Tonight's Lineup

OC, SS; Quentin, LF; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; Dye, RF; AJ, C; Swish, CF; Crede, 3B; Uribe, 2B.  Floyd pitching.

Today

Well, today sure was interesting.  Indiana primary this evening, thousands dead in Southeast Asia and yet we make Page 1 of the local tabloid ...

Before tonight's game, KW and Ozzie met with the media to discuss the latest story about our team's admittedly inappropriate -- stupid might be the right word -- attempt to break our slump in Toronto.

Williams did reinforce that the effort was "inappropriate," "disappointing" and "irresponsible," particularly given the negative images and issues surrounding women in our society.

"We all need to be a little more sensitive," Williams said. 

The GM met with Guillen over a two-hour lunch earlier in the day to talk about the team and the recent roadtrip.

"We addressed the issue," Williams said.

Guillen and several Sox players stressed that the incident was intended to be a "team joke," and was not meant to hurt anyone.

Certainly, the majority of the Chicago press corps was in attendance, so you'll be able to read several opinions and versions of the afternoon's comments from the dugout and clubhouse.

So what do you think we'll all read tomorrow?

Interesting Study

For what it's worth, a story like this is interesting to me from a journalism standpoint.

A Chicago columnist offered her opinion, and other media have chosen to respond to that story, either picking up on her theme or challenging some of her opinions.

What I find so interesting is how the internet has allowed you -- fans or people with an opinion -- to reply and respond immediately, passionately, thoughfully (or not so thoughtfully, in some cases).  No longer is the public left without a voice.  The internet allows you to speak strongly, to the team, to the media and to one another.

I've spent much of today monitoring websites and chat rooms.  If you have the time and care enough, check out fan reaction on whitesox.com, whitesoxinteractive and even the Chicago Sun-Times website.

Fans are certainly heard.

Tonight's Lineup

OC, SS; Quentin, LF; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; Dye, RF; Swisher, CF; Crede, 3B; Uribe, SS; Hall, C.  Vazquez pitching.

Sorry

Crazy-busy today and no time to post.  Will try to write more the next three days.

When it rains, it pours.  We can't seem to make or catch a break right now.

Tonight's Lineup

Swish, 1B; OC, SS; Thome, DH; Dye, RF; AJ, C; Q, LF; Crede, 3B; BA, CF; Uribe, SS.

Idle Thoughts

Notice how many bats are shattering lately.  You started to see it more and more in recent years, but it seems worse than ever this spring.  Last night, Kobayashi of the Indians had to dodge what amounted to a spinning spear during Cleveland's win over the Mariners.  Not sure what can be done, but it is scary, nonetheless.

Hate these four-game series because it is so difficult to win three games from anyone. 

Roster Move

Adam Russell joins the bullpen this weekend in place of Alexi Ramirez, who will spend the weekend in Chicago.  It likely wasn't the getting into Canada that was going to be the problem for the Cuban defector, but the returning to the States part.

Class AAA Charlotte happened to be in Buffalo, so "Fargo" (Scott Johnson, our Triple A trainer/traveling sec/chauffer) drove Russell to Toronto today.

Can't you just imagine the look on the border guard's face.  First, he sees Johnson and Russell (6-8, 250 pounds) leave the country.  Then a couple of hours later, back comes Johnson without his passenger.

"Do you have anything to declare?"

Gratuitous Mention

At dinner the other night with Bulls PR chief Tim Hallam and his wife, Nancy, Hallam smarmily asked if I would mention him in my blog, so here you go.  Dinner at Rosebud Steakhouse was tremendous.

Proud Moment

Not sure everyone saw, but earlier this week, Chicago White Sox Charities made grants of $3.2 million for 2008, taking our all-time giving amount to over $12 million.

None of this would happen without the support of White Sox fans (buying bricks, buying 50-50 tickets, supporting events) ... so thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

This from our media notes for today's game:

SOX AND O'S SUSPENDED

The White Sox-Orioles game yesterday was suspended after 11 innings with the scored tied, 3-3 ... the game will resume on 8/25 in Baltimore and will be followed by the regularly scheduled contest ... all statistics from yesterday's game count.

It is the Sox first suspended game since 5/8/84 vs. Milwaukee at old Comiskey Park ... that game was suspended by curfew with the scored tied, 3-3, after 17 innings ... play resumed on 5/9, with the Sox winning, 7-6, on Harold Baines solo homer off Chuck Porter in the 25th inning.

