Notebook: Chicago keeps up losing ways
Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was kidding before Saturday’s game about having Don Cooper handle Saturday’s in-game interview with Fox television’s national crew, “so they can see who the pitching coach is.”
What happened later was no laughing matter. White Sox pitchers allowed 15 hits and 10 walks, threw three wild pitches and hit two batters in a 14-2 Boston beaning that prompted still another team meeting.
Guillen didn’t try to sugarcoat his feelings to a team that has lost 12 of 14 games, fallen 17 games out of first place for the first time since 1999 and been outscored 35-6 in three games, only highlighting the difference between the 2004 and 2005 world champions.
Here’s the shortened version of Guillen’s team speech, courtesy of Saturday starter and loser Mark Buehrle:
“That everybody realizes we suck and it can’t really get much worse.”
Guillen went a little further, warning his players not to quit, even though it appears they may have.
“I told those guys that they will never quit on me, but I worry if they quit on themselves,” Guillen said. “I just told them that they (shouldn’t) quit on me.”
Reds retire No. 13
Shortstop Dave Concepcion had his No. 13 retired by the Cincinnati Reds, joining three Hall of Fame teammates and his Big Red Machine manager in the franchise’s ultimate tribute.
Eyre set for surgery
Texas Rangers pitcher Willie Eyre will undergo Tommy John surgery on Monday and is expected to miss the 2008 season.
Eyre was placed on the disabled list Aug. 18 because of elbow stiffness, but further tests determined the right-hander would need elbow reconstruction surgery.
Marlins re-sign Kim
Byung-Hyun Kim rejoined the Florida Marlins, signing as a free agent 10 days after the Arizona Diamondbacks designated him for assignment.
The Diamondbacks claimed Kim off Waivers from the Marlins on Aug. 3.
The right-hander will get a couple of appearances out of the bullpen before moving into the rotation.
To open a roster spot, the Marlins optioned right-handed reliever Ross Wolf to Triple-A Albuquerque.