Dark Horse

Chicago Tribune is talking about C.J. Retherford, an infielder who supposedly might bump Jayson Nix and/or Brent Lillibridge for the utility infielder spot. Here's what I learned from Web surfing: C.J. is no stranger to the utility role; he did it in college for Arizona State where he played five positions. He's been batting just under or just over .300 in minor league ball. He doesn't draw many walks and strikes out a bit too much. Also is not a base stealer. He wasn't a star in college and did not get drafted. But ... sometimes those dark horse candidates develop into something valuable. You have to like these ballplayers who keep on playing despite not being the pet of coaches, scouts or the media.

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Fielder Jones Belongs in Hall

Frank Thomas might well get in the Hall of Fame, based on his offensive statistics alone. But as a White Sox fan, I believe he would not be the No. 1 choice for the Hall among Sox candidates. Imagine if White Sox fans had the power to pick one former Sox who would be put in the Hall. Who would you go with?

Candidates might include Thomas, Billy Pierce, Dick Allen and Harold Baines. I'd toss in one more-- Fielder Jones.

For me, a Hall of Fame candidate should be a player or manager who was a difference maker for the team. The critical questions are: Did he make the team a winner? Would they have won without him?

Jones, more than any of the Sox candidates, made a big difference. It's unlikely that the Sox would've won a championship in 1901 without Jones in the outfield and in 1906 without Jones as player manager.

Here's a story about Jones: Click here