That game remains the longest in major-league history by time (8:06) and longest in American League history by innings (25).

Tom Seaver earned two victories on 5/9/84 ... Seaver pitched a scoreless 25th inning to earn the win in the suspended game ... he then started the regularly scheduled game vs. the Brewers, allowing four runs on three hits over 8.1 IP of the Sox 5-4 win.

Baines, the Sox first-base coach, went 2-10 with a double and solo homer, while hitting coach Greg Walker started at first base and was 2-4 with a run scored.

VIEW FROM THE TOP

The White Sox have been in first place for 21 days this season, including every day since 4/15 ... by comparison, the Sox led the division for one day last season and 35 in 2006.

They led the American League Central wire-to-wire in 2005 (182 days) on their way to the World Championship ... the Sox current division lead of 3.0 games is their largest of the season.

WELCOME ADDITION

Carlos Quentin leads the American League in on-base plus slugging percentage (1.077), on-base percentage (.454) and at-bats per home run (12.83) and ranks among the leaders in home runs (T1st, 6), hit by pitch (T1st, 6), slugging percentage (2nd, .623), runs scored (T2nd, 20) and RBI (T5th, 20).

Quentin, 25, has reached base safely in 13 consecutive games, hitting .390 (16-41) with five home runs and 10 RBI ... he owns an eight-game hitting streak (.462, 12-26) and has reached base safely 12 times in his last three games, going 7-9 with two doubles, a home run, two RBI, three walks and two hit by pitches.

Suspended Game -- What I know right now

We'll finish yesterday's suspended game before our scheduled game in Baltimore on August 25.  Game time and television coverage is TBA (we hope to know later today).

The game picks up where it left off.  Lineups stay the same and if a player played and then was removed from the game, he's done when the contest begins anew.  Only quirky rule is that a player added to the 25-man roster between now and August 25 is eligible to then play in the completion of the suspended game.

Today's Lineup

Swish, RF; OC, SS; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; AJ, C; Q, LF; Crede, 3B; BA, CF; Ramirez, 2B.  Vazquez pitching.

Roger's report: rain off and on all day.

Today's Lineup

Swish, RF; OC, SS; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; AJ, C; Quentin, LF; Ramirez, 2B; BA, CF; Ozuna, 3B.  Contreras pitching.

Move

Late last night after our second game, Mike MacDougal was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte.  Prior to today's game, Ehren Wassermann was recalled from Charlotte.  He arrived in time for today's game.  In fact, he was sitting in front of his locker when I arrived at the ballpark this morning.

Stats

I started playing around with something, in part feeling frustrated by the scoring opportunities we missed at times yesterday.

I decided to compare our first 23 games last year (we were 12-11) to this year in terms of baserunners earned and runs scored.

Last year, through the first 23 games, we produced 275 baserunners (hits + walks + hit by pitch) and scored 95 runs ... 4.1 per game.  The team was hitting .225 with an OBP of .317.

Thru 23 games in 2007, we had succeeded in driving in 34.5 percent of our baserunners (admitting my math isn't perfect in that I haven't taken the time -- this being Sunday morning -- to check on errors).

This year, through 23 games (we are 13-10), the team has generated 296 basrunners and scored 121 runs ... 5.7 per game.  We are hitting .244 with an OBP of .335.

Thru 23 games in 2008, we've scored 40.9 percent of our baserunners.

Not sure it says anything yet, but something to keep an eye on ...

Game 2 Lineup

Swish, RF; OC, SS; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; AJ, C; Quentin, LF; Crede, 3B; BA, CF; Ozuna, 2B.  Buehrle pitching.

Funny Story

Because I need one ...

Hall of Famer Jim Palmer ran into Moose Skowron yesterday and reminded Skowron that he had homered off Palmer, the very first round tripper the Orioles ace had ever allowed in the major leagues.

It came at old Comiskey Park, Moose explained.  And on the bench, Hank Bauer, then Oriole manager and forever best friend/former teammate of Skowron's with the Yanks, cheered for Moose as he rounded the bases.

Had to make a pitcher feel good ...

Today's Game 1 Lineup

Swish, RF; OC, SS; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; Quentin, LF; Crede, 3B; Ramirez, CF; Uribe, 2B; Hall, C.  Danks pitching.

This Morning's News

As I walked into the clubhouse, a serious-faced Ozzie Guillen walked past me toward Mark Buehrle, who was talking to a group of Chicago media.

