Trade for Everett Does/Will Prove Effective

By: Chicago Sports Review

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

By Mario ScaliseRemember last season around September, when the White Sox were going head-to-head against the Twins in a battle for the Central Division title? For Sox fans, it’s a moment they’d rather bury deep in their memory banks, but there was something of interest that came from that series: Carl Everett.

It doesn’t seem to be a talked about issue now, unless I’m mistaken, but what happened during the series–which the Twins swept, pulling ahead by 3 1/2 games with less than 10 games remaining–is why it’s great to see Carl Everett back in a White Sox uniform.

It wasn’t just because he went 5-for-12 with four RBIs in a series where the entire offense scored just seven runs. But because of what he said, or at least supposedly.

Following the series beating, Twins’ first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz said that one Sox player talked to him when they were on first base and said something along the lines of “take this division, these guys don’t want it.” That was of course in reference to the heart of the Sox, which was non-existence that series if not all season (some would even say the entire Jerry Manuel-era).

Now, Everett wasn’t the only person who was on base for the White Sox. The White Sox did get on base, it was just that it came in usual White Sox fasion, which was either get on base with two outs and leave baserunner stranded with no outs.

However, Everett was the only one in that series who showed an ounce of intensity and desire to win. He was one of the few in that series that wasn’t going for, in once again White Sox fashion, the five-run homer … with nobody on. Everett was also one of the two new guys on offense (along with Roberto Alomar), and has had a history of speaking his mind.

Clearly this was and still is all speculation. There is no proof Everett was the player, but who else would point out the weakness of last year’s team (little desire) the sixth month into the season than a new guy with a big mouth and the intensity I haven’t seen in a player in years?

By bringing Everett back for the stretch run–a stretch run which will be void of Frank Thomas (ankle)–the White Sox have not only added a left-handed bat with the potential of driving in 35-40 runs over the final 2 1/2 months, but a player, or “grinder,” as Kenny Williams likes to say.

And for what? Jon Rauch and Gary Majewski. One is a top prospect gone mid-level (Rauch), while the other is a minor league reliever (Majewski).

Everett, as designated hitter, went 2-for-5 in Monday’s 12-6 win over the Rangers. Expect more of the same.

Mario Scalise
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