Plans taking shape for Chicago White Sox 2005 reunion weekend
Joe Crede is presently a farmer in Missouri, but he is still a Chicago White Sox at heart.
One of the many stars on the 2005 Sox, the retired third baseman has been enjoying the 10-year anniversary of winning the World Series since January, when he was in town for SoxFest.
"That's the beautiful thing about it," Crede said. "What we did was something special, and now for the rest of our lives we can come back to Chicago for reunions and see everybody. If we didn't win, we wouldn't be here. Words can't describe how awesome it is to come back to Chicago."
Crede and most of his former teammates and coaches will be back at U.S. Cellular Field July 17-19 for the World Series championship reunion weekend.
On Tuesday, Hall of Famer Frank Thomas, Jermaine Dye and Scott Podsednik were added to the guest list.
The trio will be joining Paul Konerko, who had his uniform No. 14 retired on May 23, ex-manager Ozzie Guillen, Crede, Brian Anderson, Jon Garland, Cliff Politte, Geoff Blum, Willie Harris, Dustin Hermanson, Aaron Rowand, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, Carl Everett and Chris Widger.
Coaches Don Cooper, who is still with the Sox, Greg Walker, Art Kusnyer, Harold Baines and Man Soo Lee also will be at the reunion.
On July 17, postgame fireworks will be set to a video tribute commemorating the 2005 World Series season. A postgame concert by Resurrection, a Journey tribute band, also is scheduled.
On July 18, the "The Parade of Champions" will feature the 2005 White Sox for a pregame ceremony before a 1:10 matchup with the Royals.
On July 19, Konerko, Guillen, Dye, Podsednik and Thomas are among the former Sox scheduled to appear at the Chicago Theater for an evening tribute event.
Late bloomer:
A year ago, Terance Marin was a marginal White Sox pitching prospect toiling at Class A Winston-Salem and AA Birmingham, where he was a combined 4-5 with a 4.34 ERA.
The Sox loaned the 25-year-old right-hander to Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League this season, and Marin was 2-5 with a 4.94 ERA before being reinstated to Class AAA Charlotte on June 5.
Marin is making the most of his latest opportunity with the White Sox.
Signed as a free agent five years ago, Marin started against Norfolk on Tuesday and pitched 7 scoreless innings. Since joining Charlotte, he has pitched 29 straight innings without giving up a run.
Second best:
Ideally suited for his customary No. 3 spot or hitting cleanup in the Sox' lineup, Jose Abreu batted No. 2 Tuesday night for the second straight game.
Manager Robin Ventura has tried Melky Cabrera and Alexei Ramirez in the second spot, but neither produced.
"Move (Abreu) up and give him another opportunity if it's there," Ventura told reporters. "With a lineup you tend to shuffle and find something that works, and this looks like a good move right now."