AddisonStSox Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 Notes: Everett silences critics 07/17/2005 1:27 PM ET By Scott Merkin / MLB.com CLEVELAND -- Carl Everett could be forgiven if he took a moment to gloat, issue an 'I told you so' or even flash a knowing smile to the myriad critics who didn't think he would fit with the White Sox in 2005. The doubts started at the end of his injury-plagued 2004 campaign, when even manager Ozzie Guillen issued an edict that Everett would have to report in better physical condition if he didn't want to spend his season on the White Sox bench. Those concerns progressed all the way through to almost two months ago, when some surmised that Everett simply had to be traded because he couldn't play the outfield or coexist in the lineup with Frank Thomas. But 90 games into the season, Everett has proved wrong every last one of his baseball non-believers. The switch-hitter has handled sporadic starting opportunities with complete class, starting Friday and Saturday, but getting the day off for Sunday's series finale at Jacobs Field. Everett also has opened up new options for Guillen by proving he still can track down balls and make the throws in the outfield. In fact, Everett has yet to make an error over 15 starts and 23 total chances. Entering Sunday's action, Everett ranked two behind Paul Konerko with his 54 RBIs and had driven in 24 runs over his last 24 games. The natural left-handed hitter currently is hitting .338 from the right side of the plate, with a team-high 23 RBIs. Even with this high level of success, Everett doesn't need or want a forum to trumpet his own glory. Not with the outward confidence that drives his game. Everett just doesn't care what the pundits believe. "People throw stuff out there that I can't do stuff, like play the outfield," Everett said. "That's because a lot of people assumed I wouldn't be out there. "Any time you have an injury, people look for opportunities to take shots at you. I got hurt, so now I can't play the outfield. That's how it has been my whole career, so I don't worry about that. People say that stuff and then have to eat their words all the time." It was just two years ago, when general Ken Williams acquired Everett for the first time from Texas and played 75 games in the outfield for the South Siders. Everett actually was solid defensively in center and drove in 92 runs between stops with the Rangers and the White Sox. A torn labrum in his right shoulder, suffered early on with Montreal last year, finished things before they could begin. The cynics were out in full force once again. But Everett actually has thrived since the return of Thomas, shuttling between the outfield and designated hitter. Thomas came back on May 30, the close of a month in which Everett hit .198 after carrying the team in April. He hit .350 in June, with 18 RBIs, and the trade rumors and doubters disappeared. "When there's a negative side, you tend to focus on that," said the 34-year-old Everett, a 13-year veteran. "That's OK because I play the game the right way. "People forget that I'm not old. I've just been around a long time." The rich get richer: Damaso Marte eventually shut down Cleveland's ninth-rally Saturday, although not before the lead had been shaved to two runs. But Guillen truly was lucky to have Marte available. The hard-throwing left-hander was hit by a Pablo Ozuna foul ball on the first pitch of Friday's game, leaving a mark from the impact just below his rib cage on the left side. Guillen joked that Marte was looking at someone in the stands when he was struck, but that he was OK. In his two trips to the mound since coming off the disabled list Thursday, Marte looks slightly better than OK and has quelled any whispers of possible arm trouble. He fanned all three hitters faced Thursday and retired Coco Crisp on Saturday for the victory. Marte was popping his fastball in the 95-96 mph range. "When he does that and he's aggressive and he throw strikes, he's tough," said catcher A.J. Pierzynski of Marte. "That's the way I remember him when I used to face him when I was in Minnesota." Marte did not see any difference in his pitches the last three days, as compared to his style before being placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 30 with an inflamed left trapezius. But Guillen seems to slightly disagree, in a positive manner. "If Marte throws the way he did [Thursday], watch out," said Guillen of Marte, who has allowed six hits in 28 at-bats to first hitters. "He threw the ball [Thursday] the best I've seen in the 1 1/2 years I've been here." Decisions, decisions: Guillen hoped to have his roster set after Sunday's game, although it didn't seem likely. While Bobby Jenks appears to be headed back to the Minors when Orlando Hernandez returns for Monday's start, trade rumors still are rumbling in regards to Shingo Takatsu. Arizona was reported to have interest, according to Sunday's edition of the Chicago Tribune. But the move with Ross Gload remains a bit trickier. Gload certainly appears ready to return, with the left-handed hitting first baseman launching two home runs among his four hits during Triple-A Charlotte's 9-8 victory over Indianapolis on Saturday. Gload is hitting .385 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs for the Knights, but his Minor League rehab ends Sunday. With Joe Crede's back still in a precarious state, Gload most likely will be reassigned to Charlotte in the short term. "That's one thing we have to be careful of, how Joe is going to be," Guillen said. "We all know we need Gload, but I don't want to break up something here that's being done." Down on the farm: Brian Anderson hit home run No. 13 during Charlotte's win. Closer Jeff Bajenaru blew the save but picked up the win, dropping his ERA to 1.07. Josh Fields (No. 12) and Chris Stewart (seven) both went deep as part of Double-A Birmingham's 7-5 victory over Chattanooga. Despite fanning six over five innings, Lance Broadway suffered his first professional loss for Class A Winston-Salem. Coming soon: Although nothing becomes official until prior to Monday's game, Hernandez is expected to return from his second stint on the 15-day disabled list to face the Tigers. He last pitched against Arizona at home on June 14, allowing six runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings during a 10-4 loss. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Great article. Shingo could be a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks by 7:05 CT and Ross Gload's minor league rehab ends Sunday. Our Sox could have a different look by week's end and I, for one, am seriously looking forward to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 61-29 not good enough for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted July 18, 2005 Author Share Posted July 18, 2005 QUOTE(YASNY @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 09:02 AM) 61-29 not good enough for you? You are in quite the mood this morning Mr. Yas. :rolly It's exciting. Anytime there are lingering roster moves, I get excited. Please. It's human. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 QUOTE(YASNY @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 10:02 AM) 61-29 not good enough for you? i don't have a problem with the sox making minor moves that will help during the playoff run. Key word is minor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxrd5 Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 09:03 AM) You are in quite the mood this morning Mr. Yas. :rolly It's exciting. Anytime there are lingering roster moves, I get excited. Please. It's human. Darn this video game generation who thinks trades are the be all/end all of the season!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted July 18, 2005 Author Share Posted July 18, 2005 QUOTE(Soxnbears01 @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 09:04 AM) i don't have a problem with the sox making minor moves that will help during the playoff run. Key word is minor Naturally; I felt that was implied. I have no idea what he was getting at. Whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 10:05 AM) Naturally; I felt that was implied. I have no idea what he was getting at. Whatever. Eh.. pay no attention to the old crabby fart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted July 18, 2005 Author Share Posted July 18, 2005 QUOTE(Steff @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 09:06 AM) Eh.. pay no attention to the old crabby fart. Usually don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 QUOTE(Steff @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 10:06 AM) Eh.. pay no attention to the old crabby fart. Hey leave me out of this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 Geez. People are touchy today. :headshake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxrd5 Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 QUOTE(YASNY @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 09:10 AM) Geez. People are touchy today. :headshake Present company included? Sorry, I definitely laughed at this post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 QUOTE(YASNY @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 10:10 AM) Geez. People are touchy today. :headshake YAS.. you've met my friends pot and kettle, right.. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted July 18, 2005 Author Share Posted July 18, 2005 QUOTE(Chisoxrd5 @ Jul 18, 2005 -> 09:13 AM) Present company included? Sorry, I definitely laughed at this post Same here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 I really don't get it. In the thread about Pauly's comments, I expressed my opinion on what was going on. The 61-29 remark was tongue in cheek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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