whitesox247 Posted April 20, 2003 Share Posted April 20, 2003 Article CHICAGO -- Following Frank Thomas' two-hit game Saturday, one of the first players he heard from was Billy Koch. Then again, Thomas hears from the White Sox closer on a regular basis. "I'm on Frank every day, just making fun of him," said Koch with a wry smile. His specific target Saturday was Thomas' recent propensity to take walks, breaking Luke Appling's White Sox career record on Friday night. "I walked by him and said, 'It's about time you got some hits,'" Koch said, again showing evidence of that evil smile. "I said, 'Walk, walk, walk. What are you going to lead baseball in walks? No! Start hitting the baseball.'" Poking fun at Chicago's 6-foot-5-inch, 270-pound designated hitter is somewhat akin to putting your head in a lion's mouth. It might seem exciting at the time, but you don't want to be there when the jaws snap shut. But, in just under three months, Thomas has already grown accustomed to Koch's in-your-face personality. Despite being in the midst of his first season with the White Sox, after being acquired in a trade for Keith Foulke on December 3, Koch has already become a clubhouse leader through his biting humor -- a trait almost as important as his 144 saves over the past four years. "I'm an advocate of having fun and enjoying yourself," said Koch, who claimed his rookie season in 1999 was the only time he toned down his personality. "The looser you are the better you are going to play. "Just have a good time with it. I will be myself and try to keep this group loose. If making fun of them has a hand in them scoring 12 runs, then it's all the sweeter." The White Sox seem to appreciate that approach from Koch, also the leader of the daily clubhouse card game. Manager Jerry Manuel refers to him as a little wild, but also said that he likes that characteristic -- especially in a closer. Thomas agrees, despite Koch's constant needling. "Billy Koch is a different type of guy," Thomas said with a laugh. "Yeah, that's a compliment," responded Koch to Manuel and Thomas' "wild" and "different" comments. "I'll just leave it at that." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted April 20, 2003 Share Posted April 20, 2003 I like it. I like the fact that someone is willing to break the monotiny in our clubhouse. Maybe if people are laughing about stuff, the assholes we have in our clubhouse will be muted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted April 20, 2003 Share Posted April 20, 2003 It was always one of the reasons I liked Koch. He wanted to close and has a great attitude. Folk had a great attitude too, but I just see Billy as one of those guys that can lead a bullpen and lead a team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubKilla Posted April 20, 2003 Share Posted April 20, 2003 I'd rather see Frank taking walks than Botch f***ing up games. Botch is in no position to talk s***, joking or not, to anybody..... especially Thomas. He can let out the "in your face personality" when he becomes an "in your face" closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 I'd rather see Frank taking walks than Botch f***ing up games. Botch is in no position to talk s***, joking or not, to anybody..... especially Thomas. He can let out the "in your face personality" when he becomes an "in your face" closer. Eh i don't mind it that much, lighten up the clubhouse...it was a joke last year. He's not really getting on him...if he was striking out instead of walking, he probly wouldn't say anything i'm sure he's not that stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 I'd rather see Frank taking walks than Botch f***ing up games. Botch is in no position to talk s***, joking or not, to anybody..... especially Thomas. He can let out the "in your face personality" when he becomes an "in your face" closer. Eh i don't mind it that much, lighten up the clubhouse...it was a joke last year. He's not really getting on him...if he was striking out instead of walking, he probly wouldn't say anything i'm sure he's not that stupid. Exactly my feelings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molto Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 oh relax. it is called BALL BUSTING. whether you are better than a guy or not, you ball bust players on your team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonWeltall Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 ur breakin mah ballz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDF Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 oh relax. it is called BALL BUSTING. whether you are better than a guy or not, you ball bust players on your team. i agree, it takes someone with a special personality to be able to get away with it. robin v had that kind of personality. you need someone like that in the clubhouse. bo jackson was another, tim raines was another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonkeyKongerko Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 I miss James Baldwin, is he available for Clubhouse gigs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 I miss James Baldwin, is he available for Clubhouse gigs? And probably would come cheap right now too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baggio202 Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 I'd rather see Frank taking walks than Botch f***ing up games. Botch is in no position to talk s***, joking or not, to anybody..... especially Thomas. He can let out the "in your face personality" when he becomes an "in your face" closer. botch needs to rack up a few saves..or atleast more saves then blown saves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 1st of all, Welcome, CrimsonWeltall! 2nd, Im glad he s keeping everyone on the team loose, but he has to stay loose too. Or he can just start pitchng well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 I'd rather see Frank taking walks than Botch f***ing up games. Botch is in no position to talk s***, joking or not, to anybody..... especially Thomas. He can let out the "in your face personality" when he becomes an "in your face" closer. cant argue that one........ ill bet one reason botch is sucking so badly is frank got in his face and gave him the ol "uncle twist" of his pitching arm and told him to get a few saves......lol.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonkeyKongerko Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 Ah James Baldwin, I finally found him. Unfortunately he's in Omaha, Kansas City's AAA affiliate. The good news is it doesn't look like he'll be up in the majors any time soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AssHatSoxFan Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 well from koch in todays daily herald "I just have to work on missing the bat,'' he said. "It's getting a little frustrating.'' it seems like he knows he is struggling and wants to help the team and get back on track which I know he will do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 It is funny. I like what Koch is doing to Big Frank. We need good clubhouse guys like you said. My opinion on the season: Hey we need to get our act completely together. Loiza is 4-0 and we still are not dominant. I'm not complaining, but what a nice addition he has turned out to be. None of us were counting on a dominant No. 3 guy. Is KW a better GM than I envisioned? Jimenez is doing well; Olivo looks good. Loiza is awesome, etc. You've got to think we are gonna be in good shape this season. p.s. Will Kansas like Bill Self? I covered Roy Williams and he's gone and now we have Self who appears to be a great guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 well from koch in todays daily herald "I just have to work on missing the bat,'' he said. "It's getting a little frustrating.'' it seems like he knows he is struggling and wants to help the team and get back on track which I know he will do LOL....that's actually a pretty funny way to put it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.