White Sox: A Season In Review
By: Mario Scalise
The roller coaster known as the season of the White Sox has come and gone. From the promising start in April and May, pitiful play of June and July, and potential-filled finish from August and September, to the Konerko/Thomas war of words, Clayton/teammates war of accountability, and JR/players war of heart, the season was never quite right.
Offensively the Sox were erratic from the start; one day driving 15 men in, the next leaving 15 me on. Defensively the Sox showed some improvement, but to be comparable to the Twins, who are as fundamental as they come, the Sox would need 18 men on the field. The rotation was inconsistent outside of Mark Buehrle. Jon Garland and Danny Wright each showed two sides for every two starts, while Todd Ritchie went into a four-month spiral after May 15th. The bullpen was untested early due to scoring gaps, and unproductive later because of it.
Despite all these setbacks, the Sox still managed to finish the season a respectable .500 (81-81).
What went right
After the deadline, everything. July 31st couldn't come soon enough for the Sox. Some were hoping to be dealt, while others hoping to play. Either way, trades were made and vets were dumped as youth revitalized the team with a positive aura felt throughout the clubhouse. Of course it wasn't till Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf lashed out in a closed-door meeting on August 28th, two days before the strike deadline, that the energy turned into wins. The Sox went on to win 20 of their final 31 games.
Along with the great finish was the great season by right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Ordonez proved once again that he's the best player nobody knows about hitting .320 with 38 home runs and 138 runs batted in. Ordonez finished in the top eight in the AL for the following categories: AVG, HITS, HR, RBI and RUNS.
What went wrong
Expectations. With the addition of Lofton, return of Thomas, demise of the Indians and 2001 second half fall of the Twins, the Sox saw themselves as easy favorites - just like 2001 - for the AL central title. The Sox offense, which was brilliant on paper, was designed to carry the team through a weak division. Sox spoke to soon, again. The offense proved unreliable, only scoring in bunches, while the Twins continued to win, eventually taking the division. The only truth to the theory of the Sox was the demise of the Indians. The Sox lost the division by 13 ½ games.
Upside
The development of Jon Garland and Danny Wright eventually proved worth the wait. Neither showed immediate signs of success, but both came on strong as the season grew. The two combined to go 14-10 with a 4.59 earned run average in their last 30 starts, and 11-8 with a 4.06 earned run average in the final two months of the season. The Sox see both hurlers as established middle-tier pitchers.
Downside
The Sox did not improve fundamentally. Base stealing, which was spoken highly of throughout spring by manager Jerry Manuel with speedsters Kenny Lofton and Ray Durham to go with Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Lee, Jose Valentin and Royce Clayton, was nonexistent (75 steals). Making things worse was their base running, which was atrocious to say the least. When they weren't wrongfully sent home by recently fired third base coach Wallace Johnson, they were picked off or opted not to slide, getting thrown out either way. The Sox plan to spend yet another spring training with a heavy focus on base running.
Biggest Surprise
Damaso Marte. The lefty acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the off-season for top pitching prospect Matt Guerrier was lights out. After a sluggish start, leading to a high 8.31 earned run average in April, Marte settled in and took the Sox bullpen by storm, and eventually the closer's role lost by Keith Foulke. Take away April and Marte recorded a 1.92 earned run average with 10 saves in 57 1/3 innings.
Biggest Disappointment
Frank Thomas. Coming back from an injury plagued 2001 season it was assumed Thomas would return to 2000 form. Instead, Thomas looked overmatched and frustrated, leading to the criticism by teammates Paul Konerko and Carlos Lee, and bench threats by manager Jerry Manuel. Adding fuel to the fire was the looming question of his future. Although being signed through 2006, Thomas and Jerry Reinsdorf agreed on a diminished skills clause years back. The clause gives Sox brass the option to defer all but $250,000 of the 10 million Thomas is owed annually if he does not: make it to the all star team, win a silver slugger award, or finish in the top ten in AL MVP voting. The deferment will be spread across 20 years. If the Sox choose to invoke the clause, Thomas will be allowed to test the free agent market for 45 days. If no takers are found, Thomas can return to the Sox.
