Nats and Sox Announce New Racing Mascots

If you're a fan of racing mascots...you're going to want to pay attention.

Friday night, the Washington Nationals announced via Twitter that they have decided on which President to add to their lineup.
 

The physical should prove to be an interesting one given "The Big Chief" once tipped the scales at a very Sabathia-like 332 pounds.

And why William Howard Taft?

On Opening Day in 1910, he became the first U.S. President to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.  Legend also has it that te 27th President also “invented” the seventh-inning stretch, when he stood up to stretch at a game and the crowd around him did as well.

Okay, I honestly don't know why, but "Bill" will join George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt when the season opens at Nationals Park.

Thursday, the Chicago White Sox made it official, announcing that they'll be wearing 1983 throwback uniforms durnig Sunday home games during the upcoming season.  More importantly, they'll also be honoring their popular "Winning Ugly" team with three glorious racing mascots.

Enter "Racing Pudge" (Carlton Fisk), "Racing Harold" (Baines) and "Racing Kitty" (Ron Kittle).  Now, I don't know about you, but watching those three guys and their bad knees running the bases was painful enough...I'm not so sure I want to see their mascot counterparts doing the same.

Nevermind...I totally do!

 

 

Pierzynski Thanks Chicago Fans

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski is routinely heralded as one of the most, if not, the most hated player in the Majors.

But, for some reason, the Windy City loved him...and the two-time All-Star catcher loved Chicago right back.

So much so, he did the cliche and thanked his former fans by taking out an ad in the Chicago Tribune this past weekend.  That's right, the catcher who helped lead the Chicago White Sox to the World Series in 2005 has, apparently, turned into a softie.

Okay, okay...maybe it's a classy move, but, it doesn't matter. Whatever sting the 36-year-old catcher feels by not being re-signed by the ChiSox will surely be lessened by that $7.5 million deal he inked to play for the Texas Rangers.

White Sox Announcer Named Biggest "Homer"

If you've never had the opportunity to listen to a Chicago White Sox television broadcast, well...you've been fortunate enough to be spared listening to the guy The Wall Street Journal calls baseball's biggest "homer".

Yeah, I'm talking about Ken "Hawk" Harrelson.  And, well, it shouldn't come as a shock to anyone...dude is actually proud of his "homerism".

"You just made my day," Harrelson told The WSJ. "That's the biggest compliment you could give me, to call me the biggest homer in baseball."

But just how big of a "homer" is Harrelson?

Consider this.  The Grandpa Munster lookalike and his broadcast partner Steve Stone were hit with 104 different citations.  In second place...Cleveland's broadcast team of Matt Underwood and Rick Manning.

And what exactly was the criteria?

The WSJ issued a citation to "anyone with a microphone" who used a pronoun like "we," "us" or "our" to describe the home team.  Also, announcers who referred to players with "obscure pet names" or displayed "excessive moping after miscues or unrestrained glee after big moments".

All charges, good old "Hawk" is guilty of.

"Everybody I work with, I tell them, 'I announce my (butt) off for my team,'" Harrelson added.  "Let's just say that if we're losing, you're going to know it...I won't sound happy."

Oh, if you have a desire to listen to some of Harrelson's best/worst Hawkisms...head on over to Heave the Hawk.

Mercy.

***Props to Big League Stew.***

"Better Than the White Sox Winning the World Series"

It's official...Drew Peterson is a killer.  And what does that have to do with baseball? 

Nothing.

But..."this is better than the White Sox winning the World Series," Nick Savio said about his sister's killer being found guilty.

Peterson, a former police sergeant, faces a maximum 60 years in prison.  Savio is, obviously, a proud fan of the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox.

Youk's Brother Rips Boston

With a standing ovation and a tip of the cap, fan favorite Kevin Youkilis exited the field Sunday for the last time as a member of the Boston Red Sox.

According to numerous reports, the third baseman has been dealt to the Chicago White Sox.  In return for the career .286 hitter, Boston will add righty Zach Stewart and utility player Brent Lillibridge.

