Adam Dunn walked into the White Sox clubhouse just after manager Ozzie Guillen addressed the media today.
With his son at his side, Dunn carried a duffel bag to his new locker, right next to Jake Peavy’s #44 jersey.
“Do you remember this number?” Dunn asked his son, pointing to the 44. “A big boy used to wear it, now a little man does.”
That’s the type of personality you can expect from the big fella. Anyone who knows him, Peavy included, raves about how great a clubhouse personality he is.
Dunn didn’t speak today, as some media outlets had left by the time he arrived. He’ll have plenty to talk about tomorrow morning when the time comes.
Other than that, it was a slow day at Camelback Ranch in Glendale.
Chris Sale was mobbed by reporters, but handled it with ease as he explained how he heard through the grape vine that he wouldn’t be starting any games in April, but embraces the challenge ahead of him, competing with Matt Thornton for the closer’s role.
Thornton said he has nothing left to prove, his numbers over his tenure with the Sox should do enough talking.
"It is what it is right now. We are preparing for the season and we can distinguish roles as we go along. Health plays a part into it. Guys might go down during spring. Hopefully nobody does and we have a very healthy team breaking camp."
He said he’s made it abundantly clear that he wants to be the team’s closer, but he also wants to earn it.
It’s going to be fun to watch him and Sale go toe-to-toe this spring for the gig. Here’s what Sale had to say:
"If you’re in the ‘pen, you always want to be the closer. That’s one of the most important jobs of being in the ‘pen. It’s going to be a competitive job to get. We have a lot of quality guys who can go out there any given day and be the closer. There are a lot of really good arms, a lot of talent. It’s going to be tough to get that job but I’m looking forward to working for it."
Ozzie described part of his ideal lineup today, and he wants it to look something like this:
1 – Juan Pierre
2 – Gordon Beckham
3 – Alex Rios
4 – Adam Dunn
5 – Paul Konerko
6 – Carlos Quentin
I personally prefer to see Alexei Ramirez in the two-hole, but Beckham came into camp looking like an absolute machine. I’m not sure how much weight he’s gained, but it’s all muscle. They both got off to slow starts last year, and that spot in the lineup was trouble much of the time. Omar Vizquel made appearances there and did okay, but there was never a consistent producer.
Guillen also said that not only will Pierre be running as much this year as he was last year, but he hopes Beckham will steal more bases, too.
Peavy hit the road a little late to go home for a couple days, so he might not be back with the team until Monday.
I got a chance to talk to Brian Bruney today as well. He’s just grateful that the White Sox gave him a chance after a tumultuous 2010 season that left his career in limbo.
With three flamethrowing southpaws, there’s a spot or two in the bullpen open for a righty, and I think Bruney has the motivation and the skill set to make the 25-man roster. I’m pulling for him.
Check back here tomorrow to see what Dunn had to say!