The lighter side of losing

[IlliniKrush]

A lighter side to losing

Sox teammates joke about 3 errors by Iguchi in tough loss

By Mark Gonzales

Tribune staff reporter

 

August 29, 2005, 11:36 PM CDT

 

 

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Mug shots of the White Sox's starting players were taped to Monday night's lineup card, but Tadahito Iguchi's performance didn't resemble the second baseman that manager Ozzie Guillen has called his most valuable player.

 

Iguchi committed a season-high three errors, including two during a three-run fourth inning that allowed Texas to seize a 7-5 victory.

 

 

After the game, the Sox tried to find some humor by taping a frying pan to Iguchi's glove and hanging it in his locker stall.

 

But the reality was that the Sox's pitching, defense and offense laid an egg throughout most of the game.

 

Mark Buehrle (14-7) suffered his first loss against the Rangers after beating them seven times in 10 previous games.

 

Iguchi, who hadn't made an error since Aug. 2, committed the most errors by a Sox player since shortstop Jose Valentin made four on April 8, 2000, at Oakland.

 

The Sox equaled their season high with four errors, last accomplished April 24 at Kansas City.

 

Through the first five innings, the Sox had more errors (four) than hits (two). The Sox managed to make the game interesting with three runs in the ninth, including a two-out RBI single by Iguchi.

 

But Iguchi flied to right with runners at second and third to end the third inning. The Sox are batting only .250 with runners in scoring position in their last two games.

 

Iguchi also bobbled a grounder by Kevin Mench in the seventh but avoided his fourth error when he threw to second for a force play.

 

Iguchi has played in 107 of the Sox's first 128 games. He played 124 games for Fukuoka in 2004 during the 136-game Japanese Pacific League season, but manager Ozzie Guillen has given Iguchi more rest than the Sox's other starting position players.

 

"I ask him every day about how he feels," Guillen said. "It's my job to know how he feels. One of the reasons we get Willie (Harris) back is because of that. He just had a bad game. He's played well for us the past couple games. Defense just wasn't there."

 

Iguchi said he felt fine.

 

"More than forget about it, I want to make sure this never happens again," Iguchi said through his translator.

 

Iguchi said he understood his teammates' attempt to make light of his rough night but didn't elaborate.

 

"I'm trying to make a positive play, and it turns out to be a negative," Iguchi said. "It's tough to take."

 

An unidentified Sox staff member placed the mug shots on the lineup card in an apparent attempt to mock Texas manager Buck Showalter's attention to detail.

 

But the Sox (79-49) saw their lead in the American League Central shrink to seven games over Cleveland.

 

The defeat also assured the Sox (11-14) of their first non-winning month since August of 2004.

 

Leadoff man Scott Podsednik came off the 15-day disabled list but went 0-for-5 with four grounders to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

 

Podsednik played without any noticeable limp after recovering from a left groin strain and felt he could play without any rest.

 

"Right now, it should be up to (Guillen) when I need the rest," Podsednik said. "But I'm looking to get back into the swing of things and have a busy September."

 

Through the first eight innings, the Sox were limited to two runs on a home run in the fifth by Geoff Blum.

[southsider2k5]

After the game, the Sox tried to find some humor by taping a frying pan to Iguchi's glove and hanging it in his locker stall.

 

That's just awesome. It shows me that they aren't worried about a night like last night, which means I am not worried about it.

[SnB]

oh that crazy ozzie and his hijinks

[Colorado Sox Fan]

That's just awesome.  It shows me that they aren't worried about a night like last night, which means I am not worried about it.

 

Yeah, why should they worry? They get paid zillions of dollars win, lose or draw. Meanwhile, fans hoping for a championship have to "wait 'til next year."...again.

 

hahahahahahahahahahahaha

[southsider2k5]

Yeah, why should they worry? They get paid zillions of dollars win, lose or draw. Meanwhile, fans hoping for a championship have to "wait 'til next year."...again.

 

hahahahahahahahahahahaha              

 

Yeah I am sure they have that attitude :rolly

[Steve9347]

Yeah, why should they worry? They get paid zillions of dollars win, lose or draw. Meanwhile, fans hoping for a championship have to "wait 'til next year."...again.

 

hahahahahahahahahahahaha              

 

as buffone would say

 

"genius s s s s s s s."

[Colorado Sox Fan]

Quoting Doug Buffone...now that's a genius move.

[The Ginger Kid]

Dumb question: where the hell did they get a frying pan so fast? Herm Schneider's equipment bag?

[The Ginger Kid]

Quoting Doug Buffone...now that's a genius move.    

 

One of my favorite Bears! He used to be a member of the Bears basketball team that travelled in the winter playing charity games, anyone remember those? Roland Harper was a stud basketball player. So was Sweetness, of course.

[southsider17]

One of my favorite Bears! He used to be a member of the Bears basketball team that travelled in the winter playing charity games, anyone remember those? Roland Harper was a stud basketball player. So was Sweetness, of course.

 

I DO!

 

I went to a game at my local high school where they played the local Fire Department.