Ventura still remembers chaos of New York after Sept. 11

Robin Ventura was playing for the Mets on Sept. 11, but not in New York.

The Mets were out of town when the World Trade Center was attacked, but Ventura, now managing the Chicago White Sox, still remembers the chaos when the team arrived back in New York.

"Shea Stadium is the place where they put everything, all the supplies coming into New York were staged at Shea Stadium," Ventura said. "We got to see first hand the recovery effort of what they're trying to do, what people were doing, firefighters coming in from all over the place. It's sad."

Ventura didn't lose any close friends on Sept. 11, but he was familiar with some of the victims.

"Everybody knew somebody, whether it was security guys that worked in your stadium to people that were in the buildings," Ventura said. "I know a lot of people talk about the service people that were involved with it, but there were just regular people that were in that building that you knew, that were acquaintances. It was a tough time, it still is."

The Mets played the first baseball game in New York after the attack, on Sept. 21 against Atlanta.

"When you think about it, it's still there, it's still pretty emotional," Ventura said. "It was emotional. Anytime they play bagpipes for firefighters, policemen, for somebody to hear that and realize for us, every game back you were always dealing with kids that had lost a parent or somebody close to them, anytime you hear (bagpipes) I think it affects people differently, but it's hard every time you hear it."

Take a break:

Having already logged 125.2 innings, White Sox rookie Carlos Rodon's next start is going to be skipped.

Rodon, who won't pitch in the upcoming four-game home series against Oakland, is 4-2 with a 1.76 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 41 innings.

With Erik Johnson up from Class AAA Charlotte, the Sox are carrying six starters. Frankie Montas is in the bullpen after being recalled from AA Birmimgham, but he was a starter with the Barons this season.

Putnam activated:

Out since Aug. 27 with a strained right groin, White Sox relief pitcher Zach Putnam came off the 15-day disabled list Friday. In 41 appearances, Putnam is 3-3 with a 3.07 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 41 innings.

The Sox' expanded roster now stands at 32.

Bowing out:

Winston-Salem, the White Sox' high Class A affiliate, lost to Myrtle Beach 4-3 Friday night in a game that decided the Carolina League championship. The Dash lost the series, 2-1.

Right-hander Brandon Brennan took the loss after allowing 4 runs on 5 hits in 6⅔ innings. Center fielder Adam Engel hit a 2-run homer for Winston-Salem.