Sox call up Beckham following loss to Oakland
On Monday, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen tried pulling the plug on all the Gordon Beckham hysteria.
"The last thing we worry about is Beckham, and I don't know why people in Chicago fell in love with this kid," Guillen said. "He's a great player, he's going to be in the big leagues, he's going to be a big part of this organization pretty soon.
"But we don't have Beckham on our mind right now. I don't, and I'm the one making the lineup. If we have Beckham here, we're in trouble."
The Sox must be in trouble, because they summoned their top prospect from Class AAA Charlotte following Wednesday night's 5-3 loss to Oakland at U.S. Cellular Field.
To clear a roster spot for the 22-year-old infielder, error-prone infielder Wilson Betemit was designated for assignment.
Guillen wasn't exactly turning cartwheels after being asked about the move.
"I guess White Sox fans and the media should be happy now," Guillen said. "Now, he's here. I hope he can save us."
Toward the end of his playing career with the Sox, Guillen often would chide young players coming up from the minor leagues. It's a habit he hasn't dropped since becoming manager, and it sure sounds like he'd rather let Beckham continue his development in the minors.
"I've got a lot of confidence in (farm director) Buddy Bell and the minor-league system," Guillen said. "I have plenty of confidence in my general manager (Kenny Williams) and assistant general manager Rick Hahn. They think he can play, and we are going to find out.
"A couple (days) ago, I said if this kid comes here we are going to be in trouble," Guillen said. "Well, because he was playing shortstop, and I don't think he can play everyday shortstop here.
"He got moved to Triple-A and played third base and everybody liked the way he played. But is he going to play everyday third base here? I don't know - I don't think."
Guillen said Beckham is going to play some third base, some shortstop and some second base.
"Good for Beckham," Sox captain Paul Konerko said. "He's a good kid, good player. I'm sure it's all happened kind of fast for him, but I'm sure the plan now is that he doesn't go back down. He's up and hopefully he stays up for good now."
In 45 combined games with Class AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte this season, Beckham batted .326 with 23 doubles, 4 HR and 25 RBI.
Beckham, the No. 8 overall pick in last year's draft, was 3-for-5 with 2 doubles for Charlotte on Wednesday night. In seven games with the Knights, he batted .464.
Guillen's not quite sure where Beckham is going to play against Oakland today in his big-league debut, but he said the former University of Georgia All-American is going to hit either seventh, eighth or ninth.
"He was a college player and one of the best ones, if not the best," Konerko said. "This guy's a little bit more polished. He may need less time. But, yeah, it (promotion) is quick."
Scot Gregor's game tracker
Wednesday's grade: C-. The White Sox' offense struggled against yet another unfamiliar face (Josh Outman). Maybe Gordon Beckham will help end that trend.
Step back: Clayton Richard allowed 5 earned runs vs. the A's, the most by a Sox starter since May 17.
On tap: Surprise, surprise. The White Sox get another starter they've never seen before, Brett Anderson. The left-hander allowed 6 earned runs over 4 innings in his last outing (vs. Texas) and is 1-2 with a 6.47 ERA on the road this season.
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