Being away tough for Kusnyer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- His official title was bullpen coach, but Art "Cave'' Kusnyer was much more than that with the White Sox.

Kusnyer was part father figure, part fraternity brother and part class clown. And given his lengthy tenure in major-league baseball, Kusnyer was a respected figure in the Sox' clubhouse.

Late last season, his 19th with the White Sox in two separate stints, Kusnyer was diagnosed with a detached retina in his right eye. The former big-league catcher has been having trouble seeing out of either eye ever since, but a series of surgeries seem to be working.

"(The doctor has) been very optimistic the last month-and-a-half; he said everything is looking good with the left eye,'' said Kusnyer, who visited the White Sox before Saturday's game at Tropicana Field after driving up from Sarasota with his wife, Judy.

"The right eye, they want to wait because it's the real bad eye. That's where it stands now. It's a waiting game.''

Ideally, Kusnyer said his sight might be back to near normal in June, and he would like to get started in his new role with the Sox -- minor-league bullpen instructor.

"I want to get to work, because the White Sox have been outstanding,'' Kusnyer said. "I want to travel around the minor leagues and see the kids and coaches and managers. At least earn my money instead of just sitting at home in a chair all day, because you can't do too much.''

Kusnyer has been through a lot, but he hasn't lost his sense of humor.

"I was out there the other day, because it was sunny and I can kind of shut my right eye,'' Kusnyer said. "I told my wife, 'I'm going to see if maybe I can pull a few weeds, just to get outside.'

"I'm out there working and working. My neighbor comes out and asks me what I'm doing. I go, 'Pulling weeds and cutting these bushes.' He goes, 'Those are my bushes.' ''

Kusnyer was well-received on his visit.

"It was great,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I feel for him. This guy has been in baseball for so many years, now he's out of the game the way he is now, it's something you feel for.

"This guy has given all of his life for this game. I know how much he misses it. Hopefully he gets healthy quickly and comes back to help us.''

Konerko to sit: Paul Konerko was 0-for-3 Saturday night, and a 4-for-32 slide has dropped the Sox captain's average to .172. After the game, manager Ozzie Guillen said Konerko is not going to play today.

"I want to give Paulie some time off,'' said Guillen, noting the White Sox also are off Monday. "He's been playing every day. Get his mind clear and hopefully he'll get back on track in Chicago.''