Trial by fire for Fields
In Wednesday's game against the Indians, Cleveland's Kenny Lofton led off the second inning with a flyball to short left field.
As Josh Fields came in, White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe broke back. At the last second, Uribe veered out of the way and Fields dropped the ball for an error.
"There are certain plays that are still giving me trouble,'' Fields said. "That was one of them. It's just a matter of stop thinking like an infielder and start thinking like an outfielder.''
On Aug. 26, Fields shifted from third base to left field. The move was made with an eye toward next season, when standout third baseman Joe Crede is expected to return from back surgery.
Fields hasn't looked comfortable during his 14 starts in the outfield, but the 24-year-old rookie understands he is in the midst of a learning process.
"I'm sure a lot of people would rather have a schooled outfielder out there, but I'm trying to do the best I can,'' Fields said. "I'm just kind of learning as I go along.''
Fields already has learned some difficult lessons, like getting the proper break on flyballs and throwing to the right base. But with the Sox out of playoff contention, Fields has some room to grow into his new role.
"That's a difficult thing to do, move from third base to the outfield,'' said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "He needs a lot of work, but I think he's doing a good job.''
While he'd rather go home and rest at season's end, Fields will head instead to the Instructional League in Arizona for one more week of learning. To put it mildly, Fields is not looking forward to the assignment.
"I went there after my first year (in the minor leagues), and it's like a boot camp,'' Fields said. "It's only a week, but it feels like a month. They work your butt off and it's like they cram spring training into a week.''
Fields is scheduled to do drills in left field each morning, followed by games in the afternoon. "It's something that's going to help me in the long run,'' he said.
On the brink: Jim Thome is just 1 home run shy of 500, and the designated hitter has a chance to make history tonight when the White Sox open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels at U.S. Cellular Field.
Even though Thome has been one of the game's most prolific power hitters for more than a decade, he is somewhat surprised to be so close to the milestone.
"The one thing I always kept in mind was staying healthy,'' Thome said. "You know what they say about the baseball gods, things can turn at any time. That's why, when I hurt my elbow (in 2005), it kind of humbled me. To be here now, it's just an awesome feeling.''
Too little, too late? With 3 home runs and 4 RBI in his last two games, shortstop Juan Uribe is setting up to finish the season with 20-plus homers and 60-plus RBI for the third time in the last four seasons.
Still, it has been a disappointing year for Uribe, who is batting .230 with a .282 on-base percentage. Uribe has a $5 million club option for 2008, and the Sox probably will pass on the contract.
"I don't think Uribe even knows how good he is,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "With the potential he's got, I think he should be better than he is.''
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus today; Channel 9 on Saturday; Comcast SportsNet on Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Jose Contreras (8-16) vs. Bartolo Colon (6-6) today at 7:11 p.m.; Jon Garland (9-11) vs. Jered Weaver (11-7) Saturday at 6:05 p.m.; Mark Buehrle (9-9) vs. Joe Saunders (7-3) Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
At a glance: With 4 home runs in his last six games, Sox DH Jim Thome is 1 shy of 500. Thome has never faced Colon, his teammate in Cleveland from 1997-2002. Thome has never faced Weaver, either, and he is a career 1-for-2 (single) against Saunders. The Angels have won eight of their last 10 at U.S. Cellular Field. Contreras is 2-0 with a 3.85 ERA in his last 3 starts.
Next: Kansas City Royals, Monday-Thursday at Kauffman Stadium
-- Scot Gregor