And while trading Youkilis had been talked about for a while, all signs seemed to be pointing toward the 33-year-old ending up in Chicago courtesy of his brother Scott hitting the Twitters Sunday afternoon and lashing out at BeanTown.

Yipes.

Magglio Ordonez Set to Retire

Is it just me or are more and more teams getting this retirement thing right?
So far this season, we've seen Ivan Rodriguez throwing out the first "pitch" in Texas, Pat Burrell get celebrated in Philadelphia and, most recently, that emotion end to Kerry Wood's career in Chicago.

Next in line...Magglio Ordonez.

The six-time All-Star will make his return to Comerica Park Sunday and announce his retirement before the Detroit Tigers lose to the New York Yankees.

Okay, okay, the "lose" comment might be a little harsh, but the next sentiment isn't.

Ordonez is one of those players, like Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu, that could prompt a pretty good watercooler discussion of whether or not they would get your Hall of Fame vote.

In eight of his 15 seasons, Ordonez had 20 or more home runs...seven seasons with 100 or more RBI (he actually knocked in 99 in 2003), is even more impressive when you consider he really only played ten full seasons.  Nagging injuries took their toll for a good chunk of dude's career.

But it isn't the MVP-caliber seasons (I'm looking your way 2002 and 2007) that impress me the most about the rightfielder, it's his place among his countrymen.  Of the 274 Venezuelan-born baseball players, Ordonez ranks second with a .309 career batting average and 294 home runs. He ranks third with 1236 RBIs, fourth with 426 doubles and sixth with 2156 hits. 

Not too shabby.

And last time I checked, being in the company of Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio, Bobby Abreu, Andres Galarraga, Dave Concepcion, Omar Vizquel and Miguel Cabrera isn't a terrible place to be.

Paul Konerko Reaches Home Run Milestone

He's already off to a great start this season...so why not add in a milestone.

Wednesday, Paul Konerko became just the 48th player in Major League history to reach 400 career home runs when he sent a Grant Balfour offering deep to left to force extra innings against the Oakland Athetics.

And the best part...he did it in grand fashion. 

The milestone homer was also the slugger's 2000th hit in a Chicago White Sox uniform.  Konerko sits ninth among active players in home runs...or eighth if you don't count Manny Ramirez.

Jake Peavy: Party Animal

After a couple of lackluster years with the Chicago White Sox, Jake Peavy is getting back to normal...by partying with normal folks.

You see, back when the pitcher was tearing up the National League, the former San Diego Padres pitcher was known to be quite the party animal as well (see here and here).  And if the pictures over at Deadspin are any indication...he's back, baby!

So, um, I guess that's refreshing.

Sunday night, the righty was spotted out at the Houndstooth Saloon near Wrigley Field.  And, yeah, I'm not sure what's worse...playing for the Sox and getting snapped in Wrigleyville or posing with a half naked dude.

My guess is that the Kangaroo Court will make a ruling.

Adam Dunn: "I Don't Want to Make Excuses"

In 2010, Adam Dunn hit 38 homers...running his career total to 354.

How good is that?  Try this on for size.  In Major League history, only Albert Pujols (408), Eddie Mathews (370) and Ralph Kiner (370) were more prolific through their first ten season.

Heck, there was a time when Dunn was looking to tie Babe Ruth to become the only players to have seven straight seasons with 40 or more home runs.

But, thanks to a dismal 2011, all that is in the past.  The promise of a great career was forgotten thanks to a .159 batting average, 11 homers, 42 RBI and 177 strikeouts.

“Everything I’ve done my entire life has been discredited by one stupid year,’’ Dunn told the Chicago Sun-Times.  “I don’t want to make excuses. There are a few things that I probably look back on and say, ‘I shouldn’t have done this or that,’ a few things I probably would have done a little differently, but it’s over with. I can’t take it back. I don’t want to say anything that would sound like excuses.’’

So, that begs the question...just how bad was Dunn's inaugural season on Chicago's Southside?

I mean, not only did the "Big Donkey" have the worst hitting season this year, but he also had, arguably, worst hitting season in the history of the planet.

He became the second person ever to have a lower batting average number (.159) than strikeout number (177).  The guy was so anemic at the plate...he hit below David Eckstein's listed playing weight (170).

