greasywheels121 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 I love the quotes we've been hearing from the players. We sound like the NE Patriots. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines Dye ready to move on By Rick Gano The Associated Press TUCSON, Ariz. -- Jermaine Dye hit the ball up the middle, and when it cleared the infield for an RBI single he responded with an uncharacteristic display of emotion by clapping his hands. No wonder. One of the biggest hits of his career, one of the most celebrated ever in the city of Chicago, his hit drove in the only run as the White Sox won the World Series clincher in Houston last October. "You can sit back when you are old and gray and remember some of the good old days," Dye said Friday as he reflected on his hit, which helped him earn the World Series MVP award. "Right now I'm still playing," he said. "That was last year and this is a different year." That's what the White Sox have been saying since opening camp last week. But huge banners proclaiming their championship hang on the outside walls of their complex, and pictures of the 2005 postseason line the inner ones. Included is one of Dye just as he makes contact off Brad Lidge, sending Willie Harris home with two out in the eighth inning of Game 4. A short time later, the White Sox were soaked with champagne. And now whenever Dye walks down the corridor to the practice field, he can see his hit up close. "It brings back memories," Dye said. "I think it's something you may think about every now and then. It's something I'll never forget and at the same time, it's another season and I just have to get ready." Dye started slowly a year ago in his first season with the White Sox, his fourth major league team, batting just .175 in his first month. But it's how he finished that helped the White Sox fight off a late swoon and win the AL Central. Dye batted .300 over his final 55 games and finished with a .274 average, 31 homers and 86 RBIs. When manager Ozzie Guillen moved him up in to the No. 3 batting spot for the regular-season finale and kept him there in the postseason, it stabilized Chicago's batting order. "It was the right guy at that particular time," Guillen said. "I say whoever swings the bat better, that's when he will move up." Dye went 7-for-16 (.438) in the Series with a home run off Roger Clemens and three RBIs. He also scored three times, walked twice and had a .526 on-base percentage. He was in the disputed Game 2 play when plate umpire Jeff Nelson ruled that Dye was hit by a pitch in the seventh inning -- replays showed the ball glanced off Dye's bat. Dye kept quiet and went to first base, and Paul Konerko followed with a grand slam as the White Sox went on to win on Scott Podsednik's homer. Dye will be dropped in the order this spring as Guillen has already named newly acquired Jim Thome his No. 3 hitter. That means Dye will be fifth in the order. "It doesn't matter to me," said Dye. "I've always been in the middle of the lineup anywhere." With Guillen's unpredictable moves a staple of the season, Dye also had two more firsts last year. He made his major league debut at shortstop early in the season when the White Sox ran out of players in a game against Oakland. He also made his first career start at first base. He was also relatively injury free -- or so he thought -- playing in 145 games. He did miss one series because of an infection brought on by spider bites. But late in the season, he played through what appeared to be a groin strain. "We never thought it was a hernia. I didn't really get diagnosed until a couple of weeks after the season was over," he said. Dye had a hernia operation in early December but says he is fully recovered and ready to go, hoping to avoid the slow start he had last season Despite winning the Series MVP award, Dye said his offseason was relatively uneventful. "Maybe the first week, but after that I live out here in Phoenix and it's about the Diamondbacks out there," he said. "It was fun for a while and then you realize you have to get ready and get back on your workout program." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Good article, I can't wait for the season to begin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iWiN4PreP Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayitaintso Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 QUOTE(WilliamTell @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 05:52 PM) Good article, I can't wait for the season to begin. I don't think any of us can wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 When I saw the title, I was thinking he wanted to leave rather than focus on this season. Glad I guessed wrong lol. I, too, cannot wait for the season to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackie hayes Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 QUOTE(Queen Prawn @ Feb 25, 2006 -> 04:15 AM) When I saw the title, I was thinking he wanted to leave rather than focus on this season. Glad I guessed wrong lol. I, too, cannot wait for the season to start. Yeah, it got my attention quick. "WTF?!?!?!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 Jermaine realizes that it's time to let 2005 go. I like it. The fans can savor 2005 for as long as they want. The players realize they almost have to act like 05 never happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Feb 25, 2006 -> 12:12 AM) Jermaine realizes that it's time to let 2005 go. I like it. The fans can savor 2005 for as long as they want. The players realize they almost have to act like 05 never happened. Their job is not to rest until the amount of added weight they're carrying on their hands increases again. And somehow I think they won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 i want the next season to start but i didn't want this feeling of 05 champs to end. I know it won't but...god that was magnificent, winning the title. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 QUOTE(bmags @ Feb 25, 2006 -> 05:35 PM) i want the next season to start but i didn't want this feeling of 05 champs to end. I know it won't but...god that was magnificent, winning the title. With the DVD's and Soxtalk, I think we'll be able to revisit the '05 season whenever we get the urge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 26, 2006 -> 08:07 AM) With the DVD's and Soxtalk, I think we'll be able to revisit the '05 season whenever we get the urge. yeah i guess. I'm also angry at how hard it is gonna be for me to see a game this season. I'm just bitter this weekend. don't pay attention to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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