WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF SEPTEMBER

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1 WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 Morneau s 3 RBIs back Shields in 1 st W since July Scott Merkin and Bill Chastain, MLB.com Shields snaps 10-start winless run vs. Rays Scott Merkin, MLB.com Eaton hopes for return to lineup on Tuesday Scott Merkin, MLB.com Sale eyes win No. 17 against Rays, Cobb Scott Merkin, MLB.com Chance concert at U.S. Cellular is a success Scott Merkin, MLB.com James Shields gets first win in two months as White Sox beat Rays Vinnie Duber, CSN Chicago Robin Ventura praises ex-teammate David Ross after night of ovations Vinnie Duber, CSN Chicago Adam Eaton still out of White Sox lineup, recuperating from crash into wall Vinnie Duber, CSN Chicago Monday s recap: White Sox 7, Rays 1 Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune White Sox praise Cubs but aren t necessarily pulling for them Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune Abreu stays hot, Shields snaps drought as Sox top Rays Tom Musick, Chicago Sun-Times Sox s Eaton remains sidelined Tom Musick, Chicago Sun-Times Chicago White Sox open final homestand with a win Scot Gregor, Daily Herald Imrem: Chicago Bulls Hoiberg has to stop being Ventura Mike Imrem, Daily Herald Shields gets first win in 2 months, White Sox beat Rays 7-1 Matt Carlson, Associated Press Morneau s 3 RBIs back Shields in 1 st W since July By Scott Merkin and Jordan Bastian / MLB.com September 26th, 2016 CHICAGO -- James Shields will not lose 20 games this season, and the White Sox (75-81) still have a chance to finish at.500 by virtue of their 7-1 victory over the Rays Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field. It was a third straight win for the White Sox, who had lost six in a row prior to this current streak. Shields had not won since July 26, when he hurled 7 2/3 scoreless innings at home against the National League Central champion Cubs, and now has a 6-18 overall mark with one start remaining. Since that late-july outing, Shields posted an 0-6 record with a 9.46 ERA over 10 starts moving into the opener of this four-game set. The one-time Rays' ace yielded one run on seven hits over six innings, striking out six and walking two. He kept the baseball in the ballpark after allowing 18 home runs in his last 45 2/3 innings. "Early in the game, they did a good job of working the count," Shields said. "I got ahead of hitters and was throwing some really good pitches, actually, that they were just spitting on and working the count. They got my pitch count up early, but I ended up grinding it out." As a member of the Rays, Shields won 87 regular season games with a 3.89 ERA in seven seasons and produced two postseason wins for Tampa Bay. Drew Smyly fell to 7-12, as the White Sox got to the southpaw for three runs on seven hits over five innings and 97 pitches. Chicago scored in the first on Justin Morneau's sacrifice fly and added single runs in the fourth and fifth, before Morneau put the White Sox in control with a two-run blast in the seventh. Carlos Sanchez's two-run blast to left in the eighth completed the scoring.

2 Tampa Bay had a chance in the seventh, when reliever Tommy Kahnle walked Logan Forsythe and Corey Dickerson to start the frame. But Evan Longoria hit into an around-the-horn double play, from Todd Frazier to Sanchez to Jose Abreu, and Dan Jennings retired Brad Miller on a ground ball back to the mound. The White Sox turned four double plays, three of the variety. "Obviously not the best representation today of what we think we're capable of," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Just a frustrating game on offense. "We had some opportunities that we didn't make the most of, for sure. They seemed to make some big pitches when it mattered. Got some crucial double-play balls that quieted our offense down a little bit. But ultimately, they took advantage of it and we did not." The Rays had nine hits but finished 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED One vs. 100: With his line drive single off the glove of Miller at first with two outs in the fifth, Abreu raised his RBI total to 98. Abreu recorded 107 RBIs during his rookie season and picked up 101 in He sits five homers short of 30 with six games to play club: When Morneau homered in the seventh off Enny Romero, he stroked the 200th home run of the season against Rays pitching. That made the Rays the 22nd team in Major League history to hit 200 home runs and surrender 200 in the same season. The Mariners have also reached the club this season. Make no mistake: Shields pitched around his own throwing error in the fourth to keep the Rays at one run scored. He snared a hard-hit grounder off the bat of Alexei Ramirez and had Curt Casali caught off second but proceeded to throw the ball over the heads of shortstop Tim Anderson and second baseman Carlos Sanchez. With runners on first and third, Shields didn't give in, striking out Bobby Wilson and Forsythe. "Yeah, frankly, that's unacceptable, to be honest with you," Shields said of his error. "I need to make that play. It probably cost me about 15 pitches, but I ended up striking the next two guys out. It didn't really hurt me too bad." Spunky Decker: The Rays selected Jaff Decker from Triple-A Durham on Sept. 16 to begin his second stint of 2016 with the team. While the outfielder entered the game 0-for-8 since joining the team, he demonstrated what kind of spark plug he could be in the fourth. With one out, he singled to right off Shields, stole second, and scored on Casali's single to right to tie the game at 1. Decker added two singles to give himself a 3-for-5 night. "It was good to see," Cash said. "Seems like he's been a little passive at the plate leading up to today. And him and Mikie [Mahtook] both had some productive at-bats and got some hits, and hopefully there's a carryover effect into tomorrow from that." QUOTABLE "In hindsight, I just wish I would have made the decision to go and not pause in between, and hesitate. I got caught in a bad position I shouldn't have been." -- Mahtook, on being indecisive when trying to score from third and getting thrown out at home in the eighth "We want to end on a positive note, and everybody wants to meet their goals. Just telling somebody baseball is the most individualistic team sport there is. You have to have your individual goals just like your team goals and our team goals are out the door right now. You don't want to play for yourself, but at the same time play for your pitcher a little bit and help him out." -- Frazier, on a potential 40-homer, 100- RBI season

