Guillen prepared for busy offseason

11/09/2005
CHICAGO -- During Wednesday afternoon's press conference at U.S. Cellular Field to announce Ozzie Guillen as the American League Manager of the Year, Guillen reached into his suit pocket at one point to pull out a sheet of paper with the list of events the team has him scheduled for over the next month or so.
"The 20th, 21st, 23rd, 27th, 29th and Dec. 2nd and 4th," said Guillen with a smile in regard to his upcoming banquet circuit. "But I would rather be here right now than in my house thinking about what's going on for us next year."
Guillen would love to add one more date to this busy offseason schedule. In fact, the affable manager said he would fly back to Chicago from Venezuela, Florida or any other exotic locale for the all-important press conference.
Of course, that meeting with the media would be to announce the re-signing of free agent Paul Konerko, the AL Championship Series Most Valuable Player, and the heart and soul of the defending World Series champions. Thursday marks the final day in which the White Sox have exclusive negotiating rights with the powerful first baseman, and the Angels are one team expected to make a strong push for Konerko's long-term services.
But when the I's are all dotted and the T's are all crossed, Guillen expressed a strong feeling on Wednesday that Konerko will be back in his lineup for 2006 and many years to come.
"I never lie to you guys or the fans, and there's a pretty good percent Paulie is coming back," said Guillen, with the World Series trophy sitting close by him at the table. "I actually think it's a good percentage.
"It's not my decision, because it's not my money. I don't want to put [chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf] and [general manager] Kenny [Williams] on the spot, but I know they really, really, really want to bring him back. Paulie wants to be back, and he deserves to be back. Hopefully, I pray."
Craig Landis, Konerko's agent, and the White Sox were expected to meet during this week's general managers meetings in Indian Wells, Calif., where the White Sox were reportedly set to offer Konerko a deal in the neighborhood of $50 million over four years. But Guillen has a little extra incentive for Konerko, along with the built-in force of trying to bring a second straight championship to Chicago.
If Konerko returns to the White Sox, Guillen said that he would serve as the team's captain in 2006.
"I don't know if he wants to wear the big 'C' because he's a pretty low-key guy," Guillen said. "People look up to him. He's my leader, and he's the glue on this team."
As for Frank Thomas, the other major free agent with long-term ties to the White Sox organization, Guillen was less certain concerning the future of the franchise's career home run leader. The White Sox manager understands that White Sox fans would love to see Thomas spend his entire two-decade career with the same team, a hope that Thomas also expressed during the postseason. Thomas would like nothing more than to pick up 52 more home runs and reach 500 for his career on the South Side.
But with uncertainty continuing to surround the healing process of the latest navicular fracture in Thomas' left ankle, it will be tough for the White Sox to proceed with Thomas in the picture even at a vastly reduced salary.
"Well, it's something I can't control," Guillen said of Thomas. "You don't want to see someone's career end that way. He's real important for this organization.
"We'll figure out how we are going to do it, and we don't have a true designated hitter right now. But the most important thing right now is Frank's health. We will see how healthy he is and talk to Kenny about what he wants and what Frank wants.
"It's tough for both sides," Guillen added. "Frank is the best player ever for this organization, but people have to not forget it's a business. You can't think with your heart. You have to think with your brains."
Guillen seemed to be thinking with both where Thomas and Konerko are concerned. He said they didn't want to bring Thomas back just to do him a favor. He also mentioned that if signing Konerko meant losing two or three other possible valuable additions to the team, it would be a move to be seriously considered.
These sorts of thoughts will be conveyed by Guillen to Reinsdorf when the two meet with Williams in the next few days. Unlike they had in past years in Las Vegas, the White Sox did not hold organizational meetings this year because they played until the end of October, and the general managers meetings followed shortly thereafter.
But Guillen made it clear that Williams knows what he wants. Guillen is hoping for more speed at the top of the order, allowing him to move Tadahito Iguchi to the sixth or seventh spot and giving Iguchi a chance to pick up more RBIs using his natural power stroke. Guillen also signaled out fleet-footed outfielder Jerry Owens as someone he was impressed with, after watching the Minor League sensation play for third-base coach Joey Cora's team in Venezuela. Owens, acquired last offseason from the then Montreal Expos, was a Southern League All-Star for Double-A Birmingham in 2005.
There's no fear in using young players to fill a void in Guillen's mind, as long as those young players are ready for the Majors. The reshaping done by Guillen and Williams prior to 2005 paid some fairly major dividends, and now Guillen is hoping to do it all over again in 2006 -- even if it means an even busier schedule next offseason.
"I have two World Series rings, and I need eight more to go," said Guillen, holding up both hands. "I want to be like Michael Jordan and have rings all over the place.
"It's especially true after I saw how happy Chicago was overall. We still have the team to do this. We have to continue to build a team to win."

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

Guillen named AL Manager of the Year

11/09/2005
CHICAGO -- The phone call came in from Pat O'Connell of the White Sox media relations department a little before lunch time on Wednesday afternoon. The message was delivered to Ozzie Guillen that he had been voted as the BBWA American League Manager of the Year.
And what was Guillen's response to this piece of historic news, as he became the fifth White Sox manager to capture the award? There was no raucous reaction or big celebration, as has been going on in Chicago, Venezuela and other parts where White Sox fans reside since the team clinched its first World Series title in 88 years exactly two weeks ago.
Instead, Guillen followed up the announcement with one very important question.
"What time do I have to be there?" said Guillen with a laugh, recounting the story to the press in attendance at U.S. Cellular Field for Wednesday's conference to officially announce the honor.
"I don't want to be cocky," Guillen added. "But I knew I would be Manager of the Year. I don't think why not. We win from first day all the way to the end ... and the way we did it."
Guillen joined Tony LaRussa (1983), Jeff Torborg (1990), Gene Lamont (1993) and Jerry Manuel (2000) on the list of White Sox honorees. With his 1985 AL Rookie of the Year award, Guillen became the third person to earn both such honors. Frank Robinson and Lou Piniella also won the Rookie of the Year Award and Manager of the Year Award.
The overall voting gave Guillen a 105-71 edge over Cleveland's Eric Wedge, a manager Guillen praised during Wednesday's press conference for his tremendous work during the 2005 campaign. Guillen received 17 first-place votes, five second-place votes and five third-place votes, en route to becoming the first manager from Venezuela to win the award. Tony Pena (2003) and Felipe Alou (1994) are the only other managers from Latin America to achieve such recognition.
This award holds greater significance for Guillen because of his team's ultimate success. But he also was thrilled to share Wednesday's spotlight with Atlanta's Bobby Cox, the National League Manager of the Year. Cox managed Guillen during parts of the 1998 and 1999 seasons, and is considered by Guillen as one of his supreme teachers in regard to the game's nuances.
"It's a great feeling that one of the guys I admired most is Manager of the Year and doing the same thing I did," Guillen said of Cox. "I learned from the man, competed against the man and now I'm at the same podium as a guy with the same sort of credentials."
During Cox's conference call Wednesday, he heaped praise upon his former utility infielder.
"I love Ozzie Guillen," Cox said. "He played for me here in Atlanta and I thought he was the right man for that job. He did a great job.
"He's a very honest guy. He knows the game inside and out. You have to recognize the job he did. He did an absolutely super job."
Don't tell Guillen, though, about the great job of managing he did this year. While he knew that this award was coming his way, Guillen gives all the credit to his players. He actually called it a present from the media, but it was the players who made it possible.
If Guillen takes the slightest bit of credit for anything, it would be fostering a winning atmosphere and never-say-die attitude among his team. It served Guillen's crew well when a 15-game lead in the American League Central on Aug. 1 slipped to 1 1/2 games heading into the final week of the regular season.
And it played an even more important role during the White Sox "us against the world" march to their exhilarating World Series title. It was this doubt from the outside, though, which gave Guillen serious pause for thought as to whether he would return in 2006, as Guillen admitted Wednesday.
"This is the most fun year for me and my team, but it also was the hardest year I ever had because I went through a lot of different things," Guillen said. "Losing is easy, but winning is tough. And the toughest thing this year was winning and winning and people don't believe we were winning.
"You watch -- next year they will all pick us to win this thing because we win this year. We win 99 games this year, and St. Louis wins 100 games. They were a great team and we were. I don't know what we were.
"I would just shake my head and say, 'What can we do to make people believe we are good?'" Guillen added. "It was tough for me because I say what people need to hear, not what they want to hear."
Guillen replaced Manuel after the 2003 season, charging out of the blocks at his inaugural press conference by issuing a very direct and pointed challenge to designated hitter Frank Thomas. Guillen's 2004 team finished at 83-79, with season-ending injuries to Thomas and Magglio Ordonez and weak pitching at the fifth spot in the rotation hampering the manager's debut effort.
It was a vastly different story in 2005. With general manager Ken Williams making the needed and numerous changes, numbering 10 new players such as Scott Podsednik, Tadahito Iguchi and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, Guillen fielded a team that was more to his scrappy style of play. Basically, the White Sox played a taut National League brand of baseball in the more offensive-oriented American League, capturing the AL Central with a 99-63 record.
The regular-season success helped set up the postseason march to history. And the postseason march to history helped set up a busy few weeks for Guillen.
He still was amazed by the Chicago fans' reaction at the parade and ensuing rally. Guillen brought the trophy to Venezuela, where 750 media members covered the events, and people who couldn't afford the paraphernalia were sporting White Sox merchandise.
There was an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show, where more fans showed up to greet the White Sox than to get a glimpse of George Clooney. There were meetings with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and standing ovations at local restaurants.
Wednesday was one of the more touching moments to come from the frenzy for Guillen. He had his wife, Ibis, and eldest son, Ozzie Jr., with him, but Guillen also had the chance to brighten the day of seriously ill 14-year-old cancer patient with a personal phone call prior to the press conference. Guillen planned to visit the young man in the hospital Thursday.
With or without the trophies and accolades, Guillen has consistently proven to be a winner with the White Sox.
"It was an incredible feeling to be part of this," Guillen said. "If the White Sox win it with someone else, I would be so mad. To win it with Harold [Baines], Joey [Cora], Coop [Don Cooper], Walk [Greg Walker] and Tim Raines on the coaching staff, and to win it for [chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf] ...
"It's like when your father sends you to college and then you bring the diploma home to dad," Guillen added. "You accomplished something."

