Terrerobytes: A 2005 White Sox story seldom told

The idea of a 2005 World Series reunion didn't do much for me. It felt a little too soon, if only because several members of the team are still enjoying success in 2015 MLB games. Mark Buehrle has already reached 10 wins for the Blue Jays, Juan Uribe and A.J. Pierzynski are exceeding expectations with the Braves, and Neal Cotts is having an OK season in the Brewers bullpen. A reunion without the staff leader, two everyday starters and a bullpen lynchpin seems incomplete.

It also comes on the heels of Paul Konerko's victory lap, during which his 2005 highlights were replayed and recounted countless times. Had there been more distance between now and the 2005 and now -- and perhaps another postseason appearance or two -- I probably would have gotten more out of it. But since the Sox have only won one playoff game since Konerko caught Uribe's rocket for the final out in Houston, the memories remain vivid enough for me that nostalgia isn't yet necessary.

That said, David Haugh came through with new story by catching up with one of the most obscure players to appear in a White Sox uniform during the 2005 season: Pedro Lopez.

Lopez, signed by the White Sox as a 16-year-old in 2000, made his MLB debut days after turning 21 in early May after the Sox placed Willie Harris on the bereavement list. He made only two starts -- one at short, the other at second -- but he picked up a single and an RBI in both. Harris then came back, Lopez returned to the minors, and he didn't play for the Sox again. Moreover, he only surfaced once more in the majors, playing 14 games for Cincinnati two years later.

Lopez was playing for the Dominican Republic in the Pan Am Games when Haugh talked to him, and he also asked Ozzie Guillen about him to fill out a worthwhile column:

Nobody missed Lopez, the most obscure player to receive a ring, but Guillen's face lit up when asked about the modest contributions of the utility man.

"From the first day I saw Pedro catching the ball, to me, he was the best in the organization defensively,'' Guillen said.

Told Lopez still wonders whether he deserved his ring, Guillen scoffed.

"Why shouldn't he have gotten one? We have secretaries who never played one inning that have one,'' Guillen said. "That one or two games he helped us win could have been the difference between us being in the playoffs or not. Pedro was a good player to be around. He didn't say much. He was like a lot of guys on that team who did little things to make it easy for me.''

Terrerobytes

• White Sox announcer Ed Farmer is not a fan of the Royals -- Royals Review

Royals fans were introduced to Ed Farmer's general disdain of celebratory gestures. I don't see anything that wrong with what Farmer said about throwing up and in on Paulo Orlando's bunt attempt, as I've heard that strategy espoused by other broadcasters when a hitter is squaring around (self-defense can put the hitter in a hole). However, that certainly looks worse when paired with the unnecessarily bitter reaction to Cain's homer.

• Eye on MLB, July 19: Trade Deadline targets struggle -- CBSSports.com

Johnny Cueto and Cole Hamels both had really rough starts on Sunday -- Cueto walked six over four innings, and Hamels was knocked out after three. Of course, isolated starts only really affect trade value if they're injured, and that doesn't seem to be the case here, but it's still fun to overreact.

• Edwin Jackson's departure slightly dims Cubs' win -- Chicago Tribune

The Cubs designated Edwin Jackson for assignment with a year-plus and $15.63 remaining on his contract. It's been popular to compare him with John Danks, but this is one where Danks comes out comfortably ahead.

• Jordy Mercer injury appears serious after 6-1 loss to Brewers -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
• Jeff Locke can't do it all, Jordy Mercer injured as Pirates get swept by Brewers - Bucs Dugout

The Pirates could be without starting shortstop Jordy Mercer for a while if his knee injury was as bad as it looked. Carlos Gomez slid sideways into Mercer well short of second base, causing Mercer's knee to buckle inward.

The fact that Gomez was involves invites instant scrutiny, but it's an unusual play. Mercer was playing on the other side of second base on a shift when a grounder took him and Gomez to the same spot, and he approached Gomez in an awkward fashion. Then again, Gomez's evasive maneuver, even if instinctive, was incredibly dangerous. The Pirates didn't think it was dirty, or if they did, they didn't retaliate.

Reading the Bucs Dugout thread, the left side of their infield is so thin that Brent Morel and Conor Gillaspie are being floated as possibilities.

• Pitcher with MLB perfect game released by S. Korean club -- Yonhap News Agency

Philip Humber's downfall continues, as the Kia Tigers of the KBO waived him after 11 starts. Humber was 3-3 with a 6.75 ERA over 51 innings.