3 SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Smyly took his first loss since July 18 at Colorado, snapping a string of 11 starts without taking a loss. During the 12-game stretch, he has gone 5-1 with a 3.73 ERA. "It's a tough lineup," Smyly said. "They have some good right-handed hitters over there.... I felt like I pitched better than the box score." QUITE A TURNAROUND Sanchez was 10-for-76 entering the month of September, with three extra-base hits. He is hitting.327 (18-for-55) with five doubles, three home runs, 15 RBIs and eight runs scored in September. WHAT'S NEXT Rays: Alex Cobb (1-1, 6.16 ERA) will make his fifth and final start of The right-hander got roughed up in his last outing against the Yankees, lasting just 1 1/3 innings. Still, he's shown well in his return from Tommy John surgery and he hopes to end the season on a high note. White Sox: Chris Sale (16-9, 3.19) continues his American League Cy Young quest with what could possibly be his second-to-last start of the 2016 season. Sale was hit hard in Philadelphia last Wednesday but had worked at least eight innings in six straight previous starts. Sale's six complete games lead all of baseball. Shields snaps 10-start winless run vs. Rays Right-hander wins first game since July 26 on Monday By Scott Merkin / MLB.com September 26th, 2016 CHICAGO -- When James Shields last picked up a victory on July 26, the White Sox stood at.500 and had hopes for postseason contention. It took Shields 11 starts until that next victory arrived, through a 7-1 victory over the Rays on Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field. This contest certainly had no postseason ramifications for either side, but much like the White Sox as a whole, the veteran right-hander simply is looking to end this disappointing 2016 season on a high note. "Yeah, I had a few chances my last few starts to get some wins, but sometimes those things happen," said Shields, who was 0-6 with a 9.46 ERA during this prolonged winless drought. "I'm just trying to finish the season strong right now. Body feels good, arm feels good, so hopefully I can get another win on Saturday to end my season and move into next year." "We've all been through it once or maybe even twice in our career," said White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier, who doubled, scored a run and picked up his 15th stolen base, while also starting three double plays defensively. "He works his butt off, though. He looks at film. He watches everything he's doing." Since the 7 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball Shields threw against the Cubs at the end of July, he has produced three quality starts ending in no-decisions. Five starts in that same stretch saw the veteran right-hander allow at least six earned runs. Monday's effort lasted six innings and 108 pitches, with Shields striking out six, walking two and yielding one run on seven hits. He got a break in the first inning when Brad Miller's double with Evan Longoria on first and two outs bounced over the wall, preventing Longoria from scoring and allowing Shields to escape the frame unscathed. He improved to 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA lifetime against the Rays, with whom he won 87 games over seven seasons.

4 "All things considered, I only was teammates with one guy in the lineup," said Shields, referring to Longoria. "But yeah, it's always nice to face your old team and get a win." Chris Archer, who takes 19 losses to the mound for the Rays against the White Sox Thursday, stands as the only hurler with more defeats than Shields' 18. Eleven of those 18 have come for the White Sox, against four wins, to go with a 6.79 ERA in 21 starts. This victory guarantees Shields won't lose 20. But to be honest, he's more interested in putting forth one more quality start Saturday than getting closer to an unwanted loss total. "Nobody wants to be on it, I know that," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of losing 20. "The guy, he still has to be going out there and have enough chances to be able to do it. It's one nobody really wants to be on, and I know he doesn't either." Eaton hopes for return to lineup on Tuesday White Sox outfielder crashed into wall Friday against Indians By Scott Merkin / MLB.com September 26th, 2016 CHICAGO -- Adam Eaton felt better Monday after crashing into the center-field wall in Cleveland on Friday, taking extra bases away from Roberto Perez with his great catch. "I can't speak for Robin, but I think the main reason I'm not playing today is because of [Drew] Smyly, a good lefty," Eaton said. "But I hope to be in there tomorrow. I'm going to test the body parts today. Individually, I want to play until the end and finish strong. That's kind of my outlook as of right now." Eaton's right hip became his greatest issue, with that connecting first with the wall and then followed by a whiplash sort of jolt.. "One of my buddies in Michigan said it looked epic. I told him it didn't feel epic," Eaton said. "You put your body on the line every day and some things look cooler than others, maybe diving into third base or running a catcher over or running into a wall. "It may look cool, but you definitely pay for it in the long run, the day after and years after. As I've said the last couple days, it's how I play and I'm proud to play that way. I hope a little kid at home sees it, that it is cool to make a catch for your team and take a double away, and they want to do that, of course not getting hurt by any stretch of the imagination." White Sox manager Robin Ventura wouldn't commit to a return date for Eaton or second baseman Tyler Saladino, who is battling a bad back. Abreu, Ventura on Cubs, palyoffs For a third straight season as part of the White Sox, Jose Abreu will not be taking part in the postseason. But the White Sox falling short won't stop their first baseman from watching the playoffs as a sort of educational experience. "I'm a baseball fan," Abreu said through interpreter Billy Russo. "I like to watch every single game during the postseason and see things that probably I can take from those games to try to apply or try to motivate me for next season." The Cubs enter the postseason with Major League Baseball's best record. Most Chicago baseball fans root for either the North Side or South Side representative and don't change their allegiance even in the postseason. But Abreu and Ventura certainly won't be rooting against their National League rival.

