SSH2005 Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 http://www.suntimes.com/output/sox/cst-spt-ken05.html General manager Williams is tough to please March 5, 2006 BY JOE COWLEY Staff Reporter TUCSON, Ariz. -- Ken Williams could feel his hands shaking. He gave a quick glimpse throughout the clubhouse, searching for some way to get his message across. There it stood, several players gathered around it, food sitting on top of it. The victim. The table. "There was yelling, and then I think for the most part everyone was in shock,'' White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko recalled. "It's not often that the general manager takes out the food table.'' Not that Williams has been one to follow in the footsteps of the typical GM. But back in May 2001, his first season as the Sox' GM, Williams didn't like the environment that was permeating the organization. After a loss to the Athletics in Oakland, he thought it was time to lay down the law. "They needed to know that right off the bat,'' Williams said of the table-turning incident. "It wasn't premeditated, but someone needed to let this group of people know that this is a different environment. I wasn't satisfied with what was being done, so I took it upon myself. And I'm still capable of doing that.'' No one in the organization disputes that. Yes, Williams has mellowed entering his sixth season at the helm. Yes, he has become more open with the media. Earlier in camp, he even delegated some of his power to Ozzie Guillen, allowing his manager to handle the futures of the coaching staff. That still doesn't mean food tables are safe in his presence. "I think over the last few years he's gotten to the point where he believes so strongly in the tone he has set in what we're looking for and the organizational philosophy he's put in place that he's really stopped caring about what other people think,'' assistant GM Rick Hahn said. "He believes that we're on the right track of what he's looking for in a winning organization. While that may not be popular with some critics and media, he's put that aside and doesn't care.'' Now if the 42-year-old only could enjoy what he has helped to create. No one celebrated the Sox' first World Series championship in 88 years more than Williams. The problem was that as the parties and parades went on throughout November, Williams quickly became dissatisfied. That fact concerns him to this day. "I don't have an answer to that,'' Williams said. "I don't know if I'm one of those people that is ever satisfied. Last year was great, but what does that have to do with this year? "I said a couple of years ago that I thought I had a shorter shelf life than the typical GM because of the way I was going about it. Since I've learned the humor side of it and not to take everything to heart, I feel like I have a little longer shelf life. How much longer? I don't know.'' That's because Williams sees a bigger picture. From battling racism while growing up in Oakland to dealing with the aftermath of sister's suicide, it all has been a test as far as Williams is concerned. "Some of us have more to overcome than others,'' Williams said. "With me, it was more with environment and race making me feel behind the 8-ball growing up. But if you don't recognize the fundamental fact of having your character tested, then it's very likely that the slide will continue down for you. More and more situations will come up that you can't get through. That's what I learned growing up.'' That's also why Williams battles with the idea that he has a fire in him that can't be put out. Holding the World Series trophy didn't accomplish that. "Since the day I was hired, I said I wanted to win a championship, but I wanted to sustain,'' Williams said. "I have bigger goals for this organization than just winning a championship. I want to change the culture, change the perception of our organization. "I never could buy into the perception that we're a small or even middle-of-the-road organization. I thought if we won, it could start changing. Then all of a sudden, generations of young people can grow up following us. Then I'll be more proud than I am now.'' While that might be asking for a lot, he has gained some believers. "The one thing that he's been consistent with is, 'I'm going to do whatever it takes to win,''' Konerko said. "A lot of GMs pretend they're your best friend in the world, and then they stab you in the back. Kenny tells you right up front. Brutal honesty is tough sometimes, but you know where you stand.'' Williams' growth in the position hasn't come without some bumps in the road. His trades have been hit-and-miss. He was accused by several former players early on of having "spies'' in the clubhouse, then he allowed agent Scott Boras to use him to bump up the price on then-free agent Alex Rodriguez. While he has withstood the critics, he has developed a style not quite seen throughout the rest of the league. "I know that I'm not going to always be right at this job,'' Williams said. "And I'm probably going to be more wrong than other guys because I'm going to take more chances.'' Not all has changed with Williams, however. Watching a game with him is still an experience that borders on tension and fright. "He's extremely intense to watch a game with, for the most part,'' Hahn said. "His mind is always working on how to improve. It's a reactionary process for him.'' Sometimes that process leads him to the parking lot or the weight room. "I make people terribly uncomfortable when I watch a game like that,'' Williams said. "So what I now do is walk away. I'll walk around the stadium. I've even taken