thome and jenks stress work harder

[chisox2334]

Thome, Jenks want White Sox teammates to focus on own jobs

 

By Mark Gonzales

Tribune staff reporter

 

December 11, 2007, 10:43 PM CST

 

 

As general manager Ken Williams absorbs scrutiny for every attempted move this winter, Jim Thome and Bobby Jenks suggest White Sox players take care of their own business.

 

"We're in a division where obviously Detroit got a lot better and Cleveland as well," Thome said Tuesday. "The key for us is when we come to spring training … we have to be serious from Day 1. We have to be ready, focused and understand we're in a division where we can't have a whole lot of lapses during the year."

 

 

 

Thome and Jenks participated in the Sox holiday party at U.S. Cellular Field in which food, gifts and entertainment were provided to about 500 children from 20 Boys and Girls Clubs in the Chicago area.

 

They helped distribute hot dogs and soft drinks and talked to the students. Jenks brought his wife and two young children. For Thome, whose wife, Andrea, gave birth to the couple's second child (Landon) last month, the party brought back memories of previous functions in Cleveland when he dressed as Santa Claus and his wife as Mrs. Claus.

 

Thome and Jenks are hopeful Williams can bring the Sox some presents before pitchers and catchers report to spring training in slightly more than two months.

 

"[Williams] is going to get praise or beat down no matter what the moves [are]," said the 6-foot-3-inch, 275-pound Jenks, who looked fit. "It's like that every year. He has made some good moves. I don't know about all his moves in the past, but he has brought some good players over here. We got the guy over there (Thome)."

 

Jenks, unlike Thome, said Williams hasn't kept him abreast of the club's off-season plans. But he realizes he has to "go out there, get your job done, get in shape and be ready for the season.

 

"There are still things we can do to improve, whether it's getting that Japanese outfielder (Kosuke Fukudome), or trading some of our younger guys for maybe (Pittsburgh outfielder) Jason Bay," Jenks said. "One of those types of moves are still there.

 

"Until spring training starts, anything can happen."

 

Jenks expressed mixed feelings about last week's trade that brought All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera from Florida to Detroit and made the Tigers' lineup more formidable.

 

"It's just one more guy we'll have to get out during the season," Jenks said. "It was tough enough for us last year, then throwing that into the fire, obviously they have the momentum on their side. We have to go out there and fight for ours and show people we deserve it and we're a team that can compete."

 

Jenks stressed the importance of the players concentrating on their off-season preparation and not being consumed with Williams' plans.

 

"What we saw last year wasn't the teams of the past," Jenks said. "I've only been here since 2005, but I'm a baseball fan and have followed all the teams. There's some winning tradition in this organization, and what happened last year was like a wake-up call. Let's get back to business.

 

"There's hope to have a few more moves going on this year. But if there's not, we'll have to go out in spring training and battle and see who is going to win spots, whether it's in the bullpen or outfield."

[witesoxfan]

You know, I like Detroit's team as much as anyone, but have people forgotten that the Indians were 1 game away from the World Series last year and won 96 games with Travis Hafner putting up an .836 OPS? Or are they just completely writing off a Cy Young winner, improved bullpen, and an offense that scored 811 runs last year (and is bound to improve)?

 

No matter how "sexy" that Detroit lineup is - and it is very possibly the "sexiest" lineup of any in baseball - I still think the Indians have to be the favorite, don't they? Everyone keeps comparing the Sox to the Tigers, but ultimately, it may not matter if the Sox finish ahead of the Tigers if the Indians roll to another division win.

[Chombi]

You know, I like Detroit's team as much as anyone, but have people forgotten that the Indians were 1 game away from the World Series last year and won 96 games with Travis Hafner putting up an .836 OPS? Or are they just completely writing off a Cy Young winner, improved bullpen, and an offense that scored 811 runs last year (and is bound to improve)?

 

No matter how "sexy" that Detroit lineup is - and it is very possibly the "sexiest" lineup of any in baseball - I still think the Indians have to be the favorite, don't they? Everyone keeps comparing the Sox to the Tigers, but ultimately, it may not matter if the Sox finish ahead of the Tigers if the Indians roll to another division win.