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

Late arrival Lopez clutch in AFL

11/11/2005
CHICAGO -- Pedro Lopez may have been a late arrival in the Arizona Fall League, but he saved his best for last for the Peoria Saguaros.
The 21-year-old infield prospect went 4-for-5 with a double and a run scored Nov. 8 against the Peoria Javelinas, helping raise his AFL batting average to .375. For the week, Lopez went 7-for-21 with a pair of doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Lopez did not arrive in Arizona until Nov. 3, when he replaced shortstop Robert Valido. But he came up big in the clutch, going 4-for-4 with runners in scoring position and 5-for-10 with men on base.
Here is how the White Sox other five prospects fared during the final week of the AFL campaign:
3B, Josh Fields -- It was feast or famine for Fields, who had a pair of two-hit games, but went 0-for-14 in his other four contests this week. On Nov. 7 against Surprise, the 22-year-old third baseman went 2-for-4 with his fifth AFL home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. He finished the season hitting .256 with 16 RBIs in 23 games.
LHP, Corwin Malone -- The 25-year-old left-hander's lone appearance during the week was a forgettable one. Malone was roughed up by the Scorpions for four runs on four hits and three walks in three innings Nov. 7. That performance raised his ERA to 8.27 and saddled him with his third loss in four decisions.
LHP, Paulino Reynoso -- The 25-year-old southpaw had control problems in his final two AFL outings. On Nov. 4 against Surprise, he walked four and gave up an unearned run in 1 1/3 innings. Five days later, Reynoso issued another walk and surrendered three runs on three hits in one inning against Grand Canyon. Overall, he was 1-0 with an 8.47 ERA in 11 relief appearances.
RHP, Sean Tracey -- Ten days before his 25th birthday, the 6-foot-3 right-hander made his final AFL appearance. Tracey gave up one run on one hit -- a solo homer by Matt Tupman -- over two innings Nov. 4 against Surprise. He finished the season 1-1 with a 7.16 ERA in eight games (six starts).
OF, Chris Young -- Young thrived in the friendly confines of the Peoria Sports Complex, hitting .344 with a home run and six RBIs in 10 games. Unfortunately, his final four appearances came on the road as the 22-year-old outfielder went 2-for-15 to end the season. That knocked his batting average down to .253 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 24 games.

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

Mailbag: Decisions, decisions

11/14/2005
CHICAGO -- If 100 White Sox fans were told before the start of this past season that their team would have an average 2006 in exchange for a World Series championship in 2005, it's a safe bet that 99 or even 100 of those surveyed would have agreed to the deal.
And if those same 100 fans were asked about Paul Konerko's return as a free agent in 2006, after leading the team to the title in 2005, there would have been strong support for the first baseman to stay, but it would not have been unanimous. Apparently, the great 2005 success of the White Sox, though, has left their supporters wanting for much, much more.
At least, that impression has been given from the record amount of submissions to this week's edition of the White Sox Mailbag. There were 144 questions sent in via e-mail, and 56 of them had something to do with Konerko. Questions came in from Bridgeport to London, England, and had authors with catchy e-mail names such as 'Metallica Fan,' 'The Fat Kid,' and 'The Riddler.'
Most of the e-mails dealt with keeping Konerko at any cost possible, but the main theme of the questions was putting the White Sox in the best position possible to bring home a second straight title in 2006. If the worst-case scenario played out, and Konerko signed on somewhere else, there are plenty of amateur general managers around the country who have thoughts on how to compensate for his departure.
White Sox fans certainly have the right leaders in place in general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen. It was Guillen who held up his hands at Wednesday's Manager of the Year press conference, pointing out how he wants a championship ring for each finger before he's done.
I go back to the days of Luke Appling. I know about baseball. I also know about business. Forty-six years in the kitchen making millions of dollars of profit.
How, as in HOW can this be true ... "With Williams even falling short to Cleveland's Mark Shapiro for The Sporting News Executive of the Year." That is impossible!
I know a little about baseball's insides but what I do know is that "happy hour" was in Chicago this October and Mr. Williams was the Maitre D, the Executive Chef, and the Main Purveyor, all rolled into one. The guy in Cleveland was clearing the tables after Happy Hour was all said and done. -- Chef Mike, Tampa
I would think twice about sending a meal back on Chef Mike or complaining about the prices on his menu. This guy seems to mean business!
As everyone who follows the White Sox knows at this point, Ozzie Guillen was the team's only postseason individual winner as Manager of the Year. Of course, the Most Valuable Player voting comes out this Monday, but by Konerko's own admission, he will fall somewhere between third and fifth in the final count.
By simply looking at raw numbers, the White Sox received what they deserved on an individual basis. Tadahito Iguchi, Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland all had top-notch seasons, but they statistically weren't quite as good as the players who finished above them. The best quality about the White Sox is that this was a great team, not a bunch of individuals with big numbers who couldn't play well together.
The White Sox won the most important postseason prize, being the trophy with the 30 flags, which has been everywhere from downtown Chicago to Venezuela. With that said, I've already gone on record stating that Aaron Rowand and Joe Crede should have won Gold Gloves and there's no excuse for Williams not winning Executive of the Year.
Shapiro did an excellent job building the Indians, and the top two teams in the American League for 2006 could both reside in the Central Division. But when general managers' creative and successful jobs are analyzed from this past campaign, the list begins and ends with Williams. It's a point Guillen made at his press conference Wednesday, and a fact Williams has chosen to put on the backburner with class as he builds toward next season.
When the White Sox won the World Series, you could probably hear me screaming all the way back in Houston. I was born in Barinas, Venezuela, and came to the United States in 1958 when I was a young kid.
You don't know how long I have been laughed at for being a White Sox fan in Southern California. But who has the last laugh now?! I work for the Post Office, and the next day after winning it all, I was dressed in my White Sox jersey, White Sox cap, and a Venezuelan flag windbreaker that I received from the Venezuelan Olympic softball team.
AND to have a Venezuelan manager who I love dearly ... It doesn't get any better than that! Now, for my question. Do you think Brandon McCarthy will replace El Duque in the rotation next year? -- Marianne, Mission Viejo, Ca.
All I know about the Post Office dress code comes from my years of watching the Cliff Claven character on 'Cheers,' but I'm guessing wearing your White Sox pride is not exactly a regulation uniform. Marianne, you are certainly not alone, though, in showing off your White Sox glory, as team merchandise is reportedly flying off the shelves, according to a Major League Baseball source.
As for McCarthy and El Duque, I believe the lanky rookie right-hander will be part of the starting rotation in 2006. In fact, if it wasn't for Hernandez's exceptional poise and amazing postseason success, then McCarthy most certainly would have been part of the playoff roster. Aside from Jose Contreras, McCarthy was the most successful hurler among the starting five during the season's final month. He has a live arm, and when McCarthy is using his changeup effectively, he has the potential to win 15 games even in his first full season.
I talked to Hernandez after Game 3 of the World Series in Houston, and he admitted to his arm feeling stronger and his pitches having a little more velocity since moving to the bullpen. He also quickly added that he wasn't done starting at this point in his career. His future with the White Sox probably depends as to whether any other pitcher is moved during the upcoming weeks. Whether he stays or he goes, Hernandez's one inning of relief work in Game 3 of the Division Series at Fenway Park will go down as one of the greatest individual efforts in franchise history.
The only way the White Sox could possibly top 2005 is to beat the Cubs in the World Series in 2006. The SOX in 5!!! GO WHITE SOX!
It's an interesting concept presented by this unnamed White Sox fan, only because beating the Cubs in five games during the 2006 World Series means the Cubs actually reach the World Series. I guess the positives of defeating the Cubs and repeating would outweigh the negatives of them getting there for White Sox fans.
I received another question concerning the atmosphere of the city after the historic White Sox victory. The one thing I have noticed is that there hasn't been a great deal of in-fighting between the fans from Chicago's two baseball teams. Both groups were hoping for their respective team to win the city's first World Series title, but after waiting 88 years since the last one, Chicago fans simply are celebrating a baseball champion together.
If the Cubs fans are not exactly celebrating, they certainly are being respectful of the White Sox 2005 effort.
Scott, what are the respective prognoses for the injuries to Scott Podsednik and Dustin Hermanson? Each made a valuable contribution to the team during the first half of the season, but tailed off substantially in their respective areas after being injured.-- Thanks, Ron
Ron, watching Podsednik perform in the postseason would give me brief pause for thought before saying that he tailed off substantially after his injury. You are correct in stating that Podsednik wasn't quite as effective on the base paths after the problem with his left adductor muscle. The offseason rest should sufficiently heal Podsednik's medical issue, and in order to alleviate extra pressure on Podsednik being the lone offensive igniter for 2006, Guillen spoke the other day of adding another speed guy at the top of the White Sox order. That player could be Jerry Owens, who had a great season for Double-A Birmingham, and currently is hitting over .400 in Venezuela.
Hermanson, meanwhile, will combine rest and an extensive rehabilitation program to strengthen the muscles around his problem area in the lower back. Although Hermanson didn't pitch much during the final six weeks of the season, he told me in Boston that he expects to recover sufficiently enough to challenge for the closer's job again in 2006. It's no sleight to Bobby Jenks. It's more a testament to Hermanson's competitive streak.
What is the contractual status for Willie Harris? Do you think he will be back with the team in 2006? I think he is a good player and would like to see him remain on the team. However, I also would like to see him get a shot at being a full-time player, even if it means going to another team.-- Gary, Hudson, WI.
Harris is one of the arbitration eligible players on the White Sox roster, and about one month ago, it seemed as if there was little chance that Harris would even be tendered a contract for 2006. But after being recalled for the final month of the season, being added to the playoff roster and scoring the only run in the deciding fourth game of the World Series, Harris might not be done with the White Sox quite yet.
The bottom line is that Harris said all the right things down the stretch, after expressing frustration earlier this season when Iguchi was signed to take over at second base. During the World Series celebration, Harris said he would love to stay with the franchise where he really learned the game. But he also wants a chance to play every day without any restrictions.
If given that chance, Harris truly believes he can hit .300 and swipe 30 to 40 bases.
Will Ozzie Guillen be back for the 2006 season?-- Alvaro, Valencia, Venezuela
Not only does Guillen have one of the great baseball minds in the game and a definite flare for entertainment, but he also has a great sense of timing, like the great performers of our generation. For those few who missed the moment, Guillen waited until the rally to honor the White Sox championship two weeks ago to announce that he was returning for 2006.
"I love you all," said Guillen, as the ovation grew to a crescendo following his statement. Judging by his treatment in this city, the feeling is very mutual.

