Thome, Dye and Konerko, great middle of the order, but no controversy, no outward fire. Mark Buerhle, gamer, competitor, but no controversy. A.J. Pierzynski, controversial, but seemingly locked in a pretty solid performance comfort zone. So who's gonna take these nice guys by the shirt and drag them to the playoffs?
I hate to tell ya folks, but there needs to be that edge about a team. There needs to be those players who make everyone else a little bit uncomfortable at times. While the North-siders are worrying about Carlos Zambrano's suspension and missed flight, I'm worried about why the White Sox don't have that kind of a guy on their roster!
Any ideas? It seems the Sox have gotten rid of every ill tempered player who had any disagreements with ANYTHING. Sure Ozzie Guillen has exactly the personality I'm talking about, but there needs to be that link on the field. There needs to be that player who gets after Ozzie as much as Ozzie gets after his players! And then gets it done on the field. There's your goal Kenny Williams, not the over the top starting pitcher, but the Kirk Gibson who will shake your talented subdued squad to the core.
Any suggestions?
8 Comments
Alan Solomon said:
Jack -- um, did you really write this?
"While the North-siders are worrying about Carlos Zambrano's suspension and missed flight, I'm worried about why the White Sox don't have that kind of a guy on their roster!"
Or if not, want to hire a rational ghostwriter?
Jack McDowell said:
Hey Alan...what's shakin'! So are you saying you're NOT a Zambrano fan? Maybe Zambrano is a bit over the top when it comes to fire and the excessiveness of reactions and screw-ups. But I think the idea still got through. Anyway, I'm not making enough coin to hire out anyone!
Matt said:
Interesting post, but the Sox were able to win the World Series in 2005 and division in 2008 without the kind of player you're describing. Maybe Ozzie is able to breathe fire into these guys, even if he's not playing.
Jack McDowell said:
True, but that group had A.J. whom if I remember correctly pissed everyone off that year! And they seemed to have a bit more fight than this year overall.
Matt said:
Since the core of this team (Konerko, Dye, Buehrle, etc.) have already won a World Series, they don't have the same kind of fight, desire, whatever you want to call it?
Personally, I think the bigger problem is the Sox just have too many streaky, mediocre hitters in their lineup. On their recent hot streak, when they won 10 of 14, they had a bunch of hitters clicking, and the results were good, they were the best team in the American League for a 2-week stretch. Looks like some of those guys are cooling off again, and they're going to struggle to score runs again.
Erik Gibson said:
Jack...what's happenin'! Hey who would you suggest? I don't disagree, but I think more than just a controversial player, they need more gamers...all out players that will push the others, such as Rowand or a Swisher type...a guy who will keep guys honest without pissin them off.
Jack McDowell said:
I don't have any suggestions truly. I liked Rowand, not sure Swisher is the type of guy you're referring to however.
Alan Solomon said:
Hey Jack -- Let's put it this way: There's fire and edginess that helps keep guys awake and on their game -- almost demands guys are into it. YOU had that. And there's guys who are all about themselves, totally, and are just pains in the ass. We could both name names...
But this was fun. Stay in touch.
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