Buehrle, like Konerko, someone to count on in Sox' clubhouse

Sixteenth 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 offers his analysis of each position on the team and the key issues facing the club this season.

Q. Everyone knows Paul Konerko is a go-to guy, but if he was unavailable, who's the guy you would seek out to get the real scoop?

Gregor: Mark Buehrle.

One of my favorite stories dates back to 2003. The Sox were fading down the stretch and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf decided to personally address the club before a home game in September.

When the clubhouse opened to the media, just about every player declined to provide any details of Reinsdorf's talk.

Not Buehrle. "He just told the truth," the White Sox' ace starter said. "He said we didn't have any heart and were stealing money."

Q. Over the years, who have been the most stand-up guys you've dealt with?

Gregor: Buehrle is in a league by himself, but he's had plenty of company.

You have to put Ozzie Guillen on the list while remembering he was just as candid as a player as he is manager.

Robin Ventura always stood tall, as did Roberto Hernandez, Konerko, Sandy Alomar Jr., Kevin Tapani and Joe Magrane.

Q. On the other side of town, you rarely see the manager in the clubhouse. Ozzie, on the other hand. ... Explain how he works the clubhouse.

Gregor: He works it hard.

Ozzie will sit in on card games, make fun of slumping players, whatever it takes to keep things loose.

You've seen other managers try to do the same thing, but it often comes off as phony (sorry Buck Showalter). It comes naturally to Ozzie.

Q. How crucial of a role does Jose Contreras really play in aiding Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo?

Gregor: If Jose Contreras and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez weren't with the White Sox, Ramirez is probably playing for the Oakland A's now (they offered more money) and Viciedo would likely be with one of the New York teams.

Hernandez is gone, but Contreras' presence has been invaluable in helping the White Sox keep the Cuban pipeline open.

Ozzie also deserves a lot of credit, because there is no language barrier.

Q. The Sox figure to have a number of young players on the team this year. How difficult will A.J. Pierzynski make things for them?

Gregor: A.J. used to make Brian Anderson's life miserable, but now he's moved on to top prospect Gordon Beckham.

Chris Getz, Brent Lillibridge, Jayson Nix, Aaron Poreda and Jeff Marquez would be wise to keep their heads up around Pierzynski.

• Got a question about the Sox for Scot Gregor? Visit his blog, Chicago's Inside Pitch, to share your questions and comments.