5 "They have a very good team, and I wish them the best," Abreu said. "They can make good things because they have the kind of players, the kind of group that can accomplish good things. I think they have showed that during the season." "You want the city to have some enjoyment and have some fun," Ventura said. "Whether I'm rooting for them or not is not going to change the outcome." Ross earns plaudits Ventura tipped his cap to Cubs catcher David Ross, the only man to ever catch Ventura in a big league game, and the same player who received a handful of standing ovations in his final regular season game at Wrigley Field Sunday night. "He's a different guy, and he's earned that," Ventura said. "They wouldn't do that if he didn't deserve it. Inside their clubhouse, that's probably where it comes from, and then it exudes outside, spills over outside." Sale eyes win No. 17 against Rays, Cobb By Scott Merkin / MLB.com September 26th, 2016 Strikeouts could be the order of the day Tuesday night when the Rays and White Sox meet the second of a four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. Chris Sale will start for the White Sox. The left-hander (16-9, 3.19 ERA) is a contender for the American League Cy Young Award and has struck out 70 Rays in 48 career innings against Tampa Bay. Sale only struck out five in his last outing, a four-inning stint against the Phillies. However, he struck out nine Rays on April 15 in his only appearance against Tampa Bay this season. Combine that with the fact that the Rays struck out 23 times in their 10-inning loss on Sunday to the Red Sox. Meanwhile, Alex Cobb makes his fifth, and final, start of the 2016 season, which has seen him make a successful return from Tommy John surgery. Cobb did hit a little bump in the road in his previous outing, a loss to the Yankees that saw him give up seven runs and last just 1 1/3 innings. "I didn't pitch well," Cobb said. "And that's what happens when you don't pitch well. "Looking back in the Yankee game, I don't like where my mind was in the second inning. I got kind of beat up in the first inning, and I took that out with me in the second inning, and before I knew it, I was walking off and I was done with the game. Learn from that. Have a better mindset if I get put in that situation again." Three things to know about this game White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton (general soreness on left side) crashed into the wall Friday night and could be back in the lineup Tuesday. Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (bruised left wrist) did not start Monday, but the Gold Glove Award winner told reporters he expected to be back in the lineup Tuesday. Cobb has thrown 34.9 percent changeups in his career, which leads the Major Leagues since his rookie season in 2011 (minimum 500 innings pitched).

6 Chance concert at U.S. Cellular is a success By Scott Merkin / MLB.com September 26th, 2016 CHICAGO -- More than 45,000 people attended Chance the Rapper's Magnificent Coloring Day, a music festival taking place this past Saturday at U.S. Cellular Field. Kanye West and Common made surprise appearances at the festival, giving the event a true South Side feel. "It was a terrific event for the ballpark," said Brooks Boyer, the White Sox senior vice president of sales and marketing. "To have that many people here and to have Chance, really it's his coming out party, he's a guy from the South Side of Chicago. "There's a meaning by doing it here on the South Side and then to have Kanye West show up, Common show up. Obviously when you look at the three largest players on that hip hop scene from the South Side of Chicago, it's those three." Bulls All-Star Jimmy Butler joined Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz on stage, while Alicia Keys and John Legend put on outstanding performances in their part of the show. Comedians Hannibal Burress and Deon Cole also made appearances, while Chance was moved by the opportunity to play at the ballpark. There was no issue with crowd control, per Boyer, and "rave reviews" came in from the fans from a sightline perspective. This event becoming such a success gives thought to the White Sox to having one type of concert promotion per season. "I would think once a year would be about right, just based on the baseball schedule," Boyer said. "Could we do more football down the road? We have that [Northern Illinois University] game coming up. Yeah, probably. But it would have to be in November. Once a year would make sense. "It was a well-behaved crowd and it helped that it was all day long. People were flowing in, so being a music festival it was probably a little bit easier than being a one-time show where everyone shows up at the same time." James Shields gets first win in two months as White Sox beat Rays By Vinnie Duber / CSN Chicago September 26th, 2016 James Shields time with the White Sox has not gone well. But Monday night was one of the bright spots, and it came against his former team. Shields allowed just one run in his six innings of work against the visiting Tampa Ray Bays with whom he spent the first seven seasons of his career and earned his first win since July 26 as the White Sox opened this four-game set with a 7-1 victory at U.S. Cellular Field. Shields didn t exactly keep the Rays off the bases Monday, running into jams with multiple base runners on in four of his six innings. But he did keep them off the scoreboard, for the most part, getting some help from his defense with a couple double plays. He finished allowing just one run on seven hits with six strikeouts over his six innings. The win was his first in two months after a brutal August six starts with four losses and an ERA and a couple of rough outings in September. It was Shields sixth victory on the season and fourth since joining the White Sox compared to 18 losses on the season, 11 coming with the White Sox.

