http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...l=cs-columnists

 

Fisk awaits Reinsdorf's call

Fred Mitchell

 

Carlton Fisk and White Sox management have not always been battery mates, in a manner of speaking. Which makes the organization's plans to honor the Hall of Fame catcher with a statue to be placed on the left-field main concourse a significant act of public reconciliation.

 

An official announcement from the White Sox is expected Sunday.

 

Fisk, who starred for the Sox in 1981-1993, says he is humbled and honored to receive such recognition. But a simple phone call from club Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf might be equally meaningful.

 

"I have heard from [sox executive] Bob Grim, but I have not heard anything from Jerry Reinsdorf," Fisk said Friday.

 

Asked Saturday about his relationship with Fisk, Reinsdorf tried to diffuse any sense of historical tension.

 

"If I hadn't been reading in the newspapers that Carlton Fisk and I didn't get along, I wouldn't know it," Reinsdorf said. "We have never had a cross word with each other. And I have seen him periodically over the years. We have always been cordial to each other. As far as I know, there are no problems."

 

Fisk haggled over money with Sox management repeatedly and was miffed when he was released during midseason in Cleveland after breaking the career record for most games by a catcher in 1993. Later that year, Fisk was upset when he was denied access to the Sox's locker room during the playoffs.

 

Asked to describe the differences in the game compared to when he played, Fisk said, "Obviously, the pay is so much better and the way the players are treated is so much better. You have to battle within the game, but you don't have to battle outside the game as much anymore. Every year you used to have to battle for the next year."

 

The White Sox are to unveil the life-sized sculpture of Fisk Aug. 7. He will participate in the unveiling before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the game against the Seattle Mariners.

 

"It's going to be fun, isn't it?" said Fisk, who played his first 12 years for the Boston Red Sox and recently had the left-field foul pole at Fenway Park named in his honor. "It has been really special. I don't know if I deserve all this but it is nice to be on the receiving end."

 

Sculptures of club founder Charles A. Comiskey and Cuban great Orestes "Minnie" Minoso were unveiled in 2004.

 

Fisk was an 11-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, a Gold Glove catcher and the 1972 AL Rookie of the Year. He holds the major-league record for games caught (2,226) and ranks second in home runs by a catcher (351). The White Sox retired his No. 72 in 1997. He was named to the White Sox All-Century team and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

 

"You remember a home run here or an error there, but mostly you remember the guys you had a good relationship with," Fisk said. "Looking back on it, you wish you could redo it just for that—the relationships."

One of my all-time favorite players friom any team. I just wish there was a White Sox moment as dramatic as the "wave the ball fair" for the networks to use.

Lets hope this is a sign of good things to come,between Fisk and the White Sox!

What we really need is Fisk to say he placed a curse on the Sox and will only lift it if JR calls. Then the national media will have a story and we can finally get some air-time

very very cool.

Haha, sorry...I can't resist.

 

"It has been really special. I don't know if I deserve all this but it is nice to be on the receiving end."

 

I never knew that about Fisk

Wow, I'm fairly young and that was news to me about Fisk being released and not being allowed in the locker room for the playoffs.

They should have statues on the concourses/walkways throughout the stadium.

 

They need a Fox/Aparicio one next.

 

Maybe in 2007 - Billy Pierce

 

2008- Harold Baines

 

2009-10 - Frank Thomas

When I read the thread title I thought it was going to be someone ripping on A.J., suggesting we bring back Fisk.

 

Actually, maybe for the playoffs....Hmmm....

Edited June 27, 200520 yr by MinnySoxFan

Someone broke the bat off the Minnie statue in center field. I saw it today! :headshake

2009-10 - Frank Thomas

 

they need a huge frank thomas one like the jordan one at the uc

Someone broke the bat off the Minnie statue in center field. I saw it today! :headshake 

 

 

f***ing cub fans. (Hey, if they blame us for the dead Ivy then I'm blaming them for this). Too bad it won't get the media coverage that the Ivy incident got.