[心得]
[出處] 以下文章引用自:
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090116&content_id=3747222&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws
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[文章]
CHICAGO --
Brian Anderson looks at the White Sox roster in its current form and realizes there's a center-field job there to be won for the upcoming 2009 season. His name consistently has been mentioned by general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen during the past few months to be one of those in the mix for this particular everyday responsibility. But Anderson doesn't have to be one of the men running the team to realize his chances to start aren't quite as likely as they would seem.
The White Sox don't currently have a veteran leadoff hitter in their projected lineup, not necessarily a necessity, but certainly more than a luxury in Guillen's desired attack. With a healthy Jerry Owens fitting these job requirements, the fleet-footed leadoff hitter literally appears to have the leg up on both Anderson and DeWayne Wise in rounding out the White Sox outfield.
That dynamic leaves a calm and collected Anderson wondering if he truly will get a fair shot to capture this position.
"I don't really know what 'fair shot' means," Anderson told MLB.com, taking a break from a session during his second consecutive offseason working out at Fitness Quest 10, with Todd Durkin and his staff, in San Diego. "You can't look it up in the dictionary, and 'fair shot' actually is kind of a cliché.
"Going into Spring Training, we don't have a leadoff hitter and Jerry is considered to be a leadoff hitter. It's math, not magic. It's going to be tough for me, going in [to Spring Training] and knowing that if I play clearly above the rest, my only reward is a platoon situation. It's not something I want."
Before this tale continues, it should be noted that Anderson did not express this sentiment out of anger. He did not pound his fist and demand a trade or talk about mistreatment from the White Sox.
Simply put, Anderson has changed since a similar conversation with MLB.com early last offseason, during which his frustration manifested itself in more caustic terms. Anderson entered Spring Training in 2008 as a long shot to even make the team, but given the at-bats by Guillen during Cactus League action, Anderson earned one of the final roster spots.
By the time the 2008 season came to a close, Anderson had become an everyday player -- in usually two or three innings at a time -- as a defensive replacement for Ken Griffey, Jr. His attitude was better. There was an understanding of his role, and although Anderson hit .232 with eight home runs and 26 RBIs over 181 at-bats, his offensive approach was greatly improved from his .192 showing during the first half of 2006 -- his last starting chance.
"Believe me, I agree with the whole idea in sports of 'What have you done for me lately?'" Anderson said. "I mock myself every chance I can from what happened at the start of 2006. It was sad, and a dude off the street could have done as well as I did at the beginning.
"Then again, you shouldn't hold against someone something that happened three years ago in half of a season. You can't hold a negative over someone's head three years down the road."
Aside from what Anderson believes, does his starting argument actually make sense in the context of the White Sox roster?
Owens certainly would fall into the category of a prototype leadoff hitter, and by Williams' account, he was acquired in February 2005, to eventually replace Scott Podsednik. Owens looked on track to assume this position entering Spring Training during 2008, until a groin injury cut short his playing time in Arizona.
Guillen has said that he doesn't need a Rickey Henderson or Vince Coleman-type player at the top of the order. He values on-base percentage as much as flat-out speed and stolen-base potential.
If Anderson truly beats out Owens in Glendale, Ariz., and Williams makes no other moves in regard to the top of the order, the only other logical leadoff option would be the winner of the second base battle between Brent Lillibridge and Chris Getz. Using one of those two, though, would place a slight extra burden upon a rookie.
Moving Anderson back into regular action would add further power supply to the offense, with Anderson's potential to hit 20-to-25 home runs over 500 at-bats. Anderson's greatest asset is defense, with his 98-game errorless streak and overall capabilities matching up with even the American League's most decorated Gold Glove-winning outfielders. White Sox fans vividly remember Anderson's flat out dive and sprawling catch of Alexi Casilla's sinking liner to end the one-game playoff against the Twins and clinch the AL Central title.
Octavio Dotel, Matt Thornton and Bobby Jenks stand out as the only true strikeout pitchers on the White Sox staff, meaning most White Sox pitchers make the opposition put the ball in play and places defense at a premium. That strong pitching, strong defense and just enough hitting theory equaled a World Series title in 2005.
Of course, the White Sox also had Podsednik creating havoc for much of the 2005 campaign. Anderson appreciates the value held by Owens and not only considers him a good friend but also a high-quality performer. Anderson simply is looking for that elusive fair chance, whether it's with the White Sox or somewhere else.
"My goal is to stick with the team, be loyal and help out in any way I can, but I know Kenny Williams and Ozzie understand," Anderson said. "That might mean I have to go to another team to start fresh. I wouldn't be mad about that.
"Nothing against guys who back up or spot start. If that's my role with the White Sox, I'm ready to do it again. But at 26 or 27, I'm just not ready to be a role player or come off the bench. Nobody is ready to do that at my age."
