Crede, Quentin escape to N.Y.
ARLINGTON, Texas - After a long, hot game like the one the White Sox played against the Rangers on Sunday afternoon, third baseman Joe Crede and left fielder Carlos Quentin had to get on a plane to New York to get ready for more baseball.
Crede and Quentin are the Sox' two all-star representatives, and they're happy to be heading to Yankee Stadium for Tuesday night's Midsummer Classic.
"For me personally, I'm just honored to be acknowledged by my peers," said Quentin, who was acquired by the White Sox in an off-season trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks. "I look at it from the standpoint that I'm blown away that I was selected. My own private personal goal is to try and do well each and every day I'm out there and, of course, another goal is to perform well and help this team win.
"This is kind of something special that I never expected. When I get a chance, maybe at the end of the season or whenever, we'll take a look back and I'll enjoy the accomplishment."
Quentin had surgery on his left shoulder in October, and Crede is coming off back surgery which wiped out most of his 2007 season.
Crede is looking forward to making his first All-Star Game appearance.
"It's very exciting," Crede said. "It's something where you never know when you are going to get this experience again. You want to enjoy it with your family and the friends that are going to be there. I'm looking forward to it."
Left feels right: Designated hitter Jim Thome entered Sunday's game with a respectable .259 batting average and 7 home runs off left-handed pitchers this season.
The Sox' left-handed slugger continued his success when he doubled twice against Matt Harrison, the Rangers' left-handed starter.
Thome credits his off-season work with Kevin Hickey, who used to pitch for the White Sox and now throws batting pratice, for helping him hit leftys.
"Hick threw to me a lot in the winter time, and I think this is one of the best starts I've had in my career as far as hitting left-handers," Thome said. "I give him a lot of credit. He's always there and he's a valuable piece to what we try and do as a club. He can still pitch in his mind and stuff-wise, he can still pitch. It's a valuable thing to have, and I tell the guys to use him because he can help you."
Looking ahead: Closer Bobby Jenks is on track to come off the disabled list on Friday when the White Sox start the second half of the season.
Manager Ozzie Guillen has been impressed by Adam Russell and D.J. Carrasco, but one of the relievers will have to go when Jenks returns.
"It's a good scenario," Guillen said. "I like the way Carrasco throws. Russell has been put in a tough situation and he did the job both times."