Chisox73
02-25-2006, 09:49 PM
Notes: Uribe back in swing of things
Infielder arrives confident he can handle lineup move
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060225&content_id=1322988&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Juan Uribe arrived at White Sox camp on Saturday, featuring his familiar gait, his upbeat personality and a handshake or hug for many of his teammates and even media members.
Uribe's appearance also put a smile on the face of manager Ozzie Guillen, but not just because all of his players had arrived in Tucson. Guillen was told Uribe announced himself in good shape after working out in the Dominican Republic during his two-day absence while trying to sort out travel visa issues. Guillen let out a loud, long laugh upon hearing the news at his meeting with the media following Saturday morning's workout.
"Why is he lying? That's one of my rules, don't lie," said Guillen with a smile of Uribe's conditioning. "If you want to know if he's in shape, just look at him. He was dying when [third-base coach] Joey [Cora] was hitting fungos."
As quickly as Guillen poked fun at Uribe, though, he turned just as quickly to support his shortstop. Despite an unorthodox fielding style and an often times less-than-disciplined approach at the plate, Uribe has worked himself into the elite level at his position. His defense was virtually unparalleled during the White Sox four-game World Series sweep of Houston.
But Uribe will face a new challenge in 2006 as Guillen tries to strengthen his lineup by moving him into the second spot of the order and dropping Tadahito Iguchi to the sixth or seventh slot. Uribe hit .174 with a .208 on-base percentage from the two hole over 23 at-bats last year, but he hit .285 with a .331 on-base percentage and 39 RBIs over 260 at-bats in the same lineup location during his breakout campaign of 2004.
Neither Guillen nor Uribe seem worried about the possible adjustments, as Uribe moves up from the lower third in the order.
"The last person I'm going to worry about is him," Guillen said. "I'm going to talk to him the next couple of days about the job, what we need from him, what he needs to do. If Uribe can feel comfortable and do what he's supposed to do in the second spot of the lineup, our ballclub is going to be better offensively."
"I [am] so happy anywhere, hitting ninth or hitting eighth or hitting second to help the team," Uribe added. "[Guillen] can do what he wants to do. I think it's the same. The pitcher still has to throw the ball."
Minor League phenom Robert Valido might get a Cactus League start or two at shortstop until Uribe is physically ready. Guillen believes that day will come much sooner than later.
"When you come in from the Caribbean, those guys they pick it up and go get it," Guillen said. "With the talent they have, they can go out there and play without practice."
Southpaw success: One day after stating none of the eight left-handed relievers in camp really stood out for him, Guillen singled out Chad Bentz's effort during live batting practice Saturday. Bentz, who grew up playing baseball in Alaska after being born with a misshapen right hand, is one of the more interesting stories in White Sox camp.
"I think today, I think this is the best he's thrown the ball today," Guillen said of Bentz. "Hopefully, he'll bring his 'A' game and impress us next week."
Bentz will be joined by fellow lefties Rusty Tucker, Paulino Reynoso and Corwin Malone pitching in Thursday's Cactus League game against Arizona. Arnie Munoz and Javier Lopez will pitch in Wednesday's opener against Colorado, while Armando Almanza and Steven Randolph are scheduled to work at Hi Corbett Thursday in split-squad action against the Rockies. Bentz, for one, is focused on his own effort and not worried about the vast competition.
"You pretty much can't worry what other people are doing or how they are doing," Bentz said. "I have to take advantage of every time I throw a bullpen or live batting practice or in a game."
Judgment days: Minnie Minoso's candidacy for the Hall of Fame will be reviewed Sunday and Monday in Tampa, Fla., by a special 12-member committee going over 39 candidates from the Negro Leagues and pre-Negro Leagues era. A candidate receiving 75 percent of the votes from the panel (nine votes) will join Bruce Sutter as the only players as part of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 30 in Cooperstown.
The final decision on Minoso will be announced Monday at 1 p.m. CT. But Guillen already has cast his vote in favor of the White Sox legend.
"Minnie is an ambassador of baseball and he's doing a tremendous job, not just for the White Sox organization, but for the entire Spanish community around the United States," Guillen said. "This man is a great ambassador and I hope they give him a shot.
"He earned it. He played in difficult times. I won't call him the Jackie Robinson of Latin America, but he went through tough times and still helped this game. When you help this game, I will vote for you. I think Minnie Minoso does and he has a legit shot."
Sign on the dotted line: The White Sox signed first baseman Bucky Jacobsen to a Minor League contract. Jacobsen was not extended a Major League invite, but he will report to Minor League camp in Tucson.
Jacobsen, 30, became somewhat of a cult hero with the Mariners, reaching the Major Leagues after playing parts of eight seasons in the Minors. The powerful right-handed hitter posted a .275 average, with nine home runs and 28 RBIs over 160 at-bats for Seattle in 2004, but knee problems limited Jacobsen to just 66 at-bats with Triple-A Tacoma in 2005.
"If he was healthy last year, we wouldn't get the guy," said White Sox director of player development Dave Wilder of Jacobsen. "We can add some insurance with him in Triple-A."
Wilder anticipates Charlotte being very young, position player-wise. Along with serving as far-ranging insurance, Jacobsen immediately becomes a strong influence on the Knights' lineup.
"I've known Bucky for a little bit," Wilder said. "We felt the makeup was good with our kids, and he fits in with our organization."
Third to first: Cliff Politte and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed their second son, Michael Politte, into the world. Guillen joked about the baby's hearty size, compared to his reliever's smaller stature. "Buehrle said the baby was eight pounds," Guillen said. "In two days, he'll be as big as his daddy." ... White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf celebrated his 70th birthday Saturday. Vice Chairman Eddie Einhorn turned 70 in January.