 

I certainly hope not, nor do I think that is entirely the case. Right now Detroit is the "sexy" thing because they made the biggest noise. A team who was in the WS two years ago and has added some nice talent. They just have "it" going for them so far this offseason.

 

For Cleveland, I expect a slightly worse season out of their 1-2 guys but am hoping Sizemore finally reaches that MVP level they always throw at him. Cleveland could very well win the division and I think that is the point in some cases. Sox aren't better than the 2nd best team from last year who just got a whole lot better so how can we compete?

 

I know when I have discussed the Tiger's it's viewing them as the 2nd best team in our division but that they have gotten better. To me, you can't be first if you aren't better then the 2nd place team. The Tigers obviously need to prove they are better than Cleveland. If they are, then the Sox still aren't better than either team and next season we will be comparing ourselves to Cleveland if they make a big splash (which they will).

 

Let's face it. KW needs to just admit we will not contend. It will be better for us all. We will struggle to compete with the Royals, and unless there is some miracle that goes our way we have zero chance at a title or being "contenders". I say 5% chance that we are a .500+ team. I'd be completely shocked if we were within 10 games just simply out of how tough our division is.

[CWSGuy406]

Not that I'd expect the players to say as much, but is there anybody in this organization who can just be honest and acknowledge how completely devoid of talent -- not grind, work-ethic or 'edge' -- this franchise is?

[southsideirish71]

Not that I'd expect the players to say as much, but is there anybody in this organization who can just be honest and acknowledge how completely devoid of talent -- not grind, work-ethic or 'edge' -- this franchise is?

 

 

Hopefully KW stops taking advise from Jr GMs Konerko and Dye on personnel decisions. There is a reason you dont let the workers run the company.

 

 

 

[Linnwood]

Not that I'd expect the players to say as much, but is there anybody in this organization who can just be honest and acknowledge how completely devoid of talent -- not grind, work-ethic or 'edge' -- this franchise is?

 

 

I'm pretty sure you're never going to hear anyone with the organization say that.

[wallyburger]

Jenks actually stressed working harder in the off season. Guess that means he will drop about 35 pounds, right??? Hot dogs and soda. Nice menu.

[klaus kinski]

Maybe the work harder was meant for Zen Williams

[southsider2k5]

It would be nicer to hear a Brian Anderson say something like this, but it is nice to see guys who are respected in the clubhouse leading the way by example.

[Steve9347]

No matter how "sexy" that Detroit lineup is - and it is very possibly the "sexiest" lineup of any in baseball

I dunno, the more I think about it... Pudge is on his last legs, Maggs will never repeat what just happened, Carlos Guillen is one year older, Gary Sheffield can't keep hitting... they have Jacque Jones in their lineup. Once you get past the "ooo and ahhh" of the Detroit lineup, I still take Cleveland's over them anyday.

[Steve9347]

I dunno, the more I think about it... Pudge is on his last legs, Maggs will never repeat what just happened, Carlos Guillen is one year older, Gary Sheffield can't keep hitting... they have Jacque Jones in their lineup. Once you get past the "ooo and ahhh" of the Detroit lineup, I still take Cleveland's over them anyday.

OK, after taking the time to make this post... Tribe vs. Tiggs lineup projections I retract that statement... the Tigers are sick this year.

[Chisoxfn]

Not that I'd expect the players to say as much, but is there anybody in this organization who can just be honest and acknowledge how completely devoid of talent -- not grind, work-ethic or 'edge' -- this franchise is?

No one would ever say that. The Pittsburgh Pirates every year start the season with a glimmer of hope. No one is going to go out there and say we suck. These are all talented individuals (ever single person that plays in the majors is) and at some point they can only go out and worry about how they play (and of course play as a team) and hope that it will be enough to get your team to the playoffs and beyond.

