Chisox73
02-25-2006, 04:02 PM
Borchard blasts out of the gate
BY JOE COWLEY Staff Reporter Advertisement
http://www.suntimes.com/output/sox/cst-spt-cowley25.html
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Come April, or even next week, it will be just a meaningless home run hit in batting practice. On Friday, however, it was an early statement from Joe Borchard.
Borchard, who is fighting for an outfield spot on the 25-man roster, hit an opposite-field home run off 2005 first-round pick Lance Broadway in a live batting practice session.
''Yeah, if I can keep hitting a few of those, I'll be OK,'' Borchard said.
His blast didn't go unnoticed, either, as several coaches and teammates made some comments to Borchard.
But Borchard isn't the only one in the mix. Right now, it's a numbers game. The Sox have to decide if they're going to take 11 or 12 pitchers when camp breaks, and that will go a long way in determining the makeup of the reserves.
If there are two spots open, Borchard and Ross Gload are the leading candidates. If the Sox take 12 pitchers, however, then only one spot is available. Coincidentally, Gload and Borchard are out of options.
''They will fight for the last couple of spots,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said Friday. ''I don't know how many pitchers I will take, but I talked to Borchard and Ross. Everyone has a legit shot to make this team. They will battle. Whoever is playing better.''
The key for Gload, however, will be showing that the injured throwing shoulder from last year has healed enough for him to play outfield. Between projected reserves Pablo Ozuna and Rob Mackowiak the Sox have depth at almost every infield position, but Guillen wants more depth in the outfield.
''We have a lot of games to go and not that many players in camp,'' Guillen said. "Everybody will get a legit chance. The guy who can pinch-hit and play once in a while, he will take the job.''
CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: Guillen made Paul Konerko's title as team captain official on Friday, gathering the team together before the morning workout and telling them his reasons for the decision.
Konerko received applause from his teammates, followed by some serious ribbing.
''We have a few captains on this team, but Ozzie wants me to do this,'' Konerko said to his teammates.
NOTES: Guillen said Juan Uribe is expected to join the team for this morning's workout.
The shortstop had visa problems in the Dominican Republic, which caused him to miss the first two workouts.
*Reliever Cliff Politte left camp after Friday's workout to be with his wife, Jennifer, in St. Louis. The couple is expecting their second child. Politte told the team he would be back by Tuesday.
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BY JOE COWLEY Staff Reporter Advertisement
http://www.suntimes.com/output/sox/cst-spt-cowley25.html
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Come April, or even next week, it will be just a meaningless home run hit in batting practice. On Friday, however, it was an early statement from Joe Borchard.
Borchard, who is fighting for an outfield spot on the 25-man roster, hit an opposite-field home run off 2005 first-round pick Lance Broadway in a live batting practice session.
''Yeah, if I can keep hitting a few of those, I'll be OK,'' Borchard said.
His blast didn't go unnoticed, either, as several coaches and teammates made some comments to Borchard.
But Borchard isn't the only one in the mix. Right now, it's a numbers game. The Sox have to decide if they're going to take 11 or 12 pitchers when camp breaks, and that will go a long way in determining the makeup of the reserves.
If there are two spots open, Borchard and Ross Gload are the leading candidates. If the Sox take 12 pitchers, however, then only one spot is available. Coincidentally, Gload and Borchard are out of options.
''They will fight for the last couple of spots,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said Friday. ''I don't know how many pitchers I will take, but I talked to Borchard and Ross. Everyone has a legit shot to make this team. They will battle. Whoever is playing better.''
The key for Gload, however, will be showing that the injured throwing shoulder from last year has healed enough for him to play outfield. Between projected reserves Pablo Ozuna and Rob Mackowiak the Sox have depth at almost every infield position, but Guillen wants more depth in the outfield.
''We have a lot of games to go and not that many players in camp,'' Guillen said. "Everybody will get a legit chance. The guy who can pinch-hit and play once in a while, he will take the job.''
CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: Guillen made Paul Konerko's title as team captain official on Friday, gathering the team together before the morning workout and telling them his reasons for the decision.
Konerko received applause from his teammates, followed by some serious ribbing.
''We have a few captains on this team, but Ozzie wants me to do this,'' Konerko said to his teammates.
NOTES: Guillen said Juan Uribe is expected to join the team for this morning's workout.
The shortstop had visa problems in the Dominican Republic, which caused him to miss the first two workouts.
*Reliever Cliff Politte left camp after Friday's workout to be with his wife, Jennifer, in St. Louis. The couple is expecting their second child. Politte told the team he would be back by Tuesday.
j