Over the course of the last three months, the three biggest personalities in the White Sox clubhouse disappeared one by one.
Frank Thomas went down with his triceps injury at the end of April, David Wells became the “leaning tower of Boomer” just before the Fourth of July, and James Baldwin was dealt to Los Angeles shortly before the trading deadline.
Wells, Thomas and Baldwin were the “Snap,” “Crackle” and “Pop” of the Sox clubhouse–a little louder, livelier and more unpredictable than any one of its current residents. Take away one of those three and the clubhouse changes quite a bit. Subtract all three and it’s like a trip down the rabbit’s hole to a parallel Sox universe.
“That’s probably why it has taken us so long to jell as a team,” Paul Konerko said. “Last year we jelled in early April and [the team] never changed, except maybe for some tinkering. It was the same bunch of guys, every night.
“Now it’s like different guys coming in from the bullpen, or out on the field. It’s definitely been more difficult, I’m not going to lie about that. It’s not the same as it was with the chemistry.”
So whose absence is felt the most? The centerpiece of the lineup? The veteran left-hander who liked to spar with the media? Or the clubhouse prankster, who once put a dead lobster in a teammate’s shoes?
Konerko’s vote goes to Thomas.
“I would say there’s a noticeable difference without Frank in here, because he’s playing every day,” he said. “And with that, you get a lot of emotions either way, whether you win or lose. It’s tough for a pitcher to [make a difference] because they only pitch once every five days. Even a guy like J.B., who is a lot of fun and a character to say the least, it’s not the same as losing a position player. J.B. was one of the leaders, and when it came to airplane rides and bus rides, he was the one running the show.
“Boomer really wasn’t around long enough. Obviously Boomer kept everyone on their toes–every day it was something new. He was a lot of fun, but as far as losing him … he wasn’t around long enough to be a fixture. It carries a lot more weight when you’re playing every day, and that’s what Frank did.”
Thomas was struggling at the plate when he went out with his injury April 28, and some suggested the Sox would play much better without him. Though they are 48-41 since Thomas’ injury, the offense has yet to show any consistency, ranking 11th in the American League in runs, batting average, walks and on-base percentage. The only offensive category the Sox have excelled in is home runs, where they’re third, lending credence to former hitting coach Von Joshua’s theory that some of the players were more interested in hitting homers than just driving the ball.
Thomas’ power numbers aren’t missed as much as his high batting average and on-base percentage, not to mention the idea that he is, after all, Frank Thomas.
“His presence is missed, along with the fact that Frank is a guy who sees a lot of pitches per at-bat,” manager Jerry Manuel said. “He was a guy who [the opposing pitcher] was really working hard to get out. It takes a little out of the pitcher even if he gets Frank out. We just haven’t had that this year–one player who they’re really working hard to get out.
“We’ve some guys that have been hot–Magglio [Ordonez], Carlos [Lee], [Jeff] Liefer and Jose [Canseco], but it’s a big difference not having Frank Thomas in there every day.”
If Thomas’ presence means so much, should the Sox be able to revert to their 2000 form when he returns to the lineup next April or May?
“I would think so,” Manuel said. “I would think that a lot of things are in place for us as far as the young pitching being given an opportunity to be evaluated. That’s important. I think we’ll have a better feel of who we can and who we can’t count on coming into next season.”
Even with Canseco’s productivity at DH since signing June 20, Sox designated hitters were hitting a combined .257 with 18 home runs and only 56 RBIs. That’s a big drop-off from the MVP-type numbers Thomas posted last season.
Thomas said recently he hopes Canseco can return to the Sox next year, but whether the two right-handed DHs could co-exist as Chicago’s “Odd Couple” is another story altogether.
“I’d love to come back,” Canseco said. “When Frank comes back, it would be exciting to see us both in the lineup. But I don’t know if Frank comes back that there would be a position here for me. If Frank is playing first base and I’m DHing, then what happens to Konerko? That’s up to management. Hopefully I can stay healthy and hit 20-25 home runs, finish with 60 or 70 RBIs and hit .300. I’d be a help to this team, but I don’t take anything for granted anymore in this game. I never really did, but I felt I was an everyday player and teams needed my help. I don’t think that way anymore.”