"I'm going to tell him he's starting," Guillen said.  Ever alert, I thought he was joking ... since Ozzie never appears that serious and Mark started last night's abbreviated game.

Turns out I was wrong.  Buehrle will start Game 2 tonight at 6:05 pm.

Here's what happened ...

This morning, Buehrle text-messaged Guillen saying he could pitch.

When he arrived at the ballpark, they met and discussed the idea with everyone.

Result:  the left-handed ace pitches tonight ...

"I wanted to make sure," Guillen said.  "Mark's my ace and will be here a long time.  We plan to compete all season long and he's a big part of that competition."

Guillen did admit that Buehrle's soft-throwing nature factored into the decision.

"He probably could start every day."

So Nick Masset was quickly called and told to get to the ballpark ASAP.

"We haven't had too much luck with doubleheaders here," Guillen noted, remembering that last year the Twins swept the Sox by what Guillen estimated was a score of 62-4.  "Lots of runs, long games, ugly.

"If you have to play a split doubleheader, at least you have Buehrle pitching in game two."

To The Record Books

So now the research begins for the last Sox pitcher to start consecutvie games on consecutive days ... Wood?  Seaver?

Answer later.

Ozzie's Comments Before Tonight's Game

He hopes JD is back Sunday, maybe Monday after straining his groin sliding into home plate and then doubling in his next at-ba last night.

When asked about his skill as a clutch hitter vs. Joe Crede's:

"Mine were bloopers.  Joe's are legitimate.

"But for this organization, the best hitter in the clutch was Harold Baines.

"It;s important that you have the same approach to each at-bat and not try to do too much.  Then it's a little of being in the right place at the right time."

Tonight's Lineup

Swish, RF; OC, SS; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; Quentin, LF; Crede, 3B; Ramirez, CF; Uribe, 2B; Hall, C.  Buehrle pitching.

Last Night

If you have to spend a late night at the ballpark, it's always good to win.

Dirty 30

Many of you may have read today's Sun-Times story click here about Joe Crede quitting Nick Swisher's "Dirty 30" club in dramatic, theatric fashion.  So, today all over the clubhouse, signs are posted (I wonder by who) saying Mr. Crede has been "expelled" from the Club.

Here's my thought, let's come up with a new club for Joe ... offer me a few names (tasteful, please) and we'll see if we can come up with some t-shirts and/or hats to celebrate the group.

As one clubhouse jokester quipped, "You know Joe Crede's club won't have t-shirts or hats because he ain't paying for them."

Konerko, sporting a "Dirty 30" hat laughed about the "competing" clubs.

"You can see were my allegiances are," he said, showing a broad smile.

Nothing beats fun in the clubhouse, except perhaps, winning.

Fun With Numbers

Since you can make numbers prove (or disprove) just about anything and everything, enjoy a laugh at these ...

Bob Beghtol, our Media Relations staff, happily passed around statistical printouts from the playing careers of our coaches, showing which hitters owned which pitchers and vice versa.  You can only imagine the comments, when our coaches read that ...

Eddie Murray owned Kevin Hickey (5-5, HR, RBI)

Ozzie Guillen hit better than .500 in his career against eight pitchers, including Bob Tewskbury (8-14, .571), Mark Leiter (6-11, .545) and Ed Whitson (6-11, .545, HR) and was 1-26 lifetime against Dennis Martinez

Jeff Cox hit 1.000 against 11 different pitchers, including 3-3 against Rich Dotson

Joey Cora hit .571 (4-7) against Jaret Wright and .545 (6-11) against Mark Langston

Harold Baines owned Steve Crawford (11-15, .733, HR) and Greg Hibbard (7-10, .700) but did not necessarily like Dennis Leonard (0-15), Dan Spillner (0-12), Tom Burgmeier (0-10), Richard Yett (0-10) or Rich Monteleone (0-9)

Juan Nieves held Mike Greenwell hitless (0-12)

Greg Walker loved to face Bob Stanley (.643, 9-14, 2 HR) and Chris Bosio (.565, 13-23, 2 HR) but hated to see John Cerutti (0-13) and Bobby Witt (0-10)

Mark Salas hated Dave Stewart (0-13) but loved Jay Tibbs (.714, 5-7) among many ...

And finally, everybody loved to face Don Cooper (joking, just joking).

Tonight's Lineup

Swish, CF; OC, SS; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; Dye, RF; AJ, C; Quentin, LF; Crede, 3B; Ramirez, 2B.  Floyd pitching.

Rainy night here at the ballpark.  This might take awhile.