7 I had a few chances my last few starts to get some wins, but sometimes those things happen, Shields said. I m just trying to finish the season strong right now. Body feels good, arm feels good, so hopefully I can get another win on Saturday to end my season and move into next year. With just one more start on his schedule in the season s final week, Shields won t lose a visually upsetting 20 games. Avoiding that number might not make losing 18 or 19 much easier for fans and observers to swallow, but teammates understand what Shields has gone through this season. I think we ve all been through it once or maybe even twice in our career. He works his butt off, though, third baseman Todd Frazier said. He looks at film. He watches everything he s doing. To come out with the strong outing today, even in the first inning, getting two runners on and getting out of that jam, it goes to show you his resilience. Whenever he got runners on, he looked relaxed and induced a lot of ground balls which we needed. Certainly Shields teammates picked him up Monday. The two double plays while he was in the game were just half the infield s total on the night, two more coming in the seventh and eighth, when Tommy Kahnle and Nate Jones put the first two hitters they faced on in each frame. But the double plays helped end those threats and keep the Rays down. The White Sox struck first with a run in the first inning, Melky Cabrera scoring on Justin Morneau s sacrifice fly. After the Rays tied it up in the fourth with an RBI single, the White Sox punched back, Frazier doubling, stealing third base and scoring on Omar Narvaez s sacrifice fly in the bottom of that inning. And as Shields and the relief corps danced out of jams, the White Sox added to their score. Jose Abreu singled in a run in the fifth, but it was a pair of two-run homers off the bats of Morneau and Carlos Sanchez in the seventh and eighth innings that provided the real insurance. The win was the third straight for the White Sox, something that while positive won t provide much solace in a season where competing for a playoff spot is a distant memory. But, like Shields finishing his season strong, White Sox players in general can create individual momentum for each of their offseasons and into next year with good finishes to We want to end on a positive note, Frazier said. Everybody wants to meet their goals. Baseball is the most individualistic team sport there is. You have to have your individual goals just like your team goals, and our team goals are out the door right now. You don t want to play for yourself, but at the same time play for your pitcher a little bit and help him out. Robin Ventura praises ex-teammate David Ross after night of ovations By Vinnie Duber / CSN Chicago September 26th, 2016 On June 25, 2004, Robin Ventura took the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning of a 13-0 loss to the then Anaheim Angels. It was Ventura s lone pitching appearance in his big league career, one that ended that season after 16 years. And who was behind the plate? Current Cubs catcher David Ross, who s in the final season of his own lengthy major league career and who experienced quite the moment on Sunday night. In the Cubs final regular-season home game, a packed Wrigley Field stood in recognition of the backup catcher and his career ahead of each of his three plate appearances the second of which ended in a solo home run and then again when manager Joe Maddon lifted him from the game in the seventh inning.

8 The roaring ovations were unusual for a backup catcher who s batting.233 (after hitting just.176 last season on the North Side), but according to Ventura a teammate of Ross in L.A. in 2003 and 2004 they were absolutely deserved. It s great. Anything he gets I think is great, Ventura said. Not often do you see a backup catcher with such a response. But he s a different guy, and he s earned that. They wouldn t do that if he didn t deserve it. Inside their clubhouse, that s probably where it comes from, and then it exudes outside, spills over outside of that. I m sure I ll talk to him in the offseason. Ross hasn t received a city-by-city sendoff the likes of which Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, David Ortiz and even White Sox legend Paul Konerko have received in recent years. But he sure has enjoyed his final season in the big leagues. And he might enjoy it further as the Cubs have the best record in baseball and World Series expectations. Ventura had his own final season in the bigs a dozen years ago, and he was the manager during Konerko s final year in I know a little bit of what he s going through. But when a guy is at the end and he knows he s at the end, you can have a little more fun, Ventura said. Paulie had some of that his last year where you can exert some energy elsewhere. And it s still fun, and you spread it around the clubhouse a little bit more than you do just as a player. It might be difficult for fans who haven t closely followed the Cubs over the past two seasons to figure out why Ross has become so beloved. But as Ross former teammate, Ventura understands. Numbers-wise, he s not going to jump out off the page to you. But the guys that play in there understand what he brings to it, Ventura said. It s hard to sit there and for people to understand that, as grueling as the season is and the personalities are in that clubhouse. But when you re talking about a guy that s played as long as he has, been on some winning teams and continues to bring the enjoyment and really the boyish stuff that he brings. And that s part of his charm is there s still a kid in there, even at 40 what is he? he looks like 48. There s a kid in there, and that comes out when you see him or you re around him. So back to that pitching appearance. Ventura fared just fine, giving up just one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. Ross must ve been calling a good game, right? He never put down a signal, Ventura said. I didn t throw hard enough for him to put down a signal. Robin Ventura praises ex-teammate David Ross after night of ovations By Vinnie Duber / CSN Chicago September 26th, 2016 Out of the White Sox lineup the last two days after he crashed into a wall in Cleveland, Adam Eaton remained sidelined Monday, with manager Robin Ventura saying the outfielder needs more time to recuperate. Of course, Eaton being the kind of player who crashes into walls to make catches, he wants back out on the field in the season s final week. Feeling good, Eaton reported to reporters ahead of Monday s series-opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. I hope to be in there tomorrow. I'm going to test the body parts today. Individually, I want to play until the end and finish strong. That's kind of my outlook as of right now. Eaton assumed he was held out of the lineup for the first of the four-game set on the South Side due to Monday s pitching matchup. Ventura made it pretty clear, though, that that wasn t the case.