 

The reality is the Sox are still a club with a couple good starting pitchers, a few good big bats, and well a lot of question-marks in between. I remember a lot of people questioning the 05 rotation and look what happened there (entering that season Garland was still hated by many, Contreras hadn't proved crap (heck he wasn't that good for the first couple months of the season, El Duque was old and injury prone (albeit he was a reliable 5th) and you had Mark/Freddy who were legit). Their weren't many people going out on a limb predicting the Sox to win the series.

 

You also had question-marks at 3rd (Crede could field, that was it), 2nd (Iguchi got very little love when he left and no one knew if he'd turn into a solid player), SS (Juan Uribe had shown some flashes of talent, but no one knew what they'd get, except good defense), Pods (had up/down years in Mil but had the potential to be a good leadoff hitter), Frank/Everett (come on, these guys were question-marks for the most part).

 

Maybe they should have came out and quit too? Jesus, I swear some of you don't get one thing...these guys have pride and they believe that if they play at there best they can win (and that very well may be the case).

 

The club still has holes to fill, no doubt, but it isn't April 1st now is it?

[Wanne]

Maybe they should have came out and quit too? Jesus, I swear some of you don't get one thing...these guys have pride and they believe that if they play at there best they can win (and that very well may be the case).

 

The club still has holes to fill, no doubt, but it isn't April 1st now is it?

 

Seriously. Why would KW come out and say that?!? If anything I hope these guys read and hear comments like this. I don't know about you...but if somebody tells me I can't do something...I'll bust my ass twice as hard to prove them wrong. Like Chisoxfn said...these guys do have pride. Hell...maybe the problem's been pushing themselves to hard mentally instead of just relaxing and having some fun. This team hasn't looked relaxed for a year and a half. Maybe with all the expectations off of them...they'll put some winning streaks together throughout the year.

[WCSox]

Not that I'd expect the players to say as much, but is there anybody in this organization who can just be honest and acknowledge how completely devoid of talent -- not grind, work-ethic or 'edge' -- this franchise is?

 

"Completely devoid of talent"? Uh, I don't think so. They may not be more than a .500 team, but their situation isn't even close to that dire talent-wise. It was pretty obvious to me that they just stopped trying after about June. Thome and Jenks' comments appear to support that observation.

Edited December 12, 2007 by WCSox

[fathom]

"Completely devoid of talent"? Uh, I don't think so. They may not be more than a .500 team, but their situation isn't even close to that dire talent-wise. It was pretty obvious to me that they just stopped trying after about June. Thome and Jenks' comments appear to support that observation.

 

Well, good thing we gave our manager a contract extension.

 

[WCSox]

Well, good thing we gave our manager a contract extension.

 

You're right. Kenny should've re-hired Jerry "The Motivator" Manuel.

 

[max power]

You know, I like Detroit's team as much as anyone, but have people forgotten that the Indians were 1 game away from the World Series last year and won 96 games with Travis Hafner putting up an .836 OPS? Or are they just completely writing off a Cy Young winner, improved bullpen, and an offense that scored 811 runs last year (and is bound to improve)?

 

No matter how "sexy" that Detroit lineup is - and it is very possibly the "sexiest" lineup of any in baseball - I still think the Indians have to be the favorite, don't they? Everyone keeps comparing the Sox to the Tigers, but ultimately, it may not matter if the Sox finish ahead of the Tigers if the Indians roll to another division win.

I think detroit will miss the playoffs this year or at best lose in the ALCS. Their rotation sucks. I'm tired of talking about it though.

[greg775]

Thome and Jenks are right.

If our current starters have career years we could be OK.

I do sense a crappy year, though.

Pretend it's April and May and we're trotting Danks, Floyd and Jose out there

3 of every 5 games.

Are any of you really confident we're going to win many of those games, especially

with our bullpen?

 

[Princess Dye]

"Being out here, it keeps me in check and knowing I can't go out or do something crazy without it being in the paper or the fans seeing how big of a jackass I could be," the 6-foot-3-inch, 275-pound Jenks said.

 

Wow, kinda hilarious that he calls himself a potential jackass. i thought them days wuz over for him

[witesoxfan]

It would be nicer to hear a Brian Anderson say something like this, but it is nice to see guys who are respected in the clubhouse leading the way by example.

 

Uhhhhh