right calf. Cooper mentioned an ongoing back issue, though, that might have contributed to Jenks' 3.71 ERA and 29 saves in 35 chances--still good numbers but not equal to his lofty previous standards.
"Bobby has had a little bit of a back issue for two years and we can't put our finger on exactly why," Cooper said. "It's kind of a freak thing. And Bobby had the calf thing.
"We have to look into somehow, someway trying to avoid two of those things because I don't know if there's much you can do about kidney stones. We have to try to look into each individual guy and what can we do to put them in better position so we don't lose their availability."
The White Sox closer, who has 146 career saves in 168 opportunities, could once again be the subject of offseason trade rumors. He figures to get an increase through arbitration from his $5.6 million salary in 2009, and the White Sox have another viable closer option in Matt Thornton. But Cooper is operating under the assumption that Jenks will be back as his last line of pitching defense, looking for ways to strengthen his attack.
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White Sox react to Olympic snubtag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12607112009-10-02T23:58:29Z2009-10-03T00:04:25ZI was at Midway Airport Friday morning, getting ready to board my flight for Detroit, when a woman standing in front of me, watching CNN on one of the overhanging televisions, made the following statement."Chicago didn't get the Olympics," she...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com "Chicago didn't get the Olympics," she said, shaking her head.
To be honest, I thought the timing was a bit odd, especially since the final announcement wasn't supposed to come until around lunch time and we were boarding at about 10:15 a.m. CT. Everyone in Chicago had thought the final call would be between the Windy City and Rio de Janeiro.
Much to my surprise, Chicago had been eliminated as a potential host for the 2016 Summer Games in the first vote, ahead of the three other finalist cities.
Those shockwaves reached as far as White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who put forth that sentiment during his pregame meeting with the media on Friday at Comerica Park.
"Chin up," said Guillen with a smile about Chicago's valiant bid that came up short. "I was shocked because I never thought Chicago would be eliminated in the first round. I think everyone in the states was shocked.
"Don't give up. Keep fighting for the future and hopefully one of these days we have it. But I was shocked."
Gordon Beckham was 10 years old when Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics. The White Sox rookie third baseman and Georgia native remembers attending events that included Michael Johnson winning gold in the 200 m and watching Carl Lewis win gold in the long jump at 35.
At such a young age, Beckham didn't get the full impact of Olympic competition but said it was a fun experience. Even though he could still be with the White Sox nine years from now, his feelings were a bit mixed when asked about Chicago falling short to Rio.
"It would have been nice and interesting," said Beckham of Chicago hosting the Olympics. "But it would have been a lot of... . That city would have been going nuts and it would have been really tough to concentrate on baseball when that was going on.
"I'm not too disappointed. It seems like everyone is sad and I'm sure the city put a lot of effort into the bid. It (stinks) they didn't get it. But for me personally, I'm ok with it not being a complete circus."
Although I'm obviously not in Chicago, I can only imagine the collective disappointment. Many of the local establishments in the downtown Chicago area where I live were opening early on Friday morning for the Olympic announcement and what they hoped would be the ensuing frenzied celebration.
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Buehrle skipped; The Chairman speakstag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12485912009-09-26T04:12:46Z2009-09-26T04:15:23ZCarlos Torres will take the mound Tuesday night in Cleveland in place of Mark Buehrle, with the White Sox left-hander possibly having made his last start of the 2009 campaign."They are pushing me back a couple of days," said Buehrle,...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com "They are pushing me back a couple of days," said Buehrle, prior to Friday's 2-0 victory over the Tigers.
"Right now, we're not in the situation like we need to go there," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen of his left-handed ace. "Right now, we don't know what we're going to do about it, but I think it's not worth it to take the aggravation."
Buehrle will continue to do his regular work in between starts. Guillen hinted that if the last game of the 2009 regular season at Comerica Park means something for the Tigers or the Twins, then maybe Buehrle would make the start.
"I'm not 100 percent sure," Guillen said.
Otherwise, Buehrle closes out another workmanlike year. He has a 12-10 record, 3.95 ERA and his requisite 32 starts and 207 1/3 innings pitched. The only disappointment for Buehrle would be his 1-7 record and 5.18 ERA over 12 starts since his July 23 perfect game, a stretch in which he has yielded 97 hits in 73 innings.
--Along with the presentations made to Buehrle in honor of the 18th perfect game thrown in Major League history, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf gave the team a bit of a pep talk early Friday directed toward 2010 preparedness.
"He wants guys to make sure they are going to come in wanting to win and get to the playoffs," said White Sox rookie third baseman Gordon Beckham of Reinsdorf's talk. "Hopefully we can do it. He's the boss and a great person. I really enjoy being around him as much as possible. We all want to do better and fulfill what he wants us to do."
According to Jake Peavy, Friday's winning pitcher, Reinsdorf's words gave him an offseason adrenaline boost past the excitement he already had built up to be ready for 2010.
"Just hearing Jerry talk to the team today got me fired up," Peavy said. "Talking about competing this winter and being ready to come back and give everything we got to win a world championship next year."
