Jeff Torborg, trying to fire up his White Sox after five straight losses, held a 20-minute team meeting before the game, his longest since spring training.
”I just wanted to say something,” said Torborg, who evidently did.
”It was one of those `pull-`em-by-the-bootstraps`-type meetings,” said one player. ” `Get off our butt.` ”
Earlier, Torborg was careful to give some credit to the Red Sox, who had beaten his team in the last three games.
”Boston was so hot,” he said. ”So often we end up looking to see what our problems are, when really there are times when you just have to look at the other club and say, `They did it.` ”
Ah, memories: The last time the Sox lost six in a row was just before the All- Star break in 1989. After the break, they won eight straight.
It`s that simple: Robin Ventura hit .330 over the final two months last season and went into Tuesday`s game batting an even .300. His explanation for a solid three months: ”They don`t catch them, and they don`t throw me out.”
Say it wasn`t so: On May 7, 1919, the White Sox stole seven bases against the St. Louis Browns.
Idol gossip: Wayne Edwards wore a Bobby Thigpen photo pin before the game. He bought it at a local toy emporium. Thigpen, who was not wearing an Edwards pin, claimed he couldn`t find one, which didn`t satisfy Edwards. ”He could get a `Gumby` pin,” said Edwards. ”That`s my nickname.” Stay tuned.
Punch in: The All-Star ballots made their debut Tuesday in the new Comiskey Park. No surprises among the eight Sox on the ballot. Voting will continue through June 27.
Minor boomer: Matt Stark had a grand-slam and two doubles in Triple-A Vancouver`s 22-2 victory over Tacoma Monday night. Roberto Hernandez was the winner. . . . Ramon Garcia went the distance for Double-A Birmingham as the Barons beat Charlotte 2-1, but they lost Game 2 of the double-header.
