The 2010 World Series wraps up this
week between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants. However in the Cayman
Islands the baseball team on the tip of most tongues are the Chicago White Sox.
Representatives from the club’s
BullSox Training Academy were on island last week leading youth baseball
training sessions. The Field of Dreams facility in George Town saw five coaches
in Pete Caliendo, Mike Huff, Marty Kobernus, Dan Schaffer and Justin Stone.
Some 70 odd kids between the ages of seven and 18 went to the field to receive
instruction.
The White Sox sent a group of
coaches down for the second time this year (another contingent was here in
January) and the partnership between the pro club and the Cayman Islands Little
League is now into its fifth year.
For the White Sox their presence in
Cayman is a bright spot in what has been a gloomy Fall. After being near the
top of the American League Central standings most of the season, Chicago faded
fast and dropped out of the playoff picture. The club would eventually end up
second in the division at 88-74, six games behind group winners the Minnesota
Twins.
Justin Stone, 34, is the general
manager for baseball operations at the BullSox Training academy and a touted
hitting instructor. He states this past season was tough as the club failed to
meet expectations.
“The level of expectation within
the organisation is a championship every year,” Stone said. “The eagerness
within the club to achieve that goal was shown through the moves made at the
trade deadline. Although Chicago was in the playoff hunt until the very end the
fact is they didn’t do it. Not making the playoffs is a major disappointment.”
Mike Huff, 47, is a former
professional player who got into the major leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers
in 1989 and played with a number of clubs, including the White Sox, before
retiring in 1996. Huff states this past season’s result will lead to a
substantial turnover in personnel on the squad.
“I really had to study the White
Sox this season,” Huff said. “I did radio spots and TV ads for the team and I
had to know things like which players were hot and which players were cold.
It’s a team that expects to make the playoffs and aim for the World Series.
Within the organisation I can tell you that it’s all about looking at what we
didn’t do to reach the goal of a title.
“I have no doubt that the team will
look different. The question is whether it will be two players or more that
leave the team. The goal continues to be getting back to our 2005 results when
we won the World Series.”
The White Sox have a lot to build
on next season. The team’s pitching staff was decent though ace Mark Buehrle
(13-13, 4.28 ERA, 99 strikeouts) and closer Bobby Jenks (27 saves, four blown
saves, 4.44 ERA) had lacklustre performances. Offensively the side saw some
solid campaigns from Paul Konerko (.312 batting average, 39 home runs, 111 Runs
Batted In) and Alex Rios (.284 average, 21 homers, 88 RBIs). One of the most
interesting storylines for the 2011-12 season will be how the White Sox do with
or without Manny Ramirez.
Chicago essentially got the
Dominican Republic star for a one-month rental after claiming him on waivers
from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ramirez played just 24 games at the designated
hitter spot and posted forgettable numbers (a .261 average, a home run and two
RBIs). Chicago owes Ramirez $3.8 million and it’s unclear if the slugger will
be brought back for a second season on the South Side. Ramirez is keeping his
options open and has expressed interest in playing in Canada with the Toronto
Blue Jays.
Huff states that Ramirez left a
lasting impact on Chicago in spite of his short tenure with the club. “Manny
had a real short period on the team but he gave a boost in certain aspects. The
level of play seen in him is unfortunate. The front office did whatever it took
to get a 20-homer-100-RBI-type guy the offence was lacking. He boosted the
morale of the players though it was difficult for him (to contribute) with his
health. With injuries most of the year he couldn’t achieve his usual level of
performance.”
Stone states in spite of Ramirez’s
struggles the 38 year-old had a tangible effect on the White Sox offence.
“Manny is one of the most professional hitters in the game. He will make other
guys better. His presence in the line-up changes the way you pitch to the other
guys around him. For example while he was in Chicago you could see how pitchers
threw differently to Rios and Konerko, two guys who had big years for the White
Sox this season.”
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