Tim Anderson was back with a vengeance on Sunday. After missing the first two games of the season because of a suspension that carried over from last season, the Chicago White Sox shortstop was chomping at the bit to get back on the field.
Having Anderson back at the top of the lineup was a breath of fresh air for the White Sox and it showed. He immediately provided the spark that ignited a 10 run outburst. On the first pitch of the game, he ripped a double to left field. Two batters later, he came around to score on a Jose Abreu groundout.
During his next at-bat, he singled on a line drive to center field. Anderson opened the top of the seventh inning by sending the baseball careening off the right-field wall for his second double of the day. Once again he would come around to score. jskndjn
He would finish the day 3-for-5 with two runs scored. It served as a reminder to everyone why he won the 2019 AL batting title.
"“He is the most lit-up energized player, I’ve ever watched,” White Sox skipper Tony La Russa told the media following Sunday’s victory. “Every day, from the minute he walks into the locker room, he’s got life and commitment and ‘Let’s go, let’s go.’ Every practice and every game. “You see his antics, his energy level, and it’s infectious. He’s the best. And it’s all real. He’s not putting on a show, and then he disappears. He wants it. He wants to win.”"
La Russa wasn’t the only manager to notice Anderson’s impact. Tiger’s manager AJ Hinch also couldn’t help but tip his cap to him.
"“Getting their sparkplug back, it changes their lineup,” Hinch said. “It’s something about him against the whole league. It’s not just us. He’s an All-Star caliber player against everybody in the league.”"
The White Sox offense played well the previous two games. But with Anderson back, things felt different. It was a getaway day lineup missing AJ Pollock, Yasmani Grandal, and Yoan Moncada. Yet the White Sox offense was still able to deliver a statement to the Tigers that they are still the clear-cut favorites in the division.
Hitting in the major leagues is hard enough. Getting your timing back after sitting on the bench for two days makes it even harder and Anderson did not miss a beat. Anderson’s confidence is riding high. Opposing pitchers might want to tread lightly.