--Brandon Inge faced Peavy while the right-hander was pitching at a Cy Young-caliber level with the Padres in the National League. And while Peavy wasn't quite at that level of performance on Friday, Detroit's third baseman still came away impressed.
"He looked pretty good," said Inge of Peavy. "His fastball is still jumping pretty good on you. Obviously, it's not where it used to be; I faced him three or four years ago and he was touching 97, 98. He doesn't have that kind of juice.
"Nonetheless, it comes out of his hand really well. It really didn't matter because his slider made up for everything. It was filthy."
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White Sox honor Buehrle's perfectiontag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12481312009-09-26T01:01:01Z2009-09-26T01:08:57ZMark Buehrle gladly would trade the 18th perfect game thrown in Major League history, along with all of the accolades to follow, in exchange for enough wins to put the White Sox into the postseason or at least into playoff...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com But much like 2007, when Buehrle's April no-hitter hurled against Texas served as one of the few highlights of the season, his perfect game against Tampa Bay stands out as one of the few second-half bright spots for the White Sox in 2009.
"That's what it turned out to be," said Buehrle with a laugh, who mentioned the day he threw the perfect game, putting the White Sox in a first-place tie with Detroit, as to how he hoped that moment would not be the season's high point.
"(Paul) Konerko and A.J. (Pierzynski) were saying, 'Just go seven innings next year and win 25 because that way we can win,'" Buehrle said. "It seems like every time I go out there and have a game where something special happens, the rest of the year we don't play good."
Buehrle's perfect game yet again was recognized prior to White Sox stretch for Friday's series opener with the Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field during a team-only ceremony down the left field line. White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf presented Buehrle with a display for his house filled with front-page accounts from around the country of Buehrle's amazing feat, personalized notes from his teammates and memorabilia from July 23.
Reinsdorf also gave Buehrle a ring specially commissioned in honor of the perfect game, and in another typical act of generosity from the White Sox chairman, a ring was also given to Buehrle's father, John.
"Obviously, it shows the class of the organization, the White Sox," Buehrle said. "Jerry, going out there and doing stuff like that. It's a great accomplishment but recognizing it by getting a ring and a big display case for the house, and then going above and beyond getting my dad one. It just shows you how awesome Jerry is."
Much has been made over the years about Buehrle's jokes centering on how he would like to someday pitch for the Cardinals. Actually, Buehrle was dead serious when talking earlier this year about suiting up for a start or two in St. Louis before the end of his career arrived.
Apparently, pitching in St. Louis during the All-Star Game this year temporarily satisfied his desire to work there. Buehrle is happy being one of the faces of the White Sox franchise and ending his highly successful career in Chicago.
"I've said that if I play a couple of more years here and my career ends and I never put a Cardinals jersey on, it's not like my career is unfinished or I would be disappointed," Buehrle said. "Not one percent of me thinks that. I would be honored to just retire here and not play for anyone else.
"When I went to college, going into a new group of guys, the first week I was there, I was ready to go home. You are trying to find a comfort level and meet new people. But once you get to know everybody, you get comfortable and fit right in.
"It was the same way when I got drafted and I got called up here," Buehrle said. "You just get to know people. You are friendly to everyone and hope everyone likes you and you go out and do your job."
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White Sox weekend pitching alignmenttag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12454712009-09-24T19:48:53Z2009-09-24T19:50:26ZJust for official clarification, from White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper, Jake Peavy will start the series opener Friday against Detroit. Freddy Garcia will pitch Saturday night's contest. Daniel Hudson is expected to start the 2009 home finale....Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com ]]>
Williams' 2010 missiontag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12446312009-09-24T05:21:31Z2009-09-24T05:23:49ZThe rest of the American League Central should be warned.Ken Williams is not happy with the White Sox dismal 2009 showing, and he's not simply chalking it up to a run of bad luck or a poor September finish. One...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com Ken Williams is not happy with the White Sox dismal 2009 showing, and he's not simply chalking it up to a run of bad luck or a poor September finish. One sub-par season under Williams usually leads to even greater resolve for a big winner in the following year.
Travel with me, if you will, back to 2007. If you are a White Sox fan, make that trip at your own peril.
Williams' squad finished with a 72-90 record, but it was so far out of contention so early on, the White Sox general manager didn't really have time to seethe. In fact, Williams and his staff had time to start brainstorming as to what changes would be needed for 2008, the changes that produced the 2008 AL Central champs.
I remember being in Memphis for a panel discussion during the Civil Rights Game weekend prior to the start of the 2008 season, still one of the most memorable events I've covered since being on this job, and Williams had been invited as part of this distinguished group. A man from the audience stood up to ask a question and started by saying that he was a White Sox fan.
"Then, let me apologize for last season," said Williams with a smile.
When Williams spoke with the media for 28 minutes on Wednesday afternoon, I didn't see that same humor. He was flat-out angry that this team came up short, a team he thought should have at the least made the playoffs. I saw determination and possibly the early seeds of a 2010 title push beginning.
As for 2009, Williams minced no words when using "underachieving" to describe this group.
"We are not playing up to our capabilities, period," Williams said.
