aboz56 Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 May 22, 2004 BY DOUG PADILLA STAFF REPORTER MINNEAPOLIS -- Even with the Sox offense on a roll, Joe Crede has been struggling. And it has his manager worried. Ozzie Guillen still is committed to using Crede as his every-day third baseman. He would just like to see Crede loosen up if at all possible. "I don't see him having fun at all,'' Guillen said. ''In spring training, he smiled a little bit.'' In the spring, Guillen raved about Crede's work ethic and his even-tempered disposition, calling it the ideal approach for a baseball player. With Crede in a 2-for-27 slide before Friday's game, Guillen found himself playing psychiatrist. ''I'm concerned,'' Guillen said. ''I want my players to be fighters, fight every day. It's a tough game. The first thing I said [after Thursday's game] was, 'Hey, what happened today, doesn't mean anything tomorrow.' ''Whatever happens, you've got to continue to fight. I want [Crede] to have fun.'' Despite being 1-for-14 on the road trip before Friday (he was 0-for-10 in three games at Cleveland), Crede seemed to get the message. He doubled to left in his first at-bat and scored a run. He also popped out to second, flied out to center and grounded out to short. His 1-for-4 night still raised his average from .206 to .207. GUT WRENCHING: Frank Thomas asked out of Friday's game at the last minute with stomach flu. Thomas was on the verge of vomiting before the game started and Ross Gload was inserted as the designated hitter. Thomas was 7-for-9 in his last two games, with two walks and eight RBI. SLUMP BUSTER: Mark Buehrle figured Jacque Jones was due, and he was right. The Twins outfielder delivered a single in the first inning after entering the game 0-for-23 against Buehrle. Buehrle and Jones became friends when they were on an all-star team in Japan two offseasons ago. So when Jones hit a single to center to end his drought, Buehrle offered him the ball while standing on the mound, drawing a smile from Jones. Buehrle got his revenge when he threw over to first and caught Jones trying to steal. COMING ALONG: Right fielder Maggio Ordonez was back in action after Wednesday's outfield collision at Cleveland, but Willie Harris sat out. Harris said his bruised left ankle was feeling better and has targeted Sunday for his return. ''If I'm on first and a ball is hit into the gap for a double, I want to be able to score,'' Harris said. ''I don't want to be out there and cheating myself or the team. So if it's hurting, I will let [Guillen] know.'' It sucks if Joe really isn't having fun. Sounds like the Sox fans need to rally around him at the next homestand and keep giving Crede support. He's always seemed like a serious guy on the field, but we need Crede the rest of the way if we want to win the division. Let's go Joe Joe... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 I have faith that Joe will turn it around. Just gotta give him some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Parque Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 I think Crede will be fine, He'll turn it around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkokieSox Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 He will turn it around. I don't know why he isn't having fun though, he's hitting as hard of a .207 as one can hit. He's won more than a few games with his stick already. Relax Joe, we need you. I have no worries though, he'll be fine. He's still contributing, which is hard to say about someone in the kind of funk he's in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 I have faith that Joe will turn it around. Just gotta give him some time. The first thing he needs to do is go buy himself a new glove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 I like Crede, I hope he can come through. A lineup with Crede, Jose, Willie and Juan all playing is something I will enjoy compared to watching Rowand botch balls in CF and stink at the plate. I mean Willie isn't the best defensive CF, but the way Arow was playing this season he won't be any worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 The first thing he needs to do is go buy himself a new glove. No s***, that has been twice in the last week that glove has cost us outs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted May 22, 2004 Author Share Posted May 22, 2004 No s***, that has been twice in the last week that glove has cost us outs. The bad part is that when it happened the other night Farmer said it was a new glove he was using... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MurcieOne Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 Jerry Manuel doesn't have this conversation with Joe last year... I know everyone is kinda getting tired of this Ozzie lovefest... but I think that this is a nice indicator of what Oz brings to the table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 The bad part is that when it happened the other night Farmer said it was a new glove he was using... Geesh. Lets try a new model Joe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorthsox Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 Jerry Manuel doesn't have this conversation with Joe last year... I know everyone is kinda getting tired of this Ozzie lovefest... but I think that this is a nice indicator of what Oz brings to the table. JM doesn't have this conversation with anyone last yr(or the yr before that, or the yr before that.........), god I am soooo happy he's gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorthsox Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 What Joe needs is Crede's Crew back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelasDaddy0427 Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 I honestly belive that joe will come back and will be hitting at least .250 by next month... If Aaron gets some more playing time I could see him getting his average back up to around .260 by next month too... The key word here would be "playing time" It's hard to raise your average when your not on the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkokieSox Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 I like Crede, I hope he can come through. A lineup with Crede, Jose, Willie and Juan all playing is something I will enjoy compared to watching Rowand botch balls in CF and stink at the plate. I mean Willie isn't the best defensive CF, but the way Arow was playing this season he won't be any worse. Is it really necessary to try to start an Aaron Rowand debate when discussing Crede. It's one thing to want Willie in the lineup, and another to criticze Rowand's defense when he hasn't done anything to cost us, and has actually played pretty good defense this season, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoda Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 What Joe needs is Crede's Crew back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 What Joe needs is Crede's Crew back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted May 22, 2004 Author Share Posted May 22, 2004 What Joe needs is Crede's Crew back. I agree, where are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelasDaddy0427 Posted May 23, 2004 Share Posted May 23, 2004 I agree, where are they? I think they went on vacation... Your right though we need them back and soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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