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

Jenks' heat breaks through big-time

11/14/2005
Months before Bobby Jenks was standing on the pitcher's mound at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago or Minute Maid Park in Houston, he was succeeding in smaller stadiums in Mobile and West Tenn and Mississippi.
Before the large right-hander brought his intimidating heat to the Major Leagues, Jenks was terrorizing Southern League batters as a member of the Birmingham Barons. Jenks was so effective before he was called up that he was named the MiLB.com Double-A Breakthrough Performer of the Year.
This was the season that Jenks finally harnessed all of his much-heralded raw talent and put it together on the mound.
Jenks had come up through the Angels organization, but had some control issues -- both pitching and personal -- in the Minor Leagues. Jenks was something of a troubled soul for the Angels, a heat-throwing hulking presence unable to make his way to the Major Leagues.
Injuries have also been part of the equation, with stress reaction problems in his right elbow putting him on the disabled list three times in 2003 and 2004. Jenks had surgery to remedy that situation last July and worked to get his velocity back to where it was prior to surgery. Maturity issues that also had caused roadblocks for Jenks seemed to be in the past as well now that he's married and has two children.
The White Sox claimed Jenks off waivers on Dec. 17, 2004. Still only 24 years old, Jenks throws a fastball that has been clocked at 101 mph, and an 86-mph off-speed pitch. He was credited with three saves in the World Series, but he had 19 for Birmingham before he was called up to the big leagues.
"When you throw 100 mph, if you throw strikes, you don't belong playing (at) Double-A," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told MLB.com after Jenks was called up July 5. "When you throw that hard, you can get away with a lot of things."
Jenks showed a glimpse of the future early in the season, when he had seven saves in seven appearances from April 9-24. He pitched one inning in each of those appearances and gave up a total of three hits. Jenks struck out eight and walked four in that span.
That stretch was part of a longer one that saw Jenks not allow a run in 16 of 17 outings from April 9 to May 18. In addition to his 19 saves, Jenks wound up posting a 1-2 record with 48 strikeouts and 20 walks while allowing 34 hits in 41 innings before his promotion. His time had finally arrived. It wasn't long before he was facing Alex Rodriguez rather than Brandon Sing.
"I can't remember who said it before, but I was told once that when you get over the name on the back of the jersey, you can pitch anywhere. I finally realized what it meant when I got here," Jenks told MLB.com in August. "So, the first couple of hitters after I was called up, I was like 'Cool, I'm facing this guy.' But as soon as I got over that, I was fine again."
It looks like Jenks will be fine for a while.

Source: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/

HOF exhibit to honor White Sox

11/15/2005
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Scott Podsednik's bat, used to hit the game-ending home run in Game 2 of the World Series, plus Freddy Garcia's cap from the decisive fourth game will be on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum as part of an exhibit honoring the World Series champion Chicago White Sox.
The Hall of Fame will hold a ribbon-cutting and dedication on Wednesday for the "South Side Sweep" exhibit.
Among the other artifacts on display will be the bat used by Geoff Blum to hit the game-winning home run in Game 3; a road jersey worn by Series' MVP Jermaine Dye; the warmup fleece worn by White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen; and third baseman Joe Crede's glove, which he used the entire regular season and postseason.
The White Sox won their first World Series since 1917 with a four-game sweep of the Houston Astros, including a marathon 14-inning win in Game 3.
Other items that will be featured in the exhibit include the jersey Houston's Jeff Bagwell wore in the last game; Craig Biggio's spikes; and baseballs hit by Lance Berkman and Chris Burke, which were both caught by Astros fan Shaun Dean in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. Biggio holds the record for most regular season games played before making it to the World Series.
There also will be some dirt from the pitcher's mound at Minute Maid Park from the first World Series game ever played in Texas. The exhibit will include press pins from both teams, game programs, and newspaper accounts of the series.
Ted Spencer, Hall of Fame vice president and chief curator, will formally dedicate the exhibit with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, featuring Museum visitors.
The artifacts will be on display at the Hall of Fame through October 2006.

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

Red Sox to interview Wilder for GM job

11/18/2005
BOSTON -- The Red Sox formally added another candidate in their search for a new general manager, announcing that White Sox director of player development David Wilder will interview for the position on Saturday at Fenway Park.
Wilder will meet with Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino, chairman Tom Werner and other club officials.
He becomes the fifth candidate to interview for the position vacated by Theo Epstein on Oct. 31, joining Jim Bowden, Jim Beattie, Dayton Moore and Wayne Krivsky.
Moore withdrew himself from the running and Krivsky was told by the Red Sox that he was out of the mix. Bowden and Beattie are both scheduled to have second interviews, probably by the early portion of next week.
Last season was Wilder's second with the World Series champion White Sox. Before that, he worked with the Brewers for four years, serving as vice president of player personnel and a special assignment scout. Wilder was also with the Cubs for four years, serving as farm director from 1996-98 and assistant general manager in 1999.
He broke in with the Braves, working there for five years as assistant director of scouting and player development.
Wilder interviewed for the Diamondbacks' vacant GM position back in October, but that job went to former Red Sox assistant general manager Josh Byrnes.
Wilder is the first minority candidate the Red Sox will meet with during this process.
Lucchino has stated a desire to have a new general manager in place before the Winter Meetings begin in Dallas on Dec. 5.

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

Spotlight shining brightly on Broadway

11/16/2005
CHICAGO -- The word is "pitchability," and it won't be found in even the most thorough of dictionaries. That's probably because pitchability isn't really a word.
It's more of a descriptive term, unique to the game of Major League Baseball. If a particular hurler has this pitchability, it usually indicates that he doesn't possess a fastball able to whiz by hitters at 95-to-100 mph on a consistent basis. Bobby Jenks has raw firepower, for example, with a hint of pitchability.
In the converse, pitchability also means this man on the mound understands the job at hand. He knows how to attack the hitters within the zone. He knows how to change speeds. Simply put, he realizes what has to be done in order to give his team a chance to win games.
Mark Buehrle has used pitchability to become one of the steadiest left-handers in all of baseball. Greg Maddux will take pitchability all the way to baseball's Hall of Fame, with a stop at 318 victories on the way.
And now Lance Broadway can be added to the pitchability list.
Actually, Broadway doesn't have a very extensive resume where professional pitching is concerned. Just 11 starts in 2005 at Class A Winston-Salem and a few recent weeks in the Arizona Instructional League after the White Sox selected him 15th overall during this year's First-Year Player Draft. Yet, Broadway, 22, already has the confidence of a seasoned veteran.
That belief in one's own ability remains essential in achieving not just pitchability, but a profitable Major League career. Yet, Broadway fully comprehends there's a long way to go before he accomplishes the ultimate pitching goal.
"The biggest thing I learned from this past season is that I still have a lot to learn," Broadway told MLB.com by phone from a recent Dallas Mavericks game. "But after my first few starts, I knew I belonged.
"I knew my stuff played at this level. I also knew that my stuff wouldn't overpower guys. I understood quickly that I have to be aggressive within the zone and do whatever I could to get outs."
Broadway finished his junior year at TCU in 2005 as the Conference USA Pitcher of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year. He was a first-team All-American, according to Louisville Slugger and Baseball America, and was a finalist for three separate national awards.
There also was the little matter of his amazing statistics, posting a 15-1 record, with a 1.62 ERA and 151 strikeouts over 117 innings pitched. Not bad for a right-hander whose fastball regularly topped out in the high 80s and low 90s.
Moving to the Minor League ranks, starting off in a Carolina League full of top prospects, immediately gave Broadway the understanding that baseball life was slightly different outside of Texas. Collegiate hitters, who previously expanded their collective strike zone to help out Broadway on pitches he tried to elevate, had morphed into somewhat polished professionals who knew what pitches to lay off.
As Broadway mentioned, he did find success for the Warthogs. He pitched every nine days to reduce the wear and tear on his arm after a long season, a tough task for someone who is used to pitching, by Broadway's estimation, on a steady five-day schedule. Despite struggling during his final few starts, when fatigue finally set in, Broadway still finished with a 4.58 ERA in 11 starts and struck out 58 over 55 innings.
The effort earned high marks from the White Sox brass.
"He's everything we thought he was," said White Sox director of player development Dave Wilder of Broadway. "He has two-plus pitches and a fastball he locates. He has a chance to be pretty good here."
Broadway focused on that "plus pitch," his changeup, during Instructional League action. Richard Dotson, the one-time 20-game winner for the White Sox and current pitching coach for Double-A Birmingham, and Kirk Champion, the White Sox Minor League pitching coordinator, worked closely with an eager-to-learn Broadway.
According to the native of Grand Prairie, Texas, he was drafted on the basis of his hard-breaking curve -- an outpitch that he feels comfortable using in any sort of game situation. Broadway will make it to the Majors, though, through the improvement of his changeup and the command of his fastball.
His work will be on display come February in Tucson, as Broadway anxiously awaits Minor League Spring Training. The interim plan is for Broadway to continue to strengthen his arm for this next opportunity, while also building up his legs.
With White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's propensity to use Minor Leaguers during Cactus League contests, Broadway realizes there might be a chance for him to pitch against Major League opponents. He doesn't care if it's one inning during one game in the long spring schedule.
While attending Game 3 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park, the former Rangers and Astros fan caught a glimpse of what his future could hold. Former Astros fan, that is, as in his allegiance belonged to the White Sox the day he was drafted.
"They were some great games, and I was hoping the Astros could get a couple of wins," said Broadway with a laugh. "But I definitely won't root against my employer."
Some day in the not too distant future, Broadway could be joining young White Sox hurlers such as Gio Gonzalez and Ray Liotta in competing for a rotation spot along side of Buehrle, Jon Garland, Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia and Brandon McCarthy.
Until that point comes, Broadway will listen and learn to every piece of pitching information provided. His pitchability will be on display for the World Series champions, but for now, it will be as a Minor Leaguer on the rise.
"My first legit shot for the Majors probably would be 2007, and I hope I'll be ready. I expect myself to be ready," said Broadway, who will start 2006 in Birmingham. "The White Sox will bring me up when they know I'm ready.
"Right now, I'm just excited to go to Spring Training for the World [Series] champions. I can't wait to go and learn the game. You want to learn from the best, and we are the best right now."

