Thome not focusing on pursuit of No. 500

DETROIT -- A day after leaving the game with back spasms at Yankee Stadium, White Sox designated hitter Jim Thome was held out of Friday night's game against the Tigers.

But Thome said he'd be ready to play today, when he'll resume his pursuit of 500 career home runs.

While Barry Bonds (chasing the all-time record) and Alex Rodriguez (1 shy of 500) are getting all of the headlines, Thome is quietly sitting on 489 career homers.

"You try not to get too wrapped up in it because you don't want to go up there and try to hit home runs,'' Thome said. "I go back to what Charlie Manuel told me a long time ago: just .300. Try to hit .300 and all the other stuff will take care of itself.''

While he's staying focused on just making contact, Thome did enjoy the attention Rodriguez received earlier in the week when the Sox played a three-game series against New York.

Rodriguez didn't hit the milestone home run against the White Sox, but he was lit up by thousands of camera flashbulbs on every pitch.

"It's neat to observe it and be right there and watch him,'' said Thome, who last homered on July 24. "It's tough to hit home runs when everyone wants you to. It's the toughest thing. And I think he's worked very hard. He's had a tremendous year. He'll get it. He'll get a lot more than 500. It's a matter of time before he gets it."

Thome knows he's also getting close to 500, but he's trying not to think about it too much.

"It will be fun,'' said the 36-year-old DH. "That's why you work hard, and when that comes -- if it comes -- you approach that day when it comes. Right now, I have to get better and get back out there tomorrow. We'll see what happens.''

Let's go, Lou: Ozzie Guillen played shortstop for the White Sox for 13 seasons, and he's managed the club since 2004. Not only that, Guillen often makes it known he's a rabid Sox fan. That's why he deftly answered the following question on Friday: Are you rooting for the Cubs?

"I'm rooting for (Cubs manager) Lou Piniella,'' Guillen said. "I have a lot of friends on that ballclub. The general manager (Jim Hendry) has treated me with a lot of respect every time he sees me; I have a lot of respect for him, too. I cannot say I can root for the Cubs because all of the sudden I'm part of that city, too.

"But I root for the winning team in our city. That's what we need. We need a winning team in the city. I hope they play well and do the best they can. But I cannot sit here and say I hope the Cubs lose, because that's unprofessional. Like I said before, a lot of players (are friends) there, and I'm rooting for Lou Piniella.''