Big Hurt’s advice makes Beckham a pain for Cubs

Between taking a beating from fans and the media and getting advice from anyone and everyone, White Sox No. 2 hitter Gordon Beckham is just trying to maintain his focus and sanity.

Before Friday’s game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Beckham did stop and listen to some tips from Frank Thomas, the greatest hitter in White Sox history.

“Get it in your mind that every pitch is a 2-0 count,” Thomas said. “Try it, and stay aggressive. Let’s go Georgia Bulldog. SEC.”

Beckham, an Atlanta native, played college baseball at Georgia. Thomas, from Columbus, Ga., played at Auburn.

Beckham singled off Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija in the first inning and came around to score on Paul Konerko’s home run.

With one out in the eighth, he hit a solo home run off Samardzija to decide the outcome.

“The last pitch was a splitter that I was able to get under enough to get out of here,” Beckham said. “It helped the team win and we ended up winning the game by that run, so that’s important.

“It was good. Yesterday, I got robbed of a home run so it was nice to get one back.”

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Beckham was involved in another big play.

With one out, the Cubs’ David DeJesus appeared to slide safely into second base with a double. Beckham made contact with DeJesus, knocking him off the base.

Beckham tagged DeJesus and he was called out, leading to Cubs manager Dale Sveum’s ejection.

“I couldn’t stop,” Beckham said. “I tried to get there and realized when I lunged out I was going to be late and ended up basically tackling him. I didn’t mean to do it.”

So long to Wood:

Adam Dunn and Kerry Wood became close friends on and off the field through the years when Dunn was playing in the National League.

As Wood walked off the field and into retirement after striking out the Sox’ Dayan Viciedo in the eighth inning Friday, he pointed at Dunn.

“We’ve had some pretty good battles,” Dunn said. “He’s one of the best pitchers of our era. I don’t care what anyone says. He’s one solid dude that doesn’t come around too often.”

Philip Humber has long been a fan of Wood, and the White Sox’ starter was sad to see his fellow Texan call it quits.

“He was one of the guys I grew up really, when I saw him on TV, I loved to watch him pitch,” said Humber, who allowed 2 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings Friday. “When the stuff came out of his hand, it was unbelievable and you just knew any time he was starting a game something special could happen. It’s sad when guys who’ve been that good and that electric for so long have to walk away.

“It’s something all of us have to face, and the good news for him was he got to do it on his terms. For most of us, we’ll never have that opportunity.”

Peavy-A.J. spat:

During Friday’s game, TV cameras picked up catcher A.J. Pierzynski and starting pitcher Jake Peavy exchanging some heated words in the Sox’ dugout.

Peavy didn’t even pitch in the game, but he has had some run-ins with Pierzynski in the past.

“That was just in-game fire,” Peavy said. “It was just a dugout matter. It was just the way I communicate sometime, just an in-house matter. There’s nothing to do with our team and our team chemistry. We are all on the same page. Just about the game and what was said on both sides. It was about the game.”

Hickey funeral service:

Funeral arrangements are set for Kevin Hickey, the White Sox’ pregame instructor and former relief pitcher.

He passed away Wednesday at the age of 56.

Visitation will be from 3-9 p.m. on Monday at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home in Justice.

A funeral mass will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at Old St. Pat’s Church in Chicago.