Sxy Mofo
04-05-2005, 10:07 AM
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, never known for modesty, already was campaigning for manager of the year votes after a bang-bang finish to the season opener.
Guillen replaced first baseman Paul Konerko with Ross Gload to start the ninth inning Monday -- and wouldn't you know it, the move was pure genius.
With two outs, Shingo Takatsu on the mound and the crowd on its feet, speedy Indians center fielder Coco Crisp hit a hard smash to Gload's right. The left-handed Gload probably was able to make the play only because his glove was on his right hand. Konerko, a right-hander, would have had less time to react.
Gload dived to his right, made the stop, scrambled to his feet and underhanded the ball to Takatsu, who just beat Crisp to the bag.
"The last play, it made me look like the best manager in baseball when I pulled Konerko out of there and put Gload in,'' Guillen said. "That's the way we're going to play all year long. We had a couple of big double plays and [Tadahito] Iguchi looked real good turning double plays, and that's what we want.''
Konerko, who got to his feet slowly in the fourth after he was shaken up while getting forced out at second base, had to give his manager credit. Konerko has heard all about the Sox' new approach that values speed and defense and wonders where he fits in. "I'm not part of the defense,'' he said with a laugh. "You saw I was out of there in the ninth. I don't get that ball, I guarantee you that.''
I say yes.
Guillen replaced first baseman Paul Konerko with Ross Gload to start the ninth inning Monday -- and wouldn't you know it, the move was pure genius.
With two outs, Shingo Takatsu on the mound and the crowd on its feet, speedy Indians center fielder Coco Crisp hit a hard smash to Gload's right. The left-handed Gload probably was able to make the play only because his glove was on his right hand. Konerko, a right-hander, would have had less time to react.
Gload dived to his right, made the stop, scrambled to his feet and underhanded the ball to Takatsu, who just beat Crisp to the bag.
"The last play, it made me look like the best manager in baseball when I pulled Konerko out of there and put Gload in,'' Guillen said. "That's the way we're going to play all year long. We had a couple of big double plays and [Tadahito] Iguchi looked real good turning double plays, and that's what we want.''
Konerko, who got to his feet slowly in the fourth after he was shaken up while getting forced out at second base, had to give his manager credit. Konerko has heard all about the Sox' new approach that values speed and defense and wonders where he fits in. "I'm not part of the defense,'' he said with a laugh. "You saw I was out of there in the ninth. I don't get that ball, I guarantee you that.''
I say yes.