9 Yeah, he doesn t feel that good, Ventura said when informed of Eaton s self-assessment. He s always going to tell you he feels good. Even if he s getting better, tomorrow s going to be a better day for him. He s not playing because he s physically still banged-up. He will be here, but he s not going to play today. He s still recuperating and getting better. But in talking to (trainer Herm Schneider), it s just best that he doesn t play today. Eaton needed to be helped off the field by Schneider and teammate Carlos Sanchez on Friday after he made a catch on a deep fly ball off the bat of Roberto Perez and then crashed into the center-field wall at Progressive Field. Getting the wind knocked out of him, Eaton took and passed concussion tests, perhaps preventing a shutdown for the remainder of the season. But he ll sit out his third straight game Monday. Despite the concern over a possible concussion, Eaton said the most-affected body part was his hip. Biggest thing was my hip, to be honest, he said. I think that's what hit first and then kind of a whiplash. I hate to continue referring to a car accident but just kind of a jolt. Taking inventory and making sure everything's aligned again. The doctors there in Cleveland were great. They came over and did all the concussion protocol, making sure I didn't get any dumber, which I'm sure I did. I guess realigning some things and making sure all the body parts are functioning correctly. Feel much better today, every day's been getting better. We're going to test some parts out today and if all goes well, my hope is to be in there tomorrow. Hopefully I didn't get Wally Pipp d and get replaced. I hope I can squeeze back in there. Taking a positive out of things, Eaton said he s happy the crash illustrated the way he hopes to play the game, full go on every play, and that kids might see the catch and want to play the same way. As I ve said the last couple days, it s how I play and I'm proud to play that way. I've been brought up since I was a little kid to play hard. I hope a little kid at home sees it, that it is cool to make a catch for your team and take a double away, and they want to do that. Of course not getting hurt by any stretch of the imagination. But I was always that kid trying to rob people and taking two extra steps to make a diving play as a 12-year-old or 13-year-old. It s fun to do it, but you pay the price for it of course. The catch might ve looked pretty cool on the highlight shows. But Eaton wanted to make one thing clear. One of my buddies in Michigan said it looked epic, Eaton said. I told him it didn't feel epic. Monday s recap: White Sox 7, Rays 1 By Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune September 26th, 2016 James Shields, who helped the Rays to the World Series under Cubs manager Joe Maddon in 2008, faced his former team Monday in the White Sox s first game of a three-game series. And for the first time since beating the Cubs two months, the struggling White Sox right-hander earned a victory. Justin Morneau had two hits, including a two-run home run, and three RBIs in the Sox s 7-1 triumph in an almost empty U.S. Cellular Field. Carlos Sanchez also had two hits, one of which also was a two-run home run in the eighth. The Sox (75-81) scored their first two runs on sacrifice flies from Morneau and catcher Omar Narvaez.

10 Shields allowed a run, seven hits, two walks and struck out six while throwing 108 pitches in six innings as the Rays fell to Former White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez returned to play at U.S. Cellular Field for the first time as an opponent. He tipped his helmet to acknowledge the ovation fans gave him before his first at-bat. On the mound Shields was 0-6 with a 9.46 ERA and a.338 batting average against in his previous 10 starts. At the plate Todd Frazier extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a double. Key number White Sox s record at home before Monday s game, the first time they ve had a winning record at home since The quote That s part of his charm is there s still a kid in there, even at 40 what is he? he looks like 48. White Sox manager Robin Ventura on Cubs catcher and former teammate David Ross. Up next Vs. Rays, 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, CSN-plus. LH Chris Sale (16-9, 3.19) vs. RH Alex Cobb (1-1, 6.16). White Sox praise Cubs but aren t necessarily pulling for them By Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune September 26th, 2016 Jose Abreu and Robin Ventura stopped short of saying they will root, root, root for the Cubbies to win the franchise's first World Series title since But the two White Sox said they wish their neighbors to the north well when they begin their quest to be the best in baseball Oct. 7 in the National League Division Series. "They have a very good team," Abreu said before the Sox's 7-1 victory against the Rays on Monday at a mostly empty U.S. Cellular Field. "They can make good things happen because they have the kind of players... that can accomplish things. I think they showed that during the season." Abreu called himself a baseball fan and said he plans to keep close tabs on the postseason, even if it will pain him a bit to watch. The Sox began this season but quickly fell out of serious contention. Abreu struggled during the first half, when he batted.272 with just 11 home runs to go with 52 RBIs and a.756 OPS. His second half has been much better with a.331 average, 14 home runs, 45 RBIs and a.923 OPS entering Monday, when he had two hits and an RBI. "See things that I can take from those games to try to apply or try to motivate me for next season too," Abreu said. Even if he's not sure what next season holds. Even if he's not sure whether Ventura will be back as his manager. Even if he's not sure whether the Sox will try to rebuild or reload.