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

'South Side' exhibit open at Hall of Fame

11/16/2005
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- There was a change of socks on the third floor of the Hall of Fame and Museum on Wednesday morning. It was a switch from the red to the white.
Several historic White Sox artifacts took their place on display in "South Side Sweep," the newest Hall of Fame exhibit, honoring Chicago's first World Series title since 1917.
For the second straight season, an original member of the American League ended a long drought and won the Fall Classic. In 2004, the Boston Red Sox swept aside the Cardinals to win their first title in 86 years, and this October, the White Sox similarly dispatched the Astros in four straight.
Hall of Fame vice president and chief curator Ted Spencer received help from museum visitor and White Sox fan Carol Lewis, a Norwich, N.Y., resident and native Chicagoan, in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"We're here to honor the White Sox today," Spencer said. "For the second straight year baseball has gotten the job done, as a long-suffering team has won the title."
Long-thirsting White Sox rooters have plenty to cheer about in "South Side Sweep," which resides within "Autumn Glory," the museum's exhibit chronicling the history of baseball's postseason.
There's the bat used by White Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik to hit his Game 2 walk-off home run against Houston closer Brad Lidge. Ironically, Podsednik had not homered in 507 regular season at-bats, becoming the only player in Series history to hit a walk-off homer without recording a single regular-season blast.
There's also another historic piece of lumber, the bat wielded by Chicago's Geoff Blum in his first career Series at-bat, when he struck a 14th-inning homer to provide the winning margin in Game 3, the longest World Series game by time in history.
Fans of defensive wizardry can view the glove worn during the 2005 season by White Sox third baseman Joe Crede, whose stellar defense killed numerous Astros' rallies, particularly in Game 1 (in which Crede also provided the tie-breaking home run).
In addition, the exhibit features the road White Sox jersey worn by right fielder Jermaine Dye, whose .438 Series average and Game 4-clinching RBI single led to his selection as the Fall Classic's Most Valuable Player.
Popular Chicago manager Ozzie Guillén, the first manager born in a Latin American country to win a World Series title, is represented by the warmup fleece he wore during the World Series.
The Houston Astros, who made their first World Series appearance, were not overlooked in the exhibit, which included key artifacts from their exciting postseason.
The museum was given the spikes worn during the Fall Classic by Houston second baseman Craig Biggio, who set the record for most regular-season games played in a career before making it to the World Series (2,564). In addition, longtime Astros slugger Jeff Bagwell donated his home jersey worn in Game 4. Bagwell was playing in his first World Series after 15 seasons with Houston.
"This was a great year for the Astros, as well," Spencer commented. "Two of their icon players got to their first World Series after several years, so we specifically asked for items from those two players."
For a pair of White Sox fans from the Chicago suburbs, the opportunity to see the opening of the historic exhibit honoring the World Series champions from the South Side was one they couldn't miss.
Shelly and Gene Bagnuolo of Bowlingbrook, Ill., made their first trip to Cooperstown this week. The lifelong White Sox fans heard Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey on WSCR radio in Chicago last week and decided that they had to get to Cooperstown.
Shelly's boss, John Walsh at Mercury Title Company, told her if she could make the trip work out with her husband's schedule, it would be her Christmas bonus, so her employer is covering the cost of their trip.
"This is an unbelievable feeling," Shelly said. "I just wanted to be here today, to see this history on the first day.
"It's too exciting. We can't believe we were able to come on such a special day. We are looking forward to seeing all of the great history here in Cooperstown."

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

Sox announce spring schedule

11/17/2005
CHICAGO -- The world champion Chicago White Sox will open their ninth season of Cactus League play on March 1 against the Colorado Rockies at Tucson Electric Park.
The White Sox will play 30 spring games (15 home and road), and nine will be in the Phoenix area. The team will play 10 of its first 11 games and 15 of the first 18 in Tucson. The team will make a three-day trip to the Phoenix area March 23-25.
On March 2, the White Sox will play their only scheduled split-squad game when they face Arizona at TEP and play the Rockies at Hi Corbett Field. The White Sox face their crosstown rivals, the Chicago Cubs, twice -- in Tucson on March 18 and at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Ariz., on March 27.
All Sox home games at TEP are scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m. MT, except for a 12:05 p.m. start on March 30 vs. Colorado to conclude the Cactus League slate. The White Sox will play a pair of exhibition games at Atlanta's Turner Field on March 31 at 7:05 p.m. ET, and April 1 at 1:05 p.m. ET before kicking off defense of the championship. The regular season opens April 3 against Cleveland.
The White Sox went 14-18 in Cactus League play in 2005 and drew 76,784 fans in 15 home dates, an average of 5,125 per game. All time, the Sox are 124-122-7 in Tucson.
The Spring Training broadcast schedule will be released at a later date.

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

Iguchi Topps on rookie All-Star team

11/17/2005
CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox second baseman Tadahito Iguchi was named to the 47th Annual Topps Major League Rookie All-Star team, announced Thursday.
Iguchi batted .278 in 135 games for the world champions, hitting 15 homers and driving in 71 runs. He joined the White Sox after posting a career .271 average in eight seasons for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in Japan.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen often called the Japanese infielder the MVP of the team. Iguchi, 30, came through with a three-run homer in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox.
"One of the biggest reasons we're here is because of Iguchi," Guillen said during the ALDS. "That kid did everything for this team and that's why I keep saying [he's our MVP.]"
The voting was conducted by big league managers.
The Topps Major League Rookie All-Star team began in 1959 with Willie McCovey being the first of 14 future Hall of Famers named to the squad (others include Carlton Fisk). The Rookie All-Stars will each have a trophy on their 2006 trading card in Topps Baseball, with Series One due out on Feb. 7.
In December, Topps will pay homage to the historical award when it issues 2005 Topps Rookie Cup Baseball, a new baseball card product highlighting past and present players named to the Rookie All-Star Team.
The Major League Rookie All-Star Team is one of a number of awards programs managed by Topps to reward and encourage young ballplayers. Since 1959, Topps has annually bestowed honors on Minor Leaguers, baseball scouts and the Baseball Organization of the Year.

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

Sox sign Ozuna, add players to roster

11/18/2005
CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox on Friday agreed to terms on a one-year, $500,000 contract with infielder Pablo Ozuna and added some Minor League players to the big league roster.
Ozuna, 31, batted .276 with 14 stolen bases in 70 games this season, his first with the White Sox after signing as a free agent in the offseason. He made 52 starts, including 30 at third base, 11 at shortstop, eight in left field and one in right field.
In Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Angels, Ozuna pinch-ran for A.J. Pierzynski in the ninth inning of a 1-1 game, stole second base, and scored the winning run on Joe Crede's two-out double off Kelvim Escobar.
The White Sox also have purchased the contracts of outfielders Jerry Owens (Double-A Birmingham) and Chris Young (Birmingham), catcher Chris Stewart (Birmingham), left-handed pitcher Daniel Haigwood (Birmingham) and right-handed pitcher Charles Haeger (Birmingham). The White Sox roster is now at 39.
Haeger, 22, combined to go 14-5 with a 3.50 ERA in 27 starts between Class A Winston-Salem and Birmingham. The knuckleballer led all White Sox farmhands in wins and innings pitched, ranked fifth in strikeouts (112) and sixth in ERA. Haeger, who was named to the Carolina League's midseason All-Star Team, was selected in the 25th round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft.
Haigwood, 21, ranked among the organizational leaders in wins, ERA, strikeouts (160) and innings pitched. He went 14-3 for Winston-Salem and Birmingham. He was 6-1 with a 1.71 ERA in 11 starts for the Barons, and has a .32-11 winning percentage in his four Minor League seasons.
Owens, 24, was named to the Southern League postseason All-Star team after leading the league with a .331 average. He set the Barons modern era record (1964-present) with 173 hits, while ranking first on the club in average, stolen bases (38) and on-base percentage (.393). Acquired from the Washington Nationals on Feb. 13, Owens has hit .312 over his three Minor League seasons.
Stewart, 23, batted .286 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs in 95 games in his first full season at Birmingham. He was cited by Baseball America in its preseason issue as the best defensive catcher in the White Sox organization for the second consecutive year.
Young, 22, hit .277 with 41 doubles, 26 home runs, 77 RBIs and 32 stolen bases in his first season at Birmingham. He now has posted two straight 20-homer, 20 stolen base seasons, and led the Southern League in doubles, extra-base hits (70) and runs scored (100) and tied for the league lead in home runs.
Young was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 6 prospect, Best Athlete and Fastest Baserunner in the Sox organization entering the 2005 season. The right-handed hitter batted .253 with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 24 games with the Peoria Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.

