Motivated White Sox maul Yankees 9-4
The White Sox must have felt like strangers in their own house Friday.
There were Blackhawks fans everywhere, as season-ticket holders for the defending Stanley Cup champions had their own special night at U.S. Cellular Field.
Former Bears great Richard Dent was also on hand with the Super Bowl trophy, and late-arriving Scottie Pippen got a raucous ovation when he leaned out of a fourth level skybox with one of the Bulls' championship trophies.
It was an odd scene, but the Sox played off the energy of the capacity crowd while putting a 9-4 beating on the Yankees, baseball's defending World Series champs.
"I think the trophies were probably the coolest thing I've seen in a long time, to have all four of them here," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "It was a fun game. It was great. It was a big crowd, excited crowd. To jump on them early, it was big to get the crowd into it."
The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a two-base throwing error by Sox starter Freddy Garcia, but it was all White Sox after that.
They answered back with 4 runs off A.J. Burnett in the bottom of the first and cruised from there.
"I'm very pleased the way these guys go out and play," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We jumped out early and took advantage of (Burnett). We scored some runs early in the game and that gave us momentum, it gave Freddy a little support and cushion. With Freddy, when it's a close game he has to make a perfect pitch. We gave him a little room to throw his pitches with more confidence."
The Sox' first two hitters, Juan Pierre and Omar Vizquel, sparked the offense while going a combined 4-for-8 with 4 runs scored and 2 RBI.
Make room for Manny? Should Manny Ramirez join the White Sox before Tuesday, he'd likely be the regular designated hitter.
That would be bad news for Mark Kotsay and Andruw Jones, who have shared the spot for much of the season.
"The reason we bring him in is maybe those guys don't do their jobs," manager Ozzie Guillen said.
Jones played with Ramirez in Los Angeles for part of the 2008 season, and he understands why the Sox are interested.
"He's one of the best right-handed hitters out there," Jones said. "I don't have a lot to say except whatever team he's on, he's going to help them. He's a big bat and he knows how to play the game."
Girardi to Cubs? Before Friday night's game against the White Sox, Yankees manager Joe Girardi addressed all of the rumors he'll be filling the same job with the Cubs next season.
"If you love this game it's flattering to hear your name mentioned as a big-league manager," Girardi said. "It is. I was flattered to be mentioned for the Yankees, I was flattered to be mentioned for the Marlins. If you love the game and you love what you do, like I do, it's nice. But my focus is here."
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