Sox suddenly flush with riches in CF
BALTIMORE -- During the winter, the White Sox were frantically looking for an established center fielder.
Just over two weeks into the season, they're overloaded at the position.
Nick Swisher has gotten most of the playing time in center, while Alexei Ramirez and Brian Anderson have waited in the wings.
The Sox also have projected starter Jerry Owens, who is still on the disabled list, playing at Class AAA Charlotte.
It's a nice problem to have, and the White Sox are making the most of their depth at the position.
Ramirez started against Oakland at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday and, according to manager Ozzie Guillen, set the tone for a 4-1 win with a stellar defensive play in the second inning.
The Athletics' Emil Brown singled to right-center field and tried stretching it into a double. Ramirez fielded the ball in front of right fielder Jermaine Dye, spun and threw a strike to second base, easily retiring Brown.
"I practice that throw during batting practice,'' Ramirez said through an interpreter. "It never happened during a game, but when I saw (Brown) round first base, I thought I had a chance. I turned and threw; I didn't even really look.''
Ramirez, who spent the past seven years playing in his native Cuba, hasn't gotten much of a look since starting the first two games of the season in center field at Cleveland.
After going 1-for-8 with 4 strikeouts against the Indians' top two starters -- C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona -- Ramirez didn't get back into the starting lineup again until Tuesday.
"I'm just waiting for another opportunity,'' said Ramirez, who is batting .125. "I got the chance to start the first two games and I faced Cy Young and Cy Young runner-up (Sabathia and Carmona).
"I've had a chance to watch and see how they pitch here, because those were the first two games in the big leagues for me. I played in spring training, but the start of the season is a lot different. I've learned a lot from watching during the games when I didn't play.''
Toast of the town: When Gavin Floyd takes the mound for the White Sox today, it won't just be another start.
Floyd grew up in nearby Annapolis, Md., and was a prep star at Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore before being selected by the Philadelphia Phillies No. 4 overall in the 2001 draft.
Outside of a high school all-star game, Floyd has never pitched at Camden Yards. He was swamped by the local media before the Sox played the Orioles Wednesday night.
"It's nice," said Floyd, a big Cal Ripken Jr. fan as a youngster. "I came back and saw my family and the old stomping grounds, driving the streets I was a little kid. It's exciting, kind of rehashing the memories. But we are still playing ball.''
Floyd (2-0, 2.03 ERA) beat Detroit in each of his first two starts of the season. Facing the Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field last Saturday, Floyd had a no-hitter until Edgar Renteria singled with one out in the eighth inning.
"I just think he has real confidence now,'' said pitching coach Don Cooper. "He always had confidence. But real confidence in when you can actually picture yourself doing well.''