UPDATED JULY 2012
The 2012 baseball season is finally upon us, and whether your alliance is with the North Siders or the South Siders, in order to talk baseball with the best of them, it’s critical that you know a thing or two about each of our Chicago teams. For me that’s an easy one. I’ve been loyal to the Sox since birth and have suffered through the last 6 years watching the team I love struggle to find that winning combo that led them to a World Series Title in 2005.
The team has changed significantly since ’05 with only two players still remaining from that championship roster (Paul Konerko and AJ Pierzynski). This year’s team is a mix of vets, young players and overpaid sluggers that need to start earning their money. On paper the Sox are a very good team. We just need some of the big guns to start showing up and producing hits.
But do not fear ladies, the South Siders can succeed this year but they will need everyone healthy and contributing to do so. The Sox play in the very competitive American League Central Division and in order to reach the playoffs, the Sox will need to avoid being dominated by other Central Division foes like the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins. With minimal expectations from fans, a new manager and whole lot to prove – let me introduce you to your 2012 Chicago White Sox.
Alexi Ramirez
#10 Alexei Ramirez (ALEX-AY or AL-LIH-SAY)
Position: Short Stop
Age: 30
Origin: Cuba
Nickname: Cuban Missile
Alexei is considered one of the best defensive short stops in the major league. He may have the athletic build of a teenager and be 150 lbs soaking wet, but this guy can play! This Cuban defector hasn’t had a break out year offensively but gives promise that he is due for one.
#14 Paul Konerko
Paul Konerko
Position: 1st Baseman, Clean-up hitter
Age: 36
Origin: Providence, RI
Nickname: Paulie
For the past 14 years, Paulie is the most consistent and dependable hitter that the White Sox have had. Like a fine wine, he has actually been getting better with age, making the All-Star Team the past 2 seasons. At age 36, he can still make spectacular defensive plays as well as light up the night with a firework display after his home runs. Konerko will need to stay healthy if the Sox want to make the playoffs.
#15 Gordon Beckham
Gordon Beckham
Position: 2nd Base
Age: 25
Origin: Atlanta, GA
Once a promising young star with the White Sox, Beckham has struggled since his sophomore season in 2010. Although he rocks the best hair on the team and has a slight resemblance to Prince Harry, he’ll need to really step it up and make his presence felt at the plate.
#32 Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Position: First Base, Designated Hitter
Age: 32
Origin: Houston, TX
Nickname: Big Donkey
If anyone needs a bounce back year, it’s this giant man (a modest 6’6”, 285 lbs.!). After signing a $17 million a year contract with the Sox, Dunn is coming off his worst season in 10 years. However, after a fantastic Spring Training and enough off-season psycho analysis for a lifetime, this season Dunn really believes his swing is back and last year’s struggles are a thing of the past. No one is more in the hot seat than Adam Dunn to come back in a big way this season.
Alex Rios
#51 Alex Rios
Position: Center Field
Age: 31
Origin: Coffee, AL
He may be known for being ‘easy on the eyes’, but, like Adam Dunn, this player needs to start earning his money and is due for a bounce back season. After being an All-Star caliber player in Toronto, Rios has really struggled as a member of the White Sox. He has the potential to bat up at the front of the Sox line-up but will need to earn that role with a lot of hungry young players looking to prove their worth.
A.J. Pierzynski
#12 AJ Pierzynski (PEER-ZIN-SKI)
Position: Catcher
Age: 35
Origin: Bridgehampton, NY
In a Sports Illustrated pole of 215 baseball players, AJ was voted the “meanest player” in the major leagues. The quick witted catcher may be getting “up there” in age, but he is still a consistent hitter and shows time and again his stellar baseball toughness and awareness. AJ is rumored to be batting second for the 2012 Sox, a position reserved for patient/reliable hitters.
Dayan Viciedo
# 24 Dayan Viciedo (DIE-ON, VEE-CEE-AY-DOH
Position: Right Field
Age: 23
Origin: Cuba
Nickname: The Tank
Dayan will need to fill the shoes left by departed slugger Carlos Quentin this season. “The Tank” is a solid hitter who needs to focus on doing his job at the plate and shouldn’t spend time worrying about carrying this White Sox team.
