WHITE SOX HEADLINES of JULY 24, 2017 “Gonzalez Tabbed to Start Rivalry Set Vs
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF JULY 24, 2017 “Gonzalez tabbed to start rivalry set vs. Cubs” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “In My Words: Moncada, White Sox perfect fit” … Yoan Moncada, Special to MLB.com “White Sox 4-run frame isn't enough vs. Royals” … Wilson Alexander & Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Derek Holland paid tribute to Rangers fan Sister Frances on the mound after she passed away” … Michael Clair & Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Jimenez collects five hits for Dash” … William Boor, MLB.com “Melky isn't concerned about bruised left toe” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Moncada set for first taste of Sox-Cubs rivalry” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Melky looking for longer stay with White Sox” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “What White Sox ‘fireman’ Anthony Swarzak has done to increase trade value” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “The big-picture reasoning behind Rick Renteria and bunting”… Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “On his way out? Melky Cabrera wants to stay with White Sox” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Depleted White Sox bullpen falters again in 5-4 loss to Royals” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Cubs vs. White Sox: Best off-the-field matchups in this week's City Series” … Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune “Skid hits nine as White Sox falter late in 5-4 loss to Royals” … Mark Postash, Chicago Sun-Times “‘Bittersweet’ reunion for Rick Renteria coming up at Wrigley Field” … Mark Potash, Chicago Sun-Times “What the Chicago White Sox's starting lineup could look like in 2020” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald Gonzalez tabbed to start rivalry set vs. Cubs By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | July 24. 2017 Rick Renteria returned to Wrigley Field during the 2016 season as the White Sox bench coach under then manager Robin Ventura. He also managed against the Cubs during Cactus League action this past Spring Training. But Monday afternoon at Wrigley Field marks the first time Renteria will manage a regular season game against the team that presented his first managerial opportunity. "It's not going to be any different I don't think. It's again, bittersweet," said the White Sox manager, who went 73-89 as Cubs skipper in '14 before being replaced by Joe Maddon. "That's where I got my first managing opportunity. "But I really take away fond memories from being there, and now I happen to be on the South Side. We're going to go in there and try to beat the Cubs." Renteria presided over a rebuild with the Cubs when he had the job in '14 and is doing the same with the White Sox, who stand more at the beginning of their process. They enter this home-and-home set of two, two-game series with nine straight losses, while the defending World Series champion Cubs are pushing again toward the top of the National League Central. Miguel Gonzalez gets the start for the White Sox, making his second trip to the mound after returning from the disabled list. The right-hander is 1-9 with a 6.24 ERA over his last 10 starts, having allowed five runs or more in six of those starts. Kyle Hendricks, who has been on the disabled list since June 8 with tendinitis in his right hand, makes his return on Monday for his first start since June 4. He will be facing Yoan Moncada, among others, with the top-ranked prospect by MLBPipeline.com, having joined the White Sox on Wednesday as their everyday second baseman. "Walking around town, that's all you see. A lot of Cubs [fans] nowadays, but still all the White Sox fans out there, too," Hendricks said of the rivalry. "It's always fun." Three things to know about this game • The White Sox have lost three straight Interleague games and are 3-8 in Interleague Play this season. But they are 57- 51 all-time vs. the Cubs, as well as being current owners of the Crosstown Cup. The teams have split 54 games played at Wrigley Field. • White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson didn't start in either of the last two games against the Royals. He figures to be back in the lineup on Monday afternoon. • As the combination of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo tries to get all cylinders firing for the stretch run, Ian Happ and Willson Contreras have stepped up in the Cubs' lineup. Since June 1, the pair ranks first and third on the team in barrels, which are balls hit with the most ideal combinations of exit velocity and launch angle for hitters. Contreras also has one of the strongest arms in the league behind the plate, including the second-strongest throw on a caught stealing in MLB this season. In My Words: Moncada, White Sox perfect fit By Yoan Moncada / Special to MLB.com | July 23rd, 2017 This has been one of the best years of my life. This year, I have experienced a lot of emotions and happiness. This year, I've learned a ton, and I've developed as a person and as a professional. A few days ago, I lived the biggest experience of this year. It was when I made my debut with the White Sox. That was something impressive. I never thought that many people would go to the ballpark to see my debut in Chicago. When I went to home plate for the first time, all the fans stood up and gave me an ovation. That gave me goosebumps. I really appreciate that gesture from the people of Chicago, because that made that special moment even more special and exciting. In my first at-bat, I was a little nervous because of all the excitement and noise in the ballpark. In my second at-bat, I went to the plate more calm, and I hit the ball hard, but I couldn't get a base hit. In my third at-bat, I also hit the ball hard and again I couldn't get the base hit. But that is how baseball is. In this sport, hitting is the most difficult task. I felt really special, like a real loved person in Chicago, and it is something that I appreciate very, very much. I hope to keep getting that kind of support, because that boosts my motivation. I'm going to keep playing in the same way that I've been playing: putting on a good show for the fans and people who support the White Sox, because they deserve it. I promise to all of you that I'm going to do my best every day, and I'm going to play hard for this organization and the fans. I've felt fortunate and blessed since I joined this organization, because I know this team believes in me and is committed to make me the best player that I can be. Here, I also have the opportunity to be with Jose Abreu, who I grew up admiring in Cuba, where we had the opportunity to play together with the Elefantes de Cienfuegos. In fact, he was one of the first people I spoke with after the trade, on Dec. 6. He called me to welcome me and to tell me about this organization. During Spring Training, we spent a good deal of time together, and when the team called me up to the big leagues, I asked him to pick me up from the airport. He did it, and that meant a lot to me. We are from the same town in Cuba, and playing with him here is like having an older brother. Being in this organization with Abreu is a motivation for me. That was why I never took the trade in a bad way, although it was something unexpected. Now, I have the certainty that this is the best thing that could have happened to me. I played in the big leagues before with Boston, but this trade was just a better opportunity for me. It was a blessing. This is a blessing because it is God's will. Here, I'm around very good people, good teammates, and I'm sure that all of them are going to help me have a successful and very long career. Here, I also have a manager who can speak Spanish. That is an advantage because I can understand better and we can communicate with each other one-on-one. Perhaps because of all those reasons, my debut with the White Sox was as special or even more special than my debut in the big leagues with the Red Sox. When I made my debut with Boston, we were playing in Oakland. Here, I made my debut in Chicago, and there were a lot more excited people waiting to see me play. It wasn't the same in Boston. I truly felt happy during my first at-bat in Chicago. I believe that I was called up at the right moment because the time that I spent in Triple A benefitted me. I knew that my moment would come, and I knew that I had to work hard to be ready for it. I learned more about how to play second base. My manager down there (Mark Grudzielanek) taught me a ton; he played a lot in the big leagues and has a lot of knowledge. I'm sure that everything is going to be good with the White Sox, and that I'm going to continue learning and developing to bring happiness and satisfaction to Chicago. This is the perfect time! White Sox 4-run frame isn't enough vs.