Q. Why is so much of a fuss made every time Frank Thomas reports to spring training?
A. Big Frank is expected to report to Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday with the rest of the White Sox’s position players. This time new manager Ozzie Guillen issued the first incendiary comment on the day he was hired by saying, in so many words, that he would not tolerate Thomas being selfish and not being a good teammate. Everyone is waiting to see if Thomas, who has kept quiet throughout the off-season, will be on the defensive when Guillen, his former teammate, gives him orders as a manager.
Like a junior high playground fight, it seems the observers are provoking the would-be combatants and pushing them into each other to make something happen. Hopefully Thomas will walk away from the bait and let his actions do the talking.
Q. How many teams from the Big Ten figure to make it to the NCAA tournament next month?
A. Obviously, the results of the next two weeks will be key in determining that. But I would not be surprised to see five Big Ten teams make it. Michigan State, Illinois and Wisconsin are in great position now. Purdue and Michigan could use a few more wins. Iowa might need a surprise run in the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis to earn a bid.
Q. Is there any chance the Bears will draft Maurice Clarett?
A. One of the Bears’ identified needs is a dynamic running back to complement or challenge Anthony Thomas. New running backs coach Tim Spencer worked with Clarett at Ohio State. During Clarett’s off-the-field problems last fall, Spencer told me he was in daily contact with the talented back. Clarett would bring a lot of talent, as well as a lot of personal baggage, to the Bears.
Meanwhile, the Bears also will have their eye on Kevin Jones of Virginia Tech and Steven Jackson of Oregon State when they select 14th in the first round of the draft April 24. The college credentials of Jones and Jackson suggest they can catch the ball out of the backfield and adapt well to the Bears’ new offensive schemes.
Q. Are there any new developments with regard to moving the Notre Dame football program into a conference?
A. I recently asked Notre Dame trustee Dave Duerson that question. “Things have been pretty quiet,” he said. “Everyone is waiting to see what the changes will be in the [Bowl Championship Series]. As a result of what tinkering they do there, that will likely change the landscape for all of college football, not just Division I teams, but also I-AA and Division III schools as well.”
———-
Have a question or an idea for Fred Mitchell?
E-mail: AskFred@tribune.com
