Hall's frustrating season takes center stage
The White Sox' misery index has been running high all season, and Wednesday afternoon's 7-6 loss to the Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field did nothing to ease the unpleasant air.
Individually, it's been a particularly painful season for Toby Hall.
Without much fanfare, the Sox signed the 31-year-old catcher to a two-year, $3.65 million contract on Dec. 17. Hall also has a club option for 2009.
After the deal was done, general manager Kenny Williams said Hall was just the type of player who could help push the White Sox back into the postseason.
Not only was Hall a career .265 hitter in six seasons with the Devil Rays and Dodgers, he was particularly effective against left-handed pitchers.
Hall was batting .406 for the Sox in spring training when he dislocated his right shoulder on March 25 diving for a groundball while playing first base.
It was the first in a long line of injuries that would ultimately cripple the White Sox.
"Everything was going great in the spring,'' Hall said. "Everything was going as planned.''
But it all came crashing down for Hall, and the 6-foot-3, 240-pounder has not looked anywhere near as good as he did in the Cactus League. That's not to say Hall is complaining about his trying season.
"It's been tough,'' he said. "But I think the thing that's made it not so tough is knowing I'm not in a sling right now and starting rehab and preparing for next year.''
When he went down with the dislocated shoulder, Hall was initially facing surgery that would have ended his season. Instead, he opted for a strengthening program and was back in a Sox uniform May 18.
In keeping with the theme of his season, Hall's first start was against the rival Cubs at Wrigley Field, and it was shrouded in controversy.
On the morning of the game, WSCR radio host Mike North interviewed A.J. Pierzynski, the White Sox' top catcher. Responding to a question from North, Pierzynski said he was disappointed about not starting the game.
Listening to the show on his way to Wrigley, Sox manager Ozzie Guillen phoned North and engaged in an angry exchange.
Hall, in turn, was 2-for-3 against the Cubs, but a costly passed ball and 2 errors played a big part in the White Sox' 6-3 loss.
The backup catcher's season has not exactly improved from there.
An 0-for-4 showing in Wednesday's loss to Kansas City dropped Hall's batting average to .224. The right-handed hitter does not have a home run in 85 at-bats, and he's driven in just 1 run.
The Royals also stole 3 bases in as many tries Wednesday, so Hall is now 2-for-20 throwing out runners attempting to steal. Heading into the season, he was a career 116-for-359.
Add in two mild concussions, which resulted from being hit by backswings, and it wouldn't be surprising to hear Hall start talking about retirement. Not a chance.
"The way I look at, it, just coming back was a bonus,'' Hall said. "I only rehabbed for 5-6 games (with Class AAA Charlotte). Basically, my season has been a rehab. I had this many at-bats in spring before I got hurt. To be able to keep going out there is important since I missed so much time. I wouldn't mind playing into December. I just want to play.''
Royals 7, White Sox 6
At the plate: Josh Fields' 3-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning made it close. Paul Konerko homered for the second straight game, a solo shot in the eighth. Konerko is batting .391 (9-for-23) during a six-game hitting streak.
On the mound: Jose Contreras pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits whole losing his ninth straight start. Mike Myers pitched 1 inning and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits.
-- Scot Gregor