SSH2005 Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 http://suntimes.com/output/sox/cst-spt-sox07.html Guillen says Anderson is worthy of CF job March 7, 2006 BY JOE COWLEY Staff Reporter Advertisement TUCSON, Ariz. -- The "honeys'' mean a lot to Brian Anderson. That's why he makes no apologies for making sure his uniform "looks tight'' before he takes the field. Or why he didn't hide the fact that the reason he was wearing a baby blue shirt at SoxFest in February was because "the honeys think I'm sensitive.'' He's young, single and on the verge of being named the starting center fielder for the defending World Series champions. So why shouldn't the latest sideshow in the White Sox' carnival of characters tell you exactly how he feels? "The first reason I play this game is because I want to win,'' Anderson insisted Monday. "I want to be the best baseball player I can be, but I want my team to be the best. Second comes the financial aspect, where I can help take care of my family.'' And three? "Three ... yeah, three is the honeys,'' Anderson said with a smirk as he primped his blond locks in jest. "No doubt, the honeys are No. 3.'' So much for Anderson having problems fitting in. "He's confident, and a little cocky,'' general manager Ken Williams said. "He's quite a character, which is a perfect fit here.'' Considering Ozzie Guillen is the manager, catcher A.J. Pierzynski is walking around with a championship wrestling belt, pitcher Mark Buehrle is looking for new ways to "stir things up'' on a daily basis and third baseman Joe Crede has gone from looking like the boy next door to a former roadie for Nirvana, the Arizona-born Anderson digging "the honeys'' is mild. "I get along with all these guys, so I haven't seen any red flags yet,'' Anderson said. "I feel like I can hang out with these guys, and we all get along really well. I couldn't ask for a better situation.'' In fact, the only question that remains about Anderson is whether he's ready to be the every-day starter in center field. Guillen is making sure he has every opportunity to be. "Right now I can't say that I'm not going to change my mind one day or one week,'' Guillen said. "This kid is going to get the most opportunities to make the team in center field. "In the meanwhile, I also have to go on my feelings. The guy that we're giving the first shot is him. He has to show us that he is going to win this job.'' Anderson wouldn't want it any other way. "It's still a fight, regardless of what everyone says,'' Anderson said. "Ozzie is the type of guy that could change his mind, and maybe he feels there is someone that gives him a better chance to win. That's the philosophy I've taken the entire time. There's nothing set in stone.'' Anderson knows there are big shoes to fill if he's named the Opening Day starter in center. Aaron Rowand patrolled center field for the Sox the last few seasons, showing no regard for his body or the wall he was attempting to run through. While Rowand's offense was sometimes sporadic, he gave his pitchers a confidence that whatever was hit in his vicinity would be caught. Williams is hoping that Anderson will be hearing those same accolades. "I really think people are going to be pleasantly surprised with what Brian Anderson can do out there, the athletic ability he has,'' Williams said. "I remember it wasn't long ago that people were telling me that Aaron Rowand wasn't an every-day starting center fielder.'' But Anderson isn't looking to be the next Rowand. "I can't replace Aaron,'' Anderson said. "He was a great player. But we're two different players.'' A career .301 hitter in three minor-league seasons, Anderson showed signs of what he's capable of doing at the major-league level in 2005. He hit two memorable home runs off phenom Felix Hernandez in an August victory over the Seattle Mariners. It also didn't hurt that he remained with the club -- although not on the playoff roster -- throughout the postseason and got to experience the first World Series title on the South Side in 88 years. "As far as confidence and being able to keep your composure, it was huge to be there for that,'' Anderson said. "It was something you never forget. I mean, how many young guys get to be involved in something like that?'' Through the first week of Cactus League games, Anderson has been doing exactly what Guillen has asked. He's making the plays on defense, his injured wrist is completely healed and he's even adding a double or a triple at the plate here and there. "I'm not going to judge him on just a few weeks, but he still has to make an impression,'' Guillen said. "If you're asking me if he's my starter right now, yeah, he is. Plus, I like this kid. He's a little crazy.'' Then he's right at home. [email protected] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Sounds like Anderson can definitely replace Rowand as far as the third "stooge" goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Im getting kind of an anxious feeling everytime I read about Brian Anderson hitting 2 homeruns off of Felix Hernandez. A rookie hit a couple homeruns off of another rookie, and Its the only thing anyone can ever think to say about his offense, didnt he have some great moments in the minors? Sure, Felix might be the next Santana, but he isnt right now. This better not turn out to be a Tuffy Rhodes moment in his career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I think by Ozzie saying he thinks Anderson is good enough to be his starting CFer he is actually saying that Jerry Owens will start the regular season in CF for the Sox. Brian Anderson is not good and should retire from baseball where as Jerry Owens is the obvious choice in CF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 QUOTE(Kalapse @ Mar 7, 2006 -> 09:50 AM) I think by Ozzie saying he thinks Anderson is good enough to be his starting CFer he is actually saying that Jerry Owens will start the regular season in CF for the Sox. Brian Anderson is not good and should retire from baseball where as Jerry Owens is the obvious choice in CF. crazyman, is that you? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Mar 7, 2006 -> 08:42 AM) Im getting kind of an anxious feeling everytime I read about Brian Anderson hitting 2 homeruns off of Felix Hernandez. A rookie hit a couple homeruns off of another rookie, and Its the only thing anyone can ever think to say about his offense, didnt he have some great moments in the minors? Sure, Felix might be the next Santana, but he isnt right now. This better not turn out to be a Tuffy Rhodes moment in his career. But hes the best pitcher ever!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Mar 7, 2006 -> 08:42 AM) Im getting kind of an anxious feeling everytime I read about Brian Anderson hitting 2 homeruns off of Felix Hernandez. A rookie hit a couple homeruns off of another rookie, and Its the only thing anyone can ever think to say about his offense, didnt he have some great moments in the minors? Sure, Felix might be the next Santana, but he isnt right now. This better not turn out to be a Tuffy Rhodes moment in his career. He's not Santana yet but he's already pretty damn good. He was dominating the league before he pitched against us and dominated the league after he pitched against us. The guy really is a flat out stud if he stays healthy and he'll be a stud this upcoming year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedge Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I don't give a damn about Anderson's hitting, the important question is can he come close to replacing Rowand's CF defense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosMediasBlancas Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 QUOTE(Wedge @ Mar 7, 2006 -> 11:11 AM) I don't give a damn about Anderson's hitting, the important question is can he come close to replacing Rowand's CF defense? Exactly, his bat just has to be decent and he doesn't have to be spectacular on D, just not hurt us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Mar 7, 2006 -> 01:59 PM) Exactly, his bat just has to be decent and he doesn't have to be spectacular on D, just not hurt us. I think he will be better in the field after a short adjustment period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iWiN4PreP Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosMediasBlancas Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 7, 2006 -> 03:18 PM) I think he will be better in the field after a short adjustment period. Wait, better than Rowand or better than he'll be at the start of the season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Mar 7, 2006 -> 02:41 PM) Wait, better than Rowand or better than he'll be at the start of the season? Both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 QUOTE(Wedge @ Mar 7, 2006 -> 10:11 AM) I don't give a damn about Anderson's hitting, the important question is can he come close to replacing Rowand's CF defense? That is indeed the pivotal question. I'll be more than happy if Anderson is simply able to hit around .250 with some decent pop and make all the plays in the outfield. Going by everything I've read/heard, he has a legitimate chance to be a better defensive player than Rowand. He's faster, more athletic and has a stronger throwing arm. Can he get the same jumps/reads like Rowand? That remains to be seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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