Asked after Wednesday's loss to Minnesota if he agreed, catcher A.J. Pierzynski took a more diplomatic approach.
"I expect to win every game we play, and I know it's not realistic," Pierzynski said. "He has the right to say we underachieved, and I'm sure we are all disappointed and not happy where we are. It's an OK word to use."
You can bet Williams and his staff will do everything possible to make sure "underachieved" is not a word in the White Sox vocabulary for 2010.
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Jenks done for the 2009 seasontag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12423612009-09-23T03:48:53Z2009-09-23T03:49:54ZBobby Jenks is done for the year after suffering a pulled right calf muscle during pregame workouts at U. S. Cellular Field on Tuesday."I heard the pop, felt it and it's not good," said Jenks, after the White Sox dropped...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com "I heard the pop, felt it and it's not good," said Jenks, after the White Sox dropped an 8-6 decision to the Twins. "It's unfortunate with the timing with everything, the way our team has been going. All together, it's one (bad) deal."
The White Sox closer explained how he had a slight strain of the same area in Seattle last week. But the extra effort given on Tuesday pushed the injury too far.
"During stretch and warm-ups, I went a little overboard and did a little too much," Jenks said. "I guess I wasn't happy with the slight strain. I had to do it all the way."
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Walker comes to Dye's defensetag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12404012009-09-22T03:59:14Z2009-09-22T04:01:59ZWhen talking about Jermaine Dye, whose average dipped to .248 with his 0-for-3 showing on Monday, White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker simply will not address his second-half struggles alone. He wants to look at Dye's overall body of work...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com "The first thing I'm going to say is there's nobody more disappointed in the second half than Jermaine," said Walker, during a recent interview with MLB.com. "But I am going to take up for him in the fact that over the last five years, he's been about as consistent of a player as anybody in baseball.
"I'm not going to fixate on the second half this year. Take a step back and look at the big picture. This guy has been a great player for us for five years."
Walker said that the coaching staff has built up a lot of knowledge about what makes Dye tick mentally and mechanically since he joined the team in 2005. They have a "basket full of knowledge" where Dye is concerned, but nothing tried has seemed to work.
"To be honest with you, we've tried a lot of things," Walker said. "We try not to do too many things, but we've used a lot of tricks. Jermaine has just got himself in a bad spot that happens to everyone who has played this game for the length of time he has played it.
"He has handled it mentally better than the majority of players who ever played. Mentally, he's in a spot where he has not been able to be successful in the second half. If I knew what it was, I would throw some fairy dust on it and all would be handled.
"For whatever reason, mentally he's been in between--late on fastballs and early on breaking balls," Walker said. "Mentally, we've tried different approaches, different spots in the box. We've done everything we know and we've worked pretty good as a team together but we have not got it done in the second half."
Although Dye has been dismal since the break, Walker does not believe Dye's career has come to a sudden halt. Not with his highly productive first half or his great makeup as a competitor.
These two months of offensive disaster won't make Walker forget what Dye already has accomplished.
"This won't be the favorite second half he's ever played, I promise you that," said Walker of Dye. "But he's got a great back of his baseball card.
"I don't think it's physical, but I have enough common sense to know he's older than he was. But he's not just stepping back and settling for, 'This just isn't your year.' He's working continuously and daily, but so far this second half we've not gotten it done. That's just a fact."
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RAW is A.J.?tag:scottmerkin.mlblogs.com,2009://64941.12187612009-09-09T04:53:40Z2009-09-09T04:57:38ZFor those who missed WWE's Monday Night Raw broadcast or weren't there live at the AllState Arena, you missed a truly classic A.J. Pierzynski moment.Pierzynski was sitting in the front row with teammates Jermaine Dye, Gordon Beckham and Chris Getz,...Scott Merkinhttp://www.whitesox.com Pierzynski was sitting in the front row with teammates Jermaine Dye, Gordon Beckham and Chris Getz, when some segment began called 'The Price is Raw' hosted by the legendary Bob Barker. Wrestlers IRS and Santino Morrello already had been called down, as was some attractive looking blonde-haired woman named Jillian, who I'm guessing was associated with the WWE.
To be honest, I haven't watched RAW in a while so I'm not familiar with all of the athletes. Someday, I'll have to blog about my brief career as a wrestling play-by-play man, for a MUCH smaller wrestling organization, but that's another tale for another time.
Barker needed another contestant to complete contestants' row and who was called down but Pierzynski. The White Sox catcher and former wrestler/manager, and I think champion of some sort in TNA, the rival pro wrestling organization, completely sold the bit, reacting as if he just won the World Series yet again when his name was called and he got to meet Barker. Pierzynski even was wearing a Price is Right style name tag with A.J. on it.
Unfortunately, Pierzynski's bid of $1,000 was not the winner but stood as good television nonetheless. Here's an early prediction: Whenever Pierzynski decides to retire as a Major League Baseball catcher, he will be a star if he decides to go into the wrestling business. He could be the next Bobby Heenan as a manager or Jerry Lawler as an announcer.
Not sure if he wants the bumps and bruises as a wrestler, after enduing the bumps and bruises as a catcher.