Dunn's average was not only the all-time low for anyone who had 400-plus at bats, but it's also 20 points lower than anyone since 1900. The next closest was Rob Deer's .179 in 1991...but, Deer at least banged out 25 homers.

The Slugging Dunn had two fewer home runs (11) than White Sox teammate Brent Lillibridge.  In 280 fewer plate appearances!

Just by comparison the second lowest batting average in 2011 for someone with 400 or more at bats was Vernon Wells at .218. That means that Dunn didn't even come within 55 points of the game's next worst hitter.

As if the .159 number didn't stand out enough, hit up Baseball Reference and take a look at some of his splits. 

• .149 batting average at home
• .115 batting average when he also played the field
• .115 batting average when batting fifth in the lineup
• .103 batting average with RISP and two out
• .084 batting average in the 7th-9th innings
• .075 (20-264) with two strikes on him
• .064 (6-94) versus lefties

If nothing else though at least he was consistent.  Dude hit .160 before the All-Star break and .158 after.  And if you're keeping track...he only hit over.160 in one month.  Dunn hit a robust .204 in May.

So...suck on that one, critics!

***A big thanks to stats maven Mike Garrigan for tabulating Dunn's futility.***

  

Another Day...Another Theatrical Endeavor

In the past week, we've seen Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly as Mother Ginger in a community theater performance of "The Nutcracker" and the Washington Nationals taking the stage with The Washington Ballet.
Now...comes this:

It's a theatrical "grand slam!" Chicago White Sox Manager Robin Ventura and nine-year-old Emily Beazley of the Make-A-Wish Foundation make a one-night-only special appearance in A Christmas Carol on Wednesday, December 21 at 7:30pm. Ventura and Beazley don costumes tailored especially for them and make their Goodman Theatre debut in select scenes of the 34th annual production of Chicago's favorite holiday tradition.

Ventura probably won't be "donning" a dress (see what I did there?), but, did I miss the call to action pleading for the baseball community to take part in theatrical endeavors?

If so...I'm hoping pitcher-turned-author John Rocker gets asked to do "Rent" or someone solicits Alex Rodriguez to play the lead centaur in "Equus".

And, yes, that's the second "Equus" reference in a week...for the one of you who is counting.

Ozzie Guillen Gets Married...Again

It doesn't matter how many people you follow on the internet, reading about their exploits this past week proves just one thing...everyone celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday different.

And if you're Ozzie Guillen, you spent it on a beach in Panama.

Getting married.

Again.

According to his blog, the new Miami Marlins manager got all romatical with his wife Ibis and, with his sons by his side, well, just read.

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I had a great time down in Panama and actually had a chance to do something that I had only done once before — I renewed my vows.  After 28 years of being married, I decided it was time. I did it all on my own; my wife had no clue.

In general, I'm not a huge Guillen fan, but this, for some reason, made me feel better about the guy.

Heck...dude even worked in a Kardashian joke.

I guess since we didn’t get divorced after 72 days the first time around (72 days seems kinda fast) I think we will make it this time too.

Well played, senor.

 

White Sox Name New Manager

In a move that appears to have come out of leftfield (or, in this case, thirdbase), the Chicago White Sox have named their new manager.

Robin Ventura.

Not Dave Martinez.  Not Sandy Alomar.  Not even Terry Francona or Tony LaRussa.

Robin Ventura.

According to ESPN Chicago, Ventura agreed to a multi-year deal with the club after working the past season as a special advisor to director of player development Buddy Bell.

"I am excited to begin my career as a manager surrounded by former teammates, staff, media and White Sox fans I know very well," the 44-year-old former Sox told reporters. "I already am looking forward to talking to our players, to this offseason and to getting things underway at spring training next February."

"When I met with the media as our season ended, I identified one person at the very top of my managerial list," general manager Ken Williams said in a statement. "I wanted someone who met very specific criteria centered around his leadership abilities. Robin Ventura was that man. His baseball knowledge and expertise, his professionalism, his familiarity with the White Sox and Chicago and his outstanding character make him absolutely the right person to lead our clubhouse and this organization into the seasons ahead."

