SSH2005 Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...ack=1&cset=true The oral daggers turned to praise and even gifts for White Sox general manager Ken Williams, whose question-and-answer sessions with manager Ozzie Guillen turned into appreciation sessions from the fans at SoxFest. At Friday's session, the first fan didn't ask a question but thanked Williams and Guillen for directing the Sox to their first World Series title in 88 years and provided a consolation prize for Williams failing to win The Sporting News' Executive of the Year award that went to Cleveland's Mark Shapiro. "Kenny, I think everyone will agree you got robbed, and my family has something for you," she said. Williams was presented with a crystal trophy honoring him as GM of the year. For Williams, the fans' appreciation marked a major transformation from the acrimonious sessions of two years ago. "It's interesting that this room is only half-full this year," Williams smirked at the start of Friday's session. But Saturday's first session was marked with an overflow crowd of more than 1,000 admirers who gave Williams and Guillen a 25-second standing ovation when they walked on stage. The environment was so pleasant Williams asked announcer Darrin Jackson to allow the fans to ask questions 20 minutes into the seminar, which ran 20 minutes longer to accommodate as many questions and comments as possible. From there, it became a mixture of comedy, commentary and blunt answers that brought several rounds of applause. Guillen explained why he turned down offers to appear on "Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." "You can't understand what I have to say," Guillen quipped. And that was just a start. After one fan expressed his anxiety over Guillen's use of mercurial left-handed reliever Damaso Marte in pressure situations, Guillen said "He scared me too." Guillen, on A.J. Pierzynski's wise decision to run out a third strike in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series: "I didn't know A.J. Pierzynski is that smart." One of the most touching moments came from a young Sox fan who brought her 97-year-old grandmother, who underwent heart surgery last month but asked to be released so she could attend SoxFest. After the session, the fan's grandmother—in a wheelchair—was given a Paul Konerko jersey. The fans applauded the candid responses from Guillen and Williams regarding personnel. One fan asked about the chances of Arnie Munoz earning a job as the second left-handed reliever. Said Guillen: "He has a good fastball, he has a good breaking ball. I don't think he has enough guts," Williams reaffirmed the Sox likely will carry six starting pitchers going into spring training and gave an endorsement to outfield prospect Jerry Owens. "If we need Jerry Owens, he's ready to play in the big leagues," Williams said. Guillen said third baseman Joe Crede will bat ninth if Brian Anderson lands the center-field job. The only boos came after a fan wearing a Dustin Hermanson jersey asked if the Sox had interest in embattled former Cubs center fielder Corey Patterson. Williams seized the moment. "I was that close to getting Corey Patterson," he said, separating his index finger and thumb by one-half inch. "I'm just kidding." Jeez, Ozzie doesn't hold back. I would guess that the lineup will look something like this... Podsednik LF Uribe SS Thome DH Konerko 1B Dye RF Iguchi 2B Pierzynski C Anderson CF Crede 3B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Every part of that lineup will probably move around a lil' bit this season except for hopefully Pods, Thome, and Konerko. I do wonder why you want Crede hitting behind BA and in front of Pods though. Less pressure? I dunno, but Pods just isn't good protection for a batter no matter what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted January 29, 2006 Author Share Posted January 29, 2006 Every part of that lineup will probably move around a lil' bit this season except for hopefully Pods, Thome, and Konerko. I do wonder why you want Crede hitting behind BA and in front of Pods though. Less pressure? I dunno, but Pods just isn't good protection for a batter no matter what. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Anderson may get on base more than Crede and Crede has more power. So Crede can drive in the speedier Anderson. That's my only guess as to what Ozzie is thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rventura23 Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 I liked Uribe in the 9 slot, but if hes second I think its better to have Crede 9th over BA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Where does Crede bat if Anderson doesn't win the job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Since Pods doesn't offer protection, Ozzie's putting the vet (Crede) in the #9 spot to offer protection for the rookie. Sounds like a smart move to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin57 Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 This lineup looks like a dream to me. I expect Crede to have a very decent year at the plate this year (No, not .300 but maybe .285). If true, pitchers will not get a break with this roster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosMediasBlancas Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 This is not the 1st time we've heard Ozzie say he's not a fan of Munoz, why is he still around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg The Bull Luzinski Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Obviously Ozzie wants more speed at the bottom of the order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAVVY18 Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 "It's interesting that this room is only half-full this year," Williams smirked at the start of Friday's session. Maybe because everyone else was waiting in a 2 hour line to get into the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 QUOTE(rventura23 @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 02:11 AM) I liked Uribe in the 9 slot, but if hes second I think its better to have Crede 9th over BA I totally agree with that. Especially since Uribe is prone to go through prolonged slumps at the bat. Having a free swinger like him batting second doesn't make any sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Didn't Crede hit around .330 while batting ninth in 2005? