Let's take a look at the White Sox positives
ARLINGTON, Texas -- What's the difference between the White Sox and a bad movie?
You can stop the movie. Throw it out. Burn it.
The Sox' horror flick just keeps running and running, and the ending is usually the same.
Throughout the course of this trying season, we've used this convenient space to point out the multitude of White Sox shortcomings.
This time around, let's change directions and put the hammer back in the toolbox.
If you look hard enough, there are some positives.
No, seriously.
Josh Fields. Two weeks ago, the question was posed right here.
With the postseason well out of reach, why not shift Fields from third base to left field the rest of the season?
Joe Crede is still under contract for 2008, assuming the Sox exercise their final year of salary arbitration on the standout third baseman.
Crede is out for the season after having back surgery in mid-June. But when he visited U.S. Cellular Field on July 23, Crede said he is "absolutely'' certain he'll be 100 percent next season.
Crede also said he wants to stay with the Sox and expects to start resuming baseball activities in November.
The White Sox are going to be a much better team with Crede and Fields in the lineup. They finally figured out a way to make it happen, and that is a very good thing.
Bobby Jenks. He hasn't gotten much work lately, a direct result of the White Sox holding few leads in the ninth inning.
But when Jenks has been on the mound, there hasn't been a better closer in baseball.
Jenks doesn't blow away hitters with 100-mph fastballs anymore, but he knows how to pitch and retired an astounding 50 of the last 51 hitters he faced heading into Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
Jim Thome. He celebrated his 37th birthday Monday, and the veteran designated hitter has not been able to stay healthy for extended stretches since coming over to the White Sox last season.
But Thome's most common ailment is back spasms, which last only a day or two. The Sox can live with that, and they can at least look forward to Thome hitting his 500th career home run at some point in September.
Paul Konerko. It's been a frustrating year for the Sox' captain, but he is well within reach of hitting 30 or more home runs for the fourth straight season.
Javier Vazquez. The right-hander has won 8 of his last 10 starts, and he gives the Sox hope for next year.
The coaching staff. If the White Sox are this bad again next year, they will all be out of work.
So will manager Ozzie Guillen and GM Kenny Williams.
On Monday, Guillen blamed himself for this season's disaster, taking the heat of his coaches.
Well, there is a lot of blame to go around, but keeping everything stable heading into 2008 is the right thing to do.
The Dan Ryan Expressway. I'll believe it when I see it, but the two-year reign of construction terror is nearing the end.
As chairman Jerry Reinsdorf told WSCR's Mike North last week, Sox fans deserve medals for dealing with the nightmarish traffic on the ripped-up Ryan.
Closing time
Major-league baseball's saves leaders since 2006 (through Tuesday):
Trevor Hoffman, SD 81
Francisco Rodriguez, LAA 80
Bobby Jenks, WSox 77
Joe Borowski, Clev. 74
J.J. Putz, Seattle 73
Early arrivals
The White Sox have used 13 players who started the season in the minor leagues:
•Ryan Bukvich, RHP
•Dewon Day, RHP
•Josh Fields, 3B/LF
•Gavin Floyd, RHP
•Andy Gonzalez, IF/OF
•Charlie Haeger, RHP
•Boone Logan, LHP
•Jerry Owens, CF
•Bret Prinz, RHP
•Danny Richar, 2B
•Ryan Sweeney, OF
•Luis Terrero, OF
•Ehren Wasserman, RHP