In ten seasons on the south side, Ventura hit .274 and took home five Gold Gloves.  He ranks sixth all-time in home runs for the White Sox.

2011 Milestone Preview: American League Central

Last season, the Chicago White Sox honored one of their greats, Frank Thomas, by retiring his Number 35.

This July, they're set to unveil a bronze statue of the one-time Sox legend...the eighth to grace U.S. Cellular Field.

Coincidentally...I'm planning on being at that game. But that's neither here or there now is it?

So with that…here comes the AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL.


CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Team captain Paul Konerko is on the verge of two major milestones in this...his 13th year on the Southside.  Coming off, arguably, one of the best years of his career, Konerko is just 139 hits away from 2000 and 35 home runs away from 400 career blasts.

Also approaching 400 career bombs...the newly acquired Adam Dunn.

Sure, the "Big Donkey" is 46 home runs away from the milestone...but he's done it before.  And given that he had a five year stretch (2004-2008) where he hit 40 or more home runs...is 46 really out of the question?

The ageless Omar Vizquel enters his second season with the White Sox the active leader in games playes, at bats and plate appearances.  For his career...he's sitting at 2799 hits all-time.

And speaking of hits...outfielder Juan Pierre is 158 hits away from reaching 2000 for his career.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

As if the Indians signing journeyman Orlando Cabrera (who is 52 hits away from 2000 for his career), Cleveland has decided on making August 13 a date to circle on your calendar.

And what's going on August 13?

Well...it's none other than Mike Hargrove “Human Rain Delay” Bobble Head Day.  Great seats are still available.

DETROIT TIGERS

Last November, Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson succumbed to dementia.  This season, not only are the Tigers going to honor their former skipper with a patch on their sleeves...but they'll be retiring his number as well.

Pretty classy.

Current manager Jim Leyland enters the season second in wins among active managers trailing only Tony LaRussa.  With 1493 career victories, he's only 78 wins behind Hall of Famer Dick Williams on the all-time list.

Also bound to make some headlines in the Motor City is outfielder Magglio Ordonez.  Should "Maggs" be able to bounce back from last season's ankle injury, he'll get the eleven home runs it'll take to reach 300 for his career.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

A quick scan of the Royals' roster isn't going to excite a soul.  And of the four names you're likely to recognize...one of them is catcher Jason Kendall.

Yikes.

Currently, Kendall is fifth all-time in being hit by pitch having been plunked 254 times.  In order to surpass Don Baylor and move into fourth place...he'll need to get hit 14 times.  It's possible.

MINNESOTA TWINS

Up in Minnesota, Jim Thome is back swinging for the fences.  Currently, Thome is eighth all-time and just eleven home runs away from becoming the latest slugger to reach 600 for his career.

Conversely, Thome resides second all-time in strikeouts.  The designated hitter has struck out 2395 times in his 20 seasons as a pro and trails only Reggie Jackson and his 2597 Ks.

Lastly, Minnesota will honor Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven by retiring his number this July.  His Number 28 will join five former Twins and Jackie Robinson up on the facade at Target Field.

The National League Central is next. In the meantime, feel free to check out Milestone Previews of the American League East and National League East.

SuperBowl XLV Tweet of the Night

I purposely stayed away from social media tonight because, frankly, I don't care that you like (or don't like) the Packers (or Steelers) or think Ben Roethlisberger is a rapist (or not).

BUT...when I re-emerged from a Facebook and Twitter-less night, I was greeted with the best tweet I've seen in a while.

Maybe forever.

So, without a doubt, I'm naming it the "SuperBowl XLV Tweet of the Night"...and it came from (naturally) Chicago White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen.

Watching the game and eating my jello http://twitpic.com/3xae4f

I'd like to close this post with something clever, but let's be honest...nothing tops Guillen eating JELL-O while watching the SuperBowl.

Jermaine Dye Likely Done

Perhaps sitting out the entire 2010 season wasn't such a good idea.

With 325 career home runs to his credit...outfielder Jermaine Dye looks to be done. Ken Rosenthal over at FOXSports.com has reported that the 36-year-old Dye is likely to retire.

