Magglio Ordonez has seen how a season can change quickly.
It’s one major reason why the Tigers’ right fielder wasn’t gloating Monday over the fact that he and his former outfield teammates Carlos Lee and Aaron Rowand were part of the All-Star spotlight while the White Sox’s outfield has struggled.
“I have no comment on that because it can happen to anyone, any team,” said Ordonez, whose last season with the Sox in 2004 was limited to 52 games because of a left-knee injury. “They have good players, good pitching. I don’t know what’s going on over there. I’m focusing on my team. It’s still the first half. A lot of things can happen in the second half.”
Yet, Ordonez, Lee and Rowand were enjoying their reunion at the All-Star Game at AT&T Park, three years after their gradual departures.
“Carlos is a great player,” said Ordonez, making his sixth All-Star appearance and his second with Detroit. “We got together this year. Rowand deserved to be here because of his numbers. We remember those times we played together in Chicago.”
Lee, making his third All-Star appearance, was the first to move as part of a trade to Milwaukee that brought speedy but injury-plagued outfielder Scott Podsednik to the Sox. Lee’s power landed him a six-year, $100 million contract with Houston — a year after Podsednik’s speed helped the Sox win the 2005 World Series.
After an injury-plagued 2004 season, Ordonez as emerged as one of the favorites to win the American League Most Valuable Player award in his third season with Detroit after landing a five-year, $75 million contract.
Rowand was the last to leave, being dealt to Philadelphia less than a month after being part of the Sox’s 2005 World Series title team.
“We started together, but we didn’t finish together,” Ordonez said. “But I guess it’s the game and the business. It’s hard to talk about because you don’t know (what would have happened if they had stayed together). We didn’t finish together in Chicago, but I guess everyone is happy right now. I’m happy playing (in Detroit). It worked out very good.”
A Major League Baseball spokesman said Lee departed Houston on Monday morning and didn’t arrive in time for the 50-minute media session. But Houston ace Roy Oswalt spoke highly of Lee’s contributions.
“There’s more liveliness in the clubhouse,” Oswalt said. “He’s always happy, no matter what’s going on. It seems like he’s always going to drive the guy in from third. It doesn’t matter if there’s one out or two outs, he’s going to get him in.
“I think Carlos can fit in anywhere. He’s got that attitude that he fits in no matter where he goes.”
Oswalt said Lee’s defense, which was suspect with the Sox, has been fine in Houston. But Rowand espoused a different view.
“I don’t think his defense has changed too much,” Rowand quipped. “He’s playing in a short left field (at Minute Maid Park), so it makes him look better. You can tell him I said that.
“As a hitter, he’s become more of a complete hitter. He has a better eye at the plate and draws more walks. He doesn’t give away as many at-bats as he used to. There were days you couldn’t get him out and days he was just up there, not really into it. I don’t think he gives away near as many at-bats as he did. He’s more mature and experienced.”
Ordonez is signed with the Tigers through 2009, and Lee’s contract will take him into the next decade.
That leaves Rowand, who can become a free agent after this season, with the possibility of returning to the Sox.
And Rowand is leaving that option open.
“There’s no reason not to,” he said. “I had a great time there, and there’s not a reason why you can’t have more, anywhere you go. It’s hard to say what’s going to happen. But all those memories I had playing there, all those guys still there are guys I came through the minor leagues with, that’s what I think made that team so close. Everyone played together for so long. We’ll see what happens.”
———-
mgonzales@tribune.com
