Journeyman could be a Wise choice for Sox

TUCSON, Ariz. - How obscure is Dewayne Wise?

When the White Sox called up the journeyman outfielder from Class AAA Charlotte last season, his first name was spelled DeWayne on the scoreboard and in the program.

"I've had to deal with that kind of stuff a lot," Wise said with a forced grin.

Don't be surprised if Wise has the last laugh this time around. With less than three weeks to go before the regular season opens, Wise is looking more and more like the Sox' starting center fielder/leadoff man.

"Every time we put him out there, he impresses a lot of people," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.

Whether it's with the bat or the glove, Wise has made a name for himself this spring.

The 31-year-old outfielder is batting .310 in the Cactus League, and he showed his defensive prowess Monday against the Kansas City Royals while making a difficult catch on a flyball to deep left-center.

Sox fans might be skeptical, but Wise has come too far to start doubting his abilities now.

"Coming into camp, I knew I was going to get a shot," said Wise, who has bounced around between the Blue Jays, Braves, Reds and White Sox.

"I talked to Ozzie at SoxFest, and he told me he was going to give me an opportunity to go out there and compete. That's all I can ask for. I came into camp in good shape, ready to go, and so far I'm having a pretty good spring."

Wise had a pretty good run with the White Sox last season, batting .248 with 6 home runs, 18 RBI and 9 stolen bases in 57 games. Not bad, but the left-hander's low (.293) on-base percentage was.

Wise started three of the Sox' four playoff games against Tampa Bay and batted .286 with a team-high 5 RBI.

"Ozzie had confidence in me to put me out there in crunchtime last year in the playoffs, and I managed to swing the bat well and play good defense," Wise said. "And here we are this year, and I've got a chance to be the starting center fielder."

Can he handle the job?

"I'm 100 percent sure I can get the job done," Wise said. "I've been a leadoff hitter pretty much all my life, and I'm just thrilled to have the opportunity to be the leadoff guy for the White Sox this year."

Last year Wise was set to sign with the Somerset (N.J.) Patriots in the independent Atlantic League. He signed a minor-league deal with the Sox in early March and hasn't looked back.

"I think about it all the time," Wise said. "I'm always telling some of the young guys, 'I was on my way to playing independent ball last year and my name came up and here I am.'

"I was able to take advantage of it, and I opened a lot of eyes. Now the White Sox are giving me a chance to play every day."

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