The free agent outfielder has been contacted by the Rays, Rockies and Phillies, and has probably been offered a minor league contract or two, but he wants a guaranteed roster spot and it's just not going to happen.

"I would still like to play, but I think my choices have passed and teams have gone with other people," Dye said Wednesday. "I will continue to stay in shape and hopefully someone will call. If nothing gets done by the end of the spring, I may call it a career."

If he is indeed done, Dye can look back knowing that he put together a pretty solid career.

Through 14 big league seasons (a third of which were injury plagued), the 2000 Gold Glove winner had a .274 batting average, those 325 home runs and 1072 RBI.  In 2005, he brought home the 2005 World Series MVP award after leading the Chicago White Sox to the title.

Maybe Dye can join whatever that is Brian Cashman is putting together in the Bronx.  I dunno, after bringing in Andruw Jones, Bartolo Colon, Mark Prior, Freddy Garcia...adding Jermaine Dye seems about right.

Bobby Jenks Signs with the Red Sox

And just in case the internet was in need of another "Bobby Jenks Changes His Sox" story...here comes another.

Bobby Jenks changes his Sox!

Just when the baseball world thought the Boston Red Sox had already had a successful offseason...they sign flamethrowing closer Bobby Jenks to (according to ESPN's Buster Olney) two-year, $12 million deal.

The 29-year-old had an off year in 2010, going 1-3 with a 4.44 ERA.  The righty converted on 27 of 32 save opportunities  and struck out 61 in 52 2/3 innings pitched.  He was non-tendered by the Chicago White Sox on December 3.

This move gives the Red Sox three potential closers in Jenks, Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard.

For breaking baseball news...be sure to follow The Diamond Report on Twitter.

Talkin' Baseball with Russell Kook

I'm a fan of reality television...it's true.  "Survivor", "The Amazing Race", "Hell's Kitchen"...I'm a fan of all of them and more.

And yeah, you might remember "Hell's Kitchen" as that cooking show on FOX that got interrupted by postseason baseball.  Well, as the season comes to a close, I had the chance to catch up with the aptly named sous chef Russell Kook as he eyes a spot in the show's finale a week from this Wednesday.

HOVG: Your official bio on the "Hell’s Kitchen" website lists you as being from Madison, Wisconsin, but you’ve found yourself in Minnesota, Florida, Las Vegas and, currently, Chicago. I’ve gotta ask…Cubs or White Sox?

RUSSELL: Of course…the White Sox!

HOVG: You’re actually friends with White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen, aren’t you? How did that come about?

RUSSELL: Ozzie is a good friend of mine...he used to come into theWit (Hotel in Chicago) a lot. He and I got along well.

HOVG: Who do you think would be easier to work for on a daily basis…Guillen or the explosive Gordon Ramsey?

RUSSELL: I definitely think it would be easier to work with Ozzie. He doesn’t push the daily issue as hard as I feel Gordon would.

HOVG: What do you think the White Sox need to do to be successful going into the upcoming 2011 season?

RUSSELL: I think if the White Sox get a little pitching and some timely hitting...you know the basic recipe for success. (Laughs)

The 29-year-old Russell Kook was one of 16 contestants competing for the head chef position at LA Market, a restaurant in the JW Marriott in Los Angeles, California. The job carries with it a $250,000 salary and the chance to become the spokesperson for Rosemount Estate Wines.

Billy Williams Gets Bronzed in Chicago

With some of his former Chicago Cubs teammates at his side, Billy Williams was all smiles as a statue of his likeness was unveiled outside of Wrigley Field on Tuesday.

To say that the statue is overdue would be an understatement as the Hall of Famer has spent 52 years with the Cubs organization as a player, coach and executive.

For his career, "Sweet Swinging Billy" batted .290 with 2711 hits, 426 home runs and 1475 RBI. The six-time National League All-Star hit 20 or more home runs 14 times, had 90-plus RBI 10 times and batted at least .300 five times.

At one point in his career, Williams played in a then-National League record 1117 consecutive games from 1963-1970. His 392 home runs as a Cub are third-highest in franchise history behind Ernie Banks (512) and Sammy Sosa (545).

