Williams stands by comments

GLENDALE, Ariz. — So much for that controversy-free White Sox training camp.

Earlier Tuesday before the Sox went through their first full-squad workout, general manager Kenny Williams told Comcast SportsNet the thought of Albert Pujols commanding $30 million a season when his contract expires at the end of the year is “asinine.”

“We have gotten to the point of no return,” Williams said. “Something has to happen. And if it means the game being shut down for the sake of bringing sanity to it, to franchises that aren’t going to stop the insanity, I’m all for it.”

Later Tuesday, Williams stood by his explosive statement.

“I don’t backtrack anything that I said,” the White Sox’ GM said. “I’ve seen where it was portrayed maybe as something personally against Albert, which is completely false. All I’m interested is the game ... we’re just caretakers of this game, all of us, you guys (media), me, the players, we’re caretakers of this game to the next generation. And then the next generation after that.”

Williams pointed out how the current generation of fans of teams like the A’s, Pirates and Royals are getting a raw deal because payrolls are uneven.

“They are all small-market teams,” Williams said. “Teams that at (one) time had a fighting chance or greater than a fighting chance because of their expertise, because of their intellect in how they put together teams.

“Well these people, these cities and the people in these cities, baseball fans, should not be left out in the cold. That’s all I’m saying.”

As for supporting a work stoppage is revenues remain so lopsided, Williams is sure to take some heat for his comment.

“I said what I said,” Williams said. “I said what I felt. Do I want that? Who does? Come on. Come on. This is a game where millions upon millions of people watch on television and come to the ballpark to get away from some of the things that are going on in life, to have a little bit of entertainment. That’s all I’m saying. That’s exactly what I’m saying, is that we have to protect that. We are stewards of the game and we have to protect it.”

Ironically, the White Sox are going to have one of the highest payrolls ($125 million) in baseball this season.

“(Heck) no, I’m not comfortable with the payroll right now, we’re out on a limb,” Williams said. “But that’s our choice. We made the choice in an effort to give our fans hope and give ourselves a chance to compete for a championship. If things don’t fall our way, if we don’t get the support, we’ll lose money.”