Best Acquisition
D'Angelo Jimenez. The once highly touted shortstop in the New York Yankees organization was brought to the Sox in a mid-season trade with the San Diego Padres for minor leaguers Alex Fernandez (OF) and Humberto Quintero ©. Jimenez was assigned to AAA Charlotte before being recalled in late August. Upon arrival Jimenez was used at both second and short, flashing both a strong glove and great instincts. His main attributes came out of the leadoff spot where he showed discipline and base running ability, something the Sox have lacked in recent years. Jimenez role for 2003 is still undefined, though many see him at second.
Worst Acquisition
Todd Ritchie. Now yes, Ritchie is a much better pitcher than he looked this past season and things can still change, but the outcome is the outcome nonetheless. Kip Wells, who went from highly touted to highly overrated in his years with the Sox, flourished in Pittsburgh, while Ritchie was hit early and often, leading to a horrific 5-15 record and a 6.06 earned run average. Ritchie was placed on the 15-DL in August sparking media rumors claiming the move had more to do with Ritchie chasing the inevitable 20-loss season as opposed to a serious injury. It was later confirmed by Sox management that Ritchie had inflammation in his right shoulder.
2002 MVP
Mark Buehrle. Buehrle handled the pressure of being a number one pitcher on a team projected to make the playoffs with relative ease. Buehrle finished the season 19-12 with a 3.58 earned run average in 239 innings. Buehrle was close to the prestigious 20-win plateau with a 2-1 lead in his last start of the season, but an eighth inning, two-run homer off the bat of Twins outfielder Bobby Kielty ended the quest.
It happened
-On May 14th against the Texas Rangers at Comiskey Park, a black cat walked across the field. The Sox, who were 22-17 and a 1/2 game out of first, went on to lose 53 of their next 92 games and end up 16 ½ out by August 27th.
-On September 19th against the Kansas City Royals at Comiskey Park, two fans in attendance, one carrying a knife according to White Sox outfielder Aaron Rowand, jumped on the field and attacked Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa. The attackers were arrested. Gamboa walked away with a few cuts and bruises.
-The arrival Sox fans have been waiting for since the departure of Robin Ventura came this year - Joe Crede. After years of Sox brass stressing the use of patience with Crede, it all paid off. Crede made a lasting impression in his short time connecting for 12 home runs and 35 runs batted in, while holding a respectable .285 average.
In the end
The Sox are a bright future with plenty of questions.
They are still faced with a need for a top of the rotation starter. After Mark Buehrle the staff doesn't supply a legit "ace", prompting general manager to look into acquiring one in the off-season. Names mentioned are Paul Byrd, Sidney Ponson and Orlando Hernandez.
After that, there are plenty of questions inside the organization. Who will start at second, short, left, center, and catcher? Surely the Sox cannot continue to strive on the everyday-different lineup plan designed by Jerry Manuel. Winning teams need roles and structure.
Will Thomas' contract be invoked, causing an end to the Thomas era at Comiskey? If the Sox plan on acquiring an elite starter and sign Paul Konerko and Mark Buehrle to the contracts they deserve, it may be the only option.
Who will close for the Sox? Kenny Williams stressed the fact before the season ended that Keith Foulke will not start, but hasn't declared him the closer nor put him on the block. The Sox had three relievers in Osuna, Foulke and Marte with 10 or more saves.
After the players, comes the coaching staff. The Sox fired third base coach Wallace Johnson and reassigned first base coach Gary Pettis. Their replacements are to be announced after the World Series. So like their .500 record, it will be back to the starting point come 2003. A lot of holes to fill with plenty of plugs available. They just need to decipher the duds from the effective, which hopefully doesn't take all of 2003.
