GM Williams likes 'fighters' on his team

Most White Sox fans wanted general manager Kenny Williams to add a big-name player like Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera or Aaron Rowand during the off-season.

Williams tried, but he wasn't looking just at the resume.

"You just can't throw talent at a situation," the GM said. "It's a very complex mix that you've got to try and find. You've got to find your energy level with the gamers and grinders that I've spoken of in the past. And hopefully it all comes together, everyone stays healthy, and then you've got a shot to compete.

"That's where we are right now."

There are two new regulars -- center fielder Nick Swisher and shortstop Orlando Cabrera -- who fit that gamer profile. So does new left fielder Carlos Quentin.

The trio has asserted themselves early, and that's all William wants to see.

"We are a team that has some talent, but more than anything we have a bunch of fighters," Williams said. "I think ultimately if we can keep this type of energy over 162 games, then we'll have to be reckoned with."

Swisher, Cabrera and Quentin all have a similar trait Williams terms "Chicago tough.''

"Nothing has changed," Williams said. "Looking back, it took me awhile to figure out that it was more than just throwing enough talent at the wall to put together a championship team. There are a lot of variables.

"Once we finally figured it out, and figured out what ways we needed to go, the big thing was guys that have a Chicago toughness to them.

"You have to have that type of player come in here, otherwise you're not going to get to where you want to get to. We've had success at bringing these kinds of guys in, and hopefully at the end of the season we'll find out that this team is one of them."

Follow Ozzie: Like most of his teammates, Joe Crede was happy that manager Ozzie Guillen came out and complained about home-plate umpire Phil Cuzzi's strike zone before being ejected in the third inning.

"Ozzie's our leader and he's the guy that's going to control what happens in the dugout and on the field," Crede said. "He's a guy that really makes us feel loose out there, especially in the clubhouse and in the dugout.

"That's one of the biggest things that everybody rallies around is the fact that he's always joking around and keeping guys loose out there. You can't help but want to go out there and have fun and play the game."

Fitting in: There were rumors that Juan Uribe was finished with the White Sox late in spring training when he reportedly was placed on waivers.

The Sox probably were just trying to gauge potential trade interest, a common practice, but Uribe has been a positive contributor so far after shifting from shortstop to second base.

"Uribe's a baseball player," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "When we got Uribe in 2004, he was playing everywhere. You put Uribe at third base and he will do the same stuff.

"I believe in defense and putting the best defense in the infield to help the pitching staff."

Pierzynski honored: Catcher A.J. Pierzynski was named American League player of the week after leading the White Sox to a 4-2 record to start the season.

It was the first time Pierzynski has won the honor. He batted .500 (10-for-20), hit 2 home runs, had 7 RBI and scored 7 runs.