Across, town, the Chicago White Sox have announced plans to unveil a statue of Frank Thomas next season.

The former Sox slugger recently had his number retired and that led me to pose the question...who should be next for the southsiders?

Overwhelmingly, 39% you suggested that "Shoeless" Joe Jackson should get the same treatment as "The Big Hurt".

Who else?

27% of you said "no one". Jim Thome (12%), Paul Konerko (10%), Ozzie Guillen (8%) and Mark Buehrle (2%) also received votes.

Omar Vizquel Sets Another Record

Omar Vizquel entered Monday's contest tied with Rafael Palmeiro (2831) and nestled between Harold Baines (2830) and Al Kaline (2834) on the all-time games played list.

He left with 2832 and now sits alone at 17th all-time for his career.

A quick scan of the 16 names ahead of him (Pete Rose, Carl Yastrzemski and Hank Aaron among others) shows that Vizquel has a long way to go until he sits atop the leaderboard.

But if you focus on that and the 5-4 extra innings victory by the "Pale Hose" you miss the true story. Forgotten by all (including Vizquel according to some reports) was the fact that the 43 year-old infielder has now played in the most games by any foreign born Major Leaguer.

More than Hall of Famers Tony Perez (2777) and Luis Aparicio (2601).

More than octogenarian Julio Franco (2527).

And now...more than the previous record holder Palmeiro.

"It's hard to believe through all these years and talking about playing so many games I look back on my career and it looks like I just started playing five years ago," Vizquel said to ESPNChicago.com following the game. "All of a sudden you find yourself with a lot of games on you, a lot of hits, a lot of records and I'm feeling very proud because I never thought I'd be in the big leagues for this long. And it's been a very great road for me."

The 11-time Gold Glove winning Vizquel has made his fair share of noise in the last couple of seasons.

With a career fielding percentage of .985, Vizquel is head and shoulders better than Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith (.978). He is also the all-time leader in double plays made while playing shortstop.

On May 25, 2008, Vizquel became the all-time leader in games played at shortstop, passing the afore mentioned Aparicio. Currently, the two sit at 2687 and 2581.

And not to keep piling on Aparicio, but on June 25, 2009, Vizquel became the all-time hit leader among Venezuelan born player. As of right now...he is at 2784. Aparicio sits at 2677.

Is pretty safe to call Omar Vizquel a Hall of Famer, right? Let me know what you think!

Frank Thomas Gets His Number Retired

"I'm from a small town in Georgia and there you can only dream about something like this," future Hall of Famer Frank Thomas told the crowd prior to the White Sox-Yankees game Sunday, "but I've always dreamed."

And with that (and U.S. Cellular's trademark celebratory fireworks), the smiling visage and Number 35 of the the Southside's most productive player was unveiled alongside the nine other former numbers retired by the Sox.

Thomas retired this past February after a 19-year career that saw the two-time American League MVP hit .301 with 521 homers and 1704 RBI.

After making his Major League debut in 1990, "The Big Hurt" went on to set White Sox team records in homers (448) and RBIs (1,465) before splitting his final three seasons with Toronto and Oakland.

He is one of four players to have a .300 average, 500 home runs, 1500 RBIs, 1000 runs and 1500 walks during their career.

Who are the other three? Mel Ott, Ted Williams and Babe Ruth…not too shabby.

Matter of fact, Thomas has a handful of goofball records like that…records that no one really knows how to put into context. You can find some of them HERE.

Lastly, it appears that the White Sox won't just end the overdue Thomas love affair with his number being retired.

In a release sent out just after the start of Sunday’s game, the team announced that a life-size bronze sculpture of "The Big Hurt" will be unveiled in 2011.

He'll become the eighth member of the franchise to get the bronze treatment. The others...Luis Aparicio, Harold Baines, Charles A. Comiskey, Nellie Fox, Carlton Fisk, Minnie Minoso and Billy Pierce.

After that, expect to see Thomas show up next during Hall of Fame Induction Weekend as a member of the jam-packed Class of 2014.

So who should have their number retired by the Chicago White Sox next? What are you waiting for...go vote!