11 "I really can't talk about it because it's none of my business," Abreu said. "I don't have a decision about it. The only thing I can control is to play hard, to try to finish this season strong. That's a decision that the team has to make. I hope the decision that they make is the best for the team." Ventura, whose contract is up after this season, has something of a personal stake in the postseason. Though his team won't be in it, one of Ventura's former teammates, Cubs catcher David Ross, will be. Ross caught Ventura in the Sox manager's lone appearance on the mound during his 16-year career. The two were with the Dodgers in 2004 when Ventura pitched an inning of relief during a 13-0 loss to the Angels. "He never put down a signal," Ventura said. "I didn't throw hard enough for him to put down a signal." Earlier this season, before a game between the Sox and Cubs, Ross proudly showed off a jersey Ventura signed for him, wishing him well in his impending retirement. But that doesn't mean Ventura will be cheering for the Cubs as much as he'll be cheering for Chicago. "You want the city to have some enjoyment and have some fun," Ventura said. "Whether I'm rooting for them or not is not going to change the outcome." Eaton out again: Center fielder Adam Eaton was out of the lineup for the third straight game thanks to an out he secured while crashing into the outfield wall Friday in Cleveland. Eaton said he felt a lot better Monday and praised doctors in Cleveland for making sure he was OK. "They came over and did all the concussion protocol, making sure I didn't get any dumber, which I'm sure I did," Eaton said. Eaton said he felt like he could have played Monday, but Ventura said he wasn't sure when Eaton might be ready. "Yeah, he doesn't feel that good," Ventura said. "He's always going to tell you he feels good. Even if he's getting better, (Tuesday's) going to be a better day for him." Abreu stays hot, Shields snaps drought as Sox top Rays By Tom Musick / Chicago Sun-Times September 26th, 2016 For the third consecutive season, Jose Abreu plans to watch the playoffs from home. Sure, it probably will sting to watch other players contend for a championship. It won t feel good to reflect on the White Sox s latest subpar season as Abreu stares at a TV screen showing teams that fulfilled their potential. Still, Abreu will watch. I m a baseball fan, Abreu said through team interpreter Billy Russo. On Monday, Abreu gave a smattering of fellow fans something to enjoy. He finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored as the Sox rolled to a 7-1 win over the Rays. James Shields pitched six strong innings to earn his first victory since July 26 against the Cubs. The 34- year-old limited the Rays to one run on seven hits. He walked two and struck out six.

12 I m just trying to finish the season strong right now, said Shields, who was 0-6 in his previous 10 starts. Body feels good, arm feels good, so hopefully I can get another win Saturday to end my season and move into next year. Justin Morneau and Carlos Sanchez each added two-run home runs as the Sox collected their 75th win. Melky Cabrera notched his 40th double for the first time since Abreu, 29, does not know what the Sox will look like when they convene at Camelback Ranch next spring. He would rather field ground balls than field questions about rumors of a possible rebuild on the South Side. A rebuild almost certainly would increase Abreu s streak of 452 games and counting without a playoff appearance. I can t really talk about it because it s none of my business, Abreu said. I don t have a decision about it. The only thing I can control is to play hard, to try to finish this season strong. That s a decision that the team has to make. I hope the decision that they make is the best for the team. In the meantime, Abreu is chasing as many victories as possible in the season s final week. The way he views it, if he focuses on helping the Sox win, his individual statistics will follow. Abreu increased his batting average to.299 and notched his 98th RBI with Monday s performance. A.300 season with 100 RBIs is well within reach. Such possibilities seemed remote as Abreu staggered toward the All-Star break two-and-a-half months ago. However, he kept working with assistant hitting coach Greg Sparks to improve his approach. The work paid off as Abreu has hit.360 with 14 home runs and 42 RBIs in his past 51 games. The midseason turnaround gives Abreu confidence heading toward You have to do a lot of work during the offseason to keep that momentum, Abreu said. Can momentum actually jump from season to season? Yes and no, Robin Ventura said. It s going to start from zero, Ventura said. The mechanics of it, you re going to have to start back over. But your mindset making somewhat of a comeback or a surge in the second half when you didn t feel it mechanically, which hadn t happened to him here I think that s the biggest thing. You ve seen him rebound, you ve seen him make adjustments while he s up here during the year, and that s new for him. Abreu knows the excitement that is bubbling 8 miles north of U.S. Cellular Field. When the Cubs open the playoffs, he will be watching. After all, he s a baseball fan. They have a very good team, and I wish them the best, Abreu said. They have the kind of players, the kind of group that can accomplish good things. Sox s Eaton remains sidelined By Tom Musick / Chicago Sun-Times September 26th, 2016 Adam Eaton insisted that he felt fine three days after crashing into the outfield wall in Cleveland.