a drive during the game. "It's not because I don't have sports in perspective. As a player, you are concerned about doing your job to help the team win. That's where your emotional energy goes. My emotional energy now is with every pitch these guys throw, every at-bat Joe Crede has. We can win a game, but if Crede or A.J. [Pierzynski] had a bad day, I worry about how it affects them.'' Just when it seemed like Williams had made small strides in putting his emotions in check, along came the Frank Thomas tirade last week. Williams thought Thomas had taken unfair shots at the organization again. "Kenny feels like this organization is his family,'' Hahn said. "You go after one of his, he's going to respond.'' And Williams makes no promises that he won't "respond'' again -- whether it's directed at Thomas or at a food table in the clubhouse. "What can I say?'' Williams said with a smile. "I'm still a work in progress.'' [email protected] WILLIAMS ON WILLIAMS Best trade: Acquiring right-handed pitcher Bartolo Colon on Jan. 15, 2003. "Because we were able to keep it under the table, and it gave us a chance to win it all.'' Worst trade: Acquiring right-handed pitcher Todd Ritchie on Dec. 13, 2001. "I hate to put it out like this, but Todd Ritchie ... I made a mistake. That simple.'' Toughest decision: Signing second baseman Tadahito Iguchi from Japan. "Going to Jerry Reinsdorf and telling him, 'I got this guy that none of our scouts have personally seen and I've watched on tape. Oh, by the way, I want you to spend about $5 million to get him for two years.' When he said yes, I was like, 'Oh, this better work out.'" Best free-agent signing: "Esteban Loaiza or A.J. Pierzynski.'' Worst free-agent loss: "Again, Colon. Letting him walk after 2003 stung. Could you imagine what we would have with him?'' Joe Cowley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iWiN4PreP Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 Nice article, I liked the "best and worst" signings. Pretty interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.J. Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 That Colon trade was money in the bank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 I wonder if any other ex-player GM's head to weight room during games...The KW/Beane similarities keep coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rventura23 Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 colon was a good move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Tizzle Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ Mar 5, 2006 -> 01:32 PM) I wonder if any other ex-player GM's head to weight room during games...The KW/Beane similarities keep coming. There are probably several more. Too bad their similarities end with the whole 'World Series championship' concept. Or for that matter, the whole 'winning a postseason series' concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 5, 2006 Author Share Posted March 5, 2006 (edited) Contreras K's the next two batters to end the inning. Edited March 5, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 5, 2006 -> 03:20 PM) Contreras K's the next two batters to end the inning. KW must be proud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 5, 2006 -> 02:20 PM) Contreras K's the next two batters to end the inning. Wrong thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 5, 2006 Author Share Posted March 5, 2006 Wrong thread. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> DOH!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkman delivers Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 KW and Beane are both male GM's of AL teams. Frightening... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigHurt Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 Um... does anyone know WHY Kenny took out the food table? XD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 They had no lettuce for his sandwich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 5, 2006 Author Share Posted March 5, 2006 Um... does anyone know WHY Kenny took out the food table? XD <{POST_SNAPBACK}> He was pissed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 This is why I love Kenny. I seriously can't think of any gm that cares more than he does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitewashed in '05 Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Mar 5, 2006 -> 05:15 PM) This is why I love Kenny. I seriously can't think of any gm that cares more than he does. Yeah I am very very proud of Kenny, I can't say how much I appreciate what he does here, but I just hate his mouth. What he said towards Frank really disappointed me. I mean yeah you have to defend the organization, but he went too far. That wasn't the only time he should have shut his mouth either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallyburger Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 QUOTE(Whitewashed in '05 @ Mar 5, 2006 -> 07:23 PM) Yeah I am very very proud of Kenny, I can't say how much I appreciate what he does here, but I just hate his mouth. What he said towards Frank really disappointed me. I mean yeah you have to defend the organization, but he went too far. That wasn't the only time he should have shut his mouth either. Kenny is a very strange person. Some day this guy will really explode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 QUOTE(wallyburger @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 07:57 AM) Kenny is a very strange person. Some day this guy will really explode. I think he did when he referred to Frank as an "idiot". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.