Quentin brings intensity to the South Side
Sixth in a series
Editor's note: As the countdown continues toward the April 6 opener for the White Sox, Daily Herald Sports Writer Scot Gregor will offer his analysis of each position on the team and the key issues facing the club this season.
Q. In terms of personality and intensity, who does Carlos Quentin remind you of?
Gregor: I'd say Albert Belle with a much softer edge.
Long before Belle played for the White Sox in 1997-98, he developed a reputation of being a terror for the media.
That's not quite accurate. Belle rarely talked to reporters, but he had a lot of interesting things to say during the infrequent times he opened up.
Quentin is much the same way. There is a similarity on the field as well. Like Belle, Quentin approaches the game with a football mentality, and he tends to let his frustration boil over.
Quentin said he has been punching his bat since Little League, but after fracturing his wrist last September and being sidelined when the Sox needed him most, he'd be wise to find a new outlet for his anger.
As for Quentin's style in the batter's box, a major-league umpire compared him to Jeff Bagwell last season.
It's a good call, because, like Bagwell, Quentin stands on top of the plate and dares pitchers to throw inside. That's why he was hit 20 times in 2008, the most in the American League.
Q. Has he come up with a new method for channeling his anger?
Gregor: Instead of punching his bat, maybe Quentin should just destroy it in the dugout, as teammate A.J. Pierzynski often does.
When he reported to training camp this year, Quentin addressed the anger issue.
"I'm still brainstorming," he told reporters. "I'll take any ideas you guys have. My teammates are coming up with ideas, too."
Last season one teammate said Quentin just needs to relax and accept the frequent failure that comes with playing major-league baseball.
Q. Can Quentin maintain the numbers he put up last year? His work ethic seems to favor it.
Gregor: When the Arizona Diamondbacks selected the Stanford product in the first round of the 2003 draft, they projected him to be a dangerous hitter in the middle of the lineup.
That's exactly what Quentin was with the White Sox last season until he busted his wrist. He should pick up where he left off, but injuries are a big concern due to his reckless style of play.
Q. Wrist injuries can be awfully problematic. How much of a concern is it, and is he completely healed?
Gregor: Quentin insists he would have been ready to play had the Sox advanced out of the first round of the playoffs last season. That might have been wishful thinking, but he is fully recovered from the injury now.
Q. Do you foresee him eventually becoming a leader on this team, or is he too low-key for that role?
Gregor: Quentin is the epitome of a player who leads by example, and there is nothing wrong with that.
As for one day emerging as a vocal leader, don't hold your breath. Manager Ozzie Guillen talks more in his sleep than Quentin does over the course of a season.
• Got a question about the White Sox for Scot Gregor? Visit his blog, Chicago's Inside Pitch, at dailyherald.com to share your questions and comments.