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 10:35 AM) This is not the 1st time we've heard Ozzie say he's not a fan of Munoz, why is he still around? He throws the ball with his left hand. That's the Major League equivalent of having comprimising pictures of your boss with his 22 year old secretary. Job.Security. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted January 29, 2006 Author Share Posted January 29, 2006 Didn't Crede hit around .330 while batting ninth in 2005? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You may have figured it out if Ozzie really looks at these stats... Joe Crede (2005 stats Batting 9th) 102 AB .333 AVG .395 OBP .667 SLG 1.061 OPS 9 HR 22 RBI 10 BB 12 K Small sample size but jeezus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 The funny thing is: Ozzie said Anderson would bat 9th and Crede would bat 8th in that seminar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted January 29, 2006 Author Share Posted January 29, 2006 The funny thing is: Ozzie said Anderson would bat 9th and Crede would bat 8th in that seminar. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And we all know that Ozzie makes dee f***eeng lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDsDirtySox Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 I was in every 2006 White Sox Seminar, and in everyone Ozzie stated that Anderson would bat 9th if he is our center fielder. I don't understand how these guys in the media mess this stuff up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin57 Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 QUOTE(JDsDirtySox @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 05:02 PM) I was in every 2006 White Sox Seminar, and in everyone Ozzie stated that Anderson would bat 9th if he is our center fielder. I don't understand how these guys in the media mess this stuff up. Simple, because they get paid good money to misinform the uninformed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 I cannot wait to see how Jermaine comes out this season. If he is the guy from the playoffs or not. I liked him in the three-hole, and I always thought Kong was better suited in the fifth spot. Thome would break them up nicely either way, and I know Kong is our big bat, but I dunno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted January 30, 2006 Author Share Posted January 30, 2006 I cannot wait to see how Jermaine comes out this season. If he is the guy from the playoffs or not. I liked him in the three-hole, and I always thought Kong was better suited in the fifth spot. Thome would break them up nicely either way, and I know Kong is our big bat, but I dunno. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Dye is still the worst hitter of the three so I'd rather see him batting fifth, regardless of worrying about the righty/lefty order. I still think a 3-4-5 of Thome, Konerko, and Dye makes the most sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 Great post. Joe would be by far the best No. 9 hitter in baseball. I can't believe a guy with his potential for extra base hits would hit 9th. But if it makes him even better with the glove, so be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 11:49 PM) Dye is still the worst hitter of the three so I'd rather see him batting fifth, regardless of worrying about the righty/lefty order. I still think a 3-4-5 of Thome, Konerko, and Dye makes the most sense. I'd like Thome fourth regardless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Jan 29, 2006 -> 02:18 PM) I totally agree with that. Especially since Uribe is prone to go through prolonged slumps at the bat. Having a free swinger like him batting second doesn't make any sense. Did you like Iguchi in the #2 slot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUGGERNAUT Posted February 2, 2006 Share Posted February 2, 2006 I don't like it. Crede is more deserving of 8th than Anderson. He really came on in Sept & Oct. I think ST should decide who hits 8th & 9th. As for the rest I'm cool with it. Pods, Uribe, Thome, Kong, Dye, Iguchi, AJ, Crede, Anderson Uribe did very well at #2 in 2004. With Pods in front & Thome in back he is sure to see much better pitches. Where Ozzie sacrificed Iguchi to get Pods over a LOT last year I see a LOT more hit & run in store for Pods-Uribe. Overall the move is sure to make Uribe a more disciplined hitter. You need reasonable speed in front of Iguchi to maximize his double potential. So Dye-Iguchi makes the most sense. I think Iguchi is going to surprise a lot of people with a SLG % > 500 in 2006. I think you want to try to put good speed aboard when Pods comes to bat & that isn't Crede. Anderson's a much better fit there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted February 2, 2006 Share Posted February 2, 2006 Juggs, read the thread not just the title. Ozzie said the exact opposite of the thread title. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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