Thome, dad to visit Hall of Fame today

BALTIMORE - Jim Thome is really looking forward to today's break in the schedule.

The White Sox' veteran designated hitter (Thome celebrated his 38th birthday Wednesday) isn't injured or particularly in need of a breather.

Rather, Thome and his father, Chuck, are headed to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

"It will be very special," Thome said. "I know he will be looking forward to it and myself as well. It will be a very special moment to share with your dad and be a part of it with him."

Thome will drop off his 500th home run ball at the Hall of Fame. He reached the milestone on Sept. 16 of last season.

Over the winter, Thome twice planned to head to Cooperstown with his dad but was snowed out. That shouldn't be a problem this time.

Thome has 535 home runs, 1 behind Mickey Mantle. He is likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer when his playing days end, but Thome is living in the present.

"I try not to jump ahead," he said. "The moment, if anything, you cherish the moment now. It's something you think about, but you can't think about it too much because it's someone else's decision."

Take a break: Carlos Quentin was held out of the starting lineup Wednesday, and manager Ozzie Guillen told the Sox' star left fielder not to show up at Camden Yards until an hour before the game.

"He's one of the kids you have to demand it," Guillen said. "All of a sudden he starts chasing balls, taking batting practice and going in the cage. That's not a day off. This kid is so mentally tough. He needs (a break)."

Quentin is trying to become the first player in White Sox history to lead the major leagues in home runs, and the first to lead the AL since Dick Allen hit 32 in 1974.

Quentin and the Phillies' Ryan Howard are tied for the major-league lead with 36 home runs.

Feeling better: Nick Swisher, who left Tuesday's game after fouling a pitch off his lower left leg in the fourth inning, was back in the lineup Wednesday.

"It's sore, but I'm OK," Swisher said. "That's about as bad as I've ever fouled one off myself."

Schedule change: Manager Ozzie Guillen wasn't happy to hear the White Sox' Sept. 14 home game against the Detroit Tigers has been picked up by ESPN, moving the start time to 7:05 p.m.

The Sox open a four-game series against the Yankees in New York the following day.