Quiet Dye deserved more than 'see ya'

White Sox position players report to spring training this week and for the first time in five years Jermaine Dye won't be among them.

Much was made recently of Frank Thomas' retirement, Jim Thome's departure and the failed pursuit of Johnny Damon.

So it was nice Monday to hear that Sox general manager Kenny Williams said nice things about the otherwise overlooked Dye.

The former Sox outfielder's exit received so little attention when his option was bought out in November that it was like he never played here.

That's what Dye gets for not being noisier, more of a jerk, more of a problem.

Nick Swisher made more news by whining his way out of town. Let's not even start on Milton Bradley's monumental move from the Cubs to the Mariners.

Maybe if Dye drove drunk, killed dogs or shot himself in the groin more people would have paid tribute to his contributions to the Sox.

Apparently dignity isn't as noteworthy as infamy.

The time was right for the Sox to cut Dye considering his advanced age, increasingly dubious defense and fading offense the second half of last season.

But Dye deserved more than a simple "see ya."

Back on the first day of spring training in 2005, Williams predicted that if Dye stayed healthy he would more than adequately replace Magglio Ordonez.

Ordonez had played well for the Sox and went on to play well for the Tigers. Meanwhile, his successor became everything the Sox hoped for.

Yet five seasons later Dye left with even less fanfare than when he showed up.

This offseason's trade of Chris Getz and Josh Fields, arrival of third baseman Mark Teahan and move of Gordon Beckham to second base drew considerable provided the Sox with plenty of attention.

But hey, what about a few more words about this guy Dye? Five seasons isn't a lifetime or even a career, but what an eventful half-decade it was.

During most of Dye's time here he hit home runs, drove in runs, batted for a decent average, played respectable defense and was a quiet conscience in the clubhouse?

Oh yeah, and Dye was the Most Valuable Player of the 2005 World Series for the Sox.

Chicago baseball went 88 years without winning a World Series. The Sox and Cubs combined have won one championship in 193 chances.

So think about this: Jermaine Dye - was - the - M - V -P - of - the - 2005 - World - freakin' - Series!!!

That alone says that Dye should leave to raves instead of shrugs.

Of all the great moves Williams made that one winter - acquiring Scott Podsednik, Tadahito Taguchi and other imminent World Series winners - Dye was the best if A.J. Pierzynski wasn't.

In a frequently goofy clubhouse under a frequently goofy manager, Dye remained the consummate professional.

Predictably, the man didn't raise his voice to the media when the Sox disowned him. If he couldn't say anything nice, better to stay his silent self.

The way Dye left was one of the reasons he was a pleasure to have around here.

Hopefully he'll catch on with another team because major league baseball needs players like Jermaine Dye.

mimrem@dailyherald.com