Can Guillen find right words in '10?
Seeing a Game No. 163 in the AL Central on Tuesday had to bring back great memories for White Sox fans.
But it also was a bitter pill to swallow, a reminder that on Sept. 12 the Sox were a half-game ahead of Minnesota and only 5 back of Detroit with 19 games to play.
Hardly insurmountable, but the Sox finished 8-11 while the Twins went 16-4 without Justin Morneau.
Makes you wonder a bit, doesn't it?
Makes you wonder about the Sox' interest level at times this year.
The Sox played some of their worst games of the season on getaway days, finishing 2009 at 16-22. Turn that around and you're right there with Minnesota and Detroit.
It's one of those stats that some managers focus on when a season begins because it says something about a club's mind-set.
And while he complained about it all year, harped on their lack of focus on and off the field, apparently manager Ozzie Guillen couldn't do much to change it.
They finished last in the American League in defense, and, sorry, but that's more than just a lack of talent.
That's a lack of concentration.
They also didn't hit, finishing last in the AL in that category, too.
So when you don't hit, your defense creates all those unearned runs and your bullpen has a bad year, it's a lot to overcome.
The rotation held up its end, even with Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon on staff, posting the second-best starters ERA in the league.
The rotation should be superb next season, but expect serious changes on the relief side, where the bullpen ERA was in the middle of the pack but only 10th in the league in saves and 11th in holds.
You have to think GM Ken Williams will be improving the pen this winter, though he seems content to hope the defense improves as a few young infielders get a year older.
As for the club's focus, that's all on the man once known as the Wizard of Oz.
Guillen had a great 2008, waving that wand as needed, and getting results. This year, not so much.
The question, as you think of 2010, is does he have some magic left in that colorful vocabulary?
Ace and A.J.
It didn't take Jake Peavy long to discover the leader in the clubhouse, the guy who stirs the drink and disturbs the spit.
"A.J. (Pierzynski) brings out the best in everyone," Peavy said of his new catcher. "He's only interested in winning and what's best for the team. I can't wait to work with him more.
"I'm sure we'll have our moments, because I can be a little hardheaded, too. But how can you not love a guy like him who wants to win that bad?
"Every team needs a guy like that."
Makes you wonder if Pierzynski isn't headed for the managerial ranks someday, assuming he has any interest in sticking around the game when he's done playing.
End of an era?
It looks as though Jermaine Dye's run in Chicago is over, and it was a pretty good run.
Not only was he World Series MVP in 2005, but he averaged 145 games during his five years here, a surprise considering his injury history.
Until the second half of this season, he also was quite productive, earning a salary that seemed out of line when he got his last deal.
A class act start to finish, Dye will be missed.
Ivan Boldirev-ing
Mount Prospect e-mailer Dan Marich: "Brian Campbell and Brent Sopel, plus cash, to New York for Wade Redden and Ales Kotalik. We get rid of two problems and take back two problems. If it takes all year, I will come up with the right combination to get rid of Campbell. That's my 'One Goal' for this season."
Blue and blue
E-mailer Ken Uhlir, on Michigan's Rich Rodriguez: "Although the offense practiced twice as much as allowed, it's OK because it looks like the defense didn't practice at all."
The quote
The Cubs' Tyler Colvin, on what he plans to do this off-season: "I'm going to eat."
Just asking
Nellie from Fox River Grove: "The real question about the failure of Chicago's Olympic bid is who's at fault, Rex Grossman or Milton Bradley?"
Got my vote
The Tigers' Rick Porcello probably won the AL Rookie of the Year Award on Tuesday.
Best headline
Sportspickle.com: "Celebrating Brazilians unaware world will end before 2016."
The pain
NBC's Jay Leno: "I guess the Olympic Committee thought Chicago already has enough amateur athletes with the White Sox and the Cubs."
And finally -
Foxsports.com's Mark Kriegel: "Still can't believe the Raiders tried to keep Rich Gannon from the team's practice facility. I mean, if Al Davis really wants to bar a quarterback from the premises, then maybe he should think about JaMarcus Russell."
brozner@dailyherald.com