Results tagged ‘ Joe Crede ’

Word from SoxFest…

As SoxFest is being celebrated this weekend at the Palmer House Hilton, bits of news are filtering out. Here are some of the things that caught my attention:

* Adam Dunn, who last year endured what was arguably the worst season ever for a major league position player, was in the house. A slimmed down Dunn (that’s not him above, but you get my point) said that all the Sox need is for last season’s two biggest disappointments–himself and Alex Rios–to rebound and that would prove to be, in essence, two major offseason moves. He also said he can’t wait for opening day and is putting the past behind him.

* Don Cooper, who Steve Stone called one of the Top 5 pitching coaches in the game, said he sees three openings in the bullpen with Matt Thornton, Jesse Crain, Will Ohman and rookie Addison Reed as the staples going into spring training.

* Jeff Manto, who has replaced Greg Walker as the Pale Hose hitting coach, said  (and I’m paraphrasing) he would be nuts not to look to new skipper Robin Ventura and coach Harold Baines for help in dealing with the hitters.

* Speaking of the new manager, Ventura kiddingly said that Cooper is now his BFF as he approaches his rookie year at the helm of the ballclub.

* Kenny Williams put his cards on the table: If the Sox hit, they’ll contend. See Dunn, Rios and Gordon Beckham for details.

* Williams also said we should expect righthanded hurler Nestor Molina, acquired in the trade for Sergio Santos, to be in the majors as early as mid-season this year.

* Joe Crede got the biggest applause when members of the 2005 World Champs were announced. Among the others were Pablo Ozuna and Cliff Politte.

* Ventura said he wants Beckham to have as much confidence at the plate that he does at second base.

SoxFest runs through tomorrow…

A Little News Here, A Little News There

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The early days of spring training, the time before the exhibition games begin, don’t bring a whole lot of news, but we all know that’s not the point. The point is that baseball is back.
So, while pitchers and catchers enter their fourth day of getting back to their summertime routines and only a handful of position players have reported for duty, the news is slim aside from the proclamation that Chris Sale will be in the bullpen. The following will have to do for now:
–Adam Dunn reported to camp early and had to explain to his son why his number has changed from his familiar No. 44 to No. 32. The reason? Peavy is 44.
–Mark Buehrle, two-time Gold Glove winner and the author of the best defensive play of 2010 (on Opening Day), flubbed a few grounders in drills yesterday. In typical Mr. Perfect fashion, he laughed it off.
–Jake Peavy‘s first start of the spring is now scheduled for March 4 in Tempe against the Angels. Considering how important he is to the starting rotation, it’s something we should all keep a close eye on.
–The spring games will determine the makeup of the Sox roster and what the complement will be regarding pitchers and position players. At this point it appears everyone is in agreement that 12 pitchers is preferred, but the fact that a fifth starter won’t be needed until April 10, might mean 11 will go North for Opening Day.
–No surprise here: Ozzie told reporters he goes more on instinct than relying on computer printouts. Duh…
–A couple of ex-Sox notes: Joe Crede decided not to report to Rockies camp and instead opted for free agency…Centerfielder-turned-pitcher Brian Anderson is now a candidate for a spot in the Yankee bullpen. He pitched in the Royals’ minor league system in ’10.

Breaking News: Joe Crede Signs with Rockies

Crede_2_12K_BW_Spts_t440.jpgWe’ll never know what kind of career Joe Crede would have had if the talented third baseman hadn’t been saddled with back problems.
He played parts of nine seasons on the South Side, showed good power–especially in the clutch–and his defense at third was on par with anyone in baseball. To White Sox fans, who witnessed his career, especially his contributions as a key member of the 2005 World Champions and his career year in 2006, he will always hold a special place despite the fact he never reached full-fledged star status.  And no one will ever forget his late season game-winning home run against the Indians when the Sox were on the abyss in ’05 and his perhaps series-saving, game-winning double to win Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Angels after A.J.’s miracle dash to first base.
After an injury-plagued 2009 and a season without baseball in 2010, Crede is primed for a comeback with the Rockies. I know Sox fans are with me when I say that we hope he makes it back with flying colors–even though it won’t be in the Pale Hose’s black and silver.

It’s Freddy Time, Two Straight Losses is Enough

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It’s never easy to lose, but losing to one of your biggest rivals is even harder to take.
So it really irritates me when we come out on the short end against the Twins, which we did last night for the second day in a row. Just hate to watch them celebrate.
To the neutral observer it was a good game, a 3-2 pitching duel between two hot hurlers (Mark Buehrle and Carl Pavano) played in under two hours. To me, when it comes to the Sox, I’d rather watch a poorly played game and have the Sox win. 
While the third-place Twinkies gained another game on the Pale Hose, the good news came from Cleveland as the Tribe swept a twinbill from the Tigers, now a game and a half behind the first-place Sox.
The two consecutive losses is not a major downer. After the great run we’ve had in the past two months it was inevitable there would be some kind of letdown. Remember, after the 11-game streak we lost two of three to the Royals before starting another run.
Two in a row is one thing. I’m not so crazy about making it three, so today I’m looking forward to us rebounding behind steady Freddy Garcia, who will be shooting for win No. 10.
Note of the day: Word is that 2005 World Champ Joe Crede is rounding into shape and will attempt a comeback in 2011 if not later this year. Wish him the best wherever he plays. All ’05 Sox have lifetime immunity with me and my Sox posse.