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

Rowand, Crede to attend DVD premiere

11/19/2005
CHICAGO -- Lights, camera, action -- it's the World Series Champion Chicago White Sox!
Major League Baseball Productions and the White Sox will roll out the red carpet and premiere "The Official 2005 World Series Film," celebrating the team's World Series championship, on Monday night at Loews Cineplex Esquire theater.
Postseason hero Joe Crede and center fielder Aaron Rowand are among the White Sox scheduled to attend the first look at what certainly will be a White Sox fan's treasure.
The event is not open to the public. However, White Sox fans can purchase the DVD at the MLB.com shop.
The documentary of the White Sox first World Series win since 1917 is narrated by actor and Chicago native Michael Clarke Duncan. "The Official 2005 World Series Film" includes a 75-minute main feature and nearly 45 minutes of bonus footage that will let fans relive Chicago's sweep over the Houston Astros.
Fans will get goosebumps all over again watching the talented foursome of Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia, and Jose Contreras. Imagine having to face hard-throwing rookie Bobby Jenks. They can cheer Crede's home run in Game 1, Scott Podsednik's blast in Game 2, Geoff Blum's game-winner in the marathon Game 3, and Series MVP Jermaine Dye's clinching eighth-inning single in Game 4.
The film not only covers the World Series, but also the White Sox trek to the finals and their near-perfect ascent through the American League Division Series and League Championship Series.
The film includes unique game action footage, one-on-one interviews with White Sox players, coaches and team personnel, and exclusive sound via wireless microphones. There are also sound bites from Rowand, who was the first position player to be wired during a World Series game.
The Chicago broadcast premiere of the film will air Nov. 24 on Comcast SportsNet.

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

DVD chronicles White Sox title

11/19/2005
Major League Baseball Productions always has its hands full when it comes to producing the official World Series DVD. From the moment that Paul Konerko caught the final out in Houston, the production company had nine days to coordinate all the footage, which includes extensive footage of the White Sox victory parade through the streets of Chicago two days after the series ended.
"We are making a 74-minute film in the span of nine days," said the DVD's senior coordinating producer Dave Check. "You have to have it down to a science, because there is very little margin of error for us."
The DVD gives a complete look at the Chicago White Sox remarkable season in which they went wire-to-wire to win the American League Central division and equaled the 1999 New York Yankees by going 11-1 in the postseason to win the world championship. Check sees a lot of parallels to the 2004 champions, the Boston Red Sox.
"You have a team that's ending a long World Series drought," said Check. "So, certainly, there were strong parallels there. Both teams also swept their World Series. Last year's games were not that close, so we spent less time on the World Series and spent more time on the Red Sox beating the Yankees in the ALCS, which was obviously very compelling as we all know. This year every one of the games was very tight and very competitive and very dramatic -- so you can really get into the back stories that were very prevalent in these games."
MLB Productions is given almost unlimited access during the postseason to give fans a unique look at every aspect of the games and the people who play in them. This year the production company was given permission to do something unprecedented in its coverage.
"One of the biggest differences this year from other years is we had players like outfielder Aaron Rowand wearing in-game wireless mikes," said Check. "Rowand wore one for Game 2, as did [White Sox manager] Ozzie Guillen. Ozzie became the first manager since 1984 to wear a wireless mike in a World Series game. Gaining access to these individuals and hearing what is going on in their minds as the games develop, gives the viewer a very unique perspective to the likes of which has rarely been seen."
The Houston Astros are not forgotten in this project. The DVD goes into the team's history and covers their championship run, culminating in the franchise's first National League pennant. The Houston story is mainly seen through the eyes of Craig Biggio, the 39-year-old All-Star second baseman, who finally made it to the World Series after 17 years in an Astros uniform. The DVD also interviews numerous people involved in the series from both teams, but the biggest star of the DVD has to be Guillen, the 41-year-old, second-year manager and former White Sox star player, whose enthusiasm for the game rubbed off on all of his players.
"He definitely has a presence on this DVD," said Check. "The interesting thing is when you here [White Sox designated hitter] Frank Thomas talk on this DVD. Remember, this is his ex-teammate and the respect and the level of reverence a guy like Frank Thomas has for him [is impressive]. Everybody in the White Sox organization has such respect and fondness for Ozzie because he knows that men are playing this game, but inside these men there is always a little boy just waiting to come out and he's really like that."
MLB Productions has once again recruited celebrity fan of the winning team to narrate the DVD. Last year, Boston native Denis Leary got the honors. This year, Michael Clarke Duncan, the Oscar-nominated actor who grew up on Chicago's South Side, loaned his bass voice to the project.
"Very distinctive voice is an understatement when describing Michael Clarke Duncan," said Check. "The first time we heard his voice when he was warming up in the narration session -- he made the rest of us sound like Minnie Mouse. His voice has an incredible presence and it really gave this World Series film a distinctive feel and flair. At the end of the session, being from the South Side, he said, 'Guys, this has been a experience of of a lifetime,' and I was really pleased to hear that."
According to Check, MLB Productions used four high-definition cameras during the production as well as having access to all of the FOX Sports video feeds and MLB International feeds to capture every possible video angle. The production company also had seven different television and radio audio feeds from each game to choose from. Other highlights of the DVD include:
• A ride to U.S. Cellular Field with catcher A.J. Pierzynski before Game 2 of the series• Breakfast with Geoff Blum the morning after his dramatic walk-off home run in Game 3• 2005 World Series Trophy presentation• TWIB Classic: Former White Sox shortstop Ozzie Guillen fooled by the hidden ball trick twice• Footage of the White Sox clubhouse celebration following the World Series victory• A collection of exclusive interviews with various writers, players and coaches• 1959 World Series Game 1 highlights
"I hope that audiences watching the DVD get out of it that the 2005 Chicago White Sox were a team in the truest sense of the word," said Check. "There are a lot of great players on their roster, but I don't know if there are any standout superstars and there is such incredible balance and chemistry with this team and you have to give Ozzie Guillen a tremendous amount of credit for this. As he says in the DVD, 'We took 25 guys and made them play together.' Call it 'Ozzie ball,' or 'small ball' or whatever, he found a way to have a team whose whole really exceeded the sum of its parts.
"This team played a brand of baseball that was more reminiscent of another era. Rarely have we seen a manager who was so worthy of praise and I think it showed on the field and I know it shows on this DVD."
The DVD will have it's world premiere on Monday at the Loews Cineplex Esquire 6 Theatre in Chicago at 7:30 p.m. CT. Aaron Rowand and Joe Crede are scheduled to appear at the event.
The Official World Series DVD will be released on Nov. 29 in stores around the country.