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Infielder arrives confident he can handle lineup move
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060225&content_id=1322988&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Juan Uribe arrived at White Sox camp on Saturday, featuring his familiar gait, his upbeat personality and a handshake or hug for many of his teammates and even media members.
Uribe's appearance also put a smile on the face of manager Ozzie Guillen, but not just because all of his players had arrived in Tucson. Guillen was told Uribe announced himself in good shape after working out in the Dominican Republic during his two-day absence while trying to sort out travel visa issues. Guillen let out a loud, long laugh upon hearing the news at his meeting with the media following Saturday morning's workout.
"Why is he lying? That's one of my rules, don't lie," said Guillen with a smile of Uribe's conditioning. "If you want to know if he's in shape, just look at him. He was dying when [third-base coach] Joey [Cora] was hitting fungos."
As quickly as Guillen poked fun at Uribe, though, he turned just as quickly to support his shortstop. Despite an unorthodox fielding style and an often times less-than-disciplined approach at the plate, Uribe has worked himself into the elite level at his position. His defense was virtually unparalleled during the White Sox four-game World Series sweep of Houston.
But Uribe will face a new challenge in 2006 as Guillen tries to strengthen his lineup by moving him into the second spot of the order and dropping Tadahito Iguchi to the sixth or seventh slot. Uribe hit .174 with a .208 on-base percentage from the two hole over 23 at-bats last year, but he hit .285 with a .331 on-base percentage and 39 RBIs over 260 at-bats in the same lineup location during his breakout campaign of 2004.
Neither Guillen nor Uribe seem worried about the possible adjustments, as Uribe moves up from the lower third in the order.
"The last person I'm going to worry about is him," Guillen said. "I'm going to talk to him the next couple of days about the job, what we need from him, what he needs to do. If Uribe can feel comfortable and do what he's supposed to do in the second spot of the lineup, our ballclub is going to be better offensively."
"I [am] so happy anywhere, hitting ninth or hitting eighth or hitting second to help the team," Uribe added. "[Guillen] can do what he wants to do. I think it's the same. The pitcher still has to throw the ball."
Minor League phenom Robert Valido might get a Cactus League start or two at shortstop until Uribe is physically ready. Guillen believes that day will come much sooner than later.
"When you come in from the Caribbean, those guys they pick it up and go get it," Guillen said. "With the talent they have, they can go out there and play without practice."
Southpaw success: One day after stating none of the eight left-handed relievers in camp really stood out for him, Guillen singled out Chad Bentz's effort during live batting practice Saturday. Bentz, who grew up playing baseball in Alaska after being born with a misshapen right hand, is one of the more interesting stories in White Sox camp.
"I think today, I think this is the best he's thrown the ball today," Guillen said of Bentz. "Hopefully, he'll bring his 'A' game and impress us next week."
Bentz will be joined by fellow lefties Rusty Tucker, Paulino Reynoso and Corwin Malone pitching in Thursday's Cactus League game against Arizona. Arnie Munoz and Javier Lopez will pitch in Wednesday's opener against Colorado, while Armando Almanza and Steven Randolph are scheduled to work at Hi Corbett Thursday in split-squad action against the Rockies. Bentz, for one, is focused on his own effort and not worried about the vast competition.
"You pretty much can't worry what other people are doing or how they are doing," Bentz said. "I have to take advantage of every time I throw a bullpen or live batting practice or in a game."
Judgment days: Minnie Minoso's candidacy for the Hall of Fame will be reviewed Sunday and Monday in Tampa, Fla., by a special 12-member committee going over 39 candidates from the Negro Leagues and pre-Negro Leagues era. A candidate receiving 75 percent of the votes from the panel (nine votes) will join Bruce Sutter as the only players as part of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 30 in Cooperstown.
The final decision on Minoso will be announced Monday at 1 p.m. CT. But Guillen already has cast his vote in favor of the White Sox legend.
"Minnie is an ambassador of baseball and he's doing a tremendous job, not just for the White Sox organization, but for the entire Spanish community around the United States," Guillen said. "This man is a great ambassador and I hope they give him a shot.
"He earned it. He played in difficult times. I won't call him the Jackie Robinson of Latin America, but he went through tough times and still helped this game. When you help this game, I will vote for you. I think Minnie Minoso does and he has a legit shot."
Sign on the dotted line: The White Sox signed first baseman Bucky Jacobsen to a Minor League contract. Jacobsen was not extended a Major League invite, but he will report to Minor League camp in Tucson.
Jacobsen, 30, became somewhat of a cult hero with the Mariners, reaching the Major Leagues after playing parts of eight seasons in the Minors. The powerful right-handed hitter posted a .275 average, with nine home runs and 28 RBIs over 160 at-bats for Seattle in 2004, but knee problems limited Jacobsen to just 66 at-bats with Triple-A Tacoma in 2005.
"If he was healthy last year, we wouldn't get the guy," said White Sox director of player development Dave Wilder of Jacobsen. "We can add some insurance with him in Triple-A."
Wilder anticipates Charlotte being very young, position player-wise. Along with serving as far-ranging insurance, Jacobsen immediately becomes a strong influence on the Knights' lineup.
"I've known Bucky for a little bit," Wilder said. "We felt the makeup was good with our kids, and he fits in with our organization."
Third to first: Cliff Politte and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed their second son, Michael Politte, into the world. Guillen joked about the baby's hearty size, compared to his reliever's smaller stature. "Buehrle said the baby was eight pounds," Guillen said. "In two days, he'll be as big as his daddy." ... White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf celebrated his 70th birthday Saturday. Vice Chairman Eddie Einhorn turned 70 in January.
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.