greasywheels121 Posted January 16, 2005 Share Posted January 16, 2005 http://whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cws/new...s_cws&fext=.jsp Notes: Williams not blaming Mags GM appreciates former star's contributions to Sox By Scott Merkin / MLB.com CHICAGO -- Ken Williams expected to be quizzed about Magglio Ordonez during Saturday's town hall meeting, the featured attraction on the second day of the 13th annual SoxFest. The White Sox general manager just didn't figure he would be defending Ordonez to the fans. A few supporters who brought up the name of the former White Sox right fielder sided with the club and Williams in their contractual dealings with Ordonez, who is one of the two marquee free agents still available, in addition to Carlos Delgado. Ordonez, a fan favorite and a top contributor during his time on the South Side, was not offered arbitration by the White Sox when the team could not be sure of the condition of his surgically repaired left knee. The White Sox did not have a chance to personally examine Ordonez, with his agent, Scott Boras, limiting those checkups to organizations deemed to have serious interest. But even as Ordonez remains on the open market and the White Sox have re-allocated that money earmarked to resign the All-Star to fill numerous other voids, Williams refused to claim any direct vindication for his final call. "I had no choice but to come to the decision, to make that decision," Williams said. "I had no choice because I had virtually no information about the medical status. So, I didn't think I needed to justify it. "Put it this way, the more and more I'm in this business and have to deal with some of the difficult situations you come out with, if you are standing on the side of truth, sooner or later it's going to come out anyway -- even if you have to take some blows in the short term. "This isn't the first time I've had to do it," Williams added. "It won't be the last, I'm sure." There was nothing but sincere feelings behind Williams' comments regarding Ordonez during the question-and-answer session with the fans. Williams told the group that he doesn't blame Ordonez for how things happened during the acrimonious negotiations, and chooses instead to focus on what Ordonez meant to the organization. "Regardless of how things transpired, remember that Maggs was one [heck] of a player for the Chicago White Sox," Williams said. "Don't ever forget that. "If Magglio walks into a bar or an ice cream store, I would buy him an ice cream cone. I wanted to clarify that point. Magglio doesn't deserve anything but good feelings from any of us." A class act: It doesn't say much for the driving force of many professional athletes when a player is applauded for doing the right thing and opting for honor over the allure of more money. But that's exactly what happened with the free agent signing of Jermaine Dye. The former Oakland right fielder committed to the White Sox but continued to receive free agent offers of higher monetary value during and after his team physical. Dye stuck to his original decision and signed with Chicago. It was a move that drew rave reviews from Williams and White Sox fans alike. "My dad always taught me that if you give your word to someone, make sure you honor it," Dye said, during an interview with MLB.com at SoxFest. "You will get much more respect for doing that. "I decided I wanted to be happy with this team and this organization. I think it was the best fit for me. I thought I had the best chance of getting to the playoffs with this team." The only problem Dye might have with the White Sox is the manager's pronunciation of his first name. Ozzie Guillen admitted that he might just stick with "JD" when referring to Dye. News from the Far East: Although the White Sox continue to show interest in adding Japanese All-Star second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, Williams sounded as if the move was far from imminent during a talk with the media on Saturday afternoon. According to the Sox GM, the next step could be up to the Japanese standout and his agent, Richard Moss. "I'm not spending very much time on it right now," said Williams of Iguchi. "That's not to say ultimately that's one of the things we end up doing." Williams actually could have returned to stealth mode where Iguchi is concerned. Just 15 or 20 minutes earlier, Williams told a capacity crowd of interested fans that the best approach to making big moves is a quiet approach. "Whenever you are talking about potential acquisitions, it's best to lay low to keep it out of the public eye and the media," Williams told the crowd. "If you let things out and discuss them openly, then you never accomplish what you want to accomplish. Case in point: Omar Vizquel. "I would prefer to sit here and let you people think I'm sitting on a couch doing nothing all offseason and get things done, rather than put this stuff out in the open," Williams added. Many happy returns: Roland Hemond, the former White Sox general manager who currently serves as an executive advisor to Williams, recently celebrated his 75th birthday. That milestone was not lost on the White Sox faithful, who serenaded Hemond with a chorus of "Happy Birthday" at a Saturday morning seminar. Hemond received a plaque from the White Sox with representations of all the teams he has worked with over the years. Around the Fest: Bo Jackson was a surprise addition to the list of former players available for autographs on Saturday. Jackson was in Chicago and called the White Sox to see if he could contribute. ... The private breakfast for four with Carl Everett, auctioned off on whitesox.com, went for a final sum of $785. The group had such a good time together that the meal lasted an extra 30 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Kenny was awesome in his replies on Maggs. He has learned a lot in his 5 years on the job. 5 years ago he would have trashed Maggs. This year he made sure to remind Sox fans of Maggs on the southside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 16, 2005 -> 09:55 PM) Kenny was awesome in his replies on Maggs. He has learned a lot in his 5 years on the job. 5 years ago he would have trashed Maggs. This year he made sure to remind Sox fans of Maggs on the southside. Was there more questions for him on Maggs on Sunday..? I think I was the only one that said anything about him on Saturday.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 QUOTE(Steff @ Jan 17, 2005 -> 08:35 AM) Was there more questions for him on Maggs on Sunday..? I think I was the only one that said anything about him on Saturday.. I don't recall anything else said about Maggs after Kenny gave his speech about Magglio. It pretty well closed the door on that topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 17, 2005 -> 09:52 AM) I don't recall anything else said about Maggs after Kenny gave his speech about Magglio. It pretty well closed the door on that topic. As it should have. Kenny did a great job in dealing with that. I'm glad I got those comments on record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 And actually after the Sunday Q&A session I went up and said thanks to Kenny for coming back this year after last year. He said he didn't think that last year was that bad. "You all got to say what you needed to say, and I got to say what I needed to. It was good" And then he talked about how these sessions were good, because it was a great source to exchange accurate information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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