Williams fires back, calls Thomas ‘idiot’
Angry and disgusted with the latest comments from former slugger Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams fired back Sunday, calling the two-time MVP “an idiot.”
“He’s an idiot. He’s selfish. That’s why we don’t miss him,” Williams said, responding to a Thomas interview that appeared in the Daily Southtown, a newspaper in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park, Ill.
Since signing with the Oakland A’s last month, Thomas has made it clear he didn’t appreciate the way his 16-year run with the White Sox ended, saying that chairman Jerry Reinsdorf didn’t call him to tell him he wasn’t coming back.
Thomas reiterated that point in his latest interview, adding that he and Williams didn’t see eye-to-eye after Williams became GM in 2000.
“We don’t miss him, by the way,” Williams said. “If you go out there and ask any one of my players or staff members, we don’t miss him.
“We don’t miss his attitude. We don’t miss the whining. We don’t miss it. Good riddance. See you later.”
Manager Ozzie Guillen didn’t want to get involved.
“He never mentioned my name and if you don’t mention my name, I try to stay away from every part of the conversation,” Guillen said.
Clearing the bases
Roger Clemens will pitch to minor leaguers at the Astros’ spring training camp today. The 43-year-old Clemens wants to pitch in the World Baseball Classic, then decide whether to retire or play a 23rd season, said Koby Clemens, his oldest son and a third baseman in the Astros’ farm system. … Pirates pitcher Kip Wells has a blood clot close to his right arm, and his season is in jeopardy. … Barry Bonds could play his first spring training game in two years Friday against the Brewers, although Giants manager Felipe Alou said he doesn’t know whether he’d use the slugger as an outfielder or a designated hitter. … Yankees starter Carl Pavano’s sore back could land him on the disabled list to start the season. … Orioles All-Star Melvin Mora has pulled out of the World Baseball Classic after being asked to play center field for Venezuela, rather than third base.