#20 Kevin Youkilis
Position: Third Base
Age: 33
Orgin: Cincinnati, OH
Nikcname: Youk
Kevin Youkilis
Kevin came to the team from the Boston Red Sox in a trade in June 2012 that has made the White Sox GM, Kenny Williams, look like a genius. Kevin has filled the hole in 3rd base by becoming the most clutch player on the Sox. Happy to change the colors of his Sox, Kevin’s motivation is to prove that Boston made a huge mistake by letting him go. He’s done it so far. Keep it up Youk.
John Danks
THE WHITE SOX PITCHERS
#50 John Danks
Position: Starting Pitcher
Age: 26
Origin: Austin, TX
The White Sox #1 starting pitcher is John Danks. Scheduled to pitch on opening day, he will be taking over this role that has been handled by departed pitcher Mark Buehrle (recently signed a contract in Miami.) Danks is a consistent, hard working pitcher that could very well end up being the White Sox “ace” this season.
#43 Addison Reed
Position: Pitcher (Closer)
Orgin: Montclair, CA
Nickname: Hey Rook!
Another rookie on this White Sox pitching staff, Addison Reed serves as the last man standing for the Sox Bullpen. He has filled in admirably for Sergio Santos and has only blown one save the entire year. He has no doubt been one of the main reasons the Sox have done so well in the first half of the season.
Gavin Floyd
#34 Gavin Floyd
Position: Starting Pitcher
Age: 29
Origin: Annapolis, MD
Floyd is known for his pitching accuracy. While he doesn’t walk many batters, he has been known for giving up home runs. He is currently slotted as the Sox #2 pitcher but with a healthy Jake Peavy, he could slip to #3.
Jake Peavy
#44 Jake Peavy
Position: Starting Pitcher
Age: 30
Origin: Mobile, AL
Nickname:
Sox fans expected big things from Jake when they paid big bucks for him two years ago. What did it get us? Well nothing so far. Peavy has been battling injuries and has yet to hit his stride with the White Sox. While the Sox are paying him $17 million a season, patience is wearing thin. Peavy is currently expected to be the White Sox #3 starter.
#62 Jose Quintana
Position: Pitcher (Righty)
Age:23
Origin: :Columbia
Nickname: Rookie!
Jose Quintana
Jose Quintana came over to the White Sox in a trade made with the New York Yankees. He is a rookie pitcher but has shown amazing poise on the mound to become the White Sox most consistent starter. Hopefully he can keep it up in the second half.
Philip Humber
#41 Philip Humber
Position: Starting Pitcher
Age: 29
Origin: Nacogdoches, TX
Humber only played in 28 games last season and will hopefully fair better as he won as many as he lost. He is expected to be a 4th or 5th starter for the team this season.
#49 Chris Sale
Chris Sale
Position: Starting Pitcher
Age: 23
Origin: Lakeland, FL
Sale appeared in several games last year but all were as a relief pitcher. The lanky lefty will get one of the starting slots vacated by long-time Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle. He is a promising young pitcher that already has big league confidence.
#84 Hector Santiago
Hector Santiago
Position: Closing Pitcher
Age: 24
Origin: Newark, NJ
The Sox went through Spring Training with a “wait and see” mentality when it came to appointing a closer. So how did Ventura make the decision? He gave the role to the guy who helped him get his first win as a manger! After some blown saves, Santiago has been replaced by Addison Reed.
New Sox manager, Robin Ventura
#23 Robin Ventura
Position: Manager
Age: 44
Origin: Santa Maria, CA
Nickname: Robin (partnered with former White Sox teammate, Frank Thomas, AKA Batman)
Robin Ventura is a completely different manager than Sox fans are used to after the departure of the high energy, foul mouthed Ozzie Guillen. Robin, a former White Sox All-Star in his playing days, is bringing a new laid back style and feel to the White Sox clubhouse for 2012. Interviews may not be as exciting as they were with Ozzie, but at least you don’t need the kids to leave the room when he’s on camera. This is Ventura’s first major league coaching job.
