SSH2005 Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines 'El Capitan' rates salute Uribe's work ethic, improvement earn praise from Sox By Mark Gonzales Tribune staff reporter March 4, 2006, 9:06 PM CST TUCSON, Ariz. -- The morning card games no longer possess the same chatter and high-pitched cries after a winning hand. Gone are Damaso Marte, Timo Perez, Willie Harris and Luis Vizcaino from the amusing banter in the White Sox's clubhouse. But there's another distinct difference that stands out this spring. Shortstop Juan Uribe, once known for his piercing shrieks after holding a winning hand, quietly plays with a group of newcomers. Meanwhile, veterans Mark Buehrle and A.J. Pierzynski share some good-natured ribbing with the unheralded postseason star they call "El Capitan." Paul Konerko is the captain of the Sox, but Uribe has become his own man. "The thing I see about him is that he has confidence in himself," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He built confidence with (third-base coach) Joey Cora working with him every day to make him the player he should be. You come to this country and have no one to lean on, that makes it difficult for you to perform." Uribe, who will turn 27 on July 22, passed a major test last year in Guillen's estimation. In the first year of a three-year, $9.75 million contract, Uribe made major strides in September and the postseason. Defensively, he saved his best for last by running fearlessly into the stands to catch Chris Burke's foul pop, then alertly charging and firing to first to nip Orlando Palmeiro for the final out of the World Series. "I was worried if he'd lose his hunger," Guillen said. "He was fighting for a job [last season], we gave him a chance. He proved me wrong. He loves to play and loves to play for us. He's a great teammate. Uribe shows up every day to play without saying anything. Never complains." The Sox's faith in Uribe to succeed in the second spot in the batting order this year stems from more than him drawing 10 of his 34 regular-season walks in the final month and five in the American League Championship Series and World Series. Guillen and Cora were pleased Uribe called them in advance to let them know he would report late to spring training because of a paperwork issue in his native Dominican Republic. That was the latest in a series of developments that reinforced faith in him. "One thing he [showed since] he came over from Colorado [before 2004] was his work ethic," Cora said. "And the whole year he worked his [rear] off on defense. "One thing that he did differently than past years, and it's probably because he's so young, is that he separated the defense from the offense. That was huge last year. That's why he played so well on defense. "Before, when he was 0-for-4, he was making stupid errors because he was mad that he was 0-for-4. "I think that was the key for him to have such a good year defensively." Success didn't inflate Uribe's ego. He threw the ceremonial first pitch before a Dominican Winter League game for Escogido after the World Series and then played eight games for the Lions. "I was so happy to throw [the first pitch]," Uribe said. "They like me." Uribe worked out while his paperwork issue was resolved, and he arrived on Feb. 25. "I'm just happy to be here," Uribe said. I want to work on everything. Joey has helped me a lot. He makes me work early every day. I like it." Guillen admires Uribe's unselfishness. He batted .285 in 260 at-bats in the second spot in 2004 but went to the bottom of the order last year to accommodate Tadahito Iguchi. "When you bat second, your commitment to the ballclub is very different," Guillen said. "I think [uribe's swing] can be cut down to swing at better pitches and he'll see better pitches to hit because he has boppers behind him." Uribe appreciates the close supervision of Cora, but Guillen had an inkling that Uribe would flourish based on a conversation he had with Rockies manager Clint Hurdle after Uribe was dealt to the Sox for infielder Aaron Miles. "Uribe has taken advantage of his job and kept it," Guillen said. "Sometimes people grab the job and all of a sudden, the next year, they lose it. Uribe has worked hard enough every day to get what he gets, and it really has impressed me." And if Uribe struggles in the second spot, the Sox still can rely on him to make stellar plays like his catch on Burke in the Series. "A lot of people told me, 'Nice play,' and I'm so happy they got to see it," Uribe said, smiling. "They say, 'Uribe, thank you for helping make the ring for the world champion.'" The card games no longer possess the same camaraderie, but Uribe understands. "They're my friends," Uribe said. "They were good guys. It's tough, but there are a lot of teams besides us." [email protected] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iWiN4PreP Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 I love uribe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxPride56 Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Mar 5, 2006 -> 10:10 AM) Uribe>>>>>>>>>>>Aaron Miles Holy crap I totaly forgot thats all we gave up for Uribe. Thats crazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCSox Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 QUOTE(iWiN4PreP @ Mar 5, 2006 -> 08:28 AM) I love uribe. Yep. Dude could hit .220 for the rest of his career and I'd still want him in the lineup every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DABearSoX Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 Yeah it's hard to believe we only trade Miles for him, but that's a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 All kidding aside, Uribe needs to be here for awhile. He's one of the better defensive shortstops in all of baseball, he's obviously solidified himself a place in the clubhouse, he's a relative bargin at his position, and he's a veteran of this "Ozzieball," "smallball," etc. approach. If Valido is the shortstop of the future, Uribe needs to be here until that time. Bringing in anyone else to fill that position until we can fill it from within the farm system would be a mistake. Uribe is the guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 5, 2006 Author Share Posted March 5, 2006 If the Sox end up picking up Uribe's $5 million team option for 2008, he will end up costing $12.3 over the next 3 years. Jack Wilson just signed a 3-year extension with the Pirates worth $20 million. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 uribe blows bubbles while making important throws to first. That's the only sentence you need to see why everyone loves him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 QUOTE(WCSox @ Mar 5, 2006 -> 11:06 AM) Yep. Dude could hit .220 for the rest of his career and I'd still want him in the lineup every day. I wouldn't go that far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DABearSoX Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 QUOTE(SnB @ Mar 5, 2006 -> 06:23 PM) uribe blows bubbles while making important throws to first. That's the only sentence you need to see why everyone loves him. I couldn't have said it better myself...well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBatterz Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Long Live Uribe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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