By Paul M. Banks
There really are no legitimate interesting position battles to speak of this spring training. With the exception of 1-2 roster spots, the Sox are pretty much set in their depth chart. Of course, that doesn’t mean this Cactus League will lack for scintillating storylines though.
Let’s get it started in here. Let’s get it started in HA!
White Sox starting pitchers ranked second in the American League with a 4.20 ERA (453 ER/970.0 IP) in 2009,
trailing only Seattle (3.89).
Eating Innings like CC Sabathia eats Transfat
White Sox starting pitchers threw 970.0 IP in 2009, tied with Tampa Bay for most in the American League … Sox starters fi nished third in the AL in 2008 with 998.1 IP, second in 2007 and fi rst in 2006 with 1,042.0 … Mark Buehrle (218.2) and John Danks (200.1) each eclipsed the 200-inning mark in 2009, while Gavin Floyd finished with 193.0.
Need my Quality Time
Since the start of the 2003 season, White Sox pitchers lead the major leagues with 610 quality starts, five more than the Cubs …the Sox led the American League in 2009 with 86 quality starts, three more
than Seattle, including 17 in 20 games from 8/25-9/15.
Closing in on a big F–ing Record
Ozzie G”Senior Swear” Guillen, who has gone 512-461 (.526) in six seasons as White Sox manager, enters the 2010 season 10 victories behind Tony “Too Drinky” LaRussa on the club’s all-time list … Guillen is tied with Boston’s Terry Francona for the fifth-longest tenure as manager with one club in the major leagues … Guillen is the only manager in franchise history to guide the White Sox to more than one division/league title.
5 for 05 deal
The Sox enter the 2010 season with five players remaining from the 2005 postseason roster: pitchers Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia and Bobby Jenks, catcher A.J. Pierzynski and infielder Paul Konerko all return from the 2005 World Series champion White Sox.