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

Mailbag: South Side rumblings

11/21/2005
During the very few slow moments in a period that used to be called baseball's offseason, I've found it useful to clean out the thousands of old e-mails currently taking up space in my inbox.
That process has turned up a handful of e-mails from former classmates at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, which I failed to answer. Yes, I am the same Scott Merkin from the Class of 1983.
There also were a number of missed chances to make millions by wiring my bank account to the family member of a deposed foreign leader, hiding loads of cash in a secret location. I even turned up one e-mail offering me the chance to become an ordained minister.
But the most interesting discovery I made were the hundreds of unused questions from this same timeframe, one year ago. Needless to say, the tenor of those comments was slightly harsher and a bit more direct than the glowing reviews coming in currently.
Fans worried about Magglio Ordonez's return. Others warned against the trade of Carlos Lee. Then, there were the few who thought Paul Konerko didn't fit into Ozzie Guillen's new "small ball" style of baseball and suggested the powerful first baseman might play better somewhere else. One fan even questioned Guillen's ability to run a team.
As I open this week's edition of the mailbag, there are probably no more popular figures in Chicago than Guillen and Konerko. Of course, the only thing White Sox supporters want more than Konerko's return is a second World Series title.
After reading one of your columns, it was brought to light about the White Sox not getting any respect from the North Siders. My question is when will the New York media, or that area of the country, give the Chicago White Sox some respect? It seems to me they all were disappointed the White Sox turned out so good. Their feat was unreal, but expected, from us true fans. I've been one since 1944! -- Ken, Lake Wales, Fla.
Ken, I'm not sure if I ever stated that the North Siders weren't giving the White Sox their deserved props. I saw an interview with Kerry Wood recently, with the right-hander talking about how Cubs fans he bumped into were imploring him to win the title in 2006 because they had been hearing a great deal of "pride" coming from the White Sox fans since Bobby Jenks closed out the four-game sweep of Houston. That statement might more accurately sum up Cubs fans' feelings, although even the most ardent North Side supporter should have tremendous appreciation for what the White Sox accomplished.
And you know what? White Sox fans should revel in every minute of this historic victory. As for the media doubters around the country, it might continue into Spring Training and throughout 2006. It doesn't matter. They will doubt the defending world champs.
How about Cliff Politte, Damaso Marte and Timo Perez for Manny Ramirez? -- Samuel B., Mobile, Ala.
Hmmm... Even with the Red Sox operating without a clear-cut general manager at this point, I just don't think Boston will go for that move. Sure, Politte and Marte would help the beleaguered Boston bullpen immensely, but I think they would need a little bigger return for one of the best hitters in the game. Perez has 25 career home runs. Ramirez hits that target in two months.
Don't look for Ramirez to end up on the South Side, if the Red Sox end up moving their superstar slugger. Guillen wants players who will fit his team-first system and not big-time players who will light up the stadium marquee. Despite his offensive prowess, Ramirez would not really work smoothly into the White Sox plans.
Are the White Sox going to get Chris Widger back? -- Sam, Chicago
Sam, you must still be caught up in the post-World Series celebration and missed the news online or in the Chicago newspapers. Widger, 34, signed a one-year, $650,000 contract to return to the White Sox for 2006. It actually happened the same November day the White Sox bought out Frank Thomas' contract.
Widger was one of the most unsung additions by general manager Ken Williams for the 2005 champions, handling the pitchers with great skill, despite taking one year off from organized baseball. He's a player whose knowledge of the game and eloquence speaking about the game has him destined for managerial or coaching duties in the not-too-distant future.
The White Sox wanted Widger to return, and Widger wanted to come back. So, it was a fairly simple process.
I am a humongous fan of Joe Crede's since I'm from his hometown. I was wondering if you think he will return to the White Sox for the 2006 season and if he does, about how much do you think he could make and how long of a contract would the White Sox be willing to give him? -- Tom M., Westphalia, Mo.
Crede will return to the White Sox in 2006, anchoring third base, and, in my opinion, taking that next step toward baseball's elite level. Crede began that particular climb during the final weeks of the regular season and continued moving onward and upward throughout the postseason.
It's a safe bet that Crede will be offered arbitration for 2006, especially with 2004 first-round draft pick Josh Fields waiting in the wings at third base, and the White Sox still waiting to see if Crede can continue his high level of offensive production throughout the course of an entire campaign. He probably will earn somewhere in the $2-2.5 million range through arbitration.
By the way, Crede officially is the most decorated White Sox player of the postseason. Sure, Scott Podsednik made an appearance on Saturday Night Live, but the town of Westphalia actually threw Crede a parade in which he was the guest of honor. I'm not sure if you attended, Tom, but the motorcade went down Main St., of course, and Crede and his family basically seemed to be the only car of that said motorcade traveling amongst 1,000 well-wishers.
What are the chances that the Sox will get the whole team back together for the 2006 season -- with Big Frank at designated hitter, Konerko at first base and everyone healthy and ready to go for another World Series victory? -- Bato M., Chicago
There is no chance the whole team will be back together in 2006, with World Series hero Geoff Blum already having signed with San Diego. I also don't expect third-string catcher Raul Casanova, a free agent, to return.
In all seriousness, Williams is not a man to ever stand pat. It would seem to make sense to keep a dominant team such as the White Sox together at the core, after winning 110 total games in 2005 and capturing the franchise's first World Series title since 1917. But Williams is striving to make this team even stronger in its quest to defend the crown.
I believe Konerko will be back at first base. I also think the White Sox will add some left-handed power to the lineup and try to bring a more natural speed player into the second spot of the order, with Tadahito Iguchi moving down to sixth or seventh, as Guillen stated after his Manager of the Year press conference. Those changes could mean one of the starting pitchers being dealt or even one of the White Sox outfielders moving, especially with the abundance of young talent they have at this position in the Minor Leagues. This group will return as strong as it was in 2005, though. That's a certainty.
As a lifelong Yankees fan, I would like to commend Guillen on the courageous and classy way he finished the season. He could have rolled over and rested his stars against the Indians, but he didn't. The rest is history, sweeping the Indians and later the Astros. It was God's way of smiling down on Ozzie. Congratulations and buena suerte, amigo. We'll be back next year. -- George, Stony Point, N.Y.
Many White Sox players point to the American League Central clinching victory in Detroit as the freeing experience that sent them shooting to the playoffs. I still believe that closing sweep of Cleveland at Jacobs Field not only returned them to the style of successful baseball featured most of the season, but also exorcised the Indians' demons they had been hearing about for the previous month. The rest, as they say, was an 11-1 postseason.
True story. My wife bought a black and silver mini schnauzer on April 4, 2005 (Opening Day) while I was deployed. All of his feet have white fur. She named him Oscar White Sox. When I came home, she surprised me with the AKC certificate with his name.
She knows how much I love the Sox. The team was awesome and lucky as well. During the playoffs, I often rubbed his feet for luck. It sure did pay off! World Series champs!!!!! -- Michael M., Chicago
Michael, I'll forward this e-mail along to the White Sox and maybe they can honor your puppy during the 2006 regular season. In all seriousness, that's a very entertaining story and one of many that I've heard about little quirky good luck charms or regular locales to watch the game or special shirts worn by countless White Sox fans to ensure a victory.
I'm sure it all made a cosmic difference, and more importantly, it helped White Sox fans such as you make an even greater connection to this special team.
Do you think A.J. Pierzynski should have won a Gold Glove? He only made one error and Boston's Jason Varitek made eight. It seems he does not get enough credit for his defensive play. -- Michael, Valparaiso, Ind.
Michael, I don't think Pierzynski should have won the Gold Glove. I haven't watched Varitek enough to say he does or doesn't deserve it, but the Angels' Bengie Molina was the best defensive catcher I viewed. Pierzynski was nearly flawless behind the plate, but the judgment isn't always based on raw statistical totals.
Pierzynski added more important intangibles to this team such as a grittiness and attitude that wasn't previously present. He also did a masterful job handling the pitching staff, a thought seconded by pitchers and management alike. I've said it countless times before, but I still believe Pierzynski was the most important offseason addition Williams made last year.
As for individual awards, check out this quote from Pierzynski after the deciding fourth game in Houston as to his thoughts on what truly was personally important.
"This means I'm a world champion and nobody can ever take that away from me," Pierzynski said. "Whatever anyone ever says about me, and I've been called a lot of things, but now I'm a World Series champion with the best group of guys I've ever played with."
Tell me again how teams passed on a player like Pierzynski.

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

Minoso on Hall's Negro Leagues ballot

11/21/2005
CHICAGO -- Minnie Minoso not only was a tremendously talented and versatile baseball player, but he was a tremendously talented and versatile baseball player who crossed all race and nationality barriers.
Now, Minoso has the chance to be a tremendously talented and versatile baseball player with a place in the Hall of Fame.
Minoso, who is still eligible for Hall of Fame selection via the Veteran's Committee, is one of 39 players and executives from the Negro Leagues and pre-Negro Leagues era chosen for possible induction to the Hall of Fame, as announced Monday by officials from the Hall of Fame. The ballot will be submitted to a panel of 12, with nine votes from that particular panel (or 75 percent) needed for induction.
There are no limitations as to how many players or executives can be voted for, as each candidate will be considered on an individual basis. This process will be the final election for players associated with the Negro Leagues, following a research program funded by Major League Baseball produced these additional worthy candidates.
Known as the first black player to suit up for the Chicago White Sox in 1951, Minoso also made history by playing in five separate decades. He had two at-bats for the 1980 White Sox and actually finished 1-for-8 during his short stint with the 1976 White Sox. Minoso also suited up on the South Side from 1951-1957, from 1960-1961 and in 1964.
For his career, Minoso hit .298 over 14 seasons and finished with 186 home runs and 205 stolen bases. He batted .300 eight times and was The Sporting News Rookie of the Year in 1951. Minoso led the American League in stolen bases during his first three full seasons in the Majors.
Minoso led off for the 1947 New York Cubans, a team that won the Negro League title, and was the starting third baseman for the East squad in both the 1947 and 1948 East-West All-Star Games. Minoso, who played in the Cuban and Mexican Leagues from 1965-1973, was a seven-time Major League All-Star and captured three Gold Gloves in the outfield. He also led the American League in being hit by a pitch during 10 separate seasons.
His No. 9 jersey was retired by the White Sox in 1983, one of nine numbers retired by the franchise, including Jackie Robinson.