13 Feeling good, said Eaton, who was held out of the starting lineup Monday for the third consecutive game. I can t speak for Robin (Ventura), but I think the reason I m not playing today is because of (Drew) Smyly, a good lefty. Color the Sox s skipper as skeptical. Yeah, he doesn t feel that good, Ventura said. He s always going to tell you he feels good. Even if he s getting better, tomorrow is going to be a better day for him. Eaton passed concussion protocol after the play, which forced him to leave Friday s game in the sixth inning. He said his hip hurt worse than the whiplash he sustained because his hip was the first point of contact with the wall. Taking swings did not pose a problem, Eaton said. It s more my legs and running, Eaton said. I think swinging, at least for me, the rotation has been all right. In Eaton s place, Leury Garcia started in center field and batted ninth against the Rays. Hopefully, I don t get Wally Pipped and get replaced, Eaton said. I hope I can squeeze back in there. Final Sale? Chris Sale is scheduled to start Tuesday in what could be his final outing of the season. For now, the 27-year-old also is on track to start the season finale Sunday against the Twins. But Ventura said the rotation for the final weekend was not set in stone. He does have that option right now, Ventura said of Sale in the season finale. We ll get in and see how we go through it with this series and see where we are with those guys, see where they are physically, how they re doing. I don t plan on anything necessarily changing. It could change in a couple days, and we ll see how that goes and make adjustments as we go along. We ve got enough guys here to make it through. That s not the issue. Sale will try to match a career high with his 17th victory on Tuesday. He is 16-9 with a 3.19 ERA. He already has logged a career-high 214 2/3 innings. Bring the heat Ventura caught up on video highlights Monday of the Wrigley Field sendoff for David Ross, his friend and former teammate with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2004, Dodgers manager Jim Tracy brought in Ventura to pitch the ninth inning with his team trailing Ross was behind the plate as Ventura climbed the mound. He never put down a signal, Ventura said. I didn t throw hard enough for him to put down a signal. The slow stuff worked as Ventura pitched a scoreless inning. His only blemish was allowing a single to Darin Erstad. Ventura said Ross deserved all of his recent recognition as his career winds down. When a guy is at the end and he knows he s at the end, you can have a little more fun, Ventura said.

14 Chicago White Sox open final homestand with a win By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald September 26th, 2016 The Chicago White Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-1 on Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field, but at they're in serious danger of finishing a fourth straight season with a losing record. What started as a collective push to the playoffs has spiraled into a pull for individual statistics, and manager Robin Ventura understands the change in attitude. "You're disappointed with where your team's at, but you still individually have to go out and play and put up numbers," Ventura said. "They're not quite hollow. We want to be better, we want to win more games. But guys do have to go out and put up numbers, and that's always been a part of the game." Todd Frazier needs to clear the fences just one more time to become only the seventh player in Sox history to hit 40 home runs in a season. The third baseman also needs 4 RBI to reach 100 for the first time in his career. Jose Abreu is running out of time to join Albert Pujols as the only players in major-league history to hit 30 or more homers and drive in 100-plus runs in each of their first three seasons. Abreu upped his RBI total to 98 on Monday, but he's still sitting on 25 home runs with six games to play. "You are allowed to have that mindset if you want," Abreu said of chasing numbers. "But I think if you are thinking about winning, your numbers are going to be there because you're playing to win games and help the team win games." Opening their final homestand of the season, Abreu's RBI single in the fifth inning against the Rays helped the White Sox win their third straight game. Justin Morneau and Carlos Sanchez each hit 2-run homers to put the game away late. Sox starter James Shields (6-18) pitched 6 innings and allowed 1 run on 7 hits, winning for the first time since July 26. Eaton update: Adam Eaton missed his third straight game Monday, but the outfielder said he feels "much better" after crashing into the fence Friday night at Cleveland. "I can't speak for Robin (Ventura), but I think the main reason I'm not playing today is because of (Tampa Bay starter Drew) Smyly, a good lefty," Eaton said. "That's the main reason I'm not playing today, but I hope to be in there tomorrow. I'm going to test the body parts today. Individually, I want to play until the end and finish strong. That's kind of my outlook as of right now." Ventura said Eaton wasn't ready to go Monday. "I haven't even seen him today," Ventura said. "He's not playing because he's physically still banged up. He will be in there, but he's not going to play today. He's still recuperating and getting better. But in talking to (trainer) Herm (Schneider), it's just best that he doesn't play today." Final fling? Cy Young Award candidate Chris Sale (16-9, 3.19 ERA) starts against Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, and he would be on regular rest to return to the mound Sunday.

