Post by Fish Troll on May 26, 2007 10:07:48 GMT -5
Notes: Guillen welcomes All-Star return
Sox skipper would be 'very excited' to coach on 2007 staff
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
CHICAGO -- Even individuals from Chicago who wouldn't be considered big baseball fans paid special attention to the 2006 All-Star Game, played at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Of course, a Midsummer Classic featuring seven representatives from the White Sox was sure to garner a little extra attention. But all eyes and ears were honed in on Ozzie Guillen, waiting and listening for the White Sox manager's performance on a national stage.
Guillen handled himself with class, dignity and his usual infusion of humor, reaping the rewards of the franchise's World Series title in 2005. It was a truly positive experience for Guillen, so much so that he would love to go back to the 2007 All-Star Game in San Francisco.
On this occasion, Guillen would serve as a coach on the staff of Jim Leyland, the Detroit manager whom Guillen holds in high esteem.
"I would be more than proud to do that, very excited," Guillen told MLB.com of the chance to coach in San Francisco with Leyland. "If he picks me, I will get my own plane and go there."
When pushed further about a chance to coach vs. going home and spending time with his family in Florida during the All-Star break, Guillen did say he believes managers who have never been there before should be picked first as coaches. Guillen also understands serving as a coach would have far less built-in responsibilities than being an All-Star manager.
Then again, Guillen hopes to have a few more All-Star managerial opportunities, courtesy of White Sox titles.
"It means you won the year before," Guillen said. "I would pay everything to be an All-Star manager one or two more years, at least."
Later than sooner: While Guillen was out in Chicago on Friday morning, he was asked by an ardent White Sox fan as to when leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik would return to the lineup. Guillen didn't provide a very encouraging report, based on a recent conversation he had with Podsednik.
"I said, 'Don't worry about it. Just pay your ticket before that. You are not going to see him for a little while,'" said Guillen of his answer to the fan's Podsednik question. "I asked him the other day just to play around and the answer [didn't] make me too excited.
"He's not even close to talk about him right now. I think maybe hopefully in July or end of June."
Podsednik continues to go through batting practice and even took ground balls in the outfield on Friday. But before thoughts of a Podsednik return to the Majors can be entertained after his complete recovery, the fleet-footed left-handed hitter will have an extensive Minor League rehab in his future.
For now, Guillen seems content to platoon Pablo Ozuna and Rob Mackowiak in left field, with an eye toward Triple-A Charlotte, where Brian Anderson, Ryan Sweeney and Jerry Owens are trying to catch the attention of the big-league squad. Luis Terrero, who made better sense to stay on the roster as a bench player than Sweeney, earned the start in center for Friday's contest and hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning.
Still short-handed: Joe Crede returned to the starting lineup Friday after missing parts of four games due to a sore back. But Crede's return was marked by the absence of first baseman Paul Konerko, who was dealing with a death in the family, according to Guillen.
"[Saturday], he should be on time and hopefully resolve the problem right away," said Guillen of Konerko, who was not expected at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday.
Thursday's day off was beneficial to the third baseman's recovery, by Crede's own estimation. He also believes that this week's back issue won't be a recurring problem costing him chunks of playing time in 2007.
"To me, it's just a little bump in the road," Crede said. "Just pulled a little muscle back there and I was able to overcome it, and I'll be able to play every day.
"It wasn't to the extent to where we were really worried about it. But it was something that's happened before and we knew how to attack it and were able to calm it down."
Get Going White Sox: Guillen presented a startling stolen bases statistic involving his team prior to Friday's weekend series opener with the Devil Rays. According to Guillen, the White Sox had fewer stolen bases than Oakland -- a notorious station-to-station team.
"That's not good. Those guys haven't run in the last 10 years and we are supposed to be a running team," said Guillen with a laugh. "That's a little embarrassing. We are supposed to be the 'Go Go White Sox,' and we have less stolen bases than the A's."