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

White Sox DVD premieres in Chicago

11/22/2005
CHICAGO -- A few years ago, television executives from a major network decided to put a few average citizens on a deserted island, film their life and then dubbed it Reality TV.
Since that particular historic moment, this genre has evolved into everything from picking a soul mate for your mother or father to Jose Canseco, Amarosa from "The Apprentice" and Balki from the television show "Perfect Strangers" living in the same house together. But to gain an understanding of what reality entertainment truly is all about, then take a close look at the White Sox 2005 World Series DVD.
The precise and entertaining storytelling of the South Siders' improbable run to its first championship since 1917, put together by Shout! Factory and Major League Baseball Productions, becomes available to the public next Tuesday, Nov. 29. At least one person close to the title run labeled it as a must-see for the holidays after attending the premier Monday night at the Esquire Theater in the heart of Chicago.
"On a scale of 1 to 10?" asked Oney Guillen, manager Ozzie Guillen's second of three sons and a college student in Chicago. "It's a 25. It's amazing. To see what happened on the screen, it gave me goosebumps."
Oney Guillen was the White Sox first family representative, as he joked that the weather was a little too cold for his father, who currently is back in Venezuela. But Oney was not the only one close to the team in attendance.
Center fielder Aaron Rowand and third baseman Joe Crede chatted casually with the media prior to the DVD's debut. Rowand then gave a short speech to the invite-only crowd in attendance, imploring the White Sox fans with a laugh to "tell their friends" if they liked what they viewed.
Both players were featured prominently in the DVD, expertly narrated by Chicago actor Michael Clarke Duncan. There were the obvious moments of excitement to be included, from Scott Podsednik's walk-off home run in Game 2 of the World Series to the final out of this historic achievement being recorded at Minute Maid Park. But in between, there was plenty of inside information to show how this team came together and had more fun than should be allowed in the process.
A few of the highlights, without giving away the ending of the production, involved Rowand stating 'That really hurt' after he ran into the wall during a play in Game 1 of the Division Series against Boston. Rowand wore a microphone for much of the postseason, including the World Series.
There also were interesting little insights such as catcher A.J. Pierzynski sarcastically calling his memorable ninth-inning strikeout in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series "the biggest strikeout of my career." Pierzynski also broke down the seconds ticking off immediately after Juan Uribe threw out Orlando Palmeiro to complete the four-game sweep, stating that he jumped on Bobby Jenks because he didn't want the burly closer to jump on him.
It was a moving experience for everyone in the White Sox organization who played some part in this championship. It was equally moving to watch it at the Esquire on Monday night.
"That was awesome," said Rowand, after watching the DVD and prior to signing autographs and taking pictures with the guests in attendance. "They did a great job putting it together. They really shed some light on what it was all about for us. It was great.
"This was my first walk in the park, as far as being part of something like (the DVD). It's great to relive it and watch it again. I think back about all the great moments, and it's interesting to see the way I saw them in my eyes and the way they were shown on camera."
Rowand will have quite a positive memory of these past two days in general. On Sunday, sporting his Dick Butkus jersey, Rowand stood on the sideline at Soldier Field and watched his beloved Bears improve to 7-3 with a 13-3 whipping of Carolina. Rowand returns on Dec. 4 to serve as an honorary captain for the Bears in a game against the Packers.
Both Rowand and Crede, who joined Rowand on the sideline Sunday at Soldier Field, took the approach that a second championship during the same one-year time frame in Chicago is not out of the question. After all, the Patriots and Red Sox did the job last year.
For now, the duo is relaxing and winding down from the 2005 championship. Of course, their focus soon will return to a repeat effort in 2006 and a second world premier DVD.
"Any time I can share this with the fans, I'm all for it," said Crede, who watched the DVD for the first time Monday. "People come up to me and tell me how this changed their life in some way. It's neat to hear all the stories.
"It's special for me to know we were able to do that. I mean, words can't describe what an unbelievable year this was, and the feeling it was to be part of this championship."

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

Rowand's 'perfect life' may be changing

11/22/2005
CHICAGO -- Ask Aaron Rowand about the trade rumors recently swirling, primarily involving his name, and the White Sox center fielder immediately fixes a smile upon his face.
That smile quickly turns to a look of concern for the affable Rowand.
"Ultimately, I love where I'm at," said Rowand, speaking prior to Monday night's 2005 World Series DVD premier at the Esquire Theater in Chicago. "I couldn't be happier. If I could picture my perfect life, I'm living it right now.
"To be able to live the way I'm living and do what I really enjoy doing in the place where I want to do it, I don't want to change it. I want to spend the rest of my career here."
Unfortunately for Rowand, that decision is not his to make. Depending on how the free agency involving first baseman Paul Konerko and designated hitter Frank Thomas plays out, the world champion White Sox could be looking to fill vacancies at those positions and probably would be focusing on adding a left-handed bat.
Actually, a left-handed bat to provide some balance within the lineup seems to be necessary, with or without the White Sox sluggers. That's where Rowand's name and trade value come into play.
Rowand, 28, became the prototype for general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen's grinder style of baseball. In his first full season as a starter, Rowand hit .270 with 13 home runs, 69 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.
Those numbers were a bit of a drop off from Rowand's .310 average, 24 home runs and 69 RBIs in 2004, when he had 90 fewer at-bats. But Rowand emerged as one of the top defensive center fielders in all of baseball, fueling a pitching and defensive-based attack for the South Siders.
His play in center also stoked purely speculative rumors that he would be part of a trade with Florida, in exchange for Juan Pierre, the Marlins' fleet-footed, left-handed-hitting center fielder. Rowand drew direct interest from the Yankees, who watched him get to any ball that stayed in the park during a three-game series in Yankee Stadium from Aug. 8-10.
With $3.25 million owed to him in 2006 and mutual options involving $3.25 million for Rowand in 2007 and $5 million for the club, Rowand is a supremely talented and affordable option.
"As everyone knows, when the boss wants something, he usually gets it," said Rowand with a laugh, referring to Yankee owner George Steinbrenner and the team's interest in Rowand. "But it's definitely flattering to be sought after."
There was no fit in that particular situation, but the White Sox could be tempted to listen to other offers with the Winter Meetings approaching on Dec. 4 in Dallas. The organization is stocked with top-notch outfield prospects, such as Brian Anderson, Chris Young and Jerry Owens, which could make one of the current outfielders particularly enticing as part of a deal.
As for Konerko and Thomas, Rowand has spoken to both of them since what is passing for the White Sox offseason officially began in November. Rowand said that Konerko is "sitting back and waiting for teams to put in offers," but confirmed a piece of information that most White Sox fans already knew.
"I know he wants to be here. I talked to him about it," said Rowand of Konerko, who both share the same agent in Craig Landis. "He loves the city. He loves playing on this team. He likes our clubhouse. If he has his choice, he will be coming back to the White Sox.
"But it is a business and he has to make the best decision for himself and his family," Rowand added.
Rowand talked to Thomas on Sunday night from Chicago, after Thomas returned from his wedding in Hawaii. Thomas mentioned that he wanted to play golf when Rowand returned home to Las Vegas, signaling that the fractured navicular in the Big Hurt's left ankle apparently is continuing to heal.
It seems strange to Rowand that the man who has "personified the organization for years and years" could be wearing another uniform in 2006. It's a scenario Rowand hopes won't play out, adding that "all of us are praying that he finishes his career with the Chicago White Sox."
Ultimately, it will be a business decision dictating Thomas' return at a reduced rate or his departure after 16 seasons. The White Sox are in the business of winning, and as Guillen mentioned recently, to keep that business thriving, decisions have to be made with your brain and not your heart.
"It's a reminder that this is a business, even if you wish it wasn't sometime," said White Sox third baseman Joe Crede, who is arbitration eligible, but figures to return to the South Side. "Hopefully, we stay together because you don't really want to hear that kind of [trade] stuff after what we accomplished."

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

Just Chatt'n

November 13, 2005
(Men's basketball player Pierre Thomas joined me amidst bouncing balls along press row in the McKay Center)
MV: Ever since you arrived as a freshman, you've basically started every game. Is that what attracted you to UVSC, the playing time?
PT: Actually, when I first came here, there [were] a lot of people that had already been here, so I had to work to get that starting spot. Really, as a freshman, I was just coming here as a JUCO for one year and then leaving, but I got so attached to my teammates like Ronnie and John (Bell), that's why I decided to stay.
MV: It's no secret you're really tight with Ronnie Price. You guys came in together and lived together. What's it's like now that he's moved on and you're left to shoulder a lot of the leadership burden?
PT: It's like my third year being a team captain; but leadership-wise, like what Ronnie was, it's different, cause I mean we did everything together. And since he's not here now, it's kind of hard. We [were] able to talk and communicate with each other, to get through certain moments. But now, it's hard. But I've made new friends, like, with David and Slash.
MV: Give me some insight into what it was like as a player and teammate to watch Ronnie's magical run last year?
PT: Every year he got better. Coming from freshman year, all Ronnie would do is shoot, shoot, shoot. His defense was all right, so I really got the chance to see him develop. He always had the game; he just had the will and the work. It was something.
MV: I'll never forget calling the N. Colorado game and just getting chills up my spine when he kissed the floor and said goodbye. So impromptu.
PT: Actually, I ain't gonna lie, I wanted to cry. It was his last single game, home game, and I'm like "Man, I'm not gonna be able to play with him no more cause me and Ronnie, we like best friends now." To go through so much and then for him to leave, it really hit me at that time.
MV: Seriously, I wanted to cry too. You don't know how much I respect you now for admitting that.
PT: I looked at him and he looked at me and he seen my eyes getting kind of watery, so he said like, "Man, P, you almost made me cry before the game started." I was like, " Man, I felt it."
MV: Coming from the Chicago area, are you a Cubs or a White Sox fan?
PT: Actually, I'm not a baseball fan at all, but I jumped on the bandwagon. I became a White Sox fan, but I'm only like a couple blocks away from the stadium.
MV: How's the ankle doing right now?
PT: It's better, but it's weak.
MV: How'd you injure it?
PT: Actually, I did it in the summertime. And I kept playing on it, so I re-injured it and wouldn't let it heal. And then I was cool for the first week of June, and then I got hurt again. I wasn't supposed to play Monday, but Coach [Hunsaker], being the person he is, threw me in there.
MV: (laugh)
PT: So I played a good ten minutes of the game.
MV: Yeah, it was pretty noticeable.
PT: I didn't even know I was gonna play . . . and then he threw me in there and I wasn't really prepared for it. But it's getting better now.
MV: Are you going to be ready for Colgate?
PT: Yeah, I don't have a choice (chuckle).
MV: What's spinning in the iPod?
PT: Actually, I don't have an iPod. But...my CD case?
MV: Yeah.
PT: I got Twista, Kanye West, a lot of rap and R&B.
MV: Really, you kind of take me for a Neil Young or Bob Dylan kind of guy.
PT: (laugh) Well, no. Is that what you listen to?
MV: No.
MV: So have you become a Kings fan this year?
PT: Yeah, I have. Actually, I got in trouble two weeks ago because I missed weights in the morning. But the reason was, Coach got on my case cause I was watching Ronnie's game, so he says I can't watch Ronnie's games no more. So whenever I sneak around and try and watch a game, everyone be like, "you not supposed to be here watching this game."
MV: Say Mike Bibby goes out tomorrow with a season-ending injury, what happens to Sacramento?
PT: I got too much confidence in Ronnie. I know that once he gets in there and gets comfortable, it's over. I've talked to him a lot and he gonna compete. He's got defense and offense. It's gonna take time but he's gonna play.
MV: You've played like three or four positions since you've put on green and gold, including point guard. Where do you feel most comfortable?
PT: Every year it's different. My sophomore year when I played point guard, I hated it. I didn't want to play point guard at all, but as the year went on, it grew on me. Last year, Coach wanted to move Ronnie to the point because everybody knew he could score, they wanted to know if he could become a passer. I kind of didn't like that at the time, but I wanted to do what's best for the team so I moved to the three. This year I like being on the wing. I like running.
MV: What do you think about the girls around here?
PT: The girls? I like 'em, I love 'em. I love the girls.
MV: You have any quality stories of Coach Hunsaker yelling at you?
PT: Where do I get started with that? Honestly, I think the reason he yells at me is because it gets me to play hard, 'cause he knows that I hate for him to yell at me. And sometimes I got a little habit of talking back, but he likes when I do that because it's like he wants me to fight him, and then he gets me mad, and then I get upset, and then I play real hard. He does that at least twice a day. You gotta love him.

