Deciding Game of Series

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Today’s Lineup

Erstad, CF; Mack, RF; PK, 1B; AJ, C; Dye, DH; Crede, 3B; Cintron, 2B; Uribe, SS; Sweeney, LF.  Buehrle pitching.

Roster Move

Before today’s game, we recalled Ryan Sweeney from Class AAA Charlotte and placed Jim Thome on the 15-day disabled list with a muscle strain in his right rib cage.

Century Club

Mark Buehrle, today’s starter, is in position this afternoon to become just the fifth pitcher in history to record each of his first 100 career victories in a White Sox uniform.  With his next win, Buehrle will join Red Faber, Joe Horlen, Ted Lyons and Ed Walsh as the only pitchers to accomplish that feat.  Mark ranks 12th in Sox history with 99 wins (Thornton Lee is 11th with 104).

Most Innings

Buehrle ranks second in baseball with 1,401 IP since 2001.  Our lefty trails only Livan Hernandez, currently with the Dbacks, who has 1,425.1 IP.

Only Ozzie

I am sitting in Ozzie’s office yesterday before the game with Ken Williams.  As we talk, Ozzie flips channels on the television.  He stops at an LSU vs. Tennessee women’s fastpitch softball game.

"This hitter can really rake," he says as an LSU batter lines a ball into center field.  "And that pitcher is one of the best in college softball right now."

I give him an incredulous look (not because it is women’s softball but because he really has enough time in his life to watch any and all baseball/softball on television).

"No, really.  I watch this all the time."