Williams likes how Sox are set up for now, future

It isn't news that Kenny Williams has his doubters again.

It will be news when he arrives back in Chicago for SoxFest with fans and media content that the White Sox GM has put together a good club.

But that hasn't happened in Januarys preceding or following a World Series parade, it sure didn't happen last year before a division-winning season, and it won't happen this weekend.

Nevertheless, Williams is about as excited as I've ever heard him heading into spring training.

"I feel we are in the best position today to compete for the division, and at the same time set us up for a nice sustained run, that we've been in since I've been sitting in this chair,'' Williams said Wednesday afternoon, while seated behind his desk at the ballpark. "That's because of what we've done the last three years in terms of infusing the roster with young players.

"We did more of the same this off-season, and also with what's coming behind those players, which is a lot.

"At the same time, we still have a veteran core that is very productive and still has a great desire to win.

"We feel like we're in a good spot.''

That won't stop Williams from being called delusional, and it won't stop owner Jerry Reinsdorf from being called cheap.

"Darned if you do, darned if you don't,'' Williams chuckled. "It wasn't long ago we were being called too old, and now I'm hearing we're too young.''

It's not that Williams doesn't make mistakes, because he makes his share, but he's also won a World Series and managed to rebuild his club by following a formula that works for the Sox.

Part of it is finding former high picks or highly rated minor-league prospects who have fallen on hard times elsewhere only to arrive on the South Side and suddenly find their game.

"We've got some great competition among young players at a couple positions, and I think people are going to be surprised,'' Williams said. "I'm anxious to see these young guys play. Hopefully, after everyone gets a look at them, they'll feel the same way.''

Seam stress

Only a couple of springs ago, I had a New York scout tell me that Aaron Heilman was as valuable a player as the Mets had on their staff and that he ought to be starting.

From that to being dealt twice in seven weeks is quite a descent, and it can absolutely knock the stuffing out of a pitcher, but it doesn't mean Heilman doesn't have value.

The Cubs have to find a way to get it out of the 30-year-old who majored in philosophy at Notre Dame - and in getting booed in New York. Last June he fanned 14 in 14 innings (4 walks) with a 0.64 ERA, but that did little to keep the fans off his back.

He's got the stuff, so a change of scenery should help, and then it's up to the Cubs' coaches to help him find his location and his confidence.

Ivan Boldirev-ing

Kyle Beach, the Blackhawks' top pick last summer, instigated another brawl last week when he stopped on his way to an empty-netter - the video's easy to find - only a couple of weeks after being traded from Everett to Lethbridge.

Whether the resulting brawl fit the crime isn't the point. Right now, Beach is too much Sean Avery and not enough Al Secord. He causes trouble that his teammates have to answer for, and he's sometimes as disliked by his own room as he is opposing teams.

If he chooses to change that, he can be a huge part of the Hawks in the years ahead, but the fact that he fell to No. 11 last year tells you what most teams believe about him.

It's up to him to prove them wrong and Dale Tallon right.

The line

Odds on what song Bruce Springsteen will sing to begin the halftime show at the Super Bowl: "Born in the USA" and "Glory Days" are co-favorites at 2-1, followed by "The Rising" (4-1), "Born to Run" (5-1), "The Wrestler" (5-1), "Radio Nowhere" (8-1) and "I'm on Fire" (12-1).

The list

The NBA announced Wednesday that Bulls guard Derrick Rose debuted this month at No. 9 on the NBA's Most Popular Jersey List. Next week the league announces where Rose will debut on the NBA's Most Likely to Flip Out and Strangle a Teammate list.

The last

Comedian Alex Kaseberg: "One of the urban myths about the Super Bowl is that entire city sewage systems burst at halftime from pressure of the simultaneous flushing of so many toilets. In truth, the only NFL-related sewage problem is the Lions.''

Best headline:

Sportspickle.com: "Matt Leinart asks permission to attend Super Bowl party.''

And finally -

Miami Herald's Greg Cote: "The (Super Bowl) Security News Briefing used to be called the Counterfeit Press Conference, until there arose media confusion over whether the press conference was real.''

brozner@dailyherald.com