Crede working hard to eliminate errors
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Joe Crede hasn't made any excuses this season after playing just 47 games in 2007 before having back surgery.
Crede is healthy -- that's the most important thing for him and the White Sox. But the 30-year-old third baseman has sure looked rusty with the glove.
Crede, usually one of the best defensive infielders in baseball, has 11 errors this season. That's the second-highest total in the American League behind Boston Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo, who has 12.
"I've gone through seasons where I've only had 11, 12, 13 (errors) the whole year,'' Crede said. "I just think it's one of those things where I missed 120-some games last year and I'm still trying to find that flow. It just takes some time. Stuff like that's going to happen, but at the same time, you're not really thinking about it too much. You're more worried about going out there and getting wins. The bottom line is if you win the game, everything else falls at the wayside.''
Crede has always taken a lot of pride in his defense.
"It's frustrating,'' said Crede, who averaged 10.6 errors a season from 2003-06. "But it's something I'm working on every day. I take 20, 25 groundballs a day over at third base and make just as many throws. But it doesn't matter how many repetitions you do. The bottom line is to go out there and find a way to get the job done.''
Crede's range and glove are as good as ever. Most of his miscues have come on errant throws to first base.
"Some of my throws, I'm not following through,'' Crede said. "The other ones are just tough hops, and you know that stuff's going to happen over there at third base. But the throws, that's something you definitely work on. You'd rather not see that kind of stuff happen, but you move on and try to find a way to win ballgames.''
Crede has helped the White Sox win plenty of games with his bat this season, and he already has 2 grand slams. But that doesn't mean he's satisfied with his offense.
"I know I can improve,'' Crede said. I've had plenty of opportunities to drive in more runs and I just haven't been able to come through.''