Guillen's statistic wasn't quite accurate, as the White Sox 19 stolen bases put them one ahead of Oakland. The South Siders sit third from the bottom in the AL, with Toronto's 16 stolen bases ranking as the lowest total.
It's impossible to steal bases when hitters aren't getting on base. But with the offense breaking loose in the past week, hitting .306 over the past five games, Guillen plans for a more aggressive team on the basepaths.
"I don't mind when people steal bases and they are out," Guillen said. "I like people running."
Around the horn: The White Sox have a 3-6 record after off-days this season, including four losses in their last five games entering Friday. ... Bobby Jenks' 13 straight saves tie him with Tampa Bay's Al Reyes for the longest active streak in the American League. ... Guillen still plans to start catcher Toby Hall on Sunday against Tampa Bay left-hander Scott Kazmir, and on Monday at the Metrodome against Johan Santana. ... Mark Buehrle entered Friday's start with the second-highest total of innings pitched in the Majors since 2001, with his total of 1,425 2/3 innings, trailing only Arizona's Livan Hernandez (1,457 1/3).
Down on the farm: Gio Gonzalez struck out 12 over six innings, allowing three hits and walking just one, but Double-A Birmingham still dropped a 2-1 decision at Carolina in 11 innings on Thursday. Gonzalez has 74 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings this season. ... Anderson had two hits, including his third home run, and drove in three runs as part of Triple-A Charlotte's 9-7 loss to Ottawa. Josh Fields knocked out his eighth home run and drove in two, while Sweeney added two hits. ... Kyle McCulloch gave up just one run over six innings, leading Class A Winston-Salem to a 2-1 victory in eight innings over Kinston during Game 1 of a doubleheader. The Warthogs lost the nightcap.
On deck: Despite posting seven quality starts in his last 18 trips to the mound, dating back to Aug. 10, 2006, Javier Vazquez (2-2, 4.21 ERA) has recorded just two victories. Vazquez, who starts Saturday night's contest at 6:05 p.m. CT, has a 3-1 record with a 4.89 ERA lifetime against the Devil Rays.
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Sox skipper would be 'very excited' to coach on 2007 staff
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
CHICAGO -- Even individuals from Chicago who wouldn't be considered big baseball fans paid special attention to the 2006 All-Star Game, played at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Of course, a Midsummer Classic featuring seven representatives from the White Sox was sure to garner a little extra attention. But all eyes and ears were honed in on Ozzie Guillen, waiting and listening for the White Sox manager's performance on a national stage.
Guillen handled himself with class, dignity and his usual infusion of humor, reaping the rewards of the franchise's World Series title in 2005. It was a truly positive experience for Guillen, so much so that he would love to go back to the 2007 All-Star Game in San Francisco.
On this occasion, Guillen would serve as a coach on the staff of Jim Leyland, the Detroit manager whom Guillen holds in high esteem.
"I would be more than proud to do that, very excited," Guillen told MLB.com of the chance to coach in San Francisco with Leyland. "If he picks me, I will get my own plane and go there."
When pushed further about a chance to coach vs. going home and spending time with his family in Florida during the All-Star break, Guillen did say he believes managers who have never been there before should be picked first as coaches. Guillen also understands serving as a coach would have far less built-in responsibilities than being an All-Star manager.
Then again, Guillen hopes to have a few more All-Star managerial opportunities, courtesy of White Sox titles.
"It means you won the year before," Guillen said. "I would pay everything to be an All-Star manager one or two more years, at least."
Later than sooner: While Guillen was out in Chicago on Friday morning, he was asked by an ardent White Sox fan as to when leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik would return to the lineup. Guillen didn't provide a very encouraging report, based on a recent conversation he had with Podsednik.
"I said, 'Don't worry about it. Just pay your ticket before that. You are not going to see him for a little while,'" said Guillen of his answer to the fan's Podsednik question. "I asked him the other day just to play around and the answer [didn't] make me too excited.
"He's not even close to talk about him right now. I think maybe hopefully in July or end of June."
