Sox won't wait long if DH struggles

Kenny Williams is never satisfied.

It's why he's always looking. It's why he's always listening. It's why he flirted with Johnny Damon.

What's most interesting about the Damon courtship is that the White Sox GM has given manager Ozzie Guillen more say in this year's roster, after Guillen complained last year about the way the Sox were constructed.

Williams has listened and given Guillen the flexibility he requested, minus some of the base-clogging thumpers of the past.

And as much as Guillen seems to like it, Williams doesn't appear content.

If you recall before SoxFest, there was no chance Jim Thome was coming back, but by the time Williams had a day of Guillen's ear, Guillen was no longer certain.

It took Guillen another three days to confirm in his mind what he believed all along, that the Sox were better off without Thome.

And then along came Damon, and Williams figured that for the right price, Damon was a better option at DH, plus insurance in the outfield.

It didn't work out financially for the Sox, but it showed that Williams isn't totally convinced they have the right formula. As much as he wants to give Guillen more say in the makeup of the club, Williams knows he's ultimately responsible and is itching to do more.

One theory going around is that by giving the manager his way, Williams will have a reason to fire Guillen if this doesn't work, but that's not going to happen because of roster decisions.

Jerry Reinsdorf is the most loyal and forgiving owner in sports, and Guillen will be here until he fires himself by flipping out, quitting on the team, or through a Twitter-type mistake.

Oh yeah, that Twitter thing. Williams doesn't like that Guillen has found another way to communicate with the outside world, and it's hard to blame the GM for being worried about what might come from it.

Guillen, naturally, says it's nothing to worry about, but it's another source of tension between the two.

Even so, they've been through this kind of thing several times before, and Williams and Guillen always manage to work very well together.

So all the DH decision means is that if the experiment doesn't work, Williams will say they're doing it his way next time.

Still, knowing the dance they did with Thome and Damon, you can be sure Williams is thinking about the next option - like Hank Blalock or Jermaine Dye - if the current group at DH doesn't succeed.

And he won't wait long to add someone he believes will get it done.

Ivan Boldirev-ing

Gritty effort from Team USA Wednesday to get past a difficult Swiss team anchored by goaltender Jonas Hiller in a classic letdown game for the U.S. after the thrilling upset of Canada.

The match went as expected, with the Swiss playing it very tight, losing 2-0 on a third-period goal and an empty-netter.

Good news is U.S. goalie Ryan Miller got plenty of rest, and he'll need it for the upcoming medal games.

Best call

Before the Olympics, NBC hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk was probably the only one to tout the Swiss as a nightmare to be reckoned with because of their superb goaltending and tight-checking style, and they certainly were a pain to play.

Millar time

You get the feeling this notion of Mike Fontenot as a backup shortstop is all about making Andres Blanco expendable and finding a spot on the roster instead for Kevin Millar?

Lou Piniella sure has taken a fast liking to Millar, apparently because of what Millar can do in the clubhouse, as opposed to what he offers on the field these days.

The meeting

E-mailer The Last Bear Fan: "In the process of sending Mike Martz on his trip to the Bears' Human Resources office in Tennessee, Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo confirmed that Bears' front office is nothing more than an NFL version of the NBA.

"When players are getting final say over coaches, it's obvious that the inmates are running the asylum, but what do you expect from a franchise with a dilettante owner and a front office headed by a bean counter?"

Rolling stones

Some of David Letterman's Top Ten Surprising Facts About Curling:

"Every year it's watched by dozens of people.''

"Consistently ranked the world's No. 1 broom-related sport.''

"Not to be confused with Norwegian sport 'Carling,' where you push a guy named Carl across ice.''

"Longest match ever: Unknown, because no one ever stays until the end.''

"Mickey Rourke making film about washed-up curling legend who comes back for one last big curl.''

Best headline

Sportspickle.com: "Embarrassed Germany loses in ice hockey to Canada.''

Winter games

ABC's Jimmy Kimmel: "I have learned a lot from the Olympics. Mostly that I miss football.''

And finally-

N.Y. Post's Peter Vecsey: "Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of Lake Placid's Miracle on Ice. Three decades later, we're sticking it to the Russians again - they're buying the Nets.''

brozner@dailyherald.com