Sizemore's 3-run, pinch-hit HR lifts Tigers
On Sept. 8, Mark Teahen made 2 errors, the second of which cost the White Sox dearly in a critical loss at Detroit.
Teahen has not played third base since, and his days on the hot corner could very well be over.
Omar Vizquel, one of the best shortstops to ever play the game, stepped in at third when Teahen went down with a broken finger on May 30 and was brilliant.
Unfortunately for the Sox, Vizquel is 43 and maybe has one more season left.
Top prospect Dayan Viciedo got a shot earlier this season, but the more he played third base, the more he looked like a first baseman.
The apparent void at third base has led many White Sox fans to call for the return of Joe Crede, who would like to play in 2011 after sitting out this year with continued back trouble.
Sure, and right after he signs Crede, Sox general manager Kenny Williams can bring back Jermaine Dye, too.
Looking ahead to next year, the White Sox have a potential void at third base. Then again, they have Brent Morel.
"I never doubted this kid would be a pretty good third baseman," Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I saw him early in his career; I think he was playing Rookie League.
"I hit fungoes to him as a matter of fact and (son) Oney (Guillen) told me, 'This kid will be playing for you pretty soon.' I'm very impressed."
Morel continued to impress Saturday, doubling off Tigers starter Justin Verlander and scoring the White Sox' first run in the fifth inning during a 6-3 loss at U.S. Cellular Field.
Morel also homered Friday night, his second since having his contract purchased from Class AAA Charlotte on Sept. 3.
When projecting Morel as a major-leaguer, his power potential always was the biggest question mark.
But after hitting just 2 home runs in 49 games with AA Birmingham to start the season, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder hit 8 in 81 games with Charlotte and has 2 more with the White Sox.
"I don't really know how to answer that," Morel said when asked if he could hit for power in the major leagues. "I don't think I'm a pure natural power guy but more of an overall hitter."
Morel's biggest strength is his defense, which he showed Friday while robbing the Tigers' Brandon Inge of an extra-base hit.
"I don't know what kind of hitter he is because I think it's too early for me to say," Guillen said. "As a third baseman, he has a chance to win the Gold Glove.
"I saw this kid in the Rookie League and I predicted him to be here right now. The reason he's here is because we needed a guy who can play defense. That's the reason he's here right now and he has a chance to be a Gold Glover."
That led to the obvious Crede comparison.
"I think it's a little too early to say he will be a Joe Crede-type," Guillen said. "He even has a little more range than Joe. I always said Joe was better than Robin (Ventura) and people thought I was crazy.
"I saw those two guys playing third base for the White Sox for a long time, and (Morel) has a chance to be one of those two guys, defensively. I don't know about offensively, but defensively he's going to be a pretty good one."