Owens wants 65 SBs
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Jerry Owens arrived at training camp Tuesday, and he didn't forget to pack a big bag of confidence.
"I'm really excited to be here,'' Owens said. "This is the first time I've come to spring training with this opportunity in front of me. I'm looking forward to it. I prepared myself the entire off-season as if it was going to be like this, so I'm ready to go.''
After batting .267 and stealing 32 bases in 93 games as a rookie last season, Owens is preparing to continue taking a regular shift in center field for the Sox.
Owens added 10 pounds of needed muscle and spent the last five weeks working out at Saddlebrook Academy in Tampa, Fla., with other major-leaguers such as the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter, the Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard and new White Sox teammate Carlos Quentin.
Owens, the only true leadoff hitter in camp, comes in with a lofty goal.
"Sixty-five (stolen bases) this year,'' he said. "My mom always told me to set the goal high, and as soon as you get it, set another one. Every year I've improved my stolen base total. I had 55 last year combined (between the Sox and Class AAA Charlotte), and this year it's 65."
After coming up from the minor leagues and playing well in place of the injured Darin Erstad last season, Owens just might get the opportunity to run wild.
General manager Kenny Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen both have said Owens is a near lock to make the 25-man roster this spring, but he is likely to split time with Nick Swisher in center field and Quentin in left.
Owens closely followed the White Sox' off-season activity, including well-publicized pursuits of veteran center fielders Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand.
"In a way, I couldn't help but take it personal because I felt like I can hold it down out there,'' Owens said. "But things always happen for a reason. Those things were out of my control. I definitely understand where they're coming from, trying to get a guy like Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand. Those guys are great players in this game.
"I've still got a long way to go to get where they're at. I just want the opportunity. I'm glad it worked out the way it did.''
Familiar face: Nonroster first baseman Jeff Liefer checked in at camp, and he didn't need much help when he walked into the clubhouse.
Liefer, 33, was the White Sox' first-round pick in the 1995 draft, and he spent time on the South Side from 1999-2002.
After appearing in 19 games with the Cleveland Indians in 2005, Liefer spent the past two seasons in Japan with the Seibu Lions.
"The first year was great; I did all of the tourist things,'' Liefer said. "Last year I kind of ran out of things to do. They do things a lot different over there. It's definitely good to be back.''
Eye on Cuba: Starting pitcher Jose Contreras had a big smile on his face Tuesday morning, the direct result from news that Fidel Castro stepped down as Cuban president after almost 50 years.
Contreras defected from Cuba in 2002 during the American Series tournament in Santillo, Mexico.
"It is because of (Castro) that I am here,'' Contreras said.