Getting Podsednik back vital to Sox staying on track

 

The long ball helped the White Sox end their seven-game losing streak Sunday, but small ball is on its way back.

 

Leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik is due to come off the disabled list next Monday. The Sox are 62-33 with the major-league stolen-base leader at the top of their lineup and 13-14 when he's not, including a 1-6 mark since he went on the DL with a strained left groin muscle.

 

"Every day it's better, but we got to 30 games over .500 with 25 men, not just one,'' Podsednik said Sunday after another rehabilitation session with trainer Herm Schneider.

 

In addition to leading the majors with 54 steals, Podsednik leads the American League with 31 infield hits and 13 bunt hits and tops the Sox with a .284 average. He's tied for second on the team in runs with Aaron Rowand with 62, trailing only Paul Konerko's 74.

 

Until Podesdnik can return, Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is shuffling Pablo Ozuna and Timo Perez at the leadoff spot and giving rookie Brian Anderson part-time duty in left field.

 

"We feel comfortable for now with Pablo and Timo leading off,'' Guillen said.

 

Ozuna is batting .321 in the leadoff spot and .273 overall. He got two hits off New York Yankees ace Randy Johnson on Sunday but got picked off second base in a first-inning rundown.

 

Perez is batting .217 for the season.

 

Anderson, who was called up from the minors when Podsednik went on the DL, ran down Tony Womack's drive to left in Podsednik fashion for the final out Sunday.

 

"Scott knows I'm three steps faster than him,'' Anderson said, smiling. "Seriously, I'm not a Scott Podsednik, and I'm probably not a leadoff hitter. I might have to go down when he comes back, but I'll do the best I can until then. I'm still learning up here.''

 

Podsednik had heard about Schneider's boot camp for rehabbing players. Now he knows.

 

"Herm has a great reputation for getting his injured players back onto the field,'' Podsednik said. "I went in wanting to get back out as soon as possible. We're right on schedule for the target date of Aug. 29.''

I wouldn't be surprised if Pods isn't activated until September first to get Anderson post season eligible.

I wouldn't be surprised if Pods isn't activated until September first to get Anderson post season eligible.

 

 

 

I wouldn't either.. but I've heard Sunday against Seattle several times.

I wouldn't be surprised if Pods isn't activated until September first to get Anderson post season eligible.

 

I'd rather Gload be on the post-season roster than Anderson. Anderson doesn't really look too comfortable against the really good pitchers. JMO.

"We feel comfortable for now with Pablo and Timo leading off,'' Guillen said.

 

I think I'm gonna hurl.

I'd rather Gload be on the post-season roster than Anderson.  Anderson doesn't really look too comfortable against the really good pitchers.  JMO.

 

13 at bats isn't really enough of a sample size to judge Anderson yet. I mean, not too many guys hit Radke and Santana well.

13 at bats isn't really enough of a sample size to judge Anderson yet.  I mean,  not too many guys hit Radke and Santana well.

 

That Johnson guy is no slouch either. Hell of a way to make you major league debut.

That Johnson guy is no slouch either.  Hell of a way to make you major league debut.

 

Indeed.

13 at bats isn't really enough of a sample size to judge Anderson yet.  I mean,  not too many guys hit Radke and Santana well.

 

Not to mention when your staring up at some guy who's 6'11'' and has been considered one of if not the best pitchers in the league since Anderson was in high school.

What's with all this hoopla about one player coming back? We still have a very potent lineup without him.

 

"We feel comfortable for now with Pablo and Timo leading off,'' Guillen said.

 

"We" who? Walker? Baines? Cora?

 

Seriously...

Edited August 22, 200520 yr by knightni

That's great, but everyone else has to step it up big time. He's only one player and after he's on base, he can't drive himself in.