15 Will Sale pitch the final game of the season? "He does have that option right now," manager Robin Ventura said. "We'll get in and see how we go through it with this series and see where we are with those guys, see where they are physically, how they're doing. "I don't plan on anything necessarily changing. It could change in a couple days, and we'll see how that goes and make adjustments as we go along. We've got enough guys (starting pitchers) here to make it through; that's not the issue." Imrem: Chicago Bulls Hoiberg has to stop being Ventura By Mike Imrem / Daily Herald September 26th, 2016 The Chicago Bulls made some high-profile changes since missing the playoffs last season. Derrick Rose out. Rajon Rondo in. Pau Gasol out. Dwyane Wade in. Still others out. Still others in. The biggest change, however, has to be the old Fred Hoiberg out and a new Fred Hoiberg in. If that in fact is the case. "Everybody learns from their mistakes," all-star Jimmy Butler said Monday afternoon at Bulls media day in the Advocate Center. Butler added about the Bulls' head coach, "That was his first year. He studied himself (in the off-season) and got better at what he needed to get better at." That's the hope, anyway. Otherwise, Hoiberg still will be to the Bulls what Robin Ventura has been to the White Sox. Not good enough, that is. Hoiberg and Ventura, the Sox manager, do remind you of each other to the point the suspicion is they're the same guy. Each played for the team he's now responsible for. Each is pleasant. Each is likable. Almost too much so. One impression is that they're too nice, that it's difficult for players to take them seriously, that umpires and officials chuckle when they argue calls. There are worse things to be in this world than too nice unless you're a basketball head coach or baseball manager. Hoiberg and Ventura have other things in common, one of them being that they work for Bulls/Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. A bigger one is that Hoiberg and Ventura each has one immense shadow hovering over him. For Hoiberg it's Tom Thibodeau, his predecessor as Bulls coach. For Ventura it's Joe Maddon, who manages the Cubs.

16 How many times did you hear, or even mutter, "Boy, the Bulls would have made the playoffs if Thibodeau was still here"? How many times did you hear, or even muttered, "Man, it would be nice to find out how good the Sox would be with a manager like Maddon"? Ventura is in his fifth and likely final season as White Sox manager, and the past four combined have been abysmal. Only Reinsdorf would retain a manager that long despite that shabby a record. Hoiberg is embarking on just his second season as Bulls coach and figures to receive considerable time to get it right. In Year 1, Hoiberg didn't exactly distinguish himself as anything but overmatched. Maybe it was his fault. Maybe it was the players' fault. Maybe it was the position the front office put him in. Hoiberg never seemed able to install his systems. He never seemed to command the total respect of his players. He never seemed to be more than the wrong coach with the wrong team at the wrong time. That's not surprising considering Hoiberg came from the college ranks at Iowa State, had no experience as an NBA head coach and was confronted by strong personalities like Rose, Butler, Gasol and Joakim Noah. Now all but Butler are gone, replaced by what might be stronger personalities in Rondo, Wade and a Butler who is now an Olympic gold medalist. So here we are in another late September transition period, with the White Sox fading out with Ventura and the Bulls fading in with Hoiberg. "My job," Hoiberg said, "is to get guys to go out and play more consistently." The Bulls have a chance to improve if Fred Hoiberg is a new enough guy to accomplish that. Shields gets first win in 2 months, White Sox beat Rays 7-1 By Matt Carlson / Associated Press September 26th, 2016 CHICAGO -- James Shields pitched six effective innings for his first win in two months, Justin Morneau and Carlos Sanchez each hit a two-run homer and the Chicago White Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-1 on Monday night. Shields (6-18) allowed one run and seven hits, using six strikeouts to help wriggle out of several jams and help Chicago win its third straight. The right-hander hadn't won since July 26, when he pitched scoreless ball into the eighth against the crosstown Cubs. Shields was 0-6 in his previous 10 starts and is 4-11 since a trade to Chicago from San Diego. Morneau and Omar Narvaez each had two hits. Jose Abreu had two hits and an RBI. Tampa Bay's Drew Smyly (7-12) allowed three runs and seven hits over five innings in losing for the first time since July 18 at Colorado.

17 Curt Casali drove in the lone run off Shields with a single in the fourth. Jaff Decker had three hits for Tampa Bay, which hit into four double plays and has dropped four straight and seven of eight. Four White Sox relievers combined for three scoreless innings, thanks in part to Abreu throwing out Mikie Mahtook at the plate in the eighth. Shields began his career with Tampa Bay in 2006 and pitched seven seasons with the Rays. He's 4-11 with the White Sox, who acquired him from San Diego on June 4. Morneau homered in the seventh and Sanchez connected in the eighth. OH, K's The Rays struck out only six times Monday after becoming just the fifth big league team to strike out 23 or more times in a game in a 3-2, 10-inning loss to Boston on Sunday. Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash, a backup catcher over eight seasons with five teams, was asked if he thought of picking up a bat himself. He quipped, "I would have fit right in." TRAINER'S ROOM Rays: CF Kevin Kiermaier sat out after being hit by a pitch on the left wrist in the second inning of Sunday's game and leaving. X-rays were negative, and Cash said he was just "giving Kiermaier a day." White Sox: OF Adam Eaton missed his third game after crashing into a padded outfield wall in Cleveland on Friday night. Eaton said "the biggest thing was the hip." There's no timetable for his return.... IF Tyler Saladino (back discomfort) sat out his fourth straight game. UP NEXT Tampa Bay RHP Alex Cobb (1-1, 6.16) faces White Sox ace lefty Chris Sale (16-9, 3.19) on Tuesday night. Sale will try to match his career high of 17 wins set in 2012, but he's just 2-7 since peaking at 14-2 after beating Houston on July 2.