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10 Reasons Why I’m Not a Happy Camper

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It’s days like these that make me cranky. A 12-3 drubbing by the Yankees will do that to a guy. To make matters worse, after the gritty comeback yesterday the Sox looked like they were more interested in heading back to Chicago than winning the series in New York.
I’ve been hearing from Sox friends and others today with various comments. Since I’m on board with many of their thoughts, I’ve incorporated them with mine in the following opinions and observations.
* I’m not happy that the Sox have won only one series so far this year as part of their miserable 10-15 start.
* I’m not happy that today’s lackluster performance has given holier-than-thou Yankee fans and others the fodder to rip us. By the way, how does Kenny Williams feel about his goal of a championship after the first 25 games?
* I’m not happy that Alexei Ramirez hasn’t taken a step forward. He’s always a slow starter at the plate, but how about his brain cramps at short? Wasn’t Omar Vizquel supposed to help?
* I’m not happy about Gordon Beckham‘s start, but I have confidence he’ll be fine before too long.
* I’m not happy with our farm system. So, where’s the help we need?
* I’m not happy about Mark Teahen. He doesn’t look like the answer. Granted, he’s not Robin Ventura or Joe Crede, but I thought he was better than this.
* I’m not happy that Juan Pierre has been demoted to the ninth spot in the order and Scott Podsednik is on fire for the Royals.
* I’m not happy that Clayton Richard is outpitching Jake Peavy.
* I’m not happy with our bullpen. Maybe it’s time for a couple of changes. No, Ramon Castro being reinstated from the DL and Donny Lucy being sent down doesn’t count
* I’m not happy that the Twins look unbeatable in the AL Central.
Yes, I’m really unhappy. 
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This team definitely needs a kick-start
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Sox-wise and Otherwise

My weekly offseason musings about the White Sox and more…

Random thoughts:

* Considering how much they contributed to the White Sox, I’m disappointed that Jermaine Dye and Joe Crede are still without homes. And I’m hoping the rumors aren’t true that Jermaine will wind up in Cleveland.

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*Two B’s–budget and Boras (agent Scott)–have seemingly been major obstacles to the White Sox seriously considering the signing of Johnny Damon. And until today the Braves and Tigers appeared to be the teams most likely to acquire the two-time World Champion. However, multiple sources are now saying that the Sox are serious players in the Damon derby. Boy, would he look good in our lineup.

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* Did any of you Sox fans identify with the Saints and their long-suffering fans as they finally won it all? I did.

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* Seems like the Twins’ acquisition of Orlando Hudson has convinced the so-called
experts that the Twinkies are the odds-on favorite in the AL Central. I think folks are forgetting that they’ll be playing in a normal ballpark this year. Big difference.

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* I’ve been to and enjoyed eight Olympics including three Winter Games–Sarajevo,
Calgary and Salt Lake City. But I have to admit I won’t watch very much of the Games
from Vancouver. I guess I’ve lost my Olympic spirit.

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* I finally saw the movie, Couples Retreat. Part of the film, which stars Vince Vaughn
and Jon Favreau among others, is set in Chicago. I’m happy to say that the Sox logo was more prominent than that of the North Siders. Unfortunately, it’s usually the other way around.

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* I’m engrossed in the new biography about the great Willie Mays. It reminds me that I’m on record (granted, I was about 11 when I said it) as saying that former White Sox star Jim Landis (pictured below) was a better centerfielder than Mays. No, I’m not nuts. Just a big Sox fan.

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* Just a reminder, as I write this pitchers and catchers are 10 days, three hours and three days away.

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Where Have All the Ex-White Sox Gone?

While Sox favorites Jermaine Dye and Joe Crede are still looking for new homes, a number of other former Pale Hosers are with new teams–for example, Jim Thome (Twins), Jose Contreras (Phillies), Scott Podsednik (Royals) and Jon Garland (Padres). The following is a list of the most recent ex-Sox to sign: one fairly significant, the others not so much.

610x.jpg*  The well-traveled, but talented, shortstop Orlando Cabrera is now with the
    Cincinnati Reds. For the record, this is the “fairly significant” signing.

*  Timo Perez, a reserve outfielder on the 2005 World Champs, signed a minor league
    deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

*  Josh Fogg, a one-time closer candidate for the Sox, inked a minor league
    pact with the New York Mets.

*  Lefty hurler Jimmy Gobble, who had a cup of coffee with the Sox, is now with the
    Colorado Rockies after agreeing to a minor league contract.

*  Catcher Gustavo Molina, not related to Bengie, Jose and Yadier, signed a minor
    league agreement with the Boston Red Sox.

*  Pitcher Horacio Ramirez, who had a short stint with the South Siders, just signed
   with the San Francisco Giants on a minor league deal.

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