Source: http://www.netxnews.net/

Passion is key in life, sports, business world

November 11, 2005
After watching the Chicago White Sox sweep the Houston Astros in the World Series, it made me think about what I have taken out of the game that has helped me on a daily basis in my business life.
White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen has now shown the world that you can win when you lead with two things you learn from the game of baseball -- a sense of humor and passion.
If there is one thing that I have gained from playing baseball professionally and have been able to transfer into business, it's being passionate about what you do -- both in job selection and with how you go about your job.
Without passion you have nothing. There are people who are unhappy sitting in a cubicle typing away at the computer all day. People who are selling a product they don't believe in. I imagine that these types of individuals lack passion and are completely drained.
Find something you love to do. Don't work to work -- instead, work your passion. This is something I do daily.
Laughter is also part of my everyday life. It's part of who I am. The late, great former coach of North Carolina State, Jim Valvano said during the ESPY awards in 1993, "If you laugh, you think and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day."
I recall pitching in Tulsa, Okla., in front of 7,000 fans as a visiting player and after "giving up the house" (seven earned runs) I remember coming off the field to a rounding "fake" standing ovation.
My reaction could have been John Rocker-like or some other violent reaction. Instead, I used the moment to my advantage.
I stood in front of my dugout, took off my hat, and gave the 7,000 fans a healthy bow.
Those 7,000 fans who were jeering me turned to cheering me.

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/

Landis guided baseball with unsurpassed power

November 14, 2005
"Baseball is something more than a game to an American boy. ... Destroy his faith in its squareness and honesty and you have destroyed something more; you have planted suspicion of all things in his heart." -- Kenesaw Mountain Landis

The group of baseball owners stood in the back of the Chicago courtroom while the judge crankily disposed of one case after another. Finally, with the docket cleared, the jurist adjourned court and motioned for them to join him in chambers. "We want you to be commissioner of baseball," the owners' spokesman said. The judge frowned. "I must have absolute power." "You will have it." The judge smiled and stuck out his hand. Thus it was that on Nov. 12, 1920, Kenesaw Mountain Landis became the ruler of America's national pastime -- a role he would fill with authority and arrogance until his death in November 1944. There have been eight baseball commissioners since, and their combined authority did not begin to equal that of Landis alone. After nearly a quarter-century of being tyrannized by a despot, baseball's owners would not yield such authority again. But in 1920, they were desperate for someone, anyone, to lead them from the gathering gloom caused by the Black Sox scandal a year earlier. Before 1920 the game was loosely run by something called the National Commission, an unwieldy triumvirate of American League president Ban Johnson, National League president John Heydler and Cincinnati Reds owner Garry Herrmann. But when the news broke in September 1920 that eight members of the Chicago White Sox had conspired with gamblers to throw the previous year's World Series, the commission was powerless to act. For nearly half a century, most fans had considered major league baseball basically honest, but now public faith in the game and its players was falling faster than the stock market would nine years later. As White Sox star Joe Jackson left a courtroom after being indicted by a Cook County, Ill., grand jury, a tearful urchin is supposed to have tugged at his sleeve and said, "Say it ain't so, Joe." The story probably isn't true -- Jackson always denied it -- but nevertheless it reflected the anger and anguish felt by millions. What to do? Others considered for the role of commissioner included former President William Howard Taft, Gen. George Pershing and Sen. Hiram Johnson. But Landis was known in baseball circles as a big fan and a tough judge who had famously slapped Standard Oil with a $29?million fine for antitrust violations in 1907. With his shock of white hair, thundering voice and authoritative manner, he also had the demeanor of an avenging angel. So obvious was the choice that the owners were willing to cede what power they had remaining and trust him to build on it.

Source: http://www.washtimes.com/

Top 10 ways to get your off-season White Sox fix

Monday, November 14, 2005
1. Watch the games you taped and TiVo-ed. Practice your Ken "Hawk" Harrelson impression -- "You can put it on the boaaarrrrdddddd. YES!"
2. Burn a "mix tape" CD of White Sox songs, including Steam's, "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Good-bye" and "Don't Stop Believin' " by new Sox pal Steve Perry's '80s group Journey. You'll need AC/DC's "Thunderstruck," (be sure to yell ala Gene Honda, "White Sox fans, ON YOUR FEET!" when the guitar riff starts). Pick up the 1959 Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers rally song, "Let's Go Go Go White Sox" from Beverly Records. Be sure to add "He's a Pirate," from the "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" soundtrack, played during the video montage on the scoreboard before each home game.
3. Announce to your family that because you are thankful for the World Champion Chicago White Sox, this year's traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be replaced by hot dogs and peanuts.
4. Host a baseball movie festival. Watch the Sox-heavy "Eight Men Out" and "Field of Dreams" first. Move on to "The Natural," "Bull Durham," and "*61." Try "Fear Strikes Out" if needed and remember Jimmy Piersall's days as an announcer for the Sox. Get "A League of Their Own" for the gals and "Major League" for the guys and the "Baseball Bugs" cartoon with Bugs Bunny for the kids. No "This Old Cub" showings allowed.
5. Go online to tucsonbaseball.com and springtrainingonline.com to check out the spring training schedules as they become available. Then go to visittucson.org and book your vacation to watch baseball in February.
6. Make a White Sox-themed Christmas tree, complete with black and silver garland. When asked what kind of garland you used, reply, "Jon Garland, of course!" and laugh yourself silly.
7. Walk up to people wearing Cubs gear, smile broadly and walk away.
8. Visit your local tattoo artist and get your sweetie that "I (heart) Anthony John Pierzynski" ink she's been begging for as an early Valentine's Day gift. Short on cash? Get Joe Crede instead.
9. Cash in your 401(k) to contribute to the Jerry Reinsdorf Fund to Re-sign Paul Konerko.
10. Enjoy the shortest, sweetest off-season ever!

Source: http://www.nwitimes.com/

Civic leaders call for city wireless network

November 14, 2005
The White Sox are world champions, but where is Chicago when it comes to wireless broadband access? Are we behind Philadelphia, San Francisco and even our neighbor to the north, Milwaukee?
A City Council task force co-chaired by Ald. Ed Burke (14th) and Margaret Laurino (39th) is looking at the issue. Burke and Laurino have done yeopeople's work pushing for improved Internet service for the neighborhoods. City of Chicago CIO Chris O'Brien is hot on the issue. The Metropolitan Planning Council's vice president for planning and policy, Scott Goldstein, is a longtime and thoughtful advocate.
Burke and Laurino recently concluded community hearings at Truman College, the West Side Learning Center and the South Shore Cultural Center. They heard a consistent message. "People want this service within their community," says Laurino. "If we are capable of bringing it to the neighborhoods, they are going to use it.
"Our goal is a wireless network from Rogers Park to Englewood. We're not tech specialists, but we know what the neighborhoods need. If you want to apply for a job at Jewel-Osco you have to get online. Teachers need to communicate with parents online."

Source: http://www.suntimes.com/

Long Hulman-George Era Rare In Pro Sports Ownership In U.S.

Monday, November 14, 2005
In this era of mergers, takeovers, buyouts and bankruptcies, it’s close to an anomaly that the Hulman-George family still owns and operates the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after 60 years.
Until the modern era of major league sports, it was quite common for one person to buy a team, run it for a number of years and then hand control to his or her descendents. But the advent of television and the ensuing tremendous hike in team monetary value as cities across the country and wealthy business people eagerly bid for ownership has reduced the family-run operations to a scant few.
On Nov. 14, 1945, Terre Haute, Ind., businessman Tony Hulman purchased the famed but rundown 2 ½-mile racetrack located 5 miles from downtown Indianapolis at the urging of Wilbur Shaw, who won three of the last five 500-Mile Races held there before the U.S. entered World War II. The Speedway remains under family control, with chairman Mari Hulman George, Hulman’s daughter, and Speedway chief executive officer Tony George, his grandson.
Elsewhere today, only a few major league team family ownerships outdate that of the Hulman-George longevity. Five of them are in the National Football League.
The Halas family still controls the Chicago Bears, one of the league’s original teams. But the Chicago Park District owns Soldier Field, the team’s longtime home stadium.
Wellington Mara still owned half of the New York Giants and was calling the shots when he died Oct. 25 at age 89. He was the last of the league’s founding members. The Arizona Cardinals, starting as the Chicago Cardinals and later known as the St. Louis Cardinals, have continually been in the Bidwell family since 1932. And the Rooneys, another pioneer NFL family, have operated the Pittsburgh Steelers since July 8, 1933.
But the fifth team, the Green Bay Packers, is unique unto itself in major league sports. It isn’t owned by one particular family but by thousands of them. In August 1