Canseco said he’d ideally prefer to hit in front of Thomas, but that would be unlikely since Thomas steadfastly refuses to give up the No. 3 hole and become a cleanup hitter.
“I’d like to see what happens with our 3-4-5 hitters,” Canseco said, referring to himself, Thomas and Ordonez. “I’d definitely like to hit in front of Frank. I’d get a lot more pitches to hit– he’s such an intimidating figure. Who knows? Maybe. I’m sure my salary is going to be minimal, compared to most guys–the $5 or $6 million guys. I’d be a bargain if I stay healthy. I’ll be able to hit 40 or 50 home runs easily. Right now I’m on my usual home run every 13 at-bats pace, which I’ve averaged over the course of my career.”
If Canseco returned, that would likely mean Thomas would play first more often, making Konerko expendable. But Konerko has hit a career-high 25 home runs and is a leader in the clubhouse. The other DH/first base candidate is Liefer, the only left-handed bat of the four. The Sox have experimented with Liefer at third, but he has thus far been a defensive liability there. Still, the Sox will need his left-handed power in 2002.
“Liefer deserves to play someplace every day,” Konerko said. “He’s done everything he needs to do and deserves to play.
“They have some decisions to make, but every team has those. It’s a good problem to have. I know that I don’t want to leave here, but I also know I’m going to play well no matter where I’m at next year. I’ve been traded twice, so I’m not afraid of anything like that. But this town is too good to leave. The grass is not greener outside of Chicago.”
STATS AND STUFF
TOP OF THE WORLD
3.02 With Pedro Martinez on the disabled list, he has 103 2/3 innings, not enough to qualify for the AL ERA lead. Mark Buehrle has since taken over the top spot in the AL with a 3.02 ERA. A Sox pitcher has won the ERA title 15 times in franchise history, but not since Joel Harlem did it in 1967. Here are the last four Sox pitchers to lead the league in ERA:
%% PITCHER YEAR ERA
Billy Pierce 1955 1.97
Frank Baumann 1960 2.67
Gary Peters 1963 2.33
Peters 1966 1.98
Joel Harlem 1967 2.06
%%
NO NO-NO
Mark Buehrle and Dan Wright both took no-hitters into the seventh inning against Tampa Bay this week before giving up their first hit. The Sox have had 15 no-hitters in their history, but only five since 1938 and only one since 1987. Here are the last five Sox no-hitters:
%%
Pitcher Date Opponent Score
Bob Keegan Aug. 20, 1957 Washington 6-0
Joel Horlen Sept. 10, 1967 Detroit 6-0
John Odom-Francisco Barrios July 28, 1976 Oakland 2-1
Joe Cowley Sept. 19, 1986 California 7-1
Wilson Alvarez Aug. 11, 1991 Baltimore 7-0
%%
CLUTCH TIME
Here’s how Sox hitters have fared with runners in scoring position, prior to Monday’s game:
%% Johnson .417
Rowand .375
Valentin .327
Perry .327
Lee .311
Singleton .291
Clayton .274
Ordonez .262
Canseco .257
Durham .250
Konerko .245
Alomar .235
Liefer .195
Graffanino .053
%% ON THE FARM
Left-hander Onan Masaoka, acquired in the James Baldwin deal, pitched two scoreless innings for Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday, striking out six batters. Masaoka has 8 strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings for Charlotte.
UP NEXT FOR SOX
At Anaheim
Tuesday-Thursday
Tuesday
9:05 p.m. Kip Wells (6-7, 3.93 ERA) vs. Pat Rapp (4-9, 4.68 ERA)TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; WMVP-AM 1000
QUICK LOOK- After three straight disappointing outings, Wells is in danger of losing his job in the rotation. The Sox were swept in Anaheim at the start of May, but won two of three in Comiskey Park.
Wednesday-Thursday
If the Sox are to make any headway in the wild card race, first they have to pass the Angels, who have one of the premier closers in Troy Percival. The Angels rank third in the AL with a 3.84 earned-run average, despite the lack of any big-name starters.
At Seattle
Friday-Sunday
Seattle swept the Sox in Safeco Field in May, starting them on their killer 8-game losing streak. The Mariners are leading the league in pitching, fielding and runs scored and are on pace to win 117 games. Sunday’s game has been changed to a 5:05 start because it will be televised nationally on ESPN.
— Paul Sullivan
