Will Griffey catch on?

Ken Griffey Jr. hasn't made a Manny Ramirez-like impact with the White Sox and likely won't, but that's all right with manager Ozzie Guillen.

"I know he's going to help us," Guillen said. "I think he showed in Kansas City how much help he's going to be."

After going 3-for-7 with a walk and 2 RBI against the Royals in his first three games since being acquired from Cincinnati, Griffey made his home debut Tuesday night U.S. Cellular Field.

The crowd of 35,371 gave Griffey a standing ovation when he came to bat in the second inning against Detroit Tigers left-hander Nate Robertson with flashbulbs popping on each pitch.

"I'm excited about playing here," Griffey said, turning his attention to the fans. "They know their sports. They start throwing out stats at you and they root for their guys. They're just a lot of fun. They give it to you, but after the game if you did something well they say, 'Great game.'"

After everything he has accomplished, including the 608 home runs and 13 All-Star Games, Griffey still was nervous before his home debut.

"It's like the first day of school when you try to find your way around," he said.

Griffey started in center field and batted seventh, going 0-for-4 with 2 strikeouts as the Sox rallied from a 6-1 deficit to force extra innings.

On this night it was Nick Swisher sitting out, now part of the plan when it comes to playing time for what is the Sox' four-he

aded monster of Griffey, Swisher, Paul Konerko and Jim Thome.

General manager Kenny Williams said that when Griffey plays and where would be left up largely to the veteran.

"We are not asking him to be our every day center fielder," Williams said. "We were only going to ask him to go out there when he feels great. We have the luxury of the designated hitter. On this team we have the luxury of giving a guy a day off.

"This (trade) was just as much about having a day-to-day lineup that is consistent as it was against insulating ourselves against one of those unforeseen things. Certainly none of it was about him going out and playing center field every day."

Griffey's transition into the White Sox' clubhouse has been smooth. His locker at the Cell is in the quiet corner near Jermaine Dye.

"He's here just to be a part of this team and nothing more," Williams said.

"I think it's surprised me how quick he's fit in with the ballclub," Guillen said. "When you come to a ballclub and you don't know that many people you feel a little bit uncomfortable no matter who you are or what you do in baseball. I think this ballclub has great guys and have made him feel comfortable here.

"He's not same Griffey we know, but he's still got it. He still knows what he's doing. We just need to start pitching. If we don't it doesn't matter if Griffey goes 4-for-4 every day."