Sep 17 2008
Youth Movement Contributing to Sox Success
Just a few years ago when the White Sox won the 2005 World Series a number of players were contributors and in this year we are seeing a similar pattern. With only less than a dozen games left in the season and the Sox leading the division by 2 1/2 games some new faces are taking advantage of their playing time.
Of course the White Sox would be no where this year without the two young pitchers John Danks and Gavin Floyd who have been tough as nails all year long. Including a must win and a quality start out of Gavin yesterday in a 6 to 2 win over the Yankees. No pitcher especially young, like Gavin, usually have much success pitching in New york Stadium and it was clear that Floyd is an exception to all of that nonsense.
Moreover it has been nice to see players like Jerry Owens, Brian Anderson, and Dewayne Wise stepping up on offense and contributing on a consistent basis which has filled the void of injuries to Konerko, Crede and Quentin. Even Juan Uribe an old asset from the success of 2005 Sox has been reborn and looks like a completely different player since taking over at third base replacing Joe Crede.
No doubt the best story of this Sox team is the cuban missile, Alexi Ramirez. Even thou he has cooled off lately Ramirez has kept the Sox in this pennant race with not only his fearless batting but his wide range at second base. As a matter of fact he and short stop Orlando Cabrera have been a good tandem turning big plays all year long, up the middle for the Sox defense.
Will Carlos Quentin return? We may not now until the last week of the season, but even if he is only at 85 percent I am confident his presence will be felt. Quentin was leading the American League in many statistics although most importantly he provided another clutch bat that can be relied upon in the late innings. Who knows he may only be a pinch hitter or a less than full time player, however his energy and hustle alone will be felt by his teammates.
A big hero in all of this is general manager Kenny Williams who in the beginning of the year was questioned many times if this team had enough talent to compete with the likes of the pre season division favorite Indians, Tigers and Twins. We now are being showed by Ozzie Guillen and the gang of new stars on the Sox that Kenny will not be questioned again about his ability to evaluate a team’s talent level and ability to get back to the playoffs.
We are not in the playoffs yet, but with the team we have on the Southside, Sox fans should not be weary of a let down. There is just too much talent both young and experienced on this team to fail. The bullpen will hold up these last two weeks and we are pulling for a division title in Minnesota next week. As long as we keep playing the way we are currently even with a shaky bullpen the lead should still hold.