Podsednik continues to go through batting practice and even took ground balls in the outfield on Friday. But before thoughts of a Podsednik return to the Majors can be entertained after his complete recovery, the fleet-footed left-handed hitter will have an extensive Minor League rehab in his future.
For now, Guillen seems content to platoon Pablo Ozuna and Rob Mackowiak in left field, with an eye toward Triple-A Charlotte, where Brian Anderson, Ryan Sweeney and Jerry Owens are trying to catch the attention of the big-league squad. Luis Terrero, who made better sense to stay on the roster as a bench player than Sweeney, earned the start in center for Friday's contest and hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning.
Still short-handed: Joe Crede returned to the starting lineup Friday after missing parts of four games due to a sore back. But Crede's return was marked by the absence of first baseman Paul Konerko, who was dealing with a death in the family, according to Guillen.
"[Saturday], he should be on time and hopefully resolve the problem right away," said Guillen of Konerko, who was not expected at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday.
Thursday's day off was beneficial to the third baseman's recovery, by Crede's own estimation. He also believes that this week's back issue won't be a recurring problem costing him chunks of playing time in 2007.
"To me, it's just a little bump in the road," Crede said. "Just pulled a little muscle back there and I was able to overcome it, and I'll be able to play every day.
"It wasn't to the extent to where we were really worried about it. But it was something that's happened before and we knew how to attack it and were able to calm it down."
Get Going White Sox: Guillen presented a startling stolen bases statistic involving his team prior to Friday's weekend series opener with the Devil Rays. According to Guillen, the White Sox had fewer stolen bases than Oakland -- a notorious station-to-station team.
"That's not good. Those guys haven't run in the last 10 years and we are supposed to be a running team," said Guillen with a laugh. "That's a little embarrassing. We are supposed to be the 'Go Go White Sox,' and we have less stolen bases than the A's."
Guillen's statistic wasn't quite accurate, as the White Sox 19 stolen bases put them one ahead of Oakland. The South Siders sit third from the bottom in the AL, with Toronto's 16 stolen bases ranking as the lowest total.
It's impossible to steal bases when hitters aren't getting on base. But with the offense breaking loose in the past week, hitting .306 over the past five games, Guillen plans for a more aggressive team on the basepaths.
"I don't mind when people steal bases and they are out," Guillen said. "I like people running."
Around the horn: The White Sox have a 3-6 record after off-days this season, including four losses in their last five games entering Friday. ... Bobby Jenks' 13 straight saves tie him with Tampa Bay's Al Reyes for the longest active streak in the American League. ... Guillen still plans to start catcher Toby Hall on Sunday against Tampa Bay left-hander Scott Kazmir, and on Monday at the Metrodome against Johan Santana. ... Mark Buehrle entered Friday's start with the second-highest total of innings pitched in the Majors since 2001, with his total of 1,425 2/3 innings, trailing only Arizona's Livan Hernandez (1,457 1/3).
Down on the farm: Gio Gonzalez struck out 12 over six innings, allowing three hits and walking just one, but Double-A Birmingham still dropped a 2-1 decision at Carolina in 11 innings on Thursday. Gonzalez has 74 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings this season. ... Anderson had two hits, including his third home run, and drove in three runs as part of Triple-A Charlotte's 9-7 loss to Ottawa. Josh Fields knocked out his eighth home run and drove in two, while Sweeney added two hits. ... Kyle McCulloch gave up just one run over six innings, leading Class A Winston-Salem to a 2-1 victory in eight innings over Kinston during Game 1 of a doubleheader. The Warthogs lost the nightcap.
On deck: Despite posting seven quality starts in his last 18 trips to the mound, dating back to Aug. 10, 2006, Javier Vazquez (2-2, 4.21 ERA) has recorded just two victories. Vazquez, who starts Saturday night's contest at 6:05 p.m. CT, has a 3-1 record with a 4.89 ERA lifetime against the Devil Rays.
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070525&content_id=1985767&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws
