chisox2334 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 CHICAGO -- A man who once fought for his freedom by sailing on a raft from Cuba to the United States, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez hopes that he'll be in Chicago for many years to come. Hernandez -- whose age is listed at 35, but who could be as old as 39 -- has been part of both the Yankees and Expos organizations, but has only pitched in the Majors for New York during his six-year career. Stability is important to Hernandez, who would have continued pitching in Yankee Stadium if the interest was there. But when Hernandez began shopping for a new team during this past offseason, his biggest concern was receiving a two-year deal. According to El Duque, money was by no means a deciding factor. "I like money," a laughing Hernandez said, through translator and first-base coach Joey Cora, following a press conference Thursday. "But it wasn't that important. I was looking for a two-year contract. "It doesn't seem important to anyone else, but it was to me. I don't know how to explain it. I'm a little bit crazy, but I wanted the two years." Hernandez received it from the White Sox. The team signed the free agent to a two-year, $8 million deal in late December. He earns $3.5 million this season and $4.5 million in 2006. The newest White Sox hurler was introduced to the Hispanic media Thursday as part of a Spanish-only press conference that also featured manager Ozzie Guillen and shortstop Juan Uribe. Hernandez will not be attending the 13th annual SoxFest festivities this weekend because of prior commitments. After the organized get-together, Hernandez talked to a handful of English-speaking writers in regards to his new team, his new manager and the health of his all-important right arm. Hernandez becomes the second Cuban pitcher to join the White Sox starting rotation, following the same path traveled by Jose Contreras from New York to Chicago. Contreras was traded to the White Sox in exchange for Esteban Loaiza. Contreras and Hernandez both spend part of their offseasons in Florida, and before El Duque's contract was finalized the two sat down together over dinner to talk about the White Sox. He heard nothing but positives from Contreras, including strong support of Guillen as the man in charge. "It's a good place to be, and I like that this team has a chance to win," Hernandez said. The predominance of Latin players on the White Sox roster -- Freddy Garcia, Uribe, Luis Vizcaino and Damaso Marte, to name a few -- also seemed to be a strong plus for Hernandez. Having a manager who speaks Spanish will be a bonus, but some things in baseball are universal in any language. "Ozzie will say the same thing," Hernandez said. "Throw strikes and get people out." Guillen has Hernandez penciled in as his third starter, behind Mark Buehrle and Freddy Garcia. It sounded as if Buehrle will start Opening Day against the Indians, with Guillen stating that the left-hander had earned the No. 1 slot in the rotation, but nothing was made official. Hernandez's partially torn rotator cuff, repaired in 2003 while he was with Montreal, served as Guillen's biggest concern in terms of bringing aboard the talented hurler. Hernandez missed the entire 2003 campaign and part of 2004 during his recovery, but he returned to the Yankees and won his first eight decisions before finishing 8-2 with a 3.30 ERA. Hernandez was shut down later in the season with a tired arm, but came back to post a 1-1 record in the American League Championship Series against Boston. For his career, Hernandez has a 10-3 record and 2.65 ERA over 17 games and 14 postseason starts. The results of Hernandez's physical were better than expected, as strong of a testing as general manager Ken Williams or trainer Herm Schneider had seen in years. Hernandez downplayed the tired arm problem Thursday, stating that he not only feels healthy, but that his velocity was up a couple of miles per hour upon his return. If there's any doubt as to Hernandez's big-game capabilities, Guillen received some first-person reassurances on his flight from Venezuela this week. Scouts from Pittsburgh and Toronto who were on the flight with Guillen told the manager that Hernandez would be his No. 1 starter if the White Sox eventually make the playoffs. "I saw him in the postseason twice against Atlanta, and this is a cold-blooded pitcher. He's a big-game pitcher," said Guillen of Hernandez, who reminds the White Sox manager of Jack McDowell and Andy Pettitte. "Duque is so strong mentally that he likes those tough situations. "Our rotation is stronger because now we have a real No. 5 starter in Jon Garland. If Hernandez stays healthy, our pitching staff should take us all the way to the playoffs." Hernandez, who is 61-40 with a 3.96 ERA overall, has pitched just 324 innings over his last three seasons, with a high of 146 in 2002. Putting up 160 or 170 innings didn't seem to faze Hernandez when he was asked about it on Thursday, and it's not a big concern for Guillen. With the bullpen undergoing a significant offseason upgrade, all five starters shouldn't need to push as far into games as before. Victories, though, seem to be more important to Hernandez than any other statistic. But concentrating on winning games isn't something Hernandez takes for granted. Baseball was taken away from him for two years in Cuba, when he was suspended for allegedly plotting to defect. His move to the United States was to search for a job, whether it was in or outside of baseball. His latest travels have taken Hernandez to Chicago, where he gets to continue to play a kid's game for a comfortable living. His contract with the White Sox is for two years, but in Hernandez's mind and soul, it could be the last stop of his career. "I don't like to change from team to team," Hernandez said. "I'm here for two years, but I hope I can stay longer. I wanted to pitch for just one team my whole career, but Chicago gave me this opportunity. "I'm a positive guy and I bring that with me. I don't like to say how many games I'm going to win, but I will give it all I can on the field and try to win every game I pitch. "I'm the same pitcher as I was before the injury," Hernandez added. "I just have more desire." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chisox2334 Posted January 14, 2005 Author Share Posted January 14, 2005 by way on chicago tribeune has story as well and pic of him with sox hat and getting his jersey. Which is shown below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Cool stuff, thanks for posting this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 That's a hellofa a article and a hellofa person right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S720 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 QUOTE(chisox2334 @ Jan 13, 2005 -> 11:30 PM) The results of Hernandez's physical were better than expected, as strong of a testing as general manager Ken Williams or trainer Herm Schneider had seen in years. Hernandez downplayed the tired arm problem Thursday, stating that he not only feels healthy, but that his velocity was up a couple of miles per hour upon his return. If there's any doubt as to Hernandez's big-game capabilities, Guillen received some first-person reassurances on his flight from Venezuela this week. Scouts from Pittsburgh and Toronto who were on the flight with Guillen told the manager that Hernandez would be his No. 1 starter if the White Sox eventually make the playoffs. "I saw him in the postseason twice against Atlanta, and this is a cold-blooded pitcher. He's a big-game pitcher," said Guillen of Hernandez, who reminds the White Sox manager of Jack McDowell and Andy Pettitte. "Duque is so strong mentally that he likes those tough situations. "Our rotation is stronger because now we have a real No. 5 starter in Jon Garland. If Hernandez stays healthy, our pitching staff should take us all the way to the playoffs." For those who have doubt about El Duque. I have such good karma about this great signing. Still can't believe we signed the Duke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tannerfan Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 QUOTE(S720 @ Jan 14, 2005 -> 12:34 AM) For those who have doubt about El Duque. I have such good karma about this great signing. Still can't believe we signed the Duke! I agree, I remember just last season watching him pitch for NY and thinking "why can't The Sox get a guy like this... AND NOW HE'S OURS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Any chance he comes to Soxfest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 I believe they said El Duque won't be at Sox Fest.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Jan 14, 2005 -> 09:03 AM) I believe they said El Duque won't be at Sox Fest.... .... due to prior commitments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 BTW this should settle this earlier arguement... Guillen has Hernandez penciled in as his third starter, behind Mark Buehrle and Freddy Garcia. It sounded as if Buehrle will start Opening Day against the Indians, with Guillen stating that the left-hander had earned the No. 1 slot in the rotation, but nothing was made official. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 14, 2005 -> 12:47 PM) BTW this should settle this earlier arguement... As it should be......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 14, 2005 -> 01:47 PM) BTW this should settle this earlier arguement... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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