White Sox can't afford mistake with Peavy

By Barry Rozner

It's official: White Sox fans are catching Jake Peavy fever.

And what a dangerous affliction this can be.

If you find yourself beginning to dream of a healthy Peavy for an entire season, and what it might mean for the Sox' chances of playing deep into October, dump a bucket of ice water on your head and slap your face with a shaving-cream pie.

Truly, the best thing for all involved here would be to slow it way down.

Like to a crawl.

Peavy has admitted that it was a mistake for the White Sox to pitch him in 2009 with a bad ankle, that it changed his delivery and hurt his arm.

He also admitted that last year he probably shouldn't have pitched with a sore arm, which led to stress in other areas and probably caused his detached lat.

There is plenty of blame to go around, but from this point forward it's incumbent upon Peavy to be painfully honest about his health, and it's entirely on the Sox to take it slow even if Peavy says it's full speed ahead.

The problem is Peavy will pitch in a ridiculous amount of pain because he wants to be on the mound and helping his team. You have to love him for that but not completely trust him for the same reason.

Combine that with the Sox' excitement about Peavy's progress and you have a recipe for disaster — again.

Peavy says he's feeling great, while admitting that he's not close to having 100 percent velocity, stamina and location.

But the Sox are very pleased with where he is in his recovery and so he will pitch Friday in his first spring-training game.

The thought of Peavy forgetting he's not all there yet, letting loose for the first time, or perhaps overthrowing because adrenaline takes over when he sees opposing hitters, is a scary thought.

Sox fans best hold their breath.

Toews for MVP

The out-of-town e-mailers — especially from Vancouver — weren't too pleased with the opinion here that Jonathan Toews ought to be the front-runner for the Selke.

And they really didn't enjoy reading a mention of Jonathan Toews as an MVP candidate.

You just get the feeling the folks in Vancouver have a bit of a Hawks obsession, fueled by the beatings of the last two playoff seasons.

One can only imagine that the Canucks — and particularly Roberto Luongo — would like nothing more than to avoid the defending Stanley Cup champs in the postseason this year.

The mutiny

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel, on the Detroit Pistons: “Can you imagine any other profession where you could verbally abuse your boss and not show up for work and still keep your job? Are the Detroit Pistons a bad organization? Of course they are. Is ownership bad? Of course it is. Is (John) Kuester a bad coach? Probably so. But you know what? It doesn't matter. If you're making $12 million a year like (Rip) Hamilton, you show up for work and you do what your boss tells you to do. Period.”

UnBearable

It's good to know that Tommie Harris thinks his best days are ahead of him. Bears fans might think Harris correct if he can merely walk out onto a field and get in his stance without falling down.

UnBelievable

The Bears also released offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer.

Yes, the same Kevin Shaffer who Lovie Smith promised us before the season would be just fine for the Bears in 2010.

See, when Smith says, “Trust me,” it's hard not to think of times like this. Smith assured us the line would be fine and Shaffer would get it done. It took Mike Tice all of two games to figure out Shaffer couldn't play.

Shocking.

So long

Best wishes to Hunter Hillenmeyer, a class act during his time in Chicago. Here's wishing him good health and a long life without concussion-related issues.

Carlos Silva

The Cubs were among the worst fielding teams in baseball a year ago, and have started the spring the exact same way. If this continues, Carlos Silva — who blew a gasket Wednesday — won't be the only Carlos to go bananas.

Applause sign

If spring training is any indication, Kerry Wood is guaranteed to lead the league in at least one category: standing ovations.

And finally …

Omaha World-Herald's Brad Dickson: “I'm starting to think Al Davis is losing it. The Raiders just slapped their franchise tag on Fred Biletnikoff.”

brozner@dailyherald.com

ŸListen to Barry Rozner from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on the Score's “Hit and Run” show at WSCR 670-AM.