White Sox Bric-a-Brac

I have become a John Danks fan. The blackout game in 2008 showed me a lot. But for some reason I could not get fired up about the guy. I thought he had maxed his ability and would flame out. I just never took into consideration his heart. This guy is a stud and is one of the better pickups KW has made. What a clutch outing on Wednesday evening.

Ditto for Gavin Floyd. When he is in a groove, and what a run he is having, he is practically unhittable and unflappable. I would not want to be any team facing these two back to back.

Carlos Quentin is about to go on another tear, I think. Home run to right field, getting hit twice in a game usually means he is seeing the ball well, not bailing out and not flailing at down and out sliders and cutters.

Viciedo is still my choice for being sent down when Teahen returns. He needs consistent at-bats, will be back in 2 weeks for September call-ups and will be better for all of it.

I think Sale is getting a look-see as to whether to use him or Threets for a possible spot on the playoff roster. Threets' alleged turf toe give the Sox a couple of weeks to evaluate Sale. A decision will be made as to which of the two will emerge as the 2nd left hander in the pen. Unless Williams finds a hidden gem on the waiver wire, which is probably doubtful.

Paul Konerko is quietly having a career year. He and Mark Buerhle are the only players in Sox history to have played in 3 post-seasons, 2000, 2005, 2008 and could possibly do so again this year. I have heard several players refer to him as "King", indicating a very healthy respect for him in the clubhouse. I do know he is by far the best spoken of the Sox players, always puts White Sox issues in their proper framework and is very honest in his assessments. His leadership,  consistent annual production  and rock solid, if unspectacular, fielding earn him my consideration as possibly the best player to ever wear a Sox unifurm.

Paul Konerko, Mark Buerhle and A. J. Pierzynski are the heart, soul and core of the White Sox. Take any of these three out of the picture and the tenor of the team is completely altered. When A.J. went down the other night with the turned ankle, my heart leapt into my throat. Say what you will about the guy, he is a fighter, a gamer and a presence of toughness unmatched since the likes of Black Jack McDowell glowered from the mound. Had A.J. been the catcher when Hunter slammed into home, there would have been a free for all. He brings swagger to the White Sox.

Leave Bobby Jenks alone. He has been frustrating at times, yes. But he also has been through the wars of 2 pennant races and play-offs, has tremendous mental toughness and will run through walls for his teammates. He will be there when the Sox need him. Guaranteed.

As much as Jones is a rally killer, he does coax walks and that defense of his is so enjoyable. Sometimes it seems as if he nonchalants everything, but that is because he reads the ball so well off the bat, positions himself well and covers a lot of ground quickly. When he is in right the Sox outfield can cover a lot of ground. Have not seen that since the days of Buddy Bradford, Ken Berry and Tommie Agee.

The Twins are a good team. But two things are different about this year's team. They seem to be much less fundamentally sound in their fielding and their pitching, both starters and pen, is suspect. Remember, the Sox scored 6 on Tuesday, even if they did lose big.  Although still a top fielding team, the Twins just seem more prone to the harmful error than they have in the past. 

The White Sox are now 4th in the AL in team ERA. Ahead of them are Tampa, Oakland and Texas. Whoever thought Texas would have the third best team ERA in August of any year?

Why are all the Tampa-St Pete teams called Tampa Bay, when the host city is Tampa or St. Petersburg and it is the harbor that is Tampa Bay? That would be like calling them the Mississippi Twins or Oakland Bay A's (although there were the Oakland Bay Bombers of the Roller Derby days)  or Lake Michigan White Sox. Just wondering.